bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Network Logistic Regression: A Logistic Choice Analysis of Inter- and Intra-Group Blog Citation Dynamics in the 2004 US Presidential Election
Authors: Almquist Zack W. , Butts Carter T.
Published: October 2013

Methods for analysis of network dynamics have seen great progress in the past decade. This article shows how Dynamic Network Logistic Regression techniques (a special case of the Temporal Exponential Random Graph Models) can be used to implement decision theoretic models for network dynamics in a panel data context. We also provide practical heuristics for model building and assessment. We illustrate the power of these techniques by applying them to a dynamic blog network sampled during the 2004 US presidential election cycle. This is a particularly interesting case because it marks the debut of Internet-based media such as blogs and social networking web sites as institutionally recognized features of the American political landscape. Using a longitudinal sample of all Democratic National Convention/Republican National Convention—designated blog citation networks, we are able to test the influence of various strategic, institutional, and balance-theoretic mechanisms as well as exogenous factors such as seasonality and political events on the propensity of blogs to cite one another over time. Using a combination of deviance-based model selection criteria and simulation-based model adequacy tests, we identify the combination of processes that best characterizes the choice behavior of the contending blogs.
Enteral Zinc Supplementation and Growth in Extremely‐Low‐Birth‐Weight Infants With Chronic Lung Disease
Authors: Shaikhkhalil Ala K. , Curtiss Jennifer , Puthoff Teresa D. , Valentine Christina J.
Published: October 2013

Objective:

Zinc deficiency causes growth deficits. Extremely‐low‐birth‐weight (ELBW) infants with chronic lung disease (CLD), also known as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, experience growth failure and are at risk for zinc deficiency. We hypothesized that enteral zinc supplementation would increase weight gain and linear growth.

Methods:

A cohort of infants was examined retrospectively at a single center between January 2008 and December 2011. CLD was defined as the need for oxygen at 36 weeks postmenstrual age. Zinc supplementation was started in infants who had poor weight gain. Infants' weight gain and linear growth were compared before and after zinc supplementation using the paired t test.

Results:

A total of 52 ELBW infants with CLD met entry criteria. Mean birth weight was 682 ± 183 g, and gestational age was 25.3 ± 2 weeks. Zinc supplementation started at postmenstrual age 33 ± 2 weeks. Most infants received fortified human milk. Weight gain increased from 10.9 before supplementation to 19.9 g · kg−1 · day−1 after supplementation (P < 0.0001). Linear growth increased from 0.7 to 1.1 cm/week (P = 0.001).

Conclusions:

Zinc supplementation improved growth in ELBW infants with CLD receiving human milk. Further investigation is warranted to reevaluate zinc requirements, markers, and balance.
Alternate Endpoints and Clinical Outcome Assessments in Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Registration Trials
Authors: Sun Haihao , Lee Jessica J. , Papadopoulos Elektra J. , Lee Catherine S. , Nelson Robert M. , Sachs Hari C. , Rodriguez William J. , Mulberg Andrew E.
Published: October 2013

Objectives:

Presently, there is no consensus on endpoint measures to assess clinical outcomes for pediatric ulcerative colitis (UC). This study reviewed the endpoints used in the registration trials of approved drugs for pediatric UC.

Methods:

The primary efficacy endpoints of all registration trials completed from 1950 to 2008 that led to Food and Drug Administration approval for indications in pediatric and adult UC were reviewed.

Results:

Colazal and Remicade have been approved for pediatric UC indication, and clinical response was used as a primary endpoint in these registration trials. The clinical response in the adult Colazal trials was defined as a reduction of rectal bleeding and improvement in at least one of the other assessed symptoms (stool frequency, patient functional assessment, abdominal pain, sigmoidoscopic grade, and physician's global assessment) assessed by the Sutherland UC Activity Index. The pediatric Colazal trial defined clinical response using the Modified Sutherland UC Activity Index, which excluded abdominal pain and functional assessment. Both adult and pediatric Remicade trials used clinical response defined by the Mayo score as the primary endpoint. The Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index was used to measure various secondary endpoints in the pediatric Remicade trial.

Conclusions:

Pediatric‐specific endpoints were used, but outcome measures and definition of clinical response were not consistent in pediatric UC trials. Consensus on the definition of successful treatment outcome (clinical response and/or remission) and collaboration in the development of well‐defined and reliable measures of signs and symptoms for use in conjunction with endoscopic parameters of mucosal healing will facilitate pediatric drug development.
Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC55730 in Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Di Nardo Giovanni , Oliva Salvatore , Menichella Alessandra , Pistelli Riccardo , De Biase Riccardo Valerio , Patriarchi Francesca , Cucchiara Salvatore , Stronati Laura
Published: October 2013

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to evaluate in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) the effect of Lactobacillus reuteri (LR) on the rate of respiratory exacerbations and of the infections of both upper respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts.

Methods:

Prospective randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study enrolling 61 patients with CF with mild‐to‐moderate lung disease at the Regional Center for CF of the Department of Pediatrics, University of Rome “La Sapienza.” All of the patients were not hospital inpatients at the time of the enrollment. Inclusion criteria were forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) >70% predicted; no inhaled or systemic steroids, no anti‐inflammatory drugs, antileukotrienes, and mast cell membrane stabilizers; and no serious organ involvement. Exclusion criteria were a history of pulmonary exacerbation or upper respiratory infection in the previous 2 months; changes in medications in the last 2 months; a history of hemoptysis in the last 2 months; and colonization with Burkholderia cepacia or mycobacteria. Patients were randomly assigned to receive LR (30 patients) in 5 drops per day (1010 colony‐forming units) or placebo (31 patients) for 6 months. Main outcomes were number of episodes of pulmonary exacerbations and hospital admissions for pulmonary exacerbations, number of gastrointestinal and upper respiratory tract infections. FEV1, fecal calprotectin, and cytokine profile in induced sputum and plasma were assessed at baseline and at the end of the trial.

Results:

Pulmonary exacerbations were significantly reduced in the LR group compared with the placebo group (P < 0.01; odds ratio 0.06 [95% confidence interval {CI} 0–0.40]; number needed to treat 3 [95% CI 2–7]). Similarly, the number of upper respiratory tract infections (in our series only otitis) was significantly reduced in the LR group compared with the placebo group (P < 0.05; odds ratio 0.14 [95% CI 0–0.96]; number needed to treat 6 [95% CI 3–102]). The 2 groups did not differ statistically in the mean number and duration of hospitalizations for pulmonary exacerbations and gastrointestinal infections. There was no significant statistical difference in the mean delta value of FEV1, fecal calprotectin concentration, and tested cytokines (tumor necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐8) between the 2 groups.

Conclusions:

LR reduces pulmonary exacerbations and upper respiratory tract infections in patients with CF with mild‐to‐moderate lung disease. LR administration may have a beneficial effect on the disease course of CF.
Role of Treg and TH17 Cells of the Gastric Mucosa in Children With Helicobacter pylori Gastritis
Authors: Gil Joo Hyun , Seo Jeong Wan , Cho Min‐Sun , Ahn Jung‐Hyuck , Sung Hye Youn
Published: October 2013

Objective:

The aim of the present study was to examine the expression of FOXP3, interleukin (IL)‐10, transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1, IL‐17A, and T helper 17 (TH17) cells/FOXP3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells balance in the gastric mucosa of children with Helicobacter pylori infection, in relation to the gastric histopathology.

Methods:

Antral mucosal biopsies were obtained from 20 children with H pylori(+) gastritis and 20 age‐ and sex‐matched normal controls. Histopathology was assessed by the updated Sydney classification. Gene expression of FOXP3, IL‐10, and TGF‐β1 was analyzed by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemical staining for FOXP3+ Treg and TH17 cells was performed.

Results:

The gene expression levels of FOXP3, TGF‐β1, and IL‐10 messenger RNA (mRNA) and the number of FOXP3+ Treg were significantly higher in the H pylori(+) gastritis group than in the control group (P < 0.01). FOXP3 mRNA levels were correlated positively with TGF‐β1 and IL‐10 mRNA levels in the H pylori(+) gastritis group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, FOXP3 mRNA levels were correlated positively with the bacterial density, infiltration of polymorphonuclear cells, and mononuclear cells in the H pylori(+) gastritis group (P < 0.05). The number of TH17 cells was significantly higher in the H pylori(+) gastritis group than in the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, the number of TH17 cells was correlated negatively with the bacterial density and positively with the inflammatory scores of polymorphonuclear cells and mononuclear cells in the H pylori(+) gastritis group (P < 0.05). A negative correlation between the TH17 cells/FOXP3+ Treg ratio and the bacterial density was demonstrated in the H pylori(+) gastritis group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

This study suggested that a TH17/Treg balance toward a Treg‐biased response favors the persistence of bacteria, causing chronic active gastritis.
Safety and Efficacy of Delayed Release Rabeprazole in 1‐ to 11‐Month‐Old Infants With Symptomatic GERD
Authors: Hussain Sunny , Kierkus Jaroslaw , Hu Peter , Hoffman Diane , Lekich Ray , Sloan Sheldon , Treem William
Published: October 2013

Aim:

The efficacy and safety of rabeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, were studied in infants with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Methods:

Infants ages 1 to 11 months, with symptomatic GERD resistant to conservative therapy and/or previous exposure to acid‐suppressive medications, were screened. After scoring >16 on a GERD symptom score (Infant Gastroesophageal Reflux Questionnaire‐Revised [I‐GERQ]), 344 infants were enrolled in a 1‐ to 3‐week open‐label (OL) phase and received rabeprazole 10 mg/day. Following caregiver‐rated clinical improvement during the OL phase, patients were randomized to placebo, rabeprazole 5 mg, or rabeprazole 10 mg in the ensuing 5‐week double‐blind (DB) withdrawal phase. Primary endpoints evaluated from DB baseline to the end of the DB withdrawal phase included frequency of regurgitation, weight‐for‐age z score, and daily and weekly GERD symptom scores.

Results:

Overall, 231 (86%) of the 268 randomized infants (placebo: 90; rabeprazole 5 mg: 90; rabeprazole 10 mg: 88) completed the study. Efficacy endpoints were similarly improved during the OL phase in all of the groups, and continued improving during the DB withdrawal phase with no difference between the placebo and combined rabeprazole groups. Mean decrease in frequency of regurgitation (−0.79 vs −1.20 times per day; P = 0.168), in I‐GERQ‐Revised scores (−3.6 [−25%] vs −3.9 points [−27%]; P = 0.960), in I‐GERQ‐Daily Diary scores (−1.87 [−19%] vs −1.85 [−19%]; P = 0.968), and increase in weight‐for‐age z scores (mean [standard deviation]: 0.11 [0.329] vs 0.14 [0.295]; P = 0.440) indicated equal improvement. Equal percentages (47%) reported adverse events in placebo and combined rabeprazole groups, with no new safety signals emerging.

Conclusions:

In those infants with GERD who improved with rabeprazole during the OL phase, improvements in symptoms and weight were similar in those who continued rabeprazole and those withdrawn to placebo during a 5‐week DB phase.
A developmentally regulated translational control pathway establishes the meiotic chromosome segregation pattern
Authors: Berchowitz Luke E. , Gajadhar Aaron S. , van Werven Folkert J. , De Rosa Alexandra A. , Samoylova Mariya L. , Brar Gloria A. , Xu Yifeng , Xiao Che , Futcher Bruce , Weissman Jonathan S. , White Forest M. , Amon Angelika
Published: October 2013

Production of haploid gametes from diploid progenitor cells is mediated by a specialized cell division, meiosis, where two divisions, meiosis I and II, follow a single S phase. Errors in progression from meiosis I to meiosis II lead to aneuploid and polyploid gametes, but the regulatory mechanisms controlling this transition are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that the conserved kinase Ime2 regulates the timing and order of the meiotic divisions by controlling translation. Ime2 coordinates translational activation of a cluster of genes at the meiosis I–meiosis II transition, including the critical determinant of the meiotic chromosome segregation pattern CLB3. We further show that Ime2 mediates translational control through the meiosis-specific RNA-binding protein Rim4. Rim4 inhibits translation of CLB3 during meiosis I by interacting with the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of CLB3. At the onset of meiosis II, Ime2 kinase activity rises and triggers a decrease in Rim4 protein levels, thereby alleviating translational repression. Our results elucidate a novel developmentally regulated translational control pathway that establishes the meiotic chromosome segregation pattern.
Printed silver circuits for FMCG packaging
Authors: Tudor Gethin David , Huw Jewell Eifion , Charles Claypole Tim
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– Printed flexible circuits that combined conventional silicon technology will enable the realisation of many value added products such as smart packaging for the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry. This paper aims to describe an investigation into integrating silicon and printable circuits for the FMCG packaging industry and this would allow products with features such as brand protection, time temperature indicators, customer feedback and visual product enhancement. Responding to interest from the FMCG packaging industry, an investigation was carried out which investigated the printing conductive silver ink on common packaging substrates.

Design/methodology/approach

– Standard IC mounting patterns were screen printed using two conductive silver materials (one high silver content traditional paste and one lower silver content gel polymer) to four plastic and three paper substrates which represent common FMCG substrates (HDPE, BOPP, PET and three paper substrates). Materials were characterised in terms of material rheology whereas prints were characterised through electrical performance and printed film topology.

Findings

– There was a significant interaction between the substrate, silver ink formulation and the resultant line quality, line topology and conductivity. On paper substrates, the absorption of binder into the substrate resulted in denser silver packing and higher conductivity for the paste material. Higher conductivities were obtained on the substrates capable of withstanding higher curing temperatures. On the polymer substrates higher conductivity could be obtained by lower content silver materials due to the denser particle packing in the cured ink film as a result of its higher solvent/lower solids components.

Research limitations/implications

– Further work should examine the interactions for other printing processes commonly used in the FMCG industry such as rotogravure of flexography and should also examine nano particle materials. Further work should also address the mechanical adhesion of silicon logic on the substrates and bottlenecks in processing.

Practical implications

– The lower silver content gel material potentially provides material cost reduction by a factor of between 4 and 7 for the same conductivity. The gel material also has potential for more uniform performance across all substrate types. Typically 3.1 Ω/cm resistance values are achieved on all substrates for 300 micron lines.

Originality/value

– For those in the field of smart packaging the work has highlighted the interaction between silver materials and non PET/PEN substrates in flexible printed circuits. It has demonstrated the implications of rheology, substrate absorbency and materials processing temperature on circuit design. For those seeking printing process understanding it has provided further validation to support material transfer mechanisms in the screen printing process.
The mediation role of trust in knowledge sharing
Authors: Ding Zhikun , Fai Ng Fung , Wang Jiayuan
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– Some researchers claim that trust can directly affect knowledge sharing but others consider that it is a mediator between some independent variables and knowledge sharing. So the purpose of this paper is to investigate whether trust is a mediator for knowledge sharing in the construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

– Personal construct theory is employed to test the mediation role of trust in architectural design teams. A questionnaire survey of architects is conducted in Beijing, Shanghai and Qingdao, People's Republic of China. The mediator model is tested using structural equation modeling.

Findings

– The paper shows that the mediation role of trust between two personal construct based factors, i.e. social interaction (SI) and attitude on work (AttonW) and willingness to share knowledge is supported.

Research limitations/implications

– As the paper focusses on architects working in the early-design stage of a project, the findings may not be applicable to other stages. In future, other project actors should also be considered so as to investigate the issues in construction management in a more comprehensive way.

Practical implications

– The results suggest that team managers should improve the SIs between team members and provide guidance to team members about the correct attitude on work so that the level of interpersonal trust can be enhanced, thereby knowledge sharing is encouraged.

Originality/value

– The personal construct theory developed in clinical psychology is applied to study the mediation role of trust for knowledge sharing in the construction industry. The interdisciplinary research offers a theoretical framework to reveal the cognitive process of knowledge sharing.
Cues from a specialist herbivore increase tolerance to defoliation in tomato
Authors: Korpita Timothy , Gómez Sara , Orians Colin M.
Published: October 2013

Recent studies have shown that herbivore cues trigger rapid shifts in primary metabolism and resource allocation within a plant. This has been suggested to be an induced mechanism of tolerance to defoliation but there is little evidence supporting this. Here, we investigated, using a cultivar of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), whether prior herbivore damage confers plants an advantage in terms of increased growth and initial flower production following defoliation.

Plants were mechanically wounded and treated with either regurgitant of the specialist Manduca sexta, deionized water or received no damage for five consecutive days. Chlorophyll content, plant growth and biomass allocation were measured during the 5‐day damage period. After the damage treatments, all leaves were removed to simulate defoliation in the three treatment groups, and regrowth capacity was followed until flowering. The number of regrown leaves, the initial number of flowers and biomass production and allocation were quantified at harvest.

During the 5‐day damage period, plants treated with M. sexta regurgitant grew less in height than undamaged plants (but had thicker stems). Chlorophyll content also decreased sharply in these plants. However, regurgitant‐treated plants recovered more quickly from the defoliation treatment, producing more new leaves compared with undamaged and mechanically damaged treatments.

Our results support the hypothesis that induced changes in resource allocation in response to specialist herbivores results in increased regrowth ability and may be adaptive in the event of severe defoliation. Future studies on wild plants could help inform the evolutionary significance of this response.
Living in risky landscapes: delineating management units in multithreat environments for effective species conservation
Authors: Olea Pedro P. , Mateo‐Tomás Patricia
Published: October 2013

Managing threatened species to reduce their extinction risk is a widely used, yet challenging, means of halting biodiversity loss. Species show complex spatial patterns of extinction risk, due to spatial variation in both threats and vulnerability across their ranges. Conservation practitioners, however, rarely consider this spatial variation and routinely apply uniform conservation schemes, either throughout the species’ ranges, or following administrative borders that do not match ecological boundaries. Most of these schemes are experience‐based (e.g. expert opinion) and thus difficult to replicate.

We accounted for spatial variation in species’ threats by using multivariate techniques [i.e. cluster analyses and multidimensional scaling (MDS)] to delineate management units for more effective conservation. We grouped breeding territories of the endangered Egyptian vulture, according to interterritory similarity in presence and intensity of their threats.

The first three MDS axes explained 62% of the data variation. The first axis separated territories in protected areas, with low human presence, but high risk of illegal poisoning from areas highly dominated by humans. The second axis classified territories regarding the density of sheep/goats and griffon vultures and the presence of wind farms. The third axis confronted territories in protected areas with those in unprotected areas with wind farms.

We obtained 18 statistically supported groups (i.e. management units) including 86% of the territories. Territories within the same group were geographically close, agreeing with the underlying spatial autocorrelation of threats. However, six groups (33%) were distributed over more than one administrative region, which will require inter‐regional coordination for cost‐effective conservation.

Synthesis and applications. Our results show wide spatial variation for species’ threats and suggest incorporation of this heterogeneity into conservation schemes. We demonstrate how multivariate statistics, coupled with uncertainty analysis, can be employed in a systematic and repeatable way to deal with the heterogeneous landscapes of risk that species face across their ranges. Our approach allows researchers and managers to delineate management units according to similarity in species’ threats for any targeted organization level (e.g. individuals, territories, populations). The results can be visualized in Euclidean and geographical spaces for better interpretation, allowing managers to design more effective conservation actions.
Gastric microbiota is altered in oesophagitis and Barrett's oesophagus and further modified by proton pump inhibitors
Authors: Amir Itay , Konikoff Fred M. , Oppenheim Michal , Gophna Uri , Half Elizabeth E.
Published: October 2013

Gastro‐oesophageal reflux can cause inflammation, metaplasia, dysplasia and cancer of the oesophagus. Despite the increased use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to treat reflux, the incidence of oesophageal adenocarcinoma has increased rapidly in Europe and in the United States in the last 25 years. The reasons for this increase remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to determine whether the microbiota of the gastric refluxate and oesophageal biopsies differs between patients with heartburn and normal‐appearing oesophageal mucosa versus patients with abnormal oesophageal mucosa [oesophagitis or Barrett's oesophagus (BE)] and to elucidate the effect of PPIs on the bacterial communities using 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing. Significant differences in the composition of gastric fluid bacteria were found between patients with heartburn and normal oesophageal tissue versus patients with oesophagitis or BE, but in the oesophagus‐associated microbiota differences were relatively modest. Notably, increased levels of Enterobacteriaceae were observed in the gastric fluid of oesophagitis and BE patients. In addition, treatment with PPIs had dramatic effects on microbial communities both in the gastric fluids and the oesophageal tissue. In conclusion, gastric fluid microbiota is modified in patients with oesophagitis and BE compared with heartburn patients with normal biopsies. Furthermore, PPI treatment markedly alters gastric and oesophageal microbial populations. Determining whether the changes in bacterial composition caused by PPIs are beneficial or harmful will require further investigation.
The Immigrant Wage Gap and Assimilation in Australia: Does Unobserved Heterogeneity Matter?
Authors: Breunig Robert , Hasan Syed , Salehin Mosfequs
Published: October 2013

Immigrants to Australia are selected on observable characteristics. They may also differ from natives on unobservable characteristics such as ambition or motivation. If we account for unobservable differences, we find a wage gap for immigrant men from English‐speaking backgrounds, in contrast with previous research which has found no wage gap. Controlling for unobserved heterogeneity also seems important for finding cohort effects. Immigrants that arrived before 1985 faced a larger wage gap compared to native‐born Australians than subsequent cohorts. Confirming other research, we find wage gaps for immigrant men and women from non‐English‐speaking backgrounds (NESBs). Wage assimilation occurs slowly for all groups, but is slowest for those from NESBs.
Use of a dietary exposure system for screening of insecticidal compounds for their toxicity to the planthopper Laodelphax striatellus
Authors: Wang Zeng‐Xia , Lin Ke‐Jian , Romeis Jörg , Liu Yong‐Lei , Liu Ze‐Wen , Li Yun‐He , Peng Yu‐Fa
Published: October 2013

We developed a dietary exposure assay for screening insecticidal compounds for their toxicity and for assessing the side effects of insecticidal proteins produced by genetically engineered (GE) plants on the planthopper Laodelphax striatellus Fallén. The fitness bioassay confirmed that the diet fulfills the requirements to be used in the dietary exposure system. To validate the efficacy of the dietary exposure system, nymphs of L. striatellus were fed diets treated with different concentrations of an inorganic stomach poison, potassium arsenate (PA), or a cysteine protease inhibitor, E‐64. The results showed that with increasing concentrations of E‐64, the larval development time was prolonged, the adult weight was reduced and the survival rate of L. striatellus was decreased. Similarly the survival rates of L. striatellus consistently decreased with increasing PA content in the diet. The data indicate that the dietary exposure assay is able to detect the effects of insecticidal compounds on L. striatellus. Subsequently, this assay was successfully used for assessing the potential toxicity of Cry2Aa. The results showed that L. striatellus larvae were not negatively affected when fed the artificial diet containing purified Cry2Aa at 300 μg/g diet. In the assay, the stability and bioactivity of crystal (Cry) proteins in the food sources were confirmed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and sensitive‐insect bioassays. These results show that L. striatellus is not sensitive to Cry2Aa. We conclude that the dietary exposure system is valid and useful for assessing the toxicity of insecticidal compounds produced by GE plants on planthoppers.
Development and Application of a Method for the Analysis of 9 Mycotoxins in Maize by HPLC‐MS/MS
Authors: Wang Yutang , Xiao Chunxia , Guo Jing , Yuan Yahong , Wang Jianguo , Liu Laping , Yue Tianli
Published: October 2013

A reliable and sensitive liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) method was developed for the simultaneous determination of aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2), ochratoxin A (OTA), deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEA), fumonisin B1 (FB1), and T2‐toxin in maize. The samples were first extracted using acetonitrile: water: acetic acid (79 : 20 : 1), and then further cleaned‐up using OASIS HLB cartridge. Optimum conditions for the extraction and chromatographic separation were investigated. The mean recoveries of mycotoxins in spiked maize ranged from 68.3% to 94.3%. Limits of detection and quantification ranged from 0.01 to 0.64 μg/kg and from 0.03 to 2.12 μg/kg, respectively. The LC‐MS/MS method has also been successfully applied to 60 maize samples, which were collected from Shaanxi Province of China. Twenty‐four of the total 60 samples (40%) were contaminated with at least 1 of these 9 mycotoxins. Occurrence of mycotoxins were 6.7%, 1.7%, 3.3%, 6.7%, 1.7%, 23.3%, and 3.3% for AFB1, AFB2, OTA, ZEA, DON, FB1, and T2‐toxin, respectively. The results demonstrated that the procedure was suitable for the simultaneous determination of these mycotoxins in maize matrix.
A novel cyanide‐inducible gene cluster helps protect Pseudomonas aeruginosa from cyanide
Authors: Frangipani Emanuela , Pérez‐Martínez Isabel , Williams Huw D. , Cherbuin Gaëtan , Haas Dieter
Published: October 2013

Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces the toxic secondary metabolite hydrogen cyanide (HCN) at high cell population densities and low aeration. Here, we investigated the impact of HCN as a signal in cell‐cell communication by comparing the transcriptome of the wild‐type strain PAO1 to that of an HCN‐negative mutant under cyanogenic conditions. HCN repressed four genes and induced 12 genes. While the individual functions of these genes are unknown, with one exception (i.e. a ferredoxin‐dependent reductase), a highly inducible six‐gene cluster (PA4129‐PA4134) was found to be crucial for protection of P. aeruginosa from external HCN intoxication. A double mutant deleted for PA4129‐PA4134 and cioAB (encoding cyanide‐insensitive oxidase) did not grow with 100 μM KCN, whereas the corresponding single mutants were essentially unaffected, suggesting a synergistic action of the PA4129‐PA4134 gene products and cyanide‐insensitive oxidase.
PASTIS: an R package to facilitate phylogenetic assembly with soft taxonomic inferences
Authors: Thomas Gavin H. , Hartmann Klaas , Jetz Walter , Joy Jeffrey B. , Mimoto Aki , Mooers Arne O.
Published: October 2013

Phylogenetic trees that include all member lineages are necessary for many questions in macroevolution, biogeography and conservation. Currently, producing such trees when genetic data or phenotypic characters for some tips are missing generally involves assigning missing species to the root of their most exclusive clade, essentially grafting them onto existing and static topologies as polytomies.

We describe an R package, ‘PASTIS’, that enables a two‐stage Bayesian method using MrBayes version 3.2 (or higher) to incorporate lineages lacking genetic data at the tree inference stage. The inputs include a consensus topology, a set of taxonomic statements (e.g. placing species in genera and aligning some genera with each other or placing subspecies within species) and user‐defined priors on edge lengths and topologies. PASTIS produces input files for execution in MrBayes that will produce a posterior distribution of complete ultrametric trees that captures uncertainty under a homogeneous birth‐death prior model of diversification and placement constraints. If the age distribution of a focal node is known (e.g. from fossils), the ultrametric tree distribution can be converted to a set of dated trees. We also provide functions to visualize the placement of missing taxa in the posterior distribution.

The PASTIS approach is not limited to the level of species and could equally be applied to higher or lower levels of organization (e.g. accounting for all recognized subspecies or populations within a species) given an appropriate choice of priors on branching times.
Nursing Diagnoses Determined by First Year Students: A Vignette Study
Authors: Hakverdioğlu Yönt Gülendam , Korhan Esra Akın , Erdemir Firdevs , Müller‐Staub Maria
Published: October 2013

Purpose

The study aimed to determine the ability of first year students in identifying nursing diagnoses.

Methods

In a descriptive evaluation study, an expert‐validated vignette containing 18 nursing diagnoses was used.

Results

The students determined 15 nursing diagnoses. The highest percentages of diagnoses identified were disturbed sleep pattern and nutrition imbalance. Students also considered medical diagnoses as nursing diagnoses: hypertension and tachycardia.

Conclusions

Despite the fact that students were only at the end of their first semester and had limited clinical experience, they successfully identified the majority of nursing diagnoses.

Implications for Nursing Practice

Patient case study vignettes are recommended for education. To foster students’ knowledge and experience, it is also suggested that evaluating nursing diagnoses in clinical practicals becomes a requirement.

Amaç

Bu çalışmada birinci sınıf öğrencilerinin hemşirelik tanılarını belirleyebilme durumlarının saptanması amaçladı.

Yöntem

Uzmanlar tarafından belirlenmiş 18 hemşirelik tanısını içeren bir vaka kullanılarak yapılan tanımlayıcı bir çalışmadır.

Bulgular

Öğrenciler 15 hemşirelik tanısı belirlemiştir. En çok belirlenen hemşirelik tanıları uyku örüntüsünde rahatsızlık ve beslenmede dengesizlik tanısıdır. Öğrenciler ayrıca hipertansiyon ve taşikardi gibi tıbbi tanıları da hemşirelik tanısı olarak düşünmüşlerdir.

Sonuçlar

Öğrenciler sadece birinci dönemin sonunda ve sınırlı klinik deneyimlere sahip olmasına rağmen, hemşirelik tanılarının büyük bir çoğunluğunu tanımlamada başarılı olmuşlardır.

Hemşirelik Uygulamalari Için Öneriler

Eğitim için hasta vaka çalışmalarının kullanılması önerilmektedir. Öğrencilerin bilgi ve deneyimlerini geliştirmek için ayrıca klinik uygulamalarda hemşirelik tanılarının değerlendirilmesi gerektiği önerilmektedir.
Market concentration and pricing behavior in the fertilizer industry: a global approach
Authors: Hernandez Manuel A. , Torero Maximo
Published: October 2013

The global fertilizer industry is a market with high and increasing levels of concentration and trade. Low‐income regions such as sub‐Saharan Africa are highly dependent on imported fertilizer, and the landed price of imports at the port of entry usually represents a large fraction of the fertilizer supply costs in these regions. This article formally examines the relationship between market concentration and prices from a global perspective. We follow a dynamic panel approach using annual data on urea for a panel of countries and observe that prices are generally higher in more concentrated markets using different measures of concentration and model specifications. Based on additional simulations, we find that a 10% increase in competition could increase fertilizer use by 13–19% and rural incomes by 1–2% in regions like sub‐Saharan Africa. Overall, the results highlight the need to further examine the pricing behavior and potential market power exertion of major global producers, which can help to better understand the industry supply chain in developing countries and provide additional insights into the design of policies, including input subsidy programs, intended to promote long‐term fertilizer adoption.
Cooperative recycling in São Paulo, Brazil: towards an emotional consideration of empowerment
Authors: Nunn Neil , Gutberlet Jutta
Published: October 2013

This study, set in the context of a group of recycling cooperatives in the greater metropolitan region of São Paulo, Brazil, is about the relationship between emotional geographies and notions of empowerment. Paying attention to the ways that emotional expressions of empowerment deconstruct and subvert oppressive relations of power, while simultaneously reproducing and obscuring these same oppressive hegemons, we ask: what emotions are collectively felt by those who ascribe to the movement? And more importantly, what do these collective emotions do? How do emotions align individuals with particular collective values, and how do these emotions work in relation to systems of domination? Due to the cooperatives' location within Brazilian hegemonic systems of social domination, we argue that viewing empowerment as an emotion ‘I feel empowered’ rather than something one is or one achieves ‘I am empowered’ offers the space to consider the necessarily paradoxical nature of empowerment.
The relative merits of transparency: Investigating situations that support the use of robotics in developing student learning adaptability across virtual and physical computing platforms
Authors: Okita Sandra Y.
Published: October 2013

This study examined whether developing earlier forms of knowledge in specific learning environments prepares students better for future learning when they are placed in an unfamiliar learning environment. Forty‐one students in the fifth and sixth grades learned to program robot movements using abstract concepts of speed, distance and direction. Students in high‐transparency environments learned visual programming to control robots (eg, organizing visual icons), and students in low‐transparency environments learned syntactic programming to control robots (eg, text‐based coding). Both groups received feedback and models of solutions during the learning phase. The assessment midway showed students in both conditions learned equally well when solving problems using familiar materials. However, a difference emerged when students were asked to solve new problems, using unfamiliar materials. The low‐transparency group was more successful in adapting and repurposing their knowledge to solve novel problems that required the use of unfamiliar high‐transparency materials. Students in the high‐transparency group were less successful in adapting their knowledge when solving new problems using unfamiliar low‐transparency materials. Both groups then proceeded to learn in the opposing transparency environments. The posttest revealed the benefits of initial learning in low‐transparency environments as students performed better on repeated and new inferential problems across virtual and physical platforms.
Using patient‐reported outcomes to assess and improve prostate cancer brachytherapy
Authors: Talcott James A. , Manola Judith , Chen Ronald C. , Clark Jack A. , Kaplan Irving , D'Amico Anthony V. , Zietman Anthony L.
Published: October 2013

Objective

To describe a successful quality improvement process that arose from unexpected differences in control groups' short‐term patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) within a comparative effectiveness study of a prostate brachytherapy technique intended to reduce urinary morbidity.

Patients and Methods

Patients planning prostate brachytherapy at one of three institutions were enrolled in a prospective cohort study.

Patients were surveyed using a validated instrument to assess treatment‐related toxicity before treatment and at pre‐specified intervals.

Unexpectedly, urinary PROs were worse in one of two standard brachytherapy technique control populations (US‐BT1 and US‐BT2). Therefore, we collaboratively reviewed treatment procedures, identified a discrepancy in technique, made a corrective modification, and evaluated the change.

Results

The patient groups were demographically and clinically similar.

In the first preliminary analysis, US‐BT2 patients reported significantly more short‐term post‐treatment urinary symptoms than US‐BT1 patients.

The study's treating physicians reviewed the US‐BT1 and US‐BT2 treatment protocols and found that they differed in whether they used an indwelling urinary catheter.

After adopting the US‐BT1 approach, short‐term urinary morbidity in US‐BT2 patients decreased significantly. Brachytherapy procedures were otherwise unchanged.

Conclusion

Many procedures in cancer treatments are not evaluated, resulting in practice variation and suboptimal outcomes. Patients, the primary medical consumers, provide little direct input in evaluations of their care.

We used PROs, a sensitive and valid measure of treatment‐related toxicity, for quality assessment and quality improvement (QA/QI) of prostate brachytherapy. This serendipitous patient‐centred QA/QI process may be a useful model for empirically evaluating complex cancer treatment procedures and for screening for substandard care.
Higher rates of upgrading and upstaging in older patients undergoing radical prostatectomy and qualifying for active surveillance
Authors: Busch Jonas , Magheli Ahmed , Leva Natalia , Ferrari Michelle , Kramer Juergen , Klopf Christian , Kempkensteffen Carsten , Miller Kurt , Brooks James D. , Gonzalgo Mark L.
Published: October 2013

Objective

To determine pathological and oncological outcomes of patients diagnosed with low‐risk prostate cancer in two age cohorts who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) and qualified for active surveillance (AS) according to Prostate Cancer Research International: Active Surveillance (PRIAS) criteria, as AS for low‐risk prostate cancer represents an acceptable management strategy especially for older patients.

Patients and Methods

In all, 320 patients aged ≥65 years who underwent RP and were eligible for AS according to PRIAS criteria were propensity score matched 1:1 to patients aged <65 years.

Patient characteristics were compared with chi‐square, Kruskal–Wallis, and one‐way anova tests. Predictors of RP pathological upgrading or upstaging were analysed using logistic regression.

Recurrence‐free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Predictors of RFS were analysed within Cox regression models.

Results

Pathological upgrading and upstaging were significantly higher among older (≥65 years) vs younger (<65 years) patients (53.1% vs 44.1% and 12.2% vs 7.2%, respectively).

Higher prostate‐specific antigen levels and increasing age were independent predictors of upgrading among patients aged <65 years.

There were no differences in RFS or OS between the two age groups.

Positive surgical margin status was the only independent predictor of shorter RFS.

Conclusions

Patients aged ≥65 years who are eligible for AS by PRIAS criteria have a higher risk of being upgraded and upstaged at RP than those aged <65 years.

These findings should be taken into consideration when discussing treatment options for patients diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Toxicological effect of engineered nanomaterials on the liver
Authors: Kermanizadeh A , Gaiser B K , Johnston H , Brown D M , Stone V
Published: October 2013

The liver has a crucial role in metabolic homeostasis, as it is responsible for the storage, synthesis, metabolism and redistribution of carbohydrates, fats and vitamins, and numerous essential proteins. It is also the principal detoxification centre of the body, removing xenobiotics and waste products by metabolism or biliary excretion. An increasing number of studies have shown that some nanomaterials (NMs) are capable of distributing from the site of exposure (e.g. lungs, gut) to a number of secondary organs, including the liver. As a secondary exposure site the liver has been shown to preferentially accumulate NMs (>90% of translocated NMs compared with other organs), and alongside the kidneys may be responsible for the clearance of NMs from the blood. Research into the toxicity posed by NMs to the liver is expanding due to the realization that NMs accumulate in this organ following exposure via a variety of routes (e.g. ingestion, injection and inhalation). Thus it is critical to consider what advances have been made in the investigation of NM hepatotoxicity, as well as appraising the quality of the information available and gaps in the knowledge that still exist. The overall aim of this review is to outline what data are available in the literature for the toxicity elicited by NMs to the liver in order to establish a weight of evidence approach (for risk assessors) to inform on the potential hazards posed by NMs to the liver.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Nanomedicine. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2014.171.issue‐17
Innovations in Practice: Dissemination and implementation of child–parent psychotherapy in rural public health agencies
Authors: Barnett Erin R. , Rosenberg Harriet J. , Rosenberg Stanley D. , Osofsky Joy D. , Wolford George L.
Published: October 2013

Background

Early trauma exposure can have long‐term negative health effects. Few young children receive evidence‐based trauma treatment. This article explores the feasibility of implementing Child–Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), an evidence‐based intervention, in rural public health agencies.

Method

Twenty‐three clinicians across four agencies were trained. Training outcomes and implementation barriers and facilitators were assessed.

Results

One hundred twelve client–caregiver dyads began the year‐long treatment; 50% are currently enrolled or have completed treatment. Barriers and facilitators to implementation were identified.

Conclusions

CPP is feasible to implement in rural community mental health agencies. Important lessons were learned related to planning, implementation, and sustainability.
A New i, i + 3 Peptide Stapling System for α‐Helix Stabilization
Authors: Shim So Youn , Kim Young‐Woo , Verdine Gregory L.
Published: October 2013

We have previously shown that the incorporation of an 8‐atom all‐hydrocarbon ‘staple’ at positions i and i + 3 of a synthetic peptide results in substantial stabilization of the α‐helical conformation. As part of our ongoing effort to explore the scope and utility of all‐hydrocarbon stapling systems, we have investigated and report herein the properties of a new i, i + 3 stapling system that employs a 6‐carbon cross‐link.
Gsp mutation in acromegaly and its influence on TRH‐induced paradoxical GH response
Authors: Goto Yuko , Kinoshita Manabu , Oshino Satoru , Arita Hideyuki , Kitamura Tetsuhiro , Otsuki Michio , Shimomura Iichiro , Yoshimine Toshiki , Saitoh Youichi
Published: October 2013

Objective

We recently reported that paradoxical GH response to TRH administration reflects biological characteristics in patients with acromegaly. The aim of this study is to elucidate the relationship between gsp mutations and the paradoxical GH response to TRH.

Patients

Sixty‐seven patients with acromegaly were included for analysis. Paradoxical increase in serum GH level to TRH, GH suppression by octreotide and bromocriptine, radiological profiles and histopathological findings were analysed with respect to tumour gsp‐mutation status.

Results

Twenty‐six (38·8%) gsp mutations were detected, and the number of paradoxical GH responders to TRH, defined as an increase of 100% or more in GH after TRH, was 49 (73·1%). Among the paradoxical GH responders to TRH, 21 patients (42·9%) had a gsp mutation and 28 patients (57·1%) did not. The percentage of paradoxical GH responders to TRH in gsp‐positive and gsp‐negative patients was not significantly different (80·8% and 68·3%, respectively). The gsp‐positive group showed a significantly higher paradoxical increase in serum GH level by TRH administration (1830% vs 650% GH increase, P = 0·045) and greater GH suppression by octreotide (88·7% vs 75·4% GH decrease, P = 0·003) than the gsp‐negative group.

Conclusion

Paradoxical GH response to TRH was observed regardless of gsp mutation, although the rate of increase was significantly higher in gsp‐positive patients. These results suggest that gsp mutation is not sufficient to cause the paradoxical GH response to TRH, while other unidentified factors have a strong influence on paradoxical GH response to TRH in patients with acromegaly.