bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Systems model of physician professionalism in practice
Authors: Kitch Barrett T , DesRoches Catherine , Lesser Cara , Cunningham Amy , Campbell Eric G 
Published: March 2012

AbstractRationale  This article proposes a systems level conceptualization of physician professionalism that is embedded in and results from the characteristics of the organizations in which doctors work such as hospitals, group practices and physician organizations.Aims and objectives  The goal of this study was to develop and test the systems model of professionalism.Methods  In total, 25 interviews were conducted in Minneapolis and Miami. Job titles of the subjects included hospital presidents, medical directors, chairs of hospital departments, quality and safety directors, chief of quality improvement and practising physicians. The data from the interviews were coded and then sorted by members of the study team into major and minor themes.Results  Virtually, all of the subjects were readily able to confirm aspects of the model by providing real‐life examples of factors at the practice, hospital and market levels that they believed strongly influenced the extent to which physicians adhere, or fail to adhere, to the professional norms.Conclusions  The systems model of professionalism was consistent with the views and experiences of physicians and administrators in two different geographic regions of the USA. If born out by further research, this model has implications for interventions aimed at improving professionalism as well as for professionalism as a field of study.
Effectiveness of a brief condom promotion program in reducing risky sexual behaviours among African American men
Authors: Kennedy Stephen B. , Nolen Sherry , Pan Zhenfeng , Smith Betty , Applewhite Jeffrey , Vanderhoff Kenneth J. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractRationale  The prevention of human immunodeficiency virus/sexually transmitted diseases remains a significant global public health issue, especially among vulnerable populations.Aims and objectives  To promote condom use skills among young urban African American men.Methods  As a pilot study, a randomized controlled trial was conducted among 136 African American men aged 18–24 years recruited from urban communities in Chicago. Participants assigned to the intervention received 45–60 minutes of a one‐on‐one single‐session condom promotion program delivered by trained facilitators while those assigned to the attention‐matched comparison condition received a general health program. Longitudinally, 115 (85%) and 120 (88%) participants completed the 3‐month and 6‐month follow‐up surveys, respectively.Results  Overall, the study results indicate that positive effects were observed from baseline to 6‐month follow‐up for intervention participants relative to comparison condition participants for prior condom use (1.23–1.82 versus 1.34–0.97); condom use intention (2.51–3.19 versus 2.69–2.21); perceived condom availability (3.44–3.72 versus 3.42–3.38); positive reasons to use condoms (2.82–3.08 versus 2.95–1.99); favourable condom use attitude (2.41–2.69 versus 2.49–1.95); barriers to condom use (1.33–0.79 versus 1.25–1.85); and negative condom use attitude (1.45–0.66 versus 1.33–1.39), respectively.Conclusions  We conclude that a brief single‐session condom promotion program is effective in preventing high‐risk sexual behaviours among urban young adult African American men.
Population genomics as a new tool for wildlife management
Authors: GOMPERT ZACHARIAH 
Published: March 2012

Admixture and introgression have varied effects on population viability and fitness. Admixture might be an important source of new alleles, particularly for small, geographically isolated populations. However, admixture might also cause outbreeding depression if populations are adapted to different ecological or climatic conditions. Because of the emerging use of translocation and admixture as a conservation and wildlife management strategy to reduce genetic load (termed genetic rescue), the possible effects of admixture have practical consequences (Bouzat et al. 2009; Hedrick & Fredrickson 2010). Importantly, genetic load and local adaptation are properties of individual loci and epistatic interactions among loci rather than properties of genomes. Likewise, the outcome and consequences of genetic rescue depend on the fitness effects of individual introduced alleles. In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Miller et al. (2012) use model‐based, population genomic analyses to document locus‐specific effects of a recent genetic rescue in the bighorn sheep population within the National Bison Range wildlife refuge (NBR; Montana, USA). They find a subset of introduced alleles associated with increased fitness in NBR bighorn sheep, some of which experienced accelerated introgression following their introduction. These loci mark regions of the genome that could constitute the genetic basis of the successful NBR bighorn sheep genetic rescue. Although population genomic analyses are frequently used to study local adaptation and selection (e.g. Hohenlohe et al. 2010; Lawniczak et al. 2010), this study constitutes a novel application of this analytical framework for wildlife management. Moreover, the detailed demographic data available for the NBR bighorn sheep population provide a rare and powerful source of information and allow more robust population genomic inference than is often possible.
The memory remains: application of historical DNA for scaling biodiversity loss
Authors: NIELSEN EINAR E. , BEKKEVOLD DORTE 
Published: March 2012

Few species worldwide have attracted as much attention in relation to conservation and sustainable management as Pacific salmon. Most populations have suffered significant reductions, many have disappeared, and even entire evolutionary significant units (ESUs) are believed to have been lost. Until now, no ‘smoking gun’ in terms of direct genetic evidence of the loss of a salmon ESU has been produced. In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Iwamoto et al. (2012) use microsatellite analysis of historical scale samples of Columbia River sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) from 1924 (Fig. 1) to ask the pertinent question: Do the historical samples contain salmon from extirpated populations or ESUs? They identified four genetic groups in the historical samples of which two were almost genetically identical to contemporary ESUs in the river, one showed genetic relationship with a third ESU, but one group was not related to any of the contemporary populations. In association with ecological data, the genetic results suggest that an early migrating Columbia River headwater sockeye salmon ESU has been extirpated. The study has significant importance for conservation and reestablishment of sockeye populations in the Columbia River, but also underpins the general significance of shifting baselines in conservation biology, and how to assess loss of genetic biodiversity. The results clearly illustrate the huge and versatile potential of using historical DNA in population and conservation genetics. Because of the extraordinarily plentiful historical samples and rapid advances in fish genomics, fishes are likely to spearhead future studies of temporal ecological and population genomics in non‐model organisms. (a) Kokanee sampling site between Columbia and Windermere lakes on the upper Columbia River at Fairmont Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada. (b) Bureau of Fisheries scale books that contained sockeye salmon (locally called ‘blueback’ salmon) scales collected from commercial fisheries during the 1920s in the lower Columbia River. (c) Kokanee on spawning beds in Kuskanax Creek, a tributary to Upper Arrow Lake, British Columbia. Photo credit Rick Gustafson and Jim Myers.image
Community assembly, species richness and nestedness of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in agricultural soils
Authors: VERBRUGGEN ERIK , Van Der HEIJDEN MARCEL G. A. , WEEDON JAMES T. , KOWALCHUK GEORGE A. , RÖLING WILFRED F. M. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractUnderstanding how communities assemble is a central goal of ecology. This is particularly relevant for communities of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), because the community composition of these beneficial plant symbionts influences important ecosystem processes. Moreover, AMF may be used as sensitive indicators of ecological soil quality if they respond to environmental variation in a predictable way. Here, we use a molecular profiling technique (T‐RFLP of 25S rRNA gene fragments) to test which factors determine AM fungal community composition in 40 agricultural soils in the Netherlands. In particular, we test whether species richness, dominance structure and community nestedness are influenced by management type (in pairs of organically and conventionally farmed fields), and we examine the contribution of crop species (maize vs. potato), soil type (sand vs. clay‐textured soils) and habitat (plant root vs. bulk soil) on AMF community characteristics. AMF richness varied from 1 to 11 taxa per field. Communities from species‐poor fields were found to be subsets of those in richer fields, indicating nestedness and a progressive ‘loss’ from the species pool. AMF taxa richness and occurrence in soil and plant roots were highly correlated, and richness was related to management intensity (phosphate availability and grass‐cropping history together explained 32% and 50% of richness in roots and soils). Soil type together with soil chemical parameters explained only 17% of variance in AMF community structure. We synthesize these results by discussing the potential contribution of a ‘bottleneck effect’ on AMF communities through increased stochastic effects under environmental stress.
Migration patterns and changes in population biology associated with the worldwide spread of the oilseed rape pathogen Leptosphaeria maculans
Authors: DILMAGHANI A. , GLADIEUX P. , GOUT L. , GIRAUD T. , BRUNNER P. C. , STACHOWIAK A. , BALESDENT M.‐H. , ROUXEL T. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractPathogen introductions into novel areas can lead to the emergence of new fungal diseases of plants. Understanding the origin, introduction pathways, possible changes in reproductive system and population size of fungal pathogens is essential in devising an integrated strategy for the control of these diseases. We used minisatellite markers to infer the worldwide invasion history of the fungal plant pathogen Leptosphaeria maculans, which causes stem canker (blackleg) of oilseed and vegetable brassicas. Clustering analyses partitioned genotypes into distinct populations corresponding to major geographic regions, along with two differentiated populations in Western Canada. Comparison of invasion scenarios using Approximate Bayesian Computation suggested an origin of the pathogen in the USA, the region where epidemics were first recorded, and independent introductions from there over the last few decades into Eastern Canada (Ontario), Europe and Australia. The population in Western Canada appeared to be founded from a source in Ontario and the population in Chile resulted from an admixture between multiple sources. A bottleneck was inferred for the introduction into Western Canada but not into Europe, Ontario or Australia. Clonality appeared high in Western Canada, possibly because environmental conditions there were less conducive to sexual reproduction. Leptosphaeria maculans is a model invasive pathogen with contrasting features in different regions: shallow population structure, high genetic variability and regular sexual recombination in some regions, by comparison with reduced genetic variability, high rates of asexual multiplication, strong population structure or admixture in others.
Serotonin transporter gene promoter region polymorphisms and serotonin transporter expression in the colonic mucosa of irritable bowel syndrome patients
Authors: Wang Y. M. , Chang Y. , Chang Y. Y. , Cheng J. , Li J. , Wang T. , Zhang Q. Y. , Liang D. C. , Sun B. , Wang B. M. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBackground  The role of serotonin transporter (SERT) gene polymorphism in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been demonstrated. However, the expression of SERT mRNA and proteins in the colonic mucosa with different 5‐HTT gene‐linked polymorphic region (5‐HTTLPR) genotypes remains unknown. We examined SERT mRNA and protein levels in colon biopsies from patients with different 5‐HTTLPR genotypes and evaluated the links between the polymorphism and the expression levels.Methods  Two hundred and fifty‐four patients with IBS and 120 healthy subjects were studied. DNA samples were extracted from peripheral blood and genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). SERT mRNA and protein levels were evaluated by quantitative real time PCR and western blotting. The promoter efficiency of the serotonin transporter promoter (SERT‐P) was evaluated with luciferase reporter system.Key Results  The frequency of the L/L genotype in C‐IBS group was significantly higher than that in the control and D‐IBS. However, the S/S genotype in D‐IBS was significantly higher than that in C‐IBS. The transcriptional efficiency of the L/L genotype was significantly higher than that in the L/S and S/S genotype. Patients with the L/L genotype demonstrated increased production of the SERT protein when compared with L/S and S/S patients. The l variant increased SERT promoter activity by 2.43‐fold when compared with the s variant.Conclusions & Inferences  Polymorphism in the promoter region of the SERT gene can influence the expression of SERT mRNA and the levels of the SERT protein in the colonic mucosa, thereby playing a key role in motility‐related symptoms of IBS patients.
Rice RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase 6 acts in small RNA biogenesis and spikelet development
Authors: Song Xianwei , Wang Dekai , Ma Lijia , Chen Zhiyu , Li Pingchuan , Cui Xia , Liu Chunyan , Cao Shouyun , Chu Chengcai , Tao Yuezhi , Cao Xiaofeng 
Published: March 2012

SummaryHigher plants have evolved multiple RNA‐dependent RNA polymerases (RDRs), which work with Dicer‐like (DCL) proteins to produce different classes of small RNAs with specialized molecular functions. Here we report that OsRDR6, the rice (Oryza sativa L.) homolog of Arabidopsis RDR6, acts in the biogenesis of various types and sizes of small RNAs. We isolated a rice osrdr6‐1 mutant, which was temperature sensitive and showed spikelet defects. This mutant displays reduced accumulation of tasiR‐ARFs, the conserved trans‐acting siRNAs (tasiRNAs) derived from the TAS3 locus, and ectopic expression of tasiR‐ARF target genes, the Auxin Response Factors (including ARF2 and ARF3/ETTIN). The loss of tasiR‐mediated repression of ARFs in osrdr6‐1 can explain its morphological defects, as expression of two non‐targeted ARF3 gene constructs (ARF3muts) in a wild‐type background mimics the osrdr6 and osdcl4‐1 mutant phenotypes. Small RNA high‐throughput sequencing also reveals that besides tasiRNAs, 21‐nucleotide (nt) phased small RNAs are also largely dependent on OsRDR6. Unexpectedly, we found that osrdr6‐1 has a strong impact on the accumulation of 24‐nt phased small RNAs, but not on unphased ones. Our work uncovers the key roles of OsRDR6 in small RNA biogenesis and directly illustrates the crucial functions of tasiR‐ARFs in rice development.
Dermatophyte infections mimicking other skin diseases: a 154‐person case survey of tinea atypica in the district of Cagliari (Italy)
Authors: Atzori Laura , Pau Monica , Aste Natalia , Aste Nicola 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBackground  Although usually simple, the diagnosis of dermatophyte infection is sometimes neglected. An observational study has been realized to evaluate the role of corticosteroid exposure (tinea incognito) and of other primary characteristics of the dermatophytosis that from onset mimic other diseases and mislead an unexperienced physician.Materials and methods  Between 1990 and 2009, all cases of atypical dermatophytosis mimicking other skin diseases were collected from the more general number of dermatophyte infections diagnosed at the Dermatology Department of Cagliari University, Italy.Results  One‐hundred and fifty‐four cases (71 male/83 female, 2–81 years old) were studied, with a median of 7 cases/year. The most observed clinical forms were those mimicking impetigo, eczematous dermatitis, lupus erythematosus, polymorphous light eruption, psoriasis, and rosacea. The identified dermatophytes were: Microsporum canis (70 cases), Trichophyton rubrum (43 cases), Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes (29 cases), Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. interdigitale (six cases), Microsporum gypseum (three cases), Epidermophyton floccosum (two cases), and Trichophyton verrucosum (one case). Diagnostic difficulties are discussed, with special attention to the origin of the pathomorphosis.Conclusions  In our experience, clinical atypia is not a mere consequence of corticosteroid therapy but present at the very onset of the illness, due to the variable dermatophyte invasive capacity, the site of invasion, physiological individual, and/or acquired condition, such as excessive washing or sun exposure. Therefore, we suggest using the term “tinea atypica” rather than “tinea incognito” to include all forms of dermatophytosis that do not present the classic features for both primary and secondary pathomorphosis.
The roles of cells and cytokines in the pathogenesis of psoriasis
Authors: Coimbra Susana , Figueiredo Américo , Castro Elisabeth , Rocha‐Pereira Petronila , Santos‐Silva Alice 
Published: March 2012

AbstractPsoriasis is considered an immune chronic disease in which T cells are accepted as important. Nowadays, it is believed that psoriasis is most likely a T helper (Th)1/Th17 induced inflammatory disease. However, some other cells, such as endothelial cells, dendritic cells, monocytic cells, neutrophils, keratinocytes, and several cytokines, appear to have, at different stages of the disease, an important role in its pathogenesis. For instance, the response to psoriasis therapy is dependent not only on the inactivation of Th1 and Th17 immune responses but also on the inactivation of dendritic cell products. Moreover, interleukin (IL)‐23 deregulation appears to be an independent factor in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Indeed, currently, the IL‐23/Th17 axis is believed to be crucial in psoriasis pathogenesis, and its inhibition appears to be important for therapeutic achievement. This review presents the roles and interactions of cells and cytokines that are related to psoriasis pathogenesis.
Facial extensive recurrent basal cell carcinoma: successful treatment with photodynamic therapy and imiquimod 5% cream
Authors: Requena Celia , Messeguer Francesc , Llombart Beatriz , Serra‐Guillén Carlos , Guillén Carlos 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBackground  Management of facial extensive recurrent basal cell carcinoma can be a challenge for dermatologists. Although the preferred technique is usually Mohs surgery, sometimes the patient’s condition or predicted aggressive surgery make other options advisable.Methods  We describe a case of a giant recurrent basal cell carcinoma in the face of an old woman successfully treated by combined therapy with MAL‐photodynamic therapy and topical 5%.Results  The patient remains well and with no sign of the tumor, with very good cosmetic result two years after treatment.Conclusions  Management of extensive facial basal cell carcinoma with combined therapies, as photodynamic therapy followed by topical imiquimod, can be an option for selected cases such as ours.
Comparative evaluation of griseofulvin, terbinafine and fluconazole in the treatment of tinea capitis
Authors: Grover Chander , Arora Pooja , Manchanda Vikas 
Published: March 2012

AbstractTinea capitis (TC) is a common childhood fungal infection which, if untreated, can cause long‐term scarring. A number of antifungal drugs with proven efficacy are available for the treatment of TC. However, varying dosage schedules, changes in epidemiology, and rising drug resistance are factors that hamper treatment in some cases. A prospective, non‐blinded, cross‐sectional study of three commonly used drugs (terbinafine, griseofulvin, and fluconazole) was undertaken in children aged ≤12 years, presenting to a pediatric superspecialty hospital. The comparative efficacies of these three drugs were evaluated. A total of 75 patients (25 in each treatment group) who completed the designated treatment protocol were included in the final analysis. Of these, 60% had non‐inflammatory TC and 56% had an ectothrix pattern on hair microscopy. Trichophyton violaceum was the most commonly isolated fungus. Cure rates of 96%, 88%, and 84% were achieved with griseofulvin, terbinafine, and fluconazole, respectively. Overall, seven patients required prolonged therapy. No side effects to therapy were seen. Griseofulvin remains the drug of choice in the treatment of TC. Terbinafine was the second best agent and offered the advantage of a shorter course of therapy. Fluconazole had comparatively low cure rates but was easier to administer than the other two medications.
Unusual clinical presentation of sporotrichosis in three members of one family
Authors: Falqueto Aloisio , Bravim Maifrede Simone , Araujo Ribeiro Mariceli 
Published: March 2012

AbstractIntroduction  Sporotrichosis is a mycosis caused by the dimorphic fungus Sporothrix spp., and the primary mode of transmission is traumatic inoculation of fungus conidia from plants and other organic matter.Methods  Sporotrichosis was established in a cat and in three members of one family from a rural area, by fungal growth in culture.Results  The cutaneous lesions developed on the lower buttock and limbs with no report of any injury.Conclusion  Although sporotrichosis should be considered for differential diagnosis in people working with soil and plants, cases of chronic lesions on skin of cats and in households is probably a new epidemiological approach in a given geographic region.
Nonirritant intradermal skin test concentrations of ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, and rifampicin
Authors: Brož P. , Harr Th. , Hecking C. , Grize L. , Scherer K. , Jaeger K. A. , Bircher A. J. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBackgroundIntradermal skin testing of the clinically important antibiotics ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, and rifampicin in the case of suspected allergies to antibiotics is poorly standardized. For clinical practice, standardized procedures and protocols are desired.MethodsFifteen healthy volunteers were tested with different concentrations of the antibiotics as well as with appropriate controls. Test readings included wheal area measured by digital image analysis and blood flow increase measured by laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF). To reduce interpersonal variability, test results were normalized with the individual controls using a novel protocol.ResultsNonirritating concentrations of the three antibiotics (ciprofloxacin ~0.0067 mg/ml, clarithromycin ~0.05 mg/ml, rifampicin ~0.002 mg/ml) could be defined for healthy volunteers. Laser Doppler flowmetry generates comparable results to wheal area measurement. Normalization of the test results is necessary and can be applied in a practical algorithm.ConclusionsStandardized skin testing to detect sensitization to broadly used nonbetalactam antibiotics was presented and should be applied in truly sensitized patients. This approach should help to minimize the inter‐ and intraindividual differences in reactivity.