bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expanding the clinical spectrum of the ‘HDAC8‐phenotype’ – implications for molecular diagnostics, counseling and risk prediction
Authors: Parenti I. , Gervasini C. , Pozojevic J. , Wendt K.S. , Watrin E. , Azzollini J. , Braunholz D. , Buiting K. , Cereda A. , Engels H. , Garavelli L. , Glazar R. , Graffmann B. , Larizza L. , Lüdecke H.J. , Mariani M. , Masciadri M. , Pié J. , Ramos F.J. , Russo S. , Selicorni A. , Stefanova M. , Strom T.M. , Werner R. , Wierzba J. , Zampino G. , Gillessen‐Kaesbach G. , Wieczorek D. , Kaiser F.J.
Published: December 2015

Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is a clinically heterogeneous disorder characterized by typical facial dysmorphism, cognitive impairment and multiple congenital anomalies. Approximately 75% of patients carry a variant in one of the five cohesin‐related genes NIPBL, SMC1A, SMC3, RAD21 and HDAC8. Herein we report on the clinical and molecular characterization of 11 patients carrying 10 distinct variants in HDAC8. Given the high number of variants identified so far, we advise sequencing of HDAC8 as an indispensable part of the routine molecular diagnostic for patients with CdLS or CdLS‐overlapping features. The phenotype of our patients is very broad, whereas males tend to be more severely affected than females, who instead often present with less canonical CdLS features. The extensive clinical variability observed in the heterozygous females might be at least partially associated with a completely skewed X‐inactivation, observed in seven out of eight female patients. Our cohort also includes two affected siblings whose unaffected mother was found to be mosaic for the causative mutation inherited to both affected children. This further supports the urgent need for an integration of highly sensitive sequencing technology to allow an appropriate molecular diagnostic, genetic counseling and risk prediction.
The relationship between hearing impairment and cognitive function: a meta‐analysis in adults
Authors: Taljaard D.S. , Olaithe M. , Brennan‐Jones C.G. , Eikelboom R.H. , Bucks R.S.
Published: December 2015

Objective

Hearing loss affects over 1.23 billion people globally. It has been proposed that hearing impairment negatively impacts on cognition. Some studies have demonstrated a faster rate of decline in cognition, and increased risk of incident all‐cause dementia. This finding is not ubiquitous. This study used meta‐analysis to examine the evidence‐base regarding the relationship between hearing and cognition.

Design

A systematic review of the literature and meta‐analyses of study findings were conducted. Published and grey literature was reviewed. Papers were included if they studied the relationship between hearing and cognition in adults with and without hearing impairment.

Main outcome measures

Meta‐analyses examined evidence for and against seven questions. Is cognition poorer in individuals with normal hearing compared to (i) untreated or (ii) treated hearing impairment, is cognition associated with degree of hearing impairment in (iii) untreated and/or (iv) treated hearing, is cognition (v) different in untreated compared to treated hearing impairment, (vii) does cognition improve after intervention, and (vii) how is hearing impairment differentially associated with cognitive ability across six domains of cognition?

Results

The 33 included studies contributed 40 samples, with a total of 602 participants with untreated hearing impairment, 672 participants with treated hearing impairment, 176 healthy controls, and 4260 individuals with a range of hearing impairment with/without treatment. The results demonstrated that cognition is significantly poorer in (i) individuals with untreated hearing and remains poorer in (ii) treated hearing impairment compared to normal hearers. The degree of cognitive deficit is significantly associated with the degree of hearing impairment in both (iii) untreated and (iv) treated hearing impairment. Furthermore, (v) hearing intervention significantly improves cognition. Finally, (vii) hearing impairment impacted on all domains of cognition.

Conclusions

This meta‐analysis suggests that hearing impairment is associated with cognitive problems. However, due to diversity within studies, small sample sizes, the failure to control for premorbid and other health factors, this conclusion may be premature.
HOW DID EXCHANGE RATES AFFECT EMPLOYMENT IN U.S. CITIES?
Authors: Huang Haifang , Tang Yao
Published: December 2015

We estimate the effects of exchange rate on U.S. employment, exploiting differences in industrial composition across major cities. We find that a 1% depreciation of export‐weighted real exchange rate has a positive 0.98% direct effect on manufacturing employment. Its indirect effect on local nonmanufacturing employment rises with the size of the local manufacturing sector, consistent with the hypothesis that there exists a local spillover from the tradable to the nontradable sector. In cities with heavy concentration of manufacturing employment, the indirect effect is statistically significant and about 60% as large as the direct effect measured by the number of jobs. (JEL F3, F1, J2)
Automatic Mechanisms for Social Attention Are Culturally Penetrable
Authors: Cohen Adam S. , Sasaki Joni Y. , German Tamsin C. , Kim Heejung S.
Published: December 2015

Are mechanisms for social attention influenced by culture? Evidence that social attention is triggered automatically by bottom‐up gaze cues and is uninfluenced by top‐down verbal instructions may suggest it operates in the same way everywhere. Yet considerations from evolutionary and cultural psychology suggest that specific aspects of one's cultural background may have consequence for the way mechanisms for social attention develop and operate. In more interdependent cultures, the scope of social attention may be broader, focusing on more individuals and relations between those individuals. We administered a multi‐gaze cueing task requiring participants to fixate a foreground face flanked by background faces and measured shifts in attention using eye tracking. For European Americans, gaze cueing did not depend on the direction of background gaze cues, suggesting foreground gaze alone drives automatic attention shifting; for East Asians, cueing patterns differed depending on whether the foreground cue matched or mismatched background cues, suggesting foreground and background gaze information were integrated. These results demonstrate that cultural background influences the social attention system by shifting it into a narrow or broad mode of operation and, importantly, provides evidence challenging the assumption that mechanisms underlying automatic social attention are necessarily rigid and impenetrable to culture.
The Burden of Microfinance Debt: Lessons from the Ramanagaram Financial Diaries
Authors: Dattasharma Abhi , Kamath Rajalaxmi , Ramanathan Smita
Published: December 2015

The Indian microfinance institutes (MFI) crisis has spawned several debates on the MFI movement. What is sorely missing are the perspectives of the clients. Using the financial diary methodology in a study of 90 poor households in Ramanagaram town, in the district of Ramanagaram, Karnataka, India, this article analyses how household cash flows are impacted by the presence or absence of MFI loans. During the study period (September 2008–July 2009), an informal ban on MFI repayments was called which offered a rare opportunity to collect data from the same households in the presence and absence of MFI loan repayments. An analysis of their expenditures points to the genesis of the crisis, namely that MFI loan repayments led to impoverishment since these were made at the cost of basic household consumption, like food staples. The authors use the Ramanagaram financial diaries to provide a counter narrative to the dominant Yunusian Grameen narratives on microfinance and poverty alleviation by not looking at microfinance loans in isolation but by situating them in the context of the totality of consumption, cash inflows and debt that govern the lives of the poor.
Computed Tomography in Congenital Heart Disease: Clinical Applications and Technical Considerations
Authors: Kulkarni Aparna , Hsu Hao Hua , Ou Phalla , Kutty Shelby
Published: December 2015

Computed tomography (CT) is increasingly applied as an aid to clinical decision making in congenital heart disease (CHD) with regard to surgery, interventional catheterizations, and follow‐up. It is particularly useful for the assessment of vascular and airway abnormalities. Updated knowledge of CT imaging techniques is mandatory not only for the optimization of image acquisition protocols, but also for the postprocessing reconstruction and interpretation of CT findings. The purpose of this article was to review the clinical indications, techniques, and dose reduction methods for CT imaging in children and adults with CHD. Relevant discussion and illustrations of common forms of CHD evaluated by CT are presented.
Multiple specificities of immunoglobulin M in equine fetuses infected with Leptospira interrogans indicate a competent immune response
Authors: Velineni S. , Timoney J. F. , Artiushin S. C. , Donahue J. M. , Steinman M.
Published: December 2015

Reasons for performing study

Foals of mares infected with Leptospira interrogans serovar Pomona type kennewicki (Lk) may be aborted/stillborn or delivered as healthy foals. Is fetal survival explained in part by the immune response of the fetus to Leptospira antigens?

Objectives

To describe an outbreak of Leptospira abortion in which infected mares delivered dead/sick or normal foals and determine specificities of antibody in a collection of 54 fetuses from similar outbreaks.

Study design

Outbreak investigation in combination with a case‐control study of a larger set of samples from aborted fetuses.

Methods

Serology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on urine and amniotic fluids were used to diagnose infection during an outbreak of Leptospira abortion. Specificities of immunoglobulin (Ig)M, IgGa and IgGb for recombinant proteins of Lk in archived fluids of fetuses from similar outbreaks were compared by ELISA with those of fluids of fetuses not infected with Leptospira spp.

Results

Five fetuses of 11 infected mares in an outbreak survived in utero in the presence of persistent placental infection and were healthy at foaling. Fetuses of 6 mares in the outbreak were aborted or died soon after birth. Significantly greater (P<0.05) IgM reactivity with all recombinant proteins and with Lk sonicate was observed in 54 archived fluids from Leptospira infected fetuses than in fluids of 30 of non‐Leptospira infected fetuses. Low levels of IgGa and IgGb specific for LipL32 and Lk sonicate and traces of LigA and Hsp15 specific IgGa were detected in a minority of archived fluids from Leptospira infected fetuses.

Conclusion

Although mainly mediated by IgM, a high level of immune competence in aborted fetuses was evidenced by the multiplicity of Leptospira proteins targeted. This is likely to contribute to survival of foals in mares with evidence of placental infection at foaling as detailed in a typical outbreak.
Delegation: a solution to the workload problem? Observations and interviews with community pharmacists in England
Authors: Lea Victoria M , Corlett Sarah A , Rodgers Ruth M
Published: December 2015

Objective

This study aims to describe how pharmacists utilise and perceive delegation in the community setting.

Method

Non-participant observations and semi-structured interviews with a convenience sample of community pharmacists working in Kent between July and October 2011. Content analysis was undertaken to determine key themes and the point of theme saturation informed sample size. Findings from observations were also compared against those from interviews.

Key findings

Observations and interviews were undertaken with 11 pharmacists. Observations showed that delegation occurred in four different forms: assumed, active, partial and reverse. It was also employed to varying extents within the different pharmacies. Interviews revealed mixed views on delegation. Some pharmacists presented positive attitudes towards delegation while others were concerned about maintaining accountability for delegated tasks, particularly in terms of accuracy checking of dispensed medication. Other pharmacists noted the ability to delegate was not a skill they found inherently easy. Comparison of observation and interview data highlighted discrepancies between tasks pharmacists perceived they delegated and what they actually delegated.

Conclusions

Effective delegation can potentially promote better management of workload to provide pharmacists with additional time to spend on cognitive pharmaceutical services. To do this, pharmacists' reluctance to delegate must be addressed. Lack of insight into own practice might be helped by self-reflection and feedback from staff. Also, a greater understanding of legal accountability in the context of delegation needs to be achieved. Finally, delegation is not just dependent on pharmacists, but also on support staff; ensuring staff are empowered and equipped to take on delegated roles is essential.
Older people's experiences of care in nursing homes: a meta‐synthesis
Authors: Vaismoradi Mojtaba , Wang Inger‐Lise , Turunen Hannele , Bondas Terese
Published: December 2015

Aim

To integrate the current international knowledge and enhance our understanding of the experiences of older people of being cared for in nursing homes.

Background

There is a lack of integrated knowledge to help face the challenge of providing care to older people in nursing homes. Understanding the experiences of older people regarding their own care leads to interventions for reducing older people's suffering, while living in nursing homes.

Methods

Keywords describing the experiences of being cared for in nursing homes were used to systematically search electronic databases for qualitative research articles. A meta‐synthesis study employing the interpretative meta‐ethnography approach devised by Noblit and Hare was carried out to analyse seven qualitative articles identified during the search process.

Findings

Seven studies included in this meta‐synthesis were published between 2007 and 2015. The experiences of older people of being cared for in nursing homes were expressed by the metaphor ‘retaining the meaning of being alive’. Older people wished for a homelike place where they would be delivered care with the consideration of all its humanistic aspects. While conflict between their expectations and organizational demands damaged this sought ideal, adjustment to life conditions and taking an active role led to a feeling of being alive.

Discussion

This meta‐synthesis integrates our knowledge on organizational and administrative demands, and personal factors influencing the provision of individualized care in nursing homes.

Limitations

The mental functionality of older people that suffer from dementia might impact on their ability to be involved in research and have a ‘voice’ in terms of their experience of being cared for in nursing homes.

Conclusion and Implications for Nursing

The institutional character of the nursing home restricts older people's decision‐making. The challenge in nursing home care is to balance the tensions between the individual needs and the collective dimensions of care.

Implications for Nursing Policy

Nurse policymakers need to consider the ambience in nursing homes, develop a caring culture for the provision of a holistic care to older people and make the nursing home as close to a home as possible.
Comparative pharmacodynamics and plasma levels of beta‐adrenoceptor blocking drugs.
Authors: Gugler R , Krist R , Raczinski H , Hoffgen K , Bodem G
Published: December 2015

1. Metoprolol (ME), pindolol (PI) and propranolol (PR) were studied in nine subjects at different doses and at ‘maximum beta‐adrenoceptor blockade’ at a defined exercise load. Exercise tests were performed after each dosing period; isoprenaline stimulation was studied at the highest dose level. 2. ME and PR reduced heart rate at rest with most doses tested, while PI had no effect on resting heart rate. 3. Exercise heart rate was reduced with the smallest daily doses (ME 75 mg; PI 7.5 mg; PR 60 mg), and maximum reduction was from 163 to 116 beats/min (ME), 124 (PT) and 115 (PR) beats/min with daily doses of 242, 23 and 233 mg, respectively. 4. Resting blood pressure was not significantly affected by any beta‐adrenoceptor blocker dose, but exercise induced blood pressure decreased from 166 to 130 (ME), 138 (PI) and 131 (PR) mm Hg, respectively. 5. Mean plasma concentrations at ‘maximum beta‐ adrenoceptor blockade’ were 158 (ME), 24 (PI) and 159 (PR) ng/ml without significant differences in the plasma level variation between beta‐adrenoceptor blockers. 6. Isoprenaline doses required to increase heart rate by 30 beats/min were 3.8 microgram (control), 22 microgram (ME), 458 microgram (PI) and 200 microgram (PR), respectively. The differences may be due to different ratios of beta 1, beta 2 activity of the beta‐adrenoceptor blockers tested.
Effects of microsomal enzyme induction on paracetamol metabolism in man.
Authors: Prescott LF , Critchley JA , Balali‐Mood M , Pentland B
Published: December 2015

1 The metabolism of paracetamol after a single oral dose of 20 mg/kg was compared in fifteen patients with microsomal enzyme induction taking anticonvulsants or rifampicin and twelve healthy volunteers. 2 Induction was confirmed by measurement of the plasma antipyrine half‐ life (mean 6.4 h in the patients compared with 12.8 h in the volunteers). 3 The glucuronide conjugation of paracetamol was enhanced in the induced patients as shown by lower plasma paracetamol concentrations, a shorter paracetamol half‐life, higher paracetamol glucuronide concentrations and an increased ratio of the area under the plasma concentration time curves of the glucuronide to the unchanged drug. There were no significant differences in sulphate conjugation. 4 There was a corresponding change in the pattern of urinary metabolite excretion. The induced patients excreted significantly less unchanged drug and sulphate conjugate and more glucuronide conjugate than the healthy volunteers. 5 The urinary excretion of the mercapturic acid and cysteine conjugated of paracetamol was the same in both groups. 6 Conversion of paracetamol to its potentially hepatotoxic metabolite does not seem to be increased in patients induced with anticonvulsants or rifampicin. There would seem to be no contraindication to the use of these drugs in combination.
The effect of cimetidine on cyclic nucleotides in human gastric mucosa.
Authors: Mooney PA , Walters JM , McCarthy CF , O'Donnell JM
Published: December 2015

1 Pre‐drug concentrations of both nucleotides were similar in patients with or without peptic ulceration. 2 The effect of a singly infusion or repeated oral administration of cimetidine on human gastric mucosal content of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP was studied. 3 Biopsies from the body of the stomach were taken at endoscopy from patients who were participating in a clinical trial of the value of cimetidine in the treatment of duodenal ulcer. Cyclic nucleotide determinations and histological examinations were performed on biopsies taken before and after cimetidine treatment. 4 Gastric mucosal content of cyclic AMP was significantly increased (P less than 0.01) 20 min after intravenous infusion of 200 mg cimetidine. There was also a significant increase (P less than 0.01) in gastric mucosal cyclic AMP following administration of the drug orally for 28 days. No alterations in gastric mucosal histology were observed following cimetidine treatment. 5 Gastric mucosal content of cyclic GMP was not altered by intravenous drug infusion, or by chronic treatment.
Withdrawal of long‐term therapy with atenolol in hypertensive patients.
Authors: Webster J , Hawksworth GM , Barber HE , Jeffers TA , Petrie JC
Published: December 2015

1 The offset of effects on blood pressure and heart rate after cessation of long‐term therapy (19 +/‐ 3.6 months) with atenolol (200 mg once/daily) was studied in six hypertensive patients. 2 Withdrawal of atenolol resulted in a gradual return of lying, standing and post‐ exercise systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels and heart rate towards the baseline value. The offset of effect greatly exceeded the time for elimination of atenolol. 3 No significant differences in the pharmacokinetic profile of atenolol were evident between the values obtained following chronic dosing and an acute single‐dose study. 4 The lack of clinical evidence of increased cardiac adrenergic sensitivity or rebound hypertension following withdrawal of atenolol contrasts with reports of a withdrawal syndrome following cessation of therapy with propranolol. Nevertheless until the mechanism of the propranolol‐ withdrawal syndrome is better understood caution is required when stopped therapy with atenolol in patients with severe coronary artery disease.
Penbutolol or hydrochlorothiazide once a day in hypertension. A controlled study with home measurements.
Authors: de Plaen JF , Vander Elst E , Van Strihou Ypersele de C
Published: December 2015

1 The hypotensive effect of single daily dosing with 80 mg penbutolol was compared to 100 mg hydrochlorothiazide and placebo in a double‐ blind cross‐over controlled trial with daily home measurements in ten hypertensive patients. 2 Penbutolol, 80 mg once a day, reduced significantly the supine and standing blood pressure. 3 This hypotensive effect was more potent than hydrochlorothiazide 100 mg particularly in the evening. 4 The hypotensive effect remained for 24 h as shown by the evening (14 h after dose) and morning (24 h after dose) blood pressure readings. 5 No relevant subjective or physical side effects were recorded. There was no significant change nor individual noticeable variation in biochemical data during penbutolol treatment. However, during hydrochlorothiazide treatment, the expected electrolyte changes were observed (symptom‐free hypokalemia and hyperuricemia). 6 Penbutolol serum concentration showed no cumulation after one month of treatment. 7 Sudden withdrawal of penbutolol after 1 month of therapy resulted in a slow return to baseline blood pressures over a 2‐week period without rebound.
Triazolam compared with nitrazepam and with oxazepam in insomnia: two double‐blind, crossover studies analyzed sequentially.
Authors: Dordain G , Puech AJ , Simon P
Published: December 2015

1 In two double‐blind, crossover studies, general practitioners compared the hypnotic activity of triazolam 0.50 mg with that of nitrazepam 5 mg or oxazepam 50 mg in outpatient insomnias. 2 The patient's preferences served as the main criterion, and were processed by sequential analysis. 3 More patients (P less than 0.05) preferred triazolam to nitrazepam (triazolam 28; nitrazepam 11; no preference 9). 4 The numbers of patients who preferred triazolam or oxazepam did not differ significantly. 5 Triazolam and oxazepam affected sleep parameters similarly except for onset of sleep and feeling in the morning, for which triazolam seemed to be superior to oxazepam.
The effect of activated dimethicone and a proprietary antacid preparation containing this agent on the absorption of phenytoin.
Authors: McElnay JC , Uprichard G , Collier PS
Published: December 2015

1 The bioavailabilty of phenytoin sodium (Epanutin both alone and in combination with activated dimethicone and Asilone (a proprietary antacid preparation containing activated dimethicone) was examined in six healthy male volunteers. 2 The bioavailability of phenytoin when given concomitantly with Asilone was decreased in five of six volunteer subjects (by greater than 30% in three subjects) although this decrease was not shown to be statistically significant. 3 Dimethicone, which has been shown to decrease phenytoin absorption in vitro did not affect phenytoin bioavailability in vivo. 4 It is recommended that when treating patients stabilised on phenytoin one should exercise caution with concomitant phenytoin and antacid therapy to guard against possible changed drug absorption.
The effect of acebutolol and propranolol on the hypoglycaemic action of glibenclamide.
Authors: Zaman R , Kendall MJ , Biggs PI
Published: December 2015

1 The effect of acebutolol, a relatively selective beta‐adrenoceptor blocking drug and propranolol, a non‐selective one, on the hypoglycaemic action of glibenclamide after an oral glucose load has been investigated in a group of maturity‐onset diabetic patients. 2 Glibenclamide significantly reduced the blood glucose levels and both acebutolol and propranolol, at therapeutic doses, were found to modify this action significantly. 3 The effect of acebutolol was slightly less than that of propranolol. The difference was not statistically significant. 4 The modes of action of sulphonylureas are reviewed and it is suggested that beta‐adrenoceptor blockers may modify their effect on insulin release. This appears to be a drug interaction rather than an effect of beta‐adrenoceptor blockade on glucose tolerance.
Influence of beta‐adrenoceptor blocking agents on lymphocyte function in vitro.
Authors: Hallengren B , Forsgren A , Melander A
Published: December 2015

1 In order to assess whether beta‐adrenoceptor blocking agents may have an immunomodulatory influence, the in vitro effect of propranolol metoprolol and atenolol on mitogenic activation of human peripheral blood lymphocytes was studied. To investigate further the mechanism of this influence, the effects of quinidine and two other membrane stabilizing agents were examined. 2 At 100 and 1000 mumol/l, both (+)‐ propranolol, (‐)‐propranolol and (+/‐)‐propranolol evoked a strong reduction of mitogenic lymphocyte activation. A similar effect was obtained with quinidine. Even at 1000 mumol/l metoprolol, had only a slight suppressive effect and atenolol had no suppressive influence at all. 3 It appears that propranolol may suppress mitogenic activation of lymphocytes, and that the effect may be ascribed to membrane stabilization rather than to beta‐adrenoceptor blockade.
Behavior and Ecology of Four Syntopic Species of Finches in Mexico
Authors: Murray Bertram G. , Hardy John William
Published: December 2015

The territorial and vocal behavior of the Collared Towhee, Rufous‐sided Towhee, Chestnut‐capped Brushfinch, and Rufous‐capped Brushfinch were studied on Cerro San Felipe in Oaxaca, Mexico. Birds were mist‐netted and individually color‐marked, and their activities monitored for six weeks during the breeding season. Vocalizations were tape‐recorded and analyzed by sound spectrograph. Contrary to previous work, we found no evidence of interspecific territoriality or character convergence in these species.

Revierverhalten von 4 Finkenarten Mexikos wurde bei Oaxaca unter‐sucht. Entgegen früheren Angaben überlappen die Reviere von Pipilo ocai mit denen von P. erytbrophthalmus, Atlapetes brunneinucha und A. pileatus, ohne Anzeichen zwischenartlicher Revierabgrenzung.

Alle 4 Arten unterscheiden sich in Körpergröße, Schnabelgröße und ‐form, und in der Nahrungssuche. P. ocai, der größe der vier, mit schwerem, konischem Schnabel, sucht (wie auch P. erytbrophthalmus) mit beiden Füßen in der Bodenstreu scharrend nach Nahrung. Die erstere Art sucht meist in dichterem Gestrüpp als die zweite. Die beiden anderen Arten haben schlankere Schnäbel; A. brunneinucha wirft mit dem Schnabel Bodenmaterial beiseite; A. pileatus sucht Blätter ab.

Die Gesänge aller Arten sind deutlich verschieden. Die Strophen von P. ocai sind lauter und variabler als die von P. erytbrophthalmus und aähneln denen von A. pileatus, der aber schneller singt. A. brunneinucha. singt völlig anders als diese drei. Auf vorgespielte nicht‐arteigene Gesänge reagieren sie alle nicht.

Die vier Arten scheinen in Körperbau und Verhalten hinreichend verschieden voneinander, so daß zwischenartliche Konkurrenz und andere Interaktionen kaum eine Rolle spielen.
The Defence of First and Second Broods by Great Tit (Parus major) Parents: A Test of Predictive Sociobiology1
Authors: Curio Eberhard , Regelmann Klaus , Zimmermann Uwe
Published: December 2015

Abstract and Summary

We examined the extent to which parental investment, as measured by brood defence, is determined by selection via life history in a short‐lived bird, the great tit (Parus major). Great tit parents tending 1st and 2nd broods of the season were used to test five predictions of a cost/benefit model of brood defence based on the species average demography. Thebenefitwas envisaged as the brood's contribution to a parent's fitness, and thecostas the potential loss if the defender dies in the act of defence; this loss was mirrored by Residual Reproductive Value plus a fraction of the brood dying as a consequence of the defender's death. Univariate and multivariate procedures were applied to six measures of defence response in 221 experimentally naive great tit pairs with nestlings. Stimuli consisted of a live raptor and a multi‐species taped mobbing chorus (both of which triggered strong alarm), the latter alone, and a novel, visual stimulus inhibiting nest visits for some time. As predicted by the model, response strength and associated risk increased with (1) advancing time in the breeding season, (2) the age of young, and (3) the number of young in 2nd broods. The last finding, being non‐trivial, is the strongest and the only unequivocal support for the notion that life‐history has moulded parental investment also in a short‐lived species; findings (1) and (2) could be alternatively accounted for by simply assuming that parents tailor their defence to environmental conditions permitting a new breeding episode. The model failed to predict the change of defence behaviour between 1st and 2nd broods. Instead, proximate factors coupled to the precise breeding area proved to be of prime importance in determining defence level, thereby falsifying the idea of a rigidly preprogrammed change of response level based on population parameter means. Instead, parents might gauge their defence to quality of young, as also allowed for in the model, or they may sometimes be constrained to display the full defence.

As a by‐product, the experiments permit us to narrow down the range of selective agents producing the male parent's stronger defence. The sex difference, being prevalent in 1st broods and abating in 2nd broods, indicates that the male, by its defence behaviour, not only invests in its offspring but also in its home range and/or its mate. The latter interpretation is supported most directly by the male's defence behaviour in 1st broods.
Location‐specific Responses of Gibbons (Hylobates muelleri) to Male Songs
Authors: Mitani John C.
Published: December 2015

I investigated the responses of gibbons (Hylobates muelleri) to male songs played back from different locations but similar distances from the subjects. The gibbons showed spatial variations in response to songs. Mated males led silent group approaches toward songs emanating from the center of the range. Songs delivered from positions along the range periphery elicited either group approaches or duets. Songs played back from within the ranges of neighbors rarely resulted in duetting activity. Location, a contextual factor, is important in determination of the response evoked by song. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that male song plays a role in mediating intergroup spacing among gibbons.
Schooling in Sphyrna lewini, a Species with Low Risk of Predation: a Non‐egalitarian State
Authors: Klimley A. Peter
Published: December 2015

The scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini, forms schools as highly polarized as those of the obligate schoolers, Atherinops affinis, Engraulis mordax, Scomber japonicus, and Trachurus symmetricus. On the other hand, schooling hammerheads do not maintain preferential elevations and bearings to their nearest‐neighbors and remain at larger inter‐individual distances than the facultative schoolers, Gadus morhua and Pollachius virens, and the obligate schooler, Clupea harengus. Members of hammerhead schools vary in size more than those of small bony fishes. Furthermore, aggression is very common in schools of hammerheads; most individuals are females which compete for a position at the center of the school. Larger females perform two approach‐type behaviors, Hit and Cork‐screw, within the schools and force smaller sharks to the edge as they perform two withdrawal‐type behaviors, Acceleration and Head‐shake. Males are rare and enter the schools, performing Torso‐thrust. The differences between schools of hammerheads and those of small teleosts are consistent with schooling in hammerheads functioning not to confer protection from predation, but to permit conspecifics to interact socially during the resting phase of their diel cycle.
Avomic Prairie Rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis) Fail to Attack Rodent Prey
Authors: Graves Brent M. , Duvall David
Published: December 2015

Abstract and Summary

It has been hypothesized, though tested only indirectly, that striking and envenomation of rodent prey by rattlesnakes is guided by thermal and visual senses, vomeronasal senses being employed only after envenomation. To test this hypothesis, prairie rattlesnakes that were reliable hunters/feeders in the laboratory were rendered “avomic” (i.e., their VNOs were sutured closed) or given a control surgery. While all control subjects struck, located, and swallowed prey, avomic rattlesnakes never did so. Avomic subjects exhibited fewer tongue flicks as well. Chemical cues detected by the VNO appear to play a significant role in both pre‐strike and post‐strike phases of prairie rattlesnake predation. Low rates of tongue flicking observed prior to the strike may be an effect of the cryptic ambush strategy used by rattlesnakes during the pre‐strike phase of predation.
THE TEACHER AND HIS BOOKS
Authors: Churchman Philip H.
Published: December 2015

The Importance of Books.—Classes of Utility: Concentration and Proportion.—Knowing about books,—the card‐catalog and the book review.—Knowing books,—reading and skimming.—Books to consult in French and Spanish.—Dictionaries, reference grammars and books on idioms, works on pronunciation, histories of literature, history, pedagogical discussions, general works of reference, anthologies.
The Landscape of Caring for Women: A Narrative Study of Midwifery Practice
Authors: Kennedy Holly Powell , Shannon Maureen T. , Chuahorm Usa , Kravetz M. Kathryn
Published: December 2015

Our purpose was to expand knowledge on the process and outcomes of midwifery care. Narrative analysis was used to interpret stories provided by midwives to illustrate their practice and recipients of midwifery care about their experience. A purposive sample of 14 midwives and four recipients of midwifery care was recruited as a subsample from a prior Delphi study on midwifery practice. Three broad themes were identified: 1) the midwife in relationship with the woman, 2) orchestration of an environment of care, and 3) the outcomes of care, called “life journeys” for the woman and the midwife. The findings are discussed from the perspectives of therapeutic landscapes described in cultural geography and prior research on midwifery practice. The challenge is to confirm the associations between the processes of care identified in these narratives with both short‐ and long‐term outcomes in the health of women and their families. These appear to go well beyond the usual perinatal measures currently used in health care research and hold implications for how care is delivered, measured, and evaluated.
Retirement Among Florida's Certified Nurse‐Midwives: An Impending Workforce Crisis
Authors: Jevitt Cecilia M. , Beckstead Jason W.
Published: December 2015

An anonymous survey was mailed to 499 CNMs in Florida in May 2001 to examine the impact of CNM retirement on the Florida women's health provider workforce and to estimate the replacement demand for CNMs. The survey also investigated where Florida's CNMs studied midwifery, reasons for choosing education programs, reasons for moving to Florida, and causes of underemployment of CNMs. Two hundred eighty respondents returned the survey. Thirty‐nine percent of respondents received their midwifery education in Florida. Eighty‐one percent of respondents were working as CNMs. From 2010 through 2025, an average of 11 CNMs in Florida will reach age 65 each year. These data indicate that retirement will generate demand for new CNMs in the next two decades. These data, along with future research tracking midwifery education, employment, and retirement, could be used to plan program funding, clinical site needs, and legislative support of midwifery.
An Activity Derived From Rabbit Serum Causing Interruption of Pregnancy in Mice
Authors: WATERS C.A. , SINGH B. , HONORE L.
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: Certain preparations of rabbit γ‐globulins (Cohn Fraction II) contain an activity which, if administered intravenously to pregnant mice, causes either complete fetal resorption in virtually 100% of cases when given during the second trimester equivalent or abortions when given later in pregnancy. All mouse strains tested are sensitive to the activity with slight differences in dosages and kinetics. Unlike vaccines raised xenogeneically against rodent placenta, the activity does not cross‐react with kidney or result in any maternal pathology; it can be adsorbed on mouse placental and testicular tissue. Within 1 hr of injection, there is massive venous congestion of the basal decidua and placenta associated with fetal death. There is, however, no evidence of an acute inflammatory reaction or of vascular thrombosis. Expression of the activity can be blocked by pretreatment of the animal with heparin; antihistamines, anticholinergics, and anti‐inflammatory agents are without effect. The activity is heat‐labile and sensitive to reduction‐alkylation and periodation. Virtually all treated females can be successfully remated at a later time.
Experimental Autoimmunity to Rat Male Accessory Glands (MAG): Circulating Antibodies, Immunoglobulins Bound to Target Glands, and Immunoglobulins‐Secreting Cells
Authors: DEPIANTE‐DEPAOLI M. , PACHECO‐RUPIL B.
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: A correlation between spleen B‐cell antibody production against MAG antigens and the presence of different antibodies in circulation or antibodies bound to target glands was attempted.

The number of 7S and 19S Ig‐secreting cells (ISC) found in the spleen and the number of ISC generated after in vitro stimulation of the cells with MAG antigens were evaluated by using the hemolytic plaque assay. Low numbers of 7S and 19S ISC‐less than 0.01% of spleen cells—were generated in response to MAG immunization, and no significative increase was observed after in vitro culture of spleen cells with MAG antigens, suggesting that secretory activity of the B‐cells can not be improved when liberated from humoral homeostatic mechanisms.

The humoral response of MAG‐immunized rats, investigated by complement fixation and immunodiffusion assays, has proved negative, and in only two out of 17 rats a weak haemagglutinating activity was observed. Attempts to detect antibodies bound to cellular MAG antigens by immunofluorescence have shown a weak fluorescence in the epithelial cells of the prostate gland in only two rats. In both cases a concomitant tissue damage was observed, but in nine out of 11 cases with histological alterations no fluorescence was observed in the target glands.

The medium value of rosette‐forming cells (RFC) found in the spleen of MAG‐immunized rats did not significantly differ from the value of the HSA‐treated control group, although both groups differ in their specific humoral response.

Contrary to the depressed humoral response, the MAG‐immunized rats showed in all cases a cellular immune mechanism by at least one of the tests in study and in 70.5% of the cases the simultaneous presence of various factors has been demonstrated. In 11 cases the cell‐mediated immune response was accompanied by seminal vesicle and/or prostatic lesions with a microscopic aspect close to that of delayed hypersensitivity reactions. These observations suggest that the characteristic lesions of experimental autoimmune vesiculoprostatitis (EAVP) are unlikely to be initiated by antibodies directed against MAG antigens. The mechanism affecting the impaired antibody response is discussed.
Antigen‐Induced Inhibition of Autoimmune Response to Rat Male Accessory Glands
Authors: FERRO MARÍA E. , GALMARINI MIRIAN , RIERA CLELIA M.
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: Pretreatment of rats with low doses of purified fraction of rat male accessory glands (containing the autoantigen) markedly reduced the immune response to autoantigen when animals were subsequently challenged with modified rat male accessory glands in complete Freund's adjuvant.

The rats pretreated with low doses of antigen prior to immunization showed marked suppression of delayed‐type hypersensitivity reaction (P < 0.001) when compared to control animals (pretreated with rat lung saline extract or 0.15 M NaCl).

There was also enhancement of migration of macrophages in test male rats, whereas the migration was inhibited in control male rats (P < 0.01). The stimulation of migration found in the male rats in which the response was inhibited would suggest the presence of a migration stimulation factor, which is considered a marker of suppressor cell activity.

Humoral immunity was also reduced. Pretreatment of rats with low doses of the antigen markedly reduced the immune response, probably because of the induction of suppressor cells.
Pregnancy‐Associated Nonspecific Immunosuppression: Mechanism for the Activation of the Immunosuppressive Factors
Authors: DAVIES M. , BROWNE C.M.
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: The nonspecific immunosuppressive effect observed in pregnancy sera and mediated by two factors, immunosuppressive factors (ISF) I and II, was regulated by a third molecule termed the pregnancy‐depleted immunoregulatory factor (pdIRF). Natural depletion of serum pdIRF levels during pregnancy resulted in the activation of the ISF‐I and ISF‐II molecules, which prior to conception existed in the serum in inactive forms. The inactive ISF‐I and ISF‐II molecules in male sera and in nulliparous nonpregnant female sera can be activated following the artificial selective depletion of pdIRF by absorption onto Sephacryl S‐300. It is proposed that inactive complexes consisting of the ISF‐I and ISF‐II molecules and pdIRF and possibly involving Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions are a feature of normal sera. The pdIRF molecule has an apparent Mr of 100,000–125,000 daltons and consists of a single major polypeptide of 63,000 daltons. Equal concentrations of pdIRF are present in male and female normal sera.
Opsonization of Bacteria by Uterine Secretions of Cyclic Mares
Authors: BROWN ASHLEY E. , HANSEN PETER J. , ASBURY ATWOOD C.
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: Uterine flushings collected from mares before and after bacterial‐induced inflammation were assayed for ability to opsonize Streptococcus zooepidemicus for phagocytosis by polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Opsonization was measured as the peak phagocytic rate of bacteria preincubated with uterine flushings relative to the peak phagocytic rate of unopsonized bacteria. Flushings from four mares with non‐infected uteri were unable to opsonize bacteria regardless of whether uteri were flushed at estrus or on day 10 postovulation. In a second experiment, 7 × 109live S. zooepidemicus were inoculated into the uterus of five mares during estrus. Uterine flushings collected at the estrus before inoculation or at the estrus after inoculation did not opsonize bacteria. Four of five flushings collected 6 hr post inoculation, however, were capable of opsonization. Based on heat inactivation at 56°C, the opsonizing activity of one of four flushes was due to a complement protein. It was concluded that one aspect of the acute inflammatory response of the mare's uterus is accumulation of opsonins in the uterine lumen.
Common Specificities of Auto‐ and Iso‐Antibodies to Human Spermatozoa
Authors: Kay D.J. , Boettcher B.
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: The specificities of antispermatozoal antibodies in humans were compared using the ability of F(ab')2 fragments prepared from sera containing spermatozoal antibodies to block access to antigenic sites on spermatozoa. Reciprocal blocking experiments were carried out on a panel of 13 sera which came from both men and women, had different modes of agglutination, and came from widely separated population centers.

The blocking experiments confirmed that specificities of antispermatozoal antibodies bear little relation to those suggested by observed modes of agglutination.

F(ab')2 fragments from head‐agglutinating sera could inhibit the immobilizing activity of a tail‐agglutinating sera and vice versa. Similarly, the sera from men and women could inhibit each other, as could sera collected from patients living in widely separated localities.

It is concluded that there are more than one, but a limited number, of antigens on the spermatozoal surface capable of generating antibodies with antifertility effects. It is also concluded that these antigens occur all over the sperm surface but may be concentrated in certain areas and that the observed modes of agglutination depend at least as much on the characteristics of the antibodies as on their specificities.
Effect of Human Syncytiotrophoblast Extract on In Vitro Proliferative Responses
Authors: Degenne D. , Canepa S. , Horowitz R. , Khalfoun B. , Gutman N. , Bardos P.
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: The authors studied the effects of soluble syncytiotrophoblast extract (STE) on the proliferative responses of lymphocytes to different lectins (PHA and Con A) and to allogeneic cells in one‐way mixed lymphocyte cultures. STE suppressed lymphocyte reactivity to lectins and to allogeneic cell cultures. The inhibitory effect was dose dependent. Increased concentrations of lectins failed to overcome the inhibitory effect of STE. Lymphocytes preincubated with STE for 18 hr, then washed and exposed to lectins still exhibited an inhibition of cellular proliferation. STE added to lymphocyte cultures at various times in the presence of both mitogens or of allogeneic cells continued to inhibit lymphoproliferative responses even when it was added after 43 hr of cell culture. Furthermore, STE was able to reduce the spontaneous proliferation of tumor cell lines K562 and LHN13 maintained in vitro culture prior to testing. In all cases, the inhibition observed was not due to lymphocytotoxicity or to tumor cell mortality. The inhibitory effect of STE on the proliferative responses of lymphocytes to stimulants may be due to a cytostatic effect that may represent a contributing factor in the nonrejection of the fetus by a competent immune system.
Intrauterine Growth Retardation of Unknown Etiology. I. Serum Complement and Circulating Immune Complexes in Mothers and Infants
Authors: LABARRERE CARLOS , MANNI JORGE , SALAS PATRICIA , ALTHABE OMAR
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: Complement (C) and circulating immune complexes (CIC) levels were measured in 22 full‐term pregnant women and 15 of their small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) offspring in order to seek evidence supporting an immunological etiology for placental lesions related to idiopathic intrauterine growth retardation. We used 19 normal full‐term pregnant women and 18 of their infants with birthweight above the 25th centile of the ponderal curve as a control population for this study. C levels were significantly lower in mothers of SGA infants than in controls (146.6 ± 46.6 and 183.6 ± 36.6 respectively, p < 0.01). CIC were present in the sera of 5 out of 22 mothers of the SGA group and in 3 out of the 15 infants sera. No CIC were found in the sera of mothers or infants from the control group. Placental lesions were observed in 14 out of the 22 (64%) cases studied in the SGA group and in 1 of 11 (9%) of the controls. Two placentas from SGA infants showed acute atherosis, and deposits of IgM and C3 were found in their vessel walls. These data are in favor of an immunological mechanism for intrauterine growth retardation of unknown etiology.