bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Management of children with possible appendicitis: A survey of emergency physicians in Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Mc Cabe Kieran , Babl Franz E , Dalton Sarah ,   Paediatric Research in Emergency Departments International Collaborative (PREDICT)
Published: August 2014

Objectives

To describe current practice in managing children with possible acute appendicitis in EDs in Australia and New Zealand as the basis for a clinical practice guideline (CPG).

Methods

An anonymous survey was distributed to consultant emergency physicians working at PREDICT (Paediatric Research in Emergency Departments International Collaborative) sites in Australia and New Zealand in April 2013. A second, site‐based survey was distributed to the PREDICT representatives at each of the 13 sites.

Results

The response rate was 100% (13/13) for the site‐based survey and 82% (145/176) for the physician survey. Most respondents agreed that right lower quadrant (RLQ) tenderness (94%), anorexia (92%), migration of abdominal pain to the RLQ (86%), rebound tenderness in the RLQ (60%) and RLQ tenderness produced on coughing, hopping or percussion (63%) were valuable symptoms and signs in diagnosing appendicitis. The responses regarding nausea and vomiting and fever were less consistent. Less than 50% regarded blood tests (C‐reactive protein, white cell count) as relevant for the diagnosis of appendicitis. Most physicians (61%) agreed there was a role for a validated CPG for possible appendicitis in children, although only 3/13 sites reported use of such a CPG.

Conclusions

This survey of senior emergency physicians across Australia and New Zealand demonstrated congruence in several clinical markers and disagreements in others in the approach to diagnosing children with possible appendicitis. Whereas emergency physicians would like a validated CPG, this survey has highlighted some critical issues. Particularly, the low regard for blood tests, integral to published diagnostic scoring systems, will be a challenge for the development and introduction of such a CPG in Australia and New Zealand.
Connecting scales: Achieving in‐field pest control from areawide and landscape ecology studies
Authors: Schellhorn Nancy A. , Parry Hazel R. , Macfadyen Sarina , Wang Yongmo , Zalucki Myron P.
Published: August 2014

Areawide management has a long history of achieving solutions that target pests, however, there has been little focus on the areawide management of arthropod natural enemies. Landscape ecology studies that show a positive relationship between natural enemy abundance and habitat diversity demonstrate landscape‐dependent pest suppression, but have not yet clearly linked their findings to pest management or to the suite of pests associated with crops that require control. Instead the focus has often been on model systems of single pest species and their natural enemies. We suggest that management actions to capture pest control from natural enemies may be forth coming if: (i) the suite of response and predictor variables focus on pest complexes and specific management actions; (ii) the contribution of “the landscape” is identified by assessing the timing and numbers of natural enemies immigrating and emigrating to and from the target crop, as well as pests; and (iii) pest control thresholds aligned with crop development stages are the benchmark to measure impact of natural enemies on pests, in turn allowing for comparison between study regions, and generalizations. To achieve pest control we will need to incorporate what has been learned from an ecological understanding of model pest and natural enemy systems and integrate areawide landscape management with in‐field pest management.
Survey of insect visitation of ornamental flowers in Southover Grange garden, Lewes, UK
Authors: Garbuzov Mihail , Samuelson Elizabeth E. W. , Ratnieks Francis L. W.
Published: August 2014

Ornamental flowers commonly grown in urban gardens and parks can be of value to flower‐visiting insects. However, there is huge variation in the number of insects attracted among plant varieties. In this study, we quantified the insect attractiveness of 79 varieties in full bloom being grown in a public urban garden that is popular due to its beautiful flowers and other attractions. The results showed very clearly that most varieties (77%, n = 61) were either poorly attractive or completely unattractive to insect flower visitors. Several varieties (19%, n = 15) were moderately attractive, but very few (4%, n = 3) were highly attractive. Closer examination of Dahlia varieties showed that “open” flowered forms were approximately 20 times more attractive than “closed” flowered forms. These results strongly suggest that there is a great potential for making urban parks and gardens considerably more bee‐ and insect‐friendly by selecting appropriate varieties.
Family history of psychosis and social, occupational and global outcome in schizophrenia: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Käkelä J. , Panula J. , Oinas E. , Hirvonen N. , Jääskeläinen E. , Miettunen J.
Published: August 2014

Objective

We aimed to investigate associations between family history of psychosis and long‐term occupational, social and global (i.e. combined occupational, social and clinical) outcome in schizophrenia.

Method

A systematic search to identify potentially relevant studies was conducted using seven electronic databases and a manual search of literature. Only observational studies with a follow‐up period of at least 2 years were included.

Results

The search identified 4081 unique potentially relevant articles, of which 14 met our inclusion criteria. The presence of family history of psychosis was associated with poor occupational and global outcome (n = 3; r = 0.17; P = 0.008, n = 11; r = 0.13; P = 0.002, respectively).

Conclusion

This was the first systematic review on the effects of family history of psychosis on occupational and social outcome in schizophrenia. Based on the review, the presence of family history of psychosis has a relatively small but statistically significant association with long‐term occupational and global outcome in patients with schizophrenia.
The effects of environmental education on children's and parents' knowledge and attitudes towards lemurs in rural Madagascar
Authors: Rakotomamonjy S. N. , Jones J. P. G. , Razafimanahaka J. H. , Ramamonjisoa B. , Williams S. J.
Published: August 2014

Environmental education is widely used to increase awareness of conservation issues. The theory is that increasing knowledge will improve attitudes towards the environment. Often, environmental education is aimed at children with the assumption that this can also impact adults through intergenerational transfer of knowledge and attitudes. However, there are few detailed studies evaluating the effectiveness of environmental education on changing knowledge and attitudes, and whether any changes do transfer between generations. We evaluate the effect of a school‐based education programme run by Malagasy researchers aimed at promoting lemur conservation in Eastern Madagascar. We assess changes in the knowledge and attitudes of participating children and their parents (surveying 126 children and 88 parents across four matched villages, 1 year after two of the villages received environmental education). There was very low awareness of the law protecting lemurs. Attitudes towards lemurs varied between species; with the aye‐aye (considered scary) and the eastern lesser bamboo lemur (considered a pest) being less preferred. Children in villages who received environmental education had higher knowledge about lemurs and more positive attitudes than children in the villages not exposed to the environmental education. Knowledge about lemurs among parents where children had received environmental education was also higher (although not attitudes). Environmental education programmes can have a lasting effect, certainly on knowledge, but engagement of the research and NGO community is needed to build the capacity of teachers in rural areas to enthuse their pupils about ecology and conservation issues.
Alterations in collagen fibre patterns in breast cancer. A premise for tumour invasiveness?
Authors: Brabrand Anders , Kariuki Ian I. , Engstrøm Monica J. , Haugen Olav A. , Dyrnes Linda A. , Åsvold Bjørn O. , Lilledahl Magnus B. , Bofin Anna M.
Published: August 2014

Stromal tissue in the breast plays a key role in cancer invasiveness due to molecular and cellular changes. Collagen is the main component of the stroma. The purposes of this study were to investigate differences in collagen fibre patterns between tumour‐induced stromal tissue and normal stroma, and between high‐grade and low‐grade breast cancer stroma, using second harmonic generation microscopy. Thirty‐seven ductal carcinomas were examined: Twenty‐one Luminal A phenotype and sixteen HER2 or Basal‐like phenotype. Three regions were examined in each case: intratumoral, juxtatumoral and extratumoral. Two images were captured in each region. Two characteristics of collagen fibres were examined: the degree of straightness, and the degree of alignment. Collagen fibres were visually classified as curly, intermediate or straight, and as parallel or not parallel. The results of angle measurement and visual analysis showed that collagen fibres were straightest in the intratumoral region and curliest in the extratumoral region. Collagen fibres were more parallel in the juxtatumoral region compared to the two other regions. There were no significant differences between high‐grade and low‐grade tumours. As a breast tumour progresses, collagen fibres appear to straighten and align at the tumour boundary. This could facilitate invasion of the tumour into the surrounding stroma.
Systematic review with network meta‐analysis: adjuvant therapy for resected biliary tract cancer
Authors: Zhu G.‐Q. , Shi K.‐Q. , You J. , Zou H. , Lin Y.‐Q. , Wang L.‐R. , Braddock M. , Chen Y.‐P. , Zheng M.‐H.
Published: August 2014

Background

Major adjuvant therapies for biliary tract cancer (BTC) include fluorouracil, gemcitabine and chemoradiation (CRT), but the optimum regimen remains inconclusive.

Aim

To compare these therapies in terms of patient survival rates after resection and toxic effects.

Methods

We searched PubMed for controlled trials comparing the above three therapies with each other or observation alone until 31 January 2014. We estimated the hazard ratios (HRs) for death and odds ratios (ORs) for toxic effects among different therapies. Subgroup analyses based on positive lymph node or resection margin were also performed.

Results

Twelve eligible articles were included. Gemcitabine improved 5‐year survival (HR 2.12, 95% CI, confidence interval 1.23–4.02, P = 0.01), whereas fluorouracil (HR 1.61, 95% CI 0.74–3.67) and CRT (HR 1.55, 95% CI 0.82–3.32) provided a poorer survival outcome compared with gemcitabine after 1 year. Similarly, for 5‐year survival rates, although differing, CRT did not provide a significant improvement in survival (HR 0.46, 95% CI 0.20–0.97) compared with gemcitabine. Fluorouracil did not appear to provide benefit over gemcitabine (HR 1.56, 95% CI 0.77–3.35). CRT was ranked highest for toxic effects including haematological (OR 5.45, 95% CI 0.01–483.85) and nonhaematological (OR 5.77, 95% CI 0.01–3807.40).

Conclusions

Chemotherapy with gemcitabine is the optimum adjuvant treatment with a balanced benefit‐toxicity ratio for resected biliary tract cancer. Chemoradiation was more likely to cause toxic effects.
Abiotic stress tolerance and competition‐related traits underlie phylogenetic clustering in soil bacterial communities
Authors: Goberna Marta , Navarro‐Cano Jose A. , Valiente‐Banuet Alfonso , García Carlos , Verdú Miguel
Published: August 2014

Soil bacteria typically coexist with close relatives generating widespread phylogenetic clustering. This has been ascribed to the abiotic filtering of organisms with shared ecological tolerances. Recent theoretical developments suggest that competition can also explain the phylogenetic similarity of coexisting organisms by excluding large low‐competitive clades. We propose that combining the environmental patterns of traits associated with abiotic stress tolerances or competitive abilities with phylogeny and abundance data, can help discern between abiotic and biotic mechanisms underlying the coexistence of phylogenetically related bacteria. We applied this framework in a model system composed of interspersed habitats of highly contrasted productivity and comparatively dominated by biotic and abiotic processes, i.e. the plant patch‐gap mosaic typical of drylands. We examined the distribution of 15 traits and 3290 bacterial taxa in 28 plots. Communities showed a marked functional response to the environment. Conserved traits related to environmental stress tolerance (e.g. desiccation, formation of resistant structures) were differentially selected in either habitat, while competition related traits (e.g. organic C consumption, formation of nutrient‐scavenging structures) prevailed under high resource availability. Phylogenetic clustering was stronger in habitats dominated by biotic filtering, suggesting that competitive exclusion of large clades might underlie the ecological similarity of co‐occurring soil bacteria.
Congenital bilateral aplasia of the metacarpophalangeal joints in a foal
Authors: Jordana M. , Martens A. , Van Brantegem L. , Chiers K.
Published: August 2014

A 2‐day‐oldWarmblood filly was presented for examination of an angular limb deformity of the left front limb and an upright conformation of both metacarpophalangeal joints. Radiological examination revealed bilateral absence of the metacarpophalangeal joint space with fusion of the third metacarpal bone and first phalanx (synostosis). No treatment was undertaken. The filly was readmitted to the clinic 10 weeks later for bilateral front limb lameness. On radiological examination, the synostosis of the front metacarpophalangeal joints was still present. Physitis of the distal growth plate of the right third metacarpal bone and proximal growth plate of the right proximal phalanx, and an avulsion fracture of the palmaromedial and proximal aspect of the left middle phalanx, with a cystic like lesion on the medial aspect of distal first phalanx and proximal middle phalanx were diagnosed. Given the poor prognosis, the foal was subjected to euthanasia.Post mortemexamination confirmed the absence of the metacarpophalangeal joint space with a trabecular bony union between the third metacarpal bone and the first phalanx. A rudimentary joint capsule was present at the level of the absent joints as well as a small zone of articular cartilage, which invaginated over a short distance into the dorsal trabecular bone on the right front limb. On the medial aspect of the left proximal interphalangeal joint, a focal defect of articular cartilage with exposure of subchondral bone was observed. This is the first case report of a foal born with congenital aplasia of both metacarpophalangeal joints. Congenital malformations should be considered as differential diagnosis in lame foals or foals born with angular or flexural limb deformities.
Adapting and Implementing an Evidence‐Based Treatment with Justice‐Involved Adolescents: The Example of Multidimensional Family Therapy
Authors: Liddle Howard A.
Published: August 2014

For over four decades family therapy research and family centered evidence‐based therapies for justice‐involved youths have played influential roles in changing policies and services for these young people and their families. But research always reveals challenges as well as advances. To be sure, demonstration that an evidence‐based therapy yields better outcomes than comparison treatments or services as usual is an accomplishment. But the extraordinary complexity embedded in that assertion feels tiny relative to what we are now learning about the so‐called transfer of evidence‐based treatments to real world practice settings. Today's family therapy studies continue to assess outcome with diverse samples and presenting problems, but research and funding priorities also include studying particular treatments in nonresearch settings. Does an evidence‐based intervention work as well in a community clinic, with clinic personnel? How much of a treatment has to change to be accepted and implemented in a community clinic? Perhaps it is the setting and existing procedures that have to change? And, in those cases, do accommodations to the context compromise outcomes? Thankfully, technology transfer notions gave way to more systemic, dynamic, and frankly, more family therapy‐like conceptions of the needed process. Implementation science became the more sensible, as well as the theoretically and empirically stronger overarching framework within which the evidence‐based family based therapies now operate. Using the example of Multidimensional Family Therapy, this article discusses treatment development, refinement, and implementation of that adapted approach in a particular clinical context—a sector of the juvenile justice system—juvenile detention.
FrxA is an S‐nitrosoglutathione reductase enzyme that contributes to Helicobacter pylori pathogenicity
Authors: Justino Marta C. , Parente Margarida R. , Boneca Ivo G. , Saraiva Lígia M.
Published: August 2014

Helicobacter pylori is a pathogen that infects the gastric mucosa of a large percentage of the human population worldwide, and predisposes to peptic ulceration and gastric cancer. Persistent colonization of humans by H. pylori triggers an inflammatory response that leads to the production of reactive nitrogen species. However, the mechanisms of H. pylori defence against nitrosative stress remain largely unknown. In this study, we show that the NADH‐flavin oxidoreductase FrxA of H. pylori, besides metabolizing nitrofurans and metronidazole, has S‐nitrosoglutathione reductase activity. In agreement with this, inactivation of the FrxA‐encoding gene resulted in a strain that was more sensitive to S‐nitrosoglutathione. FrxA was also shown to contribute to the proliferation of H. pylori in macrophages, which are key phagocytic cells of the mammalian innate immune system. Moreover, FrxA was shown to support the virulence of the pathogen upon mouse infection. Altogether, we provide evidence for a new function of FrxA that contributes to the successful chronic colonization ability that characterizes H. pylori.
Please don't misuse the museum: ‘declines’ may be statistical
Authors: Campbell Grant Evan H.
Published: August 2014

Detecting declines in populations at broad spatial scales takes enormous effort, and long‐term data are often more sparse than is desired for estimating trends, identifying drivers for population changes, framing conservation decisions, or taking management actions. Museum records and historic data can be available at large scales across multiple decades, and are therefore an attractive source of information on the comparative status of populations. However, changes in populations may be real (e.g. in response to environmental covariates) or resulting from variation in our ability to observe the true population response (also possibly related to environmental covariates). This is a (statistical) nuisance in understanding the true status of a population. Evaluating statistical hypotheses alongside more interesting ecological ones is important in the appropriate use of museum data. Two statistical considerations are generally applicable to use of museum records: first without initial random sampling, comparison with contemporary results cannot provide inference to the entire range of a species, and second the availability of only some individuals in a population may respond to environmental changes. Changes in the availability of individuals may reduce the proportion of the population that is present and able to be counted on a given survey event, resulting in an apparent decline even when population size is stable.
Climate‐driven speedup of alpine treeline forest growth in the Tianshan Mountains, Northwestern China
Authors: Qi Zhaohuan , Liu Hongyan , Wu Xiuchen , Hao Qian
Published: August 2014

Forest growth is sensitive to interannual climatic change in the alpine treeline ecotone (ATE). Whether the alpine treeline ecotone shares a similar pattern of forest growth with lower elevational closed forest belt (CFB) under changing climate remains unclear. Here, we reported an unprecedented acceleration ofPicea schrenkianaforest growth since 1960s in theATEof Tianshan Mountains, northwestern China by a stand‐total sampling along six altitudinal transects with three plots in each transect: one from theATEbetween the treeline and the forest line, and the other two from theCFB. All the sampledP.schrenkianaforest patches show a higher growth speed after 1960 and, comparatively, forest growth in theCFBhas sped up much slower than that in theATE. The speedup of forest growth at theATEis mainly accounted for by climate factors, with increasing temperature suggested to be the primary driver. Stronger water deficit as well as more competition withinthe CFBmight have restricted forest growth there more than that within theATE, implying biotic factors were also significant for the accelerated forest growth in theATE, which should be excluded from simulations and predictions of warming‐induced treeline dynamics.
Geographical trajectories, biographical determinants and (new) place political elites in selected remote rural areas of north‐central Spain
Authors: Paniagua Angel
Published: August 2014

New local rural policies have been considerably less studied than socioeconomic or environmental aspects of rural change. In this context of a largely unexplored area, the individual dimension of the new local elite has been almost completely ignored. The relevance of the individual characteristics of sociopolitical elites in relation to their conformation and permanence has been analysed from a qualitative and geoethnographical perspective in three remote rural areas in central Spain. Finally, the constitution of the individual dimension and the discourses of these elites have been studied in order to establish the influence of the personal characteristics, or the place where these are produced.
Do Houses of Worship Affect Housing Prices? Evidence fromGermany
Authors: Brandt Sebastian , Maennig Wolfgang , Richter Felix
Published: August 2014

Using hedonic pricing models, this paper analyzes the impact of houses of worship (HoWs) on the prices of adjacent condominiums inHamburg,Germany. It addresses the questions of whether this impact differs between Islamic and Christian religious centers, whether potential effects persist even after the house of worship has been deconsecrated, and whether church bells affect residential property prices. This is one of the first studies on this subject to have been conducted outside theU.S.Controlling for spatial dependence and by using potentiality variables, positive externalities ofHoWswithin a radius of 1,000 m were identified. Compared with properties beyond this threshold, price premiums of 4.6 percent were detected for condominiums at distances of 100–200 m to the next house of worship. The results also show that the positive externalities near mosques do not differ from those ofHoWsof other religions and that the positive effect of churches continues to be felt even after they have been deconsecrated. The influence of church bell ringing on the prices of surrounding residential properties, however, could not be substantiated.
Job Lock in Rural versus Urban Labor Markets
Authors: Mushinski David , Bernasek Alexandra , Weiler Stephan
Published: August 2014

While the possible negative effect of employer‐sponsored health insurance on labor mobility (job lock) has spawned substantial research, little research has considered differences in job lock between rural and urban areas. Job lock might differ in rural areas because of specific features of rural economies, in particular, the thinness of rural labor markets. This paper estimates measures of job lock for rural and urban areas. Parameter estimates suggest that it is larger in rural areas. The results also indicate that nonwage benefits such as retirement plans, paid vacation, and sick pay are more important factors in married rural workers decisions to change jobs while wages are a more important factor in the transition decisions of single urban workers.
Functionally Graded Ceramics Fabricated with Side‐by‐Side Tape Casting for Use in Magnetic Refrigeration
Authors: Bulatova Regina , Bahl Christian , Andersen Kjeld , Kuhn Luise Theil , Pryds Nini
Published: August 2014

Functionally graded ceramic tapes have been fabricated by a side‐by‐side tape casting technique. This study shows the possibility and describes the main principles of adjacent coflow of slurries resulting in formation of thin plates of graded ceramic material. Results showed that the small variations of solvent and binder system concentrations have a substantial effect on slurry viscosity. Varying these parameters showed that side‐by‐side tape casting with a well‐defined interface area is possible for slurries with viscosities above 3500 mPa s at a casting shear rate of 3.3 s−1. As it was expected, the choice of de‐bindering and sintering regimes significantly influences crack formation, and a three‐step heating programme was found to result in tapes of the highest quality. The interface regions of green graded tapes were investigated structurally by scanning electron microscopy; for a distinct identification of the interface region and analysing the degree of cross‐interface diffusion, the isothermal entropy change was measured by a vibrating sample magnetometer as the magnetic transition temperature (Curie temperature) is very sensitive to the dopant level in ceramics. Also the purpose of developing this graded ceramic tape casting was applications of these specific magnetocaloric properties within the magnetic refrigeration technology.
Influenza‐like illness sentinel surveillance in one hospital in Medellin, Colombia. 2007–2012
Authors: Arango Ana Eugenia , Jaramillo Sergio , Perez Juan , Ampuero Julia S. , Espinal David , Donado Jorge , Felices Vidal , Garcia Josefina , Laguna‐Torres Alberto
Published: August 2014

Background

The city of Medellin in Colombia has almost no documentation of the causes of acute respiratory infections (ARIs). As part of an ongoing collaboration, we conducted an epidemiologic surveillance for influenza and other respiratory viruses. It described the influenza strains that were circulating in the region along with their distribution over time, and performing molecular characterization to some of those strains. This will contribute to the knowledge of local and national epidemiology.

Objectives

To analyze viral etiologic agents associated with influenza like illness (ILI) in participants reporting to one General hospital in Medelllin, Colombia.

Results

From January 2007 to December 2012, a total of 2039 participants were enrolled. Among them, 1120 (54·9%) were male and 1364 (69%) were under the age of five. Only 124 (6%) were older than the age of 15. From all 2039 participants, 1040 samples were diagnosed by either isolation or RT‐PCR. One or more respiratory viruses were found in 737 (36%) participants. Of those, 426 (57·8%) got influenza A or B. Adenoviral and parainfluenza infections represented 19·1% and 14·9% of viral infections, respectively. Influenza A was detected almost throughout the whole year except for the first quarter of 2010, right after the 2009 influenza A pandemic. Influenza B was detected in 2008, 2010, and 2012 with no pattern detected. During 2008 and 2010, both types circulated in about the same proportion. Unusually, in many months of 2012, the proportion of influenza B infections was higher than influenza A (ranging between 30% and 42%). The higher proportion of adenovirus was mainly detected in the last quarter of years 2007 and 2010. Adenoviral cases are more frequent in participants under the age of four.

Conclusions

The phylogenetic analysis of influenza viruses shows that only in the case of influenza A/H1N1, the circulating strains totally coincide with the vaccine strains each year.
17β‐Estradiol administration promotes delayed cutaneous wound healing in 40‐week ovariectomised female mice
Authors: Mukai Kanae , Nakajima Yukari , Urai Tamae , Komatsu Emi , Nasruddin  , Sugama Junko , Nakatani Toshio
Published: August 2014

This study investigated the effect of 17β‐estradiol on wound healing in 40‐week ovariectomised female mice. Thirty‐six‐week‐old female mice were divided into three groups: medication with 17β‐estradiol after ovariectomy (OVX + 17β‐estradiol), ovariectomy (OVX) and sham (SHAM). The mice received two full‐thickness wounds, and the OVX + 17β‐estradiol group was administered 17β‐estradiol at 0·01 g/day until healing. In the OVX + 17β‐estradiol group, the ratio of wound area was significantly smaller than those of the OVX and SHAM groups on days 1–3, 5, 6, 8–12 and 9–12, respectively, the numbers of neutrophils and macrophages were significantly smaller than those on days 3 and 7, the ratio of re‐epithelialisation was significantly higher than those on days 3 and 11, the ratio of myofibroblasts was significantly higher than those on day 11 and smaller on day 14, and the ratio of collagen fibres was significantly larger than that of the OVX group on days 7–14. We found that 17β‐estradiol administration promotes cutaneous wound healing in 40‐week female mice by reducing wound area, shortening inflammatory response, and promoting re‐epithelialisation, collagen deposition and wound contraction. Our results suggest that cutaneous wound healing that is delayed because of ageing is promoted by exogenous and continuous 17β‐estradiol administration.
Dissection of genomic correlation matrices of US Holsteins using multivariate factor analysis
Authors: Macciotta N.P.P. , Dimauro C. , Null D.J. , Gaspa G. , Cellesi M. , Cole J.B.
Published: August 2014

The aim of this study was to compare correlation matrices between direct genomic predictions for 31 traits at the genomic and chromosomal levels in US Holstein bulls. Multivariate factor analysis carried out at the genome level identified seven factors associated with conformation, longevity, yield, feet and legs, fat and protein content traits. Some differences were found at the chromosome level; variations in covariance structure on BTA 6, 14, 18 and 20 were interpreted as evidence of segregating QTL for different groups of traits. For example, milk yield and composition tended to join in a single factor on BTA 14, which is known to harbour the DGAT1 locus that affects these traits. Another example was on BTA 18, where a factor strongly correlated with sire calving ease and conformation traits was identified. It is known that in US Holstein, there is a segregating QTL on BTA18 influencing these traits. Moreover, a possible candidate gene for daughter pregnancy rate was suggested for BTA28. The methodology proposed in this study could be used to identify individual chromosomes, which have covariance structures that differ from the overall (whole genome) covariance structure. Such differences can be difficult to detect when a large number of traits are evaluated, and covariances may be affected by QTL that do not have large allele substitution effects.
Pooled analysis of clinical outcome for EGFR TKI‐treated patients with EGFR mutation‐positive NSCLC
Authors: Paz‐Ares Luis , Soulières Denis , Moecks Joachim , Bara Ilze , Mok Tony , Klughammer Barbara
Published: August 2014

Patients with non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) appear to gain particular benefit from treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine‐kinase inhibitors (TKI) if their disease tests positive for EGFR activating mutations. Recently, several large, controlled, phase III studies have been published in NSCLC patients with EGFR mutation‐positive tumours. Given the increased patient dataset now available, a comprehensive literature search for EGFR TKIs or chemotherapy in EGFR mutation‐positive NSCLC was undertaken to update the results of a previously published pooled analysis. Pooling eligible progression‐free survival (PFS) data from 27 erlotinib studies (n = 731), 54 gefitinib studies (n = 1802) and 20 chemotherapy studies (n = 984) provided median PFS values for each treatment. The pooled median PFS was: 12.4 months (95% accuracy intervals [AI] 11.6–13.4) for erlotinib‐treated patients; 9.4 months (95% AI 9.0–9.8) for gefitinib‐treated patients; and 5.6 months (95% AI 5.3–6.0) for chemotherapy. Both erlotinib and gefitinib resulted in significantly longer PFS than chemotherapy (permutation testing; P = 0.000 and P = 0.000, respectively). Data on more recent TKIs (afatinib, dacomitinib and icotinib) were insufficient at this time‐point to carry out a pooled PFS analysis on these compounds. The results of this updated pooled analysis suggest a substantial clear PFS benefit of treating patients with EGFR mutation‐positive NSCLC with erlotinib or gefitinib compared with chemotherapy.
An overview of hepatitis B prevalence, prevention, and management in the Pacific Islands and Territories
Authors: Howell Jessica , Van Gemert Caroline , Lemoine Maud , Thursz Mark , Hellard Margaret
Published: August 2014

There are over 500–750 000 deaths per year because of hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐related cirrhosis and liver cancer worldwide and the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region has some of the highest endemic levels of HBV in the world, particularly within China, South East Asia and Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICT). The PICT have unique ethnic diversity and a very high prevalence of smoking and metabolic syndrome, both important risk factors for liver fibrosis and liver cancer. However, in contrast to many Asian countries, there is little published data on HBV prevalence and related liver disease burden in PICT. In this review, the available published literature and World Health Organization data for HBV prevalence and related liver disease and liver cancer burden in PICT is outlined, and unmet needs for improving HBV prevention and control in the region are highlighted.
Tanycytes: A Gateway to the Metabolic Hypothalamus
Authors: Langlet F.
Published: August 2014

The central regulation of energy balance relies on the ability of the brain to promptly and efficiently sense variations of metabolic state. To achieve this, circulating hormonal and metabolic signals have to cross the blood–brain interface, where unusual glial cells named tanycytes have been described to play a key role in this process. Tanycytes are specialised polarised ependymoglial cells that line the floor of the third ventricle and send a single process to contact hypothalamic neurones and blood vessels. Although their role in the regulation of energy balance via the modulation of neuronal activity or their chemosensitivity has been already described, recent studies ascribe a new function to tanycytes in the regulation of energy homeostasis as a result of their capacity to regulate the access of metabolic signals to the hypothalamus. This review discusses the peculiar place of tanycytes within the blood–hypothalamus interface, as well as a striking capacity to remodel their own interface to ensure an adaptive metabolic response to energy imbalances.
Strategic and Financial Bidders in Takeover Auctions
Authors: GORBENKO ALEXANDER  S. , MALENKO ANDREY
Published: August 2014

Using data on auctions of companies, we estimate valuations (maximum willingness to pay) of strategic and financial bidders from their bids. We find that a typical target is valued higher by strategic bidders. However, 22.4% of targets in our sample are valued higher by financial bidders. These are mature, poorly performing companies. We also find that (i) valuations of different strategic bidders are more dispersed and (ii) valuations of financial bidders are correlated with aggregate economic conditions. Our results suggest that different targets appeal to different types of bidders, rather than that strategic bidders always value targets more because of synergies.
The Pre‐FOMC Announcement Drift
Authors: LUCCA DAVID O. , MOENCH EMANUEL
Published: August 2014

We document large average excess returns on U.S. equities in anticipation of monetary policy decisions made at scheduled meetings of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) in the past few decades. These pre‐FOMC returns have increased over time and account for sizable fractions of total annual realized stock returns. While other major international equity indices experienced similar pre‐FOMC returns, we find no such effect in U.S. Treasury securities and money market futures. Other major U.S. macroeconomic news announcements also do not give rise to preannouncement excess equity returns. We discuss challenges in explaining these returns with standard asset pricing theory.
The Brain Gain of Corporate Boards: Evidence from China
Authors: GIANNETTI MARIASSUNTA , LIAO GUANMIN , YU XIAOYUN
Published: August 2014

We study the impact of directors with foreign experience on firm performance in emerging markets. Using a unique data set from China, we exploit the introduction of policies to attract talented emigrants and increase the supply of individuals with foreign experience in different provinces at different times. We document that performance increases after firms hire directors with foreign experience and identify the channels through which the emigration of talent may lead to a brain gain. Our findings provide evidence on how directors transmit knowledge about management practices and corporate governance to firms in emerging markets.
Reaching for Yield in the Bond Market
Authors: BECKER BO , IVASHINA VICTORIA
Published: August 2014

This paper studies reaching for yield—investors’ propensity to buy riskier assets to achieve higher yields—in the corporate bond market. We show that insurance companies reach for yield in choosing their investments. Consistent with lower rated bonds bearing higher capital requirements, insurance firms prefer to hold higher rated bonds. However, conditional on credit ratings, insurance portfolios are systematically biased toward higher yield, higher CDS bonds. This behavior is related to the business cycle being most pronounced during economic expansions. It is also characteristic of firms with poor corporate governance and for which the regulatory capital requirement is more binding.
Melatonin as a signal molecule triggering defense responses against pathogen attack in Arabidopsis and tobacco
Authors: Lee Hyoung Yool , Byeon Yeong , Back Kyoungwhan
Published: August 2014

Melatonin plays pleiotropic roles in both animals and plants. The possible role of melatonin in plant innate immune responses was recently discovered. As an initial study, we employed Arabidopsis to determine whether melatonin is involved in defense against the virulent bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae DC3000. The application of a 10 μm concentration of melatonin on Arabidopsis and tobacco leaves induced various pathogenesis‐related (PR) genes, as well as a series of defense genes activated by salicylic acid (SA) and ethylene (ET), two key factors involved in plant defense response, compared to mock‐treated leaves. The induction of these defense‐related genes in melatonin‐treated Arabidopsis matched an increase in resistance against the bacterium by suppressing its multiplication about ten‐fold relative to the mock‐treated Arabidopsis. Like melatonin, N‐acetylserotonin also plays a role in inducing a series of defense genes, although serotonin does not. Furthermore, melatonin‐induced PR genes were almost completely or partially suppressed in the npr1, ein2, and mpk6 Arabidopsis mutants, indicative of SA and ET dependency in melatonin‐induced plant defense signaling. This suggests that melatonin may be a novel defense signaling molecule in plant–pathogen interactions.
Pbp2x localizes separately from Pbp2b and other peptidoglycan synthesis proteins during later stages of cell division of Streptococcus pneumoniae D39
Authors: Tsui Ho‐Ching T. , Boersma Michael J. , Vella Stephen A. , Kocaoglu Ozden , Kuru Erkin , Peceny Julia K. , Carlson Erin E. , VanNieuwenhze Michael S. , Brun Yves V. , Shaw Sidney L. , Winkler Malcolm E.
Published: August 2014

The relative localization patterns of class B penicillin‐binding proteins Pbp2x and Pbp2b were used as positional indicators of septal and peripheral (side‐wall‐like) peptidoglycan (PG) synthesis, respectively, in the mid‐cell regions of Streptococcus pneumoniae cells at different stages of division. We confirm that Pbp2x and Pbp2b are essential in the strain D39 genetic background, which differs from that of laboratory strains. We show that Pbp2b, like Pbp2x and class A Pbp1a, follows a different localization pattern than FtsZ and remains at division septa after FtsZ reappears at the equators of daughter cells. Pulse‐experiments with fluorescent D‐amino acids (FDAAs) were performed in wild‐type cells and in cells in which Pbp2x activity was preferentially inhibited by methicillin or Pbp2x amount was depleted. These experiments show that Pbp2x activity separates from that of other PBPs to the centres of constricting septa in mid‐to‐late divisional cells resolved by high‐resolution 3D‐SIM microscopy. Dual‐protein and protein‐fluorescent vancomycin 2D and 3D‐SIM immunofluorescence microscopy (IFM) of cells at different division stages corroborate that Pbp2x separates to the centres of septa surrounded by an adjacent constricting ring containing Pbp2b, Pbp1a and regulators, StkP and MreC. The separate localization of Pbp2x suggests distinctive roles in completing septal PG synthesis and remodelling.
Agents of change – concepts in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Ser/Thr/Tyr phosphosignalling
Authors: Sherman David R. , Grundner Christoph
Published: August 2014

The flow of information from the outside to the inside of bacterial cells is largely directed by protein kinases. In addition to histidine/aspartate phosphorelays of two‐component response regulators, recent work in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) reinforces the idea that phosphorylation on serine (Ser), threonine (Thr) and tyrosine (Tyr) is central to bacterial physiology and pathogenesis, and that the corresponding phosphosystems are highly similar to those in eukaryotes. In this way, eukaryotes are a useful guide to understanding Ser/Thr/Tyr phosphorylation (O‐phosphorylation) in prokaryotes such as Mtb. However, as novel functions and components of bacterial O‐phosphorylation are identified, distinct differences between pro‐ and eukaryotic phosphosignalling systems become apparent. The emerging picture of O‐phosphorylation in Mtb is complicated, goes beyond the eukaryotic paradigms, and shows the limitations of viewing bacterial phosphosignalling within the confines of the ‘eukaryotic‐like’ model. Here, we summarize recent findings about Ser/Thr and the recently discovered Tyr phosphorylation pathways in Mtb, highlight the similarities and differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic O‐phosphorylation, and pose additional questions about signalling components, pathway organization, and ultimately, the cellular roles of O‐phosphorylation in Mtb physiology and pathogenesis.
Does weight loss in overweight or obese women improve fertility treatment outcomes? A systematic review
Authors: Sim K. A. , Partridge S. R. , Sainsbury A.
Published: August 2014

This systematic review assessed the effect of weight loss in overweight and/or obese women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) on their subsequent pregnancy outcome. Weight losses achieved by diet and lifestyle changes, very‐low‐energy diets, non‐surgical medical interventions and bariatric surgery translated into significantly increased pregnancy rates and/or live birth in overweight and/or obese women undergoingARTin 8 of the 11 studies reviewed. In addition, regularization of the menstrual pattern, a decrease in cancellation rates, an increase in the number of embryos available for transfer, a reduction in the number ofARTcycles required to achieve pregnancy and a decrease in miscarriage rates were reported. There were also a number of natural conceptions in five of the six studies that reported this outcome. Non‐surgical medical weight loss procedures and bariatric surgery induced the greatest weight losses, but their use, as well as that of very‐low‐energy diets, for weight loss prior toARTrequires careful consideration. While the overall quality of the studies included in this review was poor, these results support the clinical recommendation of advising overweight and/or obese women to lose weight prior toART. Prospective randomized controlled trials are required to establish efficacious evidence‐based guidelines for weight loss interventions in overweight and/or obese women prior toARTtreatment.
Regulation of fatty acid biosynthesis by the global regulator CcpA and the local regulator FabT in Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Faustoferri R.C. , Hubbard C.J. , Santiago B. , Buckley A.A. , Seifert T.B. , Quivey R.G.
Published: August 2014

SMU.1745c, encoding a putative transcriptional regulator of the MarR family, maps to a location proximal to the fab gene cluster in Streptococcus mutans. Deletion of the SMU.1745c (fabTSm) coding region resulted in a membrane fatty acid composition comprised of longer‐chained, unsaturated fatty acids (UFA), compared with the parent strain. Previous reports have indicated a role for FabT in regulation of genes in the fab gene cluster in other organisms, through binding to a palindromic DNA sequence. Consensus FabT motif sequences were identified in S. mutans in the intergenic regions preceding fabM, fabTSm and fabK in the fab gene cluster. Chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (cat) reporter fusions, using the fabM promoter, revealed elevated transcription in a ∆fabTSm background. Transcription of fabTSm was dramatically elevated in cells grown at pH values of 5 and 7 in the ∆ fabTSm background. Transcription of fabTSm was also elevated in a strain carrying a deletion for the carbon catabolite repressor CcpA. Purified FabTSm and CcpA bound to the promoter regions of fabTSm and fabM. Hence, the data indicate that FabTSm acts as a repressor of fabM and fabTSm itself and the global regulator CcpA acts as a repressor for fabTSm.
Fur homolog regulates Porphyromonas gingivalis virulence under low‐iron/heme conditions through a complex regulatory network
Authors: Ciuraszkiewicz J. , Śmiga M. , Mackiewicz P. , Gmiterek A. , Bielecki M. , Olczak M. , Olczak T.
Published: August 2014

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a key pathogen responsible for initiation and progression of chronic periodontitis. Little is known about the regulatory mechanisms of iron and heme uptake that allow P. gingivalis to express virulence factors and survive in the hostile environment of the oral cavity, so we initiated characterization of a P. gingivalis Fur homolog (PgFur). Many Fur paralogs found in microbial genomes, including Bacteroidetes, confirm that Fur proteins have a tendency to be subjected to a sub‐ or even neofunctionalization process. PgFur revealed extremely high sequence divergence, which could be associated with its functional dissimilarity in comparison with other Fur homologs. A fur mutant strain constructed by insertional inactivation exhibited retarded growth during the early growth phase and a significantly lower tendency to form a homotypic biofilm on abiotic surfaces. The mutant also showed significantly weaker adherence and invasion to epithelial cells and macrophages. Transcripts of many differentially regulated genes identified in the fur mutant strain were annotated as hypothetical proteins, suggesting that PgFur can play a novel role in the regulation of gene expression. Inactivation of the fur gene resulted in decreased hmuY gene expression, increased expression of other hmu components and changes in the expression of genes encoding hemagglutinins and proteases (mainly gingipains), HtrA, some extracytoplasmic sigma factors and two‐component systems. Our data suggest that PgFur can influence in vivo growth and virulence, at least in part by affecting iron/heme acquisition, allowing efficient infection through a complex regulatory network.