bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The goals of young people in school‐based counselling and their achievement of these goals
Authors: Rupani Pooja , Cooper Mick , McArthur Katherine , Pybis Joanne , Cromarty Karen , Hill Andy , Levesley Ruth , Murdoch Jamie , Turner Nick
Published: August 2013

Background: Levels of goal agreement between therapists and adult clients have been shown to relate to therapeutic outcomes. Understanding clients' goals for therapy, therefore, is an important area of study. Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic goals that young people have in school‐based counselling, and the extent to which different types of goals are achieved. Method: The study is a post‐hoc analysis of data collected from two pilot randomised controlled trials (RCT) using the Goal Based Outcome (GBO) tool, in which 73 participants were allocated to either a counselling group or a waitlist control group. Thematic analysis was used to identify the main types of goals young people had; with descriptive quantitative analysis to identify the prevalence of these goals, and multi‐level analysis to identify whether some goals were attained to a greater extent than others. Results: The most frequent type of goals identified by young people related to increasing self‐confidence and self‐acceptance, followed by controlling or reducing anger, improving relationships with family, and increasing feelings of happiness. No significant relationship was found between the type of goal and the extent to which they were attained in counselling. Conclusion: Young people in counselling are particularly concerned with improving their self‐confidence, and this suggests a somewhat different focus to the counselling work than that which emerges from counsellors' reports of presenting and predominant issues. This suggests that school‐based counsellors should be mindful of clients' particular therapeutic goals.
In Vitro Screening of Chinese Medicinal Plants for Antifungal Activity against Saprolegnia sp. and Achlya klebsiana
Authors: Xue-Gang Hu , Lei Liu , Cheng Chi , Kun Hu , Xian-Le Yang , Gao-Xue Wang
Published: August 2013

Saprolegniasis is a common fungal disease in aquaculture, causing severe damage to cultured fishes. To find natural agents for controlling and treating saprolegniasis, we investigated methanol extracts of 40 traditional Chinese medicinal plants. Saprolegnia sp. strain JL and Achlya klebsiana were used to evaluate the antifungal activity of the plants. Cnidium monnieri, Magnolia officinalis, and Aucklandia lappa at a concentration of 62.5 mg/mL exhibited antifungal activity on Saprolegnia and Achlya klebsiana mycelium and were selected for further evaluation. The three plant species were extracted with four solvents (petroleum ether [PE], ethyl acetate, methanol, and water), and the extracts were evaluated with an in vitro bioassay using a rapeseed (Brassica napus) microplate method. Among the extracts tested, the PE extracts of the three plants exhibited the highest efficacy. The PE extract of A. lappa exhibited the best anti-Saprolegnia and anti-Achlya activities (50% effective concentrations = 11.3 and 26.1 mg/L, respectively), followed by C. monnieri and M. officinalis. Furthermore, the minimum fungicidal concentrations of PE extracts from the three herbs were identified as 25, 12.5, and 25 mg/L, respectively, against Saprolegnia spores and 25, 25, and 12.5 mg/L, respectively, against Achlya klebsiana spores. These findings demonstrate that the three traditional Chinese medicinal plants—A. lappa, C. monnieri, and M. officinalis—have the potential for use in developing a novel therapy to control saprolegniasis in aquaculture.
A unicity theorem for meromorphic maps of a complete Kähler manifold into ℙⁿ(ℂ) sharing hypersurfaces
Authors: Ru Min , Sogome Suraizou
Published: August 2013

In this paper, we give a unicity theorem for meromorphic maps of an

m
−

m-

dimensional complete Kähler manifold

M
M

, whose universal covering is a ball in

C

m

\mathbb {C}^m

, into

P

n

(

C

)

\mathbb {P}^n(\mathbb {C})

, sharing the hypersurfaces in general position in

P

n

(

C

)

\mathbb {P}^n(\mathbb {C})

, where the maps satisfy a certain growth condition.
Functional activity of RLIM/Rnf12 is regulated by phosphorylation-dependent nucleocytoplasmic shuttling
Authors: Jiao Baowei , Taniguchi-Ishigaki Naoko , Güngör Cenap , Peters Marvin A. , Chen Ya-Wen , Riethdorf Sabine , Drung Alexander , Ahronian Leanne G. , Shin JongDae , Pagnis Rachna , Pantel Klaus , Tachibana Taro , Lewis Brian C. , Johnsen Steven A. , Bach Ingolf
Published: August 2013

The X-linked gene Rnf12 encodes the ubiquitin ligase really interesting new gene (RING) finger LIM domain–interacting protein (RLIM)/RING finger protein 12 (Rnf12), which serves as a major sex-specific epigenetic regulator of female mouse nurturing tissues. Early during embryogenesis, RLIM/Rnf12 expressed from the maternal allele is crucial for the development of extraembryonic trophoblast cells. In contrast, in mammary glands of pregnant and lactating adult females RLIM/Rnf12 expressed from the paternal allele functions as a critical survival factor for milk-producing alveolar cells. Although RLIM/Rnf12 is detected mostly in the nucleus, little is known about how and in which cellular compartment(s) RLIM/Rnf12 mediates its biological functions. Here we demonstrate that RLIM/Rnf12 protein shuttles between nucleus and cytoplasm and this is regulated by phosphorylation of serine S214 located within its nuclear localization sequence. We show that shuttling is important for RLIM to exert its biological functions, as alveolar cell survival activity is inhibited in cells expressing shuttling-deficient nuclear or cytoplasmic RLIM/Rnf12. Thus regulated nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of RLIM/Rnf12 coordinates cellular compartments during mammary alveolar cell survival.
Dry-reagent-based PCR as a novel tool for the rapid detection of Clostridium spp.
Authors: Seise Barbara , Pollok Sibyll , Seyboldt Christian , Weber Karina
Published: August 2013

Improved conventional PCR techniques are required for the rapid on-site detection of human and animal diseases. In this context, a PCR method using dry-stored reagents intended for the detection of Clostridium spp. is presented. Basic PCR reagents (BSA, PCR buffer, MgCl2 and primers), which were dried on polyolefin matrices, showed stability at ambient temperatures for up to 10 months without any loss of functionality. An outstanding advantage of our amelioration is the elimination of PCR process errors caused by the improper storage and handling of liquid reagents. Moreover, our PCR-based amplification can be performed in less than 30 min, saving time compared with conventional detection methods. Thus, dry-reagent-based PCR is implementable in a suitcase-like modular device for the rapid on-site detection of microbial pathogens such as blackleg of ruminants caused by Clostridium chauvoei.
Dye Labeling Retinal Ganglion Cell Axons in Live Xenopus Tadpoles
Authors: Ruthazer Edward S. , Schohl Anne , Schwartz Neil , Tavakoli Aydin , Tremblay Marc , Cline Hollis T.
Published: August 2013

Individual neurons in the developing nervous system can be visualized by the targeted delivery of a fluorophore. In this article, we describe a method for introducing a fluorescent dye via iontophoresis into retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons in albino Xenopus laevis tadpoles. Iontophoresis is the enhanced permeation of molecules across biological membranes under the influence of an electrical field. Lipophilic dyes such as DiI are well suited to this method—being insoluble in the aqueous environment of the eye, they precipitate instantaneously, and only cells in contact with the dye crystal are labeled as the dye diffuses through the plasma membrane. A dissection stereomicroscope is used to allow a wide range of approach angles for the micropipette. The goal is to introduce a small bolus of dye into the neural retina where the ganglion cell somata are located and the axons course, with the expectation that it will be taken up by a small enough number of axons to allow individual cells to be distinguished. Because RGC axons will typically be imaged in the tectum far from the injection site, a relatively large injection can be made, increasing the probability of labeling axons without obscuring their visualization at the target. This approach is particularly useful under conditions in which it might be too difficult to perform juxtacellular electroporation because of limited visibility or access.
Bulk Electroporation of Retinal Ganglion Cells in Live Xenopus Tadpoles
Authors: Ruthazer Edward S. , Schohl Anne , Schwartz Neil , Tavakoli Aydin , Tremblay Marc , Cline Hollis T.
Published: August 2013

Individual neurons in the developing nervous system of Xenopus laevis can be visualized by the targeted delivery of a fluorophore. The fluorophore can be delivered as a fluorescent dye or DNA that encodes a fluorescent protein. Local iontophoresis is a method that works well for transfer of fluorescent dye to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in the eye, but it does not give a high yield for delivery of DNA. This is largely because the degree of pigmentation of the eyes, even in albino strains, makes it difficult to visualize RGC somata during pipette positioning. Bulk retinal electroporation is a better approach for delivery of plasmid DNA to RGC. The method described here works best in tadpoles older than stage 42.
PCR-Mediated Site-Directed Mutagenesis
Authors: Carey Michael F. , Peterson Craig L. , Smale Stephen T.
Published: August 2013

Unlike traditional site-directed mutagenesis, this protocol requires only a single PCR step using full plasmid amplification to generate point mutants. The method can introduce small mutations into promoter sites and is even better suited for introducing single or double mutations into proteins. It is elegant in its simplicity and can be applied quite easily in any laboratory using standard protein expression vectors and commercially available reagents.
Design of Fusion Proteins for Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation (BiFC)
Authors: Kerppola Tom K.
Published: August 2013

Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) analysis enables direct visualization of protein interactions in living cells. It is based on the facilitated association of two nonfluorescent fragments of a fluorescent protein fused to putative interaction partners. The intrinsic fluorescence of the active complex enables detection of protein interactions with high sensitivity, fine spatial resolution, and minimal perturbation of the cells. As discussed in more detail here, BiFC analysis requires careful consideration of the design and expression of the fusion proteins for the results to be interpretable.
ML3 Is a NEDD8- and Ubiquitin-Modified Protein
Authors: Hakenjos Jana P. , Bejai Sarosh , Ranftl Quirin , Behringer Carina , Vlot A. Corina , Absmanner Birgit , Hammes Ulrich , Heinzlmeir Stephanie , Kuster Bernhard , Schwechheimer Claus
Published: August 2013

NEDD8 (NEURAL PRECURSOR CELL-EXPRESSED, DEVELOPMENTALLY DOWN-REGULATED PROTEIN8) is an evolutionarily conserved 8-kD protein that is closely related to ubiquitin and that can be conjugated like ubiquitin to specific lysine residues of target proteins in eukaryotes. In contrast to ubiquitin, for which a broad range of substrate proteins are known, only a very limited number of NEDD8 target proteins have been identified to date. Best understood, and also evolutionarily conserved, is the NEDD8 modification (neddylation) of cullins, core subunits of the cullin-RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligases that promote the polyubiquitylation of degradation targets in eukaryotes. Here, we show that Myeloid differentiation factor-2-related lipid-recognition domain protein ML3 is an NEDD8- as well as ubiquitin-modified protein in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and examine the functional role of ML3 in the plant cell. Our analysis indicates that ML3 resides in the vacuole as well as in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) bodies. ER bodies are Brassicales-specific ER-derived organelles and, similar to other ER body proteins, ML3 orthologs can only be identified in this order of flowering plants. ML3 gene expression is promoted by wounding as well as by the phytohormone jasmonic acid and repressed by ethylene, signals that are known to induce and repress ER body formation, respectively. Furthermore, ML3 protein abundance is dependent on NAI1, a master regulator of ER body formation in Arabidopsis. The regulation of ML3 expression and the localization of ML3 in ER bodies and the vacuole is in agreement with a demonstrated importance of ML3 in the defense to herbivore attack. Here, we extend the spectrum of ML3 biological functions by demonstrating a role in the response to microbial pathogens.
Characterization of the Early Events Leading to Totipotency in an Arabidopsis Protoplast Liquid Culture by Temporal Transcript Profiling
Authors: Chupeau Marie-Christine , Granier Fabienne , Pichon Olivier , Renou Jean-Pierre , Gaudin Valérie , Chupeau Yves
Published: August 2013

The molecular mechanisms underlying plant cell totipotency are largely unknown. Here, we present a protocol for the efficient regeneration of plants from Arabidopsis thaliana protoplasts. The specific liquid medium used in our study leads to a high rate of reentry into the cell cycle of most cell types, providing a powerful system to study dedifferentiation/regeneration processes in independent somatic cells. To identify the early events in the establishment of totipotency, we monitored the genome-wide transcript profiles of plantlets and protoplast-derived cells (PdCs) during the first week of culture. Plant cells rapidly dedifferentiated. Then, we observed the reinitiation and reorientation of protein synthesis, accompanied by the reinitiation of cell division and de novo cell wall synthesis. Marked changes in the expression of chromatin-associated genes, especially of those in the histone variant family, were observed during protoplast culture. Surprisingly, the epigenetic status of PdCs and well-established cell cultures differed, with PdCs exhibiting rare reactivated transposons and epigenetic changes. The differentially expressed genes identified in this study are interesting candidates for investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying plant cell plasticity and totipotency. One of these genes, the plant-specific transcription factor ABERRANT LATERAL ROOT FORMATION4, is required for the initiation of protoplast division.
Bark traits and life‐history strategies of tropical dry‐ and moist forest trees
Authors: Poorter Lourens , McNeil Adam , Hurtado Victor‐Hugo , Prins Herbert H. T. , Putz Francis E.
Published: August 2013

Bark is crucial to trees because it protects their stems against fire and other hazards and because of its importance for assimilate transport, water relationships and repair. We evaluate size‐dependent changes in bark thickness for 50 woody species from a moist forest and 50 species from a dry forest in Bolivia and relate bark thickness to their other bark characteristics, species life‐history strategies and wood properties.

For 71% of the evaluated species, the allometric coefficient describing the relationship between bark thickness and stem diameter was significantly <1 (average 0·74; range 0·38–1·20), indicating that species attain an absolute increase in bark thickness with increasing stem diameter but invest relatively less in bark thickness at larger diameters.

We hypothesized that in response to more frequent fires, dry‐forest species should have thicker barked trees. Contrary to this prediction, dry‐ and moist‐forest tree species were similar in allometric bark coefficients and bark thickness.

In both forest types, about 50% of the species never developed bark thick enough to avoid fire damage to their vascular cambia. Recent increases in fire frequency and extent may therefore have potentially large effects on the composition of these forests.

Within each forest, coexisting species displayed a diversity of bark investment strategies, and bark thickness of trees 40 cm stem diameter varied up to 15‐fold across species (ranging from 1·7 to 25·7 mm).

In both forests, sapling bark thickness was positively related to adult stature (maximum height) of the species, possibly because trees of long‐lived species are more likely to experience fire during their life span, whereas for species that are characteristically small or short‐lived, it may not pay off to invest heavily in bark and they may follow a resprouter strategy instead. Sapling bark thickness was not related to species' shade tolerance.

Bark and wood traits were closely associated, showing a trade‐off between species with tough tissues (high densities of bark and wood) on the one hand vs. species with watery tissues (high water contents of bark and wood) and thick bark on the other hand.

Species with different bark investment strategies coexist in both the moist and the dry tropical forest studied. Bark and wood fulfil many functions, and the observed trade‐offs may reflect different plant strategies to deal with fire, avoidance and repair of stem damage, avoidance and resistance of drought stress, and mechanical stability.
Correlates of tree species sorting along a temperature gradient in New Zealand rain forests: seedling functional traits, growth and shade tolerance
Authors: Lusk Christopher H. , Kaneko Teruko , Grierson Ella , Clearwater Michael
Published: August 2013

It is widely believed that species sorting on environmental gradients reflects trade‐offs between competitive ability and physiological tolerance of stresses such as frost and desiccation. One specific expression of this general idea is the hypothesis that tree species sorting on temperature gradients in temperate regions involves a trade‐off between growth rate and frost resistance, because adaptations to frost reduce light interception and carbon gain potential.

We measured seedling growth of 17 New Zealand rain forest angiosperm trees in a glasshouse, as well as biomass partitioning, gas exchange and hydraulic traits. We then related these variables to the mean July (winter) minimum temperatures most frequently experienced throughout the range of each species.

Species associated with mild winters on average had wider vessels and more conductive stems and were leafier (i.e. developed more foliage area per unit sapwood area) than species from frostier sites. Species' positions on the temperature gradient were not significantly correlated with relative growth rates of seedlings; they were, however, negatively correlated with two measures of species light requirements in the field: the light compensation point for growth, and low‐light mortality rates obtained from the literature.

Synthesis. Although seedling growth rates of warm‐ and cool‐temperate New Zealand angiosperm trees were similar on average, the former are more shade tolerant. Competitive hierarchies associated with tree species sorting on temperature gradients thus probably involve a shift in the relationship between shade tolerance and growth rate, rather than a simple trade‐off of growth with cold tolerance. This shift is associated with variation in light interception potential per unit of seedling biomass, possibly reflecting a trade‐off between stem conductivity and resistance to freeze‐thaw embolism.
Inhibition of DNA methylation attenuates low‐dose cadmium‐induced cardiac contractile and intracellular Ca2+ anomalies
Authors: Turdi Subat , Sun Weixia , Tan Yi , Yang Xiaohui , Cai Lu , Ren Jun
Published: August 2013

Cadmium is a human carcinogen with unfavourable health impacts probably associated with its DNA methylation property. Recent data suggest that environmental cadmium exposure is associated with the incidence of myocardial infarction and peripheral arterial disease. Nonetheless, the effect of chronic cadmium exposure on cardiac contractile function remains unknown.

The present study was designed to examine the impact of low‐dose cadmium exposure on cardiac contractile function and intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis. Adult male mice were exposed to cadmium for 4 weeks (20 nmol/kg, i.p. every other day for 4 weeks) with or without the DNA methylation inhibitor 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxyctidene (5‐AZA; 0.25 mg/kg, i.p., twice a week for 6 weeks, starting at the same time as cadmium administration). Cardiac contractile and intracellular Ca2+ properties were analysed, including echocardiographic left ventricular parameters, fractional shortening (FS), peak shortening (PS) amplitude, maximal velocity of shortening/relengthening (±dL/dt), time to PS (TPS), time to 90% relengthening (TR90), electrically stimulated increases in intracellular Ca2+ and intracellular Ca2+ decay.

Cadmium exposure depressed FS, PS, ±dL/dt and electrically stimulated increases in intracellular Ca2+ without affecting TPS, TR90, intracellular Ca2+ levels or the decay rate. The effects of cadmium were significantly attenuated (PS) or blocked altogether (all other parameters) by 5‐AZA. Cadmium exposure led to overt interstitial fibrosis (collagen deposition), which was mitigated by 5‐AZA treatment. Western blot analysis revealed that cadmium exposure and/or 5‐AZA treatment had no effect on the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule‐1, tumour necrosis factor‐α and cleaved caspase 3, suggesting a relatively minor role of proinflammatory cytokines and apoptosis in the cardiac responses to cadmium and 5‐AZA.

Together, our data demonstrate, for the first time, direct cardiac depressant effects following cadmium exposure, which may be rescued by inhibition of DNA methylation.
Colpoda secrete viable Listeria monocytogenes within faecal pellets
Authors: Raghu Nadhanan Rethish , Thomas Connor J.
Published: August 2013

Transmission electron microscopy was used to demonstrate that co‐cultures of the ciliate Colpoda RR (an environmental isolate) and Colpoda MLS‐5 (a food processing environment isolate) with the pathogenic Listeria monocytogenes DRDC8 resulted in secretion of faecal pellets containing intact DRDC8 cells. A green fluorescent protein expressing variant of DRDC8 was used in co‐cultures to confirm that the pellet‐associated bacterial cells were L. monocytogenes. Viability was confirmed by plate counts, and assay of microbial respiratory activity‐proved DRDC8 cells present within faecal pellets was metabolically active. Following treatment of faecal pellets secreted by Colpoda RR and MLS‐5 with gentamycin and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), no loss of viability of the pellet‐located DRDC8 cells was observed, indicating that faecal pellet encapsulated DRDC8 cells are resistant to biocidal agents. This work suggests that Colpoda‐derived faecal pellets may provide a mechanism for transmission of L. monocytogenes and other pathogenic bacteria. Furthermore, bacteria encapsulated by faecal pellets may be resistant to disinfectants and cleaning agents used in food manufacturing and preparation facilities.
The Trojan Horse of the microbiological arms race: phage‐encoded toxins as a defence against eukaryotic predators
Authors: Arnold Jason W. , Koudelka Gerald B.
Published: August 2013

Phage‐encoded Shiga toxin (Stx) acts as a bacterial defence against the eukaryotic predator Tetrahymena. To function as an effective bacterial anti‐predator defence, Stx must kill a broad spectrum of predators. Consistent with that assertion, we show here that bacterially encoded Stx efficiently kills the bacteriovore Acanthamoeba castellanii in co‐culture. We also show that, in addition to Stx, the phage‐encoded exotoxin, diphtheria toxin (Dtx) expressed by Corynebacterium diphtheriae also can function as part of an anti‐predator strategy; it kills Acanthamoeba in co‐culture. Interestingly, only exotoxins produced by bacteria internalized by the Acanthamoeba predator are cytolethal; the presence of purified Dtx or Stx in culture medium has no effect on predator viability. This finding is consistent with our results indicating that intoxication of Acanthamoeba by these exotoxins does not require a receptor. Thus bacteria, in the disguise of a food source, function as a ‘Trojan Horse’, carrying genes encoding an exotoxin into target organisms. This ‘Trojan Horse’ mechanism of exotoxin delivery into predator cells allows intoxication of predators that lack a cell surface receptor for the particular toxin, allowing bacteria‐bearing exotoxins to kill a broader spectrum of predators, increasing the fitness of the otherwise ‘defenceless’ prey bacteria.
Extracellular membrane vesicles harbouring viral genomes
Authors: Gaudin Marie , Krupovic Mart , Marguet Evelyne , Gauliard Emilie , Cvirkaite‐Krupovic Virginija , Le Cam Eric , Oberto Jacques , Forterre Patrick
Published: August 2013

Cells from the three domains of life produce extracellular membrane vesicles (MVs), suggesting that MV production is a fundamental aspect of cellular physiology. We have recently shown that MVs produced by the hyperthermophilic archaeon Thermococcus kodakaraensis can be used as vehicles to transfer exogenous recombinant plasmid DNA from cell to cell. Here, we show that Thermococcus nautilus, which harbours three plasmids, pTN1, pTN2 and pTN3, produces MVs, and that some of them selectively incorporate pTN1 and pTN3. Interestingly, pTN3 represents the genome of a defective virus, which encodes signature proteins common to a large group of viruses infecting hosts from all three cellular domains. However, preparations of MVs produced by T. nautilus have a protein composition similar to that of classical MVs from Thermococcales and do not contain the viral major capsid protein encoded by pTN3. Our results suggest that MVs can serve as vehicles for the intercellular transport of viral genomes and facilitate recombination between viral, plasmid and/or cellular chromosomes in the absence of viral infection.
Do school based anti‐smoking campaigns delivered by oral health therapists work?
Authors: Matias MA , Steindl SR , Plonka KA , Pukkallus M , Palmer J , Holcombe T , Seymour GJ , Marshall RI
Published: August 2013

Background

The dental profession has a pivotal role in cancer prevention. In Queensland, oral health therapists (OHTs) are in a unique position to provide quality smoking cessation programmes and intervention strategies to young adolescents through the school based oral health services they provide.

Methods

This study undertook a smoking cessation and prevention programme targeted to female high school students in a dental setting. An oral health therapist delivered an anti‐smoking message and educated adolescents of the health‐risk effects of smoking.

Results

A total of 1217 female students were recruited with 621 (51%) in the intervention group and 596 (49%) in the control group. There was a significant improvement in the knowledge of both systemic and oral health effects of smoking in the intervention group (p < 0.04). The results of the study demonstrated that the dental setting is an effective avenue for educating young individuals on smoking related conditions.

Conclusions

A smoking cessation and prevention programme targeted to female high school students in a dental setting provides a novel means of delivering an anti‐smoking message and educating adolescents of the health‐risk effects of smoking.
Cephalometric evaluation of mandibular advancement at different horizontal jaw positions in obstructive sleep apnoea patients: a pilot study
Authors: Rashmikant US , Chand P , Singh SV , Singh RD , Arya D , Kant S , Agarwal SP
Published: August 2013

Background

The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate the efficacy of the mandibular advancement device (MAD) at 50% (P2) and 75% (P3) of maximum mandibular advancement, relative to maximum intercuspation (P1) subjectively and objectively.

Methods

Eighteen subjects previously diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) were selected for the study. ESS score, VAS score, soft palate angle, MP‐H distance, S‐H distance, aC4‐H distance, aPu‐pPu distance and total pharyngeal area were calculated at P1, P2 and P3 positions with the help of an adjustable MAD. The results were statistically analysed.

Results

ESS score, VAS score, soft palate angle, MP‐H distance, S‐H distance and radius of curvature of airway at P2 and P3 were significantly lower compared to P1, but there was no significant difference between P2 and P3.

Conclusions

The MAD produced significant improvement in objective signs and subjective symptoms at both 50% and 75% of the maximum mandibular protrusion positions at comparable comfort levels. Therefore, MAD may be given at 50% of maximum advancement in order to reduce dental or temporomandibular joint disturbances.
Correlation between the severity of periodontitis and coronary artery stenosis in a Chinese population
Authors: Yang J , Feng L , Ren J , Wu G , Chen S , Zhou Q , Du Z , Zhang S , Hu C , Wu X , Ling L
Published: August 2013

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the severity of periodontitis and the extent and degree of coronary artery stenosis in a Chinese population.

Methods

Patients (n = 853) with coronary artery stenosis confirmed by coronary angiography were eligible to take part in the study. Only subjects that were ≥60 years old, had ≥50% stenosis in at least one coronary artery, and did not have diabetes or a history of smoking were included (n = 115). After periodontal examination, including bleeding index, probing depth calculus index, plaque index and periodontal attachment loss, four groups were defined based on the severity of periodontitis: no periodontitis/gingivitis (M0, n = 19); mild periodontitis (M1, n = 27); moderate periodontitis (M2, n = 31); and severe periodontitis (M3, n = 38). The extent and degree of coronary artery stenosis was obtained by calculating the Gensini score (GS).

Results

The GS was significantly greater in the M3 group compared with the M0 group. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that probing depth and plaque index were significantly correlated with the GS.

Conclusions

The extent and severity of coronary artery stenosis in Chinese patients ≥60 years old is positively correlated with the severity of periodontitis.
Intrauterine Administration of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) Improves Endometrial Receptivity in Mice with Embryonic Implantation Dysfunction
Authors: Yu Nan , Yang Jing , Guo Yue , Fang Jianye , Yin Tailang , Luo Jing , Li Xing , Li Wei , Zhao Qinghong , Zou Yujie , Xu Wangming
Published: August 2013

Objective

Intrauterine administration of autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) activated by HCG in vitro is reported to improve implantation rates in patients with repeated failure of IVF‐ET. In this article, the impact of intrauterine administration of PBMCs on embryo implantation, pregnancy rate and the underlying mechanisms will be investigated.

Methods

Pregnant mice were randomly divided into three groups, including control group; embryo implantation dysfunction (EID) group; EID with PBMCs group. Uterine horns were excised to determine the number of pregnant mice and implantation sites on the Day 7.5 postcoitum. The expression levels of LIF and VEGF during the implantation window were detected with immunohistochemistry and Real Time‐PCR analysis.

Results

Embryo implantation dysfunction model group showed a significant decrease in pregnancy rate, implantation sites and the expression of both the endometrial LIF and VEGF during the implantation window. EID with PBMCs group showed a higher pregnancy rate and endometrial LIF and VEGF expression compared to EID group.

Conclusion

Intrauterine administration of mouse PBMCs derived from unpregnant mice prior to embryo implant has a good influence on endometrial receptivity and embryonic implantation in EID mice.
EP4 and EP2 Receptor Activation of Protein Kinase A by Prostaglandin E2 Impairs Macrophage Phagocytosis of Clostridium sordellii
Authors: Rogers Lisa M. , Thelen Tennille , Fordyce Krystle , Bourdonnay Emilie , Lewis Casey , Yu Han , Zhang Junyong , Xie Jingli , Serezani Carlos H. , Peters‐Golden Marc , Aronoff David M.
Published: August 2013

Problem

Clostridium sordellii causes endometrial infections, but little is known regarding host defenses against this pathogen.

Method of study

We tested the hypothesis that the immunoregulatory lipid prostaglandin (PG) E2 suppresses human macrophage clearance of C. sordellii through receptor‐induced increases in intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). The THP‐1 macrophage cell line was used to quantify C. sordellii phagocytosis.

Results

PGE2 increased cAMP levels, activated protein kinase A (PKA), and inhibited the class A scavenger receptor‐dependent phagocytosis of C. sordellii. Activation of the EP2 and EP4 receptors increased intracellular cAMP and inhibited phagocytosis, with evidence favoring a more important role for EP4 over EP2. This was supported by EP receptor expression data and the use of pharmacological receptor antagonists. In addition, the PKA isoform RI appeared to be more important than RII in mediating the suppression of ingestion of C. sordellii.

Conclusion

The endogenous lipid mediator PGE2 impairs human innate immune responses against C. sordellii.
Regional anaesthesia and patients with abnormalities of coagulation
Authors:   Membership of the Working Party:, Harrop‐Griffiths W. , Cook T. , Gill H. , Hill D. , Ingram M. , Makris M. , Malhotra S. , Nicholls B. , Popat M. , Swales H. , Wood P.
Published: August 2013

Concise guidelines are presented that relate abnormalities of coagulation, whether the result of the administration of drugs or that of pathological processes, to the consequent haemorrhagic risks associated with neuraxial and peripheral nerve blocks. The advice presented is based on published guidelines and on the known properties of anticoagulant drugs. Four separate Tables address risks associated with anticoagulant drugs, neuraxial and peripheral nerve blocks, obstetric anaesthesia and special circumstances such as trauma, sepsis and massive transfusion.
Amygdala and whole‐brain activity to emotional faces distinguishes major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder
Authors: Fournier Jay C , Keener Matthew T , Almeida Jorge , Kronhaus Dina M , Phillips Mary L
Published: August 2013

Objectives

It can be clinically difficult to distinguish depressed individuals with bipolar disorder (BD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). To examine potential biomarkers of difference between the two disorders, the current study examined differences in the functioning of emotion‐processing neural regions during a dynamic emotional faces task.

Methods

During functional magnetic resonance imaging, healthy control adults (HC) (n = 29) and depressed adults with MDD (n = 30) and BD (n = 22) performed an implicit emotional‐faces task in which they identified a color label superimposed on neutral faces that dynamically morphed into one of four emotional faces (angry, fearful, sad, happy). We compared neural activation between the groups in an amygdala region‐of‐interest and at the whole‐brain level.

Results

Adults with MDD showed significantly greater activity than adults with BD in the left amygdala to the anger condition (p = 0.01). Results of whole‐brain analyses (at p < 0.005, k ≥ 20) revealed that adults with BD showed greater activity to sad faces in temporoparietal regions, primarily in the left hemisphere, whereas individuals with MDD demonstrated greater activity than those with BD to displays of anger, fear, and happiness. Many of the observed BD–MDD differences represented abnormalities in functioning compared to HC.

Conclusions

We observed a dissociation between depressed adults with BD and MDD in the processing of emerging emotional faces. Those with BD showed greater activity during mood‐congruent (i.e., sad) faces, whereas those with MDD showed greater activity for mood‐incongruent (i.e., fear, anger, and happy) faces. Such findings may reflect markers of differences between BD and MDD depression in underlying pathophysiological processes.
Stress in telephone helpline nurses is associated with failures of concentration, attention and memory, and with more conservative referral decisions
Authors: Allan Julia L. , Farquharson Barbara , Johnston Derek W. , Jones Martyn C. , Choudhary Carolyn J. , Johnston Marie
Published: August 2013

Nurses working for telephone‐based medical helplines must maintain attentional focus while quickly and accurately processing information given by callers to make safe and appropriate treatment decisions. In this study, both higher levels of general occupational stress and elevated stress levels on particular shifts were associated with more frequent failures of attention, memory, and concentration in telephone nurses. Exposure to a stressful shift was also associated with a measurable increase in objectively assessed information‐processing errors. Nurses who experienced more frequent cognitive failures at work made more conservative decisions, tending to refer patients on to other health professionals more often than other nurses. As stress is associated with cognitive performance decrements in telephone nursing, stress‐reduction interventions could improve the quality and safety of care that callers to medical helplines receive.
Health‐related quality of life in kidney transplant patients with diabetes
Authors: Dukes Jonathan L. , Seelam Susmitha , Lentine Krista L. , Schnitzler Mark A. , Neri Luca
Published: August 2013

Objective

We sought to assess the disutility associated with diabetes in the kidney transplant population.

Methods

We enrolled 233 kidney transplant recipients age 18–74 from a Midwestern hospital outpatient department. Recipients with multiple or multi‐organ transplants, those with laboratory evidence that suggests acute cellular damage (creatinine‐kinase > 200 U/L), or a diagnosis of acute renal failure or acute rejection were excluded from the analysis (n = 33). Participants health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) were evaluated using the Euro‐QoL‐5 Dimension (EQ‐5D), Health Utility Index Mark III (HUI‐III), and the Short Form‐6D (SF‐6D), which was calculated from the generic section (SF‐12) of the Kidney Disease Quality of Life 36 (KDQOL‐36). We estimated health utilities associated with diabetes using general linear modeling after adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical characteristics.

Results

The adjusted health disutilities associated with diabetes were clinically and statistically significant: EQ‐5D (Δ = 0.05; p < 0.01), HUI‐III (Δ = 0.09; p < 0.01), and SF‐6D (Δ = 0.04, p < 0.01). There was no difference between diabetic patients with good glycemic control (mean serum glucose <126 mg/dL in the three months prior to enrollment) and patients with poor glycemic control.

Conclusions

Among kidney transplant patients between the ages of 18–74, non‐diabetics have significantly higher HRQOL scores on the EQ‐5D, HUI‐III, and SF‐6D compared with patients with diabetes.
Development of the Performance of the Upper Limb module for Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Mayhew Anna , Mazzone Elena S , Eagle Michelle , Duong Tina , Ash Maria , Decostre Valerie , Vandenhauwe Marlene , Klingels Katrijn , Florence Julaine , Main Marion , Bianco Flaviana , Henrikson Erik , Servais Laurent , Campion Giles , Vroom Elizabeth , Ricotti Valeria , Goemans Natalie , Mcdonald Craig , Mercuri Eugenio ,   Performance of the Upper Limb (PUL) working group
Published: August 2013

Aim

An international Clinical Outcomes Group consisting of clinicians, scientists, patient advocacy groups, and industries identified a need for a scale to measure motor performance of the upper limb. We report the steps leading to the development of the Performance of the Upper Limb (PUL), a tool specifically designed for assessing upper limb function in ambulant and non‐ambulant patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

Method

The development of the PUL followed a number of steps, from the systematic review and a preliminary study exploring the suitability of the existing measures, to the application of a pilot version in a multicentric setting, with Rasch analysis of the preliminary results, leading to a revised pro forma.

Results

The PUL was specifically designed for DMD, with a conceptual framework reflecting the progression of weakness and natural history of functional decline in DMD. Modern psychometric methods were used to create a scale with robust internal reliability, validity, and hierarchical scalability; males with DMD and their families were involved iteratively throughout the process of the clinician‐reported outcome assessment tool development to establish clinical meaningfulness and relevance of individual PUL items to activities of daily living.

Interpretation

The module was developed using innovative approaches and will be useful for designing clinical trials.
Lex Sportiva: A Playground for Transnational Law
Authors: Duval Antoine
Published: August 2013

This article tackles the emergence of transnational law under the pressure of globalisation. It argues that lex sportiva, the law of international sport, is a fruitful research object in order to address three key questions raised by transnational law: What is transnational law? Is transnational law legitimate? How do we deal with transnational legal pluralism? We will address each of these questions separately, complementing each time a general analysis with empirical examples drawn from the field of lex sportiva. In our view, there is a pressing need for empirical work and pragmatic description of legal phenomena reaching beyond the state. Hence, we suggest lex sportiva as a suitable playground for transnational lawyers.
Microblogs and the Adaptation of the Chinese Party‐State's Governance Strategy
Authors: Noesselt Nele
Published: August 2013

The Chinese party‐state is currently adapting its governance strategy. The recent debate in China on the role of microblogs in the governance process, as documented in the reports issued by Chinese research institutes and advisory bodies, illustrates the efforts being undertaken by China's political elites to integrate microblogs into their new public management strategy. Mass protests and large‐scale online criticism—voiced via microblogs—directly threaten the regime's survival. As a consequence, legitimacy is no longer regarded as being inherent, but as something that has instead to be permanently regained and reaffirmed. To increase the system's efficiency and to generate a new kind of symbolic legitimacy, China's political elites tend to base the political decision‐making process on strategic calculations intended to be reflective of public online opinion. The turn toward a more responsive way of governing by the Chinese party‐state demonstrates once more the adaptability of authoritarian one‐party states in the digital era.
Haemophilia Experiences, Results and Opportunities (HERO) Study: survey methodology and population demographics
Authors: Forsyth A. L. , Gregory M. , Nugent D. , Garrido C. , Pilgaard T. , Cooper D. L. , Iorio A.
Published: August 2013

Psychosocial factors have a significant impact on the quality of life of persons with haemophilia (PWH). The Haemophilia Experiences, Results and Opportunities (HERO) initiative was developed to provide a greater understanding of the psychological components which influence the lives of PWH. This article describes the HERO methodology and the characteristics of respondents. Two online surveys (one for adult PWH ≥18 years and one for parents of children <18 years with haemophilia) were developed by an international advisory board and conducted in 10 countries. The surveys included demographic and treatment characteristics, relationships, sexual intimacy, quality of life, barriers to treatment and sources of information. A total of 675 PWH [age, median (range) 36 (18–86 years)] and 561 parents [39 (23–68 years)] completed the survey. PWH/parents reported haemophilia A (74%/76%), B (13%/16%) or with inhibitors (13%/8%). Spontaneous joint bleeding was reported in 76%/52% of PWH/children with haemophilia A, 67%/47% with haemophilia B and 93%/76% with inhibitors. Median number of bleeds (interquartile range) was 7 (2–20) for PWH and 4 (2–10) for children in the past year. Most PWH and children were treated with factor concentrate. PWH reported arthritis (49%) and HIV/HCV infections (18%/43%) related to haemophilia. Most PWH and parent respondents had received formal education (85%/89%) and were employed full‐ or part‐time (60%/72%). HERO is one of the largest multinational studies focused on psychosocial issues in haemophilia, including historical and treatment information that will allow for multivariate analyses of determinants of health in haemophilia.
Therapeutic and prophylactic ethanol lock therapy in patients with bleeding disorders
Authors: Rajpurkar M. , McGrath E. , Joyce J. , Boldt‐MacDonald K. , Chitlur M. , Lusher J.
Published: August 2013

Obtaining a reliable venous access is a limiting factor for early initiation of clotting factor prophylaxis and immune tolerance induction. To circumvent this issue, central venous access devices (CVADs) are increasingly being used. Catheter‐related infections (CRIs) remain the primary complication of insertion of CVAD. Thus, newer strategies for treatment and prevention of CRI are needed. Ethanol lock therapy (ELT) has been used to treat and prevent CRI in non‐bleeding disorder patients. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of ELT in treating and preventing CRI in bleeding disorder patients. The medical charts of patients with bleeding disorders who underwent ELT for antimicrobial resistant CRIs were reviewed and data were analysed. ELT was effective in catheter salvage in 87% of patients with antimicrobial resistant CRI by a wide variety of pathogens. Prophylactic therapy with ethanol lock was associated with catheter dysfunction especially in mediports. ELT should be considered prior to removal of catheters in bleeding disorder patients with resistant CRIs. Further studies are needed for using prophylactic ethanol lock in prevention of CRIs in bleeding disorder patients.
Efficacy and safety using autotransfusion system with postoperative shed blood following total knee arthroplasty in haemophilia
Authors: Kang D. G. , Khurana S. , Baek J. H. , Park Y. S. , Lee S. H. , Kim K. I.
Published: August 2013

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of postoperative wound drain salvage and autotransfusion system in haemophilic patients undergoing elective total knee arthroplasty (TKA). No literature exists on reinfusing drained blood in patient with haemophilia undergoing TKA. Eighty‐eight knees of 66 patients received cemented TKA due to end‐stage haemophilic arthropathy (group I; with autotransfusion in 59 knees, group II; without autotransfusion in 29 knees). In group I, the postoperative shed blood was transfused within 6 h after surgery. The amount of blood drainage and reinfused blood, rate and amount of allogenic transfusion, postoperative change of haemoglobin level, prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time were analysed. The mean postoperative blood drainage was 932 ± 479 mL in group I and 830 ± 492 mL in group II (P > 0.05). The mean volume of blood reinfused was 530 ± 265 mL in group I. Allogenic transfusion was needed in six knees (10.2%) of group I and eight knees (27.6%) of group II (P = 0.036). The mean volume of allogenic transfusion was 480 ± 49 mL in group I and 1041 ± 691 mL in group II (P > 0.05). Changes of all the laboratory results before and after TKA showed no statistically significant difference except PT was prolonged in group I (P = 0.008) at postoperative day 1. Moreover, there was no significant complication related to either reinfusion or allogenic transfusion in both groups. This study showed that reinfusion of drained blood is a simple, safe and efficacious method in patients with haemophilia undergoing TKA.