bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phenological matching across hemispheres in a long‐distance migratory bird
Authors: Renfrew Rosalind B. , Kim Daniel , Perlut Noah , Smith Joseph , Fox James , Marra Peter P.
Published: March 2013

Aim

In the Northern Hemisphere, bird migration from the tropic to the temperate zone in spring is thought to proceed at a rate determined in large part by local phenology. In contrast, little is understood about where birds go or the factors that determine why they move or where they stop during the post‐breeding period.

Location

Study sites were in Oregon, Nebraska and Vermont, and location data we collected extend south to Argentina.

Methods

We deployed light‐level geolocators on individual Bobolinks from three populations across the breeding range and compare their southbound movement phenology to austral greening as indicated by the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index.

Results

Bobolinks from all breeding populations synchronously arrived and remained for up to several weeks in two sequential, small non‐breeding areas that were separated by thousands of kilometres, before staging for pre‐alternate moult. Similar to the migration patterns of birds to northern breeding areas, movements into the Southern Hemisphere corresponded to increasing primary productivity.

Main conclusions

Our findings suggest that the Bobolink's southbound migration is broadly constrained by resource availability, and its non‐breeding distribution has been shaped by the seasonal phenology of grasslands in both time and space. This is the first documentation of individual birds from across a continental breeding range exhibiting phenological matching during their post‐breeding southward migration. Known conservation threats overlap temporally and spatially with large concentrations of Bobolinks, and should be closely examined. We emphasize the need to consider how individuals move and interact with their environment throughout their annual cycle and over hemispheric scales.
Currency Crises and the Labour Share
Authors: Maarek Paul , Orgiazzi Elsa
Published: March 2013

This paper analyses the impact of currency crises on the labour share and identifies two main types of channel: within‐ and across‐sector effects. First crises erode the bargaining power of workers so that within sectors, crises lower the labour share. Nevertheless, structural changes occurring during currency crises may change the aggregate level of the labour share if sectors differ in their capital intensities. We perform estimations on manufacturing sectoral panel data for 20 countries. We conclude that currency crises lower the aggregate manufacturing labour share by around 2 percentage points, and that this decline reflects mostly changes within manufacturing subsectors.
Spatiotemporal SNP analysis reveals pronounced biocomplexity at the northern range margin of Atlantic cod Gadus morhua
Authors: Therkildsen Nina Overgaard , Hemmer‐Hansen Jakob , Hedeholm Rasmus Berg , Wisz Mary S. , Pampoulie Christophe , Meldrup Dorte , Bonanomi Sara , Retzel Anja , Olsen Steffen Malskær , Nielsen Einar Eg
Published: March 2013

Accurate prediction of species distribution shifts in the face of climate change requires a sound understanding of population diversity and local adaptations. Previous modeling has suggested that global warming will lead to increased abundance of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in the ocean around Greenland, but the dynamics of earlier abundance fluctuations are not well understood. We applied a retrospective spatiotemporal population genomics approach to examine the temporal stability of cod population structure in this region and to search for signatures of divergent selection over a 78‐year period spanning major demographic changes. Analyzing >900 gene‐associated single nucleotide polymorphisms in 847 individuals, we identified four genetically distinct groups that exhibited varying spatial distributions with considerable overlap and mixture. The genetic composition had remained stable over decades at some spawning grounds, whereas complete population replacement was evident at others. Observations of elevated differentiation in certain genomic regions are consistent with adaptive divergence between the groups, indicating that they may respond differently to environmental variation. Significantly increased temporal changes at a subset of loci also suggest that adaptation may be ongoing. These findings illustrate the power of spatiotemporal population genomics for revealing biocomplexity in both space and time and for informing future fisheries management and conservation efforts.
Lumican is increased in experimental and clinical heart failure, and its production by cardiac fibroblasts is induced by mechanical and proinflammatory stimuli
Authors: Engebretsen Kristin V. T. , Lunde Ida G. , Strand Mari E. , Waehre Anne , Sjaastad Ivar , Marstein Henriette S. , Skrbic Biljana , Dahl Christen P. , Askevold Erik T. , Christensen Geir , Bjørnstad Johannes L. , Tønnessen Theis
Published: March 2013

During progression to heart failure (HF), myocardial extracellular matrix (ECM) alterations and tissue inflammation are central. Lumican is an ECM‐localized proteoglycan associated with inflammatory conditions and known to bind collagens. We hypothesized that lumican plays a role in the dynamic alterations in cardiac ECM during development of HF. Thus, we examined left ventricular cardiac lumican in a mouse model of pressure overload and in HF patients, and investigated expression, regulation and effects of increased lumican in cardiac fibroblasts. After 4 weeks of aortic banding, mice were divided into groups of hypertrophy (AB) and HF (ABHF) based on lung weight and left atrial diameter. Sham‐operated mice were used as controls. Accordingly, cardiac lumican mRNA and protein levels were increased in mice with ABHF. Similarly, cardiac biopsies from patients with end‐stage HF revealed increased lumican mRNA and protein levels compared with control hearts. In vitro, mechanical stretch and the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin‐1β increased lumican mRNA as well as secreted lumican protein from cardiac fibroblasts. Stimulation with recombinant glycosylated lumican increased collagen type I alpha 2, lysyl oxidase and transforming growth factor‐β1 mRNA, which was attenuated by costimulation with an inhibitor of the proinflammatory transcription factor NFκB. Furthermore, lumican increased the levels of the dimeric form of collagen type I, decreased the activity of the collagen‐degrading enzyme matrix metalloproteinase‐9 and increased the phosphorylation of fibrosis‐inducing SMAD3. In conclusion, cardiac lumican is increased in experimental and clinical HF. Inflammation and mechanical stimuli induce lumican production by cardiac fibroblasts and increased lumican altered molecules important for cardiac remodeling and fibrosis in cardiac fibroblasts, indicating a role in HF development.
In situ decarboxylation of acetic and formic acids in aqueous inclusions as a possible way to produce excess CH4
Authors: Ong A. , Pironon J. , Robert P. , Dubessy J. , Caumon M.‐C. , Randi A. , Chailan O. , Girard J.‐P.
Published: March 2013

Accurate reconstruction of diagenetic P‐T conditions in petroleum reservoirs from fluid inclusion data relies on valid measurements of methane concentration in aqueous inclusions. Techniques have been developed (Raman spectrometry) to provide sufficiently accurate data, assuming measured methane concentration has not been modified after aqueous inclusion entrapment. This study investigates the likelihood that organic acids derived from petroleum fluids and dissolved in formation water might suffer decarboxylation upon postentrapment heating within the fluid inclusion chamber, thereby generating excess CH4 in the inclusions. Four different experiments were conducted in fused silica capillary capsules (FSCCs), mimicking fluid inclusions. The capsules were loaded with acetic (CH3COOH) or formic (HCOOH) acid solution and were heated to 250°C for short durations (<72 h) in closed‐system conditions, with or without applying a fixed PH2. Reaction products were characterized by Raman and FT‐IR spectrometry. Results indicate that decarboxylation reactions did take place, at variable degrees of progress, and that measurable excess CH4 was produced in one experiment using acetic acid. This suggests that methane may be produced from dissolved organic acids in natural aqueous inclusions in specific situations, possibly inducing errors in the thermodynamic interpretation.
Fibre digestion potential in sugarcane across the harvesting window
Authors: Daniel J. L. P. , Capelesso A. , Cabezas‐Garcia E. H. , Zopollatto M. , Santos M. C. , Huhtanen P. , Nussio L. G.
Published: March 2013

The objectives of this study were to determine the proportion of indigestible neutral detergent fibre (iNDF) in the neutral detergent fibre (NDF) fraction of sugarcane, to estimate changes in NDF digestibility (NDFD) during the harvesting window and to predict sugarcane digestibility based on its fibre fractions. Whole plants of the IAC86‐2480 and IAC93‐3046 varieties were collected during the harvesting windows in 2007 and 2009, respectively. The in vitro true dry matter digestibility (IVTDMD) and fibre contents (NDF, iNDF, acid detergent fibre) were determined by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS). The NDFD and potentially digestible NDF digestibility (pdNDFD) were estimated, and the fractional digestion rate of pdNDF was calculated. There was no relationship between growing days and iNDF as a proportion of NDF (P = 0·28) or with the fractional digestion rate of pdNDF (P = 0·30). Therefore, NDFD (mean = 335 g kg−1) and pdNDFD (mean = 657 g kg−1) remained almost constant during the harvesting window (P = 0·70 and P = 0·32 respectively). Acid detergent fibre and NDF were the best predictors of sugarcane dry matter (DM) digestibility. In conclusion, NDFD seems to be unchanged during crop growth. The point at which to harvest sugarcane as a forage source should therefore be decided based on NDF concentration, which is greatly influenced by sucrose accumulation.
Estimating theoretical radiation‐use efficiency for kale crops
Authors: Chakwizira E. , de Ruiter J. M. , Fletcher A. L. , Meenken E. D.
Published: March 2013

Establishing the radiation‐use efficiency (RUE) of forage brassica crops will aid our understanding of their photosynthetic performance. The concept of RUE has been developed for cereals and legumes, but there is limited information for forage brassica crops. Three experiments defining the influence of different sowing dates on ‘Gruner’ kale (Brassica oleracea acephala L.) dry matter production were conducted at Hastings (Hawkes Bay) and Lincoln (Canterbury) in New Zealand between 2002 and 2009. These trials were also evaluated for radiation interception and RUE. Delayed sowing increased RUE in two out of three experiments across sites: from 1·93 g MJ−1 photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) for December‐sown crops to 2·72 g MJ−1 PAR (P < 0·001) for January‐sown crops at Hastings and from 1·50 for September‐sown crops to 2·00 g MJ−1 PAR (P < 0·001) for November‐sown crops at Lincoln. The different sowing dates and years of experimentation provided a range of mean temperatures (from 13 to 16°C) during the vegetative period. Across years and sowing dates, RUE was strongly correlated with mean temperature (R2 = 0·81) and sowing date (R2 = 0·64), but weakly correlated with season length (R2 = 0·11) and dry matter (R2 = 0·002). There was also a strong correlation (R2 = 0·83) between sowing date and mean temperature. The increase in RUE with delayed sowing was therefore mainly attributed to increased mean temperatures. Radiation‐use efficiency increased at about 0·41 g MJ−1 for each 1°C increase from 13 to 16°C.
Composition, characterisation and analysis of seed oil of Suaeda salsa L
Authors: Xu Baoguo , Zhang Min , Xing Chaohong , Mothibe Kebitsamang Joseph , Zhu Chengpei
Published: March 2013

Awareness of vegetable oils being beneficial for health has attracted researchers in exploring different vegetable oils. In this study, Suaeda salsa L. seed oil was extracted and characterised. The yield of S. salsa L. seed oil was 25.99%. Acidity, iodine number, saponification number, peroxide value and unsaponifiable matter were used to assess seed oil quality. Melting point and melting enthalpy were found to be −35.75 °C and 26.39 J g−1, respectively, from differential scanning calorimeter‐melting curves. Fatty acid and triacylglycerol composition of this oil was analysed by GC‐MS and HPLC‐MS, respectively. The main fatty acid in S. salsa L. seed oil is Linoleic (65.03%), and the dominant triacylglycerols (TAGs) were LLL and OLL. The oil was found to have high amounts of α‐tocopherol (36.72 mg 100 g−1) and β‐tocopherol (34.76 mg 100 g−1). All the results suggest that S. salsa L. seed oil may have potential applications in relating industries.
Minor histocompatibility antigens as determinants for graft‐versus‐host disease after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Turpeinen H. , Ojala P. J. , Ojala K. , Miettinen M. , Volin L. , Partanen J.
Published: March 2013

Minor histocompatibility antigens (minor H antigens) are genetically polymorphic peptides that have been shown to elicit immune response when mismatched between donor and recipient of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Depending on the expression profiles, mismatches in these genes may either lead to harmful graft‐versus‐host (GvH) reaction or desired graft‐versus‐leukaemia (GvL) effect. We analysed retrospectively the effect of HLA‐restricted matching 11 established autosomal minor H antigens on the risk of graft‐versus‐host disease and relapse in 311 HLA‐matched sibling HSCT of a single centre. Increased incidence of chronic GvH disease was shown to be associated with mismatches in the HA‐8 and ACC‐1. The mRNA expression profiles in a large set of healthy and malignant tissue samples of minor H antigen genes demonstrated in silico that the expression profiles of HA‐8 and ACC‐1 were surprisingly different: HA‐8 gene was expressed in practically all tissues, whereas ACC‐1 gene had a restricted profile. The results demonstrated that mismatches in minor H antigens HA‐8 and ACC‐1 predisposed to chronic graft‐versus‐host disease (GvHD).
A moment in time: emergency nurses and the Canterbury earthquakes
Authors: Richardson S. , Ardagh M. , Grainger P. , Robinson V.
Published: March 2013

Aim

To outline the impact of the Canterbury, New Zealand (NZ) earthquakes on Christchurch Hospital, and the experiences of emergency nurses during this time.

Background

NZ has experienced earthquakes and aftershocks centred in the Canterbury region of the South Island. The location of these, around and within the major city of Christchurch, was unexpected and associated with previously unknown fault lines. While the highest magnitude quake occurred in September 2010, registering 7.1 on the Richter scale, it was the magnitude 6.3 event on 22 February 2011 which was associated with the greatest injury burden and loss of life. Staff working in the only emergency department in the city were faced with an external emergency while also being directly affected as part of the disaster.

Sources of Evidence

This paper developed following interviews with nurses who worked during this period, and draws on literature related to healthcare responses to earthquakes and natural disasters. The establishment of an injury database allowed for an accurate picture to emerge of the injury burden, and each of the authors was present and worked in a clinical capacity during the earthquake.

Discussion

Nurses played a significant role in the response to the earthquakes and its aftermath. However, little is known regarding the impact of this, either in personal or professional terms. This paper presents an overview of the earthquakes and experiences of nurses working during this time, identifying a range of issues that will benefit from further exploration and research. It seeks to provide a sense of the experiences and the potential meanings that were derived from being part of this ‘moment in time’.

Conclusion

Examples of innovations in practice emerged during the earthquake response and a number of recommendations for nursing practice are identified.
Doctor? Who? Nurses, patient's best interests and treatment withdrawal: when no doctor is available, should nurses withdraw treatment from patients?
Authors: Birchley Giles
Published: March 2013

Where a decision has been made to stop futile treatment of critically ill patients on an intensive care unit – what is termed withdrawal of treatment in the UK – yet no doctor is available to perform the actions of withdrawal, nurses may be called upon to perform key tasks. In this paper I present two moral justifications for this activity by offering answers to two major questions. One is to ask if it can be in patients' best interests for nurses to be the key actors in withdrawal of life‐sustaining treatment. The other is to ask if there is any reason that the nursing profession should not undertake such tasks if this is so. Both these questions require the resolution of weighty moral and philosophical issues. Thus, while offering a serious attempt to provide moral justifications for nurses undertaking withdrawal, this paper also invites debate over both the aim of task division between nurses and doctors, and how we might decide what is in the best interests of patients.
Intelligence, Wellbeing and Procreative Beneficence
Authors: Carter J. Adam , Gordon Emma C.
Published: March 2013

If Savulescu's (2001, 2009) controversial principle of Procreative Beneficence (PB) is correct, then an important implication is that couples should employ genetic tests for non‐disease traits in selecting which child to bring into existence. Both defenders as well as some critics of this normative entailment of PB have typically accepted the comparatively less controversial claim about non‐disease traits: that there are non‐disease traits such that testing and selecting for them would in fact contribute to bringing about the child who is expected to have the best life. We challenge this less controversial claim, not by arguing deductively for its falsity, but by showing that Savulescu's central argument for this presumably less controversial claim fails. Savulescu offers intelligence as the paradigm example of a testable non‐disease trait such that testing and selecting for it would increase the likelihood that the child selected would be the one who is expected to have the best life (or at least as good a life as the others). We provide a series of arguments aimed at demonstrating that Savulescu's argument from intelligence fails. If our arguments are successful, the upshot is not that PB is false, but more modestly, that the burden of proof remains squarely with Savulescu.
Why ‘Nonexistent People’ Do Not Have Zero Wellbeing but No Wellbeing at All
Authors: Herstein Ori J.
Published: March 2013

Some believe that the harm or benefit of existence is assessed by comparing a person's actual state of wellbeing with the level of wellbeing they would have had had they never existed. This approach relies on ascribing a state or level of wellbeing to ‘nonexistent people’, which seems a peculiar practice: how can we attribute wellbeing to a ‘nonexistent person'? To explain away this oddity, some have argued that because no properties of wellbeing can be attributed to ‘nonexistent people’ such people may be ascribed a neutral or zero level of wellbeing, setting the baseline for comparatively assessing the harm or benefit of coming into existence. However, this line of argumentation conflates the category of having zero wellbeing with the category of having no wellbeing. No Φ, unlike a zero level of Φ, is not comparable to levels of Φ — neutral, positive, or negative. Considering the nature of wellbeing and the fact that ‘nonexistent people’ cannot (metaphysically or conceptually) have wellbeing determinative properties, it follows that ‘nonexistent people’ have no wellbeing rather than zero wellbeing.
Lead Thrombi Associated with Externalized Cables on Riata ICD Leads: A Case Series
Authors: GOYAL SANDEEP K. , ELLIS CHRISTOPHER R. , ROTTMAN JEFFERY N. , WHALEN S. PATRICK
Published: March 2013

Thrombi on Riata ICD Leads

St. Jude Riata family ICD leads are subject to an FDA class I recall due to insulation failure, cable extrusions, and a high rate of electrical failures. We present multiple cases of large intravascular thrombus formation adherent to externalized conductor cables on Riata leads. Our observations highlight a previously unknown risk of large or calcified thrombus formation involving externalized conductors. We suggest that these leads should be screened for thrombi prior to potential lead extraction to determine the safest approach. Serial echocardiography may help detect progressive thrombus formation. The role of systemic anticoagulation for prevention or treatment of these thrombi remains unclear.
Percutaneous Stellate Ganglion Block Suppressing VT and VF in a Patient Refractory to VT Ablation
Authors: HAYASE JUSTIN , PATEL JIGAR , NARAYAN SANJIV M. , KRUMMEN DAVID E.
Published: March 2013

Percutaneous Stellate Ganglion Block Suppressing VT and VF

Introduction

Electrical storm is a condition characterized by multiple episodes of ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF) in a short period of time.

Case Presentation

An 80‐year‐old male with a history of ischemic cardiomyopathy presented with multiple ICD shocks. As a last resort, he underwent percutaneous left, followed by right, stellate ganglion block under fluoroscopic guidance. Since his discharge, he has been managed with alternating, biweekly left and right stellate ganglion blocks, and he has received no ICD shocks.

Discussion

This case illustrates the potential of ongoing, temporary percutaneous stellate ganglion blockade in suppressing ventricular arrhythmogenesis.
Catheter Ablation of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Previous Amiodarone‐Induced Hyperthyroidism: A Case–Control Study
Authors: MIKHAYLOV EVGENY N. , ORSHANSKAYA VIKTORYA S. , LEBEDEV ALEXANDER D. , SZILI‐TOROK TAMAS , LEBEDEV DMITRY S.
Published: March 2013

Hyperthyroidism and AF Ablation

Introduction

Many patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) receive amiodarone. Amiodarone‐induced hyperthyroidism (AIH) may develop as a complication. We hypothesized that pulmonary vein (PV) isolation in patients with paroxysmal AF and history of AIH may yield a lower success rate.

Methods and Results

Among 704 patients who underwent AF ablation in our center between 2007 and 2010, we identified 20 patients (mean age 58.3 ± 5.0 years; 11 males) with paroxysmal AF and overt AIH in the past. The control group consisted of 40 patients with amiodarone‐refractory AF and no thyroid dysfunction. All patients underwent circumferential PV isolation. During redo procedures all tachycardias were targeted for ablation. During a 12‐month follow‐up, in the AIH group 6 (30%) patients were arrhythmia free after a single procedure, in comparison to 25 (62.5%) controls (P = 0.01). Atrial tachycardia (AT) was registered in 7 (35%) AIH patients and in 1 (2.5%) control patient (P = 0.001). AF recurred in 10 (50%) AIH versus 15 (37.5%) control patients (P = 0.2). Redo ablation was performed in 7 (35%) AIH patients and in 3 (7.5%) non‐AIH patients (P = 0.01). During a redo procedure a PV‐unrelated tachycardia was diagnosed in 5 (25%) AIH patients (vs 0 in the controls, P = 0.003). After the last performed ablation, 12 (60%) AIH patients and 28 (70%) controls had no recurrence, P = 0.56. AIH was an independent predictor of ATs.

Conclusion

PV isolation alone has a lower efficacy for preventing recurrence in paroxysmal AF in AIH patients. After repeat ablations, overall freedom from tachyarrhythmias is similar to patients with no history of thyroid dysfunction.
HDAC4/5‐HMGB1 signalling mediated by NADPH oxidase activity contributes to cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion injury
Authors: He Min , Zhang Bin , Wei Xinbing , Wang Ziying , Fan Baoxia , Du Pengchao , Zhang Yan , Jian Wencheng , Chen Lin , Wang Linlin , Fang Hao , Li Xiang , Wang Ping‐An , Yi Fan
Published: March 2013

Histone deacetylases (HDACs)‐mediated epigenetic mechanisms play critical roles in the homeostasis of histone acetylation and gene transcription. HDAC inhibitors have displayed neuroprotective properties in animal models for various neurological diseases including Alzheimer's disease and ischaemic stroke. However, some studies have also reported that HDAC enzymes exert protective effects in several pathological conditions including ischaemic stress. The mixed results indicate the specific roles of each HDAC protein in different diseased states. However, the subtypes of HDACs associated with ischaemic stroke keep unclear. Therefore, in this study, we used an in vivo middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model and in vitro cell cultures by the model of oxygen glucose deprivation to investigate the expression patterns of HDACs and explore the roles of individual HDACs in ischaemic stroke. Our results showed that inhibition of NADPH oxidase activity ameliorated cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and among Zn2+‐dependent HDACs, HDAC4 and HDAC5 were significantly decreased both in vivo and in vitro, which can be reversed by NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin. We further found that both HDAC4 and HDAC5 increased cell viability through inhibition of HMGB1, a central mediator of tissue damage following acute injury, expression and release in PC12 cells. Our results for the first time provide evidence that NADPH oxidase‐mediated HDAC4 and HDAC5 expression contributes to cerebral ischaemia injury via HMGB1 signalling pathway, suggesting that it is important to elucidate the role of individual HDACs within the brain, and the development of HDAC inhibitors with improved specificity is required to develop effective therapeutic strategies to treat stroke.
Clinical and functional characterization of the Pro1198Leu ABCC8 gene mutation associated with permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus
Authors: Takagi Tomoyuki , Furuta Hiroto , Miyawaki Masakazu , Nagashima Kazuaki , Shimada Takeshi , Doi Asako , Matsuno Shohei , Tanaka Daisuke , Nishi Masahiro , Sasaki Hideyuki , Inagaki Nobuya , Yoshikawa Norishige , Nanjo Kishio , Akamizu Takashi
Published: March 2013

Aims/Introduction

The adenosine triphosphate (ATP)‐sensitive potassium (KATP) channel is a key component of insulin secretion in pancreatic β‐cells. Activating mutations in ABCC8 encoding for the sulfonylurea receptor subunit of the KATP channel have been associated with the development of neonatal diabetes mellitus (NDM). The aim was to investigate clinical and functional characterization of the Pro1198Leu ABCC8 gene mutation associated with permanent NDM (PNDM).

Materials and Methods

The coding regions and conserved splice sites of KCNJ11, ABCC8 and INS were screened for mutations in a 12‐year‐old girl diagnosed with PNDM. The functional property of the mutant channel identified was examined with patch‐clamp experiments in COS‐1 cells. We also investigated the difference of effectiveness between two groups of oral sulfonylureas in vitro and in the patient.

Results

We identified a heterozygous missense mutation (c.3593 C>T, Pro1198Leu) in ABCC8. The mutated residue (P1198) is located within a putative binding site of sulfonylureas, such as tolbutamide or gliclazide. In patch‐clamp experiments, the mutant channel was less ATP sensitive than the wild type. Furthermore, the sensitivity to tolbutamide was also reduced in the mutant channel. In addition to the tolbutamide/gliclazide binding site, glibenclamide is thought to also bind to another site. Glibenclamide was more effective than other sulfonylureas in vitro and in the patient. The treatment of the patient was finally able to be switched from insulin injection to oral glibenclamide.

Conclusions

We identified the Pro1198Leu ABCC8 mutation in a PNDM patient, and clarified the functional and clinical characterization. The present findings provide new information for understanding PNDM.
Photosynthetic and Molecular Markers of CO2‐mediated Photosynthetic Downregulation in Nodulated Alfalfa
Authors: Sanz‐Sáez Álvaro , Erice Gorka , Aranjuelo Iker , Aroca Ricardo , RuÍz‐Lozano Juan Manuel , Aguirreolea Jone , Irigoyen Juan JosÉ , Sanchez‐Diaz Manuel
Published: March 2013

Elevated CO2 leads to a decrease in potential net photosynthesis in long‐term experiments and thus to a reduction in potential growth. This process is known as photosynthetic downregulation. There is no agreement on the definition of which parameters are the most sensitive for detecting CO2 acclimation. In order to investigate the most sensitive photosynthetic and molecular markers of CO2 acclimation, the effects of elevated CO2, and associated elevated temperature were analyzed in alfalfa plants inoculated with different Sinorhizobium meliloti strains. Plants (Medicago sativa L. cv. AragÓn) were grown in summer or autumn in temperature gradient greenhouses (TGG). At the end of the experiment, all plants showed acclimation in both seasons, especially under elevated summer temperatures. This was probably due to the lower nitrogen (N) availability caused by decreased N2‐fixation under higher temperatures. Photosynthesis measured at growth CO2 concentration, rubisco in vitro activity and maximum rate of carboxylation were the most sensitive parameters for detecting downregulation. Severe acclimation was also related with decreases in leaf nitrogen content associated with declines in rubisco content (large and small subunits) and activity that resulted in a drop in photosynthesis. Despite the sensitivity of rubisco content as a marker of acclimation, it was not coordinated with gene expression, possibly due to a lag between gene transcription and protein translation.
The analysis of challenging relations: influences on interactive behaviour of staff towards clients with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Willems A. P. A. M. , Embregts P. J. C. M. , Bosman A. M. T. , Hendriks A. H. C.
Published: March 2013

Background

Relationships between support staff and clients with intellectual disability (ID) are important for quality of care, especially when dealing with challenging behaviour. Building upon an interpersonal model, this study investigates the influence of client challenging behaviour, staff attitude and staff emotional intelligence on interactive behaviour of one of these relationship partners, being support staff.

Method

A total of 158 support staff members completed a questionnaire on staff interactive behaviour for 158 clients with ID and challenging behaviour, as well as two questionnaires on staff interpersonal attitude and emotional intelligence.

Results

Confronted with challenging behaviour as opposed to no challenging behaviour, staff reported less friendly, more assertive control and less support‐seeking interpersonal behaviour. Also, staff used more proactive thinking and more self‐reflection in dealing with challenging behaviour. Staff interpersonal attitude in general, mainly a harsh‐dominant‐resentful attitude, had a significant influence on most staff interactive behaviours towards an individual client with challenging behaviour. The influence of staff emotional intelligence, specifically intrapersonal abilities, on staff interactive behaviour towards an individual client with challenging behaviour was somewhat limited.

Conclusions

This research supports the necessity for training staff in general interpersonal attitudes towards clients as well as training in intrapersonal emotional intelligence, when confronted with challenging behaviour. Future research should focus more on the bidirectional dynamics of staff and client interactions.
Quality of life, fatigue, and activity in Australians with chronic kidney disease: A longitudinal study
Authors: Bonner Ann , Caltabiano Marie , Berlund Lois
Published: March 2013

In this study we investigated the relationship between health‐related quality of life, fatigue, and activity levels of people with anemia secondary to chronic kidney disease over a 12 month period following the introduction of an erythropoietin‐stimulating agent. Using a longitudinal repeated‐measure design, 28 people with chronic kidney disease completed theShortForm‐36HealthSurvey,HumanActivityProfile andFatigueSeverityScale at the commencement of an erythropoietin‐stimulating agent, and then at 3, 6, and 12 months. Over a 12 month period, a significant change was found for health‐related quality of life in relation to role–physical, vitality, mental health/emotional well‐being, and overall mental health. However, activity levels did not significantly improve during that time. Renal nurses in dialysis units and chronic kidney disease outpatient clinics have repeated and frequent contact with people with chronic kidney disease over long periods of time, and are in an ideal position to routinely assess fatigue and activity levels and to institute timely interventions to optimize health‐related quality of life and independent activity.
Measurement properties of a peer‐teaching scale for nursing education
Authors: Williams Brett , McKenna Lisa , French Jill , Dousek Simon
Published: March 2013

Teaching is a key role for nurses in contemporary clinical practice. Consequently, peer‐assisted learning continues to gather momentum in nursing education in tertiary and professional education settings. In this study, we investigated the factor structure of the Peer Teaching Experience Questionnaire when completed by a group of nursing undergraduates from a large Australian university. Data from the 14‐item Peer Teaching Experience Questionnaire completed by third year undergraduate nursing students were analyzed using factor analysis. A total of 257 final (third)‐year undergraduate nursing students participated in the study. Factor analysis of the 14 items revealed three factors with eigenvalues above 1, accounting for 47.3% of the total variance. Items with loadings greater than ± 0.40, with the factor in question, were used to characterize the factor solutions. Findings from the exploratory factor analysis provide preliminary results that the Peer Teaching Experience Questionnaire has adequate dimensionality and reliability.
Content analysis and thematic analysis: Implications for conducting a qualitative descriptive study
Authors: Vaismoradi Mojtaba , Turunen Hannele , Bondas Terese
Published: March 2013

Qualitative content analysis and thematic analysis are two commonly used approaches in data analysis of nursing research, but boundaries between the two have not been clearly specified. In other words, they are being used interchangeably and it seems difficult for the researcher to choose between them. In this respect, this paper describes and discusses the boundaries between qualitative content analysis and thematic analysis and presents implications to improve the consistency between the purpose of related studies and the method of data analyses. This is a discussion paper, comprising an analytical overview and discussion of the definitions, aims, philosophical background, data gathering, and analysis of content analysis and thematic analysis, and addressing their methodological subtleties. It is concluded that in spite of many similarities between the approaches, including cutting across data and searching for patterns and themes, their main difference lies in the opportunity for quantification of data. It means that measuring the frequency of different categories and themes is possible in content analysis with caution as a proxy for significance.
The new revolution in toxicology: The good, the bad, and the ugly
Authors: Davis Myrtle , Boekelheide Kim , Boverhof Darrell R. , Eichenbaum Gary , Hartung Thomas , Holsapple Michael P. , Jones Thomas W. , Richard Ann M. , Watkins Paul B.
Published: March 2013

In 2007, the United States National Academy of Sciences issued a report entitled Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century: A Vision and a Strategy. The report reviewed the state of the science and outlined a strategy for the future of toxicity testing. One of the more significant components of the vision established by the report was an emphasis on toxicity testing in human rather than animal systems. In the context of drug development, it is critical that the tools used to accomplish this strategy are maximally capable of evaluating human risk. Since 2007, many advances toward implementation of this vision have been achieved, particularly with regard to safety assessment of new chemical entities intended for pharmaceutical use.
ICPH 2671 – the world's first commercial food legume hybrid
Authors: Saxena Kul Bhushan , Kumar Ravikoti Vijaya , Tikle Ashok Narayanrao , Saxena Mukesh Kumar , Gautam Virendra Singh , Rao Surapaneni Koteshwar , Khare Dhirendra Kumar , Chauhan Yashvir Singh , Saxena Rachit Kumar , Reddy Belum Venkata Subba , Sharma Devendra , Reddy Linga Janardhan , Green John Melvin , Faris Donald George , Nene Yashwant Laxman , Mula Myer , Sultana Rafat , Srivastava Rakesh Kumar , Gowda Cholenahalli Lakkegowda Laxmipathi , Sawargaonkar Shrikant Laxmikantrao , Varshney Rajeev Kumar
Published: March 2013

ICRISAT scientists, working with Indian programme counterparts, developed the world's first cytoplasmic‐nuclear male sterility (CMS)‐based commercial hybrid in a food legume, the pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.]. The CMS, in combination with natural outcrossing of the crop, was used to develop viable hybrid breeding technology. Hybrid ICPH 2671 recorded 47% superiority for grain yield over the control variety ‘Maruti’ in multilocation on‐station testing for 4 years. In the on‐farm trials conducted in five Indian states, mean yield of this hybrid (1396 kg/ha) was 46.5% greater than that of the popular cv. ‘Maruti’ (953 kg/ha). Hybrid ICPH 2671 also exhibited high levels of resistance to Fusarium wilt and sterility mosaic diseases. The outstanding performance of this hybrid has led to its release for cultivation in India by both a private seed company (as ‘Pushkal’) and a public sector university (as ‘RV ICPH 2671’). Recent developments in hybrid breeding technology and high yield advantages realized in farmers' fields have given hope for a breakthrough in pigeonpea productivity.
Differential expression and tumor necrosis factor‐mediated regulation of TNFRSF11b/osteoprotegerin production by human melanomas
Authors: Oliver Janine L. , Alexander Matthew P. , Norrod Allison G. , Mullins Irene M. , Mullins David W.
Published: March 2013

Tumors escape host immune responses, in part, through the release of immunomodulatory factors and decoy receptors into their microenvironment. Several cancers express surface‐bound and soluble members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily, including TNFRSF11b/osteoprotegerin (OPG). In its physiologic role, OPG regulates bone remodeling through competition for osteoclast‐activating cytokines and protects newly forming bone from T cell‐mediated apoptosis. In multiple tumor types, OPG production is associated with an aggressive phenotype and increased metastasis to bone, but no study has examined OPG production in human metastatic melanoma. We demonstrate that a significant proportion of human metastatic melanomas constitutively produces OPG through a mechanism governed by membrane‐bound TNF‐α signaling through TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1). These observations both define a specific mechanism that regulates melanoma production of OPG and establish a new molecular target for the therapeutic regulation of OPG.
Photohydrate‐Mediated Reactions of Uridine, 2′‐Deoxyuridine and 2′‐Deoxycytidine with Amines at Near Neutral pH
Authors: Shetlar Martin D. , Hom Kellie , Venditto Vincent J.
Published: March 2013

Photohydrates are formed in high yield when uridine (Urd), 2′‐deoxyuridine (dUrd), cytidine (Cyd) and 2′‐deoxycytidine (dCyd) are irradiated with UVC in aqueous solution. The thermal reactions of the photohydrates of Urd with amines at pH values near pH 7.5 have been studied using UV spectroscopy, HPLC, mass spectrometry and, in some cases, NMR. It has been found that a number of amines (i.e. ethylenediamine, N,N′‐dimethylethylenediamine, glycine, glycinamide, glycylglycine, glycylgylcylglycine, putrescine, spermidine and spermine) react thermally with such hydrates to form products with UV spectra characteristic of opened ring uridine‐amine adducts. In general, these products display a strong absorption peak with λmax in the range between 288 and 310 nm. Mass spectral studies of a number of the products indicate that they contain one molecule of parent nucleoside and one molecule of reactant amine. Upon standing in water these products revert to parent hydrate, while heating produces parent nucleoside. Less comprehensive studies indicate that photohydrates of dUrd and dCyd undergo analogous thermal reactions. Preliminary results suggest that UV‐irradiated polyuridylic acid and polycytidylic acid undergo similar reactions. These results may have relevance for obtaining a complete understanding of the biological effects of producing Urd and dCyd photohydrates in a cellular environment.
Enhanced Singlet Oxygen Generation from a Porphyrin–Rhodamine B Dyad by Two‐Photon Excitation through Resonance Energy Transfer
Authors: Ngen Ethel J. , Xiao Lixin , Rajaputra Pallavi , Yan Xingzhong , You Youngjae
Published: March 2013

Mitochondrial‐targeting photosensitizers have been associated with effective photodynamic responses. However, most photosensitizers absorb light between 400 and 700 nm, where light penetration through tissues is limited. Two‐photon excitation is a rational approach to improve light penetration through tissues. In this report, the two‐photon photophysical properties of a porphyrin–rhodamine B conjugate (TPP‐Rh), previously demonstrated to target the mitochondria, were evaluated. The properties studied included: two‐photon absorption (TPA) cross sections (σ2); resonance energy transfer (RET) kinetics and dynamics; and singlet oxygen generation. The conjugation of Rh B to TPP‐OH approximately doubled the σ2 of TPP‐Rh at 800 nm (40 ± 4 GM) compared with the parent porphyrin, TPP‐OH (16 ± 4 GM). Furthermore, the rate of DPBF oxidation by singlet oxygen generated from TPP‐Rh was twice as fast compared with that from TPP‐OH (73 % versus 33% in 10 min) following two‐photon excitation at 800 nm. In addition, a significantly stronger luminescence signal was detected from TPP‐Rh, than from TPP‐OH at 1270 nm, following two‐photon excitation. This study indicates that conjugating photosensitizers to Rh B could provide greater TPA at the near‐infrared range in addition to preferential mitochondrial accumulation for improved photodynamic responses.
Virulence affected by assay parameters during grapevine pathogenicity studies with Botryosphaeriaceae nursery isolates
Authors: Billones‐Baaijens R. , Jones E. E. , Ridgway H. J. , Jaspers M. V.
Published: March 2013

This study assessed the symptoms that developed when 114 Botryosphaeriaceae isolates from grapevine nursery plant materials were used to inoculate excised green shoots and 1‐year‐old rooted canes of Sauvignon blanc. The experiments showed that all isolates and species were able to produce lesions. Overall, the Neofusicoccum species were shown to be highly pathogenic in both tissue types while the Diplodia species were highly pathogenic on canes but not on green shoots. Isolates of the most prevalent species, N. luteum and N. parvum, showed varying lesion lengths on excised green shoots and canes. An evaluation of the factors associated with lengths of lesions showed that they were significantly affected by experimental batch which reflected inherent host and environmental factors over time. Reisolation from inoculated canes also indicated that most isolates of all species except D. seriata were able to spread internally beyond the lesions. Genetic variability analysis using UP‐PCR showed that N. luteum isolates were genetically diverse but no association was observed between the phylogenetic group and degree of pathogenicity caused by the isolates. This study demonstrated that all Botryosphaeriaceae species from grapevine nurseries were pathogenic to grapevines and that the lesion lengths varied between species, among isolates within a species and among nursery sources, and was affected by the test method.
Pointing and the interference effect in obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD)
Authors: Dittrich Winand H. , Johansen Thomas , Trotter Kayleigh , Dawes Helen , Kischka Udo
Published: March 2013

The interference effect in obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) was investigated in order to analyze cognitive aspects of motor stereotypy in OCD‐related compulsions. So far, the domain of cognitive control in compulsive behavior has been under‐investigated. Twelve participants (OCD patients and healthy controls) completed a newly created computer‐based pointing task as well as standard clinical and psychological background measures. Findings showed that the patients displayed a larger visual interference effect compared to the controls and pointing paths were longer in time as well as distance when a distractor stimulus was present. It is concluded that, for compensation, patients would need to generate excessive amounts of attentional resources not available to overcome motor rigidity on the one side and visual distraction on the other side.
Parenting stress and external stressors as predictors of maternal ratings of child adjustment
Authors: Östberg Monica , Hagekull Berit
Published: March 2013

This study sought to disentangle the effects of different kinds of stress on maternal ratings of child externalizing and internalizing problems, social inhibition, and social competence, with a primary focus on parenting stress. The relations were explored in a sample consisting of mothers of 436 children (Mage = 7 years) in Sweden. Half the sample had had early clinical contacts during infancy due to child regulation problems, and the rest were mothers without known such early contacts. Demographic factors, family stressors, and parenting stress were examined in stress – adjustment models. Family stressors were clinical contact during infancy, current child and parent health problems, recent negative life events, and insufficient social support. Parenting stress as a mediator of the effect of other stressors on rated child adjustment was tested as was social support as a moderator of the effect of parenting stress on adjustment. The results showed that a higher parenting stress level was associated with maternal ratings of more externalizing and internalizing behaviors, more social inhibition, and lower social competence. Other family stressors and background variables were also found to be of importance, mainly for externalizing and internalizing problems and to some extent for social competence. Social inhibition had a unique relation to parenting stress only. Parenting stress mediated effects of other stressors in twelve models, whereas social support had no moderating effect on the link between parenting stress and child adjustment. Thus, parenting stress seems to be an important overarching construct. Clinical implications are proposed.