bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Évaluation de la Psychothérapie de Type RSD : Illustration Par des Cas Cliniques
Authors: Warnery M.
Published: November 2013

L’évaluation des effets de la relaxation envisagée comme psychothérapie à médiation corporelle est une tâche complexe. Il s’agit d’apprécier les interactions et les liens entre corps et psychisme comme les deux pôles d’une seule et même entité. Nous cherchons à estimer un point de départ (le test) et, puisque le thème de notre forum concerne les processus de changement au cours des relaxations psychothérapiques, un point d’évolution (le retest). Nous avons trouvé dans la littérature consacrée au sujet des méthodologies ou des échelles d’évaluation permettant de mesurer des données psychologiques, physiologiques, émotionnelles, comportementales, mentales de la réponse relaxation. L’appréciation se fait majoritairement, sous forme de questionnaire, d’autoquestionnaire ou de monitoring en « bio-feedback ». De plus, en tant que psychomotricienne et thérapeute en relaxation Statico-Dynamique, nous nous sommes particulièrement intéressés à l’évaluation de la proprioception, du schéma corporel, et de la tonicité musculaire en lien avec le facteur émotionnel. Nous avons donc intégré dans notre pratique clinique une évaluation psychomotrice de la relaxation. Nous vous présenterons notre protocole. Puis, nous exposerons les résultats d’évaluations menées auprès de patients suivis en CSAPA (Centre de Soins d’Accompagnement et de Prévention en Addictologie). Nous discuterons des cas cliniques en réfléchissant à la pertinence de notre outil comme indicateur de changement.
Thérapeutiques des états mixtes : de la théorie à la pratique
Authors: Medini F. , Homri W. , Ben Romdhane I. , Belkiria A. , Labbene R.
Published: November 2013

Introduction

les états mixtes se caractérisent par la coexistence de symptômes maniaques et dépressifs au cours du même épisode thymique. En pratique clinique, l’identification de tels états est essentielle.

Objectif

Le but de ce travail est d’évaluer notre pratique clinique en matière de traitement de l’accès mixte et de la comparer aux recommandations internationales.

Matériel et méthodes

Il s’agit d’une étude rétrospective portant sur les dossiers de patients atteints de troubles bipolaires, hospitalisés pour accès mixte dans notre service, au cours de la période allant de août 2009 à janvier 2012.

Résultats

Le sexe ratio était de 0,52 (23 hommes/22 femmes). L’âge moyen de nos patients était de 39,4 ans. Chez la majorité des patients, le traitement de l’épisode mixte reposait sur une association médicamenteuse. les combinaisons prescrites étaient les suivantes : neuroleptique classique (halopéridol) et antiépileptique (acide valoproïque) dans 34 % des cas. Neuroleptique classique (halopéridol) et antiépileptique (carbamézapine) dans 23 % des cas. Antipsychotique atypique (olanzapine) et antiépileptique (acide valoproïque) dans 26 % des cas. Antipsychotique atypique (rispéridone) et antiépileptique (acide valoproïque) dans 7 % des cas.

Discussion

Notre conduite thérapeutique est à première vue, conforme aux recommandations internationales. En effet, la prescription du lithium est déconseillée au cours des épisodes mixtes. les experts privilégient plutôt les antiépileptiques en association aux antipsychotiques atypiques.

Conclusion

La survenue d’épisodes mixtes est souvent associée à une faible réponse au traitement, à une plus grande récurrence des épisodes et à un risque plus élevé de suicide. La reconnaissance de ces états et le recours au traitement approprié sont nécessaires pour améliorer le pronostic de la maladie.
Rhythm and rate control effects of intravenous amiodarone for atrial fibrillation complicated by acutely decompensated heart failure
Authors: Horiuchi Daisuke , Sasaki Shingo , Kinjo Takahiko , Ishida Yuji , Itoh Taihei , Sasaki Kenichi , Owada Shingen , Kimura Masaomi , Okumura Ken
Published: November 2013

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) often occurs in the acute phase of heart failure (AHF), and is usually associated with a rapid ventricular response. No drug with proven efficacy in the treatment of AF in the setting of AHF has been approved in Japan. We prospectively investigated the efficacy and safety of intravenous amiodarone injection in patients with AHF using a unified protocol.

Methods

The study included 20 consecutive patients (15 males; mean age, 67±8 years) admitted for AHF accompanied by AF with rapid ventricular response (mean, 137±15 beats/min). Eleven patients had recent‐onset/transient/paroxysmal AF, and the other 9 had persistent/long‐standing persistent AF. Amiodarone injection was administered for 24 h under continuous ECG monitoring according to a protocol used for ventricular tachyarrhythmias in Japan.

Results

In 10 of the 11 patients with recent‐onset/transient/paroxysmal AF, AF was converted to sinus rhythm at a mean of 5.8 h after initiation of intravenous amiodarone. In these patients, the heart rate during AF was reduced from 132±15 to 101±20 beats/min (P<0.01). Five patients experienced a recurrence of AF during amiodarone administration, with a heart rate of 95±18 beats/min during AF, which was again converted to sinus rhythm in the course of amiodarone administration. AF was not converted to sinus rhythm in the remaining recent‐onset/transient/paroxysmal AF patient and the 9 patients with persistent/long‐standing persistent AF, but a significant reduction in heart rate was noted from 6 h after amiodarone initiation and was maintained during the administration period (141±15 beats/min at baseline and 101±20 at 24 h after administration, P<0.01). No severe adverse events were noted during the intravenous administration of amiodarone.

Conclusions

Intravenous amiodarone seems to be useful and tolerable in the treatment of AF with rapid ventricular response in Japanese patients with AHF while showing rhythm and rate control effects.
A 7000-year record of environmental change, including early farming impact, based on lake-sediment geochemistry and pollen data from County Sligo, western Ireland
Authors: O'Connell Michael , Ghilardi Beatrice , Morrison Liam
Published: November 2013

Detailed, chronologically tightly constrained, lake-sediment-based geochemical and pollen records have enabled local changes in soil erosion, woodland cover and composition, and prehistoric farming impact to be reconstructed in considerable detail. The profile opens shortly after 7800 BC when tall canopy trees were well-established and presumably in equilibrium with their environment. A distinct perturbation that involved an increase in pine and birch, a decrease in oak and a minor opening-up of the woodland is regarded as the local expression of the 8.2 ka climate anomaly. Lack of response in the geochemical erosional indicators is interpreted as evidence for drier conditions. A short-lived, over-compensation in climate recovery followed the 8.2 ka event. Neolithic farming impact is clearly expressed in both the pollen and geochemical data. Both datasets indicate that Neolithic impact was concentrated in the early Neolithic (3715–3440 BC). In the interval 3000–2700 BC there appears to have been a break in farming activity. The pollen data suggest substantially increased farming impact (both arable and pastoral) in the Bronze Age, with maximum farming and woodland clearances taking place in the late Bronze Age (1155–935 BC). These developments are poorly expressed in the geochemical record, possibly due to within-lake changes.
THE LIMITED EFFECTIVENESS OF PRESTIGE AS AN INTERVENTION ON THE HEALTH OF MEDICAL JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS
Authors: Lee Carole J.
Published: November 2013

Under the traditional system of peer-reviewed publication, the degree of prestige conferred to authors by successful publication is tied to the degree of the intellectual rigor of its peer review process: ambitious scientists do well professionally by doing well epistemically. As a result, we should expect journal editors, in their dual role as epistemic evaluators and prestige-allocators, to have the power to motivate improved author behavior through the tightening of publication requirements. Contrary to this expectation, I will argue that the publication bias literature in academic medicine demonstrates that editor interventions have had limited effectiveness in improving the health of the publication and trial registration record, suggesting that much stronger interventions are needed.
Intercultural Universities in Mexico: Identity and Inclusion
Authors: LEHMANN DAVID
Published: November 2013

The purpose of this paper is to explore the ethos ofinterculturalidadin Mexico's recently foundeduniversidades interculturales. On the basis of documentation and interviews with faculty in five universities, institutionalisation of intercultural higher education within the state sector can be seen to have created a space in which the politics of recognition meet the radical ideas of educators in the tradition of constructivism andeducación popular. Intercultural higher education does not select students on the basis of race, but the location of the campuses and the content of courses are designed to attract indigenous students. The introduction of field research early in the undergraduate course should transform the relationship between students and their communities of origin, and prepare them for leadership roles. The article concludes with a critique of what it calls ‘hard’ multiculturalism.
Sense of Coherence and Biopsychosocial Health in Spanish Adolescents
Authors: García-Moya Irene , Moreno Carmen , Rivera Francisco
Published: November 2013

The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of the SOC on the main components of biopsychosocial health separately, thereby contributing to a better understanding of the relationship between the SOC and health in adolescence. The sample consisted of 7,580 Spanish adolescents aged 13 to 18 who had participated in the 2009/10 edition of the WHO international survey Health Behaviour in School-aged Children. Using multivariate analysis of variance, the effects of the SOC and demographic variables (including interaction effects between them) on different health components were analysed. A higher SOC was associated with better self-rated health, lower frequency of somatic and psychological complaints and higher quality of life and life satisfaction. Thus, results support the association between SOC and positive health outcomes, especially for the psychological components of health. In addition, the effect of SOC on the various health components was homogeneous among all of the adolescents, regardless of gender and age.
Nutritional Supplements Usage by Portuguese Athletes
Authors: Sousa Mónica , Fernandes Maria João , Moreira Pedro , Teixeira Vítor Hugo
Published: November 2013

In this study, we determined the prevalence of nutritional supplements (NS) usage, the type of supplements used, the reasons for usage, and the source of nutritional advice among Portuguese athletes. Two hundred ninety-two athletes (68 % male, 12 - 37 years old) from 13 national sports federations completed a questionnaire that sought information on socio-demographics, sports data, and NS usage. Most athletes (66 %) consumed NS, with a median consumption of 4 supplements per athlete. The most popular supplements included multivitamins/minerals (67 %), sport drinks (62 %), and magnesium (53 %). Significant differences for the type of NS consumed were found between gender and age groups and the number of weekly training hours. Most athletes used NS to accelerate recovery (63 %), improve sports performance (62 %), and have more energy/reduce fatigue (60 %). Athletes sought advice on supplementation mainly from physicians (56 %) and coaches (46 %). Age and gender were found to influence reasons for use and the source of information. Reasons for NS usage were supported scientifically in some cases (e. g., muscle gain upon protein supplementation), but others did not have a scientific basis (e. g., use of glutamine and magnesium). Given the high percentage of NS users, there is an urgent need to provide athletes with education and access to scientific and unbiased information, so that athletes can make assertive and rational choices about the utilization of these products.
Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of infrainguinal vein graft stenosis is not a negative predictor for long-term patency
Authors: Prevost Andrea G. , Heller Georg , Odermatt Manfred , Furrer Markus
Published: November 2013

Background: To investigate whether maintenance percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for significant stenosis after infrainguinal bypass grafting affects long-term patency of the bypass grafts in comparison to those not needing intervention. Patients and methods: The cohort includes 141 consecutive patients with 157 infrainguinal vein grafts performed from January 1996 to December 2005. Grafts occluded within three months after operation were excluded. Revascularisations needing maintenance PTA for significant stenoses of graft or adjacent in- or outflow vessels (intervention group, n = 39) were compared to those not needing intervention during follow up (non-intervention group, n = 118). Primary end point was bypass occlusion. Secondary end points were major amputation or death. Long-term patency in the intervention and non-intervention groups was estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves and compared using the Tarone-Ware test. Results: In the intervention group, primary assisted patency rate after 36 and 60 months was 94.1 % and 89.4 %, respectively, whereas in the non-intervention group patency rate was 92.5 % and 91.0 %, respectively (p = 0.644). Comparing the intervention group to the non-intervention group, 1 versus 2 major amputations (p = 0.642) and 14 versus 40 deaths (p = 0.233) occurred. Conclusions: Occurrence of graft stenosis did not decrease long-term patency rate when treated by PTA in comparison to grafts not needing maintenance PTA.
Synthesis of hierarchically structured ZnO nanomaterials via a supercritical assisted solvothermal process
Authors: Wang Meng , Zhao Bin , Xu Shaohong , Lin Lin , Liu Sijun , He Dannong
Published: November 2013

Hierarchically structured ZnO nanomaterials with flower-sheet-particle morphologies were synthesized via a supercritical assisted solvothermal process free from any other auxiliary chemicals.
Muscle disuse atrophy is not accompanied by changes in skeletal muscle satellite cell content
Authors: Snijders Tim , Wall Benjamin T. , Dirks Marlou L. , Senden Joan M. G. , Hartgens Fred , Dolmans John , Losen Mario , Verdijk Lex B. , van Loon Luc J. C.
Published: November 2013

Muscle disuse leads to a considerable loss in skeletal muscle mass and strength. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying disuse-induced muscle fibre atrophy remain to be elucidated. Therefore we assessed the effect of muscle disuse on the CSA (cross-sectional area), muscle fibre size, satellite cell content and associated myocellular signalling pathways of the quadriceps muscle. A total of 12 healthy young (24±1 years of age) men were subjected to 2 weeks of one-legged knee immobilization via a full-leg cast. Before and immediately after the immobilization period and after 6 weeks of natural rehabilitation, muscle strength [1RM (one-repetition maximum)], muscle CSA [single slice CT (computed tomography) scan] and muscle fibre type characteristics (muscle biopsies) were assessed. Protein and/or mRNA expression of key genes [i.e. MYOD (myogenic differentiation), MYOG (myogenin) and MSTN (myostatin)] in the satellite cell regulatory pathways were determined using Western blotting and RT-PCR (real-time PCR) analyses respectively. The present study found that quadriceps CSA declined following immobilization by 8±2% (P<0.05). In agreement, both type I and type II muscle fibre size decreased 7±3% and 13±4% respectively (P<0.05). No changes were observed in satellite cell content following immobilization in either type I or type II muscle fibres. Muscle MYOG mRNA expression doubled (P<0.05), whereas MSTN protein expression decreased 30±9% (P<0.05) following immobilization. Muscle mass and strength returned to the baseline values within 6 weeks of recovery without any specific rehabilitative programme. In conclusion, 2 weeks of muscle disuse leads to considerable loss in skeletal muscle mass and strength. The loss in muscle mass was attributed to both type I and type II muscle fibre atrophy, and was not accompanied by a decline in satellite cell content.
Effects of electrode material and configuration on the characteristics of planar resistive switching devices
Authors: Peng H. Y. , Pu L. , Wu J. C. , Cha D. , Hong J. H. , Lin W. N. , Li Y. Y. , Ding J. F. , David A. , Li K. , Wu T.
Published: November 2013

We report that electrode engineering, particularly tailoring the metal work function, measurement configuration and geometric shape, has significant effects on the bipolar resistive switching (RS) in lateral memory devices based on self-doped SrTiO3 (STO) single crystals. Metals with different work functions (Ti and Pt) and their combinations are used to control the junction transport (either ohmic or Schottky-like). We find that the electric bias is effective in manipulating the concentration of oxygen vacancies at the metal/STO interface, influencing the RS characteristics. Furthermore, we show that the geometric shapes of electrodes (e.g., rectangular, circular, or triangular) affect the electric field distribution at the metal/oxide interface, thus plays an important role in RS. These systematic results suggest that electrode engineering should be deemed as a powerful approach toward controlling and improving the characteristics of RS memories.
Recovery from ultraviolet-induced threshold voltage shift in indium gallium zinc oxide thin film transistors by positive gate bias
Authors: Liu P. , Chen T. P. , Li X. D. , Liu Z. , Wong J. I. , Liu Y. , Leong K. C.
Published: November 2013

The effect of short-duration ultraviolet (UV) exposure on the threshold voltage (Vth) of amorphous indium gallium zinc oxide thin film transistors (TFTs) and its recovery characteristics were investigated. The Vth exhibited a significant negative shift after UV exposure. The Vth instability caused by UV illumination is attributed to the positive charge trapping in the dielectric layer and/or at the channel/dielectric interface. The illuminated devices showed a slow recovery in threshold voltage without external bias. However, an instant recovery can be achieved by the application of positive gate pulses, which is due to the elimination of the positive trapped charges as a result of the presence of a large amount of field-induced electrons in the interface region.
Volatile Ecologies: Towards a Material Politics of Human—Animal Relations
Authors: Barua Maan
Published: November 2013

Political ecology has had a long connection with materials, going back to some of its canonical concerns. Yet materials are rendered inert with no capacity to mobilize political action. Further, the influence of matter in wider ecologies of human–animal cohabitation is poorly acknowledged. This paper examines the role of materials in mediating people's relationships with elephants in rural northeast India. Drawing upon ethnographic research and ethological studies of elephants, the paper shows that human–elephant conflict is not simply a linear outcome of interactions between elephants and people. Materials, in this case alcohol, play a vital role. Alcohol binds people and elephants in unforeseen ways. The sociopolitical outcomes alcohol generates have deep impacts on the livelihoods of the rural poor and the well-being of elephants. This examination of social and political life through concerted interactions between humans, animals, and materials ecologizes politics, making it more attuned to the more-than-human collectivities within which material lives are lived. The paper strives towards a political ecology that is symmetrical and challenges the discipline's humanist focus. It concludes with a discussion of the future implications and potential of this approach.
Arab Springs Making Space: Territoriality and Moral Geographies for Asylum Seekers in Italy
Authors: Garelli Glenda , Tazzioli Martina
Published: November 2013

This paper engages the instabilities of the category of ‘asylum’ looking at Arab Uprisings' mobility to Italy and highlighting the contested encounter between governmental practices in managing asylum seekers and the embodied experiences of mobility from Libya and Tunisia to Italy in 2011–12. Focusing on asylum application processing, our analysis tackles its sorting rationalities (asylum seekers versus irregular migrants, country of birth versus country of refuge), its produced spatialities (processing centers and ‘humanitarian emergency zones’), and its moral predicaments (how vulnerability and protection are put to work). Our aim is to contribute to a political epistemology of asylum whereby asylum's normative instabilities are mobilized to trouble its exclusionary boundaries and the profiling of the refugee as the alter ego figure of the citizen. The paper revolves around four episodes: it opens attending to an epistemological challenge; it stages a critical engagement with the Italian ‘North Africa Emergency’ in the second and third section; finally, it puts this analysis to work on the terrain of a political struggle to demand a right to presence for Libyan war evacuees.
Converting Houses into Churches: The Mobility, Fission, and Sacred Networks of Evangelical House Churches in Sri Lanka
Authors: Woods Orlando
Published: November 2013

In this paper I examine the processes and politics associated with the formation of evangelical house churches in Sri Lanka. In doing so, I show how the sacred space of the house church is constructed through the development of sacred networks, which emerge when a group of Christians assemble for prayer and worship. Sacred networks grant the house church an important degree of mobility, but they also encourage church fission. Whilst the house church enables evangelical groups to grow in hostile environments like that of Sri Lanka, it is often a superficial form of growth that is unsustainable in the long term. To conclude, I suggest that an understanding of sacred networks can help inject a sense of scalar dynamism into the study of contemporary religious movements.
Antibody biomarker discovery through in vitro directed evolution of consensus recognition epitopes
Authors: Ballew John T. , Murray Joseph A. , Collin Pekka , Mäki Markku , Kagnoff Martin F. , Kaukinen Katri , Daugherty Patrick S.
Published: November 2013

Significance

The diagnosis of many diseases is dependent upon accurate detection of particular antibodies present in blood. However, the development of biochemical reagents that can reliably detect these antibodies has proved remarkably challenging. This study describes a process to create biochemical reagents that can accurately and reliably detect disease-associated antibodies, without requiring knowledge of the cause or mechanisms of disease. Simultaneously, this process enabled identification of a critical environmental agent involved in celiac disease. Thus, the process presented here may enable the development of effective diagnostic tests for other medical conditions where such tests are lacking and the identification of environmental factors involved in disease.
tRanslatome: an R/Bioconductor package to portray translational control
Authors: Tebaldi Toma , Dassi Erik , Kostoska Galena , Viero Gabriella , Quattrone Alessandro
Published: November 2013

Summary: High-throughput technologies have led to an explosion of genomic data available for automated analysis. The consequent possibility to simultaneously sample multiple layers of variation along the gene expression flow requires computational methods integrating raw information from different ‘-omics’. It has been recently demonstrated that translational control is a widespread phenomenon, with profound and still underestimated regulation capabilities. Although detecting changes in the levels of total messenger RNAs (mRNAs; the transcriptome), of polysomally loaded mRNAs (the translatome) and of proteins (the proteome) is experimentally feasible in a high-throughput way, the integration of these levels is still far from being robustly approached. Here we introduce tRanslatome, a new R/Bioconductor package, which is a complete platform for the simultaneous pairwise analysis of transcriptome, translatome and proteome data. The package includes most of the available statistical methods developed for the analysis of high-throughput data, allowing the parallel comparison of differentially expressed genes and the corresponding differentially enriched biological themes. Notably, it also enables the prediction of translational regulatory elements on mRNA sequences. The utility of this tool is demonstrated with two case studies.

Availability and implementation: tRanslatome is available in Bioconductor.

Contact: t.tebaldi@unitn.it

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Natural Suppression of Rhizoctonia Bare Patch in a Long-Term No-Till Cropping Systems Experiment
Authors: Schillinger W. F. , Paulitz T. C.
Published: November 2013

The soilborne fungus Rhizoctonia solani AG-8 is a major concern for farmers who practice no-till in the inland Pacific Northwest of the United States. Bare patches caused by Rhizoctonia spp. first appeared in 1999 during year 3 of a 15-year no-till cropping systems experiment near Ritzville, WA (269 mm of annual precipitation). The extent and pattern of patches were mapped each year from 1999 to 2012 at the 8-ha study site with a backpack-mounted global positioning system equipped with mapping software. Bare patches appeared in winter and spring wheat (SW; Triticum aestivum), spring barley (SB; Hordeum vulgare), yellow mustard (Brassica hirta), and safflower (Carthamus tinctorius). At its peak in years 5 to 7, bare patches occupied as much as 18% of total plot area in continuous annual monoculture SW. The area of bare patches began to decline in year 8 and reached near zero levels by year 11. No measurable patches were present in years 12 to 15. Patch area was significantly greater in continuous SW compared with SW grown in a 2-year rotation with SB. Additionally, the 15-year average grain yield for SW in rotation with SB was significantly greater than for continuous SW. Russian thistle (Salsola tragus), a troublesome broadleaf weed with a fast-growing tap root, was the only plant that grew within patches. This article reports the first direct evidence of natural suppression of Rhizoctonia bare patch with long-term no-till in North America. This suppression also developed in a rotation that contained broadleaf crops (yellow mustard and safflower) in all but 5 years of the study, and the suppression was maintained when safflower was added back to the rotation.
Investigation of nerve injury through microfluidic devices
Authors: Siddique Rezina , Thakor Nitish
Published: November 2013

Traumatic injuries, both in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS), can potentially lead to irreversible damage resulting in permanent loss of function. Investigating the complex dynamics involved in these processes may elucidate the biological mechanisms of both nerve degeneration and regeneration, and may potentially lead to the development of new therapies for recovery. A scientific overview on the biological foundations of nerve injury is presented. Differences between nerve regeneration in the central and PNS are discussed. Advances in microtechnology over the past several years have led to the development of invaluable tools that now facilitate investigation of neurobiology at the cellular scale. Microfluidic devices are explored as a means to study nerve injury at the necessary simplification of the cellular level, including those devices aimed at both chemical and physical injury, as well as those that recreate the post-injury environment.
Fitness benefits of low infectivity in a spatially structured population of bacteriophages
Authors: Roychoudhury Pavitra , Shrestha Neelima , Wiss Valorie R. , Krone Stephen M.
Published: November 2013

For a parasite evolving in a spatially structured environment, an evolutionarily advantageous strategy may be to reduce its transmission rate or infectivity. We demonstrate this empirically using bacteriophage (phage) from an evolution experiment where spatial structure was maintained over 550 phage generations on agar plates. We found that a single substitution in the major capsid protein led to slower adsorption of phage to host cells with no change in lysis time or burst size. Plaques formed by phage isolates containing this mutation were not only larger but also contained more phage per unit area. Using a spatially explicit, individual-based model, we showed that when there is a trade-off between adsorption and diffusion (i.e. less ‘sticky’ phage diffuse further), slow adsorption can maximize plaque size, plaque density and overall productivity. These findings suggest that less infective pathogens may have an advantage in spatially structured populations, even when well-mixed models predict that they will not.
Alsobacter metallidurans gen. nov., sp. nov., a thallium-tolerant soil bacterium in the order Rhizobiales
Authors: Bao Zhihua , Sato Yoshinori , Fujimura Reiko , Ohta Hiroyuki
Published: November 2013

A thallium-tolerant, aerobic bacterium, designated strain SK200a-9T, isolated from a garden soil sample was characterized using a polyphasic approach. Comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain SK200a-9Twas affiliated with an uncultivated lineage within theAlphaproteobacteriaand the nearest cultivated neighbours were bacteria in genera in the familyMethylocystaceae(93.3–94.4 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and the familyBeijerinckiaceae(92.3–93.1 %) in the orderRhizobiales. Cells of strain SK200a-9Twere Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, poly-β-hydroxybutyrate-accumulating rods. The strain was a chemo-organotrophic bacterium, which was incapable of growth on C1 substrates. Catalase and oxidase were positive. Atmospheric nitrogen fixation and nitrate reduction were negative. The strain contained ubiquinone Q-10 and cellular fatty acids C18 : 1ω7c, C18 : 0, C16 : 1ω7cand C16 : 0as predominant components. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. The DNA G+C content was 64.8 mol%. On the basis of the information described above, strain SK200a-9Tis considered to represent a novel species of a new genus in the orderRhizobiales, for which the nameAlsobacter metalliduransgen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain ofAlsobacter metalliduransis SK200a-9T( = NBRC 107718T = CGMCC 1.12214T).
Closing the gap by increasing access to clinical dietetic services for urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Authors: Foley Wendy , Houston Annalie
Published: November 2013

Aim

Late in 2010, the dietetic clinic in a Brisbane Indigenous health service increased from one to four days/week. This article presents research to assess the impact of this on access for urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to dietetic services.

Methods

Clinic data on referrals and attendance before and after this change are compared. Focus groups with staff and in‐depth interviews with 13 patients were conducted to ascertain staff and patient experiences of the clinic changes.

Results

The additional time allowed the dietitian to develop a stronger presence in the community and clinic. This ensured that the dietetic service was culturally safe for clients and strengthened team approaches to patient care in the clinic. Despite space limitations, new referrals more than doubled and occasions of service tripled. New patients were more likely to attend an appointment with the dietitian in 2011 than in 2010 (P < 0.001) and the proportion of patients who did not attend appointments without rescheduling decreased significantly (P = 0.006).

Conclusions

Various factors contributed to improved access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to dietetic care. These included fostering the dietitian's cultural awareness and building trust with Indigenous community members, making the dietetic service culturally safe for clients; connecting with patients through appropriate communication styles and inter‐professional teamwork. Providing an expanded and culturally safe dietetic service improved the availability, acceptability and appropriateness for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Fibroblasts from long‐lived species of mammals and birds show delayed, but prolonged, phosphorylation of ERK
Authors: Elbourkadi Najoua , Austad Steven N. , Miller Richard A.
Published: November 2013

Fibroblasts from long‐lived mutant mice show diminished phosphorylation of the stress‐activated protein kinases ERK1/2 after exposure to peroxide, cadmium, or paraquat. We have now evaluated the kinetics of ERK phosphorylation in fibroblasts from long‐lived and short‐lived species of mammals and birds in response to stress by cadmium or hydrogen peroxide. Fibroblasts from the shorter‐lived species of rodents and birds showed rapid induction of ERK phosphorylation, with a decline to basal level within 60 min. In contrast, cells from longer‐lived species showed slower and more prolonged activation of ERK phosphorylation. These results suggest that fibroblasts from long‐lived species may be less susceptible to the early phases of damage from cadmium or peroxide and suggest that altered kinetics of ERK activity may contribute to their stress resistance properties.
Environmental factors selectively impact co‐occurrence of problem/pathological gambling with specific drug‐use disorders in male twins
Authors: Xian Hong , Giddens Justine L. , Scherrer Jeffrey F. , Eisen Seth A. , Potenza Marc N.
Published: November 2013

Aims

Multiple forms of drug abuse/dependence frequently co‐occur with problem/pathological gambling (PPG). The current study examines the extent to which genetic and environmental factors contribute to their co‐occurrence.

Design

Bivariate models investigated the magnitude and correlation of genetic and environmental contributions to problem/pathological gambling and its co‐occurrence with nicotine dependence, cannabis abuse/dependence and stimulant abuse/dependence.

Setting

Computer‐assisted telephone interviews in the community.

Participants

Participants were 7869 male twins in the Vietnam Era Twin Registry, a USA‐based national twin registry.

Measurements

Life‐time DSM‐III‐R diagnoses for problem/pathological gambling, nicotine dependence, cannabis abuse/dependence and stimulant abuse/dependence were determined using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule.

Findings

All drug‐use disorders displayed additive genetic and non‐shared environmental contributions, with cannabis abuse/dependence also displaying shared environmental contributions. Both genetic [genetic correlation rA = 0.22; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.10–0.34] and non‐shared environmental components (environmental correlation rE = 0.24; 95% CI = 0.10–0.37) contributed to the co‐occurrence of problem/pathological gambling and nicotine dependence. This pattern was shared by cannabis abuse/dependence (rA = 0.32; 95% CI = 0.05–1.0; rE = 0.36; 95% CI = 0.16–0.55) but not stimulant abuse/dependence (SAD), which showed only genetic contributions to the co‐occurrence with problem/pathological gambling (rA = 0.58; 95% CI = 0.45–0.73).

Conclusions

Strong links between gambling and stimulant‐use disorders may relate to the neurochemical properties of stimulants or the illicit nature of using ‘hard’ drugs such as cocaine. The greater contribution of environmental factors to the co‐occurrence between problem/pathological gambling and ‘softer’ forms of drug abuse/dependence (cannabis, tobacco) suggest that environmental interventions (perhaps relating to availability and legality) may help to diminish the relationship between problem/pathological gambling and tobacco‐ and cannabis‐use disorders.
Maternal outcome after conservative management of placenta percreta at caesarean section: A report of three cases and a review of the literature
Authors: Pather Selvan , Strockyj Sasha , Richards Antony , Campbell Neil , de Vries Brad , Ogle Robert
Published: November 2013

Retaining the placenta in situ at caesarean section for placenta percreta and awaiting placental reabsorption is widely practiced; however, there is limited evidence on the efficacy and complications of this strategy. We present three cases of placenta percreta managed conservatively and note that all three women experienced significant complications. A review of the literature showed that despite initial conservative management, 40% of women subsequently require emergency hysterectomy and 42% will experience major morbidity.
Routine coagulation assays underestimate levels of antithrombin‐dependent drugs but not of direct anticoagulant drugs in plasma from patients with cirrhosis
Authors: Potze Wilma , Arshad Freeha , Adelmeijer Jelle , Blokzijl Hans , van den Berg Arie P. , Porte Robert J. , Lisman Ton
Published: November 2013

There is increasing recognition that thrombotic complications may occur in patients with cirrhosis, and literature on antithrombotic treatment in these patients is rapidly emerging. Due to extensive haemostatic changes in patients with cirrhosis, careful monitoring of anticoagulant therapy may be required. Recent data suggest that plasma levels of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) are substantially underestimated by the anti‐activated factor X (anti‐Xa) assay in patients with cirrhosis. We studied the in vitro recovery of antithrombin (AT)‐dependent and –independent anticoagulant drugs in plasma from 26 patients with cirrhosis and 30 healthy controls and found substantially reduced anti‐Xa levels when AT‐dependent anticoagulant drugs were added to the plasma of patients with cirrhosis. LMWH (0·2 U/ml) had the poorest recovery in plasma from patients with cirrhosis (0·13 ± 0·06 U/ml, compared to 0·23 ± 0·03 U/ml in controls, P < 0·0001), followed by unfractionated heparin and fondaparinux. In contrast, the recovery of rivaroxaban and dabigatran was identical between patients and controls. These data suggest that the anti‐Xa assay cannot be used to monitor AT‐dependent anticoagulant drugs in patients with cirrhosis, as it substantially underestimates drug levels. The direct factor Xa and IIa inhibitors, however, may be monitored through the respective anti‐Xa and anti‐IIa assays in patients with cirrhosis.
Phase IA/II, multicentre, open‐label study of the CD40 antagonistic monoclonal antibody lucatumumab in adult patients with advanced non‐Hodgkin or Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Fanale Michelle , Assouline Sarit , Kuruvilla John , Solal‐Céligny Philippe , Heo Dae S. , Verhoef Gregor , Corradini Paolo , Abramson Jeremy S. , Offner Fritz , Engert Andreas , Dyer Martin J. S. , Carreon Daniel , Ewald Brett , Baeck Johan , Younes Anas , Freedman Arnold S.
Published: November 2013

Despite advancements in the treatment of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), patients continue to relapse and thus a need for new targeted therapies remains. The CD40 receptor is highly expressed on neoplastic B cells and activation leads to enhanced proliferation and survival. Lucatumumab (HCD122) is a fully human antagonistic CD40 monoclonal antibody. A phase IA/II study was designed to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and activity of lucatumumab in patients with relapsed/refractory lymphoma. Determination of the MTD was the primary objective of the phase IA dose escalation portion and clinical response was the primary objective of the phase II dose expansion portion. Patients received escalating doses of lucatumumab administered intravenously once weekly for 4 weeks of an 8‐week cycle. MTD was determined at 4 mg/kg of lucatumumab. A total of 111 patients with NHL (n = 74) and HL (n = 37) were enrolled. Responses were observed across various lymphoma subtypes. The overall response rate by computed tomography among patients with follicular lymphoma (FL) and marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa‐associated lymphatic tissue (MZL/MALT) was 33·3% and 42·9%, respectively. Lucatumumab demonstrates modest activity in relapsed/refractory patients with advanced lymphoma, suggesting that targeting of CD40 warrants further investigation.
Efficacy of robot‐assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) in advanced bladder cancer: results from the International Radical Cystectomy Consortium (IRCC)
Authors: Al‐Daghmin Ali , Kauffman Eric C. , Shi Yi , Badani Ketan , Balbay M. Derya , Canda Erdem , Dasgupta Prokar , Ghavamian Reza , Grubb Robert , Hemal Ashok , Kaouk Jihad , Kibel Adam S. , Maatman Thomas , Menon Mani , Mottrie Alex , Nepple Kenneth , Pattaras John G. , Peabody James O. , Poulakis Vassilis , Pruthi Raj , Palou Redorta Juan , Rha Koon‐Ho , Richstone Lee , Schanne Francis , Scherr Douglas S. , Siemer Stefan , Stöckle Michael , Wallen Eric M. , Weizer Alon , Wiklund Peter , Wilson Timothy , Wilding Gregory , Woods Michael , Guru Khurshid A.
Published: November 2013

Objective

To characterise the surgical feasibility and outcomes of robot‐assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) for pathological T4 bladder cancer.

Patients and Methods

Retrospective evaluation of a prospectively maintained International Radical Cystectomy Consortium database was conducted for 1118 patients who underwent RARC between 2003 and 2012.

We dichotomised patients based on pathological stage (≤pT3 vs pT4) and evaluated demographic, operative and pathological variables in relation to morbidity and mortality.

Results

In all, 1000 ≤pT3 and 118 pT4 patients were evaluated. The pT4 patients were older than the ≤pT3 patients (P = 0.001).

The median operating time and blood loss were 386 min and 350 mL vs 396 min and 350 mL for p T4 and ≤pT3, respectively.

The complication rate was similar (54% vs 58%; P = 0.64) among ≤pT3 and pT4 patients, respectively. The overall 30‐ and 90‐day mortality rate was 0.4% and 1.8% vs 4.2% and 8.5% for ≤pT3 vs pT4 patients (P < 0.001), respectively.

The body mass index (BMI), American Society of Anesthesiology score, length of hospital stay (LOS) >10 days, and 90‐day readmission were significantly associated with complications in pT4 patients.

Meanwhile, BMI, LOS >10 days, grade 3–5 complications, 90‐day readmission, smoking, previous abdominal surgery and neoadjuvant chemotherapy were significantly associated with mortality in pT4 patients. On multivariate analysis, BMI was an independent predictor of complications in pT4 patients, but not for mortality.

Conclusions

RARC for pT4 bladder cancer is surgically feasible but entails significant morbidity and mortality.

BMI was independent predictor of complications in pT4 patients.
Organ allocation in pediatric renal transplants: is there an optimal donor?
Authors: Pitt Susan C. , Vachharajani Neeta , Doyle Maria B. , Lowell Jeffrey A. , Chapman William C. , Anderson Christopher D. , Shenoy Surendra , Wellen Jason R.
Published: November 2013

The 2005 revised allocation scheme for pediatric renal transplantation made the decision of whether to transplant an available living‐donor (LD) kidney or use a deceased‐donor (DD) kidney controversial. The aim of this study was to examine kidney allograft utilization, sensitization, and outcomes of pediatric transplant recipients. Between January 2000 and December 2009, 91 consecutive pediatric kidney recipients (<20 yr) were transplanted. The LD (n = 38) and DD (n = 53) groups were similar in age, gender, dialysis status at transplant, warm ischemia time, and overall patient survival. LD recipients were more likely to be Caucasian (92 vs. 69%), receive older allografts (39 ± 10 vs. 23 ± 9 yr), and have fewer human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatches (3.3 ± 1.6 vs. 4.4 ± 1.5, p < 0.01 for all). Graft survival at one, three, and five yr post‐transplant was longer for LD recipients (97%, 91%, 87% vs. DD 89%, 79%, 58%, respectively, p < 0.05). At the time of transplant, 17 (33%) DD recipients had an available LD (mean age 40 yr). A greater proportion of all patients were moderately (PRA 21–79%) sensitized post‐transplant (p < 0.05). A multivariable analysis of graft survival indicated that the advantage in LD organs was likely due to fewer HLA mismatched in this group. Nonetheless, LD organs appear to provide optimal outcomes in pediatric renal transplants when considering the risk of becoming sensitized post‐transplant complicating later use of the LD kidney.
Cerebral dysfunction in children: should this be the central tenet for a new system of classification?
Authors: Jacobson Lena
Published: November 2013

This commentary is on the original article by Creavin et al. on pages 164–170 of this issue.
A new approach to develop the Raman carbonaceous material geothermometer for low‐grade metamorphism using peak width
Authors: Kouketsu Yui , Mizukami Tomoyuki , Mori Hiroshi , Endo Shunsuke , Aoya Mutsuki , Hara Hidetoshi , Nakamura Daisuke , Wallis Simon
Published: November 2013

The Raman spectra of carbonaceous material (CM) from 19 metasediment samples collected from six widely separated areas of Southwest Japan and metamorphosed at temperatures from 165 to 655°C show systematic changes with metamorphic temperature that can be classified into four types: low‐grade CM (c. 150–280°C), medium‐grade CM (c. 280–400°C), high‐grade CM (c. 400–650°C), and well‐crystallized graphite (> c. 650°C). The Raman spectra of low‐grade CM exhibit features typical of amorphous carbon, in which several disordered bands (D‐band) appear in the first‐order region. In the Raman spectra of medium‐grade CM, the graphite band (G‐band) can be recognized and several abrupt changes occur in the trends for several band parameters. The observed changes indicate that CM starts to transform from amorphous carbon to crystallized graphite at around 280°C, and this transformation continues until 400°C. The G‐band becomes the most prominent peak at high‐grade CM suggesting that the CM structure is close to that of well‐crystallized graphite. In the highest temperature sample of 655°C, the Raman spectra of CM show a strong G‐band with almost no recognizable D‐band, implying the CM grain is well‐crystallized graphite. In the Raman spectra of low‐ to medium‐grade CM, comparisons of several band parameters with the known metamorphic temperature show inverse correlations between metamorphic temperature and the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the D1‐ and D2‐bands. These correlations are calibrated as new Raman CM geothermometers, applicable in the range of c. 150–400°C. Details of the methodology for peak decomposition of Raman spectra from the low to medium temperature range are also discussed with the aim of establishing a robust and user‐friendly geothermometer.
Mixing medication into foodstuffs: Identifying the issues for paediatric nurses
Authors: Akram Gazala , Mullen Alex B
Published: November 2013

Medication is often mixed into soft foods to aid swallowing in children. However, this can alter the physical/chemical properties of the active drug. This study reports on the prevalence of the modification procedure, the nature of foodstuffs routinely used and factors which influence how the procedure is performed by nurses working in the National Health Service in Scotland. Mixed methods were employed encompassing an online self‐administered questionnaire and semi‐structured interviews. One hundred and eleven nurses participated, of whom 87% had modified medication prior to administration. Fruit juice (diluted and concentrated) and yoghurts were most commonly used. The interviews (i) identified the limitations of the procedure; (ii) explored the decision‐making process; and (iii) confirmed the procedure was a last resort. This study intends to address some of the uncertainty surrounding the medicine modification procedure within the paediatric population.