bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outbreaks of influenza‐like illness in long‐term care facilities in Winnipeg, Canada
Authors: Mahmud Salaheddin M. , Thompson Laura H. , Nowicki Deborah L. , Plourde Pierre J.
Published: November 2012

Please cite this paper as: Mahmud et al. (2012) Outbreaks of influenza‐like illness in long‐term care facilities in Winnipeg, Canada. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 10.1111/irv.12052

Background  Outbreaks of influenza‐like illness (ILI) are common in long‐term care facilities (LTCFs) and result in significant morbidity and mortality among residents.

Objectives  We describe patterns of reported ILI outbreaks in LTCFs in Winnipeg, Canada, and examine LTCF and outbreak characteristics that influence the clinical outcomes of these outbreaks.

Methods  We analyzed the electronic records of all ILI outbreaks reported by LTCFs in Winnipeg from 2003 to 2011. Outbreak duration, ILI attack rates among staff and residents, and residents’ death rates were calculated by presumed viral etiology, staff vaccination rates, type of influenza chemoprophylaxis used, and time to notification to public health.

Results  Of a total of 154 reported outbreaks, most (N = 80) were attributed to influenza, and these outbreaks tended to have higher attack and death rates among LTCF residents compared with outbreaks caused by other respiratory viruses (12) or those of unknown etiology (62). About 92% of residents and 38% of staff of the average LTCFs were vaccinated. Chemoprophylaxis was used in 57·5% of influenza outbreaks. Regardless of presumed viral etiology, outbreaks reported within 3 days of onset ended sooner and had lower attack and mortality rates among residents.

Conclusions  Influenza‐like illness outbreaks still occur among highly immunized LTCF residents, so in addition to vaccination of staff and residents, it is important to maintain competent infection control practices. Early identification and notification to public health authorities and possibly early initiation of control measures could improve clinical outcomes of ILI outbreaks.
Multifractal properties of porosity as calculated from computed tomography (CT) images of a sandy soil, in relation to soil gas diffusion and linked soil physical properties
Authors: Lafond J. A. , Han L. , Allaire S. E. , Dutilleul P.
Published: November 2012

Relationships between soil porosity and diffusive gas flux are poorly understood, partly because of a difference in measurement scales between the two. The complexity of soil pore systems can be described by multifractal analysis at the microscopic scale, whereas relative soil gas diffusion coefficients (Ds/Do) are usually evaluated at the core scale. The objectives of this study were to (i) define a quantitative ‘pseudo‐macroporositygas’ from high‐resolution X‐ray computed tomography (CT) scanning images and characterize it for 10 intact soil cores, (ii) analyse the frequency distribution of pseudo‐macroporesgas in the columns with a multifractal approach and (iii) assess relationships between Ds/Do measured at the core scale and multifractal parameters describing the pore system heterogeneity within a core. The shape and symmetry of the singularity spectra and the degree of curvilinearity of the Rényi spectra show that the multifractal behaviour of the pseudo‐macroporositygas distribution for a given CT image thresholding varied among soil columns. Correlations found between Ds/Do and some parameter estimates of the singularity spectrum suggest that the distribution of pseudo‐macroporesgas, depending on the CT image thresholding, influenced Ds/Do. In particular, a strong correlation between Ds/Do and the entropy dimension (Dq = 1) indicates that Ds/Do was influenced by the degree of spatial heterogeneity of the pseudo‐macroporositygas distribution. The correlation dimension (Dq = 2) was also linked to Ds/Do, suggesting that a second‐order power law might describe the scaling relationship between pseudo‐macroporositygas distribution and Ds/Do. In conclusion, the multifractal description of soil porosity as calculated from CT images may be regarded as a way to improve our understanding of gas movement in soils at the core scale.
Three‐dimensional reconstructions from optical sections of thick mouse inner ears using confocal microscopy
Authors: KOPECKY B.J. , DUNCAN J.S. , ELLIOTT K.L. , FRITZSCH B.
Published: November 2012

Three‐dimensional (3D) reconstructions of the vertebrate inner ear have provided novel insights into the development of this complex organ. 3D reconstructions enable superior analysis of phenotypic differences between wild type and mutant ears but can result in laborious work when reconstructed from physically sectioned material. Although nondestructive optical sectioning light sheet microscopy may ultimately prove the ideal solution, these technologies are not yet commercially available, or in many instances are not monetarily feasible. Here we introduce a simple technique to image a fluorescently labelled ear at different stages throughout development at high resolution enabling 3D reconstruction of any component of the inner ear using confocal microscopy. We provide a step‐by‐step manual from tissue preparation to imaging to 3D reconstruction and analysis including a rationale and troubleshooting guide at each step for researchers with different equipment, protocols, and access to resources to successfully incorporate the principles of this method and customize them to their laboratory settings.
Gender difference of childhood overweight and obesity in predicting the risk of incident asthma: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Chen Y. C. , Dong G. H. , Lin K. C. , Lee Y. L.
Published: November 2012

The aims of our meta‐analysis were (i) to quantify the predictability of childhood overweight and obesity on the risk of incident asthma; and (ii) to evaluate the gender difference on this relationship. The selection criteria included prospective cohort paediatric studies which use age‐ and sex‐specific body mass index (BMI) as a measure of childhood overweight and the primary outcome of incident asthma. A total of 1,027 studies were initially identified through online database searches, and finally 6 studies met the inclusion criteria. The combined result of reported relative risk from the 6 included studies revealed that overweight children conferred increased risks of incident asthma as compared with non‐overweight children (relative risk, 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03–1.37). The relationship was further elevated for obesity vs. non‐obesity (relative risk, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.16–3.50). A dose–responsiveness of elevated BMI on asthma incidence was observed (P for trend, 0.004). Obese boys had a significantly larger effect than obese girls (relative risk, boys: 2.47; 95% CI, 1.57–3.87; girls: 1.25; 95% CI, 0.51–3.03), with significant dose‐dependent effect. Proposed mechanisms of gender difference could be through pulmonary mechanics, sleep disordered breathing and leptin. Further research might be needed to better understand the exact mechanism of gender difference on the obesity–asthma relationship.
A Comparision of Two Methods of Linking Spatial and Economic Data from Farm Surveys
Authors: Kokic Philip , Lawson Kenton , Elliston Lisa , Liang Chun , Shafron Walter
Published: November 2012

Linking scientific and economic data potentially has many benefits for natural resource management and policy analysis. This paper compares a sophisticated method for bringing these data together in farm surveys using detailed farm boundary data collected during an interview, with a less onerous approach requiring only a single point from each surveyed farm. A comparison is made by modelling land values using regression analysis in central New South Wales. It was found that there were only minor additional benefits from using the more sophisticated approach in this case. Additionally, there are significant costs in collecting and processing the detailed georeferencing data that make it considerably less practical than the simpler approach.
Macro‐level gender equality and depression in men and women in Europe
Authors: Van de Velde Sarah , Huijts Tim , Bracke Piet , Bambra Clare
Published: November 2012

A recurrent finding in international literature is a greater prevalence of depression in women than in men. While explanations for this gender gap have been studied extensively at the individual level, few researchers have studied macro‐level determinants of depression in men and women. In the current study we aim to examine the micro–macro linkage of the relationship between gender equality and depression by gender in Europe, using data from the European Social Survey, 2006–2007 (N = 39,891). Using a multilevel framework we find that a high degree of macro‐level gender equality is related to lower levels of depression in both women and men. It is also related to a smaller gender difference in depression, but only for certain social subgroups and only for specific dimensions of gender equality.
Pierrot Lunaire as Lunar Nexus
Authors: Cherlin Michael
Published: November 2012

My title is a pun on Stravinsky's characterisation of Pierrot Lunaire as the solar plexus of twentieth‐century music. Given its place in the history of musical depictions of moonlight, I characterise Pierrot as the twentieth century's lunar nexus – a place of intersections among literary and musical depictions of moonlight in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The first part of this essay is a survey and discussion of the musical topos of moonlight in German and Austrian nineteenth‐century literature and music. I then discuss Schoenberg's depictions of moonlight in key works prior to Pierrot, including Verklärte Nacht, Gurre‐Lieder, Pelleas und Melisande and Erwartung. The third section explores the depictions of moonlight developed across the 21 songs of Pierrot, with special focus on three: ‘Mondestrunken’, ‘Eine blasse Wäscherin’ and ‘Der Mondfleck’.
Donkey Pericardium as an Alternative Bioprosthetic Heart Valve Material
Authors: Chen Shanliang , Xu Li , Liu Yuxi , Li Quan , Wang Dong , Wang Xuemei , Liu Tianqi
Published: November 2012

This study comparatively evaluates the characteristics of glutaraldehyde‐treated acellular bovine and donkey pericardium using histological and electronic microscopic observation techniques, shrinkage temperature, and mechanical properties, as well as determining calcium and phosphorus content at 4 and 8 weeks after the subcutaneous implantation of donkey and bovine pericardium in Wistar rats. Donkey pericardium was significantly thinner compared with bovine pericardium (1.622 ±  0.161 mm vs. 4.027 ± 0.401 mm, P < 0.0001) and was associated with significantly greater tensile strength (14.21 ±  3.81 MPa vs. 3.78 ± 1.20 MPa, P = 0.001) and elastic modulus (81.67 ± 20.41 MPa vs. 21.67 ± 11.69 MPa, P <  0.0001) over bovine pericardium. Shrinkage temperature of donkey pericardium was similar to that of bovine pericardium (87.43 ± 0.55°C vs. 87.50 ± 0.36°C, P =  0.810). No differences between groups were observed for maximum load (donkey: 21.64 ± 7.02 KN/m vs. bovine: 15.05 ± 4.50 KN/m, P = 0.082) and tear strength (donkey: 11.54 ± 5.33 MPa vs. bovine: 10.69 ±  3.77 MPa, P = 0.757). Calcium content was significantly lower in donkey pericardium compared with bovine pericardium at 4 weeks (690.15 ± 191.27 µg/g vs. 1381.73 ± 62.52 µg/g, P = 0.001) and 8 weeks (205.24 ± 62.40 µg/g vs. 910.48 ± 398.29 µg/g, P = 0.037). This preliminary study has confirmed that glutaraldehyde‐tanned donkey pericardium, demonstrating reduced calcification and increased tensile strength, may provide a suitable bioprosthetic valve substitute.
Cerebral Perfusion During Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Children: Correlations Between Near‐Infrared Spectroscopy, Temperature, Lactate, Pump Flow, and Blood Pressure
Authors: Haydin Sertac , Onan Burak , Onan Ismihan Selen , Ozturk Erkut , Iyigun Muzeyyen , Yeniterzi Mehmet , Bakir Ihsan
Published: November 2012

Near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a noninvasive modality to monitor regional brain oxygenation (rSO2). In this study, we aimed to investigate the correlation between cerebral rSO2 and lactate, pump flow, hematocrit, pCO2, and mean blood pressure (MBP) during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Between March and September 2011, 50 pediatric patients who underwent congenital heart surgery were enrolled into the study. Ages ranged from 6 days to 168 months (median 14 months). A NIRS sensor (Somanetics 5100B, Troy, MI, USA) was placed on the right forehead of patients. CPB period was divided into five stages: 1—at the beginning of CBP, 2—cooling at 32°C, 3—at final hypothermic temperature, 4—rewarming at 32°C, 5—before weaning from CPB. Data collection included measurements of each parameter at five stages of CPB. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis within groups and Spearman's correlation to test association between parameters. Lactate levels increased significantly from stage 1 to stage 5 during CPB (P < 0.05). There was no significant correlation between cerebral rSO2 and MBPs, pump flows, hematocrit, or pCO2 during CPB. Cerebral rSO2 levels showed changes between the stages; there was a significant increase during cooling period, compared to stage 1 (P < 0.05). Significant changes during cooling stage did not happen for other parameters. At stage 3, there was a negative correlation between lactate level and MBP. At stage 4, there was no significant change in cerebral rSO2 levels despite decreased MBP. At the warming stage, low MBPs, but normal rSO2 values, are observed despite increased pump flows. Increased rSO2 levels despite insignificant changes at other parameters during the cooling stage of CPB may show that optimal pump flow with adequate intravascular volume may provide effective cerebral perfusion even without changes in MBP. Considering normal rSO2 values during CPB in this study, it may be speculated that brain protection can be assessed by using NIRS and applying a standard bypass protocol.
Presurgical Evaluation of Fontan Connection Options for Patients With Apicocaval Juxtaposition Using Computational Fluid Dynamics
Authors: Menon Prahlad G. , Yoshida Masahiro , Pekkan Kerem
Published: November 2012

Apicocaval juxtaposition (ACJ) is a rare congenital heart defect associated with single ventricle physiology where optimal positioning of the Fontan conduit for completion of total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) is still controversial. In ACJ, the cardiac apex is ipsilateral with the inferior vena cava (IVC), risking kinking and collapse of the Fontan conduit at the apex of the heart. The purpose of this study is to evaluate two viable routes for Fontan conduit connection in patients with ACJ, using computational fluid dynamics. Internal energy loss evaluations were used to determine contribution of conduit curvature to the energy efficiency of each cavopulmonary anastomosis configuration. This percentage of energy loss contribution was found to be greater in the case of a curved extracardiac conduit connection (44%, 4.1 mW) traveling behind the ventricular apex, connecting the IVC to the left pulmonary artery, than the straighter lateral tunnel conduit (6%, 1.4 mW) installed through the ventricular apex. In contrast, net energy loss across the anastomosis was significantly lower with extracardiac TCPC (9.3 mW) in comparison with lateral tunnel TCPC (23.2 mW), highlighting that a curved Fontan conduit is favorable provided that it is traded off for a superior cavopulmonary connection efficiency. Therefore, a relatively longer and curved Fontan conduit has been demonstrated to be a suitable connection option independent of anatomical situations.
Should Nicorandil Infusion Be Adapted in Dialysis‐Dependent Patients Undergoing Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy After Cardiac Surgery?
Authors: Yasuda Norihisa , Goto Koji , Shitomi Ryo , Ohchi Yoshifumi , Abe Takakuni , Yamamoto Shunsuke , Hidaka Seigo , Noguchi Takayuki
Published: November 2012

In this report, we studied whether plasma concentration of nicorandil is maintained effectively and safely in dialysis‐dependent patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD5D) undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Participants consisted of 10 patients undergoing CRRT after cardiac surgery. CRRT was performed with an effluent flow rate of either 600 mL/h (low‐flow group; n = 5) or 1800 mL/h (high‐flow group; n = 5). Nicorandil was infused intravenously at 0.1 mg/kg/h for more than 15 h starting 8 h before and 7 h after the start of CRRT. Plasma nicorandil concentrations were measured from arterial blood lines 1 h before and 7 h after CRRT initiation. Nicorandil clearance by CRRT was also calculated 1 h after CRRT initiation. Nicorandil plasma concentrations before and 7 h after CRRT initiation were 68.0 ng/mL and 74.6 ng/mL, respectively. Nicorandil clearance 1 h after CRRT initiation was 20.2 mL/min. Increasing the effluent flow rate from 600 mL/h to 1800 mL/h tended to increase nicorandil clearance. When nicorandil was infused intravenously during CRRT at 0.1 mg/kg/h in patients with CKD5D, plasma nicorandil concentrations were maintained within an effective concentration range.
Babesia microti seroprevalence in Minnesota blood donors
Authors: Tonnetti Laura , Thorp Aaron M. , Deisting Barbara , Bachowski Gary , Johnson Stephanie T. , Wey Andrew R. , Hodges James S. , Leiby David A. , Mair David
Published: November 2012

Background

The increasing frequency of transfusion‐transmitted babesiosis represents a concern for the safety of the US blood supply. The agent responsible for the disease, the intraerythrocytic parasite Babesia microti, is naturally transmitted to humans by a tick bite and is endemic in areas of the Northeast and Upper Midwest United States. In this study, we explored B. microti seroprevalence in blood donors from different areas of Minnesota (MN).

Study Design and Methods

We tested 2150 blood donors in MN for the presence of antibodies against B. microti using an immunofluorescent assay (IFA). Donors identified as positive (≥64) were also tested by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of parasite DNA. Seropositive donors were contacted by phone and asked questions regarding tick exposure. Donors positive by IFA were indefinitely deferred from donating blood.

Results

A total of 2150 donations were tested between October 2010 and November 2011. Forty‐two donors (2.0%) were positive by IFA and one was also PCR positive. All positive donors reported extended outdoor activities, 12 recalled finding ticks on their body, and six had flu‐like symptoms since their last blood draw.

Conclusions

This study provides new data about B. microti seroprevalence in MN blood donors. Possibly because the targeted collection areas were mostly expected to be endemic for the parasite, the observed seroprevalence levels were higher than expected, although the geographic distribution of positive donors did not completely overlap with the distribution of reported clinical cases in MN.
Impact of chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay screening for human parvovirus B19 antigen in Japanese blood donors
Authors: Sakata Hidekatsu , Matsubayashi Keiji , Ihara Hiromi , Sato Shinichiro , Kato Toshiaki , Wakisaka Akemi , Tadokoro Kenji , Yu Mei‐ying W. , Baylis Sally A. , Ikeda Hisami , Takamoto Shigeru
Published: November 2012

Background

To reduce the risk of human parvovirus B19 (B19V) transmission through contaminated blood for transfusion and plasma‐derived products, the Japanese Red Cross (JRC) Blood Centers introduced B19V antigen screening by chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay (CLEIA‐B19V) in 2008.

Study Design and Methods

Donor samples that were positive by CLEIA‐B19V screening were tested for B19V DNA. The sensitivity of CLEIA‐B19V was tested using samples of all three genotypes and B19V DNA–positive donations. B19V DNA–positive donations and pooled plasma were quantitatively assayed for B19V DNA. B19V DNA–positive donations were phylogenetically analyzed by polymerase chain reaction direct sequencing.

Results

The sensitivity of CLEIA‐B19V was inferred to be approximately 6.3 log IU/mL with the genotype samples and 6.4 log IU/mL with B19V DNA–positive donor samples. Of 417 CLEIA‐B19V–positive samples from 1,035,560 donations in Hokkaido, Japan, 101 were positive for B19V DNA. The 198 strains of B19V DNA–positive donations in Hokkaido over the past 15 years clustered exclusively with Genotype 1. After introduction of CLEIA‐B19V, the viral load for B19V DNA in all 772 pooled plasma for fractionation from donors in nationwide Japan did not exceed 4 log IU/mL.

Conclusion

CLEIA‐B19V can detect all three genotypes of B19V (viral load >6.3 log IU/mL) and limit the viral load (<4 log IU/mL) in pooled plasma, and thus such screening has further reduced the risk of transfusion‐transmitted B19V infection. These results show that CLEIA‐B19V screening at the JRC Blood Centers can be an alternative approach to comply with recommendations regarding B19V in the United States and Europe.
Safe fetal platelet genotyping: new developments
Authors: Le Toriellec Emilie , Chenet Christophe , Kaplan Cecile
Published: November 2012

Background

Fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) is due to maternal alloimmunization against fetal platelet (PLT) antigens. Antenatal management strategies have been developed to avoid complications such as intracranial hemorrhage. The aim of this study was to set up two reliable, noninvasive fetal genotyping assays to determine the fetal risk in pregnancies in which the father is heterozygous for the offending antigen. This study focused on human PLT antigen (HPA)‐1, the most frequently implicated antigen in FNAIT in Caucasians.

Study Design and Methods

Two assays based on cell‐free fetal DNA extracted from maternal blood samples and on real‐time polymerase chain reaction (QPCR) were developed: an allele‐specific QPCR specifically targeting the polymorphic sequence in HPA‐1 and the study of the variation in the high‐resolution melting curve of amplicons containing the polymorphic region.

Results

All results from the 49 samples obtained from 29 pregnant women were consistent with expectations. Six women were compatible with their fetuses (three HPA‐1aa women and three HPA‐1bb women), 41 HPA‐1bb women were incompatible with their fetuses, as were two HPA‐1aa women.

Conclusion

Two fetal PLT genotyping assays on maternal blood samples proved to be reliable as of 15 weeks of gestation, thereby avoiding invasive techniques such as amniocentesis.
Sorbus aucuparia regeneration in a coarse‐grained spruce forest – a landscape scale
Authors: Żywiec Magdalena , Holeksa Jan , Wesołowska Małgorzata , Szewczyk Janusz , Zwijacz‐Kozica Tomasz , Kapusta Paweł
Published: November 2012

Questions

What is the spatial range of regeneration of the fleshy‐fruited tree Sorbus aucuparia (rowan) in a coarse‐grained spruce stand on a large landscape scale? Does the spatial distribution and size of stands of different ages affect the probability of rowan regeneration? What are the consequences of the dynamics of dominant coniferous tree species for the dynamics of admixture rowan?

Location

A sub‐alpine spruce forest in the Tatra Mountains, Poland.

Methods

We mapped all mature rowans in a 203‐ha area and counted the rowan seedlings and saplings on a grid of evenly distributed plots. In plots, the age and diameter of trees were measured. Patches of homogenous stands were distinguished and each rowan tree and each plot was assigned to one of four stand categories: dense small‐crowned stands, dense large‐crowned stands, sparse large‐crowned stands and sparse stands near the upper forest limit. Areas above the upper forest limit formed a separate fifth category.

Results

The distribution of rowan trees was clumped. Most of them grew in dense spruce stands up to 135 yr old and near the upper forest limit. Substantially fewer rowan trees were in sparse spruce stands of nearly 200 yr old. Seedlings and saplings occurred at high density (mean 24.8 individuals 100 m−2) only up to 40 m from trees bearing fruits, and at much lower density at longer distances. In consequence of the clumped distribution of adult trees and the short range of seed dispersal, most of the old spruce stands were outside the range of abundant regeneration of rowan.

Conclusions

The presence of fine‐ vs coarse‐grained mosaics of coniferous stands of different ages can strongly influence population processes in a rowan population on a large landscape scale. Extensive disturbances resulting in large homogenous patches of coniferous stands, the long lifespan of a single generation of spruce and spatial limitation of rowan seed dispersal seem responsible for the small contribution this broad‐leaved species makes to sub‐alpine forests. A high share of rowan can be expected in forests with fine‐grained mosaics of stands, where small patches of young and old stands are inter‐mixed, assuring delivery of seeds to stands of each category.
Long‐term outcome in dogs undergoing mitral valve repair with suture annuloplasty and chordae tendinae replacement
Authors: Mizuno T. , Mizukoshi T. , Uechi M.
Published: November 2012

Mitral valve repair under cardiopulmonary bypass was performed in three dogs with clinical signs associated with mitral regurgitation that were not controlled by medication. Mitral valve repair comprised circumferential annuloplasty and chordal replacement with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. One dog died 2 years after surgery because of severe mitral regurgitation resulting from partial circumferential suture detachment. The others survived for over 5 years, but mild mitral valve stenosis persisted in one. The replaced chordae did not rupture in any dog. Mitral valve repair appears to be an effective treatment for mitral regurgitation in dogs. Chordal replacement with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene is a feasible technique, demonstrating long‐term durability in dogs. However, mitral annuloplasty techniques need improvement.
Conservation implications of adaptation to tropical climates from a historical perspective
Authors: Bonebrake Timothy C.
Published: November 2012

Tropical climates and the biodiversity associated with them have long interested natural historians. Alexander von Humboldt inspired a generation of scientists, such as Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace, to observe and study tropical ecosystems. More recently, the mid‐20th century saw Theodosius Dobzhansky and Daniel Janzen lay the foundations for studying adaptation to tropical climates. Now in the 21st century, we are beginning to realize the threats posed by current and future climate change to tropical populations which, despite relatively low levels of projected warming for low‐latitude regions, face potentially significant detrimental impacts. Building on the insights of researchers in decades and centuries past, improved understanding of tropical ecology, evolution and biogeography will help us to conceive how future global change will impact on biodiversity.
Anti‐cardiolipin from periodontitis patients induces MCP‐1 production by human umbilical vein endothelial cells
Authors: Schenkein Harvey A. , Sabatini Robert , Koertge Thomas E. , Brooks Carol N. , Purkall Donald B.
Published: November 2012

Aim

Periodontal diseases are associated with a variety of systemic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and stroke, and patients with periodontitis demonstrate elevated levels of anti‐cardiolipin antibodies. We sought to determine if anti‐cardiolipin antibodies from periodontitis patients induced monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 production by human vascular endothelial cells.

Materials and Methods

IgG was purified from sera from 53 subjects, including chronic and aggressive periodontitis patients and periodontally healthy controls, with elevated or normal IgG anti‐cardiolipin levels. In addition, anti‐cardiolipin antibodies were specifically removed from some sera by immunoabsorption.

Results

We found that, irrespective of diagnostic category, IgG from subjects with elevated anti‐cardiolipin induced significantly greater monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 production by human vascular endothelial cells than IgG from those subjects with normal anti‐cardiolipin titres. Removal of anti‐cardiolipin from IgG preparations from periodontitis patients significantly reduced their ability to induce monocyte chemotactic protein‐1.

Conclusions

Since elevated titres of anti‐cardiolipin are found in a significantly greater proportion of patients with periodontitis than in periodontally healthy individuals, and these antibodies activate endothelial cells to produce monocyte chemotactic protein‐1, they may explain some of the associations noted between periodontal infections and systemic conditions.
Sex at the margins: parthenogenesis vs. facultative and obligate sex in a Neotropical ant
Authors: Kellner K. , Seal J. N. , Heinze J.
Published: November 2012

Geographic parthenogenesis is a distribution pattern, in which parthenogenetic populations tend to live in marginal habitats, at higher latitudes and altitudes and island‐like habitats compared with the sexual forms. The facultatively parthenogenetic ant Platythyrea punctata is thought to exhibit this general pattern throughout its wide range in Central America and the Caribbean Islands. Workers of P. punctata from the Caribbean produce diploid female offspring from unfertilized eggs by thelytokous parthenogenesis, and mated females and males are rare. In contrast, workers in one colony from Costa Rica were incapable of thelytoky; instead mated workers produced all female offspring. Because sample sizes were very low in former studies, we here use microsatellite markers and explicit tests of thelytoky to examine the population genetic structure of ancestral and derived populations of P. punctata throughout the Caribbean and Central America. Populations from the Caribbean islands were fully capable of parthenogenesis, and population genetic signatures indicate that this is the predominant mode of reproduction, although males are occasionally produced. In contrast, the northernmost population on the mainland (Texas) showed signatures of sexual reproduction, and individuals were incapable of reproduction by thelytoky. Contrary to expectations from a geographic parthenogenesis distribution pattern, most parts of the mainland populations were found to be facultatively thelytokous, with population genetic signatures of both sexual and parthenogenetic reproduction.
Transcriptional analysis of rat photoreceptor cells reveals daily regulation of genes important for visual signaling and light damage susceptibility
Authors: Kunst Stefanie , Wolloscheck Tanja , Hölter Philip , Wengert Alexander , Grether Markus , Sticht Carsten , Weyer Veronika , Wolfrum Uwe , Spessert Rainer
Published: November 2012

Photoreceptor cells face the challenge of adjusting their function and, possibly, their susceptibility to light damage to the marked daily changes in ambient light intensity. To achieve a better understanding of photoreceptor adaptation at the transcriptional level, this study aimed to identify genes which are under daily regulation in photoreceptor cells using microarray analysis and quantitative PCR. Included in the gene set obtained were a number of genes which up until now have not been shown to be expressed in photoreceptor cells, such as Atf3 (activating transcription factor 3) and Pde8a (phosphodiesterase 8A), and others with a known impact on phototransduction and/or photoreceptor survival, such as Grk1 (G protein‐coupled receptor kinase 1) and Pgc‐1α (peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ, coactivator 1alpha). According to their daily dynamics, the genes identified could be clustered in two groups: those with peak expression during the second part of the day which are uniformly promoted to cycle by light/dark transitions and those with peak expression during the second part of the night which are predominately driven by a clock. Since Grk1 and Pgc‐1α belong in the first group, the present results support a concept in which transcriptional regulation of genes by ambient light contributes to the functional adjustment of photoreceptor cells over the 24‐h period.
Jacques Lacan's theory of the subject as real, symbolic and imaginary: how can Lacanian theory be of help to mental health nursing practice?
Authors: McSherry A.
Published: November 2012

Accessible summary

Mental health nursing is in a process of redefining itself and being asked to promote mental health to a wider public, and it therefore needs to engage with ideas new to nursing.

Jacques Lacan's ideas appear of particular relevance to those interested in mental health. In particular, a symptom for Lacan is the way one may have to cope with one's particular way of being.

It is only when a symptom becomes a problem that we seek help. When a problem arises we need to look at it in a wider perspective rather than pathologize it, and this is where Lacan's concept of the three registers is of major importance.

This paper presents an outline of Lacan's theory of the human subject, in particular focusing on Lacan's concepts of the real, symbolic and imaginary registers, and how an understanding of these can inform change and practice in mental health nursing. Mental health nursing is under pressure to define itself as a practice distinct from other professions in the field, and to respond in new ways to promoting mental health to the individual and a wider public. Lacan's theory of the subject is of particular relevance to mental health nurses working with mental distress but has received little attention in mental health nursing literature. Six implications for practice are outlined in terms of: against normalization, the importance of the function of the symptom, what cannot be known, meaning as ever‐changing, against empathy and against holistic ideas of the self.
Contrasting responses of Kupffer cells and inflammatory mononuclear phagocytes to biliary obstruction in a mouse model of cholestatic liver injury
Authors: Duwaerts Caroline C. , Gehring Stephan , Cheng Chao‐Wen , van Rooijen Nico , Gregory Stephen H.
Published: November 2012

Background

Biliary obstruction and cholestasis are serious complications of many liver diseases. Although resident hepatic macrophages (Kupffer cells) are frequently implicated in disease progression, most studies fail to differentiate the contribution of Kupffer cells and inflammatory mononuclear phagocytes (iMNPs) that infiltrate the liver subsequent to obstruction.

Aim

This study was undertaken to examine the roles and potential interactions of these two disparate mononuclear phagocyte populations in hepatic injury attending cholestasis.

Methods

Female, C57Bl/6 mice were injected with magnetic beads on day 3 prior to sham operation or bile duct ligation (BDL) to facilitate subsequent Kupffer cell isolation. Three days post‐surgery, animals were euthanized, and bead‐containing Kupffer cells and iMNPs were separated, purified and analysed. To examine the ability of Kupffer cells to modulate iMNP activity, iMNPs were isolated from the livers of intact and Kupffer cell‐depleted mice on day 3 post‐surgery and compared.

Results

Purified Kupffer cells and iMNP populations obtained from BDL mice exhibited heterogeneous morphologies rendering them visually indistinguishable. iMNPs, however, were characterized by the increased expression of Ly‐6C and CD11b and the elevated production of chemokines/cytokines characteristic of inflammatory cells. In the absence of Kupffer cells, iMNPs immigrating to the liver following BDL exhibited significant decreases in CD11b and Ly‐6C expression, and in pro‐inflammatory chemokine/cytokine production.

Conclusions

Kupffer cells and iMNPs exhibit disparate biological responses to biliary obstruction and cholestasis. Kupffer cells play a key role in regulating iMNP influx and activity.
Interventions guided by analysis of quality indicators decrease the frequency of laryngospasm during pediatric anesthesia
Authors: Mc Donnell Conor
Published: November 2012

Introduction

Clinical outcomes in pediatric anesthesia have improved significantly over the last 20–30 years but unexpected laryngospasm that is difficult to treat can still result in patient morbidity, increased postoperative medical management and unnecessary hospital admission. The incidence of laryngospasm in pediatric anesthesia is difficult to determine with incidences from 0.9% to as high as 14% quoted in the literature. Clinical experience in our institution suggests that laryngospasm is one of the more frequent unanticipated complications that occur under general anesthesia. Therefore, we applied quality improvement (QI) methodology to: (i) identify the etiology and contributing factors that lead to unanticipated incidents during pediatric anesthesia care; and (ii) decrease the incidence of laryngospasm during pediatric anesthesia care by focusing on awareness, preparedness, education and knowledge translation.

Materials & Methods

We conducted a 30‐month improvement project. Twelve months of baseline data describing unanticipated events during pediatric anesthesia care were collected prospectively in a single institution. Data were analyzed to identify leading causes of these unanticipated events and to identify key drivers to improve overall quality of care. Interventions focused on raising awareness of the impact of laryngospasm on quality of patient care, knowledge dissemination and the creation of a knowledge translation tool to encourage future early learning. The primary objective was to decrease the incidence of unanticipated calls for help due to laryngospasm by 50% over a 12‐month period.

Results

During the 12‐month baseline data period, laryngospasm was responsible for 33 instances (50%) of the 65 ‘calls for help’ identified. The incidence of laryngospasm for which help was sought was 0.25% of all anesthetics performed during the baseline data period. After the introduction of our interventions, 16 (24%) of the 68 ‘calls for help’ over the subsequent 16 months were attributed to laryngospasm. The incidence of laryngospasm for which help was sought during the second time period was 0.09% of all anesthetics performed.

Conclusions

We applied QI methodology to identify potential improvements in the quality of anesthesia care we deliver to our patients. By designing a number of key drivers and interventions specifically focused on laryngospasm, we decreased the incidence of unanticipated calls for help due to laryngospasm by 50% and maintained this improvement to clinical care across a 12‐month period.
Rhizospheric NO affects N uptake and metabolism in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings depending on soil N availability and N source
Authors: SIMON JUDY , DONG FANG , BUEGGER FRANZ , RENNENBERG HEINZ
Published: November 2012

Signals controlling the competitive interactions for nitrogen between plants and soil microorganisms in the rhizosphere are to date mainly unknown, thus, we investigated the effects of rhizospheric NO concentration with varying soil N availability on N uptake and metabolism in fine roots of Scots pine seedlings. Our results show for the first time that NO affected N uptake by seedlings dependent on N source and soil N availability. The commonly accepted suppression of nitrate uptake in the presence of ammonium and glutamine was overruled at high NO. This study also provides first evidence for the effects of NO on nitrate and arginine uptake in a tree species and that rhizospheric NO does not only affect deciduous trees (i.e., beech), but also coniferous tree species (i.e., pine).
Aqueous pathways dominate permeation of solutes across Pisum sativum seed coats and mediate solute transport via diffusion and bulk flow of water
Authors: NIEMANN SYLVIA , BURGHARDT MARKUS , POPP CHRISTIAN , RIEDERER MARKUS
Published: November 2012

The permeability of seed coats to solutes either of biological or anthropogenic origin plays a major role in germination, seedling growth and agrochemical seed treatment. Therefore, an experimental setup was designed allowing to investigate the mechanisms of seed coat permeation by steady‐state experiments with isolated seed coats of Pisum sativum. Analysing the permeation of a set of organic model compounds showed that narrow aqueous pathways dominate the movement of solutes across the seed coats as indicated by a good correlation of permeances with the molecular sizes of the compounds and no correlation with their lipophilicity. The application of an osmotic water potential gradient across isolated seed coats leads to an increase in solute transfer indicating that the aqueous pathways form a water‐filled continuum across the seed coat allowing the bulk flow of water.
European guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of adenovirus infection in leukemia and stem cell transplantation: summary of ECIL‐4 (2011)
Authors: Matthes‐Martin S. , Feuchtinger T. , Shaw P.J. , Engelhard D. , Hirsch H.H. , Cordonnier C. , Ljungman P. ,   The fourth European Conference on Infections in Leukemia
Published: November 2012

Human adenovirus (HAdV) infections are increasingly recognized as important pathogens in immunocompromised hosts, especially in patients with severely suppressed T‐cell function. The 4th European Conference of Infections in Leukemia (ECIL‐4) has developed evidence‐based guidelines for diagnosis and management of HAdV infections. The risk for HAdV‐associated disease is increased in children, and risk factors for HAdV disease are T‐cell depletion, unrelated and cord blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, graft‐versus‐host disease grades III–IV, and lymphopenia. The recommended technique for monitoring of high‐risk patients is quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Cidofovir is the most used antiviral therapy, although no controlled study has been performed. HAdV‐specific T‐cell therapy is in development.
Functional specialization of duplicated AP3‐like genes in Medicago truncatula
Authors: Roque Edelín , Serwatowska Joanna , Cruz Rochina M. , Wen Jiangqi , Mysore Kirankumar S. , Yenush Lynne , Beltrán José Pío , Cañas Luis A.
Published: November 2012

The B–class of MADS box genes has been studied in a wide range of plant species, but has remained largely uncharacterized in legumes. Here we investigate the evolutionary fate of the duplicated AP3‐like genes of a legume species. To obtain insight into the extent to which B‐class MADS box gene functions are conserved or have diversified in legumes, we isolated and characterized the two members of the AP3 lineage in Medicago truncatula: MtNMH7 and MtTM6 (euAP3 and paleoAP3 genes, respectively). A non‐overlapping and complementary expression pattern of both genes was observed in petals and stamens. MtTM6 was expressed predominantly in the outer cell layers of both floral organs, and MtNMH7 in the inner cell layers of petals and stamens. Functional analyses by reverse genetics approaches (RNAi and Tnt1 mutagenesis) showed that the contribution of MtNMH7 to petal identity is more important than that of MtTM6, whereas MtTM6 plays a more important role in stamen identity than its paralog MtNMH7. Our results suggest that the M. truncatula AP3‐like genes have undergone a functional specialization process associated with complete partitioning of gene expression patterns of the ancestral gene lineage. We provide information regarding the similarities and differences in petal and stamen development among core eudicots.
Evolutionary analyses of non‐family genes in plants
Authors: Ye Chu‐Yu , Li Ting , Yin Hengfu , Weston David J. , Tuskan Gerald A. , Tschaplinski Timothy J. , Yang Xiaohan
Published: November 2012

There are a large number of ‘non‐family’ (NF) genes that do not cluster into families with three or more members per genome. While gene families have been extensively studied, a systematic analysis of NF genes has not been reported. We performed comparative studies on NF genes in 14 plant species. Based on the clustering of protein sequences, we identified ~94 000 NF genes across these species that were divided into five evolutionary groups: Viridiplantae wide, angiosperm specific, monocot specific, dicot specific, and those that were species specific. Our analysis revealed that the NF genes resulted largely from less frequent gene duplications and/or a higher rate of gene loss after segmental duplication relative to genes in both low‐copy‐number families (LF; 3–10 copies per genome) and high‐copy‐number families (HF; >10 copies). Furthermore, we identified functions enriched in the NF gene set as compared with the HF genes. We found that NF genes were involved in essential biological processes shared by all plant lineages (e.g. photosynthesis and translation), as well as gene regulation and stress responses associated with phylogenetic diversification. In particular, our analysis of an Arabidopsis protein–protein interaction network revealed that hub proteins with the top 10% most connections were over‐represented in the NF set relative to the HF set. This research highlights the roles that NF genes may play in evolutionary and functional genomics research.
Experimental and Numerical Investigation on Filling Roll Bending of Aluminum Alloy Integral Panel
Authors: Xiao Han , Zhang Shi-hong , Liu Jin-song , Cheng Ming , Liu Hong-xi
Published: November 2012

Integral panels are widely used in aerospace industries. A filling roll bending process is proposed to form integral panels. Filling roll bending experiments of aluminum alloy integral panels were carried out. A 3D elastic–plastic finite element model of filling roll bending process was established and validated by experiment. The effects of filler and process parameters on the deformation homogeneity of the panels were analyzed by using experimental and numerical methods. The results indicate that the filler can improve the deformation homogeneity. With the increasing of the displacement of the top-roller from 5 mm to 40 mm, the experimental and simulation bending radii with filler all reduce, the experimental results reduce from 5806 mm to 190 mm, the simulation results reduce from 5924 mm to 199 mm, and the simulation springback rates with filler reduce from 0.92% to 0.15%. It is proved that high geometric accuracy of the integral panels can be obtained by using filling roll bending process.
Lower leptin levels are associated with higher risk of weight gain over 2 years in healthy young adults
Authors: Allard Catherine , Doyon Myriam , Brown Christine , Carpentier Andre C. , Langlois Marie-France , Hivert Marie-France
Published: November 2012

Complete leptin deficiency is associated with weight gain and extreme obesity, according to studies of animals and of monogenic obesity in humans. It is still a matter of debate whether relative leptin deficiency plays a physiologic role in adiposity regulation in free-living humans. We hypothesized that leptin levels would be associated with subsequent weight changes in healthy normal-weight young adults. Our prospective cohort involved 150 healthy young adults (114 women and 36 men) followed over their years of study at the Université de Sherbrooke. Anthropometric measurements, fasting blood samples, 3-day food diaries, and a physical activity questionnaire were collected at baseline. Leptin levels were measured with radioimmunoassay. Associations between baseline leptin levels and subsequent anthropometric changes were assessed with multivariable linear regression models to account for adiposity at baseline, food intake, and energy expenditure. Over the 2-year follow-up, changes in body mass index (BMI) ranged from –0.8 to +2.6 kg·m–2 in men (mean BMI change, +0.6 kg·m–2) and from –2.5 to +3.7 kg·m–2 in women (mean BMI change, +0.1 kg·m–2). Lower leptin levels at baseline were associated with a higher risk of weight gain in women (r = –0.24; p = 0.01 for change in BMI) and in men (r = –0.27, p = 0.11), even after accounting for baseline BMI, total daily caloric intake, and energy expenditure (p = 0.02). In the subsample measured at 4 years (n = 63), baseline leptin levels were not associated with 4-year weight changes. Lower leptin levels are associated with a higher risk of weight gain over 2 years in healthy young adults.