bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Using ecological niche modelling to evaluate niche stability in deep time
Authors: Stigall Alycia L. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractAim  To investigate relative niche stability in species responses to various types of environmental pressure (biotic and abiotic) on geological time‐scales using the fossil record.Location  The case study focuses on Late Ordovician articulate brachiopods of the Cincinnati Arch in eastern North America.Methods  Species niches were modelled for a suite of fossil brachiopod species based on five environmental variables inferred from sedimentary parameters using GARP and Maxent. Niche stability was assessed by comparison of (1) the degree of overlap of species distribution models developed for a time‐slice and those generated by projecting niche models of the previous time‐slice onto environmental layers of a second time‐slice using GARP and Maxent, (2) Schoener’s D statistic, and (3) the similarity of the contribution of each environmental parameter within Maxent niche models between adjacent time‐slices.Results  Late Ordovician brachiopod species conserved their niches with high fidelity during intervals of gradual environmental change but responded to inter‐basinal species invasions through niche evolution. Both native and invasive species exhibited similar levels of niche evolution in the invasion and post‐invasion intervals. Niche evolution was related mostly to decreased variance within the former ecological niche parameters rather than to shifts to new ecospace.Main conclusions  Although the species examined exhibited morphological stasis during the study interval, high levels of niche conservatism were observed only during intervals of gradual environmental change. Rapid environmental change, notably inter‐basinal species invasions, resulted in high levels of niche evolution among the focal taxa. Both native and invasive species responded with similar levels of niche evolution during the invasion interval and subsequent environmental reorganization. The assumption of complete niche conservatism frequently employed in ecological niche modelling (ENM) analyses to forecast or hindcast species geographical distributions is more likely to be accurate for climate change studies than for invasive species analyses over geological time‐scales.
On a hidden game board: the patient’s first encounter with emergency care at the emergency department
Authors: Elmqvist Carina , Fridlund Bengt , Ekebergh Margaretha 
Published: December 2011

Aims and objectives.  Describe and understand the patient’s first encounter in emergency care at the emergency department, as experienced by the patient, next of kin and first providers from different professions.Background.  The emergency department is most often described as having high levels of satisfaction with the quality of care delivered. Although the patients appreciate clinical competence, quick assessment and technical skills, a close connection between patient satisfaction and vulnerability has been shown.Design.  A lifeworld research perspective was used in four different situations at the emergency department.Methods.  The data consisted of 14 open‐ended interviews with patients, next of kin and first providers.Results.  The analysis showed that narratives of the past, present and future characterises the encounter where mutual narratives form a foundation for those involved in the encounter. Five constituents further described the variations; vague rules and conflicting expectations in the encounter, an encounter with the biological body, ‘courtesy encounters’, isolated in a timeless encounter, striving for meaning in the encounter.Discussion.  Instead of expecting the patients to know the unwritten rules of the emergency department, the first providers could give clear information about expected waiting times and what to expect in the encounter. The challenge is to make a meaningful comprehensible context for all involved which can be generated in the interpersonal encounter.Relevance to clinical practice.  The findings highlight the importance of disclosing the rules of the game by means of giving clear information which would give possibilities for the patient to maintain control, for strengthening the nurse’s role as the patients’ advocate and for strengthening the effort for an emergency department to become more of a learning organisation.
Cord blood Tregs with stable FOXP3 expression are influenced by prenatal environment and associated with atopic dermatitis at the age of one year
Authors: Hinz D. , Bauer M. , Röder S. , Olek S. , Huehn J. , Sack U. , Borte M. , Simon J. C. , Lehmann I. , Herberth G. ,   for the LINA study group
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackground:Regulatory T cells (Tregs) with stable FOXP3 expression are characterized by a specific demethylated region in the FOXP3 gene (Treg‐specific demethylated region, TSDR). The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of prenatal factors on cord blood Treg numbers, as detected by changes in the TSDR demethylation, and the subsequent risk for allergic diseases.Methods:Analyses were performed within the LINA study in blood samples from pregnant women (34th gestational week) and in cord blood (n = 346 mother–child pairs). Treg numbers were detected via DNA demethylation in the FOXP3 TSDR. At age 1, total and specific IgE was measured in children's blood. In addition, maternal cytokine production (Th1/Th2/Th17) was analysed. Exposure and disease outcomes were assessed by questionnaires.Results:Boys had lower Treg numbers compared with girls (P < 0.001). Parental atopy history, particularly maternal hay fever and paternal asthma were related to lower Treg numbers in cord blood (adj. MR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.68–0.97; adj. MR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.45–0.81). Maternal cytokines (IL‐13, IL‐17E and IFN‐γ) and maternal smoking/exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy were also associated with decreased cord blood Treg numbers (adj. MR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.97–1.00). Children with lower Treg numbers at birth had a higher risk to develop atopic dermatitis (adj. OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.00–2.41) and sensitization to food allergens (adj. OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.06–2.25) during the first year of life.Conclusions:These results indicate that both genetic and environmental factors presumably influence the development of foetal Tregs. Low cord blood Treg numbers may predict early atopic dermatitis.
Characterization and Complete Nucleotide Sequence of Two Isolates of Tomato mosaic virus
Authors: Hu Qiong , Jiang Tong , Xue Chaoyang , Zhou Xueping 
Published: December 2011

AbstractTwo virus isolates, designated S1 and TL, were obtained from tomato and camellia root in China, respectively, and their host ranges, symptomatology, serological reactions and complete nucleotide sequences were determined. Isolate TL systemically infected Chenopodium amaranticolor causing leaf chlorosis, but the isolate S1 induced only local necrotic lesions. The complete nucleotide sequences of S1 and TL were determined and consisted of 6384 and 6383 nucleotides (Genbank accessions AJ132845 and AJ417701), respectively. Sequence analysis revealed that both isolates have the highest nucleotide sequence identity (over 92%) with Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV), but less (80%) with other tobamoviruses. Phylogenetic analyses based on the amino acid sequences of 30‐kD and 17.5‐kD proteins also indicated that both the isolates form a cluster with the isolates of ToMV. These data suggest that S1 and TL are isolates of ToMV. The possible reasons that TL infected C. amaranticolor systemically but S1 induced only local necrotic lesions are discussed.
Application of Vascular Puncture for Evaluation of Curtovirus Resistance in Chile Pepper and Tomato
Authors: Sedano Melina , Lam Nhan , Escobar Ismael , Cross Teresa , Hanson Stephen F. , Creamer Rebecca 
Published: December 2011

AbstractCurtoviruses cause severe damage to tomatoes and peppers. Functional field resistance to curtoviruses in these plants is desirable but difficult to produce and difficult to screen for because it is time‐consuming and resistance could be achieved by developing resistance either to the virus or to insect feeding. To improve and speed curtovirus resistance testing in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and pepper (Capsicum annuum) plants, two puncture methods were developed and compared to leafhopper inoculation and feeding preference assays. The two puncture methods were adapted to introduce a modified Agrobacterium tumefaciens plasmid carrying a recombinant curtovirus into the meristem tissue of tomato plants and into newly germinated chile pepper seedlings. The puncture techniques were used to screen for resistance to curtoviruses in chile pepper and tomato breeding lines and varieties. Similarly, the peppers and tomatoes were assayed for curtovirus resistance using leafhopper inoculation and feeding preference, which was assessed by stylet sheath staining. Virus infection by puncture and leafhopper feeding was monitored using PCR and ELISA. ELISA was performed using an antibody to bacterially expressed coat protein. While pepper cvs Tabasco, NuMex Las Cruces cayenne and New Mexico 6‐4 were infected using both puncture and leafhopper inoculation methods, New Mexico 6‐4 had higher infection rates than the other two cultivars. Stylet sheath staining results suggest that leafhoppers prefer to feed on New Mexico 6‐4 rather than Tabasco and NuMex Las Cruces cayenne. Eight tomato cultivars were infected using meristem removal injection inoculation. Three tomatoes cultivars (CVF‐11, Saladmaster and Supersteak) were infected using leafhopper inoculation, although stylet sheath staining results suggested that the first two cultivars were not preferred by the insect vector. Our results suggest that puncture methods and leafhopper inoculation are successful in resistance screening, and both methods should be used as part of screening, because they assess different types of resistance.
‘In Vitro’ Capacitation and Further ‘In Vitro’ Progesterone‐Induced Acrosome Exocytosis are Linked to Specific Changes in the Expression and Acrosome Location of Protein Phosphorylation in Serine Residues of Boar Spermatozoa
Authors: Ramió‐Lluch L , Fernández‐Novell JM , Peña A , Ramírez A , Concha II , Rodríguez‐Gil JE 
Published: December 2011

ContentsThe aim of this study is to determine changes in the expression and location of protein serine phosphorylation (pSer) during ‘in vitro’ capacitation (IVC) and ‘in vitro’ acrosome exocytosis (IVAE) in boar spermatozoa. This was performed in both mono‐ and bi‐dimensional analyses of protein expression through Western blot, as well as through immunocytochemistry. Furthermore, IVC was induced through incubation in an IVC medium, and afterwards, progesterone‐induced IVAE was performed. The mono‐dimensional Western blot analysis showed the presence of a predominant pSer band of approximately 70–75 kDa, which was accompanied by fainter bands, especially three with molecular weights of approximately 50, 35 and 32 kDa. Neither IVC nor IVAE significantly modified this pattern. Bi‐dimensional analyses showed a more complex pattern, with at least five protein clusters. The attainment of IVC caused the disappearance of the proteins with the highest molecular weight concomitantly with the appearance of pSer proteins of 75‐kDa/pI 9.5 and 80‐kDa/pI 10. The induction of IVAE caused the appearance of new pSer proteins of a 75‐kDa/pI 6.5–7.5 and 75‐kDa/pI 10. Immunocytochemistry showed that the main pSer expression in boar expression before the attainment of IVC was located at the midpiece. The IVC induced the appearance of acrosomal pSer, which was greatly increased during IVAE. Our results indicate that the changes in serine protein phosphorylation associated with IVC and IVAE comprise not only the appearance of specific phosphorylated proteins, such as the pSer‐75 kDa, but also changes in pI and displacements in the sperm location of phosphorylated proteins, like the specific acrosomal pSer signal induced during IVC.
Inside the complex regulation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa chaperone usher systems
Authors: Giraud Caroline , de Bentzmann Sophie 
Published: December 2011

SummaryPseudomonas aeruginosa assembles several cell surface‐associated organelles, including those of the chaperone usher (CU) pathway. Five different CU loci have been identified and characterized in various strains of P. aeruginosa. However, their potential functional redundancy, particularly in biofilm formation, is supported by the control of their expression by a complex and specific regulatory network. Here, we review recent findings relating to this network. The control exerted by this network involves transcriptional repressors and activators, a phase‐variable mechanism, a second intracellular messenger (c‐di‐GMP) and chemosensory and two‐component systems.
Adding saxagliptin to extended‐release metformin vs. uptitrating metformin dosage
Authors: Fonseca V. , Zhu T. , Karyekar C. , Hirshberg B. 
Published: December 2011

Aim: To investigate whether patients taking metformin for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have improved glycaemic control without compromising tolerability by adding an agent with a complementary mechanism of action vs. uptitrating metformin.Methods: Adults with T2DM and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) between 7.0 and 10.5% receiving metformin extended release (XR) 1500 mg/day for ≥8 weeks were randomized to receive saxagliptin 5 mg added to metformin XR 1500 mg (n = 138) or metformin XR uptitrated to 2000 mg/day (n = 144). Endpoints were change from baseline to week 18 in HbA1c (primary), 120‐min postprandial glucose (PPG), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and the proportion of patients achieving HbA1c <7%.Results: At week 18, the adjusted mean reduction from baseline HbA1c was −0.88% for saxagliptin + metformin XR and −0.35% for uptitrated metformin XR (difference, −0.52%; p < 0.0001). For 120‐min PPG and FPG, differences in adjusted mean change from baseline between saxagliptin + metformin XR and uptitrated metformin XR were −1.3 mmol/l (−23.32 mg/dl) (p = 0.0013) and −0.73 mmol/l (−13.18 mg/dl) (p = 0.0030), respectively. More patients achieved HbA1c <7.0% with saxagliptin + metformin XR than with uptitrated metformin XR (37.2 vs. 26.1%; p = 0.0459). The proportions of patients experiencing any adverse events (AEs) were generally similar between groups; neither group showed any notable difference in hypoglycaemia or gastrointestinal AEs.Conclusion: Adding saxagliptin to metformin XR provided superior glycaemic control compared with uptitrating metformin XR without the emergence of additional safety concerns (Clinical Trials.gov registration: NCT00960076).
Comparative effectiveness of cryotherapy vs brachytherapy for localised prostate cancer
Authors: Williams Stephen B. , Lei Yin , Nguyen Paul L. , Gu Xiangmei , Lipsitz Stuart R. , Yu Hua‐Yin , Kowalczyk Keith J. , Hu Jim C. 
Published: December 2011

Study Type – Therapy (prospective cohort)Level of Evidence 2aWhat's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Despite the increased popularity of emerging therapies for localised prostate cancer, such as cryotherapy and brachytherapy, outcomes data remains sparse beyond single‐centre comparative studies.The present study identified that although less costly, cryotherapy was associated with more urinary and ED complications and a greater need for salvage ADT. Conversely, cryotherapy was associated with fewer bowel complications. Patients and providers alike should consider these population‐based outcomes when discussing therapeutic options for localised prostate cancer.OBJECTIVE
To compare prostate cryotherapy vs brachytherapy outcomes and costs, as despite the greater popularity of these emerging therapies for localised prostate cancer, outcomes data remains sparse beyond single‐centre comparative studies.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Observational study of 10 928 men who underwent primary cryotherapy (943 patients) or brachytherapy (9985) with ≥2 years of follow‐up using USA Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER‐) Medicare linked data.
Weighted propensity score methods were used.
RESULTS
Use of cryotherapy increased four‐fold whereas brachytherapy utilization remained the same from 2001 to 2005 (P < 0.001). Men who underwent cryotherapy vs brachytherapy were older (P < 0.001), more likely to be Black (P < 0.001), less likely to live in areas of higher education (P < 0.001), less likely to live in areas with greater income (P < 0.001), and were more likely to live in urban vs rural areas (P= 0.007).
In propensity score‐weighted analyses, cryotherapy was associated with more urinary (41.4% vs 22.2%, P < 0.001) and erectile dysfunction (ED) complications (34.7% vs 21.0%, P < 0.001) while brachytherapy was associated with more bowel complications (19.0% vs 12.1%, P < 0.001).
Cryotherapy was associated with greater use of salvage androgen deprivation therapy (ADT; 1.4 vs 0.5 per 100 person‐years, P < 0.001), suggesting worse cancer control.
Finally costs were significantly greater for brachytherapy vs cryotherapy ($16 887 vs $12 629 USA dollars, P < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Although less costly, cryotherapy was associated with more urinary and ED complications and greater need for salvage ADT.
Conversely, cryotherapy was associated with fewer bowel complications. Patients and providers alike should consider these population‐based outcomes when discussing therapeutic options for localised prostate cancer.
The effect of financial constraints, investment policy, product market competition and corporate governance on the value of cash holdings
Authors: Chan Howard W. H. , Lu Yufei , Zhang Hong F. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThis study empirically investigates the value shareholders place on excess cash holdings and how shareholders’ valuation of cash holdings is associated with financial constraints, firm growth, cash‐flow uncertainty and product market competition for Australian firms from 1990 to 2007. Our results indicate that the marginal value of cash holdings to shareholders declines with larger cash holdings and higher leverage. However, firms that are more financially constrained, that have higher growth rates and that face greater uncertainty exhibit a higher marginal value of cash holdings. These findings are consistent with the explanation that excess cash holdings are not necessarily detrimental to firm value. Firms with costly external financing and that also save more cash for current operating and future investing needs find that the market values these cash hoarding policies favourably. Finally, there is limited evidence of an association between various corporate governance measures and the value of cash holdings for a shorter sample period.
Does maternal body mass index during pregnancy influence risk of schizophrenia in the adult offspring?
Authors: Khandaker G. M. , Dibben C. R. M. , Jones P. B. 
Published: December 2011

SummaryMaternal obesity in pregnancy has been linked with several adverse outcomes in offspring including schizophrenia. The rising prevalence of obesity may contribute to an increase in the number of schizophrenia cases in the near future; therefore, it warrants further exploration. We reviewed current evidence regarding maternal body mass index (BMI) in pregnancy and risk of schizophrenia in adult offspring.We searched PubMed and Embase databases and included studies that were based on large and representative population‐based datasets. A qualitative review was undertaken due to heterogeneity between studies.Four studies with 305 cases of schizophrenia and 24,442 controls were included. Maternal obesity (pre‐pregnant BMI over 29 or 30 compared with mothers with low or average BMI) was associated with two‐ to threefold increased risk of schizophrenia in the adult offspring in two birth cohorts. High maternal BMI at both early and late pregnancy also increased risk of schizophrenia in the offspring. Discrepant findings from one study could be attributable to sample characteristics and other factors.The area needs more research. Future studies should take into account obstetric complications, diabetes, maternal infections and immune responses that might potentially mediate this association.
China’s Economic and Trade Development: Imbalance to Equilibrium
Authors: Yao Xianguo , Zhou Minghai 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe rapid pace of China’s economic and trade development has been considered as a great success since the entry of WTO in 2001. Most recently, China has succeeded in coping with the global financial crisis and achieved a rapid V‐shaped recovery which rebounded to two digit growth rate and lead to strengthening its international status. Nevertheless, China has exposed many potential problems in face of the financial crisis which due to international and domestic unbalanced features of China’s economic operation system. The pattern of ‘China Manufacturing and World Consuming’ is a game with no winners, while the investment leaded economic development mode achieves high growth rate but without enriches its own residents. The current imbalanced economic development mode cannot be sustained and shall be changed in the future which is not only the consensus of economists at home and abroad, but also a striving goal for the Chinese government for its ‘12th Five‐Year Plan’. However, China will face great and formidable challenges by changing the economic development mode to achieve an equilibrium state.
Informed Consent and the Requirement to Ensure Understanding
Authors: WALKER TOM 
Published: December 2011

abstractIt is generally held that doctors and researchers have an obligation to obtain informed consent. Over time there has been a move in relation to this obligation from a requirement to disclose information to a requirement to ensure that that information is understood. Whilst this change has been resisted, in this article I argue that both sides on this matter are mistaken. When investigating what information is needed for consent to be informed we might be trying to determine what information a person would need in order to consent at all, or we might be trying to determine what information a person needs in order to make an informed choice about whether or not to consent. I argue that the obligation to ensure understanding only applies to information generated by the first type of enquiry; but that much of the information generally thought necessary in order for consent to be informed is only required if our concern is with the second type of enquiry. For this reason it is neither the case that doctors and researchers should ensure all the information they provide is understood, nor is it the case that their only obligation is to disclose it.