bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic value of high-sensitivity troponin T levels in patients with ventricular arrhythmias and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: data from the prospective FINNRESUSCI study
Authors: Røsjø Helge , Vaahersalo Jukka , Hagve Tor-Arne , Pettilä Ville , Kurola Jouni , Omland Torbjørn
Published: November 2014

Introduction

Myocardial dysfunction is common after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT) levels may provide incremental prognostic information to established risk indices.

Methods

A total of 155 patients with OHCA and a shockable rhythm (98% ventricular fibrillation; OHCA-VF/VT) had blood samples drawn within six hours of admission. Blood samples were also available after 24 hours, 48 hours, and 96 hours in subsets of patients. The endpoints of the study were hospital mortality and neurological status and mortality after one year.

Results

Admission hs-TnT levels were higher than the 99-percentile of the general population (14 ng/L) in all patients (range 18 to 17837 ng/L). Admission hs-TnT levels were associated with acute coronary artery occlusion, time to return of spontaneous circulation, heart failure, and renal function. Admission hs-TnT levels were higher in one-year non-survivors compared to survivors (median 747 (quartile 1 to 3, 206 to 1061) ng/L versus 345 (184 to 740) ng/L, P =0.023) and in patients with a poor versus a favorable neurological outcome (739 (191 to 1061) ng/L versus 334 (195 to 716) ng/L, P =0.028). However, hs-TnT measurements did not add prognostic information to established risk variables in multivariate analyses. hs-TnT levels measured during the hospitalization for OHCA-VF/VT correlated closely with admission levels (r ≥0.63) and were inferior to Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPS II) scores for the prediction of events during follow-up. hs-TnT dynamics did not discriminate between survivors and non-survivors or between a poor versus a favorable neurological outcome.

Conclusion

hs-TnT levels are elevated in critically ill patients with OHCA-VF/VT, but do not improve risk prediction.
Whole genome de novo assemblies of three divergent strains of rice, Oryza sativa, document novel gene space of aus and indica
Authors: Schatz Michael C , Maron Lyza G , Stein Joshua C , Wences Alejandro Hernandez , Gurtowski James , Biggers Eric , Lee Hayan , Kramer Melissa , Antoniou Eric , Ghiban Elena , Wright Mark H , Chia Jer-ming , Ware Doreen , McCouch Susan R , McCombie W Richard
Published: November 2014

Background

The use of high throughput genome-sequencing technologies has uncovered a large extent of structural variation in eukaryotic genomes that makes important contributions to genomic diversity and phenotypic variation. When the genomes of different strains of a given organism are compared, whole genome resequencing data are typically aligned to an established reference sequence. However, when the reference differs in significant structural ways from the individuals under study, the analysis is often incomplete or inaccurate.

Results

Here, we use rice as a model to demonstrate how improvements in sequencing and assembly technology allow rapid and inexpensive de novo assembly of next generation sequence data into high-quality assemblies that can be directly compared using whole genome alignment to provide an unbiased assessment. Using this approach, we are able to accurately assess the ‘pan-genome’ of three divergent rice varieties and document several megabases of each genome absent in the other two.

Conclusions

Many of the genome-specific loci are annotated to contain genes, reflecting the potential for new biological properties that would be missed by standard reference-mapping approaches. We further provide a detailed analysis of several loci associated with agriculturally important traits, including the S5 hybrid sterility locus, the Sub1 submergence tolerance locus, the LRK gene cluster associated with improved yield, and the Pup1 cluster associated with phosphorus deficiency, illustrating the utility of our approach for biological discovery. All of the data and software are openly available to support further breeding and functional studies of rice and other species.
Antimicrobial activities of silver nanoparticles synthesized from Lycopersicon esculentum extract
Authors: Maiti Swarnali , Krishnan Deepak , Barman Gadadhar , Ghosh Sudip Kumar , Laha Jayasree Konar
Published: November 2014

Background

It has been known for quite some time now that silver nanoparticles (AgNP) can inhibit microbial growth and even kill microbes. Our investigation reports the antimicrobial activity of AgNP against a model bacterium, Escherichia coli.

Methods

The aqueous extract of Lycopersicon esculentum (red tomato) was used for the rapid synthesis of AgNP, which is very simple and eco-friendly in nature. The UV-visible spectroscopy technique was employed to establish the formation of AgNP.

Results

The transmission electron microscopic images showed that the particles were of mostly spherical shape. For the bacteriological tests, the microorganism E. coli was inoculated on Luria broth (LB) agar plate in the presence of varied amounts of AgNP. The antibacterial activity was obvious from the zone of inhibition. At concentration 20 μg/ml and above, the AgNP showed a clear zone of inhibition and the minimum inhibitory concentration of AgNP to E. coli was 50 μg/ml. Growth rates and bacterial concentrations were determined by measuring optical density at 600 nm at different time points.

Conclusions

From the slope of the bacterial growth curve, it has been concluded that the nanoparticles are bacteriostatic at low concentration and bactericidal at high concentration. So these nanoparticles are believed to act as preventive for bacterial contamination.
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus persistence promotes effector-like memory differentiation and enhances mucosal T cell distribution
Authors: Beura Lalit K , Anderson Kristin G , Schenkel Jason M , Locquiao Jeremiah J , Fraser Kathryn A , Vezys Vaiva , Pepper Marion , Masopust David
Published: November 2014

Vaccines are desired that maintain abundant memory T cells at nonlymphoid sites of microbial exposure, where they may be anatomically positioned for immediate pathogen interception. Here, we test the impact of antigen persistence on mouse CD8 and CD4 T cell distribution and differentiation by comparing responses to infections with different strains of LCMV that cause either acute or chronic infections. We used in vivo labeling techniques that discriminate between T cells present within tissues and abundant populations that fail to be removed from vascular compartments, despite perfusion. LCMV persistence caused up to ∼30-fold more virus-specific CD8 T cells to distribute to the lung compared with acute infection. Persistent infection also maintained mucosal-homing α4β7 integrin expression, higher granzyme B expression, alterations in the expression of the TRM markers CD69 and CD103, and greater accumulation of virus-specific CD8 T cells in the large intestine, liver, kidney, and female reproductive tract. Persistent infection also increased LCMV-specific CD4 T cell quantity in mucosal tissues and induced maintenance of CXCR4, an HIV coreceptor. This study clarifies the relationship between viral persistence and CD4 and CD8 T cell distribution and mucosal phenotype, indicating that chronic LCMV infection magnifies T cell migration to nonlymphoid tissues.
Intergenerational transmission of psychopathy and mediation via
psychosocial risk factors
Authors: Auty Katherine M. , Farrington David P. , Coid Jeremy W.
Published: November 2014

Background

Intergenerational continuities in criminal behaviour have been well
documented, but the familial nature of psychopathic personality is less
well understood.

Aims

To establish if there is an association between the psychopathic traits
of a community sample of men and their offspring and whether psychosocial
risk factors mediate this.

Method

Participants of the Cambridge Study in Delinquent Development
(n = 478 dyads) were assessed for psychopathy using
the PCL: SV. Multilevel regression models were used to investigate
intergenerational continuity and mediation models examined indirect
effects.

Results

The fathers' psychopathy was transmitted to both sons and daughters. The
transmission of Factor 1 scores was mediated via the fathers' employment
problems. For male offspring, the Factor 2 scores were mediated via the
fathers' drug use, accommodation and employment problems. For female
offspring, Factor 2 scores were mediated via the fathers' employment
problems.

Conclusions

Understanding of the specific role of certain psychosocial risk factors
may be useful in developing preventive measures for the development of
psychopathy.
Spectrum-Compatible Earthquake Records and Their Influence on the Seismic Response of Reinforced Concrete Structures
Authors: Gascot Ramon L. , Montejo Luis A.
Published: November 2014

Three different methodologies for the generation of spectrum-compatible records are evaluated: wavelet-based modification of seed records, seed record adjustment based on the continuous wavelet transform, and synthetic record generation in the frequency domain. It was found that the three methodologies are capable of generating compatible records with an acceptable level of match. However, the records generated using the frequency domain approach exhibit unrealistic strong motion characteristics and a tendency to induce less inelastic demand in the structures. In the case of methodologies based on modification of actual earthquake records, it was found that when the seed records are selected based on their initial compatibility with the target spectrum, the resultant compatible records not only better retain the original characteristic of the records but the variability in the structural response is reduced.
Genetic Analysis of Zebrafish Gonadotropin (FSH and LH) Functions by TALEN-Mediated Gene Disruption
Authors: Zhang Zhiwei , Zhu Bo , Ge Wei
Published: November 2014

Vertebrate reproduction is controlled by two gonadotropins (FSH and LH) from the pituitary. Despite numerous studies on FSH and LH in fish species, their functions in reproduction still remain poorly defined. This is partly due to the lack of powerful genetic approaches for functional studies in adult fish. This situation is now changing with the emergence of genome-editing technologies, especially Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nuclease (TALEN) and Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR). In this study, we deleted the hormone-specific β-genes of both FSH and LH in the zebrafish using TALEN. This was followed by a phenotype analysis for key reproductive events, including gonadal differentiation, puberty onset, gametogenesis, final maturation, and fertility. FSH-deficient zebrafish (fshb−/−) were surprisingly fertile in both sexes; however, the development of both the ovary and testis was significantly delayed. In contrast, LH-deficient zebrafish (lhb−/−) showed normal gonadal growth, but the females failed to spawn and were therefore infertile. Using previtellogenic follicles as the marker, we observed a significant delay of puberty onset in the fshb mutant but not the lhb mutant females. Interestingly, FSH seemed to play a role in maintaining the female status because we repeatedly observed sexual reversal in the fshb mutant. Neither the fshb nor lhb mutation alone seemed to affect gonadal differentiation; however, the double mutation of the two genes led to all males, although the development of the testis was significantly delayed. In summary, our data confirmed some well-known functions of FSH and LH in fish while also providing evidence for novel functions, which would be difficult to reveal using traditional biochemical and physiological approaches.
ATRX is required for maintenance of the neuroprogenitor cell pool in the embryonic mouse brain
Authors: Ritchie Kieran , Watson L. Ashley , Davidson Benjamin , Jiang Yan , Bérubé Nathalie G.
Published: November 2014

Mutations in the alpha-thalassemia mental retardation X-linked (ATRX) gene cause a spectrum of abnormalities including intellectual disability, developmental delay, seizures, and microcephaly. The ATRX protein is highly enriched at heterochromatic repetitive sequences adjacent to the centromere, and ATRX depletion results in chromosome congression, segregation, and cohesion defects. Here, we show that Cre-mediated inactivation of Atrx in the embryonic mouse (Mus musculus) brain results in expansion of cerebral cortical layer VI, and a concurrent thinning of layers II–IV. We observed increased cell cycle exit during early-mid neurogenesis, and a depletion of apical progenitors by late neurogenesis in the Atrx-null neocortex, explaining the disproportionate layering. Premature differentiation was associated with an increased generation of outer radial glia (oRG) and TBR2-expressing basal progenitors, as well as increased generation of early-born post-mitotic projection neurons. Atrx deletion also reduced the fidelity of mitotic spindle orientation in apical progenitors, where mutant cells were often oriented at non-parallel angles of division relative to the ventricular surface. We conclude that ATRX is required for correct lamination of the mouse neocortex by regulating the timing of neuroprogenitor cell differentiation.
CX3CL1, a chemokine finely tuned to adhesion: critical roles of the stalk glycosylation and the membrane domain
Authors: Ostuni Mariano A. , Guellec Julie , Hermand Patricia , Durand Pauline , Combadière Christophe , Pincet Frédéric , Deterre Philippe
Published: November 2014

The multi-domain CX3CL1 transmembrane chemokine triggers leukocyte adherence without rolling and migration by presenting its chemokine domain (CD) to its receptor CX3CR1. Through the combination of functional adhesion assays with structural analysis using FRAP, we investigated the functional role of the other domains of CX3CL1, i.e., its mucin stalk, transmembrane domain, and cytosolic domain. Our results indicate that the CX3CL1 molecular structure is finely adapted to capture CX3CR1 in circulating cells and that each domain has a specific purpose: the mucin stalk is stiffened by its high glycosylation to present the CD away from the membrane, the transmembrane domain generates the permanent aggregation of an adequate amount of monomers to guarantee adhesion and prevent rolling, and the cytosolic domain ensures adhesive robustness by interacting with the cytoskeleton. We propose a model in which quasi-immobile CX3CL1 bundles are organized to quickly generate adhesive patches with sufficiently high strength to capture CX3CR1+ leukocytes but with sufficiently low strength to allow their patrolling behavior.
Cadherin controls nectin recruitment into adherens junctions by remodeling the actin cytoskeleton
Authors: Troyanovsky Regina B. , Indra Indrajyoti , Chen Chi-Shuo , Hong Soonjin , Troyanovsky Sergey M.
Published: November 2014

The mechanism that coordinates different adhesion receptors is poorly understood. We investigated this mechanism by focusing on the nectin-2 and E-cadherin adherens junction receptors. Cadherin is not required for the basic process of nectin junction formation since nectin-2 forms junctions in cadherin-deficient A431D cells. Formation of nectin junctions in these cells, however, becomes regulated by cadherin as soon as E-cadherin is reconstituted. E-cadherin recruits nectin-2 into adherens junctions, where both proteins form distinct but tightly associated clusters. Live-cell imaging showed that the appearance of cadherin clusters often precedes that of nectin clusters at sites of junction assembly. Inactivation of cadherin clustering by different strategies concomitantly suppresses the formation of nectin clusters. Furthermore, cadherin significantly increases the stability of nectin clusters, thereby making them resistant to the BC-12 antibody, which targets the nectin-2 adhesion interface. By testing different cadherin-α-catenin chimeras, we showed that the recruitment of nectin into chimera junctions is mediated by the actin-binding domain of α-catenin. Our data suggests that cadherin regulates-assembly of nectin junctions through α-catenin-induced remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton around the cadherin clusters.
Chromosome congression is promoted by CENP-Q- and CENP-E-dependent pathways
Authors: Bancroft James , Auckland Philip , Samora Catarina P. , McAinsh Andrew D.
Published: November 2014

A key step of mitosis is the congression of chromosomes to the spindle equator. Congression is driven by at least two distinct mechanisms: (1) kinetochores slide along the microtubule lattice using the plus-end directed CENP-E motor, and (2) kinetochores biorientating near the pole move to the equator through microtubule depolymerisation-coupled pulling. Here, we show that CENP-Q - a subunit of the CENP-O/P/Q/U complex that targets polo-like kinase (Plk1) to kinetochores - is also required for the recruitment of CENP-E to kinetochores. We further reveal a CENP-E recruitment-independent role for CENP-Q in depolymerisation-coupled pulling. Both these functions are abolished by a single point mutation in CENP-Q (S50A) – a residue that is phosphorylated in vivo. Importantly, the S50A mutant does not affect Plk1 loading onto kinetochores and leaves the CENP-O complex intact. Thus, the function of CENP-Q in CENP-E loading and depolymerisation-coupled pulling are independent from its role in Plk1 recruitment and CENP-O/P/Q/U complex stabilization. Together, our data provide evidence that phospho-regulation of CENP-Q plays a central function in coordinating chromosome congression mechanisms.
Anaemia only causes a small reduction in the upper critical temperature of sea bass: is oxygen delivery the limiting factor for tolerance of acute warming in fishes?
Authors: Wang Tobias , Lefevre Sjannie , Iversen Nina K. , Findorf Inge , Buchanan Rasmus , McKenzie David J.
Published: November 2014

To address how capacity for oxygen transport influences tolerance of acute warming in fishes, we investigated whether a reduction in haematocrit, by means of intra-peritoneal injection of the haemolytic agent phenylhydrazine, lowered upper critical temperature of sea bass. A reduction in haematocrit from 42±2 to 20±3% (mean ± s.e.m.) caused a significant but minor reduction in upper critical temperature, from 35.8 ± 0.1 to 35.1±0.2°C, with no correlation between individual values for haematocrit and upper thermal limit. Anaemia did not influence the rise in oxygen uptake between 25 and 33°C, because the anaemic fish were able to compensate for reduced blood oxygen carrying capacity with a significant increase in cardiac output. Therefore, in sea bass the upper critical temperature, at which they lost equilibrium, was not determined by an inability of the cardio-respiratory system to meet the thermal acceleration of metabolic demands.
Air breathing in the Arctic: influence of temperature, hypoxia, activity and restricted air access on respiratory physiology of Alaska blackfish (Dallia pectoralis)
Authors: Lefevre Sjannie , Damsgaard Christian , Nilsson Göran E. , Pascale Desirae R. , Stecyk Jonathan A. W.
Published: November 2014

The Alaska blackfish (Dallia pectoralis) is an air-breathing fish native to Alaska and the Bering Sea islands, where it inhabits lakes that are ice-covered in the winter, but enters warm and hypoxic waters in the summer to forage and reproduce. To understand this species’ respiratory physiology under these conditions, and the selective pressures that maintain the ability to breathe air, we acclimated fish to 5°C and 15°C and used respirometry to measure: standard oxygen uptake (SṀO2) in normoxia (19.8 kPa PO2) and hypoxia (2.5 kPa), with and without access to air, partitioning of SṀO2 in normoxia and hypoxia, maximum ṀO2 and partitioning after exercise, and critical oxygen tension (Pcrit). Additionally, the effects of temperature acclimation on haematocrit, haemoglobin oxygen affinity and gill morphology were assessed. SṀO2 was higher, but air breathing was not increased, at 15°C or after exercise at any temperature. Both 5°C- and 15°C-acclimated fish increased air breathing to compensate and fully maintain SṀO2 in hypoxia. Fish were able to maintain SṀO2 through aquatic respiration when air was denied in normoxia, but when air was denied in hypoxia SṀO2 was reduced by approximately 30-50%. Pcrit was relatively high (5 kPa) and there were no differences in Pcrit, gill morphology, haematocrit or haemoglobin oxygen affinity between temperatures. Overall, Alaska blackfish depends on air breathing in hypoxia, and additional mechanisms must thus be utilised to survive hypoxic submergence during the winter, such as hypoxia-induced enhancements in blood oxygen carrying capacity and binding, behavioural hypoxia avoidance and metabolic rate suppression.
Metabolism and water loss rate of the haematophagous insect,Rhodnius prolixus: effect of starvation and temperature
Authors: Rolandi Carmen , Iglesias Mónica S. , Schilman Pablo E.
Published: November 2014

Haematophagous insects suffer big changes in water needs under different levels of starvation. Rhodnius prolixus is the most important haematophagous vector of Chagas disease in the north of South America and a model organism in insect physiology. Although, there are some studies on patterns of gas exchange and metabolic rates, there is little information regarding water loss in R. prolixus. We investigated if there is any modulation of water loss and metabolic rates under different requirements for saving water. We measured simultaneously CO2 production, water emission and activity on individual insects in real time by open-flow respirometry at different temperatures (15, 25 and 35°C) and post-feeding days (0, 5, 13 and 29). We found: 1) a clear drop in the metabolic rate between 5-13 days after feeding that cannot be explained by activity and 2) a decrease in water loss rate with increasing starvation level, by a decrease in cuticular water loss during the first 5 days after feeding and a drop in the respiratory component thereafter. We calculated the surface area of the insects and estimated cuticular permeability. In addition, we analyzed the pattern of gas exchange; change of cyclic to continuous pattern was affected by temperature and activity, but it was not affected by the level of starvation. Modulation of metabolic and water loss rates with temperature and starvation could help R. prolixus to be more flexible in tolerating different periods of starvation, which is adaptive in a changing environment with the uncertainty of finding a suitable host.
Total body water and water turnover rates in the estuarine diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) during the transition from dormancy to activity
Authors: Harden Leigh Anne , Duernberger Kimberley Anne , Jones T. Todd , Williard Amanda Southwood
Published: November 2014

Water and salt concentrations in an animal’s body fluids can fluctuate with changing environmental conditions, posing osmoregulatory challenges that require behavioral and physiological adjustments. The purpose of this study was to investigate body water dynamics in the estuarine diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin), a species that undergoes seasonal dormancy in salt marsh habitats. We conducted a field study to determine the total body water (TBW%), water turnover rate (WTR), and daily water flux (DWF) of female terrapins in southeastern North Carolina pre- and post-emergence from winter dormancy. Terrapins were injected with [2H]deuterium on two occasions and washout of the isotope was monitored by taking successive blood samples during the period of transition from dormancy to activity. The WTR and DWF of ‘dormant’ terrapins were significantly lower than those of ‘active’ terrapins (WTR’dormant’= 49.70 ± 15.94 ml day-1, WTR’active’ = 100.20 ± 20.36 ml day-1, DWF’dormant’= 10.52 ± 2.92 %TBW day-1, DWF’active’ = 21.84 ± 7.30 %TBW day-1). There was no significant difference in TBW% between ‘dormant’ and ‘active’ terrapins (75.05 ± 6.19% and 74.54 ± 4.36%, respectively). Results from this field study provides insight into the terrapin’s ability to maintain osmotic homeostasis while experiencing shifts in behavioral and environmental conditions.
Buzzing during biosonar-based interception of prey in the delphinids Tursiops truncatus and Pseudorca crassidens
Authors: Wisniewska Danuta M. , Johnson Mark , Nachtigall Paul E. , Madsen Peter T.
Published: November 2014

Echolocating bats and toothed whales probe their environment with ultrasonic sound pulses, using returning echoes to navigate and find prey in a process that appears to have resulted from a remarkable convergence of the two taxa. Here we report the first detailed quantification of echolocation behaviour during prey capture in the most studied delphinid species, a false killer whale and a bottlenose dolphin. Using acoustic DTAGs, we demonstrate that just prior to prey interception these delphinids change their acoustic gaze dramatically by reducing inter-click intervals and outputs >10-fold in a high-repetition-rate, low output buzz. Buzz click rates of 250-500 Hz for large, but agile animals, suggest that sampling rates during capture are scaled with the whales’ manoeuvrability. These observations support the growing notion that fast sonar sampling accompanied by low output level is critical for high-rate feedback to inform motor patterns during prey interception in all echolocating toothed whales.
Letter: Thermal Decomposition of Methyltrichlorosilane, Dimethyldichlorosilane and Methyldichlorosilane by Flash Pyrolysis Vacuum Ultraviolet Photoionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Lemieux Jessy M. , Zhang Jingsong
Published: November 2014

The thermal decompositions of methyltrichlorosilane (MTS) (CH3SiCl3), dimethyldichlorosilane (Si(CH3)2Cl2), and methyldichlorosilane (SiHCH3Cl2) were studied at temperatures from ∼1000 K to 1500 K on a short timescale of 20 μs to 100 μs using flash pyrolysis vacuum ultraviolet single-photon ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The pyrolysis of MTS proceeds primarily via Si–C bond homolysis to form the SiCl3 and methyl radicals. At elevated temperatures, SiCl2 production from secondary decomposition of SiCl3 becomes more important, and other pyrolysis pathways of MTS, including C–H bond fission and HCl elimination make minor contributions. The pyrolysis of Si(CH3)2Cl2 occurs mainly by the sequential loss of methyl radicals, ultimately forming a significant amount of SiCl2. Si(CH3)2Cl2 also has two minor decomposition channels at higher temperatures, molecular elimination of CH4 to form SiCH2Cl2 and of CH3Cl to form SiCH3Cl. The pyrolysis of SiHCH3Cl2 mainly undergoes sequential CH3 and H loss and/or molecular elimination of CH4 to form SiCl2, while molecular elimination of HCl to form SiCH3Cl also contributes. SiCl2 is produced in significant concentrations in the pyrolysis of all three molecules, suggesting that it is an important intermediate in SiC chemical vapor deposition from chloroorganosilanes.
Software Tools of the Computis European Project to Process Mass Spectrometry Images
Authors: Robbe Marie-France , Both Jean-Pierre , Prideaux Brendan , Klinkert Ivo , Picaud Vincent , Schramm Thorsten , Hester Alfons , Guevara Victor , Stoeckli Markus , Roempp Andreas , Heeren Ron M.A. , Spengler Bernhard , Gal Olivier , Haan Serge
Published: November 2014

Among the needs usually expressed by teams using mass spectrometry imaging, one that often arises is that for user-friendly software able to manage huge data volumes quickly and to provide efficient assistance for the interpretation of data. To answer this need, the Computis European project developed several complementary software tools to process mass spectrometry imaging data. Data Cube Explorer provides a simple spatial and spectral exploration for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation–time of flight (MALDI-ToF) and time of flight–secondary-ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) data. SpectViewer offers visualisation functions, assistance to the interpretation of data, classification functionalities, peak list extraction to interrogate biological database and image overlay, and it can process data issued from MALDI-ToF, ToF-SIMS and desorption electrospray ionisation (DESI) equipment. EasyReg2D is able to register two images, in American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) format, issued from different technologies. The collaboration between the teams was hampered by the multiplicity of equipment and data formats, so the project also developed a common data format (imzML) to facilitate the exchange of experimental data and their interpretation by the different software tools. The BioMap platform for visualisation and exploration of MALDI-ToF and DESI images was adapted to parse imzML files, enabling its access to all project partners and, more globally, to a larger community of users. Considering the huge advantages brought by the imzML standard format, a specific editor (vBrowser) for imzML files and converters from proprietary formats to imzML were developed to enable the use of the imzML format by a broad scientific community. This initiative paves the way toward the development of a large panel of software tools able to process mass spectrometry imaging datasets in the future.
Seasonal influenza: Controversies, conumdrums and consensus
Authors: Greener Mark
Published: November 2014

Even during non-pandemic years, influenza infects 18% of unvaccinated people. Most recover after a few days’ rest. However, deaths from complications caused by seasonal flu range from about 600 to around 13 000 during an epidemic.

Patients are usually infectious for about 6 or 7 days, beginning a day or so before symptoms emerge. School nurses should suggest that otherwise healthy children and members of staff should rest at home until they are non-longer infectious and feel better. During this time, they should keep warm and drink plenty of water. Children or adults with comorbidities should see their doctor, who might suggest antivirals. Ironically, routinely suggesting antipyretics might encourage flu's spread.

School nurses could educate children and staff about good hygiene and establish policies that limit transmission. Currently, many people who would benefit from vaccination are not immunised. So, school nurses can stress the importance of vaccination to appropriate adults (including teachers and other staff) and children. However, it is too early to ascertain the uptake and effectiveness of the childhood vaccine programme. While controversy surrounds some elements of management—especially neuraminidase inhibitors—vaccination and good hygiene remain the foundations of management for this perennial problem.
‘Winter vomiting bug’: Limiting norovirus outbreaks in schools
Authors: Lepkowska Dorothy
Published: November 2014

Dorothy Lepkowska looks at the impact norovirus outbreaks can have in schools and the importance of good hygiene and infection control to try and limit its spread.
Work-based learning: From a niggle to a scholarship
Authors: Menzies Alison
Published: November 2014

In her regular column, Alison Menzies shares her experiences as a research scholarship holder and on the development of a an app aimed at young offenders.
Fund offers £2m to support projects tackling LGBT bullying
Authors: Henshaw Pete
Published: November 2014

The government investment comes as new research identifies some of the successful strategies already being used in schools to prevent and tackle homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying. Pete Henshaw takes a look at the findings.
Anti-inflammatories in cattle medicine
Authors: Orr Jayne , Geraghty Timothy , Ellis Kathryn
Published: November 2014

Steroid and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) products are widely used in production animal practice. The history and mechanism of action of these anti-inflammatory drugs are briefly presented. In the UK, dexamethasone is licensed broadly for reduction of inflammation, whereas NSAIDs carry narrow, specific indications for conditions including bovine respiratory disease, lameness and mastitis. The evidence base for selection between steroid and NSAID in these cases, and selected off-label conditions, is discussed. Both groups of anti-inflammatory carry risks of side effects and these are also briefly reviewed. There are limited situations where published evidence would support the use of steroids as the preferred product, when only anti-inflammatory action is being considered.
Improving reproductive outcomes in the modern dairy cow — getting it right part 2
Authors: Whitfield Lisa
Published: November 2014

Introduction:

In continuing the discussion on how to improve reproduction outcomes in the modern dairy cow, which occurred at the Ceva reprodAction BRED Workshop presented by R Pursley, P Fricke and A Valenza in May 2014, we will now look at some of the synchrony programmes currently being applied in practice.
Sarcocystosis in sheep
Authors: Scott Phil
Published: November 2014

Most Sarcocystis spp. infestations are asymptomatic and the cysts in various muscles are only discovered at slaughter. Sheep of all ages may be affected by sarcocysts but neurological signs originating from spinal cord disease are believed to be the most common disease presentation and are reported in 6 to 12-month-old lambs. These clinical signs are easily mistaken for vertebral empyema, therefore the prevalence of neurological disease caused by Sarcocystis spp. in the UK is probably under estimated. Lesions involving the brain result in a range of clinical signs from reduced mentation to hyperexcitability and seizure activity. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection and analysis may prove the most useful ancillary test in establishing a likely diagnosis in practice, with an increased lumbar CSF white cell count and elevated eosinophil percentage being consistent with parasitic infestation.
Cohort and generation: concepts in studies of social change from a lifecourse perspective
Authors: Nilsen Ann
Published: November 2014

‘Generation’ and ‘cohort’ are concepts associated with lifecourse and biographical research and are often used interchangeably in studies of social change. Based on the origins of the concepts, this paper draws a distinction between them that can be helpful in discussions about important questions in contemporary society. Empirical examples demonstrate how the concepts are used in research and set these in the context of the history of this particular sociological tradition.
Politicizing hospitality: The emergency food assistance landscape in Thessaloniki
Authors: Kravva Vasiliki
Published: November 2014

The ethnographic focus of this article is on municipal strategies for the ‘immediate management of poverty’ (gia tin amesi antimetopisi tis ftohias) in the city of Thessaloniki, in northern Greece. These involve several food assistance practices: two daily soup kitchens, two social markets and a food bank. Diefthinsi Koinonikis Politikis/The Department of Social Policy also called Pronoia/Welfare sustains a dormitory for homeless people, clothing banks and provides health services to poor, unemployed people, who have no health insurance (aporoi, anergoi, anasfalistoi). Although municipal policies aim to comfort poverty, hunger and deprivation, it is argued that there is a failure in meeting the basic prerequisites of hospitality and fair treatment as claimed. The landscape of food assistance in the city is characterized by tensions and contradictions: internal divisions, antagonistic discourses and power relations seem to be present at all stages. All of the above create a complicated picture of food assistantship and provision, and it remains questionable whether the Municipality’s initiatives provide long-term solutions to the growing problems of poverty and hunger. The main argument supported is the overall disempowerment of food assistance experience, which inevitably leads to an inability to provide comfort and to ‘host’ as initially aimed. The ethnographic case presented becomes the starting point for the analysis of the ethics of food production and consumption and the right to food, a deeply politicized issue and a basic human right, according to international conventions. Consequently, issues of power, exclusion and inequality are posed and problematized. Overall, the article adds to the documentation and the discussion of emergency food assistance in Greece.
A ‘Gift from God’? Georgian hospitality between tradition and pragmatism
Authors: Curro Costanza
Published: November 2014

Conceptualizations of hospitality have often been framed along with binary oppositions, envisaging this phenomenon either as a philosophical universal abstraction or as a social practice, to be approached mainly from a functionalist perspective. As a result, hospitality has been presented as an ambivalent and paradoxical phenomenon, hard to understand and enact in everyday life because of irreconcilable contradictions lying at its heart. This article highlights how such dichotomies appear to be fundamental features of Georgian hospitality. Hospitality is perceived and defined as a national tradition, following norms reproduced throughout time and space. Hospitality features are attached indifferently both to individuals and to households, and to the Georgian nation as a unitary entity. However, tradition is intertwined with pragmatism. Far from being a timeless cultural institution, hospitality stems from social actors’ changing meanings and purposes, embedded in specific spatial and temporal contexts. As a form of reciprocal exchange, hospitality establishes social networks that develop upon relationships of solidarity and trust. However, hospitality has a competitive nature, which fosters exclusiveness and reproduces inequality. Drawing upon anthropological literature and ethnographic data collected in Georgia and London, this article attempts to deconstruct mutual oppositions through which hospitality is often analysed. The apparently inherent ambivalence detectable in hospitality does not turn this phenomenon into an unsolvable conundrum. Instead, pointing at Bourdieu’s notions of habitus and misrecognition, the article suggests that ambivalence can be handled not through a series of radical antinomies, but by focusing on social actors’ understandings and agency.
Postcards as a source of data in hospitality research
Authors: Cleave Paul
Published: November 2014

Postcards have a long association with holidays, leisure and travel. These constitute a rich and diverse source of data for researchers with interests in many fields – for example, social and food history, human geography, tourism, ethnography, anthropology and hospitality. The aim of this research is to show how postcards from the early twentieth century provide a visual record and historical legacy of commercial food production, traditional dishes and domesticity. A selection of early twentieth-century photographic picture postcards depicting food in the context of regional tourism and hospitality are utilized to demonstrate provincial culinary identity as well as differentiation in the counties of Devon and Cornwall in the south-west of England.
Assessing Admission Criteria for Early and Mid-Career Students: Evidence from a U.S. MPA Program
Authors: Darolia Rajeev , Potochnick Stephanie , Menifield Charles E.
Published: November 2014

As applications for graduate and professional degree programs have reached unprecedented levels over the past decade, the applicant pool has become more diverse with more mid-career students deciding to return to school. Given the growth and diversification of the graduate applicant pool, many graduate programs are struggling to develop stronger admission package criteria that assure students admitted to their program have the pre-requisite skills needed to succeed. We examine which commonly used graduate admission criteria, particularly the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), correlate with the academic performance of both early and mid-career professional students. Using data from student files from a southeastern U.S. graduate public administration program, we find that the GRE score, undergraduate grade point average, and type of undergraduate institution are good predictors of graduate performance, but that the value of these admission criteria differs for early and mid- career students.
On Lagrange’s four squares theorem with almost prime variables
Authors: Tsang Kai-Man , Zhao Lilu
Published: November 2014

In 1994, Brüdern and Fouvry [1] initiated the
investigation of Lagrange’s four squares theorem with almost prime
variables. In this paper, we prove that every sufficiently large
integer, congruent to 4 modulo 24, can be represented as a sum
of four squares of integers, each of which has at most four prime
factors. Instead of the four-dimensional vector sieve developed by
Brüdern and Fouvry [1], we establish this result by
combining the three-dimensional sieve and the switching principle.
On modular approaches to grammar: Evidence from Polish
Authors: Czaplicki Bartłomiej
Published: November 2014

Modularity of grammar has been explicitly or tacitly assumed in many generative analyses. Modules are separate computational systems that perform specific tasks and make use of domain-specific information. It is argued that the concept is difficult to maintain in the light of evidence from Polish. I look at palatalization effects before vowels and conclude that phonological regularities must have access to morphosyntactic information. In addition, certain regularities in the selection of diminutive allomorphs suggest that morphology must have access to phonetic information. As domain specificity, the core concept of modular approaches, is compromised, modularity does not seem a likely candidate for a universal property of grammar.
The effects of length and complexity on constituent ordering in written English
Authors: Wang Hua , Liu Haitao
Published: November 2014

Based on the written part of the British Component of International Corpus of English (ICE-GB), this paper investigates the interrelationship between length and complexity of sentential constituents and their positions in the sentence. Results show that length and complexity affect sentential constituent ordering. Within the sentence, the longest and the most complex constituents tend to occur in the final position, and the relatively shorter and less complex constituents tend to be in the initial position. However, for sentential constituents in other positions, the length-complexity-position relationship appears to be random. Possible explanations for the findings are provided from different perspectives, especially from the distribution of given and new information.
Burning down the house: IRF7 makes the difference for microglia
Authors: Hagemeyer Nora , Prinz Marco
Published: November 2014

The endogenous microenvironment of the brain is an essential watchdog to guard over myeloid cell function during diseases. Limiting inflammatory reactions of activated microglia and blood‐derived monocytes is a key prerequisite for the resolution of tissue insults. So far, however, it was unknown why monocytes but not microglia are able to shift to an anti‐inflammatory state during inflammation. In this issue of The EMBO Journal, Cohen and colleagues identified the molecular switch underlying this fundamental functional change. The authors found that the transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGFβ1) prevents activated microglia to switch to an anti‐inflammatory state by regulating the expression of Irf7.
Evaluation of CTA, time-resolved 4D CE-MRA and DSA in the follow-up of an intracranial aneurysm treated with a flow diverter stent: Experience from a single case
Authors: Kapsas Georgios , Budai Caterina , Toni Francesco , Patruno Francesco , Federica Marliani Anna , Leonardi Marco , Cirillo Luigi
Published: November 2014

Endovascular treatment of giant, fusiform and dissecting aneurysms with flow diverter stents is becoming more and more popular. However, very few studies on the follow-up have been published. We describe a patient with a dissecting aneurysm of the right vertebral artery treated with flow diverter stent placement. The patient was followed up with CT angiography (CTA), time-resolved contrast-enhanced MR angiography (CE-MRA) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). CTA had false negative results in two instances, whereas time-resolved CE-MRA and DSA were the most accurate in depicting the residual flow in the aneurysmal sac. However, in the case of DSA the demonstration of residual flow proved quite difficult and required a very thorough examination with oblique projections. Our 2.5-year experience with this patient led us to believe that time-resolved CE-MRA is a valuable tool in the follow-up of flow diverter-treated stents.
Evaluation of genotype–phenotype relationships in patients referred for endocrine assessment in suspected Pendred syndrome
Authors: Soh Lip Min , Druce Maralyn , Grossman Ashley B , Differ Ann-Marie , Rajput Liala , Bitner-Glindzicz Maria , Korbonits Márta
Published: November 2014

Design

Patients with Pendred syndrome have genotypic and phenotypic variability, leading to challenges in definitive diagnosis. Deaf children with enlarged vestibular aqueducts are often subjected to repeated investigations when tests for mutations in SLC26A4 are abnormal. This study provides genotype and phenotype information from patients with suspected Pendred syndrome referred to a single clinical endocrinology unit.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 50 patients with suspected Pendred syndrome to investigate the correlation between genetic, perchlorate discharge test (PDT) and endocrine status.

Results

Eight patients with monoallelic SLC26A4 mutations had normal PDT. Of the 33 patients with biallelic mutations, ten of 12 patients with >30% discharge developed hypothyroidism. In our cohort, c.626G>T and c.3-2A>G result in milder clinical presentations with lower median perchlorate discharge of 9.3% (interquartile range 4–15%) compared with 40% (interquartile range 21–60%) for the remaining mutations. Eight novel mutations were detected. All patients with PDT <30% remained euthyroid to date, although the majority are still under the age of 30. There was a significant correlation between PDT and goitre size (R=0.61, P=0.0009) and the age of onset of hypothyroidism (R=−0.62, P=0.0297). In our population, the hazard of becoming hypothyroid increased by 7% per percentage point increase in PDT (P<0.001).

Conclusion

There is a correlation between SLC26A4 genotype and thyroid phenotype. If results hold true for larger patient numbers and longer follow-up, then for patients with monoallelic mutations, PDT could be unnecessary. Patients with biallelic mutations and PDT discharge >30% have a high risk of developing goitre and hypothyroidism, and should have lifelong monitoring.