bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Compartmentalization of signaling by vesicular trafficking: a shared building design for the immune synapse and the primary cilium
Authors: Finetti Francesca , Baldari Cosima T.
Published: December 2012

Accumulating evidence underscores the immune synapse (IS) of naive T cells as a site of intense vesicular trafficking. At variance with helper and cytolytic effectors, which use the IS as a secretory platform to deliver cytokines and/or lytic granules to their cellular targets, this process is exploited by naive T cells as a means to regulate the assembly and maintenance of the IS, on which productive signaling and cell activation crucially depend. We have recently identified a role of the intraflagellar transport (IFT) system, which is responsible for the assembly of the primary cilium, in the non‐ciliated T‐cell, where it controls IS assembly by promoting polarized T‐cell receptor recycling. This unexpected finding not only provides new insight into the mechanisms of IS assembly but also strongly supports the notion that the IS and the primary cilium, which are both characterized by a specialized membrane domain highly enriched in receptors and signaling mediators, share architectural similarities and are homologous structures. Here, we review our current understanding of vesicular trafficking in the regulation of the assembly and maintenance of the naive T‐cell IS and the primary cilium, with a focus on the IFT system.
Evolving immune circuits are generated by flexible, motile, and sequential immunological synapses
Authors: Gérard Audrey , Beemiller Peter , Friedman Rachel S. , Jacobelli Jordan , Krummel Matthew F.
Published: December 2012

The immune system is made up of a diverse collection of cells, each of which has distinct sets of triggers that elicit unique and overlapping responses. It is correctly described as a ‘system’ because its overall properties (e.g. ‘tolerance’, ‘allergy’) emerge from multiple interactions of its components cells. To mobilize a response where needed, the majority of the cells of the system are obligatorily highly motile and so must communicate with one another over both time and space. Here, we discuss the flexibility of the primary immunological synapse (IS) with respect to motility. We then consider the primary IS as an initiating module that licenses ‘immunological circuits’: the latter consisting of two or more cell‐cell synaptic interactions. We discuss how two or three component immunological circuits interact might with one another in sequence and how the timing, stoichiometry, milieu, and duration of assembly of immunological circuits are likely to be key determinants in the emergent outcome and thus the system‐wide immune response. An evolving consideration of immunological circuits, with an emphasis on the cell‐cell modules that complement T‐antigen‐presenting cell interaction, provides a fundamental starting point for systems analysis of the immune response.
Mechanisms of enhanced HIV spread through T‐cell virological synapses
Authors: Dale Benjamin M. , Alvarez Raymond A. , Chen Benjamin K.
Published: December 2012

An elaborate network of cell–cell interactions in the immune system is essential for vertebrates to mount adaptive immune responses against invading pathogens. For lymphotropic viruses such as the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1), these immune cell interactions can also promote the spread of the virus within the host. The main target of HIV‐1 infection is the CD4+ helper T lymphocyte, a cell type that is responsible for coordinating immune responses and modulating effector responses to foreign antigens. As part of their normal immune surveillance duties, these cells migrate actively within lymphoid tissues and can travel from inductive sites to effector sites in search of their cognate antigen. For CD4+ T cells, there is an ongoing search for a unique peptide antigen presented in the context of class II MHC that can activate a proliferative or tolerogenic response. This iterative and continual probing and interrogation of other cells determine the outcome of immune responses. Recent studies in vitro have revealed that the viral infection program induces cell–cell interactions called virological synapses between infected and uninfected CD4+ T cells. These long‐lived, virally induced adhesive contacts greatly enhance the rate of productive infection and may be central to the spread of the virus in vivo. Here, we review aspects of this efficient mode of cell‐to‐cell infection and the implications for our understanding of HIV‐1 pathogenesis.
Participation Versus Procedures in Non‐Union Dispute Resolution
Authors: Colvin Alexander J. S.
Published: December 2012

This study examines the resolution of conflict in non‐union workplaces. Employee participation in workplace decision making and organizational dispute resolution procedures are two factors hypothesized to influence the outcomes of conflicts in the non‐union workplace. The adoption of high involvement work systems is found to produce an organizational context in which both triggering events for conflict, such as disciplinary and dismissal decisions, and dispute resolution activities, such as grievance filing and appeals, are reduced in frequency. Dispute resolution procedures have mixed impacts. Greater due process protections in dispute resolution procedures in non‐union workplaces are associated with increased grievance filing and higher appeal rates but do not have significant impacts on the precursors to conflict. This study provides evidence of substantial organizational‐level variation in non‐union conflict resolution, suggesting the importance of expanding the predominant individual and group‐level focus of current conflict management research to include more organizational‐level factors. It also supports the importance to non‐union employee representation of direct participation strategies involving employee involvement in the workplace, in addition to procedures that provide for off‐line representation.
The Effect of Time Use in Explaining Male–Female Productivity Differences Among Economists
Authors: Manchester Colleen , Barbezat Debra
Published: December 2012

This study examines the opportunity cost of non‐research responsibilities on research output. Using a sample of early career faculty members who received their Ph.D. in economics, we consider the effect of two dimensions of time use on research output: (1) time allocation, or how time is divided between research and other duties and (2) time concentration, or how research time is distributed during the academic year relative to summer months. This second dimension has not been used in prior studies on research productivity; however, the inherent delays in the publication process as well as start‐up costs may imply that concentrating research time exclusively in the summer months reduces research output. We find that both dimensions of time use are significant predictors of peer‐reviewed publications and that time concentration is a significant predictor of submissions. We find gender differences in both dimensions of time use, which are attributable to gender differences in employment at research institutions and on‐going childcare responsibilities.
Worker Information and Firm Disclosure Analysis on French Linked Employer–Employee Data
Authors: Perraudin Corinne , Petit, Héloïse , Rebérioux Antoine
Published: December 2012

Information disclosure requirements significantly increased in French listed companies in the early 2000s, converging toward the U.S./U.K. stock market standards. We investigate the consequences of this process regarding worker information: does more information for shareholders mean more information for workers? Our empirical analysis takes advantage of a French establishment survey that generates linked “employer–employee” data at two points in time, 1998 and 2004. Our results show that worker information has improved in listed companies as an externality of the financialization process. We find, however, that this extra information is only partially correlated with greater employee satisfaction.
Lower respiratory tract hemorrhage associated with 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus infection
Authors: Kennedy Erin D. , Roy Monika , Norris Jeffrey , Fry Alicia M. , Kanzaria Mitul , Blau Dianna M. , Shieh Wun‐Ju , Zaki Sherif R. , Waller Kirsten , Kamimoto Laurie , Finelli Lyn , Jhung Michael A. ,   for the 2009 Pandemic H1N1 Influenza‐Associated Lower Respiratory Tract Hemorrhage Working Group
Published: December 2012

Please cite this paper as: Kennedy et al. for the 2009 Pandemic H1N1 Influenza‐Associated Lower Respiratory Tract Hemorrhage Working Group. (2012) Lower respiratory tract hemorrhage associated with 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus infection. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses DOI: 10.1111/irv.12022.

Background  Influenza‐associated lower respiratory tract hemorrhage (LRTH) has been reported in previous pandemics and is a rare complication of seasonal influenza virus infection. We describe patients with LRTH associated with 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) (pH1N1) virus infection identified from April 2009 to April 2010 in the United States.

Methods  We ascertained patients with pH1N1‐associated LRTH through state and local surveillance, the Emerging Infections Program, and CDCs Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch. All patients had influenza A, evidence of pneumonia, and evidence of LRTH.

Results  We identified 44 cases; the median number of days from illness onset to clinical signs of LRTH was one. Hemoptysis or respiratory tract bleeding was documented in 40% of pH1N1‐associated LRTH cases, often present early during the course of illness. Twenty‐one (48%) patients with LRTH had no other hemorrhagic diatheses. Seven (23%) patients with LRTH received antiviral treatment within two days of illness onset.

Conclusions  During influenza season, clinicians should consider influenza infection in the differential diagnosis for patients presenting with hemoptysis or other signs or symptoms of LRTH. While the impact of timing of antiviral therapy on this complication has not been studied, the rapid progression of LRTH may support use of early empiric therapy. Continued investigation is necessary to betterdefine the clinical spectrum of both seasonal influenza‐ and pH1N1‐associated LRTH.
Ontogenetic diet shift of age‐0 year Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis
Authors: Shimose T. , Watanabe H. , Tanabe T. , Kubodera T.
Published: December 2012

Stomach contents of 437 age‐0 year Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis (20·3–59·4 cm fork length, LF) caught in the Tsushima Current and the Kuroshio regions around Japan were examined to investigate their ontogenetic diet shift. Prey compositions were diverse and different between regions. Although the seasonal growth patterns were different between regions, ontogenetic diet shifts shared a common pattern. In the Tsushima Current region (Sea of Japan), small T. orientalis (20–25 cm LF) preyed upon small squid (juvenile Enoploteuthis chunii), and larger ones (25–35 cm LF) gradually shifted their diet to mesopelagic fish (Maurolicus japonicus). In the Kuroshio region (Pacific Ocean), small T. orientalis (20–25 cm LF) preyed upon small zooplankton (mostly crustacean larvae), and larger ones (25–40 cm LF) shifted to epipelagic fishes (Etrumeus teres, Sardinops melanostictus and Engraulis japonicus). The observed data suggest that T. orientalis switch to a diet more based on fish prey items, which have more body mass and greater swimming ability than small squid and zooplankton, after they reach a LF of 25 cm.
Psychometric testing of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy Health Profession Students' version with Australian paramedic students
Authors: Williams Brett , Brown Ted , Boyle Malcolm , Dousek Simon
Published: December 2012

Evidence now suggests that improved empathic behaviors can have a positive impact on healthcare outcomes. Therefore, having psychometrically‐sound empathy scales is important for healthcare educators. In this study, the factor structure of the 20‐item Jefferson Scale Empathy–Health Profession Students' version, when completed by a group of undergraduate paramedic students from a large Australian university, was investigated. Data from the Scale completed by 330 paramedic students were analyzed using principal components analysis followed by a maximum likelihood confirmatory factor analysis to test goodness of fit to the sample data. Two factors emerged from the principal components analysis, “compassionate care” and “perspective taking”, accounting for 44.2% of the total variance. The 17‐item two‐factor model produced good model fit and good reliability estimates. Three of the original items did not fit the model. Results from the confirmatory factor analysis suggest that the 17‐item Jefferson Scale Empathy–Health Profession Students' version is a valid and reliable measure for undergraduate paramedic students' empathy levels.
LOCAL AUTHORITY BUREAUCRACIES: RESPONSIBLE, REPRESENTATIVE, OR DIVERGENT? EVIDENCE FROM SMALL POLITICAL SYSTEMS IN NORWAY
Authors: JACOBSEN DAG INGVAR
Published: December 2012

The political power of modern bureaucracies may be viewed as a democratic challenge. In fact, many reforms in the public sector aim to strengthen control over these bureaucracies, either by politicians or by citizens. This article argues that the need for control will depend on the degree of interest divergence between bureaucracy on the one hand, and politicians and citizens on the other. Still, attitudes in the three groups are seldom compared directly. Here, the attitudes towards different issues in the three groups are compared, within four small Norwegian municipalities. The results indicate that attitudes of local bureaucrats only to a limited degree diverge from those of politicians and the public, with one exception: attitudes towards so‐called ‘New Public Management' reforms. Implications for control over bureaucracies are discussed.
The translation of the pathological findings described in humans to experimental models of acute motor axonal neuropathy
Authors: Willison Hugh J.
Published: December 2012

Our mechanistic understanding of the Guillain‐Barre' syndromes (GBS) was greatly enhanced by the human pathological studies of Jack Griffin and colleagues conducted in the mid‐1990s. Subsequently, many of the pathological findings in human GBS were confirmed and extended in animal models. This brief account of GBS pathogenesis focuses on the studies that provided the mechanistic evidence for the role of anti‐ganglioside antibodies and complement in injuring the motor axon in Campylobacter‐associated GBS, thereby supporting the earlier seminal pathological observations.
X‐linked Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease
Authors: Scherer Steven S. , Kleopa Kleopas A.
Published: December 2012

The X‐linked form of Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease (CMT1X) is the second most common form of hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy. The clinical phenotype is characterized by progressive muscle atrophy and weakness, areflexia, and variable sensory abnormalities; central nervous system manifestations occur, too. Affected males have moderate to severe symptoms, whereas heterozygous females are usually less affected. Neurophysiology shows intermediate slowing of conduction and distal axonal loss. Nerve biopsies show more prominent axonal degeneration than de/remyelination. More than 400 different mutations in GJB1, the gene that encodes the gap junction (GJ) protein connexin32 (Cx32), cause CMT1X. Many Cx32 mutants fail to form functional GJs, or form GJs with abnormal biophysical properties. Schwann cells and oligodendrocytes express Cx32, and the GJs formed by Cx32 play an important role in the homeostasis of myelinated axons. Animal models of CMT1X demonstrate that loss of Cx32 in myelinating Schwann cells causes a demyelinating neuropathy. An effective therapy remains to be developed.
The ultimate question: why do axons degenerate? A tribute to the work and mentorship of John W. Griffin, MD
Authors: Glass Jonathan D.
Published: December 2012

Axonal degeneration is a common pathological feature of neurodegenerative diseases. The underlying mechanisms for axonal degeneration, as well as for day to day maintenance of axonal integrity are just now coming to light. This short review outlines some of the historical landmarks in axonal degeneration research, focusing on the contributions of the late John W. Griffin. The importance of axonal degeneration in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders of the central and peripheral nervous systems is emphasized.
BACE1 influences debris clearance and axonal regeneration in injured peripheral nerve
Authors: Farah Mohamed H.
Published: December 2012

During 3 years, my research activities in Jack Griffin's laboratory focused on the influence of β‐amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) on the degeneration/regeneration of sciatic nerve of mice. Here, potential mechanisms of how BACE1 enzymatic activity influences these processes are discussed.
Alcohol Marketing Receptivity, Marketing‐Specific Cognitions, and Underage Binge Drinking
Authors: McClure Auden C. , Stoolmiller Mike , Tanski Susanne E. , Engels Rutger C. M. E. , Sargent James D.
Published: December 2012

Background

Exposure to alcohol marketing is prevalent and is associated with both initiation and progression of alcohol use in underage youth. The mechanism of influence is not well understood, however. This study tests a model that proposes alcohol‐specific cognitions as mediators of the relation between alcohol marketing and problematic drinking among experimental underage drinkers.

Methods

This study describes a cross‐sectional analysis of 1,734 U.S. 15‐ to 20‐year‐old underage drinkers, recruited for a national study of media and substance use. Subjects were queried about a number of alcohol marketing variables including TV time, Internet time, favorite alcohol ad, ownership of alcohol‐branded merchandise (ABM), and exposure to alcohol brands in movies. The relation between these exposures and current (30‐day) binge drinking was assessed, as were proposed mediators of this relation, including marketing‐specific cognitions (drinker identity and favorite brand to drink), favorable alcohol expectancies, and alcohol norms. Paths were tested in a structural equation model that controlled for sociodemographics, personality, and peer drinking.

Results

Almost one‐third of this sample of ever drinkers had engaged in 30‐day binge drinking. Correlations between mediators were all statistically significant (range 0.16 to 0.47), and all were significantly associated with binge drinking. Statistically significant mediation was found for the association between ABM ownership and binge drinking through both drinker identity and having a favorite brand to drink, which also mediated the path between movie brand exposure and binge drinking. Peer drinking and sensation seeking were associated with binge drinking in paths through all mediators.

Conclusions

Associations between alcohol marketing and binge drinking were mediated through marketing‐specific cognitions that assess drinker identity and brand allegiance, cognitions that marketers aim to cultivate in the consumer.
The Impact of the Antitobacco Norm on the Selected Mode of Cognitive Dissonance Reduction
Authors: Voisin Dimitri , Stone Jeff , Becker Maja
Published: December 2012

Two experiments tested the hypothesis that when behavior violates an antismoking injunctive norm, dissonance is aroused, but the injunctive norm constrains how people reduce their discomfort. In Experiment 1, participants with positive or negative attitudes toward public smoking wrote an essay for or against a ban on public smoking. Whereas attitude change occurred for those whose counter‐attitudinal essay supported the antismoking norm, those whose counter‐attitudinal essay violated the antismoking norm did not change their attitudes to reduce dissonance. In Experiment 2, participants who wrote against the ban on public smoking eschewed attitude change in favor of reducing dissonance through trivialization and act rationalization. The discussion focuses on how maintaining social connections makes cognitions resistant to change when dissonance is aroused.
The Big Five Personality Factors and Mass Politics
Authors: Cooper Christopher A. , Golden Lauren , Socha Alan
Published: December 2012

In this paper, we argue that a stable set of characteristics—personality—can help explain mass political opinions and behavior. By analyzing data collected from over 750 people, we examine the influence of the Five‐Factor Model of personality on ideology, partisanship, political efficacy, and two forms of political participation. After controlling for a host of demographic factors, we find that openness to experience, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and extraversion help explain public opinion and political behavior. Neuroticism is the only factor that does not influence political life. We conclude by comparing these results to other findings in the field and suggest directions for future research.
Do Choices Affect Preferences? Some Doubts and New Evidence
Authors: Holden Steinar
Published: December 2012

When testing for the existence of choice‐induced changes in preferences, one is faced with the combined problem that the preferences are measured imperfectly and that the choice reflects the true preferences. The upshot is that the choice yields information about any measurement errors, implying that the choice may predict a change in measured preferences. Previous studies have neglected this effect, interpreting a change in measured preferences as a change in true preferences. This paper argues that the problems with previous studies can be mitigated by eliciting more information about the preferences of the participants prior to the choices. The paper reports results from a novel experiment, where the evidence does not support the existence of a choice‐induced change in preferences.
Viewing Things Differently: The Dimensions of Public Perceptions of Police Legitimacy
Authors: Tankebe Justice
Published: December 2012

Legitimacy (or “the right to exercise power”) is now an established concept in criminological analysis, especially in relation to policing. Substantial empirical evidence shows the importance of legitimacy in securing law‐abiding behavior and cooperation from citizens. Yet adequate theorization has lagged behind empirical evidence, and there has been a conflation of legitimacy with the cognate concepts of “trust” and of “obligation to obey the law.” By drawing on the work of Beetham (1991) and others (e.g., Bottoms and Tankebe,), this study tests the hypothesis that the contents of the multiple dimensions of police legitimacy comprise procedural fairness, distributive fairness, lawfulness, and effectiveness. The study also investigates the relative influence of legitimacy and feelings of obligation on citizens’ willingness to cooperate with the police. Using data from London, the results substantiate the hypothesized dimensions of police legitimacy. In addition, legitimacy was found to exhibit both a direct influence on cooperation that is independent of obligation and an indirect influence that flows through people's felt obligations to obey the police. Implications for future research are discussed.
Oral health behaviors of preschool children with cerebral palsy: a case‐control community‐based study
Authors: Du Rennan Y. , McGrath Colman P. , Yiu Cynthia K.Y. , King Nigel M.
Published: December 2012

To describe and compare the oral health behaviors of preschool children with and without cerebral palsy (CP), and to assess the oral health knowledge and attitudes of their primary caregivers (PCGs). Seventy‐two preschool children with CP were recruited from 23 Special Child Care Centers in Hong Kong. An age‐ (±3 months) and gender‐matched sample of children from mainstream preschools was recruited as a “control group.” Assessment of children's oral health behaviors and the PCGs' oral health knowledge and attitudes was conducted using questionnaires. Preschool children with CP were less likely to have ever attended a dentist (p< 0.05). Tooth brushing frequency was similar between the two groups (p> 0.05), but PCGs of children with CP more frequently reported provision of tooth brushing assistance to their children (p< 0.001). PCGs in both groups had similar oral health knowledge and attitudes (p> 0.05). Difference in oral health behaviors existed between preschool children with and without CP. PCGs of children with and without CP had similar oral health knowledge and attitudes.
Institutional Investment Horizons and the Cost of Equity Capital
Authors: Attig Najah , Cleary Sean , El Ghoul Sadok , Guedhami Omrane
Published: December 2012

We examine the influence of institutional investors’ investment horizons on a firm's cost of equity. We argue that the cost of equity will decrease in the presence of institutional investors with longer‐term investment horizons due to improved monitoring and information quality. Our empirical results demonstrate that the cost of equity declines in the presence of institutional investors with long‐term investment horizons, all else remaining equal. Our results indicate also that the monitoring role of long‐term institutional investors is more pronounced for firms with higher agency problems (poorly governed firms). Overall, our evidence suggests that when considering the influence of institutional investors, it is critical to account for institutional heterogeneity, which leads to new directions for future research.
Osteoblastoma: A Rare Cause of Stiff Elbow
Authors: Spence Stephanie , Gupta Sanjay , Ritchie David , MacDuff Elaine , Rymaszewski Lech , Mahendra Ashish
Published: December 2012

Osteoblastoma is a benign, osseous tumour that is usually found in the femur, tibia, foot and posterior elements of the vertebrae but rarely around the elbow. Elbow stiffness is common after trauma, infection (in particular tuberculosis), synovitis and arthritis, but is rarely caused by a tumour. In this case, an osteoblastoma in the distal humerus was excised through an Outerbridge—Kashiwagi approach, which successfully addressed the patient's main complaint of elbow stiffness and restricted function. However, the lesion recurred a few months later and was treated successfully by computed tomography-guided thermoablation.
Computed Tomographic Analysis of Arthroscopic Labral Repair Using Absorbable Knotless Suture Anchors
Authors: Weiser Lori G. , Alexander Susan , Banerjee Sughran , Bashir Waseem A. , Connell David , Wallace Andrew L.
Published: December 2012

Background

We investigated the reconstitution of the glenoid bone after degradation of absorbable knotless suture anchors used for labral repair.

Methods

Arthroscopic labral repairs performed on 59 shoulders in 55 patients by a single surgeon using knotless poly-L-lactic acid suture anchors were reviewed at a mean of 46.5 months. Computed tomographic scans of the operated shoulder were reviewed by two independent radiologists for the number of drill holes present, as well as the amount of bony reconstitution and the presence of osteoarthritis.

Results

One hundred and ninety anchors were placed and both radiologists counted 185 drill holes (97%). Agreement between the radiologists was high (kappa = 0.96). The majority of holes had partial bony ingrowth (69% to 71%) and osteolysis was infrequent (6%). The prevalence of degenerative joint disease was 7% to 8%.

Conclusions

Biodegradable suture anchors are a viable option for labral fixation during arthroscopic shoulder stabilization but, in most cases, the drillholes are not fully replaced with bone and may enlarge, although the effect on clinical outcome is uncertain.
Long‐term efficacy of ustekinumab in patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis treated for up to 5 years in the PHOENIX 1 study
Authors: Kimball A.B. , Papp K.A. , Wasfi Y. , Chan D. , Bissonnette R. , Sofen H. , Yeilding N. , Li S. , Szapary P. , Gordon K.B. ,   on behalf of the PHOENIX 1 investigators
Published: December 2012

Background  Ongoing evaluation of biological agents in patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis is needed to support their long‐term use.

Objective  To evaluate long‐term efficacy and safety of ustekinumab through 5 years in the PHOENIX 1 study.

Methods  Patients were randomized to placebo or ustekinumab (45 mg or 90 mg) at Weeks 0, 4 and every‐12‐weeks thereafter; placebo patients crossed‐over to ustekinumab at Week 12. Clinical response through Week 244 was evaluated using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) in the Overall Population (i.e. patients receiving ≥1 dose of ustekinumab), Initial Responders (i.e. PASI 75 responders [Weeks 28/40] re‐randomized at Week 40 to continue every‐12‐week maintenance) and Partial Responders (i.e. <PASI 75 responders adjusted to every‐8‐week maintenance at Weeks 28 or 40). Safety endpoints were evaluated through Week 264 for the Overall Population.

Results  Overall, 68.7% (517/753) of ustekinumab‐treated patients completed treatment through Week 244. Initial clinical responses were generally maintained through Week 244 (PASI 75: 63.4% and 72.0%; PASI 90: 39.7% and 49.0%; PASI 100: 21.6% and 26.4%) for patients receiving 45 mg and 90 mg, respectively. Similarly, PASI 75 responses were generally maintained among Initial Responders [79.1% (45 mg) and 80.8% (90 mg)] and Partial Responders [57.6% (45 mg) and 55.1% (90 mg)]. With 3104 patient‐years of follow‐up, rates of overall adverse events (AEs), serious AEs, serious infections, malignancies and major adverse cardiovascular events were generally consistent over time and comparable between doses.

Conclusions  Through 5 years of continuous treatment, ustekinumab demonstrated stable clinical response and a safety profile consistent with previous reports.
HPV oral lesions in HIV‐infected patients: the impact of long‐term HAART
Authors: Anaya‐Saavedra Gabriela , Flores‐Moreno Bertha , García‐Carrancá Alejandro , Irigoyen‐Camacho Esther , Guido‐Jiménez Miriam , Ramírez‐Amador Velia
Published: December 2012

Background

Since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), an increase in the frequency of human papillomavirus‐associated oral lesions (HPV‐OL) has been observed. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with HPV‐OL in Mexican HIV‐infected patients, as well as its genotyping, in the HAART era.

Methods

In a cross‐sectional study developed at an HIV/AIDS referral center in Mexico City, HIV‐infected patients were consecutively included from 2004 to 2011. An oral exam was performed; lymphocyte CD4+ count, HIV‐viral load, CDC‐stage, and HAART use were recorded. HPV‐OL samples were taken for routine histopathological analysis (H‐E) and HPV‐DNA amplification/sequencing. Logistic regression models were performed and the interactions tested using the STATA software.

Results

Among 787 HIV patients, 55 (6.9%) showed HPV‐OL. HPV‐OLs were independently associated with age (≥40 years) and with a longer time of HAART use (≥12 months). The most frequent lesion was squamous cell papilloma in 22 (40%) cases, followed by multifocal epithelial hyperplasia in 15 (27.3%) cases. Labial mucosa was the most common site involved (56.4%). Of the sequences obtained, 65.4% corresponded to low risk and 11.5% to high risk. Mixed high‐ and low‐risk infection were identified in 7.7% of the cases.

Conclusions

Human papillomavirus‐associated oral lesions were associated with older age and longer HAART use. All lesions were benign in nature and most of the HPV sequences corresponded to low‐risk types. The rise of HPV‐OLs in HIV patients on HAART may be related with the longer life expectancy of individuals with an impaired immune system rather than a direct effect of HAART.
Structure and activity of AbiQ, a lactococcal endoribonuclease belonging to the type III toxin–antitoxin system
Authors: Samson Julie E. , Spinelli Silvia , Cambillau Christian , Moineau Sylvain
Published: December 2012

AbiQ is a phage resistance mechanism found on a native plasmid of Lactococcus lactis that abort virulent phage infections. In this study, we experimentally demonstrate that AbiQ belongs to the recently described type III toxin–antitoxin systems. When overexpressed, the AbiQ protein (ABIQ) is toxic and causes bacterial death in a bacteriostatic manner. Northern and Western blot experiments revealed that the abiQ gene is transcribed and translated constitutively, and its expression is not activated by a phage product. ABIQ is an endoribonuclease that specifically cleaves its cognate antitoxin RNA molecule in vivo. The crystal structure of ABIQ was solved and site‐directed mutagenesis identified key amino acids for its anti‐phage and/or its RNase function. The AbiQ system is the first lactococcal abortive infection system characterized to date at a structural level.
Gut microbiota and gastrointestinal health: current concepts and future directions
Authors: Aziz Q. , Doré J. , Emmanuel A. , Guarner F. , Quigley E. M. M.
Published: December 2012

Background  The microbial community of the human gut – the enteric microbiota – plays a critical role in functions that sustain health and is a positive asset in host defenses. In recent years, our understanding of this so‐called human ‘super organism’ has advanced, following characterization of fecal metagenomes which identified three core bacterial enterotypes, and based on basic and clinical research into the impact and consequences of microbiota biodiversity and change on gastrointestinal disorders and diseases.

Purpose  This article considers current knowledge and future perspectives on the make‐up and function of human gut microbiota, with a particular focus on altered microbiota and gastrointestinal disorders, nutritional influences on the gut microbiota, and the consequences for gastrointestinal health, as well as improved understanding of gut‐microbiota–brain communication.
Osteomyelitis of the jaws associated with osteopetrosis: case report of two sisters
Authors: Adachi M. , Iwai T. , Watanuki K. , Masuda G. , Tohnai I.
Published: December 2012

Osteopetrosis is a rare metabolic bone disease caused by a congenital defect in the development or function of the osteoclasts, resulting in generalised increase in skeletal mass. Osteomyelitis is a recognised complication, and prevention of dental infections can be difficult. Osteomyelitis is typically located in the mandible; the disease can also occur in the maxilla, but only rarely. We describe two cases of osteopetrosis complicated with osteomyelitis that occurred in sisters. In one sister, osteomyelitis was located in the mandible; in the other sister, the disease occurred in the maxilla. The sisters received antibiotic treatment, as well as incision and drainage of the fluctuant areas and removal of sequestra with minimal surgical trauma, after which they both improved satisfactorily. These cases underscore the importance of screening family members of patients with osteopetrosis for early detection and appropriate intervention.
Metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma of the jaw – a case report
Authors: Murugaraj V. , Bischoff P. , Fasanya S. , Hameed S. , Suman A.
Published: December 2012

Metastatic tumours of the oral region are far less frequent than the primary tumours. The major primary sites of carcinoma metastasising to the oral cavity are the lungs and breast, but there are several reported cases of other primary sites. To our knowledge, oral metastases from a primary colorectal malignancy are a very rare occurrence. We present a case of metastatic adenocarcinoma of the oral region from a colorectal primary malignancy.

We discuss the clinical and histopathological aspects of this rare condition and the management of this patient.
Treatment of Phantom Limb Pain by Cryoneurolysis of the Amputated Nerve
Authors: Moesker Albert A. , Karl Helen W. , Trescot Andrea M.
Published: December 2012

The pathophysiology of phantom limb pain (PLP) is multifactorial. It probably starts in the periphery and is amplified and modified in the central nervous system. A small group of patients with PLP were questioned as to the portion of the phantom limb affected by pain (eg, “great toe,” “thumb”). In the stump, the corresponding amputated nerve was located with a nerve stimulator. With correct placement and stimulation, the PLP could then be reproduced or exacerbated. A small dose of local anesthesia was then injected, resulting in the disappearance of the PLP. If a peripheral nerve injection gave temporary relief, our final treatment was cryoanalgesia at this location. Evaluation of 5 patients, followed for at least 2.5 years, yielded the following results: 3 patients had excellent results (100%, 95%, and 90% decrease in complaints, respectively), 1 patient had an acceptable result (40% decrease), and 1 patient had only a 20% decrease in pain. Although both central and peripheral components are likely involved in PLP, treatment of a peripheral pain locus with cryoanalgesia should be considered. We propose the identification of a peripheral etiology may help match patients to an appropriate therapy, and cryoanalgesia may result in long‐term relief of PLP.
The Relative Price of Services
Authors: Inklaar Robert , Timmer Marcel P.
Published: December 2012

Prices of GDP relative to the exchange rate increase with income per capita, which is known as the Penn‐effect. This is generally attributed to services being cheaper relative to goods in poorer countries. In this paper we re‐examine the Penn‐effect based on a new set of PPPs for industry output. These are estimated in an augmented Geary–Khamis approach using prices for final goods, exports, and imports. The resulting multilateral PPPs cover 35 industries in 42 countries for the year 2005. We find large variation in relative prices of various services industries. In particular the Penn‐effect appears to be mostly due to the rapidly rising output prices of non‐market services. This seems related mainly to the high labor intensity of that sector.
The Production Boundary Reconsidered
Authors: Sakuma Itsuo
Published: December 2012

Hill and Hawrylyshyn rediscovered a classical contribution made by Margaret Reid as early as 1934, known now as the “third party criterion.” The general production boundary in SNA 1993 is defined by using this criterion. They considered that the property of “delegability” was the key to the concept of economic production. That is, an activity is called production in an economic sense if it can be delegated to another economic unit. The author calls due attention to the fact that the SNA includes another criterion, which he tentatively calls “World 1 criterion” meaning that an activity is called economic production only when it is a physical process, where the term World 1 is due to Karl Popper. It is claimed that this criterion can generate a more appropriate general production boundary for the SNA if it is used with “role‐exchangeability” criterion, another new criterion.
Correct Voting in Direct Legislation
Authors: Milic Thomas
Published: December 2012

Correct voting in elections has been extensively analysed in the recent past. However, thus far, correct voting in direct legislation has hardly been investigated. This is all the more surprising since direct legislation is a more demanding form of democracy and, thus, to vote one's true preferences in direct legislation represents a greater challenge than picking the “right” party or the “right” candidate at elections. Moreover, the few researches on the correctness of individual referendum votes used a measurement method that we think has some methodological shortfalls. Instead, we want to propose another better‐suited method of measuring correct voting in direct legislation settings. This method makes use of voters' stances on the issue at stake. Besides, we will scrutinize the share of correct voting as well as its determinants on the Swiss popular vote of November 2009, which included three rather different propositions. The study shows that a majority of Swiss voters are indeed able to vote their true preferences. The ability to vote correctly depends primarily on the individual voter's project‐specific knowledge, but also, under certain circumstances, on the use of heuristics.
Die Ausgaben der Schweizer Kantone ‐ Eine Fuzzy Set QCA
Authors: Good Marin , Hurst Simon , Willener Rahel , Sager Fritz
Published: December 2012

Der Artikel untersucht die Frage, welche Faktoren die Ausgaben der 26 Schweizer Kantone beeinflussen. Während die Frage bereits mehrfach mit statistischen Ansätzen untersucht wurde, hat die vorliegende Studie einen alternativen Fokus, indem sie eine konfigurative Perspektive einnimmt. Ausgangspunkt sind die Ergebnisse der Studie von Vatter und Freitag von 2002, welche mit aktualisierten Daten der Jahre 2000 bis 2006 in einer Fuzzy Set QCA auf ihre kombinierte Wirkungsweise hin untersucht werden. Die Resultate streichen die zentrale Bedeutung von Transferzahlungen hervor und stützen so die These des Flypaper Effect aus der ökonomischen Theorie.
Regulation of Liberalised Network Industries: Infostructure as a Missing Link
Authors: Pflieger Géraldine , Csikos Patrick
Published: December 2012

The aim of this paper is to evaluate how infostructure has been reformed in the liberalisation process of network industries, which has involved third party access to the network through a comparison of the electricity, railway, and civil aviation sectors in Switzerland. Our theoretical argument posits that infostructure is a missing link in the study of the regulation of liberalised network industries. Infostructure is defined as the control and command services that are necessary for monitoring the access to and optimising the uses of infrastructure. Our empirical comparison of the sectors aims at answering the principle question: What is the impact of the management of infostructure on the liberalisation process and the structure of liberalising markets? This study of the liberalisation of network industries in Switzerland highlights the potential strategic function of infostructure in the context of opening to competition and internationalising markets. Infostructure management can impact infrastructure ownership and service operation in terms of market structure and constrain access to the infrastructure and the market. Infostructure could also weaken the capacity to regulate the entire sector from regulatory agencies, particularly when self‐regulatory arrangements control third party access to the network.
Political Responses to the Economic Crisis: Is it Different this Time?
Authors: Dupont Cédric , Passy Florence
Published: December 2012

Responding to the financial and economic crisis that began in 2007‐2008 – commonly called the Great Recession – has been a challenging and pressing problem for many governments, but in particular, for the advanced capitalist countries of Western Europe. These countries have experienced their most severe economic downturn since the 1930s. In this issue of the SPSR, we asked a set of prominent scholars to discuss and revisit several of the key existing results and expectations in comparative political economy in light of the events observed so far. While it is still too early to come up with a full understanding of the political dynamics in motion, this set of contributions provides a series of interesting observations and results that should stimulate further debate and research. In the remainder of this introduction, we both announce things to come and put them into context.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as treatment for acute respiratory failure and subsequent pneumothorax caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in a kidney transplant recipient
Authors: Wu Y.‐S. , Lin N.‐C. , Chen I.‐M. , Chang S.‐C. , Wang F.‐D. , Huang Y.‐C. , Wu T.‐H. , Loong C.‐C.
Published: December 2012

Acute respiratory failure (ARF) accompanied by pneumothorax caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is often fatal. We present our experience using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as treatment for ARF and subsequent pneumothorax caused by PJP in a kidney transplant recipient.
Treating Animal Bites: Susceptibility of Staphylococci from Oral Mucosa of Cats
Authors: Muniz I. M. , Penna B. , Lilenbaum W.
Published: December 2012

Infected wounds determined by cats’ bites represent high costs to public health, and their adequate treatment relies on the knowledge of the antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial agents found in the oral microbiota. Members of the genus Staphylococcus sp. belong to the microbiota of the oral mucosa of cats and are frequently involved in secondary infections of these wounds. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility of Staphylococcus species isolated from oral mucosa of cats. Samples were collected from 200 clinically healthy cats and processed by standard bacteriological methods and tested for susceptibility to a panel of 16 antimicrobials. A total of 212 staphylococci isolates were obtained from 141 of the 200 cats (70.5%), and more than one colony was recognized in 53 cases. Coagulase‐negative species were most frequently found (89.6%) distributed among Staphylococcus xylosus (50.9%), Staphylococcus felis (27.4%), Staphylococcus simulans (6.1%) and Staphylococcus sciuri (5.2%). Coagulase‐positive species (10.4%) were distributed among Staphylococcus aureus (4.7%) and Staphylococcus intermedius group (SIG) (5.7%). Regarding to antimicrobial resistance, 178 isolates (83.9%) were resistant to at least one antimicrobial, and rifampicin showed the best results with 100% of sensitive strains. Conversely, high rates of resistance were observed for penicillin and tetracycline (56.1%). The 212 staphylococci isolates and 30 (14.1%) strains were resistant to methicillin (on the disc susceptibility test) and may be preliminarily considered as methicilin‐resistant staphylococci. In conclusion, this study reports important rates of antimicrobial resistance among the species of Staphylococcus isolated from clinical specimens of cats, which must be considered for the treating of cats’ bites in humans.
An Update of Wallace’s Zoogeographic Regions of the World
Authors: Holt Ben G. , Lessard Jean-Philippe , Borregaard Michael K. , Fritz Susanne A. , Araújo Miguel B. , Dimitrov Dimitar , Fabre Pierre-Henri , Graham Catherine H. , Graves Gary R. , Jønsson Knud A. , Nogués-Bravo David , Wang Zhiheng , Whittaker Robert J. , Fjeldså Jon , Rahbek Carsten
Published: December 2012

Next-Generation Biogeography

In 1876, Alfred Russel Wallace mapped the zoogeographical regions of the world, based on the distributions and taxonomic relationships of broadly defined mammalian families. Wallace's classification of zoogeographical regions became a cornerstone of modern biogeography and a reference for a wide variety of biological disciplines, including global biodiversity and conservation sciences.

Holt
et al.

(p.
74
, published online 20 December) present a next-generation map of wallacean zoogeographic regions, incorporating phylogenetic data on >20,000 vertebrate species to discern and characterize their natural biogeographic patterns.
Successful treatment of multicentric Castleman's disease accompanying myeloma with bortezomib
Authors: Khan Afaq Ahmad , Siraj Fouzia , Bhargava Manorama , Aggarwal Shyam
Published: December 2012

Castleman's disease represents an atypical lymphoproliferative disorder which is non-clonal but can turn malignant in the form of lymphoma, Kaposi's sarcoma or plasma cell dyscrasia. It has been reported in association with diseases like polyneuropathy organomegaly endocrinopathy monoclonal gammopathy skin changes syndrome and myeloma and very rarely it can be associated with cutaneous vasculitis as in our case. It relatively runs an aggressive course and has a shorter survival. No standard of care therapy is yet established for multicentric Castleman's disease accompanying myeloma. We successfully treated one such patient with bortezomib-based therapy.