bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health‐related quality of life among adolescents: a comparison between subjects at risk for psychosis and other help seekers
Authors: Granö Niklas , Karjalainen Marjaana , Edlund Virve , Saari Erkki , Itkonen Arja , Anto Jukka , Roine Mikko
Published: January 2013

Aim

Schizophrenia is a severe illness associated with poor health‐related quality of life (HRQoL), and there is some evidence that a risk state for psychosis is associated with decreased HRQoL. The aim of the present study was to investigate group differences in HRQoL in help seekers at risk for psychosis and not at risk for psychosis.

Methods

The data were collected by a Finnish early detection and intervention team at Helsinki University Central Hospital. A total of 202 help‐seeking adolescents (110 girls, 92 boys; 11–22 years of age) were assessed with a PROD screen and HRQoL scale of 16D.

Results

As the main result, subjects at risk for psychosis had a poorer HRQoL index than other help seekers (P < 0.001). An additional analysis of sub‐items for the HRQoL at‐risk group had poorer mean scores at a statistically significant level after Bonferroni correction for multiple tests in the following sub‐items: vitality (P = 0.016), distress (P = 0.016), physical appearance (P < 0.001), school and hobbies (P = 0.016), friends (P = 0.048), mental function (P < 0.001) and depression (P < 0.001). In a logistic regression analysis of sub‐items of the HRQoL scale, lower scores in the sub‐item of mental function independently explained the at‐risk status for psychosis (P = 0.009).

Conclusions

Adolescents at risk for psychosis have a poorer HRQoL index than other help seekers and they also differ in several sub‐items, particularly in the lower scores in mental function. In the future, these findings should be considered in the care of adolescents at risk for psychosis.
Patients' and neurologists' perception of epilepsy and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures
Authors: Whitehead Kimberley , Kandler Rosalind , Reuber Markus
Published: January 2013

Purpose

Although differences in illness perceptions between neurologists and patients with epilepsy or psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) are likely to be clinically relevant, this is the first study to attempt a direct comparison. In addition, this study compares the illness perceptions of patients with epilepsy with those of patients with PNES.

Methods

Thirty‐four patients with epilepsy, 40 patients with PNES, and 45 neurologists were recruited. All patient participants completed versions of the illness perception questionnaire revised (IPQ‐R) adapted for epileptic or nonepileptic seizure disorders, single‐item symptom attribution question (SAQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Quality of Life in Epilepsy‐31 (QOLIE‐31), and Liverpool Seizure Severity Scale (LSSS). Participating neurologists completed two versions of the IPQ‐R and two SAQs for epileptic and nonepileptic seizure disorders.

Key Findings

Differences in illness perceptions between patients with epilepsy and patients with PNES were minor compared to those between patients with either seizure disorder and neurologists. Neurologists considered both seizure disorders more treatable and more amenable to personal control than did the patients themselves. Neurologists had much more polarized views of the etiology of both conditions; whereas patients mostly considered the causes of their seizure disorders as partially “physical” and partially “psychological,” neurologists perceived epilepsy as an essentially “physical” and PNES as a clearly “psychological” problem.

Significance

There are considerable differences between the illness perceptions of patients with seizure disorders and their doctors, which could represent barriers to successful clinical management. In particular, a discrepancy between neurologists' and patients' beliefs about the personal control that patients may be able to exert over PNES could contribute to the confusion or anger some patients report after the diagnosis has been explained to them. Furthermore, patients' endorsement of “physical” causes for PNES may reflect an unrealistic faith in the effectiveness of “physical” treatments and could be a cause of tension in patients' relationship with their doctor, for instance when the neurologist attempts to withdraw antiepileptic drug treatment or refers patients for psychological interventions.
Genomic and environmental selection patterns in two distinct lettuce crop–wild hybrid crosses
Authors: Hartman Yorike , Uwimana Brigitte , Hooftman Danny A. P. , Schranz Michael E. , van de Wiel Clemens C. M. , Smulders Marinus J. M. , Visser Richard G. F. , van Tienderen Peter H.
Published: January 2013

Genomic selection patterns and hybrid performance influence the chance that crop (trans)genes can spread to wild relatives. We measured fitness(‐related) traits in two different field environments employing two different crop–wild crosses of lettuce. We performed quantitative trait loci (QTL) analyses and estimated the fitness distribution of early‐ and late‐generation hybrids. We detected consistent results across field sites and crosses for a fitness QTL at linkage group 7, where a selective advantage was conferred by the wild allele. Two fitness QTL were detected on linkage group 5 and 6, which were unique to one of the crop–wild crosses. Average hybrid fitness was lower than the fitness of the wild parent, but several hybrid lineages outperformed the wild parent, especially in a novel habitat for the wild type. In early‐generation hybrids, this may partly be due to heterosis effects, whereas in late‐generation hybrids transgressive segregation played a major role. The study of genomic selection patterns can identify crop genomic regions under negative selection across multiple environments and cultivar–wild crosses that might be applicable in transgene mitigation strategies. At the same time, results were cultivar‐specific, so that a case‐by‐case environmental risk assessment is still necessary, decreasing its general applicability.
Micellar liquid chromatographic determination of arbutin and hydroquinone in medicinal plant extracts and commercial cosmetic products
Authors: Thogchai W. , Liawruangrath B.
Published: January 2013

Synopsis

A simple micellar liquid chromatographic (MLC) procedure for simultaneous determination of arbutin and hydroquinone in medicinal plant extracts and commercial cosmetic products was proposed. This method was developed and validated. The chromatographic conditions were also optimized. All analyses were performed at room temperature in an isocratic mode, using a mixture of 1% (v/v) acetonitrile and 0.006 mol L−1 Brij 35 (pH 6.0) as a mobile phase. The flow rate was set at 1.0 mL min−1. The analytical column was a 150 × 3.9 mm Nova‐Pak C‐18 column. The effluent from the analytical column was monitored by UV detection at 280 nm. Under the optimum conditions, arbutin and hydroquinone could be determined within a concentration range of 2–50 μg mL−1 of arbutin, and hydroquinone was obtained with the regression equations; y = 0.045x + 0.042 (r2 = 0.9923) and y = 0.091x + 0.050 (r2 = 0.9930) respectively. The limits of detection were found to be 0.51 μg mL−1 and 0.37 μg mL−1 for arbutin and hydroquinone respectively. The proposed MLC method was applied for the determination of arbutin and hydroquinone contents in medicinal plant extracts and commercial cosmetic products. This proposed MLC method is thus suitable for routine analysis of arbutin and hydroquinone in the pharmaceutical formulations, cosmetic products and raw medicinal plant extracts.
Toll‐like receptor‐mediated eosinophil–basophil differentiation: autocrine signalling by granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor in cord blood haematopoietic progenitors
Authors: Reece Pia , Baatjes Adrian J. , Cyr Michael M. , Sehmi Roma , Denburg Judah A.
Published: January 2013

Eosinophils are multi‐functional leucocytes that play a role in inflammatory processes including allergy and infection. Although bone marrow (BM) inflammatory cells are the main source of eosinophil‐basophil (Eo/B) differentiation‐inducing cytokines, a recent role has been demonstrated for cytokine induction through Toll‐like receptor (TLR)‐mediated signalling in BM progenitors. Having previously demonstrated that cord blood (CB) progenitors induce Eo/B colony‐forming units (CFU) after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, we sought to investigate the intracellular mechanisms by which LPS induces Eo/B differentiation. Freshly isolated CD34‐enriched human CB cells were stimulated with LPS (and/or pharmacological inhibitors) and assessed for alterations in haematopoietic cytokine receptor expression and signalling pathways by flow cytometry, Eo/B CFU in methylcellulose cultures, and cytokine secretion using Luminex assays. The LPS stimulation resulted in a significant increase in granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF)‐responsive, as opposed to interleukin‐5‐responsive, Eo/B CFU, which also correlated with significant increases in CD34+ cell GM‐CSFRα expression. Functionally, CB CD34+ cells secrete abundant amounts of GM‐CSF following LPS stimulation, via a p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK)‐dependent mechanism; this secretion was responsible for Eo/B CFU formation ex vivo, as shown by antibody blockade. We show for the first time that LPS stimulation of CB progenitor cells results in autocrine activation of p38 MAPK‐dependent GM‐CSF secretion facilitating Eo/B differentiation ex vivo. This work provides evidence that early life exposure to products of bacterial agents can modulate Eo/B differentiation, representing a novel mechanism by which progenitor cells can respond to microbial stimuli and so affect immune and inflammatory responses.
Role of antisecretory agents for gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection
Authors: Fujishiro Mitsuhiro , Chiu Philip WY , Wang Hsui‐Po
Published: January 2013

Gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) causes artificial gastric ulcers and there is no consensus regarding the optimal perioperative management in terms of prevention of intra‐ or postoperative bleeding and promotion of healing. Traditionally, 8‐week administration of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) and mucosal protective agents were used in the same way as for peptic ulcer management. However, recent studies have revealed that prior use of PPI might reduce intraoperative bleeding or early‐phase postoperative bleeding, and combination of histamine‐2 receptor antagonist (H2RA), and second‐look endoscopy might have a similar effect on postoperative bleeding to PPI. Additionally, the advantage of PPI over H2RA is not proven and the optimal duration of PPI may be shortened until 2 weeks when the deteriorating factors for ESD ulcer are excluded. Furthermore, mucosal protective agents may facilitate ulcer healing. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal treatment protocol before and after ESD for both prevention of bleeding complication and promotion of ulcer healing, by using available antisecretory agents and mucosal protective agents.
Surveillance after endoscopic mucosal resection or endoscopic submucosal dissection for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Katada Chikatoshi , Muto Manabu , Tanabe Satoshi , Higuchi Katsuhiko , Sasaki Tohru , Azuma Mizutomo , Ishido Kenji , Masaki Takashi , Nakayama Meijin , Okamoto Makito , Koizumi Wasaburo
Published: January 2013

The objectives of surveillance after endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) or endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma are: (i) early detection and treatment of recurrence; and (ii) early detection and treatment of metachronous esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and second primary cancers. Protocols for follow up after EMR or ESD for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma should be based on the risks of lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis as assessed on the basis of tumor staging at initial treatment. Early detection of recurrence or metachronous carcinomas often allows curative or less invasive treatment. Particular attention should be paid to the development of metachronous esophageal squamous cell carcinomas and second primary cancers (in particular, head and neck cancer and gastric cancer because of their high incidence).
Higher extinction rates of dasyurids on Australo‐Papuan continental shelf islands and the zoogeography of New Guinea mammals
Authors: Lavery Tyrone H. , Fisher Diana O. , Flannery Tim F. , Leung Luke K.‐P.
Published: January 2013

Aim

Contemporary patterns of mammalian species richness on islands are influenced by well‐understood biogeographical variables. Whether or not mammalian orders differ in their rates of persistence, however, remains uncertain. Our aims were to assess the persistence of four mammalian orders on Australo‐Papuan continental shelf islands in relation to the faunas within adjacent zoogeographic provinces. We also aimed to define New Guinea's mammalian zoogeographic provinces quantitatively.

Location

New Guinea and 274 Australo‐Papuan continental shelf islands.

Methods

We compiled 4194 distributional records for 264 of New Guinea's native mammals. Records were allocated to existing mapped bioregions. We used cluster analysis to allocate bioregions to zoogeographic provinces. Using generalized linear models, we determined the persistence of insular mammals as proportions of the species present within adjacent zoogeographic provinces. Persistence rates were calculated for four major orders (Dasyuromorphia, Diprotodontia, Peramelemorphia and Rodentia).

Results

The classification dendrogram grouped New Guinea's bioregions into three areas corresponding to the Oceanic, Tumbanan and Austral provinces. In all but two zoogeographic provinces, the proportions of Dasyuromorphia persisting on islands were lower than other orders. Overall, species of Dasyuromorphia were much less likely to persist on Australo‐Papuan continental shelf islands.

Main conclusions

Unlike the other orders considered, dasyuromorphs are carnivorous and insectivorous and require large home ranges relative to body size. We suggest that the resulting low population densities might expose species in this order to higher rates of extinction on islands. Translocations of threatened mammals to predator‐free islands are common, but our results suggest that insurance populations of threatened dasyurids on small islands may be less secure than translocations of other taxa. Our results support calls for insurance populations of the rapidly declining dasyurid, the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), to be established on mainland Australia rather than on islands alone.
Psychiatric outcomes at age seven for very preterm children: rates and predictors
Authors: Treyvaud Karli , Ure Alexandra , Doyle Lex W , Lee Katherine J , Rogers Cynthia E , Kidokoro Hiroyuki , Inder Terrie E , Anderson Peter J
Published: January 2013

Background:  Uncertainty remains about the rate of specific psychiatric disorders and associated predictive factors for very preterm (VPT) children. The aims of this study were to document rates of psychiatric disorders in VPT children aged 7 years compared with term born children, and to examine potential predictive factors for psychiatric diagnoses in VPT children.

Methods:  Participants were 177 VPT and 65 term born children. Perinatal medical data were collected, which included brain abnormalities detected using magnetic resonance imaging. The Infant‐Toddler Social‐Emotional Assessment (ITSEA) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) were administered at 2 and 5 years respectively. At 7 years of age, the Developmental and Well‐being Assessment (DAWBA) was used to indicate psychiatric diagnoses.

Results:  Compared with term born children, VPT children had three times the odds of meeting criteria for any psychiatric diagnosis at age 7 years (odds ratio 3.03; 95% confidence interval 1.23, 7.47, p = .02). The most common diagnoses were anxiety disorders (11% VPT, 8% term), attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (10% VPT, 3% term) and autism spectrum disorder (4.5% VPT, 0% term). For VPT children, those with severe global brain abnormalities (p = .02), those who displayed social‐emotional problems at age 5 (p = .000) and those with higher social risk at age 7 (p = .001) were more likely to meet criteria for a psychiatric illness at age 7.

Conclusions:  Compared with term born children, VPT children have higher rates of psychiatric diagnoses at early school age, predicted by neonatal brain abnormalities, prior social‐emotional problems and social factors.
Description of Glaucomides bromelicola n. gen., n. sp. (Ciliophora, Tetrahymenida), a Macrostome Forming Inhabitant of Bromeliads (Bromeliaceae), Including Redescriptions of Glaucoma scintillans and G. reniformis
Authors: Foissner Wilhelm
Published: January 2013

Glaucomides bromelicola n. gen., n. sp. is a tetrahymenid ciliate common in tank bromeliads of Central and South America. The new genus is characterized by having a kinety fragment along the left mouth margin, an unciliated dorsolateral area, a tetrahymenid silverline pattern, and the ability to produce macrostomes when bacterial food is depleted. I provide a detailed description of the microstome and the macrostome morph, using several morphological methods. This showed that G. bromelicola does not belong to the Glaucomidae, but to the Bromeliophryidae. However, various morphological traits are highly similar to those of Glaucoma reniformis and G. scintillans, which are thus redescribed and compared with G. bromelicola. Most differences are inconspicuous, showing that new tetrahymenids must be described very carefully. The morphological and molecular data suggest a common ancestor for Glaucoma and Glaucomides, both performing their own radiation, the former in ordinary limnetic habitats, the latter in tank bromeliads.
Nanometres‐resolution Kikuchi patterns from materials science specimens with transmission electron forward scatter diffraction in the scanning electron microscope
Authors: BRODUSCH N. , DEMERS H. , GAUVIN R.
Published: January 2013

A charge‐coupled device camera of an electron backscattered diffraction system in a scanning electron microscope was positioned below a thin specimen and transmission Kikuchi patterns were collected. Contrary to electron backscattered diffraction, transmission electron forward scatter diffraction provides phase identification and orientation mapping at the nanoscale. The minimum Pd particle size for which a Kikuchi diffraction pattern was detected and indexed reliably was 5.6 nm. An orientation mapping resolution of 5 nm was measured at 30 kV. The resolution obtained with transmission electron forward scatter diffraction was of the same order of magnitude than that reported in electron nanodiffraction in the transmission electron microscope. An energy dispersive spectrometer X‐ray map and a transmission electron forward scatter diffraction orientation map were acquired simultaneously. The high‐resolution chemical, phase and orientation maps provided at once information on the chemical form, orientation and coherency of precipitates in an aluminium–lithium 2099 alloy.
Opportunity Evaluation as Rule‐Based Decision Making
Authors: Wood Matthew S. , Williams David W.
Published: January 2013

We draw from cognitive science literature on rule‐based thinking to develop and empirically test a theoretical framework of entrepreneurial opportunity evaluation. We argue that entrepreneurs make use of socially constructed rules to discern the attractiveness of an opportunity, for them, specifically. Using conjoint analysis data of 498 decisions made by 62 entrepreneurs, we find that entrepreneurs' use of rules regarding opportunity novelty, resource efficiency, and worst‐case scenario significantly influences entrepreneurs' evaluations of opportunities and that individual differences in opportunity market and technology knowledge augment the effect of the rules on opportunity attractiveness. Additionally, we document that the worst‐case scenario diminishes the positive effect of other rule criteria (e.g. novelty, resource efficiency) on opportunity evaluation and that market and technology knowledge further influence the negative effects of the worst‐case scenario.
Collaborative School‐Based Obesity Interventions: Lessons Learned From 6 Southern Districts
Authors: Jain Anjali , Langwith Casey
Published: January 2013

BACKGROUND

Although studies have shown that school‐based obesity interventions can be effective, little is known about how to translate and implement programs into real‐world school settings.

METHODS

Semistructured interviews were conducted in spring 2012 with 19 key informants who participated in a multifaceted childhood obesity intervention involving school nurses and wellness coordinators in 6 school districts and over 100 schools.

RESULTS

The intervention changed form according to the needs and interests of the school districts. Despite funding support, schools and nurses had little capacity to address childhood obesity without the help of the coordinator. Initiating programs at the beginning of the school year was particularly difficult for schools. Applying for grants from internal and external sources and assisting with planning and logistics for wellness activities were significant activities of the coordinator. Although some school personnel and families preferred a focus on wellness rather than obesity, those working with individual at‐risk children and families found the experience especially gratifying.

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast to controlled studies, real‐world implementation of obesity interventions in schools that are intended to create sustained change requires flexibility in intervention design, timing, and personnel. A single change agent focused on obesity‐related activities was essential to success.
Evidence for Heritability of Adult Men's Sexual Interest in Youth Under Age 16 from a Population-Based Extended Twin Design
Authors: Alanko Katarina , Salo Benny , Mokros Andreas , Santtila Pekka
Published: January 2013

Introduction

Sexual interest in children resembles sexual gender orientation in terms of early onset and stability across the life span. Although a genetic component to sexual interest in children seems possible, no research has addressed this question to date. Prior research showing familial transmission of pedophilia remains inconclusive about shared environmental or genetic factors. Studies from the domains of sexual orientation and sexually problematic behavior among children pointed toward genetic components. Adult men's sexual interest in youthfulness-related cues may be genetically influenced.

Aim

The aim of the present study was to test whether male sexual interest in children and youth under age 16 involves a heritable component.

Main Outcome Measures

The main outcome measure was responses in a confidential survey concerning sexual interest, fantasies, or activity pertaining to children under the age of 16 years during the previous 12 months.

Methods

The present study used an extended family design within behavioral genetic modeling to estimate the contributions of genetic and environmental factors in the occurrence of adult men's sexual interest in children and youth under age 16. Participants were male twins and their male siblings from a population-based Finnish cohort sample aged 21–43 years (N = 3,967).

Results

The incidence of sexual interest in children under age was 3%. Twin correlations were higher for monozygotic than for dizygotic twins. Behavioral genetic model fitting indicated that a model including genetic effects as well as nonshared environmental influences (including measurement error), but not common environmental influences, fits the data best. The amount of variance attributable to nonadditive genetic influences (heritability) was estimated at 14.6%.

Conclusions

The present study provides the first indication that genetic influences may play a role in shaping sexual interest toward children and adolescents among adult men. Compared with the variance attributable to nonshared environmental effects (plus measurement error), the contribution of any genetic factors seems comparatively weak. Future research should address the possible interplay of genetic with environmental risk factors, such as own sexual victimization in childhood.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: Women’s Sexual Concerns Unraveled
Authors: Roos Anne-Marie , Thakar Ranee , Sultan Abdul H. , Burger Curt W. , Paulus Aggie T.G.
Published: January 2013

Introduction

Sexual function of women suffering from pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and/or urinary incontinence (UI) is adversely affected. However, our current understanding of the exact relationship between female sexual dysfunction and POP and/or UI is incomplete. A qualitative study can improve our understanding by describing what women themselves perceive as the real problem.

Aim

To gain a more in-depth understanding of the impact of POP and/or UI on the different categories of female sexual dysfunction by way of a qualitative study.

Methods

Qualitative semistructured interviews were conducted in 37 women scheduled for pelvic floor surgery, and one was excluded from analysis due to incomplete recordings.

Main Outcome Measures

The impact of POP and/or UI on female sexual function.

Results

Only 17% of women were completely positive about their sex life. Both POP and UI had a negative effect on body image. Women with POP had a negative image of their vagina, which caused them to be insecure about their partner's sexual experience, while women with UI were embarrassed about their incontinence and pad use, and feared smelling of urine. Worries about the presence of POP during sexual activity, discomfort from POP, and reduced genital sensations were the most important reasons for decreased desire, arousal, and difficulty reaching an orgasm in women with POP. Fear of incontinence during intercourse affected desire, arousal, and orgasm and could be a cause for dyspareunia in women with UI. Desire was divided into two main elements: “drive” and “motivation.” Although “drive,” i.e., spontaneous sexual interest, was not commonly affected by POP and/or UI, a decrease in “motivation” or the willingness to engage in sexual activity was the most common sexual dysfunction mentioned.

Conclusions

Body image plays a key role in the sexual functioning of women with POP and/or UI with the biggest impact on women's “motivation.”
Diversity and evolutionary patterns of bacterial gut associates of corbiculate bees
Authors: Koch Hauke , Abrol Dharam P. , Li Jilian , Schmid‐Hempel Paul
Published: January 2013

The animal gut is a habitat for diverse communities of microorganisms (microbiota). Honeybees and bumblebees have recently been shown to harbour a distinct and species poor microbiota, which may confer protection against parasites. Here, we investigate diversity, host specificity and transmission mode of two of the most common, yet poorly known, gut bacteria of honeybees and bumblebees: Snodgrassella alvi (Betaproteobacteria) and Gilliamella apicola (Gammaproteobacteria). We analysed 16S rRNA gene sequences of these bacteria from diverse bee host species across most of the honeybee and bumblebee phylogenetic diversity from North America, Europe and Asia. These focal bacteria were present in 92% of bumblebee species and all honeybee species but were found to be absent in the two related corbiculate bee tribes, the stingless bees (Meliponini) and orchid bees (Euglossini). Both Snodgrassella alvi and Gilliamella apicola phylogenies show significant topological congruence with the phylogeny of their bee hosts, albeit with a considerable degree of putative host switches. Furthermore, we found that phylogenetic distances between Gilliamella apicola samples correlated with the geographical distance between sampling locations. This tentatively suggests that the environmental transmission rate, as set by geographical distance, affects the distribution of G. apicola infections. We show experimentally that both bacterial taxa can be vertically transmitted from the mother colony to daughter queens, and social contact with nest mates after emergence from the pupa greatly facilitates this transmission. Therefore, sociality may play an important role in vertical transmission and opens up the potential for co‐evolution or at least a close association of gut bacteria with their hosts.
Recent trends in resistance to cell envelope–active antibacterial agents among key bacterial pathogens
Authors: Master Ronald N. , Deane Jennifer , Opiela Carol , Sahm Daniel F.
Published: January 2013

Cell envelope–active agents, particularly β‐lactams, play a pivotal role in the treatment of bacterial infections and the extent to which their activity is affected by the emergence of multidrug‐resistant organisms is of concern. We analyzed the Surveillance Network (TSN) database to evaluate resistant trends for key cell envelope–active drugs among ESKAPE pathogens. Analysis demonstrated that the activity of these drugs has been notably influenced by the emergence of multidrug resistance; this was especially evident for the β‐lactam drugs. For example, Acinetobacter baumannii resistance to imipenem increased from 23.9% to 34.3%, and resistance to piperacillin–tazobactam increased from 37.0% to 49.7% between 2007 and 2011. During the same time period Klebsiella pneumoniae resistance to imipenem increased from 0.8% to 3.8%. As β‐lactams are a cornerstone of anti‐infective therapy, it is important to closely monitor the activity of the agents being used today and to aggressively pursue new strategies that can augment current drugs and thwart ever‐emerging β‐lactam resistance mechanisms that are continuously encountered.
Time course of the effects of orthokeratology on peripheral refraction and corneal topography
Authors: Kang Pauline , Swarbrick Helen
Published: January 2013

Purpose

To describe the time course of changes in both peripheral refraction and corneal topography in myopic adults wearing myopic orthokeratology (OK) lenses.

Methods

Nineteen adult myopes were fitted with OK lenses in both eyes for overnight wear. Central and peripheral refraction and corneal topography were measured along the horizontal meridian at baseline and after 1, 4, 7 and 14 nights of lens wear.

Results

At baseline, refraction was myopic at all positions along the horizontal meridian. Two weeks of OK lens wear caused a significant change in refraction where the general trend was a hyperopic shift in spherical equivalent (M) except at 35° in the nasal visual field where there was instead a myopic shift in M. The most significant change in M occurred between baseline and after 1 night of OK lens wear and the effect became less dramatic across subsequent days of OK treatment. Similarly, OK caused significant change in corneal refractive power at all positions along the horizontal corneal chord. There was a reduction in corneal power or flattening of the cornea at all positions except at 2.4 mm and 2.8 mm on the nasal cornea where there was an increase in corneal refractive power or steepening of the cornea. This change was most apparent after 1 night of OK lens wear and, similar to changes in peripheral refraction, changes in corneal refractive power on subsequent days of OK treatment became less marked.

Conclusions

Orthokeratology caused significant changes in both peripheral refraction and corneal topography. The greatest change in refraction and corneal refractive power across the horizontal corneal meridian occurred during the first night of OK lens wear. Subsequent changes in both peripheral refraction and corneal topography were less dramatic, in the same manner as reported changes in apical radius and central refraction after OK. This study confirms that with OK treatment, the peripheral retina experiences myopic defocus, which is conjectured to underlie the observed slowing of myopia progression.
Selling the War? System‐Justifying Effects of Commercial Advertising on Civilian Casualty Tolerance
Authors: Friedman Ronald S. , Sutton Bárbara
Published: January 2013

In times of war, news media coverage of the plight of civilian casualties plays a critical role in shaping attitudes regarding war's human costs. We proposed that these attitudes may also be surreptitiously influenced by the commercial advertisements that often accompany this coverage. Specifically, we hypothesized that when newspaper articles pertaining to civilian victims of war are flanked by luxury ads, conservatives, relative to liberals, will subsequently exhibit less concern for these victims. This proposition was based on the notion that commercial ads, particularly those promoting luxury items, make salient the gap between the “haves” and the “have‐nots” and thereby, at least implicitly, threaten the legitimacy of the current socioeconomic system. Drawing upon system justification theory, we posited that this threat would lead individuals with stronger system‐justification tendencies (conservatives), relative to those more open to challenging the current system (liberals), to show greater tolerance for civilian war casualties in order to defend the system's integrity. Evidence consistent with this hypothesis was found in a quasi‐experimental study (n = 329).
Positive Social Pressure and Prosocial Motivation: Evidence from a Large‐Scale Field Experiment on Voter Mobilization
Authors: Panagopoulos Costas
Published: January 2013

Political scientists are increasingly exploring the psychological underpinnings of voting behavior using field experimental techniques. Research in psychology demonstrates that positive reinforcement—what I describe as positive social pressure—motivates prosocial behavior. A distinctive feature of the current study is the focus on key subgroups of voters, namely unmarried women and minorities. Attention to these voter subgroups allows us to build upon findings reported in previous studies that leave questions about the generalizability of the reported effects of positive social pressure to key demographic subgroups of voters largely unanswered. This article reports the results of a large‐scale randomized field experiment designed to investigate the impact of positive social pressure on voter turnout. The experiment was conducted during the November 2009 gubernatorial election in New Jersey, and the results suggest positive social pressure mobilizes voters. Moreover, the effects appear to be robust across subgroups of voters, including minorities and unmarried women, and both lower‐ and higher‐propensity voters.
Effect of flooding on the survival of Leptosphaeria spp. in canola stubble
Authors: Peluola C. , Fernando W. G. D. , Huvenaars C. , Kutcher H. R. , Lahlali R. , Peng G.
Published: January 2013

This study used a versatile temperature‐control device to assess the effect of temperature (12–40°C) and duration (2–12 weeks) of flooding on the survival of Leptosphaeria spp. in canola (Brassica napus) stubble. Canola basal stems with blackleg symptoms were submerged in water in small glass jars containing 20 cm3 soil on a thermogradient plate capable of simultaneously maintaining up to 96 independent temperature regimes. Flooded stems were sampled at 2‐week intervals, surface‐sterilized, and incubated on V8‐juice agar for 10 days to recover the pathogen. Flooding for 2 weeks substantially reduced pathogen recovery relative to non‐flooded controls and the pathogen was not recovered after 6 weeks of flooding, irrespective of temperature. The pathogen was eliminated slightly more rapidly at flooding temperatures >20°C than at 12–16°C. There was no difference between Leptosphaeria maculans and L. biglobosa in their ability to survive flooding. Stem tissues degraded most rapidly during the first 2 weeks of flooding, corresponding to a quick decline in pathogen survival during the same period. These results indicate that a paddy rice crop following winter rapeseed may minimize the impact of blackleg by eradicating the inoculum of Leptosphaeria spp. in stubble.
Detection of microdoses of rhEPO with the MAIIA test
Authors: Mørkeberg J. , Sharpe K. , Karstoft K. , Ashenden M. J.
Published: January 2013

The detection of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) is difficult and becomes more challenging when only microdoses are administered intravenously. Twenty‐three subjects were divided into two groups: EPO group (n = 7) and CONTROL group (n = 16). Seven urine and blood samples per subject were collected at least 5 days apart to determine within‐ and between‐subject standard deviations in the percentage of migrating isoforms by the MAIIA test. Six injections of 50 IU/kg bw (boosting dosage) of epoetin beta (Neorecormon, Roche Diagnostics, Hvidovre, Denmark) were performed intravenously during a 3‐week period, followed by two microinjections of only 10 IU/kg bw. Blood and urine samples were collected 2, 6, 12, and 72 h after the microinjection, as well as 72 h after the last boosting dose. Sensitivities and specificities of the MAIIA test were examined by absolute and passport thresholds. Sensitivity was 100% for at least 12 h after the microinjection, with ∼30% of plasma samples still exceeding the 99.9% passport threshold 72 h after a microinjection. The specificity was higher for the passport approach compared to the absolute approach, but there were no differences in sensitivities between approaches or between specimens (urine and plasma). We conclude that the MAIIA test shows potential for detecting very small doses of rhEPO.
OsORC3 is required for lateral root development in rice
Authors: Chen Xinai , Shi Jing , Hao Xi , Liu Huili , Shi Jianghua , Wu Yunrong , Wu Zhongchang , Chen Mingxiu , Wu Ping , Mao Chuanzao
Published: January 2013

The origin recognition complex (ORC) is a pivotal element in DNA replication, heterochromatin assembly, checkpoint regulation and chromosome assembly. Although the functions of the ORC have been determined in yeast and model animals, they remain largely unknown in the plant kingdom. In this study, Oryza sativa Origin Recognition Complex subunit 3 (OsORC3) was cloned using map‐based cloning procedures, and functionally characterized using a rice (Oryza sativa) orc3 mutant. The mutant showed a temperature‐dependent defect in lateral root (LR) development. Map‐based cloning showed that a G→A mutation in the 9th exon of OsORC3 was responsible for the mutant phenotype. OsORC3 was strongly expressed in regions of active cell proliferation, including the primary root tip, stem base, lateral root primordium, emerged lateral root primordium, lateral root tip, young shoot, anther and ovary. OsORC3 knockdown plants lacked lateral roots and had a dwarf phenotype. The root meristematic zone of ORC3 knockdown plants exhibited increased cell death and reduced vital activity compared to the wild‐type. CYCB1;1::GUS activity and methylene blue staining showed that lateral root primordia initiated normally in the orc3 mutant, but stopped growing before formation of the stele and ground tissue. Our results indicate that OsORC3 plays a crucial role in the emergence of lateral root primordia.
RalA GTPase Tethers Insulin Granules to L‐ and R‐Type Calcium Channels Through Binding α2δ‐1 Subunit
Authors: Xie Li , Kang Youhou , Liang Tao , Dolai Subhankar , Xie Huanli , Parsaud Leon , Lopez Jamie A. , He Yu , Chidambaram Subbulakshmi , Lam Patrick P. , James David E. , Sugita Shuzo , Gaisano Herbert Y.
Published: January 2013

RalA GTPase has been implicated in the regulated delivery of exocytotic vesicles to the plasma membrane (PM) in mammalian cells. We had reported that RalA regulates biphasic insulin secretion, which we have now determined to be contributed by RalA direct interaction with voltage‐gated calcium (Cav) channels. RalA knockdown (KD) in INS‐1 cells and primary rat β‐cells resulted in a reduction in Ca2+ currents arising specifically from L‐(Cav1.2 and Cav1.3) and R‐type (Cav2.3) Ca2+ channels. Restoration of RalA expression in RalA KD cells rescued these defects in Ca2+ currents. RalA co‐immunoprecipitated with the Cavα2δ‐1 auxiliary subunit known to bind the three Cavs. Moreover, the functional molecular interactions between Cavα2δ‐1 and RalA on the PM shown by total internal reflection fluorescent microscopy/FRET analysis could be induced by glucose stimulation. KD of RalA inhibited trafficking of α2δ‐1 to insulin granules without affecting the localization of the other Cav subunits. Furthermore, we confirmed that RalA and α2δ‐1 functionally interact since RalA KD‐induced inhibition of Cav currents could not be recovered by RalA when α2δ‐1 was simultaneously knocked down. These data provide a mechanism for RalA function in insulin secretion, whereby RalA binds α2δ‐1 on insulin granules to tether these granules to PM Ca2+ channels. This acts as a chaperoning step prior to and in preparation for sequential assembly of exocyst and excitosome complexes that mediate biphasic insulin secretion.
Instability in Stratified Shear Flow: Review of a Physical Interpretation Based on Interacting Waves
Authors: Carpenter Jeffrey R. , Tedford Edmund W. , Heifetz Eyal , Lawrence Gregory A.
Published: January 2013

Instability in homogeneous and density stratified shear flows may be interpreted in terms of the interaction of two (or more) otherwise free waves in the velocity and density profiles. These waves exist on gradients of vorticity and density, and instability results when two fundamental conditions are satisfied: (I) the phase speeds of the waves are stationary with respect to each other (“phase-locking“), and (II) the relative phase of the waves is such that a mutual growth occurs. The advantage of the wave interaction approach is that it provides a physical interpretation to shear flow instability. This paper is largely intended to purvey the basics of this physical interpretation to the reader, while both reviewing and consolidating previous work on the topic. The interpretation is shown to provide a framework for understanding many classical and nonintuitive results from the stability of stratified shear flows, such as the Rayleigh and Fjørtoft theorems, and the destabilizing effect of an otherwise stable density stratification. Finally, we describe an application of the theory to a geophysical-scale flow in the Fraser River estuary.
Analysis of Electrolytic Flow Effects in Micro-Electrochemical Grinding
Authors: Sapre Prasanna , Mall Ashish , Joshi Suhas S.
Published: January 2013

Electrochemical grinding (ECG) at macrolevel and microlevel finds increasing use in medical device manufacturing industry. To enhance application of micro-ECG, a comprehensive study of the role electrolyte flow in the formation of hydroxide layer on a workpiece due to electrochemical dissolution, and its removal due to abrasion by a grinding wheel, and erosion by an electrolyte flow has been conducted. Specifically, this paper presents modeling and experimental analysis of turbulent flow in the interelectrode gap (IEG) in the micro-ECG to predict shear stresses at the workpiece boundary. It was found that the shearing forces on the hydroxide layer increase with an increase in electrolyte flow velocity but are halved when the IEG is doubled. Besides elucidating the process mechanism, the theoretical values of forces and metal removal rate (MRR) have been validated experimentally.
Inferring the Size Distribution of 3D Particle Clusters in Metal Matrix Nanocomposites
Authors: Liu Heping , Zhou Shiyu , Li Xiaochun
Published: January 2013

Metal matrix nanocomposites (MMNCs) are produced by dispersing reinforcing nanoparticles into metal matrix. It is a type of emerging materials with high strength and light weight and draws significant attentions in recent years. If the particles are not well dispersed, they will form particle clusters in the metal matrix. These clusters will detrimentally impact on the final quality of MMNCs. This paper proposes a statistical approach to estimating the parameters of the size distribution of clusters in MMNCs. One critical challenge is that the clusters are distributed in a three-dimensional (3D) space, while the observations we have are two-dimensional (2D) cross-section microscopic images of these clusters. In the proposed approach, we first derived the probability distribution of the observed sizes of the 2D cross sections of the clusters and then a maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) method is developed to estimate the 3D cluster size distribution. Computational efficient algorithms are also established to make computational load manageable. The case studies based on simulation and real observed data are conducted, which demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Corralling Positively Charged Molecular Radicals
Authors: Benniston Andrew
Published: January 2013

Linked organic rings can form highly charged molecular and radical ions with unusual stability.

[Also see Report by

Barnes
et al.

]
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Using Recombinant SAG1 Antigen To Detect Toxoplasma gondii-Specific Immunoglobulin G Antibodies in Human Sera and Saliva
Authors: Chahed Bel-Ochi Nouha , Bouratbine Aïda , Mousli Mohamed
Published: January 2013

Serologic detection ofToxoplasma gondiiIgG antibodies is widely accepted as a means to determine immune status and susceptibility toToxoplasmainfection during pregnancy. However, current commercial kits present some drawbacks, such as a requirement for whole-parasite antigen preparation or interassay variability. To address these problems, the purpose of this study was to produce a whole sequence of the recombinantT. gondiiSAG1 antigen (rSAG1) to assess its diagnostic performance inToxoplasmaIgG screening and to explore a saliva-based method as a noninvasive alternative to serum-based testing. rSAG1 was expressed in recombinant bacteria as inclusion bodies, purified through one-step affinity chromatography, and refolded in native form by dialysis. A large amount was obtained, and the specific antigen immunoreactivity was confirmed by immunoblotting. Two rSAG1-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) applied to paired serum and saliva samples were designed. The rSAG1-based ELISA evaluation consisted of testing intrinsic sensitivity and specificity of 49 serum samples from patients immune to toxoplasmosis and 42 serum samples from nonimmune controls identified by routinely used kits. To assess agreement between serum-based and saliva-based tests, the positive percent agreement (PPA) and negative percent agreement (NPA) between the 2 tests were estimated. The rSAG1 serum-based ELISA detected specific IgG with 100% sensitivity and specificity. The PPA and NPA between the serum-based and saliva-based tests varied according to the selected optical density threshold in saliva. Thus, for a selected cutoff of 0.14, the PPA was 100% and the NPA was 88.1%, whereas for a selected cutoff of 0.29, the PPA was 67.3% and the NPA was 100%.