bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Counseling Older Adult Victims of Ageism in the Workplace
Authors: Jackson Margo A.
Published: October 2014

Despite the significant life and work experiences that a growing number of older adults have to contribute to the workforce, pervasive ageism operates in overt and covert ways to discriminate against older workers in hiring and workplace practices. This article provides a current overview of definitions, prevalence, types, and effects of ageism in the U.S. workplace. For social workers counseling older adult victims of workplace ageism, this article discusses theories, foundational knowledge, and ongoing self-awareness and training needed for bias awareness. Counseling strategies and resources are highlighted, including coping and resilience strategies to counteract ageist stereotypes and discrimination, facilitate job-seeking support, and advocate for older workers by promoting awareness and serving as a resource for employers to reduce workplace ageism.
Cultural Competency in Mental-Health Services
Authors: Hong Jun Sung , Korr Wynne Sandra
Published: October 2014

Since the 1980s, cultural competency has increasingly been recognized as a salient factor in the helping process, which requires social-work professionals to effectively integrate cultural knowledge and sensitivity with skills. This entry chronicles the history of mental-health services and the development of cultural competency in social-work practice, followed by a discussion of mental-health services utilization and barriers to services among racial/ethnic minorities. Directions for enhancing cultural competency in mental-health services are also highlighted.
Cultural Equity and the Displacement of Othering
Authors: Almeida Rhea
Published: October 2014

This article proposes social equity as a paradigm to guide social work practice and education. “Cultural equity” encompasses the multiplicity of personal, social, and institutional locations that frame identities in therapeutic practice as well as the classroom by locating these complexities within a societal matrix that shapes relationships of power, privilege, and oppression. Foregoing cultural competency for a cultural equity framework requires both analysis and interruption of the “otherizing” process inherited through multicultural discourses and the legacies of colonization. Through the use of education for critical consciousness, accountability through transparency, community-learning circles, progressive coalition-building, and usage of action strategies, transformative potential is revealed across multiple sites, both local as well as global. Multiple illustrations for the coherent application of cultural equity in social work practice and education are offered.
Culture and Identity in Generic Social Work
Authors: Denby Ramona W. , Bowmer Allison
Published: October 2014

The notion of culture, while vast, is often conceptualized through an examination of gender, race, and ethnicity; class and economics; religion; sexual orientation; and even age. Social work assessments and related interventions rest on a fundamental understanding of a client’s history, environment, and current conditions. This article provides an examination of how particular sociocultural influences and identity development shape behavior and how social work practitioners—whether at the micro, mezzo, or macro level—use this understanding to effect change in individuals or environments.
Diabetes (Children and Adults)
Authors: Auslander Wendy , Budd Elizabeth
Published: October 2014

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of: diabetes and its significance, the differences in types of diabetes, and landmark clinical trials that have resulted in changes in philosophy and treatment of diabetes. Second, a review of the various types of evidence-based and promising behavioral interventions in the literature that have targeted children and adults are presented. Social workers and other helping professionals are uniquely positioned to work collaboratively to improve psychosocial functioning, disease management, and prevent or delay complications through behavioral interventions for children and adults with diabetes.
Early Childhood Home Visiting
Authors: Brodowski Melissa Lim , Counts Jacqueline , Conrad-Hiebner Aislinn
Published: October 2014

This chapter provides an overview of early-childhood home-visiting programs and offers a brief summary of the research, policy, and practice issues. The first section defines home visiting and the funding available to support it. The next section summarizes common characteristics of home-visiting programs and describes the features of several evidence-based home-visiting programs. The outcomes from home visiting for parents and children, including relevant cost-benefit studies, are briefly reviewed. The chapter concludes with implementation issues and future directions for home visiting.
EMDR Treatment for Trauma
Authors: Rubin Allen
Published: October 2014

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is one of the two most empirically supported treatments for adult populations with noncombat, single-episode posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with the other being exposure therapy. This entry describes the unconventional origin, theoretical underpinnings, and treatment protocol of EMDR, including its distinctive use of bilateral stimulation (that is, dual-attention stimulation). Also discussed are possible contraindications, unresolved issues, and the need for more research regarding the effectiveness of EMDR with other populations with PTSD, such as children and individuals with combat PTSD and complex trauma.
Family Estrangement
Authors: Agllias Kylie
Published: October 2014

Family estrangement—a concept similar to emotional cutoff in Bowen family systems theory—is the unsatisfactory physical or emotional distancing between at least two family members. It is attributed to a number of biological, psychological, social, and structural factors affecting the family, including attachment disorders, incompatible values and beliefs, unfulfilled expectations, critical life events and transitions, parental alienation, and ineffective communication patterns. Family estrangement is often experienced as a considerable loss; its ambiguous nature and social disenfranchisement can contribute to significant grief responses, perceived stigma, and social isolation in some cases. The social-work profession has a role to play in raising social and political awareness of the prevalence of, contributors to, and effects of estrangement on the intergenerational family, with clinicians working to assess and address the impact of estrangement on individuals and the family system.
HIV in an Era of Biomedical Advances: Prevention
Authors: Rowan Diana
Published: October 2014

Since the start of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic, numerous biomedical advances have caused the social-work response to shift from management of a crisis to prevention of an incurable, but treatable chronic disease. About 1.3 million people in the United States and more than 33 million people worldwide are estimated to be living with HIV. Rates of incidence in impoverished, marginalized communities are highest, with the rates continuing to increase among young African American gay and bisexual men. Other communities at high risk are people who are incarcerated, engage in sex work or other kinds of exchange sex, and participate in risky injection-drug use. Minority groups are often impacted because of reduced access to quality medical care and HIV testing. Social workers in HIV prevention work are challenged to educate clients and communities on the sexual risk continuum, provide more interventions that are culturally tailored for disadvantaged at-risk groups, and implement evidence-based HIV prevention and testing programs worldwide. The National HIV/AIDS Strategy now provides structure to funding opportunities for HIV prevention programs, and there is disparate access to effective treatments worldwide for those living with HIV.
Cultural Competence
Authors: Cross Terry L.
Published: October 2014

Cultural competence emerged as a concept in the 1980s; took form as a set of organizational, educational, advocacy, policy, and practice constructs in the 1990s; and has since matured into a broad rubric that addresses social justice and service delivery quality, equity, access, and efficacy for people and groups of diverse backgrounds. Cultural competence, sometimes referred to as cultural competency, ethnic competence, cross-cultural competence, or multicultural competence, has become an essential element of social work at every level of the field, from direct practice to social policy. The history, literature, policy developments, controversies, and implications of cultural competence are discussed. The evolution of cultural competence and its role in social work is examined and summarized in this entry.
Intergenerational Relations
Authors: Kropf Nancy P.
Published: October 2014

With the increase in the numbers and life spans of older adults, intergenerational relations have become more common within families, communities, and social policy. Using these three perspectives, the challenges and opportunities of bridging generational relationships are presented. Implications for social work practice and policy are included.
International Volunteer Service
Authors: Lough Benjamin J.
Published: October 2014

The article provides a brief historical overview of international volunteer service, along with changes to traditional forms of international service. It presents a general typology for contemporary international-service programs and reviews how these forms differ in practice. Using the limited data available, it provides a demographic snapshot of the scale and prevalence of international volunteer service from the United States and globally. The article reviews critical intersections between international service and social work, and describes debates of particular concern to the social worker profession. Finally, the article outlines important areas for future social work research and practice.
Newman, Isaiah DeQuincey
Authors: Logan Sadye L. M.
Published: October 2014

Isaiah DeQuincey Newman (1910–2008), a tireless advocate for human and civil rights, was a life-long humanitarian and one of the state’s most important civil rights leaders; he worked to bring peace and justice to all South Carolinians.
Otis, Jack
Authors: Kirven Joshua
Published: October 2014

Dr. Jack Otis (1923–2010) was best known for serving as Director of the Office of Juvenile Delinquency and Youth Development during the Kennedy administration and was instrumental in establishing national standards for the accreditation of undergraduate social work education.
Nelson, Kristine E.
Authors: Cahn Katharine , Pewewardy Nocona
Published: October 2014

Dr. Kristine E. Nelson (1943–2012) was a nationally recognized child welfare historian and scholar, as well as a social work educator and administrator. Her early work in child welfare and a deep commitment to social justice informed her scholarship, research, and leadership. Her research focused on family preservation and community-based child welfare practice, with a focus on families entering the child welfare system due to neglect or poverty-related challenges. She was a significant contributor to advancing new frameworks of child welfare practice and had a successful career as a social work educator and administrator, retiring as Dean of the Portland State University School of Social Work in 2011.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Authors: Canda Edward R. , Warren Sherry
Published: October 2014

This entry provides an introduction to mindfulness as a therapeutic practice applied within social work, including in mental health and health settings. It describes and critiques mindfulness-based practices regarding definitions, history, current practices, best practices research, and ethical issues related to using evidence-based practices, acquiring competence, addressing social justice, and respecting diversity.
Multiethnic and Multiracialism
Authors: Samuels Gina Miranda
Published: October 2014

Although the year 2000 marked the first time U.S. citizens were allowed to report more than one race in the Census, multiraciality and multiethnicity are certainly not new in the United States or globally. The history of multiracial America is inextricably linked to its history of immigration, slavery, racism, and the very construction of single-race identities as master statuses during colonialism. Who is multiracial, as well as the idea that such an identity or population can or should exist, is highly complex and has shifted along with societal attitudes and laws governing race identity options and the sanctioning of multiracial families through marriage and adoption. The understanding in the early 21st century of this growing multiracial population is mired in this history, but also idealized as proof of a new and possibly “postrace” America. To examine multiraciality, this entry begins by defining root concepts including race, ethnicity, nationality, and culture to then examine and define multiraciality. This entry will include a brief historical discussion of multiraciality in the United States and will also explore demographic and health trends using such statistics as are available and examine identified risks, disparities, strengths, and resiliencies among this diverse population. Effective and ethical social-work practices with multiracial persons require expansion beyond the black–white dichotomy and monocentric paradigm of race to consider both strengths and vulnerabilities navigated by the increasing number of persons and families who identify as multiracial and multiethnic. Approaches to social work that promote multiracially attuned practices and engagement of the diverse resources for various communities of multiracial persons and families conclude this entry.
Outcome Measures in Human Services
Authors: Friedman Bruce , Olivera Rosario
Published: October 2014

The field of social work transformed over time from providing relief to less fortunate individuals to a sophisticated profession that looks at evidence-based measures to deliver change. This has been possible by looking at accountability aspects to demonstrate improvement by addressing performance outcomes resulting from interventions. Outcomes operate on all levels from micro to mezzo to macro, and the skills needed include identifying who is being served and the specific goals to be achieved. This article introduces the use of a logic model as a way to explain interventions and outcomes on a short-term, intermediate term, and long-term basis. The section also describes current measures being used to demonstrate how outcomes are used to justify the practice.
The combination Enterobacter agglomerans is to be cited as Enterobacter agglomerans (Beijerinck 1888) Ewing and Fife 1972 and the combination Pantoea agglomerans is to be cited as Pantoea agglomerans (Beijerinck 1888) Gavini et al. 1989. Opinion 90. Judicial Commission of the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes
Authors: Tindall B. J.
Published: October 2014

The Judicial Commission affirms that, according to information presented to it, the combination

Enterobacter agglomerans

is to be cited as

Enterobacter agglomerans

(Beijerinck 1888) Ewing and Fife 1972 and the combination

Pantoea agglomerans

is to be cited as

Pantoea agglomerans

(Beijerinck 1888) Gavini et al. 1989.
ATCC 43642 replaces ATCC 23581 as the type strain of Leptospira interrogans (Stimson 1907) Wenyon 1926. Opinion 91. Judicial Commission of the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes
Authors: Tindall B. J.
Published: October 2014

The Judicial Commission affirms that, according to information presented to it, the type strain of

Leptospira interrogans

(Stimson 1907) Wenyon 1926 designated on the Approved Lists of Bacterial Names (ATCC 23581) has been shown not to represent an authentic culture of strain RGA (a member of the serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae) and ATCC 43642, derived from an authentic strain of strain RGA, a member of the serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae, is designated the type strain of

Leptospira interrogans

(Stimson 1907) Wenyon 1926.
The designated type strain of Pseudomonas halophila Fendrich 1989 is DSM 3051, the designated type strain of Halovibrio variabilis Fendrich 1989 is DSM 3050, the new name Halomonas
utahensis (

Fendrich 1989

) Sorokin and Tindall 2006 is created for the species represented by DSM 3051 when treated as a member of the genus Halomonas, the combination Halomonas
variabilis (

Fendrich 1989

) Dobson and Franzmann 1996 is rejected, and the combination Halovibrio denitrificans Sorokin et al. 2006 is validly published with an emendation of the description of the genus Halovibrio Fendrich 1989 emend. Sorokin et al. 2006. Opinion 93. Judicial Commission of the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes
Authors: Tindall B. J.
Published: October 2014

The Judicial Commission affirms that, according to information presented to it, the designated type strain of

Pseudomonas halophila

Fendrich 1989 is DSM 3051 (replacing DSM 3050) and the designated type strain of

Halovibrio variabilis

Fendrich 1989 is DSM 3050 (replacing DSM 3051). A new name, Halomonas
utahensis (Fendrich 1989) Sorokin and Tindall 2006 nom. nov., is created for the species represented by DSM 3051 when treated as a member of the genus

Halomonas

, because the combination

Halomonas halophila

(Quesada et al. 1984) Dobson and Franzmann 1996 has priority based on the fact that the epithet
halophila in the combination

Halomonas halophila

(Quesada et al. 1984) Dobson and Franzmann 1996 (basoynm

Deleya halophila

Quesada et al. 1984) has priority over the epithet
halophila should the taxon

Pseudomonas halophila

Fendrich 1989 be treated as a member of the genus

Halomonas

. The combination

Halomonas variabilis

(Fendrich 1989) Dobson and Franzmann 1996 is rejected. The combination

Halovibrio denitrificans

Sorokin et al. 2006 is validly published with an emendation of the description of the genus

Halovibrio

Fendrich 1989 emend. Sorokin et al. 2006.
The properties given at the time of publication for the designated type strain of Leifsonia rubra Reddy et al. 2003, CMS 76r, do not correspond with those of MTCC 4210, DSM 15304, CIP 107783 and JCM 12471 that are deposited as representing the type strain: Opinion 96. Judicial Commission of the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes
Authors: Tindall B. J.
Published: October 2014

The Judicial Commission affirms that, according to information presented to it, the type strain of

Leifsonia rubra

Reddy et al. 2003 designated in the original publication as strain CMS 76r and deposited as MTCC 4210, DSM 15304, CIP 107783 and JCM 12471 does not have properties corresponding with those of the strains held in those collections under those accession numbers. The species

Leifsonia rubra

Reddy et al. 2003 was not represented by an authentic deposit of a type strain at the time of effective publication in the pages of the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology.
The subgenus names Moraxella and Branhamella (in the genus Moraxella) are not in accordance with the International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria and are therefore not validly published: Supplementary information to Opinion 83. Judicial Commission of the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes
Authors: Tindall B. J.
Published: October 2014

The publication of Opinion 83, which dealt with the valid publication of the subgenus names

Moraxella

and

Branhamella

(in the genus

Moraxella

), has highlighted a problem relating to the absence of descriptions associated with these names at the time they were effectively published. This calls into question whether the ruling outlined in Opinion 83, that these names should have qualified for inclusion on the Approved Lists of Bacterial Names, and their inclusion on Validation List 15 are not in accordance with Rule 27 of the International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria governing the valid publication of a name. The subgenus names

Moraxella

and

Branhamella

(in the genus

Moraxella

) are not to be considered to be included on the Approved Lists of Bacterial Names, nor are they to be considered to be validly published by inclusion on Validation List 15.
The genus name Methanothrix Huser et al. 1983 and the species combination Methanothrix soehngenii Huser et al. 1983 do not contravene Rule 31a and are not to be considered as rejected names, the genus name Methanosaeta Patel and Sprott 1990 refers to the same taxon as Methanothrix soehngenii Huser et al. 1983 and the species combination Methanothrix thermophila Kamagata et al. 1992 is rejected: Supplementary information to Opinion 75. Judicial Commission of the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes
Authors: Tindall B. J.
Published: October 2014

The Judicial Commission affirms that the genus name

Methanothrix

Huser et al. 1983 and the species combination

Methanothrix soehngenii

Huser et al. 1983 do not contravene Rule 31a and are not to be considered as rejected names. The genus name

Methanosaeta

Patel and Sprott 1990 applies to the same taxon as

Methanothrix

Huser et al. 1983 and is therefore a later heterotypic synonym. The combinations

Methanothrix thermoacetophila

corrig. Nozhevnikova and Chudina 1988 and

Methanothrix thermophila

Kamagata et al. 1992 are considered to refer to the same taxon, a consequence of which is that

Methanothrix thermophila

Kamagata et al. 1992 contravenes Rule 51b and is placed on the List of Rejected Names.
Double-focusing mixing jet for XFEL study of chemical kinetics
Authors: Wang Dingjie , Weierstall Uwe , Pollack Lois , Spence John
Published: October 2014

Several liquid sample injection methods have been developed to satisfy the requirements for serial femtosecond X-ray nanocrystallography, which enables radiation-damage-free determination of molecular structure at room temperature. Time-resolved nanocrystallography would combine structure analysis with chemical kinetics by determining the structures of the transient states and chemical kinetic mechanisms simultaneously. A windowless liquid mixing jet device has been designed for this purpose. It achieves fast uniform mixing of substrates and enzymes in the jet within 250 µs, with an adjustable delay between mixing and probing by the X-ray free-electron laser beam of up to 1 s for each frame of a `movie'. The principle of the liquid mixing jet device is illustrated using numerical simulation, and experimental results are presented using a fluorescent dye.
A three-dimensional CdIIcoordination framework: poly[di-μ2-aqua-{μ2-1,4-bis[(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl]benzene-κ2N4:N4′}di-μ3-terephthalato-κ3O:O′:O′′-dicadmium(II)]
Authors: Shen Hong
Published: October 2014

The title CdIIcoordination polymer, [Cd(C10H8O4)(C12H12N6)0.5(H2O)]n, has been obtained by the hydrothermal method and studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, IR spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. The compound forms a novel three-dimensional framework with 3,8-connected three-dimensional binodal {4.52}2{42.510.612.7.83} topology. An investigation of its photoluminescence properties shows that the compound exhibits a strong fluorescence emission in the solid state at room temperature.
Poly[(μ-pentafluorobenzoato-κ2O:O′)(pentafluorobenzoato-κO)(μ-pyrazine-κ2N:N′)copper(II)]: a coordination polymer linked into a three-dimensional network by intermolecular C—H...F—C interactions
Authors: Han Li-Juan , Kong Ya-Jie
Published: October 2014

In the title compound, [Cu(C6F5COO)2(C4H4N2)]n, (I), the asymmetric unit contains one CuIIcation, two anionic pentafluorobenzoate ligands and one pyrazine ligand. Each CuIIcentre is five-coordinated by three O atoms from three independent pentafluorobenzoate anions, as well as by two N atoms from two pyrazine ligands, giving rise to an approximately square-pyramidal coordination geometry. Adjacent CuIIcations are bridged by a pyrazine ligand and two pentafluorobenzoate anions to give a two-dimensional layer. The layers are stacked to generate a three-dimensional supramolecular architectureviastrong intermolecular C—H...F—C interactions, as indicated by the F...H distance of 2.38 Å.
Investigating the motivation for enterprise education: a CaRBS based exposition
Authors: J. Beynon Malcolm , Jones Paul , Packham Gary , Pickernell David
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate student motivation for undertaking an entrepreneurship education programme and their ultimate employment aspirations through a novel data mining technique. The study considered what relationship certain motivation characteristics have to students’ aspirations, specifically in terms of their intention to be self-employed or employed.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study examined enrolment data of 720 students on an entrepreneurial education programme, with work statuses of full-time, part-time or unemployed and have known aspirations to either employment or self-employment. The Classification and Ranking Belief Simplex (CaRBS) technique is employed in the classification analyses undertaken, which offers an uncertain reasoning based visual approach to the exposition of findings.

Findings

– The classification findings demonstrate the level of contribution of the different motivations to the discernment of students with self-employed and employed aspirations. The most contributing aspirations were Start-Up, Interests and Qualifications. For these aspirations, further understanding is provided with respect to gender and student age (in terms of the association with aspirations towards self-employed or employed). For example, with respect to Start-Up, the older the unemployed student, the increasing association with employment rather than self-employment career aspirations.

Research limitations/implications

– The study identifies candidate motivation and the demographic profile for student's undertaking an entrepreneurial education programme. Knowing applicant aspirations should inform course design, pedagogy and its inherent flexibility and recognise the specific needs of certain student groups.

Originality/value

– The study contributes to the literature examining motivations for undertaking entrepreneurship education and categorising motivating factors. These findings will be of value to both education providers and researchers.
Entrepreneurial configurations of small firms
Authors: de Villiers Scheepers M.J. , Verreynne Martie-Louise , Meyer Denny
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop contemporary entrepreneurial configurations of small firms and relates them to performance. Adding a process dimension, the authors extend the more commonly used resource and growth taxonomies in this field of research.

Design/methodology/approach

– A review of current literature on small firm configurations is followed by a discussion of its dimensions, namely, context (external and internal environment), content (entrepreneurial orientation (EO)) and process (strategy making). These are related to perceived performance, using cluster analysis and ANOVA for a sample of 320 small New Zealand firms.

Findings

– The results isolate young corporates, young simple and mature consolidator clusters. Young corporates outperform their counterparts in dynamic environments in how they use formal structures, and their high EO and generative strategy-making (GSM).

Research limitations/implications

– This study uses self-reporting measures and a cross-sectional design.

Practical implications

– The findings show how young, small firms can enhance their performance practically by aligning the key dimensions of an entrepreneurial configuration. These firms could benefit from early formalization of systems and structures, a high EO, and by using a GSM approach.

Originality/value

– The contribution is threefold. First, the authors empirically verify the existence of three clusters of small firms and then link these to perceived performance. Second, by basing the small-firm configurations on a content, context, process framework, the authors highlight the importance of aligning these dimensions to performance. Third, the authors find evidence of the role of early formalization to accompany GSM and EO if small firms want to improve performance outcomes.
Loop‐mediated isothermal amplification assay targeting the blaCTX‐M9 gene for detection of extended spectrum β‐lactamase‐producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Thirapanmethee Krit , Pothisamutyothin Kanokporn , Nathisuwan Surakit , Chomnawang Mullika T. , Wiwat Chanpen
Published: October 2014

Extended‐spectrum β‐lactamases (ESBLs) produced by Enterobacteriaceae are one of the resistance mechanisms to most β‐lactam antibiotics. ESBLs are currently a major problem in both hospitals and community settings worldwide. Rapid and reliable means of detecting ESBL‐producing bacteria is necessary for identification, prevention and treatment. Loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a technique that rapidly amplifies DNA with high specificity and sensitivity under isothermal conditions. This study was aimed to develop a convenient, accurate and inexpensive method for detecting ESBL‐producing bacteria by a LAMP technique. ESBLs‐producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were isolated from a tertiary hospital in Bangkok, Thailand and reconfirmed by double‐disk synergy test. A set of four specific oligonucleotide primers of LAMP for detection of blaCTX‐M9 gene was designed based on blaCTX‐M9 from E. coli (GenBank Accession No. AJ416345). The LAMP reaction was amplified under isothermal temperature at 63°C for 60 min. Ladder‐like patterns of band sizes from 226 bp of the blaCTX‐M9 DNA target was observed. The LAMP product was further analyzed by restriction digestion with MboI and TaqI endonucleases. The fragments generated were approximately 168, 177 and 250 bp in size for MboI digestion and 165, 193, 229, 281 and 314 bp for TaqI digestion, which is in agreement with the predicted sizes. The sensitivity of the LAMP technique to blaCTX‐M9 was greater than that of the PCR method by at least 10,000‐fold. These results showed that the LAMP primers specifically amplified only the blaCTX‐M9 gene. Moreover, the presence of LAMP amplicon was simply determined by adding SYBR Green I in the reaction. In conclusion, this technique for detection of ESBLs is convenient, reliable and easy to perform routinely in hospitals or laboratory units in developing countries.
The soil resistome: a critical review on antibiotic resistance origins, ecology and dissemination potential in telluric bacteria
Authors: Nesme Joseph , Simonet Pascal
Published: October 2014

Soil is a large reservoir of microbial diversity and the majority of antimicrobial compounds used today in human and veterinary health care have been isolated from soil microorganisms. The Darwinian hypothesis of an ‘arms‐shields race’ between antibiotic producers and resistant strains is often cited to explain antibiotic resistance gene determinants (ARGD) origins and diversity. ARGD abundance and antibiotic molecule exposure are, however, not systematically linked, and many other factors can contribute to resistance gene emergence, selection and dissemination in the environment. Soil is a heterogeneous habitat and represents a broad spectrum of different ecological niches. Soil harbours a large genetic diversity at small spatial scale, favouring exchange of genetic materials by means of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) that will contribute to ARGD dissemination between bacteria and eventually acquisition by pathogen genomes, therefore threatening antibiotic therapies. Our current knowledge on the extent of the soil resistome abundance and diversity has been greatly enhanced since the metagenomic revolution and help of high‐throughput sequencing technologies. Different ecological hypotheses explaining their high prevalence in soil and questioning their transfer rate to pathogens, in respect to these recent experimental results, will be discussed in the present review.
The expression of proteins involved in digestion and detoxification are regulated in Helicoverpa armigera to cope up with chlorpyrifos insecticide
Authors: Dawkar Vishal V. , Chikate Yojana R. , More Tushar H. , Gupta Vidya S. , Giri Ashok P.
Published: October 2014

Helicoverpa armigera is a key pest in many vital crops, which is mainly controlled by chemical strategies. To manage this pest is becoming challenging due to its ability and evolution of resistance against insecticides. Further, its subsequent spread on nonhost plant is remarkable in recent times. Hence, decoding resistance mechanism against phytochemicals and synthetic insecticides is a major challenge. The present work describes that the digestion, defense and immunity related enzymes are associated with chlorpyrifos resistance in H. armigera. Proteomic analysis of H. armigera gut tissue upon feeding on chlorpyrifos containing diet (CH) and artificial diet (AD) using nano‐liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry identified upregulated 23‐proteins in CH fed larvae. Database searches combined with gene ontology analysis revealed that the identified gut proteins engrossed in digestion, proteins crucial for immunity, adaptive responses to stress, and detoxification. Biochemical and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction analysis of candidate proteins indicated that insects were struggling to get nutrients and energy in presence of CH, while at the same time endeavoring to metabolize chlorpyrifos. Moreover, we proposed a potential processing pathway of chlorpyrifos in H. armigera gut by examining the metabolites using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. H. armigera exhibit a range of intriguing behavioral, morphological adaptations and resistance to insecticides by regulating expression of proteins involved in digestion and detoxification mechanisms to cope up with chlorpyrifos. In these contexts, as gut is a rich repository of biological information; profound analysis of gut tissues can give clues of detoxification and resistance mechanism in insects.
Comparison of three transgenic Bt rice lines for insecticidal protein expression and resistance against a target pest, Chilo suppressalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)
Authors: Wang Ya‐Nan , Ke Kai‐Qie , Li Yun‐He , Han Lan‐Zhi , Liu Yan‐Min , Hua Hong‐Xia , Peng Yu‐Fa
Published: October 2014

Two transgenic rice lines (T2A‐1 and T1C‐19b) expressing cry2A and cry1C genes, respectively, were developed in China, targeting lepidopteran pests including Chilo suppressalis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). The seasonal expression of Cry proteins in different tissues of the rice lines and their resistance to C. suppressalis were assessed in comparison to a Bt rice line expressing a cry1Ab/Ac fusion gene, Huahui 1, which has been granted a biosafety certificate. In general, levels of Cry proteins were T2A‐1 > Huahui 1 > T1C‐19b among rice lines, and leaf > stem > root among rice tissues. The expression patterns of Cry protein in the rice line plants were similar: higher level at early stages than at later stages with an exception that high Cry1C level in T1C‐19b stems at the maturing stage. The bioassay results revealed that the three transgenic rice lines exhibited significantly high resistance against C. suppressalis larvae throughout the rice growing season. According to Cry protein levels in rice tissues, the raw and corrected mortalities of C. suppressalis caused by each Bt rice line were the highest in the seedling and declined through the jointing stage with an exception for T1C‐19b providing an excellent performance at the maturing stage. By comparison, T1C‐19b exhibited more stable and greater resistance to C. suppressalis larvae than T2A‐1, being close to Huahui 1. The results suggest cry1C is an ideal Bt gene for plant transformation for lepidopteran pest control, and T1C‐19b is a promising Bt rice line for commercial use for tolerating lepidopteran rice pests.
Unhealthy dietary behavior in refractory functional dyspepsia: A multicenter prospective investigation in China
Authors: Jiang Shu Man , Lei Xiao Gai , Jia Lin , Xu Ming , Wang Sheng Bing , Liu Jing , Song Min
Published: October 2014

Objective

To determine the association of dietary behavior with refractory functional dyspepsia (RFD) and its subtypes in Chinese patients.

Methods

The medical records of patients admitted to the Outpatient Department of Gastroenterology of four hospitals in Mainland China for upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms from June to September 2012 were reviewed and their characteristics were collected. Functional dyspepsia (FD) was diagnosed based on the Rome III criteria. RFD was defined as FD with continuous symptoms for at least 6 months that was unresponsive to at least two kinds of medications. Another 100 healthy volunteers were included as controls. The participants' dietary behaviors were investigated using a questionnaire survey.

Results

Overall, 1341 FD patients were enrolled in the study, including 327 RFD and 1014 non‐RFD (NRFD). Unhealthy dietary behaviors were more prevalent in both RFD and NRFD than in the healthy controls. Skipping meals, eating extra meals and a preference to sweet food and gas‐producing food were more common in the RFD patients. Compared with NRFD, RFD‐epigastric pain syndrome (EPS) patients preferred spicy food, whereas those with postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) preferred sweet food and gas‐producing food, and those with both EPS and PDS were found to skip meals and take extra meals more often. Logistic regression analysis showed that skipping meals, eating extra meals and a preference to sweet food and gas‐producing food were risk factors for RFD.

Conclusion

Unhealthy dietary behaviors, especially skipping meals, eating extra meals and a preference to sweet food and gas‐producing food, were correlated with RFD and its subtypes.
Effect of a common genetic variant microRNA‐146a rs2910164 on colorectal cancer: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Xie Wen Qun , Tan Shi Yun , Wang Xiao Fan
Published: October 2014

Objective

There is emerging evidence that the microRNA‐146a (miR‐146a) rs2910164 polymorphism might be associated with the susceptibility to colorectal cancer (CRC). However, previous published studies have failed to achieve a definitive conclusion. We aimed to address this issue in an updated meta‐analysis.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, China BioMedicine, the Cochrane Library and Google Scholar to identify eligible studies. Case‐control studies written in English that evaluated the association between miR‐146a polymorphism and CRC were included. Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were calculated in the quantitative synthesis.

Results

Overall seven case‐control studies including a total of 2978 cases and 3576 cancer‐free or healthy controls were enrolled in the meta‐analysis. The results indicated that there was no association between miR‐146a G/C rs2910164 polymorphism and CRC risk either in the overall analysis or among Asians, when stratified on the basis of ethnicity.

Conclusion

miR‐146a G/C genetic polymorphism was not related to the susceptibility to CRC.
Origin of a sudden mass occurrence of the stolbur phytoplasma vector Hyalesthes obsoletus (Cixiidae) in Austria
Authors: Johannesen Jes , Riedle‐Bauer Monika
Published: October 2014

The grapevine disease ‘bois noir’ is widespread in European viticulture, but in many regions there is a lack of correspondence between disease spread and abundance of the main insect vector, the planthopper Hyalesthes obsoletus. This was the situation in Austria until 2012, when a mass occurrence of the vector was observed on Urtica dioica, a new host plant for the vector and reservoir plant for the pathogen, stolbur phytoplasma, in this area. Here we analyse the origin of the Austrian vector populations using genetic markers. The origin was unambiguously assigned to two regional populations, and two causes for the population expansion: immigration of East Central European populations and local demographic expansion. The observed population increase was thus independent of phylogenetic ancestry, but linked to the host plant and the exchange of a specific stolbur phytoplasma strain between the two vector populations. These circumstances are identical to but independent of the emergence of bois noir west of the European Alps, where an exchange between other vector populations associated with U. dioica of another stolbur phytoplasma genotype has led to disease outbreaks. Combined, the independent outbreaks in Austria and Europe west of the Alps are suggestive of an active role for stolbur phytoplasma in the vector–plant interaction and thus the host distribution of the vector.
Thiopurine withdrawal during sustained clinical remission in inflammatory bowel disease: relapse and recapture rates, with predictive factors in 237 patients
Authors: Kennedy N. A. , Kalla R. , Warner B. , Gambles C. J. , Musy R. , Reynolds S. , Dattani R. , Nayee H. , Felwick R. , Harris R. , Marriott S. , Senanayake S. M. , Lamb C. A. , Al‐Hilou H. , Gaya D. R. , Irving P. M. , Mansfield J. , Parkes M. , Ahmad T. , Cummings J. R. F. , Arnott I. D. , Satsangi J. , Lobo A. J. , Smith M. , Lindsay J. O. , Lees C. W.
Published: October 2014

Background

Thiopurines (azathioprine and mercaptopurine) remain integral to most medical strategies for maintaining remission in Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Indefinite use of these drugs is tempered by long‐term risks. While clinical relapse is noted frequently following drug withdrawal, there are few published data on predictive factors.

Aim

To investigate the success of planned thiopurine withdrawal in patients in sustained clinical remission to identify rates and predictors of relapse.

Methods

This was a multicentre retrospective cohort study from 11 centres across the UK. Patients included had a definitive diagnosis of IBD, continuous thiopurine use ≥3 years and withdrawal when in sustained clinical remission. All patients had a minimum of 12 months follow‐up post drug withdrawal. Primary and secondary end points were relapse at 12 and 24 months respectively.

Results

237 patients were included in the study (129 CD; 108 UC). Median duration of thiopurine use prior to withdrawal was 6.0 years (interquartile range 4.4–8.4). At follow‐up, moderate/severe relapse was observed in 23% CD and 12% UC patients at 12 months, 39% CD and 26% UC at 24 months. Relapse rate at 12 months was significantly higher in CD than UC (P = 0.035).

Elevated CRP at withdrawal was associated with higher relapse rates at 12 months for CD (P = 0.005), while an elevated white cell count was predictive at 12 months for UC (P = 0.007).

Conclusion

Thiopurine withdrawal in the context of sustained remission is associated with a 1‐year moderate‐to‐severe relapse rate of 23% in Crohn's disease and 12% in ulcerative colitis.
The Effect of Induction of CYP3A4 by St John's Wort on Ambrisentan Plasma Pharmacokinetics in Volunteers of known CYP2C19 Genotype
Authors: Markert Christoph , Kastner Ida Maria , Hellwig Regina , Kalafut Peter , Schweizer Yvonne , Hoffmann Michael Marcus , Burhenne Jürgen , Weiss Johanna , Mikus Gerd , Haefeli Walter Emil
Published: October 2014

To evaluate the impact of CYP2C19 polymorphisms on ambrisentan exposure and to assess its modification by St. John's wort (SJW), 20 healthy volunteers (10 CYP2C19 extensive, four poor and six ultrarapid metabolizers) received therapeutic doses of ambrisentan (5 mg qd po) for 20 days and concomitantly SJW (300 mg tid po) for the last 10 days. To quantify changes of CYP3A4 activity, midazolam (3 mg po) as a probe drug was used. Ambrisentan pharmacokinetics was assessed on days 1, 10 and 20, and midazolam pharmacokinetics before and on days 1, 10, 17 and 20. At steady state, ambrisentan exposure was similar in extensive and ultrarapid metabolizers but 43% larger in poor metabolizers (p < 0.01). In all volunteers, SJW reduced ambrisentan exposure and the relative change (17–26%) was similar in all genotype groups. The extent of this interaction did not correlate with the changes in CYP3A activity (midazolam clearance) (rs = 0.23, p = 0.34). Ambrisentan had no effect on midazolam pharmacokinetics. In conclusion, SJW significantly reduced exposure with ambrisentan irrespective of the CYP2C19 genotype. The extent of this interaction was small and thus likely without clinical relevance.
Anti‐inflammatory Effect of Rosmarinic Acid and an Extract of Rosmarinus officinalis in Rat Models of Local and Systemic Inflammation
Authors: Rocha Joao , Eduardo‐Figueira Maria , Barateiro Andreia , Fernandes Adelaide , Brites Dora , Bronze Rosario , Duarte Catarina MM , Serra Ana Teresa , Pinto Rui , Freitas Marisa , Fernandes Eduarda , Silva‐Lima Beatriz , Mota‐Filipe Helder , Sepodes Bruno
Published: October 2014

Rosmarinic acid is a polyphenolic compound and main constituent of Rosmarinus officinalis and has been shown to possess antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties. We aimed to evaluate the anti‐inflammatory properties of rosmarinic acid and of an extract of R. officinalis in local inflammation (carrageenin‐induced paw oedema model in the rat), and further evaluate the protective effect of rosmarinic acid in rat models of systemic inflammation: liver ischaemia–reperfusion (I/R) and thermal injury models. In the local inflammation model, rosmarinic acid was administered at 10, 25 and 50 mg/kg (p.o.), and the extract was administered at 10 and 25 mg/kg (equivalent doses to rosmarinic acid groups) to male Wistar rats. Administration of rosmarinic acid and extract at the dose of 25 mg/kg reduced paw oedema at 6 hr by over 60%, exhibiting a dose–response effect, suggesting that rosmarinic was the main contributor to the anti‐inflammatory effect. In the liver I/R model, rosmarinic acid was administered at 25 mg/kg (i.v.) 30 min. prior to the induction of ischaemia and led to the significant reduction in the serum concentration of transaminases (AST and ALT) and LDH. In the thermal injury model, rosmarinic acid was administered at 25 mg/kg (i.v.) 5 min. prior to the induction of injury and significantly reduced multi‐organ dysfunction markers (liver, kidney, lung) by modulating NF‐κB and metalloproteinase‐9. For the first time, the anti‐inflammatory potential of rosmarinic acid has been identified, as it causes a substantial reduction in inflammation, and we speculate that it might be useful in the pharmacological modulation of injuries associated to inflammation.