bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Motor nerve conduction velocity is affected in segmental vitiligo lesional limbs
Authors: Zhou Jun , Zhong Zhenyu , Li Jian , Fu Wenwen
Published: February 2016

To evaluate the effects of segmental vitiligo (SV) on nerve conduction velocity (NCV) in different nerves, we compared the patient's lesional side of their body to the contralateral normal side. The 106 participants were selected from outpatients visiting the dermatological clinics of Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, from November 2011 to March 2014. NCVs were measured on the limbs and the face, including both motor and sensory nerves. The parameters for NCVs included motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV) and its distal conduction latency, sensory nerve conduction velocity, sensory nerve action potentials amplitude, and compound muscle action potential amplitude. MCV on the limbs was compromised by SV state, which was significantly slower on the lesional side of the body compared with the normal contralateral side (P = 0.006). Furthermore, SV at the stable stage significantly impaired MCV compared with the SV at progressive stage. There was no significant difference in the other parameters of NCV between lesional and normal sides of the body. Compound muscle action potentials in the face did not differ between lesional and healthy sides. Motor nerves in the limbs were compromised by SV, particularly when the disease was at the stable stage.
The healthy weight research network: a research agenda to promote healthy weight among youth with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities
Authors: Curtin C. , Must A. , Phillips S. , Bandini L.
Published: February 2016

The Healthy Weight Research Network (HWRN) for children with autism and developmental disabilities is an interdisciplinary network with national representation. This paper discusses the modified Delphi procedure that was used to develop the HWRN's research agenda to address the problem of obesity in children with autism and developmental disabilities. The five research areas identified for priority included: (i) family practices around food/mealtimes; (ii) physical activity and sedentary behaviours in relation to weight; (iii) relationship between food patterns, behaviour and weight gain; (iv) programme‐adaption and delivery; and (v) influence of school and community‐based organizations on food intake and physical activity. The goals and agenda of the HWRN hold promise for making progress toward the prevention and successful treatment of obesity in this population.
Actual and perceived weight status and its association with slimming and energy‐balance related behaviours in 10‐ to 12‐year‐old European children: the ENERGY‐project
Authors: Altenburg T. M. , Singh A. S. , Te Velde S. , De Bourdeaudhuij I. , Lien N. , Bere E. , Molnár D. , Jan N. , Fernández‐Alvira J. M. , Manios Y. , Bringolf‐Isler B. , Brug J. , Chinapaw M. J.
Published: February 2016

Background

Both parents' and children's perception of children's weight status may be important predictors of slimming and energy‐balance related behaviours, independent of children's actual weight status.

Objectives

We examined the cross‐sectional association of children's self‐reported slimming and energy‐balance related behaviours with children's (i) actual, (ii) self‐perceived and (iii) parent‐perceived weight status.

Methods

Data of 10‐ to 12‐year‐old European children and their parents were used. Multilevel logistic and linear regression analyses were performed, adjusting for age, gender, parental weight controlling behaviours, education, marital status and ethnicity.

Results

Independent of their actual weight status, a higher proportion of children reported slimming when they or their parents perceived them as too fat. Children's self‐perceived weight status was more strongly associated with slimming than their parents' perception or their actual weight status. Moreover, children who perceive themselves as overweight reported less physical activity and more screen time. Children whose parents perceive them as overweight reported less physical activity.

Conclusions

Children's own perception of their weight status appears to be more important for their self‐reported slimming than their actual or their parent's perceptions of their weight status. Additionally, children's self‐perceived weight status seems important in engaging more physical activity and reduces screen time.
Early Word Segmentation in Naturalistic Environments: Limited Effects of Speech Register
Authors: Schreiner Melanie S. , Altvater‐Mackensen Nicole , Mani Nivedita
Published: February 2016

We examined 7.5‐month‐old infants' ability to segment words from infant‐ and adult‐directed speech (IDS and ADS). In particular, we extended the standard design of most segmentation studies by including a phase where infants were repeatedly exposed to target word recordings at their own home (extended exposure) in addition to a laboratory‐based familiarization. This enabled us to examine infants' segmentation of words from speech input in their naturalistic environment, extending current findings to learning outside the laboratory. Results of a modified preferential‐listening task show that infants listened longer to isolated tokens of familiarized words from home relative to novel control words regardless of register. However, infants showed no recognition of words exposed to during purely laboratory‐based familiarization. This indicates that infants succeed in retaining words in long‐term memory following extended exposure and recognizing them later on with considerable flexibility. In addition, infants segmented words from both IDS and ADS, suggesting limited effects of speech register on learning from extended exposure in naturalistic environments. Moreover, there was a significant correlation between segmentation success and infants' attention to ADS, but not to IDS, during the extended exposure phase. This finding speaks to current language acquisition models assuming that infants' individual attention to language stimuli drives successful learning.
Crawling Experience Predicts Avoidance of Real Cliffs and Water Cliffs: Insights from a New Paradigm
Authors: Burnay Carolina , Cordovil Rita
Published: February 2016

This study examined the influence of age, crawling‐onset age, and crawling experience on infants’ adaptive behavior in situations that can lead to dangerous falls. Thirty‐one infants with variable amounts of crawling experience were tested in a new paradigm that used a real cliff and a water cliff, with a harness system to guarantee safety. Consistent with previous findings obtained in studies with real and visual cliffs, infants with more crawling experience were more likely to avoid the real cliff. More importantly, greater crawling experience was associated with a greater likelihood of avoiding the water cliff. The new paradigm offers exciting opportunities to study the development of adaptive behavior in risky environments.
Transfer of Social Learning Across Contexts: Exploring Infants' Attribution of Trait‐Like Emotions to Adults
Authors: Repacholi Betty M. , Meltzoff Andrew N. , Hennings Theresa M. , Ruba Ashley L.
Published: February 2016

We explored whether 15‐month‐olds expect another person's emotional disposition to be stable across social situations. In three observation trials, infants watched two adults interact. Half the infants saw one of the adults (“Emoter”) respond negatively to the other adult's actions (Anger group); half saw the Emoter respond neutrally to the same actions (Neutral group). After a change in social context, infants participated in novel tasks with the (now‐neutral) Emoter. Infants in the Anger group were significantly more likely to relinquish desirable toys to the Emoter. We hypothesize that, in the initial observation trials, infants learned that the Emoter was “anger‐prone” and expected her to get angry again in a new social situation. Consequently, infants readily gave the Emoter what she wanted. These findings reveal three key features of infants' affective cognition: (1) infants track adults' emotional history across encounters; (2) infants learn from observing how people interact with others and use this to form expectations about how these people will treat them; and (3) more speculatively, infants use appeasement to cope with social threat. We hypothesize that infants form “trait‐like” attributions about people's emotional dispositions and use this to formulate adaptive responses to adults in novel social contexts.
Joint Epistemic Action: Some Applications
Authors: Miller Seumas
Published: February 2016

The notion of a joint action is a familiar one in the philosophical literature. Moreover, the notion of epistemic action has recently been discussed in the literature. Elsewhere I have suggested that these two notions can be brought together to yield the notion of joint epistemic action and provided a relational individualist analysis of joint epistemic actions. In this article I extend this analysis and show how this extended analysis applies to different kinds of important epistemic institutional phenomena: (1) voting in a democracy; (2) financial benchmarks, e.g. LIBOR (the London interbank offered (interest) rate) and; (3) profiling using computer databases. Each of these institutional mechanisms is important in its own right. Moreover, each is a species of a more widespread generic social form that I refer to as joint institutional mechanisms which, I suggest, are ubiquitous yet somewhat diverse in character. Accordingly, there is a need to distinguish them from the more basic phenomenon of joint action but also to taxonomise them. The latter is a large task to which this article is a first step.
Time best explains global variation in species richness of amphibians, birds and mammals
Authors: Marin Julie , Hedges S. Blair
Published: February 2016

Aim

The general pattern of higher species richness in tropical areas has been long recognized but the underlying cause is still debated. Two major hypotheses have emerged in recent years. The Rate Hypothesis attributes this pattern to a high rate of diversification, whereas the Time Hypothesis attributes it to greater lineage age. Here, we revisited these two hypotheses with global data sets of amphibians, birds and mammals.

Location

Global.

Methods

To test these hypotheses we evaluated the relationship between crown age and species richness, and between diversification rate and species richness within biogeographical regions. We also compared diversification rates of tropical and temperate clades, and assessed the usefulness of two phylometrics, evolutionary distinctiveness (ED) and evolutionary rate (ER), as proxies of age and diversification rate. Finally, we used those phylometrics in a grid cell approach to explore the spatial distribution of clade age and diversification rate.

Results

We found species richness of these tetrapods is best described by time (age of lineages) and that diversification rates are not significantly different between tropical and temperate areas. In addition to time, we found that historical biogeography, in some cases, has an influence on species richness patterns. In turn, this suggests that the latitudinal diversity gradient is a result of the gradient in climatic stability, with younger assemblages (hence, fewer species) occupying higher latitudes.

Main conclusion

Our results indicate that time, and not rate of diversification, best describes species richness patterns of amphibians, birds and mammals, and that this pattern is a ‘climate effect’ ultimately deriving from the latitudinal gradient in climatic stability.
MiR‐134‐Mbd3 axis regulates the induction of pluripotency
Authors: Zhang Lei , Zheng Yongchao , Sun Yuanqing , Zhang Ying , yan Jia , Chen Zhifeng , Jiang Hong
Published: February 2016

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are post‐transcriptional modulators of gene expression and play an important role in reprogramming process; however, relatively little is known about the underlying regulatory mechanism of miRNAs on how they epigenetically modulate reprogramming and pluripotency. Here, we report that the expression level of microRNA‐134 (miR‐134) was low in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) but significantly up‐regulated during neural differentiation, while down‐regulated during the induction of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Inhibition of miR‐134 by miR‐134 sponge promoted the efficiency of reprogramming which also was highly similar to mESCs. On the contrary, up‐regulation of miR‐134 repressed iPSCs induction. We also found that inhibition of miR‐134 promoted the maturation of pre‐iPSCs and increased its pluripotency. We also showed that miR‐134 can directly target to the pluripotency related factor Methyl‐CpG‐binding domain protein 3 (Mdb3) 3′ untranslated regions (3′ UTR) to down‐regulate its expression. And Mbd3 was found to promote the induction of iPSCs and could block the repression of reprogramming caused by overexpression of miR‐134. This work revealed the critical function of miR‐134‐Mbd3 axis on regulating reprogramming and pluripotency of iPSCs derived from the NPCs, and might provide an insight into the miR‐134‐Mbd3 axis on regulating the iPSCs quality for further clinical treatment.
Therapist Differentiation and Couple Clients' Perceptions of Therapeutic Alliance
Authors: Bartle‐Haring Suzanne , Shannon Samuel , Bowers David , Holowacz Eugene
Published: February 2016

Therapeutic alliance has been acknowledged as one of the catalysts for change within a therapeutic relationship. The contributions of therapists' characteristics to alliance are not often studied. From a Bowen System's Theory perspective, the therapist's level of differentiation would be highly relevant to the development of a therapeutic alliance. The hypothesis for this study was that therapists who are able to take a more differentiated stance in therapy will build a stronger therapeutic alliance. To test this hypothesis, multilevel modeling procedures were performed, using data from nine therapists and 93 couple cases collected at a large, Midwestern university. Therapist differentiation of self was found to be weakly associated with the clients' perception of therapeutic alliance across the early sessions of therapy, but not in the expected direction. Although the results were unexpected, this study provides an example of the potential of examining therapist characteristics from within one model of therapy, that can be applied across various clients and various models of therapy.
Pilot Study of Physiologic Partograph Use Among Low‐Risk, Nulliparous Women With Spontaneous Labor Onset
Authors: Neal Jeremy L. , Lowe Nancy K. , Nacht Amy S. , Koschoreck Kate , Anderson Jessica
Published: February 2016

Introduction

Neal and Lowe developed a physiologic partograph to give clinicians an evidence‐based, uniform approach to assessing active labor progress and diagnosing dystocia in high‐resource settings. The aim of this pilot study was to examine the feasibility of implementing the Neal and Lowe partograph for in‐hospital labor assessment.

Methods

A descriptive study of low‐risk, nulliparous women with spontaneous labor onset was performed at an academic medical center. Eight certified nurse‐midwives from a single practice used the Neal and Lowe partograph for the assessment of labor progress. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize characteristics, interventions, and outcomes for women with partograph‐assessed labors. Labors assessed by nurse‐midwives (n = 83) or obstetricians (n = 75) using their usual assessment strategies were also described for the year prior to partograph introduction to contextualize partograph‐assessed labor findings. Inferential statistical tests were not performed.

Results

Thirty‐one of 34 (91.2%) partographs were used correctly. Seventy‐one percent (n = 22) of these women progressed to complete dilatation within expected physiologic time frames while the remaining women (n = 9) experienced labor dystocia. Similar proportions of women in the partograph and usual labor assessment groups received oxytocin during labor. The cesarean rate was lower in the partograph group than in the usual care groups. No cesareans were performed for dystocia in active labor for women whose labors were assessed via partograph.

Discussion

Implementation of the Neal and Lowe partograph for in‐hospital labor assessment is feasible. Incorrect plotting and/or interpretation of the partograph may be further minimized by providing clinicians opportunities for ongoing partograph training after implementation or through partograph software development. The Neal and Lowe partograph may assist clinicians in safely and significantly decreasing primary cesarean births performed for active labor dystocia in high‐resource settings. Larger scale, hypothesis‐testing studies of partograph implementation are now warranted.
Working with local nurses to promote hospital‐nursing care during humanitarian assignments overseas: experiences from the perspectives of nurses
Authors: Tjoflåt Ingrid , Karlsen Bjørg , Sætre Hansen Britt
Published: February 2016

Aims and objectives

To describe how Norwegian expatriate nurses engaged in humanitarian assignments overseas experience working with the local nurses promoting nursing care in the hospital ward.

Background

Western countries have a long tradition of providing nurses with expert knowledge in nursing care for humanitarian projects and international work overseas. Studies from humanitarian mission revealed that health workers rarely acknowledge or use the local knowledge. However, there is a lack of studies highlighting expatriate nurses’ experiences working with local nurses to promote nursing care in the hospital ward.

Design

This study applies a descriptive explorative qualitative design.

Methods

The data were collected in 2013 by means of seven semi‐structured interviews and analysed using qualitative content analysis.

Findings

The data analyses revealed three themes related to the expatriate nurses’ experiences of working with the local nurses to promote nursing care in the hospital ward: (1) Breaking the code, (2) Colliding worlds and (3) Challenges in sharing knowledge. The findings reflect different challenges when working with the local nurses.

Conclusion

Findings indicate valuable knowledge gained about local nursing care and the local health and educational system. They also demonstrate challenges for the expatriate nurses related to the local nursing standard in the wards and using the local nurses’ experiences and knowledge when working together.

Relevance to clinical practice

The findings can inform nurses, humanitarian organisations and institutions working overseas regarding the recruitment and the preparation of nurses who want to work cross‐ culturally or in humanitarian missions overseas.
Moderate increase of reactive oxygen species triggers meiotic resumption in rat follicular oocytes
Authors: Tiwari Meenakshi , Chaube Shail K.
Published: February 2016

Aim

The mammalian ovary generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) on an extraordinary scale; however, the role of ROS during meiotic cell cycle progression in follicular oocytes remains poorly understood. The present study was aimed to determine whether a moderate increase of ROS level in the ovary is beneficial for meiotic resumption from diplotene arrest in follicular oocytes.

Methods

Cumulus oocyte complexes were collected from the ovaries of female rats that had been treated with either: (i) pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin; or (ii) pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin + human chorionic gonadotrophin. We analyzed morphological changes, ROS and hydrogen peroxide levels, catalase activity, 3′,5′‐cyclic adenosine monophosphate and 3′,5′‐cyclic guanosine monophosphate levels, Thr14/Tyr15, Th‐161, total cyclin‐dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1) and cyclin B1 levels.

Results

Human chorionic gonadotrophin treatment induced meiotic resumption from diplotene arrest and extrusion of first polar body in cumulus oocyte complexes collected from ovaries and cultured for 3 h in vitro. Meiotic resumption from diplotene arrest was associated with increased ROS and hydrogen peroxide levels but decreased 3′,5′‐cyclic adenosine monophosphate as well as 3′,5′‐cyclic guanosine monophosphate levels. The reduced cyclic nucleotide levels were associated with decreased Thr161 phosphorylated Cdk1 and cyclin B1 level but increased Thr14/Tyr15 phosphorylated Cdk1 level leading to maturation promoting factor destabilization. Destabilized maturation‐promoting factor triggered meiotic resumption from diplotene arrest and progression to metaphase‐I as well as metaphase‐II stage in follicular oocytes.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that a moderate increase of ROS in the ovary is beneficial for meiotic resumption from diplotene arrest and extrusion of first polar body in follicular oocytes.
Summer diving and haul‐out behavior of leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx) near mesopredator breeding colonies at Livingston Island, Antarctic Peninsula
Authors: Krause Douglas J. , Goebel Michael E. , Marshall Greg J. , Abernathy Kyler
Published: February 2016

Leopard seals are conspicuous apex predators in Antarctic coastal ecosystems, yet their foraging ecology is poorly understood. Historically, the ecology of diving vertebrates has been studied using high‐resolution time‐depth records; however, to date such data have not been available for leopard seals. Twenty‐one time‐depth recorders were deployed on seasonally resident adult females in January and February between 2008 and 2014. The average deployment length was 13.65 ± 11.45 d and 40,308 postfilter dives were recorded on 229 foraging trips. Dive durations averaged 2.20 ± 1.23 min. Dives were shallow with 90.1% measuring 30 m or less, and a mean maximum dive depth of 16.60 ± 10.99 m. Four dive types were classified using a k‐means cluster analysis and compared with corresponding animal‐borne video data. Dive activity (number of dives/hour) was concentrated at night, including crepuscular periods. Haul‐out probabilities were highest near midday and were positively correlated with available daylight. Visual observations and comparisons of diving activity between and within years suggest individual‐based differences of foraging effort by time of day. Finally, dive and video data indicate that in addition to at‐surface hunting, benthic searching and facultative scavenging are important foraging strategies for leopard seals near coastal mesopredator breeding colonies.
Effect of systemic transplantation of bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells on neuropathology markers in APP/PS1 Alzheimer mice
Authors: Naaldijk Y. , Jäger C. , Fabian C. , Leovsky C. , Blüher A. , Rudolph L. , Hinze A. , Stolzing A.
Published: February 2016

Aims

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have recently attracted interest as a potential basis for a cell‐based therapy of AD. We investigated the putative immune‐modulatory effects in neuroinflammation of systemic transplantation of MSC into APP/PS1 transgenic mice.

Methods

106 MSC were injected into APP/PS1 mice via the tail vein and histological analysis was performed for microglia and amyloid (pE3‐Aβ) plaque numbers, glial distribution and pE3‐Aβ plaque size. In addition, a biochemical analysis by qPCR for pro‐inflammatory, chemoattractant and neurotrophic factors was performed.

Results

MSC are associated with pE3‐Aβ plaques. The effects of transplantation on microglia‐associated pathology could be observed after 28 days. Animals showed a reduction in microglial numbers in the cortex and in microglia size. Gene expression was reduced for TNF‐α, IL‐6, MCP‐1, and for NGF, in MSC recipients. Also, we investigated for the first time and found no changes in expression of IL‐10, CCR5, BDNF, VEGF and IFNγ. PTGER2 expression levels were increased in the hippocampus but were reduced in the cortex of MSC recipients. While there were no transplant‐related changes in pE3‐Aβ plaque numbers, a reduction in the size of pE3‐Aβ plaques was observed in the hippocampus of transplant recipients.

Conclusion

This is the first study to show reduction in pE3‐Aβ plaque size. pE3‐Aβ plaques have gained attention as potential key participants in AD due to their increased aggregation propensity, the possibility for the initial seeding event, resistance against degradation and neurotoxicity. These findings support the hypothesis that MSC‐transplants may affect AD pathology via an immune‐modulatory function that includes an effect on microglial cells.
The clinicopathological features of pituicytoma and the differential diagnosis of sellar glioma
Authors: Wang Junmei , Liu Zhaoxia , Du Jiang , Cui Yun , Fang Jingyi , Xu Li , Li Guilin
Published: February 2016

Pituicytoma is rare and difficult to diagnose. This study explored the clinicopathological features, immunophenotype and differential diagnosis of pituicytoma. We compared 11 cases of pituicytoma and 26 cases of sellar glioma (16 pilocytic astrocytomas, four diffuse astrocytomas, three pilomyxoid astrocytomas, and three third ventricle chordoid gliomas). The 11 pituicytoma cases involved six men and five women (age: 33–65 years). Three of the 11 patients experienced recurrence due to a residual tumor, and one patient underwent three surgeries during a 6‐month period. Imaging findings revealed tumors were in the intrasellar region (four cases), suprasellar region (four cases) and intra‐suprasellar regions (three cases). The tumor diameters were 1.3–3.8 cm, and the preoperative diagnoses were pituitary adenoma, craniopharyngioma and meningioma. The tumors were solid and contained spindle or slightly chubby cells that were densely arranged with visible cleft‐like or expanded sinusoid structures. The cells had vague boundaries, circular nuclei, fine chromatin, and a small nucleolus. Immunohistochemical staining of the pituicytomas revealed positive expression of thyroid transcription factor‐1 (TTF‐1) and S‐100 protein (S‐100), positive focal expression of glial GFAP;(five of 11 cases), and negative oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2 (Olig2), CD34 and neurofilament expression. The Ki67 index was 6% in one case and 1–2% in the other cases. Unlike pituicytoma, most sellar glioma cases exhibited GFAP and Olig2 expression, and negative TTF‐1 expression. Third ventricle chordoid gliomas expressed TTF‐1, GFAP and CD34, and were negative for Olig2. Our results indicate that pituicytoma typically involves dense arrangements of spindle or slightly chubby cells. The morphology is occasionally atypical, with ependymoma‐like or meningioma‐like structures, and occasionally exhibits pilomyxoid degeneration. Abundant sinusoids are characteristic of hemorrhagic tumors. The dense spindle cell arrangement is a relatively specific morphology, and staining for GFAP, TTF‐1, Olig2 and CD4 may help differentiate pituicytoma from sellar glioma.
Student nurses' perceptions of aggression: An exploratory study of defensive styles, aggression experiences, and demographic factors
Authors: Bilgin Hulya , Keser Ozcan Neslihan , Tulek Zeliha , Kaya Fadime , Boyacioglu Nur Elcin , Erol Ozgul , Arguvanli Coban Sibel , Pazvantoglu Ozan , Gumus Kubra
Published: February 2016

Throughout the clinical learning process, nursing students' perception of aggression might have implications in terms of their future professional behavior toward patients. Using a descriptive cross‐sectional design, we investigated the relationships between student nurses' perceptions of aggression and their personal characteristics, defense styles, and a convenience sample of 1539 experiences of aggressive behavior in clinical practice. Information about the students' personal features, their clinical practice, and experiences of aggressive behavior was obtained by questionnaire. The Turkish version of the Perception of Aggression Scale and Defense Styles Questionnaire‐40 were also used. Students were frequently exposed to verbal aggression from patients and their relatives. And perceived patient aggression negatively, perception of aggression were associated with sex, defense styles, feelings of safety, and experiences of aggressions during clinical practice. Of interest is the reality that student nurses should be prepared for untoward events during their training.
Molecular evolution of parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) membrane‐bound prenyltransferases for linear and/or angular furanocoumarin biosynthesis
Authors: Munakata Ryosuke , Olry Alexandre , Karamat Fazeelat , Courdavault Vincent , Sugiyama Akifumi , Date Yoshiaki , Krieger Célia , Silie Prisca , Foureau Emilien , Papon Nicolas , Grosjean Jérémy , Yazaki Kazufumi , Bourgaud Frédéric , Hehn Alain
Published: February 2016

In Apiaceae, furanocoumarins (FCs) are plant defence compounds that are present as linear or angular isomers. Angular isomers appeared during plant evolution as a protective response to herbivores that are resistant to linear molecules. Isomeric biosynthesis occurs through prenylation at the C6 or C8 position of umbelliferone.

Here, we report cloning and functional characterization of two different prenyltransferases, Pastinaca sativa prenyltransferase 1 and 2 (PsPT1 and PsPT2), that are involved in these crucial reactions.

Both enzymes are targeted to plastids and synthesize osthenol and demethylsuberosin (DMS) using exclusively umbelliferone and dimethylallylpyrophosphate (DMAPP) as substrates. Enzymatic characterization using heterologously expressed proteins demonstrated that PsPT1 is specialized for the synthesis of the linear form, demethylsuberosin, whereas PsPT2 more efficiently catalyses the synthesis of its angular counterpart, osthenol.

These results are the first example of a complementary prenyltransferase pair from a single plant species that is involved in synthesizing defensive compounds. This study also provides a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing the angular FC biosynthetic pathway in apiaceous plants, which involves two paralogous enzymes that share the same phylogenetic origin.
OsCLT1, a CRT‐like transporter 1, is required for glutathione homeostasis and arsenic tolerance in rice
Authors: Yang Jian , Gao Ming‐Xing , Hu Han , Ding Xiao‐Meng , Lin Hong‐Wei , Wang Lei , Xu Ji‐Ming , Mao Chuan‐Zao , Zhao Fang‐Jie , Wu Zhong‐Chang
Published: February 2016

Arsenic (As) contamination in a paddy environment can cause phytotoxicity and elevated As accumulation in rice (Oryza sativa). The mechanism of As detoxification in rice is still poorly understood.

We isolated an arsenate (As(V))‐sensitive mutant of rice. Genomic resequencing and complementation identified OsCLT1, encoding a CRT‐like transporter, as the causal gene for the mutant phenotype.

OsCLT1 is localized to the envelope membrane of plastids. The glutathione and γ‐glutamylcysteine contents in roots of Osclt1 and RNA interference lines were decreased markedly compared with the wild‐type (WT). The concentrations of phytochelatin PC2 in Osclt1 roots were only 32% and 12% of that in WT after As(V) and As(III) treatments, respectively. OsCLT1 mutation resulted in lower As accumulation in roots but higher As accumulation in shoots when exposed to As(V). Under As(III) treatment, Osclt1 accumulated a lower As concentration in roots but similar As concentration in shoots to WT. Further analysis showed that the reduction of As(V) to As(III) was decreased in Osclt1. Osclt1 was also hypersensitive to cadmium (Cd).

These results indicate that OsCLT1 plays an important role in glutathione homeostasis, probably by mediating the export of γ‐glutamylcysteine and glutathione from plastids to the cytoplasm, which in turn affects As and Cd detoxification in rice.
Clinical Uses of Intrathecal Therapy and Its Placement in the Pain Care Algorithm
Authors: Pope Jason E. , Deer Timothy R. , Bruel Brian M. , Falowski Steven
Published: February 2016

Intrathecal drug delivery is an effective treatment option for patients with severe chronic pain who have not obtained adequate analgesia from more conservative therapies (eg, physical therapy, systemic opioids, nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants). This review focuses on, but is not limited to, the 2 agents currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for intrathecal analgesia: preservative‐free morphine and ziconotide (a nonopioid, selective N‐type calcium channel blocker). We describe the appropriate use of intrathecal therapy in the management of severe chronic pain, based on current best practices. Topics addressed here include patient selection, trialing, dosing and titration, adverse event profiles, long‐term management, intrathecal therapy for cancer‐related pain, and the placement of intrathecal therapy in the pain care algorithm. In appropriately selected patients with chronic pain, intrathecal therapy can provide substantial pain relief with improved functioning and quality of life. Successful long‐term management requires ongoing patient monitoring for changes in efficacy and the occurrence of adverse events, with subsequent changes in intrathecal dosing and titration, the addition of adjuvant intrathecal agents, and the use of concomitant oral medications to address side effects, as needed. Based on an infrequent but clinically concerning risk of overdose, granuloma, and other opioid‐induced complications, nonopioid therapy with ziconotide may be preferred as a first‐line intrathecal therapy in patients without a history of psychosis or allergy.
Different response of photosystem II to short and long‐term drought stress in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Chen Yang‐Er , Liu Wen‐Juan , Su Yan‐Qiu , Cui Jun‐Mei , Zhang Zhong‐Wei , Yuan Ming , Zhang Huai‐Yu , Yuan Shu
Published: February 2016

Short‐ and long‐term drought stress on photosystem II (PSII) and oxidative stress were studied in Arabidopsis thaliana. Under drought stress, chlorophyll (Chl) content, Chl fluorescence, relative water content and oxygen evolution capacity gradually decreased, and the thylakoid structure was gradually damaged. Short‐term drought stress caused a rapid disassembly of the light‐harvesting complex II (LHCII). However, PSII dimers kept stable under the short‐term drought stress and significantly decreased only after 15 days of drought stress. Immunoblotting analysis of the thylakoid membrane proteins showed that most of the photosystem proteins decreased after the stress, especially for Lhcb5, Lhcb6 and PsbQ proteins. However, surprisingly, PsbS significantly increased after the long‐term drought stress, which is consistent with the substantially increased non‐photochemical quenching (NPQ) after the stress. Our results suggest that the PSII–LHCII supercomplexes and LHCII assemblies play an important role in preventing photo‐damages to PSII under drought stress.
Conversational Implicatures and Legal Texts
Authors: Slocum Brian G.
Published: February 2016

Legal texts are often given interpretations that deviate from their literal meanings. While legal concerns often motivate these interpretations, others can be traced to linguistic phenomena. This paper argues that systematicities of language usage, captured by certain theories of conversational implicature, can sometimes explain why the meanings given to legal texts by judges differ from the literal meanings of the texts. Paul Grice's account of conversational implicature is controversial, and scholars have offered a variety of ways to conceptualize implicatures and Grice's maxims of conversation. Approaches that emphasize the systematic nature of implicatures can provide explanatory accounts of the gap between literal meaning and the meaning communicated in the text. For example, a theory of scalar implicature, a type of generalized conversational implicature, can account for the application of the interpretive principle known as ejusdem generis, which narrows the scope of “catch‐all” clauses located at the end of lists of items. Despite the availability of such theories, some scholars have argued that conversational implicatures are not applicable to legislation. The arguments, based primarily on the uniqueness of the legislative context and its noncooperative nature, though, do not establish the inapplicability of conversational implicatures to legislation.
An Unusual yet “Mg”nificent Indication for Hemodialysis
Authors: Bansal Amar D. , Negoianu Dan , Warburton Karen M.
Published: February 2016

Hypermagnesemia is an uncommon electrolyte abnormality, due to the fact that magnesium toxicity is only seen in the setting of a massive exposure to exogenous magnesium, often in the setting of renal insufficiency. Here, we report a case of severe hypermagnesemia that resulted in complete paralysis that was secondary to Renacidin administration, a rarely used agent used for intra‐renal pelvic or intra‐vesicular instillation dissolution of struvite stones. The patient also had concurrent acute kidney injury (AKI). The patient's magnesium was as high as 16.7 mg/dL, and he initially received hemodialysis followed by continuous venovenous hemodialysis. These therapies resulted in a rapid reduction in magnesium levels and eventual resolution of the muscular weakness. The case discussion highlights several key aspects of magnesium homeostasis, the limited mechanistic understanding of Renacidin‐induced hypermagnesemia, and the role of renal replacement therapies in the treatment of hypermagnesemia.
HIV‐infected CD4+ T Cells Use T‐bet‐dependent Pathway for Production of IL‐10 Upon Antigen Recognition
Authors: Shete A. , Suryawanshi P. , Godbole S. , Pawar J. , Paranjape R. , Thakar M.
Published: February 2016

Interleukin (IL)‐10 has been implicated in persistence of pathogens in a number of chronic infections. Infected CD4+ cells upon reactivation with HIV antigens were also shown to produce IL‐10, which might contribute to their persistence. Hence, it is crucial to determine mechanisms regulating IL‐10 production after activation with HIV antigens for devising effective blocking strategies. In this study, ERK‐, T‐bet‐ and FoxP3‐dependent pathways were evaluated for their possible roles in IL‐10 production by infected CD4+ cells after reactivation with HIV Env. Intracellular and secreted IL‐10 levels were determined by flow cytometry and Bioplex assay after treating PBMCs with PD98059, tipifarnib and cyclosporin A for blocking of ERK‐, T‐bet‐and FoxP3‐dependent pathways, respectively. Baseline levels of T‐bet, pERK were higher in P24+ CD4+ cells as compared to uninfected CD4+ cells, which increased further after activation with Env. Inhibition of T‐bet resulted in 2.3‐fold reduction of IL‐10 expression whereas ERK and FoxP3 inhibition failed to cause suppression of IL‐10 expression. Conversely, IL‐10 secreted by PBMCs was inhibited maximally after ERK inhibition suggesting its role in regulation of cytokine secretory pathway. IFN‐γ was found to be suppressed after treatment with inhibitors of all these pathways. Thus, the study highlighted need for IL‐10 blockade along with the use of antigens for therapeutic vaccinations or latency reversal and identified the T‐bet‐dependent pathway as an important pathway regulating IL‐10 production by infected CD4+ cells. However, simultaneous blockade of IFN‐γ precludes use of inhibitor of this pathway as an IL‐10 blocking strategy.
Prosocial Tendencies among Chinese American Children in Immigrant Families: Links to Cultural and Socio‐demographic Factors and Psychological Adjustment
Authors: Main Alexandra , Zhou Qing , Liew Jeffrey , Lee Charlene
Published: February 2016

The present study examined relations between prosocial tendencies (dispositional sympathy and prosocial behavior) and psychological adjustment using a multi‐method and multi‐informant approach in a socioeconomically diverse sample of first‐ and second‐generation Chinese American children from immigrant families (N = 238, M age = 9.2 years). We tested the concurrent associations between: (a) children's dispositional sympathy (rated by parents, teachers, and children, and observed prosocial behavior), (b) psychological adjustment (parent‐ and teacher‐reported externalizing problems and social competence); and (c) cultural and socio‐demographic factors (children's Chinese and American orientations, family Socioeconomic Status (SES), only child status, and children's age, sex, and social desirability). Results from correlations and structural equation modeling suggested that different measures of prosocial tendencies related differently to children's psychological adjustment. Parent‐ and teacher‐rated sympathy were associated with higher child social competence and lower externalizing problems within, but not across, reporter. By contrast, child‐rated sympathy was associated with higher teacher‐rated social competence, and observed prize donation was associated with lower teacher‐rated externalizing problems. Different measures of prosocial tendencies also showed different relations to cultural and socio‐demographic factors. These findings suggest that prosocial tendencies are not a unitary construct in Chinese American immigrant children: the manifestations of prosocial tendencies and their adjustment implications might depend on the context and/or targets of these tendencies.
The Effect of Personal Economic Values on Economic Policy Preferences*
Authors: Friesen Amanda , Hibbing Matthew V.
Published: February 2016

Objectives

Citizens often express that the government should be run like a business or household in the way that money is saved and spent, though individuals vary in their personal financial preferences and attitudes toward money. To explore the relationship between the personal and political, we draw upon research in psychology, economics, and consumer science on personal economic values, such as materialism and the importance of saving money.

Methods

Using a survey of 340 adults, we test connections between political ideology, the Big Five personality traits, and money conservation and material values.

Results

Our data suggest that values regarding personal money conservation are unrelated to economic policy attitudes like welfare spending and wealth redistribution, but the value individuals place on material items is predictive of these political preferences.

Conclusion

By showing the political significance of personal (and nonpolitical) materialism values, we contribute to a rapidly growing literature showing that political attitudes and behaviors are best understood in the context of the larger social world.
Casting and Verifying Provisional Ballots in Florida*
Authors: Merivaki Thessalia , Smith Daniel A.
Published: February 2016

Objective

Some scholars report that the partisanship of local election administrators affects which voters will cast provisional ballots and which ballots will be rejected, raising serious questions about voting rights and the application of uniform election laws within the American states. Our goal is to demonstrate that casting a provisional ballot and rejecting a provisional ballot are separate processes, the discrete dynamics of which have not been adequately assessed empirically.

Methods

Drawing on a county‐level data set spanning three general elections in the battleground state of Florida, we look beyond the partisanship of local elections administrators, focusing instead on how voter registration issues in local election jurisdictions may condition both the casting and rejection of provisional ballots.

Results

Our findings suggest that voter registration maintenance issues in a county affect the number of provisional ballots cast and rejected. Most importantly, we find that counties with greater numbers of voters who register after the registration cutoff date prior to a general election (and who are thus ineligible to vote) tend to have greater numbers of provisional ballots cast and rejected.

Conclusions

Provisional ballots are the stepchildren of local election administration. Voters deemed by poll workers to be ineligible to vote a regular ballot are permitted to cast provisional ballots; these ballots are verified by local canvassing boards after the election results are tabulated and the unofficial winners declared. We find that the partisan leanings of local elections officials play a minimal role in the number of provisional ballots cast and rejected, which we hope will encourage scholars to scrutinize other local factors that might cause disparities in these votes of last resort.
Clinical guidelines for Western clinicians engaged in primary care medical service trips in Latin America and the Caribbean: an integrative literature review
Authors: Dainton Christopher , Chu Charlene H. , Lin Henry , Loh Lawrence
Published: February 2016

Objective

Participation in primary care‐focused medical service trips (MSTs) by North American providers is increasingly common, with many of these being conducted in Latin America. The literature has yet to comprehensively explore the nature of MST practice, including the use of evidence‐based clinical guidelines. This integrative review presents an analysis of guidelines employed in MSTs in Latin America.

Methods

MEDLINE and LILACs were searched using the terms ‘medical brigades’, ‘Latin America’, ‘primary health care’ and related terms. The search was limited to articles published between 2000 and 2015 in any language. Qualitative or quantitative articles were subsequently included if they described management protocols in the context of patient care on an MST occurring in Latin America. Additional publications were identified by searching the citations of articles reviewed in full. Themes were extracted to an Excel file, and objective instruments were used to evaluate article quality (Mixed Methods Assessment Tool) and the quality of guidelines (Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation II).

Results

Of 391 abstracts screened, eight met inclusion criteria. All described MSTs operating in rural settings in Central America. Five were qualitative descriptive, including two travel reports, an ethics thesis paper, and a description of a dermatologic MST. Four described subjective clinician experiences while describing non‐evidence‐based treatment suggestions or practices. Only one described evidence‐supported primary care interventions. Three studies were quantitative descriptive, including two epidemiological articles, one of which used case definitions for select diagnoses. One described the application of American Family Physician guidelines to the description of UTI prevalence on a MST. Article scores in MMAT quality domains were variable, and only one article achieved a positive overall AGREE II score for guideline quality.

Conclusions

Existing literature demonstrates minimal development or use of clinical guidelines on MSTs in Latin America. Future work must focus on the development, implementation, and evaluation of culturally sensitive, evidence‐based guidelines for the management of patients receiving care from MSTs.