bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hypoxia-inducible Factor and Target Gene Expression Are Decreased in Patients with Sepsis
Authors: Schäfer Simon T. , Frede Stilla , Winning Sandra , Bick Alexandra , Roshangar Paktis , Fandrey Joachim , Peters Jürgen , Adamzik Michael
Published: February 2013

Background:

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is a molecular key player in response to hypoxemic/inflammatory conditions prevailing in sepsis. In a prospective observational study, we tested the hypotheses that sepsis affects HIF-1α messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression (primary hypothesis) and also (secondary hypotheses) the expression of the HIF-1α target genes adrenomedullin and β2-integrins. Furthermore, we tested that lipopolysaccharide administration increases HIF-1α mRNA and protein in naive and endotoxin-tolerant monocytes.

Methods:

In 99 patients with sepsis and 48 healthy volunteers, leukocyte HIF-1α mRNA expression (real-time polymerase chain reaction), cytokine concentrations (enzymelinked immunosorbent assay), and intracellular distribution of HIF-1α protein (immunofluorescence staining) were assessed. In vitro, HIF-1α mRNA expression and protein were measured in naive or endotoxin-tolerant (48h; 0.05ng/ml lipopolysaccharide) monocytes, with/without additional lipopolysaccharide (6h; 1 μg/ml).

Results:

In comparison to healthy volunteers, HIF-1α mRNA expression (−67%; P = 0.0001) and HIF-1α protein positive cells (−66.7%; P = 0.01) were decreased in sepsis. mRNA expression of adrenomedullin (−75%), CD11a (−85%), and CD11b (−86%; all P = 0.0001) was also decreased. In contrast, interleukin 6 (P = 0.0001), interleukin 10 (P = 0.0001), and tumor necrosis factor-α (P = 0.0002) concentrations were increased. Of note, HIF-1α mRNA expression was inversely associated with illness severity (Simplified Acute Physiology Score II; r = −0.29; P = 0.0001). In vitro, acute lipopolysaccharide administration of naive monocytic cells increased HIF-1α mRNA expression, whereas HIF-1α mRNA and protein (−60%; P = 0.001) were decreased in endotoxin-tolerant cells, which still up regulated cytokines.

Conclusions:

In sepsis, HIF-1α mRNA expression was suppressed and inversely associated with illness severity. While acute lipopolysaccharide administration increased HIF-1α mRNA expression, prolonged stimulation suppressed HIF-1α expression. The clinical implications of decreased HIF-1α may include maladaption to tissue hypoxia or depressed immune function.
Planar morphometry, shear and optimal quasi-conformal mappings
Authors: Jones Gareth Wyn , Mahadevan L.
Published: February 2013

To characterize the diversity of planar shapes in such instances as insect wings and plant leaves, we present a method for the generation of a smooth morphometric mapping between two planar domains which matches a number of homologous points. Our approach tries to balance the competing requirements of a descriptive theory which may not reflect mechanism and a multi-parameter predictive theory that may not be well constrained by experimental data. Specifically, we focus on aspects of shape as characterized by local rotation and shear, quantified using quasi-conformal maps that are defined precisely in terms of these fields. To make our choice optimal, we impose the condition that the maps vary as slowly as possible across the domain, minimizing their integrated squared-gradient. We implement this algorithm numerically using a variational principle that optimizes the coefficients of the quasi-conformal map between the two regions and show results for the recreation of a sample historical grid deformation mapping of D’Arcy Thompson. We also deploy our method to compare a variety ofDrosophilawing shapes and show that our approach allows us to recover aspects of phylogeny as marked by morphology.
Effect of roller burnishing on pure aluminum alloyed by copper
Authors: Al‐Qawabeha Ubeidulla F. , Al‐Qawabah Safwan M.
Published: February 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review, analyze and present the effects of the roller burnishing process on pure aluminum alloyed by pure copper at 3%, 6% and 9% percentages. Roller burnishing is one of the effective finishing treatment methods in terms of stabilization of surface layers properties along the depth, Roller burnishing is one of the effective methods used to improve the surface layer properties such as microhardness and average surface roughness.

Design/methodology/approach

Three different Al‐Cu alloys of 3%, 6% and 9% copper additions were prepared and microstructure, micro hardness and mechanical properties investigated. Then the roller burnishing mechanism was applied on Al‐Cu alloys on cylindrical work pieces, different conditions were used, and the results were obtained and discussed.

Findings

The best enhancement in hardness was 46.4% which was achieved at 9% Cu addition, whereas the best enhancement in the flow stress was 101.8% which was achieved at 9% Cu addition. Applying burnishing force 100 and 150 N resulted in an enhancement in the micro hardness of 80% and 102.8%, respectively, in the Al‐Cu% alloy, where the maximum enhancement on the surface roughness was 61% that resulted in pure Al when applying 150 N burnishing forces. Finally it was found that pure aluminum has the highest wear resistance.

Originality/value

This is new work on Al‐Cu alloys, thus the results after implementation of roller burnishing process are of great value and add an extra enhancement in the surface quality.
Careers of skilled migrants
Authors: Al Ariss Akram , Koall Iris , Özbilgin Mustafa , Suutari Vesa
Published: February 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this editorial is to present an overview of the papers in this special issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on papers in this special issue.

Findings

There is a multi‐disciplinarily approach of the papers in this issue in connecting fields of management, sociology, migration, and psychology, among others, in the area of international mobility.

Originality/value

The guest editors continue their commitment, in this special issue, to expanding the field of study of migration and the careers of migrants from theoretical and methodological perspectives.
The effect of environmental concern and scepticism on green purchase behaviour
Authors: Albayrak Tahir , Aksoy Şafak , Caber Meltem
Published: February 2013

Purpose

The aims of the study are: to compare the environmental concern and scepticism levels of the participants and whether or not they display green purchase behaviour; to investigate the influence of environmental concern and scepticism on green purchase behaviour by utilizing the Theory of Planned Behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from participant and non‐participant customers of the e‐invoicing program of Turk Telecom. Customers were clustered into four groups according to their environmental concerns and scepticism levels.

Findings

Research results show that those customers who have a high level of environmental concern and less sceptical reflect a positive attitude, have a high positive subjective norm and perceived behavioural control that motivates them to have stronger intentions to become e‐invoice subscribers in the near future.

Originality/value

The results found in the paper provide clear evidence supporting the Theory of Planned Behaviour in Turkey. Moreover, while most previous studies have employed undergraduate samples which are not representative of common customers, the present study employed a large and real customer sample which strongly represents customers in general.
Radiation Therapy Resources and Guideline‐Concordant Radiotherapy for Early‐Stage Breast Cancer Patients in an Underserved Region
Authors: Yao Nengliang , Matthews Stephen A. , Hillemeier Marianne M. , Anderson Roger T.
Published: February 2013

Objective

To examine the relationship between radiation therapy resources and guideline‐concordant radiotherapy after breast‐conserving surgery (BCS) in Kentucky.

Data Sources

The SEER registry and Area Resource File provided county‐level data describing cancer care resources and socioeconomic conditions of Kentucky residents.

Study Design

The outcome variable was rate of BCS without radiotherapy in each county for 2000–2007. Eight‐year weighted average rates of radiation therapy providers and hospitals per 100,000 residents were explanatory variables of interest. Exploratory spatial data analyses and spatial econometric models were estimated.

Principal Findings

Appalachian counties in Kentucky had significantly fewer radiation oncologists, hospitals with radiation therapy facilities, and surgeons per 100,000 residents than non‐Appalachian counties. The likelihood of BCS without radiation was significantly higher among Appalachian compared to non‐Appalachian women (42.5 percent vs. 29.0 percent, p < .001). Higher proportions of women not receiving recommended radiotherapy after BCS were clustered in Eastern Kentucky around Lexington. This geographic disparity was partially explained by significantly fewer radiation therapy facilities in Appalachian Kentucky in adjusted analyses.

Conclusions

Scarce radiation therapy resources in Appalachian Kentucky are associated with disparities in receipt of guideline‐concordant radiotherapy, suggesting that policy action is needed to improve the cancer treatment infrastructure in disadvantaged mountainous areas.
Tight coupling of polymerization and depolymerization of polyhydroxyalkanoates ensures efficient management of carbon resources in Pseudomonas putida
Authors: Arias Sagrario , Bassas‐Galia Monica , Molinari Gabriella , Timmis Kenneth N.
Published: February 2013

Environmental microbes oscillate between feast and famine and need to carefully manage utilization, storage and conversion of reserve products to exploitable sources of carbon and energy. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are storage polymers that serve bacteria as sources of food materials under physiological conditions of carbon demand. In order to obtain insights into the role of PHA depolymerase (PhaZ) and its relationship to a PHA polymerase (PhaC2) in the carbon management activity of Pseudomonas putida strain U, we created a polymerase hyperexpression strain and a depolymerase knockout mutant of this strain, and examined their synthesis of PHA and expression of their PHA genes. This study revealed that hyperexpression of PhaC2 led to the accumulation of higher amounts of PHA (44%wt) than in the wild‐type strain (24%wt) after 24 h of cultivation, which then returned to wild‐type levels by 48 h, as a result of elevated depolymerization. The phaZ mutant, however, accumulated higher levels of PHA than the parental strain (62%wt), which were maintained for at least 96 h. Transcriptional analysis of the pha cluster by RT‐PCR revealed that PHA operon proteins, including depolymerase, are expressed from the beginning of the growth phase. Hyperexpression of the PhaC2 polymerase was accompanied by an increase in the expression of the PhaZ depolymerase and a decrease in expression of another PHA polymerase, PhaC1. This suggests tight regulatory coupling of PHA polymerase and depolymerase activities that act in synergy, and in concert with other PHA proteins, to provide dynamic PHA granule synthesis and remodelling that rapidly and sensitively respond to changes in availability of carbon and the physiological‐metabolic needs of the cell, to ensure optimal carbon resource management.
Thorn‐dwelling ants provide antiherbivore defence for camelthorn trees, Vachellia erioloba, in Namibia
Authors: Campbell Heather , Townsend Ian R. , Fellowes Mark D. E. , Cook James M.
Published: February 2013

Ants are widely employed by plants as an antiherbivore defence. A single host plant can associate with multiple, symbiotic ant species, although usually only a single ant species at a time. Different plant‐ant species may vary in the degree to which they defend their host plant. In Kenya, ant–acacia interactions are well studied, but less is known about systems elsewhere in Africa. A southern African species, Vachellia erioloba, is occupied by thorn‐dwelling ants from three different genera. Unusually, multiple colonies of all these ants simultaneously and stably inhabit trees. We investigated if the ants on V. erioloba (i) deter insect herbivores; (ii) differ in their effectiveness depending on the identity of the herbivore; and (iii) protect the tree against an important herbivore, the larvae of the lepidopteran Gonometa postica. We show that experimental exclusion of ants leads to greater levels of herbivory on trees. The ants inhabiting V. erioloba are an effective deterrent against hemipteran and coleopteran, but not lepidopteran herbivores. Defensive services do not vary among ant species, but only Crematogaster ants exhibit aggression towards G. postica. This highlights the potential of the V. erioloba–ant mutualism for studying ant–plant interactions that involve multiple, simultaneously resident thorn‐dwelling ant species.
Relationship between diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular oedema and erectile dysfunction in type 2 diabetics
Authors: Chew Sky KH , Taouk Yamna , Xie Jing , Nicolaou Theona E , Wang Jie Jin , Wong Tien Y , Lamoureux Ecosse L
Published: February 2013

Background

To investigate the relationship of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular oedema with erectile dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Design

Hospital‐based, cross‐sectional study.

Participants

Three hundred twenty‐four men with diabetes from the Diabetic Management Project were recruited.

Methods

Participants underwent a comprehensive interview, a complete eye examination, fasting blood tests, and had retinal and macula assessments using fundus images and optical coherence tomography, respectively. Diabetic retinopathy was categorized as none, mild, moderate, severe non‐proliferative and proliferative, and diabetic macular oedema as none, mild, moderate and severe. Erectile dysfunction was defined as problems achieving or maintaining an erection and was assessed using a self‐reported questionnaire.

Main Outcome Measures

Erectile dysfunction.

Results

The mean ± standard deviation age of 324 men with type 2 diabetes was 65.2 ± 11.1 years. Compared with patients without diabetic retinopathy, those with any retinopathy (odds ratio 2.06, 95% confidence interval 1.22–3.48, P = 0.007) had a twofold increased odds of having erectile dysfunction. Patients with severe non‐proliferative diabetic retinopathy (odds ratio 4.39, 95% confidence interval 1.48–13.0, P = 0.008) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (odds ratio 2.74, 95% confidence interval 1.44–5.19, P = 0.002) had fourfold and threefold increased odds of having erectile dysfunction, respectively, compared with those without diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic macular oedema, irrespective of presence or severity, was not independently associated with erectile dysfunction.

Conclusion

The presence and severity of diabetic retinopathy but not diabetic macular oedema are independently associated with self‐reported erectile dysfunction.
Suicidal ideations and sleep‐related problems in early adolescence
Authors: Franić Tomislav , Kralj Žana , Marčinko Darko , Knez Rajna , Kardum Goran
Published: February 2013

Aims

Suicidal ideation and sleep‐related problems are associated with many common psychopathological entities in early adolescence. This study examined possible association between suicidal ideation and sleep‐related problems.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was performed in classroom settings at 840 early adolescents 11–13 years of age. Of those, 791 adolescents fully completed the data and thus represent an actual sample. Suicidal ideations were assessed with three dichotomous (yes/no) items: ‘I often think about death’; ‘I wish I was dead’; ‘I often think about suicide.’ A composite measure of perceived sleep‐related problems was formed by combining items from the Junior Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (Do you find it hard to sleep at night because you are worrying about things?), Children Depression Inventory (It is hard for me to fall asleep at night), and two additional dichotomous questions (I often was not able to fall asleep because of worrying; At times I was not able to stay asleep because of worrying). This score mainly assessed difficulties in initiating or maintaining sleep.

Results

A total of 7.1% adolescents reported suicidal ideation and 86.7% of them had sleep problems. Sleep‐related problems were associated with any suicidal ideation and each type of ideation separately.

Conclusion

This study suggests association of sleep problems and suicidal ideations in early adolescence. Therefore, clinicians should evaluate this population for sleep disturbances, as they might be a marker of increased risk for suicidality.
The loss of indirect interactions leads to cascading extinctions of carnivores
Authors: Sanders Dirk , Sutter Louis , van Veen F. J. Frank
Published: February 2013

Species extinctions are biased towards higher trophic levels, and primary extinctions are often followed by unexpected secondary extinctions. Currently, predictions on the vulnerability of ecological communities to extinction cascades are based on models that focus on bottom‐up effects, which cannot capture the effects of extinctions at higher trophic levels. We show, in experimental insect communities, that harvesting of single carnivorous parasitoid species led to a significant increase in extinction rate of other parasitoid species, separated by four trophic links. Harvesting resulted in the release of prey from top‐down control, leading to increased interspecific competition at the herbivore trophic level. This resulted in increased extinction rates of non‐harvested parasitoid species when their host had become rare relative to other herbivores. The results demonstrate a mechanism for horizontal extinction cascades, and illustrate that altering the relationship between a predator and its prey can cause wide‐ranging ripple effects through ecosystems, including unexpected extinctions.
Effects of habitat size and isolation on species immigration–extinction dynamics and community nestedness in a desert river system
Authors: Miyazono Seiji , Taylor Christopher M.
Published: February 2013

Habitat fragmentation is one of the major causes of local and regional species extinctions in freshwater ecosystems. To predict future trends in community composition, and the potential sequence of extinctions due to fragmentation of the river continuum, it is important to understand how habitat size and isolation affect the dynamics of species immigrations and extinctions and patterns of abundance and occupancy.

We examined fish immigration and extinction rates, and abundance and occupancy patterns, in relation to habitat isolation, size and variability in the Rio Grande and its tributaries in the Trans‐Pecos region of Texas, U.S.A.

Our results indicated that as habitat isolation increased in tributaries, fish immigration and extinction rates and riverine species abundances decreased. Fish assemblages showed significant nested subset patterns across the study sites, and the influence of habitat size and isolation on the nested subset patterns varied with spatial scale. Certain non‐native fish taxa were idiosyncratic, reducing the strength of the nested subset pattern.

The high temporal species turnover in connected habitats was related to the movement of riverine fish species between the mainstem and mouths of tributaries. High persistence of spring‐adapted species decreased extinction rate in isolated habitats.

Increasing the spatial scale of the study system probably resulted in an increased ability to detect dispersal limitation between the mainstem and its tributaries. Large, deep pools decreased local extinction of certain native fish taxa in upstream tributaries. The deviation from the nested subset pattern was attributed to the unique regional occupancy of non‐native fish taxa that could be associated with their artificial introduction into this system.

Our results suggest that increased habitat fragmentation by human activities can accelerate the regional extinction of certain native fish taxa and the dominance of ecologically tolerant, possibly non‐native fish, leading to a decline in regional diversity.
Effect of anaerobic digestion residue vs. livestock manure and inorganic fertilizer on the hygienic quality of silage and haylage in bales
Authors: Müller C. E. , Johansson M. , Salomonsson A.‐C. , Albihn A.
Published: February 2013

An increased recycling of nutrients from organic waste to support feed and food production is important for achieving sustainability. However, organic waste may contain undesired microorganisms that may increase the risk of impaired hygienic quality of feeds when used in forage‐cropping systems. This study aimed to investigate how the hygienic quality of silage and haylage was affected after fertilization of grassland with organic fertilizers [anaerobic digestion residue (ADR) pasteurized before spreading, or liquid cattle manure] compared with inorganic NPK fertilization. The experiment was performed on the same grass ley for 2 years, with fertilization carried out before each harvest (year 1, two harvests; year 2, one harvest). The crop was conserved as silage (300 g DM kg−1) and haylage (500 g DM kg−1) in bales (ca 40–55 kg) stored for 1, 5 or 10 months before opening, including effects of storage time and conservation method (silage or haylage) on hygienic quality. Results showed that ADR‐treated crops did not produce silage or haylage with higher microbial counts in comparison with manure‐treated crops on any occasion. The fermentation pattern in silage and haylage from ADR‐treated crops was similar to the pattern in manure‐treated crops. The use of inorganic fertilizer sometimes produced lower pH and higher content of lactic acid in silage, compared with using organic fertilizers. In conclusion, ADR could be used as an organic fertilizer for forage crops without increased risk of impaired hygienic quality compared with using liquid manure or inorganic NPK fertilizers.
Efficacy of antiseptics containing povidone‐iodine, octenidine dihydrochloride and ethacridine lactate against biofilm formed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus measured with the novel biofilm‐oriented antiseptics test
Authors: Junka Adam , Bartoszewicz Marzenna , Smutnicka Danuta , Secewicz Anna , Szymczyk Patrycja
Published: February 2013

Increasing data suggesting that microorganisms in the biofilm form are among the leading agents of persistent infections of chronic wounds require the development of new approaches to treatment. The aim of this article was to compare the efficacy of three commonly used antiseptics using a biofilm‐oriented approach. Biofilm‐oriented antiseptics test (BOAT), the innovative method, allows to estimate, in a quick and reliable manner, the in vitro activity of working solutions of antiseptics in real contact times against bacteria in the biofilm form and to use the results in the selection of an appropriate antiseptic to treat local infections in the clinical practice.
A common variant in the FTO locus is associated with waist–hip ratio in Indian adolescents
Authors: Vasan S. K. , Fall T. , Job V. , Gu H. F. , Ingelsson E. , Brismar K. , Karpe F. , Thomas N.
Published: February 2013

Background

Common variants in the FTO locus, and near MC4R locus, have been shown to have a robust association with obesity in children and adults among various ethnic groups. Associations with obesity traits among Indian adolescents have not been determined.

Objective

To study the association of rs9939609 (FTO) and rs17782313 (MC4R) to obesity related anthropometric traits in Indian adolescents.

Methods

Subjects for the current study were recruited from a cross‐sectional cohort of 1,230 adolescents (age mean ± SD: 17.1 ± 1.9 years) from South India.

Results

The variant at the FTO locus was found to be associated with waist‐hip ratio (WHR) but not with overall obesity in this population. No significant association was observed for obesity‐traits and Mc4R variant rs17782313.

Conclusion

The common variant of FTO (rs9939609) is associated with body fat distribution during early growth in Indian adolescents and may predispose to obesity and metabolic consequences in adulthood.
Is there spontaneous energy expenditure compensation in response to intensive exercise in obese youth?
Authors: Thivel D. , Aucouturier J. , Metz L. , Morio B. , Duché P.
Published: February 2013

What is already known about this subject

Acute exercise may lead to subsequent energy expenditure compensation.

Intensive exercise may favor a higher compensation than low or moderate exercises.

What this study adds

This post‐exercise compensation might occur only in overweight/obese youth and not in lean.

This work used objective measures of energy expenditure compare to previous work.

Background

Physical activity is mainly used in weight control strategies to favour energy expenditure. Some evidence suggests that exercise might not have the expected impact on energy balance, and may actually cause a decrease in the subsequent physical activity energy expenditure.

Objective

To question the impact of an acute exercise session of varying intensities on daily energy expenditure in lean and obese adolescents.

Methods

Data from three separate studies conducted in lean and obese 12–15 years old adolescents (study 1: 12 obese; study 2: 10 obese and nine lean; study 3: 15 obese) have been used. Daily energy expenditure (DEE) was assessed in studies 1 and 2 during an exercise condition with an exercise bout at 70%VO2max (EX) and a rest day (REST) (using Actiheart and Armbands, respectively). In study 3, DEE was assessed in calorimetric chambers during (i) a high intensity exercise condition (HIE ‐ 75%VO2max) and (ji) a condition with a low intensity exercise (LIE ‐ 40%VO2max) and (iii) a rest condition (REST).

Results

Morning energy expenditure was significantly higher during the exercise conditions whatever the intensity compared with rest. Afternoon energy expenditure was significantly lower following HIE compared to the rest condition in studies 2 and 3. Afternoon energy expenditure was not significantly different between LIE and REST in study 2. Total DEE was not significantly different between conditions in the three studies.

Conclusion

Obese adolescents seem to show a compensatory response to an acute session of HIE (>70%VO2max) by decreasing their following physical activity energy expenditure. Although HIE favours body composition, physical fitness and metabolic profile improvements, this induced compensatory energy expenditure response has to be considered to optimize its effect on weight loss.
Low‐Temperature Dielectric Relaxations Associated with Mixed‐Valent Structure in Na0.5Bi0.5Cu3Ti4O12
Authors: Sun Xiaohong , Wang Chunchang , Wang Guojing , Lei Changmei , Li Teng , Liu Lina
Published: February 2013

We, herein, present comparative investigations on the Na0.5Bi0.5Cu3Ti4O12 ceramic samples with and without 10 mol% excess of Na/Bi. The samples were prepared by the standard solid‐state reaction technique. The dielectric properties of the sample were investigated in the temperature (93–320 K) and frequency (20 Hz–10 MHz) windows. Three thermally activated dielectric relaxations observed in Na0.5Bi0.5Cu3Ti4O12 with the activation energies of 0.104, 0.267, and 0.365 eV for the low‐, middle‐, and high‐temperature dielectric relaxations, respectively. Only the low‐temperature relaxation was observed in both Na and Bi excessive samples. X‐ray photoemission spectroscopy results revealed the mixed‐valent structures of Cu+/Cu2+ and Ti3+/Ti4+ in Na0.5Bi0.5Cu3Ti4O12 sample, but only Ti3+/Ti4+ in Na and Bi excessive samples. Our results showed that the dielectric properties of the investigated samples are strongly linked with these mixed‐valent structures. The high‐ and low‐temperature relaxations were attributed to be a polaron‐type relaxation due to localized carriers hopping between Cu+/Cu2+ and Ti3+/Ti4+, respectively. The middle‐temperature relaxation is suggested to be a dipole‐type relaxation caused by the defect complex of bismuth and oxygen vacancies.
Nurses' knowledge and attitudes towards aged sexuality: validity and internal consistency of the Dutch version of the Aging Sexual Knowledge and Attitudes Scale
Authors: Mahieu Lieslot , de Casterlé Bernadette Dierckx , Van Elssen Kim , Gastmans Chris
Published: February 2013

Aim

This paper reports a study testing the content and face validity and internal consistency of the Dutch version of the Aging Sexual Knowledge and Attitudes Scale.

Background

The ability of older residents to sexually express themselves is known to be influenced by the knowledge and attitudes of nursing home staff towards later‐life sexuality. Although the Aging Sexual Knowledge and Attitudes Scale is a widely used instrument to measure this, there is no validated, Dutch translation available.

Design

Instrument development.

Method

Following a standard forward/backward translation into Dutch, the scale was further adapted for use in Flemish nursing home settings. Content and face validity and user‐friendliness were assessed. The psychometric properties were determined by means of an exploratory study. Data were collected from March–April 2011 at eight Flemish nursing homes. Reliability was assessed using internal consistency and item–total correlations.

Results

Both subscales of the Flemish adaptation showed acceptable content validity. The face validity and user‐friendliness were deemed favourable with hardly any remarks given by the expert panel. The Cronbach's α was 0·80 and 0·88 for the knowledge and attitude subscales, respectively. The item–total correlations ranged from 0·21–0·48 for the knowledge section and from 0·09–0·68 for the attitude subscale.

Conclusion

We conclude from our study that the Dutch version of the scale has acceptable to good psychometric properties. The Flemish adaptation therefore seems to be a valuable instrument for studying nursing staff's knowledge and attitudes towards aged sexuality in Flanders.
The importance of preoperative information for patient participation in colorectal surgery care
Authors: Aasa Agneta , Hovbäck Malin , Berterö Carina M
Published: February 2013

Aims and objectives

To identify and describe patients' experiences of a preoperative information session with a nurse, as part of the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) concept, and its impact on patient participation in their own care.

Background

Enhanced recovery after surgery is a standardised, multimodal treatment programme for elective colorectal surgery, leading to faster recovery and shorter hospital stays via interprofessional collaboration. The ERAS concept is initiated for patients a week before surgery when the patient receives detailed information about the care process during a meeting with a nurse.

Design

The study is a qualitative interpretive study based on interviews.

Methods

Twelve patients, nine men and three women, were interviewed. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA).

Results

The analysis identified and formulated five themes: being seen, security, trust, responsibility and participation. All themes are closely related and illustrate positive and negative sides of the patient's experience. They hang together and form a complete set of experiences: ERAS conversation and its impact on patients' participation.

Conclusions

The results show that patients feel confirmed in the ERAS conversation. Healthcare professionals need to be bonding more information call during hospitalisation. It is important to confirm the patient in order for them to participate and take responsibility. Reliance on caregivers is important for patients to feel safe and to participate in their own care. This study shows that the ERAS conversation was experienced as being structured and individually tailored, but the information must apply to the patients throughout the period of care.

Relevance to clinical practice

Some shortcomings have been revealed, which should enable improvement in the care of patients. Healthcare professionals need to raise awareness of patients' responsibilities for participation in their own recovery and care. Healthcare professionals and patients need to be aware of each other's responsibilities.
Assessment of mastication in healthy children and children with cerebral palsy: a validity and consistency study
Authors: Remijn L. , Speyer R. , Groen B. E. , Holtus P. C. M. , van Limbeek J. , Nijhuis‐van der Sanden M. W. G.
Published: February 2013

The aim of this study was to develop the Mastication Observation and Evaluation instrument for observing and assessing the chewing ability of children eating solid and lumpy foods. This study describes the process of item definition and item selection and reports the content validity, reproducibility and consistency of the instrument. In the developmental phase, 15 experienced speech therapists assessed item relevance and descriptions over three Delphi rounds. Potential items were selected based on the results from a literature review. At the initial Delphi round, 17 potential items were included. After three Delphi rounds, 14 items that regarded as providing distinctive value in assessment of mastication (consensus >75%) were included in the Mastication Observation and Evaluation instrument. To test item reproducibility and consistency, two experts and five students evaluated video recordings of 20 children (10 children with cerebral palsy aged 29–65 months and 10 healthy children aged 11–42 months) eating bread and a biscuit. Reproducibility was estimated by means of the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). With the exception of one item concerning chewing duration, all items showed good to excellent intra‐observer agreement (ICC students: 0·73–1·0). With the exception of chewing duration and number of swallows, inter‐observer agreement was fair to excellent for all items (ICC experts: 0·68–1·0 and ICC students: 0·42–1·0). Results indicate that this tool is a feasible instrument and could be used in clinical practice after further research is completed on the reliability of the tool.
The New Trial by Ordeal: Rape Kits, Police Practices, and the Unintended Effects of Policy Innovation
Authors: Corrigan Rose
Published: February 2013

One of the most highly touted improvements in the criminal justice response to rape has been the wide-scale adoption of sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) programs that provide specialized medical care and forensic evidence collection to victims. Though previous studies have emphasized the benefits of SANE programs in improving criminal case outcomes, this study illustrates how the post-rape forensic examination can also discourage reporting, investigation, and prosecution. Interviews with local rape care advocates across the United States show how the increasing emphasis on forensic evidence collected through rape kits may provide an opportunity to reflect and enact persistent law enforcement stereotypes toward sexual assault complainants. Unless police resistance to taking rape seriously is confronted and addressed, even well-intentioned policy reforms such as SANE programs may end up undermining—rather than enhancing—fair and thorough investigation of sexual assault allegations.
The Legal Profession as a Social Process: A Theory on Lawyers and Globalization
Authors: Liu Sida
Published: February 2013

This article proposes a processual theory of the legal profession. In contrast to the structural, interactional, and collective action approaches, this processual theory conceptualizes the legal profession as a social process that changes over space and time. The social process of the legal profession includes four components: (1) diagnostic struggles over professional expertise; (2) boundary work over professional jurisdictions; (3) migration across geographical areas and status hierarchies; and (4) exchange between professions and the state. Building on the processual theory and using China as a primary example, the author proposes a research agenda for studying lawyers and globalization that seeks to shift the focus of research from the legal elite to ordinary law practitioners, from global law firms to local law firms, and from advanced economies to emerging economies.
Funding the Cause: How Public Interest Law Organizations Fund Their Activities and Why It Matters for Social Change
Authors: Albiston Catherine R. , Nielsen Laura Beth
Published: February 2013

Most of the work of public interest law organizations does not make money. How do these organizations survive, given the economic realities of law practice? Drawing on survey data from a national random sample of public interest law firms, we investigate how funding models vary across public interest organizations and how funding sources affect these organizations’ activities. We find funding structures have, over time, shifted away from foundation support toward government grants. Compared to other organizations, however, conservative organizations draw significantly less of their budget from federal and state grants, and significantly more of their budget from private contributions. Conservative organizations are significantly less likely than other organizations to rely on funding that prohibits engaging in class actions, receiving attorney's fees, or lobbying. Respondents reported that funding restrictions hamper their ability to negotiate favorable settlements, bring about systemic change, and represent vulnerable client communities. We close with a comparative institutional analysis of different funding models.
GK4, a G‐protein‐coupled receptor with a phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinase domain in Phytophthora infestans, is involved in sporangia development and virulence
Authors: Hua Chenlei , Meijer Harold J. G. , de Keijzer Jeroen , Zhao Wei , Wang Yuanchao , Govers Francine
Published: February 2013

For dispersal and host infection plant pathogens largely depend on asexual spores. Pathogenesis and sporulation are complex processes that are governed by cellular signalling networks including G‐protein and phospholipid signalling. Oomycetes possess a family of novel proteins called GPCR‐PIPKs (GKs) that are composed of a seven‐transmembrane spanning (7‐TM) domain fused to a phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinase (PIPK) domain. Based on this domain structure GKs are anticipated to link G‐protein and phospholipid signal pathways; however, their functions are currently unknown. Expression analyses of the 12 GK genes in Phytophthora infestans and their orthologues in Phytophthora sojae, revealed differential expression during asexual development. PiGK1 and PiGK4 were fused to monomeric red fluorescent protein (mRFP) and ectopically expressed in P. infestans. In growing hyphae different subcellular distribution patterns were observed indicating that these two GKs act independently during development. We focused on the functional analyses of PiGK4. Its localization suggested involvement in cell differentiation and elongation and its 7‐TM domain showed a canonical GPCR membrane topology. Silencing of GK4 and overexpression of full‐length and truncated constructs in P. infestans revealed that PiGK4 is not only involved in spore germination and hyphal elongation but also in sporangia cleavage and infection.
Critical care research in a district general hospital: the first year
Authors: Camsooksai Julie , Barnes Helena , Reschreiter Henrik
Published: February 2013

Until recently, research in critical care units has usually taken place in university teaching hospitals. The ‘general’ critical care unit patient population is broader than this and the research needs to reflect this. As a general critical care unit in a district general hospital we wanted to set‐up research within our own department, as part of the critical care team and part of our culture. With extensive background communication, drive and hard work, the support of the hospital Research and Development department was gained and Comprehensive Local Research Network funding successfully applied for. A research team was established and a model for the Research Nurse role was developed and implemented. This model is described. Participation in national trials commenced and the research portfolio is growing. Networking with other teams also proved valuable. Research has been established as part of the ‘culture’ of the day‐to‐day work and the staff have embraced this. Dedicated Research Nurse posts and education of the whole team have ensured successful implementation and recruitment of the studies. Experiences of the first year are shared and discussed here. Sharing experience of developing research within a critical care unit in a district general hospital, and a suggested model for a new Research Nurse role, may benefit other similar units in their efforts to establish research.
Performance of a new dynamic model for predicting diurnal time courses of stomatal conductance at the leaf level
Authors: VIALET‐CHABRAND SILVÈRE , DREYER ERWIN , BRENDEL OLIVER
Published: February 2013

Under natural conditions, plants are subjected to continuous changes of irradiance that drive variations of stomatal conductance to water vapour (gs). We propose a dynamic model to predict the temporal response ofgsat the leaf level using an asymmetric sigmoid function with a unique parameter describing time constants for increasing and decreasinggs. The model parameters were adjusted to observed data usingApproximateBayesianComputation. We tested the model performance for (1) instant changes of irradiance; or (2) continuous and controlled variations of irradiance simulating diurnal time courses. Compared with the two mostly used steady‐state models, our dynamic model described daily time courses ofgswith a higher accuracy. In particular, it was able to describe the hysteresis ofgsresponses to increasing/decreasing irradiance and the resulting rapid variations of intrinsic water‐use efficiency. Compared to the mechanistic model of temporal responses ofgsbyKirschbaum,Gross &Pearcy, for which time constants were estimated with a large variance, our model estimated time constants with a higher precision. It is expected to improve predictions of water loss and water‐use efficiency in higher scale models by using a small number of parameters.
Intraoperative cell salvage is associated with reduced postoperative blood loss and transfusion requirements in cardiac surgery: a cohort study
Authors: Vonk Alexander B.A. , Meesters Michael I. , Garnier Robert P. , Romijn Johannes W.A. , van Barneveld Lerau J.M. , Heymans Martijn W. , Jansen Evert K. , Boer Christa
Published: February 2013

Background

This study investigated whether implementation of cell salvage of shed mediastinal and residual blood in all patients undergoing low‐to‐moderate–risk cardiac surgery reduces the need for allogeneic red blood cell (RBC) transfusion compared to patients not subjected to cell salvage.

Study Design and Methods

This retrospective cohort study included patients undergoing low‐to‐moderate–risk cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass without (control; n = 531) or with cell salvage (n = 433; Autolog, Medtronic). Study endpoints, including 24‐hour blood loss and RBC requirements, were evaluated using adjusted logistic regression.

Results

Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. The cell saver group received 568 ± 267 mL of autologous blood. Median number of allogeneic RBC transfusions was higher in the control group (2 [1‐5]) compared with the cell salvage group (1 [0‐3]; p < 0.001). There were no clinically relevant differences in postoperative coagulation test results between groups. The relative risk (RR) for postoperative RBC transfusion was reduced to 0.76 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.70‐0.83; p < 0.0001) in the cell salvage group. Moreover, patients in the cell salvage group had a lower chance for myocardial infarction (RR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.08‐0.91; p = 0.035), whereas the cell salvage group was associated with a higher probability for intensive care discharge within 24 hours after surgery (RR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.02‐1.14; p = 0.009).

Conclusion

The use of cell salvage throughout the entire procedure reduces postoperative blood loss and allogeneic RBC transfusion. These findings advocate implementation of cell salvage in all patients undergoing on‐pump cardiac surgery, irrespective of anticipated surgery‐related blood loss.
Synchronous Change of Atmospheric CO
2
and Antarctic Temperature During the Last Deglacial Warming
Authors: Parrenin F. , Masson-Delmotte V. , Köhler P. , Raynaud D. , Paillard D. , Schwander J. , Barbante C. , Landais A. , Wegner A. , Jouzel J.
Published: February 2013

No Leader to Follow

Changes in the concentration of atmospheric CO
2
and surface air temperature are closely related. However, temperature can influence atmospheric CO
2
as well as be influenced by it. Studies of polar ice cores have concluded that temperature increases during periods of rapid warming have preceded increases in CO
2
by hundreds of years.

Parrenin
et al.

(p.
1060
; see the Perspective by

Brook

) present a revised age scale for the atmospheric component of Antarctic ice cores, based on the isotopic composition of the N
2
that they contain, and suggest that temperature and CO
2
changed synchronously over four intervals of rapid warming during the last deglaciation.
Spreading Depression Triggers Headache by Activating Neuronal Panx1 Channels
Authors: Karatas Hulya , Erdener Sefik Evren , Gursoy-Ozdemir Yasemin , Lule Sevda , Eren-Koçak Emine , Sen Zümrüt Duygu , Dalkara Turgay
Published: February 2013

How Migraine Develops

Migraine is a common medical disorder. Unfortunately, how and why migraine headache is initiated is unclear.

Karatas
et al.

(p.
1092
) now describe a signaling pathway between stressed neurons and meningeal trigeminal afferents, which may explain how migraine headaches can be generated.
Multiple Human Papillomavirus Infections with High Viral Loads Are Associated with Cervical Lesions but Do Not Differentiate Grades of Cervical Abnormalities
Authors: Schmitt Markus , Depuydt Christophe , Benoy Ina , Bogers Johannes , Antoine Jerome , Arbyn Marc , Pawlita Michael
Published: February 2013

Multiple human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes often coexist within cervical epithelia and are frequently detected together in smears of different grades of cervical neoplasia. Describing the association between multiple infections and cervical disease is important in generating hypotheses regarding its pathogenesis. We analyzed the prevalence of multiple HPV infections and their attribution to cervical disease in a screening population of 999 consecutive BD SurePath liquid-based cervical cytology samples enriched with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) (
n
= 100), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) (
n
= 100), and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) (
n
= 97). HPV genotyping was performed only on cytology specimens using a broad-spectrum GP5
+
/6
+
-PCR/multiplex HPV genotyping (BSGP5
+
/6
+
-PCR/MPG) assay that detects and quantifies 51 HPV genotypes and 3 subtypes. Using a recently defined high viral load cutoff, the quantitative data were scored as high or low viral load. In the 36-month follow-up, 79 histologically confirmed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or greater (CIN2+) cases were identified. In the screening population, there was a trend of having more multiple infections at a younger age. Multiple HPV infections were common. Multiple HPV types were most prevalent in LSIL (75.9% of HPV positives), followed by HSIL (65.5%), ASCUS (64.6%), and negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM) (36.8%). On average, 3.2 and 2.5 HPV types were detected per LSIL and HSIL sample, respectively. Multiple HPV types with high viral loads were most prevalent in LSIL (62.6% of high viral load positives), followed by HSIL (51.9%), ASCUS (40.7%), and NILM (19.3%). Patients with multiple high viral loads showed a 4- to 6-fold-higher risk of having cervical precancerous cytological lesions than did patients with single high viral loads. Compared to NILM, multiple infections, especially with multiple high viral loads, were significantly associated with cytological precancerous lesions. However, the presence of multiple infections did not distinguish low-grade from high-grade cytological lesions.