bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perinatal Microbiomes’ Influence on Preterm Birth and Preterms’ Health
Authors: Ruiz Lorena , Moles Laura , Gueimonde Miguel , Rodriguez Juan M.
Published: March 2016

Microbial communities inhabiting the human host play important roles in maintaining health status, including reproduction and early life programming, which is particularly important in the context of preterm neonates’ health. Preterm birth (PTB) is often the result of a microbial dysbiosis or infection. In addition, preterm neonates experience different levels of organ immaturity and an abnormal gut microbiota establishment, as compared to full‐term neonates. This exacerbates their developmental problems and can have negative consequences at systemic level. In addition, preterm babies are commonly exposed to delayed enteral feeding and hospital environments, which increases the risk of short‐ and long‐term health problems. Some of these clinical conditions, such as necrotizing enterocolitis or sepsis, may be life threatening, whereas others may translate into life‐long conditions, including cognitive problems. Increasing scientific interest has focused on understanding developmental problems in preterm neonates related to abnormalities in the settlement of their microbial communities, with the final goal of selecting appropriate microbiome‐targeted strategies (eg, probiotics), to reduce preterm health risks and improve overall quality of life.

This review aims to summarize current knowledge on microbiological factors influencing PTB initiation and gastrointestinal development, and on the health consequences to the preterm neonate. Scientific evidences on dietary strategies reducing PTB incidence and minimizing sequelae in this particularly sensitive human group subpopulation are also discussed.
Nonsyndromic Intestinal Lipomas are Probably not Associated With Mutations of PDGFRA
Authors: Dubova Magdalena , Sedivcova Monika , Saskova Bohuslava , Hadravska Sarka , Daum Ondrej
Published: March 2016

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that intestinal lipomas occurring in patients devoid of signs of PDGFRA-mutant syndrome might represent sporadic counterparts of familial lipomatous tumors occurring in the spectrum of tumors associated with PDGFRA mutations. PDGFRA-mutant syndrome may manifest with gastrointestinal stromal tumors, Vanek tumors, fibrous tumors, and lipomatous tumors. Until now there has been no molecular genetic study of PDGFRA mutations in intestinal lipomas published in the world literature. A series of 20 intestinal lipomas were obtained from 17 patients, and mutational analysis of exons 12, 14, and 18 of the PDGFRA gene was performed. None of the 16 analyzable tumors showed mutations in PDGFRA. Thus, PDGFRA mutations probably do not play an important role in the development of sporadic lipomas of the intestines.
Biphasic Squamoid Alveolar Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Hes Ondrej , Condom Mundo Enric , Peckova Kvetoslava , Lopez Jose I. , Martinek Petr , Vanecek Tomas , Falconieri Giovanni , Agaimy Abbas , Davidson Whitney , Petersson Fredrik , Bulimbasic Stela , Damjanov Ivan , Jimeno Mireya , Ulamec Monika , Podhola Miroslav , Sperga Maris , Pane Foix Maria , Shelekhova Ksenya , Kalusova Kristyna , Hora Milan , Rotterova Pavla , Daum Ondrej , Pivovarcikova Kristyna , Michal Michal
Published: March 2016

Biphasic squamoid alveolar renal cell carcinoma (BSARCC) has been recently described as a distinct neoplasm. Twenty-one cases from 12 institutions were analyzed using routine histology, immunohistochemistry, array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) and fluorescence in situ hybridization. Tumors were removed from 11 male and 10 female patients, whose age ranged from 53 to 79 years. The size of tumors ranged from 1.5 to 16 cm. Follow-up information was available for 14 patients (range, 1 to 96 mo), and metastatic spread was found in 5 cases. All tumors comprised 2 cell populations arranged in organoid structures: small, low-grade neoplastic cells with scant cytoplasm usually lining the inside of alveolar structures, and larger squamoid cells with more prominent cytoplasm and larger vesicular nuclei arranged in compact nests. In 9/21 tumors there was a visible transition from such solid and alveolar areas into papillary components. Areas composed of large squamoid cells comprised 10% to 80% of total tumor volume. Emperipolesis was present in all (21/21) tumors. Immunohistochemically, all cases were positive for cytokeratin 7, EMA, vimentin, and cyclin D1. aCGH (confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization) in 5 analyzable cases revealed multiple numerical chromosomal changes including gains of chromosomes 7 and 17 in all cases. These changes were further disclosed in 6 additional cases, which were unsuitable for aCGH. We conclude that tumors show a morphologic spectrum ranging from RCC with papillary architecture and large squamoid cells to fully developed BSARCC. Emperipolesis in squamoid cells was a constant finding. All BSARCCs expressed CK7, EMA, vimentin, and cyclin D1. Antibody to cyclin D1 showed a unique and previously not recognized pattern of immunohistochemical staining. Multiple chromosomal aberrations were identified in all analyzable cases including gains of chromosomes 7 and 17, indicating that they are akin to papillary RCC. Some BSARCCs were clinically aggressive, but their prognosis could not be predicted from currently available data. Present microscopic, immunohistochemical, and molecular genetic data strongly support the view that BSARCC is a distinctive and peculiar morphologic variant of papillary RCC.
Mixed and Ambiguous Endometrial Carcinomas
Authors: Espinosa Iñigo , D’Angelo Emanuela , Palacios José , Prat Jaime
Published: March 2016

Besides endometrioid, serous, and clear cell carcinomas, there are endometrial carcinomas exhibiting mixed and ambiguous morphologic features. We have analyzed the immunophenotype (p53, p16, β-catenin, ER, HNF-1B, MLH1, and Ki-67) and mutational status (PTEN, KRAS, PIK3CA, and POLE) of 7 mixed carcinomas and 13 ambiguous carcinomas, all of them classified initially as mixed carcinomas. Only 2 of the 7 (28%) mixed carcinomas showed different immunophenotypes in different components. All but 2 tumors (5/7, 71%) overexpressed p53 and p16 and were negative for ER. Both carcinomas (2/7, 28%) showed a prominent micropapillary component that resembled an ovarian low-grade serous carcinoma and merged with villoglandular endometrioid carcinoma. The ambiguous carcinomas exhibited glandular architecture, high nuclear grade, and overlapping features of endometrioid and serous carcinomas. All tumors overexpressed p53 and p16, and the majority of cases (12/13, 92%) were negative for ER. KRAS mutations were identified in 3 of 7 (42%) mixed carcinomas, including the 2 cases with a “low-grade” serous–like component. PIK3CA mutations occurred in 2 (2/13, 15%) ambiguous carcinomas and PTEN mutations in 1 (1/7, 14%) mixed and 1 (1/13, 8%) ambiguous carcinoma. POLE exonuclease domain mutations were encountered in a case of mixed undifferentiated and well-differentiated (dedifferentiated) carcinoma. Two of the 7 (29%) mixed endometrial carcinomas and 5 of the 13 (38%) ambiguous carcinomas had extended beyond the pelvis (stages III and IV). Two of the 7 (29%) patients with mixed endometrial carcinoma and 6 of 12 (50%) patients with ambiguous endometrial carcinoma were alive with disease or had died of tumor. Our results show that, biologically, many so-called mixed carcinomas represent serous carcinomas with ambiguous morphology. Our series include 2 true mixed endometrial carcinomas with a “low-grade serous”–like component, microcystic, elongated, or fragmented features, KRAS mutations, and aggressive behavior.
Epidemiology of the Critically Ill Child in the Resuscitation Bay
Authors: Chavez Hector , Garcia Carmen Teresa , Sakers Cathy , Darko Richmond , Hannan Jean
Published: March 2016

Background

Children account for approximately 33 million annual emergency department (ED) visits in the United States. The spectrum and frequency of children with a critical illness presenting to an ED has not been previously analyzed.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to examine the range of critical illness presenting to a tertiary Children's Hospital ED.

Methods

This study was a retrospective chart review of all pediatric patients requiring immediate care in the medical resuscitation bay during a 25-month period from August 2005 to September 2007. Data are from a single center, academic, tertiary care pediatric hospital. A log of all patients requiring immediate care is kept in the medical resuscitation bay. Patients recorded in the log for a period of 25 consecutive months were reviewed for type of critical illness, frequency of critical illness, mode of arrival, and outcome. Trauma patients were excluded.

Results

There were approximately 45,000 pediatric visits per year with a total of 87,766 patients seen during the study period. There were 249 pediatric patients who required care in the medical resuscitation bay during the reviewed period. Complete data were obtained from 242 subjects' charts. Patients requiring immediate care accounted for 0.28% of all the visits.

Conclusions

This study documents the infrequent need for pediatric critical care in the ED of a nonacademic tertiary children's hospital in the United States and reinforces the need to provide protocols, mock codes, and simulation labs in preparation for critically ill children.
Endometrial Samples From Postmenopausal Women: A Proposal for Adequacy Criteria
Authors: Sakhdari Ali , Moghaddam Parnian A. , Liu Yuxin
Published: March 2016

Approximately 75% of endometrial cancer occurs in women older than 55 yr of age. Postmenopausal bleeding is often considered endometrial cancer until proven otherwise. One diagnostic challenge is that endometrial biopsy or curettage generally yields limited samples from elderly patients. There are no well-defined and unified diagnostic criteria for adequacy of endometrial samples. Pathologists who consider any sample including those lacking endometrial tissue as “adequate” run the risk of rendering false-negative reports; on the contrary, pathologists requiring ample endometrial glands along with stroma tend to designate a greater number of samples as “inadequate,” leading to unnecessary follow-up. We undertook a quantitative study of 1768 endometrial samples from women aged 60 yr and older aiming to propose validated adequacy criteria for diagnosing or excluding malignancy. Using repeat-procedure outcomes as reference, we found that samples exceeding 10 endometrial strips demonstrated high negative predictive value close to 100%. Such samples can be scant, yet appear to be sufficient in excluding malignant conditions. When tissue diminished to <10 strips, negative predictive value dropped significantly to 81%. The risk of undersampled malignancy rose to 19%. Among 274 malignant cases, only 4 cases yielded limited tissue yet >10 strips. In conclusion, we propose 10 endometrial strips as the minimum for adequate samples from postmenopausal women. Applying such validated adequacy criteria will greatly reduce false-negative errors and avoid unnecessary procedures while ultimately improving diagnostic accuracy. Our criteria may serve as a reference point in unifying the pathology community on this important and challenging topic.
Analyzing Regional Differences over a 15-Year Trend of One-Stage versus Two-Stage Breast Reconstruction in 941,191 Postmastectomy Patients
Authors: Kamali Parisa , Koolen Pieter G. L. , Ibrahim Ahmed M. S. , Paul Marek A. , Dikmans Rieky E. , Schermerhorn Marc L. , Lee Bernard T. , Lin Samuel J.
Published: March 2016

Background:

Implant-based reconstruction is the predominant form of breast reconstruction, with the two-stage tissue expander/implant approach being the most popular. Recently, the direct-to-implant, one-stage breast reconstruction procedure has gained momentum. In this study, national and regional trends across the United States for the two different types of implant-based reconstructions were evaluated.

Methods:

The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was used to extrapolate data on type of mastectomy, implant-based reconstructive technique (one-stage or two-stage), and sociodemographic and hospital variables. Differences were assessed using the chi-square test, impact of variables on reconstructive method was analyzed using logistic regression, and trends were analyzed using the Cochrane-Armitage test.

Results:

Between 1998 and 2012, a total of 1,444,587 patients treated for breast cancer or at increased risk of breast cancer met the defined selection criteria. Of these, 194,377 patients underwent implant-based breast reconstruction (13.6 percent one-stage and 86.4 percent two-stage). In both, there was a significant increase in procedures performed over time (p < 0.001). The highest increase in both was seen in the Northeast region of the United States, and the lowest increase was seen in the South. When stratified into regions, analysis showed differences in socioeconomic and hospital characteristics within the different regions.

Conclusions:

There is an observed increase in the number of one-stage and two-stage breast reconstructions being performed. Sociodemographic and hospital factors of influence vary in the different regions of the United States. This study provides important information for clinicians and policy makers who seek to ensure equitable and appropriate access for patient to the different types of implant-based procedures.
Breast Involvement in Pure Cutaneous Rosai-Dorfman Disease
Authors: Ciurea Anca , Ciortea Cristiana , Cosarca Mihaela , Rogojan Liliana
Published: March 2016

Rosai-Dorfman disease or sinus histiocytosis of the lymph nodes is a rare, idiopathic, and benign disorder. Painless lymphadenopathy is the most frequent systemic presenting symptom and involves the cervical region in up to 90% of the patients. Extranodal involvement is less common and can represent the initial or the only presentation of the disease. We present the ultrasound and sonoelastographic features of a case of extranodal, pure cutaneous Rosai-Dorfman disease involving the breast, in which the breast involvement led to the final diagnosis. We discuss the ultrasound appearance of the disease (on B-mode, Doppler ultrasound, and sonoelastography) with a review of the literature and the different morphological patterns encountered in extranodal and cutaneous involvement.
Structural and Functional View of Polypharmacology
Authors: Moya García Aurelio , Adeyelu Tolulope , Kruger Felix A , Dawson Natalie L. , Lees Jon G. , Overington John P. , Orengo Christine , Ranea Juan A.G.
Published: March 2016

Protein domains mediate drug-protein interactions and this effect can explain drug polypharmacology. In this study, we associate polypharmacological drugs with CATH functional families, a type of protein domain and we use the network properties of these druggable protein families to analyse their relationships with drug side effects. We found druggable CATH functional families enriched in drug targets, whose relatives are structurally coherent, gather together in the protein functional network occupying central positions, and tend to be free of proteins associated with drug side effects. Our results demonstrate that CATH functional families can be used to identify drug-target interactions, opening a new research direction in target identification.
Differential Canalograms Detect Outflow Changes from Trabecular Micro-Bypass Stents and Ab Interno Trabeculectomy
Authors: Parikh Hardik A. , Loewen Ralitsa T. , Roy Pritha , Schuman Joel S. , Lathrop Kira L. , Loewen Nils A.
Published: March 2016

The increasing prevalence of glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness, makes the development of safer and more effective treatment more urgent. Recently introduced microincisional glaucoma surgeries that enhance conventional outflow offer a favorable risk profile but can be unpredictable. Two paramount challenges are the lack of an adequate surgical training model for new surgeries and the absence of pre-or intraoperative guidance to sites of reduced flow. To address both, we developed an ex vivo training system and a differential, quantitative canalography method to assess outflow enhancement by trabecular micro-bypass (TMB) implantation or by ab interno trabeculectomy (AIT). TMB resulted in insignificant (p>0.05) outflow increases of 13±5%, 14±8%, 9±3%, and 24±9% in the inferonasal, superonasal, superotemporal, and inferotemporal quadrants. AIT caused a 100±50% (p=0.002), 75±28% (p=0.002), 19±8%, and 40±21% increase in those quadrants. AIT eyes had a 7.5 (p=0.01), 5.7 (p=0.004), 2.3, and 1.8-fold greater outflow enhancement than matching quadrants of paired TMB-implanted eyes. Quantitative canalography demonstrated that TMB, when successful, provided focal outflow enhancements, while AIT achieved a more extensive access to outflow pathways including and beyond the surgical site itself.
NanoSim: nanopore sequence read simulator based on statistical characterization
Authors: Yang Chen , Chu Justin , Warren René L , Birol Inanç
Published: March 2016

Motivation:

In 2014, Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) announced a new sequencing platform called MinION. The particular features of MinION reads – longer read lengths and single-molecule sequencing in particular – show potential for genome characterization. As of yet, the pre-commercial technology is exclusively available through early-access, and only a few datasets are publically available for testing. Further, no software exists that simulates MinION platform reads with genuine ONT characteristics.

Results:

In this article, we introduce NanoSim, a fast and scalable read simulator that captures the technology-specific features of ONT data, and allows for adjustments upon improvement of nanopore sequencing technology.
Abrupt transitions to tumor extinction: A phenotypic quasispecies model
Authors: Sardanyés Josep , Martínez Regina , Simó Carles , Solé Ricard
Published: March 2016

Background

The dynamics of heterogeneous tumor cell populations competing with healthy cells is an important topic in cancer research with deep implications in biomedicine. Multitude of theoretical and computational models have addressed this issue, especially focusing on the nature of the transitions governing tumor clearance as some relevant model parameters are tuned. In this contribution, we analyze a mathematical model of unstable tumor progression using the quasispecies framework. Our aim is to define a minimal model incorporating the dynamics of competition between healthy cells and a heterogeneous population of cancer cell phenotypes involving changes in replication-related genes (i.e., proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes), in genes responsible for genomic stability, and in house-keeping genes. Such mutations or loss of genes result into different phenotypes with increased proliferation rates and/or increased genomic instabilities. Also, lethal phenotypes with mutations or loss of house-keeping genes are present in our model.

Results

Despite bifurcations in the classical deterministic quasispecies model are typically given by smooth, continuous shifts (i.e., transcritical bifurcations), we here identify an novel type of abrupt transition causing tumor extinction. Such a bifurcation, named astrans-heteroclinic, is characterized by the exchange of stability between two distant fixed points (that do not collide) involving, respectively, tumor persistence and tumor clearance. The increase of mutation and/or the decrease of the replication rate of tumor cells involves this catastrophic shift of tumor cell populations. The transient times near bifurcation thresholds are also characterized, showing a power law dependence of exponent –1 of the transients as mutation is changed near the bifurcation value.

Conclusions

An abrupt transition involving tumor clearance has been identified with a phenotypic quasispecies cancer model. This result is discussed in the context of targeted cancer therapy as a possible therapeutic strategy to force a catastrophic shift by delivering mutagenic and cytotoxic drugs inside tumor cells. Our model also reveals a novel mechanism causing a discontinuous transition given by the stability exchange of two distant fixed points, which we name as atrans-heteroclinicbifurcation.
Sequence-targeted nucleosome sliding in vivo by a hybrid Chd1 chromatin remodeler
Authors: McKnight Jeffrey N. , Tsukiyama Toshio , Bowman Gregory D.
Published: March 2016

ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers regulate chromatin dynamics by modifying nucleosome positions and occupancy. DNA-dependent processes such as replication and transcription rely on chromatin to faithfully regulate DNA accessibility, yet how chromatin remodelers achieve well-defined nucleosome positioning in vivo is poorly understood. Here, we report a simple method for site-specifically altering nucleosome positions in live cells. By fusing the Chd1 remodeler to the DNA binding domain of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ume6 repressor, we have engineered a fusion remodeler that selectively positions nucleosomes on top of adjacent Ume6 binding motifs in a highly predictable and reproducible manner. Positioning of nucleosomes by the fusion remodeler recapitulates closed chromatin structure at Ume6-sensitive genes analogous to the endogenous Isw2 remodeler. Strikingly, highly precise positioning of single founder nucleosomes by either chimeric Chd1-Ume6 or endogenous Isw2 shifts phased chromatin arrays in cooperation with endogenous chromatin remodelers. Our results demonstrate feasibility of engineering precise nucleosome rearrangements through sequence-targeted chromatin remodeling and provide insight into targeted action and cooperation of endogenous chromatin remodelers in vivo.
A hot water extract of Aralia cordata activates bone marrow‐derived macrophages via a myeloid differentiation protein 88‐dependent pathway and protects mice from bacterial infection
Authors: Seo Dong‐Won , Cho Yong‐Il , Gu Suna , Kim Da‐Hee , Park Jung‐Hee , Yi Young‐Joo , Lee Sang‐Myeong
Published: March 2016

In traditional Asian medicine, Aralia cordata (AC) is a known as a pain reliever and anti‐inflammatory drug. Although several of its biological activities have been reported, the immunomodulatory effects of a hot water extract of AC (HAC) have not yet been described. The aim of this study was to investigate whether HAC modulates the activation of macrophages, which play important roles in innate immune responses against microbial pathogens, and if so, to determine the molecular mechanisms by which HAC mediates this process. It was found that HAC activates bone marrow‐derived macrophages (BMDM) and increases amounts of nitric oxide and proinflammatory cytokines in a dose‐dependent manner. In addition, HAC was found to induce phosphorylation of NF‐κB and mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including c‐Jun N‐terminal kinases, extracellular signal‐regulated kinases and p38. Interestingly, these effects were absent in BMDM prepared from myeloid differentiation protein 88‐knockout mice. Polysaccharides from HAC exerted stronger immunostimulatory effects than HAC itself. Furthermore, orally administered HAC clearly enhanced clearance of the intracellular pathogen Listeria monocytogenes by boosting innate immune responses. These results demonstrate that HAC exerts immunostimulatory effects through the TLR/MyD88 and NF‐κB/MAPK signal transduction pathways.
Top‐down control as important as nutrient enrichment for eutrophication effects in North Atlantic coastal ecosystems
Authors: Östman Örjan , Eklöf Johan , Eriksson Britas Klemens , Olsson Jens , Moksnes Per‐Olav , Bergström Ulf
Published: March 2016

Seagrass and seaweed habitats constitute hotspots for diversity and ecosystem services in coastal ecosystems. These habitats are subject to anthropogenic pressures, of which eutrophication is one major stressor. Eutrophication favours fast‐growing ephemeral algae over perennial macroalgae and seagrasses, causing habitat degradation. However, changes in top‐down control, caused by, for example, overfishing, may also have negative impacts on such habitats by decreasing grazer control of ephemeral algae. Meanwhile, systematic analyses estimating top‐down effects of predator manipulations across a wide range of studies are missing, limiting the potential use of top‐down control measures in coastal management.

Here, we review the literature on experiments that test top‐down and bottom‐up controls in seagrass Zostera marina and seaweed Fucus spp. food webs in the North Atlantic. Using meta‐analysis and meta‐regression, we compare effect sizes of consumer and nutrient manipulations on primary producers, grazers and mesopredators.

Presence of mesopredators on average doubled the biomass of ephemeral algae through trophic cascades, mainly mediated via negative effects on amphipods and isopods. Of the grazers, gastropods had twice as strong a negative effect on ephemeral algae as amphipods/isopods, but responded weakly to both predators and fertilization. In accordance with theory, top‐down effects became stronger with eutrophication.

Across studies, top‐down effects on ephemeral algae at all trophic levels are on par with eutrophication effects. However, the few studies manipulating piscivorous fish make estimates of their top‐down effects uncertain.

Synthesis and applications. Consistently strong top‐down effects in coastal ecosystems call for an integrated ecosystem perspective. Management should consider measures to improve stocks of predatory fish and reduce mesopredators for restoration and conservation of essential seagrass and seaweed habitats, thereby increasing the long‐term viability of ecosystem services from coastal habitats.
Climate drivers of seed production in Picea engelmannii and response to warming temperatures in the southern Rocky Mountains
Authors: Buechling Arne , Martin Patrick H. , Canham Charles D. , Shepperd Wayne D. , Battaglia Mike A.
Published: March 2016

Seed production by Picea engelmannii was monitored at 13 sites distributed across a ˜670 m elevation gradient for 40 years. Time series of annual seed output was investigated for evidence of masting behaviour and trends in seed abundance over time.

We used regression models in a likelihood framework to examine climate effects on seed production for critical periods in the species' reproductive cycle.

We rigorously evaluated the performance of two gridded climate data sets, PRISM and TopoWx, before using associated variables as predictors in the seed models.

Seed production at these sites does not strictly conform to the classic masting concept. Seed abundance was highly variable over time and strongly synchronized among sites, but mast years could not be objectively identified due to intermediate levels of seed output.

Model results indicate that climate conditions across multiple years cumulatively determine reproductive output. High seed rain is associated with elevated summer temperatures in the year that seeds are dispersed, low spring snowfall in the year preceding seed dispersal when buds are initiated, and reduced spring snowfall in a so‐called priming year two years prior to seed dispersal. Low spring precipitation putatively increases growing season length and resource accumulation in seed trees.

Linear models identified significant positive trends in seed output over time. Anomalous aridity and summer warmth in the latter half of the study period were highly favourable for seed production and were associated with increases in seed abundance.

Synthesis. The increases in seed output observed in this study may promote population fitness of P. engelmannii in the face of changing climate regimes and increasing frequencies of fire‐ and insect‐related tree mortality in the Rocky Mountains. Since this species lacks a persistent seed bank, re‐colonization of disturbed areas or dispersal to shifting habitats depends on adequate production of seed by surviving trees, which according to these analyses may be moderately enhanced by current climate trends. However, some evidence also indicates that increases in seed output will ultimately be constrained by threshold high temperatures in the seed maturation year.
Functional diversity enhances silver fir growth resilience to an extreme drought
Authors: Gazol Antonio , Camarero J. Julio
Published: March 2016

It is expected that extreme climate events such as droughts will increase in both severity and intensity as a consequence of forecasted climate change. Complementarity among tree species in resource acquisition strategy may reduce interspecific competition and increase the occurrence of facilitative interactions, resulting in an improved tree growth and resilience to extreme climatic events. However, the response of individual trees growing in more functionally diverse stands to extreme events is still under debate.

We investigate the growth response of silver fir (Abies alba) to an extreme drought event which occurred in 1985–1986 in the Central Spanish Pyrenees and how the growth and resilience of trees relate to their neighbourhood functional diversity, stand heterogeneity and intraspecific and interspecific competition. Dendroecological methods were used to reconstruct radial growth. We recorded all tree species living around each sampled tree and calculated indices of intra‐ and interspecific competition among coexisting trees. Functional diversity around each focal tree was calculated by using the Rao's quadratic entropy.

Silver fir growth decreased significantly in response to the drought in the vast majority of trees, but most of them showed a growth recovery 3 years later. Despite most trees showed negative growth trends following the drought event (70%), those trees growing in more functionally diverse stands were more resilient, recovered more quickly and displayed greater growth and growth trends.

Synthesis. The presented findings support the growing body of evidence that shows a positive impact of diversity on forest function. In addition, we provide a direct linkage between tree growth response to climate at the individual tree scale and a direct quantification of neighbourhood functional diversity and competition. An enhanced functional diversity facilitating a more efficient use of resources at the interspecific level and potentially increasing facilitative interactions contributes to lessening the negative impacts of extreme events as droughts on forest growth.
Public Value Management: A Case Study of Transitional Change in Disability Sector Reform in Western Australia
Authors: Edwards Mark G. , Soo Christine , Greckhamer Thomas
Published: March 2016

This paper contributes to the study of public value management (PVM). PVM is distinguished from other approaches to public administration in its focus on establishing community networks and collaborative capacity building for the creation of public value. We explore PVM through a case study of a public–community sector partnership strategy called the positive behaviour framework (PBF), a state government initiative designed to transform services for people with disabilities. The development and implementation of the PBF is analysed via a transitional change or ‘sector awareness’ model. Each phase of the model is illustrated through ‘positive stories’ that depict key moments in the change process and in the activities that public sector managers employed to raise awareness, build capacity, and promote collaboration. We discuss the implications of the study for disability sector change management and for the further study of the PVM approach to public sector administration.
The Bifurcation of Politics: Two Englands
Authors: Jennings Will , Stoker Gerry
Published: March 2016

A dynamic of global economic development means that many countries are experiencing uneven development and their citizens are increasingly split between those who can access high‐skill jobs and those who cannot. As a result some citizens are living in cosmopolitan areas of growth and others in backwater areas of decline. There are emerging out of these processes two versions of England. In cosmopolitan areas we find an England that is global in outlook, liberal and more plural in its sense of identity. In provincial backwaters we find an England that is inward‐looking, relatively illiberal, negative about the EU and immigration, nostalgic and more English in its identity. This bifurcation of England is already having political effects, reflected in the outcome of the 2015 general election. It will further reconfigure politics over the next two decades, creating diverse political citizens and a complex array of challenges and dilemmas for governments, political parties, campaigners and political organisers.
Periodization, Translation, Prescription and the Emergence of Classical French
Authors: Ayres‐Bennett Wendy , Caron Philippe
Published: March 2016

In this article we demonstrate how fine‐grained analysis of salient features of linguistic change over a relatively short, but significant period can help refine our notions of periodization. As our case study, we consider whether it is appropriate to distinguish a period called français préclassique (‘Pre‐Classical French’), and if so, what its temporal limits are. As our contemporary informants we take, on the one hand, the comments of writers of remarks on the French language, who were highly conscious of language change, and, on the other, usage in successive French translations of the same Latin source text which can be exploited to track and date the adoption of ‘modern’ linguistic variants. We find atypical patterns of change – and notably changes which move rapidly through Labov's different stages – that contribute to the sense of discontinuity or periodization. However, this sense of ‘rupture’ does not coincide with the chronological boundaries hitherto suggested for français préclassique, thus throwing the validity of this period into question.
Negation in Colonial Valley Zapotec
Authors: Anderson Carolyn Jane , Lillehaugen Brook Danielle
Published: March 2016

This paper presents an overview of negation in Colonial Valley Zapotec (CVZ) based on a corpus of texts written in Valley Zapotec between 1565 and 1808. There are four negative markers in CVZ, two bound (ya=, qui=) and two free (aca, yaca). Standard negation employs a negative word and an optional clitic, =ti. Understanding the syntax of an historical form of Valley Zapotec allows us to make some observations about related forms in modern Valley Zapotec languages, in particular San Lucas Quiaviní Zapotec (SLQZ). For example, the morpheme =ti, which is required in clausal negation in SLQZ, is not obligatory in any negative constructions in CVZ until around 1800. In Vellon 1808, the youngest text in the corpus, we observe =ti required in one type of clausal negation. This allows us to observe details of the development of the modern Valley Zapotec negation system, including the fact that the remaining changes leading to obligatory =ti in clausal negation in SLQZ must have occurred within the last 200 years.
Tax Policies, Regional Trade Agreements and Foreign Direct Investment: A Welfare Analysis
Authors: Braymen Charles , Chang Yang‐Ming , Luo Zijun
Published: March 2016

In this paper, we develop a partial equilibrium three‐country model to examine the relationship between regional trade agreements (RTAs) and foreign direct investment (FDI) in an environment with double taxation. Our analysis shows that FDI is welfare‐improving for at least one or both of the two regional countries if wage asymmetry is significantly large. FDI and an RTA are also welfare‐improving for the high‐wage country and the region if the wage differential is not small. We also examine the role of repatriation taxes in affecting the determination of firm location under an RTA. Our results suggest that the signing of an RTA may induce relocation from the high‐wage country to the low‐wage country unless an increase in the repatriation tax rate also occurs.
What Drives Urban Consumption in Mainland China? The Role of Property Price Dynamics
Authors: Chen Yu‐Fu , Funke Michael , Mehrotra Aaron
Published: March 2016

This paper adds to the literature on wealth effects on consumption by disentangling house price effects on consumption for mainland China. In a stochastic modelling framework, the riskiness, rate of increase and persistence of house price movements have different implications for the consumption/housing ratio. We exploit the geographical variation in property prices by using a quarterly city‐level panel data set for the period 1998Q1–2009Q4 and rely on a panel error correction model. Overall, the results suggest a significant long‐run impact of property prices on consumption. They also broadly confirm the predictions from the theoretical model.
Influence of guar gum addition on physicochemical, microbial, rheological and sensory properties of stirred yoghurt
Authors: Lee Youngseung , Chang Yoon Hyuk
Published: March 2016

This study investigated the effects of adding guar gum (0, 0.6 and 0.8 g/100 mL) on the physicochemical, microbial, rheological and sensory properties of stirred yoghurt. Incorporation of guar gum into the yoghurt significantly affected the pH and colour, but did not significantly influence the lactic acid bacteria counts. The magnitudes of apparent viscosity (ηa,100), consistency index (K), yield stress (σoc), storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G″) for yoghurt samples containing guar gum (0.6–0.8 g/100 mL) were significantly greater than those for the control (without guar gum), indicating that guar gum can improve the steady and dynamic shear rheological properties of yoghurt.
How Portfolios Evolve after Retirement: Evidence from Australia
Authors: Spicer Alexandra , Stavrunova Olena , Thorp Susan
Published: March 2016

Households in many countries reach retirement with lump sums of financial wealth accumulated in defined contribution retirement plans. Retired households need to manage risks and generate income from their savings. We study the dynamics of retirement wealth and portfolio allocation using the three wealth waves of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia panel survey. The average retired household maintained or accumulated wealth in 2002–2006 and decumulated in 2006–2010 consistent with trends in financial asset prices. At older ages, households prefer portfolios with less risk and more liquidity, while maintaining ownership of the family home. The probability of households exhausting financial assets increased over the sample, but households who depleted financial wealth did not liquidate their housing wealth at higher rates than other households. In contrast to the USA, the overall effect of health shocks on the wealth of retired Australian households is minimal, but financial shocks have large effects.
Screening Mammography for Free: Impact of Eliminating Cost Sharing on Cancer Screening Rates
Authors: Jena Anupam B. , Huang Jie , Fireman Bruce , Fung Vicki , Gazelle Scott , Landrum Mary Beth , Chernew Michael , Newhouse Joseph P. , Hsu John
Published: March 2016

Objectives

To study the impact of eliminating cost sharing for screening mammography on mammography rates in a large Medicare Advantage (MA) health plan which in 2010 eliminated cost sharing in anticipation of the Affordable Care Act mandate.

Study Setting

Large MA health maintenance organization offering individual‐subscriber MA insurance and employer‐supplemented group MA insurance.

Study Design

We investigated the impact on breast cancer screening of a policy that eliminated a $20 copayment for screening mammography in 2010 among 53,188 women continuously enrolled from 2007 to 2012 in an individual‐subscriber MA plan, compared with 42,473 women with employer‐supplemented group MA insurance in the same health maintenance organization who had full screening coverage during this period. We used differences‐in‐differences analysis to study the impact of cost‐sharing elimination on mammography rates.

Principal Findings

Annual screening rates declined over time for both groups, with similar trends pre‐2010 and a slower decline after 2010 among women whose copayments were eliminated. Among women aged 65–74 years in the individual‐subscriber MA plan, 44.9 percent received screening in 2009 compared with 40.9 percent in 2012, while 49.5 percent of women in the employer‐supplemented MA plan received screening in 2009 compared with 44.1 percent in 2012, that is, a difference‐in‐difference effect of 1.4 percentage points less decline in screening among women experiencing the cost‐sharing elimination. Effects were concentrated among women without recent screening. There were no differences by neighborhood socioeconomic status or race/ethnicity.

Conclusions

Eliminating cost sharing for screening mammography was associated with modesty lower decline in screening rates among women with previously low screening adherence.
Do Opinions on Financial Misstatement Firms Affect Analysts’ Reputation with Investors? Evidence from Reputational Spillovers
Authors: LEE LIAN FEN , LO ALVIS K.
Published: March 2016

We examine whether opinions on firms subsequently revealed to have misstated earnings affect analysts’ reputation with investors. We find that positive opinions by bullish analysts hurt their reputation, leading investors to react less to their research on non‐misstatement firms after the misstatement revelation (i.e., negative spillovers). We also find that bearish analysts issuing more negative opinions gain reputation and experience positive spillovers. Finally, for analysts who dropped coverage of the misstatement firm before the misstatement revelation, we find no spillovers, which suggests that analysts experience limited reputational gains when they did not issue a public negative opinion.
The Quality Changes of Postharvest Mulberry Fruit Treated by Chitosan‐g‐Caffeic Acid during Cold Storage
Authors: Yang Caifeng , Han Beibei , Zheng Yu , Liu Lili , Li Changlong , Sheng Sheng , Zhang Jian , Wang Jun , Wu Fuan
Published: March 2016

This study aimed to characterize the effects of chitosan‐g‐caffeic acid (CTS‐g‐CA) on improving the quality and extending the shelf life of postharvest mulberry fruit during storage at 4 °C for 18 d. CTS‐g‐CA was enzymatically synthesized using laccase from Pleurotus ostreatus as a catalyst. The synergistic effects of CTS‐g‐CA treatment on mulberry fruit were evaluated using a co‐toxicity factor (cf). The results showed that the rotting rate of CTS‐g‐CA‐treated fruit was 37.67% (compared with that of the control at 97.67%) on day 18. The weight loss and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents of the CTS‐g‐CA‐treated mulberry fruit were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those of the control, CA, CTS, and CA+CTS treatments. Moreover, the DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities of the CTS‐g‐CA treatment were both higher than those of the control. Furthermore, the CTS‐g‐CA treatment also maintained higher levels of main active substances, such as anthocyanins, ascorbic acid, polyphenols and flavones, in mulberry fruit than the other treatments. Therefore, CTS‐g‐CA could be used to improve the quality and extend the shelf life of postharvest mulberry fruit during cold storage.
Effect of Aqueous Extract of the Seaweed Gracilaria domingensis on the Physicochemical, Microbiological, and Textural Features of Fermented Milks
Authors: Tavares Estevam Adriana Carneiro , Alonso Buriti Flávia Carolina , de Oliveira Tiago Almeida , Pereira Elainy Virginia dos Santos , Florentino Eliane Rolim , Porto Ana Lúcia Figueiredo
Published: March 2016

The effects of the Gracilaria domingensis seaweed aqueous extract in comparison with gelatin on the physicochemical, microbial, and textural characteristics of fermented milks processed with the mixed culture SAB 440 A, composed of Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis, were investigated. The addition of G. domingensis aqueous extract did not affect pH, titratable acidity, and microbial viability of fermented milks when compared with the control (with no texture modifier) and the products with added gelatin. Fermented milk with added the seaweed aqueous extract showed firmness, consistency, cohesiveness, and viscosity index at least 10% higher than those observed for the control product (P < 0.05). At 4 h of fermentation, the fermented milks with only G. domingensis extract showed a texture comparable to that observed for products containing only gelatin. At 5 h of fermentation, firmness and consistency increased significantly (P < 0.05) in products with only seaweed extract added, a behavior not observed in products with the full amount of gelatin, probably due to the differences between the interactions of these ingredients with casein during the development of the gel network throughout the acidification of milk. The G. domingensis aqueous extract appears as a promising gelatin alternative to be used as texture modifier in fermented milks and related dairy products.
Epidermal growth factor receptor‐tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy is especially beneficial to patients with exon 19 deletion compared with exon 21 L858R mutation in non‐small‐cell lung cancer: Systematic review and meta analysis
Authors: Liu Yinghui , Ren Zuen , Wang Jinghui , Zhang Shucai
Published: March 2016

Background

The correlation between epidermal growth factor receptor‐tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR‐TKIs) and EGFR sensitive mutation subtypes in advanced or metastatic non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains uncertain. We performed this meta‐analysis to determine different clinical outcomes between patients with exon 19 deletion accepting EGFR‐TKI therapy compared with those with exon 21 L858R mutation.

Methods

PubMed and Web of Science were analyzed for eligible trials. Raw data were extracted to give pooled estimates of the effect of EGFR‐TKI therapy on objective response rate (ORR), one‐year progression‐free survival (PFS), and two‐year overall survival (OS).

Results

We identified 13 eligible trials involving 912 patients. Prospective meta‐analysis demonstrated that the ORR of the 19 deletion group was significantly higher than the 21 L858R mutation group (odds ratio [OR] 1.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18–3.33; P = 0.01), but no statistical significance between the one‐year PFS rate of the 19 deletion and 21 L858R groups (OR 1.44, 95% CI 0.96–2.18; P = 0.08) was found. However, retrospective meta‐analysis demonstrated that a significantly higher one‐year PFS rate was associated with the 19 deletion group (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.17–2.56; P = 0.006). The two‐year survival rate of the 19 deletion group was significantly higher than the 21 L858R group (OR 5.27, 95 % CI 1.76–15.71; P = 0.003).

Conclusions

In advanced NSCLC patients, an exon 19 deleton may provide superior ORR, PFS, and OS after EGFR‐TKI treatment compared with an exon 21 L858R mutation.