bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Zinc transporter 8 autoantibodies: what is their clinical relevance in gestational diabetes?
Authors: Rudland V. L. , Pech C. , Harding A. J. , Tan K. , Lee K. , Molyneaux L. , Yue D. K. , Wong J. , Ross G. P.
Published: November 2014

Aims

To investigate the prevalence, clinical significance and antepartum to postpartum trajectory of zinc transporter 8 autoantibodies, a novel marker of islet autoimmunity, in women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

Methods

A total of 302 consecutive women attending a multi‐ethnic Australian gestational diabetes clinic were prospectively studied. Zinc transporter 8 autoantibodies were measured at gestational diabetes diagnosis and 3 months postpartum using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and were correlated with maternal phenotype, antepartum and postpartum glucose tolerance, treatment and perinatal outcomes.

Results

Of the 302 women, 30 (9.9%) were positive for one islet autoantibody antepartum. No participant had multiple islet autoantibodies. Zinc transporter 8 autoantibodies were the most prevalent autoantibody [zinc transporter 8 autoantibodies: 13/271 women (4.8%); glutamic acid decarboxylase 7/302 women (2.3%); insulinoma‐associated antigen‐2: 6/302 women (2.0%); insulin: 4/302 women (1.3%)]. Zinc transporter 8 autoantibody positivity was associated with a higher fasting glucose level on the antepartum oral glucose tolerance test, but not with BMI, insulin use, perinatal outcomes or postpartum glucose intolerance. Five of the six women who tested positive for zinc transporter 8 autoantibodies antepartum were negative for zinc transporter 8 autoantibodies postpartum, which corresponded to a significant decline in titre antepartum to postpartum (26.5 to 3.8 U/ml; P=0.03). This was in contrast to the antepartum to postpartum trajectory of the other islet autoantibodies, which remained unchanged.

Conclusions

Zinc transporter 8 autoantibodies were the most common islet autoantibody in gestational diabetes. Zinc transporter 8 autoantibody positivity was associated with slightly higher fasting glucose levels and, unlike other islet autoantibodies, titres declined postpartum. Zinc transporter 8 autoantibodies may be a marker for islet autoimmunity in a proportion of women with gestational diabetes, but the clinical relevance of zinc transporter 8 autoantibodies in pregnancy and gestational diabetes requires further investigation.
Heart rate‐corrected QT interval prolongation as a prognostic marker for 3‐year survival in people with Type 2 diabetes undergoing above‐ankle amputation
Authors: Fagher K. , Nilsson A. , Löndahl M.
Published: November 2014

Aim

To evaluate whether heart rate‐corrected QT interval is a plausible prognostic factor for survival after major amputation in people with Type 2 diabetes.

Methods

All people with Type 2 diabetes aged < 80 years who underwent a major amputation at two hospitals with multidisciplinary diabetic foot teams were evaluated and grouped according to whether their heart rate‐corrected QT interval was  ≤  or  > 440 ms.

Results

A total of 70 patients with a median age of 72 years were included in the study. During the 3 years of follow‐up, 38 patients (54%) died. Heart rate‐corrected QT interval prolongation was present in 51.4% of the patients and was strongly associated with 3‐year mortality (73 vs 36%; P < 0.001). In a Cox proportional hazard model, heart rate‐corrected QT interval prolongation was the strongest independent risk factor for 3‐year mortality [hazard ratio 2.20 (95% CI 1.11–4.38)]. Treatment with metformin seemed to have a protective effect [hazard ratio 0.22 (95% CI 0.05–0.94)].

Conclusions

The findings of the present study indicate that heart rate‐corrected QT interval prolongation is associated with increased mortality in people with Type 2 diabetes undergoing above‐ankle amputation.
Comparing alternative design options for chronic disease prevention interventions
Authors: Golfam Mohammad , Beall Reed , Brehaut Jamie , Saeed Sara , Relton Clare , Ashbury Fredrick D. , Little Julian
Published: November 2014

Background

While the randomized clinical trial is considered to provide the highest level of evidence in clinical medicine, its superiority to other study designs in the context of prevention studies is debated. The purpose of this review was (i) to gather evidence about challenges facing both randomized controlled trials and observational designs for the conduct of population‐based chronic disease prevention interventions and (ii) to consider the suitability of recently proposed hybrid designs for population‐based prevention intervention studies.

Methods

Rapid review methods were employed for this study. Articles published within 2007‐2012, were included if they: (i) discussed challenges or benefits related to any intervention study design, (ii) compared randomized controlled trials (RCT) and observational designs or (iii) introduced a new study design potentially applicable to population‐based interventions. After initial screening, papers retained for inclusion were subjected to content analysis and synthesis.

Results

A total of 35 included articles were reviewed and used for synthesis. Both RCTs and observational studies are subject to multiple challenges, the main being external and internal validity for RCTs and observational designs, respectively. Four new hybrid designs identified.

Conclusion

Although any high quality design can produce high level of evidence, multiple challenges with prevention intervention RCTs or observational studies identified. New hybrid designs that carry benefits of randomized and observational methods may be the road ahead for to assess the effects of population‐based interventions.
A PRIMER ON CARDINAL VERSUS ORDINAL TOURNAMENTS
Authors: Tsoulouhas Theofanis
Published: November 2014

This paper fills in a gap in the tournament literature by developing a framework that can be used to analyze both cardinal and ordinal tournaments, as well as piece rates. The analysis aims to obtain a Pareto ranking of cardinal versus ordinal tournaments, which is an open question in the literature. The analysis shows that, surprisingly, cardinal tournaments are superior to ordinal tournaments. The rationale is that, by utilizing all the available information more efficiently, cardinal tournaments allow the principal to implement higher power incentives, which makes them superior even though they restrict the form of the contract more than ordinal tournaments. (JEL D82, D21)
Towards a taxonomy of spatial scale‐dependence
Authors: Sandel Brody
Published: November 2014

Spatial scale‐dependence is a ubiquitous feature of ecological systems. This presents a challenge for ecologists who seek to discern general principles. A solution is to search for generalities in patterns of scale‐dependence – that is, what kinds of things are scale‐dependent, in what ways, and why? I argue that this is likely to be a productive way forward for ecology, but that progress in this direction is currently hindered by the conflation of a set of distinct concepts under the category of ‘scale‐dependence’. Here, I propose a taxonomy of spatial scale‐dependence that categorizes its major types in hopes of moving towards a more formal and unambiguous vocabulary. I argue that three major distinctions are necessary and sufficient for this goal: that between grain size and extent (the scale component), between data and models (the subject), and between true and perceived scale‐dependence (the class). I illustrate the need for these distinctions with a set of examples demonstrating causes of different types of scale‐dependence. I then describe how this taxonomy relates to an array of scale‐related concepts from other fields. Finally, I discuss the generalization that biotic interactions are most important at small scales in light of this taxonomy.
Spread of an introduced parasite across the Hawaiian archipelago independent of its introduced host
Authors: Gagne Roderick B. , Hogan J. Derek , Pracheil Brenda M. , McIntyre Peter B. , Hain Ernie F. , Gilliam James F. , Blum Michael J.
Published: November 2014

Co‐introductions of non‐native parasites with non‐native hosts can be a major driver of disease emergence in native species, but the conditions that promote the establishment and spread of non‐native parasites remain poorly understood. Here, we characterise the infection of a native host species by a non‐native parasite relative to the distribution and density of the original non‐native host species and a suite of organismal and environmental factors that have been associated with parasitism, but not commonly considered within a single system.

We examined the native Hawaiian gobyAwaous stamineusacross 23 catchments on five islands for infection by the non‐native nematode parasiteCamallanus cotti. We used model selection to test whether parasite infection was associated with the genetic diversity, size and population density of native hosts, the distribution and density of non‐native hosts, land use and water quality.

We found that the distribution of non‐nativeC. cottiparasites has become decoupled from the non‐native hosts that were primary vectors of introduction to the Hawaiian Islands. Although no single intrinsic or extrinsic factor was identified that best explains parasitism ofA. stamineusbyC. cotti, native host size, population density and water quality were consistently identified as influencing parasite intensity and prevalence.

The introduction of non‐native species can indirectly influence native species through infection of co‐introduced parasites. Here, we show that the effects of ‘enemy addition’ can extend beyond the range of non‐native hosts through the independent spread of non‐native parasites. This suggests that control of non‐native hosts is not sufficient to halt the spread of introduced parasites. Designing importation regulations to prevent host–parasite co‐introductions can promote native species conservation, even in remote areas that may not seem susceptible to human influence.
Density‐dependent and density‐independent growth in a population of juvenile sea‐trout,Salmo trutta, assessed using long‐term data from a small stream in Northwest England
Authors: Elliott J. M.
Published: November 2014

The objectives were to check the validity of a growth model and to examine the relationship between population density and (i) the overall mean length of the trout (ii) the difference between each model‐estimated mean length and the observed mean lengths for the highest and lowest 10% of measurements in each sample and (iii) the individual variation in trout lengths (measured by coefficient of variation:CV%).

First (0+)‐ and second (1+)‐year‐old juvenile sea‐trout were sampled by electrofishing at the beginning and at the end of the summer from 1967 to 2000. The trout left the stream as pre‐smolts in May, soon after their second birthday, so that few 2+ trout were taken. Length, rather than mass, was used in this study because all fish were measured, but only a subsample was weighed.

Mean length was not related to population density and, therefore, mean growth was density independent. A growth model (Elliott, Hurley & Fryer, 1995) estimated the mean mass of the trout over the two years spent in fresh water. These estimates were converted to mean length, using length–mass regression equations. There was good agreement in most year‐classes between the model‐estimated value and the observed mean length for all trout taken in each sample. Exceptions were that the mean length of 0+ trout after two summer droughts was lower than expected, although compensatory growth followed, so that observed and expected values were similar for 1+ trout.

Mean lengths for the highest and lowest 10% of measurements in each sample were significantly higher or lower, respectively, than the estimated mean value. The difference between the latter and the higher or lower mean values was related negatively to population density. Therefore, mean lengths of the fastest and slowest growing trout were density dependent. There was also a negative relationship between population density and theCV% for 0+ and 1+ trout. Therefore, although growth in terms of overall mean length was density independent, individual variation in trout growth was density dependent, being highest at low density and lowest at high density of trout.
Alteration of the phenology of leaf senescence and fall in winter deciduous species by climate change: effects on nutrient proficiency
Authors: Estiarte Marc , Peñuelas Josep
Published: November 2014

Leaf senescence in winter deciduous species signals the transition from the active to the dormant stage. The purpose of leaf senescence is the recovery of nutrients before the leaves fall. Photoperiod and temperature are the main cues controlling leaf senescence in winter deciduous species, with water stress imposing an additional influence. Photoperiod exerts a strict control on leaf senescence at latitudes where winters are severe and temperature gains importance in the regulation as winters become less severe. On average, climatic warming will delay and drought will advance leaf senescence, but at varying degrees depending on the species. Warming and drought thus have opposite effects on the phenology of leaf senescence, and the impact of climate change will therefore depend on the relative importance of each factor in specific regions. Warming is not expected to have a strong impact on nutrient proficiency although a slower speed of leaf senescence induced by warming could facilitate a more efficient nutrient resorption. Nutrient resorption is less efficient when the leaves senesce prematurely as a consequence of water stress. The overall effects of climate change on nutrient resorption will depend on the contrasting effects of warming and drought. Changes in nutrient resorption and proficiency will impact production in the following year, at least in early spring, because the construction of new foliage relies almost exclusively on nutrients resorbed from foliage during the preceding leaf fall. Changes in the phenology of leaf senescence will thus impact carbon uptake, but also ecosystem nutrient cycling, especially if the changes are consequence of water stress.
Emission of CO2 from biochar‐amended soils and implications for soil organic carbon
Authors: Sagrilo Edvaldo , Jeffery Simon , Hoffland Ellis , Kuyper Thomas W.
Published: November 2014

Soil amendment with pyrogenic organic matter (PyOM), also named biochar, is claimed to sequester carbon (C). However, possible interactions between PyOM and native soil organic carbon (SOC) may accelerate the loss of SOC, thus reducing PyOM's C sequestration potential. We combined the results of 46 studies in a meta‐analysis to investigate changes in CO2 emission of PyOM‐amended soils and to identify the causes of these changes and the possible factors involved. Our results showed a statistically significant increase of 28% in CO2 emission from PyOM‐amended soils. When grouped by PyOM C (PyC):SOC ratios, the group of studies with a ratio >2 showed a significant increase in CO2 emissions, but those with a ratio <2 showed no significant effect of PyOM application on CO2 emission. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that increased CO2 emission after PyOM addition is additive and mainly derived from PyOM's labile C fractions. The PyC:SOC ratio provided the best predictor of increases in CO2 production after PyOM addition to soil. This meta‐analysis highlights the importance of taking into account the amount of applied PyC in relation to SOC for designing future decomposition experiments.
High numbers of macrophages, especially M2‐like (CD163‐positive), correlate with hyaluronan accumulation and poor outcome in breast cancer
Authors: Tiainen Satu , Tumelius Ritva , Rilla Kirsi , Hämäläinen Kirsi , Tammi Markku , Tammi Raija , Kosma Veli‐Matti , Oikari Sanna , Auvinen Päivi
Published: November 2014

Aims

High amounts of tumour‐associated macrophages (TAMs) and hyaluronan (HA) correlate with tumour aggressiveness in breast cancer, but the relationship between these parameters is unclear. The aim of this study was to assay the numbers of TAMs in 278 human breast cancer cases, and their correlations with HA‐related factors, clinical variables, and outcome.

Methods and results

The immunoreactivities for CD163 and CD68 were considered as indicators for M2‐like and all TAMs, respectively. The numbers of TAMs were counted in at least four hot spots, and averaged to represent the numbers of TAMs in each section. In the statistical analyses, the numbers were graded as either low or high according to the median. High numbers of TAMs correlated with a high tumour HA content, HA synthases, CD44 positivity, and poor outcome. The number of CD163‐positive cells represented a strong independent prognostic factor. There was also a significant correlation between obesity and a high number of CD163‐positive cells.

Conclusions

Concurrent increases in TAMs and HA in breast cancer indicate that the accumulation of HA facilitates macrophage infiltration and inflammatory responses during human breast cancer progression.
The nail dermis: from microanatomy to constitutive modelling
Authors: Perrin Christophe
Published: November 2014

Aims

The nail mesenchyme, as ligamentous connective tissue, is classically described as a single compartment. Some authors have even suggested the concept of the nail as a musculoskeletal appendage. Recent studies conducted on supernumerary digits surgically removed for polydactyly or on the developing nail organ have introduced into the literature a new concept: the onychodermis and its onychofibroblasts that are CD10‐positive/CD34‐negative. The aim of this study was to explore the nail mesenchyme more comprehensively.

Methods and results

A series of 10 normal adult nail units were examined with a combination of morphological and immunohistochemical analysis. This study demonstrates that the nail mesenchyme has two distinct compartments, with a complex microanatomy of matrical dermis and its hypoderm. The matrical dermis is a relatively independent substructure, and comprises two parts: a thin papillary dermis, and a relatively thick reticular dermis. The matrical hypoderm corresponds to a cushion‐like layer of adipose tissue, which distally intermingles with an area of loose connective tissue. The nail bed dermis comprises a single, relatively homogeneous compartment.

Conclusion

The matrical nail mesenchyme is a modified dermis. The concept of onychodermis is not applicable in the normal adult nail. Underrecognized non‐pathological structures may pose diagnostic problems. The chameleon matrical hypoderm is one such structure.
Experience of a year of adult hospital dermatology consultations
Authors: Storan Eoin R. , McEvoy Marian T. , Wetter David A. , el‐Azhary Rokea A. , Camilleri Michael J. , Bridges Alina G. , Davis Mark D. P.
Published: November 2014

Background

Dermatology consultations are frequently requested by inpatient hospital services. As inpatient dermatology services in the USA decline, dermatology hospital consultations are becoming increasingly important.

Objectives

We aim to describe the spectrum of skin diseases encountered and the health care subspecialties requesting dermatology hospital consultations.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review of adult patient (age: ≥18 years) dermatology hospital consultations from January 1 to December 31, 2010. We examined patient demographic characteristics, consultation requesting services, and consultation diagnoses.

Results

Among dermatology services, 614 patients had 674 separate inpatient dermatology consultations during 2010. Of these patients, 55.9% were male (mean age: 59 years). In total, 205 consultations (30.4%) were requested by the internal medicine subspecialty, 137 (20.3%) by the hematology and oncology subspecialty, and 93 (13.8%) by the surgical subspecialty. The most common conditions seen by the hospital dermatology consulting service were skin infections (n = 125, 18.5%), dermatitis (n = 120, 17.8%), drug eruptions (n = 87, 12.9%), chronic wounds and ulcers (n = 55, 8.1%), cutaneous neoplasms (n = 39, 5.8%), graft‐versus‐host disease (n = 37, 5.5%), ecchymosis, purpura simplex or petechia (n = 26, 3.8%), intertrigo (n = 21, 3.1%), and urticaria (n = 20, 3.0%).

Conclusions

The majority of consultations conducted by the dermatology hospital consulting service were for the management of common skin diseases, such as cutaneous infections, dermatitis, and drug eruptions. Most consultations were requested by the departments of internal medicine, hematology and oncology, and surgical services.
The application of SNIF‐NMR and IRMS combined with C, H and O isotopes for detecting the geographical origin of Chinese wines
Authors: Jiang Wei , Xue Jie , Liu Xiang , Wang De‐liang , Guo Yang , Wang Lu
Published: November 2014

The regional origin of Chinese wines was investigated using two important complementary techniques, site‐specific natural isotopic fractionation nuclear magnetic resonance (SNIF‐NMR) and isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). Twenty samples from five different grape varieties were collected from north Xinjiang in 2009, along with 100 wine samples from five different regions during 2010–2013. The (D/H)I and (D/H)II in wine ethanol ranged from 95.10 to 102.86 ppm and from 115.99 to 126.39 ppm using SNIF‐NMR, respectively. The 13C/12C of wine ethanol and 18O/16O of wine water were detected using IRMS. The δ13C value (−23.36‰) in coastal regions was higher than that in continental regions (−27.75‰). The temperature is the key for δ13C value. The δ18O ranged from −1.94 to 4.57‰. The δ18O values were only positive in north Xinjiang which had the arid climate and strong sunshine. No difference was found for isotope ratios for wines made from five different grape varieties in north Xinjiang. All data evaluated by principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis showed that the best method to distinguish the regional wine origin correctly is a combination of (D/H)I, (D/H)II, R, δ13C and δ18O. Therefore, natural multi‐elemental isotope ratios are effective in contributing to wine quality control in the Chinese market.
Long‐term change in consumer acceptance for salt‐reduced ‘udon noodle soup’ over repeated intake at home
Authors: Kwak Han Sub , Kim Misook , Lee Youngseung , Jeong Yoonhwa
Published: November 2014

The objective of this study was to compare consumer acceptability of sweet (SW) and salty (SA) udon noodle soups over repeated intakes. SW was reformulated by reducing the salt by 15.0% in comparison with SA to offer a less salty udon noodle soup. Although there were different intensities in some attributes, it was verified that SW and SA had similar consumer acceptabilities. The overall acceptance, degree of boredom and degree of appetite to retaste were stable over the ten sessions, showing no statistically significant difference. The increase of sweetness in udon noodle soup did not generate a gradual decrease of consumer acceptance. On the other hand, consumer perception of the intensities of sweetness and saltiness for SW and SA gradually decreased as the tasting went on. Reformulation by increasing sweetness and decreasing saltiness for udon noodle soup will not influence negatively for long‐term consumer acceptability and can apply to the commercial formula for ‘salt‐reduced udon noodle soup’.
Competency and an active learning program in undergraduate nursing education
Authors: Shin Hyunsook , Sok Sohyune , Hyun Kyung Sun , Kim Mi Ja
Published: November 2014

Aims

To evaluate the effect of an active learning program on competency of senior students.

Background

Active learning strategies have been used to help students achieve desired nursing competency, but their effectiveness has not been systematically examined.

Design

A descriptive, cross‐sectional comparative design was used. Two cohort group comparisons using t‐test were made: one in an active learning group and the other in a traditional learning group.

Methods

A total of 147 senior nursing students near graduation participated in this study: 73 in 2010 and 74 in 2013. The active learning program incorporated high‐fidelity simulation, situation‐based case studies, standardized patients, audio‐video playback, reflective activities and technology such as a SmartPad‐based program.

Results

The overall scores of the nursing competency in the active group were significantly higher than those in the traditional group. Of five overall subdomains, the scores of the special and general clinical performance competency, critical thinking and human understanding were significantly higher in the active group than in the traditional group. Importance‐performance analysis showed that all five subdomains of the active group clustered in the high importance and high performance quadrant, indicating significantly better achievements. In contrast, the students in the traditional group showed scattered patterns in three quadrants, excluding the low importance and low performance quadrants. This pattern indicates that the traditional learning method did not yield the high performance in most important areas.

Conclusion

The findings of this study suggest that an active learning strategy is useful for helping undergraduate students to gain competency.
Spatiotemporal Associations of Reservoir Nutrient Characteristics and the Invasive, Harmful Alga Prymnesium parvum in West Texas
Authors: VanLandeghem Matthew M. , Farooqi Mukhtar , Southard Greg M. , Patiño Reynaldo
Published: November 2014

Golden alga (Prymnesium parvum) is a harmful alga that has caused ecological and economic harm in freshwater and marine systems worldwide. In inland systems of North America, toxic blooms have nearly eliminated fish populations in some systems. Modifying nutrient profiles through alterations to land or water use may be a viable alternative for golden alga control in reservoirs. The main objective of this study was to improve our understanding of the nutrient dynamics that influence golden alga bloom formation and toxicity in west Texas reservoirs. We examined eight sites in the Upper Colorado River basin, Texas: three impacted reservoirs that have experienced repeated golden alga blooms; two reference reservoirs where golden alga is present but nontoxic; and three confluence sites downstream of the impacted and reference sites. Total, inorganic, and organic nitrogen and phosphorus and their ratios were quantified monthly along with golden alga abundance and ichthyotoxicity between December 2010 and July 2011. Blooms persisted for several months at the impacted sites, which were characterized by high organic nitrogen and low inorganic nitrogen. At impacted sites, abundance was positively associated with inorganic phosphorus and bloom termination coincided with increases in inorganic nitrogen and decreases in inorganic phosphorus in late spring. Management of both inorganic and organic forms of nutrients may create conditions in reservoirs unfavorable to golden alga.
Associations between Water Physicochemistry andPrymnesium parvumPresence, Abundance, and Toxicity in West Texas Reservoirs
Authors: VanLandeghem Matthew M. , Farooqi Mukhtar , Southard Greg M. , Patiño Reynaldo
Published: November 2014

Toxic blooms of golden alga (Prymnesium parvum) have caused substantial ecological and economic harm in freshwater and marine systems throughout the world. In North America, toxic blooms have impacted freshwater systems including large reservoirs. Management of water chemistry is one proposed option for golden alga control in these systems. The main objective of this study was to assess physicochemical characteristics of water that influence golden alga presence, abundance, and toxicity in the Upper Colorado River basin (UCR) in Texas. TheUCRcontains reservoirs that have experienced repeated blooms and other reservoirs where golden alga is present but has not been toxic. We quantified golden alga abundance (hemocytometer counts), ichthyotoxicity (bioassay), and water chemistry (surface grab samples) at three impacted reservoirs on the Colorado River; two reference reservoirs on the Concho River; and three sites at the confluence of these rivers. Sampling occurred monthly from January 2010 to July 2011. Impacted sites were characterized by higher specific conductance, calcium and magnesium hardness, and fluoride than reference and confluence sites. At impacted sites, golden alga abundance and toxicity were positively associated with salinity‐related variables and blooms peaked at ~10°C and generally did not occur above 20°C. Overall, these findings suggest management of land and water use to reduce hardness or salinity could produce unfavorable conditions for golden alga.
Discovered just before extinction? The first endemic ant from the Balearic Islands (Lasius balearicus sp. nov.) is endangered by climate change
Authors: Talavera Gerard , Espadaler Xavier , Vila Roger
Published: November 2014

Aim

We analyse the taxonomic status, phylogenetic relationships, distribution and age of a newly discovered ant taxon found in the mountaintops of the island of Mallorca (Spain). We also consider the potential impact of short‐term climate change on the survival of this ant and make proposals on its conservation status, risks and management.

Location

Balearic Islands (Spain).

Methods

We used morphological, molecular and ecological evidence to assess the specific status of the potential new species. We gathered distribution data to conduct climate‐based distribution modelling of present and future occupancy under several SRES emission scenarios.

Results

The existence of a new non‐cryptic species of ant (Lasius balearicus Talavera, Espadaler & Vila, sp. nov.) is described from the island of Mallorca. Its distribution was found to be extremely restricted (Serra de Tramuntana) and elevationally constrained to island summits (between 800 and 1400 m a.s.l.). Molecular dating indicated that this species diverged about 1.51 million years ago from its nearest relatives, from which it can be distinguished based on several morphological traits. Ecological niche modelling shows a dramatic reduction of areas with suitable climatic conditions under the different scenarios studied.

Main conclusions

Lasius balearicus represents the first endemic ant to be described in the Balearic Islands, as well as the first endemic Lasius species in the Mediterranean islands. Distribution modelling predictions, the low intraspecific genetic diversity observed, and the geographical and elevational isolation of the populations indicated a low probability for the survival of the species in the short term, thus making it a potential model to study real‐time climate‐based biodiversity loss. As a consequence, we strongly recommend including L. balearicus in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species under the category ‘Endangered’. This case illustrates that a fraction of biodiversity remains unexplored even within Europe, arguably the best‐studied region of the planet, and that the available time‐window for us to study and protect it may be in some instances notably narrow.
Present status of clinical deployment of glucokinase activators
Authors: Nakamura Akinobu , Terauchi Yasuo
Published: November 2014

Glucokinase is one of four members of the hexokinase family of enzymes. Its expression is limited to the major organs (such as the pancreas, liver, brain and the gastrointestinal tract) that are thought to have an integrated role in glucose sensing. In the liver, phosphorylation of glucose by glucokinase promotes glycogen synthesis, whereas in the β‐cells, it results in insulin release. Studies of glucokinase‐linked genetically‐modified mice and mutations in humans have illustrated the important roles played by glucokinase in whole‐body glucose homeostasis, and suggest that the use of pharmacological agents that augment glucokinase activity could represent a viable treatment strategy in patients with type 2 diabetes. Since 2003, many glucokinase activators (GKAs) have been developed, and their ability to lower the blood glucose has been shown in several animal models of type 2 diabetes. Also, we and others have shown in mouse models that GKAs also have the effect of stimulating the proliferation of β‐cells. However, the results of recent phase II trials have shown that GKAs lose their efficacy within several months of use, and that their use is associated with a high incidence of hypoglycemia; furthermore, patients treated with GKAs frequently developed dyslipidemia. A better understanding of the role of glucokinase in metabolic effects is required to resolve several issues identified in clinical trials.
Postcopulatory inbreeding avoidance in guppies
Authors: Fitzpatrick J. L. , Evans J. P.
Published: November 2014

In many species, the negative fitness effects of inbreeding have facilitated the evolution of a wide range of inbreeding avoidance mechanisms. Although avoidance mechanisms operating prior to mating are well documented, evidence for postcopulatory mechanisms of inbreeding avoidance remain scarce. Here, we examine the potential for paternity biases to favour unrelated males when their sperm compete for fertilizations though postcopulatory inbreeding avoidance mechanisms in the guppy, Poecilia reticulata. To test this possibility, we used a series of artificial inseminations to deliver an equal number of sperm from a related (either full sibling or half sibling) and unrelated male to a female while statistically controlling for differences in sperm quality between rival ejaculates. In this way, we were able to focus exclusively on postcopulatory mechanisms of inbreeding avoidance and account for differences in sperm competitiveness between rival males. Under these carefully controlled conditions, we report a significant bias in paternity towards unrelated males, although this effect was only apparent when the related male was a full sibling. We also show that sperm competition generally favours males with highly viable sperm and thus that some variance in sperm competitiveness can be attributed to difference in sperm quality. Our findings for postcopulatory inbreeding avoidance are consistent with prior work on guppies, revealing that sperm competition success declines linearly with the level of relatedness, but also that such effects are only apparent at relatedness levels of full siblings or higher. These findings reveal that postcopulatory processes alone can facilitate inbreeding avoidance.
Bergmann's Rule rules body size in an ectotherm: heat conservation in a lizard along a 2200‐metre elevational gradient
Authors: Zamora‐Camacho F. J. , Reguera S. , Moreno‐Rueda G.
Published: November 2014

Bergmann's Rule predicts larger body sizes in colder habitats, increasing organisms' ability to conserve heat. Originally formulated for endotherms, it is controversial whether Bergmann's Rule may be applicable to ectotherms, given that larger ectotherms show diminished capacity for heating up. We predict that Bergmann's Rule will be applicable to ectotherms when the benefits of a higher conservation of heat due to a larger body size overcompensate for decreased capacity to heating up. We test this hypothesis in the lizard Psammodromus algirus, which shows increased body size with elevation in Sierra Nevada (SE Spain). We measured heating and cooling rates of lizards from different elevations (from 300 to 2500 m above sea level) under controlled conditions. We found no significant differences in the heating rate along an elevational gradient. However, the cooling rate diminished with elevation and body size: highland lizards, with larger masses, have a higher thermal inertia for cooling, which allows them to maintain heat for more time and keep a high body temperature despite the lower thermal availability. Consequently, the net gaining of heat increased with elevation and body size. This study highlights that the heat conservation mechanism for explaining Bergmann's Rule works and is applicable to ectotherms, depending on the thermal benefits and costs associated with larger body sizes.
Should Derivatives Be Privileged in Bankruptcy?
Authors: BOLTON PATRICK , OEHMKE MARTIN
Published: November 2014

Derivatives enjoy special status in bankruptcy: they are exempt from the automatic stay and effectively senior to virtually all other claims. We propose a corporate finance model to assess the effect of these exemptions on a firm's cost of borrowing and incentives to engage in derivative transactions. While derivatives are value‐enhancing risk management tools, seniority for derivatives can lead to inefficiencies: it transfers credit risk to debtholders, even though this risk is borne more efficiently in the derivative market. Seniority for derivatives is efficient only if it provides sufficient cross‐netting benefits to derivative counterparties that provide hedging services.
Information Acquisition in Rumor‐Based Bank Runs
Authors: HE ZHIGUO , MANELA ASAF
Published: November 2014

We study information acquisition and dynamic withdrawal decisions when a spreading rumor exposes a solvent bank to a run. Uncertainty about the bank's liquidity and potential failure motivates depositors who hear the rumor to acquire additional noisy signals. Depositors with less informative signals may wait before gradually running on the bank, leading to an endogenous aggregate withdrawal speed and bank survival time. Private information acquisition about liquidity can subject solvent‐but‐illiquid banks to runs, and shorten the survival time of failing banks. Public provision of solvency information can mitigate runs by indirectly crowding‐out individual depositors' effort to acquire liquidity information.
Bidirectional‐Compounding Effects of Rumination and Negative Emotion in Predicting Impulsive Behavior: Implications for Emotional Cascades
Authors: Selby Edward A. , Kranzler Amy , Panza Emily , Fehling Kara B.
Published: November 2014

Influenced by chaos theory, the emotional cascade model proposes that rumination and negative emotion may promote each other in a self‐amplifying cycle that increases over time. Accordingly, exponential‐compounding effects may better describe the relationship between rumination and negative emotion when they occur in impulsive persons, and predict impulsive behavior. Forty‐seven community and undergraduate participants who reported frequent engagement in impulsive behaviors monitored their ruminative thoughts and negative emotion multiple times daily for two weeks using digital recording devices. Hypotheses were tested using cross‐lagged mixed model analyses. Findings indicated that rumination predicted subsequent elevations in rumination that lasted over extended periods of time. Rumination and negative emotion predicted increased levels of each other at subsequent assessments, and exponential functions for these associations were supported. Results also supported a synergistic effect between rumination and negative emotion, predicting larger elevations in subsequent rumination and negative emotion than when one variable alone was elevated. Finally, there were synergistic effects of rumination and negative emotion in predicting number of impulsive behaviors subsequently reported. These findings are consistent with the emotional cascade model in suggesting that momentary rumination and negative emotion progressively propagate and magnify each other over time in impulsive people, promoting impulsive behavior.
Diversity, Distribution and Effects on Cassava Cultivars of Cassava Brown Streak Viruses in Malawi
Authors: Mbewe Willard , Kumar P. Lava , Changadeya Wisdom , Ntawuruhunga Pheneas , Legg James
Published: November 2014

Cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) has emerged as a major threat to cassava (Manihot esculenta) in eastern and southern Africa. CBSD was first reported in Malawi in the 1950s, but little data on the distribution and epidemiology of the disease are available. A diagnostic survey was therefore conducted in Malawi to determine the distribution, incidence and diversity of viruses causing the disease, and to characterize its effects on local cassava cultivars. Diagnostic tests confirmed the presence of cassava brown streak viruses (CBSVs) in 90% of leaf samples from symptomatic plants. Average CBSD foliar severity was 2.5, although this varied significantly between districts. Both Cassava brown streak virus (CBSV) and Ugandan cassava brown streak virus (UCBSV) (genus Ipomovirus, family Potyviridae) were detected from sampled plants. UCBSV was widespread, whereas CBSV was detected only in the two most northerly districts. The average abundance of the whitefly vector (Bemisia tabaci) was 0.4 per plant, a low value that was partly attributable to the fact that the survey was conducted during the cool part of the year known to be unfavourable for B. tabaci whiteflies. Spearman's correlation analyses showed a positive correlation between CBSD foliar incidence and CBSD severity and between CBSD severity and CBSD stem incidence. Of the 31 cassava varieties encountered, 20–20 was most severely affected, whilst Mtutumusi was completely unaffected. Although data from this study do not indicate a significant CBSD deterioration in Malawi, strengthened management efforts are required to reduce the current impact of the disease.
Molecular Characterization of a Cucumber Bulgarian latent virus Isolate from Iran
Authors: Menzel Wulf , Bananej Kaveh , Winter Stephan
Published: November 2014

Cucumber Bulgarian latent virus (CBLV) was first reported from cucumber in Bulgaria in 2003 and has been assigned to the genus Tombusvirus. Ten years after the first and only report of CBLV, an isolate from a cucumber sample collected in Iran was characterized. Its complete genomic sequence was determined and analysed. Except for the coat protein, CBLV shows the highest sequence identities to the isolates of other species of the genus Tombusvirus. However, sequence comparison and phylogenetic analyses based on the coat protein (CP) revealed that CBLV is more closely related to the genus Aureusvirus rather than to the isolates of the genus Tombusvirus. The sequence identities to some aureusviruses are above the species demarcation threshold value, demonstrating that CBLV is an unusual tombusvirus species. This suggests that it is necessary to review the CP threshold value for species demarcation in the genus Aureusvirus. In addition, CBLV has an intermediate genome size compared to other tombus‐ and aureusviruses. Several polyclonal antisera raised against different tombus‐ and aureusviruses were used to assess the serological relation to CBLV. The ELISA results indicate that CBLV is not serologically related to any of those tested.
Logarithmic Transformation is Essential for Statistical Analysis of Fungicide EC50 Values
Authors: Liang Hong‐Jie , Li Jin‐Li , Di Ya‐Li , Zhang An‐Sheng , Zhu Fu‐Xing
Published: November 2014

Half maximal (50%) effective concentration (EC50) values are widely used to express fungicide potency and sensitivity of plant pathogens. This study explored the necessity of logarithmic transformation for statistical analysis of EC50 values. The results demonstrated that without logarithmic transformation, none of the five sets of epoxiconazole EC50 data (n = 26–33) against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum fitted a normal distribution. But after logarithmic transformation, four of the five datasets became normally distributed. Of the five sets of pyraclostrobin EC50 data (n = 29–32), only one dataset fitted a normal distribution. After logarithmic transformation, four datasets became normally distributed. Logarithmic transformation transformed the heterogeneity of variance across the five sets of epoxiconazole EC50 data to homogeneity but failed to improve the heterogeneity of variance across the five sets of pyraclostrobin EC50 data. For 150 isolates' EC50 values to epoxiconazole and 153 isolates' EC50 values to pyraclostrobin, the intervals of arithmetic means ± standard deviations (SD) covered 85.3% and 90.2% of data points, respectively, whereas the intervals of geometric means (*) multiplied/divided by the multiplicative SD (S*) covered 69.3% and 70.9% of data points, respectively, which approximated the theoretical value of 68.3%. Distribution normality and homogeneity of variance are prerequisites for analysis of variance (anova) and the two parameters could be improved by logarithmic transformation, therefore, power and efficiency of statistical tests on EC50 data will be greatly enhanced by this kind of transformation.
High‐Throughput Assessment and Genetic Investigation of Vegetative Compatibility in Verticillium dahliae
Authors: Papaioannou Ioannis A. , Typas Milton A.
Published: November 2014

Classification of isolates into vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) using nitrate‐non‐utilizing (nit) mutants has been widely used for the characterization of Verticillium dahliae populations. However, certain methodological limitations prevent its application on a large scale. Furthermore, systematic investigations into the genetics underlying complementation tests between nit mutants of fungal isolates (i.e. heterokaryon formation) are lacking for Verticillium species. In this work, a diverse collection of 27 V. dahliae isolates – including representatives of all VCGs, both mating types, and heterokaryon self‐incompatible isolates – was employed for the development and optimization of (i) a protocol for the rapid generation of nit mutants of V. dahliae isolates using UV‐irradiation and (ii) a reproducible high‐throughput procedure for complementation tests between nit mutants in liquid cultures using 96‐well microplates. The genetic analysis of selected heterokaryons demonstrated that the frequently encountered ‘weak’ cross‐reactions between VCGs and their subgroups can be actually heterokaryotic, implying the absence of strict genetic barriers between VCGs. In conclusion, we provide in this work an optimized method for the high‐throughput VCG assignment of V. dahliae populations and a genetic analysis of heterokaryons that may have serious implications for the interpretation of VCG classification data. These advancements in the available methodology and the genetic background of vegetative compatibility grouping may contribute to a better understanding of the population biology of V. dahliae and possibly other mitosporic fungi.
Melatonin attenuates neutrophil inflammation and mucus secretion in cigarette smoke‐induced chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases via the suppression of Erk‐Sp1 signaling
Authors: Shin In‐Sik , Shin Na‐Rae , Park Ji‐Won , Jeon Chan‐Mi , Hong Ju‐Mi , Kwon Ok‐Kyoung , Kim Joong‐Sun , Lee In‐Chul , Kim Jong‐Choon , Oh Sei‐Ryang , Ahn Kyung‐Seop
Published: November 2014

The incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has substantially increased in recent decade. Cigarette smoke (CS) is the most important risk factor in the development of COPD. In this study, we investigated the effects of melatonin on the development of COPD using a CS and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced COPD model and cigarette smoke condensate (CSC)‐stimulated NCI‐H292 cells, a human mucoepidermoid carcinoma cell. On day 4, the mice were treated intranasally with LPS. The mice were exposed to CS for 1 hr per day (8 cigarettes per day) from day 1 to day 7. Melatonin (10 or 20 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally 1 hr before CS exposure. Melatonin markedly decreased the neutrophil count in the BALF, with reduction in the proinflammatory mediators and MUC5AC. Melatonin inhibited Erk phosphorylation and Sp1 expression induced by CS and LPS treatment. Additionally, melatonin decreased airway inflammation with a reduction in myeloperoxidase expression in lung tissue. In in vitro experiments, melatonin suppressed the elevated expression of proinflammatory mediators induced by CSC treatment. Melatonin reduced Erk phosphorylation and Sp1 expression in CSC‐stimulated H292 cells. In addition, cotreatment of melatonin and Erk inhibitors significantly limited the proinflammatory mediators with greater reductions in Erk phosphorylation and Sp1 expression than that observed in H292 cells treated with Erk inhibitor alone. Taken together, melatonin effectively inhibited the neutrophil airway inflammation induced by CS and LPS treatment, which was closely related to downregulation of Erk phosphorylation. These findings suggest that melatonin has a therapeutic potential for the treatment of COPD.