bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The influence of particle size and processing method for wheat-based diets, offered in dry or liquid form, on growth performance and diet digestibility in male weaner pigs
Authors: l'Anson Katie , Choct Mingan , Brooks Peter H.
Published: July 2012

In total, 136 entire male (Large White × Landrace) weaner pigs (28 days; 7.4 ± 0.3 kg) were individually housed and allocated to a 26-day feeding trial of 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design. The factors were (1) feed processing method (meal or steam-pelleted); (2) feed form (dry or liquid), and (3) wheat particle size (average 760 or 664 μm). Five days post weaning two pigs were removed from each treatment. Particle size had no effect on pig performance. Pigs fed steam-pelleted diets had higher daily gain (446 versus 388 g/day; s.e.d. 14.7), better food conversion ratio (1.20 versus 1.44; s.e.d. 0.05) and were heavier at the end of the 26-day feeding period (17.9 versus 16.8 kg; s.e.d. 0.31) than pigs fed meal diets (P < 0.05). Pigs given liquid diets had higher daily gain (453 versus 381 g/day; s.e.d. 14.7) and 26 days’ weight (18.1 versus 16.7 kg; s.e.d. 0.31), but poorer food conversion ratio (1.42 versus 1.22; s.e.d. 0.05) than pigs fed dry diets (P < 0.05). This poorer feed conversion efficiency of liquid fed pigs was largely attributable to increased feed wastage. Liquid-fed pigs consumed more feed in the 5 days post weaning (197 versus 157 g/day; s.e.d. 8.7; P < 0.05). The apparent DE content of the diet was increased (0.5 ± 0.1 MJ/kg DM; P < 0.05) by either steam-pelleting or finer grinding, but was not affected by liquid feeding.
Cord blood-derived neuronal cells by ectopic expression of Sox2 and c-Myc
Authors: Giorgetti Alessandra , Marchetto Maria C. N. , Li Mo , Yu Diana , Fazzina Raffaella , Mu Yangling , Adamo Antonio , Paramonov Ida , Cardoso Julio Castaño , Monasterio Montserrat Barragan , Bardy Cedric , Cassiani-Ingoni Riccardo , Liu Guang-Hui , Gage Fred H. , Izpisua Belmonte Juan Carlos
Published: July 2012

The finding that certain somatic cells can be directly converted into cells of other lineages by the delivery of specific sets of transcription factors paves the way to novel therapeutic applications. Here we show that human cord blood (CB) CD133
+
cells lose their hematopoietic signature and are converted into CB-induced neuronal-like cells (CB-iNCs) by the ectopic expression of the transcription factor Sox2, a process that is further augmented by the combination of Sox2 and c-Myc. Gene-expression analysis, immunophenotyping, and electrophysiological analysis show that CB-iNCs acquire a distinct neuronal phenotype characterized by the expression of multiple neuronal markers. CB-iNCs show the ability to fire action potentials after in vitro maturation as well as after in vivo transplantation into the mouse hippocampus. This system highlights the potential of CB cells and offers an alternative means to the study of cellular plasticity, possibly in the context of drug screening research and of future cell-replacement therapies.
UniMoG—a unifying framework for genomic distance calculation and sorting based on DCJ
Authors: Hilker Rolf , Sickinger Corinna , Pedersen Christian N.S. , Stoye Jens
Published: July 2012

Summary: UniMoG is a software combining five genome rearrangement models: double cut and join (DCJ), restricted DCJ, Hannenhalli and Pevzner (HP), inversion and translocation. It can compute the pairwise genomic distances and a corresponding optimal sorting scenario for an arbitrary number of genomes. All five models can be unified through the DCJ model, thus the implementation is based on DCJ and, where reasonable, uses the most efficient existing algorithms for each distance and sorting problem. Both textual and graphical output is possible for visualizing the operations.

Availability and implementation: The software is available through the Bielefeld University Bioinformatics Web Server at http://bibiserv.techfak.uni-bielefeld.de/dcj with instructions and example data.

Contact:  rhilker@cebitec.uni-bielefeld.de
Cell-Dock: high-performance protein–protein docking
Authors: Pons Carles , Jiménez-González Daniel , González-Álvarez Cecilia , Servat Harald , Cabrera-Benítez Daniel , Aguilar Xavier , Fernández-Recio Juan
Published: July 2012

Summary: The application of docking to large-scale experiments or the explicit treatment of protein flexibility are part of the new challenges in structural bioinformatics that will require large computer resources and more efficient algorithms. Highly optimized fast Fourier transform (FFT) approaches are broadly used in docking programs but their optimal code implementation leaves hardware acceleration as the only option to significantly reduce the computational cost of these tools. In this work we present Cell-Dock, an FFT-based docking algorithm adapted to the Cell BE processor. We show that Cell-Dock runs faster than FTDock with maximum speedups of above 200×, while achieving results of similar quality.

Availability and implementation: The source code is released under GNU General Public License version 2 and can be downloaded from http://mmb.pcb.ub.es/~cpons/Cell-Dock.

Contact:  djimenez@ac.upc.edu or juanf@bsc.es

Supplementary Information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
(E)-2-{[(2-Aminopyridin-3-yl)imino]methyl}-4,6-di-tert-butylphenol
Authors: Carreño Alexander , Ladeira Sonia , Castel Annie , Vega Andres , Chavez Ivonne
Published: July 2012

In the title compound, C20H27N3O, the hydroxy group forms an intramolecular O—H...N hydrogen bond with the imino N atom. The dihedral angle between the aromatic rings is 33.09 (9)°. In the crystal, molecules form centrosymmetric dimersviapairs of N—H...N hydrogen bonds involving aminopyridine fragments.
(Cinnamato-κ2O,O′)(5,5,7,12,12,14-hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-κ4N,N′,N′′,N′′′)nickel(II) perchlorate monohydrate
Authors: Gao Qiang , Cao Yi-Cheng
Published: July 2012

In the title compound, [Ni(C9H7O2)(C16H36N4)]ClO4·H2O, the macrocyclic 5,5,7,12,12,14-hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane ligand (L) folds around the NiIIatom, which is also chelated by the carboxylate group. The geometry is a distorted N4O2octahedron. In the crystal, adjacent molecules are connected by O—H...O and N—H...O hydrogen bonds into a zigzag chain parallel to [010].
cis-Dichlorido[2-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl-κN2)ethanamine-κN]palladium(II) dichloromethane monosolvate
Authors: Obuah Collins , Darkwa James , Muller Alfred
Published: July 2012

In the title compound, [PdCl2(C7H13N3)]·CH2Cl2, the 2-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)ethanamine ligand chelates the PdIIatomviatwo N atoms forming a six-membered ring resulting in a distorted square-planar metal coordination environment, highlighted by N—Pd—Cl angles of 172.63 (8) and 174.98 (9)°. In addition to N—H...Cl hydrogen bonds creating infinite chains along [001], several C—H...Cl interactions are observed in the crystal structure.
A genome‐wide SNP scan reveals two loci associated with the chicken resistance to Marek's disease
Authors: Li D. F. , Lian L. , Qu L. J. , Chen Y. M. , Liu W. B. , Chen S. R. , Zheng J. X. , Xu G. Y. , Yang N.
Published: July 2012

Marek's disease (MD) is a neoplastic disease in chickens, caused by the Marek's disease virus (MDV). To investigate host genetic resistance to MD, we conducted a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) on 67 MDV‐infected chickens based on a case and control design, including 57 susceptible chickens in the case group and 10 resistant chickens as controls. After searching 38 655 valid genomic markers, two SNPs were found to be associated with host resistance to MD. One SNP, rs14527240, reaching chromosome‐wide significance level (P < 0.01) was located in the SPARC‐related modular calcium‐binding 1 (SMOC1) gene on GGA5. The other one, GGaluGA156129, reaching genome‐wide significance (P < 0.05), was located in the protein tyrosine phosphatase, non‐receptor type 3 (PTPN3) gene on GGA2. In addition, expression patterns of these two genes in spleens were detected by qPCR. The expression of SMOC1 was significantly up‐regulated (P < 0.05), whereas the expression of PTNP3 did not show significance when the case group was compared with the control group. Up‐regulation of SMOC1 in susceptible spleens suggests its important roles in MD tumorigenesis. This is the first study to investigate MD‐resistant loci, and it demonstrates the power of GWASs for mapping genes associated with MD resistance.
Interleukin‐27 suppresses osteoclastogenesis via induction of interferon‐γ
Authors: Park Jin‐Sil , Jung Young Ok , Oh Hye‐Joa , Park Seong Jeong , Heo Yu‐Jung , Kang Chang‐Min , Kwok Seung‐Ki , Ju Ji Hyeon , Park Kyung Su , Cho Mi‐La , Sung Young‐Chul , Park Sung‐Hwan , Kim Ho‐Youn
Published: July 2012

Interleukin (IL)‐27 is a heterodimeric cytokine that is known to have both stimulatory and inhibitory functions during immune responses. We investigated the effects of IL‐27 on arthritis and bone erosion in the murine collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA) model. We demonstrate that the inhibitory effect of IL‐27 on osteoclastogenesis is associated with interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) production by using an IFN‐γ knockout mouse model. The IL‐27‐Fc was injected into both CIA and IFN‐γ‐deficient mice. The effects of IL‐27‐Fc on osteoclast differentiation were evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. The IL‐27‐Fc‐injected mice showed significantly lower arthritis indices and fewer tartrate‐resistant acid‐phosphatase‐positive osteoclasts in their joint tissues than untreated mice. Interleukin‐27 inhibited osteoclastogenesis from bone marrow‐derived mononuclear cells in vitro, which was counteracted by the addition of anti‐IFN‐γ antibody. The IL‐27‐Fc did not affect arthritis in IFN‐γ knockout mice. Interleukin‐27 also suppressed osteoclast differentiation in human and intriguingly, it could promote the expression of IFN‐γ on priming osteoclasts. These results imply that IL‐27 suppressed the generation of CIA and osteoclastogenesis, which were mediated by the induction of IFN‐γ.
The effectiveness of early intervention on paternal stress for fathers of premature infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit
Authors: Lee Tzu‐Ying , Wang Mo‐Mei , Lin Kuan‐Chia , Kao Chien‐Huei
Published: July 2012

Aim

This article is a report of a study to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention on fathering ability, perceived nurse's support and paternal stress after a preterm infant's admission to a neonatal intensive care unit.

Background

The birth of a premature infant who is admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit is a stressful experience. Due to the maternal postpartum practice in Taiwan, the father is the main visitor of the infant during the first few weeks, but interventions have rarely focused on the father.

Design

A historical comparison study.

Methods

Between August 2009–July 2010, 35 fathers in the comparison group received routine care; 34 fathers in the intervention group received a booklet designed for the fathers during their visits to the neonatal intensive care unit and nurses’ guidance based on the contents of the booklet. Fathering ability, perceived nurse's support and paternal stress were measured.

Findings

The intervention group had a significantly higher fathering ability and perceived nurse support than the comparison group. In the intervention group, the increased fathering ability reduced paternal stress. After adjusting for severity of illness, an significant moderating effect of perceived nurse support on the relationship between fathering ability and paternal stress was found, accounting for 59·5% of variance.

Conclusion

Designing a supportive intervention which provides informational, emotional, instrumental, and esteem support for the father can effectively empower his fathering ability and reduce his stress. The intervention should be initiated from the early admission of the premature infant to the neonatal intensive care unit.
Weight loss strategies used by African American women: possible implications for tailored messages
Authors: James D. C. S.
Published: July 2012

How to cite this article  James D. C. S. (2012) Weight loss strategies used by African American women: possible implications for tailored messages. J Hum Nutr Diet. 26, 71–77

Background:  African American women have the highest rates of obesity in the USA. They are less likely to participate in weight loss programmes and are less successful in their weight loss attempts. The present study aimed to identify weight loss strategies used by African American women and to determine whether those strategies varied by weight status. The study also examined the emotional issues that lead to compulsive overeating and identified the types of information that African American women need to help manage their weight.

Methods:  A self‐administered survey was completed by 413 adult African American women in 2009. Participants were weighed and measured by a member of the research team.

Results:  Based on body mass index classification, 43% of women were obese, 25% were overweight, 30% were normal weight and 2% were underweight. Sixty percent had tried to lose weight in the past 12 months. Weight loss practices included: cutting back on fried foods (53%), cutting back on sweets (51%) and increasing physical activity, skipping meals (22%), fasting (17%), and using diet pills (7%). Obese women were significantly more likely to fast and use diet pills than overweight women (P < 0.001). Obese women also were significantly more likely to say they wanted information on how to choose a weight loss programme (P < 0.001), manage stress (P < 0.001) and increase self‐esteem (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:  Our findings suggest that weight loss messages and programmes may need to be specifically developed for obese women compared to overweight and normal weight women who just need to ‘lose a few pounds’.
Distinct features of fast oscillations in phasic and tonic rapid eye movement sleep
Authors: BRANKAČK JURIJ , SCHEFFZÜK CLAUDIA , KUKUSHKA VALERIY I. , VYSSOTSKI ALEXEI L. , TORT ADRIANO B. L. , DRAGUHN ANDREAS
Published: July 2012

Spatiotemporal activity patterns of neurones are organized by different types of coherent network oscillations. Frequency content and cross‐frequency coupling of cortical oscillations are strongly state‐dependent, indicating that different patterns of wakefulness or sleep, respectively, support different cognitive or mnestic processes. It is therefore crucial to analyse specific sleep patterns with respect to their oscillations, including interaction between fast and slow rhythms. Here we report the oscillation profile of phasic rapid eye movement (REM), a form of REM sleep which has been implicated in hippocampus‐dependent memory processing. In all analysed frequency bands (theta, gamma and fast gamma, respectively) we find higher frequencies and higher power in phasic REM compared to tonic REM or wakefulness. Theta‐phase coupling of fast oscillations, however, was highest in tonic REM, followed by phasic REM and wakefulness. Our data suggest different roles of phasic and tonic REM for information processing or memory formation during sleep.
Direct binding targets of the stringent response alarmone (p)ppGpp
Authors: Kanjee Usheer , Ogata Koji , Houry Walid A.
Published: July 2012

The Escherichia coli stringent response, mediated by the alarmone ppGpp, is responsible for the reorganization of cellular transcription upon nutritional starvation and other stresses. These transcriptional changes occur mainly as a result of the direct effects of ppGpp and its partner transcription factor DksA on RNA polymerase. An often overlooked feature of the stringent response is the direct targeting of other proteins by ppGpp. Here we review the literature on proteins that are known to bind ppGpp and, based on sequence homology, X‐ray crystal structures and in silico docking, we propose new potential protein binding targets for ppGpp. These proteins were found to fall into five main categories: (i) cellular GTPases, (ii) proteins involved in nucleotide metabolism, (iii) proteins involved in lipid metabolism, (iv) general metabolic proteins and (v) PLP‐dependent basic aliphatic amino acid decarboxylases. Bioinformatic rationale is provided for expanding the role of ppGpp in regulating the activities of the cellular GTPases. Proteins involved in nucleotide and lipid metabolism and general metabolic proteins provide an interesting set of structurally varied stringent response targets. While the inhibition of some PLP‐dependent decarboxylases by ppGpp suggests the existence of cross‐talk between the acid stress and stringent response systems.
High relative air humidity and continuous light reduce stomata functionality by affecting the ABA regulation in rose leaves
Authors: ARVE LOUISE E. , TERFA MESERET T. , GISLERØD HANS RAGNAR , OLSEN JORUNN E. , TORRE SISSEL
Published: July 2012

Plants developed under high (90%) relative air humidity (RH) have previously been shown to have large, malfunctioning stomata, which results in high water loss during desiccation and reduced dark induced closure. Stomatal movement is to a large extent regulated by abscisic acid (ABA). It has therefore been proposed that low ABA levels contribute to the development of malfunctioning stomata. In this study, we investigated the regulation of ABA content in rose leaves, through hormone analysis and β‐glucosidase quantification. Compared with high RH, rose plants developed in moderate RH (60%) and 20 h photoperiod contained higher levels of ABA and β‐glucosidase activity. Also, the amount of ABA increased during darkness simultaneously as the ABA‐glucose ester (GE) levels decreased. In contrast, plants developed under high RH with 20 h photoperiod showed no increase in ABA levels during darkness, and had low β‐glucosidase activity converting ABA‐GE to ABA. Continuous lighting (24 h) resulted in low levels of β‐glucosidase activity irrespective of RH, indicating that a dark period is essential to activate β‐glucosidase. Our results provide new insight into the regulation of ABA under different humidities and photoperiods, and clearly show that β‐glucosidase is a key enzyme regulating the ABA pool in rose plants.
Non‐pathogenic rhizobacteria interfere with the attraction of parasitoids to aphid‐induced plant volatiles via jasmonic acid signalling
Authors: PINEDA ANA , SOLER ROXINA , WELDEGERGIS BERHANE T. , SHIMWELA MPOKI M. , VAN LOON JOOP J. A. , DICKE MARCEL
Published: July 2012

Beneficial soil‐borne microbes, such as mycorrhizal fungi or rhizobacteria, can affect the interactions of plants with aboveground insects at several trophic levels. While the mechanisms of interactions with herbivorous insects, that is, the second trophic level, are starting to be understood, it remains unknown how plants mediate the interactions between soil microbes and carnivorous insects, that is, the third trophic level. Using Arabidopsis thaliana Col‐0 and the aphid Myzus persicae, we evaluate here the underlying mechanisms involved in the plant‐mediated interaction between the non‐pathogenic rhizobacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens and the parasitoid Diaeretiella rapae, by combining ecological, chemical and molecular approaches. Rhizobacterial colonization modifies the composition of the blend of herbivore‐induced plant volatiles. The volatile blend from rhizobacteria‐treated aphid‐infested plants is less attractive to an aphid parasitoid, in terms of both olfactory preference behaviour and oviposition, than the volatile blend from aphid‐infested plants without rhizobacteria. Importantly, the effect of rhizobacteria on both the emission of herbivore‐induced volatiles and parasitoid response to aphid‐infested plants is lost in an Arabidopsis mutant (aos/dde2‐2) that is impaired in jasmonic acid production. By modifying the blend of herbivore‐induced plant volatiles that depend on the jasmonic acid‐signalling pathway, root‐colonizing microbes interfere with the attraction of parasitoids of leaf herbivores.
The proteasome is responsible for caspase‐3‐like activity during xylem development
Authors: Han Jia‐Jia , Lin Wei , Oda Yoshihisa , Cui Ke‐Ming , Fukuda Hiroo , He Xin‐Qiang
Published: July 2012

Xylem development is a process of xylem cell terminal differentiation that includes initial cell division, cell expansion, secondary cell wall formation and programmed cell death (PCD). PCD in plants and apoptosis in animals share many common characteristics. Caspase‐3, which displays Asp‐Glu‐Val‐Asp (DEVD) specificity, is a crucial executioner during animal cells apoptosis. Although a gene orthologous to caspase‐3 is absent in plants, caspase‐3‐like activity is involved in many cases of PCD and developmental processes. However, there is no direct evidence that caspase‐3‐like activity exists in xylem cell death. In this study, we showed that caspase‐3‐like activity is present and is associated with secondary xylem development in Populus tomentosa. The protease responsible for the caspase‐3‐like activity was purified from poplar secondary xylem using hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC), Q anion exchange chromatography and gel filtration chromatography. After identification by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS), it was revealed that the 20S proteasome (20SP) was responsible for the caspase‐3‐like activity in secondary xylem development. In poplar 20SP, there are seven α subunits encoded by 12 genes and seven β subunits encoded by 12 genes. Pharmacological assays showed that Ac‐DEVD‐CHO, a caspase‐3 inhibitor, suppressed xylem differentiation in the veins of Arabidopsis cotyledons. Furthermore, clasto‐lactacystin β‐lactone, a proteasome inhibitor, inhibited PCD of tracheary element in a VND6‐induced Arabidopsis xylogenic culture. In conclusion, the 20S proteasome is responsible for caspase‐3‐like activity and is involved in xylem development.
Influence of temperature and photoperiod on sprouting capacity of Cirsium arvense and Sonchus arvensis root buds
Authors: LIEW J , ANDERSSON L , BOSTRÖM U , FORKMAN J , HAKMAN I , MAGNUSKI E
Published: July 2012

Liew J, Andersson L, Boström U, Forkman J, Hakman I & Magnuski E (2012). Influence of temperature and photoperiod on sprouting capacity of Cirsium arvense and Sonchus arvensis root buds. Weed Research.52, 449–457.

Timing of treatment is a key to successful and sustainable weed management. For perennial weeds, highly energy‐demanding, repeated stubble cultivation or tillage is a common strategy in organic agriculture. The fragmentation of underground material stimulates root buds to grow and, if repeated, significantly reduces the energy and nutrient resources of the roots. However, the effect might differ depending on variation in sprouting over the season and among species. Here, we studied the impact of different photoperiods and temperatures on sprouting capacity of root buds of Cirsium arvense and Sonchus arvensis in a climate chamber experiment. Two populations of each species, collected in northern and southern Sweden, were used. Plants were exposed to long (18 h), short (12 h) or decreasing (from 18 to 8 h) photoperiods in combinations with high (18/12°C for 16/8 h), low (12/6°C), decreasing (from 21 to 5°C in 4 weeks) or constant high (16°C) temperatures. Sprouting capacity was evaluated based on the proportion of sprouting buds from short root fragments. Neither temperature nor photoperiod affected root bud sprouting in C. arvense, while in S. arvensis, photoperiod seemed to regulate sprouting capacity. The proportion of sprouted buds decreased in short photoperiods, especially if combined with high temperature. In northern conditions, this suggests that weeding strategies based on fragmentation of the root system of S. arvensis will have low efficiency if the autumns are warm.
Water Availability Affects Female Remating in the Seed Beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis
Authors: Harano Tomohiro
Published: July 2012

Benefits of multiple mating to females may come from the acquisition of water in male ejaculates. This hypothesis seems plausible in species in which males provide females with large ejaculates and has been tested with the prediction that females mate more frequently when an external source of water is unavailable. My study observed that females deprived of water were more likely to remate than females given water in the adzuki bean beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis. This result suggests that females may absorb the water in male ejaculates and thus change their remating receptivity according to the need for additional water. However, compared with related species, the ejaculate size is smaller, so ejaculatory hydration benefits are expected to be small in this species. There were no significant differences in lifetime fecundity and longevity between females that were allowed to receive one ejaculate from remating and females that were not allowed to do so when water was unavailable. This provides no evidence that receiving an additional ejaculate enhances female fitness. Thus, obtaining water from male ejaculates may partly compensate the costs of remating to females, although it alone would be insufficient to explain polyandry in C. chinensis. Increased mating frequency in water‐deprived females would not necessarily support the hypothesis that females remate for ejaculatory hydration benefits.
Septic implantation syndrome in dogs and cats: a distinct pattern of endophthalmitis with lenticular abscess
Authors: Bell Cynthia M. , Pot Simon A. , Dubielzig Richard R.
Published: July 2012

Objective  To summarize the clinical and pathologic findings in a group of dogs and cats with progressive clinical ocular disease, which were diagnosed with suppurative endophthalmitis and lens capsule rupture.

Animals studied  Twenty cats and forty‐six dogs that underwent unilateral enucleation or evisceration for intractable uveitis and/or glaucoma.

Procedure  Biopsy submission requests and microscopic case material were evaluated for clinical and histological features, including history of ocular trauma, duration of ocular disease, pattern of inflammation, and the presence of intralenticular microorganisms.

Results  The median duration for cats and dogs was 6 and 5 weeks, respectively. A history of trauma was reported for four (20%) cats and 18 (39%) dogs. All confirmed cases of trauma—three in cats and 14 in dogs—were caused by a cat scratch. Microscopically, all cases had suppurative endophthalmitis centered on the lens, lens capsule rupture, cataract, and lenticular abscess. Infectious organisms were identified by Gram stain within the lens of 14 (70%) cats and 30 (65%) dogs. Gram‐positive cocci were seen most commonly. Male cats were overrepresented as compared to females. There were no apparent gender, age or breed predilections in dogs.

Conclusions  A unique pattern of slowly progressive or delayed‐onset endophthalmitis with lens capsule rupture, lenticular abscess, and frequently intralenticular microorganisms is associated with traumatic penetration of the globe and lens capsule. The term Septic Implantation Syndrome (SIS) is favored in lieu of ‘phacoclastic uveitis’ to avoid confusion with phacolytic uveitis and to clearly implicate the role of intralenticular microorganisms in the pathogenesis.
Ten‐Year Rank‐Order Stability of Personality Traits and Disorders in a Clinical Sample
Authors: Hopwood Christopher J. , Morey Leslie C. , Donnellan M. Brent , Samuel Douglas B. , Grilo Carlos M. , McGlashan Thomas H. , Shea M. Tracie , Zanarini Mary C. , Gunderson John G. , Skodol Andrew E.
Published: July 2012

Objective

This study compares the 10‐year retest stability of normal traits, pathological traits, and personality disorder dimensions in a clinical sample.

Method

Ten‐year rank‐order stability estimates for the Revised NEO Personality Inventory, Schedule for Nonadaptive and Adaptive Personality, and Diagnostic Interview for DSM‐IV Personality Disorders were evaluated before and after correcting for test‐retest dependability and internal consistency in a clinical sample (N = 266).

Results

Dependability‐corrected stability estimates were generally in the range of.60–.90 for traits and.25–.65 for personality disorders.

Conclusions

The relatively lower stability of personality disorder symptoms may indicate important differences between pathological behaviors and relatively more stable self‐attributed traits and imply that a full understanding of personality and personality pathology needs to take both traits and symptoms into account. The five‐factor theory distinction between basic tendencies and characteristic adaptations provides a theoretical framework for the separation of traits and disorders in terms of stability in which traits reflect basic tendencies that are stable and pervasive across situations, whereas personality disorder symptoms reflect characteristic maladaptations that are a function of both basic tendencies and environmental dynamics.
An Attachment Perspective on Therapeutic Processes and Outcomes
Authors: Mikulincer Mario , Shaver Phillip R. , Berant Ety
Published: July 2012

Over the past decade, there has been an explosion of interest in clinical applications of attachment theory. In the present article, we briefly describe John Bowlby's model of therapeutic change, the therapeutic relationship, and the therapist's role in emotional healing. We then review empirical evidence for three key propositions in Bowlby's model. First, a client's sense of security during therapy is crucial for facilitating therapeutic work. Second, a therapist's own sense of security contributes to positive therapeutic outcomes. Third, attachment insecurities can be effectively reduced in therapy, and movement toward greater attachment security is central to achieving favorable therapeutic outcomes. In sum, research evidence confirms the importance of establishing what Bowlby called a safe haven and a secure base within a therapeutic relationship.
Agency‐Communion and Self‐Esteem Relations Are Moderated by Culture, Religiosity, Age, and Sex: Evidence for the “Self‐Centrality Breeds Self‐Enhancement” Principle
Authors: Gebauer Jochen E. , Wagner Jenny , Sedikides Constantine , Neberich Wiebke
Published: July 2012

Objective

Who has high self‐esteem? Is it ambitious, competitive, outgoing people—agentic personalities? Or is it caring, honest, understanding people—communal personalities? The literature on agency‐communion and self‐esteem is sparse, indirect, and inconsistent. Based on William James's theorizing, we propose the “self‐centrality breeds self‐enhancement” principle. Accordingly, agency will be linked to self‐esteem, if agency is self‐central. Conversely, communion will be linked to self‐esteem, if communion is self‐central. But what determines the self‐centrality of agency and communion? The literature suggests that agency is self‐central in agentic cultures, as well as among nonreligious individuals, men, and younger adults. Communion is self‐central in communal cultures, as well as among religious individuals, women, and older adults.

Method

This study examined 187,957 people (47% female; mean age = 37.49 years, SD = 12.22) from 11 cultures. The large sample size afforded us the opportunity to test simultaneously the effect of all four moderators in a single two‐level model (participants nested in cultures).

Results

Results supported the unique moderating effect of culture, religiosity, age, and sex on the relation between agency‐communion and self‐esteem.

Conclusions

Agentic and communal people can both have high self‐esteem, depending on self‐centrality of agency and communion.
Using Probabilistic Methods to Estimate the Public Sector Comparator
Authors: Cruz Carlos Oliveira , Marques Rui Cunha
Published: July 2012

Abstract:  The use of the public sector comparator (PSC) is gaining momentum as a tool to ensure value for money in public–private partnership (PPP) projects. Several countries have been engaging in the calculation of the PSC, but the methodologies are excessively dependent on deterministic models, as referred to by the existing literature. Alternatives to accommodate uncertainty and forecast bias are required to improve the robustness of the calculations. This article proposes new developments in existing methodologies able to accommodate dynamic analysis to cope with uncertainty in the assumptions. A simulation model was used to compute the variability in the PSC, but the research went a step further in developing a Bayesian network approach. The output of both models is a probability distribution for the PSC, instead of just a single value, therefore, the authors have developed a methodology for comparing the PSC distribution with the PPP value.
Aspirin versus anticoagulation in intra‐ and extracranial vertebral artery dissection
Authors: Arauz A. , Ruiz A. , Pacheco G. , Rojas P. , Rodríguez‐Armida M. , Cantú C. , Murillo‐Bonilla L. , Ruiz‐Sandoval J. L. , Barinagarrementeria F.
Published: July 2012

Background and purpose

To evaluate the incidence and predictors of ischaemic recurrent stroke and the adverse events of antithrombotic therapy in patients with first intra‐ or extracranial vertebral artery dissection (VAD) who were treated with aspirin or oral anticoagulation (OA).

Methods

A 21‐year database of consecutive patients with confirmed diagnoses of VAD (n = 110, 63% men; mean age 37.9 ± 8.5 years) without intracerebral hemorrhage and who were treated with aspirin or OA were analyzed retrospectively. In all cases, the admission diagnosis was ischaemic stroke. Three groups were defined according to the site of the dissection: (i) extracranial, (ii) intracranial, and (iii) intra‐/extracranial. Clinical follow‐up was obtained by neurologic examination. Outcome measures were (i) recurrent ischaemic events (ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack) and (ii) intra‐ and extracranial major bleeding.

Results

No difference in age, smoking, or hypertension was found between patients treated with OA (n = 49) and those treated with aspirin (n = 50). Extracranial artery dissection (49%) had preponderance over intracranial (27%) or intra‐/extracranial (23%) location. During the follow‐up, recurrent ischaemic events were rare (one case). There were no bleeding complications. The treatment that was used did not influence the functional outcome or recanalization. A good functional outcome (modified Rankin score ≤ 2) was observed in 82 patients.

Conclusions

Although this was a non‐randomized study, our data suggest that the frequency of recurrent ischaemic stroke in patients with intra‐ or extracranial VAD is low and most likely independent of the type of antithrombotic treatment.
Guidelines for treatment of atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis) Part II
Authors: Ring J. , Alomar A. , Bieber T. , Deleuran M. , Fink‐Wagner A. , Gelmetti C. , Gieler U. , Lipozencic J. , Luger T. , Oranje A.P. , Schäfer T. , Schwennesen T. , Seidenari S. , Simon D. , Ständer S. , Stingl G. , Szalai S. , Szepietowski J.C. , Taïeb A. , Werfel T. , Wollenberg A. , Darsow U. ,   For the European Dermatology Forum (EDF), and the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV), the European Task Force on Atopic Dermatitis (ETFAD), European Federation of Allergy (EFA), the European Society of Pediatric Dermatology (ESPD), and the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA2LEN)
Published: July 2012

The existing evidence for treatment of atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis, AE) is evaluated using the national standard Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation. The consensus process consisted of a nominal group process and a DELPHI procedure. Management of AE must consider the individual symptomatic variability of the disease. Basic therapy is focused on hydrating topical treatment, and avoidance of specific and unspecific provocation factors. Anti‐inflammatory treatment based on topical glucocorticosteroids and topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCI) is used for exacerbation management and more recently for proactive therapy in selected cases. Topical corticosteroids remain the mainstay of therapy, but the TCI tacrolimus and pimecrolimus are preferred in certain locations. Systemic immune‐suppressive treatment is an option for severe refractory cases. Microbial colonization and superinfection may induce disease exacerbation and can justify additional antimicrobial treatment. Adjuvant therapy includes UV irradiation preferably with UVA1 wavelength or UVB 311 nm. Dietary recommendations should be specific and given only in diagnosed individual food allergy. Allergen‐specific immunotherapy to aeroallergens may be useful in selected cases. Stress‐induced exacerbations may make psychosomatic counselling recommendable. ‘Eczema school’ educational programs have been proven to be helpful. Pruritus is targeted with the majority of the recommended therapies, but some patients need additional antipruritic therapies.
Lnk deficiency partially mitigates hematopoietic stem cell aging
Authors: Bersenev Alexey , Rozenova Krasimira , Balcerek Joanna , Jiang Jing , Wu Chao , Tong Wei
Published: July 2012

Upon aging, the number of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in the bone marrow increases while their repopulation potential declines. Moreover, aged HSCs exhibit lineage bias in reconstitution experiments with an inclination toward myeloid at the expense of lymphoid potential. The adaptor protein Lnk is an important negative regulator of HSC homeostasis, as Lnk deficiency is associated with a 10‐fold increase in HSC numbers in young mice. However, the age‐related increase in functional HSC numbers found in wild‐type HSCs was not observed in Lnk‐deficient animals. Importantly, HSCs from aged Lnk null mice possess greatly enhanced self‐renewal capacity and diminished exhaustion, as evidenced by serial transplant experiments. In addition, Lnk deficiency ameliorates the aging‐associated lineage bias. Transcriptome analysis revealed that WT and Lnk‐deficient HSCs share many aging‐related changes in gene expression patterns. Nonetheless, Lnk null HSCs displayed altered expression of components in select signaling pathways with potential involvement in HSC self‐renewal and aging. Taken together, these results suggest that loss of Lnk partially mitigates age‐related HSC alterations.
ISOTOPES ON THE BEACH, PART 2: NEODYMIUM ISOTOPIC ANALYSIS FOR THE PROVENANCING OF ROMAN GLASS‐MAKING
Authors: BREMS D. , GANIO M. , LATRUWE K. , BALCAEN L. , CARREMANS M. , GIMENO D. , SILVESTRI A. , VANHAECKE F. , MUCHEZ P. , DEGRYSE P.
Published: July 2012

In this study, we have evaluated the applicability of Nd isotopic analysis for the provenancing of Roman glass and we present a database of Nd isotopic compositions of possible sand raw materials from the western Mediterranean, as a means of comparison for the growing number of isotopic studies on ancient glass. The 143Nd/144Nd isotope ratio of sands is a good indicator for their geological (and sometimes geographical) provenance. The use of the isotopic signature of Nd as a proxy for the source of silica in glass is, however, not always straightforward because of the possible overlap of signatures from different suppliers.
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF KININ, KALLIDIN, AND BRADYKININ
Authors: HOLDSTOCK D. J. , MATHIAS A. P. , SCHACHTER M.
Published: July 2012

Partially purified kinin, a polypeptide in wasp venom, has been found to be a potent smooth‐muscle stimulating and hypotensive agent. Such a preparation was 10 to 100 times more effective than histamine in enhancing capillary permeability on intradermal injection, and 10 times more effective than acetylcholine in evoking pain on a cutaneous blister base. Some differences between the actions of salivary kallikrein and trypsin in releasing kallidin or bradykinin have been observed, and some modifications of previous methods of preparing crude kallidin and bradykinin are suggested. Kallidin and bradykinin are effective enhancers of capillary permeability in the guinea‐pig and rabbit. Chemical and pharmacological tests failed to differentiate between kallidin and bradykinin which must be, therefore, closely similar compounds. The possible role of kallidin and bradykinin in physiological or pathological conditions is discussed.
HYPOTHALAMO‐NEUROHYPOPHYSIAL INVOLVEMENT IN THE CORTICOTROPHIC ACTION OF ACETYLCHOLINE
Authors: CASENTINI S. , DE POLI A. , MARTINI L.
Published: July 2012

Acetylcholine produced a fall of blood eosinophils and adrenal ascorbic acid in normal rats; these effects did not occur in hypophysectomized animals or in hypophysectomized animals bearing a pituitary homotransplant in the anterior chamber of the eye. Acetylcholine had a striking and long‐lasting antidiuretic effect in normal rats, which was abolished by hypophysectomy. In normal dogs, intravenous injections of acetylcholine raised the concentration of posterior pituitary antidiuretic hormone in the cerebrospinal fluid. These results are discussed in connexion with the hypothesis that posterior pituitary antidiuretic hormone may be the neurohumoral substance involved in the hypothalamic control of the anterior pituitary.
ANTIMALARIAL ACTIVITY OF HYDROXY‐SUBSTITUTED NAPHTHALENE COMPOUNDS
Authors: DUFFIN W. M. , ROLLO I. M.
Published: July 2012

A new series of mono‐ and di‐hydroxy substituted naphthalene compounds was synthesized and found to possess antimalarial activity against P. gallinaceum infection of young chicks. A representative compound with a high degree of activity was chosen for extensive testing against other malarial species and for pharmacological investigation. The formula of this compound, number 377C54, was 1:6‐dihydroxy‐2:5‐bis(cyclohexylaminomethyl)naphthalene dihydrochloride. Effective doses against P. gallinaceum in chicks, P. berghei in mice and P. cathemerium in canaries were 2.3, 4.0, and about 6 mg./kg. respectively. Compound 377C54 acted rapidly against the parasitaemia of P. gallinaceum in chicks and P. knowlesi in a rhesus monkey. Parasiticidal activity remained in the blood of chicks for a long time after a single oral dose. The drug can be estimated by the production of colour on coupling with diazotized p‐nitroaniline. Drug concentrations in blood from chicks and humans rose rapidly after oral administration. In tissues from chicks, particularly liver and lung, the drug persisted for a long period. An unsuccessful attempt was made to induce resistance to 377C54 in a strain of P. gallinaceum. Extensive pharmacological investigation showed that 377C54 possessed no special pharmacological properties.
THE TREATMENT OF EXPERIMENTAL TOXOPLASMOSIS IN RABBITS
Authors: BEVERLEY J. K. A. , FRY B. A.
Published: July 2012

Sulphadimidine alone is of little value in treating experimental toxoplasmosis in rabbits, because most rabbits acetylate the drug very rapidly. Within a short time of dosing such animals, there is little or none of the uncombined drug in the blood. In rabbits which do not acetylate sulphadimidine rapidly, relatively high concentrations of the free sulphonamide can be attained in the blood: in such animals, toxoplasmosis responds to treatment with sulphadimidine. Sulphathiazole is not acetylated so rapidly and is effective even in rabbits which acetylate sulphadimidine quickly. Pyrimethamine, even in doses as high as 50 mg. three times daily, is ineffective; dapsone is effective.
OXYTOCIC ACTIVITY OF BASIC (AMINOMETHYL) DERIVATIVES OF PHENOLS AND RELATED COMPOUNDS
Authors: COHEN A. , HALL R. A. , HEATH‐BROWN B. , PARKES M. W. , REES A. H.
Published: July 2012

A series of piperidinomethyl and related derivatives of naphthols, substituted phenols and indoles has been tested for oxytocic activity, using in vitro and in vivo methods of assay. Some of the compounds possessed very high activity, exceeding that of ergometrine. Activity was not associated with any structural resemblance to the ergot alkaloids.

Highest activity occurred with 2‐piperidinomethyl derivatives of phenols, among which maximum potency was conferred by substitution, at both the 4‐ and 5‐ positions, by methyl or ethyl or by linkage of these positions to form an indane derivative. In all series, piperidinomethyl derivatives were more active than those formed with other bases and methylation in the position α‐ to the nitrogen atom augmented the activity of both piperidine and morpholine derivatives. Among 2′‐methyl piperidinomethyl phenols, the (—) form was more active than the (+). Acylation or alkylation of the phenolic hydroxyl group did not affect activity.

The oxytocic activity was specific, the compounds being less effective upon other forms of smooth muscle. Effects upon blood pressure and respiration of a central nature were observed.
LEAD IONS AND SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION IN THE SUPERIOR CERVICAL GANGLION OF THE CAT
Authors: KOSTIAL KRISTA , VOUK V. B.
Published: July 2012

The perfused superior cervical ganglion of the cat has been used to study the effect of lead ions on synaptic transmission and on the relase of acetylcholine from preganglionic nerve endings. Lead ions, in concentrations of 5 to 40 μM./l., caused block of ganglionic transmission, and reduced the output of acetylcholine. Calcium ions (10 mM./l.) relieved the block produced by lead ions and restored the acetylcholine output. The presence of lead ions does not seem to change the sensitivity of ganglion cells to injected acetylcholine.
THE EFFECT OF CORTISONE ON THE MULTIPLICATION OF M. TUBERCULOSIS IN NORMAL AND IMMUNE MICE
Authors: ROBSON J. M. , SULLIVAN F. M.
Published: July 2012

The multiplication of M. tuberculosis, var. bovis inoculated into the cornea of mice was studied by staining the whole cornea at various stages after inoculation. Four groups of animals were studied: untreated animals, animals treated with cortisone, animals previously immunized with the same bovine strain, and immunized animals treated with cortisone.

In the untreated immunized group little or no multiplication occurred. In the other three groups multiplication did occur and was about the same for the first week after inoculation. After this stage, cortisone‐treated animals, whether previously immunized or not, showed increased multiplication and massive cord formation, as compared with untreated animals in which little further multiplication was seen. The cortisone treatment had thus completely suppressed immunity. The significance of these results is discussed.
THE EFFECT OF PHENYLBUTAZONE UPON DIHYDROTACHYSTEROL OVERDOSAGE IN THE RAT
Authors: SELYE H.
Published: July 2012

Experiments on albino rats showed that short‐term overdosage with dihydrotachysterol, in amounts causing only traces of soft‐tissue calcification, induced a very pronounced calcium deposition in the heart, aorta, and kidney when the animals were simultaneously treated with phenylbutazone. Special attention is called to the fact that, under these experimental conditions, it is possible to obtain consistently a massive calcium deposition in the stroma of the renal papilla similar to that seen in “Randall's plaques” during the development of urolithiasis in man.
THE MECHANISM OF DINITROPHENOL HEART FAILURE
Authors: FAWAZ G. , TUTUNJI B.
Published: July 2012

Hypoxaemia, resulting from increased tissue metabolism, is an important factor in dinitrophenol failure in the conventional heart‐lung preparation. Improved oxygenation of the blood by a technique described in this paper prolongs the life of dinitrophenol‐treated hearts. Dinitrophenol acts very rapidly; oxygen consumption and coronary flow increase in a few minutes and the increase is proportional to the dose. The increase in oxygen consumption diminishes with time. Dinitrophenol decreases the phosphocreatine content of the heart, even when there is no failure or hypoxia. There is no evidence that dinitrophenol failure can be due to a decrease of phosphocreatine or adenosine triphosphate content of the heart, although this is to be expected in view of the observed “uncoupling” action of dinitrophenol.