bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Constructing professional and organisational fields
Authors: Gurney Robert
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to fill an apparent gap in the literature addressing issues of leadership and change – the development and activities of constructing and leading sports sciences and medicine professions, and similarly, the construction and leadership of multidisciplinary/inter-disciplinary organisations that practice sports sciences and medicine.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study incorporated explorations through conducting both interviews and survey questionnaires with members of Sports Medicine Australia (SMA). The interviews (qualitative) were semi-structured and asked questions addressing what changed, why change and how change was implemented.

Findings

– The health sciences and medicine professions moving to specialised sports sciences and medicine disciplines and SMA, evolved through forces driving the need for change (legitimacy, resource dependency, positioning and core competencies).

Practical implications

– The knowledge developed from understanding activities of change that traditional professions conducted to become specialised Disciplines and parallel changes in a single Discipline organisation evolving to an umbrella organisation (SMA), comprised a membership of specialised Disciplines, can act as a catalyst for inquiry by other professional and organisational groups.

Originality/value

– The findings of this study contributes to the literature investigating change in professional and organisations fields. More specifically, this study promotes inquiry into leadership practices of sports sciences and medicine, as contributors to the field of health services.
Medicaid Expansions from 1997 to 2009 Increased Coverage and Improved Access and Mental Health Outcomes for Low‐Income Parents
Authors: McMorrow Stacey , Kenney Genevieve M. , Long Sharon K. , Goin Dana E.
Published: January 2016

Objective

To assess the effects of past Medicaid eligibility expansions to parents on coverage, access to care, out‐of‐pocket (OOP) spending, and mental health outcomes, and consider implications for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid expansion.

Data Sources

Person‐level data from the National Health Interview Survey (1998–2010) is used to measure insurance coverage and related outcomes for low‐income parents. Using state identifiers available at the National Center for Health Statistics Research Data Center, we attach state Medicaid eligibility thresholds for parents collected from a variety of sources to NHIS observations.

Study Design

We use changes in the Medicaid eligibility threshold for parents within states over time to identify the effects of changes in eligibility on low‐income parents.

Principal Findings

We find that expanding Medicaid eligibility increases insurance coverage, reduces unmet needs due to cost and OOP spending, and improves mental health status among low‐income parents. Moreover, our findings suggest that uninsured populations in states not currently participating in the ACA Medicaid expansion would experience even larger improvements in coverage and related outcomes than those in participating states if they chose to expand eligibility.

Conclusions

The ACA Medicaid expansion has the potential to improve a wide variety of coverage, access, financial, and health outcomes for uninsured parents in states that choose to expand coverage.
Is a national time target for emergency department stay associated with changes in the quality of care for acute asthma? A multicentre pre‐intervention post‐intervention study
Authors: Jones Peter , Wells Susan , Harper Alana , LeFevre James , Stewart Joanna , Curtis Elana , Reid Papaarangi , Ameratunga Shanthi
Published: January 2016

Objective

There is debate whether targets for ED length of stay introduced to reduce ED overcrowding are helpful or harmful, as focus on a process target may divert attention from clinical care. Our objective was to investigate the effect of a national ED target in Aotearoa New Zealand on the recommended care for acute asthma as this is known to suffer in overcrowded departments.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective chart review study across four sites from 2006 to 2012 (target introduced mid 2009). The primary outcome was time to steroids in the ED. The secondary outcomes were other aspects of asthma care in ED. We used general linear models or logistic regression as appropriate to assess care before and after the target.

Results

Among the 570 (of 1270 randomly selected cases) eligible for analysis, no difference was demonstrated in time to steroids: least square mean (95% CI) = 58.1 (49–67.5) min before and 50.4 (42.9–55.8) min after the target (P = 0.15). More patients received steroids in ED after the target, OR (95% CI) = 2.1 (1.2–4.3). No differences were demonstrated in those receiving steroid prescriptions or re‐presentations: OR (95% CI) = 1.3 (0.9–1.96) and 1.1 (0.5–2.3), respectively. Changes in pre‐target and post‐target ED and hospital length of stay varied between hospitals.

Conclusion

Introduction of the target was not associated with a change in times to steroids in ED, although more patients received steroids in ED indicating closer adherence to recommended practice.
The Reverse Racism Effect
Authors: James Lois , James Stephen M. , Vila Bryan J.
Published: January 2016

Research Summary

Race‐related debates often assume that implicit racial bias will result in racially biased decisions to shoot. Previous research has examined racial bias in police decisions by pressing “shoot” or “don't‐shoot” buttons in response to pictures of armed and unarmed suspects. As a result of its lack of external validity, however, this methodology provides limited insight into officer behavior in the field. In response, we conducted the first series of experimental research studies that tested police officers and civilians in strikingly realistic deadly force simulators.

Policy Implications

This article reports the results of our most recent experiment, which tested 80 police patrol officers by applying this leading edge method. We found that, despite clear evidence of implicit bias against Black suspects, officers were slower to shoot armed Black suspects than armed White suspects, and they were less likely to shoot unarmed Black suspects than unarmed White suspects. These findings challenge the assumption that implicit racial bias affects police behavior in deadly encounters with Black suspects.
Effect of Modified Wheat Gluten on Boiling Resistance Capacity of Pork Meatballs
Authors: Wang Kai‐Qiang , Luo Shui‐Zhong , Zhong Xi‐Yang , Cai Ke‐Zhou , Cai Jing , Jiang Shao‐Tong , Zheng Zhi
Published: January 2016

The effect of the modified wheat gluten (MWG) extender, prepared by alcalase‐based hydrolysis and transglutaminase cross‐linking, on meatballs was analyzed in this study. Here, we studied the effect of MWG addition on the boiling resistance capacity of pork meatballs (MB‐MWG) at high temperature (100 °C) and increasing cooking time; meatballs with added soy protein isolates (MB‐SPI) and raw wheat gluten (MB‐WG) were used as references. The cooking loss, water‐holding capacity (WHC), and textural properties of meatballs were investigated. The results revealed that MB‐MWG showed lower cooking loss, which decreased by 49.16% compared to meatballs without added extenders when treated for 30 min. The WHC of MB‐MWG significantly increased from 80.68% to 95.42%. The hardness, springiness, and chewiness (textural properties) of MB‐MWG were also significantly increased by 97.05%, 6.68%, and 121.96%, respectively. The addition of MWG increased the cross‐linking in meatballs during the cooking process, as indicated by the higher G′. SDS‐PAGE indicated an obvious decrease in myosin heavy chain in MB‐MWG cooked for 30 min at 100 °C, which was attributed to the interaction of myofibrillar proteins in pork meat with MWG. The nuclear magnetic resonance T2 relaxation time patterns indicated that MWG addition caused an increase in the bound water content, and decrease in the free water content, of meatballs. An analysis of the microstructures revealed that the MB‐MWG formed the most regular and compact network. Therefore, MWG could be used as an ingredient to facilitate the processing of meat products.
Large‐scale distribution of microbial and viral populations in the South Atlantic Ocean
Authors: De Corte Daniele , Sintes Eva , Yokokawa Taichi , Lekunberri Itziar , Herndl Gerhard J.
Published: January 2016

Viruses are abundant, diverse and dynamic components of the marine environments and play a significant role in the ocean biogeochemical cycles. To assess potential variations in the relation between viruses and microbes in different geographic regions and depths, viral and microbial abundance and production were determined throughout the water column along a latitudinal transect in the South Atlantic Ocean. Path analysis was used to examine the relationships between several abiotic and biotic parameters and the different microbial and viral populations distinguished by flow cytometry.

The depth‐integrated contribution of microbial and viral abundance to the total microbial and viral biomass differed significantly among the different provinces. Additionally, the virus‐to‐microbe ratio increased with depth and decreased laterally towards the more productive regions. Our data revealed that the abundance of phytoplankton and microbes is the main controlling factor of the viral populations in the euphotic and mesopelagic layers, whereas in the bathypelagic realm, viral abundance was only weakly related to the biotic and abiotic variables. The relative contribution of the three viral populations distinguished by flow cytometry showed a clear geographical pattern throughout the water column, suggesting that these populations are composed of distinct taxa able to infect specific hosts. Overall, our data indicate the presence of distinct microbial patterns along the latitudinal transect. This variability is not limited to the euphotic layer but also detectable in the meso‐ and bathypelagic layers.
Vasopressin‐induced changes in splanchnic blood flow and hepatic and portal venous pressures in liver resection
Authors: Sand Bown L. , Ricksten S.‐E. , Houltz E. , Einarsson H. , Söndergaard S. , Rizell M. , Lundin S.
Published: January 2016

Background

To minimize blood loss during hepatic surgery, various methods are used to reduce pressure and flow within the hepato‐splanchnic circulation. In this study, the effect of low‐ to moderate doses of vasopressin, a potent splanchnic vasoconstrictor, on changes in portal and hepatic venous pressures and splanchnic and hepato‐splanchnic blood flows were assessed in elective liver resection surgery.

Methods

Twelve patients were studied. Cardiac output (CO), stroke volume (SV), mean arterial (MAP), central venous (CVP), portal venous (PVP) and hepatic venous pressures (HVP) were measured, intraoperatively, at baseline and during vasopressin infusion at two infusion rates (2.4 and 4.8 U/h). From arterial and venous blood gases, the portal (splanchnic) and hepato‐splanchnic blood flow changes were calculated, using Fick′s equation.

Results

CO, SV, MAP and CVP increased slightly, but significantly, while systemic vascular resistance and heart rate remained unchanged at the highest infusion rate of vasopressin. PVP was not affected by vasopressin, while HVP increased slightly. Vasopressin infusion at 2.4 and 4.8 U/h reduced portal blood flow (−26% and −37%, respectively) and to a lesser extent hepato‐splanchnic blood flow (−9% and −14%, respectively). The arterial‐portal vein lactate gradient was not significantly affected by vasopressin. Postoperative serum creatinine was not affected by vasopressin.

Conclusion

Short‐term low to moderate infusion rates of vasopressin induced a splanchnic vasoconstriction without metabolic signs of splanchnic hypoperfusion or subsequent renal impairment. Vasopressin caused a centralization of blood volume and increased cardiac output. Vasopressin does not lower portal or hepatic venous pressures in this clinical setting.
Age‐related changes in miR‐143‐3p:Igfbp5 interactions affect muscle regeneration
Authors: Soriano‐Arroquia Ana , McCormick Rachel , Molloy Andrew P. , McArdle Anne , Goljanek‐Whysall Katarzyna
Published: January 2016

A common characteristic of aging is defective regeneration of skeletal muscle. The molecular pathways underlying age‐related decline in muscle regenerative potential remain elusive. microRNAs are novel gene regulators controlling development and homeostasis and the regeneration of most tissues, including skeletal muscle. Here, we use satellite cells and primary myoblasts from mice and humans and an in vitro regeneration model, to show that disrupted expression of microRNA‐143‐3p and its target gene, Igfbp5, plays an important role in muscle regeneration in vitro. We identified miR‐143 as a regulator of the insulin growth factor‐binding protein 5 (Igfbp5) in primary myoblasts and show that the expression of miR‐143 and its target gene is disrupted in satellite cells from old mice. Moreover, we show that downregulation of miR‐143 during aging may act as a compensatory mechanism aiming at improving myogenesis efficiency; however, concomitant upregulation of miR‐143 target gene, Igfbp5, is associated with increased cell senescence, thus affecting myogenesis. Our data demonstrate that dysregulation of miR‐143‐3p:Igfbp5 interactions in satellite cells with age may be responsible for age‐related changes in satellite cell function.
A systematic review and meta‐analysis of the long‐term overall outcome of autism spectrum disorders in adolescence and adulthood
Authors: Steinhausen H. ‐C. , Mohr Jensen C. , Lauritsen M. B.
Published: January 2016

Objective

A systematic review and meta‐analysis of studies reporting on the overall outcome in terms of a global measure of adjustment in children with autistic disorders followed up in adolescence and adulthood.

Method

PubMed, PsycINFO, and EMBASE were systematically searched on 3rd of August 2015. Included studies were analyzed using random‐effects models estimating event rates (%) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI).

Results

From 4350 records identified in the search, 15 studies covering 12 unique samples and a total of N = 828 individuals with autistic disorders were included in the analyses. An estimated 19.7% (95%CI: 14.2–26.6) had a good outcome, 31.1% (95%CI: 23.2–40.4%) a fair outcome, and 47.7% (95%CI: 36.6–59.0) a poor outcome. The meta‐analysis showed strong evidence for heterogeneity. The subtype of childhood autism is a significant moderating factor on the risk of having a poor outcome at follow‐up, whereas age at follow‐up showed statistically significant but inconsistent associations with outcome status.

Conclusion

The long‐term outcome of almost half of all individuals with autistic disorders is poor. The subtype of autism in childhood may be a predictor for specific long‐term outcomes, but in general, little is known about the pathways and predictors.
An observational retrospective evaluation of 79 young men with long‐term adverse effects after use of finasteride against androgenetic alopecia
Authors: Chiriacò G. , Cauci S. , Mazzon G. , Trombetta C.
Published: January 2016

Concern regarding adverse effects of finasteride is increasing. We aimed to determine the type and frequency of symptoms in men having long‐term sexual and non‐sexual side effects after finasteride treatment (a condition recently called post‐finasteride syndrome, PFS) against androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Subjects were recruited at the Urology Unit of the Trieste University‐Hospital, and from a dedicated website. Out of 79 participants, 34% were white Italians, mean age was 33.4 ± 7.60 years, mean duration of finasteride use was 27.3 ± 33.21 months; mean time from finasteride discontinuation was 44.1 ± 34.20 months. Symptoms were investigated by an ad hoc 100 questions' questionnaire, and by validated Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) and Aging Male Symptom Scale (AMS) questionnaires. By ASEX questionnaire, 40.5% of participants declared getting and keeping erection very difficult, and 3.8% never achieved; reaching orgasm was declared very difficult by 16.5%, and never achieved by 2.5%. By the ad hoc questionnaire, the most frequent sexual symptoms referred were loss of penis sensitivity (87.3%), decreased ejaculatory force (82.3%), and low penile temperature (78.5%). The most frequent non‐sexual symptoms were reduced feeling of life pleasure or emotions (anhedonia) (75.9%); lack of mental concentration (72.2%), and loss of muscle tone/mass (51.9%). We contributed to inform about symptoms of PFS patients; unexpectedly loss of penis sensitivity was more frequent than severe erectile dysfunction and loss of muscle tone/mass was affecting half of the subjects. Further studies are necessary to investigate the pathophysiological and biochemical pathways leading to the post‐finasteride syndrome.
Intratumor heterogeneity in clear cell renal cell carcinoma: a review for the practicing pathologist
Authors: López José I.
Published: January 2016

Intertumor heterogeneity, defined as the spectrum of morphological differences found in similar tumors in different patients, is a well‐known event for pathologists. However, recent molecular studies have pointed to intratumor heterogeneity as one of the most important issues in human neoplasia in the next years. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma is an example of an intrinsically heterogeneous neoplasm, and some of the most salient advances in the knowledge of intratumor heterogeneity have been developed on it. This review intends to analyze this phenomenon in this tumor from the practicing pathologist's point of view. A careful study of the surgical specimen and an exhaustive tumor sampling are mandatory to keep relevant information. Currently accepted protocols designed for renal tumor sampling may be insufficient. As a result, a different approach to tumor sampling is advisable to ascertain that intratumor heterogeneity, if present, will be well represented in the selected material.
Impact of patient characteristics on the clinical efficacy of mongersen (GED‐0301), an oral Smad7 antisense oligonucleotide, in active Crohn's disease
Authors: Monteleone G. , Di Sabatino A. , Ardizzone S. , Pallone F. , Usiskin K. , Zhan X. , Rossiter G. , Neurath M. F.
Published: January 2016

Background

In a phase 2 study, mongersen, an oral antisense oligonucleotide targeting Smad7, was effective in inducing clinical remission in approximately 60% of patients with active Crohn's disease (CD).

Aim

In a post hoc analysis to evaluate those patient disease characteristics that may have influenced the efficacy and safety of mongersen therapy.

Methods

Patients with steroid‐dependent/resistant, active CD were randomised to mongersen 10, 40 or 160 mg/day or placebo for 2 weeks; patients were followed for 10 weeks. Clinical remission [Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) score <150] and clinical response (CDAI score reduction ≥100 points) were assessed at weeks 2, 4 and 12 for these subgroups: disease duration <5/≥5 years, human serum C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) <3/≥3 mg/L, and CDAI at baseline ≤260/>260. Additional patient baseline and disease characteristics were explored.

Results

Clinical remission and response rates were significantly higher in patients receiving mongersen 40 and 160 mg/day but not 10 mg/day vs. placebo and independent of disease duration and hsCRP. Patients with baseline CDAI ≤260 had significantly higher remission rates with 40 and 160 mg/day. In patients with baseline CDAI >260, remission rates were statistically greater with 160 mg/day and numerically better with 40 mg/day vs. placebo. Adverse event rates were similar across treatment groups. Mongersen was safe and well tolerated.

Conclusions

Patients with higher CDAI scores achieved clinical remission most frequently with the highest mongersen dose. Disease duration and baseline human serum C‐reactive protein did not appear to significantly impact efficacy of mongersen in this study (EudraCT Number: 2011‐002640‐27.)
Therapeutic implication of genetic variants of IL13 and STAT4 in airway remodelling with bronchial asthma
Authors: Nakamura Y. , Suzuki R. , Mizuno T. , Abe K. , Chiba S. , Horii Y. , Tsuboi J. , Ito S. , Obara W. , Tanita T. , Kanno H. , Yamauchi K.
Published: January 2016

Background

Several gene variants identified in bronchial asthmatic patients are associated with a decrease in pulmonary function. The effects of this intervention on pulmonary function have not been fully researched.

Objective

We determined the effects of high‐dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) on decreased pulmonary function in asthmatic Japanese patients with variants of IL13 and STAT4 during long‐term treatments with low to mild doses of ICS.

Methods

In this study, 411 patients with bronchial asthma who were receiving ICSs and living in Japan were recruited, were genotyped, and underwent pulmonary function tests and fibreoptic examinations. The effects of 2 years of high‐dose ICSs administered to asthmatic patients who were homozygous for IL13 AA of rs20541 or STAT4 TT of rs925847 and who progressed to airway remodelling were investigated.

Results

High‐dose ICS treatment increased the pulmonary function of patients homozygous for IL13 AA of rs20541 but not of patients homozygous for STAT4 TT of rs925847. The increased concentrations of the mediators IL23, IL11, GMCSF, hyaluronic acid, IL24, and CCL8 in bronchial lavage fluid (BLF) were diminished after high‐dose ICS treatment in patients homozygous for IL13 AA of rs20541.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance

IL13 AA of rs20541 and STAT4 TT of rs925847 are potential genomic biomarkers for predicting lower pulmonary function. The administration of high‐dose ICSs to asthmatic patients with genetic variants of IL13 AA may inhibit the advancement of airway remodelling. The genetic variants of STAT4 TT did not respond to high‐dose ICSs. Therefore, using medications other than ICSs must be considered even during the initial treatment of bronchial asthma. These genetic variants may aid in the realization of personalized and phenotype‐specific therapies for bronchial asthma.
Stockout Recovery under Consignment: The Role of Inventory Ownership in Supply Chains
Authors: Xu Kefeng , Yin Rui , Dong Yan
Published: January 2016

We examine how a supply chain firm may implement an incentive contract under inventory consignment to recover stockouts and to retain customers. Inventory consignment allows an upstream firm (e.g., a manufacturer) to own and control inventory at a downstream firm (e.g., a retailer), representing a structural change in supply chain governance. Motivated by cases in pet toy and electronics component industries, we formulate principal–agent models based on the newsvendor framework to capture the strategic interactions in a supply chain. We find that consignment can be effective in reducing stockouts because the ownership and control of the product by the manufacturer allows better prevention of stockouts, which complements stockout recovery and leads to fewer stockouts. However, the lower level of stockout under consignment does not necessarily translate into profitability—when the manufacturer is highly opportunistic, that is, readily exploring outside opportunities for its product, consignment may lead to lower profitability for both the manufacturer and the supply chain. On the other hand, consignment will improve profitability for the manufacturer and the supply chain, if both the manufacturer opportunism and the retailer opportunism are moderate.
Temporal trends in cerebral palsy by impairment severity and birth gestation
Authors: Reid Susan M , Meehan Elaine , McIntyre Sarah , Goldsmith Shona , Badawi Nadia , Reddihough Dinah S ,   the Australian Cerebral Palsy Register Group
Published: January 2016

Aim

Our aim was to build on previous research indicating that rates of cerebral palsy (CP) in the Australian state of Victoria are declining, and examine whether severity of impairments is also decreasing.

Method

Data on individuals with CP were extracted from the Victorian Cerebral Palsy Register for birth years 1983 to 2009. The yearly rates of dichotomized categories for gross motor function, motor laterality, intellectual impairment, and epilepsy per 1000 neonatal survivors and proportions in the CP cohort were tabulated and plotted by birth gestation. Linear regression modelling was used to fit prediction curves; likelihood ratio tests were used to test for differences in trends between impairment severity groups.

Results

Since the mid‐1990s, CP rates declined in neonatal survivors of birth at all gestations. Our data suggest that the decreasing CP rates were associated with relatively greater decreases in the rates of Gross Motor Function Classification System levels III to V, bilateral CP, epilepsy, and intellectual impairment (all p<0.005). Some variation was seen between birth gestation groups.

Interpretation

Declines in rates of CP of all levels of severity and complexity from the mid‐1990s provides ‘real‐world’ support for the effectiveness of concurrent neuroprotective strategies and continual innovation in perinatal practices.
Change in residential remoteness during the first 5 years of life in an Australian cerebral palsy cohort
Authors: DeLacy Michael J , Louca Christalla , Smithers‐Sheedy Hayley , McIntyre Sarah ,   the Australian Cerebral Palsy Register Group
Published: January 2016

Aim

To determine if families of children with cerebral palsy living in Australia move to less remote areas between birth and 5 years.

Method

Children on the Australian Cerebral Palsy Register (n=3399) born 1996 to 2005, were assigned a remoteness value for family residence at birth and 5 years using a modification of the Australian Statistical Geography Standard. Each value at birth was subtracted from the value at 5 years yielding a positive difference if they moved more remotely, negative difference if they moved less remotely and a value of zero if they did not move or moved to an equally remote residence.

Results

The small net increase in remoteness across this cohort was non‐significant (p=0.43). Fifty‐seven per cent of families changed postcode but only 20% changed remoteness, 11% more remotely, and 9% less remotely. There was a small trend for families with a child with more impaired gross motor function (Gross Motor Function Classification System levels IV and V) to move to a less remote area.

Interpretation

This cohort of families with children with cerebral palsy did not appear to move to less remote areas by age 5 years. Remoteness at birth and level of gross motor function seem to have little effect.
Congenital anomalies in cerebral palsy: where to from here?
Authors: McIntyre Sarah , Blair Eve , Goldsmith Shona , Badawi Nadia , Gibson Catherine , Scott Heather , Smithers‐Sheedy Hayley ,   the Australian Cerebral Palsy Register Group
Published: January 2016

Proportions of cases of cerebral palsy (CP) with congenital anomalies recorded in Australian CP registers range from 15% to 40%. The anomalies seen in CP are extremely variable. We have identified that CP registers often do not have quality data on congenital anomalies, necessitating linkage with congenital anomaly registers. However, a lack of unified processes and definitions in congenital anomaly registers and data collections means that linkages are complex, need to be carefully planned, and limitations acknowledged. Historically in CP research, congenital anomalies have been classified by International Classification of Disease codes, then combined into brain and other major and minor anomalies. Systems have been developed to classify congenital anomalies into aetiologically related groups, but such a classification has yet to be trialled in CP. It is anticipated that primary prevention of a small proportion of cases of CP is possible through the primary prevention of congenital anomalies, especially those due to teratogens. Owing to the anticipated low prevalence of each subgroup, global collaboration will be required to further these lines of enquiry.
Dynamic species co‐occurrence networks require dynamic biodiversity surrogates
Authors: Tulloch Ayesha I. T. , Chadès Iadine , Dujardin Yann , Westgate Martin J. , Lane Peter W. , Lindenmayer David
Published: January 2016

In conservation it is inevitable that surrogates be selected to represent the occurrence of hard‐to‐find species and find priority locations for management. However, species co‐occurrence can vary over time. Here we demonstrate how temporal dynamics in species co‐occurrence influence the ability of managers to choose the best surrogate species. We develop an efficient optimisation formulation that selects the optimal set of complementary surrogate species from any co‐occurrence network. We apply it to two Australian datasets on successional bird responses to disturbances of revegetation and fire. We discover that a surprisingly small number of species are required to represent the majority of species co‐occurrences at any one time. Because co‐occurrence patterns are temporally dynamic, the optimal set of surrogates, and the number of surrogates required to achieve a desired surrogacy power, depend on sampling effort and the successional state of a system. Overlap in optimal sets of surrogates for representing 70% of co‐occurring species ranges from zero to 57% depending on when the surrogacy decision is made. Surrogate sets representing early successional communities over‐estimate the power of surrogacy decisions at later times. Our results show that in dynamic systems, optimal surrogates might be selected in different ways: 1) use short‐term monitoring to choose a larger number of static less‐informative surrogates; 2) use long‐term monitoring to choose a smaller number of static high‐power surrogates that may poorly represent early successional co‐occurrence; 3) develop adaptive surrogate selection frameworks with high short‐term and long‐term surrogacy power that update surrogate sets and capture temporal dynamics in species co‐occurrence. Our results suggest vigilance is needed when selecting surrogates for other co‐occurring species in dynamic landscapes, as selected surrogates from one time may have reduced effectiveness at a different time. Ultimately, decisions that fail to acknowledge dynamic species co‐occurrence will lead to uninformative or redundant surrogates.
Evolution of the YABBY gene family in seed plants
Authors: Finet Cédric , Floyd Sandra K. , Conway Stephanie J. , Zhong Bojian , Scutt Charles P. , Bowman John L.
Published: January 2016

Members of the YABBY gene family of transcription factors in angiosperms have been shown to be involved in the initiation of outgrowth of the lamina, the maintenance of polarity, and establishment of the leaf margin. Although most of the dorsal‐ventral polarity genes in seed plants have homologs in non‐spermatophyte lineages, the presence of YABBY genes is restricted to seed plants. To gain insight into the origin and diversification of this gene family, we reconstructed the evolutionary history of YABBY gene lineages in seed plants. Our findings suggest that either one or two YABBY genes were present in the last common ancestor of extant seed plants. We also examined the expression of YABBY genes in the gymnosperms Ephedra distachya (Gnetales), Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgoales), and Pseudotsuga menziesii (Coniferales). Our data indicate that some YABBY genes are expressed in a polar (abaxial) manner in leaves and female cones in gymnosperms. We propose that YABBY genes already acted as polarity genes in the last common ancestor of extant seed plants.
Sexual dimorphism in sister species of Leucoraja skate and its relationship to reproductive strategy and life history
Authors: Martinez Christopher M. , Rohlf F. James , Frisk Michael G.
Published: January 2016

Instances of sexual dimorphism occur in a great variety of forms and manifestations. Most skates (Batoidea: Rajoidei) display some level of body shape dimorphism in which the pectoral fins of mature males develop to create a distinct bell‐shaped body not found in females. This particular form of dimorphism is present in each of the sister species Leucoraja erinacea and Leucoraja ocellata, but differences between sexes are much greater in the former. In order to understand the nature and potential causes of pectoral dimorphism, we used geometric morphometrics to investigate allometry of fin shape in L. erinacea and L. ocellata and its relationship to the development of reproductive organs, based on previous work on the bonnethead shark, Sphyrna tiburo. We found that allometric trajectories of overall pectoral shape were different in both species of skate, but only L. erinacea varied significantly with respect to endoskeleton development. Male maturation was characterized by a number of sex‐specific morphological changes, which appeared concurrently in developmental timing with elongation of cartilage‐supported claspers. We suggest that external sexual dimorphism of pectoral fins in skates is a byproduct of skeletal growth needed for clasper development. Further, the magnitude of male shape change appears to be linked to the differential life histories of species. This work reports for the first time that pectoral dimorphism is a persistent feature in rajoid fishes, occurring in varying degrees across several genera. Lastly, our results suggest that pectoral morphology may be useful as a relative indicator of reproductive strategy in some species.
Polymicrogyric Cortex may Predispose to Seizures via Abnormal Network Topology: An fMRI Connectomics Study
Authors: Sethi Moksh , Pedersen Mangor , Jackson Graeme D.
Published: January 2016

Polymicrogyria is a significant malformation of cortical development with a high incidence of epilepsy and cognitive deficits. Graph theoretic analysis is a useful approach to studying network organization in brain disorders. In this study, we used task‐free functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from four patients with polymicrogyria and refractory epilepsy. Gray matter masks from structural MRI data were parcellated into 1,024 network nodes. Functional “connectomes” were obtained based on fMRI time series between the parcellated network nodes; network analysis was conducted using clustering coefficient, path length, node degree, and participation coefficient. These graph metrics were compared between nodes within polymicrogyric cortex and normal brain tissue in contralateral homologous cortical regions. Polymicrogyric nodes showed significantly increased clustering coefficient and characteristic path length. This is the first study using functional connectivity analysis in polymicrogyria—our results indicate a shift toward a regular network topology in polymicrogyric nodes. Regularized network topology has been demonstrated previously in patients with focal epilepsy and during focal seizures. Thus, we postulate that these network alterations predispose to seizures and may be relevant to cognitive deficits in patients with polymicrogyria.
Water browning mediates predatory decimation of the Arctic fairy shrimp Branchinecta paludosa
Authors: Lindholm Markus , Wolf Raoul , Finstad Anders , Hessen Dag O.
Published: January 2016

Increased concentration of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in northern watersheds is a concern. Such browning affects aquatic food webs and biodiversity in multiple ways, not least through increased attenuation of short‐wave UV radiation, which may facilitate establishment of new predators. We examined the effects of browning on occurrence of the predatory larvae of the phantom midge, Chaoborus nyblaei, and quantified their impact on the Arctic fairy shrimp Branchinecta paludosa in ponds in alpine southern Norway.

The predator was present only above certain levels of DOC (here represented by total organic carbon, TOC). Comet assays revealed a 50‐fold higher DNA damage in the population inhabiting a clearwater pond (3.9 mg TOC L−1), compared to that from a brownwater site (10.5 mg TOC L−1). Laboratory experiments corroborated the key role of browning in protection against UV‐related DNA damage.

Chaoborus nyblaei was a highly effective predator on B. paludosa, which suffered major population declines in ponds where the predator was present. Indeed, extinction of B. paludosa has been observed at lower altitudes of the surveyed area over the past decades, possibly in parallel with warming and increased vegetation cover, as inferred from analyses of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for the surveyed area. These shifts could clearly have favoured establishment of C. nyblaei in the region.

Our results point to climate‐induced cascading effects in alpine ponds, whereby increased warming and terrestrial C‐fixation cause increased catchment export of DOC, leading to increased browning of water and associated food‐web changes.
Controlled attenuation parameter is correlated with actual hepatic fat content in patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease with none‐to‐mild obesity and liver fibrosis
Authors: Fujimori Naoyuki , Tanaka Naoki , Shibata Soichiro , Sano Kenji , Yamazaki Tomoo , Sekiguchi Tomohiro , Kitabatake Hiroyuki , Ichikawa Yuki , Kimura Takefumi , Komatsu Michiharu , Umemura Takeji , Matsumoto Akihiro , Tanaka Eiji
Published: January 2016

Aim: Non‐invasive steatosis‐quantifying methods are required for non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients in order to monitor disease severity and assess therapeutic efficacy. Controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) evaluated with vibration‐controlled transient elastography can predict the presence of steatosis, but its application to absolute hepatic fat quantitation remains unclear. The aim of this st\udy was to examine whether CAP is correlated with real hepatic fat content in NAFLD patients.

Methods

Eighty‐two NAFLD patients who had undergone percutaneous liver biopsy were enrolled. CAP was measured using FibroScan® just before liver biopsy. The percentage of fat droplet area to hepatocyte area in biopsied specimen was determined morphometrically using computerized optical image analyzing system. The correlation between CAP and liver histology was examined.

Results

CAP showed an excellent correlation with actual liver fat percentage in the NAFLD patients with body mass index (BMI) of less than 28 kg/m2 (r = 0.579, P < 0.0001), especially less than 25 kg/m2 (r = 0.708, P < 0.01), but the meaningful correlation disappeared in the patients with BMI of 28 kg/m2 or more. In the patients with BMI of less than 28 kg/m2, CAP quantitativeness was affected by the presence of stage 2–4 fibrosis, but not the presence of hepatocyte ballooning and severity of lobular inflammation.

Conclusion

CAP may be a promising tool for quantifying hepatic fat content in NAFLD patients with none‐to‐mild obesity and liver fibrosis. Further improvement of CAP performance is needed for the NAFLD patients with BMI of more than 28 kg/m2 or significant hepatic fibrosis.
Microarray profiling analysis of long non‐coding RNAs expression in tendinopathy: identification for potential biomarkers and mechanisms
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Ge Heng'an , Jiang Yuqing , Cheng Biao , Zhou Dong , Xu Nanwei
Published: January 2016

The role of lncRNAs in pathologies of tendinopathy has not been researched so far, this study aims to identify the role and potent mechanism of lncRNAs in tendinopathy with a bioinformatic analysis. The gene profile of GSE26051 based on the platform of Affymetrix Human Genome U133B Array condensed was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus. A total of 46 specimens (including 23 normal samples and 23 tendinopathy specimens) were available. Compared with the control samples, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of tendinopathy was identified the by packages in R. The selected DEGs were further analysed using bioinformatics methods including co‐expression and enrichment analysis to detect the potential role of lncRNAs. A total of 40 different expressed lncRNAs were identified. However, most of the identified lncRNAs have not been researched before. And this study only annotate one of the identified lncRNAs successfully, the LOC100507027 (myoregulin), with the potential role in regulating skeletal muscle tissue development and skeletal muscle organ development.
Effect of Mentha spicata L. and Mentha aquatica L. essential oils on the microbiological properties of fermented dairy product, kashk
Authors: Golestan Leila , Seyedyousefi Laleh , Kaboosi Hami , Safari Hamed
Published: January 2016

The antibacterial activity of Mentha spicata and Mentha aquatica essential oils (EO) was tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Lactobacillus reuteri, Bifidobacterium animalis and Clostridium perfringens using agar well and disc diffusion techniques. Results showed that M. spicata EO had the highest inhibition activity against the studied microorganisms. Then, the antibacterial activity of both EO at 1500 and 2500 ppm was examined in industrial liquid kashk during the storage at 4 °C for 20 days. Both EO reduced the S. aureus viable count below 5 log CFU g−1 after 4 days; however, the population of C. perfringens, L. reuteri and B. animalis decreased <1 log CFU g−1 during the storage time. The least deteriorative effect on the lactic acid bacteria was related to M. aquatica. As revealed by organoleptic studies, kashk samples containing M. aquatica EO at 1500 and 2500 ppm were the most preferred samples.
Bioactive components, ABTS radical scavenging capacity and physical stability of orange, yellow and purple sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) powder processed by convection‐ or vacuum‐drying methods
Authors: Kuan Lai‐Yee , Thoo Yin‐Yin , Siow Lee‐Fong
Published: January 2016

This study aims to investigate the antioxidant properties and physical stability of convection‐ or vacuum‐dried orange, yellow and purple sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) powder upon room temperature storage at different relative humidity (RH) of 33%, 43%, 54% and 75% for 25 days. Both convection and vacuum‐dried samples had lower total phenolic content (TPC), anthocyanin content and antioxidant activity compared to the fresh samples. Vacuum‐dried powder retained higher antioxidant activity than convection‐dried powder. Storage of the powder at high RH of 75% resulted in apparent clump formation, which was likely attributed to the decrease of glass transition temperature (Tg). In general, purple sweet potato powder contained the highest TPC (255.0 mg GAE 100 g DW−1) and antioxidant activity (1924.0 μmol TEAC 100 g DW−1), while orange powder had the highest beta‐carotene content (127.2 mg 100 g DW−1). Vacuum‐dried sweet potato powder, which has relatively higher antioxidant activity, could be a potential functional ingredient or natural colourant for the food industry.
Mediterranean dietary pattern in pregnant women and offspring risk of overweight and abdominal obesity in early childhood: the INMA birth cohort study
Authors: Fernández‐Barrés S. , Romaguera D. , Valvi D. , Martínez D. , Vioque J. , Navarrete‐Muñoz E.M. , Amiano P. , Gonzalez‐Palacios S. , Guxens M. , Pereda E. , Riaño I. , Tardón A. , Iñiguez C. , Arija V. , Sunyer J. , Vrijheid M. ,   on behalf of the INMA Project
Published: January 2016

Background

Animal models have suggested that maternal diet quality may reduce offspring obesity risk regardless of maternal body weight; however, evidence from human studies is scarce.

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate associations between adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) during pregnancy and childhood overweight and abdominal obesity risk at 4 years of age.

Methods

We analysed 1827 mother–child pairs from the Spanish ‘Infancia y Medio Ambiente’ cohort study, recruited between 2003 and 2008. Diet was assessed during pregnancy using a food frequency questionnaire and MD adherence by the relative Mediterranean diet score (rMED). Overweight (including obesity) was defined as an age‐specific and sex‐specific body mass index ≥85th percentile (World Health Organization referent), and abdominal obesity as a waist circumference (WC) >90th percentile. Multivariate adjusted linear and logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations between pregnancy rMED and offspring overweight and abdominal obesity.

Result

There was no association between rMED and body mass index z‐score, whereas there was a significant association between higher adherence to MD and lower WC (β of high vs. low rMED: −0.62 cm; 95% confidence interval: −1.10, −0.14 cm, P for trend = 0.009).

Conclusion

Pregnancy adherence to the MD was not associated with childhood overweight risk, but it was associated with lower WC, a marker of abdominal obesity.
Relationship between androgen deprivation therapy and community‐acquired respiratory infections in patients with prostate cancer
Authors: Schmid Marianne , Hanske Julian , Ravi Praful , Krishna Nandita , Reznor Gally , Meyer Christian P , Fisch Margit , Noldus Joachim , Nguyen Paul L , Trinh Quoc‐Dien
Published: January 2016

Objectives

To investigate the dose‐dependent effect of androgen deprivation therapy on community‐acquired respiratory infections in patients with localized prostate cancer.

Methods

We identified 52 905 men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer within the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results‐Medicare database between 1991 and 2006. We compared those who did not receive androgen deprivation therapy with those who received androgen deprivation therapy within 2 years of diagnosis, calculated as monthly equivalent doses (<7, 7–11, >11 doses), or orchiectomy. Adjusted Cox hazard models were fitted to predict the risk of community‐acquired respiratory infections (acute sinusitis, acute bronchitis, [severe] pneumonia) in patients treated with medical androgen deprivation therapy versus orchiectomy versus none.

Results

Overall, 43.4% received medical androgen deprivation therapy. These patients more likely experienced respiratory events compared with those who did not receive androgen deprivation therapy or who underwent orchiectomy (62.2% vs 54.5% vs 47.8%, P < 0.001). The risk of experiencing any respiratory event increased with the number of doses received. For example, men receiving >11 doses of androgen deprivation therapy were at greatest risk of acute sinusitis, acute bronchitis and pneumonia (HR 1.13, 1.26 and 1.15, respectively, all P < 0.001), except severe pneumonia. Furthermore, we did not detect any relationship between orchiectomy and respiratory events. Study limitations include the utilization of a retrospective population‐based dataset.

Conclusions

Increased exposure to medical androgen deprivation therapy for men with localized prostate cancer is associated with a higher risk of community‐acquired respiratory infections. Our results suggest that respiratory complications represent potentially underreported complications of medical androgen deprivation therapy.