bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phenotypic characterization of the Nigerian Muscovy Ducks (Cairina moschata)
Authors: Oguntunji A.O. , Ayorinde K.L. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryPhenotypic description helps in assessing the physical attributes of species and is also an indicator of the relevance and importance attached to such attributes in their natural environments. This study was conducted to describe patterns and distribution of phenotypic diversity in Nigerian Muscovy ducks. One thousand and twenty (1 020) adult male and female Muscovy ducks reared extensively were randomly drawn from the Rain Forest, Derived Savanna and Guinea Savanna agro-ecological zones/ecotypes and were visually appraised and scored for plumage, skin, shank, feet/web, bill, bean and caruncle colours. Data on qualitative traits were analysed with descriptive statistics (percentages) while fixed effect model was used to investigate relationship between plumage and skin colours and body weight. Results revealed variations in qualitative traits; however, across ecotypes, the predominant plumage, skin, shank, feet, bill, bean and caruncle colours were mottled (45 percent), white (88 percent), yellow (50 percent), yellow (60 percent), black (58 percent), black (69 percent) and red (84 percent), respectively. Besides, significant (P &lt; 0.05) association was observed between plumage and skin colours and body weight. The reported variations in phenotypic traits of Nigerian Muscovy ducks indicate diversity in their genome, absence of selection and the need for their selection and improvement.
The oestrogen receptor alpha-regulated lncRNA NEAT1 is a critical modulator of prostate cancer
Authors: Chakravarty Dimple , Sboner Andrea , Nair Sujit S. , Giannopoulou Eugenia , Li Ruohan , Hennig Sven , Mosquera Juan Miguel , Pauwels Jonathan , Park Kyung , Kossai Myriam , MacDonald Theresa Y. , Fontugne Jacqueline , Erho Nicholas , Vergara Ismael A. , Ghadessi Mercedeh , Davicioni Elai , Jenkins Robert B. , Palanisamy Nallasivam , Chen Zhengming , Nakagawa Shinichi , Hirose Tetsuro , Bander Neil H. , Beltran Himisha , Fox Archa H. , Elemento Olivier , Rubin Mark A. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe androgen receptor (AR) plays a central role in establishing an oncogenic cascade that drives prostate cancer progression. Some prostate cancers escape androgen dependence and are often associated with an aggressive phenotype. The oestrogen receptor alpha (ERα) is expressed in prostate cancers, independent of AR status. However, the role of ERα remains elusive. Using a combination of chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and RNA-sequencing data, we identified an ERα-specific non-coding transcriptome signature. Among putatively ERα-regulated intergenic long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), we identified nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) as the most significantly overexpressed lncRNA in prostate cancer. Analysis of two large clinical cohorts also revealed that NEAT1 expression is associated with prostate cancer progression. Prostate cancer cells expressing high levels of NEAT1 were recalcitrant to androgen or AR antagonists. Finally, we provide evidence that NEAT1 drives oncogenic growth by altering the epigenetic landscape of target gene promoters to favour transcription.
The immunoglobulin tail tyrosine motif upgrades memory-type BCRs by incorporating a Grb2-Btk signalling module
Authors: Engels Niklas , König Lars M. , Schulze Wiebke , Radtke Daniel , Vanshylla Kanika , Lutz Johannes , Winkler Thomas H. , Nitschke Lars , Wienands Jürgen 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe vigorous response of IgG-switched memory B cells to recurring pathogens involves enhanced signalling from their B-cell antigen receptors (BCRs). However, the molecular signal amplification mechanisms of memory-type BCRs remained unclear. Here, we identify the immunoglobulin tail tyrosine (ITT) motif in the cytoplasmic segments of membrane-bound IgGs (mIgGs) as the principle signal amplification device of memory-type BCRs in higher vertebrates and decipher its signalling microanatomy. We show that different families of protein tyrosine kinases act upstream and downstream of the ITT. Spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) activity is required for ITT phosphorylation followed by recruitment of the adaptor protein Grb2 into the mIgG-BCR signalosome. Grb2 in turn recruits Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (Btk) to amplify BCR-induced Ca2+ mobilization. This molecular interplay of kinases and adaptors increases the antigen sensitivity of memory-type BCRs, which provides a cell-intrinsic trigger mechanism for the rapid reactivation of IgG-switched memory B cells on antigen recall.
Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Meningiomas for the Identification of Surrogate Protein Markers
Authors: Sharma Samridhi , Ray Sandipan , Moiyadi Aliasgar , Sridhar Epari , Srivastava Sanjeeva 
Published: November 2014

AbstractMeningiomas are the most common non-glial tumors of the brain and spine. Pathophysiology and definite histological grading of meningiomas are frequently found to be deceptive due to their unusual morphological features and locations. Here for the first time we report a comprehensive serum proteomic analysis of different grades of meningiomas by using multiple quantitative proteomic and immunoassay-based approaches to obtain mechanistic insights about disease pathogenesis and identify grade specific protein signatures. In silico functional analysis revealed modulation of different vital physiological pathways including complement and coagulation cascades, metabolism of lipids and lipoproteins, immune signaling, cell growth and apoptosis and integrin signaling in meningiomas. ROC curve analysis demonstrated apolipoprotein E and A-I and hemopexin as efficient predictors for meningiomas. Identified proteins like vimentin, alpha-2-macroglobulin, apolipoprotein B and A-I and antithrombin-III, which exhibited a sequential increase in different malignancy grades of meningiomas, could serve as potential predictive markers.
Increased radiation from Chernobyl decreases the expression of red colouration in natural populations of bank voles (Myodes glareolus)
Authors: Boratyński Zbyszek , Lehmann Philipp , Mappes Tapio , Mousseau Timothy A. , Møller Anders Pape 
Published: November 2014

AbstractPheomelanin is a pink to red version of melanin pigment deposited in skin and hair. Due to its bright colour, pheomelanin plays a crucial function in signalling, in particular sexual signalling. However, production of pheomelanin, as opposed to its dark alternative, eumelanin, bears costs in terms of consumption of antioxidants important for protection of DNA against naturally produced reactive oxidative species. Therefore, decreased expression of pheomelanin is expected in organisms exposed to severe oxidative stress such as that caused by exposure to chronic ionizing radiation. We tested if variable exposure to radiation among natural populations of bank voles Myodes glareolus in Chernobyl affected expression of red colouration in their dorsal fur. The relative redness of dorsal fur was positively correlated with weight, but also negatively correlated with the level of background radiation. These results suggest that the development of the natural red colouration in adult bank voles is affected by ionizing background radiation and potentially causing elevated levels of oxidative stress. Reduced production of pheomelanin allows more antioxidants to mitigate the oxidative stress caused by radiation. However, changing natural animal colouration for physiological reasons can have ecological costs, if e.g. it causes mismatch with habitat colouration and conspicuousness for predators.
Blood Pressure Percentiles in 22,051 German Children and Adolescents: The PEP Family Heart Study
Authors: Schwandt Peter , Scholze Juergen E. , Bertsch Thomas , Liepold Evelyn , Haas Gerda M. 
Published: November 2014

BACKGROUND
Strong associations between blood pressure (BP) and overweight raise the question whether overweight children (body mass index (BMI) ≥85th percentile) should be included in the normative database.

METHODS
Using the LMS (Lamda-Mu-Sigma) method, we developed age-, gender-, and height-adjusted percentile curves for systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at the 50th, 85th, 90th, 95th, and 97th percentiles in 22,051 German youths (18,917 normal-weight, 1,938 overweight, and 1,196 obese) aged 3–18 years from yearly cross-sectional surveys of the PEP Family Heart Study Nuremberg.

RESULTS
Among children, we found no gender differences for BP and BMI. Male adolescents are taller and heavier. The mean prevalence of hypertension and obesity is 7.3% and 5.2% among children and 7.2% and 5.8% among adolescents, respectively. The prevalence of elevated BP increased substantially by weight groups achieving 24.4% in obese females and 21.9% in obese males with odds ratios of 5.9 (95% confidence interval (CI): 5.1–7.5) and 4.3 (95% CI: 3.5–5.2), respectively. The shapes of the 10 LMS-smoothed SBP and DBP percentile curves differ substantially between gender and weight group. The normal-weight percentiles are nearly identical with the overall growth charts, but separate percentiles for overweight and obese youths provide considerably higher values, such as 148/91 vs. 136/86 mm Hg for a 17-year-old male and 136/91 vs. 123/81 mm Hg for female, respectively, at the 90th percentile.

CONCLUSIONS
Because of substantially higher BP percentiles, separate databases for overweight and obese children and adolescents are strongly recommended.
Ustiloxins, fungal cyclic peptides, are ribosomally synthesized in Ustilaginoidea virens
Authors: Tsukui Takahiro , Nagano Nozomi , Umemura Myco , Kumagai Toshitaka , Terai Goro , Machida Masayuki , Asai Kiyoshi 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Motivation: Ustiloxins A and B are toxic cyclic tetrapeptides, Tyr-Val/Ala-Ile-Gly (Y-V/A-I-G), that were originally identified from Ustilaginoidea virens, a pathogenic fungus affecting rice plants. Contrary to our report that ustiloxin B is ribosomally synthesized in Aspergillus flavus, a recent report suggested that ustiloxins are synthesized by a non-ribosomal peptide synthetase in U.virens. Thus, we analyzed the U.virens genome, to identify the responsible gene cluster.
Results: The biosynthetic gene cluster was identified from the genome of U.virens based on homologies to the ribosomal peptide biosynthetic gene cluster for ustiloxin B identified from A.flavus. It contains a gene encoding precursor protein having five Tyr-Val-Ile-Gly and three Tyr-Ala-Ile-Gly motifs for ustiloxins A and B, respectively, strongly indicating that ustiloxins A and B from U.virens are ribosomally synthesized.
Availability and implementation: Accession codes of the U.virens and A.flavus gene clusters in NCBI are BR001221 and BR001206, respectively.
Contact: umemura-m@aist.go.jp or asai@k.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Multi-kilobase homozygous targeted gene replacement in human induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Byrne Susan M. , Ortiz Luis , Mali Prashant , Aach John , Church George M. 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Sequence-specific nucleases such as TALEN and the CRISPR/Cas9 system have so far been used to disrupt, correct or insert transgenes at precise locations in mammalian genomes. We demonstrate efficient ‘knock-in’ targeted replacement of multi-kilobase genes in human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). Using a model system replacing endogenous human genes with their mouse counterpart, we performed a comprehensive study of targeting vector design parameters for homologous recombination. A 2.7 kilobase (kb) homozygous gene replacement was achieved in up to 11% of iPSC without selection. The optimal homology arm length was around 2 kb, with homology length being especially critical on the arm not adjacent to the cut site. Homologous sequence inside the cut sites was detrimental to targeting efficiency, consistent with a synthesis-dependent strand annealing (SDSA) mechanism. Using two nuclease sites, we observed a high degree of gene excisions and inversions, which sometimes occurred more frequently than indel mutations. While homozygous deletions of 86 kb were achieved with up to 8% frequency, deletion frequencies were not solely a function of nuclease activity and deletion size. Our results analyzing the optimal parameters for targeting vector design will inform future gene targeting efforts involving multi-kilobase gene segments, particularly in human iPSC.
The Impact of Housing Assistance on Child Outcomes: Evidence from a Randomized Housing Lottery
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Authors: Jacob Brian A. , Kapustin Max , Ludwig Jens 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
One long-standing motivation for low-income housing programs is the possibility that housing affordability and housing conditions generate externalities, including on children’s behavior and long-term life outcomes. We take advantage of a randomized housing voucher lottery in Chicago in 1997 to examine the long-term impact of housing assistance on a wide variety of child outcomes, including schooling, health, and criminal involvement. In contrast to most prior work focusing on families in public housing, we focus on families living in unsubsidized private housing at baseline, for whom voucher receipt generates large changes in both housing and nonhousing consumption. We find that the receipt of housing assistance has little, if any, impact on neighborhood or school quality or on a wide range of important child outcomes.
Effective Reversal of Edoxaban-associated Bleeding with Four-factor Prothrombin Complex Concentrate in a Rabbit Model of Acute Hemorrhage
Authors: Herzog Eva , Kaspereit Franz , Krege Wilfried , Doerr Baerbel , Mueller-Cohrs Jochen , Pragst Ingo , Morishima Yoshiyuki , Dickneite Gerhard 
Published: November 2014

AbstractAbstract
In a rabbit model of acute hemorrhage, a four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate also significantly decreased edoxaban-associated bleeding and improved hemostatic activation.

Background:
Edoxaban is an oral, selective direct factor Xa inhibitor approved in Japan for venous thromboembolism prevention after orthopedic surgery. Data are lacking regarding reversal strategies for edoxaban; this study assessed whether four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (Beriplex®/Kcentra®; CSL Behring GmbH, Marburg, Germany) can effectively reverse its effects on hemostasis using a previously described rabbit model.

Methods:
The study comprised assessments of thrombin generation in vitro, pharmacokinetic parameters, and edoxaban reversal in vivo. In a blinded in vivo stage, a standardized kidney incision was performed in animals (n = 11 per group) randomized to receive vehicle + saline, edoxaban (1,200 μg/kg) + saline, or edoxaban (1,200 μg/kg) + four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (50 IU/kg). Animals were monitored for treatment impact on hemostasis and coagulation parameters. Data are median (range). Statistical tests were adjusted for multiple testing.

Results:
Edoxaban administration increased blood loss (30 [2 to 44] ml) and time to hemostasis (23 [8.5 to 30.0] min) compared with the control group (3 [1 to 8] ml and 3 [2.0 to 5.0] min, respectively). Biomarkers of coagulation (prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, whole blood clotting time) and thrombin generation parameters (e.g., peak thrombin, endogenous thrombin potential, lag time) were also affected by edoxaban. Administration of four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate significantly reduced time to hemostasis (to 8 [6.5 to 14.0] min, observed P < 0.0001) and total blood loss (to 9 [4 to 22] ml, observed P = 0.0050) compared with the edoxaban + saline group. Of the biomarkers tested, prothrombin time, whole blood clotting time, and endogenous thrombin potential correlated best with clinical parameters.

Conclusion:
In a rabbit model of hemostasis, four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate administration significantly decreased edoxaban-associated hemorrhage.
Maternal Supplementation With Natural or Synthetic Vitamin E and Its Levels in Human Colostrum
Authors: Clemente Heleni A. , Ramalho Heryka M.M. , Lima Mayara S.R. , Grilo Evellyn C. , Dimenstein Roberto 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACTObjectives:Newborns are considered a high‐risk group for vitamin E deficiency. Breast milk is a source of alpha‐tocopherol (α‐TOH), a form of vitamin E that prevents deficiency. The present study aimed to assess whether supplementation with a natural or synthetic form of α‐TOH, in addition to maternal sources of vitamin E, would increase the concentration of α‐TOH in colostrum.Methods:A total of 109 healthy lactating women were recruited from a Brazilian public maternity clinic and randomized into 3 groups: control without supplementation (n = 36), natural α‐TOH supplementation (n = 40), and synthetic α‐TOH supplementation (n = 33). Blood and colostrum samples were collected before and after supplementation to check the nutritional status of these women by high‐performance liquid chromatography. The Kruskal‐Wallis test was applied for independent samples, and Tukey test was used for 2‐way analysis of the averages of the groups. The baseline nutritional status of vitamin E of all of the lactating women enrolled in the trial was considered adequate.Results:Women who received supplementation had higher concentrations of α‐TOH in colostrum than the control group, with 57% and 39% increases in women supplemented with the natural and synthetic forms of α‐TOH, respectively.Conclusions:Supplementation with both forms of α‐TOH increased vitamin E concentrations in colostrum; however, the natural form was more efficient in increasing the levels.
Extending Supplementary Feeding for Children Younger Than 5 Years With Moderate Acute Malnutrition Leads to Lower Relapse Rates
Authors: Trehan Indi , Banerjee Somalee , Murray Ellen , Ryan Kelsey N. , Thakwalakwa Chrissie , Maleta Kenneth M. , Manary Mark J. 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACTObjectives:Children with moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) have a high rate of relapse and death in the year following recovery. In this pilot study, we evaluate the long‐term benefits of an extended course of nutritional therapy for children with MAM.Methods:Rural Malawian children 6 to 59 months old with MAM, defined as a weight‐for‐height z score (WHZ) between −2 and −3, were provided supplementary feeding for a fixed duration of 12 weeks. The children were then studied for 12 months to assess long‐term nutritional status, and compared with children initially treated only until they first reached WHZ > −2.Results:Compared with children treated until they reached WHZ > −2, children treated for 12 weeks were more likely to remain well nourished (71% vs 63%, P = 0.0015) and maintain more normal anthropometric indices during 12 months of follow‐up; there was also a trend towards lower rates of severe acute malnutrition (7% vs 10%, P = 0.067) and death (2% vs 4%, P = 0.082). Regression modeling showed that mid‐upper arm circumference and WHZ at the end of supplementary feeding were the most important factors in predicting which children remained well nourished (P < 0.001 for each).Conclusions:The duration of supplementary feeding for children with MAM may not be as important as their anthropometry in terms of remaining well nourished after initial recovery. The presently accepted recovery criteria of WHZ of −2 may be insufficient for ensuring long‐term nutritional health; consideration should be given to setting higher recovery criteria.
Predicting public or private feedback-seeking behaviors
Authors: A. Cheramie Robin 
Published: November 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the presence of an audience inhibits or facilitates feedback-seeking behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach
– A sample of 148 employees completed a survey questionnaire regarding feedback-seeking behaviors. Perceived value of public and private feedback, public self-consciousness (PSC), and tolerance for ambiguity were used to predict public or private feedback-seeking behaviors. Hierarchical multiple regression were used to test the hypotheses.

Findings
– Statistically significant relationships were found between perceived value of public feedback, PSC, tolerance for ambiguity, and public feedback seeking. Subsequently, statistically significant relationships were only found between perceived value of private feedback, tolerance for ambiguity, and private feedback seeking.

Research limitations/implications
– Future research should focus on how individuals respond to less privacy in the workplace in regards to feedback-seeking behaviors.

Practical implications
– Many more companies are moving to open office spaces and cubicles which suggest there is less privacy for employees to seek feedback. This study found that employees do make a distinction when seeking feedback in a public or private context.

Originality/value
– This is the first field study to identify specific antecedents relating to seeking feedback in a public or private context. With this study, the feedback context becomes another important variable in understanding how an individual's feedback environment may relate to feedback seeking.
Psychological influences on customer willingness to pay and choice in automated retail settings
Authors: Dixit Ashutosh , D. Hall Kenneth , Dutta Sujay 
Published: November 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of price attribute framing and factors such as urgency and perceived price fairness on customer willingness to pay (WTP) in automated retail settings.

Design/methodology/approach
– The authors conducted two sets of quasi-experimental scenarios surrounding vending-machine purchase decisions. The first set was analyzed with MANOVA, the second set with choice-based conjoint (CBC) analysis.

Findings
– When prices are framed positively (as a discount), customer WTP is higher at high published price levels than it is for unframed or negatively framed prices. The effect on WTP holds whether the reference price range is broad (few large increments) or narrow (numerous small increments). In the CBC scenarios, immediate availability of the product was most influential on choice, followed by price and brand effects. These findings held under conditions invoking both urgency and price fairness. Providing an explanation for higher prices increases perceived price fairness.

Research limitations/implications
– Further study might assess the presence or absence of interaction effects in the conjoint scenarios.

Practical implications
– Managers should consider transparency in dynamic pricing, particularly when the price change is outside the control of the firm. The conjoint scenario results also offer evidence that dynamic pricing will not impact other marketing-mix decisions for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) dramatically (availability at point of purchase and presence in the consumer consideration set remain strong influences on choice).

Social implications
– Understanding these effects on WTP could help managers manage perceptions of unfairness and optimize WTP.

Originality/value
– A theoretical contribution from this study is that the immediate loss/gain consideration under theories of decision making under uncertainty outweigh considerations such as scarcity urgency or perceived unfairness. Use of conjoint analysis in WTP research, study of dynamic pricing in FMCG setting.