bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A spider web strategy of type IV pili‐mediated migration to build a fibre‐like Psl polysaccharide matrix in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms
Authors: Wang Shiwei , Parsek Matthew R. , Wozniak Daniel J. , Ma Luyan Z.
Published: January 2013

Bacterial motilities participate in biofilm development. However, it is unknown how/if bacterial motility affects formation of the biofilm matrix. Psl polysaccharide is a key biofilm matrix component of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Here we report that type IV pili (T4P)‐mediated bacterial migration leads to the formation of a fibre‐like Psl matrix. Deletion of T4P in wild type and flagella‐deficient strains results in loss of the Psl‐fibres and reduction of biofilm biomass in flow cell biofilms as well as pellicles at air‐liquid interface. Bacteria lacking T4P‐driven twitching motility including those that still express surface T4P are unable to form the Psl‐fibres. Formation of a Psl‐fibre matrix is critical for efficient biofilm formation, yet does not require flagella and polysaccharide Pel or alginate. The Psl‐fibres are likely formed by Psl released from bacteria during T4P‐mediated migration, a strategy similar to spider web formation. Starvation can couple Psl release and T4P‐driven twitching motility. Furthermore, a radial‐pattern Psl‐fibre matrix is present in the middle of biofilms, a nutrient‐deprived region. These imply a plausible model for how bacteria respond to nutrient‐limited local environment to build a polysaccharide‐fibre matrix by T4P‐dependent bacterial migration strategy. This strategy may have general significance for bacterial survival in natural and clinical settings.
Post‐Acute Care and ACOs — Who Will Be Accountable?
Authors: McWilliams J. Michael , Chernew Michael E. , Zaslavsky Alan M. , Landon Bruce E.
Published: January 2013

Objective

To determine how the inclusion of post‐acute evaluation and management (E&M) services as primary care affects assignment of Medicare beneficiaries to accountable care organizations (ACOs).

Data Sources

Medicare claims for a random 5 percent sample of 2009 Medicare beneficiaries linked to American Medical Association Group Practice data identifying provider groups sufficiently large to be eligible for ACO program participation.

Study Design

We calculated the fraction of community‐dwelling beneficiaries whose assignment shifted, as a consequence of including post‐acute E&M services, from the group providing their outpatient primary care to a different group providing their inpatient post‐acute care.

Principal Findings

Assignment shifts occurred for 27.6 percent of 25,992 community‐dwelling beneficiaries with at least one post‐acute skilled nursing facility stay, and they were more common for those incurring higher Medicare spending. Those whose assignment shifted constituted only 1.3 percent of all community‐dwelling beneficiaries cared for by large ACO‐eligible organizations (n = 535,138), but they accounted for 8.4 percent of total Medicare spending for this population.

Conclusions

Under current Medicare assignment rules, ACOs may not be accountable for an influential group of post‐acute patients, suggesting missed opportunities to improve care coordination and reduce inappropriate readmissions.
Comparative efficacy and tolerability of anti‐epileptic drugs for refractory focal epilepsy: systematic review and network meta‐analysis reveals the need for long term comparator trials
Authors: Bodalia Pritesh N. , Grosso Anthony M. , Sofat Reecha , MacAllister Raymond J. , Smeeth Liam , Dhillon Soraya , Casas Juan‐Pablo , Wonderling David , Hingorani Aroon D.
Published: January 2013

Aims

To evaluate the comparative efficacy (50% reduction in seizure frequency) and tolerability (premature withdrawal due to adverse events) of anti‐epileptic drugs (AEDs) for refractory epilepsy.

Methods

We searched Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Cochrane Library 2009, issue 2) including Epilepsy Group's specialized register, MEDLINE (1950 to March 2009), EMBASE (1980 to March 2009), and Current Contents Connect (1998 to March 2009) to conduct a systematic review of published studies, developed a treatment network and undertook a network meta‐analysis.

Results

Forty‐three eligible trials with 6346 patients and 12 interventions, including placebo, contributed to the analysis. Only three direct drug comparator trials were identified, the remaining 40 trials being placebo‐controlled. Conventional random‐effects meta‐analysis indicated all drugs were superior in efficacy to placebo (overall odds ratio (OR] 3.78, 95% CI 3.14, 4.55) but did not permit firm distinction between drugs on the basis of the efficacy or tolerability. A Bayesian network meta‐analysis prioritized oxcarbazepine, topiramate and pregabalin on the basis of short term efficacy. However, sodium valproate, levetiracetam, gabapentin and vigabatrin were prioritized on the basis of short‐term efficacy and tolerability, with the caveat that vigabatrin is recognized as being associated with serious visual disturbance with chronic use.

Conclusion

Of the wide range of AEDs licensed for the treatment of refractory epilepsy, sodium valproate, levetiracetam and gabapentin demonstrated the best balance of efficacy and tolerability. Until regulators mandate greater use of active comparator trials with longer term follow‐up, network meta‐analysis provides the only available means to quantify these clinically important parameters.
IL‐4 and IL‐13 inhibit IL‐1β and TNF‐α induced kinin B1 and B2 receptors through a STAT6‐dependent mechanism
Authors: Souza PPC , Brechter AB , Reis RI , Costa CAS , Lundberg P , Lerner UH
Published: January 2013

Background and Purpose

Bone resorption induced by interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF‐α) is synergistically potentiated by kinins, partially due to enhanced kinin receptor expression. Inflammation‐induced bone resorption can be impaired by IL‐4 and IL‐13. The aim was to investigate if expression of B1 and B2 kinin receptors can be affected by IL‐4 and IL‐13.

Experimental Approach

We examined effects in a human osteoblastic cell line (MG‐63), primary human gingival fibroblasts and mouse bones by IL‐4 and IL‐13 on mRNA and protein expression of the B1 and B2 kinin receptors. We also examined the role of STAT6 by RNA interference and using Stat6‐/‐ mice.

Key Results

IL‐4 and IL‐13 decreased the mRNA expression of B1 and B2 kinin receptors induced by either IL‐1β or TNF‐α in MG‐63 cells, intact mouse calvarial bones or primary human gingival fibroblasts. The burst of intracellular calcium induced by either bradykinin (B2 agonist) or des‐Arg10‐Lys‐bradykinin (B1 agonist) in gingival fibroblasts pretreated with IL‐1β was impaired by IL‐4. Similarly, the increased binding of B1 and B2 ligands induced by IL‐1β was decreased by IL‐4. In calvarial bones from Stat6‐deficient mice, and in fibroblasts in which STAT6 was knocked down by siRNA, the effect of IL‐4 was decreased.

Conclusions and Implications

These data show, for the first time, that IL‐4 and IL‐13 decrease kinin receptors in a STAT6‐dependent mechanism, which can be one important mechanism by which these cytokines exert their anti‐inflammatory effects and impair bone resorption.
Trends in quetiapine use and non‐fatal quetiapine‐related ambulance attendances
Authors: Heilbronn Cherie , Lloyd Belinda , McElwee Paul , Eade Alan , Lubman Dan I.
Published: January 2013

Introduction and Aims

Concern about the non‐medical use of quetiapine and related acute harms is growing. Case series cite quetiapine as a potential drug of misuse, while recent research questions its relative safety in comparison with other atypical antipsychotic preparations. This paper explores population‐level patterns of quetiapine‐related ambulance attendances over time, identifying associated risk factors and potential subpopulations at‐risk of acute harms.

Design and Methods

A retrospective analysis of quetiapine‐, olanzapine‐ and risperidone‐related ambulance attendances in metropolitan Melbourne and prescription data in Victoria, Australia. Trends in ambulance attendance and prescription rates, attendance characteristics, and associated risk factors were explored from 2001 to 2010.

Results

Quetiapine was consistently associated with substantially higher rates of ambulance attendances relative to prescription availability than olanzapine or risperidone. Quetiapine prescribing rates increased at a significantly greater magnitude than olanzapine or risperidone, leading to substantial increases in quetiapine attendances by population. Quetiapine‐related attendances were associated with concurrent heroin and opioid replacement therapy toxicity, history of heroin and alcohol misuse, mood disorders, low Glasgow Coma Scale and women.

Discussion and Conclusions

Trends in quetiapine‐related ambulance attendances indicate rising community‐level harms and greater harm relative to other atypical antipsychotics, while prescription patterns suggest increasing quetiapine availability. The association of quetiapine‐related attendances with concurrent heroin and opioid replacement therapy toxicity as well as previous heroin and alcohol misuse suggest illicit and poly‐drug users are a subpopulation at greater risk of quetiapine‐related harms, consistent with emerging evidence of the use, misuse and diversion of quetiapine. [Heilbronn C, Lloyd B, McElwee P, Eade A, Lubman DI. Trends in quetiapine use and non‐fatal quetiapine‐related ambulance attendances. Drug Alcohol Rev 2013;32:405–411]
Tethering complexes in the endocytic pathway: CORVET and HOPS
Authors: Solinger Jachen A. , Spang Anne
Published: January 2013

Endocytosis describes the processes by which proteins, peptides and solutes, and also pathogens, enter the cell. Endocytosed material progresses to endosomes. Genetic studies in yeast, worms, flies and mammals have identified a set of universally conserved proteins that are essential for early‐to‐late endosome transition and lysosome biogenesis, and for endolysosomal trafficking pathways, including autophagy. The two Vps‐C complexes CORVET (class C core vacuole/endosome tethering) and HOPS (homotypic fusion and vacuole protein sorting) perform diverse biochemical functions in endocytosis: they tether membranes, interact with Rab GTPases, activate and proof‐read SNARE assembly to drive membrane fusion, and possibly attach endosomes to the cytoskeleton. In addition, several of the CORVET and HOPS subunits have diversified in metazoans, and probably form additional specialized complexes to accomodate the higher complexity of trafficking pathways in these cells. Recent studies offer new insights into the complex relationships between CORVET and HOPS complexes and other factors of the endolysosomal pathway. Interactions with V‐ATPase, the ESCRT machinery, phosphoinositides, the cytoskeleton and the Rab switch suggest an intricate cooperative network for endosome maturation. Accumulating evidence supports the view that endosomal tethering complexes implement a regulatory logic that governs endomembrane identity and dynamics.
Complex carbon cycle responses to multi‐level warming and supplemental summer rain in the high Arctic
Authors: Sharp Elizabeth D. , Sullivan Patrick F. , Steltzer Heidi , Csank Adam Z. , Welker Jeffrey M.
Published: January 2013

The Arctic has experienced rapid warming and, although there are uncertainties, increases in precipitation are projected to accompany future warming. Climate changes are expected to affect magnitudes of gross ecosystem photosynthesis (GEP), ecosystem respiration (ER) and the net ecosystem exchange of CO2 (NEE). Furthermore, ecosystem responses to climate change are likely to be characterized by nonlinearities, thresholds and interactions among system components and the driving variables. These complex interactions increase the difficulty of predicting responses to climate change and necessitate the use of manipulative experiments. In 2003, we established a long‐term, multi‐level and multi‐factor climate change experiment in a polar semidesert in northwest Greenland. Two levels of heating (30 and 60 W m−2) were applied and the higher level was combined with supplemental summer rain. We made plot‐level measurements of CO2 exchange, plant community composition, foliar nitrogen concentrations, leaf δ13C and NDVI to examine responses to our treatments at ecosystem‐ and leaf‐levels. We confronted simple models of GEP and ER with our data to test hypotheses regarding key drivers of CO2 exchange and to estimate growing season CO2‐C budgets. Low‐level warming increased the magnitude of the ecosystem C sink. Meanwhile, high‐level warming made the ecosystem a source of C to the atmosphere. When high‐level warming was combined with increased summer rain, the ecosystem became a C sink of magnitude similar to that observed under low‐level warming. Competition among our ER models revealed the importance of soil moisture as a driving variable, likely through its effects on microbial activity and nutrient cycling. Measurements of community composition and proxies for leaf‐level physiology suggest GEP responses largely reflect changes in leaf area of Salix arctica, rather than changes in leaf‐level physiology. Our findings indicate that the sign and magnitude of the future High Arctic C budget may depend upon changes in summer rain.
Elevated temperature prolongs long‐term effects of a pesticide on Daphnia spp. due to altered competition in zooplankton communities
Authors: Knillmann Saskia , Stampfli Nathalie C. , Noskov Yury A. , Beketov Mikhail A. , Liess Matthias
Published: January 2013

Considerable research efforts have been made to predict the influences of climate change on species composition in biological communities. However, little is known about how changing environmental conditions and anthropogenic pollution can affect aquatic communities in combination. We investigated the influence of short warming periods on the response of a zooplankton community to the insecticide esfenvalerate at a range of environmentally realistic concentrations (0.03, 0.3 and 3 μg L−1) in 55 outdoor pond microcosms. Warming periods increased the cumulative water temperature, but did not exceed the maximum temperature measured under ambient conditions. Under warming conditions alone the abundance of some zooplankton taxa increased selectively compared to ambient conditions. This resulted in a shift in the community composition that had not recovered by the end of the experiment, 8 weeks after the last warming period. Regarding the pesticide exposure, short‐term effects of esfenvalerate on the community structure and the sensitive taxa Daphnia spp. did not differ between the two temperature regimes. In contrast, long‐term effects of esfenvalerate on Daphnia spp., a taxon that did not benefit from elevated temperatures, were observed twice as long under warming than under ambient conditions. This resulted in long‐term effects on Daphnia spp. until 4 months after contamination at 3 μg L−1 esfenvalerate. Under both temperature regimes, we identified strength of interspecific competition as the mechanism determining the time until recovery. However, enhanced interspecific competition under warming conditions was prolonged and explained the delayed recovery of Daphnia spp. from esfenvalerate. These results show that, for realistic prediction of the combined effects of changing environmental factors and toxicants on sensitive taxa, the impacts of stressors on the biotic interactions within the community need to be considered.
Effects of late quaternary climate change on Palearctic shrews
Authors: Prost Stefan , Klietmann Johannes , van Kolfschoten Thijs , Guralnick Robert P. , Waltari Eric , Vrieling Klaas , Stiller Mathias , Nagel Doris , Rabeder Gernot , Hofreiter Michael , Sommer Robert S.
Published: January 2013

The Late Quaternary was a time of rapid climatic oscillations and drastic environmental changes. In general, species can respond to such changes by behavioral accommodation, distributional shifts, ecophenotypic modifications (nongenetic), evolution (genetic) or ultimately face local extinction. How those responses manifested in the past is essential for properly predicting future ones especially as the current warm phase is further intensified by rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Here, we use ancient DNA (aDNA) and morphological features in combination with ecological niche modeling (ENM) to investigate genetic and nongenetic responses of Central European Palearctic shrews to past climatic change. We show that a giant form of shrew, previously described as an extinct Pleistocene Sorex species, represents a large ecomorph of the common shrew (Sorex araneus), which was replaced by populations from a different gene‐pool and with different morphology after the Pleistocene Holocene transition. We also report the presence of the cold‐adapted tundra shrew (S. tundrensis) in Central Europe. This species is currently restricted to Siberia and was hitherto unknown as an element of the Pleistocene fauna of Europe. Finally, we show that there is no clear correlation between climatic oscillations within the last 50 000 years and body size in shrews and conclude that a special nonanalogous situation with regard to biodiversity and food supply in the Late Glacial may have caused the observed large body size.
High‐risk human papillomaviruses in two different primary tumors in the same patient
Authors: de Oliveira Mota Mânlio Tasso , Bonilha Jane Lopes , Rosa Bruno Miziara , de Arruda José Germano Ferraz , Soares Fernando Augusto , Vassallo José , Calmon Marilia Freitas , Rahal Paula
Published: January 2013

Two cases of patients with high‐risk human papillomavirus‐related squamous cell carcinomas of the penis are reported. In both patients, a second high‐risk human papillomavirus‐related squamous cell carcinoma, of the same type (genotype 16), was detected: a carcinoma of the oropharynx 2 years after treatment of the squamous cell carcinomas of the penis in the first patient, and a carcinoma of the esophagus 1 year after the treatment of the squamous cell carcinomas of the penis in the second patient. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that multiple human papillomavirus‐related tumors in the same patient are reported. It is suggested that a careful clinical investigation is necessary in patients with tumors attributable to high‐risk human papillomavirus for the early detection of a possible second neoplasm related to this virus in a different organ.
Homo Sovieticus Revisited – Anti‐Institutionalism, Alcohol and Resistance Among Polish Homeless Men in London
Authors: Garapich Michal P.
Published: January 2013

This article looks at the issue of the dramatic rise of street homelessness in London among Polish migrants from the perspective of social anthropology looking at the relationship between structural constraints faced by Polish migrants and their own perception of the social world, their meaning‐making practices, norms and values, behavioral patterns. As I will show, focusing just on structural and economic determinants not only offers a simplistic and one‐dimensional picture but it also fails to give an explanation and predict what happens if these constraints and exclusionary policies are removed and homeless migrants gain the same set of social rights as the rest of British and EU citizens (which in theory will happen in May 2011). An anthropological approach to the functions, roles and cultural meanings of homelessness, group bonds, masculinities, alcohol consumption, perception of the state and dominant society as voiced by homeless migrants I ’hanged around’ with, reveals that structurally rejected people with particular backgrounds reconstruct communities and form strong ties despite (or because of) a hostile, exclusionary and hegemonic social environment of the neoliberal order. Two conclusions are drawn from this analysis, empirical and theoretical: first, taking both structural and cultural factors into account, the levels of homeless among that group is going to rise, at least in London; second, the set of cultural forms of behavior and social practices described in academic literature as the homo sovieticus syndrome (Wedel 1986, Sztompka 2000, Morawska 1998) proves not only valuable and resourceful in highly individualized, neoliberal and capitalistic society but may in fact be reinforced in new conditions being a productive – socially and culturally ‐ counter‐reaction to the neoliberal order of social life in the global city.
Contemporaneous comparison of open vs minimally‐invasive radical prostatectomy for high‐risk prostate cancer
Authors: Pierorazio Phillip M. , Mullins Jeffrey K. , Eifler John B. , Voth Kipp , Hyams Elias S. , Han Misop , Pavlovich Christian P. , Bivalacqua Trinity J. , Partin Alan W. , Allaf Mohamad E. , Schaeffer Edward M.
Published: January 2013

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

The ideal treatment for men with high‐risk prostate cancer is controversial, although most physicians agree that a multimodal approach, including radiation and hormone therapy with or without surgery, offers the best chance of cancer control. Minimally‐invasive radical prostatectomy has emerged as a treatment option for clinically localized cancer; however, critics argue that the open approach may afford advantages of tactile feedback and a better lymph node dissection.

The present study demonstrates that open and minimally‐invasive radical prostatectomy offer equivalent short‐term outcomes for men with high‐risk prostate cancer at a highly experienced centre.

Objectives

To analyze pathological and short‐term oncological outcomes in men undergoing open and minimally‐invasive radical prostatectomy (MIRP) for high‐risk prostate cancer (HRPC; prostate‐specific antigen level [PSA] >20 ng/mL, ≥ cT2c, Gleason score 8–10) in a contemporaneous series.

Patients and Methods

In total, 913 patients with HRPC were identified in the Johns Hopkins Radical Prostatectomy Database subsequent to the inception of MIRP at this institution (2002–2011)

Of these, 743 (81.4%) underwent open radical retropubic prostatectomy (ORRP), 105 (11.5%) underwent robot‐assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALRP) and 65 (7.1%) underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) for HRPC.

Appropriate comparative tests were used to evaluate patient and prostate cancer characteristics.

Proportional hazards regression models were used to predict biochemical recurrence.

Results

Age, race, body mass index, preoperative PSA level, clinical stage, number of positive cores and Gleason score at final pathology were similar between ORRP and MIRP.

On average, men undergoing MIRP had smaller prostates and more organ‐confined (pT2) disease (P = 0.02).

The number of surgeons and surgeon experience were greatest for the ORRP cohort.

Overall surgical margin rate was 29.4%, 34.3% and 27.7% (P = 0.52) and 1.9%, 2.9% and 6.2% (P = 0.39) for pT2 disease in men undergoing ORRP, RALRP and LRP, respectively.

Biochemical recurrence‐free survival among ORRP, RALRP and LRP was 56.3%, 67.8% and 41.1%, respectively, at 3 years (P = 0.6) and the approach employed did not predict biochemical recurrence in regression models.

Conclusions

At an experienced centre, MIRP is comparable to open radical prostatectomy for HRPC with respect to surgical margin status and biochemical recurrence.
Temperament and typology
Authors: Blandin Kesstan
Published: January 2013

This paper takes a cue from Harvard neuroscientists Jerome Kagan and Nancy Snidman's (2004) comment that Jung's work on typology has remarkable relevance to their research on neurobiological correlates of temperament and develops the links between the theorists separated by almost a century. The paper begins with a brief review of temperament traits in personality psychology. Kagan and Snidman's 11‐year longitudinal study is then analysed and correlated with Jung's psychological attitude types of introversion and extraversion, demonstrating that Jung's close empirical observations of human nature fit explicitly with objective measurements of neurobiological sensitivity thresholds and their expression in temperament. Emerging research on neurobiologically sensitive adults and children from Aron (1997, 2004, 2011) and differential susceptibility theory (DST) is presented as extrapolating the same links between temperament and physiological sensitivity found in Jung's introversion and Kagan and Snidman's high‐reactive type. The paper concludes with a consideration of the subjective psyche as a necessary aspect to understanding the self and human consciousness as whole.
Effects of compressive abdominal bandaging and transrectal palpation on intra‐abdominal pressures in horses
Authors: Barrett Elizabeth J. , Munsterman Amelia S. , Hanson R. Reid
Published: January 2013

Objective

To determine the effect of an abdominal support wrap and transrectal abdominal palpation on intra‐abdominal pressures (IAPs) measured directly from the peritoneal space.

Design

Prospective, experimental study.

Setting

A university‐based equine research facility.

Animals

Ten healthy adult horses, 5 males and 5 females.

Interventions

IAPs were measured through an intraperitoneal cannula zeroed at a height midway between the height of the tuber ishii and point of the shoulder. Triplicate measurements were obtained at rest, during transrectal palpation, after placement of an abdominal support wrap, and during transrectal palpation with the support wrap still in place. Simultaneous mean arterial pressures were obtained using a tail cuff and abdominal perfusion pressures were calculated using the measured IAP minus the measured mean arterial pressures.

Measurements and Main Results

Baseline direct pressure measurements were subatmospheric (−4.5 ± 3.0 cm H2O). IAPs were not significantly affected by transrectal palpation, but were significantly increased after placement of an abdominal support wrap (−1.19 ± 3.01 cm H2O; P = 0.01). Abdominal perfusion pressures were not significantly affected by either transrectal palpation or application of the support wrap.

Conclusion

IAPs were significantly increased after application of an abdominal support wrap commonly used after exploratory laparotomy. Further investigations are warranted to determine the clinical implications of abdominal bandaging on IAP and its implications on postoperative complications including intra‐abdominal hypertension. However, transrectal abdominal palpation likely does not contribute to abdominal hypertension in normal horses.
Galatella anatolica sp. nov. (Asteraceae: Astereae) from Osmaniye, Turkey
Authors: Hamzaoğlu Ergin , Koç Murat , Budak Ümit
Published: January 2013

Galatella anatolica Hamzaoğlu & Budak sp. nov. (Asteraceae), collected from Osmaniye (Turkey) is here described as a new species. It is similar to G. angustissima (Tausch) Novopokr. in general habit. Both have stems with few branches and 1‐veined middle leaves, but are distinguished by involucral features, series of phyllaries, and lengths of disc florets, achenes and pappus.
Ethnic Differences in Atrial Fibrillation Identified Using Implanted Cardiac Devices
Authors: LAU CHU‐PAK , GBADEBO T. DAVID , CONNOLLY STUART J. , VAN GELDER ISABELLE C. , CAPUCCI ALESSANDRO , GOLD MICHAEL R. , ISRAEL CARSTEN W. , MORILLO CARLOS A. , SIU CHUNG‐WAH , ABE HARUHIKO , CARLSON MARK , TSE HUNG‐FAT , HOHNLOSER STEFAN H. , Healey Jeff S. ,   for the ASSERT investigators
Published: January 2013

Ethnic Difference in Atrial Fibrillation Incidence. Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is suggested to be less common among black and Asian individuals, which could reflect bias in symptom reporting and access to care. In the Asymptomatic AF and Stroke Evaluation in Pacemaker Patients and the AF Reduction Atrial Pacing Trial (ASSERT), patients with hypertension but no history of AF had AF recorded via an implanted pacemaker or defibrillator, thus allowing both symptomatic and asymptomatic AF incidence to be determined without ascertainment bias.

Methods and Results: The ASSERT enrolled 2,580 patients in 23 countries in North America, Europe, and Asia. AF was defined as device‐recorded AF episodes >190/min, lasting either for >6 minutes or >6 hours in duration. All ethnic groups with >50 patients were enrolled. Ethnic groups studied include Europeans (n = 1900), black Africans (n = 73), Chinese (n = 89), and Japanese (n = 105) patients. Compared to Europeans, black Africans had more risk factors for AF such as heart failure (27.8 vs 14.6%) and diabetes (41.7 vs 26.3%). At 2.5 years follow‐up, all 3 non‐European races had a lower incidence of AF (8.3%, 10.1%, and 9.5% vs 18.0%, respectively, for AF>6 minutes, P < 0.006). When adjusted for baseline difference, Chinese had a lower incidence of AF > 6 minutes (P < 0.007), and Japanese and black Africans had a lower incidence of AF > 6 hours (P < 0.04 and P = 0.057, respectively).

Conclusions: Black Africans, Chinese, and Japanese had lower incidence of AF compared to Europeans. In the case of black Africans, this is despite an increased prevalence of AF risk factors. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 24, pp. 381‐387, April 2013)
Alcohol Consumption, Obesity, and Psychological Distress in Farming Communities—An Australian Study
Authors: Brumby Susan , Kennedy Alison , Chandrasekara Ananda
Published: January 2013

Purpose

Alcohol consumption patterns nationally and internationally have been identified as elevated in rural and remote populations. In the general Australian population, 20.5% of adult males and 16.9% of adult females drink at short‐term, high‐risk levels. Farmers are more likely to drink excessively than those living in major cities. This study seeks to explore the relationships between farmers’ physical and mental health and their alcohol consumption patterns. Our hypothesis is that farmers consume alcohol at high‐risk levels more often than the Australian average and that this consumption is associated with obesity and psychological distress.

Methods

Cross‐sectional descriptive data were collected within Australian farming communities from 1,792 consenting adults in 97 locations across Australia. Data on anthropometric measurements, general physical attributes and biochemical assessments were used to explore the interrelationships of self‐reported alcohol consumption patterns with obesity, psychological distress, and other physical health parameters.

Findings

There was a higher prevalence of short‐term, high‐risk alcohol consumption (56.9% in men and 27.5% in women) reported in the study compared with national data. There was also a significant positive association between the prevalence of high‐risk alcohol consumption and the prevalence of obesity and abdominal adiposity in psychologically distressed participants.

Conclusions

The prevalence of short‐term, high‐risk alcohol consumption practices in this cohort of farming men and women is significantly higher than the Australian average. These consumption practices are coupled with a range of other measurable health issues within the farming population, such as obesity, hypertension, psychological distress, and age.
Laboratory adapted Escherichia coliK‐12 becomes a pathogen of Caenorhabditis elegans upon restoration of O antigen biosynthesis
Authors: Browning Douglas F. , Wells Timothy J. , França Fernanda L. S. , Morris Faye C. , Sevastsyanovich Yanina R. , Bryant Jack A. , Johnson Matthew D. , Lund Peter A. , Cunningham Adam F. , Hobman Jon L. , May Robin C. , Webber Mark A. , Henderson Ian R.
Published: January 2013

Escherichia coli has been the leading model organism for many decades. It is a fundamental player in modern biology, facilitating the molecular biology revolution of the last century. The acceptance of E. coli as model organism is predicated primarily on the study of one E. coli lineage; E. coli K‐12. However, the antecedents of today's laboratory strains have undergone extensive mutagenesis to create genetically tractable offspring but which resulted in loss of several genetic traits such as O antigen expression. Here we have repaired the wbbL locus, restoring the ability of E. coli K‐12 strain MG1655 to express the O antigen. We demonstrate that O antigen production results in drastic alterations of many phenotypes and the density of the O antigen is critical for the observed phenotypes. Importantly, O antigen production enables laboratory strains of E. coli to enter the gut of the Caenorhabditis elegans worm and to kill C. elegans at rates similar to pathogenic bacterial species. We demonstrate C. elegans killing is a feature of other commensal E. coli. We show killing is associated with bacterial resistance to mechanical shear and persistence in the C. elegans gut. These results suggest C. elegans is not an effective model of human‐pathogenic E. coli infectious disease.
Temporal dynamics of fine roots under long‐term exposure to elevated CO2 in the Mojave Desert
Authors: Sonderegger Derek L. , Ogle Kiona , Evans R. Dave , Ferguson Scot , Nowak Robert S.
Published: January 2013

Deserts are considered 'below‐ground dominated', yet little is known about the impact of rising CO2 in combination with natural weather cycles on long‐term dynamics of root biomass. This study quantifies the temporal dynamics of fine‐root production, loss and standing crop in an intact desert ecosystem exposed to 10 yr of elevated CO2.

We used monthly minirhizotron observations from 4 yr (2003–2007) for two dominant shrub species and along community transects at the Nevada Desert free‐air CO2 enrichment Facility. Data were synthesized within a Bayesian framework that included effects of CO2 concentration, cover type, phenological period, antecedent soil water and biological inertia (i.e. the influence of prior root production and loss).

Elevated CO2 treatment interacted with antecedent soil moisture and had significantly greater effects on fine‐root dynamics during certain phenological periods. With respect to biological inertia, plants under elevated CO2 tended to initiate fine‐root growth sooner and sustain growth longer, with the net effect of increasing the magnitude of production and mortality cycles.

Elevated CO2 interacts with past environmental (e.g. antecedent soil water) and biological (e.g. biological inertia) factors to affect fine‐root dynamics, and such interactions are expected to be important for predicting future soil carbon pools.
Resource utilization in cancer patients with bisphosphonate‐associated osteonecrosis of the jaw
Authors: Najm MS , Solomon DH , Woo S‐B , Treister NS
Published: January 2013

Background and objective

Bisphosphonate‐associated osteonecrosis of the jaw (BONJ) is an emerging oral complication that occurs most commonly in the setting of high‐dose bisphosphonate therapy for cancer. The purpose of this study was to estimate the health care–related costs associated with a diagnosis of BONJ in patients with cancer evaluated and managed at one tertiary oral medicine practice.

Methods

This was a retrospective electronic medical record review of cancer patients with BONJ. All health care–related resources were abstracted using a structured chart abstraction tool; data captured included medications, imaging studies, laboratory investigations, procedures, and visits. Standardized references were used to assign costs in 2010 US dollars.

Results

Ninety‐two cancer patients with BONJ were identified who were followed for a median of 12 months. The median cost of a case of BONJ was $1667 (interquartile range from $976 to $3350). Medication costs comprised the majority (42%) of the total costs, followed by procedural interventions (22%), clinic visits (19.5%), and imaging studies (13.8%). Patient factors associated with higher median costs included a greater number of involved oral quadrants and more advanced BONJ stage.

Conclusion

There are considerable costs associated with the diagnosis and management of BONJ in patients with cancer, with medications accounting for nearly half of resource expenditures.
MARKET ORIENTATION IN DIGITAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP: ADVANTAGES AND CHALLENGES IN A WEB 2.0 NETWORKED WORLD
Authors: HAIR NEIL , WETSCH LYLE R. , HULL CLYDE EIRÍKUR , PEROTTI VICTOR , HUNG YU-TING CAISY
Published: January 2013

Strong market orientation is essential to firm success. In the diverse and dynamic digital environment, a strong market orientation philosophy is even more important to the digital entrepreneur. We explore the advantages and challenges that the networked world offers the market-oriented digital entrepreneur. In particular, we examine the role of electronic community and communication and how successful digital entrepreneurs takes advantage of electronic community technologies to facilitate more effective communication with customers, partners, the digital organization, and in communicating the "product" of market orientation to the marketplace. Propositions concerning market orientation and digital entrepreneurship are introduced, and future research directions are discussed.
Overview of Superconductivity and Challenges in Applications
Authors: Flükiger Rene
Published: January 2013

Considerable progress has been achieved during the last few decades in the various fields of applied superconductivity, while the related low temperature technology has reached a high level. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) are so far the most successful applications, with tens of thousands of units worldwide, but high potential can also be recognized in the energy sector, with high energy cables, transformers, motors, generators for wind turbines, fault current limiters and devices for magnetic energy storage. A large number of magnet and cable prototypes have been constructed, showing in all cases high reliability. Large projects involving the construction of magnets, solenoids as well as dipoles and quadrupoles are described in the present book. A very large project, the LHC, is currently in operation, demonstrating that superconductivity is a reliable technology, even in a device of unprecedented high complexity. A project of similar complexity is ITER, a fusion device that is presently under construction. This article starts with a brief historical introduction to superconductivity as a phenomenon, and some fundamental properties necessary for the understanding of the technical behavior of superconductors are described. The introduction of superconductivity in the industrial cycle faces many challenges, first for the properties of the base elements, e.g. the wires, tapes and thin films, then for the various applied devices, where a number of new difficulties had to be resolved. A variety of industrial applications in energy, medicine and communications are briefly presented, showing how superconductivity is now entering the market.
Superconducting Radio-Frequency Technology R&D for Future Accelerator Applications
Authors: Reece Charles E. , Ciovati Gianluigi
Published: January 2013

Superconducting rf (SRF) technology is evolving rapidly, as are its applications. While there is active exploitation of what one may call the current state-of-the-practice, there is also rapid progress in expanding in several dimensions the accessible and useful parameter space. While state-of-the-art performance sometimes outpaces thorough understanding, the improving scientific understanding from active SRF research is clarifying routes to obtain optimum performance from present materials and opening avenues beyond the standard bulk niobium. The improving technical basis understanding is enabling process engineering to improve both performance confidence and reliability and also unit implementation costs. Increasing confidence in the technology enables the engineering of new creative application designs. We attempt to survey this landscape to highlight the potential for future accelerator applications.
Heavy Rainfall Simulation over Sinai Peninsula Using the Weather Research and Forecasting Model
Authors: El Afandi Gamal , Morsy Mostafa , El Hussieny Fathy
Published: January 2013

Heavy rainfall is one of major severe weather over Sinai Peninsula and causes many flash floods over the region. The good forecasting of rainfall is very much necessary for providing early warning before the flash flood events to avoid or minimize disasters. In the present study using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model, heavy rainfall events that occurred over Sinai Peninsula and caused flash flood have been investigated. The flash flood that occurred on January 18, 2010, over different parts of Sinai Peninsula has been predicted and analyzed using the Advanced Weather Research and Forecast (WRF-ARW) Model. The predicted rainfall in four dimensions (space and time) has been calibrated with the measurements recorded at rain gauge stations. The results show that the WRF model was able to capture the heavy rainfall events over different regions of Sinai. It is also observed that WRF model was able to predict rainfall in a significant consistency with real measurements. In this study, several synoptic characteristics of the depressions that developed during the course of study have been investigated. Also, several dynamic characteristics during the evolution of the depressions were studied: relative vorticity, thermal advection, and geopotential height.
Streptomyces lunalinharesiiStrain 235 Shows the Potential to Inhibit Bacteria Involved in Biocorrosion Processes
Authors: Pacheco da Rosa Juliana , Korenblum Elisa , Franco-Cirigliano Marcella Novaes , Abreu Fernanda , Lins Ulysses , Soares Rosângela M. A. , Macrae Andrew , Seldin Lucy , Coelho Rosalie R. R.
Published: January 2013

Four actinomycete strains previously isolated from Brazilian soils were tested for their antimicrobial activity againstBacillus pumilusLF-4 andDesulfovibrio alaskensisNCIMB 13491, bacteria that are well known to be involved in biofilm formation and biocorrosion. Strain 235, belonging to the speciesStreptomyces lunalinharesii, inhibited the growth of both bacteria. The antimicrobial activity was seen over a wide range of pH, and after treatment with several chemicals and heat but not with proteinase K and trypsin. The antimicrobial substances present in the concentrated supernatant from growth media were partially characterized by SDS-PAGE and extracellular polypeptides were seen. Bands in the size range of 12 to 14.4 kDa caused antimicrobial activity. Transmission electron microscopy ofD. alaskensiscells treated with the concentrated supernatant containing the antimicrobial substances revealed the formation of prominent bubbles, the spherical double-layered structures on the cell membrane, and the periplasmic space completely filled with electron-dense material. This is the first report on the production of antimicrobial substances by actinomycetes against bacteria involved in biocorrosion processes, and these findings may be of great relevance as an alternative source of biocides to those currently employed in the petroleum industry.
Early Revelation of Leprosy in China by Sequential Antibody Analyses with LID-1 and PGL-I
Authors: Qiong-Hua Pan , Zhong-Yi Zheng , Jun Yang , Yan Wen , Lian-Chao Yuan , Huan-Ying Li , Reed Steven G. , Duthie Malcolm S.
Published: January 2013

Leprosy is a disabling chronic infection, with insidious onset that often evades early detection. In order to detect new leprosy cases in a timely manner, we conducted surveillance visits in some difficult-to-reach mountain areas in South West China where the disease is still prevalent. Our data confirm that Chinese multibacillary (MB) leprosy patients have strong antibody responses againstMycobacterium lepraeantigens ND-O-BSA and LID-1. Contacts of clinically diagnosed patients were then monitored at regular intervals by both physical examinations and the laboratory determination of antibody responses in sera collected during these examinations. Elevations in antibody titers indicated the onset of MB leprosy in one of the contacts, and diagnosis was subsequently confirmed on physical examination. Our data indicate that rising antibody titers can be used as a trigger for physical examination or increased monitoring of particular individuals in order to provide early leprosy diagnosis.
Comparison of Hybrid Ensemble/4DVar and 4DVar within the NAVDAS-AR Data Assimilation Framework
Authors: Kuhl David D. , Rosmond Thomas E. , Bishop Craig H. , McLay Justin , Baker Nancy L.
Published: January 2013

The effect on weather forecast performance of incorporating ensemble covariances into the initial covariance model of the four-dimensional variational data assimilation (4D-Var) Naval Research Laboratory Atmospheric Variational Data Assimilation System-Accelerated Representer (NAVDAS-AR) is investigated. This NAVDAS-AR-hybrid scheme linearly combines the static NAVDAS-AR initial background error covariance with a covariance derived from an 80-member flow-dependent ensemble. The ensemble members are generated using the ensemble transform technique with a (three-dimensional variational data assimilation) 3D-Var-based estimate of analysis error variance. The ensemble covariances are localized using an efficient algorithm enabled via a separable formulation of the localization matrix. The authors describe the development and testing of this scheme, which allows for assimilation experiments using differing linear combinations of the static and flow-dependent background error covariances. The tests are performed for two months of summer and two months of winter using operational model resolution and the operational observational dataset, which is dominated by satellite observations. Results show that the hybrid mode data assimilation scheme significantly reduces the forecast error across a wide range of variables and regions. The improvements were particularly pronounced for tropical winds. The verification against radiosondes showed a greater than 0.5% reduction in vector wind RMS differences in areas of statistical significance. The verification against self-analysis showed a greater than 1% reduction from verifying against analyses between 2- and 5-day lead time at all eight vertical levels examined in areas of statistical significance. Using the Navy's summary of verification results, the Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System (NOGAPS) scorecard, the improvements resulted in a score (+1) that justifies a major system upgrade.
The evolution of antibiotic susceptibility and resistance during the formation of Escherichia colibiofilms in the absence of antibiotics
Authors: Tyerman Jabus G , Ponciano José M , Joyce Paul , Forney Larry J , Harmon Luke J
Published: January 2013

Background

Explanations for bacterial biofilm persistence during antibiotic treatment typically depend on non-genetic mechanisms, and rarely consider the contribution of evolutionary processes.

Results

Using Escherichia coli biofilms, we demonstrate that heritable variation for broad-spectrum antibiotic resistance can arise and accumulate rapidly during biofilm development, even in the absence of antibiotic selection.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate the rapid de novo evolution of heritable variation in antibiotic sensitivity and resistance during E. coli biofilm development. We suggest that evolutionary processes, whether genetic drift or natural selection, should be considered as a factor to explain the elevated tolerance to antibiotics typically observed in bacterial biofilms. This could be an under-appreciated mechanism that accounts why biofilm populations are, in general, highly resistant to antibiotic treatment.