bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A dynamic model for eye‐position‐dependence of spontaneous nystagmus in acute unilateral vestibular deficit (Alexander's Law)
Authors: Khojasteh Elham , Bockisch Christopher J. , Straumann Dominik , Hegemann Stefan C. A.
Published: October 2012

Spontaneous nystagmus (SN) is a symptom of acute vestibular tone asymmetry. Alexander's Law (AL) states that slow‐phase velocity of SN is higher when looking in the direction of fast‐phases of nystagmus and lower in the slow‐phase direction. Earlier explanations for AL predict that during SN, slow‐phase eye velocity is a linear function of eye position, increasing linearly as eye deviates towards the fast‐phase direction. Recent observations, however, show that this is often not the case; eye velocity does not vary linearly with eye position. Such new findings necessitate a re‐evaluation of our understanding of AL. As AL may be an adaptive response of the vestibular system to peripheral lesions, understanding its mechanism could shed light on early adaptation strategies of the brain. Here, we propose a physiologically plausible mechanism for AL that explains recent experimental data. We use a dynamic control system model to simulate this mechanism and make testable predictions. This mechanism is based on the known effects of unilateral vestibular deficit on the response of the ipsi‐ and contralesional vestibular nuclei (VN) of the brainstem. This hypothesis is based on the silencing of the majority of ipsilesional VN units, which creates an asymmetry between the responses of the ipsi‐ and contralesional VN. Unlike former explanations, the new hypothesis does not rely on lesion detection strategies or signals originating in higher brain structures. The proposed model demonstrates possible consequences of acute peripheral deficits for the function of the velocity‐to‐position neural integrator of the ocular motor system and the vestibulo‐ocular reflex.
The role of medial prefrontal cortex in extinction and reinstatement of alcohol‐seeking in rats
Authors: Willcocks Andrea L. , McNally Gavan P.
Published: October 2012

The prelimbic (PL) and infralimbic (IL) medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) are thought to play opposing roles in drug‐seeking behaviour. Specifically, the PL promotes drug‐seeking whereas the IL is necessary for the inhibition of drug‐seeking during extinction. We studied the roles of the PL, IL and dorsal peduncular PFC (DP) in the expression of context‐induced reinstatement, reacquisition and extinction of alcoholic beer‐seeking. In context‐induced reinstatement (renewal), animals were trained to nosepoke for alcoholic beer (context A), extinguished (context B) and then tested in context A and B. In reacquisition, animals received the same instrumental training and extinction without any contextual manipulation. On test, alcoholic beer was again available and responding was compared with naive controls. Just prior to the test, rats received bilateral infusion of baclofen/muscimol into the PL, IL or DP. Reversible inactivation of the PL attenuated ABA renewal but augmented reacquisition. Reversible inactivation of IL had no effect on the reinstatement or reacquisition of alcoholic beer‐seeking and had no effect on extinction expression (ABB and AAA). IL inactivation did, however, increase the latencies with which animals responded on test but only when animals were tested in the extinction context. DP inactivation had no effect on reinstatement or reacquisition. These studies are inconsistent with the view that PL and IL exert opposing effects on drug‐seeking. Rather, they support the view that PL is important for retrieval of drug‐seeking contingency information and that the use of contextual information is enhanced with IL manipulation.
Environmental and physical controls on northern terrestrial methane emissions across permafrost zones
Authors: Olefeldt David , Turetsky Merritt R. , Crill Patrick M. , McGuire A. David
Published: October 2012

Methane (CH4) emissions from the northern high‐latitude region represent potentially significant biogeochemical feedbacks to the climate system. We compiled a database of growing‐season CH4 emissions from terrestrial ecosystems located across permafrost zones, including 303 sites described in 65 studies. Data on environmental and physical variables, including permafrost conditions, were used to assess controls on CH4 emissions. Water table position, soil temperature, and vegetation composition strongly influenced emissions and had interacting effects. Sites with a dense sedge cover had higher emissions than other sites at comparable water table positions, and this was an effect that was more pronounced at low soil temperatures. Sensitivity analysis suggested that CH4 emissions from ecosystems where the water table on average is at or above the soil surface (wet tundra, fen underlain by permafrost, and littoral ecosystems) are more sensitive to variability in soil temperature than drier ecosystems (palsa dry tundra, bog, and fen), whereas the latter ecosystems conversely are relatively more sensitive to changes of the water table position. Sites with near‐surface permafrost had lower CH4 fluxes than sites without permafrost at comparable water table positions, a difference that was explained by lower soil temperatures. Neither the active layer depth nor the organic soil layer depth was related to CH4 emissions. Permafrost thaw in lowland regions is often associated with increased soil moisture, higher soil temperatures, and increased sedge cover. In our database, lowland thermokarst sites generally had higher emissions than adjacent sites with intact permafrost, but emissions from thermokarst sites were not statistically higher than emissions from permafrost‐free sites with comparable environmental conditions. Overall, these results suggest that future changes to terrestrial high‐latitude CH4 emissions will be more proximately related to changes in moisture, soil temperature, and vegetation composition than to increased availability of organic matter following permafrost thaw.
Climate, copepods and seabirds in the boreal Northeast Atlantic – current state and future outlook
Authors: Frederiksen Morten , Anker‐Nilssen Tycho , Beaugrand Grégory , Wanless Sarah
Published: October 2012

The boreal Northeast Atlantic is strongly affected by current climate change, and large shifts in abundance and distribution of many organisms have been observed, including the dominant copepod Calanus finmarchicus, which supports the grazing food web and thus many fish populations. At the same time, large‐scale declines have been observed in many piscivorous seabirds, which depend on abundant small pelagic fish. Here, we combine predictions from a niche model of C. finmarchicus with long‐term data on seabird breeding success to link trophic levels. The niche model shows that environmental suitability for C. finmarchicus has declined in southern areas with large breeding seabird populations (e.g. the North Sea), and predicts that this decline is likely to spread northwards during the 21st century to affect populations in Iceland and the Faroes. In a North Sea colony, breeding success of three common piscivorous seabird species [black‐legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla), common guillemot (Uria aalge) and Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica)] was strongly positively correlated with local environmental suitability for C. finmarchicus, whereas this was not the case at a more northerly colony in west Norway. Large seabird populations seem only to occur where C. finmarchicus is abundant, and northward distributional shifts of common boreal seabirds are therefore expected over the coming decades. Whether or not population size can be maintained depends on the dispersal ability and inclination of these colonial breeders, and on the carrying capacity of more northerly areas in a warmer climate.
An exploration of patient and family engagement in routine primary care visits
Authors: Wolff Jennifer L. , Clayman Marla L. , Rabins Peter , Cook Mary Ann , Roter Debra L.
Published: October 2012

Background

Older adults are commonly accompanied to routine medical visits. Whether and how family companion behaviours relate to visit processes is poorly understood.

Objective

To examine family companion behaviours in relation to older adults' medical visit processes.

Design and participants

Observational study of 78 accompanied primary care patients ages 65 and older.

Main outcome measures

Medical visit communication (coded using RIAS), patient verbal activity (as a proportion of visit statements) and visit duration (in min), from audio recordings.

Results

Companions' facilitation of patient involvement was associated with greater patient question asking (P = 0.017) and orienting statements, less passive agreement (P = 0.004) and social talk (P = 0.013) and visits that were 3.4 min longer (P = 0.025). Facilitation of patient understanding was associated with less physician question asking (P = 0.004), visits that were 3.0 min longer (P = 0.031), and lower patient verbal activity (30.3% vs. 36.9% of visit statements; P = 0.028). Facilitation of doctor understanding was associated with greater patient biomedical information giving (P = 0.049). Autonomy detracting behaviours were not associated with visit duration but were associated with lower levels of patient verbal activity (36.3% vs. 29.1% of visit statements; P = 0.041). When companions assumed more behaviours, medical visits were incrementally longer (16.1, 19.5, 21.7 min, corresponding to 0–1, 2–4 and 5+ behaviours; P < 0.001 both contrasts), and patients were less verbally active (35.6%, 33.9%, 27.1% of visit statements; P = 0.09 and P = 0.009, respectively).

Discussion

Behaviours assumed by patients' companions were associated with visit communication, patient verbal activity and visit duration.

Conclusions

Interventions to capitalize on family companions' presence may benefit medical visit processes.
Establishment and characterization of a new and stable collagen‐binding assay for the assessment of von Willebrand factor activity
Authors: Ni Y. , Nesrallah J. , Agnew M. , Geske F. J. , Favaloro E. J.
Published: October 2012

Introduction

Laboratory diagnosis of von Willebrand disease (VWD) requires determination of both von Willebrand factor (VWF) protein levels and activity. Current VWF activity tests include the ristocetin cofactor assay and the collagen‐binding assay (VWF:CB). The goal of this investigation is to characterize a new collagen‐binding assay and to determine its effectiveness in identifying VWD.

Methods

Analytical studies were carried out to characterize the performance of a new VWF:CB ELISA. Additionally, samples from a normal population were tested as were well‐characterized type 1 and type 2 VWD samples.

Results

Repeatability and within‐laboratory precision studies resulted in coefficients of variation (CVs) of ≤11%. A linear range of 1–354% (0.01–3.54 IU/mL) was determined, along with a limit of detection and a lower limit of quantitation of 1.6% and 4.0% (0.016 and 0.04 IU/mL), respectively. Samples tested from apparently healthy individuals resulted in a normal range of 54–217% (0.54–2.17 IU/mL). Known VWD type 1 and type 2 samples were also analyzed by the ELISA, with 99% of samples having VWF:CB below the normal reference range and an estimated 96% sensitivity and 87% specificity using a VWF collagen‐binding/antigen cutoff ratio of 0.50.

Conclusion

This new VWF:CB ELISA provides an accurate measure of collagen‐binding activity that aids in the diagnosis and differentiation of type 1 from type 2 VWD.
Maternal Opioid Treatment: Human Experimental Research (MOTHER)—approach, issues and lessons learned
Authors: Jones Hendrée E. , Fischer Gabriele , Heil Sarah H. , Kaltenbach Karol , Martin Peter R. , Coyle Mara G. , Selby Peter , Stine Susan M. , O'Grady Kevin E. , Arria Amelia M.
Published: October 2012

Aims

The Maternal Opioid Treatment: Human Experimental Research (MOTHER) project, an eight‐site randomized, double‐blind, double‐dummy, flexible‐dosing, parallel‐group clinical trial is described. This study is the most current—and single most comprehensive—research effort to investigate the safety and efficacy of maternal and prenatal exposure to methadone and buprenorphine.

Methods

The MOTHER study design is outlined, and its basic features are presented.

Conclusions

At least seven important lessons have been learned from the MOTHER study: (i) an interdisciplinary focus improves the design and methods of a randomized clinical trial; (ii) multiple sites in a clinical trial present continuing challenges to the investigative team due to variations in recruitment, patient populations and hospital practices that, in turn, differentially impact recruitment rates, treatment compliance and attrition; (iii) study design and protocols must be flexible in order to meet the unforeseen demands of both research and clinical management; (iv) staff turnover needs to be addressed with a proactive focus on both hiring and training; (v) the implementation of a protocol for the treatment of a particular disorder may identify important ancillary clinical issues worthy of investigation; (vi) timely tracking of data in a multi‐site trial is both demanding and unforgiving; and (vii) complex multi‐site trials pose unanticipated challenges that complicate the choice of statistical methods, thereby placing added demands on investigators to effectively communicate their results.
Fetal assessment before and after dosing with buprenorphine or methadone
Authors: Salisbury Amy L. , Coyle Mara G. , O'Grady Kevin E. , Heil Sarah H. , Martin Peter R. , Stine Susan M. , Kaltenbach Karol , Weninger Manfred , Jones Hendrée E.
Published: October 2012

Aim

To determine pre‐ and post‐dosing effects of prenatal methadone compared to buprenorphine on fetal wellbeing.

Design

A secondary analysis of data derived from the Maternal Opioid Treatment: Human Experimental Research (MOTHER) study, a double‐blind, double‐dummy, randomized clinical trial.

Setting

Six United States sites and one European site that provided comprehensive opioid‐dependence treatment to pregnant women.

Participants

Eighty‐one of the 131 opioid‐dependent pregnant women completing the MOTHER clinical trial, assessed between 31 and 33 weeks of gestation.

Measurements

Two fetal assessments were conducted, once before and once after study medication dosing. Measures included mean fetal heart rate (FHR), number of FHR accelerations, FHR reactivity in the fetal non‐stress test (NST) and biophysical profile (BPP) score.

Findings

Significant group differences were found for number of FHR accelerations, non‐reactive NST and BPP scores (all Ps < 0.05). There were no significant group differences before time of dosing. Significant decreases (all Ps < 0.05) occurred from pre‐ to post‐dose assessment for mean FHR, FHR accelerations, reactive NST and fetal movement. The decrease in accelerations and reactive NST were significant only for fetuses in the methadone group, and this resulted in a significantly lower likelihood of a reactive NST compared to fetuses in the buprenorphine group.

Conclusion

Buprenorphine compared with methadone appears to result in less suppression of mean fetal heart rate, fetal heart rate reactivity and the biophysical profile score after medication dosing and these findings provide support for the relative safety of buprenorphine when fetal indices are considered as part of the complete risk–benefit ratio.
Effect of hepatitis C virus status on liver enzymes in opioid‐dependent pregnant women maintained on opioid‐agonist medication
Authors: McNicholas Laura F. , Holbrook Amber M. , O'Grady Kevin E. , Jones Hendrée E. , Coyle Mara G. , Martin Peter R. , Heil Sarah H. , Stine Susan M. , Kaltenbach Karol
Published: October 2012

Aim

To examine hepatic enzyme test results throughout the course of pregnancy in women maintained on methadone or buprenorphine.

Design

Participants were randomized to either methadone or buprenorphine maintenance. Blood chemistry tests, including liver transaminases and hepatitis C virus (HCV) status, were determined every 4 weeks and once postpartum. As part of a planned secondary analysis, generalized mixed linear models were conducted with aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma‐glutamyl transferase (GGT) as the dependent variables.

Setting

Six US sites and one European site that provided comprehensive treatment to pregnant opioid‐dependent women.

Participants

A total of 175 opioid‐dependent pregnant women enrolled in the Maternal Opioid Treatment: Human Experimental Research (MOTHER) study.

Findings

ALT, AST and GGT levels decreased for all subjects across pregnancy trimesters, rising slightly postpartum. HCV‐positive subjects exhibited higher transaminases at all time‐points compared to HCV‐negative subjects, regardless of medication (all Ps < 0.05) condition. Both HCV‐positive and negative buprenorphine‐maintained participants exhibited lower GGT levels than those who were methadone‐maintained (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Neither methadone nor buprenorphine appear to have adverse hepatic effects in the treatment of pregnant opioid‐dependent women.
Inhibition of human in vitro osteoclastogenesis by Equisetum arvense
Authors: Costa‐Rodrigues J. , Carmo S. C. , Silva J. C. , Fernandes M. H. R.
Published: October 2012

Objectives

Equisetum arvense has long been used in traditional medicines to treat different disorders, including bone pathologies. In this study a hydromethanolic extract of E. arvense was assessed for its effects on human osteoclastogenesis.

Materials and methods

Osteoclast precursors were maintained in non‐stimulated and stimulated (presence of M‐CSF and RANKL) conditions, or in co‐cultures with osteoblasts. Cell cultures were treated with 0.00016–0.5 mg/ml of a hydromethanolic E. arvense extract.

Results

The extract did not affect spontaneous osteoclastogenesis. In osteoclast precursors committed to osteoclastogenesis (stimulated or co‐cultured with osteoblasts), E. arvense caused dose‐dependent inhibitory effect that became statistically significant at concentrations ≥0.004 mg/ml. This was observed using different osteoclast differentiation and activation markers. Cell response was associated with changes in relative contribution of MEK and NFkB signalling pathways, as well as PGE2 production. As there were differences in the response of osteoclast precursors maintained in the presence of inductive factors, or co‐cultured with osteoblastic cells, it seems that E. arvense extract had the ability to modulate osteoclastogenesis, either by acting directly on osteoclast precursor cells, and/or via osteoblasts.

Conclusions

Equisetum appeared to have a negative effect on human osteoclastogenesis, which is in line with its putative beneficial role in pathophysiological conditions associated with increased osteoclastic activity, and might suggest potential utility for treatment with bone regeneration strategies.
The human rights context for ethical requirements for involving people with intellectual disability in medical research
Authors: Iacono T. , Carling‐Jenkins R.
Published: October 2012

Background

The history of ethical guidelines addresses protection of human rights in the face of violations. Examples of such violations in research involving people with intellectual disabilities (ID) abound. We explore this history in an effort to understand the apparently stringent criteria for the inclusion of people with ID in research, and differences between medical and other research within a single jurisdiction.

Method

The history of the Helsinki Declaration and informed consent within medical research, and high‐profile examples of ethical misconduct involving people with ID and other groups are reviewed. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is then examined for its research implications. This background is used to examine a current anomaly within an Australian context for the inclusion of people with ID without decisional capacity in medical versus other types of research.

Results

Ethical guidelines have often failed to protect the human rights of people with ID and other vulnerable groups. Contrasting requirements within an Australian jurisdiction for medical and other research would seem to have originated in early deference to medical authority for making decisions on behalf of patients.

Conclusions

Stringent ethical requirements are likely to continue to challenge researchers in ID. A human rights perspective provides a framework for engaging both researchers and vulnerable participant groups.
A rising tide: the increasing age and psychiatric length of stay for individuals with mild intellectual disabilities
Authors: Patil D. , Keown P. , Scott J.
Published: October 2012

Background

It is unclear whether the substantial decline in number and duration of admissions for patients with intellectual disability (ID) have occurred uniformly over time with respect to age, gender, severity of disability, legal status and location of treatment.

Method

A retrospective analysis of NHS (National Health Service) admissions for ID and use of NHS ID beds in England between 1998/9 and 2007/8.

Results

NHS admissions for ID halved from 37 736 to 18 091, and admissions with a primary diagnosis of ID to beds reduced by 71% from 21 866 to 6420. This reduction was most marked among children with the result that the average age of those admitted increased from 26 years to 36 years. Mean length of stay shortened except for mild ID where it increased from 131 days to 244 days (the median increased from 6 days to 32 days). There was an 18% reduction in the number of patients with ID who were legally detained to NHS facilities but a 170% increase in those to private facilities (from 202 to 545).

Conclusions

The number of patients with ID admitted to NHS facilities, especially children, has fallen dramatically. There has been a marked shift towards legal detentions to private facilities. The most notable finding was the increased duration of admissions for those with mild ID, possibly indicating that substituting mainstream for specialist services for this group has had negative consequences.
Health advocacy: a vital step in attaining human rights for adults with intellectual disability
Authors: Brolan C. E. , Boyle F. M. , Dean J. H. , Taylor Gomez M. , Ware R. S. , Lennox N. G.
Published: October 2012

Background

People with intellectual disability (ID) experience health inequity compared with the general population, a key contributing factor being disparities in social determinants of health. The enactment of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) provides a platform for the progression and promotion of health and other interconnected rights to address barriers to the highest attainable standard of health for this populace. Rights can be brought to life through advocacy efforts. This paper explores the meaning, perceptions and experiences of advocacy by family members and paid support workers of adults with ID and locates the findings within a health and human rights discourse.

Methods

As part of a larger randomised controlled trial, 113 parents and 84 support workers of adults with ID completed a telephone interview that included open‐ended questions about their understanding and experiences of advocacy. Thematic analysis was used to identify relevant themes.

Results

Five key themes were identified. The first underscored how advocacy to ‘speak up’ for the person with ID is integral to both parent and support worker roles. The second and third themes considered the contexts for advocacy efforts. Access to quality health care was a core concern, along with advocacy across other areas and sectors to address the person's wider psychosocial needs. The remaining themes highlighted the many dimensions to advocacy, including differences between parent and support worker views, with parental advocacy being an expression of ‘caring’ and support workers motivated by a ‘duty of care’ to protect the individual's ‘rights’.

Conclusion

Parent and support worker advocacy provides one means to address the social determinants of health and fulfilment of health rights of and for people with ID. Policy and practice in the context of governmental obligation under the CRPD should support advocacy and make health rights the reality not rhetoric for this group of men and women.
Falls in older persons with intellectual disabilities: fall rate, circumstances and consequences
Authors: Smulders E. , Enkelaar L. , Weerdesteyn V. , Geurts A. C. H. , van Schrojenstein Lantman‐de Valk H.
Published: October 2012

Background

Falling is a common cause of injuries and reduced quality of life. Persons with intellectual disabilities (ID) are at increased risk for falls and related injuries. As the number of elderly persons with ID is growing rapidly, it is imperative to gain insight into the quantity of the problem of falling, the circumstances that precipitate falls and to better understand their aetiology in persons with ID. This is the first study to prospectively investigate fall rate, circumstances and fall consequences in older adults with mild to moderate ID.

Method

Eighty‐two individuals with mild to moderate ID, 50 years and over [mean age 62.3 (SD = 7.6), 34 male], participated in this study, which was conducted at three service providers for persons with ID in the Netherlands. Falls were registered for 1 year with monthly fall registration calendars to determine the fall rate (mean number of falls per person per year). Information on fall circumstances and consequences was obtained from questionnaires completed by caregivers and study participants after each fall.

Results

We determined that the fall rate in this sample was 1.00 fall per person per year. Thirty‐seven participants reported at least one fall (range 1–6). Sex and age were not related to falls. Most falls occurred while walking (63.3%), outside (61.7%) and in familiar environments (88.9%). Importantly, 11.5% of falls resulted in severe injuries, approximately half of which were fractures.

Conclusion

The circumstances and consequences of falls in persons with ID are comparable to those of the general elderly population, but the rate is substantially higher. As such, appropriate fall prevention strategies must be developed for individuals with ID.
Experiencing rights within positive, person‐centred support networks of people with intellectual disability in Australia
Authors: Hillman A. , Donelly M. , Whitaker L. , Dew A. , Stancliffe R. J. , Knox M. , Shelley K. , Parmenter T. R.
Published: October 2012

Background

This research describes issues related to human rights as they arose within the everyday lives of people in nine personal support networks that included adult Australians with an intellectual disability (ID).

Method

The research was part of a wider 3‐year ethnographic study of nine personal support networks. A major criterion for recruitment was that people in these networks were committed to actively developing the positive, meaningful future of an adult family member with an ID. Data were collected from November 2007 to March 2011 via interviews, participant observations and analysed within the framework of situational analysis. Findings were checked with network members.

Results

The issue of rights was challenging to network members. Subtle rights violations could have a major impact on an individual with a disability. Network members worked to protect the rights of people with ID by building and maintaining an empathic and respectful support network, developing the person's self‐confidence and autonomy and ensuring that the person with an ID was an active member of the personal support network.

Conclusion

The maintenance of rights within a supportive environment remains a difficult task. It can be facilitated by a deep knowledge and respect for the person being supported, the promotion of his or her active participation in the planning and provision of support, and an experimental and reflective approach.
Protection, participation and protection through participation: young people with intellectual disabilities and decision making in the family context
Authors: Saaltink R. , MacKinnon G. , Owen F. , Tardif‐Williams C.
Published: October 2012

Background

Research suggests that persons with intellectual disabilities (ID) are expected to be more compliant than persons without disabilities and that expectations for compliance begin in childhood. No study, however, seems yet to have included a primary focus on the participatory rights, or rights to express opinions, desires and preferences and to be heard and taken seriously in decision making among young people with ID who are not yet considered legally adult. The purpose of the two current studies was to explore how the right to participation is negotiated for young people with ID in a family context and to determine family members’ recommendations for strategies to facilitate the participation of young people with ID.

Method

In the first study, four young people with ID, their mothers and two siblings from four families took part in semi‐structured interviews about decision making in the family context. In the second study, a mother and daughter from the first study discussed and developed strategies to promote participation for young people with ID.

Results

In the first study, all participants communicated that young people with ID follow an age‐typical yet restricted pattern of participation in decisions about their lives. Young people's participation was consistently framed by familial norms and values as well as their families’ desire to protect them. In the second study, both participants suggested communication about the outcomes of real or imagined decisions would help young family members rehearse decision‐making strategies that would facilitate their autonomy while remaining within the bounds of familial norms, values and perceptions of safety.

Conclusions

Although young people with ID may make fewer independent decisions about their lives than typically developing peers, support in decision making can enable both increased protection and independence.
Mind the gap: the human rights of children with intellectual disabilities in Egypt
Authors: Gobrial E.
Published: October 2012

Background

Children with intellectual disabilities (IDs) have the same human value as other children and are entitled to their basic human rights. And yet, in developing countries they face many barriers to accessing these rights. This study focuses on children with IDs in Egypt.

Method

A new measure, the Human Rights of children with Intellectual Disabilities‐Egypt, was developed to assess (1) awareness of the human rights of children with IDs and (2) perceptions of the extent to which children with IDs currently have access to these rights.

Results

The questionnaire was completed by 200 respondents across Egypt. Of great concern, there was a widespread lack of awareness of the rights of children with IDs. Moreover, respondents reported that they believed that this group of children had limited access to health care and treatment, including mental health care, social care, education and rehabilitation.

Conclusion

While the sample size was small, the findings identify the urgency in Egypt of (1) raising public awareness of the human rights of children with IDs, and (2) implementing and sustaining changes to improve access to these rights. The new government is responsible for ensuring that its apparent commitment to human rights is now translated into effective action to make tangible improvements in the lives of children with IDs and their families.
The ITINERIS scale on the rights of persons with intellectual disabilities: development, pilot studies and application at a country level in South America
Authors: Aznar A. S. , González Castañón D. , Olate G.
Published: October 2012

Background

The ITINERIS scale on the rights of persons with intellectual disabilities (ISRPID) was developed to measure the extent to which people with intellectual disabilities (ID) exercise their rights.

Method

The ISRPID was produced through a virtual Delphi group with 37 professionals and relatives of people with ID from four continents and was refined in small pilot groups with persons with ID in Argentina. It has 30 items and can be self‐administered or completed by a proxy. Versions in three languages (English, Spanish and Portuguese) are available. Following its development, the ISRPID was applied in Chile to 705 persons with ID and to a control group of 524 college students without ID.

Results

Statistical analysis showed that family relationships, community participation, living arrangements and level of disability affect the experience of rights among people with ID. Importantly, with structured supports, people with ID appear able to exercise their rights to a level comparable to that of their peers without ID.

Conclusions

With further development, the ISRPID may be an appropriate scale to monitor the exercise of rights contained in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at an individual or group level.
Assessment of the risk of a bluetongue outbreak in Europe caused by Culicoides midges introduced through intracontinental transport and trade networks
Authors: NAPP S. , GARCÍA‐BOCANEGRA I. , PAGÈS N. , ALLEPUZ A. , ALBA A. , CASAL J.
Published: October 2012

The importation of infected hosts and the arrival of windborne infected Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) were considered unlikely mechanisms for bluetongue virus (BTV) incursion into a BTV‐free area during the recent BTV serotype 8 (BTV‐8) epidemic in northern Europe. Therefore, alternative mechanisms need to be considered. Air, sea and land transport networks continue to expand, and an important consequence of this is vector‐borne pathogen importation. One important aspect of bluetongue (BT) epidemiology not yet addressed is the potential movement of infected Culicoides via transport and trade networks. Therefore, a risk assessment model was constructed to assess the probability of a BTV outbreak as a consequence of the introduction of Culicoides via these networks. The model was applied to calculate the risk for a BTV‐8 epidemic in Spain in 2007 caused by the introduction of Culicoides from affected northern European countries. The mean weighted annual risk for an outbreak caused by transportation of a single vector from an affected northern European country varied from 1.8 × 10−7 to 3.0 × 10−13, with the highest risks associated with Culicoides imported from Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and France. For this mechanism to pose a significant risk to BTV‐free countries, a large number of vectors would have to be transported.
Barcoding of biting midges in the genus Culicoides: a tool for species determination
Authors: ANDER M. , TROELL K. , CHIRICO J.
Published: October 2012

Biting midges of the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are insect vectors of economically important veterinary diseases such as African horse sickness virus and bluetongue virus. However, the identification of Culicoides based on morphological features is difficult. The sequencing of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI), referred to as DNA barcoding, has been proposed as a tool for rapid identification to species. Hence, a study was undertaken to establish DNA barcodes for all morphologically determined Culicoides species in Swedish collections. In total, 237 specimens of Culicoides representing 37 morphologically distinct species were used. The barcoding generated 37 supported clusters, 31 of which were in agreement with the morphological determination. However, two pairs of closely related species could not be separated using the DNA barcode approach. Moreover, Culicoides obsoletus Meigen and Culicoides newsteadi Austen showed relatively deep intraspecific divergence (more than 10 times the average), which led to the creation of two cryptic species within each of C. obsoletus and C. newsteadi. The use of COI barcodes as a tool for the species identification of biting midges can differentiate 95% of species studied. Identification of some closely related species should employ a less conserved region, such as a ribosomal internal transcribed spacer.
Polysaccharides composition from tropical brown seaweeds
Authors: García‐Ríos Virginia , Ríos‐Leal Elvira , Robledo Daniel , Freile‐Pelegrin Yolanda
Published: October 2012

Polysaccharides composition of the tropical brown seaweeds Turbinaria turbinata, Sargassum filipendula, Dictyota caribaea and Padina perindusiata collected at Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico) was determined in this study. Crude fucoidan extracted with HCl and alginate extracted with a hot alkali solution were characterized in terms of their molecular weight, sulfate content, uronic acid, total carbohydrate and neutral sugar components. Low molecular weight sulfated‐fucoidan was the major component in all species studied. Fucoidan from T. turbinata and from D. caribaea were characterized as a homofucan, with fucose as the neutral sugar. Fucoidan from S. filipendula was composed of a galactofucan, and fucoidan from P. perindusiata was characterized as a heterofucan consisting of fucose, glucose and galactose. The Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectra of fucoidan extracted from species studied indicated that the majority of sulfate groups are located at C‐4 and to a lesser extent at C‐2 and/or C‐3 of the fucopyranose residues. This could be advantageous since several therapeutic effects have been reported for fucoidans with similar characteristics. FT‐IR spectra from D. caribaea and P. perindusiata revealed the presence of O‐acetyl groups in crude fucoidan, which could be potentially utilized as an immune stimulant. Molecular weight of alginate varied between 595 and 1301 kDa with similar uronic acid content in all species. Alginate M : G ratio inferred from FT‐IR spectra suggests a high content of G‐block in all species. Potential applications of these polysaccharides are discussed.
Life cycle ofChattonella marina(Raphidophyceae) inferred from analysis of microsatellite marker genotypes
Authors: Demura Mikihide , Noël Mary‐Hélène , Kasai Fumie , Watanabe Makoto M. , Kawachi Masanobu
Published: October 2012

Red tides ofChattonellaspp. have caused continuous damage toJapanese aquaculture, however, the life cycle of this organism remains incompletely understood. To further investigate this matter, we assessed genotypes at 14 microsatellite markers in three varieties ofChattonella marina, viz.,C. marinavar.antiqua,C. marinavar.marina, andC. marinavar.ovata, to establish whetherChattonellaundergoes asexual diploidization or sexual reproduction. After genotyping 287 strains ofC. marina, all but one of these strains was shown to be heterozygous for at least some loci, and thus, in the diploid state, suggesting thatChattonellastrains undergo sexual reproduction. In addition, we performed single‐cell amplification on ‘small cells’ that are derived from vegetative cells under dark and low‐nutrient conditions. The results indicated the existence of two types of small cells. The ‘Small cellType 1’ was found to be heterozygous, genotypically equivalent to the vegetative cells, and is therefore diploid. These small cells may change to resting cells (cysts) directly. The ‘Small cellType 2’ was homozygous at all analyzed loci, suggesting that these small cells are haploid and may be derived by meiosis. As fusion between small cells has previously been observed, the ‘Small cellType 2’ may be the gamete ofChattonella. We present a construct of the full life cycle ofChattonella marinabased on our own and previous results.
Can imitation companion planting interfere with host selection by Brassica pest insects?
Authors: George David R. , Collier Rosemary H. , Whitehouse Diane M.
Published: October 2012

Companion planting with nonhosts may offer a non‐insecticidal means of controlling pests, although the results of studies can be variable and species‐dependent.

The effect of companion planting on two pests of Brassica crops, Plutella xylostella (L.) and Brevicoryne brassicae (L.), was examined using Brussels sprout as the host plant and imitation cereal plants made from green plastic as the nonhost. For P. xylostella, the effect of nonhost density was also investigated.

Oviposition (P. xylostella) and abundance (B. brassicae) were lower on Brussels sprout plants presented on a background of high‐density imitation cereal plants (reductions of 59% and 85%, respectively).

The results are discussed in the context of host location by pest insects and the selection of nonhost companion plants for pest management.

It is concluded that nonhost plants interfere with pest host selection through disruption to visual host location processes.
Life‐history costs associated with resistance to lambda‐cyhalothrin in the predatory ladybird beetle Eriopis connexa
Authors: Ferreira Emerson S. , Rodrigues Agna R. S. , Silva‐Torres Christian S. A. , Torres Jorge B.
Published: October 2012

The present study assessed the fitness of a lambda‐cyhalothrin‐resistant population of Eriopis connexa (Germar) with respect to development, reproduction, survival under prey scarcity and prey consumption.

Nontreated resistant females (R0) and females recovered after the topical application of 0.05, 0.10 and 0.25 mg active ingredient/mL of lambda‐cyhalothrin (R0.05, R0.10 and R0.25) produced, on average, 50% less eggs than susceptible females (S0), irrespective of the applied dose. All of the other traits evaluated remained similar. With respect to developmental characteristics, the larval viability and weight of adult male R0.25 progeny were statistically lower compared with the R0 and S0 progenies. Prey scarcity between days 3 and 13 of adulthood did not affect R0 and R0.25 survival, although egg production was significantly lower for R0 females, followed by R0.25 females, compared with S0 females.

The mean consumption of cotton aphids Aphis gossypii Glover over 5 consecutive days was significantly higher for S0, followed by R0 and R0.25, up to day 3 of observation. However, after day 4, prey consumption was similar among the three populations.

The results obtained in the present study show that resistant females have a lower reproductive output than susceptible females and that this is not related to the knockdown effect; however, the costs of recovering from knockdown interfere with the survival of offspring and also slightly with prey consumption. Thus, we conclude that the lambda‐cyhalothrin‐resistant E. connexa population exhibits an egg production disadvantage relative to the susceptible population and that this is increased when the population is subjected to prey scarcity.
Comparison of complication rates for unilateral and bilateral percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) using a modified Clavien grading system
Authors: Kadlec Adam O. , Greco Kristin A. , Fridirici Zachary C. , Hart Spencer T. , Vellos Ted G. , Turk Thomas M.
Published: October 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Standardised complication reporting for urological procedures has been encouraged. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) has an acceptably low complication rate, with high‐grade complications being rare. A recent review shows that complication rates for PCNL vary from 15% to 60%, but the Clavien system has not been used in all studies. Also, no study has directly compared unilateral and bilateral procedures.

In a direct comparison retrospective study, we showed that bilateral procedures had a higher overall complication rate and suggest that this is probably due to an increased number of percutaneous tracts.

OBJECTIVE

To compare complication rates of unilateral vs bilateral percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) using the modified Clavien grading system.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Single‐institution retrospective chart review.

Identified patients who had synchronous bilateral PCNL (B‐PCNL) over an 11‐year period (2000–2011).

B‐PCNL patients were matched by age, gender, and stone burden per renal unit with patients who underwent unilateral PCNL (U‐PCNL) over the same period.

Complications were recorded and classified using the modified Clavien classification system, and then compared with a two‐sided chi‐square test of proportions.

RESULTS

In all, 47 B‐PCNL patients [mean (range) age 54 (14–84) years] and 78 U‐PCNL patients [mean (range) age 54 (17–91 years] were compared. The mean (range) stone burden per renal unit was 2.8 (0.7–7.0) cm and 2.9 (0.7–9.0) cm, respectively.

The overall complication rate was higher for B‐PCNL (53.2% vs 30.8%, P= 0.013). Rates of Grade I and Grade II complications trended toward being higher in the B‐PCNL group. Low‐grade complications (Grade I and II combined) occurred more often in the B‐PCNL group (P= 0.011); the most common low‐grade complication was fever.

Two procedures terminated for poor visualisation due to bleeding were successfully completed in delayed fashion with no transfusion and were classified as Grade I complications.

There were equivalently low rates of Grade III complications. There were no Grade IV or V complications.

CONCLUSIONS

B‐PCNL carries a higher overall complication rate than U‐PCNL when the modified Clavien system is used for classification.

Patients undergoing U‐PCNL who have more than one tract dilatation have a higher complication rate than those who have only one tract dilatation.

High‐grade complications are uncommon for both procedures.
Comparison of transperitoneal and retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Fan Xinxiang , Xu Kewei , Lin Tianxin , Liu Hao , Yin Zi , Dong Wen , Huang Hai , Huang Jian
Published: October 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Laparoscopic nephrectomy is now considered to be the reference procedure for kidney cancer. It can be performed via a transperitoneal or retroperitoneal approach. Each approach has its advantages and disadvantages. No definitive conclusions regarding objective difference between the two approaches have been reached to date.

This meta‐analysis indicates that in appropriately selected patients, especially patients with posteriorly located renal tumors, the retroperitoneal approach may be faster and equally safe compared with the transperitoneal approach.

Objective

To evaluate the efficiency and safety of the retroperitoneal and transperitoneal approaches in laparoscopic radical/partial nephrectomy (RN/PN) for renal cell carcinoma.

Methods

A systematic search of PUBMED, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library was performed to identify prospective randomized controlled trials and retrospective observational studies that compared the outcomes of the two approaches.

Outcomes of interest included perioperative and postoperative variables, surgical complications and oncological variables.

Results

Twelve studies assessing transperitoneal laparoscopic RN (TLRN) vs retroperitoneal laparoscopic RN (RLRN) and six studies assessing transperitoneal laparoscopic PN (TLPN) vs retroperitoneal laparoscopic PN (RLPN) were included.

The RLRN approach had a shorter time to renal artery control (weighted mean difference [WMD] 68.65 min; 95% confidence interval [CI] 40.80–96.50; P < 0.001) and a lower overall complication rate (odds ratio 2.12; 95% CI 1.30–3.47; P = 0.003) than TLRN. RLPN had a shorter operating time (WMD 48.85 min; 95% CI 29.33–68.37; P < 0.001) and a shorter length of hospital stay (WMD 1.01 days; 95% CI 0.39–1.63; P = 0.001) than TLPN.

There were no significant differences between the retroperitoneal and transperitoneal approaches in other outcomes of interest.

Conclusions

This meta‐analysis indicates that, in appropriately selected patients, especially patients with posteriorly located renal tumours, the retroperitoneal approach may be faster and equally safe compared with the transperitoneal approach.

Despite our rigorous methodology, conclusions drawn from our pooled results should be interpreted with caution because of the inherent limitations of the included studies.