bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of skin sensitizers from autoxidized citronellol – impact of the terpene structure on the autoxidation process
Authors: Rudbäck Johanna , Hagvall Lina , Börje Anna , Nilsson Ulrika , Karlberg Ann‐Therese
Published: March 2014

Background

Citronellol is a frequently used fragrance compound in consumer products. It is present in fragrance mix II, which is used for screening of contact allergy to fragrances. Because of its chemical structure, citronellol could be susceptible to autoxidation.

Objectives

To compare the behaviour of citronellol with that of the structurally similar compounds linalool and geraniol, in terms of ability to autoxidize, the products formed, and the sensitization potencies of these.

Methods

Citronellol was exposed to air, and autoxidation was followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis after derivatization of thermolabile compounds. The sensitizing potencies of the oxidation mixture and its major oxidation compounds were examined with the local lymph node assay.

Results

The concentration of citronellol decreased while the sensitization potency increased in air‐exposed samples over time, with hydroperoxides being identified as the major oxidation products and main skin sensitizers.

Conclusions

The present study shows the impact of the absence of the 2,3‐double bond in the citronellol structure on the oxidation pathways for formation of oxidation products. The study also shows the usefulness of our new GC–MS method for quantification of the citronellol oxidation products, especially the hydroperoxides. The investigated citronellol hydroperoxides could be important allergens, owing to the high concentrations detected and frequent exposure to citronellol in the population.
Learning Visual Units After Brief Experience in 10‐Month‐Old Infants
Authors: Needham Amy , Goldstone Robert L. , Wiesen Sarah E.
Published: March 2014

How does perceptual learning take place early in life? Traditionally, researchers have focused on how infants make use of information within displays to organize it, but recently, increasing attention has been paid to the question of how infants perceive objects differently depending upon their recent interactions with the objects. This experiment investigates 10‐month‐old infants' use of brief prior experiences with objects to visually organize a display consisting of multiple geometrically shaped three‐dimensional blocks created for this study. After a brief exposure to a multipart portion of the display, each infant was shown two test events, one of which preserved the unit the infant had seen and the other of which broke that unit. Overall, infants looked longer at the event that broke the unit they had seen prior to testing than the event that preserved that unit, suggesting that infants made use of the brief prior experience to (a) form a cohesive unit of the multipart portion of the display they saw prior to test and (b) segregate this unit from the rest of the test display. This suggests that infants made inferences about novel parts of the test display based on limited exposure to a subset of the test display. Like adults, infants learn features of the three‐dimensional world through their experiences in it.
Effect of sustained use of platelet aggregation inhibitors on post‐endoscopic sphincterotomy bleeding
Authors: Lee Min Geun , Kim Jaihwan , Lee Sang Hyub , Lee Ban Seok , Lee Seung June , Lee Yoon Suk , Cha Byung Hyo , Hwang Jin‐Hyeok , Ryu Ji Kon , Kim Yong‐Tae
Published: March 2014

Background and Aim

The effect of platelet aggregation inhibitors (PAI) on post‐endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) bleeding in patients who cannot discontinue PAI for sufficient time in urgent conditions has not been identified. The present study analyzed the effect of sustained use of PAI on post‐procedural bleeding in patients undergoing ES.

Methods

A total of 762 patients were grouped into one of the following groups: no‐PAI group (n = 601), continuation group (n = 132), and withdrawal group (n = 29). The continuation group included sustained PAI therapy (sustained user, n = 49) or those in whom therapy was interrupted <7 days prior to ES (non‐sustained user, n = 83). The primary outcome was defined as the incidence, type, and severity of post‐ES bleeding among groups.

Results

There were no significant differences between incidence, type, or severity of post‐ES bleeding in the three groups. Among 132 patients with continued use of PAI, there was no significant difference regarding incidence and severity of bleeding according to sustained or non‐sustained use (P = 0.071 and P = 0.086, respectively). However, post‐ES delayed bleeding was more frequent in sustained PAI users than in non‐sustained users (7/49, 14.3% vs 2/83, 2.4%) and was significantly associated with sustained PAI therapy in the continuation group (P = 0.013).

Conclusion

Sustained use of PAI without interruption until ES might increase the risk of delayed bleeding.
Serum levels of fractalkine are associated with markers of insulin resistance in gestational diabetes
Authors: Ebert T. , Hindricks J. , Kralisch S. , Lossner U. , Jessnitzer B. , Richter J. , Blüher M. , Stumvoll M. , Fasshauer M.
Published: March 2014

Aims

Fractalkine has recently been introduced as an adipokine that improves glucose tolerance. Regulation of fractalkine in gestational diabetes, as well as its association with markers of obesity, glucose and lipid metabolism, inflammation and renal function, has not been elucidated.

Methods

Circulating fractalkine was quantified by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in 74 women with gestational diabetes and 74 healthy, pregnant control subjects matched for age, BMI, and gestational age.

Results

Median (interquartile range) levels of fractalkine were not significantly different between the two groups [gestational diabetes: 2.24 (2.16) μg/l; control: 2.45 (1.38) μg/l] (P = 0.461). In multivariate linear regression analysis, fractalkine remained independently associated with homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (β = –0.253, P = 0.002) and the proinflammatory adipokine progranulin (β = 0.218, P = 0.007).

Conclusions

Circulating fractalkine is not different between women with gestational diabetes and control subjects, but the adipokine is independently associated with markers of insulin resistance and proinflammatory progranulin in pregnancy.
Development and validation of the Diabetes Medication System Rating Questionnaire‐Short Form
Authors: Peyrot M. , Xu Y. , Rubin R. R.
Published: March 2014

Aims

To develop and validate a short form of the 54‐item Diabetes Medication System Rating Questionnaire that maintains the domains and performance characteristics of the long‐form questionnaire.

Methods

Data from the Diabetes Medication System Rating Questionnaire validation study were analysed to select items representing the nine scales (convenience, negative events, interference, self‐monitoring of blood glucose burden, efficacy, social burden, psychological well‐being, treatment satisfaction and treatment preference). The resulting 20‐item Diabetes Medication System Rating Questionnaire Short‐Form was administered online, with validated criterion measures of treatment satisfaction and medication adherence, with a retest within 2 weeks. Participants were US adults (N = 413) with Type 2 diabetes using oral agents alone; insulin by syringe and/or pen with or without oral agents; or glucagon‐like peptide‐1 agents. Most participants (82%) completed the retest.

Results

The median inter‐item agreement of scales was 0.76 and the total composite (mean of all items except treatment preference) was 0.88. The median test‐retest reliability of scales was 0.86, and of the total composite was 0.95. All statistically significant correlations between Diabetes Medication System Rating Questionnaire Short‐Form scales and criterion measures of treatment satisfaction and adherence were in the expected direction. The median correlation of the Diabetes Medication System Rating Questionnaire Short‐Form with corresponding criterion measures of treatment satisfaction was 0.59; the mean correlation of the same Diabetes Medication System Rating Questionnaire Short‐Form measures with adherence was 0.42. The Diabetes Medication System Rating Questionnaire Short‐Form scales were more powerful predictors of adherence than were the criterion measures of treatment satisfaction. The Diabetes Medication System Rating Questionnaire Short‐Form scales differentiated between those taking different medications and between those using different insulin delivery devices.

Conclusions

This study suggests that the Diabetes Medication System Rating Questionnaire Short‐Form provides a comprehensive set of measures with acceptable reliability and validity and a reduced burden of administration.
The Influence of the Region of Interest Width on Two‐Dimensional Speckle Tracking–Based Measurements of Strain and Strain Rate
Authors: Spriestersbach Hendrik , Oh‐Icí Darach , Schmitt Boris , Berger Felix , Schmitz Lothar
Published: March 2014

Aims

There are significant variations in the published normal values of two‐dimensional speckle tracking–derived strain and strain rate. These occur even when authors use the same software. To measure strain, the operator creates a region of interest (ROI) to define the myocardium to be analyzed. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that measurements vary significantly with the chosen ROI width.

Methods and Results

In 20 healthy subjects (11 males, mean age 17.6 ± 6.18 years) an apical four‐chamber view (4CH) and parasternal short‐axis view (SAX) were analyzed. Initially ROI width was set automatically by the software. Two subsequent measurements were obtained from each cine loop by choosing the ROI width one step narrower and one step wider than the automatic ROI width. The mean differences between the measurements of narrower and automatic ROI and between automatic and wider ROI were −1.8 ± 0.7% and −0.9 ± 0.5% for global longitudinal strain (SL), −2.2 ± 0.6% and −1.7 ± 0.7% for global circumferential strain (SC), −0.10 ± 0.06/sec and −0.07 ± 0.06/sec for global longitudinal strain rate (SrL), and −0.15 ± 0.09/sec and −0.12 ± 0.07/sec for global circumferential strain rate (SrC) (all P < 0.000). This corresponds to a relative difference to the mean of both measurements of −4.4 to −11.0%.

Conclusion

Layer‐specific myocardial deformation and curvature dependency lead to an inverse correlation between the chosen ROI width and strain and strain rate measurements. Just one step of ROI‐width change leads to a significant bias. Precise ROI‐width definition is essential but technical factors limit its feasibility.
Predicting the activity of Heterobasidion parviporum on Norway spruce in warming climate from its respiration rate at different temperatures
Authors: Müller M. M. , Sievänen R. , Beuker E. , Meesenburg H. , Kuuskeri J. , Hamberg L. , Korhonen K.
Published: March 2014

We studied the effect of climate warming on Heterobasidion root rot in boreal forests by measuring respiration activity of pure cultures of Heterobasidion parviporum in Norway spruce (Picea abies) sawdust and by linking these data to temperature data obtained from three spruce forests located along a north‐south transect stretching from northern Germany to northern Finland. The pure cultures applied in this investigation were homokaryotic, but in a separate investigation, we found no significant difference between the activity of homo‐ and heterokaryotic isolates. We also found that the temperature response curves of growth and respiration rates of this fungus were similar and propose that respiration reflects the general activity of H. parviporum. The respiration data were scaled up to annual cumulative respiration activity using daily temperature measurements from soil and air in the spruce forest sites. The annual respiration activity of H. parviporum showed a linear relationship with the average annual air temperature. An increase in the annual air temperature by 5°C would raise the annual activity of H. parviporum in spruce roots in northern Finland, southern Finland and northern Germany by 91%, 53% and 40%, respectively. This increase remains below the predicted increase in forest growth in northern Finland but exceeds considerably the predictions for southern Finland. According to the previous literature, a number of other decay fungi show a similar activity response to temperature as H. parviporum, suggesting that this result can be generalized to decay fungi with similar ecological habits.
An NCME Instructional Module on Polytomous Item Response Theory Models
Authors: Penfield Randall David
Published: March 2014

A polytomous item is one for which the responses are scored according to three or more categories. Given the increasing use of polytomous items in assessment practices, item response theory (IRT) models specialized for polytomous items are becoming increasingly common. The purpose of this ITEMS module is to provide an accessible overview of polytomous IRT models. The module presents commonly encountered polytomous IRT models, describes their properties, and contrasts their defining principles and assumptions. After completing this module, the reader should have a sound understating of what a polytomous IRT model is, the manner in which the equations of the models are generated from the model's underlying step functions, how widely used polytomous IRT models differ with respect to their definitional properties, and how to interpret the parameters of polytomous IRT models.
The Impact of Examinee Performance Information on Judges’ Cut Scores in Modified Angoff Standard‐Setting Exercises
Authors: Margolis Melissa J. , Clauser Brian E.
Published: March 2014

This research evaluated the impact of a common modification to Angoff standard‐setting exercises: the provision of examinee performance data. Data from 18 independent standard‐setting panels across three different medical licensing examinations were examined to investigate whether and how the provision of performance information impacted judgments and the resulting cut scores. Results varied by panel but in general indicated that both the variability among the panelists and the resulting cut scores were affected by the data. After the review of performance data, panelist variability generally decreased. In addition, for all panels and examinations pre‐ and post‐data cut scores were significantly different. Investigation of the practical significance of the findings indicated that nontrivial fail rate changes were associated with the cut score changes for a majority of standard‐setting exercises. This study is the first to provide a large‐scale, systematic evaluation of the impact of a common standard setting practice, and the results can provide practitioners with insight into how the practice influences panelist variability and resulting cut scores.
Lentiviral‐mediated expression of SATB2 promotes osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Gong Yiming , Qian Yanyan , Yang Fei , Wang Huijun , Yu Youcheng
Published: March 2014

Special AT‐rich sequence‐binding protein 2 (SATB2 ) acts as a potent transcription factor to promote osteoblast differentiation and bone regeneration. In this study, we first used lentiviral‐mediated gene transfer of Satb2 into mouse bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and investigated the capacity of SATB2 overexpression to promote osteogenic differentiation in vitro and in vivo. We found that LV‐Satb2 ‐transduced BMSCs produced SATB2 protein and underwent rapid and marked osteogenic differentiation, as demonstrated by increased expression of osteoblastic genes, including runt‐related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), transcription factor Sp7 (Sp7), activating transcription factor 4 (Atf4), and bone sialoprotein (Bsp), and increased alkaline phosphatase activity and Alizarin Red S staining. To analyze the induction of bone formation in vivo, LV‐Satb2‐transduced BMSCs were implanted into the hindlimbs of syngeneic mice, with β‐tricalcium phosphate as the scaffolding material. Four weeks after implantation, transduction with LV‐Satb2 had greatly enhanced the formation of new bone. These data demonstrated the capacity of lentiviral‐mediated SATB2 to promote the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs in vitro and to enhance bone formation through a tissue‐engineering technique that may be useful in bone‐regenerative medicine.
Influences of multiple tooth‐loss on signal travel in the insular cortex of rats
Authors: Kawabe Mamichi , Yoshimura Hiroshi
Published: March 2014

The insular cortex (IC) processes various kinds of sensory and emotional information. Multiple tooth‐loss induces impairment of oral sensory and motor functions, which might result in the up‐ or down‐regulation of signal processing in the IC. In the present study, we investigated how multiple tooth‐loss affects neural activities in the IC. Slices of the IC were prepared from control (untreated) rats and rats raised following the loss of their upper molar teeth, and optical recordings with voltage‐sensitive dye were made. Electrical stimulation was delivered to the agranular IC (AIC). The velocity of optical signal from the AIC to the granular IC (GIC) decreased in multiple tooth‐loss rats compared with control rats. Field potentials from the GIC were recorded. Onset times of evoked response at the GIC recorded from multiple tooth‐loss rats were prolonged compared with those recorded from control rats, suggesting that signal velocity in multiple tooth‐loss rats had decreased. A reduced signal velocity was accompanied by neuronal loss in the GIC, which was confirmed by counting the cell numbers on Nissl‐stained sections. Thus, multiple tooth‐loss may have influences on the GIC where signal processing speed decreases.
Metals and electrolytes in sclerotic hippocampi in patients with drug‐resistant mesial temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Ristić Aleksandar J. , Sokić Dragoslav , Baščarević Vladimir , Spasić Snežana , Vojvodić Nikola , Savić Slobodan , Raičević Savo , Kovačević Maša , Savić Danijela , Spasojević Ivan
Published: March 2014

An altered metal and electrolyte profile has been implicated in the pathologic mechanisms of chronic epilepsy; however, no study has comprehensively measured hippocampal concentrations of these elements in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy and hippocampal sclerosis (mTLE‐HS). We therefore analyzed hippocampi of 24 patients with drug‐resistant mTLE‐HS (mean age 35.6 ± 9.4 years) who underwent anterior temporal lobe resection and amygdalohippocampectomy and 17 hippocampi obtained by autopsy from 13 controls (mean age 40.5 ± 12.9 years), using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP‐OES). Epileptic hippocampi showed significantly lower concentrations (μg/g of tissue) of copper (HS: 2.34 ± 0.12; control [C]: 3.57 ± 0.33; p < 0.001), manganese (HS: 0.205 ± 0.030; C: 0.409 ± 0.064; p = 0.004), and potassium (HS: 2,001 ± 59; C: 2,322 ± 61; p < 0.001), and increased sodium levels (HS: 1,131 ± 22; C: 1,040 ± 25; p = 0.010). Zinc, iron, calcium, and magnesium levels did not differ in HS and controls. In summary, copper and manganese levels are deficient, whereas iron level is unchanged in hippocampi from patients with mTLE‐HS. Our results provide a basis for understanding the potential involvement of different metals and electrolytes in the pathology of HS.

A PowerPoint slide summarizing this article is available for download in the Supporting Information section here.
How to Spot a Stranger's Egg? A Mimicry‐Specific Discordancy Effect in the Recognition of Parasitic Eggs
Authors: Moskát Csaba , Zölei Anikó , Bán Miklós , Elek Zoltán , Tong Lainga , Geltsch Nikoletta , Hauber Márk E.
Published: March 2014

Egg discrimination by hosts is an antiparasitic defence to reject foreign eggs from the nest. Even when mimetic, the presence of brood parasitic egg(s) typically alters the overall similarity of all eggs in a clutch, producing a discordant clutch compared to more homogenous clutches of composed only of hosts’ own eggs. In multiple parasitism, the more foreign eggs are laid in the nest, the more heterogeneous the overall clutch appears. Perceptual filters and recognition templates cannot explain the known pattern of lower rejection rates of foreign eggs in multiple vs. single parasitism. We therefore assessed the role of clutch homogeneity and manipulated the colour of one or more eggs in the clutches of great reed warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) hosts of common cuckoos (Cuculus canorus). Varying the colours of both the majority and the minority eggs caused predictable shifts in the rejection of the focal egg(s), and ejection rates of the minority egg colour consistently increased but only when it belonged to a more mimetic egg colour, relative to the less mimetic colour of majority eggs. The results imply that in addition to sensory filters, and template‐based cognitive decision rules, discordancy‐based rejection is affected by the overall clutch appearance and interacts with specific colours varying in the extent of mimicry, to contribute to the recognition decisions of hosts to reject parasitic eggs.
Black Bear Reactions to Venomous and Non‐venomous Snakes in Eastern North America
Authors: Rogers Lynn L. , Mansfield Susan A. , Hornby Kathleen , Hornby Stewart , Debruyn Terry D. , Mize Malvin , Clark Rulon , Burghardt Gordon M.
Published: March 2014

Bears are often considered ecological equivalents of large primates, but the latter often respond with fear, avoidance, and alarm calls to snakes, both venomous and non‐venomous, there is sparse information on how bears respond to snakes. We videotaped or directly observed natural encounters between black bears (Ursus americanus) and snakes. Inside the range of venomous snakes in Arkansas and West Virginia, adolescent and adult black bears reacted fearfully in seven of seven encounters upon becoming aware of venomous and non‐venomous snakes; but in northern Michigan and Minnesota where venomous snakes have been absent for millennia, black bears showed little or no fear in four encounters with non‐venomous snakes of three species. The possible roles of experience and evolution in bear reactions to snakes and vice versa are discussed. In all areas studied, black bears had difficulty to recognize non‐moving snakes by smell or sight. Bears did not react until snakes moved in 11 of 12 encounters with non‐moving timber rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) and four species of harmless snakes. However, in additional tests in this study, bears were repulsed by garter snakes that had excreted pungent anal exudates, which may help explain the absence of snakes, both venomous and harmless, in bear diets reported to date.
Evidence that hepatitis C virus genome partly controls infection outcome
Authors: Hartfield Matthew , Bull Rowena , White Peter A. , Lloyd Andrew , Luciani Fabio , Alizon Samuel ,   the HITS investigators
Published: March 2014

Infection by hepatitis C virus (HCV) leads to one of two outcomes; either the infection resolves within approximately 6 months or the virus can persist indefinitely. Host genetics are known to affect the likelihood of clearance or persistence. By contrast, the importance of the virus genotype in determining infection outcome is unknown, as quantifying this effect traditionally requires well‐characterized transmission networks, which are rare. Extending phylogenetic approaches previously developed to estimate the virus control over set‐point viral load in HIV‐1 infections, we simulate inheritance of a binary trait along a phylogenetic tree, use this data to quantify how infection outcomes cluster and ascertain the effect of virus genotype on these. We apply our method to the Hepatitis C Incidence and Transmission Study in prisons (HITS‐p) data set from Australia, as this cohort prospectively identified incident cases including viraemic subjects who ultimately clear the virus, thus providing us with a unique collection of sequences from clearing infections. We detect significant correlations between infection outcome and virus distance in the phylogeny for viruses of Genotype 1, with estimates lying at around 67%. No statistically significant estimates were obtained for viruses of Genotype 3a.
Doxorubicin alters the mitochondrial dynamics machinery and mitophagy in the liver of treated animals
Authors: Dirks‐Naylor Amie J. , Kouzi Samir A. , Bero Joseph D. , Phan Diep T. , Taylor Heather N. , Whitt Stephanie D. , Mabolo Raean
Published: March 2014

Doxorubicin (Dox) is an effective chemotherapeutic agent, but known to cause cardiac and hepatic toxicity. Mechanisms of toxicity have not been clearly identified, but shown to involve oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. However, antioxidant supplementation has only shown modest protection from Dox‐induced toxicity in clinical trials. Therefore, further research is required to discern alternative mechanisms that may also play an important role in Dox‐induced toxicity. Thus, we aimed to investigate the role of mitochondrial fusion and fission in Dox‐induced hepatic toxicity, which has not yet been investigated. Six‐week‐old male F344 rats were injected IP with 20 mg/kg of Dox or saline. Once administered, both groups of animals were fasted with no food or water until sacrifice 24 h later. Dox decreased content of primary regulators of mitochondrial fusion (OPA1, MFN1, and MFN2) with no effect on regulators of fission (DRP1 and FIS1), thus shifting the balance favoring mitochondrial fission. Moreover, it was determined that mitochondrial fission was likely not coupled to cell proliferation or cytochrome c release leading to the activation of mitochondrial‐mediated apoptotic signaling. Rather, mitochondrial fission may be coupled to mitophagy and may be an adaptive response to protect against Dox‐induced hepatic toxicity. This is the first study to report the role of altered mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy machinery in Dox‐induced hepatic injury.
The determination of histopathological and biochemical effects of the rabbit knee joint injected dexketoprofen trometamol
Authors: Hacibeyoğlu Gülçin , Saritaş Tuba Berra , Saritaş Zülfikar Kadir , Korkmaz Musa , Sevimli Alper , Mehmetoğlu İdris , Otelcioğlu Şeref
Published: March 2014

This study was conducted to investigate possible histopathological effects and biochemical reflections of intra‐articular dexketoprofen trometamol. A total of 24 New Zealand rabbits were included in the study. Blood sampling was carried out from all animals on the first day, then they were randomly allocated either to the control group (Group C, n = 9) or the dexketoprofen trometamol group (Group D, n = 15). Group C underwent each two intra‐articular injections of saline, 0.25 mL into right and 0.50 mL into left knee. Group D was injected 0.25 mL (6.25 mg) dexketoprofen trometamol into the right knee and 0.50 mL (12.5 mg) into the left. The groups were divided randomly into three. Tissue and blood samples were collected from Groups C1 and D1 on the first day, C2 and D2 on the second day and C3 and D3 on the 10th day of the study. Interleukin‐1 (IL‐1β), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) and C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels were studied. The histopathological examination of C and D groups did not present any deterioration. IL‐6 basal levels were significantly higher in Group D2 compared with C2 and C3 compared with D3. Basal TNF‐α levels were higher compared with day 1 in Group C1, and IL‐6 and CRP levels were higher in Group D3. Also, none of the increases in these values are supported by histopathological evaluation results. Consequently, we suppose that dexketoprofen trometamol does not cause histopathological deterioration in articular cartilage of rabbits, and the increases in biochemical parameters exclusively are not clinically significant.
Substrate scope and selectivity in offspring to an enzyme subjected to directed evolution
Authors: Blikstad Cecilia , Dahlström Käthe M. , Salminen Tiina A. , Widersten Mikael
Published: March 2014

We have analyzed the effects of mutations inserted during directed evolution of a specialized enzyme, Escherichia coli S‐1,2‐propanediol oxidoreductase (FucO). The kinetic properties of evolved variants have been determined and the observed differences have been rationalized by modeling the tertiary structures of isolated variants and the wild‐type enzyme. The native substrate, S‐1,2‐propanediol, as well as phenylacetaldehyde and 2S‐3‐phenylpropane‐1,2‐diol, which are new substrates accepted by isolated variants, were docked into the active sites. The study provides a comprehensive picture of how acquired catalytic properties have arisen via an intermediate generalist enzyme, which had acquired a single mutation (L259V) in the active site. Further mutagenesis of this generalist resulted in a new specialist catalyst. We have also been able to relate the native enzyme activities to the evolved ones and linked the differences to individual amino acid residues important for activity and selectivity. F254 plays a dual role in the enzyme function. First, mutation of F254 into an isoleucine weakens the interactions with the coenzyme thereby increasing its dissociation rate from the active site and resulting in a four‐fold increase in turnover number with S‐1,2‐propanediol. Second, F254 is directly involved in binding of aryl‐substituted substrates via π–π interactions. On the other hand, N151 is critical in determining the substrate scope since the side chain amide group stabilizes binding of 1,2‐substituted diols and is apparently necessary for enzymatic activity with these substrates. Moreover, the side chain of N151 introduces steric hindrance, which prevents high activity with phenylacetaldehyde. Additionally, the hydroxyl group of T149 is required to maintain the catalytically important hydrogen bonding network.
More plant growth but less plant defence? First global gene expression data for plants grown in soil amended with biochar
Authors: Viger Maud , Hancock Robert D. , Miglietta Franco , Taylor Gail
Published: March 2014

Biochar is a carbon (C)‐rich solid formed when biomass is used to produce bioenergy. This ‘black carbon’ has been suggested as a solution to climate change, potentially reducing global anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases by 12%, as well as promoting increased crop growth. How biochar application to soil leads to better crop yields remains open to speculation. Using the model plant Arabidopsis and the crop plant lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), we found increased plant growth in both species following biochar application. Statistically significant increases for Arabidopsis in leaf area (130%), rosette diameter (61%) and root length (100%) were observed with similar findings in lettuce, where biochar application also increased leaf cell expansion. For the first time, global gene expression arrays were used on biochar‐treated plants, enabling us to identify the growth‐promoting plant hormones, brassinosteroid and auxin, and their signalling molecules, as key to this growth stimulation, with limited impacts on genes controlling photosynthesis. In addition, genes for cell wall loosening were promoted as were those for increased activity in membrane transporters for sugar, nutrients and aquaporins for better water and nutrient uptake and movement of sugars for metabolism in the plant. Positive growth effects were accompanied by down‐regulation of a large suite of plant defence genes, including the jasmonic acid biosynthetic pathway, defensins and most categories of secondary metabolites. Such genes are critical for plant protection against insect and pathogen attack, as well as defence against stresses including drought. We propose a conceptual model to explain these effects in this biochar type, hypothesizing a role for additional K+ supply in biochar amended soils, leading to Ca2+ and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) –mediated signalling underpinning growth and defence signalling responses.
Offsetting high water demands with high productivity: Sorghum as a biofuel crop in a high irradiance arid ecosystem
Authors: Oikawa Patricia Y. , Jenerette G. Darrel , Grantz David A.
Published: March 2014

High irradiance arid environments are promising, yet understudied, areas for biofuel production. We investigated the productivity and environmental trade‐offs of growing sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) as a biofuel feedstock in the low deserts of California (CA). Using a 5.3 ha experimental field in the Imperial Valley, CA, we measured aboveground biomass production and net ecosystem exchange of CO2 and H2O via eddy covariance over three growing periods between February and November 2012. Environmental conditions were extreme, with high irradiance, vapor pressure deficit (VPD), and air temperature throughout the growing season. Air temperature peaked in August with a maximum of 45.7 °C. Sorghum produced an annual aboveground biomass yield of 43.7 Mg per hectare. Net ecosystem exchange (NEE) was highest during the summer growth period and reached a maximum of −68 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1. Water use efficiency, or biomass water ratio (BWR), was high (4.0 g dry biomass kg−1 H2O) despite high seasonal evapotranspiration (1094 kg H2O m−2). The BWR of sorghum surpassed that of many C4 biofuel candidate crops in the United States, as well as that of alfalfa which is currently widely grown in the Imperial Valley. Sorghum also outperformed many US biofuel crops in terms of radiation use efficiency (RUE), achieving 1.5 g dry biomass MJ−1. We found no evidence of saturation of NEE at high levels of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) (up to 2250 μmol m−2 s−1). In addition, we found no evidence that NEE was inhibited by either high VPD or air temperature during peak photosynthetic phases. The combination of high productivity, high BWR, and high RUE suggests that sorghum is well adapted to this extreme environment. The biomass production rates and efficiency metrics spanning three growing periods provide fundamental data for future Life Cycle Assessments (LCA), which are needed to assess the sustainability of this sorghum biofuel feedstock system.
Where are the ‘bad fires’ in West African savannas? Rethinking burning management through a space–time analysis in Burkina Faso
Authors: Caillault Sebastien , Ballouche Aziz , Delahaye Daniel
Published: March 2014

In Sudanian savannas, frequent fires are required to maintain a mix of trees and grasses. After a century of long conflict over fire utilisation and resource management, arising from colonial scientists reacting against traditional practice, fire has become a management tool used to shape tropical vegetation. Many examples show that fire is allowed and used in protected areas, and more recently, tolerated in West African countrysides. If fires are no longer viewed as ‘evil’ for African landscapes, fire setting remains a problem. Nowadays, fire ecology and the savanna concept focus on fire seasonal temporality, and create a new and more specific category of contested fires, or late‐season fire, referred to in this paper as ‘bad fires’. This specific category generally conceives fire as a biophysical element, which leads to savanna degradation. This paper examines the reality of ‘bad fires’ in the Western Burkina Faso through a space–time analysis to investigate the existence of an annually seasonal pattern of fires created by peasants. Using spatial association (I_Moran) on active fire MODIS products, we are able to demonstrate a deterministic regional pattern occurring over six years (from 2004 to 2009). Results of this study confirm the importance of a close study of fire in its temporal dimension with respect to temporality in burning practices. Conclusions show that the details of timing in fire‐setting are key and also bring us new perspectives to understanding fire collective management at a local scale and new elements for climate modelling at a global scale.
Effects of music on complications during hemodialysis for chronic renal failure patients
Authors: Koca Kutlu Adalet , Eren Ayşe Gül
Published: March 2014

The study was planned as a case‐control study to examine the effects of music on some of the complications experienced by chronic renal failure (CRF) patients during hemodialysis. A total of 60 patients (30 intervention and 30 control) diagnosed with end‐stage renal failure undergoing hemodialysis treatment participated in this study. The study was conducted in Manisa Merkez Efendi State Hospital Hemodialysis Unit and Manisa Özel Anemon Hemodialysis between April 2012 and July 2012. The intervention group listened 30 minutes in each session (12 total sessions) Turkish art music at the beginning of the third hour of their hemodialysis sessions. Patient Information Form and visual analog scale to assess pain, nausea, vomiting, and cramps during hemodialysis session were used. For the analysis of data, the number, percentage, chi‐square test, and significance test of independent group differences between two averages were conducted. According to the findings of the study, the average of the intervention and control group ages, respectively, was 50.86 ± 11.3 and 55.13 ± 9.68. The primary duration of hemodialysis treatment for both intervention and control groups was “1 year and above” (70.0%). The intervention group's pain and nausea scores were lower than the control group for all 12 sessions. The difference between the intervention and the control group's pain scores was significant (P < 0.05). However, in pain scores from the first session to 12th session, continuous decreasing trend was not observed. According to the results, music can be used as an independent nursing practice for reduction of complications for CRF patients receiving hemodialysis treatment.
Innervation of Rat and Human Dura Mater and Pericranial Tissues in the Parieto‐Temporal Region by Meningeal Afferents
Authors: Schueler Markus , Neuhuber Winfried L. , De Col Roberto , Messlinger Karl
Published: March 2014

Objective

To reinvestigate the innervation pattern of the dura mater of rat and human middle cranial fossa, the morpho‐functional substrate of headache generation, and adjacent extracranial tissues with neuronal in vitro tracing.

Background

This study was initiated by recent structural and functional findings of meningeal afferent fibers which innervate the cranial dura mater and may project to extracranial tissues.

Methods

Anterograde and retrograde neuronal in vitro tracing was made in formaldehyde fixed hemisected rat and human skulls. The fluorescent tracer DiI was applied to proximally cut meningeal nerves in rat and to distal branches of the spinosus nerve in human calvaria lined by dura mater. After several weeks, the dura mater and deep extracranial tissues were examined with fluorescence microscopy.

Results

In addition to a network of meningeal nerve fibers, several fiber bundles were observed, leaving the skull through emissary canals and fissures to innervate the pericranial temporal, parietal, and occipital periosteum. Traced fibers were seen spreading into deep layers of the temporal and upper neck muscles. Retrograde neuronal tracing revealed labeled cell bodies exclusively in the mandibular and maxillary division of the rat trigeminal ganglion, and centrally projecting fibers were identified in the spinal trigeminal tract. Electron microscopy of the cross‐sected spinosus nerve showed myelinated and unmyelinated axons with similar numbers in human and rat.

Conclusions

We conclude that a proportion of meningeal afferents innervates extracranial tissues like periosteum and pericranial muscles via collaterals projecting through the skull. These afferents may be nociceptive, some may subserve proprioceptive functions. The finding of extracranial projections of meningeal afferents may be important for our understanding of extracranial impacts on headache generation and therapy.
CGRP and VIP Levels as Predictors of Efficacy of Onabotulinumtoxin Type A in Chronic Migraine
Authors: Cernuda‐Morollón Eva , Martínez‐Camblor Pablo , Ramón César , Larrosa Davinia , Serrano‐Pertierra Esther , Pascual Julio
Published: March 2014

Background

Onabotulinumtoxin type A (onabotA) has shown efficacy in chronic migraine (CM). Its precise mechanism of action, however, is unknown.

Objective

To analyze a potential relationship between calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) levels and response to onabotA in CM.

Methods

Adult patients with CM were recruited. Matched healthy subjects with no headache history served as controls. CGRP and VIP levels were determined in samples obtained from the right antecubital vein by ELISA outside of a migraine attack and having taken no symptomatic medication prior to treatment with onabotA. OnabotA was administered according to the PREEMPT protocol every 12 weeks for at least two treatment cycles. A patient was considered as a moderate responder when both: (1) moderate‐severe headache episodes were reduced by between 33 and 66%; (2) subjective benefit in a visual scale of 0‐100 was recorded by the patient of between 33‐66%. Patients were considered as excellent responders when both items improved >66%. Those without improvement of at least one‐third in the two items were considered as nonresponders.

Results

We assessed plasma samples from 81 patients with CM and 33 healthy controls. CGRP and VIP levels were significantly increased in CM population vs controls. CGRP and, to a lesser degree, VIP levels were significantly increased in responders vs nonresponders. For CGRP, a threshold of 72 pg/mL positively correlated with 95% of nonresponders. The probability of being a responder to onabotA was 28 times higher in patients with a CGRP level above the threshold of 72 pg/mL. Even though the sensitivity for the calculated threshold for VIP was poor, the probability that CM patients with low CGRP levels will respond to onabotA was significantly higher in those patients with high VIP levels.

Conclusions

Interictal CGRP and, to a lesser degree, VIP levels measured in peripheral blood are of great help in predicting response to onabotA.
Kierkegaard's Social Theory
Authors: Tilley J. Michael
Published: March 2014

Despite recent attention on the social implications of his work, little has been done to articulate a substantive Kierkegaardian social theory. In this paper, I argue that Kierkegaard's A Literary Review describes four principles of social analysis. Together they reveal the social character of Kierkegaard's thought while presenting significant challenges for more traditional ‘social readings’ of his work.
Rekindling the role of nurses in patients' oral nutrition
Authors: Jefferies Diana , Johnson Maree , Langdon Rachel
Published: March 2014

Hospital malnutrition is a worldwide problem. A nutritional care policy was evaluated to determine whether nutrition was enhanced by improving patients' access and nurses' supervision of meals. Fourteen pre‐audit wards (435 patients) and 20 postaudit wards (422 patients) across three hospitals participated in a pre–post audit and observation study with an examination of documentation. A food satisfaction survey was completed by 226 patients (pre) and 240 patients (post). A modest increase in the proportion of patients receiving supervision with meals (83% pre, 88% post, P = 0.058) was not associated with an increase in consumption (50% or more of meal). Patients report poor appetite in the presence of good to fair food quality. The nurse's role in nutritional care was defined. Protected mealtimes supported by nurse managers reorganizing staff mealtimes with assistance from carers, volunteers and other health professionals were endorsed. Nurses must ensure that patient's meal trays are accessible.
Job stress and job satisfaction among new graduate nurses during the first year of employment in Taiwan
Authors: Cheng Ching‐Yu , Liou Shwu‐Ru , Tsai Hsiu‐Min , Chang Chia‐Hao
Published: March 2014

Nurse graduates are leaving their first employment at an alarming rate. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between job stress, job satisfaction and related factors over time among these nurses. This study applied a longitudinal design with three follow‐ups after nurse graduates' first employment began. Using convenience sampling, participants were 206 new graduates from a university. The Work Environment Nursing Satisfaction Survey and the Clinical Stress Scale were used in this study. Results indicated that job stress remained moderate across three time points. Participants working 12 h shifts exhibited less job stress. Job satisfaction significantly increased in the twelfth month. Participants working 12 h shifts had a higher degree of job satisfaction. Job stress was negatively correlated with job satisfaction. The 12 h work shifts were related to job stress and job satisfaction. These results implied that health‐care administrators need to provide longer orientation periods and flexible shift schedules for new graduate nurses to adapt to their work environment.
Impact of an educational intervention on hand hygiene compliance and infection rate in a developing country neonatal intensive care unit
Authors: Chhapola Viswas , Brar Rekha
Published: March 2014

Nosocomial infections are a significant problem in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and hand hygiene (HH) has been stated as an effective mean to prevent spread of infections. The aim of study was to assess the baseline compliance HH practices and to evaluate the impact of hand washing educational programme on infection rate in a NICU. Continuous surveillance of nosocomial infections was done. A total of 15 797 and 12 929 opportunities for HH were observed in pre‐intervention and postintervention phases, respectively. Compliance of health‐care workers for all HH opportunities combined was 46% before intervention and improved significantly to 69% in postintervention (RR 1.49, CI 1.46–1.52, P < 0.0001). Compliance for nurses and doctors was similar. Nosocomial sepsis rate showed a significant decline from 96 per 1000 patient‐days in pre‐intervention to 47 per 1000 patient‐days in postintervention phase (RR 0.44, CI 0.33–0.58, P < 0.0001). We conclude that effective HH practices can serve as an economical and effective nosocomial infection control approach especially important in developing nations.
Spirituality: Everyone has it, but what is it?
Authors: Lepherd Laurence
Published: March 2014

Spirituality has been the subject of discussion over many years, yet understanding its nature, and usefulness during illness, can be elusive. Nurses and other health‐care practitioners can often be in the position to help patients discuss spiritual matters because of their direct contact on a frequent basis, but might not feel confident to do so because the subject can appear to be overly complex. This paper summarizes some of the essential elements of spirituality as synthesized from literature that refers to it. The literature draws attention to spirit as the core of a person's being, and the notion that spirituality comprises multiple dimensions that exist internally or become externally manifest through behaviours. The presence and use of spirituality can lead to such outcomes as peace of mind, self‐fulfilment and alleviation of suffering. Underpinning all spirituality is the concept of transcendence where a person can be ‘lifted up’ above the challenges of illness.