Preliminary Findings of the Efficacy of Botulinum Toxin in Temporomandibular Disorders: Uncontrolled Pilot Study.

Temporomandibular disorders are a common pathology affecting up to 70% of the population, with a maximum incidence in young patients. We used a sample of twenty patients recruited in the Maxillofacial Surgery Service of the University Hospital of Salamanca (Spain), who met the inclusion criteria, with unilateral painful symptomatology of more than three months' duration. All patients were randomly treated by intramuscular and intra-articular injections of botulinum toxin (100 U) in eight predetermined points. Pain symptomatology was assessed by the visual analog scale (VAS) at the different locations, together with joint symptomatology, at baseline and six weeks after treatment. Adverse effects were also evaluated. In 85% of the patients, pain upon oral opening improved and 90% showed improvement in pain upon mastication. A total of 75% of the patients reported improvement in joint clicking/noise. Headaches improved or disappeared in 70% of the patients treated. Despite the limitations of the study and the preliminary results, intramuscular and intra-articular infiltrations with botulinum toxin were effective in the treatment of symptoms associated with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), with minimal adverse effects.

Dissection of the Arabidopsis HUA-PEP gene activity reveals that ovule fate specification requires restriction of the floral A-function.

Ovules are essential for sexual plant reproduction and seed formation, and are fundamental for agriculture. However, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing ovule development is far from complete. In Arabidopsis, ovule identity is determined by homeotic MADS-domain proteins that define the floral C- (AG) and D- (SHP1/SHP2, STK) functions. Pre-mRNA processing of these genes is critical and mediated by HUA-PEP activity, composed of genes encoding RNA-binding proteins. In strong hua-pep mutants, functional transcripts for C- and D-function genes are reduced, resulting in homeotic transformation of ovules. Thus, hua-pep mutants provide an unique sensitized background to study ovule morphogenesis when C- and D-functions are simultaneously compromised. We found that hua-pep ovules are morphologically sepaloid and show ectopic expression of the homeotic class-A gene AP1. Inactivation of AP1 or AP2 (A-function genes) in hua-pep mutants reduced homeotic conversions, rescuing ovule identity while promoting carpelloid traits in transformed ovules. Interestingly, increased AG dosage led to similar results. Our findings strongly suggest that HUA-PEP activity is required for correct C and D floral functions, which in turn prevents ectopic expression of class-A genes in ovules for their proper morphogenesis, evoking the classic A-C antagonism of the ABC model for floral organ development.

Arabidopsis HUA ENHANCER 4 delays flowering by upregulating the MADS-box repressor genes FLC and MAF4.

The adaptive success of flowering plants is largely due to their ability to align floral production with optimal conditions. In Arabidopsis thaliana, MADS-box repressors of the FLC/MAF-clade prevent flowering under non-inductive conditions, although the role of some members is not yet clearly defined. Using a genetic strategy, we identified the KH-domain gene HEN4, previously shown to be involved in MADS-box floral homeotic gene regulation, as a modulator of flowering time. Loss-of-function hen4 mutants are early-flowering, and their response to low growth-temperature (16 °C) and day-length is altered. Interestingly, hen4 plants showed dramatic reduction of FLC and MAF4 transcripts, whereas other flowering repressors of the same clade (FLM, MAF2, MAF3, MAF5) remained unaltered. We also determined that hen4, partly due to loss of FLC, accelerates the vegetative phase-change. This report provides insight into flowering time control and highlights the potential of versatile regulators such as HEN4 to coordinate the juvenile-to-adult transition and floral timing.

Ovule identity mediated by pre-mRNA processing in Arabidopsis.

Ovules are fundamental for plant reproduction and crop yield as they are the precursors of seeds. Therefore, ovule specification is a critical developmental program. In Arabidopsis thaliana, ovule identity is redundantly conferred by the homeotic D-class genes SHATTERPROOF1 (SHP1), SHP2 and SEEDSTICK (STK), phylogenetically related to the MADS-domain regulatory gene AGAMOUS (AG), essential in floral organ specification. Previous studies have shown that the HUA-PEP activity, comprised of a suite of RNA-binding protein (RBP) encoding genes, regulates AG pre-mRNA processing and thus flower patterning and organ identity. Here, we report that the HUA-PEP activity additionally governs ovule morphogenesis. Accordingly, in severe hua-pep backgrounds ovules transform into flower organ-like structures. These homeotic transformations are most likely due to the dramatic reduction in SHP1, SHP2 and STK activity. Our molecular and genome-wide profiling strategies revealed the accumulation of prematurely terminated transcripts of D-class genes in hua-pep mutants and reduced amounts of their respective functional messengers, which points to pre-mRNA processing misregulation as the origin of the ovule developmental defects in such backgrounds. RNA processing and transcription are coordinated by the RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD). Our results show that HUA-PEP activity members can interact with the CTD regulator C-TERMINAL DOMAIN PHOSPHATASE-LIKE1 (CPL1), supporting a co-transcriptional mode of action for the HUA-PEP activity. Our findings expand the portfolio of reproductive developmental programs in which HUA-PEP activity participates, and further substantiates the importance of RNA regulatory mechanisms (pre-mRNA co-transcriptional regulation) for correct gene expression during plant morphogenesis.

A widening gap? Static and dynamic performance differences between specialist and general hospitals.

This paper develops and tests a dynamic model of hospital focus. It does so by tracing the performance trajectories of specialist and general hospitals to identify whether a performance gap exists and whether it widens or shrinks over time. Our longitudinal analyses of all hospital organizations within the English National Health Service (NHS) reveal not only a notable performance gap between specialist and general hospitals in particular with regards to patient satisfaction that widens over time, but also the emergence of a gap especially with regards to hospital staff job satisfaction. These findings reflect the considerable potential of specialization as a means to enhance hospital effectiveness. However, they also alert health policy makers to the threat of a widening performance gap between specialist and general hospitals with potential negative repercussions at the patient and health system level.

Fighting MRSA Infections in Hospital Care: How Organizational Factors Matter.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bloodstream infections at the level of the hospital organization. DATA SOURCES: Data from all 173 acute trusts in the English National Health Service (NHS). STUDY DESIGN: A longitudinal study based on trust-level panel data for the 5-year period from April 2004 to March 2009. Fixed effects negative binominal and system generalized method of moment models were used to examine the effect of (i) patient mix characteristics, (ii) resource endowments, and (iii) infection control practices on yearly MRSA counts. DATA COLLECTION: Archival and staff survey data from multiple sources, including Public Health England, the English Department of Health, and the Healthcare Commission, were merged to form a balanced panel dataset. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: MRSA infections decrease with increases in general cleaning (-3.52 MRSA incidents per 1 standard deviation increase; 95 percent confidence interval: -6.61 to -0.44), infection control training (-3.29; -5.22 to -1.36), hand hygiene (-2.72; -4.76 to -0.68), and error reporting climate (-2.06; -4.09 to -0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Intensified general cleaning, improved hand hygiene, additional infection control training, and a climate conducive to error reporting emerged as the factors most closely associated with trust-level reductions in MRSA infections over time.

Arabidopsis thaliana root colonization by the nematophagous fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia is modulated by jasmonate signaling and leads to accelerated flowering and improved yield.

Pochonia chlamydosporia has been intensively studied in nematode control of different crops. We have investigated the interaction between P. chlamydosporia and the model system Arabidopsis thaliana under laboratory conditions in the absence of nematodes. This study demonstrates that P. chlamydosporia colonizes A. thaliana. Root colonization monitored with green fluorescent protein-tagged P. chlamydosporia and quantitative PCR (qPCR) quantitation methods revealed root cell invasion. Fungal inoculation reduced flowering time and stimulated plant growth, as determined by total FW increase, faster development of inflorescences and siliques, and a higher yield in terms of seed production per plant. Precocious flowering was associated with significant expression changes in key flowering-time genes. In addition, we also provided molecular and genetic evidence that point towards jasmonate signaling as an important factor to modulate progression of plant colonization by the fungus. Our results indicate that P. chlamydosporia provides benefits to the plant in addition to its nematophagous activity. This report highlights the potential of P. chlamydosporia to improve yield in economically important crops.

K-homology nuclear ribonucleoproteins regulate floral organ identity and determinacy in arabidopsis.

Post-transcriptional control is nowadays considered a main checking point for correct gene regulation during development, and RNA binding proteins actively participate in this process. Arabidopsis thaliana FLOWERING LOCUS WITH KH DOMAINS (FLK) and PEPPER (PEP) genes encode RNA-binding proteins that contain three K-homology (KH)-domain, the typical configuration of Poly(C)-binding ribonucleoproteins (PCBPs). We previously demonstrated that FLK and PEP interact to regulate FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC), a central repressor of flowering time. Now we show that FLK and PEP also play an important role in the maintenance of the C-function during floral organ identity by post-transcriptionally regulating the MADS-box floral homeotic gene AGAMOUS (AG). Previous studies have indicated that the KH-domain containing protein HEN4, in concert with the CCCH-type RNA binding protein HUA1 and the RPR-type protein HUA2, facilitates maturation of the AG pre-mRNA. In this report we show that FLK and PEP genetically interact with HEN4, HUA1, and HUA2, and that the FLK and PEP proteins physically associate with HUA1 and HEN4. Taken together, these data suggest that HUA1, HEN4, PEP and FLK are components of the same post-transcriptional regulatory module that ensures normal processing of the AG pre-mRNA. Our data better delineates the roles of PEP in plant development and, for the first time, links FLK to a morphogenetic process.

3' Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends (3' RACE) Using Arabidopsis Samples.

Production of functional eukaryotic RNA is a very elaborate process that involves a complex interplay between transcription and various RNA processing activities, including splicing, 5' capping, and 3' cleavage and polyadenylation (Bentley, 2014). Accurate mapping of RNA ends provides a valuable tool to assess transcriptional and post-transcriptional events giving rise to different gene transcripts. The abundance of such transcripts most likely depends on exogenous and developmental cues, or mutations. In the reference plant Arabidopsis, perturbation of the HUA-PEP post-transcriptional regulatory factors (Rodríguez-Cazorla et al., 2015) leads to the accumulation of aberrant transcripts of the key floral homeotic gene AGAMOUS (AG) (Yanofsky et al., 1990) that retain intronic sequence. It was determined by 3' RACE reactions that such erroneous transcripts correspond to premature processing and polyadenylation events taking place at the AG intron region. Here we describe a protocol that is suitable for analysis of relatively abundant transcripts and also for detecting aberrant RNA species that are likely prone to rapid turnover. Likewise, the method, here adapted to Arabidopsis reproductive tissues, can be applied to characterize RNA species from other organs (leaf, root) and/or other plant species. We provide a detailed protocol of our 3' RACE procedure comprising four major parts: Total RNA extraction, RNA amount determination and quality control, the RACE procedure itself, and isolation of the resulting RACE products for cloning and sequencing.

Técnica de thrust C3 en cervicalgias: modificaciones del umbral del dolor a la presión / Thrust technique C3 in neck pain: modifications of the pressure pain threshold

Introducción: El dolor cervical crónico se localiza a nivel posterior del cuello (desde la nuca hasta la zona interescapular) durante más de 12 semanas, teniendo mayor incidencia en el sexo femenino. Este dolor crónico puede asociarse a periodos de reagudización invalidante, que pueden ocurrir con frecuencia y duración variables. Existe una amplia variedad de tratamientos aplicables en pacientes con cervicalgia crónica, aunque existe escasa evidencia sobre la eficacia de los mismos. Objetivos: Determinar el efecto de la manipulación de C3 sobre el umbral de Dolor a la Presión (UDP) en los puntos gatillos (PG) de los músculos esternocleidomastoideos (ECOM) y en la apófisis espinosa de C3 en pacientes con cervicalgia mecánica crónica. Material y métodos: Se realizó un ensayo clínico aleatorizado, doble ciego con mediciones pre y post intervención en el grupo control y experimental. El tamaño muestral analizado fue de sesenta pacientes (n=60). Se utilizó un dinamómeto digital para medir el umbral de dolor a la presión (UDP) del PG1 de los músculos ECOM y en la apófisis espinosa de C3. Resultados: No se encontraron cambios significativos entre los grupos control y experimental en relación al umbral del dolor a la presión en los PG de los músculos ECOM (p=0,769 ECOM derecho; p=0,082 ECOM izquierdo). Tampoco hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el UDP en la apófisis espinosa de C3 (p=0,777). Conclusiones: La manipulación de C3 no provoca cambios estadísticamente significativos en el UDP en los músculos ECOM ni en la apófisis espinosa de C3. En ambos grupos se aprecia un incremento del umbral de dolor en la medición posterior a la intervención, que es mayor en el grupo experimental en el punto gatillo del músculo ECOM izquierdo y en la apófisis espinosa de C3 (AU)

Introduction: Chronic cervical pain is located posterior to the neck (from the neck to the interscapular zone) for more than 12 weeks, with a higher incidence in the female sex. This chronic pain can be associated with periods of invalidating exacerbation, which can occur with variable frequency and duration. There is a wide variety of treatments applicable in patients with chronic cervicalgia, although there is little evidence regarding their efficacy. Objective: To determine the effect of manipulation of C3 on the Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) in the trigger points (TP) of the sternocleidomastoid muscles (SCM) and in the spinous process of C3 in patients with chronic mechanical cervicalgia. Material and methods: We performed a randomized, double-blind clinical trial with pre and post intervention measurements in the control and experimental groups. The analyzed sample size was 60 patients (n=60). A digital dynamometer was used to measure the pressure pain threshold (PPT) of PG1 of the SCM muscles and in the spinous process of C3. Results: No significant changes were found between the control and experimental groups in relation to the pressure pain threshold in the PG of the SCM muscles (p=0.769 right SCM; p=0.082 left SCM). There were also no statistically significant differences in UDP in the spinous process of C3 (p=0.777). Conclusions: The manipulation of C3 does not cause statistically significant changes in the PPT in the SCM muscles or in the spinous process of C3. In both groups, there is an increase in the pain threshold in the post-intervention measurement, which is greater in the experimental group at the trigger point of the left SCM muscle and in the spinous process of C3 (AU)

Efectos inmediatos de las tecnicas de thrust de C3 en cervicalgias y su relación con los niveles de serotonina y catecolaminas / The immediate effects of using thrust techniques on C3 to treat neck pain and the consequent changes in the levels of serotonin and catecholamines in the blood

Introducción: El dolor cervical crónico, suele localizarse en la zona posterior del cuello (nuca-zona interescapular) con más de 12 semanas de duración y mayor incidencia en el sexo femenino, puediendo asociarse a períodos de reagudización invalidante, con una frecuencia y duración variables. Objetivos: Determinar el efecto de la manipulación de la tercera vértebra cervical (C3) en el Umbral de Dolor a la Presión (UDP) del punto gatillo (PG1) de los músculos trapecios superiores, en pacientes con cervicalgias mecánicas crónicas, así como los cambios en los niveles de serotonina y catecolaminas en la sangre. Material y Métodos: Estudio experimental, aleatorizado, a doble ciego, con mediciones pre y post intervención en el grupo control y experimental, con una muestra de 60 pacientes (n=60). Se utilizó un dinamómeto digital para medir el UDP del PG1 de trapecio superior. Así mismo, se midió la amplitud articular cervical en todos sus componentes, incluyendo la Escala Visual Analógica (EVA) de dolor. También se analizaron los niveles de serotonina y catecolaminas en la sangre. Resultados: Encontramos una reducción significativa (p=0,013) en el UDP del PG1 del trapecio derecho. También se detectó una mejoría significativa (p=0,028) en el balance articular a la flexión cervical y en la escala EVA (p=0,007). No se encontraron cambios significativos entre los grupos control y experimental en los niveles de serotonina (F=1,121; p=0,294), noradrenalina (F= 1,129; p=0,292), adrenalina (F=1,194; p=0,279) y dopamina (F=1,213; p=0,275). No obstante, se observa una tendencia a un incremento en los niveles de serotonina y catecolaminas. Conclusiones: La manipulación de C3, provoca cambios en el PG1 del trapecio derecho, aumenta el balance articular a la flexión cervical y mejora el dolor percibido por la escala EVA ante dicha flexión. La manipulación de C3, no provoca cambios en los niveles de serotonina y catecolaminas en sangre. La confirmación de una posible tendencia al incremento en los niveles de serotonina y catecolaminas, requiere ser estudiada en futuras investigaciones (AU)

Introduction: Chronic neck pain tends to occur in the posterior region of the neck (neck-interscapular area), lasting 12 weeks or more and is more common in women. It can be associated with debilitating flare-ups of varying frequency and duration. Objective: To determine the effect of manipulating the third cervical vertebra (C3) on the Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) of the trigger point (TP1) of the upper trapezius muscles in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain and the resulting changes to levels of serotonin and catecholamines in the blood. Material and methods: Experimental, randomized, double-blinded study, with pre and post-intervention measurements from a control group and an experimental group with a sample of 60 patients (n=60). A digital dynamometer was used to measure the PPT of TP1 of the upper trapezius muscle. We measured all parameters of range of motion in the cervical spine, using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to record pain perception. We also measured the levels of serotonin and catecholamines in the blood. Results: We found a significant reduction (p=0.013) in the PPT of TP1 of the right trapezius muscle. We also saw a significant improvement (p=0.028) in joint balance on cervical flexion and in VAS results (p=0.007). We did not find any significant statistical differences in the levels of serotonin (F=1.121; p=0.294), noradrenaline (norepinephrine) (F=1.129; p=0.292), adrenaline (F=1.194; p=0.279) or dopamine (F=1.213; p=0.275) in the control group and the experimental group. However, we did observe a tendency for the levels of serotonin and catecholamines to increase. Conclusions: Manipulating C3 produces changes in TP1 of the right trapezius muscle, increases joint balance on cervical flexion and decreases the level of pain perceived, measured using the VAS scale. Manipulating C3 did not produce any changes in the levels of serotonin and catecholamines in the blood. Levels of serotonin and catecholamines should be analyzed in future studies to confirm a tendency to increase (AU)

Antagonistic gene activities determine the formation of pattern elements along the mediolateral axis of the Arabidopsis fruit.

The Arabidopsis fruit mainly consists of a mature ovary that shows three well defined territories that are pattern elements along the mediolateral axis: the replum, located at the medial plane of the flower, and the valve and the valve margin, both of lateral nature. JAG/FIL activity, which includes the combined functions of JAGGED (JAG), FILAMENTOUS FLOWER (FIL), and YABBY3 (YAB3), contributes to the formation of the two lateral pattern elements, whereas the cooperating genes BREVIPEDICELLUS (BP) and REPLUMLESS (RPL) promote replum development. A recent model to explain pattern formation along the mediolateral axis hypothesizes that JAG/FIL activity and BP/RPL function as antagonistic lateral and medial factors, respectively, which tend to repress each other. In this work, we demonstrate the existence of mutual exclusion mechanisms between both kinds of factors, and how this determines the formation and size of the three territories. Medial factors autonomously constrain lateral factors so that they only express outside the replum, and lateral factors negatively regulate the medially expressed BP gene in a non-autonomous fashion to ensure correct replum development. We also have found that ASYMMETRIC LEAVES1 (AS1), previously shown to repress BP both in leaves and ovaries, collaborates with JAG/FIL activity, preventing its repression by BP and showing synergistic interactions with JAG/FIL activity genes. Therefore AS gene function (the function of the interacting genes AS1 and AS2) has been incorporated in the model as a new lateral factor. Our model of antagonistic factors provides explanation for mutant fruit phenotypes in Arabidopsis and also may help to understand natural variation of fruit shape in Brassicaceae and other species, since subtle changes in gene expression may cause conspicuous changes in the size of the different tissue types.

[Floristic and physiognomic characteristics of disturbed thorny xerophytic scrubland in Punta de Piedras, Miranda Municipality, Zulia State, Venezuela]. / Florística y fisonomía de un matorral xerófilo espinoso intervenido en Punta de Piedras, Municipio Miranda, Estado Zulia, Venezuela.

We determined the floristic and physiognomic aspects of disturbed thorny xerophytic scrubland in Punta de Piedras, Miranda Municipality, Zulia State, Venezuela. Botanical sampling was done twice monthly (November 2005-June 2006), in both rainy and dry seasons, for a total of 16 samples. The sampling was done in 10 vegetation patches, in an average area of 718,2 +/- 706,24 m2, and adjacent graminoid floristic components were identified using three 400 m2 (20 x 20 m) plots, divided into 4 subplots (20 x 5 m2) and in these, were delimited 12 subplots (1 x 1 m2). In addition, human paths were carried out in order to identify other species plant. Thorny xerophytic scrubland showed human disturbances e.g. periodic fires, solid wastes, roads and human settlements and coastal semiarid thorny scrubland characteristics, similar to another Venezuelan localities. Forty-five species, in 22 families were identified, and the Poaceae (6), Mimosaceae (4), Boraginaceae (3), Cactaceae (3), Caesalpinaceae (3), Euphorbiaceae (3) and Fabaceae (3) presented the highest number of species. Human disturbances probably favor the appearance of vegetation patches and secondary grassland formations. In the last, Aristida venesuelae, Aristida pittieri y Portulaca pilosa showed the highest relative abundances and frequencies values with a summatory of 49,38% and 46,86%, respectively, while in the patches there were observed two layer: an herbaceous layer (less than 1 m high) as well as a bush-tree layer (2.63 +/- 1.37 m high), comprised mostly of Opuntia wentiana, Piptadenia flava and Jatropha gossypifolia with relative abundances of 32,82, 15,60 and 15,14%, respectively. The thorny xerophytic scrubland in Punta de Piedras presents a low number of species; however, the physiognomic characteristics are similar to other undisturbed thorny xerophytic scrublands in Venezuela.

Antagonistic interactions between Arabidopsis K-homology domain genes uncover PEPPER as a positive regulator of the central floral repressor FLOWERING LOCUS C.

Plant floral transition is a major developmental switch regulated by an integrated network of pathways. Arabidopsis FLOWERING LOCUS K (FLK), a protein with three KH RNA-binding domains, operates in the autonomous flowering-promotive pathway by decreasing the transcript levels of the key flowering repressor FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC). Here we report that PEPPER (PEP), an FLK paralog previously shown to affect vegetative and pistil development, antagonizes FLK by positively regulating FLC. Lack of PEP function rescues the flk late-flowering phenotype with a concomitant decrease in FLC RNA levels. Loss of HUA2, another FLC activator encoding an RNA-binding protein, further rescues flk, being flk hua2 pep triple mutants virtually wild-type regarding flowering time. Consistently, PEP overexpression determines high levels of FLC transcripts and flowering delay. Genetic and molecular analyses indicate that FLK and PEP act independently of FCA, another important FLC repressor in the autonomous pathway. In addition, we present data suggesting that PEP may affect FLC expression at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. Overall, our results uncover PEP as a new factor for FLC upregulation, underscoring the importance of RNA-binding activities during developmental timing of flowering.

Florística y fisonomía de un matorral xerófilo espinoso intervenido en Punta de Piedras, Municipio Miranda, Estado Zulia, Venezuela

Floristic and physiognomic characteristics of disturbed thorny xerophytic scrubland in Punta de Piedras, Miranda Municipality, Zulia State, Venezuela. We determined the floristic and physiognomic aspects of disturbed thorny xerophytic scrubland in Punta de Piedras, Miranda Municipality, Zulia State, Venezuela. Botanical sampling was done twice monthly (November 2005-June 2006), in both rainy and dry seasons, for a total of 16 samples. The sampling was done in 10 vegetation patches, in an average area of 718,2 ± 706,24 m², and adjacent graminoid floristic components were identified using three 400 m² (20 x 20 m) plots, divided into 4 subplots (20 x 5 m²) and in these, were delimited 12 subplots (1 x 1 m²). In addition, human paths were carried out in order to identify other species plant. Thorny xerophytic scrubland showed human disturbances e.g. periodic fires, solid wastes, roads and human settlements and coastal semiarid thorny scrubland characteristics, similar to another Venezuelan localities. Forty-five species, in 22 families were identified, and the Poaceae (6), Mimosaceae (4), Boraginaceae (3), Cactaceae (3), Caesalpinaceae (3), Euphorbiaceae (3) and Fabaceae (3) presented the highest number of species. Human disturbances probably favor the appearance of vegetation patches and secondary grassland formations. In the last, Aristida venesuelae, Aristida pittieri y Portulaca pilosa showed the highest relative abundances and frequencies values with a summatory of 49,38% and 46,86%, respectively, while in the patches there were observed two layer: an herbaceous layer (less than 1 m high) as well as a bush-tree layer (2.63 ± 1.37 m high), comprised mostly of Opuntia wentiana, Piptadenia flava and Jatropha gossypifolia with relative abundances of 32,82, 15,60 and 15,14 %, respectively. The thorny xerophytic scrubland in Punta de Piedras presents a low number of species; however, the physiognomic characteristics are similar to other undisturbed thorny xerophytic scrublands in Venezuela. Rev. Biol. Trop. 57 (1-2): 271-281. Epub 2009 June 30.

Se determinaron los aspectos florísticos y fisonómicos de un matorral xerófilo espinoso intervenido de Punta de Piedras, municipio Miranda, estado Zulia, Venezuela. Se realizaron dieciséis muestreos quincenales, entre noviembre 2005 y junio 2006, para la recolecta, identificación y conteo de las especies tanto en el periodo lluvioso como en el seco. Los muestreos se llevaron a cabo en 10 manchones de vegetación con un área promedio de 718 ± 706.24 m², en una formación graminiforme en la que se emplearon tres parcelas de 20 x 20 (400 m²), dividiéndose cada una de éstas en cuatro subparcelas de 20 x 5 (100 m²) y a su vez, dentro de ellas, se delimitaron 12 subparcelas de 1 x 1. (1 m²), y también se realizaron recorridos para el reconocimiento de otras especies de la zona. El matorral xerófilo espinoso mostró evidencias de intervención antropogénica como quemas periódicas, deposición de desechos sólidos, caminerías para el tránsito de las personas y asentamientos poblacionales en las zonas circunvecinas; y presentó una vegetación semiárida de espinar costero característica y comparable a la señalada para otras regiones del país. Se identificaron 45 especies agrupadas en 22 familias, entre las cuales destacaron: las Poaceae (6), Mimosaceae (4), Boraginaceae (3), Cactaceae (3) Caesalpinaceae (3), Euphorbiaceae (3) y Fabaceae (3). La intervención antropogénica parece generar la aparición de manchones de vegetación arbustiva y arbórea y de una formación graminiforme o pastizal. En esta última, Aristida venesuelae, Aristida pittieri y Portulaca pilosa presentaron los mayores valores de abundancia y frecuencia relativa cuya sumatoria corresponde a 49.38% y 46.86%, respectivamente; mientras que en los manchones se destacaron dos estratos: uno herbáceo menor a 1 m, y otro estrato arbustivo-arbóreo de bajo porte (2.63 ± 1.37 m de altura media), conformado principalmente por Opuntia wentiana, Piptadenia flava y Jatropha gossypifolia, especies que presentaron las mayores abundancias relativas de 32.82, 15.60 y 15.14%, respectivamente. El matorral xerófilo espinoso de Punta de Piedras presentó un bajo número de especies en comparación con otras comunidades xerófilas, no intervenidas, del país. Sin embargo, a pesar de la intervención antropogénica presente en esta comunidad, los manchones de vegetación mostraron rasgos fisonómicos análogos a los correspondientes a otras formaciones xerófilas espinosas no perturbadas de Venezuela.

Managerial orientation and career success of physicians in hospitals.

PURPOSE: This article aims to investigate the impact of managerial orientation on the career success of physicians employed in hospitals. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The authors collected data between August and October 2006 using a written questionnaire that was sent to all 278 physicians employed in two German hospitals. The data was analyzed using a multinomial logistic regression. FINDINGS: The data indicate that a pronounced managerial orientation has indeed a positive impact on the career success of physicians in hospitals. But the results vary with respect to the different dimensions of managerial orientation. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Some aspects of managerial orientation are more compatible with physicians' professional values and, consequently, more relevant for career success than others. The acquisition and improvement of management skills seems to be a crucial factor. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The impact of managerial orientation on the career success of physicians has been unclear so far. Physicians are trained and socialized according to professional values and norms that are considered to be the antithesis of a managerial orientation. Furthermore, the typical career paths of professionals are different from careers of other occupational groups. However, this paper shows that physicians employed in hospitals need a certain degree of managerial orientation to have a successful and satisfying professional career.

Hospital innovativeness and organizational performance: evidence from English public acute care.

BACKGROUND: Hospitals around the world dedicate increasing attention and resources to innovation. However, surprisingly little is known about the nature of hospital innovativeness and its relationship with organizational performance. Given both the specific characteristics of the hospital sector and the rather mixed evidence from other industries, a positive innovation-performance link should not be taken for granted but requires empirical examination. PURPOSES: The purposes of this study were to introduce a perspective of hospitals as vital generators of innovation, to unpack the concept of innovativeness, to propose a measurement model for hospital innovativeness, and to empirically investigate the innovativeness-performance relationship. METHODOLOGY: We conducted a large-scale empirical study among the entire population of public hospital organizations that are part of the English National Health Service (n = 173) and analyzed the data using exploratory factor and regression analyses. FINDINGS: Our analyses suggest a significant positive relationship between science- and practice-based innovativeness and clinical performance but provide less unambiguous support for the existence of such a relationship between innovativeness and administrative performance. In particular, we find that higher levels of innovativeness are rather associated with superior quality of care than with measurable bottom-line financial benefits. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Hospitals investing in innovation-generating activities might find their efforts well rewarded in terms of tangible clinical performance improvements. However, to achieve measurable financial benefits, numerous hospitals have yet to discover and capture the commercial value of some of their innovations-a challenging task that requires a holistic innovation management and an effective network of complementary partners.

Alteration of the shoot radial pattern in Arabidopsis thaliana by a gain-of-function allele of the class III HD-Zip gene INCURVATA4.

Class III HD-Zip (HD-Zip III) family genes play key roles in a number of fundamental developmental programs in Arabidopsis thaliana, such as embryo patterning, meristem initiation and homeostasis, lateral organ polarity and vascular development. Semidominant gain-of-function alleles of the HD-Zip III genes PHABULOSA (PHB), PHAVOLUTA (PHV) and REVOLUTA (REV) disrupt the negative regulation of these genes by a mechanism of microRNA interference. We provide evidence that the gain-of-function icu4-1 allele of INCURVATA4, a gene encoding the HD-Zip III transcription factor ATHB15/CORONA (CNA), stimulates the production of vascular tissues, supporting a role for ICU4 in promoting vascular development. Occasionally, homozygous mutants for this allele show a reduced number of thick shoot vascular bundles, although normal collateral polarity remains unchanged. Genetic analysis of icu4-1 and phb-1D, a gain-of-function allele of the related PHB gene, revealed antagonism in lateral organ polarity between both mutations and a synergistic interaction in shoots, with transformation of the polarized collateral bundles into a radialized amphivasal pattern. These results indicate that the precise regulation of HD-Zip III genes confers positional information which is required to establish the number and pattern of vascular bundles in the stem. In addition, we present results that suggest an interaction between ICU4 function and auxin signaling.

Photodynamic inactivation of Enterococcus faecalis in dental root canals in vitro.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We previously reported the use of a flexible fiber optic that uniformly distributed light in the root canal space for targeting bacteria after their sensitization with methylene blue (MB). In the present study, we investigated the photodynamic effects of MB on Enterococcus faecalis species in experimentally infected root canals of extracted teeth after their sensitization with a concentration of MB that exhibits reduced dark toxicity. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a model of root canal infection, 64 root canal specimens were prepared from extracted, single-rooted teeth and inoculated with E. faecalis (ATCC 29212). Three days later root canal infection was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. The root canal systems were then incubated with 6.25 microg/ml MB for 5 minutes followed by exposure to light at 665 nm (60 J/cm(2)) that was delivered from a diode laser via a fiber optic with a diameter of 500 microm. Following photodynamic therapy (PDT) the canal content was sampled by flushing the root canals, serially diluted and cultured on blood agar. Survival fractions were calculated by counting colony-forming units. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed to determine the porphyrins content of E. faecalis. RESULTS: Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the presence of bacteria in the root canal system. PDT achieved 77.5% reduction of E. faecalis viability. MB alone and light alone reduced bacterial viability by 19.5% and 40.5%, respectively. HPLC did not reveal any porphyrin patterns expressed by E. faecalis. CONCLUSION: The results of this study support the need to determine the optimum MB concentration and light parameters to maximize bacterial killing in root canals.

Common regulatory networks in leaf and fruit patterning revealed by mutations in the Arabidopsis ASYMMETRIC LEAVES1 gene.

Carpels and leaves are evolutionarily related organs, as the former are thought to be modified leaves. Therefore, developmental pathways that play crucial roles in patterning both organs are presumably conserved. In leaf primordia of Arabidopsis thaliana, the ASYMMETRIC LEAVES1 (AS1) gene interacts with AS2 to repress the class I KNOTTED1-like homeobox (KNOX) genes BREVIPEDICELLUS (BP), KNAT2 and KNAT6, restricting the expression of these genes to the meristem. In this report, we describe how AS1, presumably in collaboration with AS2, patterns the Arabidopsis gynoecium by repressing BP, which is expressed in the replum and valve margin, interacts in the replum with REPLUMLESS (RPL), an essential gene for replum development, and positively regulates the expression of this gene. Misexpression of BP in the gynoecium causes an increase in replum size, while the valve width is slightly reduced, and enhances the effect of mutations in FRUITFULL (FUL), a gene with an important function in valve development. Altogether, these findings strongly suggest that BP plays a crucial role in replum development. We propose a model for pattern formation along the mediolateral axis of the ovary, whereby three domains (replum, valve margin and valve) are specified by the opposing gradients of two antagonistic factors, valve factors and replum factors, the class I KNOX genes working as the latter.