bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Trehalose 6-Phosphate/SnRK1 Signaling Pathway Primes Growth Recovery following Relief of Sink Limitation
Authors: Nunes Cátia , O’Hara Liam E. , Primavesi Lucia F. , Delatte Thierry L. , Schluepmann Henriette , Somsen Govert W. , Silva Anabela B. , Fevereiro Pedro S. , Wingler Astrid , Paul Matthew J.
Published: June 2013

Trehalose 6-P (T6P) is a sugar signal in plants that inhibits SNF1-related protein kinase, SnRK1, thereby altering gene expression and promoting growth processes. This provides a model for the regulation of growth by sugar. However, it is not known how this model operates under sink-limited conditions when tissue sugar content is uncoupled from growth. To test the physiological importance of this model, T6P, SnRK1 activities, sugars, gene expression, and growth were measured in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) seedlings after transfer to cold or zero nitrogen compared with sugar feeding under optimal conditions. Maximum in vitro activities of SnRK1 changed little, but T6P accumulated up to 55-fold, correlating with tissue Suc content in all treatments. SnRK1-induced and -repressed marker gene expression strongly related to T6P above and below a threshold of 0.3 to 0.5 nmol T6P g−1 fresh weight close to the dissociation constant (4 µm) of the T6P/ SnRK1 complex. This occurred irrespective of the growth response to Suc. This implies that T6P is not a growth signal per se, but through SnRK1, T6P primes gene expression for growth in response to Suc accumulation under sink-limited conditions. To test this hypothesis, plants with genetically decreased T6P content and SnRK1 overexpression were transferred from cold to warm to analyze the role of T6P/SnRK1 in relief of growth restriction. Compared with the wild type, these plants were impaired in immediate growth recovery. It is concluded that the T6P/SnRK1 signaling pathway responds to Suc induced by sink restriction that enables growth recovery following relief of limitations such as low temperature.
A Rapid Ribosome Profiling Method Elucidates Chloroplast Ribosome Behavior in Vivo
Authors: Zoschke Reimo , Watkins Kenneth P. , Barkan Alice
Published: June 2013

The profiling of ribosome footprints by deep sequencing has revolutionized the analysis of translation by mapping ribosomes with high resolution on a genome-wide scale. We present a variation on this approach that offers a rapid and cost-effective alternative for the genome-wide profiling of chloroplast ribosomes. Ribosome footprints from leaf tissue are hybridized to oligonucleotide tiling microarrays of the plastid ORFeome and report the abundance and translational status of every chloroplast mRNA. Each assay replaces several time-consuming traditional methods while also providing information that was previously inaccessible. To illustrate the utility of the approach, we show that it detects known defects in chloroplast gene expression in several nuclear mutants of maize (Zea mays) and that it reveals previously unsuspected defects. Furthermore, it provided firm answers to several lingering questions in chloroplast gene expression: (1) the overlapping atpB/atpE open reading frames, whose translation had been proposed to be coupled, are translated independently in vivo; (2) splicing is not a prerequisite for translation initiation on an intron-containing chloroplast RNA; and (3) a feedback control mechanism that links the synthesis of ATP synthase subunits in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii does not exist in maize. An analogous approach is likely to be useful for studies of mitochondrial gene expression.
RETRACTED:ArabidopsisAUGMIN Subunit8 Is a Microtubule Plus-End Binding Protein That Promotes Microtubule Reorientation in Hypocotyls
Authors: Cao Lingyan , Wang Linhai , Zheng Min , Cao Hong , Ding Lian , Zhang Xiaolan , Fu Ying
Published: June 2013

In plant cells, cortical microtubules provide tracks for cellulose-synthesizing enzymes and regulate cell division, growth, and morphogenesis. The role of microtubules in these essential cellular processes depends on the spatial arrangement of the microtubules. Cortical microtubules are reoriented in response to changes in cell growth status and cell shape. Therefore, an understanding of the mechanism that underlies the change in microtubule orientation will provide insight into plant cell growth and morphogenesis. This study demonstrated that AUGMIN subunit8 (AUG8) in Arabidopsis thaliana is a novel microtubule plus-end binding protein that participates in the reorientation of microtubules in hypocotyls when cell elongation slows down. AUG8 bound to the plus ends of microtubules and promoted tubulin polymerization in vitro. In vivo, AUG8 was recruited to the microtubule branch site immediately before nascent microtubules branched out. It specifically associated with the plus ends of growing cortical microtubules and regulated microtubule dynamics, which facilitated microtubule reorientation when microtubules changed their growth trajectory or encountered obstacle microtubules during microtubule reorientation. This study thus reveals a novel mechanism underlying microtubule reorientation that is critical for modulating cell elongation in Arabidopsis.
Family growth versus family firm growth: professional management and succession process
Authors: Bañegil Palacios Tomás M. , Barroso Martínez Ascensión , Luis Tato Jiménez Juan
Published: June 2013

Purpose

Given the relevance of family businesses and the substantial weight that they carry within the socio‐economic make‐up of any country, this paper consists of the analysis of family firms to explore whether there are any differences between companies which grow at a faster rate than the family and those in which the family grows at a greater rate than the company, in terms of their process of succession and the professionalisation of the people involved and the methods of management. The purpose of this paper is to differentiate between different groups of family businesses through a set of independent variables.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper opted for discriminant analysis as an appropriate statistical tool, since it allowed the assigning of an individual to a pre‐defined group (dependent variable) on the basis of a number of characteristics (independent variables). A total of 180 family businesses were analysed.

Findings

The results of the study show that significant differences exist between family firms where the family grows more than the company and those where the company grows more than the family. Each group has a different vision. The former is more oriented towards meeting their family needs through the company, whereas the latter is more oriented towards business and professional efficiency.

Research limitations/implications

One of the limitations arises from the fact that the question concerning the rate of growth of the company and the family is a “self‐reported” question that can lead to bias due to the subjective perception of growth. Other limitations arise from the cross‐cutting and exploratory nature of the research.

Originality/value

This paper analyses the differences between family firms where the family grows more than the company and those where the company grows more than the family.
Solitary angiokeratoma on palms and soles: A clinicopathological analysis of 21 cases
Authors: Wang Lei , Gao Tianwen , Wang Gang
Published: June 2013

Angiokeratoma includes a group of unrelated diseases characterized by hyperkeratosis and dilation of vessels in the superficial dermis. In this study, 21 cases of solitary lesions located on palms and soles and histopathologically diagnosed as angiokeratoma were analyzed retrospectively. All lesions presented as red to violet macules or plaques. Histopathologically, all of them showed hyperkeratosis and vascular dilation in the papillary to deep dermis. The elongated vessels were of different sizes and shape, lined by a single layer of endothelial cells. In 13 lesions, the endothelial cells protruded into the lumen, forming a hobnail appearance. Immunohistochemical study showed the endothelial cells were positive for CD31 and CD34, negative for D2‐40, and focally positive for Wilms tumor 1 (WT‐1) in most cases. Our cases represented a rare type of angiokeratoma located on the palms and soles, in which the focal positivity of WT‐1 was different from previously reported vascular proliferations.
Visco‐acoustic prestack reverse‐time migration based on the time‐space domain adaptive high‐order finite‐difference method
Authors: Yan Hongyong , Liu Yang
Published: June 2013

It is important to include the viscous effect in seismic numerical modelling and seismic migration due to the ubiquitous viscosity in an actual subsurface medium. Prestack reverse‐time migration (RTM) is currently one of the most accurate methods for seismic imaging. One of the key steps of RTM is wavefield forward and backward extrapolation and how to solve the wave equation fast and accurately is the essence of this process. In this paper, we apply the time‐space domain dispersion‐relation‐based finite‐difference (FD) method for visco‐acoustic wave numerical modelling. Dispersion analysis and numerical modelling results demonstrate that the time‐space domain FD method has great accuracy and can effectively suppress numerical dispersion. Also, we use the time‐space domain FD method to solve the visco‐acoustic wave equation in wavefield extrapolation of RTM and apply the source‐normalized cross‐correlation imaging condition in migration. Improved imaging has been obtained in both synthetic and real data tests. The migration result of the visco‐acoustic wave RTM is clearer and more accurate than that of acoustic wave RTM. In addition, in the process of wavefield forward and backward extrapolation, we adopt adaptive variable‐length spatial operators to compute spatial derivatives to significantly decrease computing costs without reducing the accuracy of the numerical solution.
Effects of soil fungi, disturbance and propagule pressure on exotic plant recruitment and establishment at home and abroad
Authors: Maron John L. , Waller Lauren P. , Hahn Min A. , Diaconu Alecu , Pal Robert W. , Müller‐Schärer Heinz , Klironomos John N. , Callaway Ragan M.
Published: June 2013

Biogeographic experiments that test how multiple interacting factors influence exotic plant abundance in their home and recipient communities are remarkably rare. We examined the effects of soil fungi, disturbance and propagule pressure on seed germination, seedling recruitment and adult plant establishment of the invasiveCentaurea stoebein its native European and non‐native NorthAmerican ranges.

Centaurea stoebecan establish virtual monocultures in parts of its non‐native range, but occurs at far lower abundances where it is native. We conducted parallel experiments at four European and four Montana (USA) grassland sites with all factorial combinations of ± suppression of soil fungi, ±disturbance and low versus high knapweed propagule pressure [100 or 300 knapweed seeds per 0.3 m × 0.3 m plot (1000 or 3000 per m2)]. We also measured germination in buried bags containing locally collected knapweed seeds that were either treated or not with fungicide.

Disturbance and propagule pressure increased knapweed recruitment and establishment, but did so similarly in both ranges. Treating plots with fungicides had no effect on recruitment or establishment in either range. However, we found: (i) greater seedling recruitment and plant establishment in undisturbed plots in Montana compared to undisturbed plots in Europe and (ii) substantially greater germination of seeds in bags buried in Montana compared to Europe. Also, across all treatments, total plant establishment was greater in Montana than in Europe.

Synthesis. Our results highlight the importance of simultaneously examining processes that could influence invasion in both ranges. They indicate that under ‘background’ undisturbed conditions, knapweed recruits and establishes at greater abundance in Montana than in Europe. However, our results do not support the importance of soil fungi or local disturbances as mechanisms for knapweed's differential success in North America versus Europe.
Transgenerational effects of herbivory in a group of long‐lived tree species: maternal damage reduces offspring allocation to resistance traits, but not growth
Authors: Holeski Liza M. , Zinkgraf Matthew S. , Couture John J. , Whitham Thomas G. , Lindroth Richard L.
Published: June 2013

Numerous studies have explored plant strategies of resource allocation to growth and/or resistance traits within a single generation. In contrast, exceedingly little is known about whether such patterns hold across generations; that is, in seedlings of plants that experienced maternal herbivory.

In a common garden study with clonally replicated genotypes of three cottonwood taxa (Populus angustifolia, Populus fremontii and their F1 hybrids), we examined transgenerational response to maternal herbivory in terms of half‐sibling seedling offspring (i) germination and growth and (ii) constitutive vs. transgenerational plastic allocation to resistance (measured as both phytochemical content and concentration). Two major results emerged.

First, we found that taxa (and often genotypes within a taxon) significantly differed in their constitutive allocation to both growth and resistance. Fremont (P. fremontii) seedlings grew up to seven times more rapidly than did narrowleaf (P. angustifolia) seedlings and had higher or similar content of two key phytochemical resistance traits. Overall, this led to a dilution effect in Fremont relative to narrowleaf, whereby concentrations of two key phytochemical resistance traits were more than 50% lower.

Secondly, maternal herbivory by cottonwood leaf beetle larvae on foliage adjacent to developing seeds did not significantly alter offspring growth, but did decrease offspring phytochemical content by 10–55% relative to offspring of maternal control (undamaged) trees. As a result, concentrations of offspring phytochemical resistance traits were reduced by 10–18% in seedlings with maternal herbivory, relative to maternal control seedlings, across all three taxa. These patterns suggest an allocational trade‐off, whereby maternal damage results in maintenance of offspring seed size and growth traits at the expense of phytochemical defences in the next generation.

Synthesis: This is the first instance in which transgenerational effects of herbivory on growth and defence traits have been described in long‐lived, woody plant species. Populus differs substantially from herbaceous plant species or short‐lived animals in which transgenerational plasticity of resistance has been examined, in terms of life history (time from germination or hatching to reproductive maturity) and/or in the lag time between generations. These differences may influence the ecological and evolutionary relevance of transgenerational plasticity in defence.
Estimating glomerular number: Why we do it and how
Authors: Bertram John F
Published: June 2013

There is currently much interest in determining the number of glomeruli, and thereby nephrons, in the kidney.

 Researchers have been trying to count glomeruli since the 19th century and currently four general approaches are available: (i) acid maceration; (ii) counting glomerular profiles in histological sections; (iii) model‐based stereology; and (iv) design‐based stereology.

 Although design‐based stereological methods are generally considered the gold‐standard method, all current methods have limitations. A new approach using magnetic resonance imaging has recently been described and may ultimately enable glomerular imaging and quantification in vivo.

 This report considers the advantages and disadvantages of current methods for counting glomeruli and describes the new magnetic resonance approach. In addition, a method for counting glomeruli in developing kidneys is described.
Urban Segregation and Metropolitics in Latin America: The Case of Bogotá, Colombia
Authors: Thibert Joel , Osorio Giselle Andrea
Published: June 2013

The patterns of spatial socioeconomic segregation in Latin American cities are changing rapidly as a result of suburbanization and metropolization. However, the political consequences of these urban spatial processes are not well understood. This article uses Orfield's framework of analysis to test the hypothesis that spatial segregation at the metropolitan level is driving political polarization between Latin American cities and their suburbs. With Bogotá as a testing ground, we look for evidence that the mechanisms described by Orfield are at play. We conclude that metropolitan spatial segregation does not drive metropolitan politics in Bogotá and explore some of the theoretical implications thereof.
Bacterial immune interaction in experimental colitis
Authors: Xue Lin Yun , Ouyang Qin , Zhou Xuan Guang , Huang Zhong Hua , Chen Wei , Chen Ming , Yu Liu Min
Published: June 2013

Objectives

This study aimed to analyze the effects of 5‐aminosalicylic acid (5‐ASA) on intestinal microbiota and immune regulation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and to investigate the correlation between intestinal microbiota and immune factors.

Methods

Colitis in mice was induced by oxazolone. The community composition of luminal and mucosal microbiota was analyzed by a terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism. The expression of occludin, toll‐like receptor (TLR)‐2, TLR‐4 and nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells (NF‐κB) p65 proteins were measured by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Linear correlation between intestinal microbial community and the severity of the colitis or intestinal microbial community and expressions of immune factors were determined.

Results

Protective bacteria decreased while aggressive bacteria increased in the colitis group. The richness and diversity of both luminal and mucosal microbiota decreased in the colitis group the decrease was enhanced in the 5‐ASA‐treated group. The diversity of mucosal microbiota significantly correlated with the extent of the colitis. Expressions of occludin, TLR‐2, TLR‐4, tumor necrosis factor‐α and NF‐κB p65 were significantly correlated with the diversity of mucosal microbiota.

Conclusions

Mucosal microbiota are important in the pathogenesis of IBD. 5‐ASA increases protective bacteria but decreases aggressive bacteria, thus inducing the new intestinal microbial homeostasis.
Positive emotions from social company in women with persisting subclinical psychosis: lessons from daily life
Authors: Collip D. , Wigman J. T. W. , van Os J. , Oorschot M. , Jacobs N. , Derom C. , Thiery E. , Peeters F. , Wichers M. , Myin‐Germeys I.
Published: June 2013

Objective

Altered social reward functioning is associated with psychosis irrespective of stage and severity. Examining the role of social reward functioning prospectively in relation to psychotic experiences before these become persistent and potentially disabling can aid in elucidating social mechanisms that induce shifts toward more severe psychotic states, without the confounding effects of clinical disorder.

Method

In a longitudinal general population sample (N = 566), the experience sampling method (repetitive random sampling of momentary emotions and social context) was used to assess daily life social functioning at baseline. Persistence of subclinical psychotic experiences was based on the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences assessed three times over 14 months. Analyses examined to what degree i) social context and ii) appreciation thereof differentiated between those who did and did not develop persistent psychotic experiences.

Results

Although individuals with persistent psychotic experiences did not differ in overall level of positive effect, the amount of time spent alone or the level of social satisfaction compared to individuals without persistent psychotic experiences, they were more sensitive to the rewarding effects of social company.

Conclusion

Alterations in social reward experience may form one of the mechanisms that precede the development of the extended psychosis phenotype over time.
Sharing Time and the Poetic Patterning of Caribbean Independence: The Narrative Architecture of Voice
Authors: Van der Aa Jef
Published: June 2013

This article discusses the narrative architecture and interactional uptake of a school child's story about independence in Barbados during sharing time. It is found that an institutional focus on standard resources impacts both teachers' and children's sociolinguistic behavior. Ethnopoetic analysis brings out the child's patterned use of narrative resources and shows how voice is established collaboratively in the classroom here, with a both empowering and policing role for the teacher in steering the storytelling.
Catechistic Teaching, National Canons, and the Regimentation of Students' Voice
Authors: Kroon Sjaak
Published: June 2013

Drawing on key incident analysis of classroom transcripts from Bashkortostan, France, North Korea, and Suriname, this article discusses the relationship between an increasingly canonical content of education and the discursive organization of teaching processes at the expense of both teachers' and students' voice. It argues that canonical regimented educational contents often collide with a catechistic teaching style. This leads to teaching and learning practices that match dominant ideologies aiming at creating homogeneity rather than accepting heterogeneity.
Phthalates suppress type I interferon in human plasmacytoid dendritic cells via epigenetic regulation
Authors: Kuo C.‐H. , Hsieh C.‐C. , Kuo H.‐F. , Huang M.‐Y. , Yang S.‐N. , Chen L.‐C. , Huang S.‐K. , Hung C.‐H.
Published: June 2013

Background

Exposure to environmental endocrine‐disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is associated with allergy, chronic inflammation, and immunodeficiency. Phthalates, the common EDCs used in plastic industry, may act as adjuvants to disrupt immune system and enhance allergy. Plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) are predominant cells secreting type I interferon (IFN) against infection and are professional antigen‐presenting cells in regulating adaptive immunity. However, the effects of phthalates on the function of pDCs are unknown.

Methods

Circulating pDCs were isolated from healthy subjects, were pretreated with diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), and were stimulated with Toll‐like receptor (TLR)‐9 agonist CpG. IFN‐α/IFN‐β levels, surface markers, and T‐cell stimulatory function were investigated using ELISA, flow cytometry, and pDC/T‐cell coculture assay. Mechanisms were investigated using receptor antagonists, pathway inhibitors, Western blotting, and chromatin immunoprecipitation.

Results

Diethylhexyl phthalate and butyl benzyl phthalate suppressed CpG‐induced IFN‐α/IFN‐β expression in pDCs, and the effect was reversed by aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) antagonist. Diethylhexyl phthalate suppressed CpG‐activated mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK)‐MEK1/2‐ERK‐ELK1 and NFκB signaling pathways. Diethylhexyl phthalate suppressed CpG‐induced interferon regulatory factor (IRF)‐7 expression by suppressing histone H3K4 trimethylation at IRF7 gene promoter region through inhibiting translocation of H3K4‐specific trimethyltransferase WDR5 from cytoplasm into nucleus. Butyl benzyl phthalate or diethylhexyl phthalate‐treated pDCs suppressed IFN‐γ but enhanced IL‐13 production by CD4+ T cells.

Conclusion

Phthalates may interfere with immunity against infection and promote the deviation of Th2 response to increase allergy by acting on human pDCs via suppressing IFN‐α/IFN‐β expression and modulating the ability to stimulate T‐cell responses.
In‐training assessments used in the United States surgical residency programmes
Authors: Pugh Carla M. , Britt L. D.
Published: June 2013

Introduction

Quality and safety concerns have always been the impetus for evaluating surgical competence. This paper provides a focused overview of key historical events that lead to the development and implementation of surgical training standards and competency assessments in the United States.

Methods

Focused review of surgical literature.

Results

The following events were found to correlate with the development and implementation of training standards and competency assessments: (i) The Flexner Report issued in 1910; (ii) The American Medical Association's 1928 endorsement of the ‘Essentials of Approved Residencies and Fellowships’; and (iii) The formation of several major surgical organizations – American College of Surgeons (1913), American Board of Surgery (1937), Residency Review Committee for Surgery (1950) and Association of Program Directors in Surgery (1966).

Discussion

The process by which competence is assessed in the US surgical training programmes is multifactorial and heavily linked to the structure and function of several national organizations in surgery and medicine.
Effect of primary language on developmental testing in children born extremely preterm
Authors: Lowe Jean R , Nolen Tracy L , Vohr Betty , Adams‐Chapman Ira , Duncan Andrea F , Watterberg Kristi
Published: June 2013

Aim

The aim of this study was to better understand the impact of non‐English language spoken in the home on measures of cognition, language and behaviour in toddlers born extremely preterm.

Methods

Eight hundred and fifty children born at <28 weeks of gestational ages were studied. 427 male and 423 female participants from three racial/ethnic groups (White, Black and Hispanic) were evaluated at 18–22 months adjusted for age using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development third edition and the Brief Infant Toddler Social Emotional Assessment (BITSEA). Children whose primary language was Spanish (n = 98) were compared with children whose primary language was English (n = 752), using multivariable regression adjusted for medical and psychosocial factors.

Results

Cognitive scores were similar between groups; however, receptive, expressive and composite language scores were lower for children whose primary language was Spanish. These differences remained significant after adjustment for medical and socio‐economic factors. Spanish‐speaking children scored worse on the BITSEA competence and problem scores using univariate analysis, but not after adjustment for medical and socio‐economic factors.

Conclusion

Our finding that preterm children whose primary language was Spanish had similar cognitive but lower language scores than those whose primary language was English suggests that using English language‐based testing tools may introduce bias against non‐English‐speaking children born preterm.
Validation of association of genetic variants at 10q with prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) levels in men at high risk for prostate cancer
Authors: Chang Bao‐Li , Hughes Lucinda , Chen David Y.T. , Gross Laura , Ruth Karen , Giri Veda N.
Published: June 2013

Objective

To validate six previously identified markers among men at increased risk of prostate cancer (African‐American men and those with a family history of prostate cancer) enrolled in the Prostate Cancer Risk Assessment Program (PRAP), a prostate cancer screening study.

Patients and Methods

Eligibility criteria for PRAP include age 35–69 years with a family history of prostate cancer, African‐American ethnicity regardless of family history, and known BRCA gene mutations.

The genome‐wide association study markers assessed included rs2736098 (5p15.33), rs10993994 (10q11), rs10788160 (10q26), rs11067228 (12q24), rs4430796 (17q12) and rs17632542 (19q13.33).

Genotyping methods included either the Taqman® single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping assay (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA) or pyrosequencing.

Linear regression models were used to evaluate the association between individual markers and log‐transformed baseline PSA levels, while adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

A total of 707 participants (37% Caucasian, 63% African‐American) with clinical and genotype data were included in the analysis.

Rs10788160 (10q26) was strongly associated with PSA levels among Caucasian participants in the high‐risk group (P < 0.01), with a 33.2% increase in PSA level with each A‐allele carried.

Furthermore, rs10993994 (10q11) was found to be associated with PSA level (P = 0.03) in Caucasian men in the high‐risk group, with a 15% increase in PSA level with each T‐allele carried.

A PSA adjustment model based on allele carrier status at rs10788160 and rs10993994 was proposed, specific to high‐risk Caucasian men.

Conclusions

Genetic variation at 10q may be particularly important in personalizing the interpretation of PSA level for Caucasian men in the high‐risk group.

Such information may have clinical relevance in shared decision‐making and individualized prostate cancer screening strategies for Caucasian men in the high‐risk group, although further study is warranted.
Mucosa of human detrusor impairs contraction and β‐adrenoceptor‐mediated relaxation
Authors: Propping Stefan , Wuest Melinda , Eichhorn Birgit , Wirth Manfred P. , Kaumann Alberto J. , Ravens Ursula
Published: June 2013

Objectives

To elucidate the impact of the mucosa on detrusor muscle function by investigating force of contraction under various stimulatory conditions and during subsequent relaxation using catecholamines.

Patients and Methods

Detrusor tissue was obtained from patients who had undergone cystectomy for bladder cancer and strips of intact or mucosa‐denuded muscle were set up for force measurement. Preparations were precontracted with KCl, carbachol or electric‐field stimulation (EFS).

Precontracted strips were relaxed using increasing concentrations of catecholamines in the absence and presence of the subtype‐selective β‐adrenoceptor (AR) blockers CGP 20712A (β1‐ARs), ICI 118,551 (β2‐ARs), and L‐748,337 (β3‐ARs).

Results

Force development in response to KCl (40 mM), carbachol (1 μM) or EFS was larger in the absence of mucosa than in intact muscle strips. The force of contraction of mucosa‐denuded strips with detached urothelium incubated in the same chamber was as low as in intact strips.

Noradrenaline relaxed precontracted detrusor strips to a significantly larger extent and at lower concentrations in denuded than in intact strips.

CGP 20712A did not affect noradrenaline‐induced relaxation of denuded and intact strips, and ICI 118,551 did not influence noradrenaline‐induced relaxation in denuded strips, but abolished the difference between denuded and intact strips.

The antagonism of the relaxant effects of noradrenaline by L‐748,337 was slightly smaller in intact than denuded strips.

Conclusions

The mucosa of human detrusor strips impairs force development when stimulated with KCl, carbachol or EFS.

The mucosa also blunts the relaxing effects of catecholamines. The latter effect does not involve the activation of β1‐ARs but only of β2‐ARs, whereas β3‐ARs mediate the relaxation of human detrusor.
The validity and reliability of the Finnish Family Empowerment Scale (FES): a survey of parents with small children
Authors: Vuorenmaa M. , Halme N. , Åstedt‐Kurki P. , Kaunonen M. , Perälä M.‐L.
Published: June 2013

Background

The Family Empowerment Scale (FES) is a widely used instrument which measures the parents' own sense of their empowerment at the level of the family, service system and community. It was originally developed for parents of children with emotional disabilities.

Aim

The aims of this study were to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Finnish FES and to examine its responsiveness in measuring the empowerment of parents with small children.

Methods and participants

The English FES was translated into Finnish using back translation and modified so as to be generic and convenient for all families. The construct, convergent, discriminant and concurrent validities, reliability and responsiveness of the Finnish FES were examined. Participants (n = 955) were the parents of children aged 0–9 years who had been selected using stratified random sampling.

Results

Confirmatory factor analysis proved that the Finnish FES had three subscales based on the original FES. Convergent and discriminant validities confirmed and supported the same construct. The relationship between parents' participation and empowerment was tested for concurrent validity. As in previous FES studies, the participating parents were more empowered, which supported the concurrent validity. The reliability of the Finnish FES proved acceptable for both parents. The Finnish FES could also discriminate the responses of the parents. Participation in the activities organized by the family service system influenced parents' perceptions of empowerment more than did their background characteristics.

Conclusions

The Finnish FES is a valid and reliable instrument and it is suitable for measuring the empowerment of parents. However, it is necessary to consider how the FES would identify in the best way the parents who perhaps need some help.
Diagnostic spectrum of multifocal motor neuropathy
Authors: Matsui Naoko , Miyashiro Ai , Shimatani Yoshimitsu , Nodera Hiroyuki , Izumi Yuishin , Kuwabara Satoshi , Baba Masayuki , Komori Tetsuo , Sonoo Masahiro , Mezaki Takahiro , Kawamata Jun , Hitomi Takefumi , Imai Tomihiro , Kohara Nobuo , Arimura Kimiyoshi , Arisawa Kokichi , Kusunoki Susumu , Kaji Ryuji
Published: June 2013

Objective

We carried out a retrospective study to define clinical features in a large series of patients with multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) and to assess the diagnostic spectrum of MMN.

Methods

The study consisted of 46 patients with MMN between 2005 and 2009 from 19 major neuromuscular centers in Japan. The 2006 European Federation of Neurological Societies (EFNS)/Peripheral Nerve Society (PNS) criteria (hereafter, original criteria) and the efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy were taken into consideration in the diagnosis of MMN. The main parameters were clinical features and electrophysiological findings. The Japanese MMN Study Group designed a set of recommended criteria to reduce the frequency of underdiagnosis. Furthermore, we verified the diagnostic spectrum of MMN using both the original criteria and the recommended criteria.

Results

Clinical features were similar to those of previous studies. A total of 25 of the 46 patients (54.3%) showed conduction block (CB); that is, nearly half of the patients did not satisfy the original criteria. The Japanese MMN Study Group included findings indicative of focal demyelination, namely, activity‐dependent CB and asymmetric abnormality of F‐waves in the electrophysiological test, in the recommended criteria. By doing so, the diagnostic sensitivity of the recommended criteria was increased by 17.4% compared with that of the original criteria.

Conclusions

The recommended criteria designed by the Japanese MMN Study Group showed higher diagnostic sensitivity than the original criteria, but no significant difference was found between them. A prospective study using the recommended criteria might reduce the frequency of underdiagnosis in patients with MMN.
Bending moments of zirconia and titanium implant abutments supporting all‐ceramic crowns after aging
Authors: Mühlemann Sven , Truninger Thomas C. , Stawarczyk Bogna , Hämmerle Christoph H. F. , Sailer Irena
Published: June 2013

Objectives

To test the fracture load and fracture patterns of zirconia abutments restored with all‐ceramic crowns after fatigue loading, exhibiting internal and external implant–abutment connections as compared to restored and internally fixed titanium abutments.

Materials and methods

A master abutment was used for the customization of 5 groups of zirconia abutments to a similar shape (test). The groups differed according to their implant–abutment connections: one‐piece internal connection (BL; Straumann Bonelevel), two‐piece internal connection (RS; Nobel Biocare ReplaceSelect), external connection (B; Branemark MkIII), two‐piece internal connection (SP, Straumann StandardPlus) and one‐piece internal connection (A; Astra Tech AB OsseoSpeed). Titanium abutments with internal implant–abutment connection (T; Straumann Bonelevel) served as control group. In each group, 12 abutments were fabricated, mounted to the respective implants and restored with glass–ceramic crowns. All samples were embedded in acrylic holders (ISO‐Norm 14801). After aging by means of thermocycling in a chewing simulator, static load was applied until failure (ISO‐Norm 14801). Fracture load was analyzed by calculating the bending moments. Values of all groups were compared with one‐way ANOVA followed by Scheffé post hoc test (P‐value<0.05). Failure mode was analyzed descriptively.

Results

The mean bending moments were 464.9 ± 106.6 N cm (BL), 581.8 ± 172.8 N cm (RS), 556.7 ± 128.4 N cm (B), 605.4 ± 54.7 N cm (SP), 216.4 ± 90.0 N cm (A) and 1042.0 ± 86.8 N cm (T). No difference of mean bending moments was found between groups BL, RS, B and SP. Test group A exhibited significantly lower mean bending moment than the other test groups. Control group T had significantly higher bending moments than all test groups. Failure due to fracture of the abutment and/or crown occurred in the test groups. In groups BL and A, fractures were located in the internal part of the connection, whereas in groups RS and SP, a partial deformation of the implant components occurred and cracks and fractures of the zirconia abutment were detected.

Conclusion

The differently connected zirconia abutments exhibited similar bending moments with the exception of one group. Hence, the type of connection only had a minor effect on the stability of restored zirconia abutments. In general, restored titanium abutments exhibited the highest bending moments.
Ecological effects of multi‐species, ant–hemipteran mutualisms in citrus
Authors: YOO HO JUNG S. , KIZNER MICHELLE C. , HOLWAY DAVID A.
Published: June 2013

Protection mutualisms between ants and honeydew‐producing insects influence arthropod food webs by altering the behaviour, activity and local abundance of ants on plants. Ants often tend multiple species of honeydew‐producing insects; however, studies that examine such effects typically consider only pairwise mutualisms. This study investigates how multi‐species mutualisms between ants and honeydew‐producing insects structure arthropod food webs in citrus.

In an organic lemon orchard in San Diego County, California, U.S.A., ants or honeydew‐producing insects (or neither) were experimentally removed from individual, mature lemon trees and then abundances of the following were estimated over a 2‐year period: the Argentine ant, five species of honeydew‐producing hemipterans, and California red scale. Red scale produces no honeydew but indirectly benefits from the presence of ants, which disrupt parasitism byAphytiswasps.

Mutualism between ants and honeydew‐producing hemipterans indirectly and positively affected red scale. Levels of parasitism decreased with increasing ant recruitment, and red scale density increased with both increasing ant recruitment and increasing honeydew‐producing hemipteran abundance. Moreover, abundances of each of three honeydew‐producing hemipteran species emerged as positive predictors of red scale density in different analyses; this finding suggests that individual hemipteran taxa exhibit distinct and spatially localised effects on ants.

Evidence of positive, indirect effects between two focal species of honeydew‐producing Hemiptera was also detected. Guilds of honeydew‐producing hemipterans may provide ants with honeydew more consistently or for longer than that produced by any single species. These results argue for an appreciation of how mutualist diversity affects the ecological consequences of mutualisms.
Resistance levels of Spanish conifers against Fusarium circinatum and Diplodia pinea
Authors: Iturritxa E. , Ganley R. J. , Raposo R. , García‐Serna I. , Mesanza N. , Kirkpatrick S. C. , Gordon T. R.
Published: June 2013

Pitch canker, caused by Fusarium circinatum, and Diplodia shoot blight, caused by Diplodia pinea, are both damaging to pines (Pinus spp.) grown in plantations throughout the world, including Spain. To assess the potential for interspecific differences in susceptibility to contribute to the management of pitch canker and Diplodia shoot blight in the Atlantic region of Spain, the present study was undertaken to characterize the susceptibility of six pine species (P. sylvestris, P. nigra, P. pinaster, P. radiata, P. halepensis and P. pinea) and Douglas‐fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) to F. circinatum and D. pinea. Based on inoculations of 2‐year‐old trees, Ps. menziesii, P. pinea and P. nigra were the most resistant to F. circinatum, with lesion lengths ranging from 3.7 to 21.5 mm, 2.2 to 12.6 mm and 2.8 to 30.9 mm, respectively. At the other extreme, Pinus radiata was the most susceptible, sustaining lesions that ranged from 8.5 to 74.8 mm in length. Pinus sylvestris, P. pinaster and P. halepensis showed an intermediate response to F. circinatum. Broadly similar results were observed in inoculations with D. pinea, with Ps. menziesii being relatively resistant and P. radiata being highly susceptible. Consistent with these results, field surveys revealed no pitch canker in stands of Ps. menziesii and low severity of Diplodia shoot blight, whereas P. radiata was severely affected by both diseases. Our findings suggest that selection of appropriate species can greatly reduce the risk of damage from two important canker diseases affecting pine plantations in the Atlantic region of Spain. Furthermore, intraspecific variation in susceptibility implies that selection may allow for the enhancement of resistance in otherwise susceptible species.
Administration of alemtuzumab and G‐CSF to adults with relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia: results of a phase II study
Authors: Gorin Norbert‐Claude , Isnard Françoise , Garderet Laurent , Ikhlef Souhila , Corm Selim , Quesnel Bruno , Legrand Ollivier , Cachanado Marine , Rousseau Alexandra , Laporte Jean‐Philippe
Published: June 2013

The outlook for adults with refractory and relapsed acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is poor. CD52 is expressed in most patients with ALL. Alemtuzumab is an anti‐CD52 humanized monoclonal antibody. This phase II study assessed the efficacy of alemtuzumab combined with granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor (G‐CSF) to boost antibody‐dependent cell cytotoxicity mediated by neutrophils.

Twelve patients with relapsed (n = 11) or refractory (n = 1) ALL, including four relapses postallogeneic stem cell transplantation, were treated and monitored between October 2006 and January 2011. Patients received 1 wk of alemtuzumab every other day at increasing doses of 3, 10, and 30 mg to test tolerance and 30 mg three times a week for 12–18 infusions. If in complete remission (CR), patients received maintenance therapy for 1 wk, every 2 months. G‐CSF was administered at 5 μg/kg per day during alemtuzumab administration. The primary endpoint was disappearance of blast cells on a marrow aspirate. CD52 was expressed in all patients. Four patients reached CR. In one additional patient, clearance of blast cells was observed in peripheral blood but not in the marrow. The most frequent adverse events during course 1 of treatment were fever and chills (n = 3), skin rash (n = 3), and bronchospasm (n = 2). Tumor lysis syndrome was observed at treatment initiation in one patient who reached CR. All patients progressed within a few months and all but one died. The surviving patient is still alive after relapse and a second allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

This study shows that in relapse/refractory ALL, alemtuzumab with G‐CSF can produce good responses of short duration.
Transparency in the EU Council of Ministers: An Institutional Analysis
Authors: Hillebrandt Maarten Zbigniew , Curtin Deirdre , Meijer Albert
Published: June 2013

The development of access to documents and open meetings provisions by the Council of Ministers of the European Union shows an interesting pattern: before 1992 no formal transparency provisions existed, between 1992 and 2006 formal transparency provisions dramatically increased, and since 2006 this increase has come to a halt. This paper aims to enhance our understanding of these shifts by conducting a historical institutional analysis of policy change. As explanatory factors, we consider the preferences and power resources of Member States, as well as external catalysts and social structures. We conclude that the current revision deadlock is more stable than the situation before 1992 because now the pro‐transparency coalition and transparency‐sceptic Council majority have entrenched their positions. Nevertheless, and in spite of Council entrenchment, we expect that Council transparency will continue to develop in the longer term, under the pressure of increasingly influential outside actors, particularly the European Parliament.
Personality under EU Law: A Conceptual Answer towards the Pluralisation of the EU
Authors: Ruffert Matthias
Published: June 2013

Although the trend towards pluralisation within the institutional framework of the EU is somewhat reflected in theoretical efforts, legal scholarship's answer remains incomplete. Acknowledging that legal personality is always relative—ie related to a particular legal system—personality under EU Law should be recognised and developed as a distinct category. This allows for reconsideration and rearrangement of inter‐ and intrapersonal relations in EU Law: inter‐institutional agreements can gain firmer legal ground, the recognition of hierarchical structures within the EU executive branch can advance the maintenance of the rule of law, legal protection of the Union's citizens shall be advanced, and options as well as limits to privatising organisation at the EU level shall be formulated. On the whole, methodological self‐reflection along these lines is bound to lead to a valuable contribution of legal research in times of EU crisis.
Testing species distribution models across space and time: high latitude butterflies and recent warming
Authors: Eskildsen Anne , le Roux Peter C. , Heikkinen Risto K. , Høye Toke T. , Kissling W. Daniel , Pöyry Juha , Wisz Mary S. , Luoto Miska
Published: June 2013

Aim

To quantify whether species distribution models (SDMs) can reliably forecast species distributions under observed climate change. In particular, to test whether the predictive ability ofSDMsdepends on species traits or the inclusion of land cover and soil type, and whether distributional changes at expanding range margins can be predicted accurately.

Location

Finland

Methods

Using 10‐km resolution butterfly atlas data from two periods, 1992–99 (t1) and 2002–09 (t2), with a significant between‐period temperature increase, we modelled the effects of climatic warming on butterfly distributions with boosted regression trees (BRTs) and generalized additive models (GAMs). We evaluated model performance by using the split‐sample approach with data fromt1(‘non‐independent validation’), and then compared model projections based on data fromt1with species' observed distributions int2(‘independent validation’). We compared climate‐onlySDMs toSDMs including land cover, soil type, or both. Finally, we related model performance to species traits and compared observed and predicted distributional shifts at northern range margins.

Results

SDMs showed fair to good model fits when modelling butterfly distributions under climate change. Model performance was lower with independent compared with non‐independent validation and improved when land cover and soil type variables were included, compared with climate‐only models.SDMs performed less well for highly mobile species and for species with long flight seasons and large ranges. When forecasting changes at northern range margins, correlations between observed and predicted range shifts were predominantly low.

Main conclusions

SDMs accurately describe current distributions of most species, yet their performance varies with species traits and the inclusion of land cover and soil type variables. Moreover, their ability to predict range shifts under climate change is limited, especially at the expanding edge. More tests with independent validations are needed to fully understand the predictive potential ofSDMsacross taxa and biomes.