bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reverse dynamic calorimetry of a viscous ionic liquid
Authors: Huang Wei , Richert Ranko
Published: November 2009

We compare the time scale of thermal relaxation with that of the electric modulus in the deeply supercooled regime of the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate. Thermal relaxation refers to the process of configurational temperatures of the slow degrees of freedom equilibrating toward the vibrational temperature, which is a reliable indicator for the time scale of structural relaxation. Energy is supplied to the sample by absorption from a sinusoidal electric field with amplitude as high as 387 kV/cm and frequencies in the 0.2 Hz–56 kHz range, analogous to microwave heating. The time resolved response of configurational temperature as well as the low field dielectric properties are measured in a single high field impedance setup. Near Tg, we find that the macroscopic field (or modulus M) relaxes considerably faster than the structure (in terms of thermal relaxation, solvation dynamics, and probe rotation), although the liquid is entirely composed of mobile ions.
Experimental verification of broadband invisibility using a cloak based on inductor-capacitor networks
Authors: Liu Xiu , Li Chao , Yao Kan , Meng Xiankun , Feng Wei , Wu Bingheng , Li Fang
Published: November 2009

We demonstrate the experimental realization of an invisibility cloak based on inductor-capacitor (L-C) transmission line (TL) networks. The anisotropic medium parameters of a cloak in the cylindrical basis are controlled independently by three branches of the L-C unit cell, which leads to a full-parameter realization of the cloak. A cylindrical cloak working in very-high-frequency band has been designed and fabricated, with its performance measured. The nonresonant property of the TL structure results in a relatively broad bandwidth (from 24 to 40 MHz) of the realized cloak, which is clearly observed in our experiment.
Collision-induced absorption at wavelengths near 5 μm by dense hydrogen gas
Authors: Abel Martin , Frommhold Lothar , Gustafsson Magnus
Published: November 2009

Based on a recent ab initio interaction-induced dipole surface of collisionally interacting molecular hydrogen pairs H2–H2, we compute the binary absorption coefficients at wavelengths near 5 μm at temperatures of 77.5 and 297 K for comparison with existing laboratory measurements. We observe satisfactory agreement of the measurements with our calculations, thereby concluding an earlier study [Gustafsson et al., J. Chem. Phys. 119, 12264 (2003)], which was based on an ab initio interaction-induced dipole surface that was inadequate for the 5 μm band.
Note on the relation between thermophoresis and slow uniform flow problems for a rarefied gas
Authors: Takata Shigeru
Published: November 2009

A relation between the problem of thermophoresis of a sphere and that of a uniform flow past a sphere is discussed on the basis of the linearized Boltzmann equation. First pointed out is the disagreement between the relation predicted by the representation theorem recently developed by the author and that of the existing theory by Sharipov. The two contradicting predictions are assessed by the asymptotic theory for small Knudsen numbers, which results in showing the failure of the latter. The reason of this failure is also explained. Finally, new data of a slip coefficient, which is predominantly responsible for the thermal polarization in a slightly rarefied gas, are obtained for the hard-sphere Boltzmann equation by the use of the correct relation.
A t-butyloxycarbonyl-modified Wnt5a-derived hexapeptide functions as a potent antagonist of Wnt5a-dependent melanoma cell invasion
Authors: Jenei Veronika , Sherwood Victoria , Howlin Jillian , Linnskog Rickard , Säfholm Annette , Axelsson Lena , Andersson Tommy
Published: November 2009

The influential role of Wnt5a in tumor progression underscores the requirement for developing molecules that can target Wnt5a-mediated cellular responses. In the aggressive skin cancer, melanoma, elevated Wnt5a expression promotes cell motility and drives metastasis. Two approaches can be used to counteract these effects: inhibition of Wnt5a expression or direct blockade of Wnt5a signaling. We have investigated both options in the melanoma cell lines, A2058 and HTB63. Both express Frizzled-5, which has been implicated as the receptor for Wnt5a in melanoma cells. However, only the HTB63 cell line expresses and secretes Wnt5a. In these cells, the cytokine, TGFβ1, controlled the expression of Wnt5a, but due to the unpredictable effects of TGFβ1 signaling on melanoma cell motility, targeting Wnt5a signaling via TGFβ1 was an unsuitable strategy to pursue. We therefore attempted to target Wnt5a signaling directly. Exogenous Wnt5a stimulation of A2058 cells increased adhesion, migration and invasion, all crucial components of tumor metastasis, and the Wnt5a-derived N-butyloxycarbonyl hexapeptide (Met-Asp-Gly-Cys-Glu-Leu; 0.766 kDa) termed Box5, abolished these responses. Box5 also inhibited the basal migration and invasion of Wnt5a-expressing HTB63 melanoma cells. Box5 antagonized the effects of Wnt5a on melanoma cell migration and invasion by directly inhibiting Wnt5a-induced protein kinase C and Ca
2+
signaling, the latter of which we directly demonstrate to be essential for cell invasion. The Box5 peptide directly inhibits Wnt5a signaling, representing an approach to anti-metastatic therapy for otherwise rapidly progressive melanoma, and for other Wnt5a-stimulated invasive cancers.
Reexposure of cord blood to noninherited maternal HLA antigens improves transplant outcome in hematological malignancies
Authors: van Rood Jon J. , Stevens Cladd E. , Smits Jacqueline , Carrier Carmelita , Carpenter Carol , Scaradavou Andromachi
Published: November 2009

Cord blood (CB) hematopoietic stem cell transplantation can be successful even if donor and recipient are not fully matched for human leukocyte antigens (HLA). This may result from tolerance-inducing events during pregnancy but to date this concept has not been tested in CB transplantation. Hence we analyzed the impact of fetal exposure to noninherited maternal antigens (NIMA) of the HLA-A, -B antigens, or -DRB1 alleles on the outcome of CB transplants. The 1,121 patients studied were transplanted for hematological malignancy with a single CB unit: 1,059 received grafts mismatched for one or two HLA antigens. Of these patients, 79 patients had a mismatched antigen that was identical to a donor NIMA, 25 with one HLA mismatch (MM), and 54 with two. If there was a NIMA match, transplant-related mortality (TRM) was improved, especially in patients ≥10 years (
P
= 0.012) as were overall mortality and treatment failure (
P
= 0.022 and 0.020, respectively, in the older subset), perhaps related to improved neutrophil recovery, especially in patients who received a low total nucleated cell (TNC) dose (
P
= 0.031). Posttransplant relapse rate also tended to be reduced, especially in patients with myelogenous malignancies given units with a single HLA mismatch (
P
= 0.074). These findings represent unique evidence that donor exposure to NIMA can improve survival in unrelated CB transplantation and might reduce relapse, indicating that cord blood cells can mount an antileukemic effect. By matching for donor NIMAs in search algorithms of CB inventories, the probability of selecting a graft with an optimal outcome will increase significantly.
World Color Survey color naming reveals universal motifs and their within-language diversity
Authors: Lindsey Delwin T. , Brown Angela M.
Published: November 2009

We analyzed the color terms in the World Color Survey (WCS) (
www.icsi.berkeley.edu/wcs/
), a large color-naming database obtained from informants of mostly unwritten languages spoken in preindustrialized cultures that have had limited contact with modern, industrialized society. The color naming idiolects of 2,367 WCS informants fall into three to six “motifs,” where each motif is a different color-naming system based on a subset of a universal glossary of 11 color terms. These motifs are universal in that they occur worldwide, with some individual variation, in completely unrelated languages. Strikingly, these few motifs are distributed across the WCS informants in such a way that multiple motifs occur in most languages. Thus, the culture a speaker comes from does not completely determine how he or she will use color terms. An analysis of the modern patterns of motif usage in the WCS languages, based on the assumption that they reflect historical patterns of color term evolution, suggests that color lexicons have changed over time in a complex but orderly way. The worldwide distribution of the motifs and the cooccurrence of multiple motifs within languages suggest that universal processes control the naming of colors.
Drosophila glypicans regulate the germline stem cell niche
Authors: Hayashi Yoshiki , Kobayashi Satoru , Nakato Hiroshi
Published: November 2009

Stem cells are maintained in vivo by short-range signaling systems in specialized microenvironments called niches, but the molecular mechanisms controlling the physical space of the stem cell niche are poorly understood. In this study, we report that heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycans (HSPGs) are essential regulators of the germline stem cell (GSC) niches in the Drosophila melanogaster gonads. GSCs were lost in both male and female gonads of mutants deficient for HS biosynthesis. dally, a Drosophila glypican, is expressed in the female GSC niche cells and is responsible for maintaining the GSC niche. Ectopic expression of dally in the ovary expanded the niche area, showing that dally is required for restriction of the GSC niche space. Interestingly, the other glypican, dally-like, plays a major role in regulating male GSC niche maintenance. We propose that HSPGs define the physical space of the niche by serving as trans coreceptors, mediating short-range signaling by secreted factors.
Capacity for stochastic self-renewal and differentiation in mammalian spermatogonial stem cells
Authors: Wu Zhuoru , Luby-Phelps Katherine , Bugde Abhijit , Molyneux Laura A. , Denard Bray , Li Wen-Hong , Süel Gürol M. , Garbers David L.
Published: November 2009

Mammalian spermatogenesis is initiated and sustained by spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) through self-renewal and differentiation. The basic question of whether SSCs have the potential to specify self-renewal and differentiation in a cell-autonomous manner has yet to be addressed. Here, we show that rat SSCs in ex vivo culture conditions consistently give rise to two distinct types of progeny: new SSCs and differentiating germ cells, even when they have been exposed to virtually identical microenvironments. Quantitative experimental measurements and mathematical modeling indicates that fate decision is stochastic, with constant probability. These results reveal an unexpected ability in a mammalian SSC to specify both self-renewal and differentiation through a self-directed mechanism, and further suggest that this mechanism operates according to stochastic principles. These findings provide an experimental basis for autonomous and stochastic fate choice as an alternative strategy for SSC fate bifurcation, which may also be relevant to other stem cell types.
Journeys through the Golgi—taking stock in a new era
Authors: Emr Scott , Glick Benjamin S. , Linstedt Adam D. , Lippincott-Schwartz Jennifer , Luini Alberto , Malhotra Vivek , Marsh Brad J. , Nakano Akihiko , Pfeffer Suzanne R. , Rabouille Catherine , Rothman James E. , Warren Graham , Wieland Felix T.
Published: November 2009

The Golgi apparatus is essential for protein sorting and transport. Many researchers have long been fascinated with the form and function of this organelle. Yet, despite decades of scrutiny, the mechanisms by which proteins are transported across the Golgi remain controversial. At a recent meeting, many prominent Golgi researchers assembled to critically evaluate the core issues in the field. This report presents the outcome of their discussions and highlights the key open questions that will help guide the field into a new era.
hPDI: a database of experimental human protein–DNA interactions
Authors: Xie Zhi , Hu Shaohui , Blackshaw Seth , Zhu Heng , Qian Jiang
Published: November 2009

Summary: The human protein DNA Interactome (hPDI) database holds experimental protein–DNA interaction data for humans identified by protein microarray assays. The unique characteristics of hPDI are that it contains consensus DNA-binding sequences not only for nearly 500 human transcription factors but also for >500 unconventional DNA-binding proteins, which are completely uncharacterized previously. Users can browse, search and download a subset or the entire data via a web interface. This database is freely accessible for any academic purposes.

Availability:  http://bioinfo.wilmer.jhu.edu/PDI/

Contact:  jiang.qian@jhmi.edu
Cenozoic mud volcano activity along the Indus Fan: offshore Pakistan
Authors: Calvès G. , Schwab A. M. , Huuse M. , Van Rensbergen P. , Clift P. D. , Tabrez A. R. , Inam A.
Published: November 2009

This study documents the tectono‐stratigraphic setting and expulsion history of a major, previously undescribed mud volcano (MV) province in the Indus Submarine Fan, offshore Pakistan. A buried MV field of nine composite MVs has been recognized using two‐dimensional (2D) and 3D seismic reflection data in a confined area of 50 × 65 km2. Conduits are recognized on each of these MVs connecting the pre‐Eocene parent beds to the stacked mud cones. The buried MVs are up to 8.4 km wide (4.5 km average) with a central conduit of 1.23 km average diameter and an average mud cone thickness of 0.33 km. Three major phases of fluid and mud remobilization occurred in the Early to Middle Miocene, intra‐Middle Miocene and in the Late Miocene to Plio‐Pleistocene transition. Most of the mud source (parent beds) seems to be of pre‐Eocene origin. Geometrical information from 21 mud cones allows an estimate of the volume required to build these fluid escape features. The calculated volume of remobilized sediments is 71.5±9 km3. The location of the MV field is limited to the pre‐Eocene main depocentre, with major tectonic deformation occurring along the wrench system of the Indo–Arabian plate boundary, i.e. the southern edge of the Murray Ridge. The Indus MV field is, to our knowledge, the longest lived (∼22 Myr) remobilized, Cenozoic sedimentary system observed worldwide. No evidence of present‐day mud flow activity is seen on the seabed seismic reflection in the study area.
Involvement of fibroblast growth factor 18 in dedifferentiation of cultured human chondrocytes
Authors: Yamaoka H. , Nishizawa S. , Asawa Y. , Fujihara Y. , Ogasawara T. , Yamaoka K. , Nagata S. , Takato T. , Hoshi K.
Published: November 2009

Objective:  Chondrocytes inevitably decrease production of cartilaginous matrices during long‐term cultures with repeated passaging; this is termed dedifferentiation. To learn more concerning prevention of dedifferentiation, we have focused here on the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family that influences chondrocyte proliferation or differentiation.

Materials and methods:  We have compared gene expression between differentiated cells in passage 3 (P3) and dedifferentiated ones in P8 of human cultured chondrocytes. We also performed ligand administration of the responsive factor or its gene silencing, using small interfering RNA (siRNA).

Results:  FGFs 1, 5, 10, 13 and 18 were higher at P8 compared to P3, while FGFs 9 and 14 were lower. Especially, FGF18 showed a 10‐fold increase by P8. Ligand administration of FGF18 in the P3 cells, or its gene silencing using siRNA in the P8 cells, revealed dose‐dependent increase and decrease respectively in type II collagen/type I collagen ratio. Exogenous FGF18 also upregulated expression of transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β), the anabolic factor of chondrocytes, in P3 chondrocytes, but P8 cells maintained a low level of TGF‐β expression, suggesting a decrease in responsiveness of TGF‐β to FGF18 stimulation in the dedifferentiated chondrocytes.

Conclusion:  FGF18 seems to play a role in maintenance of chondrocyte properties, although its expression was rather high in dedifferentiated chondrocytes. Upregulation of FGF18 in dedifferentiated chondrocytes implied that it may be a marker of dedifferentiation.
Temperature, predator–prey interaction strength and population stability
Authors: RALL BJÖRN C. , VUCIC‐PESTIC OLIVERA , EHNES ROSWITHA B. , EMMERSON MARK , BROSE ULRICH
Published: November 2009

Warming could strongly stabilize or destabilize populations and food webs by changing the interaction strengths between predators and their prey. Predicting the consequences of warming requires understanding how temperature affects ingestion (energy gain) and metabolism (energy loss). Here, we studied the temperature dependence of metabolism and ingestion in laboratory experiments with terrestrial arthropods (beetles and spiders). From this data, we calculated ingestion efficiencies (ingestion/metabolism) and per capita interaction strengths in the short and long term. Additionally, we investigated if and how body mass changes these temperature dependencies. For both predator groups, warming increased metabolic rates substantially, whereas temperature effects on ingestion rates were weak. Accordingly, the ingestion efficiency (the ratio of ingestion to metabolism) decreased in all treatments. This result has two possible consequences: on the one hand, it suggests that warming of natural ecosystems could increase intrinsic population stability, meaning less fluctuations in population density; on the other hand, decreasing ingestion efficiencies may also lead to higher extinction risks because of starvation. Additionally, predicted long‐term per capita interaction strengths decreased with warming, which suggests an increase in perturbation stability of populations, i.e., a higher probability of returning to the same equilibrium density after a small perturbation. Together, these results suggest that warming has complex and potentially profound effects on predator–prey interactions and food‐web stability.
Pyrosequencing the Manduca sexta larval midgut transcriptome: messages for digestion, detoxification and defence
Authors: Pauchet Y. , Wilkinson P. , Vogel H. , Nelson D. R. , Reynolds S. E. , Heckel D. G. , Ffrench‐Constant R. H.
Published: November 2009

The tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta is an important model for insect physiology but genomic and transcriptomic data are currently lacking. Following a recent pyrosequencing study generating immune related expressed sequence tags (ESTs), here we use this new technology to define the M. sexta larval midgut transcriptome. We generated over 387 000 midgut ESTs, using a combination of Sanger and 454 sequencing, and classified predicted proteins into those involved in digestion, detoxification and immunity. In many cases the depth of 454 pyrosequencing coverage allowed us to define the entire cDNA sequence of a particular gene. Many new M. sexta genes are described including up to 36 new cytochrome P450s, some of which have been implicated in the metabolism of host plant‐derived nicotine. New lepidopteran gene families such as the β‐fructofuranosidases, previously thought to be restricted to Bombyx mori, are also described. An unexpectedly high number of ESTs were involved in immunity, for example 39 contigs encoding serpins, and the increasingly appreciated role of the midgut in insect immunity is discussed. Similar studies of other tissues will allow for a tissue by tissue description of the M. sexta transcriptome and will form an essential complimentary step on the road to genome sequencing and annotation.
A literature review: factors that impact on nurses’ effective use of the Medical Emergency Team (MET)
Authors: Jones Lisa , King Lindy , Wilson Christine
Published: November 2009

Aims and objectives.  The aim of this literature review is to identify factors, both positive and negative, that impact on nurses’ effective use of the Medical Emergency Team (MET) in acute care settings.

Background.  Outcomes for patients are often dependent on nurses’ ability to identify and respond to signs of increasing illness and initiate medical intervention. In an attempt to improve patient outcomes, many acute hospitals have implemented a rapid response system known as the Medical Emergency Team (MET) which has improved management of critically ill ward patients. Subsequent research has indicated that the MET system continues to be underused by nurses.

Design.  A comprehensive thematic literature review.

Methods.  The review was undertaken using key words and the electronic databases of Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), OVID/MEDLINE, Blackwell Synergy, Science Direct and Informit. Fifteen primary research reports were relevant and included in the review.

Results.  Five major themes emerged from the analysis of the literature as the major factors effecting nurses’ use of the MET system. They were: education on the MET, expertise, support by medical and nursing staff, nurses’ familiarity with and advocacy for the patient and nurses’ workload.

Conclusions.  Ongoing education on all aspects of the MET system is recommended for nursing, medical and MET staff. Bringing MET education into undergraduate programs to prepare new graduates entering the workforce to care for acutely ill patients is also strongly recommended. Further research is also needed to determine other influences on MET activation.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Strategies that will assist nurses to use the MET system more effectively include recruitment and retention of adequate numbers of permanent skilled staff thereby increasing familiarity with and advocacy for the patient. Junior doctors and nurses should be encouraged to attend ward MET calls to gain skills in management of acutely ill patients.
Nurses’ clinical reasoning concerning management of peripheral venous cannulae
Authors: Johansson Maria Eiman , Pilhammar Ewa , Willman Ania
Published: November 2009

Aim.  The aim was to describe nurses’ clinical reasoning regarding peripheral venous cannulae management by focusing on the clinical information and circumstances considered during the decision‐making process.

Background.  On every shift nurses make several decisions, among others concerning the management of peripheral venous cannulae. Thrombophlebitis is a common complication associated with its use, although more severe complications can arise. There are clinical practice guidelines within the area, but they are not always adhered to. Previous studies have examined decisions related to the management of peripheral venous cannulae, but did not include observations in a naturalistic setting.

Design.  A qualitative study combining observations and interviews.

Methods.  Participant observation facilitated open interviews about the clinical reasoning behind decision‐making in observed situations, as well as semi‐structured interviews regarding clinical reasoning about the general management of peripheral venous cannulae. Transcribed interview texts were analysed with content analysis.

Results.  Three main categories describe clinical information and circumstances: the individual patient situation, the nurse’s work situation and experience of peripheral venous cannulae management. The overall theme of the interview texts was that the clinical reasoning was a balancing act between minimising patient discomfort and preventing complications from the peripheral venous cannulae.

Conclusions.  At all times the patients’ well‐being was considered, but the ways the nurses approached this differed depending on how they considered clinical information in the individual patient situation, circumstances in their own work situation and their experience of peripheral venous cannulae management.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Knowledge of the clinical information and circumstances considered in naturalistic settings, is valuable when implementing and adjusting clinical practice guidelines to local settings. This knowledge is also useful in nursing education as student nurses’ and nurses’ ability to balance between preventing complications and avoiding discomfort is important for enhancing patient care.
Advances in phase‐sensitive acoustic microscopy studies of polymer blend films: annealing effects and micro‐elastic characterization of PS/PMMA blends
Authors: KAMANYI A.E. , GRILL W. , NGWA W. , LUO W.
Published: November 2009

The unique phase‐sensitive acoustic microscope is used for the structural and mechanical characterization of thin films of polystyrene/polymethylmethacrylate blends. The effect of annealing on blends of polystyrene/polymethylmethacrylate spin coated from different solvents unto a substrate is studied. Varying the solvents according to vapour pressure and spin coating at different speeds (for thickness variation) led to changes in phase domain distributions and overall structural properties before annealing. Annealing in vacuum at 190°C for 48 h resulted in the elimination of solvent effects with all samples reverting to a similar morphology irrespective of common solvent and thickness. The Young's moduli at specific points on the film (Epolystyrene= 3.4 ± 0.3 GPa, Epolymethylmethacrylate= 4.2 ± 0.4 GPa) and over a given area (Epolystyrene/polymethylmethacrylate= 3.9 ± 0.4 GPa) were determined by combinatory use of the atomic force microscope and phase‐sensitive acoustic microscope. These results demonstrate a minimally invasive method for the quantitative characterization of polymer blend films.
Reactive oxygen species in abiotic stress signaling
Authors: Jaspers Pinja , Kangasjärvi Jaakko
Published: November 2009

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are known to accumulate during abiotic stresses, and different cellular compartments respond to them by distinctive profiles of ROS formation. In contrast to earlier views, it is becoming increasingly evident that even during stress, ROS production is not necessarily a symptom of cellular dysfunction but might represent a necessary signal in adjusting the cellular machinery to the altered conditions. ROS can modulate many signal transduction pathways, such as mitogen‐activated protein kinase cascades, and ultimately influence the activity of transcription factors. However, the picture of ROS‐mediated signaling is still fragmentary and the issues of ROS perception as well as the signaling specificity remain open. Here, we review some of the recent advances in plant abiotic stress signaling with emphasis on processes known to be affected heavily by ROS.
Body Condition in Male Betta splendens Does Not Predict Their Ability to Perform Opercular Displays Under Hypoxic Conditions
Authors: Kuperberg Elizabeth S. , Brown Alexandria C. , Clotfelter Ethan D.
Published: November 2009

Many fish, including the fighting fish Betta splendens, perform a display in which the opercula are extended away from the head and gills. Previous work has shown that opercular display rates by male B. splendens decrease under conditions of reduced dissolved oxygen (hypoxia). We tested the hypothesis that the ability to maintain opercular display rates under hypoxic conditions is related to body condition in male B. splendens. We also tested the hypothesis that females would show a greater preference for males performing this display under hypoxic conditions, when the display should be a more reliable indicator of male phenotypic quality. We found no evidence to support either hypothesis. Male opercular display rate in hypoxic conditions was unrelated to natural or experimentally induced variation in body condition. Female B. splendens showed no differential preference for the opercular display, assessed through the use of computer animated male stimuli, in either acute or chronic hypoxia. We conclude that the presence of an air‐breathing organ in this species makes the opercular display an unreliable signal of male quality as measured by body condition.
Predator‐Associated Vocalizations in North American Red Squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus): To Whom are Alarm Calls Addressed and How do They Function?
Authors: Digweed Shannon M. , Rendall Drew
Published: November 2009

Alarm vocalizations produced by prey species encountering predators can serve a variety of functions. North American red squirrels are a small‐bodied mammal popularly known for producing loud, conspicuous alarm calls, but functional accounts of calling in this species are few and contradictory. We conducted research over a 3‐yr period on a sample of 47 marked red squirrels in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. We recorded the production of alarm calls during encounters with natural predators and in a series of simulated predator experiments. We tested for variation in call production patterns consistent with three traditional hypotheses concerning the conspecific warning functions of alarm calling: namely that they serve as warnings to kin, to potential mates, or to territorial neighbors with which callers have an established relationship. Patterns of calling did not provide clear support for any of these hypothesized functions. We consider several possible qualifications to our results. We also consider the possibility that conspicuous calls given by red squirrels during encounters with predators are directed at the predators themselves and function to announce their detection and possibly deter them. This possibility is consistent with additional life‐history features of red squirrels including that they are a relatively solitary and territorial, food‐hoarding species that produces the same conspicuous vocalizations in response to other squirrels intruding on their territory to steal cones. An important corollary of this account is that red squirrel alarm calls probably do not entail referentially specific messages about different types of predator, as proposed previously.
Defence responses induced in embryogenic cultures of Norway spruce by two fractions of Gremmeniella abietina mycelia
Authors: Cvikrová M. , Malá J. , Hrubcová M. , Martincová O. , Cvrčková H. , Lipavská H.
Published: November 2009

We have examined defence responses in embryogenic cell suspension cultures of Norway spruce (Picea abies L.) elicited by intracellular protein and wall fractions (PF and WF, respectively) prepared from mycelia of the fungus Gremmeniella abietina (Lagerberg), focusing on changes in levels of phenolics (soluble and cell wall‐bound), polyamines (free and soluble conjugates) and activities of enzymes that catalyse important steps in their metabolism: phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase (PAL, EC 4.3.1.5) and diamine oxidase (DAO, EC 1.4.3.6), respectively. Treatment with both preparations induced increases in the spruce cells total contents of phenolic acids and polyamines but they responded more rapidly to WF than to PF. The contents of soluble (especially benzoic acid derivatives) and cell wall‐bound (especially ferulic acid) phenolic acids and soluble conjugates of putrescine (mainly amides of hydroxycinnamic acids), started to increase relative to controls (C) within 4 h of the addition of the WF preparation and, more weakly, within 8 h of exposure to the PF preparation. These changes correlated with the induction of PAL activity in spruce cells at 4 and 8 h following the addition of WF and PF preparations, respectively. Increases in the spruce cell’s DAO activity were also detected after just 4 h exposure to WF, and after 24 h exposure to PF. These results demonstrate that both intracellular protein and cell wall fractions prepared from A. abietina mycelium elicit changes in the metabolism of phenylpropanoids and polyamines, substances that are known to be heavily involved in the defence responses of plants to pathogens.
Cedrus libani: the most susceptible Turkish conifer species to local Heterobasidion isolates in spring inoculations
Authors: Lehtijärvi A. , Aday A. G. , Doğmuş‐Lehtijärvi H. T.
Published: November 2009

Five‐year‐old seedlings of Pinus nigra, Pinus brutia, Abies nordmanniana ssp. bornmülleriana and Cedrus libani, 3‐year‐old seedlings of Pinus sylvestris, and 2‐year‐old seedlings of Juniperus excelsa were inoculated on the lower stem with Turkish Heterobasidion abietinum and Heterobasidion annosum s.s. isolates. In total, 300 seedlings were inoculated in April 2007 with five isolates of each Heterobasidion species and incubated in a glasshouse for 12 weeks. The daily maximum temperature increased gradually from 13°C to 31°C by the end of the incubation period. Infection incidence, mortality, lesion length in the inner bark and fungal growth in the xylem were examined. For H. abietinum, infection incidence ranged from 0% to 36%, and for H. annosum s.s. from 0% to 60%. Mortality was low; only 1% of the inoculated seedlings died. Mean lesion lengths varied between 7.6 and 11.9 mm for H. abietinum and 8.0 and 15.7 for H. annosum s.s. in all species apart from C. libani, in which the corresponding values were 42.2 and 42.6 mm respectively. Similarly, mean fungal growth in sapwood of C. libani was approximately 25 mm for both Heterobasidion species, in contrast to 0–3.2 mm in the other tree species. The H. abietinum isolates were not reisolated from P. nigra, P. sylvestris or J. excelsa. The H. annosum s.s. isolates did not infect Abies seedlings. Only P. brutia and C. libani were susceptible to both pathogens. Control seedlings showed no symptoms. The results indicated that C. libani is highly susceptible to Turkish isolates of Heterobasidion.
Sublingual versus vaginal misoprostol for induction of labor at term: A randomized prospective placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Zahran Kamal M. , Shahin Ahmed Y. , Abdellah Mohamad S. , Elsayh Khalid I.
Published: November 2009

Aims:  To assess the effectiveness and safety of sublingual misoprostol (50 µg), compared with the same dose administered vaginally every 6 h for cervical ripening and labor induction in women with a viable fetus in the third trimester of pregnancy.

Methods:  This double‐blind randomized prospective placebo‐controlled trial included 480 women with medical or obstetric indications for labor induction and undilated, uneffaced cervices. The patients were assigned randomly to receive 50 µg of sublingual or 50 µg of vaginal misoprostol every 6 h for 24 h. Maternal and neonatal outcome were analyzed.

Results:  A total of 169 (70.4%) patients delivered vaginally in the sublingual group compared to 160 (66.7%) in the vaginal group. The main indications for cesarean section in both groups were fetal distress (33/71 [46.4%] vs 38/80 [47.5%]), followed by failure of labor progress. Thirty three (13.8%) patients in the sublingual group had meconium staining of the amniotic fluid compared to 39 (16.3%) in the vaginal group. There was no difference between the groups regarding the induction‐to‐delivery interval, duration of labor, neonatal outcome or maternal side‐effects.

Conclusion:  Sublingual misoprostol is as effective as vaginal misoprostol for induction of labor at term. Moreover, the sublingual route is associated with a significantly higher patient satisfaction rate than vaginal misoprostol.
Short‐term effects of closure versus non‐closure of the visceral and parietal peritoneum at cesarean section: A prospective randomized study
Authors: Anteby Eyal Y. , Kruchkovich Jenya , Kapustian Viki , Gdalevich Michael , Shenhav Simon , Gemer Ofer
Published: November 2009

Aim:  To determine the effect of non‐closure of the visceral and parietal peritoneum during cesarean section on short‐term postoperative morbidity.

Methods:  A prospective randomized trial was conducted of 533 women undergoing primary cesarean section; 277 were randomized to closure and 256 to non‐closure of the peritoneum. Perioperative outcome measures, such as analgesia dosage and morbidly measures were compared.

Results:  There was no significant difference between the non‐closure and closure groups in the mean number of narcotic analgesia doses (1.09 ± 1.2 vs 1.05 ± 1.0, P = 0.63; respectively), mean number of non‐narcotic analgesia doses (4.69 ± 2.7 vs 4.65 ± 2.8, P = 0.89; respectively), number of women with postoperative fever >38°C (18 vs 14, P = 0.37; respectively), number of women with wound infection (29 vs 35, P = 0.54; respectively) and mean number of hospitalization days (4.16 ± 0.91 vs 4.14 ± 0.71, P = 0.78; respectively).

Conclusion:  Closure or non‐closure of the peritoneum at cesarean sections has no significant impact on postoperative analgesic usage and short‐term morbidity.
Rare form of extraovarian peritoneal serous papillary carcinoma with solitary tumor in the abdominal wall: A case report and literature review
Authors: Matsuura Toshiki , Sugihara Kazuhiro , Kohmura Yasuhiro , Sugimura Haruhiko , Kanayama Naohiro
Published: November 2009

Cases of cancer presenting with microscopically confirmed metastatic malignancies for which no primary site can be detected are a challenge to stage clinically. Adenocarcinoma of unknown primary site is a subtype with high frequency that has no standard treatment and a poor prognosis. A 32‐year‐old female was found to have a tumor in the abdominal wall. Tumorectomy was conducted. A pathological examination indicated serous papillary adenocarcinoma, and peritoneal or ovarian cancer was suspected. Exploratory laparotomy and partial resection of the ovaries were carried out, but there were no malignant findings in the peritoneum, ovarian tissue or ascitic fluid. This is an extremely rare case of serous papillary adenocarcinoma with a cystic tumor that was categorized as extraovarian peritoneal serous papillary carcinoma (EPSPC) without other clinical findings.
The role of laparoscopic surgery for the management of acute large bowel obstruction
Authors: Gash K. , Chambers W. , Ghosh A. , Dixon A. R.
Published: November 2009

Aim  The aim of this study was to analyse the outcome of laparoscopic management of large bowel obstruction (LBO).

Method  A prospective electronic database (April 2001–June 2009) was used to identify outcomes in consecutive patients presenting with LBO.

Results  Twenty‐four patients (13 male) median age 68 years (range 56–92 years), ASA grade I (2), II (6), III (14) and IV (2), underwent surgery for LBO secondary to cancer (21) and diverticulosis (3). Supervised trainees performed four operations. Operations included anterior resection (10), Hartmann’s resection (6), right/extended hemicolectomy (7) and colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis (1). The median operating time was 100 min (range 65–180 min). There were two (8%) conversions. The median time to normal diet was 24 h (range 2–192 h) and median hospital stay 3 days (range 1–30 days). Complications, seen in six patients, included atrial fibrillation (2), wound infection (2), ileus (2), CO2 retention (1), stoma necrosis (1), circulatory collapse/bowel ischaemia (1) and anastomotic leak (1). There was one (4%) readmission and two (8%) returns to theatre. One patient died.

Conclusion  Laparoscopic resectional surgery in acute LBO is feasible and safe with a low complication rate that enables early hospital discharge.
Preserving bone health in patients with hormone‐sensitive prostate cancer: the role of bisphosphonates
Authors: Saad Fred , Abrahamsson Per‐Anders , Miller Kurt
Published: November 2009

Men with prostate cancer initiating androgen‐deprivation therapy (ADT) may have multiple factors that threaten their skeletal health, including increased fracture risk from bone loss during ADT and the propensity to develop bone metastases, which may lead to skeletal‐related events (SREs). Bisphosphonates have utility in oncology for patients with bone metastases to prevent bone loss during hormonal therapy and in the benign setting to treat osteoporosis. These agents have an emerging role in patients with hormone‐sensitive prostate cancer (HSPC). Etidronate, alendronate, pamidronate, and zoledronic acid have all shown efficacy in preventing ADT‐related bone loss. Alendronate and zoledronic acid have also been shown to increase bone mineral density vs baseline during ADT. Patients with bone metastases from HSPC who received 4 mg zoledronic acid every 3 or 4 weeks had a low incidence of skeletal complications, although controlled study data have not been reported. Bisphosphonate treatment in men with HSPC may be effective for the prevention of ADT‐related bone loss, underscoring the importance of treating early to avoid SREs and potentially delay disease progression to metastatic bone disease.
Screening for cervical cancer among Israeli lesbian women
Authors: Ben‐Natan M. , Adir O.
Published: November 2009

Background:  The proportion of lesbian women who contract the human papilloma virus may reach 13% or even 21%; however, lesbian women were found to receive Pap smear tests less often or less regularly.

Aim:  To explore factors influencing lesbian women to undergo Pap smear tests and to determine whether the Health Belief Model (HBM) is able to predict whether lesbian women would be willing to undergo the test.

Method:  This is a correlational quantitative study guided by the HBM. A convenience sample of 108 Israeli lesbian women was recruited from local events in the lesbian community in the city of Tel Aviv, Israel. Data were collected using a self‐administered questionnaire.

Findings:  Findings indicate that only 22.2% of the women had undergone Pap smear tests in the past, but a slightly higher proportion, 30.8%, intended to be tested during the next year. Older women were found to be more compliant with the test. Model‐based factors affecting actual testing were perceived benefits and barriers. Factors affecting women's intention to be tested were perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits and general health motivation.

Conclusions:  Effective strategies for nurses promoting cervical cancer screening among lesbians should address ways to improve familiarity with Pap smear tests, raise physicians' awareness of offering the test to lesbians and emphasize the importance of women‐based medical teams.
Jordanian health care providers' perceptions of post‐partum health care
Authors: Khalaf I.A. , Abu‐Moghli F.A. , Callister L.C. , Mahadeen A.I. , Kaawa K. , Zomot A.F.
Published: November 2009

Purpose:  This qualitative descriptive study explored Jordanian health care providers' perceptions of the health care that they provide for post‐partum mothers.

Methods:  Thirty Jordanian health care providers (physicians, nurses and midwives) participated in three focus group discussions. A content analysis approach was used to analyse the data as appropriate for descriptive qualitative inquiry.

Findings:  Health care providers indicated that the care they deliver includes breastfeeding, family planning, childcare and laboratory tests. Health care providers reflected confidence in the care given but indicated the need for continuing education, more resources and expressions of appreciation.

Conclusions:  Findings provide insights into Jordanian health care providers' perspectives on post‐partum health care and emphasized the importance of enhancing utilization of such care in Jordan. It is suggested that the Jordanian Ministry of Health develop a comprehensive plan of educational offerings for providers, with a standardized educational programme for post‐partum women. It is essential that all health care facilities provide high‐quality post‐partum health care that meets the needs of the maternal/infant dyad. Like all qualitative descriptive studies, generalizability of the results may be limited to similar situations and cultures.
Attitudes of nurse professionals and nursing students towards children with disabilities. Do nurses really overcome children's physical and mental handicaps?
Authors: Matziou V. , Galanis P. , Tsoumakas C. , Gymnopoulou E. , Perdikaris P. , Brokalaki H.
Published: November 2009

Background:  Many health professionals and nurses, who are involved in the care of disabled children, do not exhibit the essential sensitivity and appropriate attitudes towards them, resulting in a poor quality of nursing care.

Aim:  The objective of this study was to investigate the attitudes of nurse professionals (paediatric nurses) and nursing students towards disabled children.

Patients and methods:  The present study is a comparative study. The sample consisted of 228 first‐year nursing students, 90 post‐diploma nurses attending MSc degree course and 123 nurse professionals who are employed in paediatric hospitals. After obtaining permission from the hospitals and the educational settings and informing about the subjects of the study, data were collected using the paediatric Attitude Towards Disabled Person Scale (ATDP).

Results:  Overall nurses' attitudes appeared to be poor (mean ATDP score 61.7 ± 14.2). However, the post‐diploma nurses had significantly higher ATDP scores than first‐year students and paediatric nurses (P < 0.001). In addition, first‐year students had significantly higher scores than paediatric nurses (P = 0.047). Across the sample, females hold significantly more positive attitudes than males (F = 9.5, P = 0.002), while age did not have any significant effect.

Conclusions:  Carefully designed curricula can influence the attitudes of nursing students towards children with disabilities. Special courses for treating disabled children should be integrated to the basic nursing studies. Moreover, continuing hospital education can change paediatric nurses' attitudes towards children with disabilities.
Young Syrian adults' knowledge, perceptions and attitudes to premarital testing
Authors: Gharaibeh H. , Mater F. K.
Published: November 2009

Background:  The issue of premarital testing is a controversial and complex issue. Syria is an Islamic country that is moving towards modernization that involves changes in social structures and urbanization of attitudes, beliefs, views and values.

Purpose:  The purpose of this study was to identify young Syrian adults' knowledge, perceptions and attitudes about premarital testing.

Methods:  Descriptive, cross‐sectional design was utilized. The study was conducted at a mid‐sized university in Syria. A stratified simple random sampling was used to recruit the university students in the last 2 years of their graduation. A total of 942 students participated in the study using a questionnaire developed to measure the participants' knowledge, attitudes and perception of premarital testing.

Results:  Although university students had a considerable knowledge of premarital testing, they had a limited knowledge about certain aspects. Moreover, although they had some positive attitudes, they still had negative attitudes and perceptions towards other aspects of premarital testing.

Conclusion and implication:  The study results could assist in the development of health education programmes in Syria and other Arab countries to increase their awareness and influence their attitudes towards premarital testing. The study limitation was that the sample was chosen from one part of Syria.