bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First Report of Soybean Rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) on Florida Beggarweed (Desmodium tortuosum) in Alabama
Authors: Delaney M. A. , Sikora E. J. , Delaney D. P. , Palm M. E. , Haudenshield J. S. , Hartman G. L.
Published: June 2012

Soybean rust (SBR), caused by the fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi, was detected on Florida Beggarweed (Desmodium tortuosum) for the first time in Alabama in November, 2009. The pathogen was not observed in 2010 or 2011, probably because of the exceptionally dry, hot weather in the region. The pathogen was observed on multiple mature leaves of plants, evenly distributed through a field at the Wiregrass Research and Extension Center in Headland, Alabama, located in the southeast region of the state. Florida Beggarweed can serve as an overwintering host for SBR. Symptoms on leaves were consistent with SBR symptoms previously described on soybeans (1). Sori in multiple pustules were observed on the undersurface of the leaves. Urediniospores and paraphyses were observed microscopically and identified as P. pachyrhizi. Symptomatic leaves from 20 plants were analyzed using an Envirologix monoclonal antibody strip test kit at the Auburn University Plant Diagnostic Laboratory. A subsample of 20 plants were positive for the pathogen. Representative symptomatic leaves were sent to the USDA Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland, for confirmation. DNA was extracted from sori aseptically removed from leaves using a Qiagen DNeasy Plant Mini Kit, and amplified with primers Ppa1 and NL4. The resulting partial ITS2 and 28S ribosomal RNA sequences were 100% identical to GenBank entry DQ354537. Voucher specimens were deposited in the USDA Agricultural Research Service, National Fungus Collection (BPI). To our knowledge, this is the first report of the disease on Florida Beggarweed in Alabama.

References: (1) A. Carcamo Rodriguez et al. Plant Dis. 90:1260, 2006. (2) R. D. Frederick et al. Phytopathology 92:217, 2002.
Minimum convex hull mass estimations of complete mounted skeletons
Authors: Sellers W. I. , Hepworth-Bell J. , Falkingham P. L. , Bates K. T. , Brassey C. A. , Egerton V. M. , Manning P. L.
Published: June 2012

Body mass is a critical parameter used to constrain biomechanical and physiological traits of organisms. Volumetric methods are becoming more common as techniques for estimating the body masses of fossil vertebrates. However, they are often accused of excessive subjective input when estimating the thickness of missing soft tissue. Here, we demonstrate an alternative approach where a minimum convex hull is derived mathematically from the point cloud generated by laser-scanning mounted skeletons. This has the advantage of requiring minimal user intervention and is thus more objective and far quicker. We test this method on 14 relatively large-bodied mammalian skeletons and demonstrate that it consistently underestimates body mass by 21 per cent with minimal scatter around the regression line. We therefore suggest that it is a robust method of estimating body mass where a mounted skeletal reconstruction is available and demonstrate its usage to predict the body mass of one of the largest, relatively complete sauropod dinosaurs:
Giraffatitan brancai
(previously
Brachiosaurus
) as 23200 kg.
Drugs that inhibit gastric acid secretion may alter the course of inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Juillerat P. , Schneeweiss S. , Cook E. F. , Ananthakrishnan A. N. , Mogun H. , Korzenik J. R.
Published: June 2012

Background

Recent data suggest that acid suppressive medications may alter factors central to the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), whether through shifts in the intestinal microbiome due to acid suppression or effects on immune function.

Aim

To assess the relationship between the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or histamine2‐receptor antagonists (H2Ra) and incidence of ‘flares’ (hospitalisation/surgery and change in medication).

Methods

We conducted a new user cohort study including individuals diagnosed with IBD in British Columbia using linked healthcare utilisation databases (available from July 1996 through April 2006). Propensity‐score matched incidence rates during a 6‐month follow‐up period and rate ratios (RR) and 95% CI were calculated.

Results

Among 16 151 IBD patients, 1307 Crohn's disease (CD) and 996 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients experienced a new use of PPIs, whereas 741 CD and 738 UC used H2Ra. All IBD subgroups were matched separately to an equal number of unexposed IBD patients.

H2Ra use in CD doubled the risk of hospitalisation/surgery (RR = 1.94; 95%CI 1.24–3.10) and numerically less so in UC patients (RR = 1.11) with widely overlapping CIs (0.61–2.03). Proton pump inhibitors use was associated with medication change in UC (RR = 1.39; 95%CI 1.20–1.62), but without meaningfully, increased risk of hospitalisation/surgery for UC or CD patients. Extending follow‐up showed persistence, but attenuation, of all effects.

Conclusions

Initiation of PPIs or H2Ra may be associated with short‐term changes in the course of IBD. Although confounding by indication was adjusted using propensity score matching, residual confounding may persist and findings need to be interpreted cautiously.
Sinking, swimming and sailing: experiences of job satisfaction and emotional exhaustion in child welfare employees
Authors: Mandell Deena , Stalker Carol , de Zeeuw Wright Margriet , Frensch Karen , Harvey Cheryl
Published: June 2012

The authors conducted a mixed‐method study after a previous study of child welfare employees revealed a subgroup exhibiting surprisingly high levels of both emotional exhaustion (EE) and job satisfaction (JS). This subgroup included direct service workers, supervisors and managers. As these findings appeared to conflict with previous studies, we re‐reviewed the literature and undertook the current study to account for the co‐existence of EE and JS. We explored and compared this subgroup with two others: workers who found their work satisfying without experiencing high levels of EE and those whose high levels of EE were associated with low JS. Using a survey that included several standardized measures with 226 employees and semi‐structured interviews with a criteria‐based subsample of 25, we explored the role that personality, career expectations, coping styles, stage of life, education, gender and social networks play in outcomes for individual employees. Analyses of quantitative and qualitative data yielded a profile for each subgroup, offering insights into the subjective experiences of workers within individual, social and organizational contexts. These findings have implications for recruitment, training and support of child welfare workers.
Nitrogen cycling and dynamics in a macrophyte‐rich stream as determined by a release
Authors: RIIS T. , DODDS W. K. , KRISTENSEN P. B. , BAISNER A. J.
Published: June 2012

1. A tracer release study was conducted in a macrophyte‐rich stream, the River Lilleaa in Denmark. The objectives of the study were to compare uptake rates per unit area of by primary producers and consumers in macrophyte and non‐macrophyte habitats, estimate whole‐stream uptake rates of and compare this to other stream types, and identify the pathways and estimate the rate at which enters the food web in macrophyte and non‐macrophyte habitats.

2. Macrophyte habitats had four times higher primary uptake rates and an equal uptake rate by primary consumers per unit habitat area as compared to non‐macrophyte habitats. These rates represent the lower limit of potential macrophyte effects because the rates will be highly dependent on macrophyte bed height and mean bed height in the River Lilleaa was low compared to typical bed heights in many lowland streams. Epiphytes accounted for 30% of primary uptake in macrophyte habitats, illustrating a strong indirect effect of macrophytes as habitat for epiphytes. N flux per unit habitat area from primary uptake compartments to primary consumers was four times lower in macrophyte habitats compared to non‐macrophyte habitats, reflecting much greater biomass accrual in macrophyte habitats. Thus, we did not find higher N flux from macrophyte habitats to primary consumers compared to non‐macrophyte habitats.

3. Whole‐stream uptake rate was 447 mgN m−2 day−1. On a habitat‐weighted basis, fine benthic organic matter (FBOM) accounted for 72% of the whole‐stream uptake rate, and macrophytes and epiphytes accounted for 19 and 8%, respectively.

4. We had expected a priori relatively high whole‐stream N uptake in our study stream compared to other stream types mainly due to generally high biomass and the macrophyte’s role as habitat for autotrophic and heterotrophic organisms, but our results did not confirm this. In comparison with other release study streams, we conclude that nutrient concentration is the overall controlling factor for N uptake rates across streams, mostly as a result of high biomass of primary uptake compartments in streams with high nutrient concentrations in general and not in macrophyte streams in particular.

5. Our results indicate that macrophytes play an important role in the longer‐term retention of N and thus a decrease in net downstream transport during the growing season compared to streams without macrophytes, through direct and indirect effects on the stream reach. Direct effects are high uptake efficiency, low turnover rate (partly due to no direct feeding on macrophytes) and high longevity. An indirect effect is increased sedimentation of FBOM in macrophytes compared to non‐macrophyte habitats and streams which possibly also increase denitrification. Increased retention with macrophyte presence would decrease downstream transport during the growing season and thus the N loading on downstream ecosystems.
Experience of recombinant activated factor VII usage during surgery in patients with haemophilia with inhibitors
Authors: Polyanskaya T. , Zorenko V. , Karpov E. , Sampiev M. , Mishin G. , Vasiliev D.
Published: June 2012

Inhibitor development is one of the most challenging complications of haemophilia management. Haemostatic control in patients with haemophilia with inhibitors can be difficult, and is especially risky in those undergoing surgical interventions. Most haemophilia patients with inhibitors suffer from chronic joint disease requiring surgical correction due to recurrent bleeding episodes. The aim of this study was to assess the use of recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) as haemostatic therapy during orthopaedic surgery in haemophilia patients with inhibitors. A series of case reports was retrospectively collected to describe clinical experience of rFVIIa use in inhibitor patients undergoing a range of orthopaedic surgical procedures at a single centre. All surgeries were performed using standard methods. All patients received rFVIIa at a starting dose of 120 μg kg−1 with the subsequent regimens depending on the type of surgery. rFVIIa provided effective haemostasis in 23 patients with haemophilia A and inhibitors (15 with high inhibitor titres) undergoing orthopaedic surgery. The majority (70%) of surgical procedures were major (joint and extra‐articular surgery). The doses and intervals of rFVIIa treatment used varied depending on the severity of bleeding, and the type (major or minor) or site of surgery. In all cases, administration of rFVIIa achieved good haemostasis. In all 23 patients with haemophilia with inhibitors, rFVIIa treatment in orthopaedic interventions proved to be an efficient haemostatic agent, providing effective intra‐operative and postoperative haemostasis.
Identifying poor performance among doctors in NHS organizations
Authors: Locke Rachel , Scallan Samantha , Leach Camilla , Rickenbach Mark
Published: June 2012

Aim  To account for the means by which poor performance among career doctors is identified by National Health Service organizations, whether the tools are considered effective and how these processes may be strengthened in the light of revalidation and the requirement for doctors to demonstrate their fitness to practice.

Method  This study sought to look beyond the ‘doctor as individual’; as well as considering the typical approaches to managing the practice of an individual, the systems within which the doctor is working were reviewed, as these are also relevant to standards of performance. A qualitative review was undertaken consisting of a literature review of current practice, a policy review of current documentation from 15 trusts in one deanery locality, and 14 semi‐structured interviews with respondents with an overview of processes in use. The framework for the analysis of the data considered tools at three levels: individual, team and organizational.

Results  Tools are, in the main, reactive – with an individual focus. They rely on colleagues and others to speak out, so their effectiveness is hindered by a reluctance to do so. Tools can lack an evidence base for their use, and there is limited linking of data across contexts and tools.

Conclusions  There is more work to be done in evaluating current tools and developing stronger processes. Linkage between data sources needs to be improved and proactive tools at the organizational level need further development to help with the early identification of performance issues. This would also assist in balancing a wider systems approach with a current over emphasis on individual doctors.
Effect of Oestrogen Receptors on Brain NMDA Receptors of 1‐Methyl‐4‐Phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐Tetrahydropyridine Mice
Authors: Al‐Sweidi S. , Morissette M. , Di Paolo T.
Published: June 2012

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterised by the loss of nigrostriatal dopamine (DA) neurones and glutamate overactivity. There is substantial evidence to suggest that oestrogens prevent or delay the disease. 17β‐oestradiol has neuroprotective effects in the 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse model of PD and modulates brain NMDA receptors. In MPTP‐lesioned mice, oestrogen receptor (ER)α and ERβ are important in 17β‐oestradiol‐induced neuroprotection. To evaluate the role of ERs in the response of NMDA receptors to lesion, we compared wild‐type (WT) with ER knockout (KO) C57Bl/6 male mice that received 7, 9 or 11 mg/kg of MPTP. These mice were also treated with MPTP (9 mg/kg) and 17β‐oestradiol. [3H]Ro 25‐6981 specific binding autoradiography was used to label NMDA receptors containing NR2B subunits. In the frontal and cingulate cortex and striatum, vehicle‐treated WT mice had higher [3H]Ro 25‐6981 specific binding compared to ERKO mice. Cortical [3H]Ro 25‐6981 specific binding decreased with increasing doses of MPTP in WT and ERKOα but not ERKOβ mice, whereas a dose‐related decrease was only observed in the striatum of WT mice remaining low in ERKOα and ERKOβ mice. No effect of 17β‐oestradiol treatment in intact or MPTP‐lesioned mice of all three genotypes was observed in the cortex, whereas it increased striatal specific binding of intact ERKOβ and MPTP‐lesioned WT mice. Striatal [3H]Ro 25‐6981 specific binding positively correlated with striatal DA concentrations only in WT mice. MPTP and 17β‐oestradiol treatments had more limited effects in the hippocampus. Only in the CA3 and dentate gyrus did vehicle and 17β‐oestradiol‐treated ERKOα mice have higher [3H]Ro 25‐6981 specific binding than WT and ERKOβ mice, whereas MPTP decreased this specific binding only in the CA1, CA2 and CA3 of ERKOα mice. Hence, brain NMDA receptors were affected by the deletion of ERs, which affect the response to MPTP and 17β‐oestradiol treatments with brain region specificity.
Detection of a novel HLA‐A allele, designated A*02:334
Authors: Schulze H. , Todorova K. , Cirocki J. , Uharek L. , Schönemann C.
Published: June 2012

We report a novel allele HLA‐A*02:334 with the transition G→A at nucleotide position 282.
A novel HLA‐B*54 allele, B*54:25, identified by sequence‐based typing
Authors: Lim A. H. , Song S. N. , Lee J. Y. , Lee S. A. , Kim M. H.
Published: June 2012

The novel allele B*54:25 allele showed a single nucleotide difference with B*54:01:01 at nt 208 C > G in exon 2.
A novel HLA‐B*35 allele, B*35:188, identified by sequence‐based typing
Authors: Lim A. H. , Song S. N. , Shin H. H. , Kim T. E. , Kim M. H.
Published: June 2012

The novel allele B*35:188 allele showed a single nucleotide difference with B*35:96 at nt 347 T>C in exon 3.
Farmer’s views and values to focus on cattle conservation policies: the case of eight European countries
Authors: Gandini G. , Martín‐Collado D. , Colinet F. , Duclos D. , Hiemstra S.J. , Soini K. ,   EURECA consortium, Díaz C.
Published: June 2012

Our aim was to identify elements useful in designing policies and programmes for conservation of farm animal genetic resources, taking as case study a group of European local cattle breeds. We first investigated the implications of differences among countries in the policies and programmes to be developed. Secondly, we analysed key elements common to countries, which may affect local breed viability. We used the herd size trend expected by the farmer in the near future as an indicator of breed viability. Fifteen breeds, for a total of 355 farms, were surveyed. To take into account the multiple factors influencing breeds’ demographic trends, the questionnaire included economical, technical and social aspects. Among the major differences across countries was the perception of the farmer on the value attributed to the local breed by society. Concerning the elements common to countries and their association to breed viability, the greater the collaboration among farmers and the stakeholders’ appreciation as perceived by the farmer, the greater the viability of the farm. An opposite trend was observed for the age of the farmer. Older farmers generally planned to soon cease farming or decrease herd size, whereas young farmers planned to increase the size of their herds. Implications of including these elements in conservation polices are discussed.
The multidisciplinary management of non‐melanoma conchal bowl skin cancer
Authors: Jayawardena Janitha , Elliott Tim
Published: June 2012

Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) has been shown to achieve high cure rates and reduce recurrence rates of skin cancer in auricular and preauricular regions. Non‐melanoma skin cancers of the conchal bowl are difficult to treat due to the challenge of accessing them and their close association with surrounding structures that may be inadvertently involved. Treatment goals in this anatomical area include total tumour removal and maximal tissue conservation to provide the best functional and aesthetic result for the patient. We present two patients with conchal bowl basal cell carcinoma treated with MMS and found to have extensive disease that benefited from collaborative management with an ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon. Where extensive subclinical spread is encountered or complex reconstruction is required it is useful to adopt a multidisciplinary approach to achieve total tumour control and maximal tissue conservation. Currently preoperative assessment of tumour margins is difficult and limited data are available on what cases should be co‐managed. Our recommendation is that collaborative ENT involvement be reserved for cases where a long history is involved, a history of recurrence, previous failed excisions, close proximity to difficult to access areas, histological subtypes of skin carcinoma that are known to be aggressive or recurrent or when there is suspicion of subclinical spread based on other grounds.
Characterization, cDNA cloning and expression pattern of relaxin gene during embryogenesis of Danio rerio
Authors: Fiengo Marcella , Donizetti Aldo , del Gaudio Rosanna , Minucci Sergio , Aniello Francesco
Published: June 2012

We report the identification, the cDNA cloning, the temporal and spatial expression pattern analysis of the rln gene in the zebrafish Danio rerio. The deduced Rln B and A domains show different evolutionary conservation. Rln B domain shows higher similarity when compared to zebrafish and human RLN3 B domain than human RLN1 and RLN2 B domain. Differently, the zebrafish Rln A domain shows relatively low amino acid sequence similarity when compared with the same sequences. The rln gene is transcribed both during embryogenesis and in adult organism, where higher transcript level has been particularly evidenced in the brain. Moreover, we provide the first description of rln spatial expression pattern during embryonic development. In particular, we show restricted transcript localization starting at the pharyngula stage in olfactory placode, branchial arch region, and in a cell cluster near to otic vesicle. In larval stage, new transcription territories have been detected in both neural and non‐neural regions. In particular, in the brain, rln expression has been revealed in telencephalic region around anterior commissure, in the preoptic area, and in restricted rombencephalic cell clusters. Expression of rln gene in extra‐neural territories has been detected in the pancreatic and thyroid gland regions. Danio rerio rln expression pattern analysis reveals shared features with the mammalian RLN gene, particularly in the brain, where it might have a role in the neurophysiological processes. In addition, expression in the thyroid and pancreas region suggests a function as a paracrine and endocrine hormone.
Does outdoor air pollution induce new cases of asthma? Biological plausibility and evidence; a review
Authors: GOWERS ALISON M. , CULLINAN PAUL , AYRES JON G. , ANDERSON H. ROSS , STRACHAN DAVID P. , HOLGATE STEPHEN T. , MILLS INGA C. , MAYNARD ROBERT L.
Published: June 2012

It is widely accepted that air pollution can exacerbate asthma in those who already have the condition. What is less clear is whether air pollution can contribute to the initiation of new cases of asthma. Mechanistic evidence from toxicological studies, together with recent information on genes that predispose towards the development of asthma, suggests that this is biologically plausible, particularly in the light of the current understanding of asthma as a complex disease with a variety of phenotypes. The epidemiological evidence for associations between ambient levels of air pollutants and asthma prevalence at a whole community level is unconvincing; meta‐analysis confirms a lack of association. In contrast, a meta‐analysis of cohort studies found an association between asthma incidence and within‐community variations in air pollution (largely traffic dominated). Similarly, a systematic review suggests an association of asthma prevalence with exposure to traffic, although only in those living very close to heavily trafficked roads carrying a lot of trucks. Based on this evidence, the UK's Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants recently concluded that, overall, the evidence is consistent with the possibility that outdoor air pollution might play a role in causing asthma in susceptible individuals living very close to busy roads carrying a lot of truck traffic. Nonetheless, the effect on public health is unlikely to be large: air pollutants are likely to make only a small contribution, compared with other factors, in the development of asthma, and in only a small proportion of the population.
C‐reactive protein as a prognostic marker for advanced renal cell carcinoma treated with sunitinib
Authors: Fujita Tetsuo , Iwamura Masatsugu , Ishii Daisuke , Tabata Ken‐ichi , Matsumoto Kazumasa , Yoshida Kazunari , Baba Shiro
Published: June 2012

Objectives:  To investigate the prognostic role of C‐reactive protein in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma treated with sunitinib.

Methods:  A total of 41 consecutive patients with advanced clear‐cell renal cell carcinoma treated with sunitinib between December 2008 and August 2011 were included in this study. Logistic regression analysis estimated the relative importance of non‐tumor variables, including C‐reactive protein, and selected adverse events as predictive factors for sunitinib responses.

Results:  Overall, 11 patients (26.8%) showed a partial response and 10 patients (24.4%) had stable disease. On univariate analysis, Memorial Sloan‐Kettering Cancer Center non‐poor risk, normal C‐reactive protein, hand–foot skin reaction, altered taste, fatigue and leukopenia were significantly correlated with objective responses (P = 0.020, 0.001, 0.006, 0.006, 0.023 and 0.037, respectively). On multivariate analysis, normal C‐reactive protein was independently associated with objective response (P = 0.016). Patients with a normal level of C‐reactive protein (≤0.30 mg/dL) had a significantly higher partial response plus stable disease rate (84.6% vs 35.7%, P = 0.002) and significantly longer progression‐free survival (median 19.0 vs 6.0 months, P = 0.036) than patients with an elevated level of C‐reactive protein.

Conclusions:  C‐reactive protein is an independent prognostic indicator for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma treated with sunitinib.
Assessing falls risk in older adult mental health patients: A Western Australian review
Authors: Heslop Karen , Wynaden Dianne , Bramanis Kirsten , Connolly Claire , Gee Trevor , Griffiths Rachel , Al Omari Omar
Published: June 2012

Falls are a common and costly complication of hospitalization, particularly in older adult populations. This paper presents the results of a review of 139 falls at two older adult mental health services in Western Australia, Australia, over a 12‐month period. Data were collected from the hospital incident report management system and from case file reviews of patients who sustained a fall during hospitalization. The results demonstrated that the use of different risk assessment and falls management tools led to variations in practice, policies, and management strategies. The review identified mental health‐specific falls risk factors that place older people with a mental illness at risk when admitted to the acute mental health setting. With the expansion of community mental health care, many older people with a mental illness are now cared for in a variety of health‐care settings. In assessing falls risk and implementing falls‐prevention strategies, it is important for clinicians to recognize this group as an ambulant population with a fluctuating course of illness. They have related risks that require specialized falls assessment and management.
Predicting damage and failure under low cycle fatigue in a 9Cr steel
Authors: BIGLARI F. , LOMBARDI P. , BUDANO S. , DAVIES C. M. , NIKBIN K. M.
Published: June 2012

Experimental data have been generated and finite element models developed to examine the low cycle fatigue (LCF) life of a 9Cr (FB2) steel. A novel approach, employing a local ductile damage initiation and failure model, using the hysteresis total stress–strain energy concept combined with element removal, has been employed to predict the failure in the experimental tests. The 9Cr steel was found to exhibit both cyclic softening and nonlinear kinematic hardening behaviour. The finite element analysis of the material's cyclic loading was based on a nonlinear kinematic hardening criterion using the Chaboche constitutive equations. The models’ parameters were calibrated using the experimental test data available. The cyclic softening model in conjunction with the progressive damage evolution model successfully predicted the deformation behaviour and failure times of the experimental tests for the 9Cr steels performed.
Normal corneal thickness measurements in pigmented rabbits using spectral‐domain anterior segment optical coherence tomography
Authors: Wang Xiaogang , Wu Qiang
Published: June 2012

Objective  To document the thickness of the central cornea in pigmented rabbits using spectral‐domain anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS‐OCT).

Animals studied  Seventeen pigmented rabbits (6 male, 11 female, both eyes) were involved in this study.

Procedures  Thirty‐four eyes from healthy pigmented rabbits underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination, including AS‐OCT. Eight radial scans, 6 mm in length and centered on the cornea, were obtained using the AS‐OCT. Corneal thickness was automatically calculated using pachymetry software. Measurements were displayed as the mean and standard deviation for each of the 17 regions defined by the software. The regions were the center (1 mm radius, area a), the inner ring (2.5 mm radius, area b), the outer ring (3 mm radius, area c), and the eight radial scan lines in eight directions (Superior (1), SN (2), Nasal (3), IN (4), Inferior (5), IT (6), Temporal (7), ST (8)) with an angle of 45° between each consecutive scan line (a, b 1–8, c 1–8).

Results  There was no statistically significance difference in corneal thickness between gender, eye, and the eight directions (P = 0.804, P > 0.05, P > 0.05). There was a statistical difference between the thickness in areas a, b, and c (P < 0.05). The corneal thickness increased gradually from the center to the periphery of the 6 mm measured. The center corneal thickness was 387 ± 19.8 μm for OD and 384 ± 20.2 μm for OS. The corneal thicknesses of the thinnest point of the right eyes (OD) and the left eyes (OS) were 376 ± 20.2 and 370 ± 16.8 μm, respectively. There was positive correlation between the thinnest point and area a in both the right eyes (r = 0.892, P < 0.001) and the left eyes (r = 0.832, P < 0.001).

Conclusions  This is the first documentation of the rabbit corneal thickness in vivo using the spectral‐domain AS‐OCT. Pigmented rabbit corneas were almost 150 μm thinner than human corneal values. Gender and eye were not associated with any statistical differences in central corneal thickness in this study.
Effects of bipolar and monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate on urinary and erectile function: a prospective randomized comparative study
Authors: Akman Tolga , Binbay Murat , Tekinarslan Erdem , Tepeler Abdulkadir , Akcay Muzaffer , Ozgor Faruk , Ugurlu Mesut , Muslumanoglu Ahmet
Published: June 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Standard monopolar transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) remains the gold standard surgical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia‐related lower urinary tract symptoms. Bipolar salin TURP offers rapid tissue removal and haemostasis during resection with better vision under saline irrigation while eliminating risk of TUR syndrome.

Few prospective randomized studies have investigated the effect of bipolar and monopolar TURP on erectile function. The study found that bipolar saline TURP is a safe and effective procedure that is associated with a significantly shorter operating time, a smaller reduction in serum sodium levels and similar efficacy compared with conventional monopolar TURP.

Objective

To evaluate the outcomes of bipolar vs conventional monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) on urinary and erectile function.

Material and Methods

A total of 286 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were randomized to bipolar or monopolar conventional TURP treatment groups.

Operative and early postoperative variables and complications were recorded and all patients were re‐evaluated at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), uroflowmetry, post‐void residual urine volume (PVR) and the erectile function domain of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF‐ED).

A comparative evaluation of erectile function was performed on 188 preoperatively non‐catheterized patients with regular sexual partners.

Results

The operating time was shorter in the bipolar TURP group. Postoperative bleeding and blood transfusion requirements did not significantly differ between the two groups. Sodium levels were significantly lower in the monopolar group than in the bipolar group.

Transuretheral resection syndrome developed in two (1.4%) patients in the monopolar group. Both groups had similar and significantly improved IPSS values, maximum urinary flow rate values and PVR measurement.

ED worsened in 32 (17.0%) patients, improved in 53 (28.2%) patients, and was unchanged in 103 (54.8%) patients. Changes in the IIEF scores during the follow‐up period were similar between the bipolar and monopolar groups.

Conclusion

Bipolar TURP is a safe and effective procedure that is associated with a significantly shorter operating time, a smaller reduction in serum sodium levels and a similar efficacy compared with conventional monopolar TURP.
Nomogram and scoring system for predicting stone‐free status after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in children with urolithiasis
Authors: Onal Bulent , Tansu Nejat , Demirkesen Oktay , Yalcin Veli , Huang Lin , Nguyen Hiep T. , Cilento Bartley G. , Erozenci Ahmet
Published: June 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is often considered to be the first‐line treatment method for the majority of urinary tract stone disease in children. The stone clearance rate in children treated with ESWL is higher than that in adults. Recently, nomograms for several diseases, e.g. for specific cancers, have been developed and validated in large patient populations. They have become very popular predictive tools that provide the most objective, evidence‐based, and individualized risk estimation. These nomograms have gained acceptance as useful guides in clinical practice for use by physicians and patients. In adults, a nomogram has been created to predict stone‐free outcome after ESWL; however, to our knowledge none has been developed for children with urolithiasis.

This is the first study‐generated nomogram table and scoring system for predicting the stone‐free rate after ESWL in children. This predictive tool could be useful for clinicians in counselling the parents of children with urolithiasis and in recommending treatment.

Objective

To determine the stone‐free rate after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and its associated factors to formulate a nomogram table and scoring system to predict the probability of stone‐free status in children.

Patients and Methods

A total of 412 children (427 renal units [RUs]) with urolithiasis were treated with ESWL using a lithotriptor between 1992 and 2008.

Cox proportional hazards regression was used to model the number of treatment sessions to stone‐free status as a function of statistically significant demographic characteristics, stones and treatment variables.

A bootstrap method was used to evaluate the model's performance. Based on the multivariate model, the probabilities of being stone‐free after each treatment session (1, 2 and >3) were then determined.

A scoring system was created from the final multivariate proportional hazard model to evaluate each patient and predict their stone‐free probabilities.

Results

Complete data were available for 395 RUs in 381 patients.

Of the 395 RUs, 303 (76.7%) were considered to be stone‐free after ESWL.

Multivariate analysis showed that previous history of ipsilateral stone treatment is related to stone‐free status (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.49; P = 0.03).

Stone location was a significant variable for stone‐free status, but only in girls.

Age (HR 1.65, P = 0.02) and stone burden (HR 4.45, P = 0.002) were significant factors in the multivariate model.

Conclusion

We believe that the scoring system, and nomogram table generated, will be useful for clinicians in counselling the parents of children with urolithiasis and in recommending treatment.
Down‐regulation of Glucan, Water‐Dikinase activity in wheat endosperm increases vegetative biomass and yield
Authors: Ral Jean‐Philippe , Bowerman Andrew F. , Li Zhongyi , Sirault Xavier , Furbank Robert , Pritchard Jenifer R. , Bloemsma Marianne , Cavanagh Colin R. , Howitt Crispin A. , Morell Matthew K.
Published: June 2012

A novel mechanism for increasing vegetative biomass and grain yield has been identified in wheat (Triticum aestivum). RNAi‐mediated down‐regulation of Glucan, Water‐Dikinase (GWD), the primary enzyme required for starch phosphorylation, under the control of an endosperm‐specific promoter, resulted in a decrease in starch phosphate content and an increase in grain size. Unexpectedly, consistent increases in vegetative biomass and grain yield were observed in subsequent generations. In lines where GWD expression was decreased, germination rate was slightly reduced. However, significant increases in vegetative growth from the two leaf stage were observed. In glasshouse pot trials, down‐regulation of GWD led to a 29% increase in grain yield while in glasshouse tub trials simulating field row spacing and canopy development, GWD down‐regulation resulted in a grain yield increase of 26%. The enhanced yield resulted from a combination of increases in seed weight, tiller number, spikelets per head and seed number per spike. In field trials, all vegetative phenotypes were reproduced with the exception of increased tiller number. The expression of the transgene and suppression of endogenous GWD RNA levels were demonstrated to be grain specific. In addition to the direct effects of GWD down‐regulation, an increased level of α‐amylase activity was present in the aleurone layer during grain maturation. These findings provide a potentially important novel mechanism to increase biomass and grain yield in crop improvement programmes.
The political economy of intergenerational income mobility in Singapore
Authors: Ng Irene Y.H.
Published: June 2012

Ng IYH. The political economy of intergenerational income mobility in Singapore

This study used the Singapore National Youth Surveys of 2002 and 2010 to measure the intergenerational dependence of youths' income on their parents' income. The pooled estimate of 0.24 gave a scaled value of 0.44, which when compared internationally indicates an economy with moderately low intergenerational income mobility. The findings analysed against Singapore's political economy suggest that the 2009 recession, a widened safety net and immigration might have mitigated the negative effects that a developmental welfare state and rising inequality have on intergenerational mobility. The effects of Singapore's differentiated education system were unclear. However, despite the limitations in data and data availability in Asia, the findings provide useful points of departure for other countries. The findings also indicate the need for more extensive data and research on what effects the current economic and policy trends have on mobility.
The Structure of Religious Environmentalism: Movement Organizations, Interorganizational Networks, and Collective Action
Authors: Ellingson Stephen , Woodley Vernon A. , Paik Anthony
Published: June 2012

Historically, religious groups have been absent from the American environmental movement, but since the late 1990s a host of new religious environmental movement organizations (REMOs) have emerged. Little is known about REMOs or how religion structures the nascent movement field. Drawing on interviews with leaders of 63 REMOs in the United States, we examined whether theological frames and religious affiliations, on the one hand, and environmental interests, on the other, shaped the formation of information exchange and joint action between REMOs. The results show that shared religious affiliations and theological frames are directly associated with joint action between REMOs. In contrast, shared environmental interests are associated directly with information exchange, but not joint action. The results suggest that cultural aspects of religion are linked to the structure of the religious environmental movement.
Sri Lanka's Informal Religious Economy: Evangelical Competitiveness and Buddhist Hegemony in Perspective
Authors: Woods Orlando
Published: June 2012

Existing religious economy models maintain that as religious regulation increases, levels of interreligious competition decrease. But new understandings of the market dynamics of religious oligopolies necessitate new understandings of religious competitiveness. A relational model of competitiveness using the case of evangelical Christianity in Buddhist‐majority Sri Lanka is proposed. In Sri Lanka the informal religious economy is defined by competitiveness among evangelical Christian groups and, although not recognized by the state, is closely regulated. The focus in this article is on the scalar determinations of evangelical competitiveness, patterns of secrecy and subterfuge, the formation of strategic extra‐group networks that enable competitiveness, and outcomes of a relational model. Three insights are offered that can be used as a starting point for further work on religious oligopolies, informal economies, and relational understandings of religious competition.
Group Size and the Trajectory of Religious Identification
Authors: Hoverd William James , Atkinson Quentin D. , Sibley Chris G.
Published: June 2012

The relative size of religious groups or denominations within societies or nations influences variation in the extent to which group members psychologically identify with their religion. National‐level census data measuring the proportional size of religious groups in New Zealand are merged with nationally representative data on self‐reported psychological identification drawn from the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study. A multilevel random coefficient model shows a logarithmic function for the relationship between religious group size and average group‐level religious identification. Members of smaller religious groups (less than 1.5 percent of the population) tend to strongly identify with their religion, whereas members of groups that are larger in size (over 6 percent of the population) tend to be less identified, on average. Religious group cohesion may be a dynamic process. Larger religious groups are less cohesive and experience more contested identities and ideological positions (average group identification is lower).
TRPA1‐like channels enhance glycinergic transmission in medullary dorsal horn neurons
Authors: Cho Jin‐Hwa , Jeong Moon‐Young , Choi In‐Sun , Lee Heon‐Jin , Jang Il‐Sung
Published: June 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 122, 691–701.

The effect of icilin, a potent agonist of transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) and TRPM8, on glycinergic transmission was examined in mechanically isolated rat medullary dorsal horn neurons by use of the conventional whole‐cell patch‐clamp technique. Icilin increased the frequency of glycinergic spontaneous miniature inhibitory post‐synaptic currents (mIPSCs) in a dose‐dependent manner. Either allyl isothiocyanate(AITC) or cinnamaldehyde, other TRPA1 agonists, also increased mIPSC frequency, but the extent of facilitation induced by AITC or cinnamaldehyde was less than that induced by icilin. However, menthol, a TRPM8 agonist, had no facilitatory effect on glycinergic mIPSCs. The icilin‐induced increase in mIPSC frequency was significantly inhibited by either HC030031, a selective TRPA1 antagonist, or ruthenium red, a non‐selective transient receptor potential channel blocker. Icilin failed to increase glycinergic mIPSC frequency in the absence of extracellular Ca2+, suggesting that the icilin‐induced increase in mIPSC frequency is mediated by the Ca2+ influx from the extracellular space. In contrast, icilin still increased mIPSC frequency either in the Na+‐free external solution or in the presence of Cd2+, a general voltage‐dependent Ca2+ channel blocker. The present results suggest that icilin acts on pre‐synaptic TRPA1‐like ion channels, which are permeable to Ca2+, to enhance glycinergic transmission onto medullary dorsal horn neurons. The TRPA1‐like channel‐mediated enhancement of glycinergic transmission in medullary dorsal horn neurons would contribute to the regulation of pain information from the peripheral tissues.
A novel cross‐talk between endothelin and ErbB receptors controlling glutamate transporter expression in astrocytes
Authors: Glisic Darko , Lehmann Claudia , Figiel Maciej , Ödemis Veysel , Lindner Ricco , Engele Jürgen
Published: June 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 122, 844–855.

The endothelin and epidermal growth factor (EGF) systems are central to the control of reactive brain processes and are thought to partly exert these tasks by endothelin‐induced transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) Here we show that beyond EGFR transactivation, endothelins prevent the ligand‐induced internalization of the EGFR. We unravel that endothelins abrogate internalization of the EGFR by either promoting the formation of “internalization‐deficient” EGFR/ErB2‐heterodimers or by activating c‐Abl kinase, a negative regulator of EGFR internalization. We further provide evidence that this cross‐talk is operational in the control of astrocytic glutamate transport. Specifically, we establish that the inhibitory effects exerted by endothelins on basal as well as EGF‐induced expression of the major astroglial glutamate transporter subtype, glutamate transporter 1, are a direct consequence of the endothelin‐dependent retention of the EGFR at the cell surface. Together our findings unravel a previously unknown cross‐talk between endothelin and epidermal growth factor receptors, which may have implications for a variety of pathological conditions.
Towards an historical sociology of World History
Authors: Getz Trevor R.
Published: June 2012

World History is becoming increasingly international as a field of study. However, this globalization of faculty and institutions requires more than just a shift in the geography of meetings and authorship. It also raises issues of inclusion and exclusivity as well as a need to revisit questions of theory, methods, and ethics in the publication of global histories. This article seeks to look at the domestic origins of World History as a field within the United States and to raise questions about the globalization of the field as it matures.
RHIPILIA COPPEJANSII, A NEW CORAL REEF‐ASSOCIATED SPECIES FROM GUAM (BRYOPSIDALES, CHLOROPHYTA)1
Authors: Verbruggen Heroen , Schils Tom
Published: June 2012

The new species Rhipilia coppejansii is described from Guam. This species, which has the external appearance of a Chlorodesmis species, features tenacula upon microscopical examination, a diagnostic character of Rhipilia. This unique morphology, along with the tufA and rbcL data presented herein, set this species apart from others in the respective genera. Phylogenetic analyses show that the taxon is nested within the Rhipiliaceae. We discuss the diversity and possible adaptation of morphological types in the Udoteaceae and Rhipiliaceae.
Mexican American Female Adolescents’ Perceptions of Relationships and Dating Violence
Authors: Haglund Kristin , Belknap Ruth Ann , Garcia Juanita Terrie
Published: June 2012

Purpose: This study fills a gap regarding the perspectives of Mexican American female adolescents on dating relationships and dating violence (DV).

Methods: This was a qualitative descriptive study. Focus groups included 20 Mexican American young women, primarily first and second generation, mean age 14.5 years (SD= 2.5). Data were analyzed with categorical analysis.

Findings: Participants described key components of DV and identified cultural aspects that may serve to promote healthy dating relationships.

Conclusions: Family‐based interventions to promote exploration of gender roles and parent‐child communication may foster biculturalism as well as promote healthy dating relationships and prevent violence within this cultural group.

Clinical Relevance: In the United States, 10% to 40% of teens experience DV. Hispanic females experience more physical DV than their White peers.