bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Walking on the Edge: Towards a Sociography of Discrimination against the Buraku: Lectures on Discrimination in Letter Format
Authors: Miura Kokichiro
Published: March 2014

This article demonstrates a new methodological approach to recognize, analyze and write about discrimination against the buraku, which is one form of social discrimination in contemporary Japan. The structural discrimination proposed in this study is based on the concept of relational discrimination, which is derived from fundamental criticisms of the conventional concepts of material and psychological discrimination. Relational discrimination occurs when we are placed in a certain type of relationship and may become accomplices to discrimination or cause it, regardless of whether or not there is any individual prejudice or discriminatory consciousness at work. From this perspective, this article tries to fundamentally re‐examine the binary thinking assumed in conventional sociology that there are minorities (those who are discriminated against) and majorities (those who discriminate against the minority). I focus on the complex ways of being human, and in particular on the transformations that accompany changes in particular relations such as from a person who does not discriminate to one who discriminates against others; from a person who is discriminated against to one who discriminates against others and from a person who is not discriminated against to one who is discriminated against. By focusing on the meaning of the deep suffering of a man who made discriminatory remarks to people living in a buraku community, and of a woman who married into a family living in a buraku community, I try to understand life ethics for people who discriminate and who at the same time are discriminated against.
Exploring Social Aesthetics: Aesthetic Appreciation as a Method for Qualitative Sociology and Social Research
Authors: Miyahara Kojiro
Published: March 2014

Social aesthetics can be regarded as an important addition to sociology and the social sciences. This article introduces the notion of aesthetic‐experiential knowledge into qualitative sociology and social research. It also directs attention to the qualities of social life in their own right, paving the way for approaching the question of a good society in the aesthetic sense. In this article I make a brief exposition of social aesthetics as it has been developed in contemporary Japan. I begin with a discussion of contemporary aesthetics and its implications for social study by focusing on Yuriko Saito's everyday aesthetics. Then I offer reflections on aesthetic appreciation as an act of ajiwau (to taste, experience and appreciate). I show that the incorporation of the methodical act of ajiwau enriches our aesthetic appreciation as a qualitative method for knowing the world in general. Next I move on to the possibility of aesthetically appreciating the social world and offer a definition of social aesthetics as social inquiry through aesthetic appreciation. Based on the act of ajiwau the social, I present an aesthetic‐experiential study of a micro‐society as a field of human interactions. Finally, I examine the possibilities for promising dialogues between social aesthetics, on the one hand, and qualitative sociology and social research, on the other.
Dressings as an adjunct to pressure ulcer prevention: consensus panel recommendations
Authors: Black Joyce , Clark Michael , Dealey Carol , Brindle Christopher T , Alves Paulo , Santamaria Nick , Call Evan
Published: March 2014

The formulation of recommendations on the use of wound dressings in pressure ulcer prevention was undertaken by a group of experts in pressure ulcer prevention and treatment from Australia, Portugal, UK and USA. After review of literature, they concluded that there is adequate evidence to recommend the use of five‐layer silicone bordered dressings (Mepilex Border Sacrum® and 3 layer Mepilex Heel® dressings by Mölnlycke Health Care, Gothenburg, Sweden) for pressure ulcer prevention in the sacrum, buttocks and heels in high‐risk patients, those in Emergency Department (ED), intensive care unit (ICU) and operating room (OR). Literature on which this recommendation is based includes one prospective randomised control trial, three cohort studies and two case series. Recommendations for dressing use in patients at high risk for pressure injury and shear injury were also provided.
Patient‐reported outcome measures after routine periodontal and implant surgical procedures
Authors: Tan Wah Ching , Krishnaswamy Gita , Ong Marianne M. A. , Lang Niklaus P.
Published: March 2014

Objectives

To compare patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) after different dental surgical procedures over a 1‐week post‐surgical period and in relation to duration of the surgery, and periosteal releasing incisions. To evaluate the prevalence of post‐surgical complications.

Material & Methods

Four hundred and sixty‐eight healthy dental patients requiring surgeries, such as crown lengthening (CL), open flap debridement (OFD) and implant installation (IMP) in the National Dental Centre, Singapore (2009–2011), were consecutively recruited. PROMs on bleeding, swelling, pain and bruising were obtained using Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) on days 0, 3, 5 and 7 post‐operatively.

Results

On the day of surgery, the IMP procedure gave the lowest median VAS for all four PROM parameters. After a week, OFD still had a significantly higher VAS for swelling, pain and bruising. Patients who underwent procedures lasting more than 60 min. had higher VAS for all parameters except bleeding. After considering other important confounders, type of surgery procedure was no longer associated with the VAS score for any of the parameters. Time after surgery, male gender and shorter surgery duration reduced post‐operative VAS for one or more of the parameters. Longer surgeon experience helps reduce VAS scores only for bleeding. Prevalence for tenderness to palpation was 11.6%, 8.9% and 12.2% for IMP, CL and OFD, respectively, 1‐week post‐operatively. Swelling and suppuration occurred rarely.

Conclusions

The median VAS scores for all PROM parameters were generally low and reduced to near zero over a week following all three surgical procedures tested. Time after surgery and shorter surgery duration were associated with lower VAS scores in all the PROM parameters in this cohort of patients. Surgery type was not associated significantly with VAS after adjustment with other important confounders. Low prevalences of post‐surgical complications were reported.
Neither Father nor Doctor “Knows Best”: From Tradition to Choice in the Family and on the Wards
Authors: Dolgin Janet L.
Published: March 2014

This review article analyzes 3 developments within the world of health care that involve concomitant changes in the scope of family and the form of family relationships. The first follows from construction of the informed‐consent doctrine and its implementation, the second stems from stunning innovations in reproductive technology, and the third involves the increasing significance of genetic information for medicine. The article suggests that an analysis of changing relationships within the world of health care may offer insights about shifts in the meaning of family. As social domains, the world of family and the world of health care have undergone similar transformations during the past half century. Shifts in the foundational assumptions in each domain—that of the family and that of health care—inform shifts in the other domain. Examining the actualization of these shifts can assist scholars and practitioners in guiding discourse and in resolving disputes among family members and among those who populate the world of health care, including clinicians, patients, and patients' family members.
A Demographic Perspective on Family Change
Authors: Bianchi Suzanne M.
Published: March 2014

Demographic analysis seeks to understand how individual microlevel decisions about childbearing, marriage and partnering, geographic mobility, and behaviors that influence health and longevity aggregate to macrolevel population trends and differentials in fertility, mortality and migration. In this review, I first discuss theoretical perspectives—classic demographic transition theory, the perspective of the “second demographic transition,” the spread of developmental idealism—that inform demographers' understanding of macrolevel population change. Then, I turn to a discussion of the role that demographically informed data collection has played in illuminating family change since the mid‐20th century in the United States. Finally, I discuss ways in which demographic theory and data collection might inform future areas of family research, particularly in the area of intergenerational family relationships and new and emerging family forms.
Choosing the best method to estimate the energy density of a population using food purchase data
Authors: Wrieden W. L. , Armstrong J. , Anderson A. S. , Sherriff A. , Barton K. L.
Published: March 2014

Background

Energy density (ED) is a measure of the energy content of a food component or diet relative to a standard unit of weight. Widespread variation in ED assessment methodologies exist. The present study aimed to explore the feasibility of calculating the ED of the Scottish diet using UK food purchase survey data and to identify the most appropriate method for calculating ED for use in the development of a Scottish Dietary Goal that captures any socioeconomic differences.

Methods

Energy density was calculated using five different methods [food; food and milk; food, milk and energy containing (non‐alcoholic) beverages; food, milk and all non‐alcoholic beverages; and all food and beverages]. ED of the Scottish diet was estimated for each of the ED methods and data were examined by deprivation category.

Results

Mean ED varied from 409 to 847 kJ 100 g–1 depending on the method used. ED values calculated from food (847 kJ 100 g–1) and food and milk (718 kJ 100 g–1) were most comparable to other published data, with the latter being a more accurate reflection of all food consumed. For these two methods, there was a significant gradient between the most and least deprived quintiles (892–807 and 737–696 kJ 100 g–1 for food and food and milk, respectively).

Conclusions

Because the World Cancer Research Fund recommendations are based on ED from food and milk, it was considered prudent to use this method for policy purposes and for future monitoring work of the Scottish Diet to ensure consistency of reporting and comparability with other published studies.
Comparison of Procedural and Long‐Term Outcomes between Transradial and Transfemoral Approach in One‐Stage Intervention for Triple Vessel Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: DOU KEFEI , XU BO , YANG YUEJIN , CHEN JILIN , QIAO SHUBIN , WANG YANG , LI JIANJUN , QIN XUEWEN , YAO MIN , LIU HAIBO , WU YONGJIAN , CHEN JUE , YUAN JINQING , YOU SHIJIE , GAO RUNLIN
Published: March 2014

Objectives

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the safety, feasibility, procedural, and long‐term outcomes by the transradial (TR) approach as compared to transfemoral (TF) approach in patients with triple vessel coronary artery disease undergoing one‐stage percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background

The feasibility, safety, and efficacy between the TR and TF approach for coronary interventional treatment have been compared in some complex situations including AMI and unprotected left main disease. However, in terms of triple vessel disease (3VD) intervention, there has been no comparison regarding procedural and long‐term outcomes between the TR and TF approach.

Methods

A total of 4,974 consecutive patients (TR n = 3,856, TF n = 1,118), who were diagnosed with 3VD without LM disease and underwent one‐stage percutaneous revascularization, were enrolled in the study. Procedural results and clinical outcomes were obtained through database and follow‐up. We used the propensity score matching method and obtained 930 pairs of patients with comparable baseline data in order to compare the procedural and long‐term outcome between TR and TF groups. In the study cohort, risk reduction of all the clinical outcomes were evaluated with Cox's proportional‐hazards models. Cumulative incidences concerning safety and efficacy of the cohort were estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method and a comparison was made utilizing the log‐rank test.

Results

After propensity score matching, the baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics were similar between the 2 groups. Regarding procedural results, no significant differences were observed between the 2 groups, with the exception of a decreased hospital stay (TR 7.49 ± 4.46 days vs. TF 8.63 ± 6.23 days, P < 0.0001) and fewer bleedings (TR 1.0% vs. TF 2.9, P = 0.003) in the TRI group. After an average 21‐month follow‐up, the all‐cause mortality (TR 1.7% vs. TF 4.2%, P = 0.0014; HR 0.44, 0.25–0.79) was significantly lower with TRI patients. Other clinical outcomes were comparable between the 2 groups.

Conclusions

As compared to TFI, TRI for 3VD intervention is feasible, safe, and associated with similar procedural success, shorter hospitalization, reduced bleeding, lower incidence of death, and comparable long‐term efficacy. (J Interven Cardiol 2014;27:108–116)
Attributions in a Spiritual Healing Context: An Archival Analysis of a 1920s Healing Movement
Authors: Williams Ryan J. , Watts Fraser N.
Published: March 2014

Research on religious attributions has been limited by a preoccupation with disentangling “religious” from “naturalistic” attributions and a failure to capture the attributions that people make in response to meaningful events. Thirty years of research has shown that even under optimum conditions religious attributions are rare compared to naturalistic ones. This research draws on unique archival materials comprising letters written to the Panacea Society containing self‐reported effects of a spiritual healing treatment based on water‐taking practices. This analysis examined attributions over time among a sample of letter writers (N = 19) from the 1920s using the Leeds Attributional Coding System to examine patterns of attributions that correspondents made in response to improvement and worsening of health outcomes. In line with previous research, religious attributions were more common for positive outcomes than negative outcomes. Contrary to previous research, religious attributions accounted for the majority of attributions made compared with nonreligious attributions. We discuss the implications for future research in studying attributions in real‐life meaningful settings and in expanding the repertoire of attributions to include religious ritual and community.
Religion and Political Decision Making
Authors: Evans Michael S.
Published: March 2014

Influential political theorists suggest that religious differences in political life may be overcome through shared commitment to political processes. In this article, I subject the underlying assumptions of this proposition to empirical inquiry. When faced with substantive conflict over policy outcomes, do religious persons defer to a political process for resolution? And if so, to which political process do they defer? Through a novel interview exercise with 61 respondents from a variety of religious backgrounds, I find a general willingness to defer to a legitimate political process, even if it results in an undesirable outcome that violates religious (or other) political preferences. However, I also find that a political process need not be democratic to be seen as legitimate, and that process preferences do not map onto religious differences.
A Comparative Study of Outside‐In and Inside‐Out Transobturator Tape Procedures for Female Stress Urinary Incontinence: 7‐Year Outcomes
Authors: CHUN Ji‐Youn , SONG Miho , YOO Dae Seon , HAN Ji‐Yeon , HONG Bumsik , CHOO Myung‐Soo
Published: March 2014

Objectives

The aim of this study was to compare the long‐term surgical outcomes of the “inside‐out” (TVT‐O) and “outside‐in” (TOT) transobturator tape procedures for treating female stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of women who underwent a transobturator tape procedure and were followed for at least 7 years. Patients' baseline characteristics and urodynamic parameters were compared between the two groups and analyzed to identify factors related to failure of therapy.

Results

A total of 215 patients were followed for > 7 years (TOT, n = 129; TVT‐O, n = 86), with a median follow‐up period of 7.1 years. No significant differences were observed in the baseline characteristics or urodynamic parameters between the groups, except incontinence type (TOT 33.3% vs. TVT‐O 52.3% with mixed urinary incontinence, P < 0.05). The TOT group had significantly higher cure rate, satisfaction with surgery, willingness to undergo the procedure to others, and willingness to receive the same procedure than those of the TVT‐O group (87.1 vs. 66.7%, 87.6 vs. 64.0%, 89.1 vs. 77.9%, and 77.5 vs. 57.0%, all P‐values < 0.05), respectively. A Univariate analysis identified maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP) (odds ratio, 0.980; 95% confidence interval, 0.960–1.000; P = 0.046) as a risk factor for surgical failure.

Conclusions

TOT and TVT‐O procedures are safe and effective for the treatment of SUI in women over a 7‐year follow‐up period. The TOT procedure had higher cure rate and satisfaction rates than TVT‐O. MUCP may be associated with surgical outcome.
Review and analysis of Australian macropod translocations 1969–2006
Authors: Clayton Jim A. , Pavey Chris R. , Vernes Karl , Tighe Matthew
Published: March 2014

Translocations have become an increasingly popular tool in threatened macropod conservation in Australia. Although previous evaluations of Australian macropod translocations have been published, the number of contemporary translocation programmes awaiting analysis, and new data regarding historic translocations, required a new assessment of macropod translocation programmes.

We aimed to assess trends in the way macropod translocations were conducted during the period 1969–2006, determine the number of successful translocations and identify factors common to successful translocations.

Data regarding macropod translocations were obtained from a wide variety of sources, including peer‐reviewed journals, ‘grey’ literature and popular interest publications. Questionnaires were also sent to translocation managers to acquire detailed information. Specific aspects of macropod translocation methodology were analysed, and classification tree analysis was conducted to identify methodological and environmental factors common to successful translocations.

We identified 109 macropod translocations for which sufficient data could be collected to permit analysis. Using the presence of a population on 1 January 2007 as a simple criterion, 61% of translocations were successful. Of these translocations, 66% were also considered successful by Short et al.'s criteria (population persisted for five years and is deemed likely to continue to persist); the remainder could not be assessed due to lack of data or insufficient elapsed time since release. Classification tree analysis suggested methodological and environmental factors common to successful translocations; the overriding factor determining success was the absence of cats and foxes at the release site.

Although Australian macropod translocation proponents are faced with myriad methodological options when designing a translocation protocol, the primary consideration should be whether or not cats or foxes are present at the release site. Managers should be aware that there may be no safe population level of such predators for some translocation candidate species. Ignoring this fact will inevitably lead to a repeat of past translocation failures.
Petrology and bulk chemistry of Yamato‐82094, a new type of carbonaceous chondrite
Authors: Kimura M. , Barrat J. A. , Weisberg M. K. , Imae N. , Yamaguchi A. , Kojima H.
Published: March 2014

Carbonaceous chondrites are classified into several groups. However, some are ungrouped. We studied one such ungrouped chondrite, Y‐82094, previously classified as a CO. In this chondrite, chondrules occupy 78 vol%, and the matrix is distinctly poor in abundance (11 vol%), compared with CO and other C chondrites. The average chondrule size is 0.33 mm, different from that in C chondrites. Although these features are similar to those in ordinary chondrites, Y‐82094 contains 3 vol% Ca‐Al‐rich inclusions and 5% amoeboid olivine aggregates (AOAs). Also, the bulk composition resembles that of CO chondrites, except for the volatile elements, which are highly depleted. The oxygen isotopic composition of Y‐82094 is within the range of CO and CV chondrites. Therefore, Y‐82094 is an ungrouped C chondrite, not similar to any other C chondrite previously reported. Thin FeO‐rich rims on AOA olivine and the mode of occurrence of Ni‐rich metal in the chondrules indicate that Y‐82094 is petrologic type 3.2. The extremely low abundance of type II chondrules and high abundance of Fe‐Ni metal in the chondrules suggest reducing condition during chondrule formation. The depletion of volatile elements indicates that the components formed under high‐temperature conditions, and accreted to the parent body of Y‐82094. Our study suggests a wider range of formation conditions than currently recorded by the major C chondrite groups. Additionally, Y‐82094 may represent a new, previously unsampled, asteroidal body.
The Sutter's Mill meteorite: Thermoluminescence data on thermal and metamorphic history
Authors: Sears Derek W. , Beauford Robert
Published: March 2014

A piece of the Sutter's Mill meteorite, fragment SM2‐1d, has been examined using thermoluminescence techniques to better understand its thermal and metamorphic history. The sample had very weak but easily measureable natural and induced thermoluminescence (TL) signals; the signal‐to‐noise ratio was better than 10. The natural TL was restricted to the high‐temperature regions of the glow curve suggesting that the meteorite had been heated to approximately 300 °C within the time it takes for the TL signal to recover from a heating event, probably within the last 105 years. It is possible that this reflects heating during release from the parent body, close passage by the Sun, or heating during atmospheric passage. Of these three options, the least likely is the first, but the other possibilities are equally likely. It seems that temperatures of approximately 300 °C reached 5 or 6 mm into the meteorite, so that all but one of the small Sutter's Mill stones have been heated. The Dhajala normalized induced TL signal for SM2‐1d is comparable to that of type 3.0 chondrites and is unlike normal CM chondrites, the class it most closely resembles, which do not have detectable TL sensitivity. The shape of the induced TL curve is comparable to other low‐type ordinary, CV, and CO chondrites, in that it has a broad hummocky structure, but does not resemble any of them in detail. This suggests that Sutter's Mill is a unique, low‐petrographic–type (3.0) chondrite.
The hmp chemotaxis cluster regulates gliding in the filamentous cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme
Authors: Cozy Loralyn M. , Callahan Sean M.
Published: March 2014

Many bacteria are capable of movement over surfaces without flagella or pili; they glide. Nostoc punctiforme is a cyanobacterium that differentiates specialized gliding filaments called hormogonia, but the mechanism underlying their movement is currently unknown. Risser et al. characterize the hormogonia motility and polysaccharide (hmp) locus that encodes proteins homologous to well‐studied chemotaxis systems. All but one of the genes in the locus were required for gliding motility and each protein localized as a ring near the cell junction. One protein, the CheA homologue HmpE, was capable of autophosphorylation and phosphotransfer to the CheY homologue HmpB. This study reveals the hmp locus as an important regulator of gliding and highlights N. punctiforme as a model for understanding gliding motility in a complex multicellular bacterium.
Ankistrodinium armigerum sp. nov. (Dinophyceae), a new species of heterotrophic marine sand‐dwelling dinoflagellate from Japan and Australia
Authors: Watanabe Kunihiko , Miyoshi Yukiko , Kubo Fumiyasu , Onuma Ryo , Murray Shauna , Horiguchi Takeo
Published: March 2014

A new heterotrophic sand‐dwelling dinoflagellate, Ankistrodinium armigerum K. Watanabe, Miyoshi, Kubo, Murray et Horiguchi sp. nov., is described from Ishikari Beach, Hokkaido, Japan and Port Botany, NSW, Australia. The dinoflagellate is laterally compressed, possessing a short triangular epicone and a large sac‐like hypocone. It possesses a right‐handed cingulum and a deeply‐incised sulcus. The sulcus descends towards the posterior of the cell where it becomes much deeper and wider, resulting in a bilobed ventral side to the hypocone, with a greater excavation of the left lobe than the right. In addition, the right lobe of the hypocone is shorter than the left lobe, which allows a partial view of the left sulcal wall when the cell is viewed from its right side. The sulcus ascends in the epicone to form an apical groove. The apical groove is linear but terminates in an ellipsoid fashion and its extremity approaches, but does not form a closed loop with the apical end of the linear portion. The dinoflagellate possesses two distinct size classes of trichocysts. The large trichocysts are located in the posterior part of the cell, while small trichocysts are distributed throughout the cell. The dinoflagellate shares morphological characteristics with the heterotrophic sand‐dwelling dinoflagellate, Ankistrodinium semilunatum, the type species of the genus. These include a laterally compressed cell, a right‐handed cingulum, a deeply‐incised sulcus and the same basic structure to the apical groove. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on small and large subunits of rDNA showed that in both trees, A. semilunatum and A. armigerum formed a robust clade, suggesting that these two species are closely related. Because no organism with the characteristics of this species exists and because this species is closely related to A. semilunatum, we concluded that this species should be described as a second species of the genus Ankistrodinium.
You Have Been Framed! How Antecedents of Information Need Mediate the Effects of Risk Communication Messages
Authors: Terpstra T. , Zaalberg R. , de Boer J. , Botzen W. J. W.
Published: March 2014

This study investigates the processes that mediate the effects of framing flood risks on people's information needs. Insight into the effects of risk frames is important for developing balanced risk communication that explains both risks and benefits of living near water. The research was inspired by the risk information seeking and processing model and related models. In a web‐based survey, respondents (n = 1,457) were randomly assigned to one of three communication frames or a control frame (experimental conditions). Each frame identically explained flood risk and additionally refined the message by emphasizing climate change, the quality of flood risk management, or the amenities of living near water. We tested the extent to which risk perceptions, trust, and affective responses mediate the framing effects on information need. As expected, the frames on average resulted in higher information need than the control frame. Attempts to lower fear appeal by stressing safety or amenities instead of climate change were marginally successful, a phenomenon that is known as a “negativity bias.” Framing effects were mediated by negative attributes (risk perception and negative affect) but not by positive attributes (trust and positive affect). This finding calls for theoretical refinement. Practically, communication messages will be more effective when they stimulate risk perceptions and evoke negative affect. However, arousal of fear may have unwanted side effects. For instance, fear arousal could lead to lower levels of trust in risk management among citizens. Regular monitoring of citizens’ attitudes is important to prevent extreme levels of distrust or cynicism.
An Integrated Risk Assessment Model of Township‐Scaled Land Subsidence Based on an Evidential Reasoning Algorithm and Fuzzy Set Theory
Authors: Chen Yu , Shu Longcang , Burbey Thomas J.
Published: March 2014

Land subsidence risk assessment (LSRA) is a multi‐attribute decision analysis (MADA) problem and is often characterized by both quantitative and qualitative attributes with various types of uncertainty. Therefore, the problem needs to be modeled and analyzed using methods that can handle uncertainty. In this article, we propose an integrated assessment model based on the evidential reasoning (ER) algorithm and fuzzy set theory. The assessment model is structured as a hierarchical framework that regards land subsidence risk as a composite of two key factors: hazard and vulnerability. These factors can be described by a set of basic indicators defined by assessment grades with attributes for transforming both numerical data and subjective judgments into a belief structure. The factor‐level attributes of hazard and vulnerability are combined using the ER algorithm, which is based on the information from a belief structure calculated by the Dempster‐Shafer (D‐S) theory, and a distributed fuzzy belief structure calculated by fuzzy set theory. The results from the combined algorithms yield distributed assessment grade matrices. The application of the model to the Xixi‐Chengnan area, China, illustrates its usefulness and validity for LSRA. The model utilizes a combination of all types of evidence, including all assessment information—quantitative or qualitative, complete or incomplete, and precise or imprecise—to provide assessment grades that define risk assessment on the basis of hazard and vulnerability. The results will enable risk managers to apply different risk prevention measures and mitigation planning based on the calculated risk states.
Endemic fungal infections in solid organ and hematopoietic cell transplant recipients enrolled in the Transplant‐Associated Infection Surveillance Network (TRANSNET)
Authors: Kauffman C.A. , Freifeld A.G. , Andes D.R. , Baddley J.W. , Herwaldt L. , Walker R.C. , Alexander B.D. , Anaissie E.J. , Benedict K. , Ito J.I. , Knapp K.M. , Lyon G.M. , Marr K.A. , Morrison V.A. , Park B.J. , Patterson T.F. , Schuster M.G. , Chiller T.M. , Pappas P.G.
Published: March 2014

Background

Invasive fungal infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality among solid organ transplant (SOT) and hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients, but few data have been reported on the epidemiology of endemic fungal infections in these populations.

Methods

Fifteen institutions belonging to the Transplant‐Associated Infection Surveillance Network prospectively enrolled SOT and HCT recipients with histoplasmosis, blastomycosis, or coccidioidomycosis occurring between March 2001 and March 2006.

Results

A total of 70 patients (64 SOT recipients and 6 HCT recipients) had infection with an endemic mycosis, including 52 with histoplasmosis, 9 with blastomycosis, and 9 with coccidioidomycosis. The 12‐month cumulative incidence rate among SOT recipients for histoplasmosis was 0.102%. Occurrence of infection was bimodal; 28 (40%) infections occurred in the first 6 months post transplantation, and 24 (34%) occurred between 2 and 11 years post transplantation. Three patients were documented to have acquired infection from the donor organ. Seven SOT recipients with histoplasmosis and 3 with coccidioidomycosis died (16%); no HCT recipient died.

Conclusions

This 5‐year multicenter prospective surveillance study found that endemic mycoses occur uncommonly in SOT and HCT recipients, and that the period at risk extends for years after transplantation.
Emergence of sigh rhythmogenesis in the embryonic mouse
Authors: Chapuis Coralie , Autran Sandra , Fortin Gilles , Simmers John , Thoby‐Brisson Muriel
Published: March 2014

Key points

The respiratory oscillator of the pre‐Bötzinger complex (preBötC) can generate distinct inspiratory motor patterns underlying eupnoeic and sigh‐related rhythmic activities.

The preBötC can generate ‘fictive’ eupnoea at embryonic stages, but its ability to also generate sigh‐like activity remains unexplored at prenatal stages.

Here, using mouse brainstem slice preparations, we show that sigh‐like activity emerges during embryonic development but later than eupnoeic rhythmogenesis. Inspiratory cells active during the latter are also active during fictive sighing, although a small subset of neurons was found to fire exclusively during sighs. Effective glycinergic inhibitory signalling is also required for sigh generation.

We conclude that the developmental emergence of a sigh‐generating capability occurs after the onset of eupnoeic rhythmogenesis and requires an appropriate maturational state of chloride‐mediated glycinergic synaptic transmission.

In mammals, eupnoeic breathing is periodically interrupted by spontaneous augmented breaths (sighs) that include a larger‐amplitude inspiratory effort, typically followed by a post‐sigh apnoea. Previous in vitro studies in newborn rodents have demonstrated that the respiratory oscillator of the pre‐Bötzinger complex (preBötC) can generate the distinct inspiratory motor patterns for both eupnoea‐ and sigh‐related behaviour. During mouse embryonic development, the preBötC begins to generate eupnoeic rhythmicity at embryonic day (E) 15.5, but the network's ability to also generate sigh‐like activity remains unexplored at prenatal stages. Using transverse brainstem slice preparations we monitored the neuronal population activity of the preBötC at different embryonic ages. Spontaneous sigh‐like rhythmicity was found to emerge progressively, being expressed in 0/32 slices at E15.5, 7/30 at E16.5, 9/22 at E17.5 and 23/26 at E18.5. Calcium imaging showed that the preBötC cell population that participates in eupnoeic‐like discharge was also active during fictive sighs. However, patch‐clamp recordings revealed the existence of an additional small subset of neurons that fired exclusively during sigh activity. Changes in glycinergic inhibitory synaptic signalling, either by pharmacological blockade, functional perturbation or natural maturation of the chloride co‐transporters KCC2 or NKCC1 selectively, and in an age‐dependent manner, altered the bi‐phasic nature of sigh bursts and their coordination with eupnoeic bursting, leading to the generation of an atypical monophasic sigh‐related event. Together our results demonstrate that the developmental emergence of a sigh‐generating capability occurs after the onset of eupnoeic rhythmogenesis and requires the proper maturation of chloride‐mediated glycinergic synaptic transmission.
Computational analysis of Ca2+ dynamics in isolated cardiac mitochondria predicts two distinct modes of Ca2+ uptake
Authors: Tewari Shivendra G. , Camara Amadou K. S. , Stowe David F. , Dash Ranjan K.
Published: March 2014

Key points

Cytosolic, but not matrix, Mg2+ inhibits mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake through the Ca2+ uniporter (CU).

The majority of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake under physiological levels of cytosolic Ca2+ and Mg2+ is through a fast uptake pathway, namely the ryanodine receptor (RyR)‐type channel (RTC), that has characteristics similar to the ryanodine receptor.

Modulation of mitochondrial RTC adaptation and opening probability by cytosolic Mg2+ is not robust, in contrast to that of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum RyR.

Model analysis of the mitochondrial Ca2+ sequestration system further validates the existence of two different classes of Ca2+ buffering proteins, i.e. Class 1 and Class 2.

The Ca2+ buffering capacity of Class 1 protein is auto‐regulated by the rate at which Ca2+ is taken up by cardiac mitochondria.

The quantitative framework suggests differential roles for the two modes of Ca2+ uptake pathways: CU–Ca2+ buffering, and RTC–Ca2+ modulated bioenergetics.

Cardiac mitochondria can act as a significant Ca2+ sink and shape cytosolic Ca2+ signals affecting various cellular processes, such as energy metabolism and excitation–contraction coupling. However, different mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake mechanisms are still not well understood. In this study, we analysed recently published Ca2+ uptake experiments performed on isolated guinea pig cardiac mitochondria using a computer model of mitochondrial bioenergetics and cation handling. The model analyses of the data suggest that the majority of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake, at physiological levels of cytosolic Ca2+ and Mg2+, occurs through a fast Ca2+ uptake pathway, which is neither the Ca2+ uniporter nor the rapid mode of Ca2+ uptake. This fast Ca2+ uptake component was explained by including a biophysical model of the ryanodine receptor (RyR) in the computer model. However, the Mg2+‐dependent enhancement of the RyR adaptation was not evident in this RyR‐type channel, in contrast to that of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum RyR. The extended computer model is corroborated by simulating an independent experimental dataset, featuring mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake, egress and sequestration. The model analyses of the two datasets validate the existence of two classes of Ca2+ buffers that comprise the mitochondrial Ca2+ sequestration system. The modelling study further indicates that the Ca2+ buffers respond differentially depending on the source of Ca2+ uptake. In particular, it suggests that the Class 1 Ca2+ buffering capacity is auto‐regulated by the rate at which Ca2+ is taken up by mitochondria.
Novel approaches to determine contractile function of the isolated adult zebrafish ventricular cardiac myocyte
Authors: Dvornikov Alexey V. , Dewan Sukriti , Alekhina Olga V. , Pickett F. Bryan , de Tombe Pieter P.
Published: March 2014

Key points

The zebrafish is emerging as an attractive cost‐effective model for the study of structure–function relationships. However, cardiac contractile function in the zebrafish remains to be investigated.

We applied novel approaches used to study contractile function at the cellular level in mammalian models to zebrafish. We found that contractile force regulation in the adult zebrafish shares many similarities with that in the mammalian myocardium as previously determined by others and ourselves, indicating that the zebrafish is an appropriate model system for the study of cardiac contractile biology.

The zebrafish (Danio rerio) has been used extensively in cardiovascular biology, but mainly in the study of heart development. The relative ease of its genetic manipulation may indicate the suitability of this species as a cost‐effective model system for the study of cardiac contractile biology. However, whether the zebrafish heart is an appropriate model system for investigations pertaining to mammalian cardiac contractile structure–function relationships remains to be resolved. Myocytes were isolated from adult zebrafish hearts by enzymatic digestion, attached to carbon rods, and twitch force and intracellular Ca2+ were measured. We observed the modulation of twitch force, but not of intracellular Ca2+, by both extracellular [Ca2+] and sarcomere length. In permeabilized cells/myofibrils, we found robust myofilament length‐dependent activation. Moreover, modulation of myofilament activation–relaxation and force redevelopment kinetics by varied Ca2+ activation levels resembled that found previously in mammalian myofilaments. We conclude that the zebrafish is a valid model system for the study of cardiac contractile structure–function relationships.
Low-temperature CVD of iron, cobalt, and nickel nitride thin films from bis[di(tert-butyl)amido]metal(II) precursors and ammonia
Authors: Cloud Andrew N. , Davis Luke M. , Girolami Gregory S. , Abelson John R.
Published: March 2014

Thin films of late transition metal nitrides (where the metal is iron, cobalt, or nickel) are grown by low-pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition from bis[di(tert-butyl)amido]metal(II) precursors and ammonia. These metal nitrides are known to have useful mechanical and magnetic properties, but there are few thin film growth techniques to produce them based on a single precursor family. The authors report the deposition of metal nitride thin films below 300 °C from three recently synthesized M[N(t-Bu)2]2 precursors, where M = Fe, Co, and Ni, with growth onset as low as room temperature. Metal-rich phases are obtained with constant nitrogen content from growth onset to 200 °C over a range of feedstock partial pressures. Carbon contamination in the films is minimal for iron and cobalt nitride, but similar to the nitrogen concentration for nickel nitride. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicates that the incorporated nitrogen is present as metal nitride, even for films grown at the reaction onset temperature. Deposition rates of up to 18 nm/min are observed. The film morphologies, growth rates, and compositions are consistent with a gas-phase transamination reaction that produces precursor species with high sticking coefficients and low surface mobilities.
Early prediction of tumor recurrence based on CT texture changes after stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) for lung cancer
Authors: Mattonen Sarah A. , Palma David A. , Haasbeek Cornelis J. A. , Senan Suresh , Ward Aaron D.
Published: March 2014

Purpose:

Benign computed tomography (CT) changes due to radiation induced lung injury (RILI) are common following stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) and can be difficult to differentiate from tumor recurrence. The authors measured the ability of CT image texture analysis, compared to more traditional measures of response, to predict eventual cancer recurrence based on CT images acquired within 5 months of treatment.

Methods:

A total of 24 lesions from 22 patients treated with SABR were selected for this study: 13 with moderate to severe benign RILI, and 11 with recurrence. Three‐dimensional (3D) consolidative and ground‐glass opacity (GGO) changes were manually delineated on all follow‐up CT scans. Two size measures of the consolidation regions (longest axial diameter and 3D volume) and nine appearance features of the GGO were calculated: 2 first‐order features [mean density and standard deviation of density (first‐order texture)], and 7 second‐order texture features [energy, entropy, correlation, inverse difference moment (IDM), inertia, cluster shade, and cluster prominence]. For comparison, the corresponding response evaluation criteria in solid tumors measures were also taken for the consolidation regions. Prediction accuracy was determined using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and two‐fold cross validation (CV).

Results:

For this analysis, 46 diagnostic CT scans scheduled for approximately 3 and 6 months post‐treatment were binned based on their recorded scan dates into 2–5 month and 5–8 month follow‐up time ranges. At 2–5 months post‐treatment, first‐order texture, energy, and entropy provided AUCs of 0.79–0.81 using a linear classifier. On two‐fold CV, first‐order texture yielded 73% accuracy versus 76%–77% with the second‐order features. The size measures of the consolidative region, longest axial diameter and 3D volume, gave two‐fold CV accuracies of 60% and 57%, and AUCs of 0.72 and 0.65, respectively.

Conclusions:

Texture measures of the GGO appearance following SABR demonstrated the ability to predict recurrence in individual patients within 5 months of SABR treatment. Appearance changes were also shown to be more accurately predictive of recurrence, as compared to size measures within the same time period. With further validation, these results could form the substrate for a clinically useful computer‐aided diagnosis tool which could provide earlier salvage of patients with recurrence.
A Year in Structural Signaling: mTOR—The PIKK of the Bunch?
Authors: Smerdon Stephen J.
Published: March 2014

Protein crystallography reveals the secrets to regulation of the kinase mTOR.
Oncogenic Suspect Exposed
Authors: Kiberstis Paula A.
Published: March 2014

A rare form of liver cancer affecting young adults expresses a chimeric kinase that may contribute to pathogenesis.
ERK Poises RNA Pol II
Authors: Berndt Jason D.
Published: March 2014

ERK2 phosphorylates RNA polymerase II in embryonic stem cells.
Brain Tumor by NF-κB Fusion
Authors: Gough Nancy R.
Published: March 2014

A chromosomal fusion involving a gene encoding a subunit of the NF-κB transcription factor drives oncogenesis of a subset of brain tumors.
A New Target in Diabetes
Authors: Ferrarelli Leslie K.
Published: March 2014

Preventing the translocation of p53 to the cytosol in β cells promotes insulin secretion in animal models of type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Alteration of the Murine Gastrointestinal Microbiota by Tigecycline Leads to Increased Susceptibility to Clostridium difficile Infection
Authors: Bassis Christine M. , Theriot Casey M. , Young Vincent B.
Published: March 2014

Antibiotics can play dual roles in
Clostridium difficile
infection (CDI); antibiotic treatment increases the risk of CDI, and antibiotics are used to treat CDI. The glycylcycline antibiotic tigecycline has broad antimicrobial activity, yet it is rarely associated with the development of CDI, presumably due to its activity against
C. difficile
. In this study, we investigated how tigecycline treatment affects the structure of the gut microbiota and susceptibility to CDI by treating mice with tigecycline (
n
= 20) or saline (
n
= 8) for 10 days. A sequence analysis of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplicons was used to monitor changes in the fecal microbiota. A subset of the mice was followed for 5 weeks after the end of treatment. The remaining mice were challenged with
C. difficile
strain VPI 10463 spores 2 days after the tigecycline treatment ended. Tigecycline treatment resulted in major shifts in the gut microbiota, including large decreases in
Bacteroidetes
levels and large increases in
Proteobacteria
levels. Mice with tigecycline-altered microbial communities were susceptible to challenge with
C. difficile
spores and developed clinical signs of severe CDI. Five weeks after the cessation of tigecycline treatment, the recovery of the bacterial community was incomplete and diversity was lower than in the untreated controls. Antibiotics with intrinsic activity against
C. difficile
can still alter the microbiota in a way that leads to susceptibility to CDI after discontinuation of the drug. These results indicate that microbiotic dynamics are key in the development of CDI, and a better understanding of these dynamics may lead to better strategies to prevent and treat this disease.
Antimicrobial Treatment Improves Mycobacterial Survival in Nonpermissive Growth Conditions
Authors: Turapov Obolbek , Waddell Simon J. , Burke Bernard , Glenn Sarah , Sarybaeva Asel A. , Tudo Griselda , Labesse Gilles , Young Danielle I. , Young Michael , Andrew Peter W. , Butcher Philip D. , Cohen-Gonsaud Martin , Mukamolova Galina V.
Published: March 2014

Antimicrobials targeting cell wall biosynthesis are generally considered inactive against nonreplicating bacteria. Paradoxically, we found that under nonpermissive growth conditions, exposure of
Mycobacterium bovis
BCG bacilli to such antimicrobials enhanced their survival. We identified a transcriptional regulator, RaaS (for regulator of antimicrobial-assisted survival), encoded by
bcg1279
(
rv1219c
) as being responsible for the observed phenomenon. Induction of this transcriptional regulator resulted in reduced expression of specific ATP-dependent efflux pumps and promoted long-term survival of mycobacteria, while its deletion accelerated bacterial death under nonpermissive growth conditions
in vitro
and during macrophage or mouse infection. These findings have implications for the design of antimicrobial drug combination therapies for persistent infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis.