bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patient and organizational characteristics predict a long length of stay in the emergency department – a Swedish cohort study
Authors: Perdahl Tobias , Axelsson Sandra , Svensson Per , Djärv Therese
Published: December 2015

Background

Emergency departments (EDs) constitute a central part of the healthcare system that receives patients with complaints of varied urgency. A long length of stay (LOS) in the ED is associated with crowding, low patient satisfaction and poor patient outcomes. Therefore, it is important to understand the key drivers and patient characteristics associated with long LOS.

Aims

To identify patient-related and organization-related characteristics associated with the longest ED LOS.

Methods

All adult visits (n=19 503) to the ED at Karolinska University Hospital in Solna, Sweden, between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. during 2012 were divided into quartiles on the basis of their LOS. The quartile with the longest LOS (n=4876) was compared with the two intermediate quartiles (n=9752) and the shortest quartile (n=4875). Differences in patient and organizational characteristics were assessed using multivariate logistic regression models to achieve odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

The patient-related factors associated with long LOS were female sex (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.14–1.30), age 65–79 (OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.67–1.97), age 80 or older (OR 2.76, 95% CI 2.52–3.02) and the chief complaint of dyspnoea (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.39–1.73).

Conclusion

Long LOS in the ED is associated with both patient and organizational characteristics and the elderly are at particular risk of long LOS. These insights may be used to improve patient outcome metrics and enhance ED efficiency. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of additional factors as well as the causality of the studied factors.
Serum Vitamin D Depends Less on Latitude Than on Skin Color and Dietary Intake During Early Winter in Northern Europe
Authors: Åkeson Pia Karlsland , Lind Torbjörn , Hernell Olle , Silfverdal Sven‐Arne , Öhlund Inger
Published: December 2015

Objectives:

To evaluate if dietary vitamin D intake is adequate for sufficient vitamin D status during early winter in children living in Sweden, irrespective of latitude or skin color.

Methods:

As part of a prospective, comparative, 2‐center intervention study in northern (63°N) and southern (55°N) Sweden, dietary intake, serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (S‐25(OH) D), associated laboratory variables, and sociodemographic data were studied in 5 to 7‐year‐old children with fair and dark skin in November and December.

Results:

Two hundred six children with fair/dark skin were included, 44/41 and 64/57 children in northern and southern Sweden, respectively. Dietary vitamin D intake was higher in northern than southern Sweden (P = 0.001), irrespective of skin color, partly due to higher consumption of fortified foods, but only met 50–70% of national recommendations (10 μg/day). S‐25(OH) D was higher in northern than southern Sweden, in children with fair (67 vs 59 nmol/L; P < 0.05) and dark skin (56 vs 42 nmol/L; P < 0.001). S‐25(OH) D was lower in dark‐ than fair‐skinned children at both sites (P < 0.01), and below 50 nmol/L in 40 and 75% of dark‐skinned children in northern and southern Sweden, respectively.

Conclusions:

Insufficient vitamin D status was common during early winter in children living in Sweden, particularly in those with dark skin. Although, higher dietary vitamin D intake in northern than southern Sweden attenuated the effects of latitude, a northern country of living combined with darker skin and vitamin D intake below recommendations are important risk factors for vitamin D insufficiency.
Epigenetics in Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition
Authors: Zilbauer Matthias , Zellos Aglaia , Heuschkel Robert , Gasparetto Marco , Kraiczy Judith , Postberg Jan , Greco Luigi , Auricchio Renata , Galatola Martina , Embleton Nicholas , Wirth Stefan , Jenke Andreas
Published: December 2015

Epigenetics can be defined as stable, potentially heritable changes in the cellular phenotype caused by mechanisms other than alterations to the underlying DNA sequence. As such, any observed phenotypic changes including organ development, aging, and the occurrence of disease could be driven by epigenetic mechanisms in the presence of stable cellular DNA sequences. Indeed, with the exception of rare mutations, the human genome‐sequence has remained remarkably stable over the past centuries. In contrast, substantial changes to our environment as part of our modern life style have not only led to a significant reduction of certain infectious diseases but also seen the exponential increase in complex traits including obesity and multifactorial diseases such as autoimmune disorders. It is becoming increasingly clear that epigenetic mechanisms operate at the interface between the genetic code and our environment, and a large body of existing evidence supports the importance of environmental factors such as diet and nutrition, infections, and exposure to toxins on human health. This seems to be particularly the case during vulnerable periods of human development such as pregnancy and early life. Importantly, as the first point of contact for many of such environmental factors including nutrition, the digestive system is being increasingly linked to a number of “modern” pathologies. In this review article, we aim to give a brief introduction to the basic molecular principals of epigenetics and provide a concise summary of the existing evidence for the role of epigenetic mechanisms in gastrointestinal health and disease, hepatology, and nutrition.
Frequency and Spectrum of MED12 Exon 2 Mutations in Multiple Versus Solitary Uterine Leiomyomas From Russian Patients
Authors: Osinovskaya Natalia S. , Malysheva Olga V. , Shved Natalia Yu. , Ivashchenko Tatyana E. , Sultanov Iskender Yu. , Efimova Olga A. , Yarmolinskaya Maria I. , Bezhenar Vitaly F. , Baranov Vladislav S.
Published: December 2015

Uterine leiomyomas (ULs) are common benign tumors affecting women of different ethnicities. A large proportion of UL has mutations in MED12. Multiple and solitary ULs usually manifest with different severities, suggesting that their origin and growth pattern may be driven by different molecular mechanisms. Here, we compared the frequency and the spectrum of MED12 exon 2 mutations between multiple (n=82) and solitary (n=40) ULs from Russian patients. Overall, we detected MED12 exon 2 mutations in 51.6% (63/122) of ULs. The frequency of MED12 exon 2 mutations was almost two-fold higher in samples from the multiple UL patients than in those from the solitary UL patients – 61% (50/82) versus 32.5% (13/40). The increased MED12 exon 2 mutation frequency in the multiple ULs was not accompanied by significant alterations in the spectrum of mutation categories, which included missense mutations, deletions, splicing defects, and multiple (double/triple) mutations. Each mutation category had a unique mutation set, comprising both frequent and rarely encountered mutations, which did and did not overlap between the studied groups, respectively. We conclude that in contrast to the solitary ULs, the multiple ULs predominantly originate through MED12-associated mechanisms. The nature of these mechanisms seems to be similar in solitary and multiple ULs, as they contain similar mutations. In multiple UL patients, they are likely to be nonsporadic, indicating the existence of specific factors predisposing to multiple UL development. These data suggest that to clearly understand UL pathogenesis, solitary and multiple tumors should probably be analyzed as separate sets.
Incidental Serous Tubal Intraepithelial Carcinoma and Non-Neoplastic Conditions of the Fallopian Tubes in Grossly Normal Adnexa: A Clinicopathologic Study of 388 Completely Embedded Cases
Authors: Seidman Jeffrey D. , Krishnan Jayashree , Yemelyanova Anna , Vang Russell
Published: December 2015

Serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC), the putative precursor of the majority of extrauterine high-grade serous carcinomas, has been reported in both high-risk women (those with a germline BRCA mutation, a personal history of breast carcinoma, and/or family history of breast or ovarian carcinoma) and average risk women from the general population. We reviewed grossly normal adnexal specimens from 388 consecutive, unselected women undergoing surgery, including those with germline BRCA mutation (37 patients), personal history of breast cancer or family history of breast/ovarian cancer (74 patients), endometrial cancer (175 patients), and a variety of other conditions (102 patients). Among 111 high-risk cases and 277 non-high-risk cases, 3 STICs were identified (0.8%), all in non-high-risk women (high risk vs. non-high risk: P=not significant). STIC was found in 2 women with nonserous endometrial carcinoma and 1 with complex atypical endometrial hyperplasia. Salpingoliths (mucosal calcifications), found in 9% of high-risk cases, and fimbrial adenofibromas in 9.9% of high-risk cases, were significantly more common in high-risk as compared with non-high-risk women (1.8% and 2.5%, respectively; P<0.007). Mucinous metaplasia was found in 3.1%, salpingitis isthmica nodosa in 3.4%, hemosiderin or pseudoxanthoma cells in 4.9%, and fibrous luminal nodules in 4.1%. None of these latter features differed significantly in the high-risk versus non-high-risk groups. These findings suggest a possible association between STIC and endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma, and clarify the frequency of non-neoplastic tubal findings in grossly normal fallopian tubes.
H3ABioNet, a sustainable pan-African bioinformatics network for human heredity and health in Africa
Authors: Mulder Nicola J. , Adebiyi Ezekiel , Alami Raouf , Benkahla Alia , Brandful James , Doumbia Seydou , Everett Dean , Fadlelmola Faisal M. , Gaboun Fatima , Gaseitsiwe Simani , Ghazal Hassan , Hazelhurst Scott , Hide Winston , Ibrahimi Azeddine , Jaufeerally Fakim Yasmina , Jongeneel C. Victor , Joubert Fourie , Kassim Samar , Kayondo Jonathan , Kumuthini Judit , Lyantagaye Sylvester , Makani Julie , Mansour Alzohairy Ahmed , Masiga Daniel , Moussa Ahmed , Nash Oyekanmi , Ouwe Missi Oukem-Boyer Odile , Owusu-Dabo Ellis , Panji Sumir , Patterton Hugh , Radouani Fouzia , Sadki Khalid , Seghrouchni Fouad , Tastan Bishop Özlem , Tiffin Nicki , Ulenga Nzovu ,   The H3ABioNet Consortium
Published: December 2015

The application of genomics technologies to medicine and biomedical research is increasing in popularity, made possible by new high-throughput genotyping and sequencing technologies and improved data analysis capabilities. Some of the greatest genetic diversity among humans, animals, plants, and microbiota occurs in Africa, yet genomic research outputs from the continent are limited. The Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa) initiative was established to drive the development of genomic research for human health in Africa, and through recognition of the critical role of bioinformatics in this process, spurred the establishment of H3ABioNet, a pan-African bioinformatics network for H3Africa. The limitations in bioinformatics capacity on the continent have been a major contributory factor to the lack of notable outputs in high-throughput biology research. Although pockets of high-quality bioinformatics teams have existed previously, the majority of research institutions lack experienced faculty who can train and supervise bioinformatics students. H3ABioNet aims to address this dire need, specifically in the area of human genetics and genomics, but knock-on effects are ensuring this extends to other areas of bioinformatics. Here, we describe the emergence of genomics research and the development of bioinformatics in Africa through H3ABioNet.
Activation, Isolation, and Analysis of the Death-Inducing Signaling Complex
Authors: Hughes Michelle A. , Langlais Claudia , Cain Kelvin , MacFarlane Marion
Published: December 2015

This protocol describes activation, isolation, and analysis of the CD95 (APO-1/Fas) death-inducing signaling complex (DISC) using affinity purification. Activation is achieved using a biotin-labeled anti-CD95 antibody and the native DISC complex is captured using streptavidin beads. This approach minimizes both the number of steps involved and any potential nonspecific interactions or cross-reactivity of antibodies commonly seen in immunoprecipitations using unlabeled antibodies and protein A/G beads. Composition of the isolated complex is analyzed via western blot to identify known DISC components, and dimerization-induced autocatalytic processing of procaspase-8 at the DISC can be confirmed by detection of caspase-8 cleavage products. The potential for DISC-associated caspase-8 to activate the caspase cascade can be determined by measuring caspase-8-dependent cleavage of the fluorigenic substrate Ac-IETD.AFC, or by performing a bioassay using exogenous protein substrates.
The Saccharomyces Genome Database: Exploring Genome Features and Their Annotations
Authors: Cherry J. Michael
Published: December 2015

Genomic-scale assays result in data that provide information over the entire genome. Such base pair resolution data cannot be summarized easily except via a graphical viewer. A genome browser is a tool that displays genomic data and experimental results as horizontal tracks. Genome browsers allow searches for a chromosomal coordinate or a feature, such as a gene name, but they do not allow searches by function or upstream binding site. Entry into a genome browser requires that you identify the gene name or chromosomal coordinates for a region of interest. A track provides a representation for genomic results and is displayed as a row of data shown as line segments to indicate regions of the chromosome with a feature. Another type of track presents a graph or wiggle plot that indicates the processed signal intensity computed for a particular experiment or set of experiments. Wiggle plots are typical for genomic assays such as the various next-generation sequencing methods (e.g., chromatin immunoprecipitation [ChIP]-seq or RNA-seq), where it represents a peak of DNA binding, histone modification, or the mapping of an RNA sequence. Here we explore the browser that has been built into the Saccharomyces Genome Database (SGD).
The Saccharomyces Genome Database: A Tool for Discovery
Authors: Cherry J. Michael
Published: December 2015

The Saccharomyces Genome Database (SGD) is the main community repository of information for the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The SGD has collected published results on chromosomal features, including genes and their products, and has become an encyclopedia of information on the biology of the yeast cell. This information includes gene and gene product function, phenotype, interactions, regulation, complexes, and pathways. All information has been integrated into a unique web resource, accessible via http://yeastgenome.org. The website also provides custom tools to allow useful searches and visualization of data. The experimentally defined functions of genes, mutant phenotypes, and sequence homologies archived in the SGD provide a platform for understanding many fields of biological research. The mission of SGD is to provide public access to all published experimental results on yeast to aid life science students, educators, and researchers. As such, the SGD has become an essential tool for the design of experiments and for the analysis of experimental results.
Type II Bi1 − xWxO1.5 + 1.5x: a (3 + 3)-dimensional commensurate modulation that stabilizes the fast-ion conducting delta phase of bismuth oxide
Authors: Wind Julia , Auckett Josie E. , Withers Ray L. , Piltz Ross O. , Maljuk Andrey , Ling Chris D.
Published: December 2015

The Type II phase in the Bi1 − xWxO1.5 + 1.5xsystem is shown to have a (3 + 3)-dimensional modulated δ-Bi2O3-related structure, in which the modulation vector ∊ `locks in' to a commensurate value of 1/3. The structure was refined in a 3 × 3 × 3 supercell against single-crystal Laue neutron diffraction data.Ab initiocalculations were used to test and optimize the local structure of the oxygen sublattice around a single mixed Bi/W site. The underlying crystal chemistry was shown to be essentially the same as for the recently refined (3 + 3)-dimensional modulated structure of Type II Bi1 − xNbxO1.5 + x(Linget al., 2013), based on a transition from fluorite-type to pyrochlore-typeviathe appearance of W4O18`tetrahedra of octahedra' and chains of corner-sharing WO6octahedra along 〈110〉Fdirections. The full range of occupancies on this mixed Bi/W site give a hypothetical solid-solution range bounded by Bi23W4O46.5(x= 0.148) and Bi22W5O48(x= 0.185), consistent with previous reports and with our own synthetic and analytical results.
Structure–property relationships in lithium superionic conductors having a Li10GeP2S12-type structure
Authors: Hori Satoshi , Taminato Sou , Suzuki Kota , Hirayama Masaaki , Kato Yuki , Kanno Ryoji
Published: December 2015

The crystal structures of the superionic conductors Li9.81Sn0.81P2.19S12 and Li10.35Si1.35P1.65S12, both having a Li10GeP2S12 (LGPS)-type structure, were determined by neutron diffraction analysis over the temperature range 12–800 K. The maximum entropy method was also employed to clarify the lithium distribution in these materials. The Sn system showed one-dimensional diffusion in the c direction over a wide temperature range, even though the Ge-based system typically exhibits three-dimensional conduction at higher temperatures. The ionic conduction mechanisms of analogous Si, Ge and Sn phases with LGPS-type structures are discussed on the basis of the observed structural parameter changes.
Closing the gap between electron and X-ray crystallography
Authors: Mugnaioli Enrico
Published: December 2015

The development of a proper refinement algorithm that takes into account dynamical scattering guarantees, for electron crystallography, results approaching X-rays in terms of precision, accuracy and reliability. The combination of such dynamical refinement and electron diffraction tomography establishes a complete pathway for the structure characterization of single sub-micrometric crystals.
Efficient volumetric extraction of most positive/negative curvature and flexure for fracture characterization from 3D seismic data
Authors: Di Haibin , Gao Dengliang
Published: December 2015

Most positive/negative curvature and flexure are among the most useful seismic attributes for detecting faults and fractures in the subsurface based on the geometry of seismic reflections. When applied to fracture characterization and modelling of a fractured reservoir, their magnitude and azimuth help quantify both the intensity and orientation of fracturing, respectively. However, previous efforts focus on estimating only the magnitude of both attributes, whereas their associated azimuth is ignored in three‐dimensional (3D) seismic interpretation. This study presents an efficient algorithm for simultaneously evaluating both the magnitude and azimuth of most positive/negative curvature and flexure from 3D seismic data. The approach implemented in this study is analytically more accurate and computationally more efficient compared with the existing approach. The added value of extracting most positive/negative curvature and flexure is demonstrated through the application to a fractured reservoir at Teapot Dome (Wyoming). First, the newly extracted attributes make computer‐aided fault/fracture decomposition possible. This allows interpreters to focus on one particular component for fracture characterization at a time, so that a composite fractured reservoir could be partitioned into different components for detailed analysis. Second, curvature/flexure azimuth allows interpreters to plot fracture histogram and/or rose diagram in an automatic and quantitative manner. Compared with the conventional plotting rose diagram based on manual measurements, automatic plotting is more efficient and offers unbiased insights into fracture systems by illuminating the most likely orientations of natural fractures in fractured reservoirs.
Generalized moveout approximation for P–SV converted waves in vertically inhomogeneous transversely isotropic media with a vertical symmetry axis
Authors: Hao Qi , Stovas Alexey
Published: December 2015

We present an overall description of moveout formulas of P–SV converted waves in vertically inhomogeneous transversely isotropic media with a vertical symmetry axis by using the generalized moveout approximation. The term “generalized” means that this approximation can be reduced to some existing approximations by specific selections of parameters, which provides flexibility in application depending on objectives. The generalized moveout approximation is separately expressed in the phase and group domains. All five parameters of the group domain (or phase domain) generalized moveout approximation are determined using the zero offset (or horizontal slowness) ray and an additional nonzero offset (or horizontal slowness) ray. We discuss the selection of parameters to link the generalized moveout approximation to some existing approximations. The approximations presented are tested on homogeneous, factorized, and layered transversely isotropic models. The results illustrate that utilizing an additional reference ray significantly improves the accuracy of phase‐domain and group‐domain moveout approximations for a large range of horizontal slownesses and source–receiver offsets.
Diversity analysis of sulfite‐ and sulfate‐reducing microorganisms by multiplex dsrA and dsrB amplicon sequencing using new primers and mock community‐optimized bioinformatics
Authors: Pelikan Claus , Herbold Craig W. , Hausmann Bela , Müller Albert L. , Pester Michael , Loy Alexander
Published: December 2015

Genes encoding dissimilatory sulfite reductase (DsrAB) are commonly used as diagnostic markers in ecological studies of sulfite‐ and sulfate‐reducing microorganisms. Here, we developed new high‐coverage primer sets for generation of reductive bacterial‐type dsrA and dsrB polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products for highly parallel amplicon sequencing and a bioinformatics workflow for processing and taxonomic classification of short dsrA and dsrB reads. We employed two diverse mock communities that consisted of 45 or 90 known dsrAB sequences derived from environmental clones to precisely evaluate the performance of individual steps of our amplicon sequencing approach on the Illumina MiSeq platform. Although PCR cycle number, gene‐specific primer mismatches and stringent filtering for high‐quality sequences had notable effects on the observed dsrA and dsrB community structures, recovery of most mock community sequences was generally proportional to their relative input abundances. Successful dsrA and dsrB diversity analysis in selected environmental samples further proved that the multiplex amplicon sequencing approach is adequate for monitoring spatial distribution and temporal abundance dynamics of dsrAB‐containing microorganisms. Although tested for reductive bacterial‐type dsrAB, this method is readily applicable for oxidative‐type dsrAB of sulfur‐oxidizing bacteria and also provides guidance for processing short amplicon reads of other functional genes.
Maintenance of algal endosymbionts in Paramecium bursaria: a simple model based on population dynamics
Authors: Iwai Sosuke , Fujiwara Kenji , Tamura Takuro
Published: December 2015

Algal endosymbiosis is widely distributed in eukaryotes including many protists and metazoans, and plays important roles in aquatic ecosystems, combining phagotrophy and phototrophy. To maintain a stable symbiotic relationship, endosymbiont population size in the host must be properly regulated and maintained at a constant level; however, the mechanisms underlying the maintenance of algal endosymbionts are still largely unknown. Here we investigate the population dynamics of the unicellular ciliate Paramecium bursaria and its Chlorella‐like algal endosymbiont under various experimental conditions in a simple culture system. Our results suggest that endosymbiont population size in P. bursaria was not regulated by active processes such as cell division coupling between the two organisms, or partitioning of the endosymbionts at host cell division. Regardless, endosymbiont population size was eventually adjusted to a nearly constant level once cells were grown with light and nutrients. To explain this apparent regulation of population size, we propose a simple mechanism based on the different growth properties (specifically the nutrient requirements) of the two organisms, and based from this develop a mathematical model to describe the population dynamics of host and endosymbiont. The proposed mechanism and model may provide a basis for understanding the maintenance of algal endosymbionts.
Gut microbiota analysis reveals a marked shift to bifidobacteria by a starter infant formula containing a synbiotic of bovine milk‐derived oligosaccharides and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CNCM I‐3446
Authors: Simeoni Umberto , Berger Bernard , Junick Jana , Blaut Michael , Pecquet Sophie , Rezzonico Enea , Grathwohl Dominik , Sprenger Norbert , Brüssow Harald ,   The Study Team, Szajewska Hania , Bartoli J.‐M. , Brevaut‐Malaty V. , Borszewska‐Kornacka M. , Feleszko W. , François P. , Gire C. , Leclaire M. , Maurin J.‐M. , Schmidt S. , Skórka A. , Squizzaro C. , Verdot J.‐J.
Published: December 2015

Non‐digestible milk oligosaccharides were proposed as receptor decoys for pathogens and as nutrients for beneficial gut commensals like bifidobacteria. Bovine milk contains oligosaccharides, some of which are structurally identical or similar to those found in human milk. In a controlled, randomized double‐blinded clinical trial we tested the effect of feeding a formula supplemented with a mixture of bovine milk‐derived oligosaccharides (BMOS) generated from whey permeate, containing galacto‐oligosaccharides and 3'‐ and 6'‐sialyllactose, and the probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (B. lactis) strain CNCM I‐3446. Breastfed infants served as reference group. Compared with a non‐supplemented control formula, the test formula showed a similar tolerability and supported a similar growth in healthy newborns followed for 12 weeks. The control, but not the test group, differed from the breast‐fed reference group by a higher faecal pH and a significantly higher diversity of the faecal microbiota. In the test group the probiotic B. lactis increased by 100‐fold in the stool and was detected in all supplemented infants. BMOS stimulated a marked shift to a bifidobacterium‐dominated faecal microbiota via increases in endogenous bifidobacteria (B. longum, B. breve, B. bifidum, B. pseudocatenulatum).
Metal induction of aPisolithus albusmetallothionein and its potential involvement in heavy metal tolerance during mycorrhizal symbiosis
Authors: Reddy M. Sudhakara , Kour Manpreet , Aggarwal Sipla , Ahuja Shanky , Marmeisse Roland , Fraissinet‐Tachet Laurence
Published: December 2015

Metallothioneins (MTs) are small, cysteine‐rich peptides involved in intracellular sequestration of heavy metals in eukaryotes. We examined the role in metal homeostasis and detoxification of anMTfrom the ectomycorrhizal fungusPisolithus albus(PaMT1).PaMT1encodes a 35 amino acid‐long polypeptide, with 7 cysteine residues; most of them part of aC‐x‐Cmotif found in other known basidiomyceteMTs. The expression levels ofPaMT1increased as a function of increased externalCu andCd concentrations and were higher withCu than withCd. Heterologous complementation assays in metal‐sensitive yeast mutants indicated thatPaMT1encodes a polypeptide capable of conferring higher tolerance to bothCu andCd.Eucalyptus tereticornisplantlets colonized withP. albusgrown in the presence ofCu andCd showed better growth compared with those with non‐mycorrhizal plants. HigherPaMT1expression levels were recorded in mycorrhizal plants grown in the presence ofCu andCd compared with those in control mycorrhizal plants not exposed to heavy metals. These data provide the first evidence to our knowledge that fungalMTscould protect ectomycorrhizal fungi from heavy metal stress and in turn help the plants to establish in metal‐contaminated sites.
Relapse risk of endometrial hyperplasia after treatment with the levonorgestrel‐impregnated intrauterine system or oral progestogens
Authors: Ørbo A , Arnes M , Vereide AB , Straume B
Published: December 2015

Objective

To investigate relapse rates after the successful treatment of patients with non‐atypical endometrial hyperplasia who were randomised to either a levonorgestrel‐impregnated intrauterine system (LNG‐IUS; Mirena®) or two regimens of oral medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) after primary histological response.

Design

A multicentre randomised trial.

Setting

Ten different outpatient clinics localised in hospitals and seven gynaecological private practices in Norway.

Population

One hundred and fifty‐three women aged 30–70 years with low‐ or medium‐risk endometrial hyperplasia met the inclusion criteria, and 153 completed the therapy.

Methods

Patients were randomly assigned to one of the following three treatment arms: LNG‐IUS; 10 mg of oral MPA administered for 10 days per cycle for 6 months; or 10 mg of oral MPA administered daily for 6 months. The women were followed for 24 months after ending therapy.

Main outcome measures

Histological relapse of endometrial hyperplasia.

Results

Histological relapse was observed in 55/135 (41%) women who had an initial complete treatment response. The relapse rates were similar in the three therapy groups (P = 0.66). In the multivariable analyses relapse was dependent on menopausal status (P = 0.0005) and estrogen level (P = 0.0007).

Conclusions

The risk of histological relapse of non‐atypical endometrial hyperplasia is high within 24 months of ceasing therapy with either the LNG‐IUS or oral MPA. Continued endometrial surveillance and prolonging progestogen therapy should be considered.

Tweetable abstract

Relapse of endometrial hyperplasia after successful treatment is independent of therapy regime.
Effects of midodrine in patients with ascites due to cirrhosis: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Guo Ting Ting , Yang Yue , Song Yang , Ren Yu , Liu Zhi Xin , Cheng Gang
Published: December 2015

Objective

Midodrine has been reported to improve systemic and renal hemodynamics in patients with cirrhotic ascites. However, the results of clinical trials are conflicting. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of midodrine on cirrhotic ascites through a meta‐analysis and systematic review.

Methods

We searched PubMed (January 1966–December 2014), EMBASE (January 1966–December 2014), the Cochrane Library (Issue 11, 2014), ScienceDirect (January 1966–December 2014), and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (January 1979–December 2014) databases using the terms ‘midodrine’ AND ‘cirrhosis’ AND ‘ascites’ AND ‘paracentesis’ for all relevant randomized controlled trials using midodrine for treatment of cirrhotic ascites.

Results

In all, 10 trials with a total of 462 patients were included. As a novel therapy for cirrhotic ascites, midodrine was not found to improve survival [odds ratio (OR) 0.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.23–2.91]; although it might improve response rates (OR 3.36, 95% CI 1.47–7.69) and reduce plasma renin activity (MD −3.10, 95% CI −5.37 to −0.84). When midodrine was used as an alternative to albumin in large‐volume paracentesis, the mortality was higher for midodrine than for albumin (OR 10.76, 95% CI 1.35–85.97). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the development of paracentesis‐induced circulatory dysfunction between midodrine group and albumin group (OR 1.69, 95% CI 0.43–6.72).

Conclusions

Midodrine may have treatment effects on cirrhotic ascites. Better powered and well‐designed trials are required to assess the extent of the efficacy of midodrine in specifically targeted patients.
Voluntary ethanol consumption reduces GABAergic neuroactive steroid (3α,5α)3‐hydroxypregnan‐20‐one (3α,5α‐THP) in the amygdala of the cynomolgus monkey
Authors: Beattie Matthew C. , Maldonado‐Devincci Antoniette M. , Porcu Patrizia , O'Buckley Todd K. , Daunais James B. , Grant Kathleen A. , Morrow A. Leslie
Published: December 2015

Neuroactive steroids such as (3α,5α)3‐hydroxypregnan‐20‐one (3α,5α‐THP, allopregnanolone) enhance the gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)‐ergic effects of ethanol and modulate excessive drinking in rodents. Moreover, chronic ethanol consumption reduces 3α,5α‐THP levels in human plasma, rat hippocampus and mouse limbic regions. We explored the relationship between 3α,5α‐THP levels in limbic brain areas and voluntary ethanol consumption in the cynomolgus monkey following daily self‐administration of ethanol for 12 months and further examined the relationship to hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis function prior to ethanol exposure. Monkeys were subjected to scheduled induction of ethanol consumption followed by free access to ethanol or water for 22 h/day over 12 months. Immunohistochemistry was performed using an anti‐3α,5α‐THP antibody. Prolonged voluntary drinking resulted in individual differences in ethanol consumption that ranged from 1.2 to 4.2 g/kg/day over 12 months. Prolonged ethanol consumption reduced cellular 3α,5α‐THP immunoreactivity by 13 ± 2 percent (P < 0.05) in the lateral amygdala and 17 ± 2 percent (P < 0.05) in the basolateral amygdala. The effect of ethanol was most pronounced in heavy drinkers that consumed ≥3 g/kg ≥ 20 percent of days. Consequently, 3α,5α‐THP immunoreactivity in both the lateral and basolateral amygdala was inversely correlated with average daily ethanol intake (Spearman r = −0.87 and −0.72, respectively, P < 0.05). However, no effect of ethanol and no correlation between drinking and 3α,5α‐THP immunoreactivity were observed in the basomedial amygdala. 3α,5α‐THP immunoreactivity following ethanol exposure was also correlated with HPA axis function prior to ethanol exposure. These data indicate that voluntary ethanol drinking reduces amygdala levels of 3α,5α‐THP in non‐human primates and that amygdala 3α,5α‐THP levels may be linked to HPA axis function.
Incorporating Hardy–Weinberg Equilibrium Law to Enhance the Association Strength for Ordinal Trait Genetic Study
Authors: Zhang Wei , Li  Qizhai
Published: December 2015

The conventional method to examine whether genetic variants are associated with the ordinal traits is the proportional odds model. Such analyses are often conducted by assuming an additive genetic mode of inheritance. However, how the genetic variants influence the risk of occurrence of a disease is impossible to know in practice. Using an improper model might result in a low‐power test, thus it reduces the probability of detecting the deleterious genetic markers. To address these concerns, we propose a two‐phase procedure (TPP) for ordinal trait genetic studies. In the first phase, we used a linear combination to weight the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium tests in case groups and formed an omnibus test to classify the genetic models. Then based on the chosen model, the corresponding score test was used to identify the associations. To control the false positive rate, we derived the joint distribution of the test used for selecting the genetic model and that used for identifying the associations. We also obtained the closed forms of two other robust tests, MAX3 and CHI2. Extensive computer simulations were carried out and the results showed that the true selection rates of genetic models are satisfactory and the proposed TPP is more robust than MAX3 and CHI2. Finally, we demonstrated the advantage of our proposed method by applying it to analyse the antibody reactivity to cyclic citrullinated peptides data.
Chemotherapy compliance in high‐risk Merkel cell carcinoma treated with chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Gorayski Peter , Tripcony Lee , Poulsen Michael
Published: December 2015

Objective

To evaluate chemotherapy (CT) compliance in patients treated with chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for high‐risk Merkel cell cancer (MCC).

Methods

Data from three prospective clinical trials in high‐risk MCC performed by the Trans‐Tasman Radiation Oncology Group were included in this analysis. Patients were treated with one of two carboplatin‐based CT schedules and standardised radiotherapy (RT) to the primary site and nodes to a dose of 50–60 Gy in 25–30 fractions. Patients’ baseline characteristics were analysed using χ2 tests to determine compliance factors for completing CT. A Cox univariate analysis was performed to assess the impact of CT compliance on time to locoregional failure, time‐to‐distant failure, time‐to‐recurrence and time‐to‐death.

Results

A total of 88 patients were identified, with a median follow up of 38.5 months. Of these, 75 (85%) completed CT (median age 64.2 years, range 62.0–66.4), while 13 did not (median age 72 years, range 68.1–75.9), P = 0.006. Women comprised 18/75 patients who completed CT and 7/13 patients who did not complete it (P = 0.03). Performance status, site, stage, surgical margins, RT dose and toxicity did not impact on their CT compliance. At 5 years, 26% of patients had locoregional relapse, 26% had distant failure and 34% had died.

Conclusions

In this small cohort of patients treated with CRT for high‐risk MCC, older age and female sex were associated with failure to complete CT. Severe acute skin and haematological toxicity did not correlate with failure to complete CT.
The Anthropologist, the Jester, and the Poet: An Oral History Interview with Bruce Grindal about the Society for Humanistic Anthropology
Authors: Sarkis Marianne M.
Published: December 2015

Bruce Grindal played an instrumental role in the Society for Humanistic Anthropology (SHA), which he helped found in 1974 at an American Anthropological Association meeting in Mexico City. He became the editor of The Anthropology and Humanism Quarterly (AHQ) in 1976, a journal that eschewed traditional ethnographic writing, and celebrated and encouraged storytelling in anthropology. Poems, narratives, fictions, and short essays that were rejected as “not anthropology” by other journals found a home in AHQ. In this oral history interview, Bruce recalls the history of the SHA and the challenges it faced in its early days in gaining acceptance by other anthropologists. In his attempts to legitimize humanistic anthropology, he challenged the materialist and postmodernist anthropological paradigms of the time through a series of scathing articles that publicly challenged what he regarded as the “overly analyzed digested mystification” of reality. This oral history interview covers the periods from 1976 to 2005 at the 30th anniversary of the founding of the SHA and touches upon philosophical musings and highlights from Bruce Grindal's career.
Writing about Aj Pop B'atz': Bruce Grindal and the Transformation of Ethnographic Writing
Authors: Kistler S. Ashley
Published: December 2015

The works of Bruce Grindal teach us many things about anthropology's humanistic tradition. With examples such as Redneck Girl and “Postmodernism as Seen by the Boys at Downhome Auto Repair,” Bruce Grindal demonstrated how we can creatively engage our ethnographic writing to reflect lived experiences. In this article, I examine Bruce's influence on my ethnographic writing and collaborative research in the Maya community of San Juan Chamelco, Guatemala. Since 2006, I have worked collaboratively with a group of Chamelqueños to investigate the story of their local hero, Aj Pop B’atz’. In the 16th century, Aj Pop B’atz’ welcomed Spanish invaders to Chamelco in peace, avoiding the death and destruction suffered by indigenous communities elsewhere. Today, he is revered as a model of indigenous identity. Throughout our work together, my collaborators and I sought outlets to share the information learned through our research with the community. In 2012, we co‐wrote a bilingual children's book about Aj Pop B’atz’ for use in Chamelco's schools. This book offered school children a chance to reconnect with their history, lost through decades of state‐sponsored violence. The Aj Pop B’atz’ project, inspired by Bruce Grindal's legacy, reveals that ethnographic writing can inform creative collaborative projects, making them accessible to those outside of academia and those with whom we work in the field.
Of Orphans and Anthropologists: A Personal Reflection on Forming “Family” and Research Relationships in the Field
Authors: Williams Julie L.
Published: December 2015

In this paper, I explore the anthropologist, in my case a single, white North American “girl,” often referred to as niña in Spanish, as an imagined orphan in the indigenous community of Lumbisí, Ecuador. Lumbiseños' understanding of being “alone” propelled a long process of incorporation that slowly developed my social connections to the community through friendships, alternative fictive kin constructions, and reciprocity. This reflective piece draws on the work of Bruce Grindal, whose profound influence on humanistic anthropology shaped my approach to ethnographic research. His vision of an anthropology based on real human connections, the long‐term responsibility of research, self‐reflection, a critical eye, and the effective communication of human experiences we share with everyone, not just academics, inspired several generations of scholars, who carry on this tradition in his name. Using three vignettes experienced in crucial phases of this ongoing collaborative research, I attempt to illuminate the process of relationship building, the conflicts experienced, and the resolution we obtained in the spirit of Grindal's (2011) final publication, “Confrontation, Understanding, and Friendship in a Redneck Culture.”
Institutionalization or Decoupling? An Exploratory Analysis of theUNGlobal CompactLEADInitiative
Authors: Junaid Nora , Leung Opal , Buono Anthony F.
Published: December 2015

Institutionalization occurs when organizations adopt policies and practices in an attempt to increase their legitimacy and competitive position. This process assumes that an organization's formal policies (macro‐level) are translated into organizational practices (micro‐level). This translation, however, can fail to occur, resulting in organizational decoupling and de‐institutionalization. Drawing on an institutionalization typology based on different levels of legitimacy (macro) and taken‐for‐grantedness (micro), the article draws on data from an assessment of theUnitedNations Global CompactLEADinitiative, assessing the extent to which this initiative is being institutionalized in the member firms and examining the implications for theLEADinitiative and our thinking about institutionalization.
Advisers and the Fiduciary Duty Debate
Authors: Rubin Gary Douglas
Published: December 2015

This work concerns itself with the debate taking place in the United States about the duty of care financial advisers owe investors. On one side it is argued that advisers need only concern themselves with recommendations which meet certain suitability standards. On the other side, there are those who argue the suitability standard is not strong enough to adequately protect investor interests. Instead of ensuring investment recommendations are merely suitable, financial advisers owe their investors a fiduciary duty to “act in the best interest of the customer without regard to the financial or other interests … of the investment adviser providing the advice.” (SEC, 2011).

In applying a properly understood conception of what fiduciary means I argue that regulations should not be harmonized but that fiduciary duty should apply to all who provide personalized investment advice to retail customers. I will further argue that even if the regulations are harmonized as proposed, because of exemptions for broker‐dealers as envisioned in the proposal, and which currently apply to Registered Investment Advisers, the efficacy of fiduciary duty is diluted to the point of rendering its current application, much less its potential uniform imposition, irrelevant.
Further Beyond the Basic Background Check: Predicting Future Unethical Behavior
Authors: Brody Richard G. , Perri Frank S. , Van Buren Harry J.
Published: December 2015

In this paper, we analyze the ethical issues of using honesty and integrity tests in employment screening. Our focus will be on the United States context: legal requirements related to applicant privacy differ in other countries, but we posit that our proposed balancing test is broadly applicable. We start by discussing why companies have ethical and legal obligations, based on a stakeholder analysis, to assess the integrity of potential employees. We then move to a consideration of how companies currently use background checks as a pre‐employment screening tool, noting their limitations. We then take up honesty and integrity testing, focusing particularly on the problems of false positives and due process. We offer a balancing test for the use of honesty and integrity testing that takes in three factors: (1) the potential harm posed by a dishonest employee in a particular job, (2) the linkage between the test and the assessment process, and (3) the accuracy and validity of the honesty and integrity test. We conclude with implications for practice and future research.
Looks‐Based Hiring and Wrongful Discrimination
Authors: Bruton Samuel V.
Published: December 2015

Popular clothing retailer Abercrombie and Fitch (A&F) is well‐known for hiring attractive store sales clerks. While the economic benefits of this hiring practice for the company are undeniable, many commentators contend that it constitutes wrongful discrimination against unattractive job seekers. In this article, I explore the ethics of A&F‐style lookism and challenge two common perspectives on this issue. I argue that on one hand, looks‐based hiring cannot be defended based on its economic benefits alone, as race‐based hiring also can be profitable in some circumstances. At the same time, I reject arguments that looks‐based hiring is not “job relevant” given its economic impact in many contexts. Through a comparison between race‐ and looks‐based hiring, I conclude that at least for businesses that are relevantly similar to A&F—firms for which lookism produces clear economic benefits—looks‐based hiring is permissible.
Invention Quality and Entrepreneurial Earnings: The Role of Prior Employment Variety
Authors: Åstebro Thomas , Yong Kevyn
Published: December 2015

We use creativity theory to analyze the effects of occupational job variety and industry variety on invention quality, and entrepreneurial earnings. We test our ideas with survey data from 770 inventor–entrepreneurs who commercialized their own inventions. Results suggest that occupational and industry variety substitute for each other in positively affecting invention quality whereas a lack of industry variety is associated with greater entrepreneurial earnings. Results are consistent with the idea that high levels of both occupational and industry variety enables the generation and discovery of inventions, but these ideas are usually not technically feasible or financially viable.
Rethinking Home, Belonging, and the Potentials of Transnationalism: Australian Hungarians after the Fall of the Berlin Wall
Authors: Andits Petra
Published: December 2015

This article investigates how first‐generation Australian‐Hungarians’ physical and social conceptions of home have been reconfigured by the changing political settings in Hungary after the fall of the Berlin Wall. I investigate whether the structural transformation after 1989 enabled Hungarians in Australia to shift their perception of the homeland from an abstract image to the homeland as a lived experience. This article suggests three main theoretical implications for scholarly work on home. First, this article draws attention and provides a corrective to the often‐overlooked tension between home's dual meaning, its practical and symbolic, lived and yearned‐for dimensions. Second, the article theoretically delinks but does not disconnect the concepts of “home” and “belonging” making the relationship between the two something to be investigated rather than something to be assumed. And third, I argue for the importance of emotions within experiences of migration and finding home and belonging.