bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
4. Contractual obligations
Authors: Hill Jonathan
Published: October 2016

This chapter deals with contract disputes which have foreign elements that come before the English court: one or both of the parties may be foreign; the making or performance of the contract may be connected with a number of foreign countries. In this type of case which law is the court to apply? The general principle is that every international contract has a governing law — known at common law as the ‘proper law’and under EU law as the ‘applicable law’. Subject to certain limitations, parties to a contract are free to choose the applicable law; if the parties fail to make a choice, the governing law is, as a general rule, the law of the country with which the contract is most closely connected. The remainder of the chapter focuses on the Rome I Regulation, including its scope and interpretation; determining the applicable law; the limits of the applicable law; articles 5 to 8; and choice of law aspects of various contractual issues.
7. Marriage
Authors: Hill Jonathan
Published: October 2016

When the English court has to decide whether a marriage is valid, foreign elements may be involved: one or both of the spouses may be of overseas origin, or the marriage may have been celebrated in a foreign country. This chapter considers which law applies to determine the validity of such marriages. For choice of law purposes, rules about the validity of marriage are divided into two classes: those concerned with formal validity and those concerned with essential validity or capacity to marry. Rules of formal validity lay down the way in which a marriage must be celebrated (for example, to ensure publicity and proof of marriage). Rules of essential validity or capacity are concerned with the permissibility of the marriage relationship itself — whether the parties ought to be allowed to marry each other (or at all). The chapter also discusses the application of the doctrine of renvoi and rules for same-sex marriages, civil partnerships, and polygamous marriages.
1. Exam Skills for Success in Company Law
Authors: Moore Imogen
Published: October 2016

The offers the best preparation for tackling exam questions and coursework. Each book includes typical questions, suggested answers with commentary, illustrative diagrams, guidance on how to develop your answer, suggestions for further reading, and advice on exams and coursework. This chapter provides advice on exams and exam questions in company law to ensure you are best prepared for your assessment, including guidance on how to approach essay and problem questions. It provides lots of important tips for exam success, covering both your preparation for the exam, and your approach to the exam itself.
5. Directors’ Duties
Authors: Moore Imogen
Published: October 2016

The Concentrate Questions and Answers series offers the best preparation for tackling exam questions and coursework. Each book includes typical questions, suggested answers with commentary, illustrative diagrams, guidance on how to develop your answer, suggestions for further reading, and advice on exams and coursework. This chapter examines the very important topic of directors’ duties. The chapter considers the main duties, as codified in the Companies Act 2006, including the duty to act within powers; the duty to promote the success of the company; the duty to exercise independent judgment; the duty to exercise reasonable care, skill, and diligence; the duty to avoid conflicts of interest; and the duty to disclose an interest in a proposed transaction with the company. Related areas such as substantial property transactions are considered. This chapter considers who is a ‘director’, examining the concepts of de facto and shadow directors and how far they owe duties to the company.
3. Land law and human rights
Authors: MacKenzie Judith-Anne
Published: October 2016

Course-focused and comprehensive, the Textbook on series provide an accessible overview of the key areas on the law curriculum. This chapter explains some provisions of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms and the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA 1998), both of which are relevant to the study of land law. The significance of the HRA 1998 in land law cases is also discussed.
8. Acquisition of an estate by adverse possession
Authors: MacKenzie Judith-Anne
Published: October 2016

Course-focused and comprehensive, the Textbook on series provide an accessible overview of the key areas on the law curriculum. Another way to acquire an estate in land is by adverse possession. The Land Registration Act 2002 (LRA 2002) makes major changes to the process of acquiring registered land by adverse possession, but the old rules continue to apply to unregistered land (and to registered land where the period of adverse possession was completed before the new Act came into force). This chapter considers what is required to establish adverse possession, and then uses the example of another house in Trant Way to illustrate the three systems now in operation: adverse possession of unregistered land; adverse possession of registered land under LRA 1925; and the new system of adverse possession of registered land established by LRA 2002. The chapter concludes with a consideration of the human rights issues arising from adverse possession.
9. The freehold estate
Authors: MacKenzie Judith-Anne
Published: October 2016

Course-focused and comprehensive, the Textbook on series provide an accessible overview of the key areas on the law curriculum. This chapter examines the case of David Derby, owner of the freehold estate in 4 Trant Way, who has decided to give the estate to one of his three nephews and is considering three possible dispositions. It is necessary to consider whether each of these three possible gifts would vest in the nephew or friend concerned a legal fee simple absolute in possession, or whether the gift would create an interest in land which is less than a legal estate. The phrase ‘fee simple absolute in possession’ imposes a series of requirements, all of which must be satisfied if the estate is to qualify as a legal one. The chapter examines these requirements in more detail, and considers whether David’s proposed gifts would satisfy them.
11. Obligations of landlord and tenant
Authors: MacKenzie Judith-Anne
Published: October 2016

Course-focused and comprehensive, the Textbook on series provide an accessible overview of the key areas on the law curriculum. This chapter deals with the rights and duties of the landlord and tenant who are the parties to the lease. Every lease contains provisions which define the obligations of the landlord and tenant under the lease. Obligations in a lease may be imposed in one of two ways: by covenants or by conditions. A ‘covenant’ is a promise made by one party (the ‘covenantor’) for the benefit of another party (the ‘covenantee’) which is contained in a deed. Express, implied, and usual covenants are discussed.
27. Covenants relating to freehold land
Authors: MacKenzie Judith-Anne
Published: October 2016

Course-focused and comprehensive, the Textbook on series provide an accessible overview of the key areas on the law curriculum. This chapter discusses covenants affecting freehold land. It covers the enforceability of covenants, including enforcement against later acquirers of land; the problem of positive covenants; remedies; the discharge of covenants; and the proposals for reform of the law.
29. What is land?
Authors: MacKenzie Judith-Anne
Published: October 2016

Course-focused and comprehensive, the Textbook on series provide an accessible overview of the key areas on the law curriculum. This chapter discusses the definition of ‘land’. It covers the statutory definition; earth, minerals, buildings, and fixtures; hereditaments; real and personal property; and flying freehold. It also addresses hydraulic fracturing (fracking). The chapter concludes with some remarks about a practical approach to land law.
2. Registration
Authors: French Derek , Mayson Stephen W. , Ryan Christopher L.
Published: October 2016

This chapter discusses the process of registration for the incorporation of companies under the Companies Act 2006, as well as the benefits that become available to separate corporate personality and to members of a registered company. It also considers the different basic types of companies, the distinction between private and public companies, and the significant characteristics of the company created by the registration procedure (separate corporate personality, members, shareholding, directors, secretary, name, constitution, and a registered office and domicile). The chapter discusses re-registration as a means of altering a company. It looks at a particularly significant case: Ebrahimi v Westbourne Galleries Ltd [1973] AC 360.
5. Corporate personality
Authors: French Derek , Mayson Stephen W. , Ryan Christopher L.
Published: October 2016

This chapter deals with the legal personality of a company which is separate from its members, capable of owning property, entering into contracts, and being a party to legal proceedings. It considers the case Salomon v A Salomon and Co Ltd [1897] AC 22, in which the courts affirmed separate corporate personality by rejecting attempts, on behalf of creditors, to impose liability for a failed company’s debts on its controlling shareholder. The consequences of separate corporate personality are also discussed, particularly with respect to a company’s human rights (or personal rights). In addition, the chapter examines the process known as ‘piercing the corporate veil’ in relation to the evasion principle; how an artificial entity can have legal personality; and a number of particularly significant court cases. Finally, it looks at corporate law theory and the issue of company linguistics.
7. Offering shares to the public
Authors: French Derek , Mayson Stephen W. , Ryan Christopher L.
Published: October 2016

This chapter focuses on public offering of shares as a source of finance for companies, with emphasis on the legal requirements to provide the necessary information to prospective investors. It also considers the importance of a marketplace for selling shares at the best possible price, as well as the regulation of the financial services industry by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. In addition, it discusses two national controls on share offers to the public under the Companies Act 2006 with respect to payment of underwriting commission and repayment of subscribers’ money if a share offer is not completely successful. The chapter examines the regulatory regimes for securities markets, some of the main reasons or advantages for going public, the prospectus requirement and any exemptions to it, and how the law deals with misleading statements and omissions in prospectuses.
10. Distributions and the maintenance of capital
Authors: French Derek , Mayson Stephen W. , Ryan Christopher L.
Published: October 2016

This chapter examines the controls imposed on return of a company’s capital to its members, first by considering the common law general principle that return of capital to shareholders is illegal unless permitted by statute. It then discusses the problem of how to distinguish between a legal distribution of profits and an illegal return of capital; transfer of profits to a capital redemption reserve and use of profits to pay up bonus shares; company’s issuance and redemption of redeemable shares or purchase of its own shares; purchased shares as treasury shares; and how a company may reduce its issued share capital by special resolution. The chapter also looks at capitalisations and employees’ share schemes before concluding with an analysis of three court cases that are particularly significant to distributions and the maintenance of capital.
16. Directors’ duties
Authors: French Derek , Mayson Stephen W. , Ryan Christopher L.
Published: October 2016

This chapter deals with the seven general duties of directors as spelled out in the Companies Act 2006: duty to act within powers; duty to promote the success of the company; duty to exercise independent judgement; duty to exercise reasonable care, skill, and diligence; duty to avoid conflicts of interest; duty not to accept benefits from third parties; and duty to declare interest in proposed transaction or arrangement. After providing a background on the codification of directors’ general duties, the chapter turns to the fiduciary duty of directors, including shadow and de facto directors. It also examines statutory requirements involving property transactions; loans, quasi-loans, and credit transactions; associated companies and persons ‘connected’ with a director; equitable remedies for breach of duty; the ways in which directors can be relieved of liability; and secondary liability with regards to property.
17. Corporate officers and promoters
Authors: French Derek , Mayson Stephen W. , Ryan Christopher L.
Published: October 2016

This chapter focuses on company officers (secretaries, auditors, and managers) and promoters, with emphasis on their responsibilities and liabilities under the Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006) and the appropriate criminal sanctions for breach of its requirements. It first considers the term ‘officers’ of a company in the context of liability for criminal offences before turning to the appointment and qualifications of secretaries and the appointment and reappointment of auditors. The circumstances under which secretaries, auditors, managers, and promoters become criminally liable are also explained. The chapter cites relevant legislation, including CA 2006 and UK Corporate Governance Code, and considers two particularly significant cases: Caparo Industries plc v Dickman [1990] 2 AC 605 and Stone and Rolls Ltd v Moore Stephens [2009] UKHL 39, [2009] AC 1391.
A case report of bullous pemphigoid associated with a melanoma and review of the literature
Authors: Amber Kyle T. , Panganiban Christine M. , Korta Dorota , Feraudy Sebastien de , Kelly Kristen M. , Grando Sergei A.
Published: October 2016

The association of bullous pemphigoid with melanoma remains controversial and poorly understood. Recent studies report the presence of the bullous pemphigoid antigen, BP180, in melanoma cells, yet not normal melanocytes, suggesting an underlying mechanism for cases of melanoma-associated bullous pemphigoid. We report on an 88-year-old woman who showed a temporal relationship between the development of bullous pemphigoid and melanoma. The patient did not receive programmed death ligand 1 inhibitor therapy and improved rapidly following complete excision of her melanoma, with clobetasol, doxycycline, and niacinamide. We review the literature on the relationship between bullous pemphigoid and melanoma, and propose a mechanism underlying a melanoma-associated bullous pemphigoid.
Tumor-free osteosclerotic lesions in patients treated for metastatic melanoma using BRAF inhibitors
Authors: Bottlaender Lea , Perier-Muzet Marie , Lapras Véronique , Thomas Luc , Dalle Stephane
Published: October 2016

BRAF inhibitors (vemurafenib and dabrafenib) are commonly prescribed in BRAF-mutant metastatic melanoma and allow improvement of the overall survival and progression-free survival. They are, however, accompanied by many adverse effects which mainly affect the skin. We observed on computed tomographic scans in three different patients after 3 months of treatment, the onset of osteosclerotic lesions. In parallel, the computed tomographic scans showed a significant reduction in all of the previously identified metastases in all patients. The occurrence of such bone modifications under treatment was reported previously in others cancers, such as inoperable non-small-cell lung cancers under epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors, as the ‘osteoblastic bone flare phenomenon’. However, it had never been reported in melanoma patients treated with targeted therapies, and the results of two performed bone biopsies are reported here. This phenomenon is generally believed to indicate a better response under treatment, whereas in our study, the patients experienced, after a short partial response, a severe cerebral relapse leading to death. Finally, although its physiopathological mechanisms are poorly understood, the occurrence of tumor-free osteosclerotic lesions in patients under BRAF inhibitors should not be misinterpreted as a progression of the disease.
Complete Spontaneous Regression of Merkel Cell Carcinoma After Biopsy: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Ahmadi Moghaddam Parnian , Cornejo Kristine M. , Hutchinson Lloyd , Tomaszewicz Keith , Dresser Karen , Deng April , O'Donnell Patrick
Published: October 2016

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare primary cutaneous neuroendocrine tumor that typically occurs on the head and neck of the elderly and follows an aggressive clinical course. Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) has been identified in up to 80% of cases and has been shown to participate in MCC tumorigenesis. Complete spontaneous regression of MCC has been rarely reported in the literature. We describe a case of a 79-year-old man that presented with a rapidly growing, 3-cm mass on the left jaw. An incisional biopsy revealed MCC. Additional health issues were discovered in the preoperative workup of this patient which delayed treatment. One month after the biopsy, the lesion showed clinical regression in the absence of treatment. Wide excision of the biopsy site with sentinel lymph node dissection revealed no evidence of MCC 2 months later. The tumor cells in the patient's biopsy specimen were negative for MCPyV by polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry (CM2B4 antibody, Santa Cruz, CA). The exact mechanism for complete spontaneous regression in MCC is unknown. To our knowledge, only 2 previous studies evaluated the presence of MCPyV by polymerase chain reaction in MCC with spontaneous regression. Whether the presence or absence of MCPyV correlates with spontaneous regression warrants further investigation.
Antidepressant, anxiolytic and procognitive effects of subacute and chronic ketamine in the chronic mild stress model of depression
Authors: Papp Mariusz , Gruca Piotr , Lason-Tyburkiewicz Magdalena , Willner Paul
Published: October 2016

Ketamine is the prototype of a new generation of antidepressant drugs, which is reported in clinical studies to be effective in treatment-resistant patients, with an effect that appears within hours and lasts for a few days. Chronic mild stress (CMS) is a well-established and widely used animal model of depression, in which anhedonia, anxiogenesis and cognitive dysfunction can be observed reliably. Studies using acute or brief ketamine treatment following withdrawal from CMS have replicated the clinical finding of a rapid onset of antidepressant action. However, there have been no CMS studies of chronic daily ketamine treatment or continued stress following ketamine treatment, which would have greater translational potential in relation to the long-term maintenance of antidepressant effects. Wistar rats were drug treated following an initial 2 weeks of CMS exposure, which continued alongside daily drug treatment. A first experiment tested a range of chronic (5 weeks) ketamine doses (5–30 mg/kg); a second compared the effects of subacute (3–5 days) and chronic (5 weeks) treatment. CMS-induced anhedonic, anxiogenic and dyscognitive effects, as measured, respectively, by decreased sucrose intake, avoidance of open arms in the elevated plus maze and loss of discrimination in the novel object recognition test. A sustained antidepressant-like effect of ketamine in the sucrose intake test was observed in both experiments, with an onset at around 1 week, faster than imipramine, and an optimum dose of 10 mg/kg. Anxiogenic and dyscognitive effects of CMS, in the elevated plus maze and novel object recognition test, respectively, were fully reversed by both subacute and chronic ketamine treatment. Daily treatment with ketamine in the CMS model causes sustained long-term antidepressant, anxiolytic and procognitive effects. The demonstration of a procognitive effect of ketamine may have particular translational value.
Progesterone as a tocolytic agent for preterm labor: a systematic review
Authors: Navathe Reshama , Berghella Vincenzo
Published: October 2016

Purpose of review

Tocolytic agents have been used for over 60 years in the fight against preterm labor, which ultimately can lead to preterm birth. Currently, clinicians can choose from a variety of drug classes to achieve the primary goal of delaying delivery by 48 h, thereby allowing time for administration of corticosteroids for fetal lung maturity, and if appropriate, starting magnesium sulfate for fetal neuroprotection. However, there are currently no known therapies to maintain the tocolytic effect beyond those initial 48 h.

Recent findings

Progesterone, which has been used in the prevention of preterm birth for over 10 years, has long been known to have the effect of uterine quiescence. It was first studied as a tocolytic agent in the 1960s. In the last several years, more studies have been done that suggest a potential use for maintenance tocolysis after the successful arrest of preterm labor. Although the studies are conflicting, the meta-analyses on progesterone show some promise in different outcomes of delayed delivery, reduced incidence of preterm birth, and reduced neonatal morbidity.

Progesterone is currently the most promising agent for maintenance tocolysis. Although further trials are certainly needed, this is an exciting advancement in the realm of tocolysis.
CHOROIDAL SARCOID GRANULOMA SIMULATING PROSTATE CARCINOMA METASTASIS
Authors: Turkoglu Elif B. , Lally Sara E. , Shields Carol L.
Published: October 2016

Purpose:

To report a case of choroidal sarcoid granuloma simulating choroidal metastasis in a patient with prostate carcinoma.

Method:

Case report.

Results:

A 66-year-old man was found to have an asymptomatic choroidal mass in his left eye. He had known history of pulmonary sarcoidosis without systemic involvement and prostate carcinoma without metastasis. On examination, visual acuity was 20/20 in each eye. Anterior segment was normal, without inflammatory sign in either eye. The right fundus was healthy. The left fundus revealed a yellow choroidal mass of 2 mm diameter, temporal to the foveola and without subretinal fluid, retinitis, or vitritis. Optical coherence tomography demonstrated a homogenous hyporeflective choroidal mass with intact retinal pigment epithelium and compression of choroidal vascular structures. Given the medical history and rarity of prostate metastasis to the uvea, choroidal sarcoid granuloma was considered and oral prednisone with a slow taper was given. After 2 months of therapy, tumor resolution with reduction in size was confirmed on optical coherence tomography.

Conclusion:

Choroidal sarcoid granuloma is a rare condition that can simulate choroidal metastasis. Treatment with prednisone can assist in establishing the diagnosis.
Removal of Self-Expanding Metallic Stents
Authors: Shah Shiwan K. , Jennings Jeffrey H. , Diaz-Mendoza Javier I. , Yessayan Lenar , Ray Cynthia , Simoff Michael J.
Published: October 2016

Background:

Despite their safety profile, self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) have been difficult to remove. We aim to describe our experience in removal of SEMS at Henry Ford Hospital with a specific emphasis on safety.

Methods:

We reviewed the charts of all patients who underwent removal of a SEMS at Henry Ford Hospital between 2003 and 2013. We recorded demographic information, indication for initial stent placement, indication for stent removal, time to stent removal, procedure of removal, and any complications.

Results:

In all, 19 stents were removed in 16 separate procedures in 14 patients. The median age was 62 years, and 50% of the patients were female. Stents were removed at a median of 35 days (range, 2 to 595 d). No complications occurred in 10/16 (62.5%) procedures. In the remaining 5 patients, complications were not directly related to the stent removal, and serious complications were mostly related to severity of underlying lung disease. Of the 10 procedures done as outpatients, 70% were discharged immediately after the procedure.

Conclusions:

Removal of SEMS can be done safely. Routine postoperative ventilation and intensive care unit monitoring is not required. In the absence of severe underlying lung disease, patients can safely be discharged if there are no immediate postprocedure complications.
De-novo ‘pure’ partial trisomy (6)(p22.3→pter): a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Sivasankaran Aswini , Murthy Kanakavalli , Oruganti Venkata P. , Deenadayalu Anuradha , R. Samuel Chandra , Kandukuri Lakshmi R.
Published: October 2016

Partial trisomy of the short arm of chromosome 6 is a rare and clinically distinct syndrome. The breakpoints have been found to be variable ranging from bands 6p11 to 6p25. This study reports partial trisomy for 6p22.3→pter in a 2-year-old boy referred with a complaint of developmental delay and facial dysmorphism. Conventional cytogenetic analysis showed the presence of an abnormal chromosome 5 resulting from an unbalanced translocation in the proband. Array comparative genomic hybridization revealed trisomy of distal 6p which was confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization using subtelomeric probes for chromosomes 5 and 6. A comparison of the phenotypic features in similar cases of trisomy for different segments of 6p will facilitate an accurate karyotype–phenotype correlation and, subsequently, in the identification of the candidate genes through molecular characterization of the potential genes mapped to these loci.
Histological features of pituitary adenomas and sellar region masses
Authors: Kleinschmidt-DeMasters Bette K.
Published: October 2016

Purpose of review

Most pituitary region masses are pituitary adenomas; however, when other sellar region masses are encountered by clinicians or pathologists, the differential diagnosis can be broad. This review will focus on updates for pituitary adenomas, as well as briefly discuss some of these other entities: Rathke cleft cyst, hypophysitis, craniopharyngioma, pituicytoma, and spindle cell oncocytoma.

Recent findings

The use of new immunohistochemical (IHC) tools for assessing transcription factors, pituitary transcription factor-1, steroidogenic factor-1, and the not-yet-widely available Tpit IHC have provided insights into origin particularly of clinically silent and even hormone-negative pituitary adenomas. IHC for keratins coupled with use of E-cadherin IHC can serve to easily identify sparsely granulated growth hormone adenomas that behave more aggressively and may not respond well to some therapies. Thyroid transcription factor-1 IHC has shown common embryological lineage of pituicytoma, spindle cell oncocytoma, and granular cell tumor of neurohypophysis.

IHC supplements classification of pituitary adenoma subtypes for clinicians and can confirm diagnosis of nonpituitary adenoma sellar region masses.
The Fetal Care Team
Authors: Loyet Margaret , McLean Amy , Graham Karen , Antoine Cheryl , Fossick Kathy
Published: October 2016

Background:

Women carrying a fetus with a suspected or known fetal anomaly have complex needs such as emotional and informational support and help with the logistical aspects of arranging care and treatment from numerous specialists.

Improvement in Quality of Care for Women Carrying a Fetus with a Suspected or Known Fetal Anomaly:

Our fetal care team was initiated in 2012 to meet the needs of this high-risk pregnant population. The fetal care team nurse coordinator supports the woman and her family through all aspects of care during the pregnancy and neonatal period including scheduling appointments with multiple specialists, being there with her as a support person, keeping her updated, making sure she has accurate information about the fetal diagnosis, and helping her to navigate the complex healthcare system.

Results:

Since the program was started, the number of women enrolled has nearly doubled. Women overwhelmingly are satisfied with the various services and care provided by the nurse coordinators and believe the fetal care team has value for them.

Clinical Implications:

We present the development and operations of our fetal care team with a focus on the role of the fetal care team nurse coordinator.
Use of Treponemal Screening Assay Strength of Signal to Avoid Unnecessary Confirmatory Testing
Authors: Berry Gregory J. , Loeffelholz Michael J.
Published: October 2016

Background

Our reverse syphilis testing algorithm consists of a treponemal IgG multiplex flow immunoassay (MFI) followed by both rapid plasma reagin titer and the Treponema pallidum particle agglutination (TPPA) test on specimens with a reactive MFI result. We report here the impact of a modified reverse algorithm, in which the strength of signal of the MFI is used to avoid unnecessary TPPA testing.

Methods

The Bioplex syphilis IgG MFI was used as the syphilis screening assay, and specimens with equivocal (antibody index 0.9 or 1.0), or reactive (antibody index ≥ 1.1) results were further tested by rapid plasma reagin titer and TPPA test. We performed a retrospective, descriptive analysis of all specimens received for syphilis screening between January and May of 2014. A cost analysis was performed, taking into account labor and reagent expenses.

Results

In our diverse patient population consisting of high-risk incarcerated persons, low-risk obstetrical/gynecological patients and high-risk miscellaneous clinic and inpatients, 430 (65%) of 665 MFI-positive specimens had antibody indices of 8 or greater. Greater than 99% of these specimens were reactive by the TPPA test. Avoiding TPPA testing of specimens with an MFI antibody index ≥8 would save over US $4800 annually in laboratory costs.

Conclusions

The TPPA testing is unnecessary on specimens with MFI antibody indices ≥8. This would substantially reduce the TPPA testing volume and also reduce laboratory expenses.
Genotype-Specific Concordance of Chlamydia trachomatis Genital Infection Within Heterosexual Partnerships
Authors: Schillinger Julia A. , Katz Barry P. , Markowitz Lauri E. , Braslins Phillip G. , Shrier Lydia A. , Madico Guillermo , Van Der Pol Barbara , Orr Donald P. , Rice Peter A. , Batteiger Byron E.
Published: October 2016

Background

Sexual transmission rates of Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) cannot be measured directly; however, the study of concordance of Ct infection in sexual partnerships (dyads) can help to illuminate factors influencing Ct transmission.

Methods

Heterosexual men and women with Ct infection and their sex partners were enrolled and partner-specific coital and behavioral data collected for the prior 30 days. Microbiological data included Ct culture, and nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT), quantitative Ct polymerase chain reaction, and ompA genotyping. We measured Ct concordance in dyads and factors (correlates) associated with concordance.

Results

One hundred twenty-one women and 125 men formed 128 dyads. Overall, 72.9% of male partners of NAAT-positive women and 68.6% of female partners of NAAT-positive men were Ct-infected. Concordance was more common in dyads with culture-positive members (78.6% of male partners, 77% of female partners). Partners of women and men who were NAAT-positive only had lower concordance (33.3%, 46.4%, respectively). Women in concordant dyads had significantly higher median endocervical quantitative Ct polymerase chain reaction values (3,032) compared with CT-infected women in discordant dyads (1013 inclusion forming units DNA equivalents per mL; P < 0.01). Among 54 Ct-concordant dyads with ompA genotype data for both members, 96.2% had identical genotypes.

Conclusions

Higher organism load appears associated with concordance among women. Same-genotype chlamydial concordance was high in sexual partnerships. No behavioral factors were sufficiently discriminating to guide partner services activities. Findings may help model coitus-specific transmission probabilities.
Changes in Urinary Biomarkers Over 10 Years Is Associated With Viral Suppression in a Prospective Cohort of Women Living With HIV
Authors: Baxi Sanjiv M. , Scherzer Rebecca , Jotwani Vasantha , Estrella Michelle M. , Abraham Alison G. , Parikh Chirag R. , Bennett Michael R. , Cohen Mardge H. , Nowicki Marek J. , Gustafson Deborah R. , Sharma Anjali , Young Mary A. , Shlipak Michael G. ,   for the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS)
Published: October 2016

Background:

Urine biomarkers have helped identify persons at risk for progressing to kidney disease in the setting of HIV infection. We explored factors associated with changes in 3 urine biomarkers over 10 years among women living with HIV.

Methods:

Prospective cohort of 294 HIV-infected women from the multicenter Women's Interagency HIV Study. Predictors included HIV viral and immunological parameters, comorbid conditions, and health-related behaviors. Outcomes were patterns of changes of urine interleukin-18 (IL-18), albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), and alpha-1-microglobulin (α1m) over 10 years. We used quantile regression to examine patterns of change in each urine biomarker during follow-up and multivariable analysis of variance regression to identify predictors of biomarker changes.

Results:

Over 10 years, the median concentrations of IL-18 declined from 120 to 64 pg/mL, α1m rose from 0.7 to 1.5 ng/mL, and ACR remained stable (9–8 mg/g). In multivariate analyses, the strongest predictors of increases in IL-18 were higher baseline body mass index, increase in waist circumference, higher follow-up HIV viral load, lower follow-up CD4 cell count, hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection, and higher follow-up high density lipoprotein cholesterol. Predictors of increasing concentration of α1m were lower CD4 cell counts, higher diastolic blood pressure, HCV coinfection, and smoking. Finally, determinants of ACR increases during follow-up were higher follow-up diastolic blood pressure, HCV coinfection, higher follow-up HIV viral load, and triglyceride concentration.

Conclusions:

Over 10 years, HIV disease status had different associations with each urine biomarker under study. Overall, the associations with changes in each biomarker support research into their use for longitudinal monitoring of kidney health.
Association of
FOXD1
variants with adverse pregnancy outcomes in mice and humans
Authors: Laissue Paul , Lakhal Besma , Vatin Magalie , Batista Frank , Burgio Gaëtan , Mercier Eric , Santos Esther Dos , Buffat Christophe , Sierra-Diaz Diana Carolina , Renault Gilles , Montagutelli Xavier , Salmon Jane , Monget Philippe , Veitia Reiner A. , Méhats Céline , Fellous Marc , Gris Jean-Christophe , Cocquet Julie , Vaiman Daniel
Published: October 2016

Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is a common cause of infertility, but previous attempts at identifying RSA causative genes have been relatively unsuccessful. Such failure to describe RSA aetiological genes might be explained by the fact that reproductive phenotypes should be considered as quantitative traits resulting from the intricate interaction of numerous genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors. Here, we studied an interspecific recombinant congenic strain (IRCS) of
Mus musculus
from the C57BL6/J strain of mice harbouring an approximate 5 Mb DNA fragment from chromosome 13 from
Mus spretus
mice (66H-MMU13 strain), with a high rate of embryonic resorption (ER). Transcriptome analyses of endometrial and placental tissues from these mice showed a deregulation of many genes associated with the coagulation and inflammatory response pathways. Bioinformatics approaches led us to select
Foxd1
as a candidate gene potentially related to ER and RSA. Sequencing analysis of
Foxd1
in the 66H-MMU13 strain, and in 556 women affected by RSA and 271 controls revealed non-synonymous sequence variants.
In vitro
assays revealed that some led to perturbations in FOXD1 transactivation properties on promoters of genes having key roles during implantation/placentation, suggesting a role of this gene in mammalian implantation processes.
Analysis ofDrosophila p8andp52mutants reveals distinct roles for the maintenance of TFIIH stability and male germ cell differentiation
Authors: Cruz-Becerra Grisel , Juárez Mandy , Valadez-Graham Viviana , Zurita Mario
Published: October 2016

Eukaryotic gene expression is activated by factors that interact within complex machinery to initiate transcription. An important component of this machinery is the DNA repair/transcription factor TFIIH. Mutations in TFIIH result in three human syndromes: xeroderma pigmentosum, Cockayne syndrome and trichothiodystrophy. Transcription and DNA repair defects have been linked to some clinical features of these syndromes. However, how mutations in TFIIH affect specific developmental programmes, allowing organisms to develop with particular phenotypes, is not well understood. Here, we show that mutations in the p52 and p8 subunits of TFIIH have a moderate effect on the gene expression programme in theDrosophilatestis, causing germ cell differentiation arrest in meiosis, but no Polycomb enrichment at the promoter of the affected differentiation genes, supporting recent data that disagree with the current Polycomb-mediated repression model for regulating gene expression in the testis. Moreover, we found that TFIIH stability is not compromised in p8 subunit-depleted testes that show transcriptional defects, highlighting the role of p8 in transcription. Therefore, this study reveals how defects in TFIIH affect a specific cell differentiation programme and contributes to understanding the specific syndrome manifestations in TFIIH-afflicted patients.
Interplay between RNA interference and heat shock response systems in
Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Funikov S. Yu , Ryazansky S. S. , Kanapin A. A. , Logacheva M. D. , Penin A. A. , Snezhkina A. V. , Shilova V. Yu. , Garbuz D. G. , Evgen'ev M. B. , Zatsepina O. G.
Published: October 2016

The genome expression pattern is strongly modified during the heat shock response (HSR) to form an adaptive state. This may be partly achieved by modulating microRNA levels that control the expression of a great number of genes that are embedded within the gene circuitry. Here, we investigated the cross-talk between two highly conserved and universal house-keeping systems, the HSR and microRNA machinery, in
Drosophila melanogaster
. We demonstrated that pronounced interstrain differences in the microRNA levels are alleviated after heat shock (HS) to form a uniform microRNA pattern. However, individual strains exhibit different patterns of microRNA expression during the course of recovery. Importantly, HS-regulated microRNAs may target functionally similar HS-responsive genes involved in the HSR. Despite the observed general downregulation of primary microRNA precursor expression as well as core microRNA pathway genes after HS, the levels of many mature microRNAs are upregulated. This indicates that the regulation of miRNA expression after HS occurs at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. It was also shown that deletion of all
hsp70
genes had no significant effect on microRNA biogenesis but might influence the dynamics of microRNA expression during the HSR.
No evidence that a range of artificial monitoring cues influence online donations to charity in an MTurk sample
Authors: Saunders Timothy J. , Taylor Alex H. , Atkinson Quentin D.
Published: October 2016

Monitoring cues, such as an image of a face or pair of eyes, have been found to increase prosocial behaviour in several studies. However, other studies have found little or no support for this effect. Here, we examined whether monitoring cues affect online donations to charity while manipulating the emotion displayed, the number of watchers and the cue type. We also include as statistical controls a range of likely covariates of prosocial behaviour. Using the crowdsourcing Internet marketplace, Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk), 1535 participants completed our survey and were given the opportunity to donate to charity while being shown an image prime. None of the monitoring primes we tested had a significant effect on charitable giving. By contrast, the control variables of culture, age, sex and previous charity giving frequency did predict donations. This work supports the importance of cultural differences and enduring individual differences in prosocial behaviour and shows that a range of artificial monitoring cues do not reliably boost online charity donation on MTurk.
Two species of Southeast Asian cats in the genus
Catopuma
with diverging histories: an island endemic forest specialist and a widespread habitat generalist
Authors: Patel Riddhi P. , Förster Daniel W. , Kitchener Andrew C. , Rayan Mark D. , Mohamed Shariff W. , Werner Laura , Lenz Dorina , Pfestorf Hans , Kramer-Schadt Stephanie , Radchuk Viktoriia , Fickel Jörns , Wilting Andreas
Published: October 2016

Background.
The bay cat
Catopuma badia
is endemic to Borneo, whereas its sister species the Asian golden cat
Catopuma temminckii
is distributed from the Himalayas and southern China through Indochina, Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra. Based on morphological data, up to five subspecies of the Asian golden cat have been recognized, but a taxonomic assessment, including molecular data and morphological characters, is still lacking.
Results.
We combined molecular data (whole mitochondrial genomes), morphological data (pelage) and species distribution projections (up to the Late Pleistocene) to infer how environmental changes may have influenced the distribution of these sister species over the past 120 000 years. The molecular analysis was based on sequenced mitogenomes of 3 bay cats and 40 Asian golden cats derived mainly from archival samples. Our molecular data suggested a time of split between the two species approximately 3.16 Ma and revealed very low nucleotide diversity within the Asian golden cat population, which supports recent expansion of the population.
Discussion.
The low nucleotide diversity suggested a population bottleneck in the Asian golden cat, possibly caused by the eruption of the Toba volcano in Northern Sumatra (approx. 74 kya), followed by a continuous population expansion in the Late Pleistocene/Early Holocene. Species distribution projections, the reconstruction of the demographic history, a genetic isolation-by-distance pattern and a gradual variation of pelage pattern support the hypothesis of a post-Toba population expansion of the Asian golden cat from south China/Indochina to Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra. Our findings reject the current classification of five subspecies for the Asian golden cat, but instead support either a monotypic species or one comprising two subspecies: (i) the Sunda golden cat, distributed south of the Isthmus of Kra:
C. t. temminckii
and (ii) Indochinese, Indian, Himalayan and Chinese golden cats, occurring north of the Isthmus:
C. t. moormensis
.
Rodents: food or pests in Neolithic Orkney
Authors: Romaniuk Andrzej A. , Shepherd Alexandra N. , Clarke David V. , Sheridan Alison J. , Fraser Sheena , Bartosiewicz László , Herman Jeremy S.
Published: October 2016

Rodents have important effects on contemporary human societies, sometimes providing a source of food but more often as agricultural pests, or as vectors and reservoirs of disease. Skeletal remains of rodents are commonly found in archaeological assemblages from around the world, highlighting their potential importance to ancient human populations. However, there are few studies of the interactions between people and rodents at such sites and most of these are confined to locations where rodents have formed a part of the recent diet. Here we compare the accumulation pattern of rodent remains from four locations within and adjacent to the renowned Neolithic site of Skara Brae, Orkney, showing that those within the settlement itself were the result of deliberate human activity. The accumulation and nature of burnt bones, incorporated over an extended period within deposits of household waste, indicate that rodents were used as a nutritional resource and may have been the subject of early pest control. We, therefore, provide the first evidence for the exploitation or control of rodents by the Neolithic inhabitants of Europe.
A viscoelastic–stochastic model of the effects of cytoskeleton remodelling on cell adhesion
Authors: Li Long , Zhang Wenyan , Wang Jizeng
Published: October 2016

Cells can adapt their mechanical properties through cytoskeleton remodelling in response to external stimuli when the cells adhere to the extracellular matrix (ECM). Many studies have investigated the effects of cell and ECM elasticity on cell adhesion. However, experiments determined that cells are viscoelastic and exhibiting stress relaxation, and the mechanism behind the effect of cellular viscoelasticity on the cell adhesion behaviour remains unclear. Therefore, we propose a theoretical model of a cluster of ligand–receptor bonds between two dissimilar viscoelastic media subjected to an applied tensile load. In this model, the distribution of interfacial traction is assumed to follow classical continuum viscoelastic equations, whereas the rupture and rebinding of individual molecular bonds are governed by stochastic equations. On the basis of this model, we determined that viscosity can significantly increase the lifetime, stability and dynamic strength of the adhesion cluster of molecular bonds, because deformation relaxation attributed to the viscoelastic property can increase the rebinding probability of each open bond and reduce the stress concentration in the adhesion area.
Cultural turnover among Galápagos sperm whales
Authors: Cantor Mauricio , Whitehead Hal , Gero Shane , Rendell Luke
Published: October 2016

While populations may wax and wane, it is rare for an entire population to be replaced by a completely different set of individuals. We document the large-scale relocation of cultural groups of sperm whale off the Galápagos Islands, in which two sympatric vocal clans were entirely replaced by two different ones. Between 1985 and 1999, whales from two clans (called
Regular
and
Plus-One
) defined by cultural dialects in coda vocalizations were repeatedly photo-identified off Galápagos. Their occurrence in the area declined through the 1990s; by 2000, none remained. We reassessed Galápagos sperm whales in 2013–2014, identifying 463 new females. However, re-sighting rates were low, with no matches with the Galápagos 1985–1999 population, suggesting an eastward shift to coastal areas. Their vocal repertoires matched those of two other clans (called
Short
and
Four-Plus
) found across the Pacific but previously rare or absent around Galápagos. The mechanisms behind this cultural turnover may include large-scale environmental regime shifts favouring clan-specific foraging strategies, and a response to heavy whaling in the region involving redistribution of surviving whales into high-quality habitats. The fall and rise of sperm whale cultures off Galápagos reflect the structuring of the Pacific population into large, enduring clans with dynamic ranges. Long-lasting clan membership illustrates how culture can be bound up in the structure and dynamics of animal populations and so how tracking cultural traits can reveal large-scale population shifts.