bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Child welfare clients and educational transitions
Authors: Dæhlen Marianne
Published: June 2015

Despite long‐standing knowledge about child welfare clients' educational disadvantage, we know less about the individuals' progress through the educational system. Based on Norwegian data, this study examined educational transitions following compulsory school and the first 3 years of upper secondary school, which correspond approximately to the transition following middle school/junior high school to the first years of high school in the USA. It is argued that in examining educational success in the child welfare population it is necessary to analyse whether child welfare clients follow the academic or vocational track. In addition, the degree to which educational transitions are related to gender, school performance and parental education was examined. Child welfare clients' educational transitions were compared with those of a comparison sample from the general population. The analyses show that after completing compulsory school, child welfare clients most often begin in the vocational track and that they often drop out of school. This tendency is largely related to low school performance and low parental education. In addition, child welfare clients' successful transitions are somewhat lower in the vocational than in the academic track and decrease during upper secondary school.
Glanzmann thrombasthenia in Pakistan: molecular analysis and identification of novel mutations
Authors: Haghighi A. , Borhany M. , Ghazi A. , Edwards N. , Tabaksert A. , Haghighi A. , Fatima N. , Shamsi T.S. , Sayer J.A.
Published: June 2015

Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) is an inherited genetic disorder affecting platelets, which is characterized by spontaneous mucocutaneous bleeding and abnormally prolonged bleeding in response to injury or trauma. The underlying defect is failure of platelet aggregation due to qualitative and/or quantitative deficiency of platelet integrin αIIbβ3 resulting from molecular genetic defects in either ITGA2B or ITGB3. Here, we examine a Pakistani cohort of 15 patients with clinical symptoms of GT who underwent laboratory and molecular genetic analysis. In patients with a broad range of disease severity and age of presentation, we identified pathogenic mutations in ITGA2B in 11 patients from 8 different families, including 2 novel homozygous mutations and 1 novel heterozygous mutation. Mutations in ITGB3 were identified in 4 patients from 3 families, two of which were novel homozygous truncating mutations. A molecular genetic diagnosis was established in 11 families with GT, including 5 novel mutations extending the spectrum of mutations in this disease within a region of the world where little is known about the incidence of GT. Mutational analysis is a key component of a complete diagnosis of GT and allows appropriate management and screening of other family members to be performed.
The Sinonasal Outcome Test 22 score in persons without chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Lange B. , Thilsing T. , Baelum J. , Kjeldsen A.D.
Published: June 2015

Objectives

To determine the Sinonasal Outcome Test 22 (SNOT 22) score in persons without chronic rhinosinusitis.

Design and setting

As part of a trans‐European study selected, respondents to a survey questionnaire were invited for a clinical visit. Subjective symptoms and rhinoscopy were used for the clinical diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis according to EPOS.

Participants

A total of 366 persons participated at the clinical visit and of these 268 did not have chronic rhinosinusitis. All participants completed the SNOT 22.

Main Outcome measures

The SNOT 22.

Results

The SNOT 22 score ranged from 0 to 67 with a mean score of 10.5 (CI: 9.1–11.9) and the median score was 7. Persons with allergic rhinitis and blue‐collar workers had a significant higher score.

Conclusion

The median value of 7 is taken as the normal SNOT 22 score in persons without CRS and can be used as a reference in clinical settings and research. Allergic rhinitis and occupation affect SNOT 22 in persons without CRS.
Quantifying the squeezing or stretching of fisheries as they adapt to displacement by marine reserves
Authors: Chollett Iliana , Box Stephen J. , Mumby Peter J.
Published: June 2015

The designation of no‐take marine reserves involves social and economic concerns due to the resulting displacement of fishing effort, when fishing rights are removed from those who traditionally fished within an area. Displacement can influence the functioning of the fishery and success of the reserve, yet levels of displacement are seldom quantified after reserve implementation and very rarely before that. We devised a simple analytical framework based on set theory to facilitate reserve placement. Implementation of the framework requires maps of fishing grounds, fishing effort, or catch per unit effort for at least 2 years. The framework quantifies the level of conflict that a reserve designation might cause in the fishing sector due to displacement and the opportunities to offset the conflict through fisher spatial mobility (i.e., ability of fishers to fish elsewhere). We also considered how the outputs of the framework can be used to identify targeted management interventions for each fishery. We applied the method in Honduras, where the largest marine protected area in Central America is being placed, for which spatial data on fishing effort were available for 6 fisheries over 3 years. The proposed closure had a greater negative impact on the shrimp and lobster scuba fisheries, which concentrated respectively 28% and 18% of their effort inside the reserve. These fisheries could not accommodate the displacement within existing fishing grounds. Both would be forced to stretch into new fishing grounds, which are available but are of unknown quality. These stakeholders will likely require compensation to offset costly exploratory fishing or to travel to fishing grounds farther away from port.
Postoperative outcomes following mechanical bowel preparation before proctectomy: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Courtney D. E. , Kelly M. E. , Burke J. P. , Winter D. C.
Published: June 2015

Aim

Previous meta‐analyses of mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) before colorectal surgery have grouped colon and rectal resection together. An increased postoperative morbidity has been suggested in the absence of MBP following proctectomy. The current study used meta‐analytical techniques to evaluate the comparative outcome of patients who received MBP prior to proctectomy.

Method

A comprehensive search was performed for published studies examining the effect of MBP before proctectomy on patient outcome. Random effects methods were used to combine data.

Results

Eleven studies including 1258 patients were identified. There was no significant difference in overall morbidity (OR 1.062, 95% CI 0.584–1.933, P = 0.844), anastomotic leakage (OR 1.144, 95% CI 0.767–1.708, P = 0.509), surgical site infection (OR 0.946, 95% CI 0.549–1.498, P = 0.812) or mortality (OR 1.377, 95% CI 0.549–3.455, P = 0.495) between those who did not and those who did receive MBP prior to proctectomy.

Conclusion

The current study did not demonstrate a beneficial effect of MBP prior to proctectomy, but the data were limited. Decision‐making as to its use should be made on a case‐by‐case basis.
Clinical implications of mucinous components correlated with microsatellite instability in patients with colorectal cancer
Authors: Yoon Y. S. , Kim J. , Hong S.‐M. , Lee J. L. , Kim C. W. , Park I. J. , Lim S.‐B. , Yu C. S. , Kim J. C.
Published: June 2015

Aim

Colorectal cancer (CRC) with microsatellite instability (MSI) is characterized by frequent poor differentiation or mucinous histology. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of MSI with clinicopathological features and the oncological outcome in patients with a mucinous component.

Method

CRC tissue samples were analysed for histology and MSI. Patients were grouped according to the mucinous content of the tumour, as follows: > 50%, mucinous adenocarcinoma (MA); ≤ 50%, adenocarcinoma with mucinous component (AMC); none, nonmucinous adenocarcinoma (NMA). Clinicopathological parameters and survival were compared between patient groups.

Results

Of 2025 patients, 84 (4%) had MA and 124 (6%) had AMC. In addition, 202 (10%) had MSI. Patients with MA and AMC tended to have a younger age of onset, right‐colon predilection, large‐sized tumour and high frequency of MSI compared with those with NMA (P < 0.001). MA and AMC patients with MSI showed a trend towards right‐colon predilection and infrequent lymph‐node metastasis compared with those with microsatellite stability (MSS; P = 0.005–0.03). There were no survival differences between the three groups, but patients with MSI‐MA demonstrated lower 4‐year recurrence and better overall survival rates than those with MSS‐MA (P = 0.018 and P = 0.046, respectively).

Conclusion

Clinicopathological features of AMC and MA were similar and closely associated with MSI status. Although the prognoses of AMC and MA were no different from that of NMA, survival of patients with an MSI‐MA tumour was significantly better than for those with MSS‐MA tumours.
Constituents of smoke from cigarettes made from diverted nicotine replacement therapy patches
Authors: Morrissey Hana , Ball Patrick , Boland Martin , Hefler Marita , Thomas David P.
Published: June 2015

Introduction and Aims

Anecdotes of nicotine replacement therapy patch misuse associated with the introduction of smoke‐free prisons have been reported by media internationally, including Canada in 2006, New Zealand in 2011 and Australia in 2014. This study identifies chemical compounds released through diverted nicotine replacement therapy patches when they are smoked.

Design and Methods

Two samples were produced: (i) shredded 21 mg nicotine replacement therapy patches rolled with tea leaves into a cigarette; and (ii) patches boiled in water and tea leaves, and then dried tea leaves rolled into a cigarette. The smoke was tested for nicotine, caffeine and toxins. High‐performance liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry and spectrophotometry were used to detect the presence and quantity of nicotine and caffeine. A specialised laboratory was contracted to test the presence of toxins.

Results

Nicotine was liberated when the two samples were burnt but not if the nicotine replacement therapy patches were boiled in water alone. High concentrations of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, toluene, xylene and heavy metals were also released.

Discussion and Conclusion

Nicotine is released when diverted nicotine replacement therapy patches are smoked, as are caffeine and harmful toxins. These toxins have the potential to cause short‐ and long‐term health damage. [Morrissey H, Ball P, Boland M, Hefler M, Thomas DP. Constituents of smoke from cigarettes made from diverted nicotine replacement therapy patches. Drug Alcohol Rev 2016;35:206–11]
Post‐Development: Premature Burials and Haunting Ghosts
Authors: Ziai Aram
Published: June 2015

While the Post‐Development school in development theory tried to bury the concept of ‘development’, this attempt turned out to be unsuccessful. A closer investigation reveals that different post‐development texts reproduce the polysemy of ‘development’ in their criticism of it, attacking different phenomena subsumed under this heading. Development theory, on the other hand, was also premature in declaring post‐development obsolete fifteen years ago. By examining the works of two prominent authors, this contribution shows that the critics of post‐development have adopted central arguments of that approach. It concludes by identifying some points of convergence between post‐development and its (progressive) critics in development theory.
Understanding post‐traumatic growth following pediatric‐onset spinal cord injury: the critical role of coping strategies for facilitating positive psychological outcomes
Authors: January Alicia M , Zebracki Kathy , Chlan Kathleen M , Vogel Lawrence C
Published: June 2015

Aim

The aim of this study was to explore positive psychological growth in individuals who had sustained spinal cord injuries (SCIs) in childhood, and to identify factors correlating with such growth.

Method

Data were drawn from ongoing research aimed at assessing the long‐term outcomes of pediatric‐onset SCIs in adults. Participants were assessed using measures of demographics, coping ability, post‐traumatic growth, life satisfaction, happiness, and mental health. The study sample included 161 adults with a mean age of 33 years and 2 months (SD 7y 3mo, range 19–50y). The participants had sustained SCIs between the ages of 7 years and 18 years (mean 14y 10mo, SD 2y 6mo) and were injured for an average of 17 years and 9 months (SD 7y 7mo, range 1–36y). Sixty‐four percent of participants were male, 81% were white, 63% had tetraplegia, and 70% had complete injuries.

Results

The vast majority of participants (99%) recognized that at least one positive change had occurred in their life as a result of their SCI. Post‐traumatic growth was significantly associated with behavioral (r=0.29, p<0.001) and cognitive (r=0.39, p<0.001) coping strategies, as well as with increased life satisfaction (r=0.18, p=0.024) and happiness (r=0.27, p=0.001), but was unrelated to psychological distress. Additional analyses indicated that post‐traumatic growth mediated effects of cognitive coping on happiness, but not on life satisfaction.

Interpretation

The majority of individuals with pediatric‐onset SCIs experienced positive psychological growth. Coping strategies are crucial to this growth process.
Motor difficulties and mental health in children who are deaf
Authors: McPhillips Martin
Published: June 2015

This commentary is on the original article by Fellinger et al. on pages 942–947 of this issue.
Heterogeneity in the Relationship Between Unemployment and Subjective Wellbeing: A Quantile Approach
Authors: Binder Martin , Coad Alex
Published: June 2015

Unemployment has been robustly shown to strongly decrease subjective wellbeing. Using panel quantile regression techniques, we analyse to what extent the negative impact of unemployment varies along the (conditional) subjective wellbeing distribution. In our analysis of British Household Panel Survey data (1996–2008), we find that individuals with high life satisfaction suffer less from becoming unemployed. A similar but stronger effect is found for a broad mental wellbeing variable (GHQ‐12). Higher wellbeing seems to act like a safety net when becoming unemployed. We explore these findings by examining the heterogeneous unemployment effects over the conditional quantiles of various life domain satisfactions.
Association of Right Atrial Mechanics with Hemodynamics and Physical Capacity in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Insight from a Single‐Center Cohort in Northern Sweden
Authors: Saha Samir Kanti , Söderberg Stefan , Lindqvist Per
Published: June 2015

Aims

Role of right atrial mechanics has not been studied in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). We sought to investigate the correlation between the right sided, particularly right atrial mechanics, hemodynamic parameters, and functional capacity prior to initiation of treatment.

Methods and Results

Twenty‐five subjects (63 ± 17 years, 13 males) with newly diagnosed IPAH by right heart catheterization (RHC) underwent speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) of the right ventricle (RV) and right atrium (RA). All the patients had a six‐minute walk test (6MWD) performed, functional class (WHO‐FC) assessed, and plasma NT‐proBNP estimated. STE strain imaging of RA and RV was performed offline. STE of the RA myocardium yielded characteristic strain (S%) and strain rate (SR) curves with clear delineation of its reservoir (RA‐RS%), conduit (RA‐SR E), and booster pump functions (RA‐SR A). In IPAH, RHC‐obtained pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP), respectively, were 7.3 ± 5.6 Wood units and 66 ± 24 mmHg. RA‐RS% was associated negatively with PVR (r = −0.46; P < 0.05) and positively with stroke volume and cardiac output (all P < 0.05). Both right atrial pressure (RAP) obtained by RHC as well as RA‐SR E had significant association with WHO‐FC (Multiple R = 0.7; P = 0. 01 and 0.007, respectively). RA strain rate during systole and RAP had significant association with 6MWD (Multiple R = 0.7; P = 0.01 and 0.006, respectively).

Conclusion

Right atrium mechanics not only correlate well with RHC‐obtained hemodynamics, but also correlate with functional capacity in treatment‐naive IPAH.
DOES BANKRUPTCY LAW AFFECT BUSINESS TURNOVER? EVIDENCE FROM NEW AND EXISTING BUSINESS
Authors: Rohlin Shawn M. , Ross Amanda
Published: June 2015

This study examines how differences in state bankruptcy laws, specifically the homestead exemption, affect business turnover by studying both new and existing businesses. We focus on areas just near state boundaries to control for unobserved local attributes to better isolate the effect of more wealth protection. We find that an increase in the homestead exemption attracts new businesses but also has a positive impact on existing businesses, suggesting that asset protection through bankruptcy law encourages successful entrepreneurs to incur the risks. Our results indicate that the personal bankruptcy law is an important policy tool that governments can use to encourage business growth without causing business turnover. (JEL K30, K36, R11, R1)
Carnivoran postcranial adaptations and their relationships to climate
Authors: Meachen Julie A. , Dunn Rachel H. , Werdelin Lars
Published: June 2015

The relationship between climate and morphology is important to understand in view of the rapid rate of climate change occurring today; however, this relationship has not been fully explored in many mammalian groups. We use postcranial indices to explore the association between climate and morphology in the mammalian order Carnivora. Carnivora is a good group to use for this analysis because it includes species with a variety of locomotor ecologies that live in almost every type of habitat on Earth. We measured postcrania of 121 carnivoran species from around the world, combined with habitat and climate data from the BIOCLIM database and the NCEAS Paleocommunities Working Group to examine correlations between postcrania, temperature and precipitation. We analyzed these data using correspondence analysis and multiple linear regressions. We found three postcranial indices that were significantly correlated with climate. Brachial index (radius/humerus) and shoulder moment (length deltopectoral crest/length humerus) were both significantly associated with temperature and precipitation, while greater trochanter height (as proportion of femur length) was associated with precipitation. We found that these indices were indirectly related to climate via the strong association between climate and locomotor ecologies. This relationship between climate and postcranial proportions can be used in future studies: for paleo‐climate reconstruction in carnivore localities and for trait‐based identification of species vulnerability as climate change continues.
The effect of antibiotic pastes on microhardness of dentin
Authors: Yilmaz Sehnaz , Dumani Aysin , Yoldas Oguz
Published: June 2015

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of various endodontic regeneration agents on the microhardness of human root dentin after contact for various time intervals.

Materials and methods

Thirty‐five extracted human maxillary incisors were selected. The canals were enlarged and fixed in acrylic resin blocks. Two sections were obtained from the middle‐third of each root (n = 70). The root discs were divided randomly into three groups of 20 and a control group of 10. Baseline microhardness testing was completed using a microhardness tester. The root discs were placed in Petri dishes and then assigned randomly to triple antibiotic paste (TAP), double antibiotic paste (DAP), calcium hydroxide paste (CH) and the control group. The CH and two antibiotic pastes were placed in the Petri dishes, and the discs were covered completely with the mixtures. Microhardness tests were repeated in the same manner after weeks 1, 2 and 3. Data were analysed statistically with a chi‐square and Fisher's exact test at the 5% significance level and post hoc analysis was performed.

Results

No significant change in dentin microhardness occurred in the control group (P > 0.05). Overall, the dentin microhardness values decreased after treatment with the CH and antibiotic pastes over all time intervals. The DAP group showed reduced Knoop hardness number (KHN) values compared with the TAP group at the 1 measurements (P < 0.01). Statistically significant differences were found among the control, DAP and TAP groups, but no difference was seen between the control and CH groups at the week 1 measurement. No significant difference was found between the DAP and TAP groups at the week 4 measurement.

Conclusions

Applying DAP and TAP for 4 weeks significantly reduced the microhardness values of dentin discs compared with the baseline values.
Effect of powder‐to‐water ratio on the push‐out bond strength of white mineral trioxide aggregate
Authors: Türker Sevinç Aktemur , Uzunoğlu Emel
Published: June 2015

Aim

To evaluate the effect of powder‐to‐water ratio on the retention characteristics of white mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA; Angelus, Londrina, Pr, Brazil) over time.

Methods

One hundred and thirty‐five root dentin slices from extracted single‐rooted human mandibular premolar teeth were instrumented to achieve a diameter of 1.3 mm. Three MTA groups were prepared using 4:1, 3:1, and 2:1 powder‐to‐water ratios. The samples were stored for 96 h and 7 and 28 days at 37°C. The push‐out bond strengths were measured using an Instron testing machine. Data were analyzed using two‐way analysis of variance (anova) with Bonferroni correction.

Results

There was a statistically significant difference between the experimental groups at the 96‐h and 7‐day study periods (P = 0.002). At 96 h, the materials prepared at 2:1 ratio had the lowest bond strength than the samples prepared at the other two ratios (P < 0.001). There was a significant difference between the findings at 96‐h and 28‐day study periods for 2:1 and 4:1 ratios. The highest bond strength value was found at 28 days of exposure (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The powder‐to‐water ratio significantly interfered with the bond strength properties of white MTA.
Creating a curriculum on psychosis: a pilot training programme with youth workers
Authors: Hassab Errasoul Ahmed , Sutton Marie , Doran Cormac , Robertson Ger , Fenlon Nicholas P. , Turner Niall , Clarke Mary
Published: June 2015

Aims

Public education may constitute an effective early intervention strategy to reduce delays in the treatment of psychotic disorders and thereby improve outcome. The purpose of this project was to design, implement and validate a curriculum on early intervention in psychosis for youth workers.

Method

A training intervention on early intervention in psychosis was designed and delivered through 1‐day workshops. Objective and self‐perceived competencies were measured before and after the intervention and at 3‐month follow up. An additional question was added to assess social distancing from subjects with psychosis.

Results

Compared with baseline, the training programme resulted in an improvement in problem identification and symptom recognition skills for vignettes on psychosis (P < 0.05), and in advice on help‐seeking behaviour (P < 0.001) and in self‐perceived competencies (P < 0.001). Additionally, there was a reduction in social distancing (P < 0.001). These desired outcomes were found to be sustained over a 3‐month period.

Conclusions

The training course improved case recognition skills and advice on help‐seeking behaviour and resulted in reduction in social distancing in this cohort of youth workers.
First report ofAlternaria dianthicolacausing flower blight on carnation inChina
Authors: Duan Chun Fang , Long Ya Qin , Chen Hu , Yang Gen hua , Gui Min , Liu Guang Hua
Published: June 2015

A severe disease of carnation flowers was observed in Kunming, China in November 2009. Initial symptoms on flowers and immature flower buds were characterized by water‐soaked areas. Spots with purple margins could be seen on petals of some varieties. AnAlternariasp. was isolated from 100% of symptomatic tissues sampled. The isolates showed high virulence when inoculated onto tissue culture plantlets and on healthy carnation flowers. Results of sequence analysis of 5.8SrDNA‐ITSof isolates showed 99% sequence similarity withAlternaria dianthicolain GenBank. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this was the first sighting of blight of flowers and immature flower buds of carnation caused byAlternaria dianthicolain China.
Short‐Term Nutritional Limitation Affects Mating Behaviour and Reproductive Output in Dwarf Spiders
Authors: Kunz Katrin , Uhl Gabriele
Published: June 2015

Mating decisions can vary considerably depending on individual experience, mate availability and nutritional status. Here, we applied short‐term dietary restrictions to adult female spiders that were well fed during the juvenile stage in an effort to understand whether and how brief periods of food shortage can influence male and female mating decisions and mating behaviour. To assess whether responses vary between closely related species, we conducted the same experiment on the dwarf spiders Oedothorax retusus and O. apicatus. During courtship and mating, males of both species offer secretion to females from glandular tissue in their prosoma. Females were subject to food shortage over a period of 3 wks (‘low‐diet’ treatment, LD) or fed regularly (‘high‐diet’ treatment, HD). We compared courtship probability, mating probability/behaviour, and reproductive output between dietary groups and species. In both Oedothorax species, females in the LD treatment were less likely to mate and more aggressive towards males. Furthermore, LD females produced egg sacs that were significantly lighter than were those of the HD females. Effects of food deprivation on copulation duration, gustatory behaviour and oviposition latency differed between species. Our study shows that short periods of dietary restriction during the adult stage can strongly affect mating behaviour and reproductive output with differences between closely related species.
Resistance to European Law and Constitutional Identity in Germany: Herbert Kraus and Solange in its Intellectual Context
Authors: Davies Bill
Published: June 2015

This article recasts our understanding of the Federal Constitutional Court's Solange decision by tracing its lineage within the domestic context and as part of a new history of EU law. The external dynamic of the decision, a moment of judicial discourse between two of Europe's highest panels, has been the focus of many studies. Much rarer are attempts to embed the decision within its internal context: the struggle within the German legal academy to accept the primacy of EU law. Central to this contextualisation is the reinvigoration of the ‘structural congruence’ theory of Herbert Kraus, which long shaped the German reception of EU law. This article recounts Kraus' theory, tracing the struggle for the German legal consciousness between three positions: constitutionalists, traditionalists, and the congruence advocates. While Hallstein's constitutionalism is most closely associated with Germany's early Europhilia, even he admitted by 1975 that Kraus had won the day.
Wolbachiastrains for disease control: ecological and evolutionary considerations
Authors: Hoffmann Ary A. , Ross Perran A. , Rašić Gordana
Published: June 2015

Wolbachiaare endosymbionts found in many insects with the potential to suppress vectorborne diseases, particularly through interfering with pathogen transmission.Wolbachiastrains are highly variable in their effects on hosts, raising the issue of which attributes should be selected to ensure that the best strains are developed for disease control. This depends on their ability to suppress viral transmission, invade host populations, persist without loss of viral suppression and not interfere with other control strategies. The potential to achieve these objectives is likely to involve evolutionary constraints; viral suppression may be limited by the ability of infections to spread due to deleterious host fitness effects. However, there are exceptions to these patterns in both natural infections and in novel associations generated following interspecific transfer, suggesting that pathogen blockage, deleterious fitness effects and changes to reproductive biology might be at least partly decoupled to achieve ideal infection attributes. The stability of introducedWolbachiaand its effects on viral transmission remain unclear, but rapid evolutionary changes seem unlikely. Although deliberate transfers ofWolbachiaacross species remain particularly challenging, the availability of strains with desirable attributes should be expanded, taking advantage of the diversity available across thousands of strains in natural populations.
A scientific alternative to moratoria for rebuilding depleted international tuna stocks
Authors: Hillary Richard M , Preece Ann L , Davies Campbell R , Kurota Hiroyuki , Sakai Osamu , Itoh Tomoyuki , Parma Ana M , Butterworth Doug S , Ianelli James , Branch Trevor A
Published: June 2015

There is considerable international concern and scientific debate about the current state and future of tuna stocks worldwide and the capacity of Regional Fisheries Management Organisations to manage the associated fisheries effectively. In some cases, this concern has extended to predictions of imminent collapse with minimal chances of recovery, even under a commercial catch moratorium. As a viable alternative to a full fishery closure, the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT) has adopted a scientifically tested, adaptive rebuilding strategy for the depleted southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii) stock. The management procedure (MP) adopted involves a harvest control rule that fully specifies the total allowable catch as a function of key indicators of stock status, adjusting future harvest levels every three years so as to meet the rebuilding targets agreed by CCSBT. It was chosen from a subset of candidate MPs selected following extensive simulation testing. This involved first selecting a wide range of plausible scenarios for stock status and input data, ranging from pessimistic to optimistic, against which the alternative candidate MPs were tested to ensure that they were robust to important uncertainties. This is the first time that a comprehensively evaluated MP has been adopted for an internationally managed tuna stock. Both the process and the outcomes have broad applicability to other internationally managed stocks.
Proteolytic cleavage, trafficking, and functions of nuclear receptor tyrosine kinases
Authors: Chen Mei‐Kuang , Hung Mien‐Chie
Published: June 2015

Intracellular localization has been reported for over three‐quarters of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) families in response to environmental stimuli. Internalized RTK may bind to non‐canonical substrates and affect various cellular processes. Many of the intracellular RTKs exist as fragmented forms that are generated by γ‐secretase cleavage of the full‐length receptor, shedding, alternative splicing, or alternative translation initiation. Soluble RTK fragments are stabilized and intracellularly transported into subcellular compartments, such as the nucleus, by binding to chaperone or transcription factors, while membrane‐bound RTKs (full‐length or truncated) are transported from the plasma membrane to the ER through the well‐established Rab‐ or clathrin adaptor protein‐coated vesicle retrograde trafficking pathways. Subsequent nuclear transport of membrane‐bound RTK may occur via two pathways, INFS or INTERNET, with the former characterized by release of receptors from the ER into the cytosol and the latter characterized by release of membrane‐bound receptor from the ER into the nucleoplasm through the inner nuclear membrane. Although most non‐canonical intracellular RTK signaling is related to transcriptional regulation, there may be other functions that have yet to be discovered. In this review, we summarize the proteolytic processing, intracellular trafficking and nuclear functions of RTKs, and discuss how they promote cancer progression, and their clinical implications.
The crystal structure of Helicobacter pylori HP1029 highlights the functional diversity of the sialic acid‐related DUF386 family
Authors: Vallese Francesca , Percudani Riccardo , Fischer Wolfgang , Zanotti Giuseppe
Published: June 2015

The proteins of the YhcH/YjgK/YiaL (DUF386) family have been implicated in the bacterial metabolism of host‐derived sialic acids and biofilm formation, although their precise biochemical function remains enigmatic. We present here the crystal structure of protein HP1029 from Helicobacter pylori. The protein is a homodimer, in which each monomer comprises a molecular core formed by 12 antiparallel β‐strands arranged in two β‐sheets flanked by helices. The sandwich formed by the sheets assumes the shape of a funnel opened at one end, with a zinc ion present at the bottom of the funnel. The crystal structure unequivocally shows that HP1029 belongs to the DUF386 family. Although no bioinformatics evidence has been found for sialic acid catabolism in H. pylori, the genomic context of HP1029 in Helicobacter and related organisms suggests a possible role in the metabolism of bacterial surface saccharides, such as pseudaminic acid and its derivatives.
Divergent phenotypic responses to predators and cyanobacteria in Daphnia lumholtzi
Authors: Whittington Deirdre , Walsh Matthew R.
Published: June 2015

Daphnia lumholtzi is an exotic species of zooplankton that was first introduced in Texas, U.S.A., and has since spread across most of the areas in the country. Research has focussed on the importance of the production of morphological defences in response to predator exposure as a key explanation for the spread of this species. Very little is known about the influence of other common environmental stressors on the fitness of this species or the potential role for genetic variation in plasticity in the spread of this species.

We assessed the effects of two common environmental stressors, invertebrate predator cues and increasing concentrations of cyanobacteria, on the life‐history traits in D. lumholtzi. This study also included clones from three reservoirs in Texas to measure potential genetic variation in plasticity.

We found that the expression of life‐history traits depended strongly upon the combined effects of predator exposure and food quality. Increasing concentrations of cyanobacteria resulted in delayed maturation, slower growth, a smaller size at maturation, declines in clutch size and slower rate of population growth. Yet, such declines were much smaller in the presence of predator cues. Divergent responses observed were the size of defence traits; Daphnia reared in the absence of predator cues increased the size of spines as the concentrations of cyanobacteria increased, while the opposite pattern was observed in the presence of predator cues.

This study also revealed extensive genetic variation in the magnitude and direction of phenotypic responses to predators and cyanobacteria. These latter results illustrate that significant clonal variation in plasticity may help promote the spread of this species.
Effects of advanced paternal age on trajectories of social behavior in offspring
Authors: Janecka M. , Manduca A. , Servadio M. , Trezza V. , Smith R. , Mill J. , Schalkwyk L. C. , Reichenberg A. , Fernandes C.
Published: June 2015

Our study is the first investigation of the effects of advanced paternal age (APA) on the developmental trajectory of social behavior in rodent offspring. Given the strong epidemiological association between APA and sexually dimorphic neurodevelopmental disorders that are characterized by abnormalities in social behavior (autism, schizophrenia), we assessed sociability in male and female inbred mice (C57BL/6J) across postnatal development (N = 104) in relation to paternal age. We found differences in early social behavior in both male and female offspring of older breeders, with differences in this social domain persisting into adulthood in males only. We showed that these social deficits were not present in the fathers of these offspring, confirming a de novo origin of an altered social trajectory in the offspring generation. Our results, highly novel in rodent research, support the epidemiological observations in humans and provide evidence for a causal link between APA, age‐related changes in the paternal sperm DNA and neurodevelopmental disorders in their offspring.
Woodland recovery following drought‐induced tree mortality across an environmental stress gradient
Authors: Redmond Miranda D. , Cobb Neil S. , Clifford Michael J. , Barger Nichole N.
Published: June 2015

Recent droughts and increasing temperatures have resulted in extensive tree mortality across the globe. Understanding the environmental controls on tree regeneration following these drought events will allow for better predictions of how these ecosystems may shift under a warmer, drier climate. Within the widely distributed piñon–juniper woodlands of the southwestern USA, a multiyear drought in 2002–2004 resulted in extensive adult piñon mortality and shifted adult woodland composition to a juniper‐dominated, more savannah‐type ecosystem. Here, we used pre‐ (1998–2001) and 10‐year post‐ (2014) drought stand structure data of individually mapped trees at 42 sites to assess the effects of this drought on tree regeneration across a gradient of environmental stress. We found declines in piñon juvenile densities since the multiyear drought due to limited new recruitment and high (>50%) juvenile mortality. This is in contrast to juniper juvenile densities, which increased over this time period. Across the landscape, piñon recruitment was positively associated with live adult piñon densities and soil available water capacity, likely due to their respective effects on seed and water availability. Juvenile piñon survival was strongly facilitated by certain types of nurse trees and shrubs. These nurse plants also moderated the effects of environmental stress on piñon survival: Survival of interspace piñon juveniles was positively associated with soil available water capacity, whereas survival of nursed piñon juveniles was negatively associated with perennial grass cover. Thus, nurse plants had a greater facilitative effect on survival at sites with higher soil available water capacity and perennial grass cover. Notably, mean annual climatic water deficit and elevation were not associated with piñon recruitment or survival across the landscape. Our findings reveal a clear shift in successional trajectories toward a more juniper‐dominated woodland and highlight the importance of incorporating biotic interactions and soil properties into species distribution modeling approaches.
Evaluation of the ECOSSE model for simulating soil organic carbon under Miscanthus and short rotation coppice‐willow crops in Britain
Authors: Dondini Marta , Richards Mark , Pogson Mark , Jones Edward O. , Rowe Rebecca L. , Keith Aidan M. , McNamara Niall P. , Smith Joanne U. , Smith Pete
Published: June 2015

In this paper, we focus on the impact on soil organic carbon (SOC) of two dedicated energy crops: perennial grass Miscanthus x Giganteus (Miscanthus) and short rotation coppice (SRC)‐willow. The amount of SOC sequestered in the soil is a function of site‐specific factors including soil texture, management practices, initial SOC levels and climate; for these reasons, both losses and gains in SOC were observed in previous Miscanthus and SRC‐willow studies. The ECOSSE model was developed to simulate soil C dynamics and greenhouse gas emissions in mineral and organic soils. The performance of ECOSSE has already been tested at site level to simulate the impacts of land‐use change to short rotation forestry (SRF) on SOC. However, it has not been extensively evaluated under other bioenergy plantations, such as Miscanthus and SRC‐willow. Twenty‐nine locations in the United Kingdom, comprising 19 paired transitions to SRC‐willow and 20 paired transitions to Miscanthus, were selected to evaluate the performance of ECOSSE in predicting SOC and SOC change from conventional systems (arable and grassland) to these selected bioenergy crops. The results of the present work revealed a strong correlation between modelled and measured SOC and SOC change after transition to Miscanthus and SRC‐willow plantations, at two soil depths (0–30 and 0–100 cm), as well as the absence of significant bias in the model. Moreover, model error was within (i.e. not significantly larger than) the measurement error. The high degrees of association and coincidence with measured SOC under Miscanthus and SRC‐willow plantations in the United Kingdom, provide confidence in using this process‐based model for quantitatively predicting the impacts of future land use on SOC, at site level as well as at national level.
Comprehensive analysis of sphingosine‐1‐phosphate receptor mutants during zebrafish embryogenesis
Authors: Hisano Yu , Inoue Asuka , Taimatsu Kiyohito , Ota Satoshi , Ohga Rie , Kotani Hirohito , Muraki Michiko , Aoki Junken , Kawahara Atsuo
Published: June 2015

The lipid mediator sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) regulates various physiological and pathological phenomena such as angiogenesis and oncogenesis. Secreted S1P associates with the G‐protein‐coupled S1P receptors (S1PRs), leading to the activation of downstream signaling molecules. In mammals, five S1prs have been identified and the genetic disruption of a single S1pr1 gene causes vascular defects. In zebrafish, seven s1prs have been isolated. We found that individual s1prs showed unique expression patterns with some overlapping expression domains during early embryogenesis. We generated all s1pr single‐mutant zebrafish by introducing premature stop codons in their coding regions using transcription activator‐like effector nucleases and analyzed their phenotypes during early embryogenesis. Zygotic s1pr1, s1pr3a, s1pr3b, s1pr4, s1pr5a and s1pr5b mutants showed no developmental defects and grew into adults, whereas zygotic s1pr2 mutant showed embryonic lethality with a cardiac defect, showing quite distinct embryonic phenotypes for individual S1pr mutants between zebrafish and mouse. We further generated maternal‐zygotic s1pr1, s1pr3a, s1pr3b, s1pr4, s1pr5a and s1pr5b mutants and found that these maternal‐zygotic mutants also showed no obvious developmental defects, presumably suggesting the redundant functions of the S1P receptor‐mediated signaling in zebrafish.
Time trends in the association of ESRD incidence with area‐level poverty in the US population
Authors: Garrity Bridget H. , Kramer Holly , Vellanki Kavitha , Leehey David , Brown Julia , Shoham David A.
Published: June 2015

The objective of this study was to examine the temporal trends of the association between area‐level poverty status and end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) incidence. We hypothesized that the association between area‐level poverty status and ESRD incidence has increased significantly over time. Patient data from the United States Renal Data System were linked with data from the 2000 and 2010 US census. Area‐level poverty was defined as living in a zip code‐defined area with ≥20% of households living below the federal poverty line. Negative binomial regression models were created to examine the association between area‐level poverty status and ESRD incidence by time period in the US adult population while simultaneously adjusting for the distribution of age, sex, and race/ethnicity within a zip code. Time was categorized as January 1, 1995 through December 31, 2004 (Period 1) and January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2010 (Period 2). The percentage of adults initiating dialysis with area‐level poverty increased from 27.4% during Period 1 to 34.0% in Period 2. After accounting for the distribution of age, sex, and race/ethnicity within a zip code, area‐level poverty status was associated with a 1.24 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22, 1.25)‐fold higher ESRD incidence. However, this association differed by time period with 1.04‐fold (95% CI 1.02, 1.05) higher ESRD incidence associated with poverty status for Period 2 compared with the association between ESRD and poverty status in Period 1. Area‐level poverty and its association with ESRD incidence is not static over time.
Systematic searching for theory to inform systematic reviews: is it feasible? Is it desirable?
Authors: Booth Andrew , Carroll Christopher
Published: June 2015

Background

In recognising the potential value of theory in understanding how interventions work comes a challenge – how to make identification of theory less haphazard?

Objectives

To explore the feasibility of systematic identification of theory.

Method

We searched PubMed for published reviews (1998–2012) that had explicitly sought to identify theory. Systematic searching may be characterised by a structured question, methodological filters and an itemised search procedure. We constructed a template (BeHEMoTh – Behaviour of interest; Health context; Exclusions; Models or Theories) for use when systematically identifying theory. The authors tested the template within two systematic reviews.

Results

Of 34 systematic reviews, only 12 reviews (35%) reported a method for identifying theory. Nineteen did not specify how they identified studies containing theory. Data were unavailable for three reviews. Candidate terms include concept(s)/conceptual, framework(s), model(s), and theory/theories/theoretical. Information professionals must overcome inadequate reporting and the use of theory out of context. The review team faces an additional concern in lack of ‘theory fidelity’.

Conclusions

Based on experience with two systematic reviews, the BeHEMoTh template and procedure offers a feasible and useful approach for identification of theory. Applications include realist synthesis, framework synthesis or review of complex interventions. The procedure requires rigorous evaluation.
The adsorption behaviour and photoprotection effect of UV filter absorbed on the surface of human hair
Authors: Li X. , Hu J. , Chen L. , Zhang W.
Published: June 2015

Synopsis

Objective

Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (BMBM, an UVA absorber, the maximum absorptive wavelength is about 360 nm), octylmethoxycinnamate (OMC, an UVB filter, the maximum absorptive wavelength is about 310 nm), benzophenone‐3 (an UVA and UVB filter, the maximum absorptive wavelength is about 288 and 323 nm) and octyl salicylate (an UVB filter, the maximum absorptive wavelength is about 307 nm) are four types of UV filters. This report presents the adsorption behaviours and effects of these filters on hair cuticles.

Methods

Adsorption amounts of each UV filter on the hair surface were determined via the depletion method, and the photoprotective effects of these filters were identified by various methods, including protein degradation, tryptophan degradation and lipid peroxidation in hair exposed to irradiation.

Results

Results showed that adsorption of UV filters occurred fairly rapidly and reached equilibrium after approximately 1 h. The rate and amount of adsorption increased with increasing initial concentration. The adsorption amount of each UV filter was plotted against its equilibrium concentration. The adsorption capacity of 2% BMBM was higher than that of the other UV filters. Lipid peroxidation and protein degradation of hair were significantly reduced in samples treated with benzophenone‐3, octyl salicylate and OMC. Tryptophan degradation was not significantly improved in any of the treatments.

Conclusion

The adsorption kinetics of the filters is comparable with a pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model and that their adsorption isotherms match the Freundlich adsorption model. Adsorption followed an endothermic process. UV filters have effect on protecting hair from photodamage. The effect of UVB filters is better than UVA filters.