bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessments of the quality of randomized controlled trials published in International Journal of Urology from 1994 to 2011
Authors: Cho Hee Ju , Chung Jae Hoon , Jo Jung Ki , Kang Dong Hyuk , Cho Jeong Man , Yoo Tag Keun , Lee Seung Wook
Published: April 2013

Objectives

Randomized controlled trials are one of the most reliable resources for assessing the effectiveness and safety of medical treatments. Low quality randomized controlled trials carry a large bias that can ultimately impair the reliability of their conclusions. The present study aimed to evaluate the quality of randomized controlled trials published in International Journal of Urology by using multiple quality assessment tools.

Methods

Randomized controlled trials articles published in International Journal of Urology were found using the PubMed MEDLINE database, and qualitative analysis was carried out with three distinct assessment tools: the Jadad scale, the van Tulder scale and the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool. The quality of randomized controlled trials was analyzed by publication year, type of subjects, intervention, presence of funding and whether an institutional review board reviewed the study.

Results

A total of 68 randomized controlled trial articles were published among a total of 1399 original articles in International Journal of Urology. Among these randomized controlled trials, 10 (2.70%) were from 1994 to 1999, 23 (4.10%) were from 2000 to 2005 and 35 (4.00%) were from 2006 to 2011 (P = 0.494). On the assessment with the Jadad and van Tulder scale, the numbers and percentage of high quality randomized controlled trials increased over time. The studies that had institutional review board reviews, funding resources or that were carried out in multiple institutions had an increased percentage of high quality articles.

Conclusions

The numbers and percentage of high‐quality randomized controlled trials published in International Journal of Urology have increased over time. Furthermore, randomized controlled trials with funding resources, institutional review board reviews or carried out in multiple institutions have been found to be of higher quality compared with others not presenting these features.
A virosomal respiratory syncytial virus vaccine adjuvanted with monophosphoryl lipid A provides protection against viral challenge without priming for enhanced disease in cotton rats
Authors: Kamphuis Tobias , Stegmann Toon , Meijerhof Tjarko , Wilschut Jan , de Haan Aalzen
Published: April 2013

Background

Non‐replicating respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine candidates could potentially prime for enhanced respiratory disease (ERD) due to a T‐cell‐mediated immunopathology, following RSV infection. Vaccines with built‐in immune response modifiers, such as Toll‐like receptor (TLR) ligands, may avoid such aberrant imprinting of the immune system.

Methods

We developed reconstituted RSV envelopes (virosomes) with incorporated TLR4 ligand, monophosphoryl lipid A (RSV‐MPLA virosomes). Immune responses and lung pathology after vaccination and challenge were investigated in ERD‐prone cotton rats and compared with responses induced by live virus and formaldehyde‐inactivated vaccine (FI‐RSV), a known cause of ERD upon RSV challenge.

Results

Vaccination with RSV‐MPLA virosomes induced higher levels of virus‐neutralizing antibodies than FI‐RSV or live virus infection and provided protection against infection. FI‐RSV, but not RSV‐MPLA virosomes, primed for increases in expression of Th2 cytokines IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐13, and Th1 cytokine IL‐1b, 6 hour–5 days after infection. By contrast, RSV‐MPLA virosomes induced IFN‐γ transcripts to similar levels as induced by live virus. Animals vaccinated with FI‐RSV, but not RSV‐MPLA virosomes showed alveolitis, with prominent neutrophil influx and peribronchiolar and perivascular infiltrates.

Conclusion

These results show that RSV‐MPLA virosomes represent a safe and immunogenic vaccine candidate that warrants evaluation in a clinical setting.
Valuation and Hedging of the Ruin‐Contingent Life Annuity (RCLA)
Authors: Huang H. , Milevsky M. A. , Salisbury T. S.
Published: April 2013

We analyze an insurance instrument called a ruin‐contingent life annuity (RCLA), which is a stand‐alone version of the option embedded inside a variable annuity (VA) but without the buyer having to transfer investments to the insurance company. The annuitant's payoff from an RCLA is a dollar of income per year for life, deferred until a certain wealth process hits zero. We derive the partial differential equation (PDE) satisfied by the RCLA value assuming no arbitrage, describe efficient numerical techniques, and provide estimates for RCLA values. The practical motivation is twofold. First, numerous insurance companies are now offering similar contingent deferred annuities (CDAs). Second, the U.S. Treasury and Department of Labor have encouraged DC plans to offer longevity insurance to participants and the RCLA might be the ideal product.
How to Say Things with Wars: Performativity and Discursive Rupture in theRequerimientoof the Spanish Conquest
Authors: Faudree Paja
Published: April 2013

Though linguistic anthropologists have long surpassed Austin's initial formulation, the performativity concept remains of enduring interest for its utility in exploring how language constitutes social action. I build on those conversations by considering the concept's applicability to a key document used in the conquest of theAmericas, an event involving one of the greatest discursive divides in human history. After examining the text's internal structure and what we know of its use, I suggest that the complex performative dynamics at work in the text are tied to the ways it presupposes and simultaneously instantiates social hierarchies by establishing participant roles. Competing interpretations of those participant roles are made possible by the text's strategic indeterminacy and the temporal dynamics of its circulation. I conclude by considering parallels to other texts and speech acts likewise designed to grapple with discursive difference.
Grassroots Bureaucracy: Intergovernmental Relations and Popular Mobilization in Brazil's AIDS Policy Sector
Authors: Rich Jessica A. J.
Published: April 2013

How does the state ensure the implementation of national policies in a context of decentralized political authority? This article identifies a new strategy utilized by national bureaucrats to regulate the behavior of subnational politicians: mobilizing civil society as government watchdog and political advocate. In the context of decentralized governance, in which local politicians administer most social sector programs, reform-minded bureaucrats often find that they have little control over the implementation of their progressive policies. In Brazil’s AIDS policy sector, however, bureaucrats have ensured the successful implementation of their policies by developing allies outside government. These state actors—here called activist bureaucrats—have been largely overlooked in the English-language literature, yet they form a new layer of politics in Latin America.
Gender‐assortative waist circumference in mother–daughter and father–son pairs, and its implications. An 11‐year longitudinal study in children (EarlyBird 59)
Authors: Mostazir M. , Jeffery A. , Voss L. , Wilkin T.
Published: April 2013

What is already known about this subject

Body mass index (BMI) is gender assortative (mother–daughter, father–son) in contemporary families.

The impact of obesity on the metabolic health of contemporary children is nevertheless a correlate of their own weight, not that of their parents.

Waist circumference (WC; abdominal fat) is a better predictor of metabolic risk than BMI.

Abdominal fat has two components – visceral, which increases metabolic risk, and subcutaneous, which is neutral or even protects.

What this study adds

WC, like BMI, is gender assortative. Daughters derive their girth from their mother and sons from their father.

Subcutaneous fat accounts for the gender‐assortative link with parental WC, but not the surrogate we used for visceral fat (WC|BMI).

Insulin resistance, on the other hand, is a function of WC|BMI but not of subcutaneous fat.

Given appropriate standards, WC|BMI may help refine the predictive value of WC for metabolic risk in children.

Background/Objectives

Body mass index (BMI) is reportedly gender assortative (mother–daughter, father–son) in contemporary children. We investigated the corresponding transmission of waist circumference (WC) and its implications.

Methods

We measured parental WC at baseline and WC, height, weight and para‐umbilical skin‐fold (USF) annually in their offspring from 5 to 15 years (n = 223 trios). Parents were deemed normal metabolic risk (NR) or high risk (HR) according to World Health Organization (WHO) cut‐points for WC (mothers 80 cm, fathers 94 cm). The residual from WC adjusted for BMI (WC|BMI) was used as a surrogate for excess intra‐abdominal fat, and its association with insulin resistance (HOMA2‐IR) was sought.

Results

WC and USF were both gender assortative, while WC|BMI was not. WC was greater by 1.62 cm (P < 0.05, confidence interval [CI]: 0.09–3.16) and USF by 0.37 cm (P < 0.01, CI: 0.19–0.56) among the daughters (but not the sons) of HR compared with those of NR mothers, and by 1.32 cm (P < 0.05, CI: 0.09–2.55) and 0.18 cm (P < 0.05, CI: 0.04–0.32), respectively in the corresponding father–son (but not father–daughter) pairings. No such differences could be demonstrated for WC|BMI. A standard deviation score 1(SDS) change in WC|BMI, independent of BMI, was associated with a 7.14% change in IR in girls (P < 0.01, CI: 1.76–12.80) and 8.02% in boys (P < 0.001, CI: 2.93–13.36), but there was no relationship between IR and USF.

Conclusion

The relationship of offspring WC to metabolic health and to parental size is complex. Subcutaneous abdominal fat is gender assortative but harmless, while intra‐abdominal fat (its surrogate in this analysis) is unrelated to parental waist circumference, but metabolically harmful.
Lifestyle intervention improves lipoprotein particle size and distribution without weight loss in obese Latino adolescents
Authors: Ryder J. R. , Vega‐López S. , Ortega R. , Konopken Y. , Shaibi G. Q.
Published: April 2013

Childhood obesity is associated with a pro‐atherogenic phenotype contributing to increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. This single‐arm pilot study examined the effects of a lifestyle intervention on lipoprotein particle size and cholesterol distribution in obese Latino adolescents. Fifteen obese Latino adolescents (15.0 ± 1.0 years) completed a 12‐week nutrition education and exercise intervention. Low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size and distribution of cholesterol in lipoprotein subclasses were determined via polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The intervention resulted in increases in mean LDL particle size (269.3 ± 3.4 to 271.6 ± 2.9 Å, P = 0.0003) and cholesterol in large high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) subfractions (22.4 ± 11.2 to 26.8 ± 10.6% area, P = 0.007) along with decreases of cholesterol in small LDL (1.6 ± 2.0 to 0.6 ± 1.2% area, P < 0.01) and HDL subfractions (23.2 ± 9.4 to 19.0 ± 6.7% area, P = 0.05). These improvements were observed independent of changes in weight (90.7 ± 26.2 to 89.9 ± 27.8 kg, P > 0.05) and suggest that lifestyle modification in obese youth may reduce cardiovascular risk by shifting lipoprotein particle size and cholesterol distribution to a less atherogenic phenotype.
Linear and Poisson models for genetic evaluation of tick resistance in cross‐bred Hereford x Nellore cattle
Authors: Ayres D.R. , Pereira R.J. , Boligon A.A. , Silva F.F. , Schenkel F.S. , Roso V.M. , Albuquerque L.G.
Published: April 2013

Cattle resistance to ticks is measured by the number of ticks infesting the animal. The model used for the genetic analysis of cattle resistance to ticks frequently requires logarithmic transformation of the observations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the predictive ability and goodness of fit of different models for the analysis of this trait in cross‐bred Hereford x Nellore cattle. Three models were tested: a linear model using logarithmic transformation of the observations (MLOG); a linear model without transformation of the observations (MLIN); and a generalized linear Poisson model with residual term (MPOI). All models included the classificatory effects of contemporary group and genetic group and the covariates age of animal at the time of recording and individual heterozygosis, as well as additive genetic effects as random effects. Heritability estimates were 0.08 ± 0.02, 0.10 ± 0.02 and 0.14 ± 0.04 for MLIN, MLOG and MPOI models, respectively. The model fit quality, verified by deviance information criterion (DIC) and residual mean square, indicated fit superiority of MPOI model. The predictive ability of the models was compared by validation test in independent sample. The MPOI model was slightly superior in terms of goodness of fit and predictive ability, whereas the correlations between observed and predicted tick counts were practically the same for all models. A higher rank correlation between breeding values was observed between models MLOG and MPOI. Poisson model can be used for the selection of tick‐resistant animals.
Extraction and parametrization of grain boundary networks in glacier ice, using a dedicated method of automatic image analysis
Authors: BINDER T. , GARBE C.S. , WAGENBACH D. , FREITAG J. , KIPFSTUHL S.
Published: April 2013

Microstructure analysis of polar ice cores is vital to understand the processes controlling the flow of polar ice on the microscale. This paper presents an automatic image processing framework for extraction and parametrization of grain boundary networks from images of the NEEM deep ice core. As cross‐section images are acquired using controlled surface sublimation, grain boundaries and air inclusions appear dark, whereas the inside of grains appears grey. The initial segmentation step of the software is to separate possible boundaries of grains and air inclusions from background. A Machine learning approach is utilized to gain automatic, reliable classification, which is required for processing large data sets along deep ice cores. The second step is to compose the perimeter of section profiles of grains by planar sections of the grain surface between triple points. Ultimately, grain areas, grain boundaries and triple junctions of the later are diversely parametrized. High resolution is achieved, so that small grain sizes and local curvatures of grain boundaries can systematically be investigated.
Improving efficiency in stereology: a study applying the proportionator and the autodisector on virtual slides
Authors: KELLER K.K. , ANDERSEN I.T. , ANDERSEN J.B. , HAHN U. , STENGAARD‐PEDERSEN K. , HAUGE E.‐M. , NYENGAARD J.R.
Published: April 2013

Cell counting in stereology is time‐consuming. The proportionator is a new stereological sampling method combining automatic image analysis and non‐uniform sampling. The autodisector on virtual slides combines automatic generation of disector pairs with the use of digital images. The aim of the study was to investigate the time efficiency of the proportionator and the autodisector on virtual slides compared with traditional methods in a practical application, namely the estimation of osteoclast numbers in paws from mice with experimental arthritis and control mice. Tissue slides were scanned in a digital slide scanner and the autodisector was applied on the obtained virtual tissue slides. Every slide was partitioned into fields of view, and cells were counted in all of them. Based on the original exhaustive data set comprising 100% of fields of view and covering the total section area, a proportionator sampling and a systematic, uniform random sampling were simulated. We found that the proportionator was 50% to 90% more time efficient than systematic, uniform random sampling. The time efficiency of the autodisector on virtual slides was 60% to 100% better than the disector on tissue slides. We conclude that both the proportionator and the autodisector on virtual slides may improve efficiency of cell counting in stereology.
Pain, fatigue, disturbed sleep and distress comprised a symptom cluster that related to quality of life and functional status of lung cancer surgery patients
Authors: Lin Shuanglan , Chen Yanhan , Yang Liu , Zhou Jianrong
Published: April 2013

Aims and objectives

To explore the common symptom cluster in lung cancer patients with surgical treatment and to evaluate the relationships between symptom cluster and patients’ disease outcomes, including functional status and quality of life.

Background

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer‐related death for both men and women, and its incidence is increasing in China. Growing number of researches confirmed that symptoms in lung cancer patients with chemotherapy and radiotherapy occurred as ‘symptom cluster’ across the disease trajectory and influenced disease outcomes. However, few studies focused on the symptom cluster and its effects on quality of life and functional status of lung cancer surgery patients.

Design

This is a descriptive, cross‐sectional design.

Methods

Symptoms in lung cancer surgery were assessed by M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory, Karnofsky Performance Scale and Quality of Life Instruments for Cancer Patients – Lung Cancer. One hundred and forty‐five individuals were involved in the survey.

Results

The top four common and most severe symptoms were pain, fatigue, disturbed sleep and distress for lung cancer surgery patients. 4·8% (n = 7) and 17·2% (n = 25) of patients reported co‐occurrence of two or three symptoms of pain, fatigue, disturbed sleep and distress. About 76·6% (n = 111) of patients reported co‐occurrence of all the four symptoms. There were strong negative relationships between the top four symptoms and Karnofsky Performance Scale and Quality of Life Instruments for Cancer Patients – Lung Cancer scores.

Conclusion

Pain, fatigue, disturbed sleep and distress constituted the common symptom cluster during the disease trajectory in patients with lung cancer who got surgical treatment and negatively affected their quality of life and functional status.

Relevance to clinical practice

Symptoms in lung cancer surgery patients often occurred as cluster during the trajectory of disease. To improve the well‐being of patients, attentions need to be focused on developing symptom cluster management strategies.
On nurses moving from public to private hospitals in Hong Kong
Authors: Chan Zenobia CY , Tam WS , Lung Maggie KY , Wong WY , Chau CW
Published: April 2013

Aims and objectives

To explore the reasons why nurses leave public hospitals for the private sector.

Background

While the global shortage of nurses is aggravating, this problem in public hospitals in Hong Kong is worsened by the trend of nurses moving to private hospitals. Thus, it is important to understand from the perspective of nurses the reasons affecting their decision to stay or leave a hospital.

Design

Qualitative approach using narrative analysis.

Methods

Data were collected using individual semistructured interviews. Twelve participants who had moved to a private hospital from a public hospital were encouraged to explain why they had made the move. Crossley's analytic method was adopted to analyse the collected data.

Results

The nurses’ stories were categorised into five sections: ‘life in public hospitals’, ‘decision‐making’, ‘life in the private hospitals’, ‘future plans’ and ‘values and beliefs’.

Conclusions

The results are consistent with those of previous studies showing that job satisfaction and demographic factors play significant roles in the decision of nurses to switch to another hospital. This study revealed specific reasons why the nurses made the move, such as the fairness of the remuneration policy, significant people and stressors.

Relevance to clinical practice

The results have relevance for hospital management with regard to strategies to consider when addressing the issues of staff retention and recruitment.
DEMAND, CUSTOMER BASE‐LINE AND DEMAND RESPONSE IN THE ELECTRICITY MARKET: A SURVEY
Authors: Heshmati Almas
Published: April 2013

The increasing use of demand‐side management, as a tool to reliably meet electricity demands at peak time, has stimulated interest among researchers, consumers and producer organiza‐tions, managers, regulators and policymakers. This research reviews the growing literature on models which are used to study demand, customer base‐line (CBL) and demand response in the electricity market. After characterizing the general demand models, the CBL, based on which the demand response models are studied, is reviewed. Given the experience gained from the review and existing conditions, the study combines an appropriate model for each case for a possible application to the electricity market; moreover, it discusses the implications of the results. In the literature, these aspects are studied independently. The main contribution of this survey is attributed to the treatment of the three issues as sequentially interdependent. The review is expected to enhance the understanding of the demand, CBL and demand response in the electricity market and their relationships. The objective is conducted through a combination of demand and supply side managements in order to reduce demand through different demand response programs during peak times. This enables electricity suppliers to save costly electricity generation and at the same time reduce energy vulnerability.
Nurse perceptions of family home‐visiting programmes in Australia and England
Authors: Sawyer Michael Gifford , Barnes Jacqueline , Frost Linda , Jeffs Debra , Bowering Kerrie , Lynch John
Published: April 2013

Aims

Nurse home‐visiting programmes are employed to enhance the functioning of disadvantaged mothers and young children. Despite the key role played by nurses, there is little empirical evidence describing the views and experiences of nurses who deliver home‐visiting programmes. This study compared the views and experiences of nurses delivering home‐visiting programmes in England and South Australia.

Methods

Participants were 108 nurses delivering the South Australian Family Home Visiting programme (2008–2011), and 44 nurses delivering the Family Nurse Partnership programme in England (2007–2009). Data were collected using a standard questionnaire that was completed by nurses in each country. The questionnaire asked nurses about their level of influence on programme outcomes, approaches they used to retain maternal engagement with the home‐visiting programmes, barriers to effective programme delivery and the effectiveness of supervision.

Results

Both groups of nurses considered that their greatest influence was improving mothers' confidence with parenting skills and increasing mothers' knowledge about children's development. Each group identified quality of nurse–mother relationships as the factor most relevant to retaining maternal engagement. Other influential factors were flexibility of timing for visits and the capacity of the programmes to meet specific needs of mothers.

Conclusion

There was consistency in the nurses' views about the home‐visiting programmes delivered in England and Australia. Future studies should utilise prospective designs to identify the mechanisms by which factors influence the quality of nurse–mother relationships, approaches used by nurses to solve family problems and elements of mother–nurse relationships that have the strongest influence on programme outcomes.
Federally Qualified Health Center dental clinics: financial information
Authors: Bailit Howard L. , DeVitto Judy , Myne‐Joslin Ronnie , Beazoglou Tryfon , McGowan Taegan
Published: April 2013

Objective

Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) dental clinics are a major component of the dental safety net system, providing care to 3.75 million patients annually. This study describes the financial and clinical operations of a sample of FQHCs.

Methods

In cooperation with the National Network for Oral Health Access, FQHC dental clinics that could provide 12 months of electronic dental record information were asked to participate in the study.

Results

Based on data from 28 dental clinics (14 FQHCs), 50 percent of patients were under 21 years of age. The primary payers were Medicaid (72.4 percent) and sliding‐scale/self‐pay patients (17.5 percent). Sites averaged 3.1 operatories, 0.66 dental hygienists, and 1.9 other staff per dentist. Annually, each FTE dentist and hygienist provided 2,801 and 2,073 patient visits, respectively. Eighty percent of services were diagnostic, preventive, and restorative. Patient care accounted for 82 percent of revenues, and personnel (64.2 percent) and central administration (13.4 percent) accounted for most expenses.

Conclusion

Based on a small convenience sample of FQHC dental clinics, this study presents descriptive data on their clinical and financial operations. Compared with data from the UDS (Uniform Data System) report, study FQHCs were larger in terms of space, staff, and patients served. However, there was substantial variation among clinics for almost all measures. As the number and size of FQHC dental clinics increase, the Health Resources and Services Administration needs to provide them access to comparative data that they can use to benchmark their operations.
Periodicity of dental recall visits for young children first seen in community health centers
Authors: Kuthy Raymond A. , Kavand Golnaz , Momany Elizabeth T. , Jones Michael P. , Askelson Natoshia M. , Chi Donald L. , Wehby George L. , Damiano Peter C.
Published: April 2013

Objectives

To study the factors associated with young children who had their first dental visit (FDV) at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and returned within 12 months for a second dental episode.

Methods

Two hundred Medicaid‐enrolled children who were less than 6 years old were randomly selected from five Iowa FQHCs. Dental utilization was followed for 36 months using dental charts and Medicaid medical and dental claims data, regardless of provider. Child's birth certificate data were also used as covariates. Multivariable logistic regression, using backward elimination, was used to identify variables that were associated with whether a child returned for a dental recall visit within 1 year of the initial dental episode.

Results

About 56% of the children returned for dental care within 1 year of their initial episode. The number of children in the household had a positive impact on children returning for a second dental episode. However, an increase in the frequency of medical well‐child visits at the FQHC prior to the FDV had a negative influence. Unadjusted analysis demonstrated that children with dental caries at the FDV were less likely to return within 12 months; however, this variable failed to make the final regression model. Moreover, age at FDV did not make a difference in regard to returning for a second episode within 12 months.

Conclusions

The experience gained from having other Medicaid‐enrolled children in the household appears to be important for younger children entering into continuous and comprehensive dental care.
Shock metamorphic features in quartz grains from the Saarijärvi and Söderfjärden impact structures, Finland
Authors: Öhman Teemu , Preeden Ulla
Published: April 2013

Shock metamorphic features at the Saarijärvi (D > 2 km) and Söderfjärden (D = 6.5 km) structures in Finland have so far only been studied tentatively, although both are considered to be proven impact structures. This work presents the first detailed universal stage study of planar deformation features (PDFs), feather feature lamellae (FFL), and planar fractures (PFs) in quartz grains from a polymict impact breccia dike from Söderfjärden, and from sedimentary crater‐fill rocks from Saarijärvi. Planar microstructures, particularly PDFs, are very rare and poorly developed or preserved in Saarijärvi, whereas in Söderfjärden they are much more common and well defined. Miller–Bravais indices of the planar microstructures in both Saarijärvi and Söderfjärden are indicative of relatively low‐shock pressure but high shear conditions, only compatible with an impact origin for these structures. Although a Proterozoic age for Saarijärvi cannot be ruled out, the observations of shock features throughout the sedimentary crater‐fill sequence and a brecciated sedimentary dike below the crater floor are more consistent with a Lower Cambrian (or younger) impact age.
Reactive oxygen species and the bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects of isoconazole nitrate
Authors: Czaika Viktor A. , Siebenbrock Jan , Czekalla Frank , Zuberbier Torsten , Sieber Martin A.
Published: April 2013

Bacterial superinfections often occur in dermatomycoses, resulting in greatly inflamed or eczematous skin. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of isoconazole nitrate (ISN), a broad‐spectrum antimicrobial imidazole, commonly used to treat dermatomycoses. Several gram‐positive bacteria minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for ISN (ISN solution or ISN‐containing creams: Travogen® or corticosteroid‐containing Travocort®) and ampicillin were obtained using the broth‐dilution method. Speed of onset of the bactericidal effect was determined with bacterial killing curves. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were visualised by staining cells with singlet oxygen detector stain. Compared with ampicillin MICs, ISN MICs for Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus haemolyticus and Staphylococcus hominis were lower and ISN MICs for Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum and Streptococcus salivarius were similar. Incubation with ISN led to a 50% kill rate for Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin‐resistant strains (MRSA). Post‐ISN incubation, 36% (30 min) and 90% (60 min) of S. aureus cells were positive for ROS. Isoconazole nitrate has a broad bacteriostatic and bactericidal action, also against a MRSA strain that was not reduced by the corticosteroid in the Travocort cream. Data suggest that the antibacterial effect of ISN may be ROS dependent. An antifungal agent with robust antibacterial activity can provide a therapeutic advantage in treating dermatomycoses with suspected bacterial superinfections.
Ectopic expression of Kip‐related proteins restrains root‐knot nematode‐feeding site expansion
Authors: Vieira Paulo , Escudero Carmen , Rodiuc Natalia , Boruc Joanna , Russinova Eugenia , Glab Nathalie , Mota Manuel , De Veylder Lieven , Abad Pierre , Engler Gilbert , de Almeida Engler Janice
Published: April 2013

The development of nematode feeding sites induced by root‐knot nematodes involves the synchronized activation of cell cycle processes such as acytokinetic mitoses and DNA amplification. A number of key cell cycle genes are reported to be critical for nematode feeding site development. However, it remains unknown whether plant cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors such as the Arabidopsis interactor/inhibitor of CDK (ICK)/Kip‐related protein (KRP) family are involved in nematode feeding site development. This study demonstrates the involvement of Arabidopsis ICK2/KRP2 and ICK1/KRP1 in the control of mitosis to endoreduplication in galls induced by the root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita.

Using ICK/KRP promoter‐GUS fusions and mRNA in situ hybridizations, we showed that ICK2/KRP2, ICK3/KRP5 and ICK4/KRP6 are expressed in galls after nematode infection. Loss‐of‐function mutants have minor effects on gall development and nematode reproduction. Conversely, overexpression of both ICK1/KRP1 and ICK2/KRP2 impaired mitosis in giant cells and blocked neighboring cell proliferation, resulting in a drastic reduction of gall size.

Studying the dynamics of protein expression demonstrated that protein levels of ICK2/KRP2 are tightly regulated during giant cell development and reliant on the presence of the nematode.

This work demonstrates that impeding cell cycle progression by means of ICK1/KRP1 and ICK2/KRP2 overexpression severely restricts gall development, leading to a marked limitation of root‐knot nematode development and reduced numbers of offspring.
A population genetic model to infer allotetraploid speciation and long‐term evolution applied to two yarrow species
Authors: Guo Yan‐Ping , Tong Xiao‐Yuan , Wang Lan‐Wei , Vogl Claus
Published: April 2013

Allotetraploid speciation, that is, the generation of a hybrid tetraploid species from two diploid species, and the long‐term evolution of tetraploid populations and species are important in plants. We developed a population genetic model to infer population genetic parameters of tetraploid populations from data of the progenitor and descendant species.

Two yarrow species, Achillea alpina‐4x and A. wilsoniana‐4x, arose by allotetraploidization from the diploid progenitors, A. acuminata‐2x and A. asiatica‐2x. Yet, the population genetic process has not been studied in detail. We applied the model to sequences of three nuclear genes in populations of the four yarrow species and compared their pattern of variability with that in four plastid regions.

The plastid data indicated that the two tetraploid species probably originated from multiple independent allopolyploidization events and have accumulated many mutations since. With the nuclear data, we found a low rate of homeologous recombination or gene conversion and a reduction in diversity relative to the level of both diploid species combined.

The present analysis with a novel probabilistic model suggests a genetic bottleneck during tetraploid speciation, that the two tetraploid species have a long evolutionary history, and that they have a small amount of genetic exchange between the homeologous genomes.
Scent glands in legume flowers
Authors: Marinho C.R. , Souza C.D. , Barros T.C. , Teixeira S.P.
Published: April 2013

Scent glands, or osmophores, are predominantly floral secretory structures that secrete volatile substances during anthesis, and therefore act in interactions with pollinators. The Leguminosae family, despite being the third largest angiosperm family, with a wide geographical distribution and diversity of habits, morphology and pollinators, has been ignored with respect to these glands. Thus, we localised and characterised the sites of fragrance production and release in flowers of legumes, in which scent plays an important role in pollination, and also tested whether there are relationships between the structure of the scent gland and the pollinator habit: diurnal or nocturnal. Flowers in pre‐anthesis and anthesis of 12 legume species were collected and analysed using immersion in neutral red, olfactory tests and anatomical studies (light and scanning electron microscopy). The main production site of floral scent is the perianth, especially the petals. The scent glands are distributed in a restricted way in Caesalpinia pulcherrima, Anadenanthera peregrina, Inga edulis and Parkia pendula, constituting mesophilic osmophores, and in a diffuse way in Bauhinia rufa, Hymenaea courbaril, Erythrostemon gilliesii, Poincianella pluviosa, Pterodon pubescens, Platycyamus regnellii, Mucuna urens and Tipuana tipu. The glands are comprised of cells of the epidermis and mesophyll that secrete mainly terpenes, nitrogen compounds and phenols. Relationships between the presence of osmophores and type of anthesis (diurnal and nocturnal) and the pollinator were not found. Our data on scent glands in Leguminosae are original and detail the type of diffuse release, which has been very poorly studied.
The Political Socialization of Adolescent Children of Immigrants
Authors: Humphries Melissa , Muller Chandra , Schiller Kathryn S.
Published: April 2013

Objectives

This study aims to evaluate the adolescent political socialization processes that predict political participation in young adulthood, and whether these processes are different for children of immigrants compared to white third‐plus‐generation adolescents. We focus on socialization agents based in the family, community, and school.

Methods

We use a nationally representative longitudinal survey of adolescents to evaluate the predictors of three measures of political participation—voter registration, voting, and political party identification—and whether the process leading to political participation varies by immigrant status and race/ethnic group.

Results

We find that the parental education level of adolescents is not as predictive for many minority children of immigrants compared to white children of native‐born parents for registration. Additionally, the academic rigor of the courses taken in high school has a greater positive estimated effect on the likelihood of registration and party identification for Latino children of immigrants compared to white third‐plus‐generation young adults.

Conclusions

The process of general integration into U.S. society for adolescent children of immigrants may lead to differing pathways to political participation in young adulthood, with certain aspects of their schooling experience having particular importance in developing political participation behaviors.
The Racial Underpinnings of Party Identification and Political Ideology
Authors: Mangum Maruice
Published: April 2013

Objective

The racial issue evolution theory has shaped our understanding of U.S. party politics since 1964. However, some scholars disagree that racial issues are the chief factors. Others argue that social identities are the key to understanding U.S. party politics.

Methods

Using logistic regression, this analysis addresses this controversy and joins the debate with a different test of the social identity theory.

Results

It demonstrates that relationships between three racial psychological attachments (categorization, identification, and consciousness) and political orientation (party identification and political ideology) exist even when controlling for other factors.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that Americans rely on racial categorization and identification when identifying themselves with a political party, but not a political ideology. However, the findings suggest that Americans rely on racial and moral issues when adopting a political ideology, but not party identification.
Glutamate signalling via a MEKK1 kinase‐dependent pathway induces changes in Arabidopsis root architecture
Authors: Forde Brian G. , Cutler Sean R. , Zaman Najia , Krysan Patrick J.
Published: April 2013

A chemical genetic approach has been used to investigate the mechanism by which external glutamate (l–Glu) is able to trigger major changes in root architecture in Arabidopsis thaliana L. An initial screen of 80 agonists and antagonists of mammalian glutamate and GABA receptors, using a specially developed 96‐well microphenotyping system, found none that replicated the response of the root to l–Glu or antagonized it. However, a larger screen using >1500 molecules bioactive in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) identified two groups that interfered with the l–Glu response. One of the antagonists, 2–(4–chloro‐3‐methylphenyl)‐2‐oxoethyl thiocyanate (CMOT), has been reported to target Ste11, an evolutionarily conserved MAP kinase kinase kinase (MAP3K) in yeast. This led to the discovery that root growth in a triple mekk1 mekk2 mekk3 mutant (mekk1/2/3), defective in a set of three tandemly arranged MAP3Ks, was almost insensitive to l–Glu. However, the sensitivity of mekk1/2/3 roots to inhibition by other amino acids reported to act as agonists of glutamate receptor‐like (GLR) channels in Arabidopsis roots (Asn, Cys, Gly and Ser) was unaffected. The l–Glu sensitivity of the mekk1/2/3 mutant was restored by transformation with a construct carrying the intact MEKK1 gene. These results demonstrate that MEKK1 plays a key role in transducing the l–Glu signal that elicits large‐scale changes in root architecture, and provide genetic evidence for the existence in plants of an l–Glu signalling pathway analogous to that found in animals.
A hydrothermal seedling emergence model for Conyza bonariensis
Authors: Zambrano‐Navea C , Bastida F , Gonzalez‐Andujar J L
Published: April 2013

Conyza bonariensis is a South American native annual Asteraceae that has been introduced to the Mediterranean, where it behaves as a ruderal plant and a weed that is difficult to control in several crops. The development of predictive models can contribute to control measures at early growth stages, but currently there are no studies to predict seedling emergence of Conyza species. Our objectives were to develop and evaluate a model for predicting emergence response of C. bonariensis to the soil hydrothermal environment. A hydrothermal seed germination model was fitted to time course germination data from germination tests carried out at different constant temperatures and water potentials with the aim of establishing the hydrothermal parameters characterising C. bonariensis seed germination. The relationship between cumulative seedling emergence and cumulative hydrothermal time under field conditions was analysed using the Gompertz function. Model development was based on 2 years' data from a field experiment. Base temperature and base water potential for seed germination were estimated at 10.6°C and −0.70 ± 0.151 MPa, respectively. The emergence model showed a very good fit to the experimental data. According to this model, seedling emergence starts at 15 accumulated hydrothermal time (HTT) after sowing, and 50 and 95% emergence is completed at 53 HTT and 105 HTT, respectively. For model evaluation, independent field experiments were carried out in two localities. Cumulative seedling emergence was accurately predicted by the model. Results indicate that this model can be useful as a predictive tool contributing to effective control of C. bonariensis populations.
Synergistic Effect between Colistin and Bacteriocins in Controlling Gram-Negative Pathogens and Their Potential To Reduce Antibiotic Toxicity in Mammalian Epithelial Cells
Authors: Naghmouchi Karim , Baah John , Hober Didier , Jouy Eric , Rubrecht Cédric , Sané Famara , Drider Djamel
Published: April 2013

Pathogens resistant to most conventional antibiotics are a harbinger of the need to discover novel antimicrobials and anti-infective agents and develop innovative strategies to combat them. The aim of this study was to assess the
in vitro
activity of colistin alone or in combination with two bacteriocins, nisin A and pediocin PA-1/AcH, against
Salmonella choleraesuis
ATCC 14028,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
ATCC 27853,
Yersinia enterocolitica
ATCC 9610, and
Escherichia coli
ATCC 35150 (O157:H7). The strain most sensitive to colistin was enterohemorrhagic
E. coli
O157:H7, which was inhibited at a concentration of about 0.12 μg/ml. When nisin A (1.70 μg/ml) or pediocin PA-1/AcH (1.56 μg/ml) was combined with colistin, the concentrations required to inhibit
E. coli
O157:H7 were 0.01 and 0.03 μg/ml, respectively. The
in vitro
antigenotoxic effect of colistin was determined by using the comet assay method to measure the level of DNA damage in freshly isolated human peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) incubated with colistin for 1 h at 37°C. Changes in the tail extents of PBLs of about 69.29 ± 0.08 μm were observed at a final colistin concentration of about 550 ng/ml. Besides the synergistic effect, the combination of colistin (1 mg/ml) and nisin (2 mg/ml) permitted us to re-evaluate the toxic effect of colistin on Vero (monkey kidney epithelial) cells.
Regulatory Role of Glycerol in Candida albicans Biofilm Formation
Authors: Desai Jigar V. , Bruno Vincent M. , Ganguly Shantanu , Stamper Ronald J. , Mitchell Kaitlin F. , Solis Norma , Hill Elizabeth M. , Xu Wenjie , Filler Scott G. , Andes David R. , Fanning Saranna , Lanni Frederick , Mitchell Aaron P.
Published: April 2013

Biofilm formation by
Candida albicans
on medically implanted devices poses a significant clinical challenge. Here, we compared biofilm-associated gene expression in two clinical
C. albicans
isolates, SC5314 and WO-1, to identify shared gene regulatory responses that may be functionally relevant. Among the 62 genes most highly expressed in biofilms relative to planktonic (suspension-grown) cells, we were able to recover insertion mutations in 25 genes. Twenty mutants had altered biofilm-related properties, including cell substrate adherence, cell-cell signaling, and azole susceptibility. We focused on one of the most highly upregulated genes in our biofilm proles,
RHR2
, which specifies the glycerol biosynthetic enzyme glycerol-3-phosphatase. Glycerol is 5-fold-more abundant in biofilm cells than in planktonic cells, and an
rhr2
Δ/Δ strain accumulates 2-fold-less biofilm glycerol than does the wild type. Under
in vitro
conditions, the
rhr2
Δ/Δ mutant has reduced biofilm biomass and reduced adherence to silicone. The
rhr2
Δ/Δ mutant is also severely defective in biofilm formation
in vivo
in a rat catheter infection model. Expression profiling indicates that the
rhr2
Δ/Δ mutant has reduced expression of cell surface adhesin genes
ALS1
,
ALS3
, and
HWP1
, as well as many other biofilm-upregulated genes. Reduced adhesin expression may be the cause of the
rhr2
Δ/Δ mutant biofilm defect, because overexpression of
ALS1
,
ALS3
, or
HWP1
restores biofilm formation ability to the mutant
in vitro
and
in vivo
. Our findings indicate that internal glycerol has a regulatory role in biofilm gene expression and that adhesin genes are among the main functional Rhr2-regulated genes.

IMPORTANCE
Candida albicans
is a major fungal pathogen, and infection can arise from the therapeutically intractable biofilms that it forms on medically implanted devices. It stands to reason that genes whose expression is induced during biofilm growth will function in the process, and our analysis of 25 such genes confirms that expectation. One gene is involved in synthesis of glycerol, a small metabolite that we find is abundant in biofilm cells. The impact of glycerol on biofilm formation is regulatory, not solely metabolic, because it is required for expression of numerous biofilm-associated genes. Restoration of expression of three of these genes that specify cell surface adhesins enables the glycerol-synthetic mutant to create a biofilm. Our findings emphasize the significance of metabolic pathways as therapeutic targets, because their disruption can have both physiological and regulatory consequences.
Diagnostic delay in malignant pleural mesothelioma due to physicians fixation on history with non-exposure to asbestos
Authors: Madsen Poul Henning , Laursen Christian B , Davidsen Jesper Rømhild
Published: April 2013

To establish the diagnosis of virtually any disease, the clinician must combine a variety of information. Often emphasised in this context is thorough medical history-taking including information on exposure to factors leading to or being associated with the disease in question. Continuous assessment of all available information is of utmost importance, as fixation on single details can be misguiding with inappropriate consequences in both the diagnostic and therapeutic approach. This case report presents how an atypical medical history led to a delay in the diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma due to a low a priori likelihood of the disease because of non-exposure to asbestos. We highlight the fact that postrationalisation and attempts to renew a diagnostic approach must be carried out each time diagnostic dilemmas emerge, and when some or all diagnostic clues disagree.