bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Local and systemic control of powdery mildew in eucalyptus using essential oils and decoctions from traditional Brazilian medicinal plants
Authors: da Silva A. C. , de Souza P. E. , de Resende M. L. V. , da Silva M. B. , Ribeiro P. M. , Zeviani W. M.
Published: December 2013

Eucalyptus plants cultivated in greenhouses, nurseries and clonal minigardens are vulnerable to attack of Oidium eucalypti (powdery mildew). Essential oils and decoctions prepared from the traditional Brazilian medicinal plants Aloysia gratissima, Cordia verbenacea and Hyptis marrubioides have been shown to be effective in the control of some plant diseases. In this study, the local and systemic effects of these preparations in the control of O. eucalypti were evaluated by assessing the progress of the disease in saplings of a highly susceptible hybrid population of eucalyptus (‘urocam’). The systemic effects were also assessed by investigating the ability of the preparations to induce disease resistance, as indicated by increased peroxidase activity. The natural products were found to be as effective as a commercial fungicide (mixture of pyraclostrobin and epoxiconazole) for the control of O. eucalypti in eucalyptus plants under greenhouse conditions. Additionally, the essential oil and decoction of A. gratissima were able to exert systemic control over O. eucalypti and induce peroxidase activity in Oidium‐inoculated plants. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the oils and decoctions from the three species exhibited direct fungitoxic activities on O. eucalypti as shown by lysis of hyphal walls and shrinking of conidia. The results presented herein suggest that oils and decoctions from A. gratissima, C. verbenacea and H. marrubioides may offer an effective, practical and ecofriendly strategy for the control of O. eucalypti in eucalyptus.
Wilt and die‐back of Eucalyptus spp. caused by Erwinia psidii in Brazil
Authors: Arriel D. A. A. , Fonseca N. R. , Guimarães L. M. S. , Hermenegildo P. S. , Mafia R. G. , Borges Júnior N. , de Souza H. P. , Alfenas A. C.
Published: December 2013

A new disease of unknown bacterial aetiology has been observed in eucalyptus stands since 2009. It is characterized by die‐back, wilting and lesions on the branches, petiole and midrib in association with macroscopic and microscopic bacterial ooze. To date, this disease has been observed in stands of clonal Eucalyptus saligna, E. grandis and E. urophylla x E. grandis hybrids and in E. dunnii seedling plantations in the states of São Paulo, Rio Grande do Sul and Mato Grosso do Sul. Considering the economic importance of eucalyptus plantations and the potential losses caused by this disease, this study aimed to identify and characterize the causal agent. Thirty‐four strains were obtained from infected plants, which were collected in the field from four locations. The inoculation of detached leaves and intact rooted cuttings supported pathogenicity in eucalyptus. The phylogenetic analysis of four housekeeping genes (16S rDNA, gapA, recA and rpoB) as well as biochemical tests confirmed the identity of strains belonging to the species Erwinia psidii. This is the first report of E. psidii as the cause of wilt and die‐back in Eucalyptus spp. in Brazil.
TUBB1 mutation disrupting microtubule assembly impairs proplatelet formation and results in congenital macrothrombocytopenia
Authors: Kunishima Shinji , Nishimura Satoshi , Suzuki Hidenori , Imaizumi Masue , Saito Hidehiko
Published: December 2013

This report describes a family with TUBB1‐associated macrothrombocytopenia diagnosed based on abnormal platelet β1‐tubulin distribution. A circumferential marginal microtubule band was undetectable, whereas microtubules were frayed and disorganized in every platelet from the affected individuals. Patients were heterozygous for novel TUBB1 p.F260S that locates at the α‐ and β‐tubulin intradimer interface. Mutant β1‐tubulin was not incorporated into microtubules with endogenous α‐tubulin, and α‐tubulin expression was decreased in transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells. Transduction of mutant β1‐tubulin into mouse fetal liver‐derived megakaryocytes demonstrated no incorporation of mutant β1‐tubulin into microtubules with endogenous α‐tubulin and diminished proplatelet formation, leading to the production of fewer, but larger, proplatelet tips. Furthermore, mutant β1‐tubulin was not associated with endogenous α‐tubulin in the proplatelets. Deficient functional microtubules might lead to defective proplatelet formation and abnormal protrusion‐like platelet release, resulting in congenital macrothrombocytopenia.
European springtime temperature synchronises ibex horn growth across the eastern Swiss Alps
Authors: Büntgen Ulf , Liebhold Andrew , Jenny Hannes , Mysterud Atle , Egli Simon , Nievergelt Daniel , Stenseth Nils C. , Bollmann Kurt
Published: December 2013

Direct effects of climate change on animal physiology, and indirect impacts from disruption of seasonal synchrony and breakdown of trophic interactions are particularly severe in Arctic and Alpine ecosystems. Unravelling biotic from abiotic drivers, however, remains challenging because high‐resolution animal population data are often limited in space and time. Here, we show that variation in annual horn growth (an indirect proxy for individual performance) of 8043 male Alpine ibex (Capra ibex) over the past four decades is well synchronised among eight disjunct colonies in the eastern Swiss Alps. Elevated March to May temperatures, causing premature melting of Alpine snowcover, earlier plant phenology and subsequent improvement of ibex food resources, fuelled annual horn growth. These results reveal dependency of local trophic interactions on large‐scale climate dynamics, and provide evidence that declining herbivore performance is not a universal response to global warming even for high‐altitude populations that are also harvested.
Influence of defective complete dentures renewal on TMD; an MRI and clinical controlled prospective study
Authors: Abdelnabi Mohamed H. , Swelem Amal A.
Published: December 2013

Background

The influence of complete denture occlusion on temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is controversial. Some studies found that defective occlusion contributes to the development of TMD, while others found no correlation.

Objective

This prospective controlled study evaluated the relationship between renewal of old defective complete dentures and TMD as evidenced both by clinical examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings.

Materials and Methods

The study included 25 complete denture patients with signs and symptoms of TMD and 21 asymptomatic controls. Clicking was a common finding in all symptomatic joints. All selected participants needed complete denture renewal. MRI and clinical assessment following research diagnostic criteria for TMD guidelines (RDC/TMD) were carried out at baseline and 2 years after new complete denture insertion. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, muscle pain, clicking and movement limitation were the assessed signs and symptoms. MRIs were conducted to evaluate the TMJs for disc displacement, disc morphology and joint effusion.

Results

Complete denture renewal significantly improved the signs and symptoms of TMD in symptomatic group (p < 0.01). Only in the symptomatic group, treatment resulted in a significant increase in joints displaying superior (normal) disc position (symptomatic p < 0.001; asymptomatic p = 0.157). New dentures did not affect disc morphology in both groups (p = 0.5 for both groups) but significantly reduced joint effusion in the symptomatic group (symptomatic p < 0.001; asymptomatic p = 0.5). Relationship between clinical and MRI findings was not one to one.

Conclusions

New complete dentures had a positive impact on TMD signs and symptoms, disc position and joint effusion but not on disc morphology.
Effects of episodic fluid flow on hydrocarbon migration in the Newport‐Inglewood Fault Zone, Southern California
Authors: Jung B. , Garven G. , Boles J. R.
Published: December 2013

Fault permeability may vary through time due to tectonic deformations, transients in pore pressure and effective stress, and mineralization associated with water‐rock reactions. Time‐varying permeability will affect subsurface fluid migration rates and patterns of petroleum accumulation in densely faulted sedimentary basins such as those associated with the borderland basins of Southern California. This study explores the petroleum fluid dynamics of this migration. As a multiphase flow and petroleum migration case study on the role of faults, computational models for both episodic and continuous hydrocarbon migration are constructed to investigate large‐scale fluid flow and petroleum accumulation along a northern section of the Newport‐Inglewood fault zone in the Los Angeles basin, Southern California. The numerical code solves the governing equations for oil, water, and heat transport in heterogeneous and anisotropic geologic cross sections but neglects flow in the third dimension for practical applications. Our numerical results suggest that fault permeability and fluid pressure fluctuations are crucial factors for distributing hydrocarbon accumulations associated with fault zones, and they also play important roles in controlling the geologic timing for reservoir filling. Episodic flow appears to enhance hydrocarbon accumulation more strongly by enabling stepwise build‐up in oil saturation in adjacent sedimentary formations due to temporally high pore pressure and high permeability caused by periodic fault rupture. Under assumptions that fault permeability fluctuate within the range of 1–1000 millidarcys (10−15–10−12 m2) and fault pressures fluctuate within 10–80% of overpressure ratio, the estimated oil volume in the Inglewood oil field (approximately 450 million barrels oil equivalent) can be accumulated in about 24 000 years, assuming a seismically induced fluid flow event occurs every 2000 years. This episodic petroleum migration model could be more geologically important than a continuous‐flow model, when considering the observed patterns of hydrocarbons and seismically active tectonic setting of the Los Angeles basin.
Detecting Small Groundwater Discharge Springs Using Handheld Thermal Infrared Imagery
Authors: Röper Tania , Greskowiak Janek , Massmann Gudrun
Published: December 2013

Ground‐based handheld thermal infrared imagery was used for the detection of small‐scale groundwater springs at the northwestern beach of Spiekeroog Island (northwest Germany). The surveys and in situ measurements of electric conductivity were carried out from shortly before to shortly after low tide along the low water line. Several brackish groundwater discharge springs with a diameter of 1–2 cm were observed along the beach at a distance of 2–3 m above the low water line. The high fresh water portion in the discharging water derives from the fresh water lens in the center of the island. During cold weather, the springs were identified by a significantly increased temperature (3–5 °C higher) and a lower electric conductivity (<10 mS/cm) in contrast to the surrounding sea water (1–2 °C, >30 mS/cm). During warmer weather conditions, an inverse temperature contrast was observed. The measurements confirm the applicability of thermal imagery for the detection of small‐scale groundwater discharge locations as an extension to the established method of aerial thermal scans and prove the existence of submarine groundwater seeps in porous systems. A ground‐based handheld thermal infrared imagery survey enables a precise installation of sampling devices as, for example, seepage meters.
Parents' experiences of living with a child with hydrocephalus: a cross‐sectional interview‐based study
Authors: Smith Joanna , Cheater Francine , Bekker Hilary
Published: December 2013

Background

Shunts, the main treatment for hydrocephalus, are problematic because they frequently malfunction. Detecting shunt malfunction is challenging because symptoms are similar to those of common childhood illnesses, particularly viral infections. Parents are responsible for identifying shunt malfunction and responding accordingly. Understanding parents' experiences has the potential to improve parent–professional collaboration and the management of the child's condition.

Aim

To explore parents' experiences of living with a child with hydrocephalus and their decisions when they suspect shunt malfunction.

Design and methods

A cross‐sectional interview‐based survey using qualitative methods was undertaken. Twenty‐five parents participated in the interviews. Framework approach underpinned data analysis.

Findings

Three concepts, ‘uncertainty’, ‘developing expertise’, and ‘a normal life’, were identified. These concepts were dynamic in nature as parents learned through experience, adapted to changes in their child's health status and made decisions about their needs. Uncertainty because of the unpredictability and life‐threatening nature of shunt malfunction dominated parents' accounts. Through experience, parents learned to differentiate between symptoms that suggested a shunt problem and those of other childhood illnesses, but perceived their expertise was not always valued by health professionals or used to inform clinical decisions. Decisions about where or when to seek advice related to prior experiences of health‐care services and minimizing disruption for the whole family.

Conclusion

Parents can recognize illness symptoms suggestive of shunt malfunction and want to collaborate with health professionals about the management of their child's condition. Collaboration with parents requires health professionals to listen to parents' concerns and value their experiences.
Patient participation in medication safety during an acute care admission
Authors: McTier Lauren , Botti Mari , Duke Maxine
Published: December 2013

Background

Patient participation in medication management during hospitalization is thought to reduce medication errors and, following discharge, improve adherence and therapeutic use of medications. There is, however, limited understanding of how patients participate in their medication management while hospitalized.

Objective

To explore patient participation in the context of medication management during a hospital admission for a cardiac surgical intervention of patients with cardiovascular disease.

Design

Single institution, case study design. The unit of analysis was a cardiothoracic ward of a major metropolitan, tertiary referral hospital in Melbourne, Australia. Multiple methods of data collection were used including pre‐admission and pre‐discharge patient interviews (n = 98), naturalistic observations (n = 48) and focus group interviews (n = 2).

Results

All patients had changes made to their pre‐operative cardiovascular medications as a consequence of surgery. More patients were able to list and state the purpose and side‐effects of their cardiovascular medications at pre‐admission than prior to discharge from hospital. There was very little evidence that nurses used opportunities such as medication administration times to engage patients in medication management during hospital admission.

Discussion and Conclusions

Failure to engage patients in medication management and provide opportunities for patients to learn about changes to their medications has implications for the quality and safety of care patients receive in hospital and when managing their medications once discharged. To increase the opportunity for patients to participate in medication management, a fundamental shift in the way nurses currently provide care is required.
Preparation of Porous Mullite Ceramics Using Fly Ash Cenosphere as a Pore‐Forming Agent by Gelcasting Process
Authors: Qian Haoran , Cheng Xudong , Zhang Heping , Zhang Ruifang , Wang Yonghong
Published: December 2013

Porous mullite ceramics were fabricated from an industrial grade mullite powder by gelcasting process using fly ash cenospheres (FAC) as a pore‐forming agent. The influence of content of FAC and sintering temperature on the density and strength was evaluated. The microstructure showed that FAC can act as a sintering aid and a pore‐forming agent. When the sintering temperature at 1200°C, porous mullite ceramics with a relatively high porosity (48.1–72.2%), low density (0.84–1.64 g/cm3), low thermal conductivity (0.16–0.22 W/m · K), and high compressive strength (6.21–14.70 MPa) have been obtained.
Social epistemics for analyzing longitudinal language learner development
Authors: Siegel Aki
Published: December 2013

Drawing on the notion of epistemic stance (Heritage 2013) and utilizing the analytical framework of Conversation Analysis, this study investigates the development of language learner identity from a longitudinal socio‐interactional perspective and suggests an alternative perspective in analyzing L2 development. English as a lingua‐franca interactions at a university dormitory in Japan were collected across 22 months between two participants with different L1s. Through the analysis of word search sequences, participants were found utilizing and managing claim of rights to the knowledge of language in constructing language expert or novice identities. Furthermore, these sequentially contingent positions were found negotiable and changeable, displaying learner identity and development as a co‐constructed phenomenon. This study suggests social epistemics and identity as a framework for analyzing language learner development.
Varying Coefficient Regression Models: A Review and New Developments
Authors: Park Byeong U. , Mammen Enno , Lee Young K. , Lee Eun Ryung
Published: December 2013

Varying coefficient regression models are known to be very useful tools for analysing the relation between a response and a group of covariates. Their structure and interpretability are similar to those for the traditional linear regression model, but they are more flexible because of the infinite dimensionality of the corresponding parameter spaces. The aims of this paper are to give an overview on the existing methodological and theoretical developments for varying coefficient models and to discuss their extensions with some new developments. The new developments enable us to use different amount of smoothing for estimating different component functions in the models. They are for a flexible form of varying coefficient models that requires smoothing across different covariates' spaces and are based on the smooth backfitting technique that is admitted as a powerful technique for fitting structural regression models and is also known to free us from the curse of dimensionality.
Educating reflective Enterprise Systems practitioners: a design research study of the iterative building of a teaching framework
Authors: Hustad Eli , Olsen Dag H.
Published: December 2013

This research paper reports on the iterative design of a teaching framework developed for teaching Enterprise Systems (ES) classes for Information Systems (IS) graduates. These systems embed technical complexity and create organizational challenges when implemented in organizations. Therefore, teaching good ES classes is pedagogically challenging for faculty, and ES curricula are difficult for students. We have gradually designed and rebuilt curricula and teaching frameworks over 8 years. This has also resulted in a set of eight design principles. We report from our design and evaluation process and present our final artefact, the teaching framework. The aim is to educate reflective practitioners with multiple ES skills, enabling them to tackle the complexities of ES implementation contexts. The framework has implications for IS educational research and practice and has some generic values that are transferable to other academic institutions and adaptable to other IS learning environments. Further, the study contributes to IS design research by extending its application area. The ES teaching framework is a specific contribution to IS teaching frameworks as a class of problems.
Underwriting Fees and Shareholder Rights
Authors: Lin Ji‐Chai , Ulupinar Bahar
Published: December 2013

Do firms’ governance provisions affect their terms of obtaining external financing? We hypothesize that it is more difficult for firms with more restrictions on shareholder rights to raise external equity, and that since analyst coverage is an important part of underwriting services, underwriters would use analyst recommendations to promote issuing firms with weaker shareholder rights more strongly and charge them higher underwriting fees. Consistent with our hypothesis, we find that analyst recommendations on issuing firms with weak shareholder rights increase more than those with strong shareholder rights prior to SEOs, and that underwriting spreads are positively related to issuing firms’ shareholder rights as proxied by the G‐index. Furthermore, the effect of shareholder rights on underwriting fees is largely contained in the six provisions in the E‐index.
Information Uncertainty, Earnings Management, and Long‐run Stock Performance Following Initial Public Offerings
Authors: Chen Sheng‐Syan , Lin Wen‐Chun , Chang Shao‐Chi , Lin Chih‐Yen
Published: December 2013

We examine how information uncertainty surrounding IPO (initial public offering) firms influences earnings management and long‐run stock performance. For low‐information‐uncertainty issuers, at‐issue earnings’ management is positively related to subsequent unmanaged earnings and has no relationship to market reaction to earnings announcement and long‐run stock performance following the offering. For high‐information‐uncertainty issuers, however, at‐issue earnings’ management is unrelated to subsequent unmanaged earnings and negatively related to market reaction to earnings announcement and long‐run stock performance following the offer. The evidence suggests that, on average, managers in low‐information‐uncertainty firms tend to engage in earnings’ management for informative purposes, while managers in high‐information‐uncertainty firms engage in earnings’ management for opportunistic purposes.
Does hepcidin play a role in the pathogenesis of aphthae in Behçet's disease and recurrent aphthous stomatitis?
Authors: Cicek D. , Dağlı A.F. , Aydin S. , Baskaya Dogan F. , Dertlioğlu S.B. , Uçak H. , Demir B.
Published: December 2013

Background

Aphthae constitute one of the major signs in Behçet's disease (BD) and recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). No scientific study has yet explored the relationship of hepcidins, which have antimicrobial effects, withRASandBD.

Objectives

In this study, we aimed to evaluate by immunohistochemistry whether hepcidin is synthesized by the salivary glands and to measure levels of prohepcidin and hepcidin (an antibacterial peptide) in the serum and saliva of patients withBDandRAS.

Methods

The study included 25BDpatients and 30RASpatients, as well as a control group comprising 25 healthy individuals. Serum and saliva samples were collected at the same time from all subjects. Levels of prohepcidin and hepcidin were measured byELISA. The presence of hepcidin in salivary glands was assessed by immunohistochemistry.

Results

Hepcidin was localized in the striated ducts of the sublingual and parotid glands. Saliva prohepcidin and hepcidin levels were correlated with blood levels. Saliva prohepcidin levels were found to be lower inRASpatients than inBDpatients and healthy controls (P < 0.001 andP = 0.007 respectively). In addition,RASpatients had lower saliva hepcidin levels than did the control group (P = 0.03).

Conclusions

The lower serum and saliva prohepcidin and hepcidin concentrations found inRASandBDpatients indicate that hepcidin may be involved in the aetiopathogenesis of these diseases. Because it can be obtained non‐invasively and easily, saliva may provide a useful alternative to serum in quantifying prohepcidin and hepcidin concentrations.
Fractional erbium: YAG laser‐assisted photodynamic therapy for facial actinic keratoses: a randomized, comparative, prospective study
Authors: Ko D.‐Y. , Jeon S.‐Y. , Kim K.‐H. , Song K.‐H.
Published: December 2013

Background

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) is effective for treating multiple actinic keratoses (AKs). Ablative fractional laser (FL) creates vertical channels that may facilitate MAL delivery and improve PDT response.

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of FL‐assisted PDT (FL‐PDT) in treating facial AKs in Korean patients.

Methods

A prospective randomized non‐blinded trial initially evaluated 271 facial AKs in 45 patients. All patients underwent one session of MAL‐PDT using a red light‐emitting diode lamp at 37 J/cm2, and 23 patients with 135 AK lesions were randomly assigned to pre‐treatment with a 2940‐nm ablative fractional erbium:Yag laser. Patients were followed up at 1, 2 and 4 weeks and every month until 6 and 12 months post‐treatment. Response, adverse events, cosmetic outcome and patient satisfaction were documented. Finally, a total of 236 facial AKs in 40 patients were enrolled and analysed in this study.

Results

FL‐PDT was significantly more effective than MAL‐PDT at treating all AK grades (86.9% vs. 61.2%; P < 0.001). The efficacy of FL‐PDT was most pronounced in treating Olsen grade III AKs (69.4% vs. 32.5%; P = 0.001). FL‐PDT also showed a lower lesion recurrence rate than MAL‐PDT (9.7% vs. 26.6%; P = 0.004). Excellent or good cosmetic outcome was reported in >90% cases. Erythema and hyperpigmentation intensities were higher in the FL‐PDT group (P > 0.05). Side‐effects were more frequent in the FL‐PDT group, but these were mild and well tolerated (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

FL‐PDT is effective for treating AKs, especially moderate‐to‐thick lesions.
Bioactive and Biomimetic Restorative Materials: A Comprehensive Review. Part II
Authors: Jefferies Steven
Published: December 2013

This second part (Part II) of a two‐part comprehensive review of bioactive and biomimetic restorative materials reviews the calcium aluminate‐based restorative dental materials. Part II explores the development, composition, properties, and application of the bioactive calcium aluminate‐based materials that have been developed for several indications in restorative dentistry.

Clinical Significance

Bioactive materials have evolved over the past three decades from relatively specialized, highly biocompatible, but low‐strength dental materials to now emerge in product compositions for expanded clinical uses in restorative dentistry. Further developments to meet additional restorative clinical needs are anticipated in the newly emerging category of dental materials.
Comparison between Clinical and Digital Soft Tissue Measurements
Authors: Schneider D. , Ender A. , Truninger T. , Leutert C. , Sahrmann P. , Roos M. , Schmidlin P.
Published: December 2013

Objective

The use of periodontal probes harbors the risk of measurement errors. The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy of the digital determination of gingival recession and papilla height on virtual jaw models, given the hypothesis that they show lower intrarater and interrater variability than conventional linear measurements taken clinically or on cast models.

Materials and Methods

Gingival recessions and papilla heights were measured at 30 sites by five examiners using the following methods: (A) direct measurements using a periodontal probe intraorally or (B) on cast models using a caliper, (C) digital measurements on virtual models obtained by optical scans taken intraorally, or (D) made of cast models using the same software. Measurements were repeated after 1 week and intraclass, intrarater, and interrater correlations of the measurements using the four different methods were analyzed.

Results

The greatest disagreement between the 1st and 2nd measurement was identified for method A. Recessions were less reliably measured than papillae. The best agreement between methods was found in the digital ones (C and D). Regarding papilla height, increased values were obtained when method D was applied as compared with both clinical evaluations. For gingival recession, method A measured the highest values.

Conclusion

In the present study, the use of digital technologies by intraoral scanning or scanning of cast models improved the reproducibility and lowered the variance of measurements within one individual and between different investigators.

Clinical Significance

Providing a more reliable and examiner‐independent technique for measurements of the soft tissue architecture could improve data quality in periodontal research and in the analysis of different clinical treatment modalities.
Global Cholas: Reworking Tradition and Modernity in Bolivian Lucha Libre
Authors: Haynes Nell
Published: December 2013

Este artículo examina las mujeres luchadoras en La Paz, Bolivia, y cómo éstas usan creativamente los supuestos por parte de los turistas de ser “tradicionales” y de que están actuando en eventos “exóticos.” Desde 2001, mujeres indígenas participan en la lucha libre —una forma de lucha procedente de México y los Estados Unidos. Sin embargo, los viajeros, a menudo, asumen que es una tradición porque las luchadoras se presentan con los trajes de las cholas vendedoras. En este artículo exploro cómo las luchadoras utilizan esas percepciones y la atención resultante de los medios de comunicación para reclamar identidades cosmopolitas. Con ello no solo mejoran su posición y ganan movilidad social, sino también se ven a sí mismas como representantes de las mujeres bolivianas ante un público global.
Mayan Calendrics in Movement in Guatemala: Mayan Spiritual Guides or Day‐keepers Understandings of 2012
Authors: Macleod Morna
Published: December 2013

Este artículo analiza la manera en que algunosajq'ijab’–guías espirituales o contadores del tiempo‐ en Guatemala, buscan entender el significado del año 2012,Oxlajuj B'aqtun(el decimotercerb'aqtun), rechazando lo que algunos llaman ‘las profecías mayas'. El artículo explora las maneras en que muchosajq'ijab'se adentran en las epistemologías e idiomas mayas. A partir de una reflexión sobre la historia oral y las prácticas comunitarias, estos estudian la epigrafía maya,al igual que textos históricos y académicos, para entender y orientarse por los calendarios mayas. De esta manera reflexionan, sobre el pasado para pensar en elutz k'aslemalo el buen vivir. Tras el conflicto armado y represión masiva que devastó las comunidades mayas, este proceso de revitalización pone en evidencia la manera en que muchos miembros del movimiento maya han retomado la cosmovisión maya de manera práctica para reconstruir su vida, cuestionar los paradigmas dominantes de desarrollo y buscar la transformación social.
Counseling Parents Who Are Considering Newborn Male Circumcision
Authors: Mielke Ruth T.
Published: December 2013

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently issued a statement that the health benefits of newborn male circumcision exceed the risks and therefore justify access to the procedure for families who choose it. Further, clinicians are charged with providing factually correct information that communicates the risks and benefits of elective newborn male circumcision in a nonbiased manner. However, many clinicians lack adequate information to discuss the risks and benefits of male circumcision. The purpose of this review is to highlight evidence on the risks and benefits of newborn male circumcision and provide clinicians with counseling points that can be used to guide discussion with parents considering newborn male circumcision.
OIL‐IMPREGNATED FLINT IN DANIAN CHALK IN THE TYRA FIELD, NORTH SEA CENTRAL GRABEN
Authors: Jakobsen F. , Lindgreen H. , Nytoft H.P.
Published: December 2013

A new model has recently been proposed for the formation of flint in Danian North Sea chalk, according to which nano‐quartz spheres crystallized in the marine water column and were then deposited and compacted, ultimately forming flint. This depositional origin implies that apparently massive flint blocks may have a porous structure. Internal flint porosity is supported by observations on an oil‐impregnated flint nodule recovered from the gas and oil zone in the Tyra field, well E‐5. Samples from the flint nodule have been investigated – the mineralogy by X‐ray diffraction and thermal analysis, and the structure by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and helium porosimetry. In addition, organic‐geochemical analyses of the hydrocarbons in the flint nodule were carried out. The structure of the flint, which is composed of nano‐size spheres, indicates that significant porosity related to micro‐sized pore spaces may be present. Measurements on the flint nodule using standard He‐porosimetry demonstrate a porosity of 16.5% which is of the same order of magnitude as that measured in the overlying chalk. The oil extracted from the nodule has a composition similar to that present in other reservoirs nearby. The presence of oil in the flint nodule examined suggests that the porous proto‐flint formed part of the reservoir section as both chalk and flint were filled simultaneously with hydrocarbons.
3D BASIN MODELLING IN THE CENTRAL PERSIAN GULF, OFFSHORE IRAN
Authors: Mohsenian E. , Fathi‐Mobarakabad A. , Sachsenhofer R. F. , Asadi‐Eskandar A.
Published: December 2013

In the Central Persian Gulf, super‐giant natural gas accumulations in Permo‐Triassic reservoirs are assumed to be derived from “hot shale” source rocks in the lower Llandoverian (base‐Silurian) Sarchahan Formation, whereas oil in Mesozoic reservoirs is derived from Mesozoic source rocks. A 3D basin model has been established for a study area located in the Iranian part of the Central Persian Gulf in order to help understand the petroleum systems there. Sensitivity analyses considered different heat flow scenarios, and differences in the timing of Cenozoic uplift and erosion. For the Palaeozoic petroleum system, different thicknesses and distributions of the Silurian source rocks were considered.

From current temperature profiles measured in five wells, present‐day heat flow was found to be in the order of 65 mW/m2, while palaeo heat flow was probably between 60 and 68 mW/m2 during Cenozoic maximum burial. For Llandoverian source rocks, oil and gas generation commenced during Jurassic and Late Cretaceous time respectively, and gas generation continued until the Neogene. Sensitivity analyses show that different assumptions on the timing of Cenozoic erosion do not have significant effects on the calculated timing of hydrocarbon generation or on the volume of generated hydrocarbons. As expected however, different heat flow scenarios (e.g. time‐constant heat flow of 65 mW/m2 in the entire study area) had a significant influence.

With an assumed 50 m thick Sarchahan “hot shale” succession developed uniformly in the study area (8 % TOC; 470 mg HC / g TOC HI), the model calculated gas accumulations which are of the same order of magnitude as those which have been discovered in this region (e.g. South Pars, Golshan and Balal fields). By contrast, scenarios with thinner “hot shales” and models without the Sarchahan Formation along the Qatar‐South Fars Arch do not predict the known accumulations. These scenarios suggest that prolific Silurian source rocks must be present on both sides of the South Pars / North Dome field, or that lateral gas migration from the south may have supplied the Permo‐Triassic reservoirs.

This study shows that the Jurassic (mainly Hanifa / Tuwaiq Mountain Formation) and Cretaceous (Shilaif Formation) source units are not sufficiently mature in the study area to have generated significant volumes of oil. This result supports previous suggestions which envisaged lateral migration from the south of the oil present in Mesozoic reservoirs in the study area.
Effects of 1,8-cineole on hypertension induced by chronic exposure to nicotine in rats
Authors: Moon Hea Kyung , Kang Purum , Lee Hui Su , Min Sun Seek , Seol Geun Hee
Published: December 2013

Objectives

The monoterpenic oxide 1,8-cineole is a major component of many essential oils. We investigated its effects on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and oxidative stress in rats chronically exposed to nicotine.

Methods

Male Sprague–Dawley rats (100–120 g) were intraperitoneally injected with 0.8 mg/kg/day nicotine for 21 days, followed by 3 mg/kg nicotine the next day. Rats were subsequently injected intraperitoneally with 0.01, 0.1 and 1 mg/kg 1,8-cineole, or 10 mg/kg nifedipine. SBP was measured using a tail cuff transducer, plasma nitrite concentration was measured colorimetrically, and plasma corticosterone concentration was measured by enzyme immunoassay.

Key findings

We found that 0.1 mg/kg 1,8-cineole significantly reduced SBP, and that 1.0 mg/kg 1,8-cineole significantly increased plasma nitrite concentrations, compared with rats chronically exposed to nicotine alone. Rats chronically exposed to nicotine showed a significant increase in lipid peroxidation levels, an elevation significantly antagonized by treatment with 0.01 mg/kg and 0.1 mg/kg 1,8-cineole. Chronic exposure to nicotine also significantly increased plasma corticosterone levels, but this effect was not diminished by treatment with 1,8-cineole.

Conclusions

These results indicate that 1,8-cineole may lower blood pressure, and that this antihypertensive effect may be associated with the regulation of nitric oxide and oxidative stress in rats chronically exposed to nicotine.
Long‐term entecavir therapy results in falls in serum hepatitis B surface antigen levels and seroclearance in nucleos(t)ide‐naïve chronic hepatitis B patients
Authors: Hara T. , Suzuki F. , Kawamura Y. , Sezaki H. , Hosaka T. , Akuta N. , Kobayashi M. , Suzuki Y. , Saitoh S. , Arase Y. , Ikeda K. , Kobayashi M. , Watahiki S. , Mineta R. , Kumada H.
Published: December 2013

Entecavir (ETV) is reported to result in suppression of hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV DNA) replication with minimal drug resistance. However, information on the long‐term effect of such therapy on serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) level and elimination of HBsAg is not available. ETV therapy was started in 553 nucleos(t)ide‐naïve patients with chronic hepatitis B infection (HBeAg positive: 45%) in our hospital. Serum HBsAg levels were measured serially by the Architect assay. The median baseline HBsAg was 2180 IU/mL (0.12–243 000 IU/mL), and median follow‐up period was 3.0 years, with 529, 475, 355, 247 and 163 patients followed‐up for 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years, respectively. At year 5, the mean log HBsAg decline from baseline was −0.48 log IU/mL, and the cumulative HBsAg clearance rate was 3.5%. Multivariate analysis identified HBV DNA level at baseline (<3.0 log copies IU/mL, odd ratio = 10.2; 95% confidence interval = 1.87–55.5, P = 0.007) and HBsAg level (<500 IU/mL, odd ratio = 29.4; 95% confidence interval = 2.80–333, P = 0.005) as independent predictors of HBsAg seroclearance. These results indicate that although serum HBsAg level declines gradually during ETV therapy, HBsAg seroclearance remains a rare event.
Fungal evolutionary genomics provides insight into the mechanisms of adaptive divergence in eukaryotes
Authors: Gladieux Pierre , Ropars Jeanne , Badouin Hélène , Branca Antoine , Aguileta Gabriela , de Vienne Damien M. , Rodríguez de la Vega Ricardo C. , Branco Sara , Giraud Tatiana
Published: December 2013

Fungi are ideal model organisms for dissecting the genomic bases of adaptive divergence in eukaryotes. They have simple morphologies and small genomes, occupy contrasting, well‐identified ecological niches and tend to have short generation times, and many are amenable to experimental approaches. Fungi also display diverse lifestyles, from saprotrophs to pathogens or mutualists, and they play extremely important roles in both ecosystems and human activities, as wood decayers, mycorrhizal fungi, lichens, endophytes, plant and animal pathogens, and in fermentation or drug production. We review here recent insights into the patterns and mechanisms of adaptive divergence in fungi, including sources of divergence, genomic variation and, ultimately, speciation. We outline the various ecological sources of divergent selection and genomic changes, showing that gene loss and changes in gene expression and in genomic architecture are important adaptation processes, in addition to the more widely recognized processes of amino acid substitution and gene duplication. We also review recent findings regarding the interspecific acquisition of genomic variation and suggesting an important role for introgression, hybridization and horizontal gene transfers (HGTs). We show that transposable elements can mediate several of these genomic changes, thus constituting important factors for adaptation. Finally, we review the consequences of divergent selection in terms of speciation, arguing that genetic incompatibilities may not be as widespread as generally thought and that pleiotropy between adaptation and reproductive isolation is an important route of speciation in fungal pathogens.
BUILDING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND PUBLIC SCHOLARSHIP INTO THE UNIVERSITY
Authors: Whiteford Linda , Strom Elizabeth
Published: December 2013

This article, as all of the articles included in this volume, focuses on how “community engagement” and “public scholarship” are being used by public universities to reshape their relations with the students attending the university, and with the communities and other partners with whom the university is engaged. Changing the rules of engagement is provocative and potentially problematic for each of the parties involved. For community partners it raises questions of power differentials, for faculty it raises fears of tenure and promotion confusion, for the university it means taking seriously the legitimate concerns of their neighboring communities, but for students it means real‐life, hands‐on experience with the generation of knowledge from nontraditional sources. That is why it is both exciting and is radicalizing what traditionally has been called “research.” The two authors (Whiteford and Strom) discuss how they employed their disciplinary tool kits (from practicing anthropology and political science), as well as their experience with and commitment to community engaged research to negotiate the sometimes rocky shoals of reducing academic barriers and moving a community‐based agenda forward.
Effect of levamisole supplementation on tetanus vaccination response rates in haemodialysis patients: A randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Fallahzadeh Mohammad Kazem , Sajjadi Sharareh , Singh Neeraj , Khajeh Masomeh , Sagheb Mohammad Mahdi
Published: December 2013

Levamisole as an immunomodulator drug has been demonstrated to improve the immune response to hepatitis B virus vaccination in haemodialysis patients. The aim of this randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial was to evaluate the effect of levamisole supplementation on tetanus‐diphtheria (Td) vaccine response rates in haemodialysis patients. Forty haemodialysis patients who had not received tetanus vaccination in a year before investigation and had unprotective anti‐tetanus immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels (<0.1 international unit/mL) were enrolled and randomized into two equal groups to receive one dose of intramuscular Td vaccine supplemented with either levamisole (100 mg) or placebo daily, for 6 days before and 6 days after vaccination. The anti‐tetanus IgG levels were measured 1 and 6 months after vaccination. One month post‐vaccination, four patients were excluded from the levamisole group and two from the placebo group because of either death or renal transplantation. At 1 month, 13 out of 16 (81%) patients in the levamisole group as compared with six out of 18 (33%) patients in the placebo group developed protective anti‐tetanus IgG levels (relative risk = 2.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.21, 4.88). From 1 to 6 months post‐vaccination, one more patient in the levamisole group and two more patients in the placebo group were excluded because of renal transplantation. At 6 months, 11 out of 15 (73%) patients in the levamisole group as compared with four out of 16 (25%) patients in the placebo group still had protective anti‐tetanus IgG levels (relative risk = 2.93, 95% CI = 1.19, 7.23). Supplementation of Td vaccination with levamisole may enhance seroconversion against tetanus in haemodialysis patients.
Is lead chelation therapy effective for chronic kidney disease? A meta‐analysis
Authors: Yang Shi‐kun , Xiao Li , Song Pan‐ai , Xu Xiao‐xuan , Liu Fu‐you , Sun Lin
Published: December 2013

The heavy metal lead (Pb) is a major environmental and occupational hazard. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a strong association between lead exposure and the presence of chronic kidney injury. Some studies have suggested that chelation therapy with calcium disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (calcium disodium EDTA) might help decrease the progression of chronic kidney disease among patients with measurable body lead burdens. However, calcium disodium EDTA chelation in lead exposure is controversial due to the potential for adverse effects such as acute tubular necrosis. Therefore, we investigated the available randomized controlled trials assessing the renoprotective effects of calcium disodium EDTA chelation therapy. Our meta‐analysis shows that calcium disodium EDTA chelation therapy can effectively delay the progression of chronic kidney disease in patients with measurable body lead burdens reflected by increasing the levels of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and creatinine clearance rate (Ccr). There appears to be no conclusive evidence that calcium disodium EDTA can decrease proteinuria.
The role of albuminuria as a non‐invasive marker for congestive acutely decompensated chronic heart failure and the spironolactone effect in elderly Portuguese: a non‐randomized trial
Authors: Ferreira João Pedro , Santos Mário , Almeida Sofia , Marques Irene , Bettencourt Paulo , Carvalho Henrique
Published: December 2013

Background/Objectives

Albuminuria is a robust, validated cardiovascular risk factor. It is a simple and widely available test that was shown to be a powerful and independent predictor of prognosis in chronic heart failure. Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists may reduce the acute and chronic harmful effects of mineralocorticoid receptor activation on the kidney. The objectives of the trial were to compare the effect of spironolactone versus standard acutely decompensated heart failure (ADHF) therapy on albuminuria and to investigate the role of albuminuria as a prognostic marker in patients with ADHF.

Methods

Secondary analysis of a prospective, interventional study including 100 patients with ADHF. Fifty patients were non‐randomly assigned to spironolactone 100 mg/day plus standard ADHF therapy (intervention group) or standard ADHF therapy alone (control group).

Results

Patients in control group were older, had higher creatinine and urea levels, and had higher proportion of microalbuminuria (all, P < 0.05). Paired comparison of baseline and day 3 log albuminuria within each group, showed a more pronounced decrease in the intervention group (1.79 ± 0.75 to 1.59 ± 0.67, P = 0.003 vs 1.89 ± 0.70 to 1.79 ± 0.74, P = 0.096). In addition, the proportion of patients with normoalbuminuria increased from baseline to day 3 in spironolactone group (20 (40%) to 27 (54%), P < 001), accordingly the number of patients in the micro and macroalbuminuria groups was reduced. Day 1 albuminuria was positively correlated with day 1 N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (0.260 [0.105–0.758], P = 0.009).

Conclusions

High‐dose spironolactone added to standard ADHF therapy is likely to induce a more pronounced albuminuria decrease and a significant reduction in the proportion of micro and macroalbuminuria.