bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of application times for ice packs used to relieve perineal pain after normal birth: a randomised clinical trial
Authors: Oliveira Sonia MJV , Silva Flora MB , Riesco Maria LG , Latorre Maria do Rosario DO , Nobre Moacyr RC
Published: August 2012

Aims and objectives.  To compare the effect of an ice pack applied for 10, 15 and 20 minutes to relieve perineal pain after birth.

Background.  Perineal pain after vaginal birth, with or without vaginal trauma, is one of the most common morbidities reported for postnatal women. Cryotherapy has been used in postpartum period to relieve perineal pain and investigated in several studies. However, cryotherapy treatment protocols in perineal care vary widely regarding temperature, frequency and duration of the application.

Design.  A controlled trial, randomised for two groups and with a third group as a historical control.

Method.  The intervention was carried out in a maternity hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. The study population consisted of three groups of 38 women who used an ice pack on the perineum, in a single application: group A‐10 minutes; group B‐15 minutes; group C‐20 minutes (historical control from another clinical trial). Participants’ perineal pain magnitude was evaluated through a numerical scale (0–10), at four different points: before the cryotherapy; immediately after and at 20 and 40 minutes after cryotherapy.

Results.  After application of the ice pack, there was no statistical difference when comparing the perineal pain among groups in the second, third and fourth evaluations. Most of the postnatal women reported pain relief, with 72·8% reporting a decrease in pain >50%; 21·9% reported a decrease between 30–50%. All postnatal women subjected to cryotherapy were favourable to the procedure.

Conclusion.  There is no difference in pain scores following ice pack application in three different times (10, 15 and 20 minutes) in women who report moderate or intense perineal pain after normal delivery.

Relevance for clinical practice.  Ice treatment is safe, and application times of 10 or 15 minutes are as beneficial as an application time of 20 minutes to relieve perineal pain.
Genomic signatures of divergent selection and speciation patterns in a ‘natural experiment’, the young parallel radiations ofNicaraguan crater lake cichlid fishes
Authors: Kautt Andreas F. , Elmer Kathryn R. , Meyer Axel
Published: August 2012

Divergent selection is the main driving force in sympatric ecological speciation and may also play a strong role in divergence between allopatric populations. Characterizing the genome‐wide impact of divergent selection often constitutes a first step in unravelling the genetic bases underlying adaptation and ecological speciation. TheMidas cichlid fish (Amphilophus citrinellus) species complex inNicaragua is a powerful system for studying evolutionary processes. Independent colonizations of isolated young crater lakes byMidas cichlid populations from the older and great lakes ofNicaragua resulted in the repeated evolution of adaptive radiations by intralacustrine sympatric speciation. In this study we performed genome scans on two repeated radiations of crater lake species and their great lake source populations (1030 polymorphicAFLPs,n ∼ 30 individuals per species). We detected regions under divergent selection (0.3% in the crater lakeXiloá flock and 1.7% in the older crater lakeApoyo radiation) that might be responsible for the sympatric diversifications. We find no evidence that the same genomic regions have been involved in the repeated evolution of parallel adaptations across crater lake flocks. However, there is some genetic parallelism apparent (seven out of 51 crater lake to great lake outlier loci are shared; 13.7%) that is associated with the allopatric divergence of both crater lake flocks. Interestingly, our results suggest that the number of outlier loci involved in sympatric and allopatric divergence increases over time. A phylogeny based on theAFLPdata clearly supports the monophyly of both crater lake species flocks and indicates a parallel branching order with a primary split along the limnetic‐benthic axis in both radiations.
Antennal sugar sensitivity in the click beetle Agriotes obscurus
Authors: TOOMING ENE , MERIVEE ENNO , MUST ANNE , LUIK ANNE , WILLIAMS INGRID H.
Published: August 2012

The occurrence of salt‐, sugar‐sensitive neurones and a mechanoreceptor neurone in the antennal hair‐like gustatory sensilla of the click beetle Agriotes obscurus L. (Coleoptera, Elateridae) is demonstrated using the electrophysiological sensillum tip‐recording technique. The stimulating effect of 13 water soluble sugars at 100 mm is tested on the neurones of these sensilla. Sucrose and fructose are the two most stimulating sugars for the sugar‐sensitive neurone, evoking almost 30 spikes s−1 at 100 mm. The stimulating effect of arabinose, glucose, mannose, maltose and raffinose is three‐ to five‐fold lower, in the range 5.9–9.6 spikes s−1. The remaining six sugars, xylose, galactose, rhamnose, cellobiose, trehalose and lactose, have very low (<1 spikes s−1) or no ability to stimulate the sugar‐sensitive neurone. Concentration/response curves of the sugar‐sensitive neurone to sucrose, fructose and glucose at 0.01–100 mm overlap to a large extent in hibernating, cold reactivated and reproductively‐active beetles. A remarkable 9–50% decrease in the number of spikes evoked by 100 mm fructose and 10–100 mm sucrose occurs, however, in reproductively‐active beetles in June compared with beetles at the beginning of hibernation in October. These findings show that A. obscurus is capable of sensing a wide range sugars via their antennal gustatory sensilla.
HLA‐matched family hematopoetic stem cell transplantation in children with beta thalassemia major: The experience of the Turkish Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation Group
Authors: Yesilipek M. Akif , Ertem Mehmet , Cetin Mualla , Öniz Haldun , Kansoy Savas , Tanyeli Atila , Anak Sema , Kurekci Emin , Hazar Volkan
Published: August 2012

Yesilipek MA, Ertem M, Cetin M, Öniz H, Kansoy S, Tanyeli A, Anak S, Kurekci E, Hazar V. HLA‐matched family hematopoetic stem cell transplantation in children with beta thalassemia major: The experience of the Turkish Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation Group.

Abstract:  From January 1991 to June 2009, 245 children with beta thalassemia major who underwent their first allogeneic HSCT in Turkey and who were followed for a minimum of one yr post‐transplantation were enrolled this study. The median age of the patients was 6.6 yr old (range, 1–22 yr). The distribution of Pesaro risk class I, II, and III categories was 41, 130, and 63 children, respectively. The median serum ferritin level was 2203 ng/mL. Eighty‐eight patients received bone marrow (BM) stem cells; 137, peripheral blood (PB) stem cells; and 20, cord blood (CB) stem cells. The donors were HLA‐matched siblings or parents. Median engraftment times were shorter in PBSCT patients compared with the BMT group (p < 0.001). Grade II‐IV acute GvHD was observed in 33 children (13.5%), while cGvHD was observed in 28 patients (12.5%), eight of whom had the extensive form. Thalassemic reconstitution was observed in 43 (17%) of the transplant patients. Post‐transplant aplasia occurred in three patients, and the TRM rate was 7.75%. Seventeen patients were lost after 100 days. The thalassemia‐free survival and OS rates were 68% (95% CI, 61.8–74.2) and 85.0% (95% CI, 80.2–89.8), respectively. We believe that this study is important because it is the first multicenter national data for children with beta thalassemia major receiving HSCT.
How many times can parvovirus B19‐related anemia recur in solid organ transplant recipients?
Authors: Gosset C. , Viglietti D. , Hue K. , Antoine C. , Glotz D. , Pillebout E.
Published: August 2012

Parvovirus B19 (PB19) infection is known to cause acute erythroblastopenia‐mediated anemia in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) and the decrease of immunosuppression level are supposed to induce a long‐term remission, although no consensus exists about the dose and the schedule of IVIg administrations. However, a few reports have shown that PB19‐related anemia can recur despite this treatment, with a maximum of 3 recurrences reported. In this report, we describe in detail the cases of 2 kidney recipients with PB19 infection. They experienced, respectively, 9 and 7 PB19‐related anemia recurrences. Immunosuppression level was decreased and IVIg were administered at each recurrence followed by a transitory normalization of hemoglobin level and a decrease of serum PB19 viral load. Episodes were separated by several months. These patients raise an original therapeutic management question about a frequent viral infection in SOT recipients. One patient is currently receiving IVIg every 3 months as a secondary prophylaxis without recurrence to date. These 2 case reports are followed by a review of the literature.
Diagnostic accuracy of multidetector computed tomography in the detection of left atrial/left atrial appendage thrombus: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Ning Z. , Min Z.‐G. , Jiang H.‐X. , Hu B.‐L.
Published: August 2012

Background and objective

The current results on the diagnostic accuracy of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in the detection of left atrial/left atrial appendage (LA/LAA) thrombus are conflicting.

Aim

The aim of the present study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of MDCT in LA/LAA thrombus with meta‐analysis.

Methods

We searched for studies in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane library prior to May 2012 evaluating the accuracy of MDCT in detecting LA/LAA thrombus. Primary results were summarised using a random‐effects model or a fixed‐effects model. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to summarise overall diagnosis accuracy. Metaregression and subgroup analysis were used to explore the potential sources of heterogeneity.

Results

A total of 10 studies with 1313 subjects was included in this meta‐analysis. The summary estimates of sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio and the area under cure of overall analysis were 0.84, 0.93, 9.32, 0.21, 50.84 and 0.951, respectively, but all with significant heterogeneity (P < 0.01). Meta‐regression and subgroup analysis showed that using electrocardiogram (ECG)‐gating technique was a source of heterogeneity (P = 0.022); studies using ECG‐gating technique had a higher summary sensitivity than studies with non‐gating technique (0.97 vs 0.33).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that MDCT is a potentially useful technique in the diagnosis of LA/LAA thrombus, especially when ECG gating is applied.
Screening and management of renal disease in human immunodeficiency virus‐infected patients in Australia
Authors: Gracey D. , Chan D. , Bailey M. , Richards D. , Dalton B.
Published: August 2012

Background

Renal disease has become one of the most important comorbidities observed in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected patient cohort. Data are lacking on the current screening and management of renal disease in patients with HIV. We evaluated HIV‐infected Australian adults in primary care to determine current practices.

Methods

This prospective, multicentre observational study included two rounds of data collection; the first was followed by an educational programme. Outcomes included screening for renal disease; management of risk factors for kidney disease and other comorbidities associated with renal disease.

Results

Fifty‐three general practitioners participated with 733 patients enrolled. Most were male (94%); almost 40% were 41–50 years of age, and 6% and 84% were receiving antiretroviral therapy. Comorbidities were common; 19% had hypertension, 5% were diabetic, 32% were dyslipidaemic, and 40% were smokers. Estimated glomerular filtration rate was commonly measured in both rounds of data collection (96% vs 95%). Proteinuria was assessed less frequently; this improved after education (48% vs 71%). Almost 10% of patients tested had proteinuria on urinalysis. Of the 45 patients (6%) with renal impairment (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min), none was referred for assessment by a renal specialist.

Conclusions

This large observational study provides important information on renal disease in HIV‐infected patients, an area with a paucity of clinical data. Current screening and management practices fall short of suggested guidelines. Failure to refer patients to specialists is a major deficiency. Improvements with education suggest the need to promote awareness of guidelines in primary care doctors.
In‐plane and out‐of‐plane constraint parameters along a three‐dimensional crack‐front stress field under creep loading
Authors: MATVIENKO Y. G. , SHLYANNIKOV V. N. , BOYCHENKO N. V.
Published: August 2012

Full‐field three‐dimensional (3D) numerical analyses was performed to determine in‐plane and out‐of‐plane constraint effect on crack‐front stress fields under creep conditions of finite thickness boundary layer models and different specimen geometries. Several parameters are used to characterize constraint effects including the non‐singular T‐stresses, the local triaxiality parameter, the Tz‐factor of the stress‐state in a 3D cracked body and the second‐order‐term amplitude factor. The constraint parameters are determined for centre‐cracked plate, three‐point bend specimen and compact tension specimen. Discrepancies in constraint parameter distribution on the line of crack extension and along crack front depending on the thickness of the specimens have been observed under different loading conditions of creeping power law hardening material for various configurations of specimens.
Species dynamics alter community diversity–biomass stability relationships
Authors: Fowler Mike S. , Laakso Jouni , Kaitala Veijo , Ruokolainen Lasse , Ranta Esa
Published: August 2012

The relationship between community diversity and biomass variability remains a crucial ecological topic, with positive, negative and neutral diversity–stability relationships reported from empirical studies. Theory highlights the relative importance of Species–Species or Species–Environment interactions in driving diversity–stability patterns. Much previous work is based on an assumption of identical (stable) species‐level dynamics. We studied ecosystem models incorporating stable, cyclic and more complex species‐level dynamics, with either linear or non‐linear density dependence, within a locally stable community framework. Species composition varies with increasing diversity, interacting with the correlation of species' environmental responses to drive either positive or negative diversity–stability patterns, which theory based on communities with only stable species‐level dynamics fails to predict. Including different dynamics points to new mechanisms that drive the full range of diversity–biomass stability relationships in empirical systems where a wider range of dynamical behaviours are important.
Towards a framework for multiple artificial neural network topologies validation by means of statistics
Authors: Gonzalez‐Carrasco Israel , Garcia‐Crespo Angel , Ruiz‐Mezcua Belen , Lopez‐Cuadrado Jose Luis , Colomo‐Palacios Ricardo
Published: August 2012

Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are flexible computing tools that have been applied to a wide range of domains with a notable level of accuracy. However, there are multiple choices of ANNs classifiers in the literature that produce dissimilar results. As a consequence of this, the selection of this classifier is crucial for the overall performance of the system. In this work, an integral framework is proposed for the optimization of different ANN classifiers based on statistical hypothesis testing. The framework is tested in a real ballistic scenario. The new quality measures introduced, based on the Student t‐test, and employed throughout the framework, ensure the validity of results from a statistical standpoint; they reduce the appearance of experimental errors or the appearance of possible randomness. Results show the relevance of this framework, proving that its application improves the performance and efficiency of multiple classifiers.
Probing the Modulation of Acute Ethanol Intoxication by Pharmacological Manipulation of the NMDAR Glycine Co‐Agonist Site
Authors: DeBrouse Lauren , Hurd Benita , Kiselycznyk Carly , Plitt Aaron , Todaro Alyssa , Mishina Masayoshi , Grant Seth G. N. , Camp Marguerite , Gunduz‐Cinar Ozge , Holmes Andrew
Published: August 2012

Background

Stimulating the glycineB binding site on the N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate ionotropic glutamate receptor (NMDAR) has been proposed as a novel mechanism for modulating behavioral effects of ethanol (EtOH) that are mediated via the NMDAR, including acute intoxication. Here, we pharmacologically interrogated this hypothesis in mice.

Methods

Effects of systemic injection of the glycineB agonist, d‐serine, the GlyT‐1 glycine transporter inhibitor, ALX‐5407, and the glycineB antagonist, L‐701,324, were tested for the effects on EtOH‐induced ataxia, hypothermia, and loss of righting reflex (LORR) duration in C57BL/6J (B6) and 129S1/SvImJ (S1) inbred mice. Effects of the glycineB partial agonist, d‐cycloserine (DCS), the GlyT‐1 inhibitor, N‐[3‐(4′‐fluorophenyl)‐3‐(4′‐phenylphenoxy)propyl]sarcosine (NFPS), and the glycineB antagonist, 5,7‐dichlorokynurenic (DCKA), on EtOH‐induced LORR duration were also tested. Interaction effects on EtOH‐induced LORR duration were examined via combined treatment with d‐serine and ALX‐5407, d‐serine and MK‐801, d‐serine and L‐701,324, as well as L‐701,324 and ALX‐5407, in B6 mice, and d‐serine in GluN2A and PSD‐95 knockout mice. The effect of dietary depletion of magnesium (Mg), an element that interacts with the glycineB site, was also tested.

Results

Neither d‐serine, DCS, ALX‐5407, nor NFPS significantly affected EtOH intoxication on any of the measures or strains studied. L‐701,324, but not DCKA, dose‐dependently potentiated the ataxia‐inducing effects of EtOH and increased EtOH‐induced (but not pentobarbital‐induced) LORR duration. d‐serine did not have interactive effects on EtOH‐induced LORR duration when combined with ALX‐5407. The EtOH‐potentiating effects of L‐701,324, but not MK‐801, on LORR duration were prevented by d‐serine, but not ALX‐5407. Mg depletion potentiated LORR duration in B6 mice and was lethal in a large proportion of S1 mice.

Conclusions

GlycineB site activation failed to produce the hypothesized reduction in EtOH intoxication across a range of measures and genetic strains, but blockade of the glycineB site potentiated EtOH intoxication. These data suggest endogenous activity at the glycineB opposes EtOH intoxication, but it may be difficult to pharmacologically augment this action, at least in nondependent subjects, perhaps because of physiological saturation of the glycineB site.
A Review of the Efficacy, Safety, and Cost‐Effectiveness of COX‐2 Inhibitors for Africa and the Middle East Region
Authors: Zeidan Anwar Z. , Al Sayed Bashar , Bargaoui Naceur , Djebbar Mourad , Djennane Malik , Donald Royden , El Deeb Khamis , Joudeh Raed A. , Nabhan Abdullah , Schug Stephan A.
Published: August 2012

Abstract:  Despite an increasingly sophisticated understanding of pain mechanisms, acute and chronic pain remain undertreated throughout the world. This situation reflects the large gap that exists between evidence and practice in pain management and is typified by inappropriate use of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The scientific evidence around these drugs continues to expand at a high rate, yet physicians are often unaware of best practice. To address this gap among physicians in Africa and the Middle East, an Expert Panel meeting was convened with representatives from the region. The principal objective of the meeting was to review the latest guidelines on the management of acute and chronic pain and to review the efficacy, safety, and cost‐effectiveness of cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) inhibitors in these settings. The main outcome of this review process was a number of consensus statements concerning the definitions of acute and chronic pain, and the efficacy, safety and cost‐effectiveness of traditional nonselective NSAIDs (nsNSAIDs) and selective COX‐2 inhibitors (coxibs). The panel agreed that nsNSAIDs and coxibs are effective analgesics with similar efficacy for acute pain; for chronic musculoskeletal pain, NSAIDs are significantly more effective than either placebo or paracetamol. Coxibs offer important safety advantages over nsNSAIDs, including gastrointestinal safety and preservation of platelet function; notably, the cardiovascular safety of coxibs has been the subject of much recent debate. Furthermore, the panel agreed there is substantial evidence to indicate that cost savings can be achieved by using celecoxib in patients at moderate to high risk of gastrointestinal adverse events, even in countries with moderate healthcare expenditures.
Association between Serum Total Antioxidant Status and Coronary Microvascular Functions in Patients with SLE
Authors: Yılmaz Sema , Caliskan Mustafa , Kulaksızoglu Sevsen , Ciftci Ozgur , Caliskan Zuhal , Gullu Hakan , Guven Aytekin , Muderrisoglu Haldun
Published: August 2012

Mortality from cardiovascular disease has been found to be increased in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Coronary flow reserve (CFR) measurement is used both to assess epicardial coronary arteries and to examine the integrity of coronary microvascular circulation. Oxidative stress, enhancing modification of plasma lipids, is also associated with atherosclerotic events in lupus patients. Impairment of CFR and TAS has been shown to be an early manifestation of coronary atherosclerosis. Forty patients with SLE and 33 healthy volunteers were included in this study. Echocardiographic examination included left ventricular myocardial velocity measurements and coronary flow reserve (CFR) measurement. Serum total antioxidant status levels (TAS) also were measured using TAS kit. Lateral myocardial early peak velocity (Em) and lateral Em/Am ratio did not differ between the groups, but lateral myocardial atrial peak velocity (Am) was significantly higher in SLE group than the control group. Baseline coronary diastolic peak flow velocity (DPFV) of left anterior descending was similar in both the groups. However, hyperemic DPFV and CFR (2.50 ± 0.42 vs. 3.09 ± 0.45, P < 0.0001) were significantly lower in the SLE group than in the control group. CFR significantly and inversely correlated with CRP and significantly correlated with TAS. Subclinical coronary microvascular dysfunction can occur in SLE patients without traditional cardiovascular risk factors, probably associated with underlying inflammation and impairment of TAS.
Treatment Monitoring of HIV‐Infected Patients based on Mechanistic Models
Authors: Prague Mélanie , Commenges Daniel , Drylewicz Julia , Thiébaut Rodolphe
Published: August 2012

Summary For most patients, the HIV viral load can be made undetectable by highly active antiretroviral treatments highly active antiretroviral therapy: the virus, however, cannot be eradicated. Thus, the major problem is to try to reduce the side effects of the treatment that patients have to take during their life time. We tackle the problem of monitoring the treatment dose, with the aim of giving the minimum dose that yields an undetectable viral load. The approach is based on mechanistic models of the interaction between virus and the immune system. It is shown that the “activated cells model,” allows making good predictions of the effect of dose changes and, thus, could be a good basis for treatment monitoring. Then, we use the fact that in dynamical models, there is a nontrivial equilibrium point, that is with a virus load larger than zero, only if the reproductive number R0 is larger than one. For reducing side effects, we may give a dose just above the critical dose corresponding to R0 equal to 1. A prior distribution of the parameters of the model can be taken as the posterior arising from the analysis of previous clinical trials. Then the observations for a given patient can be used to dynamically tune the dose so that there is a high probability that the reproductive number is below one. The advantage of the approach is that it does not depend on a cost function, weighing side effects and efficiency of the drug. It is shown that it is possible to approach the critical dose if the model is correct. A sensitivity analysis assesses the robustness of the approach.
Role of Different Replacement Fluids During Extracorporeal Treatment in a Pig Model of Sepsis
Authors: Sauer Martin , Altrichter Jens , Mencke Thomas , Klöhr Sven , Thomsen Maren , Kreutzer Hans J. , Nöldge‐Schomburg Gabriele , Mitzner Steffen R.
Published: August 2012

In an extracorporeal combination therapy, the impact of different replacement fluids on survival was tested in a bacterial sepsis model in pigs. In an animal study 19 pigs, weighing 7.5–11.1 kg, were included. All groups received an intravenous lethal dose of live Staphylococcus aureus over 1 h. The animals were treated by an extracorporeal circuit consisting of online centrifugation and subsequent plasma filtration for 4 h. The extracorporeal circuit was pre‐filled with 400 mL replacement fluid. In the P0 group 100% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 was used as replacement fluid; in the P30 group 30% pig plasma and 70% hydroxyethyl starch; and in the P100 group 100% pig plasma. The observation time was 7 days. All animals of the group P100 survived, while all animals of group P0 and five out of seven animals of the P30 group died during the observation time. Extracorporeal therapy consisting of online centrifugation and plasma filtration with 100% pig plasma as replacement fluid significantly improved survival in a pig model of sepsis. Further studies with this approach are encouraged.
Collective memory in law and policy: the problem of the sovereign debt crisis
Authors: O'Callaghan Patrick
Published: August 2012

The idea of ‘collective memory’ features prominently in several disciplines but rarely in legal scholarship. Drawing on the work of Henri Bergson, Maurice Halbwachs and GWF Hegel, this paper seeks to present an account of collective memory that is relevant to discourse on law and policy. The paper uses the example of the policy response to the European sovereign debt crisis as a means of illustrating how collective memory of events in the distant past can shape individual behaviour and thinking. It argues that the current policy response can be explained, at least in part, by the influence on policy makers of the standard historical narrative of the Great Inflation of Weimar Germany. When, however, collective memory takes the form of Bergsonian ‘habit memory’, it can inhibit our efforts to resolve hard cases and the German government's opposition to the European Central Bank acting as a lender of last resort in the government bond markets neatly illustrates this point. If the debt crisis is to be managed effectively, policy makers must draw on Bergsonian ‘pure memory’ to explore the bounds of political and economic possibility.
Reinventing mutualism between humans and wild fauna: insights from vultures as ecosystem services providers
Authors: Gangoso Laura , Agudo Rosa , Anadón José Daniel , de la Riva Manuel , Suleyman Ahmed Saeed , Porter Richard , Donázar José Antonio
Published: August 2012

In parallel with economic and social changes, mutualism in human‐vulture relations has virtually disappeared worldwide. Here, we describe the mutualistic relationship between humans and the globally threatened Egyptian vulture in Socotra, Yemen. By analyzing both the spatial distribution of vultures and the amount of human byproducts they consume, we show that human activities enable the maintenance of the densest population of this rare scavenger, whereas vultures provide a key regulating service by disposing of up to 22.4% of the organic waste annually produced in towns. Globalization is impacting the archipelago, and therefore policies that better integrate societal needs and biodiversity conservation are urgently needed. We propose a win‐win solution that relies on the restructuring of the mutualism, shifting from regulating services toward cultural services. Our study highlights the necessity of reconciling trade‐offs between biodiversity conservation and economic development in a framework of global change affecting Middle Eastern countries.
Lessons learnt from the Wenchuan earthquake: performance evaluation of treatment of critical injuries in hardest‐hit areas
Authors: Jiang Jie , LI Youping , Huang Xiaolin , Li Bing , Su Lin , Zhong Dake , Shi Chenghu , Li Mingxu , Shan Juan , Chen Yin
Published: August 2012

Objectives: Critical injury treatment in the hardest‐hit areas after a great earthquake was retrospectively analyzed to determine how best to reduce mortality and disability and increase the rehabilitation rate through postquake medical relief.

Methods: Retrospective analysis, primary sources, and secondary sources were comprehensively retrieved and analyzed.

Results: According to incomplete data, 30,620 injured were rescued by themselves among the hardest‐hit areas in the 72 hours immediately following the earthquake. Critically injured patients accounted for 22% of total inpatients. Mortality rates declined with greater distance from the epicenter: rates were 12.21% for municipal healthcare centers in the hardest‐hit areas, 4.50% for municipal medical units in peripheral quake‐hit areas, 2.50% for provincial medical units in peripheral quake‐hit areas, and 2.17% for Ministry of Health‐affiliated hospitals in peripheral quake‐hit areas. The number of injured with fractures on body, limbs or unknown‐parts, severe conditions as well as other kinds of non‐traumatic diseases received in second‐line hospitals was much more than those treated in first‐line hospitals with more severe injuries. Among 10,373 injured in stable condition transferred to third‐line hospitals, 99.07% were discharged from hospitals within four months, while the mortality rate was 0.017%.

Conclusions: The medical relief model of “supervising body helping subordinate unit, severely stricken areas assisting hardest‐hit areas, least‐hit areas supporting both hardest‐hit and severely stricken areas, and self help and mutual assistance applied between hardest‐hit areas” was roughly established for injured from severely stricken areas after the Wenchuan Earthquake. The “four‐centralization” treatment principle, which referred to concentrating patients, experts, resources and treatment for those injured in critical condition effectively reduced the mortality from 15.06% to 2.9%. Timely, scientific, and standard on‐site triage and postmedical transfer guided by accurate injury information determine rescue effect for the injured, while there is large space to fulfill as for treatment for critical diseases among the hardest‐hit areas under extreme conditions after the Wenchuan earthquake.
Efficacy and safety of acarbose chewable tablet in patients with type 2 diabetes: a multicentre, randomized, double‐blinded, double‐dummy positive controlled trial
Authors: Wu Qian Lin , Liu Yu Ping , Lu Ju Ming , Wang Chang Jiang , Yang Tao , Dong Ji Xiang , Li Cheng Jiang , Ma Jian Hua , Xue Yao Ming , Sun Rui Hua , Wei Dong , Tian Hao Ming
Published: August 2012

Objective: To evaluate the effect and safety of HbA1c and glycemic control of acarbose chewable tablets in patients with type 2 diabetic.

Method: A multicentre, randomized, double‐blinded, double‐dummy, positive controlled clinical trial was conducted. Two hundred thirty‐four Chinese patients with type 2 diabetic were enrolled in eight clinical centres, who were divided randomly into the acarbose chewable tablet group (experimental group, n = 116) and the acarbose treatment group (control group, n = 118).

Results: Two hundred seven patients (88.5%) took part in the 12‐week trial. At the beginning and end of the clinical trial, HbA1c and blood glucose as well as safety indexes were measured. After the treatment, the level of finger two‐hour postprandial blood glucose (PPBG) was decreased 4.15 mmol/L (26.82%) and 3.54 mmol/L (22.77%), respectively, in the experiment group and the control group. The levels of venous two‐hour PPBG in the experiment group and the control group were decreased 4.04 mmol/L (25.38%) and 2.75 mmol/L (17.26%), respectively, with the means of HbA1c lowering 11.67% and 12.44%, respectively. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) also was reduced significantly in both groups. Patients in both groups showed obvious weight reduction (P < 0.0001). There were no significant differences in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups.

Conclusion: In summary, acarbose chewable tablets have a definite curative effect in treating type 2 diabetic patients as HbA1c and blood glucose levels decreased significantly after the 12‐week treatment.
Molecular cytogenetics studies in Reichardia tingetana: Physical mapping of heterochromatin, telomere repeats, and 5S and 45S rDNA by 4′, 6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole and fluorescence in situ hybridization
Authors: ABD EL‐TWAB Magdy Hussein
Published: August 2012

Abstract  Molecular cytogenetics studies of A‐T‐rich regions, telomeres, and 5S and 45S rDNA sites on the chromosomes of Reichardia tingetana Roth (2n= 16; diploid) were done using 4′, 6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole (DAPI) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The species were collected from three geographically isolated populations at Borg El Arab (salt marsh habitat), and Rashed and Shosha (sandy clay habitats) in Egypt. The three populations showed the chromosome number of all plants are diploid except for two tetraploid samples from Shosha. Plants from both Rashed and Shosha showed similarity in the distribution of six DAPI bands on six chromosomes, whereas those of Borg El Arab showed a distribution of 16 bands on 14 chromosomes. The FISH signals of the telomeres, and 5S and 45S rDNA, were at the telomeres of all chromosomes, two interstitial, and four terminal, respectively. The combination of DAPI and FISH showed colocalization of the DAPI bands with two 5S and two 45S rDNA loci. The increased number of DAPI bands in the cytotypes from the salt marsh habitat could indicate natural genetic adaptation through increasing the heterochromatin of A‐T‐rich regions.
Research on the relationships between pancreatic cancer and hyperglycemia in Chinese populations
Authors: Huang Shan , Ye Hongying , Wu Wei , Chen Cheng , Li Ji , Fu Deliang , Li Yiming
Published: August 2012

Aims/Introduction

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is related to diabetes. Long‐standing diabetes should be a prerequisite, whereas new‐onset hyperglycemia might be a result of PC. However, the association between diabetes and PC is still in dispute.

Materials and Methods

We investigated the relationship between glucose metabolism and other factors by retrospectively analyzing the clinical data of 331 PC patients. Any histopathological type was eligible. The patients were divided into three groups: group A, normal glucose metabolism; group B, hyperglycemia duration≤6 months; and group C, diabetes duration >24 months.

Results

The prevalence of hyperglycemia was 59.5%. Most patients were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus either concomitantly with cancer (39.0%) or within 6 months before cancer diagnosis (6.9%). There were more females in group C than group A (P = 0.005) and B (P = 0.018). Patients in group A were younger (A vs B, P < 0.001; A vs C, P = 0.032) and thinner (A vs B, P = 0.013; A vs C, P = 0.027). In group C, more individuals shared a family history of diabetes (A vs C, P = 0.004; B vs C, P = 0.023), but fewer smoked (A vs C, P = 0.027; B vs C, P = 0.020). Patients in group C had a larger proportion of poorly differentiated cancer (A vs C, P = 0.002; B vs C, P = 0.012). No differences in glucose metabolism were found among the different histological types.

Conclusions

We further support the notion that diabetes duration >24 months might not be cancer related. Older and fatter PC patients were more likely to develop hyperglycemia. More patients with long‐standing diabetes had poor tumor differentiation. We speculate that smoking and alcohol intake might advance PC onset.
Toe modifications in hind feet shoes optimise hoof‐unrollment in soundWarmblood horses at trot
Authors: Spaak B. , van Heel M. C. V. , Back W.
Published: August 2012

Reasons for performing study

It was shown that rolled‐toe shoes smooth hoof‐unrollment and thereby reduce peak loading of forelimbs in trotting Warmblood horses. Shoe design and shoeing technique for hind feet have been modified over recent decades from fully fitted, toe‐clipped shoes to set‐back, side‐clipped shoes.

Objectives

To study the effects of different shoe modifications on loading and movement of the hind hoof.

Methods

Ten clinically sound Warmblood horses were shod with 3 types of hind shoe: first, fully fitted, toe‐clipped shoes, followed randomly by side‐clipped shoes without a rolled toe that were set back by half the thickness of the hoof wall in the plantar direction and identical side‐clipped shoes with a rolled toe, with 2 days between shoeing sessions to adapt to the shoes. Then horses were trotted in a straight line over a pressure‐force plate combination. Hoof dynamics were compared statistically with the fully fitted shoe condition using a general linear model repeated measures test (P<0.05).

Results

There were no significant differences in the characteristics of limb timing, such as stance time and breakover duration nor the peak vertical and horizontal ground reaction force. By setting back the hind shoes, the centre of pressure at toe‐off was positioned less dorsally. The rolled toe resulted in a smoother shift of the centre of pressure and thus more fluent hoof‐unrollment. Both alternative types of shoe allowed a more lateral orientation of the centre of pressure at toe‐off.

Conclusions and potential relevance

Toe modifications of hind shoes can influence hindlimb kinematics positively. Setting the hind shoe back and rolling the toe leads to smoother hoof‐unrollment, which enables the horse to coordinate movement correctly without loss of propulsion. Thus, shoe modifications might facilitate movement and thereby help prevent overload injuries.
In‐office treatment for dentin hypersensitivity: a systematic review and network meta‐analysis
Authors: Lin Po‐Yen , Cheng Ya‐Wen , Chu Chia‐Yi , Chien Kuo‐Liong , Lin Chun‐Pin , Tu Yu‐Kang
Published: August 2012

Aim

Dentin hypersensitivity, caused by the exposure and patency of dentinal tubules, can affect patients' quality of life. The aim of this study was to undertake a systematic review and a network meta‐analysis, comparing the effectiveness in resolving dentin hypersensitivity among different in‐office desensitizing treatments.

Materials and Methods

A literature search was performed with electronic databases and by hand until December 2011. The included trials were divided into six treatment groups as placebo, physical occlusion, chemical occlusion, nerve desensitization, laser therapy and combined treatments. The treatment effects between groups were estimated with standardized mean differences by using a Bayesian network meta‐analysis.

Results

Forty studies were included. The standardized mean difference between placebo and physical occlusion was −2.57 [95% credible interval (CI): −4.24 to −0.94]; placebo versus chemical occlusion was −2.33 (95% CI: −3.65 to −1.04); placebo versus nerve desensitization was −1.72 (95% CI: −4.00 to 0.52); placebo versus laser therapy was −2.81 (95% CI: −4.41 to −1.24); placebo versus combined treatment was −3.47 (95% CI: −5.99 to −0.96). The comparisons of the five active treatments showed no significant differences.

Conclusions

The results from network meta‐analysis showed that most active treatment options had significantly better treatment outcome than placebo.
Streptococcus pneumoniaeR6 interspecies transformation: genetic analysis of penicillin resistance determinants and genome‐wide recombination events
Authors: Sauerbier Julia , Maurer Patrick , Rieger Martin , Hakenbeck Regine
Published: August 2012

Interspecies gene transfer has been implicated as the major driving force for the evolution of penicillin resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae. Genomic alterations of S. pneumoniae R6 introduced during four successive transformations with DNA of the high‐level penicillin‐resistant Streptococcus mitis B6 with beta‐lactam selection have now been determined and the contribution of genes to high resistance levels was analysed genetically. Essential for high level resistance to penicillins of the transformant CCCB was the combination of murMB6 and the 3′ region of pbp2bB6. Sequences of both genes were detected in clinical isolates of S. pneumoniae, confirming the participation of S. mitis in the global gene pool of beta‐lactam resistance determinants. The S. mitis PBP1b gene which contains an authentic stop codon within the transpeptidase domain is now shown to contribute only marginal to resistance, but it is possible that the presence of its transglycosylase domain is important in the context of cognate PBPs. The genome sequence of CCCB revealed 36 recombination events, including deletion and acquisition of genes and repeat elements. A total of 78 genes were affected representing 67 kb or 3.3% of the genome, documenting extensive alterations scattered throughout the genome.
Elucidation of the multiple roles of CheD in Bacillus subtilis chemotaxis
Authors: Glekas George D. , Plutz Matthew J. , Walukiewicz Hanna E. , Allen George M. , Rao Christopher V. , Ordal George W.
Published: August 2012

Chemotaxis by Bacillus subtilis requires the CheD protein for proper function. In a cheD mutant when McpB was the sole chemoreceptor in B. subtilis, chemotaxis to asparagine was quite good. When McpC was the sole chemoreceptor in a cheD mutant, chemotaxis to proline was very poor. The reason for the difference between the chemoreceptors is because CheD deamidates Q609 in McpC and does not deamidate McpB. When mcpC‐Q609E is expressed as the sole chemoreceptor in a cheD background, chemotaxis is almost fully restored. Concomitantly, in vitro McpC activates the CheA kinase poorly, whereas McpC‐Q609E activates it much more. Moreover, CheD, which activates chemoreceptors, binds better to McpC‐Q609E compared with unmodified McpC. Using hydroxyl radical susceptibility in the presence or absence of CheD, the most likely sites of CheD binding were the modification sites where CheD, CheB and CheR carry out their catalytic activities. Thus, CheD appears to have two separate roles in B. subtilis chemotaxis – to bind to chemoreceptors to activate them as part of the CheC/CheD/CheYp adaptation system and to deamidate selected residues to activate the chemoreceptors and enable them to mediate amino acid chemotaxis.
Drosophila mauve Mutants Reveal a Role of LYST Homologs Late in the Maturation of Phagosomes and Autophagosomes
Authors: Rahman Mokhlasur , Haberman Adam , Tracy Charles , Ray Sanchali , Krämer Helmut
Published: August 2012

Chediak–Higashi syndrome (CHS) is a lethal disease caused by mutations that inactivate the lysosomal trafficking regulator protein (LYST). Patients suffer from diverse symptoms including oculocutaneous albinism, recurrent infections, neutropenia and progressive neurodegeneration. These defects have been traced back to over‐sized lysosomes and lysosome‐related organelles (LROs) in different cell types. Here, we explore mutants in the Drosophila mauve gene as a new model system for CHS. The mauve gene (CG42863) encodes a large BEACH domain protein of 3535 amino acids similar to LYST. This reflects a functional homology between these proteins as mauve mutants also display enlarged LROs, such as pigment granules. This Drosophila model also replicates the enhanced susceptibility to infections and we show a defect in the cellular immune response. Early stages of phagocytosis proceed normally in mauve mutant hemocytes but, unlike in wild type, late phagosomes fuse and generate large vacuoles containing many bacteria. Autophagy is similarly affected in mauve fat bodies as starvation‐induced autophagosomes grow beyond their normal size. Together these data suggest a model in which Mauve functions to restrict homotypic fusion of different pre‐lysosomal organelles and LROs.
Discovering Nanoscience
Authors: Blair A. Colin , Fisher Ellen R. , Rickey Dawn
Published: August 2012

Exploring Gold Nanoparticles, the IBI Prize–winning module, guides students' construction and evidence-based refinement of their personal models of gold nanoparticles.
Network Context and Selection in the Evolution to Enzyme Specificity
Authors: Nam Hojung , Lewis Nathan E. , Lerman Joshua A. , Lee Dae-Hee , Chang Roger L. , Kim Donghyuk , Palsson Bernhard O.
Published: August 2012

Good Enough Can Be Good Enough

To begin to understand why some enzymes are promiscuous and have many substrates, whereas others are highly specific, and why some have high activity, whereas others appear not to be optimized,

Nam
et al.

(p.
1101
) analyzed metabolic networks in bacteria. Specialist enzymes are essential for life, catalyze a high flux of enzymatic activity, and are more highly regulated. However, not all enzymes appear to be on a track of gradual improvement of specificity and efficiency. Generalist enzymes seem to well serve their own purposes, and their optimization may not justify the evolutionary cost.
The Shared Antibiotic Resistome of Soil Bacteria and Human Pathogens
Authors: Forsberg Kevin J. , Reyes Alejandro , Wang Bin , Selleck Elizabeth M. , Sommer Morten O. A. , Dantas Gautam
Published: August 2012

From Farm to Clinic?

Soil organisms have long been assumed to be an important source of antibiotic resistance genes, in part because of antibiotic-treated livestock and in part because of the natural ecology of antibiotic production in the soil.

Forsberg
et al.

(p.
1107
) developed a metagenomic protocol to assemble short-read sequence data after antibiotic selection experiments, using 12 different drugs in all antibiotic classes, and compared antibiotic resistance gene sequences between soil bacteria and clinically occurring pathogens. Sixteen sequences, representing seven gene products, were discovered in farmland soil bacteria within long stretches of perfect nucleotide identity with pathogenic proteobacteria.
A Gain-of-Function Polymorphism Controlling Complex Traits and Fitness in Nature
Authors: Prasad Kasavajhala V. S. K. , Song Bao-Hua , Olson-Manning Carrie , Anderson Jill T. , Lee Cheng-Ruei , Schranz M. Eric , Windsor Aaron J. , Clauss Maria J. , Manzaneda Antonio J. , Naqvi Ibtehaj , Reichelt Michael , Gershenzon Jonathan , Rupasinghe Sanjeewa G. , Schuler Mary A. , Mitchell-Olds Thomas
Published: August 2012

Natural Selection at Work

Catching the evolution of a novel function and determining its selective parameters in nature remains an extremely difficult task.

Prasad
et al.

(p.
1081
) have undertaken this quest documenting the molecular basis of a natural allelic polymorphism and its effects on herbivory and survival in the
Arabidopsis
relative,
Boechera stricta
, living in the Rocky Mountains.
Response to Comments on “Intensifying Weathering and Land Use in Iron Age Central Africa”
Authors: Bayon Germain , Dennielou Bernard , Etoubleau Joël , Ponzevera Emmanuel , Toucanne Samuel , Bermell Sylvain
Published: August 2012

Neumann
et al
. argue that terrestrial evidence does not support our interpretation of large-scale human land use in Central Africa about 2500 years ago and that climate was the main driver of the rainforest crisis at that time, and Maley
et al
. raise a number of concerns about our interpretation of data from chemical weathering proxies. Taking into account existing palaeoclimatic data and clarifying some misconceptions, we reassert that humans must also have contributed fundamentally to this large vegetation change.
A Creation Story for Humanity

The Social Conquest of Earth
by Edward O. Wilson

Liveright (Norton), New York, 2012. 341 pp. $27.95, C$29.50, £18.99. ISBN 9780871404138.
Authors: Griss Rudolf
Published: August 2012

Wilson argues that a multilevel selection perspective offers the best approach to understanding the human condition.