bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
OsWRKY22, a monocot WRKY gene, plays a role in the resistance response to blast
Authors: ABBRUSCATO PAMELA , NEPUSZ TAMÁS , MIZZI LUCA , DEL CORVO MARCELLO , MORANDINI PIERO , FUMASONI IRENE , MICHEL CORINNE , PACCANARO ALBERTO , GUIDERDONI EMMANUEL , SCHAFFRATH ULRICH , MOREL JEAN‐BENOÎT , PIFFANELLI PIETRO , FAIVRE‐RAMPANT ODILE
Published: March 2012

With the aim of identifying novel regulators of host and nonhost resistance to fungi in rice, we carried out a systematic mutant screen of mutagenized lines. Two mutant wrky22 knockout lines revealed clear‐cut enhanced susceptibility to both virulent and avirulent Magnaporthe oryzae strains and altered cellular responses to nonhost Magnaporthe grisea and Blumeria graminis fungi. In addition, the analysis of the pathogen responses of 24 overexpressor OsWRKY22 lines revealed enhanced resistance phenotypes on infection with virulent M. oryzae strain, confirming that OsWRKY22 is involved in rice resistance to blast. Bioinformatic analyses determined that the OsWRKY22 gene belongs to a well‐defined cluster of monocot‐specific WRKYs. The co‐regulatory analysis revealed no significant co‐regulation of OsWRKY22 with a representative panel of OsWRKYs, supporting its unique role in a series of transcriptional responses. In contrast, inquiring a subset of biotic stress‐related Affymetrix data, a large number of resistance and defence‐related genes were found to be putatively co‐expressed with OsWRKY22. Taken together, all gathered experimental evidence places the monocot‐specific OsWRKY22 gene at the convergence point of signal transduction circuits in response to both host and nonhost fungi encountering rice plants.
Assessment of concordance of symptom reflux association tests in ambulatory pH monitoring
Authors: Kushnir V. M. , Sathyamurthy A. , Drapekin J. , Gaddam S. , Sayuk G. S. , Gyawali C. P.
Published: March 2012

Background

Both simple proportions and statistical tests are utilised for symptom‐reflux association. We systematically compared three such tests in a clinical setting.

Aim

To compare the three commonly used symptom reflux association tests in a large cohort of patients undergoing ambulatory pH monitoring for the evaluation of oesophageal symptoms.

Methods

Ambulatory pH data from 772 symptomatic subjects (49.1 ± 0.5 years; 479 F) tested off therapy were assessed for acid exposure time (AET, elevated when pH <4 for ≥4%), symptom index (SI, ≥50% when positive), and symptom association probability (SAP) and Ghillebert probability estimate (GPE, P < 0.05 when positive). Test concordance and discordance were individually assessed; discordance between statistical tests was minor if one had P < 0.1 while the other was positive. Logistic regression determined independent predictors of test discordance.

Results

The SAP, GPE and SI were positive in 42.7%, 39.3% and 33.9% respectively. GPE performed extremely well compared to SAP (sensitivity 0.95, specificity 0.91), with major discordance in only 2.8%. Positive concordance was significantly higher when AET was abnormal. GPE underestimated symptom association compared to SAP, whereas SAP was subject to symptom over‐counting in 33.3% of discordant cases. GPE‐SAP discordance was associated with higher AET (7.5% vs. 5.1%) and more symptoms (19.3 vs. 10.7, P > 0.001 for each comparison with concordant tests); both remained significant on logistic regression analysis (P ≤ 0.003). SI was discordant with SAP when symptoms were extremely frequent (median 19, IQR 10–32) or limited (median 1, IQR 1–2), and concordant when median 6 symptoms (IQR 3–12) were recorded.

Conclusions

The GPE can be used interchangeably with SAP in symptom reflux association. SI has uncertain value with very high and very low symptom counts.
Supragastric belches are the main determinants of troublesome belching symptoms in patients with gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease
Authors: Kessing B. F. , Bredenoord A. J. , Velosa M. , Smout A. J. P. M.
Published: March 2012

Background

Patients with gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) frequently report excessive belching but it is not known what determines the severity of these complaints.

Aim

To determine what causes troublesome belching symptoms in GERD patients.

Methods

We included 90 consecutive patients who were referred for ambulatory 24‐h pH‐impedance measurement as part of the analysis of reflux symptoms. Overall severity of belching was reported by the patients using a 3‐point scale. Furthermore, each belch perceived during the ambulatory measurement was reported by the patients using a symptom diary.

Results

No significant differences in frequency of gastric belches or combined liquid reflux and gastric belches were observed. However, the number of supragastric belches was significantly higher in patients with severe belching complaints compared to patients with moderate and none to mild complaints. Moreover, the number of supragastric belches which coincided with a liquid reflux episode was significantly higher in patients with severe complaints than in those with moderate and none to mild complaints. Per‐patient analysis showed that belches coinciding with a liquid reflux event were more often symptomatic than isolated belches.

Conclusions

The type of belch determines the burden of belching complaints in patients with GERD. Supragastric belches, not gastric belches determine the severity of belching complaints.
Quantitative trait loci for body growth and sex determination in the hermaphrodite teleost fish Sparus aurata L.
Authors: Loukovitis D. , Sarropoulou E. , Batargias C. , Apostolidis A. P. , Kotoulas G. , Tsigenopoulos C.S. , Chatziplis D.
Published: March 2012

Gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.) is an important marine fish in Mediterranean aquaculture. Sex determination by age and/or body weight is a critical life‐history trait, the genetic basis for which is largely unknown in this sequential hermaphrodite species. Herein, we performed a partial genome scan to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting body weight and sex using 74 informative microsatellite markers from 10 paternal half‐sib families to construct nine linkage groups (LG). In total, four growth‐related QTL (two chromosome‐wide and two genome‐wide) and six QTL related to sex determination (three pairs in three different LGs) were detected (two chromosome‐wide and one genome‐wide). The proportion of phenotypic variation explained by the body‐weight QTL ranged from 9.3% to 17.2%, showing their potential for use in marker‐assisted selection. The results obtained offer solid ground to investigate the structure and function of the genomic regions involved in the mechanisms of sex reversal.
Keeping pace with climate change: what can we learn from the spread of Lessepsian migrants?
Authors: Hiddink J.G. , Ben Rais Lasram F. , Cantrill J. , Davies A. J.
Published: March 2012

Species need to move to keep pace with changing climates, but we do not know if species can move at the required speed. Spread rates of native species may underestimate how fast species can move, we therefore assessed how fast Lessepsian species (marine non‐native species that invaded the Mediterranean from the Red Sea through the Suez Canal) can spread to give a ‘best‐case’ assessment of the effects of climate change on marine biodiversity. We show that about 20% of Lessepsian species could not spread fast enough to keep pace with climate change in about 20% of the global seas and this suggests that climate change may lead to biodiversity loss. The velocity of climate change on the seabed is much lower than at the sea surface, and as a result of this the proportion of species that keep pace with climate change at the seabed was much larger than at the sea surface. This suggests that locations at depth could act as refuges for slow dispersing species. Our analysis compared different estimates of the spreading abilities of marine species and showed that the estimate of spread rates strongly affects the predicted effect of climate change on biodiversity. Providing more accurate estimates of the spreading ability of marine species should therefore have priority if we want to predict the effect of climate change on marine biodiversity. This study is a first approximation of the potential scale and distribution of global marine biodiversity loss and can provide benchmark estimates of the spread rates that species could achieve in colonizing suitable habitat. Assisted colonization may be required to maintain biodiversity in the most strongly affected areas.
Use of a white light supercontinuum laser for confocal interference‐reflection microscopy
Authors: CHIU L.‐D. , SU L. , REICHELT S. , AMOS W.B.
Published: March 2012

Shortly after its development, the white light supercontinuum laser was applied to confocal scanning microscopy as a more versatile substitute for the multiple monochromatic lasers normally used for the excitation of fluorescence. This light source is now available coupled to commercial confocal fluorescence microscopes. We have evaluated a supercontinuum laser as a source for a different purpose: confocal interferometric imaging of living cells and artificial models by interference reflection. We used light in the range 460–700 nm where this source provides a reasonably flat spectrum, and obtained images free from fringe artefacts caused by the longer coherence length of conventional lasers. We have also obtained images of cytoskeletal detail that is difficult to see with a monochromatic laser.
Extensive proteolysis of head and inner body proteins by a morphogenetic protease in the giant Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage φKZ
Authors: Thomas Julie A. , Weintraub Susan T. , Wu Weimin , Winkler Dennis C. , Cheng Naiqian , Steven Alasdair C. , Black Lindsay W.
Published: March 2012

Encased within the 280 kb genome in the capsid of the giant myovirus φKZ is an unusual cylindrical proteinaceous ‘inner body’ of highly ordered structure. We present here mass spectrometry, bioinformatic and biochemical studies that reveal novel information about the φKZ head and the complex inner body. The identification of 39 cleavage sites in 19 φKZ head proteins indicates cleavage of many prohead proteins forms a major morphogenetic step in φKZ head maturation. The φKZ head protease, gp175, is newly identified here by a bioinformatics approach, as confirmed by a protein expression assay. Gp175 is distantly related to T4 gp21 and recognizes and cleaves head precursors at related but distinct S/A/G‐X‐E recognition sites. Within the φKZ head there are six high‐copy‐number proteins that are probable major components of the inner body. The molecular weights of five of these proteins are reduced 35–65% by cleavages making their mature form similar (26–31 kDa), while their precursors are dissimilar (36–88 kDa). Together the six abundant proteins sum to the estimated mass of the inner body (15–20 MDa). The identification of these proteins is important for future studies on the composition and function of the inner body.
Evidence of oligodendrogliosis in 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)‐induced Parkinsonism
Authors: Annese V. , Barcia C. , Ros‐Bernal F. , Gómez A. , Ros C. M. , De Pablos V. , Fernández‐Villalba E. , De Stefano M. E. , Herrero M.‐T.
Published: March 2012

V. Annese, C. Barcia, F. Ros‐Bernal, A. Gómez, C. M. Ros, V. De Pablos, E. Fernández‐Villalba, M.‐E. De Stefano and M. T. Herrero (2013) Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology39, 132–143

Evidence of oligodendrogliosis in 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)‐induced Parkinsonism

Aims: Mice and nonhuman primates administered with 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) represent elective experimental models of Parkinsonism, in which degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway is associated with prominent neuroinflammation, characterized by activated microglia and astrocytes in both substantia nigra (SN) and striatum. To date, it is unknown whether oligodendrocytes play a role in these events. Methods: We performed a detailed qualitative and quantitative analysis of oligodendrocyte‐associated changes induced by acute and chronic MPTP treatment, in the SN and striatum of mice and macaques respectively. Oligodendrocytes were immunolabelled by cell‐specific markers and analysed by confocal microscopy. Results: In both experimental models, MPTP treatment induces an increase in oligodendrocyte cell number and average size, as well as in the total area occupied by this cell type per tissue section, accompanied by evident morphological changes. This multifaceted array of changes, herein referred to as oligodendrogliosis, significantly correlates with the reduction in the level of dopaminergic innervation to the striatum. Conclusions: This event, associated with early damage of the dopaminergic neurone axons and of the complex striatal circuits of which they are part, may result in an important, although neglected, aspect in the onset and progression of Parkinsonism.
Comparative transcriptomics of three Poaceae species reveals patterns of gene expression evolution
Authors: Davidson Rebecca M. , Gowda Malali , Moghe Gaurav , Lin Haining , Vaillancourt Brieanne , Shiu Shin‐Han , Jiang Ning , Robin Buell C.
Published: March 2012

The Poaceae family, also known as the grasses, includes agronomically important cereal crops such as rice, maize, sorghum, and wheat. Previous comparative studies have shown that much of the gene content is shared among the grasses; however, functional conservation of orthologous genes has yet to be explored. To gain an understanding of the genome‐wide patterns of evolution of gene expression across reproductive tissues, we employed a sequence‐based approach to compare analogous transcriptomes in species representing three Poaceae subgroups including the Pooideae (Brachypodium distachyon), the Panicoideae (sorghum), and the Ehrhartoideae (rice). Our transcriptome analyses reveal that only a fraction of orthologous genes exhibit conserved expression patterns. A high proportion of conserved orthologs include genes that are upregulated in physiologically similar tissues such as leaves, anther, pistil, and embryo, while orthologs that are highly expressed in seeds show the most diverged expression patterns. More generally, we show that evolution of gene expression profiles and coding sequences in the grasses may be linked. Genes that are highly and broadly expressed tend to be conserved at the coding sequence level while genes with narrow expression patterns show accelerated rates of sequence evolution. We further show that orthologs in syntenic genomic blocks are more likely to share correlated expression patterns compared with non‐syntenic orthologs. These findings are important for agricultural improvement because sequence information is transferred from model species, such as Brachypodium, rice, and sorghum to crop plants without sequenced genomes.
Comparison of haemoglobin F detection by the acid elution test, flow cytometry and high‐performance liquid chromatography in maternal blood samples analysed for fetomaternal haemorrhage
Authors: Chambers E. , Davies L. , Evans S. , Birchall J. , Kumpel B.
Published: March 2012

Background and Objective: All pregnant women undergoing blood grouping at Southmead Hospital are offered haemoglobinopathy screening by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RhD‐negative women who deliver RhD‐positive infants are tested for fetomaternal haemorrhage (FMH) by acid elution (AE). The effectiveness of these two assays for quantitation of FMH was compared with flow cytometry (FC).

Materials and Methods: The relationship between expression of haemoglobin F (HbF) in individual cells by AE and FC and quantitation of HbF in haemolysates by HPLC was investigated, using maternal samples with unusually high levels of HbF‐positive maternal cells (F cells) or with large FMH (fetal cells). Standard anti‐D FC was performed to quantitate fetal D‐positive cells in D‐negative women and compared with FMH estimated by AE and HbF FC.

Results: AE overestimated FMH when maternal F cells were increased. HbF FC distinguished F cells from fetal cells. Values of HbF determined by HPLC were less than the level of 5% used for investigation of raised fetal haemoglobin, even in the maternal samples with elevated F cells or massive FMH.

Conclusions: To quantitate FMH, measurement of HbF using FC was more sensitive and accurate than AE or HPLC. HbF FC is the method of choice when results from routine investigation using AE or standard anti‐D FC are discrepant or when there is maternal and fetal RhD compatibility.
Validity of patient skin cancer report among organ transplant recipients
Authors: Dybbro Eric , Mihalis Eva , Hirose Ryutaro , Arron Sarah T.
Published: March 2012

Skin cancer is a common, potentially life‐threatening malignancy in organ transplant recipients (OTR), and it is important for transplant physicians to be aware of patient history of skin cancer. Patient self‐report represents a quick method of obtaining past medical history of skin cancer but no study has validated the self‐report of skin cancer among OTR. Among 339 OTR with a history of skin cancer, the sensitivity and specificity of self‐report of non‐melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) were 1.00 and 0.92, with a correct classification rate of 0.92. Breakdown of NMSC into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) resulted in a decrease in correct classification, to 0.83 for SCC and 0.74 for BCC. For SCC, sensitivity was 0.81 and specificity was 0.83, while BCC had a sensitivity of 0.52 and specificity of 0.86. Melanoma self‐report had a sensitivity of 0.90 and specificity of 0.86, with a correct classification rate of 0.90. Overall, OTR have comparable accuracy of self‐report with the general population. Owing to the high prevalence and increased risk of metastatic potential of skin cancer in this population, the ability to distinguish between cancer types is an important consideration in the dermatologic care of OTR.
Is there any way to protect from tacrolimus‐induced renal and pancreas injury?
Authors: Kaynar Kubra , Ersoz Safak , Aliyazicioglu Rezzan , Uzun Aysegul , Ulusoy Sukru , Al Sait , Ozkan Gulsum , Cansız Muammer
Published: March 2012

Background

The aim of this study was to explore effects of erythropoietin and pentoxifylline in tacrolimus‐induced pancreatic beta cell and renal injury in rats.

Methods

Rats in group I were given saline; rats in group II were injected with tacrolimus; rats in group III were received erythropoietin (Epo) and tacrolimus; while rats in group IV were injected pentoxifylline (Ptx) plus tacrolimus for nine d. On 10th day, blood and tissue samples were taken for biochemical and pathological evaluations.

Results

Tacrolimus‐injected animals exhibited significant elevation in blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum BUN levels were improved in rats pretreated with Ptx. Significantly more apoptotic nuclei were observed in kidneys of tacrolimus group. In rats subjected to tacrolimus and pretreated with Epo, there was significant decrease in apoptotic nuclei staining than those in tacrolimus group. Blood trough levels of tacrolimus were significantly higher in erythropoietin‐pretreated group, although same amount of tacrolimus was injected with other groups.

Conclusion

Results of our study demonstrated significant antiapoptotic effects of erythropoietin on renal tubules, increasing effect of erythropoietin on tacrolimus blood levels, and insignificant antioxidant effects of both erythropoietin and pentoxifylline on renal and pancreas tissues. Study with clinically greater tacrolimus levels may be useful to confirm these findings.
Defibrotide for the prevention of hepatic veno‐occlusive disease after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a systematic review
Authors: Zhang Lifei , Wang Yebo , Huang He
Published: March 2012

Prophylactic use of defibrotide (DF) to prevent veno‐occlusive disease (VOD), a relatively common and high‐risk complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), may be an encouraging modality to reduce morbidity and mortality from VOD. However, conclusions remain unclear. We carried out a systematic review to summarize the state of knowledge. One randomized controlled trial (RCT), four cohort studies and eight case series studies were found, including a total of 1230 patients. The overall mean incidence of VOD in patients using DF was 4.7% (95% CI, 3.3–6.1) which was significantly lower than the data 13.7% (95% CI, 13.3–14.1) across 135 studies using no VOD prophylaxis (p < 0.005). The meta‐analysis of the incidence of VOD in controlled trials revealed a statistical reduction in VOD incidence in the DF group (RR = 0.47, 95% CI, 0.31–0.73). The overall mean incidence of severe VOD was 0.8% (95% CI, 0.2–1.4). The RR was 0.31 (95% CI, 0.09–1.06). However, the lack of RCTs and the methodological weaknesses of the studies may preclude making generalizable conclusions. Our review described that DF appears promising for VOD prevention and large RCT is needed for further confirmation.
Lack of association of ACP1 gene with inflammatory bowel disease: a case–control study
Authors: Teruel M. , Martin J. E. , Gómez‐García M. , Cardeña C. , Rodrigo L. , Nieto A. , Alcain G. , Cueto I. , López‐Nevot M. A. , Martin J.
Published: March 2012

The red cell acid phosphatease (ACP1) gene, which encodes a low molecular weight phosphotyrosine phosphatase (LMW‐PTP), has been suggested as a common genetic factor of autoimmunity. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the possible influence of ACP1 polymorphisms in the susceptibility of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). A total of 1271 IBD Spanish patients [720 Crohn's disease (CD) and 551 ulcerative colitis (UC)] and 1877 healthy subjects were included. Four single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs10167992, rs11553742, rs7576247 and rs3828329, were genotyped using TaqMan SNP genotyping assays. Common ACP1 alleles (i.e. ACP1*A, ACP1*B and ACP1*C) were determined by two of these SNPs. After the analysis, no evidence of association of the ACP1 genetic variants was found with CD or UC. Therefore, our results suggest that the ACP1 gene may not play a relevant role in the development of IBD.
Improving xylem hydraulic conductivity measurements by correcting the error caused by passive water uptake
Authors: Torres‐Ruiz José M. , Sperry John S. , Fernández José E.
Published: March 2012

Xylem hydraulic conductivity (K) is typically defined as K = F/(P/L), where F is the flow rate through a xylem segment associated with an applied pressure gradient (P/L) along the segment. This definition assumes a linear flow–pressure relationship with a flow intercept (F0) of zero. While linearity is typically the case, there is often a non‐zero F0 that persists in the absence of leaks or evaporation and is caused by passive uptake of water by the sample. In this study, we determined the consequences of failing to account for non‐zero F0 for both K measurements and the use of K to estimate the vulnerability to xylem cavitation. We generated vulnerability curves for olive root samples (Olea europaea) by the centrifuge technique, measuring a maximally accurate reference Kref as the slope of a four‐point F vs P/L relationship. The Kref was compared with three more rapid ways of estimating K. When F0 was assumed to be zero, K was significantly under‐estimated (average of −81.4 ± 4.7%), especially when Kref was low. Vulnerability curves derived from these under‐estimated K values overestimated the vulnerability to cavitation. When non‐zero F0 was taken into account, whether it was measured or estimated, more accurate K values (relative to Kref) were obtained, and vulnerability curves indicated greater resistance to cavitation. We recommend accounting for non‐zero F0 for obtaining accurate estimates of K and cavitation resistance in hydraulic studies.
Sodium–potassium synergism inTheobroma cacao: stimulation of photosynthesis, water‐use efficiency and mineral nutrition
Authors: Gattward James N. , Almeida Alex‐Alan F. , Souza José O. , Gomes Fábio P. , Kronzucker Herbert J.
Published: March 2012

In ecological setting, sodium (Na+) can be beneficial or toxic, depending on plant species and the Na+level in the soil. While its effects are more frequently studied at high saline levels, Na+has also been shown to be of potential benefit to some species at lower levels of supply, especially in C4 species. Here, clonal plants of the major tropical C3 cropTheobroma cacao(cacao) were grown in soil where potassium (K+) was partially replaced (at six levels, up to 50% replacement) by Na+, at two concentrations (2.5 and 4.0 mmolcdm−3). At both concentrations, net photosynthesis per unit leaf area (A) increased more than twofold with increasing substitution of K+by Na+. Concomitantly, instantaneous (A/E) and intrinsic (A/gs) water‐use efficiency (WUE) more than doubled. Stomatal conductance (gs) and transpiration rate (E) exhibited a decline at 2.5 mmol dm−3, but remained unchanged at 4 mmol dm−3. Leaf nitrogen content was not impacted by Na+supplementation, whereas sulfur (S), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+) and zinc (Zn2+) contents were maximized at 2.5 mmol dm−3and intermediate (30–40%) replacement levels. Leaf K+did not decline significantly. In contrast, leaf Na+content increased steadily. The resultant elevated Na+/K+ratios in tissue correlated with increased, not decreased, plant performance. The results show that Na+can partially replace K+in the nutrition of clonal cacao, with significant beneficial effects on photosynthesis, WUE and mineral nutrition in this major perennial C3 crop.
Ontogenesis of the Reticulum with Special Reference to Neuroendocrine and Glial Cells: A Comparative Analysis of theMerino Sheep andIberian Red Deer
Authors: Franco A. , Masot J. , García A. , Redondo E.
Published: March 2012

The present study was designed to compare the differences in the ontogenesis of the reticulum in sheep (domestic ruminant) and deer (wild ruminant). A total of 50 embryos and foetusesMerino sheep and 50Iberian deer were used, from the first pre‐natal life until birth. The appearance of the reticulum from the primitive gastric tube was earlier in the sheep (22% gestation, 33 days) than in the deer (25% gestation, 66 days). In both cases, it displayed a primitive epithelium of a stratified, cylindrical, non‐ciliary type. At around 48% gestation in the sheep (72 days) and 36% (97 days) in the deer, the reticulum was configured of four clearly differentiated layers: mucosa (with epithelial layer and lamina propria), submucosa, tunica muscularis and serosa. The stratification of the epithelial layer was accompanied by modifications in its structure with the appearance of the primitive reticular ribs. The primary ribs began to be formed first in the deer, at 117 days of pre‐natal life (40% gestation) and later in the sheep (79 days, 53% gestation). The differentiation of the corneum papillae in the primary ribs coincided with the appearance of secondary reticular ribs. These structures began to be formed first in the deer, at 142 days of pre‐natal life (51% gestation) and later in the sheep (83 days, 55% gestation). The presence of neuroendocrine cells (non‐neuronal enolase‐positive cells) in the reticular mucosa was not detected until 97 days (36% gestation) in deer and 81 days (54% gestation) in sheep. The presence of glial cells (GFAP‐positive cells) occurred at around 142 days (51% gestation) in deer and at 112 days (75% gestation) in sheep. In conclusion, the presence of neuroendocrine and glial cells was detected in deer at earlier stages than sheep.
Transient elastography and simple blood markers in the diagnosis of esophageal varices for compensated patients with hepatitis B virus‐related cirrhosis
Authors: Wang Jing‐Houng , Chuah Seng‐Kee , Lu Sheng‐Nan , Hung Chao‐Hung , Chen Chien‐Hung , Kee Kwong‐Ming , Chang Kuo‐Chin , Tai Wei‐Chen , Hu Tsung‐Hui
Published: March 2012

Background and Aim:  Transient elastography (TE) has been useful in esophageal varices (EV) diagnosis for chronic hepatitis C patients. In the present study, we evaluate the usefulness of TE and simple blood markers in the EV diagnosis of patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐related cirrhosis, prospectively.

Methods:  Consecutive patients with compensated cirrhosis and positive HBV surface antigen were enrolled, prospectively. At enrollment, the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to alanine aminotransferase ratio (AAR) and the AST to platelet ratio index (APRI) were recorded, and TE was performed. Two experienced endoscopists assessed EV independently. High‐risk EV was defined as small size with a red color sign, and medium or large in size. The diagnostic performances, optimal cut‐offs, and the validities of TE, APRI, platelet count (PLT), and AAR in EV diagnosis were assessed.

Results:  A total of 126 patients (male/female: 93/33; mean age: 54.5 years) with reliable TE results were analyzed. There was good agreement between two endoscopists in assessing the presence of EV and high‐risk EV (kappa value: 0.82 and 0.96). Forty‐eight (38.1%) patients had EV (small: 35; high risk: 13). There was correlation between TE result and EV size (r = 0.515, P < 0.001). TE, APRI, and PLT were similar; however, superior to AAR in the diagnostic accuracies for EV and high‐risk EV. In high‐risk EV prediction, the negative predictive value (NPV) was 97%, 98%, and 98%, with cut‐offs of 21 kPa, 1.24, and 110 (× 109/L) for TE, APRI, and PLT, respectively.

Conclusions:  For compensated patients with HBV‐related cirrhosis, TE, APRI, and PLT are useful in excluding high‐risk EV with high NPV.
Simultaneous consumption and production of fluorescent dissolved organic matter by lake bacterioplankton
Authors: Guillemette François , del Giorgio Paul A.
Published: March 2012

Recent evidence suggests a key role of bacterioplankton in shaping the composition of the dissolved organic matter (DOM) pool in aquatic systems, not only through consumption but also through production of specific compounds, but the latter process is still not well understood. We used a bioassay approach to assess the patterns in bacterial production and consumption of five fluorescent DOM pools in seven lakes and two streams in Southeastern Québec, Canada, and the links these patterns may have with key aspects of bacterial metabolism, DOM origin and nutrients availability. Total dissolved organic C declined by 3–15% during these incubations, whereas the specific DOM pools had very different dynamics: Two humic‐like fractions accumulated in all incubations, with rates of production increasing as a function of bacterial growth efficiency, which itself increased with phosphorus concentrations. In contrast, two protein‐like fractions and a third humic‐like fraction either increased or declined over the course of the experiments. The net production or consumption of these pools appeared to be a function of the contribution of terrestrial C to bulk DOM (derived from δ13C of the DOM) and of total bacterial activity. Our results suggest that lake bacterioplankton play a dual role in DOM dynamics, as consumers and also producers, and that the interplay between DOM origin and nutrient availability appears to determine the net outcome of bacterial DOM processing, thus influencing the bulk DOM composition and its fate in these aquatic systems.
Impact of comorbidity on complications after nephrectomy: use of the Clavien Classification of Surgical Complications
Authors: Hennus Pauline M.L. , Kroeze Stephanie G.C. , Bosch J.L.H. Ruud , Jans Judith J.M.
Published: March 2012

Study Type – Retrospective (cohort)

Level of Evidence 2b

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Tumour characteristics, physical status and comorbidities are considered important for surgical outcome and prognosis.

The present study objectively evaluates the association between comorbidity and postoperative complications after nephrectomy for RCC, by using the modified Clavien Classification of Surgical Complications to grade complications after nephrectomy.

OBJECTIVE

To present a single‐centre experience of open nephrectomy for lesions suspected for renal cell carcinoma (RCC), evaluating the association between comorbidity and postoperative complications using a standardized classification system for postoperative complications.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Clinicopathological data of 198 patients undergoing open radical or partial nephrectomy for lesions suspected of RCC were retrospectively analysed.

Comorbidity scored by the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), body mass index, age, gender, surgical procedure and surgical history were examined as predictive factors for postoperative complications, which were scored using the modified Clavien Classification of Surgical Complications (CCSC).

RESULTS

The overall complication rate was 34%: 7% grade I, 15% grade II, 5% grade III, 3% grade IV and 4% grade V. Preoperative comorbidities were present in 51% of all patients.

There were significantly more major complications (CCSC >2) in patients with major comorbidities (CCI >2), at 16% vs 7% (P= 0.018).

Patients with high‐stage RCC had significantly more severe complications than low‐stage RCC (P= 0.018).

In multivariable analysis, comorbidity (odds ratio [OR] 7.55, P= 0.004) and tumour stage 3–4 (OR 6.23, P= 0.007) were independent predictive factors for major complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Major complications occur significantly more often when major comorbidities are present.

Comorbidity scores can be used in risk stratification for complications and should be considered during decision‐making and counselling of patients before nephrectomy.
Common variants in genes encoding adiponectin (ADIPOQ) and its receptors (ADIPOR1/2), adiponectin concentrations, and diabetes incidence in the Diabetes Prevention Program
Authors: Mather K. J. , Christophi C. A. , Jablonski K. A. , Knowler W. C. , Goldberg R. B. , Kahn S. E. , Spector T. , Dastani Z. , Waterworth D. , Richards J. B. , Funahashi T. , Pi‐Sunyer F. X. , Pollin T. I. , Florez J. C. , Franks P. W. ,   for the Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group
Published: March 2012

Diabet. Med. 29, 1579–1588 (2012)

Aims  Baseline adiponectin concentrations predict incident Type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Diabetes Prevention Program. We tested the hypothesis that common variants in the genes encoding adiponectin (ADIPOQ) and its receptors (ADIPOR1, ADIPOR2) would associate with circulating adiponectin concentrations and/or with diabetes incidence in the Diabetes Prevention Program population.

Methods  Seventy‐seven tagging single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ADIPOQ (24), ADIPOR1 (22) and ADIPOR2 (31) were genotyped. Associations of SNPs with baseline adiponectin concentrations were evaluated using linear modelling. Associations of SNPs with diabetes incidence were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards modelling.

Results  Thirteen of 24 ADIPOQ SNPs were significantly associated with baseline adiponectin concentrations. Multivariable analysis including these 13 SNPs revealed strong independent contributions of rs17366568, rs1648707, rs17373414 and rs1403696 with adiponectin concentrations. However, no ADIPOQ SNPs were directly associated with diabetes incidence. Two ADIPOR1 SNPs (rs1342387 and rs12733285) were associated with ∼18% increased diabetes incidence for carriers of the minor allele without differences across treatment groups, and without any relationship with adiponectin concentrations.

Conclusions  ADIPOQ SNPs are significantly associated with adiponectin concentrations in the Diabetes Prevention Program cohort. This observation extends prior observations from unselected populations of European descent into a broader multi‐ethnic population, and confirms the relevance of these variants in an obese/dysglycaemic population. Despite the robust relationship between adiponectin concentrations and diabetes risk in this cohort, variants in ADIPOQ that relate to adiponectin concentrations do not relate to diabetes risk in this population. ADIPOR1 variants exerted significant effects on diabetes risk distinct from any effect of adiponectin concentrations.
Sex ratio variations among the offspring of women with diabetes in pregnancy
Authors: Ehrlich S. F. , Eskenazi B. , Hedderson M. M. , Ferrara A.
Published: March 2012

Diabet. Med. 29, e273‐e278 (2012)

Aims  It has long been hypothesized that natural selection would favour a reproductive strategy biased towards females under adverse circumstances in order to maximize the number of surviving grandchildren. An excess of daughters in women with Type 1 diabetes and a greater likelihood of gestational diabetes in women carrying male fetuses have also been reported. This study aims to compare the sex ratio across categories of maternal glycaemia.

Methods  Among 288 009 mother–infant pairs delivering at Kaiser Permanente Northern California in 1996–2008, sex ratios were calculated for the following categories: pregravid diabetes, gestational diabetes, mild pregnancy hyperglycaemia (defined as an abnormal screening but normal diagnostic test for gestational diabetes) and normoglycaemia. Odds ratios for delivering a male were estimated with logistic regression; normoglycaemic pregnancies comprised the reference.

Results  Women with pregravid diabetes delivered the fewest males (ratio male/female = 1.01), followed by women with normoglycaemic pregnancies and those with an abnormal screening only (both sex ratios = 1.05); women with gestational diabetes delivered the most males (sex ratio = 1.07). Odds ratio estimates suggested the same pattern, but none attained statistical significance.

Conclusions  The crude sex ratios in this cohort suggest a possible gradient by category of maternal glycaemia. Women with gestational diabetes, a condition characterized by excessive fuel substrates, appear to deliver more males. Women with pregravid diabetes delivered the fewest males, possibly reflecting the unfavourable state of chronic disease.
Levels of mobbing perception among nurses in Eastern Turkey
Authors: Çevik Akyil R. , Tan M. , Saritaş S. , Altuntaş S.
Published: March 2012

ÇEVİK AKYIL R., TAN M., SARITAŞ S. & ALTUNTAŞ S. (2012) Levels of mobbing perception among nurses in Eastern Turkey. International Nursing Review59, 402–408

Purpose:  This is a descriptive and comparative study of levels of mobbing perception among nurses, causes and perpetrators of mobbing, reactions to and factors affecting mobbing.

Method:  Data for the study were collected from a sample of 180 Turkish nurses between July 2007 and January 2008 using a three‐part questionnaire.

Findings:  Nurses were frequently subjected to mobbing. Younger nurses, nurses with less institutional and professional experience, nurses with lower levels of education, and nurses working in internal medicine clinics and night shifts reported higher levels of mobbing. Nurses reported their managers as the most frequent perpetrators of mobbing, and bad working conditions as the most important cause of mobbing.

Conclusion:  Many participants reported that they had come to accept mobbing incidents and did not lodge any complaints prior to the study. However, they claimed that they will not tolerate mobbing any longer, and will lodge verbal and written complaints.
Variable variability: difficulties in estimation and consequences for fisheries management
Authors: Burrow Jennifer F , Horwood Joe W , Pitchford Jonathan W
Published: March 2012

Recent analyses propose that the key regulatory processes in fisheries are stochastic, characterized by increased recruitment variance at low stock sizes (heteroscedasticity). Here, we investigate the consequences of this idea, with the aim of testing its practical relevance to fisheries management. We argue that stock‐recruitment time series are at least one order of magnitude too short to reliably fit heteroscedastic models; indeed, they are typically insufficient even to establish in which direction recruitment variance changes with stock size. Unreliable estimates of heteroscedasticity can have important management implications, depending on the sign of the coefficient of heteroscedasticity. Maximum sustainable yield (MSY) estimates from simple models, which include heteroscedasticity can be volatile, unrealistically high and sometimes non‐existent, as illustrated by an analysis of North Sea cod (Gadus morhua) data. In contrast, for North Sea herring (clupea harengus) data, heteroscedasticity has a negligible effect on MSY estimates. Statistical models are useful to elucidate broad‐scale regulatory processes, but will need to combined with the mechanistic understanding offered by models of population dynamics before being applied in a management setting.
Multicentury trends and the sustainability of coral reef fisheries in Hawai‘i and Florida
Authors: McClenachan Loren , Kittinger John N
Published: March 2012

Global overfishing indicates a need to define fisheries sustainability thresholds and identify social factors promoting successful management, but rates of fishing and factors mediating sustainability over long timescales are largely unknown. Here, we reconstruct fisheries yield for the entire period of human habitation (five to seven centuries) for two coral reef ecosystems with substantially different fisheries histories (Florida Keys and the Hawaiian Islands) and evaluate the management strategies associated with periods of sustainable fishing. This involved a mixed methods approach, in which we estimated yield by fishery sector (commercial, subsistence, recreational and aquaculture) and characterized management strategies associated with periods of sustained high yields. We found differences between the two locations, with Hawai‘i sustaining yields of more than 12 mt km−2 for four centuries prior to the arrival of Europeans. This period was characterized by adaptive management whose design and enforcement exhibited characteristics of common property resource governance systems, and which effectively protected reef habitat, vulnerable life‐history stages for fish, and species with high susceptibilities to overfishing. Reefs in both Florida and Hawai‘i were exploited intensively after European contact, with sequential export‐driven depletion evident in Florida over the past century. Today, both exhibit strikingly similar modern catch levels, with landings exceeding 10 mt km−2 and evidence of overfishing. Our results demonstrate that management strategies and social institutions that support strict enforcement by a local rule‐making authority have had substantial impacts on fisheries yields in the past and suggest that long‐term sustainability of fisheries is possible, although rare today.
Uncovering and Overcoming Ambivalence: The Role of Chronic and Contextually Activated Attachment in Two‐Person Social Dilemmas
Authors: McClure M. Joy , Bartz Jennifer A. , Lydon John E.
Published: March 2012

Objective

Humans face an enduring conflict between desires to affiliate with others but to protect the self; effective social functioning often requires reconciling the resulting ambivalence between these motives. Attachment anxiety is characterized by chronically heightened concerns about affiliation and self‐protection; we investigated how anxious individuals’ chronic relational ambivalence affects interpersonal behavior.

Method

We used the Prisoner's Dilemma and the Assurance Game to examine how the ambivalence associated with attachment anxiety affects pro‐social behavior, comparing chronic attachment anxiety with both chronic (Study 1; N = 94) and contextually activated (Study 2; N = 56) security.

Results

Chronic attachment anxiety was associated with ambivalent behavior in the social dilemma games. Specifically, the chronically anxious were mistrustfully inconsistent in their strategic choices and took more time to make these choices. However, priming the chronically anxious with attachment security decreased ambivalence by promoting more fluent cooperative behavior.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, these are the first studies to examine the effect of the anxiously attached's chronic relational ambivalence on pro‐social behavior. These findings illustrate that the simultaneous activation of affiliation and self‐protection can have interpersonal consequences, increasing mistrust and hesitance. Importantly, however, we were able to attenuate these effects by priming felt security.
Self‐report use‐of‐time tools for the assessment of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in young people: systematic review
Authors: Foley L. , Maddison R. , Olds T. , Ridley K.
Published: March 2012

Regular physical activity and limiting extended periods of sitting are two behaviours critical for the prevention of obesity in young people. The purpose of the systematic review was to synthesize the psychometric evidence for self‐report use‐of‐time tools that assess these behaviours. Articles were retrieved that reported reliability and/or validity for use‐of‐time tools in participants aged 18 years or under. Outcome variables were physical activity, sedentary behaviour and energy expenditure. Study quality was appraised, and the results summarized narratively. Sixteen studies and six different tools were identified. The tools were the Previous Day Physical Activity Recall, the Three‐Day Physical Activity Recall, the Physical Activity Interview, the Computerized Activity Recall, the Activitygram, and the Multimedia Activity Recall for Children and Adolescents. Overall, tools indicated moderate validity compared with objective and criterion comparison methods. Generally, validity correlation coefficients were in the range of 0.30–0.40. Correlation coefficients for test–retest reliability ranged widely from 0.24 to 0.98. Conclusion: Use‐of‐time tools have indicated moderate reliability and validity for the assessment of physical activity and energy expenditure. Future research should focus on using criterion methods and on validating specifically for sedentary behaviour outcomes. Implementation of these tools for population surveillance should be considered.
GOVERNING INFORMATION: A THREE DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Authors: CRAIK NEIL , DOELLE MEINHARD , GALE FRED
Published: March 2012

This article examines the institutional, political and regulatory dimensions of environmental assessment (EA) processes. While EA is most often conceptualized as a regulatory instrument, this article contends that viewing EA in this narrow fashion obscures the broader implications and significance of EA as a distinct form of governance. When conceived as a mode of governance, EA varies considerably in terms of the key governance characteristics emphasized in this symposium. The empirical evidence rests upon three cases studies looking at very different multi‐level governance contexts: the Tamar Valley Pulp Mill in Australia, the Whites Point Quarry in Canada, and the Byströe Canal Project in the Ukraine. The case study analysis identifies large variations in the institutional, political and regulatory form that EAs take, indicating that approaches identifying EA as a form of ‘New Governance’ are overly simplistic. The analysis also points to the multi‐directional influence of different governance dimensions. The insights derived from the use of the three dimensional framework validate its value as an analytical tool.