bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Findings of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC), Part I: Effectiveness of a Multidimensional Infection Control Approach on Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection Rates in Pediatric Intensive Care Units of 6 Developing Countries
Authors: Rosenthal Victor D. , Ramachandran Bala , Dueñas Lourdes , Álvarez-Moreno Carlos , Navoa-Ng J. A. , Armas-Ruiz Alberto , Ersoz Gulden , Matta-Cortés Lorena , Pawar Mandakini , Nevzat-Yalcin Ata , Rodriguez-Ferrer Marena , de Casares Ana Concepción Bran , Linares Claudia , Villanueva Victoria D. , Campuzano Roberto , Kaya Ali , Rendon-Campo Luis Fernando , Gupta Amit , Turhan Ozge , Barahona-Guzmán Nayide , de Jesús-Machuca Lilian , Tolentino María Corazon V. , Mena-Brito Jorge , Kuyucu Necdet , Astudillo Yamileth , Saini Narinder , Gunay Nurgul , Sarmiento-Villa Guillermo , Gumus Eylul , Lagares-Guzmán Alfredo , Dursun Oguz
Published: June 2012

Design.

A before-after prospective surveillance study to assess the impact of a multidimensional infection control approach for the reduction of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) rates.

Setting.

Pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) of hospital members of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) from 10 cities of the following 6 developing countries: Colombia, El Salvador, India, Mexico, Philippines, and Turkey.

Patients.

PICU inpatients.

Methods.

We performed a prospective active surveillance to determine rates of CAUTI among 3,877 patients hospitalized in 10 PICUs for a total of 27,345 bed-days. The study was divided into a baseline period (phase 1) and an intervention period (phase 2). In phase 1, surveillance was performed without the implementation of the multidimensional approach. In phase 2, we implemented a multidimensional infection control approach that included outcome surveillance, process surveillance, feedback on CAUTI rates, feedback on performance, education, and a bundle of preventive measures. The rates of CAUTI obtained in phase 1 were compared with the rates obtained in phase 2, after interventions were implemented.

Results.

During the study period, we recorded 8,513 urinary catheter (UC) days, including 1,513 UC-days in phase 1 and 7,000 UC-days in phase 2. In phase 1, the CAUTI rate was 5.9 cases per 1,000 UC-days, and in phase 2, after implementing the multidimensional infection control approach for CAUTI prevention, the rate of CAUTI decreased to 2.6 cases per 1,000 UC-days (relative risk, 0.43 [95% confidence interval, 0.21–1.0]), indicating a rate reduction of 57%.

Conclusions.

Our findings demonstrated that implementing a multidimensional infection control approach is associated with a significant reduction in the CAUTI rate of PICUs in developing countries.
Findings of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC), Part II: Impact of a Multidimensional Strategy to Reduce Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Neonatal Intensive Care Units in 10 Developing Countries
Authors: Rosenthal Victor D. , Rodríguez-Calderón Maria E. , Rodríguez-Ferrer Marena , Singhal Tanu , Pawar Mandakini , Sobreyra-Oropeza Martha , Barkat Amina , Atencio-Espinoza Teodora , Berba Regina , Navoa-Ng J. A. , Dueñas Lourdes , Ben-Jaballah Nejla , Ozdemir Davut , Ersoz Gulden , Aygun Canan
Published: June 2012

Design.

Before-after prospective surveillance study to assess the efficacy of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) multidimensional infection control program to reduce the rate of occurrence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).

Setting.

Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) of INICC member hospitals from 15 cities in the following 10 developing countries: Argentina, Colombia, El Salvador, India, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Philippines, Tunisia, and Turkey.

Patients.

NICU inpatients.

Methods.

VAP rates were determined during a first period of active surveillance without the implementation of the multidimensional approach (phase 1) to be then compared with VAP rates after implementation of the INICC multidimensional infection control program (phase 2), which included the following practices: a bundle of infection control interventions, education, outcome surveillance, process surveillance, feedback on VAP rates, and performance feedback on infection control practices. This study was conducted by infection control professionals who applied National Health Safety Network (NHSN) definitions for healthcare-associated infections and INICC surveillance methodology.

Results.

During phase 1, we recorded 3,153 mechanical ventilation (MV)–days, and during phase 2, after the implementation of the bundle of interventions, we recorded 15,981 MV-days. The VAP rate was 17.8 cases per 1,000 MV-days during phase 1 and 12.0 cases per 1,000 MV-days during phase 2 (relative risk, 0.67 [95% confidence interval, 0.50–0.91]; P = .001 ), indicating a 33% reduction in VAP rate.

Conclusions.

Our results demonstrate that an implementation of the INICC multidimensional infection control program was associated with a significant reduction in VAP rate in NICUs in developing countries.
Hausdorff dimension and biaccessibility for polynomial Julia sets
Authors: Meerkamp Philipp , Schleicher Dierk
Published: June 2012

We investigate the set of biaccessible points for connected polynomial Julia sets of arbitrary degrees

d
≥
2

d\geq 2

. We prove that the Hausdorff dimension of the set of external angles corresponding to biaccessible points is less than

1
1

, unless the Julia set is an interval. This strengthens theorems of Stanislav Smirnov and Anna Zdunik: they proved that the same set of external angles has zero

1
1

-dimensional measure.
Smooth extensions for finite CW complexes
Authors: Gong Guihua
Published: June 2012

In this paper, we have completely classified the

C
n

{C_n}

-smooth elements of

Ext
⁡
(
X
)

\operatorname {Ext} (X)

modulo torsion for X being an arbitrary finite CW complex.
Growth functions for some nonautomatic Baumslag-Solitar groups
Authors: Brazil Marcus
Published: June 2012

The growth function of a group is a generating function whose coefficients

a
n

{a_n}

are the number of elements in the group whose minimum length as a word in the generators is n. In this paper we use finite state automata to investigate the growth function for the Baumslag-Solitar group of the form

⟨
a
,
b

|

a

−
1

b
a
=

a
2

⟩

\langle a,b|{a^{ - 1}}ba = {a^2}\rangle

based on an analysis of its combinatorial and geometric structure. In particular, we obtain a set of length-minimal normal forms for the group which, although it does not form the language of a finite state automata, is nevertheless built up in a sufficiently coherent way that the growth function can be shown to be rational. The rationality of the growth function of this group is particularly interesting as it is known not to be synchronously automatic. The results in this paper generalize to the groups

⟨
a
,
b

|

a

−
1

b
a
=

a
m

⟩

\langle a,b|{a^{ - 1}}ba = {a^m}\rangle

for all positive integers m.
Noncharacteristic embeddings of the 𝑛-dimensional torus in the (𝑛+2)-dimensional torus
Authors: Miller David
Published: June 2012

We construct certain exotic embeddings of the n-torus

T
n

{T^n}

in

T

n
+
2

{T^{n + 2}}

in the standard homotopy class. We turn an embedding

f
:

T
n

→

T

n
+
2

f:{T^n} \to {T^{n + 2}}

characteristic if there exists some map

α
:

T

n
+
2

→

T

n
+
2

\alpha :{T^{n + 2}} \to {T^{n + 2}}

in the standard homotopy class with the property that

α

∘

f
:

T
n

→

T

n
+
2

\alpha \; \circ \;f:{T^n} \to {T^{n + 2}}

is the standard coordinate inclusion and

α
(

T

n
+
2

−
f
(

T
n

)
)
⊂

T

n
+
2

−

T
n

\alpha ({T^{n + 2}} - f({T^n})) \subset {T^{n + 2}} - {T^n}

. We find examples of noncharacteristic embeddings, f, in dimensions

n
=
4
k
+
1

n = 4k + 1

,

n
≥
5

n \geq 5

, and show that these examples are not even cobordant to characteristic embeddings. We let G denote the fundamental group of the complement of the standard coordinate inclusion,

T

n
+
2

−

T
n

{T^{n + 2}} - {T^n}

. Then we can associate to f a real-valued signature function on the set of j-dimensional unitary representations of

G
¯

\bar G

, where

G
¯

\bar G

denotes the fundamental group of the localization of

T

n
+
2

−

T
n

{T^{n + 2}} - {T^n}

with respect to homology with local coefficients in

Z

[

Z

n
+
2

]

\mathbb {Z}[{\mathbb {Z}^{n + 2}}]

. This function is a cobordism invariant which has certain periodicity properties for characteristic embeddings. We verify that this periodicity does not hold for our examples, f, implying that they are not characteristic. Additional results include a proof that the examples, f, become cobordant to characteristic embeddings upon taking the cartesian product with the identity map on a circle.
Varieties of commutative semigroups
Authors: Kisielewicz Andrzej
Published: June 2012

In this paper, we describe all equational theories of commutative semigroups in terms of certain well-quasi-orderings on the set of finite sequences of nonnegative integers. This description yields many old and new results on varieties of commutative semigroups. In particular, we obtain also a description of the lattice of varieties of commutative semigroups, and we give an explicit uniform solution to the word problems for free objects in all varieties of commutative semigroups.
Separation and coding
Authors: Watson Stephen
Published: June 2012

We construct a normal collectionwise Hausdorff space which is not collectionwise normal with respect to copies of [0,1]. We do this by developing a general theory of coding properties into topological spaces. We construct a para-Lindelöf regular space in which para-Lindelöf is coded directly rather than

σ
\sigma

-para-Lindelöf and normal. We construct a normal collectionwise Hausdorff space which is not collectionwise normal in which collectionwise Hausdorff is coded directly rather than obtained as a side-effect to countable approximation. We also show that the Martin’s axiom example of a normal space which is not collectionwise Hausdorff is really just a kind of "dual" of Bing’s space.
Asymptotic properties of the quantum representations of the modular group
Authors: Charles Laurent
Published: June 2012

We study the asymptotic behaviour of the quantum representations of the modular group in the large level limit. We prove that each element of the modular group acts as a Fourier integral operator. This provides a link between the classical and quantum Chern-Simons theories for the torus. From this result we deduce the known asymptotic expansion of the Witten-Reshetikhin-Turaev invariants of the torus bundles with hyperbolic monodromy.
Identification of the Rice Blast Resistance Gene Pib in the National Small Grains Collection
Authors: RoyChowdhury M. , Jia Y. , Jia M. H. , Fjellstrom R. , Cartwright R. D.
Published: June 2012

The Pib gene in rice confers resistance to a wide range of races of the rice blast pathogen, Magnaporthe oryzae, including race IE1k that overcomes Pita, another broad-spectrum resistance gene. In this study, the presence of Pib was determined in 164 rice germplasm accessions from a core subset of the National Small Grains Collection utilizing DNA markers and pathogenicity assays. The presence of Pib was evaluated with two simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and a dominant marker (Pib-dom) derived from the Pib gene sequence. Pathogenicity assays using two avirulent races (IE1k and IB1) and a virulent race (IB54) were performed to verify the resistance responses of accessions. Of the 164 accessions evaluated, 109 contained the Pib gene as determined using both SSR markers and pathogenicity assays, albeit different haplotypes were detected. The remaining 52 germplasm accessions were different in their responses to the blast races IB54, IE1k, and IB1, thus indicating the presence of R gene(s) other than Pib. The accessions characterized in this study could be used for marker-assisted breeding to improve blast resistance in indica and japonica cultivars worldwide.
Effects of Cherry Leaf Spot on Photosynthesis in Tart Cherry ‘Montmorency’ Foliage
Authors: Gruber B. R. , Kruger E. L. , McManus P. S.
Published: June 2012

Results described here span a total of three field seasons and quantitatively depict the effects of an economically important fungal pathogen (Blumeriella jaapii) on tart cherry (Prunus cerasus ‘Montmorency’) leaf physiology. For the first time, leaf photosynthesis, stomatal conductance (gs), maximum ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylation rate (Vcmax), and maximum electron transport (Jmax) were measured as functions of visible cherry leaf spot disease (CLS) severity. Defined as the proportion of chlorotic and necrotic tissue per leaf, CLS severity was estimated from leaves of mature ‘Montmorency’ trees in 2007, 2008, and 2009. Briefly, as visible disease severity increased, all of the leaf-level physiological parameters decreased significantly (P < 0.01) and disproportionately. Thus, the effects of visible symptoms on leaf photosynthetic metabolic function encroached upon asymptomatic tissue as well. Impairment of photosynthetic metabolism in ‘Montmorency’ tart cherry leaves due to CLS appears to be mediated through disproportionately large perturbations in gs, Vcmax, and Jmax. These findings offer a new perspective on the amount of damage that this serious disease can inflict.
Isolation and Characterization of 89K Pathogenicity Island-Positive ST-7 Strains ofStreptococcus suisSerotype 2 from Healthy Pigs, Northeast China
Authors: Wang Shujie , Liu Peng , Li Chunyu , Tan Yafang , Cai Xuehui , Zhou Dongsheng , Jiang Yongqiang
Published: June 2012

Streptococcus suisis a swine pathogen which can also cause severe infection, such as meningitis, and streptococcal-like toxic shock syndrome (STSS), in humans. In China, most of theS. suisinfections in humans were reported in the southern areas with warm and humid climates, but little attention had been paid to the northern areas. Data presented here showed that the virulent serotypes 1, 2, 7, and 9 ofS. suiscould be steadily isolated from the healthy pigs in the pig farms in all the three provinces of Northeast China. Notably, a majority of the serotype 2 isolates belonged to the 89K pathogenicity island-positive ST-7 clone that had historically caused the human STSS outbreaks in the Sichuan and Jiangsu provinces of China, although the human STSS case caused byS. suishad never been reported in northern areas of China. Data presented here indicated that the survey ofS. suisshould be expanded to or reinforced in the northern areas of China.
Peripheral Nerve Repair with Cultured Schwann Cells: Getting Closer to the Clinics
Authors: Rodrigues Maria Carolina O. , Rodrigues Antonio Antunes , Glover Loren E. , Voltarelli Julio , Borlongan Cesario V.
Published: June 2012

Peripheral nerve injuries are a frequent and disabling condition, which affects 13 to 23 per 100.000 persons each year. Severe cases, with structural disruption of the nerve, are associated with poor functional recovery. The experimental treatment using nerve grafts to replace damaged or shortened axons is limited by technical difficulties, invasiveness, and mediocre results. Other therapeutic choices include the adjunctive application of cultured Schwann cells and nerve conduits to guide axonal growth. The bone marrow is a rich source of mesenchymal cells, which can be differentiatedin vitrointo Schwann cells and subsequently engrafted into the damaged nerve. Alternatively, undifferentiated bone marrow mesenchymal cells can be associated with nerve conduits and afterward transplanted. Experimental studies provide evidence of functional, histological, and electromyographical improvement following transplantation of bone-marrow-derived cells in animal models of peripheral nerve injury. This paper focuses on this new therapeutic approach highlighting its direct translational and clinical utility in promoting regeneration of not only acute but perhaps also chronic cases of peripheral nerve damage.
Correlation of Dynamic PET and Gene Array Data in Patients with Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors
Authors: Strauss Ludwig G. , Dimitrakopoulou-Strauss Antonia , Koczan Dirk , Pan Leyun , Hohenberger Peter
Published: June 2012

Introduction. The results obtained with dynamic PET (dPET) were compared to gene expression data obtained in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). The primary aim was to assess the association of the dPET results and gene expression data.Material and Methods. dPET was performed following the injection of F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in 22 patients with GIST. All patients were examined prior to surgery for staging purpose. Compartment and noncompartment models were used for the quantitative evaluation of the dPET examinations. Gene array data were based on tumor specimen obtained by surgery after the PET examinations.Results. The data analysis revealed significant correlations for the dPET parameters and the expression of zinc finger genes (znf43, znf85, znf91, znf189). Furthermore, the transport of FDG (k1) was associated with VEGF-A. The cell cycle gene cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1C was correlated with the maximum tracer uptake (SUVmax) in the tumors.Conclusions. The data demonstrate a dependency of the tracer kinetics on genes associated with prognosis in GIST. Furthermore, angiogenesis and cell proliferation have an impact on the tracer uptake.
Physiochemical and Phytochemical Properties of Wax Apple (Syzygium samarangense[Blume] Merrill & L. M. Perry var. Jambu Madu) as Affected by Growth Regulator Application
Authors: Moneruzzaman Khandaker Mohammad , Nasrulhaq Boyce Amru , Osman Normaniza , Sharif Hossain ABM
Published: June 2012

This study represents the first paper of the effects of growth regulators on the physiochemical and phytochemical properties of the wax apple fruit, a widely cultivated fruit tree in southeast Asia. Net photosynthesis, sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) activity, peel color, fruit firmness, juice content, pH value, total soluble solids (TSSs), and the sugar acid ratio were all significantly increased in growth regulators (PGRs) treated fruits. The application of gibberellin (GA3), naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), and 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) significantly reduced titratable acidity and increased total sugar and carbohydrate content compared to the control. The 50 mg/L GA3, 10 mg/L NAA, and 5 mg/L 2,4-D treatments produced the greatest increases in phenol and flavonoid content; vitamin C content was also higher for these treatments. PGR treatment significantly affected chlorophyll, anthocyanin, and carotene content and produced higher phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and antioxidant activity levels. There was a positive correlation between peel color and TSS and antioxidant activity and both phenol and flavonoid content and PAL activity and anthocyanin formation. A taste panel assessment was also performed, and the highest scores were given to fruits that had been treated with GA3or auxin. The study showed that application of 50 mg/L GA3, 10 mg/L NAA, and 5 mg/L 2,4-D once a week from bud development to fruit maturation increased the physiochemical and phytochemical properties of wax apple fruits.
Development of a Reliable Analytical Method for Liquid Anion-Exchange Extraction and Separation of Neodymium(III)
Authors: Kokare Balasaheb N. , Kamble Ganesh S. , Sargar Balasaheb M. , Anuse Mansing A.
Published: June 2012

The liquid-liquid extraction of neodymium(III) from succinate media (0.06 M) has been studied at pH 6.0 with the solution of 0.1 M of N-n-octylaniline in xylene when equilibrium is maintained for 5 min. The back-extraction of neodymium(III) has been performed by using 0.1 M HClO4. The effect of various parameters, such as pH, equilibrium time, extractant concentration, stripping agents, organic diluents, and aqueous to organic volume ratio on the extraction of neodymium(III) has been studied. On the basis of slope analysis, the stoichiometry of the extracted species was determined as 1 : 1 : 2[RR′NH2+Nd(succinate)2-](org). The method is free from interference of large number cations and anions. The method was used for the selective extraction of neodymium(III) from its binary mixture with U(VI), Zr(IV), Nb(V), La(III), Th(IV), Ce(IV), and Y(III). The proposed method is selective and was successfully applied to the synthetic mixtures to show the practical utility of the extractant.
Total Flavonoids Content in the Raw Material and Aqueous Extractives fromBauhinia monandraKurz (Caesalpiniaceae)
Authors: Fernandes Ana Josane Dantas , Ferreira Magda Rhayanny Assunção , Randau Karina Perrelli , de Souza Tatiane Pereira , Soares Luiz Alberto Lira
Published: June 2012

The aim of this work was to evaluate the spectrophotometric methodology for determining the total flavonoid content (TFC) in herbal drug and derived products fromBauhinia monandraKurz. Several analytical parameters from this method grounded on the complex formed between flavonoids and AlCl3were evaluated such as herbal amount (0.25 to 1.25 g); solvent composition (ethanol 40 to 80%, v/v); as well as the reaction time and AlCl3concentration (2 to 9%, w/v). The method was adjusted to aqueous extractives and its performance studied through precision, linearity and preliminary robustness. The results showed an important dependence of the method response from reaction time, AlCl3concentration, sample amount, and solvent mixture. After choosing the optimized condition, the method was applied for the matrixes (herbal material and extractives), showing precision lower than 5% (for both parameters repeatability and intermediate precision), coefficient of determination higher than 0.99, and no important influence could be observed for slight variations from wavelength or AlCl3concentration. Thus, it could be concluded that the evaluated analytical procedure was suitable to quantify the total flavonoid content in raw material and aqueous extractives from leaves ofB. monandra.
Genetic Diversity of Arabica Coffee (Coffea arabicaL.) in Nicaragua as Estimated by Simple Sequence Repeat Markers
Authors: Geleta Mulatu , Herrera Isabel , Monzón Arnulfo , Bryngelsson Tomas
Published: June 2012

Coffea arabicaL. (arabica coffee), the only tetraploid species in the genusCoffea, represents the majority of the world’s coffee production and has a significant contribution to Nicaragua’s economy. The present paper was conducted to determine the genetic diversity of arabica coffee in Nicaragua for its conservation and breeding values. Twenty-six populations that represent eight varieties in Nicaragua were investigated using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. A total of 24 alleles were obtained from the 12 loci investigated across 260 individual plants. The total Nei’s gene diversity (HT) and the within-population gene diversity (HS) were 0.35 and 0.29, respectively, which is comparable with that previously reported from other countries and regions. Among the varieties, the highest diversity was recorded in the variety Catimor. Analysis of variance (AMOVA) revealed that about 87% of the total genetic variation was found within populations and the remaining 13% differentiate the populations (FST=0.13;P<0.001). The variation among the varieties was also significant. The genetic variation in Nicaraguan coffee is significant enough to be used in the breeding programs, and most of this variation can be conserved throughex situconservation of a low number of populations from each variety.
Human genomic disease variants: A neutral evolutionary explanation
Authors: Dudley Joel T. , Kim Yuseob , Liu Li , Markov Glenn J. , Gerold Kristyn , Chen Rong , Butte Atul J. , Kumar Sudhir
Published: June 2012

Many perspectives on the role of evolution in human health include nonempirical assumptions concerning the adaptive evolutionary origins of human diseases. Evolutionary analyses of the increasing wealth of clinical and population genomic data have begun to challenge these presumptions. In order to systematically evaluate such claims, the time has come to build a common framework for an empirical and intellectual unification of evolution and modern medicine. We review the emerging evidence and provide a supporting conceptual framework that establishes the classical neutral theory of molecular evolution (NTME) as the basis for evaluating disease- associated genomic variations in health and medicine. For over a decade, the NTME has already explained the origins and distribution of variants implicated in diseases and has illuminated the power of evolutionary thinking in genomic medicine. We suggest that a majority of disease variants in modern populations will have neutral evolutionary origins (previously neutral), with a relatively smaller fraction exhibiting adaptive evolutionary origins (previously adaptive). This pattern is expected to hold true for common as well as rare disease variants. Ultimately, a neutral evolutionary perspective will provide medicine with an informative and actionable framework that enables objective clinical assessment beyond convenient tendencies to invoke past adaptive events in human history as a root cause of human disease.
Integrative functional genomics identifies an enhancer looping to the SOX9 gene disrupted by the 17q24.3 prostate cancer risk locus
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyang , Cowper-Sal·lari Richard , Bailey Swneke D. , Moore Jason H. , Lupien Mathieu
Published: June 2012

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are identifying genetic predisposition to various diseases. The 17q24.3 locus harbors the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1859962 that is statistically associated with prostate cancer (PCa). It defines a 130-kb linkage disequilibrium (LD) block that lies in an ∼2-Mb gene desert area. The functional biology driving the risk associated with this LD block is unknown. Here, we integrate genome-wide chromatin landscape data sets, namely, epigenomes and chromatin openness from diverse cell types. This identifies a PCa-specific enhancer within the rs1859962 risk LD block that establishes a 1-Mb chromatin loop with the SOX9 gene. The rs8072254 and rs1859961 SNPs mapping to this enhancer impose allele-specific gene expression. The variant allele of rs8072254 facilitates androgen receptor (AR) binding driving increased enhancer activity. The variant allele of rs1859961 decreases FOXA1 binding while increasing AP-1 binding. The latter is key to imposing allele-specific gene expression. The rs8072254 variant in strong LD with the rs1859962 risk SNP can account for the risk associated with this locus, while rs1859961 is a rare variant less likely to contribute to the risk associated with this LD block. Together, our results demonstrate that multiple genetic variants mapping to a unique enhancer looping to the SOX9 oncogene can account for the risk associated with the PCa 17q24.3 locus. Allele-specific recruitment of the transcription factors androgen receptor (AR) and activating protein-1 (AP-1) account for the increased enhancer activity ascribed to this PCa-risk LD block. This further supports the notion that an integrative genomics approach can identify the functional biology disrupted by genetic risk variants.
Maintaining replication origins in the face of genomic change
Authors: Di Rienzi Sara C. , Lindstrom Kimberly C. , Mann Tobias , Noble William S. , Raghuraman M.K. , Brewer Bonita J.
Published: June 2012

Origins of replication present a paradox to evolutionary biologists. As a collection, they are absolutely essential genomic features, but individually are highly redundant and nonessential. It is therefore difficult to predict to what extent and in what regard origins are conserved over evolutionary time. Here, through a comparative genomic analysis of replication origins and chromosomal replication patterns in the budding yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lachancea waltii, we assess to what extent replication origins survived genomic change produced from 150 million years of evolution. We find that L. waltii origins exhibit a core consensus sequence and nucleosome occupancy pattern highly similar to those of S. cerevisiae origins. We further observe that the overall progression of chromosomal replication is similar between L. waltii and S. cerevisiae. Nevertheless, few origins show evidence of being conserved in location between the two species. Among the conserved origins are those surrounding centromeres and adjacent to histone genes, suggesting that proximity to an origin may be important for their regulation. We conclude that, over evolutionary time, origins maintain sequence, structure, and regulation, but are continually being created and destroyed, with the result that their locations are generally not conserved.
Top 10 plant pathogenic bacteria in molecular plant pathology
Authors: MANSFIELD JOHN , GENIN STEPHANE , MAGORI SHIMPEI , CITOVSKY VITALY , SRIARIYANUM MALINEE , RONALD PAMELA , DOW MAX , VERDIER VALÉRIE , BEER STEVEN V. , MACHADO MARCOS A. , TOTH IAN , SALMOND GEORGE , FOSTER GARY D.
Published: June 2012

Many plant bacteriologists, if not all, feel that their particular microbe should appear in any list of the most important bacterial plant pathogens. However, to our knowledge, no such list exists. The aim of this review was to survey all bacterial pathologists with an association with the journal Molecular Plant Pathology and ask them to nominate the bacterial pathogens they would place in a ‘Top 10’ based on scientific/economic importance. The survey generated 458 votes from the international community, and allowed the construction of a Top 10 bacterial plant pathogen list. The list includes, in rank order: (1) Pseudomonas syringae pathovars; (2) Ralstonia solanacearum; (3) Agrobacterium tumefaciens; (4) Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae; (5) Xanthomonas campestris pathovars; (6) Xanthomonas axonopodis pathovars; (7) Erwinia amylovora; (8) Xylella fastidiosa; (9) Dickeya (dadantii and solani); (10) Pectobacterium carotovorum (and Pectobacterium atrosepticum). Bacteria garnering honourable mentions for just missing out on the Top 10 include Clavibacter michiganensis (michiganensis and sepedonicus), Pseudomonas savastanoi and Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus. This review article presents a short section on each bacterium in the Top 10 list and its importance, with the intention of initiating discussion and debate amongst the plant bacteriology community, as well as laying down a benchmark. It will be interesting to see, in future years, how perceptions change and which bacterial pathogens enter and leave the Top 10.
Plasma fetuin‐A is associated with endothelial dysfunction and subclinical atherosclerosis in subjects with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Dogru Teoman , Genc Halil , Tapan Serkan , Aslan Fatih , Ercin Cemal Nuri , Ors Fatih , Kara Muammer , Sertoglu Erdim , Karslioglu Yildirim , Bagci Sait , Kurt İsmail , Sonmez Alper
Published: June 2012

Objective

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is closely associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Fetuin‐A is associated with MetS and NAFLD. We investigated the relationship of circulating fetuin‐A level with markers of endothelial dysfunction and presence of carotid atherosclerosis in subjects with NAFLD.

Methods

The consecutive 115 patients with NAFLD and age‐matched 74 healthy subjects were enrolled. Plasma levels of fetuin‐A and markers of endothelial dysfunction [asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA) and adiponectin] were measured by ELISA method. Insulin sensitivity was determined by homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) index. Carotid artery intima‐media thickness (cIMT) was assessed by high‐resolution ultrasonography.

Results

Fetuin‐A and ADMA were higher and, adiponectin was lower in NAFLD group than the control group (P = 0·004, P < 0·001 and P < 0·001, respectively). In addition, NAFLD group had greater cIMT measurements than the controls (P < 0·001). However, no difference was found for fetuin‐A, ADMA, adiponectin and cIMT between two groups when the findings were adjusted according to the glucose, lipids and HOMA‐IR index. In correlation analysis, fetuin‐A was found to be positively correlated with triglyceride (r = 0·23, P = 0·001), HOMA‐IR (r = 0·29, P < 0·001), ADMA (r = 0·24, P = 0·001), cIMT (r = 0·3, P = 0·003) and, negatively correlated with HDL‐C (r = −0·17, P = 0·02) and adiponectin (r = −0·19, P = 0·01) levels. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that fetuin‐A was independently associated with ADMA and cIMT levels.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated for the first time that circulating fetuin‐A in NAFLD is independently associated with endothelial dysfunction and subclinical atherosclerosis.
Precepting and symbolic interactionism – a theoretical look at preceptorship during clinical practice
Authors: Carlson Elisabeth
Published: June 2012

carlson e. (2012) Precepting and symbolic interactionism – a theoretical look at preceptorship during clinical practice. Journal of Advanced Nursing69(2), 457–464. doi: 10.1111/j.1365‐2648.2012.06047.x

Aim.  To present a discussion of precepting through the use of symbolic interactionism as exemplified by findings from an ethnographic study.

Background.  It is a well‐known fact that clinical practice, where students are supervised by precepting nurses, is an important part of nursing education. Several previous studies have stressed the vital role preceptors have for the development of student nurses’ clinical competence. Despite this, few of these findings are discussed from a theoretical standpoint to further explain and illustrate the complexity of preceptorship.

Data sources.  This article builds on findings from an ethnographic study undertaken between November 2006–May 2007 and again between March–September 2009. Full details of the empirical findings have been reported elsewhere.

Discussion.  Precepting can be understood as a trusting relationship between preceptor and student interacting and sharing nursing activities. The participants’ actions will influence and shape the meaning and understanding of these activities.

Implications for nursing.  Precepting is a complex and advanced role for nurses that they need to be properly prepared for. Thus, preceptor preparation needs to be organized in collaboration between healthcare organizations and universities. It is suggested that preceptor preparation programmes should focus on reflection, critical thinking and communication skills.

Conclusion.  Symbolic interactionism can serve as a potential theory that will expand the understanding of and give new perspectives of nursing practice. It would therefore be encouraging to see further testing of suitable theories to interpret empirical findings and create opportunities for practice improvement.
Changes in intrapopulation resource use patterns of an endangered raptor in response to a disease‐mediated crash in prey abundance
Authors: Moleón Marcos , Sebastián‐González Esther , Sánchez‐Zapata José A. , Real Joan , Pires Mathias M. , Gil‐Sánchez José M. , Bautista Jesús , Palma Luís , Bayle Patrick , Guimarães Paulo R. , Beja Pedro
Published: June 2012

1. A long‐standing question in ecology is how natural populations respond to a changing environment. Emergent optimal foraging theory‐based models for individual variation go beyond the population level and predict how its individuals would respond to disturbances that produce changes in resource availability.

2. Evaluating variations in resource use patterns at the intrapopulation level in wild populations under changing environmental conditions would allow to further advance in the research on foraging ecology and evolution by gaining a better idea of the underlying mechanisms explaining trophic diversity.

3. In this study, we use a large spatio‐temporal scale data set (western continental Europe, 1968–2006) on the diet of Bonelli’s Eagle Aquila fasciata breeding pairs to analyse the predator trophic responses at the intrapopulation level to a prey population crash. In particular, we borrow metrics from studies on network structure and intrapopulation variation to understand how an emerging infectious disease [the rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD)] that caused the density of the eagle’s primary prey (rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus) to dramatically drop across Europe impacted on resource use patterns of this endangered raptor.

4. Following the major RHD outbreak, substantial changes in Bonelli’s Eagle’s diet diversity and organisation patterns at the intrapopulation level took place. Dietary variation among breeding pairs was larger after than before the outbreak. Before RHD, there were no clusters of pairs with similar diets, but significant clustering emerged after RHD. Moreover, diets at the pair level presented a nested pattern before RHD, but not after.

5. Here, we reveal how intrapopulation patterns of resource use can quantitatively and qualitatively vary, given drastic changes in resource availability.

6. For the first time, we show that a pathogen of a prey species can indirectly impact the intrapopulation patterns of resource use of an endangered predator.
Attitudes of healthcare staff and patients’ family members towards family presence during resuscitation in adult critical care units
Authors: Leung Nga Yee , Chow Susan KY
Published: June 2012

Aim and objectives:  This study examines the attitudes of healthcare staff and patients’ family members towards family presence during resuscitation (FPDR) in critical care units in Hong Kong.

Background:  A wealth of literature is available on FPDR in various hospital and healthcare settings. The findings include many anecdotal accounts of both the positive and the negative effects of family presence. There is little documentation on the comparisons of staff and family members’ perceptions and the predictors of staff attitudes towards FPDR practice.

Design:  Cross‐sectional survey design.

Method:  A convenience sample of 163 healthcare staff and 69 family members was recruited from the intensive care units.

Results:  There was significant difference in the attitudes of healthcare staff and patients’ families towards FPDR. The regression analysis showed that the healthcare staff would be more supportive to FPDR if family members could share the dying moments with patients, family members were accompanied by a bereavement team member, there was adequate staff to support the family and staff members were adequately trained. If healthcare staff feel that family members may have the impression that the resuscitation is chaotic, witness resuscitation is traumatic experience for the family, family presence will increase risk of litigation and colleagues will not allow family members to stay during resuscitation making them less supportive of FPDR. Nurses were more supportive to FPDR than doctors.

Conclusion:  The results provide information for healthcare professionals on the development of FPDR programmes for patients and their family members. Through multi‐disciplinary collaborations, the effective and safe implementation of FPDR practice can be enhanced.

Relevance to clinical practice:  The results could help the clinical staff to develop written guidelines to produce an integrated and consistent approach to this sensitive issue in clinical practice.
Exploring nurses’ experiences of prescribing in secondary care: informing future education and practice
Authors: Scrafton Jane , McKinnon John , Kane Roslyn
Published: June 2012

Aims and objectives.  To explore the experiences of secondary care nurse prescribers to establish how prescribing is employed and what its benefits and disadvantages are perceived to be.

Background.  Nurse prescribing has developed rapidly since it inception almost 20 years ago and there is a significant body of research evaluating its implementation in primary care. Recent expansion of non‐medical prescribing rights has prompted nurses in secondary care establishments to become prescribers. Evaluation of nurse prescribing in this new environment is required, if practice is to be informed and advanced. The lack of such evaluations in the published literature was the impetus for this study.

Design.  A cross‐sectional qualitative study.

Methods.  A convenience sample of nurse prescribers was interviewed using a single broad question to prompt elaboration. Transcribed interviews were analysed using Colaizzi’s procedural steps.

Results.  Three main themes emerged from the analysis: motivations behind becoming a nurse prescriber; benefits and limitations of prescribing education and continuing professional development and prescribing in practice.

Conclusion.  Nurses felt nurse prescribing offers clear benefits in relation to patient care. Where nurses were not prescribing, finance arrangements between different NHS trusts appear to be a significant barrier to its successful implementation of prescribing in practice. Nurse prescribing is strongly believed to be the domain of the experienced nurse. There is a clear need for ongoing evaluation of all aspects of nurse prescribing.

Relevance to clinical practice.  This paper makes key recommendations on the future development and delivery of programmes of education for nurse prescribers and for the delivery of safe and effective prescribing in practice.
A systematic review of peer support interventions for breastfeeding
Authors: Kaunonen Marja , Hannula Leena , Tarkka Marja‐Terttu
Published: June 2012

Aims and objectives.  The objective of this systematic review was to describe peer support interventions supporting breastfeeding during pregnancy and the postnatal period.

Background.  Breastfeeding is an effective way to promote infants’ health. Including a peer support element in breastfeeding programmes is a highly successful way to increase breastfeeding.

Design.  A systematic literature review.

Methods.  The review was conducted from the CINAHL, MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library databases from year 2000 until the end of February 2008. According to the inclusion criteria, the adopted studies focused on breastfeeding, breastfeeding support interventions and education of healthy mothers and infants from the perspective of mothers or family members. Additionally, the studies had to be conducted in Europe, North America, Australia or New Zealand to meet the criteria. Articles combining peer support and professional support were also included in the study.

Results.  The results indicated that during pregnancy, hospitalisation and the postnatal period, individual support and education were used most commonly. Peer support was strongly associated with the postnatal period. The combination of professional support and peer support by trained and experienced peer supporters was effective in ensuring the continuation of breastfeeding.

Conclusions.  Only continuous breastfeeding support produces effective results. Diverse types of interventions are needed during different phases of motherhood. The role of peer support is most important during the postnatal period. If professional support is not available for mothers, peer support could provide an alternative worth considering.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Professionals require breastfeeding education to act as breastfeeding supporters as well as the support of their organisations in this work. Moreover, professionals need to gain knowledge of the role of peer support regarding the efficient combination of professional support and peer support to increase breastfeeding.
Visual functioning in nursing home residents: information in client records
Authors: Sinoo Marianne M , Kort Helianthe SM , Duijnstee Mia SH
Published: June 2012

Aim and objectives.  To improve (eye)care in nursing homes by reporting and assessing visual functioning to enhance professional caregivers’ awareness of visual problems.

Background.  Older adults experience visual problems owing to biological ageing or eye disease. In the Netherlands, the prevalence of visual impairments is the highest in the subgroup of nursing home residents (41·3%). These impairments influence quality of life in terms of limiting daily activities and participation in social activities. Furthermore, 63% of visual problems are defined as ‘avoidable blindness’. For this reason, screening of visual functioning in the nursing home is of major importance. Moreover, visual functioning should also be taken into account to prevent the incidence of falls.

Design.  A field study on recorded information of visual functioning and visual assessment in nursing homes.

Methods.  Assessment of visual functioning of 259 residents in nursing homes. Subsequently, recorded information in client files is related to the assessment outcome.

Results.  Only in 101 (39%) of the 259 client records was some information on visual functioning found in client files. Whether a prescription for new glasses was dispensed made no difference in reporting on visual functioning in the client record. In more than half of the cases assessed as ‘low vision or blindness’, no information about visual functioning was found. Furthermore, no information was found in 31% (80/259) cases of suspected visual problems (referrals). A significant proportion of client records (p < 0·05) showed no recorded information in cases of referral for further check‐up.

Conclusions.  In this study, one‐third of nursing homes residents have visual problems, needing examination by an ophthalmologist. Problems with visual functioning should be assessed and captured in client records. Awareness of residents’ visual functioning is a prerequisite for adapting basic daily care to the residents’ needs.
Validation of a handoff assessment tool: the Handoff CEX
Authors: Horwitz Leora I , Dombroski Janet , Murphy Terrence E , Farnan Jeanne M , Johnson Julie K , Arora Vineet M
Published: June 2012

Aims and objectives.  Test the feasibility and validity of a handoff evaluation tool for nurses.

Background.  No validated tools exist to assess the quality of handoff communication during change of shift.

Design.  Prospective cohort study.

Methods.  A standardised tool, the Handoff CEX, was developed based on the mini‐CEX. The tool consisted of seven domains scored on a 1–9 scale. Nurse educators observed shift‐to‐shift handoff reports among nurses and evaluated both the provider and recipient of the report. Nurses participating in the report simultaneously evaluated each other as part of their handoff.

Results.  Ninety‐eight evaluations were obtained from 25 reports. Scores ranged from 3–9 in all domains except communication and setting (4–9). Experienced (>five years) nurses received significantly higher mean scores than inexperienced (≤five years) nurses in all domains except setting and professionalism. Mean overall score for experienced nurses was 7·9 vs 6·9 for inexperienced nurses. External observers gave significantly lower scores than peer evaluators in all domains except setting. Mean overall score by external observers was 7·1 vs. 8·1 by peer evaluators. Participants were very satisfied with the evaluation (mean score 8·1).

Conclusions.  A brief, structured handoff evaluation tool was designed that was well‐received by participants, was felt to be easy to use without training, provided data about a wide range of communication competencies and discriminated well between experienced and inexperienced clinicians.

Relevance to clinical practice.  This tool may be useful for educators, supervisors and practicing nurses to provide training, ongoing assessment and feedback to improve the quality of handoff.