bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Susceptibility of clinical methicillin-resistant Staphylococci isolates to new antibiotics
Authors: Oksuz Lutfiye , Gurler Nezahat
Published: November 2013

Background: The treatment of methicillin-resistant staphylococcal infections has been a growing problem both in and out of hospitals for the past 30 years. Therefore, there is a need for other antibiotics as an alternative to glycopeptides in the treatment of methicillin-resistant staphylococcal infections. This study investigated the in vitro susceptibility of 49 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and 59 methicillin-resistant coagulase negative staphylococci (MRCNS) clinical isolates to daptomiycin, telithromycin, tigecyclin, quinupristin/dalfopristin, and linezolid. Methodology: The identification of the strains was made by conventional methods. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed according to CLSI. Methicillin resistance was determined by cefoxitin disk. Susceptibilities of the strains to daptomycin, quinupristin/dalfopristin, tigecycline, and vancomycin were performed using the E-test according to the recommendations of CLSI 2011 and the manufacturer. Results: Two strains of MRCNS were resistant, and one was teicoplanin intermediate. It was found that one (2%) strain of MRSA and two (3%) strains of MRCNS were resistant to tigecyclin. Telithromycin resistance was detected in 33% of MRSA strains and 37% of MRCNS strains. Inducible clindamycin resistance was found in nine (18.4%) strains of MRSA and eighteen (30.5%) strains of MRCNS. All strains were susceptible to daptomiycin, quinupristin/dalfopristin, and linezolid. Conclusions:Although it has recently been used, telithromycin has a high percentage of resistance; its use for methicillin-resistant staphylococcal strains, therefore, should be limited. Daptomycin and quinupristin/dalfopristin were found to be effective against MRSA and MRCNS strains and were concluded to be a good choice in the treatment of methicillin-resistant staphylococci.
Un certain regard
Authors: Origgi Gloria
Published: November 2013

Nous observons l’environnement social pour en extraire des indices réputationnels, recueillir des signaux de nos informateurs, et développons une posture de confiance en ce qu’ils disent selon le contexte. Je présente ici le projet d’une épistémologie de la réputation, c’est‑à-dire, de l’usage des configurations sociales pour en extraire de l’information. Je passe en revue les définitions de la réputation existantes dans les sciences sociales, en soulignant l’importance de l’aspect social/relationnel de la réputation comme propriété des personnes et des choses, pour esquisser une définition propre à l’épistémologie. Quelques exemples illustrent ensuite les configurations réputationnelles qui permettent d’extraire de l’information.
La sociologie des réputations
Authors: Chauvin Pierre-Marie
Published: November 2013

La sociologie des réputations est un domaine de recherche en expansion mais encore peu structuré. L’article propose de participer à l’organisation de ce champ de recherche en suggérant une définition sociologique de la réputation et en identifiant cinq grandes questions transversales aux recherches existantes : le lien entre réputation et réalité (la théorie de la réputation-reflet comme repoussoir) ; le contrôle de la réputation par l’acteur réputé ; la dichotomie traditionnelle entre « bonne » et « mauvaise » réputation et sa validité ; les espaces et les temporalités des réputations ; enfin, les différentes « entités » réputées et leurs articulations possibles.
Valeurs incertaines, marchés aux puces, ventes en ligne : comment s'assurer de la qualité ?
Authors: Menger Pierre-Michel
Published: November 2013

L’article analyse la réputation comme un jeu stratégique répété. C’est la dimension stratégique qui distingue la réputation d’autres notions, comme celles de notoriété ou de célébrité. Les interprétations stratégiques de la réputation voient en celle-ci une façon de réduire l’incertitude sur les actions possibles d’un joueur. Un joueur peut renoncer à des bénéfices immédiats et son partenaire dans l’interaction lui faire confiance en dépit de son information incomplète, si chacun voit les avantages d’une interaction répétée et durable. Un cas particulier concerne les situations où l’incertitude sur le comportement des acteurs ou sur la valeur de ce qu’ils échangent est symétrique. Dans ce cas, la réputation ne suffit plus à réduire l’incertitude : le recours à des garanties statutaires intervient, mais à la différence de la réputation et de la confiance, biens non rivaux, la position statutaire est un bien rival et l’avantage qu’il procure est cumulatif.
Brésil, juin 2013 : mouvement social et refus du « blindage » de la démocratie
Authors: Nobre Marcos , Voirol Olivier
Published: November 2013

Il n’est pas facile de définir les implications politiques du mouvement social brésilien de juin 2013. Son mode de constitution par « vagues », sans leaders, en a fait un mouvement sans modèles, donc susceptible d’influences diverses selon les lieux, et pas toujours de gauche. Par-delà les revendications matérielles des manifestants, importantes en elles-mêmes, Marcos Nobre soulève un enjeu politique crucial. Le mouvement de juin lance un défi à un système politique qui fonctionne – depuis la « transition démocratique » des années 1980 opérée sous l’œil vigilant des militaires – uniquement sur la base de « mégamajorités », « blindées » et immobilistes. La rupture de ce consensus en juin 2013 serait-elle l’expression de nouvelles aspirations à un approfondissement démocratique ?
From Patents to Stock Buffering Schemes
Authors: Bertilorenzi Marco
Published: November 2013

Des brevets à la constitution de stocks stratégiques. L’évolution historique des cartels internationaux de l’aluminium (1886-1945) L’industrie internationale de l’aluminium a été profondément et durablement caractérisée par la formation de cartels. Dès la fin du xix e siècle, quand cette industrie est née, à la Seconde Guerre mondiale, une série continue d’ententes a été mise en place. Même si les interprétations les plus courantes considèrent la cartellisation seulement du point de vue de la compétition, cet article veut analyser les cartels sous la perspective de l’organisation industrielle, en étudiant leurs structures internes et l’impact qu’ils ont eu dans l’évolution des entreprises. Si la régulation industrielle était au cœur de l’activité des cartels pendant presque cinquante ans, sa légitimité a été progressivement mise en cause dans les années 1930 par l’intervention étatique. D’un plan de régulation internationale, donnée par les cartels, cette industrie a basculé vers une régulation nationale, pourvue par les politiques stratégiques. JEL Codes: F23, N42, N50, N60, N80, N10.
Epithelial NF-κB Orchestrates House Dust Mite–Induced Airway Inflammation, Hyperresponsiveness, and Fibrotic Remodeling
Authors: Tully Jane E. , Hoffman Sidra M. , Lahue Karolyn G. , Nolin James D. , Anathy Vikas , Lundblad Lennart K. A. , Daphtary Nirav , Aliyeva Minara , Black Kendall E. , Dixon Anne E. , Poynter Matthew E. , Irvin Charles G. , Janssen-Heininger Yvonne M. W.
Published: November 2013

NF-κB activation within the epithelium has been implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma, yet the exact role of epithelial NF-κB in allergen-induced inflammation and airway remodeling remains unclear. In the current study, we used an intranasal house dust mite (HDM) extract exposure regimen time course in BALB/c mice to evaluate inflammation, NF-κB activation, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), and airway remodeling. We used CC10-IκBαSR transgenic mice to evaluate the functional importance of epithelial NF-κB in response to HDM. After a single exposure of HDM, mRNA expression of proinflammatory mediators was significantly elevated in lung tissue of wild-type (WT) mice, in association with increases in nuclear RelA and RelB, components of the classical and alternative NF-κB pathway, respectively, in the bronchiolar epithelium. In contrast, CC10-IκBαSR mice displayed marked decreases in nuclear RelA and RelB and mRNA expression of proinflammatory mediators compared with WT mice. After 15 challenges with HDM, WT mice exhibited increases in inflammation, AHR, mucus metaplasia, and peribronchiolar fibrosis. CC10-IκBαSR transgenic mice displayed marked decreases in neutrophilic infiltration, tissue damping, and elastance parameters, in association will less peribronchiolar fibrosis and decreases in nuclear RelB in lung tissue. However, central airway resistance and mucus metaplasia remained elevated in CC10-IκBαSR transgenic mice, in association with the continued presence of lymphocytes, and partial decreases in eosinophils and IL-13. The current study demonstrates that following airway exposure with an asthma-relevant allergen, activation of classical and alternative NF-κB pathways occurs within the airway epithelium and may coordinately contribute to allergic inflammation, AHR, and fibrotic airway remodeling.
MicroRNA-155 Tunes Both the Threshold and Extent of NK Cell Activation via Targeting of Multiple Signaling Pathways
Authors: Sullivan Ryan P. , Fogel Leslie A. , Leong Jeffrey W. , Schneider Stephanie E. , Wong Rachel , Romee Rizwan , Thai To-Ha , Sexl Veronika , Matkovich Scot J. , Dorn Gerald W. , French Anthony R. , Fehniger Todd A.
Published: November 2013

NK cells are innate lymphocytes important for host defense against viral infections and malignancy. However, the molecular programs orchestrating NK cell activation are incompletely understood. MicroRNA-155 (miR-155) is markedly upregulated following cytokine activation of human and mouse NK cells. Surprisingly, mature human and mouse NK cells transduced to overexpress miR-155, NK cells from mice with NK cell–specific miR-155 overexpression, and miR-155−/− NK cells all secreted more IFN-γ compared with controls. Investigating further, we found that activated NK cells with miR-155 overexpression had increased per-cell IFN-γ with normal IFN-γ+ percentages, whereas greater percentages of miR-155−/− NK cells were IFN-γ+. In vivo murine CMV–induced IFN-γ expression by NK cells in these miR-155 models recapitulated the in vitro phenotypes. We performed unbiased RNA-induced silencing complex sequencing on wild-type and miR-155−/− NK cells and found that mRNAs targeted by miR-155 were enriched in NK cell activation signaling pathways. Using specific inhibitors, we confirmed these pathways were mechanistically involved in regulating IFN-γ production by miR-155−/− NK cells. These data indicate that miR-155 regulation of NK cell activation is complex and that miR-155 functions as a dynamic tuner for NK cell activation via both setting the activation threshold as well as controlling the extent of activation in mature NK cells. In summary, miR-155−/− NK cells are more easily activated, through increased expression of proteins in the PI3K, NF-κB, and calcineurin pathways, and miR-155−/− and 155-overexpressing NK cells exhibit increased IFN-γ production through distinct cellular mechanisms.
Disturbed Follicular Architecture in B Cell A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase (ADAM)10 Knockouts Is Mediated by Compensatory Increases in ADAM17 and TNF-α Shedding
Authors: Folgosa Lauren , Zellner Hannah B. , El Shikh Mohey Eldin , Conrad Daniel H.
Published: November 2013

B cell A disintegrin and metalloproteinase 10 (ADAM10) is required for the development and maintenance of proper secondary lymphoid tissue architecture; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we show disturbances in naive lymph node architecture from B cell–specific ADAM10-deficient mice (ADAM10B−/−) including loss of B lymphocyte/T lymphocyte compartmentalization, attenuation of follicular dendritic cell reticula, excessive collagen deposition, and increased high endothelial venule formation. Because TNF-α signaling is critical for secondary lymphoid tissue architecture, we examined compensatory changes in ADAM17 and TNF-α in ADAM10B−/− B cells. Surprisingly, defective follicular development in these mice was associated with increased rather than decreased TNF-α expression. In this article, we describe an increase in TNF-α message, mRNA stability, soluble protein release, and membrane expression in ADAM10B−/− B cells compared with wild type (WT), which coincides with increased ADAM17 message and protein. To assess the mechanistic contribution of excessive TNF-α to abnormal lymphoid architecture in ADAM10B−/− mice, we performed a bone marrow reconstitution study. Rectification of WT architecture was noted only in irradiated WT mice reconstituted with ADAM10B−/− + TNF knockout bone marrow because of normalization of TNF-α levels not seen in ADAM10B−/− alone. We conclude that ADAM17 overcompensation causes excessive TNF-α shedding and further upregulation of TNF-α expression, creating an aberrant signaling environment within B cell cortical regions of ADAM10B−/− lymph nodes, highlighting a key interplay between B cell ADAM10 and ADAM17 with respect to TNF-α homeostasis.
Cutting Edge: Hypoxia-Induced Nanog Favors the Intratumoral Infiltration of Regulatory T Cells and Macrophages via Direct Regulation of TGF-β1
Authors: Hasmim Meriem , Noman Muhammad Zaeem , Messai Yosra , Bordereaux Didier , Gros Gwendoline , Baud Veronique , Chouaib Salem
Published: November 2013

Emerging evidence suggests a link between tumor hypoxia and immune suppression. In this study, we investigated the role of hypoxia-induced Nanog, a stemness-associated transcription factor, in immune suppression. We observed that hypoxia-induced Nanog correlated with the acquisition of stem cell–like properties in B16-F10 cells. We further show that Nanog was selectively induced in hypoxic areas of B16-F10 tumors. Stable short hairpin RNA–mediated depletion of Nanog, combined with melanocyte differentiation Ag tyrosinase-related protein-2 peptide-based vaccination, resulted in complete inhibition of B16-F10 tumor growth. Nanog targeting significantly reduced immunosuppressive cells (regulatory T cells and macrophages) and increased CD8+ T effector cells in tumor bed in part by modulating TGF-β1 production. Additionally, Nanog regulated TGF-β1 under hypoxia by directly binding the TGF-β1 proximal promoter. Collectively, our data establish a novel functional link between hypoxia-induced Nanog and TGF-β1 regulation and point to a major role of Nanog in hypoxia-driven immunosuppression.
Cutting Edge: Central Memory CD8 T Cells in Aged Mice Are Virtual Memory Cells
Authors: Chiu Bo-Chin , Martin Brian E. , Stolberg Valerie R. , Chensue Stephen W.
Published: November 2013

The number of memory phenotype CD8 T cells increases dramatically with aging in both humans and mice. However, the mechanism for this is unknown. The prevailing hypothesis is that memory T cells accumulate with aging as a result of lifelong antigenic stimulation. However, data supporting this supposition are lacking. In this study, we demonstrate that central memory CD8 T cells, which represent a large majority of memory CD8 T cells in aged mice, are not memory cells that develop in response to antigenic stimulation but are virtual memory cells that develop without antigenic stimulation. In addition to phenotypic evidence, we show that accumulation of central memory CD8 T cells is independent of CD4 T cells, CCR5, and CXCR3, all of which are known to be essential for Ag-driven development of central memory CD8 T cells. Thus, this study reveals a novel mechanism for aging-related changes in CD8 T cells.
Low-Level Alanine Aminotransferase Elevations in Osteoarthritis Patients within Approximately 2 Weeks of Treatment Initiation with Daily Acetaminophen: A Retrospective Analysis Evaluating Subsequent Alanine Aminotransferase Activity on Continued Acetaminophen Therapy
Authors: Kuffner Edwin K. , Cooper Kimberly M. , Baggish Jeffrey S. , Lynch Joseph M. , Zimmerman Brenda A. , Bloom Leslie A. , Franklin Kathleen B. , Temple Anthony R.
Published: November 2013

Published analyses have noted elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity in patients taking up to 4000 mg/day of acetaminophen. Data from 3 osteoarthritis trials of acetaminophen 3900–4000 mg/day in which ALT and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were recorded within approximately 2 weeks of therapy initiation were retrospectively analyzed. Patients with baseline ALT or AST above the upper limit of the reference range (ULRR) were excluded. Among 466 patients, 376 (80.7%) had no ALT elevations within approximately 2 weeks of treatment initiation. Elevations >1.5 and >3.0 times ULRR occurred in 4.5% and 0.9% of patients, respectively. Elevations were transient as most resolved (72.9%) or declined (22.4%) with continued treatment beyond 2 weeks. Within approximately 2 weeks of therapy initiation, no patient had ALT > 5 times ULRR or ALT > 3 times ULRR combined with bilirubin >2 times ULRR. ALT elevations were transient and asymptomatic; almost all resolved or declined while on continued therapy and appear not to be clinically important.

Clinical trials.gov ID numbers: NCT00240799, NCT00240786
On the role of mesoscale eddies for the biological productivity and biogeochemistry in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean off Peru
Authors: Stramma L. , Bange H. W. , Czeschel R. , Lorenzo A. , Frank M.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Mesoscale eddies seem to play an important role for both the hydrography and biogeochemistry of the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean (ETSP) off Peru. However, detailed surveys of these eddies are not available, which has so far hampered an in depth understanding of their implications for nutrient distribution and biological productivity. In this study, three eddies along a section at 16°45´ S have been surveyed intensively during R/V Meteor cruise M90 in November 2012. A coastal mode water eddy, an open ocean mode water eddy and an open ocean cyclonic eddy have been identified and sampled in order to determine both their hydrographic properties and their influence on the biogeochemical setting of the ETSP. In the thermocline the temperature of the coastal anticyclonic eddy was up to 2 °C warmer, 0.2 more saline and the swirl velocity was up to 35 cm s−1. The observed temperature and salinity anomalies, as well as swirl velocities of both types of eddies were about twice as large as had been described for the mean eddies in the ETSP. The observed heat and salt anomalies (AHA, ASA) of the anticyclonic eddy near the shelf-break of 17.7 × 1018 J and 36.6 × 1010 kg are more than twice as large as the mean AHA and ASA for the ETSP. We found that the eddies contributed to the productivity by maintaining pronounced subsurface maxima of chlorophyll of up to 6 μg L−1. Based on a comparison of the coastal (young) mode water eddy and the open ocean (old) mode water eddy we suggest that the ageing of eddies when they detach from the shelf-break and move westward to the open ocean influences the eddies' properties: chlorophyll maxima are reduced to about half (2.5–3 μg L−1) and nutrients are subducted. However, different settings at the time of formation may also contribute to the observed differences between the young and old mode water eddies. The coastal mode water eddy was found to be a site of nitrogen (N) loss in the OMZ with a maximum ΔNO3− anomaly (i.e. N loss) of about −25 μmol L−1 in 250 m water depth, whereas, the open ocean mode water and cyclonic eddies were of minor and negligible importance for the N loss, respectively. Our results show that the important role of eddies for the distribution of nutrients, as well as biogeochemical processes in the ETSP (and other OMZ/upwelling regions) can only be fully deciphered and understood through dedicated high spatial and temporal resolution oceanographic/biogeochemical surveys.
C-GEM (v 1.0): a new, cost-efficient biogeochemical model for estuaries and its application to a funnel-shaped system
Authors: Volta C. , Arndt S. , Savenije H. H. G. , Laruelle G. G. , Regnier P.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. The first part of this paper describes C-GEM (Carbon – Generic Estuary Model), a new, one-dimensional, generic reactive-transport model for the biogeochemical dynamics of carbon and associated bio-elements (N, P, Si) in estuaries. C-GEM is computationally efficient and reduces data-requirements by using an idealized representation of the estuarine geometry to quantitatively predict the dominant features of the estuarine hydrodynamics, salt transport and biogeochemistry. A protocol for the set-up of C-GEM for an estuarine system is also described. The second part of this paper presents, as a proof of concept, the application of C-GEM to the funnel-shaped Scheldt estuary (Belgium, the Netherlands), one of the best-surveyed system in the world. Steady-state and transient simulations are performed and the performance of C-GEM is evaluated through model-data and model-model comparison, using integrated measures of the estuarine biogeochemical functioning, such as system-wide estimates of the Net Ecosystem Metabolism (NEM). A sensitivity analysis is also carried out to identify model parameters that exert the most important control on biogeochemical processes and to assess the sensitivity of the NEM to uncertainties in parameter values. The paper ends by a short discussion of current model limitations with respect to local, regional and global scale applications.
A model-based assessment of the potential use of compound-specific stable isotope analysis in river monitoring of diffuse pesticide pollution
Authors: Lutz S. R. , van Meerveld H. J. , Waterloo M. J. , Broers H. P. , van Breukelen B. M.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Compound-specific stable isotope analysis (CSIA) has, in combination with model-assisted interpretation, proven to be a valuable approach to quantify the extent of organic contaminant degradation in groundwater systems. CSIA data may also provide insights into the origin and transformation of diffuse pollutants, such as pesticides and nitrate, at the catchment scale. While CSIA methods for pesticides have increasingly become available, they have not yet been deployed to interpret isotope data of pesticides in surface water. We applied a coupled subsurface-surface reactive transport model (HydroGeoSphere) at the hillslope scale to investigate the usefulness of CSIA in the assessment of pesticide degradation. We simulated the transport and transformation of a pesticide in a hypothetical but realistic two-dimensional hillslope transect. The steady-state model results illustrate a strong increase of isotope ratios at the hillslope outlet, which resulted from degradation and long travel times through the hillslope during average hydrological conditions. In contrast, following an extreme rainfall event that induced overland flow, the simulated isotope ratios dropped to the values of soil water in the pesticide application area. These results suggest that CSIA can help to identify rainfall-runoff events that entail significant pesticide transport to the stream via surface runoff. Simulations with daily rainfall and evapotranspiration data and one pesticide application per year resulted in small seasonal variations of concentrations and isotope ratios at the hillslope outlet, which fell within the uncertainty range of current CSIA methods. This implies a good reliability of in-stream isotope data in the absence of transport via surface runoff or other fast transport routes, since the time of measurement appears to be of minor importance for the assessment of pesticide degradation. The analysis of simulated isotope ratios also allowed quantification of the contribution of two different reaction pathways (aerobic and anaerobic) to overall degradation, which gave further insight into the transport routes in the modelled system. The simulations supported the use of the commonly applied Rayleigh equation for the interpretation of CSIA data, since this led to an underestimation of the real extent of degradation of less than 12% at the hillslope outlet. Overall, this study emphasizes the applicability and usefulness of CSIA in the assessment of diffuse river pollution, and represents a first step towards a theoretical framework for the interpretation of CSIA data in agricultural catchments.
The diversity of sheep production systems in Aragón (Spain): characterisation and typification of meat sheep farms
Authors: Pardos L. , Maza Rubio M.T. , Fantova E.
Published: November 2013

The general aim of the present study was to characterise and typify a group of meat sheep farms that form part of the record data network of an Aragonese co-operative using different variables: sociological, structural, technical, income and costs and economic results. The sample was formed by 56 Aragonese farms. In order to avoid inter-annual variations, data used were the mean data of a five-year period running from 2000 to 2004. A factor analysis was used to reveal the interrelations between different variables that characterise farms. The results of this analysis served as the basis for a subsequent segmentation by applying a cluster analysis. After the establishment of groups, a variance analysis was performed to identify statistical differences in a set of additional variables that were considered necessary to gain practical significance in the typology. Four groups of farms were differentiated, mainly based on structural, technical and economic variables. According to the variables that characterise the defined typologies, the different possibilities of evolution of each of them were analysed to adapt to changing contexts in terms of costs, income, labour and agricultural policy measures.
Weed harrowing in winter cereal under semi-arid conditions
Authors: Pardo G. , Cirujeda A. , Aibar J. , Cavero J. , Zaragoza C.
Published: November 2013

Five field experiments on barley and wheat have been carried out in North-Eastern Spain on the same field during the cropping seasons 1999-00 to 2003-04 to compare the effect of different harrowing adjustments on weed control, weed biomass and cereal yield. The variables considered were harrowing timing (pre- or early post-emergence), one or two passes, travelling direction, harrowing depth and speed compared with an untreated control and herbicide. Excepting year 2001, with very little weed emergence, mechanical control as a whole caused a significant weed plant reduction compared to the untreated plots in all years. No influence of harrowing depth and travelling speed and of pre-emergence harrowing were found in the trials. A single harrowing treatment conducted across the sowing direction gave the same or less control compared to harrowing along the sowing direction. Two harrowing passes achieved a higher efficacy than one single pass and little differences were detected if the second pass was conducted the same day, across the sowing direction or 15 days later. Despite herbicide had generally a higher efficacy than the harrowing treatments, in three out of five years it was found a mechanical control with the same control than herbicide. The effect of the different treatments on weed biomass was lower than on weed number and no significant differences were found for grain yield. Considering that an herbicide treatment in the present conditions is three times more expensive than harrowing, a single post-emergence harrowing can be considered a valid option for low and medium-infested cereal fields.
Fruit quality parameters of some southern highbush blueberries (Vaccinium xcorymbosum L.) grown in Andalusia (Spain)
Authors: Molina J.M. , Calvo D. , Medina J.J. , Barrau C. , Romero F.
Published: November 2013

Physical and chemical parameters of fresh berries from three southern highbush ("O'Neal", "Sharpblue" and "Misty") blueberry cultivars grown in Huelva (Southwestern Spain) under two production systems were measured and evaluated. ANOVA applied to data yielded significant differences between production systems for mean fruit size and mean fruit fresh weight (P
In vitro interaction studies between Glomus intraradices and Armillaria mellea in vines
Authors: Nogales A. , Camprubí A. , Estaún V. , Marfà V. , Calvet C.
Published: November 2013

An interaction study was performed with mycorrhizal plants of the grapevine rootstock Richter 110 (Vitis berlandieri Planch × Vitis rupestris Scheele) and the root pathogenic fungus Armillaria mellea (Vahl:Fr.) P. Kumm using an autotrophic in vitro culture system. Micropropagated plantlets were transferred to Petri plates with MSR medium lacking sugar and vitamins. Inocula of Glomus intraradices (BEG 72) and of Armillaria mellea obtained from a root organ culture and from a mycelium colony grown in malt agar respectively, were added to the plates according to each treatment: non-inoculated, inoculated with G. intraradices, inoculated with A. mellea, and dual-inoculated plants. There were ten replicates per treatment. Fourteen weeks later, the pathogen's mycelium occupied most of the surface/volume of the plate and had produced rhizomorphs. In dual inoculated plates, A. mellea's growth was not affected by the presence of G. intraradices, but the latter produced a lower number of spores and its extraradical phase showed granulation, vacuolation and tip swelling. The pathogen induced necrosis and growth decrease in the root. Glomus intraradices alleviated these symptoms and there were no differences in root biomass between non-inoculated plants and plants inoculated with both fungi. There were no symptoms of the disease in shoots and G. intraradices stimulated shoot growth both, although mycorrhizal colonization was lower when A. mellea was present. No direct antagonism or antibiosis against the pathogen was observed, thus the protective effect exerted by the symbiotic fungus in grapevines must be indirect, mediated through the host plant physiology.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associated with psammophilic vegetation in Mediterranean coastal sand dunes
Authors: Camprubí A. , Calvet C. , Cabot P. , Pitet M. , Estaún V.
Published: November 2013

This study was conducted in order to characterize the natural arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) biodiversity from Mediterranean sand dune ecosystems and to protect in a collection this biodiversity. The occurrence of AM fungi associated with sand dune plant species in three Mediterranean locations on the north-eastern coast of Spain was examined in one well preserved coastal sand dune and in two embrionary dunes recently protected from public access. Traditional taxonomy and molecular techniques were used to identify the AM fungal species present in these ecosystems. The species identified and isolated were: Scutellospora persica (Koske and Walker) Walker & Sanders, Glomus ambisporum Smith & Schenck, Glomus diaphanum Morton & Walker, Glomus clarum Nicolson & Schenck, Glomus intraradices Schenck & Smith, Glomus microaggregatum Koske, Gemma & Olexia and Gigaspora margarita Becker & Hall. Spores of Glomus were the most abundant in the direct soil extraction samples. The molecular analysis indicates that the most abundant fungi forming AM in the roots belonged to the Gigasporaceae group followed by fungi of Glomus group A and Glomus group B. The highest diversity of fungi and abundance of the AM fungal spores was found in the well preserved and undisturbed dune systems.
Growth response of maize plants (Zea mays L.) to wheat and lentil pre-cropping and to indigenous mycorrhizae in field soil
Authors: Almaca A. , Ortas I.
Published: November 2013

The presence of indigenous mycorrhizal fungi may have significant effects on the growth and on the root morphology of plants, under arid and semi arid soil conditions. Lentil and wheat are the traditional crops grown in Southeastern Turkey. In this study soil samples from the Harran plain were collected from the 0-15 cm surface layer under wheat or lentil crop residues and used in a pot experiment carried out under greenhouse conditions with four levels of P fertilization: 0, 20, 40 and 80 mg kg-1 soil as Ca(H2PO4)2. Half of the soil batches were submitted to a heating treatment (80°C, 2 h). The maize variety PX-9540 was grown in the pots for 57 days. At harvest, plant dry weight, root length, P and Zn concentrations in plant tissues were measured and the extent of root colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) was determined. Results showed that maize plants grown in soils where lentil had been previously cultivated grew better than those grown after wheat cultivation. In both cases, P concentration in plant tissues increased with increased P fertilization. There were no significant differences in root AMF colonization between soils with different crop sequences, nor with soils submitted to high temperature. Previous crops had a significant influence on the growth of plants that could be related to differences in the indigenous mycorrhiza inoculum potential and efficacy that can promote P uptake and benefit plant growth.
The role of the arbuscular mycorrhiza-associated rhizobacteria in the biocontrol of soilborne phytopathogens: a review
Authors: Lioussanne L.
Published: November 2013

The mutualistic symbiosis of most land plants with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi has been shown to favor mineral and water nutrition and to increase resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses. This review reports the main mechanisms involved in the control of the disease symptoms and of the intraradical proliferation of soilborne phytopathogens by root colonization with AM fungi, with a special emphasis on the role of the rhizobacteria shown to be specifically associated with the AM extraradical network and the mycorrhizosphere (the soil zone with particular characteristics under the influence of the root/AM association). The mycorrhizosphere would constitute an environment conducive to microorganisms antagonistic to pathogen proliferation. Moreover, attempts to identify rhizobacteria from AM structures and/or the mycorrhizosphere often lead to the isolation of organisms showing strong properties of antagonism on various soilborne pathogens. The ability of AM fungi to control soilborne diseases would be strongly related to their capacity to specifically stimulate the establishment of rhizobacteria unfavorable to pathogen development within the mycorrhizosphere before root infection. Current knowledge concerning the mechanisms involved in AM/rhizobacteria interactions are also described in this review.
Protecting the U.S Medicine Supply: Integrating Approaches to Promote Safety
Authors: Theriault John
Published: November 2013

The safety and efficacy of Americaâ€™s medicine supply has long been considered the â€œgold standardâ€ by which other countries are measured.Â  Our â€œclosed systemâ€ comprised of strict regulations for the approval, manufacture and distribution of prescription drugs served us well in an era when those regulations could be enforced.Â  Today, however, a global economy through which goods and services flow virtually unimpeded, and the ever-increasing demand for more accessible and affordable prescription drugs are threatening to overwhelm our regulatory systems and place the medicine supply at risk.Â  The growing presence of substandard, adulterated and counterfeit medicine in the U. S. market is a warning sign that responsible parties need to act promptly to restore the overall integrity of the nationâ€™s prescription drug supply.Â  This will require a holistic approach that employs advanced technology within a comprehensive strategy that includes stakeholder awareness, regulatory enforcement, legal change, and a sustained policy commitment to patient safety and global health.
Les Éditions de l’Oeuf, la contre-culture et l’essor du livre-objet au Québec
Authors: Drouin Sophie
Published: November 2013

Les Éditions de l’Oeuf, fondées en 1971 par Yrénée Bélanger et Guy M. Pressault, avaient pour objectif d’être au service de la littérature du livre-objet. Cette production éditoriale underground, qui s’inscrit dans le mouvement contre-culturel québécois au tournant des années 1960 et 1970, participe à un certain renouvellement esthétique du livre de poésie basé sur des principes conceptuels de détournement. Par une politique éditoriale qui prône l’usage du livre-objet, et par différentes stratégies qui visent à déplacer, voire à abolir, les hiérarchies culturelles, les éditeurs remettent en question les notions de littérature et de livre. À partir des livres-objets produits par les Éditions de l’Oeuf présents dans la collection patrimoniale de livres d’artistes et d’ouvrages de bibliophilie de Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec, cet article analyse la position des éditeurs face à la littérature et l’apport de la maison à une esthétique du livre de poésie liée à la contre-culture. L’objectif poursuivi est double : souligner l’originalité de la production peu connue de l’Oeuf et rendre compte de quelques moyens employés par les éditeurs-auteurs pour remettre en question la littérature et son principal support, le livre.
Montréal érotique : pin-up et imagerie de nus chez le photographe de presse Conrad Poirier, 1912-1968
Authors: Godin-Laverdière Julie-Anne
Published: November 2013

Cet article porte sur une portion méconnue de l’oeuvre de Conrad Poirier (1912-1968), un photojournaliste montréalais ayant oeuvré entre 1930 et 1960. Le fonds P48 de Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec, où sont conservés les négatifs de Poirier, est principalement constitué de photographies de presse, mais renferme aussi une production personnelle qui emprunte à l’esthétique de la pin-up. Cette dernière est une image issue de la culture populaire mettant en scène une femme sensuelle dont le corps nu ou semi-dénudé est présenté dans des poses coquines empreintes de volupté. Cet article propose de réfléchir à la fois sur la présence de ces images dans les années 1940 et 1950 au Québec, malgré la censure qui était exercée à Montréal, et sur la production de Poirier à la même période. Afin de jeter un regard sur des images caractéristiques de la pin-up, les oeuvres du photographe ont été divisées en quatre catégories : tout d’abord, les pin-up collectionnées par Poirier, puis les photographies qu’il a lui-même réalisées, soit des représentations de nus, de femmes en maillot de bain et même de culturistes.
La Revue populaire et Le Samedi – Objets de diffusion de la modernité photographique au Québec, 1935-1945
Authors: Tousignant Zoë
Published: November 2013

Pour faire de riches découvertes sur l’histoire de la photographie québécoise, l’étude des magazines illustrés représente une avenue prometteuse. Elle a beaucoup à nous apprendre sur le type de photographies qui étaient non seulement produites, mais vues au quotidien par un très vaste public. Au début du xxe siècle, le magazine à grand tirage constitue l’un des principaux modes de diffusion de la photographie. La société montréalaise Poirier, Bessette & Cie, qui publie La Revue populaire et Le Samedi, deux périodiques de ce type, exploitera ce genre de façon intensive. Les photographes qui ont grandement contribué à l’émergence d’une esthétique de la modernité au Québec en publiant dans ces revues sont Paul-Marc [Mark] Auger, Henri Paul et Conrad Poirier. Dans le cas d’Auger, La Revue populaire et Le Samedi offrent une occasion de prendre conscience d’une production photographique saisissante. Dans le cas de Paul et de Poirier, ces revues permettent de replacer leur oeuvre en contexte, de voir comment leurs images étaient utilisées et comment elles étaient regardées par un public pour qui la photographie faisait partie du quotidien.
Les six manuscrits de musique du fonds De la Broquerie Fortier, 1753-1852 – L’héritage musical de la famille Boucher de la Bruère
Authors: Brouillette Louis
Published: November 2013

Alors que la vie musicale québécoise de la période allant de la Conquête à l’Acte d’Union est principalement connue grâce aux données de la presse, l’analyse des six manuscrits de musique du fonds De la Broquerie Fortier, conservé au Centre d’archives de Québec de Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec, propose un nouvel éclairage sur cette époque. Transmis par six générations de Boucher de la Bruère ou par des personnes en lien avec cette famille, les manuscrits de musique sont ici étudiés sur les plans musical, historique et social. Examiner ces documents copiés entre les années 1750 et 1850, c’est avoir accès au réseautage politique, artistique et familial à l’époque du Régime anglais. Ces sources donnent aussi des informations privilégiées sur les figures dansées des quadrilles et l’accompagnement à l’orgue des motets, en plus de mettre au jour un manuscrit de violon de la fin du Régime français ainsi qu’un autre pour la guitare, constitué vers 1841 et montrant un des seuls exemples de tablature du xixe siècle pour cet instrument. Enfin, les manuscrits de la première moitié du xixe siècle montrent l’américanisation graduelle du répertoire tant vocal qu’instrumental au Canada et témoignent des premiers essais de compositions canadiennes.
Les guides touristiques d’hôtels montréalais, 1857-1917 – Une stratégie publicitaire
Authors: Lefebvre Michèle
Published: November 2013

Au cours de la seconde moitié du xixe siècle et du début du xxe siècle, la concurrence entre les grands hôtels montréalais est féroce. Pour se démarquer ou simplement survivre, ceux-ci doivent constamment améliorer leurs installations afin de répondre au goût du jour : agrandissements des lieux et rafraîchissement du décor, ajout de l’eau chaude, de l’électricité, de téléphones, d’ascenseurs, etc. Les nouveaux standards de luxe exigent des dépenses colossales. Pour être en mesure de les assumer, les propriétaires de grands hôtels doivent s’assurer d’afficher complet. C’est possiblement ce qui les incite à se lancer dans la publication de guides touristiques au sein desquels leurs établissements sont mis en valeur à l’exclusion des autres hôtels de la métropole. Cet article explore l’origine, les objectifs annoncés, les emprunts et les stratégies publicitaires de 25 de ces guides touristiques – détenus par Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec – publiés entre 1857 et 1917 par 10 importants établissements hôteliers montréalais : Donegana, St. Lawrence Hall, Montreal House, Ottawa, St. James, Albion, Queen’s, Windsor, Balmoral et Grand Union. Malgré des prétentions à offrir de justes informations au touriste, les producteurs de ces guides vont finir par en évacuer le véritable contenu touristique pour les transformer en de simples véhicules publicitaires.
Quality of home‐based rapid HIV testing by community lay counsellors in a rural district of South Africa
Authors: Jackson Debra , Naik Reshma , Tabana Hanani , Pillay Mogiluxmi , Madurai Savathee , Zembe Wanga , Doherty Tanya
Published: November 2013

Introduction

Lack of universal, annual testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in health facilities suggests that expansion of HIV testing and counselling (HTC) to non‐clinical settings is critical to the achievement of national goals for prevention, care and treatment. Consideration should be given to the ability of lay counsellors to perform home‐based HTC in community settings.

Methods

We implemented a community cluster randomized controlled trial of home‐based HTC in Sisonke District, South Africa. Trained lay counsellors conducted door‐to‐door HIV testing using the same rapid tests used by the local health department at the time of the study (SD Bioline and Sensa). To monitor testing quality and counsellor skill, additional dry blood spots were taken and sent for laboratory‐based enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) testing. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated using the laboratory result as the gold standard.

Results and discussion

From 3986 samples, the counsellor and laboratory results matched in all but 23 cases. In 18 cases, the counsellor judged the result as indeterminate, whereas the laboratory judged 10 positive, eight negative and three indeterminate, indicating that the counsellor may have erred on the side of caution. Sensitivity was 98.0% (95% CI: 96.3–98.9%), and specificity 99.6% (95% CI: 99.4–99.7%), for the lay counsellor field‐based rapid tests. Both measures are high, and the lower confidence bound for specificity meets the international standard for assessing HIV rapid tests.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that adequately trained lay counsellors are capable of safely conducting high‐quality rapid HIV tests and interpreting the results as per the kit guidelines. These findings are important given the likely expansion of community and home‐based testing models and the shortage of clinically trained professional staff.
Identification of Preoperative Risk Factors Associated With the Conversion of Laparoscopic to Open Appendectomies
Authors: Gupta Natasha , Machado-Aranda David , Bennett Keturah , Mittal Vijay K.
Published: November 2013

Our goals were to (1) identify risk factors associated with conversion from laparoscopic to open appendectomies and (2) establish criteria that predict the possibility of conversion to an open technique. We did a retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomies during a 5-year period (2004–2008). Preoperative risk factors, intraoperative findings, and postoperative complications were compared. We found that of 763 patients who had undergone laparoscopic appendectomy, 44 patients were converted to open technique (conversion rate of 5.8%). For these 44 patients, the male to female ratio was 2 to 1, and the men were older (45 versus 37 years of age, P < 0.001). Conversion rates decreased with time (8.7% in 2004 versus 3.5% in 2008). Past surgical history was insignificant. However, a duration of symptoms of >5 days as well as a white blood cell count >20,000 were found to have a direct correlation. Incidence of postoperative complications did not increase in converted patients. The conversion rate is highest in male patients above 45 years of age, with over 5 days' duration of symptoms, leukocytosis >20,000, and ruptured appendicitis on computed tomography scan. The presence of 3 to 4 of these risk factors should lower the threshold for consideration of conversion to open appendectomy.
Recurrent Pilonidal Sinus: Lay Open or Flap Closure, Does It Differ?
Authors: Yoldas Tayfun , Karaca Can , Unalp Omer , Uguz Alper , Caliskan Cemil , Akgun Erhan , Korkut Mustafa
Published: November 2013

Treatment options of pilonidal sinus, which has high recurrence rates, is still controversial. In this study, we aimed to analyze for possible factors affecting recurrence. Forty-one patients with recurrent pilonidal sinus were included in this study. Of them, 33 were male and 9 were female (mean age, 24.9 years; age range, 16–42). Factors (i.e., risk factors) were detected in 32 patients. Excision–secondary healing and lay open was performed on 30 of the patients admitted with recurrence. Excision and flap closure was applied on 11 patients. Our recurrence rate was 9.7%. The recurrence rate of our study is compatible with the literature. Comparative studies are needed to determine the appropriate method to decrease recurrence rate.
Small Intestinal Strangulation Due to a Rare Type of Primary Internal Hernia
Authors: Takeda Makoto , Ohnuki Yoshinori , Uchiyama Takashi , Kubota Osamu , Ohishi Kousuke
Published: November 2013

Internal hernias in which the gate is located in the paracolic gutter are rare. A 75-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with severe epigastric pain without past history of laparotomy and/or trauma. He was diagnosed with strangulation of the ileum by the findings of computed tomography, and the operation was performed. During laparotomy, the small intestine was found to be strangulated and to enter the retroperitoneum from the right paracolic gutter near the hepatic flexure. The patient was diagnosed with an internal hernia, which differed from a pericecal hernia in that the hernia gate was located along the paracolic gutter near the hepatic flexure far from the cecum. Hence, it was considered to be a rare type of internal hernia. We report the clinical presentation and imaging findings of this rare internal hernia.