bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Duisburg as Standort and Tatort
Authors: Schmidt-Thomé Kaisa , Niemenmaa Vivi
Published: October 2013

Duisburg typifies those cities once dependent on heavy industry but now undergoing a prolonged period of structural change. A number of large-scale urban redevelopment projects have already been launched with a view to fostering this change and to rebranding Duisburg as a postindustrial location (“Standort”). Light is shed on this planning process by showing Duisburg as a crime scene (“Tatort”) and thereby depicting the city as the home of fictional police inspector, Horst Schimanski. Since the introductory TV episode was first aired, in 1981, the character has had a significant impact on the city’s public image. Our parallel study of branding efforts and filmmaking shows how the selected backdrops and the social conscience of the fictional hero problematize both the speed and the course of structural change. The public debate surrounding Schimanski is indicative of the rather one-dimensional nature of urban development efforts in Duisburg.
Investigation on the dry sliding friction and wear behavior of AA6351-SiC-B4C hybrid metal matrix composites
Authors: Thirumalai Kumaran S , Uthayakumar M
Published: October 2013

In the present study, the effect of wear test parameters on dry sliding wear behavior of aluminum matrix alloy (AA6351) with 5 wt% silicon carbide and 5 wt% boron carbide-reinforced hybrid metal matrix composites was investigated. Wear performance of the hybrid composites was evaluated over an applied load range of 20–100 N and sliding velocities ranging from 1 to 5 m/s. The experimental results show that the hybrid composites retain the wear resistance properties up to load of 60 N and sliding velocities ranges 1–3 m/s. Metallurgical examinations were also carried out to assess the effect of silicon carbide and boron carbide particles on the wear mechanisms. The enhancement of wear resistance was achieved with the addition of small amount of silicon carbide and boron carbide reinforcement particles with aluminum matrix alloy.
Outcomes of an acceptance and commitment therapy-based skills training group for students with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder: A quasi-experimental pilot study
Authors: Pahnke Johan , Lundgren Tobias , Hursti Timo , Hirvikoski Tatja
Published: October 2013

Autism spectrum disorder is characterized by social impairments and behavioural inflexibility. In this pilot study, the feasibility and outcomes of a 6-week acceptance and commitment therapy-based skills training group were evaluated in a special school setting using a quasi-experimental design (acceptance and commitment therapy/school classes as usual). A total of 28 high-functioning students with autism spectrum disorder (aged 13–21 years) were assessed using self- and teacher-ratings at pre- and post-assessment and 2-month follow-up. All participants completed the skills training, and treatment satisfaction was high. Levels of stress, hyperactivity and emotional distress were reduced in the treatment group. The acceptance and commitment therapy group also reported increased prosocial behaviour. These changes were stable or further improved at the 2-month follow-up. Larger studies are needed to further evaluate the benefits of acceptance and commitment therapy for autism spectrum disorder.
Competition and collaboration: Chinese video websites, subtitle groups, state regulation and market
Authors: Hu Kelly
Published: October 2013

Chinese video websites emerged as early as 2005, when video-sharing websites such as the US-based YouTube were launched and sophisticated P2P streaming software became globally available. There were several hundred private Chinese video websites in their heyday, and most operated without authorisation. By 2012, the number of major private video websites had been drastically reduced to little more than ten, all of which had become large-scale businesses. This study argues that the development of Chinese video websites is a story of struggle and self-invention of identity. These websites have undergone a process of oscillation and transformation between piracy and copyright adherence that has involved grassroots Chinese subtitle groups, state intervention and market competition. There are various levels of competition and collaboration inside private video websites, between private and state-owned video websites and between subtitle groups and video websites. In addition, this study also emphasises fan affection and labour invested by some subtitle groups which ambivalently integrates with and yet transgresses the market strategy of video websites.
Game playing as transnational cultural practice: A case study of Chinese gamers and Korean MMORPGs
Authors: Yoon Tae-Jin , Cheon Hyejung
Published: October 2013

The objective of this study is to organise the range and the content of a cultural studies of games, to find the cultural meanings of game playing in a transnational setting, and to analyse the example of Chinese gamers who enjoy Korean online games. We claim there is a need to pursue the cultural studies of games and introduce the concept of hybridity to assist in the understanding of the circulation and consumption of online games. The case study of Chinese gamers showed a duality of game narratives and a multiplicity of gamers, suggesting that the transnational consumption of games is a hybrid consumption of hybridity.
Fractures of the femoral head
Authors: Philpott Matthew , Ashwood Neil , Ockendon Matthew , Moores Thomas
Published: October 2013

Femoral head fractures are rare injuries that occur most commonly from high-energy impacts, such as those seen in road traffic accidents. The traumatic nature of these injuries means that they are often associated with many other injuries, which can often be life threatening. Although a fracture of the femoral head is not often a life-threatening injury, there is a high potential for developing complications that can greatly affect the function of the joint later in life. A femoral head fracture is most commonly associated with a traumatic dislocation of the hip joint. Thus, once these injuries have been identified, they need to be reduced promptly and accurately. A number of classifications systems are used for describing femoral head fractures, and of these, the Pipkin classification system is one of the most widely used. As this injury is relatively rare, the published literature on the subject is limited and thus much debate still exists about the best methods for classification, treatment and assessment of outcomes. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the injury and its management.
Lives in limbo: Migration experiences in Australia’s education–migration nexus
Authors: Robertson Shanthi , Runganaikaloo Anjena
Published: October 2013

Like many OECD countries, Australia has, over the last 15 years, experimented with ‘the education–migration nexus’: policy frameworks that create pathways for international students to become skilled migrants. This article draws on student-migrant narratives to highlight some key aspects of migrant experience within the education–migration nexus, most notably extended periods of temporary status and the frequent need to adapt life and education goals around migration policy changes. The analysis finds that the uncertainty and precariousness inherent in the student-to-migrant process create significant tensions in the daily lives of most student-migrants, both as individuals and as members of transnational families with long-term collective migration strategies. Yet, uncertainty also resulted in some strategic responses to mitigate risk and attempts to transform waiting times into opportunities. We also argue that student-migrants represent a ‘middling’ experience of migration. Although they have access to various resources as educated and skilled migrants, they are far from experiencing a true form of elite and mobile ‘flexible citizenship’.
Dementia service centres in Austria: A comprehensive support and early detection model for persons with dementia and their caregivers – theoretical foundations and model description
Authors: Auer Stefanie R , Span Edith , Reisberg Barry
Published: October 2013

Despite the highly developed social services in Austria, the County of Upper Austria, one of the nine counties of Austria had only very limited specialized services for persons with dementia and their caregivers in 2001. Support groups existed in which the desire for more specialized services was voiced. In response to this situation, funding was received to develop a new structure for early disease detection and long term support for both the person with dementia and their caregivers. This article describes the development of the model of the Dementia Service Centres (DSCs) and the successes and difficulties encountered in the process of implementing the model in six different rural regions of Upper Austria. The DSC was described in the First Austrian Dementia Report as one of the potential service models for the future.
Older adults’ views and experiences of doll therapy in residential care homes
Authors: Alander Heidi , Prescott Tim , James Ian A
Published: October 2013

Background and purpose

The mechanisms underlying the success of doll therapy are poorly understood. The aims of this study were to explore how people in care, doll users and non-users, make sense of doll use in their settings.

Methodology

A grounded theory approach was used, recruiting participants from three residential care homes involving four male and 12 female residents. Data collection occurred in two phases; five participants took part in a focus group and later 11 participants were interviewed individually. Eight of the 11 participants had dementia, and four participants were actively using dolls.

Results and conclusion

The results are presented as themes, and sub-themes, consisting of four main categories (intrapersonal features, interpersonal features, behavioural benefits, ethical and moderating factors). This thematic analysis shows that residents generally support the use of dolls, believing that dolls can have a positive impact on some users. The mechanisms by which this impact is achieved are discussed together with the ethical concerns.
Inscribing thoughts: the animation of an adventure
Authors: Dewsbury J-D
Published: October 2013

This short reflection on my writing practice pivots off Roland Barthes’ announcement, in his last lecture course The Preparation of the Novel 1978–80, that he wanted ‘to track the Work from its Projection to it’s accomplishment: in other words, from Wanting-to-Write to Being-Able-to-Write, or from the Desire-to-Write to the Fact-of-Writing’. Here I reflect how Barthes, through animating writing as a more enjoyable adventure in thought, assists me in being able to progress towards finding a better ethos and technique for overcoming my anxieties when I approach the task, rather than the joy, of writing.
Assessing the Perioperative Safety of Common Femoral Endarterectomy in the Endovascular Era
Authors: Siracuse Jeffrey J. , Gill Heather L. , Schneider Darren B. , Graham Ashley R. , Connolly Peter H. , Jones Douglas W. , Meltzer Andrew J.
Published: October 2013

Introduction:

Common femoral endarterectomy (CFE) has historically been the preferred treatment for atherosclerotic lesions involving the common femoral artery. The objectives of this study are to delineate the safety of this open procedure in the endovascular era, establish contemporary benchmarks for morbidity and mortality after CFE, and identify the subgroup of patients at increased risk of postoperative adverse events.

Methods:

Patients undergoing elective CFE in the 2007 to 2010 National Surgical Quality Improvement Project database were examined. Univariate analyses were used to identify the factors associated with major morbidity and mortality. Significant variables by univariate analysis were used to create multivariate logistic regression models for morbidity and mortality.

Results:

A total of 1513 patients underwent elective CFE. The 30-day mortality rate was 1.5%. Postoperative morbidities included cardiac (1.0%), pulmonary (1.9%), renal (0.4%), urinary tract infection (1.7%), thromboembolic (0.5%), neurologic (0.4%), sepsis (2.7%), superficial (6.3%), and deep surgical site complications (2.0%). At least 1 complication, including major and minor, was seen in 7.9% of the patients. By multivariate analysis, partial- and total-dependent functional status (odds ratio [OR] 9.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.8-28.4 and OR 21.3, 95% CI 3.3-139.4) and dyspnea at rest (OR 8.2, 95% 1.2-58.8) predicted mortality. Independent predictors of morbidity include steroid use (OR 2.4, 95% 1.4-4.1), diabetes (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.3-2.4), and obesity (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.4).

Discussion:

Overall, CFE is tolerated well by the majority of patients with peripheral arterial disease. These results affirm the safety of CFE and can still be used as standard first-line therapy in most patients. Long-term results for endovascular interventions need to be studied to see whether high-risk patients that we identified for CFE would benefit more from an endovascular approach.
Open Repair of Inflammatory Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and Aortocaval Fistula Using Retrograde Balloon Occlusion
Authors: Madani Amin , Leung Stephane , Obrand Daniel
Published: October 2013

Purpose:

The purpose of this report is to describe a novel endovascular technique used to minimize blood loss during the open repair of an aortocaval fistula (ACF) in the context of an inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

Case Report:

We describe a patient who presented to our hospital with a symptomatic infrarenal AAA which was discovered intraoperatively to contain a large ACF. The patient underwent successful transperitoneal open repair of the AAA with balloon occlusion of the inferior vena cava to obtain distal control of the vessel.

Conclusions:

Retrograde balloon occlusion of the inferior vena cava can be used to control hemorrhage during the open repair of an ACF, especially in the challenging setting of an inflammatory AAA.
An Examination of the Media Portrayal of Femicide–Suicides
Authors: Richards Tara N. , Gillespie Lane Kirkland , Smith M. Dwayne
Published: October 2013

Recent research has been focused on the portrayal of intimate partner homicides in the news media with specific emphasis on the most commonly occurring type, femicides (the murder of a female intimate partner by a male intimate partner). One important finding in the analysis of intimate partner homicide is the striking number of femicides that are followed by perpetrator suicide. Whereas homicide followed by suicide is a rare occurrence in the context of crime generally, within the context of intimate partner homicide, femicide–suicide is common. The present research utilized content analysis to explore the media coverage of a near population of femicide–suicide cases in the North Carolina from 2002 to 2009 ( n = 86). An examination of the article titles showed that the majority of titles (54%) assigned to the articles describe the crime as an ambiguous homicide or homicide–suicide and do not indicate the relationship between the perpetrator and victim. In comparison, results show that 78% of the articles’ text defined the homicide–suicide as domestic violence. Specifically, in cases where the news coverage defined the femicide–suicide as domestic violence, the authors identified 4 media frames used (1) femicide–suicide by a male perpetrator, (2) femicide–suicide due to loss of perpetrator control, (3) femicide–suicide as a mercy killing, and (4) femicide–suicide due to jealousy. Implications for societal perceptions of violence against women as well as corresponding victims’ policies/services are presented and discussed.
A Quantitative Exploration of Gendered Pathways to Crime in a Sample of Male and Female Juvenile Offenders
Authors: Jones Natalie J. , Brown Shelley L. , Wanamaker Kayla A. , Greiner Leigh E.
Published: October 2013

Feminist (gendered) pathways theorists maintain that female criminality is largely survival-based, and tied to a constellation of factors including early trauma, ensuing mental health issues, and poverty. Based on items drawn from the Youth Assessment and Screening Instrument, multidimensional scaling was performed to elucidate the respective thematic structure of background and offending characteristics of 663 female and 1,175 male juvenile offenders under community supervision in New York State. Although the gendered pathways theme emerged exclusively for females, a theme closely resembling the traditional antisocial pathway depicted in mainstream correctional literature was also evident among females. Theoretical integration is therefore recommended.
The geography of travel journalism
Authors: Hanusch Folker
Published: October 2013

While the study of foreign news flows has received considerable attention from communication scholars for quite some time, it has typically focused on political or ‘hard’ news, at the expense of other types of journalistic content. This article argues that, as the foreign news hole is shrinking, travel journalism is becoming an increasingly important source of information about foreign countries in the news media. It reports the results of a comparative study of newspaper travel sections in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK, and argues that travel journalism often replicates the imbalances found in foreign news flows. Well-known factors – such as regionalism, powerful nations, cultural proximity, the role played by big neighbours and the diversity of coverage – are also powerful determinants in travel journalism. At the same time, a country’s tourist behaviour also plays a role but is often overshadowed by other factors.
International terrorism, domestic coverage? How terrorist attacks are presented in the news of CNN, Al Jazeera, the BBC, and ARD
Authors: Gerhards Jürgen , Schäfer Mike S
Published: October 2013

The article analyzes to what extent news reporting on terrorist attacks globalized, regionalized, or country specific. We compare coverage on four terrorist incidents in the main news shows of the US edition of CNN, of Al Jazeera’s Arabic language service, of the British BBC, and of the German ARD. The analysis shows cross-national similarities in several dimensions: the analyzed media devote nearly identical amounts of attention to the four events, employ similar stylistic devices to describe them, and evaluate them similarly. At the same time, there are notable differences. These differences are not found between Western channels and Al Jazeera – as proponents of a ‘clash of civilizations’ might expect – but between CNN and Al Jazeera on the one hand, and the BBC and ARD on the other. The former interpret the attacks as an expression of a global “war on terror”, whereas the latter see them as criminal attacks by a few individuals against the human civilization itself.
When news and memory come apart
Authors: Segev Elad , Hills Thomas
Published: October 2013

Prominent communication theories find a strong association between the news and our perception of the world. In this article, we compare the country names mentioned in the news with those recalled from the memory of individuals from four different nationalities: the United States, Israel, China, and Switzerland. Our findings suggest a more nuanced relationship between the news and memory. Larger and stronger countries are prominent in both news and memory. Countries engaged in conflicts or major events are more prominent in the news but less so in memory, while countries with social and geographical proximities are more prominent in our memory but less so in the news. These findings call for revision of the theory accordingly.
Honour among thieves? How morality and rationality influence the decision-making processes of convicted domestic burglars
Authors: Taylor Emmeline
Published: October 2013

Gaining the offender perspective is central to understanding domestic burglary, and is well documented. This article presents findings from 30 semi-structured interviews with convicted domestic burglars conducted in Greater Manchester, UK. The findings support the dominant supposition that domestic burglars operate within a bounded rationality, broadly calculating reward and risk in the commission of their offences. In addition, it was found that a sense of abstracted morality impacted on decision making. Burglars used cognitive ‘codes of practice’ which influenced target appraisal, shaped modus operandi, guided the search process and impacted on items stolen. The findings suggest that the role of neutralization techniques and morality should be (re)incorporated into the understanding of domestic burglars as rational offenders.
How Fast Do New Hotels Ramp Up Performance?
Authors: Enz Cathy A. , Peiró-Signes Ángel , Segarra-Oña María-del-Val
Published: October 2013

Using an event study methodology and data from 3,494 new entrants in the U.S. lodging industry, this paper examines how quickly new hotels ramp up their performance after opening. For the years 2006 through 2009, new entrants entered with average daily rates (ADRs) above incumbents, and took seven quarters (1.75 years) to ramp up occupancies to the levels of comparable incumbent hotels. These averages include performance behavior of brand-managed, franchisee-managed, and unaffiliated independent hotel new ventures compared with incumbent hotels in similar geographic markets, locations, and price segments. Overall, new hotels reached comparable revenue per available room (RevPAR) performance by the second quarter of the second year of operation. RevPAR ramp-up was earlier for brand-managed hotels (first quarter of the second year), an outcome primarily attributable to higher occupancies and lower initial ADRs. Independent hotels took substantially longer than other new entrants to reach the RevPAR performance of existing hotels. Based on the faster ramp-up of new branded properties, the chief implication is that hotel developers should consider affiliating with a brand for quicker stabilization and short-term gain. The speed of hotels’ ramp-up also calls into question the conventional view that new hotels represent a relatively risky investment.
Economic Benefit of a Novel Intensivist Coverage in a Surgical ICU
Authors: Goldberg Michael H. , Bily Thomas , Ritter Gary , Barrera Rafael
Published: October 2013

Objective. To assess the cost implications of changing the ICU staffing model from a mandatory 24-hour in-house critical care specialist presence to a 16-hour coverage model with external supervision. Design. A pre–post comparison was undertaken among the prospectively assessed cohorts of patients admitted to our surgical ICU over a period of 3 years. Our data were stratified by case mixed index. Costs were modeled using a generalized linear model with log-link and gamma-distributed errors. Setting. Tertiary medical facility. Patients. All patients admitted to the adult surgical intensive care unit during the study period of June 2007 to April 2013. Intervention. Changing the ICU staffing model from a mandatory 24/7 in-house critical care specialist presence to a 16/7 model with robotic rounding in off hours. Results. A total cost model was calculated and evaluated. Total cost estimates of hospitalization were calculated for each patient. Length of stay and mortality were evaluated. Adjusted mean total cost estimates per case were 29% lower in the postimplementation period relative to the preimplementation period. Mean net revenue increased by 367% in the postimplementation period relative to the preimplementation period. Billing charges increased by more than 70% and billing collections increased by more than 40% with the new model. Length of stay was reduced by 33% with the 16-hour model versus the preimplementation time frame and maintained at the lower level during the measurement period. Mortality rate was 59% lower in the postperiod relative to the preperiod. Demand analysis for surgical ICU service, length of stay cost and capacity issues improved. Conclusions. We found that a 16-hour ICU that incorporates robotic rounding, without per diem intensivists, reduces length of stay, mortality, cost estimates, and actual costs. We have also shown an increase in mean net revenue and billing collections. The cost of introducing this staffing model has the potential to favorably impact overall costs. In this study, the 16-hour critical care service model performed favorably both in terms of quality and cost. Clinical implications. This model increases total savings generated for such patients in smaller ICUs, especially ones that predominantly care for lower acuity patients. Critical care interventions are expensive and have a narrow safety margin. It is essential to develop structured and validated approaches to study the delivery of this resource.
Management of New Anticoagulants in the ICU
Authors: McKay Erin , Liu Linda
Published: October 2013

The development of novel anticoagulant drugs, namely factor Xa and factor IIa inhibitors, has proceeded at a remarkable pace over the past 15 years. Because of their ease of administration, predictable pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and relatively rapid onset and offset, they have begun to supplant warfarin, heparin, and low-molecular-weight heparin in many clinical settings. Unfortunately, their development and usage has far outpaced innovations in monitoring modalities and reversal agents leaving the intensivist with a paucity of tools for managing these drugs and their effects in the acute setting. This article will review four new anticoagulants: fondaparinux, rivaroxaban, argatroban, and dabigatran. For each drug, we will describe the mechanism of action, basic pharmacokinetics, current usages, monitoring techniques, and reversal mechanisms.
Severe Obesity and High Blood Pressure Among Children, Philadelphia Health Centers, 2010
Authors: Nguyen John V. , Robbins Jessica M. , Houck Kevin L. , Nobis Elizabeth A. , Inman Katelyn A. , Khan Khudsiya S. , Robbins Susan W.
Published: October 2013

Background: Child obesity is a major health problem particularly affecting disadvantaged population groups. Severe obesity carries additional health risks for children. In the context of the childhood obesity epidemic, high blood pressure among children is of increasing concern. Methods: Chart reviews were carried out to examine the prevalence of severe obesity and its association with high blood pressure measurements among randomly selected patients aged 3 to 17 years who had well-child care visits at 8 public community health centers during 2010. Results: A majority of the 691 patients reviewed were African American (58%); an additional 16% were Hispanic. The prevalence of severe obesity was 7.7% (95% confidence interval = 5.8% to 9.9%) and the prevalence of high blood pressure measurements was 17.5% (95% confidence interval = 14.8% to 20.6%). Patients who were severely obese were more than twice as likely as other children to have high blood pressure values. Conclusions: Severe obesity is associated with substantially increased frequency of high blood pressure measurements in children, and should be investigated further as a potential marker for hypertension in children. Primary care providers should be prepared to diagnose and treat hypertension in severely obese children.
Clinical Correlates of Autosomal Chromosomal Abnormalities in an Electronic Medical Record–Linked Genome-Wide Association Study
Authors: Jouni Hayan , Shameer Khader , Asmann Yan W. , Hazin Ribhi , de Andrade Mariza , Kullo Iftikhar J.
Published: October 2013

Although mosaic autosomal chromosomal abnormalities are being increasingly detected as part of high-density genotyping studies, the clinical correlates are unclear. From an electronic medical record (EMR)–based genome-wide association study (GWAS) of peripheral arterial disease, log-R-ratio and B-allele-frequency data were used to identify mosaic autosomal chromosomal abnormalities including copy number variation and loss of heterozygosity. The EMRs of patients with chromosomal abnormalities and those without chromosomal abnormalities were reviewed to compare clinical characteristics. Among 3336 study participants, 0.75% (n = 25, mean age = 74.8 ± 10.7 years, 64% men) had abnormal intensity plots indicative of autosomal chromosomal abnormalities. A hematologic malignancy was present in 8 patients (32%), of whom 4 also had a solid organ malignancy while 2 patients had a solid organ malignancy only. In 50 age- and sex-matched participants without chromosomal abnormalities, there was a lower rate of hematologic malignancies (2% vs 32%, P < .001) but not solid organ malignancies (20% vs 24%, P = .69). We also report the clinical characteristics of each patient with the observed chromosomal abnormalities. Interestingly, among 5 patients with 20q deletions, 4 had a myeloproliferative disorder while all 3 men in this group had prostate cancer. In summary, in a GWAS of 3336 adults, 0.75% had autosomal chromosomal abnormalities and nearly a third of them had hematologic malignancies. A potential novel association between 20q deletions, myeloproliferative disorders, and prostate cancer was also noted.
The histone methyltransferase Ezh2 is a crucial epigenetic regulator of allogeneic T-cell responses mediating graft-versus-host disease
Authors: He Shan , Xie Fang , Liu Yongnian , Tong Qing , Mochizuki Kazuhiro , Lapinski Philip E. , Mani Ram-Shankar , Reddy Pavan , Mochizuki Izumi , Chinnaiyan Arul M. , Mineishi Shin , King Philip D. , Zhang Yi
Published: October 2013

Key Points

Ezh2 is specifically required to induce effector cells producing IFN-γ and expansion of T cells late upon alloantigen activation. Genetic inactivation of Ezh2 function reduces GVHD but preserves antitumor effects in mice after allogeneic BMT.
De novo transcriptome profiling uncovers a drastic downregulation of photosynthesis upon nitrogen deprivation in the nonmodel green alga Botryosphaerella sudeticus
Authors: Sun Deying , Zhu Jiaqi , Fang Lei , Zhang Xin , Chow Yvonne , Liu Jianhua
Published: October 2013

Background

Neutral lipid storage is enhanced by nitrogen deprivation (ND) in numbers of green microalgal species. However, little is known about the metabolic pathways whose transcription levels are most significantly altered following ND in green microalgae, especially the nonmodel species.

Results

To start gaining knowledge on this, we performed transcriptome profiling of the nonmodel green microalga Botryosphaerella sudeticus cells in response to ND. Transcriptome of B. sudeticus is de novo assembled based on millions of HiSEQ short sequence reads using CLC Genomics Workbench software. The resulting non-redundant ESTs are annotated based on the best hits generated from the BLASTX homology comparison against the “best” proteins in the model microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Chlorella variabilis. By using a pathway-based approach according to KEGG databases, we show that ESTs encoding ribosomal proteins and photosynthetic functions are the most abundantly expressed ESTs in the rapidly growing B. sudeticus cells. We find that ESTs encoding photosynthetic function but not the ribosomal proteins are most drastically downregulated upon ND. Notably, ESTs encoding lipid metabolic pathways are not significantly upregulated. Further analyses indicate that chlorophyll content is markedly decreased by 3-fold and total lipid content is only slightly increased by 50%, consistent with the transcriptional profiling. On the other hand, carbon content and photosynthesis efficiency are only marginally decreased by 7% and 20%, respectively, indicating that photosynthesis is only slightly reduced upon drastic downregulation of photosynthetic ESTs and chlorophyll content upon ND. In addition, TAG content is found to be greatly increased by 50-fold, though total lipid content is only slightly increased by 1.5-fold.

Conclusions

Taken together, our results suggest that light-harvesting proteins and chlorophylls are in excess in B. sudeticus. Degradation of excess photosynthesis proteins is most likely a mechanism for recycling of nitrogen-rich molecules to synthesize new proteins for preparation of gametogenesis and zygospore formation in adaptation and survival upon ND. Furthermore, our analyses indicate that TAG accumulation is largely attributed to the modification of other pre-existing lipid molecules, rather than de novo synthesis. We propose that this is likely an evolutionarily conserved mechanism in many green microalgae species.
Long-distance transport of Gibberellic Acid Insensitive mRNA in Nicotiana benthamiana
Authors: Xu Haiyan , Iwashiro Reika , Li Tianzhong , Harada Takeo
Published: October 2013

Background

The Gibberellic Acid (GA) signal is governed by the GAI (Gibberellic Acid Insensitive) repressor, which is characterized by a highly conserved N-terminal DELLA domain. Deletion of the DELLA domain results in constitutive suppression of GA signaling. As the GAI transcript is transportable in phloem elements, a Δ-DELLA GAI (gai) transgenic stock plant can reduce the stature of a scion through transport of gai mRNA from the stock. However, little is known about the characteristics of a scion on a gai stock.

Results

Arabidopsis Δ-DELLA GAI (gai) was fused with a T7 epitope tag and expressed under the control of a companion cell-specific expression promoter, Commelina yellow mottle virus promoter (CoYMVp), to enhance transport in the phloem. The CoYMVp:Atgai-T7 (CgT) transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana exhibited a dwarf phenotype and lower sensitivity to GA enhancement of shoot stature. A wild-type (WT) scion on a CgT stock contained both Atgai-T7 mRNA and the translated product. Microarray analysis to clarify the effect of the CgT stock on the gene expression pattern in the scion clearly revealed that the WT scions on CgT stocks had fewer genes whose expression was altered in response to GA treatment. An apple rootstock variety, Malus prunifolia, integrating CoYMVp:Atgai moderately reduced the tree height of the apple cultivar scion.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that Atgai mRNA can move from companion cells to sieve tubes and that the translated product remains at the sites to which it is transported, resulting in attenuation of GA responses by reducing the expression of many genes. The induction of semi-dwarfism in an apple cultivar on root stock harbouring Atgai suggests that long-distance transport of mRNA from grafts would be applicable to horticulture crops.
Association between health examination items and body mass index among school children in Hualien, Taiwan
Authors: Chu Chia-Hsiang , Wang Jen-Hung , Jan Rong-Hwa , Huang Chih-Hao , Cheng Ching-Feng
Published: October 2013

Background

To assess the prevalence of obesity and major physical examination items including dental caries, myopia, pinworm, hematuria, and proteinuria among school children in Hualien, Taiwan. In addition, the health status differences between gender, grader, levels of residence urbanization, and body mass index (BMI) were examined.

Methods

Cross-sectional studies with a total of 11,080 students (age, 7–14 years) in grades 1, 4, and 7 were evaluated for weight, height, routine physical examination, and urine analysis during the 2010 Student Health Examination in Hualien. Frequencies, Chi-square test, and logistic regression were conducted using SPSS.

Results

Of the 11,080 students evaluated, 1357 (12.2%) were overweight, and 1421 (12.8%) were obese. There were significant differences in overweight/obese prevalence by gender, by grader, and by levels of residence urbanization. Dental caries, myopia, and obesity were the most prevalent health problems among these students (75.6%, 33.0%, and 12.8%, respectively). In crude and adjusted analyses, research results showed that there were significant differences in the prevalence of major physical examination items between different gender, grader, levels of residence urbanization, and BMI groups. Girls had a higher prevalence of dental caries, myopia, and hematuria than boys (all p < 0.01), whereas boys had a higher prevalence of pinworm than girls (p = 0.02). Students in higher grades had significantly higher prevalence of myopia, hematuria, and proteinuria (all p < 0.01), whereas students in lower grades had higher prevalence of dental caries and pinworm (p < 0.01). Students with abnormal BMI had lower prevalence of pinworm (p < 0.01). Students residing in suburban and rural areas had higher prevalence of dental caries, pinworm, and hematuria (all p < 0.01), and lower prevalence of myopia than students residing in urban areas (all p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Routine health examination provides an important way to detect students’ health problems. Our study elucidated major health problems among school children in Hualien, Taiwan. In addition, the results also indicated that the prevalence of health problems had a significant relationship with gender, grader, levels of residence urbanization, and BMI. It is suggested that school health interventions should consider students’ health profiles along with their risk factors status in planning.
Increased risk and related factors of depression among patients with COPD: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Tsai Tzung-Yi , Livneh Hanoch , Lu Ming-Chi , Tsai Pang-Yau , Chen Pei-Chun , Sung Fung-Chang
Published: October 2013

Background

Depression is a common and mostly undertreated problem in patients with chronic diseases. However, population-based studies on the association between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and subsequent depression are limited in Asian populations. This study evaluated the incidence and risk factors of depression for patients with COPD in Taiwan.

Methods

Using the claims data from the National Health Insurance of Taiwan, we identified 38,010 COPD patients newly diagnosed in 2000–2004 and 38,010 subjects without COPD frequency, matched by sex, age and index date. The incidence rate and hazard ratio for depression were estimated by the end of 2008.

Results

The incidence rate of depression was 1.88 folds higher in the COPD cohort than in the non-COPD cohort (12.2 versus 6.47 per 1,000 person-years, p < 0.0001). The depression risk was the greatest within the first year following COPD diagnosis and tended to decline with follow-up time. Among COPD patients, multivariate analysis showed that younger women and low-income patients were at higher risk of depression. Hospitalization and comorbidities such as hypertension, arthritis, cancer, and heart disease were also significant predictors for depression risk.

Conclusion

This population-based cohort study demonstrated a strong relationship between COPD and subsequent depression. These findings could assist healthcare providers to pinpoint individuals with a higher predisposition to having depression, which could then facilitate the provision of culturally appropriate rehabilitation within the first year after the diagnosis of COPD.
A 60-year review on the changing epidemiology of measles in capital Beijing, China, 1951-2011
Authors: Li Juan , Lu Li , Pang Xinghuo , Sun Meiping , Ma Rui , Liu Donglei , Wu Jiang
Published: October 2013

Background

China pledged to join the global effort to eliminate measles by 2012. To improve measles control strategy, the epidemic trend and population immunity of measles were investigated in 1951–2011 in Beijing.

Methods

The changing trend of measles since 1951 was described based on measles surveillance data from Beijing Centre of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The measles vaccination coverage and antibody level were assessed by routinely reported measles vaccination data and twenty-one sero-epidemiological surveys.

Results

The incidence of measles has decreased significantly from 593.5/100,000 in 1951 (peaked at 2721.0/100,000 in 1955), to 0.5/100,000 in 2011 due to increasing vaccination coverage of 95%-99%. Incidence rebounded from 6.6/100,000 to 24.5/100,000 since 2005 and decreased after measles vaccine (MV) supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) in 2010. Measles antibody positive rate was 85%-95% in most of years since 1981. High-risk districts were spotted in Chaoyang, Fengtai and Changping districts in recent 15 years. Age-specific incidence and proportion of measles varied over time. The most affected population were younger children of 1–4 years before 1978, older children of 5–14 years in 1978–1996, infant of <1 years and adults of ≥15 years in period of aim to measles elimination.

Conclusion

Strategies at different stages had a prevailing effect on the epidemic dynamics of measles in recent 60 years in Beijing. It will be essential to validate reported vaccination coverage, improve vaccination coverage in adults and strengthen measles surveillance in the anticipated elimination campaign for measles.
Development of selectable marker free, insect resistant, transgenic mustard (Brassica juncea) plants using Cre/loxmediated recombination
Authors: Bala Arpita , Roy Amit , Das Ayan , Chakraborti Dipankar , Das Sampa
Published: October 2013

Background

Antibiotic/ herbicide resistant marker genes have been proven to be very useful in plant transformation for the initial selection of desired transgenic events. However, presence of these genes in the genetically modified crops may render the crop less acceptable to the consumers. Among several different approaches, the effectiveness of Cre/lox mediated recombination strategy for selectable marker gene (SMG) elimination has previously been demonstrated by different groups in several plants including Brassica. In the present study exploiting Cre/lox mediated recombination strategy, attempt has been made for selectable marker gene elimination from Allium sativum leaf agglutinin (ASAL) expressing Brassica plants with hemipteran insect resistant phenotype.

Results

Allium sativum leaf agglutinin (ASAL) linked with lox flanked hygromycin resistant (hpt) gene was introduced in mustard. Cre recombinase gene cassette was also integrated in separate event. A Cre/lox mediated recombination using crossing strategy was adopted to remove the hpt gene from the subsequent generation of selected hybrid events. Reciprocal crosses were made between T1
ASAL-lox-hpt-lox and cre-bar plants. Marker gene elimination was confirmed in the resulting F1 hybrid progenies by PCR analysis, using hpt, cre and ASAL specific primers followed by Southern hybridization. In marker free plants, expression of ASAL was also confirmed by western blotting and ELISA analysis. Retention of functionality of expressed ASAL was investigated by agglutination assay using rabbit erythrocytes. Expressed ASAL was also found to be thermo-sensitive. In planta insect bioassay on F1 hybrid progenies exhibited detrimental effect on the performance of devastating target pest, Lipaphis erysimi. The F1 hybrid hpt negative, ASAL positive plants were allowed to self- fertilize to obtain F2 progeny plants. In some of these plants cre gene was found to be segregated out of the ASAL gene by genetic segregation yielding completely marker free plants.

Conclusions

The present study establishes the efficient expression of the newly introduced insect resistant ASAL gene even after Cre/lox mediated recombination resulting in elimination of selectable marker gene.
Antibacterial effects of Apis mellifera and stingless bees honeys on susceptible and resistant strains of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae in Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Ewnetu Yalemwork , Lemma Wossenseged , Birhane Nega
Published: October 2013

Background

Honey is a natural substance produced by honeybees and has nutritional and therapeutic uses. In Ethiopia, honeys are used traditionally to treat wounds, respiratory infections and diarrhoea. Recent increase of drug resistant bacteria against the existing antibiotics forced investigators to search for alternative natural remedies and evaluate their potential use on scientific bases. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial effects of different types of honeys in Ethiopia which are used traditionally to treat different types of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections.

Methods

Mueller Hinton agar (70191) diffusion and nutrient broth culture medium assays were performed to determine susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and resistant clinical isolates (Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA), Escherichia coli(R) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (R), using honeys of Apis mellifera and stingless bees in northern and north western Ethiopia.

Results

Honey of the stingless bees produced the highest mean inhibition (22.27 ± 3.79 mm) compared to white honey (21.0 ± 2.7 mm) and yellow honey (18.0 ± 2.3 mm) at 50% (v/v) concentration on all the standard and resistant strains. Stingless bees honey was found to have Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 6.25% (6.25 mg/ml) for 80% of the test organisms compared to 40% for white and yellow Apis mellifera honeys. All the honeys were found to have minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 12.5% (12.5 mg/ml) against all the test organisms. Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) was susceptible to amoxicillin, methicillin, kanamycine, tetracycline, and vancomycine standard antibiotic discs used for susceptibility tests. Similarly, Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) was found susceptible for kanamycine, tetracycline and vancomycine. Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) has not been tested for amoxicillin ampicillin and methicillin. The susceptibility tests performed against Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Escherichia coli (R) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (R) using three of methicillin, erythromycin, ampicillin, Penicillin and amoxicillin discs were resistant. But, these drug resistant strains were susceptible to antibacterial agents found in the honeys and inhibited from 16 mm to 20.33 mm.

Conclusions

Honeys in Ethiopia can be used as therapeutic agents for drug resistant bacteria after pharmaceutical standardization and clinical trials.
The association among leukocyte apoptosis, autoantibodies and disease severity in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Su Yu-Jih , Cheng Tien-Tsai , Chen Chung-Jen , Chiu Wen-Chan , Hsu Chung-Yuan , Chang Wen-Neng , Tsai Nai-Wen , Kung Chia-Te , Wang Hung-Chen , Lin Wei-Che , Huang Chih-Cheng , Chang Ya-Ting , Su Chih-Min , Chiang Yi-Fang , Cheng Ben-Chung , Lin Yu-Jun , Lu Cheng-Hsien
Published: October 2013

Background

Both apoptosis and autoantibodies are important factors associated with disease activity in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study tested the hypothesis that increased leukocyte apoptosis is associated with elevated levels of autoantibodies and the disease activity of SLE.

Methods

Leukocyte apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry, including annexin V, APO2.7, and 7-amino-actinomycin D (7-AAD) on each subtype of leukocyte in 23 patients with SLE. Leukocyte apoptosis was also evaluated in nine patients with Sjogren’s syndrome (SJS) and in 20 volunteer subjects. Titers of common autoantibodies and the disease activity index (SLEDAI-2 k) of the SLE patients were also determined.

Results

Except for annexin V and APO 2.7 of monocytes and late apoptosis (annexin V + 7-ADD) of lymphocytes, apoptosis in the total and in subsets of leukocytes were significantly higher in SLE patients than in controls (all p < 0.05, post hoc analysis). The mean percentage of late apoptosis of leukocytes (annexin V + 7-AAD) positively correlated with levels of anti-Ro52/60 (r = 0.513, p < 0.01), anti-La (r = 0.439, p = 0.04), and anti-Mi-2 (r = 0.492, p = 0.02), and inversely correlated with both C3 and C4 levels, although not statistically significant. The percentage of APO2.7 of CD19+ cells positively correlated with SLEDAI-2 K score (p = 0.01).

Conclusions

Leukocyte apoptosis is significantly higher in patients with SLE and correlates well with the levels of several autoantibodies. The APO2.7 of B-lymphocyte (CD19+) cells positively correlates with the disease activity of SLE.