bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MANAGING MIGRATION? EU ENLARGEMENT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT CAPACITY AND PERFORMANCE IN ENGLAND
Authors: ANDREWS RHYS , BOYNE GEORGE , O’ TOOLE LARRY , MEIER KENNETH , WALKER RICHARD
Published: August 2012

This study explores how English local governments managed high levels of worker migration from Eastern Europe in the wake of the enlargement of the European Union in 2004. Theories of local government capacity suggest that strong central administration and vibrant community organizational life can increase the likelihood that public service performance will be maintained despite sudden shifts in the external environment. We explore the interactive effects of immigration and administrative and community capacity on English local government performance, using multivariate statistical techniques. The results suggest that local government capacity moderated the negative impact on performance of migration from Eastern Europe.
HIGH‐CAPACITY AND LOW‐CAPACITY GOVERNANCE NETWORKS IN WELFARE SERVICES DELIVERY: A TYPOLOGY AND EMPIRICAL EXAMINATION OF THE CASE OF ISRAELI MUNICIPALITIES
Authors: MENAHEM GILA , STEIN RONA
Published: August 2012

A major argument of this paper is that to enhance the theoretical value of the concept of governance one must focus on how governance networks operate and with what outcomes. To that end, the paper offers a typology of governance‐network capacity (GNC). Network capacity is assessed on a continuum from low to high, on the basis of four abilities of public actors: to select non‐public collaborators, determine the goals of the network, exercise professional discretion, and recruit new resources. Differences in GNC are discussed in terms of their implications for equality and the degree to which new forms of governing networks create bases for retaining or increasing the inequality between municipalities. The paper presents findings from a study of collaborations between public and non‐public actors in 78 governance networks that provide welfare services, operating in six municipalities in Israel.
ORGANIZING FOR EU IMPLEMENTATION: THE EUROPEANIZATION OF GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES IN ESTONIA, POLAND, AND SLOVENIA
Authors: ZUBEK RADOSLAW , STAROŇOVÁ KATARIŃA
Published: August 2012

Do different levels of exposure to EU law implementation have consequences for the organization of national ministries? Previous accounts suggest that European integration has little influence on the ‘hardware’ of member state administrations. Data covering the organization of 21 ministries in Estonia, Poland, and Slovenia show the Europeanization effect to be more pronounced than might be expected. Ministries responsible for transposing many EU directives tend to institutionalize centralized oversight in legislative planning, review, and monitoring; ministries with few implementation responsibilities rarely make such adaptations. This effect holds when one controls for the impact of partisan preferences and organizational conventions. The results offer a counterpoint to the studies of old member states that find little EU effect on the organization of domestic ministries.
The composition of phyllosphere fungal assemblages of European beech (Fagus sylvatica) varies significantly along an elevation gradient
Authors: Cordier Tristan , Robin Cécile , Capdevielle Xavier , Fabreguettes Olivier , Desprez‐Loustau Marie‐Laure , Vacher Corinne
Published: August 2012

Little is known about the potential effect of climate warming on phyllosphere fungi, despite their important impact on the dynamics and diversity of plant communities. The structure of phyllosphere fungal assemblages along elevation gradients may provide information about this potential effect, because elevation gradients correspond to temperature gradients over short geographic distances.

We thus investigated variations in the composition of fungal assemblages inhabiting the phyllosphere of European beech (Fagus sylvatica) at four sites over a gradient of 1000 m of elevation in the French Pyrénées Mountains, by using tag‐encoded 454 pyrosequencing.

Our results show that the composition of fungal assemblages varied significantly between elevation sites, in terms of both the relative abundance and the presence–absence of species, and that the variations in assemblage composition were well correlated with variations in the average temperatures.

Our results therefore suggest that climate warming might alter both the incidence and the abundance of phyllosphere fungal species, including potential pathogens. For example, Mycosphaerella punctiformis, a causal agent of leaf spots, showed decreasing abundance with elevation and might therefore shift to higher elevations in response to warming.
A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Alcohol Consumption and Injury Risk as a Function of Study Design and Recall Period
Authors: Zeisser Cornelia , Stockwell Tim R. , Chikritzhs Tanya , Cherpitel Cheryl , Ye Yu , Gardner Christian
Published: August 2012

Background

It is well established that alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of injury. This systematic review and meta‐analysis addresses important methodological issues commonly encountered in the alcohol and injury field by delineating the effect of study design and alcohol consumption recall period on effect size magnitude and by conducting gender‐specific analyses.

Methods

We performed meta‐analyses using random‐effect models. Data sources were peer‐reviewed studies on alcohol and injury from 1970 to 2009 from MEDLINE, PsychInfo, and on‐line journals. Case–control or case‐crossover emergency department (ED) studies reporting injury risk from alcohol consumption 6 hours before injury were included.

Results

The overall odds of injury were 2.799 (2.214 to 3.538, p < 0.001). For case‐crossover studies, the odds were 3.815 (2.646 to 5.499, p < 0.001); for ED case–control studies, the odds were 1.977 (1.385 to 2.821, p < 0.001); and for population case–control designs, the odds were 3.145 (1.583 to 6.247, p < 0.005). The “usual frequency” recall period yielded an odds ratio of 4.235 (2.541 to 7.057, p < 0.001), compared to 2.320 (1.789 to 3.008, p < 0.001) for all other methods. There were significant differences in odds ratio magnitude when comparing studies by design and recall period. Females had higher odds of injury than males, 2.285 (1.361 to 3.836, p < 0.005) versus 1.071 (0.715 to 1.605, p = 0.737).

Conclusions

Study design and alcohol consumption recall period have significant effects on effect size magnitude in estimating the risk of injury from alcohol consumption 6 hours prior to injury. For the “usual frequency” case‐crossover design, significant moderator effects were found, resulting in overestimates of injury risk from alcohol. ED case‐crossover designs tend to overestimate risk, and ED case–control designs tend to underestimate. We provide recommendations for future ED research.
Do Conditional Cash Transfers Affect Electoral Behavior? Evidence from a Randomized Experiment in Mexico
Authors: De La O Ana L.
Published: August 2012

This article reexamines the argument that targeted programs increase pro‐incumbent voting by persuading beneficiaries to cast ballots against their first partisan choice. The evidence comes from the randomized component of Progresa, the pioneering Mexican conditional cash transfer (CCT) program. Experimental data show that early enrollment in the program led to substantive increases in voter turnout and in the incumbent’s vote share in the 2000 presidential election. The experiment also reveals that opposition parties’ vote shares were unaffected by the program. Thus, the electoral bonus generated by CCTs may be best explained by a mobilizing rather than persuasive mechanism. These findings are difficult to reconcile with the notion that the electoral effects of CCTs are a result of prospective concerns triggered by threats of program discontinuation or endogenous program enrollment. Instead, the evidence in this article suggests that CCTs’ mobilizing effects are compatible with programmatic politics.
Atrial Septal Occluder Device Embolization to an Iliac Artery: A Case Highlighting the Utility of Three‐Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography during Percutaneous Closure
Authors: Wei Jeng , Hsiung Ming C. , Tsai Shen Kou , Yin Wei‐Hsian , Ou Ching‐Huei , Donmez Cevdet , Bicer Elif , Daly David D. , Dumaswala Bhavin , Dumaswala Komal , McKay Joshua , Nanda Navin C.
Published: August 2012

Percutaneous closure of secundum atrial defects has become an accepted treatment in part because it is minimally invasive and relatively low risk. Despite recent advances in implantation technique and device improvements, complications occur. Here, we report a case of device embolization during percutaneous repair of an atrial septal defect (ASD) with multiple fenestrations. We highlight the value of using live/real time three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography to help plan the percutaneous procedure and detect complications.
Early Left Atrial Mechanics and Volume Abnormalities in Subjects with Prehypertension: A Real Time Three‐Dimensional Echocardiography Study
Authors: Aktürk Erdal , Ermis Necip , Yağmur Jülide , Acikgoz Nusret , Kurtoğlu Ertuğrul , Cansel Mehmet , Eyüpkoca Ferhat , Pekdemir Hasan , Özdemir Ramazan
Published: August 2012

The aim of this study was to evaluate left atrial (LA) volume and mechanical functions by real time three‐dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) in prehypertensive subjects. The study included 54 (34 male and 20 female) prehypertensive subjects and 36 (14 male and 22 female) healthy control subjects. Transthoracic echocardiography and RT3DE were performed in all patients. Interventricular septum thickness and isovolumetric relaxation time were significantly higher in prehypertensives than in controls (10.7 ± 0.7 vs. 10.1 ± 0.8 P = 0.001 and 89.9 ± 10 vs. 82.4 ± 11 P = 0.002, respectively). LA maximum volume, volume before atrial contraction, total and active stroke volume, total and active emptying fractions, expansion index, and LA max volume index were significantly higher in prehypertensives when compared with controls (P < 0.0001 for all). However, the passive emptying fraction was significantly lower in prehypertensives than controls (45.7 ± 5.6 vs. 48.6 ± 4.1, P = 0.006), and the minimum LA volume between the two groups was similar. The main finding of this study was that although LA volume and LA active systolic functions were significantly increased in prehypertensive people, there was a reduction in passive LA systolic functions. These parameters may be important in showing hemodynamic and structural changes in cardiac tissue caused by prehypertension.
Correlation between Myocardial Dysfunction and Perfusion Impairment in Diabetic Rats with Velocity Vector Imaging and Myocardial Contrast Echocardiography
Authors: Wei Zhangrui , Zhang Haibin , Su Haili , Zhu Ting , Zhu Yongsheng , Zhang Jun
Published: August 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether myocardial systolic dysfunction and perfusion impairment occur in diabetic rats, and to assess their relationship using velocity vector imaging (VVI) and myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE). Forty‐six rats were randomly divided into either control or the diabetes mellitus (DM) groups. DM was induced by intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin. Twelve weeks later, 39 survival rats underwent VVI and MCE in short‐axis view at the middle level of the left ventricle, both at rest and after dipyridamole stress. VVI‐derived contractile parameters included peak systolic velocity (Vs), circumferential strain (εc), strain rate (SRc), and their reserves. MCE‐derived perfusion parameters consisted of myocardial blood flow (MBF) and myocardial flow reserve (MFR). At rest, SRc in the DM group was significantly lower than in the control group, Vs, εc, and MBF did not differ significantly between groups. After dipyridamole stress, all VVI parameters and their reserves in the DM group were significantly lower than those in the control group, MBF and MFR were substantially lower than those in the control group, too. Meanwhile, significant correlations between VVI parameter reserves and MFR were observed in the DM group. Both myocardial systolic function and perfusion were impaired in DM rats. Decreased MFR could be an important contributor to the reduction in myocardial contractile reserve.
Life course experiences and lay diagnosis explain low‐income parents' child dental decisions: a qualitative study
Authors: Muirhead Vanessa , Levine Alissa , Nicolau Belinda , Landry Anne , Bedos Christophe
Published: August 2012

Objective

This study aimed to better understand low‐income parents' child dental care decisions through a life course approach that captured parents' experiences within the social context of poverty.

Methods

We conducted 43 qualitative life history interviews with 10 parents, who were long‐term social assistance recipients living in Montreal, Canada. Thematic analysis involved interview debriefing, transcript coding, theme identification and data interpretation.

Results

Our interviews identified two emergent themes: lay diagnosis and parental oral health management. Parents described a process of ‘lay diagnosis’ that consisted of examining their children's teeth and interpreting their children's oral signs and symptoms based on their observations. These lay diagnoses were also shaped by their own dental crises, care experiences and oral health knowledge gained across a life course of poverty and dental disadvantage. Parents' management strategies included monitoring and managing their children's oral health themselves or by seeking professional recourse. Parents' management strategies were influenced both by their lay diagnoses and their perceived ability to manage their children's oral health. Parents felt responsible for their children's dental care, empowered to manage their oral health and sometimes forgo dental visits for their children because of their own self‐management life history.

Conclusion

This original approach revealed insights that help to understand why low‐income parents may underutilize free dental services. Further research should consider how dental programs can nurture parental empowerment and capitalize on parents' perceived ability to diagnose and manage their children's oral health.
Single point mutation in Vibrio cholerae cytolysin compromises the membrane pore‐formation mechanism of the toxin
Authors: Paul Karan , Chattopadhyay Kausik
Published: August 2012

Vibrio cholerae cytolysin (VCC) belongs to the family of β‐barrel pore‐forming protein toxins. VCC is secreted by the bacteria as water‐soluble monomers, which upon binding to target eukaryotic cells form transmembrane heptameric β‐barrel channels. High‐resolution 3D structures are described both for the water‐soluble monomeric form and the transmembrane oligomeric pore; albeit that our understanding of the mechanistic details of the membrane pore‐formation process remains incomplete. Here, we report the characterization of a nonfunctional VCC variant harboring a single point mutation of Ala425Val positioned within a potential membrane‐interacting loop in the VCC structure. The mutation appears to affect interaction of the toxin with erythrocytes as well as cholesterol‐containing liposome membrane, without affecting the oligomerization ability of the membrane‐bound toxin molecules. The membrane‐bound oligomers formed by this VCC mutant do not appear to represent the functional pore assembly of the toxin; rather, such assembly could be considered as being trapped in an abortive, nonfunctional oligomeric state. Our results suggest that the Ala425Val mutation in VCC critically compromises its cholesterol‐dependent membrane‐interaction mechanism and also abrogates the process of functional membrane pore formation by the toxin.
Comparative structural and functional analysis of two octaheme nitrite reductases from closely related Thioalkalivibrio species
Authors: Tikhonova Tamara , Tikhonov Alexey , Trofimov Anton , Polyakov Konstantin , Boyko Konstantin , Cherkashin Eugene , Rakitina Tatiana , Sorokin Dmitry , Popov Vladimir
Published: August 2012

Octaheme nitrite reductase from the haloalkaliphilic bacterium Thioalkalivibrio paradoxus was isolated and characterized. A comparative structural and functional analysis of two homologous octaheme nitrite reductases from closely related Thioalkalivibrio species was performed. It was shown that both enzymes have similar catalytic properties, owing to high structural similarity. Both enzymes are characterized by specific structural features distinguishing them from pentaheme cytochrome c nitrite reductases, such as the Tyr‐Cys bond in the active site, the hexameric structure resulting in the formation of a void space inside the hexamer, and the product channel that opens into the void interior space of the hexamer. It is suggested that these specific structural features are responsible for the higher nitrite reductase activity, the greater preference for nitrite than for sulfite as a substrate, and the wider pH range of the catalytic activity of octaheme nitrite reductases than of pentaheme homologs.

Database

Nucleotide sequence data are available in the GenBank database under the accession number HQ665012.1. Structural data are available in the RCSB Protein Data Bank database under the accession numbers 3SXQ and 3TTB

Structured digital abstract

TvPaR and TvPaR bind by x-ray crystallography (View interaction)
Insights into bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells safety for cutaneous repair and regeneration
Authors: Wu Yan , Huang Sha , Enhe Jirigala , Fu Xiaobing
Published: August 2012

Wound healing involves the orchestration of a complex process of interactions between numerous types of cell, components of extracellular matrix and signalling molecules following injury, which is usually a highly successful biological course to reconstruct the integrity of the skin. Nevertheless, when skin is severely damaged, the injured skin is limited in its ability to repair itself and possibly results in the hypertrophic scars or so‐called keloids, and non healing wound or ulcer. Bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM‐MSCs) are being clinically explored as a promising therapy in the field of tissue repair and regeneration. However, potential risks associated with these cell‐based therapies remain uncertain. The aim of this review is to summarise the safety issues accompanying the administration of BM‐MSCs for acute or chronic skin repair and regeneration. More importantly, this review highlights the requirement for fundamental research to improve future clinical application of these strategies, as well as for regulatory authorities to establish clinical criteria to identify the qualitative requirements for the manufacture process of cells products, which will ensure the manufacture process of the best benefit‐to‐risk ratio of cell‐based therapy for the patients.
Use of a risk assessment method to improve the safety of negative pressure wound therapy
Authors: Lelong Anne‐Sophie , Martelli Nicolas , Bonan Brigitte , Prognon Patrice , Pineau Judith
Published: August 2012

To conduct a risk analysis of the negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) care process and to improve the safety of NPWT, a working group of nurses, hospital pharmacists, physicians and hospital managers performed a risk analysis for the process of NPWT care. The failure modes, effects and criticality analysis (FMECA) method was used for this analysis. Failure modes and their consequences were defined and classified as a function of their criticality to identify priority actions for improvement. By contrast to classical FMECA, the criticality index (CI) of each consequence was calculated by multiplying occurrence, severity and detection scores. We identified 13 failure modes, leading to 20 different consequences. The CI of consequences was initially 712, falling to 357 after corrective measures were implemented. The major improvements proposed included the establishment of 6‐monthly training cycles for nurses, physicians and surgeons and the introduction of computerised prescription for NPWT. The FMECA method also made it possible to prioritise actions as a function of the criticality ranking of consequences and was easily understood and used by the working group. This study is, to our knowledge, the first to use the FMECA method to improve the safety of NPWT.
Socioeconomic determinants of infant growth: The Perspective Cohort Study of Thai Children
Authors: PHUPHAIBUL Rutja , KONGSAKTRAKUL Chuenreudee , PHUSAMON Srisamon , PEASUE Noppawan , MOSUWAN Ladda , CHOPRAPAWON Chanpen
Published: August 2012

Aim:  The present study is based on the Prospective Cohort Study of Thai Children (PCTC), and focuses on socioeconomic factors including maternal age, maternal education, living with parents, family size, family income, locality, and sex that affect the growth outcomes of infants at 1 year of age.

Methods:  Data was collected among 3679 pairs of mothers and infants in the PCTC cohort in rural and urban locations during 2001–2002. Data collection was performed by interviewing mothers in their 7th to 8th month of pregnancy using family profile questionnaires. The anthropometric measures including weight, length, and head circumference of the infants were later collected at 1 year of age at home.

Results:  The results show the effects of family socioeconomic status maternal education, living with parents, family size, family income, locality, and sex on their weight (R2 = 14.2%, P < 0.001) and length (R2 = 8.7%, P < 0.001) at 1 year of age. The findings suggest that maternal age, maternal education, living with parents, family size, family income, locality, and sex predict infant head circumference (R2 = 16.8%, P < 0.001) at 1 year of age.

Conclusion:  Infants' growth, including weight, height, and head circumference, are affected by family socioeconomic status factors. It is recommended that the effect of maternal age on growth and development of children among those in the PCTC cohort is examined in the future.
Sequence analyses of S10‐spc operon among 16SrV group phytoplasmas: phylogenetic relationships and identification of discriminating single nucleotide polymorphisms
Authors: Durante G. , Casati P. , Clair D. , Quaglino F. , Bulgari D. , Boudon‐Padieu E. , Bianco P.A.
Published: August 2012

Phytoplasmas are cell‐wall less, uncultivable bacteria, belonging to the class Mollicutes. They parasitise both plant hosts and insect vectors, but knowledge of their biological and molecular properties is limited. In particular, analyses of 16S rDNA nucleotide sequences revealed that 16SrV group phytoplasma strains identified in grapevine plants are closely related, but associated with distinct ecologies. In this work, we investigated the evolutionary relationships of eight representative 16SrV phytoplasma strains by sequencing 15 ribosomal protein (rp) genes positioned within the S10‐spc operon. Phylogenetic analyses of concatenated nucleotide and amino acid sequences underscored that 16SrV phytoplasma strains infecting grapevine clustered together in a distinct clade, supporting the hypothesis that they have a probable common origin. Furthermore, sequence typing revealed the presence of single nucleotide polymorphisms distinguishing the analysed 16SrV phytoplasma strains. Moreover, rp gene nucleotide sequences could help the description and the accurate definition of ‘Candidatus’ species within the 16SrV group.
The Financial Knowledge Scale: An Application of Item Response Theory to the Assessment of Financial Literacy
Authors: KNOLL MELISSA A. Z. , HOUTS CARRIE R.
Published: August 2012

Despite increasing interest in and funding for financial literacy and financial education programs in the private and public sectors, the field of financial literacy still has a major obstacle to overcome: the lack of a widely disseminated measure of financial literacy, developed through rigorous psychometric analyses. In this article, we develop such a measure, focusing specifically on financial knowledge. Using item response theory (IRT), we analyze items from three national surveys, resulting in a psychometrically sound 20‐item financial knowledge scale. By using IRT, the current analysis uses individuals' answers to inform which questions to include in the scale in the first place, rather than simply confirming relationships between these answers and other financially relevant outcomes post hoc. Widespread use of this index and the continued use of modern psychometric techniques would allow for the comparison of financial knowledge, measured consistently and reliably, across studies, populations, and programs.
WHY RENAL NURSES COPE SO WELL WITH THEIR WORKPLACE STRESSORS
Authors: Dolan Gillian , Strodl Esben , Hamernik Elisabeth
Published: August 2012

Background: Previous studies have found significant stressors experienced by nurses working in haemodialysis units yet renal nurses appear to report less burnout than other nurses.

Objectives: This study aims to undertake an inductive process to better understand the stressors and the coping strategies used by renal nurses that may lead to resilience.

Method: Sixteen haemodialysis nurses from a metropolitan Australian hospital and two satellite units participated in open‐ended interviews. Data were analysed from a grounded theory methodology. Measures of burnout and resilience were also obtained.

Results: Two major categories of stressors emerged. First, due to prolonged patient contact, family‐like relationships developed that lead to the blurring of boundaries. Second, participants experienced discrimination from both patients and staff. Despite these stressors, the majority of participants reported low burnout and moderately high‐to‐high levels of resilience. The major coping strategy that appeared to promote resilience was emotional distancing, while emotional detachment appeared to promote burn‐out.

Conclusion: Assisting nurses to use emotional distancing, rather than emotional detachment strategies to engender a sense of personal achievement may promote resilience.
Knowledge, skills, and attitudes of medical students to patient safety: a cross‐sectional pilot investigation in China
Authors: Li Lin , Duan Yurong , Chen Peixian , Li Jing , Mao Xuanyue , Barraclough Bruce H. , Zhang Mingming
Published: August 2012

Background: To reduce harm caused by health care is a global priority. Medical students should be able to recognize unsafe conditions, systematically report errors, and near misses, investigate and improve such systems with a thorough understanding of human fallibility, and disclose errors to patients. Therefore, incorporating knowledge about patient safety into medical school curriculums is an urgent necessity.

Objectives: To describe the extent to which Chinese medical students have patient safety in their knowledge, skills, and attitudes so as to provide evidence for implementation of a patient safety curriculum in medical schools, and to assess the quality of this investigative questionnaire.

Methods: Our questionnaire of 31 items was developed based on a 2008 WHO pilot study for a patient safety curriculum guide. Our investigation was conducted in three university medical schools in China. Year 3 and year 4 medical students were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire in their classroom settings. All items were scored from 1 to 5. Differences in responses among different universities, genders, and levels, as well as the validity and reliability of the questionnaire, were analyzed using SPSS 15.0.

Results: A total of 500 questionnaires were distributed, and 143 male and 262 female students completed the survey. An average of 0.96% of survey questions were not answered, of which the most frequently unanswered item was “what will happen when medical error occurs?” The students’ attitudes to learning about patient safety were positive, although their knowledge of medical error and how to report error was poor. There were no statistical differences among different medical schools and levels in any item responses. The only gender difference appeared in the response to “I would like to discuss with others when I made a medical error.” There was a good coherence of reliability in sections 2, 3, and 4 of the questionnaire (Cronbach's alpha > 0.8), while sections 5 and 6 scored as less reliable. The validity of the questionnaire was good.

Conclusions: Although medical students’ understanding of patient safety is very poor in China, the students have a positive attitudes to learning about the knowledge of patient safety in their future careers.
Adoptive transfusion of tolerance dendritic cells prolongs the survival of cardiac allograft: a systematic review of 44 basic studies in mice
Authors: Wu Wenqiao , Shan Juan , Li Youping , Luo Lei , Sun Guixiang , Zhou Yanni , Yang Tong , Xia Mengjuan , Guo Yingjia , Feng Li
Published: August 2012

Background and Objective: Tolerogenic DCs (Tol‐DCs), a group of cells with imDC phenotype, can stably induce T cells low‐reactivity and immune tolerance. We systematically reviewed the adoptive transfusion of Tol‐DCs induced by different ways to prolong cardiac allograft survival and its possible mechanism.

Method: MEDLINE (1966 to March 2011), EMbase (1980 to March 2011), and ISI (inception to March 2011) were searched for identification of relevant studies. We used allogeneic heart graft survival time as endpoint outcome to analyze the effect of adoptive transfusion of Tol‐DC on cardiac allograft. By integrating studies’ information, we summarized the mechanisms of Tol‐DC in prolonging cardiac grafts.

Results: Four methods were used to induce Tol‐DC in all of the 44 included studies including gene‐modified, drug‐intervened, cytokine‐induced, and other‐derived (liver‐derived & spleen‐derived) DCs. The results showed that all types of Tol‐DC can effectively prolong graft survival, and the average extension of graft survival time for each group was as follows: 22.02 ± 21.9 days (3.2 folds to control group) in the gene modified group, 25.94 ± 16.9 days (4.3 folds) in the drug‐intervened groups, 9.00 ± 8.13 days (1.9 folds) in the cytokine‐induced group, and 10.69 ± 9.94 days (2.1 folds) in the other‐derived group. The main mechanisms of Tol‐DCs to prolong graft survival were as follows: (1) induceT‐cell hyporeactivity (detected by MLR); (2) reduce the effect of cytotoxic lymphocyte (CTL); (3) promote Th2 differentiation; (4) induce Treg; (5) induce chimerism.

Conclusion: For fully MHC mismatched allogeneic heart transplant recipients of inbred mouse, adoptive transfusion of Tol‐DC, which can be gene‐modified, drug‐intervened, cytokine‐induced, spleen‐derived or liver‐derived, can clearly prolong the survival of cardiac allograft or induce immune tolerance. Gene‐modified and drug‐induced Tol‐DC can prolong graft survival most obviously. Having better reliability and stability than drug‐induction, gene‐modification is the best way to induce Tol‐DCs at present. One‐time intravenous infusion of 2 × 106 Tol‐DC is a simple and feasible way to induce long‐term graft survival. Multiple infusions will prolong it but increase the risk and cost. Adoptive transfusion of Tol‐DC in conjunction with immunosuppressive agents may also prolong the graft survival time.
RPB2 gene reveals a phylodemographic signal in wild and domesticated grapevine (Vitis vinifera)
Authors: ZECCA Giovanni , GRASSI Fabrizio
Published: August 2012

Polymorphism at the single copy RPB2 locus was investigated to define the relationship between wild and domesticated grapevines. Two different forms still coexist in Eurasia, the cultivated (Vitis vinifera L. ssp. vinifera) and the wild (Vitis vinifera L. ssp. sylvestris (Gmelin) Hegi), referred to as separate subspecies. Using the observed number of mutations at the RPB2 locus, as well as archaeological data, to define an approximate age of domestication, we have estimated a high nucleotide substitution rate (4.25 × 10−7) in the domesticated group. Moreover, the dynamics of population size in the RPB2 gene were estimated using Bayesian coalescent inference. The Bayesian skyline plot offered interesting information on the past dynamics of RPB2 for both wild and domesticated groups. The signal of exponential growth observed in grapevine accessions can be viewed as a consequence of human breeding activity during the domestication of the species. However, a recent and drastic decline of population size has been observed in the Mediterranean wild lineages. This event mirrors the demographic decline of wild grape, probably explained by anthropogenic pressure on its natural habitats and by the introduction of pathogens from North America in recent centuries.
Successful control of a case of severe insulin allergy with liraglutide
Authors: Kawanami Daiji , Ito Tomoko , Watanabe Yui , Kinoshita Jun , Sakamoto Masaya , Isaka Tsuyoshi , Utsunomiya Kazunori
Published: August 2012

A 72‐year‐old woman presented with repeated hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic episodes because of an insulin allergy. On admission, she was diagnosed with type B insulin resistance syndrome. She was also found to have anti‐insulin antibodies. After steroid therapy, glycemic control improved dramatically accompanied by the disappearance of the insulin allergy. We then introduced liraglutide, which successfully stabilized her glycemic episodes without allergic reactions. Liraglutide might be useful to treat patients with severe insulin allergy.
Microcolony formation by the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa requires pyruvate and pyruvate fermentation
Authors: Petrova Olga E. , Schurr Jill R. , Schurr Michael J. , Sauer Karin
Published: August 2012

A hallmark of the biofilm architecture is the presence of microcolonies. However, little is known about the underlying mechanisms governing microcolony formation. In the pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, microcolony formation is dependent on the two‐component regulator MifR, with mifR mutant biofilms exhibiting an overall thin structure lacking microcolonies, and overexpression of mifR resulting in hyper‐microcolony formation. Using global transcriptomic and proteomic approaches, we demonstrate that microcolony formation is associated with stressful, oxygen‐limiting but electron‐rich conditions, as indicated by the activation of stress response mechanisms and anaerobic and fermentative processes, in particular pyruvate fermentation. Inactivation of genes involved in pyruvate utilization including uspK, acnA and ldhA abrogated microcolony formation in a manner similar to mifR inactivation. Moreover, depletion of pyruvate from the growth medium impaired biofilm and microcolony formation, while addition of pyruvate significantly increased microcolony formation. Addition of pyruvate to or expression of mifR in lactate dehydrogenase (ldhA) mutant biofilms did not restore microcolony formation, while addition of pyruvate partly restored microcolony formation in mifR mutant biofilms. In contrast, expression of ldhA in mifR::Mar fully restored microcolony formation by this mutant strain. Our findings indicate the fermentative utilization of pyruvate to be a microcolony‐specific adaptation of the P. aeruginosa biofilm environment.
Toward truly combined PET/CT imaging using PET detectors and photon counting CT with iterative reconstruction implementing physical detector response
Authors: Thibaudeau Christian , Bérard Philippe , Tétrault Marc‐André , Leroux Jean‐Daniel , Bergeron Mélanie , Fontaine Réjean , Lecomte Roger
Published: August 2012

Purpose:

This paper intends to demonstrate the feasibility of truly combined PET/CT imaging and addresses some of the major challenges raised by this dual modality approach. A method is proposed to retrieve maximum accuracy out of limited resolution computed tomography (CT) scans acquired with positron emission tomography (PET) detectors.

Methods:

A PET/CT simulator was built using the LabPET™ detectors and front‐end electronics. Acquisitions of energy‐binned data sets were made using this low spatial resolution CT system in photon counting mode. To overcome the limitations of the filtered back‐projection technique, an iterative reconstruction library was developed and tested for the counting mode CT. Construction of the system matrix is based on a preregistered raster scan from which the experimental detector response is obtained. PET data were obtained sequentially with CT in a conventional manner.

Results:

A meticulous description of the system geometry and misalignment corrections is imperative and was incorporated into the matrix definition to achieve good image quality. Using this method, no sinogram precorrection or interpolation is necessary and measured projections can be used as raw input data for the iterative reconstruction algorithm. Genuine dual modality PET/CT images of phantoms and animals were obtained for the first time using the same detection platform.

Conclusions:

CT and fused PET/CT images show that LabPET™ detectors can be successfully used as individual X‐ray photon counting devices for low‐dose CT imaging of the anatomy in a molecular PET imaging context.
Ultrasound GLCM texture analysis of radiation‐induced parotid‐gland injury in head‐and‐neck cancer radiotherapy: An in vivo study of late toxicity
Authors: Yang Xiaofeng , Tridandapani Srini , Beitler Jonathan J. , Yu David S. , Yoshida Emi J. , Curran Walter J. , Liu Tian
Published: August 2012

Purpose:

Xerostomia (dry mouth), secondary to irradiation of the parotid glands, is one of the most common side effects of head‐and‐neck cancer radiotherapy. Diagnostic tools able to accurately and efficiently measure parotid gland injury have yet to be introduced into the clinic. This study's purpose is to investigate sonographic textural features as potential imaging signatures for quantitative assessment of parotid‐gland injury after head‐and‐neck radiotherapy.

Methods:

The authors have investigated a series of sonographic features obtained from the gray level co‐occurrence matrix (GLCM) – a second order statistical method of texture analysis. These GLCM textural features were selected based on empirical observations that the normal parotid gland exhibits homogeneous echotexture, whereas the postradiotherapy parotid gland often exhibits heterogeneous echotexture. We employed eight sonographic features: (1) angular second moment (ASM), (2) inverse differential moment (IDM), (3) contrast, (4) variance, (5) correlation, (6) entropy, (7) cluster shade, and (8) cluster prominence. Altogether, sonographic properties of the parotid glands were quantified by their degrees of homogeneity (ASM and IDM), heterogeneity (contrast and variance), smoothness (correlation), randomness (entropy), and symmetry (cluster shade and prominence). The sonographic features were tested in a pilot study of 12 postradiotherapy patients and 7 healthy volunteers. The mean follow‐up time for the postradiotherapy patients was 17.2 months (range: 12.1–23.9 months) and the mean radiation dose to the parotid glands was 32.3 Gy (range: 11.0–63.4 Gy). Each participant underwent one ultrasound study in which longitudinal (vertical) ultrasound scans were performed on the bilateral parotids – a total of 24 postirradiation and 14 normal parotid glands were examined. The 14 normal parotid glands served as the control group. A radiologist contoured the parotid glands on the B‐mode images and the sonographic features were computed from the contoured region‐of‐interest.

Results:

The authors observed significant differences (p < 0.05) in all sonographic features between the normal and postradiotherapy parotid glands. The sonographic findings were consistent with the clinical observations of the ultrasound images: normal parotid glands exhibited homogeneous texture, while the postradiotherapy parotid glands exhibited heterogeneous echotexture (e.g., hyperechoic lines and spots), which likely represents fibrosis.

Conclusions:

The authors have demonstrated the feasibility of ultrasonic texture evaluation of parotid glands; and the sonographic features may serve as imaging signatures to assess radiation‐induced parotid injury.
Synthesis of Methylphosphonic Acid by Marine Microbes: A Source for Methane in the Aerobic Ocean
Authors: Metcalf William W. , Griffin Benjamin M. , Cicchillo Robert M. , Gao Jiangtao , Janga Sarath Chandra , Cooke Heather A. , Circello Benjamin T. , Evans Bradley S. , Martens-Habbena Willm , Stahl David A. , van der Donk Wilfred A.
Published: August 2012

Ocean Methane

Is methylphosphonate a natural product? If it is, then its catabolism by microrganisms seeking phosphorus might explain the ubiquity of methane in the oceans. Anaerobic Archaea, so far, are the only significant source of methane known. Thus,

Metcalf
et al.

(p.
1104
) looked for evidence of methylphosphonate biochemistry in the widespread archaeon
Nitrosopumilus maritimus.
The organism can synthesize C-P bonds using phosphoenolpyruvate mutase. By using its gene,
ppm
, as a marker, a possible phosphonate biosynthesis gene cluster was identified, and adjacent to this a gene for a cupin was found. Together with Fe(II) and O
2
the cupin catalyzed the production of methylphosphonate and formate. Homologs of the cupin gene are found in a wide range of common marine microbes, including
Pelagibacter ubique
and
Prochlorococcus.
Radiative Absorption Enhancements Due to the Mixing State of Atmospheric Black Carbon
Authors: Cappa Christopher D. , Onasch Timothy B. , Massoli Paola , Worsnop Douglas R. , Bates Timothy S. , Cross Eben S. , Davidovits Paul , Hakala Jani , Hayden Katherine L. , Jobson B. Tom , Kolesar Katheryn R. , Lack Daniel A. , Lerner Brian M. , Li Shao-Meng , Mellon Daniel , Nuaaman Ibraheem , Olfert Jason S. , Petäjä Tuukka , Quinn Patricia K. , Song Chen , Subramanian R. , Williams Eric J. , Zaveri Rahul A.
Published: August 2012

Dark Forcing

Soot, or black carbon, is a ubiquitous atmospheric pollutant whose warming effect might be second only to carbon dioxide. When black carbon is emitted, it combines with other aerosols to form heterogeneous mixtures. Models have predicted that internal mixing of black carbon with other materials can double the amount of radiation absorbed.

Cappa
et al.

(p.
1078
) report that in situ measurements of the enhancement of radiation absorption by these mixed black carbon–containing particles in the atmosphere show a much smaller effect. Thus, many climate models may be overestimating the amount of warming caused by black carbon emissions.
Climate Negotiators Create an Opportunity for Scholars
Authors: Aldy Joseph E. , Stavins Robert N.
Published: August 2012

Research must address how developed and developing countries can both contribute to emissions reduction.
Interception of Excited Vibrational Quantum States by O
2
in Atmospheric Association Reactions
Authors: Glowacki David R. , Lockhart James , Blitz Mark A. , Klippenstein Stephen J. , Pilling Michael J. , Robertson Struan H. , Seakins Paul W.
Published: August 2012

Vibrating in a Crowd

High-vacuum molecular beam studies can probe the roles of specific vibrations and rotations on molecular reactivity with remarkably fine resolution.

Glowacki
et al.

(p.
1066
; see the Perspective by

Tyndall

) now show, through a combination of spectroscopy and theoretical modeling, that oxidation of acetylene under effectively atmospheric conditions proceeds in part through vibrationally excited intermediates prior to collisional randomization.
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Increase Organic Carbon Decomposition Under Elevated CO
2
Authors: Cheng Lei , Booker Fitzgerald L. , Tu Cong , Burkey Kent O. , Zhou Lishi , Shew H. David , Rufty Thomas W. , Hu Shuijin
Published: August 2012

A Fungal Culprit to Carbon Loss

In some ecosystems, such as in the layer of soil containing plant roots, fungi, and bacteria, increased levels of CO
2
should stimulate more efficient aboveground photosynthesis, which in turn should promote increased sequestration of organic carbon in soil through the protective action of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. However, in a series of field and microcosm experiments performed under elevated levels of CO
2
thought to be consistent with future emissions scenarios,

Cheng
et al.

(p.
1084
; see the Perspective by

Kowalchuk

) observed that these fungi actually promote degradation of soil organic carbon, releasing more CO
2
in the process.
Probing the Ultimate Limits of Plasmonic Enhancement
Authors: Ciracì C. , Hill R. T. , Mock J. J. , Urzhumov Y. , Fernández-Domínguez A. I. , Maier S. A. , Pendry J. B. , Chilkoti A. , Smith D. R.
Published: August 2012

Boundaries on Plasmonic Excitations

The localization of optical fields within a metal nanostructure can achieve strengths that are orders of magnitude greater than that of the incident field. This focusing and enhancement of the optical field maybe useful in sensing, nonlinear optics, and optical scattering applications. In probing the properties of metallic nanoparticles,

Ciracì
et al.

(p.
1072
; see the cover) show that the enhancement is limited by the electronic response of the metal, which has implications for the ultimate performance of nanophotonic systems.
Ending Honorary Authorship
Authors: Greenland Philip , Fontanarosa Phil B.
Published: August 2012

Credit for scientific research contributions must be clearly and appropriately assigned at the time of publication. This task has become increasingly complicated because of the number of different laboratories and coauthors involved in many studies. The good news is that academic institutions, funders, and publishers are exploring new ways to clarify attribution,
*
and many publishers now require disclosure of specific contributions for scientific authorship. As part of this effort, it is critical that the problem of honorary authorship be effectively addressed. According to a recent report, honorary authors were attached to 25% of research reports, 15% of review articles, and 11% of editorials published in six major medical journals in 2008.
†
It is time to end this practice.
Structured Light Meets Structured Matter
Authors: Litchinitser Natalia M.
Published: August 2012

The synergy of complex materials and complex light is expected to add a new dimension to the science of light and its applications.
Esophageal Stem Cells, Where Art Thou?
Authors: Kushner Jake A.
Published: August 2012

Are there stem cells in the esophagus or not?
Kepler-47: A Transiting Circumbinary Multiplanet System
Authors: Orosz Jerome A. , Welsh William F. , Carter Joshua A. , Fabrycky Daniel C. , Cochran William D. , Endl Michael , Ford Eric B. , Haghighipour Nader , MacQueen Phillip J. , Mazeh Tsevi , Sanchis-Ojeda Roberto , Short Donald R. , Torres Guillermo , Agol Eric , Buchhave Lars A. , Doyle Laurance R. , Isaacson Howard , Lissauer Jack J. , Marcy Geoffrey W. , Shporer Avi , Windmiller Gur , Barclay Thomas , Boss Alan P. , Clarke Bruce D. , Fortney Jonathan , Geary John C. , Holman Matthew J. , Huber Daniel , Jenkins Jon M. , Kinemuchi Karen , Kruse Ethan , Ragozzine Darin , Sasselov Dimitar , Still Martin , Tenenbaum Peter , Uddin Kamal , Winn Joshua N. , Koch David G. , Borucki William J.
Published: August 2012

A Pair of Planets Around a Pair of Stars

Most of the planets we know about orbit a single star; however, most of the stars in our galaxy are not single. Based on data from the Kepler space telescope,

Orosz
et al.

(p.
1511
, published online 28 August) report the detection of a pair of planets orbiting a pair of stars. These two planets are the smallest of the known transiting circumbinary planets and have the shortest and longest orbital periods. The outer planet resides in the habitable zone—the “goldilocks” region where the temperatures could allow liquid water to exist. This discovery establishes that, despite the chaotic environment around a close binary star, a system of planets can form and persist.
Outbreak Pattern Stymies Vaccine Work
Authors: Kaiser Jocelyn
Published: August 2012

The West Nile virus outbreak this year could be on track to be the largest ever in the United States. It has already prompted a blitz of warnings to avoid virus-infected mosquitoes.
Service Offers to Reproduce Results for a Fee
Authors: Couzin-Frankel Jennifer
Published: August 2012

A breast cancer biologist is hoping to persuade researchers to have their work replicated for a fee. They would accept the risk of failure but also have a shot at quick validation.