bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a bundle measure for preventive service delivery to infants in primary care
Authors: Brown Courtney M , Samaan Zeina M. , Morehous John F. , Perkins Alison A. , Kahn Robert S. , Mansour Mona E.
Published: April 2015

Rationale, aims and objectives

In the United States, paediatric patients receive only 41% of indicated preventive services. Past improvement efforts have not bundled preventive services to measure the reliability with which infants' physical, developmental and emotional needs are all addressed. We aimed to create a comprehensive bundle measure that reflects reliable delivery of preventive services during primary care visits, as well as overall preventive service status of a population of patients served by three primary care centres.

Method

Data were collected from electronic health records for cohorts of infants < 14 months old with at least one visit to one of three primary care centres. Immunizations, lead screening, developmental screening and screening for biopsychosocial risk factors (gestational age, parental depression, food insecurity) were chosen by local expert consensus for inclusion in the preventive services bundle measure. Monthly measures of preventive service status at 14 months of age were constructed. A visit‐level bundle measure of preventive service delivery was also created. To obtain a baseline for improvement work, bundle completion rates were calculated for infants born in May 2011. Visit‐level performance was measured for visits from July to August 2012.

Results

Among 278 patients born in May 2011, 22% of patients received the entire bundle of preventive services by 14 months of age. On a visit level, patients received all indicated services at 58% of visits.

Conclusion

A novel bundle measure can be used to characterize delivery of preventive services and drive improvement at both an individual visit level and a population level.
Regional movement patterns of a small‐bodied shark revealed by stable‐isotope analysis
Authors: Munroe S. E. M. , Heupel M. R. , Fisk A. T. , Logan M. , Simpfendorfer C. A.
Published: April 2015

This study used stable‐isotope analysis to define the nearshore regional residency and movements of the small‐bodied Australian sharpnose shark Rhizoprionodon taylori. Plasma and muscle δ13C and δ15N of R. taylori were collected from across five embayments and compared with values of seagrass and plankton from each bay. Linear distances between adjacent bays ranged from 30 to 150 km. There was a positive geographic correlation between R. taylori tissue and environmental δ13C values. Populations with the highest tissue δ15N were collected from bays that had the highest environmental δ15N values. These results suggest that R. taylori did not forage more than 100 km away from their capture location within 6 months to 1 year. The successful application of isotope analysis to define R. taylori movement demonstrates that this technique may be used in addition to traditional methods to study the movement of sharks, even within similar habitats across regionally small spatial scales (<100 km).
Development of a quantitative PCR assay for monitoring Streptococcus agalactiae colonization and tissue tropism in experimentally infected tilapia
Authors: Su Y‐L , Feng J , Li Y‐W , Bai J‐S , Li A‐X
Published: April 2015

Streptococcus agalactiae has become one of the most important emerging pathogens in the aquaculture industry and has resulted in large economic losses for tilapia farms in China. In this study, three pairs of specific primers were designed and tested for their specificities and sensitivities in quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reactions (qPCRs) after optimization of the annealing temperature. The primer pair IGS‐s/IGS‐a, which targets the 16S‐23S rRNA intergenic spacer region, was finally chosen, having a detection limit of 8.6 copies of S. agalactiae DNA in a 20 μL reaction mixture. Bacterial tissue tropism was demonstrated by qPCR in Oreochromis niloticus 5 days post‐injection with a virulent S. agalactiae strain. Bacterial loads were detected at the highest level in brain, followed by moderately high levels in kidney, heart, spleen, intestines, and eye. Significantly lower bacterial loads were observed in muscle, gill and liver. In addition, significantly lower bacterial loads were observed in the brain of convalescent O. niloticus 14 days post‐injection with several different S. agalactiae strains. The qPCR for the detection of S. agalactiae developed in this study provides a quantitative tool for investigating bacterial tissue tropism in infected fish, as well as for monitoring bacterial colonization in convalescent fish.
vapA (A‐layer) typing differentiates Aeromonas salmonicida subspecies and identifies a number of previously undescribed subtypes
Authors: Gulla S , Lund V , Kristoffersen A B , Sørum H , Colquhoun D J
Published: April 2015

Sequence variation in a region of the virulence array protein gene (vapA; A‐layer) was assessed in 333 (‘typical’ and ‘atypical’) isolates of the fish pathogenic bacterium Aeromonas salmonicida. Resulting similarity dendrograms revealed extensive heterogeneity, with nearly all isolates belonging to either of 14 distinct clusters or A‐layer types. All acknowledged A. salmonicida subspecies (except ssp. pectinolytica, from which no vapA sequence could be obtained) were clearly separated, and notably, all isolates phenotypically identified as ssp. salmonicida formed a distinct and exclusive A‐layer type. Additionally, an array of un‐subspeciated atypical strains formed several equally prominent clusters, demonstrating that the concept of typical/atypical A. salmonicida is inappropriate for describing the high degree of diversity evidently occurring outside ssp. salmonicida. Most representatives assessed in this study were clinical isolates of spatiotemporally diverse origins, and were derived from a variety of hosts. We observed that from several fish species or families, isolates predominantly belonged to certain A‐layer types, possibly indicating a need for host‐/A‐layer type‐specific A. salmonicida vaccines. All in all, A‐layer typing shows promise as an inexpensive and rapid means of unambiguously distinguishing clinically relevant A. salmonicida subspecies, as well as presently un‐subspeciated atypical strains.
Value Relevance of Multinationality: Evidence from Korean Firms
Authors: Lee Sangno , Kim Minho , Davidson Wallace N.
Published: April 2015

The purpose of this study is to examine the valuation effects of multinationality in Korean firms and to identify the role of multinationality in internalization theory. We hypothesize that the market positively values the multinational activities of Korean firms, which are operating in a small open economy in which firms have strong motivations for internationalization. We use Ohlson's (1995, Contemporary Accounting Research, 11, 661) value model and document the positive effect for multinational firms compared to domestic firms, as well as the positive effect of multinationality on firm value. These results are robust across studies, as indicated by Tobin's q measure, as well as across years. We also hypothesize that multinationality mediates or moderates the relationship between intangibility and firm value that is proposed in internalization theory. We do not find supporting evidence for a mediated influence of intangibility through multinationality on firm value nor for a moderated influence of intangibility on firm value. We find that multinationality and intangibility directly and independently influence firm value, without any interference from each other. These results are also robust across studies, as indicated by Tobin's q measure. Finally, we find that multinationality in Korean firms has never lost its importance, even during the global financial crisis in the year 2008.
Transforming Communication and Safety Culture in Intrapartum Care: A Multi‐Organization Blueprint
Authors: Lyndon Audrey , Johnson M. Christina , Bingham Debra , Napolitano Peter G. , Joseph Gerald , Maxfield David G. , O'Keeffe Daniel F.
Published: April 2015

Effective, patient‐centered communication facilitates interception and correction of potentially harmful conditions and errors. All team members, including women, their families, physicians, midwives, nurses, and support staff, have a role in identifying the potential for harm during labor and birth. However, the results of collaborative research studies conducted by organizations that represent professionals who care for women during labor and birth indicate that health care providers may frequently witness, but may not always report, problems with safety or clinical performance. Some of these health care providers felt resigned to the continuation of such problems and fearful of retribution if they tried to address them. Speaking up to address safety and quality concerns is a dynamic social process. Every team member must feel empowered to speak up about concerns without fear of put‐downs, retribution, or receiving poor‐quality care. Patient safety requires mutual accountability: individuals, teams, health care facilities, and professional associations have a shared responsibility for creating and sustaining environments of mutual respect and engaging in highly reliable perinatal care. Defects in human factors, communication, and leadership have been the leading contributors to sentinel events in perinatal care for more than a decade. Organizational commitment and executive leadership are essential to creating an environment that proactively supports safety and quality. The problem is well‐known; the time for action is now.
In vitro bone strain distributions in a sample of primate pelves
Authors: Lewton Kristi L.
Published: April 2015

The pelvis is a critical link in the hindlimb locomotor system and has a central role in resisting loads associated with locomotion, but our understanding of its structural biomechanics is quite limited. Empirical data on how the pelvis responds to the loads it encounters are important for understanding pelvic adaptation to locomotion, and for testing hypotheses regarding how the pelvis is adapted to its mechanical demands. This paper presents in vitro strain gauge data on a sample of monkey and ape cadaveric specimens (Macaca, Papio, Ateles, Hylobates), and assesses strain magnitudes and distributions through the bones of the pelvis: the ilium, ischium and pubis. Pelves were individually mounted in a materials testing system, loads were applied across three hindlimb angular positions, and strains were recorded from 18 locations on the pelvic girdle. Peak principal strains range from 2000 to 3000 με, similar to peak strains recorded from other mammals in vivo. Although previous work has suggested that the bones of the pelvis may act as bent beams, this study suggests that there are likely additional loading regimes superimposed on bending. Specifically, these data suggest that the ilium is loaded in axial compression and torsion, the ischium in torsion, the pubic rami in mediolateral bending, and the pubic symphysis is loaded in a combination of compression and torsion. Compressive strains dominate the pelves of all species representatives. Shear strains change with limb position; hip flexion at 45 ° induces smaller shear strains than mid‐stance (90 °) or hip extension (105 °). The pelvic girdle is a complex structure that does not lend itself easily to modeling, but finite element analyses may prove useful to generate and refine hypotheses of pelvic biomechanics.
Melatonin ameliorates amyloid beta‐induced memory deficits, tau hyperphosphorylation and neurodegeneration via PI3/Akt/GSk3β pathway in the mouse hippocampus
Authors: Ali Tahir , Kim Myeong Ok
Published: April 2015

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent age‐related neurodegenerative disease, pathologically characterized by the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) aggregation in the brain, and is considered to be the primary cause of cognitive dysfunction. Aβ aggregates lead to synaptic disorder, tau hyperphosphorylation, and neurodegeneration. In this study, the underlying neuroprotective mechanism of melatonin against Aβ1‐42‐induced neurotoxicity was investigated in the mice hippocampus. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) Aβ1‐42‐injection triggered memory impairment, synaptic disorder, hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, and neurodegeneration in the mice hippocampus. After 24 hr of Aβ1‐42 injection, the mice were treated with melatonin (10 mg/kg, intraperitonially) for 3 wks, reversed the Aβ1‐42‐induced synaptic disorder via increasing the level of presyanptic (Synaptophysin and SNAP‐25) and postsynaptic protein [PSD95, p‐GluR1 (Ser845), SNAP23, and p‐CREB (Ser133)], respectively, and attenuated the Aβ1‐42‐induced memory impairment. Chronic melatonin treatment attenuated the hyperphosphorylation of tau protein via PI3K/Akt/GSK3β signaling by activating the p‐PI3K, p‐Akt (Ser 473) and p‐GSK3β (Ser9) in the Aβ1‐42‐treated mice. Furthermore, melatonin decreased Aβ1‐42‐induced apoptosis through decreasing the overexpression of caspase‐9, caspase‐3, and PARP‐1 level. Additionally, the evaluation of immunohistochemical analysis of caspase‐3, Fluorojade‐B, and Nissl staining indicated that melatonin prevented neurodegeneration in Aβ1‐42‐treated mice. Our results demonstrated that melatonin has neuroprotective effect against Aβ1‐42‐induced neurotoxicity through decreasing memory impairment, synaptic disorder, tau hyperphosphorylation, and neurodegeneration via PI3K/Akt/GSK3β signaling in the Aβ1‐42‐treated mouse model of AD. On the basis of these results, we suggest that melatonin could be an effective, promising, and safe neuroprotective candidate for the treatment of progressive neurodegenerative disorders, such as AD.
The translation and validation of the Mini‐K scale in Japanese
Authors: Kawamoto Tetsuya
Published: April 2015

The purpose of this study was to validate the 20‐item Mini‐K scale, which is the short form of the Arizona Life History Battery, as translated into Japanese. Two samples of Japanese adults (N = 2000; 50.0% men; Mage = 40.9 for the first survey; N = 400; 50.0% men; Mage = 42.2 for the second survey) completed a web‐based questionnaire, including the Japanese translation of the Mini‐K. The results showed that the psychometric properties of the Japanese Mini‐K scale were comparable to those of the original English version. The scale had good reliability based on Cronbach's α and McDonald's ω. Convergent validity was demonstrated by the correlation between the Mini‐K scores and life history indicators. In addition, the Mini‐K score was related to both personality and psychosomatic health. The translated scale provides a valid and reliable instrument in Japanese that measures human life‐history strategy.
Characteristics of caring self‐efficacy in pediatric nurses: A qualitative study
Authors: Alavi Azam , Bahrami Masoud , Zargham‐Boroujeni Ali , Yousefy Alireza
Published: April 2015

Purpose

The present study was conducted to clarify pediatric nurses' characteristics of caring self‐efficacy.

Design and Methods

This study was conducted using a qualitative content analysis approach. The participants included 27 pediatric nurses and clinical instructors, selected purposively. Data were collected using semi‐structured interviews and were analyzed using the content analysis method.

Results

Data analysis generated four main themes as attributes of a self‐efficient pediatric nurse including: (a) professional communications; (b) management of care; (c) altruism; and (d) proficiency.

Practice Implications

Nursing managers and instructors can use these results to help develop nurses' empowerment and self‐efficacy, especially in pediatric care.
Zinc regulates a switch between primary and alternative S18 ribosomal proteins in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Prisic Sladjana , Hwang Hyonson , Dow Allexa , Barnaby Omar , Pan Tenny S. , Lonzanida Jaymes A. , Chazin Walter J. , Steen Hanno , Husson Robert N.
Published: April 2015

The Mycobacterium tuberculosis genome encodes five putative ‘alternative’ ribosomal proteins whose expression is repressed at high Zn2+ concentration. Each alternative protein has a primary homologue that is predicted to bind Zn2+. We hypothesized that zinc triggers a switch between these paired homologous proteins and therefore chose one of these pairs, S18‐1/S18‐2, to study mechanisms of the predicted competition for their incorporation into ribosomes. Our data show that Zn2+‐depletion causes accumulation of both S18‐2 mRNA and protein. In contrast, S18‐1 mRNA levels are unchanged to slightly elevated under Zn2+‐limited conditions. However, the amount of S18‐1 protein is markedly decreased. We further demonstrate that both S18 proteins interact with ribosomal protein S6, a committed step in ribosome biogenesis. Zn2+ is absolutely required for the S18‐1/S6 interaction while it is dispensable for S18‐2/S6 dimer formation. These data suggest a model in which S18‐1 is the dominant ribosome constituent in high zinc conditions, e.g. inside of phagosomes, but that it can be replaced by S18‐2 when zinc is deficient, e.g. in the extracellular milieu. Consequently, Zn2+‐depletion may serve as a signal for building alternative ribosomes when M. tuberculosis is released from macrophages, to allow survival in the extracellular environment.
Spontaneous fungal peritonitis: a devastating complication of cirrhosis
Authors: Bremmer Derek N. , Garavaglia Jeffrey M. , Shields Ryan K.
Published: April 2015

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is a well‐known complication of cirrhosis; however, spontaneous fungal peritonitis (SFP) is less well‐recognised and described. Our objective was to determine the clinical characteristics, treatment outcomes and factors associated with death among patients with SFP. We performed a retrospective cohort study using the primary outcome of all‐cause mortality at 28 days. Twenty‐five patients were included; Candida species were the causative pathogen in all cases. At the onset of SFP, patients were critically ill, median APACHE II and MELD scores were 22 and 30.3, respectively. The 28‐day mortality rate was 56%; six patients died prior to culture positivity. Among the remaining patients, there were no differences in rates of death by treatment regimen (P = 0.55). APACHE II score at the onset of SFP was an independent predictor of death (OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.02–2.08, P = 0.04). In conclusion, SFP develops among critically ill patients with cirrhosis and is associated with high rates of death. Directed antifungal therapy did not improve patient outcomes. Future studies assessing the benefit of early or pre‐emptive antifungal therapy are warranted.
Phenolic profile within the fine‐root branching orders of an evergreen species highlights a disconnect in root tissue quality predicted by elemental‐ and molecular‐level carbon composition
Authors: Wang Jun‐Jian , Tharayil Nishanth , Chow Alex T. , Suseela Vidya , Zeng Hui
Published: April 2015

Fine roots constitute a significant source of plant productivity and litter turnover across terrestrial ecosystems, but less is known about the quantitative and qualitative profile of phenolic compounds within the fine‐root architecture, which could regulate the potential contribution of plant roots to the soil organic matter pool.

To understand the linkage between traditional macro‐elemental and morphological traits of roots and their molecular‐level carbon chemistry, we analyzed seasonal variations in monomeric yields of the free, bound, and lignin phenols in fine roots (distal five orders) and leaves of Ardisia quinquegona.

Fine roots contained two‐fold higher concentrations of bound phenols and three‐fold higher concentrations of lignin phenols than leaves. Within fine roots, the concentrations of free and bound phenols decreased with increasing root order, and seasonal variation in the phenolic profile was more evident in lower order than in higher order roots. The morphological and macro‐elemental root traits were decoupled from the quantity, composition and tissue association of phenolic compounds, revealing the potential inability of these traditional parameters to capture the molecular identity of phenolic carbon within the fine‐root architecture and between fine roots and leaves.

Our results highlight the molecular‐level heterogeneity in phenolic carbon composition within the fine‐root architecture, and imply that traits that capture the molecular identity of the root construct might better predict the decomposition dynamics within fine‐root orders.
Landscapes of Coexistence for terrestrial carnivores: the ecological consequences of being downgraded from ultimate to penultimate predator by humans
Authors: Oriol‐Cotterill Alayne , Valeix Marion , Frank Laurence G. , Riginos Corinna , Macdonald David W.
Published: April 2015

Fear of predation can have major impacts on the behaviour of prey species. Recently the concept of the ecology of fear has been defined and formalised; yet there has been relatively little focus on how these ideas apply to large carnivore species which, although not prey sensu stricto, also experience fear as a result of threats from humans. Large carnivores are likely also subject to a Landscape of Fear similar to that described for prey species. We argue that although fear is generic, ‘human‐caused mortality’ represents a distinct and very important cause of fear for large carnivores, particularly terrestrial large carnivores as their activities overlap with those of humans to a greater degree. We introduce the idea of a ‘Landscape of Coexistence’ for large carnivores to denote a subset of the Landscape of Fear where sufficient areas of low human‐caused mortality risk are present in the landscape for long term coexistence of large carnivores and humans. We then explore aspects of terrestrial large carnivore behavioural ecology that may be best explained by risk of human‐caused mortality, and how the nature of a Landscape of Coexistence for these large carnivores is likely to be shaped by specific factors such as habitat structure, wild and domestic prey base, and human distribution and behaviour. The human characteristics of this Landscape of Coexistence may be as important in determining large carnivore distribution and behavioural ecology as the distribution of resources. Understanding the Landscape of Coexistence for terrestrial large carnivores is therefore important for their biology and conservation throughout large parts of their remaining ranges.

Synthesis

The Landscape of Fear concept describing the relationship between predator and prey also applies to the relationship between humans and top carnivores. We synthesise current research to introduce the Landscape of Coexistence concept, arguing that top predators respond to the risks of human‐caused mortality through spatiotemporal partitioning of activities to reduce contact with people. The character of the Landscape of Coexistence may be more important than the distribution of resources in determining large carnivore distribution and behavioural ecology in human dominated landscapes. Understanding their behavioural responses to human threats is crucial to successful conservation of large carnivores.
Misidentifying a tennis racket as keys: object identification in people with age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Thibaut Miguel , Tran Thi Ha Chau , Delerue Céline , Boucart Muriel
Published: April 2015

Purpose

Previous studies showed that people with age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) can categorise a pre‐defined target object or scene with high accuracy (above 80%). In these studies participants were asked to detect the target (e.g. an animal) in serial visual presentation. People with AMD must rely on peripheral vision which is more adapted to the low resolution required for detection than for the higher resolution required to identify a specific exemplar. We investigated the ability of people with central vision loss to identify photographs of objects and scenes.

Methods

Photographs of isolated objects, natural scenes and objects in scenes were centrally displayed for 2 s each. Participants were asked to name the stimuli. We measured accuracy and naming times in 20 patients with AMD, 15 age‐matched and 12 young controls.

Results

Accuracy was lower (by about 30%) and naming times were longer (by about 300 ms) in people with AMD than in age‐matched controls in the three categories of images. Correct identification occurred in 62–66% of the stimuli for patients. More than 20% of the misidentifications resulted from a structural and/or semantic similarity between the object and the name (e.g. spectacles for dog plates or dolphin for shark). Accuracy and naming times did not differ significantly between young and older normally sighted participants indicating that the deficits resulted from pathology rather than to normal ageing.

Conclusions

These results show that, in contrast to performance for categorisation of a single pre‐defined target, people with central vision loss are impaired at identifying various objects and scenes. The decrease in accuracy and the increase in response times in patients with AMD indicate that peripheral vision might be sufficient for object and scene categorisation but not for precise scene or object identification.
PUBLIC SERVICE MOTIVATION, USER ORIENTATION, AND PRESCRIPTION BEHAVIOUR: DOING GOOD FOR SOCIETY OR FOR THE INDIVIDUAL USER?
Authors: JENSEN ULRICH THY , ANDERSEN LOTTE BØGH
Published: April 2015

Motivation to benefit individual recipients of public services (user orientation) can conflict with classic public service motivation linked to the interest of a collective entity. When actions intended to increase the well‐being of an individual user can harm societal interests, the two types of motivation have different behavioural implications, but we know far too little about these potential trade‐offs. This study analyses the relationships between public service motivation, user orientation, and antibiotic prescriptions for 407 general medical practitioners in Denmark. Use of antibiotics has a positive effect on the individual patient and (especially broad‐spectrum antibiotics) a negative effect on society due to resistant bacteria. Combining survey and administrative data, we find that public service motivation and user orientation indeed are differently associated with prescription behaviour. This implies that it can be important for behaviour whether a public service provider is primarily inclined to help the individual user or society.
Rice endosperm produces an underglycosylated and potent form of the HIV‐neutralizing monoclonal antibody 2G12
Authors: Vamvaka Evangelia , Twyman Richard M. , Murad Andre Melro , Melnik Stanislav , Teh Audrey Yi‐Hui , Arcalis Elsa , Altmann Friedrich , Stoger Eva , Rech Elibio , Ma Julian K.C. , Christou Paul , Capell Teresa
Published: April 2015

Protein microbicides against HIV can help to prevent infection but they are required in large, repetitive doses. This makes current fermenter‐based production systems prohibitively expensive. Plants are advantageous as production platforms because they offer a safe, economical and scalable alternative, and cereals such as rice are particularly attractive because they could allow pharmaceutical proteins to be produced economically and on a large scale in developing countries. Pharmaceutical proteins can also be stored as unprocessed seed, circumventing the need for a cold chain. Here, we report the development of transgenic rice plants expressing the HIV‐neutralizing antibody 2G12 in the endosperm. Surprisingly for an antibody expressed in plants, the heavy chain was predominantly aglycosylated. Nevertheless, the heavy and light chains assembled into functional antibodies with more potent HIV‐neutralizing activity than other plant‐derived forms of 2G12 bearing typical high‐mannose or plant complex‐type glycans. Immunolocalization experiments showed that the assembled antibody accumulated predominantly in protein storage vacuoles but also induced the formation of novel, spherical storage compartments surrounded by ribosomes indicating that they originated from the endoplasmic reticulum. The comparison of wild‐type and transgenic plants at the transcriptomic and proteomic levels indicated that endogenous genes related to starch biosynthesis were down‐regulated in the endosperm of the transgenic plants, whereas genes encoding prolamin and glutaredoxin‐C8 were up‐regulated. Our data provide insight into factors that affect the functional efficacy of neutralizing antibodies in plants and the impact of recombinant proteins on endogenous gene expression.
Rice FLAVIN‐BINDING, KELCH REPEAT, F‐BOX 1 (OsFKF1) promotes flowering independent of photoperiod
Authors: Han Su‐Hyun , Yoo Soo‐Cheul , Lee Byoung‐Doo , An Gynheung , Paek Nam‐Chon
Published: April 2015

In the facultative long‐day (LD) plant Arabidopsis thaliana, FLAVIN‐BINDING, KELCH REPEAT, F‐BOX 1 (FKF1) is activated by blue light and promotes flowering through the transcriptional and post‐translational regulation of CONSTANS under inductive LD conditions. By contrast, the facultative short day (SD) plant rice (Oryza sativa) flowers early under inductive SD and late under non‐inductive LD conditions; the regulatory function of OsFKF1 remains elusive. Here we show that osfkf1 mutants flower late under SD, LD and natural LD conditions. Transcriptional analysis revealed that OsFKF1 up‐regulates the expression of the floral activator Ehd2 and down‐regulates the expression of the floral repressor Ghd7; these regulators up‐ and down‐regulate Ehd1 expression, respectively. Moreover, OsFKF1 can up‐regulate Ehd1 expression under blue light treatment, without affecting the expression of Ehd2 and Ghd7. In contrast to the LD‐specific floral activator Arabidopsis FKF1, OsFKF1 likely acts as an autonomous floral activator because it promotes flowering independent of photoperiod, probably via its distinct roles in controlling the expression of rice‐specific genes including Ehd2, Ghd7 and Ehd1. Like Arabidopsis FKF1, which interacts with GI and CDF1, OsFKF1 also interacts with OsGI and OsCDF1 (also termed OsDOF12). Thus, we have identified similar and distinct roles of FKF1 in Arabidopsis and rice.
Reaching Across the DMZ: Identity Uncertainty and Reunification on the Korean Peninsula
Authors: Jung Jiin , Hogg Michael A. , Choi Hoon‐Seok
Published: April 2015

Drawing on uncertainty‐identity theory (Hogg, 2012), we explore the effects of uncertainty concerning a specific social identity on group identification and attitudes toward subgroup integration and separation in South Koreans' nested identity context (N = 148). All variables were measured. Path analysis revealed, as predicted, that superordinate identity uncertainty weakened superordinate identification and subgroup identity uncertainty weakened subgroup identification. We also found that subgroup identity uncertainty strengthened superordinate identification. This effect was stronger for those who perceived their superordinate group prototype and subgroup prototype to be distinct and nonoverlapping. Furthermore, superordinate identity uncertainty decreased reunification intentions by weakening superordinate identification. Subgroup identity uncertainty increased reunification intentions by strengthening superordinate identification only for those who perceived their superordinate group prototype and subgroup prototype to be distinct and nonoverlapping. Implications for uncertainty identity theory and intergroup relations are discussed.
A Pilot Study to Compare Oxidative Status between Organically and Conventionally Managed Dairy Cattle During the Transition Period
Authors: Abuelo A , Hernández J , Benedito JL , Castillo C
Published: April 2015

Contents

The aim of this study was to assess the redox balance of organically managed dairy cattle (OMC; n = 40) during the transition period and to compare this with conventionally managed cattle (CMC; n = 22). Serum samples of dairy cows from two organic and one conventional farm were taken. Markers of oxidants production [reactive oxygen species] and total serum antioxidant capacity were measured in four different production stages: (i) far‐off dry (2 to 1 months before calving; 44 samples in CMC and 48 in OMC); (ii) close‐up dry (1 month until 3 days before calving; 44 CMC; 54 OMC); (iii) fresh (3 days to +1 month after calving; 44 CMC; 49 OMC); and (iv) peak of lactation (+1 to +3 months; 71 CMC; 78 OMC). Values were compared between production stages and against a metabolic baseline status (4th–5th month of pregnancy; 40 CMC; 30 OMC). Our results indicated that throughout the periparturient period, OMC had lower concentrations of reactive oxygen species, but also a lower antioxidant capacity than CMC. Indeed, when the two components of the redox balance were assessed together through the Oxidative Stress index, the values of this parameter were higher for OMC than for CMC, thereby implying a higher risk of oxidative stress. Therefore, further larger studies are needed to confirm the current observations, as organically reared animals might be exposed to a lack of antioxidants supply.
Bovine Circadian Locomotor Output Cycles Kaput (CLOCK) and Clusterin (CLU) mRNA Quantitation in Ejaculated Crossbred Bull Spermatozoa
Authors: Kumar S , Deb R , Singh U , Ganguly I , Mandal DK , Tyagi S , Kumar M , Sengar G , Sharma S , Singh R , Singh R
Published: April 2015

Contents

Mammalian circadian locomotor output cycles kaput (CLOCK) gene encodes a transcription factor that affects both the persistence and the period of circadian rhythms. Earlier reports suggested that CLOCK gene might be associated with male infertility in human. Present investigation, for the first time, reports that CLOCK gene expresses differentially between good and poor quality crossbred bull semen. The relative expression of CLOCK was significantly (p < 0.05) higher among good quality bull semen than motility‐impaired ones. Clusterins (CLU) are series of genes associated with a variety of physiological activities including spermatogenesis, apoptosis and degenerative disease conditions. In the present context, we also investigated that the expression of CLU gene was significantly (p < 0.05) higher among motility‐impaired crossbred bull semen compared to the good quality one.
Farm to Fork Quantitative Risk Assessment of Listeria monocytogenes Contamination in Raw and Pasteurized Milk Cheese in Ireland
Authors: Tiwari Uma , Cummins Enda , Valero Antonio , Walsh Des , Dalmasso Marion , Jordan Kieran , Duffy Geraldine
Published: April 2015

The objective of this study was to model and quantify the level of Listeria monocytogenes in raw milk cheese (RMc) and pasteurized milk cheese (PMc) from farm to fork using a Bayesian inference approach combined with a quantitative risk assessment. The modeling approach included a prediction of contamination arising from the farm environment as well from cross‐contamination within the cheese‐processing facility through storage and subsequent human exposure. The model predicted a high concentration of L. monocytogenes in contaminated RMc (mean 2.19 log10 CFU/g) compared to PMc (mean −1.73 log10 CFU/g). The mean probability of illness (P1 for low‐risk population, LR) and (P2 for high‐risk population, HR, e.g., immunocompromised) adult Irish consumers following exposure to contaminated cheese was 7 × 10−8 (P1) and 9 × 10−4 (P2) for RMc and 7 × 10−10 (P1) and 8 × 10−6 (P2) for PMc, respectively. In addition, the model was used to evaluate performance objectives at various stages, namely, the cheese making and ripening stages, and to set a food safety objective at the time of consumption. A scenario analysis predicted various probabilities of L. monocytogenes contamination along the cheese‐processing chain for both RMc and PMc. The sensitivity analysis showed the critical factors for both cheeses were the serving size of the cheese, storage time, and temperature at the distribution stage. The developed model will allow food processors and policymakers to identify the possible routes of contamination along the cheese‐processing chain and to reduce the risk posed to human health.
Psychotherapeutic Agents in End‐Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Eyler Rachel F. , Unruh Mark L. , Quinn Davin K. , Mary Vilay Aloun
Published: April 2015

Patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) are often affected by many comorbid conditions, including mental health disorders. Psychiatric illness among patients with ESRD has been associated with increased risks for nonadherence, hospitalizations, suicide, and all‐cause mortality. We reviewed the pharmacokinetic data available with psychotherapeutic agents, focusing on physiologic data rather than specific dosing recommendations. Unfortunately data regarding the pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of psychotherapeutic agents in ESRD remain rather limited. Of the agents available, it appears that the most data in this patient group were found with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and benzodiazepines. Given the small number of patients enrolled in many of the studies and the wide inter‐individual variability, it was difficult to interpret the significance of results in many instances. A number of agents, such as tricyclic antidepressants, were associated with adverse effects that would be imperative to avoid in patients with ESRD. Psychotherapeutic medications should be started at low doses and titrated carefully, while monitoring the efficacy and safety of each agent.
Bicarbonate Therapy in End‐Stage Renal Disease: Current Practice Trends and Implications
Authors: Saikumar Jagannath H , Kovesdy Csaba P
Published: April 2015

Management of metabolic acidosis covers the entire spectrum from oral bicarbonate therapy and dietary modifications in chronic kidney disease to delivery of high doses of bicarbonate‐based dialysate during maintenance haemodialysis (MHD). Due to the gradual depletion of the body's buffers and rapid repletion during MHD, many potential problems arise as a result of our current treatment paradigms. Several studies have given rise to conflicting data about the adverse effects of our current practice patterns in MHD. In this review, we will describe the pathophysiology and consequences of metabolic acidosis and its therapy in CKD and ESRD, and discuss current evidence supporting a more individualized approach for bicarbonate therapy in MHD.
Cluster‐Specific Variable Selection for Product Partition Models
Authors: Quintana Fernando A. , Müller Peter , Papoila Ana Luisa
Published: April 2015

We propose a random partition model that implements prediction with many candidate covariates and interactions. The model is based on a modified product partition model that includes a regression on covariates by favouring homogeneous clusters in terms of these covariates. Additionally, the model allows for a cluster‐specific choice of the covariates that are included in this evaluation of homogeneity. The variable selection is implemented by introducing a set of cluster‐specific latent indicators that include or exclude covariates. The proposed model is motivated by an application to predicting mortality in an intensive care unit in Lisboa, Portugal.
Characterization of two novel HLA‐A null alleles: A*11:210N and A*26:107N
Authors: Balas A. , Sánchez‐Gordo F. , García‐Sánchez F. , Gómez‐Zumaquero J. M. , Vicario J. L.
Published: April 2015

Two new HLA‐A null alleles were characterized, A*11:210N and A*26:107N.
Functional patterns of cytomegalovirus (CMV) pp65 and immediate early‐1‐specific CD8+ T cells that are associated with protection from and control of CMV DNAemia after allogeneic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Giménez E. , Muñoz‐Cobo B. , Solano C. , Amat P. , de la Cámara R. , Nieto J. , López J. , Remigia M.J. , Garcia‐Noblejas A. , Navarro D.
Published: April 2015

Background

The functional profile of cytomegalovirus (CMV)‐specific CD8+ T cells that associate with protection from and control of CMV DNAemia in allogeneic stem cell transplant (allo‐SCT) recipients remains incompletely characterized.

Methods

We enumerated pp65 and immediate early (IE)‐1‐specific CD8+ T cells expressing interferon‐gamma, tumor necrosis factor‐alpha, and CD107a, by flow cytometry in 94 patients at days +30 and +60 after allo‐SCT.

Results

Fifty of 94 patients had CMV DNAemia within the first 100 days after transplant. CMV‐specific CD8+ T‐cell responses (of any functional type) were more likely to be detected in patients who did not display CMV DNAemia than in those who did (P = 0.04). Qualitatively, no major differences in the functional signature of CMV‐specific CD8+ T cells were noted between patients who had or did not have CMV DNAemia. Patients displaying levels of polyfunctional CD8+ T cells at day +30 >0.30 cell/μL had a lower risk of CMV DNAemia (positive predictive value 76%, and negative predictive value 43%).

Conclusion

The presence of polyfunctional CD8+ T cells (either expressing CD107a or not) was associated with lower levels of CMV replication, and higher frequency of self‐resolved episodes. The data reported further clarify the role of polyfunctional CD8+ T cells in control of CMV DNAemia in allo‐SCT recipients.
Conservative management of neurocysticercosis in a patient with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a case report and review
Authors: Purvey S. , Lu K. , Mukkamalla S.K. , Anandi P. , Dumitriu B. , Kranick S. , Hammoud D.A. , O'Connell E. , Oh A.L. , Barrett J. , Mahanty S. , Battiwalla M.
Published: April 2015

Neurocysticercosis, an infection of the central nervous system with the larval stage of the cestode Taenia solium, is common in developing countries but its occurrence and management in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has not been reported previously, to our knowledge. We report the case of an immigrant female patient who underwent a matched‐related allogeneic HSCT for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and was incidentally found to have a solitary viable neurocysticercosis lesion. However, despite severe immunosuppression, the size of the cyst did not increase. More importantly, restoration of the immune system did not induce significant inflammation or seizures. Subsequent follow‐up demonstrated complete resolution of the neurocysticercosis lesion. Thus, in the setting of HSCT, an asymptomatic patient with a single neurocysticercosis lesion was successfully managed without the use of anthelmintics, steroids, or anti‐epileptics.
The low oxygen, oxidative and osmotic stress responses synergistically act through the ethylene response factorVIIgenesRAP2.12,RAP2.2andRAP2.3
Authors: Papdi Csaba , Pérez‐Salamó Imma , Joseph Mary Prathiba , Giuntoli Beatrice , Bögre László , Koncz Csaba , Szabados László
Published: April 2015

The ethylene response factorVII(ERF‐VII) transcription factorRELATED TO APETALA2.12 (RAP2.12) was previously identified as an activator of theALCOHOL DEHYDROGENASE1 promoter::luciferase(ADH1‐LUC) reporter gene. Here we show that overexpression ofRAP2.12 and its homologuesRAP2.2 andRAP2.3 sustainsABA‐mediated activation ofADH1and activates hypoxia marker genes under both anoxic and normoxic conditions. Inducible expression of all threeRAP2s conferred tolerance to anoxia, oxidative and osmotic stresses, and enhanced the sensitivity to abscisic acid (ABA). Consistently, therap2.12‐2 rap2.3‐1double mutant showed hypersensitivity to both submergence and osmotic stress. These findings suggest that the threeERF‐VII‐type transcription factors play roles in tolerance to multiple stresses that sequentially occur during and after submergence in Arabidopsis. Oxygen‐dependent degradation ofRAP2.12 was previously shown to be mediated by the N‐end rule pathway. During submergence theRAP2.12,RAP2.2 andRAP2.3 are stabilized and accumulates in the nucleus affecting the transcription of stress response genes. We conclude that the stabilizedRAP2 transcription factors can prolong theABA‐mediated activation of a subset of osmotic responsive genes (e.g.ADH1). We also show thatRAP2.12 protein level is affected by theREALLY INTERESTING GENE(RING) domain containingSEVEN IN ABSENTIAofArabidopsis thaliana2 (SINAT2). Silencing ofSINAT1/2 genes leads to enhancedRAP2.12 abundance independently of the presence or absence of its N‐terminal degron. Taken together, our results suggest thatRAP2.12 and its homologuesRAP2.2 andRAP2.3 act redundantly in multiple stress responses. Alternative protein degradation pathways may provide inputs to theRAP2 transcription factors for the distinct stresses.
Detection and partial characterization of antifungal bioactivity from the secretions of the medicinal maggot, Lucilia sericata
Authors: Evans Rhys , Dudley Ed , Nigam Yamni
Published: April 2015

The antibacterial properties of the excretions/secretions (ES) of the medicinal maggot, Lucilia sericata have long been known and the effectiveness of maggot debridement therapy in relation to the clearance of bacteria from the surface of wounds has been the source of much research over recent years. Less well known, however, are the antifungal properties of L. sericata ES. Here, we show by means of the colony forming unit assay and optical density assays, that L. sericata native ES possess significant antifungal properties and appears to possess a highly heat stable, freeze/thaw, and lyophilization resistant antifungal component. We also show that the antifungal activity present in the native ES consists of a number of antifungal components present in three fraction masses consisting of >10, 10–0.5, and <0.5 kDa, with the greatest level of activity being seen in the <0.5 kDa fraction.
Autologous platelet‐rich gel for treatment of diabetic chronic refractory cutaneous ulcers: A prospective, randomized clinical trial
Authors: Li Lan , Chen Dawei , Wang Chun , Yuan Nanbing , Wang Yan , He Liping , Yang Yanzhi , Chen Lihong , Liu Guanjian , Li Xiujun , Ran Xingwu
Published: April 2015

The purpose of the study is to examine the safety and effectiveness of topical autologous platelet‐rich gel (APG) application on facilitating the healing of diabetic chronic refractory cutaneous ulcers. The study was designed as a prospective, randomized controlled trial between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2011. Eligible inpatients at the Diabetic Foot Care Center of West China Hospital, Sichuan University (China) were randomly prescribed with a 12‐week standard treatment of ulcers (the control group) or standard treatment plus topical application APG (the APG group). The wound healing grades (primary endpoint), time to complete healing, and healing velocity within 12 weeks were monitored as short‐term effectiveness measurements, while side effects were documented safety endpoints. The rates of survival and recurrence within the follow up were recorded as long‐term effectiveness endpoints. Analysis on total diabetic ulcers (DUs) (n = 117) and subgroup analysis on diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) (n = 103) were both conducted. Standard treatment plus APG treatment was statistically more effective than standard treatment (p < 0.05 in both total DUs and subgroup of DFUs). The subjects defined as healing grade 1 were 50/59 (84.8%) in total DUs and 41/48 (85.4%) in DFUs in the APG group compared with 40/58 (69.0%) and 37/55 (67.3%) in the control group from intent to treat population. The Kaplan‐Meier time‐to‐healing were significantly different between the two groups (p < 0.05 in both total DUs and subgroup of DFUs). No side effects were identified after topical APG application. The long‐term survival and recurrence rates were comparative between groups (p > 0.05). This study shows that topical APG application plus standard treatment is safe and quite effective on diabetic chronic refractory cutaneous ulcers, compared with standard treatment.