bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extraocular sebaceous carcinoma in situ: report of three cases and review of the literature
Authors: Aung Phyu P. , Batrani Meenakshi , Mirzabeigi Marjan , Goldberg Lynne J.
Published: March 2014

Extraocular sebaceous carcinoma is a rare neoplasm. Purely in situ extraocular sebaceous carcinoma is extremely rare and somewhat controversial. Review of the literature reveals only three reported cases, two of which involved the head and neck and one the arm. The ones on the head and neck arose in association with an actinic keratosis. We report three cases of extraocular sebaceous carcinoma in situ and describe the first report of immunoperoxidase screening for mismatch repair proteins in such tumors.
Left Atrial Phasic Function and Mechanics in Women with Subclinical Hypothyroidism: The Effects of Levothyroxine Therapy
Authors: Tadic Marijana , Ilic Sanja , Ivanovic Branislava , Celic Vera
Published: March 2014

Background

Left atrial (LA) mechanics has been poorly investigated in women with subclinical hypothyroidism (SHT), and the effect of levothyroxine therapy on LA deformation and function is unknown.

Aim

To investigate LA phasic function and mechanics assessed by two‐dimensional echocardiography (2DE) and speckle tracking in women with SHT, and to estimate the influence of levothyroxine therapy on LA remodeling.

Methods

We included 48 untreated women with SHT and 38 healthy control women of the same age. All the SHT patients received levothyroxine therapy and were followed for 1 year after euthyroid status was achieved. All the participants underwent laboratory analyses and complete 2DE examination.

Results

Left atrial total emptying fraction was significantly lower in the SHT patients at the baseline in comparison with the controls. LA passive emptying fraction gradually decreased from the controls, throughout the treated SHT patients, to the untreated SHT patients. LA active emptying fraction was lower in the controls than in the untreated and the treated SHT participants. 2DE LA longitudinal strain and systolic strain rate gradually decreased from the controls to the untreated SHT patients, whereas LA early diastolic strain rate significantly increased in the same direction. Late diastolic LA strain was lower in the controls than in the untreated and the treated SHT patients.

Conclusion

Subclinical hypothyroidism significantly affects LA mechanics. Reservoir, conduit, and booster pump LA functions are all impacted by SHT. A 1‐year levothyroxine therapy significantly improves, but does not completely restore LA phasic function and mechanics in the SHT patients.
Echocardiography‐Based Hemodynamic Management of Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction: A Feasibility and Safety Study
Authors: Shillcutt Sasha K. , Montzingo Candice R. , Agrawal Ankit , Khaleel Maseeha S. , Therrien Stacey L. , Thomas Walker R. , Porter Thomas R. , Brakke Tara R.
Published: March 2014

Background

Patients with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) are at increased risk of postoperative adverse events. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of using echocardiography‐guided hemodynamic management (EGHEM) during surgery in subjects with LVDD compared to conventional management. The feasibility of using echocardiography to direct a treatment algorithm and clinical outcomes were compared for safety between groups.

Methods

Subjects were screened for LVDD by preoperative transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and randomized to the conventional or EGHEM group. Subjects in EGHEM received hemodynamic management based on left ventricular filling patterns on transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Primary outcomes measured were the feasibility to obtain TEE images and follow a TEE‐based treatment algorithm. Safety outcomes also compared the following clinical differences between groups: length of hospitalization, incidence of atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure (CHF), myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, transient ischemic attack and renal failure measured 30 days postoperatively.

Results

Population consisted of 28 surgical subjects (14 in conventional group and 14 in EGHEM group). Mean subject age was 73.4 ± 6.7 years (36% male) in conventional group and 65.9 ± 14.4 years (36% male) in EGHEM group. Procedures included orthopedic (conventional = 29%, EGHEM 36%), general (conventional = 50%, EGHEM = 36%), vascular (conventional = 7%, EGHEM = 21%), and thoracic (conventional = 14%, EGHEM = 7%). There was no statistically significant difference in adverse clinical events between the 2 groups. The EGHEM group had less CHF, atrial fibrillation, and shorter length of stay.

Conclusions

Echocardiography‐guided hemodynamic management of patients with LVDD during surgery is feasible and may be a safe alternative to conventional management.
Role of Three‐Dimensional Echocardiography in Structural Complications after Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Ermacora Davide , Muraru Denisa , Pontarollo Sara , Casablanca Simona , Livi Ugolino , Iliceto Sabino , Badano Luigi P.
Published: March 2014

Three‐dimensional echocardiography (3DE) is a unique cardiovascular imaging modality in terms of: ability to provide realistic anatomical views of cardiac structures in the beating heart and possibility to visualize cardiac structures from any desired perspective. Therefore, 3DE is emerging as an accurate imaging modality for a prompt diagnosis and detailed anatomical description of structural complications (SC) of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We report 3 emblematic cases which show how both the transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal (TEE) 3D imaging can provide precise anatomic information useful to address management of SC in AMI patients: (1) detailed assessment of size, location, and morphology of an apical ventricular septal defect (VSD) obtained with 3DTTE was pivotal in referring the patient to percutaneous closure of it; (2) size and location of a complex inferior VSD with irregular margins advised against percutaneous closure; and (3) 3DTEE assisted surgeons to choose between reparative or replacement surgery for an acute mitral regurgitation due to complete papillary muscle rupture.
Relationship of Epicardial Fat Thickness with Endothelial and Cardiac Functions in Children with Family History of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Mahfouz Ragab A. , Alzaiat Ahmad , Yousry Ahmad
Published: March 2014

Objective

We hypothesized that many of the pathophysiological mechanisms that cause atherosclerotic disease may be present in early childhood in children with family history of type 2 diabetes. We aimed to investigate the relation of epicardial fat thickness (EFT) with flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD) and diastolic function in children with family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods

We measured EFT, FMD, in 209 children (mean age 8.6 + 3.2 years). Children were classified into 2 groups: 109 children with a family history of type 2 diabetes (group at risk) and 100 healthy children with age and body mass index matched and without parental history of diabetes constituted the control group.

Results

Epicardial fat thickness was significantly increased in group at risk compared with control children (P < 0.001), while FMD was significantly lower in group at risk versus controls (P < 0.001). EFT was inversely correlated with FMD (r = −0.46; P < 0.001), while it was positively correlated with E/E′ (r = 0.48; P < 0.001) and hsCRP (r = 0.39; P < 0.001). Receiver‐operating characteristic curve analysis revealed a cutoff value of 5 mm for EFT can predict endothelial dysfunction in children with family history of DM area under the curve (AUC = 0.852) with a specificity of 92.2% and a sensitivity of 77.4%.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that children with family history of type 2 diabetes bear considerably impaired FMD% and diastolic dysfunction associated with increased EFT, that reflecting process that promote the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Fixational saccades alter the gap effect
Authors: Watanabe Masayuki , Matsuo Yuka , Zha Ling , MacAskill Michael R. , Kobayashi Yasushi
Published: March 2014

The reaction times of saccadic eye movements have been studied extensively as a probe for cognitive behavior controlled by large‐scale cortical and subcortical neural networks. Recent studies have shown that the reaction times of targeting saccades toward peripheral visual stimuli are prolonged by fixational saccades, the largest miniature eye movements including microsaccades. We have shown previously that the frequency of fixational saccades is decreased by volitional action preparation controlled internally during the antisaccade paradigm (look away from a stimulus). Instead, here we examined whether fixational saccade modulation induced externally by sensory events could also account for targeting saccade facilitation by the same sensory events. When targeting saccades were facilitated by prior fixation stimulus disappearance (gap effect), fixational saccade occurrence was reduced, which could theoretically facilitate targeting saccades. However, such reduction was followed immediately by the rebound of fixational saccade occurrence in some subjects, which could eliminate potential benefits from the previous fixational saccade reduction. These results do not mean that fixational saccades were unrelated to the gap effect because they indeed altered that effect by delaying targeting saccade initiation on trials without the fixation gap more strongly than trials with it. Such changes might be attributed to the disruption of volitional saccade preparation because the frequency of fixational saccades observed in this study was associated with the ability of volitional control over antisaccade behavior. These results suggest that fixational saccades alter the gap effect on targeting saccade reaction times, presumably by disrupting volitional saccade commands.
An alternative definition of the shear stress amplitude based on the Maximum Rectangular Hull method and application to the C‐S (Carpinteri‐Spagnoli) criterion
Authors: Araújo J. A. , Carpinteri A. , Ronchei C. , Spagnoli A. , Vantadori S.
Published: March 2014

In the present paper, the fatigue strength estimation capabilities of the modified C‐S (Carpinteri‐Spagnoli) criterion are improved by employing the Maximum Rectangular Hull (MRH) method proposed by the first author. The C–S criterion is a multiaxial high‐cycle fatigue criterion based on the critical plane approach and takes into account both shear stress (Mode II) and normal stress (Mode I) mechanisms to evaluate the orientation of the critical plane. The fatigue damage parameter used is given by a nonlinear combination of the equivalent normal stress amplitude, Na,eq, and the shear stress amplitude, Ca, acting on the critical plane. In the present paper, the shear stress amplitude is evaluated through the MRH method. Some experimental data available in the literature are compared with the theoretical estimations, concluding that the multiaxial fatigue strength evaluations provided by the C–S criterion are improved when Ca is computed applying the MRH method instead of the Minimum Bounding Circle (MBC) method.
Understanding cracked materials: is Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics obsolete?
Authors: Askes H. , Susmel L.
Published: March 2014

Linear elastic fracture mechanics has enabled the research community to solve a wide variety of problems of practical and scientific interest; however, it has historically suffered from two main shortcomings. Firstly, it predicts physically unrealistic singular stresses and strains at crack tips. Secondly, microstructural effects are lacking, so that a major source of size‐dependent behaviour is not captured. Gradient‐enriched elasticity overcomes both these shortcomings: singularities are avoided, so that crack‐tip stresses can be used to assess integrity, and the inclusion of microstructural terms implies that size effects can be captured. In this investigation, it is shown that gradient‐enriched crack tip stresses can directly be used to model the transition from the short to the long crack regime. The accuracy of this approach was validated by a wide range of experimental results taken from the literature and generated under both static and high‐cycle fatigue loading. This high level of accuracy was achieved without having to resort to phenomenological model parameters: the extra constitutive coefficient was simply the (average) grain size of the material.
Notch stress and fracture mechanics based assessment of fatigue of seam weld ends under shear loading
Authors: Shams E. , Malikoutsakis M. , Savaidis G. , Vormwald M.
Published: March 2014

Welding processes often lead to pronounced weld termination points (start/end), which are prone to fatigue events such as crack initiation. The fatigue of weld ends under shear loading, especially in thin sheet structures, is not sufficiently explored yet. In the present investigation, the real geometry of welds was obtained by scanning the three‐dimensional surface, especially of weld ends. Cryogenic breaking of the weld opened the view to the weld root geometry and especially to the critical location, where the weld root migrates to a weld toe at the weld end. In the experimental part of this research, fatigue testing of thin sheet plane and cylindrical specimens as well as large components containing weld ends was performed. Based on the data, weld end life curves have been obtained. The notch stress concept and a fracture mechanics based approach were applied for describing the results of fatigue tests providing sufficient accuracy.
Sulphur supply affects morphology, growth and nutritional status of TanzaniaGuinea grass andMineirão stylo
Authors: Schmidt F. , Monteiro F. A.
Published: March 2014

Forage plants constitute the primary food source for ruminants, and their aboveground growth and belowground growth depend on mineral nutrient supply. The objective of this study was to identify and quantify variation in morphology, production and nutritional status inPanicum maximumcv. Tanzânia andStylosanthes guianensiscv. Mineirão grown with varying levels of S availability. In an experimental setting, plants of both species received rates of S calculated to reflect suboptimum, adequate and excessive levels of the element. S had a direct effect on morphology and production in both species. S limitation altered the allocation of photosynthates between the aboveground and belowground portions of Guinea grass and stylo, and was associated with lower root dry mass production. Guinea grass plants increased root surface area as an adaptive mechanism when S was limiting in the growth medium. The relative chlorophyll index of recently expanded leaves was correlated with aboveground dry mass production. After the initial growth, Guinea grass and stylo plants showed similar S requirements and use efficiency to achieve the maximum of aboveground productivity, although leguminous plants have a substantially higher capacity for store S in the shoot tissue as compared to gramineous plants growing under similar availability of S in the medium. While applying S was necessary for increasing dry mass production in both species, planting these species together is a promising strategy for guaranteeing high yields of forage with a nutritional value that satisfies the S requirements of ruminants.
Lower frequency of NPM1 and FLT3‐ITD mutations in a South African adult de novo AML cohort
Authors: Marshall R. C. , Tlagadi A. , Bronze M. , Kana V. , Naidoo S. , Wiggill T. M. , Carmona S. C.
Published: March 2014

Introduction

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous clonal disorder of hemopoietic progenitor cells diagnosed in individuals of any age, but with a median age of 67 years at presentation in adults. Assessment of the mutation status of nucleophosmin protein‐1 (NPM1) and FMS‐like tyrosine kinase 3 internal tandem duplication (FLT3‐ITD) is essential for the prognosis, and treatment of AML.

Methods

A total of 160 de novo AML cases, both cytogenetically normal and abnormal, were analyzed for the presence of NPM1 and FLT3‐ITD mutations, and the results assessed in conjunction with epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory findings.

Results

Nucleophosmin protein‐1 mutations were found in 7.5%, while FLT3‐ITD was present in 12% of these cases. Both of these were lower than expected. The median age at diagnosis of AML was 41 years, and for the FLT3‐ITD only cases, median age was 33 years; these ages were younger than expected.

Conclusion

The lower reported frequencies and younger median age at diagnosis of AML and these specific mutations may be contributed to by a number of factors including effects of race on age of presentation, inclusion of patients diagnosed with de novo AML only, and a generally younger median age of the South African population.
Postpartum experiences of older Japanese primiparas during the first month after childbirth
Authors: Mori Emi , Iwata Hiroko , Sakajo Akiko , Maehara Kunie , Ozawa Harumi , Maekawa Tomoko , Morita Akiko , Saeki Akiko
Published: March 2014

This study aimed to describe the postpartum experiences of older Japanese primiparas during the first month after childbirth. The participants were 21 primiparous women over 35 years of age who gave birth to a healthy child at three urban hospitals. Data were collected from July 2011 to April 2012 through a semi‐structured interview about postpartum experiences after discharge. Data were analysed using content analysis. We obtained Institutional Review Boards' approval and written informed consent from all participants prior to study initiation. Thirteen themes of postpartum experiences were extracted. The findings revealed that the mothers' experiences varied greatly and were highly personal. Also, participants described common experiences, unique child‐care support needs and the strengths of older primiparas. Understanding the postpartum experiences of older primiparas assists health‐care professionals to identify better ways to provide appropriate support.
Commercial Gaming Devices for Stroke Upper Limb Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review
Authors: Thomson Katie , Pollock Alex , Bugge Carol , Brady Marian
Published: March 2014

Background and purpose

Rehabilitation using commercial gaming devices is a new concept for stroke care. Commercial gaming devices such as Nintendo Wii or Sony PlayStation encourage high repetition of arm movements and are being introduced into some clinical settings. The evidence base for gaming use in rehabilitation is growing rapidly and there is a need to systematically synthesise research. Our review aims to integrate evidence on how gaming is being used, explore patient/therapist experience and synthesise evidence of effectiveness.

Summary of review

An integrative systematic review was undertaken searching Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (2013), Medline (2013), Embase (2013) and twelve additional databases. Two review authors independently selected studies based on pre-defined inclusion criteria, extracted data and assessed risk of bias. Nineteen studies including 215 patients met inclusion criteria. Studies were typically small scale feasibility studies using a range of research designs, limiting the ability to reach generalised conclusions. Results have been tabulated (activities of daily living, upper limb function/movement) and qualitative themes identified. Findings suggest that most patients enjoy using commercial gaming and can tolerate 180 mins per week without significant adverse effects. A trend towards improvement was noted for upper limb function/movement. Few studies recorded outcomes related to activities of daily living or focused on understanding patients' experiences of this intervention.

Conclusion

Commercial gaming can provide high intensity upper limb practice however there is insufficient high quality evidence to reach generalisable conclusions about risks or benefits on activities of daily living or upper limb function/movement.
Role of male pelvic floor muscles and anterior fibromuscular stroma in males on α1‐blocker treatment: A magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors: Nishio Kojiro , Soh Shigehiro , Syukuya Toshio , Sato Ryo , Sadaoka Yuko , Iwahata Toshiyuki , Suzuki Keisuke , Ashizawa Yoshio , Kobori Yoshitomo , Okada Hiroshi
Published: March 2014

Dynamic motion of the pelvic floor muscles during voiding was analyzed using real‐time magnetic resonance imaging. To evaluate the contraction of the pelvic floor muscles, striated urethral sphincter distance, levator ani muscle thickness and anterior fibromuscular stroma distance were measured. The percent contraction of the striated urethral sphincter from before voiding to just before initiation of voiding was 14% in the normal group and 5% in the voiding dysfunction group. The percent contraction of the anterior fibromuscular stroma from before voiding to just before initiation of voiding was 11% in the normal group and 1% in the voiding dysfunction group; the percent contraction of the muscles was significantly greater in the normal group (P < 0.05). Striated urethral sphincter and anterior fibromuscular stroma contraction at initiation of voiding open the bladder neck and urethra. This plays an important role in the smooth initiation of voiding.
Human cathelicidin LL‐37 and its derivative IG‐19 regulate interleukin‐32‐induced inflammation
Authors: Choi Ka‐Yee G. , Napper Scott , Mookherjee Neeloffer
Published: March 2014

Human cathelicidin LL‐37 protects against infections and endotoxin‐induced inflammation. In a recent study we have shown that IG‐19, an LL‐37‐derived peptide, protects in a murine model of arthritis. Cytokine interleukin‐32 (IL‐32) is elevated and directly associated with the disease severity of inflammatory arthritis. Therefore, in this study we examined the effects of LL‐37 and IG‐19 on IL‐32‐induced responses in human peripheral blood‐derived mononuclear cells (PBMC) and macrophages. We showed that CD14+ monocytes are the primary cells that produce pro‐inflammatory tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) following stimulation of PBMC with IL‐32. We demonstrated that LL‐37 and IG‐19 significantly suppress IL‐32‐induced production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, e.g. TNF‐α and IL‐1β, without altering chemokine production. In contrast, LL‐37 and IG‐19 enhance the production of the anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐1RA. Further mechanistic studies revealed that LL‐37 and IG‐19 suppress IL‐32‐mediated phosphorylation of Fyn (Y420) Src kinase. In contrast, IL‐32‐mediated phosphorylation of AKT‐1 (T308) and MKP‐1 (S359) is not suppressed by the peptides. LL‐37 and IG‐19 alone induce the phosphorylation of MKP‐1 (S359), which is a known negative regulator of inflammation. Furthermore, the peptides induce the activity of p44/42 mitogen‐activated protein kinase, which is known to phosphorylate MKP‐1 (S359). This is the first study to demonstrate the regulation of IL‐32‐induced inflammation by LL‐37 and its derivative peptide IG‐19. The mechanistic results from this study suggest that regulation of immune‐mediated inflammation by these peptides may be controlled by the dual phosphatase MKP‐1. We speculate that LL‐37 and its derivatives may contribute to the control of immune‐mediated inflammatory diseases.
The Great Recession and the Allure of New Immigrant Destinations in the United States
Authors: Ellis Mark , Wright Richard , Townley Matthew
Published: March 2014

In the 1990s, the immigrant population in the United States dispersed to non-traditional settlement locations (what have become known as “new immigrant destinations”). This paper examines whether the allure of new destinations persisted in the 2000s with a particular focus on the internal migration of the foreign-born during the recent deep recessionary period and its aftermath. Three specific questions motivate the analysis. First, are immigrants, much like the U.S.-born population, becoming less migratory within the country over time? Second, is immigrant dispersal from traditional gateways via internal migration continuing despite considerable economic contraction in many new destination metropolitan areas? Third, is immigration from aboard a substitute for what appears to be declining immigrant internal migration to new destinations? The findings reveal a close correlation between the declining internal migration propensity of the U.S.-born and immigrants in the last two decades. We also observe parallels between the geographies of migration of native- and foreign-born populations with both groups moving to similar metropolitan areas in the 1990s. This redistributive association, however, weakened in the subsequent decade as new destination metropolitan areas lost their appeal for both groups, especially immigrants. There is no evidence to suggest that immigration from abroad is substituting for the decline in immigrant redistribution through internal migration to new destinations. Across destination types, the relationship between immigration from abroad and the internal migration of the foreign-born remained the same during and after the Great Recession as in the period immediately before it.
Host National Identification of Immigrants in the Netherlands
Authors: de Vroome Thomas , Verkuyten Maykel , Martinovic Borja
Published: March 2014

This study examines immigrants’ identification with the host country. We use survey data of more than 1,700 Turkish and Moroccan immigrants and more than 2,200 natives in the Netherlands. We answer four main questions in this study. First, do immigrants have lower national identification than natives? Second, does the level of national identification differ between immigrant groups? Third, do economic and social integration similarly affect national identification among immigrants and natives? And fourth, what are important additional determinants of national identification among immigrants? The results show that, compared to Dutch natives, Turkish but not Moroccan immigrants have lower national identification. Being employed and socially integrated is associated with higher national identification among immigrants as well as natives, but only among immigrants is higher occupational status associated with higher national identification. For immigrants, Dutch language proficiency, perceived discrimination, and contact with natives proved to be important conditions for national identification.
Competing for Lebanon's Diaspora: Transnationalism and Domestic Struggles in a Weak State
Authors: Pearlman Wendy
Published: March 2014

Just as state strength influences relationships between state and society and among social forces within a national territory, so does it shape relationships between states and their emigrants and diasporas across territorial borders. Scholars debate how transnational migration affirms or challenges the dominance of the nation-state. When sending states are weak, however, diaspora–homeland linkages can undermine the role of the state in a way that is not transformative, but sustaining of the status quo. Examining Lebanon, this paper explores how domestic actors extend their struggles to vie over and through kin abroad. Three realms of competition are paramount: demography, votes, and money. The resulting transnational outreach reproduces a politics in which both expatriates and the state function as resources as much as actors.
“Those who come to do harm”: The Framings of Immigration Problems in Costa Rican Immigration Law
Authors: Fouratt Caitlin E.
Published: March 2014

This article examines the political rationales at work behind the particularly repressive 2006 Costa Rican immigration law and subsequent immigration reform process and resulting 2010 law through an analysis of two rival framings of immigration in Costa Rica. First, I examine how the rushed nature of the 2006 law constructed a crisis in which migrants, particularly Nicaraguans, represented urgent threats to national security. Next, I examine the 2010 law that emerged from the reform process and the alternative framings of immigration as an issue of human rights and integration that migration advocates contributed to the new law. I argue that the juxtaposition of integration and security frameworks in the new law reinforces the law's most repressive measures, contributing to an overall project of securitization and marginalization of immigrants.
Social Capital and Livelihoods in Johannesburg: Differential Advantages and Unexpected Outcomes among Foreign-Born Migrants, Internal Migrants, and Long-Term South African Residents
Authors: Myroniuk Tyler W. , Vearey Jo
Published: March 2014

Foreign-born migrants – a group rarely compared with both internal migrants and long-term residents – are often positioned as the most disadvantaged South African urban population. We use data from a 2008 cross-sectional household survey conducted in Johannesburg to compare a contextually relevant measure of social capital and livelihood advantages between foreign-born migrants, internal migrants, and long-term South African residents. Our findings are counterintuitive and emphasize the need to explore the heterogeneity of urban migrant populations, and the mechanisms in which they better their lives, by showing that (1) foreign-born migrants have better urban livelihood outcomes, and (2) indicators of social capital are not necessarily associated with improved livelihood outcomes.
Leaf Photosynthesis During Grain Filling Under Mediterranean Environments: Are Barley or Traditional Wheat More Efficient Than Modern Wheats?
Authors: Abeledo L. G. , Savin R. , Slafer G. A.
Published: March 2014

Barley is one of the most popular crops in dryland agricultural systems of Mediterranean areas, where it is assumed that barley, or traditional wheat cultivars, performs better than modern wheat under low‐yielding conditions. It was tested whether variations in net leaf photosynthetic rate (PN) during grain filling provide any basis for the potential better performance of barley and traditional wheat compared to modern wheats in Mediterranean areas. Two groups of field experiments were conducted in Agramunt (NE Spain) during 2005/06 (06) and 2006/07 (07) growing seasons combining low and high nitrogen (N) availabilities under rain‐fed and irrigated conditions. Cultivars used in the first group of experiments were a traditional (Anza) and a modern (Soissons) wheat, whilst in a second group of experiments, a wheat (Soissons) and a barley (Sunrise) modern cultivars were used. Both wheat cultivars showed a similar PN during grain filling but higher than that of the modern barley cultivar. Differences between species in PN were maximized under high‐yielding conditions. There were no differences between cultivars in instantaneous water‐use efficiency. The barley cultivar showed a higher specific leaf area, but lower N content per unit of leaf area, than wheat. Photosynthetic nitrogen‐use efficiency was similar between the traditional and the modern cultivar but lower than barley. Decreases in PN after anthesis were not exactly observable in SPAD measurements. In conclusion, we found no consistent differences between cultivars in terms of post‐anthesis photosynthetic activity to support the assumption of better performance under Mediterranean farm conditions of traditional wheat or barley against modern wheat.
Lower survival probability of house sparrows severely infected by the gapeworm parasite
Authors: Holand H. , Jensen H. , Tufto J. , Soliman M. , Pärn H. , Sæther B.-E. , Ringsby T. H.
Published: March 2014

The effect of parasites in natural populations has received increasing attention in recent years. Studies have shown that parasites may play an important part in population ecology due to their potential effects on host fitness. The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of a nematode parasite (gapeworm,Syngamus trachea) on survival probability of house sparrowsPasser domesticusfrom six natural populations located on 4 islands in the Helgeland archipelago in northern Norway. Infection status was obtained from feces samples collected from 603 house sparrows in the summer and autumn of 2007–2011. We also collected data on a visible symptom of severe infection (gasping for air) in 1391 house sparrows in the summer and autumn 2004–2011. We took advantage of recent advances in disease modeling in a multi‐event capture–mark–recapture framework to account for imperfect observations (state uncertainty). Each dataset was separately analyzed, in both analyses we investigated the relationships of year, island, individual body condition, age class and population density with survival probabilities. The relationship between infection (determined by feces egg counts) on annual survival of house sparrows was not statistically significant. However, the probability of annual survival was found to be significantly lower for adult house sparrows exhibiting a symptom of severe gapeworm infection, gasping for air. The present study demonstrates that severe infection by a parasite can have a negative relationship with survival probability of short‐lived avian hosts in wild populations.
Regional and seasonal differences in skin irritation and neurosensitivity in Chinese and South Korean women
Authors: Oh M. , Lee J. , Kim S. , Cho S.‐A. , Lee E. , Yeon J.‐H. , He Q.‐Q. , Liu W. , Wang X.‐M. , Li L. , Lai W. , Liang H. , Gao X.‐H. , Shin K. , An S.
Published: March 2014

Background

China has a great variety of geographical and climatic conditions, and several cultural differences exist within the country; thus, understanding the regional and seasonal differences that cause skin sensitivities in this country is important.

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess skin sensitivity of women from six cities in China and from South Korea during the winter and summer seasons to aid the development of suitable and effective dermatological products.

Methods

This multicentre study included 754 healthy female volunteers, and was conducted in the winter (between January and March) and summer (between June and July) of 2011. Patch tests were performed using 0.5% sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) aqueous solution and 0.15% retinol in 1,3‐butylene glycol on the back of the volunteers. Simultaneously, stinging tests were performed on their cheeks by using 5% lactic acid solution and 0.001% capsaicin solution, each in a negative control vehicle (distilled water and 10% ethanol solution, respectively).

Results

The patch test results showed that the subjects in Beijing and Shenyang were more sensitive to SLS, retinol and lactic acid in the winter than were those in Guangzhou, Shanghai, Wuhan, Chengdu and South Korea. The stinging test results revealed that the subjects in Beijing were more neurosensitive to lactic acid in the winter; however, during the same season, the subjects from Shanghai and Guangzhou were significantly more neurosensitive to capsaicin.

Conclusion

Our observations indicate that skin sensitivity differs considerably between women from different parts of China and South Korea. We recommend that these differences be considered during the development of cosmetic products in these countries.
Medical ethical standards in dermatology: an analytical study of knowledge, attitudes and practices
Authors: Mostafa W.Z. , Abdel Hay R.M. , El Lawindi M.I.
Published: March 2014

Background

Dermatology practice has not been ethically justified at all times.

Objective

The objective of the study was to find out dermatologists' knowledge about medical ethics, their attitudes towards regulatory measures and their practices, and to study the different factors influencing the knowledge, the attitude and the practices of dermatologists.

Methods

This is a cross‐sectional comparative study conducted among 214 dermatologists, from five Academic Universities and from participants in two conferences. A 54 items structured anonymous questionnaire was designed to describe the demographical characteristics of the study group as well as their knowledge, attitude and practices regarding the medical ethics standards in clinical and research settings. Five scoring indices were estimated regarding knowledge, attitude and practice. Inferential statistics were used to test differences between groups as indicated. The Student's t‐test and analysis of variance were carried out for quantitative variables. The chi‐squared test was conducted for qualitative variables. The results were considered statistically significant at a P > 0.05.

Results

Analysis of the possible factors having impact on the overall scores revealed that the highest knowledge scores were among dermatologists who practice in an academic setting plus an additional place; however, this difference was statistically non‐significant (P = 0.060). Female dermatologists showed a higher attitude score compared to males (P = 0.028). The highest significant attitude score (P = 0.019) regarding clinical practice was recorded among those practicing cosmetic dermatology. The different studied groups of dermatologists revealed a significant impact on the attitude score (P = 0.049), and the evidence‐practice score (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Ethical practices will improve the quality and integrity of dermatology research.
Effects of temperature change on cortisol release by common carp Cyprinus carpio
Authors: Jaxion‐Harm J. , Ladich F.
Published: March 2014

Common carp Cyprinus carpio, stressed by fish handling practices, responded with a decrease in cortisol secretion when temperature was lowered from 20 to 14° C within 3·5 h compared to those kept at 20° C.
Assessing the potential biological implications of recreational inshore fisheries on sub‐tidal fish communities of Azores (north‐east Atlantic Ocean) using catch and effort data
Authors: Diogo H. , Pereira J. G.
Published: March 2014

Recreational inshore fishing activities practiced on Faial and Pico Islands (Azorean archipelago) were surveyed between October 2004 and September 2005. Recreational inshore fishers employ three main methods of fishing (shore angling, spear fishing and intertidal collecting). The method that demanded the highest fishing effort (number of fishing operations) was shore angling, followed by intertidal collecting and spear fishing. Shore angling produced the highest diversity of catch composition (38), which is in part explained by the seven fishing techniques used by shore anglers. The estimates of annual catch were higher for shore angling than spear fishing (51·2 and 6·3 t) even though they were lower than commercial artisanal fishing (442 t). The weighted mean trophic level and vulnerability index values in the fish catch were higher for spear fishing (3·4 and 50·9) than for shore angling (3·1 and 44·5). Cumulative pressure by different recreational fishing activities was detected on species already subject to a heavy pressure from Azorean commercial fishing, and on vulnerable and top‐predator species. There are important biological and ecological implications whereby fishery managers should implement additional regulations such as prohibiting catches of the most vulnerable species.
A mortality event in wrasse species (Labridae) associated with the presence of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus
Authors: Munro E S , McIntosh R E , Weir S J , Noguera P A , Sandilands J M , Matejusova I , Mayes A S , Smith R
Published: March 2014

Viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS) is an infectious disease of farmed and wild fish and has an extensive host range in both freshwater and marine environments. In December 2012, a wrasse population consisting of ballan, Labrus bergylta (Ascanius), corkwing, Symphodus melops (L.), cuckoo, Labrus mixtus L., goldsinny, Ctenolabrus rupestris (L.), and rock cook, Centrolabrus exoletus (L.), held at a marine hatchery in the Shetland Isles, Scotland, experienced a mortality event. Approximately 10 000 wrasse were being held at the facility on behalf of an Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., aquaculture company prior to being deployed for the biological control of parasites on marine pen Atlantic salmon, aquaculture sites. Fish Health Inspectors from Marine Scotland Science initiated a diagnostic investigation, and subsequent diagnostic testing confirmed the site to be VHSV positive by qRT‐PCR and virus isolation followed by ELISA. A VHSV genotype‐specific qRT‐PCR assay revealed that the isolates belonged to genotype III, the European marine strain of the virus. The virus genotype was further confirmed by nucleic acid sequencing of the partial nucleoprotein (N) and glycoprotein (G) genes followed by BLAST nucleotide searches. This study reports for the first time the detection of VHSV within multiple wrasse species and highlights the need for a comprehensive risk‐based approach to the use of wrasse and other finfish species as biological controls within the aquaculture industry.
Salespersons as Internal Knowledge Brokers and New Products Selling: Discovering the Link to Genetic Makeup
Authors: van den Berg Wouter E. , Verbeke Willem , Bagozzi Richard P. , Worm Loek , de Jong Ad (Addy) , Nijssen Ed
Published: March 2014

Managers increasingly realize the importance of involving the sales force in new product development. However, despite recent progress, research on the specific role of the sales force in product innovation‐related activities remains scarce. In particular, the importance of a salespersons' internal knowledge brokering has been neglected. This study develops and empirically validates the concept of internal knowledge brokering behavior and its effect on selling new products and developing new business, and explores whether a salesperson's internal brokering qualities are determined by biological traits. The findings reveal that salespeople with theDRD2 A1 gene variant engage at significant lower levels of internal knowledge‐brokering behavior than salespeople without this gene variant, and as a result are less likely to engage effectively in new product selling. TheDRD4gene variant had no effect on internal knowledge brokering. Management and future research implications are discussed.
Substance use and violence among psychiatric inpatients
Authors: Stewart D. , Bowers L.
Published: March 2014

Accessible summary

Nursing staff on inpatient psychiatric wards often think that patient violence and aggression is caused by alcohol or illicit drug use.

This study reports on how frequently patients use alcohol or drugs and whether this is linked to incidents of violence and aggression.

There were relatively few incidents of substance use among the patients in the sample. There was no link between physical violence and substance use on wards, but there was an association with verbal aggression.

More research is needed to examine how nurses intervene when a patient has used alcohol or drugs.

Nursing staff on psychiatric wards often attribute patient violence and aggression to substance use. This study examined incidents of alcohol and illicit drug use among acute psychiatric inpatients and associations between substance use and violence or other forms of aggression. A sample of 522 adult psychiatric inpatients was recruited from 84 acute psychiatric wards in England. Data were collected from nursing and medical records for the first 2 weeks of admission. Only a small proportion of the sample was reported to have used or been under the influence of alcohol (5%) or drugs (3%). There was no physical violence during a shift when a patient had used alcohol or drugs. Substance using patients were also no more likely than others to behave violently at any point during the study period. However, incidents of substance use were sometimes followed by verbal aggression. Beliefs that substance using patients are likely to be violent were not supported by this study, and could impact negatively on therapeutic relationships between nurses and this patient group. Future studies are needed to examine how staff intervene and interact with intoxicated patients.
Increased micronuclei and nuclear abnormalities in buccal mucosa and oxidative damage in saliva from patients with chronic and aggressive periodontal diseases
Authors: Zamora‐Perez A. L. , Ortiz‐García Y. M. , Lazalde‐Ramos B. P. , Guerrero‐Velázquez C. , Gómez‐Meda B. C. , Ramírez‐Aguilar M. Á. , Zúñiga‐González G. M.
Published: March 2014

Background and Objective

Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection characterized by connective tissue breakdown and alveolar bone destruction because of inflammatory and immune response caused by periodontopathogens and long‐term release of reactive oxygen species. A high number of reactive oxygen species result in periodontal tissue damage through multiple mechanisms such as lipid peroxidation, protein denaturation and DNA damage. The aim of this study was to evaluate DNA and oxidative damage in subjects with chronic or aggressive periodontitis and healthy controls.

Material and Methods

Buccal mucosa cells and whole saliva were collected from 160 subjects, who were divided into three groups: subjects with chronic periodontitis (CP) (n = 58), subjects with aggressive periodontitis (AgP) (n = 42) and a control group (n = 60). DNA damage was determined by counting micronuclei (MN) and nuclear abnormalities (NAs) in exfoliated cells, including binucleated cells, cells with nuclear buds and karyolitic, karyorrhectic, condensed chromatin and pyknotic cells. The degree of oxidative stress was determined by quantifying 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG) in whole saliva.

Results

Subjects with CP or AgP presented significantly more ( p < 0.05) MN and NAs and higher levels of 8‐OHdG ( p < 0.05) compared with the control group.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that subjects with periodontitis (CP or AgP) exhibited an increase in the frequency of MN, NAs and 8‐OHdG, which is directly related to DNA damage. In addition, a positive correlation exists between oxidative stress produced by periodontitis disease and MN.
Melatonin in the oral cavity: physiological and pathological implications
Authors: Reiter R. J. , Rosales‐Corral S. A. , Liu X. Y. , Acuna‐Castroviejo D. , Escames G. , Tan D.‐X.
Published: March 2014

Background and Objectives

The purpose of this article was to summarize what is known about the function of melatonin in the oral cavity.

Material and Methods

Databases were searched for the relevant published literature to 30 November, 2013. The following search items were used in various combinations: melatonin, gingiva, periodontium, inflammation, herpes, alveolar bone, periodontal ligament, dental implants, xerostomia, methacrylate, chlorhexidine, cancer. The literature uncovered is summarized herein.

Results

Salivary melatonin levels exhibit a circadian rhythm with highest values at night. Melatonin has both receptor‐mediated and receptor‐independent actions in cells of the oral cavity. Melatonin is released into the saliva by the acinar cells of the major salivary glands and via the gingival fluid. Functions of melatonin in the oral cavity are likely to relate primarily to its anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant activities. These actions may suppress inflammation of the gingiva and periodontium, reduce alveolar bone loss, abrogate herpes lesions, enhance osteointegration of dental implants, limit oral cancer, and suppress disorders that have a free radical component. Sublingual melatonin tablets or oral melatonin sprays and topical melatonin‐containing gel, if used on a regular basis, may improve overall oral health and reduce mucosal lesions.

Conclusion

Collectively, the results indicate that endogenously‐produced and exogenously‐applied melatonin are beneficial to the oral cavity.