bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cellular Lipid Composition Affects Sensitivity of Plant Pathogens to Fengycin, an Antifungal Compound Produced by Bacillus subtilis Strain CU12
Authors: Wise Cody , Falardeau Justin , Hagberg Ingrid , Avis Tyler J.
Published: March 2014

Fengycin is an antimicrobial cyclic lipopeptide produced by various Bacillus subtilis strains, including strain CU12. Direct effects of fengycin include membrane pore formation and efflux of cellular contents leading to cell death in sensitive microorganisms. In this study, four plant pathogens were studied in order to elucidate the role of membrane lipids in their relative sensitivity to fengycin. Inhibition of mycelial growth in these pathogens varied considerably. Analysis of membrane lipids in these microorganisms indicated that sensitivity correlated with low ergosterol content and shorter phospholipid fatty acyl chains. Sensitivity to fengycin also correlated with a lower anionic/zwitterionic phospholipid ratio. Our data suggest that decreased fluidity buffering capacity, as a result of low ergosterol content, and higher intrinsic fluidity afforded by short fatty acyl chain length may increase the sensitivity of microbial membranes to fengycin. Our results also suggest that lower content in anionic phospholipids may increase fengycin insertion into the membrane through reduced electrostatic repulsion with the negatively charged fengycin. The intrinsic membrane lipid composition may contribute, in part, to the observed level of antimicrobial activity of fengycin in various plant pathogens.
Molecular signatures for members of the genus Dehalococcoides and the class Dehalococcoidia
Authors: Ravinesan Dasha A. , Gupta Radhey S.
Published: March 2014

The bacteria belonging to the class

Dehalococcoidia

, due to their ability to dehalogenate chlorinated compounds, are of much interest for bioremediation of contaminated sites. We report here comparative analyses on different genes/proteins from the genomes of members of the class

Dehalococcoidia

. These studies have identified numerous novel molecular markers in the forms of conserved signature indels (CSIs) in broadly distributed proteins and conserved signature genes/proteins (CSPs), which are uniquely found in members of the class

Dehalococcoidia

, but except for an isolated exception, they are not found in other sequenced bacterial genomes. Of these molecular markers, nine CSIs in divergent proteins and 19 CSPs are specific for members of the genera

Dehalococcoides

and

Dehalogenimonas

, providing potential molecular markers for the bacterial class

Dehalococcoidia

. Additionally, four CSIs in divergent proteins and 28 CSPs are only found in all members of the genus

Dehalococcoides

for which genome sequences are available, but they are absent in

Dehalogenimonas lykanthroporepellens

and in other bacteria. The gene sequences of several of these CSPs exhibiting specificity for the genus

Dehalococcoides

or the class

Dehalococcoidia

are highly conserved and PCR primers based upon them provide a novel means for identification of other related bacteria. Two other CSIs identified in this study in the SecD and aspartate carbomyltransferase proteins weakly support an affiliation of the class

Dehalococcoidia

with the other members of the phylum

Chloroflexi.
Hymenobacter arcticus sp. nov., isolated from glacial till
Authors: Chang Xulu , Zheng Jingli , Jiang Fan , Liu Ping , Kan Wenjing , Qu Zhihao , Fang Chengxiang , Peng Fang
Published: March 2014

A novel, red–pink-pigmented strain, designated R2-4T, was isolated from a till sample near Ny-Alesund, Svalbard Archipelago, Norway. Cells were aerobic, Gram-stain-negative and rod-shaped. Growth occurred at 4–30 °C (optimum, 20–22 °C), at pH 6.0–9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and with 0–1 % NaCl added to R2A agar. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain R2-4T belonged to the genus

Hymenobacter

. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain R2-4T and the type strains of related species of the genus ranged from 94.51 to 96.05 %. Strain R2-4T contained iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c), summed feature 4 (C17 : 1 anteiso B and/or iso I) and C16 : 1ω5c as the major cellular fatty acids, MK-7 as the major respiratory quinone, and phosphatidylethanolamine, unknown aminophospholipids, unknown aminolipids and unknown lipids as the main polar lipids. The polyamine was sym-homospermidine. The DNA G+C content of strain R2-4T was 61.6 mol%. On the basis of phylogenetic, physiological and chemotaxonomic data, strain R2-4T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus

Hymenobacter

, for which the name Hymenobacter arcticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is R2-4T ( = CCTCC AB 2012104T = KACC 16881T).
Lactivibrio alcoholicus gen. nov., sp. nov., an anaerobic, mesophilic, lactate-, alcohol-, carbohydrate- and amino-acid-degrading bacterium in the phylum Synergistetes
Authors: Qiu Yan-Ling , Hanada Satoshi , Kamagata Yoichi , Guo Rong-Bo , Sekiguchi Yuji
Published: March 2014

A mesophilic, obligately anaerobic, lactate-, alcohol-, carbohydrate- and amino-acid- degrading bacterium, designated strain 7WAY-8-7T, was isolated from an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor treating high-strength organic wastewater from isomerized sugar production processes. Cells of strain 7WAY-8-7T were motile, curved rods (0.7–1.0×5.0–8.0 µm). Spore formation was not observed. The strain grew optimally at 37 °C (range for growth was 25–40 °C) and pH 7.0 (pH 6.0–7.5), and could grow fermentatively on yeast extract, glucose, ribose, xylose, malate, tryptone, pyruvate, fumarate, Casamino acids, serine and cysteine. The main end-products of glucose fermentation were acetate and hydrogen. In co-culture with the hydrogenotrophic methanogen

Methanospirillum hungatei

DSM 864T, strain 7WAY-8-7T could utilize lactate, glycerol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 1-butanol, l-glutamate, alanine, leucine, isoleucine, valine, histidine, asparagine, glutamine, arginine, lysine, threonine, 2-oxoglutarate, aspartate and methionine. A Stickland reaction was not observed with some pairs of amino acids. Yeast extract was required for growth. Nitrate, sulfate, thiosulfate, elemental sulfur, sulfite and Fe (III) were not used as terminal electron acceptors. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 61.4 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the isolate belongs to the uncultured environmental clone clade (called ‘PD-UASB-13’ in the Greengenes database) in the bacterial phylum

Synergistetes

, showing less than 90 % sequence similarity with closely related described species such as

Aminivibrio pyruvatiphilus

and

Aminobacterium colombiense

(89.7 % and 88.7 %, respectively). The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C13 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, C18 : 1, C19 : 1, C20 : 1 and C21 : 1. A novel genus and species, Lactivibrio alcoholicus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed to accommodate strain 7WAY-8-7T ( = JCM 17151T = DSM 24196T = CGMCC 1.5159T).
Expression and nuclear localization of the TATA-box-binding protein during baculovirus infection
Authors: Mainz Daniela , Quadt Ilja , Stranzenbach Andrea K. , Voss Daniel , Guarino Linda A. , Knebel-Mörsdorf Dagmar
Published: March 2014

The TATA-box-binding protein (TBP) plays a key role in initiating eukaryotic transcription and is used by many viruses for viral transcription. We previously reported increased TBP levels during infection with the baculovirus Autographa californica multicapsid nuclear polyhedrovirus (AcMNPV). The TBP antiserum used in that study, however, cross-reacted with a baculoviral protein. Here, we reported that increased amounts of nuclear TBP were detected upon infection of Spodoptera frugiperda and TN-368 cells with a TBP-specific antiserum. TBP levels increased until 72 h post-infection (p.i.), whilst tbp transcripts decreased by 16 h p.i., which suggested a virus-induced influence on the TBP protein levels. To address a potential modification of the TBP degradation pathway during infection, we investigated the possible role of viral ubiquitin. Infection studies with AcMNPV recombinants carrying a mutated viral ubiquitin gene revealed that the TBP increase during infection was not altered. In addition, pulse–chase experiments indicated a high TBP half-life of ~60 h in uninfected cells, suggesting that a virus-induced increase of TBP stability was unlikely. This increase in TBP correlated with a redistribution to nuclear domains resembling sites of viral DNA synthesis. Furthermore, we observed colocalization of TBP with host RNA polymerase (RNAP) II, but only until 8 h p.i., whilst TBP, but not RNAPII, was present in the enlarged replication domains late during infection. Thus, we suggested that AcMNPV adapted a mechanism to accumulate the highly stable cellular TBP at sites of viral DNA replication and transcription.
A Comparison of Peak Callers Used for DNase-seq Data
Authors: Koohy Hashem , Down Thomas A. , Spivakov Mikhail , Hubbard Tim
Published: March 2014

Genome-wide profiling of open chromatin regions using DNase I and high-throughput sequencing (DNase-seq) is an increasingly popular approach for finding and studying regulatory elements. A variety of algorithms have been developed to identify regions of open chromatin from raw sequence-tag data, which has motivated us to assess and compare their performance.

In this study, four published, publicly available peak calling algorithms used for DNase-seq data analysis (F-seq, Hotspot, MACS and ZINBA) are assessed at a range of signal thresholds on two published DNase-seq datasets for three cell types. The results were benchmarked against an independent dataset of regulatory regions derived from ENCODE in vivo transcription factor binding data for each particular cell type. The level of overlap between peak regions reported by each algorithm and this ENCODE-derived reference set was used to assess sensitivity and specificity of the algorithms.

Our study suggests that F-seq has a slightly higher sensitivity than the next best algorithms. Hotspot and the ChIP-seq oriented method, MACS, both perform competitively when used with their default parameters. However the generic peak finder ZINBA appears to be less sensitive than the other three.

We also assess accuracy of each algorithm over a range of signal thresholds. In particular, we show that the accuracy of F-Seq can be considerably improved by using a threshold setting that is different from the default value.
The HVCN1 channel conducts protons into the phagocytic vacuole of neutrophils to produce a physiologically alkaline pH
Authors: Levine Adam P. , Duchen Michael R. , Segal Anthony W.
Published: March 2014

Activation of the NADPH oxidase (NOX2) of the phagocytic vacuole of neutrophils is essential for innate immunity. Sustained activity of the oxidase requires that charge movements across the membrane are balanced. A role for the proton channel, HVCN1, has been proposed but not proven. Using the ratiometric pH indicator SNARF, introduced into the cytosol and separately into the vacuole coupled toCandida, we used confocal microscopy to measure changes in pH in these two compartments in human and mouse neutrophils. Shortly after phagocytosis by human cells, the vacuolar pH rose to ~9, at which it was maintained for ~20 minutes, while the cytosol showed a small acidification of ~0.25 pH unit. Alkalinisation has important consequences for the microbicidal and digestive functions of vacuolar enzymes. In HVCN1 knock out mouse neutrophils, the phagocytosis induced respiratory burst was halved to ~3 fmols perCandida, the vacuolar pH rose to >11 and the cytosol acidified excessively to pH ~6.75. These changes were prevented by the protonophore CCCP. The rate of extrusion of protons into the extracellular medium following phagocytosis was not significantly different from wild type neutrophils suggesting that cytoplasmic acidification resulted from the loss of the proton sink into the vacuole. HVCN1 phagocytic vacuoles showed considerable swelling, and this was blocked by CCCP and decreased by valinomycin. Stoichiometric considerations indicated that the HVCN1 channel compensates 90–95% of the oxidase-induced charge in normal cells, and in its absence, charge is carried by ions other than protons, including K+.
The Heat Shock Factor A4A Confers Salt Tolerance and Is Regulated by Oxidative Stress and the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases MPK3 and MPK6
Authors: Pérez-Salamó Imma , Papdi Csaba , Rigó Gábor , Zsigmond Laura , Vilela Belmiro , Lumbreras Victoria , Nagy István , Horváth Balázs , Domoki Mónika , Darula Zsuzsa , Medzihradszky Katalin , Bögre László , Koncz Csaba , Szabados László
Published: March 2014

Heat shock factors (HSFs) are principal regulators of plant responses to several abiotic stresses. Here, we show that estradiol-dependent induction of HSFA4A confers enhanced tolerance to salt and oxidative agents, whereas inactivation of HSFA4A results in hypersensitivity to salt stress in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Estradiol induction of HSFA4A in transgenic plants decreases, while the knockout hsfa4a mutation elevates hydrogen peroxide accumulation and lipid peroxidation. Overexpression of HSFA4A alters the transcription of a large set of genes regulated by oxidative stress. In yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays, HSFA4A shows homomeric interaction, which is reduced by alanine replacement of three conserved cysteine residues. HSFA4A interacts with mitogen-activated protein kinases MPK3 and MPK6 in yeast and plant cells. MPK3 and MPK6 phosphorylate HSFA4A in vitro on three distinct sites, serine-309 being the major phosphorylation site. Activation of the MPK3 and MPK6 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway led to the transcriptional activation of the HEAT SHOCK PROTEIN17.6A gene. In agreement that mutation of serine-309 to alanine strongly diminished phosphorylation of HSFA4A, it also strongly reduced the transcriptional activation of HEAT SHOCK PROTEIN17.6A. These data suggest that HSFA4A is a substrate of the MPK3/MPK6 signaling and that it regulates stress responses in Arabidopsis.
An orthorhombic polymorph ofN1,N4-diphenyl-3,6-bis(phenylimino)cyclohexa-1,4-diene-1,4-diamine
Authors: Ohno Keiji , Fujihara Takashi , Nagasawa Akira
Published: March 2014

A new orthorhombic polymorph of the title compound, C30H24N4, with a density of 1.315 Mg m−3, has been obtained. The molecule is centrosymmetric with the centroid of the cyclohexa-1,4-diene ring located on an inversion center. The two unique benzene rings are almost perpendicular to each other [dihedral angle = 86.70 (6)°] and are oriented at dihedral angles of 30.79 (5) and 68.07 (5)° with respect to the central cyclohexadiene ring. In the crystal, π–π stacking is observed between the central cyclohexa-1,4-diene-1,4-diamine unit and a phenyl ring of a neighboring molecule [centroid–centroid distance = 3.7043 (7) Å]. The crystal structure of the triclinic polymorph [Ohnoet al.(2014).Acta Cryst.E70, o303–o304] showed chains running along theb-axis direction through weak C—H...π interactions.
(4-Methylpiperazin-1-yl)(2,3,4-trimethoxybenzylidene)amine
Authors: Kavitha Channappa N. , Jasinski Jerry P. , Kaur Manpreet , Yathirajan H.S.
Published: March 2014

In the title compound, C15H23N3O3, the piperazine ring is in a slightly distorted chair conformation and is twisted from the mean plane of the benzene ring making a dihedral angle of 14.94 (6)°. The 4-methoxy substituent is almost co-planar with the benzene ring [C—C—O—C torsion angle = 5.4 (1)°], while the methoxy groups at positions 2 and 3 [C—C—O—C torsion angles of 122.6 (4) and −66.1 (4)°, respectively] are twisted away from the mean plane of the benzene ring in anticlinical and synclinical conformations, respectively. No classical hydrogen bonds or any weak intermolecular interactions are observed in the crystal structure.
5,6-Dimethyl-2-(5-methylthiophen-2-yl)-1-[(5-methylthiophen-2-yl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazole
Authors: Geiger David K. , Isaac Ava L.
Published: March 2014

The title molecule, C20H20N2S2, is T-shaped and consists of a nearly flat 5,6-dimethyl-2-(5-methylthiophen-2-yl)benzimidazole system approximately perpendicular to the 5-methylthiophen-2-ylmethyl substituent. The 5,6-dimethyl-2-(5-methylthiophen-2-yl)benzimidazole system is rotationally disordered about the two imidazole N atoms as approximated by a twofold rotation axis with a refined major/minor occupancy ratio of 0.884 (2):0.116 (2). The benzimidazole ring system is essentially planar, the largest deviations being 0.026 (2) and 0.044 (18) Å in the major and minor components, respectively. The interplanar angles between the benzimidazole unit and the 5-methylthiophen-2-yl substituent are 10.8 (3) and 8(3)° in the major and minor components, respectively, and the corresponding angles with the 5-methylthiophen-2-ylmethyl substituent are 88.12 (8) and 89.5 (4)°. In the crystal, molecules are oriented with their 2-(5-methylthiophen-2-yl)benzimidazole mean planes approximately parallel to (11\overline{3}) and appear to be held together by π–π [2-thiophene...imidazole centroid–centroid distance = 4.1383 (7) Å] and C—H...π contacts. A weak C—H...N hydrogen bond generates infinite chains parallel to [100].
5-Cyclohexyl-2-methyl-3-(3-methylphenylsulfonyl)-1-benzofuran
Authors: Choi Hong Dae , Seo Pil Ja , Lee Uk
Published: March 2014

In the title compound, C22H24O3S, the cyclohexyl ring adopts a chair conformation. The dihedral angle between the mean plane [r.m.s. deviation = 0.010 (1) Å] of the benzofuran ring system and the benzene ring is 81.78 (4)°. In the crystal, molecules are linkedviapairs of C—H...π interactions into inversion dimers. These dimers are further linked by C—H...π interactions into supramolecular chains running along theb-axis direction. In addition, C—H...O hydrogen bonds are observed between inversion-related dimers.
Naringenin attenuates CCl4‐induced hepatic inflammation by the activation of an Nrf2‐mediated pathway in rats
Authors: Esmaeili Mohammad Ali , Alilou Mostafa
Published: March 2014

The possible protective effects of naringenin, a naturally occurring citrus flavonone, on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‐induced liver injury in rats and the mechanism underlying its effects were investigated. Forty rats were divided into five groups. Rats in Groups I and II served as the normal and injured liver groups, respectively; Group III rats were treated with the standard drug silymarin as a positive control; and rats in Groups IV and V (naringenin‐treated groups) were administrated 50 mg/kg, p.o., naringenin for 7 days. Liver samples were collected to evaluate mRNA and protein expression, histological changes and oxidative stress. Naringenin inhibited lipid peroxidation and reduced serum levels of hepatic enzymes induced by CCl4. In addition, naringenin increased the liver content of reduced glutathione and the activity of anti‐oxidant enzymes in rats treated with CCl4. Naringenin attenuated liver inflammation by downregulating CCl4‐induced activation of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclo‐oxygenase (COX‐2) at both the protein and mRNA levels. Naringenin treatment significantly increased NF‐E2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase (HO‐1) expression in injured livers. In rats treated with CCl4 alone, decreases were seen in nuclear Nrf2 expression and in the mRNA levels of its target genes (e.g. HO‐1, NQO1 and glutathione S‐transferase alpha 3 (GST‐a3)). Together, the results suggest that naringenin can protect the liver against oxidative stress, presumably by activating the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 as well as attenuating the TNF‐α pathway to elicit an anti‐inflammatory response in liver tissue.
Age‐ and sex‐related differences in sudomotor function evaluated by the quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test (QSART) in healthy humans
Authors: Lee Jeong Beom , Lee In Ho , Shin Young Oh , Min Young Ki , Yang Hun Mo
Published: March 2014

The aim of the present study was to quantitatively investigate the age and sex‐related differences in sudomotor function in healthy humans. The quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test (QSART) with iontophoresis (2 mA for 5 min) and 10% acetylcholine (ACh) was performed to determine axon reflex‐mediated (AXR), with and without iotophoresis (AXR(1) and AXR(2), respectively), and directly activated (DIR) sweating. All experiments were conducted under thermoneutral conditions (temperature 24.0 ± 0.5°C; relative humidity 40 ± 3%). In general, men had enhanced values of onset time of AXR, sweat rates, activated sweat gland density (SGD) and activated sweat gland output (SGO) than women, but not in all cases. The onset time of AXR (r2 = 0.567; P < 0.001) was positively correlated with advancing age, whereas sweat rates of AXR(1) and AXR(2) (r2 = 0.571 and r2 = 0.486, respectively; P < 0.0001), DIR (r2 = 0.594; P < 0.0001), SGD (r2 = 0.496; P < 0.0001) and SGO (r2 = 0.551; P < 0.0001) were negatively correlated in both men and women with advancing age. The results demonstrate that an attenuation of sudomotor function occurs with aging in both sexes. Moreover, the findings showed a progressive increase in onset time and a decrease in sweat rates, SGD and SGO with increasing age in both sexes. A variation in sweat function was found between sexes, but not in all age groups.
Disturbed subsurface microbial communities follow equivalent trajectories despite different structural starting points
Authors: Handley Kim M. , Wrighton Kelly C. , Miller Christopher S. , Wilkins Michael J. , Kantor Rose S. , Thomas Brian C. , Williams Kenneth H. , Gilbert Jack A. , Long Philip E. , Banfield Jillian F.
Published: March 2014

Microbial community structure, and niche and neutral processes can all influence response to disturbance. Here, we provide experimental evidence for niche versus neutral and founding community effects during a bioremediation‐related organic carbon disturbance. Subsurface sediment, partitioned into 22 flow‐through columns, was stimulated in situ by the addition of acetate as a carbon and electron donor source. This drove the system into a new transient biogeochemical state characterized by iron reduction and enriched Desulfuromonadales, Comamonadaceae and Bacteroidetes lineages. After approximately 1 month conditions favoured sulfate reduction, and were accompanied by a substantial increase in the relative abundance of Desulfobulbus, Desulfosporosinus, Desulfitobacterium and Desulfotomaculum. Two subsets of four to five columns each were switched from acetate to lactate amendment during either iron (earlier) or sulfate (later) reduction. Hence, subsets had significantly different founding communities. All lactate treatments exhibited lower relative abundances of Desulfotomaculum and Bacteroidetes, enrichments of Clostridiales and Psychrosinus species, and a temporal succession from highly abundant Clostridium sensu stricto to Psychrosinus. Regardless of starting point, lactate‐switch communities followed comparable structural trajectories, whereby convergence was evident 9 to 16 days after each switch, and significant after 29 to 34 days of lactate addition. Results imply that neither the founding community nor neutral processes influenced succession following perturbation.
Macau Metropolis and Mental Life: Interior Urbanism and the Chinese Imaginary
Authors: Simpson Tim
Published: March 2014

This article investigates the tendency towards an interiorized and encapsulated urbanity in Macau and the functional role of this phenomenon in the ‘mental life’ of Chinese consumers. A Portuguese territory for half a millennium, Macau was returned to the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1999; the postcolonial, semi‐autonomous Macau Special Administrative Region has subsequently become the most lucrative casino gaming site in the world, far surpassing casino revenues earned in Las Vegas. This article investigates the manner in which the local government of the city‐state and the central government of the PRC have colluded with transnational capital to effect a remarkable enclosure of the urban commons in Macau. The entire city today may be understood as a biopolitical laboratory of consumption, where the PRC uses a preferential exit visa policy to allow tourists from select, relatively affluent provinces access to Macau. The new built environment of the city naturalizes a radical urban imaginary and corresponding post‐socialist ‘quality’ consumer subject; that subject is crucial to the macroeconomic goals of the PRC and the sustainability of global capitalism.
Management and outcomes of acute appendicitis in pregnancy—population‐based study of over 7000 cases
Authors: Abbasi N , Patenaude V , Abenhaim HA
Published: March 2014

Objective

To compare outcomes and management practices among pregnant and nonpregnant women with acute appendicitis.

Design

Population‐based matched cohort study.

Setting

United States of America.

Sample

A total of 7114 women with appendicitis among 7 037 386 births.

Methods

Logistic regression analyses to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for variables and outcomes of interest.

Main outcome measures

Maternal morbidities associated with appendicitis; management practices for pregnant and age‐matched nonpregnant women with appendicitis.

Results

There was an overall incidence of 101.1 cases of appendicitis per 100 000 births. Appendicitis was diagnosed in 35 570 nonpregnant women during the corresponding time frame. Peritonitis occurred in 20.3% of pregnant women with appendicitis, with an adjusted OR of 1.3 (95% CI 1.2–1.4) when compared with nonpregnant women with appendicitis. In pregnancy, there was an almost two‐fold increase in sepsis and septic shock, transfusion, pneumonia, bowel obstruction, postoperative infection and length of stay >3 days. Whereas 5.8% of appendicitis cases among pregnant women were managed conservatively, they were associated with a considerably increased risk of shock, peritonitis and venous thromboembolism as compared to surgically managed cases.

Conclusions

Compared with nonpregnant women, pregnant women with acute appendicitis have higher rates of adverse outcomes. Conservative management should be avoided given the serious risk of adverse outcomes in pregnancy.
Religious coping, meaning‐making and stress: perspective of support staff of children with disabilities in residential disability centres in Oman
Authors: Emam Mahmoud , Al‐Bahrani Muna
Published: March 2014

Staff providing support to children with disabilities in residential disability centres in Oman are exposed to stressful work environments which may put them at an increased risk of burnout. Previous research has examined predictors of stress in disability support staff, but there is little consensus as the findings are inconclusive.

Using a cross‐sectional design, a short survey examined religious coping styles, meaning and inner sense of peace, attitude to meaning in life, organisational religiousness practices and stress of 142 female disability support staff from community disability centres in Oman.

Multiple regression analyses indicated that positive religious coping was more predictive of stress than negative religious coping. There was an association between meaning‐making and stress in disability support staff. Religious organisation explained most of the variance in stress scores and was the best predictor of stress in disability support staff. Implications of the study are discussed in relation to the role of both culture and religion.
Neuro‐ophthalmologic manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus: a systematic review
Authors: Man Bik Ling , Mok Chi Chiu , Fu Yat Pang
Published: March 2014

Herein we summarize the clinical presentation, treatment and outcome of neuro‐ophthalmologic manifestations in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We performed a systematic review of the neuro‐ophthalmologic manifestations of SLE reported in the English literature from 1970 to 2010 by a Medline search. The prevalence of neuro‐ophthalmologic manifestations is 3.6% in adult and 1.6% in childhood SLE patients. Neuro‐ophthalmologic manifestations of SLE are highly variable, with the commonest presentation being optic neuritis, followed by myasthenia gravis, visual field defects and pseudotumor cerebri. The underlying pathology was thought to be either SLE activity or its vascular complications. Most neuro‐ophthalmologic manifestations of SLE are responsive to high‐dose glucocorticoids. Anticoagulation is indicated when there is concomitant antiphospholipid syndrome. SLE‐related neuromyelitis optica is often refractory to treatment and 92% of patients require multiple immunosuppressive protocols. Neuro‐ophthalmologic manifestations of SLE are uncommon but heterogeneous. The prognosis of neuro‐ophthalmologic manifestations in SLE is generally good because of their rapid response to glucocorticoids. Relapses of these manifestations may be reduced by the use of maintenance immunosuppression. Cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, plasmapheresis, intravenous immunoglobulin and rituximab can be considered in glucocorticoid‐dependent or refractory cases. Anticoagulation is indicated when there is concomitant antiphospholipid syndrome.
Consensus statement on the investigation and management of non‐radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr‐axSpA)
Authors: Robinson Philip C. , Bird Paul , Lim Irwin , Saad Nivene , Schachna Lionel , Taylor Andrew L. , Whittle Samuel L. , Brown Matthew A.
Published: March 2014

Aim

Non‐radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr‐axSpA) is axial inflammatory arthritis where plain radiographic damage is not evident. An unknown proportion of these patients will progress to ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The increasing recognition of nr‐axSpA has been greatly assisted by the widespread use of magnetic resonance imaging. The aim of this article was to construct a set of consensus statements based on a literature review to guide investigation and promote best management of nr‐axSpA.

Methods

A literature review using Medline was conducted covering the major investigation modalities and treatment options available. A group of rheumatologists and a radiologist with expertise in investigation and management of SpA reviewed the literature and formulated a set of consensus statements. The Grade system encompassing the level of evidence and strength of recommendation was used. The opinion of a patient with nr‐axSpA and a nurse experienced in the care of SpA patients was also sought and included.

Results

The literature review found few studies specifically addressing nr‐axSpA, or if these patients were included, their results were often not separately reported. Fourteen consensus statements covering investigation and management of nr‐axSpA were formulated. The level of agreement was high and ranged from 8.1 to 9.8. Treatment recommendations vary little with established AS, but this is primarily due to the lack of available evidence on the specific treatment of nr‐axSpA.

Conclusion

The consensus statements aim to improve the diagnosis and management of nr‐axSpA. We aim to raise awareness of this condition by the public and doctors and promote appropriate investigation and management.
Synchrony: quantifying variability in space and time
Authors: Gouhier Tarik C. , Guichard Frederic
Published: March 2014

There is growing recognition that linking patterns to their underlying processes in interconnected and dynamic ecological systems requires data sampled at multiple spatial and temporal scales.

However, spatially explicit and temporally resolved data sets can be difficult to analyze using classical statistical methods because the data are typically autocorrelated and thus violate the assumption of independence.

Here, we describe the synchrony package for the R programming environment, which provides modern parametric and nonparametric methods for (i) quantifying temporal and spatial patterns of auto‐ and cross‐correlated variability in univariate, bivariate, and multivariate data sets, and (ii) assessing their statistical significance via Monte Carlo randomizations.

We illustrate how the methods included in the package can be used to investigate the causes of spatial and temporal variability in ecological systems through a series of examples, and discuss the assumptions and caveats of each statistical procedure in order to provide a practical guide for their application in the real world.
Priapism following continuous thoracic epidural anaesthesia: emergency or a benign condition?
Authors: FRANSEN VAN DE PUTTE E. E. , ANANIAS H. J. K. , TJON PIAN GI N. P. , de BOER H. D.
Published: March 2014

Priapism is a rare complication of epidural anaesthesia, and the pathophysiology is poorly understood. In general, 95% of all priapism episodes is ischemic because of decreased penile blood flow, and therefore requires immediate treatment. A case is reported of a 45‐year‐old male patient in which a clear relation is demonstrated between continuous thoracic epidural analgesia and priapism after transabdominal nephrectomy. The level of epidural anaesthesia supports the theory that the erection is a consequence of increased penile blood flow, thus a relatively harmless condition. However, confirmation by serial cavernous blood gas analysis or colour duplex ultrasonography is mandatory. Until this hypothesis is confirmed, termination of epidural infusion is advised as a primary treatment.
Effect of carbon dioxide on cerebral blood flow velocity in preterm infants during postnatal transition
Authors: Noori Shahab , Anderson Michael , Soleymani Sadaf , Seri Istvan
Published: March 2014

Aim

High arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) and cerebral reperfusion are associated with peri/intraventricular haemorrhage. Our aim was to study the relationship between PaCO2 and cerebral blood flow (CBF) in preterm infants during postnatal transition.

Methods

We prospectively studied ≤30 weeks' gestation haemodynamically stable preterm infants during the first three postnatal days (n = 21; gestational age 25.8 ± 1.4 weeks). We measured middle cerebral artery mean flow velocity (MCA‐MV) as a surrogate for CBF at the time of blood gas analysis.

Results

We obtained 78 PaCO2–MCA‐MV data pairs. The expected positive linear relationship between PaCO2 and MCA‐MV was absent on the first postnatal day, equivocal on the second and present on the third. Using piecewise bilinear regression models, we identified PaCO2 breakpoints at 52.7 and 51.0 mmHg for postnatal days two and three, respectively.

Conclusion

In haemodynamically stable preterm neonates, the expected positive linear relationship between PaCO2 and CBF may be absent on postnatal day one. On postnatal day three, and possibly day two, a PaCO2 threshold exists for this relationship, above which CBF becomes reactive to PaCO2. We speculate that the enhanced CBF response to PaCO2 above the threshold contributes to the reperfusion injury and partly explains the association between hypercapnia and peri/intraventricular haemorrhage.
The challenges of caring for children with nephrotic syndrome in a tertiary institution in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Aloni Michel Ntetani , Sysleyne Létycia Mizèle , Ekulu Pépé Mfutu , Babio Francis Lukebadio , Ngiyulu René Makuala , Gini‐Ehungu Jean Lambert
Published: March 2014

Aim

The care of children with resistant nephrotic syndrome (NS) in the Democratic Republic of Congo is compromised by resource deficiencies that range from inadequate healthcare budgets, to scarce laboratory facilities and inconsistent drug supplies. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical profile and management of children with nephrotic syndrome in Kinshasa, the country's capital and its largest city.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 62 patients with a diagnosis of NS, who were seen in the Paediatric Nephrology Unit at the University Hospital of Kinshasa between January 1983 and January 2008.

Results

Of the 62 children diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome, 33 were boys and 29 were girls, giving a male to female ratio of 1.14:1. Their median age at initial presentation was 7.5 years (range: 1.5–13 years) with a peak incidence at six to nine years of age (38.7%). No cases of plasmodium malariae were isolated in our series. Sixteen (25.8%) of the children had resistant corticoid nephrotic syndrome and six of the children (9.7%) died.

Conclusion

Age, the prevalence of steroid‐resistant NS and the mortality rate in our series were higher than those reported in Asian and Western countries.
The role of core needle biopsy in the preoperative diagnosis of follicular neoplasm of the thyroid
Authors: Min Hye Sook , Kim Ji‐Hoon , Ryoo Inseon , Jung So Lyung , Jung Chan Kwon
Published: March 2014

Follicular neoplasm/suspicious for follicular neoplasm (FN/SFN) can often be challenging to diagnose using core needle biopsy (CNB) specimens. We have developed the histologic criteria for the CNB diagnosis of FN and validated the usefulness of CNB. We retrospectively reviewed 184 CNBs and 224 FNACs diagnosed with FN/SFN. CNBs were histologically classified into four subgroups, based on the histologic features of follicular proliferation, fibrous capsulation, and surrounding parenchyma. Among 184 CNBs, 103 (55.9%) had previous FNAC results of non‐diagnostic or indeterminate. Overall malignancy rates in FNAC (48%) and CNB (46%) were nearly identical (p > 0.05), and the neoplasm rate was higher in CNB (88%) than FNAC (74%) (p = 0.007). There was no significant difference in the malignancy rates among the four histologic subgroups. Among the 40 nodules with simultaneous CNB and FNAC, only nine had the FNAC diagnosis of FN/SFN, and others were non‐diagnostic, benign, or atypia of undetermined significance. Overall, CNB improved specimen adequacy and achieved better sensitivity of the FN/SFN diagnosis in thyroid nodules that were inconclusive by FNAC. In the preoperative diagnosis of FN/SFN, CNB has no advantage over FNAC in predicting the likelihood of malignancy, but helps to reduce the need for repeat biopsy.
Rab27A regulates exosome secretion from lung adenocarcinoma cells A549: involvement of EPI64
Authors: Li Wenhai , Hu Yunsheng , Jiang Tao , Han Yong , Han Guoliang , Chen Jiakuan , Li Xiaofei
Published: March 2014

Exosomes are small membrane vesicles secreted into the extracellular compartment by exocytosis. The unique composition of exosomes can be transported to other cells which allow cells to exert biological functions at distant sites. However, in lung cancer, the regulation of exosome secretion was poorly understood. In this study, we employed human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells to determine the exosome secretion and involved regulation mechanism. We found that Rab27A was expressed in A549 cells and the reduction of Rab27A by Rab27A‐specific shRNA could significantly decrease the secretion of exosome by A549 cells. EPI64, a candidate GAP that is specific for Rab27, was also detected in A549 cells. By pull‐down assay, we found that EPI64 participated in the exosome secretion of A549 cells by acting as a specific GAP for Rab27A, not Rab27B. Overexpression of EPI64 enhanced exosome secretion. Taken together, in A549 cells, EPI64 could regulate the exosome secretion by functioning as a GAP specific for Rab27A.
A threshold theory account of psychometric functions with response confidence under the balance condition
Authors: Hsu Yung‐Fong , Doble Christopher W.
Published: March 2014

The study of thresholds for discriminability has been of long‐standing interest in psychophysics. While threshold theories embrace the concept of discrete‐state thresholds, signal detection theory discounts such a concept. In this paper we concern ourselves with the concept of thresholds from the discrete‐state modelling viewpoint. In doing so, we find it necessary to clarify some fundamental issues germane to the psychometric function (PF), which is customarily constructed using psychophysical methods with a binary‐response format. We challenge this response format and argue that response confidence also plays an important role in the construction of PFs, and thus should have some impact on threshold estimation. We motivate the discussion by adopting a three‐state threshold theory for response confidence proposed by Krantz (1969, Psychol. Rev., 76, 308–324), which is a modification of Luce's (1963, Psychol. Rev., 70, 61–79) low‐threshold theory. In particular, we discuss the case in which the practice of averaging over order (or position) is enforced in data collection. Finally, we illustrate the fit of the Luce–Krantz model to data from a line‐discrimination task with response confidence.
Elevational trends in life histories: revising the pace‐of‐life framework
Authors: Hille Sabine M. , Cooper Caren B.
Published: March 2014

Life‐history traits in birds, such as lifespan, age at maturity, and rate of reproduction, vary across environments and in combinations imposed by trade‐offs and limitations of physiological mechanisms. A plethora of studies have described the diversity of traits and hypothesized selection pressures shaping components of the survival–reproduction trade‐off. Life‐history variation appears to fall along a slow–fast continuum, with slow pace characterized by higher investment in survival over reproduction and fast pace characterized by higher investment in reproduction over survival. The Pace‐of‐Life Syndrome (POLS) is a framework to describe the slow–fast axis of variation in life‐history traits and physiological traits. The POLS corresponds to latitudinal gradients, with tropical birds exhibiting a slow pace of life. We examined four possible ways that the traits of high‐elevation birds might correspond to the POLS continuum: (i) rapid pace, (ii) tropical slow pace, (iii) novel elevational pace, or (iv) constrained pace. Recent studies reveal that birds breeding at high elevations in temperate zones exhibit a combination of traits creating a unique elevational pace of life with a central trade‐off similar to a slow pace but physiological trade‐offs more similar to a fast pace. A paucity of studies prevents consideration of the possibility of a constrained pace of life. We propose extending the POLS framework to include trait variation of elevational clines to help to investigate complexity in global geographic patterns.
Loading of nuclear autoantigens prototypically recognized by systemic lupus erythematosus sera into late apoptotic vesicles requires intact microtubules and myosin light chain kinase activity
Authors: Zirngibl M , Fürnrohr B G , Janko C , Munoz L E , Voll R E , Gregory C D , Schett G , Herrmann M
Published: March 2014

Most cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are characterized by an impaired clearance of apoptotic cells in various tissues. Non-cleared apoptotic waste is considered an immunogen driving the autoimmune response in patients with SLE. During the execution of apoptosis, membrane blebs are formed and filled with cellular components. Here, we evaluate the cytoskeletal pathway(s) responsible for the loading of SLE prototypic nuclear autoantigens into the apoptotic cell-derived membranous vesicles (ACMV) generated during late phases of apoptosis. HeLa cells expressing a fusion protein of histone H2B with green fluorescent protein (GFP) were irradiated with ultraviolet (UV)-B to induce apoptosis. The appearance and trafficking of chromatin-derived material was monitored by fluorescence microscopy. Specific inhibitors of cytoskeletal pathways were employed to identify the motile elements involved in translocation and trafficking of the nuclear components. We observed that immediately after their appearance the ACMV did not contain histone H2BGFP; in this phase the fluorescence was contained in the nuclear remnants and the cytoplasm. Within consecutive minutes the ACMV were loaded with chromatin-derived material, whereas the loading of simultaneously created ACMV with histone H2BGFP was not uniform. Some ACMV were preferentially filled and, consequently, showed a remarkably higher histone H2BGFP accumulation. Inhibitors of the cytoskeleton revealed that functional microtubules and myosin light chain kinase are required for nuclear shrinkage and loading of nuclear material into the ACMV, respectively.
Acceleration of Bone Regeneration byBMP‐2‐Loaded Collagenated Biphasic Calcium Phosphate in Rabbit Sinus
Authors: Kim Jung‐Soo , Cha Jae‐Kook , Cho Ah‐Ran , Kim Min‐Soo , Lee Jung‐Seok , Hong Ji‐Youn , Choi Seong‐Ho , Jung Ui‐Won
Published: March 2014

Purpose

The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of collagenated biphasic calcium phosphate (CBCP) as a carrier for bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2) at the early stage of healing in rabbit sinus.

Material and Methods

In 16 rabbits,BMP‐2‐loadedCBCPwas grafted into one sinus (theBMPgroup) and saline‐soakedCBCPwas grafted into another sinus (theCTLgroup). The groups were assigned randomly. After 2 weeks (n = 8) or 4 weeks (n = 8), radiographic and histological analysis was performed.

Results

Total augmented volume was significantly larger in theBMPgroup at both healing periods. Furthermore, new bone volume was significantly greater in theBMPgroup at 4 weeks. Marked bone formation near the schneiderian membrane was found in theBMPgroups at the early healing period. At 4 weeks, evenly distributed new bone was observed in theBMPgroup, whereas the new bone was sparsely distributed in the central portion in theCTLgroup.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that the addition ofBMP‐2 toCBCPresulted in a greater initial augmented volume as a result of postoperative swelling, which is replaced by early bone formation, and it was prominent near theSchneiderian membrane.
Transformational and taxic homology revisited
Authors: Brower Andrew V. Z.
Published: March 2014

Usages and meanings of the terms “taxic” and “transformational homology” are reviewed from 1982 to the present. While “taxic homology” has been relatively invariant in its connotation, “transformational homology” as employed by different authors refers to at least three different concepts. This has resulted in confusion.
Effect on anal pressure of percutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation for faecal incontinence
Authors: López‐Delgado A. , Arroyo A. , Ruiz‐Tovar J. , Alcaide M. J. , Diez M. , Moya P. , Santos J. , Calpena R.
Published: March 2014

Aim

Previous studies on percutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) for faecal incontinence do not report anal pressure changes. In the present study the effect of percutaneous PTNS on anal manometry was determined.

Method

This was a prospective observational study of patients with faecal incontinence. They underwent one 30‐min session of PTNS weekly for 12 consecutive weeks. Patients who showed improvement were given six more sessions at 2‐weekly intervals. Anal manometry was performed before and after treatment. Clinical data including the Wexner score, psychological testing, quality of life using the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Score and the contents of a continence diary were recorded before and after the procedure.

Results

Twenty‐four patients were included in the study of whom 17 (70.83%) demonstrated some degree of clinical or manometric improvement at 3 months. Before treatment 18 patients had urgency of <1 min. At 3 and 6 months this had risen to 5 min in 62.5% and 70.83% (P < 0.001). The anal resting pressure increased from 21.7 to 37.6 mmHg (P = 0.021), the maximum squeeze pressure from 58.2 to 72.2 mmHg (P = 0.045) and the Wexner score fell from 15 to 10 (P = 0.018) at 6 months. Predictive factors for a response included fewer than three incontinent episodes per week (P = 0.027). Negative predictive factors included episiotomy and an initial Wexner score of > 12 (P = 0.035).

Conclusion

Percutaneous PTNS was effective in over 70% of patients in the present study with improvements in urgency, anal pressures and Wexner score.