bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neuroimaging, Uncertainty, and the Problem of Dispositions
Authors: ÁRNASON GARDAR
Published: March 2010

Brain research in neuroscience and related fields is changing our understanding of the brain and its relation to the mind and to human behavior, giving a new impetus to the problem of free will and moral responsibility. The reactions have covered the entire range, from claims to the effect that neuroscientific research is showing that our folk–psychological understanding of conscious free will and moral responsibility is deeply mistaken to claims to the effect that neuroscientific research is irrelevant to moral issues of free will and responsibility. In any case, neuroscience is posing some serious challenges to our conceptions of free will and moral responsibility.
A Suggested Change in the Informed Consent Procedure
Authors: GOLDWORTH AMNON
Published: March 2010

Informed consent began as a way of protecting physicians against legal liability. It did so by requiring physicians to provide their patients with sufficient information so that the patients could assent to or withhold consent from a proffered medical treatment. It was also intended to be an accurate expression of the patient's wishes. As such, it established the conditions by which a patient could be held responsible for his decisions concerning medical treatment.
INTRODUCTION TO THE SPECIAL ISSUE ON NONLINEAR TIME SERIES
Authors: Hinich Melvin
Published: March 2010

A nation's economy is a complex nonlinear dynamical system with links to other national economies. Classical macroeconomic models typically incorporate linear approximations to the nonlinear world and add simple dynamics to capture adjustments over time. Most of these simplifications offer little insight into the nonlinear structure of economic relationships that exist. Nor do they provide useful predictions beyond the short-term predictions of the autoregressive linear models from which they are derived.
EBSD Study of Indian Wootz Steel Artifacts to Infer Thermomechanical History by Observation of Carbide Distribution and Orientation
Authors: Sullivan A. , Barnett M.
Published: March 2010

Wootz is the name given to a crucible steel prepared in India. Coze noted that the name “wootz” first appeared in printed form in a report by Pearson in 1795. However, the origin of the name itself is unclear though it was proposed by Yule and Burnell in the Hobson-Jobson Dictionary that the word “wootz” could come from “ukku” in the Kanadda language.
3D Confocal Imaging of Pollen
Authors: Vitha Stanislav , Bryant Vaughn M. , Zwa Amen , Holzenburg Andreas
Published: March 2010

The study of pollen is important in paleoecology, paleontology, archeology, and forensics. The outer shell of a pollen grain bears characteristic features that help in determining the species or genus of origin. To view the pollen grain from several angles in a light microscope, the sample is usually mounted in glycerol and rolled on the microscopic slide by pushing the coverslip. For teaching, training, and also for establishing databases of pollen images, it is desirable to obtain three-dimensional datasets that allow rotation and viewing from any angle and reslicing in the computer.
Risks of “Cleaning” Electron Backscatter Diffraction Data
Authors: Brewer L.N. , Michael J.R.
Published: March 2010

Collecting good data is an important task, but handling the data correctly is important also. How to handle data largely depends on what the analyst is going to do with it. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) is no exception.
High School SEM Discussion Group: A Resource for Teachers and Microscopists
Authors: Gill-Linscott Margo
Published: March 2010

Internationally, United States fifteen-year-olds scored 24th in science literacy and 28th in mathematics according to the Congressional Research Service March 2008 report.
Analysis of Cytoskeleton-Destabilizing Agents by Optimized Optical Navigation and AFM Force Measurements
Authors: Berquand A. , Holloschi A. , Trendelenburg M. , Kioschis P.
Published: March 2010

Mechanical properties of cells are determined by the dynamic behavior of the cytoskeleton and physical interactions with the environment. The cytoskeleton, composed of actin filaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules, is vital for numerous key cellular processes, such as cell division, vesicle trafficking, cell contraction, cell motility, and cell signaling. There is increasing evidence that deregulation of cytoskeletal components like disassembly of actin and tubulin filaments is an important parameter in cellular pathology. Thus, significant alterations of the mechanical phenotype of the cell and its surrounding microenvironment are reported to be involved in aberrant cellular processes and successively contribute to onset and progression of diseases such as cancer, malaria, and possibly neurodegeneration. In vitro and ex vivo biomechanical studies have shown that cancer cells have significantly decreased elastic moduli than their normal counterparts, a characteristic that is attributed to the ability of cancer cells to metastasize or spread.
Second Among Unequals? A Study of Whether France's “Quota Women” are Up to the Job
Authors: Murray Rainbow
Published: March 2010

The introduction of France's “parity” law in 2000 raised fears of electing inferior women candidates via a gender quota. France has since held two legislative elections, with the proportion of women in parliament rising from 10.9% to 12.3% in 2002, and 18.5% in 2007. These rises permit an empirical evaluation of whether “quota women” measure up to those elected without a quota. New women parliamentarians are compared to their male counterparts and to women elected before 2002 to see whether there are any noticeable differences in their background (profession, age, and prior experience) and their levels of parliamentary activity (including numbers of bills, reports, and questions introduced).

The findings challenge the notion that parity is producing weak politicians. The slightly different profiles of men and women politicians reflect wider barriers to women's political careers that would not have been overcome without the parity law. Once women are elected, the volume of activity shows no evidence of being gendered, suggesting that women are as effective in the job as men. These findings imply that sex is a barrier to entry but not to performance, reinforcing claims for the use of quotas to overcome entry barriers and negating claims that quotas produce second-rate parliamentarians.
Demands of Care and Dilemmas of Freedom: What We Really Ought to Be Worried About
Authors: Metz Tamara
Published: March 2010

So long as the state defines, confers, and uses marital status as a vehicle for protecting and supporting associations of intimate caregivers, also known as families, it must offer the status to same-sex intimate caregiving couples. A commitment to equal treatment before the law demands it. Period.
Measurements of industrial emissions of alkenes in Texas using the solar occultation flux method
Authors: Mellqvist Johan , Samuelsson Jerker , Johansson John , Rivera Claudia , Lefer Barry , Alvarez Sergio , Jolly John
Published: March 2010

Solar occultation flux (SOF) measurements of alkenes have been conducted to identify and quantify the largest emission sources in the vicinity of Houston and in SE Texas during September 2006 as part of the TexAQS 2006 campaign. The measurements have been compared to emission inventories and have been conducted in parallel with airborne plume studies. The SOF measurements show that the hourly gas emissions from the large petrochemical and refining complexes in the Houston Ship Channel area and Mount Belvieu during September 2006 corresponded to 1250 ± 180 kg/h of ethene and 2140 ± 520 kg/h of propene, with an estimated uncertainty of about 35%. This can be compared to the 2006 emission inventory value for ethene and propene of 145 ± 4 and 181 ± 42 kg/h, respectively. On average, for all measurements during the campaign, the discrepancy factor is 10.2(+8,‐5) for ethene and 11.7(+7,‐4) for propene. The largest emission source was Mount Belvieu, NE of the Houston Ship Channel, with ethene and propene emissions corresponding to 440 ± 130 kg/h and 490 ± 190 kg/h, respectively. Large variability of propene was observed from several petrochemical industries, for which the largest reported emission sources are flares. The SOF alkene emissions agree within 50% with emissions derived from airborne measurements at three different sites. The airborne measurements also provide support to the SOF error budget.
Crustal structure beneath China from receiver function analysis
Authors: Chen Youlin , Niu Fenglin , Liu Ruifeng , Huang Zhibin , Tkalčić Hrvoje , Sun Li , Chan Winston
Published: March 2010

We collected and processed a large amount of high‐quality broadband teleseismic waveform data recorded by the 48 Chinese National Digital Seismic Network stations to estimate large‐scale lateral variations of crustal thickness and Vp/Vs ratio (hence Poisson's ratio) beneath China. A statistical method was used to select mutually coherent receiver functions at each station, which yielded over 200 traces for most of the stations. With the conventional H−κ (the crustal thickness and Vp/Vs ratio) approach, there is a large trade‐off between H and κ. Consequently, multiple maxima are frequently observed in the H−κ domain. We introduced a weight function that measures the coherence between the P‐to‐S conversion and the reverberation phases at each H−κ grid to reduce the trade‐off. A 4th‐root stacking method was further applied to reduce uncorrelated noise relative to the linear stack. These modifications turned out to be very effective in reducing the H−κ trade‐off and yielded reliable estimates of crustal thickness and Vp/Vs ratio. The crust beneath eastern China is as thin as 31–33 km and the underlying Moho is relatively flat and sharp. In the western part of China, the crust is considerably thicker and shows large variations. The Moho is observed at about 51 km depth along the Tian Shan fold system and about 84 km deep beneath the central part of the Tibetan Plateau. The transition occurs at the so‐called N‐S belt between about 100° and 110°E, which is featured by unusually high seismicity and large gravity anomalies. The average Vp/Vs ratio over the mainland China crust is about 1.730 (σ = 0.249), significantly lower than the global average 1.78 (σ = 0.27) of the continental crust. This lower Vp/Vs ratio may suggest a general absence of mafic lowermost crustal layer beneath China.
Internally consistent thermodynamic database for iron to the Earth's core conditions
Authors: Komabayashi Tetsuya , Fei Yingwei
Published: March 2010

An internally consistent thermodynamic database for pure iron has been established to pressures (P) up to 360 GPa and temperatures (T) up to 7000 K from existing static experimental data and thermochemical measurements. The database includes body‐centered cubic (BCC) phases (αorδphase), the face‐centered cubic (FCC) phase (γphase), the hexagonal close‐packed (HCP) phase (ɛ phase), and the liquid phase. We describe fundamental thermodynamic relations as the Gibbs free energy divided into thermochemical and thermophysical terms. The thermochemical data were evaluated from existing metallurgy databases together with experimentally determined phase relations. The thermophysical term is obtained from the pressure‐volume‐temperature equations of state (EoS) for the phases. We constructed an EoS of the FCC phase from our recent internally‐heated diamond anvil cell (DAC) experimental data and assessed the EoS of the liquid phase from existing laser‐heated DAC experiments together with density data atP= 1 bar, 0.2 GPa, and along the Hugoniot. The HCP‐FCC‐liquid triple point is located atP= 90 GPa andT= 2800 K. The calculated melting temperature of HCP iron at the inner core boundary (P= 330 GPa) is 4900 K and the density change at melting is −1.2%. The core density deficits at the inner core boundary are 8.1 wt.% and 5.3 wt.% for the liquid outer core and solid inner core, respectively. The calculated melting temperature is much lower than that from dynamic shock wave experiments, suggesting that the HCP structure may not be stable in the inner core. We included a hypothetical high‐pressure BCC phase which could be stabilized above 220 GPa by a solid‐solid transition of high‐PBCC‐HCP phases. This hypothetical BCC phase should have a large entropy to give a high melting temperature in order to reconcile the existing discrepancies between the static and shock wave experimental studies.
Changes in synoptic weather patterns and Greenland precipitation in the 20th and 21st centuries: 2. Analysis of 21st century atmospheric changes using self‐organizing maps
Authors: Schuenemann Keah C. , Cassano John J.
Published: March 2010

Using a three‐model ensemble, predictions of increasing Greenland precipitation over the 21st century are analyzed using self‐organizing maps (SOMs). The models that make up the three‐model ensemble (CCCMA‐CGCM3.1(T63), MIROC3.2(hires), and MPI‐ECHAM5), which are all atmosphere‐ocean global circulation models used in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report, were chosen due to their ability to best reproduce North Atlantic surface synoptic climatology and Greenland precipitation from ERA‐40. Daily sea level pressure and precipitation data from model simulations for years 1961–1999, 2046–2065, and 2081–2100 are compared, where future simulations are based on the SRES A1B emissions scenario. Results indicate that the North Atlantic storm track is predicted to shift northward through the 21st century and Greenland precipitation is predicted to increase from 35.8 cm yr−1 to 45.8 cm yr−1 by the end of the 21st century, a 27.8% increase. The precipitation change is attributed to changes in atmospheric circulation, which are due to changes in synoptic pattern frequency of occurrence, and changes in the amount of precipitation that occurs when a given synoptic circulation pattern occurs, termed intrapattern variability, during the future time periods. The northward shift in storm track results in less precipitation being produced dynamically over the southeast coast of Greenland, but an increase in precipitation over the remainder of the ice sheet, with largest increases over the southwest coast of Greenland and the eastern region. Intrapattern variability changes, however, dominate the future precipitation changes, accounting for 82.5% of the total change. This is due to an increase in precipitable water in the atmosphere in response to rising temperatures. Changes in sea ice and ocean temperature are also thought to contribute to this change.
A divalent FHA/BRCT‐binding mechanism couples the MRE11–RAD50–NBS1 complex to damaged chromatin
Authors: Hari Flurina J , Spycher Christoph , Jungmichel Stephanie , Pavic Lucijana , Stucki Manuel
Published: March 2010

The MRE11–RAD50–NBS1 (MRN) complex accumulates at sites of DNA double‐strand breaks in large chromatin domains flanking the lesion site. The mechanism of MRN accumulation involves direct binding of the Nijmegen breakage syndrome 1 (NBS1) subunit to phosphorylated mediator of the DNA damage checkpoint 1 (MDC1), a large nuclear adaptor protein that interacts directly with phosphorylated H2AX. NBS1 contains an FHA domain and two BRCT domains at its amino terminus. Here, we show that both of these domains participate in the interaction with phosphorylated MDC1. Point mutations in key amino acid residues of either the FHA or the BRCT domains compromise the interaction with MDC1 and lead to defects in MRN accumulation at sites of DNA damage. Surprisingly, only mutation in the FHA domain, but not in the BRCT domains, yields a G2/M checkpoint defect, indicating that MDC1‐dependent chromatin accumulation of the MRN complex at sites of DNA breaks is not required for G2/M checkpoint activation.
A translational study of circulating cell-free microRNA-1 in acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Cheng Yunhui , Tan Ning , Yang Jian , Liu Xiaojun , Cao Xiaopei , He Pengcheng , Dong Xiaoli , Qin Shanshan , Zhang Chunxiang
Published: March 2010

miRNAs (microRNAs) participate in many diseases including cardiovascular disease. In contrast with our original hypothesis, miRNAs exist in circulating blood and are relatively stable due to binding with other materials. The aim of the present translational study is to establish a method of determining the absolute amount of an miRNA in blood and to determine the potential applications of circulating cell-free miR-1 (microRNA-1) in AMI (acute myocardial infarction). The results revealed that miR-1 is the most abundant miRNA in the heart and is also a heart- and muscle-specific miRNA. In a cardiac cell necrosis model induced by Triton X-100 in vitro, we found that cardiac miR-1 can be released into the culture medium and is stable at least for 24 h. In a rat model of AMI induced by coronary ligation, we found that serum miR-1 is quickly increased after AMI with a peak at 6 h, in which an increase in miR-1 of over 200-fold was demonstrated. The miR-1 level returned to basal levels at 3 days after AMI. Moreover, the serum miR-1 level in rats with AMI had a strong positive correlation with myocardial infarct size. To verify further the relationship between myocardial size and miR-1 level, an IP (ischaemic preconditioning) model was used. The results showed that IP significantly reduced circulating miR-1 levels and myocardial infract size induced by I/R (ischaemia/reperfusion) injury. Finally, the levels of circulating cell-free miR-1 were significantly increased in patients with AMI and had a positive correlation with serum CK-MB (creatine kinase-MB) levels. In conclusion, the results suggest that serum miR-1 could be a novel sensitive diagnostic biomarker for AMI.
Pediatric Mandibular Resection and Reconstruction: Long-Term Results with Autogenous Rib Grafts
Authors: Eckardt André M. , Barth Enno-Ludwig , Berten Johannes , Gellrich Nils-Claudius
Published: March 2010

Reconstruction of mandibular defects following tumor resection in infants is a particular challenge. Although autogenous rib grafts have no relevance in the restoration of mandibular bone defects occurring after ablative tumor surgery due to limited bone stock and the availability of other donor areas, they are a useful surgical alternative following tumor surgery in infants. We here report on a 2, 5, 8, and 15-year follow-up of four children who were diagnosed with benign tumors of the mandible with osseous destruction at the age of 4, 6, 15, and 18 months, respectively. Histologic diagnoses were melanotic neuroectodermal tumor ( n=2), hemangioendothelioma of the mandible ( n=1), and ameloblastoma ( n=1). Following continuity resection of the mandible, lateromandibular bone defects were restored using autogenous rib grafts. Both clinical and radiologic follow-up visits were performed for all children to assess growth of the facial skeleton and the mandible. One child was already further reconstructed using bone augmentation at the age of 15 years. Cephalometric measurements on panorex films and three-dimensional computed tomographic scans revealed a slight vertical growth excess and transversal growth inhibition of the reconstructed mandible compared with the nonoperated side. Although further growth of rib grafts is difficult to predict and occlusal disharmony may occur due to physiologic maxillary growth and growth of the unaffected mandible, we believe that autogenous rib grafts can be ideally used for the restoration of mandibular continuity defects in newborns and young children. Clinical follow-up visits on a yearly basis and orthodontic controls are useful for early orthodontic treatment of growth deficits. Further corrective surgery with bone augmentation or osseous distraction is required following completion of growth of the facial skeleton.
China Coast Pidgin
Authors: Ansaldo Umberto , Matthews Stephen , Smith Geoff
Published: March 2010

In this paper we revisit some long-standing questions regarding the origins and structure of China Coast Pidgin (CCP), also known as Chinese Pidgin English. We first review the historical context of the China Trade which formed the ecology for the development of CCP. We then review the available sources, focusing on newly transcribed data from Chinese-language instructional materials. These sources provide fresh evidence for grammatical structure in CCP, and demonstrate strong influence from Cantonese as the major substrate language. Comparison with English-language sources shows systematic contrasts which point to likely variation between Anglophone and Sinophone lects, as in the case of wh-questions which show regular wh-fronting in English sources and pervasive use of wh-in-situ in Chinese sources. This conclusion helps to resolve the debate over the Sinitic features of CCP.
Preserving Canada’s ‘honour’
Authors: Heffernan Kevin , Borden Alison J. , Erath Alexandra C. , Yang Julie-Lynn
Published: March 2010

Recent studies of orthographic variation have demonstrated that ideology plays a central role in determining which spelling variants are adopted by a community. This study examines the role of ideology in diachronic changes in spelling variant usage in Canadian English. Previous research has shown that patriotic Canadians are opposed to American spelling variants. We hypothesized that American spelling variant usage decreased during periods in which the United States was viewed negatively in Canada, such as the Vietnam War era. Furthermore, we also hypothesized that trends set during periods of anti-American sentiment have resulted in an overall decrease in American spelling variant usage in Canada over the last century. We gathered over 30,000 tokens of spelling variants spanning a period of approximately 100 years. Our results corroborate the first hypothesis but reject the second hypothesis, leading to a complex view of the role of ideology in diachronic change in Canadian English.
Emergent literacy in children of immigrants coming from a primarily oral literacy culture
Authors: Shany Michal , Geva Esther , Melech-Feder Liat
Published: March 2010

This study examined emergent literacy skills of 61 kindergarten children whose families had immigrated to Israel from a primarily oral society (Ethiopia). Three complementary perspectives were examined: developmental patterns, individual differences, and the contribution of parent literacy. The emergent literacy skills of children whose families were from Ethiopia were compared to those of 52 children coming from a primarily literate culture. The groups had acquired less complex Hebrew literacy skills in the same order, including phonological awareness, letter naming and consonant writing. However, the Ethiopian Israeli children were less proficient on various aspects of Hebrew language proficiency, and less familiar with aspects of cultural and environmental literacy. Most were also unable to speak or comprehend Amharic. In both groups, phonological awareness explained individual differences in letter naming, but vocabulary and syntactic knowledge added to the explained variance only in the Ethiopian Israeli group. Letter naming was associated with consonant writing in both groups. Hebrew oral and written language proficiency of Ethiopian Israeli mothers was positively correlated with literacy skills in their children. The results underscore the importance of distinguishing between less complex, modularized, aspects of emergent literacy and more complex literacy skills. Here the cumulative effects of poverty, oral home culture, parental inability to mediate language and literacy, and non-optimal conditions for becoming bilingual place young immigrant children at risk for academic failure early on.
Predicting poor, average, and superior spellers in grades 1 to 6 from phonological, orthographic, and morphological, spelling, or reading composites
Authors: Garcia Noelia P. , Abbott Robert D. , Berninger Virginia W.
Published: March 2010

Superior (10 girls, 10 boys), average (10 girls, 10 boys), and poor (10 girls, 10 boys) spelling ability groups were identified in first (age 6) or third (age 8) grade and assessed annually for four years. In separate analyses, a simultaneous set of phonological, orthographic and morphological predictors, a simultaneous set of pseudoword spelling and word-specific orthographic spelling predictors, and a simultaneous set of real-word and pseudoword reading accuracy and rate predictors jointly predicted individuals’ spelling ability group (superior, average, or poor) from first to sixth grade. Results are discussed for significance of results for Triple Word Form Theory (relationships of multiple language skills to spelling development), advantages of multivariate approaches that analyze a set of joint predictors, and importance of designing studies so that findings can be generalized to specific regions of the distribution — upper, middle, and lower — rather than the entire distribution of spellers in an unreferred sample.
Inferring cluster-based networks from differently stimulated multiple time-course gene expression data
Authors: Shiraishi Yuichi , Kimura Shuhei , Okada Mariko
Published: March 2010

Motivation: Clustering and gene network inference often help to predict the biological functions of gene subsets. Recently, researchers have accumulated a large amount of time-course transcriptome data collected under different treatment conditions to understand the physiological states of cells in response to extracellular stimuli and to identify drug-responsive genes. Although a variety of statistical methods for clustering and inferring gene networks from expression profiles have been proposed, most of these are not tailored to simultaneously treat expression data collected under multiple stimulation conditions.

Results: We propose a new statistical method for analyzing temporal profiles under multiple experimental conditions. Our method simultaneously performs clustering of temporal expression profiles and inference of regulatory relationships among gene clusters. We applied this method to MCF7 human breast cancer cells treated with epidermal growth factor and heregulin which induce cellular proliferation and differentiation, respectively. The results showed that the method is useful for extracting biologically relevant information.

Availability: A MATLAB implementation of the method is available from http://csb.gsc.riken.jp/yshira/software/clusterNetwork.zip

Contact:  yshira@riken.jp

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effect of clarithromycin on macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Authors: Kurata Satoshi , Taguchi Haruhiko , Sasaki Tsuguo , Fujioka Yasunori , Kamiya Shigeru
Published: March 2010

Macrolide antibiotics are frequently administered to treat mycoplasmal pneumonia. However, macrolide-resistantMycoplasma pneumoniaehas recently been isolated from clinical specimens in Japan. Clarithromycin (CAM) is a 14-membered-ring macrolide that has host immunomodulatory activity. Here, we established a gnotobiotic mouse model that was monoassociated with macrolide-resistantM. pneumoniae, and pathologically and microbiologically analysed the effects of antibiotics against mycoplasmal pneumonia. We also examined the immunomodulatory activities of macrolide antibiotics in human lung carcinoma A549 cellsin vitroand in a specific-pathogen-free (SPF) mouse model of pneumonia induced byM. pneumoniaeantigenin vivo. CAM anti-mycoplasma antibiotics decreased the number of macrolide-sensitive and -resistantM. pneumoniaein the lungs of gnotobiotic mice. Thus, in SPF mice, CAM modulated pulmonary inflammation induced byM. pneumoniaeantigens.
Set of virulence genes and genetic relatedness of O113 : H21 Escherichia coli strains isolated from the animal reservoir and human infections in Brazil
Authors: dos Santos Luis Fernando , Irino Kinue , Vaz Tânia Mara Ibelli , Guth Beatriz Ernestina Cabilio
Published: March 2010

Escherichia coli strains of serotype O113 : H21 are commonly described as belonging to a Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing E. coli (STEC) pathotype worldwide. Albeit this STEC serotype is frequently identified among cattle and other domestic animals, to the best of our knowledge no human infections associated with STEC O113 : H21 have been registered in Brazil to date. Here, we report the virulence profile and genetic relatedness of a collection of O113 : H21 E. coli strains mainly isolated from the animal reservoir aimed at determining their potential as human pathogens. The strains from the animal reservoir (n=34) were all classified as STEC, whereas the few isolates recovered so far from human diarrhoea (n=3) lacked stx genes. Among the STEC, the stx
2d-activatable gene was identified in 85 % of the strains that also carried lpfA
O113, iha, saa, ehxA, subAB, astA, cdt-V, espP, espI and epeA; the human strains harboured only lpfA
O113, iha and astA. All the strains except one, isolated from cattle, were genetically classified as phylogenetic group B1. High mass plasmids were observed in 25 isolates, but only in the STEC group were these plasmids confirmed as the STEC O113 megaplasmid (pO113). Many closely related subgroups (more than 80 % similarity) were identified by PFGE, with human isolates clustering in a subgroup separate from most of the animal isolates. In conclusion, potentially pathogenic O113 : H21 STEC isolates carrying virulence markers in common with O113 : H21 clones associated with haemolytic uraemic syndrome cases in other regions were demonstrated to occur in the natural reservoir in our settings, and therefore the risk represented by them to public health should be carefully monitored.
A heterodimer of EsxA and EsxB is involved in sporulation and is secreted by a type VII secretion system in Streptomyces coelicolor
Authors: Akpe San Roman Sandra , Facey Paul D. , Fernandez-Martinez Lorena , Rodriguez Caridad , Vallin Carlos , Del Sol Ricardo , Dyson Paul
Published: March 2010

An esx locus, related to the multiple esx loci of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is conserved in all sequenced Streptomyces genomes, where it is associated with the developmental regulatory gene bldB. Here we demonstrate that the esxBA operon, comprising part of the locus, has a novel morphogenetic function in the model species Streptomyces coelicolor. This operon encodes two proteins belonging to the WXG-100 superfamily that can form a heterodimer and are secreted in the absence of signal sequences. A mutation in esxBA results in a delay in sporulation, with eventual development of aerial hyphae with chains of abnormally sized spore compartments possessing irregular DNA contents. During early sporulation, expression of the operon is elevated in a bldB mutant. Other genes in the locus, notably SCO5734 and SCO5721, encode components of a type VII secretion system. Disruption of either of these genes prevents secretion of EsxAB but has no effect on sporulation. To explain the morphogenetic function of EsxAB, we propose that the heterodimer sequesters a regulator of expression of genes involved in nucleoid organization during sporulation.
The enteropathogenic Escherichia coli effector NleH inhibits apoptosis induced by Clostridium difficile toxin B
Authors: Robinson Keith S. , Mousnier Aurelie , Hemrajani Cordula , Fairweather Neil , Berger Cedric N. , Frankel Gad
Published: March 2010

Clostridium difficile is a leading cause of nosocomial infections, causing a spectrum of diseases ranging from diarrhoea to pseudomembranous colitis triggered by a range of virulence factors including C. difficile toxins A (TcdA) and B (TcdB). TcdA and TcdB are monoglucosyltransferases that irreversibly glycosylate small Rho GTPases, inhibiting their ability to interact with their effectors, guanine nucleotide exchange factors, and membrane partners, leading to disruption of downstream signalling pathways and cell death. In addition, TcdB targets the mitochondria, inducing the intrinsic apoptotic pathway resulting in TcdB-mediated apoptosis. Modulation of apoptosis is a common strategy used by infectious agents. Recently, we have shown that the enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) type III secretion system effector NleH has a broad-range anti-apoptotic activity. In this study we examined the effects of NleH on cells challenged with TcdB. During infection with wild-type EPEC, NleH inhibited TcdB-induced apoptosis at both low and high toxin concentrations. Transfected nleH1 alone was sufficient to block TcdB-induced cell rounding, nuclear condensation, mitochondrial swelling and lysis, and activation of caspase-3. These results show that NleH acts via a global anti-apoptotic pathway.
Characterization of cell-cycle-driven and light-driven gene expression in a synchronous culture system in the unicellular rhodophyte Cyanidioschyzon merolae
Authors: Moriyama Takashi , Terasawa Kimihiro , Sekine Kohsuke , Toyoshima Masakazu , Koike Mika , Fujiwara Makoto , Sato Naoki
Published: March 2010

The unicellular rhodophyte Cyanidioschyzon merolae, having a single plastid and a single mitochondrion, is suitable for the analysis of the cell cycle involving the division of organelles. In conventional methods of synchronous culture of algae, light/dark cycles have been used as signals for synchronization, and the gene expression promoted by light is not separated from the gene expression related to cell cycle progression. We previously devised a novel synchronous culture system with controlled photosynthesis, which is triggered by 6 h-light/18 h-dark cycles combined with different levels of CO2. The cells do not enter S-phase and consequently do not divide after the minimum light period without CO2 supplementation, but do divide after a light period with 1 % CO2. In this way, we can compare a dividing cycle and a non-dividing cycle. We examined changes in the expression of 74 genes throughout the cell cycle by quantitative RT-PCR. The expression of genes for two cyclins (cyclin C and H) and two CDKs (CDKA and CDKD) as well as metabolic enzymes was promoted by light, whereas the expression of genes for G1/S or G2/M cyclins and CDKs as well as DNA replication enzymes and proteins related to organellar division was promoted only in the dividing cycles. These results suggested that C. merolae has a checkpoint for G1/S progression, which is regulated by nutrients within the 6 h light period.
Blockade of the MEK/ERK signalling cascade by AS703026, a novel selective MEK1/2 inhibitor, induces pleiotropic anti‐myeloma activity in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Kim Kihyun , Kong Sun‐Young , Fulciniti Mariateresa , Li Xianfeng , Song Weihua , Nahar Sabikun , Burger Peter , Rumizen Mathew J. , Podar Klaus , Chauhan Dharminder , Hideshima Teru , Munshi Nikhil C. , Richardson Paul , Clark Ann , Ogden Janet , Goutopoulos Andreas , Rastelli Luca , Anderson Kenneth C. , Tai Yu‐Tzu
Published: March 2010

This study investigated the cytotoxicity and mechanism of action of AS703026, a novel, selective, orally bioavailable MEK1/2 inhibitor, in human multiple myeloma (MM). AS703026 inhibited growth and survival of MM cells and cytokine‐induced osteoclast differentiation more potently (9‐ to 10‐fold) than AZD6244. Inhibition of proliferation induced by AS703026 was mediated by G0‐G1 cell cycle arrest and was accompanied by reduction of MAF oncogene expression. AS703026 further induced apoptosis via caspase 3 and Poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage in MM cells, both in the presence or absence of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). Importantly, AS703026 sensitized MM cells to a broad spectrum of conventional (dexamethasone, melphalan), novel or emerging (lenalidomide, perifosine, bortezomib, rapamycin) anti‐MM therapies. Significant tumour growth reduction in AS703026‐ vs. vehicle‐treated mice bearing H929 MM xenograft tumours correlated with downregulated pERK1/2, induced PARP cleavage, and decreased microvessels in vivo. Moreover, AS703026 (<200 nmol/l) was cytotoxic against the majority of tumour cells tested from patients with relapsed and refractory MM (84%), regardless of mutational status of RAS and BRAF genes. Importantly, BMSC‐induced viability of MM patient cells was similarly blocked within the same dose range. Our results therefore support clinical evaluation of AS703026, alone or in combination with other anti‐MM agents, to improve patient outcome.
Effect of supplementary stocking of juvenile brown trout, Salmo trutta, on yield in a Norwegian mountain reservoir
Authors: HESTHAGEN T. , JOHNSEN S. I. , GRAN R.
Published: March 2010

Abstract  The effect of supplementary stocking of juvenile (age 0+), hatchery‐reared, brown trout, Salmo trutta L., on annual yields was assessed in a Norwegian mountain reservoir between 1979 and 2007. Fishing was mainly carried out by local fishermen with benthic gillnets. During the study period, annual stocking ranged from 0 to 52 500 fish (19.8 ha−1). No stocking has been carried out since 1997. Annual yield varied from 1650 to 5653 kg, corresponding to 0.62–2.13 kg ha−1. Exploitation rate in terms of number of gillnets and mean weight of 6+ fish (age when catchable size was reached) explained 64% of the variability in catches. Stocked fish contributed very little to the yield or catch‐per‐unit‐effort, exhibiting no positive correlation with stocking density. The lack of contribution from stocked fish was probably caused by a competitive bottleneck in the eroded epibenthic zone, causing high juvenile mortality. If stocking continues, it is recommended that fish with body lengths >15–20 cm are used.
Impact of Taiwanese culture on beliefs about expressing anxiety and engaging in physical activity: a discursive analysis of the literature
Authors: Ma Wei‐Fen , Huang Xuan‐Yi , Chang Hsiu‐Ju , Yen Wen‐Jiuan , Lee Sheuan
Published: March 2010

Aims and objectives. This paper analysed the scholarly discourse about the influence of Taiwanese culture on beliefs about expressing anxiety and engaging in physical activity from literature review.

Background. The well‐being of individuals with mental illness is promoted by the World Health Organization. Reducing barriers to treatment and care in community health‐service systems requires cultural understanding. However, little is known about the influence of Taiwanese culture on physical activity programmes for people with anxiety disorders in Taiwan.

Design. A discursive analysis of the literature.

Method. Literature was used to examine the impact of Taiwanese culture on beliefs about anxiety and physical activity from historical, economic, social, political and geographical perspectives.

Results. Taiwanese cultural beliefs about anxiety and physical activity can be summarised into six themes. Beliefs about anxiety are reflected in three themes: anxiety and shame, beliefs against direct communication and beliefs about anxiety and external forces. Beliefs about engaging in physical activity are reflected in three themes: beliefs about human action, the relationship between health and physical activity and priority of academic achievement.

Conclusion. This paper exposes the hidden power of culture to influence Taiwanese beliefs about anxiety and physical activity. Three negative beliefs about anxiety influence the expression of anxiety symptoms and help‐seeking behaviours. Two positive and one negative belief about physical activity significantly affect choice of activity type and level of participation in physical activity. Anxiety and physical activity have a dynamic relationship and both are deeply influenced by Taiwanese culture.

Relevance to clinical practice. An awareness of cultural influences on beliefs about anxiety and physical activity is important when encouraging Taiwanese people with anxiety disorders to engage in physical activity. This awareness may help nurses understand better how their patients perceive anxiety and physical activity, leading to more appropriate physical activity programmes to improve both physical and psychological well‐being.
Effects of acupressure on menstrual distress in adolescent girls: a comparison between Hegu–Sanyinjiao Matched Points and Hegu, Zusanli single point
Authors: Chen Huei‐Mein , Chen Chung‐Hey
Published: March 2010

Aim and objectives.  To examine a comparison between Hegu and Sanyinjiao matched points and Hegu, Zusanli single point on adolescent girls’ menstrual distress, pain and anxiety perception.

Background.  Primary dysmenorrhoea is a major cause of temporary disability, with a prevalence ranging from 60–93%, depending upon the population and study. No one has yet compared the effects of single point and multiple point acupressures.

Design.  A single blind randomised experimental study was used.

Methods.  Adolescents (n = 134) randomly assigned to experimental groups Zusanli (n = 30), Hegu (n = 33) and Hegu–Sanyinjiao Matched Points (n = 36) received acupressure intervention protocol for 20 minutes, while the control group (n = 35) did not receive any acupressure intervention. Four instruments were used to collect data: (1) the Visual Analog Scale for Pain; (2) the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire Short Form; (3) the Short‐Form McGill Pain Questionnaire and (4) the Visual Analog Scale for Anxiety.

Results.  During the six‐month follow‐up, acupressure at matched points Hegu and Sanyinjiao reduced the pain, distress and anxiety typical of dysmenorrhoea. Acupressure at single point Hegu was found, effectively, to reduce menstrual pain during the follow‐up period, but no significant difference for reducing menstrual distress and anxiety perception was found. Zusanli acupressure had no significant effects of reducing menstrual pain, distress and anxiety perception.

Conclusion.  This controlled trial provides preliminary evidence that six‐month acupressure therapy provides female adolescents with dysmenorrhoea benefits.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Acupressure is an effective and safe non‐pharmacologic strategy for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea. We recommend the use of acupressure for self‐care of primary dysmenorrhoea at Hegu and Sanyinjiao matched points and single point Hegu, as pressure placement at these points is easy for adolescent girls to learn and practice.
Understanding the cultural context of Chinese mothers’ perceptions of breastfeeding and infant health in Canada
Authors: Chen Wil‐Lie
Published: March 2010

Aims and objectives.  The purpose of this study was to explore Chinese mothers’ perceptions about breastfeeding and infant health in the Canadian context.

Background.  Chinese mothers’ breastfeeding perceptions are challenging for health professionals in North America, but few studies have focused on this issue in depth.

Design.  An interpretive qualitative methodology was used.

Methods.  Data were collected through semi‐structured individual interviews with 15 purposively sampled Chinese mothers two months after delivery in Vancouver, British Columbia. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Constant comparative analysis was used to develop coding categories and identify themes.

Results.  Two main themes emerged: (1) the idea of harmony within change and (2) the meaning of infant health. The first represents mothers’ perceptions about breastfeeding: the value of common sense, purity of breast milk and the laws of nature. The second represents notions of infant health, including its indicators and the relationship between mother’s health and infant health.

Conclusions.  Chinese mothers’ concepts of breastfeeding are associated with Western biomedical thought, traditional Chinese medicine and personal experiences, especially those embedded in the traditional Chinese cultural context. Perceptions of breastfeeding and infant health regarding notions of harmony within natural dynamic patterns must be considered when promoting breastfeeding.

Relevance to clinical practice.  This study highlights the cultural context affecting Chinese mothers’ breastfeeding practices. Nurses and other health professionals require sensitivity when assessing Chinese mothers’ breastfeeding practice so that they are able to provide appropriate postnatal and breastfeeding support.
Soft tissue massage: early intervention for relatives whose family members died in palliative cancer care
Authors: Cronfalk Berit S , Ternestedt Britt‐Marie , Strang Peter
Published: March 2010

Aim and objectives.  This paper explores how bereaved relatives experienced soft tissue massage during the first four months after the death of a family member who was in palliative cancer care.

Background.  Death of a close family member or friend is recognised as being an emotional and existential turning point in life. Previous studies emphasise need for various support strategies to assist relatives while they are grieving.

Design.  Qualitative design.

Method.  Eighteen bereaved relatives (11 women and seven men) received soft tissue massage (25 minutes, hand or foot) once a week for eight weeks. In‐depth interviews were conducted after the end of the eight‐week periods. Interviews were analysed using a qualitative descriptive content analysis method.

Results.  Soft tissue massage proved to be helpful and to generate feelings of consolation in the first four months of grieving. The main findings were organised into four categories: (1) a helping hand at the right time, (2) something to rely on, (3) moments of rest and (4) moments of retaining energy. The categories were then conceptualised into this theme: feelings of consolation and help in learning to restructure everyday life.

Conclusions.  Soft tissue massage was experienced as a commendable source of consolation support during the grieving process. An assumption is that massage facilitates a transition toward rebuilding identity, but more studies in this area are needed.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Soft tissue massage appears to be a worthy, early, grieving‐process support option for bereaved family members whose relatives are in palliative care.
A preferred music listening intervention to reduce anxiety in older adults with dementia in nursing homes
Authors: Sung Huei‐Chuan , Chang Anne M , Lee Wen‐Li
Published: March 2010

Aim.  This article reports the results of a study evaluating a preferred music listening intervention for reducing anxiety in older adults with dementia in nursing homes.

Background.  Anxiety can have a significant negative impact on older adults’ functional status, quality of life and health care resources. However, anxiety is often under‐diagnosed and inappropriately treated in those with dementia. Little is known about the use of a preferred music listening intervention for managing anxiety in those with dementia.

Design.  A quasi‐experimental pretest and posttest design was used.

Methods.  This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a preferred music listening intervention on anxiety in older adults with dementia in nursing home. Twenty‐nine participants in the experimental group received a 30‐minute music listening intervention based on personal preferences delivered by trained nursing staff in mid‐afternoon, twice a week for six weeks. Meanwhile, 23 participants in the control group only received usual standard care with no music. Anxiety was measured by Rating Anxiety in Dementia at baseline and week six. Analysis of covariance (ancova) was used to determine the effectiveness of a preferred music listening intervention on anxiety at six weeks while controlling for pretest anxiety, age and marital status.

Results.  ancova results indicated that older adults who received the preferred music listening had a significantly lower anxiety score at six weeks compared with those who received the usual standard care with no music (F = 12·15, p = 0·001).

Conclusions.  Preferred music listening had a positive impact by reducing the level of anxiety in older adults with dementia.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Nursing staff can learn how to implement preferred music intervention to provide appropriate care tailored to the individual needs of older adults with dementia. Preferred music listening is an inexpensive and viable intervention to promote mental health of those with dementia.