bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impaired metabolic control and socio‐demographic status in immigrant children at onset of Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Söderström U. , Samuelsson U. , Sahlqvist L. , Åman J.
Published: May 2014

Aim

The aim of the present study was to compare clinical and socio‐demographic conditions at the onset of Type 1 diabetes in children born to immigrant families and children born to Swedish families, and to assess whether those conditions had an impact on metabolic status.

Methods and design

This was an observational nationwide population‐based matched cohort study on prospectively recorded registry data of all children with diabetes in Sweden and their families during 2000–2010. Out of a total of 13 415 children from the Swedish Childhood Diabetes Registry (SWEDIABKIDS), 879 children born to immigrant parents were collected. To these we added 2627 children with Swedish‐born parents, matched for gender, age and year of onset of Type 1 diabetes.

Results

The proportion of low capillary pH (< 7.30) at onset was higher in the immigrant cohort [25.8% vs. 16.4% in the Swedish cohort (P < 0.001)]. HbA1c was also higher [95 mmol/mol (10.8%) vs. 88 mmol/mol (10.2%), respectively (P < 0.001)]. In a logistic regression model with low pH as the dependent variable, we were unable to reveal any significant association to socio‐demographic factors, but the odds ratio for HbA1c was 0.983 (95% CI 0.976–0.991) and for plasma glucose was 0.953 (95% CI 0.933–0.973).

Conclusion

Children born to immigrant parents have lower capillary pH and higher HbA1c at diabetes onset. Immigrant families harbour lower socio‐demographic living conditions, but this fact does not seem to influence the inferior metabolic condition at diabetes onset.
Change in levels of physical activity after diagnosis of type 2 diabetes: an observational analysis from the NAVIGATOR study
Authors: Preiss D. , Haffner S. M. , Thomas L. E. , Sun J.‐L. , Sattar N. , Yates T. , J Davies M. , McMurray J. J. , Holman R. R. , Califf R. M. , Kraus W. E.
Published: May 2014

Increased physical activity is known to be beneficial in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but it is not known whether individuals change their activity levels after T2DM diagnosis. The present Nateglinide and Valsartan in Impaired Glucose Tolerance Outcomes Research (NAVIGATOR) trial, conducted in participants with impaired glucose tolerance at high cardiovascular risk, assessed ambulatory activity annually using research‐grade pedometers. Oral glucose tolerance tests were performed annually and repeated to confirm T2DM diagnosis. This observational analysis used general linear models to compare step counts before and after T2DM diagnosis in the 2816 participants with the requisite data. Participants were relatively inactive at baseline, taking a median (interquartile range) of 5488 (3258–8361) steps/day, which decreased after T2DM diagnosis by a mean (s.e.) of 258 (64) steps/day (p < 0.0001); however, after adjusting for background trend for activity, step count after T2DM diagnosis was unchanged [mean (s.e.) of 103 (87) fewer steps/day; p = 0.23]. Awareness of T2DM diagnosis had no impact on the trajectory of activity established before the diagnosis.
Not all types of host contacts are equal when it comes to E. coli transmission
Authors: Blyton Michaela D.J. , Banks Sam C. , Peakall Rod , Lindenmayer David B. , Gordon David M.
Published: May 2014

The specific processes that facilitate pathogen transmission are poorly understood, particularly for wild animal populations. A major impediment for investigating transmission pathways is the need for simultaneous information on host contacts and pathogen transfer. In this study, we used commensal Escherichia coli strains as a model system for gastrointestinal pathogens. We combined strain‐sharing information with detailed host contact data to investigate transmission routes in mountain brushtail possums. Despite E. coli being transmitted via the faecal‐oral route, we revealed that, strain‐sharing among possums was better explained by host contacts than spatial proximity. Furthermore, and unexpectedly, strain‐sharing was more strongly associated with the duration of brief nocturnal associations than day‐long den‐sharing. Thus, the most cryptic and difficult associations to measure were the most relevant connections for the transmission of this symbiont. We predict that future studies that employ similar approaches will reveal the importance of previously overlooked associations as key transmission pathways.
Structural and biochemical characterization of the folyl‐poly‐γ‐l‐glutamate hydrolyzing activity of human glutamate carboxypeptidase II
Authors: Navrátil Michal , Ptáček Jakub , Šácha Pavel , Starková Jana , Lubkowski Jacek , Bařinka Cyril , Konvalinka Jan
Published: May 2014

In addition to its well‐characterized role in the central nervous system, human glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII; Uniprot ID Q04609) acts as a folate hydrolase in the small intestine, participating in the absorption of dietary polyglutamylated folates (folyl‐n‐γ‐l‐glutamic acid), which are the provitamin form of folic acid (also known as vitamin B9). Despite the role of GCPII as a folate hydrolase, nothing is known about the processing of polyglutamylated folates by GCPII at the structural or enzymological level. Moreover, many epidemiologic studies on the relationship of the naturally occurring His475Tyr polymorphism to folic acid status suggest that this polymorphism may be associated with several pathologies linked to impaired folate metabolism. In the present study, we report: (a) a series X‐ray structures of complexes between a catalytically inactive GCPII mutant (Glu424Ala) and a panel of naturally occurring polyglutamylated folates; (b) the X‐ray structure of the His475Tyr variant at a resolution of 1.83 Å; (c) the study of the recently identified arene‐binding site of GCPII through mutagenesis (Arg463Leu, Arg511Leu and Trp541Ala), inhibitor binding and enzyme kinetics with polyglutamylated folates as substrates; and (d) a comparison of the thermal stabilities and folate‐hydrolyzing activities of GCPII wild‐type and His475Tyr variants. As a result, the crystallographic data reveal considerable details about the binding mode of polyglutamylated folates to GCPII, especially the engagement of the arene binding site in recognizing the folic acid moiety. Additionally, the combined structural and kinetic data suggest that GCPII wild‐type and His475Tyr variant are functionally identical.

Database

Structural data have been deposited in the RCSB Protein Data Bank database under accession numbers 4MCS (GCPII‐His475Tyr‐glutamate), 4MCP (GCPII‐Glu424Ala‐FolGlu1), 4MCQ (GCPII‐Glu424Ala‐FolGlu2) and 4MCR (GCPII‐Glu424Ala‐FolGlu3).
Evolutionary predictors of mammalian home range size: body mass, diet and the environment
Authors: Tucker Marlee A. , Ord Terry J. , Rogers Tracey L.
Published: May 2014

Aim

Mammalian home range patterns provide information on spatial behaviour and ecological patterns, such as resource use, that is often used by conservation managers in a variety of contexts. However, there has been little research on home range patterns outside of the terrestrial environment, potentially limiting the relevance of current home range models for marine mammals, a group of particular conservation concern. To address this gap, we investigated how variation in mammalian home range size among marine and terrestrial species was related to diet, environment and body mass.

Location

Global.

Methods

We compiled data on home range size, environment (marine and terrestrial), diet and body mass from the literature and empirical studies to obtain a dataset covering 462 mammalian species. We then used phylogenetic regression analyses (to address non‐independence between species) to examine the relative contribution of these factors to variation of home range size among species.

Results

Body size explained the majority of the difference in home range size among species (53–85%), with larger species occupying larger home ranges. The type of food exploited by species was also an important predictor of home range size (an additional 15% of variation), as was the environment, but to a much lesser degree (1.7%).

Main conclusions

The factors contributing to the evolution of home ranges are more complex than has been assumed. We demonstrate that diet and body size both influence home range patterns but differ in their relative contribution, and show that colonization of the marine environment has resulted in the expansion of home range size. Broad‐scale models are often used to inform conservation strategies. We propose that future integrative models should incorporate the possibility of phylogenetic effects and a range of ecological variables, and that they should include species representative of the diversity within a group.
Persistent Migraine Aura: New Cases, a Literature Review, and Ideas About Pathophysiology
Authors: Thissen Sam , Vos Iris G. , Schreuder Tobien H. , Schreurs Wendy M.J. , Postma Linda A. , Koehler Peter J.
Published: May 2014

Background

Persistent migraine aura without infarction (PMA) is a rare condition that is defined as an aura that lasts longer than 1 week in absence of infarction. Two types of PMA have been distinguished, notably persistent primary visual disturbance (PPVD) and typical aura (TA).

Objectives

This case‐based review article describes four new cases of PMA as well as reviews all cases reported, trying to identify relevant associations, in particular with respect to functional investigations.

Methods

We performed a systematic literature search, extending from the period when it was first described (1991) to March 2014. We included all case descriptions of which criteria for PMA formulated in the International Classification of Headache Disorders, second edition, were met. In addition, we described four new cases.

Results

We identified 47 cases of PMA, 27 PMA‐PPVD and 19 PMA‐TA. In one case, there was not enough information to define the type of PMA. The mean age of onset was 30 years, varying from 7 to 74 years. The duration of symptoms varied from 9 days to 28 years. Besides a longer duration in symptoms in the PMA‐PPVD group, we could not identify any differences between these groups. Some authors report occipital hypoactivity on Tc99m‐hexamethylpropylene amine oxime ‐single‐photon emission computed tomography (Tc99m‐HMPAO‐SPECT) or fluorodeoxyglucose‐positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET) in PMA cases, but data are inconsistent. Multiple drugs have been used for the treatment of PMA, usually with little effect. Lamotrigine seems to be the most effective drug.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that 47 cases of PMA have been reviewed in this paper, many questions remain. The cases that have been described so far show inconsistent data with respect to the results of functional studies as well as treatment effects. The pathophysiology of PMA is still largely a matter of conjecture.
Neck Pain Disability Is Related to the Frequency of Migraine Attacks: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Florencio Lidiane L. , Chaves Thaís C. , Carvalho Gabriela F. , Gonçalves Maria C. , Casimiro Elisangela C.B. , Dach Fabíola , Bigal Marcelo E. , Bevilaqua‐Grossi Débora
Published: May 2014

Background

Migraine and neck pain can be critical causes of disability. The contribution of neck pain for the overall disability of individuals with migraine remains unknown.

Objective

To contrast the disability experienced by individuals with episodic and chronic migraine with and without neck pain as captured by the Neck Disability Index.

Methods

Disability due to neck pain was assessed using the Neck Disability Index in individuals with episodic or chronic migraine seen at a university‐based headache center. Neck disability was defined as mild (score ranging from 5 to 14 points), moderate (15‐24 points), severe (25‐34 points) or complete (35 points or higher). To compare differences between groups, a chi‐square test was applied. Log‐binomial logistic regression was used to estimate disability as a function of headache status after adjustments for age, time since migraine onset, and headache intensity.

Results

Sample consisted of 169 individuals, 104 with episodic migraine and 65 with chronic migraine. Any disability due to neck pain happened in 69% of those with episodic migraine, relative to 92% in chronic migraine (P < .001). Individuals with chronic migraine were at a significantly increased risk to have mild (RR = 2.5; CI 95% 1.1‐6.1), moderate (RR = 3.7; CI 95% 1.5‐8.8) and severe (RR = 5.1; CI 95%2.1‐11.9) cervical disability relative to those with episodic migraine. Relative risks remained significant after adjustments. Time since episodic or chronic migraine onset significantly influenced the model (P = .035), but age and headache intensity did not (P = .27; P = .46).

Conclusion

Neck pain significantly adds to the overall disability of individuals with episodic and chronic migraine.
Elevated carbon dioxide and ozone have weak, idiosyncratic effects on herbivorous forest insect abundance, species richness, and community composition
Authors: Hillstrom Michael L. , Couture John J. , Lindroth Richard L.
Published: May 2014

Elevated concentrations of carbon dioxide and tropospheric ozone pose important threats to the abundance, diversity, and composition of forest arthropod communities. In turn, modification of arthropod communities may alter forest health, productivity, and ecosystem services.

We studied the independent and interactive effects of elevated CO2 (eCO2) and elevated O3 (eO3) on the abundance, species richness, and community composition of herbivorous arthropods in stands of trembling aspen and paper birch at the Aspen Free Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) site in northern Wisconsin, USA. We conducted timed, visual surveys of canopy arthropods during each of the summers of 2005, 2006, and 2007.

We examined 26 983 arthropods on aspen and 8344 arthropods on birch across the fumigation treatments. Elevated CO2 and eO3 had species‐specific and temporally variable (i.e. idiosyncratic) effects on aspen and birch arthropod abundance and species richness. Weak, idiosyncratic effects of eCO2 and eO3 on herbivorous arthropod abundance and species richness did not significantly alter aspen arthropod community composition but occasionally altered birch insect community composition. Few interactive effects of CO2 and O3 were observed.

Growing evidence suggests that the effects of eCO2 and eO3 on communities of insects are difficult to predict because responses are generally weak and species‐ and time‐specific. Although studies to date suggest that impacts of future atmospheres on insect community metrics are likely to be minimal, the possibility remains that effects on particularly important or susceptible species may cascade to alter trophic interactions and, ultimately, ecosystem processes.
Nursing students' prosocial motivation: does it predict professional commitment and involvement in the job?
Authors: Nesje Kjersti
Published: May 2014

Aim

This study investigated how prosocial motivation reported by nursing students in their final year of academic studies relates to career commitment and job involvement three years after graduation.

Background

Most studies investigating nurses' prosocial motivation for choosing the nursing profession examine only their prosocial motivation for entering nursing training; they do not investigate whether this motivation is associated with job involvement or commitment to the profession.

Design

A longitudinal survey design was used.

Method

The present longitudinal study included 160 nurses. In their final academic year of spring 2007, the nurses received a questionnaire about their motivation for entering nursing. Three years after graduation, spring 2010, they received another questionnaire about their level of job involvement and career commitment.

Results

The results showed that prosocial motivation measured in their last academic year was related to career commitment three years after graduation, but unrelated to job involvement.

Conclusion

The results indicated that prosocial motivation is important in identifying with the profession but not necessarily for personal involvement in the job. The study gives important knowledge on how a commonly reported motivation for entering nursing relates to the nurses' attitudes about their work life.
The contribution of Anatolia to European phylogeography: the centre of origin of the meadow grasshopper, Chorthippus parallelus
Authors: Korkmaz E. Mahir , Lunt David H. , Çıplak Battal , Değerli Naci , Başıbüyük Hasan H.
Published: May 2014

Aim

Chorthippus parallelus is one of the classic model systems for studying genetic structure and phylogeography in the Western Palaearctic. Here, we investigate the regional genetic differentiation of C. parallelus and evaluate the historical and evolutionary processes responsible for such genetic structuring, test the nature of the Turkish Straits system as a barrier to dispersal, and explore the contribution of Anatolian populations to the biodiversity of the Western Palaearctic.

Location

Western Palaearctic.

Methods

We incorporated sequence data from dense sampling of the phylogeographically important Anatolian region with both previous and newly obtained data of the nuclear fragment cpnl‐1 and the mitochondrial fragment COI–tRNALeu–COII. In total, 1049 sequences of cpnl‐1 from 33 regions were analysed to investigate the genetic diversity, genetic structuring and phylogeography of C. parallelus across its distributional range. The mtDNA region was additionally used to test whether the Turkish Straits system acts as a barrier.

Results

The analyses revealed that not all southern refugial populations of C. parallelus have contributed equally to the post‐glacial recolonization of Europe. Four genetic clusters across the species' range were recovered: cluster A (eastern part of the Anatolian Diagonal); cluster B (western part of the Anatolian Diagonal); cluster C (Spain, Italy, southern Balkans, west part of Anatolia and Russia); and cluster D (covering the entire distributional range of the species). The Turkish Straits system has been a weak barrier to dispersal by C. parallelus, allowing gene flow from Anatolia to the Balkans.

Main conclusions

The current patterns of genetic structuring of C. parallelus were best explained by multiple expansion and contraction events. Anatolia has been well connected to the Balkans, contributing genetically to the establishment of central and northern European populations prior to the Holocene. The Anatolian refugium is suggested to be the centre of origin for Western Palaearctic C. parallelus diversity rather than a Balkan refugium.
Evolutionary patterns in the assembly of fern diversity on the oceanic Mascarene Islands
Authors: Hennequin Sabine , Kessler Michael , Lindsay Stuart , Schneider Harald
Published: May 2014

Aim

To provide insights into the assembly and structure of biotic communities by exploring several processes of island biodiversity assembly: in situ speciation, immigration and ecological processes.

Location

The Mascarene Islands.

Methods

The phylogenetic relationships of 211 out of 232 Mascarene leptosporangiate fern species were reconstructed in relation to a global phylogeny of 400 leptosporangiate fern species to assess the importance of immigration versus in situ speciation and any deviation from randomness. Correlations between speciation and habit (terrestrial or epiphytic/lithophytic) were tested.

Results

We inferred at least 197 colonization events onto the islands, accounting for > 80% of their leptosporangiate fern diversity. The phylogenetic structure of the assemblage of colonists was mostly overdispersed but aggregated at the tips of the phylogeny. Several families were more diverse on the islands than expected by their global richness. Among the 46 endemic species, up to 65% were inferred to have originated by cladogenesis, which in turn was found to be significantly related to a terrestrial habit.

Main conclusions

Immigration has played a major role in the assembly of the fern flora on the Mascarene Islands. The overdispersion pattern supports the hypothesis of a dominant role of competitive interactions in the flora assembly, and we propose that most available niches were filled by species arriving via long‐distance dispersal, preventing further immigration of closely related taxa. The over‐representation of some families may reflect better colonization capacities, preadaptation to the Mascarene ecological niches, or ecological differentiation. Frequent colonization by long‐distance dispersal has probably hampered in situ speciation in some habitats such as the epiphytic realm. Conversely, cladogenetic speciation appears to occur more frequently in terrestrial habitats.
Endothelin‐1 increases the expression of VEGF‐R1/Flt‐1 receptors in rat cultured astrocytes through ETB receptors
Authors: Koyama Yutaka , Hayashi Mio , Nagae Ryuji , Tokuyama Shogo , Konishi Tomohiro
Published: May 2014

Expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors in astrocytes are increased in damaged brains. To clarify the regulatory mechanisms of VEGF receptors, the effects of endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) were examined in rat cultured astrocytes. Expressions of VEGF‐R1 and ‐R2 receptor mRNA were at similar levels, whereas the mRNA expressions of VEGF‐R3 and Tie‐2, a receptor for angiopoietins, were lower. Placenta growth factor, a selective agonist of the VEGF‐R1 receptor, induced phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). Phosphorylations of FAK and ERK 1/2 were also stimulated by VEGF‐E, a selective VEGF‐R2 agonist. Increased phosphorylations of FAK and ERK1/2 by VEGF165 were reduced by selective antagonists for VEGF‐R1 and ‐R2. Treatment with ET‐1 increased VEGF‐R1 mRNA and protein levels. The effects of ET‐1 on VEGF‐R1 mRNA were mimicked by Ala1,3,11,15‐ET‐1, a selective agonist for ETB receptors, and inhibited by BQ788, an ETB antagonist. ET‐1 did not affect the mRNA levels of VEGF‐R2, ‐R3, and Tie‐2. Pre‐treatment with ET‐1 potentiated the effects of placenta growth factor on phosphorylations of FAK and ERK1/2. These findings suggest that ET‐1 induces up‐regulation of VEGF‐R1 receptors in astrocytes, and potentiates VEGF signals in damaged nerve tissues.

image

To clarify the regulatory mechanisms of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors, the effects of endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) were examined in rat cultured astrocytes. Effects of selective VEGF‐R1 and R2 agonist showed that these receptors were linked to focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). Treatment with ET‐1 increased expression of VEGF‐R1, which was mediated by ETB receptors. Pre‐treatment with ET‐1 potentiated the VEGF‐R1‐mediated activations of FAK and ERK1/2. These findings suggest that ET‐1 induces up‐regulation of VEGF‐R1 receptors in astrocytes.
X‐linked Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth type 1: stroke‐like presentation of a novel GJB1 mutation
Authors: Sagnelli Anna , Piscosquito Giuseppe , Chiapparini Luisa , Ciano Claudia , Salsano Ettore , Saveri Paola , Milani Micaela , Taroni Franco , Pareyson Davide
Published: May 2014

X‐linked Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth type 1 (CMTX1) is the second most common type of CMT and is caused by mutations in the Gap‐Junction Beta‐1 gene (GJB1), encoding connexin 32 which is expressed in Schwann cells as well as in oligodendrocytes. More than 400 GJB1 mutations have been described to date. Many mutation‐carrier males have subclinical central nervous system (CNS) involvement, a few show mild CNS clinical signs, whereas only rarely overt though transient CNS dysfunction occurs. We report a 29‐year‐old man with CMTX1 who, at 16 years, showed short‐lived CNS symptoms with transitory white matter abnormalities on cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as first clinical presentation of a novel GJB1 mutation (p.Gln99_His100insGln). He had three consecutive episodes of right hemiparesis, together with sensory loss in the paretic limbs and expressive aphasia, all lasting a few hours, over a 2‐day period, with concurrent white matter hyperintensity on MRI. These “stroke‐like” episodes occurred just after arriving at sea level, after travelling from home at 700 m of altitude. Only a few years later did symptoms of peripheral neuropathy appear. In conclusion, CMTX1 should be included in the differential diagnosis of diseases characterized by transient CNS symptoms and white matter abnormalities on MRI.
Celebrating Organization Theory: The After‐Party
Authors: Davis Gerald F.
Published: May 2014

Organization and management theory as a field faces criticisms from several scholars that it has an unhealthy obsession with ‘theory’, while at the same time seeing very little cumulative theoretical progress. Some have even accused the field of being mired in the 1970s. Lounsbury and Beckman counter with an expansive review of several thriving domains of contemporary organizational research that demonstrate the theoretical vibrancy of the field. This article responds by seeking to define ‘theoretical progress’ in ways that extend beyond just the volume of articles produced. It finds that 1970s‐era classics have seen a surge of citations since the turn of the twenty‐first century, consistent with a view of limited progress. It concludes by outlining three areas of problem‐driven research eminently worthy of attention from organizational researchers.
Recommended standards for dental therapy education programs in the United States: a summary of critical issues
Authors: Licari Frank W. , Evans Caswell A.
Published: May 2014

Dental therapy is an accepted component of the dental profession in the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and in the state of Minnesota. There are also several states working to enact legislation to permit the practice of dental therapy. However, in the absence of nationally recognized educational standards, concerns have been raised relating to the lack of uniformity in dental therapy education. In 2010, a panel of academicians met and prepared a report on the principles, competencies, and curriculum for educating dental therapists. Still, there remained questions in regard to what the minimal educational standards should be for institutions that wish to sponsor dental therapy programs. A second panel was convened to address education standards. This paper describes the Panel's deliberations on three critical issues in developing the report: the length of the program and degree to be awarded; credentials of the program director; and the nature of supervision.
Hypoglycin A Concentrations in Seeds of Acer Pseudoplatanus Trees Growing on Atypical Myopathy‐Affected and Control Pastures
Authors: Unger L. , Nicholson A. , Jewitt E.M. , Gerber V. , Hegeman A. , Sweetman L. , Valberg S.
Published: May 2014

Background

Hypoglycin A, found in seeds of Acer negundo, appears to cause seasonal pasture myopathy (SPM) in North America and is implicated in atypical myopathy (AM) in Europe. Acer negundo is uncommon in Europe. Thus, the potential source of hypoglycin A in Europe is unknown.

Hypothesis and Objectives

We hypothesized that seeds of Acer pseudoplatanus were the source of hypoglycin A in Europe. Our objective was to determine the concentration of hypoglycin A in seeds of A. pseudoplatanus trees located in pastures where previous cases of AM had occurred.

Animals

None.

Methods

University of Berne records were searched to retrospectively identify 6 farms with 10 AM cases and 11 suspected AM deaths between 2007 and 2011. During October 2012, A. pseudoplatanus seeds were collected from 2 to 6 trees per pasture on 6 AM farms (7 pastures) from trees in or close to 2 pastures on 2 control farms where AM had not been previously reported. Hypoglycin A in seeds was analyzed by GC–MS.

Results

Acer pseudoplatanus trees were identified on all AM pastures. Hypoglycin A was detected in all A. pseudoplatanus seeds in highly variable concentrations ranging from 0.04 to 2.81 μg/mg (mean 0.69) on AM farms and 0.10 to 9.12 μg/mg (mean 1.59) on control farms.

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

Preventing horses from grazing pastures containing A. pseudoplatanus seeds during late fall and early spring might be the best means to prevent AM.
Cryptic diversity hides host and habitat specialization in a gorgonian‐algal symbiosis
Authors: Prada Carlos , McIlroy Shelby E. , Beltrán Diana M. , Valint Daniel J. , Ford Scott A. , Hellberg Michael E. , Coffroth Mary Alice
Published: May 2014

Shallow water anthozoans, the major builders of modern coral reefs, enhance their metabolic and calcification rates with algal symbionts. Controversy exists over whether these anthozoan–algae associations are flexible over the lifetimes of individual hosts, promoting acclimative plasticity, or are closely linked, such that hosts and symbionts co‐evolve across generations. Given the diversity of algal symbionts and the morphological plasticity of many host species, cryptic variation within either partner could potentially confound studies of anthozoan‐algal associations. Here, we used ribosomal, organelle and nuclear sequences, along with microsatellite variation, to study the relationship between lineages of a common Caribbean gorgonian and its algal symbionts. The gorgonian Eunicea flexuosa is a broadcast spawner, composed of two recently diverged, genetically distinct lineages largely segregated by depth. We sampled colonies of the two lineages across depth gradients at three Caribbean locations. We find that each host lineage is associated with a unique Symbiodinium B1/184 phylotype. This relationship between host and symbiont is maintained when host colonies are reciprocally transplanted, although cases of within phylotype switching were also observed. Even when the phylotypes of both partners are present at intermediate depths, the specificity between host and symbiont lineages remained absolute. Unrecognized cryptic diversity may mask host‐symbiont specificity and change the inference of evolutionary processes in mutualistic associations. Symbiotic specificity thus likely contributes to the ecological divergence of the two partners, generating species diversity within coral reefs.
Learning, support and communication for staff in care homes: outcomes of reflective debriefing groups in two care homes to enhance end‐of‐life care
Authors: Hockley Jo
Published: May 2014

Background

Nursing care homes are increasingly the place where frail older people die. However, training in end‐of‐life care is not statutory.

Aims and objectives

To develop strategies to promote quality end‐of‐life care in nursing care homes.

Design

Action research was used to work collaboratively with the managers and staff in two nursing care homes to develop end‐of‐life care.

Methods

There were three overarching phases: an exploratory phase, feedback/planning of actions and a summative evaluation. Two main actions were inductively derived. One of the actions, reflective debriefing groups following a resident's death, is reported.

Results

Ten reflective debriefing groups, led by the researcher (a specialist palliative care nurse), were undertaken. The groups facilitated learning at three different levels (being taught, developing understanding and critical thinking) and enabled staff to feel supported and valued.

Implications for practice

The use of reflective debriefing groups is a useful mechanism to support experience‐based learning about death/dying in care homes.
First branchial cleft fistula: case report and literature review
Authors: Abo‐Alhassan F. , Faras F. , Hussain A.H. , Bastaki J. , Al‐Terki A.E.
Published: May 2014

First branchial cleft anomalies are rare congenital malformations of the head and neck region. These anomalies account for less than 1% of all branchial anomalies. They are frequently misdiagnosed and hence mismanaged. The lesions are variable in presentation and course, making radiographic imaging techniques such as computed tomographic fistulography and magnetic resonance imaging the best first step in managing such cases. We present a 17‐year‐old Caucasian female who had a first branchial cleft fistula communicating between the right external auditory canal and the angle of the mandible. Surgical exploration revealed a completely subcutaneous tract not involving the parotid gland parenchyma, which makes this case even more significant.
Determinants of Falls in Community‐Dwelling Elderly: Hierarchical Analysis
Authors: Brito Thais Alves , Coqueiro Raildo da Silva , Fernandes Marcos Henrique , de Jesus Cleber Souza
Published: May 2014

Objective

To analyze the fall‐related factors in community‐dwelling elderly.

Design and Sample

Epidemiologic cross‐sectional population‐based household study with hierarchical interrelationships among the potential risk factors. The sample was made up of noninstitutionalized individuals over age 60, who were resident of a city in Brazil's Northeast Region.

Measures

The dependent variable was fall occurrence in the last 12 months; independent variables were sociodemographic, behavioral, health, and functional status factors. Multivariate hierarchical Poisson regression analysis was used based on a proposed theoretic model.

Results

Three hundred and sixteen (89.0%) elderly participated of the survey, average age 74.2 years; the majority was female, with limited literacy and had low‐medium family income. The fall prevalence was of 25.8%; occurrence was related to depression symptoms (PR = 1.55) and balance limitation (PR = 1.56).

Conclusions

The high fall prevalence among elderly necessitates the identification of fall‐related factors for action planning prevention programs with this group.
Involvement of abscisic acid and salicylic acid in signal cascade regulating bacterial endophyte‐induced volatile oil biosynthesis in plantlets of Atractylodes lancea
Authors: Wang Xiao‐Mi , Yang Bo , Ren Cheng‐Gang , Wang Hong‐Wei , Wang Jin‐Yan , Dai Chuan‐Chao
Published: May 2014

The enormous biological diversity of endophytes, coupled with their potential to enhance the production of bioactive metabolites in plants, has driven research efforts focusing on endophytes. However, limited information is available on the impacts of bacterial endophytes on plant secondary metabolism and signaling pathways involved. This work showed that an endophytic Acinetobacter sp. ALEB16, capable of activating accumulation of plant volatile oils, also induced abscisic acid (ABA) and salicylic acid (SA) production in Atractylodes lancea. Pre‐treatment of plantlets with biosynthetic inhibitors of ABA or SA blocked the bacterium‐induced volatile production. ABA inhibitors suppressed not only the bacterium‐induced volatile accumulation but also the induced ABA and SA generation; nevertheless, SA inhibitors did not significantly inhibit the induced ABA biosynthesis, implying that SA acted downstream of ABA production. These results were confirmed by observations that exogenous ABA and SA reversed the inhibition of bacterium‐induced volatile accumulation by inhibitors. Transcriptional activities of genes in sesquiterpenoid biosynthesis also increased significantly with bacterium, ABA and SA treatments. Mevalonate pathway proved to be the main source of isopentenyldiphosphate for bacterium‐induced sesquiterpenoids, as assessed in experiments using specific terpene biosynthesis inhibitors. These results suggest that Acinetobacter sp. acts as an endophytic elicitor to stimulate volatile biosynthesis of A. lancea via an ABA/SA‐dependent pathway, thereby yielding additional insight into the interconnection between ABA and SA in biosynthesis‐related signaling pathways.
Intrinsic Causation in Humean Supervenience
Authors: Kodaj Daniel
Published: May 2014

The paper investigates whether causation is extrinsic in Humean Supervenience (HS) in the sense that being caused by is an intrinsic relation between token causes and effects. The underlying goal is to test whether causality is extrinsic for Humeans and intrinsic for anti‐Humeans in this sense. I argue that causation is typically extrinsic in HS, but it is intrinsic to event pairs that collectively exhaust almost the whole of history.
Extensive human suffering: a point prevalence survey of patients' most distressing concerns during inpatient care
Authors: Fridh Isabell , Kenne Sarenmalm Elisabeth , Falk Kristin , Henoch Ingela , Öhlén Joakim , Ozanne Anneli , Jakobsson Ung Eva
Published: May 2014

Aim

To explore patients' most distressing concerns during a hospital stay.

Background

The characteristics of hospitalised patients have changed. Care is provided at a higher age, lengths of stay have fallen and the nursing workload is increasing. It is presumed that hospitalised patients are more seriously ill and have more palliative needs than previously. Studies show that inpatients suffer from more distress than similar outpatients although there is a lack of overall knowledge about inpatients' distress and major concerns, regardless of age, diagnosis or care setting.

Methods

This study was part of a point prevalence survey (PPS) concerning symptom prevalence. Of the 710 patients who participated in the PPS, 678 (95%) answered an open‐ended question in a questionnaire: What is your main concern or what is most distressing or troublesome for you at present? Using a life‐world approach, the text was analysed qualitatively and patients' concerns were interpreted in two main dimensions, an intersubjective dimension and a temporal dimension.

Findings

The patients reported extensive suffering due to illness, symptoms and failing health. Patients were concerned about family members, existential issues and the future. Three aspects of the patients' most distressing concerns were interpreted: The suffering self, The suffering person in close relations and The suffering person in a threatening world.

Conclusion

Hospitalised patients are affected by severe illness, distressing symptoms and existential quandaries, revealing extensive human suffering in the midst of the demanding activities that take place during an ordinary day in a hospital. To support patients and alleviate suffering, hospital staff need to be more sensitive to patients' most distressing concerns. This presupposes a hospital environment in which the value system supports caring and comforting behaviour.
An envisioning about the caring in listening
Authors: Koskinen Camilla A.‐L. , Lindström Unni Å.
Published: May 2014

The purpose of this article is to make visible further dimensions and uncover an envisioning about the caring in listening in the field of caring science, which may improve the care for the suffering human being, the patient. Eriksson's caritative theory of caring constitutes the starting point for this search for knowledge, while the research method is realised by a hermeneutic reading based on the philosopher of hermeneutics, Gadamer's thought. The research is realised by a reading of Fyodor Dostoyevsky's literary works. The literary characters Sonia in Crime and Punishment and Alyosha in The Brothers Karamazov, uncovers patterns of meaning‐bearing units towards the caring and the interpretation of a more profound envisioning about the caring in listening. The uncovering and interpretation show that patients in their suffering long to meet a caregiver who listens without the least condemnation in their eyes and demeanour. Patients need a listening caregiver who shows compassion and who has the courage to remain in the struggle of suffering and to carry the patients through insupportable pain, guilt and shame. Through listening, it is possible to reawaken a numb heart, to take individuals who have gone through a good deal of suffering, from darkness, degradation, unendurable pain to the light and to awaken their zest for life and joy to live. Listening renews, delivers and transforms human beings so that they can begin to find a new direction in life and start living a life in accordance with their own fundamental order, purpose, essential decision and individuality. Listening takes patients out of their loneliness and unbearable suffering into communion and a life worth living.
Anatomy of falling‐stage deltas in the Turonian Ferron Sandstone of the western Henry Mountains Syncline, Utah: Growth faults, slope failures and mass transport complexes
Authors: Fielding Christopher R.
Published: May 2014

Falling‐stage deltas are predicted by sequence stratigraphic models, yet few reliable criteria are available to diagnose falling‐stage deltaic systems in surface exposures. Recent work on the Upper Cretaceous (Turonian) Ferron Sandstone in the western Henry Mountains Syncline of south‐central Utah has established its environment of deposition as a series of modest‐sized (5 to 20 km wide), probably asymmetrical, mixed‐influence deltas (‘Ferron Notom Delta’) that dispersed sediment eastwards from the rising Sevier orogenic hinterland into the Western Cordilleran Foreland Basin. Analysis of sandstone body stacking patterns in a 67 km long, depositional strike‐parallel (north–south) transect indicates that the growth of successive deltas was strongly forced by synsedimentary growth of a long wavelength (ca 100 km), 50 m amplitude fold structure. Herein, two discrete areas within this transect, superbly exposed in three dimensions, are documented in order to determine the details of stratal stacking patterns in the depositional dip direction, and thereby to assess the stratigraphic context of the Ferron Notom Delta. In the two study areas, dip transects expose facies representing river mouth bar to distal delta front environments over distances of 2 to 4 km. Key stratal packages are clinothems that offlap, downlap, and describe descending regressive trajectories with respective to basal and top datums; they are interpreted as the product of relative sea‐level fall. The vertical extent of clinoforms suggests that deltas prograded into <30 m of water. Furthermore, these deltaic successions preserve abundant evidence of delta front slope failure, growth faulting, and incision and filling of deep (<15 m) slope gullies. Gully fills are composed of chaotic intraformational breccia and/or massive sandstone, and constitute linear, ‘shoestring’ sandbodies in the distal portions of individual palaeodelta systems. They are interpreted to have been cut and filled during the late falling‐stage and lowstand of relative sea‐level cycles. The north–south distribution of the stratal style described above seems to be focused on the flanks of the growth anticline, and so the numerous falling‐stage systems tracts preserved within the Ferron Notom Delta probably owe their origin to synsedimentary structural growth, and the unstable fluid pressure regime that this growth imposed on the sea floor and shallow subsurface.
Retrospective evaluation of phacoemulsification and aspiration in 41 horses (46 eyes): visual outcomes vs. age, intraocular lens, and uveitis status
Authors: Edelmann Michele L. , McMullen Richard , Stoppini Riccardo , Clode Alison , Gilger Brian C.
Published: May 2014

Objective

To determine the effect of age at the time of surgery, intraocular lens (IOL) placement, and presence of chronic uveitis on visual outcome after phacoemulsification and aspiration (PA) of cataracts in horses.

Animals studied

Records of 41 horses (46 eyes) receiving unilateral or bilateralPA.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of horses receiving unilateral or bilateralPAat theNCSU‐VTH(35 horses, 39 eyes) and in Northern Italy (six horses, seven eyes) was performed. Visual status at last follow‐up was compared to age at the time of surgery,IOLstatus, and presence of chronic uveitis preoperatively. Seven horses with chronic uveitis also underwent placement of a suprachoroidal cyclosporine implant. Clinical ophthalmic examinations and owner questionnaires were used to evaluate visual status.

Results

Twenty‐one of 46 eyes (46%) received anIOLand 12 of 46 eyes (26%) had chronic uveitis. Overall, 25 of 46 eyes (54%) were visual at last follow‐up (mean 35.1 ± 34.8 months). Age (mean 8.6 ± 7.7 years) was not significantly associated with visual outcome. Fourteen of 21 (67%) pseudophakic eyes and 11 of 25 (44%) aphakic eyes were visual at last follow‐up (P = 0.342). Eyes with preoperative chronic uveitis were significantly less likely to be visual (3 of 12 eyes [25%]) than horses without preoperative chronic uveitis (22 of 34 eyes [65%]) (P = 0.023).

Conclusions

Horses with chronic uveitis had significantly less favorable visual outcome afterPA. Older age at surgery andIOLuse were not associated with poor visual outcome.
Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia tarda with progressive arthropathy associated with subcapsular cataract
Authors: Mandal Sanjay Kumar , Ghosh Sudip , Mondal Soumya Sarathi , Chatterjee Suman
Published: May 2014

Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia tarda with progressive arthropathy is a form of inherited skeletal dysplasia involving the axial skeleton along with swelling and deformities of the peripheral joints that mimics juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. We report a case of a 14-year-old school boy who presented with dwarfism, spine deformity, ocular anomaly and peripheral arthropathy with characteristic radiological changes in the vertebrae and multiple other joints.
Sudden worsening after subdural haematoma surgery: will there be a corpus callosum injury?
Authors: Panciani Pier Paolo , Roca Elena , Lodoli Giovanni , Fontanella Marco Maria
Published: May 2014

We report a case of mild encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion (MERS) which occurred after chronic subdural haematoma (CSDH) surgery. The patient was admitted to our hospital for drowsiness and marked asthenia. The cerebral CT scan revealed a CSDH and surgery allowed to improve the symptoms, but after several days we observed a sudden worsening. The patient developed left-sided myoclonic seizures followed by left hemiplegia and worsening drowsiness. Electrolytes imbalance and inflammatory causes were excluded. The CT scan showed a right cerebral swelling and the subsequent MRI revealed a single lesion in the splenium of the corpus callosum, hyperintense on diffusion-weighted images. After osmotic therapy the patient improved and on day 10 of admission the MRI showed a complete resolution of the lesion. This is the first report that described an association between CSDH and MERS. Possible aetiopathogenetic mechanisms are discussed.
Gallbladder torsion with acute cholecystitis and gross necrosis
Authors: Alkhalili Eyas , Bencsath Kalman
Published: May 2014

A 92-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with a 2-week history of worsening right-sided abdominal pain. On examination she had right mid-abdominal tenderness. Laboratory studies demonstrated leukocytosis with normal liver function tests. A CT of the abdomen was remarkable for a large fluid collection in the right abdomen and no discernible gallbladder in the gallbladder fossa. An ultrasound confirmed the suspicion of a distended, floating gallbladder. The patient was taken to the operating room for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The gallbladder was found to have volvulised in a counter -clockwise manner around its pedicle, with gross necrosis of the gallbladder. She underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Pathological examination revealed acute necrotising calculus cholecystitis.