bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Determinants of Policy Introduction and Bill Adoption: Examining Minimum Wage Increases in the American States, 1997–2006
Authors: Whitaker Eric A. , Herian Mitchel N. , Larimer Christopher W. , Lang Michael
Published: November 2012

Faced with long intervals between federal minimum wage increases in recent years, state legislatures are increasingly likely to take action. Motivated by the relative dearth of empirical work on minimum wages in the American states, this article considered various explanations to determine which factors are associated with legislative efforts to pass wage increases. Taking seriously the view that disagreements over the effects of minimum wage increases enhances the influence of political factors, we drew on the policy adoption and diffusion literature to examine how internal determinants (political and economic variables) and regional diffusion pressures relate to both the introduction and adoption of minimum wage legislation in the American states in the years between the last two federal minimum wage increases (1997–2006). Employing negative binomial regression to analyze annual bill introductions, we found that a number of political variables are related to the consideration of minimum wage increases. However, using event history analysis to examine annual adoptions of minimum wage increases, we found few of the same variables matter. We concluded with a discussion of the empirical results within the context of the broader policy literature and cautioned future scholars to consider seriously whether political factors exert distinct influences at different stages of the policy process.
Hunting in Ancient and Modern Amazonia: Rethinking Sustainability
Authors: Shepard Jr. Glenn H. , Levi Taal , Neves Eduardo Góes , Peres Carlos A. , Yu Douglas W.
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACT We use a recently developed computerized modeling technique to explore the long‐term impacts of indigenous Amazonian hunting in the past, present, and future. The model redefines sustainability in spatial and temporal terms, a major advance over the static “sustainability indices” currently used to study hunting in tropical forests. We validate the model's projections against actual field data from two sites in contemporary Amazonia and use the model to assess various management scenarios for the future of Manu National Park in Peru. We then apply the model to two archaeological contexts, show how its results may resolve long‐standing enigmas regarding native food taboos and primate biogeography, and reflect on the ancient history and future of indigenous people in the Amazon.
The Virtuous Tourist: Consumption, Development, and Nongovernmental Governance in a Mozambican Village
Authors: Baptista João Afonso
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACT  This article is about the role of tourist moral agency in governing. The affiliation between vacationing and governing is illustrated through the examination of a case study: the village of Canhane in Mozambique. The main touristic attribute of the village lies in residents' performance of a society in need, seeking outside solutions and guidance. Virtuous tourism in Canhane is the effect of a capitalist expansion in which ethics, community development, and governance are conflated with tourists' consumption. Specifically, the commodifying logic that emerges from the presence of virtuous tourists in the village derives primarily from three subjects: tourists' self‐aspirations, residents' ambition to integrate into the broader socioeconomic order, and the politicization of virtue stimulated by the development industry. Ultimately, this article shows how the cultivation of ethics through tourism consumption has become an ally for the exercise of nongovernmental governance over public spheres.
Fatal Prevotella oralis meningitis
Authors: Cahalan S. D. , Hick G. , Rossiter A. , Callanan J. J.
Published: November 2012

Prevotella oralis, an obligate Gram‐negative anaerobe, was detected as the cause of acute meningitis in a four‐year‐old cocker spaniel. Clinical signs included acute onset collapse and severe depression. Despite treatment, the animal died. A post‐mortem examination was performed which revealed a fibrinosuppurative meningitis with no significant inflammation of the brain or spinal parenchyma. The aetiological diagnosis was confirmed by anaerobic bacterial culture. This report discusses the nature and extent of the lesions and possible routes of infection of the causative organism.
Optical performance after bilateral implantation of apodized aspheric diffractive multifocal intraocular lenses with +3.00‐D addition power
Authors: Peng Cheng , Zhao Jiangyue , Ma Liwei , Qu Bo , Sun Qi , Zhang Jinsong
Published: November 2012

Purpose:  To determine whether bilateral implantation of an aspheric apodized diffractive multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) with +3.00 diopters (D) results in optical adverse effects compared with an aspheric monofocal IOL.

Methods:  In a prospective, randomized study of 204 eyes (102 patients) with bilateral implantation of an AcrySof ReSTOR SN6AD1 IOL or an AcrySof IQ SN60WF IOL, binocular uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected distance visual acuities (CDVA), uncorrected (UIVA) and distance‐corrected intermediate visual acuities (DCIVA), uncorrected (UNVA) and distance‐corrected near visual acuities (DCNVA), defocus curve, intraocular straylight, wavefront aberrations, modulation transfer functions (MTF) and patient questionnaires were evaluated postoperatively.

Results:  Both groups resulted in similar UDVA and CDVA (p > 0.05), whereas the multifocal IOL group performed significantly better UIVA and DCIVA at 50, 60 cm, and better UNVA and DCNVA at 40 cm (p ≤ 0.001). Higher intraocular straylight was obtained in the multifocal IOL group (p = 0.016). Total, higher‐order, spherical and coma aberrations performed similar in both groups (p > 0.05). MTF was lower in the multifocal IOL group than in the monofocal IOL group with 3.0‐mm pupils at 5 and 10 cycles per degree (cpd). Although patients in the multifocal IOL group complained more glare/flare, problems with night vision, and halos, they reported excellent spectacle independence, and high satisfaction.

Conclusions:  Compared with the AcrySof IQ IOL, the ReSTOR SN6AD1 IOL provided excellent visual outcomes, satisfactory spectacle independence without compromising wavefront aberrations; however, optical adverse effects with respect to higher intraocular straylight and lower MTF at lower spatial frequency were demonstrated.
Peri‐implant bone loss in cement‐ and screw‐retained prostheses: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: de Brandão Marcelo L. , Vettore Mario V. , Vidigal Júnior Guaracilei M.
Published: November 2012

Aim

The aim of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to assess and compare peri‐implant marginal bone loss in cement‐ and screw‐retained prostheses.

Material and Methods

Electronic database and manual searches were undertaken to identify trials, prospective or retrospective studies reporting on radiographic marginal bone loss around dental implants restored with cement‐ and/or screw‐retained prostheses. Two reviewers independently conducted the article selection and data extraction. Random‐effects models were used to obtain estimates of peri‐implant marginal bone loss [mean, 95% confidence intervals (CI)].

Results

Of the 1217 identified studies, nine finally met the inclusion criteria. Only two studies included both cement‐ and screw‐retained prostheses, three assessed only screw‐retained prostheses, and four evaluated only cement‐retained prostheses. Pooled mean marginal bone loss was 0.53 mm (CI 95%, 0.31–0.76 mm) for cement‐retained prostheses and 0.89 mm (CI 95%, 0.45–1.33 mm) for screw‐retained prostheses.

Conclusion

There is no evidence to support differences in the marginal bone loss through indirect comparison between cement and screw‐retained restorations.
Replication study for the association of rs391300 in SRR and rs17584499 in PTPRD with susceptibility to type 2 diabetes in a Japanese population
Authors: Imamura Minako , Iwata Minoru , Maegawa Hiroshi , Watada Hirotaka , Hirose Hiroshi , Tanaka Yasushi , Tobe Kazuyuki , Kaku Kohei , Kashiwagi Atsunori , Kadowaki Takashi , Kawamori Ryuzo , Maeda Shiro
Published: November 2012

Aims/Introduction

Genetic risk variants for type 2 diabetes; rs391300‐G in SRR and rs17584499‐T in PTPRD, have been identified by a genome‐wide association study using Han Chinese individuals living in Taiwan. In an attempt to know the effects of these two variants in conferring susceptibility to type 2 diabetes in the Japanese, we carried out a replication study for the association of the two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with type 2 diabetes in a Japanese population.

Materials and Methods

We genotyped 11,530 Japanese individuals (8,552 type 2 diabetes patients and 2,978 controls) for rs391300 and rs17584499, and analyzed the association of these two SNPs with type 2 diabetes by logistic regression analysis.

Results

Neither of the variants was associated with susceptibility to type 2 diabetes in the Japanese population (rs391300‐G: odds ratio [OR] = 0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.91–1.04; P = 0.44; rs17584499‐T: OR = 1.04; 95% CI 0.96–1.14; P = 0.34). Adjustment or stratified analysis for age, sex and body mass index (BMI) did not affect the association of these variants with the disease. We did not observe a significant association of the SNPs with any metabolic traits, BMI, fasting plasma glucose, homeostasis model assessment of β‐cell function (HOMA‐β) and HOMA of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Neither rs391300 nor rs17584499 had a significant effect on conferring susceptibility to type 2 diabetes in the Japanese population.
Sequential mate choice and sexual isolation in threespine stickleback species
Authors: Kozak G. M. , Head M. L. , Lackey A. C. R. , Boughman J. W.
Published: November 2012

Sequential mate choice strategies predict how females should alter their choosiness based on the availability of attractive males. There are many studies on sequential mate choice within species, but few have asked whether females apply these strategies to interactions between species and how these strategies may affect hybridization. We tested how previous interactions with conspecific and heterospecific males affect mate preference and sexual isolation in two threespine stickleback species (benthics and limnetics:Gasterosteusspp.). Consistent with previous work, we found that within species, stickleback females gauge male attractiveness relative to previously encountered males. If females extend these decision rules between species, we predicted that previous interactions with conspecifics should make heterospecifics less attractive, whereas interactions with heterospecifics should make conspecifics more attractive. However, females found heterospecifics less attractive after prior experience, largely independent of the species of male first encountered. Thus, sequential mate choice strategies are used within but not between species in sticklebacks. Further, learning from prior courtship interactions acts to enhance existing sexual isolation between species.
Seasonal selection and resource dynamics in a seasonally polyphenic butterfly
Authors: Morehouse N. I. , Mandon N. , Christides J.‐P. , Body M. , Bimbard G. , Casas J.
Published: November 2012

Seasonal polyphenisms are widespread in nature, yet the selective pressures responsible for their evolution remain poorly understood. Previous work has largely focussed either on the developmental regulation of seasonal polyphenisms or putative ‘top‐down’ selective pressures such as predation that may have acted to drive phenotypic divergence. Much less is known about the influence of seasonal variation in resource availability or seasonal selection on optimal resource allocation. We studied seasonal variation in resource availability, uptake and allocation in Araschnia levana L., a butterfly species that exhibits a striking seasonal colour polyphenism consisting of predominantly orange ‘spring form’ adults and black‐and‐white ‘summer form’ adults. ‘Spring form’ individuals develop as larvae in the late summer, enter a pupal diapause in the fall and emerge in the spring, whereas ‘summer form’ individuals develop directly during the summer months. We find evidence for seasonal declines in host plant quality, and we identify similar reductions in resource uptake in late summer, ‘spring form’ larvae. Further, we report shifts in the body composition of diapausing ‘spring form’ pupae consistent with a physiological cost to overwintering. However, these differences do not translate into detectable differences in adult body composition. Instead, we find minor seasonal differences in adult body composition consistent with augmented flight capacity in ‘summer form’ adults. In comparison, we find much stronger signatures of sex‐specific selection on patterns of resource uptake and allocation. Our results indicate that resource dynamics in A. levana are shaped by seasonal fluctuations in host plant nutrition, climatic conditions and intraspecific interactions.
Reporting ‘number needed to treat’ in meta‐analyses: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Naing Cho , Aung Kyan , Mak Joon Wah
Published: November 2012

Aim: In translating clinical research into practice, the summarization of data from randomized trials in terms of measures of effect to be readily appreciated by the point‐of‐care clinicians is important. In this context, the body of literature highlighted the ‘number needed to treat’ as a useful measure. The objectives of our study were to assess how meta‐analyses described number needed to treat and corresponding 95% CI, and to explore issues related to reporting number needed to treat in the selected meta‐analyses.

Method: For an illustration, we searched for the Cochrane systematic reviews and non‐Cochrane systematic reviews. Two‐stage selection was done to identify eligible studies. First, we fixed a date and then, we searched meta‐analyses in PUBMED available on the date fixed. Secondly, we purposively selected five Cochrane systematic reviews and three non‐Cochrane systematic reviews, according to our inclusion criteria. The critical appraisal of meta‐analyses identified for the current study was done with the 5‐item quality checklist introduced to the current analysis.

Results: A total of 8 systematic reviews, 5 Cochrane systematic reviews and 3 non‐Cochrane systematic reviews/meta‐analyses, were identified for the present study. Of these 8 meta‐analyses, some (50%; 4/8) described number needed to treat in the method session of the study. However, the majority (87.5%; 7/8) reported number needed to treat in the results. For the details, 80% in Cochrane reviews and 66.5% in non‐Cochrane reviews reported number needed to treat in the results. Only two studies (25%; 2/8) reported susceptibility to publication bias, provided simplified interpretation or discussed number needed to treat.

Conclusion: Although the Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions suggests the reviewers to include number needed to treat in reporting effect estimations, there still is a need to improve.
Reflections on the implementation of governance structures for early‐stage clinical innovation
Authors: Cowie Luke , Sandall Jane , Ehrich Kathryn
Published: November 2012

Objectives

This paper seeks to further explore the question of how best to monitor and govern innovative clinical procedures in their earliest phase of development. We examine the potential value of proposed governance frameworks, such as the IDEAL model, and examine the functioning of a novel procedures review committee.

Methods

The paper draws upon 20 qualitative, semi‐structured interviews. Nine interviews were conducted with members of a committee that was established as a means of governing innovative procedures within a large National Health Service Foundation Trust hospital in the UK. Eleven interviews were conducted with health providers involved with the development of a variety of novel clinical procedures.

Results

Prominent themes from the data include the potential willingness of clinicians to engage with regulatory frameworks for innovative procedures, existing ways in which clinicians and others attempt to ensure patient's safety and manage uncertainty in the context of novel procedures, views on the potential benefits and drawbacks of engaging with a review committee for novel procedures, and the pragmatic considerations and potential unintended consequences that are entailed in the implementation of regulatory requirements for the monitoring of innovative procedures.

Conclusions

The views of committee members and clinical innovators help us to understand the practical issues of implementing governance structures for novel clinical procedures. The data illustrate those factors that must be taken into account if governance is to support innovation rather than act as an inhibiting factor in the development of new clinical procedures.
The Newly Described Heterotrophic Dinoflagellate Gyrodinium moestrupii, an Effective Protistan Grazer of Toxic Dinoflagellates
Authors: Yoo Yeong Du , Yoon Eun Young , Jeong Hae Jin , Lee Kyung Ha , Hwang Yeong Jong , Seong Kyeong Ah , Kim Jae Seong , Park Jae Yeon
Published: November 2012

Few protistan grazers feed on toxic dinoflagellates, and low grazing pressure on toxic dinoflagellates allows these dinoflagellates to form red‐tide patches. We explored the feeding ecology of the newly described heterotrophic dinoflagellate Gyrodinium moestrupii when it fed on toxic strains of Alexandrium minutum, Alexandrium tamarense, and Karenia brevis and on nontoxic strains of A. tamarense, Prorocentrum minimum, and Scrippsiella trochoidea. Specific growth rates of G. moestrupii feeding on each of these dinoflagellates either increased continuously or became saturated with increasing mean prey concentration. The maximum specific growth rate of G. moestrupii feeding on toxic A. minutum (1.60/d) was higher than that when feeding on nontoxic S. trochoidea (1.50/d) or P. minimum (1.07/d). In addition, the maximum growth rate of G. moestrupii feeding on the toxic strain of A. tamarense (0.68/d) was similar to that when feeding on the nontoxic strain of A. tamarense (0.71/d). Furthermore, the maximum ingestion rate of G. moestrupii on A. minutum (2.6 ng C/grazer/d) was comparable to that of S. trochoidea (3.0 ng C/grazer/d). Additionally, the maximum ingestion rate of G. moestrupii on the toxic strain of A. tamarense (2.1 ng C/grazer/d) was higher than that when feeding on the nontoxic strain of A. tamarense (1.3 ng C/grazer/d). Thus, feeding by G. moestrupii is not suppressed by toxic dinoflagellate prey, suggesting that it is an effective protistan grazer of toxic dinoflagellates.
Morphological, Ultrastructural, and Molecular Characterization of Euplotidium rosati n. sp. (Ciliophora, Euplotida) from Guam
Authors: Modeo Letizia , Petroni Giulio , Lobban Christopher S. , Verni Franco , Vannini Claudia
Published: November 2012

We combined morphological (i.e. live, stained, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy) with morphometric and molecular analysis to describe a ciliate species collected from shallow reefs in Guam, grown, and maintained in our laboratory. The species was recognized as a member of Euplotidium, and compared with established species of the genus: Euplotidium itoi Ito 1958; Euplotidium psammophilus (Vacelet 1961) Borror 1972; Euplotidium arenarium Magagnini and Nobili 1964; Euplotidium helgae Hartwig 1980; Euplotidium prosaltans Tuffrau 1985, and Euplotidium smalli Lei, Choi and Xu, 2002. To obtain more elements to compare the species, new morphometric data and additional SSU rRNA gene sequences of E. itoi and of E. arenarium are reported. On the basis of this comparison, we established the new species Euplotidium rosati that has a cirral pattern composed of 12 frontoventral and six transverse cirri, and lacks the left marginal cirrus. Euplotidium rosati harbors on its dorsal surface epixenosomes, the peculiar extrusive symbionts described in other Euplotidium species. The whole body of our observations together with the analysis of the data available in the literature leads us to propose a redefinition of the genus. The results may also be useful to clarify the tangled relationship between Euplotidium and Gastrocirrhus.
Morphological, Physiological, and Molecular Evidences Suggest that Euplotes parawoodruffi is a Junior Synonym of Euplotes woodruffi (Ciliophora, Euplotida)
Authors: Dai Renhai , Xu Kuidong , He Yingying
Published: November 2012

Euplotes woodruffi Gaw 1939 is a striking ciliate species commonly used in many fields of protistology. Euplotes parawoodruffi Song and Bradbury 1997 is separated from E. woodruffi by several morphological differences (e.g. the absence of pre‐oral pouch) and in particular the brackish habitat (vs. freshwater). However, recent molecular data dispute the separation of E. woodruffi into two species. Based on a brackish isolate from the southeast of China, we investigated the morphology, molecular phylogeny, and adaptation of E. woodruffi using living observation, protargol impregnation, gene sequencing, and cultivation experiments. The morphological variability present in our isolate encompasses the previous descriptions of E. woodruffi and E. parawoodruffi. The pre‐oral pouch, which occurs in living cells of freshwater isolates, is also recognizable in the brackish specimens. Laboratory experiments suggested that the brackish isolate could acclimatize and reproduce in both brackish and fresh water. The molecular analyses using 13 available small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene sequences showed that the minimum pairwise sequence similarity is as high as 99.2% and nine sequences from both brackish and freshwater isolates are even 100% matched. Therefore, we conclude that E. parawoodruffi is a junior synonym of E. woodruffi.
Expression of argininosuccinate synthetase in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wu Lina , Li Li , Meng Shucong , Qi Ruizhao , Mao Zebin , Lin Ming
Published: November 2012

Background and Aim

Arginine is a nonessential amino acid for humans and mice because it can be synthesized from citrulline by argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS) and argininosuccinate lyase. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is believed to be auxotrophic for arginine through the lack of expression of ASS. However, there are also some ASS‐positive HCC cells. Therefore, the aim of this article was to study the levels of arginine and the expression of ASS in patients with HCC.

Methods

Thirty patients with HCC who had undergone HCC surgery were enrolled in the study. Serum arginine levels were determined with an automatic amino acid analyzer. ASS expression was examined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Methylation specific polymerase chain reaction and methylation sequencing were performed to detect the methylation of DNA encoding ASS.

Results

There was a decrease of arginine in HCC patients compared with that of healthy control. High expression of ASS was found in the adjacent tissues by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Little ASS expression was found in most HCC tissues, but there were also some HCC tissues that expressed low levels of ASS. Methylation of the DNA encoding ASS was obviously higher in HCC tissues than that in paired adjacent tissues.

Conclusions

ASS expression is decreased significantly in HCC tissues. The downregulation of arginine and ASS expression may be a self‐defense action of the body against malignant tumors, and the decreased arginine and ASS levels in HCC patients are an advantage for the arginine deiminase treatment.
Melatonin secretion and metabolism in patients with hepatic encephalopathy
Authors: Chojnacki Cezary , Wachowska‐Kelly Patrycja , Błasiak Janusz , Reiter Russel J , Chojnacki Jan
Published: November 2012

Background and Aim

The rhythm of melatonin secretion and its blood level changes in cirrhotic patients, but the causes of these alterations have not been sufficiently appreciated.

The aim of study was to estimate the dependence between melatonin secretion and metabolism and the severity of hepatic encephalopathy.

Methods

The study included 75 alcoholic cirrhotic patients (A, B, C) with hepatic insufficiency and 25 healthy subjects (group K). Three groups of patients were identified, 25 patients each, with grade 1, 2, and 3 hepatic encephalopathy according to West‐Haven Scale. Immunoenzymatic method was used to measure serum melatonin (at 02:00 h and 09:00 h) level and 6‐sulfatoxymelatonin (6‐HMS) excretion in the urine (during night and day).

Results

Nocturnal serum melatonin levels (pg/mL) in groups were: K—57.1 ± 11.4, A—38.5 ± 11.2, B—53.4 ± 17.9, C—79.5 ± 27.9 (P < 0.01); whereas diurnal levels were: K—10.9 ± 3.5, A—33.5 ± 12.0, B—53.8 ± 23.1, C—98.5 ± 34.6 (P < 0.01). Similar differences were found in the evaluation of 6‐HMS excretion (μg/9 h) in urine at night: group K—23.4 ± 14.4, A–16.6 ± 5.4, B—14.3 ± 6.2 (P < 0.01), C—3.3 ± 1.5 (P < 0.001). Diurnal 6‐HMS excretion (μg/15 h) was lower only in group C and it was respectively: K—6.9 ± 3.4, A–7.1 ± 1.7, B—7.6 ± 1.7, C—4.3 ± 2.2 (P < 0.001). Serum ammonia concentrations (μg/dL) were: group K—30.4 ± 8.9, A–51.8 ± 25.4 (P < 0.05), B—73.0 ± 29.8 (P < 0.001), C—107.5 ± 34.8 (P < 0.001). No correlation between melatonin and ammonia levels in all groups was found.

Conclusions

The elevated melatonin blood levels both at night and day may account for some of the clinical manifestations of hepatic encephalopathy (daytime sleepiness, fatigue).
Interferon‐gamma with peginterferon alpha‐2a and ribavirin in nonresponder patients with chronic hepatitis C (ANRS HC16 GAMMATRI)
Authors: Couzigou Patrice , Pérusat Sophie , Bourlière Marc , Trimoulet Pascale , Poynard Thierry , Leroy Vincent , Marcellin Patrick , Foucher Juliette , Bronowicki Jean‐Pierre , Chêne Geneviève ,   ANRS HC16 GAMMATRI Trial Group
Published: November 2012

Background and Aim

Interferon‐gamma‐1b (IFN‐γ‐1b) improves alpha interferon (IFN‐α) inhibition of hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication in replicon system. We described virological response after addition of IFN‐γ to a combination of ribavirin/peginterferon (PEG‐IFN)‐α‐2a or α‐2b.

Methods

In this non‐comparative, multicenter trial, patients chronically infected by HCV who were nonresponders to a previous treatment by PEG‐IFN and ribavirin were restarted on a regimen of PEG‐IFN‐α‐2a (180 μg/week) + ribavirin (1000–1200 mg/day) for 16 weeks. If HCV‐RNA decreased less than 2 log10 copies/mL (nonresponders), and if PEG‐IFN‐α‐2a and ribavirin dosages were unchanged while tolerance was good, IFNγ‐1b (100 μg three times per week) was added for the last 32 weeks of treatment. Virological response was evaluated at week 28 (12 weeks after initiation of IFN‐γ‐1b).

Results

Among the 48 patients started on dual therapy, 23 patients (47%) were nonresponders at week 12 and received IFN‐γ‐1b from week 16 onward. Their mean HCV‐RNA (log10 IU/mL) was 6.83 at baseline, 5.81 at week 12, and 5.63 at week 28. No patient reached undetectable HCV‐RNA at week 28 (upper bound of 95% confidence interval: 14.8%); none had a decrease > 1 log10 IU/mL. One case of grade 4 neutropenia was reported.

Conclusion

Among the strictly selected nonresponders, IFN‐γ‐1b (at a dosage of 100 μg thrice a week) in combination with PEG‐IFN‐α‐2a and ribavirin failed to show virological efficacy.
Helicobacter pyloricagA 12‐bp insertion can be a marker for duodenal ulcer in Okinawa, Japan
Authors: Matsuo Yuichi , Shiota Seiji , Matsunari Osamu , Suzuki Rumiko , Watada Masahide , Binh Tran Thanh , Kinjo Nagisa , Kinjo Fukunori , Yamaoka Yoshio
Published: November 2012

Background and Aim

Helicobacter pylori cagA can be classified into mainly two types (East‐Asian‐type and Western‐type cagA) according to the repeat regions located in the 3′ region. Recent studies showed that the Western‐type cagA in strains from Okinawa, Japan formed a different cluster (J‐Western‐type cagA subtype). It has also been reported that J‐Western‐type cagA possesses a 12‐bp insertion located in the 5′ region of cagA sequence.

Methods

The prevalence of 12‐bp insertion in cagA in Okinawa and the United States (U.S.) was examined by DNA sequencing. The primer pair that can detect the 12‐bp insertion only by polymerase chain reaction was then designed. The prevalence of strains with 12‐bp insertion was examined in 336 strains isolated from Okinawa by polymerase chain reaction.

Results

In case of Western‐type cagA/vacA s1m2 strains, the prevalence of 12‐bp insertion was significantly higher in strains isolated from Okinawa than that from the U.S. (P = 0.002). Phylogenetic tree showed that strains with 12‐bp insertion formed two individual clusters within J‐Western‐type cagA subtype; one is from Okinawa and another is from the U.S. The designed primer set showed high sensitivity (100%) and specificity (90.8%) in Okinawa. The 12‐bp insertion was found in 23.7%, 14.3%, 4.2%, and 4.0% of strains with duodenal ulcer (DU), gastritis, gastric cancer, and gastric ulcer (GU), respectively (P < 0.001 for DU vs GU) in Okinawa.

Conclusions

Although the mechanisms are unknown, the presence of 12‐bp insertion was associated with the presence of DU and might have a suppressive action on GU and gastric cancer.
Differences in food consumption according to weight status and physical activity levels among Greek children between 1992/93 and 2006/07
Authors: Smpokos E. A. , Linardakis M. , Sarri K. , Papadaki A. , Theodorou A. S. , Kafatos A.
Published: November 2012

Background

There is a lack of data in Greece on trends in food intake according to weight status and physical activity (PA), despite the high prevalence of obesity. The present study aimed to examine differences in these parameters among first‐grade children from Crete, Greece, over a 15‐year period.

Methods

Children (aged 5.9–7.6 years) from two representative cross‐sectional studies participated during 1992/93 (n = 245) and 2006/07 (n = 257). Estimated 3‐day food records were used to assess food consumption and energy‐density (ED) [kJ g−1 (kcal g−1)]. Moderate‐to‐vigorous‐PA (MVPA) and cardiorespiratory‐fitness were assessed by questionnaires and the 20‐m shuttle‐run test (20mSRT), respectively.

Results

In 2006/07, compared to 1992/93, both sexes had a significantly higher intake of dairy products and snacks (P < 0.001), a lower intake of cereals (P < 0.001) and higher cardiorespiratory fitness levels (P < 0.001). Among girls, fruit/vegetable consumption was higher (P < 0.05), although legume intake was lower (P < 0.005). Among overweight/obese (OW/OB) children, ED significantly decreased (P < 0.05) and the mean consumption of fruits/vegetables was higher (P < 0.001). The percentage of OW/OB boys was significantly higher (P < 0.001); however, MVPA was significant higher in this group compared to 1992/93 (P < 0.001). During the two time‐periods, active children in 2006/07 appeared to have a lower ED than active ones in 1992/93 (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Several differences in food intake were observed among first‐grade children of Crete between 1992/93 and 2006/07, as characterised by significant increases in the consumption of dairy products and snacks and a decrease in the intake of cereals, among both sexes. Future school‐based interventions in this population should emphasise the need to increase fruit/vegetable, unrefined cereal and legume consumption.
Arabidopsis RING Peroxins are E3 Ubiquitin Ligases that Interact with Two Homologous Ubiquitin Receptor ProteinsF
Authors: Kaur Navneet , Zhao Qingzhen , Xie Qi , Hu Jianping
Published: November 2012

Peroxisomes are essential eukaryotic organelles that mediate various metabolic processes. Peroxisome import depends on a group of peroxisome biogenesis factors called peroxins, many of which are evolutionarily conserved. PEX2, PEX10, and PEX12 are three RING‐finger‐domain‐containing integral membrane peroxins crucial for protein import. In yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisae), RING peroxins act as E3 ligases, facilitating the recycling of the peroxisome import receptor protein PEX5 through ubiquitination. In plants, RING peroxins are essential to plant vitality. To elucidate the mode of action of the plant RING peroxins, we employed in vitro assays to show that the Arabidopsis RING peroxins also have E3 ligase activities. We also identified a PEX2‐interacting protein, DSK2b, which is a member of the ubiquitin receptor family known to function as shuttle factors ferrying polyubiquitinated substrates to the proteasome for degradation. DSK2b and its tandem duplicate DSK2a are localized in the cytosol and the nucleus, and both interact with the RING domain of PEX2 and PEX12. DSK2 artificial microRNA lines did not display obvious defects in plant growth or peroxisomal processes, indicating functional redundancies among Arabidopsis ubiquitin receptor proteins. Our results suggest that Arabidopsis RING peroxins can function as E3 ligases and act together with the ubiquitin receptor protein DSK2 in the peroxisomal membrane‐associated protein degradation system.
Transient exposure to echinacoside is sufficient to activate Trk signaling and protect neuronal cells from rotenone
Authors: Zhu Min , Lu Chuanzhen , Li Wenwei
Published: November 2012

Neurotrophins exert their physiological functions mainly through Trk receptors, and the neurotrophic signaling network is critical to the survival of neurons. However, therapeutic use of neurotrophins in treating neurodegenerative diseases is hampered by a number of pharmacological challenges, and the most significant challenge is their delivery into the central nervous system. Here, we reported that echinacoside, a small natural compound, elicits neuroprotection by activating Trk receptors and their downstream signal pathways. Echinacoside is the major active component of Cistanches Herba, a widely used Chinese herb with neuroprotective effects. We showed in this study that transient exposure to echinacoside is sufficient to protect neuronal cells and non‐neuronal cells over‐expressed with TrkA or TrkB against rotenone injury. Additional investigations on the mechanisms underlying suggested that transient treatment with echinacoside inhibits cytochrome c release and caspase‐3 activation caused by ensuing rotenone exposure via activating Trk‐extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) pathway in neuronal cells. As echinacoside is able to cross the blood–brain barrier freely, it may have a promising potential in neurodegenerative diseases treatment.
The cysteine‐rich region and the whey acidic protein domain are essential for anosmin‐1 biological functions
Authors: Esteban Pedro F. , Murcia‐Belmonte Verónica , García‐González Diego , de Castro Fernando
Published: November 2012

The protein anosmin‐1, coded by the KAL1 gene responsible for the X‐linked form of Kallmann syndrome (KS), exerts its biological effects mainly through the interaction with and signal modulation of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1). We have previously shown the interaction of the third fibronectin‐like type 3 (FnIII) domain and the N‐terminal region of anosmin‐1 with FGFR1. Here, we demonstrate that missense mutations reported in patients with KS, C172R and N267K did not alter or substantially reduce, respectively, the binding to FGFR1. These substitutions annulled the chemoattraction of the full‐length protein over subventricular zone (SVZ) neuronal precursors (NPs), but they did not annul it in the N‐terminal‐truncated protein (A1Nt). We also show that although not essential for binding to FGFR1, the cysteine‐rich (CR) region is necessary for anosmin‐1 function and that FnIII.3 cannot substitute for FnIII.1 function. Truncated proteins recapitulating nonsense mutations found in KS patients did not show the chemotropic effect on SVZ NPs, suggesting that the presence behind FnIII.1 of any part of anosmin‐1 produces an unstable protein incapable of action. We also identify the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) pathway as necessary for the chemotropic effect exerted by FGF2 and anosmin‐1 on rat SVZ NPs.
17β‐Oestradiol Anti‐Inflammatory Effects in Primary Astrocytes Require Oestrogen Receptor β‐Mediated Neuroglobin Up‐Regulation
Authors: De Marinis E. , Acaz‐Fonseca E. , Arevalo M. A. , Ascenzi P. , Fiocchetti M. , Marino M. , Garcia‐Segura L. M.
Published: November 2012

Neuroglobin (Ngb), so named after its initial discovery in brain neurones, has received great attention as a result of its neuroprotective effects both in vitro and in vivo. Recently, we demonstrated that, in neurones, Ngb is a 17β‐oestradiol (E2) inducible protein that is pivotal for hormone‐induced anti‐apoptotic effects against H2O2 toxicity. The involvement of Ngb in other brain cell populations, as well as in other neuroprotective effects of E2, is completely unknown at present. We demonstrate Ngb immunoreactivity in reactive astrocytes located in the proximity of a penetrating cortical injury in vivo and the involvement of Ngb in the E2‐mediated anti‐inflammatory effect in primary cortical astrocytes. Upon binding to oestrogen receptor (ER)β, E2 enhances Ngb levels in a dose‐dependent manner. Although with a lesser degree than E2, the pro‐inflammatory stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) also induces the increase of Ngb protein levels via nuclear factor‐(NF)κB signal(s). Moreover, a negative cross‐talk between ER subtypes and NFκB signal(s) has been demonstrated. In particular, ERα‐activated signals prevent the NFκB‐mediated Ngb increase, whereas LPS impairs the ERβ‐induced up‐regulation of Ngb. Therefore, the co‐expression of both ERα and ERβ is pivotal for mediating E2‐induced Ngb expression in the presence of NFκB‐activated signals. Interestingly, Ngb silencing prevents the effect of E2 on the expression of inflammatory markers (i.e. interleukin 6 and interferon γ‐inducible protein 10). Ngb can be regarded as a key mediator of the different protective effects of E2 in the brain, including protection against oxidative stress and the control of inflammation, both of which are at the root of several neurodegenerative diseases.
Protists in Arctic drift and land‐fast sea ice
Authors: Comeau André M. , Philippe Benoît , Thaler Mary , Gosselin Michel , Poulin Michel , Lovejoy Connie
Published: November 2012

Global climate change is having profound impacts on polar ice with changes in the duration and extent of both land‐fast ice and drift ice, which is part of the polar ice pack. Sea ice is a distinct habitat and the morphologically identifiable sympagic community living within sea ice can be readily distinguished from pelagic species. Sympagic metazoa and diatoms have been studied extensively since they can be identified using microscopy techniques. However, non‐diatom eukaryotic cells living in ice have received much less attention despite taxa such as the dinoflagellate Polarella and the cercozoan Cryothecomonas being isolated from sea ice. Other small flagellates have also been reported, suggesting complex microbial food webs. Since smaller flagellates are fragile, often poorly preserved, and are difficult for non‐experts to identify, we applied high throughput tag sequencing of the V4 region of the 18S rRNA gene to investigate the eukaryotic microbiome within the ice. The sea ice communities were diverse (190 taxa) and included many heterotrophic and mixotrophic species. Dinoflagellates (43 taxa), diatoms (29 taxa) and cercozoans (12 taxa) accounted for ~80% of the sequences. The sympagic communities living within drift ice and land‐fast ice harbored taxonomically distinct communities and we highlight specific taxa of dinoflagellates and diatoms that may be indicators of land‐fast and drift ice.
Dissimilar expression of multidrug resistance mdr1 and bcrp by the replication of hepatitis C virus: role of the nonstructural 5A protein
Authors: W. Rivero C. , Rosso N. , Gentile E. , Cuestas M. , Tiribelli C. , Oubiña J. R. , Mathet V. L.
Published: November 2012

Multidrug resistance associated with the overexpression of ATP‐dependent binding cassette (ABC) proteins is widely accepted as an important cause of treatment failure in patients with neoplastic or infectious diseases. Some of them play also a pivotal role in detoxification processes. Herein, we investigated the effect of hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication and nonstructural 5A (NS5A) protein on the expression and functional activity of two ABC transport proteins: MDR1 and BCRP. RT‐quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was carried out for mdr1 and bcrp mRNAs in both Huh7 cells expressing NS5A and Huh7.5 cells containing either full‐length‐ or subgenomic‐HCV replicon systems. The functional activity of these pumps was studied by performing a dye efflux assay with DiOC2 and Rhodamine 123. A dose‐dependent down‐regulation of mdr1 expression was documented in Huh7 cells expressing the NS5A protein, as well as in both replicon systems. In contrast, a significant increase of bcrp expression in both systems was recorded, which were in full agreement with the dye efflux assay results. These results warrant further in vivo studies in HCV patients with cholestasis and/or patients that are refractive to the pharmacotherapy due to the activity of these pumps.
Hierarchical effects of rainfall, nurse plants, granivory and seed banks on cactus recruitment
Authors: Holland J. Nathaniel , Molina‐Freaner Francisco
Published: November 2012

Aims

Plant facilitation is recognized as an important process, contributing not only to the ecology of individual species, but the diversity, organization and stability of communities as a whole. While decades of studies have enhanced our knowledge of the mechanisms contributing to plant facilitation, greater attention is now being given to the conditionality of the mechanisms, whereby multiple biotic and abiotic factors may act independently and jointly with one another in shaping plant–plant facilitation. Our objective was to evaluate the conditionality and hierarchy of mechanisms contributing to cactus germination and early seedling recruitment arising from plant–plant facilitation, including the effects of seed banks, rainfall, granivory and nurse plants.

Location

Bahia de Kina, Sonora, Mexico; Sonoran Desert of North America.

Methods

We employed descriptive analyses and a factorial experiment to examine the consequences of rainfall, nurse plants, granivory and seed banks for senita cactus recruitment (Pachycereus schottii) in two plant communities of the Sonoran Desert: one degraded of its key nurse plants and the other with its nurse plants intact.

Results

Seed banks did not occur in either of the plant communities, indicating that seed banks and seed dormancy do not affect senita recruitment and thereby do not modulate other mechanisms that contribute to nurse plant facilitation and cactus recruitment. Juvenile senita cacti were consistently associated with nurse plants in both plant communities. Yet, the density and species composition of nurse plants differed between the communities, resulting in reduced senita recruitment and shifts to alternative nurse plants in the community degraded of its key nurse plants compared to the intact community. In a factorial experiment manipulating rainfall, granivory and nurse plants, we found that rainfall and granivory had significant main factor effects, leading to increases and decreases in seedling recruitment, respectively. There was no main factor effect of nurse plants, but there was a significant nurse plant by granivory interaction, indicating that nurse plants increase seedling recruitment through escape from granivory conditional upon rainfall.

Conclusions

Taken together, these results reveal a conditional hierarchy of mechanisms of plant–plant facilitation shaping senita cactus recruitment, namely the predominant effects of rainfall increasing recruitment and of granivory decreasing recruitment, for which nurse plants played a key role in increasing seedling recruitment with rainfall and by reducing granivory.
Differences in space use and habitat selection between captive‐bred and wild‐born houbara bustards in Saudi Arabia: results from a long‐term reintroduction program
Authors: Islam M. Z. , Singh A. , Basheer M. P. , Judas J. , Boug A.
Published: November 2012

In light of widespread declines of houbara bustard Chlamydotis macqueenii populations across its extant range, captive breeding has emerged as a viable option for regenerating viable populations of houbaras in addition to limiting hunting pressure, habitat management and amelioration of predation pressure. Although reintroductions of captive‐bred houbaras have been carried out in many regions in recent years, information on differences in ranging behavior and habitat selection between captive‐bred and wild‐born houbaras is lacking. In this study, we utilized radiotelemetry data spanning 13 years to assess differences in home range use and habitat selection by houbara bustards in the Mahazat as‐Sayd reserve in Saudi Arabia. The mean (±standard error of the estimate) annual home range size, estimated using the Kernel density method, was 307.76 ± 15.91 km2, and did not differ significantly between genders. Annual home ranges of wild‐born houbaras were however larger than those of their captive‐born counterparts (wild‐born: 423.77 ± 62.66 km2, captive‐bred: 299.31 ± 16.39 km2). Rainy season home ranges were the largest (279.29 ± 27.75 km2) followed by winter home ranges (245.79 ± 19.19 km2) and summer home ranges (110.51 ± 8.91 km2) indicating larger‐scale movements of houbaras when forage was available. Seasonal home ranges did not differ significantly between wild‐born or captive‐bred houbaras. Analysis of habitat selection patterns using the distance‐based method revealed consistent patterns of habitat preferences across years and seasons and between genders, ages and whether the bird was captive‐bred or wild‐born. Results indicate that scrub forms the most preferred habitat for houbaras, and should be conserved for the population welfare of the houbara in Saudi Arabia.
Recent origin of a chiasmatic sex trivalent in Australian Pseudotetracha tiger beetles
Authors: López‐López A. , Hudson P. , Galián J.
Published: November 2012

Meiotic behavior based on observations of the first and second divisions was studied in males of four taxa of the Australian tiger beetle genus Pseudotetracha of the tribe Megacephalini (Coleoptera). Pseudotetracha blackburni clade 1 shows 10 pairs of autosomes plus a trivalent that is hypothesized to be the result of either a translocation or a fusion in which the original heterosomes (very likely XY) and an autosomal pair are involved, giving rise to a recently established neo‐X1X2Y sex chromosome system of chiasmatic nature. The origin of this karyotype has been determined to have taken place 2.30–3.72 million years in the past using a molecular clock based on the 16S rRNA substitution rate. Pseudotetracha blackburni clade 2 shows a meioformula of the type n = 11 + XY, the same as that found in the related taxon P. australis. Previous data for P. whelani, with 12 pairs of autosomes and an XY sex chromosome system, are confirmed in this survey. The multiple chiasmatic sex chromosome system of P. blackburni clade 1 is considered to be of recent origin and with an evolutionarily short‐life confined to this species, where close relatives exhibit simple genetic systems, in contrast to the long evolutionary life of the multiple achiasmatic sex chromosome system broadly found in the tribes Cicindelini and Collyrini. The implications of this chromosomal rearrangement in terms of recombination and speciation are discussed. The results of this work, together with the available cytogenetic data for other Megacephalini species, are interpreted in the light of recent molecular phylogenies of the tribe, showing evidence of a possible process of karyotypic orthoselection with recurrent cycles of incorporation of autosomes to the heterosome pair and subsequent loss of the Y chromosome in Tetracha and Pseudotetracha.