bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of a Pickling Process on the Reduction of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp. and Staphylococcus aureus Inoculated onto Hard‐Cooked Eggs
Authors: Scheinberg Joshua A. , Valderrama Wladir B. , Cutter Catherine N.
Published: September 2013

Traditional methods of food preservation, such as pickling, have reemerged as popular approaches for home and commercial food processing. The process of pickling hard‐cooked eggs (HCE) can be an effective method of preventing the growth and survival of pathogenic microorganisms. Because of the variety of pickling processes, HCE manufacturers must validate their pickling process for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval and demonstrate 5‐log reductions of pathogens associated with the product. In this study, a rapid one‐step pickling process was evaluated for its ability to reduce Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli O157:H7 inoculated onto HCE for 14 days at room temperature. All pathogens inoculated onto HCE were reduced by (>5.0 logs) within 24 h and were undetectable following enrichment. The data obtained in this study may be of interest to regulatory officials and processors of HCE seeking pathogen reduction validation for their products.

Practical Applications

Pickling of HCE is an effective preservation method capable of preventing pathogen growth and survival. Although the use of organic acids for food preservation is not a new concept, few published studies have scientifically validated the ability of pickling methods to inhibit pathogen growth and survival on specific foods. Because of the regulatory requirements set forth by the FDA, acidified foods sold commercially must be validated through scientific studies, which demonstrate 5‐log reductions of pathogens associated with the product. Previous studies have utilized a two‐step pickled egg pickling process and demonstrated complete kill of various pathogens within 96 h. In this study, we evaluate a rapid one‐step pickling process utilizing a reformulated pickling solution and produce a complete kill of selected pathogens within 24 h, drastically reducing the cost and increasing the efficiency of a commercial pickled egg pickling process.
Intravenous nicotine injection induces rapid, experience‐dependent sensitization of glutamate release in the ventral tegmental area and nucleus accumbens
Authors: Lenoir Magalie , Kiyatkin Eugene A.
Published: September 2013

Although numerous data suggest that glutamate (GLU) is involved in mediating the neural effects of nicotine, direct data on nicotine‐induced changes in GLU release are still lacking. Here, we used high‐speed amperometry with enzyme‐based GLU and enzyme‐free GLU‐null biosensors to examine changes in extracellular GLU levels in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and nucleus accumbens shell (NAcc) induced by intravenous nicotine in a low, behaviorally active dose (30 μg/kg) in freely moving rats. Using this approach, we found that the initial nicotine injection in drug‐naive conditions induces rapid, transient, and relatively small GLU release (~ 90 nM; latency ~ 15 s, duration ~ 60 s) that is correlative in the VTA and NAcc. Following subsequent nicotine injections within the same session, this phasic GLU release was supplemented by stronger tonic increases in GLU levels (100–300 nM) that paralleled increases in drug‐induced locomotor activation. GLU responses induced by repeated nicotine injections were more phasic and stronger in the NAcc than in VTA. Therefore, GLU is phasically released within the brain's reinforcement circuit following intravenous nicotine administration. Robust enhancement of nicotine‐induced GLU responses following repeated injections suggests this change as an important mediator of sensitized behavioral and neural effects of nicotine.

image

By using high‐speed amperometry with glutamate (GLU) biosensors, we show that i.v. nicotine at a low, behaviorally relevant dose induces rapid GLU release in the NAcc and VTA that is enhanced following repeated drug injections. This is the first study reporting second‐scale fluctuations in extracellular GLU levels induced by nicotine in two critical structures of the motivation‐reinforcement circuit and rapid sensitization of GLU responses coupled with locomotor sensitization.
Striving for habitual well‐being in noninvasive ventilation: a grounded theory study of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with acute respiratory failure
Authors: Sørensen Dorthe , Frederiksen Kirsten , Groefte Thorbjoern , Lomborg Kirsten
Published: September 2013

Aims and objectives

To present a theoretical account of the pattern of behaviour in patients with acute respiratory failure due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease while undergoing noninvasive ventilation in a hospital setting.

Background

Strong evidence supports a positive effect of noninvasive ventilation, but successful treatment remains a challenge. Little attention has been given to patient intolerance to noninvasive ventilation as a cause of treatment failure. A better understanding of the patients' patterns of behaviour during noninvasive ventilation may improve treatment success.

Design

A constant comparative classic grounded theory study was performed.

Methods

Data collection consisted of participant observation during the treatment of 21 patients undergoing noninvasive ventilation, followed by interviews with 11 of the patients after treatment completion. Data were collected from December 2009–January 2012.

Results

A substantive theory of striving for habitual well‐being was developed. The theory included three phases: initiation, transition and determination. Each phase contained a set of subcategories to indicate the dimensions of and variations in the participants' behaviour.

Conclusions

The substantive theory revealed that the patients' behaviour was related to their breathlessness, sensation of being restrained by the mask and head gear, and the side effects of noninvasive ventilation.

Relevance to clinical practice

This inter‐relationship should be addressed in the use of noninvasive ventilation for the treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to achieve treatment success.
Genetic Variability of Hymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus on Ash Leaf Rachises in Leaf Litter of Forest Stands in Poland
Authors: Kraj Wojciech , Kowalski Tadeusz
Published: September 2013

Two hundred and thirty cultures of Hymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus were obtained from ascospores created in apothecia on the previous years' ash leaf rachises in the stand floor. Fruiting bodies of the pathogen were collected in four regions of Poland differing by geographical location, the altitude above sea level and climatic conditions. Isolates were identified based on the sequences of ribosomal DNA (ITS1‐5.8S‐ITS2) and the calmodulin gene. Only the presence of H. pseudoalbidus was identified in the decaying ash stands in Poland; morphologically similar, saprotrophic species of H. albidus was absent. Intrapopulation and interpopulation genetic variability of isolates was determined based on 84 RAMS markers obtained using four primers. Genetic variability of the fungus populations, measured by the Dice coefficient of genetic similarity and the Shannon coefficient of genetic diversity, decreased along with a decrease in the location of isolate collection area above sea level. A significant dependency was shown between intrapopulation genetic variability of isolates and altitude of regions above sea level. The Mantel test excluded existence of dependence between geographical and genetic distance among populations (r = −0.038, P = 0.55). A significant correlation was found between the genetic distances of individuals within populations and locations above sea level. Based on PCA and geographical location of populations, it was shown that populations create four distinct groups. amova showed that a majority of total genetic variability (65.80%) constitutes intrapopulation variability. Variability between populations was high (28.7%), and individual regions had a smallest influence (5.5%) on the level of total variability.
Endogenous endophthalmitis caused by Enterococcus faecalisin a cat
Authors: Donzel E. , Reyes‐Gomez E. , Chahory S.
Published: September 2013

A three‐year‐old male neutered domestic shorthair cat was presented for loss of vision associated with hyperthermia, lethargy and anorexia. Ophthalmic examination revealed a bilateral panuveitis. Cytological examination of aqueous and vitreous humours was performed and revealed a suppurative inflammation associated with numerous cocci.Enterococcus faecaliswas identified by bacterial culture from aqueous and vitreous humour. No primary infection site was identified. Active uveitis resolved after systemic antibiotic therapy, but the vision loss was permanent. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case of endogenous bacterial endophthalmitis secondary toE. faecalisinfection in a cat.
Woody vegetation communities of tidal freshwater swamps in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida (US) with comparisons to similar systems in the US and South America
Authors: Duberstein Jamie A. , Conner William H. , Krauss Ken W.
Published: September 2013

Questions

What are the general tree communities found in tidal freshwater swamps along four large coastal rivers in the southeastern United States (US)? How do these communities compare to other tidal freshwater swamps in the US and South America?

Locations

Tidal floodplains of major rivers along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the southeastern US: Savannah, Altamaha, Suwannee and Apalachicola Rivers.

Methods

An extensive survey of trees and shrubs was conducted to describe the communities from a range of tidal freshwater swamps. River basins studied include micro‐tidal (Gulf coast) and meso‐tidal (Atlantic coast) regimes, and study areas were located both near and distant to primary channels. A total of 128 plots (100 m2 each) were inventoried, distributed evenly over the Savannah and Altamaha Rivers along the Atlantic coast, and the Suwannee and Apalachicola Rivers along the Gulf coast. Multivariate statistics helped discern communities and the significant indicator species in each.

Results

Four general communities were characterized and named according to the strongest individual indicator species in each: Water Tupelo (Nyssa aquatica) Community, Swamp Tupelo (Nyssa biflora) Community, Dwarf Palmetto (Sabal minor) Community and Cabbage Palm (Sabal palmetto) Community.

Conclusions

Descriptions of most tidal freshwater swamps in the southeastern US fit within the communities described in this study. Because studies that make inferences between environmental drivers (e.g. salinity, hydroperiod, hurricanes) and specific community types are best applied to the same communities (but perhaps different river systems), this work provides a framework by which tidal freshwater forested wetlands can be accurately compared based on their tree communities. We suggest that, within the broad range of our inventories, the four communities described identify the primary associations that should be tracked within most tidal freshwater swamps of the US. However, we identify some river basins in the US that do not fit this construct. Diversity of major tree communities in tidal freshwater swamps outside the US is generally much lower (with the notable exception of Amazonian hardwood tidal várzea), as are basal area values.
Functional traits of cryptogams inMediterranean ecosystems are driven by water, light and substrate interactions
Authors: Giordani Paolo , Incerti Guido , Rizzi Guido , Rellini Ivano , Nimis Pier Luigi , Modenesi Paolo
Published: September 2013

Question

Poikilohydric organisms can survive desiccation without damage and recover soon after re‐wetting. In this work we explore the realized niches of epilithic, poikilohydric organisms, i.e. lichenized and lichenicolous fungi and bryophytes, grouped into 15 functional guilds based on growth form, reproductive strategy and photosynthetic traits. We hypothesize that inMediterranean ecosystems, the distribution of these guilds is controlled by water availability and solar radiation, together with characteristics of the substrate.

Location

WesternSardinia (Italy). The area hostsMediterraneanQuercus ilexforests on basaltic substrata within an agroforestry landscape.

Methods

The presence or absence of species from each guild was recorded in 1025 small quadrats (10 × 10 cm). Four environmental variables were measured: solar radiation, microtopography (potential water run‐off), substrate roughness and number of cracks. The occurrence of each guild was related to environmental variables using non‐parametric multiplicative regression, and ecological niches of the guilds were derived from those models.

Results

The occurrence of all functional guilds varied significantly according to the selected environmental variables. In most cases, solar radiation was the most important variable;TIwas included first in the model of two sorediate guilds, whereas four sexually reproducing functional guilds had surface relief as first variable. The growth forms were separated along a gradient of increasing solar radiation, whereas water run‐off and surface roughness mainly discriminated reproductive strategies and photobionts. Vegetatively reproducing guilds with other photobionts thanEuphyta‐like pigments were confined to the border of the ecological space, defined by gradients of environmental factors, which was largely occupied by more competitive, sexually reproducing organisms.

Conclusions

Functional traits of epilithic poikilohydric organisms were associated with ecological adaptations to the stressful environment ofMediterranean outcrops. We showed that their response in terms of probability of occurrence is coherent with quantitative gradients of solar radiation and water availability at the micro‐scale.
Dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids and fish among US children 12–60 months of age
Authors: Keim Sarah A. , Branum Amy M.
Published: September 2013

This study aimed to estimate intake of individual polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), identify major dietary sources of PUFAs and estimate the proportion of individuals consuming fish among US children 12–60 months of age, by age and race and ethnicity. The study employed a cross‐sectional design using US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. Representative sample of US population based on selected counties. Subjects: 2496 US children aged 12–60 months. Mean daily intake of n‐6 PUFAs and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) varied by age, with children 12–24 months of age having lower average intakes (mg or g day−1) than children 49–60 months of age and the lowest n6 : n3 ratio, upon adjustment for energy intake. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) intake was low (20 mg day−1) compared to typical infant intake and did not change with age. Compared to non‐Hispanic white children, Mexican American children had higher DHA and arachidonic acid (AA) intake. In the previous 30 days, 53.7% of children ever consumed fish. Non‐Hispanic black children were more likely than non‐Hispanic white children to have consumed fish (64.0% vs. 53.0%). Results indicate low prevalence of fish intake and key n‐3 PUFAs, relative to n‐6 fatty acids, which suggests room for improvement in the diets of US children. More research is needed to determine how increasing dietary intakes of n‐3 PUFAs like DHA could benefit child health.
Promoting positive attitudes to breastfeeding: the development and evaluation of a theory‐based intervention with school children involving a cluster randomised controlled trial
Authors: Giles Melanie , Millar Samantha , Armour Cherie , McClenahan Carol , Mallett John , Stewart‐Knox Barbara
Published: September 2013

The objective of this study was to design, implement and evaluate an intervention based on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to enhance young peoples' motivations to breastfeed/support a partner to breastfeed. Six semi‐structured focus groups were first conducted with 48 13–14‐year‐olds from two schools in Northern Ireland. The salient beliefs elicited were subsequently used to design a TPB‐based questionnaire that was then administered to 2021 13–14‐year‐old pupils (852 males; 1169 females) from 36 post‐primary schools to identify the most important determinants of breastfeeding. The results were used to inform the design and implementation of an intervention package that was subsequently evaluated using a cluster randomised controlled trial involving 44 randomly selected schools across Northern Ireland. Questionnaires were administered to 18 intervention and 26 control schools at baseline and again at 1 and 6 months post‐intervention to evaluate its effectiveness. Multi‐level modelling was employed to analyse the data. The results revealed significant effects on women's intention to breastfeed, β = 0.208, t(1275) = 2.715, P = 0.007; attitudes, β = 0.223, t(1275) = 4.655, P < 0.001; moral attitudes, β = 0.231, t(1275) = 4.211, P < 0.001; subjective norm, β = 0.118, t(1275) = 2.521, P = 0.012; and knowledge, β = 0.109, d.f. (1275) = 7.843, P < 0.001. However, for men, the results revealed significant effects on only the construct of knowledge, β = 0.104, t(541) = 4.345, P < 0.001.The research has provided evidence to support the need for breastfeeding education in schools and has shown how a theoretical framework may be used to inform the design and evaluation of a health behaviour intervention.
Inadequate status of iodine nutrition among pregnant women residing in three districts of Niamey, the Niger Republic's capital
Authors: Sadou Hassimi , Seyfoulaye Amina , Malam Alma Mousbahou , Daouda Hamani
Published: September 2013

Universal dietary salt iodisation (UDSI) programme was implemented in Niger in 1996. However, since 2000, there has been a slowdown in progress against iodine deficiency. The aim of our study was to assess the iodine status among pregnant women in a context where national controls are not effective at ensuring universal availability of adequately iodised salt. This is mainly to assess the impact of the slowdown in the fight against iodine deficiency in this vulnerable group. The study was centred on 240 healthy pregnant women volunteers recruited in three districts primary health centres. A control group of 60 non‐pregnant, non‐lactating healthy women was also studied and compared. Median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) of all pregnant women was 119 μg L−1, and 61.67% had UIC below 150 μg L−1. Median UIC for the first, second and third trimester were 144, 108 and 92 μg L−1, respectively. The percentage of pregnant women with UIC below 150 μg L−1 increased from 52% in the first trimester to 66% in the third trimester. The median UIC of the control group was 166 μg L−1, and 28.33% had UIC below 100 μg L−1. No significant relationship was found between nutritional iodine status and provenance, age and parity. However, significant relationship was found between iodine status and stage of pregnancy, gestational age and educational level (P < 0.05). Iodine nutrition status thus observed was inadequate in 61.67% of all the pregnant women. It is therefore urgent to revitalise implementation of the UDSI programme, and in the short term to consider iodine supplementation for pregnant women.
Dietary competition between the alien Asian Musk Shrew (Suncus murinus) and a re‐introduced population of Telfair's Skink (Leiolopisma telfairii)
Authors: Brown D. S. , Burger R. , Cole N. , Vencatasamy D. , Clare E. L. , Montazam A. , Symondson W. O. C.
Published: September 2013

Re‐introduction of rare species to parts of their historical range is becoming increasingly important as a conservation strategy. Telfair's Skinks (Leiolopisma telfairii), once widespread on Mauritius, were until recently found only on Round Island. There it is vulnerable to stochastic events, including the introduction of alien predators that may either prey upon it or compete for food resources. Consequently, skinks have been introduced to Ile aux Aigrettes, another small Mauritian island that has been cleared of rats. However, the island has been invaded by Asian Musk Shrews (Suncus murinus), a commensal species spread by man well beyond its natural Asian range. Our aim was to use next‐generation sequencing to analyse the diets of the shrews and skinks to look for niche competition. DNA was extracted from skink faeces and from the stomach contents of shrews. Application of shrew‐ and skink‐specific primers revealed no mutual predation. The DNA was then amplified using general invertebrate primers with tags to identify individual predators, and then sequenced by 454 pyrosequencing. 119 prey MOTUs (molecular taxonomic units) were isolated, although none could be identified to species. Seeding of cladograms with known sequences allowed higher taxonomic assignments in some cases. Although most MOTUs were not shared by shrews and skinks, Pianka's niche overlap test showed significant prey overlap, suggesting potentially strong competition where food resources are limited. These results suggest that removal of the shrews from the island should remain a priority.
Quantitative transcriptional changes associated with chlorosis severity in mosaic leaves of tobacco plants infected with Cucumber mosaic virus
Authors: Mochizuki Tomofumi , Ogata Yoshiyuki , Hirata Yuki , Ohki Satoshi T.
Published: September 2013

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) causes mosaic disease in inoculated tobacco plants. Coat protein (CP) is one of the major virulence determinants of CMV, and an amino acid substitution at residue 129 in CP alters the severity of chlorosis, such as pale green chlorosis and white chlorosis, in symptomatic tissues of mosaic leaves of infected tobacco. In this study, we compared the transcriptomes of chlorotic tissues infected with the wild‐type pepo strain of CMV and two strains carrying CP mutants with diverse chlorosis severity. Differential gene expression analysis showed that CMV inoculation appeared to have similar effects on the transcriptional expression profiles of the symptomatic chlorotic tissues, and only the magnitude of expression differed among the different CMVs. Gene ontology analysis with biological process and cellular component terms revealed that many nuclear genes related to abiotic stress responses, including responses to cadmium, heat, cold and salt, were up‐regulated, whereas chloroplast‐ and photosynthesis‐related genes (CPRGs) were down‐regulated, in the chlorotic tissues. Interestingly, the level of CPRG down‐regulation was correlated with the severity of chlorosis. These results indicate that CP mutation governs the repression level and mRNA accumulation of CPRGs, which are closely associated with the induction of chlorosis.
Health‐related quality of life of patients awaiting kidney and simultaneous pancreas–kidney transplants
Authors: Myint Thida M , O'Shaughnessy Denise V , Marshall Samual , Vucak‐Dzumhur Mirna , Elder Grahame J
Published: September 2013

Aim

Patients undergoing kidney and simultaneous pancreas–kidney (SPK) transplants are younger and fitter than the general dialysis population. Intuitively these patients might have better quality of life (QOL) than the general dialysis population, but their QOL scores are not well characterized. The aim of this study was to compare QOL of patients about to undergo kidney or SPK transplants with Australian dialysis outcomes and practice patterns (DOPPS) data and multiple comorbidity and age‐adjusted general population data.

Methods

Patients attending Westmead Hospital for transplants from August 2009 to December 2011 were invited to complete the Kidney Disease QOL‐SF™ 1.3 (KDQOL‐SF™ 1.3) questionnaire regarding their immediate pretransplant QOL. This QOL instrument is predictive of hospitalizations and mortality. The questionnaire was completed within 4 weeks of transplantation.

Results

Of 180 patients seen within 4 weeks of transplantation 95 (53%) responded, with no differences from non‐responders in age, sex, comorbidities or perioperative complications. Compared with DOPPS, these patients had better physical function and less pain, but significantly lower scores for role physical (CI: −19 to −4, P = 0.004) and role emotional (CI: −17 to −2, P = 0.018). Patients undergoing SPK transplants reported even poorer general health, energy, social support and function. Patients had lower emotional and social function than people with multiple comorbidities, with whom they shared poor general and mental health and vitality. Scores were markedly lower than the general population except for bodily pain (female).

Conclusion

Younger, fitter patients are more vulnerable to effects of their illness on social, emotional and physical interactions and may benefit from targeted support.
Small bowel strictures in Crohn's disease: a quantitative investigation of intestinal motility using MR enterography
Authors: Menys A. , Helbren E. , Makanyanga J. , Emmanuel A. , Forbes A. , Windsor A. , Punwani S. , Halligan S. , Atkinson D. , Taylor S. A.
Published: September 2013

Background

Intestinal stricturing and aberrant small bowel motility are common complications in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) leading to significant morbidity. A retrospective study was performed quantifying small bowel motility within and upstream of strictures in CD patients using magnetic resonance enterography (MRE).

Methods

A total of 91 subjects with stricturing CD (mean age 36 range 18–88) and undergoing MRE with dynamic motility imaging were identified. Of this cohort, 84 subjects were scanned at 1.5 T field strength with the remainder at 3 T. Linear regions of interest (ROI) were placed at the stricture, immediately upstream of the stricture, and in a proximal normal segment of bowel. Maximum bowel calibre (mm) and motility (Arbitrary units) at each ROI were calculated using previously validated software. Diameters and motility were compared using repeat measures anova and diameter correlated with motility score. In 21 subjects with follow‐up MRE, ROIs were duplicated and percentage diameter and motility change across the two time points correlated.

Key Results

Mean diameter within the normal, prestricture and strictured bowel was 20, 30, and 15 mm (p < 0.001) with motility score 0.43, 0.28, and 0.15 AU, respectively (p < 0.001). There was a negative correlation between prestricture bowel diameter and motility (Pearson's R = −0.47, p < 0.001). For patients with follow‐up MRE, there was a negative correlation between percentage change in prestricture diameter and motility, Spearman's Rho −0.6 p = 0.007.

Conclusions & Inferences

Quantified small bowel motility during MRE differs significantly between normal, prestricture, and strictured bowel. As prestricture bowel dilates, motility decreases, although this appears reversible in some.
More cells, bigger cells or simply reorganization? Alternative mechanisms leading to changed internode architecture under contrasting stress regimes
Authors: Huber Heidrun , de Brouwer Jan , von Wettberg Eric J. , During Heinjo J. , Anten Niels P. R.
Published: September 2013

Shading and mechanical stress (MS) modulate plant architecture by inducing different developmental pathways. Shading results in increased stem elongation, often reducing whole‐plant mechanical stability, while MS inhibits elongation, with a concomitant increase in stability.

Here, we examined how these organ‐level responses are related to patterns and processes at the cellular level by exposing Impatiens capensis to shading and MS.

Shading led to the production of narrower cells along the vertical axis. By contrast, MS led to the production of fewer, smaller and broader cells. These responses to treatments were largely in line with genetic differences found among plants from open and closed canopy sites. Shading‐ and MS‐induced plastic responses in cellular characteristics were negatively correlated: genotypes that were more responsive to shading were less responsive to MS and vice versa. This negative correlation, however, did not scale to mechanical and architectural traits.

Our data show how environmental conditions elicit distinctly different associations between characteristics at the cellular level, plant morphology and biomechanics. The evolution of optimal response to different environmental cues may be limited by negative correlations of stress‐induced responses at the cellular level.
In Darwinian evolution, feedback from natural selection leads to biased mutations
Authors: Caporale Lynn Helena , Doyle John
Published: September 2013

Natural selection provides feedback through which information about the environment and its recurring challenges is captured, inherited, and accumulated within genomes in the form of variations that contribute to survival. The variation upon which natural selection acts is generally described as “random.” Yet evidence has been mounting for decades, from such phenomena as mutation hotspots, horizontal gene transfer, and highly mutable repetitive sequences, that variation is far from the simplifying idealization of random processes aswhite(uniform in space and time and independent of the environment or context).  This paper focuses on what is known about the generation and control of mutational variation, emphasizing that it is not uniform across the genome or in time, not unstructured with respect to survival, and is neither memoryless nor independent of the (also far from white) environment. We suggest that, as opposed to frequentist methods, Bayesian analysis could capture the evolution of nonuniform probabilities of distinct classes of mutation, and argue not only that the locations, styles, and timing of real mutations are not correctly modeled as generated by a white noise random process, but that such a process would be inconsistent with evolutionary theory.
The posterior cingulate cortex as a plausible mechanistic target of meditation: findings from neuroimaging
Authors: Brewer Judson A. , Garrison Kathleen A.
Published: September 2013

There has been an increased interest in mindfulness and meditation training over the past decade. As evidenced by exponential growth in the number of publications since the beginning of the 21st century, progressively more is becoming known about both the clinical efficacy and underlying neurobiological mechanisms of mindfulness training. This paper briefly highlights psychological models of stress that converge between ancient and modern day (e.g., operant conditioning); identifies key brain regions that, with these models, are biologically plausible targets for mindfulness (e.g., posterior cingulate cortex); and discusses recent and emerging findings from neuroimaging studies of meditation therein, including new advances using real‐time functional magnetic resonance imaging neurofeedback in neurophenomenological studies.
Establishing epigenetic domains via chromatin‐bound histone modifiers
Authors: Erdel Fabian , Müller‐Ott Katharina , Rippe Karsten
Published: September 2013

The eukaryotic nucleus harbors the DNA genome, which associates with histones and other chromosomal proteins into a complex referred to as chromatin. It provides an additional layer of so‐called epigenetic information via histone modifications and DNA methylation on top of the DNA sequence that determines the cell's active gene expression program. The nucleus is devoid of internal organelles separated by membranes. Thus, free diffusive transport of proteins and RNA can occur throughout the space accessible for a given macromolecule. At the same time, chromatin is partitioned into different specialized structures such as nucleoli, chromosome territories, and heterochromatin domains that serve distinct functions. Here, we address the question of how the activity of chromatin‐modifying enzymes is confined to chromatin subcompartments. We discuss mechanisms for establishing activity gradients of diffusive chromatin‐modifying enzymes that could give rise to distinct chromatin domains within the cell nucleus. Interestingly, such gradients might directly result from immobilization of the enzymes on the flexible chromatin chain. Thus, locus‐specific tethering of these enzymes to chromatin could have the potential to establish, maintain, or modulate epigenetic patterns of characteristic domain size.
Clinical Experience of Subcutaneous and Transvenous Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators in Children and Teenagers
Authors: PETTIT STEPHEN J. , MCLEAN ANDREW , COLQUHOUN IAN , CONNELLY DEREK , MCLEOD KAREN
Published: September 2013

Background

Subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S‐ICD) systems have no components in contact with the heart and may avoid complications such as lead fracture, venous obstruction, or endocarditis that occur with transvenous leads. Concerns have been raised regarding inappropriate shocks and pocket erosion with S‐ICD systems. We have compared the performance of S‐ICD and transvenous ICD systems in children and teenagers.

Methods

We studied consecutive patients <20 years of age who received an ICD over a 4‐year period in two Scottish centers. Baseline characteristics, complications, and ICD therapy were recorded. The primary outcome measure was survival. The secondary outcome measure was survival‐free from inappropriate ICD therapy or system revision.

Results

Nine S‐ICD were implanted in nine patients. Eight transvenous ICD were implanted in six patients; two were redo procedures. Baseline characteristics were well matched. Median duration of follow‐up was lower for S‐ICD (20 months) than for transvenous ICD (36 months, P = 0.0262). Survival was 100% in both groups. Survival free of inappropriate therapy or system revision was 89% for S‐ICD and 25% for transvenous ICD systems (log‐rank test, P = 0.0237). No S‐ICD were extracted, but three transvenous ICD were extracted due to infection (n = 1) and lead failure (n = 2).

Conclusions

In real‐world use in children and teenagers, S‐ICD may offer similar survival benefit to transvenous ICD, with a lower incidence of complications requiring reoperation. In the absence of randomized trials, S‐ICD should be compared prospectively with transvenous ICD in large multicenter registries with comparable periods of follow‐up.
Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation for Supraventricular Tachycardia: A Comparison Study of Children Aged 0–4 and 5–9 Years
Authors: AN HYO SOON , CHOI EUN YOUNG , KWON BO SANG , KIM GI BEOM , BAE EUN JUNG , NOH CHUNG IL , CHOI JUNG YUN
Published: September 2013

Background

The safety and effectiveness of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) in young children was investigated.

Methods

Ninety‐five children who underwent RFCA procedures were stratified according to age (group 1, 0–4 years, n = 24; group 2, 5–9 years, n = 71) and were evaluated retrospectively.

Results

Among the 95 patients, atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia was 78.9%, atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia was 10.5%, and ectopic atrial tachycardia was 8.4%. The acute success rate of RFCA was 97.9% and the recurrence rate was 11.6%. RFCA was performed for different main reasons in each group, including drug‐resistant tachycardia (37.5% in group 1 vs 7% in group 2; P = 0.001) and symptomatic tachycardia (4.2% in group 1 vs 57.7% in group 2; P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in success rate, recurrence rate, and procedure and fluoroscopy duration between the two groups. The acute success rates did not differ significantly between patients with a single accessory pathway (AP) and those with multiple APs; however, failure or recurrence was more common in the patients with multiple APs (38.5% vs 11.5%; P = 0.01). The multiple APs were found frequently on the right side (P = 0.005). Septal dyskinesia with left ventricular dysfunction in Wolff‐Parkinson‐White syndrome and tachycardia‐induced cardiomyopathy improved after RFCA.

Conclusions

RFCA was found to be effective and safe for SVT in young children.
Efficacy and Safety of Cryoablation of Parahissian Accessory Pathways in Children: A Single Institution Study
Authors: YILDIRIM IŞIL , KARAGÖZ TEVFIK , ERTUĞRUL İLKER , KARAGÖZ AYŞE HEVES , ÖZER SEMA
Published: September 2013

Background

Catheter cryoablation of supraventricular tachycardias involving the perinodal regions is considered to be a safer alternative compared to radiofrequency ablation. Limited information is available for efficacy, midterm outcomes, and complications regarding the ablation of parahissian accessory pathways (APs) in pediatric patients.

Methods

A retrospective review of all pediatric patients who underwent cryoablation for treatment of a parahissian AP was performed.

Results

Twenty‐five patients (median age 13 years and weight 45.6 kg) underwent cryoablation of a parahissian AP. Median number of cryolesions applied was four (range: 3–6). Initial procedural success was achieved in 23 patients (23/25, 92%). Transient third‐degree atrioventricular (AV) block was noted in two patients. There was no permanent AV block. Transient right bundle branch block (RBBB) was observed in one patient and permanent RBBB occurred in two patients. Of the patients successfully ablated with cryo, there was only one recurrence (1/23, 4.3%) over a follow‐up of 17.5 months (range 6–34 months).

Conclusion

Cryoablation of parahissian APs is both safe and effective with a low risk of recurrence in pediatric patients.
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators in Electric and Magnetic Fields of 400 kV Power Lines
Authors: KORPINEN LEENA , KUISTI HARRI , ELOVAARA JARMO , VIRTANEN VESA
Published: September 2013

Background

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy has increased in Western countries. The aim of the study was to investigate the function of ICDs using a human‐shaped phantom in electric and magnetic fields of 400 kV power lines.

Methods

The phantom was used in the following manner: isolated from the ground, earthed from a foot, or earthed from a hand.

Results

We performed 37 ICD tests using 10 different ICD devices. When the electric fields varied from 6.8 kV/m to 7.5 kV/m (humidity 70.5%) and the magnetic field was 2.0 μT, one of the ICDs tested recorded 258 ventricular beats/min when a simulated heart signal was applied to ICD electrodes. When the exposure was 5.1 kV/m, the same ICD had a similar disturbance; however, in a 0.9 kV/m field, it worked correctly.

Conclusions

Consequently, no effect on ICDs functioning was observed up to 0.9 kV/m, while anomalous behavior in some conditions was observed when levels exceeded 5.1 kV/m; ICD malfunctioning seems possible within 11.5 m from 400 kV power lines or in conditions inducing exposures exceeding 5 kV/m. Further development of this research field is needed.
Angioedema without urticaria in childhood
Authors: Ertoy Karagol Hacer I. , Yilmaz Ozlem , Bakirtas Arzu , Topal Erdem , Demirsoy Mehmet S. , Turktas Ipek
Published: September 2013

Background

There has been no separate study investigating angioedema without urticaria (Aw/oU) exclusively in children so far. The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency, clinical presentation, etiology, management and follow‐up of Aw/oU in children.

Methods

This is a prospective study that included all consecutive patients with a history of Aw/oU referred to our clinic between January 2011 and May 2012. A standard diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm was applied to all patients.

Results

The frequency of Aw/oU was found to be 1.6% during the study period. An etiological factor could be found in only 45 patients (49%). The causes of Aw/oU were infection (21%), allergy (14%), thyroid autoimmunity (TA)‐related (8%) and nonsteroid anti‐inflammatory drug hypersensitivity (6%), and idiopathic angioedema (51%). There was no hereditary type I, II or acquired type of angioedema or rare syndromes associated with Aw/oU. The median follow‐up was 16 months (range: 12–30 months). Antihistamine prophylaxis was initiated at therapeutic doses in 20 patients with frequently recurrent angioedema due to idiopathic and euthyroid TA‐related Aw/oU for 3 months. These patients responded to antihistamine prophylaxis for 3 months. Four patients relapsed after cessation of prophylaxis at the end of 3 months. Antihistamine prophylaxis was prolonged to 6 months in three patients and to 9 months in one patient.

Conclusions

Angioedema without urticaria in children is a rare condition and no etiology can be identified in half of them. Antihistamine treatment alone is sufficient, and prognosis is good in recurrent non hereditary cases in a short‐term follow‐up period.
Structural changes in the bronchial mucosa of young children at risk of developing asthma
Authors: Berankova Katarina , Uhlik Jiri , Honkova Lenka , Pohunek Petr
Published: September 2013

Background

Bronchial asthma often starts in early childhood. Clinical manifestation of the disease is likely due to inflammatory processes in the airways initiated by various stimuli. Developed remodelling is regularly observed in the bronchial mucosa of adult asthmatics but we still lack information about its onset and latter development with the natural course of the disease. In this study, we analysed histological findings in bronchial biopsies obtained from very young children (under 4 yr of age). We hypothesized that initial undetectable changes in the airway epithelium of children predisposed to asthma may be one of the first mechanisms leading to morphological changes in the bronchial mucosa.

Methods

We measured the thickness of the basement membrane using a light microscope and analysed the presence of its three basic structural glycoproteins: laminin, tenascin and collagen IV, using immunohistochemical techniques. We compared these findings in children predisposed to asthma according to the selected clinical criteria of the Asthma Predictive Index and in a control group of children.

Results

We found a significant difference in the thickness of the basement membrane between the two groups. We also found a difference in the subepithelial deposition of laminin and collagen IV in the basement membrane but no difference in the deposition of tenascin.

Conclusions

We conclude that initial changes leading to further remodelling may start at a very early age even before clinical manifestation of the disease.
On the Distribution of Job Performance: The Role of Measurement Characteristics in Observed Departures from Normality
Authors: Beck James W. , Beatty Adam S. , Sackett Paul R.
Published: September 2013

In a recent article, O'Boyle and Aguinis () argued that job performance is not distributed normally but instead is nonnormal and highly skewed. However, we believe the extreme departures from normality observed by these authors may have been due to characteristics of performance measures used. To address this issue, we identify 7 measurement criteria that we argue must be present for inferences to be made about the distribution of job performance. Specifically, performance measures must: (a) reflect behavior, (b) include an aggregation of multiple behaviors, (c) include the full range of performers, (d) include the full range of performance, (e) be time bounded, (f) focus on comparable jobs, and (g) not be distorted by motivational forces. Next, we present data from a wide range of sources—including the workplace, laboratory, athletics, and computer simulations—that illustrate settings in which failing to meet one or more of these criteria led to a highly skewed distribution providing a better fit to the data than a normal distribution. However, measurement approaches that better align with the 7 criteria listed above resulted in a normal distribution providing a better fit. We conclude that large departures from normality are in many cases an artifact of measurement.
Exploring Philosophical Implications of Quantum Decoherence
Authors: Crull Elise M.
Published: September 2013

Quantum decoherence is receiving a great deal of attention today not only in theoretical and experimental physics but also in branches of science as diverse as molecular biology, biochemistry, and even neuropsychology. It is no surprise that it is also beginning to appear in various philosophical debates concerning the fundamental structure of the world. The purpose of this article is primarily to acquaint non‐specialists with quantum decoherence and clarify related concepts, and secondly to sketch its possible implications – independent of particular interpretations of quantum mechanics – for broader philosophical debates. For example, decoherence shows that any method of parsing nature into levels or parts cannot be in principle but instead derives from our perception of the world as classical, a perception that is itself sustained by the process of decoherence.
Strange Parts: The Metaphysics of Non‐classical Mereologies
Authors: Cotnoir A. J.
Published: September 2013

The dominant theory of parts and wholes – classical extensional mereology – has faced a number of challenges in the recent literature. This article gives a sampling of some of the alleged counterexamples to some of the more controversial principles involving the connections between parthood and identity. Along the way, some of the main revisionary approaches are reviewed. First, counterexamples to extensionality are reviewed. The ‘supplementation’ axioms that generate extensionality are examined more carefully, and a suggested revision is considered. Second, the paper considers an alternative approach that focuses the blame on antisymmetry but allows us to keep natural supplementation axioms. Third, we look at counterexamples to the idempotency of composition and the associated ‘parts just once’ principle. We explore options for developing weaker mereologies that avoid such commitments.
Political Liberalism and Citizenship Education
Authors: Neufeld Blain
Published: September 2013

John Rawls claims that the kind of citizenship education required by political liberalism demands ‘far less’ than that required by comprehensive liberalism. Many educational and political theorists who have explored the implications of political liberalism for education policy have disputed Rawls's claim. Writing from a comprehensive liberal perspective, Amy Gutmann contends that the justificatory differences between political and comprehensive liberalism generally have no practical significance for citizenship education. Political liberals such as Stephen Macedo and Victoria Costa maintain that political liberalism requires a form of citizenship education that is far more demanding than that suggested by Rawls. Gordon Davis and Blain Neufeld, in contrast, defend Rawls's position. These different views have implications for the content of mandatory citizenship education, understanding of the ‘common school ideal,’ and the scope for educational choice within the framework of political liberalism. However, the differences between Gutmann, Macedo, and Costa, on the one hand, and Davis and Neufeld, on the other, might be attributable, at least in part, to their different foci. Gutmann, Macedo, and Costa focus on non‐ideal theory, specifically the contemporary American context, whereas Davis and Neufeld begin, as does Rawls, within ideal theory, and consider non‐ideal circumstances from that perspective.