bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patterns of spread of influenza A in Canada
Authors: He Daihai , Dushoff Jonathan , Eftimie Raluca , Earn David J. D.
Published: September 2013

Understanding spatial patterns of influenza transmission is important for designing control measures. We investigate spatial patterns of laboratory-confirmed influenza A across Canada from October 1999 to August 2012. A statistical analysis (generalized linear model) of the seasonal epidemics in this time period establishes a clear spatio-temporal pattern, with influenza emerging earlier in western provinces. Early emergence is also correlated with low temperature and low absolute humidity in the autumn. For the richer data from the 2009 pandemic, a mechanistic mathematical analysis, based on a transmission model, shows that both school terms and weather had important effects on pandemic influenza transmission.
Food vibrations: Asian spice sets lips trembling
Authors: Hagura Nobuhiro , Barber Harry , Haggard Patrick
Published: September 2013

Szechuan pepper, a widely used ingredient in the cuisine of many Asian countries, is known for the tingling sensation it induces on the tongue and lips. While the molecular mechanism by which Szechuan pepper activates
tactile
afferent fibres has been clarified, the
tingling
sensation itself has been less studied, and it remains unclear which fibres are responsible. We investigated the somatosensory perception of tingling in humans to identify the characteristic temporal frequency and compare this to the established selectivity of tactile afferents. Szechuan pepper was applied to the lower lip of participants. Participants judged the frequency of the tingling sensation on the lips by comparing this with the frequencies of mechanical vibrations applied to their right index finger. The perceived frequency of the tingling was consistently at around 50 Hz, corresponding to the range of tactile RA1 afferent fibres. Furthermore, adaptation of the RA1 channel by prolonged mechanical vibration reliably reduced the tingling frequency induced by Szechuan pepper, confirming that the frequency-specific tactile channel is shared between Szechuan pepper and mechanical vibration. Combining information about molecular reactions at peripheral receptors with quantitative psychophysical measurement may provide a unique method for characterizing unusual experiences by decomposing them into identifiable
minimal units
of sensation.
A cure for the plague of parameters: constraining models of complex population dynamics with allometries
Authors: Hudson Lawrence N. , Reuman Daniel C.
Published: September 2013

A major goal of ecology is to discover how dynamics and structure of multi-trophic ecological communities are related. This is difficult, because whole-community data are limited and typically comprise only a snapshot of a community instead of a time series of dynamics, and mathematical models of complex system dynamics have a large number of unmeasured parameters and therefore have been only tenuously related to real systems. These are related problems, because long time-series, if they were commonly available, would enable inference of parameters. The resulting ‘plague of parameters’ means most studies of multi-species population dynamics have been very theoretical. Dynamical models parametrized using physiological allometries may offer a partial cure for the plague of parameters, and these models are increasingly used in theoretical studies. However, physiological allometries cannot determine all parameters, and the models have also rarely been directly tested against data. We confronted a model of community dynamics with data from a lake community. Many important empirical patterns were reproducible as outcomes of dynamics, and were not reproducible when parameters did not follow physiological allometries. Results validate the usefulness, when parameters follow physiological allometries, of classic differential-equation models for understanding whole-community dynamics and the structure–dynamics relationship.
Cohnella lupini sp. nov., an endophytic bacterium isolated from root nodules of Lupinus albus
Authors: Flores-Félix José David , Carro Lorena , Ramírez-Bahena Martha-Helena , Tejedor Carmen , Igual José M. , Peix Alvaro , Velázquez Encarna
Published: September 2013

A bacterial strain designated RLAHU4BT was isolated from root nodules of Lupinus albus in León (Spain). The 16S rRNA gene sequence of this strain showed similarities lower than 97 % with respect to species of the genus

Cohnella

. The strain was a Gram-variable, sporulating rod, motile by means of peritrichous flagella, and facultatively anaerobic. It was positive for oxidase, catalase and β-galactosidase production but negative for urease, amylase and gelatinase. Strain RLAHU4BT grew in the presence of 5 % NaCl. MK-7 was the predominant menaquinone and meso-diaminopimelic acid was present in the peptidoglycan. anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and C16 : 0 were the major fatty acids. Major polar lipids of strain RLAHU4BT were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, three unknown phospholipids, two unknown aminophospholipids and one unknown lipid. The DNA G+C content was 57.8 mol%. Strain RLAHU4BT presented phenotypic differences from all recognized species of the genus

Cohnella

. The phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data indicated that strain RLAHU4BT belongs to a novel species of the genus

Cohnella

, for which the name Cohnella lupini sp. nov. is proposed, with strain RLAHU4BT ( = LMG 27416T = CECT 8236T) as the type strain.
Thalassospira alkalitolerans sp. nov. and Thalassospira mesophila sp. nov., isolated from a decaying bamboo sunken in the marine environment, and emended description of the genus Thalassospira
Authors: Tsubouchi Taishi , Ohta Yukari , Haga Takuma , Usui Keiko , Shimane Yasuhiro , Mori Kozue , Tanizaki Akiko , Adachi Akiko , Kobayashi Kiwa , Yukawa Kiyotaka , Takagi Emiko , Tame Akihiro , Uematsu Katsuyuki , Maruyama Tadashi , Hatada Yuji
Published: September 2013

Two marine bacteria, designated strains MBE#61T and MBE#74T, were isolated from a piece of sunken bamboo in the marine environment in Japan. Both of these strains were Gram-stain-negative, but had different cell shapes: MBE#61T was spiral, whereas MBE#74T was rod-shaped. The temperature, pH and salt concentration ranges for growth of strain MBE#61T were 4–38 °C (optimal at 32 °C), pH 4.5–11.0 (optimal at pH 7.0–8.0) and 1–11 % (optimal at 2 %) NaCl, whereas those of strain MBE#74T were 4–36 °C (optimal at 30 °C), pH 4.0–10.5 (optimal at pH 7.0–8.0) and 1–12 % (optimal at 4 %) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on partial 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that both strains belong to the genus

Thalassospira

within the class

Alphaproteobacteria

. Similarity between the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain MBE#61T and those of the type strains of species of the genus

Thalassospira

was 97.5–99.0 %, and that of strain MBE#74T was 96.9–98.6 %; these two isolates were most closely related to

Thalassospira lucentensis

QMT2T. However, the DNA–DNA hybridization values between

T. lucentensis

QMT2T and strain MBE#61T or MBE#74T were only 16.0 % and 7.1 %, respectively. The DNA G+C content of strain MBE#61T was 54.4 mol%, and that of strain MBE#74T was 55.9 mol%. The predominant isoprenoid quinone of the two strains was Q-10 (MBE#61T, 97.3 %; MBE#74T, 93.5 %). The major cellular fatty acids of strain MBE#61T were C18 : 1ω7c (31.1 %), summed feature 3 comprising C16 : 0ω7c/iso-C15 : 0 2-OH (26.1 %) and C16 : 0 (20.9 %); those of strain MBE#74T were C16 : 0 (26.2 %), C17 : 0 cyclo (19.9 %) and C18 : 1ω7c (12.1 %). On the basis of these results, strain MBE#61T and strain MBE#74T are considered to represent novel species of the genus

Thalassospira

, for which names Thalassospira alkalitolerans sp. nov. and Thalassospira mesophila sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are MBE#61T ( = JCM 18968T = CECT 8273T) and MBE#74T ( = JCM 18969T = CECT 8274T), respectively. An emended description of the genus

Thalassospira

is also proposed.
INSTAT: a program for computing non-ideal probability density functions of |E|
Authors: Shmueli Uri
Published: September 2013

The purpose of this program is to evaluate probability density functions (p.d.f.s) of the magnitude of the normalized structure factor |E| for the space groups of the triclinic, monoclinic and orthorhombic systems, and for any chemical composition of the asymmetric unit, assuming that the atoms are located in general positions. The p.d.f.s are computed by the Fourier and Fourier–Bessel methods [seee.g.Shmueli (2012).J. Appl. Cryst.45, 389–392]. The p.d.f.s evaluated are scaled together with the histogram of observed |E| values and discrepancy criteria are computed. In addition to the above non-ideal p.d.f.s, the ideal p.d.f.s [Wilson (1949).J. Appl. Cryst.2, 318–321] are also computed and prepared for comparison with an experimental histogram.
Nets with collisions (unstable nets) and crystal chemistry
Authors: Delgado-Friedrichs Olaf , Hyde Stephen T. , Mun Shin-Won , O'Keeffe Michael , Proserpio Davide M.
Published: September 2013

Nets in which different vertices have identical barycentric coordinates (i.e.have collisions) are called unstable. Some such nets have automorphisms that do not correspond to crystallographic symmetries and are called non-crystallographic. Examples are given of nets taken from real crystal structures which have embeddings with crystallographic symmetry in which colliding nodes either are, or are not, topological neighbors (linked) and in which some links coincide. An example is also given of a crystallographic net of exceptional girth (16), which has collisions in barycentric coordinates but which also has embeddings without collisions with the same symmetry. In this last case the collisions are termedunforced.
Hyperemesis gravidarum and birth outcomes—a population‐based cohort study of 2.2 million births in the Norwegian Birth Registry
Authors: Vandraas KF , Vikanes ÅV , Vangen S , Magnus P , Støer NC , Grjibovski AM
Published: September 2013

Objective

To study associations between hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) and birth outcomes.

Design

Population‐based cohort study.

Setting

Norway.

Sample

Singleton births in the Norwegian Birth Registry, 1967–2009 (n = 2 270 363).

Methods

Multiple logistic regression was applied to study associations between HG and dichotomous outcomes; multiple linear regression to study associations between HG, birthweight and gestational length. Generalised estimating equations were applied to obtain valid standard errors. Sub‐analysis on data with available information on smoking was conducted (1999–2009).

Main outcome measures

Small and large for gestational age (SGA/LGA), Apgar score after 5 minutes, very preterm and preterm birth (VPTB/PTB), perinatal death, stillbirth, neonatal death, birthweight and gestational length.

Results

No associations between HG and adverse pregnancy outcomes were observed in crude analyses, except for VPTB (odds ratio [OR] 0.79, 95% CI 0.67–0.93). In adjusted analysis, HG was associated with perinatal death (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.08–1.48). Inverse associations were observed between HG and VPTB (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.68–0.94) and LGA (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.90–0.99). Sub‐analyses showed no associations between HG and perinatal death (OR 1.29, 95% CI 0.91–1.83). The inverse associations between HG, VPTB and LGA were strengthened (OR 0.66, 95% CI, 0.48–0.91 and OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.79–0.93, respectively). Exposed babies had reduced birthweight and gestational length compared with unexposed, adjusted difference − 21.4 g and − 0.5 days, respectively. Adjustment for smoking slightly strengthened the impact of HG on birthweight.

Conclusions

Inverse associations for HG and VPTB and LGA were observed. HG was associated with slight reductions in birthweight and gestational age.
Rapid and Sensitive Immunochromatographic Strip for On‐site Detection of Sulfamethazine in Meats and Eggs
Authors: Shim Won‐Bo , Kim Jeong‐Sook , Kim Min‐Gon , Chung Duck‐Hwa
Published: September 2013

A rapid immunochromatographic (ICG) strip based on a conjugate of colloidal gold and monoclonal antibody (mAb) was developed for the rapid, sensitive, and on‐site detection of sulfamethazine in meat and egg samples. The detection limit of the ICG strip is 2 ng/mL, and the assay can be completed in 10 min. A cross‐reactivity test indicated that the ICG strip was highly specific to sulfamethazine with no cross‐reaction with sulfonamide compounds and other antibiotics. The results of the recovery test from meat and egg samples spiked with sulfamethazine were in good agreement with those obtained by the indirect competitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. These results demonstrated that the ICG strip can be used as a rapid and qualitative tool for on‐site screening of sulfamethazine in meat and egg samples.
Plum Coatings of Lemongrass Oil‐incorporating Carnauba Wax‐based Nanoemulsion
Authors: Kim In‐Hah , Lee Hanna , Kim Jung Eun , Song Kyung Bin , Lee Youn Suk , Chung Dae Sung , Min Sea C.
Published: September 2013

Nanoemulsions containing lemongrass oil (LO) were developed for coating plums and the effects of the nanoemulsion coatings on the microbial safety and physicochemical storage qualities of plums during storage at 4 and 25 °C were investigated. The emulsions used for coating were produced by mixing a carnauba wax‐based solution (18%, w/w) with LO at various concentrations (0.5% to 4.0%, w/w) using dynamic high pressure processing at 172 MPa. The coatings were evaluated for their ability to inhibit the growth of Salmonella Typhimurium and Escherichia coli O157:H7 and their ability to preserve various physicochemical qualities of plums. Uniform and continuous coatings on plums, formed with stable emulsions, initially inhibited S. Typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7 by 0.2 to 2.8 and 0.8 to 2.7 log CFU/g, respectively, depending on the concentration of LO and the sequence of coating. The coatings did not significantly alter the flavor, fracturability, or glossiness of the plums. The antimicrobial effects of the coatings against S. Typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7 were demonstrated during storage at 4 and 25 °C. The coatings reduced weight loss and ethylene production by approximately 2 to 3 and 1.4 to 4.0 fold, respectively, and also retarded the changes in lightness and the concentration of phenolic compounds in plums during storage. The firmness of coated plums was generally higher than uncoated plums when stored at 4 °C and plum respiration rates were reduced during storage. Coatings containing nanoemulsions of LO have the potential to inhibit Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 contamination of plums and may extend plum shelf life.
Robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) for completely endophytic renal masses: a single institution experience
Authors: Autorino Riccardo , Khalifeh Ali , Laydner Humberto , Samarasekera Dinesh , Rizkala Emad , Eyraud Remi , Stein Robert J. , Haber Georges‐Pascal , Kaouk Jihad H.
Published: September 2013

Objective

To analyse the outcomes of robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) for completely endophytic renal tumours.

Patients and Methods

Medical records of patients who had undergone RAPN for a completely endophytic (i.e. 3 points for the ‘E’ domain of the R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score) enhancing renal mass at our Centre from 2006 to 2012 were retrieved from our prospectively maintained RAPN database and used for this analysis.

Demographics, surgical and early postoperative outcomes were compared with those of patients with exophytic masses (i.e. 1 point for the ‘E’ domain) and those of patients with mesophytic masses (i.e. 2 points for the ‘E’ domain).

Results

In all, 65 patients (mean age 56 years; mean body mass index 29.4 kg/m2; mean Charlson comorbidity index 3.2) were included in the study group, accounting for 16.7% of RAPN cases over the study period. The main surgical outcomes were: mean operative time 175 min, mean estimated blood loss 225 mL, and mean warm ischaemia time 21.7 min.

Pathology showed a malignant histology in 48 cases (74%), mostly clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Two positive margins (3%) were found.

Patients with a completely endophytic mass had smaller tumours on preoperative imaging (mean 2.6 vs 3.3 for mesophytic vs 3.7 cm for exophytic; P < 0.001), and higher overall R.E.N.A.L. score (mean 8.7 vs 7.6 vs 6.4; P < 0.001).

There was a lower rate of unclamped cases in the endophytic group (3.1% vs 4.8% vs 18%; P < 0.001).

There were no differences in intraoperative complications, length of hospital stay, positive margin rate, postoperative change in estimated glomerular filtration rate, given a similar length of follow‐up (mean 12.6 vs 15.7 vs 14.5 months; P = 0.3).

Conclusion

RAPN for completely intraparenchymal renal tumours can be safely and effectively performed in centres with significant robotic expertise, with surgical outcomes resembling those obtained in the general RAPN population.
Midkine in host defence
Authors: Gela A , Jovic S , Nordin S L , Egesten A
Published: September 2013

Midkine (MK) shares several features in common with antibacterial proteins of the innate immune system. These include growth factor properties, heparin‐binding regions and effects on immune cells, such as recruitment and activation of neutrophils and macrophages. Indeed, recent research has demonstrated potent bactericidal and fungicidal activities of MK. This protein is constitutively expressed at relevant concentrations at barriers of the body, such as the skin and the large airways, where the body first encounters potential pathogens. The antibacterial properties of MK orthologues are preserved during evolution, as exemplified by miple2 of Drosophila. In addition to retinoic acid, promoters of MK gene expression include factors present at sites of infection, reactive oxygen species, activation of the transcription factor NF‐κB and hypoxia. In the light of the development of resistance in pathogenic bacteria to conventional antibiotics, MK is an interesting molecule that could serve as a template in developing novel therapeutic strategies against bacterial and fungal infections, either alone or in combination with conventional antibiotics.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Midkine. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2014.171.issue‐4
Outcomes of applying the NOF, NOGG and Taiwanese guidelines to a cohort of Chinese early postmenopausal women
Authors: Cheung Elaine , Kung Annie W. C. , Tan Kathryn C. B.
Published: September 2013

Objective

We applied the NOF (National Osteoporosis Foundation, USA), NOGG (National Osteoporosis Guideline Group, UK) and Taiwanese guidelines to a cohort of postmenopausal women and compared the effectiveness in fracture prevention according to these guidelines.

Design

This study is part of the Hong Kong Osteoporosis Study in which postmenopausal women underwent regular assessment and followed up for fracture outcome.

Subjects

We studied 2266 treatment‐naïve postmenopausal women with mean age of 62·1 years and mean follow‐up of 4·5 years.

Measurement

The treatment recommendations based on different guidelines were compared. The women were followed up to determine the rate of fracture occurrence.

Results

A total of 106 new major osteoporotic fractures (MOF) were reported, of which 21 were hip fractures (HF). Application of the NOF, NOGG and Taiwanese guidelines resulted in bone mineral density (BMD) screening of 40·7%, 1·3% and 31·8% and treatment of 26·8%, 15·5% and 25·4% of the cohort, respectively. 85·7%, 52·4% and 85·7% of the subjects who sustained HFs would be offered treatment according to the NOF, NOGG and Taiwanese guidelines, respectively. Likewise, 58·5%, 34% and 59·4% of the subjects who sustained MOF would be offered treatment according to the 3 guidelines, respectively. The clinical utility indexes for the 3 guidelines based on the occurrence of MOF during follow‐up were 0·0597, 0·0345 and 0·0651, respectively. The corresponding numbers for HFs were even lower.

Conclusion

The clinical utility for these three guidelines is low for this postmenopausal cohort. Specific guidelines should be needed to guide BMD screening and treatment in our society.
Molecular characterization of Ralstonia solanacearum infecting Eucalyptus spp. in Brazil
Authors: Fonseca N. R. , Guimarães L. M. S. , Hermenegildo P. S. , Teixeira R. U. , Lopes C. A. , Alfenas A. C.
Published: September 2013

Among the bacterial pathogens of Eucalyptus in Brazil, Ralstonia solanacearum is considered one of the most important because of the characteristics of the pathogen, like the high diversity among the strains related to host range, high virulence, broad geographical distribution and its damage to the crop in recent years. Given its importance and the lack of research on this pathosystem, the present study aimed to perform a molecular characterization of different strains of infected Eucalyptus plants in Brazil. A total of 19 bacterial cultures isolated from Eucalyptus in different regions of Brazil were analysed. A 372‐bp product generated by multiplex‐PCR amplification using Nmult primers identified all the strains analysed as belonging to phylotype II. Eighteen strains were grouped into subclade IIA and one into subclade IIB. The phylogenetic tree generated from the gene sequences of endoglucanase (egl) confirmed the classification of the strains into phylotype II and separated the strains into sequevars. Strains AMC22, IBSBF2568 and IBSBF2576 were grouped into a single clade, as were strains UFV18 and UFV20, with 89% and 78% a posteriori probability, respectively, forming two new potential sequevars not yet defined. We also identified strains belonging to sequevars 41 (100% probability) and 37 (88% probability). However, most of the strains did not fit into any previously described sequevar and did not form distinct clades. The results of the analysis of fragments amplified using the ERIC‐PCR technique indicated the existence of genetic diversity among the strains studied, with a generally high correlation between similarity and the geographical origin of the strains.
Cell‐surface Notch1 expression identifies a primitive phenotype within CD34+CD38− haematopoietic cells
Authors: Portillo Virginia , Chadwick Nicholas , Lloyd Ruth , Jackson Dean , Buckle Anne‐Marie
Published: September 2013

Objective

Notch signalling has been implicated in haematopoietic stem cell self‐renewal. Although several studies have tested the effect of activating or inhibiting the Notch signalling pathway in stem cells, no study has yet determined the functional differences associated with expressing Notch1. The aims of this study were to characterise the expression of human cell‐surface Notch1 in cord blood (CB) CD34+ cells and to study the function of Notch in CD34+ cells in vitro.

Methods

A monoclonal antibody against the extracellular domain of Notch1 was developed, and Notch1 expression in CB CD34+ cells was assessed by flow cytometry. CB CD34+ cells were sorted on the basis of their Notch1 expression and cultured in serum‐free media. Single sorted CD34+CD38−Notch1+/− cells were cultured for 8 wks on murine stroma monolayers and assayed for stem cell activity and lineage potential using a cobblestone area‐forming cell (CAFC) assay.

Results

Cell‐surface Notch1 expression was characterised in various primitive CD34+ cell compartments including a small subpopulation of CD34+CD38− cells. We found the CD34+CD38−Notch1+ population to be enriched for stem cell activity. Moreover, CD34+CD38−Notch1+, but not Notch1− cells, demonstrated multilineage potential.

Conclusions

These data show that Notch1 is expressed on a functionally distinct subpopulation of CD34+ cells that is highly enriched for stem cell activity and multilineage potential and could suggest that Notch1 could be used as a novel stem cell marker.
OnabotulinumtoxinAfor the Treatment of Headache
Authors: Ashkenazi Avi , Blumenfeld Andrew
Published: September 2013

Botulinum toxin, a potent muscle relaxant, has been found to have analgesic effects in patients with various pain syndromes. Both in vitro and in vivo studies showed the ability of the toxin to block the release of pain neurotransmitters, such as substanceP, glutamate, and calcitonin gene‐related peptide. The effect of the toxin, and specifically of one of its serotypes, botulinum neurotoxin typeA, on headaches, has been extensively studied. This serotype is available in theUnitedStates in 3 forms, including asonabotulinumtoxinA. Data from clinical trials confirmed the efficacy, safety, and tolerability ofonabotulinumtoxinAin the prophylactic treatment of chronic migraine, the most severe and debilitating type of migraine, in adults. The drug was approved by theFood andDrugAdministration for this indication in 2010. The drug was not found to be effective for episodic migraine or tension‐type headache. Noncontrolled studies suggest the efficacy of the toxin for headache associated with craniocervical dystonia. Proper injection technique and appropriate patient selection are essential for achieving positive results after treatment withonabotulinumtoxinA. The recommended injection paradigm combines a fixed site/fixed dose and follow the pain approaches, with the toxin injected to multiple sites of the head and neck, at a total dose of 155U‐195U. The treatment is given at intervals of 12 weeks on average. The efficacy of onabotulinumtoxinA for some headaches, its long duration of action, and its favorable adverse effect profile make it a viable treatment option for the appropriate headache patients. The drug may be particularly suitable for patients who cannot tolerate, or are not compliant with, the daily intake of oral headache preventive drugs.
Tyrosine kinase inhibitor‐induced vasculopathy in clear cell renal cell carcinoma: an unrecognized antitumour mechanism
Authors: Tsuzuki Toyonori , Sassa Naoto , Shimoyama Yoshie , Morikawa Takamitsu , Shiroki Ryoichi , Kuroda Makoto , Fukatsu Akitoshi , Kuwahara Kyoko , Yoshino Yasushi , Hattori Ryohei , Gotoh Momokazu
Published: September 2013

Aims

To evaluate the pathological features of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), and to elucidate the mechanism of action of TKIs.

Methods and results

Twenty cases of CCRCC treated with TKIs (sorafenib or sunitinib) were retrospectively analysed: 16 were patients who had undergone radical nephrectomy after neoadjuvant TKI therapy, and four were autopsy cases of patients who received TKI treatment. All tumours had two distinct regions: one characterized by necrosis and/or degeneration, indicating antitumour activity; and the other characterized by no or few pathological changes, indicating the absence of antitumour activity. Vasculopathy of tumour vessels was observed in or adjacent to the necrotic or degenerative areas; a decreased density of endothelial cells was noted in the tumour vessels. Few or no changes of vasculopathy were observed in tumour vessels in the other CCRCC areas, indicating the absence or low levels of antitumour activity.

Conclusions

This is the first pathological report of vasculopathy in TKI‐treated CCRCC cases. Our data suggest that TKIs initially induce vasculopathy in tumour vessels, and consequently cause reduction or diminution of blood supply to the CCRCCs, resulting in antitumour activity characterized by necrosis and hyalinization.
A Future for Probation?
Authors: Deering John
Published: September 2013

The probation service in England and Wales faces what is the greatest challenge in its history. It is currently facing a future which is being shaped by four competing and differing forces: its current case management approach as influenced by moves to more law‐enforcement practices; theories of desistance; new developments in offender engagement; and the emergence of Payment by Results (PbR). The article considers each of these influences and discusses how important they may be to the future of probation practice, concluding that the future of the service may be unrecognisable from anything that has gone before.
Desorption isotherms, net isosteric heat and the effect of temperature and water activity on the antioxidant activity of two varieties of onion (Allium cepa L)
Authors: Bouba Armand A. , Njintang Nicolas Y. , Nkouam Gilles Bernard , Mang Yannick Dimitry , El‐Sayed Mehanni Abul‐Hamd , Scher Joël , Montet Didier , Mbofung Carl Moses
Published: September 2013

The standard static gravimetric method was used to determine moisture desorption isotherms (MDIs) of two onion varieties (Goudami and Galmi Violet) at 30 °C, 45 °C and 60 °C in the water activity ranging from 0.055 to 0.83. The combined effects of temperature and water activity on the antioxidant activities of the onion varieties were also studied. GAB, Oswin, Smith and BET equations were tested to fit the experimental data. The net isosteric heat of sorption was calculated. Equilibrium moisture content (EMC), total phenolic content (TPC) and antiradical activity were also measured. The isotherm and the EMC vary significantly with the onion variety and drying temperature, irrespective of water activity (aw). Desorption isotherms were best described by the GAB model. The maximum net isosteric heats for Galmi Violet (32.58 kJ mol−1) were greater than those of Goudami (23.50 kJ mol−1) at each EMC. The TPC and antiradical activity of the Galmi Violet were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher than that of the Goudami at all investigated temperatures and water activities.
Economic Growth and Child Undernutrition in sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Harttgen Kenneth , Klasen Stephan , Vollmer Sebastian
Published: September 2013

Despite recent improvements in economic performance, undernutrition rates in sub‐Saharan Africa appear to have improved much less and rather inconsistently across the continent. We examine to what extent there is an empirical linkage between income growth and reductions of child undernutrition in Africa. We pool all DHS surveys for African countries, control for other correlates of undernutrition, and add country‐level GDP per capita. We find that a 10 percent increase in GDP per capita is associated with 1.5 to 1.7 percent lower odds of being stunted, 2.8 to 3.0 percent lower odds of being underweight, and 3.5 to 4.0 percent lower odds of being wasted. Other drivers of undernutrition, including relative socioeconomic status and mother's education and her nutritional status, are quantitatively more important. This suggests that further increases in GDP will have only a modest impact on undernutrition and broader interventions are required to accelerate progress.
Two‐Sided Matching: How Corporate Issuers and Their Underwriters Choose Each Other
Authors: Fernando Chitru S. , Gatchev Vladimir A. , Spindt Paul A.
Published: September 2013

In this article, the authors update and confirm the findings of a 2005 article that was the first to view corporate underwriter choices as the outcome of a two‐sided matching process in which issuers look to the abilities of the underwriters offering their services and underwriters focus on the quality of the issuers that wish to use their services. This view offers a contrast with both the conventional representation of issuer‐underwriter associations as one‐sided decisions (by either issuers or underwriters) and the classical economist's representation of a competitive market in which prices serve as the primary market‐clearing mechanism.

In their examination of both initial public offerings (IPOs) and seasoned equity offerings (SEOs) during the period 1980–2010, the authors continue to find strong evidence that higher‐quality issuers associate with more reputable underwriters and lower‐quality issuers match with lower reputation underwriters. Moreover, when examining cases of underwriter switching between an IPO and SEOs by the same issuer, they find that cases involving the largest divergence in the relative rankings of issuer and underwriter were the most likely to produce a change of underwriter—and that issuers that experienced larger post‐ IPO increases in quality were more likely to find more reputable underwriters for their SEOs (than for their IPOs).

The authors also find that the larger the number of offerings brought to market in a given year, the smaller the market share of the top‐tier underwriters, likely reflecting the willingness of the most reputable underwriters to turn down business to maintain quality and reputation. Finally, the most reputable underwriters appear to benefit from the fact that the issuers whose IPOs they underwrite end up raising larger amounts of capital, both at the time of the IPO and in the larger and more frequent seasoned offerings by such issuers that come after the IPO.

This evidence in support of two‐sided matching suggests that, especially for high‐quality issuers, the reputation of the underwriters they contract with for security offerings is likely to be more important than the underwriting fees they incur. What's more, the authors' finding that the most reputable underwriters are less likely to lose high‐quality clients and have more stable market share—and that the higher‐quality issuers they attract end up raising larger amounts of capital over their lives as public companies—suggests that underwriters' investments in building and preserving their reputations have a large expected payoff.
Experiences of parents whose sons or daughters have (had) attempted suicide
Authors: Buus Niels , Caspersen Jimmy , Hansen Rasmus , Stenager Elsebeth , Fleischer Elene
Published: September 2013

Aim

The aim of this exploratory study was to gain further insights into the experiences of parents of sons or daughters who have attempted suicide and how these parents respond to the increased psychosocial burden following the suicide attempt(s).

Background

Suicide is a major public health problem and relatives are understood as playing an important role in suicide prevention; however, suicide and suicidal behaviour affect the relatives' lives profoundly, both emotionally and socially, and the psychosocial impact on families is underresearched.

Design

Focus groups with parents of sons or daughters who have attempted suicide.

Methods

In January and February 2012, we interviewed two groups of parents recruited at a counselling programme for relatives of persons who have attempted suicide. The analysis combined a thematic analysis with a subsequent analysis of how the themes were negotiated in the conversational interactions. The findings were interpreted and discussed within an interactionist framework.

Findings

The participants in the study described their experiences as a double trauma, which included the trauma of the suicide attempt(s) and the subsequent psychosocial impact on the family's well‐being. The pressure on the parents was intense and the fundamentally unpredictable character of suicide attempts was frequently emphasized.

Conclusion

Being the parent of a child who attempts suicide meant managing a life‐threatening situation and the additional moral stigma. In part, the participants did this in the group by negotiating the character of the suicide attempt(s) and who was responsible.
Getting psychosocial interventions into mental health nursing practice: a survey of skill use and perceived benefits to service users
Authors: Butler Mary Pat , Begley Mary , Parahoo Kader , Finn Sophia
Published: September 2013

Aim

To investigate the use of psychosocial interventions by mental health nurses following training and perceived benefits to service users.

Background

Psychosocial interventions are recommended to support the recovery of persons with enduring mental illness. Despite two decades of postgraduate training in psychosocial interventions internationally, implementation challenges still remain.

Design

A cross‐sectional exploratory, descriptive survey was employed.

Methods

A survey was mailed to the total population of nurses (n = 58) working in some health regions in Ireland who completed training in psychosocial interventions between 2005–2010. Data were collected between November 2011–January 2012, yielding a response rate of 64%. Descriptive and correlational statistics were used to analyse the data.

Results

There were statistically significant increases in the use of psychosocial interventions post training. Cognitive behavioural therapy and family interventions were the least used interventions. Assessment and outcome measures, concordance therapy and relapse prevention were preferential interventions. Perceived outcomes for service users were awareness of relapse indicators, enhanced coping skills and fewer admissions. Case load demands, lack of access to supervision and time constraints prevented implementation. Free text comments indicated a dissonance between generic nursing roles and implementation of structured psychosocial interventions in practice.

Conclusions

The findings indicate a requirement for nursing leadership to legitimize psychosocial interventions as core nursing work. For service users to experience this type of nursing, we propose the nomination of dedicated psychosocial intervention nurses to multidisciplinary teams. Support through guidelines, clinical supervision and audit by senior nurse managers is critical to implementation.
Personality, interests, and career indecision: a multidimensional perspective
Authors: Burns Gary N. , Morris Megan B. , Rousseau Natalie , Taylor Josh
Published: September 2013

Researchers have consistently linked neuroticism to career indecision; however, other personality traits have been inconsistent predictors despite sound theoretical arguments. Similarly, little research has examined a trait‐based analysis of the relationship between vocational interests and career indecision. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the structure of career indecision and to examine the prediction of this construct as both a unidimensional and multidimensional construct. Results suggest that career indecision is multifaceted and that both personality and vocational interests are more strongly related to career indecision than has been suggested by past research. Furthermore, consideration of this multidimensional nature can explain past inconsistencies in the relationships between indecision and personality.
Evaluation of the activity and safety of CS 21 barrier genital gel® compared to topical aciclovir and placebo in symptoms of genital herpes recurrences: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Khemis A. , Duteil L. , Tillet Y. , Dereure O. , Ortonne J‐P.
Published: September 2013

Background

Topical or systemic antiviral drugs reduce the duration of genital herpes recurrences but may not always alleviate functional symptoms.

Objectives

To assess the efficacy and safety of oxygenated glycerol triesters‐based CS21 barrier genital gel® vs. topical aciclovir and placebo (vehicle) in resolving functional symptoms and in healing of genital herpes recurrences.

Methods

A prospective randomized controlled, investigator‐blinded trial of CS21 barrier genital gel® vs. topical aciclovir (reference treatment) and placebo (vehicle) was designed. The primary endpoint was the cumulative score of four herpes‐related functional symptoms (pain, burning, itching and tingling sensations). Secondary endpoints included objective skin changes (erythema, papules, vesicles, oedema, erosion/ulceration, crusts), time to heal, local tolerance and overall acceptability of the treatment as reported by a self‐administered questionnaire.

Results

Overall, 61 patients were included. CS 21 barrier genital gel® was significantly more efficient than topical aciclovir and vehicle for subjective symptoms and pain relief in genital herpes recurrences; additionally, time to heal was significantly shorter with CS 21 than with vehicle, whereas no significantly difference was observed between patients receiving topical aciclovir and vehicle. The treatments under investigation were well tolerated and the adverse events were comparable in the three treatment groups.

Conclusion

Overall, these results support the interest of using of CS 21 barrier genital gel® in symptomatic genital herpes recurrences. Accordingly, this product offers a valuable alternative in topical management of recurrent genital herpes.
Guiding Criteria for Hygienic Design of Food Industry Equipment
Authors: Costa Carlos Alberto , Luciano Marcos Alexandre , Pasa Andrei Marcos
Published: September 2013

Equipment design for food industry should consider, in addition to performance, cost and quality requirements, further aspects regarding to hygiene and food safety. This paper discusses how information associated with hygiene aspects can be used as orientation criteria for equipment design for food industry. The study was based on specialized literature and national and international standards to establish valuation criteria for hygienic design. Eighty‐five criteria were established, grouped into six orientation classes, as follows: processes, materials, geometry, accessories, sealing and others. The criteria were validated through their application in a company which produces concentrated fruit juice, demonstrating how problems could have been avoided by using this valuation method.

Practical Applications

This work provides a contribution to food industry equipment in order to understand how to identify, classify and store the best practices for hygienic design of food processing equipment. In very specific sectors such as food equipment industry, the knowledge related to the equipment design is usually captured in a tacit manner. This paper provides a reflection on this subject and shows a way to organize this knowledge.
Determining the fibrillar orientation of bast fibres with polarized light microscopy: the modified Herzog test (red plate test) explained
Authors: HAUGAN E. , HOLST B.
Published: September 2013

The identification of bast fibre samples, in particular, bast fibres used in textiles, is an important issue in archaeology, criminology and other scientific fields. One of the characteristic features of bast fibres is their fibrillar orientation, referred to as Z‐ or S twist (or alternatively right‐ and left‐handed fibres). An empirical test for determining the fibrillar orientation using polarized light microscopy has been known in the community for many years. It is referred to as the modified Herzog test or red plate test. The test has the reputation for never producing false results, but also for occasionally not working. However, so far, no proper justification has been provided in the literature that the ‘no false results’ assumption is really correct and it has also not been clear up till now, why the method sometimes does not work. In this paper, we present an analytical model for the modified Herzog test, which explains why the test never gives a false result. We also provide an explanation for why the Herzog test sometimes does not work: According to our model, the Herzog test will not work if none of the three distinct layers in the secondary cell wall is significantly thicker than the others.
Development of a novel rhesus macaque model with an infectious R5 simian–human immunodeficiency virus encoding HIV‐1 CRF08_BC env
Authors: Huang Li , Kusagawa Shigeru , Zeng Haiyan , Yang Guibo , Sun Binlian , Miura Tomoyuki , Yang Rongge
Published: September 2013

Background

The CRF08_BC strain is one of the most predominant circulating Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) strains in the Chinese pandemic. A simian–human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) encoding HIV‐1 CRF08_BC env is highly desirable to evaluate candidate AIDS vaccines in non‐human primates.

Methods

SHIV‐KBQJ‐12, which carries the envelope glycoprotein from QJ001, an infectious molecular clone of HIV‐1 CRF08_BC, was generated. The replication capacity of SHIV‐KBQJ‐12 was determined both in human and rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and in Chinese rhesus macaques.

Results

SHIV‐KBQJ‐12 replicated efficiently in human and macaque PBMCs and displayed a preference for CCR5 as an entry coreceptor. Productive infection of two macaques by intravenous inoculation with SHIV‐KBQJ‐12 was confirmed.

Conclusions

SHIV‐KBQJ‐12 is an R5‐tropic chimeric virus that can establish productive infection both in vitro and in vivo in Chinese rhesus macaques and will be useful to assess candidate HIV‐1 CRF08_BC vaccines in China.
Exploring the role of target specificity in the facilitation of vocational teachers’ innovative work behaviour
Authors: Messmann Gerhard , Mulder Regina H.
Published: September 2013

The aim of this study was to investigate how employees’ innovative work behaviour is determined by the level of target specificity of innovation tasks, which refers to the concreteness of a task regarding the realization of an innovation. This issue was addressed in a study with 239 vocational teachers. The study investigated the assumption that employees have different task‐related needs depending on whether they engage in innovation tasks with low or high target specificity. That is, with increasing target specificity, innovation‐specific resources, such as perceived social support, become more important compared with general, work‐related resources such as perceived impact. In addition, the study aimed to show that intrinsic motivation for innovation is a crucial requirement at all levels of target specificity. By applying structural equation and path modelling, we found that (1) the engagement in innovation tasks with low target specificity (i.e., opportunity exploration) depended on perceived impact, (2) the engagement in innovation tasks with high target specificity (i.e., idea generation, idea promotion, and reflection) was facilitated by perceived social support, and (3) intrinsic task motivation enhanced the engagement in innovation tasks at all levels of target specificity and mediated the effects of perceived impact and perceived social support.

Practitioner points

The development of innovations can be fostered if employees are encouraged to carry out social‐interactive and reflective activities such as sharing ideas and critically analysing conditions, tasks, processes, and outcomes at work.

The exploration of opportunities for innovation can be facilitated by a work environment and by job tasks, which provide experiences that increase employees’ perception of influence on work processes and outcomes.

Dimensions of innovative work behaviour that are related to the realization of an innovation can be facilitated by a work environment that supports innovation processes by encouraging an open dialogue about ideas, by providing appreciation and sociopolitical backing, and by guiding less experienced colleagues in the innovation process.

The engagement in all innovative behaviours can be enhanced by creating an intrinsically motivating work environment that contains collaborative work structures, a safe space for errors and reflection, and sensitivity for context‐specific problems and needs.