bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of mianserin on gastric sensorimotor function and gastric emptying: a randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind, crossover study in healthy volunteers
Authors: Janssen P. , Van Oudenhove L. , Vos R. , Verbeke K. , Tack J.
Published: January 2011

Background Antidepressants such as mianserin can improve symptoms in some functional dyspeptic patients but their mechanism of action remains unclear. We aimed to assess the effects of mianserin on gastric sensorimotor function in man.

Methods In this randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind, crossover study 12 healthy subjects (six men) underwent a gastric barostat study and a gastric emptying breath test after 7 days pretreatment with placebo or mianserin (20 mg; p.o.). Graded isobaric and isovolumetric distentions were performed to determine gastric compliance and sensitivity. Subsequently, intrabag pressure was held constant and the volume increase after administration of a liquid meal (200 mL; 300 kcal) was studied. Breath was sampled before and after ingestion of a test meal and half‐emptying times for solids and liquids were determined from the breath samples. Mianserin was compared to placebo usingt‐tests and mixed model analysis (mean ± SD).

Key Results Mianserin did not affect pressures or volumes needed to induce first perception or discomfort. During isovolumetric distensions compliance was decreased after mianserin treatment (1.8 ± 0.4vs2.0 ± 0.3 mmHg 100 mL−1;P < 0.05). Premeal volumes were comparable in both treatment arms (221 ± 99vs220 ± 88 mL), but meal‐induced relaxation during the first 30 min was significantly inhibited after mianserin treatment (F6,40 = 2.58,P < 0.05). Mianserin did not affect either solid or liquid gastric emptying.

Conclusions & Inferences Mianserin does not alter gastric emptying rate or sensitivity to gastric distension, but inhibits gastric accommodation to a meal in its early phase. These observations provide no explanation for the effects of mianserin in functional dyspeptic patients.
How the African trypanosomes evade host immune killing
Authors: NAMANGALA B.
Published: January 2011

Unlike other protozoan parasites, African trypanosomes never enter the host cell at any stage of their development. Instead, these parasites swim freely in the immunologically hostile host tissue fluids. During the course of infection, a complex interaction between the host immune responses and trypanosome survival strategies occurs. Continued contacts with the host’s immune system occurring during the course of infection could have provided strong selection pressure for African trypanosomes to evolve very sophisticated mechanisms to evade immune killing to survive the hostile immunological environment in the infected host. This review discusses some of the documented immunological evasion mechanisms African trypanosomes employ for their survival and perpetuity.
A soybean β‐expansin geneGmEXPB2intrinsically involved in root system architecture responses to abiotic stresses
Authors: Guo Wenbing , Zhao Jing , Li Xinxin , Qin Lu , Yan Xiaolong , Liao Hong
Published: January 2011

Root system architecture responds plastically to some abiotic stresses, including phosphorus (P), iron (Fe) and water deficiency, but its response mechanism is still unclear. We cloned and characterized a vegetative β‐expansin gene,GmEXPB2, from a Pi starvation‐induced soybean cDNA library. Transient expression of 35S::GmEXPB2‐GFP in onion epidermal cells verified that GmEXPB2 is a secretory protein located on the cell wall.GmEXPB2was found to be primarily expressed in roots, and was highly induced by Pi starvation, and the induction pattern was confirmed by GUS staining in transgenic soybean hairy roots. Results from intact soybean composite plants either over‐expressingGmEXPB2or containing knockdown constructs, showed thatGmEXPB2is involved in hairy root elongation, and subsequently affects plant growth and P uptake, especially at low P levels. The results from a heterogeneous transformation system indicated that over‐expressingGmEXPB2in Arabidopsis increased root cell division and elongation, and enhanced plant growth and P uptake at both low and high P levels. Furthermore, we found that, in addition to Pi starvation,GmEXPB2was also induced by Fe and mild water deficiencies. Taken together, our results suggest thatGmEXPB2is a critical root β‐expansin gene that is intrinsically involved in root system architecture responses to some abiotic stresses, including P, Fe and water deficiency. In the case of Pi starvation responses,GmEXPB2may enhance both P efficiency and P responsiveness by regulating adaptive changes of the root system architecture. This finding has great agricultural potential for improving crop P uptake on both low‐P and P‐fertilized soils.
TB and HIV integration: obstacles and possible solutions to implementation in South Africa
Authors: Loveday Marian , Zweigenthal Virginia
Published: January 2011

Objectives  To identify key obstacles to operational integration of TB and HIV services and to suggest strategies to promote integration in the prevention, treatment and care of patients with TB and HIV.

Methods  This is a health systems research case study of operational integration of TB and HIV in South Africa. Peer‐reviewed and grey literature together with the experiences of the authors were used to identify key obstacles to integration in service implementation practices and community‐level care. Relevant legislation, policies and guidelines were analysed to determine whether they facilitated or undermined the integration of TB and HIV services.

Results  Obstacles to integration exist at contextual and epidemiological levels as well as at intervention design and implementation levels. Importantly, integration at an operational level is undermined by fundamentally different principles underpinning the design of TB and HIV programmes and national policies and legislation which mitigate against integration.

Conclusion  South Africa has an opportunity to effect changes that will facilitate TB/HIV integration and improve care for all those infected with TB, HIV or both conditions. An analytic approach necessary to understand the obstacles to and ensure effective strategies facilitating integration is required. This needs to be followed by mobilisation of clinical and health systems expertise, health infrastructure, commitment and experience in creative and appropriate ways for the variety of health care settings.
Susceptibility of Anopheles gambiae s.l. to DDT, malathion, permethrin and deltamethrin in Ethiopia
Authors: Abate Alemayehu , Hadis Mamuye
Published: January 2011

Objective  To assess the susceptibility/resistance level of Anopheles gambiae s.l. to DDT, malathion, permethrin and deltamethrin in different parts of Ethiopia.

Methods  Field collected female An.gambiae s.l. was exposed for 1 h to discriminating dosage of 4% DDT, 5% malathion, 0.75% permethrin and 0.05% deltamethrin using WHO insecticide susceptibility test kits and procedures. Knockdown and mortality rates were recorded at 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 min and 24 h post‐exposure respectively.

Results  Anopheles gambiae s.l. was sensitive to DDT only in 2 of 16 localities where susceptibility studies were carried out in northern Ethiopia; it was resistant in 11 sites and potentially resistant in three. To malathion, the test population was sensitive in four of the six study sites in southern Ethiopia and potentially resistant in the other two sites. In northern Ethiopia, the population was resistant in five localities and sensitive in three. Of the six localities in northern Ethiopia where permethrin was tested, populations were sensitive in three, resistant in one and potentially resistant in two. In southern Ethiopia, the populations were resistant in five of the six sites. Against deltamethrin, the population was sensitive in five of 13 localities, three in northern and two in southern Ethiopia. It was resistant only in two localities, one in northern and one in southern Ethiopia, and potentially resistant in five localities. In eastern Ethiopia at Sabure, the population was sensitive to all insecticides but DDT to which it was potentially resistant.

Conclusion  The existence of high level of DDT and pyrethroid resistance with the possibility of cross‐resistance to each other and other classes of agricultural pesticides could seriously jeopardise the efficacy of both ITNs and IRS in the country in the future. Insecticide resistance monitoring and surveillance systems as part of a malaria control programme are mandatory for proper management of resistance. The use of a mixture of unrelated insecticides for impregnating nets and rotational use of insecticides for IRS is suggested as a way forward.
Emergence of a new focus of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania tropica in rural communities of Bam district after the earthquake, Iran
Authors: Sharifi Iraj , Poursmaelian Somayeh , Aflatoonian Mohammad Reza , Ardakani Reza Fotouhi , Mirzaei Mohammad , Fekri Ali Reza , Khamesipour Ali , Parizi Maryam Hakimi , Harandi Majid Fasihi
Published: January 2011

Objectives  To describe a new emerging focus of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) due to Leishmania tropica in rural areas of Dehbakry county, south‐eastern Iran, after the earthquake of 2003.

Methods  House‐to‐house survey of 3884 inhabitants for active leishmaniasis lesions or scars. The diagnosis was confirmed by smears, cultures and identification of the parasite by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results  All age groups were affected, although patients ≤10 years of age showed the highest rate of infection (P = 0.0001). The overall prevalence rate was 5.3%; 6.3% in females and 4.3% in males. Of 204 cases, 1.8% had active sores and 3.5% had scars, with a significant difference between the sexes (P = 0.005). 47% of the lesions were on the face and 77.9% had one lesion. The incidence rose gradually 2004–2005, but grew exponentially 2006–2008. Electrophoresis of PCR products indicated that L. tropica was the causative agent.

Conclusions  The current emergence was unexpected in this rural locality, where no previous history of CL was recorded. According to our knowledge this is the first report of a gradually establishing new ACL focus in rural communities after the 2003 earthquake.
Association between endotoxin and mite allergen exposure with asthma and specific sensitization at age 7 in high‐risk children
Authors: Carlsten Chris , Ferguson Alexander , Dimich‐Ward Helen , Chan Henry , DyBuncio Anne , Rousseau Roxanne , Becker Allan , Chan‐Yeung Moira
Published: January 2011

To cite this article: Carlsten C, Ferguson A, Dimich‐Ward H, Chan H, DyBuncio A, Rousseau R, Becker A, Chan‐Yeung M. Association between endotoxin and mite allergen exposure with asthma and specific sensitization at age 7 years in high‐risk children. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2011; 22: 320–326.

The role of endotoxin and house dust mite allergen (HDM) in allergen sensitization and asthma is unclear. The timeframe of exposure and asthma assessment appears critical. We aimed to determine, in children at 7 yr of age, the association between current exposure to endotoxin and HDM and risks of recurrent wheeze, paediatric allergist diagnosed asthma and allergen sensitization. Three hundred and eighty children who had an increased risk of asthma because of family background were assessed at age 7 yr by a questionnaire‐standardized interview, allergen skin testing and clinical examination by a paediatric allergist. Dust samples were collected from their homes and analysed for levels of endotoxin and HDM (Der p 1 and Der f 1). Levels of endotoxin in dust samples were associated with protection from paediatric allergist diagnosed asthma with inhaled steroid use (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.53–0.91) and specific sensitization to dog allergen (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.51–0.90) at the age of 7 yr; both endotoxin and HDM were associated with decreased risk of sensitization to dog allergen. In high‐risk children at age 7, endotoxin levels were associated with decreased sensitization to dog, as well as with decreased asthma.
Occupational therapy at the ‘cultural interface’: Lessons from research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians
Authors: Thomas Yvonne , Gray Marion , McGinty Sue
Published: January 2011

Background:  In 2008, the Council of Australian Governments announced its goals to improve Indigenous life expectancy, health, education and employment: ‘Closing the Gap’ (Commonwealth of Australia, 2008). Internationally, occupational therapists seek to promote social justice and human rights through occupation. Despite this effort, Australian occupational therapists have largely remained silent in response to the national agenda of closing the gap in Indigenous health.

Methods:  This article identifies the challenges of research and practice at the ‘cultural interface’, the juncture where Western knowledge meets the Indigenous knowledge of our clients. The article draws on the first author’s research experience with Indigenous peoples. Through a process of reflection on the challenges highlighted by research at the cultural interface, this article identifies a range of professional processes used to negotiate differing and conflicting perspectives.

Results:  By comparing the research context with occupational therapy practice, the author identifies some of the actions and supports that can be used by occupational therapists to provide culturally appropriate and negotiated interventions with Indigenous people.

Conclusions:  Although a number of individual occupational therapists work with Indigenous communities and individuals to improve the services offered, it is suggested that the occupational therapy profession needs to work together towards closing the gap. The development of special interest groups, professional networks and a National Position Statement on Indigenous Health would provide the background to developing guidelines for practice with Indigenous clients.
Spongiform degeneration induced by neuropathogenic murine coronavirus infection
Authors: Kashiwazaki Hiromi , Nomura Risa , Matsuyama Shutoku , Taguchi Fumihiro , Watanabe Rihito
Published: January 2011

Soluble receptor‐resistant mutant 7 (ssr7) is isolated from a highly neurovirulent mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) JHMV cl‐2 strain (cl‐2). srr7 exhibits lower virulence than its maternal strain in infected mice, which is typically manifested in a longer lifespan. In this study, during the course of infection with srr7, small spongiotic lesions became apparent at 2 days post‐inoculation (pi), they spread out to form spongiform encephalopathy by 8 to 10 days pi. We recently reported that the initial expressions of viral antigens in the brain are detected in the infiltrating monocyte lineage and in ependymal cells. Here, we demonstrate that the next viral spread was observed in glial fibrillary acidic protein‐positive cells or nestin‐positive progenitor cells which take up positions in the subventricular zone (SVZ). From this restricted site of infection in the SVZ, a large area of gliosis extended deep into the brain parenchyma where no viral antigens were detected but vacuolar degeneration started at 48 h pi of the virus. The extremely short incubation period compared with other experimental models of infectious spongiform degeneration in the brain would provide a superior experimental model to investigate the mechanism of spongiotic lesions formation.
Long‐term outcome of ovotesticular disorder of sex development: A single center experience
Authors: Matsui Futoshi , Shimada Kenji , Matsumoto Fumi , Itesako Toshihiko , Nara Keigo , Ida Shinobu , Nakayama Masahiro
Published: January 2011

Objectives:  To describe the clinical features of children with ovotesticular disorder of sex development (DSD) and to review cases of ovotesticular DSD in Japan.

Methods:  Medical records of eight children diagnosed with ovotesticular DSD at our institute during the past 17 years were retrospectively evaluated. A review of 165 reported cases of ovotesticular DSD from Japanese institutions was carried out.

Results:  Mean follow up was 8.2 years for six children, with two children lost to follow up. Mean age at first presentation was 2.4 months. All children were Japanese. The most common initial manifestation was ambiguous genitalia. The female : male ratio as the sex of rearing was 1:1. Gender reassignment, from male to female, was carried out in one child at 4‐months‐old. Genital surgery was always carried out in early childhood as per family desire. Appropriate gonadal tissue was preserved except for one child. No gonadal tumors were detected during follow up. Spontaneous pubertal development occurred in one boy. In reviewing Japanese data, the frequency of testes was higher than in other ethnicities and this was related to the higher incidence of 46,XY.

Conclusions:  According to our experience, most families in Japan desire early genital surgery in the case of ovotesticular DSD. Chromosomal and gonadal distributions in patients with ovotesticular DSD differ between Japanese and other ethnic groups. Treatment for these patients needs to be provided after considering the cultural and social backgrounds of DSD in Japan.
What subcortical–cortical relationships tell us about processing speech in noise
Authors: Parbery‐Clark Alexandra , Marmel Frederic , Bair Julia , Kraus Nina
Published: January 2011

To advance our understanding of the biological basis of speech‐in‐noise perception, we investigated the effects of background noise on both subcortical‐ and cortical‐evoked responses, and the relationships between them, in normal hearing young adults. The addition of background noise modulated subcortical and cortical response morphology. In noise, subcortical responses were later, smaller in amplitude and demonstrated decreased neural precision in encoding the speech sound. Cortical responses were also delayed by noise, yet the amplitudes of the major peaks (N1, P2) were affected differently, with N1 increasing and P2 decreasing. Relationships between neural measures and speech‐in‐noise ability were identified, with earlier subcortical responses, higher subcortical response fidelity and greater cortical N1 response magnitude all relating to better speech‐in‐noise perception. Furthermore, it was only with the addition of background noise that relationships between subcortical and cortical encoding of speech and the behavioral measures of speech in noise emerged. Results illustrate that human brainstem responses and N1 cortical response amplitude reflect coordinated processes with regards to the perception of speech in noise, thereby acting as a functional index of speech‐in‐noise perception.
CONTINUOUS DEEP SEDATION AT THE END OF LIFE AND THE ‘NATURAL DEATH’ HYPOTHESIS
Authors: RAUS KASPER , STERCKX SIGRID , MORTIER FREDDY
Published: January 2011

Surveys in different countries (e.g. the UK, Belgium and The Netherlands) show a marked recent increase in the incidence of continuous deep sedation at the end of life (CDS). Several hypotheses can be formulated to explain the increasing performance of this practice. In this paper we focus on what we call the ‘natural death’ hypothesis, i.e. the hypothesis that acceptance of CDS has spread rapidly because death after CDS can be perceived as a ‘natural’ death by medical practitioners, patients' relatives and patients.

We attempt to show that the label ‘natural’ cannot be unproblematically applied to the nature of this end‐of‐life practice. We argue that the labeling of death following CDS as ‘natural’ death is related to a complex set of mechanisms which facilitate the use of this practice. However, our criticism does not preclude the view that CDS may be clinically and ethically justified in many cases.
MILITARY SPENDING, THREATS AND STOCHASTIC GROWTH
Authors: Lin Po‐Sheng , Lee Cheng‐Te
Published: January 2011

This paper analyses the impact of home military spending and foreign military threat on economic growth in a stochastic endogenous growth model involving the supply‐side and demand‐side effects produced by military spending. The paper states that an increase in home military spending affects economic growth through three channels, including the crowding‐out effect, the spin‐off effect, and the resource mobilization effect. The net effect which depends on these three channels is ambiguous. Hence, we demonstrate that there exists an optimal defence burden that maximizes the economic growth rate. Furthermore, the optimal defence burden depends on the degree of risk preference. Namely, the optimal defence burden of the risk‐loving agent is more than that of the risk‐neutral agent, and in turn is more than that of the risk‐averse agent. At the same time, we prove that the relationship between the volatility in military spending and economic growth also depends on the degree of risk preference. In addition, we show that greater volatility in foreign military spending leads to a decrease in home aggregate consumption, and hence speeds up economic growth in the home country.
Review: Kd‐tree Traversal Algorithms for Ray Tracing
Authors: Hapala M. , Havran V.
Published: January 2011

In this paper we review the traversal algorithms for kd‐trees for ray tracing. Ordinary traversal algorithms such as sequential, recursive, and those with neighbour‐links have different limitations, which led to several new developments within the last decade. We describe algorithms exploiting ray coherence and algorithms designed with specific hardware architecture limitations such as memory latency and consumption in mind. We also discuss the robustness of traversal algorithms as one issue that has been neglected in previous research.
Do men with excessive alcohol consumption and social stability have an addictive personality?
Authors: BERGLUND KRISTINA , ROMAN ERIKA , BALLDIN JAN , BERGGREN ULF , ERIKSSON MATTS , GUSTAVSSON PETTER , FAHLKE CLAUDIA
Published: January 2011

Berglund, K., Roman, E., Balldin, J., Berggren, U., Eriksson, M., Gustavsson, P. & Fahlke, C. (2011). Do men with excessive alcohol consumption and social stability have an addictive personality? Scandinavian Journal of Psychology52, 257–260.

The existence of an “addictive” personality has been extensively debated. The current study investigated personality in male individuals with excessive alcohol consumption (n = 100) in comparison to a population‐based control group (n = 131). The individuals with excessive alcohol consumption were recruited by advertisements in a regional daily newspaper and controls from a population based Swedish Twin Registry. Personality was assessed by the Karolinska Scales of Personality (KSP). Comparisons were made with normative data. Furthermore, by using a multivariate projection‐based approach (Principal Component Analysis; PCA), hidden structures of traits and possible relationships among the individuals with excessive consumption and the controls was investigated. The individuals with excessive alcohol consumption as well as the controls had mean values within the normative range in all scales of the KSP. Moreover, the PCA analysis revealed no systematic between‐group separation. Taken together, this result demonstrates that male individuals with excessive alcohol consumption do not have a personality different from that of a general population, which supports the notion of no “addictive personality”.
Is Kant a Moral Constructivist or a Moral Realist?
Authors: Formosa Paul
Published: January 2011

Abstract: The dominant interpretation of Kant as a moral constructivist has recently come under sustained philosophical attack by those defending a moral realist reading of Kant. In light of this, should we read Kant as endorsing moral constructivism or moral realism? In answering this question we encounter disagreement in regard to two key independence claims. First, the independence of the value of persons from the moral law (an independence that is rejected) and second, the independence of the content and authority of the moral law from actual acts of willing on behalf of those bound by that law (an independence that is upheld). The resulting position, which is called not ‘all the way down’ constructivism, is attributed to Kant.
Pattern filtering and classification for market basket analysis with profit‐based measures
Authors: Chen Mu‐Chen , Chao Chuang‐Min , Wu Kuan‐Ting
Published: January 2011

Market basket analysis is one of the typical applications in mining association rules. The valuable information discovered from data mining can be used to support decision making. Generally, support and confidence (objective) measures are used to evaluate the interestingness of association rules. However, in some cases, by using these two measures, the discovered rules may be not profitable and not actionable (not interesting) to enterprises. Therefore, how to discover the patterns by considering both objective measures (e.g. probability) and subjective measures (e.g. profit) is a challenge in data mining, particularly in marketing applications. This paper focuses on pattern evaluation in the process of knowledge discovery by using the concept of profit mining. Data Envelopment Analysis is utilized to calculate the efficiency of discovered association rules with multiple objective and subjective measures. After evaluating the efficiency of association rules, they are categorized into two classes, relatively efficient (interesting) and relatively inefficient (uninteresting). To classify these two classes, Decision Tree (DT)‐based classifier is built by using the attributes of association rules. The DT classifier can be used to find out the characteristics of interesting association rules, and to classify the unknown (new) association rules.
Combining open‐source natural language processing tools to parse clinical practice guidelines
Authors: Taboada M. , Meizoso M. , Martínez D. , Riaño D. , Alonso A.
Published: January 2011

Natural language processing (NLP) has been used to process text pertaining to patient records and narratives. However, most of the methods used were developed for specific systems, so new research is necessary to assess whether such methods can be easily retargeted for new applications and goals, with the same performance. In this paper, open‐source tools are reused as building blocks on which a new system is built. The aim of our work is to evaluate the applicability of the current NLP technology to a new domain: automatic knowledge acquisition of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures from clinical practice guideline free‐text documents. In order to do this, two publicly available syntactic parsers, several terminology resources and a tool oriented to identify semantic predications were tailored to increase the performance of each tool individually. We apply this new approach to 171 sentences selected by the experts from a clinical guideline, and compare the results with those of the tools applied with no tailoring. The results of this paper show that with some adaptation, open‐source NLP tools can be retargeted for new tasks, providing an accuracy that is equivalent to the methods designed for specific tasks.
Statistical and signal‐based network traffic recognition for anomaly detection
Authors: Choraś Michał , Saganowski Łukasz , Renk Rafał , Hołubowicz Witold
Published: January 2011

In this paper, a framework for recognizing network traffic in order to detect anomalies is proposed. We propose to combine and correlate parameters from different layers in order to detect 0‐day attacks and reduce false positives. Moreover, we propose to combine statistical and signal‐based features. The major contribution of this paper is novel framework for network security based on the correlation approach as well as new signal‐based algorithm for intrusion detection on the basis of the Matching Pursuit (MP) algorithm. As to our best knowledge, we are the first to use MP for intrusion and anomaly detection in computer networks. In the presented experiments, we proved that our solution gives better results than intrusion detection based on discrete wavelet transform.
Challenges to the development of disease‐modifying therapies in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Schapira A. H. V.
Published: January 2011

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that involves the neurones of multiple transmitter pathways. The dopaminergic neuronal degeneration determines the main early clinical characteristics of the disease. There have been many recent valuable insights into the pathogenesis of PD, driven primarily by research of the genetic causes of the disease. These now provide a clearer view of the pathways that lead to neuronal dysfunction and death. Perhaps surprisingly, the same pathways initiated by gene mutations causing familial PD are those already identified to be involved in idiopathic sporadic PD, namely mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and protein misfolding and aggregation. Novel therapies designed to slow PD progression are likely to intervene in one or more of these pathways. Some candidates have been tested based upon this hypothesis, albeit with varying results. Significant developments in this area face several challenges including effective disease‐modelling systems and clinical trial designs that can enable a true positive result to be obtained in a relatively short period.
Treatment of depressive symptoms in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Barone P.
Published: January 2011

Significant depressive disorders are present in approximately 30–40% of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Depressive symptoms are correlated with poor health‐related quality‐of‐life (HRQoL) scores, and are the major determinant of HRQoL. Studies that have evaluated pharmacotherapy for depressive symptoms in PD have shown that there is substantial variability in outcomes. Recently, two double‐blind, placebo‐controlled studies showed the superiority of nortriptyline and desipramine versus placebo and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The antidepressant effects of dopamine agonists have been explored mainly in open and non‐controlled studies. In a 14‐week randomized trial comparing pramipexole with sertraline in depressed patients without motor complications, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score decreased in both groups; however, in the pramipexole group, the proportion of patients who recovered was significantly higher. Recently, in the first 12‐week double‐blind placebo‐controlled clinical trial in PD patients without motor fluctuations on stable levodopa treatment, pramipexole reduced depressive symptoms as measured by Beck Depression Inventory score, with a significant difference in efficacy in favour of pramipexole. These data suggest that pramipexole might represent an alternative to antidepressant drugs to treat depressive symptoms in PD without adding the risk of antidepressant adverse events, and avoid polypharmacy.
An affective computing approach to physiological emotion specificity: Toward subject‐independent and stimulus‐independent classification of film‐induced emotions
Authors: Kolodyazhniy Vitaliy , Kreibig Sylvia D. , Gross James J. , Roth Walton T. , Wilhelm Frank H.
Published: January 2011

The hypothesis of physiological emotion specificity has been tested using pattern classification analysis (PCA). To address limitations of prior research using PCA, we studied effects of feature selection (sequential forward selection, sequential backward selection), classifier type (linear and quadratic discriminant analysis, neural networks, k‐nearest neighbors method), and cross‐validation method (subject‐ and stimulus‐(in)dependence). Analyses were run on a data set of 34 participants watching two sets of three 10‐min film clips (fearful, sad, neutral) while autonomic, respiratory, and facial muscle activity were assessed. Results demonstrate that the three states can be classified with high accuracy by most classifiers, with the sparsest model having only five features, even for the most difficult task of identifying the emotion of an unknown subject in an unknown situation (77.5%). Implications for choosing PCA parameters are discussed.
N2ac: An ERP component associated with the focusing of attention within an auditory scene
Authors: Gamble Marissa L. , Luck Steven J.
Published: January 2011

Humans must often focus attention onto relevant sensory signals in the presence of simultaneous irrelevant signals. This type of attention has been explored in vision with the N2pc component, and the present study sought to find an analogous auditory effect. In Experiment 1, two 750‐ms sounds were presented simultaneously, one from each of two lateral speakers. On each trial, participants indicated whether one of the two sounds was a pre‐defined target. We found that targets elicited anN2accomponent: a negativity in the N2 latency range at anterior contralateral electrodes. We also observed a later and more posterior contralateral positivity. Experiment 2 replicated these effects and demonstrated that they arose from competition between attended and unattended tones rather than reflecting lateralized effects of attention for individual tones. The N2ac component may provide a useful tool for studying selective attention within auditory scenes.
Milk reversibility following reduction and restoration of pH
Authors: EZEH VERONICA N , LEWIS MICHAEL J
Published: January 2011

The pH of skim milk was adjusted from 6.67 to between 6.00 and 5.45 before being restored with NaOH. Ionic calcium was higher after pH restoration but this did not result in instability during indirect ultra high temperature and in‐container sterilisation. Ionic calcium of pH restored milk increased with increased holding time but the pH restored milk remained stable to in‐container sterilisation. The viscosity of the milk was not affected by pH reversal. However, pH‐restoration reduced rennet coagulation time but milk was still stable when subjected to high temperature treatment. Properties of the soluble phase were measured at high temperature by dialysis.
Improvement of low fat mozzarella cheese properties using denatured whey protein
Authors: ISMAIL MAGDY , AMMAR EL‐TAHRA , EL‐METWALLY RAID
Published: January 2011

Mozzarella cheese was made from buffalo milk (6% fat) or from partially skimmed buffalo milk (2 and 4% fat) with 0.5 and 1% denatured whey protein. Adding whey protein to buffalo milk decreased rennet coagulation time and curd tension whereas increased curd synaeresis. Addition of whey protein to cheese milk increased the acidity, total solids, ash, salt, salt in moisture, also some nitrogen fractions. The meltability and oiling‐off values increased but the calcium values of mozzarella cheese decreased. The sensory properties of low fat mozzarella cheese were improved by addition of whey protein to the cheese milk.
The physicochemical and rheological properties of a milk drink flavoured with cajeta, a Mexican caramel jam
Authors: RAMÍREZ‐SUCRE MANUEL OCTAVIO , VÉLEZ‐RUIZ JORGE FERNANDO
Published: January 2011

This research was conducted to study physicochemical and flow properties of a milk drink with the inclusion of caramel jam in relation to formulation and storage. The systems were prepared, by following a Box Behnken experimental design, including fat, gum, and flavour as variables; drinks were successfully analysed through 3 weeks of storage. Density and moisture of drinks were stable through the storage time, in contrast to acidity, colour, pH, and flow properties; the hydrocolloid content had greatest influence on rheological properties. A contour surface methodology was used to establish the corresponding relationship of three flow parameters affected by the studied variables.
Computational fluid dynamics studies on pasteurisation of canned milk
Authors: ANAND PAUL D. , ANISHAPARVIN A. , ANANDHARAMAKRISHNAN C.
Published: January 2011

Pasteurisation is a vital unit operation to inactivate the spoilage organisms and enzymes present in the milk. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling can be used as a tool to determine the temperature distribution pattern inside canned milk during thermal processing. In this study, a CFD model was developed for the pasteurisation process of canned milk at 74°C and 85°C and validated with the experimental measurements. Moreover, the effect of can rotation (5, 50 and 100 rpm) on processing time and pasteurisation value was investigated. This study predicted rotation of can with 5 rpm was more effective than stationary positioned can during pasteurisation.
Diminished tradition of return? Transnational migration in Bolivia's Valle Alto
Authors: JONES RICHARD C. , DE LA TORRE LEONARDO
Published: January 2011

One‐fifth of the Bolivian population lives abroad, and transnational behaviour strongly links their villages with destination communities. In this article we address whether the increasing difficulty of return migration (owing to legal and geographic barriers) results in diminished social and economic remittances to the country of origin. Results from a questionnaire survey of 417 households in the Valle Alto area of Cochabamba Department in 2007 reveal that monetary remittances account for one‐half of the income of active migrant families (and one‐quarter of income overall), and that transnational cultural ties remain strong. However, after ten years of cumulated time abroad the intention to return to Bolivia drops markedly along with economic and some social remittances. Closer analysis reveals that time abroad reduces these ties through the mediating forces of family members abroad, legal status, and home ownership abroad.
Funding begets biodiversity
Authors: Ahrends Antje , Burgess Neil D. , Gereau Roy E. , Marchant Rob , Bulling Mark T. , Lovett Jon C. , Platts Philip J. , Wilkins Kindemba Victoria , Owen Nisha , Fanning Eibleis , Rahbek Carsten
Published: January 2011

Aim  Effective conservation of biodiversity relies on an unbiased knowledge of its distribution. Conservation priority assessments are typically based on the levels of species richness, endemism and threat. Areas identified as important receive the majority of conservation investments, often facilitating further research that results in more species discoveries. Here, we test whether there is circularity between funding and perceived biodiversity, which may reinforce the conservation status of areas already perceived to be important while other areas with less initial funding may remain overlooked.

Location  Eastern Arc Mountains, Tanzania.

Methods  We analysed time series data (1980–2007) of funding (n = 134 projects) and plant species records (n = 75,631) from a newly compiled database. Perceived plant diversity, over three decades, is regressed against funding and environmental factors, and variances decomposed in partial regressions. Cross‐correlations are used to assess whether perceived biodiversity drives funding or vice versa.

Results  Funding explained 65% of variation in perceived biodiversity patterns – six times more variation than accounted for by 34 candidate environmental factors. Cross‐correlation analysis showed that funding is likely to be driving conservation priorities and not vice versa. It was also apparent that investment itself may trigger further investments as a result of reduced start‐up costs for new projects in areas where infrastructure already exists. It is therefore difficult to establish whether funding, perceived biodiversity, or both drive further funding. However, in all cases, the results suggest that regional assessments of biodiversity conservation importance may be biased by investment. Funding effects might also confound studies on mechanisms of species richness patterns.

Main conclusions  Continued biodiversity loss commands urgent conservation action even if our knowledge of its whereabouts is incomplete; however, by concentrating inventory funds in areas already perceived as important in terms of biodiversity and/or where start‐up costs are lower, we risk losing other areas of underestimated or unknown value.
Prolonged Ventricular Pauses in an Asymptomatic Athlete with “Apparent Mobitz Type II Second‐Degree Atrioventricular Block”
Authors: ROTONDI FRANCESCO , MARINO LUCIANO , LANZILLO TONINO , MANGANELLI FIORE , ZEPPILLI PAOLO
Published: January 2011

We report the case of a 30‐year‐old basketball player with asymptomatic, nocturnal ventricular pauses of >3,000 ms, the longest being ∼12,000 ms, who was misdiagnosed with Mobitz type II second‐degree atrioventricular (AV) block. Conversely, the tracings were characteristic of a vagally mediated AV block, a phenomenon first described by Massie and called “apparent Mobitz type II AV block.”

Although the patient was asymptomatic with ventricular pauses occurring only at night, it was decided to implant a permanent pacemaker to prevent neurological damage or life‐threatening ventricular arrhythmias resulting from repeated, abnormally prolonged ventricular pauses. The persistence of AV block after a 3‐month detraining period led us to believe that our decision was reasonable. (PACE 2011; 1–4)
The influence of music on aEEG activity in neurologically healthy newborns ≥32 weeks’ gestational age
Authors: Olischar Monika , Shoemark Helen , Holton Trudy , Weninger Manfred , Hunt Rod W
Published: January 2011

Aim:  Music is increasingly being used in neonatal intensive care units to aid neurodevelopmental care. The aim of this pilot study was to examine the possible effects of music on quiet sleep (QS) in neurologically healthy newborns.

Methods:  Twenty newborns ≥32 weeks’ gestational age admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne for specialist consultation were randomly assigned to experimental or control groups. Ten subjects were exposed to music (Music for Dreaming, (Sound Impressions, Pty. Ltd.) using a CD player (50–55 decibel A). Amplitude‐integrated EEG was recorded on the BrainZ Monitor (BRM2, Version 8.0, Natus). Background pattern, presence and quality of sleep–wake cycles (SWC) were assessed before and after exposure to music.

Results:  All 20 subjects showed continuous background patterns with developing SWC. Whereas no subject in the control group showed differences in their QS and eight patients in the intervention group showed lower minimum amplitudes of their QS after music exposure. Also, the length of QS and interval between QS epochs became progressively longer in all ten subjects of the intervention group.

Conclusion:  We report a trend to more mature SWC in subjects who were exposed to music when compared to controls suggesting that there might be a small effect of music on quiet sleep in newborns.
Secondary substrate binding strongly affects activity and binding affinity of Bacillus subtilis and Aspergillus niger GH11 xylanases
Authors: Cuyvers Sven , Dornez Emmie , Rezaei Mohammad N. , Pollet Annick , Delcour Jan A. , Courtin Christophe M.
Published: January 2011

The secondary substrate binding site (SBS) of Bacillus subtilis and Aspergillus niger glycoside hydrolase family 11 xylanases was studied by site‐directed mutagenesis and evaluation of activity and binding properties of mutant enzymes on different substrates. Modification of the SBS resulted in an up to three‐fold decrease in the relative activity of the enzymes on polymeric versus oligomeric substrates and highlighted the importance of several amino acids in the SBS forming hydrogen bonds or hydrophobic stacking interactions with substrates. Weakening of the SBS increased Kd values by up to 70‐fold in binding affinity tests using natural substrates. The impact that modifications in the SBS have both on activity and on binding affinity towards polymeric substrates clearly shows that such structural elements can increase the efficiency of these single domain enzymes on their natural substrates.
Most Frequent Nursing Diagnoses, Nursing Interventions, and Nursing‐Sensitive Patient Outcomes of Hospitalized Older Adults With Heart Failure: Part 1
Authors: Scherb Cindy A. , Head Barbara J. , Maas Meridean L. , Swanson Elizabeth A. , Moorhead Sue , Reed David , Conley Deborah Marks , Kozel Marie
Published: January 2011

Purpose.  Rank and compare the 10 most frequently documented nursing diagnoses, interventions, and patient outcomes using NANDA International, Nursing Interventions Classification, and Nursing Outcomes Classification for care of patients with heart failure (HF).

Methods.  A descriptive comparative multisite study of documented care for 302 older adults with HF.

Findings.  There were four common nursing diagnoses, two interventions, and only three common outcomes across three sites.

Conclusions.  This and similar analyses of clinical nursing data can be used by nursing administrators and clinicians to monitor the quality and effectiveness of nursing care.

Implications.  Similar analyses may be used for continuing education, quality improvement, and documentation system refinement. Part 2 will discuss data retrieval and implications for building a multiorganizational data warehouse.
Clinical Indicators of Ineffective Breathing Pattern in Children With Congenital Heart Diseases
Authors: Amorim Beltrão Beatriz , da Silva Viviane Martins , de Araujo Thelma Leite , de Oliveira Lopes Marcos Venícios
Published: January 2011

PURPOSE.  The study aims to assess indicators of Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC) related to the nursing diagnosis Ineffective Breathing Pattern (IBP) in children with congenital heart disease (CHD).

METHODS.  The study used a cross‐sectional study carried out in 63 children with CHD up to 2 years old. Seventeen operational indicators of NOC related to IBP were evaluated.

FINDINGS.  Seven indicators presented statistically significant differences between children with and without IBP. Impaired expiration was the indicator assessed with greatest frequency in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS.  The study showed differences in the clinical indicators between children with and without IBP.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE.  The use of NOC indicators allowed an assessment of the differences and the level of respiratory impairment among children with and without IBP.

OBJETIVO.  Avaliar os indicadores da Classificação de Resultados de Enfermagem (NOC) relacionados ao diagnóstico Padrão Respiratório Ineficaz (PRI) em crianças com cardiopatias congênitas.

METODOS.  Estudo transversal desenvolvido com 63 crianças menores de 2 anos, com diagnóstico médico de cardiopatia congênita. Foram avaliados 17 indicadores operacionais NOC relacionados ao diagnóstico de enfermagem PRI.

RESULTADOS.  Sete indicadores apresentaram diferenças estatisticamente significantes entre crianças com e sem PRI. O indicador Dificuldade respiratória foi avaliado com maior comprometimento entre os grupos.

CONCLUSÃO.  O estudo mostrou diferenças nos indicadores clínicos entre crianças com e sem PRI.

IMPLICAÇÕES PARA A PRÁTICA DE ENFERMAGEM.  O uso de indicadores NOC permitiu uma avaliação das diferenças e do nível de comprometimento respiratório entre crianças com e sem PRI.
Bioavailability of resveratrol
Authors: Walle Thomas
Published: January 2011

This paper reviews our current understanding of the absorption, bioavailability, and metabolism of resveratrol, with an emphasis on humans. The oral absorption of resveratrol in humans is about 75% and is thought to occur mainly by transepithelial diffusion. Extensive metabolism in the intestine and liver results in an oral bioavailability considerably less than 1%. Dose escalation and repeated dose administration of resveratrol does not appear to alter this significantly. Metabolic studies, both in plasma and in urine, have revealed major metabolites to be glucuronides and sulfates of resveratrol. However, reduced dihydroresveratrol conjugates, in addition to highly polar unknown products, may account for as much as 50% of an oral resveratrol dose. Although major sites of metabolism include the intestine and liver (as expected), colonic bacterial metabolism may be more important than previously thought. Deconjugation enzymes such as β‐glucuronidase and sulfatase, as well as specific tissue accumulation of resveratrol, may enhance resveratrol efficacy at target sites. Resveratrol analogs, such as methylated derivatives with improved bioavailability, may be important in future research.