bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new pressure ulcer conceptual framework
Authors: Coleman Susanne , Nixon Jane , Keen Justin , Wilson Lyn , McGinnis Elizabeth , Dealey Carol , Stubbs Nikki , Farrin Amanda , Dowding Dawn , Schols Jos M.G.A. , Cuddigan Janet , Berlowitz Dan , Jude Edward , Vowden Peter , Schoonhoven Lisette , Bader Dan L. , Gefen Amit , Oomens Cees W.J. , Nelson E. Andrea
Published: March 2014

Aim

This paper discusses the critical determinants of pressure ulcer development and proposes a new pressure ulcer conceptual framework.

Background

Recent work to develop and validate a new evidence‐based pressure ulcer risk assessment framework was undertaken. This formed part of a Pressure UlceR Programme Of reSEarch (RP‐PG‐0407‐10056), funded by the National Institute for Health Research. The foundation for the risk assessment component incorporated a systematic review and a consensus study that highlighted the need to propose a new conceptual framework.

Design

Discussion Paper.

Data Sources

The new conceptual framework links evidence from biomechanical, physiological and epidemiological evidence, through use of data from a systematic review (search conducted March 2010), a consensus study (conducted December 2010–2011) and an international expert group meeting (conducted December 2011).

Implications for Nursing

A new pressure ulcer conceptual framework incorporating key physiological and biomechanical components and their impact on internal strains, stresses and damage thresholds is proposed. Direct and key indirect causal factors suggested in a theoretical causal pathway are mapped to the physiological and biomechanical components of the framework. The new proposed conceptual framework provides the basis for understanding the critical determinants of pressure ulcer development and has the potential to influence risk assessment guidance and practice. It could also be used to underpin future research to explore the role of individual risk factors conceptually and operationally.

Conclusion

By integrating existing knowledge from epidemiological, physiological and biomechanical evidence, a theoretical causal pathway and new conceptual framework are proposed with potential implications for practice and research.
Product Market Competition, Information and Earnings Management
Authors: Markarian Garen , Santalo´ Juan
Published: March 2014

We study theoretically the effect of product market competition on the incentives to engage in earnings manipulation, and we show how manipulating earnings is particularly rewarding in more competitive markets since the boost in market value of reporting good earnings is especially important. Using a panel dataset of about 70,000 observations spanning the period 1989–2011, we document that the competitive environment is an important determinant of Jones type discretionary accruals and it also affects real earnings management. In additional analysis, we find that the effect of competition on earnings manipulation is particularly important for companies that seem to be underperforming their competitors and that the competition‐earnings management linkage is moderated by the degree of information visibility at the industry level.
The effect of spatially marginal localities in modelling species niches and distributions
Authors: Soley‐Guardia Mariano , Radosavljevic Aleksandar , Rivera Jhanine L. , Anderson Robert P.
Published: March 2014

Aim

We introduce and evaluate the potential effect of spatially marginal localities (specifically those protruding into unsuitable regions), in overestimating species niches and distributions when using ecological niche models (ENMs).

Location

North‐western South America.

Methods

We built anENMfor the Caribbean spiny pocket mouse (Heteromys anomalus) usingMaxEntand climatic variables. This species typically inhabits extensive tropical forests but can also range into drier habitats through patches of mesic vegetation. We ranked occurrence records according to the suitability value they received, and retrieved habitat information from collectors' field notes and the literature to determine whether those receiving lower values correspond to spatially marginal localities protruding into unsuitable regions. We then built a model excluding a subset of such localities and compared its geographic and environmental prediction with that of the original model.

Results

Models differed substantially in their estimates of suitability. The original model resulted in an overly extensive prediction, considering as suitable hot and dry regions dominated by xerophytic vegetation. Records receiving the lowest suitability values in this model corresponded mainly to captures in patches of mesic forest surrounded by thorn scrub or savannas. The model calibrated without such records restricted suitability mostly to regions characterized by the typical habitat of the species.

Main conclusions

When it is not possible to use variables that are more proximal or have finer resolutions, we recommend building complementary models that, together, can provide a more realistic estimate of the species' niche and corresponding geographic distribution. Jointly interpreting these models, researchers may better differentiate between areas harbouring typical habitat and those where the species can be found only if locally favourable conditions exist. Such a distinction is of relevance for a wide range of applications relying on inferences obtained fromENMs.
The pairwise approach to analysing species co‐occurrence
Authors: Veech Joseph A.
Published: March 2014

The analysis of species co‐occurrence patterns continues to be a main pursuit of ecologists, primarily because the coexistence of species is fundamentally important in evaluating various theories, principles and concepts. Examples include community assembly, equilibrium versus non‐equilibrium organization of communities, resource partitioning and ecological character displacement, the local–regional species diversity relationship, and the metacommunity concept. Traditionally, co‐occurrence has been measured and tested at the level of an entire species presence–absence matrix wherein various algorithms are used to randomize matrices and produce statistical null distributions of metrics that quantify structure in the matrix. This approach implicitly recognizes a presence–absence matrix as having some real ecological identity (e.g. a set of species exhibiting nestedness among a set of islands) in addition to being a unit of statistical analysis. An emerging alternative is to test for non‐random co‐occurrence between paired species. The pairwise approach does not analyse matrix‐level structure and thus views a species pair as the fundamental unit of co‐occurrence. Inferring process from pattern is very difficult in analyses of co‐occurrence; however, the pairwise approach may make this task easier by simplifying the analysis and resulting inferences to associations between paired species.
Pooled safety analysis of calcipotriol plus betamethasone dipropionate gel for the treatment of psoriasis on the body and scalp
Authors: Kragballe K. , van de Kerkhof P.
Published: March 2014

The fixed combination calcipotriol plus betamethasone dipropionate gel is a first‐line treatment for psoriasis vulgaris. The objective was to perform a large‐scale assessment of tolerability of fixed combination gel (Cal/BD). Analysis was performed on pooled 8‐week safety data from nine clinical trials evaluating once‐daily Cal/BD treatment of scalp (n = 6) and body (n = 3) psoriasis. Pharmacovigilance data were also assessed. Patients were treated with Cal/BD [n = 1953 (scalp), n = 824 (body)], betamethasone dipropionate gel (BD; n = 1214, n = 562), calcipotriol gel (Cal; n = 979, n = 175), gel vehicle (VEH; n = 173, n = 226), calcipotriol scalp solution [n = 104 (scalp only)] and tacalcitol ointment [TAC; n = 184 (body only)]. Most adverse events (AEs) were mild–moderate severity. The proportion of scalp psoriasis patients with ≥1 AE was lowest with Cal/BD (35% versus 38–57%). A similar proportion was found with Cal/BD for body psoriasis (32%), however, lower proportions were reported with BD (24%) and Cal (29%). The most common AEs with Cal/BD included nasopharyngitis, pruritus and upper respiratory tract infection (2–5% of patients). Overall, only 5% of patients treated with Cal/BD reported ≥1 lesional/perilesional AEs: the lowest incidence versus scalp comparators (6–19%) and second lowest to BD (3%) for body psoriasis. Similarly, Cal/BD treatment resulted in the lowest incidence of ≥1 adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in scalp psoriasis patients (8% versus 9–27%) and second lowest to BD (6% versus 4%) for body psoriasis. Overall, incidence of serious AEs (SAEs) was low (0–1%). Data received postmarketing through spontaneous reporting revealed that SAEs reported more than once with Cal/BD treatment were psoriasis (n = 5); and alopecia, erythrodermic psoriasis, pruritus, skin atrophy and urticaria (n = 2 each). In this large subset of patients treated with Cal/BD, incidence of AEs and ADRs is consistently low. This analysis provides further evidence of the good tolerability of the fixed combination gel as treatment for psoriasis vulgaris.
Non‐adherence and measures to improve adherence in the topical treatment of psoriasis
Authors: Zschocke I. , Mrowietz U. , Karakasili E. , Reich K.
Published: March 2014

Psoriasis is a chronic, recurrent immune‐mediated skin disease with a 2–3% prevalence in the Western population, which severely affects patients’ quality of life and poses a considerable socioeconomic challenge. The majority of individuals have psoriasis in limited areas and topical products are the mainstay of therapy according to existing guidelines. It is known that medication adherence rates are lower for topical treatment than for systemic treatment. Poor medication adherence is a major multidimensional problem for patients with chronic disorders as it is associated with unfavourable treatment outcomes, increased risk for development of concomitant diseases and inefficient use of health resources. Despite four decades of adherence research and the large number of studies that have identified the importance of medication non‐adherence, there are relatively few studies reporting and designing effective strategies to improve adherence. The aim of this article was to report and describe non‐adherence in the topical treatment of psoriasis, the factors that might contribute to this phenomenon, and which interventions have so far been developed for the management of chronic conditions. This article proposes that given that the barriers to medication adherence are complex and varied, solutions to improve adherence and thus clinical outcomes must be multifaceted and must also provide the possibility to be tailored according to each patient's individual needs. Such an individualized and comprehensive adherence‐enhancing intervention would probably enable the successful long‐term management of this disabling chronic condition.
The effects of exposure in sandy beach surf zones on larval fishes
Authors: Pattrick P. , Strydom N. A.
Published: March 2014

The influence of wind and wave exposure on larval fish assemblages within a large bay system was investigated. Larval fishes were sampled from two areas with vastly different exposure to waves and wind, namely the windward and leeward sectors of Algoa Bay. In total, 5702 larval fishes were collected using a modified larval seine. Of these, 4391 were collected in the leeward and 1311 in the windward sector of the bay, representing a total of 23 families and 57 species. Dominant fish families included Clinidae, Engraulidae, Kyphosidae, Mugilidae, Soleidae and Sparidae, similar to the situation elsewhere, highlighting continuity in the composition of larval fish assemblages and the utilization of surf zones by a specific group of larval fishes. Nineteen estuary‐associated marine species occurred within the surf zones of Algoa Bay and dominated catches (86·7%) in terms of abundance. Postflexion larvae comprised > 80% of the catch, indicating the importance of the seemingly inhospitable surf zone environment for the early life stages of many fish species. The greatest species diversity was observed within the windward sector of the bay. Distance‐based linear modelling identified wave period as the environmental variable explaining the largest proportion of the significant variation in the larval fish assemblage. The physical disturbance generated by breaking waves could create a suitable environment for fish larvae, sheltered from predators and with an abundance of food resources.
Facing warm temperatures during migration: cardiac mRNA responses of two adult Oncorhynchus nerka populations to warming and swimming challenges
Authors: Anttila K. , Eliason E. J. , Kaukinen K. H. , Miller K. M. , Farrell A. P.
Published: March 2014

The main findings of the current study were that exposing adult sockeye salmon Onchorhynchus nerka to a warm temperature that they regularly encounter during their river migration induced a heat shock response at an mRNA level, and this response was exacerbated with forced swimming. Similar to the heat shock response, increased immune defence‐related responses were also observed after warm temperature treatment and with a swimming challenge in two different populations (Chilko and Nechako), but with some important differences. Microarray analyses revealed that 347 genes were differentially expressed between the cold (12–13° C) and warm (18–19° C) treated fish, with stress response (GO:0006950) and response to fungus (GO:0009620) elevated with warm treatment, while expression for genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation (GO:0006119) and electron transport chain (GO:0022900) elevated for cold‐treated fish. Analysis of single genes with real‐time quantitative PCR revealed that temperature had the most significant effect on mRNA expression levels, with swimming and population having secondary influences. Warm temperature treatment for the Chilko population induced expression of heat shock protein (hsp) 90α, hsp90β and hsp30 as well as interferon‐inducible protein. The Nechako population, which is known to have a narrower thermal tolerance window than the Chilko population, showed even more pronounced stress responses to the warm treatment and there was significant interaction between population and temperature treatment for hsp90β expression. Moreover, significant interactions were noted between temperature treatment and swimming challenge for hsp90α and hsp30, and while swimming challenge alone increased expression of these hsps, the expression levels were significantly elevated in warm‐treated fish swum to exhaustion. In conclusion, it seems that adult O. nerka currently encounter conditions that induce several cellular defence mechanisms during their once‐in‐the‐lifetime migration. As river temperatures continue to increase, it remains to be seen whether or not these cellular defences provide sufficient protection for all O. nerka populations.
Radiocaesium concentrations in the muscle and eggs of salmonids from Lake Chuzenji, Japan, after the Fukushima fallout
Authors: Yamamoto S. , Yokoduka T. , Fujimoto K. , Takagi K. , Ono T.
Published: March 2014

Approximately 18 months (September to December 2012) after the Fukushima Dai‐ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, elevated radiocaesium concentrations were measured in samples of muscle and eggs from masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou, kokanee Oncorhynchus nerka, brown trout Salmo trutta and lake trout Salvelinus namaycush from the Lake Chuzenji system, central Honshu Island, Japan (160 km from the station). Mean muscle concentrations were 142·9–249·2 Bq kg−1 wet mass and mean concentrations in eggs were 38·7–79·0 Bq kg−1 wet mass. There was no relationship between fork length and muscle radiocaesium concentration in any of the species, but there were significant relationships between individual muscle and egg radiocaesium concentrations from O. masou, S. trutta and S. namaycush.
Rapid growth increases intrinsic predation risk in genetically modified Cyprinus carpio: implications for environmental risk
Authors: Zhang L. , Gozlan R. E. , Li Z. , Liu J. , Zhang T. , Hu W. , Zhu Z.
Published: March 2014

The intrinsic effect of feeding regime on survival and predation‐induced mortality was experimentally tested in genetically modified (GM) Cyprinus carpio and wild specimens. The results clearly indicate a knock‐on effect of the GH gene (gcGH) introduction into the C. carpio genome on their vulnerability to predation. The experiments unequivocally showed that it is the genetic nature of the C. carpio rather than its size that affects the risk of predation. In addition, fed C. carpio were more susceptible to predation risk. Thus, the study characterizes the existence of a trade‐off between somatic growth and predator avoidance performance. Current research in Europe suggests that high uncertainty surrounding the potential environmental effects of escapee transgenic fishes into the wild is largely due to uncertainty in how the modified gene will be expressed. Understanding variables such as the cost of rapid growth on antipredator success would prove to be pivotal in setting up sound risk assessments for GM fishes and in fully assessing the environmental risk associated with GM fish escapees.
Impairments of long‐term depression induction and motor coordination precede Aβ accumulation in the cerebellum of APPswe/PS1dE9 double transgenic mice
Authors: Kuwabara Yuki , Ishizeki Masato , Watamura Naoto , Toba Junya , Yoshii Aya , Inoue Takafumi , Ohshima Toshio
Published: March 2014

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that represents the most common type of dementia among elderly people. Amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides in extracellular Aβ plaques, produced from the amyloid precursor protein (APP) via sequential processing by β‐ and γ‐secretases, impair hippocampal synaptic plasticity, and cause cognitive dysfunction in AD patients. Here, we report that Aβ peptides also impair another form of synaptic plasticity; cerebellar long‐term depression (LTD). In the cerebellum of commonly used AD mouse model, APPswe/PS1dE9 mice, Aβ plaques were detected from 8 months and profound accumulation of Aβ plaques was observed at 18 months of age. Biochemical analysis revealed relatively high levels of APP protein and Aβ in the cerebellum of APPswe/PS1dE9 mice. At pre‐Aβ accumulation stage, LTD induction, and motor coordination are disturbed. These results indicate that soluble Aβ oligomers disturb LTD induction and cerebellar function in AD mouse model.

image

APPswe/PS1d9E mice, a commonly used Alzheimer's mouse model, have Aβ plaques in the cerebellum after 8 months old. We show that soluble Aβ impairs LTD induction in the cerebellar slice. APPswe/PS1d9E mice demonstrate defects of motor coordination and LTD induction in the cerebellum at the pre‐Aβ accumulation period.
Pubertal Timing and Tempo: Associations With Childhood Maltreatment
Authors: Negriff Sonya , Blankson A. Nayena , Trickett Penelope K.
Published: March 2014

This study examined pubertal timing and tempo in a sample of 445 adolescents (53% male), using both variable‐centered (latent growth curve) and person‐centered (latent class) approaches, to discern the pubertal development trajectories associated with the experience of maltreatment. Results from the variable‐centered analyses indicated a slower initial tempo that increased later for boys who had experienced neglect. The person‐centered results indicated three classes for boys that mainly differentiated tempo effects and two classes for girls primarily distinguishing timing differences. For girls, sexual abuse predicted membership in an earlier pubertal timing class. These findings enhance our knowledge of the variability in pubertal development as well as gender differences in maltreatment types that may alter pubertal timing and tempo.
Self‐Regulation Across Adolescence: Exploring the Structure of Selection, Optimization, and Compensation
Authors: Geldhof G. John , Bowers Edmond P. , Gestsdóttir Steinunn , Napolitano Christopher M. , Lerner Richard M.
Published: March 2014

Intentional self‐regulation (ISR) is thought to undergo significant development during the second decade of life, but our understanding of ISR's development during this period remains incomplete. We discuss the development of ISR as operationalized by Freund & Baltes's (2002) measure of selection, optimization, and compensation (SOC). We use data from 5,471 youth that had participated in the 4‐H Study of Positive Youth Development in Grades 5 through 12. Using exploratory factor analyses, our findings suggest that the SOC questionnaire adheres to a stable three‐factor structure across adolescence, with factors representing selection, intentional self‐regulation, and a reverse‐coded method factor. We discuss the implications of our findings for future research.
Taxonomic Free Sorting: A Successful Method with Older Consumers and a Novel Approach to Preference Mapping
Authors: Withers C. , Methven L. , Qannari E.M. , Allen V.J. , Gosney M.A. , MacFie H.J.H.
Published: March 2014

Taxonomic free sorting (TFS) is a fast, reliable and new technique in sensory science. The method extends the typical free sorting task where stimuli are grouped according to similarities, by asking respondents to combine their groups two at a time to produce a hierarchy. Previously, TFS has been used for the visual assessment of packaging whereas this study extends the range of potential uses of the technique to incorporate full sensory analysis by the target consumer, which, when combined with hedonic liking scores, was used to generate a novel preference map. Furthermore, to fully evaluate the efficacy of using the sorting method, the technique was evaluated with a healthy older adult consumer group. Participants sorted eight products into groups and described their reason at each stage as they combined those groups, producing a consumer‐specific vocabulary. This vocabulary was combined with hedonic data from a separate group of older adults, to give the external preference map. Taxonomic sorting is a simple, fast and effective method for use with older adults, and its combination with liking data can yield a preference map constructed entirely from target consumer data.

Practical Applications

Generating diagnostic sensory data directly from target consumers is a challenge in sensory science. Taxonomic free sorting (TFS) is a new and efficient sorting technique that aims to determine the sensory characteristics of products that are important to specific consumer cohorts. The hierarchical stages of TFS gives a better indication of the similarities and differences of a sample set and in this study was combined with consumer hedonic data to generate a preference map. In this study the attributes of the products assessed were provided directly by older consumers, without the need for training or prompting. TFS is a quick and effective method to give clear guidance of positive and negative characteristics of products according to the target consumer, as well as involving the specific consumer audience throughout the testing process.
The Effect of Tramadol and Indomethacin Coadministration on Gastric Barrier Function in Dogs
Authors: Hill T.L. , Lascelles B.D.X. , M. Law J. , Blikslager A.T.
Published: March 2014

Background

Tramadol is a centrally acting analgesic that is often used in conjunction with nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The effect of coadministration of tramadol and indomethacin on gastric barrier function in dogs is unknown.

Hypothesis/Objectives

That coadministration of a nonselective NSAID (indomethacin) and tramadol would decrease recovery of barrier function as compared with acid‐injured, indomethacin‐treated, and tramadol‐treated mucosa.

Animals

Gastric mucosa of 10 humanely euthanized shelter dogs.

Methods

Ex vivo study. Mounted gastric mucosa was treated with indomethacin, tramadol, or both. Gastric barrier function, prostanoid production, and cyclooxygenase expression were quantified.

Results

Indomethacin decreased recovery of transepithelial electrical resistance after injury, although neither tramadol nor the coadministration of the two had an additional effect. Indomethacin inhibited production of gastroprotective prostanoids prostaglandin E2 (acid‐injured PGE2: 509.3 ± 158.3 pg/mL, indomethacin + acid injury PGE2: 182.9 ± 93.8 pg/mL, P < .001) and thromboxane B2 (acid‐injured TXB2: 233.2 ± 90.7 pg/mL, indomethacin + acid injury TXB2: 37.9 ± 16.8 pg/mL, P < .001), whereas tramadol had no significant effect (PGE2 P = .713, TXB2 P = .194). Neither drug had an effect on cyclooxygenase expression (COX‐1 P = .743, COX‐2 P = .705). Acid injury induced moderate to marked epithelial cell sloughing, which was unchanged by drug administration.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

There was no apparent interaction of tramadol and a nonselective cyclooxygenase in this ex vivo model. These results suggest that if there is an adverse interaction of the 2 drugs in vivo, it is unlikely to be via prostanoid inhibition.
Pro‐tumorigenic Effects of Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 in Canine Osteosarcoma
Authors: Portela R.F. , Fadl‐Alla B.A. , Pondenis H.C. , Byrum M.L. , Garrett L.D. , Wycislo K.L. , Borst L.B. , Fan T.M.
Published: March 2014

Background

Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1) is a pleiotropic cytokine that contributes to reparative skeletal remodeling by inducing osteoblast proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis. Organic bone matrix is the largest bodily reservoir for latent TGFβ1, and active osteoblasts express cognate receptors for TGFβ1 (TGFβRI and TGFβRII). During malignant osteolysis, TGFβ1 is liberated from eroded bone matrix and promotes local progression of osteotropic solid tumors by its mitogenic and prosurvival activities.

Hypothesis

Canine osteosarcoma (OS) cells will possess TGFβ1 signaling machinery. Blockade of TGFβ1 signaling will attenuate pro‐tumorigenic activities in OS cells. Naturally occurring primary OS samples will express cognate TGFβ1 receptors; and in dogs with OS, focal malignant osteolysis will contribute to circulating TGFβ1 concentrations.

Animals

Thirty‐three dogs with appendicular OS.

Methods

Expression of TGFβ1 and its cognate receptors, as well as the biologic effects of TGFβ1 blockade, was characterized in OS cells. Ten spontaneous OS samples were characterized for TGFβRI/II expressions by immunohistochemistry. In 33 dogs with OS, plasma TGFβ1 concentrations were quantified and correlated with bone resorption.

Results

Canine OS cells secrete TGFβ1, express cognate receptors, and TGFβ1 signaling blockade decreases proliferation, migration, and vascular endothelial growth factor secretion. Naturally occurring OS samples abundantly and uniformly express TGFβRI/II, and in OS‐bearing dogs, circulating TGFβ1 concentrations correlate with urine N‐telopeptide excretion.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Canine OS cells possess TGFβ1 signaling machinery, potentially allowing for the establishment of an autocrine and paracrine pro‐tumorigenic signaling loop. As such, TGFβ1 inhibitors might impede localized OS progression in dogs.
Drivers shaping the diversity and biogeography of total and active bacterial communities in the South China Sea
Authors: Zhang Yao , Zhao Zihao , Dai Minhan , Jiao Nianzhi , Herndl Gerhard J.
Published: March 2014

To test the hypothesis that different drivers shape the diversity and biogeography of the total and active bacterial community, we examined the bacterial community composition along two transects, one from the inner Pearl River estuary to the open waters of the South China Sea (SCS) and the other from the Luzon Strait to the SCS basin, using 454 pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA and 16S rRNA gene (V1‐3 regions) and thereby characterizing the active and total bacterial community, respectively. The diversity and biogeographic patterns differed substantially between the active and total bacterial communities. Although the composition of both the total and active bacterial community was strongly correlated with environmental factors and weakly correlated with geographic distance, the active bacterial community displayed higher environmental sensitivity than the total community and particularly a greater distance effect largely caused by the active assemblage from deep waters. The 16S rRNA vs. rDNA relationships indicated that the active bacteria were low in relative abundance in the SCS. This might be due to a high competition between active bacterial taxa as indicated by our community network models. Based on these analyses, we speculate that high competition could cause some dispersal limitation of the active bacterial community resulting in a distinct distance‐decay relationship. Altogether, our results indicated that the biogeographic distribution of bacteria in the SCS is the result of both environmental control and distance decay.
A dual role of the transcriptional regulator TstR provides insights into cyanide detoxification in Lactobacillus brevis
Authors: Pagliai Fernando A. , Murdoch Caitlin C. , Brown Sara M. , Gonzalez Claudio F. , Lorca Graciela L.
Published: March 2014

In this study we uncover two genes in Lactobacillus brevis ATCC 367, tstT and tstR, encoding for a rhodanese and a transcriptional regulator involved in cyanide detoxification. TstT (LVIS_0852) belongs to a new class of thiosulphate:cyanide sulphurtransferases. We found that TstR (LVIS_0853) modulates both the expression and the activity of the downstream‐encoded tstT. The TstR binding site was identified at −1 to +33, from tstR transcriptional start site. EMSA revealed that sulphite, a product of the reaction catalysed by TstT, improved the interaction between TstR:PtstR, while Fe(III) disrupted this interaction. Site‐directed mutagenesis in TstR identified M64 as a key residue in sulphite recognition, while residues H136‐H139‐C167‐M171 formed a pocket for ferric iron co‐ordination. In addition to its role as a transcriptional repressor, TstR is also involved in regulating the thiosulphate:cyanide sulphurtransferase activity of TstT. A threefold increase in TstT activity was observed in the presence of TstR, which was enhanced by the addition of Fe(III). Overexpression of the tstRT operon was found to increase the cyanide tolerance of L. brevis and Escherichia coli. The protein–protein interaction between TstR and TstT described herein represents a novel mechanism for regulation of enzymatic activity by a transcriptional regulator.
Salicylic acid prevents Trichoderma harzianum from entering the vascular system of roots
Authors: Alonso‐Ramírez Ana , Poveda Jorge , Martín Ignacio , Hermosa Rosa , Monte Enrique , Nicolás Carlos
Published: March 2014

Trichoderma is a soil‐borne fungal genus that includes species with a significant impact on agriculture and industrial processes. Some Trichoderma strains exert beneficial effects in plants through root colonization, although little is known about how this interaction takes place. To better understand this process, the root colonization of wild‐type Arabidopsis and the salicylic acid (SA)‐impaired mutant sid2 by a green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐marked Trichoderma harzianum strain was followed under confocal microscopy. Trichoderma harzianum GFP22 was able to penetrate the vascular tissue of the sid2 mutant because of the absence of callose deposition in the cell wall of root cells. In addition, a higher colonization of sid2 roots by GFP22 compared with that in Arabidopsis wild‐type roots was detected by real‐time polymerase chain reaction. These results, together with differences in the expression levels of plant defence genes in the roots of both interactions, support a key role for SA in Trichoderma early root colonization stages. We observed that, without the support of SA, plants were unable to prevent the arrival of the fungus in the vascular system and its spread into aerial parts, leading to later collapse.
Craniosynostosis surgery in an infant with a complex cyanotic cardiac defect
Authors: Bergmans Bas , Kammeraad Janneke A.E. , van Adrichem Leon N.A. , Staals Lonneke M.
Published: March 2014

We report on a case where craniosynostosis surgery for a left‐sided coronal synostosis was performed successfully on an 11‐month old infant with a hypoplastic left ventricle with a dysplastic mitral valve, double outlet right ventricle, transposition of the great arteries, atrial septal defect, multiple ventricular septal defects, and surgically applied pulmonary banding. Craniosynostosis surgery is considered high‐risk surgery, because of possible sudden and extensive blood loss, and is usually performed in cardiopulmonary healthy children. Children with congenital heart disease undergoing noncardiac surgery have an increased risk of perioperative morbidity and cardiac arrest. Patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome are a high‐risk population when undergoing noncardiac surgery, in all stages of palliation. This infant would be undergoing a partial cavo‐pulmonary connection (PCPC) within a few months. With a PCPC, drainage of cranial vessels is dependent on passive flow via the superior caval vein directly into the pulmonary artery. Consequently, this could lead to an increased blood loss during craniosynostosis surgery. Therefore, it was decided to perform the craniosynostosis surgery first, before establishing a PCPC. When a child with CHD presents for high‐risk noncardiac surgery, future cardiac procedures and physiology also have to be taken into account. A multidisciplinary approach, involving pediatric cardiologists and pediatric anesthesiologists, is essential in making this decision.
Accounting for the Harm of Death
Authors: Purves Duncan
Published: March 2014

I defend a theory of the way in which death is a harm to the person who dies that (i) fits into a larger, unified account of harm (so that death is not a special kind of harm but is harmful in the same way that any harmful event is harmful); and (ii) includes an account of the time of death's harmfulness, one that avoids the implications that death is a timeless harm and that people have levels of welfare at times at which they do not exist.
Multiple phytohormones and phytoalexins are involved in disease resistance toMagnaporthe oryzaeinvaded from roots in rice
Authors: Duan Liu , Liu Hongbo , Li Xianghua , Xiao Jinghua , Wang Shiping
Published: March 2014

Blast, caused by the fungusMagnaporthe oryzae, is one of the most devastating diseases of rice worldwide. Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) is a key enzyme in the phenylpropanoid pathway, which leads to the biosynthesis of defense‐related phytohormone salicylic acid (SA) and flavonoid‐type phytoalexins sakuranetin and naringenin. However, the roles and biochemical features of individual ricePALsin defense responses to pathogens remain unclear. Here, we report that riceOsPAL06, which can catalyze the formation oftrans‐cinnamate usingl‐phenylalanine, is involved in rice root–M. oryzaeinteraction. OsPAL06‐knockout mutant showed increased susceptibility toM. oryzaeinvaded from roots and developed typical leaf blast symptoms, accompanied by nearly complete disappearance of sakuranetin and naringenin and a two‐third reduction of the SA level in roots. This mutant also showed compensatively induced expression of chalcone synthase, which is involved in flavonoid biosynthesis, isochorismate synthase 1, which is putatively involved in SA synthesis via another pathway, reduced jasmonate content and increased ethylene content. These results suggest thatOsPAL06is a positive regulator in preventingM. oryzaeinfection from roots. It may regulate defense by promoting both phytoalexin accumulation andSAsignaling that synergistically and antagonistically interacts with jasmonate‐ and ethylene‐dependent signaling, respectively.
On the Mechanism Determining the Th1/Th2 Phenotype of an Immune Response, and its Pertinence to Strategies for the Prevention, and Treatment, of Certain Infectious Diseases
Authors: Bretscher P. A.
Published: March 2014

It is well recognized that the physiological/pathological consequences of an immune response, against a foreign or a self‐antigen, are often critically dependent on the class of immunity generated. Here we focus on how antigen interacts with the cells of the immune system to determine whether antigen predominantly generates Th1 or Th2 cells. We refer to this mechanism as the ‘decision criterion’ controlling the Th1/Th2 phenotype of the immune response. A plausible decision criterion should account for the variables of immunization known to affect the Th1/Th2 phenotype of the ensuing immune response. Documented variables include the nature of the antigen, in terms of its degree of foreignness, the dose of antigen and the time after immunization at which the Th1/Th2 phenotype of the immune response is assessed. These are quantitative variables made at the level of the system. In addition, the route of immunization is also critical. I describe a quantitative hypothesis as to the nature of the decision criterion, referred to as the Threshold Hypothesis. This hypothesis accounts for the quantitative variables of immunization known to affect the Th1/Th2 phenotype of the immune response generated. I suggest and illustrate how this is not true of competing, contemporary hypotheses. I outline studies testing predictions of the hypothesis and illustrate its potential utility in designing strategies to prevent or treat medical situations where a predominant Th1 response is required to contain an infection, such as those caused by HIV‐1 and by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, or to contain cancers.
IFNγ and Perforin Cooperate to Control Infection and Prevent Fatal Pathology During Persistent Gammaherpesvirus Infection in Mice
Authors: Bartholdy C. , Høgh‐Petersen M. , Storm P. , Holst P. J. , Ørskov C. , Christensen J. P. , Thomsen A. R.
Published: March 2014

Infection with murine gammaherpesvirus 68 has become an accepted model for studying the virus/host interactions with regard to gammaherpesvirus infections. Previous studies using gene‐deficient mice have revealed that neither IFNγ nor perforin is essential in controlling the outcome of infection or the virus load during chronic infection in C57BL/6 mice. However, pronounced multiorgan fibrosis and splenic atrophy are observed in mice lacking IFNγ or the IFNγ receptor. To study the interplay between perforin and IFNγ in controlling the virus‐induced pathology and the viral load during chronic gammaherpesvirus infection, we infected IFNγ/perforin double‐deficient C57BL/6 mice and followed the course of infection. While absence of perforin prevented the splenic atrophy in IFNγ‐deficient mice, fibrosis did not disappear. Moreover, double‐deficient mice developed extreme splenomegaly, were unable to control the viral load and displayed chronic immune activation. Thus, IFNγ and perforin act in concert to minimize pathology and control the viral load in mice chronically infected with MHV68. Furthermore, while certain aspect of the virus‐induced pathology in IFNγ‐deficient mice may be alleviated in double‐deficient mice, other aspects are exaggerated, and the normal architecture of the spleen is completely destroyed. We believe that these findings add to the understanding of the virus/host interaction during chronic gammaherpes virus infection.
Interferon Lambda‐2 Levels in Sputum of Patients with Pulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection
Authors: Travar M. , Vucic M. , Petkovic M.
Published: March 2014

In humans, there are three members of type III interferon family, designated as IFN‐λ1 (IL‐29), IFN‐λ2 (IL‐28A) and IFN‐λ3 (IL‐28B). Bacterial infections, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, trigger the expression of interferon I and II genes, but little is known about their effect on IFN‐λ genes. It has been found that M. tuberculosis infection in A549 lung epithelial cells stimulate upregulation of IFN‐λ2 genes in vitro. The aim of this study was to determine the IFN‐λ2 levels in sputum of patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis comparing with levels in healthy persons sputum and sputum of persons with latent tuberculosis. IFN‐λ2 level in the samples was quantified with sandwich enzyme‐linked immunoassay kit for quantization of human IFN‐λ2 (IL‐28A). The IFN‐λ2 level in sputum of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis was significantly higher comparing with IFN‐λ2 levels in healthy group (P = 0.001) and latent tuberculosis group (P = 0.005). Logistic regression analysis has shown that IFN‐λ2 level in sputum is related to culture result (OR = 4.14; 95% CI = 1.28–17.5; P = 0.019). There was the correlation between Bartlett score and IFN‐λ2 levels in group with pulmonary tuberculosis (r = 0.641; P < 0.01). In conclusion, we have found that the inflammatory cells in sputum can be source of IFN‐λ after receptor stimulation by M. tuberculosis components.
Suppressed Expression of Homotypic Multinucleation, Extracellular Domains of CD172α (SIRP‐α) and CD47 (IAP) Receptors in TAMs UpRegulated by Hsp70–Peptide Complex in Dalton's Lymphoma
Authors: Gautam P. K. , Acharya A.
Published: March 2014

CD172α and CD47 are members of glycoprotein expressed on macrophages and various immune cells, promote immune recognition and T cell stimulation that priming phagocytosis of pathogens and apoptotic bodies and malignant cell. Tumour‐releasing immunosuppressive factor promotes tumour growth and transforms the tumour resident M1 phenotype of macrophage to M2 phenotype (TAMs) that promotes tumour progression by downregulating the expression of different surface receptor including CD172α and CD47. Recent studies have reported that CD172α and CD47 are involved in the pathogenesis and promote malignancies such as lymphoma, leukaemia, melanoma, lung cancer and multiple myeloma, and their expression varies during infection and malignancies. Autologous Hsp70 is well recognized for its role in activating macrophages leading to enhance production of inflammatory cytokines. It has been observed that Hsp70 derived from normal tissues do not elicit tumour immunity, while Hsp70 preparation from tumour cell was able to elicit tumour immunity. However, the role of exogenous autologous hsp70 on the formation of giant cells is completely unknown. Therefore, in the present study, we sought to investigate the effect of Hsp70–peptide complex on the expression of CD172α and CD47 receptors in normal peritoneal macrophages (NMO) and TAMs. Finding shows that the expression of CD172α and CD47 enhances in TAMs and it reverts back the suppressed function of TAMs into M1 state of immunoregulatory phenotype that promotes tumour regression by enhanced multinucleation and phagocytosis of malignant cells and significantly enhances the homotypic fusion of macrophages and polykaryon formation in vitro by enhancing the expression of SIRPα and IAP.
A Simple Location Index Plus Some Maps and no Apologies: Back to Basics on the Development of Links Between Economic Integration and Spatial Concentration of Industries
Authors: Schweizog Robert , Collins Alan
Published: March 2014

The analysis of the location patterns of economic activities in both Europe and the US has been addressed in an extensive literature dependent on increasingly more sophisticated techniques that arguably reframe debate away from the policy questions in focus and towards debate on the complex empirical techniques that seem to be in vogue at any given time. In part this has been a response to some clear shortcomings in the use of simple locational Gini coefficients. It is argued herein that simple index approaches can still retain value if augmented with intuitive reading of some relevant maps. An example of the utility of this approach is provided in relation to the location patterns of four exemplar manufacturing industries in the EU and USA.
Claiming spaces: British Muslim negotiations of urban citizenship in an era of new migration
Authors: Phillips Deborah
Published: March 2014

This paper seeks to complicate understandings of British Muslim citizenship that have so far largely been framed in terms of British Muslim negotiations with the majority white British population and its institutions. Building on the notion of the city as a lived space, the paper explores how, in an era of growing international migration and social difference, everyday negotiations between British Muslims and new migrants bring formal constructions of citizenship (as status) and the performative expression of citizenship (as a lived experience and the practice of belonging) to the fore. Inspired by the work of theorists on urban citizenship, living with difference and emerging constructions of emotional citizenship, the paper underscores the salience of the neighbourhood as a performative space implicated in citizenship formation and the sedimentation of feelings of belonging. Drawing on encounters between established British Muslims and new Eastern European migrants to Bradford, the paper emphasises the significance of neighbourhood as a site of struggle, citizenship claims, and a social, political and emotional space of citizen formation at a time of geopolitical change. Central to the argument are the challenges posed to British Muslims' understandings of ‘self as citizen’ that arise from encounters with mobile, white, Christian bodies settling in spaces appropriated and marked as Muslim. The findings engage with debates about the place of British Muslims in shifting constructions of British citizenship and explore implications for politicised discourses on community, security, integration and the capacity to live with difference for those who are all too often discursively cast as ‘not good enough’ British citizens.
Stress Intensification Factors for Fabricated Lateral Piping Connections
Authors: Mair David
Published: March 2014

Stress intensification factors (SIFs) are published in the piping codes for tees; branch connections where the branch intersects the header pipe at 90 deg. These factors when multiplied by the nominal stress provide a measure of the increased local stresses at the junction of the two pipes. However, in cases where the branch pipe meets the header at an angle of other than 90 deg, the main piping codes do not provide a method of calculating the SIFs. This presents a difficulty for the pipe stress engineer who must determine appropriate SIFs, usually in a conservative way and then manually enter these into the pipe stress program. This paper summarizes some of the published methods of calculating SIFs for a limited range of lateral branch connections and makes recommendations based on comparisons with finite element analysis (FEA) studies. It also includes recommendations on how such FEA studies should be applied in order to provide suitable SIF values.
The Mediating Influence of Management by Values in Nonprofit Sport Organizations
Authors: Kerwin Shannon , MacLean Joanne , Bell-Laroche Dina
Published: March 2014

The theory of practicing values may provide valuable insight into the role of organizational values in sport organizations. This is particularly relevant in the nonprofit sport sector where managers operate with limited budgets and organizations may subscribe to specific ethical-social values related to organizational performance. The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of organizational values on the performance of nonprofit sport organizations and the possible mediating effect of employing a management-by-values approach. Online questionnaires were collected from 24 national sport organizations, with a total sample of 103 participants. Results indicate management by values fully mediates the influence of ethical-social organizational values on organizational performance. These results are explained using the theory of practicing values, which emphasizes the need to intentionally manage values within sport organizations. Implications for research and practice are presented.