bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Public Opinion on the Use of Consumer Racial Profiling to Identify Shoplifters: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Gabbidon Shaun L. , Higgins George E.
Published: February 2011

Based on a recent state-level poll of Pennsylvania residents (N = 852), this paper extended previous public opinion research on consumer racial profiling (CRP) by exploring whether the views of Pennsylvanians on CRP were influenced by ethical concerns, the belief that the practice was discriminatory, and the perceived effectiveness of the practice. Support was found that views regarding the perception that CRP was discriminatory increased the likelihood that respondents felt CRP occurs. Similarly, those respondents who perceived that CRP was effective were also more likely to believe that it occurs. Ethical considerations reduced the likelihood of support for CRP while perceived effectiveness increased the support for CRP. The authors argue that scholars should work through the media and civil rights organizations to publicize the empirical research that clearly shows that CRP does exist and that it is not effective.
Experimental study of self-adaptive remnant vibration suppression for flexible structure with interior inlay viscous fluid unit
Authors: Jing Dong  , Xu Hui  , Wang Xuwei
Published: February 2011

This paper investigates a novel self-adaptive remnant vibration suppression technology for a flexible structure using an interior inlay viscous fluid unit method (IVFUM) via experiment. The IVFU is embedded in the flexible structure that can efficiently and self-adaptively suppress the remnant vibration of the engineeering flexible structure. To envaluate the effect of the IVFUM, the self-adaptive remnant vibration suppression experiments for the IVFU Euler beam were carried out in the fixed frequency excitation and the rotation excitation. The experimental results demonstrated that the IVFUM has the validity and self-adaptability for the engineeering flexible structure remnant vibration suppression under certain conditions.
Analysis of friction controlled motion
Authors: Seigler TM , Salehian A.
Published: February 2011

Control of motion through base excitation is considered for the unique circumstance where friction is the primary component of the interaction force. With a focus on the Dahl friction model, it is shown that the equations of motion can be divided into two cases: ‘large’ and ‘small’ friction. When analyzed in this manner, the corresponding models take two distinct forms, which subsequently lead to different approaches for control design and analysis. The case of large friction leads to a linear system with an unknown disturbance, the bound of which is related to constants of the friction model, thus allowing the application of standard linear control methods. The case of small friction is similar to the standard Coulomb model, and can be analyzed within the framework of sliding mode control. For both circumstances, relations between the friction constants and control variables are derived which guarantee position tracking performance in the absence of disturbance.
A retrospective analysis of the effect of patient-specific factors on voriconazole concentrations in oncology patients
Authors: Lombardi Lindsey R , Miano Todd A , Davis Jennifer L , Morgan Steven C , Goldstein Steven C , Vardhanabhuti Saran , Mitra Nandita , Vozniak J Michael
Published: February 2011

Objective. To identify patient-specific factors significantly associated with voriconazole exposure.

Design, setting, and participants. Retrospective, single center at an academic medical center. Consecutive, adult oncology inpatients who received voriconazole by mouth and had at least one voriconazole level over a 14-month period. Voriconazole was ordered for 292 patients during the study period, a level was obtained in 41 patients. Nine patients were excluded; the study population was comprised of 32 patients.

Methods and results. Univariate and multivariable regression analyses were utilized to predict the patient-specific factors significantly associated with level. A total of 36 levels meeting inclusion/exclusion criteria were performed in 32 patients. Sixty percent of levels (22/36) were between 1 and 5.5 µg/mL. Data were available to calculate a Child Pugh score for 66% (21/32) of patients. Using multivariable linear regression, three covariates were found to be statistically significant: age, international normalized ratio (INR), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Three outliers were notable in the ALP category, when removing the three individuals from the model, only an increasing INR remains significantly associated with increasing voriconazole level ( p = 0.0093). No correlation was found with trough level and Child Pugh score.

Conclusions. Sixty percent of voriconazole trough levels were between 1 and 5.5 µg/mL (range 0.1–7.4 µg/mL), only increasing INR was significantly associated with rising voriconazole level. Increasing Child Pugh score was not associated with increasing level. More investigation is warranted into the usefulness of the Child Pugh score for guidance of dose modifications in non-cirrhotic patients with acute hepatic injury.
How Leaders’ Motivation Transfers to Customer Service Representatives
Authors: Wieseke Jan , Kraus Florian , Alavi Sascha H. , Kessler-Thönes Tino
Published: February 2011

Motivating customer service representatives (CSRs) to their highest performance levels is a major task of service unit managers. However, previous studies focused on the impact of leader behavior on follower motivation, while the influence of leader motivation on follower motivation has not been investigated yet. Thus, the authors develop and test a multilevel framework for the motivation spillover principle, which holds that the three components of Vroom’s motivation theory transfer from managers to CSRs. The authors apply this framework to the context of service technology adoption and test it with a matched multilevel sample of 387 service unit managers, 1,018 CSRs, and objective company records. The results support the notion of a motivation spillover from managers to CSRs, which exists incrementally beyond the direct effect of manager’s adoption behavior on CSR’s adoption. However, not all motivation components transfer unconditionally but are contingent on charismatic leadership and manager-CSR similarity——a finding that implies for researchers that an undifferentiated view of motivation in multilevel settings might not suffice. For organizations, the findings suggest that managers are important multipliers of motivation and thus organizations should direct their motivation efforts toward middle-level managers, as they might turn into serious roadblocks to CSR motivation.
Home affordability, female marriage rates and vote choice in the 2000 US presidential election
Authors: Hawley George
Published: February 2011

This article tests the hypothesis that differences in the housing market can partially explain why some American counties are strongly Republican and others strongly Democratic, and that this phenomenon can be largely attributed to the relationship between home values and marriage rates within counties. Specifically, I test the hypothesis that, in the 2000 election, George W. Bush did comparatively better in counties with relatively affordable single-family homes, even when controlling for other economic, demographic and regional variables. Using county-level data, I test this hypothesis using spatial-lag regression models, and provide further evidence using individual-level survey data. My results indicate a statistically significant relationship between Bush’s percentage of the vote at the county level and the median value of owner-occupied homes, and that at least part of this is explained by the relationship between home values and marriage rates among young women.
A qualitative investigation of first-episode psychosis in adolescents
Authors: Cadario Eva , Stanton Josephine , Nicholls Puti , Crengle Sue , Wouldes Trecia , Gillard Matt , Merry Sally Nicola
Published: February 2011

Although a number of researchers have explored the help-seeking pathways of individuals with psychosis, there has been little focus on the experience of illness and services in the under-18 age group. It was our aim to examine by qualitative means the experience of first-episode psychosis and the experience of accessing effective treatment, from two perspectives – that of the adolescents and that of their primary caregivers. A general inductive approach was used to analyse interviews with 12 young people receiving treatment for psychosis, and 12 carers. We found that lack of awareness of mental illness prevented access to early effective treatment. Young people relied on others to access help, and the emotional impact on caregivers was great. Experience of services was mixed, and recommendations were made for both service providers and service users. We discuss the results particularly in relation to developmental and cultural considerations and conclude that there is a need for education about mental illness and normal adolescent development on an individual and societal level.
Directing diversity
Authors: Horsti Karina , Hultén Gunilla
Published: February 2011

• This article sets out to examine and evaluate the Finnish and Swedish public service broadcasting companies’ cultural diversity management and implementation. Diversity policies have been in place in Europe since the 1960s. At present, in the 2000s, there are a variety of strategies to increase the representation of minorities and the recruitment of journalists with minority backgrounds into mainstream media. European collaboration is both taking inspiration and ideas from national experiences and disseminating ‘good practices’. This article analyses how and for what purposes diversity discourses are used, and how cultural/mission and economic/market arguments are articulated within the companies’ cultural diversity media policies. Interviews with managers responsible for cultural diversity issues in both Finnish YLE and Swedish SVT broadcasters and policy documents are scrutinized using critical discourse and policy analysis. Both companies have replaced their multicultural policies aimed at providing specific services for minority groups with integrationist policies aimed at mainstreaming cultural diversity. This shift has led to a collapse of the opposition between ‘public’ and ‘market’ values, although this is articulated differently in the two companies. •
Oreo, Topdeck and Eminem
Authors: Stadler Jane
Published: February 2011

A B S T R A C T • The slang terms Oreo (someone who looks black but acts white) and Topdeck (someone who looks white but acts black) draw on the language of popular culture to signify racial hybridity, superseding slurs such as ‘black honkie’ and ‘wigger’. Using the terms Oreo and Topdeck to frame the analysis, this article investigates how identity politics finds expression in language, youth media and popular culture. It questions how global media flows affect conceptions of black masculinity by contrasting cinematic representations of African-Americans and black Africans in Shaft and the South African film Hijack Stories, and by examining class, ethnicity and rap culture in 8 Mile. I argue that, as South African media culture reflexively reworks messages about black identities, it produces terminology and texts that neither simply reinforce nor resist racial stereotypes, but legitimate the diversification of blackness by making cultural transition and difference visible. •
Telomeric damage in early stage of chronic lymphocytic leukemia correlates with shelterin dysregulation
Authors: Augereau Adeline , T'kint de Roodenbeke Claire , Simonet Thomas , Bauwens Serge , Horard Béatrice , Callanan Mary , Leroux Dominique , Jallades Laurent , Salles Gilles , Gilson Eric , Poncet Delphine
Published: February 2011

Cells of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) are characterized by short telomeres despite a low proliferative index. Because telomere length has been reported to be a valuable prognosis criteria, there is a great interest in a deep understanding of the origin and consequences of telomere dysfunction in this pathology. Cases of chromosome fusion involving extremely short telomeres have been reported at advanced stage. In the present study, we address the question of the existence of early telomere dysfunction during the B-CLL time course. In a series restricted to 23 newly diagnosed Binet stage A CLL patients compared with 12 healthy donors, we found a significant increase in recruitment of DNA-damage factors to telomeres showing telomere dysfunction in the early stage of the disease. Remarkably, the presence of dysfunctional telomeres did not correlate with telomere shortening or chromatin marks deregulation but with a down-regulation of 2 shelterin genes: ACD (coding for TPP1; P = .0464) and TINF2 (coding for TIN2; P = .0177). We propose that telomeric deprotection in the early step of CLL is not merely the consequence of telomere shortening but also of shelterin alteration.
Chromatin-modifying agents promote the ex vivo production of functional human erythroid progenitor cells
Authors: Chaurasia Pratima , Berenzon Dmitriy , Hoffman Ronald
Published: February 2011

Presently, blood transfusion products (TPs) are composed of terminally differentiated cells with a finite life span. We have developed an ex vivo–generated TP composed of erythroid progenitor cells (EPCs) and precursors cells. Several histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) were used in vitro to promote the preferential differentiation of cord blood (CB) CD34+ cells to EPCs. A combination of cytokines and valproic acid (VPA): (1) promoted the greatest degree of EPC expansion, (2) led to the generation of EPCs which were capable of differentiating into the various stages of erythroid development, (3) led to epigenetic modifications (increased H3 acetylation) of promoters for erythroid-specific genes, which resulted in the acquisition of a gene expression pattern characteristic of primitive erythroid cells, and (4) promoted the generation of a TP that when infused into NOD/SCID mice produced mature RBCs containing both human adult and fetal globins as well Rh blood group Ag which persisted for 3 weeks and the retention of human EPCs and erythroid precursor cells within the BM of recipient mice. This ex vivo–generated EPC-TP likely represents a paradigm shift in transfusion medicine because of its potential to continue to generate additional RBCs after its infusion.
Toll-like receptors and microbial exposure: gene–gene and gene–environment interaction in the development of atopy
Authors: Reijmerink N.E. , Kerkhof M. , Bottema R.W.B. , Gerritsen J. , Stelma F.F. , Thijs C. , van Schayck C.P. , Smit H.A. , Brunekreef B. , Postma D.S. , Koppelman G.H.
Published: February 2011

Environmental and genetic factors contribute to atopy development. High microbial exposure may confer a protective effect on atopy. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) bind microbial products and are important in activating the immune system.

To assess whether interactions between microbial exposures and genes encoding TLRs (and related genes) result in atopy, genes, environmental factors and gene–environment interactions of 66 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of 12 genes (TLR 1–6,9and10,CD14,MD2, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) andDectin-1), and six proxy parameters of microbial exposure (sibship size, pets (three different parameters), day-care and intrauterine and childhood tobacco smoke exposure) were analysed for association with atopic phenotypes in 3,062 Dutch children (the Allergenic study).

The presence of two or more older siblings increased the risk of developing high total immunoglobulin (Ig)E levels at different ages. This risk increased further in children aged 1–2 yrs carrying the minor allele ofTLR6SNP rs1039559. Furthermore, novel two- and three-factor gene–gene and gene–environment interactions were found (e.g. between sibship size, day-care andLBPSNP rs2232596).

Larger sibship size is associated with increased total IgE levels. Furthermore, complex two- and three-factor interactions exist between genes and the environment. TheTLRsand related genes interact with proxy parameters of high microbial exposure in atopy development.
Are interferon-γ release assays useful for diagnosing active tuberculosis in a high-burden setting?
Authors: Ling D.I. , Pai M. , Davids V. , Brunet L. , Lenders L. , Meldau R. , Calligaro G. , Allwood B. , van Zyl-Smit R. , Peter J. , Bateman E. , Dawson R. , Dheda K.
Published: February 2011

Although interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs) are intended for diagnosing latent tuberculosis (TB), we hypothesised that in a high-burden setting: 1) the magnitude of the response when using IGRAs can distinguish active TB from other diagnoses; 2) IGRAs may aid in the diagnosis of smear-negative TB; and 3) IGRAs could be useful as rule-out tests for active TB.

We evaluated the accuracy of two IGRAs (QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-tube (QFT-GIT) and T-SPOT®.TB) in 395 patients (27% HIV-infected) with suspected TB in Cape Town, South Africa.

IGRA sensitivity and specificity (95% CI) were 76% (68–83%) and 42% (36–49%) for QFT-GIT and 84% (77–90%) and 47% (40–53%) for T-SPOT®.TB, respectively. Although interferon-γ responses were significantly higher in the TBversusnon-TB groups (p<0.0001), varying the cut-offs did not improve discriminatory ability. In culture-negative patients, depending on whether those with clinically diagnosed TB were included or excluded from the analysis, the negative predictive value (NPV) of QFT-GIT, T-SPOT®.TBand chest radiograph in smear-negative patients varied between 85 and 89, 87 and 92, and 98% (for chest radiograph), respectively. Overall accuracy was independent of HIV status and CD4 count.

In a high-burden setting, IGRAs alone do not have value as rule-in or -out tests for active TB. In smear-negative patients, chest radiography had better NPV even in HIV-infected patients.
Screening for activatingEGFRmutations in surgically resected nonsmall cell lung cancer
Authors: Sriram K.B. , Tan M.E. , Savarimuthu S.M. , Wright C.M. , Relan V. , Stockwell R.E. , Clarke B.E. , Duhig E.E. , Yang I.A. , Bowman R.V. , Fong K.M.
Published: February 2011

The clinical applicability of screening surgically resected nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumour tissue and serum for activating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation is unknown. Furthermore, the comparative accuracy of inexpensiveEGFRmutation tests, mutant-enriched (ME)-PCR and high-resolution melt (HRM) has not been determined.

Lung tumour DNA from 522 surgically resected stage I–IV NSCLC and matched serum DNA from a subset of 64 subjects was analysed forEGFRmutations in exons 19 and 21 using ME-PCR and HRM. Additionally, 97 subjects had previousEGFRDNA sequencing data available for comparison.

ME-PCR and HRM detectedEGFRmutations in 5% (27 out of 522) of tumour samples. Compared to DNA sequencing, ME-PCR had a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 99%, while HRM had 100% sensitivity and specificity. Six subjects withEGFRmutation tumours had matched serum, where ME-PCR detected mutations in three samples and HRM in two samples. In the cohort of never-smoker subjects, those withEGFRmutated tumours had worse survival compared with wild-type tumours (30versus49 months; p=0.017).

ME-PCR and HRM have similar accuracy in detectingEGFRmutations but the prognostic implications of the mutations in resected NSCLC warrants further study.
Unusual applications of noninvasive ventilation
Authors: Ambrosino N. , Guarracino F.
Published: February 2011

The use of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in acute hypercapnic respiratory failure, cardiogenic pulmonary oedema, acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), community-acquired pneumonia and weaning/post-extubation failure is considered common in clinical practice. Herein, we review the use of NIV in unusual conditions.

Evidence supports the use of NIV during fibreoptic bronchoscopy, especially with high risks of endotracheal intubation (ETI), such as in immunocompromised patients. During transoesophageal echocardiography as well as in interventional cardiology and pulmonology, NIV can reduce the need for deep sedation or general anaesthesia and prevent respiratory depression induced by deep sedation. NIV may be useful after surgery, including cardiac surgery, and, with a lower level of evidence, in patients with pulmonary contusion.

NIV should not be considered as an alternative to ETI in severe communicable airborne infections likely to progress to ARDS. NIV is being used increasingly as an alternative to ETI in end-stage symptomatic patients, especially to relieve dyspnoea. The role of assisted ventilation during exercise training in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients is still controversial.

NIV should be applied under close monitoring and ETI should be promptly available in the case of failure. A trained team, careful patient selection and optimal choice of devices, can optimise outcome of NIV.
Experimental infection of hamsters with avian paramyxovirus serotypes 1 to 9
Authors: Samuel Arthur S , Subbiah Madhuri , Shive Heather , Collins Peter L , Samal Siba K
Published: February 2011

Avian paramyxoviruses (APMVs) are frequently isolated from domestic and wild birds throughout the world and are separated into nine serotypes (APMV-1 to -9). Only in the case of APMV-1, the infection of non-avian species has been investigated. The APMVs presently are being considered as human vaccine vectors. In this study, we evaluated the replication and pathogenicity of all nine APMV serotypes in hamsters. The hamsters were inoculated intranasally with each virus and monitored for clinical disease, pathology, histopathology, virus replication, and seroconversion. On the basis of one or more of these criteria, each of the APMV serotypes was found to replicate in hamsters. The APMVs produced mild or inapparent clinical signs in hamsters except for APMV-9, which produced moderate disease. Gross lesions were observed over the pulmonary surface of hamsters infected with APMV-2 & -3, which showed petechial and ecchymotic hemorrhages, respectively. Replication of all of the APMVs except APMV-5 was confirmed in the nasal turbinates and lungs, indicating a tropism for the respiratory tract. Histologically, the infection resulted in lung lesions consistent with bronchointerstitial pneumonia of varying severity and nasal turbinates with blunting or loss of cilia of the epithelium lining the nasal septa. The majority of APMV-infected hamsters exhibited transient histological lesions that self resolved by 14 days post infection (dpi). All of the hamsters infected with the APMVs produced serotype-specific HI or neutralizing antibodies, confirming virus replication. Taken together, these results demonstrate that all nine known APMV serotypes are capable of replicating in hamsters with minimal disease and pathology.
Mechanisms of resistance and susceptibility to experimental visceral leishmaniosis: BALB/c mouse versus syrian hamster model
Authors: Nieto Ana , Domínguez-Bernal Gustavo , Orden José A , De La Fuente Ricardo , Madrid-Elena Nadia , Carrión Javier
Published: February 2011

Several animal models have been established to study visceral leishmaniosis (VL), a worldwide vector-borne disease affecting humans and domestic animals that constitutes a serious public health problem. BALB/c mice and Syrian hamsters are the most widely used experimental models. In this paper, we summarize the advantages and disadvantages of these two experimental models and discuss the results obtained using these models in different studies of VL. Studies using the BALB/c mouse model have underscored differences between the liver and spleen in the course of VL, indicating that pathological evaluation of the visceral organs is essential for understanding the immune mechanisms induced byLeishmania infantuminfection. The main goal of this review is to collate the relevant literature onLeishmaniapathogenesis into a sequence of events, providing a schematic view of the main components of adaptive and innate immunity in the liver and spleen after experimental infection withL. infantum or L. donovani. This review also presents several viewpoints and reflections about some controversial aspects ofLeishmaniaresearch, including the choice of experimental model, route of administration, inoculum size and the relevance of pathology (intimately linked to parasite persistence): a thorough understanding of which is essential for future VL research and the successful development of efficient control strategies forLeishmania spp.
A comparison of transmission characteristics of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis between pair-housed and group-housed laying hens
Authors: Thomas Ekelijn , Bouma Annemarie , Klinkenberg Don
Published: February 2011

Human cases of bacterial gastro-enteritis are often caused by the consumption of eggs contaminated with Salmonella species, mainly Salmonella enterica serovar Enteriditis (Salmonella Enteritidis). To reduce human exposure, in several countries worldwide surveillance programmes are implemented to detect colonized layer flocks. The sampling schemes are based on the within-flock prevalence, and, as this changes over time, knowledge of the within-flock dynamics of Salmonella Enteritidis is required. Transmission of Salmonella Enteritidis has been quantified in pairs of layers, but the question is whether the dynamics in pairs is comparable to transmission in large groups, which are more representative for commercial layer flocks. The aim of this study was to compare results of transmission experiments between pairs and groups of laying hens. Experimental groups of either 2 or 200 hens were housed at similar densities, and 1 or 4 hens were inoculated with Salmonella Enteritidis, respectively. Excretion was monitored by regularly testing of fecal samples for the presence of Salmonella Enteritidis. Using mathematical modeling, the group experiments were simulated with transmission parameter estimates from the pairwise experiments. Transmission of the bacteria did not differ significantly between pairs or groups. This finding suggests that the transmission parameter estimates from small-scale experiments might be extrapolated to the field situation.
Taxon ordering in phylogenetic trees: a workbench test
Authors: Cerutti Francesco , Bertolotti Luigi , Goldberg Tony L , Giacobini Mario
Published: February 2011

Background

Phylogenetic trees are an important tool for representing evolutionary relationships among organisms. In a phylogram or chronogram, the ordering of taxa is not considered meaningful, since complete topological information is given by the branching order and length of the branches, which are represented in the root-to-node direction. We apply a novel method based on a (λ + μ)-Evolutionary Algorithm to give meaning to the order of taxa in a phylogeny. This method applies random swaps between two taxa connected to the same node, without changing the topology of the tree. The evaluation of a new tree is based on different distance matrices, representing non-phylogenetic information such as other types of genetic distance, geographic distance, or combinations of these. To test our method we use published trees of Vesicular stomatitis virus, West Nile virus and Rice yellow mottle virus.

Results

Best results were obtained when taxa were reordered using geographic information. Information supporting phylogeographic analysis was recovered in the optimized tree, as evidenced by clustering of geographically close samples. Improving the trees using a separate genetic distance matrix altered the ordering of taxa, but not topology, moving the longest branches to the extremities, as would be expected since they are the most divergent lineages. Improved representations of genetic and geographic relationships between samples were also obtained when merged matrices (genetic and geographic information in one matrix) were used.

Conclusions

Our innovative method makes phylogenetic trees easier to interpret, adding meaning to the taxon order and helping to prevent misinterpretations.
In vivo role of different domains and of phosphorylation in the transcription factor Nkx2-1
Authors: Silberschmidt Daniel , Rodriguez-Mallon Alina , Mithboakar Prathiba , Calì Gaetano , Amendola Elena , Sanges Remo , Zannini Mariastella , Scarfò Marzia , De Luca Pasquale , Nitsch Lucio , Di Lauro Roberto , De Felice Mario
Published: February 2011

Background

The transcription factor Nkx2-1 (also known as TTF-1, Titf1 or T/EBP) contains two apparently redundant activation domains and is post-translationally modified by phosphorylation. We have generated mouse mutant strains to assess the roles of the two activation domains and of phosphorylation in mouse development and differentiation.

Results

Mouse strains expressing variants of the transcription factor Nkx2-1 deleted of either activation domain have been constructed. Phenotypic analysis shows for each mutant a distinct set of defects demonstrating that distinct portions of the protein endow diverse developmental functions of Nkx2-1. Furthermore, a mouse strain expressing a Nkx2-1 protein mutated in the phosphorylation sites shows a thyroid gland with deranged follicular organization and gene expression profile demonstrating the functional role of phosphorylation in Nkx2-1.

Conclusions

The pleiotropic functions of Nkx2-1 are not all due to the protein as a whole since some of them can be assigned to separate domains of the protein or to specific post-translational modifications. These results have implication for the evolutionary role of mutations in transcription factors.
An Expressed Sequence Tag collection from the male antennae of the Noctuid moth Spodoptera littoralis: a resource for olfactory and pheromone detection research
Authors: Legeai Fabrice , Malpel Sébastien , Montagné Nicolas , Monsempes Christelle , Cousserans François , Merlin Christine , François Marie-Christine , Maïbèche-Coisné Martine , Gavory Frédérick , Poulain Julie , Jacquin-Joly Emmanuelle
Published: February 2011

Background

Nocturnal insects such as moths are ideal models to study the molecular bases of olfaction that they use, among examples, for the detection of mating partners and host plants. Knowing how an odour generates a neuronal signal in insect antennae is crucial for understanding the physiological bases of olfaction, and also could lead to the identification of original targets for the development of olfactory-based control strategies against herbivorous moth pests. Here, we describe an Expressed Sequence Tag (EST) project to characterize the antennal transcriptome of the noctuid pest model, Spodoptera littoralis, and to identify candidate genes involved in odour/pheromone detection.

Results

By targeting cDNAs from male antennae, we biased gene discovery towards genes potentially involved in male olfaction, including pheromone reception. A total of 20760 ESTs were obtained from a normalized library and were assembled in 9033 unigenes. 6530 were annotated based on BLAST analyses and gene prediction software identified 6738 ORFs. The unigenes were compared to the Bombyx mori proteome and to ESTs derived from Lepidoptera transcriptome projects. We identified a large number of candidate genes involved in odour and pheromone detection and turnover, including 31 candidate chemosensory receptor genes, but also genes potentially involved in olfactory modulation.

Conclusions

Our project has generated a large collection of antennal transcripts from a Lepidoptera. The normalization process, allowing enrichment in low abundant genes, proved to be particularly relevant to identify chemosensory receptors in a species for which no genomic data are available. Our results also suggest that olfactory modulation can take place at the level of the antennae itself. These EST resources will be invaluable for exploring the mechanisms of olfaction and pheromone detection in S. littoralis, and for ultimately identifying original targets to fight against moth herbivorous pests.
pBAM1: an all-synthetic genetic tool for analysis and construction of complex bacterial phenotypes
Authors: Martínez-García Esteban , Calles Belén , Arévalo-Rodríguez Miguel , de Lorenzo Víctor
Published: February 2011

Background

Since publication in 1977 of plasmid pBR322, many breakthroughs in Biology have depended on increasingly sophisticated vector platforms for analysis and engineering of given bacterial strains. Although restriction sites impose a certain format in the procedures for assembling cloned genes, every attempt thus far to standardize vector architecture and nomenclature has ended up in failure. While this state of affairs may still be tolerable for traditional one-at-a-time studies of single genes, the onset of systems and synthetic biology calls for a simplification -along with an optimization- of the currently unwieldy pool of genetic tools.

Results

The functional DNA sequences present in the natural bacterial transposon Tn5have been methodically edited and refactored for the production of a multi-purpose genetic tool named pBAM1, which allows a range of manipulations in the genome of Gram-negative bacteria. This all-synthetic construct enhances the power of mini-transposon vectors for either de-construction or re-construction of phenotypesá la carteby incorporating features inspired in systems engineering: modularity, re-usability, minimization, and compatibility with other genetic tools. pBAM1 bears an streamlined, restriction site-freed and narrow-host range replication frame bearing the sequences of R6KoriV,oriTand an ampicillin resistance marker. These go along with a business module that contains a host-independent and hyperactive transposition platform forin vivoorin vitroinsertion of desired DNA into the genome of the target bacterium. All functional sequences were standardized for a straightforward replacement by equivalent counterparts, if required. pBAM1 can be delivered into recipient cells by either mating or electroporation, producing transposon insertion frequencies of 1.8 × 10-3and 1.02 × 10-7, respectively in the soil bacteriumPseudomonas putida. Analyses of the resulting clones revealed a 100% of unique transposition events and virtually no-cointegration of the donor plasmid within the target genome.

Conclusions

This work reports the design and performance of an all-synthetic mini-transposon vector. The power of the new system for both identification of new functions or for the construction of desired phenotypes is shown in a genetic survey of hyper-expressed proteins and regulatory elements that influence the expression of the σ54-dependentPupromoter ofP. putida.
The pharmacokinetics of cefazolin in patients undergoing elective & semi-elective abdominal aortic aneurysm open repair surgery
Authors: Douglas Alexandra , Altukroni Mahdi , Udy Andrew A , Roberts Michael S , Taraporewalla Kersi , Jenkins Jason , Lipman Jeffrey , Roberts Jason A
Published: February 2011

Background

Surgical site infections are common, so effective antibiotic concentrations at the sites of infection are required. Surgery can lead to physiological changes influencing the pharmacokinetics of antibiotics. The aim of the study is to evaluate contemporary peri-operative prophylactic dosing of cefazolin by determining plasma and subcutaneous interstitial fluid concentrations in patients undergoing elective of semi-elective abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) open repair surgery.

Methods/Design

This is an observational pharmacokinetic study of patients undergoing AAA open repair surgery at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital. All patients will be administered 2-g cefazolin by intravenous injection within 30-minutes of the procedure. Participants will have samples from blood and urine, collected at different intervals. Patients will also have a microdialysis catheter inserted into subcutaneous tissue to measure interstitial fluid penetration by cefazolin. Participants will be administered indocyanine green and sodium bromide as well as have cardiac output monitoring performed and tetrapolar bioimpedance to determine physiological changes occurring during surgery. Analysis of samples will be performed using validated liquid chromatography tandem mass-spectrometry. Pharmacokinetic analysis will be performed using non-linear mixed effects modeling to determine individual and population pharmacokinetic parameters and the effect of peri-operative physiological changes on cefazolin disposition.

Discussion

The study will describe cefazolin levels in plasma and the interstitial fluid of tissues during AAA open repair surgery. The effect of physiological changes to the patient mediated by surgery will also be determined. The results of this study will guide clinicians and pharmacists to effectively dose cefazolin in order to maximize the concentration of antibiotics in the tissues which are the most common site of surgical site infections.
A multidisciplinary systematic review of the use of diagrams as a means of collecting data from research subjects: application, benefits and recommendations
Authors: Umoquit Muriah J , Tso Peggy , Burchett Helen ED , Dobrow Mark J
Published: February 2011

Background

In research, diagrams are most commonly used in the analysis of data and visual presentation of results. However there has been a substantial growth in the use of diagrams in earlier stages of the research process to collect data. Despite this growth, guidance on this technique is often isolated within disciplines.

Methods

A multidisciplinary systematic review was performed, which included 13 traditional healthcare and non-health-focused indexes, non-indexed searches and contacting experts in the field. English-language articles that used diagrams as a data collection tool and reflected on the process were included in the review, with no restriction on publication date.

Results

The search identified 2690 documents, of which 80 were included in the final analysis. The choice to use diagrams for data collection is often determined by requirements of the research topic, such as the need to understand research subjects' knowledge or cognitive structure, to overcome cultural and linguistic differences, or to understand highly complex subject matter. How diagrams were used for data collection varied by the degrees of instruction for, and freedom in, diagram creation, the number of diagrams created or edited and the use of diagrams in conjunction with other data collection methods. Depending on how data collection is structured, a variety of options for qualitative and quantitative analysis are available to the researcher. The review identified a number of benefits to using diagrams in data collection, including the ease with which the method can be adapted to complement other data collection methods and its ability to focus discussion. However it is clear that the benefits and challenges of diagramming depend on the nature of its application and the type of diagrams used.

Discussion/Conclusion

The results of this multidisciplinary systematic review examine the application of diagrams in data collection and the methods for analyzing the unique datasets elicited. Three recommendations are presented. Firstly, the diagrammatic approach should be chosen based on the type of data needed. Secondly, appropriate instructions will depend on the approach chosen. And thirdly, the final results should present examples of original or recreated diagrams. This review also highlighted the need for a standardized terminology of the method and a supporting theoretical framework.
Phylogenetic and recombination analysis of human bocavirus 2
Authors: Cheng Weixia , Chen Jinan , Xu Ziqian , Yu Jiemei , Huang Canping , Jin Miao , Li Huiying , Zhang Ming , Jin Yu , Duan Zhao-jun
Published: February 2011

Background

Human bocavirus 2(HBoV2) and other human bocavirus species (HBoV, HBoV3, and HBoV4) have been discovered recently. But the precise phylogenetic relationships among these viruses are not clear yet.

Methods

We collected 632 diarrhea and 162 healthy children in Lanzhou, China. Using PCR, Human bocavirus (HBoV), HBoV2, HBoV3 and HBoV4 were screened. The partial genes of NS, NP1 and VP, and two nearly complete sequences of HBoV2 were obtained.

Result

Phylogenetic analysis showed the different genes of HBoV2 strain were homogenous with different reference strains. HBoV3 may be a recombinant derived from HBoV and HBoV4. We also observed that the VP1 and VP2 region of HBoV3 is as similar to HBoV2 as to HBoV4.

Conclusions

A single genetic lineage of HBoV2 is circulating in children with and without gastroenteritis in Lanzhou, China. Current evidence in this study was not enough to support recombination between HBoV2 strains, and HBoV3 may be a recombinant between HBoV and the common ancestor of HBoV2 and HBoV4.
Administration of a novel penicillamine-bound membrane: a preventive and therapeutic treatment for abdominal adhesions
Authors: Zhang Qiang-Ye , Ma Sheng , Xi Dong , Zhang Wen-Tong , Li Ai-Wu
Published: February 2011

Background

Adhesions formation is a significant postsurgical complication. At present, there is no effective method for preventing adhesions formation [1], although barrier products such as Dextran (Dex) [2] and sodium hyaluronate (SH) [3] have proved the most clinically successful [4–6], This study is designed to investigate the preventive and therapeutic potential of a novel penicillamine-bound membrane for abdominal adhesions formation.

Methods

150 rats were involved in the present study. All animals were randomly divided into 6 groups (1 vehicle group and 5 test groups respectively treated with dextran, sodium hyaluronate, penicillamine, penicillamine-bound membrane or non-penicillamine-bound membrane). The occurrence, grade and score of abdominal adhesions were compared between the different groups. The breaking strength of incision was compared between the vehicle group and the penicillamine, membrane with/without penicillamine - treated groups. Expression of collagen type I was compared between the vehicle and penicillamine-treated group. The occurrence of adhesions was compared between the Dextran (Dex), sodium hyaluronate (SH), penicillamine-treated group and membrane with or without penicillamine- treated groups.

Results

Penicillamine and penicillamine-bound membrane had significant preventive effects on abdominal adhesions formation, better than dextran, sodium hyaluronate and non-penicillamine-bound membrane. However, neither of them influenced incision healing, although they insignificantly decreased the breaking strength of the incision. Penicillamine-bound membrane, which can be loaded locally and more efficaciously, shows greater advantages than penicillamine.

Conclusions

Penicillamine-bound membrane can be applied as an effective therapeutic intervention for abdominal adhesions with inconsequential side effects.
Development and applicability of Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPS) in Japan
Authors: Ito Shinya , Seto Kanako , Kigawa Mika , Fujita Shigeru , Hasegawa Toshihiko , Hasegawa Tomonori
Published: February 2011

Background

Patient safety culture at healthcare organizations plays an important role in guaranteeing, improving and promoting overall patient safety. Although several conceptual frameworks have been proposed in the past, no standard measurement tool has yet been developed for Japan.

Methods

In order to examine possibilities to introduce the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPS) in Japan, the authors of this study translated the HSOPS into Japanese, and evaluated its factor structure, internal consistency, and construct validity. Healthcare workers (n = 6,395) from 13 acute care general hospitals in Japan participated in this survey.

Results

Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the Japanese HSOPS' 12-factor model was selected as the most pertinent, and showed a sufficiently high standard partial regression coefficient. The internal reliability of the subscale scores was 0.46-0.88. The construct validity of each safety culture sub-dimension was confirmed by polychoric correlation, and by an ordered probit analysis.

Conclusions

The results of the present study indicate that the factor structures of the Japanese and the American HSOPS are almost identical, and that the Japanese HSOPS has acceptable levels of internal reliability and construct validity. This shows that the HSOPS can be introduced in Japan.
Atomic force microscopy investigation of the kinetic growth mechanisms of sputtered nanostructured Au film on mica: towards a nanoscale morphology control
Authors: Ruffino Francesco , Torrisi Vanna , Marletta Giovanni , Grimaldi Maria Grazia
Published: February 2011

The study of surface morphology of Au deposited on mica is crucial for the fabrication of flat Au films for applications in biological, electronic, and optical devices. The understanding of the growth mechanisms of Au on mica allows to tune the process parameters to obtain ultra-flat film as suitable platform for anchoring self-assembling monolayers, molecules, nanotubes, and nanoparticles. Furthermore, atomically flat Au substrates are ideal for imaging adsorbate layers using scanning probe microscopy techniques. The control of these mechanisms is a prerequisite for control of the film nano- and micro-structure to obtain materials with desired morphological properties. We report on an atomic force microscopy (AFM) study of the morphology evolution of Au film deposited on mica by room-temperature sputtering as a function of subsequent annealing processes. Starting from an Au continuous film on the mica substrate, the AFM technique allowed us to observe nucleation and growth of Au clusters when annealing process is performed in the 573-773 K temperature range and 900-3600 s time range. The evolution of the clusters size was quantified allowing us to evaluate the growth exponent 〈z〉 = 1.88 ± 0.06. Furthermore, we observed that the late stage of cluster growth is accompanied by the formation of circular depletion zones around the largest clusters. From the quantification of the evolution of the size of these zones, the Au surface diffusion coefficient was evaluated inD(T)=[(7.42×10−13)±(5.94×10−14)m2/s]exp(−(0.33±0.04)eVkT). These quantitative data and their correlation with existing theoretical models elucidate the kinetic growth mechanisms of the sputtered Au on mica. As a consequence we acquired a methodology to control the morphological characteristics of the Au film simply controlling the annealing temperature and time.
MUC4gene polymorphisms associate with endometriosis development and endometriosis-related infertility
Authors: Chang Cherry Yin-Yi , Chang Hui-Wen , Chen Chih-Mei , Lin Chia-Ying , Chen Chih-Ping , Lai Chih-Ho , Lin Wei-Yong , Liu Hsing-Ping , Sheu Jim Jinn-Chyuan , Tsai Fuu-Jen
Published: February 2011

Background

Mucin 4 (MUC4) plays an important role in protecting and lubricating the epithelial surface of reproductive tracts, but its role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis is largely unknown.

Methods

To correlate MUC4 polymorphism with the risk of endometriosis and endometriosis-related infertility, we performed a case-control study of 140 patients and 150 healthy women. Six unique single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs882605, rs1104760, rs2688513, rs2246901, rs2258447 and rs2291652) were selected for this study. DNA fragments containing the target SNP sites were amplified by polymerase chain reaction using the TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assay System to evaluate allele frequency and distribution of genotype in MUC4 polymorphisms.

Results

Both the T/G genotype of rs882605 and the frequency of haplotype T-T (rs882605 and rs1104760) were higher in patients than in controls and were statistically significant. The frequency of the C allele at rs1104760, the C allele at rs2688513, the G allele at rs2246901 and the A allele at rs2258447 were associated with advanced stage of endometriosis. Moreover, the G allele at rs882605 was verified as a key genetic factor for infertility in patients. Protein sequence analysis indicated that amino acid substitutions by genetic variations at rs882605, rs2688513 and rs2246901 occur in the putative functional loops and the type D von Willebrand factor (VWFD) domain in the MUC4 sequence.

Conclusions

MUC4 polymorphisms are associated with endometriosis development and endometriosis-related infertility in the Taiwanese population.