bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Framing scale in participatory biodiversity management may contribute to more sustainable solutions
Authors: Young Juliette C. , Jordan Andrew , Searle Kate R. , Butler Adam , Simmons Peter , Watt Allan D.
Published: February 2013

There is general acceptance that biodiversity management should be adapted to ecological scale but only recently has the precise role of scale in participatory biodiversity governance begun to be explored. We investigated stakeholder perceptions in three case studies of biodiversity management planning to understand the effect of framing a management response according to the ecological and social scale of the problem on (i) participatory processes and (ii) their social and ecological outcomes. Perceptions of success were highest in the case study where stakeholder involvement reflected the perceived ecological scale of the problem. Other factors contributing to successful outcomes were identified, including effective boundary spanning and mutual recognition of conservation conflicts. Failure to take the latter into account, and to align management responses with socioecological scale, may jeopardize long‐term sustainability of biodiversity.
Visual Voices: A Participatory Method for Engaging Adolescents in Research and Knowledge Transfer
Authors: Yonas Michael A. , Burke Jessica G. , Miller Elizabeth
Published: February 2013

Integrating the expertise and perspectives of adolescents in the process of generating and translating research knowledge into practice is often missed, yet is essential for designing and implementing programs to promote adolescent health. This paper describes the use of the arts‐based participatory Visual Voices method in translational research. Visual Voices involves systematic creative writing, drawing, and painting activities to yield culturally relevant information which is generated by and examined with adolescents. Qualitative data products include the created artistic products and transcripts from group discussions of the content developed and presented. Data are analyzed and compared across traditional (e.g., transcripts) and nontraditional (e.g., drawings and paintings) media. Findings are reviewed and interpreted with participants and shared publicly to stimulate community discussions and local policy and practice changes. Visual Voices is a novel method for involving adolescents in translational research though Integrated Knowledge Transfer (IKT), a process for bringing researchers and stakeholders together from the stage of idea generation to implementing evidence‐based initiatives. Clin Trans Sci 2013; Volume 6: 72–77
Translational Research Applications for the Study of Adolescent Sexual Decision Making
Authors: Farris Coreen , Akers Aletha Y. , Downs Julie S. , Forbes Erika E.
Published: February 2013

Although the initiation of sexual behaviors in adolescence is normative, adverse sexual health outcomes disproportionately affect adolescents relative to adults. Efforts to improve sexual health and increase health promotion behaviors in adolescent populations have not been fully successful. In this paper, we propose that translational research that integrates insights from neuroscience, ecological systems theory, and decision science with adolescent sexual behavior research can lead to advances in our understanding of the etiology and prevention of sexual risk behaviors among adolescents. Moreover, these insights can be further translated to the design and implementation of clinical interventions that improve sexual health. Clin Trans Sci 2013; Volume 6: 78–81
Basilar artery strokes in children: good outcomes with conservative medical treatment
Authors: Lagman‐Bartolome Ana Marissa , Pontigon Ann‐Marie , Moharir Mahendranath , Macgregor Daune L. , Askalan Rand , Yau Ivanna , Deveber Gabrielle
Published: February 2013

Aim

To describe outcomes and outcome predictors in childhood basilar artery stroke (BAS).

Method

We prospectively enrolled children with BAS with or without basilar artery occlusion (BAO) in the Toronto Children's Stroke Registry from 1992 to 2009. We assessed presenting features and outcomes including Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measure scores.

Results

Among 578 children with acute arterial ischemic stroke, 27 had BAS (4.6% including neonates, 6% excluding neonates). Twenty‐four (14 males, 10 females) children met study criteria (mean age at stroke was 8y 10mo; range 0–17y). Eleven children had BAO. Aspirin or anticoagulation was given to 15 children. None received tissue plasminogen activator or endovascular treatments. At mean follow‐up (3y 2mo, range 1mo–11y 8mo), 12 had a ‘good outcome’ (seven normal, five insignificant deficit) and 12 had ‘poor outcome’ (10 moderate or severe deficit, two acute deaths). Larger infarct size (≥50% of axial brainstem diameter) independently predicted poor outcome (p=0.02; odds ratio 21.2, 95% confidence interval 1.6–274.9) but not BAO, altered level of consciousness, or age.

Interpretation

Compared with adults, in childhood BAS death is rare and survivors frequently have good outcomes. Aggressive endovascular interventions may not be justifiable in this population.
Positron emission tomography with [18F]flutemetamol and [11C]PiB for in vivo detection of cerebral cortical amyloid in normal pressure hydrocephalus patients
Authors: Leinonen V. , Rinne J. O. , Virtanen K. A. , Eskola O. , Rummukainen J. , Huttunen J. , von und zu Fraunberg M. , Nerg O. , Koivisto A. M. , Rinne J. , Jääskeläinen J. E. , Buckley C. , Smith A. , Jones P. A. , Sherwin P. , Farrar G. , McLain R. , Kailajärvi M. , Heurling K. , Grachev I. D.
Published: February 2013

Background and purpose

This study determined the correlation between uptake of the amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agent [18F]flutemetamol and amyloid‐β measured by immunohistochemical and histochemical staining in a frontal cortical biopsy.

Methods

Fifteen patients with possible normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) and previous brain biopsy obtained during intracranial pressure monitoring underwent [18F]flutemetamol PET. Seven of these patients also underwent [11C] Pittsburgh compound B (PiB) PET. [18F]Flutemetamol and [11C]PiB uptake was quantified using standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) with the cerebellar cortex as a reference region. Tissue amyloid‐β was evaluated using the monoclonal antibody 4G8, Thioflavin‐S and Bielschowsky silver stain.

Results

[18F]Flutemetamol and [11C]PiB SUVRs correlated with biopsy specimen amyloid‐β levels contralateral (r = 0.86, P < 0.0001; r = 0.96, P = 0.0008) and ipsilateral (r = 0.82, P = 0.0002; r = 0.87, P = 0.01) to the biopsy site. Association between cortical composite [18F]flutemetamol SUVRs and [11C]PiB SUVRs was highly significant (r = 0.97, P = 0.0003).

Conclusions

[18F]Flutemetamol detects brain amyloid‐β in vivo with moderate to high sensitivity and high specificity. This agent, therefore, represents a valuable new tool to study and verify the presence of amyloid‐β pathology, both in patients with possible NPH and among the wider population.
Apomorphine for the treatment of refractory motor fluctuations in late stage Parkinson's disease: an old drug revisited
Authors: Perez‐Lloret S.
Published: February 2013

Click here to view the accompanying paper in this issue.
E‐FABP induces differentiation in normal human keratinocytes and modulates the differentiation process in psoriatic keratinocytes in vitro
Authors: Dallaglio Katiuscia , Marconi Alessandra , Truzzi Francesca , Lotti Roberta , Palazzo Elisabetta , Petrachi Tiziana , Saltari Annalisa , Coppini Maurizio , Pincelli Carlo
Published: February 2013

Epidermal fatty acid‐binding protein (E‐FABP) is a lipid carrier, originally discovered in human epidermis. We show that E‐FABP is almost exclusively expressed in postmitotic (PM) keratinocytes, corresponding to its localization in the highest suprabasal layers, while it is barely expressed in keratinocyte stem cells (KSC) and transit amplifying (TA) keratinocytes. Transfection of normal human keratinocytes with recombinant (r) E‐FABP induces overexpression of K10 and involucrin. On the other hand, E‐FABP inhibition by siRNA downregulates K10 and involucrin expression in normal keratinocytes through NF‐κB and JNK signalling pathways. E‐FABP is highly expressed in psoriatic epidermis, and it is mainly localized in stratum spinosum. Psoriatic PM keratinocytes overexpress E‐FABP as compared to the same population in normal epidermis. E‐FABP inhibition in psoriatic keratinocytes markedly reduces differentiation, while it upregulates psoriatic markers such as survivin and K16. However, under high‐calcium conditions, E‐FABP silencing downregulates K10 and involucrin, while survivin and K16 expression is completely abolished. These data strongly indicate that E‐FABP plays an important role in keratinocyte differentiation. Moreover, E‐FABP modulates differentiation in psoriatic keratinocytes.
Imbalance of intermediate filament component keratin 14 contributes to increased stress signalling in epidermolysis bullosa simplex
Authors: Wagner Martin , Trost Andrea , Hintner Helmut , Bauer Johann W. , Onder Kamil
Published: February 2013

An important characteristic of epidermolysis bullosa simplex Dowling–Meara (EBS‐DM) keratinocytes is the increased level of Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) stress signalling, which is thought to contribute to the disease phenotype. In this work, we report on the dramatic up‐regulation of cytokeratin 14 (K14) in the EBS‐DM model cell line KEB7 at both the transcriptional and translational levels, which is noteworthy because KEB7 patient cells are heterozygous for a missense mutation (R125P) in K14. By performing functional assays, we show a direct link between overexpressed wild‐type K14 and increased JNK signalling in healthy, immortalized keratinocytes. This observation led us to hypothesize a positive feedback model in which mutant (R125P) K14 triggers JNK signalling, leading to increased AP1‐dependent expression of K14, which in turn amplifies JNK signalling further. We therefore suggest that an imbalance of cytoplasmic K14 monomers and K14 incorporated into the intermediate filament (IF) network leads to elevated stress signalling, potentially altering IF dynamics by phosphorylation, which as a side effect, weakens EBS‐DM keratinocytes.
Neoproteoglycans in tissue engineering
Authors: Weyers Amanda , Linhardt Robert J.
Published: February 2013

Proteoglycans, comprised of a core protein to which glycosaminoglycan chains are covalently linked, are an important structural and functional family of macromolecules found in the extracellular matrix. Advances in our understanding of biological interactions have lead to a greater appreciation for the need to design tissue engineering scaffolds that incorporate mimetics of key extracellular matrix components. A variety of synthetic and semisynthetic molecules and polymers have been examined by tissue engineers that serve as structural, chemical and biological replacements for proteoglycans. These proteoglycan mimetics have been referred to as neoproteoglycans and serve as functional and therapeutic replacements for natural proteoglycans that are often unavailable for tissue engineering studies. Although neoproteoglycans have important limitations, such as limited signaling ability and biocompatibility, they have shown promise in replacing the natural activity of proteoglycans through cell and protein binding interactions. This review focuses on the recentin vivoandin vitrotissue engineering applications of three basic types of neoproteoglycan structures, protein–glycosaminoglycan conjugates, nano‐glycosaminoglycan composites and polymer–glycosaminoglycan complexes.
Detrimental effects of ocean acidification on the economically important Mediterranean red coral (Corallium rubrum)
Authors: Bramanti L. , Movilla J. , Guron M. , Calvo E. , Gori A. , Dominguez‐Carrió C. , Grinyó J. , Lopez‐Sanz A. , Martinez‐Quintana A. , Pelejero C. , Ziveri P. , Rossi S.
Published: February 2013

The mean predicted decrease of 0.3–0.4 pHunits in the global surface ocean by the end of the century has prompted urgent research to assess the potential effects of ocean acidification on the marine environment, with strong emphasis on calcifying organisms. Among them, the Mediterranean red coral (Corallium rubrum) is expected to be particularly susceptible to acidification effects, due to the elevated solubility of its Mg‐calcite skeleton. This, together with the large overexploitation of this species, depicts a bleak future for this organism over the next decades. In this study, we evaluated the effects of lowpHon the species from aquaria experiments. Several colonies ofC. rubrumwere long‐term maintained for 314 days in aquaria at two differentpHlevels (8.10 and 7.81,pHT). Calcification rate, spicule morphology, major biochemical constituents (protein, carbohydrates and lipids) and fatty acids composition were measured periodically. Exposure to lowerpHconditions caused a significant decrease in the skeletal growth rate in comparison with the control treatment. Similarly, the spicule morphology clearly differed between both treatments at the end of the experiment, with aberrant shapes being observed only under the acidified conditions. On the other hand, while total organic matter was significantly higher under lowpHconditions, no significant differences were detected between treatments regarding total carbohydrate, lipid, protein and fatty acid composition. However, the lower variability found among samples maintained in acidified conditions relative to controls, suggests a possible effect ofpHdecrease on the metabolism of the colonies. Our results show, for the first time, evidence of detrimental ocean acidification effects on this valuable and endangered coral species.
Traceable components of terrestrial carbon storage capacity in biogeochemical models
Authors: Xia Jianyang , Luo Yiqi , Wang Ying‐Ping , Hararuk Oleksandra
Published: February 2013

Biogeochemical models have been developed to account for more and more processes, making their complex structures difficult to be understood and evaluated. Here, we introduce a framework to decompose a complex land model into traceable components based on mutually independent properties of modeled biogeochemical processes. The framework traces modeled ecosystem carbon storage capacity (Xss) to (i) a product of net primary productivity (NPP) and ecosystem residence time (τE). The latter τE can be further traced to (ii) baseline carbon residence times (τ′E), which are usually preset in a model according to vegetation characteristics and soil types, (iii) environmental scalars (ξ), including temperature and water scalars, and (iv) environmental forcings. We applied the framework to the Australian Community Atmosphere Biosphere Land Exchange (CABLE) model to help understand differences in modeled carbon processes among biomes and as influenced by nitrogen processes. With the climate forcings of 1990, modeled evergreen broadleaf forest had the highest NPP among the nine biomes and moderate residence times, leading to a relatively high carbon storage capacity (31.5 kg cm−2). Deciduous needle leaf forest had the longest residence time (163.3 years) and low NPP, leading to moderate carbon storage (18.3 kg cm−2). The longest τE in deciduous needle leaf forest was ascribed to its longest τ′E (43.6 years) and small ξ (0.14 on litter/soil carbon decay rates). Incorporation of nitrogen processes into the CABLE model decreased Xss in all biomes via reduced NPP (e.g., −12.1% in shrub land) or decreased τE or both. The decreases in τE resulted from nitrogen‐induced changes in τ′E (e.g., −26.7% in C3 grassland) through carbon allocation among plant pools and transfers from plant to litter and soil pools. Our framework can be used to facilitate data model comparisons and model intercomparisons via tracking a few traceable components for all terrestrial carbon cycle models. Nevertheless, more research is needed to develop tools to decompose NPP and transient dynamics of the modeled carbon cycle into traceable components for structural analysis of land models.
Evaluating ecosystem processes in willow short rotation coppice bioenergy plantations
Authors: Rowe Rebecca L. , Goulson Dave , Doncaster C. Patrick , Clarke Donna J. , Taylor Gail , Hanley Mick E.
Published: February 2013

Despite a growing body of research linking bioenergy cultivation to changing patterns of biodiversity, there has been remarkably little interest in how bioenergy plantations affect key ecosystem processes underpinning important ecosystem services. In this study, we compare how the processes of predation by ground arthropods and litter decomposition varied between Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) willow bioenergy plantations and alternative land‐uses: arable and set‐aside (agricultural land taken out of production). We deployed litter bags to measure variation in decomposition, and a prey removal assay coupled with pitfall traps and direct searches to investigate variation in predation pressure. Decomposition rate was higher in willow SRC and set‐aside than in cereal crops. Willow SRC had the highest abundance and diversity of ground‐dwelling arthropod predators, but land‐use had no detectable influence on predation of fly pupae or the combined activity‐density of the two principal Coleoptera families (carabids and staphylinids). Overall, our study demonstrates that the conversion of arable land to SRC may have implications for the rate of some, but not all, ecosystem processes, and highlights the need for further research in this area.
Ferritin H is a novel marker of early erythroid precursors and macrophages
Authors: Wang Wei , Grier David D , Woo Jennifer , Ward Martha , Sui Guangchao , Torti Suzy V , Torti Frank M , Beaty Michael W
Published: February 2013

Aims

Macrophages play a critical role in iron homeostasis by recycling iron from red cells and storing it in ferritin, an iron storage protein. The recycled iron is delivered to erythroid precursors for erythropoiesis. In this study, we aimed to determine whether ferritin is highly expressed in macrophages and erythroid precursors, and whether it can be used as a marker for these two cell types.

Methods and results

A ferritin monoclonal antibody was developed, and immunohistochemistry was performed. In normal bone marrows, ferritin antibody stained early erythroid precursors and macrophages. In contrast, myeloid cells, lymphoid cells and megakaryocytes lacked ferritin expression. In leukaemic bone marrows, ferritin was selectively expressed in erythroid blasts (M6), whereas all other blasts were negative. In lymph nodes, ferritin was highly and specifically expressed in macrophages, whereas lymphocytes completely lacked ferritin expression. In non‐haematopoietic tissues, ferritin antibody highlighted alveolar macrophages in the lung, as well as sinus macrophages in the liver and spleen.

Conclusions

We conclude that ferritin is a novel and reliable marker for macrophages and early erythroid precursors, and may be of clinical utility in the diagnosis of diseases associated with these two cell types.
CD24 and CD44 in salivary gland pleomorphic adenoma and in human salivary gland morphogenesis: differential markers of glandular structure or stem cell indicators?
Authors: Ianez Renata C F , Coutinho‐Camillo Claudia M , Buim Marcilei E , Pinto Clóvis A L , Soares Fernando A , Lourenço Silvia V
Published: February 2013

Aims

Salivary gland neoplasms originate from salivary gland compartments, to which they are histologically related. Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is a benign salivary gland neoplasm that comprises epithelial and myoepithelial cells and a complex stroma, whose structure, architecture and origin (from intercalated ducts) suggest stem cell participation. We compared the expression of CD24 and CD44 in PA and in developing human salivary glands to investigate whether these markers can be considered as cancer stem cell markers.

Methods and results

One hundred and one cases of PA and salivary gland specimens from 20 human fetuses were examined by immunohistochemistry and real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). All PAs were positive for CD24 and CD44 by immunohistochemistry: neoplastic luminal structures were positive for CD24; modified myoepithelial cells were positive for CD44. In fetal salivary glands, these markers were restricted to the intercalated duct region. Real‐time RT‐PCR assays detected increased expression of CD44, but not CD24, in PA specimens in comparison with normal salivary gland controls.

Conclusions

PA and stem cells share the expression of CD24 and CD44; their value as markers of neoplastic cell multipotency and the implications of their expression for tumour behaviour are yet to be determined.
CD117 expression in operable oesophageal squamous cell carcinomas predicts worse clinical outcome
Authors: Fan Huijie , Yuan Yuan , Wang Junsheng , Zhou Fuyou , Zhang Mingzhi , Giercksky Karl‐Erik , Nesland Jahn M , Suo Zhenhe
Published: February 2013

Aims

To investigate the aberrant expression of CD117 in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and its prognostic significance.

Methods and results

Immunohistochemical staining for CD117 was performed on tissue microarray and routine tissue sections from 157 oesophageal SCC patients and 10 normal oesophageal epithelia adjacent to tumour. The positive rate of CD117 expression was 29.9% in oesophageal SCC tissues, whereas no CD117 expression was detected in the 10 normal oesophageal epithelia. CD117 expression was significantly associated with T stage (P < 0.001), distant metastasis (P = 0.015), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.019), and clinical stage (P = 0.021). Progression‐free survival in the patients with CD117‐positive tumours was shorter than that in the patients with CD117‐negative tumours (P = 0.010). In univariate analyses, CD117 expression was the most significant factor for overall survival of oesophageal SCC patients (P < 0.001), followed by lymph node metastasis (P = 0.001), T stage (P = 0.002), clinical stage (P = 0.006), distant metastasis (P = 0.020), and histological grade (P = 0.027). Multivariate analyses verified that CD117 expression was an independent prognostic marker for oesophageal SCC patients (P = 0.002). In addition, CD117 expression predicted poorer survival in patients without distant metastases.

Conclusions

CD117 expression in operable oesophageal SCC may be a valuable prognostic marker, and detection of its expression in clinical samples may be useful in defining a subclass of oesophageal SCCs with extremely poor clinical outcome, which may require a specially targeted treatment modality.
Eicosanoid modulation by the short‐chain fatty acid n‐butyrate in human monocytes
Authors: Kovarik Johannes J. , Hölzl Markus A. , Hofer Johannes , Waidhofer‐Söllner Petra , Sobanov Yury , Koeffel René , Saemann Marcus D. , Mechtcheriakova Diana , Zlabinger Gerhard J.
Published: February 2013

n‐Butyrate deriving from bacterial fermentation in the mammalian intestine is a key determinant in gastrointestinal homeostasis. We examined the effects of this short‐chain fatty acid and Toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR) and TLR4 engagement on inflammatory/immunity‐associated genes, cyclo‐oxygenases (COXs), prostaglandins (PGs) and leukotrienes (LTs) in human monocytes. Before RNA isolation, freshly isolated human monocytes were co‐incubated for different time‐points with 1 mm n‐butyrate alone or in combination with bacterial stimuli. Based on a knowledge‐driven approach, a signature of 180 immunity/inflammation‐associated genes was picked and real‐time PCR analysis was performed. Pathway analysis was carried out using a web‐based database analysing program. Based on these gene expression studies the findings were evaluated at the protein/mediator level by Western blot analysis, FACS and ELISA. Following co‐incubation with n‐butyrate and lipopolysaccharide, key enzymes of the eicosanoid pathway, like PTGS2 (COX‐2), TXS, ALOX5, LTA4H and LTC4S, were significantly up‐regulated compared with stimulation with lipopolysaccharide alone. Furthermore, release of the lipid mediators PGE2, 15d‐PGJ2, LTB4 and thromboxane B2 was increased by n‐butyrate. Regarding signalling, n‐butyrate had no additional effect on mitogen‐activated protein kinase and interfered differently with early and late phases of nuclear factor‐κB signalling. Our results suggest that among many other mediators of eicosanoid signalling n‐butyrate massively induces PGE2 production by increasing the expression of PTGS2 (COX‐2) in monocytes following TLR4 and TLR2 activation and induces secretion of LTB4 and thromboxane B2. This underscores the role of n‐butyrate as a crucial mediator of gut‐specific immunity.
Managing mycobacteriosis and associated biosecurity in the care and breeding of threatened freshwater fishes in public aquariums: an overview
Authors: Routh A.
Published: February 2013

Management of freshwater fishes in zoos and aquariums for conservation breeding is a key area where much can be achieved with limited facilities and a comparatively modest financial outlay. Some species now survive only in captivity following in situ threats such as habitat loss. Fortunately, short generation length and high fecundity mean that populations of freshwater fishes can be readily maintained in anticipation of ecosystem reinstatement and a reintroduction programme, where conditions are appropriate. However, diseases that occur in captive populations may constrain any species recovery programme. Conversely, any disease not previously found in the wild population should not be present in captive fishes when the animals are reintroduced to the wild. Mycobacteriosis has regularly been identified in episodes of morbidity and mortality in groups of Extinct in the Wild and other threatened freshwater fishes maintained for conservation breeding. It is, therefore, a common impediment to breeding and reintroduction programmes. For any programme to succeed, the issue of disease management needs to be addressed and solutions found to the challenges. An overview of the elements that must be considered when mycobacteriosis is detected in captive populations of threatened freshwater fishes and ways in which these can be managed in aquariums are discussed here.
PUBLIC ENCOUNTERS: THE HISTORY AND FUTURE OF FACE‐TO‐FACE CONTACT BETWEEN PUBLIC PROFESSIONALS AND CITIZENS
Authors: BARTELS KOEN P.R.
Published: February 2013

Public encounters, face‐to‐face contact between public professionals and citizens, was first identified as a key issue in public administration 80 years ago, but never developed into a subject area of its own. Although receiving attention in research on street‐level bureaucrats' contact with customers, clients, and citizens, the concept of public encounters is hardly used. However, it has great potential to overcome current limitations in understanding how public encounters can enhance the quality of services, decisions, and outcomes. This article traces the historical development of research on public encounters and sets a future agenda for developing it into a subject area of its own. The main argument is that, so far, the encounter, or ‘in‐between’, has not been captured as a distinct phenomenon. A framework is developed to examine this in‐between in terms of the everyday communicative practices and processes through which public professionals and citizens encounter each other.
PUBLIC SERVICE MOTIVATION, RELATIONAL JOB DESIGN, AND JOB SATISFACTION IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Authors: TAYLOR JEANNETTE
Published: February 2013

This study seeks to examine whether and how a group of Australian local government workers' perceptions of two relational job characteristics – impact on citizens and contact with citizens – influence the relationship between public service motivation (PSM) and job satisfaction. Government employees who have strong norms about performing public service were found to be more satisfied with their job partly based on the extent to which they perceived that their jobs provided avenues for worthwhile accomplishment through the frequency, magnitude, and scope of job impact. In contrast, the employees' perceptions of the frequency and breadth of contact with the recipients of their service did not significantly influencePSM, or the association betweenPSMand job satisfaction.
On the Development of Public–Private Partnerships in Transitional Economies: An Explanatory Framework
Authors: Yang Yongheng , Hou Yilin , Wang Youqiang
Published: February 2013

This article develops a generic framework to explain the environment for public–private partnership (PPP) development in transitional economies. The framework stands on a tripod that includes the market, the operating environment, and the government, each containing several factors that support aspects of PPPs. The authors apply the framework to analyze the results of a multicountry survey in an effort to identify key factors that facilitate PPP development in transition countries. The identified factors are market potential, institutional guarantee, government credibility, financial accessibility, government capacity, consolidated management, and corruption control. The framework and identified factors may serve as effective tools to diagnose and monitor PPP development in a broader array of countries. The framework is applied in analyzing data from four transitional economies and several advanced economies. The efficacy of the framework is further justified by its explanatory power of PPPs’ practicality and is largely confirmed by results from a sensitivity test.
Morphology and Molecular Phylogeny of Staurojoenina mulleri sp. nov. (Trichonymphida, Parabasalia) from the Hindgut of the Kalotermitid Neotermes jouteli
Authors: Gile Gillian H. , Carpenter Kevin J. , James Erick R. , Scheffrahn Rudolf H. , Keeling Patrick J.
Published: February 2013

Staurojoenina is a large and structurally complex genus of hypermastigont parabasalians found in the hindgut of lower termites. Although several species of Staurojoenina have been described worldwide, all Staurojoenina observed to date in different species of North American termites have been treated as the same species, S. assimilis. Here, we characterize Staurojoenina from the North American termite Neotermes jouteli using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and phylogenetic analysis of small subunit ribosomal RNA, and compare it with S. assimilis from its type host, Incisitermes minor. The basic morphological characteristics of the N. jouteli symbiont, including its abundant bacterial epibionts, are similar as far as they may be compared with existing data from S. assimilis, although not consistently identical. In contrast, we find that they are extremely distantly related at the molecular level, sharing a pairwise similarity of SSU rRNA genes comparable to that seen between different genera or even families of other parabasalians. Based on their evolutionary distance and habitat in different termite genera, we consider the N. jouteli Staurojoenina to be distinct from S. assimilis, and describe a new species, Staurojoenina mulleri, in honor of the pioneering parabasalian researcher, Miklos Muller.
Myelin management by the 18.5‐kDa and 21.5‐kDa classic myelin basic protein isoforms
Authors: Harauz George , Boggs Joan M.
Published: February 2013

The classic myelin basic protein (MBP) splice isoforms range in nominal molecular mass from 14 to 21.5 kDa, and arise from the gene in the oligodendrocyte lineage (Golli) in maturing oligodendrocytes. The 18.5‐kDa isoform that predominates in adult myelin adheres the cytosolic surfaces of oligodendrocyte membranes together, and forms a two‐dimensional molecular sieve restricting protein diffusion into compact myelin. However, this protein has additional roles including cytoskeletal assembly and membrane extension, binding to SH3‐domains, participation in Fyn‐mediated signaling pathways, sequestration of phosphoinositides, and maintenance of calcium homeostasis. Of the diverse post‐translational modifications of this isoform, phosphorylation is the most dynamic, and modulates 18.5‐kDa MBP's protein‐membrane and protein‐protein interactions, indicative of a rich repertoire of functions. In developing and mature myelin, phosphorylation can result in microdomain or even nuclear targeting of the protein, supporting the conclusion that 18.5‐kDa MBP has significant roles beyond membrane adhesion. The full‐length, early‐developmental 21.5‐kDa splice isoform is predominantly karyophilic due to a non‐traditional P‐Y nuclear localization signal, with effects such as promotion of oligodendrocyte proliferation. We discuss in vitro and recent in vivo evidence for multifunctionality of these classic basic proteins of myelin, and argue for a systematic evaluation of the temporal and spatial distributions of these protein isoforms, and their modified variants, during oligodendrocyte differentiation.
The Parkinson's disease‐associated GPR37 receptor‐mediated cytotoxicity is controlled by its intracellular cysteine‐rich domain
Authors: Gandía Jorge , Fernández‐Dueñas Víctor , Morató Xavier , Caltabiano Gianluigi , González‐Muñiz Rosario , Pardo Leonardo , Stagljar Igor , Ciruela Francisco
Published: February 2013

GPR37, also known as parkin‐associated endothelin‐like receptor (Pael‐R), is an orphan G protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR) that aggregates intracellularly in a juvenile form of Parkinson's disease. However, little is known about the structure or function of this receptor. Here, in order to better understand the functioning of this receptor, we focused on the GPR37 C‐terminal tail, in particular on a cystein‐enriched region. Thus, we aimed to reveal the role of these residues on receptor plasma membrane expression and function, and also whether the presence of this cysteine‐rich domain is linked to the previously described receptor‐mediated cytotoxicity. Interestingly, while the deletion of six cysteine residues within this region did not affect receptor internalization it promoted GPR37 plasma membrane expression and signaling. Furthermore, the removal of the C‐terminal cysteine‐rich domain protected against GPR37‐mediated apoptosis and cell death. Overall, we identified a GPR37 domain, namely the C‐terminal tail cysteine‐rich domain, which played a critical role in receptor cell surface expression, function and GPR37‐mediated cytotoxicity. These results might contribute to better comprehend the pathophysiology (i.e. in Parkinson's disease) of this rather unknown member of the GPCR family.
The contribution of nocturnal sleep to the consolidation of motor skill learning in healthy ageing and Parkinson's disease
Authors: Terpening Zoe , Naismith Sharon , Melehan Kerri , Gittins Catherine , Bolitho Sam , Lewis Simon J. G.
Published: February 2013

The benefits of sleep for the consolidation of procedural motor skills are less robust in older adults, although the precise reasons for this remain unclear. To date, even less is known about these processes in older adults with neurodegenerative diseases, particularly those which impact on motor functioning. While sleep disturbance and motor symptoms are frequent disabling features of Parkinson's disease, no known studies have directly probed sleep‐dependent memory consolidation for motor skill learning in Parkinson's disease. Forty patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (age = 63.7 years ± 7.7; disease duration 4.1 years ± 4.4) completed a motor skill learning task pre‐ and post‐sleep and were compared to 20 age‐ and sex‐matched controls recruited from the community. Polysomnography was undertaken during the post‐training night and measures of sleep architecture were derived. Parkinson's disease patients did not demonstrate any apparent deficits in within‐session learning and overnight stabilization compared to controls, with both groups failing to demonstrate offline improvements in performance (i.e. memory consolidation). In controls, longer duration in slow wave sleep was associated with improved next‐day session learning (P = 0.007). However, in Parkinson's disease, no relationships between sleep parameters and learning measures were found. Slow wave sleep microarchitecture and the use of dopaminergic medications may contribute to impaired sleep‐dependent multi‐session acquisition of motor skill learning in Parkinson's disease.
The effect of sleep‐specific brain activity versus reduced stimulus interference on declarative memory consolidation
Authors: Piosczyk Hannah , Holz Johannes , Feige Bernd , Spiegelhalder Kai , Weber Friederike , Landmann Nina , Kuhn Marion , Frase Lukas , Riemann Dieter , Voderholzer Ulrich , Nissen Christoph
Published: February 2013

Studies suggest that the consolidation of newly acquired memories and underlying long‐term synaptic plasticity might represent a major function of sleep. In a combined repeated‐measures and parallel‐group sleep laboratory study (active waking versus sleep, passive waking versus sleep), we provide evidence that brief periods of daytime sleep (42.1 ± 8.9 min of non‐rapid eye movement sleep) in healthy adolescents (16 years old, all female), compared with equal periods of waking, promote the consolidation of declarative memory (word‐pairs) in participants with high power in the electroencephalographic sleep spindle (sigma) frequency range. This observation supports the notion that sleep‐specific brain activity when reaching a critical dose, beyond a mere reduction of interference, promotes synaptic plasticity in a hippocampal‐neocortical network that underlies the consolidation of declarative memory.
Respiratory sinus arrhythmia during sleep in children with upper airway obstruction
Authors: Kabir Muammar M. , Kohler Mark , Pamula Yvonne , Martin James , Kennedy Declan , Abbott Derek , Baumert Mathias
Published: February 2013

Upper airway obstruction during adulthood is associated with cardiovascular morbidity; cardiovascular consequences of childhood upper airway obstruction are less well established. This study aimed at investigating the effect of childhood upper airway obstruction on respiratory sinus arrhythmia as a measure of cardiac vagal modulation during night‐time sleep. Overnight polysomnography was conducted in 40 healthy children (20 M; age: 7.5 ± 2.6 years; body mass index percentile: 60.7 ± 26.4%) and 40 children with upper airway obstruction (24 M; age: 7.5 ± 2.7 years; body mass index percentile: 65.8 ± 31.9%). We used the phase‐averaging technique to compute respiratory sinus arrhythmia amplitude and phase delay. To study sleep stage effects and the effect of upper airway obstruction, respiratory sinus arrhythmia was measured during all artefact‐free sleep episodes, and after exclusion of respiratory events. A significant increase in respiratory sinus arrhythmia amplitude and phase delay was observed during stage 4 sleep as compared with rapid eye movement sleep in both groups (amplitude: controls = 0.10 ± 0.03 versus 0.07 ± 0.02 s, P < 0.01, respectively, and upper airway obstruction = 0.07 ± 0.03 versus 0.05 ± 0.03 s, P < 0.05, respectively; phase delay: controls = 3.1 ± 0.1 versus 3.0 ± 0.1 rad, P < 0.05, respectively, and upper airway obstruction = 3.13 ± 0.04 versus 3.04 ± 0.08 rad, P < 0.01, respectively). A significant association between respiratory sinus arrhythmia and apnea/hypopnea index was observed during stage 2 sleep in children with upper airway obstruction. Compared with healthy controls, a significant decrease in respiratory sinus arrhythmia amplitude during stage 2 sleep was observed in children with upper airway obstruction (0.09 ± 0.03 versus 0.06 ± 0.03 s, P < 0.05). However, this difference was not apparent when respiratory events were excluded from analysis. Importantly, respiratory sinus arrhythmia showed a strong negative correlation with body mass index. In conclusion, night‐time respiratory sinus arrhythmia in children is sleep stage dependent and normal during quiet sleep in children with relatively mild upper airway obstruction.
Renin‐Angiotensin‐Aldosterone System and Hypothalamic‐Pituitary‐Adrenal Axis in Hospitalized Newborn Foals
Authors: Dembek K.A. , Onasch K. , Hurcombe S.D.A. , MacGillivray K.C. , Slovis N.M. , Barr B.S. , Reed S.M. , Toribio R.E.
Published: February 2013

Background

The renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system (RAAS) and hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis (HPAA) and their interactions during illness and hypoperfusion are important to maintain organ function. HPAA dysfunction and relative adrenal insufficiency (RAI) are common in septic foals. Information is lacking on the RAAS and mineralocorticoid response in the context of RAI in newborn sick foals.

Objectives/Hypothesis

To investigate the RAAS, as well as HPAA factors that interact with the RAAS, in hospitalized foals, and to determine their association with clinical findings. We hypothesized that critical illness in newborn foals results in RAAS activation, and that inappropriately low aldosterone concentrations are part of the RAI syndrome of critically ill foals.

Animals

A total of 167 foals ≤3 days of age: 133 hospitalized (74 septic, 59 sick nonseptic) and 34 healthy foals.

Methods

Prospective, multicenter, cross‐sectional study. Blood samples were collected on admission. Plasma renin activity (PRA) and angiotensin‐II (ANG‐II), aldosterone, ACTH, and cortisol concentrations were measured in all foals.

Results

ANG‐II, aldosterone, ACTH, and cortisol concentrations as well as ACTH/aldosterone and ACTH/cortisol ratios were higher in septic foals compared with healthy foals (P < .05). No difference in PRA between groups was found. High serum potassium and low serum chloride concentrations were associated with hyperaldosteronemia in septic foals.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

RAAS activation in critically ill foals is characterized by increased ANG‐II and aldosterone concentrations. Inappropriately low cortisol and aldosterone concentrations defined as high ACTH/cortisol and ACTH/aldosterone ratios in septic foals suggest that RAI is not restricted to the zona fasciculata in critically ill newborn foals.
Assessment of Serum Myokines and Markers of Inflammation Associated with Exercise in Endurance Racing Sled Dogs
Authors: Yazwinski M. , Milizio J.G. , Wakshlag J.J.
Published: February 2013

Background

The endurance sled dog is the ultimate endurance athlete in which to examine the exercise‐associated acute phase and myokine responses that might be related to changes in muscle metabolism and damage. An inciting cause for increased C‐reactive protein has yet to be elucidated, which might involve interleukin‐6 and other myokines.

Objectives

To examine concentrations of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), interleukin‐15 (IL‐15), interleukin‐8 (IL‐8), and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), and markers of the inflammatory response of exercise; monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1(MCP‐1) and C‐reactive protein (CRP) before, during, and after an endurance racing event.

Animals

26 sled dogs completing a 1650‐km race.

Methods

In a prospective study, cephalic venipuncture was performed before racing, at the midpoint, and after racing. Body weight and serum CRP, MCP‐1, IL‐15, IL‐8, IL‐6, and TNF‐α concentrations were evaluated using enzyme‐linked immunoabsorbance‐based assays or a luminex multiplex assay.

Results

There were no significant differences in concentrations of IL‐6, IL‐15, IL‐8, or TNF‐α at the 3 time points, whereas there were significant increases in MCP‐1 (median and range—start: 86 pg/mL [30–1845]; midpoint: 179 pg/mL [53–730]; finish: 180 pg/mL [21–1294]; P < .01) and CRP (median and range—start: 18 μg/mL [11–58]; midpoint: 76 μg/mL [12–198]; finish: 60 μg/mL [12–170]; P < .01) at the midpoint and race finish. There was a significant linear relationship between MCP‐1 and IL‐6 (R = 0.68; P < .01).

Conclusions and Clinical Significance

The inflammatory response to exercise increases as measured by MCP‐1 during and after endurance exercise in sled dogs. IL‐6 appears to be associated with MCP‐1; however, the reasons for increases in the acute phase response (CRP) cannot be attributed to IL‐6 or other myokines. IL‐6 and MCP‐1 concentrations might be useful in future investigations of exertional rhabdomyolysis.
Identification of flunixin glucuronide and depletion of flunixin and its marker residue in bovine milk
Authors: Jedziniak P. , Olejnik M. , Szprengier‐Juszkiewicz T. , Smulski S. , Kaczmarowski M. , Żmudzki J.
Published: February 2013

Residues of flunixin [and its marker residue 5‐hydroxyflunixin (5OHFLU)] were determined in milk from cows that intravenously received therapeutic doses of the drug. The samples were collected during each milking (every 12 h) for six consecutive days, and concentrations of flunixin and its metabolites were determined by the method with and without enzymatic hydrolysis (beta‐glucuronidase). The highest flunixin concentration in milk was observed 12 h after dosing (2.4 ± 1.42 μg/kg, mean ± SD). Flunixin concentrations in the samples determined with enzymatic hydrolysis were significantly higher (P < 0.05), which suggests the transfer of flunixin glucuronide to the milk. Additionally, unambiguous identification of flunixin glucuronide in the bovine milk was performed with linear ion‐trap mass spectrometry. The 5OHFLU concentrations analyzed without enzymatic hydrolysis (22.3 ± 16.04 μg/kg) were similar to this obtained with enzymatic hydrolysis. Flunixin and 5OHFLU concentrations dropped below the limits of detection at 48 h after last dosing.
CONVEX RISK MEASURES FOR GOOD DEAL BOUNDS
Authors: Arai Takuji , Fukasawa Masaaki
Published: February 2013

We study convex risk measures describing the upper and lower bounds of a good deal bound, which is a subinterval of a no‐arbitrage pricing bound. We call such a convex risk measure a good deal valuation and give a set of equivalent conditions for its existence in terms of market. A good deal valuation is characterized by several equivalent properties and in particular, we see that a convex risk measure is a good deal valuation only if it is given as a risk indifference price. An application to shortfall risk measure is given. In addition, we show that the no‐free‐lunch (NFL) condition is equivalent to the existence of a relevant convex risk measure, which is a good deal valuation. The relevance turns out to be a condition for a good deal valuation to be reasonable. Further, we investigate conditions under which any good deal valuation is relevant.
OPTIMAL TRADE EXECUTION AND PRICE MANIPULATION IN ORDER BOOKS WITH TIME‐VARYING LIQUIDITY
Authors: Fruth Antje , Schöneborn Torsten , Urusov Mikhail
Published: February 2013

In financial markets, liquidity is not constant over time but exhibits strong seasonal patterns. In this paper, we consider a limit order book model that allows for time‐dependent, deterministic depth and resilience of the book and determine optimal portfolio liquidation strategies. In a first model variant, we propose a trading‐dependent spread that increases when market orders are matched against the order book. In this model, no price manipulation occurs and the optimal strategy is of the wait region/buy region type often encountered in singular control problems. In a second model, we assume that there is no spread in the order book. Under this assumption, we find that price manipulation can occur, depending on the model parameters. Even in the absence of classical price manipulation, there may be transaction triggered price manipulation. In specific cases, we can state the optimal strategy in closed form.