bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Readiness for behaviour change in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease: implications for multidisciplinary care models
Authors: Stewart Karen E. , Haller Deborah L. , Sargeant Carol , Levenson James L. , Puri Puneet , Sanyal Arun J.
Published: February 2014

Background & Aims

Weight management is a cornerstone of treatment for overweight/obese persons with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This exploratory study sought to: (i) evaluate readiness to change weight‐related behaviours; (ii) assess psychosocial characteristics that may interfere with weight loss; and (iii) evaluate how baseline psychosocial features associate with 6‐month change in weight in persons with NAFLD receiving standard medical care. The purpose of this investigation was to develop hypotheses regarding relationships between psychosocial factors and weight for use in future fully powered studies and clinical interventions

Methods

Fifty‐eight overweight/obese participants with NAFLD completed baseline measures of personality, psychiatric symptoms and readiness for behaviour change and were followed up for 6 months in standard care.

Results

One‐third of participants (31.0%) were not interested in making weight‐related behaviour changes; 58.6% were considering making a change, and 10.4% of individuals were actively working on or preparing to change. Six‐month change in weight was non‐significant and was not associated with baseline readiness for change. Depression, low conscientiousness and high neuroticism were associated with higher weight at 6‐month follow‐up with small to large effect sizes.

Conclusions

Although participants received nutritional education and guidance, very few individuals presented in the active stage of change. Although readiness for change did not predict subsequent change in weight, personality factors and psychiatric symptoms were associated with weight outcomes. Integrated multidisciplinary approaches that address psychiatric needs and provide behavioural support for weight loss may help patients with NAFLD implement sustained lifestyle changes.
Association of IL28B polymorphisms with peginterferon treatment response in Chinese Han patients with HBeAg‐positive chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Wu Haiqing , Zhao Gangde , Qian Fangxing , Liu Kehui , Xie Jingdong , Zhou Huijuan , Xu Jie , Xu Yumin , Han Yan , Xie Qing , Wang Hui
Published: February 2014

Aims

To investigate whether IL28B polymorphisms could affect the treatment response to peginterferon alpha (PEG‐IFN) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients in the Chinese Han population.

Methods

A total of 212 hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)‐positive patients treated with PEG‐IFN monotherapy were enrolled in this study. Genotype analysis was performed for IL28B rs12980275, rs12979860 and rs8099917 using the MassArray system. Response was defined as cases showing normal aminotransferase (ALT) levels, HBV DNA level < 200 IU/ml and HBeAg seroconversion after 48 weeks of PEG‐IFN therapy.

Results

The patients were infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype B (44.8%) and C (55.2%) with a total response rate of 34.9%. For the three SNPs, there were significant differences between the response (R) and non‐response (NR) groups both in allele frequencies and genotype distributions. IL28B genotype was independently associated with R for AA vs. N‐AA (OR 2.70, 95% CL 1.21–6.01; P = 0.015) at rs12980275 after adjustment for sex, age, HBV genotype, baseline levels of HBV DNA and ALT. There were similar results for rs12979860 CC vs. N‐CC (OR 2.56, 95% CL 1.15–5.67; P = 0.021) and rs8099917 TT vs. N‐TT (OR 2.80, 95% CL 1.23–6.39; P = 0.015) respectively. Furthermore, one block formed by rs12980275 and rs12979860 was identified in this study. In multivariate analyses, the most common haplotype A‐C was independently associated with high rates of R (OR 2.53, 95% CL 1.20–5.34; P = 0.015).

Conclusions

Our study suggested that genetic variations in IL28B may play a critical role in PEG‐IFN efficacy in HBeAg‐positive CHB patients in Han Chinese.
Small duct primary sclerosing cholangitis without inflammatory bowel disease is genetically different from large duct disease
Authors: Næss Sigrid , Björnsson Einar , Anmarkrud Jarl A. , Mamari Said Al , Juran Brian D. , Lazaridis Konstantinos N. , Chapman Roger , Bergquist Annika , Melum Espen , Marsh Steven G. E. , Schrumpf Erik , Lie Benedicte A. , Boberg Kirsten M. , Karlsen Tom H. , Hov Johannes R.
Published: February 2014

Background & Aims

Small duct primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is phenotypically a mild version of large duct PSC, but it is unknown whether these phenotypes share aetiology. We aimed to characterize their relationship by investigating genetic associations in the human leucocyte antigen (HLA) complex, which represent the strongest genetic risk factors in large duct PSC.

Methods

Four classical HLA loci (HLA‐A, HLA‐B, HLA‐C and HLA‐DRB1) were genotyped in 87 small duct PSC patients, 485 large duct PSC patients and 1117 controls across three geographical regions.

Results

HLA‐DRB1*13:01 (OR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.2–3.4, P = 0.01) and HLA‐B*08 (OR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.4, P = 0.02) were significantly associated with small duct PSC compared with healthy controls. Based on the observed frequency of HLA‐B*08 in small duct PSC, the strongest risk factor in large duct PSC, an estimated 32% (95% CI 4–65%) of this population can be hypothesized to represent early stages or mild variants of large duct PSC. This subgroup may be constituted by small duct PSC patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which greatly resembled large duct PSC in its HLA association. In contrast, small duct PSC without IBD was only associated with HLA‐DRB1*13:01(P = 0.03) and was otherwise distinctly dissimilar from large duct PSC.

Conclusions

Small duct PSC with IBD resembles large duct PSC in its HLA association and may represent early stages or mild variants of large duct disease. Different HLA associations in small duct PSC without IBD could indicate that this subgroup is a different entity. HLA‐DRB1*13:01 may represent a specific risk factor for inflammatory bile duct disease.
Prospective evaluation of metabolic syndrome and its components among long‐term liver recipients
Authors: Anastácio Lucilene R. , Diniz Kiara G. , Ribeiro Hélem S. , Ferreira Lívia G. , Lima Agnaldo S. , Correia Maria Isabel T. D. , Vilela Eduardo G.
Published: February 2014

Background & Aims

Survival after liver transplantation (LTx) has increased. Metabolic syndrome (MS) is widely reported in patients in the early years after LTx; few studies have researched this condition in relatively long‐term liver recipients. To describe, prospectively, the prevalence of MS, its components and its associated factors in relatively long‐term liver recipients.

Methods

A total of 117 patients were evaluated in 2008 (median of 3 years after LTx, range 0–13 years) and in 2012 (median of 7 years after LTx, range 3–17 years) for the presence of MS [using modified NCEP Adult Treatment Panel III and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria]; its components; and its associated factors, including demographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle, clinical, body composition (measured using bioelectric impedance) and dietetic factors.

Results

MS increased over the years (IDF, 43.1–53.3%, P = 0.12; and NCEP, 34.3–44.8%, P = 0.03). Blood glucose increased over the years (98.8 ± 24.7 to 109.2 ± 33.3 mg/dl, P < 0.01), which resulted in an increased prevalence of glucose intolerance (34.2–48.6%, P < 0.01). Waist circumference (93.3 ± 14.3 to 99.4 ± 14.9 cm, P < 0.01) and body fat (30.3 ± 8.9 to 31.8 ± 10.3%, P = 0.03) also increased. The MS associated factors (P < 0.05) were age [Odds ratio (OR) 1.05, confidence interval (CI) 1.02–1.11], family history of diabetes (OR 3.38, CI 1.19–9.61), body mass index (BMI) prior to liver disease (OR 1.39, CI 1.19–1.63) and body fat (OR 1.09, CI 1.03–1.14). The MS components were associated (P < 0.05) with greater age, family history of diabetes, current and previous BMI, body fat, current corticosteroid use, lack of exercise and greater carbohydrate and fat intakes.

Conclusion

MS prevalence increased over the years after LTx because of the increases in waist circumference and blood glucose. MS and its components are associated with modifiable factors, such as greater BMI, body fat and carbohydrate and fat intake.
MicroRNAs: the fine modulators of liver development and function
Authors: Chen Yemiao , Verfaillie Catherine M.
Published: February 2014

MicroRNAs are a class of small non‐coding RNAs involved in the transcriptional and post‐transcriptional regulation of gene expression. The function of miRNAs in liver disease including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), hepatitis, and alcoholic liver disease, have been widely studied and extensively reviewed. Increasing evidence demonstrates that miRNAs also play a critical role in normal liver development and in the fine‐tuning of fundamental biological liver processes. In this review, we highlight the most recent findings on the role of miRNAs in liver specification and differentiation, liver cell development, as well as in the many metabolic functions of the liver, including glucose, lipid, iron and drug metabolism. These findings demonstrate an important role of miRNAs in normal liver development and function. Further researches will be needed to fully understand how miRNAs regulate liver generation and metabolic function, which should then lead to greater insights in liver biology and perhaps open up the possibility to correct errors that cause liver diseases or metabolic disorders.
Bucking the Party Line: Calavita's Invitation to Law & Society (In Which the Author Is Invited to a Party Where He Encounters Many Old and Familiar Faces, Becomes Argumentative, Stays Up Too Late, and Finally Departs in Search of New Adventures)
Authors: Tomlins Christopher
Published: February 2014

Intended as a short survey text, Kitty Calavita's Invitation to Law & Society expertly summarizes many of the central themes of law and society scholarship as they have developed over the past fifty years. It also clearly identifies the field's object of attention: “real” law. I use this commentary on the book as an opportunity to assess the field as it enters its sixth decade. How has the field changed? What are its defining characteristics? What is “real” law? Does law and society research have a future?
Shotgun microbial profiling of fossil remains
Authors: Der Sarkissian C. , Ermini L. , Jónsson H. , Alekseev A. N. , Crubezy E. , Shapiro B. , Orlando L.
Published: February 2014

Millions to billions of DNA sequences can now be generated from ancient skeletal remains thanks to the massive throughput of next‐generation sequencing platforms. Except in cases of exceptional endogenous DNA preservation, most of the sequences isolated from fossil material do not originate from the specimen of interest, but instead reflect environmental organisms that colonized the specimen after death. Here, we characterize the microbial diversity recovered from seven c. 200‐ to 13 000‐year‐old horse bones collected from northern Siberia. We use a robust, taxonomy‐based assignment approach to identify the microorganisms present in ancient DNA extracts and quantify their relative abundance. Our results suggest that molecular preservation niches exist within ancient samples that can potentially be used to characterize the environments from which the remains are recovered. In addition, microbial community profiling of the seven specimens revealed site‐specific environmental signatures. These microbial communities appear to comprise mainly organisms that colonized the fossils recently. Our approach significantly extends the amount of useful data that can be recovered from ancient specimens using a shotgun sequencing approach. In future, it may be possible to correlate, for example, the accumulation of postmortem DNA damage with the presence and/or abundance of particular microbes.
Resequencing studies of nonmodel organisms using closely related reference genomes: optimal experimental designs and bioinformatics approaches for population genomics
Authors: Nevado B. , Ramos‐Onsins S. E. , Perez‐Enciso M.
Published: February 2014

Decreasing costs of next‐generation sequencing (NGS) experiments have made a wide range of genomic questions open for study with nonmodel organisms. However, experimental designs and analysis of NGS data from less well‐known species are challenging because of the lack of genomic resources. In this work, we investigate the performance of alternative experimental designs and bioinformatics approaches in estimating variability and neutrality tests based on the site‐frequency‐spectrum (SFS) from individual resequencing data. We pay particular attention to challenges faced in the study of nonmodel organisms, in particular the absence of a species‐specific reference genome, although phylogenetically close genomes are assumed to be available. We compare the performance of three alternative bioinformatics approaches – genotype calling, genotype–haplotype calling and direct estimation without calling genotypes. We find that relying on genotype calls provides biased estimates of population genetic statistics at low to moderate read depth (2–8×). Genotype–haplotype calling returns more accurate estimates irrespective of the divergence to the reference genome, but requires moderate depth (8–20×). Direct estimation without calling genotypes returns the most accurate estimates of variability and of most SFS tests investigated, including at low read depth (2–4×). Studies without species‐specific reference genome should thus aim for low read depth and avoid genotype calling whenever individual genotypes are not essential. Otherwise, aiming for moderate to high depth at the expense of number of individuals, and using genotype–haplotype calling, is recommended.
The CcpA regulon of Streptococcus suis reveals novel insights into the regulation of the streptococcal central carbon metabolism by binding of CcpA to two distinct binding motifs
Authors: Willenborg Jörg , de Greeff Astrid , Jarek Michael , Valentin‐Weigand Peter , Goethe Ralph
Published: February 2014

Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is a neglected zoonotic streptococcus causing fatal diseases in humans and in pigs. The transcriptional regulator CcpA (catabolite control protein A) is involved in the metabolic adaptation to different carbohydrate sources and virulence of S. suis and other pathogenic streptococci. In this study, we determined the DNA binding characteristics of CcpA and identified the CcpA regulon during growth of S. suis. Electrophoretic mobility shift analyses showed promiscuous DNA binding of CcpA to cognate cre sites in vitro. In contrast, sequencing of immunoprecipitated chromatin revealed two specific consensus motifs, a pseudo‐palindromic cre motif (WWGAAARCGYTTTCWW) and a novel cre2 motif (TTTTYHWDHHWWTTTY), within the regulatory elements of the genes directly controlled by CcpA. Via these elements CcpA regulates expression of genes involved in carbohydrate uptake and conversion, and in addition in important metabolic pathways of the central carbon metabolism, like glycolysis, mixed‐acid fermentation, and the fragmentary TCA cycle. Furthermore, our analyses provide evidence that CcpA regulates the genes of the central carbon metabolism by binding either the pseudo‐palindromic cre motif or the cre2 motif in a HPr(Ser)∼P independent conformation.
Stringent response processes suppress DNA damage sensitivity caused by deficiency in full‐length translation initiation factor 2 or PriA helicase
Authors: Madison K. Elizabeth , Jones‐Foster Erica N. , Vogt Andrea , Kirtland Turner Sandra , North Stella H. , Nakai Hiroshi
Published: February 2014

When Escherichia coli grows in the presence of DNA‐damaging agents such as methyl methanesulphonate (MMS), absence of the full‐length form of Translation Initiation Factor 2 (IF2‐1) or deficiency in helicase activity of replication restart protein PriA leads to a considerable loss of viability. MMS sensitivity of these mutants was contingent on the stringent response alarmone (p)ppGpp being at low levels. While zero levels (ppGpp0) greatly aggravated sensitivity, high levels promoted resistance. Moreover, M+ mutations, which suppress amino acid auxotrophy of ppGpp0 strains and which have been found to map to RNA polymerase subunits, largely restored resistance to IF2‐1‐ and PriA helicase‐deficient mutants. The truncated forms IF2‐2/3 played a key part in inducing especially severe negative effects in ppGpp0 cells when restart function priB was knocked out, causing loss of viability and severe cell filamentation, indicative of SOS induction. Even a strain with the wild‐type infB allele exhibited significant filamentation and MMS sensitivity in this background whereas mutations that prevent expression of IF2‐2/3 essentially eliminated filamentation and largely restored MMS resistance. The results suggest different influences of IF2‐1 and IF2‐2/3 on the replication restart system depending on (p)ppGpp levels, each having the capacity to maximize survival under differing growth conditions.
Listeria phage A511, a model for the contractile tail machineries of SPO1‐related bacteriophages
Authors: Habann Matthias , Leiman Petr G. , Vandersteegen Katrien , Van den Bossche An , Lavigne Rob , Shneider Mikhail M. , Bielmann Regula , Eugster Marcel R. , Loessner Martin J. , Klumpp Jochen
Published: February 2014

Recognition of the bacterial host and attachment to its surface are two critical steps in phage infection. Here we report the identification of Gp108 as the host receptor‐binding protein of the broad host‐range, virulent Listeria phage A511. The ligands for Gp108 were found to be N‐acetylglucosamine and rhamnose substituents of the wall teichoic acids of the bacterial cell wall. Transmission electron microscopy and immunogold‐labelling allowed us to create a model of the A511 baseplate in which Gp108 forms emanating short tail fibres. Data obtained for related phages, such as Staphylococcus phages ISP and Twort, demonstrate the evolutionary conservation of baseplate components and receptor‐binding proteins within the Spounavirinae subfamily, and contractile tail machineries in general. Our data reveal key elements in the infection process of large phages infecting Gram‐positive bacteria and generate insights into the complex adsorption process of phage A511 to its bacterial host.
A general protein O‐glycosylation system within the Burkholderia cepacia complex is involved in motility and virulence
Authors: Lithgow Karen V. , Scott Nichollas E. , Iwashkiw Jeremy A. , Thomson Euan L. S. , Foster Leonard J. , Feldman Mario F. , Dennis Jonathan J.
Published: February 2014

Bacteria of the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) are pathogens of humans, plants, and animals. Burkholderia cenocepacia is one of the most common Bcc species infecting cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and its carriage is associated with poor prognosis. In this study, we characterized a general O‐linked protein glycosylation system in B. cenocepacia K56‐2. The PglLBc O‐oligosaccharyltransferase (O‐OTase), encoded by the cloned gene bcal0960, was shown to be capable of transferring a heptasaccharide from the Campylobacter jejuni N‐glycosylation system to a Neisseria meningitides‐derived acceptor protein in an Escherichia coli background, indicating that the enzyme has relaxed specificities for both the sugar donor and protein acceptor. In B cenocepacia K56‐2, PglLBc is responsible for the glycosylation of 23 proteins involved in diverse cellular processes. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed that these proteins are modified with a trisaccharide HexNAc‐HexNAc‐Hex, which is unrelated to the O‐antigen biosynthetic process. The glycosylation sites that were identified existed within regions of low complexity, rich in serine, alanine, and proline. Disruption of bcal0960 abolished glycosylation and resulted in reduced swimming motility and attenuated virulence towards both plant and insect model organisms. This study demonstrates the first example of post‐translational modification in Bcc with implications for pathogenesis.
Cytogenetics in benzene‐associated myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia: new insights into a disease continuum
Authors: Irons Richard D. , Kerzic Patrick J.
Published: February 2014

Hematopoiesis in health and disease results from complex interactions between primitive hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and the extrinsic influences of other cells in the bone marrow (BM) niche. Advances in stem cell biology, molecular genetics, and computational biology reveal that the immortality, self‐renewal, and maintenance of blood homeostasis generally attributed to individual HSCs are functions of the cells’ behavior in the normal BM environment. Here we discuss how these advances, together with results of outcomes‐based clinical epidemiology studies, provide new insight into the importance of epigenetic events in leukemogenesis. For the chemical benzene (Bz), development of myeloid neoplasms depends predominantly on alterations within the microenvironments in which they arise. The primary persistent disease in Bz myelotoxicity is myelodysplastic syndrome, which precedes cytogenetic injury. Evidence indicates that acute myeloid leukemia arises as a secondary event, subsequent to evolution of the leukemia‐initiating cell phenotype within the altered BM microenvironment. Further explorations into the nature of chemical versus de novo disease should consider this mechanism, which is biologically distinct from previous models of clonal cytogenetic injury. Understanding alterations of homeostatic regulation in the BM niche is important for validation of models of leukemogenesis, monitoring at‐risk populations, and development of novel treatment and prevention strategies.
Impact of copper deficiency in humans
Authors: Prohaska Joseph R.
Published: February 2014

Humans consume about 1 mg of copper daily, an amount thought adequate for most needs. Genetic, environmental, or physiological alterations can impose a higher copper set point, increasing risk for copper‐limited pathophysiology. Humans express about a dozen proteins that require copper for function (cuproenzymes). Limitation in the activity of cuproenzymes can explain the pleiotropic effect of copper deficiency. However, for most of the salient features of human copper deficiency, the precise molecular mechanisms are unknown. This is true for the two most common clinical features, hypochromic anemia and adult onset peripheral neuropathy/ataxia, a condition described frequently in the last decade due to multiple etiologies. The challenge for future scientists will be to identify the mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of copper deficiency so appropriate screening and treatment can occur. The need for a strong copper biomarker to aid in this screening is critical.
Linking obesity and asthma
Authors: Sutherland E. Rand
Published: February 2014

A growing body of literature suggests that obesity has a significant impact on asthma risk, phenotype, and prognosis. Epidemiological studies have clearly demonstrated that asthma is more likely to occur in obese patients, and health status is impaired in obese individuals with asthma, with obese asthmatics experiencing more symptoms, worse quality of life, increased healthcare use, and increased asthma severity. However, obesity has well‐described effects on lung function and mechanics that can lead to symptoms of dyspnea without causing the pathophysiologic changes of asthma. Adding to the challenges of evaluating this association, some studies have failed to demonstrate a robust relationship between obesity and traditional biomarkers of airway inflammation in adult asthmatics, leading to the conclusion that obesity does not necessarily worsen airway inflammation in asthma. In this regard, emerging data suggest that nonatopic mechanisms may be relevant in obese asthmatics, and that these mechanisms may have a direct impact on the response of obese asthmatics to asthma therapies, most notably inhaled glucocorticoids. This article will review selected aspects of the contributions of obesity‐related airway and systemic inflammation to asthma, with a focus on the impact of obesity as a modifier of risk, prognosis, and therapeutic response in asthma.
Equity–Efficiency Optimizing Resource Allocation: The Role of Time Preferences in a Repeated Irrigation Game
Authors: Van Campenhout Bjorn , D'Exelle Ben , Lecoutere Els
Published: February 2014

We study repeated water allocation decisions among small scale irrigation users in Tanzania. In a treatment replicating water scarcity conditions, convexities in production make that substantial efficiency gains can be obtained by deviating from equal sharing, leading to an equity–efficiency trade‐off. In a repeated game setting, it becomes possible to reconcile efficiency with equity by rotating the person who receives the largest share, but such a strategy requires a longer run perspective. Correlating experimental data from an irrigation game with individual time preference data, we find that less patient irrigators are less likely to use a rotation strategy.
Danger signal adenosine via adenosine 2a receptor stimulates growth of Porphyromonas gingivalis in primary gingival epithelial cells
Authors: Spooner R. , DeGuzman J. , Lee K.L. , Yilmaz Ö.
Published: February 2014

Extracellular signaling during inflammation and chronic diseases involves molecules referred to as ‘Danger Signals’ (DS), including the small molecule adenosine. We demonstrate that primary gingival epithelial cells (GEC) express a family of G‐protein coupled receptors known as adenosine receptors, including the high‐affinity receptors A1 and A2a and low‐affinity receptors A2b and A3. Treatment of Porphyromonas gingivalis‐infected GEC with the A2a receptor‐specific agonist CGS‐21680 resulted in elevated intracellular bacterial replication as determined by fluorescence microscopy and antibiotic protection assay. Additionally, A2a receptor antagonism and knockdown via RNA interference significantly reduced metabolically active intracellular P. gingivalis. Furthermore, analysis of anti‐inflammatory mediator cyclic AMP (cAMP) following A2a receptor selective agonist CGS‐21680 stimulation induced significantly higher levels of cAMP during P. gingivalis infection, indicating that adenosine signaling may attenuate inflammatory processes associated with bacterial infection. This study reveals that the GEC express functional A2a receptor and P. gingivalis may use the A2a receptor coupled DS adenosine signaling as a means to establish successful persistence in the oral mucosa, possibly via downregulation of the pro‐inflammatory response.
Abscisic acid, H2O2 and nitric oxide interactions mediated cold‐induced S‐adenosylmethionine synthetase in Medicago sativa subsp. falcata that confers cold tolerance through up‐regulating polyamine oxidation
Authors: Guo Zhenfei , Tan Jiali , Zhuo Chunliu , Wang Congying , Xiang Bin , Wang Zengyu
Published: February 2014

S‐adenosylmethionine synthetase (SAMS) is the key enzyme catalysing the formation of S‐adenosylmethionine (SAM), a precursor of polyamines and ethylene. To investigate the potential role of SAMS in cold tolerance, we isolated MfSAMS1 from the cold‐tolerant germplasm Medicago sativa subsp. falcata and analysed the association of SAM‐derived polyamines with cold tolerance. The expression of MfSAMS1 in leaves was greatly induced by cold, abscisic acid (ABA), H2O2 and nitric oxide (NO). Our data revealed that ABA, H2O2 and NO interactions mediated the cold‐induced MfSAMS1 expression and cold acclimation in falcata. SAM, putrescine, spermidine and spermine levels, ethylene production and polyamine oxidation were sequentially altered in response to cold, indicating that SAMS‐derived SAM is preferentially used in polyamine synthesis and homeostasis during cold acclimation. Antioxidant enzyme activities were also induced in response to cold and showed correlation with polyamine oxidation. Overexpression of MfSAMS1 in tobacco resulted in elevated SAM levels, but polyamine levels and ethylene production in the transgenic plants were not significantly changed. Compared to the wild type, transgenic plants had increased levels of apoplastic H2O2, higher transcript levels of genes involved in polyamine synthesis and oxidation, and higher activities of polyamine oxidation and antioxidant enzymes. The results showed that overexpression of MfSAMS1 promoted polyamine synthesis and oxidation, which in turn improved H2O2‐induced antioxidant protection, as a result enhanced tolerance to freezing and chilling stress in transgenic plants. This is the first report demonstrating that SAMS plays an important role in plant tolerance to cold via up‐regulating polyamine oxidation.
Genotype × year interaction and broad‐sense heritability of architectural characteristics in rose bush
Authors: Crespel Laurent , Le Bras Camille , Relion Daniel , Morel Philippe
Published: February 2014

The effect of genotype factors, year and their interaction was assessed on six architectural variables of eight cultivars of rose bush. Plants were grown in pots in a greenhouse in the spring of 2011 and 2012, two highly contrasted years in terms of the quantity of cumulative radiation, with a relative deviation (for 2012 compared to 2011) ranging from −24.6% (April) to +13.7% (March). Their architecture was digitized at two observation scales, the plant and the axis. Highly significant genotype (G) and year (Y) effects were revealed for all of the variables measured, as well as a G × Y interaction. Concerning the year effect, it was significantly higher in 2012 and for all of the variables measured. The G × Y interaction was due to (i) different genotype groupings according to year, (ii) difference response amplitudes between years according to genotype. Broad‐sense heritability was calculated for each of these variables. It was moderate to high, ranging from 48% for the length of long axes to 98% for the number of metamers on long axes.
Development and characterization of a new set of 164 polymorphic EST‐SSR markers for diversity and breeding studies in rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis Müll. Arg.)
Authors: Cubry Philippe , Pujade‐Renaud Valérie , Garcia Dominique , Espeout Sandra , Le Guen Vincent , Granet Françoise , Seguin Marc
Published: February 2014

Despite its economic importance and recent genome release, the need for molecular tools for Hevea brasiliensis is high. In the frame of a disease resistance study, EST sequences were retrieved from public database or generated by sequencing SSH libraries. Sequences were trimmed and microsatellite motifs searched using an ad hoc bioinformatic pipeline, and pairs of primers for the amplification of candidate markers were generated. We found a total of 10 499 unigenes from both sources of sequences, and 673 microsatellites motifs were detected using the default parameters of the pipeline. Two hundred sixty‐four primer pairs were tested and 226 (85.6%) successfully amplified. Out of the amplified candidate markers, 164 exhibited polymorphism. Relationships based on dendrograms using simple matching index and diversity statistics based on EST‐SSRs were compared with Genomic SSRs, showing the potentialities of EST‐derived microsatellites for resistance studies but also for population genetics approaches.
Infantile Crohn's disease is one of the risk factors for catheter‐related bloodstream infection
Authors: Koike Yuhki , Uchida Keiichi , Inoue Mikihiro , Ide Shozo , Hashimoto Kiyoshi , Matsushita Kohei , Otake Kohei , Ohkita Yoshiki , Araki Toshimitsu , Kobayashi Minako , Mohri Yasuhiko , Kusunoki Masato
Published: February 2014

Background

Central venous catheterization is recognized as a lifeline that is important for chemotherapy or nutritional support in pediatric patients with malignant disease and intestinal failure. This study analyzed the risk of infection with Broviac line use among these patients at a single Japanese center.

Methods

Two hundred and four Broviac lines were inserted in patients in the pediatric ward from January 2003 to October 2011. We analyzed the risk of catheter‐related bloodstream infection (CR‐BSI) using clinical characteristics including underlying disease, sepsis history, inserted situation, drug use, and laboratory data at the time of Broviac insertion or before CR‐BSI.

Results

During the study period, data from a total of 15 lines were excluded because of missing blood culture data. In the remaining 189 Broviac lines, 52 lines developed CR‐BSI. On univariate analysis, leukemia, infantile Crohn's disease, sepsis history before Broviac insertion, existence of a stoma opening, and immunosuppressant use before CR‐BSI were risk factors for CR‐BSI. On multivariate logistic regression analysis infantile Crohn's disease, sepsis history before Broviac insertion, and immunosuppressant use before CR‐BSI were independently associated with CR‐BSI (P = 0.015, P = 0.045, and P = 0.043, respectively).

Conclusions

Infantile Crohn's disease carries a high risk for CR‐BSI because of its pathological condition, the therapeutic drugs required, and surgical intervention.
Addressing the Community/Public Health Nursing Shortage through a Multifaceted Regional Approach
Authors: Young Staci , Acord Lea , Schuler Sue , Hansen Judith M.
Published: February 2014

Despite increasing needs resulting from emerging societal and health care issues, the number of trained community/public health (C/PH) nurses in the United States is facing a precipitous decline. Numerous factors contribute to this shortage including an aging workforce, a poorly funded public health system, inconsistencies in C/PH nursing educational approaches and opportunities, and a shortage of sites for clinical training. Determined to address the C/PH nursing shortage in their region, a consortium of public health professionals, university deans and faculty, and state nursing leaders in southeastern Wisconsin came together to address these issues from three perspectives: (a) curricular analysis and redesign, (b) expansion of clinical placement opportunities, and (c) paid community/public health nursing internships for seniors in baccalaureate nursing programs. This article outlines briefly the activities undertaken related to curricular review and clinical placements, and then describes in detail the approach, challenges and results of the senior internship program. Together, these programs produced long‐lasting results including an unprecedented level of collaboration between academic institutions and public health nursing professionals, the expansion of both traditional and nontraditional clinical sites in the region, and a transformative learning experience for seventeen senior nursing students from five participating universities.
Introduction to the Special Issue on Humanitarian Operations and Crisis Management
Authors: Starr Martin K. , Van Wassenhove Luk N.
Published: February 2014

The Genesis of this Special Issue came from the Board of the POMS College on Humanitarian Operations and Crisis Management (HO&CM). It was seen as a necessary initiative to define the field and examine research opportunities. This Special Issue shows that humanitarian operations pose challenges for P/OM researchers and practitioners that differ markedly from those of conventional supply chains associated with profitable enterprises. On the basis of the eight articles in this Special Issue, we have described and demonstrated the unique characteristics of the POM/HO&CM interaction. We have also identified those attributes that tend to overlap with conventional aspects of POM. In addition to wanting to be cost effective, the issue of equity fairness is pervasive in humanitarian operations, and so is the need to always base considerations on “last‐mile logistics,” that is, getting aid to those in most need. Research is essential to determine how to train researchers to scout out and map the territory of the real problems. One of the most vexing problems is the lack of robust data in the humanitarian domain which is as richly varied as the types of disasters that can occur.
MLK Day and Racial Attitudes: Liking the Group More but Its Members Less
Authors: Chopik William J. , O'Brien Ed , Konrath Sara H. , Schwarz Norbert
Published: February 2014

Intuition suggests that the Martin Luther King holiday (MLK Day) should improve racial attitudes toward African Americans. However, its influence may depend on whether African Americans are evaluated as a group or individually. In two studies, we assessed racial attitudes either on MLK Day or on a control day. As might be expected, participants had more sympathetic attitudes towards African Americans as a group on MLK Day compared to control days; however, they evaluated individual African American exemplars more negatively on MLK Day compared to control days, who presumably seemed worse by comparison to the eminent political figure.
The Role of Inclusive and Exclusive Victim Consciousness in Predicting Intergroup Attitudes: Findings from Rwanda, Burundi, and DRC
Authors: Vollhardt Johanna Ray , Bilali Rezarta
Published: February 2014

The present research examined the differential relationship between distinct construals of collective victimhood—specifically, inclusive and exclusive victim consciousness—and intergroup attitudes in the context and aftermath of mass violence. Three surveys in Rwanda (N = 842), Burundi (N = 1,074), and Eastern DRC (N = 1,609) provided empirical support for the hypothesis that while exclusive victim consciousness predicts negative intergroup attitudes, inclusive victim consciousness is associated with positive, prosocial intergroup attitudes. These findings were significant when controlling for age, gender, urban/rural residence, education, personal victimization, and ingroup superiority. Additionally, exclusive victim consciousness mediated the effects of ingroup superiority on negative intergroup attitudes. These findings have important theoretical implications for research on collective victimhood as well as practical implications for intergroup relations in regions emerging from violent conflict.
Precision Weapons, Civilian Casualties, and Support for the Use of Force
Authors: Walsh James Igoe
Published: February 2014

Precision weapons such as drones have become important elements of the military strategies of the United States and other countries. How does the use of precision weapons influence public support for the use of force? The public is averse to casualties, mission failure, and collateral damage. I argue that precision weapons increase the salience and importance of avoiding civilian harm. Individuals adopt their expectations about the outcomes of using these weapons and have lower tolerance for attacks that result in civilian deaths. This proposition is consistent with the results of two survey experiments. In the first, the possibility of civilian casualties leads to larger declines in support for the use of force than do military casualties or mission failure. In the second, respondents primed with information about an attack with precision weapons exhibited less tolerance for civilian harm than those primed with other weapons systems, despite the fact that the outcomes described to all respondents were identical.
Sequential effects in continued visual search: Using fixation‐related potentials to compare distractor processing before and after target detection
Authors: Körner Christof , Braunstein Verena , Stangl Matthias , Schlögl Alois , Neuper Christa , Ischebeck Anja
Published: February 2014

To search for a target in a complex environment is an everyday behavior that ends with finding the target. When we search for two identical targets, however, we must continue the search after finding the first target and memorize its location. We used fixation‐related potentials to investigate the neural correlates of different stages of the search, that is, before and after finding the first target. Having found the first target influenced subsequent distractor processing. Compared to distractor fixations before the first target fixation, a negative shift was observed for three subsequent distractor fixations. These results suggest that processing a target in continued search modulates the brain's response, either transiently by reflecting temporary working memory processes or permanently by reflecting working memory retention.
Domestic airborne pollutants and asthma and respiratory symptoms in middle age
Authors: Mészáros Desiree , Burgess John , Walters E. Haydn , Johns David , Markos James , Giles Graham , Hopper John , Abramson Michael , Dharmage Shyamali C. , Matheson Melanie
Published: February 2014

Background and objective

The role of indoor air pollution as a risk factor for asthma and respiratory symptoms in middle age is unclear. We investigated associations between indoor air pollution sources and (i) asthma phenotypes and (ii) asthma‐related respiratory symptoms in middle‐aged adults.

Methods

Subjects (n = 5729) who participated in the 2004 survey of the Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study completed respiratory and home environment questionnaires. Associations between indoor air pollution sources, and asthma phenotypes and asthma‐related respiratory symptoms were estimated.

Results

Recent mould in the home was associated with current asthma (odds ratio (OR) 1.26; 95% confidence interval 1.06–1.50), wheeze (OR 1.34; 1.17–1.54) and nocturnal chest tightness (OR 1.30; 1.12–1.51). Stratified by atopy and gender, recent mould was associated with current non‐atopic asthma only in males (OR 3.73; 1.29–10.80). More rooms affected by mould were associated with significant trends for current asthma, wheeze and nocturnal chest tightness. Home environmental tobacco smoke was associated with doctor‐diagnosed asthma (OR 1.25; 1.02–1.53), wheeze (OR 1.69; 1.41–2.03), nocturnal chest tightness (OR 1.54; 1.26–1.88), with current asthma only in non‐smokers (OR 2.09; 95%: 1.30–3.35) and with current asthma only in males (OR 1.74; 95%: 1.25–2.42). Among heating appliances, reverse cycle air conditioning was negatively associated with doctor‐diagnosed asthma (OR 0.84; 0.70–1.00). Neither electric nor gas stove use was associated with either asthma phenotype or with asthma‐related respiratory symptoms.

Conclusions

In middle age, reducing home exposure to mould and environmental tobacco smoke might reduce asthma and asthma‐related respiratory symptoms.
Evaluation of Take‐Home Exposure and Risk Associated with the Handling of Clothing Contaminated with Chrysotile Asbestos
Authors: Sahmel J. , Barlow C. A. , Simmons B. , Gaffney S. H. , Avens H. J. , Madl A. K. , Henshaw J. , Lee R. J. , Van Orden D. , Sanchez M. , Zock M. , Paustenbach D. J.
Published: February 2014

The potential for para‐occupational (or take‐home) exposures from contaminated clothing has been recognized for the past 60 years. To better characterize the take‐home asbestos exposure pathway, a study was performed to measure the relationship between airborne chrysotile concentrations in the workplace, the contamination of work clothing, and take‐home exposures and risks. The study included air sampling during two activities: (1) contamination of work clothing by airborne chrysotile (i.e., loading the clothing), and (2) handling and shaking out of the clothes. The clothes were contaminated at three different target airborne chrysotile concentrations (0–0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter [f/cc], 1–2 f/cc, and 2–4 f/cc; two events each for 31–43 minutes; six events total). Arithmetic mean concentrations for the three target loading levels were 0.01 f/cc, 1.65 f/cc, and 2.84 f/cc (National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety [NIOSH] 7402). Following the loading events, six matched 30‐minute clothes‐handling and shake‐out events were conducted, each including 15 minutes of active handling (15‐minute means; 0.014–0.097 f/cc) and 15 additional minutes of no handling (30‐minute means; 0.006–0.063 f/cc). Percentages of personal clothes‐handling TWAs relative to clothes‐loading TWAs were calculated for event pairs to characterize exposure potential during daily versus weekly clothes‐handling activity. Airborne concentrations for the clothes handler were 0.2–1.4% (eight‐hour TWA or daily ratio) and 0.03–0.27% (40‐hour TWA or weekly ratio) of loading TWAs. Cumulative chrysotile doses for clothes handling at airborne concentrations tested were estimated to be consistent with lifetime cumulative chrysotile doses associated with ambient air exposure (range for take‐home or ambient doses: 0.00044–0.105 f/cc year).
Sediment colour reflectance spectroscopy as a proxy for wet/dry cycles at Lake El'gygytgyn, Far East Russia, during Marine Isotope Stages 8 to 12
Authors: Wei Jeremy H. , Finkelstein David B. , Brigham‐Grette Julie , Castañeda Isla S. , Nowaczyk Norbert
Published: February 2014

Marine Isotope Stage 11 has been proposed as an analogue for the present interglacial interval; yet, terrestrial climate records from both this region and time interval are rare. The sediments deposited at Lake El'gygytgyn (67°30′N, 172°5′E) in Far East Russia contain a 3·56 Ma record of climate variability. This study presents a high‐resolution record of sediment colour change from Marine Isotope Stage 8 to 12 (ca 275 to 475 ka) and demonstrates the link between lake catchment processes and climate variability. The hue colour parameter, calculated from data collected via colour reflectance spectroscopy in the visible spectrum (380 to 720 nm), exhibits correspondence with global climate records. Determining the source of sediment colour changes was achieved through detailed mineralogical and sedimentological methods, and linked to colour changes through a series of colour sensitivity tests. Mineralogical data, measured by X‐ray diffraction, reveal fluctuations in concentrations of clay minerals corresponding to colour changes. Further analyses of the clay mineral assemblages show no change in relative clay mineral abundances, yet demonstrate a lake catchment dominated by physical weathering processes. Using measured mineral abundances, reconstructions of sediment colour based on colour reflectance mineral standards link mineral and clay mineral content to overall sediment colour. Colour sensitivity tests demonstrate the ability of iron oxide minerals to stain sediments red. Additionally, colour sensitivity to organic matter content was tested, suggesting that organic content drives variability in the red portion of the spectrum and darkens the overall colour signal. Sediment colour is then ultimately linked to physical weathering of bedrock minerals, with small amounts of chemical weathering producing iron oxides during wet intervals. Fluctuations in the sediment colour reveal a high‐resolution record of wet/dry cycles, and provide new information about wet periods for the Russian Arctic region not yet understood from other lake proxy records.