bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Further studies of the down-regulation by Factor I of the C3b feedback cycle using endotoxin as a soluble activator and red cells as a source of CR1 on sera of different complotype
Authors: Lachmann P J , Lay E , Seilly D J , Buchberger A , Schwaeble W , Khadake J
Published: September 2015

In this paper we have extended our earlier studies of the action of increasing Factor I concentration on complement activation by using a soluble activator, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxin, and using human erythrocytes as a source of CR1 – the co-factor needed for the final clip of iC3b to C3dg by Factor I. Using this more physiological system, the results show that we can predict that a quite modest increase in Factor I concentration – 22 µg/ml of extra Factor I – will convert the activity of the highest risk sera to those of the lowest risk. Preliminary experiments have been performed with erythrocytes allotyped for CR1 number. While we have not been able to perform an adequate study of their co-factor activities in our assays, preliminary experiments suggest that when Factor I levels are increased the difference produced by different allotypes of red cells is largely overcome. This suggests that in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) treated with eculizumab, additional treatment with Factor I may be very useful in reducing the need for blood transfusion. We have also explored the age-related allele frequency for the two polymorphisms of Factor H and the polymorphism of C3. In our population, unlike the 1975 study, we found no age variation in the allele frequency in these polymorphisms. This may, however, reflect that the Cambridge BioResource volunteers do not include many very young or very elderly patients, and in general comprise a population not greatly at risk of death from infectious disease.
Effects of productivity on biodiversity in forest ecosystems across the United States and China
Authors: Liang Jingjing , Watson James V. , Zhou Mo , Lei Xiangdong
Published: September 2015

In the global campaign against biodiversity loss in forest ecosystems, land managers need to know the status of forest biodiversity, but practical guidelines for conserving biodiversity in forest management are lacking. A major obstacle is the incomplete understanding of the relationship between site primary productivity and plant diversity, due to insufficient ecosystem‐wide data, especially for taxonomically and structurally diverse forest ecosystems. We investigated the effects of site productivity (the site's inherent capacity to grow timber) on tree species richness across 19 types of forest ecosystems in North America and China through 3 ground‐sourced forest inventory data sets (U.S. Forest Inventory and Analysis, Cooperative Alaska Forest Inventory, and Chinese Forest Management Planning Inventory). All forest types conformed to a consistent and highly significant (P< 0.001) hump‐shaped unimodal relationship, of which the generalized coefficients of determination averaged 20.5% over all the forest types. That is, tree species richness first increased as productivity increased at a progressively slower rate, and, after reaching a maximum, richness started to decline. Our consistent findings suggest that forests of high productivity would sustain few species because they consist mostly of flat homogeneous areas lacking an environmental gradient along which a diversity of species with different habitats can coexist. The consistency of the productivity–biodiversity relationship among the 3 data sets we examined makes it possible to quantify the expected tree species richness that a forest stand is capable of sustaining, and a comparison between the actual species richness and the sustainable values can be useful in prioritizing conservation efforts.
Efficacy of probiotic treatment with Bifidobacterium longum 536 for induction of remission in active ulcerative colitis: A randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled multicenter trial
Authors: Tamaki Hiroyuki , Nakase Hiroshi , Inoue Satoko , Kawanami Chiharu , Itani Toshinao , Ohana Masaya , Kusaka Toshihiro , Uose Suguru , Hisatsune Hiroshi , Tojo Masahide , Noda Teruyo , Arasawa Souichi , Izuta Masako , Kubo Atsushi , Ogawa Chikara , Matsunaka Toshihiro , Shibatouge Mitsushige
Published: September 2015

Background and Aim

We conducted a randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled trial to investigate the efficacy of Bifidobacterium longum 536 (BB536) supplementation for induction of remission in Japanese patients with active ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods

Fifty‐six patients with mild to moderate UC were enrolled. Three patients had pancolitis, 36 had left‐sided colitis, and 17 had proctitis. Patients were randomly treated with 2–3 × 1011 freeze‐dried viable BB536 (28 patients) or placebo (28 patients) for 8 weeks.

Results

In total, 63% of patients receiving BB536 showed clinical remission (UC disease activity index [UCDAI] ≤2) at week 8 compared to 52% of those receiving placebo (P = 0.395). We observed a significant decrease of UCDAI scores (3.8 ± 0.4 at baseline to 2.6 ± 0.4 at week 8) in the BB536 group (P < 0.01), whereas there was no significant decrease in the placebo group (P = 0.88). There was also a significant decrease in the Rachmilewitz endoscopic index (EI) and the Mayo subscore at week 8 in the BB536 group, whereas there was no significant decrease in the placebo group. A single patient in the BB536 group complained of a mild side‐effect, but no other adverse effects were observed.

Conclusion

Supplementation with BB536 was well tolerated and reduced UCDAI scores, EI and Mayo subscores after 8 weeks in Japanese patients with mild to moderately active UC.
Clinical and neurobiological advances in promoting regeneration of the ventral root avulsion lesion
Authors: Eggers Ruben , Tannemaat Martijn R. , De Winter Fred , Malessy Martijn J. A. , Verhaagen Joost
Published: September 2015

Root avulsions due to traction to the brachial plexus causes complete and permanent loss of function. Until fairly recent, such lesions were considered impossible to repair. Here we review clinical repair strategies and current progress in experimental ventral root avulsion lesions. The current gold standard in patients with a root avulsion is nerve transfer, whereas reimplantation of the avulsed root into the spinal cord has been performed in a limited number of cases. These neurosurgical repair strategies have significant benefit for the patient but functional recovery remains incomplete. Developing new ways to improve the functional outcome of neurosurgical repair is therefore essential. In the laboratory, the molecular and cellular changes following ventral root avulsion and the efficacy of intervention strategies have been studied at the level of spinal motoneurons, the ventral spinal root and peripheral nerve, and the skeletal muscle. We present an overview of cell‐based pharmacological and neurotrophic factor treatment approaches that have been applied in combination with surgical reimplantation. These interventions all demonstrate neuroprotective effects on avulsed motoneurons, often accompanied with various degrees of axonal regeneration. However, effects on survival are usually transient and robust axon regeneration over long distances has as yet not been achieved. Key future areas of research include finding ways to further extend the post‐lesion survival period of motoneurons, the identification of neuron‐intrinsic factors which can promote persistent and long‐distance axon regeneration, and finally prolonging the pro‐regenerative state of Schwann cells in the distal nerve.
Determinants of Social Entrepreneurial Intentions
Authors: Hockerts Kai
Published: September 2015

This article tests the model proposed by Mair and Noboa (2006) who identify four antecedents which they suggest predict social entrepreneurial intentions. The study extends the model by including prior experience with social problems as an additional variable. Findings show that prior experience predicts social entrepreneurial intentions. This effect is mediated by the antecedents suggested by Mair and Noboa. Social entrepreneurial self–efficacy has both the largest impact on intentions as well as being itself most responsive to prior experience. Lastly, the study shows that the amount of optional social entrepreneurship electives students enroll in is predicted by social entrepreneurial intentions.
The impact of Indonesian peatland degradation on downstream marine ecosystems and the global carbon cycle
Authors: Abrams Jesse F. , Hohn Sönke , Rixen Tim , Baum Antje , Merico Agostino
Published: September 2015

Tropical peatlands are among the most space‐efficient stores of carbon on Earth containing approximately 89 Gt C. Of this, 57 Gt (65%) are stored in Indonesian peatlands. Large‐scale exploitation of land, including deforestation and drainage for the establishment of oil palm plantations, is changing the carbon balance of Indonesian peatlands, turning them from a natural sink to a source via outgassing of CO2 to the atmosphere and leakage of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) into the coastal ocean. The impacts of this perturbation to the coastal environment and at the global scale are largely unknown. Here, we evaluate the downstream effects of released Indonesian peat carbon on coastal ecosystems and on the global carbon cycle. We use a biogeochemical box model in combination with novel and literature observations to investigate the impact of different carbon emission scenarios on the combined ocean–atmosphere system. The release of all carbon stored in the Indonesian peat pool, considered as a worst‐case scenario, will increase atmospheric pCO2 by 8 ppm to 15 ppm within the next 200 years. The expected impact on the Java Sea ecosystems is most significant on the short term (over a few hundred years) and is characterized by an increase of 3.3% in phytoplankton, 32% in seagrass biomass, and 5% decrease in coral biomass. On the long term, however, the coastal ecosystems will recover to reach near pre‐excursion conditions. Our results suggest that the ultimate fate of the peat carbon is in the deep ocean with 69% of it landing in the deep DIC pool after 1000 years, but the effects on the global ocean carbonate chemistry will be marginal.
The Feminisation of Mining
Authors: Lahiri‐Dutt Kuntala
Published: September 2015

This paper argues that feminisation is beginning to occur in the mining industry, a process associated with an expanded notion of mining as a livelihood in the radically changing political economy of extractive industries. It demonstrates that new gendered geographies are being created as grinding rural poverty pushes large numbers of women into informal mining (also known as artisanal and small‐scale mining or ASM)—a fundamentally different type of economic activity from the capitalised, industrialised mining operated by large corporations. Further, it shows that a number of civil society initiatives, industry measures, policy processes and action‐research with large‐scale mining corporations are currently underway in response to an overall enhanced awareness of gender mainstreaming. It argues that these initiatives, ensued from women's struggles and feminist contributions, are helping to integrate gender more firmly in a wide range of extractive environments, and how these have enhanced the visibility of women and gender in mining. The paper ends by indicating the existing gaps in inquiry and possible directions for future research by feminist geographers into these gendered economic spaces.
Histopathological features of endometrial carcinomas associated with POLE mutations: implications for decisions about adjuvant therapy
Authors: Bakhsh Salwa , Kinloch Mary , Hoang Lien N , Soslow Robert A , Köbel Martin , Lee Cheng‐Han , McAlpine Jessica N , McConechy Melissa K , Gilks C Blake
Published: September 2015

Aims

To characterize the histomorphological features of endometrial carcinomas (ECs) harbouring polymerase ε (POLE) mutations.

Methods and results

Forty‐three ECs with POLE mutations were compared with a cohort of 202 ECs. Most POLE‐mutated ECs were endometrioid [34/43 (79%)]; the remaining tumours were mixed [6/43 (14%)], serous [2/43 (5%)], and clear cell [1/43 (2%)]. The endometrioid carcinomas were predominantly International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics grade 3 (27/43, 63%). The histotype distribution did not differ from that of control ECs (P = 0.69), but the grade of the EC was higher (P < 0.0005). Both nuclear grade and mitotic index were significantly higher in POLE‐mutated ECs than in the comparison cohort. POLE‐mutated ECs were associated with peritumoral lymphocytes and numerous tumour‐infiltrating lymphocytes. Lymphovascular invasion was present in 20 of 43 tumours. Adjuvant radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy would be offered in up to 80% and 40% of patients, respectively, on the basis of stage, grade, lymphovascular invasion, and histotype.

Conclusions

POLE‐mutated ECs are typically of high grade, with prominent lymphocytic infiltration, but they are not sufficiently distinctive to allow accurate diagnosis based on routine haematoxylin and eosin staining. Even though POLE‐mutated tumours are associated with an excellent prognosis, current guidelines for giving adjuvant treatment for EC result in most patients receiving adjuvant therapy.
Co‐heredity of silent CAP + 1570 T>C (HBB:c*96T>C) defect and severe β‐thal mutation: a cause of mild β‐thalassemia intermedia
Authors: Vinciguerra M. , Passarello C. , Cassarà F. , Leto F. , Cannata M. , Calvaruso G. , Di Maggio R. , Renda D. , Maggio A. , Giambona A.
Published: September 2015

Introduction

During an intensive screening program aimed at identifying the healthy carriers of thalassemia and the couples at risk of bearing an affected fetus, a rare single nucleotide variation (SNV), CAP + 1570 T > C (HBB:c*96T > C), located 12 nucleotides upstream of the polyadenylation signal in 3'UTR of the beta globin gene was identified. It was previously reported as a β+ thalassemia mutation and later as a plain polymorphism.

Methods

Genotype identification of globin gene mutations was carried out using sequencing analysis, GAP‐PCR, and MLPA methods.

Results

CAP + 1570 T > C (HBB:c*96T > C) was found in 39 heterozygotes, in one case in homozygous state and in thirteen cases of co‐inheritance of this nucleotide substitution with other mutations in globin genes. Carriers of this mutation showed a ‘silent’ phenotype without appreciable microcytosis and hypochromia, so they cannot be differentiated from noncarrier individuals. Compound heterozygotes for this mutation and severe β‐thal mutations showed a variable phenotype ranging from β‐thal carrier to mild form of β‐thalassemia intermedia, revealing new aspects and allowing to better understand the clinical implications of this nucleotide substitution that can be classified as a silent β‐thalassemic defect.

Conclusion

Data reported in this study indicate the need of investigating partner of β‐thalassemia carrier by complete sequencing analysis of β‐globin gene and of providing an appropriate genetic counseling for couples at risk undergoing prenatal diagnosis.
Cyclo(phenylalanine‐proline) induces DNA damage in mammalian cells via reactive oxygen species
Authors: Lee Kwanghyun , Jeong Jae Eun , Kim In Hwang , Kim Kun‐Soo , Ju Bong‐Gun
Published: September 2015

Cyclo(phenylalanine‐proline) is produced by various organisms such as animals, plants, bacteria and fungi. It has diverse biological functions including anti‐fungal activity, anti‐bacterial activity and molecular signalling. However, a few studies have demonstrated the effect of cyclo(phenylalanine‐proline) on the mammalian cellular processes, such as cell growth and apoptosis. In this study, we investigated whether cyclo(phenylalanine‐proline) affects cellular responses associated with DNA damage in mammalian cells. We found that treatment of 1 mM cyclo(phenylalanine‐proline) induces phosphorylation of H2AX (S139) through ATM‐CHK2 activation as well as DNA double strand breaks. Gene expression analysis revealed that a subset of genes related to regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and production is suppressed by the cyclo(phenylalanine‐proline) treatment. We also found that cyclo(phenylalanine‐proline) treatment induces perturbation of the mitochondrial membrane, resulting in increased ROS, especially superoxide, production. Collectively, our study suggests that cyclo(phenylalanine‐proline) treatment induces DNA damage via elevation of ROS in mammalian cells. Our findings may help explain the mechanism underlying the bacterial infection‐induced activation of DNA damage response in host mammalian cells.
Differences in Self‐Reported Physical Activity and Body Mass Index Among Older Hispanic and Non‐Hispanic White Men and Women: Findings from the 2009 California Health Interview Survey
Authors: Sorkin Dara H. , Biegler Kelly A. , Billimek John
Published: September 2015

Older Hispanic Americans are a rapidly growing minority group who are disproportionately affected by diabetes mellitus and obesity. Given the importance of physical activity, particularly leisure‐time activity, in the management of diabetes mellitus and obesity, the current study examined ethnic and sex differences in walking for transportation, leisure‐time walking, moderate activity (not including walking), and vigorous activity between Hispanic and non‐Hispanic white (NHW) older adults (age 55 and older) using the 2009 California Health Interview Survey, a population‐based survey representative of California's noninstitutionalized population. The total sample consisted of 21,702 participants (20,148 NHW (7,968 men, 12,180 women) and 1,554 Hispanic (609 men, 945 women)). Multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses were adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics. The findings revealed that Hispanic men and women were significantly less likely to engage in self‐reported leisure‐time walking and vigorous activity than NHW men (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.51–0.99) and women (aOR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.42–0.87). Regardless of ethnic group, men were more likely than women to engage in self‐reported walking for transportation (aOR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.58–0.87), moderate activity (aOR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.57–0.81), and vigorous activity (aOR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.50–0.68). All types of self‐reported physical activity were associated with lower body mass index (BMI; P < .001), although significant interactions between sex and leisure time walking (P < .001), moderate activity (P < .001), and vigorous activity (P < .001) indicated that women who engaged in these activities reported the lowest BMIs. The findings highlight the importance of emphasizing walking in efforts to increase moderate and vigorous activity, particularly for older women.
Underperception of Naps in Older Adults Referred for a Sleep Assessment: An Insomnia Trait and a Cognitive Problem?
Authors: Nguyen‐Michel Vi‐Huong , Lévy Pierre‐P , Pallanca Olivier , Kinugawa Kiyoka , Banica‐Wolters Raluca , Sebban Claude , Mariani Jean , Fournier Emmanuel , Arnulf Isabelle
Published: September 2015

Objectives

To examine the frequency and determinants of underperception of naps in older adults referred for a sleep assessment.

Design

Prospective study.

Setting

Outpatient geriatric sleep clinic.

Participants

Individuals aged 60 and older referred for insomnia complaints or suspected sleep apnea (N = 135).

Measurements

Tests included clinical interview, sleepiness scale, anxiety and depression scale, Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE), and overnight polysomnography, followed by multiple sleep latency tests. At the end of each of four nap opportunities, participants answered whether they had slept during the test. Nap underperception was defined as two or more unperceived naps.

Results

Of the 105 participants who napped at least twice, 42 (40%) did not perceive at least two naps. These participants had lower MMSE scores (P = .01) and were more likely to be taking benzodiazepines (P = .008) than the 63 participants who did not underperceive their naps but had similar demographic characteristics, sleep diagnoses, depression and anxiety scores, and polysomnography measures. Both groups had similarly short mean daytime sleep latencies (9.7 ± 4.5 minutes and 9.8 ± 3.7 minutes), but participants who underperceived their naps scored lower on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (5.6 ± 4.0, vs 9.6 ± 4.8, P < .001). An ISI of 11 or greater, a MMSE score of 26 or less, and a sleepiness score of 8 or less were each independently associated with underperception of naps. The combination of these three factors yielded a positive predictive value of 93% and a negative predictive value of 71% for nap underperception.

Conclusion

Older adults referred for sleep consultation with cognitive impairment and greater insomnia symptoms frequently underperceive naps, leading them to underestimate their level of sleepiness. In such cases, objective measures of daytime sleepiness would be better than the Epworth Sleepiness Scale.
Learning, Monetary Policy, and Asset Prices
Authors: AIRAUDO MARCO , NISTICÒ SALVATORE , ZANNA LUIS‐FELIPE
Published: September 2015

We explore the stability properties of interest rate rules granting an explicit response to stock prices in a New Keynesian DSGE model where the presence of non‐Ricardian households makes stock prices nonredundant for the business cycle. We find that responding to stock prices enlarges the policy space for which the equilibrium is both determinate and E‐stable (learnable). In particular, the Taylor principle ceases to be necessary, and determinacy/E‐stability is granted also by mildly passive policy rules. Our results appear to be more prominent in economies featuring a lower elasticity of substitution across differentiated products and/or more rigid labor markets.
Saving the Euro: Mitigating Financial or Trade Spillovers?
Authors: CLAESSENS STIJN , TONG HUI , ZUCCARDI IGOR
Published: September 2015

This paper analyzes through what channels the euro crisis affected firms and the efficacy of policies to mitigate the crisis. It analyzes stock price responses for 3,045 nonfinancial firms in 16 countries to four key policy events during 2010–11. Using precrisis benchmarks, it separates financial effects from trade effects and examines how bank and trade linkages propagated shocks. It finds that policy measures affected financially dependent firms more, particularly in creditor countries with greater bank exposure to peripheral euro countries, in statistically and economically significant ways. Trade linkages with peripheral countries played little role, although euro movements meant some differential effects.
Validity and reliability of an online extended version of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ‐E2) to measure nurses' fitness
Authors: Pugh Judith D , Gelder Lucy , Williams Anne M , Twigg Diane E , Wilkinson Anne M , Blazevich Anthony J
Published: September 2015

Aims and objectives

To describe modifications to a second extended version of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire for online use in nursing populations, and check validity and reliability.

Background

The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire has been used to assess the severity and impact of musculoskeletal symptoms in occupational groups. The reliability of a previous extended version was established for paper‐based, self‐administration among nursing students. This current study extended the questionnaire to collect more information regarding musculoskeletal symptoms in all nine body regions and their work‐relatedness, as an instrument is needed to gather evidence about the impact of fitness levels on occupational musculoskeletal disorders among nurses.

Design

Psychometric evaluation.

Method

Sixty‐five undergraduate nurses completed the online extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire twice. Content validity was examined by expert review and construct validity by exploratory factor analysis of 90 responses from the first completion. Reliability was checked by examining internal consistency, kappa statistics, proportions of observed, and positive and negative agreements, intra‐class correlation coefficient and standard error of measurement.

Results

The instrument had high internal consistency and exploratory factor analysis revealed it was a relatively homogenous (unidimensional) measure of musculoskeletal symptom severity. Age of onset of symptoms questions were reliable, with high mean intra‐class correlation coefficients and low mean standard errors of measurement. Overall, questions showed high mean strengths of agreement and proportions of observed agreement: three‐quarters of the prevalence questions and 99% of the severity/impact questions had 10% or fewer disagreements.

Conclusions

Modifications to the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and online administration did not diminish its validity or reliability for obtaining information about the severity of nurses' musculoskeletal symptoms.

Relevance to clinical practice

Occupational musculoskeletal disorders are an issue for nurses. This questionnaire can be used to monitor nurses' musculoskeletal health, and in musculoskeletal disorder prevention studies.
Perspectives of clinical handover processes: a multi‐site survey across different health professionals
Authors: Manias Elizabeth , Geddes Fiona , Watson Bernadette , Jones Dorothy , Della Phillip
Published: September 2015

Aims and objectives

To examine the perspectives of health professionals of different disciplines about clinical handover.

Background

Ineffective handovers can cause major problems relating to the lack of delivery of appropriate care.

Design

A prospective, cross‐sectional design was conducted using a survey about clinical handover practices.

Methods

Health professionals employed in public metropolitan hospitals, public rural hospitals and community health centres were involved. The sample comprised doctors, nurses and allied health professionals, including physiotherapists, social workers, pharmacists, dieticians and midwives employed in Western Australia, New South Wales, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory. The survey sought information about health professionals' experiences about clinical handover; their perceived effectiveness of clinical handover; involvement of patients and family members; health professionals' ability to confirm understanding and to clarify clinical information; role modelling behaviour of health professionals; training needs; adverse events encountered and possibilities for improvements.

Results

In all, 707 health professionals participated (response rate = 14%). Represented professions were nursing (60%), medicine (22%) and allied health (18%). Many health professionals reported being aware of adverse events where they noticed poor handover was a significant cause. Differences existed between health professions in terms of how effectively they gave handover, perceived effectiveness of bedside handover vs. nonbedside handover, patient and family involvement in handover, respondents' confirmation of understanding handover from their perspective, their observation of senior health professionals giving feedback to junior health professionals, awareness of adverse events and severity of adverse events relating to poor handovers.

Conclusions

Complex barriers impeded the conduct of effective handovers, including insufficient opportunities for training, lack of role modelling, and lack of confidence and understanding about handover processes.

Relevance to clinical practice

Greater focus should be placed on creating opportunities for senior health professionals to act as role models. Sophisticated approaches should be implemented in training and education.
PRICING FOR LARGE POSITIONS IN CONTINGENT CLAIMS
Authors: Robertson Scott
Published: September 2015

Approximations to utility indifference prices are provided for a contingent claim in the large position size limit. Results are valid for general utility functions on the real line and semi‐martingale models. It is shown that as the position size approaches infinity, the utility function's decay rate for large negative wealths is the primary driver of prices. For utilities with exponential decay, one may price like an exponential investor. For utilities with a power decay, one may price like a power investor after a suitable adjustment to the rate at which the position size becomes large. In a sizable class of diffusion models, limiting indifference prices are explicitly computed for an exponential investor. Furthermore, the large claim limit arises endogenously as the hedging error for the claim vanishes.
The discovery of Antarctic RNA viruses: a new game changer
Authors: Cavicchioli Ricardo , Erdmann Susanne
Published: September 2015

Antarctic ecosystems are dominated by micro‐organisms, and viruses play particularly important roles in the food webs. Since the first report in 2009 (López‐Bueno et al. ), ‘omic’‐based studies have greatly enlightened our understanding of Antarctic aquatic microbial diversity and ecosystem function (Wilkins et al. ; Cavicchioli ). This has included the discovery of many new eukaryotic viruses (López‐Bueno et al. ), virophage predators of algal viruses (Yau et al. ), bacteria with resistance to phage (Lauro et al. ) and mechanisms of haloarchaeal evasion, defence and adaptation to viruses (Tschitschko et al. ). In this issue of Molecular Ecology, López‐Bueno et al. () report the first discovery of RNA viruses from an Antarctic aquatic environment. High sequence coverage enabled genome variation to be assessed for four positive‐sense single‐stranded RNA viruses from the order Picornavirales. By examining the populations present in the water column and in the lake's catchment area, populations of ‘quasispecies’ were able to be linked to local environmental factors. In view of the importance of viruses in Antarctic ecosystems but lack of data describing them, this study represents a significant advance in the field.
Regulation of alkane degradation pathway by a TetR family repressor via an autoregulation positive feedback mechanism in a Gram‐positive Dietzia bacterium
Authors: Liang Jie‐Liang , Nie Yong , Wang Miaoxiao , Xiong Guangming , Wang Yi‐Ping , Maser Edmund , Wu Xiao‐Lei
Published: September 2015

n‐Alkanes are ubiquitous in nature and serve as important carbon sources for both Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria. Hydroxylation of n‐alkanes by alkane monooxygenases is the first and most critical step in n‐alkane metabolism. However, regulation of alkane degradation genes in Gram‐positive bacteria remains poorly characterized. We therefore explored the transcriptional regulation of an alkB‐type alkane hydroxylase‐rubredoxin fusion gene, alkW1, from Dietzia sp. DQ12‐45‐1b. The alkW1 promoter was characterized and so was the putative TetR family regulator, AlkX, located downstream of alkW1 gene. We further identified an unusually long 48 bp inverted repeat upstream of alkW1 and demonstrated the binding of AlkX to this operator. Analytical ultracentrifugation and microcalorimetric results indicated that AlkX formed stable dimers in solution and two dimers bound to one operator in a positive cooperative fashion characterized by a Hill coefficient of 1.64 (± 0.03) [kD = 1.06 (± 0.16) μM, kD′ = 0.05 (± 0.01) μM]. However, the DNA‐binding affinity was disrupted in the presence of long‐chain fatty acids (C10–C24), suggesting that AlkX can sense the concentrations of n‐alkane degradation metabolites. A model was therefore proposed where AlkX controls alkW1 expression in a metabolite‐dependent manner. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that the alkane hydroxylase gene regulation mechanism may be common among Actinobacteria.
Resistance to Streptomyces turgidiscabies in potato involves an early and sustained transcriptional reprogramming at initial stages of tuber formation
Authors: Dees Merete Wiken , Lysøe Erik , Alsheikh Muath , Davik Jahn , Brurberg May Bente
Published: September 2015

Common scab, caused by species from the bacterial genus Streptomyces, is an important disease of potato (Solanum tuberosum) crops worldwide. Early tuberization is a critical period for pathogen infection; hence, studies of host gene expression responses during this developmental stage can be important to expand our understanding of the infection process and to identify putative resistance genes. In an infection experiment with the highly susceptible potato cultivar Saturna and the relatively resistant cultivar Beate, transcription profiles were obtained by RNA sequencing at two developmental stages: the early hook stage and the early tuber formation stage. Our results indicate that ‘Beate’ mounts an early and sustained response to infection by S. turgidiscabies, whereas the defence response by ‘Saturna’ ceases before the early tuber formation stage. Most pronounced were the putative candidate defence‐associated genes uniquely expressed in ‘Beate’. We observed an increase in alternative splicing on pathogen infection at the early hook stage for both cultivars. A significant down‐regulation of genes involved in the highly energy‐demanding process of ribosome biogenesis was observed for the infected ‘Beate’ plants at the early hook stage, which may indicate an allocation of resources that favours the expression of defence‐related genes.
Nationalism and revolution: friends or foes?
Authors: Kumar Krishan
Published: September 2015

Nationalism and revolution have generally been held to go together. Many nation‐states have had their origins in revolution, from theAmericans in the 18th century to a host ofThirdWorld nation‐states in the 20th century. Generally, both modern revolutions and modern nationalism have the same origins, in 18th centuryEnlightenment thought. But this paper argues that, despite this common origin, the principles of revolution and nationalism are divergent, and can set one against the other. Revolutions emphasise freedom and equality; nationalism emphasises integration and unification. These principles can clash, though not inevitably and not always. The paper examines the 1789FrenchRevolution, the 1848 revolutions and the 1917Russian revolution. It shows that in the first two cases, revolutionary aspirations came up against and were eventually displaced by nationalist aims. In the case of 1917, revolution paradoxically, and unintentionally, institutionalised nationalism. These examples show that, though linked at some high level of modern thought, revolution and nationalism express different and at times divergent strands of modernity.
Cultural legacies and electoral performance of ethnic minority parties in post‐communist Europe
Authors: Bilinski Adam
Published: September 2015

Although there are numerous contributions on ethnic electoral politics, relatively little research has been devoted to explain the scope of success of ethnic minority parties. This article addresses the issue within the bounds of post‐communist Europe, paying particular attention to the effect of cultural legacies. It was confirmed, first of all, that ethnic parties are likely to emerge only if their titular minority has a number of voters larger than what is necessary to obtain parliamentary representation. Otherwise, the most successful were the ethnic parties representing the minorities characterised by legacy of regional domination, that is, those whose members had once enjoyed a dominant position as a ruling nation on a given territory (e.g. Hungarians in Slovakia). The second‐successful were the parties representing homeland minorities, that is, those which have resided on a given area for more than two centuries, but have never been members of a ruling nation. The parties representing diaspora or immigrant minorities were the least successful. Further research could assess the importance of these factors in other regions of the world.
Prediction of susceptible biomarkers for end stage renal disease among North Indians
Authors: Prakash Swayam , Sarangi Aditya Narayan , Tripathi Gaurav , Sharma Raj Kumar , Agrawal Suraksha
Published: September 2015

Aim

Involvement of pro‐inflammatory genes has been correlated with basic kidney diseases and end stage renal disease (ESRD). However, results at odds were often noted from such independent association studies. This study proposes a genome wide analysis approach to predict ESRD risk associated genes.

Methods

We included 42 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) showing association among north Indian ESRD cases and controls. ESRD cases comprised chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN), chronic interstitial nephritis (CIN), hypertension (HTN) and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Genotyping data obtained from our prior published reports were compared with Genome‐Wide Association Studies (GWAS) SNPs retrieved from HapMap and GWASCentral databases using R‐statistical package SNPAssoc. Linkage disequilibrium (LD), gene–gene interaction, classification and regression tree (CART) and pathway analysis were carried out in the present study supplemented with IL‐6 and TNF‐α levels estimation using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

Comparison of genotyping data with GWAS SNPs revealed significant associations for interleukin (IL)1‐RN, IL‐6, MTHFR, tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and CCR3 genes with ESRD. Nine SNPs were commonly associated with CGN, CIN, HTN, ADPKD and ESRD. LD (D = 0.9) and gene‐gene interaction (P = 0.0002) analyses revealed significant associations for IL‐6 and TNF‐α genes. In a consistent manner, CART analysis and functional analysis servers predict predisposing effects for TNF‐α and IL‐6 with ESRD. Finally, higher body circulating levels were observed for mutant TNF‐α and IL‐6 alleles among ESRD.

Conclusion

The study indicates significance for IL‐6 and TNF‐α gene with basic kidney diseases and ESRD. Extensive statistical tests, pathway analysis and functional assays also reflect attenuated level of significance for these SNPs. In future these may be brought from bench side to clinical practice as diagnostic biomarkers upon external and prospective replication and confirmation among other cohorts.
Direct oral provocation tests in non‐immediate mild cutaneous reactions related to beta‐lactam antibiotics
Authors: Vezir Emine , Dibek Misirlioglu Emine , Civelek Ersoy , Capanoglu Murat , Guvenir Hakan , Ginis Tayfur , Toyran Muge , Kocabas Can N.
Published: September 2015

Background

Skin testing has a limited role in the diagnosis of non‐immediate beta‐lactam hypersensitivity in children. The aim of this study was to report the results of oral provocation tests performed without skin tests in children with non‐immediate mild cutaneous reactions without systemic symptoms caused by beta‐lactam antibiotics.

Methods

Oral provocation tests with suspected antibiotics were performed to patients with non‐immediate mild cutaneous reactions without systemic symptoms caused by beta‐lactam antibiotics. Skin tests were not performed before provocation tests. A total of five doses were administered with half‐an‐hour intervals in increasing doses. Provocation was continued for 5 days.

Results

A total of 119 patients with a median age of 4.3 (IQR: 2–7.5) years, of whom 58% were males, were included in the study. Amoxicillin–clavulanic acid was the most frequently responsible agent in 87 (73.1%) patients, and most common type of rash was maculopapular in 74 (62.2%) patients. Four patients (3.4%) had an urticarial reaction during the provocation test.

Conclusion

We did not experience any severe reactions during oral provocation test without previous skin tests performed to children with non‐immediate mild cutaneous reactions without systemic symptoms. Omitting skin tests before oral provocation test in this group of children can help decreasing the burden of allergy clinics and alleviating the discomfort of children.
Heart rate response to a caudal block in children anesthetized with sevoflurane after ultrasound confirmation of placement
Authors: Adler Adam C. , Schwartz Donald A. , Begley Annemarie , Friderici Jennifer , Connelly Neil Roy
Published: September 2015

Introduction

Previous studies identified decreasing heart rate (HR) as a predictor of successful caudal placement in children using halothane and isoflurane. No changes were found in HR in the one study using sevoflurane. We documented HR changes in children following a caudal block during sevoflurane anesthesia utilizing ultrasound to confirm successful caudal placement.

Methods

Seventy‐one children (1–82 months) were anesthetized with sevoflurane. A caudal block was placed with confirmation by ultrasound. Four aliquots of bupivacaine 0.2% with epinephrine 5 μg·cc−1 were administered for a total volume of 1 cc·kg−1 with HR recorded for 4 min. The outcomes measured were HR changes from the initial baseline and during each 1‐min interval. The age‐related differences in HR were also analyzed.

Results

Heart rate change from the initial baseline after placing the caudal needle and allowing for equilibration ranged from −10.2% to +8.9% and the HR change from the baseline at the start of each aliquot injection ranged from −9.5% to +8.9%. Most participants (n = 60, 84.5%) experienced at least one HR reduction over the observation period. For patients <36 months, the HR change ranged from −11 to +12 b·min−1 (mean −0.3); for patients aged ≥36 months, the HR change ranged from −10 to +6 b·min−1 (mean −1.1).

Conclusions

Heart rate changes following a caudal block in children ≤82 months of age anesthetized with sevoflurane is not a reliable indicator of a successful block. Despite 100% caudal success, many children had no decrease in HR, and in those that did, the decline was of a magnitude indeterminate from beat‐to‐beat variability.
An Ethnographic Meta‐Synthesis of Three Southwestern Rural Studies
Authors: Averill Jennifer B.
Published: September 2015

Objective

The objectives were to synthesize cumulative findings across three critical ethnographic, community‐partnered studies in the southwestern United States and to describe the process of meta‐ethnography for that analysis.

Design and Sample

The meta‐ethnography followed the design of Noblit and Hare for constructing an analysis of composite data, informed by community‐based participatory research and Stringer's ethnographic strategies of Look‐Think‐Act. The three studies occurred in rural settings of Colorado and New Mexico, engaging 129 total participants, along with community organizations and agencies as partners.

Methods

Methods consisted of detailed review of each original study, mapping of major concepts and themes, and general analysis, interpretation, and synthesis across the studies.

Results

Overall themes were: health is the capacity to care for oneself and do work, meaningful relationships are key in health care interactions, patterns of discrimination persist in rural settings, poor literacy and health literacy are barriers, and food insecurity is a growing concern for older rural adults.

Conclusions

Resolutions involve practice, policy, and research and must incorporate all stakeholder groups in rural settings; a participatory approach is critical to prioritize and impact existing inequities; and work is needed to extend education and understanding of multiple cultures, groups, customs, and rural contexts.
Metabolite profiling reveals temperature effects on the VOCs and flavonoids of different plant populations
Authors: Goh H.‐H. , Khairudin K. , Sukiran N. A. , Normah M.N. , Baharum S.N.
Published: September 2015

Temperature is one of the key factors in limiting the distribution of plants and controlling major metabolic processes. A series of simulated reciprocal transplant experiments were performed to investigate the effect of temperature on plant chemical composition. Polygonum minus of different lowland and highland origin were grown under a controlled environment with different temperature regimes to study the effects on secondary metabolites. We applied gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry to identify the chemical compounds. A total of 37 volatile organic compounds and 85 flavonoids were detected, with the largest response observed in the compositional changes of aldehydes and terpenes in highland plants under higher temperature treatment. Significantly less anthocyanidin compounds and larger amounts of flavonols were detected under higher temperature treatment. We also studied natural variation in the different plant populations growing under the same environment and identified compounds unique to each population through metabolite fingerprinting. This study shows that the origin of different plant populations influences the effects of temperature on chemical composition.
Response of medium‐ and large‐sized terrestrial fauna to corridor restoration along the middle Sacramento River
Authors: Derugin Vasilissa V. , Silveira Joseph G. , Golet Gregory H. , LeBuhn Gretchen
Published: September 2015

A fundamental challenge in restoration ecology is to understand when species are expected to colonize newly created habitat. Determining this is important for assessing progress toward restoration goals and, more generally, for gaining insight into ecosystem functioning and dynamics. We studied this question as it relates to mid‐ to large‐sized terrestrial fauna in restored riparian habitats at the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge, in northern California. We used camera traps to document use of 16 riparian corridor sites of varying restoration age. Comparisons of species richness (diversity) and visitation frequency (activity) were made across different‐aged sites. We found that predator diversity and activity levels tended to be higher in restored forests than in remnant forests, and that they tended to be highest in young restored forests. This trend persisted when data from variable sampling periods were pooled, although significant differences occurred more often in wet and cold sampling periods. The trend did not always hold for the animal community at large (consisting of both predator and non‐predator species). We conclude that restoration age affects predator diversity and activity levels in restored and remnant floodplain forests, and that predator communities can establish soon after restoration. Our results suggest that restoring natural river processes that promote habitat regeneration may benefit mid‐ to large‐sized terrestrial predators that appear to mostly use early successional habitat.