bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tie strength and family formation: Which personal relationships are influential?
Authors: KEIM SYLVIA , KLÄRNER ANDREAS , BERNARDI LAURA
Published: November 2012

On the basis of the analysis of qualitative interviews in Western Germany, it has been argued that personal relationships have a strong impact on individuals' family formation processes and childbearing intentions. Persons who influence individuals' childbearing choices were identified. Strong ties, such as among core family members (i.e., parents and siblings), are an important contributing factor, but the authors are also able to show that weak ties, such as those among colleagues and acquaintances, need to be considered when examining social influence on family formation processes. Apart from single network partners, influential groups of persons have been identified. Such groups serve as a comparative standard regarding the timing of having one's first child and subsequent children.
How do I provide leukapheresis products? Blood center experience and evidence for process improvement
Authors: Ginzburg Yelena , Kessler Debra , Narici Manlio , Caltabiano Melinda , Rebosa Mark , Strauss Donna , Shaz Beth
Published: November 2012

Background

The past few decades have seen a resurgence of interest in leukapheresis products to improve the survival of infected patients with neutropenia. These products have a short shelf life and require donor stimulation with dexamethasone before collection. Additionally, a system with good communications and logistical support is essential. A recent survey of blood centers in North America revealed that the majority of centers collecting leukapheresis products use steroid‐stimulated donors. The survey results suggested that an analysis of the process and potential process improvement would be of interest to the transfusion medicine community.

Study Design and Methods

Data from 2008 to 2011 regarding donor selection, donor dexamethasone stimulation, leukapheresis collection, and correlations between potentially pertinent variables for process improvement were analyzed. Results from an analysis of cost are also included.

Results

We evaluate 432 leukapheresis donations and demonstrate correlations between 1) pre‐ and poststimulation white blood cell (WBC) count (p < 0.0001), 2) interval (donor stimulation to collection) and poststimulation WBC count (p < 0.0001), and 3) poststimulation WBC count and leukapheresis product granulocyte yield (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Significant improvement in granulocyte quality and yield can be accomplished in dexamethasone‐stimulated donors, by selecting eligible donors with relatively high normal prestimulation WBC counts and/or previously good responses to dexamethasone, increasing the duration between dexamethasone stimulation and granulocyte collection, and maintaining optimal hematocrit (5%‐10%) in granulocyte collections. Because the majority of surveyed blood centers collecting stimulated granulocytes use steroids alone, modifications presented here may prove useful. Further assessment of correlation between granulocyte yield and clinical outcome will await results of additional studies.
Daily Variation in Natural Disaster Casualties: Information Flows, Safety, and Opportunity Costs in Tornado Versus Hurricane Strikes
Authors: Zahran Sammy , Tavani Daniele , Weiler Stephan
Published: November 2012

Casualties from natural disasters may depend on the day of the week they strike. With data from the Spatial Hazard Events and Losses Database for the United States (SHELDUS), daily variation in hurricane and tornado casualties from 5,043 tornado and 2,455 hurricane time/place events is analyzed. Hurricane forecasts provide at‐risk populations with considerable lead time. Such lead time allows strategic behavior in choosing protective measures under hurricane threat; opportunity costs in terms of lost income are higher during weekdays than during weekends. On the other hand, the lead time provided by tornadoes is near zero; hence tornados generate no opportunity costs. Tornado casualties are related to risk information flows, which are higher during workdays than during leisure periods, and are related to sheltering‐in‐place opportunities, which are better in permanent buildings like businesses and schools. Consistent with theoretical expectations, random effects negative binomial regression results indicate that tornado events occurring on the workdays of Monday through Thursday are significantly less lethal than tornados that occur on weekends. In direct contrast, and also consistent with theory, the expected count of hurricane casualties increases significantly with weekday occurrences. The policy implications of observed daily variation in tornado and hurricane events are considered.
Focus on Increasing Treatment Self‐Efficacy to Improve Human Immunodeficiency Virus Treatment Adherence
Authors: Nokes Kathleen , Johnson Mallory O. , Webel Allison , Rose Carol Dawson , Phillips J. Craig , Sullivan Kathleen , Tyer‐Viola Lynda , Rivero‐Méndez Marta , Nicholas Patrice , Kemppainen Jeanne , Sefcik Elizabeth , Chen Wei‐Ti , Brion John , Eller Lucille , Kirksey Kenn , Wantland Dean , Portillo Carmen , Corless Inge B. , Voss Joachim , Iipinge Scholastika , Spellmann Mark , Holzemer William L.
Published: November 2012

Purpose: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment self‐efficacy is the confidence held by an individual in her or his ability to follow treatment recommendations, including specific HIV care such as initiating and adhering to antiretroviral therapy (ART). The purpose of this study was to explore the potential mediating role of treatment adherence self‐efficacy in the relationships between Social Cognitive Theory constructs and self‐ reported ART adherence.

Design: Cross‐sectional and descriptive. The study was conducted between 2009 and 2011 and included 1,414 participants who lived in the United States or Puerto Rico and were taking antiretroviral medications.

Methods: Social cognitive constructs were tested specifically: behaviors (three adherence measures each consisting of one item about adherence at 3‐day and 30‐day along with the adherence rating scale), cognitive or personal factors (the Center for Epidemiology Studies Depression Scale to assess for depressive symptoms, the 12‐Item Short Form Health Survey (SF‐12) to assess physical functioning, one item about physical condition, one item about comorbidity), environmental influences (the Social Capital Scale, one item about social support), and treatment self‐efficacy (HIV Adherence Self‐Efficacy Scale). Analysis included descriptive statistics and regression.

Results: The average participant was 47 years old, male, and a racial or ethnic minority, had an education of high school or less, had barely adequate or totally inadequate income, did not work, had health insurance, and was living with HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome for 15 years. The model provided support for adherence self‐efficacy as a robust predictor of ART adherence behavior, serving a partial mediating role between environmental influences and cognitive or personal factors.

Conclusions: Although other factors such as depressive symptoms and lack of social capital impact adherence to ART, nurses can focus on increasing treatment self‐efficacy through diverse interactional strategies using principles of adult learning and strategies to improve health literacy.

Clinical Relevance: Adherence to ART reduces the viral load thereby decreasing morbidity and mortality and risk of transmission to uninfected persons. Nurses need to use a variety of strategies to increase treatment self‐efficacy.
Rural African American Parents’ Knowledge and Decisions About Human Papillomavirus Vaccination
Authors: Thomas Tami Lynn , Strickland Ora L. , DiClemente Ralph , Higgins Melinda , Haber Michael
Published: November 2012

Purpose: To identify predictors of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among rural African American families.

Design: Cross‐sectional descriptive study in schools in three rural counties in southeastern United States. The sample consisted of African American parents or caregivers with children 9 to 13 years of age who attended elementary or middle school in 2010–2011.

Methods: Using an anonymous, 26‐item survey, we collected descriptive data during parent‐teacher events from African American parents with children in elementary or middle school. The main outcome was measured as a response of “yes” to the statement “I have or will vaccinate my child with the HPV vaccine.” In addition, composite scores of knowledge and positive attitudes and beliefs were compared. No interventions were conducted.

Findings: We identified predictors of HPV vaccination and found that religious affiliation had a correlation with vaccinating or planning to vaccinate a child.

Conclusions: Results indicate a need for further research on the role of local culture, including religion and faith, in rural African Americans’ decisions about giving their children the HPV vaccination.

Clinical Relevance: This study emphasizes the importance of understanding rural African American parents’ knowledge, attitudes, and spiritual beliefs when designing health education programs and public health interventions to increase HPV vaccination uptake among African American boys and girls living in rural areas.
Using bird species community occurrence to prioritize forests for old growth restoration
Authors: Schuster Richard , Arcese Peter
Published: November 2012

Conservation often focuses on ‘ecologically intact’ habitats with little human influence. But where all such habitats have been lost or modified, identifying promising restoration targets is a key goal. We describe a direct approach to identify high conservation value targets using predictive distribution maps of taxa that, based on habitat affinity, ease of detection and abundance can be used to infer native species richness and prioritize conservation investment. We used 1169 avian point counts in a 1560 km2 study area, remote‐sensed data and models incorporating imperfect detectability to predict habitat occupancy in 18 widely‐distributed native birds; 12 of which were determined by experts to be positive indicators of old‐forest conditions. Forest‐association scores for these 12 species where then used as weights in a composite distribution map of the probability of community occurrence, which corresponded well with the occurrence of old forest stands mapped by aerial photography. Our results indicate that composite maps of widespread indicators improve site prioritization by incorporating the behavioural and demographic responses of a diverse range of indicators to variation in patch size, configuration and adjacent human land use.
Factors influencing geographic patterns in diversity of forest bird communities of eastern Connecticut, USA
Authors: Craig Robert J. , Klaver Robert W.
Published: November 2012

At regional scales, the most important variables associated with diversity are latitudinally‐based temperature and net primary productivity, although diversity is also influenced by habitat. We examined bird species richness, community density and community evenness in forests of eastern Connecticut to determine whether: 1) spatial and seasonal patterns exist in diversity, 2) energy explains the greatest proportion of variation in diversity parameters, 3) variation in habitat explains remaining diversity variance, and 4) seasonal shifts in diversity provide clues about how environmental variables shape communities. We sought to discover if our data supported predictions of the species–energy hypothesis. We used the variable circular plot technique to estimate bird populations and quantified the location, elevation, forest type, vegetation type, canopy cover, moisture regime, understory density and primary production for the study sites. We found that 1) summer richness and population densities are roughly equal in northeastern and southeastern Connecticut, whereas in winter both concentrate toward the coast, 2) variables linked with temperature explained much of the patterns in winter diversity, but energy‐related variables showed little relationship to summer diversity, 3) the effect of habitat variables on diversity parameters predominated in summer, although their effect was weak, 4) contrary to theory, evenness increased from summer to winter, and 5) support for predictions of species–energy theory was primarily restricted to winter data. Although energy and habitat played a role in explaining community patterns, they left much of the variance in regional diversity unexplained, suggesting that a large stochastic component to diversity also may exist.
An Image Skeletonization‐Based Tool for Pollen Tube Morphology Analysis and PhenotypingF
Authors: Wang Chaofeng , Gui Cai‐Ping , Liu Hai‐Kuan , Zhang Dong , Mosig Axel
Published: November 2012

The mechanism underlying pollen tube growth involves diverse genes and molecular pathways. Alterations in the regulatory genes or pathways cause phenotypic changes reflected by cellular morphology, which can be captured using fluorescence microscopy. Determining and classifying pollen tube morphological phenotypes in such microscopic images is key to our understanding the involvement of genes and pathways. In this context, we propose a computational method to extract quantitative morphological features, and demonstrate that these features reflect morphological differences relevant to distinguish different defects of pollen tube growth. The corresponding software tool furthermore includes a novel semi‐automated image segmentation approach, allowing to highly accurately identify the boundary of a pollen tube in a microscopic image.
Are Agricultural and Developable Land Prices Governed by the Same Spatial Rules? The Case of Belgium
Authors: Cavailhès Jean , Thomas Isabelle
Published: November 2012

In this paper, we test whether farmland and developable land prices are governed by the same determinants (mainly urbanization). We estimate here quasi‐identical econometric equations for both agricultural and developable land markets, instead of the conventional approach of adding variables that capture the urban influence. Using data aggregated at the level of the 589 municipalities of a highly urbanized country (Belgium), we found that the same determinants enter these equations, with slight differences in parameter values: land prices decrease with distance to central business district (developable land: –2.7% per km; farmland: –2.5% per km), and increase with the population of the commune as well as with its demographic growth and with the average income of its inhabitants.
A dimensional analysis‐based model for the prediction of nitrogen concentrations in Laborec River, Slovakia
Authors: Zeleňáková Martina , Čarnogurská Mária
Published: November 2012

During the past decades, several models that predict the concentration profiles after a discharge of pollutants in a river have been developed. A model that predicts nitrogen concentrations in a river has been developed and is presented in this paper. The developed model that determines nitrogen concentrations in a water stream is based on a dimensional analysis. Fundamentals of the modelling of the pollutant predictions in a water stream consist of a derivation of function dependency from expressed non‐dimension arguments. Non‐dimension arguments are stated from variables, which influence the occurrence of pollutants. The model for the prediction of nitrogen concentrations in water streams has been developed for the Laborec River (eastern Slovakia). The differences between the nitrogen concentrations predicted from developed models and measured concentrations in the river are also discussed here.
Diet of harbor porpoises along the Dutch coast: A combined stable isotope and stomach contents approach
Authors: Jansen Okka E. , Michel Loïc , Lepoint Gilles , Das Krishna , Couperus Abraham S. , Reijnders Peter J. H.
Published: November 2012

High stranding frequency of porpoises, Phocoena phocoena, along the Dutch coast since 2006 has led to increased interest in the ecology of porpoises in the North Sea. Stranded porpoises were collected along the Dutch coast (2006–2008) and their diet was assessed through stomach content and stable isotope analysis (δ13C and δ15N) of porpoise muscle and prey. Stable isotope analysis (SIAR) was used to estimate the contribution of prey species to the porpoises' diet. This was compared to prey composition from stomach contents, to analyze differences between long‐ and short‐term diet. According to stomach contents, 90.5% of the diet consisted of gobies, whiting, lesser sandeel, herring, cod, and sprat. Stable isotope analysis revealed that 70‐83% of the diet consisted of poor cod, mackerel, greater sandeel, lesser sandeel, sprat, and gobies, highlighting a higher importance of pelagic, schooling species in the porpoises' diet compared to stomach contents. This could be due to prey distribution as well as differences in behavior of porpoises and prey between the coastal zone and offshore waters. This study supports the need for multi‐method approaches. Future ecological and fishery impact assessment studies and management decisions for porpoise conservation should acknowledge this difference between the long‐ and short‐term diet.
Collectivistic Leadership Approaches: Putting the “We” in Leadership Science and Practice
Authors: Yammarino Francis J. , Salas Eduardo , Serban Andra , Shirreffs Kristie , Shuffler Marissa L.
Published: November 2012

We introduce the notion of “we” or collectivistic leadership. A general collectivistic approach to leadership is developed and contrasted with traditional and contemporary approaches to leadership. An overview of five collectivistic leadership approaches—team, network, shared, complexity, and collective leadership—is then presented. Key notions, constructs, and levels of analysis; the role of a focal leader; operationalizations and empirical results; and implications for leadership development, assessment, and practice of each approach are summarized. Common themes across, and our perspective on, the approaches and future directions for collectivistic leadership science and practice are discussed.
Acute‐Phase Proteins, Oxidative Stress and Enzyme Activities of Blood Serum and Peritoneal Fluid in Cattle with Abomasal Displacement
Authors: Maden M. , Ozturk A.S. , Bulbul A. , Avci G.E. , Yazar E.
Published: November 2012

Background

Blood serum and peritoneal fluid acute‐phase proteins, oxidative stress indicators, and some enzymes could be used for evaluation of abomasal tissue damage because of displacement in displaced abomasum (DA) cases.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the concentrations of acute‐phase proteins, oxidative stress indicators, and activities of enzymes in blood serum and peritoneal fluid in cattle with right displaced abomasum (RDA) and left displaced abomasum (LDA) and in healthy cows.

Animals

A total of 60 Holstein Friesian cows in early lactation were used, 31 with left and 9 with right displaced abomasum without volvulus diagnosis and no other postpartum disease, and 20 healthy cows as a control.

Materials and Methods

DAdiagnosis in dairy cows consisted of physical examination, laboratory, and specificDAtests. Acute‐phase proteins, oxidative stress indicators, and enzyme activities were measured in blood serum and peritoneal fluid.

Results

In theRDAgroup, serum haptoglobin (HPG), serum amyloid A (SAA), malondialdehyde (MDA), adenosine deaminase (ADA), myeleperoxidase (MPO), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK, creatine kinase–MB (CK‐MB), and gamma‐glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity increased significantly, and serumHPG,MDA,ADA, andASTconcentrations increased significantly in theLDAgroup (P < .05). Peritoneal fluidHPG,MDA,ADA,MPO,ALP,GGT, andLDHconcentrations increased significantly, whereasNOconcentrations reduced significantly in theRDAgroup, andHPG,MDA,ADA, andTPconcentrations increased significantly, whereas concentrations ofNOreduced significantly in theLDAgroup (P < .05).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

There are acute‐phase responses, oxidative stress, and abomasal tissue damage because of displacement inDAcases. Especially,HPG,MDA,ADA, andMPOconcentrations can provide specific information to help in understanding these changes.
U.S. Civil Society Assistance to Egypt: Thinking Long Term
Authors: Newby Anna
Published: November 2012

The interim Egyptian government's excoriation of U.S. support for nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in the country has sparked a crisis that some analysts have called the worst deterioration of United States–Egypt relations in history. As Cairo's smear campaigns against the civil society community foment public mistrust among many Egyptians of NGO activity and foreign funding, U.S. policymakers and practitioners face new challenges in supporting civil society work in Egypt. For a number of reasons, however, Washington's assistance to Egypt should and almost certainly will continue, even if the environment for civil society activity in the country does not improve. Grantors and implementers must think seriously, therefore, about long‐term strategies for assisting civil society development in Egypt, which will require at least some coordination with a government that may be suspicious of U.S. efforts. By standing firm on red lines, improving public messaging in Egypt, carefully fostering local ownership of projects, remaining strictly neutral in identifying grantees and diversifying partnerships, distinguishing between short‐term foreign policy objectives and long‐term efforts to assist civil society development, and using varied democracy assistance tools appropriately, the United States can assist NGOs in Egypt in a way that gives them—and democracy—the best chance for success.
Learning through Upheaval: Strategies for Analyzing and Construing Emerging Sociopolitical Transformations in the Middle East
Authors: Wender Andrew M.
Published: November 2012

The irreducible complexity and singular unpredictability of the upheavals that have roiled the Middle East since December 2010 challenge analysts—from university students to policymakers—to grapple with irresolvable questions; this, rather than analysts' superimposing their own visions of what might constitute the upheavals' driving forces, and what will, or should be the outcomes of the regional turmoil. Drawing on strategies gleaned from teaching about the Arab uprisings, this article asserts that the uprisings may be collectively read as comprising a text that contains signs of indeterminacy pointing to many possible meanings and sources of meanings. Focus is placed on those signs that embody the differing discourses through which the Middle East upheavals are, have been, or can be represented and assessed; and the fluid, multidimensional forms of political identity that have contributed to the upheavals, and are being further reshaped, in their wake. By reading these signs with intellectual openness and humility, interpreters can achieve greater insight into the profoundly contingent and unforeseeable dynamics at work across the region.
Microwave-generated bionanocomposites for solubility and dissolution enhancement of poorly water-soluble drug glipizide: in-vitro and in-vivo studies
Authors: Kushare Sachin Shivaji , Gattani Surendra G
Published: November 2012

Objectives

In oral absorption of a drug, the drug first dissolves and then is absorbed by diffusion through gastrointestinal membranes. The gastrointestinal environment is aqueous in nature and it is well-known that one-third of the drug population is water insoluble. Hence, there is a need for enhancement of the solubility and dissolution of such drugs. In this work, enhancement of the solubility and dissolution of the practically insoluble drug glipizide was achieved by formation of bionanocomposites (BNCs) using microwave-induced diffusion (MIND), which ultimately leads to bioavailability enhancement.

Methods

BNCs were formed by using natural carriers such as gelatin, acacia, cassia and ghatti gum, with the help of microwaves. Selection of carriers was based on their surfactant and wetting properties. Solubility studies were carried out to establish the solubility-enhancing property of the BNCs. To support solubility analysis results, dissolution studies (i.e. powder dissolution and in-vitro dissolution) were carried out. The BNCs were characterized by Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction studies, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. In-vivo performance of the optimised formulation was assessed by glucose-induced hyperglycaemia test in male albino Wistar rats.

Key findings

It was found that as the concentration of polymer in the composite increased the solubility and dissolution of glipizide were enhanced. The optimised ratio (drug : polymer) for all the composites was found to be 1:9. In the glucose-induced hyperglycemia test in rats, the optimized formulation demonstrated a significant reduction in hyperglycemia compared with a marketed formulation, Glynase.

Conclusions

The novelty of this work is the green and cost-effective way of forming drug nanocomposites with the help of microwave, which can be scaled up to an industrial level. The method gives an immaculate means of solubilisation by generating drug dispersion at the micro and nanoscale level in natural biodegradable stabilising media. Hence, this study demonstrates the use of BNCs in solubility and dissolution enhancement.
Experimental Phase Diagram Determination and Thermodynamic Assessment of the CeO2‐Gd2O3‐CoO System
Authors: Ivas Toni , Povoden‐Karadeniz Erwin , Grundy Nicholas , Jud‐Sierra Eva , Grässlin Jurgen , Gauckler Ludwig J.
Published: November 2012

New phase diagram data and a thermodynamic assessment of the CeO‐Gd2O3‐CoO system using the CALPHAD approach are presented. This information is needed to understand the surprisingly low sintering temperature (950°C–1050°C) of CeO2‐based materials doped with small amounts of transition metal oxide (e.g., CoO). Experimental phase equilibria between 1100°C and 1300°C are reported based on the analysis of annealed and molten samples. No isolated compound exists in the ternary. At 1300°C the Co solubility in the ternary compounds Ce1−x−yGdxCoyO2−x/2−y (fluorite) is 2.7 mol% and is less than 1 mol% in the Gd2−xCexO3+x/2 (bixbyite). The Ce solubility in the perovskite GdCoO3−δ was found to be 1 mol%. The lowest temperature eutectic melt in the ternary has a composition of 57.2 mol% Co and 41.1 mol% Gd melting at an onset temperature of 1303 ± 5°C, which is close to the binary eutectic in the Gd2O3‐CoO system at 60 ± 2 mol% Co and 1348 ± 1°C.
Temperature dependence of evolutionary diversification: differences between two contrasting model taxa support the metabolic theory of ecology
Authors: Machac A. , Zrzavý J. , Smrckova J. , Storch D.
Published: November 2012

Biodiversity patterns are largely determined by variation of diversification rates across clades and geographic regions. Although there are multiple reasons for this variation, it has been hypothesized that metabolic rate is the crucial driver of diversification of evolutionary lineages. According to the metabolic theory of ecology (MTE), metabolic rate – and consequently speciation – is driven mainly by body size and environmental temperature. As environmental temperature affects metabolic rate in ecto‐ and endotherms differently, its impact on diversification rate should also differ between the two types of organisms. Employing two independent approaches, we analysed correlates of speciation rates and, ultimately, net diversification rates for two contrasting taxa: plethodontid salamanders and carnivoran mammals. Whereas in the ectothermic plethodontids speciation rates positively correlated with environmental temperature, in the endothermic carnivorans a reverse, negative correlation was detected. These findings comply with predictions of the MTE and suggest that similar geographic patterns of biodiversity across taxa (e.g. ecto‐ and endotherms) might have been generated by different ecological and evolutionary processes.
Should measuring haemoglobin among chronic kidney disease patients be a performance measure?
Authors: Thorp Micah L. , Smith David H. , Johnson Eric S. , Weiss Jessica W. , Vupputuri Suma , Petrik Amanda F. , Yang Xiu Hai
Published: November 2012

Objective: We attempted to: (1) to assess whether or not adequate evidence exists to advocate the measurement of anaemia in chronic kidney disease as a performance measure; and (2) to determine what the appropriate benchmarks might be for health systems seeking to implement this performance measure.

Design: Our study was conducted in two phases: (1) we used the United States Preventive Service Task Force chain of evidence methodology to determine six key questions that were subsequently reviewed to determine if adequate evidence existed to recommend haemoglobin testing among patients with chronic kidney disease; and (2) in order to establish a benchmark for a potential performance measure we measured the number of patients who had a test for anaemia during the preceding year and during the preceding three years. We established these benchmarks using chronic kidney disease defined both by estimated glomerular filtration rate and ICD‐9 codes.

Setting: Benchmarking was undertaken at Kaiser Permanente Northwest, which serves the Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington metropolitan area, and Kaiser Permanente Georgia, which serves the Atlanta metropolitan area.

Participants: Patients with chronic kidney disease identified by either estimated glomerular filtration rate or ICD‐9 code.

Main Outcomes Measurement: Serum haemoglobin

Intervention: This was an observational study.

Results: Our review of the evidence found no direct evidence that testing for anaemia among patients with chronic kidney disease improved patient morbidity or mortality. The ideal test for anaemia was serum haemoglobin. We found that available treatments of anaemia improve fatigue, but may increase mortality and stoke. We also found that an overwhelming majority of patients with chronic kidney disease defined by either estimated glomerular filtration rate or ICD‐9 codes, over one or three years had had a haemoglobin measurement.

Conclusion: There is currently inadequate evidence to recommend haemoglobin measurement among patients with chronic kidney disease as a performance measure. In addition, most patients with chronic kidney disease have already had haemoglobin measurement, minimizing the potential benefit of a performance measure.
Over‐expression of heat shock factor 1 phenocopies the effect of chronic inhibition of TOR by rapamycin and is sufficient to ameliorate Alzheimer's‐like deficits in mice modeling the disease
Authors: Pierce Anson , Podlutskaya Natalia , Halloran Jonathan J. , Hussong Stacy A. , Lin Pei‐Yi , Burbank Raquel , Hart Matthew J. , Galvan Veronica
Published: November 2012

Rapamycin, an inhibitor of target‐of‐rapamycin, extends lifespan in mice, possibly by delaying aging. We recently showed that rapamycin halts the progression of Alzheimer's (AD)‐like deficits, reduces amyloid‐beta (Aβ) and induces autophagy in the human amyloid precursor protein (PDAPP) mouse model. To delineate the mechanisms by which chronic rapamycin delays AD we determined proteomic signatures in brains of control‐ and rapamycin‐treated PDAPP mice. Proteins with reported chaperone‐like activity were overrepresented among proteins up‐regulated in rapamycin‐fed PDAPP mice and the master regulator of the heat‐shock response, heat‐shock factor 1, was activated. This was accompanied by the up‐regulation of classical chaperones/heat shock proteins (HSPs) in brains of rapamycin‐fed PDAPP mice. The abundance of most HSP mRNAs except for alpha B‐crystallin, however, was unchanged, and the cap‐dependent translation inhibitor 4E‐BP was active, suggesting that increased expression of HSPs and proteins with chaperone activity may result from preferential translation of pre‐existing mRNAs as a consequence of inhibition of cap‐dependent translation. The effects of rapamycin on the reduction of Aβ, up‐regulation of chaperones, and amelioration of AD‐like cognitive deficits were recapitulated by transgenic over‐expression of heat‐shock factor 1 in PDAPP mice. These results suggest that, in addition to inducing autophagy, rapamycin preserves proteostasis by increasing chaperones. We propose that the failure of proteostasis associated with aging may be a key event enabling AD, and that chronic inhibition of target‐of‐rapamycin may delay AD by maintaining proteostasis in brain.

Read the Editorial Highlight for this article on doi: 10.1111/jnc.12098.
Functional GPR37 trafficking protects against toxicity induced by 6‐OHDA, MPP+ or rotenone in a catecholaminergic cell line
Authors: Lundius Ebba Gregorsson , Stroth Nikolas , Vukojević Vladana , Terenius Lars , Svenningsson Per
Published: November 2012

G protein‐coupled receptor 37 (GPR37) is suggested to be implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease and is accumulating in Lewy bodies within afflicted brain regions. Over‐expressed GPR37 is prone to misfolding and aggregation, causing cell death via endoplasmic reticulum stress. Although the cytotoxicity of misfolded GPR37 is well established, effects of the functional receptor on cell viability are still unknown. An N2a cell line stably expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐tagged human GPR37 was created to study its trafficking and effects on cell viability upon challenge with the toxins 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium (MPP+), rotenone and 6‐hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA). Neuronal‐like differentiation into a tyrosine hydroxylase expressing phenotype, using dibutyryl‐cAMP, induced trafficking of GPR37 to the plasma membrane. 3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) cell viability and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) cell death assays revealed that GPR37 was protective against all three toxins in differentiated cells. In undifferentiated cells, the majority of GPR37 was cytoplasmic and the protective effects were more variable: GPR37 expression protected against rotenone and MPP+ but not against 6‐OHDA in MTT assays, while it protected against 6‐OHDA but not against MPP+ or rotenone in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays. These results suggest that GPR37 functionally trafficked to the plasma membrane protects against toxicity.
River islands, refugia and genetic structuring in the endemic brown frog Rana kukunoris (Anura, Ranidae) of the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zhou Weiwei , Yan Fang , Fu Jinzhong , Wu Shifang , Murphy Robert W. , Che Jing , Zhang Yaping
Published: November 2012

Frequently, Pleistocene climatic cycling has been found to be the diver of genetic structuring in populations, even in areas that did not have continental ice sheets, such as on the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau (QTP). Typically, species distributed on the plateau have been hypothesized to re‐treat to south‐eastern refugia, especially during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). We evaluated sequence variation in the mitochondrial DNA gene Cytb and the nuclear DNA gene RAG‐1 in Rana kukunoris, a species endemic to the QTP. Two major lineages, N and S, were identified, and lineage N was further subdivided into N1 and N2. The geographical distribution and genealogical divergences supported the hypothesis of multiple refugia. However, major lineages and sublineages diverged prior to the LGM. Demographical expansion was detected only in lineage S and sublineage N2. Sublineage N1 might have survived several glacial cycles in situ and did not expand after the LGM because of the absence of suitable habitat; it survived in river islands. Genetic analysis and environment modelling suggested that the north‐eastern edge of QTP contained a major refugium for R. kukunoris. From here, lineage S dispersed southwards after the LGM. Two microrefugia in northern Qilian Mountains greatly contributed to current level of intraspecific genetic diversity. These results were found to have important implications for the habitat conservation in Northwest China.
The effect of osmolarity and caloric load on small bowel motility
Authors: Seidl H. , Schmidt T. , Gundling F. , Pfeiffer A.
Published: November 2012

Background  Although there is profound knowledge about cyclic fasting motility, the postprandial intestinal motor response is not well investigated. It is intriguing to speculate that nutrient composition alters small bowel motility significantly and, in a clinical setting, may account for adverse gastrointestinal symptoms in enteral nutrition (EN). We aimed to assess the impact of different caloric loads and osmolarities of EN on human jejunal motility.

Methods  Sixteen healthy subjects underwent a series of duodenal infusions of EN solutions, either with iso‐osmolar solution with different caloric loads (1.32, 2.64, or 3.96 kcal min−1), or with solutions of different osmolarities with constant caloric loads (300, 600, or 1200 mosmol). Jejunal solid‐state manometry was analyzed over 90 min both visually and using dedicated computer software.

Key Results  All tested nutrient solutions were able to trigger conversion to a postprandial jejunal motility pattern after a mean lag phase of 9.4 + 2.3 min (P = NS between different nutrient solutions). Different caloric loads did not result in significant differences in small bowel motility. However, increasing osmolarities caused a significant inhibition of contractile and propagative activity.

Conclusions & Inferences  Small bowel motility under duodenal infusion of nutrient solutions is not influenced by caloric load in a physiological range, whereas high osmolarities inhibit small bowel motility.
Epigenetic variation creates potential for evolution of plant phenotypic plasticity
Authors: Zhang Yuan‐Ye , Fischer Markus , Colot Vincent , Bossdorf Oliver
Published: November 2012

Heritable variation in plant phenotypes, and thus potential for evolutionary change, can in principle not only be caused by variation in DNA sequence, but also by underlying epigenetic variation. However, the potential scope of such phenotypic effects and their evolutionary significance are largely unexplored.

Here, we conducted a glasshouse experiment in which we tested the response of a large number of epigenetic recombinant inbred lines (epiRILs) of Arabidopsis thaliana – lines that are nearly isogenic but highly variable at the level of DNA methylation – to drought and increased nutrient conditions.

We found significant heritable variation among epiRILs both in the means of several ecologically important plant traits and in their plasticities to drought and nutrients. Significant selection gradients, that is, fitness correlations, of several mean traits and plasticities suggest that selection could act on this epigenetically based phenotypic variation.

Our study provides evidence that variation in DNA methylation can cause substantial heritable variation of ecologically important plant traits, including root allocation, drought tolerance and nutrient plasticity, and that rapid evolution based on epigenetic variation alone should thus be possible.
Institutions and Bank Performance: A Stochastic Frontier Analysis*
Authors: Lensink Robert , Meesters Aljar
Published: November 2012

This article investigates the impact of institutions on bank efficiency and technology, using a stochastic frontier analysis of a data set of 7,959 banks across 136 countries over 10 years. The results confirm the importance of well‐developed institutions for the efficient operation of commercial banks. Furthermore, the insights reveal the impact of institutional reforms in improving bank efficiency. The results are robust to adjustments in country‐specific effects, achieved by including country dummies, as well as across different risk profiles. Moreover, they provide empirical evidence in support of the public view of the banking sector.
Treponema denticola improves adhesive capacities of Porphyromonas gingivalis
Authors: Meuric V. , Martin B. , Guyodo H. , Rouillon A. , Tamanai‐Shacoori Z. , Barloy‐Hubler F. , Bonnaure‐Mallet M.
Published: November 2012

Porphyromonas gingivalis, an important etiological agent of periodontal disease, is frequently found associated with Treponema denticola, an anaerobic spirochete, in pathogenic biofilms. However, interactions between these two bacteria are not well understood at the molecular level. In this study, we seek to link the influence of T. denticola on the expression of P. gingivalis proteases with its capacities to adhere and to form biofilms. The P. gingivalis genes encoding Arg‐gingipain A (RgpA), Lys‐gingipain (Kgp), and hemagglutinin A (HagA) were more strongly expressed after incubation with T. denticola compared with P. gingivalis alone. The amounts of the three resulting proteins, all of which contain hemagglutinin adhesion domains, were increased in culture supernatants. Moreover, incubation of P. gingivalis with T. denticola promoted static and dynamic biofilm formation, primarily via a time‐dependent enhancement of P. gingivalis adhesion capacities on bacterial partners such as Streptococcus gordonii. Adhesion of P. gingivalis to human cells was also increased. These results showed that interactions of P. gingivalis with other bacterial species, such as T. denticola, induce increased adhesive capacities on various substrata by hemagglutinin adhesion domain‐containing proteins.
Visualization and Attentive Behavior for Pain Reduction during Radiofrequency Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: NØRGAARD MARIANNE W. , WERNER ANETTE , ABRAHAMSEN RANDI , LARSEN BIRGITTE , DARMER METTE ROSENDAL , PEDERSEN PREBEN U.
Published: November 2012

Background

Radiofrequency (RF) ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) can be accompanied by pain and anxiety when light conscious sedation is used. We sought to determine how visualization and structured attentive behavior during ablation of AF could reduce pain intensity, spontaneously expressed pain, the amount of analgesics, anxiety, and adverse events.

Methods

A clinical controlled study with 71 patients in a control group (CG), receiving conventional care and treatment, and 76 patients in an intervention group (IG), receiving relaxation and visualization, combined with a structured attentive behavior from staff.

Results

There was no difference between CG and IG in perception of pain intensity at 15‐minute intervals; mean pain intensity: CG (0.00–2.90), IG (0.12–2.57), (NS), but patients spontaneously expressed pain less numbers of time outside fixed intervals in the IG: 1.4 ± 1.2 times (mean ± standard deviation [SD]) compared to CG: 2.8 ± 1.8 (P < 0.01). There was a statistically significant difference between the amount of analgesics (Fentanyl) used in the two groups: CG: 292.3 ± 107μg (mean ± SD) and IG: 220.7 ± 93μg (P < 0.0001). No effect was observed in perception of anxiety, mean anxiety: CG (0.10–1.84), IG (0.9–2.03)(NS), and the number of adverse events (P = 0.241).

Conclusion

Visualization and structured attentive behavior was shown to reduce the amount of analgesics during the RF ablation of AF. There was no difference in perception of pain intensity, but the patients spontaneously expressed pain significantly less numbers of times outside the scheduled measurements. There was no reduction in anxiety and numbers of adverse events.
Directional Preference Following Epidural Steroid Injection in Three Patients with Acute Cervical Radiculopathy
Authors: Desai Mehul J. , Padmanabhan Girish , Simbasivan Ajai , Kamanga‐Sollo Gladys G. , Dharmappa Ajay
Published: November 2012

Cervical radiculopathy is typically characterized by neurologic symptoms that are traced to disturbances of discrete spinal nerve root(s) due to inflammatory or mechanical etiologies. Here we present three patients diagnosed with cervical radiculopathy, whose directional preference only surfaced after either a cervical transforaminal or intralaminar nerve root epidural steroid injection.

This retrospective observational case series describes three men who presented with cervical radiculopathy with 7‐9/10 neck pain, neck disability index (NDI) ranging between 44% and 90%, and an irreducible derangement upon McKenzie mechanical diagnosis and therapy (MMDT) evaluation. These patients demonstrated weaknesses, sensory changes, and/or decreased reflexes in the C5, C6, or C7 distributions. They each underwent a cervical transforaminal or intralaminar epidural injections at one or two levels, which uncovered their directional preference and facilitated further conservative treatment.

These three patients experienced drastic improvements with each postinjection physical therapy session. They demonstrated decreased pain scores, centralization of pain, and a decreasing NDI trends throughout their treatments. They were all discharged with stable 0‐3/10 pain severity after four physical therapy sessions and NDI scores of 0%. These cases suggest an interplay between inflammatory and mechanical contributors to spine‐mediated pain and the treatment challenge this presents. Dissecting the components of spine pain can be challenging; however, delivery of skilled multidisciplinary care in an algorithmic fashion may be beneficial and provide the future framework for the management of cervical radiculopathy and other spine‐related conditions.
Is There Significant Correlation between Self‐Reported Low Back Pain Visual Analogue Scores and Low Back Pain Scores Determined by Pressure Pain Induction Matching?
Authors: Fishbain David A. , Lewis John E. , Gao Jinrun
Published: November 2012

The objective of this study was to determine whether self‐reported visual analogue scale (VAS) low back pain (LBP) scores are valid against matched psychophysically induced pressure pain scores.

Two hundred thirty‐six chronic LBP patients (some with neck pain) reported their LBP and neck pain scores on a VAS immediately before psychophysical pressure pain induction used to determine pain threshold (PTHRE), pain tolerance (PTOL), and a psychophysical pressure pain score which matched (PMAT) their current LBP. Pearson Product‐Moment correlation coefficients were calculated between reported VAS neck scores, reported VAS LBP scores, and the psychophysically determined LBP PMAT scores. The PMAT scores were calculated utilizing PTOL only and both PTOL and PTHRE.

There was a significant correlation between the LBP PMAT scores and the reported LBP VAS scores for both types of psychophysical LBP PMAT score calculations; however, there were insignificant correlations between the LBP PMAT scores and reported neck VAS scores.

Chronic LBP patients can match their self‐reported VAS LBP scores to psychophysically determined LBP PMAT scores. As such, self‐reported VAS chronic LBP scores appear to be valid against one type of psychophysical measurement.