bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unintended Consequences of Changing Accounting Standards: The Case of Fair Value Accounting and Mandatory Dividends
Authors: Goncharov Igor , van Triest Sander
Published: September 2014

A growing body of literature investigates the interaction of changes in accounting standards with institutions such as investor protection laws and corporate governance mechanisms. We examine the unintended consequences of fair value accounting in determining mandated preferred dividends. We study the case of Russian energy conglomerate UES, which had a good corporate governance track record and a consistent dividend history. Following its adoption of fair value accounting, UES reported the highest quarterly profit in world corporate history, but it subsequently omitted dividends for all its shareholders. The case analysis suggests that the transitory nature of fair value adjustments and the interaction with the investment policy were important considerations in justifying the dividend omission. The reduction in preferred dividends was not offset by any capital gains, and led to a wealth transfer from preferred to ordinary shareholders. Thus, requiring the use of fair value accounting when determining the dividend distribution base can lead to unintended consequences and increase agency costs for minority shareholders.
Assessing the information in the Summaries of Product Characteristics for the use of medicines in pregnancy and lactation
Authors: Arguello Blanca , Salgado Teresa M. , Fernandez‐Llimos Fernando
Published: September 2014

Aims

To assess the completeness and applicability of information for the use of medicines in pregnancy and lactation contained in European Summaries of Product Characteristics (SmPCs).

Methods

SmPCs available on the EMA website in April 2011 were retrieved, and information on the use of medicines during pregnancy and lactation was analyzed. A form was designed to extract information regarding drug concentrations crossing the placenta, excretion of the drug in milk, the existence of pre‐clinical and clinical studies and clinical experience describing the use of the medicine in pregnancy and lactation, medicine effects on human fertility, medicines use in women of child‐bearing potential and specific recommendations for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. SmPCs were classified as containing ‘conclusive’ or ‘ambiguous’ information depending on whether (or not) they provided clear instructions regarding medicine use in pregnancy and lactation.

Results

Of the 534 SmPCs, 89.3% did not mention whether the drug crossed the placenta, 67.6% indicated that there was no clinical experience during pregnancy and in 61.4% it was unknown whether the medicine was excreted in human milk. Recommendations for medicine use during pregnancy and breastfeeding were ambiguous in 57.0% and 16.5% of the SmPCs, respectively, and medicine use was restricted in over 90% SmPCs for both pregnancy and breastfeeding, despite no information supporting these restrictions being reported. The time elapsed since a SmPCs first approval was not associated with an increase in information quality.

Conclusions

Important information deficits on the use of medicines during pregnancy and breastfeeding were found in European SmPCs.
Epigenetic modifications of splicing factor genes in myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Wong Justin J.‐L. , Lau Katherine A. , Pinello Natalia , Rasko John E. J.
Published: September 2014

Somatic mutations in splicing factor genes have frequently been reported in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Although aberrant epigenetic changes are frequently implicated in blood cancers, their direct role in suppressing one or both alleles of critical splicing factors has not been previously examined. Here, we examined promoter DNA hypermethylation of nine splicing factors, SF3B1, SRSF2, U2AF1, ZRSR2, SF3A1, HNRNPR, MATR3, ZFR, and YBX3 in 10 leukemic cell lines and 94 MDS or AML patient samples from the Australasian Leukemia and Lymphoma Group Tissue Bank. The only evidence of epigenetic effects was hypermethylation of the YBX3 promoter in U937 cells in conjunction with an enrichment of histone marks associated with gene silencing. In silico analysis of DNA methylation data for 173 AML samples generated by the Cancer Genome Atlas Research Network revealed promoter hypermethylation of the gene encoding Y box binding protein 3, YBX3, in 11/173 (6.4%) AML cases, which was significantly associated with reduced mRNA expression (P < 0.0001). Hypermethylation of the ZRSR2 promoter was also detected in 7/173 (4%) cases but was not associated with decreased mRNA expression (P = 0.1204). Hypermethylation was absent at the promoter of seven other splicing factor genes in all cell lines and patient samples examined. We conclude that DNA hypermethylation does not frequently silence splicing factors in MDS and AML. However, in the case of YBX3, promoter hypermethylation‐induced downregulation may contribute to the pathogenesis or maintenance of AML.
Exosome proteomics reveals transcriptional regulator proteins with potential to mediate downstream pathways
Authors: Ung Timothy H. , Madsen Helen J. , Hellwinkel Justin E. , Lencioni Alex M. , Graner Michael W.
Published: September 2014

Exosomes are virus‐sized, membrane‐enclosed vesicles with origins in the cellular endosomal system, but are released extracellularly. As a population, these tiny vesicles carry relatively enormous amounts of information in their protein, lipid and nucleic acid content, and the vesicles can have profound impacts on recipient cells. This review employs publically‐available data combined with gene ontology applications to propose a novel concept, that exosomes transport transcriptional and translational machinery that may have direct impacts on gene expression in recipient cells. Here, we examine the previously published proteomic contents of medulloblastoma‐derived exosomes, focusing on transcriptional regulators; we found that there are numerous proteins that may have potential roles in transcriptional and translational regulation with putative influence on downstream, cancer‐related pathways. We expanded this search to all of the proteins in the Vesiclepedia database; using gene ontology approaches, we see that these regulatory factors are implicated in many of the processes involved in cancer initiation and progression. This information suggests that some of the effects of exosomes on recipient cells may be due to the delivery of protein factors that can directly and fundamentally change the transcriptional landscape of the cells. Within a tumor environment, this has potential to tilt the advantage towards the cancer.
Histamine H4 Receptor Ligands: Future Applications and State of Art
Authors: Corrêa Michelle Fidelis , Fernandes João Paulo dos Santos
Published: September 2014

Histamine is a chemical transmitter found practically in whole organism and exerts its effects through the interaction with H1 to H4 histaminergic receptors. Specifically, H4 receptors are found mainly in immune cells and blood‐forming tissues, thus are involved in inflammatory and immune processes, as well as some actions in central nervous system. Therefore, H4 receptor ligands can have applications in the treatment of chronic inflammatory and immune diseases and may be novel therapeutic option in these conditions. Several H4 receptor ligands have been described from early 2000's until nowadays, being imidazole, indolecarboxamide, 2‐aminopyrimidine, quinazoline, and quinoxaline scaffolds the most explored and discussed in this review. Moreover, several studies of molecular modeling using homology models of H4 receptor and QSAR data of the ligands are summarized. The increasing and promising therapeutic applications are leading these compounds to clinical trials, which probably will be part of the next generation of blockbuster drugs.
A Fluorescent Probe for Imaging p53–MDM2 Protein–Protein Interaction
Authors: Liu Zhenzhen , Miao Zhenyuan , Li Jin , Fang Kun , Zhuang Chunlin , Du Lupei , Sheng Chunquan , Li Minyong
Published: September 2014

In this article, we describe a no‐wash small‐molecule fluorescent probe for detecting and imaging p53–MDM2 protein–protein interaction based on an environment‐sensitive fluorescent turn‐on mechanism. After extensive biological examination, this probe L1 exhibited practical activity and selectivity in vitro and in cellulo.
1,2‐Diaryl‐2‐hydroxyiminoethanones as Dual COX‐1 and β‐Amyloid Aggregation Inhibitors: Biological Evaluation and In Silico Study
Authors: Irannejad Hamid , Unsal Tan Oya , Ozadali Keriman , Dadashpour Sakineh , Tuylu Kucukkilinc Tuba , Ahangar Nematollah , Ahmadnejad Mahsa , Emami Saeed
Published: September 2014

To find out new agents for treating inflammatory‐involved diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, a series of 1,2‐diaryl‐2‐hydroxyiminoethanones containing vicinal diaryl pharmacophore of COX inhibitors were tested by a set of in vitro, in vivo, and computational studies. The in vivo study of compounds indicated their prominent anti‐inflammatory ability at the doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg comparable to celecoxib (10 mg/kg). Further in vitro COX‐1/COX‐2 evaluations revealed that 4‐methoxy derivative 3 had a high selective COX‐1 inhibitory activity (COX‐1, IC50 = 0.12 μm, SI > 833). To evaluate their potential use against Alzheimer's disease, in vitro evaluation of β‐amyloid fibril formation using Aβ(1–40) and Aβ(1–42) peptides was performed. The evaluation of their antiaggregation ability gave impressive results and comparable to rifampicin and indomethacin. Conformational study of compound 3 and subsequent docking of its restrained analogs on both active sites of COX‐1 and COX‐2 could provide a proof of its COX‐1 selectivity as well as molecular dynamic simulation could elucidate and give more insight into the amyloid disaggregation mechanisms leading to rational design of inhibitors.
Consumer leather exposure: an unrecognized cause of cobalt sensitization
Authors: Thyssen Jacob P. , Johansen Jeanne D. , Jellesen Morten S. , Møller Per , Sloth Jens J. , Zachariae Claus , Menné Torkil
Published: September 2014

Background

A patient who had suffered from persistent generalized dermatitis for 7 years was diagnosed with cobalt sensitization, and his leather couch was suspected as the culprit, owing to the clinical presentation mimicking allergic chromium dermatitis resulting from leather furniture exposure.

Materials and methods

The cobalt spot test, X‐ray fluorescence, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy were used to determine cobalt content and release from the leather couch that caused the dermatitis and from 14 randomly collected samples of furniture leather.

Results

The sample from the patient's leather couch, but none of the 14 random leather samples, released cobalt in high concentrations. Dermatitis cleared when the patient stopped using his couch.

Conclusions

Cobalt is used in the so‐called pre‐metallized dyeing of leather products. Repeated studies have found high levels of cobalt sensitization, but not nickel sensitization, in patients with foot dermatitis. We raise the possibility that cobalt may be widely released from leather items, and advise dermatologists to consider this in patients with positive cobalt patch test reactions.
Are children with acute arterial ischaemic stroke eligible for hyperacute thrombolysis? A retrospective audit from a tertiary UK centre
Authors: Marecos Clara , Gunny Roxana , Robinson Robert , Ganesan Vijeya
Published: September 2014

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the number of children with acute arterial ischaemic stroke (AIS) who would have been eligible for hyperacute thrombolysis in the authors' unit (Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK) and to identify barriers to this treatment.

Method

We compared the characteristics of children with a diagnosis of acute AIS, identified from neuroimaging databases, seen at our centre between January 2006 and December 2011. The criteria for hyperacute thrombolysis were predefined by us: age ≥8y; imaging‐confirmed diagnosis of acute AIS and arrival at our centre within 6 hours of symptom onset; occluded major artery on computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance angiography; no contraindications. Factors that precluded therapy were examined.

Results

Of a total of 107 children with acute AIS identified on MRI (n=64; 33 females, 31 males; median age 4y, range 1mo–17y) or CT databases (n=43; 14 females, 29 males; median age 1y, range 1mo–15y), none would have been eligible for hyperacute thrombolysis. The major barriers to this were (1) delayed diagnosis, (2) delayed transfer to the tertiary centre, (3) age, and (4) medical comorbidities. Of 107 children, three (2.8%) would have been eligible for thrombolysis if diagnosis and transfer had occurred in a timely manner. An additional 11 children (10.3%) would have been eligible if the age criterion was 28 days or more and if diagnosis and transfer had occurred promptly.

Interpretation

Although hyperacute thrombolysis is, as yet, an unproven treatment in childhood AIS, at least a subset of patients could potentially benefit. This audit has identified that clinical factors preclude treatment in a high percentage of children. Furthermore, in our specialist unit, without an emergency department, we identified major logistic barriers that will need to be addressed to enable access to hyperacute therapies. These results could inform future trial design and service delivery.
Favorable prognosis of biallelic CEBPA gene mutations in acute myeloid leukemia patients: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Li Hong‐Ying , Deng Dong‐Hong , Huang Ying , Ye Fang‐Hui , Huang Lu‐Lu , Xiao Qiang , Zhang Bing , Ye Bing‐Bing , Lai Yong‐Rong , Mo Zeng‐Nan , Liu Zhen‐Fang
Published: September 2014

Objectives

Increasing number of studies suggested that biallelic CEBPA (bi CEBPA) mutations were associated with favorable prognosis in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but the results remain inconclusive. We therefore present a meta‐analysis to evaluate the prognostic value of bi CEBPA mutations in patients with AML.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was undertaken through August 2014 looking for eligible studies. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) estimates and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) in overall survival (OS) and event‐free survival (EFS) were used to calculate estimated effect.

Results

Ten studies covering a total of 6219 subjects were included in this analysis. Overall, bi CEBPA mutations were associated with favorable clinical outcome in patients with AML (HR for EFS: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.32–0.52; for OS: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.27–0.50), in cytogenetically normal (CN)‐AML (HR for EFS: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.29–0.49; for OS: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.23–0.43). When took the cohort of monoallelic CEBPA (mo CEBPA) mutated and wild‐type CEBPA (wt CEBPA) AML as a reference group, bi CEBPA mutated AML also shown beneficial outcomes (HR for OS: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.37–0.72). No significant difference was found between mo CEBPA mutation and wt CEBPA in patients with AML or CN‐AML (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Bi CEBPA mutations in patients with AML are strongly associated with a favorable prognosis, which suggested that bi CEBPA mutations would potentially serve as a novel prognostic marker in AML.
The plot thickens while the scope broadens: a holistic view on IL‐17 in psoriasis and other inflammatory disorders
Authors: Schön Michael P.
Published: September 2014

Psoriasis is an instructive example highlighting our growing knowledge about pathophysiological functions of interleukin (IL)‐17. IL‐17A is the predominant isoform implicated in key pathogenic features in this and other chronic inflammatory disorders. Several monoclonal antibodies targeting IL‐17A (secukinumab, ixekizumab) or its IL‐17RC/RA receptor (brodalumab) are currently in late stages of clinical development, where they have shown impressive efficacy. While the eponymous IL‐17 has been thought to originate primarily from T helper (Th)17 cells, more recent investigations by several groups suggest that other cell types in psoriatic lesions, such as neutrophils and mast cells, are rich sources of IL‐17, thus presumably contributing to the disease process to an as yet underestimated extent. This recent paradigm shift provides a plausible explanation for the rapid and strong efficacy of the novel compounds targeting IL‐17 functions in psoriasis and other inflammatory disorders, and provide a more comprehensive view on the complex cytokine network in these conditions.
Novel types and sites of histone modifications emerge as players in the transcriptional regulation contest
Authors: Kebede Adam F. , Schneider Robert , Daujat Sylvain
Published: September 2014

N‐terminal tails of histones are easily accessible outside of the nucleosomal core particle and post‐translational modifications (PTMs) of these tails have been the focus of attention in the past 15–20 years. By recruiting (or excluding) specific readers, histone modifications can regulate chromatin dynamics and, by extension, DNA‐dependent processes. However, until very recently, the direct impact of histone PTMs on nucleosome structure and thus on chromatin function has remained somewhat elusive. Recent findings of novel sites and types of histone PTMs located within the globular domain of histones and, in particular, on the lateral surface of the histone octamer have changed this. As a result of their structurally important location in close proximity to the DNA molecule, this new class of histone PTMs can have a direct impact on chromatin function. Depending on their precise position at the nucleosome lateral surface (e.g. near the DNA entry/exit sites or in the dyad region), histone PTMs can regulate nucleosome structure and/or stability differently. We review recent progress on how histone PTMs can influence DNA unwrapping and/or nucleosome disassembly and shed light on how these types of novel modifications contribute mechanistically to the regulation of transcriptional activity.
A role for biotic filtering in driving phylogenetic clustering in soil bacterial communities
Authors: Goberna Marta , García Carlos , Verdú Miguel
Published: September 2014

Aim

Phylogenetic clustering, the coexistence of evolutionarily related organisms, appears to be common in soil bacteria. This pattern has traditionally been attributed to the habitat‐filtering of bacteria that are able to survive under particular abiotic settings. According to the modern coexistence theory, however, phylogenetic clustering can also arise from biotic interactions such as the competitive exclusion of large clades with low competitive abilities. Here, we used phylogeny‐based methods to discern whether the coexistence of evolutionarily related soil bacteria results from abiotic and/or biotic filtering.

Location

Worldwide.

Methods

We performed a Bayesian meta‐analysis based on a literature review (n = 231) to assess whether the net relatedness index (NRI) or the nearest taxon index (NTI), two measures of the phylogenetic relatedness of taxa in local assemblages, deviate from those in randomly configured communities. We then sought the best abiotic (pH, total organic carbon and total nitrogen) and biotic predictors (relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Acidobacteria) of NRI and NTI.

Results

Phylogenetic clustering is pervasive in soil bacterial communities regardless of the spatial and taxonomic scales (NRI = 2.29; 95% CI [1.43, 3.29]; P < 0.001). Clustering is accentuated by productivity; that is, more fertile soils hold communities with more closely related bacteria (estimate = 1.05 [0.03, 2.15]; P < 0.05). Proteobacterial abundance, which increases with organic carbon enrichment, leads to higher relatedness among coexisting bacteria (estimate = 0.1 [0.02, 0.17]; P < 0.01) through the competitive exclusion of distantly related deep‐branching clades.

Main conclusions

Our results, together with the dominance of proteobacterial lineages in soils worldwide, suggest that the overrepresentation of this clade underlies the widespread coexistence of phylogenetically related bacteria. These results are consistent with phylogenetic clustering arising via differences in competitive ability as predicted by the coexistence theory. This supports the idea that biotic filtering might have a role in driving the phylogenetic community assembly of soil prokaryotes.
Chitinase‐like gene family in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens
Authors: Xi Y. , Pan P‐L. , Ye Y‐X. , Yu B. , Xu H‐J. , Zhang C‐X.
Published: September 2014

Chitinases are important enzymes required for chitin degradation and reconstruction in insects. Based on a bioinformatics investigation, we identified 12 genes encoding putative chitinase‐like proteins, including 10 chitinases (Cht), one imaginal disc growth factor (IDGF) and one endo‐β‐N‐acetylglucosaminidase (ENGase) in the genome of the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Hemiptera: Delphacidae). These 12 genes were clustered into nine different groups, with 11 in glycoside hydrolase family 18 groups (groups I‐VIII) and one in the ENGase group. Developmental and tissue‐specific expression pattern analysis revealed that the transcript levels of eight genes peaked periodically during moulting and were mainly expressed in the integument, except NlCht2, NlCht4, NlIDGF and NlENGase. NlCht2, NlIDGF and NlENGase were expressed at all stages with slight periodical changes and mainly expressed in the female reproductive organs in adults, whereas NlCht4 was highly expressed only at the adult stage in the male reproductive organs. Lethal phenotypes were observed in insects challenged by double‐stranded RNAs for NlCht1, NlCht5, NlCht7, NlCht9 and NlCht10 during moulting, suggesting their significant roles in old cuticle degradation. NlCht1 was the most sensitive gene, inducing 50% mortality even at 0.01 ng per insect. Our results illustrate the structural and functional differences of chitinase‐like family genes and provide potential targets for RNA interference‐based rice planthopper management.
Functional characterization of calliphorid cell death genes and cellularization gene promoters for controlling gene expression and cell viability in early embryos
Authors: Edman R. M. , Linger R. J. , Belikoff E. J. , Li F. , Sze S.‐H. , Tarone A. M. , Scott M. J.
Published: September 2014

The New World screwworm fly, Cochliomyia hominivorax, and the Australian sheep blow fly, Lucilia cuprina, are major pests of livestock. The sterile insect technique was used to eradicate C. hominivorax from North and Central America. This involved area‐wide releases of male and female flies that had been sterilized by radiation. Genetic systems have been developed for making ‘male‐only’ strains that would improve the efficiency of genetic control of insect pests. One system involves induction of female lethality in embryos through activation of a pro‐apoptotic gene by the tetracycline‐dependent transactivator. Sex‐specific expression is achieved using an intron from the transformer gene, which we previously isolated from several calliphorids. In the present study, we report the isolation of the promoters from the C. hominivorax slam and Lucilia sericata bnk cellularization genes and show that these promoters can drive expression of a GFP reporter gene in early embryos of transgenic L. cuprina. Additionally, we report the isolation of the L. sericata pro‐apoptotic hid and rpr genes, identify conserved motifs in the encoded proteins and determine the relative expression of these genes at different stages of development. We show that widespread expression of the L. sericata pro‐apoptotic genes was lethal in Drosophila melanogaster. The isolated gene promoters and pro‐apoptotic genes could potentially be used to build transgenic embryonic sexing strains of calliphorid livestock pests.
Reduced pressure for fewer pressure ulcers: can real‐time feedback of interface pressure optimise repositioning in bed?
Authors: Gunningberg Lena , Carli Cheryl
Published: September 2014

The aim of this study was to (i) describe registered nurses' and assistant nurses' repositioning skills with regard to their existing attitudes to and theoretical knowledge of pressure ulcer (PU) prevention, and (ii) evaluate if the continuous bedside pressure mapping (CBPM) system provides staff with a pedagogic tool to optimise repositioning. A quantitative study was performed using a descriptive, comparative design. Registered nurses (n = 19) and assistant nurses (n = 33) worked in pairs, and were instructed to place two volunteers (aged over 70 years) in the best pressure‐reducing position (lateral and supine), first without viewing the CBPM monitor and then again after feedback. In total, 240 positionings were conducted. The results show that for the same person with the same available pressure‐reducing equipment, the peak pressure varied considerably between nursing pairs. Reducing pressure in the lateral position appeared to be the most challenging. Peak pressures were significantly reduced, based on visual feedback from the CBPM monitor. The number of preventive interventions also increased, as well as patients' comfort. For the nurses as a group, the knowledge score was 59·7% and the attitude score was 88·8%. Real‐time visual feedback of pressure points appears to provide another dimension to complement decision making with respect to PU prevention.
Reduced Dielectric Loss and Strain Hysteresis in Fe and Mn Comodified High‐Temperature BiScO3–PbTiO3 Ceramics
Authors: Chen Jianguo , Jin Guoxi , Wang Chun‐Ming , Cheng Jinrong
Published: September 2014

There is a growing requirement for high‐temperature piezoelectric materials in the petrochemical, automotive, and aerospace industries. Here, the piezoelectric materials of Fe and Mn comodified 0.36BiScO3–0.64PbTiO3 (BS‐PTFMn) ceramics with high Curie temperature (Tc), large mechanical quality factor (Qm), and reduced strain hysteresis were presented. XRD results revealed that all the BS‐PTFMn ceramics have a pure perovskite structure with tetragonal symmetry, and the ratio of c/a is insensitive to the contents of Fe. With the modifications of Fe, the dielectric loss tanδ and strain hysteresis decrease clearly, while the mechanical quality factor improves significantly. The Curie temperature, piezoelectric constant, planar electromechanical coupling factor, dielectric loss, and mechanical quality factor of the BS‐PTFMn with 3% Fe content are 492°C, 235 pC/N, 0.38, 0.6%, and 280, respectively. BS‐PTFMn ceramics show 50°C higher Tc than BS‐PT morphotropic phase boundary composition. The figure of merit (product of Qm, and kij) of BS‐PTFMn ceramics is about five times than that of pure BS‐PT ceramics. Furthermore, for the BS‐PTFMn ceramics with Fe content of 3 mol%, the high field strain coefficient value calculated from the electric‐field‐induced strain curves (Smax/Emax) is 320 pm/V, while the strain hysteresis (under 40 kV/cm) is reduced to one fifth that of unmodified BS‐PT ceramics. Moreover, the temperature‐dependent electromechanical coupling coefficient and dielectric constant are very stable in the temperature range from room temperature (RT) to 450°C. These results indicated that BS‐PTFMn ceramics are promising for high‐temperature piezoelectric applications.
Macroscopic and Nanoscopic Polarization Relaxation Kinetics in Lead‐Free Relaxors Bi1/2Na1/2TiO3–Bi1/2K1/2TiO3–BiZn1/2Ti1/2O3
Authors: Gobeljic Danka , Dittmer Robert , Rödel Jürgen , Shvartsman Vladimir V. , Lupascu Doru C.
Published: September 2014

The stability of the field‐induced ferroelectric (FE) state was studied in relaxor lead‐free ceramics (1 − y)[0.81Bi1/2Na1/2TiO3–0.19Bi1/2K1/2TiO3]–yBiZn1/2Ti1/2O3 both macroscopically and microscopically. A strong dc electric field results in the formation of a stable FE state with a large piezoelectric coefficient for compositions with a small amount of Bi(Zn1/2Ti1/2)O3, which are in the non‐ergodic relaxor state at room temperature. Increasing temperature promotes ergodic relaxor behavior, which is accompanied by the rapid destabilization of the induced state, that is, small relaxation times. Based on the obtained data, it is proposed that the depolarization is a two‐step process consisting of an initial realignment of the FE domains and their subsequent breakup into polar nanoregions. The ergodic relaxor behavior is also promoted by increasing the Bi(Zn1/2Ti1/2)O3 content. The related charge disorder results in an enhancement of random electric fields and consequently a stable FE state cannot be induced even at room temperature.
Development of an International School Nurse Asthma Care Coordination Model
Authors: Garwick Ann W. , Svavarsdóttir Erla Kolbrun , Seppelt Ann M. , Looman Wendy S. , Anderson Lori S. , Örlygsdóttir Brynja
Published: September 2014

Aim

To identify and compare how school nurses in Reykjavik, Iceland and St. Paul, Minnesota coordinated care for youth with asthma (ages 10–18) and to develop an asthma school nurse care coordination model.

Background

Little is known about how school nurses coordinate care for youth with asthma in different countries.

Design

A qualitative descriptive study design using focus group data.

Methods

Six focus groups with 32 school nurses were conducted in Reykjavik (n = 17) and St. Paul (n = 15) using the same protocol between September 2008 and January 2009. Descriptive content analytic and constant comparison strategies were used to categorize and compare how school nurses coordinated care, which resulted in the development of an International School Nurse Asthma Care Coordination Model.

Findings

Participants in both countries spontaneously described a similar asthma care coordination process that involved information gathering, assessing risk for asthma episodes, prioritizing healthcare needs and anticipating and planning for student needs at the individual and school levels. This process informed how they individualized symptom management, case management and/or asthma education. School nurses played a pivotal part in collaborating with families, school and healthcare professionals to ensure quality care for youth with asthma.

Conclusions

Results indicate a high level of complexity in school nurses' approaches to asthma care coordination that were responsive to the diverse and changing needs of students in school settings. The conceptual model derived provides a framework for investigators to use in examining the asthma care coordination process of school nurses in other geographic locations.
Physician Participation in Executions, the Morality of Capital Punishment, and the Practical Implications of Their Relationship
Authors: Litton Paul
Published: September 2014

Over the past several years, the most widely publicized issue in capital litigation has been the constitutional status of states’ lethal injection protocols. Death row inmates have not challenged the constitutionality of lethal injection itself, but rather execution protocols and their potential for maladministration. The inmates’ concern is due to the three-drug protocol used in the vast majority of capital jurisdictions: if the anesthetic, which is administered first, is ineffectively delivered, then the second and third drugs — the paralytic and heartbeat-ceasing agents — will cause torturous pain and suffering in violation of the Eight Amendment. Inmates have argued that the participation of anesthesiologists or other highly trained medical professionals is constitutionally required to minimize the risk of unnecessary suffering. This litigation, in conjunction with evidence that some executed inmates suffered torturous pain, has reinvigorated the ethical debate about physician participation in executions. Even though the United States Supreme Court has signaled that physician participation is not constitutionally required, lawmakers in death penalty states must consider the ethics of physician involvement.
Light scattering microscopy with angular resolution and its possible application to apoptosis
Authors: RICHTER V. , VOIT F. , KIENLE A. , SCHNECKENBURGER H.
Published: September 2014

An inverted microscope has been modified for light scattering experiments with high angular resolution in combination with transmission, wide‐field fluorescence or laser scanning microscopy. Supported by simulations of Mie scattering, this method permits detection of morphological changes of 3T3 fibroblasts on apoptosis and formation of spherically shaped cells of about 20 μm diameter, in agreement with visual observation. Smaller sub‐structures (e.g. cell nuclei) as well as cell clusters may possibly contribute to the scattering behaviour. Results of 2‐dimensional cell cultures are confirmed by 3‐dimensional multicellular spheroids of 3T3 fibroblasts and HeLa 2E8 cervix carcinoma cells, where in most cases no morphological changes are discernable. This offers some advantage of light scattering microscopy for label‐free detection of apoptosis and may represent a first step towards label‐free in vivo diagnostics.
Examining the judicial decision to substitute credibility instructions for expert testimony on confessions
Authors: Gomes Dayna M. , Stenstrom Douglas M. , Calvillo Dustin P.
Published: September 2014

Purpose

The present study tested the judicial decision to deny false confession expert testimony on the basis that jury instructions are sufficient to aid jurors in their determinations of disputed confession evidence.

Methods

Three groups of mock jurors (N = 150) were presented with a trial summary that included a videotaped re‐enactment of an interrogation in which the interrogator used a maximization ploy. One group received expert testimony in the trial summary, another group received credibility instructions, and a control group received neither. All participants received standard reasonable doubt instructions at the end of the trial summary and then answered questions such as their verdict in the case, the defendant's likelihood of guilt, and the voluntariness of the defendant's confession.

Results

The results showed a high rate of conviction that was only reduced when participants received expert testimony. Across all measures, no significant differences were found between the control and credibility instruction groups.

Conclusions

The results suggest that credibility instructions are not comparable to expert testimony in influencing jurors' judgments of disputed confession evidence. These findings do not support the judicial decision to deny expert testimony on the basis that credibility instructions alone are sufficient to aid potential jurors in their evaluations of confession evidence. Avenues for future research on expert testimony and jury instructions in confession cases are discussed.
Temperature effects on asexual reproduction of the scyphozoan Aurelia aurita s.l.: differences between exotic (Baltic and Red seas) and native (Mediterranean Sea) populations
Authors: Pascual Maria , Fuentes Verónica , Canepa Antonio , Atienza Dacha , Gili Josep‐Maria , Purcell Jennifer E.
Published: September 2014

Massive occurrences of jellyfish can cause direct impacts on the economy, especially on tourism and commercial fisheries. Translocation of jellyfish species by humans has caused damaging blooms in new habitats. Aurelia aurita s.l. has been introduced in many locations around the world. To test the potential success of Au. aurita s.l. in various habitats, scyphistomae from different climatic locations (Mediterranean, Red and Baltic Seas) were cultured individually for 201 days at three temperatures (14, 21 and 28 °C) with the same salinity, food and light. We tested the null hypotheses that there were no differences in survival or asexual reproduction (budding and strobilation) amongst populations [native (Mediterranean) and exotic (Red and Baltic)]. Survival of the three scyphistoma populations did not differ significantly across temperatures; however, the Red Sea group had lower survival at all temperatures than did the other populations. Most individuals strobilated at 14 °C. Red Sea scyphistomae strobilated more quickly than Baltic and Mediterranean Sea scyphistomae and produced the fewest ephyrae, whereas Baltic Sea scyphistomae produced the most. Our results indicate that Au. aurita from the Baltic or Red Seas introduced into the Northwest Mediterranean Sea would potentially persist and successfully asexually reproduce there. A new invader could even have greater asexual production than the local Au. aurita s.l. Establishment of the invaders could increase genetic variation of subsequent generations and increase their adaptability to environmental changes. Our results suggest that introduction of exotic Au. aurita s.l. populations could increase jellyfish blooms in the Mediterranean Sea.
Habitat use of inter‐tidal chitons – role of colour polymorphism
Authors: Mendonça Vanessa , Vinagre Catarina , Cabral Henrique , Silva Ana C. F.
Published: September 2014

This study presents a new approach to examining European chiton habitat use according to morphological characteristics. Time‐search transects were conducted on four Portuguese rocky shores at two shore levels. The chiton species, abundance and individual morphometric features were recorded and related to the substratum dominant epiphytes and surface roughness. The chiton Lepidochitona cinerea (Linnaeus 1767) was the dominant species (77%), followed by Leptochiton algesirensis (Capellini 1859) (15%) and Acanthochitona crinita (Pennant 1777) (8%). Species abundance did not vary significantly with shore level or amongst shores. Six colour morphs were considered for Lepidochitona cinerea, four for A. crinita and one for Lepidochiton algesirensis. Substratum characteristics significantly explained the variation in species and colour morph distribution. There was a high correlation between the presence/absence and type of epiphytic algae and the substratum surface roughness level. We hypothesize that three mechanisms operating either independently or in interaction may explain the non‐random distribution of colour polymorphisms according to their habitat characteristics: (i) presence of algae that are part of their diet; (ii) use of rock as shelter – for instance, crevices and cover resulting from algae fronds and; (iii) morph–rock colour matching as a camouflage mechanism to reduce predation pressure.
Biofilm dispersal: deciding when it is better to travel
Authors: Wood Thomas K.
Published: September 2014

Bacteria live predominantly in biofilms, and the internal signal cyclic diguanylate (c‐di‐GMP) is a universal signal that governs the formation and the dispersal of these communities. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most important reference systems for studying bacterial biofilms and contains numerous diguanylate cyclases (DGCs) for synthesizing c‐di‐GMP and phosphodiesterases (PDEs) for degrading c‐di‐GMP. However, few studies have discerned how cells in biofilms respond to their environment to regulate c‐di‐GMP concentrations through this sophisticated network of enzymes. Basu Roy and Sauer (2014) provide insights on how cells disperse in response to an increase in nutrient levels. Their results show that the inner membrane protein NicD is a DGC that controls dispersal by sensing nutrient levels: when glutamate concentrations are increased, NicD is dephosphorylated, which increases c‐di‐GMP levels and leads to phosphorylation and processing of dispersal regulator BdlA. Processing of BdlA leads to activation of PDE DipA, which results in a net reduction of c‐di‐GMP and biofilm dispersal. These results suggest biofilm dispersal relies on surprisingly dynamic c‐di‐GMP concentrations as a result of a sophisticated interaction between DGCs and PDEs.
PA/Lateral Chest X‐Ray is Equivalent to Cine‐Fluoroscopy for the Detection of Conductor Externalization in Defibrillation Leads
Authors: STEINBERG CHRISTIAN , SARRAZIN JEAN‐FRANÇOIS , PHILIPPON FRANÇOIS , CHAMPAGNE JEAN , MOLIN FRANCK , NAULT ISABELLE , BLIER LOUIS , BOUCHARD MARC‐ANDRÉ , ARSENAULT JEAN , O'HARA GILLES
Published: September 2014

Background

Riata™ and Riata ST defibrillation leads (St. Jude Medical, Sylmar, CA, USA) are susceptible to insulation defects with conductor externalization. Cine‐fluoroscopy is considered to be the gold standard for the documentation of insulation defects, but similar detection rates have been reported for posterior‐anterior (PA)/lateral chest x‐ray (CXR) with zooming.

Objective

Prospective single‐center study to assess the diagnostic equivalence of a PA/lateral CXR with zooming for the detection of Riata insulation defects in a direct comparison to cine‐fluoroscopy.

Methods

Seventy‐eight consecutive patients underwent 3‐view cine‐fluoroscopy and a PA/lateral CXR. All CXRs and cine‐fluoroscopy images were reviewed by blinded electrophysiologists and staff radiologists.

Results

Forty‐four of 78 patients had an abnormal cine‐fluoroscopy (56%). The diagnostic correlation between PA/lateral CXR and cine‐fluoroscopy was excellent (κ = 0.90; 95% confidence interval 0.80–1.00). PA/lateral CXR was equivalent to cine‐fluoroscopy for the detection of conductor externalization showing a sensitivity of 97.7% and a specificity of 91.2%. The mean radiation effective dose of CXR was significantly lower compared to cine‐fluoroscopy (0.09 millisievert [mSV] vs 0.85 ± 0.47 mSv; P < 0.001). Also, CXR was significantly less expensive.

Conclusion

PA/lateral CXR with zooming is equivalent to cine‐fluoroscopy for the detection of Riata insulation defects and should be considered as the preferred screening method.
Lumenless Pacing Leads: Performance and Extraction in Pediatrics and Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: GARNREITER JASON , WHITAKER PATRICIA , PILCHER THOMAS , ETHERIDGE SUSAN , SAAREL ELIZABETH
Published: September 2014

Background

Pediatric and congenital heart disease (CHD) patients requiring permanent pacing present unique challenges, including need for long duration of implant, small size, and structural abnormalities. We report 6 years of experience with a novel 4.1‐Fr lumenless pacing lead (model 3830, Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA) in this population.

Methods

Retrospective review of M3830 leads implanted at a pediatric center from 2005 to 2011. Data were compared to a population with a conventional pacing lead (model 1488, St. Jude Medical Inc., St. Paul, MN, USA).

Results

A total of 193 patients with 198 model 3830 leads (125 atrial, 73 ventricular) were enrolled. CHD was present in 121 (63%). Age and weight at implant were 16.6 ± 8.5 years and 51.7 ± 23.5 kg, respectively. Length of follow‐up was 26 ± 19 months (range 0–73). At implant, mean sensing and capture thresholds were good and remained stable over time. There were no significant differences in electrical performance compared to 101 leads in the comparison group. Implant complications were rare. Follow‐up complications occurred in 4% of the M3830 leads and 16% of M1488 leads. Eleven M3830 leads required extraction. All were extracted without complications using only manual traction. There were three deaths in each group. One death in the M1488 group occurred during lead extraction. No other deaths were lead related.

Conclusion

During up to 6 years of use in pediatric and CHD patients, the M3830 lead has demonstrated excellent efficacy, a low rate of complications, and straightforward extractability relative to traditional pacing leads.
The Effect of the Left Stellate Ganglion on Sympathetic Neural Remodeling of the Left Atrium in Rats Following Myocardial Infarction
Authors: LI ZHIYUAN , WANG MENGZAN , ZHANG YUJIAO , ZHENG SHAOHUA , WANG XIMIN , HOU YINGLONG
Published: September 2014

Background

The neural remodeling of the atrium plays an important role in the initiation of atrial fibrillation after myocardial infarction (MI); however, the effects of the left stellate ganglion (LSG) on the neural remodeling of the atrium remain incompletely understood. Thus, this study investigated the mechanism by which the LSG mediates sympathetic neural remodeling of the left atrium (LA) in rats after MI.

Methods

Sixty rats were randomly divided into a Sham group and an MI group. The expression levels of growth‐associated protein‐43 (GAP43) and nerve growth factor (NGF) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the distribution and density of GAP43‐ and NGF‐positive nerves. The expression levels of the proteins were quantified by Western blotting.

Results

Compared with the Sham group, GAP43 mRNA expression in the LSG was increased in the MI group (P < 0.01), but not significantly increased in the LA. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that in both the LSG and the LA, the mean densities of GAP43‐ and NGF‐positive nerves in the MI group were increased (P < 0.01). In both the LSG and the LA, the protein levels of GAP43 and NGF in the MI group were increased relative to the Sham group (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

The increased levels of NGF and GAP43 proteins can induce sympathetic nerve hyperinnervation in the LSG and the LA after MI. The increased GAP43 proteins in the LA, which may have been transported from the LSG, accelerated LA sympathetic neural remodeling in rats.
Temperature responses of mesophyll conductance differ greatly between species
Authors: von CAEMMERER SUSANNE , EVANS JOHN R.
Published: September 2014

The temperature responses of mesophyll conductance (gm) were investigated for nine species using carbon isotope techniques combining tunable diode laser spectroscopy and gas exchange measurements. Species included the evergreen trees Eucalyptus pauciflora and Quercus engelmannii; the tropical evergreen tree Lophostemon confertus; as well as the herbaceous species Nicotiana tabacum, Oryza sativa, Triticum aestivum, Gossypium hirsutum, Glycine max and Arabidopsis thaliana. Responses varied from a two‐ to threefold increase in mesophyll conductance between 15 and 40 °C observed for N. tabacum, G. hirsutum, G. max and E. pauciflora to almost no change in L. confertus and T. aestivum. To account for the different temperature responses between species, we suggest that there must be variation in both the activation energy for membrane permeability and the effective pathlength for liquid phase diffusion. Stomatal conductance was relatively independent of increases in leaf temperature and concomitant increases in leaf to air vapour pressure difference. Two exceptions were Eucalyptus and Gossypium, where stomatal conductance increased with temperature up to 35 °C despite increasing leaf to air vapour pressure. For a given species, temperature responses of stomatal and mesophyll conductance were independent of one another.
An empirically based practice perspective on the transition to adulthood for solid organ transplant recipients
Authors: Annunziato Rachel A. , Freiberger Dawn , Martin Kathy , Helcer Jacqueline , Fitzgerald Christopher , Lefkowitz Debra S.
Published: September 2014

Preparing patients for transitioning to self‐managed care and subsequently transferring to the adult healthcare system has become a critical process for clinicians working with pediatric transplant recipients. This paper reviews several barriers to a successful transition. These include patient barriers, caregiver barriers, and considerations within pediatric and adult centers. To date, few approaches for improving the transition process have been empirically tested. This review details studies that have examined possible models including usage of a transition coordinator and transition clinics. Recommendations are offered to promote an optimal transition including the importance and content of preparation, assessing and addressing transition readiness, insuring the involvement of all stakeholders, and finally, at minimum providing services during the transfer period. Future directions are offered aiming to advance this important area of investigation.