bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of nasally delivered midazolam
Authors: Haschke Manuel , Suter Katja , Hofmann Sarah , Witschi Robert , Fröhlich Johannes , Imanidis Georgios , Drewe Jürgen , Briellmann Thomas A. , Dussy Franz E. , Krähenbühl Stephan , Surber Christian
Published: January 2010

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• Nasal application of midazolam has been studied for a variety of indications. Due to the limited application volume, highly concentrated formulations are required to reach clinically relevant concentrations in adult patients. No data on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of nasal midazolam formulations based on cyclodextrin and chitosan are available.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• Clinically effective midazolam concentrations can be reached within less than 10 min after nasal administration of highly concentrated formulations containing an equimolar amount of the solubilizer randomly methylated‐β‐cyclodextrin combined with the absorption enhancer chitosan. Immediate non‐invasive application of such formulations in emergency treatment of seizure patients by lay persons could offer clinical benefits in situations where intravenous access cannot be quickly established.

AIMS To investigate the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of nasal formulations containing midazolam (5–30 mg ml−1) complexed with cyclodextrin.

METHODS An open‐label sequential trial was conducted in eight healthy subjects receiving single doses of 1 mg and 3 mg intranasally and 1 mg midazolam intravenously. Pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained by non‐compartmental and two‐compartmental models. Pharmacodynamic effects of midazolam were assessed using VAS and a reaction time test.

RESULTS Mean bioavailability of midazolam after nasal administration ranged from 76 ± 12% to 92 ± 15%. With formulations delivering 1 mg midazolam, mean Cmax values between 28.1 ± 9.1 and 30.1 ± 6.6 ng ml−1 were reached after 9.4 ± 3.2–11.3 ± 4.4 min. With formulations delivering 3 mg midazolam, mean Cmax values were between 68.9 ± 19.8 and 80.6 ± 15.2 ng ml−1 after 7.2 ± 0.7–13.0 ± 4.3 min. Chitosan significantly increased Cmax and reduced tmax of midazolam in the high‐dose formulation. Mean ratios of dose‐adjusted AUC after intranasal and intravenous application for 1′‐hydroxymidazolam were between 0.97 ± 0.15 and 1.06 ± 0.24, excluding relevant gastrointestinal absorption of intranasal midazolam. The pharmacodynamic effects after the low‐dose nasal formulations were comparable with those after 1 mg intravenous midazolam. The maximum increase in reaction time by the chitosan‐containing formulation delivering 3 mg midazolam was greater compared with 1 mg midazolam i.v. (95 ± 78 ms and 19 ± 22 ms, mean difference 75.5 ms, 95% CI 15.5, 135.5, P < 0.01). Intranasal midazolam was well tolerated but caused reversible irritation of the nasal mucosa.

CONCLUSIONS Effective midazolam serum concentrations were reached within less than 10 min after nasal application of a highly concentrated midazolam formulation containing an equimolar amount of the solubilizer RMβCD combined with the absorption enhancer chitosan.
Platelet von Willebrand factor – structure, function and biological importance
Authors: McGrath Rachel T. , McRae Emily , Smith Owen P. , O’Donnell James S.
Published: January 2010

Besides circulating in normal plasma, von Willebrand factor (VWF) is also stored at relatively high concentration within the α‐granules of platelets. This pool of platelet VWF exists distinct from plasma VWF, and is enriched in haemostatically‐active high molecular weight multimers. Interestingly, the glycosylation profile of platelet VWF differs significantly from that of plasma VWF. Total sialic acid and galactose expression are reduced twofold on platelet VWF, and ABO blood group carbohydrate determinants are not present on the N‐linked glycans of platelet VWF. Consequently, in view of the critical role played by VWF glycans in modulating its activity, it is not surprising that the functional properties of platelet VWF differ markedly compared to those of plasma VWF. Nevertheless, animal model studies suggest that both plasma and platelet VWF play important roles in securing primary haemostasis. In addition, platelet VWF antigen and activity levels vary markedly between patients with different types of von Willebrand disease (VWD). Future studies to define the biochemical mechanisms responsible for these differences between plasma and platelet VWF are thus not only of basic scientific interest, but also of direct translational importance.
From statistical significance to clinical relevance
Authors: Gerth van Wijk R.
Published: January 2010

Cite this as: R. Gerth van Wijk, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2010 (40) 197–199.
An approach to the diagnosis and management of systemic vasculitis
Authors: Miller A , Chan M , Wiik A , Misbah S A , Luqmani R A
Published: January 2010

The systemic vasculitides are a complex and often serious group of disorders which, while uncommon, require careful management in order to ensure optimal outcome. In most cases there is no known cause. Multi-system disease is likely to be fatal without judicious use of immunosuppression. A prompt diagnosis is necessary to preserve organ function. Comprehensive and repeated disease assessment is a necessary basis for planning therapy and modification of treatment protocols according to response. Therapies typically include glucocorticoids and, especially for small and medium vessel vasculitis, an effective immunosuppressive agent. Cyclophosphamide is currently the standard therapy for small vessel multi-system vasculitis, but other agents are now being evaluated in large randomized trials. Comorbidity is common in patients with vasculitis, including the cumulative effects of potentially toxic therapy. Long-term evaluation of patients is important in order to detect and manage relapses.
Tropical storm and environmental forcing on regional blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) settlement
Authors: EGGLESTON DAVID B. , REYNS NATHALIE B. , ETHERINGTON LISA L. , PLAIA GAYLE R. , XIE LIAN
Published: January 2010

Global climate change is predicted to increase the frequency and magnitude of hurricanes, typhoons and other extreme cyclonic disturbance events, with little known consequences for recruitment dynamics of marine species that rely on wind‐driven larval transport to coastal settlement and nursery habitats. We conducted a large‐scale settlement study of the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) in the Croatan‐Albemarle‐Pamlico Estuarine System (CAPES) in North Carolina, the second largest estuary in the US, during a 10‐yr period that encompassed 35 tropical storms of varying magnitudes and tracks, to determine the effects of hurricane track, wind speed and direction as well as lunar‐associated explanatory variables on spatiotemporal variation in settlement. The results suggest that much of the spatiotemporal variation in blue crab settlement within the CAPES is due to a combination of: (i) stochastic, meteorological events such as the number of tropical storm days during the fall recruitment season (∼28% of the monthly variation explained), (ii) the frequency and duration of wind events blowing toward the southwest and, to a lesser degree, (iii) periodic events such as hours of dark flood tide. Tropical storms and hurricanes expand the blue crab nursery capacity of the CAPES. The benefits of hurricane‐forcing to megalopal settlement was dependent upon the storm track, with highest settlement events generally associated with ‘onshore’ storm tracks that made landfall from the ocean and moved inland along a southeasterly/northwesterly path, or ‘coastal’ storms that followed a path roughly parallel to the coastline and were located <300 km offshore of the coast.
Moveout approximation for horizontal transversely isotropic and vertical transversely isotropic layered medium. Part I: 1D ray propagation‡
Authors: Ravve Igor , Koren Zvi
Published: January 2010

Anisotropy in subsurface geological models is primarily caused by two factors: sedimentation in shale/sand layers and fractures. The sedimentation factor is mainly modelled by vertical transverse isotropy (VTI), whereas the fractures are modelled by a horizontal transversely isotropic medium (HTI). In this paper we study hyperbolic and non‐hyperbolic normal reflection moveout for a package of HTI/VTI layers, considering arbitrary azimuthal orientation of the symmetry axis at each HTI layer. We consider a local 1D medium, whose properties change vertically, with flat interfaces between the layers. In this case, the horizontal slowness is preserved; thus, the azimuth of the phase velocity is the same for all layers of the package. In general, however, the azimuth of the ray velocity differs from the azimuth of the phase velocity. The ray azimuth depends on the layer properties and may be different for each layer. In this case, the use of the Dix equation requires projection of the moveout velocity of each layer on the phase plane. We derive an accurate equation for hyperbolic and high‐order terms of the normal moveout, relating the traveltime to the surface offset, or alternatively, to the subsurface reflection angle. We relate the azimuth of the surface offset to its magnitude (or to the reflection angle), considering short and long offsets. We compare the derived approximations with analytical ray tracing.
Variant CJD infection in the spleen of a neurologically asymptomatic UK adult patient with haemophilia
Authors: PEDEN A. , McCARDLE L. , HEAD M. W. , LOVE S. , WARD H. J. T. , COUSENS S. N. , KEELING D. M. , MILLAR C. M. , HILL F. G. H. , IRONSIDE J. W.
Published: January 2010

Summary.  All UK patients with bleeding disorders treated with any UK‐sourced pooled factor concentrates between 1980 and 2001 have been informed that they may be at an increased risk of infection with variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (vCJD). We describe a study to detect disease‐associated, protease‐resistant prion protein (PrPres) in 17 neurologically aysmptomatic patients with haemophilia considered to be at increased risk of vCJD. Materials from 11 autopsy and seven biopsy cases were analysed for PrPres. The tissues available from each case were variable, ranging from a single biopsy sample to a wide range of autopsy tissues. A single specimen from the spleen of one autopsy case gave a strong positive result on repeated testing for PrPres by Western blot analysis. This tissue came from a 73‐year‐old male patient with no history of neurological disease, who was heterozygous (methionine/valine) at codon 129 in the prion protein gene. He had received over 9000 units of factor VIII concentrate prepared from plasma pools known to include donations from a vCJD‐infected donor, and some 400 000 units not known to include donations from vCJD‐infected donors. He had also received 14 units of red blood cells and had undergone several surgical and invasive endoscopic procedures. Estimates of the relative risks of exposure through diet, surgery, endoscopy, blood transfusion and receipt of UK‐sourced plasma products suggest that by far the most likely route of infection in this patient was receipt of UK plasma products.
The effect of dentine‐bonding agents on substance P release in human dental pulp
Authors: Caviedes‐Bucheli J. , Correa‐Ortiz J. A. , Ballestero A. C. , Jimenez M. , Munoz A. , Rivero C. , Lombana N. , Munoz H. R.
Published: January 2010

Caviedes‐Bucheli J, Correa‐Ortiz JA, Ballestero AC, Jimenez M, Munoz A, Rivero C, Lombana N, Munoz HR.The effect of dentine‐bonding agents on substance P release in human dental pulp.International Endodontic Journal,43, 95–101, 2010.

Aim To quantify the effect of dentine‐bonding agents on Substance P (SP) release in healthy human dental pulp tissue.

Methodology Forty pulp samples were obtained from healthy pre‐molars where extraction was indicated for orthodontic reasons. In thirty of these pre‐molars, a standardized Class V cavity preparation was performed, and teeth were divided equally into three groups: (i) Unetched‐cavity control group: Class V cavities only; (ii) Experimental Group I: ‘One‐step’ self‐etch bonding agent was placed in the cavity; and (iii) Experimental Group II: ‘Two‐step’ total‐etch bonding agent was placed in the cavity. The remaining ten healthy pre‐molars where extracted without treatment and served as an intact‐teeth control group. SP was measured by radioimmunoassay.

Results Greater SP release was found in the ‘one‐step’ bonding agent group, followed by the ‘two‐step’ bonding agent group and the unetched‐cavity control group. The lower SP values were for the intact‐teeth control group.anovashowed statistically significant differences between groups (P = 0.0001). Tukey HSDpost hoctests showed statistically significant differences in SP release between the intact‐teeth control group and the three other groups (P < 0.01) and between the unetched‐cavity control group and the ‘one‐step’ bonding agent group (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found between the ‘two‐step’ bonding agent and the unetched‐cavity control group.

Conclusion Dentine‐bonding agents placed over Class V cavity preparations increased SP release. One‐step dentine‐bonding agents increased SP release most.
Critical role of NFATc1 in periapical lesions
Authors: Zhang C. , Yang L. , Peng B.
Published: January 2010

Zhang C, Yang L, Peng B. Critical role of NFATc1 in periapical lesions. International Endodontic Journal, 43, 109–114, 2010.

Aim  To observe NFATc1 expression in experimental periapical lesions in rats.

Methodology  Apical periodontitis was induced in Wistar rats by occlusal pulp exposure in mandibular first molar teeth. After exposure, 30 rats were killed on days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28. The jaws that contained the first molar were removed and prepared for histological examination, immunohistochemistry and enzyme histochemistry.

Results  From day 0 to day 28, the areas of periapical bone loss and the number of NFATc1‐positive cells increased, peaking on day 28. The number of TRAP‐positive cells increased substantially from day 0 to day 14 and then gradually decreased from day 14 to day 28.

Conclusions  NFATc1 was detected and possibly involved in the inflammatory response and bone resorption of periapical tissues, as well as being associated with periapical lesion pathogenesis.
The efficacy of R‐Endo® rotary NiTi and stainless‐steel hand instruments to remove gutta‐percha and Resilon
Authors: Fenoul G. , Meless G. D. , Pérez F.
Published: January 2010

Fenoul G, Meless GD, Pérez F. The efficacy of R‐Endo® rotary NiTi and stainless‐steel hand instruments to remove gutta‐percha and Resilon. International Endodontic Journal, 43, 135–141, 2010.

Aim  To evaluate the efficacy of the R‐Endo® rotary nickel titanium instrumentation system and hand instrumentation to remove gutta‐percha or Resilon® from root canals.

Methodology  Eighty single‐rooted teeth with straight canals were selected, the pulp chamber was opened, and the canals prepared to a size 30, 0.04 taper. The teeth were divided randomly into two groups of 40 each for root filling with gutta‐percha + MMSeal® sealer or Resilon® + RealSeal® sealer. After storage, each group was divided into two subgroups, and material was removed with Hedström files or with R‐Endo® instrumentation. Times to reach the working length and to eliminate filling material were recorded. Root canal walls were examined using scanning electron microscope to evaluate material remnants on each third. The presence of material was measured according to a score scale. The Student’s t‐test was used to determine significant differences between mean values of time and remaining material (P < 0.05).

Results  No significant differences occurred between thirds, material or removal technique regarding remaining filling debris (P > 0.05). However, times to reach the working length and for removal of filling were lower with R‐Endo® than with Hedström files (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions  Both instrumentation techniques left filling material inside the root canal and mainly in the apical third. There was no difference between the instrumentation techniques.
Ex vivo performance of five methods for root canal length determination in primary anterior teeth
Authors: Mello‐Moura A. C. V. , Moura‐Netto C. , Araki A. T. , Guedes‐Pinto A. C. , Mendes F. M.
Published: January 2010

Mello‐Moura ACV, Moura‐Netto C, Araki AT, Guedes‐Pinto AC, Mendes FM.
Ex vivo performance of five methods for root canal length determination in primary anterior teeth. International Endodontic Journal, 43, 142–147, 2010.

Aim  To evaluate in a laboratory setting the performance of five methods for the determination of root canal length in primary anterior teeth.

Methodology  Twenty extracted primary incisors, with at least two‐thirds of the root, were used. After access cavity preparation, the teeth were embedded in alginate mixed with 0.9% sodium chloride solution. One operator determined root canal length using tactile sense (T), conventional radiography (RAD), tactile sense and conventional radiography (T + RAD), digital radiography (RDIG) and Root ZX electronic apex locator (EAL) methods. Next, the actual length (AL) was visually determined using a K‐file from the coronal reference to the apical foramen or apical resorption level. The measurements obtained through each method were compared to the AL using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) with the limits of agreement calculated with Bland and Altman analysis. The measurements were classified as acceptable (±1 mm from the AL) or not (>1 mm shorter or longer), and the McNemar test was employed for method comparison.

Results  Differences, limits of agreement and ICCs for each method were respectively EAL = −0.29; −1.02 to 0.44; 0.990; T + RAD = 0.17; −2.18 to 2.51; 0.929; RAD = 0.50; −3.41 to 4.41; 0.818; RDIG = 0.95; −3.76 to 5.65; 0.700; and T = −0.48; −5.59 to 4.64; 0.499. The most accurate and acceptable method was the EAL, followed by the T + RAD.

Conclusion  The EAL method performed best for root canal length determination in primary teeth.
Promoting the health of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: patients’ and carers’ views
Authors: Caress Ann , Luker Karen , Chalmers Karen
Published: January 2010

Aims and objectives.  The aim of this study was to generate in‐depth insights into patients’ and family members’ understanding of the causation, progression and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the role of health promotion with this population. In particular, we were interested in identifying the ways patients and family members considered that they could maximise their (patients’) health, in the presence of this disease.

Background.  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is highly prevalent and a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, impacting on quality of life and healthcare expenditure. Health promotion is, therefore, an important consideration. There are few examples in the literature of health promotion programmes for this population, including those directed at smoking cessation, which also focus on the family or significant others.

Design.  An exploratory, descriptive design was employed.

Method.  Semi‐structured, audio‐recorded interviews were conducted with 14 patients and 12 family caregivers. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed using content analysis procedures which captured the meaning of the data.

Results.  The three main themes were ‘health promotion: what’s that?’, ‘community resources for health promotion’ and ‘it wasn’t just the smoking’. Many participants seemed unaware that their health might benefit from a healthier life style and provided little spontaneous information on any activities they carried out to maintain or improve their health.

Conclusions.  This study highlighted a dearth of health promoting activity amongst people affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The reality for most patients was to manage the day‐to‐day demands that the symptoms of the disease imposed on them. Our data suggest that a more wide‐ranging approach, encompassing aspects of health promotion, might be welcomed by many patients and their family carers.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The findings from this study highlight gaps in patients’ and carers’ understanding of the potential role of health promotion in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and areas for intervention by health professionals. With the increase in smoking rates of women and predicted future increases in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, it is imperative that health professionals find effective ways to provide support and health promotive care for patients and families.
The Irish nursing minimum data set for mental health – a valid and reliable tool for the collection of standardised nursing data
Authors: Morris Roisin , MacNeela Padraig , Scott Anne , Treacy Margaret P , Hyde Abbey , Matthews Anne , Morrison Todd , Drennan Jonathan , Byrne Anne
Published: January 2010

Aims and objectives.  To test the validity and reliability of the newly developed Irish Nursing Minimum Data Set for mental health (I‐NMDS (MH)) to ensure its clinical usability.

Background.  Internationally, difficulties exist in defining the contribution mental health nursing makes to patient care. Structured information systems, like the Nursing Minimum Data Set, have been developed internationally to gather standardised information to increase the visibility of nursing in the health care system.

Design.  This study employed a quantitative, longitudinal research design.

Method.  A convenience sample of mental health nurses (n = 184) collected data on the nursing care of patients (n = 367) from care settings attached to 11 hospitals across Ireland. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), ridit analysis and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient were used to establish the construct and discriminative validity and scale score reliability of the I‐NMDS (MH).

Results.  Goodness of Fit scores indicated that the I‐NMDS (MH) possesses good construct validity. Alpha coefficients for each factor were above the recommended 0·7 level. Ridit analysis inferred that the I‐NMDS (MH) discriminated between elements of nursing care across acute inpatient and community based care settings.

Conclusions.  The I‐NMDS (MH) possesses a sound theoretical base, has scale score reliability and possesses good discriminative validity. The valid and reliable I‐NMDS (MH) is the first NMDS to be developed specifically for mental health.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Data collected using the I‐NMDS (MH) will increase the visibility of the contribution mental health nurses make to healthcare delivery. In addition, it will support evidence based practice in mental health to improve further the effectiveness of nursing care in the future.
A systematic review and meta‐ethnography of the qualitative literature: experiences of the menarche
Authors: Chang Yu‐Ting , Hayter Mark , Wu Shu‐Chen
Published: January 2010

Aim.  This article is a report of a systematic review and meta‐ethnography of women’s experience of menarche.

Background.  Adolescents may experience menarche at different ages, but menarche remains an important milestone in the female maturation process, representing the transition from childhood to womanhood.

Design.  Systematic review and meta‐ethnography.

Methods.  Electronic databases were systematically searched and supplemented with reference lists searching. Qualitative studies of women’s experience of menarche were purposely selected and questions proposed by the critical appraisal skills programme was adapted and used to assess papers prior to synthesis. Key themes and concepts were extracted and synthesised using meta‐ethnography.

Results.  Fourteen studies on menarche experience were identified. The majority of studies were descriptive. Five key concepts were identified from all 14 papers as being descriptive of women’s experience of menarche. These included: menarche preparation, significant others’ response to menarche, physical experience of menarche, psychological experience of menarche and social‐cultural perspective of menarche.

Conclusions.  Menarche experience had a major impact on women. Women went through physical, psychological and social‐culture changes when their first menstrual flow came. Menarche preparation has been shown to have a beneficial impact on the menarcheal woman. School nurses have accurate knowledge about sexual health; they can and should provide appropriate menstrual education.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The findings can be used by school nurses working with adolescents as the basis for a framework of intervention strategies directed towards helping adolescents to better accept their menarche and transition into womanhood.
The functions of hospital‐based home care for people with severe mental illness in Taiwan
Authors: Huang Xuan‐Yi , Lin Mei‐Jue , Yang Tuz‐Ching , Hsu Yuan‐Shan
Published: January 2010

Aims and objectives. The purposes of this study were to understand the functions of hospital‐based home care for people with severe mental illness in Taiwan, and the factors that affect functions of professionals who provide hospital‐based home care.

Background. Hospital‐based home care is a service which provides those people with serious mental illnesses who are in crisis and who are candidates for admission to hospital. Home care has been shown to have several advantages over inpatient treatment. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the functions of hospital‐based home care for people with severe mental illness in Taiwan.

Design. This qualitative study was based on the grounded theory method of Strauss and Corbin.

Methods. The study was conducted in six different hospital areas in central Taiwan in 2007–2008. Data were collected using semi‐structured face‐to‐face interviews. Constant comparative analysis continued during the open, axial and selective coding processes until data saturation occurred. Participants were selected by theoretical sampling. When theoretical saturation was achieved, 21 clients with mental illness, 19 carers and 25 professionals were interviewed.

Results. Several functions were found when these professionals provided hospital‐based home care services for people with severe mental illness in Taiwan, including stabilising the clients illness, supplying emergency care services, improving life‐coping abilities, employment and welfare assistance, emotional support for both clients and carers, assistance with future and long‐term arrangements and assistance with communication between carers and clients.

Conclusion. Hospital‐based home care provides several important services for helping clients and their families to live in the community.

Relevance to clinical practice. The recommendations based on the findings of this study can be used as a guide to improve the delivery of hospital‐based home care services to community‐dwelling clients with severe mental illness and their carers.
Nurses’ management of adolescent sleep disturbance: a qualitative study
Authors: Vallido Tamara , Jackson Debra , O’Brien Louise
Published: January 2010

Aims and objectives.  To evaluate nurses’ knowledge of adolescent sleep and sleep disturbance and the strategies they employ to facilitate sleep in adolescent patients.

Background.  Sleep disturbance in adolescents is common and associated with potentially devastating outcomes and co‐morbidities. Despite this, little literature exists that reports nursing interventions related to facilitating sleep, and no literature could be located that explored what Australian nurses know about adolescent sleep and sleep disturbance.

Design.  Qualitative.

Method.  Eight nurses routinely involved in the care of adolescent patients were interviewed via email and instant messaging over a five month period. Explored was the formation and extent of knowledge held by these nurses about adolescent sleep and sleep disturbance and the strategies they used to facilitate sleep in adolescent patients. Data were analysed thematically.

Results.  Three main themes were identified: ‘A patchwork of experiences’, ‘Traditional remedies, personal beliefs and commonsense’ and ‘Drugs, doctors and disempowerment’.

Conclusions.  Despite a lack of formal education about adolescent sleep and sleep disturbance, through life and professional experience the nurses in this study had formulated effective strategies to assist the sleep of adolescent patients.

Relevance to clinical practice.  There is a need for nursing education regarding adolescent sleep issues. Providing rationales for nursing strategies would afford nurses greater confidence to strongly advocate for a more non‐pharmacological approach to managing certain types of sleep disturbance. Initiating routine assessment of adolescent sleep in both hospital and community settings could be beneficial to detecting a range of difficulties adolescent patients may be experiencing.
Digital tools and challenges to institutional traditions of learning: technologies, social memory and the performative nature of learning
Authors: Säljö R.
Published: January 2010

The purpose of this article is to offer some reflections on the relationships between digital technologies and learning. It is argued that activities of learning, as they have been practised within institutionalized schooling, are coming under increasing pressure from the developments of digital technologies and the capacities to store, access and manipulate information that such resources offer. Thus, the technologies do not merely support learning; they transform how we learn and how we come to interpret learning. The metaphors of learning currently emerging as relevant in the new media ecology emphasize the transformational and performative nature of such activities, and of knowing in general. These developments make the hybrid nature of human knowing and learning obvious; what we know and master is, to an increasing extent, a function of the mediating tools we are familiar with. At a theoretical and practical level, this implies that the interdependences between human agency, minds, bodies and technologies have to serve as foundations when attempting to understand and improve learning. Attempts to account for what people know without integrating their mastery of increasingly sophisticated technologies into the picture will lack ecological validity.
Conspecific and heterospecific plant–soil feedbacks influence survivorship and growth of temperate tree seedlings
Authors: McCarthy‐Neumann Sarah , Kobe Richard K.
Published: January 2010

1. The Janzen–Connell (J–C) Model proposes that host‐specific enemies could maintain high tree species diversity by reducing seedling performance near conspecific adults. An implicit, but untested assumption of the J–C Model is that negative conspecific feedbacks would promote replacement by heterospecific seedlings.

2. In a glasshouse experiment, we tested plant–soil feedbacks as a J–C mechanism in four temperate tree species. We assessed effects of conspecific‐ relative to heterospecific‐cultured soil extracts on seedling survival, total mass and performance for each focal species. To test the implicit assumption of replacement by heterospecific seedlings, we also compared relative performance of conspecific versus heterospecific seedlings grown with soil extract cultured by a particular tree species. We also tested whether soil microbes caused these plant–soil feedbacks and whether low irradiance increased seedling vulnerability to pathogens.

3. When grown with conspecific versus heterospecific soil extract,Acer rubrummass decreased,Quercus rubramass increased andFraxinus americanaincreased survival. Conspecific extract reducedAcer saccharummass in low light but increased it in high light. To integrate survival and growth, we examined seedling performance [(mean total mass × mean survival time)/(days of experiment)] at low and high light. In conspecific versus heterospecific soil extract, seedling performance was lower in two, higher in four and neutral in 18 of 24 cases, suggesting no advantage to dispersing away from conspecifics. Based on relative seedling performance within a soil extract, conspecific seedlings were disadvantaged in two, favoured in three and neutral in 19 of 24 cases relative to heterospecific seedlings.

4. Species pairwise interactions of soil modification and seedling performance were chemically mediated, occurring regardless of sterilization. Microbes lacked host specificity and reduced performance regardless of extract source. Additionally, microbial factors reduced seedling performance forQ. rubraregardless of light availability, and forA. rubrumandF. americanaonly in high light.

5. Synthesis.These chemical‐mediated plant–soil feedbacks probably influence community dynamics, but are inconsistent with the J–C Model. Even when a species’ seedlings responded more negatively to conspecific than heterospecific soil, heterospecific seedlings were not necessarily favoured in that species’ soil, precluding heterospecific replacement as an explanation for coexistence.
A review of cetacean occurrence in West African waters from the Gulf of Guinea to Angola
Authors: WEIR Caroline R.
Published: January 2010

The cetacean fauna of the west coast of Africa is poorly described. Therefore, literature on the occurrence of cetacean species in the waters of 13 potential West African range states from the Gulf of Guinea to Angola was reviewed, including sighting, stranding, capture, bycatch and whaling records.

At least 28 species of cetacean were documented in the study region, comprising seven baleen whale species and 21 species of toothed whale (including at least 17 delphinid species).

Cetaceans could be broadly split into seven ecological categories, based on their distribution. A warm temperate/tropical deep‐water cetacean community dominated the study area. Cooler water from the Benguela Current influenced southern Angola (≤16°S latitude) and at least three cetacean species occurred predominantly in this region.

Only three or fewer species were confirmed in the waters of Togo, Nigeria, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Seventeen or more species were documented in Ghana, Gabon and Angola, where dedicated cetacean research projects have been initiated in recent years. Angola had the most diverse documented cetacean community: 28 confirmed species.

The humpback whaleMegaptera novaeangliaewas the most widely recorded species, and was documented in 11 (85%) countries. Sperm whalesPhyseter macrocephalus, Bryde's whalesBalaenopteracf.brydei, bottlenose dolphinsTursiops truncatusand Atlantic spotted dolphinsStenella frontaliswere recorded in over half of the countries.
Autoregulation of the Bacillus subtilis response regulator gene degU is coupled with the proteolysis of DegU‐P by ClpCP
Authors: Ogura Mitsuo , Tsukahara Kensuke
Published: January 2010

The response regulator DegU and its cognate kinase DegS constitute a two‐component system in Bacillus subtilis that regulates many cellular processes, including exoprotease production and competence development. Using DNA footprint assay, gel shift assay and mutational analyses of P3degU‐lacZ fusions, we showed that phosphorylated DegU (DegU‐P) binds to two direct repeats (DR1 and DR2) of the consensus DegU‐binding sequence in the P3degU promoter. The alteration of chromosomal DR2 severely decreased degU expression, demonstrating its importance in positive autoregulation of degU. Observation of DegU protein levels suggested that DegU is degraded. Western blot analysis of DegU in disruption mutants of genes encoding various ATP‐dependent proteases strongly suggested that ClpCP degrades DegU. Moreover, when de novo protein synthesis was blocked, DegU was rapidly degraded in the wild‐type but not in the clpC and clpP strains, and DegU with a mutated phosphorylation site was much stable. These results suggested preferential degradation of DegU‐P by ClpCP, but not of unphosphorylated DegU. We confirmed that DegU‐P was degraded preferentially using an in vitro ClpCP degradation system. Furthermore, a mutational analysis showed that the N‐terminal region of DegU is important for proteolysis.
Elucidation of the complete ferrichrome A biosynthetic pathway in Ustilago maydis
Authors: Winterberg Britta , Uhlmann Stefanie , Linne Uwe , Lessing Franziska , Marahiel Mohamed A. , Eichhorn Heiko , Kahmann Regine , Schirawski Jan
Published: January 2010

Iron is an important element for many essential processes in living organisms. To acquire iron, the basidiomycete Ustilago maydis synthesizes the iron‐chelating siderophores ferrichrome and ferrichrome A. The chemical structures of these siderophores have been elucidated long time ago but so far only two enzymes involved in their biosynthesis have been described. Sid1, an ornithine monoxygenase, is needed for the biosynthesis of both siderophores, and Sid2, a non‐ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS), is involved in ferrichrome generation. In this work we identified four novel enzymes, Fer3, Fer4, Fer5 and Hcs1, involved in ferrichrome A biosynthesis in U. maydis. By HPLC‐MS analysis of siderophore accumulation in culture supernatants of deletion strains, we show that Fer3, an NRPS, Fer4, an enoyl‐coenzyme A (CoA)‐hydratase, and Fer5, an acylase, are required for ferrichrome A production. We demonstrate by conditional expression of the hydroxymethyl glutaryl (HMG)‐CoA synthase Hcs1 in U. maydis that HMG‐CoA is an essential precursor for ferrichrome A. In addition, we heterologously expressed and purified Hcs1, Fer4 and Fer5, and demonstrated the enzymatic activities by in vitro experiments. Thus, we describe the first complete fungal siderophore biosynthetic pathway by functionally characterizing four novel genes responsible for ferrichrome A biosynthesis in U. maydis.
A molecular diagnostic for tropical race 4 of the banana fusarium wilt pathogen
Authors: Dita M. A. , Waalwijk C. , Buddenhagen I. W. , Souza Jr M. T. , Kema G. H. J.
Published: January 2010

This study analysed genomic variation of the translation elongation factor 1α (TEF‐1α) and the intergenic spacer region (IGS) of the nuclear ribosomal operon of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) isolates, from different banana production areas, representing strains within the known races, comprising 20 vegetative compatibility groups (VCG). Based on two single nucleotide polymorphisms present in the IGS region, a PCR‐based diagnostic tool was developed to specifically detect isolates from VCG 01213, also called tropical race 4 (TR4), which is currently a major concern in global banana production. Validation involved TR4 isolates, as well as Foc isolates from 19 other VCGs, other fungal plant pathogens and DNA samples from infected tissues of the Cavendish banana cultivar Grand Naine (AAA). Subsequently, a multiplex PCR was developed for fungal or plant samples that also discriminated Musa acuminata and M. balbisiana genotypes. It was concluded that this diagnostic procedure is currently the best option for the rapid and reliable detection and monitoring of TR4 to support eradication and quarantine strategies.
Effects of fruit maturity and wetness on the infection of apple fruit by Neonectria galligena
Authors: Xu X.‐M. , Robinson J. D.
Published: January 2010

Neonectria galligena can cause European canker of apple as well as fruit rot. Healthy unwounded fruits on potted trees of cvs Cox, Bramley and Gala were inoculated with conidia of N. galligena to investigate the effects of wetness duration and fruit maturity on rot development. Overall, the incidence of fruit rot was influenced more by fruit maturity at the time of inoculation than by duration of wetness (6–48 h). Young fruit were most susceptible to infection, with 50% of fruit infected when inoculated up to 4 weeks after full bloom. The susceptibility decreased initially until c. 2 months after full bloom and then increased gradually until harvest. Almost all preharvest symptoms (eye rot) developed only on the fruit inoculated up to 4 weeks after full bloom. All other rots were observed after six‐month postharvest storage under controlled atmospheric conditions. However, the relative proportion of preharvest eye rots and postharvest storage rots varied greatly among three years. The effect of wetness duration was only significant for fruit inoculated in their early stages of development but not for those inoculated near harvest. Regression models were developed to describe the observed effects of fruit maturity and wetness on the incidence of total nectria rots.
Does geographical location influence the phenotype of Fabry disease in women in Europe?
Authors: Barba‐Romero M‐Á , Deegan P , Giugliani R , Hughes D
Published: January 2010

Barba‐Romero M‐Á, Deegan P, Giugliani R, Hughes D. Does geographical location influence the phenotype of Fabry disease in women in Europe?

This study examines the relationship between phenotype and geographical location of patients with Fabry disease in Europe. Data were taken from patients enrolled in the Fabry Outcome Survey (FOS), as of October 2007. A modified version of the Mainz Severity Score Index (FOS‐MSSI) was used to classify patients according to the severity of disease. European patients were grouped depending on country of residence (northern or southern European countries). Results are presented from 762 patients enrolled in FOS in Europe (357 men and 405 women); 66% lived in northern and 34% in southern countries. Median age at onset of symptoms of Fabry disease was similar in both sexes. No differences in disease severity were seen among men, according to place of residence; however, women living in northern countries had higher severity scores (p < 0.001) than those in southern countries. In men and women, FOS‐MSSI scores increased with age, irrespective of place of residence. The results suggest that expression of different phenotypic features in Fabry disease in women living in Europe may be influenced by extra‐genetic or epigenetic factors. These factors might be related to dietary or environmental influences that differ according to the patient's country of residence.
Successful treatment of unresectable advanced hepatoblastoma: Living liver transplantation after surgical removal of lung metastasis
Authors: Miyamura Takako , Yoshida Ryuichi , Yagi Takahito , Matsukawa Hiroyoshi , Chayama Kousuke , Ishida Toshiaki , Washio Kana , Morishita Naoto , Oda Megumi , Morishima Tsuneo
Published: January 2010

Miyamura T, Yoshida R, Yagi T, Matsukawa H, Chayama K, Ishida T, Washio K, Morishita N, Oda M, Morishima T. Successful treatment of unresectable advanced hepatoblastoma: Living liver transplantation after surgical removal of lung metastasis. Pediatr Transplantation 2011: 15: E87–E91. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  Hepatoblastoma is a rare malignant tumor of the liver in children. Intensive combination chemotherapy has increased the number of surgically resectable cases and improved prognosis markedly. However, unresectable cases and cases with residual metastasis, including lung metastases, have a poor prognosis. In these refractory cases, treatment strategy has not been established. On the other hand, living liver transplantation has been shown to be effective in cases of advanced hepatoblastoma, but its effectiveness in cases with residual distant metastases after chemotherapy remains unclear. We report one successful case of advanced unresectable hepatoblastoma with multiple lung metastases. Intensive chemotherapy consisting of high‐dose chemotherapy with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was not effective. We performed living liver transplantation after surgical resection of residual lung metastases, which were histologically viable. After liver transplantation, the level of tumor marker decreased gradually. The patient experienced no severe complications. This case suggested that living liver transplantation could be effective in cases of advanced refractory hepatoblastoma after control of distant metastases.
Male Ornamentation in a Sex‐Role Reversed Pipefish Corythoichthys haematopterus
Authors: Matsumoto Koji , Sogabe Atsushi , Yanagisawa Yasunobu
Published: January 2010

Sexual selection theory predicts that mating competition in sex‐role reversed animals acts more strongly on females than males and consequently females are expected to develop secondary sexual traits. However, in a sex‐role reversed pipefish Corythoichthys haematopterus (family: Syngnathidae), only males develop an ornamental trait on the thorax, consisting of approx. 3–5 speckles alternated by lateral stripes of brilliant light blue and orange. To understand the function of this male ornament, we examined whether the presence of females affects the expression of this trait, and whether the expression of this trait depends on the male’s physical condition. Individual males were reared in a tank for a month in four different conditions: in high or low food supply and in the presence or absence of a female. After 1 mo, males in better condition expressed larger and deeper blue and yellow speckles, and males maintained with a female expressed larger and deeper blue speckles than solely reared males. These results indicated that the male ornament functions as a signal conveying information on the phenotypic quality of its holder and that females are potential receivers of this signal. Because C. haematopterus exhibits strict monogamy and competition for a mate occurs only among females, we concluded that the male ornament is not displayed in the context of mating competition but rather it is used as a cue for partner recognition to maintain pair bond.
Screening for deep venous thrombosis after idiopathic scoliosis surgery in children: a pilot study
Authors: KAABACHI OLFA , ALKAISSI ALI , KOUBAA WALID , ALOUI NADIA , EL HOUDA TOUMI NOUR
Published: January 2010

Background:  Venous thrombosis remains an uncommon disorder in childhood. However, the incidence appears to be increasing for a multitude of reasons. The aim of the study was to detect asymptomatic deep venous thrombosis and prothrombotic diseases in nonsyndromic children undergoing scoliosis surgery.

Methods:  A prospective study including forty successive teenagers scheduled for posterior spinal fusion. Patients with scoliosis with a history of hemoglobinopathies, cardiac defects, blood clots, early onset osteoporosis, as well as patients with skeletal dysplasias and nonskeletal dysplastic syndromic entities have been excluded. The protocol was designed for active screening of deep venous thrombosis using color Doppler ultrasonography on a day before surgery and repeated on the 3rd, 7th and 15th day postoperatively. Evaluation of prothrombotic disorders included antithrombin and protein C activities, and total protein S antigen level.

Results:  No patient has manifested clinical symptoms of venous thrombosis in our study. Preoperative Doppler and ultrasound examinations were normal in all patients. Although repeated Doppler ultrasonography demonstrated a transient small clot in two patients. Congenital antithrombin deficiency of 5% has been observed in one child only, without the development of deep venous thrombosis.

Conclusion:  Thromboembolic event seems to be rare after scoliosis surgery. Prophylaxis for venous thrombosis should not be recommended in such patient. But, larger series are required to confirm such results.