bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The optimal patch test concentration for ascaridole as a sensitizing component of tea tree oil
Authors: Christoffers Wietske Andrea , Blömeke Brunhilde , Coenraads Pieter‐Jan , Schuttelaar Marie‐Louise Anna
Published: March 2014

Background

Tea tree oil is used as a natural remedy, but is also a popular ingredient in household and cosmetic products. Oxidation of tea tree oil results in degradation products, such as ascaridole, which may cause allergic contact dermatitis.

Objectives

To identify the optimal patch test concentration for ascaridole, and to investigate the relationship between a positive reaction to ascaridole and a positive reaction to oxidized tea tree oil.

Patients/materials/methods

Three hundred and nineteen patients with eczema were patch tested with ascaridole 1%, 2%, and 5%, and 250 patients were patch tested with oxidized tea tree oil 5%. Readings were performed onD3andD7according to a patch test calibration protocol.

Results

With an increasing ascaridole test concentration, the frequency of positive reactions increased: ascaridole 1%, 1.4%; ascaridole 2%, 5.5%; and ascaridole 5%, 7.2%. However, the frequencies of irritant and doubtful reactions also increased, especially for ascaridole 5%. A positive reaction to ascaridole was related to a positive reaction to tea tree oil.

Conclusions

This study is in support of ascaridole being a sensitizer. We recommend patch testing with ascaridole at 2%. The finding that every positive reaction to oxidized tea tree oil is accompanied by a positive reaction to ascaridole suggests that ascaridole might be a contact allergen in oxidized tea tree oil.
You're a Good Structure, Charlie Brown: The Distribution of Narrative Categories in Comic Strips
Authors: Cohn Neil
Published: March 2014

Cohn's (2013) theory of “Visual Narrative Grammar” argues that sequential images take on categorical roles in a narrative structure, which organizes them into hierarchic constituents analogous to the organization of syntactic categories in sentences. This theory proposes that narrative categories, like syntactic categories, can be identified through diagnostic tests that reveal tendencies for their distribution throughout a sequence. This paper describes four experiments testing these diagnostics to provide support for the validity of these narrative categories. In Experiment 1, participants reconstructed unordered panels of a comic strip into an order that makes sense. Experiment 2 measured viewing times to panels in sequences where the order of panels was reversed. In Experiment 3, participants again reconstructed strips but also deleted a panel from the sequence. Finally, in Experiment 4 participants identified where a panel had been deleted from a comic strip and rated that strip's coherence. Overall, categories had consistent distributional tendencies within experiments and complementary tendencies across experiments. These results point toward an interaction between categorical roles and a global narrative structure.
Signature Limits in Mindreading Systems
Authors: Thompson J. Robert
Published: March 2014

Recent evidence that young children seem to both understand false belief in one sense, but not in another, has led to two‐systems theorizing about mindreading. By analyzing the most detailed two‐systems approach in studying social cognition—the theory of mindreading defended by Ian Apperly and Stephen Butterfill—I argue that that even when dutifully constructed, two‐systems approaches in social cognition struggle to adequately define the mindreading systems in terms of signature processing limits, an issue that becomes most apparent when investigating mindreading in infancy. I end the article by developing several challenges that face any two‐systems account of mindreading.
Sedentary behaviour in adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy
Authors: Taylor Nicholas F
Published: March 2014

This commentary is on the original article by Shkedy Rabani et al. on
pages 673–680 of this issue.
Impact of Azelnidipine and Amlodipine on Left Ventricular Mass and Longitudinal Function in Hypertensive Patients with Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
Authors: Motoki Hirohiko , Koyama Jun , Izawa Atsushi , Tomita Takeshi , Miyashita Yusuke , Takahashi Masafumi , Ikeda Uichi
Published: March 2014

Background

The impact of long‐acting calcium channel blocker (CCB) administration on serial changes in left ventricular (LV) function and morphology in hypertensive patients with LV hypertrophy remains unclear. This study attempted to clarify this impact by comparing the effects of administration of azelnidipine with that of amlodipine using conventional and speckle tracking echocardiography.

Methods

An equal number (16) of 32 hypertensive patients was prospectively assigned to a group administered 5 mg of amlodipine/day or a group administered 16 mg of azelnidipine/day. LV function and morphology was examined by conventional and speckle tracking echocardiography at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment initiation.

Results

Both groups were found to have experienced a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure by 1 month after treatment initiation; a significant reduction in septal thickness and LV mass index at 6 and 12 months. Transmitral flow E/A ratio and early diastolic mitral annular velocity at lateral wall significantly improved at 12 months. On the other hand, a significant improvement of global longitudinal strain was observed earlier than the above indexes at 3, 6, and 12 months. Ar‐A duration difference was significantly decreased at 3 months. The global circumferential strain improved significantly at 3 months, but there were no significant changes in mid‐/apical circumferential and radial strains throughout the study period.

Conclusion

Azelnidipine has beneficial effects on LV mass regression, transmitral flow, tissue Doppler, and LV longitudinal strain that are comparable to those of amlodipine on the same parameters.
The impact of a continuing education programme on the adoption of nickel–titanium rotary instrumentation and root‐filling quality amongst a group of Swedish general dental practitioners
Authors: Dahlström L. , Molander A. , Reit C.
Published: March 2014

Introduction

The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that a further education programme relating to nickel–titanium rotary instrumentation (NTRI), with the concurrent activation of social/professional networks amongst all general dental practitioners (GDPs) in a public dental service in Sweden, would increase the adoption rate and improve root‐filling quality.

Material and method

To activate the networks, the GDPs at the 25 clinics elected training coaches from amongst themselves. The coaches were educated by a specialist and were then free to organise and conduct the training of the local GDPs. However, collective hands‐on training and discussions were mandatory. Lectures were held by an endodontist. The rate of adoption and root‐filling quality was evaluated just before and 6 months after the education. Statistical tests were performed with chi‐square using a 95% confidence interval.

Results

Nickel–titanium rotary instrumentation was adopted by 88%. Excellent root fillings (score 1) increased from 45% to 59% (P = 0.003). The rate of poor‐quality root fillings (score 4 and score 5) was not affected. The quality ratio (score 1/score 5) increased from 5.36 (118/22) to 9.5 (133/14). Eleven dentists (17%) at nine different clinics produced 49% of the poor‐quality root fillings (score 4 and score 5). Seventy‐three per cent of these dentists stated that they had adopted NTRI.

Conclusions

The introduction of NTRI will increase the adoption rate and the frequency of good‐quality root fillings. However, it will not overcome the problems associated with dentists producing a low‐quality level, even if a local professional network is activated.
Routes to cAMP: shaping neuronal connectivity with distinct adenylate cyclases
Authors: Nicol Xavier , Gaspar Patricia
Published: March 2014

cAMP signaling affects a large number of the developmental processes needed for the construction of the CNS, including cell differentiation, axon outgrowth, response to guidance molecules or modulation of synaptic connections. This points to a key role of adenylate cyclases (ACs), the synthetic enzymes of cAMP, for neural development. ACs exist as 10 different isoforms, which are activated by distinct signaling pathways. The implication of specific AC isoforms in neural wiring was only recently demonstrated in mouse mutants, knockout (KO) for different AC isoforms, AC1, AC3, AC5, AC8 and soluble (s)AC/AC10. These studies stressed the importance of three of these isoforms, as sensors of neural activity that could modify the survival of neurons (sAC), axon outgrowth (sAC), or the response of axons to guidance molecules such as ephrins (AC1) or semaphorins (AC3). We summarize here the current knowledge on the role of these ACs for the development of sensory maps, in the somatosensory, visual and olfactory systems, which have been the most extensively studied. In these systems, AC1/AC3 KO revealed targeting mistakes due to the defective pruning and lack of discrimination of incoming axons to signals present in target structures. In contrast, no changes in cell differentiation, survival or axon outgrowth were noted in these mutants, suggesting a specificity of cAMP production routes for individual cellular processes within a given neuron. Further studies indicate that the subcellular localization of ACs could be key to their specific role in axon targeting and may explain their selective roles in neuronal wiring.
Diverse subthreshold cross‐modal sensory interactions in the thalamic reticular nucleus: implications for new pathways of cross‐modal attentional gating function
Authors: Kimura Akihisa
Published: March 2014

Our attention to a sensory cue of a given modality interferes with attention to a sensory cue of another modality. However, an object emitting various sensory cues attracts attention more effectively. The thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) could play a pivotal role in such cross‐modal modulation of attention given that cross‐modal sensory interaction takes place in the TRN, because the TRN occupies a highly strategic position to function in the control of gain and/or gating of sensory processing in the thalamocortical loop. In the present study cross‐modal interactions between visual and auditory inputs were examined in single TRN cells of anesthetised rats using juxta‐cellular recording and labeling techniques. Visual or auditory responses were modulated by subthreshold sound or light stimuli, respectively, in the majority of recordings (46 of 54 visual and 60 of 73 auditory cells). However, few bimodal sensory cells were found. Cells showing modulation of the sensory response were distributed in the whole visual and auditory sectors of the TRN. Modulated cells sent axonal projections to first‐order or higher‐order thalamic nuclei. Suppression predominated in modulation that took place not only in primary responses but also in late responses repeatedly evoked after sensory stimulation. Combined sensory stimulation also evoked de‐novo responses, and modulated response latency and burst spiking. These results indicate that the TRN incorporates sensory inputs of different modalities into single cell activity to function in sensory processing in the lemniscal and non‐lemniscal systems. This raises the possibility that the TRN constitutes neural pathways involved in cross‐modal attentional gating.
Structural and functional analysis of a FeoB A143S G5 loop mutant explains the accelerated GDP release rate
Authors: Guilfoyle Amy P. , Deshpande Chandrika N. , Vincent Kimberley , Pedroso Marcelo M. , Schenk Gerhard , Maher Megan J. , Jormakka Mika
Published: March 2014

GTPases (G proteins) hydrolyze the conversion of GTP to GDP and free phosphate, comprising an integral part of prokaryotic and eukaryotic signaling, protein biosynthesis and cell division, as well as membrane transport processes. The G protein cycle is brought to a halt after GTP hydrolysis, and requires the release of GDP before a new cycle can be initiated. For eukaryotic heterotrimeric Gαβγ proteins, the interaction with a membrane‐bound G protein‐coupled receptor catalyzes the release of GDP from the Gα subunit. Structural and functional studies have implicated one of the nucleotide binding sequence motifs, the G5 motif, as playing an integral part in this release mechanism. Indeed, a Gαs G5 mutant (A366S) was shown to have an accelerated GDP release rate, mimicking a G protein‐coupled receptor catalyzed release state. In the present study, we investigate the role of the equivalent residue in the G5 motif (residue A143) in the prokaryotic membrane protein FeoB from Streptococcus thermophilus, which includes an N‐terminal soluble G protein domain. The structure of this domain has previously been determined in the apo and GDP‐bound states and in the presence of a transition state analogue, revealing conformational changes in the G5 motif. The A143 residue was mutated to a serine and analyzed with respect to changes in GTPase activity, nucleotide release rate, GDP affinity and structural alterations. We conclude that the identity of the residue at this position in the G5 loop plays a key role in the nucleotide release rate by allowing the correct positioning and hydrogen bonding of the nucleotide base.
Structural and functional interaction of fatty acids with human liver fatty acid‐binding protein (L‐FABP) T94A variant
Authors: Huang Huan , McIntosh Avery L. , Martin Gregory G. , Landrock Kerstin K. , Landrock Danilo , Gupta Shipra , Atshaves Barbara P. , Kier Ann B. , Schroeder Friedhelm
Published: March 2014

The human liver fatty acid‐binding protein (L‐FABP) T94A variant, the most common in the FABP family, has been associated with elevated liver triglyceride levels. How this amino acid substitution elicits these effects is not known. This issue was addressed using human recombinant wild‐type (WT) and T94A variant L‐FABP proteins as well as cultured primary human hepatocytes expressing the respective proteins (genotyped as TT, TC and CC). The T94A substitution did not alter or only slightly altered L‐FABP binding affinities for saturated, monounsaturated or polyunsaturated long chain fatty acids, nor did it change the affinity for intermediates of triglyceride synthesis. Nevertheless, the T94A substitution markedly altered the secondary structural response of L‐FABP induced by binding long chain fatty acids or intermediates of triglyceride synthesis. Finally, the T94A substitution markedly decreased the levels of induction of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor α‐regulated proteins such as L‐FABP, fatty acid transport protein 5 and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor α itself meditated by the polyunsaturated fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in cultured primary human hepatocytes. Thus, although the T94A substitution did not alter the affinity of human L‐FABP for long chain fatty acids, it significantly altered human L‐FABP structure and stability, as well as the conformational and functional response to these ligands.
Roles of cell division control factor SdiA: recognition of quorum sensing signals and modulation of transcription regulation targets
Authors: Shimada Tomohiro , Shimada Kaori , Matsui Makoto , Kitai Yuichi , Igarashi Jun , Suga Hiroaki , Ishihama Akira
Published: March 2014

In Gram‐negative bacteria, N‐acylhomoserine lactone (HSL) is used as a signal in cell–cell communication and quorum sensing (QS). The model prokaryote Escherichia coli lacks the system of HSL synthesis, but is capable of monitoring HSL signals in environment. Transcription factor SdiA for cell division control is believed to play a role as a HSL sensor. Using a collection of 477 species of chemically synthesized HSL analogues, we identified three synthetic signal molecules (SSMs) that bind in vitro to purified SdiA. After SELEX‐chip screening of SdiA‐binding DNA sequences, a striking difference was found between these SSMs in the pattern of regulation target genes on the E. coli genome. Based on Northern blot analysis in vivo, a set of target genes were found to be repressed by SdiA in the absence of effectors and derepressed by the addition of SSMs. Another set of genes were, however, expressed in the absence of effector ligands but repressed by the addition of SSMs. Taken together, we propose that the spectrum of taget gene selection by SdiA is modulated in multiple modes depending on the interacting HSL‐like signal molecules.
Troubling the Notion of Satisfied Students
Authors: Gibbs Paul , Dean Aftab
Published: March 2014

This paper investigates whether students' personal happiness is different from student satisfaction and considers if this may have consequences for university policy and management. It does this by comparing happiness and satisfaction in two cohorts of students from two United Kingdom universities. One is a distinctive research university and the other a university whose heritage has been in the polytechnic sector prior to its charter, referred to as a post‐1992 university. The results, although preliminary, do appear to show that satisfied students are also happy students. However, what contributes to these states of being is different. The implication for institutional policy is discussed and a warning that to assume satisfaction (measured by satisfaction survey results) as happiness might be problematic in addressing improvement in the student experience.
Histological changes within dental pulps in teeth with moderate‐to‐severe chronic periodontitis
Authors: Wan L. , Lu H. B. , Xuan D. Y. , Yan Y. X. , Zhang J. C.
Published: March 2014

Aim

To investigate the effect of chronic periodontitis on dental pulps by assessing histological changes in the pulps of teeth with moderate‐to‐severe periodontitis.

Methodology

A total of 242 teeth from 162 patients with moderate‐to‐severe periodontitis were collected, and histological changes in pulps were investigated by staining with haematoxylin and eosin. Baseline data were taken from the patients' records before extraction. The morphologic changes observed in the pulp were classified as degree I, degree II, degree III and degree IV. Statistical analysis of the severity of periodontitis and histological changes with the pulps was applied using the Mann–Whitney U rank sum test, whilst the contingency coefficient was used to analyse the inter‐relationship between the severity of periodontitis and histological changes in the pulps.

Results

The inter‐relationship between the severity of periodontitis and histological changes in the pulps was 0.274 (P < 0.001), and significant differences existed between teeth with moderate periodontitis and severe periodontitis group (Z = 4.145, P < 0.001). The inter‐relationship between attachment loss and histological changes in the pulps was 0.397 (P < 0.001). There were significant differences in the histological changes amongst teeth with various degrees of attachment loss (χ2 = 33.023, P < 0.001) and amongst teeth in different locations (χ2 = 23.163, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

There was a positive association between the severity of periodontitis and histological changes within the pulp. More attachment loss was correlated with pathological changes within the dental pulp.
Clinical correlates of attentional bias to drug cues associated with cocaine dependence
Authors: Kennedy Ashley P. , Gross Robin E. , Ely Tim , Drexler Karen P.G. , Kilts Clinton D.
Published: March 2014

Background and Objective

Preoccupation (attentional bias) related to drug‐related stimuli has been consistently observed for drug‐dependent persons with several studies reporting an association of the magnitude of measured attentional bias with treatment outcomes. The major goal of the present study was to determine if pre‐treatment attentional bias to personal drug use reminders in an addiction Stroop task predicts relapse in treatment‐seeking, cocaine‐dependent subjects.

Methods

We sought to maximize the potential of attentional bias as a marker of risk for relapse by incorporating individualized rather than generalized drug use cues to reflect the personal conditioned associations that form the incentive motivation properties of drug cues in a sample of cocaine‐dependent subjects (N = 35).

Results

Although a significant group Stroop interference effect was present for drug versus neutral stimuli (ie, attentional bias), the level of attentional bias for cocaine‐use words was not predictive of eventual relapse in this sample (d = .56). A similar lack of prediction power was observed for a non‐drug counting word Stroop task as a significant interference effect was detected but did not predict relapse outcomes (d = .40).

Conclusions and Scientific Significance

The results of the present study do not provide clear support for the predictive value of individual variation in drug‐related attentional bias to forecast probability of relapse in cocaine‐dependent men. (Am J Addict 2014;23:478–484)
Depressive comorbidity in preschool anxiety disorder
Authors: von Klitzing Kai , White Lars O. , Otto Yvonne , Fuchs Sandra , Egger Helen L. , Klein Annette M.
Published: March 2014

Background

The threshold for clinical relevance of preschool anxiety has recently come under increasing scrutiny in view of large variations in prevalence estimates. We studied the impact of presence/absence of additional depressive comorbidity (symptoms and/or diagnosis) on preschoolers with anxiety disorders in relation to clinical phenomenology, family, and peer problems compared to healthy controls.

Method

A population of 1738 preschoolers were screened and oversampled for internalizing symptoms from community sites, yielding a sample of 236 children.

Results

Using a multi‐informant approach (mother, father, teacher, child), we found evidence that children with anxiety disorders and depressive comorbidity display a greater internalizing symptom‐load, more peer problems and live in families with more psychosocial impairment (poor family functioning, family adversity, maternal mental health problems). The pure anxiety group was merely dissociable from controls with regard to internalizing symptoms and family adversity.

Conclusion

The presence of depressive comorbidity in anxiety disorders may mark the transition to a more detrimental and impairing disorder at preschool age.
Paediatric cutaneous lymphoma in Korea: a retrospective study at a single institution
Authors: Moon H.‐R. , Lee W.J. , Won C.H. , Chang S.E. , Lee M.W. , Choi J.H. , Moon K.C.
Published: March 2014

Background

The clinical features and incidences of cutaneous lymphoma (CL) differ by ethnicity and age. However, there is to our knowledge no study to show characteristics and distribution of paediatric CL in Asian population.

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate distinctive clinicopathological features of CL in paediatric population, particularly in Korea.

Methods

We conducted a clinicopathological review of 41 paediatric cases with CL, diagnosed at Asan Medical Center from January 1990 to December 2012. The clinical records, haematoxylin & eosin‐stained slides and immunohistochemical stains from paediatric patients with CL were analyzed. In addition, the results in this present paediatric group were compared with previously reported studies in the Korean all‐ages group and Western paediatric group.

Results

Lymphomatoid papulosis was more common in the present paediatric group than in the all‐ages group (34.5% vs. 9.4%) and Western paediatric group (34.5% vs. 17.7%). Mycosis fungoides, the most common cutaneous lymphoma in the all‐ages group and Western paediatric group, is the second most common subtype in this study. Three of nine paediatric mycosis fungoides patients (33%) have the follicular variant. Compared with all‐ages group, B‐lmphoblastic lymphoma was relatively higher incidence (10.3% vs. 1%) and NK‐/T‐cell lymphoma and subcutaneous panniculitis‐like T‐cell lymphoma was relatively in lower proportions in the paediatric group.

Conclusion

The clinical features and distribution of paediatric CL in our study suggest that CL of Asian childhood is quite different from that of adulthood and Western childhood.
Extraction and Characterization of Mucilage From Wild Species of Opuntia
Authors: Rodríguez‐González Sarahi , Martínez‐Flores Hector E. , Chávez‐Moreno Carla K. , Macías‐Rodríguez Lourdes. I. , Zavala‐Mendoza Eder , Garnica‐Romo M.G. , Chacón‐García Luis
Published: March 2014

The aim of this work was to characterize the mucilage extracted from six species of Opuntia. The species studied were as follows: O. atropes, O. tomentosa, O. hyptiacantha, O. streptacantha y O. joconostle and O. ficus‐indica. The first step was to find the best extraction conditions to obtain an unaltered chemical structure of mucilage. The mucilages were characterized using high‐performance liquid chromatography and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy techniques. The optimal conditions employed to obtain the mucilage were: ratio of cladodes : ethanol solution at 50% of 1:1 (w/v), temperature of 22C and precipitation of mucilage with a solution of ethanol 96%, at a ratio of 1:4 (v/v). Mucilage from all species studied had a high content of soluble dietary fiber, ranging from 51.79 to 67.51%. In decreasing order, sugars found in the mucilages were: L‐arabinose (26.83–35.36%), D‐galactose (21.59–45.48%), D‐xylose (12.23–17.05%), uronic acids (5.59–13.91%), D‐glucose (5.18–16.21%) and L‐rhamnose (1.41–5.40%).

Practical Applications

This research presents an optimization method for the extraction of mucilage five wild species of cactus based on temperature and time of extraction and solvent ratio: sample used. Mucilages were characterized chemically and by chromatographic and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy techniques and were compared with the species mucilage Opuntia ficus‐indica, the species most commercially studied. The mucilage obtained can be used for commercial purposes as additives in the food industry.
Extraction and Functional Properties of Water‐Soluble Dietary Fiber from Apple Pomace
Authors: Li Xueli , He Xiuli , Lv Yuanping , He Qiang
Published: March 2014

The extraction of water‐soluble dietary fiber (SDF) from apple pomace (AP) by cellulase, microwave‐ and ultrasound‐assisted methods was studied in comparison with conventional acid method. The functional properties of extracted SDFs were further evaluated, and the speciality of each method was clarified in order to suggest the right method to adopt for practice. Results indicated that AP is rich in SDF, which is significantly potential to be applied in food processing. Acid hydrolysis of AP gave 10.3% of SDF, whereas ultrasound‐assisted extraction (UAE) provided a yield of 16.4% after 40 min of sonication. Microwave‐assisted extraction (MAE) gave a slightly lower yield (14.9%) than UAE, but it showed a drastic efficiency, wherein the yield was achieved after 2 min of irradiation. The hydrolysis of AP by cellulase occurred with the highest SDF yield (18.7%) among all the methods used. The functional properties of SDF were improved by UAE, MAE and cellulase extraction, wherein the water retention and swelling capacities were increased more considerably than the oil retention capacity. Especially, cellulase showed a remarkable performance in improving the hydration property.

Practical Applications

A large amount of apple pomace (AP) was produced as the by‐product of apple processing in China. Its disposal is of significance in consideration of resource utilization and environmental protection. Therefore, the results of this study can promote the full use of AP and similar industrial wastes, and also help to avoid possible pollution. In addition, the comparison of acid, cellulase, microwave‐ and ultrasound‐assisted methods suggests the right method to adopt SDF extraction method for practice.
Haplotype variation of Green Revolution gene Rht‐D1 during wheat domestication and improvement
Authors: Zhang Chihong , Gao Lifeng , Sun Jiaqiang , Jia Jizeng , Ren Zhenglong
Published: March 2014

Green Revolution made a substantial contribution to wheat yields worldwide in the 1960s and 1970s. It is of great importance to analyze the haplotype variation of Rht‐D1, the Green Revolution gene, during wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) domestication and breeding to understand its evolution and function in wheat breeding history. In this study, the Rht‐D1 and its flanking regions were sequenced and single nucleotide polymorphisms were detected based on a panel of 45 accessions of Aegilops tauschii, 51 accessions of landraces and 80 accessions of commercial varieties. Genetic diversity in the wild accessions was much higher than that in the varieties and higher than that reported previously. Seven haplotypes (Hapl I to Hapl VII) of Rht‐D1 were identified and their evolutionary relationships were proposed. In addition to the well‐known Green Revolution allele Rht‐D1b, Hapl VII (an allele Rht‐D1k) was identified in early breeding varieties, which reduced plant height by 16%. The results suggested that Rht‐D1k had been used in breeding before the Green Revolution and made a great contribution to wheat production worldwide. Based on the breeding history and molecular evidence, we proposed that the wheat Green Revolution in China and International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) occurred independently.
Phase equilibria modelling of retrograde amphibole and clinozoisite in mafic eclogite from the Tso Morari massif, northwest India: constraining the P–T–M(H2O) conditions of exhumation
Authors: Palin R. M. , St‐Onge M. R. , Waters D. J. , Searle M. P. , Dyck B.
Published: March 2014

Phase equilibria modelling of post‐peak metamorphic mineral assemblages in (ultra)high‐P mafic eclogite from the Tso Morari massif, Ladakh Himalaya, northwest India, has provided new insights into the potential behaviour and source of metamorphic fluid during exhumation, and constrained the P–T conditions of hydration. A series of P–M(H2O) pseudosections constructed in the Na2O–CaO–K2O–FeO–MgO–Al2O3–SiO2–H2O–TiO2–O (NCKFMASHTO) system show that a number of petrographically distinct hydration episodes occurred during exhumation from peak P–T conditions (~640 °C, 27–28 kbar), resulting in the formation of abundant compositionally zoned amphibole and minor clinozoisite poikiloblasts at the expense of a peak assemblage dominated by garnet and omphacite. Initial hydration is interpreted to have occurred as a result of the destabilization of talc following isothermal decompression to ~23 kbar, which led to the formation of barroisite–winchite amphibole core domains. An episode of fluid infiltration from an external source at ~19 kbar, with or without syn‐decompressional cooling to ~560 °C, resulted in further barroisitic–winchitic amphibole growth, followed by the formation of clinozoisite poikiloblasts. Continued buoyancy‐driven exhumation to the base of the lower crust is constrained to have taken place with no additional fluid input. A final hydration event is characterized by the formation of magnesiohornblende rims on the barroisite–winchite cores, with the former interpreted to have formed during later prograde overprinting in the middle crust associated with the final stages of exhumation. Notably, the vast majority of externally sourced H2O, comprising just over half of the current bulk rock fluid content, was added during this later hydration event. In a middle crustal setting, this is interpreted as the result of devolatilization reactions occurring in migmatitic host orthogneiss and/or metasedimentary units, or following the crystallization of partial melt.
Sero‐epidemiological survey for brucellosis, leptospirosis, and toxoplasmosis in free‐rangingAlouatta carayaandCallithrix penicillatafromSãoPaulo State,Brazil
Authors: Molina Camila Vieira , Catão‐Dias José Luiz , Ferreira Neto José Soares , Vasconcellos Silvio Arruda , Gennari Solange Maria , do Valle Rodrigo Del Rio , de Souza Gisele Oliveira , de Morais Zenaide Maria , Vitaliano Sérgio Netto , Strefezzi Ricardo De Francisco , Bueno Marina Galvão
Published: March 2014

Background and Methods

Sera were tested forBrucella spp.,Leptospira spp. andToxoplasma gondiiantibodies in 68 free‐ranging New World monkeys from a forest fragment of the Brazilian Cerrado.

Results and Conclusion

All animals were negative forBrucella spp. andLeptospira spp. However, 75% ofAlouatta carayaand 16.6% ofCallithrix penicillatawere positive forT. gondii. The implications for conservation and health management are discussed.
Determining criteria to assess patient readiness for discharge from postanaesthetic care: an international Delphi study
Authors: Phillips Nicole M , Street Maryann , Kent Bridie , Cadeddu Mary
Published: March 2014

Aims and objectives

To obtain expert consensus on essential criteria required to assess patient readiness for discharge from the postanaesthetic care unit.

Background

A patient's condition can deteriorate after surgery, and the immediate postoperative period is recognised internationally as a time of increased risk to patient safety. A recent systematic review identified evidence‐based assessment criteria for the safe discharge of patients from the postanaesthetic care unit and identified gaps in the evidence.

Design

Descriptive consensus study using the Delphi method.

Methods

Members of international clinical specialist groups with expertise in anaesthesia or postanaesthetic care participated in three consultation rounds. Online surveys were used to determine expert consensus with regard to aspects of postanaesthetic care and specific criteria for assessing patient readiness for discharge. Three rounds of surveys were conducted from May 2011–September 2012.

Results

Twenty‐three experts contributed to the panel. Consensus, that is, at least 75% agreement, was reached in regard to 24 criteria considered essential (e.g. respiratory rate 100%; pain 100%; heart rate 95%; temperature 91%). Consensus was also reached for 15 criteria not considered essential (e.g. appetite 96%; headache 76%). Consensus was not obtained for a further 10 criteria. Participants (95%) agreed that a discharge tool was important to ensure safe patient discharge.

Conclusion

Consensus was achieved by a panel of international experts on the use of a tool to assess patient readiness for discharge from postanaesthesia care unit and specific variables to be included or excluded from the tool. Further work is required to develop a tool and test its reliability and validity.

Relevance to clinical practice

The findings of this study have informed the development of an evidence‐based tool to be piloted in a subsequent funded study of nursing assessment of patient readiness for discharge from the postanaesthetic care unit.
Effects of an early postoperative walking exercise programme on health status in lung cancer patients recovering from lung lobectomy
Authors: Chang Nai‐Wen , Lin Kuan‐Chia , Lee Shih‐Chun , Chan James Yi‐Hsin , Lee Ya‐Hsin , Wang Kwua‐Yun
Published: March 2014

Aims and objectives

To examine the effects of an early postoperative walking exercise programme on postlobectomy lung cancer patients.

Background

Few interventional studies on the postoperative health status of lung cancer patients have considered the efficacy of programmes designed to improve critical health variables.

Design

A two‐group quasi‐experimental, longitudinal approach repeated four times examined participant data collected 12–18 hours prior to surgery and again at one, three and six months after surgery.

Methods

We assigned the first 33 enrolled participants to the intervention group and the second 33 to the control group. The intervention was a daily supervised walking exercise programme consisting of 12 weeks of brisk walking exercise that began on the day following transfer to the regular ward along with weekly telephone calls until 12 weeks after discharge. Health status was measured using a structured questionnaire (World Health Organization Quality of Life, brief version) and clinical tests (pulmonary function test and 6‐minute walk test). We analysed data using general estimating equations, with p < 0·05 considered significant.

Results

Intervention group pulmonary and physical functions were increasingly better over time than those of the control group, with no significant difference in quality of life between the two groups. Compared to the control group, the intervention group earned significantly better values for FVC% at postoperative month 3 and for FEV1% at postoperative months 3 and 6. Intervention group 6MWT scores were significantly better than those of the control group at postoperative months 1, 3 and 6.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated the benefits of an early postoperative walking exercise intervention for pulmonary and physical function in postlobectomy lung cancer patients.

Relevance to clinical practice

The results may guide the design of appropriate interventions in the future. Clinical trials in other populations are needed to confirm the results of this study.
Understanding nurses' views on a pressure ulcer prevention care bundle: a first step towards successful implementation
Authors: Chaboyer Wendy , Gillespie Brigid M.
Published: March 2014

Aims and Objectives

To explore nurses' views of the barriers and facilitators to the use of a newly devised patient‐centred pressure ulcer prevention care bundle.

Background

Given pressure ulcer prevention strategies are not implemented consistently, the use of a pressure ulcer care bundle may improve implementation given bundles generally assist in standardising care.

Design

A quality improvement project was undertaken after a pressure ulcer prevention care bundle was developed and pilot‐tested.

Methods

Short, conversational interviews with nurse explored their views of a patient‐centred pressure ulcer care bundle. Interviews were audio‐taped and transcribed. Inductive content analysis was used to analyse the transcripts.

Results

A total of 20 nurses were interviewed. Five categories with corresponding subcategories emerged from the analysis. They were increasing awareness of pressure ulcer prevention, prompting pressure ulcer prevention activities, promoting active patient participation, barriers to using a pressure ulcer prevention care bundle and enabling integration of the pressure ulcer prevention care bundle into routine practice.

Conclusions

Benefits of using a patient‐centred pressure ulcer prevention care bundle may include prompting patients and staff to implement prevention strategies and promote active patient participation in care. The success of the care bundle relied on both patients' willingness to participate and nurses' willingness to incorporate it into their routine work.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

A patient‐centred pressure ulcer prevention care bundle may facilitate more consistent implementation of pressure ulcer prevention strategies and active patient participation in care.
A systematic narrative review of the literature: adherence to pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments among adolescents with mental disorders
Authors: Timlin Ulla , Hakko Helinä , Heino Raija , Kyngäs Helvi
Published: March 2014

Aims and objectives

To review current research into the adherence to mental health treatment by adolescents.

Background

Nonadherence to medication among adolescents has been studied much more extensively than nonadherence to other forms of treatment. Monitoring adherence to all recommended services is essential when assessing the long‐term effectiveness of different treatment programmes. Healthcare professionals who treat patients with mental illness must be able to accurately determine which of their patients are adhering to all prescribed treatments.

Design

This is a systematic narrative literature review of the current literature.

Methods

Using a narrative synthesis, the data from 15 relevant articles concerning adolescents in inpatient or outpatient mental health care were extracted and synthesised.

Results

The reviewed papers are discussed in terms of the methods used to study treatment adherence, the working definition of adherence used in each case and the results obtained concerning adherence in adolescents. Thirty‐four to sixty‐seven per cent of adolescents treated are fully adherent to their medication and exhibit reasonably good follow‐through for the recommended treatments. However, rates of noncompliance with medication are quite high, and significant numbers of adolescents choose to discontinue their medication.

Conclusions

This review synthesises current published data on adherence to mental health treatment among adolescents in order to provide practitioners and researchers with a better understanding of this important area. It is recommended that future investigations should focus on adherence in inpatient care, adherence to nonpharmacological treatments and the identification of factors that influence adherence.

Relevance to clinical practice

The monitoring and understanding of adherence to recommended services is important. Therefore, these findings can be used by healthcare professionals who treat patients with mental illness to help them assess which of their patients are adhering to the prescribed treatments.
Her2 expression and gene amplification is rarely detectable in patients with oral squamous cell carcinomas
Authors: Hanken Henning , Gaudin Robert , Gröbe Alexander , Fraederich Meike , Eichhorn Wolfgang , Smeets Ralf , Simon Ronald , Sauter Guido , Grupp Katharina , Izbicki Jacob R. , Sehner Susanne , Heiland Max , Blessmann Marco
Published: March 2014

Purpose

Her2 (ErbB2) transforms cells when overexpressed and is an important therapeutic target in breast cancer. Contrary to breast cancer, studies on Her2 overexpression and gene amplification in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck region described largely different results. This study was undertaken to learn more on the prevalence and clinical significance of HER2 amplification and overexpression in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck.

Materials and methods

Her2 expression and gene amplification was analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on two tissue microarrays composed of 427 squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck region and 222 oral squamous cell carcinomas. Results were compared with clinicopathological features.

Results

Her2 expression and gene amplification was rarely detectable in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck region and unrelated to tumor phenotype or survival of the patients with oral squamous carcinoma.

Discussion

Our results demonstrate that Her2 protein and gene amplification was only detectable in a small subset of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck region as well as oral squamous cell carcinomas. However, it can be speculated that those few patients with Her2 overexpressing and gene amplificated tumors may possibly benefit from an anti‐Her2 therapy.
A MULTI‐CENTRE, RANDOMISED TRIAL TO ASSESS WHETHER INCREASED DIETARY FIBRE INTAKE (USING A FIBRE SUPPLEMENT OR HIGH‐FIBRE FOODS) PRODUCES HEALTHY BOWEL PERFORMANCE AND REDUCES LAXATIVE REQUIREMENT IN FREE LIVING PATIENTS ON PERITONEAL DIALYSIS
Authors: Sutton Debbie , Ovington Susan , Engel Barbara
Published: March 2014

Background

Constipation is a significant problem for many patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD). Due in part to dietary restrictions it is a common cause of technique failure and poor dialysis efficacy. Both consequences have an economic cost as well as contributing to a poor patient experience.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate whether an appropriate daily bowel habit could be achieved through a higher fibre intake, minimal use of laxatives and with no adverse effect on potassium, phosphate and fluid balance.

Methods

One hundred and seven patients who had been on PD for at least three months were recruited from seven renal units. They were asked to record daily bowel habits (Bristol Stool Form Scale: BSFS) and laxative use for four weeks. From this group 41 suitable patients with regular laxative use were identified and invited to enter the Intervention stage, Stage 2. Patients were randomised into one of three intervention arms: high fibre supplement (HFS); high fibre diet (HFD) or placebo.

Results

During the intervention stage, intake of HFS increased significantly between week 1 and week 4 (p = 0.04) and in the placebo group between week 1 and week 3 (p = 0.02). There was no significant increase in fibre intake for those on the HFD. Laxative dose appeared to decrease in the HFS group (38%) and the HFD group (16%) but these changes were not significant when compared to the placebo.

Conclusion

This study has confirmed the prevalence of laxative use amongst patients on PD and shown that fibre use can confer improvements in bowel function without affecting biochemistry.
COMPARISON OF Kt/V AND UREA REDUCTION RATIO IN MEASURING DIALYSIS ADEQUACY IN PAEDIATRIC HAEMODIALYSIS IN ENGLAND
Authors: Dunne Nina , Campbell Malcolm , Fitzpatrick Maggie , Callery Peter
Published: March 2014

Background

The National Kidney Foundation‐Dialysis Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI) guidelines and the Renal Association recommend the use of either Kt/V or urea reduction ratio (URR) to measure haemodialysis adequacy.

Objectives

To determine the methods used to measure paediatric haemodialysis adequacy and to assess consistency between calculations of single pool Kt/V (spKt/V) and URR.

Design

A service evaluation was conducted to establish current practices in measuring dialysis adequacy. A prospective longitudinal study was conducted to compare spKt/V and URR.

Participants

Thirty‐two children were recruited consisting of 13 males and 19 females in five paediatric dialysis centres.

Results

Inconsistencies were reported of the method of post‐urea sampling with 4 of the 10 centres using the KDOQI recommended sampling method. Five dialysis centres reported using URR and five reported using spKt/V. There were substantial differences between the two measures. Using URR suggested that up to 44% of children did not receive adequate dialysis, whereas measurement by spKt/V suggested no more than 6% of the same dialysis sessions were not adequate.

Conclusion

One standard measure should be used to assess dialysis adequacy in paediatric centres in England. KDOQI guidelines were not consistently followed in obtaining a post‐urea blood sample and this procedure should be standardised.
Characterization of Turnip mosaic virus from the Asian‐BR Population in Iran
Authors: Farzadfar Shirin , Pourrahim Reza
Published: March 2014

Brassicaceae crops in eight provinces of the North‐west Iran were surveyed for Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) infection during 2011 and 2012. Many symptomatic plants (38%; 226 of 598) were found to be infected with TuMV. The highest frequency was in turnip (61%), followed by radish (55%), oilseed rape (38%), and brassica weeds including annual bastard cabbage (42%), small tumbleweed‐mustard (50%) and wild radish (45%), but not Brassica oleracea and Lepidium sativum. Using biological assays, Iranian TuMV isolates grouped in three [B], [B(R)] and [BR] host‐infecting types. Phylogenetic analysis using complete coat protein (CP) gene nucleotide sequences showed that the Iranian isolates belonged to the Basal‐B and Asian‐BR populations. No evidence of recombination was found in these isolates using different recombination‐detecting programmes. To our knowledge, our study shows for the first time the occurrence of TuMV Asian‐BR subpopulation in the mid Eurasian region of Iran. The data suggest that the Asian‐BR subtype population is found across southern Eurasia and might be a continuous population in East Asia (mostly Japan and China) and Minor Asia (Turkey), the places considered to be one of the origins of TuMV populations.