bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aren't they just black kids? Biracial children in the child welfare system
Authors: Fusco Rachel A. , Rauktis Mary E. , McCrae Julie S. , Cunningham Michael A. , Bradley‐King Cynthia K.
Published: June 2010

In the USA, African‐American children are overrepresented in the child welfare system. However, little is known about the child welfare system experiences of biracial children, who are predominately both White and African‐American. To better understand this population, data from public child welfare in a US county were used to examine biracial children in the child welfare system. Results showed significant racial differences between children in the child welfare system. Despite the common belief that biracial children will have experiences similar to African‐American children, the child welfare system seems to view them differently. Biracial children are more likely to be referred, rated as high risk and investigated compared with White or African‐American children. Their mothers were younger, and were more often assessed as having physical, intellectual or emotional problems. These caregivers were also considered to have lower parenting skills and knowledge compared with White or African‐American caregivers. Although the disproportionate representation of African‐American children in the system has been well documented, this study provides evidence that biracial children are also overrepresented. Despite the fact that this is a rapidly growing population in the USA, there is little research available about biracial children and their families.
Efficacy, safety, and immunological effects of a 2‐year immunotherapy with Depigoid® birch pollen extract: a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Höiby A.‐S. , Strand V. , Robinson D.S. , Sager A. , Rak S.
Published: June 2010

Background
Rhinoconjunctivitis due to birch pollen sensitization is common in Northern Europe. A depigmented polymerized birch pollen extract – Depigoid® has been developed for immunotherapy.

Objective
To evaluate its clinical efficacy, safety, and effects on immunological parameters.

Methods
Sixty‐one patients aged 7–69 years were included in a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial of subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) using depigmented polymerized birch pollen extract. SCIT consisted of four increasing doses at 7‐day intervals, followed by maintenance injections of 500 DPP (corresponding to 30 μg Bet v1 before depigmentation) at 6‐week intervals for 18 months. The primary outcome was the combined symptom and medication score during the 2006 birch pollen season. The frequency of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC)producing IL‐4, IL‐10, IL‐12, and IL‐13 was assessed in a subgroup of patients by ELISPOT assay.

Results
After 18 months of treatment, the median combined symptom and medication score (upper/lower quartile) of treated patients was significantly lower than those on placebo: 8.0 (5.8–10.3) and 12.6 (8.6–16.2), respectively (P=0.004). Systemic reactions occurred in 29 patients (12 active, 17 placebo), were grades 1 or 2, and none required specific treatment. After 18 months of treatment, mean serum concentrations of specific IgE increased significantly in both groups (P<0.0001) whereas serum concentrations of both specific IgG1 and IgG4 only increased significantly in the SCIT group (P=0.002) and not in the placebo group. The seasonal increase in numbers of IL‐4‐ and IL‐13‐producing PBMC was blunted by immunotherapy.

Conclusions
SCIT with depigmented polymerized birch pollen extract significantly reduced symptom and medication scores when compared with the placebo, was well tolerated, and resulted in immunological changes comparable with those of native pollen extracts.

Cite this as: A.‐S. Höiby, V. Strand, D.S. Robinson, A. Sager and S. Rak, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2010 (40) 1062–1070.
Marked response to imatinib mesylate in metastatic acral lentiginous melanoma on the thumb
Authors: Yamaguchi M. , Harada K. , Ando N. , Kawamura T. , Shibagaki N. , Shimada S.
Published: June 2010

We report a case of melanoma that had a marked response to treatment with imatinib mesylate (IM). The patient was a 61-year-old man who presented with a small red nodule on the thumb and destruction of the nail plate. On histological examination, this lesion was diagnosed as a melanoma, and computed tomography revealed lymph-node swelling in the left axilla and nodules in both lung fields. Although the patient received intratumoral injections of interferon-β and systemic administration of dacarbazine, both primary and metastatic lesions increased in size. Immunochemistry detected a KIT mutation, which was confirmed by DNA sequencing analysis, and patient was given IM. Within 2 weeks of starting the IM regimen, the size of the nodule on the nail plate markedly decreased, and the axillary lymph-node swelling and lung-nodule formation regressed. This case suggests that IM may be a promising treatment option for KIT mutation-positive melanoma.
Cardiac hormones inhibit proliferation of pancreatic cancer but not normal cells
Authors: Skelton William P. , Pi Guillermo , Lenz Anne , Sun Ying , Vesely David L.
Published: June 2010

Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 40 (8): 706–712

Background  Four cardiac hormones, i.e. atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), vessel dilator, long‐acting natriuretic peptide (LANP) and kaliuretic peptide (KP), have anticancer effects both in vitro and in vivo. The sustained decrease in number of human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells for 3 days secondary to the four hormones noted previously suggests a decrease in proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells not eliminated after initial treatment.

Materials and methods  Four cardiac hormones were evaluated for their ability to directly decrease proliferation of human pancreatic cancer cells with comparison of their effects on proliferation on normal human lung, kidney, prostate and endothelial cells.

Results  ANP, LANP, vessel dilator and KP decreased the proliferation of viable human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells by 39%, 73%, 26% and 32% respectively at their 0·01 μM concentrations compared with the proliferation of untreated pancreatic cancer cells. Maximal inhibition of proliferation (81%) occurred with LANP at its 0·1 μM concentration in dose‐response studies. At these same concentrations, there was no decrease in proliferation of human kidney, lung, prostate or endothelial cells compared with untreated kidney, lung, prostate or endothelial cells.

Conclusion  Four cardiac hormones have strong anti‐proliferative effects on human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells while sparing human kidney, lung, prostate and endothelial cells from a similar strong anti‐proliferative effect. This anti‐proliferative effect on pancreatic cancer cells helps to explain why human pancreatic cancers in vivo treated with the cardiac hormones decrease to less than 10% of the volume of untreated pancreatic cancers as they proliferate less.
Microbial uptake of low‐molecular‐weight organic substances out‐competes sorption in soil
Authors: Fischer H. , Ingwersen J. , Kuzyakov Y.
Published: June 2010

Low‐molecular‐weight organic substances (LMWOS) such as amino acids, sugars and carboxylates, are rapidly turned over in soil. Despite their importance, it remains unknown how the competition between microbial uptake and sorption to the soil matrix affects the LMWOS turnover in soil solution. This study describes the dynamics of LMWOS fluxes (10 µm) in various pools (dissolved, sorbed, decomposed to CO2 and incorporated into microbial biomass) and also assesses the LMWOS distribution in these pools over a very wide concentration range (0.01–1000 µm). Representatives of each LMWOS group (glucose for sugars, alanine for amino acids, acetate for carboxylates), uniformly 14C‐labelled, were added to sterilized or non‐sterilized soil and analysed in different pools between 1 minute and 5.6 hours after addition. LMWOS were almost completely taken up by microorganisms within the first 30 minutes. Surprisingly, microbial uptake was much faster than the physicochemical sorption (estimated in sterilized soil), which needed 60 minutes to reach quasi‐equilibrium for alanine and about 400 minutes for glucose. Only acetate sorption was instantaneous. At a concentration of 100 µm, microbial decomposition after 4.5 hours was greater for alanine (76.7 ± 1.1%) than for acetate (55.2 ± 0.9%) or glucose (28.5 ± 1.5%). In contrast, incorporation into microbial biomass was greater for glucose (59.8 ± 1.2%) than for acetate (23.4 ± 5.9%) or alanine (5.2 ± 2.8%). Between 10 and 500 µm, the pathways of the three LMWOS changed: at 500 µm, alanine and acetate were less mineralized and more was incorporated into microbial biomass than at 10 µm, while glucose incorporation decreased. Despite the fact that the LMWOS concentrations in soil solution were important for competition between sorption and microbial uptake, their fate in soil is mainly determined by microbial uptake and further microbial transformations. For these substances, which represent the three main groups of LMWOS in soil, the microbial uptake out‐competes sorption.
The effects of diel changes in circulation and mixing on the longitudinal distribution of phytoplankton in a canyon‐shaped Mediterranean reservoir
Authors: VIDAL JAVIER , MORENO‐OSTOS ENRIQUE , ESCOT CARMELO , QUESADA RUBEN , RUEDA FRANCISCO
Published: June 2010

1. The near‐surface distribution of phytoplankton cells along the thalweg of a canyon‐shaped reservoir (El Gergal, southern Spain) during two surveys is described and interpreted as the result of time‐varying large‐scale circulation patterns, vertical mixing processes and the physiological capacity of algal cells to regulate its position in the water column.

2. Vertical gradients of chlorophyll‐a concentration developed in the water column during the day but disappeared at night, as a result of the shoaling and deepening of the diurnal mixed layer (dml). The changes in the depth of the dml are largely controlled in El Gergal by convectively driven mixing processes. The longitudinal circulation changes, in turn, as a result of weak and diurnal land‐sea breezes. The distribution of algal cells was patchy at all times but did not change during any of the surveys.

3. An expression is proposed to estimate time scales for the development of horizontal patchiness TP based on simple concepts of transport. It is shown that TP is in the order of a week, indicating that horizontal patchiness does not respond immediately to hourly changes in the controlling factors. The magnitude of TP, though, depends on how the vertical distribution of chlorophyll‐a and longitudinal currents change on subdiurnal time scales. In particular, TP is sensitive to the lag existing between the momentum and heat fluxes through the free surface, driving circulation and vertical mixing.
Spatio‐temporal scaling of biodiversity and the species–time relationship in a stream fish assemblage
Authors: ERŐS TIBOR , SCHMERA DÉNES
Published: June 2010

1. The increase of species richness with the area of the habitat sampled, that is the species–area relationship, and its temporal analogue, the species–time relationship (STR), are among the few general laws in ecology with strong conservation implications. However, these two scale‐dependent phenomena have rarely been considered together in biodiversity assessment, especially in freshwater systems.

2. We examined how the spatial scale of sampling influences STRs for a Central‐European stream fish assemblage (second‐order Bernecei stream, Hungary) using field survey data in two simulation‐based experiments.

3. In experiment one, we examined how increasing the number of channel units, such as riffles and pools (13 altogether), and the number of field surveys involved in the analyses (12 sampling occasions during 3 years), influence species richness. Complete nested curves were constructed to quantify how many species one observes in the community on average for a given number of sampling occasions at a given spatial scale.

4. In experiment two, we examined STRs for the Bernecei fish assemblage from a landscape perspective. Here, we evaluated a 10‐year reach level data set (2000–09) for the Bernecei stream and its recipient watercourse (third‐order Kemence stream) to complement results on experiment one and to explore the mechanisms behind the observed patterns in more detail.

5. Experiment one indicated the strong influence of the spatial scale of sampling on the accumulation of species richness, although time clearly had an additional effect. The simulation methodology advocated here helped to estimate the number of species in a diverse combination of spatial and temporal scale and, therefore, to determine how different scale combinations influence sampling sufficiency.

6. Experiment two revealed differences in STRs between the upstream (Bernecei) and downstream (Kemence) sites, with steeper curves for the downstream site. Equations of STR curves were within the range observed in other studies, predominantly from terrestrial systems. Assemblage composition data suggested that extinction–colonisation dynamics of rare, non‐resident (i.e. satellite) species influenced patterns in STRs.

7. Our results highlight that the determination of species richness can benefit from the joint consideration of spatial and temporal scales in biodiversity inventory surveys. Additionally, we reveal how our randomisation‐based methodology may help to quantify the scale dependency of diversity components (α, β, γ) in both space and time, which have critical importance in the applied context.
The importance of hatching from resting eggs for population dynamics and genetic composition ofDaphniain a deep reservoir
Authors: ROTHER ANNE , PITSCH MATTHIAS , HÜLSMANN STEPHAN
Published: June 2010

1. Cyclical parthenogens, organisms switching between sexual and asexual mode of reproduction, are common in aquatic habitats. In permanent waterbodies with year‐round persistence of populations, the relevance of sexually produced resting eggs for population dynamics and structure is still largely unexplored.

2. The aim of this study was to investigate the importance of recruitment from resting eggs toDaphniaspp. in a deep dimictic reservoir with overwintering populations (Saidenbach Reservoir, Germany). We linked field studies onDaphniapopulation dynamics, hatching rates and diapausing egg abundances in the sediment with allozyme analysis of the genetic variability of both the pelagic population and hatchlings from resting eggs.

3. We found higher hatching rates at intermediate depths (10–18 m), although highest diapausing egg abundances were found in the deeper parts of the reservoir. From the extensive field data, we calculated a population budget for the main basin of the reservoir, which showed that hatched daphnids accounted for <1% of the total abundance and explained only a tiny fraction of population growth.

4. The genetic composition (MultiLocus Genotypes, MLG) of the pelagic population was relatively stable throughout the stratified period with up to five among 39 detected MLGs attaining frequencies >5% per date. From 11 MLGs differentiated among hatched daphnids, three were recovered in the pelagic population in perceptible, albeit low frequencies (1–4%).

5. We conclude that the contribution of hatched animals to the spring population dynamics is negligible in situations with an overwintering population present and will only become relevant if densities are extremely low. In this type of system, the significance of the resting egg bank is presumably mainly related to the maintenance of genetic diversity.
Large‐scale relationships between basin and riparian land cover and the ecological status of European rivers
Authors: WASSON JEAN‐GABRIEL , VILLENEUVE BERTRAND , IITAL ARVO , MURRAY‐BLIGH JOHN , DOBIASOVA MARCELA , BACIKOVA STANISLAVA , TIMM HENN , PELLA HERVÉ , MENGIN NICOLAS , CHANDESRIS ANDRÉ
Published: June 2010

1. The main objectives of our study were (i) to establish the relative impact of pressures that degrade ecological status, especially those caused by agriculture and urbanisation, (ii) to identify regional patterns in these pressure‐impact relationships and (iii) to evaluate the relative weight of the pressures acting at the basin and riparian corridor scales, and the possible buffering effect of riparian areas.

2. We developed large‐scale models linking invertebrate indices of ecological quality to river basin and riparian land cover in France, Slovakia, Estonia and U.K. Invertebrate indices, transformed to ecological quality ratios (EQR), were taken from national monitoring networks. We based the models on partial least squares (PLS) regressions at national and a hydro‐ecoregion (HER) scales. The HERs provided a framework for grouping data in terms of natural river features and human activities.

3. The different national methods provided consistent results that indicated the hierarchy of pressures impacting river invertebrates at the European scale. Artificial land cover (e.g. urban and industrial sites) in the river basin represented the pressure with the most negative impact on invertebrate indices, in all countries and regions.

4. The impact of agricultural land cover was more variable. Arable land had a smaller impact than urban areas and was insignificant in some models. The proportion of arable land in the river basin appeared to be a weak predictor of agricultural impacts by itself; the type of cultivation and intensity as well as the proximity to the river must be taken into account.

5. At the riparian corridor scale, the negative impact of artificial areas or arable land and the positive effects of forests and pastures were demonstrated in many regions. The protective effect of riparian forests against mixed agricultural and urban pressures was demonstrated in three regions in France. Riparian corridors appear to be manageable areas, and these results strongly support the idea of including their restoration in priority actions for achieving good ecological status.
Red flag for green spray: adverse trophic effects of Bti on breeding birds
Authors: Poulin Brigitte , Lefebvre Gaetan , Paz Leire
Published: June 2010

1. The expanding use of selective pest‐control agents provides a unique opportunity to study food web interactions in the field while addressing major environmental issues. Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) is the most commonly used microbial agent to control mosquitoes worldwide.

2. Using breeding house martins Delichon urbicum as a model species, we assessed the effect of Bti spraying on foraging rates and chick diet prior to and during 3 years of Bti spraying in the Camargue, France. Some 9051 feeding flights and 14 857 prey items were recorded in the early, mid and late nesting season at up to three control and three treated sites. Breeding parameters were assessed during 1 year at two control and two treated sites.

3. Intake of Nematocera (Diptera sub‐order including midges and mosquitoes) and their predators (spiders and dragonflies) decreased significantly at treated sites, concurrently with increase of flying ant intake. Small prey (<2·5 mm) were significantly more taken at treated sites, and large prey (>7·5 mm) at control sites, with lower foraging rates at treated sites.

4. Clutch size and fledgling survival were significantly lower at treated sites relative to control with respectively 2·3 vs. 3·2 chicks produced per nest. Breeding success was positively correlated with intake of Nematocera and their predators at the nest level.

5. No previous study has provided compelling evidence of Bti affecting vertebrate populations following the suppression of prey species. Indirect effects caused by repeated application of Bti through food web interactions warrant more attention.

6. Synthesis and applications. Bti is considered the most selective and least toxic agent currently available to control mosquitoes. Mosquito‐control programmes should integrate non‐biased awareness campaigns and mitigation measures balancing the social demands for mosquito reduction with the factors involved in mosquito proliferation and dispersion. Such measures could consist in improved wetland management; reduction in areas and periods of Bti spraying; consideration of alternatives to Bti spraying, such as mosquito traps; specific measures to reinforce animal populations affected by Bti; and suspension of mosquito control in environmentally sensitive areas where nature preservation is a priority.
Stability in the patterns of long‐term development and growth of the Canadian spruce–moss forest
Authors: Pollock Stefanie L. , Payette Serge
Published: June 2010

Aim The spruce–moss forest is the main forest ecosystem of the North American boreal forest. We used stand structure and fire data to examine the long‐term development and growth of the spruce–moss ecosystem. We evaluate the stability of the forest with time and the conditions needed for the continuing regeneration, growth and re‐establishment of black spruce (Picea mariana) trees.

Location The study area occurs in Québec, Canada, and extends from 70°00′ to 72°00′ W and 47°30′ to 56°00′ N.

Methods A spatial inventory of spruce–moss forest stands was performed along 34 transects. Nineteen spruce–moss forests were selected. A 500 m2quadrat at each site was used for radiocarbon and tree‐ring dating of time since last fire (TSLF). Size structure and tree regeneration in each stand were described based on diameter distribution of the dominant and co‐dominant tree species [black spruce and balsam fir (Abies balsamea)].

Results The TSLF of the studied forests ranges from 118 to 4870 cal. yr bp. Forests < 325 cal. yr bpare dominated by trees of the first post‐fire cohort and are not yet at equilibrium, whereas older forests show a reverse‐J diameter distribution typical of mature, old‐growth stands. The younger forests display faster height and radial growth‐rate patterns than the older forests, due to factors associated with long‐term forest development. Each of the stands examined established after severe fires that consumed all the soil organic material.

Main conclusions Spruce–moss forests are able to self‐regenerate after fires that consume the organic layer, thus allowing seed regeneration at the soil surface. In the absence of fire the forests can remain in an equilibrium state. Once the forests mature, tree productivity eventually levels off and becomes stable. Further proof of the enduring stability of these forests, in between fire periods, lies in the ages of the stands. Stands with a TSLF of 325–4870 cal. yr bpall exhibited the same stand structure, tree growth rates and species characteristics. In the absence of fire, the spruce–moss forests are able to maintain themselves for thousands of years with no apparent degradation or change in forest type.
The spiritual needs of neuro‐oncology patients from patients’ perspective
Authors: Nixon Aline , Narayanasamy Aru
Published: June 2010

Aims.  This study aimed to identify the spiritual needs of neuro‐oncology patients from a patient perspective and how nurses currently support patients with spiritual needs.

Background.  Spiritual needs of cancer patients should be assessed and discussed by healthcare professionals from diagnosis. Nurses should assess and support neuro‐oncology patients with their spiritual needs during their hospital stay.

Design.  Qualitative research.

Methods.  Data were collected through a Critical Incident Technique questionnaire from neuro‐oncology patients and were subjected to thematic content analysis.

Results.  Some patients with brain tumours do report spiritual needs during their hospital stay and some of these needs are not met by nurses.

Conclusions.  There is clearly a need for healthcare professionals to provide spiritual care for neuro‐oncology patients and their relatives. Further research is required to explore how effective nurses are at delivering spiritual care and if nurses are the most appropriate professionals to support neuro‐oncology patients with spiritual care.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The study illuminates that some neuro‐oncology patients’ have spiritual needs that could be met by nurses. Spiritual needs include supportive family relationships, emotional support, loneliness, religious needs, need to talk, reassurance, anxiety, solitude, denial, plans for the future, thoughts about meaning of life, end of life decisions and discussion of beliefs. The implications of the findings of this study are that nurses need to be aware and respond to these spiritual needs.
The experiences of internationally recruited nurses in the UK (1995–2007): an integrative review
Authors: Nichols Julia , Campbell Jackie
Published: June 2010

Aim.  This review explores the experiences of international nurses recently recruited to the UK nursing workforce (1995–2007) and the implications for retention.

Background.  An acute shortage of nurses in the mid 1990s, combined with policy initiatives to increase the number of qualified nurses working in the NHS, resulted in an active campaign to recruit nurses from overseas. Since 1997, approximately 100,000 international nurses have been admitted to the nursing register from more than 50 countries worldwide. Many practice areas are now dependent on overseas nurses as an essential part of their workforce.

Design.  An integrative review.

Method.  The review was conducted using a range of electronic databases to capture the experiences of this cohort of migrant nurses.

Conclusion.  Much literature has been generated over the past decade in relation to the experiences of international nurses recruited during this campaign. Five main themes emerged from the review: motivation for migration, adapting to British nursing, experiences of first world healthcare, feeling devalued and deskilled and vectors of racial discrimination. Although some positive experiences are described, significant numbers of nurses describe not feeling personally or professionally valued by the UK nursing establishment, common emotions expressed are disappointment and unmet expectations. This will have implications for job satisfaction and intention to leave or stay.

Relevance to clinical practice.  If overseas nurses choose to leave the UK in large numbers, the health services could face a severe staffing shortage. It is important that we listen carefully to their experiences to help identify priorities for policy and practice aimed at improving job satisfaction for migrant nurses and articulating the value that they bring to UK nursing.
Caring for uninsured patients with diabetes: designing and evaluating a novel chronic care model for diabetes care
Authors: Khan Mohammad A. , Evans Arthur T. , Shah Sejal
Published: June 2010

Background  Safety net urban hospitals are being overwhelmed by an increasing number of patients with diabetes, who frequently only access the health system through visits to emergency departments and urgent care clinics. It is uncertain whether the chronic care model advocated for diabetes care would be feasible and effective for managing diabetes in an acute care setting.

Objective  Determine if redesigning the system of care for treating diabetic patients who do not have primary care doctors is feasible, acceptable to patients and effectively lowers patients' haemoglobin A1c, blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Design  Prospective single cohort study.

Patients  A total of 1098 consecutive diabetic patients presenting to an urgent care clinic at an urban safety net public hospital in Chicago between October 2004 and April 2006 who had a haemoglobin A1c measured at baseline.

Intervention  Adapt the chronic care model for managing diabetes to the acute care setting of an urgent care clinic to manage uninsured patients with diabetes who do not have primary care.

Results  Among the 1098 patients, 833 (76%) had a repeat A1c during the 2‐ to 12‐month follow‐up period. On average, A1c values decreased by 1.5 percentage points; systolic blood pressure decreased by 9 mmHg; low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased 11 points; and weight decreased 2.3 pounds (all: P < 0.001). The percentage using angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor drugs increased from 45% to 83%; aspirin use increased from 38% to 83%; and statin use increased from 34% to 76%.

Conclusions  This novel chronic care model for diabetes care of uninsured patients without primary care doctors was feasible, acceptable and effective in increasing the quality of diabetes care and decreasing haemoglobin A1c, blood pressure, cholesterol and weight.
SAS macros for point and interval estimation of area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for non‐proportional and proportional hazards Weibull models
Authors: Mannan Haider , Stevenson Chris
Published: June 2010

Aims and objectives  For prediction of risk of cardiovascular end points using survival models the proportional hazards assumption is often not met. Thus, non‐proportional hazards models are more appropriate for developing risk prediction equations in such situations. However, computer program for evaluating the prediction performance of such models has been rarely addressed. We therefore developed SAS macro programs for evaluating the discriminative ability of a non‐proportional hazards Weibull model developed by Anderson (1991) and that of a proportional hazards Weibull model using the area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Method  Two SAS macro programs for non‐proportional hazards Weibull model using Proc NLIN and Proc NLP respectively and model validation using area under ROC curve (with its confidence limits) were written with SAS IML language. A similar SAS macro for proportional hazards Weibull model was also written.

Results  The computer program was applied to data on coronary heart disease incidence for a Framingham population cohort. The five risk factors considered were current smoking, age, blood pressure, cholesterol and obesity. The predictive ability of the non‐proportional hazard Weibull model was slightly higher than that of its proportional hazard counterpart. An advantage of SAS Proc NLP in terms of the example provided here is that it provides significance level for the parameter estimates whereas Proc NLIN does not.

Conclusion  The program is very useful for evaluating the predictive performance of non‐proportional and proportional hazards Weibull models.
Clean and sterile delivery: two different approaches to infection control
Authors: Charrier Lorena , Serafini Paola , Chiono Vincenza , Rebora Monica , Rabacchi Grace , Zotti Carla M.
Published: June 2010

Rationale  Although the World Health Organization recommends not using sterile technique for low‐risk delivery and literature doesn't report a significant association between clean delivery and higher risk for infection, sterile technique remains a prevalent practice. We conducted our study in the obstetric clinics of two hospitals of Piemonte Region (Italy) that use different operative care models (‘clean’ vs. ‘sterile’).

Objectives  Aim of the study was to describe practices and procedures used by midwives during delivery, according to the model adopted, and to compare the incidence of perineal infection between use of ‘clean’ versus ‘sterile’ practices for intrapartum care.

Methods  Prospective cohort study. 200 women for each hospital were included in the study. Health care behaviour and practices performed during the different stages of delivery were observed and recorded on an observation sheet. Follow‐up was conducted for 1 month after discharge in order to detect infections of reproductive organs.

Results  Many differences were described in procedures and health care worker practices between the two hospitals and even among operators of the same ward, but a greater compliance with the theoretical model adopted was described among midwives and physicians of the ‘clean’ delivery model. No infections were detected in either of the two samples of women included in the study.

Conclusions  From our observations we can conclude that many reasons support the adoption of ‘clean’ technique for low‐risk deliveries: reducing inappropriate use of resources and costs for health care, less medicalization, less frequent use of episiotomy and shaving, major compliance of operators with simple and coherent practices and procedures.
Optimized sample preparation for high‐resolution AFM characterization of fixed human cells
Authors: FRANCIS L.W. , GONZALEZ D. , RYDER T. , BAER K. , REES M. , WHITE J.O. , CONLAN R.S. , WRIGHT C.J.
Published: June 2010

Atomic force microscopy enables the simultaneous acquisition of high‐resolution topographical and biophysical data allowing integrated analysis of cell surfaces during development and pathogenesis, and, critically, can link molecular and biophysical events. Here we used atomic force microscopy to analyse endometrial epithelial cells and neuronally differentiated P19 cells. Optimized reproducible sample preparation techniques enabled micro‐ and nanoscale multi‐parameter analysis. Comparative analysis using atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy demonstrated the utility of atomic force microscopy for examining tissue morphology, and its ability to generate data allowing differentiation of cells from different origins to be monitored. At low resolution atomic force microscopy produced topographic data complementary to scanning electron microscopy images, whilst at high resolution atomic force microscopy captured novel cell surface structural detail for both epithelial and neuronal cell types. Analysis of surface roughness provided biophysical data which enabled qualitative and quantitative differences between samples to be measured. This study provides an important optimization of sample preparation enabling more generalized atomic force microscopy utilization for cellular analysis required for advanced cell surface morphological studies.
Natural selection on PHYE by latitude in the Japanese archipelago: insight from locus specific phylogeographic structure in Arcterica nana (Ericaceae)
Authors: IKEDA HAJIME , SETOGUCHI HIROAKI
Published: June 2010

Phytochromes play a key role in allowing plants to monitor their surrounding environment and, conversely, adaptation to local environments has driven the evolutionary history of phytochromes. As a result of natural selection, polymorphisms in phytochrome genes would thus be expected to exhibit locus‐specific phylogeographic structure. To evaluate this hypothesis, we conducted a phylogeographic investigation based on four nuclear genes, including two phytochrome genes (PHYB and PHYE) using 155 samples of Arcterica nana from the entire range of the Japanese archipelago. Bayesian clustering revealed geographic differentiation between northern and southern Japan when all four genes were included. However, this geographic differentiation is inconsistent with previously reported genetic structure of genome‐wide polymorphisms based on amplified fragment length polymorphisms, as these did not show geographic differentiation throughout the Japanese archipelago. In contrast, the north–south differentiation was not apparent when PHYE was excluded. This indicates that PHYE alone could be responsible for the north–south differentiation (FCT = 0.15, P < 0.001). Furthermore, a single nonsynonymous polymorphism (C360T) strongly contributed to geographic differentiation (FCT = 0.57, P < 0.001) and its corresponding amino acid replacement (P120L) was significantly under positive selection based on maximum likelihood analysis (P = 0.98). Consequently, the locus‐specific geographic differentiation in PHYE could be caused by natural selection, suggesting the involvement of PHYE in local adaptation between populations of A. nana in northern and southern Japan. This finding is consistent with a previous study on Cardamine nipponica, indicating the importance of PHYE for local adaptation in Japanese alpine plants.
Passing the baton between laps: adhesion and cohesion in Pseudomonas putida biofilms
Authors: Fuqua Clay
Published: June 2010

Large externalized, repeat‐rich proteins are emerging as important factors in the attachment of bacteria to biotic and abiotic surfaces. An intriguing new study of the plant‐associated terrestrial microbe Pseudomonas putida by Manuel Espinosa‐Urgel's group that is reported in this issue of Molecular Microbiology has revealed that LapF, a huge protein (> 6000 aa) associated with the cell surface, is required for microcolony assembly from single attached cells, and in turn, formation of biofilms. Mutants defective in IapF exhibit competitive deficiencies in the rhizosphere. On both biotic and abiotic surfaces, these mutants undergo normal irreversible attachment, but cannot advance beyond this point to form multicellular clusters. The lapF phenotype is nutritionally conditional and is only manifested under a subset of growth regimes. Accordingly, lapF gene expression is controlled by the stress‐responsive sigma factor RpoS and is elevated within growing microcolonies on abiotic surfaces and plant tissues. Earlier work had identified the LapA protein, another enormous cell surface protein (> 8000 aa), as a key requirement for the reversible to irreversible transition during attachment. The current findings support a model in which LapA and LapF act in a relay to drive the stable colonization of surfaces and subsequent assembly of the multicellular structures.
The Actinomyces oris type 2 fimbrial shaft FimA mediates co‐aggregation with oral streptococci, adherence to red blood cells and biofilm development
Authors: Mishra Arunima , Wu Chenggang , Yang Jinghua , Cisar John O. , Das Asis , Ton‐That Hung
Published: June 2010

Interbacterial interactions between oral streptococci and actinomyces and their adherence to tooth surface and the associated host cells are key early events that promote development of the complex oral biofilm referred to as dental plaque. These interactions depend largely on a lectin‐like activity associated with the Actinomyces oris type 2 fimbria, a surface structure assembled by sortase (SrtC2)‐dependent polymerization of the shaft and tip fimbrillins, FimA and FimB respectively. To dissect the function of specific fimbrillins in various adherence processes, we have developed a convenient new technology for generating unmarked deletion mutants of A. oris. Here, we show that the fimB mutant, which produced type 2 fimbriae composed only of FimA, like the wild type co‐aggregated strongly with receptor‐bearing streptococci, agglutinated with sialidase‐treated red blood cells, and formed monospecies biofilm. In contrast, the fimA and srtC2 mutants lacked type 2 fimbriae and were non‐adherent in each of these assays. Plasmid‐based expression of the deleted gene in respective mutants restored adherence to wild‐type levels. These findings uncover the importance of the lectin‐like activity of the polymeric FimA shaft rather than the tip. The multivalent adhesive function of FimA makes it an ideal molecule for exploring novel intervention strategies to control plaque biofilm formation.
Genome‐wide DNA methylation alterations of Alternanthera philoxeroides in natural and manipulated habitats: implications for epigenetic regulation of rapid responses to environmental fluctuation and phenotypic variation
Authors: GAO LEXUAN , GENG YUPENG , LI BO , CHEN JIAKUAN , YANG JI
Published: June 2010

Alternanthera philoxeroides (alligator weed) is an invasive weed that can colonize both aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Individuals growing in different habitats exhibit extensive phenotypic variation but little genetic differentiation in its introduced range. The mechanisms underpinning the wide range of phenotypic variation and rapid adaptation to novel and changing environments remain uncharacterized. In this study, we examined the epigenetic variation and its correlation with phenotypic variation in plants exposed to natural and manipulated environmental variability. Genome‐wide methylation profiling using methylation‐sensitive amplified fragment length polymorphism (MSAP) revealed considerable DNA methylation polymorphisms within and between natural populations. Plants of different source populations not only underwent significant morphological changes in common garden environments, but also underwent a genome‐wide epigenetic reprogramming in response to different treatments. Methylation alterations associated with response to different water availability were detected in 78.2% (169/216) of common garden induced polymorphic sites, demonstrating the environmental sensitivity and flexibility of the epigenetic regulatory system. These data provide evidence of the correlation between epigenetic reprogramming and the reversible phenotypic response of alligator weed to particular environmental factors.
A founder mutation in BBS2 is responsible for Bardet‐Biedl syndrome in the Hutterite population: utility of SNP arrays in genetically heterogeneous disorders
Authors: Innes AM , Boycott KM , Puffenberger EG , Redl D , MacDonald IM , Chudley AE , Beaulieu C , Perrier R , Gillan T , Wade A , Parboosingh JS
Published: June 2010

Innes AM, Boycott KM, Puffenberger EG, Redl D, MacDonald IM, Chudley AE, Beaulieu C, Perrier R, Gillan T, Wade A, Parboosingh JS. A founder mutation in BBS2 is responsible for Bardet‐Biedl syndrome in the Hutterite population: utility of SNP arrays in genetically heterogeneous disorders.

Bardet‐Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a multisystem genetically heterogeneous disorder, the clinical features of which are largely the consequence of ciliary dysfunction. BBS is typically inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion, and mutations in at least 14 genes have been identified. Here, we report the identification of a founder mutation in the BBS2 gene as the cause for the increased incidence of this developmental disorder in the Hutterite population. To ascertain the Hutterite BBS locus, we performed a genome‐wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis on a single patient and his three unaffected siblings from a Hutterite family. The analysis identified two large SNP blocks that were homozygous in the patient but not in his unaffected siblings, one of these regions contained the BBS2 gene. Sequence analysis and subsequent RNA studies identified and confirmed a novel splice site mutation, c.472‐2A>G, in BBS2. This mutation was also found in homozygous form in three subsequently studied Hutterite BBS patients from two different leuts, confirming that this is a founder mutation in the Hutterite population. Further studies are required to determine the frequency of this mutation and its role, if any, in the expression of other ciliopathies in this population.
Successful treatment of recurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis combined with calcineurin inhibitor nephrotoxicity four yr after kidney transplantation
Authors: Mitome Jun , Yamamoto Hiroyasu , Maruyama Yukio , Kobayashi Akimitsu , Yaginuma Tatsuhiro , Matsuo Nanae , Tanno Yudo , Hayakawa Hiroshi , Miyazaki Youichi , Yokoyama Keitaro , Utsunomiya Yasunori , Yamaguchi Yutaka , Hosoya Tatsuo
Published: June 2010

Mitome J, Yamamoto H, Maruyama Y, Kobayashi A, Yaginuma T, Matsuo N, Tanno Y, Hayakawa H, Miyazaki Y, Yokoyama K, Utsunomiya Y, Yamaguchi Y, Hosoya T. Successful treatment of recurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis combined with calcineurin inhibitor nephrotoxicity four yr after kidney transplantation. Clin Transplant 2010: 24 (Suppl. 22): 48–53. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  A 31‐yr‐old Japanese man with end‐stage kidney disease caused by primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) underwent living related kidney transplantation at the age of 26 yr. The allograft functioned well immediately after surgery, and we did not observe histological findings of rejection and recurrent FSGS in protocol biopsies at two months and one yr after transplantation. Four years after transplantation, the urine protein excretion reached 11 g/d, and the serum creatinine increased over 2.5 mg/dL. We diagnosed nephrotic syndrome due to recurrent FSGS with graft dysfunction and confirmed FSGS lesions with severe endothelial injury with an allograft biopsy, associated with calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) nephrotoxicity. Thereafter, we performed plasmapheresis and steroid therapy with subsequent low‐density lipoprotein adsorption, combined with the reduction of tacrolimus. The nephrotic syndrome improved dramatically with the multiple therapeutic approaches. Primary FSGS recurs frequently in patients immediately after kidney transplantation. Post‐transplant FSGS has various causes, such as recurrent primary disease, obesity, hyperfiltration, donor‐related nephrosclerosis, and CNI‐induced arteriolopathy. In the case of nephrotic syndrome after kidney transplantation, we should consider not only recurrent FSGS, but also CNI‐induced nephrotoxicity to determine the optimal treatment.
Induction of tolerance in clinical kidney transplantation
Authors: Kawai Tatsuo , Benedict Cosimi A.
Published: June 2010

Kawai T, Benedict Cosimi A. Induction of tolerance in clinical kidney transplantation. Clin Transplant 2010: 24 (Suppl. 22): 2–5. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  Induction of donor‐specific tolerance has been an ultimate goal in organ transplantation. Although numerous regimens for the induction of allograft tolerance have been developed in rodents, their application to primates has been limited. The approaches that have been successfully applied in primates can be divided into (i) use of total lymphoid irradiation, (ii) costimulatory blockade, (iii) profound depletion of recipient T cells, (iv) infusion of regulatory cells and (v) donor bone marrow (DBM) infusion/transplantation. Among these approaches, successful allograft tolerance has been achieved in clinical kidney transplantation using DBM transplantation.
Histopathology of xenografts in pig to non‐human primate discordant xenotransplantation
Authors: Shimizu Akira , Yamada Kazuhiko
Published: June 2010

Shimizu A, Yamada K. Histopathology of xenografts in pig to non‐human primate discordant xenotransplantation. Clin Transplant 2010: 24 (Suppl. 22): 11–15. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  Xenotransplantation could provide a solution to the critical shortage of organs for transplantation in humans. Swine have been proposed as a suitable donor species. Swine organs, however, when transplanted to primates, are rapidly rejected by hyperacute rejection (HAR) and acute humoral xenograft rejection (AHXR). Both HAR and AHXR are triggered by xenoreactive natural antibodies directed against a specific epitope (galactose α1‐3 galactose: Gal) on porcine vascular endothelium. In attempt to prevent HAR and AHXR, α1,3‐galactosyltransferase gene knockout (GalT‐KO) pigs have been produced. GalT‐KO pig organs do not express the Gal epitope (antigen), and it therefore can eliminate the anti‐Gal antibody – Gal antigen immunoreaction in xenotransplantation. We reported our initial study of kidney transplantation from GalT‐KO miniature swine to baboons with either immunosuppression protocol or with a tolerance inducing protocol. Here, we discussed the pathology of xenografts in GalT‐KO pig to non‐human primate kidney transplantation.