bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How do cephalopods become available to seabirds: can fish gut contents from tuna fishing vessels be a major food source of deep-dwelling cephalopods?
Authors: Xavier José C. , Cherel Yves , Roberts Jim , Piatkowski Uwe
Published: October 2012

Xavier, J. C., Cherel, Y., Roberts, J., and Piatkowski, U. 2013. How do cephalopods become available to seabirds: can fish gut contents from tuna fishing vessels be a major food source of deep-dwelling cephalopods? – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 70:46–49. Cephalopods are important prey for numerous seabird species. However, the physical mechanisms by which cephalopods (particularly species considered as deep-dwelling) become available to seabirds are poorly understood, and it has recently been suggested that the discarded stomachs of gutted fish captured by tuna longliners can be a major source of deep-dwelling species. Here, we identify some deep-dwelling cephalopods that appear in the diet of seabirds, review the current knowledge of their vertical distribution, and compare the stomach contents of commercially captured tuna with those of seabirds foraging in the same area. The limited available information leads us to conclude that tuna longliners are unlikely to be a major source of deep-dwelling cephalopods for seabirds. However, much more information is required on the ecology of seabird prey, particularly commercially unexploited cephalopod species, which may be obtained from scientific cruises devoted to cephalopod biological research. In addition multispecies/foodweb modelling studies may be required to explore potential interactions between seabirds, their predators and prey, and commercial fishing operations.
EMBYRONAL CARCINOMA OF TESTIS METASTATIC TO CILIARY BODY PRESENTING AS SPONTANEOUS HYPHEMA AND PAINFUL SECONDARY GLAUCOMA
Authors: Valent David J. , Augsburger James J. , Corrêa Zélia M.
Published: October 2012

Purpose:

To report a rare presentation of metastatic testicular cancer to the uvea.

Methods:

Observational case report.

Results:

A 24-year-old man without known systemic illness presented with acute total loss of vision and severe pain in his left eye and associated nausea, anorexia, and dehydration. He was found to have a total hyphema, high intraocular pressure, and a ciliary body mass (by computed tomography scan and ultrasound biomicroscopy). The affected eye was enucleated, and pathologic study showed a hemorrhagic poorly differentiated neoplasm of the ciliary body. Subsequent patient evaluation revealed a primary testicular embryonal carcinoma with widespread metastasis.

Conclusion:

This case represents the first report of a metastasis from a testicular carcinoma to the ciliary body and the first tumor of this type to be associated with spontaneous hyphema.
Suppression of CD8+ T-cell recognition in the immediate-early phase of human cytomegalovirus infection
Authors: Hesse Julia , Ameres Stefanie , Besold Katrin , Krauter Steffi , Moosmann Andreas , Plachter Bodo
Published: October 2012

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) interferes with MHC class I-restricted antigen presentation and thereby reduces recognition by CD8+ T-cells. This interference is mediated primarily by endoplasmic reticulum-resident glycoproteins that are encoded in the US2–11 region of the viral genome. Such a suppression of recognition would be of particular importance immediately after infection, because several immunodominant viral antigens are already present in the cell in this phase. However, which of the evasion proteins gpUS2–11 interfere(s) with antigen presentation to CD8+ T-cells at this time of infection is not known. Here we address this question, using recombinant viruses (RV) that express only one of the immunoevasins gpUS2, gpUS3 or gpUS11. Infection with RV-US3 had only a limited impact on the presentation of peptides from the CD8+ T-cell antigens IE1 and pp65 under immediate-early (IE) conditions imposed by cycloheximide/actinomycin D blocking. Unexpectedly, both RV-US2 and RV-US11 considerably impaired the recognition of IE1 and pp65 by CD8+ T-cells, and both US2 and, to a lesser extent, US11 were transcribed under IE conditions. Thus, gpUS2 and gpUS11 are key effectors of MHC class I immunoevasion immediately after HCMV infection.
Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus contrasts with encephalomyocarditis and foot-and-mouth disease viruses in its functional utilization of the StopGo non-standard translation mechanism
Authors: Loughran G. , Libbey J. E. , Uddowla S. , Scallan M. F. , Ryan M. D. , Fujinami R. S. , Rieder E. , Atkins J. F.
Published: October 2012

The picornaviruses’ genome consists of a positive-sense ssRNA. Like many picornaviruses, cardioviruses synthesize two distinct polyprotein precursors from adjacent but non-overlapping genome segments. Both the [L-1ABCD-2A] and the [2BC-3ABCD] polyproteins are proteolytically processed to yield mature capsid and non-structural proteins, respectively. An unusual translational event, known as ‘StopGo’ or ‘Stop-Carry on’, is responsible for the release of the [L-1ABCD-2A] polyprotein from the ribosome and synthesis of the N-terminal amino acid of the [2BC-3ABCD] polyprotein. A common feature of these viruses is the presence of a highly conserved signature sequence for StopGo: –D(V/I)ExNPG↓P–, where –D(V/I)ExNPG are the last 7 aa of 2A, and the last P- is the first amino acid of 2B. Here, we report that, in contrast to encephalomyocarditis virus and foot-and-mouth disease virus, a functional StopGo does not appear to be essential for Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus viability when tested in vitro and in vivo.
Interspecies protein substitution to investigate the role of the lyssavirus glycoprotein
Authors: Marston Denise A. , McElhinney Lorraine M. , Banyard Ashley C. , Horton Daniel L. , Núñez Alejandro , Koser Martin L. , Schnell Matthias J. , Fooks Anthony R.
Published: October 2012

European bat lyssaviruses type 1 (EBLV-1) and type 2 (EBLV-2) circulate within bat populations throughout Europe and are capable of causing disease indistinguishable from that caused by classical rabies virus (RABV). However, the determinants of viral fitness and pathogenicity are poorly understood. Full-length genome clones based on the highly attenuated, non-neuroinvasive, RABV vaccine strain (SAD-B19) were constructed with the glycoprotein (G) of either SAD-B19 (SN), of EBLV-1 (SN-1) or EBLV-2 (SN-2). In vitro characterization of SN-1 and SN-2 in comparison to wild-type EBLVs demonstrated that the substitution of G affected the final virus titre and antigenicity. In vivo, following peripheral infection with a high viral dose (104 f.f.u.), animals infected with SN-1 had reduced survivorship relative to infection with SN, resulting in survivorship similar to animals infected with EBLV-1. The histopathological changes and antigen distribution observed for SN-1 were more representative of those observed with SN than with EBLV-1. EBLV-2 was unable to achieve a titre equivalent to that of the other viruses. Therefore, a reduced-dose experiment (103 f.f.u.) was undertaken in vivo to compare EBLV-2 and SN-2, which resulted in 100 % survivorship for all recombinant viruses (SN, SN-1 and SN-2) while clinical disease developed in mice infected with the EBLVs. These data indicate that interspecies replacement of G has an effect on virus titre in vitro, probably as a result of suboptimal G–matrix protein interactions, and influences the survival outcome following a peripheral challenge with a high virus titre in mice.
[Nle3,d‐Phe6]‐γ2‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone possesses the renal excretory but not the cardiovascular actions of the native γ2‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone in anaesthetized rats
Authors: Cope Georgina , Flanagan Evelyn T , Houghton Belinda L , Walsh Sarah A , Johns Edward J , Healy Vincent
Published: October 2012

The present study compared the cardiovascular and renal actions of γ2‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (γ2MSH) with those of the synthetic analogue [Nle3,d‐Phe6]‐γ2MSH (NDP‐γ2MSH) and explored the effects of high dietary salt intake on the renal actions of NDP‐γ2MSH.

Both peptides were infused systemically (3–1000 nmol/kg) and intrarenally (500 fmol/min) into innervated and renally denervated rats fed either a normal (0.4% NaCl) or high‐salt (4% NaCl; HS) diet. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), urinary sodium excretion (UNaV), urinary output (UV) and fractional sodium excretion were determined, as was expression of the melanocortin MC3 receptor in inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) epithelial cells.

Both renal and systemic infusion of γ2MSH increased MAP by 23 ± 2% and 54 ± 4%, respectively, but equivalent doses of NDP‐γ2MSH had no significant pressor effects. Both peptides had similar natriuretic and diuretic effects in rats fed a normal salt diet. However, NDP‐γ2MSH increased UNaV and UV by two‐ to threefold in rats fed the normal salt diet and by six‐ to sevenfold in rats fed the HS diet. Furthermore, NDP‐γ2MSH induced a 3.5‐fold increase in GFR only in rats fed the HS diet. These renal effects of NDP‐γ2MSH were not abolished by prior renal denervation. Rats fed the HS diet also exhibited a 4.5‐fold increase in MC3 receptor expression in IMCD epithelial cells.

Intrarenal infusion of NDP‐γ2MSH induced the natriuretic but not the cardiovascular effects exhibited by γ2MSH. The renal activities may be attributed to a direct binding of NDP‐γ2MSH to MC3 receptors expressed in IMCD cells, leading to a potent natriuretic effect that is independent of renal innervation.
Modified coat protein forms the flexible spindle‐shaped virion of haloarchaeal virus His1
Authors: Pietilä Maija K. , Atanasova Nina S. , Oksanen Hanna M. , Bamford Dennis H.
Published: October 2012

Extremophiles are found in all three domains of cellular life. However, hyperthermic and hypersaline environments are typically dominated by archaeal cells which also hold the records for the highest growth temperature and are able to grow even at saturated salinity. Hypersaline environments are rich of virus‐like particles, and spindle‐shaped virions resembling lemons are one of the most abundant virus morphotypes. Spindle‐shaped viruses are archaea‐specific as all the about 15 such virus isolates infect either hyperthermophilic or halophilic archaea. In the present work, we studied spindle‐shaped virus His1 infecting an extremely halophilic euryarchaeon, Haloarcula hispanica. We demonstrate that His1 tolerates a variety of salinities, even lower than that of seawater. The detailed analysis of the structural constituents showed that the His1 virion is composed of only one major and a few minor structural proteins. There is no lipid bilayer in the His1 virion but the major structural protein VP21 is most likely lipid modified. VP21 forms the virion capsid, and the lipid modification probably enables hydrophobic interactions leading to the flexible nature of the virion. Furthermore, we propose that euryarchaeal virus His1 may be related to crenarchaeal fuselloviruses, and that the short‐tailed spindle‐shaped viruses could form a structure‐based viral lineage.
PillCam colon capsule endoscopy versus conventional colonoscopy for the detection of severity and extent of ulcerative colitis
Authors: Ye Chen An , Gao Yun Jie , Ge Zhi Zheng , Dai Jun , Li Xiao Bo , Xue Han Bing , Ran Zhi Hua , Zhao Yun Jia
Published: October 2012

Objective

To evaluate PillCam colon capsule endoscopy (PCCE) in detecting the severity and extent of active ulcerative colitis (UC), in comparison with conventional endoscopy.

Methods

From July 2009 to June 2012, patients with confirmed UC were enrolled in this prospective single‐center study. After they had undergone the PCCE, they received a conventional colonoscopy. The extent of mucosal damage and inflammatory lesions during both procedures was recorded for comparison. In addition, the regimen of bowel preparation, completion rate, colonic cleansing, compliance or adverse events were analyzed.

Results

A total of 26 patients was consecutively included, among whom one was withdrawn. The remaining 25 (nine females and 16 males with a mean age of 44.2 years) completed the study. There was significant correlation in the severity (κ = 0.751, P < 0.001) and extent (κ = 0.522, P < 0.001) of UC between the PCCE and conventional colonoscopy. In addition, the excellent to good rate of colonic cleanliness in PCCE was 80%. There were no remarkable adverse events during the study.

Conclusion

PCCE provides an outstanding performance in the detection of the severity and extent of active UC.
The anti‐viral effect of sorafenib in hepatitis C‐related hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Cabrera R. , Limaye A. R. , Horne P. , Mills R. , Soldevila‐Pico C. , Clark V. , Morelli G. , Firpi R. , Nelson D. R.
Published: October 2012

Background

Sorafenib is currently the only approved systemic therapy shown to have efficacy in the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recent studies suggest that hepatitis C (HCV)‐related HCC patients derive more clinical benefit from sorafenib than other subgroups, but the mechanism for this effect is unknown. In vitro data suggest that sorafenib may exert anti‐viral properties, and thus our aim in this study was to evaluate potential anti‐viral activity of sorafenib in patients with HCV‐related HCC.

Aim

To evaluate potential anti‐viral activity of sorafenib in patients with HCV‐related HCC.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled patients with HCV‐related HCC treated with sorafenib for up to 6 months. Baseline clinical, viral and oncologic data were collected. Patients' HCV viral loads were obtained at various time points, and compared with their baseline viral levels. No patients received any known anti‐viral therapy during this time.

Results

Thirty‐three patients were identified with baseline and subsequent HCV levels available for analysis. Six patients completed 6 months of full dose sorafenib, and comparisons of their HCV viral loads showed no significant change at week 24 (difference of means = 0.3500, CI: −0.1799–0.8799, P = 0.150), or the interim time points. Similarly, the HCV viral loads of all patients who received sorafenib and the viral loads of those patients who had tumour response to sorafenib showed no significant changes at any time point.

Conclusion

Despite preclinical data and previous subgroup analyses suggesting that sorafenib has an anti‐viral effect against HCV, this study suggests that sorafenib lacks significant anti‐viral activity in HCV patients with HCC.
Rifaximin in the treatment of recurrent Clostridium difficile infection
Authors: Mattila E. , Arkkila P. , Mattila P. S. , Tarkka E. , Tissari P. , Anttila V.‐J.
Published: October 2012

Background

Clostridium difficile can cause severe antibiotic‐associated colitis. Conventional treatments with metronidazole and vancomycin improve symptoms, but after discontinuation of treatment, C. difficile infection (CDI) recurs in a number of patients. Rifaximin is a rifamycin‐based non‐systemic antibiotic that has effect against C. difficile.

Aim

To assess the effectiveness of rifaximin in recurrent C. difficile infection.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated the records of 32 patients who were treated with rifaximin for recurrent C. difficile infection. The symptoms were evaluated 12 weeks after the start of treatment and patient records were followed up until 1 year after treatment.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 55 years (median 64, range: 19–84 years). Before the initiation of rifaximin therapy, the patients had undergone, on the average, 4.4 (range: 2–12) antimicrobial courses for C. difficile infection. C. difficile strain typing was performed in 27 patients. Eight (30%) patients had a strain with a DNA profile compatible with the BI/NAP1/027 ribotype. Antibiotic susceptibilities were determined of isolates from 22 patients. Most isolates (68%) had very low MIC‐values for rifampin (<0.002 μg/mL) and the highest MIC value was 3.0 μg/mL. Isolates with a DNA profile compatible with the BI/NAP1/027 ribotype had, on the average, higher MICs of rifampin. After 12 weeks 17 (53%) patients had no relapse. The MIC value of rifampin seemed to predict the response to rifaximin treatment.

Conclusions

Rifaximin is a safe treatment for C. difficile infection. It has a reasonable effect in C. difficile infection and it can be considered as an optional treatment for recurrent C. difficile infection.
An Event‐Related Potential Study of Adolescents' and Young Adults' Judgments of Moral and Social Conventional Violations
Authors: Lahat Ayelet , Helwig Charles C. , Zelazo Philip David
Published: October 2012

The neurocognitive development of moral and conventional judgments was examined. Event‐related potentials were recorded while 24 adolescents (13 years) and 30 young adults (20 years) read scenarios with 1 of 3 endings: moral violations, conventional violations, or neutral acts. Participants judged whether the act was acceptable or unacceptable when a rule was assumed or removed. Across age, reaction times were faster for moral than conventional violations when a rule was assumed. Adolescents had larger N2 amplitudes than adults for moral and neutral, but not conventional, acts. N2 amplitudes were larger when a rule was removed than assumed for moral, but not conventional, violations. These findings suggest that the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying moral and conventional judgments continue to develop beyond early adolescence.
Young Children's Response Tendencies Toward Yes–No Questions Concerning Actions
Authors: Heather Fritzley V. , Lindsay Rod C. L. , Lee Kang
Published: October 2012

Two experiments investigated response tendencies of preschoolers toward yes–no questions about actions. Two hundred 2‐ to 5‐year‐old children were asked questions concerning actions commonly associated with particular objects (e.g., drinking from a cup) and actions not commonly associated with particular objects (e.g., kicking a toothbrush). The impact of delay and comprehension of questions were also investigated. Results revealed a consistent developmental transition: Younger children tended to display a yes bias whereas older children did not display a bias unless they faced incomprehensible questions, in which case they displayed a nay‐saying bias. Delay shifted children's responses in such a way that “no” answers were given more often. These findings hold important implications regarding the use of yes–no questions with children.
Increased urinary aldosterone excretion is associated with subcutaneous not visceral, adipose tissue area in obese individuals: a possible manifestation of dysfunctional subcutaneous adipose tissue
Authors: Harada Eisaku , Mizuno Yuji , Katoh Daisuke , Kashiwagi Yusuke , Morita Sumio , Nakayama Yoshiharu , Yoshimura Michihiro , Masuzaki Hiroaki , Saito Yoshihiko , Yasue Hirofumi
Published: October 2012

Background

Aldosterone is reported to be associated with obesity and is a risk factor for metabolic syndrome. Metabolic abnormalities are more strongly associated with visceral adipose tissue (VAT) than with subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT).

Objective

We examined whether aldosterone is more closely associated with VAT area than with SAT area in obese individuals.

Methods

We enrolled 81 Japanese patients (46 men, mean age 43 ± 13 years and 35 women, mean age 53 ± 10 years) suspected of metabolic disorders and measured plasma and 24‐h urinary aldosterone, as well as SAT and VAT areas. SAT and VAT areas were measured at the umbilical level by computed tomography.

Results

Spearman's rank correlation analysis showed that urinary aldosterone was significantly and positively correlated with body mass index, waist circumference, SAT area, alanine aminotransferase, C‐reactive protein, plasma immune‐reactive insulin, plasma renin activity and estimated glomerular filtration rate, and negatively correlated with age and blood glucose. Urinary aldosterone was not correlated with VAT area (r = 0·013, P = 0·906). Multivariate regression analyses revealed that log SAT area, age and diastolic blood pressure were significant (P = 0·001, 0·001 and 0·032, respectively) predictors of log urinary aldosterone excretion rate.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that urinary aldosterone excretion is positively associated with SAT but not with VAT area in the middle‐aged obese individuals.Urinary aldosterone is also negatively correlated with age.
Postprandial cardiac autonomic function in Prader–Willi syndrome
Authors: Purtell Louise , Jenkins Arthur , Viardot Alexander , Herzog Herbert , Sainsbury Amanda , Smith Arabella , Loughnan Georgina , Steinbeck Katharine , Campbell Lesley V , Sze Lisa
Published: October 2012

Context

Individuals with Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) have a high cardiovascular risk, the mechanism of which is unclear. There may be dysfunction in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in PWS.

Objective

To measure, as indicators of cardiac autonomic function, postprandial heart rate variability (HRV) and arterial stiffness in adults with PWS.

Methods

Ten adults with PWS were compared with 11 matched healthy obese subjects and 9 healthy lean subjects. Electrocardiographic traces and arterial stiffness were recorded over a period of 10 minutes at −60, 0, 30, 60, 120 and 240 minutes after consumption of a standardized 600‐kCal breakfast. Frequency domain analysis was performed using fast Fourier transform to estimate power spectral density in the full spectrum and in low‐frequency (LF 0·04–0·15 Hz) and high‐frequency (HF 0·15–0·40 Hz) bands.

Results

ANCOVA revealed a reduced LF HRV meal response in adults with PWS compared with obese controls, with no differences in HF HRV, LF/HF ratio, heart rate, total power or arterial stiffness meal responses.

Conclusions

This study assessed cardiac autonomic function in adults with PWS compared with matched obese and lean subjects in response to a meal. Results suggest impaired postprandial ANS responsiveness in PWS, which could contribute to both the known increased cardiovascular risk and obesity.
Responding to the call: a conceptual model for kinship care assessment
Authors: O'Brien Valerie
Published: October 2012

Kinship care has become an important care option worldwide. However, in many jurisdictions, child welfare services use traditional foster care assessment systems. The assessment of the kinship home poses particular challenges. The initial assessment of the kinship home, enabling emergency placements, provides a child‐centred perspective. However, agencies frequently fail to meet the designated time frame for completion of the assessment/approval process. Such failures require the development of different conceptual models for kinship care service delivery, especially for assessments. This paper builds on earlier work on assessment models, drawing on the international literature and the author's involvement and research on kinship care in Ireland. The usability of the proposed model needs to be evaluated across different legislative, policy and practice contexts internationally.
Defining the purpose of phantom head
Authors: Fugill M.
Published: October 2012

Simulation is a vital part of the learning of restorative dentistry. It provides the student with motor and procedural skills that would be impossible to learning in any other way. However, in order to use preclinical simulation most effectively, its limits need to be understood. Discussion of these rarely appears in the literature. This article identifies some of the purposes of simulation found in more general literature on the subject, and applies these to preclinical dentistry. It also describes some of the limits to simulation in the teaching of restorative dentistry.
Mortality by clinical characteristics in a tertiary care cohort of adult patients with chronic epilepsy
Authors: Nevalainen Olli , Auvinen Anssi , Ansakorpi Hanna , Artama Miia , Raitanen Jani , Isojärvi Jouko
Published: October 2012

The authors evaluated the contribution of various clinical characteristics to mortality risk and underlying causes of death among all adult patients with epilepsy seen at the Department of Neurology, Oulu University Hospital in Finland during 1996 and 1997. Hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality in 1998–2006 relative to a population‐based reference cohort were estimated using Cox modeling, with adjustment for age and gender. The HR for total mortality was 2.66 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.09–3.39). Infectious etiology of epilepsy (HR 5.77, 95% CI 2.52–13.2) and a seizure frequency of ≥1 per month (HR 4.42, 95% CI 3.00–6.52) related to high risks of death. Cancer (21%), ischemic heart disease (15%), and accidents (12%) caused most of the potential years of life lost. Despite recent advances in treatment of epilepsy and improved seizure control, chronic epilepsy still carries a substantially increased risk of death.
Retrospective evaluation of facilitated pastern ankylosis using intra‐articular ethanol injections: 34 cases (2006–2012)
Authors: Caston S. , McClure S. , Beug J. , Kersh K. , Reinertson E. , Wang C.
Published: October 2012

Reasons for performing study

While surgical arthrodesis is the treatment of choice for osteoarthritis of the proximal interphalangeal joint, some clients are unable to pursue surgery due to costs. A more economical technique was sought using intra‐articular ethyl alcohol injections to facilitate ankylosis.

Objectives

To describe the technique and outcome of intra‐articular ethyl alcohol injections for facilitated ankylosis of proximal interphalangeal joints with osteoarthritis.

Methods

As a retrospective case series, the medical records (2006–2012) of clinical cases diagnosed with proximal interphalangeal joint osteoarthritis treated with intra‐articular ethyl alcohol injections were reviewed. Cases with follow‐up of at least 6 months were included. Technique and outcome were determined. Evaluation of outcome was assessed using return to previous performance or intended use and owner satisfaction as the indicators of success. Soundness and level of work are also reported.

Results

Thirty‐four horses were included in the study. At the time of follow‐up, 17 horses (50%) were sound, while 13 horses (38%) were improved but not sound. One horse's lameness was unchanged, and 3 horses were lost to follow‐up. The median time until horses became sound or returned to work was 8 months. Six horses had complications, 4 of which were mild and transient.

Conclusions and potential relevance

The use of intra‐articular ethyl alcohol in the proximal interphalangeal joint in horses affected by osteoarthritis appears to be a viable method for facilitated ankylosis if surgical management is not an option.
Protein arginine methylation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Low Jason K. K. , Wilkins Marc R.
Published: October 2012

Recent research has implicated arginine methylation as a major regulator of cellular processes, including transcription, translation, nucleocytoplasmic transport, signalling, DNA repair, RNA processing and splicing. Arginine methylation is evolutionarily conserved, and it is now thought that it may rival other post‐translational modifications such as phosphorylation in terms of its occurrence in the proteome. In addition, multiple recent examples demonstrate an exciting new theme: the interplay between methylation and other post‐translational modifications such as phosphorylation. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of arginine methylation and the recent advances made, with a focus on the lower eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We cover the types of methylated proteins, their responsible methyltransferases, where and how the effects of arginine methylation are seen in the cell, and, finally, discuss the conservation of the biological function of methylarginines between S. cerevisiae and mammals.
Lipoproteins in bacteria: structures and biosynthetic pathways
Authors: Nakayama Hiroshi , Kurokawa Kenji , Lee Bok Luel
Published: October 2012

Bacterial lipoproteins are characterized by the presence of a conserved N‐terminal lipid‐modified cysteine residue that allows the hydrophilic protein to anchor onto bacterial cell membranes. These proteins play important roles in a wide variety of bacterial physiological processes, including virulence, and induce innate immune reactions by functioning as ligands of the mammalian Toll‐like receptor 2. We review recent advances in our understanding of bacterial lipoprotein structure, biosynthesis and structure–function relationships between bacterial lipoproteins and Toll‐like receptor 2. Notably, 40 years after the first report of the triacyl structure of Braun's lipoprotein in Escherichia coli, recent intensive MS‐based analyses have led to the discovery of three new lipidated structures of lipoproteins in monoderm bacteria: the lyso, N‐acetyl and peptidyl forms. Moreover, the bacterial lipoprotein structure is considered to be constant in each bacterium; however, lipoprotein structures in Staphylococcus aureus vary between the diacyl and triacyl forms depending on the environmental conditions. Thus, the lipidation state of bacterial lipoproteins, particularly in monoderm bacteria, is more complex than previously assumed.
Forest response to increasing typhoon activity on the Korean peninsula: evidence from oak tree‐rings
Authors: Altman Jan , Doležal Jiří , Černý Tomáš , Song Jong‐Suk
Published: October 2012

The globally observed trend of changing intensity of tropical cyclones over the past few decades emphasizes the need for a better understanding of the effects of such disturbance events in natural and inhabited areas. On the Korean Peninsula, typhoon intensity has increased over the past 100 years as evidenced by instrumental data recorded from 1904 until present. We examined how the increase in three weather characteristics (maximum hourly and daily precipitation, and maximum wind speed) during the typhoon activity affected old‐growth oak forests. Quercus mongolica is a dominant species in the Korean mountains and the growth releases from 220 individuals from three sites along a latitudinal gradient (33–38°N) of decreasing typhoon activity were studied. Growth releases indicate tree‐stand disturbance and improved light conditions for surviving trees. The trends in release events corresponded to spatiotemporal gradients in maximum wind speed and precipitation. A high positive correlation was found between the maximum values of typhoon characteristics and the proportion of trees showing release. A higher proportion of disturbed trees was found in the middle and southern parts of the Korean peninsula where typhoons are most intense. This shows that the releases are associated with typhoons and also indicates the differential impact of typhoons on the forests. Finally, we present a record of the changing proportion of trees showing release based on tree‐rings for the period 1770–1979. The reconstruction revealed no trend during the period 1770–1879, while the rate of forest disturbances increased rapidly from 1880 to 1979. Our results suggest that if typhoon intensity rises, as is projected by some climatic models, the number of forest disturbance events will increase thus altering the disturbance regime and ecosystem processes.
Recent range shifts of European dragonflies provide support for an inverse relationship between habitat predictability and dispersal
Authors: Grewe Yannic , Hof Christian , Dehling D. Matthias , Brandl Roland , Brändle Martin
Published: October 2012

Aim

We compared the effects of recent shifts of northern range boundaries of odonates adapted to either lentic (standing water) or lotic (running water) habitats in Europe. Lentic species are thought to have a higher dispersal propensity than lotic species because of the lower spatial and temporal persistence of lentic habitats on average. Hence, we expected shifts in the range boundaries particularly of lentic species.

Location

Europe.

Methods

Our analyses are based on odonate distribution maps from two field guides that present the European ranges of dragonflies and damselflies in 1988 and 2006. We categorized species according to their preference for lentic or lotic habitats, and then assigned each species to a southern or a northern group according to the centre of its distribution. Shifts in northern range boundaries were calculated as the average distance between the 10 northernmost grid cells in 1988 and 2006. Range boundary shifts were also analysed with regard to prevalence, phenology, body size and wing size.

Results

Lentic species of the southern group expanded their range boundaries on average 115 km northwards per decade, whereas lotic species of the southern group on average did not change their range boundaries. Northern lentic and lotic species showed no consistent trends in their changes in range boundaries. These results did not qualitatively change when we considered the effects of phylogeny, phenology, body size and wing size.

Main conclusions

Our results support the hypothesis that species adapted to lentic habitats, which are assumed to be less persistent in time and space, disperse better than lotic species.
Characterization of the novel HLA‐DQB1*06:48 allele by group‐specific sequencing
Authors: Foster L. , Tate D. , Poulton K.
Published: October 2012

HLA‐DQB1*06:48 has single nucleotide polymorphisms within codons 70 and 62 of exon 2 (GGG>AGG and AAG>AAC) relative to HLA‐DQB1*06:02:01 and HLA‐DQB1*06:37. This results in amino acid differences (G>R and K>N) that will change the polarity and charge of the encoded antigen and may therefore affect its peptide repertoire.
A conserved HLA‐A*02:28 associated HLA haplotype, A*02:28‐B*15:11‐DRB1*09:01, restricted to Taiwanese
Authors: Yang K. L. , Lee S. K. , Lin P. Y.
Published: October 2012

HLA‐A*02:28, found in a Korean and a Japanese, was reported independently to the IMGT/HLA database in 2003 and 2005, respectively. We report here eight Taiwanese unrelated bone marrow hematopoietic stem cell donors carrying A*02:28 detected during our routine HLA typing exercise. The probable HLA‐A, ‐B and ‐DRB1 haplotype in association with A*02:28 may be deduced from the eight marrow stem cell donor as A*02:28‐B*15:11‐DRB1*09:01. Our result suggests A*02:28‐B*15:11‐DRB1*09:01 is a conserved HLA haplotype restricted to Taiwanese.
Contribution of occupational therapists in positive behaviour support
Authors: Perez Micah , Carlson Glenys , Ziviani Jenny , Cuskelly Monica
Published: October 2012

Aim

Positive behaviour support employs specific strategies which aim to both reduce the incidence of behaviours of concern and enhance the quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities. This study aims to identify activities and experiences of occupational therapists working in behaviour support contexts to understand how they see their contributions in this area.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews were undertaken with 10 occupational therapists who have provided behaviour support for people with intellectual disabilities. Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed.

Results

Three major themes emerged from the interview data: contextualising and understanding behaviour; occupational therapy – why and how?; and ‘challenges, strengths and expanding horizons’.

Conclusions

Participants saw themselves as providing an occupational perspective in the delivery of behaviour support, to individuals with behaviour support needs. They highlighted that this was achieved utilising their skills and knowledge about positive behaviour support strategies. Their approaches were seen as drawing on: their understanding of neurological function and how it relates to a person's occupational engagement; combining occupationally focussed approaches with behavioural analysis methodology to guide practice; and advocating for person‐centred interventions. These observations form the basis for exploring ways in which occupational therapists can advance their contributions in positive behaviour support settings.
Sexual dysfunctions induced by stress of timed intercourse and medical treatment
Authors: Byun Jae Sang , Lyu Sang Woo , Seok Hyun Ha , Kim Won Jun , Shim Sung Han , Bak Chong Won
Published: October 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

It is known that timed intercourse that is planned to coincide with ovulation causes stress in women. In men premature ejaculation is more common than delayed ejaculation.

Timed intercourse imposes a substantial degree of stress on men. None of our study participants reported premature ejaculation, whereas delayed ejaculation was noted by 5.92% of the participants. Timed intercourse elevates anxiety levels, which leads to aggression. The men who required high doses of tadalafil had significantly higher scores on both the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Buss Perry Aggression Questionnaire subscales (P< 0.001).

OBJECTIVE

To understand the effect of stress incurred by timed intercourse (TI) on sexual dysfunction in relation to anxiety and aggression in men facing TI.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study involved 439 men and was conducted during a 3‐year period between 1 July 2008 and 30 June 2011.

Various characteristics were evaluated, including newly acquired erectile dysfunction (ED), ejaculatory dysfunction (EjD), anxiety levels (using the Beck Anxiety Inventory [BAI]), self‐reported aggression (using the Buss Perry Aggression Questionnaire [BPAQ]), hormone levels (such as follicle‐stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, prolactin and oestradiol) and semen parameters.

RESULTS

A total of 188 men (42.8%) and 26 men (5.92%) experienced ED and EjD, respectively.

Luteinizing hormone, testosterone and oestradiol were significantly lower in men with ED (P< 0.05).

The men who required high doses of tadalafil had significantly higher scores on both the BAI and the BPAQ subscales (P< 0.001).

BAI and subscales of BPAQ were higher in males with delayed ejaculation (P< 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

TI imposes a great deal of stress on male partners, potentially causing ED and EjD, and elevates anxiety levels, which leads to aggression.

Physicians and clinicians should acknowledge the potentially harmful effects of TI on men.

Furthermore, both female and male patients should be cautioned about the increased likelihood of ED and EjD as the number of incidents of TI increases.
Predictive ability of the 2002 and 2010 versions of the Tumour‐Node‐Metastasis classification system regarding metastasis‐free, cancer‐specific and overall survival in a European renal cell carcinoma single‐centre series
Authors: Pichler Martin , Hutterer Georg C. , Chromecki Thomas F. , Jesche Johanna , Kampel‐Kettner Karin , Groselj‐Strele Andrea , Pummer Karl , Zigeuner Richard
Published: October 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

As different and heterogenous populations of patients with RCC can be found in different geographic regions, newly proposed cancer staging systems need an independent validation of their clinical usefulness and prognostic significance. Only a few published studies have compared the ‘old’ 2002 version of the TNM classification system for RCC with the recent 2010 version, all of them using cancer‐specific survival as their endpoint, and controversial results were reported regarding the potential superiority of the 2010 version over the 2002 version of this cancer staging system.

The aim of the study was to validate and compare the predictive ability of the 2010 with the 2002 version of the TNM classification system regarding metastasis‐free, overall and cancer‐specific survival in a large central European cohort of patients with RCC. According to our data, the predictive ability of the 2010 version of the TNM classification system regarding the evaluated endpoints is not superior to the 2002 version.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the predictive ability of the Tumour‐Node‐Metastasis (TNM) classification systems for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) using three different endpoints: metastasis‐free (MFS); overall (OS); and cancer‐specific survival (CSS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data from 2739 consecutive patients with RCC, who underwent surgery at a single academic centre, were evaluated using multivariate Cox proportional models, Harrell's concordance (c)‐index and by applying decision curve analysis (DCA) with regard to MFS, OS and CSS.

RESULTS

According to TNM 2010, significant differences for MFS were observed for pT1a vs pT1b, pT1b vs pT2a, pT3a vs pT3b and pT3b vs pT3c stages, respectively (all P < 0.05).

With regard to OS, significant differences could be observed in pT1a vs pT1b and pT3a vs pT3b stages, respectively (all P < 0.05).

The c‐index for CSS, OS and MFS was slightly higher for the 2002 than for the 2010 version of the TNM classification system.

Non‐inferiority of the 2002 TNM system is supported by the results of the DCA.

CONCLUSION

According to our data, the predictive ability of the 2010 version of the TNM classification system regarding three different clinical endpoints is not superior to the 2002 version of this staging system.
Partial nephrectomy online: a preliminary evaluation of the quality of health information on the Internet
Authors: Fast Angela M. , Deibert Christopher M. , Boyer Celia , Hruby Gregory W. , McKiernan James M.
Published: October 2012

Study Type – Therapy (evaluation of information materials)

Level of Evidence 3b

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Patients are highly likely to access the Internet for health information, and studies have reported that inaccurate or low‐quality information may alter patients’ expectations and negatively impact informed decision‐making. In a unique collaboration with the Health On the Internet (HON) Foundation, we evaluated the top 20 search results for the urology search term ‘partial nephrectomy,’ and identified the highest and lowest scoring criteria to increase awareness of areas of concern and improvement.

Objective

To further evaluate the quality of information available on the Internet with regard to the management of localized renal cancer, we evaluated websites providing information on ‘partial nephrectomy’ in conjunction with the Health On the Internet (HON) Foundation. Many patients now utilize the Internet as a resource to provide further information on disease, treatments and outcomes, and health information on the Internet is largely unregulated. Inaccurate information may contribute to unrealistic expectations and dissatisfied patients.

Patients and Methods

A google.com search identified the top 30 websites for the search term ‘partial nephrectomy’.

The HON Foundation evaluated each website according to the eight principles for Health on the Internet code of conduct (HONcode) certification and reported the overall frequency of certification, as well as individual website compliance with each of the principles.

Results

Overall, seven (23.3%) of 30 websites met the requirements of HONcode certification and an additional two (6.7%) websites were under review to maintain their certification based on updating their resources.

The remaining 21 (70%) websites did not meet the standards for certification.

The lowest performing criteria included proper citation of medical information and a clear distinction of advertising from editorial content.

Conclusions

The low rate of HONcode compliance for these websites illustrates the poor quality of information that patients may encounter when researching options for nephron‐sparing surgery, which may have a significant impact on patient decision‐making and treatment choices.

Physicians should be aware of the quality of Internet resources and how to best use these tools to help guide patients to websites with valid information.
Bariatric surgery, bone loss, obesity and possible mechanisms
Authors: Brzozowska M. M. , Sainsbury A. , Eisman J. A. , Baldock P. A. , Center J. R.
Published: October 2012

Bariatric surgery remains the most effective treatment for severely obese patients. However, the potential long‐term effects of bariatric surgical procedures on health, including bone health, are only partially understood. The goal of this review was to present data on the impact of bariatric surgery on bone metabolism and to analyse possible reasons for the loss of bone mass that frequently occurs after bariatric surgery. Such factors include nutritional deficiencies, rapid weight loss per se, effects of fat‐derived adipokines and gut‐derived appetite‐regulatory hormones. However, the relative roles of these factors in skeletal regulation and the mechanisms by which they work are not yet fully defined. Our review was focussed on the complex relationship between body weight, fat mass and bone mass, as well as peripheral and central mediators potentially involved in the dual regulation of both energy and bone homeostasis. We also review the data on the inverse relationship between central obesity, bone marrow fat and osteoporosis. As the number of bariatric operations increases, it is imperative to recognize mechanisms responsible for bariatric surgery‐induced bone loss, with careful monitoring of bone health including long‐term fracture incidence in patients undergoing these procedures.
Group Merger Between Political Parties: The Role of the Ingroup Projection Process
Authors: Sacchi Simona , Carnaghi Andrea , Castellini Federica , Colombo Monica
Published: October 2012

In 2007, the two most important Italian left‐wing parties merged into a single political entity. This study intends to analyze the merging process. Specifically, and in line with the ingroup projection hypothesis of Mummendey & Wenzel, we have explored whether the identification and the favoritism toward the upcoming common group was affected by the perceivers' projection of specific and common stereotypical traits from the subordinate groups to the superordinate one. Political militants' (N = 132) levels of ingroup identification; their representations of the previous ingroup, outgroup, and of the new party; and their attitudes towards the common group were assessed. Results confirmed that the cognitive representation of the merged party was shaped much more on the basis of the typical traits of the ingroup than of the outgroup. Moreover, structural equation analyses showed that the identification with the superordinate category and the consequent favoritism toward the merger were related to the projection of ingroup attributes. The findings also suggested that the ingroup projection may be particularly crucial when the intergroup bias is high. Finally, political implications are discussed in terms of obstacles and resources inherent to the merging process.
Expert labour as a differentiated category: power, knowledge and organisation
Authors: Fincham Robin
Published: October 2012

The idea of ‘expert labour’ as a category uniting many kinds of knowledge‐based work has long been of interest. At the same time, existing models often do not differentiate between the many forms of ‘new’ expertise in the main business and technological groups. These tend to be consolidated in single categories of ‘entrepreneurial’, ‘organisational’ or ‘commercial’ professions. This paper built onReed's seminal account of the expert division of labour. It used his analytic dimensions of power, knowledge and organisation to develop a new framework comparing clusters of expert labour in professional services, business services and knowledge work. It offered a more detailed classification and a comparative view that throws fresh light on key debates around new professionalism and emergent technologically defined occupations.