bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PARAQUAT RESISTANT1, a Golgi-Localized Putative Transporter Protein, Is Involved in Intracellular Transport of Paraquat
Authors: Li Jianyong , Mu Jinye , Bai Jiaoteng , Fu Fuyou , Zou Tingting , An Fengying , Zhang Jian , Jing Hongwei , Wang Qing , Li Zhen , Yang Shuhua , Zuo Jianru
Published: March 2013

Paraquat is one of the most widely used herbicides worldwide. In green plants, paraquat targets the chloroplast by transferring electrons from photosystem I to molecular oxygen to generate toxic reactive oxygen species, which efficiently induce membrane damage and cell death. A number of paraquat-resistant biotypes of weeds and Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) mutants have been identified. The herbicide resistance in Arabidopsis is partly attributed to a reduced uptake of paraquat through plasma membrane-localized transporters. However, the biochemical mechanism of paraquat resistance remains poorly understood. Here, we report the identification and characterization of an Arabidopsis paraquat resistant1 (par1) mutant that shows strong resistance to the herbicide without detectable developmental abnormalities. PAR1 encodes a putative l-type amino acid transporter protein localized to the Golgi apparatus. Compared with the wild-type plants, the par1 mutant plants show similar efficiency of paraquat uptake, suggesting that PAR1 is not directly responsible for the intercellular uptake of paraquat. However, the par1 mutation caused a reduction in the accumulation of paraquat in the chloroplast, suggesting that PAR1 is involved in the intracellular transport of paraquat into the chloroplast. We identified a PAR1-like gene, OsPAR1, in rice (Oryza sativa). Whereas the overexpression of OsPAR1 resulted in hypersensitivity to paraquat, the knockdown of its expression using RNA interference conferred paraquat resistance on the transgenic rice plants. These findings reveal a unique mechanism by which paraquat is actively transported into the chloroplast and also provide a practical approach for genetic manipulations of paraquat resistance in crops.
Patients' characteristics and the quality of the therapeutic alliance in family‐based treatment and individual therapy for adolescents with anorexia nervosa
Authors: LoTempio Elizabeth , Forsberg Sarah , Bryson Susan W. , Fitzpatrick Kathleen Kara , Le Grange Daniel , Lock James
Published: March 2013

This study examines the relationship between patients' characteristics and the therapeutic alliance in family‐based therapy (FBT) and adolescent focused therapy (AFT) for adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN). Independent observers rated audiotapes of therapy sessions using the working alliance inventory‐observer version (WAI‐o). Patients' characteristics examined to predict the development of the therapeutic alliance included their socioeconomic characteristics, markers of eating disorder psychopathology and expectancy of their treatment. Baseline scores on the eating disorder examination (EDE) were positively correlated with the alliance early in treatment in FBT but no patients' characteristics were correlated with the alliance in AFT. EDE was a moderator of alliance, with higher baseline EDE scores predicting higher alliance scores in the FBT group than in the AFT group. The results suggest that the therapeutic alliance can be successfully developed with adolescents with AN, even those initially reporting high levels of symptomatology. Adolescents' acknowledgement of their symptoms may be an important factor in their ability to develop an alliance with the therapist.

Practitioner points

Despite common clinical impressions, it is possible to form a strong therapeutic alliance with adolescents with AN in both family and individual therapy.

Adolescents' own reports and perceptions of their eating disorder may be an important factor in their ability to build the therapeutic alliance.

Clinical strategies hypothesized to promote a strong therapeutic alliance include the externalization of AN, decreasing blame and a focus on adolescent developmental issues.
Errors in anti‐D immunoglobulin administration: retrospective analysis of 15 years of reports to the UK confidential haemovigilance scheme
Authors: Bolton‐Maggs PHB , Davies T , Poles D , Cohen H
Published: March 2013

Objective

To highlight the errors associated with the use of anti‐D immunoglobulin in RhD antigen‐negative women, and their resultant clinical impact during and after pregnancy, and to suggest strategies to reduce these errors.

Design

Retrospective review of cumulative reporting to the UK confidential haemovigilance scheme, Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT), between 1996 and 2011.

Setting

Obstetric departments in the UK.

Population

Mothers who require anti‐D immunoglobulin to prevent RhD sensitisation during pregnancy or after birth.

Methods

Hospital transfusion teams reported adverse events to the SHOT database.

Main outcome measures

Reported number of events and their causes, and morbidity and mortality associated with errors.

Results

In 15 years of reporting, SHOT haemovigilance has shown a total of 1211 errors related to the administration of anti‐D immunoglobulin, particularly regarding omission or late administration (157/249 or 63% reported in 2011). Anti‐D immunoglobulin errors comprised 13.7% (249/1815) of all SHOT reports in 2011. Failure to recognise women who already have RhD sensitisation occurred in 19 cases, and was followed by suboptimal monitoring of the pregnancy. Nine of the infants suffered haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN): one resulted in neonatal death and three required red cell transfusion.

Conclusions

Babies as well as their mothers remain at risk from avoidable errors. More active attention at national and local levels to further education and training, particularly for midwives, is an absolute necessity. We recommend the use of a SHOT‐devised anti‐D administration flowchart, adapted locally into a checklist, to help reduce errors.
Aerobic methanotroph diversity in Riganqiao peatlands on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Deng Yongcui , Cui Xiaoyong , Lüke Claudia , Dumont Marc G.
Published: March 2013

The Zoige Plateau is characterized by its high altitude, low latitude and low annual mean temperature of approximately 1°C and is a major source of atmospheric methane in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. Methanotrophs play an important role in the global cycling of CH4, but the diversity, identity and activity of methanotrophs in this region are poorly characterized. Soils were collected from hummocks and hollows in the Riganqiao peatland and the methanotroph community was analysed by qPCR and sequencing methane monooxygenase (pmoA and mmoX) genes. The pmoA genes ranged between 107 and 108 copies g−1 fresh soil, with a somewhat greater abundance in hummocks than hollows. The pmoA genes were analysed by amplicon pyrosequencing and the mmoX genes by cloning and sequencing. Methylocystis species were found to be the most abundant methanotrophs, but numerous clades were present including three novel pmoA and three novel mmoX clusters. There were differences between the methanotroph communities in the hummocks and hollows, with the most significant being an increased abundance of uncultivated type Ib methanotrophs in the hollows. The results indicate that aerobic methanotrophs are abundant in Riganqiao peatland and include previously undetected clades in this geographically isolated and distinctive environment.
Identification of novel positive allosteric modulators and null modulators at the GABAA receptor α+β− interface
Authors: Varagic Zdravko , Wimmer Laurin , Schnürch Michael , Mihovilovic Marko D , Huang Shengming , Rallapalli Sundari , Cook James M , Mirheydari Pantea , Ecker Gerhard F , Sieghart Werner , Ernst Margot
Published: March 2013

Background and Purpose

GABAA receptors are the major inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors in the mammalian brain and the target of many clinically important drugs interacting with different binding sites. Recently, we demonstrated that CGS 9895 (2‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐2H‐pyrazolo[4,3‐c]quinolin‐3(5H)‐one) acts as a null modulator (antagonist) at the high affinity benzodiazepine binding site, but in addition elicits a strong enhancement of GABA‐induced currents via a novel drug binding site at the extracellular α+β− interface. Here, we investigated 32 structural analogues of CGS 9895 for their ability to mediate their effects via the α1+β3− interface of GABAA receptors.

Experimental Approach

GABAA receptors were expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes and investigated by the two‐electrode voltage clamp method.

Key Results

We not only identified compounds with higher efficacy/potency than CGS 9895 for stimulating GABA‐induced currents via the α1+β3‐binding site, but also discovered compounds acting as null modulators at this site. Most of the compounds also acted as null modulators via the benzodiazepine binding site of GABAA receptors. But some of the positive allosteric modulators or null modulators exclusively exerted their action via the α+β− binding site.

Conclusion and Implications

Pyrazoloquinolinones and pyrazolopyridinones represent the first prototype of drug candidates mediating benzodiazepine like modulatory effects via the α+β‐interface of GABAA receptors. The discovery of null modulators acting as inhibitors of the plus modulators provides a highly useful tool for the discovery of additional classes of compounds that can modulate GABAA receptors via this site, which may lead to novel therapeutic principles.

Linked Article

This article is accompanied by Varagic et al., pp. 384–399 of this issue. To view this article visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.12153
Impact of chronic congestive heart failure on pharmacokinetics and vasomotor effects of infused nitrite
Authors: Maher Abdul R , Arif Sayqa , Madhani Melanie , Abozguia Khalid , Ahmed Ibrar , Fernandez Bernadette O , Feelisch Martin , O'Sullivan AG , Christopoulos Arthur , Sverdlov Aaron L , Ngo Doan , Dautov Rustem , James Philip E , Horowitz John D , Frenneaux Michael P
Published: March 2013

Background and Purpose

Nitrite (NO2−) has recently been shown to represent a potential source of NO, in particular under hypoxic conditions. The aim of the current study was to compare the haemodynamic effects of NO2− in healthy volunteers and patients with stable congestive heart failure (CHF).

Experimental Approach

The acute haemodynamic effects of brachial artery infusion of NO2− (0.31 to 7.8 μmol·min−1) was assessed in normal subjects (n = 20) and CHF patients (n = 21).

Key Results

NO2− infusion was well tolerated in all subjects. Forearm blood flow (FBF) increased markedly in CHF patients at NO2− infusion rates which induced no changes in normal subjects (anova: F = 5.5; P = 0.02). Unstressed venous volume (UVV) increased even with the lowest NO2− infusion rate in all subjects (indicating venodilation), with CHF patients being relatively hyporesponsive compared with normal subjects (anova: F = 6.2; P = 0.01). There were no differences in venous blood pH or oxygen concentration between groups or during NO2− infusion. Venous plasma NO2− concentrations were lower in CHF patients at baseline, and rose substantially less with NO2− infusion, without incremental oxidative generation of nitrate, consistent with accelerated clearance in these patients. Plasma protein‐bound NO concentrations were lower in CHF patients than normal subjects at baseline. This difference was attenuated during NO2− infusion. Prolonged NO2− exposure in vivo did not induce oxidative stress, nor did it induce tolerance in vitro.

Conclusions and Implications

The findings of arterial hyper‐responsiveness to infused NO2− in CHF patients, with evidence of accelerated transvascular NO2− clearance (presumably with concomitant NO release) suggests that NO2− effects may be accentuated in such patients. These findings provide a stimulus for the clinical exploration of NO2− as a therapeutic modality in CHF.
Roles of basophils and mast cells infiltrating the lung by multiple antigen challenges in asthmatic responses of mice
Authors: Nabe T , Matsuya K , Akamizu K , Fujita M , Nakagawa T , Shioe M , Kida H , Takiguchi A , Wakamori H , Fujii M , Ishihara K , Akiba S , Mizutani N , Yoshino S , Chaplin DD
Published: March 2013

Background and Purpose

Mast cell hyperplasia has been observed in the lungs of mice with experimental asthma, but few reports have studied basophils. Here, we attempted to discriminate and quantify mast cells and basophils in the lungs in a murine asthma model, determine if both cells were increased by multiple antigen challenges and assess the roles of those cells in asthmatic responses.

Experimental Approach

Sensitized Balb/c mice were intratracheally challenged with ovalbumin four times. Mast cells and basophils in enzymatically digested lung tissue were detected by flow cytometry. An anti‐FcεRI monoclonal antibody, MAR‐1, was i.p. administered during the multiple challenges.

Key Results

The numbers of both mast cells (IgE+ C‐kit+) and basophils (IgE+ C‐kit− CD49b+) increased in the lungs after three challenges. Treatment with MAR‐1 completely abolished the increases; however, a late‐phase increase in specific airway resistance (sRaw), and airway eosinophilia and neutrophilia were not affected by the treatment, although the early‐phase increase in sRaw was suppressed. MAR‐1 reduced antigen‐induced airway IL‐4 production. Basophils infiltrating the lung clearly produced IL‐4 after antigen stimulation in vitro; however, histamine and murine mast cell protease 1 were not increased in the serum after the challenge, indicating that mast cell activation was not evoked.

Conclusion and Implications

Both mast cells and basophils infiltrated the lungs by multiple intratracheal antigen challenges in sensitized mice. Neither mast cells nor basophils were involved in late‐phase airway obstruction, although early‐phase obstruction was mediated by basophils. Targeting basophils in asthma therapy may be useful for an early asthmatic response.
Tumour necrosis factor-α plus interleukin-10 low producer phenotype predicts acute kidney injury and death in intensive care unit patients
Authors: Dalboni M A , Quinto B M R , Grabulosa C C , Narciso R , Monte J C , Durão M , Rizzo L , Cendoroglo M , Santos O P , Batista M C
Published: March 2013

Genetic polymorphism studies of cytokines may provide an insight into the understanding of acute kidney injury (AKI) and death in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the genetic polymorphisms of −308 G < A tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, −174 G > C interleukin (IL)-6 and −1082 G > A IL-10 may predispose ICU patients to the development of AKI and/or death. In a prospective nested case–control study, 303 ICU patients and 244 healthy individuals were evaluated. The study group included ICU patients who developed AKI (n = 139) and 164 ICU patients without AKI. The GG genotype of TNF-α (low producer phenotype) was significantly lower in the with AKI than without AKI groups and healthy individuals (55 versus 62 versus 73%, respectively; P = 0·01). When genotypes were stratified into four categories of TNF-α/IL-10 combinations, it was observed that low TNF-α plus low IL-10 producer phenotypes were more prevalent in patients with AKI, renal replacement therapy and death (P < 0·05). In logistic regression analysis, low TNF-α producer plus low IL-10 producer phenotypes remained as independent risk factors for AKI and/or death [odds ratio (OR) = 2·37, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1·16–4·84; P = 0·02] and for renal replacement therapy (RRT) and/or death (OR = 3·82, 95% CI: 1·19–12·23; P = 0·02). In this study, the combination of low TNF-α plus low IL-10 producer phenotypes was an independent risk factor to AKI and/or death and RRT and/or death in critically ill patients. Our results should be validated in a larger prospective study with long-term follow-up to emphasize the combination of these genotypes as potential risk factors to AKI in critically ill patients.
Relationships between emerging cardiovascular risk factors, z‐BMI, waist circumference and body adiposity index (BAI) on adolescents
Authors: Dias Ingrid B. F. , Panazzolo Diogo G. , Marques Marcela F. , Paredes Bruno D. , Souza Maria G. C. , Manhanini Diogo P. , Morandi Verônica , Farinatti Paulo T. V. , Bouskela Eliete , Kraemer‐Aguiar Luiz G.
Published: March 2013

Objective

The body adiposity index (BAI) has been recently proposed as an alternative index to body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) to evaluate adiposity in adults, with special focus on its ability to discriminate gender specificities on adiposity. Endothelial dysfunction, circulating endothelial cells (CECs), endothelin‐1 and adipocytokines are all related to atherosclerosis and nowadays considered as markers of emerging cardiovascular (CV) risk. This study aimed to determine in normal weight and obese adolescents which measures of body composition (BAI and z‐BMI) or distribution (WC) correlate better with emerging CV risk markers.

Patients

Forty adolescents were selected according to BMI: normal weight (n = 20; 7 girls/13 boys, 14·7 ± 1·4 years, 53·4 ± 6·0 kg, z‐BMI 0·6 ± 0·1) and obese ones (n = 20; 13 girls/7 boys, 14·1± 1·0 years, 86·7 ± 11·5 kg, z‐BMI 2·7 ± 0·4).

Measurements

Body fat and fat mass were measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA). Non‐nutritive skin microvascular reactivity was evaluated by laser Doppler flowmetry with iontophoretic release of vasoactive drugs. Activated CECs were assessed by flow cytometric analysis.

Results

In adolescents, the measurement of % fat by DXA showed high correlation with BAI (ρ = 0·75, P < 0·0001), z‐BMI (r = 0·84, P < 0·0001) and WC (r = 0·83, P < 0·0001). Endothelin‐1 and activated CECs did not correlate with any anthropometric measures while adipocytokines expressed variable associations among them. Endothelium‐dependent vasodilation showed higher correlation with BAI (r = −0·51, P < 0·0001) compared to z‐BMI (r = −0·40, P < 0·001) or WC (r = −0·45, P < 0·001), specially on females.

Conclusions

BAI was associated with emerging CV risk markers in adolescents but further research is needed to evaluate its potential in clinical and epidemiological sets.
Protein markers predict body composition during growth hormone treatment in short prepubertal children
Authors: Decker Ralph , Andersson Björn , Nierop Andreas F. M. , Bosaeus Ingvar , Dahlgren Jovanna , Albertsson‐Wikland Kerstin , Hellgren Gunnel
Published: March 2013

Objective

A high‐throughput pharmaco‐proteomic approach has previously been successfully used to identify lipoprotein biomarkers related to changes in longitudinal growth and bone mass in response to growth hormone (GH) treatment.

The aim of this study was to identify protein markers involved in the diverse anabolic and lipolytic remodelling of body composition during GH treatment.

Design, patients and measurements

The study population consisted of 128 prepubertal children receiving GH treatment. Thirty‐nine were short as a result of GH deficiency, and 89 had idiopathic short stature (ISS). Serum protein expression profiles at study start and after 1 year of GH treatment were analysed using surface‐enhanced laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (SELDI‐TOF MS). Body composition was analysed by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA), reliably estimating muscle mass from appendicular (arms and legs) lean soft tissue mass (LST). DXA was also used to estimate appendicular bone mineral content (BMC) and fat mass for the total body.

Results

Specific protein expression patterns associated with GH response in different body compartments were identified. Among identified proteins, different isoforms of nutrition markers such as apolipoproteins (Apo) were recognized: Apo C‐I, Apo A‐II, serum amyloid A4 (SAA4) and transthyretin (TTR). In addition, unidentified peaks were associated with GH effects on specific body compartments.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that unique protein markers are associated with remodelling of different body compartments during GH treatment, which in the future might be useful to optimize GH treatment not only with regard to longitudinal growth.
Complete genome sequences provide a case study for the evaluation of gene‐tree thinking
Authors: Dikow Rebecca B. , Smith William Leo
Published: March 2013

Complete genome sequences from a genus of Gammaproteobacteria, Shewanella, are used to generate a genome‐wide exploration of the gene‐tree species‐tree dichotomy. A number of datasets were constructed and analyses were attempted. Single genes were chosen from 243 regions of collinear gene homology (128 of these 243 chosen genes are from the core Shewanella genome and 162 of 243 have the complete taxon sampling) from a previous study (Dikow, 2011) and subjected to phylogenetic analysis both individually and concatenated. In addition, three of the 243 sets of collinear genes from the core Shewanella genome were also chosen (comprising 15, 17, and 23 genes each) to be analysed in detail, this time to maximize the expectation of gene concordance. Analysis of these 55 genes in maximum parsimony (MP) and maximum likelihood (ML) produced 164 unique topologies (out of 166 resulting topologies). No genes from within collinear regions were congruent with one another, and none of these 164 topologies matches the result from concatenation. This result is particularly striking given that we chose collinear sets of genes. Analyses in MP and ML of 243 genes distributed across the genome produced 567 unique topologies (out of 571 resulting topologies for those 162 genes with complete taxon sampling). These results are discussed in light of recent works focused on incongruence. The gene as a phylogenetic unit is also discussed. It is our conclusion that molecular systematics has been reliant on the gene as a unit without a critical eye on the distinction between gene homology and character homology.
Extramedullary disease in patients with acute myeloid leukemia assessed by (18)F‐FDG PET
Authors: Cribe Anne‐Sofie Weindel Ibar , Steenhof Maria , Marcher Claus Werenberg , Petersen Henrik , Frederiksen Henrik , Friis Lone Smidstrup
Published: March 2013

Background

Prevalence of extramedullary disease (EMD) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at the time of diagnosis is unknown. Previous estimates range from 2.5% to 30.5% and are usually based on clinical examination. This may cause an under diagnosis of EMD as not all extramedullary manifestations are easily detectable. Few recent studies have used positron emission tomography (PET) scans for diagnosing EMD in patients AML.

Method

During a 9‐month period, newly diagnosed patients with AML who were candidates for intensive chemotherapy were 18F‐Fluoro‐deoxy‐glucose (FDG) PET‐scanned prior to induction treatment. We compared the prevalence of EMD diagnosed by PET scans and by clinical examination. Subsequent PET scans following induction chemotherapy were performed for response evaluation of EMD.

Results

Twenty‐six patients were included in the study. 18‐F‐FDG PET scans revealed more than twice as many patients with EMD than found by clinical examination (65% vs. 31%). PET demonstrated 55 EMD lesions compared with 15 diagnosed by clinical examination. In general, the responses of EMD detected by PET scans were concordant with the bone marrow responses assessed by pathology examination.

Conclusion

18‐F‐FDG PET is a useful tool for diagnosing EMD in AML and for assessing treatment responses of EMD in AML.
A nano‐scale study in a soil chronosequence from southern Spain
Authors: Calero J. , Martín‐García J. M. , Delgado G. , Aranda V. , Delgado R.
Published: March 2013

A soil chronosequence from the River Guadalquivir (Spain) was studied at a nanometre scale (10−9 m), this being a poorly investigated aspect of soil genesis. The fine mineral fractions (< 50 µm) were studied by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and analytical electron microscopy (TEM‐AEM). At a nano‐scale, the dominant materials in the chronosequence were dioctahedral 2:1 phyllosilicates, such as potassium mica (mainly muscovites and illites), mixed‐layer smectite/illite and smectite (beidellite). Sodium mica brammallite was described for the first time in soils. These dioctahedral phases are related genetically to illite by inheritance of muscovite and posterior transformation of illite into beidellite. These processes involve (i) loss of regularity in the layer stacking sequence in high‐resolution TEM images, even to the point of losing the contrast between layers; (ii) loss of three‐dimensional order in selected area (electron) diffraction (SAED) patterns, with increased diffusivity and weak spots on hkl levels; (iii) smaller layer packets producing superimposed SAED patterns (high‐angle boundaries in 00l); (iv) changing from two‐layer ordered polytypes (2M1) to one‐layer random polytypes (1Md); and (v) chemically, loss of charge and ions in the interlayer. The final result is beidellites with almost tactoid morphologies. As these processes are related to the soil‐forming factor of time it was possible to establish logarithmic chrono‐functions tending to steady state for nano‐scale properties such as the percentage of 2M1 polytypes, the layer charge, interlayer charge and the interlayer ion content in 2:1 phyllosilicates (more smectite‐like micas). This shows that time affects soil‐forming processes at the nano‐scale to the same extent as described for other scales such as ultra‐microfabric (10−6 m), horizon (10−1 m) or pedon (100 m).
Towards financial geographies of the unbanked: international financial markets, ‘bancarizacion’ and access to financial services in Latin America
Authors: Brown Ed , Castañeda Francisco , Cloke Jonathon , Taylor Peter
Published: March 2013

Within the context of an exploration of the recent financial geographies literature, which laments the lack of attention paid to the dynamics and impacts of financial globalisation in Latin America and the global South, this paper examines the links between exclusion from formal financial services provision for low‐income sectors across Latin America and the unstable nature of regional financial services architecture and economies. The paper examines a range of issues, including control of the financial services infrastructure by foreign corporations, the role of regional elites and (as importantly) the decision making processes of the poor themselves. This contextual analysis is employed to investigate the premise that the future sustainability of Latin American economies and societies more than ever depends on what efforts are made to develop the extension of financial services provision for the excluded and in so doing broaden the complexity, increase the heterogeneity and enhance the stability of the region's economies. To this end, the paper outlines the technical and non‐technical barriers to banking the unbanked in the region within the context of an engagement with the dynamics of the radical changes in the international financial services sector that have impacted upon the region over recent years.
Urology nursing practice educational preparation, titles, training, and job responsibilities around the globe: Republication
Authors: Albaugh Jeffrey A.
Published: March 2013

Research Summary

Describing urologic nursing practice is an essential step in determining how urology nurses are prepared for practice, the titles they claim, and the job responsibilities performed by urology nurses around the globe to identify commonalities and differences, and to work toward establishing consistency and excellence in care. The purpose of this study was to determine the training preparation for urology nurses at all levels of practice, the titles used by urology nurses, and the clinical responsibilities of urology nurses. The study used a prospective descriptive survey design. The questionnaire was distributed via the Internet with a link to an online survey that was anonymously completed by urology nurses around the world. There were 709 valid responses from urology nurses representing 34 different countries around the world. A total of 82 different titles were identified by urology nurses around the world. The most common title was registered nurse/staff nurse. The most common age group of urology nuses in the study was 51 to 60 years of age (38·7%), with the next most common age being 41 to 50 years of age (36·3%). The most common certification held by urology nurses was urology certification (34·8%, n = 247), with nurses in North America most commonly certified (n = 124), followed by Europe (n = 66) and the United Kingdom (n = 33). The urology nurses identified 98 distinct roles, and the most common activities performed by the entire group were patient/family education, catheterization, intermittent catheterization, bladder ultrasound, change/manage suprapubic catheters, medication administration, uroflow, and assist urologist with procedure. Nursing titles vary greatly around the globe. The lack of continuity in titles may lead to confusion among nurses and the public at large. Nurses around the world reported many roles, and although there were many common roles shared by many nurses, nurses are taking on advanced roles, such as performing cystoscopy, circumcision, and prostate biopsy.
“Smuggled Refugees”: The Social Construction of North Korean Migration
Authors: Song Jiyoung
Published: March 2013

In this paper, I demonstrate the identity transformation of North Korean women in interaction with state and non‐state actors and domestic and regional structures, which I formulate for the purposes of this paper. From a state‐centric social constructivist perspective in politics and international relations, I examine how the identities and interests of North Korean women are constituted and reconstituted in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the People's Republic of China and five South‐East Asian countries along their migration routes before they reach the Republic of Korea – the so‐called “Seoul Train in the Underground Railway”. Back in their country of origin, North Korean women are socially constructed as Confucian communist mothers. In China, the most frequently depicted images of North Korean women are trafficked wives. By paying for smugglers to cross borders to neighbouring South‐East Asian countries, North Korean women finally become the agents of their own destiny, refugees in waiting to be transferred to South Korea.
International Student Mobility and Tertiary Education Capacity in Africa
Authors: Kritz Mary M.
Published: March 2013

In Africa, 5.8 per cent of enrolled tertiary students go outside their homelands for tertiary study. No other world region has this high a share of outbound student mobility. In this study, I examined why African countries have larger student outflows than other regions and, in particular, I considered the importance of tertiary education capacity in the region for student mobility. I evaluated the determinants of student outflows from African countries for three different measures: the total number of tertiary students abroad, the percentage of the tertiary age cohort studying abroad and the percentage of total enrolled students abroad. In addition to showing that country rankings differ on these mobility measures, the findings indicate that their determinants also differ. The study premise was that student outflows should be lower from countries that have a greater supply of tertiary training capacity and that thesis received strong support in models that estimated the percentage of total enrolled students abroad. In models for that outcome, student outflows were also larger if countries had high tertiary demand and populations under 2 million. The findings for models that estimated total numbers abroad and share of the tertiary cohort abroad were similar after controlling for interactions between tertiary education supply and GDP per capita. In addition, population size and per capita GDP were stronger correlates of student mobility in those models, which suggests that it is more difficult for education supply and demand measures to account for student outflows when crude outflow measures are used. I concluded that strengthening tertiary education supply at home would be a cost‐effective way for African governments to increase their human capital and reduce brain drain losses.
Framing an EU Level Regularization Mechanism: Mission Impossible?
Authors: Bilgic Ali
Published: March 2013

European Union Member States have so far tackled the problem of irregular migration in Europe by adopting common policies which aim to prevent irregular arrivals on the EU borders. In their EU‐level policies, they have neglected regularization as an alternative EU‐level policy addressing irregular migration. This represents a contrast to regularizations which are performed by many EU Member States. However, the EU Commission has gradually adopted a more positive stance about regularization. This article will discuss the principles of an EU‐level regularization scheme through the analysis of the Commission's ideas on the issue. It will be argued that, rather than adopting a common policy, the flexible set of measures, which guide Member States in formulating regularization mechanism for protection/humanitarian reasons, can be formulated at the EU level.
The UK Migrant Cap, Migrant Mobility and Employer Implications
Authors: Scullion Lisa , Pemberton Simon
Published: March 2013

Advocates of the “borderless world” thesis suggest that migrant workers can benefit from employment opportunities available everywhere, with workers simply migrating towards these opportunities. However, as global inequalities widen and potential global mobilities develop, states are “managing” migration. Individual migrant “agency”, its structuration, and the subsequent experiences of migrants and employers, can restrict such mobility. Consequently, there is a need to describe and problematize the new strategies. This article considers these issues with reference to the emerging impact of the migrant cap on non‐European Economic Area (EEA) migrants to the United Kingdom (UK). It explores the links between immigration and employment rights and the implications for migrant mobility. Policies of “managed migration” frequently do not take into account issues of geography and intra and inter regional competition for migrants by employers operating in sectors with skill shortages, or differential migrant “agency” in the form of their skills and attributes. This may impinge on the effectiveness of such approaches and on economic prosperity at a national, regional and local scale.
Policy Implications for Addressing Roma Precarious Migration Through Employment at Home
Authors: Pantea Maria‐Carmen
Published: March 2013

Roma migration from Romania is often precarious and takes place in circumstances that increase pre‐existent levels of vulnerability. For many, migration is a last resort solution for navigating an insecure economic environment. For others, it has become a source of profit they draw upon, sometimes at the expense of the most vulnerable members of Roma communities.

The major challenge this article addresses is how to create the enabling circumstances at home in order to provide alternatives to precarious migration for Roma. Informed by interviews with Roma migrants and with local authorities, this article examines the policy options at local level, addressing Roma precarious migration. It examines the limitations of the current employment policies in relation to Roma in order to identify what seem to work, what sounds promising and what does not work.

It advises that job fairs and counselling campaigns are likely to fail, as they do not tackle the structural constraints keeping Roma outside the labour market. Unless linked with realistic employment opportunities, training courses also remain precarious strategies for labour market integration. The article also argues that individualized interventions (including repatriation schemes) are likely to increase community divides.

The article supports structural, community‐level measures for tackling unemployment and argues that future policies need to have Roma communities as the ‘unit of intervention’, because the social preconditions for migration are likely to be generated at this level. This policy proposal is grounded in the research finding that an apparently consistent group of Roma migrants, prone to deceitful recruitment and precarious migration, would endorse reasonable and stable economic solutions at home. Yet accepting that circular migration may be inevitable for a number of Roma is an important ingredient when designing policy interventions.
Survey of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people's experiences of mental health services in Ireland
Authors: McCann Edward , Sharek Danika
Published: March 2013

Very little is known about the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in relation to mental health services. Therefore, the overall aim of the current research was to explore LGBT people's experiences of mental health service provision in Ireland. The objectives were to identify barriers and opportunities, to highlight service gaps, and to identify good practice in addressing the mental health and well‐being of LGBT people. A mixed methods research design using quantitative and qualitative approaches was deployed. A multipronged sampling strategy was used and 125 respondents responded to the questionnaire. A subset of phase 1 (n = 20) were interviewed in the qualitative phase. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The sample consisted of LGBT people (n = 125) over 18 years of age living in Ireland. Over three‐quarters (77%) had received a psychiatric diagnosis. Findings include that whilst 63% of respondents were able to be ‘out’ to practitioners, 64% felt that mental health professionals lacked knowledge about LGBT issues and 43% felt practitioners were unresponsive to their needs. Finally, respondent recommendations about how mental health services may be more responsive to LGBT people's needs are presented.
How basic need satisfaction and dispositional motives interact in predicting flow experience in sport
Authors: Schüler Julia , Brandstätter Veronika
Published: March 2013

We have integrated the basic psychological needs approach from self‐determination theory with motive disposition theory in order to enhance the prediction of flow experience in sports. We hypothesize that an environment that enables people to fulfill their basic psychological needs for competence and social relatedness results in flow. Additionally, we assume that the effect of competence need satisfaction is moderated by the achievement motive and that the effect of need‐for‐relatedness satisfaction is moderated by the affiliation motive. Four studies show the expected positive effects of need satisfaction on flow and further confirm that high achievement and affiliation‐motivated individuals benefit more from competence and relatedness sports environments, respectively, than individuals low in these motives.
Delivering Smoking Cessation Support by Mobile Phone Text Message: What Information do Smokers Want? A Focus Group Study
Authors: Jamison James , Naughton Felix , Gilbert Hazel , Sutton Stephen
Published: March 2013

Recent advances in technology have given rise to novel methods of delivering support to smokers wanting to quit. Mobile phone text messaging permits the delivery of quitting advice at any time, with little effort and at minimal cost. We examined smokers' attitudes toward text messaging as a tool to facilitate smoking cessation as well as preferences for message content and text delivery. Six focus groups were conducted from a total of 24 participants, with additional information obtained via paper questionnaire. Interaction with the text messaging system, tailoring message content and delivery, highlighting the positive effects of quitting, and offering encouragement by text were considered important features of a text support program. Future text messaging interventions may benefit from these findings.
Health Care Utilization After Interdisciplinary Chronic Pain Treatment: Part II. Preliminary Examination of Mediating and Moderating Factors in the Use of Costly Health Care Procedures
Authors: McGeary Donald D. , Peterson Alan L. , Seech Todd , McGeary Cindy A. , Gatchel Robert J. , Vriend Catherine
Published: March 2013

Military chronic musculoskeletal pain accounts for over $1 billion in health care and disability costs annually. Recent advances in the tertiary treatment of chronic pain for military service members have demonstrated significant benefit for military pain sufferers who complete an interdisciplinary functional restoration program. Functional restoration patients demonstrate significant improvements in mood, pain‐related cognitions, physical functioning, self‐efficacy, and rates of retention on active duty. Examination of data from the military's Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application (AHLTA) for active duty service members with chronic pain who completed the functional restoration FORT (Functional and Occupational Rehabilitation Treatment) program revealed that FORT patients sought significantly lower levels of costly medical procedures for pain compared to those who received treatment as usual. FORT participants were significantly less likely to seek treatment through the Emergency Department for pain, undergo injections for pain relief, or receive radio frequency nerve ablations for pain. This study was undertaken to identify relevant factors that contribute to reliance on costly medical procedures for pain relief among military service members with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Numerous psychosocial, physical, and demographic variables assessed as part of the FORT study were analyzed with AHLTA procedure data. This preliminary analysis revealed that service members without children (55%) were significantly more likely to seek medical procedures for pain compared to those with children (16%). Those who sought medical procedures for pain demonstrated significantly higher levels of work‐related fear avoidance (x = 21.83) compared to non‐procedure patients (x = 11.79), and those who received procedures also demonstrated less lumbar flexion (x = 37.67 degrees) compared to non‐utilizers (x = 46.67 degrees). Lack of children, high work‐related fear avoidance, and low lumbar range of motion accounted for 36% of the variance in medical procedure use in this sample. Implications for future research are discussed.
Endemic species have highly integrated phenotypes, environmental distributions and phenotype–environment relationships
Authors: Hermant Marie , Prinzing Andreas , Vernon Philippe , Convey Peter , Hennion Françoise
Published: March 2013

Aim

Why are some species geographically restricted? Ecological explanations suggest that endemic species may have restricted distributions because limited phenotypic variability results in narrow niches. However, studying variability of traits independently may not fully explain the interactions within and between complex phenotypes and environments. Here, we hypothesize that endemic species are restricted to a narrow range of habitats due to strong phenotypic integration (i.e. strong correlations among traits), strong environmental integration (i.e. strong correlations among the environments occupied) and strong correlations among trait–environment combinations.

Location

The Kerguelen Islands, sub‐Antarctic.

Methods

We measured flowering phenology, multiple morphological characters, and species distribution along three abiotic environmental gradients (elevation, soil moisture and soil salinity) in 14 plant species whose distributions range from strictly endemic to cosmopolitan.

Results

We found that for individual species, trait means and variances were independent of endemism, but that endemics occupied higher and less variable microhabitats. However, phenotypic integration, environmental integration along the three gradients, and the strength of trait–environment correlations all increased with the level of species endemism.

Main conclusions

Higher levels of integration within and between phenotypes and environments are associated with more restricted geographical ranges in the species studied. In endemic species phenotypic integration may explain range contraction during the taxon cycle and reduce the ability to adapt to novel microhabitats formed as a result of environmental change.
Transatlantic Politics of Data Transfer: Extraterritoriality, Counter‐Extraterritoriality and Counter‐Terrorism
Authors: Suda Yuko
Published: March 2013

Transatlantic co‐operation and conflict over air passenger information, financial transactions records and maritime container security illustrate the European Union's reaction to the transboundary assertion of US counter‐terrorism regulation in the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11. A close examination of the cases suggests that the EU–US agreements on the transfer and use of PNR and SWIFT data were made to safeguard the integrity of the EU data protection regime and more importantly the European norm of data privacy from the undermining effects that might arise from the extraterritorial exercise of authority by the United States.
Effect of Rehydration Temperature on Functional Properties, Antioxidant Capacity and Structural Characteristics of Apple (Granny Smith) Slices in Relation to Mass Transfer Kinetics
Authors: Zura‐Bravo L. , Ah‐Hen K. , Vega‐Gálvez A. , García‐Segovia P. , Lemus‐Mondaca R.
Published: March 2013

Apple slices dried at 60C were rehydrated at 20, 40 and 60C to analyze the influence of processing temperature on quality attributes and rehydration kinetics. Diffusion coefficient increased with process temperature from 1.36 to 2.37 × 10−9 m2/s. The Weibull model obtained the best fit quality for the experimental data based on statistical test, chi square. Color was not recovered during rehydration and the results indicated that the use of low temperatures is more adequate. Water‐holding capacity decreased, while rehydration ratio increased with increasing rehydration temperature, indicating structural modifications. Increasing rehydration temperatures led to a reduction in the glass transition temperature and hardness values of samples. The radical‐scavenging activity showed higher antioxidant activity at higher rehydration temperatures rather than at lower temperatures. It was found that rehydration temperature modifies the cell structure and antioxidant capacity of final product.
CLE Peptides in Vascular Development
Authors: Qiang Yi , Wu Jinbin , Han Huibin , Wang Guodong
Published: March 2013

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[ Guodong Wang (Corresponding author)]

The plant vascular system consists of two conductive tissues, phloem and xylem. The vascular meristem, namely the (pro‐)cambium, is a stem‐cell tissue that gives rise to both xylem and phloem. Recent studies have revealed that CLAVATA3/Embryo Surrounding Region‐related (CLE) peptides function in establishing the vascular system through interaction with phytohormones. In particular, TDIF/CLE41/CLE44, phloem‐derived CLE peptides, promote the proliferation of vascular cambium cells and prevent them from differentiating into xylem by regulating WOX4 expression through the TDR/PXY receptor. In this review article, we outline recent advances on how CLE peptides function in vascular development in concert with phytohormones through mediating cell‐cell communication. The perspective of CLE peptide signaling in vascular development is also discussed.