bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FGF5 is a crucial regulator of hair length in humans
Authors: Higgins Claire A. , Petukhova Lynn , Harel Sivan , Ho Yuan Y. , Drill Esther , Shapiro Lawrence , Wajid Muhammad , Christiano Angela M.
Published: July 2014

Significance

Hair length varies dramatically on different body sites and also varies between individuals. Thus, hair length is a quantitative trait, suggesting inherited differences. In this study, we obtained DNA from families segregating excessively long eyelashes consistent with an autosomal recessive trait. We identified mutations in a single gene, fibroblast growth factor 5 (
FGF5
), which was homozygous in affected family members only. FGF5 has previously been implicated as a regulator of hair lengths in mammals, with mutations resulting in the well-described
angora
phenotype. However, until now a human counterpart to this phenotype remained elusive. Here, we present, to our knowledge, the first human counterpart of the
angora
phenotype, showing that FGF5 underlies trichomegaly and is a crucial regulator of hair growth in humans.
Final report on international comparison APMP.QM-S4: Carbon dioxide in nitrogen at 2000 µmol/mol
Authors: Kim Yong Doo , Kim Kwang Seob , Lee Sangil , Oh Sang Hyub , Lin Tsai-Yin , Cheng Jui-Hsiang , Huang Chiung-Kun
Published: July 2014

This report presents the results of APMP.QM-S4, a supplementary comparison. This comparison is designed to test the capabilities of the NMIs to measure and certify carbon dioxide at a nominal amount fraction of 2000 µmol/mol in nitrogen. The previous key comparisons regarding carbon dioxide, CCQM-K1.b and CCQM-K52, had been done at a lower range than that in this comparison. This comparison gives an opportunity to the NMIs to submit supporting evidence for CMC at a higher range.

Main text.
To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
A Novel Experience in Crime Narrative: Watching and ReadingThe Killing
Authors: Archer Neil
Published: July 2014

This essay will consider the adaptation of series one of the Danish television serial Forbrydelsen / The Killing (2007) into David Hewson’s novel The Killing (2012). Considering the television show through theoretical paradigms of contemporary long-form television, I will examine the discourses of ‘the novel’ and the ‘novelistic’ as they relate to both texts. As I will argue, attributing ‘novelistic’ characteristics to television texts may be problematic, but it also provides a significant opportunity for rethinking dominant or fixed conceptions of the novel as a cultural form and product. Looking closely at Hewson’s novel, the paper will also aim to reconfigure the ‘convergence’ model of novelization, thinking instead about the novel adaptation as a form of interpretive process across media. In doing this, I will consider how such adaptations are informed by conceptions of novelistic form and style, which may work discursively to reconfigure or ‘legitimize’ the adapted text but also to disavow ‘low’ cultural connotations.
GATB: Genome Assembly & Analysis Tool Box
Authors: Drezen Erwan , Rizk Guillaume , Chikhi Rayan , Deltel Charles , Lemaitre Claire , Peterlongo Pierre , Lavenier Dominique
Published: July 2014

Motivation: Efficient and fast next-generation sequencing (NGS) algorithms are essential to analyze the terabytes of data generated by the NGS machines. A serious bottleneck can be the design of such algorithms, as they require sophisticated data structures and advanced hardware implementation.

Results: We propose an open-source library dedicated to genome assembly and analysis to fasten the process of developing efficient software. The library is based on a recent optimized de-Bruijn graph implementation allowing complex genomes to be processed on desktop computers using fast algorithms with low memory footprints.

Availability and implementation: The GATB library is written in C++ and is available at the following Web site http://gatb.inria.fr under the A-GPL license.

Contact:  lavenier@irisa.fr

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Integrating passive acoustic and visual data to model spatial patterns of occurrence in coastal dolphins
Authors: Thompson Paul M. , Brookes Kate L. , Cordes Line S.
Published: July 2014

Fine-scale information on the occurrence of coastal cetaceans is required to support regulation of offshore energy developments and marine spatial planning. In particular, the EU Habitats Directive requires an understanding of the extent to which animals from Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) use adjacent waters, where survey effort is often sparse. Designing survey regimes that can be used to support these assessments is especially challenging because visual sightings are expected to be rare in peripheral parts of a population's range. Consequently, even intensive visual line-transect surveys can result in few encounters. Static passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) provides new opportunities to extend survey effort by using echolocation click detections to quantify levels of occurrence of coastal dolphins, but this does not provide information on species identity. In NE Scotland, assessments of proposed offshore energy developments required information on spatial patterns of occurrence of bottlenose dolphins in waters in and next to the Moray Firth SAC. Here, we illustrate how this can be achieved by integrating data from broad-scale PAM arrays with presence-only data from visual surveys. Generalized estimating equations were used with PAM data to model the occurrence of dolphins in relation to depth, distance to coast, slope, and sediment, and to predict the spatial variation in the cumulative occurrence of all dolphin species across a 4 × 4 km grid of the study area. Classification tree analysis was then applied to available visual sightings data to estimate the likely species identity of dolphins sighted in each grid cell in relation to local habitat. By multiplying these probabilities, it was possible to provide advice on spatial variation in the probability of encountering bottlenose dolphins from this protected population at a regional scale, complementing data from surveys that estimate average density or overall abundance within a region.
Pathogenic influenza B virus in the ferret model establishes lower respiratory tract infection
Authors: Huang Stephen S. H. , Banner David , Paquette Stephane G. , Leon Alberto J. , Kelvin Alyson A. , Kelvin David J.
Published: July 2014

Influenza B viruses have become increasingly more prominent during influenza seasons. Influenza B infection is typically considered a mild disease and receives less attention than influenza A, but has been causing 20 to 50 % of the total influenza incidence in several regions around the world. Although there is increasing evidence of mid to lower respiratory tract diseases such as bronchitis and pneumonia in influenza B patients, little is known about the pathogenesis of recent influenza B viruses. Here we investigated the clinical and pathological profiles of infection with strains representing the two current co-circulating B lineages (B/Yamagata and B/Victoria) in the ferret model. Specifically, we studied two B/Victoria (B/Brisbane/60/2008 and B/Bolivia/1526/2010) and two B/Yamagata (B/Florida/04/2006 and B/Wisconsin/01/2010) strain infections in ferrets and observed strain-specific but not lineage-specific pathogenicity. We found B/Brisbane/60/2008 caused the most severe clinical illness and B/Brisbane/60/2008 and the B/Yamagata strains instigated pathology in the middle to lower respiratory tract. Importantly, B/Brisbane/60/2008 established efficient lower respiratory tract infection with high viral burden. Our phylogenetic analyses demonstrate profound reassortment among recent influenza B viruses, which indicates the genetic make-up of B/Brisbane/60/2008 differs from the other strains. This may explain the pathogenicity difference post-infection in ferrets.
Big Behavioral Data: Psychology, Ethology and the Foundations of Neuroscience
Authors: Gomez-Marin Alex , Paton Joseph J. , Kampff Adam R. , Costa Rui M. , Mainen Zachary F.
Published: July 2014

Behavior is a unifying organismal process through which genes, neural function, anatomy and environment converge and interrelate. Here we review the current state and sketch the future impact of accelerating advances in technology for behavioral studies, focusing on rodents as an exemplar. We frame our analysis in three dimensions: (1) degree of experimental constraint, (2) dimensionality of data, and (3) level of description. We argue that ethomics, fueled by “big behavioral data”, presents challenges proportionate to its promise and describe how these challenges might be met through opportunities afforded by the two rival conceptual legacies of 20thcentury behavioral science, ethology and psychology. We conclude that although “ethomes” are not the goal, big behavioral data has the potential to transform and unify these two disciplines and to solidify the foundations of others, including neuroscience, particularly if the data is as open as it is copious and quantitative.
A BRIEF SURVEY ON BIO INSPIRED OPTIMIZATION ALGORITHMS FOR MOLECULAR DOCKING
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Mayukh
Published: July 2014

The idea in molecular docking is to design pharmaceuticals computationally by identifying potential drug candidates targeted against proteins. The candidates can be found using a docking algorithm that tries to identify the bound conformation of a small molecule ligand to a macromolecular target at its active site, which is the region of an enzyme where natural substrate binds. Mathematically, molecular docking can be formulated as an optimization problem in which the objective is to minimize the intermolecular bound conformational energy of two interacting molecules. In this brief survey, after a concise introduction on nature inspired computing, the application of bio inspired optimization algorithms in molecular docking has been studied.
Efficient gene targeting by homology-directed repair in rat zygotes using TALE nucleases
Authors: Remy Séverine , Tesson Laurent , Menoret Séverine , Usal Claire , De Cian Anne , Thepenier Virginie , Thinard Reynald , Baron Daniel , Charpentier Marine , Renaud Jean-Baptiste , Buelow Roland , Cost Gregory J. , Giovannangeli Carine , Fraichard Alexandre , Concordet Jean-Paul , Anegon Ignacio
Published: July 2014

The generation of genetically modified animals is important for both research and commercial purposes. The rat is an important model organism that until recently lacked efficient genetic engineering tools. Sequence-specific nucleases, such as ZFNs, TALE nucleases, and CRISPR/Cas9 have allowed the creation of rat knockout models. Genetic engineering by homology-directed repair (HDR) is utilized to create animals expressing transgenes in a controlled way and to introduce precise genetic modifications. We applied TALE nucleases and donor DNA microinjection into zygotes to generate HDR-modified rats with large new sequences introduced into three different loci with high efficiency (0.62%–5.13% of microinjected zygotes). Two of these loci (Rosa26 and Hprt1) are known to allow robust and reproducible transgene expression and were targeted for integration of a GFP expression cassette driven by the CAG promoter. GFP-expressing embryos and four Rosa26 GFP rat lines analyzed showed strong and widespread GFP expression in most cells of all analyzed tissues. The third targeted locus was Ighm, where we performed successful exon exchange of rat exon 2 for the human one. At all three loci we observed HDR only when using linear and not circular donor DNA. Mild hypothermic (30°C) culture of zygotes after microinjection increased HDR efficiency for some loci. Our study demonstrates that TALE nuclease and donor DNA microinjection into rat zygotes results in efficient and reproducible targeted donor integration by HDR. This allowed creation of genetically modified rats in a work-, cost-, and time-effective manner.
TGA Transcription Factors Activate the Salicylic Acid-Suppressible Branch of the Ethylene-Induced Defense Program by Regulating ORA59 Expression
Authors: Zander Mark , Thurow Corinna , Gatz Christiane
Published: July 2014

Salicylic acid (SA), a hormone essential for defense against biotrophic pathogens, triggers increased susceptibility of plants against necrotrophic attackers by suppressing the jasmonic acid-ethylene (ET) defense response. Here, we show that this disease-promoting SA effect is abolished in plants lacking the three related TGACG sequence-specific binding proteins TGA2, TGA5, and TGA6 (class II TGAs). After treatment of plants with the ET precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), activation of all those genes that are suppressed by SA depended on class II TGAs. Rather than TGA binding sites, GCC-box motifs were significantly enriched in the corresponding promoters. GCC-box motifs are recognized by members of the superfamily of APETALA2/ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTORs (ERFs). Of 11 activating ACC-induced APETALA2/ERFs, only ORA59 (for OCTADECANOID-RESPONSIVE ARABIDOPSIS APETALA2/ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR domain protein59) and ERF96 were strongly suppressed by SA. ORA59 is the master regulator of the jasmonic acid-ET-induced defense program. ORA59 transcript levels do not reach maximal levels in the tga2 tga5 tga6 triple mutant, and this residual activity cannot be suppressed by SA. The ORA59 promoter contains an essential TGA binding site and is a direct target of class II TGAs as revealed by chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments. We suggest that class II TGAs at the ORA59 promoter constitute an important regulatory hub for the activation and SA suppression of ACC-induced genes.
Arabidopsis DELLA and Two HD-ZIP Transcription Factors Regulate GA Signaling in the Epidermis through the L1 Box cis-Element
Authors: Rombolá-Caldentey Belén , Rueda-Romero Paloma , Iglesias-Fernández Raquel , Carbonero Pilar , Oñate-Sánchez Luis
Published: July 2014

Gibberellins (GAs) are plant hormones that affect plant growth and regulate gene expression differentially across tissues. To study the molecular mechanisms underlying GA signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana, we focused on a GDSL lipase gene (LIP1) induced by GA and repressed by DELLA proteins. LIP1 contains an L1 box promoter sequence, conserved in the promoters of epidermis-specific genes, that is bound by ATML1, an HD-ZIP transcription factor required for epidermis specification. In this study, we demonstrate that LIP1 is specifically expressed in the epidermis and that its L1 box sequence mediates GA-induced transcription. We show that this sequence is overrepresented in the upstream regulatory regions of GA-induced and DELLA-repressed transcriptomes and that blocking GA signaling in the epidermis represses the expression of L1 box–containing genes and negatively affects seed germination. We show that DELLA proteins interact directly with ATML1 and its paralogue PDF2 and that silencing of both HD-ZIP transcription factors inhibits epidermal gene expression and delays germination. Our results indicate that, upon seed imbibition, increased GA levels reduce DELLA protein abundance and release ATML1/PDF2 to activate L1 box gene expression, thus enhancing germination potential.
Crystal chemistry of anion-excess ReO3-related phases. III.
Authors: Laval Jean-Paul
Published: July 2014

The crystal structure of the high-pressure (4–8 GPa) form of zirconium tetrafluoride, γ-ZrF4, is based on the association by corner- and edge-sharing of ZrF8triangulated dodecahedra, forming a three-dimensional framework. It presents some analogies with high-temperature α-ZrF4but clearly constitutes a newMX4structure type. The mainMX4ionic structure types, and especially those deriving from the `anion-excess ReO3-type', are compared and it is shown that the TeF4structure can also be included in this family.
The three-dimensional hydrogen-bonded structures in the ammonium and sodium salt hydrates of 4-aminophenylarsonic acid
Authors: Smith Graham , Wermuth Urs D.
Published: July 2014

The structures of two hydrated salts of 4-aminophenylarsonic acid (p-arsanilic acid), namely ammonium 4-aminophenylarsonate monohydrate, NH4+·C6H7AsNO3−·H2O, (I), and the one-dimensional coordination polymercatena-poly[[(4-aminophenylarsonato-κO)diaquasodium]-μ-aqua], [Na(C6H7AsNO3)(H2O)3]n, (II), have been determined. In the structure of the ammonium salt, (I), the ammonium cations, arsonate anions and water molecules interact through inter-species N—H...O and arsonate and water O—H...O hydrogen bonds, giving the common two-dimensional layers lying parallel to (010). These layers are extended into three dimensions through bridging hydrogen-bonding interactions involving thepara-amine group acting both as a donor and an acceptor. In the structure of the sodium salt, (II), the Na+cation is coordinated by five O-atom donors, one from a single monodentate arsonate ligand, two from monodentate water molecules and two from bridging water molecules, giving a very distorted square-pyramidal coordination environment. The water bridges generate one-dimensional chains extending alongcand extensive interchain O—H...O and N—H...O hydrogen-bonding interactions link these chains, giving an overall three-dimensional structure. The two structures reported here are the first reported examples of salts ofp-arsanilic acid.
First light for avian embryos: eggshell thickness and pigmentation mediate variation in development and UV exposure in wild bird eggs
Authors: Maurer Golo , Portugal Steven J. , Hauber Mark E. , Mikšík Ivan , Russell Douglas G. D. , Cassey Phillip
Published: July 2014

The avian embryo's development is influenced by both the amount and the wavelength of the light that passes through the eggshell. Commercial poultry breeders use light of specific wavelengths to accelerate embryonic growth, yet the effects of the variably patterned eggshells of wild bird species on light transmission and embryonic development remain largely unexplored.

Here, we provide the first comparative phylogenetic analysis of light transmission, through a diverse range of bird eggshells (74 British breeding species), in relation to the eggshell's thickness, permeability, pigment concentration and surface reflectance spectrum (colour).

The percentage of light transmitted through the eggshell was measured in the spectral range 250–700 nm. Our quantitative analyses confirm anecdotal reports that eggshells filter the light of the externally coloured shell. Specifically, we detected a positive relationship between surface eggshell reflectance (‘brightness’) and the percentage of light transmitted through the eggshell, and this relationship was strongest at wavelengths in the human‐visible blue‐green region of the spectra (c. 435 nm).

We show that less light passes through thicker eggshells with greater total pigment concentrations. By contrast, permeability (measured as water vapour conductance) did not covary significantly with light transmission. Eggs of closed‐nesting species let more light pass through, compared with open nesters.

We postulate that greater light transmission is required to assist embryonic development under low light exposure. Importantly, this result provides an ecological explanation for the repeated evolution of immaculate, white‐ or pale‐coloured eggshells in species nesting in enclosed spaces.

Finally, we detected correlative support for the solar radiation hypothesis, in that eggshells of bird species with a longer incubation period let significantly less of the potentially harmful, ultraviolet (UV) light pass through the eggshell. In summary, we demonstrate suites of avian eggshell properties, including eggshell structure and pigmentation, which are consistent with an evolutionary pressure to both enhance and protect embryonic development.
Assessing the impact of beach nourishment on the intertidal food web through the development of a mechanistic‐envelope model
Authors: Vanden Eede Sarah , Van Tomme Joke , De Busschere Charlotte , Vandegehuchte Martijn L. , Sabbe Koen , Stienen Eric W.M. , Degraer Steven , Vincx Magda , Bonte Dries
Published: July 2014

Beach nourishment, the placement of sand onto a sediment‐starved stretch of coast, is widely applied as a soft coastal protection measure because of its reduced ecological impact relative to hard coastal protection. In order to predict effects on the intertidal sandy beach ecosystem, we developed a simulation model that integrates species envelope‐based projections for the dominant macrobenthos species and mechanistic food web modules for higher trophic levels.

Species envelopes were estimated by using Bayesian inference of species' biomass relationships according to the three determining abiotic variables: intertidal elevation, median grain size and total organic matter, obtained from multiple sampling campaigns along the Belgian coast. Maximum potential abundance of higher trophic levels represented by birds, shrimp and flatfish were estimated based on their derived trophic relationship with macrobenthos.

After validation, we demonstrated that unlike nourishment slope, sediment grain size strongly determines beach‐level species richness and production, with strong deterioration in species richness after nourishment with coarse sediment (>300 μm). Patterns for higher trophic levels do not follow the changes in macrobenthos abundance and biomass.

Synthesis and applications. The optimal grain size range for nourishment of fine‐grained beaches is 200–300 μm. This modelling approach shows that the impact assessment of beach nourishment needs to include the evaluation of different species richness and biomass variables. Focusing solely on the potential abundance of species from higher trophic levels might lead to deceptive conclusions due to the dominance of opportunistic prey species.
Plays, Performances and Power Struggles – Examining Copyright's ‘Integrity’ in the Field of Theatre
Authors: McDonagh Luke
Published: July 2014

This article explores the notion of ‘integrity’ under copyright law by analysing examples of 'integrity‐based objections' in the field of theatre. These objections typically involve playwrights objecting to changes being made to their copyright works by other parties, such as directors and actors. This analysis is deepened by the use of two concepts from the field of art theory – ‘aura’, as put forward byWalterBenjamin, and ‘trajectory’, as outlined byBrunoLatour andAdamLowe. Finally, to shed further light on the issues raised, the work ofPierreBourdieu is used to present new empirical research recently undertaken by the author in the field ofUKtheatre. This research demonstrates that ‘power struggles’ are a common feature of theatrical collaboration; that copyright is deeply implicated in the way such power struggles are conceived; and moreover, that resolving these power struggles successfully – including taking account of ‘integrity‐based objections’ – is crucial to theatrical practice.
Delfi AS v Estonia: The Liability of Secondary Internet Publishers for Violation of Reputational Rights under the European Convention on Human Rights
Authors: Cox Neville
Published: July 2014

In October 2013, the European Court of Human Rights in Delfi AS v Estonia upheld a decision of the Estonian Supreme Court to impose liability on the owners of an internet news portal for defamatory comments which had been posted on their website by anonymous third parties. This note suggests that the decision is important in the context of publications with a ‘public interest’ element to them, because it appears to afford more protection to the right to reputation (deriving from the Article 8 right to privacy) and less to freedom of expression than was formerly the case. It is further argued that the Court's emphasis on the positive obligation of states to protect this right to reputation may mean that the existing English law in this area, including, potentially section 5 of the Defamation Act 2013, is inconsistent with the ECHR jurisprudence.
Adolescent Refusal of MMR Inoculation: F (Mother) v F (Father)
Authors: Cave Emma
Published: July 2014

F (Mother) v F (Father) concerned a dispute between parents as to whether or not their 15 and 11 year old children should receive the MMR inoculation. Mrs Justice Theis took into consideration the wishes of both parents and the two ‘intelligent, articulate and thoughtful’ minors and held that inoculation was in their best interests. The troubled history of the MMR vaccine and its importance to public health provided the backdrop. Whilst the court's efforts to establish the views of the minors are to be commended, the decision is problematic in its assessment of the minors' individual medical interests and capacities, and in the significance placed on their views when determining whether inoculation would be in their best interests.
Balancing the efficacy and safety of misoprostol: a meta‐analysis comparing 25 versus 50 micrograms of intravaginal misoprostol for the induction of labour
Authors: McMaster K , Sanchez‐Ramos L , Kaunitz AM
Published: July 2014

Background

The optimal dose of misoprostol for the induction of labour remains uncertain.

Objectives

To compare the efficacy and safety of 25 versus 50 micrograms of intravaginal misoprostol tablets for the induction of labour and cervical ripening.

Search strategy

We performed electronic and manual searches to identify relevant randomised trials.

Selection criteria

The efficacy outcomes assessed were rates of vaginal delivery within 24 hours, delivery within one dose, and oxytocin augmentation, and interval to delivery. The safety outcomes assessed were incidences of tachysystole, hyperstimulation, caesarean delivery, cesarean delivery for non‐reassuring fetal heart rate (FHR), operative vaginal delivery, abnormal 5‐minute Apgar score, abnormal cord gas values, admission to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and meconium passage.

Data collection and analysis

Thirteen studies (1945 women) were included. Relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using fixed‐effects and random‐effects models.

Main results

We found that 25 micrograms was less efficacious, with lower rates of delivery after one dose (RR 0.59; 95% CI 0.39–0.88) and vaginal delivery within 24 hours (RR 0.88; 95% CI 0.79–0.96), and with increased rates of oxytocin augmentation (RR 1.54, 95% CI 1.36–1.75). We noted an improved safety profile with 25 micrograms, however, with decreased rates of tachysystole (RR 0.46; 95% CI 0.35–0.61), hyperstimulation (RR 0.5; 95% CI 0.31–0.78), caesarean deliveries for non‐reassuring FHR (RR 0.67; 95% CI 0.52–0.87), NICU admissions (RR 0.63; 95% CI 0.4–0.98), and meconium passage (RR 0.65; 95% CI 0.45–0.96).

Conclusions

Although 50 micrograms of intravaginal misoprostol may be more efficacious, safety concerns make the 25‐microgram dose preferable.
Optimal timing of near‐term delivery in different ethnicities: a national cohort study
Authors: Kazemier BM , Ravelli ACJ , de Groot CJM , Mol BWJ
Published: July 2014

Objective

To study possible ethnic disparities in perinatal mortality and morbidity independent of the occurrence of pregnancy complications. In addition, to study the probabilities of adverse neonatal outcome for delivery, compared with 1 week of expectant management for each week of gestational age in the range of 36–42 weeks of gestation.

Design

National cohort study.

Setting

The Netherlands.

Population

All women who were recorded as being of white European (982 318), Mediterranean (94 130), or African‐Caribbean (25 253) descent with singleton cephalic births delivered between 36+0 and 42+6 weeks of gestation. Women with hypertension, pre‐eclampsia, or diabetes, or with fetuses that were small for gestational age (below the tenth percentile) or with congenital abnormalities, were excluded. Data were obtained from the Netherlands Perinatal Registry (1999–2007).

Methods

Numbers of antepartum and intrapartum/neonatal death, and neonatal morbidity, were expressed using the fetus/neonate‐at‐risk approach. For each week of gestation, we compared the probability of adverse neonatal outcome (intrapartum/neonatal death in that week) for delivery with the probability of adverse neonatal outcome for expectant management (antepartum death in that week plus intrapartum/neonatal death and morbidity in the subsequent week).

Results

Women of Mediterranean and African‐Caribbean descent who were near term were at increased risk of antepartum and intrapartum/neonatal death, and neonatal morbidity, compared with white European women. Expectant management from 40 weeks of gestation onwards was associated with an increased probability of adverse neonatal outcome in white European women and in women of Mediterranean descent, compared with delivery (risk ratio, RR 1.45, 95% confidence interval, 95% CI 1.25–1.68, versus RR 1.69, 95% CI 1.11–2.60, and with number needed to deliver to prevent one adverse neonatal outcome being 563 and 364, respectively). This was not observed for women of African‐Caribbean descent.

Conclusions

Ethnic disparities in perinatal outcomes were observed, with higher risks for women of Mediterranean descent. Expectant management in white European and Mediterranean women after 39 weeks of gestation is associated with an increased risk of adverse neonatal outcome.
Host selection by the autoparasitoid Encarsia pergandiella on primary (Bemisia tabaci) and secondary (Eretmocerus mundus) hosts
Authors: Zhang Yi‐Bo , Castañé Cristina , Gabarra Rosa , Albajes Ramon , Wan Fang‐Hao
Published: July 2014

In autoparasitoids, females are generally primary endoparasitoids of Hemiptera, while males are hyperparasitoids developing in or on conspecific females or other primary parasitoids. Female‐host acceptance can be influenced by extrinsic and/or intrinsic factors. In this paper, we are concerned with intrinsic factors such as nutritional status, mating status, etc. We observed the behavior of Encarsia pergandiella Howard (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) females when parasitizing primary (3rd instar larvae of Bemisia tabaci Gennadius [Homoptera: Aleyrodidae]) and secondary hosts (3rd instar larvae and pupae of Eretmocerus mundus Mercet [Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae]) for a period of 1 h. Females had different reproductive (virgin or mated younger) and physiological (fed elder or mated elder) status. Virgin females killed a large number of secondary hosts while investing a long time per host. However, they did not feed upon them. Mated females killed a lower number of secondary hosts and host feeding was observed in both consuming primary and secondary hosts. It was common to observe host examining females of all physiological statues tested repeatedly stinging the same hosts when parasitizing, killing or rejecting them. Fed elder females parasitized more B. tabaci larvae than E. mundus larvae or pupae, while investing less time on the primary host than on the secondary host. They also parasitized more B. tabaci larvae than mated elder females, while investing less time per host. The access of females to honey allowed them to lay more eggs.
A likelihood‐based approach for assessment of extra‐pair paternity and conspecific brood parasitism in natural populations
Authors: Lemons P. R. , Marshall T. C. , McCloskey S. E. , Sethi S. A. , Schmutz J. A. , Sedinger J. S.
Published: July 2014

Genotypes are frequently used to assess alternative reproductive strategies such as extra‐pair paternity and conspecific brood parasitism in wild populations. However, such analyses are vulnerable to genotyping error or molecular artefacts that can bias results. For example, when using multilocus microsatellite data, a mismatch at a single locus, suggesting the offspring was not directly related to its putative parents, can occur quite commonly even when the offspring is truly related. Some recent studies have advocated an ad‐hoc rule that offspring must differ at more than one locus in order to conclude that they are not directly related. While this reduces the frequency with which true offspring are identified as not directly related young, it also introduces bias in the opposite direction, wherein not directly related young are categorized as true offspring. More importantly, it ignores the additional information on allele frequencies which would reduce overall bias. In this study, we present a novel technique for assessing extra‐pair paternity and conspecific brood parasitism using a likelihood‐based approach in a new version of program cervus. We test the suitability of the technique by applying it to a simulated data set and then present an example to demonstrate its influence on the estimation of alternative reproductive strategies.
Does hunting activity for game species have indirect effects on resource selection by the endangered Florida panther?
Authors: McCarthy K. P. , Fletcher R. J.
Published: July 2014

Hunting activities can affect game species in several ways; however, indirect effects of hunting on non‐game species have received less attention than direct effects on game species, even though such potential effects could be crucial in some situations. There is ongoing concern that the critically endangered Florida panther Puma concolor coryi may be influenced by hunting activity, in terms of changes in panther resource selection and distribution. Nonetheless, understanding the potential effects of hunting activity on the resource selection of this wide‐ranging species has proven difficult, because of the relatively fine‐scale nature of variation in hunting activity and potentially confounding variables regarding intra‐annual variation in hunting activity and hydrology. Here, we leverage hierarchical Bayesian models (conditional mixed logit models) and new data sources to assess the effects of hunting activity at a daily temporal scale via the use of off‐road recreation vehicles (ORVs) on variation in resource selection and distribution of panthers, and we contrast these potential effects to variation in standing ground water, an alternative factor hypothesized to drive variation in panther resource selection. Across a 14‐year dataset spanning 110 radio‐telemetered panthers and over 30 000 panther locations, we found that heightened ORV use by hunters has a small, but statistically significant effect on panther resource selection, but no effect on panther distribution near trails. In contrast, intra‐annual variation in standing ground water generally had stronger and consistent effects on resource selection and on distribution of panthers near recreational trails. Our results provide slightly different conclusions than earlier results on this topic, which are likely driven by our use of more data on panthers, information on hydrology, more quantitative information on hunter activity in this region, and the scale of our analysis.
Genome‐wide association study for pigmentation traits in Chinese Holstein population
Authors: Fan Yipeng , Wang Peng , Fu Weixuan , Dong Tian , Qi Chao , Liu Lin , Guo Gang , Li Cong , Cui Xiaogang , Zhang Shengli , Zhang Qin , Zhang Yi , Sun Dongxiao
Published: July 2014

With the Illumina BovineSNP50K BeadChip, we performed a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) for two pigmentation traits in a Chinese Holstein population: proportion of black (PB) and teat colour (TC). A case–control design was used. Cases were the cows with PB <0.30 (n = 129) and TC <2 points (n = 140); controls were those with PB >0.90 (n = 58) and TC >4 points (n = 281). The RM test of roadtrips (version 1.2) was applied to detect SNPs for the two traits with 42 883 and 42 741 SNPs respectively. A total of nine and 12 genome‐wide significant (P < 0.05) SNPs associated with PB and TC respectively were identified. Of these, two SNPs for PB were located within the KIT and IGFBP7 genes, and the other four SNPs were 23~212 kb away from the PDGFRA gene on BTA6; nine SNPs associated with TC were located within or 21~78.8 kb away from known genes on chromosomes 4, 11, 22, 23 and 24. By combing through our GWAS results and the biological functions of the genes, we suggest that the KIT, IGFBP7, PDGFRA, MITF, ING3 and WNT16 genes are promising candidates for PB and TC in Holstein cattle, providing a basis for further investigation on the genetic mechanism of pigmentation formation.
Trophoblast Induces Monocyte Differentiation Into CD14+/CD16+ Macrophages
Authors: Aldo Paulomi B. , Racicot Karen , Craviero Vinicius , Guller Seth , Romero Roberto , Mor Gil
Published: July 2014

Problem

During early pregnancy, macrophages and trophoblast come into close contact during placenta development, and regulated cross talk between these cellular compartments is crucial for maintaining a healthy pregnancy. As trophoblast cells constitutively secrete many chemokines and cytokines, we hypothesize that trophoblast‐secreted factors can differentiate monocytes into a decidual phenotype. In this study, we describe a unique macrophage phenotype, following monocytes’ exposure to trophoblast‐soluble factors.

Method of study

Peripheral blood monocytes were treated with or without conditioned media (CM) from first trimester trophoblast cells. Phenotypic changes and phagocytic capacity were determined by flow cytometry. Cytokine and chemokine production was determined by multiplex analysis.

Results

Monocytes exposed to trophoblast factors undergo morphologic changes characterized by a gain in size and complexity and acquire a unique phenotype characterized by gain of CD14 surface expression as well as CD16. The presence of CD14+/CD16+ macrophages was confirmed in normal decidua. These cells secrete higher levels of IL‐1b, IL‐10, and IP‐10 and have increased capacity for phagocytosis.

Conclusion

We demonstrate that trophoblast‐secreted factors can induce monocyte differentiation into a unique macrophage phenotype. These findings suggest that the microenvironment of the placenta can modulate the phenotype of macrophages present at the decidua.
Elasticity of abdominal wall vessels in children: clinical implications in child abuse
Authors: Goddard Lucy , Bowkett Brendon , Kenwright Diane
Published: July 2014

Background

Abdominal trauma secondary to non‐accidental injury is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. It has been noted that children who have suffered abusive abdominal injuries often lack abdominal wall bruising. We hypothesize that children have highly elastic vessels that stretch instead of rupturing when the abdomen is punched. Our study investigates the degree of elasticity in abdominal wall vessels in young children.

Methods

Twenty children aged less than 5 years undergoing routine hernia repair or orchidopexy were included in our study. Subcutaneous vessels were identified during the procedures. The vessels were measured at resting length and when stretched to maximum length prior to rupture. Samples of the vessels were then collected for histological examination.

Results

On average, we were able to stretch the vessels to 3.4 times their resting length without rupture. Histology revealed that the vessel walls contained a high amount of elastin.

Conclusion

We have demonstrated a high degree of elasticity in the abdominal wall vessels of young children. This may help to explain why children do not bruise when hit in the abdomen. Our findings have potential implications for both clinical practitioners and paediatric surgeons involved in child abuse cases.
Efficacy and safety of intravitreal bevacizumab in eyes with neovascular glaucoma undergoing ahmed glaucoma valve implantation: 2‐year follow‐up
Authors: Arcieri Enyr S. , Paula Jayter S. , Jorge Rodrigo , Barella Kleyton A. , Arcieri Rafael S. , Secches Danilo J. , Costa Vital P.
Published: July 2014

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) in eyes with neovascular glaucoma (NVG) undergoing Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation.

Methods

This was a multicentre, prospective, randomized clinical trial that enrolled 40 patients with uncontrolled neovascular glaucoma that had undergone panretinal photocoagulation and required glaucoma drainage device implantation. Patients were randomized to receiveIVB(1.25 mg) or not during Ahmed valve implant surgery. Injections were administered intra‐operatively, and 4 and 8 weeks after surgery.

Results

After a mean follow‐up of 2.25 ± 0.67 years (range 1.5–3 years), both groups showed a significant decrease inIOP(p < 0.05). There was no difference inIOPbetween groups except at the 18‐month interval, whenIOPinIVBgroup was significantly lower (14.57 ± 1.72 mmHg vs. 18.37 ± 1.06 mmHg – p = 0.0002). There was no difference in survival success rates between groups. At 24 months, there was a trend to patients treated withIVBusing less antiglaucoma medications than the control group (p = 0.0648). Complete regression of rubeosis iridis was significantly more frequent in theIVBgroup (80%) than in the control group (25%) (p = 0.0015).

Conclusions

Intravitreal bevacizumab may lead to regression of new vessels both in the iris and in the anterior chamber angle in patients with neovascular glaucoma undergoing Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation. There is a trend to slightly lowerIOPs and number of medications withIVBuse duringAGVimplantation for neovascular glaucoma.
Telomere dysfunction accurately predicts clinical outcome in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, even in patients with early stage disease
Authors: Lin Thet Thet , Norris Kevin , Heppel Nicole H. , Pratt Guy , Allan James M. , Allsup David J. , Bailey James , Cawkwell Lynn , Hills Robert , Grimstead Julia W. , Jones Rhiannon E. , Britt‐Compton Bethan , Fegan Chris , Baird Duncan M. , Pepper Chris
Published: July 2014

Defining the prognosis of individual cancer sufferers remains a significant clinical challenge. Here we assessed the ability of high‐resolution single telomere length analysis (STELA), combined with an experimentally derived definition of telomere dysfunction, to predict the clinical outcome of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). We defined the upper telomere length threshold at which telomere fusions occur and then used the mean of the telomere ‘fusogenic’ range as a prognostic tool. Patients with telomeres within the fusogenic range had a significantly shorter overall survival (P < 0·0001; Hazard ratio [HR] = 13·2, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 11·6–106·4) and this was preserved in early‐stage disease patients (P < 0·0001, HR=19·3, 95% CI = 17·8–802·5). Indeed, our assay allowed the accurate stratification of Binet stage A patients into those with indolent disease (91% survival at 10 years) and those with poor prognosis (13% survival at 10 years). Furthermore, patients with telomeres above the fusogenic mean showed superior prognosis regardless of their IGHV mutation status or cytogenetic risk group. In keeping with this finding, telomere dysfunction was the dominant variable in multivariate analysis. Taken together, this study provides compelling evidence for the use of high‐resolution telomere length analysis coupled with a definition of telomere dysfunction in the prognostic assessment of CLL.
International Society of Neuropathology‐Haarlem Consensus Guidelines for Nervous System Tumor Classification and Grading
Authors: Louis David N. , Perry Arie , Burger Peter , Ellison David W. , Reifenberger Guido , von Deimling Andreas , Aldape Kenneth , Brat Daniel , Collins V. Peter , Eberhart Charles , Figarella‐Branger Dominique , Fuller Gregory N. , Giangaspero Felice , Giannini Caterina , Hawkins Cynthia , Kleihues Paul , Korshunov Andrey , Kros Johan M. , Beatriz Lopes M. , Ng Ho‐Keung , Ohgaki Hiroko , Paulus Werner , Pietsch Torsten , Rosenblum Marc , Rushing Elisabeth , Soylemezoglu Figen , Wiestler Otmar , Wesseling Pieter
Published: July 2014

Major discoveries in the biology of nervous system tumors have raised the question of how non‐histological data such as molecular information can be incorporated into the next World Health Organization (WHO) classification of central nervous system tumors. To address this question, a meeting of neuropathologists with expertise in molecular diagnosis was held in Haarlem, the Netherlands, under the sponsorship of the International Society of Neuropathology (ISN). Prior to the meeting, participants solicited input from clinical colleagues in diverse neuro‐oncological specialties. The present “white paper” catalogs the recommendations of the meeting, at which a consensus was reached that incorporation of molecular information into the next WHO classification should follow a set of provided “ISN‐Haarlem” guidelines. Salient recommendations include that (i) diagnostic entities should be defined as narrowly as possible to optimize interobserver reproducibility, clinicopathological predictions and therapeutic planning; (ii) diagnoses should be “layered” with histologic classification, WHO grade and molecular information listed below an “integrated diagnosis”; (iii) determinations should be made for each tumor entity as to whether molecular information is required, suggested or not needed for its definition; (iv) some pediatric entities should be separated from their adult counterparts; (v) input for guiding decisions regarding tumor classification should be solicited from experts in complementary disciplines of neuro‐oncology; and (iv) entity‐specific molecular testing and reporting formats should be followed in diagnostic reports. It is hoped that these guidelines will facilitate the forthcoming update of the fourth edition of the WHO classification of central nervous system tumors.
Influence of the Periodontal Status on the Initial‐Biofilm Formation on Titanium Surfaces
Authors: Martínez‐Hernández Miryam , Olivares‐Navarrete René , Almaguer‐Flores Argelia
Published: July 2014

Background

Dental implants will be exposed to a complex ecosystem once they are placed in the oral cavity. The bacterial colonization and biofilm formation on these devices will depend not only on the physicochemical surface implant properties but also on the periodontal health conditions of the patients, as these devices are exposed.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to correlate the subgingival microbial profile with the composition of initial biofilm formed on different microstructured titanium (Ti) surfaces.

Materials and Methods

Ten periodontitis and 10 periodontally healthy subjects were included in this study. The subjects wore a removable acrylic device with four different fixed Ti surfaces for 48 hours. Microbial samples of subgingival plaque and the biofilm formed on each Ti surface were individually analyzed by the checkerboard DNA‐DNA hybridization technique.

Results

Despite the roughness or hydrophilicity of the Ti surfaces, a characteristic pattern of bacterial adhesion was observed on each of the study groups. However, significant differences in the proportion of the species that colonized the Ti surfaces were found between the periodontitis and periodontally healthy groups. Treponema denticola, Neisseria mucosa, Eikenella corrodens, and Tannerella forsythia were detected in higher proportions on the Ti disks placed in the periodontitis subjects, while significant higher proportions of Capnocytophaga sputigena, Fusobacterium periodonticum, Prevotella melaninogenica, and Streptococcus mitis were detected on the Ti disks placed in the periodontally healthy group.

Conclusions

The results obtained in this study shows that the composition and the proportion of the species that initially colonize Ti surfaces are highly influenced by the periodontal status more than the surface characteristics of the Ti implant.