bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
People living with serious illness: stories of spirituality
Authors: Molzahn Anita , Sheilds Laurene , Bruce Anne , Stajduhar Kelli , Makaroff Kara Schick , Beuthin Rosanne , Shermak Sheryl
Published: July 2012

Aims and objectives. To examine stories of spirituality in people living with serious illness.

Background. Although knowledge about the experience of people with various chronic illnesses is growing, there is little known about peoples’ beliefs and perspectives relating to spirituality where there is a diagnosis of a serious chronic and life‐limiting illness.

Design of the study. A social constructionist approach to narrative inquiry was used.

Methods. In‐depth narrative interviews were conducted on one occasion with 32 participants. This included 10 people with cancer, 14 people with end stage renal disease (ESRD) and eight people with HIV/AIDS. They ranged in age from 37–83 and included 18 men and 14 women.

Results. The themes were reflecting on spiritual religious and personal beliefs, crafting beliefs for their own lives, finding meaning and transcending beyond words. Participants melded various belief systems to fit their own lives. They also looked to find meaning in their illness experience and described what gave life meaning. For some aspects of these belief systems, participants could not or would not express themselves verbally, and it seemed that aspects of their experience were beyond language.

Conclusions. The stories revealed considerable depth relating to perspectives on life, illness and existential questions, but many participants were not comfortable with the term ‘spirituality’.

Relevance to clinical practice. Nurses must remain open to learning about belief systems of each individual in their care, regardless of that individual’s declared religious affiliation or declaration of no religious affiliation, given that personal beliefs and practices do not always fit into specific categories.
Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy using near‐infrared contrast agents
Authors: NOTHDURFT R. , SARDER P. , BLOCH S. , CULVER J. , ACHILEFU S.
Published: July 2012

Although single‐photon fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) is widely used to image molecular processes using a wide range of excitation wavelengths, the captured emission of this technique is confined to the visible spectrum. Here, we explore the feasibility of utilizing near‐infrared (NIR) fluorescent molecular probes with emission >700 nm for FLIM of live cells. The confocal microscope is equipped with a 785 nm laser diode, a red‐enhanced photomultiplier tube, and a time‐correlated single photon counting card. We demonstrate that our system reports the lifetime distributions of NIR fluorescent dyes, cypate and DTTCI, in cells. In cells labelled separately or jointly with these dyes, NIR FLIM successfully distinguishes their lifetimes, providing a method to sort different cell populations. In addition, lifetime distributions of cells co‐incubated with these dyes allow estimate of the dyes’ relative concentrations in complex cellular microenvironments. With the heightened interest in fluorescence lifetime‐based small animal imaging using NIR fluorophores, this technique further serves as a bridge between in vitro spectroscopic characterization of new fluorophore lifetimes and in vivo tissue imaging.
New trapping method to survey for presence of the Etruscan shrew Suncus etruscus, the smallest mammal
Authors: VOGEL Peter
Published: July 2012

The presence of the Etruscan shrew Suncus etruscus is hard to prove where its predator, the barn owl Tyto alba, is absent, because most live traps are not triggered by it. I therefore developed a new trapping method involving a feeding period of 1 week followed by one night of trapping using modified Trip Trap traps. I show here in detail how I caught four Etruscan shrews in 2010 with 24 traps in the Valley of Dora Baltea (Piemonte, Italy). In 2011, another 11 Etruscan shrews were caught in Piemonte and Lombardia, Italy, and Ticino, Switzerland. The proposed new method is useful for establishing the presence of the species.
Relaxosome function and conjugation regulation in F‐like plasmids – a structural biology perspective
Authors: Wong Joyce J. W. , Lu Jun , Glover J. N. Mark
Published: July 2012

The tra operon of the prototypical F plasmid and its relatives enables transfer of a copy of the plasmid to other bacterial cells via the process of conjugation. Tra proteins assemble to form the transferosome, the transmembrane pore through which the DNA is transferred, and the relaxosome, a complex of DNA‐binding proteins at the origin of DNA transfer. F‐like plasmid conjugation is characterized by a high degree of plasmid specificity in the interactions of tra components, and is tightly regulated at the transcriptional, translational and post‐translational levels. Over the past decade, X‐ray crystallography of conjugative components has yielded insights into both specificity and regulatory mechanisms. Conjugation is repressed by FinO, an RNA chaperone which increases the lifetime of the small RNA, FinP. Recent work has resulted in a detailed model of FinO/FinP interactions and the discovery of a family of FinO‐like RNA chaperones. Relaxosome components include TraI, a relaxase/helicase, and TraM, which mediates signalling between the transferosome and relaxosome for transfer initiation. The structures of TraI and TraM bound to oriT DNA reveal the basis of specific recognition of DNA for their cognate plasmid. Specificity also exists in TraI and TraM interactions with the transferosome protein TraD.
Assembly of the Yersinia injectisome: the missing pieces
Authors: Diepold Andreas , Wiesand Ulrich , Amstutz Marlise , Cornelis Guy R.
Published: July 2012

The assembly of the type III secretion injectisome culminates in the formation of the needle. In Yersinia, this step requires not only the needle subunit (YscF), but also the small components YscI, YscO, YscX and YscY. We found that these elements act after the completion of the transmembrane export apparatus. YscX and YscY co‐purified with the export apparatus protein YscV, even in the absence of any other protein. YscY‐EGFP formed fluorescent spots, suggesting its presence in multiple copies. YscO and YscX were required for export of the early substrates YscF, YscI and YscP, but were only exported themselves after the substrate specificity switch had occurred. Unlike its flagellar homologue FliJ, YscO was not required for the assembly of the ATPase YscN. Finally, we investigated the role of the small proteins in export across the inner membrane. No export of the reporter substrate YscP1–137‐PhoA into the periplasm was observed in absence of YscI, YscO or YscX, confirming that these proteins are required for export of the first substrates. In contrast, YscP1–137‐PhoA accumulated in the periplasm in the absence of YscF, suggesting that YscF is not required for the function of the export apparatus, but that its polymerization opens the secretin YscC.
Antagonism between herbivore‐induced plant volatiles and trichomes affects tritrophic interactions
Authors: WEI JIANING , YAN LIUHUA , REN QIN , LI CHUANYOU , GE FENG , KANG LE
Published: July 2012

We used tomato genotypes deficient in the jasmonic acid (JA) pathway to study the interaction between the production of herbivore‐induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) that serve as information cues for herbivores as well as natural enemies of herbivores, and the production of foliar trichomes as defence barriers. We found that jasmonic acid‐insensitive1 (jai1) mutant plants with both reduced HIPVs and trichome production received higher oviposition of adult leafminers, which were more likely to be parasitized by the leafminer parasitoids than JA biosynthesis spr2 mutant plants deficient in HIPVs but not trichomes. We also showed that the preference and acceptance of leafminers and parasitoids to trichome‐removed plants from either spr2 or wild‐type (WT) genotypes over trichome‐intact genotypes can be ascribed to the reduced trichomes on treated plants, but not to altered direct and indirect defence traits such as JA, proteinase inhibitor (PI)‐II and HIPVs levels. Although the HIPVs of WT plants were more attractive to adult insects, the insects preferred trichome‐free jai1 plants for oviposition and also had greater reproductive success on these plants. Our results provide strong evidence that antagonism between HIPV emission and trichome production affects tritrophic interactions. The interactions among defence traits are discussed.
Reciprocal grafting separates the roles of the root and shoot in sex‐related drought responses in Populus cathayana males and females
Authors: HAN YING , WANG YUHUA , JIANG HAO , WANG MAOLIN , KORPELAINEN HELENA , LI CHUNYANG
Published: July 2012

Drought stress responses and sensitivity of dioecious plants, such as Populus cathayana Rehd., are determined by different mechanisms in each sex. In general, males tend to be more resistant while females are more sensitive. Here, we used reciprocal grafting between males and females to determine the relative importance of roots and shoots when plants are exposed to drought stress. Total dry matter accumulation (DMA), photosynthetic capacity, long‐term water‐use efficiency (Δ), water potential and ultrastructure of mesophyll cells were evaluated to determine the different roles of root and shoot in sex‐related drought responses. Plants with male roots were found to be more resistant and less sensitive to water stress than those with female roots under drought conditions. On the contrary, plants with female shoots grew better than those with male shoots under well‐watered conditions. These results indicated that the sensitivity of males and females to water stress is primarily influenced by root processes, while under well‐watered conditions sexual differences in growth are primarily driven by shoot processes. Furthermore, grafting female shoot scion onto male rootstock was proved to be an effective mean to improve resistance to water stress in P. cathayana females.
Lack of the Golgi phosphate transporter PHT4;6 causes strong developmental defects, constitutively activated disease resistance mechanisms and altered intracellular phosphate compartmentation in Arabidopsis
Authors: Hassler Sebastian , Lemke Lilia , Jung Benjamin , Möhlmann Torsten , Krüger Falco , Schumacher Karin , Espen Luca , Martinoia Enrico , Neuhaus H. Ekkehard
Published: July 2012

The Golgi‐located phosphate exporter PHT4;6 has been described as involved in salt tolerance but further analysis on the physiological impact of PHT4;6 remained elusive. Here we show that PHT4;6–GFP is targeted to the trans‐Golgi compartment and that loss of function of this carrier protein has a dramatic impact on plant growth and development. Knockout mutants of pht4;6 exhibit a dwarf phenotype that is complemented by the homologous gene from rice (Oryza sativa). Interestingly, pht4;6 mutants show altered characteristics of several Golgi‐related functions, such as an altered abundance of certain N‐glycosylated proteins, altered composition of cell‐wall hemicelluose, and higher sensitivity to the Golgi α‐mannosidase and the retrograde transport inhibitors kifunensine and brefeldin A, respectively. Moreover, pht4;6 mutants exhibit a ‘mimic disease’ phenotype accompanied by constitutively activated pathogen defense mechanisms and increased resistance against the virulent Pseudomonas syringae strain DC3000. Surprisingly, pht4;6 mutants also exhibit phosphate starvation symptoms, as revealed at the morphological and molecular level, although total Pi levels in wild‐type and pht4;6 plants are similar. This suggested that subcellular Pi compartmentation was impaired. By use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), increased Pi concentration was detected in acidic compartments of pht4;6 mutants. We propose that impaired Pi efflux from the trans‐Golgi lumen results in accumulation of inorganic phosphate in other internal compartments, leading to low cytoplasmic phosphate levels with detrimental effects on plant performance.
Effects of long‐term irrigation with reclaimed wastewater on the efficacy and fate of trifloxysulfuron‐sodium in the soil
Authors: DVORKIN G , MANOR M , SIBONY M , CHEFETZ B , RUBIN B
Published: July 2012

Dvorkin G, Manor M, Sibony M, Chefetz B & Rubin B (2012). Effects of long‐term irrigation with reclaimed wastewater on the efficacy and fate of trifloxysulfuron‐sodium in the soil. Weed Research.52, 441–448.

Long‐term irrigation with reclaimed wastewater (RWW) is known to affect the physical, chemical and biological properties of the receiving soil. The sulfonylurea herbicide trifloxysulfuron‐sodium (TFX), an acetolactate synthase inhibitor, is stable in the soil for several months and can carry over to rotational crops; however, its activity in RWW‐irrigated soils is much lower. In this study, we monitored the activity/dissipation of TFX applied on RWW‐irrigated soil. High weed infestation in the treated soil in field studies along with a decrease in the soil activity as determined with test plant was observed, suggesting fast dissipation of the herbicidal activity of TFX in the soil. Dose–response curves of Sorghum bicolor to TFX planted in RWW‐ and in fresh water‐irrigated soils showed higher and more significant damage for both shoots and roots with the fresh water‐irrigated soil. Sterilised RWW‐irrigated soil exhibited higher TFX activity versus non‐sterilised soil. This implies that reduction in TFX activity in RWW‐irrigated soil is probably affected by the microbial activity.
Prevalence and severity of pruritus in cutaneous T cell lymphoma
Authors: Vij Alok , Duvic Madeleine
Published: July 2012

Background  The most common types of cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) are mycosis fungoides (MF) and its leukemic variant, Sézary syndrome (SS). One of the hallmarks of MF and SS is pruritus that rarely responds to treatment. Little is known about the prevalence and severity of pruritus in MF and SS.

Objectives  A retrospective analysis was performed to assess the prevalence and severity of pruritus in MF and SS.

Methods  This study compared self‐reported pruritus in early‐stage (stage Ia–IIa) and late‐stage (stage IIb–IVb) disease, and in MF and SS, in patients presenting at our CTCL clinic between January 1, 2006, and June 30, 2010.

Results  Of the 551 eligible patients, 486 reported baseline pruritus values. Overall, 373 patients had early‐stage disease, 113 had late‐stage disease, and 72 had SS. The prevalence of pruritus was 66% in all patients, 62% in patients with early‐stage disease, 83% in those with late‐stage disease, 61% in those with MF, and 94% in those with SS. Mean pruritus values out of 10 were: 4.2 [standard error of the mean (SEM) = 0.18] in all patients; 3.4 (SEM = 0.19) in patients with early‐stage disease; 6.6 (SEM = 0.36) in those with late‐stage disease; 3.6 (SEM = 0.18) in MF patients, and 7.7 (SEM = 0.37) in SS patients. Differences between early‐ and late‐stage disease, and MF and SS, were statistically significant (P < 0.001).

Conclusions  Pruritus affects a large proportion of patients with CTCL and is significantly more severe in late‐ than in early‐stage disease and in SS than in MF. Little information exists on the full range of the symptom burden on the patient. This aspect of patient care requires further exploration.
A peptide carrier for the delivery of elastin into fibroblast cells
Authors: Nasrollahi Saman Ahmad , Fouladdel Shamileh , Taghibiglou Changiz , Azizi Ebrahim , Farboud Effat Sadat
Published: July 2012

Background  Transmembrane delivery of active peptides and proteins, including skin delivery of cosmeceutical proteins such as collagen and elastin, has been a challenging issue. Amphipathic cell‐penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been proposed as carrier peptides to mediate cellular uptake of proteins without covalent binding.

Materials and methods  In this study, we have used a short peptide, Pep‐1, as our CPP to transport elastin into fibroblast cells. Different ratios of Pep‐1/elastin complexes were produced by using a fixed amount of elastin and different molar ratio of Pep‐1. The ability of transduction into cells was determined by fluorescence microscopy. The characteristics of Pep‐1/elastin complexes were monitored using scanning electron microscopy and photon correlation spectroscopy.

Results  No cellular toxicity was observed in cells treated with Pep‐1/elastin complex. Finally, we determined a Pep‐1 : elastin ratio of 10 : 1 as the most effective ratio in cellular delivery of elastin.

Conclusion  Pep‐1 mediated fast and effective delivery of elastin as a cosmetic protein into fibroblast cells in the treatment of skin‐aging symptoms.
Reticular erythematous mucinosis – a review
Authors: Thareja Sumeet , Paghdal Kapila , Lien Mary H. , Fenske Neil A.
Published: July 2012

Reticular erythematous mucinosis (REM) is a rare cutaneous condition often referred to as plaque‐like mucinosis and midline mucinosis. Although the exact etiology remains undefined, efforts to elucidate pathogenesis, disease associations, and prospective treatment modalities have been encouraging. Induction of the disease has been associated with viral processes, solar irradiation, specific cell lines, and cytokines such as Interleukin (IL)‐1β. Clinically, patients typically develop erythematous macules and papules that coalesce into reticulated patterns on the midline of the chest or back. The lesions have a tendency to respond to systemic antimalarial therapy, but novel therapeutic approaches with ultraviolet A1 light (UVA1) and pulse dye laser (PDL) have been promising. Histologically, REM is associated with a mild, predominantly lymphocytic infiltrate with variable deep perivascular extension. Mucin may be seen in the upper and mid dermis and is prominent around the infiltrate and appendages. IgM deposits may be visualized under direct immunoflourescence along the basal layer. Because of the similarities between REM and tumid lupus, the two disease processes have often been grouped together. The remarkable overlap between the two diseases suggests that the two conditions may actually be the same disease.
Cutaneous leishmaniasis and rickettsial African tick‐bite fever: a combination of exotic traveler’s diseases in the same patient
Authors: Schwartz Robert A. , Kapila Rajendra , McElligott Sean C. , Atkin Suzanne H. , Lambert W. C.
Published: July 2012

Background  Cutaneous leishmaniasis and rickettsial African tick‐bite fever are two zoonoses increasingly diagnosed in industrialized nations due to more international travel to endemic areas.

Methods  A 52‐year‐old American nurse was evaluated for a 0.5 cm well‐demarcated, tender, shallow ulcer on her wrist, nonproductive cough, fever, chills, and night sweats, all of which began three weeks after travel to Botswana and a visit to a game reserve, where she reported being scratched on the ankle by a cheetah.

Results  This cutaneous finding was strongly suggestive of leishmaniasis, but the systemic symptoms were perplexing. Although excisional biopsy showed only nonspecific changes, a specimen sent to the United States Centers for Disease Control revealed leishmania promastigotes of L. tropica. Initial Rickettsia typhi titers and many other serologic tests were negative. However, four weeks after admission, R. typhi IgG titer was 1 : 64 and R. rickettsii IgG was 1 : 1024.

Conclusion  Thus, our patient had two tropical diseases simultaneously.
In vivo pressure sore‐healing efficacy of β‐cyclodextrin/polyethyleneimine/silk fibroin xerogel
Authors: Seo Seung Ree , Lee Mi Sun , So Byung Pil , Kim Jin‐Chul
Published: July 2012

Background  β‐Cyclodextrin (βCD) xerogel containing silk fibroin (SF) was prepared, and the efficacy of the xerogel for a pressure sore developed on the back of an ICR mouse was investigated.

Materials and methods  Tosyl βCD was conjugated to polyethyleneimine (PEI), and the βCD residues were cross‐linked in an aqueous phase using epichlorohydrin as a cross‐linker in the presence of SF. The xerogel composed of βCD, PEI, and SF (βCD/PEI/SF xerogel) was prepared by freeze drying the hydrogel. The in vivo pressure sore‐healing efficacy of the xerogel was estimated through the skin appearance, skin thickness, hyperplasia of the epidermis, and number of neutrophils in the skin tissue.

Results  The animal group treated with βCD/PEI/SF xerogels showed a better sore‐healing efficacy than the group without treatment and the group treated with over‐the‐counter products through the determination of the reduction of hyperplasia of the epidermis and the number of neutrophils in skin tissue. We also got the same result by macroscopic evaluation.

Conclusions  βCD/PEI/SF xerogel exhibited a high wound‐healing efficacy for pressure sores developed on the back of an ICR mouse and left no scar.
The evolution of size of the uropygial gland: mutualistic feather mites and uropygial secretion reduce bacterial loads of eggshells and hatching failures of European birds
Authors: Soler J. J. , Peralta‐Sánchez J. M. , Martín‐Platero A. M. , Martín‐Vivaldi M. , Martínez‐Bueno M. , Møller A. P.
Published: July 2012

Potentially, pathogenic bacteria are one of the main infective agents against which a battery of chemical and physical barriers has evolved in animals. Among these are the secretions by the exocrine uropygial gland in birds. The antimicrobial properties of uropygial secretions may prevent colonization and growth of microorganisms on feathers, skin and eggshells. However, uropygial gland secretions also favour the proliferation of feather mites that feed on secretions and microorganisms living on feathers that would otherwise reach eggshells during incubation if not consumed by feather mites. Therefore, at the interspecific level, uropygial gland size (as an index of volume of uropygial secretion) should be positively related to eggshell bacterial load (i.e. the risk of egg infection), whereas eggshell bacterial loads may be negatively related to abundance of feather mites eating bacteria. Here, we explore these previously untested predictions in a comparative framework using information on eggshell bacterial loads, uropygial gland size, diversity and abundance of feather mites and hatching success of 22 species of birds. The size of the uropygial gland was positively related to eggshell bacterial loads (mesophilic bacteria andEnterobacteriaceae), and bird species with higher diversity and abundance of feather mites harboured lower bacterial density on their eggshells (EnterococcusandStaphylococcus), in accordance with the hypothesis. Importantly, eggshell bacterial loads of mesophilic bacteria,EnterococcusandEnterobacteriaceaewere negatively associated with hatching success, allowing us to interpret these interspecific relationships in a functional scenario, where both uropygial glands and mutualistic feather mites independently reduce the negative effects of pathogenic bacteria on avian fitness.
Early life programming of cardiometabolic disease in the Western Australian pregnancy cohort (Raine) study
Authors: Huang Rae‐Chi , Mori Trevor A , Beilin Lawrence J
Published: July 2012

The Raine study (http://www.rainestudy.org.au, accessed 18 June 2012) is a longitudinal Australian birth cohort that has serially assessed the offspring of 2900 pregnant women from 18 weeks gestation in utero to 17 years of age.

The Raine study data have shown that low birth weight is a surrogate for poor in utero growth from 18 weeks gestation.

A U‐shaped relationship between birth size and cardiometabolic risk exists in this Western Australian cohort, implying that both low and high birth weight are associated with increased risk.

High birth weight is a risk factor for cardiometabolic risk, particularly for females.

Lifetime adiposity trajectories are better at predicting metabolic risk of the offspring than birth size or current body mass index. Therefore, early life programming is an ongoing process, starting in utero and undergoing at least some level of modification in parallel with changes in adiposity during early childhood.

Maternal smoking during pregnancy, maternal obesity, hypertension and diabetes increase the risk for metabolic risk in the offspring. Breast feeding is protective for cardiometabolic risk in this Australian cohort.
Evaluation of reference genes for the analysis of serum miRNA in patients with prostate cancer, bladder cancer and renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Sanders Imke , Holdenrieder Stefan , Walgenbach‐Brünagel Gisela , von Ruecker Alexander , Kristiansen Glen , Müller Stefan C , Ellinger Jörg
Published: July 2012

Objectives:  To identify an appropriate reference gene for the analysis of circulating micro‐ribonucleic acid in patients with urological malignancies.

Methods:  Serum from patients with prostate cancer (n = 24), bladder cancer (n = 24), renal cell carcinoma (n = 24) and control subjects (n = 48) was spiked with cel‐miR‐39, and then ribonucleic acid was isolated. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the levels of candidate reference genes (RNU1‐4, RNU6‐2, SNORD43, SNORD44, SNORD48, SNORA74A, miR‐let‐7a‐1, miR‐106a). Reference gene stability was determined using the NormFinder, geNorm and comparative delta‐Ct algorithm. The effect of normalization was tested with miR‐21 as the target gene, as this was previously suggested to be upregulated in cancer patients' serum.

Results:  Recovery of cel‐miR‐39 (mean 11.6%, range 1–56%) was similar in control subjects and cancer patients. SNORD44 and SNORD74A levels were around the detection limit of the assay and were thus omitted. All remaining candidates showed satisfying stability; SNORD43 was the most stable reference gene using all three algorithms. A combination of two genes (SNORD43, RNU1‐4) increases the stability somewhat. The level of miR‐21 was similar in cancer patients and healthy controls, irrespective of the normalization strategy.

Conclusions:  SNORD43 is a suitable reference gene for the analysis of circulating micro‐ribonucleic acid in patients with urological malignancies. Our study questions the suitability of miR‐21 as a biomarker for uro‐oncological patients.
Adrenal myelolipoma associated with hyperandrogenemia
Authors: Su Heng‐Chuan , Huang Xin , Dai Jun , Sun Fu‐Kang
Published: July 2012

Adrenal myelolipoma associated with hyperandrogenemia is extremely rare. We present such a case here. The patient was a 34‐year‐old Chinese woman with a history of growth retardation, virilization and lumbago. Adrenal imaging showed a circular soft tissue mass in the right adrenal gland. Endocrine examinations showed increased levels of plasma testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, significantly lower levels of follicle‐stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, with other biochemical parameters being basically normal. After a histopathological study confirming the mass to be an adrenal myelolipoma, the patient was managed with a right adrenalectomy and then recovered. A search of the English and Japanese language literature suggests this is the first detailed and documented case of adrenal myelolipoma associated with hyperandrogenemia.
Establishment of exotic parasites: the origins and characteristics of an avian malaria community in an isolated island avifauna
Authors: Ewen John G. , Bensch Staffan , Blackburn Tim M. , Bonneaud Camille , Brown Ruth , Cassey Phillip , Clarke Rohan H. , Pérez‐Tris Javier
Published: July 2012

Knowledge of the processes favouring the establishment of exotic parasites is poor. Herein, we test the characteristics of successful exotic parasites that have co‐established in the remote island archipelago ofNewZealand, due to the introduction of numerous avian host species. Our results show that avian malaria parasites (AM; parasites of the genusPlasmodium) that successfully invaded are more globally generalist (both geographically widespread and with a broad taxonomic range of hosts) thanAMparasites not co‐introduced toNewZealand. Furthermore, the successfulAMparasites are presently more prevalent in their native range thanAMparasites found in the same native range but not co‐introduced toNewZealand. This has resulted in an increased number and greater taxonomic diversity ofAMparasites now inNewZealand.
Viral infection of Phaeocystis globosa impedes release of chitinous star‐like structures: quantification using single cell approaches
Authors: Sheik A. R. , Brussaard C. P. D. , Lavik G. , Foster R. A. , Musat N. , Adam B. , Kuypers M. M. M.
Published: July 2012

Phaeocystis globosa is an ecologically important bloom‐forming phytoplankton, which sequesters substantial amounts of inorganic carbon and can form carbon‐enriched chitinous star‐like structures. Viruses infecting P. globosa (PgVs) play a significant regulatory role in population dynamics of the host species. However, the extent to which viruses alter host physiology and its carbon assimilation on single cell level is still largely unknown. This study demonstrates for the first time the impact of viral infection on carbon assimilation and cell morphology of individual axenic P. globosa cells using two single cell techniques: high resolution nanometre‐scale Secondary‐Ion Mass Spectrometry (nanoSIMS) approach and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Up until viral lysis (19 h post infection), the bulk carbon assimilation by infected P. globosa cultures was identical to the assimilation by the non‐infected cultures (33 µmol C l−1). However, single cell analysis showed that viral infection of P. globosa impedes the release of star‐like structures. Non‐infected cells transfer up to 44.5 µmol C l−1 (36%) of cellular biomass in the form of star‐like structures, suggesting a vital role in the survival of P. globosa cells. We hypothesize that impediment of star‐like structures in infected P. globosa cells may inactivate viral infectivity by forming flocculants after cell lysis. Moreover, we show that substantial amounts of newly produced viruses (∼ 68%) were attached to P. globosa cells prior to cell lysis. Further, we speculate that infected cells become more susceptible for grazing which provides potential reasons for the sudden disappearance of PgVs in the environment. The scenarios of enhanced grazing is at odds to the current perspective that viral infections facilitates microbial mediated processes by diverting host material away from the higher trophic levels.
Transrectal sonoelastography in the detection of prostate cancers: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Teng Jingfei , Chen Ming , Gao Yi , Yao Yacheng , Chen Lu , Xu Danfeng
Published: July 2012

Study Type – Diagnostic (exploratory cohort)

Level of Evidence 3a

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

The accuracy of transrectal sonoelastography (TRSE) in the detection of prostate cancer is variable, with a sensitivity ranging from 51.1 to 91.7% and specificity ranging from 62.2 to 86.8%.

This is the first meta‐analysis to assess the overall accuracy of TRSE in the detection of prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the overall accuracy of transrectal sonoelastography (TRSE) targeted biopsy in the diagnosis of patients suspected of having prostate cancer (PCa).

METHODS

A systematic search of electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase and The Cochrane Library, and manual bibliography searches were performed.

All relevant studies assessing the diagnostic accuracy of TRSE in PCa detection were included in our meta‐analysis.

The data were pooled and sensitivity, specificity, area under the curve (AUC), positive likelihood ratio (LR) and negative LR were calculated.

RESULTS

Pooled patient data analysis: the pooled (95% confidential intervals [95% CI]) sensitivity of TRSE targeted biopsy in patients suspected of having PCa was 62 (55–68) %; specificity was 79% (74–84%); AUC was 0.7696; positive LR was 2.92 (2.28–3.74); and negative LR was 0.49 (0.41–0.59).

Pooled core data analysis: pooled (95% CI) sensitivity, specificity, positive LR and negative LR were 34% (30–38%), 93% (91–95%), 5.07 (3.91–6.57) and 0.71 (0.66–0.75), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Transrectal sonoelastography is a promising technique in PCa detection and can be considered to be a valuable supplemental method to systemic biopsy.
Superficial tunica albuginea excision, using geometric principles, for the correction of congenital penile curvature
Authors: Kuehhas Franklin Emmanuel , Egydio Paulo Henrique
Published: July 2012

Study Type – Therapy (practise pattern survey)

Level of Evidence 3b

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Congenital penile deviation has become a relatively frequent finding due to a greater awareness of the problem among patients and physicians. Since the first surgical correction for congenital penile curvature was performed, many modifications have been implemented to overcome the disadvantages of the standard procedure and to improve functional results. Among the possible side effects of the original technique are postoperative erectile dysfunction, the development of painful nodules at the suture sites (‘dog ears’), alteration of cutaneous sensibility and significant penile shortening.

This study presents a novel approach for the correction of congenital penile curvature. We modified the conventional Nesbit technique by applying superficial tunica albuginea excisions, according to the geometric principles of the Egydio technique.

OBJECTIVE

To report our experience with a new technique for the correction of congenital penile curvature based on geometric principles.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between January 2006 and March 2011, 211 men with congenital penile curvature underwent our modified Nesbit technique.

The technique consists of an objectivation of the degree of curvature and distribution of the bending force by multiple, small, superficial, elliptical excisions of the tunica albuginea.

RESULTS

The overall success rate was 99.1%.

A residual curvature of less than 20° was reported in 5% (n= 11) of the cases; none of these patients opted for further surgical correction.

Residual curvature of up to 30° was observed in 0.9% (n= 2); these patients underwent a reoperation.

Acquiring or regaining the ability to perform sexual intercourse brought major relief and high rates of satisfaction and self‐esteem.

No recurrence of a ventral curvature occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

Our modified Nesbit technique, consisting of superficial tunica albuginea excision according to the geometric principles of the Egydio technique, leads to rapid and excellent results due to an objectivation of the curvature.

It is a safe and valid alternative for the treatment of congenital ventral or ventro‐lateral penile deviation.
Prediction of survival benefit using an automated bone scan index in patients with castration‐resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Mitsui Yozo , Shiina Hiroaki , Yamamoto Yasushi , Haramoto Masuo , Arichi Naoko , Yasumoto Hiroaki , Kitagaki Hajime , Igawa Mikio
Published: July 2012

Study Type – Prognosis (case series)

Level of Evidence 4

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

A bone scan index (BSI) can quantify the extent of bone involvement and response to treatment, but it has not been widely accepted, because of its time‐consuming nature.

The study is the first to demonstrate that automated BSI calculated with a computer‐assisted diagnosis system is effective in judging the chemotherapeutic response of bone metastatic lesions in patients with castration‐resistant prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the value of an automated bone scan index (aBSI), calculated using a computer‐assisted diagnosis system, to indicate chemotherapy response and to predict prognosis in patients with castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) with bone metastasis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Forty‐two consecutive CRPC patients underwent taxane‐based chemotherapy between November 2004 and March 2011 at our institution.

The aBSIs were retrospectively calculated at the diagnosis of CRPC and 16 weeks after starting chemotherapy.

Cox proportional hazards regression models were applied to multivariate analyses with and without aBSI response in addition to the basic model.

Based on the difference in the concordance index (c‐index) between each model, the prognostic relevance of adding the aBSI response was determined.

RESULTS

A decrease in aBSI was found in 28 patients (66.7%), whereas a response was shown by bone scan in only 23.8% of patients.

Patients with a reduction in aBSI had longer overall survival (OS) in comparison with the other patients (P= 0.0157).

Multivariate analysis without aBSI response showed that performance status (P= 0.0182) and PSA response (P= 0.0375) were significant prognosticators.

By adding the aBSI response to this basic model, the prognostic relevance of the model was improved with an increase in the c‐index from 0.621 to 0.660.

CONCLUSIONS

The aBSI reflected the chemotherapy response in bone metastasis.

The index detected small changes of bone metastasis response as quantified values and was a strong prognostic indicator for patients with CRPC.
Laparoendoscopic single‐site (LESS) partial nephrectomy short‐term outcomes
Authors: Rais‐Bahrami Soroush , George Arvin K. , Montag Sylvia , Okhunov Zhamshid , Richstone Lee
Published: July 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Laparoendoscopic single‐site (LESS) surgery has been used by urologists for a broad range of operations including LESS partial nephrectomy (LESS‐PN). To date, experiences of LESS‐PN have been presented as small series or as a subset of larger heterogeneous operative experiences, which have shown the overall feasibility and safety of this novel technique.

We report our experience with LESS‐PN with complete pathological resection and excellent short‐term oncological and renal functional outcomes in the select patient population who underwent this minimally invasive approach.

Objective

To present our experience of transumbilical laparoendoscopic single‐site (LESS) partial nephrectomy (PN) with pathological and short‐term oncological and renal functional outcomes.

Patients and Methods

In all, 15 LESS‐PNs were performed for cT1a tumours between July 2008 and August 2011 by one surgeon.

All patients underwent transumbilical LESS using a 5‐mm flexible‐tip laparoscope and a combination of flexible and conventional laparoscopic instruments.

The technique for transperitoneal LESS‐PN otherwise replicated conventional laparoscopic PN.

Demographic, perioperative, and postoperative variables were recorded and analysed.

Results

Of the 14 patients (eight men), undergoing 15 distinct LESS‐PN, the mean (sd) age was 57.9 (8.7) years and the mean (sd, range) tumour size resected was 2.4 (0.8; 1.2–4.0). There were 12 renal cell carcinomas, two angiomyolipomas, and two metanephric adenomas on final pathology, all with negative margins.

The mean (sd) operative duration was 169 (47) min with a mean (sd, range) warm ischaemia time of 14.7 (13.4; 0–37) min; bull‐dog clamps were used for hilar‐control in nine cases with the remaining six cases done without hilar vascular clamping.

The mean (sd) estimated blood loss in this series was 293 (325) mL (median 200 mL) and no cases required intraoperative or postoperative blood transfusions.

The mean (sd) hospital stay was 2.7 (0.8) days and mean inpatient analgesic requirement in morphine equivalents was 21.7 (11.6) mg.

Follow‐up surveillance imaging showed no recurrence at a mean (sd, range) follow‐up of 18.3 (12.2; 6–36) months and a negligible change in serum creatinine (<0.1 mg/dL) at a mean (sd, range) follow‐up of 17.1 (11.9; 1–36) months.

Conclusion

LESS‐PN is a feasible and effective operation, providing complete oncological resection along with excellent short‐term oncological and renal functional outcomes.
Challenges in sharing knowledge: reflections from the perspective of an expatriate nurse working in a South Sudanese hospital
Authors: Tjoflåt I. , Karlsen B.
Published: July 2012

TJOFLÅT I. & KARLSEN B. (2012) Challenges in sharing knowledge: reflections from the perspective of an expatriate nurse working in a South Sudanese hospital. International Nursing Review

Aim:  This account, based on the experience of the first author, aims to describe an example of practice from a hospital in South Sudan. The example illustrates a cross‐cultural encounter and the challenges that a Sudanese nurse and an expatriate nurse face in sharing knowledge when providing patient care.

Content:  The constructed practical example between nurses with different knowledge bases and experiences was characterized by the expatriate nurse giving her instructions and not allowing the Sudanese nurse to respond to them. This ‘one‐way’ communication demonstrated that the expatriate nurse considered herself to have the better knowledge of nursing care. These aspects of the encounter formed the basis for the following discussion, which sheds light on how the expatriate nurse ideally could have worked by using a dialogue instead of one‐way communication. The importance of having knowledge and understanding of the context in cross‐cultural encounters was also emphasized.

Conclusions:  The discussion of this practical example can provide insight for other nurses when working in cultures other than their own into the importance of using a dialogue when sharing knowledge in a cross‐cultural encounter. In addition, expatriates can be made aware of the importance of acquiring knowledge about the context for ‘the other’ when working cross culturally. Finally, it should be noted that the description and discussion of the experience reflect only the perspective of the expatriate nurse.
Whose Minerals, Whose Development? Rhetoric and Reality in Post‐Conflict Sierra Leone
Authors: Zulu Leo , Wilson Sigismond
Published: July 2012

Despite boosts in mineral exports, popular post‐conflict minerals‐for‐development reforms in Sierra Leone have failed to significantly reduce poverty. This article uses power as an analytical lens to explore the reasons for this failure, with empirical material from the diamond sector's mining cooperatives scheme (2005), the Diamond Areas Community Development Fund (DACDF), and Kono District. The study shows that there was no significant improvement along four dimensions: material deprivation, education and health, vulnerability, and powerlessness. The authors argue that understanding the impact of these reforms requires a nuanced multi‐scalar examination of power relations, actors, and the social, political, economic and historical context within which mining is embedded. Their findings point to: 1) limits to mineral‐led poverty reduction and the need for realistic expectations and diversification of livelihood opportunities; and 2) the need for interventions that balance power asymmetries and the way that power is exercised among diverse actors, wherein decentralization offers early hope.
Economic Development under Climate Change
Authors: Arndt Channing , Chinowsky Paul , Robinson Sherman , Strzepek Kenneth , Tarp Finn , Thurlow James
Published: July 2012

The papers in this special issue represent some of the most comprehensive analyses of the implications of climate change for developing countries undertaken to date. The papers employ a bottoms‐up systems approach whereby the implications of climate change are evaluated using structural models of agriculture and infrastructure systems. The authors of the paper hail from multiple disciplines. This comprehensive, multi‐disciplinary, structural approach is designed to allow for more robust insight into the potential implications of climate change. The approach also allows for experimentation with alternative policy options for achieving development objectives in the context of climate change.
Current Climate Variability and Future Climate Change: Estimated Growth and Poverty Impacts for Zambia
Authors: Thurlow James , Zhu Tingju , Diao Xinshen
Published: July 2012

Economy‐wide and hydrological‐crop models are combined to assess the economic impacts of historical climate variability and future anthropogenic climate change in Zambia. Accounting for uncertainty, results indicate that, on average, current variability reduces gross domestic product by 4% over a 10‐year period and pulls 2% of the population below the poverty line. Socioeconomic impacts are much larger during major drought years, thus underscoring the importance of extreme weather events in determining climate damages. Climate change scenarios draw on projections for 2025. Results indicate that, in the worst case scenario, damages caused by climate change are half the size of those from current variability. The paper concludes that current climate variability, rather than climate change, will remain the more binding constraint on economic development in Zambia, at least over the next few decades.
A Stochastic Simulation Approach to Estimating the Economic Impacts of Climate Change in Bangladesh
Authors: Thurlow James , Dorosh Paul , Yu Winston
Published: July 2012

Climate change assessments often inadequately address uncertainty when estimating damages. Using a dynamic economy‐wide model of Bangladesh, damages from historical climate variability and future anthropogenic climate change are estimated and decomposed. The stochastic simulation approach used avoids biases caused by non‐linear damage functions and fixed occurrences of extreme events in historical data. Using 10 climate projections, it is found that future anthropogenic climate change damages until 2050 are, on average, one‐fifth of those from historical climate variability. Climate change also alters the temporal distribution of damages and slows Bangladesh's long run shift (adaptation) into dry (winter) season rice production.
Climate Change and Roads: A Dynamic Stressor–Response Model
Authors: Chinowsky Paul , Arndt Channing
Published: July 2012

Decision‐makers who are responsible for determining when and where infrastructure should be developed and/or enhanced are facing a new challenge with the emerging topic of climate change. The paper introduces a stressor–response methodology where engineering‐based models are used as a basis to estimate the impact of individual climate stressors on road infrastructure in Mozambique. Through these models, stressor–response functions are introduced that quantify the cost impact of a specific stressor based on the intensity of the stressor and the type of infrastructure it is affecting. Utilizing four climate projection scenarios, the paper details how climate change response decisions may cost the Mozambican government in terms of maintenance costs and long‐term roadstock inventory reduction. Through this approach the paper details how a 14% reduction in inventory loss can be achieved through the adoption of a proactive, design standard evolution approach to climate change.
Endogenous Mergers and Collusion in Asymmetric Market Structures
Authors: Ganslandt Mattias , Persson Lars , Vasconcelos Helder
Published: July 2012

Recent empirical evidence shows that cartels are often asymmetric, while cartel theory suggests that firm symmetry is conducive to collusion. Including an indivisible cost of cartelization, we show that medium asymmetric market structures are more conducive to collusion, since they balance the small firms' incentives to stay in the cartel against the need to cover the cartel leaders' indivisible cartelization cost. Using an endogenous merger model, we also show that forbidding mergers leading to symmetric market structures can induce mergers leading to asymmetric market structures with a higher risk of collusion. Current antisymmetry merger policy can thus be counterproductive.
Sex, Drugs, and Catholic Schools: Private Schooling and Non-Market Adolescent Behaviors
Authors: Figlio David , Ludwig Jens
Published: July 2012

This study examines the effects of private schooling on adolescent non-market behaviors. We control for differences between private and public school students by making use of the rich set of covariates available with our NELS micro-dataset. We also employ an instrumental-variables strategy that exploits variation across metropolitan areas in the costs that parents face in transporting their children to private schools, which stem from differences in the quality of the local transportation infrastructure. We find evidence to suggest that religious private schooling reduces involvement in the most consequential risky behaviors such as teen sexual activity, arrests, and use of hard drugs (cocaine), but not drinking, smoking and marijuana use.