bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contribution of Organically Grown Crops to Human Health
Authors: Johansson Eva , Hussain Abrar , Kuktaite Ramune , Andersson Staffan , Olsson Marie
Published: April 2014

An increasing interest in organic agriculture for food production is seen throughout the world and one key reason for this interest is the assumption that organic food consumption is beneficial to public health. The present paper focuses on the background of organic agriculture, important public health related compounds from crop food and variations in the amount of health related compounds in crops. In addition, influence of organic farming on health related compounds, on pesticide residues and heavy metals in crops, and relations between organic food and health biomarkers as well as in vitro studies are also the focus of the present paper. Nutritionally beneficial compounds of highest relevance for public health were micronutrients, especially Fe and Zn, and bioactive compounds such as carotenoids (including pro-vitamin A compounds), tocopherols (including vitamin E) and phenolic compounds. Extremely large variations in the contents of these compounds were seen, depending on genotype, climate, environment, farming conditions, harvest time, and part of the crop. Highest amounts seen were related to the choice of genotype and were also increased by genetic modification of the crop. Organic cultivation did not influence the content of most of the nutritional beneficial compounds, except the phenolic compounds that were increased with the amounts of pathogens. However, higher amounts of pesticide residues and in many cases also of heavy metals were seen in the conventionally produced crops compared to the organic ones. Animal studies as well as in vitro studies showed a clear indication of a beneficial effect of organic food/extracts as compared to conventional ones. Thus, consumption of organic food seems to be positive from a public health point of view, although the reasons are unclear, and synergistic effects between various constituents within the food are likely.
Single and Binge Methamphetamine Administrations Have Different Effects on the Levels of Dopamine D2 Autoreceptor and Dopamine Transporter in Rat Striatum
Authors: Chauhan Heli , Killinger Bryan , Miller Cheryl , Moszczynska Anna
Published: April 2014

Methamphetamine (METH) is a central nervous system psychostimulant with a high potential for abuse. At high doses, METH causes a selective degeneration of dopaminergic terminals in the striatum. Dopamine D2 receptor antagonists and dopamine transporter (DAT) inhibitors protect against neurotoxicity of the drug by decreasing intracellular dopamine content and, consequently, dopamine autoxidation and production of reactive oxygen species. In vitro, amphetamines regulate D2 receptor and DAT functions via regulation of their intracellular trafficking. No data exists on axonal transport of both proteins and there is limited data on their interactions in vivo. The aim of the present investigation was to examine synaptosomal levels of presynaptic D2 autoreceptor and DAT after two different regimens of METH and to determine whether METH affects the D2 autoreceptor-DAT interaction in the rat striatum. We found that, as compared to saline controls, administration of single high-dose METH decreased D2 autoreceptor immunoreactivity and increased DAT immunoreactivity in rat striatal synaptosomes whereas binge high-dose METH increased immunoreactivity of D2 autoreceptor and had no effect on DAT immunoreactivity. Single METH had no effect on D2 autoreceptor-DAT interaction whereas binge METH increased the interaction between the two proteins in the striatum. Our results suggest that METH can affect axonal transport of both the D2 autoreceptor and DAT in an interaction-dependent and -independent manner.
Beyond Trisomy 21: Additional Chromosomal Anomalies Detected through Routine Aneuploidy Screening
Authors: Metcalfe Amy , Hippman Catriona , Pastuck Melanie , Johnson Jo-Ann
Published: April 2014

Prenatal screening is often misconstrued by patients as screening for trisomy 21 alone; however, other chromosomal anomalies are often detected. This study aimed to systematically review the literature and use diagnostic meta-analysis to derive pooled detection and false positive rates for aneuploidies other than trisomy 21 with different prenatal screening tests. Non-invasive prenatal testing had the highest detection (DR) and lowest false positive (FPR) rates for trisomy 13 (DR: 90.3%; FPR: 0.2%), trisomy 18 (DR: 98.1%; FPR: 0.2%), and 45,X (DR: 92.2%; FPR: 0.1%); however, most estimates came from high-risk samples. The first trimester combined test also had high DRs for all conditions studied (trisomy 13 DR: 83.1%; FPR: 4.4%; trisomy 18 DR: 91.9%; FPR: 3.5%; 45,X DR: 70.1%; FPR: 5.4%; triploidy DR: 100%; FPR: 6.3%). Second trimester triple screening had the lowest DRs and highest FPRs for all conditions (trisomy 13 DR: 43.9%; FPR: 8.1%; trisomy 18 DR: 70.5%; FPR: 3.3%; 45,X DR: 77.2%; FPR: 9.3%). Prenatal screening tests differ in their ability to accurately detect chromosomal anomalies. Patients should be counseled about the ability of prenatal screening to detect anomalies other than trisomy 21 prior to undergoing screening.
Cladieunicellins M–Q, New Eunicellins from Cladiella sp.
Authors: Chen Tsung-Hung , Chen Wu-Fu , Wen Zhi-Hong , Lu Mei-Chin , Wang Wei-Hsien , Li Jan-Jung , Wu Yang-Chang , Sung Ping-Jyun
Published: April 2014

Five new 7α-hydroxyeunicellin-based diterpenoids, designated as cladieunicellins M–Q (1–5), were isolated from a Formosan octocoral Cladiella sp. The structures of 1–5 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods and by comparison of the data with those of the related metabolites. Cytotoxicity of metabolites 1–5 against the human leukemia Molt 4 and HL 60 is also described. Among them, compounds 1, 3 and 5 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity toward Molt 4 cells with IC50 values 16.43, 14.17 and 15.55 μM, respectively. Preliminary SAR (structure activity relationship) information was obtained from these compounds and their analogues.
Inflammable Gas Mixture Detection with a Single Catalytic Sensor Based on the Electric Field Effect
Authors: Tong Ziyuan , Tong Min-Ming , Meng Wen , Li Meng
Published: April 2014

This paper introduces a new way to analyze mixtures of inflammable gases with a single catalytic sensor. The analysis technology was based on a new finding that an electric field on the catalytic sensor can change the output sensitivity of the sensor. The analysis of mixed inflammable gases results from processing the output signals obtained by adjusting the electric field parameter of the catalytic sensor. For the signal process, we designed a group of equations based on the heat balance of catalytic sensor expressing the relationship between the output signals and the concentration of gases. With these equations and the outputs of different electric fields, the gas concentration in a mixture could be calculated. In experiments, a mixture of methane, butane and ethane was analyzed by this new method, and the results showed that the concentration of each gas in the mixture could be detected with a single catalytic sensor, and the maximum relative error was less than 5%.
Four Decades of Systems Science Teaching and Research in the USA at Portland State University
Authors: Wakeland Wayne
Published: April 2014

Systems science is defined in general fashion, and a brief background is provided that lists some of the systems science-related societies, conferences, journals, research institutes, and educational programs. The Systems Science Graduate Program at Portland State University in Portland, OR, USA, is described in detail, including its history, curriculum, students, faculty, and degrees granted. Dissertation topics are summarized via word diagrams created from dissertation titles over the years. MS degrees, student placement, and undergraduate courses are also mentioned, and future plans for the program are described including its support for sustainability education.
Functional Disability in Older Adults Maintained on Peritoneal Dialysis Therapy
Authors: Ulutas Ozkan , Farragher Janine , Chiu Ernest , Cook Wendy L. , Jassal Sarbjit V.
Published: April 2014

♦ Background

Older in-center hemodialysis patients have a high burden of functional disability. However, little is known about patients on home chronic peritoneal dialysis (PD). As patients opting for home dialysis are expected to play a greater role in their own dialysis care, we hypothesized that a relatively low number of PD patients would require help with basic self-care tasks (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL).

♦ Methods

We used a cross-sectional study design to measure the proportion of patients aged 65 years and older undergoing outpatient PD who needed help with day-to-day activities. Patients living in nursing homes were excluded from the study. Functional dependence in ADL and IADL tasks were measured by the Barthel and Lawton Scales. Physical performance measures used included the timed up-and-go (TUG) test, chair stands and Folstein mini-mental score (MMSE).

♦Results

A total of 74 of 76 (97%) eligible PD patients participated. Patients had a mean age of 76.2 ± 7.5 years. Thirty-six percent had impaired MMSE scores, 69% were unable to stand from a chair without the use of their arms and 51% had abnormal TUG scores. Only 8 patients (11%) were fully independent for both ADL and IADL activities. Dependence in one or more ADL activity was reported by 64% of participants, while 89% reported dependence in one or more IADL.

♦Conclusions

Impaired physical and functional performance is common in older patients maintained on PD. Collaborative geriatric-renal programs may be beneficial within the dialysis community.
Metformin in Chronic Kidney Disease: Time for a Rethink
Authors: Heaf James
Published: April 2014

Metformin has traditionally been regarded as contra-indicated in chronic kidney disease (CKD), though guidelines in recent years have been relaxed to permit therapy if the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is > 30 mL/min. The main problem is the perceived risk of lactic acidosis (LA). Epidemiological evidence suggests that this fear is disproportionate. Lactic acidosis is a rare complication to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with an incidence of 6/100,000 patient-years. The risk is not increased in metformin-treated patients. Metformin possesses a number of clinical effects independent of glucose reduction, including weight loss, which are beneficial to patients. The risk of death and cardiovascular disease is reduced by about a third in non-CKD patients. Since metformin intoxication undoubtedly causes LA, and metformin is renally excreted, inappropriate dosage of metformin will increase the risk of LA. It is suggested that introduction of metformin therapy to more advanced stages of CKD may bring therapeutic benefits that outweigh the possible risks.
Single-asperity contact mechanics with positive and negative work of adhesion: Influence of finite-range interactions and a continuum description for the squeeze-out of wetting fluids
Authors: Müser Martin H
Published: April 2014

In this work, single-asperity contact mechanics is investigated for positive and negative work of adhesion Δγ. In the latter case, finite-range repulsion acts in addition to hard-wall constraints. This constitutes a continuum model for a contact immersed in a strongly wetting fluid, which can only be squeezed out in the center of the contact through a sufficiently large normal load FN. As for positive work of adhesion, two stable solutions can coexist in a finite range of normal loads. The competing solutions can be readily interpreted as contacts with either a load-bearing or a squeezed-out fluid. The possibility for coexistence and the subsequent discontinuous wetting and squeeze-out instabilities depend not only on the Tabor coefficient μT but also on the functional form of the finite-range repulsion. For example, coexistence and discontinuous wetting or squeeze-out do not occur when the repulsion decreases exponentially with distance. For positive work of adhesion, the normal displacement mainly depends on FN, Δγ, and μT but – unlike the contact area – barely on the functional form of the finite-range attraction. The results can benefit the interpretation of atomic force microscopy in liquid environments and the modeling of multi-asperity contacts.
L'analyse des pratiques professionnelles : une pratique systémique délaissée ?
Authors: Minary Jean-Pierre , Perrin Philippe
Published: April 2014

De nombreux systémiciens animent des groupes d’analyse de pratiques professionnelles auprès d’équipes sans que leurs activités ne donnent lieu à publication ni même à discussion publique. Après avoir cherché à comprendre les raisons d’un tel phénomène, les auteurs de cet article montrent en quoi l’approche systémique représente selon eux une voie originale de travail dans de tels dispositifs en renouvelant tant les conditions de leur mise en œuvre que les modalités de leur animation.
Spécificités du travail relationnel avec les systèmes familiaux d'adolescents hospitalisés présentant des troubles psychiatriques sévères et des troubles sévères du comportement judiciarisés
Authors: Hoffman Deborah , Piccinin Bruno , Servais Laurent
Published: April 2014

Après une brève contextualisation de l’origine de notre dispositif de soins hospitaliers et une description de la population adolescente que nous accueillons, illustrée par deux vignettes cliniques, nous partagerons nos convictions sur l’utilité de travailler avec les systèmes familiaux carencés, négligents et régulièrement maltraitants de ces adolescents, dans le but de favoriser leur autonomisation. Nous tenterons également d’expliciter les moyens mis en œuvre pour « apprivoiser » et travailler avec ces systèmes familiaux blessés, méfiants, voire rejetant toute intervention à visée thérapeutique. Ces deux questions du « pourquoi » et du « comment » mener ce travail systémique seront illustrées par les deux mêmes vignettes cliniques.
STAT3, STAT4, NFATc1, and CTCF Regulate PD-1 through Multiple Novel Regulatory Regions in Murine T Cells
Authors: Austin James W. , Lu Peiyuan , Majumder Parimal , Ahmed Rafi , Boss Jeremy M.
Published: April 2014

Programmed death-1 (PD-1) is a crucial negative regulator of CD8 T cell development and function, yet the mechanisms that control its expression are not fully understood. Through a nonbiased DNase I hypersensitivity assay, four novel regulatory regions within the Pdcd1 locus were identified. Two of these elements flanked the locus, bound the transcriptional insulator protein CCCTC-binding factor, and interacted with each other, creating a potential regulatory compartmentalization of the locus. In response to T cell activation signaling, NFATc1 bound to two of the novel regions that function as independent regulatory elements. STAT binding sites were identified in these elements as well. In splenic CD8 T cells, TCR-induced PD-1 expression was augmented by IL-6 and IL-12, inducers of STAT3 and STAT4 activity, respectively. IL-6 or IL-12 on its own did not induce PD-1. Importantly, STAT3/4 and distinct chromatin modifications were associated with the novel regulatory regions following cytokine stimulation. The NFATc1/STAT regulatory regions were found to interact with the promoter region of the Pdcd1 gene, providing a mechanism for their action. Together these data add multiple novel distal regulatory regions and pathways to the control of PD-1 expression and provide a molecular mechanism by which proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6 or IL-12, can augment PD-1 expression.
Opposing Impact of B Cell–Intrinsic TLR7 and TLR9 Signals on Autoantibody Repertoire and Systemic Inflammation
Authors: Jackson Shaun W. , Scharping Nicole E. , Kolhatkar Nikita S. , Khim Socheath , Schwartz Marc A. , Li Quan-Zhen , Hudkins Kelly L. , Alpers Charles E. , Liggitt Denny , Rawlings David J.
Published: April 2014

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a multisystem autoimmune disease characterized by autoantibodies targeting nucleic acid–associated Ags. The endosomal TLRs TLR7 and TLR9 are critical for generation of Abs targeting RNA- or DNA-associated Ags, respectively. In murine lupus models, deletion of TLR7 limits autoimmune inflammation, whereas deletion of TLR9 exacerbates disease. Whether B cell or myeloid TLR7/TLR9 signaling is responsible for these effects has not been fully addressed. In this study, we use a chimeric strategy to evaluate the effect of B cell–intrinsic deletion of TLR7 versus TLR9 in parallel lupus models. We demonstrate that B cell–intrinsic TLR7 deletion prevents RNA-associated Ab formation, decreases production of class-switched Abs targeting nonnuclear Ags, and limits systemic autoimmunity. In contrast, B cell–intrinsic TLR9 deletion results in decreased DNA-reactive Ab, but increased Abs targeting a broad range of systemic autoantigens. Further, we demonstrate that B cell–intrinsic TLR9 deletion results in increased systemic inflammation and immune complex glomerulonephritis, despite intact TLR signaling within the myeloid compartment. These data stress the critical importance of dysregulated B cell–intrinsic TLR signaling in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus.
Endothelial Cell Permeability and Adherens Junction Disruption Induced by Junín Virus Infection
Authors: Lander Heather M. , Grant Ashley M. , Albrecht Thomas , Hill Terence , Peters Clarence J.
Published: April 2014

Junín virus (JUNV) is endemic to the fertile Pampas of Argentina, maintained in nature by the rodent host Calomys musculinus, and the causative agent of Argentine hemorrhagic fever (AHF), which is characterized by vascular dysfunction and fluid distribution abnormalities. Clinical as well as experimental studies implicate involvement of the endothelium in the pathogenesis of AHF, although little is known of its role. JUNV has been shown to result in productive infection of endothelial cells (ECs) in vitro with no visible cytopathic effects. In this study, we show that direct JUNV infection of primary human ECs results in increased vascular permeability as measured by electric cell substrate impedance sensing and transwell permeability assays. We also show that EC adherens junctions are disrupted during virus infection, which may provide insight into the role of the endothelium in the pathogenesis of AHF and possibly, other viral hemorrhagic fevers.
Regional Variation in the Correlation of Antibody and T-Cell Responses to Trypanosoma cruzi
Authors: Martin Diana L. , Marks Morgan , Galdos-Cardenas Gerson , Gilman Robert H. , Goodhew Brook , Ferrufino Lisbeth , Halperin Anthony , Sanchez Gerardo , Verastegui Manuela , Escalante Patricia , Naquira Cesar , Levy Michael Z. , Bern Caryn
Published: April 2014

Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Central and South America. Geographic variations in the sensitivity of serologic diagnostic assays to T. cruzi may reflect differences in T. cruzi exposure. We measured parasite-specific T-cell responses among seropositive individuals in two populations from South America with widely varying antibody titers against T. cruzi. Antibody titers among seropositive individuals were significantly lower in Arequipa, Peru compared with Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Similarly, the proportion of seropositive individuals with positive T-cell responses was lower in Peru than Bolivia, resulting in overall lower frequencies of interferon-γ (IFNγ)-secreting cells from Peruvian samples. However, the magnitude of the IFNγ response was similar among the IFNγ responders in both locations. These data indicate that immunological discrepancies based on geographic region are reflected in T-cell responses as well as antibody responses.
Epidemiologic Survey of Mansonella ozzardi in Corail, Haiti
Authors: Raccurt Christian P. , Brasseur Philippe , Cicéron Micheline , Boncy Jacques
Published: April 2014

An epidemiologic (cross-sectional study) survey on 462 inhabitants in Corail, Haiti showed that 16.5% were infected with Mansonella ozzardi. This finding was determined from a single 20-μL sample of finger prick blood from each person. Among children, < 2% had a detectable microfilaremia. In persons > 15 years of age, the prevalence of infection for males and females was 23% and 21%, respectively. In general, the microfilaremias were low and 70% of positive persons had < 10 microfilariae per 20 μL of blood; only 5% had > 50 microfilariae. This study shows that persons living near mangrove marshes that are breeding sites for Culicoides furens and C. barbosai biting midges, which are recognized vectors of M. ozzardi in Haiti, are consequently more frequently infected than those living in downtown area of Corail or inland.
Impact of a Targeted Typhoid Vaccination Campaign Following Cyclone Tomas, Republic of Fiji, 2010
Authors: Scobie Heather M. , Nilles Eric , Kama Mike , Kool Jacob L. , Mintz Eric , Wannemuehler Kathleen A. , Hyde Terri B. , Dawainavesi Akanisi , Singh Sheetalpreet , Korovou Samuel , Jenkins Kylie , Date Kashmira
Published: April 2014

After a category 4 cyclone that caused extensive population displacement and damage to water and sanitation infrastructure in Fiji in March 2010, a typhoid vaccination campaign was conducted as part of the post-disaster response. During June–December 2010, 64,015 doses of typhoid Vi polysaccharide vaccine were administered to persons ≥ 2 years of age, primarily in cyclone-affected areas that were typhoid endemic. Annual typhoid fever incidence decreased during the post-campaign year (2011) relative to preceding years (2008–2009) in three subdivisions where a large proportion of the population was vaccinated (incidence rate ratios and 95% confidence intervals: 0.23, 0.13–0.41; 0.24, 0.14–0.41; 0.58, 0.40–0.86), and increased or remained unchanged in 12 subdivisions where little to no vaccination occurred. Vaccination played a role in reducing typhoid fever incidence in high-incidence areas after a disaster and should be considered in endemic settings, along with comprehensive control measures, as recommended by the World Health Organization.
Impact of Short-Time Urine Freezing on the Sensitivity of an Established Schistosoma Real-Time PCR Assay
Authors: Kenguele Hilaire M. , Adegnika Ayola A. , Nkoma Anne-Marie , Ateba-Ngoa Ulysse , Mbong Mirabeau , Zinsou Jeannot , Lell Bertrand , Verweij Jaco J.
Published: April 2014

Urogenital schistosomiaisis is a serious public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa. In this study, we have updated an established real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) routinely used in our laboratory. Schistosoma genus-specific real-time PCR was performed on DNA isolated from 85 urine samples and pellets obtained after centrifugation without and after frozen storage. The results revealed that concentration by centrifugation of the urine samples and freezing of the samples before extracting DNA improves the sensitivity of the PCR.
Toxoplasma gondii Seroprevalence in the United States 2009–2010 and Comparison with the Past Two Decades
Authors: Jones Jeffrey L. , Kruszon-Moran Deanna , Rivera Hilda N. , Price Courtney , Wilkins Patricia P.
Published: April 2014

Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous parasite that can cause neurologic and ocular disease. We tested sera from 7,072 people ≥ 6 years of age in the 2009–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for immunoglobulin G antibodies and compared these results with two previous NHANES studies. The overall T. gondii antibody seroprevalence among persons ≥ 6 years of age in 2009–2010 was 13.2% (95% confidence limit [CL] 11.8%, 14.5%) and age-adjusted seroprevalence was 12.4% (95% CL 11.1%, 13.7%); age-adjusted seroprevalence among women 15–44 years of age was 9.1% (95% CL 7.2%, 11.1%). In U.S. born persons 12–49 years of age, the age-adjusted T. gondii seroprevalence decreased from 14.1% (95% CL 12.7%, 15.5%) in NHANES III (1988–1994) to 9.0% (95% CL 7.6%, 10.5%) in NHANES 1999–2004 to 6.7% (95% CL 5.3%, 8.2%) in NHANES 2009–2010 (P < 0.001 linear trend). Although T. gondii antibody presence is still relatively common, the prevalence in the United States has continued to decline.
Psychological effects of abuse in female victims of domestic violence – a short report on Polish studies
Authors: Pastwa-Wojciechowska Beata , Błażek Magdalena , Kaźmierczak Maria , Nakielska Agnieszka
Published: April 2014

Background

Violence against women comprises a very important and increasingly researched subject of violence studies. The interest in the subject has led to a vast number of important studies (cf. DeKeseredy & Schwartz, 2001).

Participants and procedure

The studies were performed on 90 women, including 30 suffering sexual abuse, 30 – physical abuse and 30 – emotional abuse.

Results

We found that despite the greatest need for support among the group of women suffering sexual abuse, they are the ones who perceive the lowest available support and are the least likely to seek it. Victims of physical abuse experience the great­est health consequences visible to society and as a result they are the most supported group.

Conclusions

Victims of sexual abuse may use various psychological strategies to cope with their situation, which is difficult to discuss openly. Such results might be helpful in implementing social programmes directed at supporting victims of sexual abuse.
Psychomotor development of preterm babies in the context of biomedical predictors in a Polish sample
Authors: Bidzan Mariola , Bieleninik Łucja
Published: April 2014

Background

Preterm birth represents the most frequent complication of pregnancy all over the world. Much research is addressed to psychomotor development of preterm infants during the initial years of their life. Many authors emphasize the role of birth weight, gestational age, and gender in determining the child’s psychomotor development. This study adds to this knowledge as we analyzed the synergistic effect of biomedical predictors such as gestational age, birth weight, Apgar score, time in incubator, type of pregnancy defined based on its outcome, neonatal status immediately after delivery, infant’s gender, and possessing twin sibling. Combined effects of these factors represent an important niche in the studies of the developmental psychology of preterm infants.

Participants and procedure

The study included 49 preterm infants born in 2008-2009 at the Department of Obstetrics of the Medical University of Gdańsk. The psychomotor development of preterm infants was evaluated according to the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development®, Third Edition (BSID-III) at a mean, non-corrected age of 33.80 months (SD = 5.16).

For the purpose of the study we developed a basic model in the form of a pathway diagram, describing the cumulative influence of eight biomedical predictors on the development of the infants during early childhood.

Results

Our study revealed a synergistic influence of biomedical predictors on the development of preterm infants with regards to cognitive functioning (28% of variance), language skills (10% of variance), motor skills (18% of variance), fine motor skills (16% of variance), and gross motor skills (20% of variance). Moreover, we observed an independent effect of birth weight, child’s gender, and final Apgar score on the psychomotor development of preterm infants. Higher birth weight was associated with higher level of cognitive function and fine motor skills. Male gender of a child was reflected by a higher level of cognitive function and language skills, including expressive communication. Finally, higher final Apgar scores resulted in better gross motor skills.

Conclusions

This study confirmed the independent influence of biomedical predictors, such as birth weight, gender, and Apgar score, on the psychomotor development of preterm babies during early childhood. Medical factors play a crucial role in the evaluation of psychomotor development in preterm infants, and their importance should not be undervalued.
Resiliency and the subjective evaluation of health in mothers of children with Asperger’s syndrome
Authors: Kasprzak Arleta , Basińska Małgorzata A. , Lewandowska Paulina
Published: April 2014

Background

Parents caring for children with developmental disorders are exposed to much higher levels of stress than parents of typically developing children. It has also been proved that parents of children with developmental disorders experience mental health deterioration, a sense of guilt, physical weakness, fatigue and exhaustion. Resiliency conditions cognitive and emotional flexibility, and enables an individual to adjust their own behavior to particular circumstances. The present study aims to verify whether there is a relationship between resiliency and the subjective evaluation of health under stress in a group of mothers of children with Asperger’s syndrome.

Participants and procedure

The three measures used in the study were The Polish Resiliency Assessment Scale, The Subjective Evaluation of Health Scale, and a personal questionnaire. A group of 31 mothers of children with Asperger’s syndrome and a group of 31 mothers whose children were not chronically ill and developed typically were examined.

Results

Mothers of children with Asperger’s syndrome have similar levels of resiliency and its contributing factors compared to mothers with healthy children. However, when compared to mothers of healthy children, mothers of children with Asperger’s syndrome show a more negative subjective evaluation of health. Moreover, we found that some resiliency factors (The ability to tolerate failures and view life as a challenge, and Optimism in life and the ability to focus in adversity) correlate positively only in the group of mothers of children with Asperger’s syndrome.

Conclusions

Findings obtained in the study allow us to consider resiliency along with having a healthy child, as a factor contributing to a positive evaluation of health.
Quantitative evaluation of low back and labor pain. Memory of pain experienced during labor
and the intensity of low back pain in older women with discopathy
Authors: Herbowski Leszek , Podolska Magdalena
Published: April 2014

Background

The aim of this study was to determine the intensity of previously experienced labor pains in the context of self-evaluated intensity of discopathy-related low back pain in female patients.

Participants and procedure

The retrospective study included 57 women who received neurosurgical consultation under ambulatory conditions. The intensity of low back pain experienced by every patient was scored using the 11-grade Numeric Rating Scale (NRS-11; ranging from 0 to 10 points). Simultaneously, an obstetrical history was collected from every patient (year of delivery, intensity of labor pain assessed with NRS-11).

Results

Overall, 57 women, aged between 27 and 88 years (mean 52.8 ±15.6 years), were examined. The age at delivery ranged between 17 and 35 years (mean 25.6 ±5.6 years). The patient-reported intensity of pain in the lumbosacral spine, assessed with NRS-11, ranged between 5 and 10 points (mean 7.9 ±1.7 points), while the intensity of labor pain ranged between 3 and 10 points (mean 8.6 ±1.9 points). Labor pain was perceived as more significantly intense than low back pain localized in the lumbosacral spine. In four cases (7%), the intensity of low back pain was re-scored upon asking about the intensity of previous labor pain.

Conclusions

Labor pain experienced during full-term vaginal delivery is characterized by significantly higher intensity as compared to low back pain. The memory of pain experienced during previous labors can attenuate the intensity of discopathy-related low back pain.
Polish normalization of the Body Esteem Scale
Authors: Lipowska Małgorzata , Lipowski Mariusz
Published: April 2014

Background

Physical attractiveness plays an important part in one’s social functioning. The interest in one’s own appearance have been documented as widespread among the female population, but over the recent years it is more and more often emphasized that concentrating on body appearance concerns men as well. Franzoi and Shields (1984) created the Body Esteem Scale which allows to qualify the subject’s attitude towards his or her own body.

The aim of the study was to create a Polish version of the Body Esteem Scale along with the norms for age and sex clusters.

Participants and procedure

The normalization sample consisted of 4298 participants: 1865 women aged 16 to 80 (M = 29.92; SD = 12.85) and 2433 men aged 16 to 78 (M = 28.74; SD = 11.50). Education levels among the participants were also controlled for.

In order to create a Polish version of the Body Esteem Scale, translation was adopted as the adaptation strategy. Like the original one, the Polish scale comprises 35 items grouped into three gender specific subscales. The subscales for women include Sexual Attractiveness, Weight Concern, and Physical Condition, whereas the body esteem of is examined with regards to Physical Attractiveness, Upper Body Strength, and Physical Condition.

Results

Reliability of subscales was high both for females (Cronbach’s alpha from 0.80 to 0.89) and males (Cronbach’s alpha from 0.85 to 0.88).

The given coefficients of reliability cover the original division into subscales adopted by the authors of BES.

Conclusions

We confirmed high reliability of the Polish version of the Body Esteem Scale, thus we recommend it as a diagnostic tool. Created norms allowed to refer results obtained in the course of research carried out on people with various disorders (e.g. eating disorders or body dysmorphic disorder) with population data for corresponding age brackets.
Fertility, pregnancy and breastfeeding in systemic lupus erythematosus patients
Authors: Majdan Maria , Ostanek Lidia , Olesińska Marzena , Kosowicz Mariola , Teliga-Czajkowska Justyna , Wiland Piotr
Published: April 2014

Większość chorych na toczeń rumieniowaty układowy (TRU) jest w wieku prokreacyjnym. Średni wiek zachorowania na TRU to 29 lat. Inaczej niż w przebiegu reumatoidalnego zapalenia stawów, w czasie ciąży u chorych na TRU choroba pozostaje nadal aktywna lub może nawet dojść do jej zaostrzenia. Ciąża – przygotowanie do niej, przebieg, okres karmienia piersią – stanowi poważne wyzwanie terapeutyczne i organizacyjne dla lekarzy opiekujących się chorymi na TRU. Prowadzenie ciąży oraz okres połogu u chorej na TRU wymaga ścisłej współpracy lekarzy różnych specjalności, w tym przede wszystkim reumatologa i położnika. W pracy zostały przedstawione zalecenia dotyczące przygotowania do ciąży, leczenia choroby podstawowej oraz powikłań ciążowych w czasie ciąży i w okresie karmienia piersią u chorych na TRU. Szczególną uwagę zwrócono na leczenie zgodnie z ostatnio opublikowanymi rekomendacjami dla chorych na toczniowe zapalenie nerek.
Recommendations for obstetric management and principles of cooperation between rheumatologists and obstetricians in systemic connective tissue disease patients
Authors: Teliga-Czajkowska Justyna , Czajkowski Krzysztof , Majdan Maria , Olesińska Marzena , Szymkiewicz-Dangel Joanna , Ostanek Lidia , Kosowicz Mariola , Wiland Piotr
Published: April 2014

Układowe choroby tkanki łącznej, a szczególnie reumatoidalne zapalenie stawów i toczeń rumieniowaty układowy, często występują u kobiet w wieku reprodukcyjnym. Znany jest istotny wpływ tych chorób na przebieg ciąży i odwrotnie – przebieg układowych chorób tkanki łącznej może być modyfikowany przez ciążę. Ryzyko wystąpienia poważnych powikłań ciąży i niepowodzeń położniczych znacznie się zwiększa w tej grupie chorób. U podstaw sukcesu położniczego, którym jest urodzenie zdrowego dziecka i brak wpływu ciąży na przebieg choroby autoimmunizacyjnej, leży współpraca reumatologów z położnikami w celu zaplanowania prokreacji w optymalnym okresie oraz odpowiedniego monitorowania przebiegu ciąży. W artykule przedstawiono zalecenia dotyczące postępowania antykoncepcyjnego, nadzoru położniczego oraz monitorowania dobrostanu płodu z punktu widzenia lekarza położnika.
Assessment of the impact of the rehabilitation procedure on functional and clinical condition of patients with coxarthrosis
Authors: Jankowski Dariusz , Kuryliszyn-Moskal Anna
Published: April 2014

Cel pracy: Choroba zwyrodnieniowa stawu biodrowego należy do najczęstszych przyczyn niepełnosprawności u osób powyżej 50. roku życia. Przewlekły i postępujący charakter tego schorzenia sprawia, że jest ono przyczyną upośledzenia stanu klinicznego i funkcjonalnego pacjentów. Celem pracy była ocena wpływu postępowania rehabilitacyjnego na stan kliniczny i funkcjonalny osób z chorobą zwyrodnieniową stawu biodrowego mierzona indeksem WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index) i indeksem Lequesne’a.

Materiał i metody: Badaniem objęto 85 pacjentów, przy czym 50 chorych było leczonych zachowawczo (35 kobiet i 15 mężczyzn), a 35 operacyjnie (21 kobiet i 14 mężczyzn). U wszystkich pacjentów zastosowano zabiegi fizjoterapeutyczne z zakresu fizykoterapii (laser punktowy o mocy 100 mW, dawce 8 J, czas trwania zabiegu: 12 minut), kinezyterapii (ćwiczenia czynne w odciążeniu stawu biodrowego i izometryczne obręczy biodrowej), a także masaż klasyczny okolicy stawów krzyżowo-biodrowych. Zabiegi były wykonywane przez 10 dni z przerwą sobotnio-niedzielną. Badanie oceny stanu klinicznego i funkcjonalnego pacjentów było przeprowadzane przy użyciu kwestionariusza WOMAC i indeksu Lequesne’a w czasie pierwszego i ostatniego dnia zabiegowego.

Wyniki: Postępowanie rehabilitacyjne wpłynęło znamiennie na poprawę stanu klinicznego i funkcjonalnego w badanej grupie chorych, przy czym największy efekt uzyskano w grupie pacjentów płci męskiej, leczonych operacyjnie, w której choroba trwała poniżej 10 lat.

Wnioski: Zaproponowane postępowanie rehabilitacyjne znamiennie wpływa na poprawę stanu klinicznego i funkcjonalnego osób z chorobą zwyrodnieniową stawu biodrowego. Czas trwania choroby, płeć żeńska oraz leczenie zachowawcze były czynnikami wpływającymi na efektywność rehabilitacji u pacjentów z tym schorzeniem. Uzyskane wyniki potwierdzają konieczność stosowania postępowania rehabilitacyjnego w przebiegu choroby zwyrodnieniowej stawu biodrowego.
The rheumatologist at the crossroads; a discourse on biosimilars
Authors: J. Kucharz Eugeniusz
Published: April 2014

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Very short-lived bromomethanes measured by the CARIBIC observatory over the North Atlantic, Africa and Southeast Asia during 2009–2013
Authors: Wisher A. , Oram D. E. , Laube J. C. , Mills G. P. , van Velthoven P. , Zahn A. , Brenninkmeijer C. A. M.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. Short-lived organic brominated compounds make up a significant part of the organic bromine budget in the atmosphere. Emissions of these compounds are highly variable and there are limited measurements, particularly in the extra-tropical upper troposphere/lower stratosphere and tropical troposphere. Measurements of five very short-lived bromomethanes (VSLB) were made in air samples collected on the CARIBIC project aircraft over three flight routes; Germany to Venezuela/Columbia during 2009–2011, Germany to South Africa during 2010 and 2011 and Germany to Thailand/Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia during 2012 and 2013. In the tropical troposphere, as the most important entrance region to the stratosphere, we observe a total mean organic bromine derived from these compounds across all flights at 10–12 km altitude of 3.4 ± 1.5 ppt. Individual mean tropical tropospheric mixing ratios across all flights were 0.43, 0.74, 0.14, 0.23 and 0.11 ppt for CHBr3, CH2Br2, CHBr2Cl, CHBrCl2 and CH2BrCl respectively. The highest levels of VSLB-derived bromine (4.20 ± 0.56 ppt) were observed in flights between Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur indicating that the South China Sea is an important source region for these compounds. Across all routes, CHBr3 and CH2Br2 accounted for 34% (4.7–71) and 48% (14–73) respectively of total bromine derived from the analysed VSLB in the tropical mid-upper troposphere totalling 82% (54–89). In samples collected between Germany and Venezuela/Columbia, we find decreasing mean mixing ratios with increasing potential temperature in the extra-tropics. Tropical mean mixing ratios are higher than extra-tropical values between 340–350 K indicating that rapid uplift is important in determining mixing ratios in the lower tropical tropopause layer in the West Atlantic tropics. O3 was used as a tracer for stratospherically influenced air and we detect rapidly decreasing mixing ratios for all VSLB above ∼100 ppb O3 corresponding to the extra-tropical tropopause layer.
Source apportionment and seasonal variation of PM2.5 in a Sub-Sahara African city: Nairobi, Kenya
Authors: Gaita S. M. , Boman J. , Gatari M. J. , Pettersson J. B. C. , Janhäll S.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. Sources of airborne particulate matter and their seasonal variation in urban areas in Sub-Sahara Africa are poorly understood due to lack of long-term measurement data. In view of this, airborne fine particles matter (particle diameter ≤ 2.5 μm, PM2.5) were collected between May 2008 and April 2010 at two sites (urban background site and suburban site) within the Nairobi metropolitan area. A total of 780 samples were collected and analyzed for particulate mass, black carbon (BC) and thirteen trace elements. The average PM2.5 concentration at the urban background site was 20 ± 8 μg m−3 whereas the concentration at the suburban site was 13 ± 8 μg m−3. The daily PM2.5 concentrations exceeded 25 μg m−3 (the World Health Organization 24 h guideline value) 29% of the days at the urban background site and 7% of the days at the suburban site. At both sites, BC, Fe, S and Cl accounted for approximately 80% of all detected elements. Positive Matrix Factorization analysis identified five source factors that contribute to PM2.5 in Nairobi; traffic, mineral dust, secondary aerosol, industrial and combustion. Mineral dust and traffic factors were related to approximately 74% of PM2.5. Identified source factors exhibited seasonal variation though traffic factor was prominently consistent throughout the sampling period. The results provide information that can be exploited for policy formulation and mitigation strategies to control air pollution in Sub-Sahara African cities.
The influence of seawater pH on U / Ca ratios in the scleractinian cold-water coral Lophelia pertusa
Authors: Raddatz J. , Rüggeberg A. , Flögel S. , Hathorne E. C. , Liebetrau V. , Eisenhauer A. , Dullo W.-Chr.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. The increasing pCO2 in seawater is a serious threat for marine calcifiers and alters the biogeochemistry of the ocean. Therefore, the reconstruction of past-seawater properties and their impact on marine ecosystems is an important way to investigate the underlying mechanisms and to better constrain the effects of possible changes in the future ocean. Cold-water coral (CWC) ecosystems are biodiversity hotspots. Living close to aragonite undersaturation, these corals serve as living laboratories as well as archives to reconstruct the boundary conditions of their calcification under the carbonate system of the ocean. We investigated the reef-building CWC Lophelia pertusa as a recorder of intermediate ocean seawater pH. This species-specific field calibration is based on a unique sample set of live in situ collected L. pertusa and corresponding seawater samples. These data demonstrate that uranium speciation and skeletal incorporation for azooxanthellate scleractinian CWCs is pH dependent and can be reconstructed with an uncertainty of ±0.15. Our Lophelia U / Ca–pH calibration appears to be controlled by the high pH values and thus highlighting the need for future coral and seawater sampling to refine this relationship. However, this study recommends L. pertusa as a new archive for the reconstruction of intermediate water mass pH and hence may help to constrain tipping points for ecosystem dynamics and evolutionary characteristics in a changing ocean.
Technical Note: Weight approximation of coccoliths using a circular polarizer and interference colour derived retardation estimates – (The CPR Method)
Authors: Bollmann J.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. A circular polarizer is used for the first time to image coccoliths without the extinction pattern of crossed polarized light at maximum interference colour. The combination of a circular polarizer with retardation measurements based on grey values derived from theoretical calculations allows for the first time accurate calculations of the weight of single coccoliths thinner than 1.37 μm. The weight estimates of 364 Holocene coccoliths using this new method are in good agreement with published volumetric estimates. A robust calibration method based on the measurement of a calibration target of known retardation enables the comparison of data between different imaging systems. Therefore, the new method overcomes the shortcomings of the error prone empirical calibration procedure of a previously reported method based on birefringence of calcite. Furthermore, it greatly simplifies the identification of coccolithophore species on the light microscope as well as the calculation of the area and thus weight of a coccolith.
A model of potential carbon dioxide efflux from surface water across England and Wales using headwater stream survey data and landscape predictors
Authors: Rawlins B. G. , Palumbo-Roe B. , Gooddy D. C. , Worrall F. , Smith H.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. Measurements of CO2 partial pressures (pCO2) in small headwater streams are useful for predicting potential CO2 efflux because they provide a single concentration representing a mixture from different hydrological pathways and sources in the catchment. We developed a model to predict pCO2 in headwater streams from measurements undertaken on snapshot samples collected from more than 3000 channels across the landscape of England and Wales. We used a subset of streams with upstream catchment areas (CA) of less than 8 km2 because below this scale threshold pCO2 was independent of CA. A series of catchment characteristics were found to be statistically significant predictors of pCO2, including three geomorphic variables (mean altitude, mean catchment slope and relief) and four groups of dominant catchment land cover classes (arable, improved grassland, suburban and all other classes). We accounted for year-round, temporal variation in our model of headwater pCO2 by including weekly or monthly analyses of samples from three headwater catchments with different land use and geomorphic features. Our model accounted for 24% of the spatial and temporal variation in pCO2. We combined predictions from the pCO2 model (on a 1 km grid) and monthly runoff volumes (litres) on 0.5° resolution grid across England and Wales to compute potential C fluxes to the atmosphere. Our model predicts an annual average potential C flux of 65.4 kt C across England and Wales (based on free C concentrations), with lower and upper 95% confidence values of 56.1 and 77.2 kt C, respectively.