bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Employment Discrimination
Authors: Colella Adrienne J. , McKay Patrick F. , Daniels Shanna R. , Signal Sloane M.
Published: February 2013

This chapter reviews the literature on employment discrimination. The review is organized around targets (e.g., sex, race, religion), causes (e.g., cognitive, in-group favoritism), forms (e.g., harassment, adverse impact), and results of discrimination (e.g., costs, stress). Primarily, literature from the field of industrial and organizational psychology is considered. However, research in other disciplines is also included. The paper concludes with suggestions for future research directions for this rich and diverse area of research: integration across disciplines, integration across levels of theory and analysis, and integration with practice.
Dynamic Performance
Authors: Sonnentag Sabine , Frese Michael
Published: February 2013

This chapter reviews research on dynamic job performance. It summarizes the empirical literature and presents conceptual and theoretical approaches of conceptualizing performance change and performance fluctuations over time. It addresses longer term performance changes, describes predictors (e.g., ability, personality) and outcomes of individual differences in these changes, and incorporates a life-span perspective. It discusses vicious and positive cycles in which performance and its outcomes reinforce one another. It presents a within-person approach that focuses on short-term performance variability within persons and describes action-related and self-regulation process models of dynamic performance. The chapter closes with a taxonomy of dynamic performance processes and a research agenda for the future.
Leadership
Authors: Day David V.
Published: February 2013

Issues related to leadership theory, research, and practices within the field of industrial/organizational (I/O) psychology are examined. Several special circumstances with regard to leadership are first considered, including the varied domains in which leadership is relevant, its multilevel nature, the multiple sources of origin for leadership, and the multiple outcomes in terms of leader emergence and effectiveness. Various leadership theories and frameworks are reviewed, organized around classical theories (evolutionary, trait, behavior, and contingency), bridging theories (charismatic/transformational, leader-member exchange, and leadership perceptions), and emerging approaches (team, shared, and capacity approaches). Future directions in terms of leadership theory, research, and practice are proposed, concluding with a summary of what I/O psychologists know about leadership and speculation as to what has yet to be learned.
First Report of Johnsongrass mosaic virus (JGMV) Infecting Pennisetum purpureum in Brazil
Authors: Silva K N. , Nicolini C. , Silva M. S. , Fernandes C. D. , Nagata T. , Resende R. O.
Published: February 2013

Tropical grass and legume species used as pasture grasses for cattle feeding cover over 25% of the agricultural area in Brazil. In recent years, plants showing virus-like symptoms have been observed in the main pasture grass growing areas. Plants of Pennisetum purpureum line CNPGL 00211 showing typical virus mosaic symptoms on leaves and growth reduction were collected in Bahia State, Brazil. Flexuous elongated potyvirus-like particles were observed in the leaf-dip preparation of diseased plants by electron microscopy. In addition, the virus was mechanically transmitted using a standard procedure for potyviruses (4) and produced similar symptoms in inoculated P. purpureum plants. For further molecular identification, total RNA was extracted from frozen symptomatic leaves following the guanidine thiocyanate method (3). cDNA synthesis was performed using oligonucleotide, OligodT50M10 and PCR was carried out using Potyvirus degenerate primers PY11 (5′-GGNAAYAAYAGYGGNCARCC-3′) (2) and M10 (5′-AAGCAGTGTTATCAACGCAGA-3′). The amplified fragments of the expected size (approximately 2 kb comprising part of the NIb protein gene, the entire coat protein [CP] gene, and the 3′ nontranslated region) were separated using agarose gel electrophoresis, excised, and cloned into plasmid vector pGEMT-Easy (Promega) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Four selected clones were sequenced (Macrogen, South Korea). The sequenced 2.0-kb fragment (GenBank Accession No. KC333416) was compared with sequences available in GenBank and the highest nucleotide identity of 79% was observed with Johnsongrass mosaic virus (JGMV) isolated in Australia (4). According to the Potyvirus species demarcation convention based on CP identity (1), the virus isolate from P. purpureum belongs to the JGMV species. However, the amino acid sequence of the N-terminus of the CP of the Bahia isolate is distinct from JGMV sequences reported in GenBank. The phylogenetic analysis of the CP confirmed the difference since this Bahia isolate was located in a clearly distinct branch separate from all JGMV isolates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a JGMV in Brazil infecting tropical grass in the main pasture areas.

References: (1) M. J. Adams et al. Arch. Virol. 150: 459, 2005. (2) J. Chen et al. Arch. Virol. 146:757. 2001. (3) P. Chomczynski and N. Sacchi. Nature Protocols 1:581, 2006. (4) H. K. Laidlaw et al. Arch. Virol. 149:1633, 2004.
Physiologic Specialization of Puccinia triticina on Wheat in the United States in 2011
Authors: Kolmer J. A. , Hughes M. E.
Published: February 2013

Collections of Puccinia triticina were obtained from rust-infected leaves provided by cooperators throughout the United States and from wheat fields and breeding plots by USDA-ARS personnel and cooperators in the Great Plains, Ohio River Valley, southeastern states, Oregon, and Washington State in order to determine the virulence of the wheat leaf rust population in 2011. Single uredinial isolates (440 total) were derived from the collections and tested for virulence phenotype on 18 lines of Thatcher wheat and a winter wheat line that are near-isogenic for 19 leaf rust resistance genes. In 2011, 87 virulence phenotypes were described in the United States. Virulence phenotypes TBBGJ, MLDSD, and TCRKG were the three most common phenotypes. Phenotype TBBGJ is virulent to Lr39/41 and was widely distributed throughout the hard red winter wheat region of the Great Plains. Phenotype MLDSD is virulent to Lr17 and Lr39/41 and was widely distributed throughout the United States. Phenotype TCRKG is virulent to Lr11, Lr18, and Lr26 and was found mostly in the soft red winter wheat region in the eastern United States. Isolates with virulence to Lr39/41 and avirulence to Lr9 were prevalent in the Great Plains region for the first time. Virulence to Lr21 was present in five virulence phenotypes mostly from the spring wheat region of the northern Great Plains.
CHOROIDAL LESIONS IN NEUROFIBROMATOSIS DETECTED BY MULTISPECTRAL IMAGING
Authors: Gallego-Pinazo Roberto , Sherman Jerome , Yannuzzi Lawrence A. , Freund K. Bailey
Published: February 2013

Background/Purpose:

To describe the detection of multiple choroidal lesions in a patient with Type 1 neurofibromatosis using multispectral imaging.

Methods:

A 25-year-old woman diagnosed with Type 1 neurofibromatosis was examined with the Annidis-RHA system (Annidis Corp.).

Results:

While conventional ophthalmoscopic imaging showed an unremarkable examination, multispectral imaging with red and infrared wavelengths evidenced numerous deep choroidal lesions.

Conclusion:

Multispectral imaging may detect the choroidal lesions of Type 1 neurofibromatosis that are not easily seen with clinical examination or with other imaging modalities.
Phosphorylation of HopQ1, a Type III Effector from Pseudomonas syringae, Creates a Binding Site for Host 14-3-3 Proteins
Authors: Giska Fabian , Lichocka Małgorzata , Piechocki Marcin , Dadlez Michał , Schmelzer Elmon , Hennig Jacek , Krzymowska Magdalena
Published: February 2013

HopQ1 (for Hrp outer protein Q), a type III effector secreted by Pseudomonas syringae pv phaseolicola, is widely conserved among diverse genera of plant bacteria. It promotes the development of halo blight in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). However, when this same effector is injected into Nicotiana benthamiana cells, it is recognized by the immune system and prevents infection. Although the ability to synthesize HopQ1 determines host specificity, the role it plays inside plant cells remains unexplored. Following transient expression in planta, HopQ1 was shown to copurify with host 14-3-3 proteins. The physical interaction between HopQ1 and 14-3-3a was confirmed in planta using the fluorescence resonance energy transfer-fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy technique. Moreover, mass spectrometric analyses detected specific phosphorylation of the canonical 14-3-3 binding site (RSXpSXP, where pS denotes phosphoserine) located in the amino-terminal region of HopQ1. Amino acid substitution within this motif abrogated the association and led to altered subcellular localization of HopQ1. In addition, the mutated HopQ1 protein showed reduced stability in planta. These data suggest that the association between host 14-3-3 proteins and HopQ1 is important for modulating the properties of this bacterial effector.
Nitrated Cyclic GMP Modulates Guard Cell Signaling inArabidopsis
Authors: Joudoi Takahiro , Shichiri Yudai , Kamizono Nobuto , Akaike Takaaki , Sawa Tomohiro , Yoshitake Jun , Yamada Naotaka , Iwai Sumio
Published: February 2013

Nitric oxide (NO) is a ubiquitous signaling molecule involved in diverse physiological processes, including plant senescence and stomatal closure. The NO and cyclic GMP (cGMP) cascade is the main NO signaling pathway in animals, but whether this pathway operates in plant cells, and the mechanisms of its action, remain unclear. Here, we assessed the possibility that the nitrated cGMP derivative 8-nitro-cGMP functions in guard cell signaling. Mass spectrometry and immunocytochemical analyses showed that abscisic acid and NO induced the synthesis of 8-nitro-cGMP in guard cells in the presence of reactive oxygen species. 8-Nitro-cGMP triggered stomatal closure, but 8-bromoguanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (8-bromo-cGMP), a membrane-permeating analog of cGMP, did not. However, in the dark, 8-bromo-cGMP induced stomatal opening but 8-nitro-cGMP did not. Thus, cGMP and its nitrated derivative play different roles in the signaling pathways that lead to stomatal opening and closure. Moreover, inhibitor and genetic studies showed that calcium, cyclic adenosine-5′-diphosphate-ribose, and SLOW ANION CHANNEL1 act downstream of 8-nitro-cGMP. This study therefore demonstrates that 8-nitro-cGMP acts as a guard cell signaling molecule and that a NO/8-nitro-cGMP signaling cascade operates in guard cells.
Using Common Random Numbers in Health Care Cost‐Effectiveness Simulation Modeling
Authors: Murphy Daniel R. , Klein Robert W. , Smolen Lee J. , Klein Timothy M. , Roberts Stephen D.
Published: February 2013

Objectives

To identify the problem of separating statistical noise from treatment effects in health outcomes modeling and analysis. To demonstrate the implementation of one technique, common random numbers (CRNs), and to illustrate the value of CRNs to assess costs and outcomes under uncertainty.

Methods

A microsimulation model was designed to evaluate osteoporosis treatment, estimating cost and utility measures for patient cohorts at high risk of osteoporosis‐related fractures. Incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were estimated using a full implementation of CRNs, a partial implementation of CRNs, and no CRNs. A modification to traditional probabilistic sensitivity analysis (PSA) was used to determine how variance reduction can impact a decision maker's view of treatment efficacy and costs.

Results

The full use of CRNs provided a 93.6 percent reduction in variance compared to simulations not using the technique. The use of partial CRNs provided a 5.6 percent reduction. The PSA results using full CRNs demonstrated a substantially tighter range of cost‐benefit outcomes for teriparatide usage than the cost‐benefits generated without the technique.

Conclusions

CRNs provide substantial variance reduction for cost‐effectiveness studies. By reducing variability not associated with the treatment being evaluated, CRNs provide a better understanding of treatment effects and risks.
Species Identification of Cannabis sativa Using Real‐Time Quantitative PCR (qPCR),
Authors: Johnson Christopher E. , Premasuthan Amritha , Satkoski Trask Jessica , Kanthaswamy Sree
Published: February 2013

Most narcotics‐related cases in the United States involve Cannabis sativa. Material is typically identified based on the cystolithic hairs on the leaves and with chemical tests to identify of the presence of cannabinoids. Suspect seeds are germinated into a viable plant so that morphological and chemical tests can be conducted. Seed germination, however, causes undue analytical delays. DNA analyses that involve the chloroplast and nuclear genomes have been developed for identification of C. sativa materials, but they require several nanograms of template DNA. Using the trnL 3′ exon‐trnF intragenic spacer regions within the C. sativa chloroplast, we have developed a real‐time quantitative PCR assay that is capable of identifying picogram amounts of chloroplast DNA for species determination of suspected C. sativa material. This assay provides forensic science laboratories with a quick and reliable method to identify an unknown sample as C. sativa.
The Accuracy of Auditors' and Layered Voice Analysis (LVA) Operators' Judgments of Truth and Deception During Police Questioning*
Authors: Horvath Frank , McCloughan Jamie , Weatherman Dan , Slowik Stanley
Published: February 2013

The purpose of this study was to determine if auditors could identify truthful and deceptive persons in a sample (n = 74) of audio recordings used to assess the effectiveness of layered voice analysis (LVA). TheLVAemploys an automated algorithm to detect deception, but it was not effective here. There were 31 truthful and 43 deceptive persons in the sample and twoLVAoperators averaged 48% correct decisions on truth‐tellers and 25% on deceivers. Subsequent to theLVAanalysis the recordings were audited by three interviewers, each independently rendering a decision of truthful or deceptive and indicating their confidence. Auditors' judgments averaged 68% correct decisions on truth‐tellers and 71% on deceivers. Auditors' detection rates, generally, exceeded chance and there was significantly (p < 0.05) greater confidence on correct than incorrect judgments of deceivers but not on truth‐tellers. These results suggest that the success reported forLVAanalysis may be due to operator's judgment.
Gross blood in stools of premature neonates, a clinical and microbiological follow‐up study
Authors: Luoto Raakel , Rodriguez‐Diaz Jesus , Collado Maria C , Salminen Seppo , Isolauri Erika , Lehtonen Liisa
Published: February 2013

Aim

To characterize the clinical course and the gut microecology of premature infants with macroscopic gross blood in stools.

Methods

We studied 14 premature infants receiving breast milk supplemented with probiotics, according to our units practice, with macroscopic blood in stools without signs of ileus or systemic infection upon occurrence of the symptom and 14 days later. Controls were matched prospectively by gestational and postnatal age and type of feeding. Gut microbiota composition was analysed by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and the presence of enteric viruses in the stools was assayed by PCR and by reverse transcription reaction followed by PCR (RT‐PCR).

Results

The symptom was transient, benign and self‐limiting and none of the background factors explained it. No enteric viruses were detected, and the bacterial analyses showed no statistically significant differences between the infants with or without gross blood in stools. The characterization of the gut microbiota revealed low bacterial diversity.

Conclusion

Gross blood in the stools of premature infants without other clinical signs of infection can be an innocuous and self‐limiting symptom. This cohort of preterm infants receiving breast milk supplemented with probiotics showed no alterations in gut microecology to be associated with the symptom.
Prevention of cholesterol gallstones by inhibiting hepatic biosynthesis and intestinal absorption of cholesterol
Authors: Wang Helen H. , Portincasa Piero , de Bari Ornella , Liu Kristina J. , Garruti Gabriella , Neuschwander‐Tetri Brent A. , Wang David Q.‐H.
Published: February 2013

Background

Cholesterol cholelithiasis is a multifactorial disease influenced by a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors and represents a failure of biliary cholesterol homoeostasis in which the physical–chemical balance of cholesterol solubility in bile is disturbed.

Design

The primary pathophysiologic event is persistent hepatic hypersecretion of biliary cholesterol, which has both hepatic and small intestinal components. The majority of the environmental factors are probably related to Western‐type dietary habits, including excess cholesterol consumption.

Results

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in the United States, is nowadays a major treatment for gallstones. However, it is invasive and can cause surgical complications, and not all patients with symptomatic gallstones are candidates for surgery. The hydrophilic bile acid, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), has been employed as first‐line pharmacological therapy in a subgroup of symptomatic patients with small, radiolucent cholesterol gallstones. Long‐term administration of UDCA can promote the dissolution of cholesterol gallstones. However, the optimal use of UDCA is not always achieved in clinical practice because of failure to titrate the dose adequately.

Conclusions

Therefore, the development of novel, effective and noninvasive therapies is crucial for reducing the costs of health care associated with gallstones. In this review, we summarize recent progress in investigating the inhibitory effects of ezetimibe and statins on intestinal absorption and hepatic biosynthesis of cholesterol, respectively, for the treatment of gallstones, as well as in elucidating their molecular mechanisms by which combination therapy could prevent this very common liver disease worldwide.
Correlation of seedling size and branch number with disease resistance of Pinus thunbergii seedlings to Bursaphelenchus xylophilus
Authors: Hakamata T. , Kato K. , Yamamoto S.
Published: February 2013

Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii) seedlings resistant to pine wood nematode (PWN; Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) are routinely selected in Japanese field inoculation trials. Correlations between morphological factors (such as height, stem diameter at ground level and number of branches on seedlings) and disease resistance were examined to improve the production efficiency of 1‐year‐old black pine seedlings for inoculation. Family relatedness and environmental conditions strongly affected seedling resistance; accordingly, logistic regression analysis was used to separate effects of these two variables. Height and stem diameter at ground level significantly correlated with disease resistance in seedlings inoculated with PWN. Because (a) interactions between stem diameter at ground level and environmental condition were significant and (b) height did not interact with any other factor, it was concluded that height of 1‐year‐old Japanese black pine seedlings independently correlated with PWN resistance. Thus, field inoculation tests should use tall seedlings to achieve enhanced survival rates.
The impact of predisposing factors on long‐term outcome after stroke in diabetic patients: the Fukuoka Stroke Registry
Authors: Kuwashiro T. , Sugimori H. , Ago T. , Kuroda J. , Kamouchi M. , Kitazono T.
Published: February 2013

Background and purpose

Although stroke patients with diabetes mellitus have a poor prognosis, the prognostic factors of patients with diabetes mellitus have not been adequately studied. The aim of this study was to determine the predisposing factors for outcome 1 year after stroke in diabetic patients.

Methods

Patients' characteristics, findings on admission and outcome 1 year after first ischaemic stroke were prospectively investigated in 452 consecutive patients with diabetes mellitus (305 males, 147 females; 69 ± 10 years old). A poor outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≥ 2, 1 year after stroke onset.

Results

There were 286 patients with a good outcome (mRS score ≤ 1) and 166 with a poor outcome (mRS score ≥ 2). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, age [odds ratio (OR) 1.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–1.10, P < 0.001, per 1‐year increase], National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score on admission (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.11–1.32, P < 0.001, per 1‐point increase), diabetic nephropathy (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.02–3.65, P = 0.044) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c; OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.07–1.51, P = 0.007, per 1% increase) were independently related to poor outcome (mRS score ≥ 2) 1 year after the onset of the first stroke in diabetic patients.

Conclusions

In stroke patients with diabetes mellitus, age, NIHSS score on admission, diabetic nephropathy and HbA1c were independently associated with a poor outcome 1 year after the first ischaemic stroke.
Diagenetic evolution of a fractured evaporite deposit (Vilobí Gypsum Unit, Miocene, NE Spain)
Authors: Moragas M. , Martínez C. , Baqués V. , Playà E. , Travé A. , Alías G. , Cantarero I.
Published: February 2013

The upper Burdigalian Vilobí Gypsum Unit, located in the Vallès Penedès half‐grabben (NE Spain), consists of a 60‐m thick succession of laminated‐to‐banded secondary and primary gypsum affected by Neogene extension in the western part of Mediterranean Sea. This Tertiary extensional event is recorded in the evaporitic unit as six fracture sets (faults and joints), which can be linked with basin‐scale deformation stages. All fractures are totally or partially infilled by four types of new gypsum precipitates showing a large variety of textures and microstructures. A structural and petrological study of the unit allows us to establish the following chronology of the fracture formation and infilling processes, from oldest to youngest: (i) S1 and S2 normal faults sets formation and precipitation of sigmoidal gypsum fibres; (ii) S3 joint set formation and growing of perpendicular fibres; (iii) S4 inverse fault development, infilled by oblique gypsum fibres and deformation of the previous fillings; and (iv) S5 and S6 joint formations and later dissolution processes, infilled by macrocrystalline gypsum cements. The fractures provided the pathway for fluid circulation in the Vilobí Unit. The oxygen, sulphur and strontium isotope compositions of the host rocks and the new precipitates in the fractures suggest clear convective recycling processes from the host‐sulphates to the fracture infillings, recorded by a general enrichment trend to heavier S–O isotopes, from the oldest precipitates (sigmoidal fibres) to the youngest (macrocrystalline cements) and to the preservation of the strontium signals in the infillings.
Effect of brown midrib gene and maturity at harvest on forage yield and nutritive quality of sudangrass
Authors: Beck Paul , Poe Kimberly , Stewart Brandon , Capps Patrick , Gray Hannah
Published: February 2013

Proper harvest timing of sudangrass [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench ssp. drummondii (Nees ex Steud.) de Wet & Harlan] for hay or silage is a compromise between optimized nutrient quality and yield. Brown‐midrib (BMR) sudangrass varieties have reduced lignification and cell wall concentration resulting in increased digestibility. Non‐BMR and BMR sudangrasses were no‐till seeded and harvested at either the boot or dough grain stages of maturity. When harvested at the boot stage of maturity, there was no difference (P = 0.93) in dry matter (DM) yield between the BMR and non‐BMR varieties; while harvesting at the dough grain stage of maturity the BMR variety produced more DM than the non‐BMR variety (P < 0.01). Dry matter and detergent fiber content increased (P < 0.01) and crude protein and calculated total digestible nutrients (TDN) content decreased (P < 0.01) with increasing maturity in both varieties. Regardless of maturity, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber were less (P < 0.01), and TDN content was greater (P < 0.01) for the BMR sudangrass compared with the non‐BMR variety. Presence of the BMR gene had no effect (P = 0.99) on in situ effective degradability when sudangrass was harvested in the boot stage, but effective degradability was greater (P < 0.01) in BMR sudangrass when harvested in the dough stage of maturity. Inclusion of BMR genetics did not affect performance or digestion kinetics when silage harvested in the boot stage of maturity was fed to growing steers. Brown midrib genetics provide significant advantages when forages are harvested at advanced stages of maturity, but advantages are not as pronounced when forage is less mature.
On Evaluating Characteristics of the Solute Transport in the Arid Vadose Zone
Authors: Yu Zhongbo , Dong Weiquan , Young Michael H. , Li Yiping , Yang Tao
Published: February 2013

The transport of bromide (Br) under matric heads of 0, −2, −5, and −10 cm using undisturbed soil columns was investigated for understanding the solute transport in arid soils. Undisturbed soil cores were collected at ground surface, directly below where tension infiltrometer measurements were made in the Amargosa Desert, Nevada, United States. Laboratory experiments were conducted by introducing water containing Br tracer into a soil column maintained at steady‐state conditions. The observed data of breakthrough curves (BTC) were well fitted to an one‐region model, except for the cores at saturation, and a core at the matric head of −5 cm, from which the observed data were better fitted to a two‐region model. Fitted pore water velocities with the one‐region model ranged from 1.2 to 56.6 cm/h, and fitted dispersion coefficients (D) ranged from 2.2 to 100 cm2/h. Results for the core analyzed with the two‐region model indicated that D ranged from 27.6 to 70.9 cm2/h at saturation, and 25.7 cm2/h at the matric head of −5 cm; fraction of mobile water (β) ranged from 0.18 to 0.65, and mass transfer coefficient (ω) ranged from 0.006 to 0.03. In summary, the water fluxes and Br dispersion coefficients at investigated matric heads were very high due to the coarseness of the soils and possibly due to preferential flow pathways. These high water fluxes and Br dispersion coefficients would lead to a higher risk of deeper leaching accumulating nitrate nitrogen to the groundwater, and have significant effects on the desert ecosystem.
Effectiveness of Standardized Combination Therapy for Migraine Treatment in the Pediatric Emergency Department
Authors: Leung Stephanie , Bulloch Blake , Young Christine , Yonker Marcy , Hostetler Mark
Published: February 2013

Objective

To compare outcomes of pediatric migraine patients treated in an emergency department (ED) before and after implementation of a standardized combination intravenous therapy regimen aimed toward improving and standardizing abortive migraine therapy.

Background

In a pediatric ED, migraines represent 8‐18% of all headache visits. Despite this large number, no standard treatment for acute migraine therapy currently exists.

Methods

The study utilized a retrospective chart review of patients seeking acute migraine treatment at a tertiary care, pediatric ED from August 2006 to March 2010. Inclusion criteria were pediatric migraine patients as defined by International Headache Society guidelines. The comparison population received various migraine therapies based on attending practice preference. After October 2008, patients received standardized intravenous combination therapy involving a normal saline fluid bolus, ketorolac, prochlorperazine, and diphenhydramine. Occasionally, metoclopramide was substituted during prochlorperazine shortages. Reduction in headache pain score was the primary outcome. Secondary outcome measures included length of ED stay, hospital admission rate, and ED readmission rate within 48 hours.

Results

The study yielded 87 patients who received standardized combination therapy and 165 comparison patients. No significant difference in patient characteristics existed when evaluating patient demographics, outpatient medication use, and initial headache pain score. When compared with the non‐standardized therapy population, the combination therapy patients revealed significant reductions in pain score (decrease of 5.3 vs 6.9, difference −1.6, 95% confidence interval −2.2 to −0.8, P < .001), length of ED stay (5.3 vs 4.4 hours, difference 0.9, 95% confidence interval 0.2‐1.6, P = .008), and hospital admission rate (32% vs 3%, P < .001) without changes in ED return rate (7% vs 2%, P = .148).

Conclusion

Standardized combination therapy is effective for acute pediatric migraine therapy in the ED by significantly reducing headache pain scores, length of ED stay, and hospital admission rates.
The first, second and third wave of pandemic influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 in North Denmark Region 2009–2011: a population‐based study of hospitalizations
Authors: Ørsted Iben , Mølvadgaard Mette , Nielsen Hans Linde , Nielsen Henrik
Published: February 2013

Background and objectives

Denmark experienced three waves of the new pandemic influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 from July 2009 to February 2011. The aim of the study was to describe the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of hospitalized patients in a defined population of North Denmark Region with a mixed urban and rural community of 579 000 inhabitants.

Methods

Review of medical records of all hospitalized patients with confirmed influenza A from July 2009 to February 2011.

Results

Two hundred and seventy‐three patients were admitted to hospital. The age‐related population incidences of hospitalization were as follows: 0–14 years: 111/100 000, 15–64 years: 39/100 000, and ≥65 years: 17/100 000. During the first wave (July 2009–August 2009), three patients were admitted – none received treatment in intensive care units (ICUs), during the second wave (October 2009–January 2010), 158 patients were admitted – nine received treatment in ICUs, and during the third wave (December 2010–February 2011), 112 patients were admitted – 25 received treatment in ICUs. Fourteen patients (5%) died within 30 days of diagnosis (median 55 years; range 14–76 years) and additional seven patients (2·6%) died within 365 days (median 25 years; range 1–86 years).

Conclusions

Patients hospitalized with pandemic influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 were predominantly children and younger adults, and only a few patients were >65 years. The third wave was the most severe taking the number and percentage of patients admitted to ICUs and 30‐day mortality into consideration. We observed that the incidence of hospitalizations as well as clinical severity among younger adults did not decline from the second to the third wave.
Multiple Dimensions of Academic Language and Literacy Development
Authors: Cumming Alister
Published: February 2013

Language, literacy, and culture intersect almost everywhere, of course. I analyze three phenomena where intersections occur between cognitive skills, personal attitudes, social practices, and macro‐societal structures in ways that are salient, puzzling, and also illuminating about the multiple dimensions of learning literacy in situations of cultural and linguistic diversity: (a) heuristic search strategies involving language switching for choices of words and phrases while composing, (b) expressions of personal identity when writing for specific discourse communities, and (c) reciprocal modeling during dynamic assessments of writing and reading. Examples are drawn from research in Toronto with multilingual students entering university programs and with “at‐risk” adolescents in a community‐based, after‐school tutoring program. The analyses set an agenda for future research and educational practices to help develop the multifaceted dimensions of developing academic literacy among culturally diverse learners.
Mushroom toxicosis in dogs in general practice causing gastroenteritis, ptyalism and elevated serum lipase activity
Authors: Hall J. , Barton L.
Published: February 2013

Mushroom toxicosis is rarely diagnosed in dogs and is poorly reported in the veterinary literature. This report suggests that mushroom toxicosis is a potentially under‐diagnosed condition in first opinion practice in the UK. Nine dogs with clinical signs consistent with mushroom toxicosis were identified from the records of an out‐of‐hours emergency service between August 2010 and January 2011. Four dogs were later excluded because of clinical inconsistencies. Clinical signs included acute profuse ptyalism (5/5), diarrhoea (5/5), vomiting (4/5), hypovolaemia (4/5), stuporous (3/5) or obtunded mentation (1/5), miosis (2/5) and hypothermia (2/5). Serum lipase activity was elevated in 4/4 dogs; canine‐specific pancreatic lipase was elevated in the remaining dog. Four dogs recovered with aggressive intravenous fluid therapy, analgesia and supportive care; the remaining dog was euthanased due to severe clinical signs and financial constraints.

Mushroom toxicosis is an important differential diagnosis for acute gastroenteritis and one possible cause of some cases of “Seasonal Canine Illness”. Affected dogs may demonstrate elevated pancreatic enzymes and mushroom toxicosis should be considered in cases of elevated lipase or abnormal semi‐quantitative canine‐specific pancreatic lipase activities.
A STAY‐GREEN protein SlSGR1 regulates lycopene and β‐carotene accumulation by interacting directly with SlPSY1 during ripening processes in tomato
Authors: Luo Zhidan , Zhang Junhong , Li Jinhua , Yang Changxian , Wang Taotao , Ouyang Bo , Li Hanxia , Giovannoni James , Ye Zhibiao
Published: February 2013

As a primary source of lycopene in the human diet, fleshy fruits synthesize this compound both de novo and via chlorophyll metabolism during ripening. SlSGR1 encodes a STAY‐GREEN protein that plays a critical role in the regulation of chlorophyll degradation in tomato leaves and fruits.

We report that SlSGR1 can regulate tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) lycopene accumulation through direct interaction with a key carotenoid synthetic enzyme SlPSY1, and can inhibit its activity. This interaction with SlSGR1 mediates lycopene accumulation during tomato fruit maturation. We confirmed this inhibitory activity in bacteria engineered to produce lycopene, where the introduction of SlSGR1 reduced dramatically lycopene biosynthesis.

The repression of SlSGR1 in transgenic tomato fruits resulted in altered accumulation patterns of phytoene and lycopene, whilst simultaneously elevating SlPSY1 mRNA accumulation and plastid conversion at the early stages of fruit ripening, resulting in increased lycopene and β‐carotene (four‐ and nine‐fold, respectively) in red ripe fruits.

SlSGR1 influences ethylene signal transduction via the altered expression of ethylene receptor genes and ethylene‐induced genes. Fruit shelf‐life is extended significantly in SlSGR1‐repressed tomatoes. Our results indicate that SlSGR1 plays a pivotal regulatory role in color formation and fruit ripening regulation in tomato, and further suggest that SlSGR1 activity is mediated through direct interaction with PSY1.
Thromboembolic events associated with immunoglobulin treatment
Authors: Funk M. B. , Gross N. , Gross S. , Hunfeld A. , Lohmann A. , Guenay S. , Hanschmann K. M. , Keller‐Stanislawski B.
Published: February 2013

Objective

Due to an increasing number of reported thromboembolic events (TEE) after the administration of one intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and one subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG), pharmacovigilance and laboratory data were collected to analyse the root cause and assess the reporting frequency of TEEs for various IG products.

Methods

Paul‐Ehrlich‐Institut retrospectively analysed 228 reports of TEEs associated with six different IG products and estimated annual TEE‐reporting rates based on worldwide sale figures over a period of 6 years (2006–2011). In addition, non‐activated partial thromboplastin time (NAPTT) testing was performed to capture pro‐coagulant potential of six IG products (four IVIG and two SCIG).

Results

For three IVIGs, the drug‐related TEE‐reporting rates remained stable from 2006 to 2011 (0–0·83 cases per 1000 kg IVIG distributed). In contrast, the TEE rate of one IVIG increased significantly from 0·33 cases in 2006 to nearly nine cases in 2010 (P < 0·001).

The NAPTT testing of IG products with a low TEE rate revealed a NAPTT time >200 s and a NAPTT ratio >0·8, whereas TEE‐associated batches of IG products with an increased TEE rate had a NAPTT ratio <0·8. After modifications of manufacturing processes, a normalization of NAPTT results and a decrease in TEE rates could be demonstrated.
The velic traverse: An independent oral articulator?
Authors: Gick Bryan , Francis Naomi , Klenin Anna , Mizrahi Ezra , Tom Denise
Published: February 2013

Two speech functions have traditionally been ascribed to the velum: opening and closing the velopharyngeal port and providing a passive surface against which the tongue can produce oral constrictions. Contrary to this passive oral function, the present x-ray study finds that a substantial portion of the velum moves to constrict the oropharyngeal isthmus for French uvular /ʁ/. This substructure, designated the velic traverse, functions independently of the parts of the velum used for velopharyngeal port closure, thus acting as an oral articulator. An active velic traverse challenges methods for estimating vocal tract shapes based on tongue posture alone.
Ovarian Aging: Breaking Up Is Hard to Fix
Authors: Johnson Joshua , Keefe David L.
Published: February 2013

Double-stranded breaks (DSBs) in DNA—which are essential for normal development—accumulate with age and contribute to reproductive aging. Age-related inhibition of DSB repair diminishes ovarian reserve in mice and women.
Effects of Antibiotics on Bacterial Species Composition and Metabolic Activities in Chemostats Containing Defined Populations of Human Gut Microorganisms
Authors: Newton Dorothy F. , Macfarlane Sandra , Macfarlane George T.
Published: February 2013

The composition and metabolic activities of the human colonic microbiota are modulated by a number of external factors, including diet and antibiotic therapy. Changes in the structure and metabolism of the gut microbiota may have long-term consequences for host health. The large intestine harbors a complex microbial ecosystem comprising several hundreds of different bacterial species, which complicates investigations on intestinal physiology and ecology. To facilitate such studies, a highly simplified microbiota consisting of 14 anaerobic and facultatively anaerobic organisms (
Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron
,
Bacteroides vulgatus
,
Bifidobacterium longum
,
Bifidobacterium infantis
,
Bifidobacterium pseudolongum
,
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
,
Clostridium butyricum
,
C. perfringens
,
C. bifermentans
,
C. innocuum
,
Escherichia coli
,
Enterococcus faecalis
,
Enterococcus faecium
,
Lactobacillus acidophilus
) was used in this investigation. Ampicillin [9.2 μg (ml culture)
−1
] was added to two chemostats operated at different dilution rates (
D
; 0.10 h
−1
and 0.21 h
−1
), and metronidazole [76.9 μg (ml culture)
−1
] was added to a third vessel (
D
= 0.21 h
−1
). Perturbations in bacterial physiology and metabolism were sampled over a 48-h period.
Lactobacillus acidophilus
and
C. bifermentans
populations did not establish in the fermentors under the imposed growth conditions. Ampicillin resulted in substantial reductions in bacteroides and
C. perfringens
populations at both dilution rates. Metronidazole strongly affected bacteroides communities but had no effect on bifidobacterial communities. The bacteriostatic effect of ampicillin on bifidobacterial species was growth rate dependent. Several metabolic activities were affected by antibiotic addition, including fermentation product formation and enzyme synthesis. The growth of antibiotic-resistant bifidobacteria in the large bowel may enable them to occupy ecological niches left vacant after antibiotic administration, preventing colonization by pathogenic species.
Tigecycline Does Not Prolong Corrected QT Intervals in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Korth-Bradley Joan M. , McGovern Paul C. , Salageanu Joanne , Matschke Kyle , Plotka Anna , Pawlak Sylvester
Published: February 2013

We evaluated the effect of tigecycline (50-mg and 200-mg doses) on corrected QT (QTc) intervals and assessed safety and tolerability in a randomized, placebo-controlled, four-period crossover study of 48 (44 male) healthy volunteers aged 22 to 53 years. Fed subjects received tigecycline (50 mg or 200 mg) or placebo in a blinded fashion or an open-label oral dose of moxifloxacin (400 mg) after 1 liter of intravenous fluid. Serial electrocardiograms were recorded before, and for 96 h after, dosing. Blood samples for tigecycline pharmacokinetics were collected after each recording. QTc intervals were corrected using Fridericia's correction (QTcF). Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using noncompartmental methods with potential relationships examined using linear mixed-effects modeling. Adverse events were recorded. The upper limits of the 90% confidence interval for the mean difference between both tigecycline doses and placebo for all time-matched QTcF interval changes from baseline were <5 ms. The tigecycline concentrations initially declined rapidly and then more slowly. In the group given 50 mg of tigecycline, the pharmacokinetic parameters and means were as follows: maximum concentration of drug in serum (
C
max
), 432 ng/ml; area under the concentration-time curve from time zero extrapolated to infinity (AUC
0–∞
), 2,366 ng · h/ml; clearance (CL), 21.1 liters/h; volume of distribution at steady state (
V
ss
), 610 liters; and terminal half-life (
t
1/2
), 22.1 h. Proportional or similar values were found for the group given 200 mg of tigecycline. Linear mixed-effects modeling failed to show an effect on QTcF values by tigecycline concentrations (
P
= 0.755). Tigecycline does not prolong the QTc interval in healthy subjects. This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT01287793.
The Bis(Indolyl)Imidazole Alkaloid Nortopsentin A Exhibits Antiplasmodial Activity
Authors: Alvarado Stephenie , Roberts Bracken F. , Wright Amy E. , Chakrabarti Debopam
Published: February 2013

A library of enriched marine natural product fractions was screened for their antiplasmodial activity using a SYBR green I fluorescence-based assay. Fractions derived from a sponge of the genus
Spongosorites
exhibited potent inhibition of
Plasmodium falciparum
growth. This genus of sponge has been reported to contain the nortopsentin and topsentin class of bis-indole imidazole alkaloids. This is the first report of nortopsentin A inhibiting parasite growth at the trophozoite stage at submicromolar 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC
50
).
Impact of the Listeria monocytogenes Protein InlC on Infection in Mice
Authors: Leung Nelly , Gianfelice Antonella , Gray-Owen Scott D. , Ireton Keith
Published: February 2013

The bacterial pathogen
Listeria monocytogenes
causes serious food-borne illnesses in pregnant women and the immunocompromised.
L. monocytogenes
promotes its internalization into host epithelial cells and then uses an F-actin-dependent motility process to spread from infected cells to surrounding healthy cells. In cultured enterocytes, efficient spread of
L. monocytogenes
requires the secreted bacterial protein InlC. InlC promotes dissemination by physically interacting with and antagonizing the function of the human adaptor protein Tuba. Here we examine the role of InlC and its interaction with host Tuba during infection in mice. The study took advantage of a single-amino-acid substitution (K173A) in InlC that impairs binding to human Tuba but does not affect InlC-mediated inhibition of the NF-κB pathway. Mice were inoculated intravenously with the wild-type
L. monocytogenes
strain EGD, an isogenic strain deleted for the
inlC
gene (Δ
inlC
), or a strain expressing K173A mutant InlC (
inlC.K173A
). The 50% lethal doses (LD
50
) for the Δ
inlC
or
inlC.K173A
mutant strain were approximately 4- or 6-fold greater than that for the wild-type strain, indicating a role for
inlC
in virulence. Compared to the wild-type strain, the
inlC.K173A
mutant strain exhibited lower bacterial loads in the liver. Histological analysis of livers indicated that the two
inlC
mutant strains produced smaller foci of infection than did the wild-type strain. These smaller foci are consistent with a role for InlC in cell-to-cell spread
in vivo
. Taken together, these results provide evidence that interaction of InlC with host Tuba is important for full virulence.
Evidence for an ABC-Type Riboflavin Transporter System in Pathogenic Spirochetes
Authors: Deka Ranjit K. , Brautigam Chad A. , Biddy Brent A. , Liu Wei Z. , Norgard Michael V.
Published: February 2013

Bacterial transporter proteins are involved in the translocation of many essential nutrients and metabolites. However, many of these key bacterial transport systems remain to be identified, including those involved in the transport of riboflavin (vitamin B
2
). Pathogenic spirochetes lack riboflavin biosynthetic pathways, implying reliance on obtaining riboflavin from their hosts. Using structural and functional characterizations of possible ligand-binding components, we have identified an ABC-type riboflavin transport system within pathogenic spirochetes. The putative lipoprotein ligand-binding components of these systems from three different spirochetes were cloned, hyperexpressed in
Escherichia coli
, and purified to homogeneity. Solutions of all three of the purified recombinant proteins were bright yellow. UV-visible spectra demonstrated that these proteins were likely flavoproteins; electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and thin-layer chromatography confirmed that they contained riboflavin. A 1.3-Å crystal structure of the protein (TP0298) encoded by
Treponema pallidum
, the syphilis spirochete, demonstrated that the protein’s fold is similar to the ligand-binding components of ABC-type transporters. The structure also revealed other salient details of the riboflavin binding site. Comparative bioinformatics analyses of spirochetal genomes, coupled with experimental validation, facilitated the discovery of this new ABC-type riboflavin transport system(s). We denote the ligand-binding component as riboflavin uptake transporter A (RfuA). Taken together, it appears that pathogenic spirochetes have evolved an ABC-type transport system (RfuABCD) for survival in their host environments, particularly that of the human host.

IMPORTANCE
Syphilis remains a public health problem, but very little is known about the causative bacterium. This is because
Treponema pallidum
still cannot be cultured in the laboratory. Rather,
T. pallidum
must be cultivated in laboratory rabbits, a restriction that poses many insurmountable experimental obstacles. Approaches to learn more about the structure and function of
T. pallidum
’s cell envelope, which is both the physical and functional interface between
T. pallidum
and its human host, are severely limited. One approach for elucidating
T. pallidum
’s cell envelope has been to determine the three-dimensional structures of its membrane lipoproteins, molecules that serve many critical survival functions. Herein, we describe a previously unknown transport system that
T. pallidum
uses to import riboflavin, an essential nutrient for the organism’s survival. Moreover, we found that this transport system is present in other pathogenic spirochetes. This is the first description of this new type of bacterial riboflavin transport system.