bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ability to gall: the ultimate basis of host specificity in fig wasps?
Authors: GHANA SALAH , SULEMAN NAZIA , COMPTON STEPHEN G. 
Published: February 2015

1. Fig trees (Ficus spp.) and their host‐specific pollinator fig wasps (Agaonidae) are partners in an obligate mutualism. Receptive phase figs release specific volatiles to attract their pollinators, and this is generally effective in preventing pollinator species from entering figs of the wrong hosts.2. If entry is attempted into atypical host figs, then ostiole size and shape and style length may also prevent reproduction. In spite of these barriers, there is increasing evidence that fig wasps enter atypical hosts, and that this can result in hybrid seed and fig wasp offspring.3. This study examines the basis of pollinator specificity in two dioecious fig species from different geographical areas. Kradibia tentacularis pollinates Ficus montana in Asia. Ficus asperifolia from East Africa is closely related but is pollinated by a different species of Kradibia.4. In glasshouses, K. tentacularis was attracted to its normal host, F1s and backcrosses, but only rarely entered figs of F. asperifolia. Foundresses were able to lay eggs in hybrids, backcrosses, and F. asperifolia, although flower occupancy was lowest in F. asperifolia figs and intermediate in hybrids.5. The fig wasp failed to reproduce in female F. montana, male F. asperifolia, and male F1s, and most but not all backcrosses to F. montana. This was a result of the failure to initiate gall production.6. Host specificity in this fig wasp is strongly influenced by host volatiles, but the ability to gall may be the ultimate determinant of whether it can reproduce.
Genetic variation in dieback resistance in Fraxinus excelsior confirmed by progeny inoculation assay
Authors: Lobo A. , McKinney L. V. , Hansen J. K. , Kjær E. D. , Nielsen L. R. 
Published: February 2015

SummaryAsh dieback caused by the pathogenic fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus [previously known as H. pseudoalbidus (sexual stage) and Chalara fraxinea (asexual stage)] is a widespread problem in Europe. Here, we assess crown damage from natural infection and necrosis development following artificial controlled inoculations on full‐sib and half‐sib progeny from Danish Fraxinus excelsior clones with contrasting and well‐characterized levels of susceptibility to the disease. The inoculation assay was performed on a total of 123 offspring, and necrosis development monitored over two years. The offspring from low susceptible mother clones developed smaller necroses when compared to offspring from susceptible clones. Their crown damage due to natural infections was also significantly less. The correlation coefficient between average crown damages of mother clones and the average of their progeny was 0.85 (natural infections), while the correlation between crown damage of mother clones and the average necrosis development in their progeny after controlled inoculation was 0.73. The correlation between resistance of parent trees and crown damage/necrosis development on their offspring confirms the presence of heritable resistance and indicates that a bioassay based on controlled inoculations has the potential of becoming a fast and cost‐effective tool for estimation of dieback susceptibility in breeding programmes for resistance in ash trees.
OCTET‐CY: a phase II study to investigate the efficacy of post‐transplant cyclophosphamide as sole graft‐versus‐host prophylaxis after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation
Authors: Holtick Udo , Chemnitz Jens‐Markus , Shimabukuro‐Vornhagen Alexander , Theurich Sebastian , Chakupurakal Geothy , Krause Anke , Fiedler Anne , Luznik Leo , Hellmich Martin , Wolf Dominik , Hallek Michael , von Bergwelt‐Baildon Michael , Scheid Christof 
Published: February 2015

AbstractObjectivePost‐transplant cyclophosphamide is increasingly used as graft‐versus‐host disease (GvHD) prophylaxis in the setting of bone marrow transplantation. No data have been published on the use of single‐agent GvHD prophylaxis with post‐transplant cyclophosphamide in the setting of peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT).MethodsIn a phase II trial, 11 patients with myeloma or lymphoma underwent conditioning with fludarabine and busulfan followed by T‐replete PBSCT and application of 50 mg/kg/d of cyclophosphamide on day+3 and +4 without other concurrent immunosuppression (IS).ResultsMedian time to leukocyte, neutrophil, and platelet engraftment was 18, 21, and 18 d. The incidence of grade II–IV and grade III–IV GvHD was 45% and 27%, with a non‐relapse mortality (NRM) of 36% at one and 2 yr. After median follow‐up of 927 d, overall and relapse‐free survival was 64% and 34%. Three patients did not require any further systemic IS until day+100 and thereafter. Analysis of immune reconstitution demonstrated rapid T‐ and NK‐cell recovery. B‐ and CD3+/CD161+NK/T‐cell recovery was superior in patients not receiving additional IS.ConclusionPost‐transplant cyclophosphamide as sole IS in PBSCT is feasible and allows rapid immune recovery. Increased rates of severe acute GvHD explain the observed NRM and may advise a temporary combination partner such as mTor‐inhibitors in the PBSCT setting.
18FDG‐PET in different subtypes of temporal lobe epilepsy: SEEG validation and predictive value
Authors: Guedj Eric , Bonini Francesca , Gavaret Martine , Trébuchon Agnès , Aubert Sandrine , Boucekine Mohamed , Boyer Laurent , Carron Romain , McGonigal Aileen , Bartolomei Fabrice 
Published: February 2015

SummaryObjectiveThe objective of the study was to characterize interictal 18‐fluorodeoxyglucose–positron emission tomography (18FDG‐PET) whole‐brain voxel‐based metabolic patterns among distinct subtypes of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), as defined by stereo–electroencephalography (SEEG) and to determine predictive value of PET result on postoperative outcome.MethodsFifty‐four consecutive patients with pharmacoresistant TLE were enrolled retrospectively after a comprehensive presurgical evaluation. This evaluation defined: 7 lateral TLE, 17 mesial TLE, 14 “plus” TLE, and 16 bilateral TLE. Whole‐brain voxel‐based brain metabolism was studied in each group of patients, in comparison to 23 healthy subjects, and individual classification was evaluated by cross‐validation using the found clusters. An 18FDG‐PET index was moreover calculated for each patient, based on the individual Z‐score of the most significant cluster extracted on the comparison between patients' subgroup and healthy subjects. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate factors associated with postoperative outcome (Engel's classes III–IV vs. I–II), including age, gender, disease duration, seizure frequency, as well as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and PET findings.ResultsDifferent patterns of hypometabolism were found inside and outside the epileptogenic zone, among patients with distinct subgroups of TLE, in comparison to healthy subjects (p < 0.001, corrected for the cluster). At individual level, cross‐validation showed satisfactory discrimination between the four groups with 71.4–88.2% overall accuracy. Multivariate analysis shows that 18FDG‐PET index was the only significant predictor of postoperative outcome to distinguish between Engel's classes I–II and III–IV (p = 0.037).SignificanceOverall, this whole‐brain voxel‐based analysis validates specific patterns of hypometabolism, inside and outside the EZ, in distinct subgroups of patients with TLE, as defined by SEEG gold standard, and in relation with postoperative outcome.
Presurgery resting‐state local graph‐theory measures predict neurocognitive outcomes after brain surgery in temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Doucet Gaelle E. , Rider Robert , Taylor Nathan , Skidmore Christopher , Sharan Ashwini , Sperling Michael , Tracy Joseph I. 
Published: February 2015

SummaryObjectiveThis study determined the ability of resting‐state functional connectivity (rsFC) graph‐theory measures to predict neurocognitive status postsurgery in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) who underwent anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL).MethodsA presurgical resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) condition was collected in 16 left and 16 right TLE patients who underwent ATL. In addition, patients received neuropsychological testing pre‐ and postsurgery in verbal and nonverbal episodic memory, language, working memory, and attention domains. Regarding the functional data, we investigated three graph‐theory properties (local efficiency, distance, and participation), measuring segregation, integration and centrality, respectively. These measures were only computed in regions of functional relevance to the ictal pathology, or the cognitive domain. Linear regression analyses were computed to predict the change in each neurocognitive domain.ResultsOur analyses revealed that cognitive outcome was successfully predicted with at least 68% of the variance explained in each model, for both TLE groups. The only model not significantly predictive involved nonverbal episodic memory outcome in right TLE. Measures involving the healthy hippocampus were the most common among the predictors, suggesting that enhanced integration of this structure with the rest of the brain may improve cognitive outcomes. Regardless of TLE group, left inferior frontal regions were the best predictors of language outcome. Working memory outcome was predicted mostly by right‐sided regions, in both groups. Overall, the results indicated our integration measure was the most predictive of neurocognitive outcome. In contrast, our segregation measure was the least predictive.SignificanceThis study provides evidence that presurgery rsFC measures may help determine neurocognitive outcomes following ATL. The results have implications for refining our understanding of compensatory reorganization and predicting cognitive outcome after ATL. The results are encouraging with regard to the clinical relevance of using graph‐theory measures in presurgical algorithms in the setting of TLE.
Parental education predicts change in intelligence quotient after childhood epilepsy surgery
Authors: Meekes Joost , van Schooneveld Monique M. J. , Braams Olga B. , Jennekens‐Schinkel Aag , van Rijen Peter C. , Hendriks Marc P. H. , Braun Kees P. J. , van Nieuwenhuizen Onno 
Published: February 2015

SummaryObjectiveTo know whether change in the intelligence quotient (IQ) of children who undergo epilepsy surgery is associated with the educational level of their parents.MethodsRetrospective analysis of data obtained from a cohort of children who underwent epilepsy surgery between January 1996 and September 2010. We performed simple and multiple regression analyses to identify predictors associated with IQ change after surgery. In addition to parental education, six variables previously demonstrated to be associated with IQ change after surgery were included as predictors: age at surgery, duration of epilepsy, etiology, presurgical IQ, reduction of antiepileptic drugs, and seizure freedom. We used delta IQ (IQ 2 years after surgery minus IQ shortly before surgery) as the primary outcome variable, but also performed analyses with pre‐ and postsurgical IQ as outcome variables to support our findings. To validate the results we performed simple regression analysis with parental education as the predictor in specific subgroups.ResultsThe sample for regression analysis included 118 children (60 male; median age at surgery 9.73 years). Parental education was significantly associated with delta IQ in simple regression analysis (p = 0.004), and also contributed significantly to postsurgical IQ in multiple regression analysis (p = 0.008). Additional analyses demonstrated that parental education made a unique contribution to prediction of delta IQ, that is, it could not be replaced by the illness‐related variables. Subgroup analyses confirmed the association of parental education with IQ change after surgery for most groups.SignificanceChildren whose parents had higher education demonstrate on average a greater increase in IQ after surgery and a higher postsurgical—but not presurgical—IQ than children whose parents completed at most lower secondary education. Parental education—and perhaps other environmental variables—should be considered in the prognosis of cognitive function after childhood epilepsy surgery.
Equine laryngeal dysplasia
Authors: Barakzai S. Z. 
Published: February 2015

SummaryEquine 4th and 6th branchial arch defects are not uncommon in the equine population at large but can be challenging to diagnose and treat. An understanding of the anatomical structures that can be involved and how structural abnormalities may affect laryngeal function is important for clinicians faced with such cases. Diagnosis is often made using resting endoscopic examination alone but, in many cases, laryngeal ultrasound, radiography and 3‐dimensional (3D) imaging techniques can be useful in confirming a diagnosis and for detecting which structures are abnormal. Exercising endoscopy is an important tool when ascertaining whether treatment is an option, for guiding treatment choice and making a prognosis for athletic function.
Modeling environmental, temporal and spatial effects on twaite shad (Alosa fallax) by‐catches in the centralMediterraneanSea
Authors: La Mesa Gabriele , Annunziatellis Aldo , Filidei Elio , Fortuna Caterina Maria 
Published: February 2015

AbstractModeling the relationships between environmental factors and the distribution at sea of species of conservation interest can be useful in predicting their occurrence from a local to a regional scale. This information is essential for planning management and conservation initiatives. In this study, generalized additive models (GAMs) were applied to investigate the influence of environmental, temporal and spatial variables on the catch rates of the twaite shadAlosa fallax(Lacepède) by the pelagic trawl fishery in the north‐central Adriatic Sea. Presence/absence and abundance [catch per unit effort (CPUE)] data between 2006 and 2012 were separately modeled, and the two models were then validated using a test data set. The most important factor influencing the presence and abundance of adult twaite shads was the spatial predictor (latitude × longitude). Two areas of major shads aggregations were observed, the most important of which being located near the estuaries of three main river systems of northern Italy. The twaite shad presence was also significantly affected by season, the largest and lowest occurrences being observed in autumn and spring, respectively. Among the environmental variables tested, only sea surface temperature was included in both models.Alosa fallaxshowed a wide thermal tolerance (6–27°C) with preference for temperature around 23°C. The model developed from the abundance data showed a moderate predictive power, whereas the accuracy of the presence/absence model was rather low. Some conclusions on the ecological requirements ofA. fallaxat sea arising from this study are useful to orient future monitoring and research programs and to develop effective conservation actions.
Helicobacter pylori Induces Serine Phosphorylation of EGFR via Novel TAK1–p38 Activation Pathway in an HB‐EGF‐Independent Manner
Authors: Zaidi Syed Faisal , Refaat Alaa , Zhou Yue , Sualeh Muhammad Jibran , Shin Myoung‐Sook , Saiki Ikuo , Sakurai Hiroaki , Sugiyama Toshiro 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe interaction of Helicobacter pylori with gastric epithelial cells can result in the activation of transcription factor NF‐κB via TGF‐β‐activated kinase 1 (TAK1). In this study, we have demonstrated the role of H. pylori in the activation of EGFR via TAK1‐mediated phosphorylation of p38.Materials and MethodsGastric epithelial AGS or MKN‐45 cells were co‐cultured with wild‐type or cagA− H. pylori strains. H. pylori was added to the cells, and the activation of EGFR, p65 (NF‐κB) subunit, p38, ERK, and TAK1 was examined by Western blotting. Infected cells were pretreated with or without ligands, chemical inhibitors, anti‐HB‐EGF antibody, and siRNAs to evaluate the effects on phosphorylation of various EGFR residues. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry were performed to detect the internalization of EGFR.ResultsIncubating cells with wild‐type and CagA− H. pylori strains resulted in the rapid and transient phosphorylation of serine residues of EGFR. RNAi experiments using siRNA against TAK1 and p38 pathways blocked the phosphorylation of serine residue. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry revealed that EGFR was internalized in H. pylori‐infected cells after EGFR phosphorylation in a p38‐dependent manner. In contrast, pretreatment with gefitinib and anti‐HB‐EGF antibody did not block both the phosphorylation and internalization of EGFR.ConclusionHelicobacter pylori induces internalization of EGFR via novel TAK1–p38–serine activation pathway which is independent of HB‐EGF. The interaction between TAK1 and EGFR in H. pylori‐infected cells might open new dimensions in understanding H. pylori‐associated gastric carcinogenesis.
Morphologic and Histologic Changes in Gastric Adenomas After Helicobacter pylori Eradication: A Long‐Term Prospective Analysis
Authors: Suzuki Sho , Gotoda Takuji , Suzuki Haruhisa , Kono Shin , Iwatsuka Kunio , Kusano Chika , Oda Ichiro , Sekine Shigeki , Moriyasu Fuminori 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBackgroundHelicobacter pylori infection causes gastric neoplasia via development of chronic atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia. The effect of H. pylori eradication on pre‐existing gastric neoplasias is still controversial. The aim of this study was to use long‐term observation to clarify morphologic and histologic changes in gastric adenomas following H. pylori eradication.Materials and MethodsTwenty‐seven patients with gastric adenomas (revised Vienna classification category 3 or 4.1) who underwent successful H. pylori eradication between April 1996 and December 1997 were followed up at regular intervals with endoscopic and histologic examination. The association between macroscopic and histologic regressions of the lesions and the following patient and lesion characteristics was assessed with univariate analysis: follow‐up period, age, sex, serum pepsinogen level, lesion size, lesion location, and histologic gastritis.ResultsThe mean follow‐up period was 91.9 months (range 44–181 months). Twelve lesions (44.4%) showed macroscopic regression, of which 7 (25.9% of the total) also showed histologic regression, with the mean duration from H. pylori eradication to complete macroscopic and histologic regression being 19.9 months. The other 15 lesions (55.6%) remained stable macroscopically and histologically, of which 6 (22.2% of the total) progressed to malignancy during the follow‐up period. Univariate analysis revealed that female sex (p = .005), smaller lesion size (p = .025), higher baseline serum pepsinogen II level (p = .041), and absence of intestinal metaplasia in the greater curvature of the corpus (p = .026) were significantly associated with complete regression.ConclusionsHelicobacter pylori eradication may induce regression in some gastric adenomas.
High‐level expression of Hsp90β is associated with poor survival in resectable non‐small‐cell lung cancer patients
Authors: Kim Seok‐Hyun , Ji Jun Ho , Park Kyung Tae , Lee Ji Hyun , Kang Kyung Woo , Park Jae Hong , Hwang Sang Won , Lee Eun Hee , Cho Yu Ji , Jeong Yi Yeong , Kim Ho‐Cheol , Lee Jong Deog , Jang Inseok , Lee Jong Sil , Lee Hyoun Wook , Lee Gyeong‐Won 
Published: February 2015

AimsThe aim of this study was to investigate the expression of Hsp90β and GRP94, and elucidate the clinical significance of their expression, in patients with resectable non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods and resultsSurgical tissue specimens were obtained from 208 patients with NSCLC who underwent surgical resection. The expression levels of Hsp90β and GRP94 were assessed with tissue microarrays and immunohistochemistry. No correlations were observed between Hsp90β or GRP94 expression and several clinicopathological factors. The high‐Hsp90β group [median overall survival (OS) 20.4 months; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.000–40.864] showed a significant decrease in OS as compared with the low‐Hsp90β group (median OS not reached; P = 0.003). In contrast to the Hsp90β analysis, the GRP94 analysis did not show a difference in OS. Moreover, in subgroup analyses of patients with squamous cell carcinoma histology, OS (P = 0.012) and relapse‐free survival (P = 0.044) were significantly worse in the high‐Hsp90β group than in the low‐Hsp90β group. Multivariate analysis suggested that old age [hazard ratio (HR) 1.568; 95% CI 1.019–2.412; P = 0.041], advanced disease (HR 2.066; 95% CI 1.218–3.502; P = 0.007) and high Hsp90β expression (HR 1.802; 95% CI 1.061–3.060; P = 0.029) were independent poor prognostic factors for OS.ConclusionsHsp90β expression might be a useful marker of poor OS, although further large prospective studies are warranted to validate our findings.
On the Consequences of Pro‐Cyclical Fiscal Policy
Authors: McManus Richard , Ozkan F. Gulcin 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThere is widespread evidence that pro‐cyclical fiscal policies have been prevalent in developing countries and often in some industrial nations. It is therefore surprising that, in contrast to the wealth of studies on the sources of pro‐cyclical policy, potential consequences of such seemingly suboptimal policies have been largely ignored in the existing literature. By utilising a comprehensive set of indicators from 114 countries for 1950–2010, we aim to address the following important question: does it matter whether a country adopts a pro‐cyclical fiscal policy stance rather than a counter‐cyclical one? Our results produce a resounding ‘yes’ to this question. We find that fiscally pro‐cyclical countries have lower rates of economic growth, higher rates of output volatility and higher rates of inflation.
Is UK Vice Chancellor Pay Justified by University Performance?
Authors: Bachan Ray , Reilly Barry 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThe pay of university managers (vice chancellors, VCs) in the UK has risen sharply in recent years. This paper considers the extent to which VC pay awards are related to university performance measures based around institution mission and financial probity using an individual fixed effects strategy based on data covering academic years 1998–99 to 2008–09. In contrast to earlier studies on this theme, we find evidence that VCs are rewarded for observable mission‐based performance measures. Specifically, our results suggest that success in widening participation for students from comprehensive schools and those from areas with low university participation exerts a positive effect on VCs' pay. Securing income flows from university funding council grants also impacts positively on their remuneration. However, even after controlling for a rich array of observable and unobservable factors, there have been sizeable increases in real pay in recent years that cannot be readily explained.