bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oceanirhabdus sediminicola gen. nov., sp. nov., an anaerobic bacterium isolated from sea sediment
Authors: Pi Ruo-Xi , Zhang Wen-Wu , Fang Ming-Xu , Zhang Yan-Zhou , Li Tian-Tian , Wu Min , Zhu Xu-Fen
Published: June 2013

A novel anaerobic bacterium, designated NH-JN4T was isolated from a sediment sample collected in the South China Sea. Cells were Gram-stain-positive, spore-forming, peritrichous and rod-shaped (0.5–1.2×2.2–7 µm). The temperature and pH ranges for growth were 22–42 °C and pH 6.0–8.5. Optimal growth occurred at 34–38 °C and pH 6.5–7.0. The NaCl concentration range for growth was 0.5–6 % (w/v) with an optimum of 2.5 %. Catalase and oxidase were not produced. Substrates which could be utilized were peptone, tryptone, yeast extract, beef extract and glycine. Main fermentation products from PYG medium were formate, acetate, butyrate and ethanol. Strain NH-JN4T could utilize sodium sulfite as an electron acceptor. No respiratory quinone was detected. The predominant fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and C16 : 0 DMA. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and glycolipids. The DNA G+C content was 35.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain NH-JN4T was a member of family

Clostridiaceae

, and was most closely related to

Clostridium limosum

ATCC 25620T,

Clostridium proteolyticum

DSM 3090T,

Clostridium histolyticum

ATCC 19401T and

Clostridium tepidiprofundi

SG 508T, showing 94.0, 93.0, 92.9 and 92.3 % sequence similarity, respectively. On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic properties, strain NH-JN4T represents a novel species of a new genus in the family

Clostridiaceae

, for which the name Oceanirhabdus sediminicola gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is NH-JN4T ( = JCM 18501T = CCTCC AB 2013103T = KCTC 15322T).
Human impact on the microbiological water quality of the rivers
Authors: Páll Emőke , Niculae Mihaela , Kiss Timea , Şandru Carmen Dana , Spînu Marina
Published: June 2013

Microbiological contamination is an important water-quality problem worldwide. Human impact on this category of contamination is significant and several human-related activities, and also the population explosion, have affected and are still affecting dramatically the aquatic environment. Extensive industrialization and agriculture have led to increased pollution and hydromorphological changes in many river basins. The Danube river is one of the most affected by these changes where human involvement is undeniable, and subsequently, the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve became one of the most vulnerable ecosystems. This review is an attempt to analyse the microbiological contamination and to identify the major role human activities play in altering the water quality of the rivers.
IB-367 pre-treatment improves the in vivo efficacy of teicoplanin and daptomycin in an animal model of wounds infected with meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Cirioni Oscar , Silvestri Carmela , Pierpaoli Elisa , Barucca Alessandra , Kamysz Wojciech , Ghiselli Roberto , Scalise Alessandro , Brescini Lucia , Castelli Pamela , Orlando Fiorenza , Kamysz Elzbieta , Guerrieri Mario , Giacometti Andrea , Provinciali Mauro
Published: June 2013

Antimicrobial peptides are known as immunomodulators and antibiotic enhancers. We report that administration of an antimicrobial peptide, IB-367, was efficacious in increasing the antimicrobial activity of daptomycin and teicoplanin in a mouse model of wound infection caused by meticillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA). Mice were assigned to seven groups: an IB-367 pre-treated group with no antibiotics given after challenge, two IB-367 pre-treated groups plus daptomycin or teicoplanin given after challenge, two groups treated with daptomycin or teicoplanin only after challenge, and two control groups without infection or that did not receive any treatment. The main outcome measures were quantitative bacterial culture and analysis of natural killer (NK) cytotoxicity and leukocyte phenotype. The wound, established through the panniculus carnosus muscle of mice, was infected by MRSA. Bacterial cultures of mice receiving antibiotics alone showed a −2 log decrease, whilst those for IB-367 plus daptomycin or teicoplanin showed a −4 log decrease. IB-367 plus daptomycin showed the highest efficacy. The higher antimicrobial effect exerted by IB-367 was associated with increased levels of NK cytotoxicity but not of NK cell number. IB-367 increased the number of both CD11b and Gr-1 cells 3 days after MRSA challenge, whereas both of these leukocyte populations were reduced at 10 days after challenge. Our data suggest that a combination of IB-367 with antibiotic exerts a therapeutic effect and may be useful for the management of staphylococcal wounds.
Use of a high-throughput screen to identify Leptospira mutants unable to colonize the carrier host or cause disease in the acute model of infection
Authors: Marcsisin Renee A. , Bartpho Thanatchaporn , Bulach Dieter M. , Srikram Amporn , Sermswan Rasana W. , Adler Ben , Murray Gerald L.
Published: June 2013

The molecular basis for leptospirosis infection and colonization remains poorly understood, with no efficient methods available for screening libraries of mutants for attenuation. We analysed the attenuation of leptospiral transposon mutants in vivo using a high-throughput method by infecting animals with pooled sets of transposon mutants. A total of 95 mutants was analysed by this method in the hamster model of acute infection, and one mutant was identified as attenuated (M1233, lb058 mutant). All virulence factors identified in Leptospira to date have been characterized in the acute model of infection, neglecting the carrier host. To address this, a BALB/c mouse colonization model was established. The lb058 mutant and two mutants defective in LPS synthesis were colonization deficient in the mouse model. By applying the high-throughput screening method, a further five colonization-deficient mutants were identified for the mouse model; these included two mutants in genes encoding proteins with a predicted role in iron uptake (LB191/HbpA and LB194). Two attenuated mutants had transposon insertions in either la0589 or la2786 (encoding proteins of unknown function). The final attenuated mutant had an unexpected deletion of genes la0969–la0975 at the point of transposon insertion. This is the first description of defined, colonization-deficient mutants in a carrier host for Leptospira. These mutants were either not attenuated or only weakly attenuated in the hamster model of acute leptospirosis, thus illustrating that different factors that may be required in the carrier and acute models of leptospiral infection. High-throughput screening can reduce the number of animals used in virulence studies and increase the capacity to screen mutants for attenuation, thereby enhancing the likelihood of detecting unique virulence factors. A comparison of virulence factors required in the carrier and acute models of infection will help to unravel colonization and dissemination mechanisms of leptospirosis.
Lysins: the arrival of pathogen-directed anti-infectives
Authors: Pastagia Mina , Schuch Raymond , Fischetti Vincent A. , Huang David B.
Published: June 2013

Lysins represent a novel class of anti-infectives derived from bacteriophage. Lysins are bacterial cell-wall hydrolytic enzymes that selectively and rapidly kill (≥3 log c.f.u. in 30 min) specific Gram-positive bacteria providing a targeted therapeutic approach with minimal impact on unrelated commensal flora. The potential for bacterial resistance to lysins is considered low due to targeting of highly conserved peptidoglycan components. Through cutting-edge genetic engineering, lysins can be assembled into large libraries of anti-infective agents tailored to any bacterium of interest including drug-resistant Gram-positive pathogens such as meticillin- and vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium, and penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae. Lysins can eliminate bacteria systemically and topically from mucosal surfaces and biofilms, as evidenced by experimental models of sepsis, endocarditis, pneumonia, meningitis, and nasopharyngeal, skin and vaginal decolonization. Furthermore, lysins can act synergistically with antibiotics and, in the process, resensitize bacteria to non-susceptible antibiotics. Clinical trials are being prepared to assess the safety and pharmacokinetic properties of lysins in humans.
Public agricultural R&D over the past half century: an emerging new world order
Authors: Pardey Philip G. , Alston Julian M. , Chan‐Kang Connie
Published: June 2013

Recent trends in farm productivity and food prices raise concerns about whether the era of global agricultural abundance is over. Agricultural R&D is a crucial determinant of agricultural productivity and production, and therefore food prices and poverty. In this article, we present entirely new evidence on investments in public agricultural R&D worldwide as an indicator of the prospects for agricultural productivity growth over the coming decades. The agricultural R&D world is changing, and in ways that will definitely affect future global patterns of poverty, hunger, and other outcomes. The overall picture is one in which the middle‐income countries are growing in relative importance as producers of agricultural innovations through investments in R&D, and have consequently better prospects as producers of agricultural products.
Agricultural price distortions: trends and volatility, past, and prospective
Authors: Anderson Kym
Published: June 2013

Historically, earnings from farming in many developing countries have been depressed by a pro‐urban bias in own‐country policies, as well as by governments of richer countries favoring their farmers with import barriers and subsidies. Both sets of policies reduced global economic welfare and agricultural trade, and added to global inequality and poverty. Over the past three decades, much progress has been made in reducing agricultural protection in high‐income countries and agricultural disincentives in developing countries. However, plenty of price distortions remain. As well, the propensity of governments to insulate their domestic food market from fluctuations in international prices has not waned. Such insulation contributes to the amplification of international food price fluctuations, yet it does little to advance national food security when food‐importing and food‐exporting countries equally engage in insulating behavior. Thus there is still much scope to improve global economic welfare via multilateral agreement not only to remove remaining trade distortions but also to desist from varying trade barriers when international food prices gyrate. This article summarizes indicators of trends and fluctuations in farm trade barriers before examining unilateral or multilateral trade arrangements, together with complementary domestic measures, that could lead to better global food security outcomes.
Renal sympathetic nerve ablation for treatment‐resistant hypertension
Authors: Krum Henry , Schlaich Markus , Sobotka Paul
Published: July 2013

Hypertension is a major risk factor for increased cardiovascular events with accelerated sympathetic nerve activity implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of disease. Blood pressure is not adequately controlled in many patients, despite the availability of effective pharmacotherapy. Novel procedure‐ as well as device‐based strategies, such as percutaneous renal sympathetic nerve denervation, have been developed to improve blood pressure in these refractory patients. Renal sympathetic denervation not only reduces blood pressure but also renal as well as systemic sympathetic nerve activity in such patients. The reduction in blood pressure appears to be sustained over 3 years after the procedure, which suggests absence of re‐innervation of renal sympathetic nerves. Safety appears to be adequate. This approach may also have potential in other disorders associated with enhanced sympathetic nerve activity such as congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease and metabolic syndrome.

This review will focus on the current status of percutaneous renal sympathetic nerve denervation, clinical efficacy and safety outcomes and prospects beyond refractory hypertension.
Anxiety levels in clinically referred children and their parents: Examining the unique influence of self‐reported attachment styles and interview‐based reflective functioning in mothers and fathers
Authors: Esbjørn Barbara H. , Pedersen Signe H. , Daniel Sarah I. F. , Hald Helle H. , Holm Jon M. , Steele Howard
Published: July 2013

Objective

Although much is known about childhood anxiety disorders, the differential contributions by mothers and fathers to child anxiety is poorly understood. This study examined the relation between child anxiety and parental level of psychopathology, attachment style, and reflective functioning (RF).

Design

Thirty‐eight clinically anxious children aged 7–12 years (55.3% female) referred for treatment and their parents (37 mothers, 34 fathers) participated in the study.

Method

Reflective functioning was coded based on Adult Attachment Interviews. Self‐report questionnaires on attachment and psychopathology were administered.

Results

Paternal psychopathology, attachment avoidance, and attachment anxiety as well as maternal attachment anxiety were associated with child anxiety. Mothers had higher RF abilities than fathers. Lower levels of RF in mothers and higher levels of attachment avoidance in fathers explained 42% of the variance in anxiety levels of the child.

Conclusion

Mothers and fathers may provide unique contributions to the development of child anxiety. The findings highlight the importance of considering fathers as well as mothers in research and treatment for childhood anxiety disorders.

Practitioner points

Anxiety in children may be related to attachment avoidance in fathers and low levels of reflective functioning in mothers.

Fathers as well as mothers should be involved in research and treatment of childhood anxiety disorders.

The study is exploratory and findings must be replicated before firm conclusions can be drawn.

Data were derived from families whose children suffer from clinical levels of anxiety, and they may not be representative of non‐clinical samples.
Predicting relapse risk in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Authors: Teachey David T. , Hunger Stephen P.
Published: June 2013

Intensive multi‐agent chemotherapy regimens and the introduction of risk‐stratified therapy have substantially improved cure rates for children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Current risk allocation schemas are imperfect, as some children are classified as lower‐risk and treated with less intensive therapy relapse, while others deemed higher‐risk are probably over‐treated. Most cooperative groups previously used morphological clearance of blasts in blood and marrow during the initial phases of chemotherapy as a primary factor for risk group allocation; however, this has largely been replaced by the detection of minimal residual disease (MRD). Other than age and white blood cell count (WBC) at presentation, many clinical variables previously used for risk group allocation are no longer prognostic, as MRD and the presence of sentinel genetic lesions are more reliable at predicting outcome. Currently, a number of sentinel genetic lesions are used by most cooperative groups for risk stratification; however, in the near future patients will probably be risk‐stratified using genomic signatures and clustering algorithms, rather than individual genetic alterations. This review will describe the clinical, biological, and response‐based features known to predict relapse risk in childhood ALL, including those currently used and those likely to be used in the near future to risk‐stratify therapy.
Prolonged preoperative hospital stay is a risk factor for complications after emergency colectomy for severe colitis
Authors: Bartels S. A. L. , Gardenbroek T. J. , Bos L. , Ponsioen C. Y. , D'Haens G. R. A. M. , Tanis P. J. , Buskens C. J. , Bemelman W. A.
Published: June 2013

Aim

Risk factors for postoperative complications in patients undergoing emergency colectomy for severe colitis in inflammatory bowel disease have hardly been studied. Therefore, this study aimed to define predictors of a complicated postoperative course in these patients.

Method

A retrospective review was performed of 71 consecutive patients who underwent emergency colectomy for severe colitis between 1999 and 2012 at a tertiary referral centre. Complications were graded according to the Clavien–Dindo classification. Patients with a complication Grade II or higher were compared with those with no complications or a Grade I complication.

Results

Nineteen patients (26.7%) had at least one postoperative complication classified as Clavien–Dindo Grade II or higher. In the group with postoperative complications, patients had a higher age (mean 45 vs 35 years, P = 0.020) and a higher body mass index (BMI) (mean 25.9 vs 21.0 kg/m2, P = 0.006). Length of preoperative hospital stay (median 15 vs 6 days, P = 0.032) was longer in the group with postoperative complications. During the study period, the preoperative hospital stay decreased by 0.8 days per study year (95% CI 0.2–1.5 days, P < 0.001). This did not influence the complication rate over time, however.

Conclusion

Factors increasing the risk of complications after emergency colectomy for severe colitis were a higher age, a higher BMI and a longer preoperative hospital stay.
The importance of correcting for sampling bias in MaxEnt species distribution models
Authors: Kramer‐Schadt Stephanie , Niedballa Jürgen , Pilgrim John D. , Schröder Boris , Lindenborn Jana , Reinfelder Vanessa , Stillfried Milena , Heckmann Ilja , Scharf Anne K. , Augeri Dave M. , Cheyne Susan M. , Hearn Andrew J. , Ross Joanna , Macdonald David W. , Mathai John , Eaton James , Marshall Andrew J. , Semiadi Gono , Rustam Rustam , Bernard Henry , Alfred Raymond , Samejima Hiromitsu , Duckworth J. W. , Breitenmoser‐Wuersten Christine , Belant Jerrold L. , Hofer Heribert , Wilting Andreas
Published: July 2013

Aim

Advancement in ecological methods predicting species distributions is a crucial precondition for deriving sound management actions. Maximum entropy (MaxEnt) models are a popular tool to predict species distributions, as they are considered able to cope well with sparse, irregularly sampled data and minor location errors. Although a fundamental assumption of MaxEnt is that the entire area of interest has been systematically sampled, in practice, MaxEnt models are usually built from occurrence records that are spatially biased towards better‐surveyed areas. Two common, yet not compared, strategies to cope with uneven sampling effort are spatial filtering of occurrence data and background manipulation using environmental data with the same spatial bias as occurrence data. We tested these strategies using simulated data and a recently collated dataset on Malay civet Viverra tangalunga in Borneo.

Location

Borneo, Southeast Asia.

Methods

We collated 504 occurrence records of Malay civets from Borneo of which 291 records were from 2001 to 2011 and used them in the MaxEnt analysis (baseline scenario) together with 25 environmental input variables. We simulated datasets for two virtual species (similar to a range‐restricted highland and a lowland species) using the same number of records for model building. As occurrence records were biased towards north‐eastern Borneo, we investigated the efficacy of spatial filtering versus background manipulation to reduce overprediction or underprediction in specific areas.

Results

Spatial filtering minimized omission errors (false negatives) and commission errors (false positives). We recommend that when sample size is insufficient to allow spatial filtering, manipulation of the background dataset is preferable to not correcting for sampling bias, although predictions were comparatively weak and commission errors increased.

Main Conclusions

We conclude that a substantial improvement in the quality of model predictions can be achieved if uneven sampling effort is taken into account, thereby improving the efficacy of species conservation planning.
What is so tough about self‐monitoring of blood glucose? Perceived obstacles among patients with Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Polonsky W. H. , Fisher L. , Hessler D. , Edelman S. V.
Published: July 2013

Aims

To identify patient‐reported obstacles to self‐monitoring of blood glucose among those with Type 2, both insulin users and non‐insulin users, and to investigate how obstacles are associated with frequency of self‐monitoring and use of self‐monitoring data.

Methods

Patients with Type 2 diabetes (n = 886, 65% insulin users) who attended a 1‐day diabetes education conference in cities across the USA completed a survey on current and recommended self‐monitoring of blood glucose frequency, how they used self‐monitoring results and perceived obstacles to self‐monitoring use. Exploratory factor analysis examined 12 obstacle items to identify underlying factors. Regression analyses examined associations between self‐monitoring of blood glucose use and the key obstacle factors identified in the exploratory factor analysis.

Results

Three obstacle factors emerged: Avoidance, Pointlessness and Burden. Avoidance was the only significant independent predictor of self‐monitoring frequency (β = −0.23, P < 0.001). Avoidance (β = −0.12, P < 0.01) and Pointlessness (β = −0.15, P < 0.001) independently predicted how often self‐monitoring data were shared with healthcare professionals and whether or not data were used to make management adjustments (Avoidance: odds ratio = 0.74, P < 0.001; Pointlessness: odds ratio = 0.75, P < 0.01). Burden was not associated with any of the self‐monitoring behavioural measures. Few differences between insulin users and non‐insulin users were noted.

Conclusions

Obstacles to self‐monitoring of blood glucose use, both practical and emotional, were common. Higher levels of Avoidance and Pointlessness, but not Burden, were associated with less frequent self‐monitoring use. Addressing patients' self‐monitoring‐related emotional concerns (Avoidance and Pointlessness) may be more beneficial in enhancing interest and engagement with self‐monitoring of blood glucose than focusing on day‐to‐day, behavioural issues (Burden).
Atrial Electromechanical Delay Measured by Tissue Doppler Imaging in Patients with Secundum Atrial Septal Defects
Authors: Biliciler‐Denktas Gurur , Rao P. Syamasundar
Published: July 2013

See Articles on Pages 699 and 706
Effect of diapause status and gender on activity, metabolism, and starvation resistance in the plant bug Lygus hesperus
Authors: Brent Colin S. , Klok C. Jaco , Naranjo Steven E.
Published: July 2013

Lygus hesperus Knight (Hemiptera: Miridae), a key pest species distributed throughout the western USA, survives winter in a state of diapause. A laboratory population was examined to elucidate the changes in behavior and physiology linked to this period of dormancy and to determine how these changes are affected by gender. It was found that under starvation conditions, diapausers lived significantly longer compared to non‐diapausers in both genders. This may be attributable to the greater lipid reserves that diapausers have compared to non‐diapausers. Diapausers also spent more time at rest and less time feeding than non‐diapausers. Gender did not impact these behaviors. There was no difference in resting metabolic rate or flight activity between diapausers and non‐diapausers, however, there were significant gender differences when the data were pooled. Males had higher resting metabolisms than females, whereas females spent more time flying. Collectively, these results point toward a higher degree of resource conservation in diapausers. These differences may enhance resistance to starvation and dehydration conditions that L. hesperus are likely to encounter while overwintering.
Factors affecting the perception of recovery quality in horses after anaesthesia
Authors: Farmer E. , Chase‐Topping M. , Lawson H. , Clutton R. E.
Published: July 2013

Reasons for performing study

A significant effect of gender, experience and background, i.e. an evaluator's relationship with horses as equine anaesthetists, orthopaedic surgeons, practitioners or owners, on perceptions of recovery quality after anaesthesia would reduce the validity of recovery quality scoring systems.

Objectives

To determine the effects of evaluator background, experience and gender on their perceptions of recovery quality; and questionnaire response rate as a function of background.

Study design

Cross‐sectional survey.

Methods

A total of 440 potential evaluators were invited to evaluate the video‐recorded recoveries of 24 horses using a visual analogue scale (VAS) in which 0 = worst, 100 = best possible recovery. A mean score was generated for each of the 1–24 recoveries within each background group. These were compared usingSpearman's rank correlation. The effect of gender and experience onVASscores were analysed using an ordinal logistic regression after scores were categorised into ‘intermediate, ‘worst’ and ‘best’ recovery categories based on median, 25th and 75th percentileVASscores, respectively.

Results

The overall response rate was 35%. The greatest was from the anaesthetists (78%) followed by surgeons (43%). The response rate among owners and practitioners was 26%. Correlation amongVASscores across all background groups was high (Spearman rank >0.90; P<0.001). Among the combined veterinarians, there was no significant gender (P = 0.551) or experience (P = 0.103) effect. Among horse owners, the effect of experience was not significant (P = 0.116) although gender was (P = 0.027). Male horse owners awarded significantly greater scores than females.

Conclusions

WhenVASare used to grade recovery quality, neither the background nor the gender of veterinary evaluators affects quality perception. Male owners awarded greater scores than female owners, implying that they are less critical of recovery quality and a gender effect among horse owners must be considered whenVASare used to score recovery quality.
A practical guide for the study of human and murine sebaceous glands in situ
Authors: Hinde Eleanor , Haslam Iain S. , Schneider Marlon R. , Langan Ewan A. , Kloepper Jennifer E. , Schramm Carolin , Zouboulis Christos C. , Paus Ralf
Published: June 2013

The skin of most mammals is characterised by the presence of sebaceous glands (SGs), whose predominant constituent cell population is sebocytes, that is, lipid‐producing epithelial cells, which develop from the hair follicle. Besides holocrine sebum production (which contributes 90% of skin surface lipids), multiple additional SG functions have emerged. These range from antimicrobial peptide production and immunomodulation, via lipid and hormone synthesis/metabolism, to the provision of an epithelial progenitor cell reservoir. Therefore, in addition to its involvement in common skin diseases (e.g. acne vulgaris), the unfolding diversity of SG functions, both in skin health and disease, has raised interest in this integral component of the pilosebaceous unit. This practical guide provides an introduction to SG biology and to relevant SG histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques, with emphasis placed on in situ evaluation methods that can be easily employed. We propose a range of simple, established markers, which are particularly instructive when addressing specific SG research questions in the two most commonly investigated species in SG research, humans and mice. To facilitate the development of reproducible analysis techniques for the in situ evaluation of SGs, this methods review concludes by suggesting quantitative (immuno‐)histomorphometric methods for standardised SG evaluation.
Expressions of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors (PPARs) are directly influenced by permeability barrier abrogation and inflammatory cytokines and depressed PPARα modulates expressions of chemokines and epidermal differentiation‐related molecules in keratinocytes
Authors: Adachi Yasuko , Hatano Yutaka , Sakai Takashi , Fujiwara Sakuhei
Published: June 2013

Previous studies have demonstrated that the activation of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors (PPARs) not only has positive effects on permeability barrier homoeostasis but also has anti‐inflammatory effects by an as yet unknown mechanism. Reduced expression of PPARα in lesion of human atopic dermatitis (AD) and in epidermis of murine AD‐like dermatitis has been demonstrated. This study revealed that expression of PPARα alone among PPARs (α, β/δ and γ) was suppressed by both permeability barrier abrogation and additional existence of Th2 cytokine in cultured normal human keratinocytes. In addition, expressions of transglutaminase 1 and loricrin and those of thymus and activation‐related chemokine and regulated on activation normal T‐cell expressed in cultured human keratinocytes were reduced and enhanced, respectively, by transfection with siRNA for PPARα. In conclusion, depressed PPARα in keratinocytes might be involved in a relationship between permeability barrier abrogation and allergic inflammation and could be a therapeutic target which accounts for both the aspects in AD.
Lymphotoxin α induces apoptosis, necroptosis and inflammatory signals with the same potency as tumour necrosis factor
Authors: Etemadi Nima , Holien Jessica K. , Chau Diep , Dewson Grant , Murphy James M. , Alexander Warren S. , Parker Michael W. , Silke John , Nachbur Ueli
Published: July 2013

Both of theTNFsuperfamily ligands,TNFandLTα, can bind and signal throughTNFR1 andTNFR2, yet mice mutant for each have different phenotypes. Part of this difference is becauseLTα but notTNFcan activate Herpes Virus Entry Mediator and also heterotrimerise withLTβ to activateLTβR, which is consistent with the similar phenotypes of theLTα andLTβR deficient mice. However, it has also been reported that the LTα3homotrimer signals differently thanTNFthroughTNFR1, and has unique roles in initiation and exacerbation of some inflammatory diseases. Our modeling of theTNF/TNFR1 interface compared to theLTα3/TNFR1 structure revealed some differences that could affect signalling by the two ligands. To determine whether there were any functional differences in the ability ofTNFandLTα3to induceTNFR1‐dependent apoptosis or necroptosis, and if there were different requirements for cIAPs and Sharpin to transmit theTNFR1 signal, we compared the ability of cells to respond toTNFandLTα3. Contrary to our hypothesis, we were unable to discover differences in signalling byTNFR1 in response toTNFandLTα3. Our results imply that the reasons for the conservation ofLTα are most likely due either to differential regulation, the ability to signal through Herpes Virus Entry Mediator or the ability ofLTα to form heterotrimers withLTβ.

Structured digital abstract

LT alphaphysically interactswithRIPK1andcIAP1bytandem affinity purification(View interaction)

TNFandTNFbindbyblue native page(View interaction)

LT alphaandLT alphabindbyblue native page(View interaction)

TNFphysically interactswithcIAP1andRIPK1bytandem affinity purification(View interaction)
Phase Separation and Spatial Morphology in Sodium Silicate Glasses by AFM, Light Scattering and NMR
Authors: Hodroj Abbas , Simon Patrick , Florian Pierre , Chopinet Marie‐Hélène , Vaills Yann
Published: July 2013

The morphological and structural properties of sodium silicate (Na2O–SiO2) glasses were analyzed using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and light scattering following thermal treatments. AFM observations indicated that the glass surface microstructure evolves during the phase separation mechanisms from continuous interpenetrating phases in the spinodal decomposition process to separated droplets embedded in a continuous matrix for the nucleation/growth one. Raman mapping gave evidence of a phase separation through the nucleation/growth process with formation of silica‐rich clusters characterized by higher polymerization degree as separate droplets. The variations in inhomogeneities versus temperature investigated by Brillouin are exponential for spinodal decomposition and linear in the case of nucleation/growth mechanism. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to investigate the spatial distribution of the various Qn species present in thermally treated glasses and allows determining fractal dimension between two and three.
The reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Short‐form Chronic Disease Self‐Efficacy Scales for older adults
Authors: Chow Susan Ka Yee , Wong Frances KY
Published: July 2013

Aims and objectives

To examine the reliability and validity of theChinese version of theShort‐formChronicDiseaseSelfEfficacyScales.

Background

The prevalence of chronic disease is accelerating globally, advancing across every region and pervading all socioeconomic classes. Among the interventions, self‐management programmes focusing on increasing self‐efficacy have demonstrated significant patient outcomes, including the improvement of quality of life and functional status. TheChronicDiseaseSelf‐EfficacyScales (CDSES) system developed by Lorig in 1996 has been widely used by healthcare professionals from different disciplines to measure self‐efficacy for chronic disease patients due to their tested psychometric properties. The Short‐form of the scales system is used today, as it takes substantially less time to administer.

Design

This study used psychometric testing to establish the validity and reliability of theShort‐formChronicDiseaseSelf‐EfficacyScales (CDSES).

Methods

A convenience sample of 163 older patients with chronic diseases were recruited. TheChinese version of theCDSES, short‐formCDSES,SF‐36 and self‐rated health were used to test for construct validity, concurrent validity, convergent validity and internal consistency.

Results

Short‐formCDSEShad a single‐factor structure with high internal consistency (0·96) and demonstrated no floor or ceiling effects. High intraclass correlation, 0·98, was demonstrated in test–retest. Correlations with the domain scores of theCDSESwere found to ber = 0·97 and 0·98. The scale also demonstrated significant moderate correlations withSF‐36 and self‐rated health.

Conclusion

TheChinese version of theShort‐formCDSEShas shown statistically acceptable levels of reliability and validity for assessing self‐efficacy in older patients with chronic diseases.

Relevance to clinical practice

The scale is particularly valuable for use among older patients with chronic illness. The questionnaire can be used to assess nursing interventions focusing on increasing patients' self‐efficacy or routine patient screening in carrying out daily activities.
Discussing sexual and relationship health with young people in a children's hospital: evaluation of a computer‐based resource
Authors: Bray Lucy , Sanders Caroline , McKenna Jacqueline
Published: July 2013

Aims and objectives

To investigate health professionals' evaluation of a computer‐based resource designed to improve discussions about sexual and relationship health with young people.

Background

Evidence suggests that some health professionals can experience discomfort discussing sexual health and relationship issues with young people. Professionals within hospital settings should have the knowledge, competencies and skills to be able to ask young people sexual health questions and provide accurate sexual health education. Despite some educational material being available for community and adult services, there are no resources available, which are directly relevant to holding opportunistic discussions with young people within an acute children's hospital.

Design

A descriptive survey design.

Methods

One hundred and fourteen health professionals from a children's hospital in the UK were involved in evaluating a computer‐based resource. All completed an online questionnaire survey comprising of closed and open questions.

Results

The health professionals reported that the computer‐based resource had a positive influence on their knowledge and clinical practice. The videos as well as the concise nature of the resource were evaluated highly. Learning was facilitated by professionals being able to control their learning through rerunning and accessing the resource on numerous occasions.

Conclusions

An engaging, accessible computer‐based resource has the capability to positively impact on health professionals' knowledge of, and skills in, starting and holding sexual health conversations with young people accessing a children's hospital.

Relevance to clinical practice

Health professionals working with children and young people value accessible, relevant and short computer‐based training. This can facilitate knowledge and skill acquisition despite variation in working patterns. Improving the knowledge and skills of professionals working with young people to facilitate appropriate yet opportunistic sexual health discussions is important within the public health agenda.
Prospective evaluation of the Amplicor HPV test for predicting progression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2
Authors: Nogawa Takayoshi , Hiura Masamichi , Tanaka Hideyuki , Saito Toshiaki , Furuta Reiko , Watanabe Kayoko , Kita Tsunekazu , Yamamoto Kaichiro , Mikami Mikio , Takizawa Ken ,   (Japan Gynecologic Oncology Group)
Published: July 2013

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical performance of the Amplicor HPV test, which detects 13 high‐risk human papillomaviruses (HR‐HPV), and to determine the association between consistent HR‐HPV infection and progression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 to CIN3.

Material and Methods

This multi‐institutional prospective study enrolled 122 women diagnosed with CIN2 by central pathological review. Subjects were tested at study entry and every 6 months over a 24‐month period by cytology, Amplicor HPV test and colposcopy. Central pathological review was performed at the end of the study or if CIN progression was suspected.

Results

Ninety‐three of the 122 participants completed all tests in the study and were included in the analysis. HR‐HPV was detected in 87/93 (93.5%) participants at study entry. Twenty‐four of the 87 HR‐HPV‐positive participants progressed to ≥CIN3, compared with none of the six participants who were HR‐HPV‐negative at study entry. The positive predictive value, negative predictive value, sensitivity and specificity of the Amplicor HPV test at study entry for predicting ≥CIN3 progression were 27.6%, 100%, 100% and 8.7%, respectively. Sixty‐two participants were HR‐HPV‐positive from study entry through to study completion, 24 of whom progressed to ≥CIN3. None of 31 participants without continuous HR‐HPV detection progressed to ≥CIN3. For continuous HR‐HPV detection, the positive predictive value, negative predictive value, sensitivity and specificity of the Amplicor HPV test were 38.7%, 100%, 100% and 44.9%, respectively.

Conclusions

All participants who progressed to ≥CIN3 were continuously HR‐HPV‐positive. The Amplicor HPV test thus demonstrated a good performance for predicting CIN3 progression.
Insights on Tax Evasion Using a Monetary Circuit Model
Authors: Di Lorenzo Paolo
Published: July 2013

The paper analyses the impact of tax evasion on government budgets, using a monetary circuit model. It is possible to show that, under specific parameter values, evading taxes on profit becomes an attractive proposition when government policies tax capital and employment in different ways and on different timescales. Without adequate tax enforcement, government is reduced to acting as a financial backer for companies. Furthermore, a lower tax rate on labour income enabling money to flow from households to companies through private consumption reduces incentives for tax evasion. These results hold true even if the government decides to implement a balanced budget fiscal policy.
One ring to rule them all? Genome sequencing provides new insights into the ‘master circle’ model of plant mitochondrial DNA structure
Authors: Sloan Daniel B.
Published: July 2013

The in vivo molecular structure of plant mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been a long‐standing source of intrigue and controversy. Recent deep sequencing analyses of mitochondrial genomes from numerous plant species have provided the opportunity to revisit this decades‐old question from a novel perspective. Whole‐genome sequencing approaches have yielded new lines of evidence that the ‘master circle’ is not the predominant form of plant mtDNA and have revealed striking structural variation both within and among species. Here, I review these recent studies, including the discovery that at least two independent angiosperm lineages have evolved multichromosomal mitochondrial genome structures. These findings raise fascinating questions regarding the mechanisms of plant mtDNA replication and inheritance.
Effect of phosphorus availability on the selection of species with different ploidy levels and genome sizes in a long‐term grassland fertilization experiment
Authors: Šmarda Petr , Hejcman Michal , Březinová Alexandra , Horová Lucie , Steigerová Helena , Zedek František , Bureš Petr , Hejcmanová Pavla , Schellberg Jürgen
Published: July 2013

Polyploidy and increased genome size are hypothesized to increase organismal nutrient demands, namely of phosphorus (P), which is an essential and abundant component of nucleic acids. Therefore, polyploids and plants with larger genomes are expected to be selectively disadvantaged in P‐limited environments. However, this hypothesis has yet to be experimentally tested.

We measured the somatic DNA content and ploidy level in 74 vascular plant species in a long‐term fertilization experiment. The differences between the fertilizer treatments regarding the DNA content and ploidy level of the established species were tested using phylogeny‐based statistics.

The percentage and biomass of polyploid species clearly increased with soil P in particular fertilizer treatments, and a similar but weaker trend was observed for the DNA content. These increases were associated with the dominance of competitive life strategy (particularly advantageous in the P‐treated plots) in polyploids and the enhanced competitive ability of dominant polyploid grasses at high soil P concentrations, indicating their increased P limitation.

Our results verify the hypothesized effect of P availability on the selection of polyploids and plants with increased genome sizes, although the relative contribution of increased P demands vs increased competitiveness as causes of the observed pattern requires further evaluation.
From Bells to Cannon – The Beginnings of Archaeological Chemistry in the Eighteenth Century
Authors: Pollard A.M.
Published: July 2013

This paper attempts to track the history of the chemical analysis of archaeological copper alloys back beyond the accepted origins of archaeometallurgy, and even before the pioneering work of Martin Heinrich Klaproth, as identified by Earle Cayley. It would appear that the chemical analysis of copper metal was developed in Revolutionary France around 1790 to enable the estimation of the amount of tin in the alloy as a response to the need to convert church bells into cannon. What is perhaps remarkable to our eyes, however, is that this group of scientists (including Mongez, Darcet and Dizé), who were the leading chemists of their day, were also interested in the analysis of archaeological metals. This is further evidence for the blossoming of the age of scientific enlightenment, when, shortly after the development of gravimetric methods of analysis, the entire contents of the ‘cabinets of curiosities’ were the subject of scientific study by the leading savants of the day.
Protoporphyrin IX–β‐Cyclodextrin Bimodal Conjugate: Nanosized Drug Transporter and Potent Phototoxin
Authors: Aggelidou Chrysie , Theodossiou Theodossis A. , Yannakopoulou Konstantina
Published: July 2013

Topical or systemic administration of 5‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and its esters results in increased production and accumulation of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) in cancerous lesions allowing effective application of photodynamic therapy (PDT). The large concentrations of exogenous ALA practically required to bypass the negative feedback control exerted by heme on enzymatic ALA synthesis and the strong dimerization propensity of ALA are shortcomings of the otherwise attractive PpIX biosynthesis. To circumvent these limitations and possibly enhance the phototoxicity of PpIX by adjuvant chemotherapy, covalent bonding of PpIX with a drug carrier, β‐cyclodextrin (βCD) was implemented. The resulting PpIX + βCD product had both carboxylic termini of PpIX connected to the CD. PpIX + βCD was water soluble, was found to preferentially localize in mitochondria rather than in lysosomes both in MCF7 and DU145 cell lines while its phototoxiciy was comparable to that of PpIX. Moreover, PpIX + βCD effectively solubilized the breast cancer drug tamoxifen metabolite N‐desmethyltamoxifen (NDMTAM) in water. The PpIX + βCD/NDMTAM complex was readily internalized by both cell lines employed. Furthermore, the multimodal action of PpIX + βCD was demonstrated in MCF7 cells: while it retains the phototoxic profile of PpIX and its fluorescence for imaging purposes, PpIX + βCD can efficiently transport tamoxifen citrate intracellularly and confer cell death through a synergy of photo‐ and chemotoxicity.
Photoprotective effects of inclusion complexes of fullerenes with polyvinylpyrrolidone
Authors: Murakami Mio , Hyodo Sayuri , Fujikawa Yuuki , Fujimoto Takahiro , Maeda Kazuhisa
Published: July 2013

Background

The outermost surface of the body is covered by the stratum corneum, which is critical for proper skin barrier function. We investigated photoprotective effects of inclusion complexes of fullerenes with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP/fullerenes).

Methods

To examine the cytoprotective activity of PVP/fullerenes against ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation, we placed a dish with or without PVP/fullerenes on top of dishes containing cultured keratinocytes with or without PVP/fullerenes. Next, we examined the effects of PVP/fullerenes on the ratio of cells with cornified envelopes and transglutaminase‐1 expression by real‐time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Finally, we examined the barrier recovery effect of PVP/fullerenes solution by measuring transepidermal water loss after tape stripping in humans.

Results

UVB irradiation at 40 mJ/cm2 markedly induced inhibition of keratinocyte proliferation. The inhibition of keratinocyte proliferation was restored only when PVP/fullerenes were present before UVB irradiation in the lower dish with the cells. UVB irradiation decreased the ratio of cells with cornified envelopes and transglutaminase‐1 expression; however, the application of PVP/fullerenes reversed this phenomenon. PVP/fullerenes solution significantly promoted the recovery of transepidermal water loss on the second and third days after tape stripping.

Conclusion

PVP/fullerenes can be used in cosmetics, especially in those intended to protect photo damage and ameliorate skin barrier perturbations.