bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Food Safety, Private Standards Schemes and Trade: The Implications of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act
Authors: Humphrey John
Published: January 2013

Food safety standards for the production of fruit and vegetables that are developed and administered by private sector actors have become a common requirement for producers and exporters of fresh produce in the past two decades. Instead of relying on inspection after produce has been harvested, preventive controls identify sources of food safety risks and introduce procedures to eliminate them or reduce them to acceptable levels. This approach has been criticised for its reliance on controls over the way food is produced and the use of third‐party certification to monitor and enforce compliance. The criticisms frequently imply that public controls over production and trade of fresh produce are less onerous and more science‐based. The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), passed by the US Congress in January 2011, adds a new element to the discussion of private standards. In a radical departure from past practice it introduces mandatory on‐farm preventive controls on US farms for those categories of fresh produce for which the risks to human health from food borne illness outbreaks are considered substantial. Food imported into the United States must be shown to have been produced to an equivalent level of safety, and the responsibility to verify this is placed on food importers. The use of preventive controls backed up by audit and inspection moves US public regulations much closer to the approach used by private standards developers and adopters.

This paper compares and contrasts the development of private standards in Europe and the approach developed by the FSMA. It uses the framework of different regulatory strategies – performance‐based, technology‐based and management based – to analyse the regulatory choices made in both cases and their implications for producers and exporters in developing countries. It argues that the adoption of mandatory on‐farm controls by the FSMA reflects the seriousness of microbial contamination of fresh produce as a food safety risk and the shortcomings of performance‐based regulation. The impacts on exporters will be similar to the impact of private standards. The nature of these impacts will depend, first, upon the choice of on‐farm controls by the FDA for domestic production in the United States and the balance between technology‐based and management‐based regulation. The second factor is how the FDA will determine whether private standards and public regulations in exporting countries provide an equivalent level of safety to that in the US.
Beyond Low and Middle Income Countries: What if There Were Five Clusters of Developing Countries?
Authors: Vázquez Sergio Tezanos , Sumner Andy
Published: January 2013

Many have challenged the use of income per capita as the primary proxy for development. This paper continues this tradition with a twist. The paper challenges the continuing use of income per capita to classify developing countries as low income or middle income now that most of the world's poor no longer live in low income countries (LICs) and ambiguity over the usefulness of the middle income country (MIC) classification given the diversity in the group of over 100 MICs. We use a cluster analysis to identify five types of developing countries using a set of indicators covering definitions of development based on the history of thinking about ‘development’ over the last 50 years from four conceptual frames: development as structural transformation; development as human development; development as democratic participation and good governance; and development as sustainability. We find that the cluster analysis produces five types of developing country using data for the period 2005–2010. Our development taxonomy differs notably from the usual income classification of GNI per capita (Atlas method) used to classify LICs and MICs. Notably many countries commonly labelled “emerging economies” are not in the two clusters related to emerging economies because they retain characteristics of poorer countries.

We find that there is no simple “linear” representation of development levels (from low to high development countries). We find that each development cluster has its own and characteristic development issues. There is no group of countries with the best (or worst) indicators in all development dimensions. It thus would be more appropriate to build “complex” development taxonomies on a five‐year basis than ranking and grouping countries in terms of per capita incomes, as this will offer a more nuanced image of the diversity of challenges of the developing world and policy responses appropriate to different kinds of countries.
Shared Societies and Armed Conflict: Costs, Inequality and the Benefits of Peace
Authors: Justino Patricia
Published: January 2013

This paper examines how the relationship between economic exclusion, inequality, conflict and violence shape the goal of establishing shared societies. The chapter discusses how this impact is largely determined by the emergence and organisation of social and political institutions in areas of violent conflict. Two areas of institutional change are central to understanding the relationship between armed conflict and shared societies. The first is the change caused by armed conflict on social interactions and norms of trust and cooperation. The second is the influence exercised by informal mediators, informal service providers and informal systems of governance – often controlled by non‐state armed actors – that emerge from processes of violence and are prevalent in areas of armed conflict. These forms of institutional transformation are central to understanding how societies may be able to restrict the use of violence as a strategic way of resolving social conflicts and how to transition from violence‐ridden to shared societies.
Security Management in Northern Mali: Criminal Networks and Conflict Resolution Mechanisms
Authors: Sidibé Kalilou
Published: January 2013

The three principle and intertwining security threats in the North of Mali are trafficking (drugs, arms, cigarettes, cars, etc.), rebellious uprisings and terrorist activity. Any attempts at maintaining law and order are undermined by the fragility of state structures, and the lack of equipment and infrastructure for the armed forces. These threats also weaken the socioeconomic fabric of local communities and Malian national and territorial unity.

The Malian government endeavours to address these challenges by adopting and implementing security and anti‐terrorism policies, as well as social and economic development programmes. External partners support the Malian government in its efforts through a variety of joint anti‐terrorism and development policies aiming to strengthen the state's operational capacity in the region. Furthermore, local communities work alongside state actors in the development and securitisation of Northern Mali by employing traditional conflict‐management mechanisms (intercommunity and interclan solidarity systems). This strategy builds strong links that considerably reduce the risk of open conflict and contributes to the establishment of a multilevel shared governance system.
Posthumous sperm utilization in men presenting for sperm banking: an analysis of patient choice
Authors: Pastuszak A. W. , Lai W. S. , Hsieh T.‐C. , Lipshultz L. I.
Published: January 2013

The question remains as to whether or not men would agree to posthumous sperm use for pregnancy initiation. Often, these individuals' lives are suddenly interrupted and prior consent is rarely given. Therefore, post‐mortem retrieval or use of these spermatozoa remains controversial and the incidence of consent for post‐mortem sperm use is not clear. Men who bank spermatozoa, however, represent a cohort that can be examined for frequency of consent for post‐mortem sperm use. We performed a retrospective chart review for 364 patients presenting for sperm banking at a single institution from 2009 to 2011. Banked specimens represented either ejaculated or surgically retrieved spermatozoa. Demographic information was obtained for each patient and men were grouped by reason for sperm banking, relationship and paternity status, and consent for post‐mortem sperm use. The frequency of post‐mortem consent was determined within each group. Men were grouped based on reason for banking, including infertility (‘Infertility’) or malignancy prior to treatment (‘Cancer’). Mean ± SD age of the infertility and cancer groups were 40.1 ± 9.9 years and 27.1  ±  9.6 years, respectively. Of the 364 men, 85.9% provided consent for post‐mortem sperm use. In the infertility group, 87.4% of men consented. Of these, 92.9% men in a relationship and 62.5% single men consented. Regarding paternity status, 64.7% men with and 56.6% men without children consented. Within the cancer cohort, 83.8% men consented. Of men <18 years old and ≥18 years old, 65.2 and 85.8% consented, respectively. Relationship status yielded 93.2% men in relationships and 79.4% single men consenting. Paternity status in the cancer group yielded 95.8% with and 82.4% men without children consenting. In summary, most men presenting for sperm banking provided consent for post‐mortem sperm use, irrespective of reason for banking. Men who are in a relationship or who are fathers were more likely to agree to post‐mortem sperm use.
Seminal, ultrasound and psychobiological parameters correlate with metabolic syndrome in male members of infertile couples
Authors: Lotti F. , Corona G. , Degli Innocenti S. , Filimberti E. , Scognamiglio V. , Vignozzi L. , Forti G. , Maggi M.
Published: January 2013

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a diagnostic category which identifies subjects at high risk for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, erectile dysfunction (ED) and male hypogonadism. However, MetS impact on male infertility has been poorly studied. We systematically evaluated possible associations between MetS and clinical characteristics in men with couple infertility. Out of 367 consecutive subjects, 351 men without genetic abnormalities were studied. MetS was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation&American Heart Association/National Heart,Lung, and Blood Institute classification. All men underwent physical, hormonal, seminal and scrotal ultrasound evaluation. Erectile and ejaculatory functions were assessed by International Index of Erectile Function‐15 erectile function domain (IIEF‐15‐EFD) and Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT), respectively, while psychological symptoms by Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire. Out of 351 patients, 27 (7.7%) fulfilled MetS criteria. Among ultrasound features, in an age‐adjusted logistic model, only testis inhomogeneity was significantly associated with increasing MetS factors (HR = 1.36 [1.09–1.70]; p < 0.01). In an age‐adjusted model, MetS was associated with a stepwise decline in total testosterone (TT) (B = −1.25 ± 0.33; p < 0.0001), without a concomitant rise in gonadotropins. At univariate analysis, progressive motility and normal morphology were negatively related to the number of MetS components (both p < 0.0001), but when age and TT were introduced in a multivariate model, only sperm morphology retained a significant association (B = −1.418 ± 0.42; p = 0.001). The risk of ED (IIEF‐15‐EFD score <26) increased as a function of the number of MetS factors, even after adjusting for age and TT (HR = 1.45[1.08–1.95]; p < 0.02). No association between PEDT score and MetS was observed. Finally, after adjusting for age and TT, somatization and depressive symptoms were associated with increasing MetS components (B = 0.66 ± 0.03, p < 0.05; B = 0.69 ± 0.03, p < 0.02; respectively). In conclusion, in men with couple infertility, MetS is associated with hypogonadism, poor sperm morphology, testis ultrasound inhomogeneity, ED, somatization and depression. Recognizing MetS could help patients to improve not only fertility but also sexual and overall health.
Sexual intercourse with leukocytospermic men may be a possible booster of oxidative stress in female partners of infertile couples
Authors: Mändar R. , Kullisaar T. , Borovkova N. , Punab M.
Published: January 2013

Human semen has undoubtedly significant influence on the organism of the female counterpart. At the same time there are no studies in English literature investigating the influence of sexual intercourse on oxidative stress level in women's organism. Seventeen infertile couples where male partners were with (n = 5) or without (n = 12) leukocytospermia were enrolled in the study. Systemic oxidative stress levels were measured, whereby twice in female partners – before and 8–12 h after sexual intercourse. The men with leukocytospermia were characterized by oxidative stress that was substantially transferred to their partners during sexual intercourse as revealed by increase in 8‐isoprostanes level (median 32.7 vs. 70.4 ng/mmol creatinine, p = 0.006). Sexual intercourse with male partner having leukocytospermia increases the oxidative stress level in the women's organism that may interfere with fertilization.
A guanidinylated bioreducible polymer as a novel gene carrier to the corpus cavernosum of mice with high‐cholesterol diet‐induced erectile dysfunction
Authors: Ryu J.‐K. , Choi M. J. , Kim T.‐I. , Jin H.‐R. , Kwon K.‐D. , Batbold D. , Song K.‐M. , Kwon M.‐H. , Yin G. N. , Lee M. , Kim S. W. , Suh J.‐K.
Published: January 2013

A prerequisite for the successful clinical application of gene therapy in erectile dysfunction (ED) is the availability of safe and efficient gene delivery systems. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of guanidinylated bioreducible polymer (GBP) polyplexes for gene delivery systems, which take advantage of the biodegradability of reducible disulfide bonds and the cell‐penetrating ability of guanidine groups. For in vitro transfection experiments, we used mouse cavernous endothelial cells and A7r5 rat vascular smooth muscle cells. For in vivo experiments, we used a mouse model of hypercholesterolaemic ED in which 2‐month‐old male C57BL/6 mice were fed a diet containing 4% cholesterol and 1% cholic acid for 3 months. Animals or cells were treated with pCMV‐Luc, poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI)25k/pCMV‐Luc polyplex (weight ratio: 1) and GBP/pCMV‐Luc polyplexes (weight ratio: 20, 40, 60 and 80). Gene expression was evaluated by luciferase assay, and the gene expression area was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. GBP had greater transfection efficiency as the weight ratio increased. GBP had sevenfold higher gene delivery efficiency in A7r5 cells at a weight ratio of 80 than did PEI25k. Moreover, the gene expression was more profoundly induced by GBP/pCMV‐Luc than by pCMV‐Luc in both the corpus cavernosum tissue of hypercholesterolaemic mice and in mouse cavernous endothelial cells, although the expression levels induced by the GBP gene delivery system were lower than those induced by the PEI25k gene delivery system. GBP revealed no considerable cytotoxicity to A7r5 cells and mouse cavernous endothelial cells (relative cell viability: 95 and 88% respectively), whereas PEI25k resulted in high cytotoxicity. Interestingly, immunofluorescent double staining revealed that luciferase expression induced by the GBP polyplex mainly overlapped with cavernous endothelial cells, but rarely with smooth muscle cells. The GBP‐based non‐viral gene expression system may be useful for the development of gene therapy in vasculogenic ED.
The relationships between communication, care and time are intertwined: a narrative inquiry exploring the impact of time on registered nurses' work
Authors: Chan Engle Angela , Jones Aled , Wong Kitty
Published: January 2013

Aim

To report a qualitative study which explores registered nurses' views on the issue of time in the workplace.

Background

There is a worldwide shortage of healthcare workers, subsequently time as a healthcare resource is both finite and scarce. As a result, increased attention is being paid to the restructuring of nursing work. However, the experience of time passing is a subjective one and there exists little research which, over a prolonged period of time, describes nurses' experiences of working in time‐pressurized environments.

Design

A narrative inquiry.

Method

Five registered nurses were individually interviewed a total of three times over a period of 12 months, amounting to a total of 15 interviews and 30 hours of data. Data were collected and analysed following a narrative enquiry approach during the period 2008–2010.

Findings

Participants describe how attempts to work more effectively sometimes resulted in unintended negative consequences for patient care and how time pressure encourages collegiality amongst nurses. Furthermore, the registered nurses' account of how they opportunistically create time for communication with patients compels us to re‐evaluate the nature of communication during procedural nursing care.

Conclusion

Increasingly nursing work is translated into quantitative data or metrics. This is an inescapable development which seeks to enhance understanding of nursing work. However, qualitative research may also offer a useful approach which captures the otherwise hidden, subjective experiences associated with time and work. Such data can exist alongside nursing metrics, and together these can build a better and more nuanced consideration of nursing practice.
Adjunctive Renal Sympathetic Denervation to Modify Hypertension as Upstream Therapy in the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation (H‐FIB) Study: Clinical Background and Study Design
Authors: AHMED HUMERA , MILLER MARC A. , DUKKIPATI SRINIVAS R. , CAMMACK SAM , KORUTH JACOB S. , GANGIREDDY SANDEEP , ELLSWORTH BETSY A. , D'AVILA ANDRE , DOMANSKI MICHAEL , GELIJNS ANNETINE C. , MOSKOWITZ ALAN , REDDY VIVEK Y.
Published: January 2013

Adjunctive Renal Sympathetic Denervation to Modify Hypertension

Background

Hypertension is the most important risk factor directly attributable to the high prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF), and is one of the few modifiable risk factors for AF. Activation and overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of both essential hypertension and AF. Catheter‐based renal sympathetic denervation (RSDN) appears to be an effective adjunctive treatment for refractory hypertension, and may be beneficial in other conditions characterized by SNS overactivity, such as left ventricular hypertrophy and atrial arrhythmias.

Objective

The H‐FIB study is a multicenter prospective, double‐blind, randomized (1:1) controlled trial. The primary efficacy endpoint is antiarrhythmic drug‐free freedom from AF recurrence through 12 months.

Methods

Patients with a history of significant hypertension who are receiving treatment with at least one antihypertensive agent who are planned for a first time ablation for symptomatic paroxysmal or persistent AF will be randomized to either AF ablation alone (control group) or AF ablation + RSDN (study group).

Conclusions

H‐FIB is a multicenter, randomized trial that will test the hypothesis that adjunctive renal sympathetic denervation, at the time of AF ablation, will increase the freedom from recurrent AF.
Endocardial Electrogram Characteristics of Epicardial Ventricular Arrhythmias
Authors: TZOU WENDY S. , NGUYEN DUY T. , ALEONG RYAN G. , VAROSY PAUL D. , KATZ DAVID F. , HEATH RUSSELL R. , SCHULLER JOSEPH L. , LOWERY CHRISTOPHER M. , LEWKOWIEZ LAURENT , SAUER WILLIAM H.
Published: January 2013

Endocardial Electrograms in Epicardial VT/PVCs

Introduction

While most ventricular arrhythmias (VA) can be ablated successfully using an endocardial (endo) approach, epicardial (epi) mapping and ablation is sometimes required. There may be suggestive clues on the surface electrocardiogram; however, identification of an epi origin of VA with certainty remains problematic.

Methods and Results

All patients referred for ablation of ventricular tachycardia or frequent ventricular ectopy from June 2007 to July 2011 were evaluated. Patients with completed endo and epi electroanatomical activation maps of an epi VA were included (n = 10). Bipolar electrograms (EGMs) in the area of earliest endo activation were analyzed and compared to the area of early epi activation. An EGM component was characterized as far field if it was monophasic and there was inability to capture. We identified 3 characteristics from endo mapping that consistently indicated need for epi ablation: (1) Diffusely early activation (>2 cm2 region of sites with equally earliest activation within 10 milliseconds). (2) Sequence of a far‐field EGM followed by a near‐field EGM in the region of earliest endo activation. (3) Inability to capture the far‐field component of the earliest EGM (stim‐QRS < egm‐QRS time) or reproduce morphological features of the VA complex with stimulation at the earliest endo site of activation.

Conclusions

The presence of a diffusely early area of activation and inability to capture a far‐field endo EGM indicates that epi ablation may be needed to eliminate a VA.
ASH Position Paper: Evaluation and Treatment of Orthostatic Hypotension
Authors: Shibao Cyndya , Lipsitz Lewis Arnold , Biaggioni Italo
Published: January 2013

This paper provides recommendations on the treatment of orthostatic hypotension (OH) as reviewed by the American Society of Hypertension. It focuses on recent reports on the evaluation and management of OH and provides practical advice for clinicians on how to screen, diagnose, and treat patients using behavioral, nonpharmacologic, and pharmacologic strategies. The authors also provide a stepwise approach on how to apply new findings to successfully control OH and reduce the risk of syncope and falls in these patients. Treatment of OH is also discussed in special situations such as in hypertensive and hospitalized patients. It should be noted, however, that research in this area is mostly limited to studies in small numbers of patients. Unfortunately, the trials of the type needed to develop evidence‐based guidelines are not available for this condition.
A Novel Alveolate in Bivalves with Chemosynthetic Bacteria Inhabiting Deep‐Sea Methane Seeps
Authors: Noguchi Fumiya , Kawato Masaru , Yoshida Takao , Fujiwara Yoshihiro , Fujikura Katsunori , Takishita Kiyotaka
Published: January 2013

It has recently been unveiled that a wide variety of microbial eukaryotes (protists) occur in chemosynthetic ecosystems, such as hydrothermal vents and methane seeps. However, there is little knowledge regarding protists associated with endemic animals inhabiting these environments. In the present study, utilizing PCR techniques, we detected fragments of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (SSU rRNA gene) from a particular protist from gill tissues of a significant fraction of the vesicomyid clams Calyptogena soyoae and C. okutanii complex and of the mussel Bathymodiolus platifrons and B. japonicus, all of which harbor chemosynthetic endosymbiont bacteria and dominate methane seeps in Sagami Bay, Japan. Based on the phylogeny of SSU rRNA gene, the organism in question was shown to belong to Alveolata. It is noteworthy that this protist did not affiliate with any known alveolate group, although being deeply branched within the lineage of Syndiniales, for which the monophyly was constantly recovered, but not robustly supported. In addition, the protist detected using PCR followed by sequencing was localized within gill epithelial cells of B. platifrons with whole‐mount fluorescence in situ hybridization. This protist may be an endoparasite or an endocommensal of Calyptogena spp. and Bathymodiolus spp., and possibly have physiological and ecological impacts on these bivalves.
Effects of dietary supplementation of citrus by‐products fermented with a probiotic microbe on growth performance, innate immunity and disease resistance against Edwardsiella tarda in juvenile olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus (Temminck & Schlegel)
Authors: Lee B‐J , Kim S‐S , Song J‐W , Oh D‐H , Cha J‐H , Jeong J‐B , Heo M‐S , Kim K‐W , Lee K‐J
Published: January 2013

Two consecutive studies were conducted to evaluate the dietary supplementation of citrus by‐products (CB) fermented with probiotic bacteria on growth performance, feed utilization, innate immune responses and disease resistance of juvenile olive flounder. In Experiment I, five diets were formulated to contain 0% (control) or 3% four different CB fermented with Bacillus subtilis (BS), Enterococcus faecium (EF), Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LR) and L. plantarum (LP) (designated as CON, CBF‐BS, CBF‐EF, CBF‐LR and CBF‐LP, respectively). During 10 weeks of a feeding trial, growth performance and feed efficiency were not significantly different among all the fish groups. However, fish fed CBF containing diets had significantly higher survivals than the CON group. Disease resistance of fish against Edwardsiella tarda was increased by the fermentation of CB. In Experiment II, we chose the BS as a promising probiotic and formulated five diets to contain 0%, 2%, 4%, 6% and 8% CBF‐BS. Growth performance was not significantly affected by the CBF‐BS supplementation during 6 weeks of a feeding trial. Innate immunity of fish was significantly enhanced by CBF‐BS supplementation. Myeloperoxidase and lysozyme activities were increased in a dose‐dependent manner by dietary CBF‐BS inclusions. In a consecutive challenge test against E. tarda, an increased disease resistance was found by CBF‐BS supplementation. These studies indicate that the fermentation process of CB with probiotic has beneficial effects on innate immunity and thereby increases disease resistance of olive flounder against E. tarda. Bacillus subtilis can be used as a promising probiotic microbe for by‐product fermentation in fish feeds.
Sea lice monitoring on Atlantic salmon farms in New Brunswick, Canada: comparing audit and farm staff counts
Authors: Elmoslemany A , Whyte S K , Revie C W , Hammell K L
Published: January 2013

Sea lice audits were performed by the Atlantic Veterinary College on commercial aquaculture sites in New Brunswick, Canada, in 2011. Although the primary objective was to verify that farms were reporting similar lice counts to third‐party counts, more detailed comparisons were made to identify when lice counts were more likely to differ between the audit team and farm employees. A total of 28 sea lice audits were conducted on 16 sites between June and December 2011. During each audit, 10 cages were evaluated per site where possible, with ten fish per cage being evaluated by an audit technician and a further ten by a farm employee. Data analysis included descriptive statistics of lice counts by stage and limits of agreement plots. A random effects negative binomial model that accounted for clustering of cages within sites was applied to assess the effect of counter type and season on lice counts by stage. The results indicate that farms counts were generally in agreement with audit counts. However, when the average counts for chalimus and preadult (male and female) and adult male lice stages were high, farm counters were more likely to report a lower value. Higher lice counts were observed during autumn compared to summer especially for the adult female stage. Finally, there was a significant clustering effect for site and cage, with most of the variation attributable to site.
Impact of early salmon louse, Lepeophtheirus salmonis, infestation and differences in survival and marine growth of sea‐ranched Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., smolts 1997–2009
Authors: Skilbrei O T , Finstad B , Urdal K , Bakke G , Kroglund F , Strand R
Published: January 2013

The impact of salmon lice on the survival of migrating Atlantic salmon smolts was studied by comparing the adult returns of sea‐ranched smolts treated for sea lice using emamectin benzoate or substance EX with untreated control groups in the River Dale in western Norway. A total of 143 500 smolts were released in 35 release groups in freshwater from 1997 to 2009 and in the fjord system from 2007 to 2009. The adult recaptures declined gradually with release year and reached minimum levels in 2007. This development corresponded with poor marine growth and increased age at maturity of ranched salmon and in three monitored salmon populations and indicated unfavourable conditions in the Norwegian Sea. The recapture rate of treated smolts was significantly higher than the controls in three of the releases performed: the only release in 1997, one of three in 2002 and the only group released in sea water in 2007. The effect of treating the smolts against salmon lice was smaller than the variability in return rates between release groups, and much smaller that variability between release years, but its overall contribution was still significant (P < 0.05) and equivalent to an odds ratio of the probability of being recaptured of 1.17 in favour of the treated smolts. Control fish also tended to be smaller as grilse (P = 0.057), possibly due to a sublethal effect of salmon lice.
Salmon lice – impact on wild salmonids and salmon aquaculture
Authors: Torrissen O , Jones S , Asche F , Guttormsen A , Skilbrei O T , Nilsen F , Horsberg T E , Jackson D
Published: January 2013

Salmon lice,Lepeophtheirus salmonis, are naturally occurring parasites of salmon in sea water. Intensive salmon farming provides better conditions for parasite growth and transmission compared with natural conditions, creating problems for both the salmon farming industry and, under certain conditions, wild salmonids. Salmon lice originating from farms negatively impact wild stocks of salmonids, although the extent of the impact is a matter of debate. Estimates from Ireland and Norway indicate an odds ratio of 1.1:1‐1.2:1 for sea lice treated Atlantic salmon smolt to survive sea migration compared to untreated smolts. This is considered to have a moderate population regulatory effect. The development of resistance against drugs most commonly used to treat salmon lice is a serious concern for both wild and farmed fish. Several large initiatives have been taken to encourage the development of new strategies, such as vaccines and novel drugs, for the treatment or removal of salmon lice from farmed fish. The newly sequenced salmon louse genome will be an important tool in this work. The use of cleaner fish has emerged as a robust method for controlling salmon lice, and aquaculture production of wrasse is important towards this aim. Salmon lice have large economic consequences for the salmon industry, both as direct costs for the prevention and treatment, but also indirectly through negative public opinion.
Subepithelial connective tissue graft with or without enamel matrix derivative for the treatment of Miller class I and II gingival recessions: a controlled randomized clinical trial
Authors: Roman A. , Soancă A. , Kasaj A. , Stratul S.‐I.
Published: January 2013

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the combination of enamel matrix derivative (EMD) with subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) plus coronally advanced flap (CAF) would improve the treatment outcomes of Miller class I and II gingival recessions when compared with the same technique (SCTG plus CAF) alone.

Methods

The study was designed as a randomized, parallel, controlled, double‐blinded clinical trial. Forty‐two patients were randomly assigned in the test group (SCTG plus EMD) and in the control group (SCTG). Patients had at least one gingival recession ≥ 2 mm. The clinical parameters were evaluated at baseline and at 14 d, 1, 3, 6 and 12 mo follow‐up time points.

Results

Forty‐two patients, 21 in the test group (SCTG plus EMD) and 21 in the control group (SCTG), aged 21–48 years (mean age 31 ± 8.56) were initially included in the study. Both treatments, STCG plus EMD and SCTG, resulted in a significant final mean root coverage (2.91 ± 0.95mm and 2.91 ± 1.29 mm, respectively) (p < 0.001) and in a high mean percentage of root coverage (82.25 ± 22.20% and 89.75 ± 17.33%, respectively) (p < 0.001), 1 year after surgery. The differences in mean root coverage recorded for the two techniques after 1 year, were not statistically significant (p = 0.19). Complete root coverage was achieved in 56.5% of patients treated with SCTG plus EMD and in 70.6% of patients treated with SCTG (p = 0.275), 1 year after treatment.

Conclusions

The present study failed to demonstrate any additional clinical benefits when EMD was added to SCTG plus CAF.
Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy using a diode laser with a potential new photosensitizer, indocyanine green‐loaded nanospheres, may be effective for the clearance of Porphyromonas gingivalis
Authors: Nagahara A. , Mitani A. , Fukuda M. , Yamamoto H. , Tahara K. , Morita I. , Ting C.‐C. , Watanabe T. , Fujimura T. , Osawa K. , Sato S. , Takahashi S. , Iwamura Y. , Kuroyanagi T. , Kawashima Y. , Noguchi T.
Published: January 2013

Background

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is a new treatment method for the removal of infectious pathogens using a photosensitizer and light of a specific wavelength, e.g., toluidine blue with a wavelength of about 600 nm. We explored a new photosensitizer and focused on indocyanine green (ICG), which has high absorption at a wavelength of 800–805 nm. We investigated the bactericidal effect of PDT on Porphyromonas gingivalis using a new photosensitizer, ICG‐loaded nanospheres with an 805 nm wavelength low‐level diode laser irradiation.

Methods

We designed ICG‐loaded nanospheres coated with chitosan (ICG‐Nano/c) as a photosensitizer. A solution containing Porphyromonas gingivalis (108 CFU/mL) with or without ICG‐Nano/c (or ICG) was prepared and irradiated with a diode laser or without laser irradiation as a negative control. The irradiation settings were 0.5 W with a duty ratio of 10%, for 3–100 ms in repeated pulse (RPT) or continuous wave mode. CFU were counted after 7 d of anaerobic culture.

Results

We observed that ICG‐Nano/c could adhere to the surface of P. gingivalis. When ICG‐Nano/c was used for aPDT, irradiation with RPT 100 ms mode gave the lowest increase in temperature. Laser irradiation with ICG‐Nano/c significantly reduced the number of P. gingivalis (i.e., approximately 2‐log10 bacterial killing). The greatest bactericidal effect was found in the RPT 100 ms group. However, laser irradiation (RPT 100 ms) with ICG, as well as without photosensitizer, had no effect on the number of bacteria.

Conclusions

Within the limits of this study, ICG‐Nano/c with low‐level diode laser (0.5 W; 805 nm) irradiation showed an aPDT‐like effect, which might be useful for a potential photodynamic periodontal therapy.
Active and passive smoking and prevalence of periodontal disease in young Japanese women
Authors: Tanaka K. , Miyake Y. , Hanioka T. , Arakawa M.
Published: January 2013

Background and Objective

Studies reporting on the association between smoking and periodontal disease have mostly focused on active smoking. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between active smoking and exposure to second‐hand smoke at home and at work and the prevalence of periodontal disease among young Japanese women.

Material and methods

Study subjects were 1167 postpartum women with a mean age of 31.5 years. Information on smoking and potential confounding factors was obtained through a self‐administered questionnaire. Partial‐mouth recording was used to determine probing pocket depth at six sites per tooth for six teeth in the mouth. Periodontal disease was defined as positive if a woman had at least one tooth with a probing pocket depth of 3.5 mm or deeper. Adjustment was made for age, region of residence, household income, education, toothbrushing frequency and use of an interdental brush.

Results

Compared with never smoking, ever smoking was independently positively associated with the prevalence of periodontal disease: the adjusted odds ratio was 1.56 (95% confidence interval: 1.02–2.36). There was a marginally significant positive dose–response relationship between pack‐years of smoking and the prevalence of periodontal disease (p for linear trend = 0.08). No material associations were observed between second‐hand smoke exposure at home or at work and periodontal disease.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that active smoking, but not passive smoking, might be associated with an increased prevalence of periodontal disease among young women in Japan.
Mature male parr contribution to the effective size of an anadromous Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) population over 30 years
Authors: Johnstone Devon L. , O'Connell Michael F. , Palstra Friso P. , Ruzzante Daniel E.
Published: January 2013

We describe temporal changes in the genetic composition of a small anadromous Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) population from South Newfoundland, an area where salmon populations are considered threatened (COSEWIC 2010). We examined the genetic variability (13 microsatellite loci) in 869 out‐migrating smolt and post‐spawning kelt samples, collected from 1985 to 2011 for a total of 22 annual collections and a 30 year span of assigned cohorts. We estimated the annual effective number of breeders (Nb) and the generational effective population size (Ne) through genetic methods and demographically using the adult sex ratio. Comparisons between genetic and demographic estimates show that the adult spawners inadequately explain the observed Ne estimates, suggesting that mature male parr are significantly increasing Nb and Ne over the study period. Spawning as parr appears to be a viable and important strategy in the near absence of adult males.
Transcriptomic responses to ocean acidification in larval sea urchins from a naturally variable pH environment
Authors: Evans Tyler G. , Chan Francis , Menge Bruce A. , Hofmann Gretchen E.
Published: January 2013

Some marine ecosystems already experience natural declines in pH approximating those predicted with future anthropogenic ocean acidification (OA), the decline in seawater pH caused by the absorption of atmospheric CO2. The molecular mechanisms that allow organisms to inhabit these low pH environments, particularly those building calcium carbonate skeletons, are unknown. Also uncertain is whether an enhanced capacity to cope with present day pH variation will confer resistance to future OA. To address these issues, we monitored natural pH dynamics within an intertidal habitat in the Northeast Pacific, demonstrating that upwelling exposes resident species to pH regimes not predicted to occur elsewhere until 2100. Next, we cultured the progeny of adult purple sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) collected from this region in CO2‐acidified seawater representing present day and near future ocean scenarios and monitored gene expression using transcriptomics. We hypothesized that persistent exposure to upwelling during evolutionary history will have selected for increased pH tolerance in this population and that their transcriptomic response to low pH seawater would provide insight into mechanisms underlying pH tolerance in a calcifying species. Resulting expression patterns revealed two important trends. Firstly, S. purpuratus larvae may alter the bioavailability of calcium and adjust skeletogenic pathways to sustain calcification in a low pH ocean. Secondly, larvae use different strategies for coping with different magnitudes of pH stress: initiating a robust transcriptional response to present day pH regimes but a muted response to near future conditions. Thus, an enhanced capacity to cope with present day pH variation may not translate into success in future oceans.
CDKN2A deletion in pediatric versus adult glioblastomas and predictive value of p16 immunohistochemistry
Authors: Purkait Suvendu , Jha Prerana , Sharma Mehar Chand , Suri Vaishali , Sharma Manish , Kale Shashank Sharad , Sarkar Chitra
Published: January 2013

Cell cycle regulator genes are major target of mutation in many human malignancies including glioblastomas (GBMs). CDKN2A is one such tumor suppressor gene which encodes p16INK4a protein and serves as an inhibitor of cell cycle progression. Very few studies are available regarding the association of CDKN2A deletion with p16 protein expression in GBMs. There is limited data on the frequency of CDKN2A deletion in different age groups. The aim of the present study was to analyze the frequency of CDKN2A gene deletions in GBM and correlate CDKN2A deletional status with (i) age of the patient (ii) p16 protein expression and (iii) other genetic alterations, namely EGFR amplification and TP53 mutation. A combined retrospective and prospective study was conducted. Sixty seven cases were included. The patients were grouped into pediatric (≤18 years), young adults (19‐40 years) and older adults (>40 years). CDKN2A and EGFR status were assessed by Fluorescence in situ Hybridization.TP53 mutation was analyzed by PCR based method. p16 expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry. CDKN2A deletion was noted in 40.3% cases of GBM with majority being homozygous deletion (74%). It was commoner in primary GBMs (65.8%) and cases with EGFR amplification (50%). A variable frequency of CDKN2A was observed in older adults (42.3%), young adults (44%), and pediatric patients (31.25%). The difference however was not statistically significant. There was statistically significant association between CDKN2A deletion and p16 immunonegativity with a high negative predictive value of immunohistochemistry.
Correlations between physical and chemical defences in plants: tradeoffs, syndromes, or just many different ways to skin a herbivorous cat?
Authors: Moles Angela T. , Peco Begoña , Wallis Ian R. , Foley William J. , Poore Alistair G. B. , Seabloom Eric W. , Vesk Peter A. , Bisigato Alejandro J. , Cella‐Pizarro Lucrecia , Clark Connie J. , Cohen Philippe S. , Cornwell William K. , Edwards Will , Ejrnæs Rasmus , Gonzales‐Ojeda Therany , Graae Bente J. , Hay Gregory , Lumbwe Fainess C. , Magaña‐Rodríguez Benjamín , Moore Ben D. , Peri Pablo L. , Poulsen John R. , Stegen James C. , Veldtman Ruan , von Zeipel Hugo , Andrew Nigel R. , Boulter Sarah L. , Borer Elizabeth T. , Cornelissen Johannes H. C. , Farji‐Brener Alejandro G. , DeGabriel Jane L. , Jurado Enrique , Kyhn Line A. , Low Bill , Mulder Christa P. H. , Reardon‐Smith Kathryn , Rodríguez‐Velázquez Jorge , De Fortier An , Zheng Zheng , Blendinger Pedro G. , Enquist Brian J. , Facelli Jose M. , Knight Tiffany , Majer Jonathan D. , Martínez‐Ramos Miguel , McQuillan Peter , Hui Francis K. C.
Published: January 2013

Most plant species have a range of traits that deter herbivores. However, understanding of how different defences are related to one another is surprisingly weak. Many authors argue that defence traits trade off against one another, while others argue that they form coordinated defence syndromes.

We collected a dataset of unprecedented taxonomic and geographic scope (261 species spanning 80 families, from 75 sites across the globe) to investigate relationships among four chemical and six physical defences.

Five of the 45 pairwise correlations between defence traits were significant and three of these were tradeoffs. The relationship between species’ overall chemical and physical defence levels was marginally nonsignificant (P = 0.08), and remained nonsignificant after accounting for phylogeny, growth form and abundance. Neither categorical principal component analysis (PCA) nor hierarchical cluster analysis supported the idea that species displayed defence syndromes.

Our results do not support arguments for tradeoffs or for coordinated defence syndromes. Rather, plants display a range of combinations of defence traits. We suggest this lack of consistent defence syndromes may be adaptive, resulting from selective pressure to deploy a different combination of defences to coexisting species.
Morbidity and outcome of severe respiratory syncytial virus infection
Authors: El Kholy Amani A. , Mostafa Nadia A. , El‐Sherbini Seham A. , Ali Aliaa A. , Ismail Reem I. , Magdy Rania I. , Hamdy Mona S. , Soliman May S.
Published: January 2013

Background

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the main cause of severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) in infants and young children. This study aimed to identify risk factors for intensive care unit (ICU) admission, prolonged length of stay (PLOS), and mortality in patients hospitalized with SARI caused by RSV.

Methods

This prospective cohort study included children hospitalized with SARI (according to the World Health Organization definition) and whose laboratory results proved RSV infection during the period from February 2010 to May 2011.

Results

Out of 240 enrolled patients, 24 patients (10%) were admitted to the ICU, 57 patients (24.3%) had a PLOS of >9 days and 12 patients (5%) died. The presence of cyanosis (P = 0.000; OR, 351.7) and lung consolidation (P = 0.006, OR, 9.3) were independent risk factors associated with ICU admission. The need for ICU admission (P = 0.000; OR, 6.1) and lung consolidation (P = 0.008, OR, 2.46) were independent risk factors associated with PLOS. The presence of an underlying congenital heart disease (P = 0.03, OR, 18.3), thrombocytopenia (P = 0.04, OR, 32.86) and mechanical ventilation (P = 0.000; OR, 449.4) were the only independent risk factors associated with mortality in our study.

Conclusions

Early recognition of risk factors for complicated RSV disease on admission prompts early interventions and early ICU admissions for these children.
Modulation of C16:0‐ceramide in hypertrophied immature hearts by losartan
Authors: Itoi Toshiyuki , Oka Tatsujiro , Terada Naoto
Published: January 2013

Background

The angiotensin type 2 receptor plays a unique role in growth inhibition in adult myocardium via modulation of ceramide synthesis. Angiotensin type 1 (AT1)‐receptor blockade results in increased angiotensin type 2 receptor activation by angiotensin II, and AT1‐receptor blockers are sometimes prescribed to children for the treatment of cardiac hypertrophy or heart failure. We investigated the changes of ceramide lipid components in hypertrophied immature rabbit hearts after chronic administration of the AT1‐receptor blocker, losartan.

Methods

One‐week‐old Japanese white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: sham‐operated control rabbits (Group S), rabbits given distilled water orally for 21 days after aortic constriction (Group H), and rabbits given losartan orally for 21 days after aortic constriction (Group H + L).

Results

Compared with Group S, the hypertrophy index and left ventricular posterior wall thickness were significantly increased in Group H, but were not different in Group H + L. Total myocardial ceramide levels in Group H and Group H + L were suppressed compared with Group S. The relative fatty acid components of myocardial ceramide in Group H were the same as those in Group S, but Group H + L showed a significant increase in the C16:0 component.

Conclusions

The total cardiac ceramide levels are depressed by pressure overload of immature rabbit hearts. Losartan reduced the hypertrophy with selective increase of the relative amount of C16:0‐ceramide.