bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Liquidus Temperature of SrO‐Al2O3‐SiO2 Glass‐Forming Compositions
Authors: Abel Brett M. , Morgan James M. , Mauro John C. , Smedskjaer Morten M.
Published: April 2013

Despite the important role of strontium aluminosilicate glasses in various technologies, there is no available phase diagram for this ternary system in the ACerS‐NIST Phase Equilibria Diagrams Database. Establishing the liquidus surface (liquidus temperature Tliq and primary devitrification phase) is crucial for glass composition design, because the liquidus temperature is intimately connected with the glass‐forming ability of the melt. In this work, we have determined the liquidus surface by X‐ray diffraction phase analyses of isothermally reacted samples from powder mixtures of 24 compositions. In the composition range of interest for industrial glasses, Tliq tends to decrease with increasing strontium‐to‐alumina ratio. We find that cristobalite, mullite, and slawsonite are the dominant devitrification phases for the compositions with high SiO2, SiO2+Al2O3, and SrO contents, respectively. By comparison with the phase diagrams for CaO‐Al2O3‐SiO2 and MgO‐Al2O3‐SiO2 systems, we have found that for the highest [RO]/[Al2O3] ratios, Tliq exhibits a minimum value for R = Ca. Based on the phase diagram established here, the composition of glass materials, for example, for liquid crystal display substrates, belonging to the SrO‐Al2O3‐SiO2 family may be designed with a more exact control of the glass‐forming ability by avoiding the regions of high liquidus temperature.
The Yin and Yang of microRNAs: leukemia and immunity
Authors: So Alex Yick‐Lun , Zhao Jimmy L. , Baltimore David
Published: April 2013

Yin and Yang are two complementary forces that together describe the nature of real‐world elements. Yin is the dark side; Yang is the light side. We describe microRNAs having both Yin and Yang characteristics because they can contribute to normal function (Yang) but also to autoimmunity, myeloproliferation, and cancer (Yin). We have been working on a number of microRNAs that have these dual characteristics and here we focus on two, miR‐125b and miR‐146a. We have concentrated on these two RNAs because we have very extensive knowledge of them, much of it from our laboratory, and also because they provide a strong contrast: the effects of overexpression of miR‐125b are rapid, suggesting that it acts directly, whereas the effects of miR‐146a are slow to develop, suggesting that they arise from chronic alterations in cellular behavior.
Post‐transcriptional regulatory networks in immunity
Authors: Ivanov Pavel , Anderson Paul
Published: April 2013

Post‐transcriptional mechanisms that modulate global and/or transcript‐specific mRNA stability and translation contribute to the rapid and flexible control of gene expression in immune effector cells. These mechanisms rely on RNA‐binding proteins (RBPs) that direct regulatory complexes (e.g. exosomes, deadenylases, decapping complexes, RNA‐induced silencing complexes) to the 3′‐untranslated regions of specific immune transcripts. Here, we review the surprising variety of post‐transcriptional control mechanisms that contribute to gene expression in the immune system and discuss how defects in these pathways can contribute to autoimmune disease.
mir‐17‐92: a polycistronic oncomir with pleiotropic functions
Authors: Olive Virginie , Li Qijing , He Lin
Published: April 2013

Neoplastic transformation is caused by accumulation of genetic lesions that ultimately convert normal cells into tumor cells with uncontrolled proliferation and survival, unlimited replicative potential, and invasive growth. Emerging evidence has highlighted the functional importance of non‐coding RNAs, particularly microRNAs (miRNAs), in the initiation and progression of tumor development. The mir‐17‐92 miRNA is among the best characterized miRNA oncogenes, whose genomic amplification or aberrant elevation are frequently observed in a variety of tumor types. Unlike protein‐coding oncogenes, where one transcript produces one protein, mir‐17‐92 encodes a polycistronic miRNA transcript that yields six individual miRNA components. This unique gene structure, shared by many important miRNA oncogenes and tumor suppressors, underlies the unique functionality of mir‐17‐92 in a cell type and context‐dependent manner. Recent functional dissection of mir‐17‐92 indicates that individual mir‐17‐92 components perform distinct biological functions, which collectively regulate multiple related cellular processes during development and disease. The structural complexity of mir‐17‐92 as a polycistronic miRNA oncogene, along with the complex mode of interactions among its components, constitutes the molecular basis for its unique functional complexity during normal and tumor development.
Regulation of miRNA biogenesis and turnover in the immune system
Authors: Bronevetsky Yelena , Ansel K. Mark
Published: April 2013

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as important regulators of gene expression in diverse biological processes ranging from cell proliferation and survival to organ development and immunity. Here, we review mechanisms that regulate the expression of miRNAs themselves in the immune system. Like protein‐coding genes, miRNAs can be regulated at the transcriptional level, downstream of signaling pathways and circuits that activate or inhibit transcription factors and chromatin remodeling. The resulting primary miRNAs are processed into active mature miRNAs through a series of biochemical steps, and miRNA abundance can be regulated at each step of this biogenesis pathway. Recent work has uncovered regulation of mature miRNA turnover in the immune system as well. A better understanding of these processes and their regulation by immunogenic stimuli is critical for integrating miRNAs into current models of gene expression networks that determine cell identity and immune function.
Phase II study of everolimus in metastatic urothelial cancer
Authors: Milowsky Matthew I. , Iyer Gopa , Regazzi Ashley M. , Al‐Ahmadie Hikmat , Gerst Scott R. , Ostrovnaya Irina , Gellert Lan L. , Kaplan Rana , Garcia‐Grossman Ilana R. , Pendse Deepa , Balar Arjun V. , Flaherty Anne Marie , Trout Alisa , Solit David B. , Bajorin Dean F.
Published: April 2013

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

No recent advances have been made in the treatment of patients with advanced bladder cancer and, to date, targeted therapies have not resulted in an improvement in outcome. The mammalian target of rapamycin pathway has been shown to be up‐regulated in bladder cancer and represents a rational target for therapeutic intervention.

In the present phase II study of everolimus, one near‐complete response, one partial response and several minor responses suggest that everolimus possesses biological activity in a subset of patients with bladder cancer. To maximize benefit from targeted agents such as everolimus, the preselection of patients based on molecular phenotype is required.

Objective

To assess the efficacy and tolerability of everolimus in advanced urothelial carcimoma (UC).

Patients and Methods

The present study comprised a single‐arm, non‐randomized study in which all patients received everolimus 10 mg orally once daily continuously (one cycle = 4 weeks).

In total, 45 patients with metastatic UC progressing after one to four cytotoxic agents were enrolled between February 2009 and November 2010 at the Memorial Sloan‐Kettering Cancer Center.

The primary endpoints were 2‐month progression‐free survival (PFS) and the safety of everolimus, with the secondary endpoint being the response rate.

A Simon minimax two‐stage design tested the null hypothesis that the true two month PFS rate was ≤50%, as opposed to the alternative hypothesis of ≥70%.

Results

The most common grade 3/4 toxicities were fatigue, infection, anaemia, lymphopaenia, hyperglycaemia and hypophosphataemia.

There were two partial responses in nodal metastases, with one patient achieving a 94% decrease in target lesions and remaining on drug at 26 months.

An additional 12 patients exhibited minor tumour regression.

There were 23 of 45 (51%) patients who were progression‐free at 2 months with a median (95% CI) PFS of 2.6 (1.8–3.5) months and a median (95% CI) overall survival of 8.3 (5.5–12.1) months.

No clear association was observed between mammalian target of rapamycin pathway marker expression and 2‐month PFS.

Conclusions

Although everolimus did not meet its primary endpoint, one partial response, one near‐complete response and twelve minor regressions were observed.

Everolimus possesses meaningful anti‐tumour activity in a subset of patients with advanced UC.

Studies aiming to define the genetic basis of everolimus activity in individual responders are ongoing.
Feasibility and oncological outcomes of laparoscopic treatment for local relapse of renal cell carcinoma
Authors: El Hajj Albert , Thanigasalam Ruban , Molinié Vincent , Massoud Walid , Fourati Mohamed , Girard Frederic , Escudier Bernard , Baumert Hervé
Published: April 2013

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Local relapse of renal cell carcinoma following radical nephrectomy is rare, and surgical removal provides the only opportunity for cure. Open surgery has been established as the usual approach for these tumours. It is, however, associated with significant morbidity.

Our study describes the largest series of laparoscopic treatment of local relapse of renal cell carcinoma with the longest follow‐up. We show that the laparoscopic approach is feasible in expert centres. It provides faster recovery and fewer complications with satisfactory oncological outcomes in selected patients.

Objective

To assess the feasibility and oncological outcomes of laparoscopic treatment for local relapse of renal cell carcinoma.

Patients and Methods

Nine patients were treated by a pure laparoscopic approach for local recurrence of a renal tumour between 2005 and 2011 by a single surgeon (HB), following an initial open radical nephrectomy for the primary tumour.

Clinical and histopathological data were collected prospectively and analysed retrospectively.

Seven patients were treated by a transperitoneal approach and two patients had a retroperitoneal approach.

Results

Relapse occurred within a mean time of 83 months (7–168) following nephrectomy. Recurrent tumour size varied from 2.5 to 4.5 cm. All surgeries were performed laparoscopically without need for conversion.

Mean operative duration was 144 min (40–240), mean estimated blood loss was 430 mL (50–1300) and mean hospital stay was 4.5 days (3–6). Three patients had Clavien grade I intraoperative complications. Late complications were noted in two patients (Clavien I and IIIb).

Pathology confirmed clear cell carcinoma in all patients with an absence of sarcomatoid features and negative surgical margins.

Three patients had neoadjuvant treatment and two patients had adjuvant treatment. In all, 67% of patients were disease free with a mean follow‐up period of 3 years.

Conclusions

Surgical removal of isolated local recurrence remains the only possibility of cure in patients with renal cell carcinoma.

We demonstrated that the laparoscopic approach is a safe and feasible alternative treatment option for selected cases with low morbidity and satisfactory oncological outcomes.
Keeping it real: self‐control depletion increases accuracy, but decreases confidence for performance
Authors: DeBono Amber , Muraven Mark
Published: April 2013

We propose that egotism about one's abilities may be related to good self‐regulation and a lack of self‐control may reduce estimations of aptitudes. Self‐control depletion should lead to more accurate and therefore less lofty predictions of future performances. In two experiments, self‐control depletion was manipulated by having participants either resist tempting cookies or by inhibiting thoughts about a white bear. In both cases, nondepleted participants made bolder predictions about their future performance on a video game than their depleted counterparts. Instead, depleted participants were more modest in their predictions and more accurate in their predictions than nondepleted participants. These findings suggest that depletion undermines self‐assurance in oneself, which may have implications for theories of depressive realism, accuracy, confidence, and goal setting.
Existential motive underlying cosmetic surgery: A terror management analysis
Authors: Tam Kim‐Pong
Published: April 2013

Why do people consider cosmetic surgery? Based on the terror management theory, the present research identifies an existential motive: Through cosmetic surgery, people can symbolically defend against their death anxiety. A correlational study and an experiment showed that death terror, whether operationalized as individual differences in fear of death or experimentally manipulated mortality salience, was associated with stronger acceptance of cosmetic surgery. This association was absent among participants who did not consider physical appearance important, and weaker among those who were satisfied about their appearance. Also, this association was particularly strong among those with high explicit self‐esteem. This concurs with the recent theoretical development about the role of self‐esteem in symbolic defenses against death terror.
Determinants of brand switching: the role of consumer inferences, brand commitment, and perceived risk
Authors: Choi Beomjoon , Ahluwalia Rohini
Published: April 2013

Previous research in the area of price discounts has generated a rich, but diverse and mixed body of literature. This research examines the role of consumer's brand commitment and product category risk in influencing the nature as well as valence of the inferences generated by consumers in response to price discounts. Our results provide insights regarding how consumers' responses to competitor inducements vary depending upon their brand commitment for the incumbent brand and perceived risk. Furthermore, we show that higher commitment consumers could resist an inducement from a competitor when they are able to generate negative, marketer‐related inferences. Our research suggests that consumers' inferences are critical than pure economic benefits in determining the effectiveness of discounts.
Trash talk in a competitive setting: Impact on self‐efficacy and affect
Authors: Conmy Ben , Tenenbaum Gershon , Eklund Robert , Roehrig Alysia , Filho Edson
Published: April 2013

The effects of trash talk and competition outcome on self‐efficacy and affect were examined in 40 Madden™ NFL 08 football video game players randomly assigned to two conditions: silence talk, where they played the first game in complete silence; and the second trash talking. Measures of self‐efficacy, positive affect (PA), and negative affect (NA) were administered. Results revealed that players enforced to be silent in the first game instantaneously exhibited lower self‐efficacy, lower PA, and higher NA than players permitted to talk in Game 1. However, players subsequently instructed to remain silent in the second game showed markedly decreased self‐efficacy compared to players permitted to talk in Game 2. Results are interpreted in light of the social‐cognitive‐motivational theory.
Effect of quercetin on the transport of N-acetyl 5-aminosalicylic acid
Authors: Kamishikiryo Jun , Matsumura Ryusuke , Takamori Tomohiro , Sugihara Narumi
Published: April 2013

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the transporter-mediated transport of N-acetyl 5-aminosalicylic acid (Ac-5-ASA) and the effect of quercetin on Ac-5-ASA transport.

Methods

Caco-2 cell monolayers grown in Transwells were used to study the transport of Ac-5-ASA in the absence or presence of quercetin, and apical-to-basolateral and basolateral-to-apical apparent permeability (PappAB and PappBA values, respectively) was determined. The effect of transporter inhibitors, such as MK571, quinidine and mitoxantrone, on the transport of Ac-5-ASA was investigated.

Key findings

In the absence of transporter mediators, the transport of Ac-5-ASA was much higher in the basolateral-to-apical direction than in the opposite direction. The PappBA/PappAB ratio of Ac-5-ASA was 4.89. Quercetin inhibited the apical efflux of Ac-5-ASA and decreased the PappBA/PappAB ratio to 1.05. Of the transporter inhibitors, MK571 decreased the PappBA/PappAB ratio to 1.07; however, neither quinidine nor mitoxantrone had an effect on Ac-5-ASA transport.

Conclusions

Ac-5-ASA was excreted by multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 from Caco-2 cells, and its transport was inhibited by quercetin. Our findings suggest that dose levels of sulfasalazine or 5-aminosalicylic acid can be decreased by coadministration of quercetin, leading to improved pharmaceutical care for inflammatory bowel diseases.
Cardiac Troponin‐I Concentration, Myocardial Arteriosclerosis, and Fibrosis in Dogs with Congestive Heart Failure because of Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease
Authors: Falk T. , Ljungvall I. , Zois N.E. , Höglund K. , Olsen L.H. , Pedersen H. D , Häggström J.
Published: April 2013

Background

Few previous studies have investigated the association between biomarkers and cardiac disease findings in dogs with naturally occurring myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD).

Aim

To investigate if histopathological changes at necropsy could be reflected by in vivo circulating concentrations ofcTnIand aldosterone, and renin activity, in dogs with naturally occurring congestive heart failure because of MMVD.

Animals

Fifty privately owned dogs withMMVDand heart failure.

Methods

Longitudinal Study. Dogs were prospectively recruited and examined by clinical and echocardiographical examination twice yearly until time of death. Blood was stored for batched analysis of concentrations ofcTnIand aldosterone, and renin activity. All dogs underwent a standardized necropsy protocol.

Results

cTnIwere associated with echocardiographic left ventricular end‐diastolic dimension (P < .0001) and proximal isovolumetric surface area radius (P < .004). Furthermore, in vivocTnIconcentrations reflected postmortem findings of global myocardial fibrosis (P < .001), fibrosis in the papillary muscles (P < .001), and degree of arterial luminal narrowing (P < .001) Aldosterone or renin activity did not reflect any of the cardiac disease variables investigated.

Conclusion and clinical importance

Cardiac fibrosis and arteriosclerosis in dogs with MMVD are reflected by circulatingcTnIconcentration, but not by aldosterone concentration or renin activity. Cardiac troponin I could be a valuable biomarker for myocardial fibrosis in dogs with chronic cardiac diseases.
Reestablishment of former wintering grounds by New Zealand southern right whales
Authors: Carroll Emma L. , Rayment William J. , Alexander Alana M. , Baker C. Scott , Patenaude Nathalie J. , Steel Debbie , Constantine Rochelle , Cole Rosalind , Boren Laura J. , Childerhouse Simon
Published: April 2013

Historically, the range of the southern right whale (SRW) included winter calving grounds around the North and South Islands (mainland) of New Zealand (NZ) and in the NZ subantarctic Auckland and Campbell Islands. Due to extensive whaling in the 19th and 20th centuries, no SRW was seen around mainland NZ for nearly four decades (1928–1963). Here we present evidence for the regular use of the mainland NZ wintering ground, presumably from a remnant population that persisted in the NZ subantarctic Auckland and Campbell Islands. SRWs have been sighted every year around mainland NZ since 1988, with 125 sightings during the focus of this work: from 2003 to 2010. There were 28 cow‐calf pairs sighted around mainland NZ from 2003 to 2010, compared with 11 sightings from 1991 to 2002. Furthermore, two females, identified by DNA profiles, were sighted with calves around mainland at 4 yr intervals: the first evidence of female site fidelity to the mainland NZ calving ground. Individual identification from photographs of natural markings and DNA profiles provided information on within‐year movements and residency around the mainland, and further evidence for exchange between the mainland and subantarctic wintering grounds. Despite these promising signs, the distribution of NZ SRWs remains primarily concentrated in the NZ subantarctic.
Sensitization to Malassezia in children with atopic dermatitis combined with food allergy
Authors: Kekki O‐M. , Scheynius A. , Poikonen S. , Koskinen A. , Kautiainen H. , Turjanmaa K.
Published: April 2013

Background

The yeast Malassezia belongs to our normal cutaneous flora, but is capable of sensitizing individuals with atopic dermatitis (AD). Our objective was to investigate the prevalence of sensitization to Malassezia with a 10‐yr follow‐up among children suffering from AD combined with food allergy (FA) in relation to the extent of AD in infancy.

Methods

One hundred and eighty seven infants diagnosed with AD and milk/wheat allergy before 1 yr of age were included in the study. The area of AD was estimated from patient records of the first visit and measured with SCORAD at the 10‐yr follow‐up. Specific IgE against Malassezia was determined with ImmunoCAP™ at 11 yr of age.

Results

In infancy, 24 children (13%) were allergic to milk, 71 (38%) to wheat, and 92 (49%) to both milk and wheat, and 94 (50%) children had mild, 57 (30%) moderate and 36 (19%) severe AD. At the 10‐yr follow‐up visit, 19 (10%) of the children had ongoing milk and/or wheat allergy; 147 children (79%) had mild AD and 30 (16%) had SCORAD index of 0. Specific IgE against Malassezia mix was positive (≥0.35 kU/l) in 27% and specific IgE against M. sympodialis in 20% of the 187 children. The area of AD in infancy was associated with a greater risk of having allergen‐specific IgE to Malassezia at the 10‐yr follow‐up. The risk ratio for FA was 3.11 (95% CI: 2.05–4.72; p < 0.001) if specific IgE to Malassezia was positive.

Conclusions

Infants with severe AD and FA seem to have a greater risk of becoming sensitized to Malassezia during a 10‐yr follow‐up.
Phenobarbital‐induced severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions are associated with CYP2C19*2 in Thai children
Authors: Manuyakorn Wiparat , Siripool Khanitha , Kamchaisatian Wasu , Pakakasama Samart , Visudtibhan Anannit , Vilaiyuk Soamarat , Rujirawat Thidarat , Benjaponpitak Suwat
Published: April 2013

Background

Aromatic anticonvulsant–induced severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions (SCARs), including Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrosis (TEN), and drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), are fatal immune‐mediated adverse drug reactions. CYP2C19, a cytochrome P450 isoform, plays a role in metabolic rate of aromatic anticonvulsant. HLA‐B*1502 has also been demonstrated to be associated with carbamazepine‐induced SJS‐TEN.

Methods

Forty case patients who were diagnosed with SCARs after initiation of phenobarbital (PB), phenytoin (PHT), or carbamazepine (CBZ) for 1–8 wk and forty control patients who received PB, PHT, or CBZ at least 2 months with no adverse drug reactions were enrolled in the study. The genotypes of CYP2C19*1, CYP2C19*2, and HLA‐B*1502 were analyzed using allele‐specific polymerase chain reaction technique. Clinical characteristics of SCARs patients who used different drugs were also analyzed.

Results

There was no significant difference in sex, onset of symptoms, laboratory results, treatment, and length of stay among patients with SCARs due to PB, PHT, or CBZ. The patients with CYP2C19*2 variant had a trend to have a likelihood to develop SCARs more than the patients with CYP2C19 wild type (OR = 2.5, 95% CI (0.96–67.3) p = 0.06). In subgroup analysis, the patients with CYP2C19*2 variant were at four times increased risk of SCARs from phenobarbital more than the patients with CYP2C19 wild type (OR = 4.5, 95% CI (1.17–17.37) p < 0.03). There was no association between the HLA‐B*1502 and aromatic anticonvulsant–induced severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs).

Conclusion

CYP2C19*2 variant may play a role in the genetic predisposition of SCARs from phenobarbital.
Camelina seed transcriptome: a tool for meal and oil improvement and translational research
Authors: Nguyen Huu T. , Silva Jillian E. , Podicheti Ram , Macrander Jason , Yang Wenyu , Nazarenus Tara J. , Nam Jeong‐Won , Jaworski Jan G. , Lu Chaofu , Scheffler Brian E. , Mockaitis Keithanne , Cahoon Edgar B.
Published: April 2013

Camelina (Camelina sativa), a Brassicaceae oilseed, has received recent interest as a biofuel crop and production platform for industrial oils. Limiting wider production of camelina for these uses is the need to improve the quality and content of the seed protein‐rich meal and oil, which is enriched in oxidatively unstable polyunsaturated fatty acids that are deleterious for biodiesel. To identify candidate genes for meal and oil quality improvement, a transcriptome reference was built from 2047 Sanger ESTs and more than 2 million 454‐derived sequence reads, representing genes expressed in developing camelina seeds. The transcriptome of approximately 60K transcripts from 22 597 putative genes includes camelina homologues of nearly all known seed‐expressed genes, suggesting a high level of completeness and usefulness of the reference. These sequences included candidates for 12S (cruciferins) and 2S (napins) seed storage proteins (SSPs) and nearly all known lipid genes, which have been compiled into an accessible database. To demonstrate the utility of the transcriptome for seed quality modification, seed‐specific RNAi lines deficient in napins were generated by targeting 2S SSP genes, and high oleic acid oil lines were obtained by targeting FATTY ACID DESATURASE 2 (FAD2) and FATTY ACID ELONGASE 1 (FAE1). The high sequence identity between Arabidopsis thaliana and camelina genes was also exploited to engineer high oleic lines by RNAi with Arabidopsis FAD2 and FAE1 sequences. It is expected that these transcriptomic data will be useful for breeding and engineering of additional camelina seed traits and for translating findings from the model Arabidopsis to an oilseed crop.
Identification of new sources of resistance to Striga gesnerioides in cowpea germplasm
Authors: Tignegre Jean‐Baptiste S. , Ouedraogo Jeremy T. , Melis Rob , Tongoona Pangirayi , Sibiya Julia , Makanda Itai , Drabo Issa
Published: April 2013

There have been reports of breakdown of striga resistance in previously resistant cowpea cultivars in Burkina Faso. This could be attributed to new striga races emerging or to an increase in the aggressiveness of current striga races. Therefore, cowpea genotypes were evaluated in fields infested with S. gesnerioides at three striga hot spots in Burkina Faso and in pots under artificial infestation with striga races SR 1, SR 5 and SR Kp to identify new, adapted and striga‐resistant sources. Cowpea genotypes showed differential reactions for striga resistance over sites and for striga races in pot experiments, indicating differences in the races involved, and SR Kp was reported as a new race. Resistant sources conferring site‐specific or multiple striga‐race resistance were identified. Genotypes 58‐57, Sanga 2, IT84S‐2049, IT98K‐205‐8, IT93K‐693‐2, KVx771‐10, KVx775‐33‐2, KVx61‐1, Gorom local, Mouride and Melakh conferred resistance to all three striga races. These genotypes are potential donor parents for breeding new, adapted and striga‐resistant genotypes. Cowpea landraces including Moussa local and Niaogo local with farmers' preferred traits were susceptible and need improvement for striga resistance.
Kunitz trypsin inhibitor polymorphism in the Korean wild soybean (Glycine soja Sieb. & Zucc.)
Authors: Krishnamurthy Panneerselvam , Singh Ram J. , Tsukamoto Chigen , Park Jong Hyun , Lee Jeong Dong , Chung Gyuhwa
Published: April 2013

Kunitz trypsin inhibitor (KTi) in 1368 accessions of wild soybean (Glycine soja Sieb. & Zucc.), collected from three regions of Korea, was examined for allelic diversity and geographical distribution. Five electrophoretically distinguishable KTi forms were detected: three were common (Tia, Tib and Tia/Tib) and two were previously unreported (Tibi7‐1 and Tibi5). The Tia allele was predominant (93.49%). Alleles Tib, Tibi7‐1 and Tibi5 were detected with the frequencies of 3.47, 0.55 and 0.11%, respectively. The heterozygous form (Tia/Tib) was detected with the frequency of 2.26%. The nucleotide sequence of Tibi7‐1 was identical to that of the Tib‐derived variant allele Tif, with the exception of three nucleotides: A→G at position +244, A→C at position +286 and G→C at position +601. The latter two were similar to Tia, suggesting that Tibi7‐1 is an intermediate allele between Tia and Tib. The gene for Tibi5 showed 100% similarity with the Japanese intermediate allele Tibi5. This study demonstrates that Korean wild soybeans are remarkably rich source of new KTi alleles not reported before.
The Value of Category Captainship in the Presence of Manufacturer Competition
Authors: Kurtuluş Mümin , Nakkas Alper , Ülkü Sezer
Published: April 2013

This research investigates the value of category captainship (a management practice in which a retailer relies on a manufacturer for recommendations regarding strategic category management decisions) in retail supply chains. We consider a setting where the scope of category management is limited to assortment decisions and demand enhancing activities. We assume that the retailer selects a category captain among multiple competing manufacturers with privately known capabilities for driving category traffic. First, we consider a benchmark scenario where the retailer is responsible for category management. Then, we consider the category captainship scenario where the retailer selects one of the manufacturers as a captain to manage the category. We find that captainship is more likely to emerge in categories where the cost of managing variety, the retail margins, and the competition for captainship are moderate and the captain is more capable of driving traffic compared to the retailer. In such categories the collaboration between the retailer and the captain ensures sufficient surplus for both parties. Finally, we show that captainship can also benefit the non‐captain manufacturers.
On the Preference to Avoid Ex Post Inventory Errors
Authors: Kremer Mirko , Minner Stefan , Van Wassenhove Luk N.
Published: April 2013

The value of demand information underlies many supply chain strategies that aim at better matching supply and demand. This study reports on the results of a laboratory experiment designed to estimate the behavioral value of demand information. Relative to the commonly assumed benchmark of a rational risk‐neutral decision maker, we find that decision makers are consistently willing to pay too much for the option to eliminate the risk of supply not matching demand. Contrary to intuition, we show that risk aversion does not explain this result. We posit that demand information provides behavioral value because it mitigates regret from ex post inventory errors.
Analysis and Management of Periodic Review, Order‐Up‐To Level Inventory Systems with Order Crossover
Authors: Bischak Diane P. , Robb David J. , Silver Edward A. , Blackburn Joseph D.
Published: April 2013

In this article, we investigate the ( R, S) periodic review, order‐up‐to level inventory control system with stochastic demand and variable leadtimes. Variable leadtimes can lead to order crossover, in which some orders arrive out of sequence. Most theoretical studies of order‐up‐to inventory systems under variable leadtimes assume that crossovers do not occur and, in so doing, overestimate the standard deviation of the realized leadtime distribution and prescribe policies that can inflate inventory costs. We develop a new analytic model of the expected costs associated with this system, making use of a novel approximation of the realized (reduced) leadtime standard deviation resulting from order crossovers. Extensive experimentation through simulation shows that our model closely approximates the true expected cost and can be used to find values of R and S that provide an expected cost close to the minimum cost. Taking account of, as opposed to ignoring, crossovers leads, on average, to substantial improvements in accuracy and significant cost reductions. Our results are particularly useful for managers seeking to reduce inventory costs in supply chains with variable leadtimes.
Stable and Coordinating Contracts for a Supply Chain with Multiple Risk‐Averse Suppliers
Authors: Chen Xin , Shum Stephen , Simchi‐Levi David
Published: April 2013

We analyze a decentralized supply chain with a single risk‐averse retailer and multiple risk‐averse suppliers under a Conditional Value at Risk objective. We define coordinating contracts and show that the supply chain is coordinated only when the least risk‐averse agent bears the entire risk and the lowest‐cost supplier handles all production. However, due to competition, not all coordinating contracts are stable. Thus, we introduce the notion of contract core, which reflects the agents' “bargaining power” and restricts the set of coordinating contracts to a subset which is “credible.” We also study the concept of contract equilibrium, which helps to characterize contracts that are immune to opportunistic renegotiation. We show that, the concept of contract core imposes conditions on the share of profit among different agents, while the concept of contract equilibrium provide conditions on how the payment changes with the order quantity.
Peak individual alpha frequency qualifies as a stable neurophysiological trait marker in healthy younger and older adults
Authors: Grandy Thomas H. , Werkle‐Bergner Markus , Chicherio Christian , Schmiedek Florian , Lövdén Martin , Lindenberger Ulman
Published: April 2013

The individual alpha frequency (IAF) of the human EEG reflects systemic properties of the brain, is highly heritable, and relates to cognitive functioning. Not much is known about the modifiability of IAF by cognitive interventions. We report analyses of resting EEG from a large‐scale training study in which healthy younger (20–31 years, N = 30) and older (65–80 years, N = 28) adults practiced 12 cognitive tasks for ∼100 1‐h sessions. EEG was recorded before and after the cognitive training intervention. In both age groups, IAF (and, in a control analysis, alpha amplitude) did not change, despite large gains in cognitive performance. As within‐session reliability and test‐retest stability were high for both age groups, imprecise measurements cannot account for the findings. In sum, IAF is highly stable in healthy adults up to 80 years, not easily modifiable by cognitive interventions alone, and thus qualifies as a stable neurophysiological trait marker.
Comment on “Time to Integrate Clinical and Research Informatics”
Authors: McDonald Clement J. , Vreeman Daniel J. , Abhyankar Swapna
Published: April 2013

The same code standards should be used in both research and clinical care to facilitate data integration across domains.
Accessing the Inaccessible Genome
Authors: Voight Benjamin F.
Published: April 2013

Families with a rare kidney disease have a single-base frameshift mutation within a
MUC1
repeat region not found with whole-genome sequencing.
Epidemiological Interpretation of Studies Examining the Effect of Antibiotic Usage on Resistance
Authors: Schechner Vered , Temkin Elizabeth , Harbarth Stephan , Carmeli Yehuda , Schwaber Mitchell J.
Published: April 2013

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a growing clinical problem and public health threat. Antibiotic use is a known risk factor for the emergence of antibiotic resistance, but demonstrating the causal link between antibiotic use and resistance is challenging. This review describes different study designs for assessing the association between antibiotic use and resistance and discusses strengths and limitations of each. Approaches to measuring antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance are presented. Important methodological issues such as confounding, establishing temporality, and control group selection are examined.
Transmission of Infection by Flexible Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and Bronchoscopy
Authors: Kovaleva Julia , Peters Frans T. M. , van der Mei Henny C. , Degener John E.
Published: April 2013

Flexible endoscopy is a widely used diagnostic and therapeutic procedure. Contaminated endoscopes are the medical devices frequently associated with outbreaks of health care-associated infections. Accurate reprocessing of flexible endoscopes involves cleaning and high-level disinfection followed by rinsing and drying before storage. Most contemporary flexible endoscopes cannot be heat sterilized and are designed with multiple channels, which are difficult to clean and disinfect. The ability of bacteria to form biofilms on the inner channel surfaces can contribute to failure of the decontamination process. Implementation of microbiological surveillance of endoscope reprocessing is appropriate to detect early colonization and biofilm formation in the endoscope and to prevent contamination and infection in patients after endoscopic procedures. This review presents an overview of the infections and cross-contaminations related to flexible gastrointestinal endoscopy and bronchoscopy and illustrates the impact of biofilm on endoscope reprocessing and postendoscopic infection.
Views of UK-trained medical graduates of 1999–2009 about their first postgraduate year of training: national surveys
Authors: Lambert Trevor W , Surman Geraldine , Goldacre Michael J
Published: April 2013

Background

In the UK, doctors’ first year of medical work is also their first year of postgraduate training. It is very important that their experience of work and training is good.

Design

Surveys of entire cohorts graduating in particular years.

Setting

UK.

Method

Questionnaires sent 1 year after qualification to all UK medical graduates of 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2008 and 2009.

Results

The study comprised 17 831 respondents. Variation in views across cohorts was modest. Overall, 30% agreed their training had been of a high standard; 38% agreed educational opportunities had been good; 52% agreed they had to do too much routine non-medical work; and 16% agreed they had to perform clinical tasks for which they felt inadequately trained. Job enjoyment, rated from 1 (‘I didn't enjoy it at all’) to 10 (‘I enjoyed it greatly’), improved from 70% of doctors in the 1999 cohort scoring 7–10 to 75% in the 2009 cohort. Satisfaction with available leisure time, rated from 1 (‘not at all satisfied’) to 10 (‘extremely satisfied’), rose from 24% scoring 7–10 in the 1999s to 49% in the 2009s. Male–female differences were small.

Conclusions

There was improvement over the decade in some aspects of work, particularly satisfaction with time off work for leisure, and overall enjoyment of the job. There was little change in doctors’ views about the training experience offered by the F1 year.
ExPeKT—Exploring prevention and knowledge of venous thromboembolism: a two-stage, mixed-method study protocol
Authors: McFarland Lorraine , Ward Alison , Greenfield Sheila , Murray Ellen , Heneghan Carl , Harrison Sian , Fitzmaurice David
Published: April 2013

Introduction

There is little awareness of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in the public arena. Most commonly known causes are—travellers’ thrombosis and thrombosis associated with oral contraception, both frequently referred to in the media. However, VTE is a substantial healthcare problem, resulting in mortality, morbidity and economic cost. Most hospitalised patients have one or more risk factors for VTE. Around 60% of people undergoing hip or knee replacement will suffer a deep vein thrombosis without preventative intervention. Studies demonstrate a risk reduction for VTE of up to 70% with preventative medicine for medical and surgical conditions: cancer, orthopaedic surgery, general surgery and acutely ill medical admissions. Results will be used to identify methods of increasing knowledge of VTE prevention and for the development of educational and patient information materials.

Methods and analysis

A two-stage, mixed-method study using surveys with primary healthcare professionals and patients followed by interviews with primary healthcare professionals, patients, acute trusts and other relevant organisations. Survey and qualitative interview data will examine the current practice of thromboprophylaxis, and the knowledge and experience of VTE prevention for the development of education initiatives for primary healthcare professionals and patients to adopt thromboprophylaxis outside the hospital setting. As this is a scientific exploratory study for the generation, rather than testing, of new hypotheses a sample-size analysis is not called for. Survey data will be analysed using SPSS version 20. Open-ended responses will be analysed using qualitative thematic methods. The recorded and transcribed semistructured interview data will be analysed using constant comparative methods.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval has been provided by the National Research Ethics Committee (reference: 11/H0605/5) and site-specific R&D approval granted by the relevant R&D National Health Service trusts. Findings will be disseminated at healthcare and academic conferences and written for peer-reviewed publication.

Trial grant number

NIHR RP-PG-0608-10073
Insights into the Phanerozoic tectonic evolution of the northern Laurentian margin: detrital apatite and zircon (U–Th)/He ages from Devonian strata of the Franklinian Basin, Canadian Arctic Islands
Authors: Anfinson Owen A. , Leier Andrew L. , Dewing Keith , Guest Bernard , Stockli Daniel F. , Embry Ashton F.
Published: April 2013

Middle to Upper Devonian strata of the Franklinian Basin in the Canadian Arctic contain a rich record of Phanerozoic tectonic events along the northern margin of Laurentia. We report detrital thermochronometric zircon (U–Th)/He ages (ZHe; number of aliquots, n = 72) and apatite (U–Th)/He ages (AHe; n = 38) from these Paleozoic strata in an effort to better understand the sediment source regions and the exhumation history of the basin. Detrital ZHe ages are older than corresponding stratigraphic ages and were not reset during subsequent burial, thus constraining both maximum burial depths (<7 km) within the basin and source terrane thermal–tectonic evolution. Paleocurrent data, sediment composition, εNd values and detrital zircon U–Pb ages from previous studies indicate Middle to Upper Devonian strata of the Franklinian Basin are derived from two principal sediment source regions, the East Greenland Caledonides and a northern continental landmass (referred to as Crockerland). However, ZHe ages indicate these two distinctly different source regions experienced coeval exhumation in the Silurian Period. ZHe ages from Crockerland-derived sediment provide evidence that this landmass, which collided with northern Laurentia during the Ellesmerian Orogeny, was associated with the Caledonian Orogen. AHe ages from Middle to Upper Devonian strata are younger than depositional ages, indicating the AHe ages are at least partially reset since deposition and hence record information about exhumation of the strata and not the sediment source region. Dispersion of AHe single-grain ages from Middle Devonian strata along the southeastern margin of the basin suggest complex initial single-grain characteristics and may indicate long residence time in the He partial retention zone. AHe ages from Upper Devonian samples from the western margin of the basin are also dispersed but indicate the region experienced protracted exhumation from 330 to 190 Ma during early stages of Sverdrup Basin development. AHe ages from Middle Devonian samples from the western margin of the basin suggest two potential periods of prolonged exhumation in Early Cretaceous (Valanginian to Aptian) and Late Cretaceous (Campanian) times. These ages partially coincide with regional erosional or nondepositional events followed by deposition of major clastic units in the adjacent Sverdrup Basin.
The effect of regulation changes and influential factors on Atlantic cod discards in the Baltic Sea demersal trawl fishery
Authors: Feekings Jordan , Lewy Peter , Madsen Niels
Published: April 2013

The proportion of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) discarded in the Danish Baltic Sea cod trawl fishery has been as high as 40%. This, combined with a stock that has declined dramatically over the past 30 years, has led to numerous technical regulations being introduced to reduce the capture of juveniles and thus discards. One method that has been widely adopted in the Baltic Sea has been to improve gear selectivity, subsequently allowing young individuals to escape capture. To understand the effects that changes to gear selectivity and minimum landing size have had on discard rates, as well as the effects of a range of additional explanatory factors, generalized additive mixed models were used. Gear regulation changes enforced in the Danish demersal trawl fishery in the Baltic Sea and other factors, such as minimum landings size, juvenile abundance, catch mass, price, and their spatial and temporal distribution, were found to significantly affect discard rates. The newest and currently legislated gears were identified as having the lowest discard rates. The increase in minimum landing size from 35 to 38 cm has increased discard rates.
Gastric acid secretion in experimental acute uremia
Authors: Wakim Shoukri A. , Ahmed Mona A. , Ali Radwa H.
Published: April 2013

This study was conducted to evaluate gastric acid secretion in acute renal failure, highlighting the roles of renal mass and gastrin hormone. Acute uremic rats were divided into bilateral nephrectomized and bilateral ureteric obstruction groups. Gastric juice was collected for 2 h and analyzed for volume, free acidity, total acidity, and total acid output. Plasma levels of creatinine, urea, and gastrin were also determined. Bilateral nephrectomized and bilateral ureteric obstruction groups showed a significant increase in levels of free acidity, total acidity, and plasma gastrin. Compared with the ureteric obstruction group, nephrectomized rats showed a significant increase in gastric juice volume, total acid output, and plasma gastrin levels. Following pentagastrin stimulation, gastric juice volume, total acid output, free acidity, and total acidity were increased in the bilateral nephrectomy and ureteric obstruction groups compared with the respective control groups. The free and total acidity and total acid output also increased compared with the respective non-stimulated groups. Plasma creatinine and urea levels were significantly positively correlated with plasma gastrin, free acidity, and total acidity. Creatinine was positively correlated with total acid output, and gastrin was positively correlated with total acidity. In conclusion, acute renal failure promotes gastric acid hypersecretion that could potentially be attributed to high levels of gastrin hormone and uremic state per se.