bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The initial phase of chromosome condensation requires Cdk1-mediated phosphorylation of the CAP-D3 subunit of condensin II
Authors: Abe Satoshi , Nagasaka Kota , Hirayama Youko , Kozuka-Hata Hiroko , Oyama Masaaki , Aoyagi Yutaka , Obuse Chikashi , Hirota Toru
Published: April 2011

The cell cycle transition from interphase into mitosis is best characterized by the appearance of condensed chromosomes that become microscopically visible as thread-like structures in nuclei. Biochemically, launching the mitotic program requires the activation of the mitotic cyclin-dependent kinase Cdk1 (cyclin-dependent kinase 1), but whether and how Cdk1 triggers chromosome assembly at mitotic entry are not well understood. Here we report that mitotic chromosome assembly in prophase depends on Cdk1-mediated phosphorylation of the condensin II complex. We identified Thr 1415 of the CAP-D3 subunit as a Cdk1 phosphorylation site, which proved crucial as it was required for the Polo kinase Plk1 (Polo-like kinase 1) to localize to chromosome axes through binding to CAP-D3 and thereby hyperphosphorylate the condensin II complex. Live-cell imaging analysis of cells carrying nonphosphorylatable CAP-D3 mutants in place of endogenous protein suggested that phosphorylation of Thr 1415 is required for timely chromosome condensation during prophase, and that the Plk1-mediated phosphorylation of condensin II facilitates its ability to assemble chromosomes properly. These observations provide an explanation for how Cdk1 induces chromosome assembly in cells entering mitosis, and underscore the significance of the cooperative action of Plk1 with Cdk1.
Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 directly regulates murine neurogenesis
Authors: Calvo Charles-Félix , Fontaine Romain H. , Soueid Jihane , Tammela Tuomas , Makinen Taija , Alfaro-Cervello Clara , Bonnaud Fabien , Miguez Andres , Benhaim Lucile , Xu Yunling , Barallobre Maria-José , Moutkine Imane , Lyytikkä Johannes , Tatlisumak Turgut , Pytowski Bronislaw , Zalc Bernard , Richardson William , Kessaris Nicoletta , Garcia-Verdugo Jose Manuel , Alitalo Kari , Eichmann Anne , Thomas Jean-Léon
Published: April 2011

Neural stem cells (NSCs) are slowly dividing astrocytes that are intimately associated with capillary endothelial cells in the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the brain. Functionally, members of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family can stimulate neurogenesis as well as angiogenesis, but it has been unclear whether they act directly via VEGF receptors (VEGFRs) expressed by neural cells, or indirectly via the release of growth factors from angiogenic capillaries. Here, we show that VEGFR-3, a receptor required for lymphangiogenesis, is expressed by NSCs and is directly required for neurogenesis.Vegfr3:YFPreporter mice show VEGFR-3 expression in multipotent NSCs, which are capable of self-renewal and are activated by the VEGFR-3 ligand VEGF-C in vitro. Overexpression of VEGF-C stimulates VEGFR-3-expressing NSCs and neurogenesis in the SVZ without affecting angiogenesis. Conversely, conditional deletion ofVegfr3in neural cells, inducible deletion in subventricular astrocytes, and blocking of VEGFR-3 signaling with antibodies reduce SVZ neurogenesis. Therefore, VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 signaling acts directly on NSCs and regulates adult neurogenesis, opening potential approaches for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Collaborative Cross mice and their power to map host susceptibility toAspergillus fumigatusinfection
Authors: Durrant Caroline , Tayem Hanna , Yalcin Binnaz , Cleak James , Goodstadt Leo , Pardo-Manuel de Villena Fernando , Mott Richard , Iraqi Fuad A.
Published: April 2011

The Collaborative Cross (CC) is a genetic reference panel of recombinant inbred lines of mice, designed for the dissection of complex traits and gene networks. Each line is independently descended from eight genetically diverse founder strains such that the genomes of the CC lines, once fully inbred, are fine-grained homozygous mosaics of the founder haplotypes. We present an analysis of 120 CC lines, from a cohort of the CC bred at Tel Aviv University in collaboration with the University of Oxford, which at the time of this study were between the sixth and 12th generations of inbreeding and substantially homozygous at 170,000 SNPs. We show how CC genomes decompose into mosaics, and we identify loci that carry a deficiency or excess of a founder, many being deficient for the wild-derived strains WSB/EiJ and PWK/PhJ. We phenotyped 371 mice from 66 CC lines for a susceptibility toAspergillus fumigatusinfection. The survival time after infection varied significantly between CC lines. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping identified genome-wide significant QTLs on chromosomes 2, 3, 8, 10 (two QTLs), 15, and 18. Simulations show that QTL mapping resolution (the median distance between the QTL peak and true location) varied between 0.47 and 1.18 Mb. Most of the QTLs involved contrasts between wild-derived founder strains and therefore would not segregate between classical inbred strains. Use of variation data from the genomes of the CC founder strains refined these QTLs further and suggested several candidate genes. These results support the use of the CC for dissecting complex traits.
Response to Paulo et al.: Japanese patients equally likely to benefit from aprepitant for chemotherapy‐induced nausea and vomiting prevention
Authors: Takahashi Toshiaki , Hoshi Eishin , Takagi Masakazu , Katsumata Noriyuki , Kawahara Masaaki , Eguchi Kenji
Published: April 2011

(Cancer Sci 2011; 102: 1113)
Multicentre phase II study of the CyclOBEAP regimen for patients with peripheral T‐cell lymphoma with analysis of biomarkers
Authors: Niitsu Nozomi , Hayama Miyuki , Yoshino Tadashi , Nakamura Shigeo , Tamaru Jun‐Ichi , Nakamine Hirokazu , Okamoto Masataka
Published: April 2011

Peripheral T‐cell lymphoma (PTCL) has a poorer prognosis than diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We administered the CyclOBEAP regimen (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, prednisolone) to patients with DLBCL, and reported its safety and efficacy. Here, we report the results of a multicentre phase II study of the CyclOBEAP regimen in patients with PTCL. In addition, NME1 remained a prognostic factor for survival, as shown in patients who were treated with CyclOBEAP. There were 84 eligible patients and the median age was 54 years. The 5‐year overall survival (OS) rate was 72% and progression‐free survival (PFS) rate was 61%. The 5‐year OS was 93% among the anaplastic large‐cell lymphoma cases, 74% among the angioimmunoblastic T‐cell lymphoma cases, and 63% among the cases of PTCL‐not otherwise specified. When the patients were divided according to the International Prognostic Index or Prognostic Index for PTCL, the 5‐year OS and PFS rates did not significantly differ among the risk groups. Positivity for NME1 was found to be a significant independent prognostic factor. Grade 4 neutropenia was observed in 80 patients and thrombocytopenia in nine patients. Our results suggest that the CyclOBEAP therapy is safe and effective for PTCLs. Furthermore, the NME1 protein may be an important prognostic factor in PTCL.
Direct activation of STAT5 by ETV6‐LYN fusion protein promotes induction of myeloproliferative neoplasm with myelofibrosis
Authors: Takeda Yusuke , Nakaseko Chiaki , Tanaka Hiroaki , Takeuchi Masahiro , Yui Makiko , Saraya Atsunori , Miyagi Satoru , Wang Changshan , Tanaka Satomi , Ohwada Chikako , Sakaida Emiko , Yamaguchi Naoto , Yokote Koutaro , Hennighausen Lothar , Iwama Atsushi
Published: April 2011

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), a group of haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) disorders, are often accompanied by myelofibrosis. We previously identified the fusion of the ETV6 gene to the LYN gene (ETV6‐LYN) in idiopathic myelofibrosis with ins(12;8)(p13;q11q21). The introduction of ETV6‐LYN into HSCs resulted in fatal MPN with massive myelofibrosis in mice, implicating the rearranged LYN kinase in the pathogenesis of MPN with myelofibrosis. However, the signalling molecules directly downstream from and activated by ETV6‐LYN remain unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that the direct activation of STAT5 by ETV6‐LYN is crucial for the development of MPN. ETV6‐LYN was constitutively active as a kinase through autophosphorylation. ETV6‐LYN, but not its kinase‐dead mutant, supported cytokine‐free proliferation of haematopoietic cells. STAT5 was activated in a JAK2‐independent manner in ETV6‐LYN‐expressing cells. ETV6‐LYN interacted with STAT5 and directly activated STAT5 both in vitro and in vivo. Of note, ETV6‐LYN did not support the formation of colonies by Stat5‐deficient HSCs under cytokine‐free conditions and the capacity of ETV6‐LYN to induce MPN with myelofibrosis was profoundly attenuated in a Stat5‐null background. These findings define STAT5 as a direct target of ETV6‐LYN and unveil the LYN‐STAT5 axis as a novel pathway to augment proliferative signals in MPN and leukaemia.
Aberrantly activated anti‐apoptotic signalling mechanisms in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cells: clues to the identification of novel therapeutic targets
Authors: Gitendra Wickremasinghe R. , Prentice Archibald G. , Steele Andrew J.
Published: April 2011

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is the commonest haematological malignancy in the western world and is incurable by cytotoxic therapy. Considerable research effort has identified the signal transduction pathways in CLL cells that contribute to anti‐apoptotic signalling. Some pathways are constitutively activated in CLL cells but upregulated in normal cells only when protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) are activated by ligands. This review describes which PTKs are aberrantly activated in CLL cells and are potential targets for inhibition. Additional potential targets within pathways downstream of these PTKs include Mek/Erk, mTorc1, protein kinase C, PI‐3 kinase/Akt, nuclear factor‐κB and cyclin‐dependent protein kinase. Numerous studies have identified chemical agents and antibodies that selectively kill CLL cells, irrespective of their genetic resistance to conventional chemotherapeutic agents, and which can overcome cytoprotective microenvironmental signalling. These studies have resulted in identification of novel therapies, some of which are currently undergoing clinical trials. In vitro and animal model studies and clinical trials could determine which inhibitors of which targets are the likely to be most effective and least toxic either singly or in combination.
Minimal disease assessment in the treatment of children and adolescents with intermediate‐risk (Stage III/IV) B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma: a children’s oncology group report
Authors: Shiramizu Bruce , Goldman Stanton , Kusao Ian , Agsalda Melissa , Lynch James , Smith Lynette , Harrison Lauren , Morris Erin , Gross Thomas G. , Sanger Warren , Perkins Sherrie , Cairo Mitchell S.
Published: April 2011

Children/adolescents with mature B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (B‐NHL) have an excellent prognosis but relapses still occur. While chromosomal aberrations and/or clonal immunoglobulin (Ig) gene rearrangements may indicate risk of failure, a more universal approach was developed to detect minimal disease (MD). Children/adolescents with intermediate‐risk B‐NHL were treated with French‐British‐American/Lymphome Malins de Burkitt 96 (FAB/LMB96) B4 modified chemotherapy and rituximab. Specimens from diagnosis, end of induction (EOI), and end of therapy (EOT) were assayed for MD. Initial specimens were screened for IGHV family usage with primer pools followed by individual primers to identify MD. Thirty‐two diagnostic/staging specimens screened positive with primer pools and unique IGHV family primers were identified. Two patients relapsed; first relapse (4 months from diagnosis) was MD‐positive at EOI, the second (36 months from diagnosis) was MD‐positive at EOT. At EOI, recurrent rates were similar between the MRD‐positive and MRD‐negative patients (P = 0·40). At EOT, only 13/32 patients had MRD data available with one relapse in the MRD‐positive group and no recurrences in the MRD‐negative group (P = 0·077). The study demonstrated molecular‐disseminated disease in which IgIGHV primer pools could be used to assess MD. This feasibility study supports future investigations to assess the validity and significance of MD screening in a larger cohort of patients with intermediate‐risk mature B‐NHL.
Analysis of newly detected mutations in the MCFD2 gene giving rise to combined deficiency of coagulation factors V and VIII
Authors: ELMAHMOUDI H. , WIGREN E. , LAATIRI A. , JLIZI A. , ELGAAIED A. , GOUIDER E. , LINDQVIST Y.
Published: April 2011

Summary.  Combined deficiency of coagulation factor V (FV) and factor VIII (FVIII) (F5F8D) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by mild‐to‐moderate bleeding and reduction in FV and FVIII levels in plasma. F5F8D is caused by mutations in one of two different genes, LMAN1 and MCFD2, which encode proteins that form a complex involved in the transport of FV and FVIII from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus. Here, we report the identification of a novel mutation Asp89Asn in the MCFD2 gene in a Tunisian patient. In the encoded protein, this mutation causes substitution of a negatively charged aspartate, involved in several structurally important interactions, to an uncharged asparagine. To elucidate the structural effect of this mutation, we performed circular dichroism (CD) analysis of secondary structure and stability. In addition, CD analysis was performed on two missense mutations found in previously reported F5F8D patients. Our results show that all analysed mutant variants give rise to destabilized proteins and highlight the importance of a structurally intact and functional MCFD2 for the efficient secretion of coagulation factors V and VIII.
Motivational interviewing: a useful approach to improving cardiovascular health?
Authors: Thompson David R , Chair Sek Y , Chan Sally W , Astin Felicity , Davidson Patricia M , Ski Chantal F
Published: April 2011

Aim.  To review and synthesise, systematically, the research findings regarding motivational interviewing and to inform education, research and practice in relation to cardiovascular health.

Background.  Motivational interviewing is designed to engage ambivalent or resistant clients in the process of health behaviour change, and it has been widely used in different clinical conditions such as substance abuse, dietary adherence and smoking cessation. Motivational interviewing has also been proposed as a method for improving modifiable coronary heart disease risk factors of patients.

Design.  Systematic review.

Method.  Eligible studies published in 1999–2009 were identified from the following databases: CINAHL, Medline, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, EBSCO, Web of Science, Embase and British Nursing Index. A manual search was conducted of bibliographies of the identified studies and relevant journals. Two researchers independently reviewed the studies.

Results.  Four meta‐analyses, one systematic review and three literature reviews of motivational interviewing and five primary studies of motivational interviewing pertaining to cardiovascular health were identified. Despite a dearth of primary studies in cardiovascular health settings, there appears to be strong evidence that motivational interviewing is an effective approach focusing on eliciting the person’s intrinsic motivation for change of behaviour.

Conclusion.  Motivational interviewing is an effective approach to changing behaviour. It offers promise in improving cardiovascular health status.

Relevance to clinical practice.  This review indicates that motivational interviewing is a useful method to help nurses improve health behaviour in people with coronary risk factors.
Participants’ perceptions of the factors that influence Diabetes Self‐Management Following a Structured Education (DAFNE) programme
Authors: Murphy Kathy , Casey Dympna , Dinneen Sean , Lawton Julia , Brown Florence
Published: April 2011

Aim.  The aim of this study was to understand the experience of participants in the Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating programme and to identify factors that influence participants’ implementation of the self‐management guidelines.

Background.  The literature revealed that structured education programmes, such as Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating programme, have many positive outcomes for people with Type 1 diabetes including: a decrease in HbA1c levels, reductions in hypoglycaemic events, reduction in hospital admissions and increased and sustained quality of life. Few researchers, however, have gathered participants’ perspectives on the impact of participation in a Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating programme on self‐management capacity.

Design.  A grounded theory design focused on description guided by Corbin and Strauss was used. Data collection and analysis were concurrent using the constant comparative technique.

Methods.  Over 24 months, 2006–2008, interviews were undertaken with 40 participants who had completed a Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating programme in one of five study sites across Ireland. Purposive sampling was used, initially, with theoretical relational sampling towards the end of the interviews as concepts emerged. The interviews lasted from 30–60 minutes and were transcribed verbatim.

Results.  Five factors that influenced participants’ self‐management of their diabetes following dose adjustment for normal eating were identified. These were knowledge, support, motivation, relationship shift and empowerment, and these were all related to the core category, ‘Being in Control’.

Conclusion.  Understanding the factors that influence self‐management in Ireland is important as it broadens prior knowledge and confirms the factors that are important to facilitate self‐management.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Understanding the factors that influence the implementation of dose adjustment for normal eating principles can help health professionals give more focused and empowering care to persons with diabetes. Using the persons’ experience and expertise is essential as it can help them develop their internal resources.
Evaluation of a cardiovascular health promotion programme offered to low‐income women in Korea
Authors: Ok Ham Kyung , Jeong Kim Bong
Published: April 2011

Aims.  The study aimed to evaluate a cardiovascular health promotion programme, using an empowerment model, provided to low‐income midlife women in South Korea.

Background.  Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among Korean women, constituting 29% of all deaths among women in South Korea.

Design.  A pre‐ and post‐test experimental study design was used. The programme, which included two hours of lecture‐based health education and one hour of small group discussion, was provided each week for six weeks. Telephone counselling was also provided. The topic of education included hypertension and cardiovascular disease, smoking and alcohol consumption, diet, exercise, stress management and compliance with medication instructions.

Methods.  Forty midlife women who had at least two cardiovascular disease risk factors participated in the study. Biological (blood pressure, blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol) and health behaviour risk factors (smoking, exercise, alcohol consumption and diet) and psychosocial variables (knowledge, self‐efficacy, depression and health‐related quality of life) were measured for programme evaluation.

Results.  Most of the risk factors were reduced, including blood pressure, total cholesterol, blood glucose and total cholesterol/high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (p < 0·05), while knowledge, self‐efficacy and health‐related quality of life were improved (p < 0·05). Changes related to smoking and exercise behaviour were not significant (p > 0·05).

Conclusions.  The programme was effective in decreasing biological risks and improving health‐related quality of life, whereas it was ineffective in modifying unhealthy behaviour.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Low‐income women are a disenfranchised group and have relatively higher rates of health problems and unhealthy lifestyles. Provision of empowerment programmes targeting these women may increase their sense of control and reduce powerlessness.
An evaluation of hospital hand hygiene practice and glove use in Hong Kong
Authors: Chau Janita P‐C , Thompson David R , Twinn Sheila , Lee Diana TF , Pang Sharon WM
Published: April 2011

Aim.  To identify omissions in hand hygiene practice and glove use among hospital workers in Hong Kong.

Background.  Hospital‐acquired infection is the commonest complication affecting hospitalised patients. Even though research evidence suggests that hand hygiene and proper glove use are the most important ways to prevent the spread of disease and infection, compliance with both are reported to be unacceptably low.

Design.  An observational study of hospital workers in one acute and two convalescence and rehabilitation hospitals in Hong Kong was conducted. The participating clinical areas included the medical and surgical wards, accident and emergency department and intensive care unit.

Methods.  Hand hygiene practice and glove use amongst 206 hospital health and support workers, stratified according to years of working experience, were observed.

Results.  The number of observed episodes for hand hygiene was 1037 and for glove use 304. Compliance with hand hygiene was 74·7% and with glove use 72·4%. In approximately two‐third of episodes, participants washed their hands after each patient contact; though, 78·5% failed to rub their hands together vigorously for at least 15 seconds. The major break in compliance with glove use was failure to change gloves between procedures on the same patient. In 28·6% of observed glove use episodes, participants did not wear gloves during procedures that exposed them to blood, body fluids, excretion, non‐intact skin or mucous membranes. Significant differences in performance scores on antiseptic hand rub were found between the two types of hospital and on glove use between the three groups of work experience: ≤5, 6–10, >10 years.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Education and reinforcement of proper hand hygiene practice and glove use among hospital health and support workers is needed.
Implementation of clinical guidelines for adults with asthma and diabetes: a three‐year follow‐up evaluation of nursing care
Authors: Higuchi Kathryn Smith , Davies Barbara L , Edwards Nancy , Ploeg Jenny , Virani Tazim
Published: April 2011

Aims and objectives.  To report on a three‐year follow‐up evaluation in Canada of nursing care indicators following the implementation of the Adult Asthma Care Best Practice Guideline and the Reducing Foot Complications for People with Diabetes Best Practice Guideline and to describe the contextual changes in the clinical settings.

Background.  The Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario in Canada has developed and published more than 42 guidelines related to clinical nursing practice and healthy work environments. To date, evaluation has involved one‐year studies of the impact of guideline implementation on the delivery of care in hospital and community settings, but little is known about whether changes in practice that were made during the initial implementation period have been sustained.

Design.  Longitudinal follow‐up study.

Methods.  Site observations and interviews were conducted with key informants at two hospitals. Indicators of nursing care changes identified six months post‐implementation were compared with indicators found during a retrospective chart audit at the same sites three years later. Fisher exact tests were used to compare outcomes for the two time periods.

Results.  Three out of 12 indicators related to asthma care remained consistently high (≥84% of audited charts) and four indicators declined significantly (p < 0·01). There were significant (p ≤ 0·05) improvements in nine out of 12 indicators related to diabetes foot care. Important contextual changes were made to better address the guideline recommendations for foot care in the out‐patient program and the electronic documentation system.

Conclusions.  Sustainability of guideline implementation recommendations was enhanced with the use of an electronic documentation system.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Long‐term follow‐up of both clinical indicators and contextual factors are important to monitor to promote sustained implementation of guidelines.
No gender differences in fatigue and functional limitations due to fatigue among patients with COPD
Authors: Theander Kersti , Unosson Mitra
Published: April 2011

Aims and objectives.  To examine gender differences in experiences of fatigue and functional limitations due to fatigue in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and a comparison group.

Background.  Fatigue is a major problem for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The prevalence rate of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in females is increasing and to our knowledge there are few studies reporting gender differences in one of their worst symptoms, fatigue and functional limitations due to fatigue.

Design.  This study has a descriptive cross‐sectional design.

Methods.  Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (n = 345) and a comparison group of the same gender and age from the same region as the patients (n = 245) answered mailed questions about the frequency, duration and severity of fatigue and the fatigue impact scale.

Results.  High frequency (≥20 days/month), long duration (≥6 hours/day) and great severity (one of my worst symptoms) of fatigue were experienced by 51%, 54% and 44% of the male patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, respectively and 60%, 55% and 51% of the female patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, respectively. The figures for the males from the comparison group were 14%, 24% and 17% and for the females 30%, 42% and 32%, respectively. There were no gender differences regarding fatigue (frequency, duration and severity) or functional limitations due to fatigue in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients, while the differences between males and females from the comparison group were statistically significant for frequency and severity of fatigue as well as functional limitation due to fatigue.

Conclusion.  In the comparison group, there were gender differences regarding fatigue, as well as functional limitations due to fatigue. This was not observed in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease group.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The results of this study suggest that nurses should not take for granted that female patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease experience more fatigue than men.
Isolation and characterisation of the first microsatellite markers for Cyperus rotundus
Authors: ARIAS R S , MOLIN W T , RAY J D , PEEL M D , SCHEFFLER B E
Published: April 2011

Arias RS, Molin WT, Ray JD, Peel MD & Scheffler BE (2011). Isolation and characterisation of the first microsatellite markers for Cyperus rotundus. Weed Research51, 451–460.

This is the first report of microsatellite markers for Cyperus rotundus. A total of 191 sequence‐specific microsatellite markers were isolated and used to screen 12 accessions of C. rotundus and one accession of Cyperus esculentus collected from 10 different countries. Polymorphisms were observed in 49% of the markers tested, 22% of the markers were monomorphic and 29% had weak or no amplification. The best 57 markers are reported, and cluster analysis was used to analyse their resolving power. BLASTx screening of the contig sequences was also performed. Multiallelic loci over all samples ranged from 24% to 60%. The maximum number of alleles detected by the markers suggests a polyploidy nature of all C. rotundus accessions tested, except for the sample N25‐Brazil. Chromosome number was determined for N12‐Taiwan and used as an internal flow cytometry standard to estimate the amount of DNA within haploid nuclei of the remaining material. Chromosome numbers estimated for C. rotundus were 16 and 24. The markers identified in this study can be used for the identification of biotypes and detection of potential crosses of C. rotundus, to implement management practices for the effective control of this weed.
Comparative analysis of duplicated sox21 genes in zebrafish
Authors: Lan Xianjiang , Wen Lu , Li Kui , Liu Xiaojun , Luo Benping , Chen Feng , Xie Dan , Kung Hsiang‐fu
Published: April 2011

Sox21 is thought to function as a counteracting partner of SoxB1 (Sox1, 2, 3) genes and is involved in cell fate determination. In this study, we comparatively analyzed the expression patterns and conserved cis‐regulatory elements of the duplicated sox21 genes in zebrafish. In embryogenesis, sox21b is predominantly expressed in the telencephalon, hypothalamus, mesencephalon and lens, and sox21a is solely expressed in the midbrain‐hindbrain boundary, olfactory placode and lateral line, while both genes are expressed in the hindbrain, spinal cord and ear. In adult, sox21a is expressed in the brain, skin, ovary and intestine, while sox21b is expressed in the brain and testis. Interestingly, all 16 pan‐vertebrate conserved non‐coding elements (CNEs) are asymmetrically preserved in the sox21b locus, whereas two fish‐specific elements are kept in the sox21a locus, and this is correlated with increased evolutionary rate of the sox21a protein sequence. Transient transgenic reporter analysis revealed that six sox21b CNEs and two sox21a CNEs drove green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression in tissues correlated with the partitioning of expression in two orthologues. These results indicate that sox21a and sox21b have reciprocally lost expression domains of the ancestral gene reflected by degeneration of certain CNEs in their genomic loci and provide clear evidence for evolution of the duplicated sox21 genes by subfunctionalization. In addition, our data suggest that some CNEs‐based regulatory pathways have been predominantly preserved in the sox21b locus.
Effects of maternal smoking during pregnancy on body composition in offspring
Authors: Ino Toshihiro , Shibuya Tomoyuki , Saito Kota , Ohtani Tetsuya
Published: April 2011

Background:  The aim of the present cross‐sectional study was to use objective methods to assess the association between maternal smoking and body composition in offspring.

Methods:  A total of 2508 grade 4 school children were enrolled; all underwent lifestyle disease and passive smoking screening. Children were classified into four groups according to their urinary cotinine level and maternal smoking status during or before pregnancy. Items measured on lifestyle disease screening were compared among the four groups.

Results:  Only degree of obesity (DO) and body mass index (BMI) were significantly associated with maternal smoking during pregnancy. The prevalence of both DO >20% and DO >30%, and BMI >22% and BMI >25% was highest in children of mothers who smoked during pregnancy. These children had a tendency toward shorter height and increased weight although it was not statistically significant. There were no significant differences between maternal smoking status and lipid profile among groups. Confounders such as food, exercise and sleep were able to be eliminated

Conclusion:  Maternal smoking during pregnancy may be an independent risk factor of changing body composition in offspring, that is, shorter height and increased weight.
Fluoroscopic‐assisted endobronchial intubation for single‐lung ventilation in infants
Authors: Cohen David E. , McCloskey John J. , Motas Dominika , Archer John , Flake Alan W.
Published: April 2011

Objective:  Review our institutional experience with an alternative to fiberoptic‐guided endobronchial intubation.

Aim:  The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to present our experience with the use of fluoroscopy to facilitate endobronchial lung isolation in infants undergoing thoracoscopic procedures.

Background:  Anesthesiologists are more frequently being asked to anesthetize infants and small children for thoracoscopic surgery. Typically, endobronchial intubation or bronchial blockers are utilized to achieve lung isolation during these procedures. However, sometimes small and complicated anatomy can make this challenging.

Methods:  Respective chart review over a 13‐month period of infants undergoing thoracoscopic excision of congenital lung lesions at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Rate of success in achieving lung isolation along with time of fluoroscopy exposure were recorded.

Results:  Twenty infants had thoracoscopic lung surgery attempted during the period of the review. Lung isolation was successfully achieved in all of the patients. The average exposure to fluoroscopy was 83.7 s (range 20–320 s).

Conclusions:  Fluoroscopic aided lung isolation is a reliable and effective alternative method to the use of fiberoptic bronchoscope for endobronchial intubation in infants.
Do Maori and Pacific Islander men present with more advanced prostate cancer than European New Zealand men? An analysis of 486 men undergoing biopsy in Auckland
Authors: Pokorny Morgan R. , Scott David J.
Published: April 2011

Study Type – Diagnosis (prevalence study)

Level of Evidence 2b

OBJECTIVE

• To address the question of whether Maori and Pacific Islander men in Auckland present with more advanced prostate cancer at diagnosis than New Zealand European or European men.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• A retrospective database audit was undertaken of all men presenting for a first prostate biopsy under the Auckland Hospital Urology Service in 2005 and 2006.

• Ethnicity was coded from self‐identification codes on hospital databases.

• Population numbers were obtained from the 2006 Census figures from Statistics New Zealand.

• Primary outcome measures used as surrogates for advanced disease were PSA level at biopsy, Gleason Score and palpable abnormality on digital rectal examination and rates of metastatic disease as determined by nuclear medicine bone scan.

RESULTS

• There was no appreciable difference when Maori and Pacific Islander men were compared with European men for median PSA level (13.30 vs 12.55 ng/mL, P = 0.264); median Gleason score (7 and 7), mean Gleason score (7.0 vs 6.9, P = 0.196) or the proportion of Gleason Score 7 or 8–10 (P = 0.431)

• There was no difference between the rates of metastatic disease at presentation (11.5% vs 7.8%, P = 0.376).

• There appeared to be a significant difference in the proportion of Maori and Pacific Islanders presenting with palpable disease (67.2%) compared with European men (53.3%, P = 0.042).

• The crude population biopsy rate per 100 000 was similar for Maori and Pacific Islander and European men (560 vs 547).

CONCLUSIONS

• Maori and Pacific Islander men present with similar prostate cancer characteristics to European men at diagnosis but there appears to be a real discrepancy in the rates of palpable disease.
Lessons learned: end‐user assessment of a skills laboratory based training programme for urology trainees
Authors: Grills Richard , Lawrentschuk Nathan , Corcoran Niall M.
Published: April 2011

OBJECTIVES

• To evaluate the benefit of a skills laboratory based training programme to urology resident training by end‐user assessment.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

• All participants in a urological skills workshop programme conducted at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in Melbourne, Australia, between 2004 and 2009 were included.

• This was a retrospective review using a structured questionnaire.

• Topics regarding course organization, content, delivery and relevance to clinical practice were examined.

• Free‐text entry responses allowed participants to elaborate on specific points as appropriate.

RESULTS

• During the study period, 35 individual workshops were conducted.

• In all, 41 of 43 eligible participants completed the survey for a response rate of 95%.

• Overall, 26 (63%) found the experience valuable, interesting and useful.

• Of the remainder (37%), four (10%) found it interesting but not useful to training, five (12%) found it useful and a good idea but not well conducted, and two (5%) found it neither interesting nor useful for training.

• Workshop success was intimately related to the quality of the simulator or model used: highly rated workshops consistently used models that were ‘realistic’ and ‘life‐like’, while poorly rated workshops were associated with models considered ‘impossible’ and ‘not tested’.

CONCLUSIONS

• The use of skills laboratory based workshops can enhance the surgical training of urology residents, at least as assessed by the end‐users themselves.

• However, closer attention to the selection and use of properly tested and validated models may maximize the educational opportunity.

• Translational research prospectively examining the impact of workshops on live patient surgery and outcomes is still required.
The presence–absence matrix reloaded: the use and interpretation of range–diversity plots
Authors: Arita Héctor T. , Christen Andrés , Rodríguez Pilar , Soberón Jorge
Published: April 2011

Aim  A great deal of information on distribution and diversity can be extracted from presence–absence matrices (PAMs), the basic analytical tool of many biogeographic studies. This paper presents numerical procedures that allow the analysis of such information by taking advantage of mathematical relationships within PAMs. In particular, we show how range–diversity (RD) plots summarize much of the information contained in the matrices by the simultaneous depiction of data on distribution and diversity.

Innovation  We use matrix algebra to extract and process data from PAMs. Information on the distribution of species and on species richness of sites is computed using the traditional R (by rows) and Q (by columns) procedures, as well as the new Rq (by rows, considering the structure of columns) and Qr (by columns, considering the structure by rows) methods. Matrix notation is particularly suitable for summarizing complex calculations using PAMs, and the associated algebra allows the implementation of efficient computational programs. We show how information on distribution and species richness can be depicted simultaneously in RD plots, allowing a direct examination of the relationship between those two aspects of diversity. We explore the properties of RD plots with a simple example, and use null models to show that while parameters of central tendency are not affected by randomization, the dispersion of points in RD plots does change, showing the significance of patterns of co‐occurrence of species and of similarity among sites.

Main conclusion  Species richness and range size are both valid measures of diversity that can be analysed simultaneously with RD plots. A full analysis of a system requires measures of central tendency and dispersion for both distribution and species richness.
Substitutive competition: Virtual pets as competitive buffers to alleviate possible negative influence on pupils
Authors: Chen Zhi‐Hong , Chou Chih‐Yueh , Biswas Gautam , Chan Tak‐Wai
Published: April 2011

Although competition is regarded as a powerful motivator in game‐based learning, it might have a negative influence, such as damage to confidence, on students who lose the competition. In this paper, we propose an indirect approach, substitutive competition, to alleviate such negative influences. The approach is used to develop a My‐Pet v3 system, in which pupils master subject materials to make their pets stronger, and compete against each other. Specifically, pupils learn Chinese idioms in a pet‐training game scenario, and their mastery of the material is related to the pets' strength to win the competition. The result of the competition is influenced by whether pupils spend enough effort on the learning tasks. This intention is expected to alleviate the negative influence that results from direct competition. A within‐subject experiment was conducted to examine the influence of substitutive competition. The results indicated that substitutive competition seems a promising scheme to maximise the power of competition. However, there were no apparent evidences in this study to demonstrate its effect to alleviate pupils' sense of failure, as compared with other two direct competition conditions.
Distributed Leadership in Organizations: A Review of Theory and Research
Authors: Bolden Richard
Published: April 2011

The aim of this paper is to review conceptual and empirical literature on the concept of distributed leadership (DL) in order to identify its origins, key arguments and areas for further work. Consideration is given to the similarities and differences between DL and related concepts, including ‘shared’, ‘collective’, ‘collaborative’, ‘emergent’, ‘co‐’ and ‘democratic’ leadership. Findings indicate that, while there are some common theoretical bases, the relative usage of these concepts varies over time, between countries and between sectors. In particular, DL is a notion that has seen a rapid growth in interest since the year 2000, but research remains largely restricted to the field of school education and of proportionally more interest to UK than US‐based academics. Several scholars are increasingly going to great lengths to indicate that, in order to be ‘distributed’, leadership need not necessarily be widely ‘shared’ or ‘democratic’ and, in order to be effective, there is a need to balance different ‘hybrid configurations’ of practice. The paper highlights a number of areas for further attention, including three factors relating to the context of much work on DL (power and influence; organizational boundaries and context; and ethics and diversity), and three methodological and developmental challenges (ontology; research methods; and leadership development, reward and recognition). It is concluded that descriptive and normative perspectives which dominate the literature should be supplemented by more critical accounts which recognize the rhetorical and discursive significance of DL in (re)constructing leader–follower identities, mobilizing collective engagement and challenging or reinforcing traditional forms of organization.
Obesity and psoriasis: body weight and body mass index influence the response to biological treatment
Authors: Puig L.
Published: April 2011

Patients with psoriasis, in particular those requiring systemic treatment, tend to be above normal weight. Obesity is associated with psoriasis and contributes significantly to the increased cardiovascular risk in these patients. Most biologics used to treat psoriasis in the European Union are fixed dosed treatments: etanercept, adalimumab and ustekinumab. Apart from infliximab, dosing regimens do not account for weight, with the exception of ustekinumab, the dose of which should be doubled in patients weighing more than 100 kg. The aim of this study was to review the available evidence on the association of obesity and psoriasis, and the effect of body weight or obesity on the efficacy of biologics as well as their practical implications in daily practice. A review was performed of the literature relating to obesity and psoriasis and weight effect, including subgroup analyses, on the efficacy of the biologicals available for treatment of psoriasis in the European Union, namely adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab and ustekinumab. Optimal responses with fixed dose biological agents are less frequent in patients with increasing weight, especially above 100 kg, who account for approximately 25% to 30% of patients in clinical trials. Body weight effect on drug clearance might partly account for this fact. The data are limited to subgroup analyses, often with no statistical significance reported. Further studies, including weight‐based subanalysis of clinical trials and pharmacoeconomic evaluations, are required to assess the issue of body weight and response to therapy of the biologics. Infliximab response appears to be independent of body mass index. Possible weight‐based dose adjustments and the impact of treatment on body weight changes also require additional study.
Renal excretion of phenol from physicians after nail matrix phenolization: an observational prospective study
Authors: Becerro de Bengoa Vallejo R. , Losa Iglesias M.E. , Jules K.T. , Trepal M.J.
Published: April 2011

Background  Animal studies have shown that many signs of acute poisoning result from phenol entry into the systemic circulation by absorption or ingestion. While no evidence of systemic complications in patients who have undergone phenol nail matrixectomies have been reported, the safety of phenol vapour inhalation by physicians performing this treatment has yet to be investigated.

Objective  The goal of this study was to determine whether the levels of phenol to which physicians are exposed to during a phenol‐based matrixectomy procedure are within the limits of safe exposure.

Methods  A continuous prospective study was carried out to measure the urinary phenol concentrations from physicians after performing chemical matrixectomy for ingrown toenails.

Results  The highest concentration of urinary phenol was measured at almost 10 mg/L within the first 2 h after exposure, and subsequently decreased approximately 1 mg/L every 2 h for the first 10 h post exposure. The levels dropped to 3 mg/L at 72 h post exposure.

Conclusions  The risk associated with phenol exposure while performing chemical phenol matrixectomy was well below the current safety limits when the physician is exposed to 90% phenol vapour for approximately 20 min. Thus, no further specific safety recommendations are required for physicians performing this procedure.
CaMKII activation is a novel effector of alcohol’s neurotoxicity in neural crest stem/progenitor cells
Authors: Garic Ana , Flentke George R. , Amberger Ed , Hernandez Marcos , Smith Susan M.
Published: April 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 118, 646–657.

Prenatal ethanol exposure causes significant neurodevelopmental deficits through its induction of apoptosis in neuronal progenitors including the neural crest. Using an established chick embryo model, we previously showed that clinically relevant ethanol concentrations cause neural crest apoptosis through mobilization of an intracellular calcium transient. How the calcium transient initiates this cell death is unknown. In this study, we identify CaMKII as the calcium target responsible for ethanol‐induced apoptosis. Immunostaining revealed selective enrichment of activated phosphoCaMKII(Thr286) within ethanol‐treated neural crest. CaMKII activation in response to ethanol was rapid (< 60 s) and robust, and CaMKII activity was increased 300% over control levels. Treatment with CaMKII‐selective inhibitors but not those directed against CaMKIV or PKC completely prevented the cell death. Forced expression of dominant‐negative CaMKII prevented ethanol’s activation of CaMKII and prevented the ethanol‐induced death, whereas constitutively active CaMKII in ethanol’s absence significantly increased cell death to levels caused by ethanol treatment. In summary, CaMKII is the key signal that converts the ethanol‐induced, short‐lived Cai2+ transient into a long‐lived cellular effector. This is the first identification of CaMKII as a critical mediator of ethanol‐induced cell death. Because neural crest differentiates into several neuronal lineages, our findings offer novel insights into how ethanol disrupts early neurogenesis.