bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Natural law, Aquinas and the Magisterium
Authors: Charlton William 
Published: December 2014

Abstract
The Catholic Church claims that its ethical teaching, especially on sex,
is based upon natural law. I first show that natural law theories prior to
the Middle Ages provide no authority for the Church's teaching on sex. I
then examine Aquinas's teaching on natural functions and natural law in the
two Summae. I suggest that he partly anticipates
Enlightenment thinking about law and morals. I compare his theory of natural
law with that of Germain Grisez and John Finnis. Finally, I examine the
notion of a principle of practical reasoning and indicate how such
principles could be formulated to correspond to elements in human
nature.
Electroanatomic Mapping Guided Cryoablation of Mahaim Pathways in Children with Limited Fluoroscopy Exposure
Authors: OZTURK ERKUT , ERGUL YAKUP , TANIDIR I. CANSARAN , AKDENIZ CELAL , TOLA H. TAHSIN , TUZCU VOLKAN 
Published: December 2014

BackgroundThe presence of Mahaim accessory pathways (MAP) with anterograde decremental conduction is a disorder that leads to antidromic atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia. There are rare reports of cryoablation use in MAP. This study aims at sharing our experience with using cryoablation to treat MAP in children.MethodsElectrophysiology study and catheter ablation were performed in 14 patients diagnosed with Mahaim tachycardia between January 2010 and December 2013. Cryoablation was used in nine of the cases. A three‐dimensional navigation system with surface electrode patches (EnSite System, St. Jude Medical Inc., St. Paul, MN, USA) was used for all procedures.ResultsThe patients (two girls and seven boys) had a median age of 11.5 years (8–18 years) and a median weight of 67 kg (31–80 kg). Mahaim conduction was localized in the right posterolateral (n = 4), right lateral region (n = 2), right posteroseptal (n = 1), right anterolateral (n = 1), and right anterior (n = 1). A pathway potential was noted in six of nine cases at the tricuspid annulus. Catheter choices and acute success rates were as follows: cryoablation in four (three of four successful), radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) and cryoablation in five (successful in four of five). No fluoroscopy was used in six of nine patients. The mean procedure duration was 249 ± 90 minutes. No major complications were observed. The final long‐term success rate for cryoablation was seven of nine (78%).ConclusionsCryoablation can be used as a reliable and effective alternative to RFA in the treatment of Mahaim accessory conduction pathways in children. Prospective comparative studies are necessary in order to further evaluate the long‐term efficacy of this method.
Antisense suppression of LOX3 gene expression in rice endosperm enhances seed longevity
Authors: Xu Huibin , Wei Yidong , Zhu Yongsheng , Lian Ling , Xie Hongguang , Cai Qiuhua , Chen Qiushi , Lin Zhongping , Wang Zonghua , Xie Huaan , Zhang Jianfu 
Published: December 2014

SummaryLipid peroxidation plays a major role in seed longevity and viability. In rice grains, lipid peroxidation is catalyzed by the enzyme lipoxygenase 3 (LOX3). Previous reports showed that grain from the rice variety DawDam in which the LOX3 gene was deleted had less stale flavour after grain storage than normal rice. The molecular mechanism by which LOX3 expression is regulated during endosperm development remains unclear. In this study, we expressed a LOX3 antisense construct in transgenic rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants to down‐regulate LOX3 expression in rice endosperm. The transgenic plants exhibited a marked decrease in LOX mRNA levels, normal phenotypes and a normal life cycle. We showed that LOX3 activity and its ability to produce 9‐hydroperoxyoctadecadienoic acid (9‐HPOD) from linoleic acid were significantly lower in transgenic seeds than in wild‐type seeds by measuring the ultraviolet absorption of 9‐HPOD at 234 nm and by high‐performance liquid chromatography. The suppression of LOX3 expression in rice endosperm increased grain storability. The germination rate of TS‐91 (antisense LOX3 transgenic line) was much higher than the WT (29% higher after artificial ageing for 21 days, and 40% higher after natural ageing for 12 months). To our knowledge, this is the first report to demonstrate that decreased LOX3 expression can preserve rice grain quality during storage with no impact on grain yield, suggesting potential applications in agricultural production.
Wittgenstein in China
Authors: Zhang Xue‐guang 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAlthough Chinese philosophers were somewhat influenced by Wittgenstein before 1949 – the Tractatus was first translated into Chinese in 1927–28 – they tended to see him either as a disciple of Russell or as a member of the Vienna Circle. However, since 1979 (following 30 years in which they were unable to study such Western philosophers), Chinese scholars have done their utmost to catch up with world standards in Wittgenstein scholarship in three overlapping routes – textual reading, contextual interpretation and philosophical application. As China continues its modernisation, there will likely be more substantive interaction between Wittgenstein's thought and Chinese philosophy and culture.
Tick saliva increases production of three chemokines including monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1, a histamine‐releasing cytokine
Authors: Langhansová H. , Bopp T. , Schmitt E. , Kopecký J. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryThe effect of Ixodes ricinus tick saliva on the production of various cytokines and chemokines by mouse splenocytes was tested by a cytokine array. We demonstrated a strong upregulation of three chemokines, monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1), thymus‐derived chemotactic agent 3 (TCA‐3) and macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP‐2). MCP‐1 could be induced by tick saliva itself. While TCA‐3 and MIP‐2 are engaged in Th2 polarization of the host immune response associated with tick feeding, MCP‐1 may act as a histamine release factor, increasing blood flow into the feeding lesion thus facilitating tick engorgement in the late, rapid feeding phase.
Brugia malayi infective larvae fail to activate Langerhans cells and dermal dendritic cells in human skin
Authors: Cotton R. N. , McDonald‐Fleming R. , Boyd A. , Spates K. , Nutman T. B. , Tolouei Semnani R. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryFilarial infection in humans is initiated when a mosquito deposits third‐stage parasite larvae (L3) in the skin. Langerhans cells (LCs) and dermal dendritic cells (DDCs) are the first cells that the parasite encounters, and L3s must evade these highly effective antigen‐presenting cells to establish infection. To assess LC and DDC responses to L3 in human skin, we employed three models of increasing physiologic relevance: in vitro‐generated LCs, epidermal blister explants and full‐thickness human skin sections. In vitro‐generated LCs expressed TLR1‐10 and robustly produced IL‐6 and TNF‐α in response to PolyI:C, but pre‐exposure to L3s did not alter inflammatory cytokine production or TLR expression. L3s did not modulate expression of LC markers CDH1, CD207, or CD1a, or the regulatory products TSLP or IDO in epidermal explants or in vitro‐generated LC. LC, CD14+ DDC, CD1c+ DC and CD141+ DC from human skin sections were analysed by flow cytometry. While PolyI:C potently induced CCL22 production in LC, CD1c+ DC, and CD141+ DC, and IL‐10 production in LC, L3s did not modulate the numbers of or cytokine production by any skin DC subset. L3s broadly failed to activate or modulate LCs or DDCs, suggesting filarial larvae expertly evade APC detection in human skin.
How specialised is bird pollination in the Cactaceae?
Authors: Gorostiague P. , Ortega‐Baes P. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractMany cactus species produce ‘bird’ flowers; however, the reproductive biology of the majority of these species has not been studied. Here, we report on a study of the pollination of two species from the Cleistocactus genus, cited as an ornithophilous genus, in the context of the different ways in which they are specialised to bird pollination. In addition, we re‐evaluate the level of specialisation of previous studies of cacti with bird pollination and evaluate how common phenotypic specialisation to birds is in this family. Both Cleistocactus species exhibited ornithophilous floral traits. Cleistocactus baumannii was pollinated by hummingbirds, whereas Cleistocactus smaragdiflorus was pollinated by hummingbirds and bees. Pollination by birds has been recorded in 27 cactus species, many of which exhibit ornithophilous traits; however, they show generalised pollination systems with bees, bats or moths in addition to birds being their floral visitors. Of all cactus species, 27% have reddish flowers. This trait is associated with diurnal anthesis and a tubular shape. Phenotypic specialisation to bird pollination is recognised in many cactus species; however, it is not predictive of functional and ecological specialisation in this family.
Control of resin production in Araucaria angustifolia, an ancient South American conifer
Authors: Perotti J. C. , da Silva Rodrigues‐Corrêa K. C. , Fett‐Neto A. G. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAraucaria angustifolia is an ancient slow‐growing conifer that characterises parts of the Southern Atlantic Forest biome, currently listed as a critically endangered species. The species also produces bark resin, although the factors controlling its resinosis are largely unknown. To better understand this defence‐related process, we examined the resin exudation response of A. angustifolia upon treatment with well‐known chemical stimulators used in fast‐growing conifers producing both bark and wood resin, such as Pinus elliottii. The initial hypothesis was that A. angustifolia would display significant differences in the regulation of resinosis. The effect of Ethrel® (ET – ethylene precursor), salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), sulphuric acid (SuA) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP – nitric oxide donor) on resin yield and composition in young plants of A. angustifolia was examined. In at least one of the concentrations tested, and frequently in more than one, an aqueous glycerol solution applied on fresh wound sites of the stem with one or more of the adjuvants examined promoted an increase in resin yield, as well as monoterpene concentration (α‐pinene, β‐pinene, camphene and limonene). Higher yields and longer exudation periods were observed with JA and ET, another feature shared with Pinus resinosis. The results suggest that resinosis control is similar in Araucaria and Pinus. In addition, A. angustifolia resin may be a relevant source of valuable terpene chemicals, whose production may be increased by using stimulating pastes containing the identified adjuvants.
Genotype of FLOWERING LOCUS T homologue contributes to flowering time differences in wild and cultivated roses
Authors: Otagaki S. , Ogawa Y. , Hibrand‐Saint Oyant L. , Foucher F. , Kawamura K. , Horibe T. , Matsumoto S. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractRose flowers have long delighted humans as ornamental plants. To improve the ornamental value of roses it is necessary to understand the regulatory mechanisms of flowering. We previously found that flowering time is controlled by three minor quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and a major QTL co‐localised with RoFT. In this study, we isolated three RoFT alleles encoding completely identical amino acid sequences from the parents of a mapping population. Correlation analysis of the RoFT genotypes and flowering time phenotypes in the mapping population showed that the RoFT_f and RoFT_g alleles contribute to the early‐flowering phenotype, while the RoFT_e allele contributes to the late‐flowering phenotype. We developed two novel cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) markers based on the genomic sequences of the RoFT alleles and clearly showed that the relationship between RoFT genotype and flowering time was applicable to 12 of 13 cultivated roses grown at the Higashiyama Botanical Gardens, Japan. Allele‐specific expression analysis using a reverse transcription CAPS assay suggested that these RoFT alleles are regulated differentially at the transcription level. Furthermore, transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants ectopically expressing the RoFT gene showed an early‐flowering phenotype. Conversely, in roses, RoFT was continuously expressed after floral bud formation, and RoFT transcript accumulation reached its peak after that of the floral meristem identity gene RoAP1b. These data suggest that RoFT may be essential not only for floral transition but also for normal floral development and flowering in roses.
Effect of smoke derivatives on in vitro pollen germination and pollen tube elongation of species from different plant families
Authors: Kumari A. , Papenfus H. B. , Kulkarni M. G. , Pošta M. , Van Staden J. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractPlant‐derived smoke stimulates seed germination in numerous plant species. Smoke also has a positive stimulatory effect on pollen germination and pollen tube growth. The range of plant families affected my smoke still needs to be established since the initial study was restricted to only three species from the Amaryllidaceae. The effects of smoke‐water (SW) and the smoke‐derived compounds, karrikinolide (KAR1) and trimethylbutenolide (TMB) on pollen growth characteristics were evaluated in seven different plant families. Smoke‐water (1:1000 and 1:2000 v:v) combined with either Brewbaker and Kwack's (BWK) medium or sucrose and boric acid (SB) medium significantly improved pollen germination and pollen tube growth in Aloe maculata All., Kniphofia uvaria Oken, Lachenalia aloides (L.f.) Engl. var. aloides and Tulbaghia simmleri P. Beauv. Karrikinolide (10−6 and 10−7 m) treatment significantly improved pollen tube growth in A. maculata, K. uvaria, L. aloides and Nematanthus crassifolius (Schott) Wiehle compared to the controls. BWK or SB medium containing TMB (10−3 m) produced significantly longer pollen tubes in A. maculata, K. uvaria and N. crassifolius. These results indicate that plant‐derived smoke and the smoke‐isolated compounds may stimulate pollen growth in a wide range of plant species.
Standards for Development: Food Safety and Sustainability in Wal‐Mart's Honduran Produce Supply Chains
Authors: Bloom J. Dara 
Published: December 2014

AbstractPublic‐private partnerships between supermarket retailers and development agencies help small‐scale producers reach growing domestic markets in developing countries. Drawing on qualitative data that focuses on relationships between producers, development agencies, and Wal‐Mart‐owned supermarkets in Honduras, the research presented here demonstrates how, by introducing food safety standards to development agencies' outreach efforts, but without necessarily certifying producers or offering a price premium, Wal‐Mart uses these standards to simultaneously differentiate production practices by promoting quality, while maintaining a standardized market. As a result, the responsibility and costs for incentivizing growers to change their practices is shifted to nongovernmental organizations. Therefore, although an extensive body of literature describes standards and third‐party certification systems as the means for corporations to control production practices, this research indicates that public‐private partnerships are a new vehicle by which corporations can influence agricultural production practices. In addition, this article argues that the inclusion of food safety standards in development projects leads to the conflation of food safety and sustainability, without adequately interrogating which agroecological processes food safety standards include and exclude. Therefore, retailers' private food safety standards dominate how sustainability is perceived and practiced in the development context.
Fecal colonization and infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Nesher L. , Rolston K.V.I. , Shah D.P. , Tarrand J.T. , Mulanovich V. , Ariza‐Heredia E.J. , Chemaly R.F. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackgroundPseudomonas aeruginosa, especially multidrug‐resistant (MDR) isolates, is an important pathogen in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) recipients. The ability to identify patients at risk for these infections and administer appropriate empiric therapy, particularly during episodes of neutropenia, may improve outcomes and also direct infection control and antimicrobial stewardship efforts. Many transplant centers obtain routine surveillance stool cultures (SSCs) from HCT recipients to test for colonization with vancomycin‐resistant enterococci, and extended‐spectrum beta lactamase‐producing Enterobacteriaceae. Our center initiated the performance of SSCs for P. aeruginosa, because of a perceived increase in the frequency of infection with MDR strains. The aim of this study was to determine the utility of this practice.MethodsWe conducted a 2‐year (2010–2011) retrospective review of the medical records of all patients who underwent allogeneic HCT at our cancer center to (a) determine the frequency of fecal colonization with P. aeruginosa, including MDR strains; (b) to determine the overall frequency of subsequent P. aeruginosa infection, as well as the frequency of infection with MDR strains; (c) to ascertain the proportion of subsequent infections likely arising from the intestinal tract; and (d) to determine risk factors for progression from colonization to infection.ResultsOf 794 study patients, 58 (7.3%) had at least 1 positive SSC for P. aeruginosa; 19/58 (32.8%) developed a subsequent pseudomonal infection (11 with matching antimicrobial resistance patterns). On the other hand, 37/736 (5%) of the patients who were not colonized, developed a pseudomonal infection. The type of infection observed was pneumonia in 26 (46%) patients, bloodstream infection in 20 (36%), urinary tract infection in 8 (14%), and infections at other sites in 2 (4%). The incidence of MDR P. aeruginosa in the entire cohort was 2.2% (18 of 794): 12 had positive SSCs and 7 of these patients later developed MDR P. aeruginosa infections. Patients with acute myelogenous leukemia were more likely to be colonized and to develop subsequent infection. No infection‐related deaths were observed during the first 30 days after infection.ConclusionsThe incidence of P. aeruginosa colonization and subsequent infection was low. Patients who were not colonized had a low chance of developing P. aeruginosa infection. Most patients who developed infection did not have fecal colonization, suggesting a different source of infection. SSCs for P. aeruginosa provide incomplete information regarding the source of infection.
Human–Dromedary Camel Interactions and the Risk of Acquiring Zoonotic Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection
Authors: Gossner C. , Danielson N. , Gervelmeyer A. , Berthe F. , Faye B. , Kaasik Aaslav K. , Adlhoch C. , Zeller H. , Penttinen P. , Coulombier D. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryMiddle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS‐CoV) cases without documented contact with another human MERS‐CoV case make up 61% (517/853) of all reported cases. These primary cases are of particular interest for understanding the source(s) and route(s) of transmission and for designing long‐term disease control measures. Dromedary camels are the only animal species for which there is convincing evidence that it is a host species for MERS‐CoV and hence a potential source of human infections. However, only a small proportion of the primary cases have reported contact with camels. Other possible sources and vehicles of infection include food‐borne transmission through consumption of unpasteurized camel milk and raw meat, medicinal use of camel urine and zoonotic transmission from other species. There are critical knowledge gaps around this new disease which can only be closed through traditional field epidemiological investigations and studies designed to test hypothesis regarding sources of infection and risk factors for disease. Since the 1960s, there has been a radical change in dromedary camel farming practices in the Arabian Peninsula with an intensification of the production and a concentration of the production around cities. It is possible that the recent intensification of camel herding in the Arabian Peninsula has increased the virus' reproductive number and attack rate in camel herds while the ‘urbanization’ of camel herding increased the frequency of zoonotic ‘spillover’ infections from camels to humans. It is reasonable to assume, although difficult to measure, that the sensitivity of public health surveillance to detect previously unknown diseases is lower in East Africa than in Saudi Arabia and that sporadic human cases may have gone undetected there.
Asian women have attenuated sympathetic activation but enhanced renal–adrenal responses during pregnancy compared to Caucasian women
Authors: Okada Yoshiyuki , Best Stuart A. , Jarvis Sara S. , Shibata Shigeki , Parker Rosemary S. , Casey Brian M. , Levine Benjamin D. , Fu Qi 
Published: December 2014

Key points
Asian women have a lower prevalence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy than Caucasian women.
This is the first longitudinal study to investigate neural and humoral responses during pregnancy in Asians and Caucasians.
The key finding was that Asians had attenuated sympathetic activation but enhanced renal–adrenal responsiveness during pregnancy compared to Caucasians.
These results may provide insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms for racial differences in the prevalence of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy.
AbstractAsians have a lower prevalence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy than Caucasians. Since sympathetic overactivity and dysregulation of the renal–adrenal system (e.g. low aldosterone levels) have been found in preeclamptic women, we hypothesized that Asians have lower muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and greater aldosterone concentrations during normal pregnancy than Caucasians. In a prospective study, blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and MSNA were measured during supine and upright tilt (30 deg and 60 deg for 5 min each) in 9 Asians (32 ± 1 years (mean ± SEM)) and 12 Caucasians (29 ± 1 years) during pre‐, early (≤8 weeks of gestation) and late (32–36 weeks) pregnancy, and post‐partum (6–10 weeks after delivery). Supine MSNA increased with pregnancy in both groups (P < 0.001); it was significantly lower in Asians than Caucasians (14 ± 3 vs. 23 ± 3 bursts min−1 and 16 ± 5 vs. 30 ± 3 bursts min−1 in early and late pregnancy, respectively; P = 0.023). BP decreased during early pregnancy (P < 0.001), but was restored during late pregnancy. HR increased during pregnancy (P < 0.001) with no racial difference (P = 0.758). MSNA increased during tilting and it was markedly lower in Asians than Caucasians in late pregnancy (31 ± 6 vs. 49 ± 3 bursts min−1 at 60 deg tilt; P = 0.003). Upright BP was lower in Asians, even in pre‐pregnancy (P = 0.006), and this racial difference persisted during pregnancy. Direct renin and aldosterone increased during pregnancy (both P < 0.001); these hormones were greater in Asians (P = 0.086 and P = 0.014). Thus, Asians have less sympathetic activation but more upregulated renal–adrenal responses than Caucasians during pregnancy. These results may explain, at least in part, why Asian women are at low risk of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.