bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exposure of
Solidago altissima
plants to volatile emissions of an insect antagonist (
Eurosta solidaginis
) deters subsequent herbivory
Authors: Helms Anjel M. , De Moraes Consuelo M. , Tooker John F. , Mescher Mark C.
Published: December 2012

Recent work indicates that plants respond to environmental odors. For example, some parasitic plants grow toward volatile cues from their host plants, and other plants have been shown to exhibit enhanced defense capability after exposure to volatile emissions from herbivore-damaged neighbors. Despite such intriguing discoveries, we currently know relatively little about the occurrence and significance of plant responses to olfactory cues in natural systems. Here we explore the possibility that some plants may respond to the odors of insect antagonists. We report that tall goldenrod (
Solidago altissima
) plants exposed to the putative sex attractant of a closely associated herbivore, the gall-inducing fly
Eurosta solidaginis
, exhibit enhanced defense responses and reduced susceptibility to insect feeding damage. In a field study, egg-laying
E. solidaginis
females discriminated against plants previously exposed to the sex-specific volatile emissions of males; furthermore, overall rates of herbivory were reduced on exposed plants. Consistent with these findings, laboratory assays documented reduced performance of the specialist herbivore
Trirhabda virgata
on plants exposed to male fly emissions (or crude extracts), as well as enhanced induction of the key defense hormone jasmonic acid in exposed plants after herbivory. These unexpected findings from a classic ecological study system provide evidence for a previously unexplored class of plant–insect interactions involving plant responses to insect-derived olfactory cues.
Logic reversibility and thermodynamic irreversibility demonstrated by DNAzyme-based Toffoli and Fredkin logic gates
Authors: Orbach Ron , Remacle Françoise , Levine R. D. , Willner Itamar
Published: December 2012

The Toffoli and Fredkin gates were suggested as a means to exhibit logic reversibility and thereby reduce energy dissipation associated with logic operations in dense computing circuits. We present a construction of the logically reversible Toffoli and Fredkin gates by implementing a library of predesigned Mg
2+
-dependent DNAzymes and their respective substrates. Although the logical reversibility, for which each set of inputs uniquely correlates to a set of outputs, is demonstrated, the systems manifest thermodynamic irreversibility originating from two quite distinct and nonrelated phenomena. (
i
) The physical readout of the gates is by fluorescence that depletes the population of the final state of the machine. This irreversible, heat-releasing process is needed for the generation of the output. (
ii
) The DNAzyme-powered logic gates are made to operate at a finite rate by invoking downhill energy-releasing processes. Even though the three bits of Toffoli’s and Fredkin’s logically reversible gates manifest thermodynamic irreversibility, we suggest that these gates could have important practical implication in future nanomedicine.
Rare allele of
OsPPKL1
associated with grain length causes extra-large grain and a significant yield increase in rice
Authors: Zhang Xiaojun , Wang Jianfei , Huang Ji , Lan Hongxia , Wang Cailin , Yin Congfei , Wu Yunyu , Tang Haijuan , Qian Qian , Li Jiayang , Zhang Hongsheng
Published: December 2012

Grain size and shape are important components determining rice grain yield, and they are controlled by quantitative trait loci (QTLs). Here, we report the cloning and functional characterization of a major grain length QTL,
qGL3
, which encodes a putative protein phosphatase with Kelch-like repeat domain (OsPPKL1). We found a rare allele
qgl3
that leads to a long grain phenotype by an aspartate-to-glutamate transition in a conserved AVLDT motif of the second Kelch domain in OsPPKL1. The rice genome has other two
OsPPKL1
homologs,
OsPPKL2
and
OsPPKL3
. Transgenic studies showed that
OsPPKL1
and
OsPPKL3
function as negative regulators of grain length, whereas
OsPPKL2
as a positive regulator. The Kelch domains are essential for the OsPPKL1 biological function. Field trials showed that the application of the
qgl3
allele could significantly increase grain yield in both inbred and hybrid rice varieties, due to its favorable effect on grain length, filling, and weight.
Isolation of Yersinia ruckeri Strain H01 from Farm-Raised Amur Sturgeon Acipenser schrencki in China
Authors: Shaowu Li , Di Wang , Hongbai Liu , Tongyan Lu
Published: December 2012

Yersinia ruckeri is the causative agent of enteric redmouth disease or yersiniosis, which affects salmonids and several other species of fish. However, there are no reports on the characteristics and pathogenicity of Y. ruckeri isolated from farm-raised Amur Sturgeon Acipenser schrencki. Here, we isolated and characterized Y. ruckeri strain H01 from the diseased Amur Sturgeon in China. The phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of Y. ruckeri were observed, and its virulence was tested by examining experimentally infected sturgeons. Examination of the flagellar morphology of Y. ruckeri by transmission electron microscopy showed five to eight peritrichous flagella located on the cell body. Actively dividing cells with an obvious cell membrane were approximately 0.64 μm in diameter and between 1.7 and 2.5 μm in length. The dose that was lethal to 50% of the test fish after intraperitoneal injection was determined to be 7.2×106 CFU, and Y. ruckeri could be reisolated from the liver and kidneys of infected sturgeon. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests showed that H01 was susceptible to 10 antimicrobial agents. Part of the 16S rRNA sequences (563 base pair) was amplified and sequenced to study the genotypic characterization in Y. ruckeri (GenBank accession number JQ657818). The phylogenetic tree revealed H01 was clustered together with Y. ruckeri strains. Together, this study describes the isolation, characterization, and phenotypic–genotypic analysis of a Y. ruckeri strain isolated from farm-raised Amur Sturgeon. The results discovered may provide some theoretical basis for the prevention and control of yersiniosis in Amur Sturgeon.

Received July 23, 2012; accepted September 5, 2012
Participation, equality of opportunity and returns to tertiary education in contemporary Europe
Authors: Bernardi Fabrizio , Ballarino Gabriele
Published: December 2012

The aim of the paper is to investigate the consequences of the expansion of higher education on two goals of the education system, namely promoting equity of educational opportunities and providing credentials that facilitate the matching of labour supply and demand. The first goal is typically studied by research on inequality of educational opportunity; the second by research on returns to education and credential inflation. The key idea of the paper is that educational expansion can have different and possibly opposite effects on the two goals. (a) If, with educational expansion, equality of educational opportunities increases, while the occupational value of the titles decreases, one has a trade-off scenario. For example, an increase in equality of educational opportunities is matched by a decline in the value of higher education in the labour market. (b) If equality of opportunities does not increase, despite the expansion of higher education, and the returns of higher education degrees decline, one has then a worst-off scenario. (c) Finally, if with educational expansion equality of opportunities increases and there is no credential inflation, one has a best-off scenario. In this paper, we systematically investigate these alternative scenarios. We perform the same empirical analysis on two distinct data sets in order to test the robustness of our findings. We use micro data from EU-SILC 2005 and from the five merged waves of the European Social Survey (2002–2010), covering 23 countries.
Discord among Performance Measures for Central Line—Associated Bloodstream Infection
Authors: Tehrani David M. , Russell Dana , Brown Jennifer , Boynton-Delahanty Kim , Quan Kathleen , Gibbs Laurel , Braddock Geri , Zaroda Teresa , Koopman Marsha , Thompson Deborah , Nichols Amy , Cui Eric , Liu Catherine , Cohen Stuart , Rubin Zachary , Pegues David , Torriani Francesca , Datta Rupak , Huang Susan S. ,   for the University of California Healthcare Epidemiology Collaborative
Published: December 2012

Background.

Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is a national target for mandatory reporting and a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services target for value-based purchasing. Differences in chart review versus claims-based metrics used by national agencies and groups raise concerns about the validity of these measures.

Objective.

Evaluate consistency and reasons for discordance among chart review and claims-based CLABSI events.

Methods.

We conducted 2 multicenter retrospective cohort studies within 6 academic institutions. A total of 150 consecutive patients were identified with CLABSI on the basis of National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) criteria (NHSN cohort), and an additional 150 consecutive patients were identified with CLABSI on the basis of claims codes (claims cohort). Ail events had full-text medical record reviews and were identified as concordant or discordant with the other metric.

Results.

In the NHSN cohort, there were 152 CLABSIs among 150 patients, and 73.0% of these cases were discordant with claims data. Common reasons for the lack of associated claims codes included coding omission and lack of physician documentation of bacteremia cause. In the claims cohort, there were 150 CLABSIs among 150 patients, and 65.3% of these cases were discordant with NHSN criteria. Common reasons for the lack of NHSN reporting were identification of non-CLABSI with bacteremia meeting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria for an alternative infection source.

Conclusion.

Substantial discordance between NHSN and claims-based CLABSI indicators persists. Compared with standardized CDC chart review criteria, claims data often had both coding omissions and misclassification of non-CLABSI infections as CLABSI. Additionally, claims did not identify any additional CLABSIs for CDC reporting. NHSN criteria are a more consistent interhospital standard for CLABSI reporting.
Transplantation of engineered heart tissue as a biological cardiac assist device for treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Leontyev Sergey , Schlegel Franziska , Spath Cathleen , Schmiedel Ronny , Nichtitz Martin , Boldt Andreas , Rübsamen Rudolf , Salameh Aida , Kostelka Martin , Mohr Friedrich‐Wilhelm , Dhein Stefan
Published: December 2012

Aim

The aim of this study was to characterize an alternative treatment for dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) using a novel cardiac biological assist device created from engineered heart tissue (EHT).

Methods and results

The EHTs were constructed in vitro from matrigel, collagen, and neonatal rat cardiomyocytes as small ring‐like spontaneously contracting devices. DCM was induced in 50 rats by 6 weeks doxorubicin treatment (2.5 mg/kg/week). After 38 drug‐free days, rats underwent either implantation of EHT (DCM‐EHT, n = 13), which was sutured around the ventricles, or sham operation (DCM‐Sham, n = 12). Eleven untreated healthy rats served as the control group. Rats were investigated using a Millar catheter for pressure–volume loop recording, and by echocardiography 30 days after operation. Thereafter, the hearts were excised and investigated functionally, histologically, and biochemically. Doxorubicin led to the development of DCM with reduced fractional shortening (FS), reduced dP/dtmax, increased systolic and diastolic LV diameters, and reduced response to dobutamine. In DCM‐Sham, these changes were further enhanced, while in DCM‐EHT we found improved FS, dP/dtmax, and dobutamine responsiveness. In isolated hearts, electrical multielectrode mapping revealed that EHT was electrically activated synchronously to the recipient heart. Histologically, we found increased vascularization in the EHT and the recipient heart, and EHT vessels connected to the coronary system.

Conclusions

Implantation of EHT improves LV performance in rats with doxorubicin‐induced DCM.
How does seasonal variability in growth, recruitment, and mortality affect the performance of length-based mortality and asymptotic length estimates in aquatic resources?
Authors: Hufnagl Marc , Huebert Klaus B. , Temming Axel
Published: December 2012

Hufnagl, M., Huebert, K. B., and Temming, A. 2013. How does seasonal variability in growth, recruitment, and mortality affect the performance of length-based mortality and asymptotic length estimates in aquatic resources? – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 70: 329–341. We tested the sensitivity of eight methods for estimating total mortality from size frequencies (modified Wetherall; Powell; Beverton and Holt; Jones and van Zalinge; Hoenig; Ssentongo and Larkin; seasonal and non-seasonal Length Converted Catch Curve) to violations of basic assumptions, such as seasonal growth, mortality, recruitment and variable asymptotic length L∞ or growth parameter K. For each method, bias was estimated by simulating length frequency distributions with different combinations of known L∞, Z and K values, calculating θ (Z/K) and L∞ estimates, and comparing the true input with the estimated output values. Input mortality was generally underestimated by all methods and in 27% of all simulations no method provided estimates within θ ± 1. Spring recruitment especially negatively influenced the mortality estimate. A decision tree was developed that provides general guidance in selecting appropriate methods despite violated assumptions, but species-specific case studies are recommended. An example of a species-specific study is provided for the brown shrimp, Crangon crangon. Despite inherent limitations for all methods, the results illustrate that estimates of θ and Z for brown shrimp can be improved substantially by selecting suitable methods and correcting for observed bias.
How to make progress in disciplining overfishing subsidies
Authors: Sumaila U. Rashid
Published: December 2012

Sumaila, U. R. 2013. How to make progress in disciplining overfishing subsidies. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 70: 251–258. The World Trade Organization (WTO) has been working for more than seven years now to discipline overfishing subsidies, as mandated by the global community, without success. I argue that this failure is partly because WTO negotiators aim for an all-inclusive deal, i.e. negotiations are conducted as a “single undertaking”, whereby results must be achieved in all areas. Negotiators are required to broker an all-inclusive deal for all maritime WTO member countries and for all fisheries, whether domestic or international; small or large scale; developing or developed country fisheries. It is argued here that this commitment to a “single undertaking” does not align the incentive to remove subsidies with national interests, and therefore needs to be changed by splitting the world's fisheries into domestic and international fisheries. In this way, the battle for eliminating overfishing subsidies for some stocks would shift to home countries, and for others this would still rest with the international community. This split, it is argued, would align the incentives and improve the chances of eliminating overfishing subsidies.
Bayesian Metric Multidimensional Scaling
Authors: Bakker Ryan , Poole Keith T.
Published: December 2012

In this article, we show how to apply Bayesian methods to noisy ratio scale distances for both the classical similarities problem as well as the unfolding problem. Bayesian methods produce essentially the same point estimates as the classical methods, but are superior in that they provide more accurate measures of uncertainty in the data. Identification is nontrivial for this class of problems because a configuration of points that reproduces the distances is identified only up to a choice of origin, angles of rotation, and sign flips on the dimensions. We prove that fixing the origin and rotation is sufficient to identify a configuration in the sense that the corresponding maxima/minima are inflection points with full-rank Hessians. However, an unavoidable result is multiple posterior distributions that are mirror images of one another. This poses a problem for Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods. The approach we take is to find the optimal solution using standard optimizers. The configuration of points from the optimizers is then used to isolate a single Bayesian posterior that can then be easily analyzed with standard MCMC methods.
Adductor Canal Block versus Femoral Nerve Block and Quadriceps Strength
Authors: Jæger Pia , Nielsen Zbigniew J.K. , Henningsen Maria H. , Hilsted Karen Lisa , Mathiesen Ole , Dahl Jørgen B.
Published: December 2012

Background:

The authors hypothesized that the adductor canal block (ACB), a predominant sensory blockade, reduces quadriceps strength compared with placebo (primary endpoint, area under the curve, 0.5–6 h), but less than the femoral nerve block (FNB; secondary endpoint). Other secondary endpoints were adductor strength and ability to ambulate.

Methods:

The authors enrolled healthy young men into this double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover study. On two separate study days, subjects received either ACB or FNB with ropivacaine, and placebo in the opposite limb. Strength was assessed as maximum voluntary isometric contraction for quadriceps and adductor muscles. In addition, subjects performed three standardized ambulation tests. Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01449097.

Results:

Twelve subjects were randomized, 11 analyzed. Quadriceps strength (area under the curve, 0.5–6 h) was significantly reduced when comparing ACB with placebo (5.0 ± 1.0 vs. 5.9 ± 0.6, P = 0.02, CI: −1.5 to −0.2), FNB with placebo (P = 0.0004), and when comparing FNB with ACB (P = 0.002). The mean reduction from baseline was 8% with ACB and 49% with FNB. The only statistically significant difference in adductor strength was between placebo and FNB (P = 0.007). Performance in all mobilization tests was reduced after an FNB compared with an ACB (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

As compared with placebo ACB statistically significantly reduced quadriceps strength, but the reduction was only 8% from baseline. ACB preserved quadriceps strength and ability to ambulate better than FNB did. Future studies are needed to compare the analgesic effect of the ACB with the FNB in a clinical setting.
Temporal Changes in Allocation and Partitioning of New Carbon as 11C Elicited by Simulated Herbivory Suggest that Roots Shape Aboveground Responses in Arabidopsis
Authors: Ferrieri Abigail P. , Agtuca Beverly , Appel Heidi M. , Ferrieri Richard A. , Schultz Jack C.
Published: December 2012

Using the short-lived isotope 11C (t1/2 = 20.4 min) as 11CO2, we captured temporal changes in whole-plant carbon movement and partitioning of recently fixed carbon into primary and secondary metabolites in a time course (2, 6, and 24 h) following simulated herbivory with the well-known defense elicitor methyl jasmonate (MeJA) to young leaves of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Both 11CO2 fixation and 11C-photosynthate export from the labeled source leaf increased rapidly (2 h) following MeJA treatment relative to controls, with preferential allocation of radiolabeled resources belowground. At the same time, 11C-photosynthate remaining in the aboveground sink tissues showed preferential allocation to MeJA-treated, young leaves, where it was incorporated into 11C-cinnamic acid. By 24 h, resource allocation toward roots returned to control levels, while allocation to the young leaves increased. This corresponded to an increase in invertase activity and the accumulation of phenolic compounds, particularly anthocyanins, in young leaves. Induction of phenolics was suppressed in sucrose transporter mutant plants (suc2-1), indicating that this phenomenon may be controlled, in part, by phloem loading at source leaves. However, when plant roots were chilled to 5°C to disrupt carbon flow between above- and belowground tissues, source leaves failed to allocate resources belowground or toward damaged leaves following wounding and MeJA treatment to young leaves, suggesting that roots may play an integral role in controlling how plants respond defensively aboveground.
True symmetry or pseudosymmetry: 5-amino-1-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-4-pyrazolin-3-one and a comparison with its 1-phenylsulfonyl analogue
Authors: Elgemeie Galal H. , Sayed Shahinaz H. , Jones Peter G.
Published: December 2012

The title compound, C10H11N3O3S, (I), crystallizes as the NH tautomer. The two rings subtend an interplanar angle of 72.54 (4)°. An intramolecular hydrogen bond is formed from the NH2group to a sulfonyl O atom. The molecular packing involves layers of molecules parallel to thebcplane atx≃ 0, 1etc., with two classical linear hydrogen bonds (amino–sulfonyl and pyrazoline–carbonyl N—H...O) and a further interaction (amino–sulfonyl N—H...O) completing a three-centre system with the intramolecular contact. The analogous phenyl derivative, (II) [Elgemeie, Hanfy, Hopf & Jones (1998).Acta Cryst.C54, 136–138], crystallizes with essentially the same unit cell and packing pattern, but with two independent molecules that differ significantly in the orientation of the phenyl groups. The space group isP21/cfor (I) butP21for (II), which is thus a pseudosymmetric counterpart of (I).
The effect of various heat treatments on the antioxidant capacity of milk before and after simulated gastrointestinal digestion
Authors: Şanlidere Aloğlu Hatice
Published: December 2012

Various reactions take place between compounds of milk during heat treatment including denaturation and aggregation of whey proteins, and formation of new complexes. In this study, the antioxidant capacities of raw, pasteurised and sterilised milk were determined both before and after an enzymatic in vitro digestion process, using a radical cation decolorisation assay. The mean values of raw, pasteurised and sterilised milk before simulated digestion were 4.02, 4.47 and 4.18 mM trolox/g, respectively, and these did not differ significantly. The antioxidant capacity of all milk types increased significantly at the end of the simulated gastrointestinal digestion, being 11.13, 12.33, 11.88 mM trolox/g for raw, pasteurised and sterilised milk, respectively.
Urinary incontinence in women in rural Pakistan: prevalence, severity, associated factors and impact on life
Authors: Jokhio AH , Rizvi RM , Rizvi J , MacArthur C
Published: December 2012

Objective

To estimate the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) and its subtypes in women in rural Pakistan, associated factors, severity and impact on daily life.

Design

Population‐based, cross‐sectional study.

Setting

A rural community in Sindh Province, Pakistan.

Population

Randomly selected women aged 15 years or older.

Methods

A three‐level random sampling strategy was used to select women: a random sample of health centres; a random sample of Lady Health Workers (LHWs) from each health centre; and a random sample of women in the LHW catchment areas. The LHWs used an interview‐based structured questionnaire to collect data from women.

Main outcome measure

Urinary incontinence reported by women.

Results

Among the 5064 participants (response rate 95.8%) the prevalence of any UI was 11.5% (581/5064; 95% CI 10.6–12.3). The most common subtype was stress incontinence, with a prevalence of 4.7% (95% CI 4.1–5.3), followed by urge incontinence, with a prevalence of 3.2% (95% CI 2.7–3.7), mixed incontinence, with a prevalence of 2.8% (95% CI 2.3–3.2), other incontinence, with a prevalence of 0.4% (95% CI 0.2–0.5) and continuous incontinence, with a prevalence of 0.5% (95% CI 0.3–0.6). Older age, higher parity and marriage at an early age were independently associated with UI. We found that 52% of women with UI reported leakage at least daily, and 45% reported a great or moderate impact on their daily life. Only 15.7% of women with UI had consulted a doctor.

Conclusions

The prevalence of UI reported in rural Pakistan was lower than is generally found in studies from the developed world, but among the women affected it commonly occurred on a daily basis and impacted on their everyday lives, yet few had obtained medical advice.
Techniques for minimizing the effects of PCR inhibitors in the chytridiomycosis assay
Authors: Kosch T. A. , Summers K.
Published: December 2012

Chytridiomycosis is an amphibian disease of global conservation concern that is caused by the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Since the discovery of Bd in 1998, several methods have been used for detection of Bd; among these polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from skin swabs is accepted as the best method due to its noninvasiveness, high sensitivity and ease of use. However, PCR is not without problems – to be successful, this technique is dependent upon the presence of nondegraded DNA template and reaction contents that are free from inhibitors. Here, we report on an investigation of several techniques aimed at improving the reliability of the Bd PCR assay by minimizing the effects of humic acid (HA), a potent PCR inhibitor. We compared the effectiveness of four DNA extraction kits (DNeasy, QIAamp DNA Stool, PowerLyzer Power Soil and PrepMan Ultra) and four PCR methods (Amplitaq Gold, bovine serum albumin, PowerClean DNA Clean‐up and inhibitor resistant Taq Polymerase). The results of this and previous studies indicate that chytridiomycosis studies that use PCR methods for disease detection may be significantly underestimating the occurrence of Bd. Our results suggest that to minimize the inhibitory effects of HA, DNeasy should be used for sample DNA extraction and Amplitaq Gold with bovine serum albumin should be used for the Bd PCR assay. We also outline protocols tested, show the results of our methods comparisons and discuss the pros and cons of each method.
Effect of spider venom on inhibition proliferation of TE13 cells in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Gao Li , Zhang Jing , Liu Xinyan , Zhao Min , Li Lijun , Liu Xin , Zhao Baohua
Published: December 2012

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic and antitumor activity of spider venom (SV).

Methods

Cell proliferation and cytotoxicity were determined by 3H‐methyl thymidine incorporation ([3H]‐TDR) assay. DNA fragmentation and cell cycle kinetics were analyzed by FACS. In vivo inhibition of tumor size of nude mice by SV (5.0, 10.0, 20.0 mg/kg mice) was constructed.

Results

SV exhibited significant anti‐cancer effects on human squamous esophageal carcinoma cells TE13, mainly as a result of cell apoptosis induced by SV. The anti‐cancer effects were likely achieved through decreasing [3H]‐TdR. TE13 cells treated with SV (25, 50, 100 μg/mL), which were arrested in the G0/G1 phase. SV treatment leads to anti‐proliferation effects, and significant apoptosis in TE13 cells with reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels can increase dramatically and decrease cellular mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). In addition, Western blotting analysis showed that one of the pharmacological mechanisms of SV was to activate the expression of P21. In vivo testing revealed that tumor size was significantly decreased after 21 days of treatment with the venom (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Our data showed that SVs could inhibit TE13 cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo.
Endoscopy as a novel method for assessing endoparasite burdens in free‐ranging European shags (Phalacrocorax aristotelis)
Authors: Burthe Sarah , Newell Mark A. , Goodman Gidona , Butler Adam , Bregnballe Thomas , Harris Eileen , Wanless Sarah , Cunningham Emma J.A. , Daunt Francis
Published: December 2012

Parasites are considered to be a key driver of evolutionary processes in wild animal populations. However, assessing host‐endoparasite burdens non‐destructively is problematic. Collection of faecal samples can be difficult, and faecal egg counts may not always be a reliable indicator of infection intensity.

Here we report on endoscopy as a method for assessing natural burdens of nematode parasitesContracaecum rudolphiiHartwich, 1964, in a wild seabird, the European shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis,L.). We aimed to measure natural individual parasite burdens and repeatability of burdens over time, and to verify that treatment with ivermectin removed parasites.

Endoscopy was rapid, averaging 6 min (n = 157), with no obvious adverse effects on behaviour or breeding success compared to non‐endoscoped birds.

Nematode burdens in the oesophagus and proventriculus of conscious shags were counted and classified as absent, low, medium or high using a flexible gastroscope with a camera attachment that recorded video footage.

Re‐assessment of worm burdens was highly accurate, with 94% of randomly selected videos (n = 50) giving identical categorical scores, and 70% of worm counts (n = 40) giving the same total or differing by only one worm.

All birds were parasitised byC.rudolphii. Natural burdens were significantly higher in males and in late breeders.

Individuals had highly repeatable categorical parasite scores over time with 65% of control birds sampled more than once (n = 17; mean interval between assessments= 10·8 days) showing no change in scores. However, although the rank ordering of birds based on categorical scores remained constant, more finely resolved quantification indicated a slight seasonal decline in worm counts within individuals.

Treatment with ivermectin (4 mg kg−1of bird weight) resulted in complete removal of parasites. There was some evidence of temporal declines in worm counts with lower doses of ivermectin, including a dose (0·7 mg kg−1) previously shown to impact chick survival and growth.

Endoscopy has considerable potential for investigating individual variation and temporal changes in endoparasite burdens and drug efficacy. Applicability and limitations of this method for other host‐parasite systems are discussed.
Necrotizing fasciitis after spinal anesthesia
Authors: KUNDRA S. , SINGH R. M. , GREWAL A. , GUPTA V. , CHAUDHARY A. K.
Published: December 2012

Regional anesthesia is the preferred technique for Cesarean delivery. Strict aseptic precautions should be taken; otherwise, infectious complications including abscess formation, meningitis and necrotizing fasciitis may result.

We report a case of a 26‐year‐old post‐partum female who presented with necrosis of the skin of back following spinal anesthesia, which was administered for Cesarean delivery 5 days prior at a private nursing home. On presentation, she was drowsy, appeared dehydrated and febrile. Examination of her back revealed necrosis of skin extending from just below the scapula to the gluteal region. Debridement of skin over the back was performed, and intravenous antibiotics started. After three debridements following which skin grafting was performed, she made complete recovery. Infectious complications following regional anesthesia are rare, and most of the literature focuses on colonization of epidural catheters or epidural abscess. There is no report of necrotizing fasciitis following spinal anesthesia so far. Sources of infection that are suspected in our case include: local anesthetic solution used for subcutaneous infiltration, nonadherence to aseptic precautions, skin flora of patient, endogenous source and nasopharyngeal flora of anesthesiologist. We considered each possibility, and the most likely cause in our case appears to be infection from an already‐used vial of a local anesthetic agent. Local anesthetics have bacteriostatic properties, but infection may still be transmitted through contaminated solutions. The present case highlights the importance of maintaining strict aseptic precautions, avoiding reusing multidose vials and early recognition of this complication as timely intervention can be lifesaving.
Antidepressant use in pregnancy: a critical review focused on risks and controversies
Authors: Byatt N. , Deligiannidis K. M. , Freeman M. P.
Published: December 2012

Objective

Conflicting data have led to controversy regarding antidepressant use during pregnancy. The objectives of this study are to i) review the risks of untreated depression and anxiety, ii) review the literature on risks of exposure to antidepressants during pregnancy, iii) discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the different study designs used to evaluate those risks, and iv) provide clinical recommendations.

Method

MEDLINE/PubMed was searched for reports and studies on the risk of first‐trimester teratogenicity, postnatal adaptation syndrome (PNAS), and persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) with in utero antidepressant exposure.

Results

While some individual studies suggest associations between some specific major malformations, the findings are inconsistent. Therefore, the absolute risks appear small. PNAS occurs in up to 30% of neonates exposed to antidepressants. In some studies, PPHN has been weakly associated with in utero antidepressant exposure, while in other studies, there has been no association.

Conclusion

Exposures of concern include that of untreated maternal illness as well as medication exposure. It is vital to have a careful discussion, tailored to each patient, which incorporates the evidence to date and considers methodological and statistical limitations. Past medication trials, previous success with symptom remission, and women's preference should guide treatment decisions.
Fronto‐striatal functional connectivity during response inhibition in alcohol dependence
Authors: Courtney Kelly E. , Ghahremani Dara G. , Ray Lara A.
Published: December 2012

Poor response inhibition has been implicated in the development of alcohol dependence, yet little is known about how neural pathways underlying cognitive control are affected in this disorder. Moreover, endogenous opioid levels may impact the functionality of inhibitory control pathways. This study investigated the relationship between alcohol dependence severity and functional connectivity of fronto‐striatal networks during response inhibition in an alcohol‐dependent sample. A secondary aim of this study was to test the moderating effect of a functional polymorphism (A118G) of the μ‐opioid receptor (OPRM1) gene. Twenty individuals with alcohol dependence (six females; 90% Caucasian; mean age = 29.4) who were prospectively genotyped on the OPRM1 gene underwent blood oxygen level‐dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging while performing a Stop‐Signal Task. The relationship between alcohol dependence severity and functional connectivity within fronto‐striatal networks important for response inhibition was assessed using psychophysiological interaction analyses. Analyses revealed greater alcohol dependence severity was associated with weaker functional connectivity between the putamen and prefrontal regions (e.g. the anterior insula, anterior cingulate and medial prefrontal cortex) during response inhibition. Furthermore, the OPRM1 genotype was associated with differential response inhibition‐related functional connectivity. This study demonstrates that individuals with more severe alcohol dependence exhibit less frontal connectivity with the striatum, a component of cognitive control networks important for response inhibition. These findings suggest that the fronto‐striatal pathway underlying response inhibition is weakened as alcoholism progresses.
Clinical value of component‐resolved diagnostics in peanut‐allergic patients
Authors: Eller E. , Bindslev‐Jensen C.
Published: December 2012

Introduction

As replacement for the oral food challenge, decision‐points for sensitization test have been established, but suboptimal sensitivity and/or specificity, as well as regional differences, have reduced the clinical usability. IgE toward specific peanut protein components has been reported to be of value, but data on correlation with clinical data are sparse. Our aim was to correlate IgE values with the outcome of peanut challenges.

Method

Data from 175 positive and 30 negative peanut challenges in patients aged 1–26 years were retrospectively correlated with the levels of specific IgE to peanut and peanut components (Ara h 1–3, h 8, and h 9).

Result

The best correlation between IgE and clinical thresholds was found for Ara h 2 (ρs = −0.30, P < 0.01). A cutoff of Ara h 2 > 1.63 kU/l yielded a specificity = 1.00, with a corresponding sensitivity of 0.70. Symptom severity elicited during challenge correlated significantly with the levels of Ara h 2 (ρs = 0.60, P < 0.0001), but large individual variation was found.

Conclusion

The level of IgE toward Ara h 2 can improve diagnostic accuracy by introducing a more clear‐cut decision‐point with an optimal specificity maintaining a high sensitivity. In our study, this would have reduced the necessary number of challenges to be performed from 205 to 92. Extrapolation between centers is difficult and decision‐points need to be addressed in relation to settings and population. Further component‐resolved diagnostic cannot replace oral challenge neither in determining thresholds nor in the assessment of severity of symptoms elicited during challenge.
The multi‐faceted role of allergen exposure to the local airway mucosa
Authors: Golebski K. , Röschmann K. I. L. , Toppila‐Salmi S. , Hammad H. , Lambrecht B. N. , Renkonen R. , Fokkens W. J. , van Drunen C. M.
Published: December 2012

Airway epithelial cells are the first to encounter aeroallergens and therefore have recently become an interesting target of many studies investigating their involvement in the modulation of allergic inflammatory responses. Disruption of a passive structural barrier composed of epithelial cells by intrinsic proteolytic activity of allergens may facilitate allergen penetration into local tissues and additionally affect chronic and ongoing inflammatory processes in respiratory tissues. Furthermore, the ability of rhinoviruses to disrupt and interfere with epithelial tight junctions may alter the barrier integrity and enable a passive passage of inhaled allergens through the airway epithelium. On the other hand, epithelial cells are no longer considered to act only as a physical barrier toward inhaled allergens, but also to actively contribute to airway inflammation by detecting and responding to environmental factors. Epithelial cells can produce mediators, which may affect the recruitment and activation of more specialized immune cells to the local tissue and also create a microenvironment in which these activated immune cells may function and propagate the inflammatory processes. This review presents the dual role of epithelium acting as a passive and active barrier when encountering an inhaled allergen and how this double role contributes to the start of local immune responses.
Mineralogical and Chemical Constraints on the Provenance of Copper Age Polished Stone Axes of ‘Ljubljana Type’ from Caput Adriae
Authors: Bernardini F. , De Min A. , Lenaz D. , Kasztovszky Z. , Turk P. , Velušček A. , Szilágyi V. , Tuniz C. , Montagnari Kokelj E.
Published: December 2012

In this paper we show the results of a study concerning 42 axes, mainly discovered in the Copper Age pile dwellings of Ljubljansko barje (central Slovenia) and in the neighbouring areas of Caput Adriae. The studied shaft‐hole axes, characterized by homogeneous typology but slightly different raw materials, have been called ‘Ljubljana‐type’ axes (Lt). The raw materials show a common OIB‐like signature and metamorphic and spilitization features that recall oceanic conditions. The typological and geochemical characteristics and the very high percentage of Lt axes among the polished stone axe assemblages of Ljubljansko barje suggest that the raw material was probably gathered from one or more relatively small outcrops close to Ljubljansko barje. Similar igneous rock types outcrop in the presumably Palaeozoic diabase/shale complex (Eisenkappler Diabaszug), intruded by the northern Karawanken plutonic belt. A probable provenance from this area, particularly rich in copper ore deposit, would confirm the important role of Ljubljansko barje as a metallurgical district, as well as a strong relation between lithic raw materials and Cu cultivation districts during the Copper age.
Polyazamacrocycles as Potential Antitumor Agents for Human Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Cruz Carla , Cairrão Elisa , Lourenço Olga , Almeida Paulo , Verde Ignacio , Queiroz João A.
Published: December 2012

Polyazamacrocycles are currently being studied and used in a variety of applications beyond their traditional place in supramolecular and co‐ordination chemistry. This study suggests additional applications of these compounds with particular emphasis on their use as antiproliferative agents that could be potentially used to treat cancer. Four polyazamacrocycles were tested in human prostate cancer LNCaP and prostate epithelial PNTA1 cells to analyze changes in cell proliferation and cell death capabilities. Their intracellular localization was also evaluated by confocal microscopy. The results show a decrease in proliferation rate and cell viability of LNCaP and PNTA1, after treatment with these compounds. The decrease in the number of viable cells is similar for the majority of the compounds studied, and at higher concentration, the proliferation efficiency decreased significantly in the cell lines studied. Also, our results suggest that L and L2 induce early apoptosis in PNTA1 cells and late apoptosis/necrosis in LNCaP cells. The compounds did not induce a significant increase in necrosis of both cell types. Although the compounds did not localize in a unique organelle, all of them have as main target the Golgi apparatus and other localization profiles differed depending on the cell line.
Social Equity Theory and Racial‐Ethnic Achievement Gaps
Authors: McKown Clark
Published: December 2012

In the United States, racial‐ethnic differences on tests of school readiness and academic achievement continue. A complete understanding of the origins of racial‐ethnic achievement gaps is still lacking. This article describes social equity theory (SET), which proposes that racial‐ethnic achievement gaps originate from two kinds of social process, direct and signal influences, that these two kinds of processes operate across developmental contexts, and that the kind of influence and the setting in which they are enacted change with age. Evidence supporting each of SET's key propositions is discussed in the context of a critical review of research on the Black–White achievement gap. Specific developmental hypotheses derived from SET are described, along with proposed standards of evidence for testing those hypotheses.
Does “Good” Corporate Governance Help in a Crisis? The Impact of Country‐ and Firm‐Level Governance Mechanisms in the European Financial Crisis
Authors: van Essen Marc , Engelen Peter‐Jan , Carney Michael
Published: December 2012

Manuscript Type

Empirical

Research Question/Issue

We examine the effects of firm‐ and country‐level “good” corporate governance prescriptions on firm performance before and during the recent financial crisis, using a large sample of 1,197 firms across 26 European countries.

Research Findings/Insights

We propose a contextualized agency perspective suggesting that firm‐ and country‐level good governance prescriptions designed to assure managerial oversight may not hold in a financial crisis. This is because firms can benefit from broadening managerial discretion so as to facilitate the exercise of initiative and decisive leadership. Overall, our firm‐ and country‐level findings support this argument. In a crisis, CEO duality is associated with better performance. We also find that the use of incentive compensation and the existence of a wedge between ownership and control rights negatively impacts on firm performance in a crisis. Hierarchical linear modeling shows that 25 percent of the heterogeneity in firm performance is among countries, indicating the importance of including country‐level institutions in our analyses. In a crisis, we find that the general quality of the legal system and creditor rights protection are positively related to firm performance, but protection for equity investors is not.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

The findings challenge the universality of good governance prescriptions and contribute to the growing body of work proposing that the efficacy of governance mechanisms may be contingent upon organizational and environmental circumstances.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

The study offers insights relevant to policy and practitioner communities, showing that governance mechanisms operate differently in crisis and non‐crisis periods. The tendency to respond to a crisis with more stringent rules may be counterproductive since such measures may compromise executives' ability to respond appropriately to systemic shocks. Practitioners are encouraged to optimize rather than maximize their governance choices.
Heavy alcohol consumption and motherhood – a negative match
Authors: Autti‐Rämö Ilona
Published: December 2012

This commentary is on the original article by O'Leary et al. on pages 271–277 of this issue.
Higher incidence of injection site reactions after subcutaneous bortezomib administration on the thigh compared with the abdomen
Authors: Kamimura Tomohiko , Miyamoto Toshihiro , Yokota Noriko , Takashima Shuichiro , Chong Yong , Ito Yoshikiyo , Akashi Koichi
Published: December 2012

Subcutaneous (sc) rather than intravenous administration of bortezomib (Bor) is becoming more common for treating multiple myeloma (MM) because scBor results in lower incidence and severity of peripheral neuropathy and has equivalent efficacy. Bor is an irritant cytotoxic agent when it leaks out; therefore, it is recommended that injections of scBor should be rotated among eight different sites on the abdomen and thigh. However, detailed information about injection site reaction (ISR) has not been sufficiently documented. We retrospectively analyzed the incidence and severity of ISR following scBor administration in 15 Japanese patients with MM. Grade 1 ISR occurred following 40 of 158 (25.3%) scBor injections in ten patients, whereas grade 2 ISRs occurred following seven injections (4.4%) in five patients. Five patients did not develop ISR. Of note, grade 2 ISR was documented in 6 of 65 (9.2%) thigh injections but only in 1 of 93 (1.1%) abdominal injections. These data show that grade 2 ISRs were more common in the thigh compared with the abdomen possibly because the thigh contains lesser adipose tissue than the abdomen. Grade 2 ISRs resolved without any sequela within a median of 7 d. scBor administration on the abdomen instead of the thigh should be considered, especially for emaciated patients, because ISR rapidly resolves within the interval before the next injection even if it occurs.