bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The molecular basis of invasiveness: differences in gene expression of native and introduced common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) in stressful and benign environments
Authors: Hodgins Kathryn A. , Lai Zhao , Nurkowski Kristin , Huang Jie , Rieseberg Loren H.
Published: January 2013

Although the evolutionary and ecological processes that contribute to plant invasion have been the focus of much research, investigation into the molecular basis of invasion is just beginning. Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) is an annual weed native to North America and has been introduced to Europe where it has become invasive. Using a custom‐designed NimbleGen oligoarray, we examined differences in gene expression between five native and six introduced populations of common ragweed in three different environments (control, light stress and nutrient stress), as well as two different time points. We identified candidate genes that may contribute to invasiveness in common ragweed based on differences in expression between native and introduced populations from Europe. Specifically, we found 180 genes where range explained a significant proportion of the variation in gene expression and a further 103 genes with a significant range by treatment interaction. Several of these genes are potentially involved in the metabolism of secondary compounds, stress response and the detoxification of xenobiotics. Previously, we found more rapid growth and greater reproductive success in introduced populations, particularly in benign and competitive (light stress) environments, and many of these candidate genes potentially underlie these growth differences. We also found expression differences among populations within each range, reflecting either local adaptation or neutral processes, although no associations with climate or latitude were identified. These data provide a first step in identifying genes that are involved with introduction success in an aggressive annual weed.
Fine‐grained adaptive divergence in an amphibian: genetic basis of phenotypic divergence and the role of nonrandom gene flow in restricting effective migration among wetlands
Authors: Richter‐Boix Alex , Quintela María , Kierczak Marcin , Franch Marc , Laurila Anssi
Published: January 2013

Adaptive ecological differentiation among sympatric populations is promoted by environmental heterogeneity, strong local selection and restricted gene flow. High gene flow, on the other hand, is expected to homogenize genetic variation among populations and therefore prevent local adaptation. Understanding how local adaptation can persist at the spatial scale at which gene flow occurs has remained an elusive goal, especially for wild vertebrate populations. Here, we explore the roles of natural selection and nonrandom gene flow (isolation by breeding time and habitat choice) in restricting effective migration among local populations and promoting generalized genetic barriers to neutral gene flow. We examined these processes in a network of 17 breeding ponds of the moor frog Rana arvalis, by combining environmental field data, a common garden experiment and data on variation in neutral microsatellite loci and in a thyroid hormone receptor (TRβ) gene putatively under selection. We illustrate the connection between genotype, phenotype and habitat variation and demonstrate that the strong differences in larval life history traits observed in the common garden experiment can result from adaptation to local pond characteristics. Remarkably, we found that haplotype variation in the TRβ gene contributes to variation in larval development time and growth rate, indicating that polymorphism in the TRβ gene is linked with the phenotypic variation among the environments. Genetic distance in neutral markers was correlated with differences in breeding time and environmental differences among the ponds, but not with geographical distance. These results demonstrate that while our study area did not exceed the scale of gene flow, ecological barriers constrained gene flow among contrasting habitats. Our results highlight the roles of strong selection and nonrandom gene flow created by phenological variation and, possibly, habitat preferences, which together maintain genetic and phenotypic divergence at a fine‐grained spatial scale.
Detecting selection along environmental gradients: analysis of eight methods and their effectiveness for outbreeding and selfing populations
Authors: De Mita Stéphane , Thuillet Anne‐Céline , Gay Laurène , Ahmadi Nourollah , Manel Stéphanie , Ronfort Joëlle , Vigouroux Yves
Published: January 2013

Thanks to genome‐scale diversity data, present‐day studies can provide a detailed view of how natural and cultivated species adapt to their environment and particularly to environmental gradients. However, due to their sensitivity, up‐to‐date studies might be more sensitive to undocumented demographic effects such as the pattern of migration and the reproduction regime. In this study, we provide guidelines for the use of popular or recently developed statistical methods to detect footprints of selection. We simulated 100 populations along a selective gradient and explored different migration models, sampling schemes and rates of self‐fertilization. We investigated the power and robustness of eight methods to detect loci potentially under selection: three designed to detect genotype–environment correlations and five designed to detect adaptive differentiation (based on FST or similar measures). We show that genotype–environment correlation methods have substantially more power to detect selection than differentiation‐based methods but that they generally suffer from high rates of false positives. This effect is exacerbated whenever allele frequencies are correlated, either between populations or within populations. Our results suggest that, when the underlying genetic structure of the data is unknown, a number of robust methods are preferable. Moreover, in the simulated scenario we used, sampling many populations led to better results than sampling many individuals per population. Finally, care should be taken when using methods to identify genotype–environment correlations without correcting for allele frequency autocorrelation because of the risk of spurious signals due to allele frequency correlations between populations.
Molecular signatures of lineage‐specific adaptive evolution in a unique sea basin: the example of an anadromous goby Leucopsarion petersii
Authors: Kokita Tomoyuki , Takahashi Sayaka , Kumada Hiroki
Published: January 2013

Climate changes on various time scales often shape genetic novelty and adaptive variation in many biotas. We explored molecular signatures of directional selection in populations of the ice goby Leucopsarion petersii inhabiting a unique sea basin, the Sea of Japan, where a wide variety of environments existed in the Pleistocene in relation to shifts in sea level by repeated glaciations. This species consisted of two historically allopatric lineages, the Japan Sea (JS) and Pacific Ocean (PO) lineages, and these have lived under contrasting marine environments that are expected to have imposed different selection regimes caused by past climatic and current oceanographic factors. We applied a limited genome‐scan approach using seven candidate genes for phenotypic differences between two lineages in combination with 100 anonymous microsatellite loci. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) gene, which is an important regulator of food intake and potent orexigenic agent, and three anonymous microsatellites were identified as robust outliers, that is, candidate loci potentially under directional selection, by multiple divergence‐ and diversity‐based outlier tests in comparisons focused on multiple populations of the JS vs. PO lineages. For these outlier loci, populations of the JS lineage had putative signals of selective sweeps. Additionally, real‐time quantitative PCR analysis using fish reared in a common environment showed a higher expression level for NPY gene in the JS lineage. Thus, this study succeeded in identifying candidate genomic regions under selection across populations of the JS lineage and provided evidence for lineage‐specific adaptive evolution in this unique sea basin.
Changes in Psp protein binding partners, localization and behaviour upon activation of the Yersinia enterocolitica phage shock protein response
Authors: Yamaguchi Saori , Reid Dylan A. , Rothenberg Eli , Darwin Andrew J.
Published: January 2013

PspA, ‐B and ‐C regulate the bacterial phage shock protein stress response by controlling the PspF transcription factor. Here, we have developed complementary approaches to study the behaviour of these proteins at their endogenous levels in Yersinia enterocolitica. First, we observed GFP‐tagged versions with an approach that resolves individual protein complexes in live cells. This revealed that PspA, ‐B and ‐C share common behaviours, including a striking contrast before and after induction. In uninduced cells, PspA, ‐B and ‐C were highly mobile and widely distributed. However, induction reduced mobility and the proteins became more organized. Combining mCherry‐ and GFP‐tagged proteins also revealed that PspA colocalizes with PspB and PspC into large stationary foci, often located close to the pole of induced cells. In addition, co‐immunoprecipitation assays provided the first direct evidence supporting the model that PspA switches binding partners from PspF to PspBC upon induction. Together, these data suggest that PspA, ‐B and ‐C do not stably interact and are highly mobile before induction, perhaps sampling the status of the membrane and each other. However, an inducing signal promotes PspABC complex formation and their relocation to discrete parts of the membrane, which might then be important for mitigating envelope stress.
CXCR4 and CXCR7 form a functional receptor unit for SDF‐1/CXCL12 in primary rodent microglia
Authors: Lipfert J. , Ödemis V. , Wagner D.‐C. , Boltze J. , Engele J.
Published: January 2013

Aims

Microglial cells have been originally identified as a target for the CXC chemokine, SDF‐1, by their expression of CXCR4. More recently, it has been recognized that SDF‐1 additionally binds to CXCR7, which depending on the cell type acts as either a nonclassical, a classical or a scavenger chemokine receptor. Here, we asked whether primary microglial cells additionally express CXCR7 and if so how this chemokine receptor functions in this cell type.

Methods

CXCR4 and CXCR7 expression was analysed in cultured rat microglia and in the brain of animals with permanent occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO) by either Western blotting, RT‐PCR, flow cytometry and/or immunocytochemistry. The function of CXCR4 and CXCR7 was assessed in the presence of selective antagonists.

Results

Cultured primary rat microglia expressed CXCR4 and CXCR7 to similar levels. Treatment with SDF‐1 resulted in the activation of Erk1/2 and Akt signalling. Erk1/2 and Akt signalling were required for subsequent SDF‐1‐dependent promotion of microglial proliferation. In contrast, Erk1/2 signalling was sufficient for SDF‐1‐induced migration of microglial cells. Both SDF‐1‐dependent signalling and the resulting effects on microglial proliferation and migration were abrogated following pharmacological inactivation of either CXCR4 or CXCR7. Moreover, treatment of cultured microglia with lipopolysaccharide resulted in the co‐ordinated up‐regulation of CXCR4 and CXCR7 expression. Likewise, reactive microglia accumulating in the area adjacent to the lesion core in MCAO rats expressed both CXCR4 and CXCR7.

Conclusions

CXCR4 and CXCR7 form a functional receptor unit in microglial cells, which is up‐regulated during activation of microglia both in vitro and in vivo.
The Long‐Run Impact of Foreign Aid in 36 African Countries: Insights from Multivariate Time Series Analysis*
Authors: Juselius Katarina , Møller Niels Framroze , Tarp Finn
Published: January 2013

We comprehensively analyse the long‐run effect of foreign aid (ODA) on key macroeconomic variables in 36 sub‐Saharan African countries from the mid‐1960s to 2007, using a well‐specified cointegrated VAR model as statistical benchmark. Results provide broad support for a positive long‐run impact of ODA flows on the macroeconomy. In contrast, we find little evidence supporting the thesis that aid has been harmful. From a methodological point of view we highlight the importance of transparency in reporting results, especially when the hypothesis being tested differs from theoretical expectations, and we identify reasons for econometrically inadequate results in the literature.
Unit Root Testing under a Local Break in Trend using Partial Information on the Break Date*
Authors: Harvey David I. , Leybourne Stephen J. , Robert Taylor A.M.
Published: January 2013

We consider unit root testing allowing for a break in trend when partial information is available regarding the location of the break date. This takes the form of knowledge of a relatively narrow window of data within which the break takes place, should it occur at all. For such circumstances, we suggest employing a union of rejections strategy, which combines a unit root test that allows for a trend break somewhere within the window with a unit root test that makes no allowance for a trend break. Asymptotic and finite sample evidence shows that our suggested strategy works well, provided that, when a break does occur, the partial information is correct. An empirical application to UK interest rate data containing the 1973 ‘oil shock’ is also considered.
Efficacy of the Sander bite‐jumping appliance in growing patients with mandibular retrusion: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Martina R. , Cioffi I. , Galeotti A. , Tagliaferri R. , Cimino R. , Michelotti A. , Valletta R. , Farella M. , Paduano S.
Published: January 2013

Structured Abstract

Objectives

The efficacy of functional appliances remains highly debated. This randomized controlled trial investigated the skeletal and dentoalveolar effects determined by the Sander bite‐jumping appliance (BJA). The null hypothesis to be tested was that the appliance would not induce supplementary mandibular growth compared to untreated controls.

Setting and Sample Population

This study was carried out at the Section of Orthodontics, University of Naples Federico II, Italy. Forty‐six patients receiving a clinical diagnosis of skeletal and dental class II due to mandibular retrusion were either allocated to a treatment (23 patients;15 boys, 8 girls; mean age ± SD: 10.9 ± 1.3 years) or to an untreated control group (23 patients;11 boys, 12 girls; mean age ± SD: 10.5 ± 1.2 years), by using a balanced block randomization.

Methods

Lateral cephalograms were taken before and after treatment and used for comparisons. Measurements were analyzed by descriptive statistics, univariate and multivariate statistical tests.

Results

Treated individuals had a significant increase in mandibular length (6.4 ± 2.3 vs. 3.5 ± 2.5 mm; p < 0.001), overjet reduction (−5.0 ± 2.9 vs. 0.3 ± 1.2 mm; p < 0.001) and molar relationship improvement (−5.3 ± 2.4 vs. 0.1 ± 1.1 mm; p < 0.001) compared to controls. The use of the appliance did not significantly affect jaw divergence. Proclination of lower incisors was slightly greater (3.0°, p = 0.023) in treated patients than in controls. The increase in mandibular length was not significantly influenced by cervical stage (p = 0.40).

Conclusion

The BJA can effectively correct class II malocclusions by a combination of dentoalveolar and skeletal effects. The long‐term stability of the correction needs to be evaluated.
Functional analyses of TaHMA2, a P1B‐type ATPase in wheat
Authors: Tan Jinjuan , Wang Jianwu , Chai Tuanyao , Zhang Yuxiu , Feng Shanshan , Li Yan , Zhao Huijun , Liu Huimin , Chai Xingping
Published: January 2013

Currently, there are few studies concerning the function of heavy metal ATPase 2 (HMA2), particularly in monocotyledons, and the potential application of this protein in biofortification and phytoremediation. Thus, we isolated and characterized the TaHMA2 gene from wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Our results indicate that TaHMA2 is localized to the plasma membrane and stably expressed, except in the nodes, which showed relatively high expression. Zinc/cadmium (Zn/Cd) resistance was observed in TaHMA2‐transformed yeast. The over‐expression of TaHMA2 increased the elongation and decreased the seed‐setting rate in rice (Oryza sativa L.), but not Arabidopsis thaliana, tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) or wheat. TaHMA2 over‐expression also improved root‐shoot Zn/Cd translocation, especially in rice. The seeds of transgenic rice and wheat, not tobacco, showed decreased Zn concentrations. The Zn concentration was decreased in all parts of the transgenic rice seeds, but was decreased only in the ventral endosperm of wheat, which showed an increased Zn concentration in the embryo and aleurone. The over‐expression of TaHMA2 improved plant tolerance under moderate Zn stress and Zn deficiency, but Zn and Cd resistance decreased under high levels of Zn and Cd stress, respectively. The Cd concentration in transgenic rice seedlings was dramatically increased under Zn deficiency. Thus, over‐expression of TaHMA2 showed a more obvious phenotype in monocotyledons than in dicotyledons. These findings provide important information for TaHMA2, and more efforts should be made in the future to characterize the reduced Zn concentration in TaHMA2 transgenic grains and the diversity of TaHMA2 substrate specificity.
PHA Bioplastics, Biochemicals, and Energy from Crops
Authors: Somleva Maria N. , Peoples Oliver P. , Snell Kristi D.
Published: January 2013

Large scale production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) in plants can provide a sustainable supply of bioplastics, biochemicals, and energy from sunlight and atmospheric CO2. PHAs are a class of polymers with various chain lengths that are naturally produced by some microorganisms as storage materials. The properties of these polyesters make them functionally equivalent to many of the petroleum‐based plastics that are currently in the market place. However, unlike most petroleum‐derived plastics, PHAs can be produced from renewable feedstocks and easily degrade in most biologically active environments. This review highlights research efforts over the last 20 years to engineer the production of PHAs in plants with a focus on polyhydroxybutryrate (PHB) production in bioenergy crops with C4 photosynthesis. PHB has the potential to be a high volume commercial product with uses not only in the plastics and materials markets, but also in renewable chemicals and feed. The major challenges of improving product yield and plant fitness in high biomass yielding C4 crops are discussed in detail.
Tight junction‐related human diseases
Authors: Sawada Norimasa
Published: January 2013

Tight junctions are intercellular junctions adjacent to the apical ends of paracellular spaces. They have two classical functions, the barrier function and the fence function. The former regulates the passage of ions, water and various molecules through paracellular spaces, and is thus related to edema, jaundice, diarrhea and blood‐borne metastasis. The latter function maintains cell polarity by forming a fence to prevent intermixing of molecules in the apical membrane with those in the lateral membrane. This function is deeply involved in cancer cell properties in terms of loss of cell polarity. Recently, two novel aspects of tight junctions have been reported. One is their involvement in signal transduction. The other is that fact that tight junctions are considered to be a crucial component of innate immunity. In addition, since some proteins comprising tight junctions work as receptors for viruses and extracellular stimuli, pathogenic bacteria and viruses target and affect the tight junction functions, leading to diseases. In this review, the relationship between tight junctions and human diseases will be described.
Control of Microdochium majus in winter wheat with botanicals – from laboratory to the field
Authors: Vogelgsang S. , Bänziger I. , Krebs H. , Legro R. J. , Sanchez‐Sava V. , Forrer H.‐R.
Published: January 2013

The fungal pathogen Microdochium majus, causing snow mould, seedling blight and foot rot, results in severe yield losses in small grain cereals. There are few options to control this pathogen in organic production. In this study, aqueous extracts or botanical powders prepared from chamomile, meadowsweet, thyme and Chinese galls were tested in vitro against M. majus conidia germination and mycelial growth, respectively. Subsequently, three botanicals were chosen, applied as powders with different seed coating adhesives, and tested for their effect on the incidence of M. majus from naturally infected wheat seed lots and on seedling emergence from soil under controlled environmental conditions. Furthermore, seed treatments with warm water, a bacterial product or one chosen botanical were tested in a growth chamber and in a field experiment over three consecutive years. Of the botanicals tested, Chinese galls showed the highest efficacy in controlling M. majus, reducing conidia germination and mycelial growth by up to 97 and 100%, respectively, and reducing the incidence from infested seeds by up to 59%. In two growth chamber experiments, total seedling emergence increased by up to 30 and 59% compared with the control treatments following an application with Chinese galls. Under field conditions, yield increase through Chinese galls, the bacterial product and the warm water treatment was 19, 10 and 37% compared with the untreated control, respectively. This study demonstrates the potential of Chinese galls to control M. majus in wheat. Options for improved formulations or combinations of heat‐based treatments with Chinese galls are discussed.
Characterization of Dickeya strains isolated from potato grown under hot‐climate conditions
Authors: Tsror (Lahkim) L. , Ben‐Daniel B. , Chalupowicz L. , van der Wolf J. , Lebiush S. , Erlich O. , Dror O. , Barel V. , Nijhuis E. , Manulis‐Sasson S.
Published: January 2013

Dickeya strains isolated in Israel in 2006–2010 were characterized by dnaX sequence analysis, pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), biochemical assays and pectolytic activity, and found to be homogeneous: most of them could be classified as ‘Dickeya solani’. Of the 34 strains isolated from imported seed tubers or potato plants grown from imported seed, 32 were typed as ‘D. solani’ and only two were characterized as Dickeya dianthicola. Biovar typing indicated that all ‘D. solani’ strains were biovar 3. ‘Dickeya solani’ strains were most closely related to Dickeya dadantii subsp. dieffenbachiae according to PFGE and dnaX analyses and both species exhibited high pectolytic activity. Expression levels of two putative virulence genes, pelL (encoding a pectic enzyme) and dspE (encoding a type III effector) were significantly induced in ‘D. solani’ strains isolated from potato plants or tubers grown in hot climates such as the Negev region in Israel, compared to those isolated from seed tubers imported from the Netherlands, France or Germany. Results of this study support the hypothesis that ‘D. solani’ strains isolated in Israel are also clonal; however, they appear to be more virulent than strains isolated in Europe.
Efficacy of cevimeline vs. pilocarpine in the secretion of saliva: a pilot study
Authors: Brimhall Jae , Jhaveri Malhar A. , Yepes Juan F.
Published: January 2013

Objectives

To determine the efficacy and compare the side‐effects of cevimeline and pilocarpine in the secretion of saliva in patients with xerostomia.

Methods

A randomized, cross‐over, double blind study was designed. Fifteen patients with diagnosis of xerostomia were assigned to take either 5 mg of pilocarpine or 30 mg of cevimeline three times a day for four weeks. Salivary flow rates were measured during the initial baseline, first and second month appointments. Statistical analysis was carried out with ANOVA and post hoc t‐tests.

Results

Twelve patients completed both medication treatments. Although both medications proved to increase salivary secretion, there was no significant difference between pilocarpine and cevimeline. Also, the perceived side‐effects between the two medications were similar.

Conclusion

Both medications increased the secretion of saliva at the end of four weeks. However, there was a slightly higher increment in saliva with pilocarpine. However, the difference was not statistically significant.
Psychometric evaluation and normative data for a Swedish version of the Patient Health Questionnaire 15‐Item Somatic Symptom Severity Scale
Authors: NORDIN STEVEN , PALMQUIST EVA , NORDIN MARIA
Published: January 2013

The lack of an available Swedish version of the Patient Health Questionnaire 15‐Item Somatic Symptom Severity Scale (PHQ‐15) motivated the present psychometric evaluation of such a version as well as providing normative data for the PHQ‐15. Data from 3,406 individuals who took part in the Västerbotten Environmental Health Study in Sweden were used. The respondents constitute a random sample, aged 18 to 79 years, stratified for age and sex. They responded to a Swedish translation of the PHQ‐15 as well as the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Shirom Melamed Burnout Questionnaire for assessment of convergent validity. The distribution of PHQ‐15 scores was positively skewed and mesokurtic in shape, and the internal consistency of the PHQ‐15 was satisfactory. Correlation coefficients between PHQ‐15 score and the measures of anxiety, depression, stress and mental/physical exhaustion indicate satisfactory validity. Normative data for PHQ‐15 scores as well as for categories of somatic symptom severity are provided. The favorable psychometric properties of the Swedish version of the PHQ‐15 suggest use of this instrument for quantification of somatization in Swedish and similar populations, and has the advantage of available normative data.
Fifteen years of the tropEd Masters in International Health programme: what has it delivered? Results of an alumni survey of masters students in international health
Authors: Gerstel L. , Zwanikken P. A. C. , Hoffman A. , Diederichs C. , Borchert M. , Peterhans B.
Published: January 2013

Objectives

In 2010–2011, recent graduates (2008 or earlier) of the Masters in International Health (MIH) (as offered by over 30 universities and institutions collaborating in the tropEd network) were surveyed. We aimed to examine whether the competencies gained proved appropriate for alumni's current positions and to develop the programme according to alumni's needs.

Methods

An online questionnaire was sent to 327 alumni. One hundred and seventy‐seven responded and 99 met the inclusion criteria. We calculated frequency distributions of the answers and performed a bivariate analysis of certain variables.

Results

Alumni feel confident in all areas covered by the MIH. Most competencies acquired are perceived as essential or very relevant to their current position. Many respondents (77%) changed jobs after graduation, mostly from curative care to public health. More African and Asian alumni work in their country of origin (66% and 63%, respectively) than alumni from other continents (42%). The respondents had mostly worked at a national or provincial level, but after graduating mostly worked at international or national level. Alumni said that the network's mobility and flexibility had important advantages and disadvantages.

Conclusions

This is the first alumni survey of the MIH programme offered through the international network tropEd. The results suggest that competencies gained by graduates are relevant for their current careers. We recommend offering better guidance to students planning modules and to improve administration.
Strengthening pharmacy practice in vietnam: findings of a training intervention study
Authors: Minh Pham Duc , Huong Dinh Thi Mai , Byrkit Ramona , Murray Marjorie
Published: January 2013

Objective

To assess the effectiveness of a training and supportive supervision intervention in strengthening the capacity of pharmacy staff in Vietnam to deliver client‐oriented, accurate healthcare information and appropriate services for childhood diarrhoea and emergency contraceptive pills (ECP).

Methods

Pre‐ and post‐intervention study using a cross‐sectional design. Pharmacy staff participated in 3 days of training on customer relations, good pharmacy practice, childhood diarrhoea and ECP over a period of 1 month, consisting of lectures, discussion, question‐and‐answer sessions and role‐playing. We compared baseline and 6‐month post‐intervention surveys to ascertain changes in knowledge, attitudes and practice of pharmacists, using univariate statistics to find significant differences.

Results

More than 1200 pharmacists received training and supportive supervision. After interventions, pharmacy staff knowledge was significantly improved on most of the measured indicators. Knowledge of dehydration symptoms for diarrhoea increased from 19% to 88%, and for side effects of ECP increased from 27% to 77%. While assessment of actual practice revealed that this knowledge was not always used, significant improvement was observed. Before interventions, 12% gave information on dehydration symptoms but 45% did so afterwards. The proportion giving information on side effects of ECP increased from 13% to 54%.

Conclusions

Providing a programme of training and supportive supervision is an effective way to improve knowledge and practice of pharmacists at private pharmacies in Vietnam. These improvements have the potential to lead to better community health care.
Intact microtubules are required for the intercellular movement of the SHORT‐ROOT transcription factor
Authors: Wu Shuang , Gallagher Kimberly L.
Published: January 2013

In both plants and animals, cell‐to‐cell signaling controls key aspects of development. In plants, cells communicate through direct transfer of transcription factors between cells. It is thought that most, if not all, mobile transcription factors move via plasmodesmata, membrane‐lined channels that connect nearly all cells in the plant. However, the mechanisms by which these proteins access the plasmodesmata are not known. Using four independent assays, we examined the movement of the SHORT‐ROOT (SHR) transcription factor under conditions that affect microtubule stability, organization or dynamics. We found that intact microtubules are required for cell‐to‐cell trafficking of SHR. Either chemical or genetic disruption of microtubules results in a significant reduction in SHR transport. Interestingly, inhibition of microtubules also results in mis‐localization of the SHR‐INTERACTING EMBRYONIC LETHAL (SIEL) protein, which has been shown to bind directly to SHR and is required for SHR movement. These results show that microtubules facilitate cell‐to‐cell transport of an endogenous plant protein.
The value of molecular expression of KIT and KIT ligand analysed using real‐time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry as a prognostic indicator for canine cutaneous mast cell tumours
Authors: Costa Casagrande T. A. , de Oliveira Barros L. M. , Fukumasu H. , Cogliati B. , Chaible L. M. , Dagli M. L. Z. , Matera J. M.
Published: January 2013

This study investigated the correlation between KIT gene expression determined by immunohistochemistry and real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and the rate of tumour recurrence and tumour‐related deaths in dogs affected with mast cell tumour (MCT). Kaplan–Meier curves were constructed to compare tumour recurrence and tumour‐related death between patients. The log‐rank test was used to check for significant differences between curves. KIT‐I, KIT‐II and KIT‐III staining patterns were observed in 9 (11.11%), 50 (61.73%) and 22 (27.16%) tumours, respectively. Tumour recurrence rates and tumour‐related deaths were not associated with KIT staining patterns (P = 0278, P > 0.05), KIT (P = 0.289, P > 0.05) or KIT ligand (P = 0.106, P > 0.05) gene expression. Despite the lack of association between KIT staining pattern and patient survival time, the results suggest a correlation between aberrant KIT localization and increased proliferative activity of MCTs. RT‐PCR seems to be a sensible method for quantitative detection of KIT gene expression in canine MCT, although expressions levels are not correlated with prognosis.
Metastatic cancer of unknown primary in 21 dogs
Authors: Rossi F. , Aresu L. , Vignoli M. , Buracco P. , Bettini G. , Ferro S. , Gattino F. , Ghiani F. , Costantino R. , Ressel L. , Bellei E. , Marconato L.
Published: January 2013

The aim of this retrospective study was to describe clinical features, treatment and outcome of 21 dogs with metastatic cancer of unknown primary (MCUP), a biopsy‐proven malignancy being diagnosed at a metastatic stage, in which the anatomical origin of the primary tumour cannot be detected. All dogs underwent total‐body computed tomography. Signalment, type and duration of clinical signs, metastasis site, pathology results, treatment and outcome were recorded. Carcinoma was the most common diagnosis (57.1%), followed by sarcoma, melanoma and mast cell tumour. The median number of disease sites per dog was 2, with bones, lymph nodes, lungs and spleen being the most frequent metastatic locations. The median survival for all dogs was 30 days. Overall, a primary site was not identified in 20 (95.2%) dogs. MCUP encompasses a variety of different pathologic entities and harbours a poor prognosis.
Proving the Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer conjecture for specific elliptic curves of analytic rank zero and one
Authors: Miller Robert L.
Published: January 2013

We describe an algorithm to prove the Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer conjectural formula for any given elliptic curve defined over the rational numbers of analytic rank zero or one. With computer assistance we rigorously prove the formula for 16714 of the 16725 such curves of conductor less than 5000.
Minimax fractional programming problem involving nonsmooth generalized ?-univex functions
Authors: JAYSWAL Anurag , KUMAR Rajnish , KUMAR Dilip
Published: January 2013

In this paper, we introduce a new class of generalized ?-univex functions where the involved functions are locally Lipschitz. We extend the concept of ?-type I invex [S. K. Mishra, J. S. Rautela, On nondifferentiable minimax fractional programming under generalized ?-type I invexity, J. Appl. Math. Comput. 31 (2009) 317-334] to ?-univexity and an example is provided to show that there exist functions that are ?-univex but not ?-type I invex. Furthermore, Karush-Kuhn-Tucker-type sufficient optimality conditions and duality results for three different types of dual models are obtained for nondifferentiable minimax fractional programming problem involving generalized ?-univex functions. The results in this paper extend some known results in the literature.
Mixed type second-order symmetric duality under F-convexity
Authors: GULATI Tilak Raj , VERMA Khushboo
Published: January 2013

We introduce a pair of second order mixed symmetric dual problems. Weak, strong and converse duality theorems for this pair are established under $F-$convexity assumptions.
Genetic algorithm for optimization in adaptive bus signal priority control
Authors: TU Tran Vu , SANO Kazushi
Published: January 2013

This paper firstly proposes an improved genetic algorithm (GA) for optimization in adaptive bus signal priority control at signalized intersections. Unlike conventional genetic algorithms with slow convergence speed, this algorithm can increase the convergence speed by utilizing the compensation rule between consecutive signal cycles to narrow new possible generated population spaces. Secondly, the paper would like to present a way to apply the algorithm to a simple adaptive bus signal priority control as well as compare how much the computation time is saved when applying the improved algorithm. Then the research thirdly investigates the efficiency of the proposed algorithm under various flow rate situations. The results show that the improved genetic algorithm can reduce the computation time considerably, by up to 48.39% for the studied case.  With high saturation degrees on the cross street, the convergence rate performance of the improved genetic algorithm is significantly good. The figure can be up to 36.2% when compared with the convergence rate of the conventional GA.
The impact of freedom on fertility decline
Authors: Campbell Martha M , Prata Ndola , Potts Malcolm
Published: January 2013

Although fertility decline often correlates with improvements in socioeconomic conditions, many demographers have found flaws in demographic transition theories that depend on changes in distal factors such as increased wealth or education. Human beings worldwide engage in sexual intercourse much more frequently than is needed to conceive the number of children they want, and for women who do not have access to the information and means they need to separate sex from childbearing, the default position is a large family. In many societies, male patriarchal drives to control female reproduction give rise to unnecessary medical rules constraining family planning (including safe abortion) or justifying child marriage. Widespread misinformation about contraception makes women afraid to adopt modern family planning. The barriers to family planning can be so deeply infused that for many women the idea of managing their fertility is not considered an option. Conversely, there is evidence that once family planning is introduced into a society, then it is normal consumer behaviour for individuals to welcome a new technology they had not wanted until it became realistically available. We contend that in societies free from child marriage, wherever women have access to a range of contraceptive methods, along with correct information and backed up by safe abortion, family size will always fall. Education and wealth can make the adoption of family planning easier, but they are not prerequisites for fertility decline. By contrast, access to family planning itself can accelerate economic development and the spread of education.
Effect of metformin on substrate utilization after exercise training in adults with impaired glucose tolerance
Authors: Malin Steven K. , Braun Barry
Published: January 2013

Metformin attenuates the higher insulin sensitivity that occurs with exercise training. Sixteen people with prediabetes trained for 10 weeks while taking metformin (n = 8) or placebo (n = 8). Substrate utilization was assessed using glucose kinetics and indirect calorimetry. After training, exercise whole-body fat oxidation was higher and glycogen use lower (p < 0.05), with no differences between groups. Blood glucose use was unchanged. Training-induced enhancement of insulin sensitivity (clamp) correlated with higher peak oxygen uptake (r = 0.70; p < 0.05), but was independent of glucose kinetic and substrate metabolism.
An overview of mercury concentrations in freshwater fish species: a national fish mercury dataset for Canada
Authors: Depew David C. , Burgess Neil M. , Anderson M. Robin , Baker Randy , Bhavsar Satyendra P. , Bodaly R.A. (Drew) , Eckley Chris S. , Evans Marlene S. , Gantner Nikolaus , Graydon Jennifer A. , Jacobs Kevin , LeBlanc Jason E. , St. Louis Vincent L. , Campbell Linda M.
Published: January 2013

Fish mercury (Hg) concentrations have been measured over the last 30–40 years in all regions of Canada as part of various monitoring and research programs. Despite this large amount of data, only regional assessments of fish Hg trends and patterns have previously been attempted. The objective of this study was to assemble available freshwater fish Hg concentration data from all provinces and territories and identify national patterns. The Canadian Fish Mercury Database includes over 330 000 records representing 104 species of freshwater fish collected from over 5000 locations across Canada between 1967 and 2010. Analysis of the 28 most frequently occurring species (>1000 records) showed that the majority of variation in Hg concentrations (when normalized to a standard size) was accounted for by geographic location. Median Hg concentrations increased with trophic level (r = 0.40, p < 0.05), with the highest Hg concentrations found in piscivorous species such as walleye (Sander vitreus), northern pike (Esox lucius), and lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush). The Canadian Fish Mercury Database provides the most comprehensive summary of fish Hg measurements in Canada, and the results indicate that several regionally observed trends in fish Hg concentrations (e.g., Hg biomagnification and geographic variation) are observed at a national scale. Implications for the effective assessment of changes in fish Hg concentrations in relation to changes in Hg emission regulations are discussed.
Long-term impact of fire on high-altitude balsam fir (Abies balsamea) forests in south-central Quebec deduced from soil charcoal
Authors: Couillard Pierre-Luc , Payette Serge , Grondin Pierre
Published: January 2013

Extensive balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) stands across the southern boreal forest are ecosystems likely more influenced by insect outbreaks and windthrows than by fire. To what degree the dominance of balsam fir stands reflects past and present disturbance dynamics associated with fire is not well documented. To answer this question, we focused on the reconstruction of the long-term fire history of high-altitude balsam fir forests of southern Quebec. The reconstruction was based on botanically identified and radiocarbon-dated soil charcoal particles in 19 sites covering successional stages from white birch (Betula payrifera Marsh.) to mixed white birch – balsam fir stands. Fire activity commenced early after deglaciation, about 9600 calibrated years before present when the first boreal tree species were established. Fire occurred recurrently during the following 5000 years with a forest landscape composed of the principal tree species common to the boreal forest, including jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.). Fire activity ceased more or less abruptly about 4500 years ago due to less fire-conducive, more humid conditions. Then, the forest landscape progressively changed towards a larger representation of white birch – balsam fir forests and the disappearance of jack pine. Whereas several balsam fir stands have not burned over the last 4500 years, scattered fires occurred in particular over the last 250 years when 1815 and 1878 fires, probably man-made, burned 50% of the forest, thus causing a major change in the composition of the forest landscape. It is concluded that the high-altitude forest landscape of southern Quebec changed profoundly over the Holocene in close association with a time-transgressive dry-to-wet climatic gradient.
Variation in adhesion and germ tube formation of oralCandidausing Egyptian propolis
Authors: Gomaa Ola M. , Gaweesh Abeer S.
Published: January 2013

Adhesion of Candida cells to surfaces is considered the first step in colonization. Some natural products, such as propolis, could be used to block cell adhesion and therefore preventing colonization. In this study, Egyptian propolis ethanol extract concentrations in the range of 25 to 125 ng/μL were used to inhibit the adhesion of oral Candida. The exopolysaccharides showed a 2.5-fold decrease, while the surface-bound exopolysaccharides showed only about 1.15-fold decrease. On the other hand, surface-bound proteins decreased by 7.5-fold upon the addition of 75 ng/μL propolis. The inhibition of adhesion was detected by scanning electron microscopy. The non-slip incubation assay showed a significant decrease in germ tube formation (GTF) compared with an increase upon the addition of fetal bovine serum and corn meal, both of which had a positive effect on GTF compared with a negative GTF effect when using propolis, suggesting that propolis could be considered a quorum-sensing molecule. The use of propolis would help in maintaining the cleanliness of dental fixtures and (or) treating recurrent candidiasis as a complementary and alternative treatment, especially in elders and immunocompromised patients.
The impact theory of spectral line shapes: a paradigm shift
Authors: May A.D. , Liu W.-K. , McCourt F.R.W. , Ciuryło R. , Sanchez-Fortún Stoker J. , Shapiro D. , Wehr R.
Published: January 2013

An overview of the binary collision impact theory of spectral line shapes has been given to provide a unified statistical mechanical approach to line-shape theory, laser theory, nonlinear optics, and transport phenomena in dilute gases. The computation of spectral line profiles corresponding to those obtained from ultra-high-resolution spectral line-shape measurements requires numerical ab initio calculation of scattering amplitudes directly from the underlying dynamics of collisions between radiatively active molecules and their perturbers. The Wigner distribution function–density matrix is utilized to describe the kinetic theory of spectral line shapes and to discuss the various collisional processes that contribute to the kernel of kinetic equations. The influence of features of the potential energy surface on spectral parameters is also discussed, and the importance of comparing experimental line profiles directly with numerically computed line shapes obtained from reliable interaction potentials is emphasized. This contrasts sharply with the universal practice of comparing experimental line widths and shifts using some average or approximate theoretical scattering cross-sections and it contrasts sharply with fitting experimental profiles to some convenient analytical line-shape model; hence the phrase “a paradigm shift” in the title of this work.
A NEW LINEAR MUSCLE FIBER MODEL FOR NEURAL CONTROL OF SACCADES
Authors: ENDERLE JOHN D. , SIERRA DANIEL A.
Published: January 2013

A comprehensive model for the control of horizontal saccades is presented using a new muscle fiber model for the lateral and medial rectus muscles. The importance of this model is that each muscle fiber has a separate neural input. This model is robust and accounts for the neural activity for both large and small saccades. The muscle fiber model consists of serial sequences of muscle fibers in parallel with other serial sequences of muscle fibers. Each muscle fiber is described by a parallel combination of a linear length tension element, viscous element and active state tension generator.
DECOMPOSITION AND PARTIAL TRACE OF POSITIVE MATRICES WITH HERMITIAN BLOCKS
Authors: BOURIN J.-C. , LEE EUN-YOUNG
Published: January 2013

Let H = [As, t] be a positive definite matrix written in β × β Hermitian blocks and let Δ = A1, 1 + ⋯ + Aβ, β be its partial trace. Assume that β = 2p for some p ∈ ℕ. Then, up to a direct sum operation, H is the average of β matrices isometrically congruent to Δ. A few corollaries are given, related to important inequalities in quantum information theory such as the Nielsen–Kempe separability criterion.
ELASTIC DEFORMATIONS IN COVALENT AMORPHOUS SOLIDS
Authors: ZACCONE ALESSIO
Published: January 2013

Structural disorder has a dramatic impact on the mechanical response and stability of solids. On the one hand, rigidity percolation shows that the limit of mechanical stability coincides with the emergence of floppy modes. On the other hand, the rigidity of solids is also lowered by nonaffine atomic displacements, i.e. additional motions caused by the disorder on top of the affine displacements dictated by the strain. These two frameworks have offered alternative descriptions of the elasticity of disordered solids with central-force bonds, but the relationship between rigidity percolation and nonaffinity has remained unclear. As such, a unifying theory of real materials, i.e. those with covalent (noncentral) bonds, such as amorphous semiconductors, has been elusive. After briefly reviewing these theories, we present a mean-field argument which attempts to provide the unifying link between rigidity percolation and non-affinity. This framework yields analytical predictions of the shear modulus of covalent amorphous solids with potential applications to amorphous semiconductors and disordered carbon electronic materials.