bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An investigation of anthelmintic efficacy against strongyles on equine yards in Scotland
Authors: Stratford C. H. , Lester H. E. , Pickles K. J. , McGorum B. C. , Matthews J. B.
Published: March 2013

Reasons for performing study

Cyathostomins comprise 50 helminth species, considered the most problematic equine endoparasites. Three classes of anthelmintic are currently licensed for their control, namely the benzimidazoles (fenbendazole), tetrahydropyrimidines (pyrantel) and macrocyclic lactones (ivermectin and moxidectin). Anthelmintic resistance in cyathostomins is common. With no new classes expected in the near future, it is essential to determine the efficacy of the available anthelmintics to inform future control programmes.

Objectives

To determine the efficacy of all 3 anthelmintic classes against strongyles in equids on livery yards in east and central Scotland.

Study design

Anthelmintic efficacy testing using the faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT).

Methods

FECRTs were performed on equids with initial strongyle faecal egg counts (FECs) of ≥50 eggs per gram. Efficacy was determined by comparing pretreatment (Day 0) and 14 days post treatment (Day 14) FECs. The following chemicals were tested: fenbendazole, pyrantel, ivermectin and moxidectin. Group arithmetic mean FECR of >90% for fenbendazole and pyrantel, and >95% for ivermectin and moxidectin, represented efficacy, whereas lower mean FECR indicated potential resistance.

Results

A total of 447 FECRTs were performed on 15 yards, as follows (the numbers in parentheses represent the number of yards each anthelmintic was tested on): 55 equids (7 yards) fenbendazole, 111 (8 yards) pyrantel, 163 (13 yards) ivermectin and 118 (10 yards) moxidectin. Fenbendazole resistance was documented on all yards (range of mean FECR, 15.8–83.4%), whereas pyrantel (90.4–99.6%), ivermectin (99.5–100%) and moxidectin (99.4–100%) treatment had acceptable efficacy.

Conclusions

Reduced efficacy of fenbendazole was widespread, whereas >90% efficacy was found after pyrantel, and >95% efficacy after ivermectin and moxidectin. Overall, efficacies were higher than reported previously in Europe and the USA, potentially reflecting differences in management and anthelmintic use on the yards surveyed.

Potential relevance

The use of fenbendazole for strongyle control in Scotland should be questioned. Targeted use of pyrantel should be encouraged to reduce reliance on macrocyclic lactones. Further work to correlate management practices with the presence of anthelmintic resistance is warranted.

The Summary is available in Chinese – see Supporting information.
Is Mc1r an important regulator of non‐pigmentary responses to UV radiation?
Authors: Zmijewski Michal A. , Slominski Andrzej T.
Published: March 2013

MC1R is recognized for its role in the regulation of melanin pigmentation. In addition, many investigators believe that it also plays a crucial role in immunomodulation (immunosuppression) and in melanogenesis‐independent protective responses against ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Surprisingly, Wolnicka‐Glubisz et al. have shown that loss of function in the MC1R has no effect on inflammatory responses and immunosuppression induced by UVR in C57BL/6 mice as well as on the degree of UVA‐induced DNA damage in the epidermis and dermis. These findings, by challenging the existing dogmas on the precise role of MC1R in non‐pigmentary responses to the UVR, mandate further research to either validate the presented data or to define to which degree these phenomena are restricted to the C57BL/6 mouse model or are applicable to other species including humans. The alternative target for immunomodulation is represented by MC3R. However, cutaneous expression of MC3R remains to be demonstrated.
Therapeutic and immune effects of 5‐aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy on UVB‐induced squamous cell carcinomas in hairless mice
Authors: Wang Hongwei , Li Jingjing , Lv Ting , Tu Qingfeng , Huang Zheng , Wang Xiuli
Published: March 2013

The therapeutic effects of 5‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA)‐mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) on cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are not fully understood, and the usefulness of topical PDT in the treatment of SCC is still debatable. The most interesting aspect in SCC PDT is perhaps its potential in inducing antitumor immune responses. In this study, cutaneous SCCs were established by UVB irradiation of hairless mice and treated with multiple ALA PDT. Immunohistochemistry assays showed that ALA PDT could induce quick apoptosis, overexpression of TNFα and marked increases in DCs, CD4+ and CD8+ cells in tumor interstitium and subcutaneous connective tissues. However, a complete response was only achieved for small SCCs. The clinical value of ALA PDT‐induced specific antitumor immune responses in long‐term control of SCCs deserves further study.
Differential expression and in vivo secretion of the antimicrobial peptides psoriasin (S100A7), RNase 7, human beta‐defensin‐2 and ‐3 in healthy human skin
Authors: Wittersheim Maike , Cordes Jesko , Meyer‐Hoffert Ulf , Harder Jürgen , Hedderich Jürgen , Gläser Regine
Published: March 2013

Antimicrobial peptides (AMP) are key players in the skin's defense system. Previous observations suggest a site‐ and age‐dependent expression of individual AMP. We investigated the expression and secretion patterns of four important AMP in a representative collective of healthy human skin samples. Levels of psoriasin, RNase 7 and hBD‐3 expression – assessed by immunohistochemistry – varied between different body localisations. Older individuals expressed hBD‐2 more frequently. No gender‐related expression was observed. The in vivo secretion of psoriasin, measured in skin washing fluids using ELISA, was related to body localisation and age, whereas RNase 7 secretion showed no significant differences regarding these variables. HBD‐2 and ‐3 secretion could not be detected. Our findings suggest the usage of control samples matching localisation and approximate age (in the case of hBD‐2) for comparative immunohistochemical analysis. To avoid bias through great interindividual differences, sufficient large collectives should be used for in vivo secretion analyses.
Assembly in vitro of Rhodococcus jostii RHA1 encapsulin and peroxidase DypB to form a nanocompartment
Authors: Rahmanpour Rahman , Bugg Timothy D. H.
Published: March 2013

Rhodococcus jostii RHA1 peroxidase DypB has been recently identified as a bacterial lignin peroxidase. The dypB gene is cotranscribed with a gene encoding an encapsulin protein, which has been shown in Thermotoga maritima to assemble to form a 60‐subunit nanocompartment, and DypB contains a C‐terminal sequence motif that is thought to target the protein to the encapsulin nanocompartment. R. jostii RHA1 encapsulin protein was overexpressed in R. jostii RHA1, and purified as a high‐Mr assembly (Mr > 106). The purified nanocompartment could be disassembled to form a low‐Mr species by treatment at pH 3.0, and reassembled to form an assembly of similar size and shape, as assessed by dynamic light scattering. Recombinant DypB could be assembled in vitro with monomeric encapsulin to form an assembly of similar size to the encapsulin‐only nanocompartment, as assessed by gel filtration. The assembled complex showed enhanced lignin degradation activity per milligram of DypB present as compared with native DypB, as determined with a nitrated lignin UV–visible assay method. The measured stoichiometry of 8.6 μmol encapsulin/μmol DypB in the complex was similar to the value of 10 predicted from the crystal structure.

Structured digital abstract

encapsulin and encapsulin bind by blue native page (View interaction)

encapsulin and encapsulin bind by dynamic light scattering (View interaction)
Homogeneous purification and characterization of LePGT1 – a membrane‐bound aromatic substrate prenyltransferase involved in secondary metabolism of Lithospermum erythrorhizon
Authors: Ohara Kazuaki , Mito Koji , Yazaki Kazufumi
Published: March 2013

Membrane‐bound type prenyltransferases for aromatic substrates play crucial roles in the biosynthesis of various natural compounds. Lithospermum erythrorhizon p‐hydroxybenzoate: geranyltransferase (LePGT1), which contains multiple transmembrane α‐helices, is involved in the biosynthesis of a red naphthoquinone pigment, shikonin. Taking LePGT1 as a model membrane‐bound aromatic substrate prenyltransferase, we utilized a baculovirus‐Sf9 expression system to generate a high yield LePGT1 polypeptide, reaching ~ 1000‐fold higher expression level compared with a yeast expression system. Efficient solubilization procedures and biochemical purification methods were developed to extract LePGT1 from the membrane fraction of Sf9 cells. As a result, 80 μg of LePGT1 was purified from 150 mL culture to almost homogeneity as judged by SDS/PAGE. Using purified LePGT1, enzymatic characterization, e.g. substrate specificity, divalent cation requirement and kinetic analysis, was done. In addition, inhibition experiments revealed that aromatic compounds having two phenolic hydroxyl groups effectively inhibited LePGT1 enzyme activity, suggesting a novel recognition mechanism for aromatic substrates. As the first example of solubilization and purification of this membrane‐bound protein family, the methods established in this study will provide valuable information for the precise biochemical characterization of aromatic prenyltransferases as well as for crystallographic analysis of this novel enzyme family.
Entrepreneurial gain, cultural similarity and transnational entrepreneurship
Authors: BALTAR FABIOLA , ICART IGNASI BRUNET
Published: March 2013

The aim of this article is to analyse the factors affecting the motivations of immigrant entrepreneurs to generate an entrepreneurial gain (positive impact on home and host countries). We consider that positive reasons for emigrating can increase transnational entrepreneurship and mutual benefits for both societies. To test this hypothesis we present a model using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). This model explains the relations between motivations, cultural similarities, institutions and transnational linkage potentials. We designed anad hocsearch of Argentinean entrepreneurs established in Spain, both as EU citizens and without legal EU status, using online social networks. We applied an online questionnaire to 214 such entrepreneurs. We conclude that institutional rules (formal and informal) greatly influence the location decisions of firms and immigrant entrepreneurs’ motivations for starting transnational business because they provide the frame for the development of profitable opportunities.
Histopathological evaluation of resected colorectal cancer liver metastases: what should be done?
Authors: Knijn Nikki , de Ridder Jannemarie A M , Punt Cornelis J A , de Wilt Johannes H W , Nagtegaal Iris D
Published: March 2013

Histological reporting of hepatic resections of colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs) is limited to confirmation of diagnosis and evaluation of resection margins. More exhaustive diagnostic reporting might be warranted. Here, we critically and systematically review the potentially important histological prognostic factors in CRLM. Histological features such as intrahepatic spread, resection margins, and tumour response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy have been defined. Intrahepatic spread (venous, lymphatic, bile duct and perineural invasion) was evaluated in a number of studies. Meta‐analysis demonstrated a clear correlation between 5‐year overall survival and both portal vein invasion (RR 1.8, 95% CI 1.3–2.5) and lymphatic invasion (RR 1.7, 95% CI 1.4–2.0). The impact of hepatic vein invasion and bile duct invasion on outcome is not clear. Perineural invasion was linked to survival in one study. Resection margin is an important prognostic factor; however, the significance of the width of negative margins remains controversial. Various studies have evaluated tumour response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, but different grading systems were used, and definite recommendations cannot be made. In conclusion, with the high incidence of CRLM and the increase in the number of hepatic resections, we need well‐defined prognostic factors, studied in homogeneous patient populations, to optimize diagnostic work‐up. This review identifies several of these factors.
Differential immunohistochemical localization of desmosomal plaque‐related proteins in non‐small‐cell lung cancer
Authors: Gómez‐Morales Mercedes , Cámara‐Pulido Miguel , Miranda‐León María Teresa , Sánchez‐Palencia Abel , Boyero Laura , Gómez‐Capilla José Antonio , Fárez‐Vidal María Esther
Published: March 2013

Aims

Immunohistochemistry is a highly valuable and widely used tool in the subtyping of lung carcinomas. The aim of this study was to identify markers for the differential diagnosis of non‐small‐cell carcinomas.

Methods and results

We report on the immunohistochemical localization of plakophilin‐1 (PKP1), keratin‐15 (KRT15) and desmoglein‐3 (DSG3) intercellular adhesion proteins in samples from 75 primary non‐small‐cell lung cancers in non‐treated patients. The staining pattern of these proteins differed between squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas, with no membrane staining in the latter. Membrane staining for all three proteins was characteristic of squamous cell carcinomas. We observed a relationship between the presence/absence of these proteins in the membranes of squamous cell carcinomas and the differentiation grade, with more intense staining in better differentiated areas.

Conclusions

Staining for these proteins marked intercellular junctions that are characteristic of stratified squamous epithelium and of neoplasias with this type of differentiation, and can be useful in the diagnosis of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. The high specificity of membrane staining for PKP1 and DSG3 and high sensitivity of cytoplasmic and membrane staining for KRT15 for the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma may be useful for the differential diagnosis of non‐small‐cell carcinomas.
Ductal carcinoma of the prostate shows a different immunophenotype from high grade acinar cancer
Authors: Jardel Pauline , Debiais Celine , Godet Julie , Irani Jacques , Fromont Gaelle
Published: March 2013

Aims

Ductal carcinoma (DC) of the prostate is an entity distinct from the common acinar cancer (AC), both on clinical and morphological aspects. We aimed to analyze the expression of molecules involved in either hormonal signalling or androgen independent pathways, in DC compared to high grade AC.

Methods and results

A tissue microarray was constructed with samples from 24 cases of DC and 27 cases of high grade AC. Immunohistochemistry was performed using antibodies directed against: Ki67; androgen receptor (AR); PSA; 5alpha‐reductase 1, 2, 3; oestrogen receptors alpha and beta (ERA and ERB); aromatase; Alpha keto reductase 1C3; Squalene epoxidase (SQLE); BCAR1; Src. Cell proliferation and ERB staining were significantly increased in DC compared to AC. In contrast, the expressions of enzymes SQLE, aromatase, and 5 alpha reductase 2, were higher in AC. Staining for BCAR1 and Src, markers associated with androgen‐independent pathways, was increased in DC compared to AC. These differences remained significant after adjusting for pTNM stage.

Conclusions

These results suggest that the hormone related molecular pathways that drive cancer progression might be different in AC and DC. The decrease in steroid synthesis related enzymes, together with up‐regulation of the BCAR1‐Src pathway, emphasizes the biological particularities of DC.
Research Methods and Research Practice: History, Themes and Topics
Authors: Lee Bill , Cassell Catherine
Published: March 2013

Research methods and research practice provide relatively new foci for academic reflection and enquiry in the business and management field. There has been an increase in the number of forums and range of debates in the area. This paper provides a historical and thematic overview of the field as a means of contextualizing the other papers in the remainder of this special issue. Each paper covers one of a broad spectrum of issues about research methods and research practice: namely, measurement in quantitative research; theory development in qualitative research; visual methods; evaluation of concepts; issues experienced when researching extreme events; paradigm wars; and the changing pattern of coverage of qualitative research papers in leading journals.
Maternal Disrupted Communication During Face‐to‐Face Interaction at 4 months: Relation to Maternal and Infant Cortisol Among at‐Risk Families
Authors: Crockett Erin E. , Holmes Bjarne M. , Granger Douglas A. , Lyons‐Ruth Karlen
Published: March 2013

The study evaluated the association between maternal disrupted communication and the reactivity and regulation of the psychobiology of the stress response in infancy. Mothers and infants were recruited via the National Health Service from the 20% most economically impoverished data zones in a suburban region of Scotland. Mothers (N = 63; M age = 25.9) and their 4‐month‐old infants (35 boys, 28 girls) were videotaped interacting for 8 min, including a still‐face procedure as a stress inducer and a 5‐min coded recovery period. Saliva samples were collected from the dyads prior to, during, and after the still‐face procedure and later assayed for cortisol. Level of disruption in maternal communication with the infant was coded from the 5‐min videotaped interaction during the recovery period which followed the still‐face procedure. Severely disrupted maternal communication was associated with lower levels of maternal cortisol and a greater divergence between mothers' and infants' cortisol levels. Results point to low maternal cortisol as a possible mechanism contributing to the mother's difficulty in sensitively attuning to her infant's cues, which in turn has implications for the infant's reactivity to and recovery from a mild stressor in early infancy.
Smoking cessation in Taiwanese male smokers with coronary artery disease: influencing factors and policy implications
Authors: Chou L.‐P. , Chang H.‐F. , Kao C. , Lin W. , Huang C.‐L.
Published: March 2013

Aim

To investigate factors affecting smoking cessation in male smokers with coronary artery disease.

Design

A descriptive, correlation, cross‐sectional study was conducted.

Methods

Data were collected using a questionnaire constructed by a literature review of research on smoking cessation in male smokers including demographics and smoking background, as well as psychological, interpersonal and environmental factors. A total of 130 male patients with coronary artery disease were recruited from the cardiac clinic at a regional hospital in Taiwan from August to December 2008. The response rate was 93% (n = 121). Descriptive statistics, chi‐square, t‐tests and logistic regression analysis were conducted.

Results

During the survey, 64.5% of the respondents reported that they had stopped smoking after a coronary event. Five factors were significantly associated with smoking cessation after diagnosis of coronary artery disease: age, the severity of heart diagnoses, antismoking norms (perceived that smoking was against the social norms), nicotine dependence level, and contrary views of smoking (perceived negative expectancy of smoking). Multivariate analysis revealed antismoking norms to be the most important predictor (AOR = 4.27; P < .05) after adjusting age.

Conclusion

The study highlights the need to develop smoking cessation interventions that specifically counsel patients with coronary artery disease about these information, such as the disease risk and development, health consequences of smoking, and dependence therapy. Additionally, government support for tobacco control programmes in hospitals and elsewhere is designed to have a beneficial effect on patients' smoking behaviours primarily by increasing antismoking norms.
Comparison of laparoendoscopic single site (LESS) and conventional laparoscopic donor nephrectomy at a single institution
Authors: Stamatakis Lambros , Mercado Miguel A. , Choi Judy M. , Sanchez Edward J. , Gaber A. Osama , Knight Richard J. , Mayer Wesley A. , Link Richard E.
Published: March 2013

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

Most transplant centres harvest living donor kidneys via a conventional laparoscopic surgical approach. Laparoendoscopic single‐site donor nephrectomy (LESS‐DN) is a relatively novel minimally invasive approach that allows the surgery to be performed via a single incision. This technique may be advantageous in decreasing surgical morbidity and improving cosmetic outcomes, thus plausibly reducing the barriers to kidney donation.

The study demonstrates the safety and feasibility of LESS‐DN in a large consecutive series of kidney donors. Comparative analysis between LDN and LESS‐DN showed that there was a significant decrease in intra‐operative blood loss and allograft warm ischaemia time in the LESS‐DN group, but also a significant increase in operating time. Other peri‐operative outcomes were similar between the two approaches. Evaluation of the LESS‐DN cases alone revealed that, the operating times did not significantly change through the course of the series. Using this outcome as a surrogate for technical difficulty suggests a relatively shallow learning curve for LESS‐DN.

Objective

To present a comparative analysis of peri‐operative outcomes for >200 cases of conventional laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) and laparoendoscopic single site donor nephrectomy (LESS‐DN).

Patients and Methods

From 2006 to 2011, 213 donor nephrectomies were performed by two surgeons (R.E.L and W.A.M.) at a tertiary transplant centre. The approach changed from conventional LDN to LESS‐DN over the course of the series.

The two approaches were compared retrospectively and evaluated for differences in peri‐operative outcomes.

Statistical significance was assessed using Student's t‐test and chi‐squared analysis.

Results

A total of 111 patients underwent LDN and 102 patients underwent LESS‐DN.

Total operating time was significantly longer in the LESS‐DN group (206.1 vs 181.9 min, P < 0.001), but LESS‐DN resulted in less intra‐operative blood loss (61.5 mL vs 85.9 mL, P < 0.001) and shorter warm ischaemia times (4.4 vs 5.0 min, P = 0.01).

There were no significant differences in analgesic requirements, subjective pain scores, length of hospital stay, postoperative graft function, or donor's postoperative glomerular filtration rate between the two approaches.

Complication rates were low regardless of the approach, and there were no major complications (>grade II) in the LESS‐DN group.

Conclusions

In experienced hands, LESS‐DN results in peri‐operative outcomes similar to those of conventional LDN without compromising donor safety, while providing a desirable cosmetic result.

For surgeons familiar with LDN, transitioning to the LESS approach using this technique appears to have a relatively short learning curve.
Charles Taylor, hermeneutics and Social Imaginaries: a framework for ethics research
Authors: Carnevale Franco A.
Published: March 2013

Hermeneutics, also referred to as interpretive phenomenology, has led to important contributions to nursing research. The philosophy of Charles Taylor has been a major source in the development of contemporary hermeneutics, through his ontological and epistemological articulations of the human sciences. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate that Taylor's ideas can further enrich hermeneutic inquiry in nursing research, particularly for investigations of ethical concerns. The paper begins with an outline of Taylor's hermeneutical framework, followed by a review of his key ideas relevant for ethics research. The paper ends with a discussion of my empirical research with critically ill children in Canada and France in relation to Taylor's ideas, chiefly Social Imaginaries. I argue that Taylor's hermeneutics provides a substantive moral framework as well as a methodology for examining ethical concerns.
Vulnerability in health care – reflections on encounters in every day practice
Authors: Gjengedal Eva , Ekra Else Mari , Hol Hege , Kjelsvik Marianne , Lykkeslet Else , Michaelsen Ragnhild , Orøy Aud , Skrondal Torill , Sundal Hildegunn , Vatne Solfrid , Wogn‐Henriksen Kjersti
Published: March 2013

Vulnerability is a human condition and as such a constant human experience. However, patients and professional health care providers may be regarded as more vulnerable than people who do not suffer or witness suffering on a regular basis. Acquiring a deeper understanding of vulnerability would thus be of crucial importance for health care providers. This article takes as its point of departure Derek Sellman's and Havi Carel's discussion on vulnerability in this journal. Through different examples from the authors' research focusing on the interaction between health professionals and patients, existential, contextual, and relational dimensions of vulnerability are illuminated and discussed. Two main strategies in the professionals' interactions with patients are described. The strategy that aims at understanding the patients or families from the professional's own personal perspective oftentimes ends in excess attention to the professional's own reactions, thereby impairing the ability to help. The other strategy attempts to understand the patients or families from the patients' or families' own perspective. This latter strategy seems to make vulnerability bearable or even transform it into strength. Being sensitive to the vulnerability of the other may be a key to acting ethically.
Advanced Markov Chain Monte Carlo Approach for Finite Element Calibration under Uncertainty
Authors: Zhang Jian , Wan Chunfeng , Sato Tadanobu
Published: March 2013

Uncertainty involved in the experiment data prohibits the wide applications of the finite element (FE) model updating technique into engineering practices. In this article, the Markov Chain Monte Carlo approach with a Delayed Rejection Adaptive Metropolis algorithm is investigated to perform the Bayesian framework for FE updating under uncertainty. A major advantage of this algorithm is that it adopts global and local adaptive strategies, which makes the FE model updating be robust to uncertainty. Another merit of the studied method is that it not only quantitatively predicts structural responses, but also calculates their statistical parameters such as the confidence interval. Impact test data of a grid structure are investigated to demonstrate the effectiveness of the presented FE model updating technique, in which the uncertainty parameters include the vertical and longitudinal spring stiffness that simulate the boundary  conditions, the end‐fixity factor for modeling semi‐rigid connections, and the elastic modulus for simulating the uncertainty associated with material property.
Sociophysiology 25 years ago: early perspectives of an emerging discipline now part of social neuroscience
Authors: Barchas Patricia R. , Barchas Jack D.
Published: March 2013

Sociophysiology was a term used early in the history of sociology and then again 25 years ago to describe interactions between the “social” and the “biological” worlds. Social scientists had largely viewed biology and the brain as a “black box” that was not an active aspect of their work or theories. A landmark, unpublished conference in 1986 brought together social scientists and biologists dedicated to the idea that bringing sociological conceptualizations and approaches together with those of physiology might create new ways to understand human behavior. The umbrella question for sociophysiology was dual: how do social processes impact the physiology of the organism, and how does that altered physiology affect future social behavior? This paper summarizes that conference with the goal of providing a glimpse into the early history of social neuroscience and to demonstrate the variety of individuals and interests that were present at the emergence of this new field. The late Patricia R. Barchas organized and chaired the conference.
Blunted diurnal decline of cortisol among older adults with low socioeconomic status
Authors: Agbedia Owhofasa O. , Varma Vijay R. , Seplaki Christopher L. , Seeman Teresa E. , Fried Linda P. , Li Lingsheng , Harris Gregory C. , Rebok George W. , Xue Qian‐Li , Tan Erwin J. , Tanner Elizabeth , Parisi Jeanine M. , McGill Sylvia , Carlson Michelle C.
Published: March 2013

Low socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with increased risk for adverse health outcomes; those with low SES are thought to experience greater environmental disadvantage and exposure to chronic stress over the life course. The effects of chronic stress on health have been measured by cortisol levels and variations in their diurnal pattern. However, the patterns of association between SES and cortisol have been equivocal in older adults. This paper examined in 98 older adults participating in the Brain Health Substudy of the Baltimore Experience Corps Trial baseline patterns of diurnal variation in salivary cortisol associated with lower versus higher SES using total income and perceived SES relative to others. For each measure, participants stratified into lower versus higher SES showed a more blunted rate of decline in diurnal salivary cortisol over the day in adjusted models (P values ≤ 0.05). There were no SES‐related differences in awakening cortisol, cortisol‐awakening response, or area under the curve. These findings confirm prior evidence of a biologic pathway through which socioeconomic disadvantage is linked to biologic vulnerability, and through which the impact of volunteer service in Experience Corps may be measured.
Extreme marginalization: addiction and other mental health disorders, stigma, and imprisonment
Authors: Kreek Mary Jeanne
Published: March 2013

Major well‐defined medical problems that are, in part, the unfortunate outcome of a negative social environment may include specific addictive diseases and other mental health disorders, in particular the affective disorders of anxiety, depression, social phobia, and posttraumatic stress syndrome. This overview touches on the topic of extreme marginalization associated with addiction and other mental health disorders, along with arrest, imprisonment, and parole. All of these are characterized by a lasting stigma that hauntingly continues to affect each person suffering from any of these problems.
P38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase promotes dedifferentiation of primary articular chondrocytes in monolayer culture
Authors: Rosenzweig Derek H. , Ou Sing J. , Quinn Thomas M.
Published: March 2013

Articular cartilage is an avascular tissue with poor regenerative capacity following injury, a contributing factor to joint degenerative disease. Cell‐based therapies for cartilage tissue regeneration have rapidly advanced; however, expansion of autologous chondrocytes in vitro using standard methods causes ‘dedifferentiation’ into fibroblastic cells. Mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling is crucial for chondrocyte metabolism and matrix production, and changes in MAPK signals can affect the phenotype of cultured cells. We investigated the effects of inhibition of MAPK signalling on chondrocyte dedifferentiation during monolayer culture. Blockade of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) signalling caused a significant increase in cartilage gene expression, however, also caused up‐regulation of fibrotic gene expression. Inhibition of p38 MAPK (p38) caused a significant up‐regulation of collagen type II while suppressing collagen type I expression. P38 inhibition also resulted in consistently more organized secretion of collagen type II protein deposits on cell culture surfaces. Follow‐on pellet culture of treated cells revealed that MAPK inhibition reduced cell migration from the pellet. ERK and JNK inhibition caused more collagen type I accumulation in pellets versus controls while p38 inhibition strongly promoted collagen type II accumulation with no effect on collagen type I. Blockade of all three MAPKs caused increased GAG content in pellets. These results indicate a role for MAPK signalling in chondrocyte phenotype loss during monolayer culture, with a strong contribution from p38 signalling. Thus, blockade of p38 enhances chondrocyte phenotype in monolayer culture and may promote more efficient cartilage tissue regeneration for cell‐based therapies.
Restored perfusion and reduced inflammation in the infarcted heart after grafting stem cells with a hyaluronan‐based scaffold
Authors: Muscari Claudio , Bonafè Francesca , Martin‐Suarez Sofia , Valgimigli Simond , Valente Sabrina , Fiumana Emanuela , Fiorelli Federico , Rubini Giuseppe , Guarnieri Carlo , Caldarera Claudio Marcello , Capitani Ombretta , Arpesella Giorgio , Pasquinelli Gianandrea
Published: March 2013

The aim of this study is to investigate the blood perfusion and the inflammatory response of the myocardial infarct area after transplanting a hyaluronan‐based scaffold (HYAFF®11) with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Nine‐week‐old female pigs were subjected to a permanent left anterior descending coronary artery ligation for 4 weeks. According to the kind of the graft, the swine subjected to myocardial infarction were divided into the HYAFF®11, MSCs, HYAFF®11/MSCs and untreated groups. The animals were killed 8 weeks after coronary ligation. Scar perfusion, evaluated by Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound echography, was doubled in the HYAFF®11/MSCs group and was comparable with the perfusion of the healthy, non‐infarcted hearts. The inflammation score of the MSCs and HYAFF®11/MSCs groups was near null, revealing the role of the grafted MSCs in attenuating the cell infiltration, but not the foreign reaction strictly localized around the fibres of the scaffold. Apart from the inflammatory response, the native tissue positively interacted with the HYAFF®11/MSCs construct modifying the extracellular matrix with a reduced presence of collagene and increased amount of proteoglycans. The border‐zone cardiomyocytes also reacted favourably to the graft as a lower degree of cellular damage was found. This study demonstrates that the transplantation in the myocardial infarct area of autologous MSCs supported by a hyaluronan‐based scaffold restores blood perfusion and almost completely abolishes the inflammatory process following an infarction. These beneficial effects are superior to those obtained after grafting only the scaffold or MSCs, suggesting that a synergic action was achieved using the cell‐integrated polymer construct.
Heterospecific courtship, minority effects and niche separation between cryptic butterfly species
Authors: Friberg M. , Leimar O. , Wiklund C.
Published: March 2013

Species interacting in varied ecological conditions often evolve in different directions in different local populations. The butterflies of the crypticLeptideacomplex are sympatrically distributed in different combinations across their Eurasian range. Interestingly, the same species is a habitat generalist in some regions and a habitat specialist in others, where a sibling species has the habitat generalist role. Previous studies suggest that this geographically variable niche divergence is generated by local processes in different contact zones. By varying the absolute and relative densities ofLeptidea sinapisandLeptidea juvernicain large outdoor cages, we show that female mating success is unaffected by conspecific density, but strongly negatively affected by the density of the other species. Whereas 80% of the females mated when a conspecific couple was alone in a cage, less than 10% mated when the single couple shared the cage with five pairs of the other species. The heterospecific courtships can thus affect the population fitness, and for the species in the local minority, the suitability of a habitat is likely to depend on the presence or absence of the locally interacting species. If the local relative abundance of the different species depends on the colonization order, priority effects might determine the ecological roles of interacting species in this system.
The occurrence and distribution of resistance of codling moth to Cydia pomonella granulovirus in Europe
Authors: Schmitt A. , Bisutti I. L. , Ladurner E. , Benuzzi M. , Sauphanor B. , Kienzle J. , Zingg D. , Undorf‐Spahn K. , Fritsch E. , Huber J. , Jehle J. A.
Published: March 2013

Thirty‐five codling moth (CM, Cydia pomonella L., Lepidoptera, Tortricidae) populations collected in different commercial orchards in six European countries were tested for their susceptibility to Cydia pomonella granulovirus (CpGV‐M). Including previously published data on CpGV‐M resistance, a total of 38 CM colonies showed considerably elevated LC50 values, independent of the country origin. When only few test individuals are available, determination of mortality of neonate larvae at a discriminating concentration range of 104 to 106 OB/ml (>log4) as a direct measure of percentage susceptible individuals in a CM population is more advisable than calculation of LC50 values. The >log4 mortality alone or in combination with the LC50 value can be used for identification of resistance in a population. Results indicated a locally separated but widely spread occurrence of CM populations with low susceptibility to CpGV‐M. The most plausible hypothesis for the emergence of CpGV‐M resistance is its selection by repeated use of CpGV products.
Detection of Cyprinid herpesvirus 2 in association with an Aeromonas sobria infection of Carassius carassius (L.), in Italy
Authors: Fichi G , Cardeti G , Cocumelli C , Vendramin N , Toffan A , Eleni C , Siemoni N , Fischetti R , Susini F
Published: March 2013

Sixteen specimens of female crucian carp, Carassius carassius (L.), during the breeding season, were investigated for post‐mortem and full diagnostic examination during a mortality outbreak in a tributary stream of the Arno River in Tuscany in 2011. Necropsy highlighted the presence of a swollen anus and widespread haemorrhages in the body, fins, gills and eyes. Haemorrhages in internal organs and spleen granulomas were also observed. Bacteria isolated from the brain, kidney and spleen of affected fish were identified as A. sobria. Microscopic lesions observed in gills were characterized by necrosis of the secondary lamellae, congestion and multifocal lamellar fusion. The kidney showed necrosis, oedema, fibrin exudation and areas of haemorrhages, while in the spleen the main lesions were by multifocal necrosis of the lymphoid tissue. In the gills, transmission electron microscopy revealed herpesvirus‐like particles, subsequently identified as Cyprinid herpesvirus‐2 (CyHV‐2) with a nested PCR protocol. Although it was not possible to attribute a pathogenic role to CyHV‐2 in this mortality event, the identification of this herpesvirus in crucian carp increases the concern about its potential role in this species.
Efficacy of bath and orally administered praziquantel and fenbendazole against Lepidotrema bidyana Murray, a monogenean parasite of silver perch, Bidyanus bidyanus (Mitchell)
Authors: Forwood J M , Harris J O , Deveney M R
Published: March 2013

We investigated the efficacy of praziquantel (PZQ) and fenbendazole (FBZ), each administered by bath and orally, against the monogenean Lepidotrema bidyana Murray, a gill parasite of the freshwater fish silver perch, Bidyanus bidyanus (Mitchell). PZQ and FBZ were each administered by bath at 10 mg L−1 for 48 h and on surface‐coated feed pellets at 75 mg kg−1 per body weight (BW) per day for 6 days. Bath treatments of PZQ and FBZ had an efficacy of 99% and 91%, respectively, against adult L. bidyana. Oral treatments of PZQ and FBZ had an efficacy of 79% and 95%, respectively, against adult L. bidyana. Fish rejected feed pellets surface‐coated with PZQ, suggesting that palatability of surface‐coated PZQ‐medicated feed is poor, which undermined efficacy. In all trials, some juvenile parasites were present on fish after treatment during efficacy assessment, indicating that efficacy may be lower against juvenile parasites or that recruitment occurred post‐treatment, demonstrating that repeat treatments are necessary to effectively control L. bidyana in aquaculture.
Multicenter comparison of double‐balloon enteroscopy and spiral enteroscopy
Authors: Rahmi Gabriel , Samaha Elia , Vahedi Kouroche , Ponchon Thierry , Fumex Fabien , Filoche Bernard , Gay Gerard , Delvaux Michel , Lorenceau‐Savale Camille , Malamut Georgia , Canard Jean‐Marc , Chatellier Gilles , Cellier Christophe
Published: March 2013

Background and Aim

Spiral enteroscopy is a novel technique for small bowel exploration. The aim of this study is to compare double‐balloon and spiral enteroscopy in patients with suspected small bowel lesions.

Methods

Patients with suspected small bowel lesion diagnosed by capsule endoscopy were prospectively included between September 2009 and December 2010 in five tertiary‐care academic medical centers.

Results

After capsule endoscopy, 191 double‐balloon enteroscopy and 50 spiral enteroscopies were performed. Indications were obscure gastrointestinal bleeding in 194 (80%) of cases. Lesions detected by capsule endoscopy were mainly angioectasia. Double‐balloon and spiral enteroscopy resulted in finding one or more lesions in 70% and 75% of cases, respectively. The mean diagnosis procedure time and the average small bowel explored length during double‐balloon and spiral enteroscopy were, respectively, 60 min (45–80) and 55 min (45–80) (P = 0.74), and 200 cm (150–300) and 220 cm (200–300) (P = 0.13). Treatment during double‐balloon and spiral enteroscopy was possible in 66% and 70% of cases, respectively. There was no significant major procedure‐related complication.

Conclusion

Spiral enteroscopy appears as safe as double‐balloon enteroscopy for small bowel exploration with a similar diagnostic and therapeutic yield. Comparison between the two procedures in terms of duration and length of small bowel explored is slightly in favor of spiral enteroscopy but not significantly.
Diabetes is an independent risk factor for peptic ulcer bleeding: A nationwide population‐based cohort study
Authors: Peng Yen‐Ling , Leu Hsin‐Bang , Luo Jiing‐Chyuan , Huang Chin‐Chou , Hou Ming‐Chih , Lin Han‐Chieh , Lee Fa‐Yauh
Published: March 2013

Background and Aims

Diabetic patients reportedly have a higher incidence of peptic ulcer disease. The aim of this study was to investigate if type II diabetic patients have higher risk of developing peptic ulcer bleeding (PUB) and to identify possible risk factors of PUB in diabetic patients.

Methods

Using the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan, records of 5699 type II diabetic patients and 11 226 age‐ and sex‐matched non‐diabetic patients in a 1:2 ratio were extracted for comparison from a cohort dataset of 1 000 000 randomly sampled subjects. Log‐rank test was used to analyze differences in cumulative hazard of PUB between the two groups. Cox proportional hazard regressions were used to evaluate independent risk factors for PUB in all patients and identified risk factors of PUB in type II diabetic patients.

Results

In a 7‐year follow‐up period, type II diabetic patients had significantly higher cumulative hazard of PUB than the controls (P < 0.001, log‐rank test). By Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, diabetes was independently associated with increased risk of PUB (hazard ratio 1.44, 95% confidence interval 1.11–1.86; P < 0.001) after adjusting for age, sex, comorbidities (e.g. hypertension, coronary heart disease, heart failure, chronic renal disease, cirrhosis, and peptic ulcer disease), and ulcerogenic medication. Age, chronic renal disease, history of peptic ulcer disease, and use of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs were risk factors for PUB in diabetic patients.

Conclusions

Type II diabetic patients have significantly higher risk of PUB even after adjustments for possible confounding factors like age, sex, underlying comorbidities, and ulcerogenic medication.
Endoscopic sphincterotomy plus balloon dilation versus endoscopic sphincterotomy for choledocholithiasis: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Liu Yangyang , Su Peizhu , Lin Yinghao , Lin Siheng , Xiao Kun , Chen Pingyan , An Shengli , Bai Yang , Zhi Fachao
Published: March 2013

Background and Aim

Endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) alone and EST combined with balloon dilation (ESBD) are important endoscopic techniques for stone extraction. We were to conduct a meta‐analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of ESBD and EST.

Methods

Meta‐analysis was performed respectively on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and nonrandomized studies comparing the efficacy and safety of ESBD and EST.

Results

The results of three RCTs showed that stone removal in first session (relative risk [RR] 1.01, 0.92–1.11, P = 0.85) and the utility of endoscopic mechanical lithotripsy (EML) (RR 0.78, 0.49–1.23, P = 0.29) were equivalent between ESBD and EST. ESBD has equivalent complications (RR 0.61, 0.17–2.25, P = 0.46) and post‐ERCP pancreatitis (Peto odds ratio [OR] 1.11, 0.37–3.35, P = 0.86), but less bleeding (Peto OR 0.10, 0.03–0.30, P < 0.0001). The analysis of six retrospective studies suggested higher initial success in stone removal (RR 1.11, 1.02–1.20, P = 0.01) and less EML (RR 0.32, 0.22–0.46, P < 0.00001) in ESBD group. Less complications (RR 0.60, 0.44–0.83, P = 0.02) happened in ESBD group, but equivalent post‐ERCP pancreatitis (Peto OR 0.65, 0.37–1.15, P = 0.14) and bleeding (Peto OR 0.60, 0.29–1.26, P = 0.18). For patients with stones ≥ 15 mm, ESBD required less EML (RR 0.35, 0.24–0.51, P < 0.00001) and caused fewer complications (RR 0.67, 0.38–0.92, P = 0.02).

Conclusions

ESBD is feasible for the treatment of choledocholithiasis without increased risk of complications, causing less bleeding. However, it warrants more clinical trials to compare the efficacy and safety of ESBD and EST.
Characterization and Mapping of a Salt‐Sensitive Mutant in Rice (Oryza sativaL.)
Authors: Zhou Jingwei , Wang Fuzheng , Deng Ping , Jing Wen , Zhang Wenhua
Published: March 2013

A salt‐sensitive mutant designatedrice salt sensitive 2(rss2) was isolated from the M2generation of the rice cultivar Nipponbare mutagenized with ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS). This mutant exhibited a greater decrease in salt tolerance with a significant increase in Na+content in its shoots. Genetic analysis indicated that the increase in Na+inrss2was controlled by a single recessive gene. Further genome‐wide analysis of the linkage map constructed from the F2population ofrss2/Zhaiyeqing 8 (ZYQ8) showed that two quantitative trait loci (QTLs) on chromosomes 1 and 6 were responsible for the Na+concentration in shoots, which explained 14.5% and 53.3%, respectively, of the phenotypic variance. The locus on chromosome 1, but not that on chromosome 6, was also detected in the F2population of Nipponbare/ZYQ8, suggesting that the QTL on chromosome 6 was responsible for the salt sensitivity inrss2. By analyzing the recombination events in 220 mutant individuals of an enlarged mapping population ofrss2/ZYQ8, therss2locus was precisely mapped to an interval of 605.3 kb between insertion/deletion (InDel) markers IM21962 and IM22567. This finding will facilitate the cloning of therss2locus and provide insight into the physiological mechanisms of salt sensitivity in rice.