bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measurement of resilience in Chinese older people
Authors: Yang F. , Bao J.‐M. , Huang X.‐H. , Guo Q. , Smith G.D.
Published: February 2015

Background

Resilience has been identified as a personal construct that may contribute to the process of healthy ageing in older people. To date, no measurement instrument has been tested to evaluate resilience in Chinese older people.

Aim

To examine the psychometric testing and clinical application of the Chinese version of the Resilience Scale (RS) in Chinese older people.

Methods

A descriptive cross‐sectional study design was used. Forward and backward translation procedures were used to obtain semantic equivalence of the original English version of the RS. Content validity was examined by identified experts, followed by exploratory factor analysis, item‐to‐total correlation, Cronbach's α coefficients and test–retest reliability.

Results

The 25‐item Chinese version of Resilience Scale (RS‐CN) was fully completed by 461 Chinese older people. Cronbach's α for the total Chinese version of the Revised Resilience Scale was 0.95, with a range of 0.85–0.89 for the sub‐scales. Item‐to‐total correlation coefficients ranged from 0.51 to 0.75 and items were excluded with item‐to‐total correlations coefficients lower than 0.4. The test–retest reliability of the total scale was 0.80, sub‐scale test–retest reliability ranged from 0.61 to 0.620. The exploratory principal component analysis with varimax rotation revealed RS‐CN to have a four‐factor structure.

Conclusion

The RS‐CN is a valid and reliable instrument for the measurement of the concept of resilience in Chinese older people. The results of this study provide cross‐cultural evidence for the potential application of this scale in Chinese older people.

Implications for nursing and health policy

Greater insight into the psychological constructs of resilience in Chinese older people can lead to international comparisons and to the potential development of interventions for this population around the world.
Making reasonable and achievable adjustments: the contributions of learning disability liaison nurses in ‘Getting it right’ for people with learning disabilities receiving general hospitals care
Authors: MacArthur Juliet , Brown Michael , McKechanie Andrew , Mack Siobhan , Hayes Matthew , Fletcher Joan
Published: February 2015

Aims

To examine the role of learning disability liaison nurses in facilitating reasonable and achievable adjustments to support access to general hospital services for people with learning disabilities.

Design

Mixed methods study involving four health boards in Scotland with established Learning Disability Liaison Nurses (LDLN) Services. Quantitative data of all liaison nursing referrals over 18 months and qualitative data collected from stakeholders with experience of using the liaison services within the previous 3–6 months.

Methods

Six liaison nurses collected quantitative data of 323 referrals and activity between September 2008–March 2010. Interviews and focus groups were held with 85 participants included adults with learning disabilities (n = 5), carers (n = 16), primary care (n = 39), general hospital (n = 19) and liaison nurses (n = 6).

Results/findings

Facilitating reasonable and achievable adjustments was an important element of the LDLNs’ role and focussed on access to information; adjustments to care; appropriate environment of care; ensuring equitable care; identifying patient need; meeting patient needs; and specialist tools/resources.

Conclusion

Ensuring that reasonable adjustments are made in the general hospital setting promotes person‐centred care and equal health outcomes for people with a learning disability. This view accords with ‘Getting it right’ charter produced by the UK Charity Mencap which argues that healthcare professionals need support, encouragement and guidance to make reasonable adjustments for this group. LDLNs have an important and increasing role to play in advising on and establishing adjustments that are both reasonable and achievable.
Affiliates’ Bank Debt Policy: Does Parent Firm Nationality Matter?
Authors: Locorotondo Rosy , Dewaelheyns Nico , Van Hulle Cynthia
Published: February 2015

This paper examines whether and how bank debt is affected by foreign group affiliation. Ceteris paribus, affiliates of foreign business groups only use about half as much bank debt compared to affiliates of domestic groups. Further, the results indicate that geographical and cultural distance between parent and affiliate countries raise barriers when accessing bank financing. The bank debt usage decreases even further if affiliates and parent firms depend on different legal systems or the degree of legal enforcement in the parent firm's country is low.
Rapid video‐referenced ratings of reciprocal social behavior in toddlers: a twin study
Authors: Marrus Natasha , Glowinski Anne L. , Jacob Theodore , Klin Ami , Jones Warren , Drain Caroline E. , Holzhauer Kieran E. , Hariprasad Vaishnavi , Fitzgerald Robert T. , Mortenson Erika L. , Sant Sayli M. , Cole Lyndsey , Siegel Satchel A. , Zhang Yi , Agrawal Arpana , Heath Andrew C. , Constantino John N.
Published: February 2015

Background

Reciprocal social behavior (RSB) is a developmental prerequisite for social competency, and deficits in RSB constitute a core feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although clinical screeners categorically ascertain risk of ASD in early childhood, rapid methods for quantitative measurement of RSB in toddlers are not yet established. Such measurements are critical for tracking developmental trajectories and incremental responses to intervention.

Methods

We developed and validated a 20‐min video‐referenced rating scale, the video‐referenced rating of reciprocal social behavior (vrRSB), for untrained caregivers to provide standardized ratings of quantitative variation in RSB. Parents of 252 toddler twins [Monozygotic (MZ) = 31 pairs, Dizygotic (DZ) = 95 pairs] ascertained through birth records, rated their twins’ RSB at two time points, on average 6 months apart, and completed two developmental measures, the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M‐CHAT) and the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventory Short Form (MCDI‐s).

Results

Scores on the vrRSB were fully continuously distributed, with excellent 6‐month test–retest reliability ([intraclass correlation coefficient] ICC = 0.704, p < .000). MZ twins displayed markedly greater trait concordance than DZ twins, (MZ ICC = 0.863, p < .000, DZ ICC = 0.231, p < .012). VrRSB score distributions were highly distinct for children passing versus failing the M‐CHAT (t = −8.588, df = 31, p < .000), incrementally improved from 18–24 months, and were inversely correlated with receptive and expressive vocabulary on the MCDI‐s.

Conclusions

Like quantitative autistic trait ratings in school‐aged children and adults, toddler scores on the vrRSB are continuously distributed and appear highly heritable. These ratings exhibited minimal measurement error, high inter‐individual stability, and developmental progression in RSB as children matured from 18–24 months, supporting their potential utility for serially quantifying the severity of early autistic syndromes over time and in response to intervention. In addition, these findings inform the genetic‐environmental structure of RSB in early typical development.
Annual Research Review: The (epi)genetics of neurodevelopmental disorders in the era of whole‐genome sequencing – unveiling the dark matter
Authors: Kiser Dominik P. , Rivero Olga , Lesch Klaus‐Peter
Published: February 2015

Background and Scope

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are defined by a wide variety of behavioural phenotypes, psychopathology and clinically informed categorical classifications. Diagnostic entities include intellectual disability (ID), the autism spectrum (ASD) and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The aetiopathogenesis of these conditions and disorders involves an interaction between both genetic and environmental risk factors on the developmental trajectory. Despite their remarkable genetic heterogeneity and complexity of pathophysiological mechanisms, NDDs display an overlap in their phenotypic features, a considerable degree of comorbidity as well as sharing of genetic and environmental risk factors. This review aims to provide an overview of the genetics and epigenetic of NDDs.

Findings

Recent evidence suggests a critical role of defined and tightly regulated neurodevelopmental programs running out of control in NDDs, most notably neuronal proliferation and migration, synapse formation and remodelling, as well as neural network configuration resulting in compromised systems connectivity and function. Moreover, the machinery of epigenetic programming, interacting with genetic liability, impacts many of those processes and pathways, thus modifying vulnerability of, and resilience to, NDDs. Consequently, the categorically defined entities of ID, ADHD and ASD are increasingly viewed as disorders on a multidimensional continuum of molecular and cellular deficiencies in neurodevelopment. As such, this range of NDDs displays a broad phenotypic diversity, which may be explained by a combination and interplay of underlying loss‐ and potential gain‐of‐function traits.

Conclusion

In this overview, we discuss a backbone continuum concept of NDDs by summarizing pertinent findings in genetics and epigenetics. We also provide an appraisal of the genetic overlap versus differences, with a focus on genome‐wide screening approaches for (epi)genetic variation. Finally, we conclude with insights from evolutionary psychobiology suggesting positive selection for discrete NDD‐associated traits.
Extent of weight reduction necessary for minimization of diabetes risk in Japanese men with visceral fat accumulation and glycated hemoglobin of 5.6–6.4%
Authors: Iwahashi Hiromi , Noguchi Midori , Okauchi Yukiyoshi , Morita Sachiko , Imagawa Akihisa , Shimomura Iichiro
Published: February 2015

Aims/Introduction

Weight reduction improves glycemic control in obese men with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) of 5.6–6.4%, suggesting that it can prevent the development of diabetes in these patients. The aim of the present study was to quantify the amount of weight reduction necessary for minimization of diabetes risk in Japanese men with visceral fat accumulation.

Materials and Methods

The study participants were 482 men with an estimated visceral fat area of ≥100 cm2, HbA1c of 5.6–6.4%, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) of <126 mg/dL or casual plasma glucose <200 mg/dL. They were divided into two groups based on weight change at the end of the 3‐year follow‐up period (weight gain and weight loss groups). The weight loss group was classified into quartile subgroups (lowest group, 0 to <1.2%: second lowest group, ≥1.2 to <2.5%: second highest group, ≥2.5 to <4.3%: highest group, ≥4.3% weight loss). The development of diabetes at the end‐point represented a rise in HbA1c to ≥6.5% or FPG ≥126 mg/dL, or casual plasma glucose ≥200 mg/dL.

Results

The cumulative incidence of diabetes at the end of the 3‐year follow‐up period was 16.2% in the weight gain group and 10.1% in the weight loss group (P not significant). The incidence of diabetes was significantly lower in the highest weight loss group (3.1%), but not in the second highest, the second lowest and the lowest weight loss groups (9.7, 10.1 and 18.3%), compared with the weight gain group.

Conclusions

Minimization of the risk of diabetes in Japanese men with visceral fat accumulation requires a minimum of 4–5% weight loss in those with HbA1c of 5.6–6.4%.
Induction therapy with linezolid/clarithromycin combination for Mycobacterium chelonae skin infections in immunocompromised hosts
Authors: Parize P. , Hamelin A. , Veziris N. , Morand P.C. , Guillemain R. , Lortholary O. , Dupin N.
Published: February 2015

Background

The optimal management of Mycobacterium chelonae disease in immunocompromised patients remains unclear. A combination of antimicrobial agents is recommended as monotherapy with clarithromycin has been associated with clinical failures due to acquired resistance.

Objectives

We aim to report the efficacy and tolerability of linezolid in association with clarithromycin for the treatment of M. chelonae infections in immunocompromised patients.

Methods

We describe four immunocompromised patients treated by linezolid and clarithromycin for cutaneous M. chelonae disease.

Results

This combination was associated with rapid clinical efficacy in all patients with no relapse observed after a median follow‐up of 2.25 years (1.4 years). However, this treatment was responsible for frequent adverse events including thrombocytopaenia, myalgia and mitochondrial toxicity. All adverse effects were reversible after linezolid discontinuation.

Conclusions

We therefore suggest linezolid/clarithromycin combination as the initial therapeutic strategy for M. chelonae skin infections in immunocompromised patients.
Folliculitis decalvans: a multicentre review of 82 patients
Authors: Vañó‐Galván S. , Molina‐Ruiz A.M. , Fernández‐Crehuet P. , Rodrigues‐Barata A. R. , Arias‐Santiago S. , Serrano‐Falcón C. , Martorell‐Calatayud A. , Barco D. , Pérez B. , Serrano S. , Requena L. , Grimalt R. , Paoli J. , Jaén P. , Camacho F.M.
Published: February 2015

Background

Folliculitis decalvans (FD) is a rare neutrophilic scarring alopecia that represents a therapeutic challenge for dermatologists.

Objective

To describe the epidemiology, comorbidities, clinical presentation, diagnostic findings and therapeutic options in a large series of patients with FD.

Methods

This retrospective multicentre review includes patients diagnosed with FD based on clinical and histopathologic findings. The clinical severity was determined by the maximum diameter of the largest alopecic patch (slight: <2 cm, moderate: 2–4.99 cm, severe: 5 cm or more). Response to therapy was assessed as improvement, worsening or stabilization depending on the clinical symptoms (pruritus and trichodynia), inflammatory signs (erythema, pustules and crusts) and the extension of the alopecic patch.

Results

Overall, 82 patients (52 males and 30 females) with a mean age of 35 years were included. No significant comorbidities were present. A family history was present in three males. Severe FD was observed in 17 patients (21%). The independent factors associated with severe FD after multivariate analysis were: onset of FD before 25 years of age and presence of pustules. Oral antibiotics (tetracyclines and the combination of clindamycin and rifampicin) improved 90% and 100% of the patients, with a mean duration of response of 4.6 and 7.2 months respectively.

Conclusions

The onset of FD before 25 years of age and the presence of pustules within the alopecic patch were associated with severe FD. Tetracyclines and the combination of clindamycin and rifampicin were the most useful treatments.
Functional constraints on the evolution of long butterfly proboscides: lessons from Neotropical skippers (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae)
Authors: Bauder J. A. S. , Morawetz L. , Warren A. D. , Krenn H. W.
Published: February 2015

Extremely long proboscides are rare among butterflies outside of the Hesperiidae, yet representatives of several genera of skipper butterflies possess proboscides longer than 50 mm. Although extremely elongated mouthparts can be regarded as advantageous adaptations to gain access to nectar in deep‐tubed flowers, the scarcity of long‐proboscid butterflies is a phenomenon that has not been adequately accounted for. So far, the scarceness was explained by functional costs arising from increased flower handling times caused by decelerated nectar intake rates. However, insects can compensate for the negative influence of a long proboscis through changes in the morphological configuration of the feeding apparatus. Here, we measured nectar intake rates in 34 species representing 21 Hesperiidae genera from a Costa Rican lowland rainforest area to explore the impact of proboscis length, cross‐sectional area of the food canal and body size on intake rate. Long‐proboscid skippers did not suffer from reduced intake rates due to their large body size and enlarged food canals. In addition, video analyses of the flower‐visiting behaviour revealed that suction times increased with proboscis length, suggesting that long‐proboscid skippers drink a larger amount of nectar from deep‐tubed flowers. Despite these advantages, we showed that functional costs of exaggerated mouthparts exist in terms of longer manipulation times per flower. Finally, we discuss the significance of scaling relationships on the foraging efficiency of butterflies and why some skipper taxa, in particular, have evolved extremely long proboscides.
Testing for Distortions in Performance Measures: An Application to Residual Income‐Based Measures like Economic Value Added
Authors: Sloof Randolph , van Praag Mirjam
Published: February 2015

Distorted performance measures in compensation contracts elicit suboptimal behavioral responses that may even prove to be dysfunctional (gaming). This paper applies the empirical test developed by Courty and Marschke (Review of Economics and Statistics, 90, 428–441) to detect whether the widely used class of residual income‐based performance measures—such as economic value added (EVA)—is distorted, leading to unintended agent behavior. The paper uses a difference‐in‐differences approach to account for changes in economic circumstances and the self‐selection of firms using EVA. Our findings indicate that EVA is a distorted performance measure that elicits the gaming response.
Rivalry Restraint as Equilibrium Behavior
Authors: Dockner Engelbert J. , Löffler Clemens
Published: February 2015

Rivalry restraint has received a lot of attention as a theory of profits in recent research on business strategy. Its economic rationale is explained as the consequences of either exogenous or endogenous anticompetitive forces present in different industries. In this paper, we use a dynamic oligopolistic industry model and show that rivalry restraint emerges as equilibrium behavior among firm owners who delegate decisions to managers. In the corresponding two‐stage game, managers choose optimal production rates in a dynamic Cournot market and owners set incentives for managers, acting sequentially rational. Equilibrium incentives correspond to rivalry restraint, that is, managers are less aggressive in the product market with lower outputs and increasing profits for all firms in the industry.
Career Concerns and Excessive Risk Taking
Authors: Chen Ying
Published: February 2015

In a seminal paper, Holmström () shows that an agent who is unsure of her ability and has a payoff linear in her reputation underinvests in risky projects. I show that if the agent privately knows her ability, then the opposite must happen, that is, she always overinvests in risky projects, no matter what the curvature of her payoff in reputation. Moreover, if project quality is verifiable and the agent is uninformed about her ability, then she reveals project quality and first best is attained; but if she privately knows her ability, first best is not attainable and she still overinvests.
Group versus Individual Performance Pay in Relational Employment Contracts when Workers are Envious
Authors: Kragl Jenny
Published: February 2015

I compare group to individual performance pay when workers are envious and performance is nonverifiable. Avoiding payoff inequity, the group reward scheme is optimal as long as the firm faces no credibility problem. The individual reward scheme may, however, become superior albeit introducing the prospect of unequal pay. This is due to two reasons: Group incentives are relatively low‐powered compared to individual incentives, requiring higher incentive pay and impeding credibility of the firm. Moreover, with individual rewards, the firm benefits from the incentive‐strengthening effect of envy, allowing for yet smaller overall incentive pay and further softening the credibility constraint. I also show that contracts combining both individual and group rewards are often optimal, depending on the firm's credibility problem. These contracts include joint and relative performance pay schemes.
Orange‐spotted grouper Epinephelus coioides Tak1: molecular identification, expression analysis and functional study
Authors: Li Y. W. , Li X. , Wang Z. , Mo Z. Q. , Dan X. M. , Luo X. C. , Li A. X.
Published: February 2015

In this study, the complementary (c)DNA sequence encoding orange‐spotted grouper Epinephelus coioides Tak1 (ectak1) was cloned, which has an open reading frame of 1728 bp that encodes 575 amino acids (aa). Sequence analysis indicated that Ectak1 contains two characteristic conserved domains, i.e. an N‐terminal serine–threonine protein kinase catalytic domain (27–275 aa) and a C‐terminal coiled‐coil region (499–562 aa). Ectak1 shares high sequence identity with Tak1 from other fish species, especially those of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (96%) and zebra mbuna Maylandia zebra (96%). ectak1 transcripts were expressed broadly in all of the tissues tested, but ectak1 expression was reduced mainly in the local infection sites (skin and gill) after infection with Cryptocaryon irritans. Intracellular localization analysis showed that Ectak1 was distributed mainly in the cytoplasm. A luciferase reporter assay showed that Ectak1 significantly impaired the NF‐κB activity induced by E. coioides Myd88 and Traf6. Overall, these results suggest that Ectak1 functions to reduce the activity of NF‐κB induced by toll‐like receptor (TLR) signal molecules in HEK‐293T cells, and it might have an important role in host defences against parasitic infections.
Characterizations of four toll‐like receptor 4s in grass carpCtenopharyngodon idellusand their response to grass carp reovirus infection and lipopolysaccharide stimulation
Authors: Pei Y. Y. , Huang R. , Li Y. M. , Liao L. J. , Zhu Z. Y. , Wang Y. P.
Published: February 2015

In this study, the subcellular localization, tissue distribution and response to grass carp reovirus (GCRV) infection and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation of four grass carpCtenopharyngodon idellustoll‐like receptor 4 (tlr4) genes were investigated. All four genes were constitutively expressed in all tissues studied, but the subcellular localization and tissue exhibiting the highest expression differed for each protein. FollowingGCRVinfection, all the fourtlr4swere upregulated in all tissues examined, and stimulation ofC. idelluskidney (CIK) cells withLPSresulted in downregulation of all fourtlr4s. These results provide a foundation for further investigation oftlr4genes in bony fishes.
Preserving Strawberry Quality by Employing Novel Food Preservation and Processing Techniques – Recent Updates and Future Scope – An Overview
Authors: Bhat Rajeev , Stamminger Rainer
Published: February 2015

Appropriate use of currently available food processing and preservation techniques in a sustainable way is the need of the hour. Strawberry fruits have gained popularity worldwide for their unique taste, aroma and mouthfeel, and earn huge foreign exchequer for the growing region. Owing to higher perishability and shorter shelf life, freshly harvested strawberries need to be preserved instantaneously. There are many challenges concerning the safety and quality of strawberries which are faced during pre‐ and postharvest stages. In the present review, we are highlighting a few pros and cons of some of the available preservation technologies and how this can be used to preserve and extend the shelf life of freshly harvested strawberries.

Practical Applications

It is envisaged that providing details on the available techniques and identifying major gaps (on practical application) of these techniques can benefit the farming community, consumers and the dependent industry.
Moisture Sorption Isotherm and Glass Transition Temperature of Date Powder in Terms of Various Model Systems
Authors: Sadeghi M. , Mehryar E. , Razavi J. , Mireei S.A.
Published: February 2015

In this study, water sorption isotherm for date powder of Istameran variety was obtained using static gravimetric method. Guggenheim, Anderson and de Boer model was adequately fitted to the whole range of water activities and the model parameters were estimated within a reasonable range. The monolayer moisture contents for Brunauer, Emmett and Teller model and Guggenheim, Anderson and de Boer model were obtained to be 3.97 and 0.147 gwater/gdry solids, respectively. The modeling procedure for predicting Tg was performed using various model systems including water as well as fructose and glucose as the major sugars found in Istameran. Brostow et al.'s model based on WFG with an even ratio of glucose and fructose showed the best prediction. Moreover, for modeling Tg as a function of Aw, Roos model indicated an acceptable fitting. By increasing the water mass fraction from 0.006 to 0.214, Tg of the samples decreased linearly from 21.5 to −65.7C. The use of the multicomponent mixtures and modeling procedure held a rational approach for theoretical determination of Tg of date powder as a function of water mass fraction as well as Aw.

Practical Applications

The present study would be economically advantageous as it explains water sorption isotherm and various model systems for predicting and modeling glass transition temperature for Istameran date powder as one of the most important commercial date varieties. The powder is produced from secondary quality dates. The results are applicable by date powder producing industries during processing and storage for controlling the stickiness.
Multiple linked sustainable drainage systems in hydrological modelling for urban drainage and flood risk management
Authors: Hellmers S. , Manojlović N. , Palmaricciotti G. , Kurzbach S. , Fröhle P.
Published: February 2015

Assessing the performance of future urban drainage management practices requires novel hydrological modelling approaches that can handle a large number of spatially distributed measures, such as sustainable drainage systems (SUDS). This paper presents the implementation of a SUDS modelling approach in a semidistributed hydrological model that enables the simulation of flow among multiple linked SUDS and meso‐scale retention spaces and the application of this model to an urban catchment. The objectives of the implemented model are the representation of SUDS as model elements with water redistribution functionality as well as its possible integration into a flood risk management tool. The model was applied to quantify the impacts of socio‐economic and climate change in an urban catchment in Hamburg, Germany, under different future scenarios and combinations of SUDS. The results demonstrate the potential of SUDS and multipurpose retention spaces for flood risk mitigation.
Role of the fibroblast growth factor receptor axis in cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Ang Celina
Published: February 2015

Advanced cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a highly lethal disease with limited therapeutic options beyond cytotoxic chemotherapy. Molecular profiling of CCA has provided insights into the pathogenesis of this disease and identified potential therapeutic targets. The fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) axis is important for maintaining tissue homeostasis. Aberrations in FGFR activity have been implicated in the development and progression of CCA and other malignancies, which has generated significant interest in exploring FGFR's therapeutic potential. FGFR2 fusion events are present in up to 17% of intrahepatic CCAs and appear to predict sensitivity to FGFR inhibitors even after progression on chemotherapy. These observations have led to a clinical trial evaluating FGFR inhibition in patients with CCA enriched for FGFR alterations. This review summarizes current knowledge about the role of the FGFR pathway in cholangiocarcinogenesis and ongoing work in developing FGFR‐directed therapies as an antineoplastic strategy for CCA.
The alteration in the architecture of a T‐DNA insertion rice mutant osmtd1 is caused by up‐regulation of MicroRNA156f
Authors: Liu Qing , Shen Gezhi , Peng Keqin , Huang Zhigang , Tong Jianhua , Kabir Mohammed Humayun , Wang Jianhui , Zhang Jingzhe , Qin Genji , Xiao Langtao
Published: February 2015

Plant architecture is an important factor for crop production. Some members of microRNA156 (miR156) and their target genes SQUAMOSA Promoter‐Binding Protein‐Like (SPL) were identified to play essential roles in the establishment of plant architecture. However, the roles and regulation of miR156 is not well understood yet. Here, we identified a T‐DNA insertion mutant Osmtd1 (Oryza sativa multi‐tillering and dwarf mutant). Osmtd1 produced more tillers and displayed short stature phenotype. We determined that the dramatic morphological changes were caused by a single T‐DNA insertion in Osmtd1. Further analysis revealed that the T‐DNA insertion was located in the gene Os08g34258 encoding a putative inhibitor I family protein. Os08g34258 was knocked out and OsmiR156f was significantly upregulated in Osmtd1. Overexpression of Os08g34258 in Osmtd1 complemented the defects of the mutant architecture, while overexpression of OsmiR156f in wild‐type rice phenocopied Osmtd1. We showed that the expression of OsSPL3, OsSPL12, and OsSPL14 were significantly downregulated in Osmtd1 or OsmiR156f overexpressed lines, indicating that OsSPL3, OsSPL12, and OsSPL14 were possibly direct target genes of OsmiR156f. Our results suggested that OsmiR156f controlled plant architecture by mediating plant stature and tiller outgrowth and may be regulated by an unknown protease inhibitor I family protein.
APLP1 and APLP2, members of the APP family of proteins, behave similarly to APP in that they associate with NMDA receptors and enhance NMDA receptor surface expression
Authors: Cousins Sarah L. , Dai Wei , Stephenson F. Anne
Published: February 2015

The function of amyloid precursor protein (APP) is unknown, although the discovery that it contributes to the regulation of surface expression of N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptors has afforded new insights into its functional significance. Since APP is a member of a gene family that contains two other members, amyloid precursor‐like proteins 1 and 2 (APLP1 and APLP2), it is important to determine if the related APP proteins possess the same properties as APP with respect to their interactions with NMDA receptors. Following expression in mammalian cells, both APLP1 and APLP2 behaved similarly to APP in that they both co‐immunoprecipitated with the two major NMDA receptor subtypes, GluN1/GluN2A and GluN1/GluN2B, via interaction with the obligatory GluN1 subunit. Immunoprecipitations from detergent extracts of adult mammalian brain showed co‐immunoprecipitation of APLP1 and APLP2 with GluN2A‐ and GluN2B‐containing NMDA receptors. Furthermore, similarly to APP, APLP1 and APLP2 both enhanced GluN1/GluN2A and GluN1/GluN2B cell surface expression. Thus, all the three members of the APP gene family behave similarly in that they each contribute to the regulation of cell surface NMDA receptor homoeostasis.

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Amyloid precursor protein (APP) has been shown to associate with N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptors and to enhance their cell surface expression. Here, we show that the other members of the APP family, APLP1 and APLP2, behave similarly to APP in that they both associate with assembled NMDA receptors in the endoplasmic reticulum via their interaction with the NMDA receptor subunit, GluN1 and, they enhance receptor cell surface expression. Alternative scenarios are depicted since it is to be determined if respective associations are direct.
Caveolin‐1 mediates tissue plasminogen activator‐induced MMP‐9 up‐regulation in cultured brain microvascular endothelial cells
Authors: Jin Xinchun , Sun Yanyun , Xu Ji , Liu Wenlan
Published: February 2015

Thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) increases matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) activity in the ischemic brain, which exacerbates blood‐brain barrier injury and increases the risk of symptomatic cerebral hemorrhage. The mechanism through which tPA enhances MMP‐9 activity is not well understood. Here we report an important role of caveolin‐1 in mediating tPA‐induced MMP‐9 synthesis. Brain microvascular endothelial cell line bEnd3 cells were incubated with 5 or 20 μg/ml tPA for 24 hrs before analyzing MMP‐9 levels in the conditioned media and cellular extracts by gelatin zymography. tPA at a dose of 20 μg/mL tPA, but not 5 μg/mL, significantly increased MMP‐9 level in cultured media while decreasing it in cellular extracts. Concurrently, tPA treatment induced a 2.3‐fold increase of caveolin‐1 protein levels in endothelial cells. Interestingly, knockdown of Cav‐1 with siRNA inhibited tPA‐induced MMP‐9 mRNA up‐regulation and MMP‐9 increase in the conditioned media, but did not affect MMP‐9 decrease in cellular extracts. These results suggest that caveolin‐1 critically contributes to tPA‐mediated MMP‐9 up‐regulation, but may not facilitate MMP‐9 secretion in endothelial cells.

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Thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) increases matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) activity in the ischemic brain, which exacerbates ischemic blood brain barrier (BBB) injury and increases the risk of symptomatic cerebral hemorrhage. Our results suggest a novel mechanism underlying this tPA‐MMP 9 axis. In response to tPA treatment, caveolin‐1 protein levels increased in endothelial cells, which mediate MMP‐9 mRNA up‐regulation and its secretion into extracellular space. Caveolin‐1 may, however, not facilitate MMP‐9 secretion in endothelial cells. Our data suggest caveolin‐1 as a novel therapeutic target for protecting the BBB against ischemic damage. The schematic outlines tPA‐induced MMP‐9 upreguation.
Gagging Problem Assessment: a re‐evaluation
Authors: van Linden van den Heuvell G. F. E. C. , de Boer B. , ter Pelkwijk B. J. , Bildt M. M. , Stegenga B.
Published: February 2015

The Gagging Problem Assessment (GPA) is an instrument to evaluate dental gagging. Although the GPA seemed to be reliable and valid in a pilot study, a replication study with more subjects was needed. Based on the pilot study, the number of items was reduced, resulting in the revised version of the GPA (GPA‐R). The aims of this study were to replicate the reliability of the GPA‐R and to investigate the correlation between dental gagging and general anxiety. Dental gagging patients (n = 59) were compared with a control group (n = 17) at t0 and 3 weeks later. The ‘gagging group’ also filled in the SCL‐90 anxiety scale. Gagging‐specific homogenous domains and internal consistency were determined. Stability and distinguishing capacity of the GPA‐R were assessed. SCL‐90‐Anxiety scores were compared with standard values in a non‐clinical population. The GPA‐R patient part was able to reliably discriminate between the absence or the presence of dental gagging. However, the reliability of the GPA‐R‐dentist part was insufficient. The GPA‐R seems to be sensitive to subtle differences in acts of the dentists. To overcome these problems, more detailed and explicit instructions on how to use the GPA‐R should be formulated and more specific gagging stimuli should be included. The ‘gagging group’ reported ‘fear of choking’ significantly more often than the control group (P = 0·008). This finding might be important for the treatment of dental gagging. Considering the outcome of our study, development of a new diagnostic gagging tool needs another approach that focuses on gagging severity.
Expression of interleukin‐33 and its receptorST2 in periapical granulomas and radicular cysts
Authors: Velickovic Milena , Pejnovic Nada , Petrovic Renata , Mitrovic Slobodanka , Jeftic Ilija , Kanjevac Tatjana , Lukic Aleksandra
Published: February 2015

Background

Interleukin‐33 (IL‐33) is a recently identified cytokine belonging to theIL‐1 family and ligand for theIL‐1 receptor‐related proteinST2.IL‐33/ST2 signaling plays a critical role in allergy, autoimmunity, and chronic inflammatory disorders, but its role in the pathogenesis of periapical lesions is unknown. We aimed to investigate the expression patterns ofIL‐33 andST2 in human periapical lesions.

Methods

Periapical lesions (n = 36) and healthy periapical tissues (n = 10) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry using antibodies specific for humanIL‐33 andST2. Lesion samples were further analyzed by double immunofluorescence to assessIL‐33/ST2 co‐expression.

Results

The numbers ofIL‐33‐ andST2‐positive fibroblasts were significantly higher in periapical lesions compared to healthy periapical tissues (bothP < 0.05), while the numbers ofIL‐33‐ andST2‐positive endothelial cells were similar (bothP > 0.05). There were no significant differences in the numbers ofIL‐33‐ andST2‐positive fibroblasts and endothelial cells between periapical granulomas and radicular cysts (allP > 0.05). Similarly, numbers ofST2‐positive mononuclear cells did not differ between periapical granulomas and radicular cysts (P > 0.05). The majority of epithelial cells in radicular cysts wereIL‐33 positive, while the small proportion of epithelial cells wasST2 positive. Double immunofluorescence analysis revealedIL‐33/ST2 co‐expression in fibroblasts and endothelial cells.

Conclusions

IL‐33 andST2 are expressed in periapical granulomas and radicular cysts. Increased numbers ofIL‐33‐ andST2‐positive fibroblasts in periapical lesions when compared to healthy periapical tissues suggest thatIL‐33/ST2 signaling may be involved in periapical inflammation and tissue fibrosis.
Influence of Cement Type and Relining Procedure on Push‐Out Bond Strength of Fiber Posts after Cyclic Loading
Authors: Farina Ana Paula , Chiela Henrique , Carlini‐Junior Bruno , Mesquita Marcelo Ferraz , Miyagaki Daniela Cristina , Randi Ferraz Caio Cezar , Vidal Cristina Mattos Pimenta , Cecchin Doglas
Published: February 2015

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of cement type and relining procedure on push‐out bond strength of fiber posts (FPs) after cyclic loading.

Materials and Methods

Forty bovine incisor roots were divided into four groups: group 1, FP luting with RelyX Unicem; group 2, FP relined with resin composite (FPC) luting with RelyX Unicem; group 3, FP luting with RelyX ARC; group 4, FPC luting with RelyX ARC. Afterwards, half the specimens were exposed to 250,000 cycles in a controlled chewing simulator. With the other half of the specimens in each group, the push‐out test was performed 24 hours after FP luting (immediate groups). All roots were sectioned transversely, producing 1‐mm‐thick slices, and the push‐out test was performed. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA and the Tukey test for post hoc comparisons (α = 0.05).

Results

FPC had higher bond strengths than FP (p < 0.05). RelyX Unicem showed higher bond strength than RelyX ARC (p < 0.05). Cyclic loading did not significantly affect the bond strength value (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The relining procedure and the cement type are important factors for the bond strength of FPs to root dentin.
Engagement of undergraduate medical students of paediatrics in special schools for children with disabilities
Authors: Whitehall John , McCulloch Rebecca , Edwards Matthew , McDonald Jenny
Published: February 2015

Aims

Over 200 000 Australian children suffer significant disability. How should medical students be prepared for this challenge? Community engagement has become fundamental to education, but there is little experience with engagement of undergraduates with children with disabilities. This paper reviews such experience in Western Sydney.

Methods

Since 2011, UWS paediatric students have been rotated through local special schools for 2 weeks each term. In 2013, feedback was solicited in a questionnaire from the 129 students involved that year with 109 being returned. It had been solicited from school staff and parents in formal and informal communication from the beginning.

Results

Fourteen per cent of students reported no prior exposure to disabled children: 55% only chance, 24% regular and 7% extensive. Thirty‐seven per cent reported greatly increased understanding: 39% moderately, 15% somewhat, 7% a little and 2% not. Forty‐three per cent declared understanding of impact on family greatly increased: 40% moderately, 11% somewhat, 5% a little and 1% not. Twenty‐seven per cent declared greatly increased knowledge of services, 43% moderately, 25% somewhat, 4% a little and 1% none. Fifteen per cent declared greatly increased preparation for caring, 44% moderately, 30% somewhat, 6% a little and 5% none. Thirty‐six per cent declared greatly increased understanding of role of schools, 30% moderately, 20% somewhat, 10% a little, and 2% none and 2% cannot recall. School staff and parents reported very favourably. Problems involved professionalism in students and some fatigue in parents.

Conclusion

The engagement has been successful. Professionalism has been emphasised, and rotations have been designed to prevent fatigue.
Vitamin D in preterm infants: A prospective observational study
Authors: Pinto Kieran , Collins Carmel T , Gibson Robert A , Andersen Chad C
Published: February 2015

Aim

Preterm infants are at increased risk of vitamin D deficiency as a result of both maternal deficiency and inadequate supplementation. The quantity and effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation in preterm infants are unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the natural history of vitamin D status in preterm infants and the effectiveness of the hospital's nutritional practices in meeting current supplementation recommendations.

Methods

A prospective observational study was undertaken in the Neonatal Unit at the Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide. Enrolled infants received a standardised nutrition protocol with emphasis on vitamin D supplementation. The main outcome measure was a comparison of the proportion of vitamin D‐deficient infants (25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L) at birth versus 36 weeks post‐menstrual age/discharge.

Results

Twenty‐eight infants born between 30 and 36 weeks gestation were enrolled. The proportion of vitamin D‐deficient infants decreased from initial to final measurement (32.1% vs. 7.1%, P = 0.016), whereas mean (standard deviation) 25(OH)D3 increased over the same period (58.4 (18.4) versus 82.9 (29.2) nmol/L, P < 0.001). Mean vitamin D intake was 643.6 (285.3) IU/day.

Conclusions

Current nutritional practices are effective in meeting recommendations regarding vitamin D intake and result in a lower proportion of deficient infants at 36 weeks post‐menstrual age/discharge.
Polycystic kidney disease in four British shorthair cats with successful treatment of bacterial cyst infection
Authors: Nivy R. , Lyons L. A. , Aroch I. , Segev G.
Published: February 2015

Polycystic kidney disease is the most common inherited disorder in cats. Renal cysts progressively increase in size and number, resulting in a gradual decrease in kidney function. An autosomal dominant mutation in exon 29 of the polycystin‐1 gene has been identified, mostly in Persian and Persian‐related breeds. This case study describes polycystic kidney disease in four British shorthair cats, of which two had the same genetic mutation reported in Persian and Persian‐related cats. This likely reflects introduction of this mutation into the British shorthair breeding line because of previous outcrossing with Persian cats. An infected renal cyst was diagnosed and successfully treated in one of the cats. This is a commonly reported complication in human polycystic kidney disease, and to the authors’ knowledge has not previously been reported in cats with polycystic kidney disease.
Causality in Contemporary American Sociology: An Empirical Assessment and Critique
Authors: Vaidyanathan Brandon , Strand Michael , Choi‐Fitzpatrick Austin , Buschman Thomas , Davis Meghan , Varela Amanda
Published: February 2015

Using a unique data set of causal usage drawn from research articles published between 2006–2008 in the American Journal of Sociology and American Sociological Review, this article offers an empirical assessment of causality in American sociology. Testing various aspects of what we consider the conventional wisdom on causality in the discipline, we find that (1) “variablistic” or “covering law” models are not the dominant way of making causal claims, (2) research methods affect but do not determine causal usage, and (3) the use of explicit causal language and the concept of “mechanisms” to make causal claims is limited. Instead, we find that metaphors and metaphoric reasoning are fundamental for causal claims‐making in the discipline. On this basis, we define three dominant causal types used in sociology today, which we label the Probabilistic, Initiating and Conditioning types. We theorize this outcome as demonstrating the primary role that cognitive models play in providing inference‐rich metaphors that allow sociologists to map causal relationships on to empirical processes.
Testing predictions of forest succession using long‐term measurements: 100 yrs of observations in theOregonCascades
Authors: Harmon Mark E. , Pabst Robert J.
Published: February 2015

Question

Many predictions about forest succession have been based on chronosequences. Are these predictions – at the population, community and ecosystem level – consistent with long‐term measurements in permanent plots?

Location

Pseudotsuga menziesii(Mirb.) Franco dominated forest in western Oregon,US.

Methods

Over a 100‐yr period, measurements every 5–10 yrs of the growth, mortality and regeneration of individually tagged trees in three 0.4‐ha forest plots dominated byP. menziesiiwere used to test predictions derived from chronosequence studies.

Results

Population‐ and community‐level predictions generally matched observations: the initial cohort of pioneer species declined exponentially, with the shorter‐livedPrunus emarginata(Douglas ex Hook.) Eaton andArbutus menziesiiPursh disappearing altogether, and long‐lived species such asP. menziesiipersisting; tree size distribution shifted from a log‐normal to a normal distribution, although the establishment of mid‐ to late‐seral species created a bimodal distribution that may represent a transitional phase not usually elaborated in prior work; and mortality shifted from largely density‐dependent to increasing amounts of density‐independent causes. The observed biomass composition of these forests, even after 154 yrs, was still largely dominated byP. menziesii, which was consistent with the prediction from chronosequence studies. The slowing of biomass accumulation as stands aged predicted from ecosystem theory was not consistent with the observation that live biomass accumulated at a relatively constant rate for the 100‐yr period.

Conclusion

Predictions from chronosequences at the population and community level were consistent with long‐term observations in permanent plots, whereas those at the ecosystem level were not. At the spatial scale (<2 ha) examined with these plots, the high heterogeneity of tree mortality may lead to a multi‐modal pattern of net live biomass accumulation with long periods of constant gain interrupted by sudden losses of live biomass.