bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial distribution of microbial communities in the shallow submarine alkaline hydrothermal field of the Prony Bay, New Caledonia
Authors: Quéméneur Marianne , Bes Méline , Postec Anne , Mei Nan , Hamelin Jérôme , Monnin Christophe , Chavagnac Valérie , Payri Claude , Pelletier Bernard , Guentas‐Dombrowsky Linda , Gérard Martine , Pisapia Céline , Gérard Emmanuelle , Ménez Bénédicte , Ollivier Bernard , Erauso Gaël
Published: June 2014

The shallow submarine hydrothermal field of the Prony Bay (New Caledonia) discharges hydrogen‐ and methane‐rich fluids with low salinity, temperature (< 40°C) and high pH (11) produced by the serpentinization reactions of the ultramafic basement into the lagoon seawater. They are responsible for the formation of carbonate chimneys at the lagoon seafloor. Capillary electrophoresis single‐strand conformation polymorphism fingerprinting, quantitative polymerase chain reaction and sequence analysis of 16S rRNA genes revealed changes in microbial community structure, abundance and diversity depending on the location, water depth, and structure of the carbonate chimneys. The low archaeal diversity was dominated by few uncultured Methanosarcinales similar to those found in other serpentinization‐driven submarine and subterrestrial ecosystems (e.g. Lost City, The Cedars). The most abundant and diverse bacterial communities were mainly composed of Chloroflexi, Deinococcus‐Thermus, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. Functional gene analysis revealed similar abundance and diversity of both Methanosarcinales methanoarchaea, and Desulfovibrionales and Desulfobacterales sulfate‐reducers in the studied sites. Molecular studies suggest that redox reactions involving hydrogen, methane and sulfur compounds (e.g. sulfate) are the energy driving forces of the microbial communities inhabiting the Prony hydrothermal system.
Ultrasound‐guided lateral infraclavicular block evaluated by infrared thermography and distal skin temperature
Authors: ASGHAR S. , LUNDSTRØM L. H. , BJERREGAARD L. S. , LANGE K. H. W.
Published: June 2014

Background

Brachial plexus blocks cause changes in hand and digit skin temperature. We investigated thermographic patterns after the lateral infraclavicular brachial plexus block. We hypothesised that a successful lateral infraclavicular block could be predicted by increased skin temperature of the 2nd and 5th digits.

Methods

We performed an ultrasound‐guided lateral infraclavicular block in 45 patients undergoing upper limb surgery. The contralateral hand served as control and we obtained infrared thermographic images of both hands before the block and during the following 30 min. We defined areas of interest on the hands and analysed mean skin temperature of each area.

Results

Forty patients completed the study. Thirty blocks were successful, six were failures and four were partial failures. Four distinct patterns of skin temperature changes were revealed with highly significant changes in temperature, depending on block success. A simultaneous 1 °C ipsilateral increase in skin temperature of the 2nd and 5th digits predicted a successful block with a positive predictive value of 100%. A 5 °C difference in digit skin temperature compared with the contralateral hand had a positive predictive value of 96%, and a digit skin temperature ≤ 30 °C 30  min after performing the block had a predictive value of 100% for a failed block.

Conclusions

Four different thermographic patterns were found. Simultaneous increases in skin temperature of both the 2nd and 5th digits predicted lateral infraclavicular block success with a positive predictive value of 100%. Digit skin temperature ≤ 30 °C 30 min after performing the block indicated block failure.
The impact of oral food challenge tests on food allergy health‐related quality of life
Authors: Soller L. , Hourihane J. , DunnGalvin A.
Published: June 2014

Food allergy health‐related quality of life (FAQOL) has been shown to improve after food challenge, but it is unknown whether this improvement is attributed to the procedure itself. Using the Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire–Parent Form, we assessed FAQOL changes over time for children who underwent food challenges in the only paediatric allergy clinic in Ireland. Of 54 children who had a food challenge between September 2012 and February 2013, 25 were positive (allergic) and 29 were negative (nonallergic). FAQOL improved significantly from 2 months prechallenge to 2 months postchallenge for both groups, but began to decrease at 6 months postchallenge in allergic patients. Our findings confirm the positive therapeutic effect of the food challenge on FAQOL; however, the effect appears to wane between 2 and 6 months postchallenge in those confirmed food‐allergic, highlighting the importance of regular contact with families of food‐allergic children after the food challenge.
Treating the untreatable patient: current options for the management of treatment‐resistant neovascular age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Broadhead Geoffrey K. , Hong Thomas , Chang Andrew A.
Published: June 2014

Anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor (anti‐VEGF) agents represent the current standard of care for neovascular age‐related macular degeneration (nAMD). Although effective in a majority of cases, a significant proportion of patients have persisting retinal exudation despite regular anti‐VEGF therapy. This exudation is considered to produce poorer visual outcomes in these patients. Some of these patients may have misdiagnosed nAMD variants such as polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy; however, the majority of these eyes have what has been termed treatment‐resistant nAMD. Currently, the best way to care for these patients is uncertain. Here, we review the evidence for different approaches to the management of treatment‐resistant nAMD, including high‐dose anti‐VEGF therapy, combination regimes and switching of anti‐VEGF agents, and discuss possible therapeutic approaches for patients with treatment‐resistant nAMD.
Competing Sexes, Power, and Testosterone: How Winning and Losing Affect People's Empathic Responses and What this Means for Organisations
Authors: Vongas John G. , Al Hajj Raghid
Published: June 2014

We introduce a biopsychosocial model to explain how men's and women's testosterone fluctuations ensuing from winning and losing status in intrasexual competitions affect their proactive and reactive aggression, as well as their accuracy at assessing others’ emotions (empathic accuracy) and anxiety at witnessing others’ pain (personal distress). We also propose that their empathic responses depend on the extent to which they are driven by a need to influence other people (implicit power motivation). To our knowledge, this is among the first articles to offer a comprehensive investigation of the physiological and psychological effects that competitive outcomes have on individuals' empathic responses. Given that competition is ubiquitous in organisational life, we sensitise practitioners to its effect on empathy in the workplace and give recommendations on how they could foster a healthy work environment. Finally, to encourage scholars along this research avenue, we provide concrete suggestions for empirically testing our model and advise them to probe other hormones, as well as other empathic responses and non‐hormonal mechanisms that may assist in further explaining the competition–empathy link.
Embodying Chinese urbanism: towards a research agenda
Authors: Jayne Mark , Leung Ho Hon
Published: June 2014

Despite increasing academic interest focused on Chinese cities, there has been relatively little sustained theoretical and empirical engagement with critical approaches that have enlivened urban geography over the past 30 years. In this paper we seek to advance this research agenda by focusing on embodied urban geographies. More specifically, we consider case studies of dance and massage in order to show how critical engagement with everyday social and cultural forms and practices has much to offer understanding of urban life in China. Discussing theoretical terrain relating to dance and massage with reference to public/private space, individual/collective practices and experiences, and comfort/discomfort, we also signpost important contributions that critical research into Chinese urbanism can make to broader debates within and beyond urban geography.
Bayesian nowcasting during the STEC O104:H4 outbreak in Germany, 2011
Authors: Höhle Michael , an der Heiden Matthias
Published: June 2014

A Bayesian approach to the prediction of occurred‐but‐not‐yet‐reported events is developed for application in real‐time public health surveillance. The motivation was the prediction of the daily number of hospitalizations for the hemolytic‐uremic syndrome during the large May–July 2011 outbreak of Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O104:H4 in Germany. Our novel Bayesian approach addresses the count data nature of the problem using negative binomial sampling and shows that right‐truncation of the reporting delay distribution under an assumption of time‐homogeneity can be handled in a conjugate prior‐posterior framework using the generalized Dirichlet distribution. Since, in retrospect, the true number of hospitalizations is available, proper scoring rules for count data are used to evaluate and compare the predictive quality of the procedures during the outbreak. The results show that it is important to take the count nature of the time series into account and that changes in the delay distribution occurred due to intervention measures. As a consequence, we extend the Bayesian analysis to a hierarchical model, which combines a discrete time survival regression model for the delay distribution with a penalized spline for the dynamics of the epidemic curve. Altogether, we conclude that in emerging and time‐critical outbreaks, nowcasting approaches are a valuable tool to gain information about current trends.
Promoting discussion in peer instruction: Discussion partner assignment and accountability scoring mechanisms
Authors: Chou Chih‐Yueh , Lin Pin‐Hsun
Published: June 2014

Peer instruction (PI) involves students answering questions and peer discussion learning activities. PI can enhance student performance and engagement in classroom instruction. However, some students do not engage in the discussions. This study proposes two mechanisms, discussion partner assignment and accountability scoring mechanisms, to form positive interdependence among students and individual accountability for each student to promote student discussions in PI. The evaluation results show that the student discussion rate with the promoting mechanisms is significantly higher than the rate without the mechanisms. The results from the questionnaire reveal that the mechanisms form positive interdependence and individual accountability to promote students to engage in the discussions.
Pheromonal control: reconciling physiological mechanism with signalling theory
Authors: Peso Marianne , Elgar Mark A. , Barron Andrew B.
Published: June 2014

Pheromones are intraspecific chemical signals. They can have profound effects on the behaviour and/or physiology of the receiver, and it is still common to hear pheromones described as controlling of the behaviour of the receiver. The discussion of pheromonal control arose initially from a close association between hormones and pheromones in the comparative physiological literature, but the concept of a controlling pheromone is at odds with contemporary signal evolution theory, which predicts that a manipulative pheromonal signal negatively affecting the receiver's fitness should not be stable over evolutionary time. Here we discuss the meaning of pheromonal control, and the ecological circumstances by which it might be supported. We argue that in discussing pheromonal control it is important to differentiate between control applied to the effects of a pheromone on a receiver's physiology (proximate control), and control applied to the effects of a pheromone on a receiver's fitness (ultimate control). Critically, a pheromone signal affecting change in the receiver's behaviour or physiology need not necessarily manipulate the fitness of a receiver. In cases where pheromonal signalling does lead to a reduction in the fitness of the receiver, the signalling system would be stable if the pheromone were an honest signal of a social environment that disadvantages the receiver, and the physiological and behavioural changes observed in the receiver were an adaptive response to the new social circumstances communicated by the pheromone.
Innovation as Improvisation ‘In The Shadow’
Authors: Larsen Henry , Bogers Marcel
Published: June 2014

In this article, we explore processes of innovation – which are inherently uncertain – from a complexity perspective, in which they are understood as new patterns of experiences as they emerge in human conversational interaction. We reflect on local interactions between people involved in emerging processes of innovation, with a particular emphasis on the improvisational nature of interaction. Through an abductive approach, by iterating actual experiences and our understanding of them, we show that such processes are collective efforts that take place as informal, highly improvised conversations — happening ‘below the radar’ — which may unpredictably offer windows of opportunity to enable change. We show that innovation often emerges as ‘shadow themes’, experienced as subversive by those involved in the moments of interaction. While these themes are embedded in informal conversations and processes, they can be induced by invitations – conscious or unconscious moves that encourage those involved to make spontaneous moves together in a mutually improvised context. Our experience shows that the emergence of shadow themes can have a long‐term impact on the organization and the people involved, and that managers may be ‘in charge but not in control’ of such innovation processes.
Comparative Analysis of Various Electrostatic Potentials on Docking Precision Against Cyclin‐Dependent Kinase 2 Protein: A Multiple Docking Approach
Authors: Tripathi Sunil K. , Soundarya Rajendran Naga , Singh Poonam , Singh Sanjeev K.
Published: June 2014

The fundamental of molecular modeling is the interaction and binding to form a complex, because it explains the action of most drugs to a receptor active site. In the present study, different semiempirical (RM1, AM1, PM3, MNDO) and ab intio (HF, DFT) charge models were investigated for their performance in prediction of docking pose against CDK2 proteins with their respective inhibitor. Further, multiple docking approaches and Prime/MM‐GBSA calculations were applied to predict the binding mode with respective charge model against CDK2 inhibitors. A reliable docking result was obtained using RRD, which showed significance improvement on ligand binding poses and docking score accuracy to the IFD. The combined use of RRD and Prime/MM‐GBSA method could give a high correlation between the predicted binding free energy and experimental biological activity. The preliminary results point out that AM1 could be a precious charge model for design of new drugs with enhanced success rate. As a very similar result was also found for a different system of the protein–ligand binding, the suggested scoring function based on AM1 method seems to be applicable in drug design. The results from this study can provide insights into highest success rate for design of potent and selective CDK2 inhibitors.
Osteoprotegerin in Turner syndrome – relationship to aortic diameter
Authors: Trolle Christian , Mortensen Kristian Havmand , Bjerre Mette , Hougaard David M. , Cohen Arieh , Andersen Niels Holmark , Gravholt Claus Højbjerg
Published: June 2014

Background

Cardiovascular disease is a cardinal trait of Turner syndrome (TS), causing half of the threefold excess mortality. As osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a potential biomarker of cardiovascular disease, this cross‐sectional and prospective study aimed at elucidating OPG levels in TS and its relationship to aortic diameter as well as validated cardiovascular risk markers.

Methods

Adult women with TS (n = 99) were examined thrice (mean follow‐up 4·7 ± 0·5 years), and 68 age‐matched healthy female controls were examined once. Aortic diameter was assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance. Twenty‐four‐hours blood pressure monitoring and biochemical assessments were also performed.

Results

Osteoprotegerin levels (median with range) were lower in TS (777 [326–10 569] ng/l) compared with controls (979 [398–1987] ng/l; P < 0·05) and did not change during follow‐up. The OPG concentration was higher among women with TS older than 50 years of age (996 [542–4996] vs 756 [326–10 569] ng/l; P < 0·05) with a trend towards a higher OPG in TS who were on antihypertensive medication (938 [490–2638] vs 752 [326–10 569] ng/l; P = 0·09). Contrary to controls, OPG levels correlated with BSA‐indexed aortic diameter (r = 0·31–0·45; P < 0·05), age (r = 0·29; P < 0·05) and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (r = 0·23; P = 0·02) and inversely with BSA (r = −0·20; P < 0·05), weight (r = −0·23; P < 0·05) and plasma oestradiol levels (r = −0·34; P < 0·05).

Conclusion

Levels of OPG are lower in TS and correlate with aortic diameter, age, BSA, weight and oestradiol in TS, but not controls. Future studies are needed to assess whether OPG may serve as a biomarker of aortic or cardiovascular disease in TS.
Review of 268 lacrimal gland biopsies in an Australian cohort
Authors: Andrew Nicholas H , McNab Alan A , Selva Dinesh
Published: June 2014

Background

To review the distribution of pathology in lacrimal gland biopsies performed in an Australian cohort.

Design

Retrospective review.

Participants

Two hundred sixty‐eight lacrimal gland biopsies from 263 patients.

Methods

Pathology archives in South Australia and Victoria were searched for lacrimal gland biopsies performed between 1 January 1997 and 31 December 2012. Data retrieved included the year of biopsy, the histopathological diagnosis, patient age and gender.

Main Outcome Measures

Distribution of pathology affecting the lacrimal gland; patient age and gender.

Results

The distribution of lacrimal gland pathology was: inflammations and vasculitides 50.0%, lymphomas 19.8%, lymphoid hyperplasias 12.3%, benign epithelial tumours 7.8% (all pleomorphic adenomas), malignant epithelial tumours 4.1%, dacryops 3.0% and miscellaneous 3.0%. The mean age was 52 years, with lymphoma affecting the oldest patient group (64.6 years) and sarcoidosis the youngest (40.6 years). Of the patients with biopsy‐confirmed dacryoadenitis, biopsy revealed a specific diagnosis in 34% of cases. Immunoglobulin G4‐related disease was the most common ‘specific’ dacryoadenitis. Significantly more pleomorphic adenomas were diagnosed in the period 1997–2004 than the period 2005–2012 inclusive, but there were no other significant changes in the distribution of pathology over time.

Conclusions

Two thirds of dacryoadenitis was ‘non‐specific’, two thirds of epithelial tumours were pleomorphic adenomas and approximately two thirds of all lacrimal gland biopsies were accounted for by inflammations and lymphoid hyperplasias. The ratio of inflammations to neoplasias will be significantly influenced by the clinician's threshold for biopsying patients presenting with features of dacryoadenitis.
Changes in hematological parameters in α‐thalassemia individuals co‐inherited with erythroid Krüppel‐like factor mutations
Authors: Yu L.‐H. , Liu D. , Cai R. , Shang X. , Zhang X.‐H. , Ma X.‐X. , Yan S.‐H. , Fang P. , Zheng C.‐G. , Wei X.‐F. , Liu Y.‐H. , Zhou T.‐B. , Xu X.‐M.
Published: June 2014

Phenotypic variations in α‐thalassemia mainly depend on the defective α‐globin gene number. Genetic modifiers of the phenotype of Hemoglobin H (HbH) disease were poorly reported, apart from β‐thalassemia allele that was identified ameliorating the severity of α‐thalassemia. Because erythroid Krüppel‐like factor (KLF1) mutations can modulate the red blood phenotype, we evaluated its effect on the α‐thalassemia phenotype. Overall, we identified 72 subjects with five different KLF1 heterozygous mutations in 1468 individuals, including 65 out of 432 α‐thalassemia carriers with fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels ≥1%, 0 out of 310 carriers with HbF levels <1% and 7 out of 726 HbH disease patients. We firstly established the link between KLF1 mutations and relatively elevated hemoglobin A2 (HbA2) and HbF levels, along with lower mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) values in a group of α‐thalassemia carriers. However, we concluded that KLF1 mutations were not significantly linked to HbH disease severity. On the basis of HBA or HBB genotype and gender, clinical severity of patients with HbH disease was correctly predicted in 73.3% cases. It may improve the screening and diagnostic assessment of α‐thalassemia.
Spectral Analysis on Medial Axis of 2D Shapes
Authors: He Shuiqing , Choi Yi‐King , Guo Yanwen , Wang Wenping
Published: June 2014

Shape analysis finds many important applications in shape understanding, matching and retrieval. Among the various shape analysis methods, spectral shape analysis aims to study the spectrum of the Laplace–Beltrami operator of some well‐designed shape‐dependent equations and obtain a spectral shape descriptor that can in turn be used for shape analysis purposes. The success of such approaches depends greatly on the discriminating power of a shape descriptor. On the other hand, the medial axis of a shape is widely known for its complete shape representation. It is sensitive to small perturbation of the boundary of a shape which often poses difficulty in its effective use for shape analysis. In this paper, we propose a new spectral shape descriptor, called the medial axis spectrum for 2D shapes, which directly applies spectral analysis to the medial axes of the shapes. We extend the Laplace–Beltrami operator onto the medial axis, and take the solution to an extended Laplacian eigenvalue problem defined on the axis as the medial axis spectrum. The medial axis spectrum is robust in the presence of shape boundary noise, and is invariant under rigid transformations, uniform scaling and isometry of the medial axis. We demonstrate these benefits of such a medial axis spectrum representation through extensive experiments. The medial axis spectrum is further used for 2D shape retrieval, and its superiority over previous work is shown by comparison.
Quality of Life in Children with Narcolepsy
Authors: Inocente Clara O. , Gustin Marie‐Paule , Lavault Sophie , Guignard‐Perret Anne , Raoux Aude , Christol Noemie , Gerard Daniel , Dauvilliers Yves , Reimão Rubens , Bat‐Pitault Flora , Lin Jian‐Sheng , Arnulf Isabelle , Lecendreux Michel , Franco Patricia
Published: June 2014

Aims

To evaluate the health‐related quality of life (HRQL) and its correlates in children and adolescents with narcolepsy.

Methods

We compared the clinical characteristics of control subjects and patients with primary narcolepsy from data collected at the National Reference Centers for Narcolepsy.

Results

The cohort included 69 control subjects (29 boys) and 117 patients (65 boys; 59 de novo patients). Cataplexy was present in 81% and DQB1*0602 was positive in 91%. The control children were older (13.5 ± 3.2 vs. 11.6 ± 3.1 years, P < 0.001) and less obese (1.4% vs. 60%, P < 0.001). Twenty‐five percent of the patients and 15.6% of the control subjects had clinically significant depressive feelings on Children's Depression Inventory (CDI ≥ 16) (NS). Fifty‐three narcoleptic and 43 control adolescents, 31 narcoleptic children and 23 control children filled out the HRQL questionnaires as well as 83 parents of patients and 60 parents of control subjects. Narcolepsy seriously impacts HRQL in terms of vitality, physical well‐being, relations with friends and leisure activities, especially in adolescents. Depression was the factor that most affected HRQL in both narcoleptic and control subjects. For the control subjects and the narcoleptic patients, when the CDI score was entered into the multivariable regression model adjusted for gender and age, no other continuous independent variable could significantly increase the likelihood of the model. When the CDI score increased by 1, the mean HRQL score decreased by 1.7 for narcoleptic patients and 1.5 for control subjects. Apnea–hypopnoea index, diagnosis delay, disease duration, obesity, the presence of cataplexy or treatment had no effects on HRQL.

Conclusions

Narcoleptic children and adolescents were at high risk for poor HRQL. Depressive symptoms had a major impact on HRQL. We recommend a more thorough assessment and management of psychological health in this population.
Emergency surgery for perforated diverticulitis in the immunosuppressed patient
Authors: Golda T. , Kreisler E. , Mercader C. , Frago R. , Trenti L. , Biondo S.
Published: June 2014

Aim

Immunosuppression is believed to worsen outcomes for patients who require surgery for perforated diverticulitis. The aim of this study was to compare surgical outcomes between immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients undergoing surgery for complicated diverticulitis.

Method

All patients who underwent emergency surgery for complicated diverticulitis between 2004 and 2012 in a single unit were studied. Patients were classified as immunosuppressed (group I) or immunocompetent (group II). Operation type and postoperative morbidity and mortality were compared between groups. The impact of operating surgeons’ specialization and the Peritonitis Severity Score (PSS) were also evaluated to determine their impact on the restoration of gastrointestinal (GI) continuity.

Results

One‐hundred and sixteen patients (mean age: 63.7 years), 41.4% women, were included. Fifty‐three (45.7%) patients were immunosuppressed (group I): 42 underwent Hartmann's procedure (HP) (79.2%), nine (17.0%) underwent resection and primary anastomosis (RPA) with ileostomy (IL) and two (3.8%) underwent RPA without IL. In group II, 15 HP (23.8%), nine RPA with IL (14.3%) and 39 RPA without IL (61.9%) were performed. Postoperative morbidity and mortality were 79.2% and 26.4%, respectively, in group I and 63.5% and 6.3%, respectively, in group II. The overall mean PSS was 9.5, with a mean PSS of 11.1 in group I and of 8.1 in group II. The decision to perform a primary anastomosis differed significantly between colorectal surgeons and general surgeons in the patients with a PSS of 9–10–11.

Conclusion

In immunocompromised patients, RPA with IL can be a safe surgical option, whereas HP should be reserved for patients with a PSS of > 11. Colorectal surgical specialization is associated with higher rates of restoration of GI continuity in patients with perforated diverticulitis, especially in patients with an intermediate PSS score. Evaluation of each patient's PSS facilitates decision making in surgery for perforated diverticulitis.
The use of venous jump grafts in pancreatic transplantation – no difference in patient or allograft outcomes – an update of the UNOS database
Authors: Siskind Eric , Maloney Caroline , Ashburn Sarah , Akerman Meredith , Siskind Tamar , Goldberg Lauren , Bhaskaran Madhu , Basu Amit , Molmenti Ernesto , Ortiz Jorge
Published: June 2014

Venous jump grafts are used in pancreas transplantation to salvage a pancreas with a short portal vein or to facilitate an easier anastomosis. There have been no large studies evaluating the safety of venous jump grafts in pancreas transplantation. We analyzed the UNOS database to determine whether venous jump grafts are associated with graft loss or patient death. Data from UNOS on all adult pancreas transplant recipients 1996–2012 were analyzed. Venous extension grafts were used in 2657 cases; they were not in 18 124. Kaplan–Meier/product‐limit estimates analysis demonstrated similar patient survival (p < 0.641) and death‐censored graft survival (p < 0.351) at one, three, five,10, and 15 yr between subjects with and without venous jump grafts. There was a statistically significant difference in one‐yr unadjusted patient survival between the venous extension graft (94.9%) and the no‐venous extension graft (95.8%) groups (p < 0.045) and a borderline difference in one‐yr graft survival between the venous extension graft (84.1%) and the no‐venous extension graft (82.6%) groups (p < 0.055). There was no significant difference in patient survival or allograft survival at the three‐, five‐, 10‐, and 15‐yr intervals. The use of venous jump grafts is not associated with increased graft loss or mortality.
Validation of the Maryland Aggregate Pathology Index (MAPI), a pre‐implantation scoring system that predicts graft outcome
Authors: Philosophe Benjamin , Malat Gregory E. , Soundararajan Sunganthi , Barth Rolf N. , Manitpisikul Wana , Wilson Nikita S. , Ranganna Karthik , Drachenberg Cinthia B. , Papadimitriou John C. , Neuman Brian P. , Munivenkatappa Raghava B.
Published: June 2014

Predicting graft outcome after renal transplantation based on donor histological features has remained elusive and is subject to institutional variability. We have shown in a retrospective study that the Maryland Aggregate Pathology Index score reliably predicts graft outcome. We sought to validate the scoring system in our center and a second transplant center. We analyzed 140 deceased donor kidneys pre‐implantation biopsies from center 1 and 65 from center 2. The patients had a mean follow‐up of 695 ± 424 and 656 ± 305 d respectively. Although MAPI scores were similar, there were significant differences in donor and recipient parameters between both centers. Despite this, MAPI was predictive of graft outcome for both centers by Cox univariate, multivariate and time dependent ROC analysis. For center 1 and 2, three yr graft survival within each MAPI group was statistically equivalent. The three‐yr graft survival at center 1 for low, intermediate, and high MAPI groups were 84.3%, 56.5%, and 50.0%, respectively, p ≤ 0.0001, and at center 2 were 83.3%, 33.3%, and 33.3%, p = 0.006. MAPI, which is based on a pre‐implantation biopsy, demonstrated similar predictive and outcome results from both centers. As expanded criteria donors (ECD) criteria have redefined marginal kidneys, MAPI has the potential to further define ECD kidneys, increase utilization, and ultimately improve outcomes.
Seeds of Persistence: Agrobiodiversity in theAmericanMountainSouth
Authors: Veteto James R.
Published: June 2014

ProfessorRobertE.Rhoades worked for four decades to construct a comparative, international anthropology of mountain agrobiodiversity. This paper presents research in the tradition ofRhoades's applied agrobiodiversity studies. Baseline landrace inventories were compiled fromAppalachia and theOzarkHighlands,UnitedStates, based on in‐depth ethnoecological research. Results illustrate that southern/centralAppalachia is the most diverse foodshed at the varietal level in theUnitedStates,Canada, and northernMexico studied to date. Examples of how this research has contributed to severalin situagrobiodiversity conservation projects are provided.
Interpersonal synchrony increases prosocial behavior in infants
Authors: Cirelli Laura K. , Einarson Kathleen M. , Trainor Laurel J.
Published: June 2014

Adults who move together to a shared musical beat synchronously as opposed to asynchronously are subsequently more likely to display prosocial behaviors toward each other. The development of musical behaviors during infancy has been described previously, but the social implications of such behaviors in infancy have been little studied. In Experiment 1, each of 48 14‐month‐old infants was held by an assistant and gently bounced to music while facing the experimenter, who bounced either in‐synchrony or out‐of‐synchrony with the way the infant was bounced. The infants were then placed in a situation in which they had the opportunity to help the experimenter by handing objects to her that she had ‘accidently’ dropped. We found that 14‐month‐old infants were more likely to engage in altruistic behavior and help the experimenter after having been bounced to music in synchrony with her, compared to infants who were bounced to music asynchronously with her. The results of Experiment 2, using anti‐phase bouncing, suggest that this is due to the contingency of the synchronous movements as opposed to movement symmetry. These findings support the hypothesis that interpersonal motor synchrony might be one key component of musical engagement that encourages social bonds among group members, and suggest that this motor synchrony to music may promote the very early development of altruistic behavior.

A video abstract of this article can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaqWehfDm7c&feature=youtu.be
Effect of docosahexaenoic acid‐enriched fish oil supplementation in pregnant women with Type 2 diabetes on membrane fatty acids and fetal body composition—double‐blinded randomized placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Min Y. , Djahanbakhch O. , Hutchinson J. , Bhullar A. S. , Raveendran M. , Hallot A. , Eram S. , Namugere I. , Nateghian S. , Ghebremeskel K.
Published: June 2014

Aims

To test if docosahexaenoic acid‐enriched fish oil supplementation rectifies red cell membrane lipid anomaly in pregnant women with Type 2 diabetes and their neonates, and alters fetal body composition.

Methods

Women with Type 2 diabetes (n = 88; 41 fish oil, 47 placebo) and healthy women (n = 85; 45 fish oil, 40 placebo) were supplemented from the first trimester until delivery. Blood fatty acid composition, fetal biometric and neonatal anthropometric measurements were assessed.

Results

A total of 117 women completed the trial. The women with Type 2 diabetes who took fish oil compared with those who received placebo had higher percentage of docosahexaenoic acid in red cell phosphatidylethanolamine in the third trimester (12.0% vs. 8.9%, P = 0.000) and at delivery (10.7% vs. 7.4%, P = 0.001). Similarly, the neonates of the women with Type 2 diabetes supplemented with the fish oil had increased docosahexaenoic acid in the red cell phosphatidylethanolamine (9.2% vs. 7.7%, P = 0.027) and plasma phosphatidylcholine (6.1% vs. 4.7%, P = 0.020). Docosahexaenoic acid‐rich fish oil had no effect on the body composition of the fetus and neonates of the women with Type 2 diabetes.

Conclusions

A daily dose of 600 mg of docosahexaenoic acid was effective in ameliorating red cell membrane docosahexaenoic acid anomaly in pregnant women with Type 2 diabetes and neonates, and in preventing the decline of maternal docosahexaenoic acid during pregnancy. We suggest that the provision of docosahexaenoic acid supplement should be integrated in the antenatal care of pregnant women with Type 2 diabetes.
Metabolic syndrome and sex‐specific socio‐economic disparities in childhood and adulthood: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys
Authors: Yang J. J. , Yoon H.‐S. , Lee S.‐A. , Choi J.‐Y. , Song M. , Han S. , Lee J.‐K. , Kang D.
Published: June 2014

Aims

To examine whether adulthood and/or childhood sex‐specific socio‐economic disparities are associated with metabolic syndrome and its components in a developed non‐Western setting.

Methods

Based on the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 14 888 people aged ≥ 20 years were analysed to evaluate the effect of adult and childhood socio‐economic status on metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to calculate the odds ratios for metabolic syndrome and each component of metabolic syndrome in later life.

Results

The age‐standardized prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 26.6% for men and 21.3% for women. Compared with the highest level of education, men with the lowest education level were significantly less likely to have metabolic syndrome (odds ratio 0.76, 95% CI 0.60–0.96), whereas the opposite association was found in women (odds ratio 3.29, 95% CI 2.45–4.42). Men who were manual labourers and economically inactive had a lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome compared with those with non‐manual jobs (odds ratio 0.82, 95% CI 0.69–0.98 and odds ratio 0.79, 95% CI 0.64–0.99, respectively), but the reverse association was observed in women (odds ratio 1.34, 95% CI 1.04–1.73 and odds ratio 1.40, 95% CI 1.09–1.81, respectively). A significant interaction between combined adulthood and childhood socio‐economic status on the presence of metabolic syndrome was observed (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that sex‐specific socio‐economic disparities in childhood and adulthood have differential effects on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its individual components in Korea.
Privatising Pensions in the UK: How to Restore Contracting Out
Authors: Booth Philip , Niemietz Kristian
Published: June 2014

For much of the post‐war period in the UK, individuals were allowed to use private pension provision to replace part of their state pension. This system was supported by all political parties but it has been eroded since the 1990s. The opportunity to ‘contract out’ of the state pension is finally being abolished by the current Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition government. This paper proposes a new method of allowing people to contract out of the state pension system, calculates appropriate rebates of social security taxes and discusses the potential risks of adopting the proposals.
Persistent Left and Absent Right Superior Vena Cava: Combined Functional and Anatomic Assessment with Transthoracic Echocardiography and Computed Tomography
Authors: Naoum Christopher , Khoury Vincent , Ridley Lloyd , Maze Seymour
Published: June 2014

Mini‐Abstract

We present the case of a 42‐year‐old man with incidentally noted dilatation of the coronary sinus who underwent bilateral upper limb agitated saline injection to confirm a diagnosis of persistent left and absent right superior vena cava. The case highlights the ability of selective bilateral upper limb agitated saline injection during transthoracic echocardiography to conclusively characterize venous return patterns. Anatomical confirmation of the diagnosis was subsequently made by thoracic computed tomography.
Functional analysis of limb transcriptional enhancers in the mouse
Authors: Nolte Mark J. , Wang Ying , Deng Jian Min , Swinton Paul G. , Wei Caimiao , Guindani Michele , Schwartz Robert J. , Behringer Richard R.
Published: June 2014

Transcriptional enhancers are genomic sequences bound by transcription factors that act together with basal transcriptional machinery to regulate gene transcription. Several high‐throughput methods have generated large datasets of tissue‐specific enhancer sequences with putative roles in developmental processes. However, few enhancers have been deleted from the genome to determine their roles in development. To understand the roles of two enhancers active in the mouse embryonic limb bud we deleted them from the genome. Although the genes regulated by these enhancers are unknown, they were selected because they were identified in a screen for putative limb bud‐specific enhancers associated with p300, an acetyltransferase that participates in protein complexes that promote active transcription, and because the orthologous human enhancers (H1442 and H280) drive distinct lacZ expression patterns in limb buds of embryonic day (E) 11.5 transgenic mice. We show that the orthologous mouse sequences, M1442 and M280, regulate dynamic expression in the developing limb. Although significant transcriptional differences in enhancer‐proximal genes in embryonic limb buds accompany the deletion of M1442 and M280 no gross limb malformations during embryonic development were observed, demonstrating that M1442 and M280 are not required for mouse limb development. However, M280 is required for the development and/or maintenance of body size; M280 mice are significantly smaller than controls. M280 also harbors an “ultraconserved” sequence that is identical between human, rat, and mouse. This is the first report of a phenotype resulting from the deletion of an ultraconserved element. These studies highlight the importance of determining enhancer regulatory function by experiments that manipulate them in situ and suggest that some of an enhancer's regulatory capacities may be developmentally tolerated rather than developmentally required.
Stopping movements: when others slow us down
Authors: Cavallo Andrea , Catmur Caroline , Sowden Sophie , Ianì Francesco , Becchio Cristina
Published: June 2014

Previous research has shown that performing joint actions can lead to the representation of both one's own and others’ actions. In the present study we explored the influence of co‐representation on response stopping. Are joint actions more difficult to stop than solo actions? Using a variation of the stop‐signal task, we found that participants needed more time to stop a planned joint action compared with a planned solo action (Experiment 1). This effect was not observed when participants performed the task in the presence of a passive observer (Experiment 2). A third transcranial magnetic stimulation experiment (Experiment 3) demonstrated that joint stopping recruited a more selective suppression mechanism than solo stopping. Taken together, these results suggest that participants used a global inhibition mechanism when acting alone; however, they recruited a more selective and slower suppression mechanism when acting with someone else.
Furosemide Administration Affects Mineral Excretion in Exercised Thoroughbreds
Authors: Pagan J , Waldridge B , Whitehouse C , Fuchs S , Goff M
Published: June 2014

Introduction

Furosemide is widely administered to Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses to reduce the incidence and severity of EIPH. The magnitude and duration of mineral loss following furosemide administration has not previously been measured in horses.

Methods

Six fit Thoroughbreds (age 6.8 ± 1.2 y; bwt 585 ± 19 kg) were used in a 3 x 3 Latin square design trial to measure the effect of furosemide on urinary and fecal mineral excretion for 24 h before (−24 h) and 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after a standardized exercise test (SET) on an inclined (3o) high speed treadmill. The treatment groups consisted of an untreated control (C) and two groups (F and FE) which received furosemide (0.5 mg/kg, IV) 4 h before the SET. C and F were fed 60 g/d NaCl and (FE) was fed 200 g/d of an electrolyte mix (14 g K, 37.7 g Na and 43.3 g Cl) for 21 days before the SET. Following the SET the FE group was supplemented with an additional 10 g/d Ca and 10 g/d Mg.

Results

Urinary Ca, P, Na and Cl excretion increased 24 h post treatment in the F and FE groups (P<0.05). 72 h Ca and Cl balance was decreased in F (P<0.05) and 72 h Mg and Cl balance was decreased in FE (P<0.05). The digestibility of P and Mg was decreased in FE (P<0.05) and Na digestibility was increased in F and FE (P<0.05).

Conclusions

A single dose of furosemide negatively affected calcium balance in horses for 72 h post administration. Further research is needed to assess the effect of chronic furosemide use in racehorses on mineral balance and soundness.

Ethical Animal Research

Study approved by the Kentucky Equine Research Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Sources of funding: Kentucky Equine Research. Competing interests: none.
Effect of Training on PPARGC1A and FNDC5 Gene Expression in Thoroughbred Horses
Authors: McGivney B , Herdan C , Gough K , Katz L , Hill E
Published: June 2014

Introduction

PGC‐1α and irisin, encoded by the PPARGC1A and FNDC5 genes, play key roles in mediating the beneficial effects of exercise. PPARGC1A gene expression is induced by exercise and has been shown to upregulate FNDC5 expression. Higher levels of FNDC5 have been observed in young male human athletes compared to sedentary controls. FNDC5 gene expression has also been shown in some species to be modulated by myostatin (MSTN), a growth factor that limits muscle hypertrophy. In horses MSTN variation (g.66493737C>T) affects gene expression and racing performance. Thoroughbreds homozygous for the C‐allele have significantly higher levels of MSTN mRNA than homozygous T : T horses. The aim of this study was to investigate the responses of PPARGC1A and FNDC5 in skeletal muscle to exercise and investigate the relationship with MSTN genotype.

Methods

Skeletal muscle (gluteus medius) biopsies were taken from untrained yearling Thoroughbreds (n = 27) at rest and after a ten month period of training at two‐years‐old. Skeletal muscle gene expression was measured using real‐time qRT‐PCR assays and data was analysed using qBase software.

Results

A significant increase in both PPARGC1A (P = 0.0001, FC = 1.82) and FNDC5 (P = 0.039, FC = 1.72) was observed post‐training. A significant positive correlation was found between FNDC5 and PPARGC1A expression levels post training (P = 0.01, R2 = 0.22). There was no relationship between PPARGC1A or FNDC5 gene expression and MSTN genotype.

Conclusions

These data indicate a coordinated role for PGC‐1α and irisin in the skeletal muscle response to exercise in Thoroughbred horses. Their known roles in mitochondrial biogenesis and brown fat metabolism suggest important roles in the adaptive response to exercise, which is independent of MSTN‐determined muscle type.

Ethical Animal Research

Institutional Animal Research Ethics Committee approval was obtained. Explicit owner informed consent for participation in this study is not stated. Sources of funding: Science Foundation Ireland under Grant Number 11/PI/1166. Competing interests: Dr Hill is a co‐founder and Chairman of Equinome Ltd.
Accuracy of Girth Based Measurements of Stride Characteristics in Horses Trotting on a Treadmill
Authors: Bathe B , Dawes H , Nankervis K , Esser P , Collett J
Published: June 2014

Introduction

This study aimed to investigate the possibility of obtaining the beginning and end of stance from a girth‐mounted Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), by comparing data from the IMU with data from an opto‐electronic system.

Methods

15 horses were trotted on a treadmill, with markers on hooves and a Girth Marker (GM) on a wireless IMU over the sternum. Proreflex cameras collected 3D marker data. T‐tests and Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICCs) were used to decipher any difference between diagonally paired limbs; GM and hoof markers; and GM and IMU, the limits of agreement of which were also assessed using a Bland Altman method.

Results

Timings of diagonally‐coupled limbs were not significantly different at beginning (P = 0.77 and 0.95), or end of stance (P = 0.60 and 0.46) for right or left diagonal respectively. The diagonal in stance was identifiable from GM y position, with which IMU derived position had 97%, and IMU roll 100% agreement. Stance according to hoof markers did not differ significantly from GM z acceleration at beginning (P = 0.49 ± 0.01, P = 0.92 ± 0.007), or GM z velocity at end (P = 0.84 ± 0.007, P = 0.83 ± 0.007), in right or left diagonal respectively. A strong correlation was seen between beginning and end of stance according to GM and IMU events (each R2>0.99). Relationships between IMU and GM amplitudes were less convincing, with a significant difference at peak acceleration (P<0.05, Standard Deviation = 2.70 m/s/s, ULOA = 5.93, LLOA = −4.66).

Conclusions

A girth‐based IMU can identify temporal stride characteristics in trot on a treadmill, but inferences from amplitude data should be treated with caution until further investigated.

Ethical Animal Research

Approved by Hartpury College Research Ethics Committee. Sources of funding: Research self‐funded by the first author. Competing interests: none.