bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Memory Support and Elicited Production on Fast Mapping of New Words by Adolescents With Down Syndrome
Authors: Chapman Robin S. , Sindberg Heidi , Bridge Cynthia , Gigstead Katherine , Hesketh Linda
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine whether memory support and elicited production differentially benefited fast mapping of new vocabulary (comprehension, production accuracy, and speed) in adolescents with Down syndrome (DS) compared with typically developing (TD) children matched for syntax comprehension. The study also examined predictors of individual difference within groups.

Method

The ability of 19 adolescents with DS to fast map new noun vocabulary was compared with 18 TD children matched for syntax comprehension. The effects of memory support (5 examiner repetitions of the novel word vs. 1) and elicited production (2 repetitions by child vs. none) were evaluated in a repeated-measures design with counterbalancing of tasks.

Results

For novel word comprehension, low memory support impaired the TD but not DS participants. DS participants were slower to respond correctly in all conditions but benefited more from memory support than TD participants in speed of response. For novel word production, high memory support benefited all participants in the no-elicited-production condition. Elicited production improved performance equally in the 2 memory conditions. Standard comprehension measures predicted fast-mapped comprehension: vocabulary in the case of the DS group, syntax in the case of the TD group. Auditory short-term memory measures predicted fast-mapped production in the TD group but not the DS group. Hearing and grammatical morpheme comprehension predicted novel word production in the DS group.

Conclusions

DS participants' speed of comprehension of fast-mapped words was differentially increased compared with the TD syntax-comprehension–matched group, by memory support. Elicited production improved production fast-mapping for all participants, and memory support improved it in the absence of elicited production. Comprehension predicted individual differences in fast-mapped comprehension in DS; in addition, hearing predicted production.
Combining Temporal-Envelope Cues Across Channels: Effects of Age and Hearing Loss
Authors: Souza Pamela E. , Boike Kumiko T.
Published: November 2011

The goal of this study was to examine the ability to combine temporal-envelope information across frequency channels. Three areas were addressed: (a) the effects of hearing loss, (b) the effects of age and (c) whether such effects increase with the number of frequency channels. Twenty adults aged 23–80 years with hearing loss ranging from mild to severe and a control group of 6 adults with normal hearing participated. Stimuli were vowel–consonant–vowel syllables. Consonant identification was measured for 5 conditions: (a) 1-channel temporal-envelope information (minimal spectral cues), (b) 2-channel, (c) 4-channel, (d) 8-channel, and (e) an unprocessed (maximal spectral cues) speech condition. Performance of listeners with normal hearing and listeners with hearing loss was similar in the 1-channel condition. Performance increased with the number of frequency channels in both groups; however, increasing the number of channels led to smaller improvements in consonant identification in listeners with hearing loss. Older listeners performed more poorly than younger listeners but did not have more difficulty combining temporal cues across channels than in a simple, 1-channel temporal task. Age was a significant predictor of nonsense syllable identification, whereas amount of hearing loss was not. The results support an age-related deficit in use of temporal-envelope information with age, regardless of the number of channels.
The Thatcher Effect in Biological Motion
Authors: Mirenzi Aaron , Hiris Eric
Published: November 2011

We demonstrate the Thatcher effect in biological-motion displays and show that it is primarily a result of the moving, and not static, cues in the display.
Obesity, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes in people with a mental illness: a need for primary health care
Authors: Stanley Susanne H. , Laugharne Jonathan D. E.
Published: November 2011

People with a mental illness show a growing incidence of obesity, and higher rates of metabolic syndrome when compared with the general population. This paper reviews research on obesity, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, with the aim of directing clinical attention towards the improvement of patient physical health. A systematic search of cross-discipline databases and journals provided peer-reviewed research for analysis, and national statistics allowed for the investigation of differences in rates of occurrence between people experiencing a mental illness and the general population. Treatment effects via psychotropic medications and lifestyle factors such as poor diet and low levels of exercise suggest that ongoing monitoring is necessary to prevent major physical disorders in people experiencing a mental illness. To aid clinicians, a comprehensive set of clinical guidelines have been developed for the physical assessment and ongoing monitoring of mental health patients.
Approaching the historical phonology of three highly eroded Sino-Tibetan languages
Authors: Jacques Guillaume , Michaud Alexis
Published: November 2011

Naxi, Na and Laze are three languages whose position within Sino-Tibetan is controversial. We propose that they are descended from a common ancestor (‘Proto-Naish’). Unlike conservative languages of the family, such as Rgyalrong and Tibetan, which have consonant clusters and final consonants, Naxi, Na and Laze share a simple syllabic structure (consonant+glide+vowel+tone) due to phonological erosion. This raises the issue of how the regular phonological correspondences between these three languages should be interpreted, and what phonological structure should be reconstructed for Proto-Naish. The regularities revealed by comparing the three languages are interpreted in light of potential cognates in conservative languages. This brings out numerous cases of phonetic conditioning of vowels by place of articulation of a preceding consonant or consonant cluster. Overall, these findings warrant a relatively optimistic conclusion concerning the feasibility of unraveling the phonological history of highly eroded language subgroups within Sino-Tibetan.
How eisosomes help the plasma membrane get organized
Authors: Leslie Mitch
Published: November 2011

Proteins combine into filaments that hug and modify the membrane.
Actin filaments function as a tension sensor by tension-dependent binding of cofilin to the filament
Authors: Hayakawa Kimihide , Tatsumi Hitoshi , Sokabe Masahiro
Published: November 2011

Intracellular and extracellular mechanical forces affect the structure and dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton. However, the underlying molecular and biophysical mechanisms, including how mechanical forces are sensed, are largely unknown. Actin-depolymerizing factor/cofilin proteins are actin-modulating proteins that are ubiquitously distributed in eukaryotes, and they are the most likely candidate as proteins to drive stress fiber disassembly in response to changes in tension in the fiber. In this study, we propose a novel hypothesis that tension in an actin filament prevents the filament from being severed by cofilin. To test this, we placed single actin filaments under tension using optical tweezers. When a fiber was tensed, it was severed after the application of cofilin with a significantly larger delay in comparison with control filaments suspended in solution. The binding rate of cofilin to an actin bundle decreased when the bundle was tensed. These results suggest that tension in an actin filament reduces the cofilin binding, resulting in a decrease in its effective severing activity.
The core domain as the force sensor of the yeast mechanosensitive TRP channel
Authors: Su Zhenwei , Anishkin Andriy , Kung Ching , Saimi Yoshiro
Published: November 2011

Stretch-activated conductances are commonly encountered in careful electric recordings. Those of known proteins (TRP, MscL, MscS, K2p, Kv, etc.) all share a core, which houses the ion pathway and the gate, but no recognizable force-sensing domain. Like animal TRPs, the yeast TRPY1 is polymodal, activated by stretch force, Ca2+, etc. To test whether its S5–S6 core senses the stretch force, we tried to uncouple it from the peripheral domains by strategic peptide insertions to block the covalent core–periphery interactions. Insertion of long unstructured peptides should distort, if not disrupt, protein structures that transmit force. Such insertions between S6 and the C-terminal tail largely removed Ca2+ activation, showing their effectiveness. However, such insertions as well as those between S5 and the N-terminal region, which includes S1–S4, did not significantly alter mechanosensitivity. Even insertions at both locations flanking the S5–S6 core did not much alter mechanosensitivity. Tryptophan scanning mutations in S5 were also constructed to perturb possible noncovalent core–periphery contacts. The testable tryptophan mutations also have little or no effects on mechanosensitivity. Boltzmann fits of the wild-type force–response curves agree with a structural homology model for a stretch-induced core expansion of ∼2 nm2 upon opening. We hypothesize that membrane tension pulls on S5–S6, expanding the core and opening the TRPY1 gate. The core being the major force sensor offers the simplest, though not the only, explanation of why so many channels of disparate designs are mechanically sensitive. Compared with the bacterial MscL, TRPY1 is much less sensitive to force, befitting a polymodal channel that relies on multiple stimuli.
Serum titres of anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase-65 and anti-IA-2 autoantibodies are associated with different immunoregulatory milieu in newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes patients
Authors: Andrade Lima Gabbay M , Sato M N , Duarte A J S , Dib S A
Published: November 2011

Several studies correlated genetic background and pancreatic islet-cell autoantibody status (type and number) in type 1A diabetes mellitus (T1AD), but there are no data evaluating the relationship among these markers with serum cytokines, regulatory T cells and β cell function. This characterization has a potential importance with regard to T1AD patients' stratification and follow-up in therapeutic prevention. In this study we showed that peripheral sera cytokines [interleukin (IL)-12, IL-6, II-1β, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-10] and chemokines (CXCL10, CXCL8, CXCL9, CCL2) measured were significantly higher in newly diagnosed T1AD patients when compared to healthy controls (P < 0·001). Among T1AD, we found a positive correlation between CXCL10 and CCL-2 (r = 0·80; P = 0·000), IL-8 and TNF-α (r = 0·60; P = 0·000); IL-8 and IL-12 (r = 0·57; P = 0·001) and TNF-α and IL-12 (r = 0·93; P = 0·000). Glutamic acid decarboxylase-65 (GAD-65) autoantibodies (GADA) were associated negatively with CXCL10 (r = −0·45; P = 0·011) and CCL2 (r = −0·65; P = 0·000), while IA-2A showed a negative correlation with IL-10 (r = −0·38; P = 0·027). Human leucocyte antigen (HLA) DR3, DR4 or DR3/DR4 and PTPN22 polymorphism did not show any association with pancreatic islet cell antibodies or cytokines studied. In summary, our results revealed that T1AD have a proinflammatory cytokine profile compared to healthy controls and that IA-2A sera titres seem to be associated with a more inflammatory peripheral cytokine/chemokine profile than GADA. A confirmation of these data in the pre-T1AD phase could help to explain the mechanistic of the well-known role of IA-2A as a more specific marker of beta-cell damage than GADA during the natural history of T1AD.
High‐pressure high‐temperature extraction of phenolic compounds from grape skins
Authors: Casazza Alessandro A. , Aliakbarian Bahar , Sannita Eugenia , Perego Patrizia
Published: November 2011

This study focused on the use of a non‐conventional extraction technology by employing high‐pressure high‐temperature stirred reactor to extract polyphenols from grape skins. Extraction time (15–330 min) and temperature (30–150 °C) were selected as independent variables, and their effects were studied. A preliminary kinetic study on polyphenols extraction revealed that the second‐order model fitted satisfactorily the experimental results (R2 ≥ 0.9798). Total polyphenol yield and total flavonoid (TF) yield, as well as the antiradical power (ARP) of the extracts, were analysed. The use of high‐pressure high‐temperature technology resulted in obtaining extracts rich in polyphenols with high ARP. The highest total polyphenol (60.7 mgGAE ) and TF (15.1 mgCE ) yields were obtained at 150 °C for 270 min and 150 °C for 15 min, respectively. HPLC was employed to analyse phenolic compounds. Considerable quantities of single phenolic compounds were extracted. The highest yields of gallic acid, 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural, protocatechuic acid, catechin, vanillic acid, syringic acid, cumaric acid, trans‐resveratrol and quercetin (163.2, 20.0, 69.9, 420.0, 20.6, 603.0, 20.1, 42.4 and 117.1 mg per 100 gDS, respectively) were found. ARP values were found between 8.45 and 52.17 μgDPPH .
Assessment of variables effects on sugar cane juice clarification by carbonation process
Authors: Hamerski Fabiane , da Silva Vítor R. , Corazza Marcos L. , Ndiaye Papa M. , de Aquino Arislete D.
Published: November 2011

This paper reports a study of sugar cane juice carbonation and the evaluation of variables effects such as pH, carbonation time and temperature on industrially relevant parameters for the quality of sugar cane juice. Three different batches of sugar cane juice were evaluated using a complete two‐level factorial design with central point performed in triplicate. From results in this work, it can be seen that the higher sucrose concentrations and lower percentage of total soluble solids and reducing sugars were obtained in clarified juices with the maximum values for pH, time and reaction temperature (9.5, 60 min and 80 °C). The temperature favoured the removal of starch, phosphate and turbidity. Colour removal reached a maximum of 88–93% among the batches. The optimum clarification condition using carbonation procedure can be achieved between 20 and 40 min, at pH values between 8.0 and 9.5 and temperature condition at 80 °C.
Exploring the scope of expanding advanced nursing practice in nurse‐led clinics: a multiple‐case study
Authors: Shiu Ann T.Y. , Lee Diana T.F. , Chau Janita P.C.
Published: November 2011

shiu a.t.y., lee d.t.f. & chau j.p.c. (2011) Exploring the scope of expanding advanced nursing practice in nurse‐led clinics: a multiple‐case study. Journal of Advanced Nursing68(6), 1780–1792.

Aim.  This article is a report on a study to explore the development of expanding advanced nursing practice in nurse‐led clinics in Hong Kong.

Background.  Nurse‐led clinics serviced by advanced practice nurses, a common international practice, have been adopted in Hong Kong since 1990s. Evaluations consistently show that this practice has good clinical outcomes and contributes to containing healthcare cost. However, similar to the international literature, it remains unclear as to what the elements of good advanced nursing practice are, and which directions Hong Kong should adopt for further development of such practice.

Methods.  A multiple‐case study design was adopted with six nurse‐led clinics representing three specialties as six case studies, and including two clinics each from continence, diabetes and wound care. Each case had four embedded units of analysis. They included non‐participant observation of nursing activities (9 days), nurse interviews (N = 6), doctor interviews (N = 6) and client interviews (N = 12). The data were collected in 2009. Within‐ and cross‐case analyses were conducted.

Results.  The cross‐case analysis demonstrated six elements of good advanced nursing practice in nurse‐led clinics, and showed a great potential to expand the practice by reshaping four categories of current boundaries, including community‐hospital, wellness–illness, public–private and professional‐practice boundaries. From these findings, we suggest a model to advance the scope of advanced nursing practice in nurse‐led clinics.

Conclusion.  The six elements may be applied as audit criteria for evaluation of advanced nursing practice in nurse‐led clinics, and the proposed model provides directions for expanding such practice in Hong Kong and beyond.
Neuroanatomical evidence demonstrating the existence of the vagal anti‐inflammatory reflex in the intestine
Authors: Cailotto C. , Costes L. M. M. , van der Vliet J. , VAN Bree S. H. W. , VAN Heerikhuize J. J. , Buijs R. M. , Boeckxstaens G. E.
Published: November 2011

Background  The cholinergic anti‐inflammatory pathway is proposed to be part of the so‐called vago‐vagal ‘inflammatory reflex’. The aim of this study is to provide neuro‐anatomical evidence to support the existence of a functional neuronal circuit and its activation in response to intestinal inflammation.

Methods  The expression of c‐fos was evaluated at different levels of the neurocircuitry in the course of postoperative ileus (POI) in a mouse model. Specific activation of the motor neurons innervating the inflamed intestine and the spleen was monitored by retrograde tracing using cholera toxin‐b. The role of the vagal afferent pathway nerve was evaluated by selective vagal denervation of the intestine.

Key Results  Abdominal surgery resulted in subtle inflammation of the manipulated intestine at 24 h (late phase), but not after 2 and 6 h (early) after surgery. This local inflammation was associated with activation of neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract and in the dorsal nucleus of the vagus. The vagal output mainly targeted the inflamed zone: 42% of motor neurons innervating the intestine expressed c‐fos IR in contrast to 7% of those innervating the spleen. Vagal denervation of the intestine abolished c‐fos expression in the brain nuclei involved in the neuronal network activated by intestinal inflammation.

Conclusions & Inferences  Our data demonstrate that intestinal inflammation triggers a vagally mediated circuit leading mainly to activation of vagal motor neurons connected to the inflamed intestine. These findings for the first time provide neuro‐anatomical evidence for the existence of the endogenous ‘inflammatory reflex’ and its activation during inflammation.
The WAVY GROWTH 3 E3 ligase family controls the gravitropic response in Arabidopsis roots
Authors: Sakai Tatsuya , Mochizuki Susumu , Haga Ken , Uehara Yukiko , Suzuki Akane , Harada Akiko , Wada Takuji , Ishiguro Sumie , Okada Kiyotaka
Published: November 2011

Regulation of the root growth pattern is an important control mechanism during plant growth and propagation. To better understand alterations in root growth direction in response to environmental stimuli, we have characterized an Arabidopsis thaliana mutant, wavy growth 3 (wav3), whose roots show a short‐pitch pattern of wavy growth on inclined agar medium. The wav3 mutant shows a greater curvature of root bending in response to gravity, but a smaller curvature in response to light, suggesting that it is a root gravitropism‐enhancing mutation. This wav3 phenotype also suggests that enhancement of the gravitropic response in roots strengthens root tip impedance after contact with the agar surface and/or causes an increase in subsequent root bending in response to obstacle‐touching stimulus in these mutants. WAV3 encodes a protein with a RING finger domain, and is mainly expressed in root tips. RING‐containing proteins often function as an E3 ubiquitin ligase, and the WAV3 protein shows such activity in vitro. There are three genes homologous to WAV3 in the Arabidopsis genome [EMBRYO SAC DEVELOPMENT ARREST 40 (EDA40), WAVH1 and WAVH2 ], and wav3 wavh1 wavh2 triple mutants show marked root gravitropism abnormalities. This genetic study indicates that WAV3 functions positively rather than negatively in root gravitropism, and that enhancement of the gravitropic response in wav3 roots is dependent upon the function of WAVH2 in the absence of WAV3. Hence, our results demonstrate that the WAV3 family of proteins are E3 ligases that are required for root gravitropism in Arabidopsis.
Chlamydial infection during trachoma monitoring: are the most difficult‐to‐reach children more likely to be infected?
Authors: Keenan Jeremy D. , Moncada J. , Gebre T. , Ayele B. , Chen M. C. , Yu S. N. , Emerson P. M. , Stoller N. E. , McCulloch C. E. , Gaynor B. D. , Schachter J.
Published: November 2011

Objectives  During mass antibiotic distributions for trachoma, certain individuals are difficult to locate and go untreated. These untreated individuals may serve as a source of community reinfection. The importance of this difficult‐to‐locate, untreated population is unclear. We sought to determine whether individuals who are difficult to locate were more likely to be infected with ocular chlamydia than those who were easier to locate.

Methods  We monitored 12 Ethiopian communities 1 year after a third annual mass azithromycin treatment for trachoma. Conjunctival swabbing for chlamydial RNA was performed in a random sample of children from each community. If insufficient numbers of children were enrolled on the first monitoring day, we returned on subsequent days.

Results  Of the 12 communities, 10 required more than one monitoring day. On average, 16.1% (95% CI 7.9–30.0) of children were enrolled after the initial day. Evidence of chlamydia was found in 7.1% (95% CI 2.7–17.4) of 0‐ to 9‐year‐old children. No ocular swabs collected after the initial day were positive for chlamydial RNA. Children examined after the initial monitoring day were significantly less likely to have ocular chlamydial infection than children seen on the initial day; Mantel–Haenszel common OR = 0 (95% CI 0–0.77).

Conclusions  In a setting of repeated annual mass azithromycin treatments, after approximately 80% of individuals have been located in a community, extra efforts to find absent individuals may not yield significantly more cases of ocular chlamydia.
Separases: biochemistry and function
Authors: Moschou Panagiotis N. , Bozhkov Peter V.
Published: November 2011

Tight regulation of cell cycle is of critical importance for eukaryotic biology and is achieved through a combined action of a large number of highly specialized proteins. Separases are evolutionarily conserved caspase‐like proteases playing a crucial role in cell cycle regulation, as they execute sister chromatid separation at metaphase to anaphase transition. In contrast to extensively studied yeast and metazoan separases, very little is known about the role of separases in plant biology. Here we describe the molecular mechanisms of separase‐mediated chromatid segregation in yeast and metazoan models, discuss new emerging but less‐understood functions of separases and highlight major gaps in our knowledge about plant separases.
Genetic structure of three fosmid‐fragments encoding 16S rRNA genes of the Miscellaneous Crenarchaeotic Group (MCG): implications for physiology and evolution of marine sedimentary archaea
Authors: Li Ping‐Yi , Xie Bin‐Bin , Zhang Xi‐Ying , Qin Qi‐Long , Dang Hong‐Yue , Wang Xu‐Min , Chen Xiu‐Lan , Yu Jun , Zhang Yu‐Zhong
Published: November 2011

Archaea of the Miscellaneous Crenarchaeotic Group (MCG) exist widely in soil, freshwater and marine sediments of both surface and subsurface. However, current knowledge about this group is limited to its phylogenetic diversity. An archaeal 16S library was constructed from a sediment sample from the South China Sea, which was dominated by MCG and Marine Group I (MG‐I). A metagenomic library was constructed from the same sediment sample, and three MCG fosmids (E6‐3G, E37‐7F and E48‐1C) containing 16S rRNA genes were screened. Annotation showed that the three genomic fragments encode a variety of open reading frames (ORFs) that are potentially homologous to important functional genes related to lipid biosynthesis, energy metabolism, and resistance to oxidants. No colinear regions were found between MCG fosmids and reported archaeal genomic fragments or genomes, suggesting that the MCG archaea are quite different from the sequenced archaea in gene arrangement. Analyses of both the phylogenies of 16S rRNA genes and several informational processing genes and nucleotide frequencies showed that MCG archaea are distinct from MG‐I plus relatives. In addition, tetranucleotide frequency analysis in combination with phylogenetic analysis suggested that some fragments in the MCG fosmids are probably derived from non‐MCG or non‐archaeal genomes.
Nitrate reduction, nitrous oxide formation, and anaerobic ammonia oxidation to nitrite in the gut of soil‐feeding termites (Cubitermes and Ophiotermes spp.)
Authors: Ngugi David Kamanda , Brune Andreas
Published: November 2011

Soil‐feeding termites play important roles in the dynamics of carbon and nitrogen in tropical soils. Through the mineralization of nitrogenous humus components, their intestinal tracts accumulate enormous amounts of ammonia, and nitrate and nitrite concentrations are several orders of magnitude above those in the ingested soil. Here, we studied the metabolism of nitrate in the different gut compartments of two Cubitermes and one Ophiotermes species using 15N isotope tracer analysis. Living termites emitted N2 at rates ranging from 3.8 to 6.8 nmol h−1 (g fresh wt.)−1. However, in homogenates of individual gut sections, denitrification was restricted to the posterior hindgut, whereas nitrate ammonification occurred in all gut compartments and was the prevailing process in the anterior gut. Potential rates of nitrate ammonification for the entire intestinal tract were tenfold higher than those of denitrification, implying that ammonification is the major sink for ingested nitrate in the intestinal tract of soil‐feeding termites. Because nitrate is efficiently reduced already in the anterior gut, reductive processes in the posterior gut compartments must be fuelled by an endogenous source of oxidized nitrogen species. Quite unexpectedly, we observed an anaerobic oxidation of 15N‐labelled ammonia to nitrite, especially in the P4 section, which is presumably driven by ferric iron; nitrification and anammox activities were not detected. Two of the termite species also emitted substantial amounts of N2O, ranging from 0.4 to 3.9 nmol h−1 (g fresh wt.)−1, providing direct evidence that soil‐feeding termites are a hitherto unrecognized source of this greenhouse gas in tropical soils.
Complete chloroform dechlorination by organochlorine respiration and fermentation
Authors: Lee Matthew , Low Adrian , Zemb Olivier , Koenig Joanna , Michaelsen Astrid , Manefield Mike
Published: November 2011

Chloroform (CF, CHCl3) is a recalcitrant and toxic environmental pollutant. In this communication we report for the first time a microbial community capable of complete CF dechlorination by metabolic processes. Cultures derived from subsurface soil (3.5 m) could sustain complete dechlorination of CF at levels of least 360 µM at a rate of 40 µM per day. Scrutiny of CF dechlorination revealed two metabolic processes at work. First, CF was respired to dichloromethane (DCM, CH2Cl2), which was then fermented to acetate, hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Elevated hydrogen partial pressures were found to inhibit the fermentation process. Interspecies hydrogen transfer was observed in the form of methanogenesis and acetogenesis. This suggests that the dechlorination process required syntrophic partners to maintain low hydrogen partial pressures. 13C‐labelled DCM was employed to help elucidate the chemistry of the process and identify bacterial community members involved. CF respiring cultures, where emulsified vegetable oil was supplied as the electron donor and DCM fermenting cultures, where DCM was supplied as the sole organic carbon source were studied separately. Pyrosequencing of these cultures revealed Dehalobacter lineages as a predominant community member in both. Subsequent growth experiments confirmed that the proliferation of Dehalobacter was linked directly to both the dehalorespiration and dehalofermentation processes.
The impact of product market competition on earnings quality
Authors: Cheng Peter , Man Paul , Yi Cheong H.
Published: November 2011

The objective of this paper is to examine the impact of product market competition on earnings quality. Based on a sample from the US manufacturing sector for the period 1996–2005, we find consistent evidence showing a positive relation between product market competition and earnings quality. Additional tests also confirm a positive relation between product market competition and the precision of public and private information held by investors and analysts. We also provide evidence that firms competing in concentrated and heterogeneous industries are associated with a number of earnings attributes and information quality not shared by those competing in concentrated but homogeneous industries. These findings are consistent with the intuition that firms enjoying a monopolistic advantage tend to avoid the attention of their competitors and politicians by creating a more opaque information environment.
Association of glycerol and paraffin in the treatment of ichthyosis in children: an international, multicentric, randomized, controlled, double‐blind study
Authors: Blanchet‐Bardon C. , Tadini G. , Machado Matos M. , Delarue A.
Published: November 2011

Background  Efficacy and tolerance should be considered in topical treatments of chronicle affections with impaired skin barrier function such as ichthyosis.

Objectives  To demonstrate the efficacy of Dexeryl® in reducing severity of ichthyosis.

Methods  A prospective, multicentre, randomized, placebo controlled study was performed with patients under 18 years suffering from a non‐bullous form of ichthyosis. A double‐blind period using Dexeryl® (an emollient cream containing glycerol 15% and paraffin 10%) or placebo (its vehicle) during 4 weeks followed by an open label period with all patients treated by Dexeryl® for 8 weeks. Improvement of ichthyosis was assessed by cutaneous xerosis evolution (SRRC score): the percentage of patients with 50% reduction of the SRRC score at D28 was the primary criterion. The assessment of pruritus [visual analogue scale (VAS)], global evaluation and safety were secondary.

Results  The percentage of patients with at least 50% reduction of SRRC score at D28 was significantly higher in Dexeryl® group (60.3%) vs. vehicle group (43.5%; P = 0.008). Reduction of pruritus on VAS was significantly higher at D28 with Dexeryl® (−2.16) compared to that in placebo (−1.49), P < 0.05. The improvement continues through the open label period: at D84 we observed −2.5 of SRRC score in the Dexeryl® group vs.−1.8 for the group previously treated by vehicle. Investigators found Dexeryl® efficacy as satisfying for about 80% of treated patients vs. 50% with vehicle. Concerning safety, most of the adverse events were not related to treatment.

Conclusions  Dexeryl® showed a significant improvement of xerosis and related symptoms in children with ichthyosis and was well tolerated.
‘Standing up for my human rights’: a group’s journey beyond consultation towards co‐production
Authors: Roberts Amanda , Greenhill Beth , Talbot Annie , Cuzak Meryl
Published: November 2011

Accessible summary

 Our health service ran a group to support people to stand up for their human rights.

 People with learning disabilities have their own stories to tell about human rights.

 Group members created a character called FREDA (fairness, respect, equality, dignity, autonomy) to understand how human rights laws affect their lives.

 The group did not follow its original plan. The group shared their own knowledge and experiences with each other. Acting on what people in the group wanted was most important. Written by Tina O’Connor1

Service user inclusion is a key component of a human rights‐based approach to healthcare and models of inclusion are developing rapidly. This article describes work with a group of NHS service users, designed to increase their knowledge of human rights, as part of a broader set of initiatives focussing on changing organisational culture. During a mutual learning journey, ‘co‐production’ emerged as a preferred model for promoting service user’s understandings of human rights. ‘Co‐production’, or sharing service design and delivery more equally with service users, led to outcomes that were initially inconceivable. During the group, co‐production appeared to be a vehicle for resolving dilemmas about services ‘empowering’ service users. This article considers how, when service user involvement and a HRBA are combined, a move away from tokenism towards collaboration, empowerment and redistribution of power is possible.
Depressive symptoms and intimate partner violence in the 12 months after childbirth: a prospective pregnancy cohort study
Authors: Woolhouse H , Gartland D , Hegarty K , Donath S , Brown SJ
Published: November 2011

Please cite this paper as: Woolhouse H, Gartland D, Hegarty K, Donath S, Brown S. Depressive symptoms and intimate partner violence in the 12 months after childbirth: a prospective pregnancy cohort study. BJOG 2011;118:000–000. DOI: 10.1111/j.1471‐0528.2011.03219.x.

Objective  To examine maternal depressive symptoms during and after pregnancy and explore their relationship with intimate partner violence in the 12 months after birth.

Design  Prospective pregnancy cohort study of nulliparous women.

Setting  Melbourne, Australia.

Population  In all, 1507 eligible women completed baseline data (mean gestation 15 weeks). Analyses are presented for 1305 women who completed all follow‐up questionnaires.

Methods  Women were recruited from six public hospitals at between 6 and 24 weeks of gestation. Written questionnaires were completed at recruitment and at 3, 6 and 12 months postpartum.

Main outcome measures  Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Intimate partner violence was assessed using the short version of the Composite Abuse Scale.

Results  Sixteen per cent of women reported depressive symptoms (EPDS ≥ 13) in the 12 months postpartum, with most women first reporting depressive symptoms in the second 6 months after birth. Around 40% of women reporting depressive symptoms at each follow up also reported intimate partner violence. Factors associated with postpartum depressive symptoms in multivariable models were: emotional abuse alone (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.72, 95% CI 1.72–4.13), physical abuse (adjusted OR 3.94, 95% CI 2.44–6.36), depression in pregnancy (adjusted OR 2.89, 95% CI 1.75–4.77) and unemployment in early pregnancy (adjusted OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.03–2.48).

Conclusions  Screening for maternal depression at 3 months postpartum or earlier may miss over half the women with depression in the first 12 months after birth. Intimate partner violence is common among women reporting postnatal depressive symptoms and may be an important factor for health professionals to consider in their management.
Identification and biology of α‐secretase
Authors: Vingtdeux Valérie , Marambaud Philippe
Published: November 2011

J. Neurochem.(2012)120(Suppl. 1), 34–45.

Absract

‘Secretase’ is a generic term coined more than 20 years ago to refer to a group of proteases responsible for the cleavage of a vast number of membrane proteins. These endoproteolytic events result in the extracellular or intracellular release of soluble metabolites associated with a broad range of intrinsic physiological functions. α‐Secretase refers to the activity targeting the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and generating sAPPα, a soluble extracellular fragment potentially associated with neurotrophic and neuroprotective functions. Several proteases from the a disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM) family, including ADAM10 and ADAM17, have been directly or indirectly associated with the constitutive and regulated α‐secretase activities. Recent evidence in primary neuronal cultures indicates that ADAM10 may represent the genuine constitutive α‐secretase. Mainly because α‐secretase cleaves APP within the sequence of Aβ, the core component of the cerebral amyloid plaques in Alzheimer’s disease, α‐secretase activation is considered to be of therapeutic value. In this article, we will provide a historical perspective on the characterization of α‐secretase and review the recent literature on the identification and biology of the current α‐secretase candidates.
Are amyloid‐degrading enzymes viable therapeutic targets in Alzheimer’s disease?
Authors: Nalivaeva Natalia N. , Beckett Caroline , Belyaev Nikolai D. , Turner Anthony J.
Published: November 2011

J. Neurochem. (2012) 120 (Suppl. 1), 167–185.

The amyloid cascade hypothesis of Alzheimer’s disease envisages that the initial elevation of amyloid β‐peptide (Aβ) levels, especially of Aβ1‐42, is the primary trigger for the neuronal cell death specific to onset of Alzheimer’s disease. There is now substantial evidence that brain amyloid levels are manipulable because of a dynamic equilibrium between their synthesis from the amyloid precursor protein and their removal by amyloid‐degrading enzymes (ADEs) providing a potential therapeutic strategy. Since the initial reports over a decade ago that two zinc metallopeptidases, insulin‐degrading enzyme and neprilysin (NEP), contributed to amyloid degradation in the brain, there is now an embarras de richesses in relation to this category of enzymes, which currently number almost 20. These now include serine and cysteine proteinases, as well as numerous zinc peptidases. The experimental validation for each of these enzymes, and which to target, varies enormously but up‐regulation of several of them individually in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease has proved effective in amyloid and plaque clearance, as well as cognitive enhancement. The relative status of each of these enzymes will be critically evaluated. NEP and its homologues, as well as insulin‐degrading enzyme, remain as principal ADEs and recently discovered mechanisms of epigenetic regulation of NEP expression potentially open new avenues in manipulation of AD‐related genes, including ADEs.
Interaction of the coccolithophore Gephyrocapsa oceanica with its carbon environment: response to a recreated high‐CO2 geological past
Authors: MOOLNA A. , RICKABY R. E. M.
Published: November 2011

Coccolithophores have played a key role in the carbon cycle since becoming dominant in the Cretaceous ocean, and their influence depends fundamentally on how they interact with their external carbon environment. Because the photosynthetic carbon‐fixing enzyme Rubisco requires high levels of CO2 for effective catalysis, coccolithophores are known to induce carbon concentrating mechanisms (CCMs) to raise the level of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in an ‘internal pool’. The ocean carbon system has varied greatly over the geological past, suggesting that coccolithophore interactions with that external carbon environment will have changed in parallel. The widespread present‐day coccolithophore Gephyrocapsa oceanica was acclimated here to a geological scale change in the seawater carbon system (five times higher DIC and alkalinity). Significant acclimation in response to the external carbon environment was demonstrated by a fourfold increase in the Km substrate concentration requirement for half‐maximum photosynthetic carbon fixation rates (suggesting that CCMs were down‐regulated when ambient carbon was more available). There was, however, no difference in growth rate, morphology or calcification, suggesting that calcification is not coupled to photosynthesis as one of the CCMs induced here and that productivity (growth rate and calcification) is not carbon‐limited under representative present‐day conditions. Beyond the kinetic parameters of photosynthesis, the only other indication of changed cell physiology seen was the increased fractionation of carbon isotopes into organic matter. These findings demonstrate that G. oceanica changes its carbon‐use physiology to maintain consistent photosynthetic carbon fixation in concert with different levels of ambient DIC without changing its morphology or calcification.
Social Identity Patterns in Culturally Diverse Organizations: The Role of Diversity Climate1
Authors: HOFHUIS JOEP , VAN DER ZEE KAREN I. , OTTEN SABINE
Published: November 2011

Many of the problems associated with cultural diversity in organizations stem from individuals' tendencies to categorize their social environment into “us” and “them.” We present the results of a field study (N = 1111) showing that diversity climate—an organizational climate characterized by openness toward and appreciation of diversity—may be the key to reducing these problems. The results show that diversity climate is positively related to cultural identity for majority members, and to organizational identity for minority members. In organizations with a strong diversity climate, both majority and minority members identify with the organization and their cultural groups simultaneously, thus displaying a dual identity. Diversity climate is positively related to job‐related outcomes for both groups, but particularly for minority members.
Liposuction – a surgical procedure in dermatology
Authors: Rapprich Stefan , Koller Josef , Sattler Gerhard , Wörle Birgit , Sommer Boris , Bechara Falk G. , Koenen Wolfgang , Kunte Christian , Grablowitz Doris , Hoffmann Klaus , Fratila Alina , Bruning Guido , Podda Maurizio , Schuller‐Petrovic Sanja , Karsai Syrus , Schmeller Wilfried , Meier‐Vollrath Ilka , Faulhaber Jörg , Brodersen Jens , Boehler Kornelia , Löser Christoph
Published: November 2011

Liposuction is an integral part of the wide range of surgical procedures in dermatology. Dermatologists established tumescent local anesthesia in combination with the use of micro‐cannulas; especially dermatologists from Germany and Austria actively designed and developed these new techniques. In this position paper, we discuss the history, various interdisciplinary aspects, the significance, and the treatment indications for this procedure as well as its role within dermatologic training programs and research. For quality reasons, members of the Germany Society of Dermatologic Surgery and the Austrian Society of Dermatologic Surgery discuss several fundamental professional aspects as well as the historical development of liposuction.
Parent–adolescent agreement on psychosocial symptoms and somatic complaints among adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Pirinen T , Kolho K‐L , Simola P , Ashorn M , Aronen ET
Published: November 2011

Aim:  To investigate parent–adolescent agreement on psychosocial and somatic symptoms in adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods:  A questionnaire‐based postal survey comprising Finnish adolescents aged 10–18 years with IBD (n = 156) and their parents. Emotional, behavioural and somatic symptoms were measured using the Child Behaviour Checklist (parent report) and the Youth Self‐Report.

Results:  In paediatric IBD, adolescents and parents agreed on the presence of a psychosocial problem (in subclinical/clinical range) in 5% of the cases but disagreed in 21%. In 74% of the dyads, respondents agreed that no problems existed. Agreement in reporting psychosocial or somatic symptoms was poor to low (κ = 0.00–0.38). The lowest agreement was on anxious/depressed mood (κ = 0.02) and thought problems (κ = 0.00) and the highest on social problems. The parents reported more somatic symptoms in their adolescents than the adolescents themselves (p < 0.001).

Conclusion:  Young IBD patients and their parents disagree in reporting psychosocial and somatic symptoms of the patients. The adolescents as well as their parents need to be involved; otherwise, many symptoms of clinical significance would go unnoticed.
Giving me hope: women's reflections on a breastfeeding peer support service
Authors: Thomson Gill , Crossland Nicola , Dykes Fiona
Published: November 2011

Breastfeeding peer support has been identified as a key intervention to help improve breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding rates. The World Health Organization, and, in the UK, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, recommend the implementation of sustainable peer support programmes. As part of an evaluation into a comprehensive breastfeeding peer support service in north‐west England, in‐depth interviews were conducted with 47 women who had received a breastfeeding peer support service. In this paper, we have drawn upon the work of Morse and colleagues to interpret the data in relation to behavioural manifestations of hope, together with insights into the strategies used by the peer supporters to augment hopefulness for women's breastfeeding goals. These theoretical and practice‐based findings offer insights into how the breastfeeding peer supporters provided realistic assessments across varying situational contexts, formed strategies and plans to help women overcome any obstacles, made women aware of any negative outcomes, mobilised external and personal resources to facilitate goal attainment, provided evaluations and feedback on women's (and infants') progress, and through praise, reassurance and instilling calm, the peer supporters helped women to focus their energy to achieve their breastfeeding goals. Practice‐based implications are considered.
An exploration of experiences of mothers following a baby‐led weaning style: developmental readiness for complementary foods
Authors: Brown Amy , Lee Michelle
Published: November 2011

Current UK Department of Health guidelines recommend that infants are introduced to complementary foods at around 6 months of age. Intake of complementary foods should be gradual, should incorporate a range of tastes and should be based around family foods. The infant should be ‘developmentally ready’, able to sit up, grasp objects and chew. Introduction to complementary foods in the UK is typically via purée and spoon‐feeding although an alternative approach is growing in popularity. The baby‐led weaning approach advocates bypassing purées and allowing infants to self‐feed foods in their solid form from the start of weaning. Research surrounding this method is sparse, and it is not advocated in Department of Health literature but understanding, if not advocacy of the method, is needed for health professionals faced with questions from parents. Here, 36 mothers of an infant aged 12–18 months who followed baby‐led weaning completed a semi‐structured interview examining their attitudes, beliefs and behaviours towards the approach. Key themes included following infant cues of readiness, hunger and satiety, exposure to textures and tastes and experiences, both positive and negative of following the method. The findings are considered in relation to Department of Health weaning guidelines and literature pertaining to the development of eating styles and weight gain in young children. Overall, the study offers an insight into this emerging method for child health practitioners raising questions as to the use or potential adaptation of key principles of the methods.