bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Corrigendum to: Steroidal Saponins Isolated from an Australian Yam Dioscorea sp.
Authors: Challinor Victoria L. , Smith David M. , De Voss James J.
Published: November 2011

Phytochemical characterization of the rhizome of an Australian species of Dioscorea, acquired as Dioscorea transversa R Br. but botanically identified as Dioscorea sp., led to the isolation of two steroidal saponins. The major constituent 1?-hydroxyprotogracillin (1) was previously unknown while the minor one was identified as protogracillin (2). The structure and stereochemistry of 1 were elucidated using a combination of MS studies, 1D and 2D NMR experiments and chemical degradation.
Theoretical Study of Optical and Electronic Properties of Unsymmetrical Dendritic Molecules with Different Bridge Moieties
Authors: Wang Yanling , Peng Qiang , Liang Ying , Li Benlin , Zhu Weiguo
Published: November 2011

Molecules bearing polyphenylphenyl dendrons show great potential for applications in organic light-emitting diodes. In this paper, quantum-chemical calculations have been applied to investigate the structural and electronic properties of typical molecules bearing polyphenylphenyl dendrons, 2-(2′,3′,4′,5′-tetraphenyl)phenyl-5-(p-N,N-dimethyl)phenyl pyridine (A), 1-(2′,3′,4′,5′-tetraphenyl)phenyl-4-(p-N,N-dimethyl)phenyl benzene (B), 2-(2′,3′,4′,5′-tetraphenyl)phenyl-5-(p-N,N-dimethyl)phenyl thiophene (C), 1-(2′,3′,4′,5′-tetraphenyl)phenyl-2,5-dimethoxy-4-(p-N,N-dimethyl)phenyl benzene (D), and 2-(2′,3′,4′,5′-tetraphenyl)phenyl-5-(p-N,N-dimethyl)phenyl furan (E). The geometrical and electronic structures in the ground state and lowest singlet excited states have been optimized by B3LYP/6-31G(d) and TD-B3LYP/6-31G(d) methods, respectively. The important parameters, including ionization potential (IP), electron affinity, the reorganization energies (λ), hole extraction potential, and electron extraction potential, first lowest singlet excitation energies, maximum absorption and emission wavelengths are also systematically investigated. The result implied that the HOMO, energy gaps, and IP are affected by the central aromatic ring in the order of phenylene>pyrryl> 2,5-dimethoxyphenylene>thienyl>furyl. The solvent effects on absorption and emission spectra were further examined using the polarizable continuum model.
Enantioselective Synthesis of Arylglycine Derivatives by Asymmetric Addition of Arylboronic Acids to Imines
Authors: Yamamoto Yasunori , Takahashi Yoshinori , Kurihara Kazunori , Miyaura Norio
Published: November 2011

Rhodium-catalyzed enantioselective 1,2-additions of arylboronic acids to N-tosyl furanylimine and lithium 5-methyl-2-furanyltriolborate to N-tosyl arylimines giving aryl(2-furanyl)methanamines were developed for enantioselective synthesis of arylglycines by ozonolysis of the furyl ring. A chiral N-linked C2-symmetric bidentate phosphoramidite (N-Me-BIPAM) achieved high enantioselectivities up to 99 % ee. For the direct synthesis of arylglycines, the asymmetric addition of arylboronic acids to ethyl N-p-methoxyphenyl iminoester was carried out at 80°C in dioxane in the presence of Rh(acac)(C2H4)2/(R,R)-N-Me-BIPAM. The reaction gave optically active arylglycines in up to 99 % ee.
Borinic Acids: A Neglected Class of Organoboron Compounds for Recognition of Diols in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Chudzinski Michael G. , Chi Yuechuan , Taylor Mark S.
Published: November 2011

Association constants between diphenylborinic acid and representative analytes capable of reversible two-point covalent binding (diols, catechols, and hydroxy acids) were determined using an indicator-displacement assay. Unlike boronic acids, which have been studied in great detail as receptors for diols and related compounds, borinic acids have effectively been ignored as candidates for such applications. The results of this study indicate that diphenylborinic acid displays high affinity for certain analytes of this type in aqueous solution. Of particular interest are differences between the selectivity of the borinic acid and that of a boronic acid of similar pKa towards the series of analytes studied: the borinic acid displays an unusually high level of discrimination for catechols over carbohydrates. The distinct selectivity observed, and the unique opportunities for steric and electronic tuning of diarylborinic acids, suggest that these compounds hold significant potential for applications in aqueous-phase molecular recognition.
Efficient Iron-Catalyzed N-Demethylation of Tertiary Amine-N-oxides under Oxidative Conditions
Authors: Kok Gaik B. , Scammells Peter J.
Published: November 2011

An investigation into the influence of oxidative conditions on the efficiency of opiate N-demethylation using iron powder has been carried out under non-classical Polonovski conditions. This approach involves a two-step process of N-oxidation and subsequent treatment of the intermediate N-oxide hydrochloride with the redox catalyst. Significant improvements in rate and yield have been realized for these reactions in the presence of molecular oxygen. In this context, further rate enhancement was achieved by the judicious addition of small amounts of ferric ions, leading to a concomitant reduction in the amount of the zero-valent iron primary catalyst that is required. This has led to a generalized improved methodology for the N-demethylation of oripavine, codeine, morphine, and thebaine. This protocol can also be carried out in one-pot without the need to isolate the intermediate N-oxide.
Physical activity in German adults: Types, settings, and patterns of association by cardiovascular risk status
Authors: Huy Christina , Steindorf Karen , Litaker David , Thiel Ansgar , Diehm Curt
Published: November 2011

Little is known about physical activity in adults at differing risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Here, we describe and compare the physical activity and patterns of association with physical activity by CVD risk status based on data from computer‐assisted telephone interviews of 2002 men and women aged 50–70 years in Germany. Physical activity preferences, settings, and health‐related attitudes were assessed and groups were compared using chi‐square and non‐parametric tests. Stratified multi‐variable regression models identified factors associated with regular physical activity (at least once a week for 6 months). The proportion of respondents engaging in regular physical activity ranged from 53.8% to 60.6% across the groups (P=0.08). Respondents with and without CVD/CVD risk factors varied modestly regarding the type and settings for physical activity. However, models stratified by CVD risk demonstrated different patterns of association with regular physical activity. Socioeconomic status, for example, was important for respondents with CVD‐related risk factors (odds ratio=2.30; 95%CI: 1.38 to 3.85 for high vs. low socioeconomic status), while internal health locus of control and other attitudes towards physical activity were important for respondents with CVD (odds ratio=1.20; 95%CI: 1.06 to 1.35 per unit increase at subscale score). Our data provide opportunities for developing physical activity interventions targeted at individuals with differing cardiovascular risk.
The Filamentous Phage ϕRSS1 Enhances Virulence of Phytopathogenic Ralstonia solanacearum on Tomato
Authors: Addy Hardian S. , Askora Ahmed , Kawasaki Takeru , Fujie Makoto , Yamada Takashi
Published: November 2011

Ralstonia solanacearum is the causative agent of bacterial wilt in many important crops. ϕRSS1 is a filamentous phage that infects R. solanacearum strains. Upon infection, it alters the physiological state and the behavior of host cells. Here, we show that R. solanacearum infected by ϕRSS1 becomes more virulent on host plants. Some virulence and pathogenicity factors, such as extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) synthesis and twitching motility, increased in the bacterial host cells infected with ϕRSS1, resulting in early wilting. Tomato plants inoculated with ϕRSS1-infected bacteria wilted 2 to 3 days earlier than those inoculated with wild-type bacteria. Infection with ϕRSS1 induced early expression of phcA, the global virulence regulator. phcA expression was detected in ϕRSS1-infected cells at cell density as low as 104 CFU/ml. Filamentous phages are assembled on the host cell surface and many phage particles accumulate on the cell surface. These surface-associated phage particles (phage proteins) may change the cell surface nature (hydrophobicity) to give high local cell densities. ϕRSS1 infection also enhanced PilA and type IV pilin production, resulting in increased twitching motility.
Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Calcium Regulation of Specific Promoter Motifs inArabidopsis
Authors: Whalley Helen J. , Sargeant Alexander W. , Steele John F.C. , Lacoere Tim , Lamb Rebecca , Saunders Nigel J. , Knight Heather , Knight Marc R.
Published: November 2011

Increases in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]c) mediate plant responses to stress by regulating the expression of genes encoding proteins that confer tolerance. Several plant stress genes have previously been shown to be calcium-regulated, and in one case, a specific promoter motif Abscisic Acid Responsive–Element (ABRE) has been found to be regulated by calcium. A comprehensive survey of the Arabidopsis thaliana transcriptome for calcium-regulated promoter motifs was performed by measuring the expression of genes in Arabidopsis seedlings responding to three calcium elevations of different characteristics, using full genome microarray analysis. This work revealed a total of 269 genes upregulated by [Ca2+]c in Arabidopsis. Bioinformatic analysis strongly indicated that at least four promoter motifs were [Ca2+]c-regulated in planta. We confirmed this finding by expressing in plants chimeric gene constructs controlled exclusively by these cis-elements and by testing the necessity and sufficiency of calcium for their expression. Our data reveal that the C-Repeat/Drought-Responsive Element, Site II, and CAM box (along with the previously identified ABRE) promoter motifs are calcium-regulated. The identification of these promoter elements targeted by the second messenger intracellular calcium has implications for plant signaling in response to a variety of stimuli, including cold, drought, and biotic stress.
Intestinal defensin secretion in infancy is associated with the emergence of sensitization and atopic dermatitis
Authors: Savilahti E. M. , Kukkonen A. K. , Haahtela T. , Tuure T. , Kuitunen M. , Savilahti E.
Published: November 2011

Background

Intestinal flora and innate immunity, and their interactions impact adaptive immunity.

Objective

To study the association of fecal defensin levels in infancy with synbiotic treatment and with the emergence of atopy.

Methods

The randomly selected group of 102 infants belonged to a randomized, double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial where 1223 infants in high risk for allergy received, from birth to 6 months, a mixture of synbiotics, or placebo. Clinical trials registration number for the clinical trial is NCT00298337. In the subgroup, 45 received active treatment and 56 received placebo treatment. Follow‐up for the emergence of sensitization and allergic diseases lasted 5 years. At the age of 3 (n = 96) and 6 (n = 87) months, we measured fecal levels of human neutrophil peptide (HNP) 1–3 and of β‐defensin 2 (HBD2) using enzyme linked immunosorbent assays and concentrations of lactic acid bacteria on MRS agar. We used multifactorial regression in data analysis.

Results

Fecal levels of HNP1–3 and HBD2 decreased from the age of 3–6 months (P < 0.0001). HBD2 levels decreased less in the synbiotics group compared with placebo (P < 0.02). High fecal HBD2 levels at 6 months were associated with an increased risk for sensitization by the age of 5 years (OR 2.5, 95% confidence interval 1.1–5.8, P < 0.03). High fecal HNP1–3 levels at 6 months were associated with a decreased risk for atopic dermatitis (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.1–1.0, P < 0.05). Samples with very low or high HBD2 levels at 6 months had low concentrations of lactic acid bacteria (P < 0.02).

Conclusions and clinical relevance

Early innate immunity responses in the gut are associated with the emergence of sensitization and atopic dermatitis later in childhood.
Enabling people who are blind to experience science inquiry learning through sound‐based mediation
Authors: Levy S.T. , Lahav O.
Published: November 2011

This paper addresses a central need among people who are blind, access to inquiry‐based science learning materials, which are addressed by few other learning environments that use assistive technologies. In this study, we investigated ways in which learning environments based on sound mediation can support science learning by blind people. We used NetLogo, a multi‐agent programmable modeling environment that is widely used for learning about complex systems. In order to provide blind people with access to such models, we used a component that supports sound‐based mediation. The sound‐based mediation provided real‐time information regarding objects' speed, location, and interactions with other objects. We examined blind people's learning about a chemical system of contained gas particles. The study employs a pre‐test intervention–post‐test design. Four adults participated individually in the study. They achieved most referent‐representation connections; their scientific conceptual knowledge became more specific and aligned with scientific knowledge; and their systems reasoning showed greater discrimination and relation between components. Discussion addresses learning with sound‐based mediation in broader terms and suggests further research into the potential of this unique type of low‐cost learning environment to assist blind people in their science learning.
Compaction and transport properties of newly replicated Caulobacter crescentus DNA
Authors: Hong Sun‐Hae , McAdams Harley H.
Published: November 2011

Upon initiating replication of the Caulobacter chromosome, one copy of the parS centromere remains at the stalked pole; the other moves to the distal pole. We identified the segregation dynamics and compaction characteristics of newly replicated Caulobacter DNA during transport (highly variable from cell to cell) using time‐lapse fluorescence microscopy. The parS centromere and a length (also highly variable) of parS proximal DNA on each arm of the chromosome are segregated with the same relatively slow transport pattern as the parS locus. Newly replicated DNA further than about 100 kb from parS segregates with a different and faster pattern, while loci at 48 kb from parS segregate with the slow pattern in some cells and the fast pattern in others. The observed parS‐proximal DNA compaction characteristics have scaling properties that suggest the DNA is branched. HU2‐deletion strains exhibited a reduced compaction phenotype except near the parS site where only the ΔHU1ΔHU2 double mutant had a compaction phenotype. The chromosome shows speed‐dependent extension during translocation suggesting the DNA polymer is under tension. While DNA segregation is highly reliable and succeeds in virtually all wild‐type cells, the high degree of cell to cell variation in the segregation process is noteworthy.
The chloroplast ATP‐dependent Clp protease in vascular plants – new dimensions and future challenges
Authors: Clarke Adrian K.
Published: November 2011

The ATP‐dependent Clp protease is by far the most intricate protease in chloroplasts of vascular plants. Structurally, it is particularly complex with a proteolytic core complex containing 11 distinct subunits along with three potential chaperone partners. The Clp protease is also essential for chloroplast development and overall plant viability. Over the past decade, many of the important characteristics of this crucial protease have been revealed in the model plant species Arabidopsis thaliana. Despite this, challenges still remain in fully resolving certain key features, in particular, how the assembly of this multisubunit protease is regulated, the full range of native protein substrates and how they are targeted for degradation and how this complicated enzyme might have developed from simpler bacterial forms. This article focuses upon the recent advances in revealing the details underlying these important features. It also take the opportunity to speculate upon many of these findings in the hope of stimulating further investigation.
Mediated and Moderated Effects of Business and Project Planning on Innovation Projects in Hospitals
Authors: Zippel‐Schultz Bettina , Schultz Carsten
Published: November 2011

Based on multi‐respondent data of 130 innovation projects in hospitals, our study analyses the role of planning intensity for project success. Besides showing that also in complex service systems innovation projects are supported through planning, we contribute to innovation management research, first, by clearly differentiating between the effects of business and project planning; second, by integrating intra‐team co‐ordination as a possible mediator of the planning success relationship; and, third, by taking into account the degree of innovativeness as a relevant contingency. We apply a multi‐level regression analysis, include several control variables, and limit common source biases by a multi‐respondent empirical design. The results demonstrate that both planning types show complementary effects. Project planning increases intra‐team co‐ordination, which mediates the planning effect on project success. Business planning has a direct effect on project success. However, the moderating effects of project innovativeness are oppositional. While business planning becomes more important for higher degrees of innovativeness, the efficacy of project planning is limited to incremental innovations. We conclude with a discussion of implications for hospital and innovation management as well as future research.
WELL‐BEING IN THE NETHERLANDS: A SPATIAL PERSPECTIVE
Authors: PELLENBARG PIET H. , VAN STEEN PAUL J.M.
Published: November 2011

Both scientists and politicians increasingly emphasise the importance of well‐being as an indicator for economic performance, next to purely financial indicators such as national income and product accounts. There is an ongoing discussion about the most appropriate indicators to measure well‐being. In this paper we use the set of eight ‘life situation indicators’ used by the Netherlands Institute for Social Research, and concentrate on the regional dimension of well‐being, by comparing the spatial variation in well‐being in the Netherlands with the spatial patterns of the separate life situation indicators, that have been shown in this years' series of The Netherlands in Maps, in the successive issues of TESG's 2011 volume. We conclude that the highest levels of life satisfaction are reported for regions where the levels of good health and home ownership are high.
Optimal Taxation of Human Capital and the Earnings Function
Authors: JACOBS BAS , BOVENBERG A. LANS
Published: November 2011

This paper explores how the specification of the earnings function impacts optimal nonlinear taxes on human capital under optimal nonlinear income taxation. If education is complementary to labor effort, education should be subsidized to offset tax distortions on labor supply. However, if education is complementary to ability, education should be taxed in order to redistribute income. If education is weakly separable from labor and ability in the earnings function, these two effects cancel and education should be neither taxed nor subsidized.
Managing sexually harmful behaviour in a residential special school
Authors: Pritchard Duncan , Graham Nicola , Ikin Annette , Penney Heather , Kovacs Lisa , Mercer Dawn , Edwards Richard , Jones Dylan , Mace Floyd Charles
Published: November 2011

Accessible summary

 Children and young people with learning disabilities who present sexually harmful behaviour are often not allowed into the community.

 This study describes the work carried out with a boy with sexually harmful behaviour attending a residential special school.

 The staff helped teach the boy how to behave in social situations and about sex, consent and relationships.

 Afterwards, the boy was able to participate in supervised community activities.

Children and young people with learning disabilities who present sexually harmful behaviour are marginalised and do not always participate in community activities. This case study describes a multi‐component intervention that successfully reduced the sexually harmful behaviour of a 16‐year‐old boy with a mild learning disability. The intervention was comprised of cognitive behaviour therapy, Social Stories™ and a behavioural programme that reinforced appropriate behaviour with social praise and access to preferred items and a range of community activities. Following the intervention, he was able to participate in a wide range of supervised community activities.
Promotional efforts of muscadine wines and muscadine‐related products: the case of southern United States wineries
Authors: Alonso Abel Duarte
Published: November 2011

Muscadine grapes are native to the southern United States, where they have been grown and consumed for generations. Apart from extensive coverage provided in scientific research concerning their healthy properties, to date very little has been researched about other areas of the muscadine grapes, muscadine wines and related products. For example, in an era when the ‘local’ aspect of foods can have a strong impact on both consumers and food growers, very little has been researched from an entrepreneurial, marketing and (wine) tourism perspective. In this context, academic literature investigating winery operators' efforts in promoting and selling muscadine products through the cellar door is almost inexistent. The present study examines this area from the perspective of 31 operators of family‐run wineries located in several southern states. The findings demonstrate agreement among respondents about the critical need to promote the ‘local’ aspect of muscadine wines, as well as other value‐added muscadine products. Some operators refer to the need to support local/state farmers following ‘buy local’ slogans, while others are reacting at consumers' demands for local products. Arguably, as more muscadine wineries are established in some of the southern states, muscadine wines may become more popular and more accepted by mainstream consumers. However, muscadine winery operators are confronted by several challenges such as the lack of resources and support to invest in or expand their promotional efforts; in some cases, state legislation prevents operators from distributing their products outside the cellar door. With so many wines and other beverages consumers can find in retail stores and in the hospitality industry today, the strengthening of current promotional efforts at the cellar door and introducing consumers to a relatively unknown local product (as compared with Vitis vinifera wines) become critical for southern winery operators.
Commentary: A World Fit for Youth
Authors: de Berry Jo
Published: November 2011

Young people require more than good health and educational attainment in order to make the transition to a fulfilling and productive adult life. In addition they require life skills, confidence, and the ability to explore development avenues; they will benefit from societal and cultural investments that recognize the value of and equip them with such social, emotional, and skill resources. Essentially they must be given the chance to express and act out their own agency in navigating the constraints and opportunities around them.
“If You Work in This Country You Should Not be Poor, and Your Kids Should be Doing Better”: Bringing Mixed Methods and Theory in Psychological Anthropology to Improve Research in Policy and Practice
Authors: Weisner Thomas S.
Published: November 2011

NewHope (NH) was a successful poverty reduction program that offered a positive social contract to working‐poor adults. If you worked full time, you were eligible to receive income supplements, childcare vouchers, health care benefits, a community service job, and client respect.NHdid reduce poverty and increase income and earnings for some participants, and improved outcomes for some children. But in spite of relatively generous benefits,NHwas only selectively effective. Only those not working whenNHbegan and those with few barriers to work were positively affected by the program through achieving more work hours, poverty reduction, and income gains. Boys in program families benefited, girls did not. Take‐up ofNHbenefits was typically partial and episodic; for instance, some parents would not use childcare programs for young children. Ethnographic evidence was essential for understanding these sometimes‐surprising program impacts and their policy and practice implications, and was effectively combined with an experimental, random‐assignment research design. Psychological anthropology can bring its traditions of integrating qualitative and quantitative methods and its focus on experience, context, and meaning to understanding and improving policies and practices within a scientific frame of the committed, fair witness.
Timing of screening for gestational diabetes mellitus in women with moderate and severe obesity
Authors: O’DWYER VICKY , FARAH NADINE , HOGAN JENNIFER , O’CONNOR NORAH , KENNELLY MAIREAD M. , TURNER MICHAEL J.
Published: November 2011

Objective. We evaluated screening with a diagnostic oral glucose tolerance test earlier than 20 weeks gestation in women with moderate to severe obesity. Design. Prospective observational study. Setting. Large university teaching hospital. Population. We enrolled 100 women booking for antenatal care in the first trimester at their convenience. Methods. Height and weight were measured and body mass index calculated. Only women with a body mass index>34.9 kg/m2 were included. Women were booked for a 100 g oral glucose tolerance test before 20 weeks and, if normal, another test at 28 weeks gestation. Main outcome measures. Impaired glucose tolerance and gestational diabetes mellitus. Results. Of the 100 women given an appointment for an oral glucose tolerance test before 20 weeks gestation, 92 attended. Of these, 10 (10.8%) women had an abnormal result, with impaired glucose tolerance in five (5.4%) cases and gestational diabetes mellitus in five (5.4%) cases. Of those with a normal result at 20 weeks, 81 attended for a repeat test at 28 weeks gestation. A further four (4.9%) had impaired glucose tolerance and four (4.9%) had gestational diabetes mellitus. A total of 18 (20.5%) of the 88 women who complied with screening had an abnormal test. Conclusions. Women who have moderate/severe obesity have a one in five chance of having an abnormal diagnostic oral glucose tolerance test when screened for gestational diabetes mellitus. To optimize maternal glycemic control in pregnancy, we suggest that women with a body mass index>34.9 kg/m2 may need to be screened early in pregnancy and, if the test is normal, again at 28 weeks gestation.
How Nurse Practitioners Make Decisions Regarding Coronary Heart Disease Risk: A Social Judgment Analysis
Authors: Stamp Kelly D.
Published: November 2011

PURPOSE:  Understanding how nurse practitioners use clinical decision skills in practice has the potential to guide education programs to ensure safe, competent, and high quality advanced nursing practice. This study used the lens of social judgment theory to examine the clinical decision making of 60 nurse practitioners.

METHODS:  A three‐group pretest–posttest comparison design was used to evaluate how much insight nurse practitioners had into their clinical decision‐making process.

FINDINGS:  Nurse practitioners had modest insight into their clinical decision‐making process.

CONCLUSION:  Self‐insight has implications for enhancing nurses' decision making, improving education, and fostering agreement among advanced practice nurses.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE:  Self‐insight has implications for developing professional decision making and promoting appropriate educational opportunities for advanced practice nurses.
Case Study: A Young Male With Auditory Hallucinations in Paranoid Schizophrenia
Authors: Kotowski Abigail
Published: November 2011

PURPOSE.  The purpose of this case study is to demonstrate use of the nursing process and the standardized nursing languages of NANDA International (NANDA‐I), the Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC), and the Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) to assist a young male with paranoid schizophrenia to deal with auditory hallucinations.

DATA SOURCES.  Data were obtained from the experience and expertise of the author and published literature.

DATA SYNTHESIS.  This case study demonstrates nurses' clinical decision making in providing care for an adolescent with mental illness.

CONCLUSION.  This case study provides the pertinent nursing diagnosis, patient outcomes, and nursing interventions for a young male with auditory hallucinations in paranoid schizophrenia.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING.  The use of NANDA‐I, NOC, and NIC can provide the necessary framework for enhancing and improving the management of care with patients who experience auditory hallucinations in paranoid schizophrenia.
The Return of Results of Deceased Research Participants
Authors: Tassé Anne Marie
Published: November 2011

Until the mid-20th century, biomedical research centered on the study of specific diseases, concerned with short periods of time and small groups of living research participants. However, the growth of longitudinal population studies and long-term biobanking now forces the research community to examine the possibility of the death of their research participants.

The death of a research participant raises numerous ethical and legal issues, including the return of deceased individuals’ research results to related family members. As with the return of individual research results for living research participants, the question of the obligation to return a deceased person’s research results to family members has yet to be settled. This question is particularly acute in the context of genetic research since the research results from one individual may have health implications for all biological relatives.
Me and My Body: The Relevance of the Distinction for the Difference between Withdrawing Life Support and Euthanasia
Authors: McGee Andrew
Published: November 2011

In a paper that has recently attracted discussion, David Shaw has attempted to criticize the distinction the law has drawn between withdrawing and withholding life-sustaining measures on the one hand, and euthanasia on the other, by claiming that the body of a terminally ill patient should be seen as akin to life support. Shaw compares two cases that we might, at least at first, regard as distinct, and argues that they are not. In the first case, Adam, who is dying of lung cancer, is connected to a ventilator and requests to be disconnected. In the second case, Brian, also dying of cancer, is not connected to anything, and so he requests his doctor to provide him with a lethal injection. In the first case, Shaw contends, Adam is being kept alive by a ventilator. In the second case, Brian is being kept alive by his body.
The relationship of leukocyte anisocytosis to holotranscobalamin, a marker of cobalamin deficiency
Authors: RISCH C. , MEDINA P. , NYDEGGER U. E. , BAHADOR Z. , BRINKMANN T. , Von LANDENBERG P. , RISCH M. , RISCH L.
Published: November 2011

Introduction:  After measurement of the mean volumes of leukocyte subpopulations as well as the distribution widths (DW) of these volumes has become available, we investigated whether such morphometric leukocyte parameters are associated with a commonly used marker of cobalamin deficiency, i.e., holotranscobalamin (HoloTC). Further, we determined reference intervals for these parameters in an elderly population.

Methods:  Consecutive subjectively healthy and volunteering individuals ≥60 years were included. Using the UniCel DxH 800 Coulter Cellular Analysis System MoMV, mean neutrophil volume (NeMV), mean lymphocyte volume (LyMV), monocyte anisocytosis (MoV‐DW), neutrophil anisocytosis (NeV‐DW), and lymphocyte anisocytosis (LyV‐DW) were assessed together with other parameters including HoloTC.

Results:  A total of 150 individuals were included in the study. Reference intervals were not dependent on age and gender. MoV‐DW (P = 0.002) and NeV‐DW (P = 0.02) were significantly lower, and LyMV was significantly higher (P = 0.04) in participants with a HoloTC concentration <28 pm. In contrast, MCV, MoMV, NeMV, and LyV‐DW were not associated with HoloTC concentrations. The area under the curve (AUC) in the receiver operating characteristic analysis for detecting a HoloTC <28 pm was 0.81 [95% confidence interval (CI) (0.73, 0.87)] for MoV‐DW and 0.73 (0.66, 0.80) for NeV‐DW.

Conclusion:  In this collective of subjectively healthy elderly individuals, monocyte anisocytosis, neutrophil anisocytosis and mean lymphocyte volume were associated with decreased HoloTC.
Looking Back at the Sputnik Era and Its Impact on Science Education
Authors: Wissehr Cathy , Concannon Jim , Barrow Lloyd H.
Published: November 2011

In celebration of the recent golden anniversary of the launching of the Soviet satellite, Sputnik I, this paper takes an historical perspectives approach to examine the social, political, and educational climate in the United States leading up to the launch. Ramifications to science education are discussed, and implications are made for the relevance of this event to science education today.
Palliative medicine and smartphones: an opportunity for innovation?: Table 1
Authors: Nwosu Amara Callistus , Mason Stephen
Published: November 2011

Background

The use of smartphones and their software applications (apps) provides health professionals with opportunities to integrate technology into clinical practice. Increasing numbers of work-related apps are available to health professionals, especially in certain specialties such as orthopaedics. However, so far the availability of apps specific to palliative medicine is limited.

Objectives

To review all smartphone apps targeted at health professionals within palliative medicine and available for the five most popular operating systems (iPhone, Blackberry, Android, Palm and Windows) .

Methods

Each smartphone app store was systematically searched with a combination of the following keywords: palliative, pain, cancer, symptoms, medicine. Identified apps were purchased and tested to determine if their title and/or description was relevant to palliative care.

Results

Six apps specific to palliative medicine were identified across all five operating systems. These consisted of blog orientated apps (Pallimed and Geripal), an app containing guidelines from eight cancer networks (PalliApp), an educational app (Palliative Care) and opioid dose converter apps (eOpioid and PalliCalc).

Conclusions

There is a lack of palliative medicine specific resources for smartphones and no studies have been published which examine the potential benefits of mobile technology for learning, clinical practice and professional development. This provides an opportunity for further research and development. Academic institutions could work with technological developers to improve access to, and dissemination of, key information for practice. Considered development of mobile technology has the potential to improve patient care, data sharing and education within the palliative medicine specialty.
Intelligence across childhood in relation to illegal drug use in adulthood: 1970 British Cohort Study
Authors: White James , Batty G David
Published: November 2011

Background

Recent reports have linked high childhood IQ scores with excess alcohol intake and alcohol dependency in adult life, but the relationship with illegal drug use in later life is relatively unknown.

Methods

The authors used data from a large population-based birth cohort (1970 British Cohort Study) with measures of lifetime cannabis and cocaine use, parental social class and psychological distress at 16 years; cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine, ecstasy and polydrug use (more than three drugs) in the past 12 months; and social class, educational attainment and gross monthly income at 30 years. All members of the cohort with IQ scores at 5 or 10 years were eligible to be included in the analyses.

Results

Of the 11 603 (at 5 years) and 11 397 (at 10 years) cohort members eligible, 7904 (68.1%) and 7946 (69.7%) were included in the analyses. IQ scores at 5 years were positively associated with cannabis (OR(bottom vs top tertile)=2.25, 95% CI 1.71 to 2.97) and cocaine use (OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.41 to 3.92) in women and with amphetamines (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.06), ecstasy (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.36) and polydrug use (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.09 to 2.26) in men at 30 years. IQ scores at 10 years were positively associated with cannabis, cocaine (only at 30 years), ecstasy, amphetamine and polydrug use. Associations were stronger in women than in men and were independent from psychological distress in adolescence and life-course socioeconomic position.

Conclusion

High childhood IQ may increase the risk of illegal drug use in adolescence and adulthood.
Ternary Weighted Function and Beurling Ternary Banach Algebra l1ω(S)
Authors: Dehghanian Mehdi , Modarres Mosadegh Mohammad Sadegh
Published: November 2011

Let S be a ternary semigroup. In this paper, we introduce our notation and prove some elementary properties of a ternary weight function ω on S. Also, we make ternary weighted algebra and show that is a ternary Banach algebra.
Complications of Peptic Ulcer Disease
Authors: Milosavljevic Tomica , Kostić-Milosavljević Mirjana , Jovanović Ivan , Krstić Miodrag
Published: November 2011

There are four major complications of peptic ulcer disease (PUD): bleeding, perforation, penetration, and obstruction. Complications can occur in patients with peptic ulcer of any etiology. Despite improvements in the medical management and the lower overall incidence of PUD, there are conflicting data about the incidence of potentially life-threatening ulcer complications. There are important time trends embedded within this stable overall rate of complications: the dramatic decline in the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (comparing the cohort born from 1900 to 1920 to cohorts born after 1940); an increased use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and an increased rate of ulcer complications related to such drug use, especially in the elderly. As a result of these trends, ulcer complications are on the rise in older patients but on the decline in younger individuals. Hemorrhage is the most frequent PUD complication and its incidence is increasing in comparison to perforation and stenosis. Therapeutic endoscopy is considered the treatment of choice for bleeding ulcers, reducing the need for emergent surgical procedures to 10–20% of the cases. In recent years, besides the success of angiographic embolization, the containment of massive hemorrhage must also be taken into account. Transcatheter arterial embolization is also an effective and safe treatment in patients with duodenal ulcers re-bleeding after therapeutic endoscopy or surgery.
β-Amyloid (1–42) Levels in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Cerebral Atrophy in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Kaiser Elmar , Thomann Philipp A. , Essig Marco , Schröder Johannes
Published: November 2011

Background: Recent studies consistently reported Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and, to a lower extent, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to be accompanied by reduced cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of β-amyloid. However, how these changes are related to brain morphological alterations is so far only partly understood. Methods: CSF levels of β-amyloid (1–42) were examined with respect to cerebral atrophy in 23 subjects with MCI, 16 patients with mild-to-moderateAlzheimer’s disease (AD) and 15 age-matched controls by using magnetic resonance imaging and voxel-based morphometry (VBM). Results: When contrasted with the controls, β-amyloid (1–42) levels were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in patients with MCI and even more so in the AD patients. This effect was significantly associated with reduced gray matter densities in both the right and left hippocampal head based on the results of a VBM analysis across the entire sample. Conclusion: Our finding confirms the results of previous studies and suggests that both the decrease in β-amyloid (1–42) and the development of hippocampal atrophy coincide in the disease process.
Bayesian Hierarchical Modeling and the Integration of Heterogeneous Information on the Effectiveness of Cardiovascular Therapies
Authors: Kwok Heemun , Lewis Roger J.
Published: November 2011

When making therapeutic decisions for an individual patient or formulating treatment guidelines on a population level, it is often necessary to utilize information arising from different study designs, settings, or treatments. In clinical practice, heterogeneous information is frequently synthesized qualitatively, whereas in comparative effectiveness research and guideline development, it is imperative that heterogeneous data are integrated quantitatively and in a manner that accurately captures the true uncertainty in the results. Bayesian hierarchical modeling is a technique that utilizes all available information from multiple sources and naturally yields a revised estimate of the treatment effect associated with each source. A hierarchical model consists of multiple levels (ie, a hierarchy) of probability distributions that represent relationships between information arising within single populations or trials, as well as relationships between information arising from different populations or trials. We describe the structure of Bayesian hierarchical models and discuss their advantages over simpler models when multiple information sources are relevant. Two examples are presented that illustrate this technique: a meta-analysis of immunosuppressive therapy in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and a subgroup analysis of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Intravenous Tissue Plasminogen Activator Stroke Trial.
The Diversity-Validity Dilemma
Authors: Madera Juan M. , Abbott JeAnna
Published: November 2011

One of the most critical problems that hospitality firms face in selecting employees is to ensure that any employment tests the employer uses are valid and do not screen out minorities. For example, the use of cognitive ability tests often leads to subgroup differences between majority and minority group members. Such a discrepancy opens an employer to charges of adverse impact (against minorities), and employers often have adjusted (or otherwise disregarded) test scores to avoid potential adverse impact and give minorities an even-handed opportunity for employment or promotion. The practice of adjusting test scores in this way was set aside in 2009 by the U.S. Supreme Court, in Ricci v. DeStefano, in which the city of New Haven, Connecticut, attempted to avoid adverse impact by disregarding test results. The court said this amounted to discrimination against the majority group members who did well on the test. The court’s holding means that if a test creates apparent adverse impact, in the absence of strong basis in evidence for disregarding the test scores, the employer may face the awkward choice of being sued for adverse impact or disparate treatment, depending on how it treats the test. The implications of Ricci v. DeStefano for hospitality employers include ensuring that jobs are correctly analyzed before any test is given and that multiple forms of various valid types of test are used to select job candidates.
Extraction and inhibition of enzymatic activity of botulinum neurotoxins /B1, /B2, /B3, /B4, and /B5 by a panel of monoclonal anti-BoNT/B antibodies
Authors: Kalb Suzanne R , Santana Wanda I , Geren Isin N , Garcia-Rodriguez Consuelo , Lou Jianlong , Smith Theresa J , Marks James D , Smith Leonard A , Pirkle James L , Barr John R
Published: November 2011

Background

Botulism is caused by botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), extremely toxic proteins which can induce respiratory failure leading to long-term intensive care or death. Treatment for botulism includes administration of antitoxins, which must be administered early in the course of the intoxication; therefore, rapid determination of human exposure to BoNT is an important public health goal. In previous work, our laboratory reported on Endopep-MS, a mass spectrometry-based activity method for detecting and differentiating BoNT/A, /B, /E, and /F in clinical samples. We also demonstrated that antibody-capture is effective for purification and concentration of BoNTs from complex matrices such as clinical samples. However, some antibodies inhibit or neutralize the enzymatic activity of BoNT, so the choice of antibody for toxin extraction is critical.

Results

In this work, we evaluated 24 anti-BoNT/B monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for their ability to inhibit the in vitro activity of BoNT/B1, /B2, /B3, /B4, and /B5 and to extract those toxins. Among the mAbs, there were significant differences in ability to extract BoNT/B subtypes and inhibitory effect on BoNT catalytic activity. Some of the mAbs tested enhanced the in vitro light chain activity of BoNT/B, suggesting that BoNT/B may undergo conformational change upon binding some mAbs.

Conclusions

In addition to determining in vitro inhibition abilities of a panel of mAbs against BoNT/B1-/B5, this work has determined B12.2 and 2B18.2 to be the best mAbs for sample preparation before Endopep-MS. These mAb characterizations also have the potential to assist with mechanistic studies of BoNT/B protection and treatment, which is important for studying alternative therapeutics for botulism.
Nuclear Receptor HNF4α Binding Sequences are Widespread in Alu Repeats
Authors: Bolotin Eugene , Chellappa Karthikeyani , Hwang-Verslues Wendy , Schnabl Jake M , Yang Chuhu , Sladek Frances M
Published: November 2011

Background

Alu repeats, which account for ~10% of the human genome, were originally considered to be junk DNA. Recent studies, however, suggest that they may contain transcription factor binding sites and hence possibly play a role in regulating gene expression.

Results

Here, we show that binding sites for a highly conserved member of the nuclear receptor superfamily of ligand-dependent transcription factors, hepatocyte nuclear factor 4alpha (HNF4α, NR2A1), are highly prevalent in Alu repeats. We employ high throughput protein binding microarrays (PBMs) to show that HNF4α binds > 66 unique sequences in Alu repeats that are present in ~1.2 million locations in the human genome. We use chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) to demonstrate that HNF4α binds Alu elements in the promoters of target genes (ABCC3, APOA4, APOM, ATPIF1, CANX, FEMT1A, GSTM4, IL32, IP6K2, PRLR, PRODH2, SOCS2, TTR) and luciferase assays to show that at least some of those Alu elements can modulate HNF4α-mediated transactivation in vivo (APOM, PRODH2, TTR, APOA4). HNF4α-Alu elements are enriched in promoters of genes involved in RNA processing and a sizeable fraction are in regions of accessible chromatin. Comparative genomics analysis suggests that there may have been a gain in HNF4α binding sites in Alu elements during evolution and that non Alu repeats, such as Tiggers, also contain HNF4α sites.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that HNF4α, in addition to regulating gene expression via high affinity binding sites, may also modulate transcription via low affinity sites in Alu repeats.