bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early neonatal morbidity and mortality in growth‐discordant twins
Authors: DE CÁSSIA ALAM MACHADO RITA , DE LOURDES BRIZOT MARIA , LIAO ADOLFO WENJAW , KREBS VERA LÚCIA JORNADA , ZUGAIB MARCELO
Published: January 2009

Objective. To evaluate early neonatal morbidity and mortality in twin pregnancies with growth discordance. Design. Retrospective study. Setting. Tertiary teaching hospital, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Population. A total of 151 twin pregnancies managed and delivered at the Multiple Pregnancy Unit at São Paulo University Hospital between 1998 and 2004. Methods. Comparison between twin pregnancies with weight discordance ≥20% and pregnancies concordant for fetal weight. Cases with fetal death, abnormalities, twin‐to‐twin transfusion and delivery before 26 weeks or in another hospital were excluded. Outcome measures. Early neonatal morbidity (Apgar at 5 minutes <7, respiratory or neurological complications, infection, necrotizing enterocolitis, length of hospital stay) and mortality. Results. Forty (26.5%) pregnancies presented discordance ≥20% and 111 (73.5%) were concordant. In the discordant group, 75% of pregnancies had at least one growth restricted fetus (<10th centile). In concordant twin pregnancies, monochorionic cases (22.5%) presented with lower gestational age (34.3 vs. 36.2 weeks), lower birthweight (2,067 vs. 2,334 g) and a longer period of hospital stay (5.5 vs. 3.0) compared to dichorionic concordant twins. No differences between monochorionic and dichorionic subgroups were observed in discordant twins. Pregnancies in which at least one baby was born with a birthweight below the 10th centile showed that discordant pregnancies had a lower gestational age at delivery (35.2 vs. 36.8 weeks) and a longer period of hospital stay (9 vs. 4 weeks) compared to concordant cases. Neonatal mortality was similar in discordant (3.7%) and concordant (4.5%) twins. Conclusion. Early perinatal morbidity is increased in twin pregnancies with birthweight discordance ≥20% only when associated with fetal growth restriction and low birthweight.
Reasons of refusal and drop out in a follow up study involving primigravidae in Pakistan
Authors: ROHRA DILEEP KUMAR , KHAN NEELOFUR BABAR , AZAM SYED IQBAL , SIKANDAR ROZINA , ZUBERI HINA SAEED , ZEB AMNA , QUREISHI RAHAT NAJAM , HASAN RIMSHA
Published: January 2009

Objective. To determine the reasons underlying the refusals to participate and drop outs from a follow up study involving primigravidae. Design. A descriptive study. Methods. Aga Khan University and Aga Khan Hospital for Women, Karachi, jointly initiated a nested case‐control study on primigravidae for determining the predictability of preeclampsia using various biochemical markers in blood. The protocol‐eligible study subjects were counseled along with their accompanying family members to participate in the study. All women recruited in this study were followed up throughout their pregnancy till delivery. Results. One thousand six hundred and sixty‐five primigravidae were identified as the potential study subjects. Out of which, 1,307 (78.5%) consented and 358 (21.5%) refused to participate in the study. The most common reason underlying the refusal was inability to get permission from the family members (n = 84; 34.4%) followed by fear of prick (n = 51; 20.9%). For 114 refusals, either the reason was not mentioned by the counseled women (n = 60) or the data was missing (n = 54). Out of 1,307 women recruited in the research, only 611 (46.7%) women completed the study according to the prescribed protocol. Among the rest, 102 (7.8%) subsequently withdrew from the research, 503 (38.5%) were dropped out, and 91 (7.0%) were lost to follow up. Conclusions. Refusal to participate and drop out from the research program are two significant factors hindering the smooth flow of a study. In Pakistan, the major reason for the refusal by the protocol‐eligible pregnant women for participating in a research program is the unwillingness of the family members.
The SAHR Setup‐Controlling Hopping Speed and Height Using a Single Actuator
Authors: Cherouvim N. , Papadopoulos E.
Published: January 2009

In this paper we present and experimentally validate a control method for regulating both the forward speed and the apex height of a one‐legged hopping robot, using only a single actuator. The control method is based on a dynamic model of the hopping robot and makes use of the dynamic coupling of the vertical and forward motions of the robot. The control is applied first to a simulated model of the robot and shown to track a desired forward robot speed and a desired apex height. Then the SAHR (single actuator hopping robot) hardware is introduced and is used as an experimental platform with which to evaluate the performance of the control method. The control method is applied to the physical setup and is shown to lead to a stable hopping gait with a desired forward speed and apex height, despite the unmodelled disturbances met on the laboratory floor.
EXPLAINING DUTCH FERTILITY RATES IN A COMPARATIVE EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Rijken Arieke J. , Knijn Trudie
Published: January 2009

This article contributes to the search for explanations of the cross-national variation in fertility rates by studying the influence of social policy, economic and cultural factors on fertility in the former EU15, while giving special attention to one case: The Netherlands. This country lacks good social policy for supporting parents to combine work and care and nevertheless has a relatively high fertility rate. This article addresses the backgrounds of that phenomenon, using comparative macro level data from several sources, such as ‘the child benefit package’, the European Values Studies, OECD and Eurostat. We argue that bivariate relationships cannot explain cross-national variation in fertility rates. Therefore, we analyse configurations of factors, which shows among others that high availability of part-time jobs for women constitutes only part of the explanation for the Dutch fertility level. Good economic prospects and high male wages in combination with relatively low female human capital make that Dutch families can afford children at their own costs when men work full-time and women work part-time. Therefore, the low level of social policy that supports parents in the indirect or direct costs of children does not result in low fertility rates.
THE DIVERSITY OF ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
Authors: Elvers Horst-Dietrich , Gross Matthias , Heinrichs Harald
Published: January 2009

By comparing the US environmental justice movement with recent European developments, this paper suggests an environmental justice framework which is based on the idea of environmental justice as a heterogeneous process rather than an analytical or normative category. Using major debates on environmental justice particularly in the UK and Germany as a touchstone, eight dimensions of environmental justice are carved out and integrated into a processual model. It is discussed how environmental justice as a process may become robust enough to integrate and react to changing natural and social conditions.
TORC2 Plasma Membrane Localization Is Essential for Cell Viability and Restricted to a Distinct Domain
Authors: Berchtold Doris , Walther Tobias C.
Published: January 2009

The conserved target of rapamycin (TOR) kinases regulate many aspects of cellular physiology. They exist in two distinct complexes, termed TOR complex 1 (TORC1) and TOR complex 2 (TORC2), that posses both overlapping and distinct components. TORC1 and TORC2 respond differently to the drug rapamycin and have different cellular functions: whereas the rapamycin-sensitive TORC1 controls many aspects of cell growth and has been characterized in great detail, the TOR complex 2 is less understood and regulates actin polymerization, cell polarity, and ceramide metabolism. How signaling specificity and discrimination between different input signals for the two kinase complexes is achieved is not understood. Here, we show that TORC1 and TORC2 have different localizations in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. TORC1 is localized exclusively to the vacuolar membrane, whereas TORC2 is localized dynamically in a previously unrecognized plasma membrane domain, which we term membrane compartment containing TORC2 (MCT). We find that plasma membrane localization of TORC2 is essential for viability and mediated by lipid binding of the C-terminal domain of the Avo1 subunit. From these data, we suggest that the TOR complexes are spatially separated to determine downstream signaling specificity and their responsiveness to different inputs.
Repetitive sequence variation and dynamics in the ribosomal DNA array of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as revealed by whole-genome resequencing
Authors: James Stephen A. , O'Kelly Michael J.T. , Carter David M. , Davey Robert P. , van Oudenaarden Alexander , Roberts Ian N.
Published: January 2009

Ribosomal DNA (rDNA) plays a key role in ribosome biogenesis, encoding genes for the structural RNA components of this important cellular organelle. These genes are vital for efficient functioning of the cellular protein synthesis machinery and as such are highly conserved and normally present in high copy numbers. In the baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, there are more than 100 rDNA repeats located at a single locus on chromosome XII. Stability and sequence homogeneity of the rDNA array is essential for function, and this is achieved primarily by the mechanism of gene conversion. Detecting variation within these arrays is extremely problematic due to their large size and repetitive structure. In an attempt to address this, we have analyzed over 35 Mbp of rDNA sequence obtained from whole-genome shotgun sequencing (WGSS) of 34 strains of S. cerevisiae. Contrary to expectation, we find significant rDNA sequence variation exists within individual genomes. Many of the detected polymorphisms are not fully resolved. For this type of sequence variation, we introduce the term partial single nucleotide polymorphism, or pSNP. Comparative analysis of the complete data set reveals that different S. cerevisiae genomes possess different patterns of rDNA polymorphism, with much of the variation located within the rapidly evolving nontranscribed intergenic spacer (IGS) region. Furthermore, we find that strains known to have either structured or mosaic/hybrid genomes can be distinguished from one another based on rDNA pSNP number, indicating that pSNP dynamics may provide a reliable new measure of genome origin and stability.
A transcription factor affinity-based code for mammalian transcription initiation
Authors: Megraw Molly , Pereira Fernando , Jensen Shane T. , Ohler Uwe , Hatzigeorgiou Artemis G.
Published: January 2009

The recent arrival of large-scale cap analysis of gene expression (CAGE) data sets in mammals provides a wealth of quantitative information on coding and noncoding RNA polymerase II transcription start sites (TSS). Genome-wide CAGE studies reveal that a large fraction of TSS exhibit peaks where the vast majority of associated tags map to a particular location (∼45%), whereas other active regions contain a broader distribution of initiation events. The presence of a strong single peak suggests that transcription at these locations may be mediated by position-specific sequence features. We therefore propose a new model for single-peaked TSS based solely on known transcription factors (TFs) and their respective regions of positional enrichment. This probabilistic model leads to near-perfect classification results in cross-validation (auROC = 0.98), and performance in genomic scans demonstrates that TSS prediction with both high accuracy and spatial resolution is achievable for a specific but large subgroup of mammalian promoters. The interpretable model structure suggests a DNA code in which canonical sequence features such as TATA-box, Initiator, and GC content do play a significant role, but many additional TFs show distinct spatial biases with respect to TSS location and are important contributors to the accurate prediction of single-peak transcription initiation sites. The model structure also reveals that CAGE tag clusters distal from annotated gene starts have distinct characteristics compared to those close to gene 5′-ends. Using this high-resolution single-peak model, we predict TSS for ∼70% of mammalian microRNAs based on currently available data.
Systemic or intra-amygdala injection of a benzodiazepine (midazolam) impairs extinction but spares re-extinction of conditioned fear responses
Authors: Hart Genevra , Harris Justin A. , Westbrook R. Frederick
Published: January 2009

Rats were subjected to one or two cycles of fear conditioning and extinction, injected with a benzodiazepine, midazolam, before the first or second extinction, and tested for long-term inhibition of fear responses (freezing). In Experiment 1, inhibition of context-conditioned fear was spared when midazolam was injected before the second extinction, but impaired when injected before the first. In Experiment 2, it was spared when midazolam was injected before the second extinction, but only if vehicle had been injected before the first: Inhibition was impaired when the drug was injected before both. In Experiment 3, inhibition of a discrete conditioned stimulus (CS A) was spared when midazolam was injected before its second extinction, but impaired when injected before extinction of CS A in rats that had undergone extinction of CS B. In Experiment 4, inhibition was spared when midazolam was injected into the basolateral amygdala before the second extinction, but impaired when injected before the first extinction of context-conditioned fear. The results show that midazolam impairs learning, but not relearning to inhibit fear responses, and are discussed in terms of state dependency, error correction, and memory retrieval, whereby the drug's anxiolytic effects on the second extinction reactivate and strengthen the original inhibitory memory.
Formation of Nuclear Bodies of Arabidopsis CRY2 in Response to Blue Light Is Associated with Its Blue Light–Dependent Degradation
Authors: Yu Xuhong , Sayegh Ricardo , Maymon Maskit , Warpeha Katherine , Klejnot John , Yang Hongyun , Huang Jie , Lee Janet , Kaufman Lon , Lin Chentao
Published: January 2009

Arabidopsis thaliana cryptochrome 2 (CRY2) mediates photoperiodic promotion of floral initiation and blue light inhibition of hypocotyl elongation. It has been hypothesized that photoexcitation derepresses CRY2 by disengaging its C-terminal domain from the N-terminal PHR domain. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed activities of CRY2 fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP) at either the N terminus (GFP-CRY2) or the C terminus (CRY2-GFP). While GFP-CRY2 exerts light-dependent biochemical and physiological activities similar to those of the endogenous CRY2, CRY2-GFP showed constitutive biochemical and physiological activities. CRY2-GFP is constitutively phosphorylated, it promotes deetiolation in both dark and light, and it activates floral initiation in both long-day and short-day photoperiods. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that photoexcited CRY2 disengages its C-terminal domain from the PHR domain to become active. Surprisingly, we found that CRY2-GFP, but not GFP-CRY2, formed distinct nuclear bodies in response to blue light. Compared with GFP-CRY2 or the endogenous CRY2, CRY2-GFP degradation was significantly retarded in response to blue light, suggesting that the nuclear bodies may result from accumulation of photoexcited CRY2-GFP waiting to be degraded. Consistent with this interpretation, we showed that both GFP-CRY2 and endogenous CRY2 formed nuclear bodies in the presence of the 26S-proteasome inhibitors that block blue light–dependent CRY2 degradation.
On the optimization of bond-valence parameters: artifacts conceal chemical effects
Authors: Wang Xiqu , Liebau Friedrich
Published: January 2009

We recently proposed that calculated bond-valence sums, BVS, represent a non-integer structural valence, `struct
V', rather than the integer-value stoichiometric valence, stoich
V. Therefore, the usual attempts to `optimize' bond-valence parameters r
0 and b by adjusting them to stoich
V are based on the false assumption that numerical values of struct
V and stoich
V are always equal. Bond-valence calculations for several compounds with stereoactive cations SnII, SbIII and BiIII reveal the balanced distribution of the bonding power struct
V between atoms of each structure.
Persistent hydrogen bonding in polymorphic crystal structures
Authors: Galek Peter T. A. , Fábián László , Allen Frank H.
Published: January 2009

The significance of hydrogen bonding and its variability in polymorphic crystal structures is explored using new automated structural analysis methods. The concept of a chemically equivalent hydrogen bond is defined, which may be identified in pairs of structures, revealing those types of bonds that may persist, or not, in moving from one polymorphic form to another. Their frequency and nature are investigated in 882 polymorphic structures from the Cambridge Structural Database. A new method to compare conformations of equivalent molecules is introduced and applied to derive distinct subsets of conformational and packing polymorphs. The roles of chemical functionality and hydrogen-bond geometry in persistent interactions are systematically explored. Detailed structural comparisons reveal a large majority of persistent hydrogen bonds that are energetically crucial to structural stability.
Following an isosymmetric phase transition by changes in bond lengths and anisotropic displacement parameters: the case of meta-carboxyphenylammonium phosphite
Authors: Bendeif El-Eulmi , Lecomte Claude , Dahaoui Slimane
Published: January 2009

Crystal structure studies in the 100–345 K temperature range were performed to relate the molecular structure changes of meta-carboxyphenylammonium phosphite (m-CPAMP) to its first-order phase transition at T
c = 246 (2) K. Thermal displacement parameters and most bond distances show an abrupt jump at the transition. Such a structural change is related to collective effects leading to competition between intra- and intermolecular interactions.
Identification of novel putative virulence factors, adhesin AIDA and type VI secretion system, in atypical strains of fish pathogenicEdwardsiella tardaby genomic subtractive hybridization
Authors: Sakai Takamitsu , Matsuyama Tomomasa , Sano Motohiko , Iida Takaji
Published: January 2009

Edwardsiella tarda,which is known to be the causative agent of edwardsiellosis in freshwater and marine fish, has two motility phenotypes. Typical strains exhibiting motility are isolated mainly from freshwater fish and Japanese flounder. Atypical strains exhibiting non‐motility are isolated mainly from marine fish, with the exception of Japanese flounder. Subtractive hybridization was performed to identify genomic differences between these two phenotypes. Two fragments which showed homology to potential virulence factors were isolated from atypical strains: the autotransporter adhesin AIDA and a component of T6SS. We analysed DNA sequences of about 5 kbp containing these fragments and identified two partial ORF, and ORF encoding for other components of T6SS. The predicted amino acid sequences showed remarkably low homology to components of T6SS reported in the typicalE. tardastrain PPD130/91. Furthermore, the organization of these ORF was different from the gene cluster of the typicalE. tardastrain. AIDA and T6SS may therefore be associated with different pathogenicity in typical and atypicalE. tardahosts.
Integrating children's services in England: national evaluation of children's trusts
Authors: Bachmann M. O. , O'Brien M. , Husbands C. , Shreeve A. , Jones N. , Watson J. , Reading R. , Thoburn J. , Mugford M. ,   the National Evaluation of Children's Trusts Team
Published: January 2009

Background  Poor co‐ordination of services can have severe consequences for disadvantaged children with complex needs. Since 2003 national and local governments in England embarked on sweeping reforms aimed at improving and integrating local health, education and social services for children. These were to be organized locally by children's trusts and piloted by 35 children's trust pathfinders.

Methods  This study described and compared the experience of integrating children's services in all 35 children's trust pathfinders, covering 20% of children in England. It had a prospective mixed‐methods design. Over 3 years we interviewed 147 managers and professionals working in the children's trusts, including 172 semi‐structured interviews, carried out two questionnaire surveys of the 35 children's trusts and analysed official documents.

Results  In most areas different agencies jointly commissioned children's services, especially for mental health, disabilities and multi‐purpose children's centres, and increasingly pooled finances. Provision of multi‐agency and multi‐professional services was increasing. Professionals generally supported these changes but found them stressful. All children's trusts appointed directors of children's services and established boards representing multiple agencies. Systems for sharing information about individual children were mostly in place but were still underused. Health services were generally less involved in joint work than were local authorities' education and social care services, with notable exceptions. Areas where local authorities and health authorities shared geographical boundaries made most progress. Some children's trusts made few changes beyond their statutory obligations.

Conclusion  Children's trusts enabled major changes to services in areas where local actors and organizations were motivated and empowered. In other areas the remit of children's trusts was often too broad and vague to overcome entrenched organizational and professional divisions and interests. Policymakers need to balance facilitation of change in areas with dynamic change agents with methods for ensuring that dormant areas and agencies are not left behind.
Climate‐related trends in Australian vegetation cover as inferred from satellite observations, 1981–2006
Authors: DONOHUE RANDALL J. , McVICAR TIM R. , RODERICK MICHAEL L.
Published: January 2009

Using Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer data spanning 1981–2006 and calibrated for long‐term analyses of vegetation dynamics, we examine whether vegetation cover has increased across Australia and whether there has been a differential response of vegetation functional types in response to changes in climatic growing conditions. Trends in vegetation cover are interpreted within Budyko's energy – water limitation framework. Results from an Australia‐wide analysis indicate that vegetation cover (as described by the fraction of Photosynthetically Active Radiation absorbed by vegetation; fPAR) has increased, on average, by 0.0007 per year – an increase of ∼8% over the 26 years. The majority of this change is due to a 0.0010 per year increase in persistent fPAR (representing nondeciduous perennial vegetation types; up 21%). In contrast, recurrent fPAR (representing deciduous, annual and ephemeral vegetation types) decreased, on average, by 0.0003 per year (down 7%), the trends of which are highly seasonal. Over the same period, Australian average annual precipitation increased by 1.3 mm yr−2 (up 7%). A site‐based analysis using 90 long‐term meteorological stations with minimal localized land‐cover changes showed that energy‐limited sites where total fPAR increased generally experienced decreases in precipitation, and water‐limited sites that experienced decreases in cover were almost always associated with decreases in precipitation. Interestingly, where vegetation cover increased at water‐limited sites, precipitation trends were variable indicating that this is not the only factor driving vegetation response. As Australia is a generally highly water‐limited environment, these findings indicate that the effective availability of water to plants has increased on average over the study period. Results also show that persistent vegetation types have benefited more than recurrent types from recent changes in growing conditions. Regardless of what has been driving these changes, the overall response of vegetation over the past 2–3 decades has resulted in an observable greening of the driest inhabited continent on Earth.
Trade, transport and trouble: managing invasive species pathways in an era of globalization
Authors: Hulme Philip E.
Published: January 2009

Humans have traded and transported alien species for millennia with two notable step‐changes: the end of the Middle Ages and beginning of the Industrial Revolution. However, in recent decades the world has entered a new phase in the magnitude and diversity of biological invasions: the Era of Globalization. This Special Profile reviews the links between the main drivers of globalization and biological invasions and examines state‐of‐the‐art approaches to pathway risk assessment to illustrate new opportunities for managing invasive species.

Income growth is a primary driver of globalization and a clear association exists between Gross Domestic Product and the richness of alien floras and faunas for many regions of the world. In many cases, the exposure of these economies to trade is highlighted by the significant role of merchandise imports in biological invasions, especially for island ecosystems.

Post‐1950, technical and logistic improvements have accelerated the ease with which commodities are transported across the globe and hindered the traceability of goods and the ease of intercepting pests. New sea, land and air links in international trade and human transport have established novel pathways for the spread of alien species. Increasingly, the science advances underpinning invasive species management must move at the speed of commerce.

Increasing transport networks and demand for commodities have led to pathway risk assessments becoming the frontline in the prevention of biological invasions. The diverse routes of introduction arising from contaminant, stowaway, corridor and unaided pathways, in both aquatic and terrestrial biomes are complex. Nevertheless, common features enable comparable approaches to risk assessment. By bringing together spatial data on climate suitability, habitat availability and points of entry, as well a demographic models that include species dispersal (both natural and human‐mediated) and measures of propagule pressure, it is possible to generate risk maps highlighting potential invasion hotspots that can inform prevention strategies.

Synthesis and applications. To date, most attempts to model pathways have focused on describing the likelihood of invader establishment. Few have modelled explicit management strategies such as optimal detection and inspection strategies and assessments of the effectiveness of different management measures. A future focus in these areas will ensure research informs response.
Indirect effects of invasive species removal devastate World Heritage Island
Authors: Bergstrom Dana M. , Lucieer Arko , Kiefer Kate , Wasley Jane , Belbin Lee , Pedersen Tore K. , Chown Steven L.
Published: January 2009

Owing to the detrimental impacts of invasive alien species, their control is often a priority for conservation management. Whereas the potential for unforeseen consequences of management is recognized, their associated complexity and costs are less widely appreciated.

We demonstrate that theoretically plausible trophic cascades associated with invasive species removal not only take place in reality, but can also result in rapid and drastic landscape‐wide changes to ecosystems.

Using a combination of population data from of an invasive herbivore, plot‐scale vegetation analyses, and satellite imagery, we show how a management intervention to eradicate a mesopredator has inadvertently and rapidly precipitated landscape‐wide change on sub‐Antarctic Macquarie Island. This happened despite the eradication being positioned within an integrated pest management framework. Following eradication of cats Felis catus in 2001, rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus numbers increased substantially although a control action was in place (Myxoma virus), resulting in island‐wide ecosystem effects.

Synthesis and applications. Our results highlight an important lesson for conservation agencies working to eradicate invasive species globally; that is, risk assessment of management interventions must explicitly consider and plan for their indirect effects, or face substantial subsequent costs. On Macquarie Island, the cost of further conservation action will exceed AU$24 million.
Stressors, social support, depressive symptoms and general health status of Taiwanese caregivers of persons with stroke or Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Huang Chiung‐Yu , Sousa Valmi D , Perng Shao‐Jen , Hwang Mei‐Yi , Tsai Chun‐Ching , Huang Mei‐Huang , Yao Shu‐Ying
Published: January 2009

Aims and objectives.  This study examined the relationships among stressors, social support, depressive symptoms and the general health status of Taiwanese caregivers of individuals with stroke or Alzheimer’s disease.

Background.  Caring for a disabled or cognitively impaired person can be extremely stressful and often has adverse effects on caregivers’ health. While research on caregiving in Taiwan has examined caregivers’ characteristics, caregivers’ need and caregivers’ burden in caring for older people in general, little is known about Taiwanese caregivers of individuals with stroke or Alzheimer’s disease.

Design.  Cross‐sectional, descriptive correlation design.

Methods.  Data were obtained from a convenience sample of 103 Taiwanese informal caregivers in the South of Taiwan and analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlations, multiple and hierarchical regressions and t‐tests.

Results.  Caregivers who had lower household incomes and were taking care of individuals with more behaviour problems had more depressive symptoms. In addition, caregivers who were older and were taking care of individuals with more behaviour problems had worse general health. Caregivers who had more emotional support had less depressive symptoms.

Conclusions.  Caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s disease had more depressive symptoms and worse general health than caregivers of persons with stroke. Only emotional support moderated the relationship between one of the stressors (household income) and depressive symptoms.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The findings of this study may be helpful for nurses and other health care professionals in designing effective interventions to minimise the negative impacts of stressors on the psychological and general health of caregivers in Taiwan.
Feasibility and acceptability of continuous glucose monitoring and accelerometer technology in exercising individuals with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Allen Nancy A , Jacelon Cynthia S , Chipkin Stuart R
Published: January 2009

Aims and objectives.  The aim of this study was to develop role model data for an intervention to motivate non‐exercising individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus to engage in regular physical activity. Toward that end, the study 1) described Continuous Glucose Monitoring System data and obtained role model CGMS graphs, 2) described a monitor to measure exercise amount and intensity and 3) explored participants’ experiences of the monitors and perceptions of the glucose monitoring data.

Background.  Physical activity is a cornerstone of diabetes treatment yet the majority of individuals with diabetes are inactive. Thus, increasing physical activity in these individuals demands innovative interventions.

Design.  A two‐phase, multi‐method design was used.

Methods.  In phase 1, a descriptive design was used to describe physical activity patterns and glucose levels for 72 hours in nine exercising adults with type 2 diabetes. In phase 2, a focus group interview was used to collect data from seven phase‐1 participants. Verbatim transcripts of the audio taped focus group were analysed for themes and trends.

Results.  The glucose monitor data captured lower glucose levels after exercise. Compared to formal diabetes education, visual data from the glucose monitoring technology were perceived as more relevant to participants’ particular, everyday experiences with exercise, diet and stress. Participants reported a reinforced commitment to their exercise and diet regimens after using Continuous Glucose Monitoring System. Technology issues were identified, e.g. discomfort wearing activity monitors and forgetting to enter calibration and event data in glucose monitors.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Participants found that visual glucose monitoring data reinforced self‐management behaviors, such as exercise. Our results suggest that data depicting the response of glucose levels to diet and exercise could be a useful tool to change behavior in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
A review of why patients with leg ulcers do not adhere to treatment
Authors: Van Hecke Ann , Grypdonck Maria , Defloor Tom
Published: January 2009

Aim.  To provide an overview of what is known thus far about reasons for and determinants of non‐adherent behaviour.

Background.  Compression, leg exercises and leg elevation are regarded as essential components in leg ulcer treatment and in the prevention of ulcer recurrence. Non‐adherence to leg ulcer regimen is a major problem. Reasons for non‐adherence are not fully understood.

Design.  Systematic review.

Method.  Medline, CINAHL and the Cochrane database were explored from 1995 – December 2007. Reference lists of retrieved articles were searched. Studies were eligible if they included patients with venous or mixed leg ulcers, reported reasons or determinants of non‐adherence and were published in English, Dutch, French or German. Thirty‐one studies were included.

Results.  Non‐adherence is a multidimensional problem. Pain, discomfort and lack of valid lifestyle advice by healthcare professionals were primary reasons for non‐adherence from patient’s perspective.

Conclusions.  Healthcare professionals mainly focus on patient‐related factors such as poor motivation, lack of knowledge and understanding and unwillingness. The beliefs that compression was unnecessary, uncomfortable, worthwhile and prevented recurrence significantly determined (non‐)adherence.

Relevance to nursing and nursing science.  Interventions to promote adherence will require a multifaceted approach and a holistic comprehensive assessment. Therapeutic non‐judgemental relationships are essential to enhance patient adherence. Effective pain management is recommended and social support by family or significant others could be encouraged. Healthcare professionals should give clear, unambiguous and tailored information. Research can best focus on the factors and processes affecting patient adherence to leg ulcer treatment. Comprehensive adherence‐enhancing strategies could be developed and their effectiveness should be tested.
Evaluation of attendance and weight loss in an intensive weight management clinic compared to standard dietetic care
Authors: Hickson M. , Macqueen C. , Frost G.
Published: January 2009

Background:  With increasing rates of obesity, the effectiveness of weight reduction programmes come under increasing scrutiny. This nonrandomized study aimed to review the effectiveness of two weight loss clinics in terms of percent and rate of weight loss, and attendance.

Methods:  Data were collected on consecutive obese patients, attending either an intensive weight management clinic (IWMC) or a general dietetic outpatient clinic. The IWMC had a structured approach with six once‐a‐month appointments, a signed agreement to attend, an initial screening of readiness to change and consistent advice from one dietitian. The general clinic was less structured, had more ad hoc follow up and did not guarantee one dietitian.

Results:  Seventy percent of patients referred were female [mean (SD) age 48 (14.2) years]. Thirty‐three percent (103/313) of all patients referred did not book an appointment. Of those attending with a body mass index ≥ 32 kg m−2, 55% were seen in the general and 45% in the intensive clinic, but only 19% and 53%, respectively, completed the programmes. The total amount and rate of weight loss did not differ significantly between clinics. However, analysis using the last recorded weight revealed a median weight reduction of 1.8% (interquartile range = −5.6–0) at the median rate of −0.4 kg month−1(−1–0) in the intensive clinic, compared to no overall weight loss in the general clinic (P ≤ 0.001).

Conclusions:  A more structured approach and initial screening of readiness to change is likely to achieve better weight loss results and therefore will comprise a better use of dietetic time than including obese patients in general clinics.
Effects of dermal dexamethasone application on ACTH and both basal and ACTH‐stimulated cortisol concentration in normal horses
Authors: ABRAHAM G. , ALLERSMEIER M. , GOTTSCHALK J. , SCHUSSER G. F. , HOPPEN H.‐O. , UNGEMACH F. R.
Published: January 2009

There are no data available regarding the systemic (adverse) effects which might be induced by topical/dermal glucocorticoids (GCs) application in the horse. Besides their widespread use for the treatment of a variety of peripheral inflammatory disorders such as atopic dermatitis, eczemas or arthritis in the horse, their surreptitious application has become a concern in doping cases in competition/performance horses. Assessing both basal and ACTH‐stimulated plasma cortisol as well as basal ACTH concentrations following application of dexamethsone‐containing dermal ointment is necessary to determine influences on hypothalamus‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis. Ten clinically healthy adult standardbred horses (6 mares, 4 geldings) were rubbed twice daily each with 50 g dexamethasone‐containing ointment on a defined skin area (30 × 50 cm) for 10 days. RIA and chemiluminescent enzyme immuno‐metric assay were used to determine resting and ACTH‐stimulated plasma cortisol and basal ACTH concentrations, respectively. HPA feedback sensitivity and adrenal function were measured by a standard ACTH stimulation test. Dermal dexamethasone suppressed significantly the resting plasma cortisol level (to 75–98%) below baseline (P < 0.001) within the first 2 days and decreased further until day 10. ACTH stimulation test showed a markedly reduced rise in plasma cortisol concentrations (P < 0.001 vs. baseline). Plasma ACTH level decreased also during topical dexamethasone application. The number of total lymphocytes and eosinophil granulocytes was reduced, whereas the number of neutrophils increased. No significant change of serum biochemical parameters was noted. Dermal dexamethasone application has the potential to cause an almost complete and transient HPA axis suppression and altered leukocyte distribution in normal horses. The effects on HPA axis function should be considered in relation to the inability of animals to resist stress situations. The data further implicate that percutaneously absorbed dexamethasone (GCs) may cause systemic effects relevant to ‘doping’.
Population structure of spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) in a fragmented landscape
Authors: PURRENHAGE J. L. , NIEWIAROWSKI P. H. , MOORE F.B.‐G.
Published: January 2009

Understanding the impacts of landscape‐level processes on the population biology of amphibians is critical, especially for species inhabiting anthropogenically modified landscapes. Many pond‐breeding amphibians are presumed to exist as metapopulations, but few studies demonstrate the extent and consequences of this metapopulation structure. Gene flow measures may facilitate the construction of more realistic models of population structure than direct measures of migration. This is especially true for species that are cryptic, such as many amphibians. We used eight polymorphic microsatellite loci to determine the genetic population structure of spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) breeding at 17 ponds in northeastern Ohio, a landscape fragmented by roads, agriculture, urban areas and the Cuyahoga River. Using a variety of analyses (Bayesian clustering,F‐statistics, AMOVA) we generated a model of salamander population genetic structure. Our data revealed patterns of genetic connectivity that were not predicted by geographical distances between ponds (no isolation by distance). We also tested for a relationship between population structure and several indices of landscape resistance, but found no effect of potential barriers to dispersal on genetic connectivity. Strong overall connectivity among ponds, despite the hostile habitat matrix, may be facilitated by a network of riparian corridors associated with the Cuyahoga River; however, high gene flow in this system may indicate a general ability to disperse and colonize beyond particular corridors.
Cortical microtubule as a sensor and target of nitric oxide signal during the defence responses to Verticillium dahliae toxins in Arabidopsis
Authors: SHI FU‐MEI , YAO LIN‐LIN , PEI BAO‐LEI , ZHOU QUN , LI XIU‐LI , LI YUN , LI YING‐ZHANG
Published: January 2009

The molecular mechanisms of signal transduction of plants in response to Verticillium dahliae (VD) are not known. Here, we show that Arabidopsis reacts to VD‐toxins with a rapid burst of nitric oxide (NO) and cortical microtubule destabilization. VD‐toxins treatment triggered a disruption of cortical microtubules network. This disruption can be influenced by NO production. However, cortical microtubule disruptions were not involved in regulating the NO production. The results indicated that NO may act as an upstream signalling molecule to trigger the depolymerization of cortical microtubule. Cortical microtubules may act as a target of NO signal and as a sensor to mediate the activation of PR‐1 gene expression. These results suggested that NO production and cortical microtubule dynamics appeared to be parts of the important signalling system and are involved in the defence mechanisms to VD‐toxins in Arabidopsis.
Cryphonectria parasitica vegetative compatibility type analysis of populations in south‐western France and northern Spain
Authors: Robin C. , Capdevielle X. , Martin M. , Traver C. , Colinas C.
Published: January 2009

A comprehensive study of the population biology of Cryphonectria parasitica, the causal agent of chestnut blight, is required to understand the spread of the epidemic in Europe and its natural regulation by the Cryphonectria hypovirus‐1 (CHV‐1). With this objective in mind, the diversity in vegetative compatibility (vc) types and mating types of C. parasitica populations was assessed in 43 chestnut sites in western France and northern Spain. Isolates were sampled in three regions along the Pyrénées mountains (Hautes Pyrénées, Pyrénées Atlantiques and Navarra) and in two regions north of the Pyrénées (Landes and Dordogne). There were 61 vc types observed in 682 isolates sampled. Ninety‐five isolates (14%) could not be assigned to any one of the previously known European vc types. The finding of 47 incompatible vc types confirmed that the genetics of vegetative compatibility could not be totally accounted for by six diallelic vic genes. The two idiomorphs of the mating type gene were detected in all regions, indicating that sexual reproduction could occur within and between vc types. In all regions except Dordogne, C. parasitica populations were dominated either by the vc type EU‐66 or EU‐72. Neither vc type has been reported elsewhere in Europe, which suggests that two different introductions of C. parasitica have occurred in the study area. In Dordogne, populations were dominated by EU‐33 and EU‐2, and to a lesser extent EU‐66 and EU‐72. The low diversity in vc types for most of the C. parasitica populations provides good opportunities for natural regulation in forest coppices and for biocontrol with CHV‐1 in orchards.
Characteristics of Rabbit Transgenic Mammary Gland Expressing Recombinant Human Factor VIII
Authors: Chrenek P. , Makarevich A. V. , Pivko J. , Massanyi P. , Lukac N.
Published: January 2009

The objective of this research was to compare (i) the content of milk protein and recombinant human factor VIII (rhFVIII) in the milk of transgenic and non‐transgenic rabbit females at three lactations and (ii) histological structure, ultrastructural morphology and occurrence of apoptosis in rabbit transgenic and non‐transgenic mammary gland during third lactation and involution. Significant differences (t0.05) in milk protein content were found between transgenic and non‐transgenic at all three lactations. The percentage of apoptotic cells was significantly higher (t0.01) in non‐transgenic ones compared with transgenic mammary gland tissues (6.5% versus 2.4%) taken at the involution stage. Morphometrical analysis of histological preparations at the involution stage detected a significantly higher (t0.05) relative volume of lumen in transgenic animals compared with non‐transgenic ones (60.00 versus 46.51%). Ultrastructural morphology of the transgenic mammary gland epithelium at the involution stage revealed an increased relative volume of protein globules (t0.05); at the lactation stage, a significantly higher volume of mitochondria (13.8%) compared with the non‐transgenic (9.8%) ones was observed. These results, although revealing differences in some parameters of ultrastructure and histology, indicate no harmful effect of the mouse whey acid protein‐hFVIII transgene expression on the state of mammary gland of transgenic rabbit females.
New Insights in Vascular Development: Vasculogenesis and Endothelial Progenitor Cells
Authors: Käßmeyer S. , Plendl J. , Custodis P. , Bahramsoltani M.
Published: January 2009

In the course of new blood vessel formation, two different processes – vasculogenesis and angiogenesis – have to be distinguished. The term vasculogenesis describes the de novo emergence of a vascular network by endothelial progenitors, whereas angiogenesis corresponds to the generation of vessels by sprouting from pre‐existing capillaries. Until recently, it was thought that vasculogenesis is restricted to the prenatal period. During the last decade, one of the most fascinating innovations in the field of vascular biology was the discovery of endothelial progenitor cells and vasculogenesis in the adult. This review aims at introducing the concept of adult vasculogenesis and discusses the efforts to identify and characterize adult endothelial progenitors. The different sources of adult endothelial progenitors like haematopoietic stem cells, myeloid cells, multipotent progenitors of the bone marrow, side population cells and tissue‐residing pluripotent stem cells are considered. Moreover, a survey of cellular and molecular control mechanisms of vasculogenesis is presented. Recent advances in research on endothelial progenitors exert a strong impact on many different disciplines and provide the knowledge for functional concepts in basic fields like anatomy, histology as well as embryology.
Rotating Frame for the In‐situ Fixation of Large Animals
Authors: Salomon F.‐V. , Lippmann U. , Fersterra M.
Published: January 2009

The frame for the in‐situ fixation of large animals can be rotated around its longtitudinal axis. Thereby the fixing procedure is improved and the anatomical preparation is easier.