bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘Why does it happen like this?’ Consulting with users and providers prior to an evaluation of services for children with life limiting conditions and their families
Authors: Hunt Anne , Brown Erica , Coad Jane , Staniszewska Sophie , Hacking Suzanne , Chesworth Brigit , Chambers Lizzie
Published: November 2013

Children with life limiting conditions and their families have complex needs. Evaluations must consider their views and perspectives to ensure care is relevant, appropriate and acceptable. We consulted with children, young people, their parents and local professionals to gain a more informed picture of issues affecting them prior to preparing a bid to evaluate services in the area. Multiple methods included focus groups, face-to-face and telephone interviews and participatory activities. Recordings and products from activities were analysed for content to identify areas of relevance and concern. An overarching theme from parents was ‘Why does it happen like this?’ Services did not seem designed to meet their needs. Whilst children and young people expressed ideas related to quality of environment, services and social life, professionals focused on ways of meeting the families’ needs. The theme that linked families’ concerns with those of professionals was ‘assessing individual needs’. Two questions to be addressed by the evaluation are (1) to what extent are services designed to meet the needs of children and families and (2) to what extent are children, young people and their families consulted about what they need? Consultations with families and service providers encouraged us to continue their involvement as partners in the evaluation.
GSP+ Removal and the Apparel Industry in Sri Lanka
Authors: Abayasekara Ashani
Published: November 2013

The withdrawal of GSP+ concessions granted by the European Union in August 2010 could bring about important implications for Sri Lanka’s apparel industry, which is heavily dependent on the European market for its exports. A particular concern is the lack of an international level-playing field, with many of Sri Lanka’s competitors having preferential access to European countries. In this context, the study analyzes the current impact of GSP+ withdrawal on the Sri Lankan apparel industry, possible future impacts and means of mitigating negative impacts and moving forward. An empirical analysis indicates that the GSP+ scheme has been central for apparel exports in penetrating the EU market, with the utilization rate averaging at 72 per cent over the 2005–2010 period and declining thereafter. While interviews carried out with stakeholders in the apparel industry reveal diverse viewpoints, the study concludes that the apparel industry remains highly vulnerable to the loss of GSP+ concessions and proposes several strategies in moving forward.
Effects of annealing temperature on the mechanical properties and sensitization of 5083-H116 aluminum alloy
Authors: Chen Ren-Yu , Chu Hsiao-Yeh , Lai Cheng-Chyuan , Wu Chih-Ting
Published: November 2013

This study elucidates how annealing temperature affects the mechanical properties and sensitization of 5083-H116 aluminum alloys. Nitric Acid Mass Loss Test was conducted to investigate the sensitization behavior of the annealed specimens. The results indicated that the mechanical properties were more sensitive to the annealing temperature than to the annealing time. The mechanical properties of the alloys became rapidly worse upon annealing between 250 and 350 ℃. 5083-H116 aluminum alloy became sensitized and susceptible to intergranular corrosion at an annealing temperature of 175 ℃ for 48 h. The distribution and shapes of β-phase particles markedly affected the sensitization. Exposing at the temperatures of 230–250 ℃ for 10–30 min could effectively improve the sensitization of the 5083-H116 alloys.
Tossing and Turning
Authors: Kilgard Amy K.
Published: November 2013

In this paper, I use a performance methodology to theorize how performances of family narratives might be queered through the disruptive or disorienting practices of collage and fracturing. Using Halberstam’s “queer art of failure” as a theoretical foundation and Etchells’s performance and writing practices as a methodological guide, I attempt to “fail” narratively as a way to explore the queer possibilities of some normative family stories. It is a story that involves several overt failures—failures of narrative potential, human intervention, and consumer products. The interwoven narratives in this paper were part of a larger ethnographic project about “consumer tragedies.” By juxtaposing multiple voices—including scholarly quotations, family narratives, and performance description—I create a fractured narrative. Such ruptures in narratives of family reveal how we accomplish normativity and how we resist it.
Queerly Conversing With the Dead
Authors: Paxton Blake A.
Published: November 2013

Researchers of bereavement have made great progress in their efforts to show the complexities of the grieving process. At the same time, psychologists have constructed multiple diagnostic categories of grief, commonly accepted prescriptions that further sustain a limiting way of understanding grief and loss. The bereaved either move on and find emotional closure from a loss, or they remained fixated in the emotional trauma of a loss. In this autoethnography, I challenge the assumed static boundaries between these categories by constructing a conversation with my deceased mother to show some of the power of continuing a relationship with the deceased through “re-membering” and the complexities inherent to the lived experience of grief. Through this evocative account, I also suggest possible connections researchers may explore between autoethnography, grief and loss scholarship, and queer theory.
Perioperative Cytokine Response to Infection Associated With Elective Arterial Surgery
Authors: Daryapeyma Alireza , Aarstad Hans Jørgen , Wahlgren Carl-Magnus , Jonung Torbjörn
Published: November 2013

Objective:

The aim was to assess the cytokine response to acute inflammation and infection in vascular surgery.

Design of Study:

Single-center, prospective cohort study.

Methods:

Blood samples from 96 consecutive patients undergoing elective vascular surgery were analyzed for C-reactive protein (CRP), total leukocyte counts (LPK), neutrophil CD64 expression, and cytokines using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results:

Of the 25 investigated cytokines, 22 had lower postoperative mean values compared to preoperative values. Interleukin (IL) 6 (IL-6) was the only cytokine that increased significantly postoperatively. Combined analysis of CRP and CD64 together with IL-6 or IL-10 showed an individually unique association with postoperative infection ( P < .05).

Conclusion:

We have shown a positive correlation with perioperative infection for the proinflammatory cytokines and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 as well as a number of chemokines. To our knowledge, this is the first report linking IL-10 and chemokine plasma levels to perioperative infection in vascular surgery.
Eco-friendly Attitudes, Barriers to Participation, and Differences in Behavior at Green Hotels
Authors: Baker Melissa A. , Davis Eric A. , Weaver Pamela A.
Published: November 2013

A deeper understanding of customers’ desire for and participation in green activities can lead to organizations designing more efficient and effective green programs. This research finds that the guests’ assessment of the importance of being environmentally friendly has the greatest effect on their intention to stay in a green hotel. Second, the research identifies the following customer barriers to participation: inconvenience, perceptions of cost cutting, and decreased luxury—all of which significantly affect consumers’ intention to stay at a green hotel or pay more for a room in such a hotel. Third, the results show that customers believe that hotels should have certain green practices, but did not consider it important to stay in a hotel that actually maintains the thirteen green practices tested here. Fourth, the results find that customers behave with greater environmental responsibility at home than they do in a hotel. Among the implications of these findings is the idea that hotel managers’ communications and actions must be relevant to guests’ concerns by educating customers, increasing convenience to participate in green programs, and decreasing perceptions of cost cutting.
Formation and evolution of shear bands in cold rolled Zr40Ti60 alloy
Authors: Wang X. Y. , Jing R. , Liu C. Y. , Zhang B. , Ma M. Z. , Liu R. P.
Published: November 2013

The microstructure evolution and formation of shear bands in Zr40Ti60 alloy during different cold rolling processes were studied in this article. Results indicate that the width of the shear band formed in the sample increases rapidly with the increasing of the thickness reduction of the sample, and the temperature rise caused by plastic deformation played an important role in the evolution process of the shear band. The microstructure within the shear bands much finer than that in the surrounding matrix has been confirmed, and nanosized subgrains were observed at the centre of the shear band with a width of 15 μm. Hardness tests showed that the microhardness within the shear band with a width of 15 μm (537 HV) was markedly higher than that in the surrounding matrix (410 HV).
Current design and performance of cold spray nozzles: experimental and numerical observations on deposition efficiency and particle velocity
Authors: Lupoi R.
Published: November 2013

Coating technologies play a critical role in the worldwide manufacturing industry. The ability to form layers of specific materials onto engineering components to enhance mechanical and physical properties has numerous applications, ranging from corrosion protection, repair, hardfacing, down to purely aesthetic purposes. Cold spray is an innovative technology, which allows for the manufacturing of coatings in a solid state manner; hence, feedstock properties can be fully preserved. Its working principles relies upon the acceleration of powders up to supersonic velocities, and the subsequent generation of high energy impacts on a substrate which triggers the coating formation. This paper presents deposition efficiency (DE) results from four different supersonic nozzles when using titanium as feedstock material. DE is the most critical parameter to assess the performance of cold spray nozzles. A theoretical analysis through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is carried out so to compare numerical results against experimental findings. Results have suggested that current commercial codes cannot accurately predict the acceleration process under realistic working conditions. It is therefore difficult to predict DE levels. Cold Spray is starting to be applied to high end engineering; however, it is likely not to be successful unless critical understanding is generated and used to accurately design nozzles, and predict the performance of new prototypes.
How I treat leukemia during pregnancy
Authors: Milojkovic Dragana , Apperley Jane F.
Published: November 2013

Leukemia in pregnancy remains a challenging therapeutic prospect. The prevalence is low at ∼1 in 10 000 pregnancies, and as a result data are limited to small retrospective series and case reports, rendering evidence-based recommendations for management strategies difficult. The management of the leukemias in pregnancy requires close collaboration with obstetric and neonatology colleagues as both the maternal and fetal outcomes must be taken into consideration. The decision to introduce or delay chemotherapy must be balanced against the impact on maternal and fetal survival and morbidity. Invariably, acute leukemia diagnosed in the first trimester necessitates intensive chemotherapy that is likely to induce fetal malformations. As delaying treatment in this situation is usually inappropriate, counseling with regard to termination of pregnancy is often essential. For chronic disease and acute leukemia diagnosed after the second trimester, therapeutic termination of the pregnancy is not inevitable and often, standard management approaches similar to those in nongravid patients can be used. Here, the management of the acute and chronic leukemias will be addressed.
Platelet gene therapy corrects the hemophilic phenotype in immunocompromised hemophilia A mice transplanted with genetically manipulated human cord blood stem cells
Authors: Shi Qizhen , Kuether Erin L. , Chen Yingyu , Schroeder Jocelyn A. , Fahs Scot A. , Montgomery Robert R.
Published: November 2013

Key Points

Platelet-specific lentiviral gene delivery to human hematopoietic stem cells can efficiently introduce FVIII expression in human platelets. Human platelet–derived FVIII can ameliorate the hemophilic phenotype in an immunocompromised hemophilia A mouse model.
Impact of obesity-related genes in Spanish population
Authors: Martínez-García Fernando , Mansego María L , Rojo-Martínez Gemma , De Marco-Solar Griselda , Morcillo Sonsoles , Soriguer Federico , Redón Josep , Pineda Alonso Monica , Martín-Escudero Juan C , Cooper Richard S , Chaves Felipe J
Published: November 2013

Background

The objective was to investigate the association between BMI and single nucleotide polymorphisms previously identified of obesity-related genes in two Spanish populations. Forty SNPs in 23 obesity-related genes were evaluated in a rural population characterized by a high prevalence of obesity (869 subjects, mean age 46 yr, 62% women, 36% obese) and in an urban population (1425 subjects, mean age 54 yr, 50% women, 19% obese). Genotyping was assessed by using SNPlex and PLINK for the association analysis.

Results

Polymorphisms of theFTOwere significantly associated with BMI, in the rural population (beta 0.87, p-value <0.001). None of the other SNPs showed significant association after Bonferroni correction in the two populations or in the pooled analysis. A weighted genetic risk score (wGRS) was constructed using the risk alleles of the Tag-SNPs with a positive Beta parameter in both populations. From the first to the fifth quintile of the score, the BMI increased 0.45 kg/m2in Hortega and 2.0 kg/m2in Pizarra. Overall, the obesity predictive value was low (less than 1%).

Conclusion

The risk associated with polymorphisms is low and the overall effect on BMI or obesity prediction is minimal. A weighted genetic risk score based on genes mainly acting through central nervous system mechanisms was associated with BMI but it yields minimal clinical prediction for the obesity risk in the general population.
Transcriptome profiling of fruit development and maturation in Chinese white pear (Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd)
Authors: Xie Min , Huang Ying , Zhang Yanping , Wang Xin , Yang Hua , Yu Oliver , Dai Wenhao , Fang Congbing
Published: November 2013

Background

Pear (Pyrus spp) is an important fruit species worldwide; however, its genetics and genomic information is limited. Combining the Solexa/Illumina RNA-seq high-throughput sequencing approach (RNA-seq) with Digital Gene Expression (DGE) analysis would be a powerful tool for transcriptomic study. This paper reports the transcriptome profiling analysis of Chinese white pear (P. bretschneideri) using RNA-seq and DGE to better understand the molecular mechanisms in fruit development and maturation of Chinese white pear.

Results

De novotranscriptome assembly and gene expression analysis of Chinese white pear were performed in an unprecedented depth (5.47 gigabase pairs) using high-throughput Illumina RNA-seq combined with a tag-based Digital Gene Expression (DGE) system. Approximately, 60.77 million reads were sequenced, trimmed, and assembled into 90,227 unigenes. These unigenes comprised 17,619 contigs and 72,608 singletons with an average length of 508 bp and had an N50of 635 bp. Sequence similarity analyses against six public databases (Uniprot, NR, and COGs at NCBI, Pfam, InterPro, and KEGG) found that 61,636 unigenes can be annotated with gene descriptions, conserved protein domains, or gene ontology terms. By BLASTing all 61,636 unigenes in KEGG, a total of 31,215 unigenes were annotated into 121 known metabolic or signaling pathways in which a few primary, intermediate, and secondary metabolic pathways are directly related to pear fruit quality. DGE libraries were constructed for each of the five fruit developmental stages. Variations in gene expression among all developmental stages of pear fruit were significantly different in a large amount of unigenes.

Conclusion

Extensive transcriptome and DGE profiling data at five fruit developmental stages of Chinese white pear have been obtained from a deep sequencing, which provides comprehensive gene expression information at the transcriptional level. This could facilitate understanding of the molecular mechanisms in fruit development and maturation. Such a database can also be used as a public information platform for research on molecular biology and functional genomics in pear and other related species.
De novo characterization of the Anthuriumtranscriptome and analysis of its digital gene expression under cold stress
Authors: Tian Dan-Qing , Pan Xiao-Yun , Yu Yong-Ming , Wang Wei-Yong , Zhang Fei , Ge Ya-Ying , Shen Xiao-Lan , Shen Fu-Quan , Liu Xiao-Jing
Published: November 2013

Background

Anthurium andraeanum is one of the most popular tropical flowers. In temperate and cold zones, a much greater risk of cold stress occurs in the supply of Anthurium plants. Unlike the freeze-tolerant model plants, Anthurium plants are particularly sensitive to low temperatures. Improvement of chilling tolerance in Anthurium may significantly increase its production and extend its shelf-life. To date, no previous genomic information has been reported in Anthurium plants.

Results

Using Illumina sequencing technology, we generated over two billion base of high-quality sequence in Anthurium, and demonstrated de novo assembly and annotation of genes without prior genome information. These reads were assembled into 44,382 unigenes (mean length = 560 bp). Based on similarity search with known protein in the non-redundant (nr) protein database, 27396 unigenes (62%) were functionally annotated with a cut-off E-value of 10-5. Further, DGE tags were mapped to the assembled transcriptome for gene expression analysis under cold stress. In total, 4363 differentially expressed genes were identified. Among these genes, 292, 805 and 708 genes were up-regulated after 1-h, 5-h and 24-h cold treatment, respectively. Then we mapped these cold-induced genes to the KEGG database. Specific enrichment was observed in photosynthesis pathway, metabolic pathways and oxidative phosphorylation pathway in 1-h cold-treated plants. After a 5-h cold treatment, the metabolic pathways and oxidative phosphorylation pathway were significantly identified as the top two pathways. After 24-h cold treatment, mRNA surveillance pathway, RNA transport pathway and plant-pathogen interaction pathway were significantly enriched. Together, a total of 39 cold-inducible transcription factors were identified, including subsets of AP2/ERF, Zinc figure, NAC, MYB and bZIP family members.

Conclusion

Our study is the first to provide the transcriptome sequence resource for Anthurium plants, and demonstrate its digital gene expression profiling under cold conditions using the assembled transcriptome data for reference. These data provides a valuable resource for genetic and genomic studies under abiotic conditions for Anthurium plants.
Identification of the type II cytochrome cmaturation pathway in anammox bacteria by comparative genomics
Authors: Ferousi Christina , Speth Daan R , Reimann Joachim , Op den Camp Huub JM , Allen James WA , Keltjens Jan TM , Jetten Mike SM
Published: November 2013

Background

Anaerobic ammonium oxidizing (anammox) bacteria may contribute up to 50% to the global nitrogen production, and are, thus, key players of the global nitrogen cycle. The molecular mechanism of anammox was recently elucidated and is suggested to proceed through a branched respiratory chain. This chain involves an exceptionally high number of c-type cytochrome proteins which are localized within the anammoxosome, a unique subcellular organelle. During transport into the organelle the c-type cytochrome apoproteins need to be post-translationally processed so that heme groups become covalently attached to them, resulting in mature c-type cytochrome proteins.

Results

In this study, a comparative genome analysis was performed to identify the cytochrome c maturation system employed by anammox bacteria. Our results show that all available anammox genome assemblies contain a complete type II cytochrome c maturation system.

Conclusions

Our working model suggests that this machinery is localized at the anammoxosome membrane which is assumed to be the locus of anammox catabolism. These findings will stimulate further studies in dissecting the molecular and cellular basis of cytochrome c biogenesis in anammox bacteria.
Occupational differences, cardiovascular risk factors and lifestyle habits in South Eastern rural Australia
Authors: Davis-Lameloise Nathalie , Philpot Benjamin , Janus Edward D , Versace Vincent L , Laatikainen Tiina , Vartiainen Erkki A , Dunbar James A
Published: November 2013

Background

In rural and remote Australia, cardiovascular mortality and morbidity rates are higher than metropolitan rates.

This study analysed cardiovascular and other chronic disease risk factors and related health behaviours by occupational status, to determine whether agricultural workers have higher cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk than other rural workers.

Methods

Cross-sectional surveys in three rural regions of South Eastern Australia (2004-2006). A stratified random sample of 1001 men and women aged 25-74 from electoral rolls were categorised by occupation into agricultural workers (men = 214, women = 79), technicians (men = 123), managers (men = 148, women = 272) and ‘home duties’ (women = 165). Data were collected from self-administered questionnaire, physical measurements and laboratory tests. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk were assessed by Framingham 5 years risk calculation.

Results

Amongst men, agricultural workers had higher occupational physical activity levels, healthier more traditional diet, lower alcohol consumption, lower fasting plasma glucose, the lowest proportion of daily smokers and lower age-adjusted 5 year CVD and CHD risk scores.

Amongst women, managers were younger with higher HDL cholesterol, lower systolic blood pressure, less hypertension, lower waist circumference, less self-reported diabetes and better 5 year CVD and CHD risk scores.

Agricultural workers did not have higher cardiovascular disease risk than other occupational groups.

Conclusions

Previous studies have suggested that farmers have higher risks of cardiovascular disease but this is because the risk has been compared with non-rural populations. In this study, the comparison has been made with other rural occupations. Cardiovascular risk reduction programs are justified for all. Programs tailored only for agricultural workers are unwarranted.
Characterizing acetogenic metabolism using a genome-scale metabolic reconstruction of Clostridium ljungdahlii
Authors: Nagarajan Harish , Sahin Merve , Nogales Juan , Latif Haythem , Lovley Derek R , Ebrahim Ali , Zengler Karsten
Published: November 2013

Background

The metabolic capabilities of acetogens to ferment a wide range of sugars, to grow autotrophically on H2/CO2, and more importantly on synthesis gas (H2/CO/CO2) make them very attractive candidates as production hosts for biofuels and biocommodities. Acetogenic metabolism is considered one of the earliest modes of bacterial metabolism. A thorough understanding of various factors governing the metabolism, in particular energy conservation mechanisms, is critical for metabolic engineering of acetogens for targeted production of desired chemicals.

Results

Here, we present the genome-scale metabolic network of Clostridium ljungdahlii, the first such model for an acetogen. This genome-scale model (iHN637) consisting of 637 genes, 785 reactions, and 698 metabolites captures all the major central metabolic and biosynthetic pathways, in particular pathways involved in carbon fixation and energy conservation. A combination of metabolic modeling, with physiological and transcriptomic data provided insights into autotrophic metabolism as well as aided the characterization of a nitrate reduction pathway in C. ljungdahlii. Analysis of the iHN637 metabolic model revealed that flavin based electron bifurcation played a key role in energy conservation during autotrophic growth and helped identify genes for some of the critical steps in this mechanism.

Conclusions

iHN637 represents a predictive model that recapitulates experimental data, and provides valuable insights into the metabolic response of C. ljungdahlii to genetic perturbations under various growth conditions. Thus, the model will be instrumental in guiding metabolic engineering of C. ljungdahlii for the industrial production of biocommodities and biofuels.
Some fixed point theorems in locally p-convex spaces
Authors: Gholizadeh Leila , Karapınar Erdal , Roohi Mehdi
Published: November 2013

In this paper we investigate the existence of a fixed point of multivalued mapson almost p-convex and p-convex subsets of topological vectorspaces. Our results extend and generalize some fixed point theorems on the topicin the literature, such as the results of Himmelberg, Fan and Glicksberg.

MSC: 46T99, 47H10, 54H25, 54E50, 55M20, 37C25.
Biotransformation of ginsenoside Rb1 via the gypenoside pathway by human gut bacteria
Authors: Shen Hong , Leung Weng-Im , Ruan Jian-Qing , Li Song-Lin , Lei JackyPui-Cheong , Wang Yi-Tao , Yan Ru
Published: November 2013

Background

Bacterial conversion of ginsenosides is crucial for the health-promoting effects of ginsenosides. Previous studies on the biotransformation of ginsenoside Rb1 (Rb1) by gut bacteria have focused on the ginsenoside Rd (Rd) pathway (Rb1 → Rd → ginsenoside F2 (F2) → compound K (Cpd K)). This study aims to examine the gypenoside pathway in human gut bacteria in vitro.

Methods

The metabolic pathways of ginsenoside Rb1 and its metabolites ginsenoside Rd and gypenoside XVII in human gut bacteria were investigated by incubating the compounds anaerobically with pooled or individual gut bacteria samples from healthy volunteers. Ginsenoside Rb1, the metabolites generated by human gut bacteria, and degraded products in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) were qualitatively analyzed using an LC/MSD Trap system in the negative ion mode and quantitatively determined by HPLC-UV analysis.

Results

When incubated anaerobically with pooled gut bacteria, Rb1 generated five metabolites, namely Rd, F2, Cpd K, and the rare gypenosides XVII (G-XVII) and LXXV (G-LXXV). The gypenoside pathway (Rb1 → G-XVII → G-LXXV → Cpd K) was rapid, intermediate, and minor, and finally converted Rb1 to Cpd K via G-XVII → F2 (major)/G-LXXV (minor). Both the Rd and gypenoside pathways exhibited great inter-individual variations in age-and sex-independent manners (P > 0.05). Rb1 was highly acid-labile and degraded rapidly to form F2, ginsenoside Rg3, ginsenoside Rh2, and Cpd K, but did not generate the gypenosides in SGF. The formation of the gypenosides might be explained by the involvement of a gut bacteria-mediated enzymatic process.

Conclusions

Rb1 was metabolized to G-XVII, F2 (major) or G-LXXL (minor), and finally Cpd K by human gut bacteria in vitro.
Unravelling the Neospora caninum secretome through the secreted fraction (ESA) and quantification of the discharged tachyzoite using high-resolution mass spectrometry-based proteomics
Authors: Pollo-Oliveira Letícia , Post Harm , Acencio Marcio Luis , Lemke Ney , van den Toorn Henk , Tragante Vinicius , Heck Albert JR , Altelaar AF Maarten , Yatsuda Ana Patrícia
Published: November 2013

Background

The apicomplexan parasiteNeospora caninumcauses neosporosis, a disease that leads to abortion or stillbirth in cattle, generating an economic impact on the dairy and beef cattle trade. As an obligatory intracellular parasite,N. caninumneeds to invade the host cell in an active manner to survive. The increase in parasite cytosolic Ca2+upon contact with the host cell mediates critical events, including the exocytosis of phylum-specific secretory organelles and the activation of the parasite invasion motor. Because invasion is considered a requirement for pathogen survival and replication within the host, the identification of secreted proteins (secretome) involved in invasion may be useful to reveal interesting targets for therapeutic intervention.

Methods

To chart the currently missingN. caninumsecretome, we employed mass spectrometry-based proteomics to identify proteins present in theN. caninumtachyzoite using two different approaches. The first approach was identifying the proteins present in the tachyzoite-secreted fraction (ESA). The second approach was determining the relative quantification through peptide stable isotope labelling of the tachyzoites submitted to an ethanol secretion stimulus (dischargedtachyzoite), expecting to identify the secreted proteins among the down-regulated group.

Results

As a result, 615 proteins were identified at ESA and 2,011 proteins quantified at thedischargedtachyzoite. We have analysed the connection between the secreted and the down-regulated proteins and searched for putative regulators of the secretion process among the up-regulated proteins. An interaction network was built by computational prediction involving the up- and down-regulated proteins. The mass spectrometry proteomics data have been deposited to the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD000424.

Conclusions

The comparison between the protein abundances in ESA and their measure in thedischargedtachyzoite allowed for a more precise identification of the most likely secreted proteins. Information from the network interaction and up-regulated proteins was important to recognise key proteins potentially involved in the metabolic regulation of secretion. Our results may be helpful to guide the selection of targets to be investigated againstNeospora caninumand other Apicomplexan organisms.
The psychometric profile of chiropractic patients in Norway and England: using and comparing the generic versions of the STarT Back 5-item screening tool and the Bournemouth Questionnaire
Authors: Irgens Pernille , Lothe Lise R , Kvammen Ole Christian , Field Jonathan , Newell David
Published: November 2013

Background

Musculoskeletal pain and low back pain (LBP) in particular is one of the more costly health challenges to society. The STarT Back Tool (SBT) has been developed in the UK with a view to identifying subgroups of LBP patients in order to guide more cost effective care decisions. The Bournemouth Questionnaire (BQ) is a validated multidimensional patient reported outcome measure (PROM) that is widely used in routine clinical practice settings. This study sets out to describe and compare SBT and BQ scores within and between populations of patients presenting for chiropractic care in Norway and Great Britain.

Methods

Patient demographics, BQ and the 5-item generic condition SBT data were collected from patients presenting with musculoskeletal pain to 18 Norwegian and 12 English chiropractors. Analysis of correlation between groups was achieved using a 1-way Chi2 approximation (p < 0.05).

Results

Eleven percent of Norwegian LBP patients (n = 214) and 24% of English LBP patients (n = 186) were “distressed by their condition” (SBT > 4). By comparison, Norwegian chiropractic patients are: somewhat younger, have lower BQ scores, are less distressed by the condition and score significantly lower on items relating to catastrophisation and depression than English patients. There was an apparent association between total BQ and SBT scores (correlation 0.59, p < .0001) and patients who scored higher than 45 (IQR 39–58) on BQ were more likely to respond “distressed by condition” (>4) on SBT. Furthermore, patients in “distressed by condition” SBT category who had marked the “low mood” question on SBT also had a high score on the “depression” question of BQ (>6 (IQR 4–8), correlation 0.54, p < .0001).

Conclusion

The BQ and SBT appear to identify the same subgroups in some, but not all of the measured items. It appears that unknown factors result in variations between patients seeking chiropractic care for comparable complaints in primary care in England vs Norway. Comparison of populations from Norway and UK demonstrate that extrapolating and pooling of data in relation to different populations should be done with caution, in regard to these stratification tools.
Youth unemployment in old Europe: the polar cases of France and Germany
Authors: Cahuc Pierre , Carcillo Stéphane , Rinne Ulf , Zimmermann Klaus F
Published: November 2013

France and Germany are two polar cases in the European debate about rising youth unemployment. Similar to what can be observed in Southern European countries, a “lost generation” may arise in France. In stark contrast, youth unemployment has been on continuous decline in Germany for many years, hardly affected by the Great Recession. This paper analyzes the diametrically opposed developments in the two countries to derive policy lessons. As the fundamental differences in youth unemployment primarily result from structural differences in labor policy and in the (vocational) education system, short-term oriented policies do not address the core of the problems. Ultimately, the youth unemployment disease in France and in other European countries has to be cured with structural reforms.

JEL codes

J24; J38; J68
Brains in Literature/Literature in the Brain
Authors: Ortega Francisco , Vidal Fernando
Published: November 2013

Since the 1990s, several disciplines, from neuroanthropology to neurotheology, have emerged at the interface between neuroscience and the social and human sciences. These “neurodisciplines” share basic assumptions about the brain/mind relationship, a preference for neuroimaging methodology, and the goal of establishing the neurobiological foundations of mind and behavior. A neural turn has also been taken in some quarters within the literary field. The neurosciences have provided writers of literature with resources for depicting characters and psychological processes and states; at the same time, they have inspired new interpretive approaches within literary studies. A twofold motif structures what might be called the neuroliterary field: brains in literature/literature in the brain. There has been a certain convergence between the rise of “neuronovels,” on the one hand, and the neurologization of literary analysis, on the other. This article studies that twofold motif. It first sketches how neuronovels fit into the history of neurological fiction and fictional elaborations of brain-related issues. It then examines three aspects of several major neuronovels: narrativity, solipsism and sociality, and memory. The article concludes by underlining the difference between incorporating “brains in literature” and placing “literature in the brain.”
A review of the biologic and pharmacological role of docosapentaenoic acid
Authors: Yazdi Puya G
Published: November 2013

Fish oil contains a complex mixture of omega-3 fatty acids, of which eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are the three predominant forms. There has been a plethora of previous research on the effects and associations of fish oil supplementation with various clinical manifestations. While the majority of this work was previously done on EPA and DHA, emerging research has begun to elucidate the specific role that DPA plays in these physiological processes and its differences with the other omega-3 fatty acids. The purpose of this review is to focus on the new studies undertaken with DPA. This review summarizes the biochemical mechanisms involved in the biosynthesis and metabolism of DPA before focusing on its effects in cardiovascular disease, immune function, and psychiatric and cognitive health. The limited studies point toward a positive role that DPA supplementation can play in these processes and that is separate and distinct from traditional supplementation with DHA and EPA.
Market size, market share and market strategy: three myths of medical tourism
Authors: Lunt Neil , Horsfall Daniel , Smith Richard , Exworthy Mark , Holloway Royal , Hanefeld Johanna , Mannion Russell
Published: November 2013

The aim of this article is to contribute towards greater theoretical and empirical understanding about medical tourism developments globally. This evidence leads us to examine some widelyheld assumptions regarding the size and shape of global medical travel. Our paper examines three central issues: (1) Do published figures and projections ‘add-up’, are figures from multiple sources consistent, and what decisions and interests are involved for those compiling these statistics? (2) How should any emerging global industry be understood and explained? (3) Given this analysis and market understanding how, if at all, can national governments stimulate activity?
Providing multi-agency children’s services in an austere climate: professional narratives on parenting support in Wales
Authors: Ball Wendy
Published: November 2013

Family and child-focused policies, including parenting support, have been of continued concern for governments in the United Kingdom (UK) from New Labour to the Conservative-led coalition. This article considers these policy arenas through the narratives of professionals who work with children and parents in a local authority in Wales. Rising pressures on local services are undermining efforts to provide multi-agency early intervention for families. Alongside this challenge, the use of parenting education programmes to attend to a wide range of complex family difficulties is questioned. Arguing that ‘more-than-local’ solutions will be required to attend to the situation, the prospect of Welsh government family support agendas is considered in relation to national UK coalition government social policy in an age of austerity.
Displaying genuineness: cultural translation in the drafting of marriage narratives for immigration applications and appeals
Authors: Carver Natasha
Published: November 2013

This article uses Finch’s (2007) idea of ‘display’ to analyse the process in which autobiographical statements for family immigration applications and appeals are drafted in the United Kingdom. I argue that legal representatives play a key role in ‘translating culture’ (Good, 2011) in relation to both content and form, a process that is driven primarily by the need to demonstrate compatibility with the cultural assumptions of ethnocentrically conceived Immigration Rules. These rules act as ‘moral gatekeepers’ (Wray, 2006) to set limits on the conceptual structure of ‘family’ and to outline what a ‘genuine’ marital relationship looks like, thereby excluding cultural Others. The findings show that legal representatives translate the experiences, norms and values of their clients’ relationships using authorial devices to make the account ring true within a commonsense understanding of British culture. I suggest that legal representatives thus contribute to a successful outcome for those lacking in cultural capital.
‘I just never thought he’d be that way’: young women, higher education and the shifting emotional dimensions of home
Authors: Finn Kirsty
Published: November 2013

The subject of emotion constitutes an emerging field within sociology. Underpinning debates about changing family relationships is a longstanding focus on troublesome emotions such as anxiety, stress and ambivalence. Key scholars – Bauman; Beck and Beck-Gernsheim; and Giddens – have been influential in setting the tone of this debate in which problematic emotions and fragile personal relationships are considered to be the new order in contemporary Western societies. This article contributes to a growing body of work that challenges such a view. Through in-depth analysis of qualitative longitudinal interviews with young female undergraduate students, the article illuminates the temporal and relational dimensions of emotion and ambivalence at a time of heightened personal change. The article concludes that shifting emotional dynamics within families need not be characterised in apocalyptic terms, but understood as part of the ongoing negotiations that connect kin at various stages in the lifecourse.
Genetic Variation in KLK2 and KLK3 Is Associated with Concentrations of hK2 and PSA in Serum and Seminal Plasma in Young Men
Authors: Sävblom Charlotta , Halldén Christer , Cronin Angel M , Säll Torbjörn , Savage Caroline , Vertosick Emily A , Klein Robert J , Giwercman Aleksander , Lilja Hans
Published: November 2013

BACKGROUND

Genetic variants in KLK2 and KLK3 have been associated with increased serum concentrations of their encoded proteins, human kallikrein-related peptidase 2 (hK2) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and with prostate cancer in older men. Low PSA concentrations in seminal plasma (SP) have been associated with low sperm motility. To evaluate whether KLK2 and KLK3 genetic variants affect physiological prostatic secretion, we studied the association of SNPs with hK2 and PSA concentrations in SP and serum of young, healthy men.

METHODS

Leukocyte DNA was extracted from 303 male military conscripts (median age 18.1 years). Nine SNPs across KLK2–KLK3 were genotyped. We measured PSA and hK2 in SP and serum using immunofluorometric assays. The association of genotype frequencies with hK2 and PSA concentrations was tested with the Kruskal–Wallis test.

RESULTS

Four KLK2 SNPs (rs198972, rs198977, rs198978, and rs80050017) were strongly associated with hK2 concentrations in SP and serum, with individuals homozygous for the major alleles having 3- to 7-fold higher concentrations than the intermediate concentrations found in other homozygotes and heterozygotes (all P < 0.001). Three of these SNPs were significantly associated with percentage of free PSA (%fPSA) in serum (all P < 0.007). Three KLK3 SNPs showed associations with PSA in SP, and the rs1058205 SNP was associated with total PSA in serum (P = 0.001) and %fPSA (P = 0.015).

CONCLUSIONS

Associations observed in young, healthy men between the SP and serum concentrations of hK2 and PSA and several genetic variants in KLK2 and KLK3 could be useful to refine models of PSA cutoff values in prostate cancer testing.
Abnormal Na-K-ATPase activity in erythrocytes from patients with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Shamansurova Z M , Mukhamedova F A , Tsoi A G , Tashmanova A B , Alieva A V , Akhrarova N A
Published: November 2013

Aim. To measure Na-K-ATPase activity in erythrocytes from patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), elucidate its relationship with clinical manifestationsof the disease and biochemical blood characteristics. Materials and methods. A total of 76 DM patients were enrolled in this study (39 with DM1 and 35 with DM2). Control group consisted of 11 subjectswithout DM. They were examined for HbA1c, nitrite and nitrate levels in blood and membranes, sialidase activity in erythrocytes and Na-KATPaseactivity measured from variations of inorganic phosphorus content in the presence of ATP. Results. Na-K-ATPase activity in MD patients was significantly lower than in controls (p
Use of Biatain dressing material in patients with diabetic foot syndrome: randomized comparative study
Authors: Udovichenko Oleg Viktorovich , Bublik Evgenia Viktorovna
Published: November 2013

Aim. To compare efficiency, safety, and cost of different treatment modalities. Materials and methods. The study included 40 patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes, foot and lower leg trophic ulcers at granulation stage I-II (Wagners classification)free from wound infection. The patients were randomized for the treatment during 2 months with a Biatain dressing (Coloplast, Denmark)(group1) and for conventional treatment with the use of an atraumatic mesh dressing (group 2). Biatain dressings were changed every 2-4 (up to 5) daysand conventional dressings once daily. Patients in the two groups were adjusted for age, sex, ulcer type, size and duration, length of antibiotic therapy beforeand during treatment, blood glucose level, and other characteristics (p>0.05). Results. Ulcers healed within 2 months in 70% of the patients in group 1 and in 53.3% in group 2 (insignificant difference, p = 0.48). Other efficiency (medianhealing time, survival curves) and safety parameters were not significantly different either. The cost of treatment by the two methods was comparabledespite a higher cost of Biatain dressings due to their rarer change and economy of material for secondary dressing. When dressings were changed by medicalprofessionals rather than by the patient or his (her) relatives at home, treatment with the use of Biatain dressings proved 1.75 times cheaper. Conclusion. Efficiency and safety of high-tech and conventional dressing materials is comparable. The real difference between the costs of treatment byeither method is significantly smaller than the difference between retail prices of the two materials. Cost effectiveness of high-tech dressings is higher if thetreatment is accomplished in a medical facility.
Ultrasonographic study of common carotid arteries in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Panfilova Viktoriya Nikolaevna , Panfilov A Ya , Doroshchenko S N , Taranushenko T E
Published: November 2013

Aim. To elucidate sonographic characteristics of common carotid arteries in adolescents with type1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) depending on the duration of the disease and thepresence of chronic complications. Materials and methods. A total of 56 adolescents having DM1 of different duration were examined to evaluate conditions of common carotid arteries (CA) in the systole anddiastole during at least 3 cardiac cycles. The following parameters were measured: CA diameter, intima-media thickness (IMT), estimated stretch and stiffness coefficients, Youngsmodulus. The control group comprised 16 healthy adolescents. Results. Bilateral increase of IMT was recorded in patients with DM duration over 5 years. Youngs modulus, stretch and stiffness coefficients were virtually unrelated to diseaseduration. In patients having DM for more than 10 years, stretch coefficient was 5.38 (95% DI 4.82-5.8) compared with 5.82 (95% DI 5.63-7.38) in those with DM for less than 3years (p = 0.04). The level of albuminuria correlated with IMT (r=0.32, p=0.03), stiffness coefficient (r = 0.43, p=0.001), stretch coefficient (r= -0.48, p
Diabetic nephropathy and myocardial lesions in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Kazakova Larisa Vasil'evna , Lukushkina Elena Fedorovna , Strongin Leonid Grigor'evich , Azova Elena Alexandrovna
Published: November 2013

Aim. To elucidate the role of diabetic nephropathy in pathogenesis of myo-cardial lesions in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus from the results of dopplerography of intrarenal vessels. Materials and methods. The study involved 39 children with DM1 (mean age 12,5?2,6) divided into 2 groups. Group 1 included 12 patients with subclinical diabetic lesions in the kidneys (hyperfiltration), group 2 and 3 comprised 21 and 6 patients with diabetic neph-ropathy (microalbuminuria 30?300 mg/day or proteinuria respectively). All patients under-went standard examination to evaluate cardiovascular and vegetative nervous function. Analysis of spectrograms obtained by dopplerography of intrarenal vessels included main renal artery (MRA), segmental (SA), interlobe (ILA), arch (AA), and interlobular (ILbA) arteries. Results. The study groups were not significantly different in terms of MRA, SA, AA, and ILA hemodynamics but, unlike healthy controls, showed a nonlinear decreasing gradient in vascular resistance from MRA toward peripheral vessels especially ILA and AA. Left ven-tricular hypertrophy with disturbed diastolic performance documented in 64% of the patients correlated with microalbuminuria (r=0,56, p