bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trade and the Topography of the Spatial Economy
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Authors: Allen Treb , Arkolakis Costas
Published: May 2014

We develop a general equilibrium framework to determine the spatial distribution of economic activity on any surface with (nearly) any geography. Combining the gravity structure of trade with labor mobility, we provide conditions for the existence, uniqueness, and stability of a spatial economic equilibrium and derive a simple set of equations that govern the relationship between economic activity and the geography of the surface. We then use the framework to estimate the topography of trade costs, productivities and amenities in the United States. We find that geographic location accounts for at least twenty percent of the spatial variation in U.S. income. Finally, we calculate that the construction of the interstate highway system increased welfare by 1.1 to 1.4 percent, which is substantially larger than its cost.
Genomic diversity in European Spodoptera exigua multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus isolates
Authors: Thézé Julien , Cabodevilla Oihana , Palma Leopoldo , Williams Trevor , Caballero Primitivo , Herniou Elisabeth A.
Published: May 2014

Key virus traits such as virulence and transmission strategies rely on genetic variation that results in functional changes in the interactions between hosts and viruses. Here, comparative genomic analyses of seven isolates of Spodoptera exigua multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (SeMNPV) with differing phenotypes were employed to pinpoint candidate genes that may be involved in host–virus interactions. These isolates obtained after vertical or horizontal transmission of infection in insects differed in virulence. Apart from one genome containing a piggyBac transposon, all European SeMNPV isolates had a similar genome size and content. Complete genome analyses of single nucleotide polymorphisms and insertions/deletions identified mutations in 48 ORFs that could result in functional changes. Among these, 13 ORFs could be correlated with particular phenotypic characteristics of SeMNPV isolates. Mutations were found in all gene functional classes and most of the changes we highlighted could potentially be associated with differences in transmission. The regulation of DNA replication (helicase, lef-7) and transcription (lef-9, p47) might be important for the establishment of sublethal infection prior to and following vertical transmission. Virus–host cell interactions also appear instrumental in the modulation of viral transmission as significant mutations were detected in virion proteins involved in primary (AC150) or secondary infections (ME35) and in apoptosis inhibition (IAP2, AC134). Baculovirus populations naturally harbour high genomic variation located in genes involved at different levels of the complex interactions between virus and host during the course of an infection. The comparative analyses performed here suggest that the differences in baculovirus virulence and transmission phenotypes involve multiple molecular pathways.
An appraisal of the classic forest succession paradigm with the shade tolerance index
Authors: Lienard Jean , Florescu Ionut , Strigul Nikolay
Published: May 2014

In this paper we revisit the classic theory of forest succession that relates shade tolerance and species replacement and assess its validity to understand patch-mosaic patterns of forested ecosystems of the USA. We introduce a macroscopic parameter called the “shade tolerance index” and compare it to the classic continuum index in southern Wisconsin forests. We exemplify shade tolerance driven succession in White Pine–Eastern Hemlock forests using computer simulations and analyzing approximated chronosequence data from the USDA FIA forest inventory. We describe this parameter across the last 50 years in the ecoregions of mainland USA, and demonstrate that it does not correlate with the usual macroscopic characteristics of stand age, biomass, basal area, and biodiversity measures. We characterize the dynamics of shade tolerance index using transition matrices and delimit geographical areas based on the relevance of shade tolerance to explain forest succession. We conclude that shade tolerance driven succession is linked to climatic variables and can be considered as a primary driving factor of forest dynamics mostly in central-north and northeastern areas in the USA. Overall, the shade tolerance index constitutes a new quantitative approach that can be used to understand and predict succession of forested ecosystems and biogeographic patterns.
Data-intensive modeling of forest dynamics
Authors: Liénard Jean F. , Gravel Dominique , Strigul Nikolay S.
Published: May 2014

Forest dynamics are highly dimensional phenomena that are not fully understood theoretically. Forest inventory datasets offer unprecedented opportunities to model these dynamics, but they are analytically challenging due to high dimensionality and sampling irregularities across years. We develop a data-intensive methodology for predicting forest stand dynamics using such datasets. Our methodology involves the following steps: 1) computing stand level characteristics from individual tree measurements, 2) reducing the characteristic dimensionality through analyses of their correlations, 3) parameterizing transition matrices for each uncorrelated dimension using Gibbs sampling, and 4) deriving predictions of forest developments at different timescales. Applying our methodology to a forest inventory database from Quebec, Canada, we discovered that four uncorrelated dimensions were required to describe the stand structure: the biomass, biodiversity, shade tolerance index and stand age. We were able to successfully estimate transition matrices for each of these dimensions. The model predicted substantial short-term increases in biomass and longer-term increases in the average age of trees, biodiversity, and shade intolerant species. Using highly dimensional and irregularly sampled forest inventory data, our original data-intensive methodology provides both descriptions of the short-term dynamics as well as predictions of forest development on a longer timescale. This method can be applied in other contexts such as conservation and silviculture, and can be delivered as an efficient tool for sustainable forest management.
(E)-1,3-Dimethyl-2,6-diphenylpiperidin-4-oneO-(phenoxycarbonyl)oxime
Authors: Raghuvarman B. , Sivakumar R. , Gokula Krishnan K. , Thanikachalam V. , Aravindhan S.
Published: May 2014

The title piperidine derivative, C26H26N2O3, has anEconformation about the N=C bond. The piperidine ring has a chair conformation and its mean plane is almost perpendicular to the attached phenyl rings, making dihedral angles of 87.47 (9) and 87.34 (8)°. The planes of these two phenyl rings are inclined to one another by 60.38 (9)°. The plane of the terminal phenyl ring is tilted at an angle of 32.79 (9)° to the mean plane of the piperidine ring. The molecular conformation is stabilized by two intramolecular C—H...O contacts. There are no significant intermolecular interactions in the crystal.
2,3,5,6-Tetrafluoro-1,4-bis({[(5-methylthiophen-2-yl)methylidene]amino}methyl)benzene
Authors: Luo Hai-Kun , Qin Rui-Rui , He Ming-Yang
Published: May 2014

The title compound, C20H16F4N2S2, is a flexible bisthiophene-type Schiff base ligand with a perfluorinated backbone. The terminal thiophene rings are almost normal to one another with a dihedral angle of 83.8 (2)°, and they are tilted to the central tetrafluorinated benzene ring with dihedral angles of 61.2 (2) and 77.7 (1)°. In the crystal, there are π–π interactions involving the benzene ring and the thiophene ring of a symmetry-related molecule with a centroid–centroid separation of 3.699 (3) Å.
New ordered phase in the quasi-binary UAl3–USi3system
Authors: Rafailov Gennady , Dahan Isaac , Meshi Louisa
Published: May 2014

The industrial importance of the U–Al–Si system stems from the fact that during processing the Al-based alloy (containing Si as impurity), used for the cladding of U (fuel in nuclear reactors), undergoes heat treatment which stimulates diffusion between the fuel and the cladding. One of the possible ways to represent the ternary U–Al–Si phase diagram is the construction of an UAl3–USi3quasi-binary phase diagram. On the one hand, since the UAl3and USi3phases are isostructural, an isomorphous phase diagram is expected; on the other hand, some researchers observed a miscibility gap at lower temperatures. During our study of the UAl3–USi3quasi-binary phase diagram, a new stable U(Alx,Si1 − x)3phase was identified. The structure of this phase was determined, using a combination of electron crystallography and powder X-ray diffraction methods, as tetragonal [I4/mmm(No.139) space group], with lattice parametersa=b= 8.347 (1),c= 16.808 (96) Å. Its unit cell has 64 atoms and it can be described as an ordered variant of the U(Al,Si)3solid solution. A Bärnighausen tree was constructed using the original U(Al,Si)3structure as an aristotype.
Distributed acoustic sensing for reservoir monitoring with vertical seismic profiling
Authors: Mateeva Albena , Lopez Jorge , Potters Hans , Mestayer Jeff , Cox Barbara , Kiyashchenko Denis , Wills Peter , Grandi Samantha , Hornman Kees , Kuvshinov Boris , Berlang Wilfred , Yang Zhaohui , Detomo Rocco
Published: May 2014

Distributed Acoustic Sensing is a novel technology for seismic data acquisition, particularly suitable for Vertical Seismic Profiling. It is a break‐through for low‐cost, on‐demand, seismic monitoring of reservoirs, both onshore and offshore.

In this article we explain how Distributed Acoustic Sensing works and demonstrate its usability for typical Vertical Seismic Profiling applications such as checkshots, imaging, and time‐lapse monitoring. We show numerous data examples, and discuss Distributed Acoustic Sensing as an enabler of seismic monitoring with 3D Vertical Seismic Profiling.
Breakdown of the Gutenberg‐Richter relation for microearthquakes induced by hydraulic fracturing: influence of stratabound fractures
Authors: Eaton David W. , Davidsen Jörn , Pedersen Per Kent , Boroumand Neda
Published: May 2014

Hydraulic fracturing, a powerful completion technique used to enhance oil or gas production from impermeable strata, may trigger unintended earthquake activity. The primary basis for assessment of triggered and natural seismic hazard is the classic Gutenberg‐Richter (G‐R) relation, which expresses scale‐independent behaviour of earthquake magnitudes. Here we use a stochastic approach to simulate and test magnitude‐distance trends expressed by microseismic catalogues derived from three hydraulic fracture monitoring programmes in North America. We show that a widely observed rapid fall‐off in large‐magnitude events, almost universally quantified using the G‐R b value, may in our case be an artefact of the strongly laminated character of the stimulated oil and gas reservoirs. We also show that, for the three reservoirs considered, mechanical bed thickness can be approximated by a lognormal distribution. For a stratabound fracture network, this leads asymptotically to a Gaussian decay for induced magnitudes. We show that the stratabound model provides a more significant correspondence with our observations. If applicable in general, this result has important implications for determining the energy balance of hydraulic fracture systems (i.e. radiated seismic energy versus injected energy) as well as hazard assessments based on the probability of occurrence of anomalous seismic events.
The number of competitor species is unlinked to sexual dimorphism
Authors: Meiri Shai , Kadison Amy E. , Novosolov Maria , Pafilis Panayiotis , Foufopoulos Johannes , Itescu Yuval , Raia Pasquale , Pincheira‐Donoso Daniel
Published: May 2014

Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) can allow males and females of the same species to specialize on different sized food items and therefore minimize intraspecific competition.

Interspecific competition, however, is thought to limit sexual dimorphism, as larger competitors in the community will prevent the larger sex from evolving larger size, and smaller species may prevent the smaller sex from becoming even smaller.

We tested this prediction using data on the sexual size dimorphism of lizards, and mammalian carnivores, on islands world‐wide.

Because insular communities are depauperate, and guilds are species‐poor, it is often assumed that enhanced sexual size dimorphism is common on islands. The intensity of interspecific competition, hindering enhanced dimorphism, is thought to increase with competitor richness.

We tested whether intraspecific sexual size dimorphism of mammalian carnivores and lizards decreases with increasing island species richness. We further computed the average sexual dimorphism of species on islands and tested whether species‐rich islands are inhabited by relatively monomorphic species. Within families and guilds across carnivores and lizards, and with both intraspecific and interspecific approaches, we consistently failed to find support for the notion that species‐poor islands harbour more sexually dimorphic individuals or species.

We conclude that either interspecific competition does not affect the sexual size dimorphism of insular lizards and carnivores (i.e. character displacement and species sorting are rare in these taxa), or that the number of species in an assemblage or guild is a poor proxy for the intensity of interspecific competition in insular assemblages.
EDITOR'S CHOICE: Surrounding habitats mediate the trade‐off between land‐sharing and land‐sparing agriculture in the tropics
Authors: Gilroy James J. , Edwards Felicity A. , Medina Uribe Claudia A. , Haugaasen Torbjørn , Edwards David P.
Published: May 2014

Two strategies are often promoted to mitigate the effects of agricultural expansion on biodiversity: one integrates wildlife‐friendly habitats within farmland (land sharing), and the other intensifies farming to allow the offset of natural reserves (land sparing). Their relative merits for biodiversity protection have been subject to much debate, but no previous study has examined whether trade‐offs between the two strategies depend on the proximity of farmed areas to large tracts of natural habitat.

We sampled birds and dung beetles across contiguous forests and agricultural landscapes (low‐intensity cattle farming) in a threatened hotspot of endemism: the Colombian Chocó‐Andes. We test the hypothesis that the relative biodiversity benefits of either strategy depend partially on the degree to which farmlands are isolated from large contiguous blocks of forest.

We show that distance from forest mediates the occurrence of many species within farmland. For the majority of species, occurrence on farmland depends on both isolation from forest and the proportionate cover of small‐scale wildlife‐friendly habitats within the farm landscape, with both variables having a similar overall magnitude of effect on occurrence probabilities.

Simulations suggest that the biodiversity benefits of land sharing decline significantly with increasing distance from forest, but land sparing benefits remain consistent. In farm management units situated close to large contiguous forest (<500 m), land sharing is predicted to provide equal benefits to land sparing, but land sparing becomes increasingly superior in management units situated further from forest (1500 m). The predicted biodiversity benefits of land sparing are similar across all distances, provided that sparing mechanisms genuinely deliver protection for contiguous forest tracts.

Synthesis and applications. The persistence of bird and dung beetle communities in low‐intensity pastoral agriculture is strongly linked to the proximity of surrounding contiguous forests. Land‐sharing policies that promote the integration of small‐scale wildlife‐friendly habitats might be of limited benefit without simultaneous measures to protect larger blocks of natural habitat, which could be achieved via land‐sparing practices. Policymakers should carefully consider the extent and distribution of remaining contiguous natural habitats when designing agri‐environment schemes in the tropics.
Differentiating genetic and environmental drivers of plant–pathogen community interactions
Authors: Busby Posy E. , Newcombe George , Dirzo Rodolfo , Whitham Thomas G.
Published: May 2014

Plant genotypic variation can shape associated arthropod and microbial communities locally, as has been demonstrated in controlled common garden experiments. However, the relative roles of plant genetics and the environment in defining communities at larger spatial scales are not well known. The environmental heterogeneity hypothesis maintains that plant genetic effects on associated communities diminish across the landscape as environmental variation predominates. Alternatively, the local adaptation hypothesis argues that plant genetic effects change across landscapes as a result of species interactions being locally adapted. Thus, very different mechanisms could produce similar patterns.

Using replicated common gardens located along an elevation and distance gradient, observational studies in the wild, and a greenhouse inoculation experiment, we examined these two non‐mutually exclusive hypotheses for Populus angustifolia and its fungal leaf pathogen community.

Supporting the environmental heterogeneity hypothesis, plant genotypic effects on fungal leaf pathogen communities were two to three times stronger within than among gardens. Consistent with the local adaptation hypothesis, plant genotypic effects on pathogens also varied significantly among gardens (i.e. G × E interaction effect). Observational data from the wild and our greenhouse inoculation experiment unveiled clinal adaptation in plant genetic resistance that is correlated with disease risk along the elevation gradient, but did not support local pathogen adaptation to plants or vice versa.

Synthesis. While our study found that plant genotype plays a significant role in shaping associated pathogen communities at local and geographic scales, the environment most strongly influenced P. angustifolia leaf pathogens at the geographic scale. Plant genetic effects on pathogens were also influenced by the environment, highlighting the potential for environmental (e.g. climate) change to trigger local evolutionary responses in plant–pathogen community interactions.
Digitalization and Promotion: An Empirical Study in a Large Law Firm
Authors: Brivot Marion , Lam Helen , Gendron Yves
Published: May 2014

In law firms, the number of hours that associates work reportedly plays a preponderant role in promotion decisions. We build on previous research in this area by distinguishing the effect of ‘development hours’ from ‘billable hours’ on promotions and by assessing the extent to which billable hours are still important criteria today, in digitalized environments where efficiency is, presumably, likely to matter more than working long hours. We also examine whether certain types of behaviours, like associates' interactions with technology, may be associated directly or indirectly with a higher likelihood of promotion. We studied these questions in the context of a large corporate law firm in continentalEurope, focusing on the promotion of 93 lawyers between 2005 and 2010. We found that both billable and development hours are still significant positive predictors of promotions and that associates' ability to use the case firm's computer‐mediated knowledge management system productively is indirectly rewarded by promotion. This research reasserts the fundamental role of billable hours as one of the primary means for evaluating lawyers' work and suggests that using knowledge management systems gives associates an edge in the race for promotion, particularly in law firms moving along the ‘evolutionary path’ of legal service, from bespoke to commoditized work (Susskind, R. (2010).The End of Lawyers? Rethinking the Nature of Legal Services. Oxford: Oxford University Press).
Forensic Informativity of ~3000 bp of Coding Sequence of Domestic Dog mtDNA
Authors: Angleby Helen , Oskarsson Mattias , Pang Junfeng , Zhang Ya‐ping , Leitner Thomas , Braham Caitlyn , Arvestad Lars , Lundeberg Joakim , Webb Kristen M. , Savolainen Peter
Published: May 2014

The discriminatory power of the noncoding control region (CR) of domestic dog mitochondrial DNA alone is relatively low. The extent to which the discriminatory power could be increased by analyzing additional highly variable coding regions of the mitochondrial genome (mtGenome) was therefore investigated. Genetic variability across the mtGenome was evaluated by phylogenetic analysis, and the three most variable ~1 kb coding regions identified. We then sampled 100 Swedish dogs to represent breeds in accordance with their frequency in the Swedish population. A previously published dataset of 59 dog mtGenomes collected in the United States was also analyzed. Inclusion of the three coding regions increased the exclusion capacity considerably for the Swedish sample, from 0.920 for the CR alone to 0.964 for all four regions. The number of mtDNA types among all 159 dogs increased from 41 to 72, the four most frequent CR haplotypes being resolved into 22 different haplotypes.
Celiac disease diagnosis: Impact of guidelines on medical prescription in France
Authors: Pham Bach Nga , Musset Lucile , Chyderiotis Georges , Olsson Nils Olivier , Fabien Nicole
Published: May 2014

Objective

Celiac disease is a complex autoimmune disease affecting patients of any age, who may present a wide variety of clinical manifestations. Different guidelines for the diagnosis and management of celiac disease have been recently published. The aim of this study was to determine whether the recommendations issued in these guidelines have been adopted by physicians in France when celiac disease was suspected.

Methods

A total of 5521 physicians were asked to fill in a detailed questionnaire on diagnosing celiac disease to evaluate their medical practice, as to the type of symptoms leading to the suspicion of celiac disease, the prescription of duodenal biopsy or serological tests, the type of serological tests (anti‐tissue transglutaminase, anti‐endomysium, anti‐gliadin and anti‐reticulin antibodies, total immunoglobulin A measurement) prescribed to diagnose celiac disease.

Results

The analysis of the responses of 256 general practitioners (GPs), 221 gastroenterologists and 227 pediatricians showed that the protean clinical presentations of celiac disease might be better recognized by gastroenterologists and pediatricians than by GPs. Gastroenterologists asked for duodenal biopsy much more often than GPs and pediatricians when celiac disease was suspected. Serological testing and knowledge of critical markers, prescribed to diagnose celiac disease, differed among GPs, gastroenterologists and pediatricians.

Conclusion

Analysis of medical prescriptions showed that the recommendations for celiac disease diagnosis are not necessarily followed by physicians, emphasizing the fact that the impact of national or international guidelines on medical behavior should be evaluated.
Prognostic factors in patients with postoperative brain recurrence from completely resected non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Kanou Takashi , Okami Jiro , Tokunaga Toshiteru , Ishida Daisuke , Kuno Hidenori , Higashiyama Masahiko
Published: May 2014

Background

Treatment strategies for brain metastasis from lung cancer have been making progress. The aim of this retrospective analysis was to investigate the post‐recurrent prognostic factors in patients with brain metastasis after complete resection of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 40 patients found to have postoperative brain metastasis from NSCLC in our institution from 2002 to 2008. All patients had undergone radical pulmonary resection for the lung cancer. The impact of numerous variables on survival were assessed, including gender, age, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), tumor size, N status, histological type, number of brain metastases, tumor size of brain metastasis, presence of symptoms from the brain tumor(s), and use of perioperative chemotherapy.

Results

The median follow‐up was 20.6 months (range, 3.4–66 months). The five‐year survival rate from the diagnosis of brain recurrence was 22.5%. In univariate analysis, the favorable prognostic factors after brain recurrence included a normal range of CEA, no extracranial metastasis, no symptoms from the brain metastasis, brain metastasis (less than 2 cm), and radical treatment (craniotomy or stereotactic radiosurgery [SRS]). The multivariate Cox model identified that a small brain metastasis and radical treatment were independent favorable prognostic factors.

Conclusions

This study found that the implementation of radical therapy for metastatic brain tumor(s) when the tumor is still small contributed to an increase in patients' life expectancy.
Dexamethasone for pain after outpatient shoulder surgery: a randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: BJØRNHOLDT K. T. , MØNSTED P. N. , SØBALLE K. , NIKOLAJSEN L.
Published: May 2014

Background

Dexamethasone has analgesic properties when given intravenously before surgery, but the optimal dose has not been determined. We hypothesised that a dose of 40 mg dexamethasone would improve analgesia after outpatient shoulder surgery compared with 8 mg.

Methods

A randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial was conducted at Horsens Regional Hospital, Denmark. Patients scheduled for arthroscopic subacromial decompression and/or acromioclavicular joint resection as an outpatient procedure (n = 101) were randomised to receive intravenous dexamethasone 40 mg (D40), 8 mg (D8) or placebo (D0) before surgery. The primary outcome was pain intensity 8 h after surgery rated on a numeric rating scale of 0 to 10. Secondary outcomes were pain intensity, analgesic consumption and side effects during the first 3 days after surgery.

Results

Data from 73 patients were available for analysis: (D40: 25, D8: 26, D0: 22 patients). Eight hours after surgery, pain intensity were: [median (interquartile range)] group D40: 2 (1–4), group D8: 2.5 (1–5), group D0: 4 (2–7). There was no significant difference in pain intensity between group D40 and D8 after 8 h (P = 0.46) or at any other time. When comparing all three groups, a statistically significant dose–response relationship was seen for present, average and worst pain intensity after 8 h and on the following morning. No differences were found in analgesic consumption. No serious side effects were observed.

Conclusion

Although our data supported a dose–response relationship, increasing the dexamethasone dose from 8 to 40 mg did not improve analgesia significantly after outpatient shoulder surgery.
Alcohol industry sponsorship and hazardous drinking in UK university students who play sport
Authors: O'Brien Kerry S. , Ferris Jason , Greenlees Ian , Jowett Sophia , Rhind Daniel , Cook Penny A. , Kypri Kypros
Published: May 2014

Aim

To examine whether receipt of alcohol industry sponsorship is associated with problematic drinking in UK university students who play sport.

Methods

University students (n = 2450) participating in sports were invited to complete a pen‐and‐paper questionnaire by research staff approaching them at sporting facilities and in university settings. Respondents were asked whether they, personally, their team and/or their club were currently in receipt of sponsorship (e.g. money, free or subsidized travel or sporting products) from an alcohol‐related industry (e.g. bars, liquor stores, wholesalers), and whether they had solicited the sponsorship. Drinking was assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT).

Results

Questionnaires were completed by 2048 of those approached (response rate = 83%). Alcohol industry sponsorship was reported by 36% of the sample. After accounting for confounders (age, gender, disposable income and location) in multivariable models, receipt of alcohol sponsorship by a team (adjusted βadj = 0.41, P = 0.013), club (βadj = 0.73, P = 0.017), team and club (βadj = 0.79, P = 0.002) and combinations of individual and team or club sponsorships (βadj = 1.27, P < 0.002) were each associated with significantly higher AUDIT‐consumption substance scores. Receipt of sponsorship by team and club [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.04; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.04–3.99] and combinations of individual and team or club sponsorships (aOR = 4.12; 95% CI = 1.29–13.15) were each associated with increased odds of being classified a hazardous drinker (AUDIT score >8). Respondents who sought out sponsorship were not at greater risk than respondents, or whose teams or clubs, had been approached by the alcohol industry.

Conclusions

University students in the United Kingdom who play sport and who personally receive alcohol industry sponsorship or whose club or team receives alcohol industry sponsorship appear to have more problematic drinking behaviour than UK university students who play sport and receive no alcohol industry sponsorship. Policy to reduce or cease such sponsorship should be considered.
Investigation of Galectin‐3 Function in the Reproductive Tract by Identification of Binding Ligands in Human Seminal Plasma
Authors: Kovak Matthew R. , Saraswati Sarika , Schoen David J. , Diekman Alan B.
Published: May 2014

Problem

Galectin‐3 is a β‐galactoside binding protein with immunomodulatory properties and exerts its extracellular functions via interactions with glycoconjugate ligands. Therefore, to elucidate the function of galectin‐3, binding ligands in human seminal plasma were investigated.

Method of study

Galectin‐3 binding proteins were isolated from seminal plasma by affinity chromatography, and candidate ligands were identified by MS/MS. Biochemical methods were used to characterize the ability of galectin‐3 to bind its ligands.

Results

Identified galectin‐3 ligands included CD13, MUC6, PAP, PSA, and ZAG. 1D and 2D electrophoretic analysis of seminal plasma demonstrated that CD13, PAP, PSA, and ZAG immunoreactivity co‐migrated with galectin‐3‐reactive protein bands and spots at expected molecular weights and pIs. Inhibition assays indicated that CD13, PSA, PAP, and ZAG interact with galectin‐3 in a protein–carbohydrate manner.

Conclusion

The galectin‐3 binding ligands identified in this study indicate multiple roles for galectin‐3 in the reproductive and immunological functions of seminal plasma.
Association between fetal abdominal circumference and birthweight in maternal hyperglycemia
Authors: Lee Bang Hyun , Park Tae Chul , Lee Hee Joong
Published: May 2014

Objectives

To compare fetal abdominal circumference and its relationship with birthweight at increasing gestational ages in the context of maternal hyperglycemia of varying severity.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Two centers participated in building one database.

Population

A total of 1538 Korean pregnant women were subjected to a two‐step approach to diagnose gestational diabetes mellitus.

Methods

Pregnant women were classified into gestational diabetes mellitus, borderline gestational diabetes mellitus, and normal groups. Fetal abdominal circumferences, which were measured with ultrasound at 4‐week intervals starting at 16 weeks of gestation and ending prior to delivery, were evaluated in the groups.

Main outcome measure

The significance of fetal abdominal circumferences as predictors or risk factors of macrosomia/large‐for‐gestational age.

Results

Fetal abdominal circumferences measured from 16 weeks of gestation until prior to delivery predicted birthweight in all groups with some exceptions. Fetal abdominal circumferences measured from 32 weeks of gestation until prior to delivery were predictive of macrosomia in all groups. Fetal abdominal circumferences measured from 28 weeks of gestation until prior to delivery were predictive of neonates being large‐for‐gestational age in all groups. Fetal abdominal circumferences measured at 16 and 24 weeks of gestation were also predictive of large‐for‐gestational age in the borderline gestational diabetes mellitus group. Fetal abdominal circumference measured at 24 weeks of gestation was also a predictor of macrosomia/large‐for‐gestational age in normal women.

Conclusions

Fetal abdominal circumferences measured during the second and especially third trimesters were significantly associated with excessive birthweight, irrespective of the severity of maternal glucose intolerance.
Prophylactic treatment of retinal breaks – a systematic review
Authors: Blindbæk Søren , Grauslund Jakob
Published: May 2014

Prophylactic treatment of retinal breaks has been examined in several studies and reviews, but so far, no studies have successfully applied a systematic approach. In the present systematic review, we examined the need of follow‐up after posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) – diagnosed by slit‐lamp biomicroscopy or Goldmann 3‐mirror examination – with regard to retinal breaks as well as the indication of prophylactic treatment in asymptomatic and symptomatic breaks. A total of 2941 publications were identified with PubMed and Medline searches. Two manual search strategies were used for papers in English published before 2012. Four levels of screening identified 13 studies suitable for inclusion in this systematic review. No meta‐analysis was conducted as no data suitable for statistical analysis were identified. In total, the initial examination after symptomatic PVD identified 85–95% of subsequent retinal breaks. Additional retinal breaks were only revealed at follow‐up in patients where a full retinal examination was compromised at presentation by, for example, vitreous haemorrhage. Asymptomatic and symptomatic retinal breaks progressed to rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in 0–13.8% and 35–47% of cases, respectively. The cumulated incidence of RRD despite prophylactic treatment was 2.1–8.8%. The findings in this review suggest that follow‐up after symptomatic PVD is only necessary in cases of incomplete retinal examination at presentation. Prophylactic treatment of symptomatic retinal breaks must be considered, whereas no unequivocal conclusion could be reached with regard to prophylactic treatment of asymptomatic retinal breaks.
Development and psychometric properties of theSwedishALPS‐Neo pain and stress assessment scale for newborn infants
Authors: Lundqvist Pia , Kleberg Agneta , Edberg Anna‐Karin , Larsson Björn A , Hellström‐Westas Lena , Norman Elisabeth
Published: May 2014

Aim

To validate and evaluate the psychometric properties of theALPS‐Neo, a new pain assessment scale created for the continuous evaluation of pain and stress in preterm and sick term infants.

Methods

A unidimensional scale for continuous pain, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital Pain Scale (ALPS1), was developed further to assess continuous pain and stress in infants treated in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The pain scale includes observations of five behaviours. A manual was created, clarifying the scoring criteria. An internal and an external panel assessed face validity. Psychometric properties were evaluated in three different steps. Inter‐rater reliability was estimated from video‐based assessments (n = 625) using weighted kappa statistics (testI). Inter‐rater reliability was further evaluated in testII(n = 125) and testIII(n = 96) by real‐time assessments using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach's alpha.

Results

The final inter‐rater reliability (testIII) was assessed as good withICC0.91 for the total score and 0.62–0.81 for the five items. Cronbach's alpha showed 0.95 for the total score.

Conclusion

ALPS‐Neo is a new assessment tool for optimising the management of pain and stress in newborn infants in theNICU. It has proved easy to implement and user‐friendly, permitting fast, reliable observations with high inter‐rater reliability.
Increased circulating inflammatory markers may indicate that formula‐fed children are at risk of atherosclerosis
Authors: Roszkowska Renata , Taranta‐Janusz Katarzyna , Tenderenda‐Banasiuk Edyta , Wasilewska Anna
Published: May 2014

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine whether formula‐fed children have higher serum monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1) and uric acid levels than breast‐fed children and to evaluate the association between these inflammatory markers and breastfeeding duration.

Methods

The study group consisted of 87 patients aged between five and 32 months. Participants were divided into breast‐fed and formula‐fed groups and into age groups of ≤12 months and >12 months. MCP‐1 was measured by the commercial immunoenzymatic ELISA kit, and uric acid was assessed using the colorimetric method.

Results

Children in the formula‐fed group had statistically significant higher serum MCP‐1 and uric acid levels than breast‐fed children (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). Anthropometric parameters were comparable in both groups. Serum MCP‐1 and uric acid levels were negatively correlated with duration of breastfeeding (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05). There was a positive relationship between serum MCP‐1 and uric acid concentrations (r = 0.27, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Increased circulating inflammatory markers may indicate that formula‐fed children are at risk of atherosclerosis. However, further studies are needed.
Amplitude‐integrated electroencephalography shows that doxapram influences the brain activity of preterm infants
Authors: Czaba‐Hnizdo Christine , Olischar Monika , Rona Zsofia , Weninger Manfred , Berger Angelika , Klebermass‐Schrehof Katrin
Published: May 2014

Aim

The aim of this study was to measure the brain activity of preterm infants treated with caffeine citrate and doxapram for preterm apnoea, using amplitude‐integrated electroencephalography (aEEG), to identify any adverse effects on cerebral function.

Methods

We analysed the aEEG tracings of 13 preterm infants <30 weeks of gestation before, during and after doxapram treatment, with regard to background activity (percentages of continuous and discontinuous patterns), occurrence of sleep‐wake cycling and appearance of electrographic seizure activity. They were also compared with 61 controls without doxapram treatment.

Results

During doxapram treatment, aEEG tracings showed an increase in continuous background activity (19 ± 30% before treatment, 38 ± 35% during treatment) and a decrease in discontinuous patterns. In addition, they showed more frequent electrographic seizure activity (0% before treatment, 15 ± 37% during treatment) and less frequent sleep‐wake cycling (92 ± 27% before treatment, 85 ± 37% during treatment) could be observed. These results were confirmed when compared to the control group.

Conclusion

Doxapram treatment influences aEEG in preterm infants, showing higher percentages of continuous activity as well as more electrographic seizure activity and less sleep‐wake cycling. It should, therefore, be used with caution in very preterm infants.
Limited professional guidance and literature are available to guide the safe use of neuromuscular block in infants
Authors: Honsel Maik , Giugni Cristina , Brierley Joe
Published: May 2014

Aim

Neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) are used in a range of critical illnesses in neonates and infants, despite a lack of guidelines and professional standards. This study reviewed the current evidence base and ascertained UK practice regarding the continuous use of these agents in this age range.

Methods

We reviewed the literature and carried out a telephone questionnaire of all tertiary units in England and specialist children's hospital neonatal units in the UK.

Results

No best practice guidelines or general consensus statements were found, and the only randomised trial to feature an NMBA protocol expressed concerns about its use in such young babies. Of the 56 units contacted, 54 (96.4%) shared information. Only three of the 56 (5.4%) used intermittent boluses of NMBAs, 91.1% used NMBA infusions, 11 (19.6%) routinely used regular neuromuscular blocker pause to assess depth, and only one (1.8%) used peripheral nerve stimulation monitoring. All the units carried out clinical assessments, but only one (1.8%) had a written protocol.

Conclusion

There is a paucity of literature and professional standards to guide the safe use of NMBAs in infants. Of the 54 units who participated in the survey, only one had a protocol for using NMBAs in babies.
A randomised controlled trial of an automated oxygen delivery algorithm for preterm neonates receiving supplemental oxygen without mechanical ventilation
Authors: Zapata James , Gómez John Jairo , Araque Campo Robinson , Matiz Rubio Alejandro , Sola Augusto
Published: May 2014

Aim

Providing consistent levels of oxygen saturation (SpO2) for infants in neonatal intensive care units is not easy. This study explored how effectively the Auto‐Mixer® algorithm automatically adjusted fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) levels to maintain SpO2 within an intended range in extremely low birth weight infants receiving supplemental oxygen without mechanical ventilation.

Methods

Twenty extremely low birth weight infants were randomly assigned to the Auto‐Mixer® group or the manual intervention group and studied for 12 h. The SpO2 target was 85–93%, and the outcomes were the percentage of time SpO2 was within target, SpO2 variability, SpO2 >95%, oxygen received and manual interventions.

Results

The percentage of time within intended SpO2 was 58 ± 4% in the Auto‐Mixer® group and 33.7 ± 4.7% in the manual group, SpO2 >95% was 26.5% vs 54.8%, average SpO2 and FiO2 were 89.8% vs 92.2% and 37% vs 44.1%, and manual interventions were 0 vs 80 (p < 0.05). Brief periods of SpO2 < 85% occurred more frequently in the Auto‐Mixer® group.

Conclusion

The Auto‐Mixer® effectively increased the percentage of time that SpO2 was within the intended target range and decreased the time with high SpO2 in spontaneously breathing extremely low birth weight infants receiving supplemental oxygen.
Children with asthma have significantly lower long‐term cortisol levels in their scalp hair than healthy children
Authors: Kamps Arvid W.A. , Molenmaker Marco , Kemperman Ramses , van der Veen Betty S. , Bocca Gianni , Veeger Nic J.G.M.
Published: May 2014

Aim

Noninvasive measurement of long‐term cortisol levels is a useful way of evaluating the effect of chronic disease on the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis in children. The aim of this pilot study was to compare hair cortisol levels in children using inhaled corticosteroids for asthma and healthy children and to determine the association with short‐term salivary cortisol levels.

Methods

Cortisol levels were measured in the scalp hair and saliva of prepubertal children with asthma (n = 10) and without asthma (n = 10). Asthma control was assessed using an asthma questionnaire and pulmonary function tests.

Results

The median (95% CI) cortisol level in the scalp hair of the children with asthma (2.0 pg/mg; 1.4–4.1) was significantly lower than the healthy children (4.3 pg/mg; 1.8–5.9). Morning salivary cortisol levels were significantly lower for the children with asthma (5.9 nmol/L; 3.2–11.1) than the healthy children (9.0 nmol/L; 4.4–31.6). There was no significant association between cortisol levels in hair and saliva.

Conclusion

Long‐term cortisol levels were significantly lower in children with asthma than healthy children. Measuring long‐term cortisol levels in scalp hair is an attractive, noninvasive tool that can evaluate the effect of asthma and its treatment on the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis.
Noninvasive evaluation of swallowing sound is an effective way of diagnosing feeding maturation in newborn infants
Authors: Ince Deniz Anuk , Ecevit Ayşe , Acar Banu Oskay , Saracoglu Ahmet , Kurt Abdullah , Tekindal Mustafa Agah , Tarcan Aylin
Published: May 2014

Aim

Despite extensive research, there is still controversy regarding the time at which sucking and swallowing functions mature in preterm infants. This study aimed to evaluate maturation using the noninvasive method of swallowing sound.

Methods

We compared 52 preterm infants of between 27 and 36 weeks' gestational age with a control group of 42 healthy full‐term infants. Feeding performance was based on swallowing data collected during two‐minute audio recordings. The following variables were generated for each evaluation: total number of swallows, total number of rhythmic swallows, total number of resting intervals, average time between resting intervals, average time between swallows, average time between rhythmic swallows, maximum number of rhythmic swallows and volume of milk ingested. The dependency of the variables on postmenstrual age was also investigated.

Results

The volume of milk ingested by the preterm infants and the maximum number of rhythmic swallows were positively correlated with postmenstrual age (PMA). The preterm infants reached the 10th percentile of the control infants at 34–35 weeks' PMA and were not significantly different from the control infants at 38–40 weeks' PMA.

Conclusion

Swallowing sound can be used to assess feeding maturation in preterm infants during neonatal intensive care unit follow‐up.
Sensilla on antenna, ovipositor and leg of Eriborus applicitus (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), a parasitoid wasp of Holcocerus insularis staudinger (Lepidoptera: Cossidae)
Authors: Zhang Lu , Feng Yu‐qian , Ren Li‐li , Luo You‐qing , Wang Feng , Zong Shi‐xiang
Published: May 2014

Eriborus applititus Sheng & Sun (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) is a specialist parasitoid of the small carpenter moth Holcocerus insularis Staudinger (Lepidoptera: Cossidae). Each year damages to trees caused by H. insularis lead to extensive economic and ecological losses. E. applititus is thus a promising candidate for use as a biocontrol agent against H. insularis. To investigate the means by which E. applititus locates and parasitizes H. insularis, we used scanning electron microscopy to determine the morphology and distribution of sensilla on antenna, ovipositor and leg of male and female E. applititus. Eight different sensilla types were found: sensilla chaetica, sensilla trichodea, sensilla placodea, sensilla basiconica, sensilla coeloconica, sensilla pit basiconica, sensilla campaniformia and Böhm's bristles. The sensilla types were differently distributed in the three organs. In addition, differences between sexes were found in the distribution of sensilla trichodea type 2, sensilla placodea and sensilla chaetica type 4. Putative functions of the sensilla are discussed based on the morphological and location data and on previous research. Chemosensitive sensilla are putatively involved in host detection, pheromone detection and host discrimination processes. Mechanoreceptive sensilla likely function as vibrational sensors and are thought to be critical for accurate ovipositor positioning.
Dental anomalies within extant members of the mammalian Order Pilosa
Authors: McAfee Robert K.
Published: May 2014

Recent discovery of a supernumerary dental anomaly in two‐toed sloths led to an extensive review of extant sloth specimens to look for additional anomalies. In total, 881 museum specimens were examined. These revealed two primary types of anomalies, hyperdontia (extra teeth) and anodontia (loss of teeth), occurring at a rate of 2.4% (n = 21). Two‐toed sloths,Choloepus, were more likely to have hyperdontia in the anterior dentition, whereas three‐toed sloths,Bradypus, experienced anodontia more frequently with the upper caniniforms. Both genera experienced both anomalies. The majority affected the upper dentition, with only three specimens exhibiting mandibular anomalies. Beyond the patterns of tooth positioning, all anomalies were random with respect to age, sex and geography. A few specimens not counted in the initial assessment expressed incomplete anodontia, indicating that the loss occurred postnatally and was not an embryological anomaly. ForBradypus, the findings provide new support for the hypothesis that the taxon represents a neotenic lineage and opens new possibilities about its relationship to the extinct ground sloths with a suggested rooting above that of the basal position it typically occupies for Folivora.