bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular phylogeny and historical biogeography of Caltha (Ranunculaceae) based on analyses of multiple nuclear and plastid sequences
Authors: CHENG Jin , XIE Lei
Published: August 2013

Caltha is a widely distributed genus in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) showing interesting distribution patterns in both hemispheres. Evolutionary history of Caltha was examined by means of phylogenetic, molecular dating, and historical biogeographic analyses with a more comprehensive sampling than previous studies. The internal transcribed spacer from the nuclear genome and trnL‐F and atpB‐rbcL regions from the plastid genome were used and analyzed using parsimony and Bayesian methods. Divergence time was estimated using Bayesian dating analyses with multiple fossil calibrations. Historical biogeography was inferred using the Bayes‐DIVA method implemented in RASP. We obtained a well‐resolved and well‐supported phylogeny within the Caltha lineage. Caltha natans Pall. diverged first from the genus and the other species grouped into two clades. Our expanded sampling scheme revealed a complicated evolutionary pattern in the C. palustris complex. Caltha sinogracilis W. T. Wang was resolved to be a member of the C. palustris complex, rather than closely related to C. scaposa Hook. f. & Thomson. Caltha rubriflora B. L. Burtt & Lauener was also revealed to be not just a red‐flower form of C. sinogracilis. The diversification of the genus began at 50.5 mya (95% high posterior density: 37.1–63.9 mya), and its ancestral range was very probably in the Northern Hemisphere. The South American species may derive from western North American ancestors that dispersed along the western American Cordillera during the Cenozoic era. The vicariance model of the Southern Hemisphere species proposed by a previous study was rejected in this study.
Comparative Effect of Carperitide and Furosemide on Left Atrial Pressure in Dogs with Experimentally Induced Mitral Valve Regurgitation
Authors: Suzuki S. , Fukushima R. , Yamamoto Y. , Ishikawa T. , Hamabe L. , Kim S. , Yoshiyuki R. , Fukayama T. , Machida N. , Tanaka R.
Published: August 2013

Background

The effects of carperitide on left atrial pressure (LAP) in dogs with mitral valve disease (mitral regurgitation, MR) have not been documented.

Objective

The objective was to compare the short‐term effects of carperitide versus furosemide on LAP and neurohumoral factors in MR dogs.

Animals

Six healthy Beagle dogs weighing 9.8–12.6 kg (2 males and 4 females; aged 3 years) were used.

Methods

Experimental, randomized, cross‐over, and interventional study. Carperitide 0.1 μg/kg/min or furosemide 0.17 mg/kg/h (1 mg/kg/6 h) was administered to dogs with surgically induced MR for 6 hours, and after a 14 day wash‐out period, the other drug was administered. LAP, plasma renin activity, plasma aldosterone, and echocardiographic variables were measured.

Results

Left atrial pressure was decreased similarly after the administration of carperitide 0.1 μg/kg/min and furosemide 0.17 mg/kg/h (1 mg/kg/6 h) compared with baseline in dogs with MR (Baseline 14.75 ± 3.74 mmHg, carperitide 10.24 ± 4.97 mmHg, P < .01, furosemide 10.77 ± 5.06 mmHg, P < .05). Plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone were significantly lower after the administration of carperitide than after the administration of furosemide (P < .05, respectively).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Carperitide significantly decreased LAP in dogs with acute MR caused by experimental chordal rupture. Carperitide can have additional benefits from the viewpoint of minimal activation of neurohumoral factors in the treatment of dogs with MR. Additional studies in dogs with spontaneous disease are warranted.
Assessment of Coagulation and Potential Biochemical Markers for Hypercoagulability in Canine Hyperadrenocorticism
Authors: Pace S.L. , Creevy K.E. , Krimer P.M. , Brainard B.M.
Published: August 2013

Background

Anecdotal accounts and limited research suggest that dogs with spontaneous hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) are at risk of developing thromboembolic complications. Detailed description of coagulation status and identification of subsets of dogs at greatest risk would impact therapeutic recommendations for these patients.

Hypothesis/Objectives

Hypothesis:A subset of dogs withHACwill have a hypercoagulable tendency as identified by increased procoagulant activity, decreased fibrinolysis, or both.Objective 1:To document the existence of this hypercoagulable tendency inHACdogs using assays of individual coagulation factors, fibrinolytic activity, and systemic coagulation.Objective 2:To evaluate clinical and biochemical markers inHACdogs to identify a subset ofHACpatients at increased risk of this hypercoagulable tendency.

Animals

Seventeen dogs newly diagnosed withHAC.

Methods

Prospective study. Medical history, physical examination findings, routine diagnostic tests, and comprehensive coagulation testing were performed at the time ofHACdiagnosis. Coagulation parameters were assessed individually and as panels for each dog. Historical and clinical variables were correlated with coagulation parameters to identify risk factors.

Results

The majority (88.2%) ofHACdogs exhibited a hypercoagulable tendency. Abnormalities in 1 coagulation assay did not predict abnormalities in others. Duration of clinical signs ofHACdid not predict hypercoagulability. Comorbid conditions or abnormal clinicopathologic parameters that predicted hypercoagulability were not identified.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

AlthoughHACdogs may demonstrate a hypercoagulable tendency individually and as a group, comorbid conditions or biochemical variables that would predict more severe coagulation abnormalities were not identified.
Hypovitaminosis D in Dogs with Spirocercosis
Authors: Rosa C.T. , Schoeman J.P. , Berry J.L. , Mellanby R.J. , Dvir E.
Published: August 2013

Background

Spirocercosis in dogs is characterized by esophageal nodules that can undergo neoplastic transformation. Hypovitaminosis D has been associated with neoplasia formation. We hypothesized hypovitaminosis D in neoplastic spirocercosis and that it could be a risk factor for neoplastic transformation.

Objective

To measure and compare vitamin D status, assessed by serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations in non‐neoplastic (n = 25) and neoplastic (n = 26) spirocercosis client‐owned dogs and healthy dogs (n = 24).

Animals

Twenty‐five non‐neoplastic dogs, 26 neoplastic dogs, and 24 healthy dogs.

Methods

Fifty‐one dogs were randomly selected from 119 dogs diagnosed with spirocercosis presenting to our hospital, and further divided into non‐neoplastic or neoplastic groups. Exclusion criteria included dogs less than 1 year old, with concurrent diseases, received corticosteroids, or treated prophylactically for spirocercosis. Serum 25(OH)D concentration was measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Spirocercosis dogs' appetites were graded and compared.

Results

Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were significantly different among all groups (P < .001). 25‐Hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were significantly lower in neoplastic group (median 30.7 nmol/L [range 14.7–62.2]) compared to non‐neoplastic (median 52.7 nmol/L [range 19.1–129.7, P < .05]) and healthy groups (median 74.6 nmol/L [range 37.4–130.5, P < .005]). 25‐hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were significantly lower in non‐neoplastic spirocercosis dogs compared to healthy ones (P < .05). Neoplastic and non‐neoplastic spirocercosis dogs had similar appetite scores (P = 1.0). 25‐Hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were not significantly different between dogs with normal (P = .087) and abnormal (P = .125) appetites within neoplastic and non‐neoplastic spirocercosis groups.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Further studies are warranted to determine potential use of vitamin D treatment in spirocercosis and explore role of hypovitaminosis D in pathogenesis of malignant transformation.
Compound K modulates fatty acid‐induced lipid droplet formation and expression of proteins involved in lipid metabolism in hepatocytes
Authors: Kim Moon‐Sun , Lee Kyoung‐Tae , Iseli Tristan J. , Hoy Andrew J. , George Jacob , Grewal Thomas , Roufogalis Basil D.
Published: August 2013

Background & Aims

A key factor in the development of type 2 diabetes and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is hepatic steatosis. Incubation of human hepatic cells with free fatty acids (FFAs) causes accumulation of neutral lipids in lipid droplets (LDs) and serves as a model for hepatic steatosis. Ginsenosides, active constituents of ginsengs, have demonstrated beneficial effects in various pharmacological areas, including diabetes, however their effect on lipid accumulation in hepatocytes remains unclear. Here, we examine the effect of compound K (ComK), an active metabolite of ginsenosides, on the regulation of LD formation and on the expression of proteins involved in lipid homeostasis in hepatocytes.

Methods

HuH7 cells were pretreated with ComK, followed by lipid loading with FFA. LDs were visualized using Oil Red O staining and immunohistochemistry for the LD‐related protein PLIN2. Triglyceride levels were determined in isolated LDs. The expression of proteins involved in lipid homeostasis was examined by Western blotting.

Results

Treatment with ComK significantly decreased LD formation in FFA‐loaded HuH7 cells and increased phosphorylation levels of AMPK, and its substrate ACC. ComK also increased protein expression of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐α (PPAR‐α) and acyl‐CoA oxidase (ACOX1) together with elevated activity of a PPAR‐α response element reporter construct. These effects were inhibited by the PPAR‐α antagonist MK886.

Conclusions

ComK reduced LD formation and TG accumulation in FFA‐loaded hepatocytes, in part by up‐regulating AMPK activity and PPAR‐α related pathways. These results suggest that ComK may have efficacy for the treatment of hepatic steatosis and associated diseases.
Shaping development through mechanical strain: the transcriptional basis of diet‐induced phenotypic plasticity in a cichlid fish
Authors: Gunter Helen M. , Fan Shaohua , Xiong Fan , Franchini Paolo , Fruciano Carmelo , Meyer Axel
Published: August 2013

Adaptive phenotypic plasticity, the ability of an organism to change its phenotype to match local environments, is increasingly recognized for its contribution to evolution. However, few empirical studies have explored the molecular basis of plastic traits. The East African cichlid fish Astatoreochromis alluaudi displays adaptive phenotypic plasticity in its pharyngeal jaw apparatus, a structure that is widely seen as an evolutionary key innovation that has contributed to the remarkable diversity of cichlid fishes. It has previously been shown that in response to different diets, the pharyngeal jaws change their size, shape and dentition: hard diets induce an adaptive robust molariform tooth phenotype with short jaws and strong internal bone structures, while soft diets induce a gracile papilliform tooth phenotype with elongated jaws and slender internal bone structures. To gain insight into the molecular underpinnings of these adaptations and enable future investigations of the role that phenotypic plasticity plays during the formation of adaptive radiations, the transcriptomes of the two divergent jaw phenotypes were examined. Our study identified a total of 187 genes whose expression differs in response to hard and soft diets, including immediate early genes, extracellular matrix genes and inflammatory factors. Transcriptome results are interpreted in light of expression of candidate genes—markers for tooth size and shape, bone cells and mechanically sensitive pathways. This study opens up new avenues of research at new levels of biological organization into the roles of phenotypic plasticity during speciation and radiation of cichlid fishes.
Mechanisms of macroevolution: polyphagous plasticity in butterfly larvae revealed by RNA‐Seq
Authors: de la Paz Celorio‐Mancera Maria , Wheat Christopher W. , Vogel Heiko , Söderlind Lina , Janz Niklas , Nylin Sören
Published: August 2013

Transcriptome studies of insect herbivory are still rare, yet studies in model systems have uncovered patterns of transcript regulation that appear to provide insights into how insect herbivores attain polyphagy, such as a general increase in expression breadth and regulation of ribosomal, digestion‐ and detoxification‐related genes. We investigated the potential generality of these emerging patterns, in the Swedish comma, Polygonia c‐album, which is a polyphagous, widely‐distributed butterfly. Urtica dioica and Ribes uva‐crispa are hosts of P. c‐album, but Ribes represents a recent evolutionary shift onto a very divergent host. Utilizing the assembled transcriptome for read mapping, we assessed gene expression finding that caterpillar life‐history (i.e. 2nd vs. 4th‐instar regulation) had a limited influence on gene expression plasticity. In contrast, differential expression in response to host‐plant identified genes encoding serine‐type endopeptidases, membrane‐associated proteins and transporters. Differential regulation of genes involved in nucleic acid binding was also observed suggesting that polyphagy involves large scale transcriptional changes. Additionally, transcripts coding for structural constituents of the cuticle were differentially expressed in caterpillars in response to their diet indicating that the insect cuticle may be a target for plant defence. Our results state that emerging patterns of transcript regulation from model species appear relevant in species when placed in an evolutionary context.
Efficacy and safety of probiotics in the treatment of Candida‐associated stomatitis
Authors: Li Duo , Li Qingfu , Liu Chuanxia , Lin Mei , Li Xiaoying , Xiao Xiaoying , Zhu Zhu , Gong Qimei , Zhou Hongmei
Published: August 2013

This study aimed at evaluating the short‐term efficacy and safety of probiotics as an aid in the treatment of Candida‐associated stomatitis in a randomised controlled trial. A total of 65 patients were randomly assigned to receive oral local antifungal agents alone (gargle 2% sodium bicarbonate solution for 30 s, wait 10 min and then apply 2% nystatin paste) or these agents plus local probiotics (the mixture of Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus) three times per day for 4 weeks. Parameters related to hyperaemia, visual analogue scale scores, culture of resting saliva and a lingual dorsum swab and adverse reactions were assessed or recorded in the beginning, middle and end of treatment. Although the baseline characteristics of the participants were similar, both groups showed a significant reduction in pain level and hyperaemia on the tongue mucosa (P = 0.000) after 4‐week application. However, despite the reduction in hyperaemia in the probiotic group, these improvements did not display statistically significant differences. The detection rate of Candida spp. was 100% before treatment and 8.21% in the experimental group and 34.6% in the control group after treatment. The detection rate of Candida spp. decreased (P = 0.000) in both groups and was significantly lower in the probiotic group than the control group (P = 0.038). Other analysed micro‐organisms, including the decreased detection rate for Lactobacillus spp. (P = 0.049) and the increased detection rate for Staphylococcus epidermidis (P = 0.019), did not display consistent change trends in the probiotics group. Compared with conventional antifungal therapies for oral candidiasis, the inclusion of locally administered probiotics helped improve certain clinical conditions and reduced the prevalence of Candida spp., although the impact of probiotics on oral bacterial species remains to be further studied.
Comparison of rectal balloon expulsion test in seated and left lateral positions
Authors: Ratuapli S. , Bharucha A. E. , Harvey D. , Zinsmeister A. R.
Published: August 2013

Background

Defecatory disorders can be diagnosed by rectal balloon expulsion (BE) and anorectal manometry, which are traditionally evaluated in the seated and left lateral (LL) positions, respectively. The aims of this study were to compare BE in the LL and seated positions and to compare anorectal manometric parameters to BE performed in the seated and LL positions.

Methods

220 women [healthy (62), chronic constipation (158)] had anorectal high‐resolution manometry and BE, summarized by time required (seated position, normal ≤60 s) or external traction to facilitate expulsion (LL position, normal ≤100 g).

Key Results

Balloon expulsion results in both positions were either concordant [normal (141) or abnormal (32)] or discordant [only LL abnormal (30), only seated abnormal (17)]. There was modest agreement [κ = 0.44 (95% CI 0.30–0.57)] between seated and LL BE. Compared with subjects with normal BE in both positions, anal pressure during simulated evacuation (SE) was higher, and the rectoanal gradient (rectal‐anal pressure) during SE was more negative in the other 3 categories (i.e., abnormal LL only, abnormal seated only, and both abnormal). High anal pressure during SE (OR = 1.02, 95% CI 1.00–1.04) and high rectal sensory threshold for desire to defecate (OR = 1.01, 95% CI 1.00–1.02) were associated with increased risk of abnormal BE in both positions, whereas high rectal pressure during SE (OR = 0.96, 95% CI 0.93–0.98) was associated with lower risk.

Conclusions & Inferences

There is modest agreement between rectal BE in LL and seated positions. In addition to abnormal seated BE, which is considered indicative of pelvic floor dysfunction, high resolution manometry findings suggest that even some patients with abnormal BE in the LL position have pelvic floor dysfunction.
Synthesis and modeling perspectives of rhizosphere priming
Authors: Cheng Weixin , Parton William J. , Gonzalez‐Meler Miquel A. , Phillips Richard , Asao Shinichi , McNickle Gordon G. , Brzostek Edward , Jastrow Julie D.
Published: August 2013

The rhizosphere priming effect (RPE) is a mechanism by which plants interact with soil functions. The large impact of the RPE on soil organic matter decomposition rates (from 50% reduction to 380% increase) warrants similar attention to that being paid to climatic controls on ecosystem functions. Furthermore, global increases in atmospheric CO2 concentration and surface temperature can significantly alter the RPE. Our analysis using a game theoretic model suggests that the RPE may have resulted from an evolutionarily stable mutualistic association between plants and rhizosphere microbes. Through model simulations based on microbial physiology, we demonstrate that a shift in microbial metabolic response to different substrate inputs from plants is a plausible mechanism leading to positive or negative RPEs. In a case study of the Duke Free‐Air CO2 Enrichment experiment, performance of the PhotoCent model was significantly improved by including an RPE‐induced 40% increase in soil organic matter decomposition rate for the elevated CO2 treatment – demonstrating the value of incorporating the RPE into future ecosystem models. Overall, the RPE is emerging as a crucial mechanism in terrestrial ecosystems, which awaits substantial research and model development.

Contents

Summary
31

I.
Introduction
31

II.
Magnitude and driving variables of the rhizosphere priming effect
32

III.
Will global environmental change alter the RPE?
34

IV.
A game theoretic model: is priming the result of evolutionarily stable strategies?
35

V.
A microbial physiology‐based model: simulating positive and negative RPEs
37

VI.
A case study: matching simulation results with observations at the Duke FACE
38

VII.
Research needs and future perspectives
39

Acknowledgements
41

References
41
On the importance of balancing selection in plants
Authors: Delph Lynda F. , Kelly John K.
Published: August 2013

Balancing selection refers to a variety of selective regimes that maintain advantageous genetic diversity within populations. We review the history of the ideas regarding the types of selection that maintain such polymorphism in flowering plants, notably heterozygote advantage, negative frequency‐dependent selection, and spatial heterogeneity. One shared feature of these mechanisms is that whether an allele is beneficial or detrimental is conditional on its frequency in the population. We highlight examples of balancing selection on a variety of discrete traits. These include the well‐referenced case of self‐incompatibility and recent evidence from species with nuclear‐cytoplasmic gynodioecy, both of which exhibit trans‐specific polymorphism, a hallmark of balancing selection. We also discuss and give examples of how spatial heterogeneity in particular, which is often thought unlikely to allow protected polymorphism, can maintain genetic variation in plants (which are rooted in place) as a result of microhabitat selection. Lastly, we discuss limitations of the protected polymorphism concept for quantitative traits, where selection can inflate the genetic variance without maintaining specific alleles indefinitely. We conclude that while discrete‐morph variation provides the most unambiguous cases of protected polymorphism, they represent only a fraction of the balancing selection at work in plants.

Contents

Summary
45

I.
Introduction
46

II.
History
46

III.
Concepts and terminology
47

IV.
Balanced polymorphisms within plant species
48

V.
Other discrete‐trait polymorphisms
50

VI.
Spatial and temporal variation in selection
52

VII.
Selection and the maintenance of trait variation
53

VIII.
Conclusions
54

Acknowledgements
54

References
54
Metabolic engineering of the C16 homoterpene TMTT in Lotus japonicus through overexpression of (E,E)‐geranyllinalool synthase attracts generalist and specialist predators in different manners
Authors: Brillada Carla , Nishihara Masahiro , Shimoda Takeshi , Garms Stefan , Boland Wilhelm , Maffei Massimo E. , Arimura Gen‐ichiro
Published: August 2013

Plant defenses against herbivores include the emission of specific blends of volatiles, which enable plants to attract natural enemies of herbivores.

We characterized a plastidial terpene synthase gene, PlTPS2, from lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus). The recombinant PlTPS2 protein was multifunctional, producing linalool, (E)‐nerolidol and (E,E)‐geranyllinalool, precursors of (E,E)‐4,8,12‐trimethyltrideca‐1,3,7,11‐tetraene [TMTT].

Transgenic Lotus japonicus and Nicotiana tabacum plants, expressing PlTPS2 or its homolog Medicago truncatula TPS3 (MtTPS3), were produced and used for bioassays with herbivorous and predatory mites. Transgenic L. japonicus plants expressing PlTPS2 produced (E,E)‐geranyllinalool and TMTT, whereas wild‐type plants and transgenic plants expressing MtTPS3 did not. Transgenic N. tabacum expressing PlTPS2 produced (E,E)‐geranyllinalool but not TMTT. Moreover, in olfactory assays, the generalist predatory mite Neoseiulus californicus but not the specialist Phytoseiulus persimilis was attracted to uninfested, transgenic L. japonicus plants expressing PlTPS2 over wild‐type plants. The specialist P. persimilis was more strongly attracted by the transgenic plants infested with spider mites than by infested wild‐type plants.

Predator responses to transgenic plant volatile TMTT depend on various background volatiles endogenously produced by the transgenic plants. Therefore, the manipulation of TMTT is an ideal platform for pest control via the attraction of generalist and specialist predators in different manners.
Temperature‐driven flower longevity in a high‐alpine species of Oxalis influences reproductive assurance
Authors: Arroyo Mary T. K. , Dudley Leah S. , Jespersen Gus , Pacheco Diego A. , Cavieres Lohengrin A.
Published: August 2013

How high‐alpine plants confront stochastic conditions for animal pollination is a critical question. We investigated the effect of temperature on potential flower longevity (FL) measured in pollinator‐excluded flowers and actual FL measured in pollinated flowers in self‐incompatible Oxalis compacta and evaluated if plastically prolonged potential FL can ameliorate slow pollination under cool conditions.

Pollinator‐excluded and hand‐pollinated flowers were experimentally warmed with open‐top chambers (OTCs) on a site at 3470 m above sea level (asl). Flower‐specific temperatures, and pollinator‐excluded and open‐pollination flower life‐spans were measured at six alpine sites between 3100 and 3470 m asl. Fruit set was analyzed in relation to inferred pollination time.

Warming reduced potential FL. Variable thermal conditions across the alpine landscape predicted potential and actual FL; flower senescence was pollination‐regulated. Actual FL and potential FL were coupled. Prolonged potential FL generally increased fruit set under cooler conditions.

Plastic responses permit virgin flowers of O. compacta to remain open longer under cooler temperatures, thereby ameliorating slow pollination, and to close earlier when pollination tends to be faster under warmer conditions. Plastic potential FL provides adaptive advantages in the cold, thermally variable alpine habitat, and has important implications for reproductive success in alpine plants in a warming world.
Regulation of ABA dependent wound induced spreading cell death by MYB108
Authors: Cui Fuqiang , Brosché Mikael , Sipari Nina , Tang Saijun , Overmyer Kirk
Published: August 2013

Wounding results in the controlled cell death of a few rows of cells adjacent to disrupted cells resulting in physical wound closure, which combined with phenolic compound deposition, prevents water loss and pathogen entry. The control of these processes remains uncharacterized.

Cell death in a mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana lacking BOTRYTIS SENSITIVE1/MYB108 (BOS1/MYB108) function was characterized utilizing physiological, cell biological and genetic methods.

The bos1 mutant has a wound induced runaway cell death that includes enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production that followed the extent of enhanced cell death. Exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) enhanced wound induced cell death in Col‐0 plants and was sufficient to trigger cell death in bos1. Uncontrolled cell death was dependent of the production and perception of ABA. Furthermore, bos1 had altered sensitivity to and accumulation of ABA.

Arabidopsis possesses a genetic program controlling the extent of wound inducible cell death. BOS1 acts as a negative regulator of ABA induced cell death, which functions in the control of this wound sealing program. This program is distinct from other known cell death programs in that it is ABA dependent, but independent of salicylate biosynthesis, ethylene, jasmonate, metacaspases and ROS derived from RBOHD and RBOHF.
Novel Collimated Beam Setup to Study the Kinetics of VUV‐Induced Reactions
Authors: Duca Clara , Imoberdorf Gustavo , Mohseni Madjid
Published: August 2013

Vacuum UV (VUV) process is an incipient advanced oxidation process, which can be used for water treatment. This process relies on the formation of hydroxyl radicals through the VUV‐induced photolysis of water. In particular, the use of ozone‐generating mercury vapor lamps, which emit 10% of the radiation at 185 nm and 90% at 254 nm, is showing very promising results for the degradation of micropollutants. The kinetics of VUV process has been studied in batch‐ and flow‐through reactors, but the effect of 254 and 185 nm photons cannot be isolated, mass transfer resistances can take place and the interpretation of the results is complex. In this technical note, a new VUV collimated beam to conduct kinetic tests is presented, which offers several advantages: (1) it allows the irradiation of samples with 185, 254 nm photons, or both, (2) the concentration of reagents is uniform in the reaction volume and (3) it allows to change the fluence rate by changing the distance between the lamp and the photoreactor. Details of the geometry are presented, as well as an analysis of the collimation and uniformity of the radiation of the new VUV‐collimated beam setup.
Shifting and extension of phenological periods with increasing temperature along elevational transects in southern Bavaria
Authors: Schuster C. , Estrella N. , Menzel A.
Published: August 2013

The impact of global warming on phenology has been widely studied, and almost consistently advancing spring events have been reported. Especially in alpine regions, an extraordinary rapid warming has been observed in the last decades. However, little is known about phenological phases over the whole vegetation period at high elevations. We observed 12 phenological phases of seven tree species and measured air temperature at 42 sites along four transects of about 1000 m elevational range in the years 2010 and 2011 near Garmisch‐Partenkirchen, Germany. Site‐ and species‐specific onset dates for the phenological phases were determined and related to elevation, temperature lapse rates and site‐specific temperature sums. Increasing temperatures induced advanced spring and delayed autumn phases, in which both yielded similar magnitudes. Delayed leaf senescence could therefore have been underestimated until now in extending the vegetation period. Not only the vegetation period, but also phenological periods extended with increasing temperature. Moreover, sensitivity to elevation and temperature strongly depends on the specific phenological phase. Differences between species and groups of species (deciduous, evergreen, high elevation) were found in onset dates, phenological response rates and also in the effect of chilling and forcing temperatures. Increased chilling days highly reduced forcing temperature requirements for deciduous trees, but less for evergreen trees. The problem of shifted species associations and phenological mismatches due to species‐specific responses to increasing temperature is a recent topic in ecological research. Therefore, we consider our findings from this novel, dense observation network in an alpine area of particular importance to deepen knowledge on phenological responses to climate change.
Disgust, Harm, and Morality in Politics
Authors: Ben‐Nun Bloom Pazit
Published: August 2013

This study experimentally tests a theoretical framework for moral judgment in politics, which integrates two research traditions, Domain‐Theory and Sentimentalism, to suggest that moral judgment is bidimensional, with one dimension pertaining to harm and the other to moral emotions. Two experiments demonstrate that priming harm associations and the moral emotion of disgust prior to a political issue facilitates moral conviction on the political issue as well as a harsher moral judgment compared to no‐prime and to nonmoral emotional and cognitive negative primes (sadness and damage to objects). In addition, harm cues and disgust, but not sadness or damage, interact with the preexisting attitude toward the political issue in affecting moral conviction.
Measuring and Reducing Religious Bias in Post‐Conflict Zones: Evidence from Côte d'Ivoire
Authors: McCauley John F.
Published: August 2013

This article explores how religious bias, once it has been cultivated through politicization and violence, can be reduced. Using foundations from social identity theory and superordinate goal theory, I develop post‐conflict bias reduction strategies that include competing types of superordinate messages, economic and theological, as well as different sources of those messages. To test these strategies, I use video‐based information treatments coupled with Implicit Association Tests in Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire. The experimental findings point to three conclusions. First, implicit Muslim‐Christian bias in the study area remains high. Second, Christians in the study tend to be more biased against Muslims than Muslims are against Christians. Third, the effectiveness of treatments depends on the subjects who receive those treatments: theological messages are most effective in reducing bias among Muslims, regardless of their source, and strategies that rely on political leaders to deliver messages perform best among Christians, regardless of the content.
Brominated Flame Retardants in Breast Milk and Behavioural and Cognitive Development at 36 Months
Authors: Adgent Margaret A. , Hoffman Kate , Goldman Barbara Davis , Sjödin Andreas , Daniels Julie L.
Published: August 2013

Background

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are persistent flame retardants found in the environment, in household dust, and in humans. Breast feeding is a prominent route of exposure in infancy. PBDEs adversely affect neurodevelopment in animals. Here, we estimate associations between PBDEs in breast milk and behaviour and cognitive skills in children at 36 months of age.

Methods

We prospectively studied 304 mothers and their children. We measured PBDEs in breast milk collected at 3 months postpartum. At 36 months, we measured child behaviour with the parent‐rated Behavioral Assessment System for Children 2 (n = 192), and cognitive skills with the Mullen Scales of Early Learning (n = 184). We analysed data with robust regression.

Results

We detected BDE‐28, ‐47, ‐99, ‐100, and ‐153 in >70% of milk samples. For each congener, the highest quartile of breast milk PBDE concentration, vs. the lowest, was associated with more anxious behaviour, after confounder adjustment. Select congeners were associated with increased withdrawal (BDE‐28) and improved activity of daily living skills (BDE‐153). Cognitive skills tended to be positively associated with PBDEs, especially language and fine motor skills. However, most estimates were imprecise.

Conclusions

Here, lactational PBDE exposure was modestly and imprecisely associated with anxiety and withdrawal, but was also associated with improved adaptive and cognitive skills. Positive factors associated with breast feeding may have mitigated some of the hypothesised adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes associated with PBDEs. Further research is needed to inform our understanding of PBDE neurotoxicity and how sources of exposure might confound neurodevelopmental studies.
‘It's about me’ – a narrative analysis of female smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and their relationship to smoking
Authors: Nykvist Maria , Larsson EvaLena , Dahlborg Lyckhage Elisabeth
Published: August 2013

Background

Chronic obstructive lung disease is a disease that is common among the smoking population. In Sweden, more women than men are smokers. The most effective treatment to improve the symptoms of COPD is to quit smoking but still many women continue to smoke, despite their illness.

Aim

The aim of this study was to describe how a group of smoking women with chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) experienced their everyday life and their relationship to smoking.

Method

A qualitative study based on narratives from six women with COPD was conducted. The narratives focused on the women′s everyday life and their relationship to smoking. The interviews were analysed into four themes and a new story, based on these themes were constructed.

Findings

The new story describes a woman with COPD that knows what she must do but cannot find the power within herself to take action. She talks about herself like a young bird that is going fly for the first time.

Conclusion

The study indicates that these women need some form of individual help to find the inner strength that they lack. Their self‐respect as well as their self‐image needs to be boosted in order to strengthen their belief that they are going to cope without the cigarette.
Reaching a turning point – how patients in forensic care describe trajectories of recovery
Authors: Olsson Helen , Strand Susanne , Kristiansen Lisbeth
Published: August 2013

In Sweden, the duration of treatment is increasing for patients admitted to forensic psychiatric care. To reduce the length of stay, it is important for the forensic rehabilitation and recovery process to be effective and safe. Not much is known about how the process of recovery and transition begins and how it is described by the forensic patients. The purpose of this study was to explore how forensic patients with a history of high risk for violence experienced the turn towards recovery. A qualitative content analysis was used to analyse interviews with 10 patients who had decreased their assessed risk for violence on the risk assessment instrument HCR‐20 and who were successfully managed a lower level of security. Three themes were identified: (i) the high‐risk phase: facing intense negative emotions and feelings (ii) the turning point phase: reflecting on and approaching oneself and life in a new way (iii) the recovery phase: recognising, accepting and maturing. In the high‐risk phase, chaotic and overwhelming feelings were experienced. The turning point phase was experienced as a sensitive stage, and it was marked by being forced to find a new, constructive way of being. The recovery phase was characterised by recognising personal circumstances in life, including accepting the need for structure, a feeling of maturity and a sense of responsibility for their own life. In order to ensure a successful recovery, the forensic nursing staff needs to recognise and support processes related to treatment motivation and turning points. Recommendations for best nursing practice are given accordingly.
Values and Identities in Ireland's Peace Policy: Four Centuries of Norm Continuity and Change
Authors: Devine Karen
Published: August 2013

This article seeks to solve the puzzle of what explains Irish peace policy norm consistency for over three centuries and the recent reversal of these norms. The methodology analyses values and identities in Irish leaders' foreign policy discourses and practices, producing evidence that Irish peace policy norms are consistently: independence and neutrality for Ireland in the cause of peace and security; self‐determination; anti‐imperialism; third world solidarity; and resistance to famine and slavery. In the early 1900s, after Ireland gained statehood, the addition of: institutional cooperation; a constitutional commitment to peaceful resolution of disputes; armed neutrality; UN peacekeeping; and an explicit subordination of material interests for moral, justice‐based norms, made this small postcolonial state an historically‐driven Natural Born Peacemaker. Elite‐led norm reversals consolidated in the 2000s suggests a vital explanatory relationship with elite corruption and associated specific personality characteristics, and the need to revise elite socialisation theory to incorporate these variables.
Nine things to remember about human genome diversity
Authors: Barbujani G. , Ghirotto S. , Tassi F.
Published: August 2013

Understanding how and why humans are biologically different is indispensable to get oriented in the ever‐growing body of genomic data. Here we discuss the evidence based on which we can confidently state that humans are the least genetically variable primate, both when individuals and when populations are compared, and that each individual genome can be regarded as a mosaic of fragments of different origins. Each population is somewhat different from any other population, and there are geographical patterns in that variation. These patterns clearly indicate an African origin for our species, and keep a record of the main demographic changes accompanying the peopling of the whole planet. However, only a minimal fraction of alleles, and a small fraction of combinations of alleles along the chromosome, is restricted to a single geographical region (and even less so to a single population), and diversity between members of the same population is very large. The small genomic differences between populations and the extensive allele sharing across continents explain why historical attempts to identify, once and for good, major biological groups in humans have always failed. Nevertheless, racial categorization is all but gone, especially in clinical studies. We argue that racial labels may not only obscure important differences between patients but also that they have become positively useless now that cheap and reliable methods for genotyping are making it possible to pursue the development of truly personalized medicine.
A new HLA‐DPB1 allele, HLA‐DPB1*142:01, identified in a Peruvian organ donor
Authors: Balas A. , Planelles D. , Puig N. , Montoro J. A. , Vicario J. L.
Published: August 2013

The new HLA‐DPB1*142:01 allele differs from DPB1*26:01:02 and DPB1*56:01 at codons 65 (I65>L65) and 35 (F35>Y35), respectively.
Annexin A11 gene polymorphism (R230C variant) and sarcoidosis in a Portuguese population
Authors: Morais A. , Lima B. , Peixoto M. , Melo N. , Alves H. , Marques J. A. , Delgado L.
Published: August 2013

A recent genome‐wide association study detected a protective effect for the annexin A11 rs1049550*T allele (R230Cvariant) in susceptibility to sarcoidosis. We evaluated the association between rs1049550 C/T and sarcoidosis susceptibility, distinct disease phenotypes and evolution in a Portuguese population. We performed a case–control study of 208 patients and 197 healthy controls. Samples were genotyped for rs1049550 C/T using real‐time polymerase chain reaction. The frequency of the annexin A11 rs1049550*T allele was significantly lower in patients than in controls (33.2 vs 44.9%, P < 0.001). Odds ratio of 0.52 and 0.44 were obtained, respectively for carriers of one (CT) and two (TT) copies normalized to the CC wild‐type genotype (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in patients with and without Löfgren syndrome. A significant increase in the frequency of the T allele was observed in patients with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid neutrophilia (P = 0.04). No significant associations were seen for lung function pattern, radiological stages or different forms of disease evolution. Our study confirms that rs1049550*T allele exerts a significant protective effect on sarcoidosis susceptibility. Given the role of annexin A11 in cell division, apoptosis and neutrophil function, this polymorphism may affect key elements of granulomatous and interstitial inflammation in sarcoidosis.
HIV and Schistosoma haematobium prevalences correlate in sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Ndeffo Mbah Martial L. , Poolman Eric M. , Drain Paul K. , Coffee Megan P. , van der Werf Marieke J. , Galvani Alison P.
Published: August 2013

Objective

Epidemiological studies have observed that genital schistosomiasis increases the risk of HIV infection in Africa. We analysed the correlation between Schistosoma haematobium prevalence and HIV prevalence across sub‐Saharan African countries.

Design

Regression analysis of prevalence of HIV and S. haematobium across sub‐Saharan African countries.

Methods

Using compiled country‐level S. haematobium prevalence, HIV prevalence and other demographic and economic data from published sources, we applied univariate and multivariate regression models to assess the correlations between S. haematobium prevalence and HIV prevalence while controlling for risk factors associated with each infection.

Results

In 43 sub‐Saharan African countries, the mean prevalence of S. haematobium was 22.4% [standard deviation (SD): 9.8%] and for HIV was 6.21% (SD: 5.71%). In multivariate analysis, adjusted for prevalence of male circumcision, years since a country's first HIV/AIDS diagnosis, geographical region and immunization coverage, each S. haematobium infection per 100 individuals was associated with a 2.9% (95% CI: 0.2–5.8%) relative increase in HIV prevalence. S. haematobium was not associated with Schistosoma mansoni, HSV‐2, hepatitis C, malaria or syphilis.

Conclusions

Schistosoma haematobium prevalence was associated with HIV prevalence in sub‐Saharan Africa. Controlling S. haematobium may be an effective means of reducing HIV transmission in sub‐Saharan Africa.
Adjunctive cryotherapy for pigmentary keratitis in dogs: a study of 16 corneas
Authors: Azoulay Thierry
Published: August 2013

Objective

To assess whether soft cryotherapy (dimethylether, isobutene, and propane) can remove pigmentation of the cornea that has accumulated under different conditions when conventional therapy has been unsuccessful.

Animals studied

Nine dogs with unilateral or bilateral corneal pigmentation (16 eyes) were included based on progressive corneal pigmentation that was unresponsive to long‐term etiological treatment. The dogs had keratoconjunctivitis sicca or chronic superficial keratitis.

Procedures

A cryogen of 95% dimethylether, 3% isobutane, and 2% propane was applied to the pigmented areas of each cornea under anesthesia. Initial corneal pigmentation and changes were documented over the entire study period using a grading scheme and clinical photographs.

Results

Most of the pigment deposits were gone by 5–15 days after cryosurgery. Postoperatively, the dogs showed some corneal edema and corneo‐conjunctival inflammation, and three dogs had superficial corneal ulcers; these symptoms had resolved by 1 month after the procedure. Follow‐up for more than 90 days was available in five dogs (nine corneas), and we observed total or partial repigmentation when the underlying disease was not controlled. A new cryotherapy procedure was successfully performed in two of these dogs.

Conclusions

Given the sensitivity to cold of melanocytes, cryotherapy is a viable adjunctive treatment for refractory severe corneal pigmentation. Etiological treatment remains necessary to prevent pigmentation from rapidly reappearing. Only a few dogs were followed for more than 90 days; further study is necessary to evaluate the long‐term safety and efficacy of soft cryotherapy.
More onKena‐passives in Singapore English
Authors: KIM CHONGHYUCK , SATO YOSUKE
Published: August 2013

In the so‐calledkena‐passive construction in Singapore English (Bao and Wee), the morphosyntactic realization of the passive feature of irregular verbs is optional (John kena caught/?catch) in contrast to the obligatory realization of the same feature within the English‐derivedbe‐passive (John was caught/*catch). We propose that this asymmetry follows from the hybrid syntactic structures of thekena‐passive construction. Specifically, we argue that the verbkenaallows not only the standard passive structure of the type discussed by Bao and Wee but also the active structure which embeds a sentential complement comprised ofproand the active verb. This analysis is supported by a variety of arguments regarding thekena‐active complement structure independently available in Singapore English (Yap and Lim) as well as Chinese (Feng; Huang) and Baba Malay (Ansaldo and Matthews), which have been hypothesized in the literature as the two major substrate languages of Singapore English.
Saving/damning non‐Muslims through translation
Authors: KHALIL MOHAMMAD HASSAN
Published: August 2013

Though most Muslims do not consider translations of the Qur'an to be equivalent to the Arabic original, the overwhelming majority of believers do not understand Arabic and must rely on translators' interpretations. But since the Qur'an is widely considered the revealed word of God, there are great implications attached to any particular translator's word selections and parenthetical insertions. This is especially evident when considering the topic of salvation in Islam, specifically the salvation of Others (i.e. non‐Muslims). In this paper, I explore how two popular yet dissimilar translations approach this consequential topic. The first of these translations is Interpretation of the meaning of the noble Qur'an by the Saudi‐based scholars Muhammad Taqi‐ud‐Din Al‐Hilali and Muhammad Muhsin Khan; the second is The Qur'an: A new translation by the London‐based Egyptian academic M. A. S. Abdel Haleem. Through a careful examination of both sources, one can appreciate the extent to which ideological persuasions lead translators either to conceal or to preserve certain semantic ambiguities.