bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regional métier definition: a comparative investigation of statistical methods using a workflow applied to international otter trawl fisheries in the North Sea
Authors: Deporte Nicolas , Ulrich Clara , Mahévas Stéphanie , Demanèche Sébastien , Bastardie Francois
Published: January 2012

Deporte, N., Ulrich, C., Mahévas, S., Demanèche, S., and Bastardie, F. 2012. Regional métier definition: a comparative investigation of statistical methods using a workflow applied to international otter trawl fisheries in the North Sea. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 69: 331–342. The European Common Fisheries Policy recognizes the importance of accounting for heterogeneity in fishing practices, and métier-based sampling is now at the core of the EU Data Collection Framework. The implementation of such an approach would require Member States to agree on the standard regional métier definitions and on practical rules to categorize logbook records into métiers. Several alternative approaches have been used in the past to categorize landings profiles, but no consensus has yet emerged. A generic open-source workflow is developed to test and compare a selection of methods, including principal components analysis (PCA), hierarchical agglomerative clustering (HAC), K-means, and Clustering LARge Applications (CLARA), and to provide simple allocation rules. This workflow is applied to a unique regional dataset consisting of bottom-trawl logbooks of five North Sea countries. No method proved to be infallible, but combining PCA with either CLARA or HAC performed best. For 2008, a hierarchical classification with 14 species assemblages is proposed. Discriminant analysis proved more robust than simple ordination methods for allocating a new logbook record into an existing métier. The whole approach is directly operational and could contribute to defining more objective and consistent métiers across European fisheries.
Feeding the world: what role for fisheries?
Authors: Frid Chris L. J. , Paramor Odette A. L.
Published: January 2012

Frid, C. L. J., and Paramor, O. A. L. 2012. Feeding the world: what role for fisheries? – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 69: 145–150. Fisheries (wild capture and aquaculture) deliver more than 110 million tonnes of food and around 15% of the dietary protein to the 7 billion people currently living on the planet. With the global population expected to peak at 9 billion by 2050, and >80% of global fish stocks currently fully or overexploited (and aquaculture is at least in part dependent on capture fisheries), the contribution of fisheries looks set to decline. The challenge is therefore determining how better management, an ecosystem perspective, and more efficient utilization of fisheries waste can support fisheries products continuing to contribute significantly to “feeding the world” up to and beyond the population peak.
Molecular characterization of macrolide resistance mechanisms among Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes isolated from the PROTEKT 1999-2000 study
Authors: Farrell D. J. , Morrissey I. , Bakker S. , Felmingham D.
Published: January 2012

In this study, the distribution of macrolide resistance mechanisms was determined for isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes obtained from the PROTEKT 1999–2000 study (a global, longitudinal study of the antibacterial susceptibility of bacterial pathogens associated with community-acquired lower respiratory tract infections). The global macrolide resistance mechanism distribution results for 1043 macrolide-resistant S. pneumoniae isolates collected from 25 countries were as follows: 35.3% mef (A) , 56.2% erm (B) , 6.8% both mef (A) and erm (B) , 0.2% erm (A) subclass erm (TR) and 1.5% negative for mechanisms tested. Mechanisms of macrolide resistance were found to vary widely between countries and different geographical regions with mef (A) predominating in North America and erm(B) in Europe. Approximation of genotype from macrolide MIC without molecular determination of the mechanism of resistance resulted in an error of 10.2% (106 isolates). Overall, for 143 macrolide-resistant S. pyogenes isolates, 46.1% of the isolates tested were mef (A), 30.8% were erm (B), 23.1% were erm (A) subclass erm (TR) and no isolates were negative for all the genetic markers tested. Again, the distribution varied widely between countries and geographical regions. This study provides valuable baseline data for the continued monitoring of the evolution of macrolide resistance development in these important respiratory tract pathogens. The ketolide telithromycin retained excellent anti-pneumococcal activity irrespective of macrolide resistance mechanism, having a MIC 90 of 0.25, 0.5 and 0.5 mg/L against mef (A), erm (B) and mef (A)+ erm (B) macrolide-resistant S. pneumoniae , respectively. It also exhibited potent activity against S. pyogenes that had become resistant to macrolides via either mef (A), (MIC 90 0.5 mg/L) or erm (TR), (MIC 90 0.03 mg/L).
The need for antimicrobial resistance surveillance
Authors: Felmingham David
Published: January 2012

Although antimicrobial agents drastically reduced patient morbidity and mortality, bacterial resistance to these agents developed shortly after their introduction. Because the laboratory diagnosis of respiratory tract infection (RTI) is not always possible, and rarely of immediate use, treatment success or failure often depends upon the availability of reliable susceptibility information at the time of therapeutic decision-making. Hence, the need for accurate, up-to-date and timely data is obvious. This information can also be used to help determine the cause of antimicrobial resistance and how it spreads. Desired components of a global RTI surveillance study fall into four categories: programme design, methodology, clinical and dissemination of information. PROTEKT (Prospective Resistant Organism Tracking and Epidemiology for the Ketolide Telithromycin) is an RTI surveillance study designed to fulfil these requirements. PROTEKT includes all of the features of other successful RTI surveillance studies (e.g. the Alexander Project, SENTRY) and improves on these studies by the addition of other desirable features, such as the determination of resistance mechanisms and the availability of up-to-date local data that can be downloaded to hand-held computers via the worldwide web for use at the bedside.
Multidimensional Analysis of Roll Call Data via Bayesian Simulation: Identification, Estimation, Inference, and Model Checking
Authors: Jackman Simon
Published: January 2012

Vote-specific parameters are often by-products of roll call analysis, the primary goal being the measurement of legislators' ideal points. But these vote-specific parameters are more important in higher-dimensional settings: prior restrictions on vote parameters help identify the model, and researchers often have prior beliefs about the nature of the dimensions underlying the proposal space. Bayesian methods provide a straightforward and rigorous way for incorporating these prior beliefs into roll call analysis. I demonstrate this by exploiting the close connections among roll call analysis, item-response models, and “full-information” factor analysis. Vote-specific discrimination parameters are equivalent to factor loadings, and as in factor analysis, they (1) enable researchers to discern the substantive content of the recovered dimensions, (2) can be used for assessing dimensionality and model checking, and (3) are an obvious vehicle for introducing and testing researchers' prior beliefs about the dimensions. Bayesian simulation facilitates these uses of discrimination parameters, by simplifying estimation and inference for the massive number of parameters generated by roll call analysis.
Agenda Constrained Legislator Ideal Points and the Spatial Voting Model
Authors: Clinton Joshua D. , Meirowitz Adam
Published: January 2012

Existing preference estimation procedures do not incorporate the full structure of the spatial model of voting, as they fail to use the sequential nature of the agenda. In the maximum likelihood framework, the consequences of this omission may be far-reaching. First, information useful for the identification of the model is neglected. Specifically, information that identifies the proposal locations is ignored. Second, the dimensionality of the policy space may be incorrectly estimated. Third, preference and proposal location estimates are incorrect and difficult to interpret in terms of the spatial model. We also show that the Bayesian simulation approach to ideal point estimation (Clinton et al. 2000; Jackman 2000) may be improved through the use of information about the legislative agenda. This point is illustrated by comparing several preference estimators of the first U.S. House (1789–1791).
Molecular Changes Induced in Rat Liver by Hemorrhage and Effects of Melanocortin Treatment
Authors: Lonati Caterina , Sordi Andrea , Giuliani Daniela , Spaccapelo Luca , Leonardi Patrizia , Carlin Andrea , Ottani Alessandra , Galantucci Maria , Grieco Paolo , Catania Anna , Guarini Salvatore
Published: January 2012

Background

Melanocortin peptides improve hemodynamic parameters and prevent death during severe hemorrhagic shock. In the present research we determined influences of a synthetic melanocortin 1/4 receptor agonist on the molecular changes that occur in rat liver during hemorrhage.

Methods

Controlled-volume hemorrhage was performed in adult rats under general anesthesia by a stepwise blood withdrawal until mean arterial pressure fell to 40 mmHg. Then rats received either saline or the synthetic melanocortin 1/4 receptor agonist Butir-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Sar-NH2 (Ro27-3225; n = 6-8 per group). Hemogasanalysis was performed throughout a 60-min period. Gene expression in liver samples was determined at 1 or 3 h using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results

At 1 h, in saline-treated shocked rats, there were significant increases in activating transcription factor 3 (Atf3), early growth response 1 (Egr1), heme oxygenase (decycling) 1 (Hmox1), FBJ murine osteosarcoma viral oncogene homolog (Fos), and jun oncogene (Jun). These changes were prevented by Ro27-3225 (mean ± SEM: Atf3 152.83 ± 58.62 vs. 579.00 ± 124.13, P = 0.002; Egr1 13.21 ± 1.28 vs. 26.63 ± 1.02, P = 0.001; Hmox1 3.28 ± 0.31 vs. 166.54 ± 35.03, P = 0.002; Fos 4.36 ± 1.03 vs. 14.90 ± 3.44, P < 0.001; Jun 6.62 ± 1.93 vs. 15.07 ± 2.09, P = 0.005; respectively). Increases in alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2m), heat shock 70kD protein 1A (Hspa1a), erythropoietin (Epo), and interleukin-6 (Il6) occurred at 3 h in shocked rats and were prevented by Ro27-3225 treatment (A2m 6.90 ± 0.82 vs. 36.73 ± 4.00, P < 0.001; Hspa1a 10.34 ± 3.28 vs. 25.72 ± 3.64, P = 0.001; Epo 0.49 ± 0.13 vs. 2.37 ± 0.73, P = 0.002; Il6 1.05 ± 0.15 vs. 1.88 ± 0.23, P < 0.001; respectively). Further, at 3 h in shocked rats treated with Ro27-3225 there were significant increases in tight junction protein 1 (Tjp1; 27.30 ± 2.43 vs. 5.03 ± 1.68, P < 0.001) and nuclear receptor subfamily 4, group A, member 1 (Nr4a1; 91.03 ± 16.20 vs. 30.43 ± 11.0, P = 0.01) relative to sham animals. Treatment with Ro27-3225 rapidly restored blood pressure, hemogasanalysis parameters, and lactate blood levels.

Conclusions

Melanocortin treatment significantly prevents most of the systemic and hepatic detrimental changes induced by hemorrhage.
Comparison of Fecal Elastase‐1 and Pancreatic Function Testing in Children
Authors: Wali Prateek D. , Loveridge‐Lenza Beth , He Zhaoping , Horvath Karoly
Published: January 2012

Objectives:

The fecal pancreatic elastase‐1 (FE‐1) test is considered a simple, noninvasive, indirect measure of pancreatic function. We aimed to evaluate the performance of the FE‐1 test compared with the direct pancreatic function test (PFT) with secretin stimulation in children.

Methods:

Data of 70 children (6 months–17 years of age) who had both FE‐1 test and PFT were analyzed.

Results:

The average FE‐1 concentration was 403 ± 142 μg/g. Eleven children had concentrations below 200 μg/g, 23 between 201 to 500 μg/g, and 36 were above 500 μg/g. The average pancreatic elastase activity measured on direct stimulation was 49.1 ± 38.6 μmol · min−1 · ml−1 and 11 children had activity below the established cutoff (10.5 μmol · min−1 · ml−1). Among the 11 children with pathologic PFT, 7 had normal FE‐1, 4 were in the intermediate range (201–500 μg/g), and none were in the low range (<200 μg/g). Among the 59 children with normal direct PFT 11 (19%) had pathologic (<200 μg/g) and 19 (32%) had intermediate FE‐1 tests. Twenty‐nine children had both normal FE‐1 concentration and normal PFT, giving a negative predictive value of 80%. The correlation between pancreatic elastase activity and FE‐1 concentration was poor (r = 0.190). The sensitivity of the FE‐1 test was found to be 41.7%, whereas the specificity was 49.2%. The positive predictive value of the FE‐1 test was only 14%.

Conclusions:

The FE‐1 test is a simple, noninvasive, indirect method; however, ordering physicians should be aware of its limitations. It can give false‐positive results and has low sensitivity in children with mild pancreatic insufficiency without cystic fibrosis and in those with isolated pancreatic enzyme deficiencies.
Accuracy of Diagnostic Antibody Tests for Coeliac Disease in Children
Authors: Giersiepen Klaus , Lelgemann Monika , Stuhldreher Nina , Ronfani Luca , Husby Steffen , Koletzko Sibylle , Korponay‐Szabó Ilma R. ,   ESPGHAN Working Group on Coeliac Disease Diagnosis
Published: January 2012

Objective:

The aim of this study was to summarise the evidence from 2004 to September 2009 on the performance of laboratory‐based serological and point of care (POC) tests for diagnosing coeliac disease (CD) in children using histology as reference standard.

Patients and Methods:

We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for studies reporting on children for tests based on IgA and IgG anti‐gliadin (AGA), endomysial (EmA), anti‐transglutaminase‐2 (TG2), and anti‐deamidated gliadin peptides (DGP) antibodies or POC tests. For inclusion, histological analysis of duodenal biopsies and sensitivity and specificity for index tests had to be reported. Data were pooled and summary measures calculated for sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios (“LR+”, “LR−”), and diagnostic odds ratios (DOR). In case of elevated statistical heterogeneity, studies reaching 90% sensitivity or specificity were reported.

Results:

A total of 2510 articles were reviewed; 16 entered meta‐analysis, reporting on 3110 patients (1876 with CD, 1234 without CD). For IgA‐EmA, sensitivity was ≥90% in 7/11 studies and pooled specificity 98.2%. For IgA‐anti‐TG2, 11/15 studies yielded sensitivities ≥90% and 13/15 specificities ≥90%. For IgA‐DGP, sensitivity ranged between 80.7% and 95.1% (specificity 86.3%–93.1%); for IgG‐DGP between 80.1% and 98.6% (specificity 86.0–96.9%). IgA‐EmA had the highest pooled DOR (554) and LR+ (31.8) for a laboratory test, followed by IgA‐anti‐TG2, IgG‐DGP, IgA‐DGP and IgA‐AGA. POC tests showed a pooled sensitivity of 96.4% for IgA‐TG2 (specificity 97.7%).

Conclusions:

IgA‐EmA and IgA‐anti‐TG2 tests appear highly accurate to diagnose CD. IgG‐anti‐DGP tests may help in excluding CD. IgA‐AGA and IgA‐DGP tests show inferior accuracy. POC tests may achieve high accuracy in the hands of experienced readers, but IgA‐anti‐TG2/EmA were superior.
Structure of human tankyrase 1 in complex with small-molecule inhibitors PJ34 and XAV939
Authors: Kirby Christina A. , Cheung Atwood , Fazal Aleem , Shultz Michael D. , Stams Travis
Published: January 2012

The crystal structures of tankyrase 1 (TNKS1) in complex with two small-molecule inhibitors, PJ34 and XAV939, both at 2.0 Å resolution, are reported. The structure of TNKS1 in complex with PJ34 reveals two molecules of PJ34 bound in the NAD+donor pocket. One molecule is in the nicotinamide portion of the pocket, as previously observed in other PARP structures, while the second molecule is bound in the adenosine portion of the pocket. Additionally, unlike the unliganded crystallization system, the TNKS1–PJ34 crystallization system has the NAD+donor site accessible to bulk solvent in the crystal, which allows displacement soaking. The TNKS1–PJ34 crystallization system was used to determine the structure of TNKS1 in complex with XAV939. These structures provide a basis for the start of a structure-based drug-design campaign for TNKS1.
Structures of new crystal forms ofMycobacterium tuberculosispeptidyl-tRNA hydrolase and functionally important plasticity of the molecule
Authors: Selvaraj M. , Ahmad Rais , Varshney Umesh , Vijayan M.
Published: January 2012

The X-ray structures of new crystal forms of peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase fromM. tuberculosisreported here and the results of previous X-ray studies of the enzyme from different sources provide a picture of the functionally relevant plasticity of the protein molecule. The new X-ray results confirm the connection deduced previously between the closure of the lid at the peptide-binding site and the opening of the gate that separates the peptide-binding and tRNA-binding sites. The plasticity of the molecule indicated by X-ray structures is in general agreement with that deduced from the available solution NMR results. The correlation between the lid and the gate movements is not, however, observed in the NMR structure.
Distribution of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1‐positive stem cells in benign mammary tissue from women with and without breast cancer
Authors: Isfoss Björn L , Holmqvist Bo , Alm Per , Olsson Håkan
Published: January 2012

Isfoss B L, Holmqvist B, Alm P & Olsson H  (2012) Histopathology 60, 617–633 Distribution of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1‐positive stem cells in benign mammary tissue from women with and without breast cancer

Aims:  Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) in female breast tissue has been linked to stem cells, but little is known about the benign cellular organization in situ. We investigated the distribution of ALDH1‐immunoreactive (ALDH1+) cells in histomorphologically benign breast tissue from 28 women with or without breast cancer.

Methods and results:  ALDH1+ cells were detected in benign tissue of women aged 20–72 years, located most commonly at the luminal and intermediate ductular levels and in the stroma. ALDH1+ cell populations and Ki67+ cell populations were present in separate ductules, both cell types rarely showing epithelial differentiation. ALDH1+ cells were non‐reactive to Ki67 and oestrogen receptor. Stromal round/oval ALDH1+ non‐leukocyte cells in both age groups expressed contractile protein. There was a lower concentration of luminal and intermediate ductular ALDH1+ cells in postmenopausal women than in premenopausal women, and in cancer patients than in non‐cancer patients, and a higher concentration in women receiving exogenous hormones.

Conclusions:  This study provides further evidence for the stem cell character of ALDH1+ cells, here in benign breast tissue of cancer and non‐cancer patients throughout non‐lactating adult life, and contributes evidence of benign stromal ALDH1+ cells. The distribution of ductular ALDH1+ stem cells appears to be influenced by hormonal status.
The pathway of cross‐presentation is influenced by the particle size of phagocytosed antigen
Authors: Mant Alexandra , Chinnery Fay , Elliott Tim , Williams Anthony P.
Published: January 2012

Cross‐presentation is the presentation by MHC class I of antigenic peptides from exogenous proteins that have been internalized and processed by professional antigen‐presenting cells, e.g. dendritic cells. We have investigated the influence of particle size and antigen load on cross‐presentation following antigen delivery on microspheres (MS). Cross‐presentation from small particles (0·8‐μm) is sensitive to proteasome inhibition and the blockade of endoplasmic reticulum‐resident MHC class I complex export, whereas cross‐presentation from larger particles (aggregated clumps of 0·8‐μm MS) is resistant to these antagonists. This observation may have been overlooked previously, because of the heterogeneity of particle size and MS uptake in unsorted dendritic cell populations. Larger particles carry more antigen, but we show that antigen load does not influence the cross‐presentation pathway used. Whereas early endosome autoantigen 1 (EEA1) could be observed in all phagosomes, we observed endoplasmic reticulum SNARE of molecular weight 24 000 (ERS24) and cathepsin S in association with 3·0‐μm and aggregated 0·8‐μm MS, but not individual 0·8‐μm MS. A potential mechanism underlying our observations may be the activation of β‐catenin by disruption of E‐cadherin‐mediated adhesion. Activated β‐catenin was detected in the cytoplasm of cells after phagocytosis of MS (highest levels for the largest particles). We propose that particle size can direct the use of different pathways for the cross‐presentation of an identical antigen. Furthermore, these pathways have differing yields of MHC class I–peptide complexes, which is an important variable in designing vaccination strategies for maximal antigen expression and CD8+ T‐cell priming.
Toll‐like receptor (TLR) 3 immune modulation by unformulated small interfering RNA or DNA and the role of CD14 (in TLR‐mediated effects)
Authors: Weber Cordula , Müller Christian , Podszuweit Anja , Montino Carmen , Vollmer Jörg , Forsbach Alexandra
Published: January 2012

The Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) 3, 7, 8 and 9 stimulate innate immune responses upon recognizing pathogen‐derived nucleic acids. TLR3 is located on the cell surface and in cellular endosomes and recognizes double‐stranded viral RNA or the synthetic mimic poly rI:rC. Recently, unformulated small interfering RNA (siRNA) has been reported as ligand for surface‐expressed murine TLR3. Blockage of TLR3 is achieved by single‐stranded DNA. We confirm and expand the observation that poly rI:rC‐mediated TLR3 immune activation is blocked in a sequence‐, length‐, backbone‐ and CpG‐dependent manner. However, human TLR3 is not activated by siRNA, which may be the result of differences in the amino acid composition of the TLR3 loop 1 of mice and humans. Although CD14 was previously described as a co‐receptor for murine TLR3 and other nucleic acid‐recognizing TLRs, human CD14 acts only as co‐receptor to human TLR9, but not TLR3, TLR7 or TLR8. We show that CD14 up‐regulates the TLR9 immune response of A, B and C‐class oligodeoxynucleotides but down‐regulates the phosphoro‐diester version of B‐class oligodeoxynucleotides.
Centring ability and apical transportation after overinstrumentation with ProTaper Universal and ProFile Vortex instruments
Authors: González Sánchez J. A. , Duran‐Sindreu F. , de Noé S. , Mercadé M. , Roig M.
Published: January 2012

González Sánchez JA, Duran‐Sindreu F, de Noé S, Mercadé M, Roig M. Centring ability and apical transportation after overinstrumentation with ProTaper Universal and ProFile Vortex instruments. International Endodontic Journal, 45, 542–551, 2012.

Aim  To evaluate morphological changes to the major foramen after overinstrumentation with ProTaper Universal and ProFile Vortex Ni–Ti rotary instruments.

Methodology  Twenty‐eight mesiobuccal canals of maxillary and mandibular first molars were divided into two groups of 14 canals each. The root canals were prepared with ProTaper Universal or ProFile Vortex instruments. ProTaper and Vortex instruments were used until the file tip protruded 1 mm beyond the working length (0.5 mm beyond the major foramen). The major foramen was photographed before and after overinstrumentation with each file of the two systems used. The images were superimposed and evaluated using Adobe Photoshop. The parameters evaluated were canal transportation, centring ability and shape of the major foramen. Transportation and centring ability were calculated in two directions: the direction of maximum curvature (MC) and a direction vertical to the maximum curvature (VC). Measurements of canal transportation and centring ability were analysed by anova followed by post hoc least significance difference (LSD) multiple comparisons.

Results  No significant differences were observed amongst the different instruments with respect to centring ability in either direction (P > 0.05). The F3 ProTaper Universal instrument was associated with a higher mean values for transportation in the direction of MC (P < 0.05) than the S1, S2 and F1 ProTaper Universal instruments and the size 15, 0.06 taper, size 20, 0.06 taper, and size 25, 0.06 taper ProFile Vortex instruments. The size 30, 0.06 taper ProFile Vortex instrument had a larger mean value for transportation in the direction of MC (P < 0.05) than the S1 ProTaper Universal and size 15, 0.06 taper ProFile Vortex instruments. The S1, S2, F1, F2 and F3 ProTaper Universal files and the size 15, 0.06 taper, size 20, 0.06 taper, size 25, 0.06 taper, and size 30, 0.06 taper ProFile Vortex files produced an oval foramen in 71%, 71%, 85%, 85%, 71%, 71%, 85%, 85% and 89% of the cases, respectively.

Conclusions  In most samples, the ProTaper Universal and ProFile Vortex files produced transportation of the major foramen and created an oval‐shaped major foramen after overinstrumentation.
Maternal Contact Differentially Modulates Central and Peripheral Oxytocin in Rat Pups During a Brief Regime of Mother–Pup Interaction that Induces a Filial Huddling Preference
Authors: Kojima S. , Stewart R. A. , Demas G. E. , Alberts J. R.
Published: January 2012

Central oxytocin mediates the acquisition of a filial preference for maternal odour in rat pups, manifested by their huddling preferences. The present study was designed to examine whether maternal care modulates oxytocin concentrations in rat pups and, if so, how different types of maternal contact are associated with the pups’ oxytocin concentrations. Pairs of 14‐day‐old littermates were removed from their home cage for 1 h and then placed with a lactating foster mother for 2 h, or they remained isolated at room temperature. Enzyme immunoassays revealed that maternal care and maternal separation can differentially modulate pups’ oxytocin concentrations. Both hypothalamic and serum oxytocin increased during the 1‐h separation. Pups placed with a foster mother after the separation maintained the same concentrations in the hypothalamus and serum through the fostering period. By contrast, pups placed with no mother showed a further increase in hypothalamic oxytocin but serum oxytocin decreased. Behavioural analyses revealed that skin‐to‐skin contact with the mother, but not simple physical contact or maternal licking/grooming, was positively correlated with the pups’ hypothalamic oxytocin concentrations. These neuroendocrine data match previous findings showing that skin‐to‐skin contact with mother facilitates the acquisition of the pups’ huddling preference for a maternally‐associated odour. Taken together, the present study suggests that maternal skin‐to‐skin contact stimulates pups’ central oxytocin, at the same time as creating the conditions for inducing a preference for maternal odour and establishing a social affiliation in rat pups; the natural schedule of maternal separation and reunion may modulate pups’ oxytocin concentrations, providing scaffolding for the acquisition of their filial huddling preference.
Forest elephant mitochondrial genomes reveal that elephantid diversification in Africa tracked climate transitions
Authors: BRANDT ADAM L. , ISHIDA YASUKO , GEORGIADIS NICHOLAS J. , ROCA ALFRED L.
Published: January 2012

Among elephants, the phylogeographic patterns of mitochondrial (mt) and nuclear markers are often incongruent. One hypothesis attributes this to sex differences in dispersal and in the variance of reproductive success. We tested this hypothesis by examining the coalescent dates of genetic markers within elephantid lineages, predicting that lower dispersal and lower variance in reproductive success among females would have increased mtDNA relative to nuclear coalescent dates. We sequenced the mitochondrial genomes of two forest elephants, aligning them to mitogenomes of African savanna and Asian elephants, and of woolly mammoths, including the most divergent mitogenomes within each lineage. Using fossil calibrations, the divergence between African elephant F and S clade mitochondrial genomes (originating in forest and savanna elephant lineages, respectively) was estimated as 5.5 Ma. We estimated that the (African) ancestor of the mammoth and Asian elephant lineages diverged 6.0 Ma, indicating that four elephantid lineages had differentiated in Africa by the Miocene–Pliocene transition, concurrent with drier climates. The coalescent date for forest elephant mtDNAs wasc. 2.4 Ma, suggesting that the decrease in tropical forest cover during the Pleistocene isolated distinct African forest elephant lineages. For all elephantid lineages, the ratio of mtDNA to nuclear coalescent dates was much greater than 0.25. This is consistent with the expectation that sex differences in dispersal and in variance of reproductive success would have increased the effective population size of mtDNA relative to nuclear markers in elephantids, contributing to the persistence of incongruent mtDNA phylogeographic patterns.
Potato CONSTANS is involved in photoperiodic tuberization in a graft‐transmissible manner
Authors: González‐Schain Nahuel D. , Díaz‐Mendoza Mercedes , Żurczak Marek , Suárez‐López Paula
Published: January 2012

CONSTANS (CO) is involved in the photoperiodic control of plant developmental processes, including flowering in several species and seasonal growth cessation and bud set in trees. It has been proposed that CO could also affect the day‐length regulation of tuber induction in Solanum tuberosum (potato), a plant of great agricultural relevance. To address this question, we examined the role of CO in potato. A potato CO‐like gene, StCO, was identified and found to be highly similar to a previously reported potato gene of unknown function. Potato plants overexpressing StCO tuberized later than wild‐type plants under a weakly inductive photoperiod. StCO silencing promoted tuberization under both repressive and weakly inductive photoperiods, but did not have any effect under strongly inductive short days, demonstrating that StCO represses tuberization in a photoperiod‐dependent manner. The effect of StCO on tuber induction was transmitted through grafts. In addition, StCO affected the mRNA levels of StBEL5 – a tuberization promoter, the mRNA of which moves long distances in potato plants – and StFT/StSP6A, a protein highly similar to FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT), which is a key component of systemic flowering signals in other species. We also found that StFT/StSP6A transcript levels correlate with the induction of tuber formation in wild‐type plants. These results show that StCO plays an important role in photoperiodic tuberization and, together with the recent demonstration that StFT/StSP6A promotes tuberization, indicate that the CO/FT module participates in controlling this process. Moreover, they support the notion that StCO is involved in the expression of long‐distance regulatory signals in potato, as CO does in other species.
Diagnostic yield of the cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigenemia assay and clinical features in solid organ transplant recipients and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients with CMV pneumonia
Authors: Moon S.M. , Sung H. , Kim M.‐N. , Lee S.‐O. , Choi S.‐H. , Kim Y.S. , Woo J.H. , Kim S.‐H.
Published: January 2012

Data are limited on the value of non‐invasive diagnostic methods, such as the cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigenemia assay, and the clinical features of CMV pneumonia in patients who have undergone solid organ transplant (SOT) compared with those who have had hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). All adult patients with suspected CMV pneumonia, who had received SOT or HSCT in a tertiary hospital during a 5‐year period, were retrospectively enrolled. CMV pneumonia was defined as clinical and radiographic evidence of pneumonia in association with the isolation of CMV in viral cultures of bronchoalveolar lavage or lung tissue specimens, or with the identification of CMV in lung tissue. In total, 36 patients with CMV pneumonia were identified. Of these, 29 (80%) had received SOT and 7 (20%) had received HSCT. The incidence of CMV pneumonia in the patients with SOT (3.0 per 1000 person‐years [95% confidence interval {CI} 0.6–8.7]) was lower than in those with HSCT (17.0 per 1000 person‐years [95% CI 9.9–27.2], P = 0.003) and CMV‐related mortality showed a tendency to have lower mortality in patients with SOT (10% [3/29]) than with HSCT (43% [3/7], P = 0.07). The overall sensitivity of the CMV assay (≥ 1/200,000 leukocytes) in patients with CMV pneumonia was 69% (95% CI 52–84%). The CMV antigenemia test is of limited value in diagnosing CMV pneumonia, given the high cost of false‐negative diagnoses of CMV pneumonia.
Multiparous cows categorized by milk protein concentration and energy‐corrected milk yield during early lactation – metabolism, productivity and effect of a short‐term feed restriction
Authors: Sigl T. , Gellrich K. , Meyer H. H. D. , Kaske M. , Wiedemann S.
Published: January 2012

The objective of this experiment was to study milk productivity, metabolic adaptation and effect of a short‐term feed restriction (FR) on key performance indicators during early lactation in cows classified according to energy‐corrected milk (ECM) yield and milk protein concentration. Twenty‐three multiparous Holstein–Friesian cows were categorized in four groups according to respective averaged values on Days 23–25 postpartum: high ECM yield and high protein concentration; low ECM yield and low protein concentration; high ECM yield and low protein concentration and low ECM yield and high protein concentration.

Dry matter intake was reduced to 68.3% for three subsequent days. Our results showed that short‐time FR in early lactation succeeded in enhancing energy deficit of cows in all groups. Milk fat, milk protein and lactose concentrations as well as milk fat yield were not influenced by FR. Several hepatic genes encoding for enzymes involved in catabolism of amino acids, β‐oxidation, gluconeogenesis and ketogenesis as well as mRNA encoding for insulin receptor showed increased transcript abundances after FR, primarily in cows with high milk yield and low milk protein concentration.
Magnetic nanoparticles for treatment of gastric cancer
Authors: Jiang XiaoHua , Chan Hsiao Chang
Published: January 2012

See article in J. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. 2012; 27: 406–411.
Modular acute system for general surgery: hand over the operation, not the patient
Authors: Poole Garth H. , Glyn Tamara , Srinivasa Sanket , Hill Andrew G.
Published: January 2012

Introduction:  Various models have been proposed to effectively provide acute surgical care in Australasia. Recently, General Surgeons Australia (GSA) has published a 12‐point plan with guiding principles on this matter. This study describes a model of providing acute general surgical care in a high‐volume institution, evaluates clinical outcomes and critically appraises the system against the GSA 12‐point plan.

Methods:  The acute care system is qualitatively described with quantitative measures of workload. The outcomes of acute laparoscopic cholecystectomy were used as a proxy of system performance. The system was critically appraised against the GSA 12‐point plan.

Results:  Teams are on call once per week with each surgeon on call once per fortnight. The three key elements of acute management – collecting patients, post‐acute ward round and operating – are treated as modules. The patient remains under the care of the admitting consultant but is often operated on by another team. From June 2009 to 2010, there were 7429 acute general surgical admissions (mean: 20.4 patients per day) with 2999 acute operations (mean: 8.4 operations per day). The other activities of the department were not compromised. In that time, 388 acute laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed with a conversion rate of 1.3% and no major bile duct injury. The system is compatible with the GSA 12‐point plan.

Conclusion:  This study describes an efficient and safe system for providing acute general surgical care in a high‐volume setting with satisfactory clinical outcomes. It is compatible with the GSA 12‐point plan.
Common bacterial responses in six ecosystems exposed to 10 years of elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide
Authors: Dunbar John , Eichorst Stephanie A. , Gallegos‐Graves La Verne , Silva Shannon , Xie Gary , Hengartner N. W. , Evans R. David , Hungate Bruce A. , Jackson Robert B. , Megonigal J. Patrick , Schadt Christopher W. , Vilgalys Rytas , Zak Donald R. , Kuske Cheryl R.
Published: January 2012

Six terrestrial ecosystems in the USA were exposed to elevated atmospheric CO2 in single or multifactorial experiments for more than a decade to assess potential impacts. We retrospectively assessed soil bacterial community responses in all six‐field experiments and found ecosystem‐specific and common patterns of soil bacterial community response to elevated CO2. Soil bacterial composition differed greatly across the six ecosystems. No common effect of elevated atmospheric CO2 on bacterial biomass, richness and community composition across all of the ecosystems was identified, although significant responses were detected in individual ecosystems. The most striking common trend across the sites was a decrease of up to 3.5‐fold in the relative abundance of Acidobacteria Group 1 bacteria in soils exposed to elevated CO2 or other climate factors. The Acidobacteria Group 1 response observed in exploratory 16S rRNA gene clone library surveys was validated in one ecosystem by 100‐fold deeper sequencing and semi‐quantitative PCR assays. Collectively, the 16S rRNA gene sequencing approach revealed influences of elevated CO2 on multiple ecosystems. Although few common trends across the ecosystems were detected in the small surveys, the trends may be harbingers of more substantive changes in less abundant, more sensitive taxa that can only be detected by deeper surveys.
International Diversity Management: Global Ideals and Local Responses
Authors: Lauring Jakob
Published: January 2012

While the concern with demographic diversity in organizations has increased during recent years, international diversity management still remains an understudied area. This is unfortunate since the transfer of diversity management practices within multinational corporations faces particular challenges in balancing between global integration and local responsiveness. The aim of this paper is to illustrate some of the central problems that multinational corporations need to deal with when transferring diversity management practices from headquarters to local subsidiaries. This is illustrated by the results of an ethnographic field study on Danish expatriates in a Saudi subsidiary. Implications of the findings are discussed in detail.
The Impact of the European Union on Coalition Formation in a Minority System: The Case of Denmark
Authors: Christiansen Flemming Juul , Pedersen Rasmus Brun
Published: January 2012

Does European Union membership influence coalition patterns in national parliaments? For governments in the Scandinavian countries – with their relatively high share of minority governments requiring external parliamentary support to form parliamentary majorities – the question of ‘coalition management’ is highly relevant. This article provides an empirical test of three central arguments in the Europeanisation literature on the impact of EU membership on national parliaments when political parties pass legislation in the Danish Folketing. The effect of EU content in a law on coalition patterns is compared across policy areas and four electoral periods from 1998 to 2011 encompassing 2,894 laws. The data provide support for the argument that the loss of national agenda‐setting over the legislative process has an impact on coalition patterns in the Danish parliament. It is shown that the coalition patterns on Europeanised legislation are both broader and more stable compared to national, non‐EU‐related legislation. The focus on Europeanisation of legislative coalitions goes beyond previous analysis with an institutional focus, and demonstrates an example of how the EU systematically has an effect on legislative coalition formation in a national parliamentary system.
Well‐being among employed and non‐employed caregiving women in Taiwan
Authors: Chou Yueh‐Ching , Kröger Teppo , Chiao Chi , Pu Cheng‐yun
Published: January 2012

Chou Y‐C, Kröger T, Chiao C, Pu C‐Y. Well‐being among employed and non‐employed caregiving women in Taiwan

This study addressed various groups of non‐employed/employed and non‐caring/caring women in Taiwan. Data from the 2006 National Taiwanese Women Survey (at age 16–64, n= 6,017) were analysed to determine whether there are differences in terms of well‐being, as measured by self‐rated health and family life satisfaction, between women who work and/or care and between different carer groups. Other factors associated with well‐being of carers of young children (n= 1,697) were also analysed. The results showed that non‐employed carers of disabled adults stood out as the most disadvantaged group. However, the importance of work has been replaced by support among carers of young children. This study suggests that unpaid carers, particularly carers of disabled adults who are non‐employed, ought to be supported by policies. To improve carers' well‐being, care–work reconciliation among working‐age women needs to be included in the future care scheme in Taiwan.
The local geographies of welfare in Tunisia: Does neighbourhood matter?*
Authors: Amara Mohamed , Ayadi Mohamed
Published: January 2012

Amara M, Ayadi M. The local geographies of welfare in Tunisia: Does neighbourhood matter?

The aim of this article is to show that spatial analysis techniques outperform non‐spatial statistical counterparts for understanding the geographic determinants of welfare and poverty in Tunisia. First, an Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis, based on a Geographical Information System, was conducted to visualise the local spatial structure of welfare. Second, a spatial autoregressive (SAR) model and a geographically weighted regression (GWR) model, respectively, were used to deal with both spatial autocorrelations and unobserved spatial heterogeneity of households' behaviours. Spatial and non‐spatial models were compared according to their predictive performances. Results of this case study confirm that SAR and GWR spatial models are preferable to the traditional non‐spatial regression model and that they give a better approximation of the Tunisian poverty map.
Glucose challenge test for detecting gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review
Authors: van Leeuwen M , Louwerse MD , Opmeer BC , Limpens J , Serlie MJ , Reitsma JB , Mol BWJ
Published: January 2012

Please cite this paper as: van Leeuwen M, Louwerse M, Opmeer B, Limpens J, Serlie M, Reitsma J, Mol B. Glucose challenge test for detecting gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review. BJOG 2012;119:393–401.

Background  The best strategy to identify women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is unclear.

Objectives  To perform a systematic review to calculate summary estimates of the sensitivity and specificity of the 50‐g glucose challenge test for GDM.

Search strategy  Systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science.

Selection criteria  Articles that compared the 50‐g glucose challenge test with the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT, with a 75‐ or 100‐g reference standard) before 32 weeks of gestation.

Data collection and analysis  Summary estimates of sensitivity and specificity, with 95% confidence intervals and summary receiver operating characteristic curves, were calculated using bivariate random‐effects models. Two reviewers independently selected articles that compared the 50 g glucose challenge test to the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT, 75 or 100 gram, reference standard) before 32 weeks of gestation.

Main results  Twenty‐six studies were included (13 564 women). Studies that included women with risk factors showed a pooled sensitivity of the 50‐g glucose challenge test of 0.74 (95% CI 0.62–0.87), a pooled specificity of 0.77 (95% CI 0.66–0.89) (threshold value of 7.8 mmol/l), a derived positive likelihood ratio (LR) of 3.2 (95% CI 2.0–5.2) and a negative LR of 0.34 (95% CI 0.22–0.53). In studies with consecutive recruitment, the pooled sensitivity was 0.74 (95% CI 0.62–0.87) for a specificity of 0.85 (95% CI 0.80–0.91), with a derived positive LR of 4.9 (95% CI 3.5–7.0) and negative LR of 0.31 (95% CI 0.20–0.47). Increasing the threshold for disease (OGTT result) increased the sensitivity of the challenge test, and decreased the specificity.

Author’s conclusions  The 50‐g glucose challenge test is acceptable to screen for GDM, but cannot replace the OGTT. Further possibilities of combining the 50‐g glucose challenge test with other screening strategies should be explored.
Factors influencing uptake and timing of risk reducing salpingo‐oophorectomy in women at risk of familial ovarian cancer: a competing risk time to event analysis
Authors: Manchanda R , Burnell M , Abdelraheim A , Johnson M , Sharma A , Benjamin E , Brunell C , Saridogan E , Gessler S , Oram D , Side L , Rosenthal AN , Jacobs I , Menon U
Published: January 2012

Please cite this paper as:Manchanda R, Burnell M, Abdelraheim A, Johnson M, Sharma A, Benjamin E, Brunell C, Saridogan E, Gessler S, Oram D, Side L, Rosenthal A, Jacobs I, Menon U. Factors influencing uptake and timing of risk reducing salpingo‐oophorectomy in women at risk of familial ovarian cancer: a competing risk time to event analysis. BJOG 2012;119:527–536.

Objective To evaluate factors affecting uptake of risk‐reducing salpingo‐oophorectomy (RRSO) over time in women at high‐risk of familial ovarian cancer.

Design Prospective observational cohort.

Setting Tertiary high‐risk familial gynaecological cancer clinic.

Population/sample New clinic attendees between March 2004 and November 2009, fulfilling the high‐risk criteria for the UK Familial Ovarian Cancer Screening Study.

Methods Risk management options discussed included RRSO and ovarian surveillance. Outcome data were analysed from a bespoke database. The competing risk method was used to model the cumulative incidence function (CIF) of RRSO over time, and the sub‐hazard ratio (SHR) was used to assess the strength of the association of variables of interest with RRSO. Gray’s test was used to evaluate the difference in CIF between two groups and multivariable competing risk regression analysis was used to model the cumulative probabilities of covariates on the CIF.

Results Of 1133 eligible women, 265 (21.4%) opted for RRSO and 868 (69.9%) chose screening. Women undergoing RRSO were older (49 years, interquartile range 12.2 years) than those preferring screening (43.4 years, interquartile range 11.9 years) (P < 0.0005). The CIF for RRSO at 5 years was 0.55 (95% CI 0.45–0.64) forBRCA1/2carriers and 0.22 (95% CI 0.19–0.26) for women of unknown mutation status (P < 0.0001); 0.42 (95% CI 0.36–0.47) for postmenopausal women (P < 0.0001); 0.29 (95% CI 0.25–0.33) for parity ≥1 (P = 0.009) and 0.47 (95% CI 0.39–0.55) for a personal history of breast cancer (P < 0.0001). Variables of significance from the regression analysis were: aBRCA1/2mutation (SHR 2.31, 95% CI 1.7–3.14), postmenopausal status (SHR 2.16, 95% CI 1.62–2.87)) and a personal history of breast cancer (SHR 1.5, 95% CI 1.09–2.06).

Conclusions Decision‐making is a complex process and women opt for surgery many years after initial risk assessment.BRCAcarriers, postmenopausal women and women who had breast cancer are significantly more likely to opt for preventative surgery.