bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Les dispositions relatives au travail des accords commerciaux de l'UE: un support possible pour le renforcement des capacités dans le domaine du travail?
Authors: EBERT Franz Christian
Published: December 2016

Les dispositions relatives au travail contenues dans les accords commerciaux européens n'ont pas été capables véritablement d'assurer l'application effective des principes qu'elles consacrent sur le territoire des parties. Pour l'auteur, si elles peuvent servir cet objectif, ce serait plutôt en tant que support pour la réalisation d'activités de renforcement des capacités dans le domaine du travail, dans le cadre des instruments européens relatifs à la coopération pour le développement. L'auteur examine les possibilités en la matière et recommande de revoir la conception de ces dispositions, notamment afin que leur application ne repose plus autant sur le bon vouloir des parties.
Recovery concept in a Norwegian setting to be examined by the assertive community treatment model and mixed methods
Authors: Lofthus Ann‐Mari , Westerlund Heidi , Bjørgen Dagfinn , Lindstrøm Jonas Christoffer , Lauveng Arnhild , Rose Diana , Ruud Torleif , Heiervang Kristin
Published: December 2016

Recovery is a crucial concept in the mental health field. The research of recovery is split into the categories of personal, social and clinical recovery. The purpose of this study was to explore the fragmented concept of recovery in light of assertive community treatment (ACT) in Norway. The study has a mixed methods design with a pragmatic approach. The Questionnaire about the Process of Recovery and open‐ended questions posed to 70 participants from 12 ACT teams in Norway, gathered by the “Users interview users” method, are combined with interviews or focus groups with eight of these participants. Surprisingly those under a community treatment order (CTO) report the highest degree of personal recovery. The qualitative material shows that the service users interpreted the concept of recovery differently than researchers and professionals. The ACT service users highlighted three important elements: flexible treatment, medication and access to a car. They emphasized the necessity for basic needs to be met in order to experience a meaningful recovery process, and these basic needs may be of even greater importance to those under CTOs. Their experiences should imply a greater emphasis on securing basic needs such as secure housing, sounder finances and access to the normal benefits offered by society.
POTENTIAL PASTS: TAKING A HUMANISTIC APPROACH TO COMPUTER VISUALIZATION OF ANCIENT LANDSCAPES
Authors: SULLIVAN ELAINE
Published: December 2016

Using advances in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and 3D technologies, scholars of the ancient world are digitally reconstructing entire historic landscapes. For multi-phased sites, the ability to isolate and interrogate complex layers of occupation offers exciting potential for the study of now-altered built and natural environments. While quantitative studies based on GIS data are common in the field of archaeology, this article argues that humanities-based approaches have equal importance. It is specifically the combination of spatial and temporal data that creates new access points from which to address the changing cultural meaning of place. Chronological reconstruction models allow scholars to resituate the human viewpoint into potential past environments, exploring aspects of experience that changed through time and space. Utilizing a visualization of the ancient Egyptian site of Saqqara, this work demonstrates how digital reconstructions of past landscapes address qualitative questions in innovative ways and are changing scholarship in archaeology.
Risk factors for preeclampsia in infertile Chinese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Xia Hexia , Zhang Ruixiu , Sun Xiaoli , Wang Lu , Zhang Wei
Published: December 2016

To explore preconception risk factors for preeclampsia (PE) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a prospective cohort study was conducted in 92 infertile Chinese women with PCOS who had a singleton pregnancy by ovulation induction and were followed up for 6 weeks after delivery. The patients underwent assessment of physical, endocrine, and metabolic features before ovulation induction. Fifteen (16.3%) patients were diagnosed with PE. Logistic regression analysis showed that preconception sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG), insulin level at 120 minutes, and body mass index were three independent risk factors for PE (odds ratio [OR], 0.981; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.964–0.998 [P=.027]; OR, 1.011; 95% CI, 1.000–1.021 [P=.048]; and OR, 1.249; 95% CI, 0.992–1.572 [P=.059], respectively). Receiver operator characteristic analysis indicated the risk value of prepregnancy SHBG, insulin level at 120 minutes, and body mass index (area under the curve=.788, .686, and .697, respectively). Preconception low SHBG levels, overweight/obesity, and hyperinsulinism might be correlated with the subsequent development of PE in patients with PCOS.
Circulating exosomal microRNA‐96 promotes cell proliferation, migration and drug resistance by targeting LMO7
Authors: Wu Hao , Zhou Jingcheng , Mei Shanshan , Wu Da , Mu Zhimin , Chen Baokun , Xie Yuancai , Ye Yiwang , Liu Jixian
Published: December 2016

Detection and treatment of lung cancer still remain a clinical challenge. This study aims to validate exosomal microRNA‐96 (miR‐96) as a serum biomarker for lung cancer and understand the underlying mechanism in lung cancer progression. MiR‐96 expressions in normal and lung cancer patients were characterized by qPCR analysis. Changes in cell viability, migration and cisplatin resistance were monitored after incubation with isolated miR‐96‐containing exosomes, anti‐miR‐96 and anti‐miR negative control (anti‐miR‐NC) transfections. Dual‐luciferase reporter assay was used to study interaction between miR‐96 and LIM‐domain only protein 7 (LMO7). Changes induced by miR‐96 transfection and LMO7 overexpression were also evaluated. MiR‐96 expression was positively correlated with high‐grade and metastatic lung cancers. While anti‐miR‐96 transfection exhibited a tumour‐suppressing function, exosomes isolated from H1299 enhanced cell viability, migration and cisplatin resistance. Potential miR‐96 binding sites were found within the 3′‐UTR of wild‐type LMO7 gene, but not of mutant LMO7 gene. LMO7 expression was inversely correlated with lung cancer grades, and LMO7 overexpression reversed promoting effect of miR‐96. We have identified exosomal miR‐96 as a serum biomarker of malignant lung cancer. MiR‐96 promotes lung cancer progression by targeting LMO7. The miR‐96‐LMO7 axis may be a therapeutic target for lung cancer patients, and new diagnostic or therapeutic strategies could be developed by targeting the miR‐96‐LMO7 axis.
The bromodomain inhibitor JQ1 triggers growth arrest and apoptosis in testicular germ cell tumoursin vitroandin vivo
Authors: Jostes Sina , Nettersheim Daniel , Fellermeyer Martin , Schneider Simon , Hafezi François , Honecker Friedemann , Schumacher Valerie , Geyer Matthias , Kristiansen Glen , Schorle Hubert
Published: December 2016

Type II testicular germ cell cancers (TGCT) are the most frequently diagnosed tumours in young men (20–40 years) and are classified as seminoma or non‐seminoma. TGCTs are commonly treated by orchiectomy and chemo‐ or radiotherapy. However, a subset of metastatic non‐seminomas (embryonal carcinomas) displays only incomplete remission or relapse and requires novel treatment options. Recent studies have shown effective application of the small‐molecule inhibitor JQ1 in tumour therapy, which interferes with the function of ‘bromodomain and extraterminal (BET)’ proteins. JQ1‐treated TGCT cell lines display up‐regulation of genes indicative for DNA damage and cellular stress response and induce cell cycle arrest. Embryonal carcinoma (EC) cell lines, which presented as JQ1 sensitive, display down‐regulation of pluripotency factors and induction of mesodermal differentiation. In contrast, seminoma‐like TCam‐2 cells tolerated higher JQ1 concentrations and were resistant to differentiation. ECs xenograftedin vivoshowed a reduction in tumour size, proliferation rate and angiogenesis in response to JQ1. Finally, the combination of JQ1 and the histone deacetylase inhibitor romidepsin allowed for lower doses and less frequent application, compared with monotherapy. Thus, we propose that JQ1 in combination with romidepsin may serve as a novel therapeutic option for (mixed) TGCTs.
Good Samaritans vs. Hardliners: the Role of Credible Signalling in Greek Bailout Negotiations
Authors: Hennessy Alexandra
Published: December 2016

In this paper, we model the interactions between Greece and its creditors as a costly signalling game. The main argument is that a costly exchange of information can improve the recipient's incentives to comply with conditionality. If creditors can credibly signal that suspending financial assistance is a viable option, they will be able to extract concessions from the recipient. Conversely, if the feasibility of the outside option is in doubt, threats to withhold financial support will be toothless. Our contribution is to highlight the role of information exchanges during crisis bargaining. Such signalling mechanisms are central to understanding the outcomes of the Greek debt drama, but are absent from existing accounts.
Neuroglobin protects astroglial cells from hydrogen peroxide‐induced oxidative stress and apoptotic cell death
Authors: Amri Fatma , Ghouili Ikram , Amri Mohamed , Carrier Alice , Masmoudi‐Kouki Olfa
Published: December 2016

Oxidative stress, resulting from accumulation of reactive oxygen species, plays a critical role in astroglial cell death occurring in diverse neuropathological conditions. Numerous studies indicate that neuroglobin (Ngb) promotes neuron survival, but nothing is known regarding the action of Ngb in astroglial cell survival. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the potential glioprotective effect of Ngb on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)‐induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in cultured mouse astrocytes. Incubation of cells with subnanomolar concentrations of Ngb (10−14–10−10 M) was found to prevent both H2O2‐evoked reduction in surviving cells number and accumulation of reactive oxygen species in a concentration‐dependent manner. Furthermore, Ngb treatment abolishes H2O2‐induced increase in mitochondrial oxygen consumption rates. Concomitantly, Ngb treatment rescues H2O2‐associated reduced expression of endogenous antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutases and catalase) and prevents the stimulation of the expression of pro‐inflammatory genes (inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase‐2, and interleukin (IL) IL‐6 and IL‐33). Moreover, Ngb blocks the stimulation of Bax (pro‐apoptotic) and the inhibition of Bcl‐2 (anti‐apoptotic) gene expression induced by H2O2, which in turn abolishes caspase 3 activation. The protective effect of Ngb upon H2O2 induced activation of caspase 3 activity and cell death can be accounted for by activation of protein kinase A and mitogen‐activated protein kinase transduction cascade. Finally, we demonstrate that Ngb increases Akt phosphorylation and prevents H2O2‐provoked inhibition of ERK and Akt phosphorylation. Taken together, these data demonstrate for the first time that Ngb is a glioprotective agent that prevents H2O2‐induced oxidative stress and apoptotic astroglial cell death. Protection of astrocytes from oxidative insult may thus contribute to the neuroprotective effect of Ngb.

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Endo‐lysosomal and autophagic dysfunction: a driving factor in Alzheimer's disease?
Authors: Whyte Lauren S. , Lau Adeline A. , Hemsley Kim M. , Hopwood John J. , Sargeant Timothy J.
Published: December 2016

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, and its prevalence will increase significantly in the coming decades. Although important progress has been made, fundamental pathogenic mechanisms as well as most hereditary contributions to the sporadic form of the disease remain unknown. In this review, we examine the now substantial links between AD pathogenesis and lysosomal biology. The lysosome hydrolyses and processes cargo delivered by multiple pathways, including endocytosis and autophagy. The endo‐lysosomal and autophagic networks are central to clearance of cellular macromolecules, which is important given there is a deficit in clearance of amyloid‐β in AD. Numerous studies show prominent lysosomal dysfunction in AD, including perturbed trafficking of lysosomal enzymes and accumulation of the same substrates that accumulate in lysosomal storage disorders. Examination of the brain in lysosomal storage disorders shows the accumulation of amyloid precursor protein metabolites, which further links lysosomal dysfunction with AD. This and other evidence leads us to hypothesise that genetic variation in lysosomal genes modifies the disease course of sporadic AD.

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Roles of p62 in BDNF‐dependent autophagy suppression and neuroprotection against mitochondrial dysfunction in rat cortical neurons
Authors: Wu Chia‐Lin , Chen Chien‐Hui , Hwang Chi‐Shin , Chen Shang‐Der , Hwang Wei‐Chao , Yang Ding‐I
Published: December 2016

Previously, we have reported that pre‐conditioning of primary rat cortical neurons with brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may exert neuroprotective effects against 3‐nitropropionic acid (3‐NP), a mitochondrial complex II inhibitor. However, the underlying mechanisms, especially potential involvements of autophagy, remain elusive. In this work, we tested the hypothesis that BDNF may suppress 3‐NP‐induced autophagy to exert its neuroprotective effects by inducing the expression of p62/sequestosome‐1 in primary cortical neurons. We found that 3‐NP increased total level of microtubule‐associated protein 1A/1B‐light chain (LC)‐3 as well as the LC3‐II/LC3‐I ratio, an index of autophagy, in primary cortical neurons. BDNF decreased LC3‐II/LC3‐I ratio and time‐dependently induced expression of p62. Knockdown of p62 by siRNA restored LC3‐II/LC3‐I ratio and increased total LC3 levels associated with BDNF exposure; p62 knockdown also abolished BDNF‐dependent neuroprotection against 3‐NP. Upstream of p62, we found that BDNF triggered phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and its downstream mediator p70S6K; importantly, the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin reduced both BDNF‐dependent p62 induction as well as 3‐NP resistance. BDNF is known to induce c‐Jun in cortical neurons. We found that c‐Jun knockdown in part attenuated BDNF‐mediated p62 induction, whereas p62 knockdown had no significant effects on c‐Jun expression. In addition to suppressing p62 induction, rapamycin also partially suppressed BDNF‐induced c‐Jun expression, but c‐Jun knockdown failed to affect mTOR activation. Together, our results suggested that BDNF inhibits 3‐NP‐induced autophagy via, at least in part, mTOR/c‐Jun‐dependent induction of p62 expression, together contributing to neuroprotection against mitochondrial inhibition.

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Screening for cervical carcinoma in HIV‐infected women: Analysis of main risk factors for cervical cytologic abnormalities
Authors: Sansone Matilde , Saccone Gabriele , Migliucci Annalisa , Saviano Rosa , Capone Angela , Maruotti Giuseppe Maria , Bruzzese Dario , Martinelli Pasquale
Published: December 2016

Aim

The aim of this study was to identify potential predictive factors for cervical disease in women with HIV and to evaluate adherence during follow‐up to cervical cancer screening.

Methods

In order to identify the independent role of factors associated with the presence of a cervical abnormality, all of the variables showing in univariate analyses a potential association with the outcome variable (presence of cervical abnormalities) were entered into a multivariate logistic regression model, along with age at first visit to our center, and age at diagnosis.

Results

A total of 540 HIV‐positive women who received screening for cervical cancer during the first year after their first visit to our center were included in the analysis; 423 (78.3%) had normal cytology and 117 (21.7%) had cytological abnormalities, classified as follows: 21 atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (17.9%); 51 low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (43.6%); 41 high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (35.0%); and four cervical cancers (3.4%). In our study, women with more than two previous pregnancies were significantly associated with a lower risk of cervical cytological abnormalities compared to the other women. Women with CD4+ levels of 200–499/mm3 had a higher risk of developing cervical cytological abnormalities compared to those with a CD4+ level > 500/ mm3.

Conclusion

In summary, management of HIV‐positive women must be modeled on HIV‐clinical status, CD4+ cell count, drug regimen, and adherence to follow‐up, relying on the cooperation of highly qualified professionals. In HIV‐positive women, an adequate screening and follow‐up allows for a reduced occurrence of advanced cervical disease and prevents recourse to invalidating surgical interventions.
Pregnancy outcome of gestational diabetes mellitus using a structured model of care : WINGS project (WINGS‐10)
Authors: Uma Ram , Bhavadharini Balaji , Ranjani Harish , Mahalakshmi Manni Mohanraj , Anjana Ranjit Mohan , Unnikrishnan Ranjit , Kayal Arivudainambi , Malanda Belma , Belton Anne , Mohan Viswanathan
Published: December 2016

Aim

To evaluate the impact of a structured model of care (MOC) prepared for resource‐constrained settings, on the pregnancy outcomes of Asian Indian women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods

Pregnant women were screened under the Women in India with GDM Strategy (WINGS) MOC for GDM using the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups criteria. Women with GDM went through a structured MOC that included medical nutrition therapy (MNT), regular physical activity (PA); and insulin when indicated. Fasting blood glucose and post‐prandial blood sugar were monitored every 2 weeks. The pregnancy outcomes of women with GDM who underwent the MOC were compared with those without GDM.

Results

Under the MOC, 212 women with GDM were followed through pregnancy, of whom 33 (15.6%) required insulin and 179 (84.4%) were managed with MNT and PA. The maternal and neonatal outcomes of women with GDM were similar to the non‐GDM women: there were no significant differences in pregnancy complications such as cesarean section, macrosomia, pre‐eclampsia, oligo/polyhydramnios, preterm delivery, neonatal death, fetal distress, hyperbilirubinemia and low birthweight.

Conclusion

Implementation of a structured MOC for women with GDM helped achieve pregnancy outcomes similar to those without GDM.
Combined spinal‐epidural anesthesia with hypobaric ropivacaine in sitting position significantly increases the incidence of hypotension in parturients undergoing cesarean section
Authors: Xu Zhendong , Shen Fuyi , Zhang Yueqi , Tao Yiyi , Chen Xiubing , Liu Zhiqiang
Published: December 2016

Aim

Maternal position during induction of combined spinal‐epidural anesthesia (CSEA) may affect hemodynamics and block characteristics. This study aimed to assess whether the sitting position is more likely to induce hypotension and higher block level than the lateral position in CSEA with hypobaric ropivacaine.

Methods

Ninety American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I and II parturients undergoing elective cesarean section were randomized into three groups: the sitting, left‐lateral, and right‐lateral position groups. The L3–4 interspace was selected as the puncture site, and subarachnoid injection of 2.5 mL 0.5% hypobaric ropivacaine was administered. After the epidural catheter was inserted and fixed, the patient's position was changed to the left‐leaning supine position. The blood pressure was measured once every 1 min followed by once every 3 min after the delivery. The sensory block level was regularly measured.

Results

A total of 88 parturients were included in this study. The incidences of hypotension in the sitting, left‐lateral, and right‐lateral position groups were 72%, 38%, and 40%, respectively, P = 0.012. Incidence and total dose of the phenylephrine supplement in the sitting position group were significantly higher than in the other two groups. The sitting position group showed a significantly higher block level (T4 [T3, T4]) as compared to the left‐lateral (T6 [T5, T6]) and right‐lateral position groups (T6 [T4, T6]), P < 0.01. The Apgar scores of neonates at 1 min and 5 min, and the pH values of the umbilical arterial and venous blood were similar among the three groups.

Conclusion

As compared to the lateral positions, CSEA with hypobaric ropivacaine in the sitting position is more likely to cause hypotension and excessively high block level.
DO FEDERAL DEFICITS MOTIVATE REGIONAL FISCAL (IM)BALANCES? EVIDENCE FOR THE SPANISH CASE
Authors: Molina‐Parra Agustín , Martínez‐López Diego
Published: December 2016

This paper studies the vertical and horizontal interactions between federal and regional governments in terms of public deficits. Recent studies commonly restraint budget slippages to the incentives created by the institutional arrangements within a country. Alternatively, we estimate here a fiscal reaction function for the Spanish regions over the period 1995–2010, paying special attention to the impact of the federal fiscal stance on regional fiscal imbalances. Our results indicate that higher public deficits for the central government encourage larger fiscal imbalances at the regional level. This vertical interaction is interpreted in the context of yardstick competition models. We also find a significant impact from fiscal decisions taken by governments at the same decision‐making tier in a specific region.
Detecting at‐Most‐m Changes in Linear Regression Models
Authors: Horváth Lajos , Pouliot William , Wang Shixuan
Published: December 2016

In this article, we provide a new procedure to test for at‐most‐
changes in the time‐dependent regression model
, that is, β1 = β2 = ⋯ = βT under the no‐change null hypothesis against the alternative
if
and β(j) ≠ β(ℓ) for some
with
. Our procedure is based on weighted sums of the residuals, incorporating the possibility of
changes. The weak limit of the proposed test statistic is the sum of two double‐exponential random variables. A small Monte Carlo simulation illustrates the applicability of the limit results in case of small and moderate sample sizes. We compare the new method to the cumulative sum control chart (CUSUM) and standardized (weighted) CUSUM procedures and obtain the power curves of the test statistics under the alternative. We apply our method to find changes in the unconditional four‐factor capital asset pricing model.
Market Practice and the Evolution of Foreign Sovereign Immunity
Authors: Weidemaier W. Mark C. , Gulati Mitu
Published: December 2016

The twentieth century witnessed a “tectonic” shift in international law, from absolute to restrictive theories of sovereign immunity. As conventionally understood, however, this transformation represented only a change in default rule. Under absolute immunity, courts could not hear lawsuits and enforce judgments against a foreign sovereign without its consent. Under restrictive immunity, foreign sovereigns were not immune to their commercial acts, regardless of consent. Using a two-century dataset of loan contracts, we show that market practice undermines this conventional understanding. For centuries, loan contracts were structured as if the rules of sovereign immunity could not be changed by contract. In the 1970s, however, market practice changed, seemingly in response to the codification of sovereign immunity law in the United States and United Kingdom. We explore why market practice conflicts with the conventional understanding of sovereign immunity, and we examine the association between codification and the structure of sovereign loan contracts.
Negotiations of Blame and Care among HIV‐positive Mothers and Daughters in South Africa's Eastern Cape
Authors: Vale Beth , Hodes Rebecca , Cluver Lucie
Published: December 2016

Research delineates two epidemiological categories among HIV‐positive adolescents: those who contract the virus sexually and those who inherit it as infants. In this article, we are interested in how tacit inferences about adolescents’ mode of infection contribute to their experiences of HIV‐related blame, and their ability to achieve care, in their intimate, everyday settings. The analysis arises from ethnographic research with 23 HIV‐positive adolescents living in South Africa's Eastern Cape. From these, we draw particularly on the narratives of four HIV‐positive teenage girls and their HIV‐positive mothers. The article explores the social stakes entailed in ascriptions of adolescents’ mode of infection, particularly in terms of how blame was allocated between mothers and daughters. It further considers how these families have sought to negotiate repudiation and thereby sustain intergenerational care. The article furthers limited research on the life projects and dilemmas of this HIV‐positive adolescent cohort.
Monitoring Brain Activity of Geriatric Learners With Low‐Cost Neurophysiological Technology
Authors: Romero‐Hall Enilda , Scott JoAnne
Published: December 2016

Cultural stereotypes rooted in both antiquated data and misinterpretation of data have long perpetuated the belief that older adults are unable to learn new concepts because they are doomed to lose brain cells at an alarming rate during their geriatric years. However, advances in neurophysiological technologies that allow researchers to observe the functional structures of the brain, as opposed to the individual's observable behavior, provide new insights about geriatric learners' brain processes during learning. This article aims to explore the opportunities offered and challenges posed by using low‐cost electroencephalography (EEG) to monitor the brain activity of geriatric learners during learning activities. The article defines geriatric learners; discusses instructional theories and strategies for geriatric learners; and examines the potential contributions of using low‐cost EEGs to monitor the brain of geriatric learners during the learning process.
Profiling the extended phenotype of plant pathogens
Authors: Preston Gail M.
Published: December 2016

One of the most fundamental questions in plant pathology is what determines whether a pathogen grows within a plant? This question is frequently studied in terms of the role of elicitors and pathogenicity factors in the triggering or overcoming of host defences. However, this focus fails to address the basic question of how the environment in host tissues acts to support or restrict pathogen growth. Efforts to understand this aspect of host–pathogen interactions are commonly confounded by several issues, including the complexity of the plant environment, the artificial nature of many experimental infection systems and the fact that the physiological properties of a pathogen growing in association with a plant can be very different from the properties of the pathogen in culture. It is also important to recognize that the phenotype and evolution of pathogen and host are inextricably linked through their interactions, such that the environment experienced by a pathogen within a host, and its phenotype within the host, is a product of both its interaction with its host and its evolutionary history, including its co‐evolution with host plants. As the phenotypic properties of a pathogen within a host cannot be defined in isolation from the host, it may be appropriate to think of pathogens as having an ‘extended phenotype’ that is the product of their genotype, host interactions and population structure within the host environment. This article reflects on the challenge of defining and studying this extended phenotype, in relation to the questions posed below, and considers how knowledge of the phenotype of pathogens in the host environment could be used to improve disease control.

What determines whether a pathogen grows within a plant?

What aspects of pathogen biology should be considered in describing the extended phenotype of a pathogen within a host?

How can we study the extended phenotype in ways that provide insights into the phenotypic properties of pathogens during natural infections?
Barley susceptibility factor RACB modulates transcript levels of signalling protein genes in compatible interaction with Blumeria graminis f.sp. hordei
Authors: Schnepf Vera , Vlot A. Corina , Kugler Karl , Hückelhoven Ralph
Published: December 2016

RHO (rat sarcoma homologue) GTPases (guanosine triphosphatases) are regulators of downstream transcriptional responses of eukaryotes to intracellular and extracellular stimuli. For plants, little is known about the function of Rho‐like GTPases [called RACs (rat sarcoma‐related C botulinum substrate) or ROPs (RHO of plants)] in transcriptional reprogramming of cells. However, in plant hormone response and innate immunity, RAC/ROP proteins influence gene expression patterns. The barley RAC/ROP RACB is required for full susceptibility of barley to the powdery mildew fungus Blumeria graminis f.sp. hordei (Bgh). We compared the transcriptomes of barley plants either silenced for RACB or over‐expressing constitutively activated RACB with and without inoculation with Bgh. This revealed a large overlap of the barley transcriptome during the early response to Bgh and during the over‐expression of constitutively activated RACB. Global pathway analyses and stringent analyses of differentially expressed genes suggested that RACB influences, amongst others, the expression of signalling receptor kinases. Transient induced gene silencing of RACB‐regulated signalling genes (a leucine‐rich repeat protein, a leucine‐rich repeat receptor‐like kinase and an S‐domain SD1‐receptor‐like kinase) suggested that they might be involved in RACB‐modulated susceptibility to powdery mildew. We discuss the function of RACB in regulating the transcriptional responses of susceptible barley to Bgh.
Exploring psychiatric comorbidities and their effects on quality of life in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
Authors: Ertem Devrimsel H. , Dirican Ayten C. , Aydın Agah , Baybas Sevim , Sözmen Vedat , Ozturk Musa , Altunkaynak Yavuz
Published: December 2016

Aim

The relation of epilepsy with psychiatric disorders is of great interest to researchers due to its behavioral, social, and cognitive outcomes. In this study, we explored psychiatric comorbidity and its effects on quality of life (QOL) in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) and juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME).

Methods

Thirty patients with MTLE, 30 patients with JME, and 30 healthy controls underwent the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐IV (SCID‐I) to diagnose psychiatric disorders. None of the subjects had previously undergone psychiatric examination. The Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory‐89 (QOLIE‐89) was used to assess QOL. We compared psychiatric comorbidity among groups and evaluated its effects on QOL.

Results

We detected comorbid psychiatric disorders in 37% of patients with JME and in 57% of patients with MTLE. Comorbid psychiatric disorders were less frequent in healthy controls compared to the patient groups (P = 0.029). Comparing demographic and clinical features of patients with JME and MTLE and their mean QOL scores, there was no statistical difference. Furthermore, we compared QOLIE scores between patients with and without psychiatric comorbidity. JME patients with mood disorders had lower scores on the Attention/Concentration subscale (P = 0.013). MTLE patients with a psychotic disorder had lower scores on the Social Isolation, Energy, and Fatigue subscales (P = 0.045). Patients with somatoform disorders had higher Pain scores (P = 0.04).

Conclusion

Our study suggests that comorbid psychiatric disorders negatively affect patients’ QOL regardless of seizure syndrome. Comorbid psychiatric conditions should be determined to increase QOL in patients with epilepsy.
In vivo Confocal Raman Spectroscopic Analysis of the Effects of Infrared Radiation in the Human Skin Dermis
Authors: Lopes Monica Bergamo , Rajasekaran Ramu , Lopes Cançado Ana Clara Figueira , Martin Airton Abrahão
Published: December 2016

Human skin is the outer covering of the body, and its composition changes with overexposure to environmental pollution and solar radiation. Infrared (IR) radiation is capable of penetrating more deeply into the skin producing free radicals causing irreversible damage. Confocal Raman spectroscopy was considered as a potential tool for the in vivo analysis of the different metabolic conditions with respect to different depths of the skin. In this regard, this work verifies the influence of infrared radiation on the skin dermis after having been exposed to 432 J cm−2 which corresponds to the dose received in a day in the summer time in a tropical region. This study was performed with 17 female volunteers who were divided into two groups. The marked skin area was exposed twice to IR radiation for a duration of 30 min each with an interval of 30 min. The spectral signatures were collected in the fingerprint region before (T0) and after 60 min (T60) of IR irradiation. The analysis shows that, on average, no significant variations occurred in group I and decreased collagen was observed in group II. However, when considering the effect seen in each individual, collagen degradation was detected in 60% of volunteers.
Legislative Behavior in the Seventh European Parliament and the Regulation of Shale Gas Development in the European Union
Authors: Wendling Zachary A.
Published: December 2016

This study addresses the regulation of shale gas development in the European Union, the role of the European Parliament in the formation of such regulation, and the factors that are associated with legislative behavior in the Seventh European Parliament. I test hypotheses about the influence of member state‐level characteristics related to the benefits and risks of shale gas such as economic development, decarbonization, energy security, and environmental protection. The results show that the member state‐level characteristics are weakly related to the voting behavior of members of the European Parliament. Only one seems especially salient: greenhouse gas emissions intensity. Party cohesion among European political groups holds greater explanatory power, suggesting that the most influential factors are ideological rather than provincial. The EP's role as a force for environmental protection in the EU may be moderated by member state interests and the competencies justifying supranational energy policy.

Highlights

The EP has rejected language both calling for moratoria and supporting high shale gas production.

Party cohesion is the strongest factor associated with roll call votes on shale gas.

MEPs may also be influenced by the potential for decarbonization.
Foreclosure, Inequality, and the Difference That Place Makes
Authors: Webb Michael D. , Brown Lawrence A.
Published: December 2016

While the Great Recession and the associated rise in foreclosures significantly impacted households across the United States, default rates in rural areas and rural‐urban foreclosure differences have failed to attract substantial research attention. To expand the scale and scope of the foreclosure literature, this article examines place‐based differences in estimated foreclosure rates across U.S. counties, which are classified as urban, suburban, micropolitan, or rural. Defaults are considered both overall and for each county classification, and are related to income distribution and inequality, homeownership, adjudication of default, place‐based factors including amenity scores and proximity to urban areas, and geographic region. The article finds a complex relationship among these variables, with inequality itself negatively associated with default rates and lower‐middle−income households positively related to foreclosure. Further, while proximity to urban areas is positively related to foreclosure rates among nonurban counties, natural amenities are related to lower default rates in these areas. The article concludes by considering policy implications, and recommends expanding foreclosure mitigation and prevention strategies to nonurban places.
Mulch effect on successive crop yields and soil carbon in Tonga
Authors: Manu V. , Whitbread A. , Blair G.
Published: December 2016

Intensification of crop production in Tonga has resulted in a move to mechanical soil preparation, often with a rotary hoe, and a consequent loss in both chemical physical fertility. An experiment was conducted on a clay loam soil (Typic Argiudoll) on the Forestry Vaini Research Station, Tongatapu Island, Tonga, to investigate the effect of a once‐off application of mulch on yield and quality of watermelon, maize and capsicum grown in rotation over a 1‐yr period. The treatments applied were a nonmulched control, transparent plastic and 200‐mm‐thick applications of locally available coconut sawdust, guinea grass and mature coconut fronds. The fresh fruit yield of watermelon in all the mulch treatments was 7.3–18.1% higher than in the nonmulched control. There was no significant effect of thick vegetative mulch on maize grain dry matter yield; however, the maize yield was significantly lower in the transparent plastic mulch than in the other treatments. The capsicum marketable fruit yield in the following crop was increased by 49–73% in all the vegetative mulch treatments compared to the non‐mulched control. The higher crop yields with the vegetative mulch were attributed to the measured lower soil temperatures and higher soil moisture in these treatments. There was no effect of mulch on soil total N (TN), but soil total C (TC), soil labile C (LC) and the carbon management index (CMI) were increased.
Spatial distribution of soil‐available phosphorus and single‐point phosphorus buffering index in the Khoy region, Iran
Authors: Momtaz H. R. , Ghasemi N. , Sepehr E. , Mousavifard S. M.
Published: December 2016

Knowledge of the amount of nutrients in soil is required to achieve sustainable management. The objective of this study was to assess the variability of soil‐available and single‐point buffering index of phosphorus (P) in the farmlands of the Khoy region, Iran. Composite soil samples (0–30 cm) were collected at 114 locations on regular grid of 1000 m. Some soil physico‐chemical characteristics such as soil texture, soil organic matter (OM) content, soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE), available P (Pava) and single‐point P sorption index (PSI) were measured. Results showed that all variables in this study have spatial distribution in the effective range of 1500–4800 m. Moreover, experimental semivariograms of all studied variables were best‐fit by spherical and exponential models. Most importantly, kriged maps revealed that a major part of the study area contains high Pava, which is seemingly due to the frequent application of phosphate fertilizers along with poultry manure. Some soils in the western part showed low PSI index; they therefore need more P fertilizer application. In addition, due to the lower PSI value in the eastern half of the study region, applying less fertilizer at more frequent intervals seems to be more beneficial than larger single applications. Eventually, to reduce environmental risks and prevent the loss of natural resources, the method of applying P fertilizer needs to be mainly based on the created PSI distribution map.
Novel deletion mutation of HLA‐B*40:02 gene in acquired aplastic anemia
Authors: Jeong T.‐D. , Mun Y.‐C. , Chung H.‐S. , Seo D. , Im J. , Huh J.
Published: December 2016

Despite prevalence of clonal evolution in patients with aplastic anemia (AA), somatic mutation of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) gene is rarely reported. Herein, we reported a case of acquired AA (aAA) harboring a new four‐base‐pair deletion mutation within exon 4 of HLA‐B*40:02 leading to frameshift and premature stop codon. The HLA‐B*40:02 mutant allele was detected in the patient's peripheral blood sample not in patient's buccal epithelial cells. The patient received allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from HLA‐matched sibling donor. On day 30 after HSCT, the mutant HLA allele was not detected by high‐resolution sequence‐based HLA typing. Serial chimerism analyses showed mixed chimeric status indicative of coexisting donor and recipient hematopoietic cells. Our data could provide additional support in view of pathophysiology of aAA that somatic mutation of HLA‐B*40:02 allele is one of the possible origin of clonal escape to evade immune attack in patient with aAA.
Transcriptomic profiling of platelet senescence and platelet extracellular vesicles
Authors: Pienimaeki‐Roemer Annika , Konovalova Tatiana , Musri Melina M. , Sigruener Alexander , Boettcher Alfred , Meister Gunter , Schmitz Gerd
Published: December 2016

BACKGROUND

Platelets (PLTs) are derived from megakaryocytes during PLT shedding. Senescent or activated PLTs are expanded in vascular and neurological diseases and release PLT extracellular vesicles (PL‐EVs). A systematic analysis of regular messenger RNA (mRNA) and small RNA composition in PLTs and PL‐EVs during in vitro PLT senescence has not yet been published.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We isolated PLTs, total PL‐EVs, and PL‐EV subsets on Days 0 and 5 from human stored donor platelet concentrates. Isolated mRNA species and microRNA (miRNA) species were analyzed by microarrays and deep sequencing. Correlation of mRNA and miRNA species (miR) and miRNA target analyses were performed using bioinformatics.

RESULTS

During in vitro PLT senescence, residual PLT mRNA species were decreased and partially converted to miRNA species. Residual mRNAs included encoded genes relevant for atherosclerosis, inflammation (matrix metallopeptidase 14 [MMP‐14], granulin [GRN], angiopoietin like 2 [ANGPTL2]), and neurotransmission (dopamine receptor 2 [DRD2], γ‐aminobutyric acid type A receptor ρ3 [GABRR3]). Compared with senescent PLTs, PL‐EVs have up‐regulated their miRNA species involved in “diabesity” and in vascular and metabolic disease (miR‐144‐3p, miR‐486‐5p, miR‐142‐5p, miR‐451a, miR‐25‐3p, miR‐145‐5p, and let‐7f‐5p). The 100 highest expressed PL‐EV miRNA species determined by microarrays were compared with the 100 highest expressed PL‐EV miRNA species detected by deep sequencing. This approach resulted in 66 overlaps. The regulated miRNAs (assessed by both methods) were related to neurological disorders, including targets for Alzheimer's disease (e.g., β‐site amyloid precursor protein APP‐cleaving enzyme 1 [BACE1], translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 40 homolog [TOMM40], neuron navigator 3 [NAV3]).

CONCLUSION

During in vitro senescence, PLTs degrade large RNA species. Concomitantly, they up‐regulate a distinct set of known small RNA species involved in atherosclerosis, inflammation, and neurodegeneration. PL‐EVs enrich miRNA species, likely supporting the role of PLTs and PL‐EVs in vascular homeostasis and as carriers of neurodegenerative disease‐related miRNA cargo.
Rifampicin treatment of canine pyoderma due to multidrug‐resistant meticillin‐resistant staphylococci: a retrospective study of 32 cases
Authors: De Lucia Michela , Bardagi Mar , Fabbri Elisabetta , Ferreira Diana , Ferrer Lluis , Scarampella Fabia , Zanna Giordana , Fondati Alessandra
Published: December 2016

Background

Rifampicin has received increased interest in veterinary dermatology because of its activity against multidrug‐resistant meticillin‐resistant staphylococci (MRS). There is limited knowledge about the efficacy and safety of rifampicin in dogs.

Hypothesis/Objective

To provide information on response to treatment and adverse effects in dogs treated with rifampicin for multidrug‐resistantMRSpyoderma.

Animals

Thirty two dogs treated with rifampicin for rifampicin‐susceptible multidrug‐resistantMRSpyoderma.

Methods

Retrospective review of medical records, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) serum activity levels and total bilirubin concentrations, obtained before and throughout the treatment, was performed.

Results

Oral rifampicin as sole systemic antimicrobial therapy (median dose 5 mg/kg twice daily) was effective in 71.88% of cases. Topical antimicrobials were used in most cases. Median duration of rifampicin treatment was five weeks for superficial pyoderma and four weeks for deep pyoderma. Gastrointestinal signs were reported in 15% of treated dogs. Statistically significant increases ofALT(P= 0.045) andALP(P= 0.0002) values after 3–4 weeks of treatment was observed. The median increase was equal to 0.3 and ×1.5 the upper limit of the reference ranges forALTandALP, respectively.

Conclusions/Clinical importance

Oral rifampicin combined with topical antimicrobials can be considered an effective therapeutic option for canine superficial and deep pyoderma caused by rifampicin‐susceptible multidrug‐resistantMRS. Liver enzyme induction might be the most important cause ofALTandALPincrease associated with rifampicin therapy in dogs.
Using Policy to Encourage and Direct Moral Behaviors
Authors: Hudson Michael B.
Published: December 2016

It can be challenging deciding how to resolve personal and professional dilemmas, and the dilemmas that athletic trainers and athletic therapists experience are no different, if not more complex, than the dilemmas other health care professionals experience. The moral behaviors individuals demonstrate with these dilemmas come from their experiences; however, moral beliefs may not always coincide with professional obligations and ethics. The purpose of this article is to examine factors that influence decision making for athletic trainers and athletic therapists to identify and describe policies for guiding moral behaviors in the workplace. These key policies include education in ethical decision making, developing a workplace code of conduct, communicating policies regarding professional behaviors, appraising accepted values and behaviors in the workplace, and investigating possible ethical violations and applying appropriate sanctions.
The Changing Context of Sport and Medicine’s Social Contract with Society: Implications for Sports Medicine Ethics
Authors: Peer Kimberly S.
Published: December 2016

Sports medicine professionals are facing new dilemmas in light of the changing dynamics of sport as an enterprise. These changes have considerable ethical implications as sports medicine team members are placed in challenging ethical decision-making situations that often create values tensions. These values conflicts have the potential to threaten and degrade the trust established through the mutual expectations inherent in the social contract between the health care providers and society. According to Starr,1 the social contract is defined as the relationship between medicine and society that is renegotiated in response to the complexities of modern medicine and contemporary society. Anchored in expectations of both society and the medical professions, this tacit contract provides a strong compass for professional practice as it exemplifies the powerful role and examines the deep responsibilities held by health care providers in our society. Although governed by professional boards and organizational codes of ethics, sports medicine professionals are challenged by the conflicts of interest between paternalistic care for the athlete and autonomous decisions often influenced by stakeholders other than the athletes themselves. Understanding how the construct of sport has impacted sports health care will better prepare sports medicine professionals for the ethical challenges they will likely face and, more importantly, facilitate awareness and change of the critical importance of upholding the integrity of the professional social contract.