bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of novel transaminases from a 12‐aminododecanoic acid‐metabolizing Pseudomonas strain
Authors: Wilding Matthew , Walsh Ellen F. A. , Dorrian Susan J. , Scott Colin
Published: April 2015

A Pseudomonas species [Pseudomonas sp. strain amino alkanoate catabolism (AAC)] was identified that has the capacity to use 12‐aminododecanoic acid, the constituent building block of homo‐nylon‐12, as a sole nitrogen source. Growth of Pseudomonas sp. strain AAC could also be supported using a range of additional ω‐amino alkanoates. This metabolic function was shown to be most probably dependent upon one or more transaminases (TAs). Fourteen genes encoding putative TAs were identified from the genome of Pseudomonas sp. AAC. Each of the 14 genes was cloned, 11 of which were successfully expressed in Escherichia coli and tested for activity against 12‐aminododecanoic acid. In addition, physiological functions were proposed for 9 of the 14 TAs. Of the 14 proteins, activity was demonstrated in 9, and of note, 3 TAs were shown to be able to catalyse the transfer of the ω‐amine from 12‐aminododecanoic acid to pyruvate. Based on this study, three enzymes have been identified that are promising biocatalysts for the production of nylon and related polymers.
On absolute auctions and secret reserve prices
Authors: Jehiel Philippe , Lamy Laurent
Published: April 2015

From a theory viewpoint, the use of auctions with zero public reserve prices, also called absolute auctions, or of auctions with secret reserve prices, is somewhat puzzling despite being common. By allowing that buyers differ in their processing of past data regarding how the participation rate varies with the auction format and how reserve prices are distributed when secret, we show in a competitive environment that these auction formats may endogenously emerge. We also analyze how buyers with various sophistications and sellers with various costs sort into the different formats, thereby offering a range of testable predictions. Alternative approaches are reviewed.
The impact of soda taxes on consumer welfare: implications of storability and taste heterogeneity
Authors: Wang Emily Yucai
Published: April 2015

The typical analysis on the effectiveness of soda taxes relies on price elasticity estimates from static demand models, which ignores consumers' inventory behaviors and their persistent tastes. This article provides estimates of the relevant price elasticities based on a dynamic demand model that better addresses potential intertemporal substitution and unobservable persistent heterogeneous tastes. It finds that static analyses overestimate the long‐run own‐price elasticity of regular soda by 60.8%, leading to overestimated consumption reduction of sugar‐sweetened soft drinks by up to 57.9% in some cases. Results indicate that soda taxes will raise revenue but are unlikely to substantially impact soda consumption.
Differential pricing when costs differ: a welfare analysis
Authors: Chen Yongmin , Schwartz Marius
Published: April 2015

This article analyzes the welfare effects of monopoly differential pricing in the important, but largely neglected, case where costs of service differ across consumer groups. Cost‐based differential pricing is shown to increase total welfare and consumer welfare relative to uniform pricing for broad classes of demand functions, even when total output falls or the output allocation between consumers worsens. We discuss why cost‐based differential pricing tends to be more beneficial for consumers than its demand‐based counterpart, third‐degree price discrimination. We also provide sufficient conditions for welfare‐improving differential pricing when costs and demands differ across consumer groups.
Expression of calcium sensing receptor and E‐cadherin correlated with survival of lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wen Liyuan , Sun Lichun , Xi Yuhui , Chen Xuesong , Xing Ying , Sun Weiling , Meng Qingwei , Cai Li
Published: April 2015

Background

It has been reported that the calcium sensing receptor (CaSR), a widely expressed G protein‐coupled receptor, can stimulate cell differentiation and proliferation. However, in malignant tumors, loss of CaSR expression has been associated with tumorigenesis, metastasis, and progression. Recent studies have indicated that the CaSR could promote the expression of E‐cadherin, which was considered a tumor suppressor. However, in human lung adenocarcinoma, the importance of the CaSR and E‐cadherin has not been sufficiently investigated.

Methods

Expression levels of CaSR and E‐cadherin in paraffin sections from 117 resected lung adenocarcinoma patients were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. We analyzed the correlation between our target proteins and clinical variables. Clinical significance was analyzed by multivariate Cox regression analysis, Kaplan–Meier curve, and log‐rank test.

Results

Expression of the CaSR in lung adenocarcinoma tissue was significantly lower than in the normal sample (P = 0.003). Kendall tau‐b analysis showed that, in a lung adenocarcinoma sample, the expression of CaSR positively correlated with a high level of E‐cadherin (P < 0.001). Lung adenocarcinoma patients with a strong expression of CaSR (P = 0.034) or E‐cadherin (P = 0.001) had longer overall survival. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards model analysis showed that the combined marker was an independent prognostic indicator of overall survival (hazard ratio = 0.440, confidence interval = 0.249–0.779, P = 0.005).

Conclusions

We identified the CaSR as a new prognostic biomarker in lung adenocarcinoma. These results also suggested that the CaSR may become a new therapeutic target of lung adenocarcinoma.
Prediction of survival in patients suspected of disseminated intravascular coagulation
Authors: Hjorleifsson E. , Sigurdsson M. I. , Gudmundsdottir B. R. , Sigurdsson G. H. , Onundarson P. T.
Published: April 2015

Background

Although antithrombin (AT), protein C (PC), and antiplasmin (AP) are consumed during disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), their association with mortality in patients initially suspected of acute DIC is unknown. We examined how these proteins associate with mortality in consecutive patients initially suspected of DIC, fulfilling or not fulfilling overt DIC criteria.

Methods

All consecutive patients clinically suspected of acute DIC during 5 years at a tertiary referral hospital were scored according to overt International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) DIC criteria. The influence of ISTH DIC score and measurements of AT, PC, and AP measured in all on mortality was assessed.

Results

During 1825 occurrences in 1814 patients, 91 fulfilled ISTH criteria for overt DIC (score ≥ 5). Both 28‐day and 1‐year mortality increased progressively as AT and in particular PC decreased. AT and PC correlated inversely with ISTH score (AT: R2 = 0.14, P < 0.001, PC: R2 = 0.21, P < 0.001). AP decreased when ISTH score of > 3 was reached. The 28‐day mortality was 3%, 11%, 16%, 23%, 35%, and 52% and 1‐year mortality 5%, 18%, 24%, 36%, 54%, and 63%, respectively for patients with an ISTH score of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and ≥5 (P < 0.001 for all).

Conclusions

Lowered AT and in particular PC activity was predictive of mortality risk upfront in critically ill patients suspected of acute DIC. Mortality in patients suspected of acute DIC increased progressively across the spectrum of the overt ISTH score and not only in those fulfilling overt DIC criteria.
Colorectal multidisciplinary meetings: how do they affect the timeliness of treatment?
Authors: Nikolovski Zoran , Watters David A. K. , Stupart Douglas , Guest Glenn D.
Published: April 2015

Background

The aim of this study is to determine whether multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings alter the length of time to treatment (LOTT) for patients with colorectal cancer.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective audit of all patients with colorectal cancer from the Geelong Hospital (TGH) mandatory colorectal database from 1 January 2006 to 3 February 2011. To be included, patients had to have had elective surgical intervention for primary colorectal adenocarcinoma. A comparison of historical controls was conducted between patients discussed in MDT meetings and those managed prior to the introduction of MDT meetings (3 October 2006) to determine the LOTT in days from definitive diagnosis (colonoscopy) to definitive management (surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy).

Results

In total, the median LOTT for the historical control and MDT era patient populations were 19.5 and 20 days, respectively. Within the MDT era, we noticed significantly longer times to treatment for patients with rectal cancer who were seen in an MDT meeting prior to definitive management than patients who did not have an intervening MDT meeting (P < 0.001). With a difference of 7.5 days, the clinical significance of these findings remains contentious. However, it is worthwhile recognizing this trend in patients who are exhibiting symptoms due to near obstruction or significant bleeding. The LOTT for colon cancer patients remained unchanged.

Conclusion

The introduction of MDT meetings to TGH has prolonged the LOTT for patients with rectal cancer. These findings pave the way for further revision of the efficiency of MDT meeting at TGH.
Incidence and Risk Factor Analysis for Gastrointestinal Bleeding and Pump Thrombosis in Left Ventricular Assist Device Recipients
Authors: Lopilato Alex C. , Doligalski Christina Teeter , Caldeira Christiano
Published: April 2015

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are associated with hemostatic complications. We describe the incidence and risk factors for gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) and pump thrombosis (PT) to optimize patient selection/management. An IRB‐approved retrospective review of first LVAD implants between October 1, 2011 and September 30, 2013 at a single center was conducted. Endpoints included epidemiological and risk factor analyses for GIB and PT. Descriptive statistics, chi‐squared, and t‐tests were used. Sixty‐four patients received continuous‐flow LVADs. The 12‐month incidence of GIB and PT was 23.4% and 12.5%. Time to first GIB was 72.6 days (9–160). The 1‐, 3‐, and 6‐month rate of PT was 1.6%, 6.25%, and 12.5%, respectively. All PT required pump exchange. Females (50% vs. 16%, P = 0.026) and patients without antiplatelet therapy (12.5% vs. 50%, P = 0.046) were at increased risk of PT. No pre‐implant comorbidities were associated with PT. Infection was not identified as a risk factor in our cohort (25% vs. 51.8%, P = 0.156). Mean INR preceding event was not different from nonevent patients (2.1 vs. 2.24, P = 0.24). Regarding biomarkers preceding event, elevated plasma free hemoglobin (pfHg) did not reach significance (75% vs. 58%, P = 0.383) while lactate dehydrogenase was elevated significantly (744 vs. 298, P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis demonstrated that an LDH of >500 was highly sensitive and specific for PT. No pre‐implant factors were associated with GIB. Post‐implant risk factors for GIB included infection (80% vs. 38.8%, P = 0.005) and infrequent elevations in pfHg (13.3% vs. 63.3%, P < 0.001). Increased pump speed as a GIB risk factor was confirmed (HeartMate II 9560 rpm vs. 9490 rpm, P < 0.001; HeartWare 2949 rpm vs. 2710 rpm, P < 0.001). Anticoagulation/antiplatelet therapy did not affect GIB: mean INR preceding event was not different from nonevent patients (2.21 vs. 2.27, P = 0.67) and antiplatelet use was not different (46.7% vs. 46.9%, P = 0.985). LVADs are associated with early hemostatic‐related morbidity. Few pre‐implantation risk factors were elucidated; however, post‐implantation factors including antiplatelet therapy, infection, and pump speed were identified.
Adaptation to Phosphene Parameters Based on Multi‐Object Recognition Using Simulated Prosthetic Vision
Authors: Xia Peng , Hu Jie , Peng Yinghong
Published: April 2015

Retinal prostheses for the restoration of functional vision are under development and visual prostheses targeting proximal stages of the visual pathway are also being explored. To investigate the experience with visual prostheses, psychophysical experiments using simulated prosthetic vision in normally sighted individuals are necessary. In this study, a helmet display with real‐time images from a camera attached to the helmet provided the simulated vision, and experiments of recognition and discriminating multiple objects were used to evaluate visual performance under different parameters (gray scale, distortion, and dropout). The process of fitting and training with visual prostheses was simulated and estimated by adaptation to the parameters with time. The results showed that the increase in the number of gray scale and the decrease in phosphene distortion and dropout rate improved recognition performance significantly, and the recognition accuracy was 61.8 ± 7.6% under the optimum condition (gray scale: 8, distortion: k = 0, dropout: 0%). The adaption experiments indicated that the recognition performance was improved with time and the effect of adaptation to distortion was greater than dropout, which implies the difference of adaptation mechanism to the two parameters.
Small bowel obstruction caused by endometriosis in a postmenopausal woman
Authors: Izuishi Kunihiko , Sano Takanori , Shiota Atsuko , Mori Hirohito , Ebara Kazuo
Published: April 2015

We report a rare case of small bowel obstruction (SBO) caused by endometriosis in a postmenopausal woman. A 54‐year‐old postmenopausal woman presented with severe abdominal pain and vomiting. Before menopause, she sometimes had abdominal pain associated with menses. Axial multi‐dimensional CT images revealed a SBO with small nodules near the terminal ileum. The obstruction was diagnosed as being caused by small bowel endometriosis. Curved planar reconstruction images showed a complicated obstruction of the small intestine 15 cm from the terminal ileum. Based on the stenotic lesion, a SILS procedure was performed. The patient's SBO diagnosis was histologically confirmed as being caused by small bowel endometriosis. SILS was deemed to be a safe, feasible procedure for treating this bowel obstruction. Curved planar reconstruction images were useful in preoperative imaging and diagnosis of SBO, especially as they were able to highlight the constricting legion.
Neuroendoscopic surgery for ventriculitis and hydrocephalus after shunt infection and malfunction: Preliminary report of a new strategy
Authors: Tabuchi Sadaharu , Kadowaki Mitsutoshi
Published: April 2015

If not controlled in the early stage, ventriculitis is difficult to treat neurosurgically and can lead to serious sequelae, a long course of treatment, and hospitalization. We report two cases of ventriculitis and progressive hydrocephalus after shunt infection. Both were successfully treated by neuroendoscopic septostomy in combination with thorough intraventricular irrigation through a single burr hole followed by single shunt revision. Although surgical intervention has not been established as a first‐choice treatment for ventriculitis, including early‐stage ventriculitis, prompt neuroendoscopic surgery appears effective for the management of ventriculitis and hydrocephalus after shunt infection. The strategy described in this report might be useful to avoid recurrent shunt infections and malfunctions, simplify a shunt, and reduce the overall duration of hospitalization.
Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for metachronous ascending colon cancer with preservation of an ileal conduit constructed after previous radical cystectomy for bladder cancer
Authors: Okoshi Kae , Hasegawa Suguru , Murakami Teppei , Yamada Masahiro , Hida Koya , Kawada Kenji , Sakai Yoshiharu
Published: April 2015

A 79‐year‐old woman who had undergone laparoscopic radical cystectomy and ileal conduit construction for bladder cancer 4 years earlier presented to our hospital with anemia. We diagnosed advanced ascending colon cancer (cT4bN2M1) and documented tumor regression after six courses of folinic acid, 5‐fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin therapy. We then performed laparoscopic right hemicolectomy. Intraoperatively, we found that the right colic artery was the feeding artery of the tumor, whereas the ileocolic artery, which was the main feeder of the conduit, was not. We performed lymph node dissection along the surgical trunk with central vascular ligation of the right colic artery and the right branch of the middle colic artery while preserving the ileal conduit and its blood supply (ileocolic artery and ileal branches). The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient remains well and cancer‐free 2 years after colonic surgery. We believe that this is the first report of laparoscopic right colectomy in a patient with an ileal conduit.
In vivo assessment of the metabolic activity of CYP2D6 diplotypes and alleles
Authors: Hertz Daniel L. , Snavely Anna C. , McLeod Howard L. , Walko Christine M. , Ibrahim Joseph G. , Anderson Steven , Weck Karen E. , Magrinat Gustav , Olajide Oludamilola , Moore Susan , Raab Rachel , Carrizosa Daniel R. , Corso Steven , Schwartz Garry , Peppercorn Jeffrey M. , Evans James P. , Jones David R. , Desta Zeruesenay , Flockhart David A. , Carey Lisa A. , Irvin William J.
Published: April 2015

Aims

A prospectively enrolled patient cohort was used to assess whether the prediction of CYP2D6 phenotype activity from genotype data could be improved by reclassification of diplotypes or alleles.

Methods

Three hundred and fifty‐five patients receiving tamoxifen 20 mg were genotyped for CYP2D6 and tamoxifen metabolite concentrations were measured. The endoxifen : N‐desmethly‐tamoxifen metabolic ratio, as a surrogate of CYP2D6 activity, was compared across four diplotypes (EM/IM, EM/PM, IM/IM, IM/PM) that are typically collapsed into an intermediate metabolizer (IM) phenotype. The relative metabolic activity of each allele type (UM, EM, IM, and PM) and each EM and IM allele was estimated for comparison with the activity scores typically assigned, 2, 1, 0.5 and 0, respectively.

Results

Each of the four IM diplotypes have distinct CYP2D6 activity from each other and from the EM and PM phenotype groups (each P < 0.05). Setting the activity of an EM allele at 1.0, the relative activities of a UM, IM and PM allele were 0.85, 0.67 and 0.52, respectively. The activity of the EM alleles were statistically different (P < 0.0001), with the CYP2D6*2 allele (scaled activity = 0.63) closer in activity to an IM than an EM allele. The activity of the IM alleles were also statistically different (P = 0.014).

Conclusion

The current systems for translating CYP2D6 genotype into phenotype are not optimally calibrated, particularly in regards to IM diplotypes and the *2 allele. Additional research is needed to improve the prediction of CYP2D6 activity from genetic data for individualized dosing of CYP2D6 dependent drugs.
Dysregulated arginine metabolism and cardiopulmonary dysfunction in patients with thalassaemia
Authors: Morris Claudia R. , Kim Hae‐Young , Klings Elizabeth S. , Wood John , Porter John B. , Trachtenberg Felicia , Sweeters Nancy , Olivieri Nancy F. , Kwiatkowski Janet L. , Virzi Lisa , Hassell Kathryn , Taher Ali , Neufeld Ellis J. , Thompson Alexis A. , Larkin Sandra , Suh Jung H. , Vichinsky Elliott P. , Kuypers Frans A. ,   the Thalassemia Clinical Research Network
Published: April 2015

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) commonly develops in thalassaemia syndromes, but is poorly characterized. The goal of this study was to provide a comprehensive description of the cardiopulmonary and biological profile of patients with thalassaemia at risk for PH. A case–control study of thalassaemia patients at high versus low PH‐risk was performed. A single cross‐sectional measurement for variables reflecting cardiopulmonary status and biological pathophysiology were obtained, including Doppler‐echocardiography, 6‐min‐walk‐test, Borg Dyspnoea Score, New York Heart Association functional class, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), chest‐computerized tomography, pulmonary function testing and laboratory analyses targeting mechanisms of coagulation, inflammation, haemolysis, adhesion and the arginine‐nitric oxide pathway. Twenty‐seven thalassaemia patients were evaluated, 14 with an elevated tricuspid‐regurgitant‐jet‐velocity (TRV) ≥ 2·5 m/s. Patients with increased TRV had a higher frequency of splenectomy, and significantly larger right atrial size, left atrial volume and left septal‐wall thickness on echocardiography and/or MRI, with elevated biomarkers of abnormal coagulation, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and arginase concentration, and lower arginine‐bioavailability compared to low‐risk patients. Arginase concentration correlated significantly to several echocardiography/MRI parameters of cardiovascular function in addition to global‐arginine‐bioavailability and biomarkers of haemolytic rate, including LDH, haemoglobin and bilirubin. Thalassaemia patients with a TRV ≥ 2·5 m/s have additional echocardiography and cardiac‐MRI parameters suggestive of right and left‐sided cardiac dysfunction. In addition, low arginine bioavailability may contribute to cardiopulmonary dysfunction in β‐thalassaemia.
Front‐line, dose‐escalated immunochemotherapy is associated with a significant progression‐free survival advantage in patients with double‐hit lymphomas: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Howlett Christina , Snedecor Sonya J. , Landsburg Daniel J. , Svoboda Jakub , Chong Elise A. , Schuster Stephen J. , Nasta Sunita Dwivedy , Feldman Tatyana , Rago Allison , Walsh Kristy M. , Weber Scott , Goy Andre , Mato Anthony
Published: April 2015

‘Double‐hit lymphomas’ (DHL), defined by concurrent MYC and BCL2 (or, alternatively, BCL6) rearrangements, have a very poor outcome compared to standard‐risk, diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas (DLBCL). Consequently, dose‐intensive (DI) therapies and/or consolidation with high‐dose therapy and transplant have been explored in DHL, although benefit has been debated. This meta‐analysis compared survival outcomes in DHL patients receiving dose‐escalated regimens [DI: R‐Hyper‐CVAD (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, dexamethasone) or R‐CODOX‐M/IVAC (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, methotrexate/ifosfamide, etoposide, high dose cytarabine); or intermediate‐dose: R‐EPOCH (rituximab, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone)] versus standard‐dose regimens (R‐CHOP; rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) in the first‐line setting. Data were synthesized to estimate hazard ratios of dose‐escalated treatments versus R‐CHOP using a Weibull proportional hazards model within a Bayesian meta‐analysis framework. Eleven studies examining 394 patients were included. Patients were treated with either front‐line R‐CHOP (n = 180), R‐EPOCH (n = 91), or R‐Hyper‐CVAD/rituximab, methotrexate, cytarabine (R‐M/C), R‐CODOX‐M/R‐IVAC (DI) (n = 123). Our meta‐analysis revealed that median progression‐free survival (n = 350) for the R‐CHOP, R‐EPOCH and DI groups was 12·1, 22·2, and 18·9 months, respectively. First‐line treatment with R‐EPOCH significantly reduced the risk of a progression compared with R‐CHOP (relative risk reduction of 34%; P = 0·032); however, overall survival (n = 374) was not significantly different across treatment approaches. A subset of patients might benefit from intensive induction with/without transplant. Further investigation into the role of transplant and novel therapy combinations is necessary.
Retrograde transport of radiolabelled botulinum neurotoxin type A to the CNS after intradetrusor injection in rats
Authors: Papagiannopoulou Dionysia , Vardouli Lina , Dimitriadis Fotios , Apostolidis Apostolos
Published: April 2015

Objective

To investigate the potential distribution of radiolabelled botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) in the CNS after bladder injection in normal rats, by using the gamma‐emitting radionuclide technetium‐99 m (99mTc).

Materials and Methods

BoNT/A was radiolabelled by pretreatment with 2‐iminothiolane and incubation with 99mTc‐gluconate. The labelled toxin 99mTc‐BoNT/A was purified using size exclusion HPLC. Twenty‐four female Wistar rats were evenly injected in the bladder wall with either 99mTc‐ΒοΝΤ/Α (n = 12) or free 99mTc (n = 12). Four rats from each group were killed at 1, 3 and 6 h after injection, respectively. The bladder, L6‐S1 spinal cord segment and L6‐S1 dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were harvested and their radioactivity counted in a gamma scintillation detector. Results were calculated as % injected dose (I.D.) per gram of tissue. The paired t‐test was used for comparison of means of 99mTc‐ΒοΝΤ/Α radioactivity vs free 99mTc in the tissues of interest.

Results

Radiolabelled BoNT/A had a high radiochemical stability of 70% after 24 h. Gradual accumulation of 99mTc‐ΒοΝΤ/Α was observed in the DRG up to 6 h after injection (P = 0.04 and P = 0.029 compared with 1 h and 3 h, respectively), while no accumulation was detected for free 99mTc. Consequently, 99mTc‐ΒοΝΤ/Α radioactivity in the DRG was higher than free 99mTc radioactivity (3.18 ± 0.67% I.D./g vs 0.19 ± 0.10% I.D./g [P = 0.002] 6 h after injection). Values for 99mTc‐ΒοΝΤ/Α radioactivity in the spinal cord were higher than those for free 99mTc, but not significantly. The bladder retained higher dosages of 99mTc‐ΒοΝΤ/Α than free 99mTc at all time points.

Conclusions

Significant accumulation of the radiolabelled toxin in the lumbosacral DRG, together with a less significant uptake in the respective spinal cord segment as opposed to free radioactivity provide first evidence of the retrograde transport of BoNT/A to the CNS after bladder injection in rats.
Crosstalk of EGFR signalling with Notch and Hippo pathways to regulate cell specification, migration and proliferation in cockroach panoistic ovaries
Authors: Elshaer Nashwa , Piulachs Maria‐Dolors
Published: April 2015

Background information

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signalling is crucial for the regulation of multiple developmental processes. Its function in relation to insect oogenesis has been thoroughly studied in the fly Drosophila melanogaster, which possesses ovaries of the highly modified meroistic type. Conversely, studies in other insect species with different ovary types are scarce. We have studied EGFR functions in the oogenesis of the cockroach Blattella germanica, a phylogenetically basal insect with panoistic ovaries.

Results

In this cockroach, depletion of EGFR expression aborts oocyte maturation and prevents oviposition, as affects the distribution of F‐actins in the follicular cells of the basal ovarian follicle, which triggers premature apoptosis. In the younger ovarian follicles within the ovariole, depletion of EGFR expression reduces the number of follicular cells, possibly because the Hippo pathway is altered; moreover, the concomitant reduction of Notch expression results in the absence of stalk. Finally, depletion of EGFR determines an increase in the number of germinal cells.

Conclusions

In the panoistic ovary of B. germanica, EGFR plays a role in the control of cell proliferation through interaction with Hippo and Notch pathways.
African Bioethics vs. Healthcare Ethics in Africa: A Critique of Godfrey Tangwa
Authors: Fayemi Ademola K.
Published: April 2015

It is nearly two decades now since the publication of Godfrey Tangwa's article, ‘Bioethics: African Perspective’, without a critical review. His article is important because sequel to its publication in Bioethics, the idea of ‘African bioethics’ started gaining some attention in the international bioethics literature. This paper breaks this relative silence by critically examining Tangwa's claim on the existence of African bioethics. Employing conceptual and critical methods, this paper argues that Tangwa's account of African bioethics has some conceptual, methodic and substantive difficulties, which altogether do not justify the idea of African bioethics, at least for now. Contra Tangwa, this article establishes that while African bioethics remains a future possibility, it is more cogent that current efforts in the name of ‘African bioethics’ be primarily re‐intensified towards ‘Healthcare ethics in Africa’.
Favourable response to ketogenic dietary therapies: undiagnosed glucose 1 transporter deficiency syndrome is only one factor
Authors: Schoeler Natasha E , Cross Judith Helen , Drury Suzanne , Lench Nicholas , McMahon Jacinta M , MacKay Mark T , Scheffer Ingrid E , Sander Josemir W , Sisodiya Sanjay M
Published: April 2015

Aim

We aimed to determine whether response to ketogenic dietary therapies (KDT) was due to undiagnosed glucose transporter type 1 deficiency syndrome (GLUT1‐DS).

Method

Targeted resequencing of the SLC2A1 gene was completed in individuals without previously known GLUT1‐DS who received KDT for their epilepsy. Hospital records were used to obtain demographic and clinical data. Response to KDT at various follow‐up points was defined as seizure reduction of at least 50%. Seizure freedom achieved at any follow‐up point was also documented. Fisher's exact and gene‐burden association tests were conducted using the PLINK/SEQ open‐source genetics library.

Results

Of the 246 participants, one was shown to have a novel variant in SLC2A1 that was predicted to be deleterious. This individual was seizure‐free on KDT. Rates of seizure freedom in cases without GLUT1‐DS were below 8% at each follow‐up point. Two cases without SLC2A1 mutations were seizure‐free at every follow‐up point recorded. No significant results were obtained from Fisher's exact or gene‐burden association tests.

Interpretation

A favourable response to KDT is not solely explained by mutations in SLC2A1. Other genetic factors should be sought to identify those who are most likely to benefit from dietary treatment for epilepsy, particularly those who may achieve seizure freedom.
Increased attractiveness of honeybee hive product volatiles to adult small hive beetle, Aethina tumida, resulting from small hive beetle larval infestation
Authors: Hayes R. Andrew , Rice Steven J. , Amos Brogan A. , Leemon Diana M.
Published: April 2015

The small hive beetle, Aethina tumida Murray (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), is a recent but significant pest of honeybee [Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae)] hives in various regions throughout the world, including Eastern Australia. The larval stage of this beetle damages hives when they feed on brood, pollen, and honeycomb, leaving behind fermented wastes. In cases of extreme damage, hives collapse and are turned to an odorous mass of larvae in fermenting hive products. The yeast Kodamaea ohmeri (Etchells & Bell) Yamada et al. (Ascomycota) has been consistently isolated from the fermenting material as well as each life stage of this beetle. Various studies have noted that the small hive beetle is attracted to volatiles from hive products and those of the yeast K. ohmeri, although earlier studies have not used naturally occurring hive products as their source of fermentation. This study investigated changes through time in the attractiveness of natural honeybee hive products to the small hive beetle as the hive products were altered by the action of beetle larvae and fermentation by K. ohmeri. We used gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry and choice‐test behavioural assays to investigate these changes using products sampled from three apiaries. Attractiveness of the fermenting hive products (‘slime’) increased as fermentation progressed, and volatile profiles became more complex. Fermenting hive products remained extremely attractive for more than 30 days, significantly longer than previous reports. These results have strong implications for the development of an external attractant trap to assist in the management of this invasive pest.
Molecular characterization and functional analysis of a calponin gene from the pinewood nematode
Authors: Cardoso J. M. S. , Fonseca L. , Gomes P. , Egas C. , Abrantes I.
Published: April 2015

In this study, acDNAsequence corresponding to theBursaphelenchus xylophilus unc‐87homolog gene (Bx‐unc‐87) was identified inB. xylophilustranscriptome and characterized. ThiscDNAhas an 1152‐bp‐long open‐reading frame that is putatively translated into a 383 amino acids peptide. The deduced protein (Bx‐UNC‐87) contains highly conserved regions of the calponin‐like proteins and has high sequence identity to the calponin proteins of other nematodes. InCaenorhabditis elegans, the calponin protein encoded by geneunc‐87is required to maintain the structure of myofilaments in muscle cells of the body wall. The silencing ofBx‐unc‐87gene was performed byRNAi, soaking the nematodes in a solution containing dsRNAof this gene. In addition to a no dsRNAcontrol, a non‐homologous dsRNAcontrol was also included. TheBx‐unc‐87transcription was downregulated in nematodes treated withBx‐unc‐87dsRNAin comparison with the non‐dsRNA‐treated nematodes. dsRNA‐treated nematodes revealed some paralysis and uncoordinated movement in contrast to the regular and sinusoidal movement of the non‐treated nematodes. Furthermore, reproduction was reduced in dsRNA‐treated nematodes. These results suggest that this protein has a function similar to that of theC. eleganshomolog.
Alertness opens the effective flow of sensory information through rat thalamic posterior nucleus
Authors: Sobolewski Aleksander , Kublik Ewa , Swiejkowski Daniel A. , Kamiński Jan , Wróbel Andrzej
Published: April 2015

Behavioural reactions to sensory stimuli vary with the level of arousal, but little is known about the underlying reorganization of neuronal networks. In this study, we use chronic recordings from the somatosensory regions of the thalamus and cortex of behaving rats together with a novel analysis of functional connectivity to show that during low arousal tactile signals are transmitted via the ventral posteromedial thalamic nucleus (VPM), a first‐order thalamic relay, to the primary somatosensory (barrel) cortex and then from the cortex to the posterior medial thalamic nucleus (PoM), which plays a role of a higher‐order thalamic relay. By contrast, during high arousal this network scheme is modified and bothVPMand PoM transmit peripheral input to the barrel cortex acting as first‐order relays. We also show that in urethane anaesthesia PoM is largely excluded from the thalamo‐cortical loop. We thus demonstrate a way in which the thalamo‐cortical system, despite its fixed anatomy, is capable of dynamically reconfiguring the transmission route of a sensory signal in concert with the behavioural state of an animal.
Choosing a Mate in a Cocktail Party‐Like Situation: The Effect of Call Complexity and Call Timing between Two Rival Males on Female Mating Preferences in the Túngara Frog Physalaemus pustulosus
Authors: Tárano Zaida
Published: April 2015

Signal detection, recognition, and localization are hampered when multiple signalers coincide in time and space, a problem known as ‘cocktail party effect’. In many taxa, senders utter complex calls consisting of two or more elements which often vary in the ease with which they can be assessed in different signaling environments. Receivers’ selective attention to different cues may increase the probability of correctly assigning a signal to its source (localization) in face of conspecific interference. Túngara frogs, Physalaemus pustulosus, produce complex calls consisting of an initial whine, followed by zero up to seven broad‐banded, amplitude‐modulated chucks. Under ideal conditions (without interference or noise), females prefer whines followed by chucks over whines alone, but the preference is not linear; females do not discriminate between whines with one or two chucks. When whines lack chucks, call overlap elicits random responses in females, with no preference for leading calls. In this study, I explored the combined effect of call timing and call complexity on female preferences in a two‐choice paradigm—a simplification of the cocktail party scenario. I tested the hypothesis that the effect of call overlap can be reduced when the calls of one of the two rivals have chucks, specifically more chucks than those of the rival. I gave females a choice between whines alone and with chucks (one or two) presented at three time relations (alternated, abutted, and partially overlapped) and two emission orders (whine with less chucks leading and whine with more chucks leading). I found that the preference for one chuck over no chuck was preserved in all the experimental treatments, but when a w + 2chk preceded a w + chk, either overlapped or abutted, a preference existed for the whine with more chucks. Therefore, an interaction between call order and the number of chucks was obtained. The results only partially supported the hypothesis, and call order emerges as an opportunistic component of signaling in P. pustulosus.
Teaching Language Learners to Elaborate on Their Responses: A Structured, Genre‐Based Approach
Authors: Pryde Michael
Published: April 2015

Due to Japanese students' poor record of conversational ability in English in homestay contexts (Pryde, 2014), classroom English language curriculum decisions were reinvestigated in order to better prepare students to participate in study abroad experiences. A genre‐based approach was used to teach and reinforce a conversational structure designed to extend students' second move in the initiation, response, follow‐up (IRF) triadic dialogue. This study discusses how a genre‐based approach can teach language learners to make the most of their role in an IRF‐based conversational framework and specifically investigated the use of an educational tool, termed “quadratic structure,” to improve students' conversational skills, metalinguistic awareness, confidence, and willingness to communicate in the target language. Pedagogical implications for both course design and study abroad are also discussed.
Phase‐field modeling of epitaxial growth of polycrystalline quartz veins in hydrothermal experiments
Authors: Wendler F. , Okamoto A. , Blum P.
Published: April 2015

Mineral precipitation in an open fracture plays a crucial role in the evolution of fracture permeability in rocks, and the microstructural development and precipitation rates are closely linked to fluid composition, the kind of host rock as well as temperature and pressure. In this study, we develop a continuum thermodynamic model to understand polycrystalline growth of quartz aggregates from the rock surface. The adapted multiphase‐field model takes into consideration both the absolute growth rate as a function of the driving force of the reaction (free energy differences between solid and liquid phases), and the equilibrium crystal shape (Wulff shape). In addition, we realize the anisotropic shape of the quartz crystal by introducing relative growth rates of the facets. The missing parameters of the model, including surface energy and relative growth rates, are determined by detailed analysis of the crystal shapes and crystallographic orientation of polycrystalline quartz aggregates in veins synthesized in previous hydrothermal experiments. The growth simulations were carried out for a single crystal and for grain aggregates from a rock surface. The single crystal simulation reveals the importance of crystal facetting on the growth rate; for example, growth velocity in the c‐axis direction drops by a factor of ~9 when the faceting is complete. The textures produced by the polycrystal simulations are similar to those observed in the hydrothermal experiments, including the number of surviving grains and crystallographic preferred orientations as a function of the distance from the rock wall. Our model and the methods to define its parameters provide a basis for further investigation of fracture sealing under varying conditions.
Association between falls and depressive symptoms or visual impairment among Japanese young‐old adults
Authors: Kojima Reiji , Ukawa Shigekazu , Ando Masahiko , Kawamura Takashi , Wakai Kenji , Tsushita Kazuyo , Tamakoshi Akiko
Published: April 2015

Aim

To investigate the association between falls and self‐reported depressive symptoms or visual impairment among young‐old adults.

Methods

A total of 1904 participants (986 men and 918 women) aged 64 years from the New Integrated Suburban Seniority Investigation Project from 1996 to 2005, an age‐specific cohort study in Nisshin, Japan, took part in the present study. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Geriatric Depression Scale. Visual impairment was assessed using a self‐administered questionnaire. The outcome variable was self‐reported injurious falls at the age of 70 years. Multivariate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of depressive symptoms and visual impairment for the incidence of falls were calculated using logistic regression models and adjusted for possible confounding factors.

Results

Overall, 77 (7.8%) men and 126 (13.7%) women reported falls within the past 1 year at age 70 years. Among women, depressive symptoms and visual impairment were significantly associated with falls after adjusting for potential confounders (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.09–2.62; OR 2.34, 95% CI 1.45–3.71, respectively), but not among men. Women with both conditions had a significantly increased risk of falls after adjusting for potential confounders (OR 3.50, 95% CI 1.65–7.13) compared with those with neither condition; the association was not significant among men.

Conclusions

Depressive symptoms and visual impairment at age 64 years were significantly associated with an increased risk of falls at age 70 years in Japanese women but not in men. The combination of the two symptoms had an even greater association with fall risk. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 16: 384–391.
Regulation by gut commensal bacteria of carcinoembryonic antigen‐related cell adhesion molecule expression in the intestinal epithelium
Authors: Kitamura Yasuaki , Murata Yoji , Park Jung‐ha , Kotani Takenori , Imada Shinya , Saito Yasuyuki , Okazawa Hideki , Azuma Takeshi , Matozaki Takashi
Published: April 2015

Carcinoembryonic antigen‐related cell adhesion molecule (CEACAM) 1 and CEACAM20, immunoglobulin superfamily members, are predominantly expressed in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and co‐localized at the apical surface of these cells. We here showed that the expression of mouse CEACAM1 and CEACAM20 at both mRNA and protein levels was markedly reduced in IECs of the small intestine by the treatment of mice with antibiotics against Gram‐positive bacteria. The expression of both proteins was also decreased in IECs of the small intestine from germ‐free mice, compared with that from control specific‐pathogen‐free mice. Exposure of intestinal organoids to IFN‐γ markedly increased the expression of either CEACAM1 or CEACAM20, whereas the exposure to TNF‐α increased the expression of the former protein, but not that of the latter. In contrast, the expression of CEACAM20, but not of CEACAM1, in intestinal organoids was markedly increased by exposure to butyrate, a short‐chain fatty acid produced by bacterial fermentation in the intestine. Collectively, our results suggest that Gram‐positive bacteria promote the mRNA expression of CEACAM1 or CEACAM20 in the small intestine. Inflammatory cytokines or butyrate likely participates in such effects of commensal bacteria.
Alterations in Th17 and the Respective Cytokine Levels in Helicobacter pylori‐Induced Stomach Diseases
Authors: Shamsdin Seyedeh Azra , Alborzi Abdolvahab , Rasouli Manoochehr , Hosseini Mohamad Kazem , Bagheri Lankrani Kamran , Kalani Mehdi
Published: April 2015

Background

Infections by Helicobacter can cause the stimulation of sophisticated immune response in mucosal immunity. Among the different lymphocytes, Th17 plays an important role in the defense against H. pylori and may cause gastritis and peptic ulcer due to the increased activation of Th17 and cytokine changes.

Aim

To find a relationship between Th17 and IL‐17A, IL‐21, IL‐22, IL‐23, TGF‐β in the patients with H. pylori infection having signs including gastritis and peptic ulcer.

Methods

A total of 36 samples from the patients [24 Hp+ and 12 Hp− cases] with dyspepsia symptoms were collected. The percentage of Th17 was measured by flow cytometry. The levels of Th17‐associated cytokines in the sera and supernatants of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) which were stimulated with the H. pylori antigen, phytohemagglutinin (PHA), or Dynabeads were measured by ELISA.

Results

Patients were divided into two groups of having either H. pylori infected (peptic ulcer, gastritis (mild, moderate)) or being uninfected. The percentage of Th17 in the patients with peptic ulcer and gastritis was significantly higher than their uninfected counterparts (p ≤ .001). The serum levels of IL‐17A, IL‐23, and TGF‐β in the peptic ulcer and gastritis groups were significantly higher compared with the corresponding levels in the uninfected population (p < .05). A significant association of TGF‐β, IL‐21, and Th17 was observed with low levels of IL‐17A in the mild gastritis patients (p < .05). Significantly higher levels of IL‐22, IL‐17A, IL‐23, and higher Th17 frequencies were detected in the moderate gastritis patients, as compared with the uninfected patients (p ≤ .001).

Conclusion

It can be concluded that among the cytokines associated with Th17, the two cytokines of IL‐21 and TGF‐β play a more critical role in peptic ulcer and gastritis in the individuals infected with H. pylori. Furthermore, inflammation varies depending on the type of the cytokine and its secreted level.
“Democratizing” Fundraising at Elite Universities: The Discursive Legitimation of Mass Giving at Yale and Harvard, 1890–1920
Authors: Kimball Bruce A.
Published: April 2015

With the regularity of commencement, colleges and universities today conduct annual solicitations of alumni and multiyear comprehensive fundraising campaigns. These now commonplace practices constituted radical innovations in the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries. The former originated at Yale University in 1890; the latter at Harvard University between 1915 and 1925. It was through these two innovations that higher education began to assimilate the new phenomenon of “mass giving” and “people's philanthropy” which arose in American society between 1890 and 1920.
Relationship between dietary energy density and dietary quality in overweight young children: a cross‐sectional analysis
Authors: Poole S. A. , Hart C. N. , Jelalian E. , Raynor H. A.
Published: April 2015

Background

Observational research has found that lower energy density (ED) diets are related to reduced intake of fat and greater intake of fruits and vegetables. No study has examined the relationship between dietary ED and dietary quality, as determined by the Healthy Eating Index‐2005 (HEI), in children who are overweight and obese.

Objective

Examine the relationship between dietary ED and HEI, determined from 3‐d food records, in 156 children, aged 4–9 years, who had ≥85th percentile body mass index presenting for family‐based obesity treatment.

Method

Dietary ED, in kcal/g, was calculated using two methods: food and all beverages consumed (food+bev) and food only consumed (food). For calculation of HEI, all components of the HEI were included except oils.

Results

Participants were classified as consuming a low‐ED, medium‐ED or high‐ED diet using tertile cut‐off points with ED calculated using food and beverages(food+bev) or food only(food). After controlling for group difference in child sex and race and parent sex, LOWfood+bev and LOWfood had significantly (P < 0.05) higher total HEI scores, and total fruit, total vegetable and saturated fat HEI scores than HIGHfood+bev and HIGHfood, with higher scores indicating greater quality.

Conclusions

Lower dietary ED is associated with higher dietary quality in children presenting for obesity treatment. Additional research investigating an ED prescription on dietary quality in children who are overweight or obese is needed to better understand this relationship.