bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Herbarium records identify sensitivity of flowering phenology of eucalypts to climate: Implications for species response to climate change
Authors: Rawal Deepa S. , Kasel Sabine , Keatley Marie R. , Nitschke Craig R.
Published: August 2014

Flowering phenology is very sensitive to climate and with increasing global warming the flowering time of plants is shifting to earlier or later dates. Changes in flowering times may affect species reproductive success, associated phenological events, species synchrony, and community composition. Long‐term data on phenological events can provide key insights into the impacts of climate on phenology. For Australia, however, limited data availability restricts our ability to assess the impacts of climate change on plant phenology. To address this limitation other data sources must be explored such as the use of herbarium specimens to conduct studies on flowering phenology. This study uses herbarium specimens for investigating the flowering phenology of five dominant and commercially important Eucalyptus species of south‐eastern Australia and the consequences of climate variability and change on flowering phenology. Relative to precipitation and air humidity, mean temperature of the preceding 3 months was the most influential factor on the flowering time for all species. In response to a temperature increment of 1°C, a shift in the timing of flowering of 14.1–14.9 days was predicted for E. microcarpa and E. tricarpa while delays in flowering of 11.3–15.5 days were found for E. obliqua, E. radiata and E. polyanthemos. Eucalyptus polyanthemos exhibited the greatest sensitivity to climatic variables. The study demonstrates that herbarium data can be used to detect climatic signals on flowering phenology for species with a long flowering duration, such as eucalypts. The robust relationship identified between temperature and flowering phenology indicates that shifts in flowering times will occur under predicted climate change which may affect reproductive success, fitness, plant communities and ecosystems.
Teetering near the edge; women's experiences of anal incontinence following obstetric anal sphincter injury: an interpretive phenomenological research study
Authors: Tucker Julie , Clifton Vicki , Wilson Anne
Published: August 2014

Background

Obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASIS) following vaginal delivery increases the risk of anal incontinence (AI). Subsequent vaginal delivery and ageing increase the risk of worsening symptoms. Very little literature describes any in‐depth understanding of what it is like to live with AI following a history of known OASIS.

Aim

To describe and interpret women's experience of AI following OASIS and its impact on quality of life.

Methods

An interpretive phenomenological study was conducted in a level 2 tertiary hospital in South Australia. Women with a history of OASIS and AI were purposefully recruited. The St Marks Vaizey score was utilised to identify symptom severity. Semi‐structured open‐ended interviews were conducted, and data were analysed utilising Van Manen thematic analysis.

Results

Participants (n = 10) aged 26–56 years. All women were symptomatic of AI following OASIS, and 80% had received a primary OASIS at their first vaginal delivery. The St Marks Vaizey score mean was 9.1 (range within 4–22). Three essential themes grieving for loss, silence, striving for normality with eight subthemes identified a significant sense of loss and psychological impact of AI for this group of women.

Conclusion

Health professionals require a greater understanding of the negative impact of OASIS and AI on women's quality of life. This may improve the management, education and clinical care of this condition which may result as a consequence of OASIS.
Systematic review: the combined surgical and medical treatment of fistulising perianal Crohn's disease
Authors: Yassin N. A. , Askari A. , Warusavitarne J. , Faiz O. D. , Athanasiou T. , Phillips R. K. S. , Hart A. L.
Published: August 2014

Background

The management of perianal Crohn's fistulas represents a significant challenge. A combination of medical and surgical therapy, guided by radiology, is often required.

Aim

To review systematically the literature to assess fistula healing rates with medical treatment (anti‐TNF‐α therapies ± immunomodulators) or surgical treatment alone, compared with combined medical and surgical treatment in fistulising perianal Crohn's disease (CD).

Methods

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used. Two independent reviewers searched the literature.

Results

Twenty‐four articles were included. The total population was 1139 patients; 460 (40%) received single treatment with either medical or surgical therapy, and 679 (60%) received combined medical and surgical therapy. Eight studies compared single and combination therapy, with a total population of 797 patients (single therapy: n = 448, combination therapy: n = 349). In the single therapy group, 191/448 were in complete remission (43%). This was lower than the healing rate of the combination therapy group 180/349 (52%). No response to therapy was noted in 34% (153/448) of the single therapy group compared with 23% (80/349) of the combination group.

Conclusions

Combined surgical and medical (anti‐TNF‐α ± immunomodulators) therapy may have additional beneficial effects on perianal fistula healing in patients with Crohn's disease, compared with surgery or medical therapy alone. A well‐designed Crohn's perianal fistula clinical trial is required in a multidisciplinary medical and surgical setting, with clearly defined end points of clinical (and likely patient reported outcomes) and radiological healing.
The university's place inAsian cities
Authors: Ho Kong Chong
Published: August 2014

This paper highlights the relationship between the largest cities in East Asia and the comprehensive research universities that are located there. We look at three strands in this relationship. The first involves students and their perception of host cities, which provides a better understanding of student life and how this connects to the social–cultural environment of the city. The second strand examines the relationship between the university and industry, showing how such collaborations represent university products and knowledge spillovers that connect the university to the metropolitan economy. By examining where students plan to go after graduation, the third strand indicates that the city not only receives student migrants studying in metropolitan universities, it also receives graduates from otherEastAsian universities. Such third country choices (not returning home or staying in the host country) suggest a new after‐study mobility and a small but growing pool of students who are likely to remain inEastAsia's largest cities after graduation.
Social networks, cultural capital and attachment to the host city: Comparing overseas Chinese students and foreign students in Taipei
Authors: Ma Ai‐hsuan Sandra
Published: August 2014

A central theme in the literature on transnational migration is the embeddedness of such movement in social networks and the utilisation of social capital in facilitating mobility. This case study on overseas Chinese students and mainly non‐Chinese foreign students studying at a top university in Taipei brings in the notions of cultural capital and city. It investigates the ways social networks shape the destination choices of these two groups of students, and how their patterns of adjustment in the host milieu and attachment to the host city are affected by the transnational migration network (and the lack of it), embodied cultural capital and different host imaginaries constructed by the Taiwan government. The results show that these two groups of international students differed in their reliance on transnational migration networks in making destination choices prior to migration. Furthermore, the different forms of social networks and the differential social and cultural capital embedded in their respective groups, along with the distinctive host images that were constructed by the Taiwan government to cater for these two groups, shaped their overseas experiences and attachment to the city of Taipei in distinctive ways.
Bipolar disorder and its relation to major psychiatric disorders: a family‐based study in the Swedish population
Authors: Song Jie , Bergen Sarah E , Kuja‐Halkola Ralf , Larsson Henrik , Landén Mikael , Lichtenstein Paul
Published: August 2014

Objectives

Bipolar disorder (BPD) shares genetic components with other psychiatric disorders; however, uncertainty remains about where in the psychiatric spectra BPD falls. To understand the etiology of BPD, we studied the familial aggregation of BPD and co‐aggregation between BPD and schizophrenia, depression, anxiety disorders, attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder, drug abuse, personality disorders, and autism spectrum disorders.

Methods

A population‐based cohort was created by linking several Swedish national registers. A total of 54,723 individuals with BPD were identified among 8,141,033 offspring from 4,149,748 nuclear families. The relative risk of BPD in relatives and the co‐occurrence of other psychiatric disorders in patients with BPD and their relatives were compared to those of matched‐population controls. Structural equation modeling was used to estimate the heritability and tetrachoric correlation.

Results

The familial risks for relatives of BPD probands were 5.8–7.9 in first‐degree relatives, and decreased with genetic distance. Co‐occurrence risks for other psychiatric disorders were 9.7–22.9 in individuals with BPD and 1.7–2.8 in full siblings of BPD probands. Heritability for BPD was estimated at 58%. The correlations between BPD and other psychiatric disorders were considerable (0.37–0.62) and primarily due to genetic effects. The correlation with depression was the highest (0.62), and was 0.44 for schizophrenia.

Conclusions

The high familial risks provide evidence that genetic factors play an important role in the etiology of BPD, and the shared genetic determinants suggest pleiotropic effects across different psychiatric disorders. Results also indicate that BPD is in both the mood and psychotic spectra, but possibly more closely related to mood disorders.
Nonlinear dynamics of mood regulation in bipolar disorder
Authors: Ortiz Abigail , Bradler Kamil , Garnham Julie , Slaney Claire , Alda Martin
Published: August 2014

Objectives

We sought to study the underlying dynamic processes involved in mood regulation in subjects with bipolar disorder and healthy control subjects using time‐series analysis and to then analyze the relation between anxiety and mood using cross‐correlation techniques.

Methods

We recruited 30 healthy controls and 30 euthymic patients with bipolar disorder. Participants rated their mood, anxiety, and energy levels using a paper‐based visual analog scale; and they also recorded their sleep and any life events. Information on these variables was provided over a three‐month period on a daily basis, twice per day. We analyzed the data using Box–Jenkins time series analysis to obtain information on the autocorrelation of the series (for mood) and cross‐correlation (mood and anxiety series).

Results

Throughout the study, we analyzed 10,170 data points. Self‐ratings for mood, anxiety, and energy were normally distributed in both groups. Autocorrelation functions for mood in both groups were governed by the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) (1,1,0) model, which means that current values in the series were related to one previous point only. We also found a negative cross‐correlation between mood and anxiety.

Conclusions

Mood can be considered a memory stochastic process; it is a flexible, dynamic process that has a ‘short memory’ both in healthy controls and euthymic patients with bipolar disorder. This process may be quite different in untreated patients or in those acutely ill. Our results suggest that nonlinear measures can be applied to the study of mood disorders.
Treatment failure in cognitive‐behavioural therapy: Therapeutic alliance as a precondition for an adherent and competent implementation of techniques
Authors: Weck Florian , Grikscheit Florian , Jakob Marion , Höfling Volkmar , Stangier Ulrich
Published: August 2014

Objectives

Treatment failure is a common phenomenon, but little is known about the reasons. Therapeutic alliance, therapist adherence, and therapist competence are considered important aspects of treatment success and formed the focus of the current investigation.

Design

Three randomized controlled trials for the treatment of depression, social phobia, and hypochondriasis were the basis of the current study.

Methods

The role of therapeutic alliance, as well as therapist adherence and competence, were investigated in 61 patients, which were classified either as treatment failure or as treatment success. Process variables were evaluated by independent raters on the basis of videotapes of the first three treatment sessions.

Results

Therapists' adherence and therapeutic alliance differed significantly between successful treatments and those classified as failures, whereas therapists' competence did not. In cross‐sectional analysis, we found a moderating effect of adherence with alliance on treatment outcome, indicating that the better the therapeutic alliance, the stronger the effect of adherence on treatment outcome. Moreover, higher therapists' competence was found to affect treatment outcome positively, only mediated by therapeutic alliance. Higher therapists' adherence affected treatment outcome positively, only mediated by the competence–alliance relationship. In additional longitudinal analyses, we found evidence that the therapeutic alliance within one session influences therapists' adherence and competence in the subsequent session, but not the other way around.

Conclusions

Therapeutic alliance proved to be an important variable for the prediction of treatment failure. Furthermore, in our longitudinal analyses, we found evidence that the therapeutic alliance is a precondition for the adherent and competent implementation of therapeutic techniques, which questions the results of our cross‐sectional analysis and of previous research.

Practitioner points

Clinical implications

Treatment failure is associated with a lower therapeutic alliance in cognitive‐behavioural treatment.

Therapeutic alliance seems to be an important precondition for the adherent and competent implementation of therapeutic techniques.

Therapeutic alliance should be monitored during psychotherapeutic treatment.

Cautions or limitations

Results are limited to cognitive‐behavioural therapy and may not be representative for other treatment approaches.

Process analyses are based on highly standardized randomized controlled trials and may not be generalizable to routine care.
Thiamine Deficiency‐Mediated Brain Mitochondrial Pathology in Alaskan Huskies with Mutation in SLC19A3.1
Authors: Vernau Karen , Napoli Eleonora , Wong Sarah , Ross‐Inta Catherine , Cameron Jessie , Bannasch Danika , Bollen Andrew , Dickinson Peter , Giulivi Cecilia
Published: August 2014

Alaskan Husky encephalopathy (AHE1) is a fatal brain disease associated with a mutation in SLC19A3.1 (c.624insTTGC, c.625C>A). This gene encodes for a thiamine transporter 2 with a predominately (CNS) central nervous system distribution. Considering that brain is particularly vulnerable to thiamine deficiency because of its reliance on thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP)‐dependent metabolic pathways involved in energy metabolism and neurotransmitter synthesis, we characterized the impact of this mutation on thiamine status, brain bioenergetics and the contribution of oxidative stress to this phenotype. In silico modeling of the mutated transporter indicated a significant loss of alpha‐helices resulting in a more open protein structure suggesting an impaired thiamine transport ability. The cerebral cortex and thalamus of affected dogs were severely deficient in TPP‐dependent enzymes accompanied by decreases in mitochondrial mass and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) capacity, and increases in oxidative stress. These results along with the behavioral and pathological findings indicate that the phenotype associated with AHE is consistent with a brain‐specific thiamine deficiency, leading to brain mitochondrial dysfunction and increased oxidative stress. While some of the biochemical deficits, neurobehavior and affected brain areas in AHE were shared by Wernicke's and Korsakoff's syndromes, several differences were noted likely arising from a tissue‐specific vs. that from a whole‐body thiamine deficiency.
Neuroprotective effects of the anti‐cancer drug sunitinib in models of HIV neurotoxicity suggests potential for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders
Authors: Wrasidlo Wolf , Crews Leslie A , Tsigelny Igor F , Stocking Emily , Kouznetsova Valentina L , Price Diana , Paulino Amy , Gonzales Tania , Overk Cassia R , Patrick Christina , Rockenstein Edward , Masliah Eliezer
Published: August 2014

Background and Purpose

Anti‐retrovirals have improved and extended the life expectancy of patients with HIV. However, as this population ages, the prevalence of cognitive changes is increasing. Aberrant activation of kinases, such as receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and cyclin‐dependent kinase 5 (CDK5), play a role in the mechanisms of HIV neurotoxicity. Inhibitors of CDK5, such as roscovitine, have neuroprotective effects; however, CNS penetration is low. Interestingly, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) display some CDK inhibitory activity and ability to cross the blood–brain barrier.

Experimental Approach

We screened a small group of known TKIs for a candidate with additional CDK5 inhibitory activity and tested the efficacy of the candidate in in vitro and in vivo models of HIV‐gp120 neurotoxicity.

Key Results

Among 12 different compounds, sunitinib inhibited CDK5 with an IC50 of 4.2 μM. In silico analysis revealed that, similarly to roscovitine, sunitinib fitted 6 of 10 features of the CDK5 pharmacophore. In a cell‐based model, sunitinib reduced CDK5 phosphorylation (pCDK5), calpain‐dependent p35/p25 conversion and protected neuronal cells from the toxic effects of gp120. In glial fibrillary acidic protein‐gp120 transgenic (tg) mice, sunitinib reduced levels of pCDK5, p35/p25 and phosphorylated tau protein, along with amelioration of the neurodegenerative pathology.

Conclusions and Implications

Compounds such as sunitinib with dual kinase inhibitory activity could ameliorate the cognitive impairment associated with chronic HIV infection of the CNS. Moreover, repositioning existing low MW compounds holds promise for the treatment of patients with neurodegenerative disorders.
IL‐1β and IL‐18: inflammatory markers or mediators of hypertension?
Authors: Krishnan S M , Sobey C G , Latz E , Mansell A , Drummond G R
Published: August 2014

Chronic inflammation in the kidneys and vascular wall is a major contributor to hypertension. However, the stimuli and cellular mechanisms responsible for such inflammatory responses remain poorly defined. Inflammasomes are crucial initiators of sterile inflammation in other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout. These pattern recognition receptors detect host‐derived danger‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), such as microcrystals and reactive oxygen species, and respond by inducing activation of caspase‐1. Caspase‐1 then processes the cytokines pro‐IL‐1β and pro‐IL‐18 into their active forms thus triggering inflammation. While IL‐1β and IL‐18 are known to be elevated in hypertensive patients, no studies have examined whether this occurs downstream of inflammasome activation or whether inhibition of inflammasome and/or IL‐1β/IL‐18 signalling prevents hypertension. In this review, we will discuss some known actions of IL‐1β and IL‐18 on leukocyte and vessel wall function that could potentially underlie a prohypertensive role for these cytokines. We will describe the major classes of inflammasome‐activating DAMPs and present evidence that at least some of these are elevated in the setting of hypertension. Finally, we will provide information on drugs that are currently used to inhibit inflammasome/IL‐1β/IL‐18 signalling and how these might ultimately be used as therapeutic agents for the clinical management of hypertension.
Protons modulate perivascular axo‐axonal neurotransmission in the rat mesenteric artery
Authors: Takatori Shingo , Hirai Kazuhiro , Ozaki Shuichiro , Tangsucharit Panot , Fukushima‐Miyashita Satoko , Goda Mitsuhiro , Hashikawa‐Hobara Narumi , Ono Nobufumi , Kawasaki Hiromu
Published: August 2014

Background and Purpose

Previous studies have demonstrated that nicotine releases protons from adrenergic nerves via stimulation of nicotinic ACh receptors and activates transient receptor potential vanilloid‐1 (TRPV1) receptors located on calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP)‐containing (CGRPergic) vasodilator nerves, resulting in vasodilatation. The present study investigated whether perivascular nerves release protons, which modulate axon‐axonal neurotransmission.

Experiment Approach

Perfusion pressure and pH levels of perfusate in rat‐perfused mesenteric vascular beds without endothelium were measured with a pressure transducer and a pH meter respectively.

Key Results

Periarterial nerve stimulation (PNS) initially induced vasoconstriction, which was followed by long‐lasting vasodilatation and decreased pH levels in the perfusate. Cold‐storage denervation of the preparation abolished the decreased pH and vascular responses to PNS. The adrenergic neuron blocker guanethidine inhibited PNS‐induced vasoconstriction and effects on pH, but not PNS‐induced vasodilatation. Capsaicin (CGRP depletor), capsazepine and ruthenium red (TRPV1 inhibitors) attenuated the PNS‐induced decrease in pH and vasodilatation. In denuded preparations, ACh caused long‐lasting vasodilatation and lowered pH; these effects were inhibited by capsaicin pretreatment and atropine, but not by guanethidine or mecamylamine. Capsaicin injection induced vasodilatation and a reduction in pH, which were abolished by ruthenium red. The use of a fluorescent pH indicator demonstrated that application of nicotine, ACh and capsaicin outside small mesenteric arteries reduced perivascular pH levels and these effects were abolished in a Ca2+‐free medium.

Conclusion and Implication

These results suggest that protons are released from perivascular adrenergic and CGRPergic nerves upon PNS and these protons modulate transmission in CGRPergic nerves.
Concerns and hopes among adolescents attending adolescent psychiatric outpatient clinics
Authors: Anttila Katriina , Anttila Minna , Kurki Marjo , Hätönen Heli , Marttunen Mauri , Välimäki Maritta
Published: August 2014

Background

Mental disorders affect the well‐being of adolescents. This study aims to describe adolescents' concerns and hopes from their own perspective when referred to adolescent psychiatric outpatient treatment.

Method

The qualitative data consisted of adolescents' (n = 70) short essays gathered using the Depis.Net Internet program and analyzed with inductive thematic analysis.

Results

The adolescents described their concerns and hopes regarding their relationships, daily actions, identity, and well‐being.

Conclusions

Adolescents share their concerns and find solutions if they find a safe channel to do so. Professionals should find new ways to help adolescents share their life experiences and information technology may be a promising tool.
PD‐1 expression on peripheral blood T‐cell subsets correlates with prognosis in non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Waki Kayoko , Yamada Teppei , Yoshiyama Koichi , Terazaki Yasuhiro , Sakamoto Shinjiro , Matsueda Satoko , Komatsu Nobukazu , Sugawara Shunichi , Takamori Shinzo , Itoh Kyogo , Yamada Akira
Published: August 2014

PD‐1 expression in peripheral blood T‐cells has been reported in several kinds of cancers, including lung cancer. However, the relationship between PD‐1 expression in peripheral blood T‐cells and prognosis after treatment with a cancer vaccine has not been reported. To elucidate this relationship, we analyzed PD‐1 expression in the peripheral blood T‐cells of patients with non‐small cell lung cancer. The blood samples used in this study were obtained from patients enrolled in phase II clinical trials of a personalized peptide vaccine. Seventy‐eight samples obtained before and after a single vaccination cycle (consisting of six or eight doses) were subjected to the analysis. PD‐1 was expressed on lymphocytes in the majority of samples. The relative contents of PD1+CD4+ T‐cells against total lymphocytes before and after the vaccination cycle correlated with overall survival (OS) with a high degree of statistical significance (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0014). A decrease in PD‐1+CD8+ T‐cells after one cycle of vaccination also correlated with longer OS (P = 0.032). The IgG response to the non‐vaccinated peptides suggested that the epitope spreading seemed to occur more frequently in high‐PD‐1+CD4+ T‐cell groups. Enrichment of CD45RA−CCR7− effector‐memory phenotype cells in PD‐1+ T‐cells in PBMCs was also shown. These results suggest that PD‐1 expression on the peripheral blood T‐cell subsets can become a new prognostic marker in non‐small cell lung cancer patients treated with personalized peptide vaccination.
Beneficial metabolic phenotypes caused by loss‐of‐function APOC3 mutations
Authors: Gibson W. T.
Published: August 2014

Loss‐of‐function mutations in APOC3, triglycerides, and coronary disease.

TG & HDL Working Group of the NHLBI Exome Sequencing Project (2014)

N Engl J Med 371:22–31

Loss‐of‐function mutations in APOC3 and risk of ischemic vascular disease.

Jørgensen et al. (2014)

N Engl J Med 371:32–41
Cost‐Effectiveness of Using Small Vertebrates as Indicators of Disturbance
Authors: PECK MIKA ROBERT , MADDOCK SIMON T. , MORALES JORGE NOE , OÑATE HUGOLINO , MAFLA‐ENDARA PAOLA , PEÑAFIEL VANESSA AGUIRRE , TORRES‐CARVAJAL OMAR , POZO‐RIVERA WILMER E. , CUEVA‐ARROYO XAVIER A. , TOLHURST BRYONY A.
Published: August 2014

In species‐rich tropical forests, effective biodiversity management demands measures of progress, yet budgetary limitations typically constrain capacity of decision makers to assess response of biological communities to habitat change. One approach is to identify ecological‐disturbance indicator species (EDIS) whose monitoring is also monetarily cost‐effective. These species can be identified by determining individual species’ responses to disturbance across a gradient; however, such responses may be confounded by factors other than disturbance. For example, in mountain environments the effects of anthropogenic habitat alteration are commonly confounded by elevation. EDIS have been identified with the indicator value (IndVal) metric, but there are weaknesses in the application of this approach in complex montane systems. We surveyed birds, small mammals, bats, and leaf‐litter lizards in differentially disturbed cloud forest of the Ecuadorian Andes. We then incorporated elevation in generalized linear (mixed) models (GL(M)M) to screen for EDIS in the data set. Finally, we used rarefaction of species accumulation data to compare relative monetary costs of identifying and monitoring EDIS at equal sampling effort, based on species richness. Our GL(M)M generated greater numbers of EDIS but fewer characteristic species relative to IndVal. In absolute terms birds were the most cost‐effective of the 4 taxa surveyed. We found one low‐cost bird EDIS. In terms of the number of indicators generated as a proportion of species richness, EDIS of small mammals were the most cost‐effective. Our approach has the potential to be a useful tool for facilitating more sustainable management of Andean forest systems.

Rentabilidad del Uso de Pequeños Vertebrados como Indicadores de Perturbaciones
How does Family Control Influence Firm Strategy and Performance? A Meta‐Analysis of US Publicly Listed Firms
Authors: van Essen Marc , Carney Michael , Gedajlovic Eric R. , Heugens Pursey P. M. A. R.
Published: August 2014

Manuscript Type

Empirical

Research Question/Issue

A contentious and prominent research question in the management literature is whether publicly listed family firms (FFs) outperform other types of corporations. Through a research synthesis of all available studies on the performance of US FFs, we address this question directly. We also extend the debate by raising three salient follow‐up questions. First, is the performance differential between FFs and non‐FFs attributable to a unique set of strategic choices? Second, do FF performance effects persist across generational transitions in FF control? Third, are performance differentials across generations attributable to intergenerational shifts in corporate governance and strategy?

Research Findings/Insights

With respect to our primary research question, we find that the balance of evidence indicates that (US) FFs outperform other types of public corporations. We also evaluate competing narratives regarding which strategies are characteristic of FFs, and demonstrate that their diversification, internationalization, and financing strategies mediate the FF‐performance relationship in manners consistent with the narratives advanced by certain leading FF scholars, but not others. Further, we find that the performance of (US) FFs drops dramatically after the first generation and show that this negative performance differential is due to the much more conservative patterns of strategic decision making enacted by successor generations.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

In addition to providing the most comprehensive evidence to date regarding the performance attributes of FFs, we nuance several theoretical debates concerning the propensity of FFs to diversify, internationalize, and leverage their equity capital.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

We identify value‐creating strategic choices of FFs related to internationalization, diversification, and capital structure. We also identify strategic choices often made in successor‐led FFs which reduce value. Both sets of findings are relevant to FF executives and consultants. The policy implications of the study are that in advanced liberal market economies high‐quality capital market institutions are likely to contribute to FF outperformance vis‐à‐vis other types of publicly listed firms, but these findings may not hold in other types of national governance systems or in emerging markets.
Different Implication of Elevated B‐Type Natriuretic Peptide Level in Patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction and in Those with Reduced Ejection Fraction
Authors: Ishigaki Takako , Yoshida Takashi , Izumi Hiromi , Fujisawa Yoshihisa , Shimizu Shoko , Masuda Kasumi , Asanuma Toshihiko , Okabe Hidetoshi , Nakatani Satoshi
Published: August 2014

Background

There have been no reports that show significant direct relationship between echocardiographic parameters and B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level. This could be due to the heterogeneous pathophysiology of heart failure and a lack of appropriate echocardiographic parameters. We sought to determine the best echocardiographic parameter that described elevated BNP level in patients with heart failure with and without systolic dysfunction.

Methods and Results

We studied 111 consecutive heart failure patients. They were divided into patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF, n = 61) and that with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFREF, n = 50). Conventional and new echocardiographic parameters including myocardial strains were measured. BNP did not reflect any single echocardiographic parameter in patients with heart failure in total. The ratio of early diastolic transmitral flow velocity and mitral annular velocity had strong positive correlation with BNP level in the HFPEF group but not in the HFREF group. In the group of HFREF, global longitudinal and circumferential strains were positively correlated. Multivariate analysis revealed that predicted factors for BNP value in HFPEF and in HFREF were different.

Conclusion

High BNP level may indicate high filling pressure when ejection fraction is preserved and may indicate myocardial dysfunction when it is reduced.
Cardiac Strain during Upright Cycle Ergometry in Adolescent Males
Authors: Unnithan Viswanath B. , Rowland Thomas , Lindley Martin R. , Roche Denise M. , Garrard Max , Barker Piers
Published: August 2014

Little evidence exists with regard to changes in cardiac strain that occur during submaximal exercise in young males. The aims of the study were to evaluate the changes that occur in longitudinal (L), radial (R), and endocardial circumferential (EC) strain during submaximal upright cycle ergometry and to examine the test–retest reproducibility of these measurements. Fourteen recreationally active, adolescent (age: 17.9 ± 0.7 years) males volunteered for the study. All subjects underwent an incremental (40 W) submaximal cycle ergometer test. L, R, and EC strain values were obtained using speckle tracking, from two‐dimensional B‐mode images of the left ventricle (LV) during rest and the initial stages of submaximal exercise (40 and 80 W). The average of 6 LV segments was used to determine both peak wall deformation (%) and the time to peak deformation (ms). There was a statistically (P < 0.05) significant increase from rest to submaximal exercise for peak deformation for L, R, and EC strain. There was a statistically significant (P < 0.05) decrease from rest to submaximal exercise for time to peak for L and R and EC strain and between submaximal workloads for time to peak for L strain and EC strain. Coefficients of variation demonstrated reproducibility for upright strain and strain rate measurements similar to published supine measurements. This study has demonstrated that changes in left ventricular wall deformation (L, R and EC strain) that occur during the transition from rest to submaximal exercise can be reliably measured and confirm that a healthy LV has a hyperdynamic response to exercise.
Political Effects on Pension Underfunding
Authors: Elder Erick M. , Wagner Gary A.
Published: August 2014

Pension underfunding in the public sector has received considerable attention recently and is often cited as the next looming crisis. The majority of recent research has focused on appropriately measuring the underfunding. In this paper, we employ a political economy framework to show that increases in partisan polarization and electoral uncertainty lead to greater underfunding. Using an unbalanced panel of individual pension plans, we find robust empirical evidence that higher legislative turnover rates, more electoral competition, and term limits all lead to more pension underfunding. The political environments of state and local governments play a pivotal role in pension underfunding.
Serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D and cognitive decline in the very old: the Newcastle 85+ Study
Authors: Granic A. , Hill T. R. , Kirkwood T. B. L. , Davies K. , Collerton J. , Martin‐Ruiz C. , von Zglinicki T. , Saxby B. K. , Wesnes K. A. , Collerton D. , Mathers J. C. , Jagger C.
Published: August 2014

Background and purpose

Studies investigating the association between 25‐hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and cognition in the very old (85+) are lacking.

Methods

Cross‐sectional (baseline) and prospective data (up to 3 years follow‐up) from 775 participants in the Newcastle 85+ Study were analysed for global (measured by the Standardized Mini‐Mental State Examination) and attention‐specific (measured by the attention battery of the Cognitive Drug Research test) cognitive performance in relation to season‐specific 25(OH)D quartiles.

Results

Those in the lowest and highest season‐specific 25(OH)D quartiles had an increased risk of impaired prevalent (1.66, 95% confidence interval 1.06–2.60, P = 0.03; 1.62, 95% confidence interval 1.02–2.59, P = 0.04, respectively) but not incident global cognitive functioning or decline in functioning compared with those in the middle quartiles adjusted for sociodemographic, health and lifestyle confounders. Random effects models showed that participants belonging to the lowest and highest 25(OH)D quartiles, compared with those in the middle quartiles, had overall slower (log‐transformed) attention reaction times for Choice Reaction Time (lowest, β = 0.023, P = 0.01; highest, β = 0.021, P = 0.02), Digit Vigilance Task (lowest, β = 0.009, P = 0.05; highest, β = 0.01, P = 0.02) and Power of Attention (lowest, β = 0.017, P = 0.02; highest, β = 0.022, P = 0.002) and greater Reaction Time Variability (lowest, β = 0.021, P = 0.02; highest, β = 0.02, P = 0.03). The increased risk of worse global cognition and attention amongst those in the highest quartile was not observed in non‐users of vitamin D supplements/medication.

Conclusion

Low and high season‐specific 25(OH)D quartiles were associated with prevalent cognitive impairment and poorer overall performance in attention‐specific tasks over 3 years in the very old, but not with global cognitive decline or incident impairment.
High‐Frequency Exchange Rate Forecasting
Authors: Cai Charlie X. , Zhang Qi
Published: August 2014

Predictability of exchange rate movement is of great interest to both practitioners and regulators. We examine the predictability of exchange rate movement in the high‐frequency domain. To this end, we apply a model designed for modelling high‐frequency and irregularly spaced data, the autoregressive conditional multinomial–autoregressive conditional duration (ACM–ACD) model. Studying three pairs of currencies, we find strong predictability in the high‐frequency quote change data, with the rate of correct predictions varying from 54 to 70%. We demonstrate that filtering the data, by increasing the threshold of mid‐quote price change, in combination with dynamic learning, can improve forecasting performance.
Baicalein induces autophagic cell death through AMPK/ULK1 activation and downregulation of mTORC1 complex components in human cancer cells
Authors: Aryal Pramod , Kim Kijoong , Park Pil‐Hoon , Ham Seongho , Cho Junghee , Song Kyung
Published: August 2014

Baicalein, a flavonoid and aglycon hydrolyzed from baicalin, has anticancer properties in several human carcinomas, but its molecular mechanisms of action remain unclear. Here, we show that baicalein leads to human cancer cell death by inducing autophagy rather than apoptosis, because cell death induced by baicalein was completely reversed by suppressing the expression levels of key molecules in autophagy such as Beclin 1, vacuolar protein sorting 34 (Vps34), autophagy‐related (Atg)5 and Atg7, but not by pan‐caspase inhibitor. Our data revealed that baicalein significantly increased the number of green fluorescence protein–cytosol‐associated protein light chain 3 (GFP–LC3)‐containing puncta and LC3B‐II expression levels, which were further enhanced by chloroquine treatment. Furthermore, a luciferase‐based reporter assay showed that the ratio of RLuc–LC3wt/RLuc–LC3G120A was greatly reduced. The data suggested that baicalein induced not only autophagosome formation, but also autophagic flux. Experiments using short interfering RNAs and pharmacological inhibitors revealed that Beclin 1, Vps34, Atg5, Atg7 and UNC‐51 (Caenorhabditis elegans)‐like kinase 1 (ULK1) play pivotal roles in mediating baicalein‐induced autophagy. Moreover, baicalein activated AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK)α, leading to ULK1 activation through phosphorylation at Ser555, whereas both protein and mRNA levels of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and Raptor, upstream inhibitors of ULK1 and autophagy, were markedly downregulated by baicalein. Our data suggest that the anticancer effects of baicalein are mainly due to autophagic cell death through activation of the AMPK/ULK1 pathway and inhibition of mTOR/Raptor complex 1 expression. These results provide new mechanistic insights into the anticancer functions of autophagy inducers, such as baicalein, which may be used as potential therapeutics for cancer treatment.
The effect of tooth loss on gait stability of community‐dwelling older adults
Authors: Brand Christina , Bridenbaugh Stephanie A. , Perkovac Mateja , Glenz Fabienne , Besimo Christian E. , Sendi Pedram , Kressig Reto W. , Marinello Carlo P.
Published: August 2014

Objective

To investigate the effects of tooth loss on gait stability in a healthy elderly population.

Methods

A case–control study was conducted among healthy and prosthetically well‐restored seniors over the age of 65 years. The test group comprised 24 edentulous participants who were restored with complete dentures in the upper jaw and an overdenture fixed on two implants in the lower jaw. The control group comprised 25 dentate participants who either still had their natural teeth or were restored with conventional fixed partial dentures. Gait stability was evaluated by measuring the parameters ‘gait velocity’ and ‘cycle‐time variability’ during self‐selected normal walking speed and under dual‐task performance conditions. Measurements were conducted using the GAITRite® electronic walkway system.

Results

Dentated and fixed restored participants (the control group) had a significantly higher gait velocity compared with denture wearers (the test group) under both normal walking (p = 0.03) and dual‐task performance conditions (p = 0.01). In each test condition, among edentulous participants, gait velocity did not significantly differ according to whether the participant wore their dentures.

Conclusion

The present results suggest that tooth loss in healthy seniors is associated with lower gait velocity and therefore may have a negative impact on gait stability.
Peromyscus leucopus mice: a potential animal model for haematological studies
Authors: Sun Yu , Desierto Marie J. , Ueda Yasutaka , Kajigaya Sachiko , Chen Jichun , Young Neal S.
Published: August 2014

Peromyscus leucopus mice share physical similarities with laboratory mice Mus musculus (MM) but have higher agility and longer lifespan. We compared domesticated P. leucopus linville (PLL) and M. musculus C57BL/6 (MMB6) mice for cellular composition of peripheral blood (PB), bone marrow (BM) and spleen. PLL mice had significantly fewer platelets and significantly more monocytes in the blood, and notably fewer megakaryocytes in the BM. Spleens of PLL mice were significantly smaller, with 50% fewer cells and reduced ‘red pulp’. There was no obvious haematological change in PLL mice between 2–8 and 16–26 months of age, except for a significant increase in blood monocytes. Cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) content showed no change with age but differed significantly between different cell types. Treating two to eight month‐old PLL mice with antioxidant N‐acetylcysteine in drinking water for three  months did not affect cellular ROS content, but increased blood leucocytes especially the concentration of monocytes. The low platelets, low megakaryocytes, high monocytes and low splenic erythropoiesis in PLL mice resemble human measurements better than the values seen in MMB6.
Prognostic relevance of aberrant SOCS‐1 gene promoter methylation in myelodysplastic syndromes patients
Authors: Chaubey R. , Sazawal S. , Mahapatra M. , Chhikara S. , Saxena R.
Published: August 2014

Introduction

The inactivation of suppressor of cytokine signaling SOCS‐1, a negative regulator of cytokine pathways, by hypermethylation was shown in hematological malignancies including Myelsplastic Syndromes. So far, its prognostic relevance in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients has not been understood.

Methods

Methylation status of SOCS‐1 gene was analyzed in series of 100 patients using methylation‐specific PCR (MS‐PCR) and correlated with disease severity, progression, and survival by comparing prognostic factors such as hematological, clinical, and cytogenetics.

Results

Of the total of 100 MDS patients analyzed, methylation of SOCS1 gene was found in 53% patients. Also, the frequency of patients with poor and intermediate cytogenetics was observed significantly high in methylated group (P < 0.001). Moreover, the patients with methylated SOCS‐1 gene had significantly more frequent disease progression as compared to the patients with unmethylated SOCS‐1 gene (P < 0.006). Both progression‐free survival and median overall survival were significantly shorter in patients with methylated SOCS‐1 gene when compared to the patients with unmethylated SOCS‐1 gene (P = 0.006 & P = 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion

This study for the first time showed that the mathylation of SOCS‐1 gene plays an important role in the disease progression and is associated with poor survival especially among the high‐risk patients. This may be due to high association between SOCS1 methylation and higher risk subtypes of MDS (such as RAEB) in this study.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Dynamic Collapse of the Cricotracheal Ligament in Thoroughbred Racehorses
Authors: Kelly Padraig G. , Pollock Patrick J.
Published: August 2014

Objective

To describe (1) diagnosis of dynamic collapse of the cricotracheal ligament in a group of horses and (2) treatment and outcome of affected horses.

Study Design

Retrospective case series.

Animals

Thoroughbred horses (n = 8).

Methods

Of 600 over ground dynamic endoscopic examinations performed, 8 Thoroughbred horses had cricotracheal ligament collapse (CTLC); 5 were 2 years old and in early training and 2 were mature horses in full work. CTLC was diagnosed if circumferential collapse of the cricotracheal ligament was identified during exercise. Seven horses had repeat endoscopic examination. Two horses unresponsive to conservative management were treated surgically.

Results

Multiple abnormalities of the upper portion of the respiratory tract were identified along with CTLC in all five 2‐year‐old horses and resolution of CTLC was observed after treatment for upper airway inflammation. No concurrent respiratory abnormality was identified in the 2 mature horses. Surgical reduction of the cricotracheal space and imbrication of the cricotracheal ligament of these 2 horses resulted in resolution of clinical signs of CTLC.

Conclusions

CTLC is a rare cause of dynamic obstruction in Thoroughbred racehorses. Resolution may occur after adaptation to training and after inflammation of the respiratory tract is resolved, but for horses with persistent CTLC, surgical reduction of the cricotracheal space and imbrication of the cricotracheal ligament may result in resolution of clinical signs.
The relationship between gender, perceived career barriers, and occupational aspirations
Authors: Watts Logan L. , Frame Mark C. , Moffett Richard G. , Van Hein Judith L. , Hein Michael
Published: August 2014

The relationships between college student gender, perceived career barriers, and occupational aspirations were examined. Participants were 314 students located in the southeastern United States. Overall, college women reported higher levels of occupational aspirations than college men. While occupational aspirations were not correlated with perceived career barriers for women or men, women reported anticipating more barriers to their career advancement than their male peers. Perceived career barriers and the interaction between gender and perceived career barriers predicted occupational aspirations after controlling for gender, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and year in school. The relationship between occupational aspirations and the interaction between gender and perceived career barriers in college‐age adults enhances our understanding of occupational aspirations.