bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scepticism, Truth, and Value
Authors: Perin Casey
Published: February 2014

In response to Tad Brennan’s critical notice of The Demands of Reason, I offer further arguments in defense of the distinction between appearance and belief, the claim that truth for its own sake is the Pyrrhonist’s goal, and the centrality of the rationalist interpretation of Sextus’s work.
A catalogue of the vascular plants of the Caatinga Phytogeographical Domain: a synthesis of floristic and phytosociological surveys

Authors: Moro Marcelo Freire , Nic Lughadha Eimear , Filer Denis L. , Araújo Francisca Soares de , Martins Fernando Roberto
Published: February 2014

A catalogue is presented of plant names in use in the Caatinga Phytogeographical Domain (CPD), the largest semiarid ecoregion of South America. We compiled all pubished papers we could locate with floristic and/or phytosociological data relating to the CPD and created a database of all site-based surveys, all names reported in these surveys and the basic ecological data associated with each species. We then mapped the names used in survey reports to those currently accepted in Brazil, consulting specialists to resolve taxonomic and nomenclatural issues before synthesizing the data in order to present here a list of all names in use. Thus this compilation represents the taxonomic data in use by generalist botanists on a sub continental scale. Synthesizing the previously dispersed ecological data available for the species, we explored general ecological patterns in the CPD. We also classified each survey as documenting the flora of a specific type of environment within the CPD and compared the general floristic resemblance between different environments within CPD on a biogeographical scale. Rarefaction curves and species richness estimator indices were employed in order to address the question as to whether or not the Caatinga Phytogeographical Domain can be described as well-sampled. To date over 1700 species have been reported in site-based floristic and phytosociological studies in the CPD. Most surveys focused only on woody plants, ignoring the non woody component, but we show here that a large proportion of the plant biodiversity in the Caatinga is comprised of non woody plants. We estimate that 40% of the existing species were not sampled by site-based surveys. Moreover, most of the species in our database were recorded from a single site, while a few species were considered widespread. When comparing the number of widespread species in our dataset to results published for the cerrado savannas, we show that species in Caatinga seems to have a much more restricted distribution than plants in the Cerrado. We present here a catalogue of all plant names recorded and discuss sampling and geographical issues related to the floristic study of Caatinga.
New record and redescription of the monotypic genus Comefulvius Carvalho & Carpintero, 1985 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae: Cylapinae)
Authors: Chérot Frédéric , Carpintero Diego L. , Wolski Andrzej
Published: February 2014

Comefulvius chingonus Carvalho & Carpintero, the only representative of the genus Comefulvius, previously known only from Córdoba Province, Argentina, is recorded from Ecuador. Redescription of Comefulvius is given along with color photographs of the adult and illustrations of the male genitalia.
DES daughters in France: experts' points of view on the various genital, uterine and obstetric pathologies, and in utero DES exposure
Authors: Clement R , Guilbaud E , Barrios L , Rougé-Maillart C , Jousset N , Rodat O
Published: February 2014

Background

Compensation of diethylstilbestrol exposure depends on the judicial system. In France, girls having been exposed to diethylstilbestrol are currently being compensated, and each exposure victim is being evaluated. Fifty-nine expert evaluations were studied to determine the causal relation between exposure to diethylstilbestrol and the pathologies attributable to diethylstilbestrol.

Methods

The following were taken into consideration: age at the first signs of the pathology; age of the sufferer at the time of evaluation; the pathologies grouped into five categories: fertility disorders – cancers – mishaps during pregnancy – psychosomatic complaints – pathologies of “3rd generation DES victims”; submission of proof of DES exposure; the degree of causality determined (direct, indirect, ruled out).

Results

61% of the cases related to fertility disorders, 28.8% to cancer pathologies (clear-cell adenocarcinoma), 18.6% to mishaps during pregnancy, 8.5% to disorders resulting from preterm delivery, and 3.4% to psychosomatic disorders. Some cases involved a combination of two types of complaints. Indirect causality was determined in 47.1% of the cases involving primary sterility, in 66.7% involving secondary sterility, and in 5 out of 6 cases of total sterility. There is direct causality between in utero diethylstilbestrol exposure and vaginal or cervical clear cell adenocarcinoma. Causality is indirect in the case of disorders linked to prematurity in third generation victims.

Conclusion

Causality was determined by the experts on the basis of scientific criteria which attribute the presenting pathologies to diethylstilbestrol exposure. When other risk factors come into play, or when exposure is indirect (third generation), this causality is diminished.
Nonresponse Bias in Randomized Controlled Experiments in Criminology
Authors: Antrobus Emma , Elffers Henk , White Gentry , Mazerolle Lorraine
Published: February 2014

Objectives:

The goal of this article is to examine whether or not the results of the Queensland Community Engagement Trial (QCET)—a randomized controlled trial that tested the impact of procedural justice policing on citizen attitudes toward police—were affected by different types of nonresponse bias.

Method:

We use two methods (Cochrane and Elffers methods) to explore nonresponse bias: First, we assess the impact of the low response rate by examining the effects of nonresponse group differences between the experimental and control conditions and pooled variance under different scenarios. Second, we assess the degree to which item response rates are influenced by the control and experimental conditions.

Results:

Our analysis of the QCET data suggests that our substantive findings are not influenced by the low response rate in the trial. The results are robust even under extreme conditions, and statistical significance of the results would only be compromised in cases where the pooled variance was much larger for the nonresponse group and the difference between experimental and control conditions was greatly diminished. We also find that there were no biases in the item response rates across the experimental and control conditions.

Conclusion:

RCTs that involve field survey responses—like QCET—are potentially compromised by low response rates and how item response rates might be influenced by the control or experimental conditions. Our results show that the QCET results were not sensitive to the overall low response rate across the experimental and control conditions and the item response rates were not significantly different across the experimental and control groups. Overall, our analysis suggests that the results of QCET are robust and any biases in the survey responses do not significantly influence the main experimental findings.
Theoretical Foundations of an Anti-Racist Queer Feminist Historical Materialism
Authors: Camfield David
Published: February 2014

Bringing together Karl Marx’s key intellectual contributions and the best of contemporary anti-racist (critical race) queer feminism is a promising direction for critical social theory. Important studies exist that use this approach. However, its theoretical foundations have not been adequately clarified or elucidated; this article attempts to do so. The proposed anti-racist queer feminist historical materialism rethinks Marx’s materialist conception of history and theory of the capitalist mode of production through the more expansive conceptions of social reality offered by anti-racist queer feminism while simultaneously reworking the latter contributions through Marx’s critical materialism and particular attention to historical specificity and social form.
How do libraries manage the ethical and privacy issues of RFID implementation? A qualitative investigation into the decision-making processes of ten libraries
Authors: Ferguson Stuart , Thornley Clare , Gibb Forbes
Published: February 2014

This paper explores how library managers go about implementing RFID (radio frequency identification) technology and particularly how associated privacy issues have been managed. The research methodology consisted of a literature review, theme identification, interview scheduling, interviews and interview analysis. The sample was 10 libraries or library networks and 18 participants. Findings covered the main drivers of RFID development, perceived benefits, tag data, data security, levels of ethical concern, public consultation, potential impact of technological developments on ethical issues, and managers’ sources of ethical decision making. Analysis of potential ethical issues was not found to be a central part of the process of implementing RFID technology in the libraries. The study sees RFID implementation as an informative example of current practice in the implementation of new technologies in libraries and suggests that we look at management structures and decision-making processes to clarify where responsibility for ethical considerations should lie.
Association of extended interleukin-10 promoter haplotypes with disease susceptibility and manifestations in German patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Schotte H , Willeke P , Becker H , Poggemeyer J , Gaubitz M , Schmidt H , Schlüter B
Published: February 2014

Objectives

Associations of interleukin-10 (IL-10) promoter single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and their haplotypes with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are unclear. We extended the analysis of established proximal IL-10 promoter haplotypes to a more distal SNP with functional capacity.

Methods

Two hundred and ten German caucasian SLE patients fulfilling the ACR criteria and 160 ethnically, age and sex matched controls were genotyped for IL-10 −2849 G > A, −1082 A > G, −819 T > C and −592 C > A. Haplotypes were reconstructed via a mathematical model, then allele and haplotype distributions were compared between patients and controls and patients with different disease manifestations.

Results

We detected at −2849, −1082, −819 and −592 the four predominant haplotypes GGCC (22% in patients vs. 29% in controls), AGCC (24% vs. 21%), GACC (30% vs. 25%) and GATA (24% vs. 24%). GGCC was underrepresented in SLE patients, suggesting a protective effect (odds ratio (OR) 0.67, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.48–0.94). AGCC was found significantly more frequently in patients with pathognomonic anti-dsDNA antibodies (26% vs. 15%; OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.04–3.75). As compared to patients with glomerulonephritis type V (WHO classification), the presumptive IL-10 high producer allele −2849 G was found significantly more often in patients with GN type III/IV (93% vs. 60%; OR 8.7, 95% CI 1.59–47.15).

Conclusion

Our data confirm that the complexity of the IL-10 promoter evokes the need for a meticulous analysis of its haplotypic structure in order to specify disease associations, particularly under functional aspects, thereby shedding light on the pathophysiology of SLE.
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura-hemolytic uremic syndrome in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients on high-dose interferon β
Authors: Larochelle Catherine , Grand’maison François , Bernier Gilles P , Latour Mathieu , Cailhier Jean-François , Prat Alexandre
Published: February 2014

Three women aged 34–47 years old, on high dose interferon beta-1a for relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis, were hospitalized between 2009–2012 for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura-hemolytic uremic syndrome. Patients sought medical attention for neurological symptoms including cephalalgia, blurred vision, confusion, focal deficits and seizures. All patients presented thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia and arterial hypertension. Despite plasma exchanges, corticosteroids and anti-CD20 treatments, all patients progressed towards severe renal insufficiency and one patient died of hemorrhagic shock. In this report we identify a rare but morbid complication of interferon beta-1a treatment associated with female gender, Caucasian background and low body mass index.
Temperament and character as endophenotype in adults with autism spectrum disorders or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Sizoo Bram B , van der Gaag Rutger Jan , van den Brink Wim
Published: February 2014

Autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder overlap in several ways, raising questions about the nature of this comorbidity. Rommelse et al. published an innovative review of candidate endophenotypes for autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in cognitive and brain domains. They found that all the endophenotypic impairments that were reviewed in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder were also present in autism spectrum disorder, suggesting a continuity model with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder as “a light form of autism spectrum disorder.” Using existing data, 75 adults with autism spectrum disorder and 53 with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder were directly compared on autistic symptoms with the autism spectrum quotient, and on the endophenotypic measure of temperament and character, using the Abbreviated (Dutch: Verkorte) Temperament and Character Inventory. Based on the hypothesis that attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder are disorders on a continuous spectrum, autism spectrum quotient scores and abbreviated Temperament and Character Inventory scores were expected to be different from normal controls in both disorders in a similar direction. In addition, the autism spectrum quotient and abbreviated Temperament and Character Inventory scores were expected to be closely correlated. These conditions applied to only two of the seven Abbreviated Temperament and Character Inventory scales (harm avoidance and self-directedness), suggesting that temperament and character as an endophenotype of autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder provides only partial support for the continuity hypothesis of autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Consumption as common sense: Heteronormative hegemony and white wedding desire
Authors: Arend Patricia
Published: February 2014

The white wedding remains the most popular marriage ritual in the United States despite significant social change since its inception. Current research on this phenomenon focuses primarily on the influence of mass media, including advertising that socializes women and girls. I argue that while important, mass media alone cannot explain why many women want to have a white wedding. Drawing from data gathered primarily with survey research and free association narrative interviews, this article examines the white wedding desires of women who experience them as common sense. I use Ludwig’s concept of heteronormative hegemony to provide a more thorough account of both gendered subject formation and white wedding desire. In this analysis, women’s social consumption of mass media, embodiment of gendered habitus as taste and ritualized conversations with other women are particularly salient.
Facilitating independence: The benefits of a post-diagnostic support project for people with dementia
Authors: Kelly Fiona , Innes Anthea
Published: February 2014

Providing support in the form of information, advice and access to services or social events is promoted as beneficial for people newly diagnosed with dementia and their families. This paper reports on key findings from an evaluation of a post-diagnostic support pilot project in Scotland addressing local service gaps, namely information provision, emotional and practical support and maintaining community links. Twenty-seven participants (14 people newly diagnosed with dementia and 13 family carers) were interviewed at two time points: T1 shortly after joining the pilot project and T2 approximately six months later, to ascertain their views on existing services and the support offered by the pilot project. A comparative thematic analysis revealed that the project facilitated increased independence (associated with increased motivation and self-confidence) of people with dementia. The project illustrates what can be achieved if resources are targeted at providing individualised post-diagnostic support, particularly where there are service delivery gaps.
Inconsistent measurement of acute coronary syndrome patients’ pre-hospital delay in research: A review of the literature
Authors: Mackay Martha H , Ratner Pamela A , Nguyen Michelle , Percy Myra , Galdas Paul , Grunau Gilat
Published: February 2014

Background:

Patients’ treatment-seeking delay remains a significant barrier to timely initiation of reperfusion therapy. Measurement of treatment-seeking delay is central to the large body of research that has focused on pre-hospital delay (PHD), which is primarily patient-related. This research has aimed to quantify PHD and its effects on morbidity and mortality, identify contributing factors, and evaluate interventions to reduce such delay. A definite time of symptom onset in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is essential for determining delay, but difficult to establish. This literature review aimed to explore the variety of operational definitions of both PHD and symptom onset in published research.

Methods and results:

We reviewed the English-language literature from 1998–2013 for operational definitions of PHD and symptom onset. Of 626 papers of possible interest, 175 were deemed relevant. Ninety-seven percent reported a delay time and 84% provided an operational definition of PHD. Three definitions predominated: (a) symptom onset to decision to seek help (18%); (b) symptom onset to hospital arrival (67%), (c) total delay, incorporating two or more intervals (11%). Of those that measured delay, 8% provided a definition of which symptoms triggered the start of timing.

Conclusion:

We found few and variable operational definitions of PHD, despite American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association recommendations to report specific intervals. Worryingly, definitions of symptom onset, the most elusive component of PHD to establish, are uncommon. We recommend that researchers (a) report two PHD delay intervals (onset to decision to seek care, and decision to seek care to hospital arrival), and (b) develop, validate and use a definition of symptom onset. This will increase clarity and confidence in the conclusions from, and comparisons within and between studies.
Fault diagnosis and prognosis with partially observed stochastic Petri nets
Authors: Lefebvre Dimitri
Published: February 2014

This article concerns fault diagnosis and prognosis for stochastic discrete event systems. For this purpose, partially observed stochastic Petri nets are introduced that include the sensors used to measure events and markings and the Markovian stochastic dynamics used to represent failure processes. Timed observation sequences result from this modeling, and the probabilities of timed and untimed marking trajectories consistent with a given timed observation sequence are systematically computed. Diagnosis in terms of fault probability is obtained as a consequence and compared with the belief of faults that is usually used for diagnosis issues. Confidence factors based on fault probabilities are also proposed. Finally, state estimation and fault prediction are investigated, and probability of future faults is obtained as a consequence. An application case is studied to illustrate the method.
A pilot observational study of hydrogen peroxide and alcohol for disinfection of privacy curtains contaminated by MRSA, VRE and Clostridium difficile
Authors: Sood Geetika , Huber Kerri , Dam Lisa , Zenilman Jonathan , Riedel Stefan
Published: February 2014

Privacy curtains, frequently used in hospitals to separate patient care areas may have an important role in the transmission of healthcare-associated pathogens. In this pilot study, we inoculated curtain swatches with suspensions of clinical specimens of meticillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE), and Clostridium difficile before using a gloved hand to touch the inoculated curtain swatch and transfer to clean agar plates. Three different commonly used disinfectants were then sprayed onto these swatches before using a clean gloved hand to touch the swatch and transfer onto new agar plates. All plates were incubated at 35°C for 24 and 72 h. Bacterial growth before and after disinfection was assessed and compared. 3.1% hydrogen peroxide effectively eliminated transfer of C. difficile, MRSA and VRE from inoculated curtains.
Electroablation: a method for neurectomy and localized tissue injury
Authors: Moya-Díaz José , Peña Oscar A , Sánchez Mario , Ureta Daniela A , Reynaert Nicole G , Anguita-Salinas Consuelo , Marín Gonzalo , Allende Miguel L
Published: February 2014

Background

Tissue injury has been employed to study diverse biological processes such as regeneration and inflammation. In addition to physical or surgical based methods for tissue injury, current protocols for localized tissue damage include laser and two-photon wounding, which allow a high degree of accuracy, but are expensive and difficult to apply. In contrast, electrical injury is a simple and inexpensive technique, which allows reproducible and localized cell or tissue damage in a variety of contexts.

Results

We describe a novel technique that combines the advantages of zebrafish for in vivo visualization of cells with those of electrical injury methods in a simple and versatile protocol which allows the study of regeneration and inflammation. The source of the electrical pulse is a microelectrode that can be placed with precision adjacent to specific cells expressing fluorescent proteins. We demonstrate the use of this technique in zebrafish larvae by damaging different cell types and structures. Neurectomy can be carried out in peripheral nerves or in the spinal cord allowing the study of degeneration and regeneration of nerve fibers. We also apply this method for the ablation of single lateral line mechanosensory neuromasts, showing the utility of this approach as a tool for the study of organ regeneration. In addition, we show that electrical injury induces immune cell recruitment to damaged tissues, allowing in vivo studies of leukocyte dynamics during inflammation within a confined and localized injury. Finally, we show that it is possible to apply electroablation as a method of tissue injury and inflammation induction in adult fish.

Conclusions

Electrical injury using a fine microelectrode can be used for axotomy of neurons, as a general tissue ablation tool and as a method to induce a powerful inflammatory response. We demonstrate its utility to studies in both larvae and in adult zebrafish but we expect that this technique can be readily applied to other organisms as well. We have called this method of electrical based tissue ablation, electroablation.
Continuous retinoic acid induces the differentiation of mature regulatory monocytes but fails to induce regulatory dendritic cells
Authors: VanGundy Zachary C , Guerau-de-Arellano Mireia , Baker Julie D , Strange Heather R , Olivo-Marston Susan , Muth Dillon C , Papenfuss Tracey L
Published: February 2014

Background

Myeloid cells (MC) have potent immunoregulatory abilities that can be therapeutically useful to treat inflammatory disease. However, the factors which promote regulatory myeloid cell differentiation remain poorly understood. We have previously shown that estriol (E3) induces mature regulatory dendritic cellsin vivo. To determine whether additional steroid hormones could induce mature regulatory myeloid cells, we investigated the effects of retinoic acid (RA) on MCs. Retinoic acid is a steroid hormone important in regulating mucosal immunity in the gut and promoting myeloid differentiation. We hypothesized that the presence of RA during differentiation would promote the formation of mature regulatory myeloid cells (MCregs).

Methods

To determine RA’s ability to induce regulatory myeloid cells, we differentiated bone marrow progenitor cells with granulocytic-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) under the influence of RA. We found that day 7 MCs differentiated in the presence of RA had an increase in the percent positive and relative expression levels of both maturation (CD80, CD86, and MHCII) and inhibitory (PD-L1 and PD-L2) markers compared to control cells. Functionally, these day 7 RA MCs expressed increased intracellular IL-10, induced regulatory T cellsin vitrocompared to controls and suppressed the proliferation of responder immune cells even after inflammatory challenge with LPS.

Conclusion

RA induced mature regulatory myeloid cells that were suppressive and had a CD11b+ CD11c-Ly6Clow/intermediatemonocyte phenotype. Surprisingly, RA CD11c+dendritic cells were not suppressive and could contribute to enhanced proliferation. These results suggest that continuous RA has unique effects on different myeloid populations during monopoeisis and dendropoiesis and promotes a population of regulatory monocytes.
Fenofibrate induces apoptosis of triple-negative breast cancer cells via activation of NF-κB pathway
Authors: Li Ting , Zhang Qunling , Zhang Jian , Yang Gong , Shao Zhimin , Luo Jianmin , Fan Minhao , Ni Chen , Wu Zhenhua , Hu Xichun
Published: February 2014

Background

There are a lot of unmet needs in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Fenofibrate, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α) agonist, has been used for decades to treat hypertriglyceridaemia and mixed dyslipidaemia. Recent studies show that it might have anti-tumor effects, however, the mechanism remains unclear. Here, we assessed the ability of fenofibrate to induce apoptosis of TNBC in vitro and in vivo and explored involved mechanisms.

Methods

MTT method was used to evaluate the anti-proliferation effect of fenofibrate, and invert microscope to observe the apoptotic morphological changes. The percentage of apoptotic cells and distribution ratios of cell cycle were determined by flow cytometric analysis. The related protein levels were measured by Western blot method. The changes of genes and pathways were detected by gene expression profiling. The tumor growth in vivo was assessed by MDA-MB-231 xenograft mouse model. Terminal deoxytransferase-catalyzed DNA nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay was employed to estimate the percentage of apoptotic cells in vivo. In order to evaluate the safety of fenofibrate, blood sampled from rat eyes was detected.

Results

We found that fenofibrate had anti-proliferation effects on breast cancer cell lines, of which the first five most sensitive ones were all TNBC cell lines. Its induction of apoptosis was independent on PPAR-α status with the highest apoptosis percentage of 41.8 ± 8.8%, and it occurred in a time- and dose-dependent manner accompanied by up-regulation of Bad, down-regulation of Bcl-xl, Survivin and activation of caspase-3. Interestingly, activation of NF-κB pathway played an important role in the induction of apoptosis by fenofibtate and the effect could be almost totally blocked by a NF-κB specific inhibitor, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC). In addition, fenofibrate led to cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase accompanied by down-regulation of Cyclin D1, Cdk4 and up-regulation of p21, p27/Kip1. In vivo, fenofibrate slowed down tumor growth and induced apoptosis with a good safety profile in the MDA-MB-231 xengograft mouse model.

Conclusions

It is concluded that fenofibrate induces apoptosis of TNBC via activation of NF-κB pathway in a PPAR-α independent way, and may serve as a novel therapeutic drug for TNBC therapy.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of homicide recidivism and Schizophrenia
Authors: Golenkov Andrei , Nielssen Olav , Large Matthew
Published: February 2014

Background

The aim of this study was to estimate the proportion of homicide recidivists among population studies of homicide offenders with schizophrenia.

Methods

Systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies of homicide associated with schizophrenia conducted in defined populations and indexed in Medline, PsychINFO, or Embase between January 1960 and November 2013. Published data was supplemented with unpublished data about recidivism obtained by personal communication from the authors of published studies of homicide and schizophrenia. Random effects meta-analysis was used to calculate a pooled estimate of the proportion of homicide recidivists.

Results

Three studies reported that 4.3%, 4.5%, and 10.7% of homicide offenders with schizophrenia had committed an earlier homicide. Unpublished data were obtained from the authors of 11 studies of homicide in schizophrenia published in English between 1980 and 2013. The authors of 2 studies reported a single case of homicide recidivism and the authors of 9 studies reported no cases. The rates of homicide recidivism between studies were highly heterogeneous (I-square = 79). The pooled estimate of the proportion of homicide offenders with schizophrenia who had committed an earlier homicide was 2.3% (95% CI (Confidence Interval) 0.07% to 7.2%), a figure that was not reported in any individual study. The pooled proportion of homicide recidivists from published reports was more than ten times greater (8.6%, 95% CI 5.7%-12.9%) than the pooled proportion of homicide recidivists estimated from data provided by personal communication (0.06%, 95% CI 0.02% to 1.8%).

Conclusions

In most jurisdictions, homicide recidivism by people with schizophrenia is less common than published reports have suggested. The reasons for the variation in the rates of homicide recidivism between studies are unclear, although in most jurisdictions long-term secure treatment and supervision after release appears to be effective in preventing homicide recidivism. A prospective study conducted in a large population or in multiple jurisdictions over a long period of time might result in a more accurate estimate the risk of a second homicide by a person with schizophrenia.
New tools for evaluating LQAS survey designs
Authors: Hund Lauren
Published: February 2014

Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) surveys have become increasingly popular in global health care applications. Incorporating Bayesian ideas into LQAS survey design, such as using reasonable prior beliefs about the distribution of an indicator, can improve the selection of design parameters and decision rules. In this paper, a joint frequentist and Bayesian framework is proposed for evaluating LQAS classification accuracy and informing survey design parameters. Simple software tools are provided for calculating the positive and negative predictive value of a design with respect to an underlying coverage distribution and the selected design parameters. These tools are illustrated using a data example from two consecutive LQAS surveys measuring Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) preparation. Using the survey tools, the dependence of classification accuracy on benchmark selection and the width of the ‘grey region’ are clarified in the context of ORS preparation across seven supervision areas. Following the completion of an LQAS survey, estimation of the distribution of coverage across areas facilitates quantifying classification accuracy and can help guide intervention decisions.
ARA 290, a Peptide Derived from the Tertiary Structure of Erythropoietin, Produces Long-Term Relief of Neuropathic Pain Coupled with Suppression of the Spinal Microglia Response
Authors: Swartjes Maarten , van Velzen Monique , Niesters Marieke , Aarts Leon , Brines Michael , Dunne Ann , Cerami Anthony , Dahan Albert
Published: February 2014

Background:

Neuropathic pain is a difficult to treat disorder arising from central or peripheral nervous system lesions. The etiology of neuropathic pain consists of several overlapping pathways converging into an exaggerated pain state with symptoms such as allodynia and hyperalgesia. One of these pathways involves activation of spinal cord microglia and astrocytes, which drive and maintain the inflammatory response following the lesion. These cells are a potential target for drugs for neuropathic pain relief. In this current study, we investigated the dose-effect relationship of the tissue protective peptide ARA 290, derived from the tertiary structure of erythropoietin, on allodynia and concurrent spinal cord microglia and astrocytes.

Results:

Following a spared nerve injury in rats, vehicle or ARA290 (administered in either one of 4 doses: 3, 10, 30 and 60 μg/kg) was administered on days 1, 3, 6, 8 and 10. ARA290 exerted a dose-response effect by significantly reducing mechanical allodynia up to 20 weeks when compared to vehicle. The reduction of cold allodynia was significant up to 20 weeks for the doses 3, 10, 30 and 60 μg/kg when compared to vehicle. The effect 10 and 30 μg/kg ARA290 and vehicle on the microglia response (iba-1-immunoreactivity, iba-1-IR) and astrocyte reaction (GFAP-immunoreactivity, GFAP-IR) was investigated in animals surviving 2 (group 1) or 20 (group 2) weeks following lesion or sham surgery. In group 1, significant microglia reactivity was observed in the L5 segment of the spinal cord of animals treated with vehicle when compared to sham operated, while animals treated with 10 or 30 μg/kg did not show a increase. In group 2, a more widespread and increased microglia reactivity was observed for animals treated with 0 and 10 μg/kg when compared to sham operated animals, indicated by involvement of more spinal cord segments and higher iba-1-IR. Animals treated with 30 μg/kg did not show increased microglia reactivity. No difference in astrocyte reaction was observed.

Conclusions:

The erythropoietin-analogue ARA290 dose-dependently reduced allodynia coupled to suppression of the spinal microglia response, suggestive of a mechanistic link between ARA290-induced suppression of central inflammation and relief of neuropathic pain symptoms.
Comparing in-person and webinar delivery of an immunization quality improvement program: a process evaluation of the adolescent AFIX trial
Authors: Gilkey Melissa B , Moss Jennifer L , Roberts Alyssa J , Dayton Amanda M , Grimshaw Amy H , Brewer Noel T
Published: February 2014

Background

Immunization quality improvement programs are often limited by the cost and inconvenience associated with delivering face-to-face consultations to primary care providers. To investigate a more efficient mode of intervention delivery, we conducted a process evaluation that compared in-person consultations to those delivered via interactive webinar.

Methods

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Assessment, Feedback, Incentives, and eXchange (AFIX) Program is an immunization quality improvement program implemented in all 50 states. In 2011, we randomly assigned 61 high-volume primary care clinics in North Carolina to receive an in-person or webinar AFIX consultation focused on adolescent immunization. We used surveys of participating vaccine providers and expense tracking logs to evaluate delivery modes on participation, satisfaction, and cost. Clinics served 71,874 patients, ages 11 to 18.

Results

Clinics that received in-person and webinar consultations reported similar levels of participation on key programmatic activities with one exception: more webinar clinics reported improving documentation of previously administered, ‘historical’ vaccine doses. Both in-person and webinar clinics showed sustained improvement in confidence to use reminder/recall systems (both p < 0.05). Participants rated delivery modes equally highly on satisfaction measures such as convenience (mean = 4.6 of 5.0). Delivery cost per clinic was $152 for in-person consultations versus $100 for webinar consultations.

Conclusions

In-person and webinar delivery modes were both well received, but webinar AFIX consultations cost substantially less. Interactive webinar delivery shows promise for considerably extending the reach of immunization quality improvement programs.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01544764
How skilled immigration may improve economic equality
Authors: Kahanec Martin , Zimmermann Klaus F
Published: February 2014

Mobile workers involve flows of labor and human capital and contribute to a moreefficient allocation of resources. However, migration also changes relative wages,alters the distribution of skills and affects equality in the receiving society. Thepaper suggests that skilled immigration promotes economic equality in advancedeconomies under standard conditions. This is discussed and theoretically derived in acore model, and empirically supported using unique data from the WIID database andOECD.

JEL codes

D33; E25; F22; J15; J61; O15
The H3K4 methyltransferase Setd1a is first required at the epiblast stage, whereas Setd1b becomes essential after gastrulation
Authors: Bledau Anita S. , Schmidt Kerstin , Neumann Katrin , Hill Undine , Ciotta Giovanni , Gupta Ashish , Torres Davi Coe , Fu Jun , Kranz Andrea , Stewart A. Francis , Anastassiadis Konstantinos
Published: February 2014

Histone 3 lysine 4 (H3K4) methylation is a universal epigenetic mark. In mammals, there are six H3K4 methyltransferases related to yeast Set1 and fly Trithorax, including two orthologs of Set1: Setd1a and Setd1b. Here we show that mouse Setd1a is required for gastrulation, whereas Setd1b-deficient embryos survive to E11.5 but are grossly retarded. Setd1a knockout embryos implant but do not proceed past the epiblast. Furthermore, Setd1a is not required until the inner cell mass has formed, at which stage it has replaced Mll2 as the major H3K4 methyltransferase. Setd1a is required for embryonic, epiblast and neural stem cell survival and neural stem cell reprogramming, whereas Setd1b is dispensable. Deletion of Setd1a in embryonic stem cells resulted in rapid losses of bulk H3K4 methylation, pluripotency gene expression and proliferation, with G1 pileup. Setd1b overexpression could not rescue the proliferation defects caused by loss of Setd1a in embryonic stem cells. The precise developmental requirement for Setd1a suggests that gastrulation is regulated by a switch between the major H3K4 methyltransferases.
Embryonic bauplans and the developmental origins of facial diversity and constraint
Authors: Young Nathan M. , Hu Diane , Lainoff Alexis J. , Smith Francis J. , Diaz Raul , Tucker Abigail S. , Trainor Paul A. , Schneider Richard A. , Hallgrímsson Benedikt , Marcucio Ralph S.
Published: February 2014

A central issue in biology concerns the presence, timing and nature of phylotypic periods of development, but whether, when and why species exhibit conserved morphologies remains unresolved. Here, we construct a developmental morphospace to show that amniote faces share a period of reduced shape variance and convergent growth trajectories from prominence formation through fusion, after which phenotypic diversity sharply increases. We predict in silico the phenotypic outcomes of unoccupied morphospaces and experimentally validate in vivo that observed convergence is not due to developmental limits on variation but instead from selection against novel trajectories that result in maladaptive facial clefts. These results illustrate how epigenetic factors such as organismal geometry and shape impact facial morphogenesis and alter the locus of adaptive selection to variation in later developmental events.
Molecular identification of venous progenitors in the dorsal aorta reveals an aortic origin for the cardinal vein in mammals
Authors: Lindskog Henrik , Kim Yung Hae , Jelin Eric B. , Kong Yupeng , Guevara-Gallardo Salvador , Kim Tyson N. , Wang Rong A.
Published: February 2014

Coordinated arterial-venous differentiation is crucial for vascular development and function. The origin of the cardinal vein (CV) in mammals is unknown, while conflicting theories have been reported in chick and zebrafish. Here, we provide the first molecular characterization of endothelial cells (ECs) expressing venous molecular markers, or venous-fated ECs, within the emergent dorsal aorta (DA). These ECs, expressing the venous molecular markers Coup-TFII and EphB4, cohabited the early DA with ECs expressing the arterial molecular markers ephrin B2, Notch and connexin 40. These mixed ECs in the early DA expressed either the arterial or venous molecular marker, but rarely both. Subsequently, the DA exhibited uniform arterial markers. Real-time imaging of mouse embryos revealed EC movement from the DA to the CV during the stage when venous-fated ECs occupied the DA. We analyzed mutants for EphB4, which encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase for the ephrin B2 ligand, as we hypothesized that ephrin B2/EphB4 signaling may mediate the repulsion of venous-fated ECs from the DA to the CV. Using an EC quantification approach, we discovered that venous-fated ECs increased in the DA and decreased in the CV in the mutants, whereas the rest of the ECs in each vessel were unaffected. This result suggests that the venous-fated ECs were retained in the DA and missing in the CV in the EphB4 mutant, and thus that ephrin B2/EphB4 signaling normally functions to clear venous-fated ECs from the DA to the CV by cell repulsion. Therefore, our cellular and molecular evidence suggests that the DA harbors venous progenitors that move to participate in CV formation, and that ephrin B2/EphB4 signaling regulates this aortic contribution to the mammalian CV.
Trithorax monomethylates histone H3K4 and interacts directly with CBP to promote H3K27 acetylation and antagonize Polycomb silencing
Authors: Tie Feng , Banerjee Rakhee , Saiakhova Alina R. , Howard Benny , Monteith Kelsey E. , Scacheri Peter C. , Cosgrove Michael S. , Harte Peter J.
Published: February 2014

Trithorax (TRX) antagonizes epigenetic silencing by Polycomb group (PcG) proteins, stimulates enhancer-dependent transcription, and establishes a ‘cellular memory’ of active transcription of PcG-regulated genes. The mechanisms underlying these TRX functions remain largely unknown, but are presumed to involve its histone H3K4 methyltransferase activity. We report that the SET domains of TRX and TRX-related (TRR) have robust histone H3K4 monomethyltransferase activity in vitro and that Tyr3701 of TRX and Tyr2404 of TRR prevent them from being trimethyltransferases. The trxZ11 missense mutation (G3601S), which abolishes H3K4 methyltransferase activity in vitro, reduces the H3K4me1 but not the H3K4me3 level in vivo. trxZ11 also suppresses the impaired silencing phenotypes of the Pc3 mutant, suggesting that H3K4me1 is involved in antagonizing Polycomb silencing. Polycomb silencing is also antagonized by TRX-dependent H3K27 acetylation by CREB-binding protein (CBP). We show that perturbation of Polycomb silencing by TRX overexpression requires CBP. We also show that TRX and TRR are each physically associated with CBP in vivo, that TRX binds directly to the CBP KIX domain, and that the chromatin binding patterns of TRX and TRR are highly correlated with CBP and H3K4me1 genome-wide. In vitro acetylation of H3K27 by CBP is enhanced on K4me1-containing H3 substrates, and independently altering the H3K4me1 level in vivo, via the H3K4 demethylase LSD1, produces concordant changes in H3K27ac. These data indicate that the catalytic activities of TRX and CBP are physically coupled and suggest that both activities play roles in antagonizing Polycomb silencing, stimulating enhancer activity and cellular memory.
Maximum polyphyly: Multiple origins and delimitation with plesiomorphic characters require a new circumscription of Minuartia (Caryophyllaceae)
Authors: Dillenberger Markus S. , Kadereit Joachim W.
Published: February 2014

Minuartia is one of the larger genera of Caryophyllaceae with about 175 species distributed mainly in the Northern Hemisphere. The taxonomy of the genus has been studied by several authors, resulting in the recognition of numerous infrageneric groups. Previous phylogenies of the Caryophyllaceae showed that Minuartia is polyphyletic, but included only a limited sample of the genus. We here provide a molecular phylogeny of Minuartia including all infrageneric groups recognized in the last revision of the genus. We reconstructed the phylogeny of the genus using DNA sequences of nrITS and plastid matK from 160 ingroup and 105 outgroup samples. The evolution of the morphological character relevant for the delimitation of Minuartia (three styles plus three capsule valves/teeth) was reconstructed. Minuartiahas been defined with a plesiomorphic character and is highly polyphyletic. All four subgenera fall into different lineages containing other genera of the family, and M. subg. Minuartia, as by far the largest subgenus, falls into seven clades, which together do not form a monophylum. These clades are closely related to several other genera, e.g., Sagina, Colobanthus and Scleranthus. In several cases taxonomic groups below subgeneric rank are monophyletic. The type of Minuartia, M. dichotoma, is part of a clade containing M. sect. Plurinerviae and sect. Minuartia. We propose to retain this clade as Minuartia s.str. and to transfer the other species of Minuartia to the genera Cherleria, Eremogone, Facchinia, Mcneillia, Minuartiella, Mononeuria, Pseudocherleria, Rhodalsine, Sabulina and Triplateia.
A molecular phylogeny reveals paraphyly of the large genus Eulophia (Orchidaceae): A case for the reinstatement of Orthochilus
Authors: Martos Florent , Johnson Steven D. , Peter Craig I. , Bytebier Benny
Published: February 2014

Phylogenetic relationships were inferred for the African‐centred orchid subtribe Eulophiinae, which includes the large genus Eulophia and three closely related genera, Oeceoclades, Pteroglossaspis and Acrolophia. We sequenced one nuclear (ITS) and four chloroplast (rbcL, trnK‐matK, rpl32‐trnL, trnQ‐5′ rps16) markers for 86 samples, representing 58 species (62 taxa) and one outgroup. The combined sequence matrix had 6525 characters and was analysed using parsimony and Bayesian criteria. Our results show that Acrolophia and Oeceoclades are monophyletic but are nested in Eulophia as currently circumscribed, thus rendering it paraphyletic. We argue for retaining Acrolophia and Oeceoclades, and splitting Eulophia into two genera on the basis of evidence that each of these four clades is genetically and morphologically distinct. We propose to reinstate the genus name Orthochilus for one of the Eulophia clades and transfer 35 taxa, including those assigned to Pteroglossaspis, to Orthochilus. Thirty‐two of these are new combinations.
There Is Only One Other: The Fabrication of Antoninus in a Multilayered Talmudic Dialogue
Authors: Naiweld Ron
Published: February 2014

The article examines a mechanism used by the redactors of the Bavli to condense various “others” into a single Other. Its claim is that this mechanism allowed the Bavli redactors to produce the voice of the talmudic Self, thereby contributing to the construction of the artificial “one-voiceness” associated with the Bavli. This is demonstrated through a close analysis of a dialogue between Rabbi and Antoninus in Bavli Sanhedrin 91a–b, which is based in part on earlier materials found in Palestinian compilations from the tannaitic and amoraic periods. The article shows that, whereas in the first part of the text the redactors attribute to Antoninus the role of a dualist thinker, in the last two parts they ascribe him the role of a Hellenistic philosopher. Thus, the figure of Antoninus stands for two types of “others” with which the rabbinic class had to contend – the first type embedded in the reality of the Babylonian redactors, and the second grounded most likely in the reality of Roman Palestine. Both the philosopher and the dualist thinker challenge rabbinic thought, and even though the challenges are different in nature, the Babylonian redaction, whose possible dating ranges from the fourth to the seventh century, unites these two types under the same historical figure of Antoninus.