bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differential effects of selective and non‐selective muscarinic antagonists on gastrointestinal transit and bowel function in healthy women
Authors: Bharucha A. E. , Isowa H. , Hiro S. , Guan Z. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackground  The gastrointestinal effects of antimuscarinic drugs used to treat overactive bladder may be related to the selectivity of these agents for M3‐muscarinic receptor subtypes. We compared the effects of non‐selective (fesoterodine) and M3‐selective (solifenacin) antimuscarinics on gastrointestinal transit in healthy women.Methods  Gastric emptying (GE), small‐intestinal transit (colonic filling at 6 h), colonic transit [geometric center at 24 h (GC24; primary endpoint) and 48 h (GC48)], and bowel habits were assessed by scintigraphy and bowel diaries before and after randomization to fesoterodine 8 mg, solifenacin 10 mg, or placebo (2 : 2 : 1) for 14 days. An interim analysis to finalize sample size was conducted.Key Results  After 60 subjects [placebo (n = 12), fesoterodine (n = 25), solifenacin (n = 23)] completed the study, the study was terminated due to a prespecified criterion (sample size ≥452.5 needed to provide ≥80% power to demonstrate superiority of fesoterodine over solifenacin in GC24). Compared with baseline, (i) placebo delayed small‐intestinal, but not colonic, transit, (ii) fesoterodine significantly increased GE t1/2vs placebo (17.0 min; P = 0.027), and (iii) fesoterodine and solifenacin delayed small‐intestinal (−36.8% and −21.8%, respectively, P < 0.001 vs placebo) and colonic transit (GC24: −0.44 and −0.49, respectively, P < 0.05 vs placebo; GC48: −0.25 and −0.65, respectively, P > 0.05 vs placebo). Solifenacin increased stool hardness from baseline (P = 0.010 for difference vs fesoterodine); stool frequency was comparable.Conclusions & Inferences  In healthy women, fesoterodine had greater effects on small‐intestinal transit and solifenacin had greater effects on colonic transit; the latter finding may explain why solifenacin, but not fesoterodine, increased stool hardness. (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT00892034).
Herbivores can select for mixed defensive strategies in plants
Authors: Carmona Diego , Fornoni Juan 
Published: November 2012

Summary

Resistance and tolerance are the most important defense mechanisms against herbivores. Initial theoretical studies considered both mechanisms functionally redundant, but more recent empirical studies suggest that these mechanisms may complement each other, favoring the presence of mixed defense patterns. However, the expectation of redundancy between tolerance and resistance remains unsupported.

In this study, we tested this assumption following an ecological genetics field experiment in which the presence/absence of two herbivores (Lema daturaphila and Epitrix parvula) of Datura stramonium were manipulated. In each of three treatments, genotypic selection analyses were performed and selection patterns compared.

Our results indicated that selection on resistance and tolerance was significantly different between the two folivores. Tolerance and resistance are not redundant defense strategies in D. stramonium but instead functioned as complementary defenses against both beetle species, favoring the evolution of a mixed defense strategy. Although each herbivore was selected for different defense strategies, the observed average tolerance and resistance were closer to the adaptive peak predicted against E. parvula and both beetles together.

In our experimental population, natural selection imposed by herbivores can favor the evolution of mixed defense strategies in plants, accounting for the presence of intermediate levels of tolerance and resistance.
Joint evolution of seed traits along an aridity gradient: seed size and dormancy are not two substitutable evolutionary traits in temporally heterogeneous environment
Authors: Volis Sergei , Bohrer Gil 
Published: November 2012

Summary

Seed size and dormancy are reproductive traits that interact as adaptations to environmental conditions. Here, we explore the evolution of these traits in environments that differ in overall mean favorability and in the extent of temporal predictability.

Our model simulates a population of annual plants living in a range of environments that differ in aridity, namely mean annual precipitation and inter‐annual variation of this mean precipitation.

The optimal fitness curve is investigated assuming density dependence, three alternative hypothetical relationships between seed mass and seed survival in the soil (negative, positive, and independent of mass), and three alternative relationships between survival in soil and precipitation (strong and intermediate negative relationships, and no relationship).

Our results show that seed size and dormancy are not two substitutable evolutionary traits; that specific combinations of these two traits are selected in environments that differ in favorability and temporal predictability; that a certain degree of seed dormancy is advantageous not only in temporally unpredictable environments but also in temporally predictable environments with high competition; and that more than one combination of seed size and dormancy (defined in terms of germination fraction) can be optimal, even in spatially homogeneous environments, potentially allowing selection for more variation in these traits within and among species.
Suppression of the SUGAR‐DEPENDENT1 triacylglycerol lipase family during seed development enhances oil yield in oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.)
Authors: Kelly Amélie A. , Shaw Eve , Powers Stephen J. , Kurup Smita , Eastmond Peter J. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryIncreasing the productivity of oilseed crops is an important challenge for plant breeders and biotechnologists. To date, attempts to increase oil production in seeds via metabolic pathway engineering have focused on boosting synthetic capacity. However, in the tissues of many organisms, it is well established that oil levels are determined by both anabolism and catabolism. Indeed, the oil content of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) has been reported to decline by approximately 10% in the final stage of development, as the seeds desiccate. Here, we show that RNAi suppression of the SUGAR‐DEPENDENT1 triacylglycerol lipase gene family during seed development results in up to an 8% gain in oil yield on either a seed, plant or unit area basis in the greenhouse, with very little adverse impact on seed vigour. Suppression of lipolysis could therefore constitute a new method for enhancing oil yield in oilseed crops.
Choice of shrinkage parameter and prediction of genomic breeding values in elite maize breeding populations
Authors: Zhao Yusheng , Gowda Manje , Liu Wenxin , Würschum Tobias , Maurer Hans P. , Longin Friedrich H. , Ranc Nicolas , Piepho Hans P. , Reif Jochen C. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractGenomic selection (GS) is a promising alternative to marker‐assisted selection particularly for quantitative traits. In this study, we examined the prediction accuracy of genomic breeding values by using ridge regression best linear unbiased prediction in combination with fivefold cross‐validation based on empirical data of a commercial maize breeding programme. The empirical data is composed of 930 testcross progenies derived from 11 segregating families evaluated at six environments for grain yield and grain moisture. Accuracy to predict genomic breeding values was affected by the choice of the shrinkage parameter λ2, by unbalanced family size, by size of the training population and to a lower extent by the number of markers. Accuracy of genomic breeding values was high suggesting that the selection gain can be improved implementing GS in elite maize breeding programmes.
Acute Hemorrhagic Edema of Infancy: A Troubling Cutaneous Presentation with a Self‐Limiting Course
Authors: Savino Francesco , Lupica Maria M. , Tarasco Valentina , Locatelli Emanuela , Viola Serena , di Montezemolo Luca C. , Coppo Paola 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAcute hemorrhagic edema of infancy (AHEI) is an unusual form of leukocytoclastic vasculitis with dramatic distinguishing skin lesions that occurs in infants ages 4 to 24 months old. The disease presents with skin eruptions that usually start with large (1–5 cm), symmetrically distributed, hemorrhagic lesions in a characteristic cockade pattern. The lesions are typically located on the lower extremities, face (in particular the ears, cheeks, and eyelids), and gluteal area. Fever may accompany skin eruptions. Clinical presentation at onset requires clinical and laboratory examination to distinguish it from more serious diseases and other vasculitis. The main differential diagnosis of AHEI is Henoch‐Schönlein purpura. AHEI is generally a self‐limiting disease, so a conservative approach should be considered. Topical or systemic corticosteroid therapy has been reported to be beneficial, as well as antihistamines and dapsone, although AHEI usually resolves completely with or without treatment. We report two cases of AHEI and an update of the literature.
Historical theses on nursing and caring sciences in Finland: a literature review
Authors: Lukana Anne , Leena Salminen , Marjo Kaartinen , Helena Leino‐Kilpi 
Published: November 2012

AimsThe purpose of this literature review was to review the theses (masters, licentiate and doctoral theses) on the history of nursing and caring sciences in Finland. The research questions were as follows: 1.What is the number and characteristics of these historical theses (target groups, methods and sources) on nursing and caring sciences have been produced in Finland? 2.What periods of time have been under investigation in these theses? 3.What topics have been investigated in these theses?MethodsThe theses on the history of nursing and caring sciences were retrieved from the theses index of the universities that offer education in nursing and caring sciences in Finland. The literature search covered the time period 1979–2010. Altogether, 58 theses were reviewed and analysed via content analysis.FindingsOf all of the theses (n = 3969) produced in nursing and caring sciences, 58 of them focused on historical topics (<2%). The most common target group was healthcare personnel. The most common research method was the traditional historical method. Primary and secondary sources were used both together and separately. Nearly all of the theses examined the history of the 1900s, whereas only a few of them examined time periods before that. The four main topics of the theses were nursing practice, nursing education, nursing management and philosophy of nursing. The most common topic was nursing practice, especially psychiatric nursing.ConclusionResearch on the history of nursing and caring sciences in Finland has received only marginal attention from researchers. This literature review offers a description of the historical research produced on nursing and caring sciences and the topics of interest. In future, it will be necessary to more closely examine several historical topics that have been neglected in the study of nursing and caring sciences.
L‐Carnitine Supplementation in Dialysis: Treatment in Quest of Disease
Authors: Wasserstein Alan G. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractL‐Carnitine (LC) administration has been recommended for specific indications in dialysis patients, including epoetin‐resistant anemia, intradialytic hypotension, cardiomyopathy, fatigue, muscle weakness, and exercise performance; it may ameliorate insulin resistance, inflammation, and protein wasting. Use of LC for anemia and intradialytic hypotension has been approved for reimbursement by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Yet, the data to support these recommendations are inadequate and have not been bolstered over several decades. LC administration continues to appeal to nephrologists because its use in dialysis patients has an attractive rationale, it addresses problems that persist despite dialysis, it is safe, and the existing literature does not refute its use. Nevertheless, definitive trials to justify LC administration have not been conducted and are increasingly unlikely to be funded. In an era of shrinking resources and bundling of dialysis services, the use of LC in dialysis patients will, appropriately, diminish.
Personality trait inferences of Turkish immigrant and neutral targets: An experimental study
Authors: SANDAL GRO M. , BYE HEGE H. , PALLESEN STÅLE 
Published: November 2012

Sandal, G. M. Bye, H. H. & Pallesen, S. (2012). Personality trait inferences of Turkish immigrant and neutral targets: An experimental study. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 53, 528–533.The study investigated whether personality traits attributed to immigrant targets differ from personality inferences made for a neutral target, and whether trait attributions differ for assimilated and integrated immigrant targets. Participants (n = 340) were randomized to one of three conditions in which they read the same story about a person, but where the person was described as either: (a) an assimilated Turkish immigrant; (b) an integrated Turkish immigrant; or (c) neutral (no nationality or religious practice indicated). Subsequently, they rated the personality of the described person on the NEO‐Five Factor Inventory (observer rating version) and completed the Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding (Impression Management scale) with reference to themselves. Both immigrant targets were rated as significantly higher on extraversion and lower on neuroticism than the neutral target. The integrated target was rated as more open than the neutral target, and as higher than the assimilated target on neuroticism when controlling for impression management.
QuantiFERON‐TB Gold In‐Tube test for diagnosis of latent tuberculosis (TB) infection in solid organ transplant candidates: a single‐center study in an area endemic for TB
Authors: Ahmadinejad Z. , Azmoudeh Ardalan F. , Razzaqi M. , Davoudi S. , Jafarian A. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in transplant recipients is estimated to be 50 times higher than in the general population, with a mortality rate of around 40%. Diagnosis and treatment of latent tuberculosis (TB) infection (LTBI) is an essential strategy for TB control. In this study we compared the QuantiFERON‐TB Gold In‐Tube test (QFT) with the tuberculin skin test (TST) for detection of LTBI in solid organ transplant (SOT) candidates.Patients and methodsBetween March 2008 and September 2011, 187 transplant candidates, who were referred to the transplant clinic of Imam‐Khomeini Hospital, were enrolled in the study. Patients were screened for LTBI with both QFT and TST. Twenty‐three patients (12.3%) were excluded for failure to follow up. Concordance between the 2 tests, and variables associated with test discordance were assessed.ResultsThe mean age of patients was 40 years (range: 11–65) and male‐to‐female ratio was 1.2 (88/76). TST and QFT were positive in 26 (15.9%) and 33 (20.1%) patients, respectively. Five cases (3.1%) had indeterminate QFT. Overall agreement between QFT and TST was about 80% (k = 0.32, P‐value = 0.0001).ConclusionConsidering the fair overall agreement between the 2 tests, and greater ease of the QFT from the patient's point of view, QFT is recommended for detection of LTBI in SOT candidates.
Removal of TSE agent from plasma products manufactured in the United Kingdom
Authors: Roberts P. L. , Dalton J. , Evans D. , Harrison P. , Li Z. , Ternouth K. , Thirunavukkarasu V. , Bulmer M. , Fernando S. , McLeod N. 
Published: November 2012

Background and Objectives  The outbreak of vCJD in the UK leads to concern regarding the potential for human‐to‐human transmission of this agent. Plasma‐derived products such as albumin, immunoglobulin and coagulation factors were manufactured by BPL from UK plasma up until 1999 when a switch to US plasma was made. In the current study, the capacity of various manufacturing processes that were in use both prior to and after this time to remove the TSE agent was tested.Materials and Methods  Small‐scale models of the various product manufacturing steps were developed. Intermediates were spiked with scrapie brain extract and then further processed. Samples were assayed for the abnormal form of prion protein (PrPSC) by Western blotting, and the reduction in the amount of scrapie agent determined.Results  Many of the manufacturing process steps produced significant reduction in the scrapie agent. Particularly effective were steps such as ethanol fractionation, depth filtration, ion‐exchange and copper chelate affinity chromatography. Virus retentive filters, of nominal pore size 15 or 20 nm, removed >3 log. The total cumulative reduction capacity for individual products was estimated to range from 7 to 14 log. In the case of factor VIII (8Y), the total removal was limited to 3 log.Conclusion  All the processes showed a substantial capacity to remove the TSE agent. However, this was more limited for the intermediate purity factor VIII 8Y which included fewer manufacturing steps.
Typing of Nosocomial Outbreaks of Acinetobacter baumannii by Use of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Mencacci Antonella , Monari Claudia , Leli Christian , Merlini Luca , De Carolis Elena , Vella Antonietta , Cacioni Maria , Buzi Sara , Nardelli Emanuela , Bistoni Francesco , Sanguinetti Maurizio , Vecchiarelli Anna 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACT

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has been evaluated for the identification of multidrug-resistant
Acinetobacter baumannii
nosocomial outbreaks in comparison with the repetitive sequence-based PCR DiversiLab system. The results suggest that MALDI-TOF MS can be used for real-time detection of
Acinetobacter
outbreaks before results from DNA-based systems are available.
Fatal Alveolar Echinococcosis of the Lumbar Spine
Authors: Keutgens Aurore , Simoni Paolo , Detrembleur Nancy , Frippiat Frédéric , Giot Jean-Baptiste , Spirlet François , Aghazarian Saro , Descy Julie , Meex Cécile , Huynen Pascale , Melin Pierrette , Müller Norbert , Gottstein Bruno , Carlier Yves , Hayette Marie-Pierre 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACT

For the last 10 years, the southern part of Belgium has been recognized as a low-risk area of endemicity for alveolar echinococcosis. This infection, caused by
Echinococcus multilocularis
, usually induces a severe liver condition and can sometimes spread to other organs. However, alveolar echinococcosis involving bones has been described only very rarely. Here, a fatal case of spondylodiscitis due to
E. multilocularis
contracted in southern Belgium is reported.
Influence of Different Media, Incubation Times, and Temperatures for Determining the MICs of Seven Antifungal Agents against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis by Microdilution
Authors: Cruz R. C. , Werneck S. M. C. , Oliveira C. S. , Santos P. C. , Soares B. M. , Santos D. A. , Cisalpino P. S. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACT

MIC assays with
Paracoccidioides brasiliensis
, the etiological agent of paracoccidioidomycosis, had been conducted with variable protocols, employing both macrodilution and microdilution tests and including differences in inoculum preparation, media used, incubation periods, and temperatures. Twenty-one clinical and environmental isolates of
Paracoccidioides
were tested using amphotericin B, itraconazole, ketoconazole, fluconazole, sulfamethoxazole, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, and terbinafine, according to the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards, document M27-A2, 2002), with modifications such as three medium formulations (RPMI 1640 medium, McVeigh and Morton [MVM] medium, and modified Mueller-Hinton [MMH] medium), two incubation temperatures (room temperature [25 to 28°C] and 37°C), and three incubation periods (7, 10, and 15 days). The antifungal activities were also classified as fungicidal or fungistatic. The best results were obtained after 15 days of incubation, which was chosen as the standard incubation time. The MICs for most individual isolates grown for the same length of time at the same temperature varied with the different media used (
P
< 0.05). Of the isolates, 81% showed transition from the yeast to the mycelial form in RPMI 1640 medium at 37°C, independent of the presence of antifungals. MMH medium appears to be a suitable medium for susceptibility testing of antifungal drugs with
P. brasiliensis
, except for sulfamethoxazole and the combination of sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, for which the MVM medium yielded better results. The incubation temperature influenced the MICs, with, in general, higher MICs at 25°C (mycelial form) than at 37°C (
P
< 0.05). Based on our results, we tentatively propose a microdilution assay protocol for susceptibility testing of antifungal drugs against
Paracoccidioides
.
Amino Acid Exchanges in the Putative Nuclear Export Signal of Adenovirus Type 5 L4-100K Severely Reduce Viral Progeny due to Effects on Hexon Biogenesis
Authors: Koyuncu Orkide O. , Speiseder Thomas , Dobner Thomas , Schmid Melanie 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACT
The adenovirus type 5 nonstructural L4-100K protein is indispensable for efficient lytic infection. During the late phase, L4-100K promotes selective translation of viral late transcripts and mediates the trimerization of the major capsid protein hexon. In the present study, the role of a potential nuclear export signal in L4-100K was investigated. Intriguingly, amino acid substitutions in this sequence resulted in severely diminished progeny virus production, seemingly by precluding proper hexon biogenesis.
Dicer-2- and Piwi-Mediated RNA Interference in Rift Valley Fever Virus-Infected Mosquito Cells
Authors: Léger P. , Lara E. , Jagla B. , Sismeiro O. , Mansuroglu Z. , Coppée J. Y. , Bonnefoy E. , Bouloy M. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACT

Rift Valley fever virus
(RVFV) is a
Phlebovirus
(
Bunyaviridae
family) transmitted by mosquitoes. It infects humans and ruminants, causing dramatic epidemics and epizootics in Africa, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia. While recent studies demonstrated the importance of the nonstructural protein NSs as a major component of virulence in vertebrates, little is known about infection of mosquito vectors. Here we studied RVFV infection in three different mosquito cell lines, Aag2 cells from
Aedes aegypti
and U4.4 and C6/36 cells from
Aedes albopictus
. In contrast with mammalian cells, where NSs forms nuclear filaments, U4.4 and Aag2 cells downregulated NSs expression such that NSs filaments were never formed in nuclei of U4.4 cells and disappeared at an early time postinfection in the case of Aag2 cells. On the contrary, in C6/36 cells, NSs nuclear filaments were visible during the entire time course of infection. Analysis of virus-derived small interfering RNAs (viRNAs) by deep sequencing indicated that production of viRNAs was very low in C6/36 cells, which are known to be Dicer-2 deficient but expressed some viRNAs presenting a Piwi signature. In contrast, Aag2 and U4.4 cells produced large amounts of viRNAs predominantly matching the S segment and displaying Dicer-2 and Piwi signatures. Whereas 21-nucleotide (nt) Dicer-2 viRNAs were prominent during early infection, the population of 24- to 27-nt Piwi RNAs (piRNAs) increased progressively and became predominant later during the acute infection and during persistence. In Aag2 and U4.4 cells, the combined actions of the Dicer-2 and Piwi pathways triggered an efficient antiviral response permitting, among other actions, suppression of NSs filament formation and allowing establishment of persistence. In C6/36 cells, Piwi-mediated RNA interference (RNAi) appeared to be sufficient to mount an antiviral response against a secondary infection with a superinfecting virus. This study provides new insights into the role of Dicer and Piwi in mosquito antiviral defense and the development of the antiviral response in mosquitoes.