bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular characterization of Ephestia kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) transferrin and its response to parasitoid Venturia canescens (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae Gravenhorst)
Authors: Guz N. , Kilincer N. , Aksoy S. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractIn the present study, we characterized a full‐length cDNA encoding a putative iron‐binding protein transferrin from the lepidopteran Mediterranean flour moth (EkTrf, 2397 bp). The putative EkTrf is 683 amino acids with a molecular mass of approximately 76 kDa. The deduced amino acid sequence showed significant homology with other insect transferrins from Chilo suppressalis (76%), Galleria mellonella (75%), Plutella xylostella (72%), Manduca sexta (74%), Bombyx mori (73%), Spodoptera litura and (72%), Choristoneura fumiferana (71%). Northern blot analysis indicated that Ephestia transferrin mRNA was expressed in the last larval instars of both males and females and in the pupal developmental stages. EkTrf is expressed predominantly in the fat body and ovary tissues. Analysis of parasitized larva by the endoparasitoid Venturia canescens suggests that transferrin expression is induced following parasitoid challenge. Expression of EkTrf levels also increased upon bacterial infection at 6 h post treatment and remained high until 24 h. Similarly to other insect transferrins, EkTrf may play a role in immunity through its iron‐binding capacity.
Expression analyses of caspase‐1 and related activities in the midgut of Galleria mellonella during metamorphosis
Authors: Khoa D. B. , Trang L. T. D. , Takeda M. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe cDNA encoding caspase‐1, a main protease involved in apoptosis, was cloned and sequenced from the midgut of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella. The open reading frame contains 879 nucleotides, encodes 293 amino acids, and was registered as Gmcaspase‐1. The sequence comparison showed a high homology to lepidopteran caspase‐1, human caspase‐3, and ced‐3 of Caenorhabditis elegans. Gmcaspase‐1 is predicted to contain a short prodomain, large subunit, and small subunit domain. It also exhibits all characteristics of caspase, including three conserved cleavage sites after Asp‐25, Asp‐192, and Asp‐181, three active site residues including a highly conserved QACQG pentapeptide active‐site motif, and four substrate binding sites. The expression profiles during development showed that the transcript of Gmcaspase‐1 and its protein products appeared in two or more waves in the midgut during metamorphosis. Immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and TUNEL analyses revealed that apoptosis occurred first at the basal, then middle and then apical regions in the midgut epithelium and the yellow body is formed in the lumen. At least three waves of mitosis and differentiation follow the apoptosis waves from the basal and middle to apical parts to form the adult epithelium.
Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour to predict nurses’ intention to integrate research evidence into clinical decision‐making
Authors: Côté Françoise , Gagnon Johanne , Houme Philippe Kouffé , Abdeljelil Anis Ben , Gagnon Marie‐Pierre 
Published: January 2012

côté f., gagnon j., houme p.k., abdeljelil a.b. & gagnon m.‐p. (2012) Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour to predict nurses’ intention to integrate research evidence into clinical decision‐making. Journal of Advanced Nursing68(10), 2289–2298.AbstractAims.  Using an extended Theory of Planned Behaviour, this article is a report of a study to identify the factors that influence nurses’ intention to integrate research evidence into their clinical decision‐making.Background.  Health professionals are increasingly asked to adopt evidence‐based practice. The integration of research evidence in nurses’ clinical decision‐making would have an important impact on the quality of care provided for patients. Despite evidence supporting this practice and the availability of high quality research in the field of nursing, the gap between research and practice is still present.Design.  A predictive correlational study.Methods.  A total of 336 nurses working in a university hospital participated in this research. Data were collected in February and March 2008 by means of a questionnaire based on an extension of the Theory of Planned Behaviour. Descriptive statistics of the model variables, Pearson correlations between all the variables and multiple linear regression analysis were performed.Results/findings.  Nurses’ intention to integrate research findings into clinical decision‐making can be predicted by moral norm, normative beliefs, perceived behavioural control and past behaviour. The moral norm is the most important predictor. Overall, the final model explains 70% of the variance in nurses’ intention.Conclusion.  The present study supports the use of an extended psychosocial theory for identifying the determinants of nurses’ intention to integrate research evidence into their clinical decision‐making. Interventions that focus on increasing nurses’ perceptions that using research is their responsibility for ensuring good patient care and providing a supportive environment could promote an evidence‐based nursing practice.
Dmd of bacteriophage T4 functions as an antitoxin against Escherichia coli LsoA and RnlA toxins
Authors: Otsuka Yuichi , Yonesaki Tetsuro 
Published: January 2012

SummaryEnterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 harbours a cryptic plasmid, pOSAK1, that carries only three ORFs: mobA (involved in plasmid mobilization), ORF1 and ORF2. Predicted proteins encoded by these two ORFs were found to share a weak homology with RnlA and RnlB, respectively, a toxin–antitoxin system encoded on the E. coli K‐12 chromosome. Here, we report that lsoA (ORF1) encodes a toxin and lsoB (ORF2) an antitoxin. In spite of the homologies, RnlB and LsoB functioned as antitoxins against only their cognate toxins and not interchangeably with each other. Interestingly, T4 phage Dmd suppressed the toxicities of both RnlA and LsoA by direct interaction, the first example of a phage with an antitoxin against multiple toxins.
Genetics of virulence in Ascochyta rabiei
Authors: Peever T. L. , Chen W. , Abdo Z. , Kaiser W. J. 
Published: January 2012

In order to critically test the hypothesis that virulence variation in the Ascochyta rabiei/chickpea pathosystem is a discrete character under simple genetic control, a genetic cross was made between a highly virulent isolate of A. rabiei from Syria and a less virulent isolate from the USA. Two independent virulence assays conducted by inoculating susceptible and resistant chickpea cultivars under controlled conditions with 77 independent progeny isolates from this cross revealed a continuous distribution of disease phenotypes. Bimodality, as would be predicted for the segregation of virulence under simple genetic control, was not supported by statistical tests of the progeny phenotype distribution. anova revealed highly significant pathogen‐genotype × host‐genotype interactions demonstrating the segregation of genes controlling specialization on the two cultivars tested. These interactions could be localized to two isolates that changed virulence rank on the cultivars. It was concluded that variation in virulence to these two cultivars is under quantitative genetic control. If this conclusion applies to other cultivars, it can be speculated that the discrete categories of virulence variation identified in previous studies were probably the result of incomplete sampling of host resistance or pathogen virulence variation and/or of selection for increased virulence in contemporary A. rabiei populations.
Alternative splicing of the auxin biosynthesis gene YUCCA4 determines its subcellular compartmentation
Authors: Kriechbaumer Verena , Wang Pengwei , Hawes Chris , Abell Ben M. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryAuxin is a major growth hormone in plants, and recent studies have elucidated many of the molecular mechanisms underlying its action, including transport, perception and signal transduction. However, major gaps remain in our knowledge of auxin biosynthetic control, partly due to the complexity and probable redundancy of multiple pathways that involve the YUCCA family of flavin‐dependent mono‐oxygenases. This study reveals the differential localization of YUCCA4 alternative splice variants to the endoplasmic reticulum and the cytosol, which depends on tissue‐specific splicing. One isoform is restricted to flowers, and is anchored to the cytosolic face of the endoplasmic reticulum membrane via a hydrophobic C‐terminal transmembrane domain. The other isoform is present in all tissues and is distributed throughout the cytosol. These findings are consistent with previous observations of yucca4 phenotypes in flowers, and suggest a role for intracellular compartmentation in auxin biosynthesis.
Outcome of twin pregnancies after amniocentesis
Authors: Kan Anita Sik Yau , Lee Chin Peng , Leung Kwok Yin , Chan Ben Chong Pun , Tang Mary Hoi Yin , Chan Vivian Ho Yan 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAim: The aim of this study was to assess the miscarriage and fetal loss rates of twin pregnancies after amniocentesis.Material and Methods: The outcome of 140 twin pregnancies that had amniocentesis performed from 1997 to 2006 was reviewed.Results: Among 140 twin pregnancies with amniocentesis, 35 were excluded (fetuses with structural anomalies, post‐selective feticide, abnormal fetal karyotype, twin‐twin transfusion syndrome [TTTS], termination of pregnancy, and unknown outcome). For the remaining 105 twin pregnancies, 102 had live births of all fetuses. One dichorionic twin had silent miscarriage of one fetus at 23 weeks. Another dichorionic twin had intrauterine death of one fetus at unknown gestation. One patient had preterm delivery at 32 weeks with neonatal death of one twin due to severe intrauterine growth restriction. The miscarriage rate (one or both fetuses) for twins before 24 weeks was 0.96% (1/105), the pregnancy loss (one or both fetuses) within 4 weeks of amniocentesis was 0.96% (1/105). The total fetal loss rate was 0.96% (2/210) for twins.Conclusion: Our cohort showed a low fetal loss rate after amniocentesis for uncomplicated twin pregnancies.
Innovation for Inclusive Business: Intrapreneurial Bricolage in Multinational Corporations
Authors: Halme Minna , Lindeman Sara , Linna Paula 
Published: January 2012

abstractIt is often argued that multinational corporations (MNCs) are in a unique position to innovate business models that can help to alleviate poverty. This empirical study into intra‐organizational aspects of pro‐poor business innovation in two MNCs suggests, however, that certain elements of their management frameworks – such as short‐term profit interests, business unit based incentive structures, and uncertainty avoidance – may turn into obstacles that prevent MNCs from reaching their full potential in this respect. We introduce the concept of intrapreneurial bricolage to show how middle manager innovators may promote pro‐poor business models despite these obstacles. We define intrapreneurial bricolage as entrepreneurial activity within a large organization characterized by creative bundling of scarce resources, and illustrate empirically how it helps innovators to overcome organizational constraints and to mobilize internal and external resources. Our findings imply that intrapreneurial bricolage may be of fundamental importance in MNC innovation for inclusive business. In addition to the field of inclusive business, this study has implications for the study of bricolage in large organizations and social intrapreneurship, as well for managerial practice around innovation for inclusive business.
Entrepreneurship, Financiership, and Selection*
Authors: Takalo Tuomas , Toivanen Otto 
Published: January 2012

AbstractWe develop an equilibrium model of the market for entrepreneurial finance, in which all agents have some personal wealth and a project whose quality is their private information. All agents choose whether to invest either as entrepreneurs or financiers, or to invest in storage technology. We find that a binding economy‐level wealth constraint, which renders credit scarce, can create advantageous selection, where productive agents become entrepreneurs and unproductive agents become their financiers. If funding is easier to obtain, entrepreneurship also attracts unproductive agents. In our model, individual wealth and entrepreneurship are positively (negatively) correlated if financial market participation is complete (incomplete).
Optimal Provision of Public Goods: A Synthesis*
Authors: Kreiner Claus Thustrup , Verdelin Nicolaj 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe standard approach to the optimal provision of public goods highlights the importance of distortionary taxation and distributional concerns. A new approach neutralizes distributional concerns by adjusting the income tax schedule. We demonstrate that both approaches are derived from the same basic formula. We also take the new approach further by deriving an intuitive formula for the optimal level of public goods, without imposing strong assumptions on preferences. This formula shows that distortionary taxation has a role to play, as in the standard approach. However, the main determinants of optimal provision are different, and the modified Samuelson rule is likely to lead to underprovision.
Spectacular Urbanization amidst Variegated Geographies of Globalization: Learning from Abu Dhabi's Trajectory through the Lives of South Asian Men
Authors: MOHAMMAD ROBINA , SIDAWAY JAMES D. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe world city aspirations and spectacular urbanization of Gulf cities such as Abu Dhabi rest on the combination of petrodollars, connections and labour. Drawing on interviews with South Asian men working there, this article reports their lives and labour as a mirror to the development of Abu Dhabi. This requires and invites an investigation of spaces of social reproduction, raising broader theoretical and comparative issues about these in the context of Gulf cities and other sites of rapid urbanization and migration. Transnational categories and connections are thereby opened up in ways that have implications for the study of other cities.RésuméLes aspirations à devenir ville mondiale et la spectaculaire urbanisation des grandes villes du Golfe, comme Abou Dhabi, s'appuient sur les atouts combinés que sont les pétrodollars, les capacités de connexion et la main‐d'œuvre. À partir d'entretiens auprès de travailleurs venus d'Asie du Sud, cet article relate leur vie et leur travail en les rapprochant du développement d'Abou Dhabi. Cette démarche exige et suggère une étude des espaces de reproduction sociale, soulevant à leur propos des problèmes théoriques et comparatifs plus vastes, dans le cadre des villes du Golfe ou d'autres lieux d'urbanisation et de migration accélérées. Il en résulte des connexions et des catégories transnationales dont l'étude d'autres villes doit tenir compte.
Genome‐Wide Association of Serum Uric Acid Concentration: Replication of Sequence Variants in an Island Population of the Adriatic Coast of Croatia
Authors: Karns Rebekah , Zhang Ge , Sun Guangyun , Rao Indugula Subba , Cheng Hong , Havas‐Augustin Dubravka , Novokmet Natalija , Rudan Dusko , Durakovic Zijad , Missoni Sasa , Chakraborty Ranajit , Rudan Pavao , Deka Ranjan 
Published: January 2012

SummaryA genome‐wide association study of serum uric acid (SUA) laevels was performed in a relatively isolated population of European descent from an island of the Adriatic coast of Croatia. The study sample included 532 unrelated and 768 related individuals from 235 pedigrees. Inflation due to relatedness was controlled by using genomic control. Genetic association was assessed with 2,241,249 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 1300 samples after adjusting for age and gender. Our study replicated four previously reported SUA loci (SLC2A9, ABCG2, RREB1, and SLC22A12). The strongest association was found with a SNP in SLC2A9 (rs13129697, P= 2.33×10−19), which exhibited significant gender‐specific effects, 35.76 μmol/L (P= 2.11×10−19) in females and 19.58 μmol/L (P= 5.40×10−5) in males. Within this region of high linkage disequilibrium, we also detected a strong association with a nonsynonymous SNP, rs16890979 (P= 2.24×10−17), a putative causal variant for SUA variation. In addition, we identified several novel loci suggestive of association with uric acid levels (SEMA5A, TMEM18, SLC28A2, and ODZ2), although the P‐values (P < 5×10−6) did not reach the threshold of genome‐wide significance. Together, these findings provide further confirmation of previously reported uric‐acid‐related genetic variants and highlight suggestive new loci for additional investigation.
A prolyl oligopeptidase inhibitor, KYP‐2047, reduces α‐synuclein protein levels and aggregates in cellular and animal models of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Myöhänen TT , Hannula MJ , Van Elzen R , Gerard M , Van Der Veken P , García‐Horsman JA , Baekelandt V , Männistö PT , Lambeir AM 
Published: January 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSEThe aggregation of α‐synuclein is connected to the pathology of Parkinson's disease and prolyl oligopeptidase (PREP) accelerates the aggregation of α‐synuclein in vitro. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a PREP inhibitor, KYP‐2047, on α‐synuclein aggregation in cell lines overexpressing wild‐type or A30P/A53T mutant human α‐syn and in the brains of two A30P α‐synuclein transgenic mouse strains.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHCells were exposed to oxidative stress and then incubated with the PREP inhibitor during or after the stress. Wild‐type or transgenic mice were treated for 5 days with KYP‐2047 (2 × 3 mg·kg−1 a day). Besides immunohistochemistry and thioflavin S staining, soluble and insoluble α‐synuclein protein levels were measured by Western blot. α‐synuclein mRNA levels were quantified by PCR. The colocalization of PREP and α‐synuclein,and the effect of KYP‐2047 on cell viability were also investigated.KEY RESULTSIn cell lines, oxidative stress induced a robust aggregation of α‐synuclein,and low concentrations of KYP‐2047 significantly reduced the number of cells with α‐synuclein inclusions while abolishing the colocalization of α‐synuclein and PREP. KYP‐2047 significantly reduced the amount of aggregated α‐synuclein,and it had beneficial effects on cell viability. In the transgenic mice, a 5‐day treatment with the PREP inhibitor reduced the amount of α‐synuclein immunoreactivity and soluble α‐synuclein protein in the brain.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONSThe results suggest that the PREP may play a role in brain accumulation and aggregation of α‐synuclein, while KYP‐2047 seems to effectively prevent these processes.
cAMP and Epac in the regulation of tissue fibrosis
Authors: Insel Paul A , Murray Fiona , Yokoyama Utako , Romano Silvia , Yun Hongruo , Brown Loren , Snead Aaron , Lu David , Aroonsakool Nakon 
Published: January 2012

Fibrosis, the result of excess deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM), in particular collagen, leads to scarring and loss of function in tissues that include the heart, lung, kidney and liver. The second messenger cAMP can inhibit the formation and extent of ECM during this late phase of inflammation, but the mechanisms for these actions of cAMP and of agents that elevate tissue cAMP levels are not well understood. In this article, we review the fibrotic process and focus on two recently recognized aspects of actions of cAMP and its effector Epac (Exchange protein activated by cAMP): (a) blunting of epithelial–mesenchymal transformation (EMT) and (b) down‐regulation of Epac expression by profibrotic agents (e.g. TGF‐β, angiotensin II), which may promote tissue fibrosis by decreasing Epac‐mediated antifibrotic actions. Pharmacological approaches that raise cAMP or blunt the decrease in Epac expression by profibrotic agents may thus be strategies to block or perhaps reverse tissue fibrosis.LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Novel cAMP Signalling Paradigms. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2012.166.issue‐2
Rather than interleukin‐27, interleukin‐6 expresses positive correlation with liver severity in naïve hepatitis B infection patients
Authors: Kao Jung‐Ta , Lai Hsueh‐Chou , Tsai Shu‐Mei , Lin Pei‐Chao , Chuang Po‐Heng , Yu Cheng‐Ju , Cheng Ken‐Sheng , Su Wen‐Pang , Hsu Ping‐Ning , Peng Cheng‐Yuan , Wu Yi‐Ying 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAimsEffective cytokines can drive the commitment of naive T cells to regulate immune response after antigen‐mediated activation. Aims are to elucidate the clinical role of serum IL‐27 and IL‐6 in the different stages of naïve hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐infected patients.MethodsSamples with well‐characterized clinical profiles were assessed from 395 HBV‐infected patients including chronic hepatitis B (CHB) group in 291 patients, liver cirrhosis (LC) group in 57 patients, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) group in 47 patients. Another 139 non‐HBV infected individuals were enrolled as control group (CG) including 104 with normal liver function (NF) and 35 with liver dysfunction (LD).ResultsThe HBV‐infected group and separated groups presented significantly higher IL‐27 and IL‐6 expression than the CG or subgroups of CG. In contrast to IL‐27, IL‐6 showed significant differences with deteriorating liver condition compared with LC or HCC with CHB groups. Furthermore, IL‐6, rather than IL‐27, showed significant statistical differences in patients with advanced liver disease compared with those of mild or moderate to severe liver disease and in patients with terminal stage HCC compared with those of early to intermediate or advanced stage HCC. The data associated with liver function, including Albumin, Bilirubin, INR, Platelet and AFP levels, were significantly correlated to IL‐6 expression, but had weak correlation to IL‐27 expression in HBV patients.ConclusionSerum IL‐27 can trigger immune response to prevent hepatic injury in different clinical‐pathologic stages of HBV‐infected patients earlier, but IL‐6 may play an extremely important role to determine the liver progression.
Turnover of New Graduate Nurses in Their First Job Using Survival Analysis
Authors: Cho Sung‐Hyun , Lee Ji Yun , Mark Barbara A. , Yun Sung‐Cheol 
Published: January 2012

Abstract Purpose: To examine factors related to turnover of new graduate nurses in their first job.Design: Data were obtained from a 3‐year panel survey (2006–2008) of the Graduates Occupational Mobility Survey that followed‐up college graduates in South Korea. The sample consisted of 351 new graduates whose first job was as a full‐time registered nurse in a hospital.Methods: Survival analysis was conducted to estimate survival curves and related factors, including individual and family, nursing education, hospital, and job dissatisfaction (overall and 10 specific job aspects).Findings: The estimated probabilities of staying in their first job for 1, 2, and 3 years were 0.823, 0.666, and 0.537, respectively. Nurses reporting overall job dissatisfaction had significantly lower survival probabilities than those who reported themselves to be either neutral or satisfied. Nurses were more likely to leave if they were married or worked in small (vs. large), nonmetropolitan, and nonunionized hospitals. Dissatisfaction with interpersonal relationships, work content, and physical work environment was associated with a significant increase in the hazards of leaving the first job.Conclusions: Hospital characteristics as well as job satisfaction were significantly associated with new graduates’ turnover.Clinical Relevance: The high turnover of new graduates could be reduced by improving their job satisfaction, especially with interpersonal relationships, work content, and the physical work environment.