bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experiences of Women Elite Leaders Doing Gender: Intra‐gender Micro‐violence between Women
Authors: Mavin Sharon , Grandy Gina , Williams Jannine
Published: May 2014

This paper responds to the dearth of research into women's negative intra‐gender relations and lack of understanding as to why and how these relations manifest. Through a qualitative study of women elite leaders' experiences in UK organizations, the research considers how gendered contexts, women doing gender well and differently simultaneously, intra‐gender competition and female misogyny may explain negative intra‐gender social relations between women. We consider micro‐aggression research and women's abjection and offer a unique conceptualization of intra‐gender micro‐violence with themes of disassociating, suppression of opportunity and abject appearance. The themes illustrate how the masculine symbolic order shapes and constrains women elite leaders' social relations with other women. We conclude that raising consciousness to intra‐gender micro‐violence between women is important as a means of disruption; to facilitate women and men's acceptance of intra‐gender differences between women; and to open up opportunities and possibilities for women in organizations.
Oral antihypertensive therapy for severe hypertension in pregnancy and postpartum: a systematic review
Authors: Firoz T , Magee LA , MacDonell K , Payne BA , Gordon R , Vidler M , von Dadelszen P ,   the Community Level Interventions for Pre‐eclampsia (CLIP) Working Group
Published: May 2014

Background

Pregnant and postpartum women with severe hypertension are at increased risk of stroke and require blood pressure (BP) reduction. Parenteral antihypertensives have been most commonly studied, but oral agents would be ideal for use in busy and resource‐constrained settings.

Objectives

To review systematically, the effectiveness of oral antihypertensive agents for treatment of severe pregnancy/postpartum hypertension.

Search strategy

A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library was performed.

Selection criteria

Randomised controlled trials in pregnancy and postpartum with at least one arm consisting of a single oral antihypertensive agent to treat systolic BP ≥ 160 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 110 mmHg.

Data collection and analysis

Cochrane RevMan 5.1 was used to calculate relative risk (RR) and weighted mean difference by random effects.

Main results

We identified 15 randomised controlled trials (915 women) in pregnancy and one postpartum trial. Most trials in pregnancy compared oral/sublingual nifedipine capsules (8–10 mg) with another agent, usually parenteral hydralazine or labetalol. Nifedipine achieved treatment success in most women, similar to hydralazine (84% with nifedipine; relative risk [RR] 1.07, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.98–1.17) or labetalol (100% with nifedipine; RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.95–1.09). Less than 2% of women treated with nifedipine experienced hypotension. There were no differences in adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Target BP was achieved ~ 50% of the time with oral labetalol (100 mg) or methyldopa (250 mg) (47% labetelol versus 56% methyldopa; RR 0.85 95% CI 0.54–1.33).

Conclusions

Oral nifedipine, and possibly labetalol and methyldopa, are suitable options for treatment of severe hypertension in pregnancy/postpartum.
Behavioral syndrome in a native and an invasive hymenoptera species
Authors: Monceau Karine , Moreau Jérôme , Poidatz Juliette , Bonnard Olivier , Thiéry Denis
Published: May 2014

Recent studies have focused on the role of behavior in biological invasions. Individuals may differ consistently in time for several behavioral traits (personality) which covary (behavioral syndrome) resulting in different behavioral types, some of them favoring invasion. Social hymenopterans have a strong potential to be invaders and their success depends primarily on the foundresses’ ability to found viable colonies. They are expected to be active, explorative and bold for optimally establishing their nest. In Europe, 2 hornet species coexist: the native Vespa crabro and the invasive Vespa velutina. These 2 species may compete for nesting sites and we suggest that the initial success of V. velutina has been favored by its behavior in outperforming V. crabro for the traits involved in nest initiation. Here, we (i) defined the personality of V. crabro and V. velutina, (ii) tested for the existence of behavioral syndrome in these species, and (iii) compared their performances using an open‐field test. Our results show that V. crabro foundresses behave consistently but not V. velutina; this lack of consistency being mainly due to reduced variance among individuals. This result questions the possibility of detecting consistent behavioral differences in species having recently undergone a strong bottleneck. Both species exhibit the same correlations between activity, boldness and exploration and V. velutina clearly outperforms V. crabro for all traits. Our results suggest that activity, boldness, and exploration are implicated in both hornet nest initiation and invasion process which contributed to explain why social hymenopterans are so successful at colonization.
Microbial response to single‐cell protein production and brewery wastewater treatment
Authors: Lee Jackson Z. , Logan Andrew , Terry Seth , Spear John R.
Published: May 2014

As global fisheries decline, microbial single‐cell protein (SCP) produced from brewery process water has been highlighted as a potential source of protein for sustainable animal feed. However, biotechnological investigation ofSCPis difficult because of the natural variation and complexity of microbial ecology in wastewater bioreactors. In this study, we investigate microbial response across a full‐scale brewery wastewater treatment plant and a parallel pilot bioreactor modified to produce anSCPproduct. A pyrosequencing survey of the brewery treatment plant showed that each unit process selected for a unique microbial community. Notably, flow equalization basins were dominated byPrevotella, methanogenesis effluent had the highest levels of diversity, and clarifier wet‐well samples were sources of sequences for the candidate bacterial phyla ofTM7 andBD1‐5. Next, the microbial response of a pilot bioreactor producingSCPwas tracked over 1 year, showing that two different production trials produced two different communities originating from the same starting influent. However,SCPproduction resulted generally in enrichment of several clades of rhizospheric diazotrophs ofAlphaproteobacteriaandBetaproteobacteriain the bioreactor and even more so in the final product. These diazotrophs are potentially useful as the basis of aSCPproduct for commercial feed production.
WFABC: a Wright–Fisher ABC‐based approach for inferring effective population sizes and selection coefficients from time‐sampled data
Authors: Foll Matthieu , Shim Hyunjin , Jensen Jeffrey D.
Published: May 2014

With novel developments in sequencing technologies, time‐sampled data are becoming more available and accessible. Naturally, there have been efforts in parallel to infer population genetic parameters from these data sets. Here, we compare and analyse four recent approaches based on the Wright–Fisher model for inferring selection coefficients (s) given effective population size (Ne), with simulated temporal data sets. Furthermore, we demonstrate the advantage of a recently proposed approximate Bayesian computation (ABC)‐based method that is able to correctly infer genomewide average Ne from time‐serial data, which is then set as a prior for inferring per‐site selection coefficients accurately and precisely. We implement this ABC method in a new software and apply it to a classical time‐serial data set of the medionigra genotype in the moth Panaxia dominula. We show that a recessive lethal model is the best explanation for the observed variation in allele frequency by implementing an estimator of the dominance ratio (h).
Effects of adverse life events on heart rate variability, cortisol, and C‐reactive protein
Authors: van Ockenburg S. L. , Tak L. M. , Bakker S. J. L. , Gans R. O. B. , de Jonge P. , Rosmalen J. G. M.
Published: May 2014

Objective

Our objective was to assess whether self‐reported adverse life events during childhood or over the lifespan are associated with altered activity of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis (HPA axis), and the immune system.

Method

This study was performed in a population‐based cohort of 1094 adults aged 33–79 years, 46.3% male, average age 53 (SD 11.4). Two waves of data were collected at a 2‐year interval, enabling replication of the analyses. Cumulative exposure to adverse life events was assessed by means of the List of Threatening Experiences. ANS function was assessed by spectral analysis of heart rate variability in the high‐frequency band (HRV‐HF). HPA axis function was assessed by 24‐h urinary free cortisol (24‐h UFC) excretion. Inflammation was assessed by high‐sensitive C‐reactive protein (hsCRP).

Results

Multiple linear regression analyses did not reveal any significant associations, with the exception of one significant negative association between the lifetime score of adverse life events and HRV‐HF β = −0.028; P = 0.037 at baseline, but not at follow up 2 years later.

Conclusion

In a large population‐based cohort, adverse life events were not consistently associated with HRV‐HF, 24‐h UFC or (hsCRP).
Disease‐specific health‐related quality of life instruments for IgE‐mediated food allergy
Authors: Salvilla S. A. , Dubois A. E. J. , Flokstra‐de Blok B. M. J. , Panesar S. S. , Worth A. , Patel S. , Muraro A. , Halken S. , Hoffmann‐Sommergruber K. , DunnGalvin A. , Hourihane J. O’B. , Regent L. , de Jong N. W. , Roberts G. , Sheikh A. ,   the EAACI Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Group
Published: May 2014

This is one of seven interlinked systematic reviews undertaken on behalf of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology as part of their Guidelines for Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis, which focuses on instruments developed for IgE‐mediated food allergy. Disease‐specific questionnaires are significantly more sensitive than generic ones in measuring the response to interventions or future treatments, as well as estimating the general burden of food allergy. The aim of this systematic review was therefore to identify which disease‐specific, validated instruments can be employed to enable assessment of the impact of, and investigations and interventions for, IgE‐mediated food allergy on health‐related quality of life (HRQL). Using a sensitive search strategy, we searched seven electronic bibliographic databases to identify disease‐specific quality of life (QOL) tools relating to IgE‐mediated food allergy. From the 17 eligible studies, we identified seven disease‐specific HRQL instruments, which were then subjected to detailed quality appraisal. This revealed that these instruments have undergone formal development and validation processes, and have robust psychometric properties, and therefore provide a robust means of establishing the impact of food allergy on QOL. Suitable instruments are now available for use in children, adolescents, parents/caregivers, and adults. Further work must continue to develop a clinical minimal important difference for food allergy and for making these instruments available in a wider range of European languages.
Planning Predicts Dental Service Attendance and the Effect is Moderated by Dental Anxiety and Educational Status: Findings from a One‐Year Prospective Study
Authors: Pakpour Amir H. , Gellert Paul , Asefzadeh Saeed , Sniehotta Falko F.
Published: May 2014

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether planning a dental appointment is a predictor of actual dental visits over a one‐year period when controlling for past attendance, demographic factors, and dental health beliefs. In addition, the planning–attendance association was explored to determine whether dental anxiety and educational status moderated this relationship. Methods: A total of N = 1,422 adults with a mean age of M = 44.4 (SD = 11.0) years and resident in Iran participated in a prospective study over a one‐year period. The primary outcome was self‐reported dental appointment attendance at one‐year follow‐up, which was validated using clinical records. Action planning, coping planning, health beliefs, age, dental insurance, income, dental health status, dental anxiety, and years of education were assessed at baseline by self‐report questionnaire. Data were analysed using multivariate logistic regression. Results: Action planning and coping planning were significantly associated with dental appointment attendance at one‐year follow‐up. Planning a dental appointment was more predictive of dental appointment attendance for people with higher levels of education and lower dental anxiety. Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that implementation of the behaviour change technique planning into routine dental practice may have the potential to increase dental appointment attendance rates.
Validation of 4β‐hydroxycholesterol and evaluation of other endogenous biomarkers for the assessment of CYP3A activity in healthy subjects
Authors: Kasichayanula Sreeneeranj , Boulton David W. , Luo Wen‐Lin , Rodrigues A. David , Yang Zheng , Goodenough Angela , Lee Michelle , Jemal Mohammed , LaCreta Frank
Published: May 2014

Aims

This study aimed to assess changes in the plasma concentrationss of 4β‐hydroxycholesterol (4βHC) against intravenous (i.v.) and oral midazolam (MDZ) pharmacokinetics (PK) after administration of a potent CYP3A inhibitor [ketoconazole (KETO)] and inducer [rifampicin (RIF)].

Methods

Thirty‐two healthy subjects (HS) were allocated into three groups of 12 each in KETO and RIF and 10 in a placebo group (PLB). All HS were randomized to receive oral and i.v. MDZ on day 1 or 2 and on day 15 or 16 after receiving RIF (600 mg once daily), KETO (400 mg once daily) or PLB for 2 weeks. Subjects were followed until day 30. The effect of treatments on 4βHC was assessed by analyzing % change from baseline using a linear spline mixed effects model.

Results

Compared with PLB, KETO decreased 4βHC mean values up to 13% (P = 0.003) and RIF increased 4βHC mean values up to 220% (P < 0.001). Within 14 days of stopping KETO and RIF, 4βHC had either returned to baseline (KETO) or was still returning to baseline (RIF). Compared with baseline, mean oral MDZ AUC increased by 11‐fold (90% CI ranging from 9‐fold to 13‐fold increase) and decreased by 92% (90% CI ranging from 90% to 95% decrease) after KETO and RIF, respectively. Similar trends were observed for 6β‐hydroxycortisol : cortisol (6βHCL : CL) urinary ratios.

Conclusions

Changes in plasma 4βHC can be utilized as a surrogate for MDZ PK after multiple doses of potent CYP3A inducers. There is a more limited dynamic range for 4βHC for assessment of potential CYP3A inhibitors. 4βHC is a valuable tool for the assessment of potential CYP3A inducers in early drug development.
Vatalanib population pharmacokinetics in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome: CALGB 10105 (Alliance)
Authors: Wang Xiaofeng , Owzar Kouros , Gupta Pankaj , Larson Richard A. , Mulkey Flora , Miller Antonius A. , Lewis Lionel D. , Hurd David , Vij Ravi , Ratain Mark J. , Murry Daryl J. ,   Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology
Published: May 2014

Aims

Vatalanib is an oral anti‐angiogenesis agent that inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinases, which in patients showed auto induction of metabolism and variability in pharmacokinetic (PK) disposition. The objective was to characterize the population PK and time‐dependent change in vatalanib clearance and assess exposure–toxicity relationship in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

Methods

This was an open‐label phase II study of vatalanib in MDS patients receiving 750–1250 mg once daily in 28‐day cycles. Serial blood samples were obtained and plasma vatalanib concentrations measured by HPLC. Population PK analysis was performed using nonmem 7.2 with FO estimation since FOCE failed. The final model was evaluated using goodness‐of‐fit plots, bootstrap analysis, and visual predictive check.

Results

Pharmacokinetic data were complete for 137 patients (86 M, 51 F), of median age 70 years (range 20–91). A one‐compartment model with lagged first‐order absorption and time‐dependent change in oral clearance was fitted to the vatalanib plasma concentration versus time data. The population means for pre‐induction and post‐induction oral clearance were 24.1 l h–1 (range: 9.6–45.5) and 54.9 l h–1 (range: 39.8–75.6), respectively. The apparent oral clearance increased 2.3‐fold, (range: 1.7–4.1‐fold) from first dose to steady state. Our data did not identify a significant relationship of the predefined covariates with vatalanib pharmacokinetics, although power to detect such a relationship was limited.

Conclusions

Vatalanib pharmacokinetics were highly variable and the extent of auto induction was not determined to correlate with any of the pre‐defined covariates.
Effects of boceprevir and telaprevir on the pharmacokinetics of dolutegravir
Authors: Johnson Mark , Borland Julie , Chen Shuguang , Savina Paul , Wynne Brian , Piscitelli Stephen
Published: May 2014

Aims

The aim was to evaluate the effect of boceprevir and telaprevir on dolutegravir pharmacokinetics (PK); the effect of dolutegravir on boceprevir and telaprevir PK was assessed through comparison with historical data for each hepatitis C virus (HCV) drug's prescribing information alone.

Methods

This was a single‐centre, randomized, open‐label, two‐cohort, two‐period, one‐way study in healthy adult subjects. Dolutegravir 50 mg once daily was administered for 5 days in Period 1, and dolutegravir 50 mg once daily was coadministered with either boceprevir 800 mg every 8 h (Cohort 1) or telaprevir 750 mg every 8 h (Cohort 2) for 10 days in Period 2.

Results

No deaths or serious adverse events were reported during the study. Four subjects were withdrawn from the study because of adverse events (elevated alanine aminotransferase, cellulitis, increased serum creatinine and dizziness). One subject became pregnant during the study. Coadministration of dolutegravir with boceprevir had no effect on dolutegravir area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC) and maximal plasma concentration (Cmax) and caused a small increase in concentration at the end of the dosing interval (Cτ; 8%). Coadministration of dolutegravir with telaprevir resulted in increased dolutegravir plasma exposures compared with those after administration of dolutegravir alone; AUC0–τ, Cmax and Cτ increased by 25, 19 and 37%, respectively. Coadministration of boceprevir or telaprevir with dolutegravir had no clinically significant effect on dolutegravir PK. Plasma boceprevir and telaprevir PK data for either combined treatment were similar to historical data, indicating no effect of dolutegravir on boceprevir or telaprevir exposure.

Conclusions

Dolutegravir can be coadministered with boceprevir or telaprevir in patients coinfected with HIV and HCV with no dose adjustment.
The Behavioural Outcomes of Anxiety scale (BOA): A preliminary validation in stroke survivors
Authors: Linley‐Adams Beth , Morris Reg , Kneebone Ian
Published: May 2014

Objectives

To determine the psychometric properties of an observational scale of anxiety.

Design

A cross‐sectional and longitudinal survey with stroke survivor–carer dyads.

Methods

Eighty‐nine dyads recruited in community stroke groups completed: a demographic questionnaire; the Behavioural Outcomes of Anxiety scale (BOA), survivor‐rated (survivor BOA) and carer‐rated (carer BOA) versions; the anxiety scale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales (HADS‐A), also in carer and survivor versions. Twenty‐seven survivors and carers repeated the BOA after 1 week.

Results

Correlations between the carer BOA and the survivor HADS‐A (r = .55, p < .001) and the survivor BOA (r = .73, p < .001) demonstrated construct validity. Cronbach's alpha for the carer BOA was .81; item statistics did not identify any items for exclusion. The test–retest coefficient at 1 week was 0.83. Receiver operating characteristic analysis against the survivor HADS‐A and BOA produced areas under the curve of 0.75 and 0.88, respectively. At a cut‐off score of 13/14 sensitivity and specificity against the HADS‐A were 0.77 and 0.58, respectively, and 0.86 and 0.68 against the survivor BOA. The impact of stroke on memory was associated with elevated anxiety. Scores for both BOA versions were independent of demographic variables.

Conclusions

The carer BOA has acceptable psychometric properties and is independent of survivor demographic variables such as age. It identifies self‐reported cases with acceptable sensitivity and specificity. It has potential for use with persons unable to self‐report anxiety. Further validation is recommended, but its continuing use is supported.
Human induced pluripotent stem cell derived erythroblasts can undergo definitive erythropoiesis and co‐express gamma and beta globins
Authors: Yang Cheng‐Tao , French Anna , Goh Pollyanna Agnes , Pagnamenta Alistair , Mettananda Sachith , Taylor Jenny , Knight Sam , Nathwani Amit , Roberts David J. , Watt Suzanne M. , Carpenter Lee
Published: May 2014

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), like embryonic stem cells, are under intense investigation for novel approaches to model disease and for regenerative therapies. Here, we describe the derivation and characterization of hiPSCs from a variety of sources and show that, irrespective of origin or method of reprogramming, hiPSCs can be differentiated on OP9 stroma towards a multi‐lineage haemo‐endothelial progenitor that can contribute to CD144+ endothelium, CD235a+ erythrocytes (myeloid lineage) and CD19+ B lymphocytes (lymphoid lineage). Within the erythroblast lineage, we were able to demonstrate by single cell analysis (flow cytometry), that hiPSC‐derived erythroblasts express alpha globin as previously described, and that a sub‐population of these erythroblasts also express haemoglobin F (HbF), indicative of fetal definitive erythropoiesis. More notably however, we were able to demonstrate that a small sub‐fraction of HbF positive erythroblasts co‐expressed HbA in a highly heterogeneous manner, but analogous to cord blood‐derived erythroblasts when cultured using similar methods. Moreover, the HbA expressing erythroblast population could be greatly enhanced (44·0 ± 6·04%) when a defined serum‐free approach was employed to isolate a CD31+ CD45+ erythro‐myeloid progenitor. These findings demonstrate that hiPSCs may represent a useful alternative to standard sources of erythrocytes (RBCs) for future applications in transfusion medicine.
Effect of von Willebrand factor on inhibitor eradication in patients with severe haemophilia A: a systematic review
Authors: van Velzen Alice S. , Peters Marjolein , van der Bom Johanna G. , Fijnvandraat Karin
Published: May 2014

This systematic review was designed to summarize the reported valid quantitative evidence on the association between use of von Willebrand factor (VWF)‐containing Factor VIII (FVIII) concentrates and successful immune tolerance induction (ITI) in patients with severe haemophilia A. The primary outcome was successful ITI; secondary outcomes were time to success, complications of the inhibitor or ITI and relapse of the inhibitor. A systematic literature search identified 26 randomized controlled trials, registries and cohort studies, evaluating a total of 1284 patients. For a pooled meta‐analysis, 13 studies evaluating 382 patients were included. Due to incomplete data we were not able to assign pre‐ITI risk categories to all patients for risk factor analysis. The meta‐analysis did not demonstrate a difference in the proportion of patients with successful inhibitor eradication between those treated with VWF‐containing products and those treated with FVIII concentrates devoid of VWF (relative risk [RR] 0·70 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0·52–0·89) and 0·84 (95% CI 0·75–0·93) respectively). Bleeding rate during ITI ranged from 0·00 to 0·85 bleeding episodes per year. The proportion of patients with a relapse of the inhibitor (range 0–20%) was mentioned in four studies that were included in the meta‐analysis. The results of this systematic review do not support the idea of a positive effect of VWF‐containing products in ITI.
Effects of large herbivores on grassland arthropod diversity
Authors: van Klink R. , van der Plas F. , van Noordwijk C. G. E. (Toos) , WallisDeVries M. F. , Olff H.
Published: May 2014

Both arthropods and large grazing herbivores are important components and drivers of biodiversity in grassland ecosystems, but a synthesis of how arthropod diversity is affected by large herbivores has been largely missing. To fill this gap, we conducted a literature search, which yielded 141 studies on this topic of which 24 simultaneously investigated plant and arthropod diversity. Using the data from these 24 studies, we compared the responses of plant and arthropod diversity to an increase in grazing intensity. This quantitative assessment showed no overall significant effect of increasing grazing intensity on plant diversity, while arthropod diversity was generally negatively affected. To understand these negative effects, we explored the mechanisms by which large herbivores affect arthropod communities: direct effects, changes in vegetation structure, changes in plant community composition, changes in soil conditions, and cascading effects within the arthropod interaction web. We identify three main factors determining the effects of large herbivores on arthropod diversity: (i) unintentional predation and increased disturbance, (ii) decreases in total resource abundance for arthropods (biomass) and (iii) changes in plant diversity, vegetation structure and abiotic conditions. In general, heterogeneity in vegetation structure and abiotic conditions increases at intermediate grazing intensity, but declines at both low and high grazing intensity. We conclude that large herbivores can only increase arthropod diversity if they cause an increase in (a)biotic heterogeneity, and then only if this increase is large enough to compensate for the loss of total resource abundance and the increased mortality rate. This is expected to occur only at low herbivore densities or with spatio‐temporal variation in herbivore densities. As we demonstrate that arthropod diversity is often more negatively affected by grazing than plant diversity, we strongly recommend considering the specific requirements of arthropods when applying grazing management and to include arthropods in monitoring schemes. Conservation strategies aiming at maximizing heterogeneity, including regulation of herbivore densities (through human interventions or top‐down control), maintenance of different types of management in close proximity and rotational grazing regimes, are the most promising options to conserve arthropod diversity.
Intracellular role of exchangeable apolipoproteins in energy homeostasis, obesity and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Wu Chen‐Lu , Zhao Shui‐Ping , Yu Bi‐Lian
Published: May 2014

Exchangeable apolipoproteins play an important role in systemic lipid metabolism, especially for lipoproteins with which they are associated. Recently, emerging evidence has suggested that exchangeable apolipoproteins, such as apolipoprotein A4 (apoA4), apolipoprotein A5 (apoA5), apolipoprotein C3 (apoC3) and apolipoprotein E (apoE), also exert important effects on intracellular lipid homeostasis. There is a close link between lipid metabolism in adipose tissue and liver because the latter behaves as the metabolic sensor of dysfunctional adipose tissue and is a main target of lipotoxicity. Given that the energy balance between these two major lipogenic organs is intimately involved in the pathogenesis of obesity and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), we here review recent findings concerning the intracellular function of exchangeable apolipoproteins in triglyceride metabolism in adipocytes and hepatocytes. These apolipoproteins may act as mediators of crosstalk between adipose tissue and liver, thus influencing development of obesity and hepatosteatosis. This review provides new insights into the physiological role of exchangeable apolipoproteins and identifies latent targets for therapeutic intervention of obesity and its related disorders.
Incidental findings on array comparative genomic hybridization: detection of carrier females of dystrophinopathy without any family history
Authors: Nguyen K. , Putoux A. , Busa T. , Cordier M.P. , Sigaudy S. , Till M. , Chabrol B. , Michel‐Calemard L. , Bernard R. , Julia S. , Malzac P. , Labalme A. , Missirian C. , Edery P. , Popovici C. , Philip N. , Sanlaville D.
Published: May 2014

Array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) has progressively replaced conventional karyotype in the diagnostic strategy of intellectual disability (ID) and congenital malformations. This technique increases not only the diagnostic rate but also the possibility of finding unexpected variants unrelated to the indication of referral, namely incidental findings. The incidental finding of copy number variants (CNVs) located in X‐linked genes in girls addresses the crucial question of genetic counseling in the family. We report here five cases of CNVs involving the dystrophin gene detected by aCGH in girls referred for developmental delay, without any family history of dystrophinopathy. The rearrangements included three in‐frame deletions; one maternally and two paternally inherited, and two frameshift duplications: one de novo and one from undetermined inheritance. In two cases, the deletion identified in a girl was transmitted by the asymptomatic father. In the case of the maternally inherited deletion, prenatal diagnosis of dystrophinopathy was proposed for an ongoing pregnancy, whereas the cause of developmental delay in the index case remained unknown. Through these cases, we discussed the challenges of genetic counseling in the family, regarding the predictive issues for male individuals at risk for a muscular dystrophy without precise knowledge of the clinical consequences of some CNVs in the DMD gene.
How to predict adequate bowel preparation before colonoscopy using conventional polyethylene glycol: Prospective observational study based on survey
Authors: Kim Hyun Gun , Jeon Seong Ran , Kim Mi Young , Lee Tae Hee , Cho Jun‐Hyung , Ko Bong Min , Kim Jin‐Oh , Cho Joo Young , Lee Joon Seong
Published: May 2014

Background and Aim

The present study investigated the conditions and predictive factors for adequate bowel preparation using 4‐L polyethylene glycol (PEG) preparation in clinical practice.

Methods

We conducted a prospective‐survey‐based observational study. The survey consisted of 14 questions that assessed the preparation method (group 1: split method for morning colonoscopy; group 2: full‐volume method for same‐day afternoon colonoscopy; group 3: full‐volume method for next‐day morning colonoscopy), dinner type and timing the day before colonoscopy, elapsed time after PEG consumption, and stool character and defecation frequency immediately before colonoscopy. Preparation status was compared using the Boston bowel preparation scale (BBPS).

Results

Total of 465 surveys (391 for group 1, 55 for group 2, 19 for group 3) were conducted. Mean BBPS score was highest in group 1 and lowest in group 3 (P < 0.001). Fasting dinner before colonoscopy group showed a higher mean BBPS than the diet group; eating before 6 p.m. and a low‐residue diet showed a higher mean BBPS (P < 0.05). Defecation frequency (>5 times) was related to adequate preparation in the left colon and elapsed time (<5 h) to that in the right colon (P < 0.05). Liquid stool without solid material immediately before colonoscopy was related to adequate preparation (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

In bowel preparation with 4‐L PEG, elapsed time after PEG consumption (<5 h), defecation frequency (>5 times) and liquid stool without solid material immediately before colonoscopy were predictive factors for adequate bowel preparation just before colonoscopy.
The gambin model provides a superior fit to species abundance distributions with a single free parameter: evidence, implementation and interpretation
Authors: Matthews Thomas J. , Borregaard Michael K. , Ugland Karl I. , Borges Paulo A. V. , Rigal François , Cardoso Pedro , Whittaker Robert J.
Published: May 2014

The species abundance distribution (SAD) has been a central focus of community ecology for over fifty years, and is currently the subject of widespread renewed interest. The gambin model has recently been proposed as a model that provides a superior fit to commonly preferred SAD models. It has also been argued that the model's single parameter (α) presents a potentially informative ecological diversity metric, because it summarises the shape of the SAD in a single number. Despite this potential, few empirical tests of the model have been undertaken, perhaps because the necessary methods and software for fitting the model have not existed. Here, we derive a maximum likelihood method to fit the model, and use it to undertake a comprehensive comparative analysis of the fit of the gambin model. The functions and computational code to fit the model are incorporated in a newly developed free‐to‐download R package (gambin). We test the gambin model using a variety of datasets and compare the fit of the gambin model to fits obtained using the Poisson lognormal, logseries and zero‐sum multinomial distributions. We found that gambin almost universally provided a better fit to the data and that the fit was consistent for a variety of sample grain sizes. We demonstrate how α can be used to differentiate intelligibly between community structures of Azorean arthropods sampled in different land use types. We conclude that gambin presents a flexible model capable of fitting a wide variety of observed SAD data, while providing a useful index of SAD form in its single fitted parameter. As such, gambin has wide potential applicability in the study of SADs, and ecology more generally.
Who's Watching Me: Female Siamese Fighting Fish Alter Their Interactions in Response to an Audience
Authors: Dzieweczynski Teresa L. , Greaney Nicole E. , Mannion Krystal L.
Published: May 2014

It is well established that interactions between conspecifics are often influenced by the presence of passive bystanders. Individuals have been found to alter their behavior in a variety of contexts, from foraging to aggression, based on the presence, sex, or identity of an audience. This audience effect may influence not only the nature of a signaling event but also the evolution of signal structure as signals may have to convey information across a distance. Additionally, audience individuals may use information obtained by watching in later encounters with these individuals, which may act as a selection pressure on communication. Communication networks in Siamese fighting fish, Betta splendens, are particularly well studied, with audience effects influencing both male–male interactions and male–female interactions. However, the effects of an audience on female–female interactions have not been examined in this species or any other. This study examined the interactions of pairs of females in three different audience conditions (male, female, and no audience). The results suggest that female–female interactions are affected by the presence of an audience as interactant‐directed gill flaring, the most commonly performed behavior, was performed more with an audience present. Additionally, the sex of the audience seemed to be influential, reflected by a difference in the frequency of interactant‐directed behaviors when a female vs. a male audience was present. This study is one of the first to demonstrate that females modify their behavior as a result of being watched and stresses the importance of examining audience effects in a variety of social contexts.
Influence of Body Satisfaction, Body Mass Index, and Diet Quality on Healthy Eating Attitudes among College Students
Authors: Fyler Michela , Schumacher Julie , Banning Jennifer , Gam Hae Jin
Published: May 2014

This study examined the relationship between healthy eating attitude and three variables: body satisfaction, diet quality, and body mass index (BMI). Data were collected from 1,579 students at a Midwestern university who completed online surveys. Results revealed participants with mild, moderate, or marked concern with their body satisfaction had lower healthy eating attitude scores than those with no body concern. A positive relationship was found between diet quality and healthy eating attitude. No significant correlations were identified between BMI and healthy eating attitude. Research on healthy eating attitudes is important to understand the effect on health and weight. These results might help school counselors, educators, and registered dietitians work with college students to promote the development of positive body satisfaction and healthy eating attitudes.
Enhancing Older Females' Psychological Well‐Being Through Social Shopping, Social Coping, and Informal Social Activities
Authors: Kang Jiyun , Ahn Mira
Published: May 2014

This study sought to determine the role of social engagement in the psychological well‐being of females who were 55 years and older (hereafter older females). The authors developed and tested a comprehensive model that depicted the effects of social engagement activities along with financial and physical well‐being on a variety of indicators of psychological well‐being. A total of 213 responses were collected and analyzed based on structural equation modeling. The results indicated that various social engagement activities were significant predictors of older females' psychological well‐being. Informal social activities were found to be a predictor of all indicators of psychological well‐being, while social coping was only associated with life satisfaction. The results showed that social shopping was a significant predictor of social connectedness, depression, and self‐esteem. Financial well‐being was not significantly related to social connectedness, but it was related to other indicators of older females' psychological well‐being. Physical well‐being was not significantly related to any of the indicators. This model contributes to building activity and coping theories as well as providing implications for practitioners and service providers who are involved with older females.
Relationships among Gender, Fashion Leadership, Need for Affect, and Consumers' Apparel Shopping Preference
Authors: Cho Siwon , Workman Jane E.
Published: May 2014

The purpose was to examine the relationships among gender, fashion leadership, need for affect, and consumers' apparel shopping preference. A survey was conducted using a convenience sample of 351 college students from a university in the Midwest. The hypotheses were tested first with multivariate analysis of variance followed by analysis of variance. Women had a greater fashion innovativeness and opinion leadership than men. Compared to men and fashion followers, women and fashion leaders had a greater tendency to enjoy processing feelings during apparel shopping. Women, fashion leaders, and participants with a higher need for affect showed a greater shopping preference than men, fashion followers, and participants with lower need for affect. This study contributed to current research by (i) adding fashion leadership and need for affect as personal determinants of apparel shopping preferences, (ii) highlighting the importance of consumers' personal traits and epistemic values in shopping preference theory, and (iii) extending current understanding of consumers' exploratory behavior during shopping. Results of the study could help apparel marketers and retailers build stronger customer loyalty to their stores.
The tryptophan synthase β‐subunit paralogs TrpB1 and TrpB2 in Thermococcus kodakarensis are both involved in tryptophan biosynthesis and indole salvage
Authors: Hiyama Takayoshi , Sato Takaaki , Imanaka Tadayuki , Atomi Haruyuki
Published: May 2014

The last two steps of l‐tryptophan (Trp) biosynthesis are catalyzed by Trp synthase, a heterotetramer composed of TrpA and TrpB. TrpB catalyzes the condensation of indole, synthesized by TrpA, and serine to Trp. In the hyperthermophilic archaeon Thermococcus kodakarensis, trpA and trpB (trpB1) are located adjacently in the trpCDEGFB1A operon. Interestingly, several organisms possess a second trpB gene (trpB2) encoding TrpB2, located outside of the trp operon in T. kodakarensis. Until now, the physiological function of trpB2 has not been examined genetically. In the present study, we report the biochemical and physiological analyses of TrpB2 from T. kodakarensis. Kinetic analysis indicated that TrpB2 catalyzed the TrpB reaction but did not interact with TrpA as in the case of TrpB1. When growth phenotypes were examined for gene disruption strains, the double‐deletion mutant (ΔtrpB1ΔtrpB2) displayed Trp auxotrophy, whereas individual single mutants (ΔtrpB1 and ΔtrpB2 strains) did not. It has been proposed previously that, in Thermotoga maritima, TrpB2 provides an alternate route to generate Trp from serine and free indole (indole salvage). To accurately examine the capacity of TrpB1 and TrpB2 in Trp synthesis via indole salvage, we constructed ΔtrpEB1 and ΔtrpEB2 strains using strain KUW1 (ΔpyrFΔtrpE) as a host, eliminating the route for endogenous indole synthesis. Indole complemented the Trp auxotrophies of ΔtrpEB1 (ΔpyrFΔtrpEΔtrpB1) and ΔtrpEB2 (ΔpyrFΔtrpEΔtrpB2) to similar levels. The results indicate that TrpB1 and TrpB2 both contribute to Trp biosynthesis in T. kodakarensis and can utilize free indole, and that indole salvage does not necessarily rely on TrpB2 to a greater extent.

Structured digital abstract

TrpA and TrpB1 bind by molecular sieving (View interaction)
A preliminary evaluation of the European Non‐native Species in Aquaculture Risk Assessment Scheme applied to species listed on Annex IV of the EU Alien Species Regulation
Authors: Copp G. H. , Godard M. J. , Russell I. C. , Peeler E. J. , Gherardi F. , Tricarico E. , Miossec L. , Goulletquer P. , Almeida D. , Britton J. R. , Vilizzi L. , Mumford J. , Williams C. , Reading A. , Rees E. M. A. , Merino‐Aguirre R.
Published: May 2014

Developed for carrying out risk assessments under the European Commission (EC) Council Regulation No 708/2007 concerning the use of alien and locally absent species in aquaculture (ASR), the European Non‐native Species in Aquaculture Risk Assessment Scheme (ENSARS) is briefly summarised, and the ‘Organism’ module is applied to the 24 species listed in ASR's Annex IV. Four other ENSARS modules (Infectious Agent, Facility, Pathway, and Socio‐economic) were used to assess two case study species (European catfish Silurus glanis L. and red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii Girard). No Annex IV species was categorised as low risk, 10 as moderately low risk, 12 as medium risk, two as moderately high risk and none as high risk. The results are discussed and recommendations are made on further development of the scheme as well as the need to have multiple assessors of multidisciplinary expertise from the Member States concerned carry out the assessments using an approach similar to that carried out by EU Reference Laboratory proficiency tests.
Phytoplankton growth in relation to network topology: time‐averaged catchment‐scale modelling in a large lowland river
Authors: Istvánovics Vera , Honti Márk , Kovács Ádám , Kocsis Gáborné , Stier Izabella
Published: May 2014

Using the unregulated, eutrophic Someş River (Romania/Hungary), a tributary of the Upper Tisza River as a model system, we related phytoplankton growth to the structure of river network modified by human intervention.

The Time‐Averaged Phytoplankton Increase in Rivers (TAPIR) model was developed by adding two new modules (nitrogen emission and phytoplankton growth) to the PHOSFATE model. The latter was a raster‐based, long‐term average GIS tool that computed the flow tree, mean hydrology and phosphorus concentration at fine spatial resolution in the entire catchment. Long‐term monitoring data at the outflow and phytoplankton profiles obtained along the Someş River in 2012 were used to calibrate the models.

In summer 2012, a few centric diatom species dominated the phytoplankton, with mean apparent net growth rate of 2.5 day−1 along a ˜100‐km‐long upstream section of the Someş River. This high growth rate was explained by enhanced benthic retention of meroplanktonic diatoms, while further downstream mean algal biomass varied between 80 and 100 mg Chl m−3.

The TAPIR model realistically reproduced observed mean biomass profiles of phytoplankton in the Someş River. According to modelling results, P‐determined biomass capacity prevented further growth of algae along the lower two‐thirds of the river.

Channel slope and form were important reach‐scale determinants of phytoplankton recruitment, while the absence of large tributaries along the Someş River resulted in marginal longitudinal changes in dilution and light availability. Therefore, phytoplankton might achieve high biomass in a wide range of instantaneous net growth rates realised under strongly fluctuating environmental conditions, which combined with the abundant nutrients from urban areas underpins advanced eutrophication. Large montane reservoirs on tributaries increased mean water age at the outflow of the Someş catchment by an order of magnitude compared with pristine conditions, but had a negligible overall impact on the phytoplankton of the Someş River.

Growth of river phytoplankton is intrinsically linked with network topology, including spatial distribution of nutrient inputs. Stochastic variability in discharge tends to destabilise, while specific network properties may stabilise phytoplankton growth in large rivers. Shallow rivers support meroplanktonic diatoms that, depending on discharge, may have adequate time to develop summer blooms, making shallow rivers particularly susceptible to eutrophication.
Predicting the likely response of data‐poor ecosystems to climate change using space‐for‐time substitution across domains
Authors: Lester Rebecca E. , Close Paul G. , Barton Jan L. , Pope Adam J. , Brown Stuart C.
Published: May 2014

Predicting ecological response to climate change is often limited by a lack of relevant local data from which directly applicable mechanistic models can be developed. This limits predictions to qualitative assessments or simplistic rules of thumb in data‐poor regions, making management of the relevant systems difficult. We demonstrate a method for developing quantitative predictions of ecological response in data‐poor ecosystems based on a space‐for‐time substitution, using distant, well‐studied systems across an inherent climatic gradient to predict ecological response. Changes in biophysical data across the spatial gradient are used to generate quantitative hypotheses of temporal ecological responses that are then tested in a target region. Transferability of predictions among distant locations, the novel outcome of this method, is demonstrated via simple quantitative relationships that identify direct and indirect impacts of climate change on physical, chemical and ecological variables using commonly available data sources. Based on a limited subset of data, these relationships were demonstrably plausible in similar yet distant (>2000 km) ecosystems.

Quantitative forecasts of ecological change based on climate‐ecosystem relationships from distant regions provides a basis for research planning and informed management decisions, especially in the many ecosystems for which there are few data. This application of gradient studies across domains – to investigate ecological response to climate change – allows for the quantification of effects on potentially numerous, interacting and complex ecosystem components and how they may vary, especially over long time periods (e.g. decades). These quantitative and integrated long‐term predictions will be of significant value to natural resource practitioners attempting to manage data‐poor ecosystems to prevent or limit the loss of ecological value. The method is likely to be applicable to many ecosystem types, providing a robust scientific basis for estimating likely impacts of future climate change in ecosystems where no such method currently exists.