bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Male Client—Female Therapist
Authors: CARLSON NANCY L.
Published: January 2012

An understanding of the destructive effects of the traditional sex role stereotype on men is important to the female therapist who works with male clients. Males receive strong cultural training that inspires resistance to the vulnerable, emotional, feminine side of their natures and an unwillingness to seek assistance. This article examines difficulties presented by male clients who do seek therapy together with approaches to assisting in the development of a more balanced life that permits both masculinity and femininity in each person.
Relevance and Alliance: Cornerstones in Training Counselors of Men
Authors: BIRK JANICE M.
Published: January 2012

The need for alliance between women and men is fundamental for fully understanding as well as for effectively countering the negative consequences of gender roles and related strains for both sexes. This article discusses training counselors of men in relation to two questions: Is sexism as relevant an issue for men as it seems to be for women? and What are appropriate goals for training sessions of counselors of men?
The Impact of Developmental Issues on Human Relations Training for Preservice Teachers
Authors: McEWEN MARYLU K. , HIGGINS EARL B. , PIPES RANDOLPH B.
Published: January 2012

The developmental stage of an individual receiving human relations training is of critical importance in determining whether the training will be effective and whether it will be incorporated easily or only after overcoming stiff resistance.
Strange Bedfellows?: Rational‐Emotive Therapy and Pastoral Counseling
Authors: LAWRENCE CONSTANCE , HUBER CHARLES H.
Published: January 2012

Integrating Rational‐Emotive Therapy with biblical precepts is discussed as a basis for pastoral counselors to bridge the gap between religion and psychotherapy.
WHEAT AND CHAFF IN VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE
Authors: Link Henry C.
Published: January 2012

Here is a challenge to the vocational guidance movement, not on the ground that it is a huge mistake, but that it is taking hold of the problem by the wrong end. Dr. Link sees vocational guidance devoting itself in the main to helping the pupil choose a specific occupation, a kind of guidance “precarious at any time, and especially in the pupil's early years.” He would reverse this procedure, starting, not with the economic system “and its occupational eccentricities,” but with the individual, his abilities and aptitudes. He would also make vocational guidance incidental to educational guidance. There would no longer be vocational guidance per se, but instead, “vocational considerations in educational guidance.” Whatever the response, tacit or articulate, to this challenge, there will be wide agreement with the contention that the critical points in guidance occur when a high school course is chosen and when selection is made of a college.
III China—Conservative but Coming
Authors: Ho C. J.
Published: January 2012

It is 15 years since the term “vocational guidance” made its appearance in China. This it did in the monthly journal of the National Association of Vocational Education of China, whose activities have resulted in the establishment of guidance bureaus in several cities. Many high schools have some form of vocational guidance, but, while one or two colleges have experimented with it, no college in China has a well‐organized guidance program. The foundation, however, has been laid, and the Vocational Education Association is continuing the work to which it has given a good start.
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION FOR LEISURE
Authors: Keller Franklin J.
Published: January 2012

In this article, reprinted by permission from The Journal of Educational Sociology, Dr. Keller contends that the job of vocational education is to educate for vocations and not to train for leisure, which—but read it for yourself.
KEEPING THE RECORD
Authors: McNamara Marie
Published: January 2012

Secretaries of the branches are requested to send reports to Miss McNamara, Troup Junior High School, Edge‐wood Avenue, New Haven, Connecticut, promptly after each meeting or other event.
GUIDANCE FOR RURAL YOUTH: Vocational Possibilities in the Southern Uplands
Authors: Morgan Arthur E.
Published: January 2012

In this paper the Chairman of the Tennessee Valley Authority makes a number of practical suggestions for promoting better occupational opportunities among rural young people. Although they relate particularly to needs and possibilities in the area of the Southern Highlands, they are of much wider significance and applicability. He believes that the suggested program, which must be inclusive of opportunities for training, should be developed largely within the public school system, rather than alongside, and expresses the opinion that we might take a lesson, in this country, from the Danish folk schools. It is evident that in Dr. Morgan rural youth has a friend who has done a great deal of thinking about some of its most vital problems.
BUILDING A GUIDANCE PROGRAM: Its Functional Growth in a California High School
Authors: Andrus Ethel Percy
Published: January 2012

In recent issues of this magazine we have published such articles as that by Robert Hoppock in the January number on “Starting a Guidance Program: One Way of Doing It,” and, in the same series, that by Harry D. Kitson in the February number, which bore the title, “Individualized Education.” The present article, by the principal of the Abraham Lincoln High School in Los Angeles, tells the history of the guidance program that has been developed in that school. Thus it describes “one way of doing it”—another way. Dr. Andrus describes too, the present program in her school. Readers will be interested in comparing it with other high school guidance programs—last month V. T. Thayer wrote about guidance in the Fieldston School, New York City, and this month R. A. Hinderman shows how guidance is organized in the University of Wisconsin High School. Such comparisons should be rewarding to the student of guidance theory and practice.
TWO‐THIRDS OF AN EXPERIMENT: Another Chapter in the Story of NOC—Second Annual Report to the Carnegie Corporation of New York
Authors: Keller Franklin J.
Published: January 2012

In the June 1934 issue of Occupations, the Vocational Guidance Magazine appeared “The First Year,” which constituted the first annual report of the National Occupational Conference to the Carnegie Corporation. Now, a year later, we publish another chapter in the story of NOC, bringing the record down to February 1, 1935, with allusions to events and developments since that date. On March 4 and 5, as noted in the text, the members of the Conference met at the Hotel Roosevelt in New York City for a two‐day session. In group and general meetings the activities of NOC during its first two years of existence were discussed, and recommendations made for its future program.

The membership formed itself into six groups for discussion of particular phases of the work and for the formulation of recommendations and suggestions in the particular areas indicated by the following assignments of subject: Guidance and Occupational Adjustment—Programs and Activities; Research—Individual and Occupational; Publications and Radio; Field Service; Industry, Government, and NOC; and Occupational Adjustment at the College Level. The recommendations and suggestions which received the approval of the Conference in plenary session are incorporated in the following report of the Director.

The report, under appropriate headings, describes the accomplishment in the more general areas—dissemination, research, and cooperation—in which NOC has sought to render services to workers and agencies in the field of vocational guidance and occupational adjustment. It discusses some of the major problems existing in the field, and indicates some of the tasks remaining to be done, whether by NOC or by other agencies. The report, however, does not undertake to set forth in detail a program of future NOC activity, but reveals the broad scope of possibilities within which such a program will be determined by action of the Executive Committee. The Director of the Conference has submitted to the committee a number of specific recommendations which are now under consideration.
Occupational Orientation of Indian Students
Authors: McCASKILL JOSEPH C.
Published: January 2012

To provide the type of education which will prepare Indian youth to adjust to their home communities is part of the current program of the Office of Indian Affairs. The vital need of such a program is revealed by the recent studies described in this article.
Morphology of the proximal femur differs widely with age and sex: Relevance to design and selection of femoral prostheses
Authors: Casper David S. , Kim Gregory K. , Parvizi Javad , Freeman Theresa A.
Published: January 2012

The ability of uncemented femoral stems to osseointegrate properly depends largely on their fit in the proximal femur. We evaluated the topography of the proximal femur and determined differences based on age and sex. Retrospectively, anteroposterior radiographs from 312 (168 male, 144 female) pre‐operative total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients (age of 21–85 years) were collected. Radiographic measurements were taken at 10 mm intervals along the length of the femur. Variables including canal flare index (CFI) and cortical index (CI) were calculated. Data were binned into three age groups and separated by sex for comparison. Measurements showed that CFI decreased with age for both sexes; however, females demonstrated a greater decrease. Decrease in flare occurred primarily on the lateral side. CI also decreased with age, the most pronounced drop occurring in older females. A clear difference exists between male and female proximal femoral geometry. This decrease is most likely attributed to the loss of cortical bone. The medial component likely demonstrates less loss of flare due to strong compressive forces that are transmitted through this portion of the femur. These results demonstrate the necessity of considering age and sex when selecting a proper prosthesis. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:1162–1166, 2012
Characterization and identification of iridoid glucosides, flavonoids and anthraquinones in Hedyotis diffusa by high‐performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Liu E‐Hu , Zhou Ting , Li Guo‐Bin , Li Jing , Huang Xiu‐Ning , Pan Feng , Gao Ning
Published: January 2012

The multiple bioactive constituents in Hedyotis diffusa Willd. (H. diffusa) were extracted and characterized by high‐performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC‐ESI‐MSn). The optimized separation condition was obtained using an Agilent ZorBax SB‐C18 column (4.6×150 mm, 5 μm) and gradient elution with water (containing 0.1% formic acid) and acetonitrile (containing 0.1% formic acid), under which baseline separation for the majority of compounds was achieved. Among the compounds detected, 14 iridoid glucosides, 10 flavonoids, 7 anthraquinones, 1 coumarin and 1 triterpene were unambiguously identified or tentatively characterized based on their retention times and mass spectra in comparison with the data from standards or references. The fragmentation behavior for different types of constituents was also investigated, which could contribute to the elucidation of these constituents in H. diffusa. The present study reveals that even more iridoid glycosides were found in H. diffusa than hitherto assumed. The occurrence of two iridoid glucosides and five flavonoids in particular has not yet been described. This paper marks the first report on the structural characterization of chemical compounds in H. diffusa by a developed HPLC‐ESI‐MSn method.
Lentigines, laser, and melanoma: A case series and discussion
Authors: Stankiewicz Kelly , Chuang Gary , Avram Mathew
Published: January 2012

Solar lentigines are considered one of the earliest signs of photoaging and are an extremely common cosmetic complaint. Successful removal of these lesions can be achieved with laser and non‐laser light sources, and is one of the most frequently performed cosmetic procedures in laser centers. Distinguishing a benign lentigo from other pigmented lesions can sometimes be challenging, even for a trained dermatologist. We report a series of three patients who presented to our laser center within 2 months of one another for cosmetic removal of pigmented lesions that were found to be melanoma. One patient was referred by another dermatologist, one by a physician family member, and the other presented on his own. These cases highlight the need for careful evaluation of pigmented lesions prior to laser treatment, regardless of the source of the referral. In this article, we will review the diagnostic and treatment differences between lentigines and their malignant counterparts, and examine the role of laser in both. Lasers Surg. Med. 44:112–116, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An improved coverage and spatial resolution—using dual injection dynamic contrast‐enhanced (ICE‐DICE) MRI: A novel dynamic contrast‐enhanced technique for cerebral tumors
Authors: Li Ka‐Loh , Buonaccorsi Giovanni , Thompson Gerard , Cain John R. , Watkins Amy , Russell David , Qureshi Salman , Evans D. Gareth , Lloyd Simon K. , Zhu Xiaoping , Jackson Alan
Published: January 2012

A new dual temporal resolution‐based, high spatial resolution, pharmacokinetic parametric mapping method is described ‐ improved coverage and spatial resolution using dual injection dynamic contrast‐enhanced (ICE‐DICE) MRI. In a dual‐bolus dynamic contrast‐enhanced‐MRI acquisition protocol, a high temporal resolution prebolus is followed by a high spatial resolution main bolus to allow high spatial resolution parametric mapping for cerebral tumors. The measured plasma concentration curves from the dual‐bolus data were used to reconstruct a high temporal resolution arterial input function. The new method reduces errors resulting from uncertainty in the temporal alignment of the arterial input function, tissue response function, and sampling grid. The technique provides high spatial resolution 3D pharmacokinetic maps (voxel size 1.0 × 1.0 × 2.0 mm3) with whole brain coverage and greater parameter accuracy than that was possible with the conventional single temporal resolution methods. High spatial resolution imaging of brain lesions is highly desirable for small lesions and to support investigation of heterogeneity within pathological tissue and peripheral invasion at the interface between diseased and normal brain. The new method has the potential to be used to improve dynamic contrast‐enhanced‐MRI techniques in general. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
ROR2 is a novel prognostic biomarker and a potential therapeutic target in leiomyosarcoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumour
Authors: Edris Badreddin , Espinosa Iñigo , Mühlenberg Thomas , Mikels Amanda , Lee Cheng‐Han , Steigen Sonja E , Zhu Shirley , Montgomery Kelli D , Lazar Alexander JF , Lev Dina , Fletcher Jonathan A , Beck Andrew H , West Robert B , Nusse Roel , van de Rijn Matt
Published: January 2012

Soft‐tissue sarcomas are a group of malignant tumours whose clinical management is complicated by morphological heterogeneity, inadequate molecular markers and limited therapeutic options. Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) have been shown to play important roles in cancer, both as therapeutic targets and as prognostic biomarkers. An initial screen of gene expression data for 48 RTKs in 148 sarcomas showed that ROR2 was expressed in a subset of leiomyosarcoma (LMS), gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) and desmoid‐type fibromatosis (DTF). This was further confirmed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) on 573 tissue samples from 59 sarcoma tumour types. Here we provide evidence that ROR2 expression plays a role in the invasive abilities of LMS and GIST cells in vitro. We also show that knockdown of ROR2 significantly reduces tumour mass in vivo using a xenotransplantation model of LMS. Lastly, we show that ROR2 expression, as measured by IHC, predicts poor clinical outcome in patients with LMS and GIST, although it was not independent of other clinico‐pathological features in a multivariate analysis, and that ROR2 expression is maintained between primary tumours and their metastases. Together, these results show that ROR2 is a useful prognostic indicator in the clinical management of these soft‐tissue sarcomas and may represent a novel therapeutic target. Copyright © 2012 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An Event‐Based Approach for Comparing the Performance of Methods for Prospective Medical Product Monitoring
Authors: Gagne Joshua J. , Walker Alexander M. , Glynn Robert J. , Rassen Jeremy A. , Schneeweiss Sebastian
Published: January 2012

Background

Prospective medical product monitoring is intended to alert stakeholders about whether and when safety problems are identifiable in longitudinal electronic healthcare data. Little attention has been given to how to compare methods in this setting.

Purpose

To explore aspects of prospective monitoring that should be considered when comparing method performance and to develop a metric that explicitly accounts for these considerations.

Methods

We reviewed existing metrics and propose an event‐based approach that classifies exposed outcomes according to whether a prior alert was generated.

Results

In comparing performance of methods for prospective monitoring, three factors must be considered: (1) accuracy in alerting; (2) timeliness of alerting; and (3) the trade‐offs between the costs of false negative and false positive alerting. Traditional scenario‐based measures of accuracy, such as sensitivity and specificity, which classify only at the end of monitoring, fail to appreciate timeliness of alerting and impose fixed tradeoffs between false positive versus false negative consequences. We provide an expression that summarizes event‐based sensitivity (the proportion of exposed events that occur after alerting among all exposed events in scenarios with true safety issues) and event‐based specificity (the proportion of exposed events that occur in the absence of alerting among all exposed events in scenarios with no true safety issues) by taking an average weighted by relative costs of false positive and false negative alerting.

Conclusions

The proposed approach explicitly accounts for accuracy in alerting, timeliness in alerting, and the trade‐offs between the costs of false negative and false positive alerting. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of fluorescent, dansyl end‐functionalized PMMA and poly(methyl methacrylate‐b‐phenanthren‐1‐yl‐methacrylate) diblock copolymers, at ambient temperature
Authors: Haridharan Neelamegan , Bhandary Rajesh , Ponnusamy K. , Dhamodharan Raghavachari
Published: January 2012

The polymerization of MMA, at ambient temperature, mediated by dansyl chloride is investigated using controlled radical polymerization methods. The solution ATRP results in reasonably controlled polymerization with PDI < 1.3. The SET‐LRP polymerization is less controlled while SET‐RAFT polymerization is controlled producing poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with the PDI < 1.3. In all the cases, the polymerization rate followed first order kinetics with respect to monomer conversion and the molecular weight of the polymer increased linearly with conversion. The R group in the CTAs do not appear to play a key role in controlling the propagation rate. SET‐RAFT method appears to be a simpler tool to produce methacrylate polymers, under ambient conditions, in comparison with ATRP and SET‐LRP. Fluorescent diblock copolymers, P(MMA‐b‐PhMA), were synthesized. These were highly fluorescent with two distinguishable emission signatures from the dansyl group and the phenanthren‐1‐yl methacrylate block. The fluorescence emission spectra reveal interesting features such as large red shift when compared to the small molecule. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Photoinduced depolymerization in poly(olefin sulfone) films comprised of volatile monomers doped with a photobase generator
Authors: Sasaki Takeo , Kondo Takayuki , Noro Motoki , Saida Kazuya , Yaguchi Hiroaki , Naka Yumiko
Published: January 2012

Photoinduced depolymerization of poly(olefin sulfone)s mixed with a photobase generating compound was investigated. Irradiation of 254 nm UV light to films comprising of a mixture of a photobase generating compound and poly(olefin sulfone)s with volatile monomers caused photoinduced depolymerization and the irradiated part of the film vaporized. The effect of the poly(olefin sulfone) structure on the photoinduced depolymerization process was investigated. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Virulence of select entomopathogenic fungi to the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)
Authors: Gouli Vladimir , Gouli Svetlana , Skinner Margaret , Hamilton George , Kim Jae Su , Parker Bruce L
Published: January 2012

The brown marmorated stink bug. Halyomorpha halys, (BMSB) is an exotic pest causing damage to fruits and vegetables. They also transmit diseases. Integrated pest management strategies are lacking for this invasive. For the first time, information is presented on the virulence of several entomopathogenic fungi against BMSB. Three Beauveria bassiana and two Metarhizium anispoliae isolates were bioassayed against adult BMSB. One B. bassiana isolate was the active ingredient in BotaniGard® which produced 85 and 100% mortality in 9 and 12 days post treatment, respectively. Experimental isolates ERL 1170 and ERL 1540 were also efficacious. Metarhizium anispoliae isolates produced lower mortalities than the B. bassiana isolates. Data presented showed the potential for management of BMSB with entomopathogenic fungi. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Shock collars as a site‐aversive conditioning tool for wolves
Authors: Rossler Shawn T. , Gehring Thomas M. , Schultz Ronald N. , Rossler Michael T. , Wydeven Adrian P. , Hawley Jason E.
Published: January 2012

Reduction of livestock losses from predators is a complex problem that requires the integration of lethal and nonlethal management tools. During 2005 and 2006, we tested shock collars for conditioning wild wolves (Canis lupus) in Wisconsin, USA, to avoid bait sites over an 80‐day period. Treatment wolves (n = 10) visited shock zones less and spent less time at shock zones compared to control wolves (n = 4) during 40‐day shock periods and 40‐day post‐shock periods. Treatment wolves remained away from shock zones for a greater number of days compared to control wolves. A smaller proportion of treatment pack members visited shock zones during shock and post‐shock periods compared to control packs. Shock collars conditioned treatment wolves to avoid bait sites for >40 days and reduced visitation by other pack members. We also demonstrated the application of shock collars at the scale of livestock farms. Shock collars could serve as a useful nonlethal tool for managing livestock depredations, particularly in chronic problem areas and with endangered populations. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Steuerung zukünftiger Aufgabenentwicklung durch Vorhersage der Schwierigkeiten eines Tests für die erste Fremdsprache Englisch durchDutch Grid Merkmale
Authors: Leucht Michael , Harsch Claudia , Pant Hans A. , Köller Olaf
Published: January 2012

Zusammenfassung. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird auf die Konstruktvalidität von Aufgaben zur Erfassung englischsprachigen Lese- und Hörverstehens eingegangen. Ihre empirischen Aufgabenschwierigkeiten werden hierzu anhand von Merkmalen vorhergesagt, die kognitive Lösungsprozesse für die oder inhaltliche Anforderungen von den untersuchten Aufgaben kennzeichnen und ursprünglich aus dem Dutch Grid ( Alderson et al., 2006 ) Merkmalskatalog stammen. Als Aufgabenstichprobe dienen die am Institut zur Qualitätsentwicklung im Bildungswesen erstellten Aufgabenmengen zur Erfassung der Bildungsstandards in der ersten Fremdsprache Englisch am Ende der Sekundarstufe I (N = 338 bzw. 289 Testitems zum Lese- bzw. Hörverstehen). Die im Raschmodell gewonnenen Aufgabenschwierigkeiten werden mehrebenenanalytisch analysiert, um neben Effekten von Itemmerkmalen Effekte der eingesetzten Stimulustexte auf Aufgabenschwierigkeit abbildbar zu machen. Im Leseverstehen zeigt sich dabei ein insgesamt nur geringer Zusammenhang zwischen Dutch Grid Merkmalen und Aufgabenschwierigkeiten. Besser gelingt die Erklärung von Aufgabenschwierigkeiten im Hörverstehen, hierbei zeigen sich auch signifikante Effekte „konstruktferner” Aufgabenmerkmale (z.B. Antwortformate). Implikationen für eine systematische Steuerung zukünftiger Aufgabenentwicklung werden diskutiert.
Validität des Tests zur Überprüfung des Erreichens der Bildungsstandards in Mathematik
Authors: Hartig Johannes , Frey Andreas
Published: January 2012

Zusammenfassung. Auf Basis einer Stichprobe von N = 9 577 Schülerinnen und Schülern neunter Klassen aus Deutschland werden Gemeinsamkeiten und die empirische Abgrenzbarkeit der mit dem Test zur Prüfung des Erreichens der Bildungsstandards in Mathematik erhobenen Kompetenz und den bei PISA 2006 gemessenen Kompetenzen untersucht. Latente Korrelationen aus mehrdimensionalen Raschmodellen zeigen einen sehr hohen Zusammenhang (r = .94) zwischen den mit dem Bildungsstandards-Test und mit dem PISA-Test erfassten mathematischen Kompetenzen. Die Zusammenhänge zwischen Bildungsstandards Mathematik und den bei PISA erhobenen Kompetenzen im Lesen und in den Naturwissenschaften fallen erwartungsgemäß niedriger aus (r = .75 und r = .85). In Mehrebenen-Raschmodellen wurden die Varianzanteile geschätzt, die sich durch Unterschiede zwischen Schulen erklären lassen. Die schulspezifische Leistungsvarianz für den Bildungsstandards-Test ist mit 59% deutlich höher als für die PISA-Tests (45% bis 49%). Das Ergebnis stützt die Annahme einer stärkeren curricularen Validität des Bildungsstandards-Tests und illustriert zudem, dass korrelative Zusammenhänge allein als Validierungskriterium ein unvollständiges Bild zeichnen.
Occupancy Modeling and Estimation of the Holiday Darter Species Complex within the Etowah River System
Authors: Anderson Gregory B. , Freeman Mary C. , Hagler Megan M. , Freeman Byron J.
Published: January 2012

Documenting the status of rare fishes is a crucial step in effectively managing populations and implementing regulatory mechanisms of protection. In recent years, site occupancy has become an increasingly popular metric for assessing populations, but species distribution models that do not account for imperfect detection can underestimate the proportion of sites occupied and the strength of the relationship with a hypothesized covariate. However, valid detection requires temporal or spatial replication, which is often not feasible due to logistical or budget constraints. In this study, we used a method that allowed for spatial replication during a single visit to evaluate the current status of the holiday darter species complex, Etheostoma sp. cf. E. brevirostrum, within the Etowah River system. Moreover, the modeling approach used in this study facilitated comparisons of factors influencing stream occupancy as well as species detection within sites. The results suggest that there is less habitat available for the Etowah holiday darter form (Etheostoma sp. cf. E. brevirostrum B) than for the Amicalola holiday darter form (Etheostoma sp. cf. E. brevirostrum A). Additionally, occupancy models suggest that even small decreases in forest cover within these headwater systems adversely affect holiday darter populations.
Echocardiographic quantification of regional deformation helps to distinguish isolated left ventricular non‐compaction from dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Niemann Markus , Liu Dan , Hu Kai , Cikes Maja , Beer Meinrad , Herrmann Sebastian , Gaudron Philipp Daniel , Hillenbrand Hanns , Voelker Wolfram , Ertl Georg , Weidemann Frank
Published: January 2012

Aims

Pronounced trabeculation is presented in both left ventricular non‐compaction (LVNC) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), which sometimes makes the differentiation difficult. We hypothesized that echocardiographic deformation analysis would help to differentiate these two cardiomyopathies.

Methods and results

We investigated 15 patients with LVNC (9 males; 42 ± 9 years), 15 age‐ and gender‐matched DCM patients, and 15 healthy controls. The echocardiographic diagnosis of LVNC was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. In all subjects standard echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) to study regional LV deformation were carried out. No statistical difference was observed in standard echocardiographic parameters between LVNC and DCM patients. Compared with controls, both patient groups showed significantly reduced annular displacements (septal: controls 14 ± 2 mm vs. DCM 6 ± 3 mm vs. LVNC 7 ± 3 mm) and reduced strain values of the LV segments. A characteristic deformation pattern with significantly higher values in the LV base compared with the apex was observed in patients with LVNC by deformation measurements with TDI. This gradient was found particularly in the lateral and inferior wall but spared the anteroseptal wall; non‐compaction was not found in basal segments throughout the ventricle and also spared the anteroseptal midventricular wall. In DCM the strain and strain rate values were homogeneously reduced in all LV segments.

Conclusion

A special regional deformation pattern (preserved deformation in basal segments of LVNC) seems to be of major diagnostic help for the definite differential diagnosis of LVNC and DCM.
A Systems Approach for Identifying Resistance Factors to Rice stripe virus
Authors: Kim Kangmin , Choi Daeseok , Kim Sang-Min , Kwak Do-Yeon , Choi Jaemyung , Lee Seungchul , Lee Bong-Choon , Hwang Daehee , Hwang Ildoo
Published: January 2012

Rice stripe virus (RSV) causes disease that can severely affect the productivity of rice (Oryza sativa). Several RSV-resistant cultivars have been developed. However, host factors conferring RSV resistance in these cultivars are still elusive. Here, we present a systems approach for identifying potential rice resistance factors. We developed two near-isogenic lines (NIL), RSV-resistant NIL22 and RSV-susceptible NIL37, and performed gene expression profiling of the two lines in RSV-infected and RSV-uninfected conditions. We identified 237 differentially expressed genes (DEG) between NIL22 and NIL37. By integrating with known quantitative trait loci (QTL), we selected 11 DEG located within the RSV resistance QTL as RSV resistance factor candidates. Furthermore, we identified 417 DEG between RSV-infected and RSV-uninfected conditions. Using an interaction network-based method, we selected 20 DEG highly interacting with the two sets of DEG as RSV resistance factor candidates. Among the 31 candidates, we selected the final set of 21 potential RSV resistance factors whose differential expression was confirmed in the independent samples using real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Finally, we reconstructed a network model delineating potential association of the 21 selected factors with resistance-related processes. In summary, our approach, based on gene expression profiling, revealed potential host resistance factors and a network model describing their relationships with resistance-related processes, which can be further validated in detailed experiments.
Ankle-Brachial Index Is a Powerful Predictor of Renal Outcome and Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Chen Fu-An , Yang Chih-Yu , Yang Wu-Chang , Chen Jinn-Yang , Ng Yee-Yung , Li Szu-Yuan , Liu Wen-Sheng , Cheng Shiao-Ti , Wang Yu-Jen , Lin Chih-Ching
Published: January 2012

Ankle-brachial index (ABI) is an accurate tool to diagnose peripheral arterial disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether ABI is also a good predictor of renal outcome and cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We enrolled 436 patients with stage 3–5 CKD who had not been undergoing dialysis. Patients were stratified into two groups according to the ABI value with a cut point of 0.9. The composite renal outcome, including doubling of serum creatinine level and commencement of dialysis, and the incidence of cardiovascular events were compared between the two groups. After a median follow-up period of 13 months, the lower ABI group had a poorer composite renal outcome (OR=2.719,P=0.015) and a higher incidence of cardiovascular events (OR=3.260,P=0.001). Our findings illustrated that ABI is a powerful predictor of cardiovascular events and renal outcome in patients with CKD.
ChlorophyllaFluorescence as a Tool in Evaluating the Effects of ABA Content and Ethylene Inhibitors on Quality of Flowering PottedBougainvillea
Authors: Ferrante Antonio , Trivellini Alice , Borghesi Eva , Vernieri Paolo
Published: January 2012

Flowering potted plants during the postproduction stage are usually stored in inadequate environmental conditions. We evaluated the effect of the most common storage conditions and treatments on twoBougainvilleacultivars after harvest and during recovery. Flowering pottedBougainvilleaplants were treated with 100 mL 2 mM amino-oxyacetic acid (AOA) or 500 ppb 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) prior storage in dark at 14∘C for simulating transport or storage conditions and, subsequently, transferred to growth chambers at 20∘C in the light for one week for evaluating the recovery ability. The plant stress during the experiments was assessed by ethylene, ABA, and chlorophyllafluorescence measurements. Ethylene production was affected by temperature rather than treatments. ABA concentration declined in leaves and flowers during storage and was not affected by treatments. Fluorescence parameters appear to be very useful for screeningBougainvilleacultivars resistant to prolonged storage periods.
Pathophysiological role of inflammatory molecules in paediatric ischaemic brain injury
Authors: Mirabelli‐Badenier Marisol , Braunersreuther Vincent , Lenglet Sébastien , Galan Katia , Veneselli Edvige , Viviani Giorgio L. , Mach François , Montecucco Fabrizio
Published: January 2012

Eur J Clin Invest 2012; 42 (7): 784–794

Ischaemic stroke is one of the major causes of death and lifelong disability also in the paediatric population. Strong scientific effort has been put to clarify the pathophysiology of this disease in adults. However, only few studies have been performed in children. Preliminary results indicate that pathophysiological processes might differently affect the poststroke neuronal injury in neonates as compared to children. During the neural development, selective molecular mechanisms might be differently triggered by an ischaemic insult, thus potentially resulting in defined postischaemic clinical outcomes. Basic research studies in neonatal animal models of cerebral ischaemia have recently shown a potential role of soluble inflammatory molecules (such as cytokines, chemokines and oxidants) as pivotal players of neuronal injury in both perinatal and childhood ischaemic stroke. Although larger clinical trials are still needed to confirm these preliminary results, the potential benefits of selective treatments targeting inflammation in perinatal asphyxia encephalopathy might represent a promising investigation field in the near future. In this review, we will update evidence on the pathophysiological role of soluble inflammatory mediators in neonatal and childhood ischaemic stroke. Recent evidence on potential anti‐inflammatory treatments to improve paediatric stroke prognosis will be discussed.
Long‐term effects of soil nutrient deficiency on arbuscular mycorrhizal communities
Authors: Antunes Pedro M. , Lehmann Anika , Hart Miranda M. , Baumecker Michael , Rillig Matthias C.
Published: January 2012

1. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have been proposed as a mechanism to reduce nutrient inputs in agriculture, thereby reducing costs and increasing environmental sustainability. However, before this can be achieved, we need to gain a better understanding of the importance of the prolonged selective pressures acting on indigenous AMF communities.

2. Much research concentrates on short‐term ecological soil × plant × AMF interactions. However, we have little understanding of how long‐term manipulations of abiotic conditions can be strong selection agents for AMF communities. Here, we ask how the long‐term management of soil fertility and fertilizer use can influence the AM symbiosis. More specifically, we investigated whether 70 years of consistently imposed nutrient limitations affected the structure and symbiotic functioning of indigenous AMF communities.

3. Using the long‐term Static Nutrient Deficiency Experiment carried out since 1937 in Thyrow, Germany, with and without nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) additions, we addressed the following questions: (i) Do different soil fertilizer treatments affect the overall abundance and diversity of indigenous AMF in an agricultural field; and (ii) Does the depletion of a nutrient select for an enhanced AMF ability to supply the deficient nutrient?

4. We assessed AMF spore diversity in the field and established a common garden experiment where soil nutrient treatments were calibrated against those in the long‐term field experiment. For each soil nutrient treatment, we compared the growth responses of barley plants to the indigenous AMF communities isolated from the different soil fertilization treatments in the field.

5. We found that the long‐term use of specific soil fertilization treatments altered the effects of the AMF symbiosis on plant and fungal growth. Consistent with the optimal foraging theory, AMF from N‐ or P‐deficient soils grew larger but reduced plant growth more in those conditions relative to AMF isolated from non‐deficient soils. This could result from both community‐level changes and/or adaptations within species.

6. Thus, we propose that the ongoing agronomic management of abiotic selective pressures such as soil fertility needs to be considered as a strong determinant of AMF symbiotic functioning.
Species richness at the guild level: effects of species pool and local environmental conditions on stream macroinvertebrate communities
Authors: Grönroos Mira , Heino Jani
Published: January 2012

1. A fundamental question in ecology is which factors determine species richness. Here, we studied the relative importance of regional species pool and local environmental characteristics in determining local species richness (LSR). Typically, this question has been studied using whole communities or a certain taxonomic group, although including species with widely varying biological traits in the same analysis may hinder the detection of ecologically meaningful patterns.

2. We studied the question above for whole stream macroinvertebrate community and within functional feeding guilds. We defined the local scale as a riffle site and the regional scale (i.e. representing the regional species pool) as a stream. Such intermediate‐sized regional scale is rarely studied in this context.

3. We sampled altogether 100 sites, ten riffles (local scale) in each of ten streams (regional scale). We used the local‐regional richness regression plots to study the overall effect of regional species pool on LSR. Variation partitioning was used to determine the relative importance of regional species pool and local environmental conditions for species richness.

4. The local‐regional richness relationship was mainly linear, suggesting strong species pool effects. Only one guild showed some signs of curvilinearity. However, variation partitioning showed that local environmental characteristics accounted for a larger fraction of variance in LSR than regional species pool. Also, the relative importance of the fractions differed between the whole community and guilds, as well as among guilds.

5. This study indicates that the importance of the local and regional processes may vary depending on feeding guild and trophic level. We conclude that both the size of the regional species pool and local habitat characteristics are important in determining LSR of stream macroinvertebrates. Our results are in agreement with recent large‐scale studies conducted in highly different study systems and complement the previous findings by showing that the interplay of regional and local factors is also important at intermediate regional scales.
Plant diversity improves protection against soil‐borne pathogens by fostering antagonistic bacterial communities
Authors: Latz Ellen , Eisenhauer Nico , Rall Björn C. , Allan Eric , Roscher Christiane , Scheu Stefan , Jousset Alexandre
Published: January 2012

1. Rhizosphere bacteria antagonistic to fungal pathogens improve plant performance by preventing infection. In temperate grasslands, primary productivity often increases with plant diversity, and we hypothesized that this effect may in part rely on the interactions between plants and antagonistic bacteria.

2. We investigated the impact of plant diversity and functional group composition on soil bacteria producing the antifungal compounds 2,4‐diacetylphloroglucinol (DAPG) and pyrrolnitrin (PRN) in a long‐term grassland biodiversity experiment, as well as their impact on soil suppressiveness. Soil suppressiveness was investigated in a model infection assay with Beta vulgaris and the pathogen Rhizoctonia solani.

3. The abundance of DAPG and PRN producers increased with plant diversity and that of PRN also increased in the presence of grasses. Moreover, legume species richness and coverage decreased the abundance of DAPG and PRN producers, respectively, contrary to beneficial effects of legumes on soil microorganisms reported previously. In turn, soil suppressiveness was at maximum when DAPG and PRN producer abundance was high.

4. Synthesis. Our results suggest that plant diversity contributes to plant community resistance against pathogens by fostering beneficial bacterial communities. This indirect soil feedback mechanism may contribute to the positive relationship between plant diversity and productivity and could also help the development of more sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural management strategies.
Nitrogen Uptake by Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Exposed to Low Water Temperatures at Different Growth Stages
Authors: Shimono H. , Fujimura S. , Nishimura T. , Hasegawa T.
Published: January 2012

The responses of nitrogen (N) uptake by rice (Oryza sativa L.) to low water temperatures at different growth stages were examined during a 3‐year field trial in northern Japan. Cool irrigation water was applied at two to three temperature levels (16–25 °C) for 20–34 days during the vegetative stage and then during reproductive growth. We measured the N uptake rate, N content and canopy radiation interception during both growth stages. Exposure to low water temperature during either the vegetative or the reproductive growth stage slowed N uptake, and the magnitude of the decrease differed between the growth stages; the decrease was greater during vegetative growth than during reproductive growth. Consequently, total N uptake at maturity was most strongly reduced by low water temperature during vegetative growth and was not affected by low water temperature during reproductive growth, even though N distribution to the panicle was greatly reduced. The variations in N uptake during the growing season among growth stages and years were explained better by the amount of canopy radiation capture than by the number of degree‐days based on water temperature. This strong dependency on canopy radiation capture improves our understanding of the factors responsible for variations in N uptake under different levels of water temperature, and this knowledge will provide an opportunity to simplify the modelling of N uptake.
The night‐eating syndrome and obesity
Authors: Gallant A. R. , Lundgren J. , Drapeau V.
Published: January 2012

The rising prevalence of obesity is a global concern. Eating behaviour and circadian rhythm are proving to be important factors in the aetiology of obesity. The night‐eating syndrome (NES) is characterized by increased late‐night eating, insomnia, a depressed mood and distress. It is evident that prevalence is higher among weight‐related populations than the general community. The exact relationship between this syndrome and obesity remains unclear. The reasons for the discrepancies found in the literature likely include varying diagnostic criteria and a wide range of study population characteristics. NES does not always lead to weight gain in thus certain individuals may be susceptible to night‐eating‐related weight gain. Weight loss through surgical and behavioural treatments has shown success in diminishing symptoms. The increasing literature associating obesity with circadian imbalances strengthens the link between the NES and obesity. Circadian genes may play a role in this syndrome. This review will examine different aspects of obesity in the context of the NES.
Narratives or Sources? Active Learning and the Teaching of Ancient Jewish History and Texts
Authors: Satlow Michael L.
Published: January 2012

During my career, I have regularly taught a survey course on the history of Jews and Judaism in the Persian, Greek, and early Roman periods (ca. 520 BCE – 70 CE). Student performance in the course has long concerned and puzzled me. By the end of the course students demonstrated familiarity with the narratives and concepts we covered, but most did not really “think historically.” They had great difficulties using and applying the historical tools they learned to new situations and evidence. In 2006 and again in 2010 I overhauled the course not only to improve it, but also to figure out how my students learned history. Using a wiki exercise, I traced how students learned and then applied these insights the next time I taught the course. In this essay I report on what I learned.
Patient time costs and out‐of‐pocket costs in hepatitis C
Authors: Federico Carole A. , Hsu Priscilla C. , Krajden Mel , Yoshida Eric M. , Bremner Karen E. , Weiss Alan A. , Anderson Frank H. , Krahn Murray D.
Published: January 2012

Background

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with substantial costs to patients, their caregivers and society.

Aims

We evaluated time costs (time spent seeking healthcare) and out‐of‐pocket (OOP) costs for patients with HCV and their caregivers.

Methods

We measured costs for 738 HCV outpatients in a tertiary‐care clinic using a patient‐completed questionnaire. Time and OOP costs were compared across disease stages and sociodemographic categories. We examined the association between cost and disease stage using linear regression adjusting for age, gender, marital status, education, income and Index of Coexistent Disease (ICED) comorbidity score. Costs were expressed in 2007 Canadian dollars.

Results

The mean annual time cost per patient was $2136 (98 h), and ranged from $281 (18 h) in individuals who had cleared the virus to $9416 in transplant recipients (420 h). Caregiver costs were reported in 10% of patients. The mean annual OOP cost per patient was $1326. Patients receiving active treatment and those with late‐stage disease spent $2500–2800 per year on HCV‐related healthcare, approximately 7% of their annual income. Patients who had cleared the virus had the lowest time and OOP costs. Low income and unemployed patients had higher costs.

Conclusions

In HCV‐infected individuals, OOP and time costs represent a significant economic burden and fall disproportionately upon those least able to afford them. The lower cost burden among those who were successfully treated suggests that wider use of antiviral therapy may reduce economic burden in addition to improving health outcomes.