bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Angiopoietin-2 is Vasoprotective in the Acute Phase of Cerebral Ischemia
Authors: Marteau Léna , Valable Samuel , Divoux Didier , Roussel Simon A , Touzani Omar , MacKenzie Eric T , Bernaudin Myriam , Petit Edwige
Published: December 2012

Most forms of cerebral ischemia are characterized by damage to the entire neurovascular unit, which leads to an increase in the permeability of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). In response to permanent focal cerebral ischemia in mice, we detected an early concomitant increase in the expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a key inducer of vascular leakage and pathological blood vessel growth, and of angiopoietin-2 (Ang2), which is closely associated with VEGF in vascular remodeling. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the role of Ang2 alone, or in combination with VEGF, in the acute phase of cerebral ischemia. The effect of these angiogenic factors on the ischemic lesion volume was evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging. We observed that timely administration of VEGF exacerbates ischemic damage. In contrast, Ang2 decreases the ischemic volume and this beneficial effect is maintained in the presence of VEGF. This investigation reports, for the first time, a protective role of Ang2 following cerebral ischemia, an action associated with a reduced BBB permeability. We propose that Ang2 represents a pertinent molecular target for the treatment of cerebral ischemia since acute brain damage may be limited by a pharmacological protection of the vascular compartment.
Mapping Human Brain Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase Activity with PET
Authors: Rusjan Pablo M , Wilson Alan A , Mizrahi Romina , Boileau Isabelle , Chavez Sofia E , Lobaugh Nancy J , Kish Stephen J , Houle Sylvain , Tong Junchao
Published: December 2012

Endocannabinoid tone has recently been implicated in a number of prevalent neuropsychiatric conditions. [11C]CURB is the first available positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer for imaging fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the enzyme which metabolizes the prominent endocannabinoid anandamide. Here, we sought to determine the most suitable kinetic modeling approach for quantifying [11C]CURB that binds selectively to FAAH. Six healthy volunteers were scanned with arterial blood sampling for 90 minutes. Kinetic parameters were estimated regionally using a one-tissue compartment model (TCM), a 2-TCM with and without irreversible trapping, and an irreversible 3-TCM. The 2-TCM with irreversible trapping provided the best identifiability of PET outcome measures among the approaches studied (coefficient of variation ( COV) of the net influx constant Ki and the composite parameter λ k3 (λ = K1/ k2) <5%, and COV( k3) < 10%). Reducing scan time to 60 minutes did not compromise the identifiability of rate constants. Arterial spin labeling measures of regional cerebral blood flow were only slightly correlated with Ki, but not with k3 or λ k3. Our data suggest that λ k3 is sensitive to changes in FAAH activity, therefore, optimal for PET quantification of FAAH activities with [11C]CURB. Simulations showed that [11C]CURB binding in healthy subjects is far from a flow-limited uptake.
Cerebral Diffusion and T2: MRI Predictors of Acute Mountain Sickness during Sustained High-Altitude Hypoxia
Authors: Hunt John S , Theilmann Rebecca J , Smith Zachary M , Scadeng Miriam , Dubowitz David J
Published: December 2012

Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides a sensitive indicator of cerebral hypoxia. We investigated if apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and transverse relaxation (T2) predict symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS), or merely indicate the AMS phenotype irrespective of symptoms. Fourteen normal subjects were studied in two groups; unambiguous AMS and no-AMS at 3,800 m altitude (intermediate AMS scores were excluded). T2 relaxation was estimated from a T2 index of T2-weighted signal normalized by cerebrospinal fluid signal. Measurements were made in normoxia and repeated after 2 days sustained hypoxia (AMS group symptomatic and no-AMS group asymptomatic) and after 7 days hypoxia (both groups asymptomatic). Decreased ADC directly predicted AMS symptoms ( P < 0.05). Apparent diffusion coefficient increased in asymptomatic subjects, or as symptoms abated with acclimatization. This pattern was similar in basal ganglia, white matter, and gray matter. Corpus callosum behaved differently; restricted diffusion was absent (or rapidly reversed) in the splenium, and was sustained in the genu. In symptomatic subjects, T2,index decreased after 2 days hypoxia and further decreased after 7 days. In asymptomatic subjects, T2,index initially increased after 2 days, but decreased after 7 days. T2,index changes were not predictive of AMS symptoms. These findings indicate that restricted diffusion, an indicator of diminished cerebral energy status, directly predicts symptoms of AMS in humans at altitude.
TRIM39 regulates cell cycle progression and DNA damage responses via stabilizing p21
Authors: Zhang Lei , Mei Yang , Fu Nai-yang , Guan Li , Xie Wei , Liu Hui-hui , Yu Chun-dong , Yin Zhenyu , Yu Victor C. , You Han
Published: December 2012

The biological function of Tripartite Motif 39 (TRIM39) remains largely unknown. In this study, we report that TRIM39 regulates the steady-state levels of p21 and is a pivotal determinant of cell fate. Ablation of TRIM39 leads to destabilization of p21 and increased G1/S transition in unperturbed cells. Furthermore, DNA damage-induced p21 accumulation is completely abolished in cells with depleted TRIM39. As a result, silencing of TRIM39 abrogates the G2 checkpoint induced by genotoxic stress, leading to increased mitotic entry and, ultimately, apoptosis. Importantly, we show p21 is a crucial downstream effector of TRIM39 mediating G1/S transition and DNA damage-induced G2 arrest. Mechanistically, TRIM39 interacts with p21, which subsequently prevents Cdt2 from binding to p21, therefore blocking ubiquitylation and proteasomal degradation of p21 mediated by CRL4
Cdt2
E3 ligase. Strikingly, we found a significant correlation between p21 abundance and TRIM39 expression levels in human hepatocellular carcinoma samples. Our findings identify a causal role for TRIM39 in regulating cell cycle progression and the balance between cytostasis and apoptosis after DNA damage via stabilizing p21.
Trends and Synchrony in Black Bass and Crappie Recruitment in Missouri Reservoirs
Authors: Michaletz Paul H. , Siepker Michael J.
Published: December 2012

Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides, Spotted Bass M. punctulatus, White Crappie Pomoxis annularis, and Black Crappie P. nigromaculatus are popular components of many large reservoir sport fisheries, and a better understanding of these populations and their dynamics would improve our management capabilities. We used long‐term datasets (13–37 years) collected from 15 Missouri reservoirs to assess temporal trends and synchrony in sport fish recruitment by using catch per unit effort of age‐1 (CPUE1) black bass Micropterus spp. during spring electrofishing (N/h) and CPUE1 of crappies Pomoxis spp. during fall trap‐netting (N/net‐night) as our index of recruitment. Although CPUE1 exhibited high interannual variation within a reservoir, time series analysis revealed only two significant trends for each of the black bass species, with all trends indicating increasing recruitment. White Crappie CPUE1 showed abrupt declines in all four reservoirs in the Osage River basin, with these declines occurring in different years in each reservoir. White Crappie CPUE1 in one northern reservoir and Black Crappie CPUE1 in all reservoirs appeared to be increasing over time. Within a species, some regional synchrony in CPUE1 occurred for Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, and Black Crappie but not for Spotted Bass. However, synchrony within a species was not universal and in some cases did not exist even among arms within large reservoirs. With few exceptions, there was little evidence for synchronous recruitment among species; those that occurred were among congeners. The lack of synchrony among black bass and crappie recruitment suggests that management practices designed to improve recruitment of one species may not enhance the recruitment of another species.
FORGETTING DOES (NOT) HURT: Historical Revisionism in Post-Socialist Slovenia
Authors: Luthar Oto
Published: December 2012

After the fall of socialism, besides the attempts to reach national reconciliation, radical reconfigurations and reinterpretations of the past were used to negotiate local, national and transnational identities and strengthen national agendas. In most of the formerly socialist countries, the historical interpretation significantly resembles the struggle over the legitimacy and authenticity of this representation. The author argues that in post-socialist Slovenia instead of the anticipated democratization and break with ideologically predestined historical work after 1989, at least three competing politically contaminated ways of interpreting the past gained momentum: the so-called liberal-conformist position, which insists that we have to look at the future and forget the traumas of the past; the revisionist standpoint which, at least in Slovenia, is the most aggressive one; and the objectivistic approach practiced by most Slovenian historians after 1991. To do that the author investigates how collective memories are mobilized in general, formal and in particular more personalized and/or emotional narratives and traces the changes in Slovenian memorial landscape divided into categories: the authoritarian type, defined by a desire for direct colonization of the interpretation of the past related to the Second World War; the conciliatory type that tries to achieve “reconciliation”; the conflicting type that clashes with the iconography of an existing partisan monument as an alternative interpretation.
Land grabs, government, peasant and civil society activism in the Senegal River Valley
Authors: Koopman Jeanne
Published: December 2012

Following the Briefing in the last issue of ROAPE, this Debates contribution again uses Senegalese evidence to explore the interests and actions of major participants in the struggle to transform African agriculture: government, national elites, peasants and their civil society allies. The first section examines government motivations in facilitating land grabs; the second reviews a seminal land grab case in the Senegal River Valley that illustrates the growing sophistication of the peasant pushback and the emergence of an anti-land grab coalition between civil society and peasant organisations.
High NaCl Concentrations Induce the nod Genes of Rhizobium tropici CIAT899 in the Absence of Flavonoid Inducers
Authors: Guasch-Vidal B. , Estévez J. , Dardanelli M. S. , Soria-Díaz M. E. , de Córdoba F. Fernández , Balog C. I. A. , Manyani H. , Gil-Serrano A. , Thomas-Oates J. , Hensbergen P. J. , Deelder A. M. , Megías M. , van Brussel A. A. N.
Published: December 2012

The nodulation (nod) genes of Rhizobium tropici CIAT899 can be induced by very low concentrations (micromolar to nanomolar range) of several flavonoid molecules secreted by the roots of leguminous plants under a number of different conditions. Some of these conditions have been investigated and appear to have a great influence on the concentration and the number of different Nod factors, which can induce root nodule primordia and pseudonodules in several leguminous plant roots. In one such condition, we added up to 300 mM NaCl to the induction medium of R. tropici CIAT899 containing the nod gene inducer apigenin. At the higher concentrations of NaCl, larger amounts and more different Nod factors were produced than in the absence of extra NaCl. To our surprise, under control conditions (300 mM NaCl without apigenin), some Nod-factor-like spots were also observed on the thin-layer plates used to detect incorporation of radiolabeled glucosamine into newly synthesized Nod factors. This phenomenon was further investigated with thin-layer plates, fusions of nod genes to the lacZ gene, high-performance liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and the formation of pseudonodules on bean roots. Here, we report that, in the absence of flavonoid inducers, high concentrations of NaCl induced nod genes and the production of Nod factors.
Seasonality of meningitis in Africa and climate forcing: aerosols stand out
Authors: Agier L. , Deroubaix A. , Martiny N. , Yaka P. , Djibo A. , Broutin H.
Published: December 2012

Bacterial meningitis is an ongoing threat for the population of the African Meningitis Belt, a region characterized by the highest incidence rates worldwide. The determinants of the disease dynamics are still poorly understood; nevertheless, it is often advocated that climate and mineral dust have a large impact. Over the last decade, several studies have investigated this relationship at a large scale. In this analysis, we scaled down to the district-level weekly scale (which is used for in-year response to emerging epidemics), and used wavelet and phase analysis methods to define and compare the time-varying periodicities of meningitis, climate and dust in Niger. We mostly focused on detecting time-lags between the signals that were consistent across districts. Results highlighted the special case of dust in comparison to wind, humidity or temperature: a strong similarity between districts is noticed in the evolution of the time-lags between the seasonal component of dust and meningitis. This result, together with the assumption of dust damaging the pharyngeal mucosa and easing bacterial invasion, reinforces our confidence in dust forcing on meningitis seasonality. Dust data should now be integrated in epidemiological and forecasting models to make them more realistic and usable in a public health perspective.
How big is an outbreak likely to be? Methods for epidemic final-size calculation
Authors: House Thomas , Ross Joshua V. , Sirl David
Published: December 2012

Epidemic models have become a routinely used tool to inform policy on infectious disease. A particular interest at the moment is the use of computationally intensive inference to parametrize these models. In this context, numerical efficiency is critically important. We consider methods for evaluating the probability mass function of the total number of infections over the course of a stochastic epidemic, with a focus on homogeneous finite populations, but also considering heterogeneous and large populations. Relevant methods are reviewed critically, with existing and novel extensions also presented. We provide code in Matlaband a systematic comparison of numerical efficiency.
The evolution of cooperation by social exclusion
Authors: Sasaki Tatsuya , Uchida Satoshi
Published: December 2012

The exclusion of freeriders from common privileges or public acceptance is widely found in the real world. Current models on the evolution of cooperation with incentives mostly assume peer sanctioning, whereby a punisher imposes penalties on freeriders at a cost to itself. It is well known that such costly punishment has two substantial difficulties. First, a rare punishing cooperator barely subverts the asocial society of freeriders, and second, natural selection often eliminates punishing cooperators in the presence of non-punishing cooperators (namely, ‘second-order’ freeriders). We present a game-theoretical model of social exclusion in which a punishing cooperator can exclude freeriders from benefit sharing. We show that such social exclusion can overcome the above-mentioned difficulties even if it is costly and stochastic. The results do not require a genetic relationship, repeated interaction, reputation or group selection. Instead, only a limited number of freeriders are required to prevent the second-order freeriders from eroding the social immune system.
Nectar bacteria, but not yeast, weaken a plant–pollinator mutualism
Authors: Vannette Rachel L. , Gauthier Marie-Pierre L. , Fukami Tadashi
Published: December 2012

Mutualistic interactions are often subject to exploitation by species that are not directly involved in the mutualism. Understanding which organisms act as such ‘third-party’ species and how they do so is a major challenge in the current study of mutualistic interactions. Here, we show that even species that appear ecologically similar can have contrasting effects as third-party species. We experimentally compared the effects of nectar-inhabiting bacteria and yeasts on the strength of a mutualism between a hummingbird-pollinated shrub,
Mimulus aurantiacus
, and its pollinators. We found that the common bacterium
Gluconobacter
sp., but not the common yeast
Metschnikowia reukaufii
, reduced pollination success, seed set and nectar consumption by pollinators, thereby weakening the plant–pollinator mutualism. We also found that the bacteria reduced nectar pH and total sugar concentration more greatly than the yeasts did and that the bacteria decreased glucose concentration and increased fructose concentration whereas the yeasts affected neither. These distinct changes to nectar chemistry may underlie the microbes' contrasting effects on the mutualism. Our results suggest that it is necessary to understand the determinants of microbial species composition in nectar and their differential modification of floral rewards to explain the mutual benefits that plants and pollinators gain from each other.
An Integrated Fuzzy Approach for Strategic Alliance Partner Selection in Third-Party Logistics
Authors: Erkayman Burak , Gundogar Emin , Yılmaz Aysegul
Published: December 2012

Outsourcing some of the logistic activities is a useful strategy for companies in recent years. This makes it possible for firms to concentrate on their main issues and processes and presents facility to improve logistics performance, to reduce costs, and to improve quality. Therefore provider selection and evaluation in third-party logistics become important activities for companies. Making a strategic decision like this is significantly hard and crucial. In this study we proposed a fuzzy multicriteria decision making (MCDM) approach to effectively select the most appropriate provider. First we identify the provider selection criteria and build the hierarchical structure of decision model. After building the hierarchical structure we determined the selection criteria weights by using fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (AHP) technique. Then we applied fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) to obtain final rankings for providers. And finally an illustrative example is also given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model.
Alternative states drive the patterns in the bacterioplankton composition in shallow Pampean lakes (Argentina)
Authors: Llames Maria E. , del Giorgio Paul A. , Zagarese Horacio , Ferraro Marcela , Izaguirre Irina
Published: December 2012

We assessed the influence of environmental factors in shaping the free‐living bacterial community structure in a set of shallow lakes characterized by contrasting stable state patterns (clear‐vegetated, inorganic‐turbid and phytoplankton‐turbid). Six temperate shallow lakes from the Pampa Plain (Argentina) were sampled over an annual cycle, and two fingerprinting techniques were applied: a 16S rDNA analysis was performed using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) profiles, and a 16S–23S internally transcribed spacer region analysis was conducted by means of automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA) profiles. Our results show that the steady state that characterized the different shallow lakes played a major role in structuring the community: the composition of free‐living bacteria differed significantly between clear‐vegetated, inorganic‐turbid and phytoplankton‐turbid shallow lakes. The state of the system was more important in determining these patterns than seasonality, geographical location or degree of hydrological connectivity. Moreover, this strong environmental control was particularly evident in the pattern observed in one of the lakes, which shifted from a clear to a turbid state over the course of the study. This lake showed a directional selection of species from a typical clear‐like to a turbid‐like community. The combined DGGE/ARISA approach revealed not only broad patterns among different alternative steady states, but also more subtle differences within different regimes.
Developing and Assessing Initiatives Designed to Improve Clinical Teaching Performance
Authors: Khandelwal Sorabh , Bernard Aaron W. , Wald David A. , Manthey David E. , Fisher Jonathan , Ankel Felix , Williams Sarah R. , Szyld Demian , Riddle Janet , Anders Ericsson K.
Published: December 2012

To improve the teaching performance of emergency physicians, it is necessary to understand the attributes of expert teachers and the optimal methods to deliver faculty development. A working group of medical educators was formed to review the literature, summarize what is known on the topic, and provide recommendations for future research. This occurred as a track of the 2012 Academic Emergency Medicine (AEM) consensus conference “Education Research in Emergency Medicine: Opportunities, Challenges, and Strategies for Success.” The group concluded that the current state of research on these topics is limited. Improvement in understanding will come through research focusing on Kirkpatrick's higher levels of evaluation (behavior and results).
Prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis from fetal urine in lower urinary tract obstruction
Authors: Haeri Sina , Ruano Simone Hernandez , Farah Leila M. S. , Joffe Raquel , Ruano Rodrigo
Published: December 2012

The aim of this study was to test if prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis can be performed on fetal urine in fetal lower urinary tract obstruction. In this retrospective cohort study of fetuses with lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO) over a 4‐year period at one institution, cytogenetic evaluation was attempted on fetal urine samples as well as amniotic fluid specimens. A total of 11 cases, ranging in gestational age from 15 to 25 weeks, underwent amniocentesis and vesicocentesis. Traditional cytogenetic evaluation was successfully completed in amniotic fluid and fetal urine samples in all 11 cases (100%). The karyotype was normal in seven (64%), trisomy 21 in two (18%), Trisomy 13 in one (9%), and partial chromosome 4 deletion in one (9%). Traditional cytogenetic evaluation can be successfully performed on fetal urine samples in cases of lower urinary tract obstruction.
Treatment of chronic presacral sinus after low anterior resection
Authors: Sloothaak D. A. M. , Buskens C. J. , Bemelman W. A. , Tanis P. J.
Published: December 2012

Aim

The aim of this retrospective study was to determine patient and treatment characteristics with corresponding clinical outcome of symptomatic chronic presacral sinus after low anterior resection.

Method

Twenty‐two patients were treated for a presacral sinus persisting for at least 12 months after low anterior resection for rectal carcinoma between January 2005 and March 2012. Patient charts were reviewed and analysed using descriptive statistics.

Results

Fistula formation was the most frequently observed secondary complication in 55% of patients. A median of 6 (1–44) surgical, endoscopic or radiological interventions related to the presacral sinus were performed. Overall, the chronic presacral sinus healed after multimodality treatment in nine (41%) patients at a median interval from primary surgery of 45 (24–93) months. If basic treatment principles were followed (anastomotic reconstruction or completion proctectomy with filling of the cavity), healing rate of the sinus was higher than where these principles were not adhered to (62% vs 11%).

Conclusion

Successful treatment of a chronic presacral sinus after low anterior resection appears to be achieved by salvage surgery with anastomotic reconstruction in highly selected patients or intersphincteric completion proctectomy and omentoplasty.
Patterns of impaired internal anal sphincter activity in patients with anal fissure
Authors: Opazo A. , Aguirre E. , Saldaña E. , Fantova M. J. , Clavé P.
Published: December 2012

Aim

The patterns of impaired internal anal sphincter activity were studied in patients with anal fissure (AF).

Method

Twenty healthy controls and 61 patients with acute AF were studied, using anorectal manometry with electromyography (EMG), and 53 patients with chronic AF using high‐resolution manometry and ultrasonography. Mean and maximal resting anal pressure (MRAP), spontaneous rhythmic slow and ultraslow waves (USW) and relaxation induced by rectal distension were measured.

Results

Patients with acute AF had higher mean (106.4 ± 28.1 mmHg) and maximal resting anal pressure (161.5 ± 43.7 mmHg) than those with chronic AF (P < 0.05); 95% of patients had slow waves (SW) and 67% ultraslow waves. Patients with chronic AF had higher mean (92.4 ± 22.6 mmHg) and maximal resting anal pressure (117.5 ± 32.0 mmHg) than controls and 94% of patients had slow waves and 69% ultraslow waves. Patients with ultraslow waves (with either acute or chronic AF) had increased internal sphincter hypertonicity (mean and maximal resting pressure), decreased internal sphincter relaxation and increased after‐contraction following rectal distension.

Conclusions

Patients with acute AF had higher hypertonicity than those with chronic AF and both had increased spontaneous rhythmic activity (waves). Patients with AF and ultraslow waves had higher internal anal sphincter hypertonicity and reduced internal sphincter relaxation and enhanced after‐contraction following rectal distension.
Sexual differentiation in the developing mouse brain: contributions of sex chromosome genes
Authors: Wolstenholme J. T. , Rissman E. F. , Bekiranov S.
Published: December 2012

Neural sexual differentiation begins during embryogenesis and continues after birth for a variable amount of time depending on the species and brain region. Because gonadal hormones were the first factors identified in neural sexual differentiation, their role in this process has eclipsed investigation of other factors. Here, we use a mouse with a spontaneous translocation that produces four different unique sets of sex chromosomes. Each genotype has one normal X‐chromosome and a unique second sex chromosome creating the following genotypes: XY*x, XX, XY*, XXY*. This Y* mouse line is used by several laboratories to study two human aneuploid conditions: Turner and Klinefelter syndromes. As sex chromosome number affects behavior and brain morphology, we surveyed brain gene expression at embryonic days 11.5 and 18.5 to isolate X‐chromosome dose effects in the developing brain as possible mechanistic changes underlying the phenotypes. We compared gene expression differences between gonadal males and females as well as individuals with one vs. two X‐chromosomes. We present data showing, in addition to genes reported to escape X‐inactivation, a number of autosomal genes are differentially expressed between the sexes and in mice with different numbers of X‐chromosomes. Based on our results, we can now identify the genes present in the region around the chromosomal break point that produces the Y* model. Our results also indicate an interaction between gonadal development and sex chromosome number that could further elucidate the role of sex chromosome genes and hormones in the sexual differentiation of behavior.
Comparison of seed germination and early seedling growth responses to salinity and temperature of the halophyte Chloris virgata and the glycophyte Digitaria sanguinalis
Authors: Zhang H. X. , Zhou D. W. , Tian Y. , Huang Y. X. , Sun Z. W.
Published: December 2012

Salinization is an increasing land degradation issue in the Songnen Grassland of northern China. Effects of salinity and temperature on seed germination and seedling growth of Chloris virgata, a promising halophyte, and Digitaria sanguinalis, a widespread glycophyte were examined in six soil solutions (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 mm NaCl) and four temperatures (15, 20, 25 and 30°C). Germination percentages and rates of both species decreased significantly at higher salinities, but ungerminated seeds can recover germination upon supply of distilled water. Radicle length, seedling height and the total dry weight of both species generally decreased in a concentration‐dependent manner at 20°C and above as the salinity increased. However, at 15°C, the salt‐treated seedlings showed decreases with a similar magnitude for different salinities. Low salinities seem to stimulate germination and seedling growth of C. virgata compared with the control treatment. Both species were more sensitive to salinity during the seedling stage than the germination stage. Digitaria sanguinalis from the saline Songnen Grassland region seems to develop a halophyte‐like adaptive strategy to some extent. However, C. virgata may still dominate most hyperhaline areas due to its higher salt tolerance.
Effects of triple‐drug therapy with nitazoxanide, high‐dose ribavirin and peginterferon‐α‐2a in patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Basu P. Patrick , Rayapudi Krishna , Shah Niraj James , Krishnaswamy Nithya , Brown Robert S.
Published: December 2012

Aim

The historical standard of care for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) was peginterferon (PEG IFN) and ribavirin combination therapy, yielding sustained virological response (SVR) rates of 38–52% in HCV genotype 1 patients. This study evaluated a novel three‐drug regimen of nitazoxanide and high‐dose ribavirin as lead‐in therapy, followed by PEG IFN‐α‐2a in triple therapy.

Methods

A prospective, open‐label pilot study was conducted in treatment‐naive patients with HCV genotype 1. Patients received nitazoxanide 500 mg twice a day for 2 weeks, then nitazoxanide plus ribavirin 1400 mg/day for 2 weeks, then nitazoxanide plus ribavirin plus PEG IFN‐α‐2a 180 μg weekly for 12 weeks, followed by ribavirin plus PEG IFN‐α‐2a for 12 weeks (48 weeks if HCV RNA negative after week 24). Primary outcome was SVR. Other outcomes included very rapid virological response (VRVR), rapid virological response (RVR), early virological response (EVR), end‐of‐treatment response (ETR), and safety and tolerability.

Results

Thirty‐three patients with a mean age of 46 years, detectable HCV RNA (64% with <600 000 IU/mL), and METAVIR fibrosis scores (F1:F2:F3) of 15%:49%:36% were enrolled. Outcomes were as follows: SVR, 67% (22/33); VRVR, 39% (13/33); RVR, 48% (16/33); EVR, 70% (23/33); and ETR, 67% (22/33). Most patients required at least one growth factor. Two patients discontinued because of adverse events.

Conclusion

This three‐drug regimen was effective in achieving SVR in patients with HCV genotype 1. No patients relapsed, and the toxicity profile was favorable. Further studies on the role of nitazoxanide in the treatment of chronic HCV are warranted.
Effects of IL‐28B gene polymorphism on response to peginterferon plus ribavirin combination therapy for genotype 2 chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Shimoyama Yu , Nozaki Akito , Morimoto Manabu , Moriya Satoshi , Kondo Masaaki , Fukuda Hiroyuki , Numata Kazushi , Miyajima Eiji , Oba Mari S. , Taguri Masataka , Morita Satoshi , Maeda Shin , Tanaka Katsuaki
Published: December 2012

Aim

Interleukin (IL)‐28B gene polymorphism is closely linked with treatment response to peginterferon plus ribavirin combination therapy for hepatitis C virus genotype 1. However, few studies have reported its effects on therapy for genotype 2. We aimed to examine the effects of IL‐28B gene polymorphism on treatment response in hepatitis C virus genotype 2 patients.

Methods

In a retrospective study of 101 patients infected with either genotype 2a (n = 65) or 2b (n = 36) and treated with peginterferon plus ribavirin, we investigated predictive factors for a sustained virological response (SVR), including genetic variations near the IL‐28B gene (rs8099917, rs11881222 and rs8103142) and clinical variables such as age, sex, body mass index, stage of fibrosis and drug adherence.

Results

Ultra‐rapid virological response, rapid virological response (RVR), end‐of‐treatment response, SVR and relapse rates were 22.2%, 61.4%, 95.0%, 87.1% and 7.9%, respectively. In univariate analysis, RVR and IL‐28B single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) (rs8099917, rs11881222 and rs8103142) were significantly associated with SVR. In subgroup analysis, IL‐28B SNP were significantly associated with SVR in genotype 2a patients but not in genotype 2b patients. In multiple logistic regression analysis, RVR and IL‐28B SNP (rs8099917) were independently associated with SVR. Furthermore, IL‐28B SNP was significantly associated with relapse but RVR was not.

Conclusion

In genotype 2 patients treated with peginterferon plus ribavirin combination therapy, IL‐28B gene polymorphism was a significant independent predictor of SVR as well as RVR. IL‐28B major allele may favor reduced relapse rates in patients with genotype 2 chronic hepatitis C.
Multiple ancient horizontal gene transfers and duplications in lepidopteran species
Authors: Sun B. F. , Xiao J. H. , He S. M. , Liu L. , Murphy R. W. , Huang D. W.
Published: December 2012

Eukaryotic horizontal gene transfer (HGT) events are increasingly being discovered yet few reports have summarized multiple occurrences in a wide range of species. We systematically investigated HGT events in the order Lepidoptera by employing a series of filters. Bombyx mori, Danaus plexippus and Heliconius melpomene had 13, 12 and 12 HGTs, respectively, from bacteria and fungi. These HGTs contributed a total of 64 predicted genes: 22 to B. mori, 22 to D. plexippus and 20 to H. melpomene. Several new genes were generated by post‐transfer duplications. Post‐transfer duplication of a suite of functional HGTs has rarely been reported in higher organisms. The distributional patterns of paralogues for certain genes differed in the three species, indicating potential independent duplication or loss events. All of these HGTs had homologues expressed in some other lepidopterans, indicating ancient transfer events. Most HGTs were involved in the metabolism of sugar and amino acids. These HGTs appeared to have experienced amelioration, purifying selection and accelerated evolution to adapt to the background genome of the recipient. The discovery of ancient, massive HGTs and duplications in lepidopterans and their adaptive evolution provides further insights into the evolutionary significance of the events from donors to multicellular host recipients.
Should clinicians use average or peak scores on a dynamic risk‐assessment measure to most accurately predict inpatient aggression?
Authors: Chu Chi Meng , Thomas Stuart D. M. , Daffern Michael , Ogloff James R. P.
Published: December 2012

Recent advancements in risk assessment have led to the development of dynamic risk‐assessment measures that are predictive of inpatient aggression in the short term. However, there are several areas within this field that warrant further empirical investigation, including whether the average, maximum, or most recent risk state assessment is the most valid for predicting subsequent aggression in the medium term. This prospective study compared the predictive validity of three indices (i.e. mean score, peak score, and most recent single time‐point rating) of the Dynamic Appraisal of Situational Aggression (DASA) for inpatient aggression. Daily risk ratings were completed for 60 psychiatric inpatients (from the acute wards of a forensic psychiatric hospital) for up to 6 months; a total of 1054 DASA ratings were obtained. Results showed that mean and peak scores on the DASA were better predictors of interpersonal violence, verbal threat, and any inpatient aggression than the DASA single time‐point most recent ratings. Overall, the results support the use of the prior week's mean and peak scores to aid the prediction of inpatient aggression within inpatient forensic psychiatric settings in the short to medium term. These results also have practical implications for clinicians considering risk‐management strategies and the scoring of clinically‐relevant items on risk‐assessment measures.
Creative writing in recovery from severe mental illness
Authors: King Robert , Neilsen Philip , White Emma
Published: December 2012

There is evidence that creative writing forms an important part of the recovery experience of people affected by severe mental illness. In this paper, we consider theoretical models that explain how creative writing might contribute to recovery, and we discuss the potential for creative writing in psychosocial rehabilitation. We argue that the rehabilitation benefits of creative writing might be optimized through focus on process and technique in writing, rather than content, and that consequently, the involvement of professional writers might be important. We describe a pilot workshop that deployed these principles and was well‐received by participants. Finally, we make recommendations regarding the role of creative writing in psychosocial rehabilitation for people recovering from severe mental illness and suggest that the development of an evidence base regarding the effectiveness of creative writing is a priority.
Do Financial Reforms Improve the Performance of Financial Holding Companies? The Case of Taiwan
Authors: Kao Meng‐Chun , Lin Chien‐Ting , Xu Lei
Published: December 2012

We examine the performance of financial holding companies (FHCs) in Taiwan after the financial reform that removes the separation of banking, securities, insurance, and other financial services. Using data envelopment analysis, we find that FHCs fail to improve technical efficiencies in the post‐reform era. They also do not outperform independent commercial banks after the financial reform. Lower technical efficiency caused by excess operating expenses appears to be the primary source of inefficiency. While scale efficiency may improve as FHCs grow larger, the benefits are marginal and insufficient to offset the potential costs of organizational diseconomies. Our findings suggest that increasing the size and scope of financial activities alone do not necessarily improve the performance of financial firms.
Supermarket Expansion in Turkey: Shifting Relations of Food Provisioning
Authors: Atasoy Yildiz
Published: December 2012

This paper examines the shifting relations of food provisioning in Turkey as small producers are increasingly integrated into commercialized agri‐food supply chains led by supermarkets. Turkey's entry into a customs union with the European Union and a World Bank–imposed policy measure adopted during the 2001 economic crisis have greatly facilitated the process of market intensification in Turkish agriculture. There are two sides to this process: one concerns the historical centrality of small‐scale production directed towards local–regional consumers; the other relates to the dominant role played by supermarkets in changing the conditions of subsistence. The restructuring of wholesale markets and the privatization of formerly state‐led agricultural co‐operatives and producers' unions have been crucial for the expansion of supermarkets into agri‐food relationships. The competitive growth of Islamically oriented small and medium‐sized capital groups alongside large retailers is further deepening the commodification process in food relationships.
A Biomechanical Study of Laparoscopic 4S‐Modified Roeder and Weston Knot Strength in 3–0 Polyglactin 910 and 3–0 Polydioxanone
Authors: Fugazzi Russell W. , Fransson Boel A. , Curran Katie M. , Davis Howard M. , Gay John M.
Published: December 2012

Objective

To (1) evaluate biomechanical strength of 4 different laparoscopic knots using 2 suture types, and (2) evaluate carotid artery ligature bursting pressure of 2 knots using a single suture type.

Study Design

Biomechanical materials testing.

Sample Population

Suture material (3–0 polydioxanone, 3–0 polyglactin 910).

Methods

Four knot types were tested: 4S‐modified Roeder (4SMR) Weston plus 3 square throws (W3S); Weston plus 3 granny throws (W3G); and a 4 square throw knot as a control (control); 24 specimens of each knot type were tied with 3–0 polyglactin 910 and 24 of 3 knot types (4SMR, W3S, control) were tied with 3–0 polydioxanone. Suture loop constructs were tested to 3 mm displacement failure and ultimate failure. Carotid artery ligation bursting pressure was tested using 10 samples each of 4SMR and W3S knots with 3–0 polyglactin 910.

Results

The W3S, W3G, and controls were similar. The 4SMR was similar to W3S using 3–0 PDS but the 4SMR had lower load to failure and greater elongation than the Weston using 3–0 polyglactin 910. The 4SMR had a higher slippage rate with 3–0 polyglactin 910. All ligatures withstood supraphysiologic pressures.

Conclusions

Surgeons using 3–0 polyglactin 910 should consider using the Weston knot with added throws during laparoscopic procedures.
Proceedings of the July 2011 Traceability Research Summit
Authors: Newsome Rosetta L. , Bhatt Tejas , McEntire Jennifer C.
Published: December 2012

At a discussion‐based forum of 50 leaders in the area of food product tracing, participants recognized the need for the development of a common vision for a simple, low cost and implementable traceability approach. A key theme that emerged during the day's discussions revolved around not reinventing the wheel: there are many efforts underway, including numerous pilots, and these efforts should be collaborative. The group sought more information on current initiatives and felt that learning from the experiences of others could help form a realistic vision for the future.

Although any forthcoming actions from the US FDA are unknown, industry fully expects that improvements in product tracing will be necessary, and expects that industry itself (through the “demand” side) will enact requirements that may surpass regulatory mandates. A chief concern is uniform adoption, which will require outreach to and support from the global community as well as small firms that may lack the resources and education to keep up.

Ultimately, an approach that is global, economical, scalable, and inclusive of firms of all sizes who handles all types of food products, will have the greatest likelihood of success. While the ability to rapidly link products across the supply chain serves as an ideal goal, there are still substantial concerns to be addressed, particularly regarding confidentiality of data, and who will have access to what information under what circumstances, which was woven into virtually every discussion topic. Who will spearhead the development of the visions is a question, but there was general agreement that a joint partnership which includes all stakeholders is a necessity.
Variations in tobacco control in National Dental PBRN practices: the role of patient and practice factors
Authors: Ray Midge N. , Allison Jeroan J. , Coley Heather L. , Williams Jessica H. , Kohler Connie , Gilbert Gregg H. , Richman Joshua S. , Kiefe Catarina I. , Sadasivam Rajani S. , Houston Thomas K. ,   for The National DPBRN Collaborative Group
Published: December 2012

We engaged dental practices enrolled in The National Dental Practice‐Based Research Network to quantify tobacco screening (ASK) and advising (ADVISE); and to identify patient and practice ­characteristics associated with tobacco control. Dental practices (N = 190) distributed patient surveys that measured ASK and ADVISE. Twenty‐nine percent of patients were ASKED about tobacco use during visit, 20% were identified as tobacco users, and 41% reported being ADVISED. Accounting for clustering of patients within practices, younger age and male gender were positively associated with ASK and ADVISE. Adjusting for patient age and gender, a higher proportion of non‐whites in the practice, preventive services and proportion on public assistance were positively associated with ASK. Proportion of tobacco users in the practice and offering other preventive services were more strongly associated with ASK and ADVISE than other practice characteristics. Understanding variations in performance is an important step toward designing strategies for improving tobacco control in dentistry.
Geographical distribution of cytotypes in the Chrysanthemum indicum complex as evidenced by ploidy level and genome‐size variation
Authors: LI Jing , WAN Qian , ABBOTT Richard J. , RAO Guang‐Yuan
Published: December 2012

A detailed knowledge of the geographical distribution of cytotypes within and between species comprising a polyploid complex is critical to our understanding of the history and evolution of such complexes. In the present study we examined the geographical distributions of cytotypes within six tentatively delimited species comprising the Chrysanthemum indicum complex in China. We determined the ploidy of 188 individuals sampled from 47 populations, based on DNA content using flow cytometry. In addition, chromosome counts were made on samples of each taxon. We confirmed that all samples of C. rhombifolium and C. lavandulifolium were diploid (2n = 18), those of C. hypargyrum and C. potentilloides were tetraploid (2n = 36), and those of C. vestitum were hexaploid (2n = 54). In contrast, we confirmed that C. indicum contained both diploid and tetraploid cytotypes. We found that in addition to marked differences in genome size between ploidy levels, there was a variation in genome size between species of the same ploidy level. Although the diploid, tetraploid, and hexaploid taxa of the complex, as well as the diploid form of C. indicum, occurred only in central and northern China, the tetraploid form of C. indicum was widespread both north and south of the Yangtze River. We suggest that the tetraploid form of C. indicum may have expanded its range southward during recent Quaternary glacial periods when forests retreated in south China as conditions became drier.
Genetic associations between somatic cell score and pathogen‐specific subclinical mastitis in Norwegian Red cows
Authors: Haugaard K. , Heringstad B. , Whist A. C.
Published: December 2012

The aim of this study was to estimate heritabilities of and genetic correlations between pathogen‐specific subclinical mastitis (SCM) traits and lactation mean somatic cell score (LSCS) in Norwegian Red cattle. Based on data from 130 733 first‐lactation cows four binary pathogen‐specific SCM traits, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Streptococcus uberis and coagulase‐negative staphylococci SCM, were analysed together with unspecific SCM and LSCS using a multivariate sire model with threshold models for binary traits and a linear model for LSCS. Posterior means (SD) of heritabilities were 0.17 (0.01) for LSCS, 0.11 (0.01) for liability to unspecific SCM and ranged from 0.04 (Staph. aureus) to 0.14 (Strep. dysgalactiae) for liability to pathogen‐specific SCM. Genetic correlations were positive and moderate to high, ranging from 0.37 to 0.98. All genetic correlations except the one between LSCS and unspecific SCM were lower than 1, indicating that SCM caused by different pathogens can be considered as partly different traits.