bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Climate change and the risks associated with delayed breeding in a tropical wild bird population
Authors: Senapathi Deepa , Nicoll Malcolm A. C. , Teplitsky Celine , Jones Carl G. , Norris Ken
Published: March 2011

There is growing evidence of changes in the timing of important ecological events, such as flowering in plants and reproduction in animals, in response to climate change, with implications for population decline and biodiversity loss. Recent work has shown that the timing of breeding in wild birds is changing in response to climate change partly because individuals are remarkably flexible in their timing of breeding. Despite this work, our understanding of these processes in wild populations remains very limited and biased towards species from temperate regions. Here, we report the response to changing climate in a tropical wild bird population using a long-term dataset on a formerly critically endangered island endemic, the Mauritius kestrel. We show that the frequency of spring rainfall affects the timing of breeding, with birds breeding later in wetter springs. Delays in breeding have consequences in terms of reduced reproductive success as birds get exposed to risks associated with adverse climatic conditions later on in the breeding season, which reduce nesting success. These results, combined with the fact that frequency of spring rainfall has increased by about 60 per cent in our study area since 1962, imply that climate change is exposing birds to the stochastic risks of late reproduction by causing them to start breeding relatively late in the season.
Insect outbreaks produce distinctive carbon isotope signatures in defensive resins and fossiliferous ambers
Authors: McKellar Ryan C. , Wolfe Alexander P. , Muehlenbachs Karlis , Tappert Ralf , Engel Michael S. , Cheng Tao , Sánchez-Azofeifa G. Arturo
Published: March 2011

Despite centuries of research addressing amber and its various inclusions, relatively little is known about the specific events having stimulated the production of geologically relevant volumes of plant resin, ultimately yielding amber deposits. Although numerous hypotheses have invoked the role of insects, to date these have proven difficult to test. Here, we use the current mountain pine beetle outbreak in western Canada as an analogy for the effects of infestation on the stable isotopic composition of carbon in resins. We show that infestation results in a rapid (approx. 1 year)13C enrichment of fresh lodgepole pine resins, in a pattern directly comparable with that observed in resins collected from uninfested trees subjected to water stress. Furthermore, resin isotopic values are shown to track both the progression of infestation and instances of recovery. These findings can be extended to fossil resins, including Miocene amber from the Dominican Republic and Late Cretaceous New Jersey amber, revealing similar carbon-isotopic patterns between visually clean ambers and those associated with the attack of wood-boring insects. Plant exudateδ13C values constitute a sensitive monitor of ecological stress in both modern and ancient forest ecosystems, and provide considerable insight concerning the genesis of amber in the geological record.
The chastity of amoebae: re-evaluating evidence for sex in amoeboid organisms
Authors: Lahr Daniel J. G. , Parfrey Laura Wegener , Mitchell Edward A. D. , Katz Laura A. , Lara Enrique
Published: March 2011

Amoebae are generally assumed to be asexual. We argue that this view is a relict of early classification schemes that lumped all amoebae together inside the ‘lower’ protozoa, separated from the ‘higher’ plants, animals and fungi. This artificial classification allowed microbial eukaryotes, including amoebae, to be dismissed as primitive, and implied that the biological rules and theories developed for macro-organisms need not apply to microbes. Eukaryotic diversity is made up of 70+ lineages, most of which are microbial. Plants, animals and fungi are nested among these microbial lineages. Thus, theories on the prevalence and maintenance of sex developed for macro-organisms should in fact apply to microbial eukaryotes, though the theories may need to be refined and generalized (e.g. to account for the variation in sexual strategies and prevalence of facultative sex in natural populations of many microbial eukaryotes). We use a revised phylogenetic framework to assess evidence for sex in several amoeboid lineages that are traditionally considered asexual, and we interpret this evidence in light of theories on the evolution of sex developed for macro-organisms. We emphasize that the limited data available for many lineages coupled with natural variation in microbial life cycles overestimate the extent of asexuality. Mapping sexuality onto the eukaryotic tree of life demonstrates that the majority of amoeboid lineages are, contrary to popular belief, anciently sexual, and that most asexual groups have probably arisen recently and independently. Additionally, several unusual genomic traits are prevalent in amoeboid lineages, including cyclic polyploidy, which may serve as alternative mechanisms to minimize the deleterious effects of asexuality.
Dynamic habitat models: using telemetry data to project fisheries bycatch
Authors: Žydelis Ramūnas , Lewison Rebecca L. , Shaffer Scott A. , Moore Jeffrey E. , Boustany Andre M. , Roberts Jason J. , Sims Michelle , Dunn Daniel C. , Best Benjamin D. , Tremblay Yann , Kappes Michelle A. , Halpin Patrick N. , Costa Daniel P. , Crowder Larry B.
Published: March 2011

Fisheries bycatch is a recognized threat to marine megafauna. Addressing bycatch of pelagic species however is challenging owing to the dynamic nature of marine environments and vagility of these organisms. In order to assess the potential for species to overlap with fisheries, we propose applying dynamic habitat models to determine relative probabilities of species occurrence for specific oceanographic conditions. We demonstrate this approach by modelling habitats for Laysan (
Phoebastria immutabilis
) and black-footed albatrosses (
Phoebastria nigripes
) using telemetry data and relating their occurrence probabilities to observations of Hawaii-based longline fisheries in 1997–2000. We found that modelled habitat preference probabilities of black-footed albatrosses were high within some areas of the fishing range of the Hawaiian fleet and such preferences were important in explaining bycatch occurrence. Conversely, modelled habitats of Laysan albatrosses overlapped little with Hawaii-based longline fisheries and did little to explain the bycatch of this species. Estimated patterns of albatross habitat overlap with the Hawaiian fleet corresponded to bycatch observations: black-footed albatrosses were more frequently caught in this fishery despite being 10 times less abundant than Laysan albatrosses. This case study demonstrates that dynamic habitat models based on telemetry data may help to project interactions with pelagic animals relative to environmental features and that such an approach can serve as a tool to guide conservation and management decisions.
Auxin and Ethylene Induce Flavonol Accumulation through Distinct Transcriptional Networks
Authors: Lewis Daniel R. , Ramirez Melissa V. , Miller Nathan D. , Vallabhaneni Prashanthi , Ray W. Keith , Helm Richard F. , Winkel Brenda S.J. , Muday Gloria K.
Published: March 2011

Auxin and ethylene are key regulators of plant growth and development, and thus the transcriptional networks that mediate responses to these hormones have been the subject of intense research. This study dissected the hormonal cross talk regulating the synthesis of flavonols and examined their impact on root growth and development. We analyzed the effects of auxin and an ethylene precursor on roots of wild-type and hormone-insensitive Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) mutants at the transcript, protein, and metabolite levels at high spatial and temporal resolution. Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) differentially increased flavonol pathway transcripts and flavonol accumulation, altering the relative abundance of quercetin and kaempferol. The IAA, but not ACC, response is lost in the transport inhibitor response1 (tir1) auxin receptor mutant, while ACC responses, but not IAA responses, are lost in ethylene insensitive2 (ein2) and ethylene resistant1 (etr1) ethylene signaling mutants. A kinetic analysis identified increases in transcripts encoding the transcriptional regulators MYB12, Transparent Testa Glabra1, and Production of Anthocyanin Pigment after hormone treatments, which preceded increases in transcripts encoding flavonoid biosynthetic enzymes. In addition, myb12 mutants were insensitive to the effects of auxin and ethylene on flavonol metabolism. The equivalent phenotypes for transparent testa4 (tt4), which makes no flavonols, and tt7, which makes kaempferol but not quercetin, showed that quercetin derivatives are the inhibitors of basipetal root auxin transport, gravitropism, and elongation growth. Collectively, these experiments demonstrate that auxin and ethylene regulate flavonol biosynthesis through distinct signaling networks involving TIR1 and EIN2/ETR1, respectively, both of which converge on MYB12. This study also provides new evidence that quercetin is the flavonol that modulates basipetal auxin transport.
Lutein from Deepoxidation of Lutein Epoxide Replaces Zeaxanthin to Sustain an Enhanced Capacity for Nonphotochemical Chlorophyll Fluorescence Quenching in Avocado Shade Leaves in the Dark
Authors: Förster Britta , Pogson Barry James , Osmond Charles Barry
Published: March 2011

Leaves of avocado (Persea americana) that develop and persist in deep shade canopies have very low rates of photosynthesis but contain high concentrations of lutein epoxide (Lx) that are partially deepoxidized to lutein (L) after 1 h of exposure to 120 to 350 μmol photons m−2 s−1, increasing the total L pool by 5% to 10% (ƊL). Deepoxidation of Lx to L was near stoichiometric and similar in kinetics to deepoxidation of violaxanthin (V) to antheraxanthin (A) and zeaxanthin (Z). Although the V pool was restored by epoxidation of A and Z overnight, the Lx pool was not. Depending on leaf age and pretreatment, the pool of ƊL persisted for up to 72 h in the dark. Metabolism of ƊL did not involve epoxidation to Lx. These contrasting kinetics enabled us to differentiate three states of the capacity for nonphotochemical chlorophyll fluorescence quenching (NPQ) in attached and detached leaves: ƊpH dependent (NPQƊpH) before deepoxidation; after deepoxidation in the presence of ƊL, A, and Z (NPQƊLAZ); and after epoxidation of A+Z but with residual ƊL (NPQƊL). The capacity of both NPQƊLAZ and NPQƊL was similar and 45% larger than NPQƊpH, but dark relaxation of NPQƊLAZ was slower. The enhanced capacity for NPQ was lost after metabolism of ƊL. The near equivalence of NPQƊLAZ and NPQƊL provides compelling evidence that the small dynamic pool ƊL replaces A+Z in avocado to “lock in” enhanced NPQ. The results are discussed in relation to data obtained with other Lx-rich species and in mutants of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) with increased L pools.
Divergent Roles for the Two PolI-Like Organelle DNA Polymerases of Arabidopsis
Authors: Parent Jean-Sébastien , Lepage Etienne , Brisson Normand
Published: March 2011

DNA polymerases play a central role in the process of DNA replication. Yet, the proteins in charge of the replication of plant organelle DNA have not been unambiguously identified. There are however many indications that a family of proteins homologous to bacterial DNA polymerase I (PolI) is implicated in organelle DNA replication. Here, we have isolated mutant lines of the PolIA and PolIB genes of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) to test this hypothesis. We find that mutation of both genes is lethal, thus confirming an essential and redundant role for these two proteins. However, the mutation of a single gene is sufficient to cause a reduction in the levels of DNA in both mitochondria and plastids. We also demonstrate that polIb, but not polIa mutant lines, are hypersensitive to ciprofloxacin, a small molecule that specifically induces DNA double-strand breaks in plant organelles, suggesting a function for PolIB in DNA repair. In agreement with this result, a cross between polIb and a plastid Whirly mutant line yielded plants with high levels of DNA rearrangements and severe growth defects, indicating impairments in plastid DNA repair pathways. Taken together, this work provides further evidences for the involvement of the plant PolI-like genes in organelle DNA replication and suggests an additional role for PolIB in DNA repair.
Myosin XI-Dependent Formation of Tubular Structures from Endoplasmic Reticulum Isolated from Tobacco Cultured BY-2 Cells
Authors: Yokota Etsuo , Ueda Haruko , Hashimoto Kohsuke , Orii Hidefumi , Shimada Tomoo , Hara-Nishimura Ikuko , Shimmen Teruo
Published: March 2011

The reticular network of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) consists of tubular and lamellar elements and is arranged in the cortical region of plant cells. This network constantly shows shape change and remodeling motion. Tubular ER structures were formed when GTP was added to the ER vesicles isolated from tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) cultured BY-2 cells expressing ER-localized green fluorescent protein. The hydrolysis of GTP during ER tubule formation was higher than that under conditions in which ER tubule formation was not induced. Furthermore, a shearing force, such as the flow of liquid, was needed for the elongation/extension of the ER tubule. The shearing force was assumed to correspond to the force generated by the actomyosin system in vivo. To confirm this hypothesis, the S12 fraction was prepared, which contained both cytosol and microsome fractions, including two classes of myosins, XI (175-kD myosin) and VIII (BY-2 myosin VIII-1), and ER-localized green fluorescent protein vesicles. The ER tubules and their mesh-like structures were arranged in the S12 fraction efficiently by the addition of ATP, GTP, and exogenous filamentous actin. The tubule formation was significantly inhibited by the depletion of 175-kD myosin from the S12 fraction but not BY-2 myosin VIII-1. Furthermore, a recombinant carboxyl-terminal tail region of 175-kD myosin also suppressed ER tubule formation. The tips of tubules moved along filamentous actin during tubule elongation. These results indicated that the motive force generated by the actomyosin system contributes to the formation of ER tubules, suggesting that myosin XI is responsible not only for the transport of ER in cytoplasm but also for the reticular organization of cortical ER.
Functional Analyses of the Activation Loop of Phototropin2 in Arabidopsis
Authors: Inoue Shin-ichiro , Matsushita Tomonao , Tomokiyo Yuta , Matsumoto Masaki , Nakayama Keiichi I. , Kinoshita Toshinori , Shimazaki Ken-ichiro
Published: March 2011

Phototropins (phot1 and phot2) are autophosphorylating blue-light receptor kinases that mediate blue-light responses such as phototropism, chloroplast accumulation, and stomatal opening in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Only phot2 induces the chloroplast avoidance response under strong blue light. The serine (Ser) residues of the kinase activation loop in phot1 are autophosphorylated by blue light, and autophosphorylation is essential for the phot1-mediated responses. However, the role of autophosphorylation in phot2 remains to be determined. In this study, we substituted the conserved residues of Ser-761 and Ser-763 with alanine (S761A S763A) in the phot2 activation loop and analyzed their function by investigating the phot2-mediated responses after the transformation of phot1 phot2 double mutant with this mutant phot2 gene. Transgenic plants expressing the mutant phot2 protein exhibited impaired responses in chloroplast movement, stomatal opening, phototropic bending, leaf flattening, and plant growth; and those expressing phot2 with S761D S763D mutations showed the normal responses. Substitution of both Ser-761 and Ser-763 with alanine in phot2 did not significantly affect the kinase activity in planta. From these results, we conclude that phosphorylation of Ser-761 and Ser-763 in the activation loop may be a common primary step for phot2-mediated responses.
Case of isolated benign primary cutaneous plasmacytosis in a child
Authors: AHN Jae‐Jun , YANG Yun‐Seok , SHIN Min‐Kyung , LEE Sung‐Won , KIM Nack‐In
Published: March 2011

A collection of plasma cells in the skin can represent a broad spectrum of disease entities. Secondary syphilis, primary cutaneous plasmacytoma, primary cutaneous plasmacytosis, cutaneous lymphoid hyperplasia and nodular amyloidosis are considered possible differential diagnoses. We present a case of a 7‐year‐old girl with an erythematous scaly plaque on her right buttock that had been present for approximately 5 years. Prior to her visit to our department she had been treated at a local dermatology clinic with topical methylprednisolone acetate and topical calcitriol without significant improvement. Histopathological examination revealed psoriasiform hyperplasia, hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis and a band‐like or dense perivascular infiltration of plasma cells with a few lymphocytes and histiocytes. Other laboratory tests were within the reference ranges. At our department, the patient was given oral prednisolone along with an intralesional injection of triamcinolone and application of topical methylprednisolone acetate and tacrolimus hydrate to the affected area. The lesion improved significantly but recurred 3 months later. We present a rare case of isolated benign primary cutaneous plasmacytosis in a female pre‐adolescent child.
Cannabinoids for treatment of chronic non‐cancer pain; a systematic review of randomized trials
Authors: Lynch Mary E. , Campbell Fiona
Published: March 2011

Effective therapeutic options for patients living with chronic pain are limited. The pain relieving effect of cannabinoids remains unclear. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining cannabinoids in the treatment of chronic non‐cancer pain was conducted according to the PRISMA statement update on the QUORUM guidelines for reporting systematic reviews that evaluate health care interventions. Cannabinoids studied included smoked cannabis, oromucosal extracts of cannabis based medicine, nabilone, dronabinol and a novel THC analogue. Chronic non‐cancer pain conditions included neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and mixed chronic pain. Overall the quality of trials was excellent. Fifteen of the eighteen trials that met the inclusion criteria demonstrated a significant analgesic effect of cannabinoid as compared with placebo and several reported significant improvements in sleep. There were no serious adverse effects. Adverse effects most commonly reported were generally well tolerated, mild to moderate in severity and led to withdrawal from the studies in only a few cases. Overall there is evidence that cannabinoids are safe and modestly effective in neuropathic pain with preliminary evidence of efficacy in fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis. The context of the need for additional treatments for chronic pain is reviewed. Further large studies of longer duration examining specific cannabinoids in homogeneous populations are required.

Linked Article This article is linked to a themed issue in the British Journal of Pharmacology on Respiratory Pharmacology. To view this issue visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2011.163.issue‐1
Fast and furious: crustal CO2 release at Merapi volcano, Indonesia
Authors: Deegan F.M. , Troll V.R. , Freda C. , Misiti V. , Chadwick J.P.
Published: March 2011

New experimental results show that when magma interacts with carbonate‐rich crustal rock, such as limestone, it rapidly liberates crustal CO2, with potentially devastating repercussions for explosive volcanic behaviour.
Oxidative stability of previously frozen ostrich Muscularis iliofibularis packaged under different modified atmospheric conditions
Authors: Leygonie Coleen , Britz Trevor J. , Hoffman Louw C.
Published: March 2011

This study investigated the aptness of modified atmospheric packaging (70:30, O2:CO2 (O_MAP); 70:30, N2:CO2 (N_MAP)) and traditional overwrap (control) for previously frozen ostrich steaks, stored at 4 ± 1 °C for 10 days. The N_MAP showed the least oxidation, O_MAP the highest and the control moderate. The redness (CIE a*) decreased to 3.67 ± 0.83 by day 10 in the O_MAP, the N_MAP and control initially had lower values indicating slower oxidisation. The free carbonyl production was higher in the O_MAP than the N_MAP and control. TBARS remained relatively constant for the N_MAP and control, but increased to 9.70 ± 3.26 (day 10) in the O_MAP. Drip loss (non‐cumulative), was initially high (5–6%) for N_MAP and control, followed by a decrease on day 2 (2%) that increased to day 10 (4–6%). In conclusion, the traditional overwrap was not suited; N_MAP holds potential under a true anoxic atmosphere whilst O_MAP was limited by protein and lipid oxidation.
Effects of drying temperature on the flavonoid, phenolic acid and antioxidative capacities of the methanol extract of citrus fruit (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) peels
Authors: Chen Mei‐Ling , Yang Deng‐Jye , Liu Shih‐Chuan
Published: March 2011

There are many active functional compounds in citrus peels, such as flavonoid and phenolic acid. Scientists tried to obtain more bioactive components from citrus peels by various methods. This research investigated the effects of different drying temperatures (50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100 °C) on changes in the flavonoid, phenolic acid and antioxidative activities of citrus fruit (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) peels. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of drying treated orange peels were decreased by lower drying temperature (50 and 60 °C) and increased by higher drying temperature (70, 80, 90 and 100 °C). Amounts of phenolic compounds in the 100 °C treated sample extract were significantly higher than the amounts in the samples heated at other temperatures (P < 0.05). EC50 values of orange peel extracts by DPPH radical scavenging effects and ABTS·+ scavenging effects were increased with lower drying temperature and decreased with higher drying temperature, and the values of 100 °C treated sample extract were significantly lower than the samples heated at other temperatures (P < 0.05). However, the chelating Fe2 + activities of samples showed the opposite trend.
Nonstructural protein 3‐4A: the Swiss army knife of hepatitis C virus
Authors: Morikawa K. , Lange C. M. , Gouttenoire J. , Meylan E. , Brass V. , Penin F. , Moradpour D.
Published: March 2011

Summary.  Hepatitis C virus (HCV) nonstructural protein 3‐4A (NS3‐4A) is a complex composed of NS3 and its cofactor NS4A. It harbours serine protease as well as NTPase/RNA helicase activities and is essential for viral polyprotein processing, RNA replication and virion formation. Specific inhibitors of the NS3‐4A protease significantly improve sustained virological response rates in patients with chronic hepatitis C when combined with pegylated interferon‐α and ribavirin. The NS3‐4A protease can also target selected cellular proteins, thereby blocking innate immune pathways and modulating growth factor signalling. Hence, NS3‐4A is not only an essential component of the viral replication complex and prime target for antiviral intervention but also a key player in the persistence and pathogenesis of HCV. This review provides a concise update on the biochemical and structural aspects of NS3‐4A, its role in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C and the clinical development of NS3‐4A protease inhibitors.
Pictures speak louder than numbers: on communicating medical risks to immigrants with limited non‐native language proficiency
Authors: Garcia‐Retamero Rocio , Dhami Mandeep K.
Published: March 2011

Background and objectives  Medical risk communication has been infrequently studied in immigrants with limited non‐native language proficiency, even though they may be at greatest risk of illness. In a study, we examined to what extent Polish immigrants to the UK have difficulties in understanding treatment risk reduction expressed as ratios either in their native language or in a non‐native language (English). We further investigated whether this population can be aided by using visual displays to enhance comprehension.

Design, setting, and participants  A survey was conducted in the UK in spring, 2009, involving a sample of Polish immigrants (n = 96).

Outcome measures  Estimates of treatment risk reduction, confidence in estimates, and perceptions of treatment effectiveness.

Results  When assessing treatment risk reduction, participants often paid too much attention to the number of treated and non‐treated patients who died (i.e. numerators) and insufficient attention to the overall number of treated and non‐treated patients (i.e. denominators). This denominator neglect was especially noticeable when treatment risk reduction was not expressed in participants’ native language. However, provision of visual aids in addition to the numerical information about risk reduction proved to be an effective method for eliminating denominator neglect. The visual aids drew participants’ attention to the overall number of treated and non‐treated patients and helped them to make more accurate risk estimates.

Conclusions  When communicating risks to immigrants with limited non‐native language proficiency, we should move beyond the simple, direct translation of health messages that are already being used with the indigenous population to messages that are more appropriate. The use of materials that include visual aids is an effective method of communicating medical risk information to immigrant populations.
Optic chiasm formation in planarian I: Cooperative netrin‐ and robo‐mediated signals are required for the early stage of optic chiasm formation
Authors: Yamamoto Hiroshi , Agata Kiyokazu
Published: March 2011

Freshwater planarians can regenerate a brain, including eyes, from the anterior blastema, and coordinately form an optic chiasm during eye and brain regeneration. To investigate the role of the netrin‐ and slit‐signaling systems during optic chiasm formation, we cloned three receptor genes (Djunc5A, Djdcc and DjroboA) expressed in visual neurons and their ligand genes (DjnetB and Djslit) and analyzed their functions by RNA interference (RNAi). Although each of DjroboA(RNAi), Djunc5A(RNAi) and DjnetB(RNAi) showed a weak phenotype and Djslit(RNAi) showed a severe defect of eye formation, we did not observe any defect of crossing of visual axons over the midline among single knockdown planarians. However, among double knockdown planarians, some of DjnetB(RNAi);DjroboA(RNAi) and Djunc5A(RNAi);DjroboA(RNAi) showed complete disconnection between the visual axons from the two sides, suggesting that some combination of netrin‐ and robo‐mediated signals may be required for crossing over the midline. Finally, we carefully investigated the distribution patterns of cells expressing DjNetB protein, DjnetB, and Djslit at the early stage of regeneration, and found that visual axons projected along a path sandwiched between DjNetB protein and Djslit‐positive cells. These results suggest that two different collaborative or combinatory signals may be required for midline crossing at the early stage of chiasm formation during eye and brain regeneration.
The Joanna Briggs Institute Best Practice Information Sheet: Music as an intervention in hospitals
Authors:   The Joanna Briggs Institute
Published: March 2011

This Best Practice Information Sheet aims to synthesize the best‐available evidence on music as a therapeutic intervention for the management of anxiety or pain related to procedural or operative interventions. The information that is contained in this sheet has been derived from studies that were included in a systematic review that was conducted by The Joanna Briggs Institute. The original references can be sourced from the systematic review. Music as a therapeutic intervention is a development largely of the mid‐20th century; however, it has existed in various forms in most cultures for many centuries. The Best Practice Information Sheet includes music‐listening before a procedure or operation, during a procedure or operation, and after a procedure or operation. It excludes other forms of music therapy. Several recommendations for practice are made.
Experience of Iranian persons receiving hemodialysis: A descriptive, exploratory study
Authors: Kazemi Majid , Nasrabadi Alireza Nikbakht , Hasanpour Marzieh , Hassankhani Hadi , Mills Jane
Published: March 2011

Patients living with end‐stage renal disease experience different levels of physical and psychological disability that can impact on the type and level of social interaction in which they engage with others. The researchers concurrently collected and thematically analyzed the interview data that were generated from 21 participants who were undergoing hemodialysis in Iran. Four major themes were constructed from the analysis of the transcripts: living with fatigue; changes in self‐image; patients' dependency on the device, place, and time of hemodialysis; and hiding the disease. The results from this study showed that the patients who were living with hemodialysis in Iran experienced altered social interactions with others. The culture of Iran resulted in the participants trying to hide their disease from others, which led to social avoidance, thus reducing the participants' social interactions with others. It is recommended that nurses include a comprehensive assessment of the social interactions of persons who are receiving hemodialysis in their overall nursing assessment and that this is reviewed on a regular basis.
Diabetes prevalence based on health insurance claims: large differences between companies
Authors: Hoffmann F. , Icks A.
Published: March 2011

Diabet. Med. 28, 919–923 (2011)

Aims  We investigated if there are substantial differences in the prevalence of diabetes between members of different health insurance funds in Germany and, if so, which variables might explain these differences.

Methods  Ten representative surveys (conducted between 2004 and 2008) of the Bertelsmann Healthcare Monitor, comprising 15 089 participants aged 18–79 years, were analysed. Our main independent variable was membership in one of eight health insurance funds. We first estimated the crude prevalence of diabetes stratified by these funds. We further fitted logistic regression models and stepwise adjusted for age and sex, further co‐morbidities and anthropometric measures and factors influencing health awareness and lifestyle.

Results  The overall prevalence of diabetes was 6.9%. Stratified by health insurance funds, prevalences ranged between 3.9% within the Innungskrankenkassen to 11.4% within the Allgemeine Ortskrankenkassen. Adjusting for age and sex only led to minor changes. After controlling for all mentioned variables, these differences remained. Compared with those who were privately insured, persons within the Allgemeine Ortskrankenkassen (OR 1.73; 95% CI 1.30–2.29), the Betriebskrankenkassen (OR 1.54; 95% CI 1.15–2.07) and the Barmer (OR 1.39; 95% CI 1.01–1.91) had a higher prevalence.

Conclusions  We found considerable differences in diabetes prevalence between German health insurance funds that remained after controlling for several relevant variables.
The chloroplast transformation toolbox: selectable markers and marker removal
Authors: Day Anil , Goldschmidt‐Clermont Michel
Published: March 2011

Plastid transformation is widely used in basic research and for biotechnological applications. Initially developed in Chlamydomonas and tobacco, it is now feasible in a broad range of species. Selection of transgenic lines where all copies of the polyploid plastid genome are transformed requires efficient markers. A number of traits have been used for selection such as photoautotrophy, resistance to antibiotics and tolerance to herbicides or to other metabolic inhibitors. Restoration of photosynthesis is an effective primary selection method in Chlamydomonas but can only serve as a screening tool in flowering plants. The most successful and widely used markers are derived from bacterial genes that inactivate antibiotics, such asaadAthat confers resistance to spectinomycin and streptomycin. For many applications, the presence of a selectable marker that confers antibiotic resistance is not desirable. Efficient marker removal methods are a major attraction of the plastid engineering tool kit. They exploit the homologous recombination and segregation pathways acting on chloroplast genomes and are based on direct repeats, transient co‐integration or co‐transformation and segregation of trait and marker genes. Foreign site‐specific recombinases and their target sites provide an alternative and effective method for removing marker genes from plastids.
Bio‐available zinc in rice seeds is increased by activation tagging of nicotianamine synthase
Authors: Lee Sichul , Persson Daniel P. , Hansen Thomas H. , Husted Søren , Schjoerring Jan K. , Kim You‐Sun , Jeon Un Sil , Kim Yoon‐Keun , Kakei Yusuke , Masuda Hiroshi , Nishizawa Naoko K. , An Gynheung
Published: March 2011

We generated rice lines with increased content of nicotianamine (NA), a key ligand for metal transport and homeostasis. This was accomplished by activation tagging of rice nicotianamine synthase 2 (OsNAS2). Enhanced expression of the gene resulted in elevated NA levels, greater Zn accumulations and improved plant tolerance to a Zn deficiency. Expression of Zn‐uptake genes and those for the biosynthesis of phytosiderophores (PS) were increased in transgenic plants. This suggests that the higher amount of NA led to greater exudation of PS from the roots, as well as stimulated Zn uptake, translocation and seed‐loading. In the endosperm, the OsNAS2 activation‐tagged line contained up to 20‐fold more NA and 2.7‐fold more zinc. Liquid chromatography combined with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry revealed that the total content of zinc complexed with NA and 2′‐deoxymugineic acid was increased 16‐fold. Mice fed with OsNAS2‐D1 seeds recovered more rapidly from a zinc deficiency than did control mice receiving WT seeds. These results demonstrate that the level of bio‐available zinc in rice grains can be enhanced significantly by activation tagging of OsNAS2.
Prenatal cigarette exposure and infant learning stimulation as predictors of cognitive control in childhood
Authors: Mezzacappa Enrico , Buckner John C. , Earls Felton
Published: March 2011

Prenatal exposures to neurotoxins and postnatal parenting practices have been shown to independently predict variations in the cognitive development and emotional‐behavioral well‐being of infants and children. We examined the independent contributions of prenatal cigarette exposure and infant learning stimulation, as well as their inter‐relationships in predicting variations in the proficiency of executive attention, a core element of cognitive control and self‐regulation. Participants were an ethnic‐racially, socio‐economically diverse sample of 249 children followed from birth in the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods. We obtained histories of prenatal exposure to alcohol, cigarettes, and other drugs, and we assessed socio‐economic status and learning stimulation during a home visit when the participants were infants. In childhood we utilized the Attention Networks Test to assess the proficiency of executive attention during two home visits, one year apart. Accounting for age, SES, prenatal alcohol exposure, and baseline performance, we found that prenatal cigarette exposure impaired the speed of executive attention. Infant learning stimulation mitigated these effects, and predicted better accuracy of executive attention as well, suggestive of both protective and health promoting effects. Effect sizes for these relations, whether examined independently or by their inter‐relationships, were comparable to if not greater in magnitude than the effects of age on speed and accuracy, highlighting the importance of these very early experiences in shaping the proficiency of self‐regulation. Since executive attention is central to cognitive control and self‐regulation, previously described relations between prenatal cigarette exposure, parenting practices, and some forms of childhood psychopathology may be contingent on how early learning stimulation contributes to the proficiency of executive attention through direct and indirect effects. Furthermore, considering the prolonged developmental trajectory of executive attention, interventions to support provision of learning stimulation may mitigate poor outcomes for some at‐risk children by promoting development of more proficient executive attention.
Employing Introductory Statistics Students at ‘Stats Dairy’
Authors: Keeling Kellie
Published: March 2011

To combat students' fear of statistics I employ my students at a fictional company, Stats Dairy, run by cows. Almost all examples used in the class notes, exercises, humour and exams use data ‘collected’ from this company.
Testing a student generated hypothesis using student data
Authors: McGowan Herle M. , Vaughan Joel
Published: March 2011

We describe an activity that allows students to experience the full process of a statistical investigation, from generating the research question, to collecting data and testing a hypothesis. Implementation of the activity is described both with and without use of clickers, handheld remotes that allow instant data collection.
Monetary Policy Delegation and Transparency of Policy Targets: A Positive Analysis
Authors: Hielscher Kai
Published: March 2011

We show that, in a two-stage model of monetary policy with stochastic policy targets and asymmetric information, the transparency regime chosen by the central bank does never coincide with the regime preferred by society. Independent of society’s endogenous choice of delegation, the central bank reveals its inflation target and conceals its output target. In contrast, society would prefer either transparency or opacity of both targets. As a conclusion, the choice of the transparency regime should be part of the optimal delegation solution.
Neurological manifestations of atrio‐esophageal fistulas from left atrial ablation
Authors: Finsterer J. , Stöllberger C. , Pulgram T.
Published: March 2011

Left atrial ablation (LAAB) is carried out as an alternative treatment of atrial fibrillation refractory to conservative measures. An increasingly recognized complication of LAAB is an atrio‐esophageal fistula (AEF). Neurological manifestations usually dominate the presentation of an AEF and result from cardiac embolism of thrombi, transgressed esophageal contents, or air. AEFs have been reported after LAAB in 52 patients (23 men, age 35–76 years), described in 24 publications, so far. AEFs manifest clinically on the average 17 days (3–38 days) after ablation. Neurological manifestations include embolic strokes (n = 30), seizures (n = 9), transitory‐ischaemic attacks (n = 6), coma (n = 6), or psychiatric abnormalities (n = 5). Imaging studies of the cerebrum most frequently show multiple embolic strokes or air embolism. The diagnosis is made upon thoracic computed tomography with contrast media. An act of swallowing, trans‐esophageal echocardiography, gastroscopy, or esophageal stenting must be avoided not to enlarge the shunt. The only expedient therapy is surgical closure of the fistula, but even then, the prognosis is poor with a mortality of 71%. AEFs should be suspected if there is a history of LAAB followed by fever, thoracic pain, postprandial cerebral strokes, seizures, coma, or confusion with a latency of days to 5 weeks after ablation. Diagnostic work‐up must avoid measures, which enlarge the fistula. Treatment is surgical exclusively.
Neuronal glycoprotein M6a induces filopodia formation via association with cholesterol‐rich lipid rafts
Authors: Scorticati Camila , Formoso Karina , Frasch Alberto C.
Published: March 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 119, 521–531.

A neuronal integral membrane glycoprotein M6a has been suggested to be involved in a number of biological processes, including neuronal remodeling and differentiation, trafficking of mu‐opioid receptors, and Ca2+ transportation. Moreover, pathological situations such as chronic stress in animals and depression in humans have been associated with alterations in M6a sequence and expression. The mechanism of action of M6a is essentially unknown. In this work, we analyze the relevance of M6a distribution in plasma membrane, namely its lipid microdomain targeting, for its biological function in filopodia formation. We demonstrate that M6a is localized in membrane microdomains compatible with lipid rafts in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. Removal of cholesterol from neuronal membranes with methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin decreases M6a‐induced filopodia formation, an effect that is reversed by the addition of cholesterol. Inhibition of Src kinases and MAPK prevents filopodia formation in M6a‐over‐expressing neurons. Src‐deficient SYF cells over‐expressing M6a fail to promote filopodia formation. Taken together, our findings reveal that the association of M6a with lipid rafts is important for its role in filopodia formation and Src and MAPK kinases participate in M6a signal propagation.
Monitoring of tube‐nesting bees and wasps with bamboo tube nest traps of different types in two types of forests in temperate Japan
Authors: MATSUMOTO Kazuma , MAKINO Shun'ichi
Published: March 2011

Tube‐nesting bees and wasps were collected with bamboo tube nest traps in a cherry blossom forest and an old secondary forest in Tama Forest Science Garden in the western suburbs of Tokyo. Curtain type traps, in which bamboo tubes were vertically arranged, attracted more bees and wasps to nests than bundle type traps, in which bamboo tubes were bundled haphazardly. The attractiveness of small tubes was similar between small tube traps, which were only composed of small tubes (about 4 mm in diameter), and size mixture traps, which set small tubes together with larger tubes, indicating that the presence of the larger species did not affect the nesting of small species. In the cherry forest, which was characterized by the sparse distribution of deciduous cherry trees with a thin canopy layer and rich growth of weeds, Megachilidae, Colletidae, Sphecidae and Eumenidae were common. In the shady secondary forest, where evergreen trees (Abies firma Sieb. et Zucc., Quercus glauca Thunb.) and shrubs (Aucuba japonica Thunb., Eurya japonica Thunb., Camellia japonica L.) were prevalent, Pompilidae was abundant. Among five species of Crabronidae recorded in this study, four were collected mostly in the cherry forest, whereas the most abundant, Trypoxylon malaisei Gussakovskij, was also common in the secondary forest. Likewise, Auplopus carbonarius (Scopoli) (Pompilidae) was common in the secondary forest and not rare in the cherry forest. These results suggest that the tube‐nesting bees and wasps can be a good bioindicator for monitoring environment.
The effects of Mg‐ion implantation and sandblasting on Porphyromonas gingivalis attachment
Authors: Kim Mee Lee , Jeong Chang Mo , Jeon Young Chan , Byon EungSun , Jeong YongSoo , Cho Lee‐Ra
Published: March 2011

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of titanium surface treatment on Porphyromonas gingivalis bacterial attachment.

Materials and methods: Titanium disks of 15 mm in diameter and 1 mm in thickness (n=40) were subjected to mechanical grinding, or sandblasting. Magnesium (Mg) ions were implanted onto the titanium surface using a plasma source ion implantation method. The structure, chemistry, and surface morphologies of the titanium surfaces were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy. Surface roughness was measured using a laser profilometer. Half of the titanium disks in each group were dipped in saliva for 24 h. All of the titanium specimens were rinsed with distilled water. A P. gingivalis strain was cultured in anaerobic conditions at 37°C for 72 h, and all titanium specimens were dipped in the bacterial suspension at 37°C for 24 h. Specimens were examined at × 3000 magnification using a SEM. The number of bacteria in each of 10 separate fields was determined by directly counting the number of bacterial colonies that adhered to each specimen. The mean values were calculated afterward. The resulting data were analyzed to assess the significance of observed differences based on the method of the surface treatment, ion implantation, and saliva dipping.

Results: The amount of P. gingivalis attached to the sandblasted specimens was greater than that on the ground specimens (P<0.001). Moreover, surfaces with Mg‐ion implantation had more attachments than nonimplanted surfaces (P<0.001). Saliva dipping acted synergistically with surface roughness and chemical composition of the specimens.

Conclusions: Chemically modified surface increase the attachment of a major periodontopathic bacterium, P. gingivalis.

To cite this article: Kim ML, Jeong CM, Jeon YC, Byon ES, Jeong YS, Cho LR. The effects of Mg‐ion implantation and sandblasting on Porphyromonas gingivalis attachment. Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 23, 2012; 245–252.  doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐0501.2010.02138.x
Characteristics and dimensions of the Schneiderian membrane: a radiographic analysis using cone beam computed tomography in patients referred for dental implant surgery in the posterior maxilla
Authors: Janner Simone F. M. , Caversaccio Marco D. , Dubach Patrick , Sendi Pedram , Buser Daniel , Bornstein Michael M.
Published: March 2011

Objectives: To determine the dimensions of the Schneiderian membrane using limited cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in individuals referred for dental implant surgery, and to determine factors influencing the mucosal thickness.

Material and methods: The study included 143 consecutive patients referred for dental implant placement in the posterior maxilla. A total of 168 CBCT images were taken using a limited field of view of 4 × 4 cm, 6 × 6 cm, or 8 × 8 cm. Reformatted coronal CBCT slices were analyzed with regard to the thickness and characteristics of the Schneiderian membrane in nine standardized points of reference. Factors such as age, gender, or status of the remaining dentition that could influence the dimensions of the Schneiderian membrane were evaluated using univariate and multivariate linear regression models.

Results: The thickness of the Schneiderian membrane exhibited a wide range, with a minimum value of 0.16 mm and a maximum value of 34.61 mm. The highest mean values, ranging from 2.16 to 3.11 mm, were found for the mucosa located in the mid‐sagittal regions of the maxillary sinus. The most frequent mucosal findings diagnosed were flat thickenings of the Schneiderian membrane (62 positive findings, 37%). For the multivariate linear regression model, only gender had a statistically significant influence on the mean overall and mid‐sagittal thickness of the sinus mucosa.

Conclusion: There is great interindividual variability in the thickness of the Schneiderian membrane. Gender seems to be the most important parameter influencing mucosal thickness in asymptomatic patients. Future studies are needed to assess the therapeutic and prognostic consequences of mucosal alterations in the maxillary sinus.

To cite this article:
 Janner SFM, Caversaccio MD, Dubach P, Sendi P, Buser D, Bornstein MM. Characteristics and dimensions of the Schneiderian membrane: a radiographic analysis using cone beam computed tomography in patients referred for dental implant surgery in the posterior maxilla. Clin. Oral Impl. Res. xx, 2011; 000–000. doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐0501.2010.02140.x