bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiple structure single parameter: analysis of a single protein nano environment descriptor characterizing a shared loci on structurally aligned proteins
Authors: Salim José Augusto , Borro Luiz , Mazoni Ivan , Yano Inácio , Jardine José G. , Neshich Goran
Published: February 2016

Motivation: A graphical representation of physicochemical and structural descriptors attributed to amino acid residues occupying the same topological position in different, structurally aligned proteins can provide a more intuitive way to associate possible functional implications to identified variations in structural characteristics. This could be achieved by observing selected characteristics of amino acids and of their corresponding nano environments, described by the numerical value of matching descriptor. For this purpose, a web-based tool called multiple structure single parameter (MSSP) was developed and here presented.

Results: MSSP produces a two-dimensional plot of a single protein descriptor for a number of structurally aligned protein chains. From a total of 150 protein descriptors available in MSSP, selected of >1500 parameters stored in the STING database, it is possible to create easily readable and highly informative XY-plots, where X-axis contains the amino acid position in the multiple structural alignment, and Y-axis contains the descriptor’s numerical values for each aligned structure. To illustrate one of possible MSSP contributions to the investigation of changes in physicochemical and structural properties of mutants, comparing them with the cognate wild-type structure, the oncogenic mutation of M918T in RET kinase is presented. The comparative analysis of wild-type and mutant structures shows great changes in their electrostatic potential. These variations are easily depicted at the MSSP-generated XY-plot.

Availability and Implementation: The web server is freely available at http://www.cbi.cnptia.embrapa.br/SMS/STINGm/MPA/index.html. Web server implemented in Perl, Java and JavaScript and JMol or Protein Viewer as structure visualizers.

Contact:  goran.neshich@embrapa.br or gneshich@gmail.com

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Origin of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) at sea in Icelandic waters
Authors: Olafsson Kristinn , Einarsson Sigurdur M. , Gilbey John , Pampoulie Christophe , Hreggvidsson Gudmundur O. , Hjorleifsdottir Sigridur , Gudjonsson Sigurdur
Published: February 2016

The origin and life history of 186 Atlantic salmon caught at sea within Icelandic waters were investigated using microsatellites to assess the origin and scales and otoliths to assess freshwater and sea age. A total of 184 samples were aged using scales or otolithes or both. Most of the samples were from individuals in their first year at sea (72.8%). The freshwater age varied from 1 to 5 years with an average of 2.6 years. The most common freshwater age was 2 years (42%), with a further substantial proportion of 3-year-old fish (28%). Genetic assignment of individual fish to their most likely population of origin was performed using Bayesian genetic individual assignments with a baseline consisting of 284 Eastern Atlantic rivers and 466 sample sites genotyped at the 14 microsatellite. A total of 186 samples of salmon caught at sea were assigned to their origin. Eight samples, from post-smolts and caught close to land, were assigned as having come from Iceland. Of the remaining 178 samples, 121 individuals (68%) were from the Southern Group, i.e. from mainland Europe, the UK, and Ireland, 53 individuals (30%) were from the Northern Group, i.e. Scandinavia and Northern Russia, and 4 individuals were from Iceland (2%). Stock mixture proportions were estimated for four periods using ONCOR and cBAYES. Stock mixture analysis generally supported the individual assignments, but did not suggest a seasonal component to the distribution of salmon stocks. These results indicate that the sea south and east of Iceland are important as feeding areas for migrating Atlantic salmon, particularly for salmon originating in the UK, Ireland, and southern Europe. Furthermore, the lack of adult Icelandic fish so close to Iceland is remarkable and suggests that Atlantic salmon from Icelandic stocks are using different feeding grounds.
Diffuse low-ionization gas in the galactic halo casts doubts on z ≃ 0.03 WHIM detections
Authors: Nicastro F. , Senatore F. , Gupta A. , Mathur S. , Krongold Y. , Elvis M. , Piro L.
Published: February 2016

In this Letter, we demonstrate that the two claims of z ≃ 0.03 O vii K α absorption lines from Warm Hot Intergalactic Medium (WHIM) along the lines of sight to the blazars H 2356-309 (Buote et al.; Fang et al.) and Mkn 501 (Ren, Fang & Buote) are likely misidentifications of the z = 0 O ii K β line produced by a diffuse Low-Ionization Metal Medium in the Galaxy's interstellar and circum-galactic mediums. We perform detailed modelling of all the available high signal-to-noise Chandra Low Energy Transmission Grating (LETG) and XMM–Newton Reflection Grating Spectrometer (RGS) spectra of H 2356-309 and Mkn 501 and demonstrate that the z ≃ 0.03 WHIM absorption along these two sightlines is statistically not required. Our results, however, do not rule out a small contribution from the z ≃ 0.03 O vii K α absorber along the line of sight to H 2356-309. In our model the temperature of the putative z = 0.031 WHIM filament is T = 3 × 105 K and the O vii column density is ${\rm N}_{\rm O\,\small {VII}} \lesssim 4\times 10^{15}$ cm−2, twenty times smaller than the O viicolumn density previously reported, and now more consistent with the expectations from cosmological hydrodynamical simulations.
Photodisintegrated gamma rays and neutrinos from heavy nuclei in the gamma-ray burst jet of GRB 130427A
Authors: Joshi Jagdish C. , Razzaque Soebur , Moharana Reetanjali
Published: February 2016

Detection of ∼0.1–70 GeV prompt γ-ray emission from the exceptionally bright gamma-ray burst (GRB) 130427A by the Fermi-Large Area Telescope provides an opportunity to explore the physical processes of GeV γ-ray emission from the GRB jets. In this work, we discuss interactions of Iron and Oxygen nuclei with observed keV–MeV photons in the jet of GRB 130427A in order to explain an additional, hard spectral component observed during 11.5–33 s after trigger. The photodisintegration time-scale for Iron nuclei is comparable to or shorter than this duration. We find that γ rays resulting from the Iron nuclei disintegration can account for the hard power-law component of the spectra in the ∼1–70 GeV range, before the γγ → e± pair production with low-energy photons severely attenuates emission of higher energy photons. Electron antineutrinos from the secondary neutron decay, on the other hand, can be emitted with energies up to ∼2 TeV. The flux of these neutrinos is low and consistent with non-detection of GRB 130427A by the IceCube Neutrino Observatory. The required total energy in the Iron nuclei for this hadronic model for GeV emission is ≲10 times the observed total energy released in the prompt keV–MeV emission.
Shifting white pox aetiologies affecting
Acropora palmata
in the Florida Keys, 1994–2014
Authors: Sutherland Kathryn P. , Berry Brett , Park Andrew , Kemp Dustin W. , Kemp Keri M. , Lipp Erin K. , Porter James W.
Published: February 2016

We propose ‘the moving target hypothesis’ to describe the aetiology of a contemporary coral disease that differs from that of its historical disease state. Hitting the target with coral disease aetiology is a complex pursuit that requires understanding of host and environment, and may lack a single pathogen solution. White pox disease (WPX) affects the Caribbean coral
Acropora palmata
. Acroporid serratiosis is a form of WPX for which the bacterial pathogen (
Serratia marcescens
) has been established. We used long-term (1994–2014) photographic monitoring to evaluate historical and contemporary epizootiology and aetiology of WPX affecting
A. palmata
at eight reefs in the Florida Keys. Ranges of WPX prevalence over time (0–71.4%) were comparable for the duration of the 20-year study. Whole colony mortality and disease severity were high in historical (1994–2004), and low in contemporary (2008–2014), outbreaks of WPX. Acroporid serratiosis was diagnosed for some historical (1999, 2003) and contemporary (2012, 2013) outbreaks, but this form of WPX was not confirmed for all WPX cases. Our results serve as a context for considering aetiology as a moving target for WPX and other coral diseases for which pathogens are established and/or candidate pathogens are identified. Coral aetiology investigations completed to date suggest that changes in pathogen, host and/or environment alter the disease state and complicate diagnosis.
Complementary approaches to diagnosing marine diseases: a union of the modern and the classic
Authors: Burge Colleen A. , Friedman Carolyn S. , Getchell Rodman , House Marcia , Lafferty Kevin D. , Mydlarz Laura D. , Prager Katherine C. , Sutherland Kathryn P. , Renault Tristan , Kiryu Ikunari , Vega-Thurber Rebecca
Published: February 2016

Linking marine epizootics to a specific aetiology is notoriously difficult. Recent diagnostic successes show that marine disease diagnosis requires both modern, cutting-edge technology (e.g. metagenomics, quantitative real-time PCR) and more classic methods (e.g. transect surveys, histopathology and cell culture). Here, we discuss how this combination of traditional and modern approaches is necessary for rapid and accurate identification of marine diseases, and emphasize how sole reliance on any one technology or technique may lead disease investigations astray. We present diagnostic approaches at different scales, from the macro (environment, community, population and organismal scales) to the micro (tissue, organ, cell and genomic scales). We use disease case studies from a broad range of taxa to illustrate diagnostic successes from combining traditional and modern diagnostic methods. Finally, we recognize the need for increased capacity of centralized databases, networks, data repositories and contingency plans for diagnosis and management of marine disease.
Infectious diseases in oyster aquaculture require a new integrated approach
Authors: Pernet Fabrice , Lupo Coralie , Bacher Cédric , Whittington Richard J.
Published: February 2016

Emerging diseases pose a recurrent threat to bivalve aquaculture. Recently, massive mortality events in the Pacific oyster
Crassostrea gigas
associated with the detection of a microvariant of the ostreid herpesvirus 1 (OsHV-1µVar) have been reported in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Although the spread of disease is often viewed as a governance failure, we suggest that the development of protective measures for bivalve farming is presently held back by the lack of key scientific knowledge. In this paper, we explore the case for an integrated approach to study the management of bivalve disease, using OsHV-1 as a case study. Reconsidering the key issues by incorporating multidisciplinary science could provide a holistic understanding of OsHV-1 and increase the benefit of research to policymakers.
Contents of Consciousness Investigated as Integrated Information in Direct Human Brain Recordings
Authors: Haun Andrew M. , Oizumi Masafumi , Kovach Christopher K. , Kawasaki Hiroto , Oya Hiroyuki , Howard Matthew A. , Adolphs Ralph , Tsuchiya Naotsugu
Published: February 2016

Integrated information theory postulates that the particular way stimuli appear when we consciously experience them arises from integrated information relationships across neural populations. We investigated if such equivalence holds by testing if similar/different percepts map onto similar/different information structures. We computed integrated information structure from intracranial EEGs recorded in 6 neurosurgical patients who had electrodes implanted over posterior cortices. During recording, we dissociated subjective percepts from physical inputs in three distinct stimulus paradigms (passive viewing, continuous flash suppression, and backward masking). Unsupervised classification showed that integrated information within stimulus-selective cortical regions classified visual experiences with significant accuracy (peaking on average around 64% classification accuracy). Classification by other relevant information theoretic measures such as mutual information and entropy was consistently poorer (56% and 54% accuracy). The findings argue that concepts from integrated information theory are empirically testable, promising a potential link between conscious experience and informational structures.
Context-specificity in causal signaling networks revealed by phosphoprotein profiling
Authors: Hill Steven M. , Nesser Nicole K. , Johnson-Camacho Katie , Jeffress Mara , Johnson Aimee , Boniface Chris , Spencer Simon E.F. , Lu Yiling , Heiser Laura M. , Lawrence Yancey , Pande Nupur T. , Korkola James E. , Gray Joe W. , Mills Gordon B. , Mukherjee Sach , Spellman Paul T.
Published: February 2016

Signaling networks downstream of receptor tyrosine kinases are among the most extensively studied biological networks. However, it remains unclear whether signaling networks depend on biological context. Signaling networks encode causal influences – and not just correlations – between network components. Here, using a causal framework and systematic time-course assays of signaling proteins, we investigate the context-specificity of signaling networks in a cell line system. We focus on a well-defined set of signaling proteins profiled in four breast cancer cell lines under eight stimulus conditions and inhibition of specific kinases. The data, spanning multiple pathways and comprising approximately 70,000 phosphoprotein and 260,000 protein measurements, provide a wealth of testable, context-specific hypotheses, several of which we validate in independent experiments. Furthermore, the data provide a resource for computational methods development, permitting empirical assessment of causal network learning in a complex, mammalian setting.
Craniofacial shape transition across the house mouse hybrid zone: implications for the genetic architecture and evolution of between-species differences
Authors: Pallares Luisa F. , Turner Leslie M. , Tautz Diethard
Published: February 2016

Craniofacial shape differences between taxa have often being linked to environmental adaptation, e.g. to new food sources, or have been studied in the context of domestication. Evidence for the genetic basis of such phenotypic differences to date suggests that within- as well as between-species variation has an oligogenic basis, i.e. few loci of large effect explain most of the variation. In mice, it has been shown that within-population craniofacial variation has a highly polygenic basis, but there are no data regarding the genetic basis of between-species differences. Here, we address this question using a phenotype-focused approach. Using 3D geometric morphometrics, we phenotyped a panel of mice derived from a natural hybrid zone betweenM. m. domesticusandM. m. musculus, and quantify the transition of craniofacial shape along the hybridization gradient. We find a continuous shape transition along the hybridization gradient, and unaltered developmental stability associated with hybridization. This suggests that the morphospace between the two subspecies is continuous despite reproductive isolation and strong barriers to gene flow. We show that quantitative changes in genome composition generate quantitative changes in craniofacial shape; this supports a highly polygenic basis for between-species craniofacial differences in the house mouse. We discuss our findings in the context of oligogenic versus polygenic models of the genetic architecture of morphological traits.
The infinitesimal model
Authors: Barton N H , Etheridge A M , Véber A
Published: February 2016

Our focus here is on theinfinitesimal model. In this model, one or several quantitative traits are described as the sum of a genetic and a non-genetic component, the first being distributed as a normal random variable centred at the average of the parental genetic components, and with a variance independent of the parental traits. We first review the long history of the infinitesimal model in quantitative genetics. Then we provide a definition of the model at the phenotypic level in terms of individual trait values and relationships between individuals, but including different evolutionary processes: genetic drift, recombination, selection, mutation, population structure, … We give a range of examples of its application to evolutionary questions related to stabilising selection, assortative mating, effective population size and response to selection, habitat preference and speciation. We provide a mathematical justification of the model as the limit as the numberMof underlying loci tends to infinity of a model with Mendelian inheritance, mutation and environmental noise, when the genetic component of the trait is purely additive. We also show how the model generalises to include epistatic effects. In each case, by conditioning on the pedigree relating individuals in the population, we incorporate arbitrary selection and population structure. We suppose that we can observe the pedigree up to the present generation, together with all the ancestral traits, and we show, in particular, that the genetic components of the individual trait values in the current generation are indeed normally distributed with a variance independent of ancestral traits, up to an error of order. Simulations suggest that in particular cases the convergence may be as fast as 1/M.
Game-based learning in construction management courses: a case of bidding game
Authors: Oo Bee Lan , Lim Benson Teck-Heng
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– The game-based learning has been used very successfully in some areas of formal education. In construction management, there is an increased uptake of games in teaching and learning. Focusing on a bidding game, the purpose of this paper is to evaluate its ability in enhancing students’ learning. The specific objectives are to: examine the effectiveness of the game as a teaching mechanism; explore students’ learning experience, preference and motivation to participate in the game; and identify the relationship between game features and students’ learning experience and overall satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper adopted a survey research design. A questionnaire survey was conducted in two universities in Australia, involving 100 students in the gameplay.

Findings

– The results show that the overall student feedback is positive with the vast majority of the students enjoying the learning experience. Students from both institutions have indicated their preference for group-based game sessions. However, the students have divergent opinions about the game incentive and motivation. It is found that there are significant correlations between some of the game features and students’ learning experience and overall satisfaction.

Practical implications

– The bidding game clearly has potential for adaptation in construction bidding-related courses. Educators could consider incorporating the significant game features towards improving students’ learning experience and overall satisfaction.

Originality/value

– Given there are limited studies that aimed at evaluating educational games, the student feedback in this research should facilitate more critical and reflective process for incorporating similar form of games in teaching construction management and bidding-related courses.
The world’s largest “ideapreneurshipTM”
Authors: Technologies HCL
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– This paper aims to describe how HCL Technologies has been recognized as Britain’s top employer for nine years consecutively.

Design/methodology/approach

– It explores the culture change in HCL Technologies and its revolutionary decision to put “Employees First, Customer Second”.

Findings

– A focus on employee engagement means that leaders engage, enable and empower people and is the key driver to develop and sustain a productive workforce.

Originality/value

– The paper details the unique culture, distinct people practices and differentiated interventions that give HCL Technologies the flexibility to align our strategy to a concentrated goal – to be simply the best in the market.
Are individual investors dumb noise traders
Authors: Blonski Philip , Blonski Simon Christian
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to question the undifferentiated treatment of individual traders as “dumb noise traders?”. We question this undifferentiated verdict by conducting an analysis of the cognitive competence of individual investors.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors let experts (both experienced researchers as well as practitioners) assess the mathematical and verbal reasoning demands of investment tasks investigated in previous studies.

Findings

– Based on this assessment, this paper concludes that individual investors are able to perform a number of complex cognitive actions, especially those demanding higher-order verbal reasoning. However, they seem to reach cognitive limitations with tasks demanding greater mathematical reasoning ability. This is especially unfortunate, as tasks requiring higher mathematical reasoning are considered to be more relevant to performance. These findings have important implications for future regulatory measures.

Research limitations/implications

– This study has two non-trivial limitations. First, indirect measurement of mental requirements does not allow authors to make definite statements about the cognitive competence of individual investors. To do so, it would be necessary to conduct laboratory experiments which directly measure performance of investors on different investment and other cognitively demanding tasks. However, such data are not available for retail investors on this market to the best of the authors’s knowledge. We therefore think that our approach is a valuable first step toward understanding investors’ cognitive competence using data that are available at this moment. Second, the number of analyzed (and available) tasks is rather low (n= 10) which limits the power of tests and restricts the authors from using more profound (deductive) statistical analyses.

Practical implications

– This paper proposes to illustrate information in key investor documents mostly verbally (e.g. as proposed by Rieger, 2009), compel exchanges and issuers of retail derivatives to create awareness for the results of the reviewed studies and our conclusion and to offer online math trainings especially designed for individual investors to better prepare them for different trading activities, as these have been shown to be as effective as face-to-face trainings (Fredericksonet al., 2005; Karret al., 2003).

Social implications

– This study can only be considered as a first step toward understanding the cognitive limitations of individual investors indirectly and could be transferred to other market areas as well.

Originality/value

– This study is the first to combine the assessment of outstanding researchers in this field with the results of previous studies. In doing so, this paper provides an overarching framework of interpretation for these studies.
Parent perspectives and reasons for lower urgency paediatric presentations to emergency departments
Authors: Freed Gary L , Allen Amy R , Turbitt Erin , Nicolas Caroline , Oakley Ed
Published: February 2016

Objective

The age band with, by far, the greatest number of ED presentations is children 0–4  years, with other paediatric age bands also among the highest. As the majority of these presentations are for lower urgency conditions, we sought to determine why parents seek ED care for their child for lower urgency conditions.

Methods

A survey study of 1150 parents or guardians of children with lower urgency conditions (triage category 4 or 5) presenting to the EDs of three public general and one paediatric specialty hospital in metropolitan Melbourne.

Results

Fewer than half of parents (43%) attempted to make an appointment with a general practitioner (GP) for their child prior to presenting to the ED. Two‐thirds of those who did contact a GP were instructed by their GP to go to the ED for their lower urgency condition. Few attempted to contact a nurse telephone triage service or after‐hours GP service.

Conclusions

The current magnitude and the growth of lower urgency paediatric ED presentations is a strain on the health care system. Efforts to educate parents regarding the suitability and availability of GP appointments can be the cornerstone of an initial strategy to address this issue. However, efforts to address the high rates of GP referral to EDs for low urgency presentations will be more vexing to develop, yet no less important. They will require addressing fundamental issues in both current GP care for children and the training of GP registrars.
Evaluation of Parathyroidectomy for Secondary and Tertiary Hyperparathyroidism by the Parathyroid Surgeons’ Society of Japan
Authors: Tominaga Yoshihiro , Kakuta Takatoshi , Yasunaga Chikao , Nakamura Michio , Kadokura Yoshiyuki , Tahara Hideki
Published: February 2016

Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) remains a serious complication in patients with chronic kidney disease, and some patients require parathyroidectomy. The Parathyroid Surgeons’ Society of Japan (PSSJ) evaluated parathyroidectomy for SHPT and tertiary hyperparathyroidism (THPT) in Japan. The annual numbers of parathyroidectomies between 2004 and 2013 were evaluated using questionnaires. Since 2010, the PSSJ has registered the patients. In total, 826 patients from 42 institutions were registered. The annual number of parathyroidectomies for SHPT and THPT in Japan increased from 2004 to 2007 and then decreased markedly after 2007, with 296 operations performed in 2013. The number of women and men was almost equal (397/427). Median (interquartile range) age of these patients was 59.0 (24–87) years, the duration of hemodialysis before parathyroidectomy was 10.83 (0.0–38.7) years, and diabetic nephropathy was 87/826 (10.5%). Of these patients 59.6% were treated with cinacalcet at undergoing parathyroidectomy. In 75.3% of patients, a total parathyroidectomy with forearm autograft was performed. In 77.7% of patients, four or more parathyroid glands were removed during the initial operation. The incidences of husky voice and wound hemorrhage were 2.9% and 1.1%, respectively.

The number of parathyroidectomies for SHPT in Japan decreased markedly after the introduction of cinacalcet. Based on the evaluation of registered patients, parathyroidectomies have been successfully performed at the institutions participating in the PSSJ.
Molecular optimization of rabies virus glycoprotein expression in Pichia pastoris
Authors: Ben Azoun Safa , Belhaj Aicha Eya , Göngrich Rebecca , Gasser Brigitte , Kallel Héla
Published: February 2016

In this work, different approaches were investigated to enhance the expression rabies virus glycoprotein (RABV‐G) in the yeast Pichia pastoris; this membrane protein is responsible for the synthesis of rabies neutralizing antibodies. First, the impact of synonymous codon usage bias was examined and an optimized RABV‐G gene was synthesized. Nevertheless, data showed that the secretion of the optimized RABV‐G gene was not tremendously increased as compared with the non‐optimized one. In addition, similar levels of RABV‐G were obtained when α‐factor mating factor from Saccharomyces cerevisiae or the acid phosphatase PHO1 was used as a secretion signal. Therefore, sequence optimization and secretion signal were not the major bottlenecks for high‐level expression of RABV‐G in P. pastoris. Unfolded protein response (UPR) was induced in clones containing high copy number of RABV‐G expression cassette indicating that folding was the limiting step for RABV‐G secretion. To circumvent this limitation, co‐overexpression of five factors involved in oxidative protein folding was investigated. Among these factors only PDI1, ERO1 and GPX1 proved their benefit to enhance the expression. The highest expression level of RABV‐G reached 1230 ng ml−1. Competitive neutralizing assay confirmed that the recombinant protein was produced in the correct conformational form in this host.
Discussion of ‘Unrealised earnings, dividends and reporting aggressiveness: an examination of firms’ behavior in the era of fair value accounting'
Authors: Wang Shiheng
Published: February 2016

This article discusses the paper by Chen and Gavious (2016). Chen and Gavious (2016) investigate the change in dividend payouts after mandatory adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRS’) in Israel. They find that some Israeli firms distributed cash dividends out of unrealized earnings from financial instruments and investment properties due to the application of fair value accounting under IFRS. They further find that these firms manipulated both book and tax income to increase the dividend payouts. This discussion focuses on the theoretical development in the impact of IFRS adoption on corporate incentive for dividend payouts and the costs of earnings management for dividend distribution. This discussion also offers suggestions on how to improve the empirical design and analyses.
Cross‐cultural equivalence in translation of the oral health impact profile: how to interpret the final score?
Authors: Denis Frederic , Trojak Benoit , Rude Nathalie
Published: February 2016

The oral health impact profile (OHIP) is one of the most widely known oral health‐related quality of life instruments. In Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, MacEntee and Brondani report the results of a systematic review to identify acceptable methods for translating psychometric instruments for cross‐cultural equivalence of the OHIP scale. But in no study has unidimensionality, one aspect of the validity of the internal structure of the scale, been verified, whereas it is a major psychometric step. In the absence of the study of unidimensionality, it is difficult to interpret the final score. The methodology of transcultural validation of the OHIP could be improved, and the study of the unidimensionality is a psychometrically necessary step for the interpretation of the finale score.
Exogenous surfactant and alveolar recruitment in the treatment of the acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Rodríguez‐Moya Valentín S. , Gallo‐Borrero Clara M. , Santos‐Áreas Daniuris , Prince‐Martínez Ivette A. , Díaz‐Casañas Elaine , López‐Herce Cid Jesús
Published: February 2016

Objective

To investigate the effect of alveolar recruitment combined with surfactant administration on children with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Material and Methods

A prospective, randomized, controlled and sequential study was carried out. Group A (16 children) was treated with both the alveolar recruitment manoeuvres (ARM) and the administration of the surfactant every 8 h for 3 days; group B (15) received the usual treatment only. The alveolar recruitment was carried out by increasing positive end‐expiratory pressure 2 by 2 cm H2O to improve the transcutaneous oxygen saturation values up to 88% and 90%. Demographic data, gasometric and ventilator parameters, chest radiography and 28‐day mortality were evaluated.

Results

There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between groups. An hour after treatment, significant differences (P < 0.001) were observed in transcutaneous oxygen saturation (SaO2; Group A: 94.1%, Group B: 89.9%), PaO2/FiO2 (212.7 and 126.4) and oxygenation index (OI; 11.4 and 18.5). After 8 h, the differences in SaO2 (Group A: 94.6%, Group B: 90.3%), PaO2/FiO2 (225.8 and 126.9) and OI (10.8 and 18.4) were also significant (P < 0.001). From the fifth dose of the surfactant, the static compliance (P = 0.0034) and radiological images (P = 0.002) were more greatly improved in group A than in group B. Survival was significantly higher in group A (81.3%) than in group B (26.7%) (P = 0.006).

Conclusions

The combined treatment of surfactant administration and ARM resulted in a better oxygenation and survival in children with ARDS than when only recruitment was used.
Performance of Myrmica ant colonies is correlated with the presence of social parasites
Authors: WITEK MAGDALENA , ŚLIPIŃSKI PIOTR , NAUMIEC KAROLINA , KRUPSKI ADAM , BABIK HANNA , WALTER BARTOSZ , SYMONOWICZ BEATA , DUBIEC ANNA
Published: February 2016

1. The performance of ant colonies depends on different factors such as nest site, colony structure or the presence of pathogens and social parasites. Myrmica ants host various types of social parasites, including the larvae of Maculinea butterflies and Microdonmyrmicae (Schönrogge) hoverfly. How these social parasites affect host colony performance is still unexplored.

2. It was examined how the presence of Maculinea teleius Bergsträsser, Maculinea alcon (Denis & Schiffermüller), and M. myrmicae larvae, representing different feeding and growth strategies inside host colonies, is associated with worker survival, the number of foragers, and colony productivity parameters such as growth and reproduction.

3. It was found that the presence of social parasites is negatively associated with total colony production and the production of ant larvae and gynes. Male production was lower only in nests infested by M. teleius, whereas the number of worker pupae was significantly higher in all types of infested colonies than in uninfested colonies. Laboratory observations indicated that nests infested by Maculinea larvae are characterised by a higher number of foragers compared to uninfested nests but we did not find differences in worker survival among nest types.

4. The observed pattern of social parasite influence on colony productivity can be explained by the feeding strategies of parasitic larvae. The most negative effect was found for M. teleius, which feeds on the largest host brood and eliminates a high number of sexual forms. The strong, adverse influence of all studied parasite species on gyne production may result in low queen production in Myrmica populations exposed to these social parasites.
Cultural Studies Methodologies and Narrative Family Therapy: Therapeutic Conversations About Pop Culture
Authors: Tilsen Julie , Nylund David
Published: February 2016

Therapists recognize that popular media culture is an influential force that shapes identities and relationships in contemporary society. Indeed, people have serious relationships with the commodities and practices that emerge from pop culture. However, they often lack the conceptual and conversational resources to engage meaningfully with clients about pop culture's influence in their lives. Cultural studies is introduced as an interdisciplinary approach that provides frameworks for both theory and practice that position therapists and clients to critically examine the role of pop culture in their lives. Cultural studies and narrative therapy are discussed as praxis allies that share a populist political intention and counter‐hegemonic discursive practices. The integration of cultural studies methodologies into narrative therapy practice with a parent and her teenage daughter is illustrated through a case vignette.
Family‐Based HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Risk Reduction for Drug‐Involved Young Offenders: 42‐Month Outcomes
Authors: Rowe Cynthia L. , Alberga Linda , Dakof Gayle A. , Henderson Craig E. , Ungaro Rocio , Liddle Howard A.
Published: February 2016

This study tested a family‐based human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention approach integrated within an empirically supported treatment for drug‐involved young offenders, Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT). A randomized, controlled, two‐site community‐based trial was conducted with 154 youth and their parents. Drug‐involved adolescents were recruited in detention, randomly assigned to either MDFT or Enhanced Services as Usual (ESAU), and assessed at intake, 3, 6, 9, 18, 24, 36, and 42‐month follow‐ups. Youth in both conditions received structured HIV/STI prevention in detention and those in MDFT also received family‐based HIV/STI prevention as part of ongoing treatment following detention release. Youth in both conditions and sites significantly reduced rates of unprotected sex acts and STI incidence from intake to 9 months. They remained below baseline levels of STI incidence (10%) over the 42‐month follow‐up period. At Site A, adolescents who were sexually active at intake and received MDFT showed greater reduction in overall frequency of sexual acts and number of unprotected sexual acts than youth in ESAU between intake and 9‐month follow‐ups. These intervention differences were evident through the 42‐month follow‐up. Intervention effects were not found for STI incidence or unprotected sex acts at Site B. Intensive group‐based and family intervention in detention and following release may reduce sexual risk among substance‐involved young offenders, and a family‐based approach may enhance effects among those at highest risk. Site differences in intervention effects, study limitations, clinical implications, and future research directions are discussed.
Expression profile and overexpression outcome indicate a role for βKlotho in skeletal muscle fibro/adipogenesis
Authors: Phelps Michael , Stuelsatz Pascal , Yablonka‐Reuveni Zipora
Published: February 2016

Regeneration of skeletal muscles is required throughout life to ensure optimal performance. Therefore, a better understanding of the resident cells involved in muscle repair is essential. Muscle repair relies on satellite cells (SCs), the resident myogenic progenitors, but also involves the contribution of interstitial cells including fibro/adipocyte progenitors (FAPs). To elucidate the role of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling in these two cell populations, we previously analyzed freshly isolated cells for their FGF receptor (FGFR) signature. Transcript analysis of the four Fgfr genes revealed distinct expression profiles for SCs and FAPs, raising the possibility that these two cell types have different FGF‐mediated processes. Here, we pursued this hypothesis exploring the role of the Klotho genes, whose products are known to function as FGFR co‐receptors for the endocrine FGF subfamily. Isolated SC and FAP populations were analyzed in culture, exhibiting spontaneous myogenic or adipogenic differentiation, respectively. αKlotho expression was not detected in either population. βKlotho expression, while not detected in SCs, was strongly upregulated in FAPs entering adipogenic differentiation, coinciding with expression of a panel of adipogenic genes and preceding the appearance of intracellular lipid droplets. Overexpression of βKlotho in mouse cell line models enhanced adipogenesis in NIH3T3 fibroblasts but had no effect on C2C12 myogenic cells. Our study supports a pro‐adipogenic role for βKlotho in skeletal muscle fibro/adipogenesis and calls for further research on involvement of the FGF–FGFR–βKlotho axis in the fibro/adipogenic infiltration associated with functional deterioration of skeletal muscle in aging and muscular dystrophy.
Pulmonary resident neutrophils regulate the production of GM‐CSF and alveolar macrophages
Authors: Tian Feng , Han Yong , Song Jian , Lei Jie , Yan Xiaolong , Xie Nianlin , Wang Jian , Zhao Jinbo , Liang Xiaohua , Zhong Daixing , Zhou Yongan , Wang Xiaoping , Li Xiaofei
Published: February 2016

Alveolar macrophages exist in the lung airspaces, and their differentiation and function are considerably regulated by the microenvironment. In this study, we examine the important role of resident neutrophil/IL‐23/granulocyte/macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) axis in the development and preferential phenotype of alveolar macrophages under physiological conditions. Using CD18‐deficient (CD18−/−) mice, we show a correlation between increased granulopoiesis and enhanced alveolar macrophage development in an IL‐23‐ and GM‐CSF‐dependent manner. The apoptotic neutrophils could inhibit the secretion of IL‐23 from alveolar macrophages, which is important for the production of GM‐CSF, and depletion of neutrophils disrupted the regulation of IL‐23 and GM‐CSF. This study reveals a mechanism for the regulation of the local alveolar macrophage population and function by neutrophil apoptosis in the circulatory system.
Competition and host size mediate larval anuran interactions with trematode parasites
Authors: Marino John A. , Holland Manja P. , Werner Earl E.
Published: February 2016

How parasites influence individual host traits and survival often depends on the ecological context of the host–parasite interaction, such as the presence of competitors or predators and trait variation among hosts.

We examined the effects of three key components of ecological context – host density, size structure and predator cue – on interactions between larval frogs and trematode parasites (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) in mesocosms.

We found that effects of parasites on host growth could be either negative or positive, depending on host size and overall growth rate, but not on predator presence. A surprising positive effect of parasites on host growth under some conditions could represent an adaptive host life history response, whereby enhanced growth allows escape from a smaller, less tolerant size class that experiences more negative fitness effects of infection.

Notably, only host size class was a strong predictor of infection intensity, but not host density or predator cue.

Overall, these results suggest that parasitism, competition and host size interact to influence host fitness. Ecological context thus mediates the interactions between parasites and their hosts, with implications for parasite effects in nature.
A randomized controlled trial protocol testing a decision support intervention for older patients with advanced kidney disease
Authors: Brown Leanne , Gardner Glenn , Bonner Ann
Published: February 2016

Aim

To assess the effectiveness of a decision support intervention using a pragmatic single blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background

Worldwide the proportion of older people (aged 65 years and over) is rising. This population is known to have a higher prevalence of chronic diseases including chronic kidney disease. The resultant effect of the changing health landscape is seen in the increase in older patients (aged ≥65 years) commencing on dialysis. Emerging evidence suggests that for some older patients dialysis may provide minimal benefit. In a majority of renal units non‐dialysis management is offered as an alternative to undertaking dialysis. Research regarding decision‐making support that is required to assist this population in choosing between dialysis or non‐dialysis management is limited.

Design

A multisite single blinded pragmatic randomized controlled trial is proposed.

Methods

Patients will be recruited from four Queensland public hospitals and randomizd into either the control or intervention group. The decision support intervention is multimodal and includes counselling provided by a trained nurse. The comparator is standard decision‐making support. The primary outcomes are decisional regret and decisional conflict. Secondary outcomes are improved knowledge and quality of life. Ethics approval obtained November 2014.

Conclusion

This is one of the first randomized controlled trials assessing a decision support intervention in older people with advance chronic kidney disease. The results may provide guidance for clinicians in future approaches to assist this population in decision‐making to ensure reduced decisional regret and decisional conflict.
Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound and computerized tomography perfusion imaging of a liver fibrosis–early cirrhosis in dogs
Authors: Liu Huanghui , Liu Jun , Zhang Yaqin , Liao Jian , Tong Qiongjuan , Gao Feng , Hu Yuequn , Wang Wei
Published: February 2016

Background and Aim

To assess liver fibrosis stages in a liver fibrosis–early cirrhosis model in dogs, the clinical efficiency of contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and computed tomography (CT) perfusion imaging were compared.

Methods

Hepatic vein arriving time (HVAT), hepatic artery arriving time, and hepatic artery to vein transit time (HA‐VTT) were measured on CEUS. Total liver perfusion (TLP), portal vein perfusion (PVP), hepatic artery perfusion, and hepatic perfusion index (HPI) were measured on CT perfusion imaging. Histologic examination of liver specimens of the animals was performed to assess the fibrosis stage.

Results

For assessment of liver fibrosis, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of CEUS indexes HVAT and HA‐VTT were 0.865 and 0.930, respectively; the perfusion CT indexes TLP, PVP, and HPI were 0.797, 0.800, and 0.220, respectively; the serological index hyaluronic acid was 0.793. While for assessment of early cirrhosis, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of CEUS indexes HVAT and HA‐VTT were 0.915 and 0.948, respectively; the perfusion CT indexes TLP, PVP, and HPI were 0.737, 0.765, and 0.218, respectively; the serological index hyaluronic acid was 0.627.

Conclusions

This study showed that both CEUS and CT perfusion imaging have the potential to be complementary imaging tools in the evaluation of liver fibrosis. While CEUS is the better choice and the index HA‐VTT can be considered as non‐invasive semi‐quantitative indexes for diagnosing liver fibrosis and early cirrhosis.
Involvement of sensory innervation in the skin of SOD1G93A ALS mice
Authors: Rubio Miguel A. , Herrando‐Grabulosa Mireia , Vilches Jorge J. , Navarro Xavier
Published: February 2016

Sensory alterations have been described in both amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients and mouse models. While involvement of intraepidermal and subepidermal axons has been shown in skin biopsies of ALS patients, it is unclear if the SOD1G93A mouse presents similar alterations. We analyzed the epidermal and dermal innervation, based on PGP9.5 immunostaining, of SOD1G93A mice at different stages. The results showed a marked reduction of intraepidermal nerve fibers, Meissner's corpuscles, and subepidermal nerve density already at 4 weeks. This loss of innervation progressed over time. Dermal axonal density decreased at a later stage of the disease. There was a gradient of axonal loss, with a more severe decline in the epidermis compared with deeper structures, indicating a distal axonal neuropathy as the mechanism of degeneration. These findings suggest that the analysis of the cutaneous sensory innervation may be an accessible and useful tool to assess the neurodegeneration process in motoneuron diseases.