bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EGR1 is critical for gastrin‐dependent upregulation of anion exchanger 2 in gastric cancer cells
Authors: Wang Ting , Zhao Lei , Yang Ye , Tian Hua , Suo Wen‐Hao , Yan Min , Fu Guo‐Hui
Published: November 2012

The essential anion exchanger (AE) involved in bicarbonate secretion is AE2/SLC4A2, a membrane protein recognized to be relevant for the regulation of the intracellular pH in several cell types. Here we report that gastrin, a major gastrointestinal hormone, upregulates the expression of AE2 mRNA and protein in a cholecystokinin B receptor dependent manner in gastric cancer cells. The upregulated species of AE2 mRNA originates from the classical upstream promoter of the AE2 gene (here referred to as AE2a1) which provides the binding site for transcription factors early growth response 1 (EGR1) and SP1. EGR1 upregulated the AE2 expression that can be competitively inhibited by SP1 in co‐transfection experiments. This competitive inhibition was avoided in cells because the SP1 expression was time‐staggered to EGR1 in response to gastrin. Overexpression or knockdown of EGR1 consistently increased or decreased the expression of AE2. Our data linked a novel signal pathway involved in gastrin‐stimulated AE2 expression.
Micro‐ to nanostructure and geochemistry of extant crinoidal echinoderm skeletons
Authors: Gorzelak P. , Stolarski J. , Mazur M. , Meibom A.
Published: November 2012

This paper reports the results of micro‐ to nanostructural and geochemical analyses of calcitic skeletons from extant deep‐sea stalked crinoids. Fine‐scale (SEM, FESEM, AFM) observations show that the crinoid skeleton is composed of carbonate nanograins, about 20–100 nm in diameter, which are partly separated by what appears to be a few nm thick organic layers. Sub‐micrometre‐scale geochemical mapping of crinoid ossicles using a NanoSIMS ion microprobe, combined with synchrotron high‐spatial‐resolution X‐ray micro‐fluorescence (μ‐XRF) maps and X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure spectroscopy (XANES) show that high Mg concentration in the central region of the stereom bars correlates with the distribution of S‐sulphate, which is often associated with sulphated polysaccharides in biocarbonates. These data are consistent with biomineralization models suggesting a close association between organic components (including sulphated polysaccharides) and Mg ions. Additionally, geochemical analyses (NanoSIMS, energy dispersive spectroscopy) reveal that significant variations in Mg occur at many levels: within a single stereom trabecula, within a single ossicle and within a skeleton of a single animal. Together, these data suggest that physiological factors play an important role in controlling Mg content in crinoid skeletons and that great care should be taken when using their skeletons to reconstruct, for example, palaeotemperatures and Mg/Ca palaeo‐variations of the ocean.
Relationship Between Helicobacter pylori Infection and Serum Interleukin‐18 in Patients with Carotid Atherosclerosis
Authors: Chen Bao‐Feng , Xu Xin , Deng Yun , Ma Shao‐Chun , Tang Liang‐Qiu , Zhang She‐Bing , Chen Ze‐Fang
Published: November 2012

Background

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection stimulates the production of proinflammatory cytokines associated with the development of atherosclerosis. Levels of circulating interleukin‐18 (IL‐18) have been positively correlated with carotid intima‐media thickness (IMT) and coronary plaque area and have identified IL‐18 levels as important predictors of coronary events and cardiovascular mortality. This study aimed to examine the relationship between serum IL‐18 and H. pylori‐IgG antibody as a sign of H. pylori infection in patients with carotid atherosclerosis.

Methods

The carotid IMT, traditional atherosclerotic risk factors, levels of serum H. pylori‐IgG and IL‐18 were measured in 573 health checkup examinees.

Results

Serum IL‐18 and H. pylori‐IgG levels were significantly increased in subjects with increased IMT in comparison with those with normal IMT. In subjects with increased IMT, serum H. pylori‐IgG was positively correlated with serum IL‐18 (r = .402, p = .002), and the association was independent of traditional atherosclerotic risk factors (β = 0.310, p < .001).

Conclusions

In health checkup examinees with increased IMT, serum IL‐18 and H. pylori‐IgG were independently correlated and were significantly higher than in subjects with normal IMT.
Comparison of Hybrid and Sequential Therapies for Helicobacter pylori Eradication in Iran: A Prospective Randomized Trial
Authors: Sardarian Hossein , Fakheri Hafez , Hosseini Vahid , Taghvaei Tarang , Maleki Iradj , Mokhtare Marjan
Published: November 2012

Background

The eradication of Helicobacter pylori has been always a concern. In the present study, we aimed to compare two novel treatments in Iran.

Method

Four hundred and twenty patients with peptic ulcer and naïve H. pylori infection were randomized in the study. Two hundred and ten patients received hybrid therapy: pantoprazole 40 mg/b.i.d. and amoxicillin 1 g/b.i.d. for 14 days plus 500 mg clarithromycin and 500 mg tinidazole, both twice daily for the last 7 days. The other 210 patients received sequential therapy: 40 mg pantoprazole/b.i.d. for 10 days and 1 g amoxicillin/b.i.d. for the first 5 days, followed by 500 mg clarithromycin/b.i.d. and 500 mg tinidazole/b.i.d. for the last 5 days. C¹⁴‐urea breath test was performed 8 weeks after the treatment.

Results

Three hundred and ninety‐six patients (197 patients in the hybrid group and 199 patients in the sequential group) completed the study. The compliance rates were 96.7 and 98.6% for the two groups, respectively. The intention‐to‐treat eradication rate was 89.5% (95% CI = 85.4–93.6) for the hybrid group and 76.7% (95% CI = 71–82.4) for the sequential group (p = .001), and the per‐protocol eradication rates were 92.9% (95% CI = 89.2–96.5) and 79.9% (95% CI = 74.1–85.4) for the hybrid and sequential groups (p = .001), respectively. Severe adverse effects were observed in 2.4% of patients in the hybrid group and 3.8% of those in the sequential group.

Conclusion

According to our results, sequential regimen does not seem to be an appropriate therapy for H. pylori eradication in the Iranian population, whereas hybrid therapy showed to be more effective. However, considering the high cost of clarithromycin in Iran, we recommend further studies to compare hybrid therapy with bismuth‐containing regimens or to assess the effects of hybrid therapies with periods shorter than 14 days.
Serum peptides, represented by complement 3f des‐arginine, are useful for prediction of the response to pegylated interferon‐α plus ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Noguchi Yohei , Kurokawa Manae S. , Okuse Chiaki , Matsumoto Nobuyuki , Nagai Kouhei , Sato Toshiyuki , Arito Mitsumi , Suematsu Naoya , Okamoto Kazuki , Suzuki Michihiro , Itoh Fumio , Kato Tomohiro
Published: November 2012

Aim

Biomarkers predicting sustained virological response (SVR) to pegylated interferon‐α plus ribavirin (PEG IFN‐α/RBV) were investigated.

Methods

Peptides in pretreatment sera from 107 patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 were comprehensively analyzed by mass spectrometry. Ion intensity of the peptides was used to generate discriminant models between the responders who achieved SVR (R) and the non‐responders (NR) to PEG IFN‐α/RBV.

Results

In total, 107 peptides were detected in a training set (n = 23). A discriminant model using a peptide, complement 3f des‐arginine (C3f‐dR), showed sensitivity of 35% and specificity of 94% for SVR prediction in a testing set (n = 68). In all the R and NR (n = 96), an area under the receiver–operator curve (AUROC) of 0.64 in the C3f‐dR model was increased to 0.78 by addition of platelet (PLT) counts (C3f‐dR/PLT model). Another model using the 107 peptides (AUROC, 0.77) also showed higher AUROC (0.79) by addition of hemoglobin (Hb), body mass index (BMI) and age (107P/Hb/BMI/Age model). The sensitivity and specificity of the C3f‐dR/PLT model were 59% and 88%, and those of the 107P/Hb/BMI/Age model were 70% and 92%, respectively. The C3f‐dR/PLT model showed high AUROC (0.82), similar to that of interleukin‐28B rs8099917 genotype analysis (0.86) in the 45 tested patients. Prediction by the combination of the C3f‐dR/PLT model, the 107P/Hb/BMI/Age model and the rs8099917 genotype analysis was accurate in 44 out of the 45 patients (AUROC, 0.95).

Conclusion

Serum peptides, especially C3f‐dR, would be useful predictors for SVR to PEG IFN‐α/RBV. The complements may be involved in the HCV elimination.
Structure of Rhenium‐Containing Sodium Borosilicate Glass
Authors: Goel Ashutosh , McCloy John S. , Windisch Charles F. , Riley Brian J. , Schweiger Michael J. , Rodriguez, Carmen P. , Ferreira José M.F.
Published: November 2012

A series of sodium borosilicate glasses were synthesized with KReO4 or Re2O7, to 10,000 ppm (1 mass%) target Re, to assess effects of large concentrations of rhenium on glass structure and fto estimate solubility of 99Tc, a radioactive component in low active waste nuclear glasses. Rhenium was used as a surrogate for 99Tc for laboratory testing, due to similarities in chemistry, ionic size, and redox. Magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy were performed to characterize the glasses. Si was coordinated in Q2 and Q3 units, Al was four‐coordinated, and B was mostly three‐coordinated. The rhenium additions did not have significant effects on the glass structure up to approximately 3000 ppm Re by mass, the maximum concentration that remained dissolved in glass. Rhenium likely exists in isolated anions in the interstices of the glass network, as evidenced by polarized Raman spectrum of the Re glass in the absence of sulfate. Analogous to in similar glasses, is a network modifier and above solubility forms alkali salt phases on the surface and in the bulk. Comparisons of phase separation and crystallization in containing borosilicate glasses can also be made to containing glasses.
Estimated genetic parameters for growth‐related traits in large yellow croaker Larimichthys crocea using microsatellites to assign parentage
Authors: Liu X. D. , Zhao G. T. , Cai M. Y. , Wang Z. Y.
Published: November 2012

To estimate the heritabilities of growth‐related traits in large yellow croaker, Larimichthys crocea, three independent full‐factorial crosses were created by crossing four males × four females, seven males × three females and four males × three females (set 1, set 2 and set 3). At 13 months post‐hatch, the juveniles were collected from three cross sets and measured for body mass (M), standard length (LS) and body height (HB). In addition, the parentage of the juveniles was assigned by genotyping six or seven polymorphic microsatellite loci. Out of the 959 juveniles, 99·6% could be assigned to a single parental pair. Heritabilities of growth‐related traits were estimated for individual and combined sets with the pedigrees reconstructed by using microsatellite genotypes. The heritability estimates at 13 month‐old were 0·02–0·30 for M, 0·02–0·25 for LS and 0·03–0·36 for HB. These results showed that the heritabilities of M, LS and HB were different among three sets, which suggested that different breeding strategies should be adopted for different sets.
Slack regulation compliance in the Mediterranean fisheries: a paradigm from the Greek Aegean Sea demersal trawl fishery, modelling discard ogives
Authors: Damalas D. , Vassilopoulou V.
Published: November 2012

Annual discard ogives were estimated using generalised additive models (GAMs) for seven demersal fish species (or taxa) and deep‐water rose shrimp, Parapenaeus longirostris (Lucas). Analysis was based on data collected on board commercial bottom trawlers in the central Aegean Sea from 1995 to 2008. Length of specimens and fishing depth (along with year) were the variables that had the most profound effect on the proportion of fish discarded. Compliance with the established minimum catch size of marine organisms (MS) was very low, a fact attributed to the low selectivity of currently used mesh sizes, the market demand for undersized fish, as well as the low control and enforcement effort.
Genome size and ploidy of Thysanoptera
Authors: Jacobson A. L. , Johnston J. S. , Rotenberg D. , Whitfield A. E. , Booth W. , Vargo E. L. , Kennedy G. G.
Published: November 2012

Flow cytometry was used to study the genome sizes and ploidy levels for four thrips species: Franklinothrips orizabensis Johansen (Thysanoptera: Aeolothripidae), Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande, Frankliniella fusca Hinds, and Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). F. orizabensis males and females had 1C genome sizes of 426 Mb and 422 Mb, respectively. Male and female F. fusca had 1C genome sizes of 392 Mb and 409 Mb, whereas F. occidentalis males and females had smaller 1C genomes that were 345 Mb and 337 Mb, respectively. Male F. orizabensis, F. occidentalis and F. fusca were haploid and females diploid. Five isofemale lines of T. tabaci, initiated from parthenogenetic, thelytokous females and collected from different locations in North Carolina, were included in this study; no males were available. One isofemale line was diploid with a genome size of 1C = 310 Mb, and the other four had a mean genome size of 1C = 482 Mb, which is consistent with evidence from microsatellite data of diploidy and polyploidy, respectively, in these same five thelytokous lines. This is the first study to produce genome size estimates for thysanopteran species, and report polyploidy in T. tabaci populations.
Juvenile hormone III suppresses forkhead of transcription factor in the fat body and reduces fat accumulation in the diapausing mosquito, Culex pipiens
Authors: Sim Cheolho , Denlinger David L.
Published: November 2012

Juvenile hormone (JH) controls diverse physiological and developmental events including diapause and nutrient metabolism. The focal point of endocrine regulation in adult reproductive diapause is initiated by a halt of JH synthesis. In diapausing females of the mosquito Culex pipiens, the other key molecular event is the signalling pathway from insulin to forkhead of transcription factor (FOXO). We hypothesized that a halt of JH synthesis is related to activation of FOXO, which results in increasing lipid reserves in the fat body at the onset of the diapause programme. In this study, the full‐length sequence of the foxo gene in C. pipiens was characterized, and the protein abundance pattern of the foxo gene product was analyzed by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. FOXO was much more abundant in the fat body of diapausing females than in the fat body of nondiapausing females; much lower levels were present in other adult tissues. When we topically applied JH III to diapause‐destined females, FOXO was suppressed, and fat accumulation was reduced, suggesting an interaction between JH synthesis and FOXO that is critical for expression of the diapause phenotype.
Spontaneous succession on opencast mining sites: implications for bird biodiversity
Authors: Šálek Miroslav
Published: November 2012

Remediation of lands devastated by industry includes various forms of restoration, such as technical reclamation and spontaneous succession. These management approaches are debated regarding conservation strategies for postindustrial landscapes. Mining areas consisting of early‐ to late‐developmental stages of both reclaimed and unreclaimed sites offer an opportunity to examine the roles of restoration strategies in a complete successional series for biodiversity and disentangle the contributions of particular biotopes available at postindustrial sites.

Using linear models and multivariate analysis, I tested the effects of (a) developmental stages from early successional sites to mature forests, combined with (b) the initiation process at the sites, which was either technical reclamation or spontaneous succession, and (c) vegetation cover on (i) species richness, (ii) rarity and (iii) species composition of bird communities on 60 plots (100 × 100 m) within opencast mining areas in the lignite basin of north‐western Czech Republic.

Bird communities were consistently more species rich on spontaneously developed sites compared with reclaimed sites throughout all stages of the succession series. Species richness increased with site age due to increasing habitat heterogeneity.

The conservation value of bird communities was generally lower on reclaimed sites than on spontaneously developed sites and decreased with site age. The most valuable communities developed on early successional sites and native shrublands, because these were inhabited by specialists that were scarce in the surrounding landscape. By contrast, technically reclaimed sites resulted in impoverished communities, usually with narrow spectra of common species.

Synthesis and applications. The results highlight the importance of spontaneously established sites and complete succession series for developing valuable bird communities in postindustrial areas such as opencast mining sites. In particular, early successional sites and shrublands create refuges for early successional specialists disappearing from the common landscape and these should be promoted at the expense of reclaimed sites wherever possible. My results support an effort for systematic implementation of early successional sites into conservation practice.
Establishment of medium for laboratory cultivation and maintenance of Fredericella sultana for in vivo experiments with Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae (Myxozoa)
Authors: Kumar G , Abd‐Elfattah A , Soliman H , El‐Matbouli M
Published: November 2012

The freshwater bryozoan Fredericella sultana (Blumenbach) is the most common invertebrate host of the myxozoan parasite Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae, the causative agent of proliferative kidney disease in salmonid fish. Culture media play an important role in hatching of statoblasts and maintaining clean bryozoan colonies for Malacosporea research. We developed a novel culture medium, Bryozoan Medium C (BMC), for the cultivation and maintenance of F. sultana under laboratory conditions. Statoblasts of F. sultana were successfully hatched to produce transparent‐walled, specific pathogen‐free (SPF) colonies that were maintained >12 months in BMC at pH 6.65. Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae was successfully transmitted from infected brown trout, Salmo trutta L., to newly hatched F. sultana colonies in BMC, then from the infected bryozoan to SPF brown trout. This study demonstrated the utility of BMC (pH 6.65) for hatching statoblasts, long‐term cultivation of clean and transparent bryozoan colonies and maintenance of the Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae life cycle in the laboratory for molecular genetic research and other studies such as host–parasiteinteraction.
3‐D PSF fitting for fluorescence microscopy: implementation and localization application
Authors: KIRSHNER H. , AGUET F. , SAGE D. , UNSER M.
Published: November 2012

Localization microscopy relies on computationally efficient Gaussian approximations of the point spread function for the calculation of fluorophore positions. Theoretical predictions show that under specific experimental conditions, localization accuracy is significantly improved when the localization is performed using a more realistic model. Here, we show how this can be achieved by considering three‐dimensional (3‐D) point spread function models for the wide field microscope. We introduce a least‐squares point spread function fitting framework that utilizes the Gibson and Lanni model and propose a computationally efficient way for evaluating its derivative functions. We demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed approach with algorithms for particle localization and defocus estimation, both implemented as plugins for ImageJ.
Ion beam polishing for three‐dimensional electron backscattered diffraction
Authors: SAOWADEE N. , AGERSTED K. , UBHI H.S. , BOWEN J.R.
Published: November 2012

Serial sectioning by focused ion beam milling for three‐dimensional electron backscatter diffraction (3D‐EBSD) can create surface damage and amorphization in certain materials and consequently reduce the EBSD signal quality. Poor EBSD signal causes longer data acquisition time due to signal averaging and/or poor 3D‐EBSD data quality. In this work a low kV focused ion beam was successfully implemented to automatically polish surfaces during 3D‐EBSD of La‐ and Nb‐doped strontium titanate of volume 12.6 × 12.6 × 3.0 μm. The key to achieving this technique is the combination of a defocused low kV high current ion beam and line scan milling. The line scan was used to restrict polishing to the sample surface and the ion beam was defocused to ensure the beam contacted the complete sample surface. In this study 1 min polishing time per slice increases total acquisition time by approximately 3.3% of normal 3D‐EBSD mapping compared to a significant increase of indexing percentage and pattern quality. The polishing performance in this investigation is discussed, and two potential methods for further improvement are presented.
Segmenting time‐lapse phase contrast images of adjacent NIH 3T3 cells
Authors: CHALFOUN J. , KOCIOLEK M. , DIMA A. , HALTER M. , CARDONE A. , PESKIN A. , BAJCSY P. , BRADY M.
Published: November 2012

We present a new method for segmenting phase contrast images of NIH 3T3 fibroblast cells that is accurate even when cells are physically in contact with each other. The problem of segmentation, when cells are in contact, poses a challenge to the accurate automation of cell counting, tracking and lineage modelling in cell biology. The segmentation method presented in this paper consists of (1) background reconstruction to obtain noise‐free foreground pixels and (2) incorporation of biological insight about dividing and nondividing cells into the segmentation process to achieve reliable separation of foreground pixels defined as pixels associated with individual cells. The segmentation results for a time‐lapse image stack were compared against 238 manually segmented images (8219 cells) provided by experts, which we consider as reference data. We chose two metrics to measure the accuracy of segmentation: the ‘Adjusted Rand Index’ which compares similarities at a pixel level between masks resulting from manual and automated segmentation, and the ‘Number of Cells per Field’ (NCF) which compares the number of cells identified in the field by manual versus automated analysis. Our results show that the automated segmentation compared to manual segmentation has an average adjusted rand index of 0.96 (1 being a perfect match), with a standard deviation of 0.03, and an average difference of the two numbers of cells per field equal to 5.39% with a standard deviation of 4.6%.
Intraoperative transfusion threshold and tissue oxygenation: a randomised trial
Authors: Nielsen K. , Dahl B. , Johansson P. I. , Henneberg S. W. , Rasmussen L. S.
Published: November 2012

Background and Objectives

Transfusion with allogeneic red blood cells (RBCs) may be needed to maintain oxygen delivery during major surgery, but the appropriate haemoglobin (Hb) concentration threshold has not been well established. We hypothesised that a higher level of Hb would be associated with improved subcutaneous oxygen tension during major spinal surgery.

Materials and Methods

Fifty patients aged 18 years or older scheduled for spinal fusion with instrumentation were included and randomised to receive RBCs at either a Hb concentration of 7·3 g dL−1 (restrictive group) or a Hb concentration of 8·9 g dL−1 (liberal group) (Registration no.: H‐C‐2009‐072). Oxygen tension was measured with a polarographic electrode placed subcutaneously over the left deltoid muscle. The primary endpoint was subcutaneous oxygen tension at the time most patients were still undergoing surgery.

Results

Forty‐eight patients were included in the intention‐to‐treat analysis; 25 patients in the restrictive group and 23 patients in the liberal group. The median change in subcutaneous oxygen tension 60 min after surgical incision was −0·79 and −0·75 kPa in the restrictive and the liberal groups, respectively (P = 0·78). No significant difference was found in the lowest subcutaneous oxygen tension; −2·07 vs. −1·95 kPa in the restrictive and the liberal groups, respectively (P = 0·85).

Conclusion

A Hb concentration transfusion threshold of 8·9 g dL−1 was not associated with a higher subcutaneous oxygen tension during major spinal surgery than a threshold of 7·3 g dL−1, but the trial was compromised by methodological difficulties.
Enantiostyly in Chamaecrista ramosa (Fabaceae‐Caesalpinioideae): floral morphology, pollen transfer dynamics and breeding system
Authors: de Almeida N. M. , de Castro C. C. , de Lima Leite A. V. , Novo R. R. , Machado I. C.
Published: November 2012

Enantiostyly is a form of reciprocal herkogamy, in which floral morphs present reciprocal differences in the position of sexual elements, and occurs in monomorphic and dimorphic forms. This polymorphism maximises cross‐pollination and reduces self‐pollination, being very common within the subtribe Cassiinae (Fabaceae). Nevertheless, few studies have investigated the functionality of enantiostyly, particularly in this plant group. The present study aimed to investigate enantiostyly and its functionality in Chamaecrista ramosa, a monomorphic enantiostylous shrub, in an area of coastal vegetation in northeast Brazil. Pollen deposition and capture on the body of floral visitors, the relationship of these data with floral biology and breeding system, and morph ratio were evaluated. Pollen deposition and capture occurred in specific sites of the floral visitor body, showing the functionality of enantiostyly. The floral architecture, associated with the floral visitor behaviour, resulted in indirect pollen deposition on the floral visitor body. This occurred through a loop made by the pollen upon the inner petal surface, similar that generally reported for other Cassiinae. Chamaecrista ramosa is self‐compatible, although no fruit set was observed through spontaneous self‐pollination. The occurrence and number of floral morphs was similar within clumps. Enantiostyly seems to be advantageous for this species, as it results in efficient pollen capture and deposition, reduces the chances of autogamy and maximises intermorph pollen flow.
Transcriptional and functional variation of NF‐YC1 in genetically diverse accessions of Phaseolus vulgaris during the symbiotic association with Rhizobium etli
Authors: Mazziotta L. , Reynoso M. A. , Aguilar O. M. , Blanco F. A. , Zanetti M. E.
Published: November 2012

Phaseolus vulgaris (common bean) is an agronomic important legume crop native to America, where two centres of genetic diversification (GD) are recognised, one in Mesoamerica and the other in the south Andes. Mesoamerican bean accessions have preferential and more efficient nodulation with Rhizobium etli strains carrying the allele nodC type‐α, which is predominant in soils of Mesoamerica. It was previously demonstrated that the host nuclear factor NF‐YC1, which is involved in nodule formation and rhizobial infection, contributes to this preferential selection and enhances nodulation in the domesticated accession NAG12 from Mesoamerica. Here, we show that both domesticated and wild Mesoamerican beans exhibit higher nodulation performance with a nodC type‐α than with a nodC type‐δ strain. Transcripts of NF‐YC1 significantly increased in roots of these accessions 24 h post‐inoculation (hpi) with the nodC type‐α strain. On the other hand, accessions from the Andean GD centre formed a higher number of nodules with a strain carrying the nodC type‐δ, which is predominant in Andean soils. However, NF‐YC1 transcript levels did not exhibit significant changes in Andean accessions upon inoculation with the nodC type‐δ strain, at least at 24 hpi. RNA interference (RNAi)‐mediated gene silencing of NF‐YC1 in the domesticated Andean accession Alubia showed that NF‐YC1 or a closely related member of this family is required for nodule formation and bacterial infection, in agreement with observations in Mesoamerican common beans. Isolation and sequencing of the full‐length ORF of NF‐YC1 from Alubia revealed that it was identical to the sequence previously identified in the Mesoamerican accession NAG12. Interestingly, overexpression of NF‐YC1 had a negative impact on nodule formation in the Alubia accession, independently of the R. etli lineage. Our findings suggest that transcriptional and functional variation of NF‐YC1 occurs among genetically diverse bean accessions, which might positively or negatively contribute to the fine‐tuning mechanisms that regulate nodule formation in the common bean–R. etli symbiosis.
Arabidopsis thaliana transgenics overexpressing IBR3 show enhanced susceptibility to the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae
Authors: Huang T.‐Y. , Desclos‐Theveniau M. , Chien C.‐T. , Zimmerli L.
Published: November 2012

The gene, indole‐3‐butyric acid (IBA)‐RESPONSE (IBR) 3, is thought to participate in peroxisomal β‐oxidation of IBA to indole‐3‐acetic acid. Here we show that IBR3 may also play a role in Arabidopsis thaliana defence response to microbial pathogens. IBR3 is up‐regulated during infection by virulent Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst) DC3000 bacteria. Although mutant ibr3‐4 did not show a pathogen phenotype, lines overexpressing IBR3 demonstrated enhanced susceptibility to Pst DC3000. Increased susceptibility phenotypes of IBR3 overexpressors were correlated with defective SA defence signalling and impairment of pattern‐triggered immunity (PTI) activation. Notably, reactive oxygen species production was reduced in IBR3 overexpressors after treatment with the microbe‐associated molecular patterns flg22 and efl26. Later PTI responses, such as accumulation of FRK1 transcripts and callose deposition were also reduced in transgenics overexpressing IBR3 after inoculation with the Type III secretion system deficient bacterial mutant Pst DC3000 hrcC or treatment with flg22 or elf26. Importantly, overexpression of IBR3 did not affect indole‐3‐acetic acid content or auxin‐responsive gene expression. These results suggest a novel role for IBR3 in A. thaliana defence response against bacterial pathogens.
The relative efficiency of king's, ecclesiastical, and lay estates inDomesdayEssex, 1086
Authors: McDonald John
Published: November 2012

In theDomesday survey of 1086, information on the inputs and output of most production units in theEnglish economy was carefully collected by questionnaire survey and verified in court. In this paper,Essex estate data are used to assess whether similar production functions describe production for the three major classes of production unit in the economy – king's, ecclesiastical, and lay estates. A data envelopment analysis is undertaken to determine whether production on one class of estate was more efficient than on the others. The evidence suggests that production processes and management performance were similar on the three classes of estate.
Themes of Self‐Regulation and Self‐Exploration in the Life Stories of Religious American Conservatives and Liberals
Authors: McAdams Dan P. , Hanek Kathrin J. , Dadabo Joseph G.
Published: November 2012

A sample of 128 highly religious (Christian) midlife American adults completed a series of attitudinal and personality trait measures and narrated 12 important autobiographical scenes in their life stories. Individuals high on self‐reported political conservatism tended to accentuate the theme of self‐regulation in their life stories, repeatedly describing important autobiographical scenes wherein they struggled to control, discipline, manage, restrain, protect, or preserve the self. By contrast, individuals high on political liberalism tended to emphasize the theme of self‐exploration, telling stories about expanding, discovering, articulating, or fulfilling the self. Demographics and dispositional traits (especially openness to experience) showed significant associations with conservatism‐liberalism, as well, but these variables did not mitigate the robust relationship between life‐narrative themes and political orientation. The results are discussed in terms of a broadened understanding of personality that conceives of dispositional traits and narrative identity as comprising distinct layers and complementary features of psychological individuality, both implicated in political lives.
Making Sense of Greek Austerity
Authors: ROGERS CHRIS , VASILOPOULOU SOFIA
Published: November 2012

The process of approving a Greek drawing on funds provided by the international community is now familiar. There is concern about the prospect of securing an agreement between the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Union (EU), the European Central Bank (ECB), and Greece, which satisfies all parties. This paper suggests that all parties to the agreement have interests in an orderly resolution of the Greek crisis that keeps Greece in the Eurozone. Furthermore, it argues that disagreements and delay before eleventh‐hour agreements can best be explained politically. The paper first demonstrates how Greece, the IMF, and the EU each have a clear interest in finding an orderly solution to the Greek crisis that allows it to remain in the Eurozone. It then outlines the incremental nature of the package and its strategic benefit both for the European banking sector, and governments in Greece and the Eurozone more broadly.
The New Ageism
Authors: WALKER ALAN
Published: November 2012

This article takes issue with the apparently entrenched political narrative about ageing and older people which is routinely expressed in both ministerial rhetoric and media headlines warning of the ‘burden’ of dependency and intergenerational strife. It argues that this narrative is rooted in the potent combination of ageism and neoliberalism and is being ramped‐up by the Coalition Government's austerity fixation. The social and political risks of this omnipresent narrative are discussed as is the persistence of the case that generational conflict is inevitable, in both the UK and US, despite the complete absence of any evidence supporting it. The article finishes by urging action to alter the course of both individual and societal ageing and so avoid future spending demands as well as improving the quality of life of current and future generations of older people.
Out of the Hands of the Parties: Women's Legislative Recruitment at Westminster
Authors: CHILDS SARAH , EVANS ELIZABETH
Published: November 2012

At the next general election the percentage of women elected to the smaller House of Commons risks being lower than in the current parliament, where they constitute 22 percent of all MPs. The 2008–10 Speaker's Conference identified many of the barriers faced by women and other under‐represented groups and made a series of recommendations, only some of which have been introduced. The Government favours a voluntary approach to Recommendation 24, which calls for diversity data monitoring, whilst Recommendation 25 which calls for serious consideration of legislative quotas in the absence of a significant increase in the numbers of women in 2010, appears forgotten. A second Speaker's Conference should therefore be established; the issue of women's under‐representation should be taken up above the party level—with legislative quotas introduced to address the system level failure of democratic representation at Westminster.
French Lesson: What the United Kingdom can Learn from the French Experiment with Gender Parity
Authors: MURRAY RAINBOW
Published: November 2012

France and the UK both have parliaments with one MP per constituency. This electoral system is known not to be conducive to women's representation, and both countries have struggled with low proportions of women in parliament. France's response was to introduce a gender parity law in 2000. Since then, the number of women in the French parliament has almost doubled, but still remains low by European standards and is far from parity. This article considers what the UK can learn from the French experience. In particular, it considers how gender quotas emerged onto the agenda in France, why they were set at 50% and how effective this was, how they were implemented, and why they have not been more successful. The article does not recommend following in France's footsteps, but the UK can take inspiration from France's successes and seek to avoid repeating her mistakes.
The American Presidential Election 2012: Anybody's Guess
Authors: WILLIAMS SHIRLEY
Published: November 2012

The election of Barack Obama as President of the United States in November 2008 was an electric moment for the whole world, a shock in the course of history. The world's most powerful democracy had chosen a black man from a humble background, grandson of a Kenyan peasant who had risen to be a cook in the British Army. It was a truly amazing reaffirmation of the equal opportunity for all that is the stuff of the American dream. Shirley Williams examines the upcoming election and the players.
Defending In Defence of Politics Today
Authors: SMITH STEVEN B.
Published: November 2012

What are the threats to politics fifty years after the publication of Bernard Crick's classic In Defence of Politics? The chief danger lies in the forces of globalisation and the eclipse of the national state as the locus of political life. It is the hope of many in both Europe and the US that we might replace the basic structure of the sovereign state with a variety of postnational forms of organisation such as the UN or the EU. What are the forces behind these developments? Are we entering a world beyond politics increasingly administered by international law courts and tribunals no longer responsible to their national electorates? The possibility cannot be ruled out, but such a world, I suggest, would no longer be a political world.
Why We Still Need Bernard Crick
Authors: WALDEGRAVE WILLIAM
Published: November 2012

Bernard Crick's greatest polemic In Defence of Politics remains as relevant today as when it was written. As modern politicians try to contract out responsibility for more and more, Crick's argument that honesty about the limitation of what they can achieve is the best defence of their most important of all human activities is increasingly important. His attacks on scientism in political thought, on populism, and on the value‐free nature of market mechanisms, remain classic.
Child Poverty and Social Mobility: Taking the Measure of the Coalition's ‘New Approach’
Authors: BAMFIELD LOUISE
Published: November 2012

Reviewing two of the latest reports by social mobility tsar, Alan Milburn and ‘social justice’ champion, Iain Duncan Smith, the article examines the politics and policy of the Coalition's fairness strategy and the jostling for position that is going on behind the scenes. Whilst continuing to pay lip service to the goal of ending child poverty, the government is seeking to redefine the problem, away from a narrow focus on relative low income. Beneath the rhetoric, the article highlights the close similarities between the ‘new’ and ‘old’ approaches, finding that the evidence behind the government's claims is unconvincing. Far from offering a ‘step‐change’ in provision, it concludes that in the new age of austerity the Coalition will struggle to make any positive progress on tackling poverty and improving the relative life chances of disadvantaged children.
Using animated agents in learner‐controlled training: the effects of design control
Authors: Behrend Tara S. , Thompson Lori Foster
Published: November 2012

Animated agents have the potential to increase engagement and learning during online training by acting as personalized tutors. However, little is known about the conditions that make these agents most effective. In this study, 183 e‐learners completed a Microsoft Excel training course. Approximately half were assigned an agent with predetermined features. The others were allowed to choose their agent's appearance, personality, feedback style or all of the above features. Offering multiple choices increased learning. Unexpectedly, choice of feedback style alone decreased self‐efficacy. Choosing the agent's appearance increased self‐efficacy and the number of training modules completed. Overall, this study expands the learner control literature, identifying a new form of learner control that has some beneficial effects on knowledge acquisition.
Modifications of a conserved regulatory network involving INDEHISCENT controls multiple aspects of reproductive tissue development in Arabidopsis
Authors: Kay P. , Groszmann M. , Ross J. J. , Parish R. W. , Swain S. M.
Published: November 2012

Disrupting pollen tube growth and fertilization in Arabidopsis plants leads to reduced seed set and silique size, providing a powerful genetic system with which to identify genes with important roles in plant fertility.

A transgenic Arabidopsis line with reduced pollen tube growth, seed set and silique growth was used as the progenitor in a genetic screen to isolate suppressors with increased seed set and silique size.

This screen generated a new allele of INDEHISCENT (IND), a gene originally identified by its role in valve margin development and silique dehiscence (pod shatter). IND forms part of a regulatory network that involves several other transcriptional regulators and involves the plant hormones GA and auxin. Using GA and auxin mutants that alter various aspects of reproductive development, we have identified novel roles for IND, its paralogue HECATE3, and the MADS box proteins SHATTERPROOF1/2 in flower and fruit development.

These results suggest that modified forms of the regulatory network originally described for the Arabidopsis valve margin, which include these genes and/or their recently evolved paralogs, function in multiple components of GA/auxin‐regulated reproductive development.
Nanofibrous structured biomimetic strategies for skin tissue regeneration
Authors: Jayarama Reddy Venugopal , Radhakrishnan Sridhar , Ravichandran Rajeswari , Mukherjee Shayanti , Balamurugan Ramalingam , Sundarrajan Subramanian , Ramakrishna Seeram
Published: November 2012

Mimicking porous topography of natural extracellular matrix is advantageous for successful regeneration of damaged tissues or organs. Nanotechnology being one of the most promising and growing technology today shows an extremely huge potential in the field of tissue engineering. Nanofibrous structures that mimic the native extracellular matrix and promote the adhesion of various cells are being developed as tissue‐engineered scaffolds for skin, bone, vasculature, heart, cornea, nervous system, and other tissues. A range of novel biocomposite materials has been developed to enhance the bioactive or therapeutic properties of these nanofibrous scaffolds via surface modifications, including the immobilization of functional cell‐adhesive ligands and bioactive molecules such as drugs, enzymes, and cytokines. In skin tissue engineering, usage of allogeneic skin is avoided to reestablish physiological continuity and also to address the challenge of curing acute and chronic wounds, which remains as the area of exploration with various biomimetic approaches. Two‐dimensional, three‐dimensional scaffolds and stem cells are presently used as dermal regeneration templates for the treatment of full‐thickness skin defects resulting from injuries and severe burns. The present review elaborates specifically on the fabrication of nanofibrous structured strategies for wound dressings, wound healing, and controlled release of growth factors for skin tissue regeneration.
Superior effect of combination vs. single steroid therapy in keloid disease: A comparative in vitro analysis of glucocorticoids
Authors: Syed Farhatullah , Bayat Ardeshir
Published: November 2012

Keloid disease (KD) is a fibroproliferative disorder of unknown etiology. Current use of corticosteroid injection is partially beneficial with 80% recurrence rate. Additionally, the efficacy of different steroids, alone or in combination as opposed to monotherapy, in treating KD remains unclear. Here, we compared the single and combined efficacy of glucocorticoids—dexamethasone (Dex), triamcinolone (TAC), and methylprednisolone (Medrol)—on primary keloid fibroblasts (KFs) (n = 27) and normal skin (n = 19) fibroblasts at cellular, protein, and messenger RNA levels in vitro. Our results demonstrated that cytotoxicity to steroids was dose dependent. Cell spreading, attachment, and proliferation were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced by Medrol and TAC. Migration and invasion properties of KF were inhibited significantly (p < 0.05) by Medrol and TAC compared with Dex. At both protein and messenger RNA levels, keloid‐associated fibrotic markers were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased by Medrol and TAC compared with Dex. However, vascular endothelial growth factor expression was significantly (p = 0.01) decreased by Dex compared with TAC and Medrol. Medrol and TAC caused significant (p < 0.04) apoptosis, whereas Dex inhibited the UV‐induced apoptosis and up‐regulated survivin. Blocking of glucocorticoid receptor by RU486 inhibited cytoprotective property of Dex and apoptotic properties of TAC and Medrol. Double treatment with Dex + TAC and Dex + Medrol significantly (p < 0.05) induced apoptosis. In conclusion, this is the first study to report the efficacy of three well‐known steroids on KF and suggest that combination may be superior than using a single steroid in treating KD.
Developing Cooperative Communities to Reduce Stigma about Mental Disorders
Authors: Gee Alison , McGarty Craig
Published: November 2012

This article explores the theoretical and practical considerations of developing cooperative communities to reduce the stigma of mental disorders and achieve meaningful structural and systemic change. A cooperative community is conceptualized as an alliance of people from differing backgrounds who work together to achieve a positive social change desired by all members of the community but not necessarily for the material benefit of all. In defining the social psychological processes involved in the development of a cooperative community—comprising (1) people with mental disorders, (2) members of the broader public, and (3) health professionals—we reconcile the evidence of disparate psychological theories of stigma and prejudice reduction, intergroup relations, identity formation and social change to show that techniques drawn from each of those theories are required to create positive change and effectively address the stigma of mental disorders. We then explore practical considerations for developing cooperative communities in the mental health sector and consider future directions for health and public policy in this area.