bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Waveguide‐integrated MEMS‐based phase shifter for phased array antenna
Authors: Baghchehsaraei Zargham , Vorobyov Alexander , Åberg Jan , Fourn Erwan , Sauleau Ronan , Oberhammer Joachim
Published: November 2013

This study investigates a new concept of waveguide‐based W‐band phase shifters for applications in phased array antennas. The phase shifters are based on a tuneable bilateral finline bandpass filter with 22 microelectromechanical system (MEMS) switching elements, integrated into a custom‐made WR‐12 waveguide with a replaceable section, whose performance is also investigated in this study. The individual phase states are selected by changing the configuration of the switches bridging the finline slot in specific positions; this leads to four discrete phase states with an insertion loss predicted by simulations better than 1 dB, and a phase shift span of about 270°. MEMS chips have been fabricated in fixed positions, on a pair of bonded 300 µm high‐resistivity silicon substrates, to prove the principle, that is, they are not fully functional, but contain all actuation and biasing‐line elements. The measured phase states are 0, 56, 189 and 256°, resulting in an effective bit resolution of 1.78 bits of this nominal 2 bit phase shifter at 77 GHz. The measured insertion loss was significantly higher than the simulated value, which is assumed to be attributed to narrow‐band design of the devices as the influences of fabrication and assembly tolerances are shown to be negligible from the measurement results.
Toll-like receptor 9 and 21 have different ligand recognition profiles and cooperatively mediate activity of CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides in zebrafish
Authors: Yeh Da-Wei , Liu Yi-Ling , Lo Yin-Chiu , Yuh Chiou-Hwa , Yu Guann-Yi , Lo Jeng-Fan , Luo Yunping , Xiang Rong , Chuang Tsung-Hsien
Published: November 2013

Significance

Zebrafish Toll-like receptor (TLR) 9 (zebTLR9) and TLR21 (zebTLR21) have distinct CpG-oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG-ODN) sequence recognition profiles. The recognition profile of zebTLR9 is more like that of the TLR9s from mouse and rabbit, whereas the recognition profile of zebTLR21 is more similar to that of human TLR9 and TLR9s from domestic animals. These two zebTLRs are requlated by UNC93B1 and cooperatively mediate the immunologic and antimicrobial responses induced by CpG-ODN in zebrafish. Our findings address the molecular basis of CpG-ODN activities in zebrafish and provide information for the rational design of CpG-ODN for use as an antimicrobial agent in fishes.
Intestinal HIF2α promotes tissue-iron accumulation in disorders of iron overload with anemia
Authors: Anderson Erik R. , Taylor Matthew , Xue Xiang , Ramakrishnan Sadeesh K. , Martin Angelical , Xie Liwei , Bredell Bryce X. , Gardenghi Sara , Rivella Stefano , Shah Yatrik M.
Published: November 2013

Significance

Several distinct congenital disorders can lead to tissue-iron overload with anemia. Tissue-iron accumulation is the major cause of mortality in these patients. Intestinal hypoxia-inducible factor-2α (HIF2α) and its downstream target gene divalent metal transporter-1 (DMT1) are essential for iron absorption during times of increased iron demand. However, the role of the intestinal HIF2α/DMT1 signaling axis in iron overload disorders has not been assessed. We demonstrate that HIF2α and DMT1 in the small intestine are highly activated early in mouse models of anemic iron overload and that disruption of their expression can prevent and improve tissue-iron accumulation in these disorders. These results demonstrate that HIF2α and DMT1 are ideal therapeutic targets in iron-overload disorders.
Memory Consolidation for Duration
Authors: Cocenas-Silva Raquel , Bueno José Lino Oliveira , Doyère Valérie , Droit-Volet Sylvie
Published: November 2013

Humans and animals encode and store in memory elapsed intervals as evidenced through their temporal expectancies. However, there are very few experimental studies on long-term memory of duration. The aim of this original study was to examine the consolidation process for duration and its effect on time judgement. In our study, memory of duration was tested in humans with a temporal generalization task. Consolidation was assessed by means of a 15-min nontemporal interference task introduced at different delays after the initial learning of a 4-s standard duration. The results showed that (a) when tested 24 hours after the learning phase, memory of the 4-s duration was disrupted (less precision and lengthening effect) if the interference task was introduced 30-45 min after learning; (b) no disruption was observed when memory was tested immediately after the interference task; and (c) there was a temporal gradient of the disruptive interference effect within the first hour after learning. Overall, these results fulfil the key criteria for the inference of a synaptic/cellular consolidation process and thus demonstrate that, as is the case for other memories, memory of duration undergoes a consolidation process that lasts at least one hour.
Is There a Place for Extended Assessments For Evaluating Concerns About Child Sexual Abuse? Perceptions of 1,294 Child Maltreatment Professionals
Authors: WILLIAMS JAVONDA , Nelson-Gardell Debra , Faller Kathleen Coulborn , Cordisco-Steele Linda , Tishelman Amy
Published: November 2013

This article reports the findings from an online survey of child maltreatment professionals about the appropriateness of extended assessments when maltreatment concerns cannot be resolved in a single interview. Respondents practiced in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 3 territories, and reported mean years of experi-ence about 15 years. The overwhelming majority of respondents saw the need for extended assessments and endorsed a wide range of child and context characteristics appropriate for extended assess-ments, the most common being cases where children denied abuse despite persuasive evidence to the contrary, cases with multiple types of maltreatment, cases with preschool age children, and cases with children with disabilities. On average about a fourth of the children seen in their work would benefit from an extended assessment. More than one fourth of respondents actually conducted extended assessments. Respondents however identified barriers and drawbacks to extended assessments, including lack of funding, lack of training, and concerns about contaminating the child’s account.
Alleged Sex Abuse Victims’ Accounts of Their Abusers’ Modus Operandi
Authors: Van Gijn Evianne , Lamb Micahel E.
Published: November 2013

One hundred four alleged sexual victims aged between 3 and 13 years described the modus operandi of their reported assailants. Younger children were more likely than older children to report repeated incidents of abuse by family members. Abuse tended to be more severe when there were multiple incidents. Older victims were more likely to report resisting the offenders’ strategies, which involved either persuasion (i.e., offering rewards, verbally convincing or provoking the victim) or coercion (i.e., verbal or physical threats). Adult suspects were reportedly more likely than young sus-pects to use persuasion, but there were no age of suspect differences in the reported occurrence of coercion.
A Novel, Sensitive Method to Evaluate Potato Germplasm for Bacterial Wilt Resistance Using a LuminescentRalstonia solanacearumReporter Strain
Authors: Cruz Andrea Paola Zuluaga , Ferreira Virginia , Pianzzola María Julia , Siri María Inés , Coll Núria S. , Valls Marc
Published: November 2013

Several breeding programs are under way to introduce resistance to bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum in solanaceous crops. The lack of screening methods allowing easy measurement of pathogen colonization and the inability to detect latent (i.e., symptomless) infections are major limitations when evaluating resistance to this disease in plant germplasm. We describe a new method to study the interaction between R. solanacearum and potato germplasm that overcomes these restrictions. The R. solanacearum UY031 was genetically modified to constitutively generate light from a synthetic luxCDABE operon stably inserted in its chromosome. Colonization of this reporter strain on different potato accessions was followed using life imaging. Bacterial detection in planta by this nondisruptive system correlated with the development of wilting symptoms. In addition, we demonstrated that quantitative detection of the recombinant strain using a luminometer can identify latent infections on symptomless potato plants. We have developed a novel, unsophisticated, and accurate method for high-throughput evaluation of pathogen colonization in plant populations. We applied this method to compare the behavior of potato accessions with contrasting resistance to R. solanacearum. This new system will be especially useful to detect latency in symptomless parental lines before their inclusion in long-term breeding programs for disease resistance.
Identification of Sources of Quantitative Resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. medicaginis in Medicago truncatula
Authors: Rispail N. , Rubiales D.
Published: November 2013

The resistance of 267 Medicago truncatula accessions was determined against the soilborne pathogen Fusarium oxysporum, one of the major constraints of forage and grain legumes worldwide. The initial screening of the collection revealed a wide range of disease response from completely resistant to highly susceptible to one strain of F. oxysporum f. sp. medicaginis. As a result, 26 accessions were identified as resistant, 9 as susceptible, and all other accessions as partially resistant. The phenotype of 12 resistant accessions was confirmed in two independent experiments on a subset of 23 accessions. Quantification of F. oxysporum f. sp. medicaginis within plant tissue indicated that the resistance level of the accessions is correlated with the amount of F. oxysporum f. sp. medicaginis within its shoot. Inoculation with a different F. oxysporum f. sp. medicaginis isolate indicated that the resistance phenotype was stable because accession response to both F. oxysporum f. sp. medicaginis strains followed similar trends. However, grouping accessions according to their geographic origin did not reveal foci of resistance, which supports the idea that resistance arose from independent events. The identification of 12 resistant accessions will be useful for further cellular and molecular studies to unravel the basis of resistance to F. oxysporum in this model species and to transfer resistance to legume crop.
First Report of Orange Rust of Sugarcane Caused by Puccinia kuehnii in Ecuador
Authors: Garcés F. F. , Fiallos F. F. , Silva E. , Martinez F. , Aime M. C. , Comstock J. C. , Glynn N. C. , Castlebury L. A.
Published: November 2013

Orange rust, Puccinia kuehnii (W. Krüger) E.J. Butler, is an important disease of sugarcane (complex hybrid of Saccharum L. species) that causes up to 53% yield loss (3), and can eliminate sugarcane clones in breeding programs. Initially confined to the Asia-Oceania region, P. kuehnii was reported in Florida in June 2007 (2) followed by confirmation in Central and South America. Orange rust pustules were observed on August 5, 2011, in commercial sugarcane fields located in the Ecuadorian Pacific coast of South America. Pustules were observed on cultivar SP79-2233 and sugarcane clones of the CINCAE breeding program (EC06-351, EC06-340, and EC01-744). Low levels of disease incidence and severity were observed in the sugarcane germplasm. Observation under a light microscope showed typical irregularly echinulate urediniospores that were pale in color with thickened apices and paraphyses inconspicuous to absent, such as those reported to be P. kuehnii (4). DNA of urediniospores were extracted and amplified using Pk1F and PK1R qPCR primers (5). Additionally, the 28s large ribosomal subunit DNA was sequenced (1), resulting in a qPCR and 100% sequence identity with a partial sequence of the P. kuehnii 28S ribosomal RNA gene, accession GU058010 (932/932 base pairs, GenBank Accession No. KF202306). Based on urediniospore morphology, DNA amplification, and sequence analysis, the causal agent of the rust observed in Ecuador was confirmed to be P. kuehnii. Commercial varieties have not yet shown symptoms of infections. However, a survey conducted in 2011 and 2012 showed an increase of disease severity from 3% to 28% in the susceptible cv. SP79-2233. Disease symptoms were evident from stalk growth to maturity (7 to 12 months), especially at the beginning of the harvesting season. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the presence, distribution, and disease spread by the sugarcane orange rust pathogen P. kuehnii in Ecuador.

References: (1) M. C. Aime. Mycoscience 47:112, 2006. (2) J. C. Comstock et al. Plant Dis. 92:175, 2008. (3) J. C. Comstock et al. ASSCT. 29:82, 2009. (4) L. Dixon and L. Castlebury. Orange Rust of Sugarcane – Puccinia kuehnii. Syst. Mycol. Microbiol. Lab. Retrieved from /sbmlweb/fungi/index.cfm, August 12, 2011. (5) N. C. Glynn et al. Plant Pathol. 59:703, 2010.
Effective Resistance to Wheat Stripe Rust in a Region with High Disease Pressure
Authors: Bai B. , Du J. Y. , Lu Q. L. , He C. Y. , Zhang L. J. , Zhou G. , Xia X. C. , He Z. H. , Wang C. S.
Published: November 2013

Stripe rust is a major fungal disease of wheat. It frequently becomes epidemic in southeastern Gansu province, a stripe rust hot spot in China. Evaluations of wheat germplasm response are crucial for developing cultivars to control the disease. In total, 57 wheat cultivars and lines from Europe and other countries, comprising 36 cultivars with documented stripe rust resistance genes and 21 with unknown genes, were tested annually with multiple races of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici in the field at Tianshui in Gansu province from 1993 to 2013. Seven wheat lines were highly resistant, with infection type (IT) 0 during the entire period; 16 were moderately resistant (IT 0;-2); and 26 were moderately susceptible (IT 0;-4), with low maximum disease severity compared with the susceptible control Huixianhong. ‘Strampelli’ and ‘Libellula’, with three and five quantitative trait loci, respectively, for stripe rust resistance have displayed durable resistance in this region for four decades. Ten cultivars, including ‘Lantian 15’, ‘Lantian 26’, and ‘Lantian 31’, with stripe rust resistance derived from European lines, were developed in our breeding program and have made a significant impact on controlling stripe rust in southeastern Gansu. Breeding resistant cultivars with multiple adult-plant resistance genes seems to be a promising strategy in wheat breeding for managing stripe rust in this region and other hot spots.
Carbohydrate Metabolism Changes in Prunus persica Gummosis Infected with Lasiodiplodia theobromae
Authors: Li Z. , Gao L. , Wang Y. T. , Zhu W. , Ye J. L. , Li G. H.
Published: November 2013

Peach gummosis represents a significant global disease of stone fruit trees and a major disease in the south peach production area of the Yangtze River of China. In this study, the carbohydrate composition of peach shoots during infection by Lasiodiplodia theobromae was examined. The expression of genes related to metabolic enzymes was also investigated. Control wounded and noninoculated tissue, lesion tissue, and wounded and inoculated surrounding lesion tissue of peach shoots were analyzed. Soluble sugars, glucose, mannose, arabinose, and xylose significantly increased in inoculated tissues of peach shoots compared with control tissues at different times after inoculation. Accumulation of polysaccharides was also observed by section observation and periodic acid Schiff's reagent staining during infection. Analysis using quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction revealed that the abundance of key transcripts on the synthesis pathway of uridine diphosphate (UDP)-D-glucuronate, UDP-D-galactose, and UDP-D-arabinose increased but the synthesis of L-galactose and guanosine diphosphate-L-galactose were inhibited. After inoculation, the transcript levels of sugar transport-related genes (namely, SUT, SOT, GMT, and UGT) was induced. These changes in sugar content and gene expression were directly associated with peach gum polysaccharide formation and may be responsible for the symptoms of peach gummosis.
Structure and mechanical properties ofOctopus vulgarissuckers
Authors: Tramacere Francesca , Kovalev Alexander , Kleinteich Thomas , Gorb Stanislav N. , Mazzolai Barbara
Published: November 2013

In this study, we investigate the morphology and mechanical features ofOctopus vulgarissuckers, which may serve as a model for the creation of a new generation of attachment devices. Octopus suckers attach to a wide range of substrates in wet conditions, including rough surfaces. This amazing feature is made possible by the sucker's tissues, which are pliable to the substrate profile. Previous studies have described a peculiar internal structure that plays a fundamental role in the attachment and detachment processes of the sucker. In this work, we present a mechanical characterization of the tissues involved in the attachment process, which was performed using microindentation tests. We evaluated the elasticity modulus and viscoelastic parameters of the natural tissues (E∼ 10 kPa) and measured the mechanical properties of some artificial materials that have previously been used in soft robotics. Such a comparison of biological prototypes and artificial material that mimics octopus-sucker tissue is crucial for the design of innovative artificial suction cups for use in wet environments. We conclude that the properties of the common elastomers that are generally used in soft robotics are quite dissimilar to the properties of biological suckers.
Modelling and simulation of low-density lipoprotein transport through multi-layered wall of an anatomically realistic carotid artery bifurcation
Authors: Kenjereš Saša , de Loor Alexander
Published: November 2013

A high concentration of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is recognized as one of the principal risk factors for development of atherosclerosis. This paper reports on modelling and simulations of the coupled mass (LDL concentration) and momentum transport through the arterial lumen and the multi-layered arterial wall of an anatomically realistic carotid bifurcation. The mathematical model includes equations for conservation of mass, momentum and concentration, which take into account a porous layer structure, the biological membranes and reactive source/sink terms in different layers of the arterial wall, as proposed in Yang & Vafai (2006). A four-layer wall model of an arterial wall with constant thickness is introduced and initially tested on a simple cylinder geometry where realistic layer properties are specified. Comparative assessment with previously published results demonstrated proper implementation of the mathematical model. Excellent agreement for the velocity and LDL concentration distributions in the arterial lumen and in the artery wall are obtained. Then, an anatomically realistic carotid artery bifurcation is studied. This is the main novelty of the presented research. We find a strong dependence between underlying blood flow pattern (and consequently the wall shear stress distributions) and the uptake of the LDL concentration in the artery wall. The radial dependency of interactions between the diffusion, convection and chemical reactions within the multi-layered artery wall is crucial for accurate predictions of the LDL concentration in the media. It is shown that a four-layer wall model produced qualitatively good agreement with the experimental results of Meyer
et al
. (1996) in predicting levels of LDL within the media of a rabbit aorta under identical transmural pressure conditions. Finally, it is demonstrated that the adopted model represents a good initial platform for future numerical investigations of the initial stage of atherosclerosis for patient-specific geometries.
Adaptive value of same-sex pairing in Laysan albatross
Authors: Young Lindsay C. , VanderWerf Eric A.
Published: November 2013

Same-sex pairing is widespread among animals but is difficult to explain in an evolutionary context because it does not result in reproduction, and thus same-sex behaviour often is viewed as maladaptive. Here, we compare survival, fecundity and transition probabilities of female Laysan albatross in different pair types, and we show how female–female pairing could be an adaptive alternative mating strategy, albeit one that resulted in lower fitness than male–female pairing. Females in same-sex pairs produced 80% fewer chicks, had lower survival and skipped breeding more often than those in male–female pairs. Females in same-sex pairs that raised a chick sometimes acquired a male mate in the following year, but females in failed same-sex pairs never did, suggesting that males exert sexual selection by assessing female quality and relegating low-quality females into same-sex pairs. Sexual selection by males in a monomorphic, non-ornamented species is rare and suggests that reconsideration is needed of the circumstances in which alternative reproductive behaviour evolves. Given the lack of males and obligate biparental care in this species, this research demonstrates how same-sex pairing was better than not breeding and highlights how it could be an adaptive strategy under certain demographic conditions.
A role for iron and oxygen chemistry in preserving soft tissues, cells and molecules from deep time
Authors: Schweitzer Mary H. , Zheng Wenxia , Cleland Timothy P. , Goodwin Mark B. , Boatman Elizabeth , Theil Elizabeth , Marcus Matthew A. , Fakra Sirine C.
Published: November 2013

The persistence of original soft tissues in Mesozoic fossil bone is not explained by current chemical degradation models. We identified iron particles (goethite-αFeO(OH)) associated with soft tissues recovered from two Mesozoic dinosaurs, using transmission electron microscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy, micro-X-ray diffraction and Fe micro-X-ray absorption near-edge structure. Iron chelators increased fossil tissue immunoreactivity to multiple antibodies dramatically, suggesting a role for iron in both preserving and masking proteins in fossil tissues. Haemoglobin (HB) increased tissue stability more than 200-fold, from approximately 3 days to more than two years at room temperature (25°C) in an ostrich blood vessel model developed to test post-mortem ‘tissue fixation’ by cross-linking or peroxidation. HB-induced solution hypoxia coupled with iron chelation enhances preservation as follows: HB + O2> HB − O2> −O2≫ +O2. The well-known O2/haeme interactions in the chemistry of life, such as respiration and bioenergetics, are complemented by O2/haeme interactions in the preservation of fossil soft tissues.
Eisenbergiella tayi gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from human blood
Authors: Amir Itay , Bouvet Philippe , Legeay Christine , Gophna Uri , Weinberger Abraham
Published: November 2013

A catalase-positive, rod-shaped, non-proteolytic, non-motile, anaerobic bacterial strain, designated B086562T, was isolated from a blood culture of an 84-year-old male patient in Israel. According to 16S rRNA gene sequence phylogeny, this strain has no known close relatives among recognized bacteria but should be placed within the family

Lachnospiraceae

. The most closely related recognized bacteria were from the ‘

Clostridium clostridioforme

group’:

C. clostridioforme

(92.4 %) and

Clostridium bolteae

(92.3 %). The isolate produced butyrate, lactate, acetate and succinate as major metabolic end products. The major fatty acids were C16 : 0 and C18 : 1
cis 9 DMA and the DNA G+C content was 46.0 mol%. On the basis of the phenotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness, the blood isolate represents a novel species of a new genus in the family

Lachnospiraceae

, for which the name Eisenbergiella tayi gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Eisenbergiella tayi is B086562T ( = LMG 27400T = DSM 26961T = ATCC BAA-2558T).
Stable Carbon Isotope Discrimination Is under Genetic Control in the C4 Species Maize with Several Genomic Regions Influencing Trait Expression
Authors: Gresset Sebastian , Westermeier Peter , Rademacher Svenja , Ouzunova Milena , Presterl Thomas , Westhoff Peter , Schön Chris-Carolin
Published: November 2013

In plants with C4 photosynthesis, physiological mechanisms underlying variation in stable carbon isotope discrimination (Ɗ13C) are largely unknown, and genetic components influencing Ɗ13C have not been described. We analyzed a maize (Zea mays) introgression library derived from two elite parents to investigate whether Ɗ13C is under genetic control in this C4 species. High-density genotyping with the Illumina MaizeSNP50 Bead Chip was used for a detailed structural characterization of 89 introgression lines. Phenotypic analyses were conducted in the field and in the greenhouse for kernel Ɗ13C as well as plant developmental and photosynthesis-related traits. Highly heritable significant genetic variation for Ɗ13C was detected under field and greenhouse conditions. For several introgression library lines, Ɗ13C values consistently differed from the recurrent parent within and across the two phenotyping platforms. Ɗ13C was significantly associated with 22 out of 164 analyzed genomic regions, indicating a complex genetic architecture of Ɗ13C. The five genomic regions with the largest effects were located on chromosomes 1, 2, 6, 7, and 9 and explained 55% of the phenotypic variation for Ɗ13C. Plant development stage had no effect on Ɗ13C expression, as phenotypic as well as genotypic correlations between Ɗ13C, flowering time, and plant height were not significant. To our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating Ɗ13C to be under polygenic control in the C4 species maize.
MAIGO5 Functions in Protein Export from Golgi-Associated Endoplasmic Reticulum Exit Sites inArabidopsis
Authors: Takagi Junpei , Renna Luciana , Takahashi Hideyuki , Koumoto Yasuko , Tamura Kentaro , Stefano Giovanni , Fukao Yoichiro , Kondo Maki , Nishimura Mikio , Shimada Tomoo , Brandizzi Federica , Hara-Nishimura Ikuko
Published: November 2013

Plant cells face unique challenges to efficiently export cargo from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to mobile Golgi stacks. Coat protein complex II (COPII) components, which include two heterodimers of Secretory23/24 (Sec23/24) and Sec13/31, facilitate selective cargo export from the ER; however, little is known about the mechanisms that regulate their recruitment to the ER membrane, especially in plants. Here, we report a protein transport mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana, named maigo5 (mag5), which abnormally accumulates precursor forms of storage proteins in seeds. mag5-1 has a deletion in the putative ortholog of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Homo sapiens Sec16, which encodes a critical component of ER exit sites (ERESs). mag mutants developed abnormal structures (MAG bodies) within the ER and exhibited compromised ER export. A functional MAG5/SEC16A–green fluorescent protein fusion localized at Golgi-associated cup-shaped ERESs and cycled on and off these sites at a slower rate than the COPII coat. MAG5/SEC16A interacted with SEC13 and SEC31; however, in the absence of MAG5/SEC16A, recruitment of the COPII coat to ERESs was accelerated. Our results identify a key component of ER export in plants by demonstrating that MAG5/SEC16A is required for protein export at ERESs that are associated with mobile Golgi stacks, where it regulates COPII coat turnover.
Antipredator defences of young are independently determined by genetic inheritance, maternal effects and own early experience in mouthbrooding cichlids
Authors: Stratmann Ariane , Taborsky Barbara
Published: November 2013

Predation is a prime force of natural selection. Vulnerability to predation is typically highest early in life, hence effective antipredator defences should work already shortly after birth. Such early defences may be innate, transmitted through non‐genetic parental effects or acquired by own early experience.

To understand potential joint effects of these sources of antipredator defences on phenotypic expression, they should be manipulated within the same experiment. We investigated innate, parental and individual experience effects within a single experiment. Females of the African cichlid Simochromis pleurospilus were exposed to the offspring predator Ctenochromis horei or a benign species until spawning. Eggs and larvae were hand‐reared, and larvae were then exposed to odour cues signalling the presence or absence of predators in a split‐brood design.

Shortly after independence of maternal care, S. pleurospilus undergo a habitat shift from a deeper, adult habitat to a shallow juvenile habitat, a phase where young are thought to be particularly exposed to predation risk. Thus, maternal effects induced by offspring predators present in the adult habitat should take effect mainly shortly after independence, whereas own experience and innate antipredator responses should shape behaviour and life history of S. pleurospilus during the later juvenile period.

We found that the manipulated environmental components independently affected different offspring traits. (i) Offspring of predator‐exposed mothers grew faster during the first month of life and were thus larger at termination of maternal care, when the young migrate from the adult to the juvenile habitat. (ii) The offspring's own experience shortly after hatching exerted lasting effects on predator avoidance behaviour. (iii) Finally, our results suggest that S. pleurospilus possess a genetically inherited ability to distinguish dangerous from benign species.

In S. pleurospilus, maternal effects were limited to a short but critical time window, when young undergo a niche shift. Instead, own environmental sampling of predation risk combined with an innate predisposition to correctly identify predators appears to prepare the young best for the environment, in which they grow up as juveniles.
Employer brand management, organizational prestige and employees' word‐of‐mouth referrals in Taiwan
Authors: Uen Jin Feng , Ahlstrom David , Chen Shuyuan , Liu Julie
Published: November 2013

Word‐of‐mouth is thought to be an effective external recruitment information source that organizations are not generally able to do much about. While a number of previous studies have suggested the effectiveness of word‐of‐mouth recruitment, few have explored the specific factors enabling organizations to manage it effectively. This study addresses the cross‐level influence of employer brand management (EBM) and organizational prestige on employees' word‐of‐mouth referrals. A total of 308 survey responses from senior managers and their employees were received from 33 firms in Taiwan. All hypotheses were supported, which suggests significant relationships between EBM, organizational prestige, and employees' word‐of‐mouth referrals. The study results also suggest that organizations are able to manage employee word‐of‐mouth referrals by enhancing EBM and reinforcing employees' perceived organizational prestige accordingly.
Health‐Related Quality of Life in Patients With Moderate to Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Concept Analysis
Authors: Mouser April L.
Published: November 2013

Aim

The purpose of this concept analysis is to examine the health‐related quality of life in patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Background

COPD is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with moderate to severe COPD has not been clearly defined.

Design

Walker and Avant's concept analysis methodology was employed.

Review Methods

The author examined articles focusing on QoL, HRQoL, and HRQoL in COPD.

Results

The concept analysis explores the negative consequences related to COPD while defining HRQoL and the characteristics of positive HRQoL.

Conclusion

Patients living with COPD should be assessed for HRQoL status.
A Research Agenda for Acute Care Services Delivery in Low‐ and Middle‐income Countries
Authors: Moresky Rachel T. , Bisanzo Mark , Rubenstein Beth L. , Hubbard Stephanie J. , Cohen Hillary , Ouyang Helen , Duber Herbert C. , Marsh Regan H.
Published: November 2013

Delivery of acute care services at every level of the health system is essential to ensure appropriate evaluation and management of emergent illness and injury in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). The health services breakout group at the 2013 Academic Emergency Medicine consensus conference developed recommendations for a research agenda along the following themes: infrastructure, implementation, and sustainable provision of acute care services. Based on these recommendations, a set of priorities was created to promote and guide future research on acute care services.
Making Recording and Analysis of Chief Complaint a Priority for Global Emergency Care Research in Low‐income Countries
Authors: Mowafi Hani , Dworkis Daniel , Bisanzo Mark , Hansoti Bhakti , Seidenberg Phil , Obermeyer Ziad , Hauswald Mark , Reynolds Teri A.
Published: November 2013

The chief complaint is a patient's self‐reported primary reason for presenting for medical care. The clinical utility and analytical importance of recording chief complaints have been widely accepted in highly developed emergency care systems, but this practice is far from universal in global emergency care, especially in limited‐resource areas. It is precisely in these settings, however, that the use of chief complaints may have particular benefit. Chief complaints may be used to quantify, analyze, and plan for emergency care and provide valuable information on acute care needs where there are crucial data gaps. Globally, much work has been done to establish local practices around chief complaint collection and use, but no standards have been established and little work has been done to identify minimum effective sets of chief complaints that may be used in limited‐resource settings. As part of theAcademic Emergency Medicineconsensus conference, “Global Health and Emergency Care: A Research Agenda,” the breakout group on data management identified the lack of research on emergency chief complaints globally—especially in low‐income countries where the highest proportion of the world's population resides—as a major gap in global emergency care research. This article reviews global research on emergency chief complaints in high‐income countries with developed emergency care systems and sets forth an agenda for future research on chief complaints in limited‐resource settings.
MicroRNA‐143 regulates collagen type III expression in stromal fibroblasts of scirrhous type gastric cancer
Authors: Naito Yutaka , Sakamoto Naoya , Oue Naohide , Yashiro Masakazu , Sentani Kazuhiro , Yanagihara Kazuyoshi , Hirakawa Kosei , Yasui Wataru
Published: November 2013

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. In particular, scirrhous type GC is highly metastatic and is characterized clinically by rapid disease progression and poor prognosis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in cancer development and progression. In the present study, we identified several miRNAs that are expressed at higher levels in scirrhous type GC than in non‐scirrhous type GC by miRNA microarray analysis. Among these, microRNA‐143 (miR‐143) expression was higher in scirrhous type GC than in non‐scirrhous types of GC. In situ hybridization and quantitative RT‐PCR analysis showed that miR‐143 is expressed by stromal fibroblasts but not by cancer cells. In stromal cells, miR‐143 enhanced collagen type III expression in normal gastric fibroblasts and cancer‐associated fibroblasts through activation of transforming growth factor‐β)/SMAD signaling. Furthermore, high miR‐143 expression in GC was associated with worse cancer‐specific mortality (P = 0.0141). Multivariate analysis revealed that miR‐143 was an independent prognostic factor. Treatment of GC cell lines with 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine restored the expression of miR‐143, and precursor miR‐143 caused the inhibition of cancer cell invasion. These data suggest that miR‐143 regulates fibrosis of scirrhous type GC through induction of collagen expression in stromal fibroblasts and that miR‐143 expression serves as a prognostic marker of GC.
Clinical relevance is associated with allergen‐specific wheal size in skin prick testing
Authors: Haahtela T. , Burbach G. J. , Bachert C. , Bindslev‐Jensen C. , Bonini S. , Bousquet J. , Bousquet‐Rouanet L. , Bousquet P. J. , Bresciani M. , Bruno A. , Canonica G. W. , Darsow U. , Demoly P. , Durham S. R. , Fokkens W. J. , Giavi S. , Gjomarkaj M. , Gramiccioni C. , Kowalski M. L. , Losonczy G. , Orosz M. , Papadopoulos N. G. , Stingl G. , Todo‐Bom A. , von Mutius E. , Köhli A. , Wöhrl S. , Järvenpää S. , Kautiainen H. , Petman L. , Selroos O. , Zuberbier T. , Heinzerling L. M.
Published: November 2013

Background

Within a large prospective study, the Global Asthma and Allergy European Network (GA2LEN) has collected skin prick test (SPT) data throughout Europe to make recommendations for SPT in clinical settings.

Objective

To improve clinical interpretation of SPT results for inhalant allergens by providing quantitative decision points.

Methods

The GA2LEN SPT study with 3068 valid data sets was used to investigate the relationship between SPT results and patient‐reported clinical relevance for each of the 18 inhalant allergens as well as SPT wheal size and physician‐diagnosed allergy (rhinitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis, food allergy). The effects of age, gender, and geographical area on SPT results were assessed. For each allergen, the wheal size in mm with an 80% positive predictive value (PPV) for being clinically relevant was calculated.

Results

Depending on the allergen, from 40% (blatella) to 87–89% (grass, mites) of the positive SPT reactions (wheal size ≥ 3 mm) were associated with patient‐reported clinical symptoms when exposed to the respective allergen. The risk of allergic symptoms increased significantly with larger wheal sizes for 17 of the 18 allergens tested. Children with positive SPT reactions had a smaller risk of sensitizations being clinically relevant compared with adults. The 80% PPV varied from 3 to 10 mm depending on the allergen.

Conclusion

These ‘reading keys’ for 18 inhalant allergens can help interpret SPT results with respect to their clinical significance. A SPT form with the standard allergens including mm decision points for each allergen is offered for clinical use.
Gene‐Wide Tagging Study of the Association Between KCNT1 Polymorphisms and the Susceptibility and Efficacy of Genetic Generalized Epilepsy in Chinese Population
Authors: Qu Jian , Zhang Ying , Yang Zhi‐Quan , Mao Xiao‐Yuan , Zhou Bo‐Ting , Yin Ji‐Ye , He Hui , Li Xiang‐Ping , Long Hong‐Yu , Lv Nan , Xu Xiao‐Jing , Xiao Bo , Zhang Yu , Tang Qiang , Hu Dong‐Li , Zhou Hong‐Hao , Liu Zhao‐Qian
Published: November 2013

Aims

The causes of genetic generalized epilepsies (GGEs) are still uncertain now. Some studies found that the human potassium channel, subfamily T, member 1 (KCNT1) is the candidate gene causing malignant migrating partial seizures of infancy and autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy which are all rare genetic generalized epilepsies. The aims of this study were going to evaluate the association between KCNT1 common variations and the susceptibility and drug resistance of genetic generalized epilepsies in Chinese population.

Methods

The allele‐specific MALDI–TOF mass spectrometry method was used to assess 17 tagSNPs (tagged single‐nucleotide polymorphisms) of KCNT1 in 284 healthy Chinese controls and 483 Chinese GGEs patients including 279 anti‐epileptic drug‐responsive patients and 204 drug‐resistant patients.

Results

Genotype distributions of all the selected tagSNPs were consistent with Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium in GGEs and healthy controls. None of the all 17 tagSNPs alleles were found to be related with the susceptibility and drug resistance of genetic generalized epilepsies. The frequencies of haplotype 5 and haplotype 1 were significantly lower in GGEs than that in healthy controls (2% vs. 4%, OR = 0.47 [0.27–0.94], P = 0.03) and obviously higher in drug‐resistant patients than that in drug‐response patients (6% vs. 3%, OR = 2.56 [1.23–5.35], P = 0.01). However, after the correction of multiple comparisons with Bonferroni's method, we found that the above two haplotypes were not associated with the susceptibility and drug resistance in GGEs and healthy controls.

Conclusion

This gene‐wide tagging study revealed no association between KCNT1 17 common variations and susceptibility of GGEs or AEDs (anti‐epileptic drugs) efficacy of genetic generalized epilepsies in Chinese population.
Surgery for Primary Filum Terminale Ependymomas: Outcome and Prognostic Factors
Authors: Xie Tian‐Hao , Chen Xian‐Zhen , Qian Jun , Lu Yi‐Cheng , Jiang Yi‐Kun , Zhang Lei , Hu Guo‐Han , Ding Xue‐Hua , Luo Chun
Published: November 2013

Introduction

Primary filum terminale ependymoma (PFTE) is a unique type of ependymomas and locates on extramedullary site. However, the clinical features and prognostic factors of PFTE are still unknown due to its rarity.

Aim

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical features, outcomes, and prognostic factors of PFTE in the largest series of cases.

Result

Thirty‐eight patients were included in this study. Gross total removal (GTR) of the tumors was achieved in 33(87%) patients. Five (13%) patients had subtotal resection (STR). For the residual tumors, postoperative radiotherapy increased the interval between the first surgery and tumor regrowth (P = 0.063). Six patients had local recurrence/progression. Univariate analysis identified STR(P = 0.001), unencapsulated tumor (P = 0.018), tumor involving more than two vertebral columns (P = 0.005), and tumor invading sacral canal(P < 0.001) as predictors of tumor recurrence. In addition, 36 (95%) patients had stable or improved neurological status directly after surgery. Klekamp–Samii score was better correlated with the symptoms than McCormick scale.

Conclusion

Extent of surgical removal, tumor size, tumor location, and the integrity of tumor capsule are the prognostic factors of PFTEs, and the intrasacral PFTEs always have a poor prognosis.
Increased Activation of Synapsin 1 and Mitogen‐Activated Protein Kinases/Extracellular Signal‐Regulated Kinase in the Amygdala of Maternal Separation Rats
Authors: Park Hae‐Jeong , Kim Su‐Kang , Kang Won‐Sub , Chung Joo‐Ho , Kim Jong‐Woo
Published: November 2013

Background

Early life stress (ELS) causes alterations in emotionality and anxiety levels as a significant risk factor for psychiatric problems, and these alterations have been associated with amygdala activity.

Aims

To elucidate the molecular mechanism on the development of psychiatric problems following ELS, we identified the alteration of molecules in the amygdala using maternal separation (MS; pnd 14–21) rats through gene expression and DNA methylation microarray analysis, and studied the involvement of candidate genes using a Western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis.

Results

Through a microarray analysis, in the amygdala of MS rats, we found a downregulation of mRNA expression of synapsin 1 (Syn1) gene with hypermethylation of its transcription start site (TSS), and the alterations of mRNA expressions of Syn1 activation‐related kinase genes including mitogen‐activated protein kinases (Mapks) with change of their TSS methylation. In addition, MS increased not only Syn1 phosphorylation at the phosphorylation sites by Mapk/extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (Erk), but also Mapk/Erk phosphorylation in the amygdala. Furthermore, double immunofluorescence staining showed that MS could elevate phospho‐Mapk/Erk immunoreactivity (IR) in Syn1‐expression puncta.

Conclusion

These findings indicated that the activation of Mapk/Erk and Syn1 may be a key mechanism modulating synaptic neurotransmition in the amygdala of MS rats.
Taxonomic Uncertainty and the Loss of Biodiversity on Christmas Island, Indian Ocean
Authors: ELDRIDGE MARK D. B. , MEEK PAUL D. , JOHNSON REBECCA N.
Published: November 2013

The taxonomic uniqueness of island populations is often uncertain which hinders effective prioritization for conservation. The Christmas Island shrew (Crocidura attenuata trichura) is the only member of the highly speciose eutherian family Soricidae recorded from Australia. It is currently classified as a subspecies of the Asian gray or long‐tailed shrew (C. attenuata), although it was originally described as a subspecies of the southeast Asian white‐toothed shrew (C. fuliginosa). The Christmas Island shrew is currently listed as endangered and has not been recorded in the wild since 1984–1985, when 2 specimens were collected after an 80‐year absence. We aimed to obtain DNA sequence data for cytochrome b (cytb) from Christmas Island shrew museum specimens to determine their taxonomic affinities and to confirm the identity of the 1980s specimens. The Cytb sequences from 5, 1898 specimens and a 1985 specimen were identical. In addition, the Christmas Island shrew cytb sequence was divergent at the species level from all available Crocidura cytb sequences. Rather than a population of a widespread species, current evidence suggests the Christmas Island shrew is a critically endangered endemic species, C. trichura, and a high priority for conservation. As the decisions typically required to save declining species can be delayed or deferred if the taxonomic status of the population in question is uncertain, it is hoped that the history of the Christmas Island shrew will encourage the clarification of taxonomy to be seen as an important first step in initiating informed and effective conservation action.
Prevalence of asthmatic smokers: Turkish experience (PASTE Study)
Authors: Yildiz Fusun , Dursun Adile Berna , Disçi Rian ,   PASTE Study Group
Published: November 2013

Background

Although both asthma and smoking are major health problems worldwide, smokers are often excluded from asthma studies.

Objectives

It was aimed to verify the prevalence of asthmatic smokers in Turkey and assess the effects of smoking based on clinical parameters, exacerbations and hospitalizations because of lack of national data about the prevalence of smoking among asthmatics.

Methods

The study protocol was comprised of a retrospective questionnaire. The asthmatic patients were followed in the outpatient clinics of 18 tertiary hospitals selected from seven different geographical regions in Turkey. We evaluated demographic data, smoking habits, asthma‐related diseases, respiratory function and emergency visits.

Results

The study population included 1385 patients (M/F: 343/1042), and the mean age was 45.1 ± 14.0 years. Current and former smoking prevalence was 11.4% and 15.1%, respectively. Smoker rates were higher in males and younger asthmatics compared with females and older asthmatics (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). Smoking history ranged from 0.20 to 90 pack‐years (the mean was 12.9), and smokers had a higher level of education compared with nonsmokers (P < 0.01). Socioeconomically, the most developed region had the highest rate of smoker asthmatics (33.9%; P = 0.014). There was an increase in the number of exacerbations in smoker asthmatics during the previous year, but it was not statistically significant (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

We showed that the smoking prevalence in Turkey was lower in asthmatics (11.4%) compared with the general population (44.5%). Nevertheless, every effort should be made to encourage asthmatics to stop smoking because smoking is a modifiable risk factor for adverse asthma health outcomes.