bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acquiring health literacy as a moral task
Authors: Ingleby David
Published: April 2012

Purpose

“Health literacy” refers to the knowledge and skills required to make optimal use of the health system. In the West, the question “how to live?” is increasingly answered by reference to medical and psychological norms and concepts: the concept of “health” has expanded enormously. Teaching migrants to become “health literate” is therefore a process of resocialisation or acculturation. If it is done without regard for their own ideas and values, it will be an attempt at assimilation – and like most such attempts, it will usually fail. If migrants are not consulted and involved in the design of their own health services, the services will not be optimally accessible and inclusive, which will lower the performance of the health system. This paper seeks to argue that becoming a “literate” user of Western health care involves learning a new morality.

Design/methodology/approach

Evidence is presented to illustrate the increasing medicalisation and psychologisation of life in the West and the argument that concepts of health are value‐based.

Findings

Migrants are not empty vessels simply waiting to be filled up by Western expertise; they have their own ideas and values, which may clash with those that underlie health care. Integration of migrants into health systems can only take place through dialogue, in which both sides show respect for each other's views. The confrontation with other ideas and values can enrich mainstream health care in the West.

Originality/value

The paper encourages readers to go beyond a purely technical interpretation of “health literacy” and consider its moral and political dimensions.
A primer on project management
Authors: Maddalena Victor
Published: April 2012

Purpose

This article is a primer which aims to examine the application of project management principles in organizational strategic planning. The intended audience is students in health administration and novice leaders in health care.

Design/methodology/approach

A six‐phase project management algorithm is presented to serve as a framework for implementing various aspects of an organization's strategic plan, with a particular emphasis on accountability processes.

Findings

Leaders in healthcare can increase the effectiveness of their organization's strategic planning processes and improve accountability by incorporating basic project management principles during the implementation phase of strategic planning.

Research limitations/implications

This is a review article drawing on a well‐established literature in project management and strategic planning.

Practical implications

The processes associated with generating an organizational strategic plan are well addressed in the management literature. This article succinctly outlines the application of basic project management principles to the implementation of strategic plans and organizational success, focusing on accountability processes.

Social implications

Cost effectiveness of health organizations can be improved by implementing project management practices in strategic planning.

Originality/value

The article succinctly applies basic project management principles to the implementation of strategic plans and organizational success.
Saigon Eye Hospital
Authors: Trong Tuan Luu
Published: April 2012

Purpose

This paper seeks to examine the innovative business model of Saigon Eye Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes the form of a case study.

Findings

The study identifies the categories underlying the high performance of the hospital system, namely leadership style, cause‐related marketing, market driving approach, HR and cost reduction, innovation stimulators, and brand building.

Originality/value

The research offers insight into the elements of the innovative business model of Saigon Eye Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, highlighting concepts of service management and social marketing in an emerging market context.
Evaluation of the efficiency of national health systems of the members of World Health Organization
Authors: Sinimole K.R.
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The importance of health care is growing worldwide, and the health sector receives a good proportion of GDP. As health care costs are increasing, it is important to assess the performance of health care facilities across countries. Therefore, this paper aims to examine the effectiveness of data envelopment analysis, which is one of the most important techniques currently available to model and measure the efficiency of national health care systems across the world.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the effectiveness of the operation of 180 countries is evaluated using data envelopment analysis (DEA). The countries selected are the members of the World Health Organization. Efficiency measures are calculated with respect to two groups of indicators, namely health status and health service coverage. In the health status group, four outputs representing mortality rates and one input representing the total expenditure on health is used in the analysis. In the health service coverage group, two outputs representing immunisation coverage and one input representing the total expenditure on health are used in the analysis.

Findings

Using data for the year 2008 from World Health Statistics (WHO), 45 countries are found to be efficient.

Originality/value

The value of the paper lies in the fact that it is one of the few studies to examine the robustness of data envelopment analysis to evaluate the performance of health care systems across countries.
Work‐family conflict, satisfactions and psychological well‐being among women managers and professionals in Turkey
Authors: Koyuncu Mustafa , Burke Ronald J. , Wolpin Jacob
Published: April 2012

Purpose

Although women continue to enter managerial and professional jobs in increasing numbers, they continue to be underrepresented at more senior levels of management. Several factors have been found to account for this, an important one being women's responsibilities for home and family functioning, often resulting in work‐family conflict (WFC). The purpose of this paper is to examine correlates and consequences of WFC among a sample of managerial and professional women working in Istanbul, Turkey.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 143 women, most working in the public sector, using anonymously completed questionnaires. About half were married and about half had children. WFC, both work interfering with family and family interfering with work (time‐, strain‐ and behaviour‐based) were measured by a scale developed and validated by Carlson et al., in a US study.

Findings

The respondents indicated relatively low levels of WFC. Levels of work interfering with family and family interfering with work were significantly and positively correlated. Hierarchical regression analyses, controlling for both personal demographic and work situation characteristics, showed that WFC generally predicted both work and psychological well‐being outcomes, work interfering with family being a consistently stronger predictor of these than was family interfering with work.

Research limitations/implications

Data collected at one point in time make it difficult to examine causality. In addition, most respondents worked in the public sector, raising the issue of generalizability to women managers and professionals in the private sector.

Practical implications

Practical implications are offered for individuals, families and workplaces to address work‐family issues.

Originality/value

This is one of the few studies of WFC among women managers and professionals in Turkey.
Type of community as confounding variable in the satisfaction of rural child and youth mental health clinicians: implications for evidence‐based workforce development
Authors: Gillespie Judy , Redivo Rhea
Published: April 2012

Purpose

This paper seeks to present findings from a study soliciting the perspectives of child and youth mental health clinicians practising in rural/remote settings in British Columbia, Canada. Satisfaction is assessed in four areas: lifestyle, practice, preparation for practice, and fit of organizational standards.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey using a variety of closed and open‐ended questions was administered to clinicians practising in four distinct settings: small rural, large rural, small remote, and large remote. Closed questions were analyzed using SPSS 17.0 while open ended questions were analyzed using manual open and axial coding.

Findings

Findings indicate moderate to high levels of satisfaction in all areas. Satisfaction with rural lifestyle and professional practice was strongest for clinicians recruited from within the community. However, clinicians from small remote communities indicated much lower levels of satisfaction in all four areas.

Originality/value

The study underscores the importance of understanding the diversity of rural practice settings in mental health workforce development. In particular it highlights the need for greater attention to evidence based approaches to support mental health practitioners in small remote settings.
“Wounded Healers”: the role of lived‐experience in mental health education and practice
Authors: Gilbert Peter , Stickley Theodore
Published: April 2012

Purpose

This article aims to focus on the role of lived‐experience in mental health education and practice as perceived by undergraduate students.

Design/methodology/approach

A small qualitative survey was conducted among Social Work and Mental Health Nursing students who were asked about their own experiences of mental ill health and its possible impact on their practice.

Findings

The article is contextualised in the concept of “Wounded Healers” as a number of students had previously (and were currently) experiencing mental distress.

Originality/value

There is a strong sense that students believe that their personal experiences inform their practice, and that this may assist them in empathising constructively with service users, within the boundaries of a professional relationship.
The greatest showman on earth
Authors: Brown Stephen , Hackley Christopher
Published: April 2012

Purpose

Simon Cowell, the impresario behindThe X Factor, a popular television talent show, has often been compared to P.T. Barnum, the legendary nineteenth century showman. This paper aims to examine the alleged parallels in detail and attempts to assess this “Barnum reborn” argument.

Design/methodology/approach

Putative parallels between the impresarios are considered under the aegis of two long‐standing, if contentious, historical “theories”: time's cycle and the great man thesis.

Findings

Seven broad similarities between the showmen are identified: vulgarity, hyperbole, rivalry, publicity, duplicity, liminality and history. In each case, the arguments pro and con are explored, as is humanity's propensity to personify.

Originality/value

In accordance with the iconic literary critic Harold Bloom, who “strikes texts together to seek if they spark”, this paper strikes two celebrated showmen together to generate historical sparks.
What do I have to do to get noticed around here?
Authors: Richardson Alan J.
Published: April 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to explore some of the strategies and issues associated with writing historical research to meet the demand for social “relevance” and to appeal, and be accessible to, a broader audience of readers.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses Brown and Hackley as a foil for identifying the key differences between traditional academic writing and writing to get noticed. These differences are then analyzed to identify the issues for academic historians.

Findings

The paper highlights distinct uses of rhetoric, metaphor and theory in Brown and Hackley that make their paper stand out from typical academic history papers and raises concerns about this style of research and writing.

Originality/value

The paper identifies and opens the debate on some key issues in historical writing and explanation that arise when academic historians take seriously the demand to seek greater contemporary relevance and public support for their research.
There's a scholar born every minute
Authors: Brown Stephen
Published: April 2012

Purpose

In “There's a scholar born every minute”, the author aims to explain the background to Brown and Hackley's co‐authored paper, “The greatest showman on earth”, and respond to the comments of Richardson and Tadajewski.

Design/methodology/approach

The major concerns of the authors' critics are addressed, after a fashion. The author also attempts to account for their unorthodox approach to historical writing.

Findings

The authors are innocent of every charge levelled by Richardson and Tadajewski. Except one, which the author hides in a footnote hoping no one will read it.

Originality/value

The rejoinder is all style, no substance. So there!
A functional polymorphism in the promoter region of the IL1B gene is associated with risk of multiple myeloma
Authors: Vangsted Annette J. , Nielsen Kaspar R. , Klausen Tobias W. , Haukaas Einar , Tjønneland Anne , Vogel Ulla
Published: April 2012

The cytokine interleukin‐1β (IL1B) is important for anti‐tumour immune response. Genetic variation may modify the expression of IL1B and thereby influence the risk of disease. We investigated genetic variations with functional importance in the IL1B and NFKB1 genes in 348 population‐based samples of multiple myeloma (MM) and a random sample of 1700 individuals. Carriers of the variant T‐allele IL1B C‐3737T and carriers of the TGT haplotype were at lower risk of MM [relative risk (RR) 0·58 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0·41–0·84) and RR 0·59 (95%CI 0·40–0·85), respectively]. No association with risk of MM was found for the NFKB1‐ 94 ins/del polymorphism.
Plasma glycation levels are associated with severity in sepsis
Authors: Andrades Michael Éverton , Lorenzi Rodrigo , Nagai Ryoji , Moreira José Cláudio Fonseca , Ritter Cristiane , Dal‐Pizzol Felipe
Published: April 2012

Eur J Clin Invest 2012; 42 (10): 1055–1060

Background  Advanced glycation end‐products (AGE) have been involved in inflammatory diseases and may have an important role in the progression of symptoms. However, few studies have analysed the levels of glycated proteins in sepsis. In this study, we evaluated the levels of the well‐known AGE (Nε‐(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) and Nε‐(carboxyethyl)lysine (CEL)) in the plasma of septic patients.

Material and methods  Plasma from 36 patients admitted to an adult intensive care unit and 6 healthy controls had the levels of CML/CEL measured by ELISA.

Results  The level of AGE in plasma decreased with the increase of severity (1·40 ± 0·46 nmol/mg of protein in sepsis, 0·58 ± 0·23 nmol/mg of protein in severe sepsis and 0·31 ± 0·12 nmol/mg of protein in septic shock). Control plasma presented low AGE concentration (0·06 ± 0·01 nmol/mg protein). Also, we found a decrease in plasma AGE in those patients that died at the end of 28 days follow‐up (0·80 ± 0·50 nmol/mg of protein in survivors vs. 0·31 ± 0·10 nmol/mg of protein in nonsurvivors), being associated with the renal component of sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score. In the same line, there was a decrease in plasma AGE with the increase in SOFA.

Conclusions  Our data demonstrate that plasma AGE levels are inversely associated with the severity of sepsis and may be associated with kidney dysfunction.
SLO2, a mitochondrial pentatricopeptide repeat protein affecting several RNA editing sites, is required for energy metabolism
Authors: Zhu Qiang , Dugardeyn Jasper , Zhang Chunyi , Takenaka Mizuki , Kühn Kristina , Craddock Christian , Smalle Jan , Karampelias Michael , Denecke Jurgen , Peters Janny , Gerats Tom , Brennicke Axel , Eastmond Peter , Meyer Etienne H. , Van Der Straeten Dominique
Published: April 2012

Pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins belong to a family of approximately 450 members in Arabidopsis, of which few have been characterized. We identified loss of function alleles of SLO2, defective in a PPR protein belonging to the E+ subclass of the P‐L‐S subfamily. slo2 mutants are characterized by retarded leaf emergence, restricted root growth, and late flowering. This phenotype is enhanced in the absence of sucrose, suggesting a defect in energy metabolism. The slo2 growth retardation phenotypes are largely suppressed by supplying sugars or increasing light dosage or the concentration of CO2. The SLO2 protein is localized in mitochondria. We identified four RNA editing defects and reduced editing at three sites in slo2 mutants. The resulting amino acid changes occur in four mitochondrial proteins belonging to complex I of the electron transport chain. Both the abundance and activity of complex I are highly reduced in the slo2 mutants, as well as the abundance of complexes III and IV. Moreover, ATP, NAD+, and sugar contents were much lower in the mutants. In contrast, the abundance of alternative oxidase was significantly enhanced. We propose that SLO2 is required for carbon energy balance in Arabidopsis by maintaining the abundance and/or activity of complexes I, III, and IV of the mitochondrial electron transport chain.
Prevention and control of childhood asthma and allergy in the EU from the public health point of view: Polish Presidency of the European Union
Authors: Samoliński B. , Fronczak A. , Kuna P. , Akdis C. A. , Anto J. M. , Bialoszewski A. Z. , Burney P. G. , Bush A. , Czupryniak A. , Dahl R. , Flood B. , Galea G. , Jutel M. , Kowalski M. L. , Palkonen S. , Papadopoulos N. , Raciborski F. , Sienkiewicz D. , Tomaszewska A. , Von Mutius E. , Willman D. , Włodarczyk A. , Yusuf O. , Zuberbier T. , Bousquet J.
Published: April 2012

The leading priority for the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union was to reduce health inequalities across European societies, and, within its framework, prevention and control of respiratory diseases in children. This very important paper contain proposal of international cooperation on the prevention, early detection and monitoring of asthma and allergic diseases in childhood which will be undertaken by the EU member countries as a result of EU conclusion developed during the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. This will result in collaboration in the field of chronic diseases, particularly respiratory diseases, together with the activity of the network of national institutions and NGOs in this area. Paper also contains extensive analysis of the socio‐economic, political, epidemiological, technological and medical factors affecting the prevention and control of childhood asthma and allergy presented during Experts presidential conference organized in Warsaw‐Ossa 21–22 September 2011.
Interleukin‐33 induces interleukin‐17F in bronchial epithelial cells
Authors: Fujita J. , Kawaguchi M. , Kokubu F. , Ohara G. , Ota K. , Huang S.‐K. , Morishima Y. , Ishii Y. , Satoh H. , Sakamoto T. , Hizawa N.
Published: April 2012

Background

IL‐33 is clearly expressed in the airway of patients with asthma, but its role in asthma has not yet been fully understood. IL‐17F is also involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. However, the regulatory mechanisms of IL‐17F expression remain to be defined. To further indentify the role of IL‐33 in asthma, we investigated the expression of IL‐17F by IL‐33 in bronchial epithelial cells and its signaling mechanisms.

Methods

Bronchial epithelial cells were stimulated with IL‐33. The levels of IL‐17F expression were analyzed using real‐time PCR and ELISA. Next, the involvement of ST2, MAP kinases, and mitogen‐ and stress‐activated protein kinase1 (MSK1) was determined by Western blot analyses. Various kinase inhibitors and anti‐ST2 neutralizing Abs were added to the culture to identify the key signaling events leading to the expression of IL‐17F, in conjunction with the use of short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting MSK1.

Results

IL‐33 significantly induced IL‐17F gene and protein expression. The receptor for IL‐33, ST2, was expressed in bronchial epithelial cells. Among MAP kinases, IL‐33 phosphorylated ERK1/2, but not p38MAPK and JNK. It was inhibited by the pretreatment of anti‐ST2 neutralizing (blocking) Abs. MEK inhibitor significantly blocked IL‐17F production. Moreover, IL‐33 phosphorylated MSK1, and MEK inhibitor diminished its phosphorylation. Finally, MSK1 inhibitors and transfection of the siRNAs targeting MSK1 significantly blocked the IL‐17F expression.

Conclusions

IL‐33 induces IL‐17F via ST2‐ERK1/2‐MSK1 signaling pathway in bronchial epithelial cells. These data suggest that the IL‐33/IL‐17F axis is involved in allergic airway inflammation and may be a novel therapeutic target.
The risks of red cell transfusion for hip fracture surgery in the elderly
Authors: Shokoohi A. , Stanworth S. , Mistry D. , Lamb S. , Staves J. , Murphy M. F.
Published: April 2012

Background and Objectives  The benefits and indications for blood transfusion among surgical patients are controversial. There is evidence which suggests that blood transfusion is associated with poor clinical outcomes and risks of infection, but there are few data in the elderly population.

Materials and Methods  Data were collected on haemoglobin concentrations and transfusions in 919 patients undergoing hip fracture repair at a university hospital over a 2‐year period. 28‐day and 180‐day mortality were specified as primary outcomes. A composite infection outcome (chest infections, urinary tract infections and wound infections) was the main secondary outcome. Preoperative, operative and/or postoperative transfusions were the main exposure variable. Regression analyses were used to explore the associations between transfusion and outcomes, adjusting for pre‐defined preoperative variables.

Results  300 patients (32·6%) were transfused at least once during their admission. There was no evidence of a significant difference in either 28‐day survival or 180‐day survival between transfused and non‐transfused hip fracture patients. The transfused group had higher adjusted composite infection rate (HR, 1·91; 95% CI, 1·41–2·59, P < 0·001) and prolonged length of stay in hospital than the non‐transfused group (HR, 1·15; 95% CI, 1·07, 1·23, P < 0·001). Anaemia at the time of admission, extra capsular fracture and using walking aids in an indoor setting were preoperative variables, which predicted the need for transfusion.

Conclusion  Among an elderly population with hip fracture, blood transfusion was not associated with changes in mortality, but was associated with an increased rate of postoperative infection. These data add to the wider literature about adverse clinical outcomes in patients receiving blood transfusions and emphasises the need for prospective trials to evaluate the role of transfusion in the elderly.
Reaction norms and genotype‐by‐environment interaction in the German Holstein dairy cattle
Authors: Streit M. , Reinhardt F. , Thaller G. , Bennewitz J.
Published: April 2012

Reaction norm random regression sire models were used to study genotype‐by‐environment interactions (G × E) in the German Holstein dairy cattle population. Around 2300 sires with a minimum of 50 daughters per sire and seven first‐lactation test day observations per daughter were analysed. Corrected test day records for milk yield, protein yield, fat yield and somatic cell score (SCS) were used. Herd test day solutions for milk traits, milk energy yield or SCS were used as environmental descriptors. Second‐order orthogonal polynomial regressions were applied to the sire effects. The results revealed significant slope variances of the reaction norms, which caused a non‐constant additive genetic variance across the environmental ranges considered. This pointed to the presence of minor G × E effects. The additive genetic variance increased when the environment improved, that is, higher (lower) herd test day solutions for milk traits (SCS). This was also influenced by pure scaling effects, because the non‐genetic variance increased in an improved environment and the heritability was less influenced by the environment. The G × E effects caused very little reranking of the sires for the environmental range considered in this study.
The influence of lupin seed germination on the chemical composition and standardized ileal digestibility of protein and amino acids in pigs
Authors: Chilomer K. , Kasprowicz‐Potocka M. , Gulewicz P. , Frankiewicz A.
Published: April 2012

The germination process can modify the chemical composition of nutrients in seeds, which can influence the digestibility and utilization of sprouts in animal diets compared to raw seeds. The aims of research were to provide controlled germination process of lupin seeds, monitor the changes in seed composition and determine the influence of the germination on the coefficients of standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of crude protein and amino acids in growing pigs, compared to raw lupin seeds. The seeds of two lupin species were used: yellow (RYL) (Lupinus luteus, cv. Lord) and blue (RBL) (Lupinus angustifolius, cv. Graf). Germination was provided in the dark at 24 °C for 4 days. Nutritional and antinutritional compositions of raw and germinated seeds (GYL and GBL, respectively) were analysed. Digestibility study was performed on pigs with an average body weight of 25 kg, and the pigs were surgically fitted with a T‐cannula in the distal ileum, with chromic oxide as an indicator. Seed germination increased the crude protein and fibre concentrations, but reduced the levels of the ether extract, nitrogen‐free extracts and all amino acids in protein. The content of alkaloids and raffinose family oligosaccharides decreased in both lupin species. Germination had no positive impact (p > 0.05) on the SID of crude protein and amino acids. Germination of lupin seeds negatively influenced the SID of lysine and methionine (p < 0.05). The results of the research revealed a decrease in the concentrations of antinutritional factors in the sprouts of yellow and blue lupins compared to raw seeds; however, no positive effect was observed on the coefficients of the standardized ileal apparent digestibility of protein and amino acids.
Effects of induced energy deficiency on lactoferrin concentration in milk and the lactoferrin reaction of primary bovine mammary epithelial cells in vitro
Authors: Danowski K. , Gross J. J. , Meyer H. H. D. , Kliem H.
Published: April 2012

A dietary energy restriction to 49% of total energy requirements was conducted with Red Holstein cows for three weeks in mid‐lactation. At the last day of the restriction phase, primary bovine mammary epithelial cells (pbMEC) of eight restriction (RF) and seven control‐fed (CF) cows were extracted out of one litre of milk and cultured. In their third passage, an immune challenge with the most prevalent, heat‐inactivated mastitis pathogens Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) was conducted. Lactoferrin (LF) was determined on gene expression and protein level. An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to determine LF in milk samples taken twice weekly throughout the animal trial, beginning on day 20 pp (post‐partum) until day 150 pp, in cell culture total protein and in cell culture supernatant. Milk LF increased throughout the lactation and decreased significantly during the induced energy deficiency in the RF group. At the beginning of realimentation, LF concentration increased immediately in the RF group and reached higher levels than before the induced deficit following the upward trend seen in the CF group. Cell culture data revealed higher levels (up to sevenfold up‐regulation in gene expression) and significant higher LF protein concentration in the RF compared to the CF group cells. A further emphasized effect was found in E. coli compared to S. aureus exposed cells. The general elevated LF levels in the RF pbMEC group and the further increase owing to the immune challenge indicate an unexpected memory ability of milk‐extracted mammary cells that were transposed into in vitro conditions and even displayed in the third passage of cultivation. The study confirms the suitability of the non‐invasive milk‐extracted pbMEC culture model to monitor the influence of feeding experiments on immunological situations in vivo.
Degradation of two soluble proteins – casein and egg protein by a macro in vitro method
Authors: Udén P.
Published: April 2012

Degradation of casein and egg protein was studied with whole rumen contents (RC) in a macro in vitro system to elucidate previous findings of initial rapid disappearance of soluble proteins in vitro. Five to 7.5 kg of RC from a dry and/or a lactating cow were incubated with buffer and casein or egg protein for 180 min with frequent sampling. Degradation was measured as loss of trichloroacetic acid precipitable N (TCA‐N) from the inocula. Normal (39 °C) and low (2 °C) temperature incubations were examined in Exp. 1, using 1 g of TCA‐N from casein. Four levels of casein (0–12 g TCA‐N) in Exp. 2 and four levels of egg albumin (0–24 g TCA‐N) in Exp. 3 were fermented at 39 °C. Initial recovery of casein TCA‐N was 106% at 2 °C and 56% at 39 °C (Exp. 1). Casein (TCA‐N) recovered initially increased in Exp. 2 from 21% at 3 g to 86% at 12 g TCA‐N, while absolute loss remained relatively constant at 358 mg TCA‐N/kg RC (SD = 47). Fractional degradation rate was highest (0.03/min) at the intermediate dosage level. In the absence of rumen fluid (Exp. 4), no casein was lost. Initial egg protein recovery was on average 103% (Exp. 3). Recovery seemed unaffected by dosage level, and absolute degradation rate was relatively constant over time and increased with dosage level (p < 0.001) from 1.48 to 2.95 mg TCA‐N/(kg RC × min). Maximum degradation rate [mg TCA‐N/(kg RC × min)] and affinity constant (mg TCA‐N/kg RC) were estimated at 261 and 1650, respectively. It is concluded that a surprisingly constant amount of casein disappears immediately from warm rumen fluid and that this does not occur either with chilled RC, in the absence of rumen fluid, or when replaced with egg protein. The mechanisms for this disappearance are yet to be discovered.
Disinfection of Seeds of Cucurbit Crops Infested with Acidovorax citrulli with Dry Heat Treatment
Authors: Kubota Masaharu , Hagiwara Naoko , Shirakawa Takashi
Published: April 2012

The Japanese government legally restricts entry of the bacterial fruit blotch disease of cucurbits caused by Acidovorax citrulli. However, the disease has occurred several times in Japan caused by infestations of melon, watermelon and wax gourd seeds with the pathogen. We prepared seeds infested with this pathogen for melon, cucumber, squash, wax gourd and bottle gourd and treated the seeds with dry heat for disinfection from the pathogen, varying the temperature and duration. Percentages of seed infested with the pathogen were determined after the dry heat treatments. The healthy or infested seeds (after the dry heat treatments) were sown in soil and the germination percentage evaluated. Complete disinfection of seeds of melon, cucumber and small‐seeded squash (and without preventing germination) was achieved with some dry heat treatments, with 85°C for 3–5 day being preferable. The large‐seeded squash, wax gourd and bottle gourd were sensitive to dry heat, additionally harsh conditions of ≥90°C and 7 day at 85°C were needed for complete disinfection. Thus, there were no feasible conditions for seed disinfection without affecting germination for the large‐seeded crops.
Action anticipation beyond the action observation network: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study in expert basketball players
Authors: Abreu A. M. , Macaluso E. , Azevedo R. T. , Cesari P. , Urgesi C. , Aglioti S. M.
Published: April 2012

The ability to predict the actions of others is quintessential for effective social interactions, particularly in competitive contexts (e.g. in sport) when knowledge about upcoming movements allows anticipating rather than reacting to opponents. Studies suggest that we predict what others are doing by using our own motor system as an internal forward model and that the fronto‐parietal action observation network (AON) is fundamental for this ability. However, multiple‐duty cells dealing with action perception and execution have been found in a variety of cortical regions. Here we used functional magnetic resonance imaging to explore, in expert basketball athletes and novices, whether the ability to make early predictions about the fate of sport‐specific actions (i.e. free throws) is underpinned by neural regions beyond the classical AON. We found that, although involved in action prediction, the fronto‐parietal AON was similarly activated in novices and experts. Importantly, athletes exhibited relatively greater activity in the extrastriate body area during the prediction task, probably due to their expert reading of the observed action kinematics. Moreover, experts exhibited higher activation in the bilateral inferior frontal gyrus and in the right anterior insular cortex when producing errors, suggesting that they might become aware of their own errors. Correct action prediction induced higher posterior insular cortex activity in experts and higher orbito‐frontal activity in novices, suggesting that body awareness is important for performance monitoring in experts, whereas novices rely more on higher‐order decision‐making strategies. This functional reorganization highlights the tight relationship between action anticipation, error awareness and motor expertise leading to body‐related processing and differences in decision‐making processes.
CodY, a pleiotropic regulator, influences multicellular behaviour and efficient production of virulence factors in Bacillus cereus
Authors: Lindbäck Toril , Mols Maarten , Basset Coraline , Granum Per Einar , Kuipers Oscar P. , Kovács Ákos T.
Published: April 2012

In response to nutrient limitation in the environment, the global transcriptional regulator CodY modulates various pathways in low G+C Gram‐positive bacteria. In Bacillus subtilis CodY triggers adaptation to starvation by secretion of proteases coupled to the expression of amino acid transporters. Furthermore, it is involved in modulating survival strategies like sporulation, motility, biofilm formation, and CodY is also known to affect virulence factor production in pathogenic bacteria. In this study, the role of CodY in Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579, the enterotoxin‐producing type strain, is investigated. A marker‐less deletion mutant of codY (ΔcodY) was generated in B. cereus and the transcriptome changes were surveyed using DNA microarrays. Numerous genes involved in biofilm formation and amino acid transport and metabolism were upregulated and genes associated with motility and virulence were repressed upon deletion of codY. Moreover, we found that CodY is important for efficient production of toxins and for adapting from nutrient‐rich to nutrient‐limited growth conditions of B. cereus. In contrast, biofilm formation is highly induced in the ΔcodY mutant, suggesting that CodY represses biofilm formation. Together, these results indicate that CodY plays a crucial role in the growth and persistence of B. cereus in different environments such as soil, food, insect guts and the human body.
Prostate‐specific antigen vs prostate‐specific antigen density as a predictor of upgrading in men diagnosed with Gleason 6 prostate cancer by contemporary multicore prostate biopsy
Authors: Oh Jong Jin , Hong Sung Kyu , Lee Jung Keun , Lee Byung Ki , Lee Sangchul , Kwon Oh Sung , Byun Seok‐Soo , Lee Sang Eun
Published: April 2012

Study Type – Diagnostic (validating cohort)

Level of Evidence 2a

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Previously, it has been reported that PSA may not perform as accurately as PSA density (PSAD) in predicting outcomes after radical prostatectomy among patients with Gleason score 6 prostate cancer. However, there have been few studies comparing the usefulness of PSA and PSAD in predicting upgrading after surgery. Also, most published studies on the prediction of upgrading included significant proportions of subjects who did not undergo contemporary multicore prostate biopsy. Moreover, most studies from major academic centres on the potential usefulness of PSAD as a preoperative predictor of pathological and/or biochemical outcomes after surgery have not included detailed biopsy core‐related data.

Even when accounting for detailed biopsy core data, this study found that PSAD may be a significantly more accurate preoperative predictor of upgrading than PSA in the current era of extended prostate biopsies. This finding supports the inclusion of PSAD into the risk stratification system for patients with prostate cancer seeking less invasive treatment, such as active surveillance.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the accuracies of prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) and PSA density (PSAD) in predicting Gleason score upgrading after radical prostatectomy (RP) in men who have undergone contemporary multicore prostate biopsy and for whom detailed biopsy core data are available.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We analysed prospectively collected data on 505 patients who were diagnosed with Gleason 6 prostate cancer after multicore (≥12 cores) biopsy and who underwent RP without neoadjuvant treatment.

Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to analyse the predictive accuracies of multivariate logistic regression models.

RESULTS

When multivariate models were constructed incorporating either PSA or PSAD along with other upgrading predictors, including biopsy core, both PSA and PSAD were observed to be independent predictors of upgrading in all versions of models (all P < 0.05).

When predictive accuracies of multivariate models including PSA and PSAD were compared, the PSAD model was found to have significantly higher accuracy than the PSA model in three out of four versions of models analysed (model 1, P= 0.048; model 2, P= 0.002; model 3, P= 0.201; model 4, P= 0.044).

CONCLUSION

According to our analysis of prospectively collected data, PSAD may be a significantly more accurate preoperative predictor of upgrading than PSA, even when accounting for detailed biopsy core data in the current era of extended prostate biopsies.

Our findings would support the inclusion of PSAD, rather than PSA, into the risk stratification system for patients seeking less invasive treatment for prostate cancer.
Fishing groupers towards extinction: a global assessment of threats and extinction risks in a billion dollar fishery
Authors: Sadovy de Mitcheson Yvonne , Craig Matthew T , Bertoncini Athila A , Carpenter Kent E , Cheung William W L , Choat John H , Cornish Andrew S , Fennessy Sean T , Ferreira Beatrice P , Heemstra Philip C , Liu Min , Myers Robert F , Pollard David A , Rhodes Kevin L , Rocha Luiz A , Russell Barry C , Samoilys Melita A , Sanciangco Jonnell
Published: April 2012

Groupers are a valuable fishery resource of reef ecosystems and are among those species most vulnerable to fishing pressure because of life history characteristics including longevity, late sexual maturation and aggregation spawning. Despite their economic importance, few grouper fisheries are regularly monitored or managed at the species level, and many are reported to be undergoing declines. To identify major threats to groupers, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List criteria were applied to all 163 species. Red List assessments show that 20 species (12%) risk extinction if current trends continue, and an additional 22 species (13%) are considered to be Near Threatened. The Caribbean Sea, coastal Brazil and Southeast Asia contain a disproportionate number of Threatened species, while numerous poorly documented and Near Threatened species occur in many regions. In all, 30% of all species are considered to be Data Deficient. Given that the major threat is overfishing, accompanied by a general absence and/or poor application of fishery management, the prognosis for restoration and successful conservation of Threatened species is poor. We believe that few refuges remain for recovery and that key biological processes (e.g. spawning aggregations) continue to be compromised by uncontrolled fishing. Mariculture, through hatchery‐rearing, increases production of a few species and contributes to satisfying high market demand, but many such operations depend heavily on wild‐caught juveniles with resultant growth and recruitment overfishing. Better management of fishing and other conservation efforts are urgently needed, and we provide examples of possible actions and constraints.
Diagnostics, surveillance and management of sexually transmitted infections in Europe have to be improved: lessons from the European Conference of National Strategies for Chlamydia Trachomatis and Human Papillomavirus (NSCP conference) in Latvia, 2011
Authors: Ozolins D. , D’Elios M.M. , Lowndes C.M. , Unemo M. ,   on behalf of the members of the NSCP Conference Scientific Committee
Published: April 2012

Background  There is an urgent need for the recognition of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as a serious public health problem in Europe. The lack of standardization in testing, along with poor reporting and surveillance mechanisms, have resulted in low reported rates of STIs in many European Union (EU) countries, reinforcing the erroneous assumption that STIs are not a major problem. Testing and diagnosis of STIs must therefore be improved and enhanced.

Recommendations  Reporting of Chlamydia trachomatis infection, gonorrhoea and syphilis should be mandatory, and an integrated surveillance system for C. trachomatis implemented in all European countries. Implementation of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) surveillance mechanisms for STIs in all EU countries is highly recommended. A necessary component for successful introduction of the HPV vaccine, as with any vaccination programme is a well‐planned and organized information campaign.
Clinical course of drug‐induced hypersensitivity syndrome treated without systemic corticosteroids
Authors: Uhara H. , Saiki M. , Kawachi S. , Ashida A. , Oguchi S. , Okuyama R.
Published: April 2012

Background /aim  Drug‐induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS) is a severe reaction to drugs which characteristically occurs after a long latency period. In addition, human herpes virus 6 (HHV‐6) reactivation is a characteristic finding in DIHS, which has been known to be related to disease severity. Because DIHS has generally been treated by systemic corticosteroids, the natural clinical course is not clear.

Methods  Data for patients with both DIHS and HHV‐6 reactivation were retrospectively collected from four hospitals.

Results  Data were collected on 12 patients ranging in age from 21 to 76 years (median, 65.5). All cases had been suspected of DIHS at their initial visit, and the elevation of serum anti‐HHV‐6 antibody had been confirmed (4–256 times: median; 32). The culprit drugs were carbamazepine (6), salazosulfapyridine (4), mexiletine (1) and zonisamide (1). The period of latency from the first administration of the drug ranged from 15 to 50 days (median, 30). All patients were treated conservatively for DIHS without systemic corticosteroids. The peaks of the patients’ symptoms and laboratory findings were as follows (days from the onset of skin lesions): fever, 4–16 (median, 10.5); liver abnormality, 3–22 (median, 7.5); leukocytosis, 7–20 (median, 9). All patients recovered without pneumonia, myocarditis, nephritis or other systemic disease, from 7 to 37 days (median, 18) after withdrawal of the drug and from 11 to 44 days (median, 21) after the onset of skin lesions.

Conclusion  It might be unnecessary to give systemic corticosteroids immediately to all patients suspected of having DIHS.
ApaI, BsmI, FokI and TaqI polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene and the risk of psoriasis: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Liu J.L. , Zhang S.Q. , Zeng H.M.
Published: April 2012

Objectives  To determine whether ApaI, BsmI, FokI or TaqI polymorphisms in vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene confer susceptibility to psoriasis.

Methods  All related association studies published before January 2012 were retrieved and eligible ones were included in our meta‐analysis. For each of the four polymorphisms, we explored the significance of the associations for the allele contrast as well as the recessive and dominant models in overall samples, Caucasians and East Asians. Heterogeneity was identified by sensitivity analysis and publication bias was examined by funnel plot and Egger’s test.

Results  12 studies that met our selection criteria were included. For ApaI polymorphism, the dominant model for allele a in Caucasians produced a significant result [heterogeneity χ2 = 3.46, P = 0.177, I2 = 42.2%; ORfixed‐effect model = 1.398 (1.011–1.934), z = 2.03, P = 0.043]. While in East Asians, pooling analysis under any genetic model acquired no‐significant result. Significant heterogeneity was identified among East Asian studies and a Korean study accounted mostly for the heterogeneity detected. The heterogeneities were no longer statistically significant after removing this study, and the results of re‐analyses in remaining studies have not been affected. Regarding TaqI polymorphism, the allele contrast discovered significant association between allele T and psoriasis susceptibility in Caucasians [heterogeneity χ2 = 4.35, P = 0.226, I2 = 31.1%; ORfixed‐effect model = 1.287 (1.067–1.551), z = 2.64, P = 0.008]. As for the BsmI and FokI polymorphisms, allele contrast, recessive and dominant models produced non‐significant results in either Caucasians or East Asians. The funnel plots and Egger’s tests found no publication bias presenting in the studies analyzed.

Conclusions  This meta‐analysis showed that ApaI, TaqI polymorphisms in VDR gene correlate with psoriasis in Caucasians.
Serum levels of ADAM12‐S: possible association with the initiation and progression of dermal fibrosis and interstitial lung disease in patients with systemic sclerosis
Authors: Taniguchi T. , Asano Y. , Akamata K. , Aozasa N. , Noda S. , Takahashi T. , Ichimura Y. , Toyama T. , Sumida H. , Kuwano Y. , Yanaba K. , Tada Y. , Sugaya M. , Kadono T. , Sato S.
Published: April 2012

Background  A disintegrin and metalloprotease (ADAM) 12 is one of the metalloproteinase‐type ADAMs and possesses extracellular metalloprotease and cell‐binding functions. ADAM12 is expressed in two alternative forms, such as a membrane‐anchored form (ADAM12‐L) and a short secreted form (ADAM12‐S).

Objective  To investigate the clinical significance of serum ADAM12‐S levels in systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods  Serum ADAM12‐S levels were determined by a specific enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in 61 SSc patients and 18 healthy controls.

Results  Serum ADAM12‐S levels were significantly increased in diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) patients than in healthy controls (0.417 ± 0.389 vs. 0.226 ± 0.065 ng/mL; P < 0.05), while being comparable between limited cutaneous SSc (0.282 ± 0.258 ng/mL) and healthy controls. Serum ADAM12‐S levels significantly elevated in dcSSc patients with disease duration of ≤6 years (0.537 ± 0.449 ng/mL, P < 0.05), but not in dcSSc with disease duration of >6 years (0.225 ± 0.049 ng/mL), compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, in dcSSc patients with disease duration of ≤6 years, serum ADAM12‐S levels correlated positively with modified Rodnan total skin thickness score, ground glass score, and serum C‐reactive protein values, while showed inverse correlation with fibrosis score.

Conclusion  Elevated serum ADAM12‐S levels are associated with elevated serum inflammatory marker, severity of skin fibrosis, and activity of interstitial lung disease in dcSSc, suggesting the possible contribution of ADAM12‐S to the pathological events in this disorder.