bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of an individual sleep intervention programme in people undergoing peritoneal dialysis treatment
Authors: Yngman‐Uhlin Pia , Fernström Anders , Börjeson Sussanne , Edéll‐Gustafsson Ulla
Published: November 2012

Aims and objectives

This study aimed to evaluate effects of a non‐pharmacological intervention on sleep, activity and fatigue in patients receiving peritoneal dialysis by the use of both actigraphy registration and self‐assessed questionnaires.

Background

Insomnia is estimated to affect up to 60% of haemo‐ and peritoneal dialysis patients. It is associated with two common uremic symptoms, pruritus and restless legs syndrome. To our knowledge, no interventions have been evaluated by actigraphy.

Design

A prospective multiple baseline single‐case experimental design.

Methods

Two women and seven men with sleep problems, 48–77 years, treated with PD participated in a 17‐week study from January 2009 to February 2011. Two interventions were separately implemented. First, a pressure‐relieving mattress and second, a four week individual sleep hygiene and sleep scheduling intervention. The two interventions were evaluated both objectively by actigraphy and subjectively by questionnaires.

Results

A total of 315 sleep–wake cycles from nine individuals were evaluated. Three patients improved clinically significantly in five or more of the nine outcomes, i.e. sleep onset latency, nocturnal sleep duration, numbers and duration of napping, movement and fragmentation index, number of steps, metabolic equivalent unit, sleep efficiency and fatigue. The other six patients also showed improvements but to a lesser degree. Physical activity advice was the intervention that yielded most sleep improvements.

Conclusions

This study illuminates the need for regular assessment of sleep and tiredness. It also demonstrates how a non‐pharmacological treatment and self‐management can be applied with renal supportive care to improve sleep quality.

Relevance to clinical practice

This study is a clinical example of a non‐pharmacological intervention with supportive care and self‐management. This model can improve health and reduce the pharmacological burden because hypnotics can be replaced by sleep hygiene self‐care activities.
An automated template‐based adaptive threshold approach for measuring ventricular volume enlargement in mouse brain MR microscopy
Authors: LIN LAN , WU SHUICAI
Published: November 2012

Mouse models for human diseases play an important role in developing therapeutic measures and understanding disease development and mechanisms. Ventricular enlargement is an objective and sensitive biomarker of neuropathological change associated with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thus, imaging based volumetric measures of mouse brain ventricle can be used as a biomarker for detecting and monitoring pathology. However, till now most mouse ventricular segmentation is still based on manual tracing, and current region of interests (ROIs) labelling approaches on mouse brain don't work well on small brain structure like ventricle. In this paper, an automated template‐based method was developed to evaluate for the identification of a ventricular ROIs in mouse brain imaging studies. Monte Carlo simulation was applied to evaluate the efficiency of this approach in detecting computer‐simulated ventricle in laboratory mice. The method demonstrated a satisfactory performance with consistent high correlations between the detected and simulated volume changes. This approach can be used to investigate the ventricular volume changing in transgenic mice and other putative animal models of AD.
Direct observation of the spatial distribution of charges on a polypropylene fiber via Electrostatic Force Microscopy
Authors: BONILLA R. , ÁVILA A. , MONTENEGRO C. , HINESTROZA J.
Published: November 2012

The spatial distribution of electrical charges along the longitudinal axes of a polypropylene electret fiber was determined using Electrostatic Force Microscopy (EFM). EFM mapping on highly curved surfaces, such as those of polymeric fibers, is a challenging endeavour and most work reported in the scientific literature has been limited to single line‐scan analysis or flat specimens. Charged polymeric fibers, electrets, are extensively used in high performance filtration applications and methods to determine the amount and magnitude of the charges on these fibers remain elusive. Electrical charge maps of individual fibers were obtained by biasing the tip to –10 V and maintaining a constant tip‐sample distance of 100 nm. Spatially dependant EFM phase and magnitude gradients were determined and the developed technique may provide a unique understanding into the heterogeneous charge distribution on electrets fibers. Direct mapping of the charge distribution in electrets fibers can offer new insights in the development of antistatic additives, new means to facilitate electrostatic self‐assembly of nano‐moieties on the surface of fibrous materials and a quantitative metrics capable of determining discharge dynamics and predicting the shelf‐life of filtration media.
Puzzling Agency in Centre-Local Relations: Regulatory Governance and Accounts of Change under New Labour
Authors: Griggs Steven , Sullivan Helen
Published: November 2012

Research Highlights and Abstract

The article seeks to make a contribution in the following areas:

It seeks to establish a new research agenda in centre-local relations, which builds on explanations of local practice and the political and affective dimensions of the work of officers and politicians. In so doing, it suggests that we should further dissolve the often over-determined boundaries between the centre and the local. In recasting centre-local relations, it draws particular attention to the capacity of local agency and the role of regulatory intermediaries; it explores such agency through an original case study of the take-up and use of the Power of Well Being. It offers a critical assessment of existing accounts of regulatory governance under New Labour.

The UK Coalition's espoused commitment to Localism has re-ignited debates about the state and nature of centre-local relations in England. This article explores this contested space through the practice of regulatory governance under the New Labour government. It identifies two dominant interpretations of centre-local relations under New Labour, which it characterises as state-centric dirigisme and disciplined pluralism. This analysis draws attention to the capacity of local agency to shape the potential and limitations of regulatory governance. This capacity is explored empirically through an examination of the take-up and use of the Local Government Well Being Power introduced in 2000. The article suggests that centre-local relations should be recast to examine critically local practices and the political and affective dimensions of what local officers and politicians actually ‘do’ and it sets out an agenda for future research.
Young smokers’ narratives: public health, disadvantage and structural violence
Authors: Lewis Sue , Russell Andrew
Published: November 2012

This research article on youth smoking in disadvantaged communities is the product of a qualitative study to understand the issues faced by young smokers – and those trying not to be smokers – in such communities. Environmental factors and peer influence are widely recognised influences on adolescents’ take‐up and continuation of smoking but less is known about whether, what, how and why circumstances in disadvantaged communities affect young people’s pathways towards and away from smoking. Focusing on a youth club in a disadvantaged neighbourhood in the North East of England, narratives about young people’s relationships with tobacco provide an ethnographically rich, thick description of the experiences of a group that is too often easily ignored. We argue that young people are caught between competing domains that together exert a form of structural violence. These are, first, the economic and political structures that have overseen de‐industrialisation; second, the media structures that create desire for what they cannot afford; third the structures of international organised crime that conspire to provide them with the means to consume from which ‘legitimate’ structures effectively exclude them. Rather than expecting young people to comply with the health imperative, interventions need to bridge issues of agency and critical consciousness, which structural violence otherwise insidiously erodes.
Impact of Pulsatile Perfusion on Clinical Outcomes of Neonates and Infants With Complex Pathologies Undergoing Cardiopulmonary Bypass Procedures
Authors: Alkan‐Bozkaya Tijen , Akçevin Atıf , Türkoğlu Halil , Ündar Akif
Published: November 2012

The aim of this clinical trial was to evaluate the pulsatile perfusion mode in pediatric patients who had complex cardiac pathologies according to Jenkins stratifications (category 4) undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass procedures (CPB). Patients with transposition of great arteries (TGA) and ventricular septal defect (VSD) were included in this clinical study. Eighty‐nine consecutive pediatric patients undergoing open heart surgery for repair of TGA‐VSD were prospectively entered into the study and were randomly assigned to either the pulsatile perfusion group (Group P, n = 58) or the nonpulsatile perfusion group (Group NP, n = 31). There were no differences between groups in terms of demographical and intraoperative parameters. The pulsatile group needed significantly less inotropic support (P < 0.05) and had lower lactate levels (P < 0.001), higher urine output (P < 0.01), and higher albumin levels (P < 0.05). In addition, the pulsatile group had less ICU (P < 0.01) and hospital stays (P < 0.001). We conclude that the use of pulsatile flow is a better option and should be considered for repair of the complex congenital heart defects.
Selective testing for Trypanosoma cruzi: the first year after implementation at Canadian Blood Services
Authors: O'Brien Sheila F. , Scalia Vito , Goldman Mindy , Fan Wenli , Yi Qi‐Long , Dines Irene R. , Huang Mary , Ndao Momar , Fearon Margaret A.
Published: November 2012

Background

Various testing strategies may reduce the risk of Chagas disease transmission in nonendemic, low‐prevalence countries. Results of the first year of selective testing of at‐risk donors at Canadian Blood Services are reported.

Study Design and Methods

Since February 2009, platelets were not produced from at‐risk donors. Since May 2010, at‐risk donors were tested for Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies. Donors testing positive were interviewed about risk factors, and lookback studies were initiated.

Results

There were 7255 at‐risk donors of 421,979 donors screened (1.72%). Risk factors were born in Latin America (50.6%), mother or maternal grandmother born in Latin America (28%), and 6 months or more travel history or residence in Latin America (19%). Sixteen (16) at‐risk donors had T. cruzi repeat‐reactive test results of whom 13 confirmed positive. Eleven of 13 were born in Latin America (nine in Paraguay and two in Argentina), and the other two were born in Canada but had short‐term travel history and mothers who had been born in Latin America. Ten of the donors spoke German as their first language (all of those born in Paraguay and one born in Canada). There were 148 previous donations (176 components transfused) evaluated by lookback, of which 28% of recipients could be tested. None were positive.

Conclusion

Selective testing has mitigated a small risk to the blood supply with very few false‐positive results. Most positive donors were born in a risk country, with a concentration of German‐speaking immigrants from Paraguay. Residency or travel alone were not clear risk factors.
Clinical trials evaluating pathogen‐reduced platelet products: methodologic issues and recommendations
Authors: Cook Richard J. , Heddle Nancy M.
Published: November 2012

Background

Several randomized trials of platelet (PLT) products have been conducted with different study designs, endpoints, and analyses. The purpose of this article is to discuss methodologic issues in the design and analysis of PLT transfusion trials evaluating pathogen reduction technology and make recommendations for the conduct of future trials.

Study Design and Methods

Six randomized clinical trials of pathogen‐inactivated PLT products are reviewed and associated methodologic issues are discussed.

Results

The variation in the trial designs, outcomes, and methods of analysis suggest the need to harmonize the way trials of pathogen‐reduced PLT products are conducted to facilitate comparisons between studies and the synthesis of results. Recommendations are made with this goal in mind and to increase the rigor and relevance of findings from future trials.

Conclusions

Future randomized trials of pathogen‐reduced PLT products should be based on a clearly stated hypothesis driven by an important research question, a design that is optimal for the research question, outcomes that relate to the research question, clearly defined observation periods, and statistical analyses that lead to valid tests of these hypotheses and associated estimates of treatment effect.
Is the closed‐crown boreal forest resilient after successive stand disturbances? A quantitative demonstration from a case study
Authors: Côté Damien , Girard François , Hébert François , Bouchard Sylvie , Gagnon Réjean , Lord Daniel
Published: November 2012

Question

Recent studies revealed by indirect evidence that lichen–spruce woodlands in the closed‐crown boreal forest are an alternative stable state of black spruce–feathermoss stands. This paper aims to demonstrate and quantify black spruce forest cover regression following successive wildfire events in the closed‐crown forest zone during the 20th century. A case study in north‐easternNorthAmerican closed‐crown forest zone is presented.

Location

The study area is at the centre of the closed‐crown boreal forest zone of easternCanada (49°59′ N, 71°59′ W).

Methods

A burned area of 25 ha was selected in which three tree cohorts were visible. The first cohort contains partly buried trunks and stumps of a stand destroyed by a forest fire in 1920, the second contains standing dead trees from a 1995 forest fire and the third contains seedlings established after the 1995 fire. Fires were dated by scar analyses of living trees at the edge of the site. An array of sample plots was established in autumn 1997 to evaluate each cohort in terms of stocking and tree density.

Results

Black spruce stocking decreased significantly between cohorts, from 43.5% inCohort 1 (all coniferous trees) to 25.6% inCohort 2 and 11.5% inCohort 3 (2011). Jack pine showed an inverse tendency, from 0% inCohort 1 (not determined) to 0% inCohort 2 and 3.8% inCohort 3. Black spruce stems per hectare also dropped significantly from a minimum of 1322 inCohort 1 to 1088 inCohort 2 and 976 inCohort 3.

Conclusions

This study is the first quantitative demonstration that lichen–spruce woodlands in the closed‐crown boreal forest zone are an alternative stable state of black spruce–feathermoss stands. Stocking levels and densities markedly declined after each of the two fires (1920 and 1995) that both occurred after spruce budworm outbreaks (1910 and 1980) and are most likely responsible for the shift from a closed‐crown to an open woodland.
Extending the TIME concept: what have we learned in the past 10 years?*
Authors: Leaper David J , Schultz Gregory , Carville Keryln , Fletcher Jacqueline , Swanson Theresa , Drake Rebecca
Published: November 2012

The TIME acronym (tissue, infection/inflammation, moisture balance and edge of wound) was first developed more than 10 years ago, by an international group of wound healing experts, to provide a framework for a structured approach to wound bed preparation; a basis for optimising the management of open chronic wounds healing by secondary intention. However, it should be recognised that the TIME principles are only a part of the systematic and holistic evaluation of each patient at every wound assessment. This review, prepared by the International Wound Infection Institute, examines how new data and evidence generated in the intervening decade affects the original concepts of TIME, and how it is translated into current best practice. Four developments stand out: recognition of the importance of biofilms (and the need for a simple diagnostic), use of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), evolution of topical antiseptic therapy as dressings and for wound lavage (notably, silver and polyhexamethylene biguanide) and expanded insight of the role of molecular biological processes in chronic wounds (with emerging diagnostics and theranostics). Tissue: a major advance has been the recognition of the value of repetitive and maintenance debridement and wound cleansing, both in time‐honoured and novel methods (notably using NPWT and hydrosurgery). Infection/inflammation: clinical recognition of infection (and non infective causes of persisting inflammation) is critical. The concept of a bacterial continuum through contamination, colonisation and infection is now widely accepted, together with the understanding of biofilm presence. There has been a return to topical antiseptics to control bioburden in wounds, emphasised by the awareness of increasing antibiotic resistance. Moisture: the relevance of excessive or insufficient wound exudate and its molecular components has led to the development and use of a wide range of dressings to regulate moisture balance, and to protect peri‐wound skin, and optimise healing. Edge of wound: several treatment modalities are being investigated and introduced to improve epithelial advancement, which can be regarded as the clearest sign of wound healing. The TIME principle remains relevant 10 years on, with continuing important developments that incorporate new evidence for wound care.
Loss of genetic variability in social spiders: genetic and phylogenetic consequences of population subdivision and inbreeding
Authors: Agnarsson I. , Avilés L. , Maddison W. P.
Published: November 2012

The consequences of population subdivision and inbreeding have been studied in many organisms, particularly in plants. However, most studies focus on the short‐term consequences, such as inbreeding depression. To investigate the consequences of both population fragmentation and inbreeding for genetic variability in the longer term, we here make use of a natural inbreeding experiment in spiders, where sociality and accompanying population subdivision and inbreeding have evolved repeatedly. We use mitochondrial and nuclear data to infer phylogenetic relationships among 170 individuals of Anelosimus spiders representing 23 species. We then compare relative mitochondrial and nuclear genetic variability of the inbred social species and their outbred relatives. We focus on four independently derived social species and four subsocial species, including two outbred–inbred sister species pairs. We find that social species have 50% reduced mitochondrial sequence divergence. As inbreeding is not expected to reduce genetic variability in the maternally inherited mitochondrial genome, this suggests the loss of variation due to strong population subdivision, founder effects, small effective population sizes (colonies as individuals) and lineage turnover. Social species have < 10% of the nuclear genetic variability of the outbred species, also suggesting the loss of genetic variability through founder effects and/or inbreeding. Inbred sociality hence may result in reduction in variability through various processes. Sociality in most Anelosimus species probably arose relatively recently (0.1–2 mya), with even the oldest social lineages having failed to diversify. This is consistent with the hypothesis that inbred spider sociality represents an evolutionary dead end. Heterosis underlies a species potential to respond to environmental change and/or disease. Inbreeding and loss of genetic variability may thus limit diversification in social Anelosimus lineages and similarly pose a threat to many wild populations subject to habitat fragmentation or reduced population sizes.
Dysregulation of REST‐regulated coding and non‐coding RNAs in a cellular model of Huntington's disease
Authors: Soldati Chiara , Bithell Angela , Johnston Caroline , Wong Kee‐Yew , Stanton Lawrence W. , Buckley Noel J.
Published: November 2012

Huntingtin (Htt) protein interacts with many transcriptional regulators, with widespread disruption to the transcriptome in Huntington's disease (HD) brought about by altered interactions with the mutant Htt (muHtt) protein. Repressor Element‐1 Silencing Transcription Factor (REST) is a repressor whose association with Htt in the cytoplasm is disrupted in HD, leading to increased nuclear REST and concomitant repression of several neuronal‐specific genes, including brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf). Here, we explored a wide set of HD dysregulated genes to identify direct REST targets whose expression is altered in a cellular model of HD but that can be rescued by knock‐down of REST activity. We found many direct REST target genes encoding proteins important for nervous system development, including a cohort involved in synaptic transmission, at least two of which can be rescued at the protein level by REST knock‐down. We also identified several microRNAs (miRNAs) whose aberrant repression is directly mediated by REST, including miR‐137, which has not previously been shown to be a direct REST target in mouse. These data provide evidence of the contribution of inappropriate REST‐mediated transcriptional repression to the widespread changes in coding and non‐coding gene expression in a cellular model of HD that may affect normal neuronal function and survival.
What is missed in self‐immolated patients' care?: a grounded theory study
Authors: Norouzi Kian , Taghinejad Hamid , Mohammadi Farahnaz , Mohammadi Eesa , Suhrabi Zainab
Published: November 2012

Aims and objectives

To explore rehabilitation care process in patients who commit self‐immolation.

Background

Self‐immolation is not only a type of burn injury, but it is also a suicidal method. It is placed in burn injury category that requires long‐term rehabilitation and treatment measures. As a suicidal method, among all forms of suicidal attempts, it is the most dramatic, violent and often difficult one to understand. Unfortunately, there are few reported studies investigating experiences and perceptions of nurses about burn care and with qualitative study about the patients' experiences and perceptions.

Design

On the basis of the research question, the grounded theory method was used.

Methods

Considering ethical codes of Belmont and Helsinki statements, purposive sampling was used to select the participants. The patients were deliberately selected, based on the research needs. They were self‐immolated patients being referred to Talaghani hospital of Ilam (western Iran) or discharged previously (time of interview and observation ranged from immediately later the burn till 5 years after), in Ilam, where self‐immolation rate is very high. The main methods for data collection were deep, open ended, semi‐structured interviews, dairies and observations. The interviews were audio taped in Persian, and verbatim transcriptions were made. By doing so, semantic meaning is preserved, and misinterpretation of data due to translation into English is minimised. Data analysis was conducted using the Strauss and Corbin method.

Results

Five main categories were emerged: situation of crisis unprofessional care, prolongation and formidability of the journey, self‐immolation as paralyse, and attempt for self‐management. Finally, by constant, comparison of collected data and emerged categories, central variable entitled unintegrated care emerged as the main problem of self‐immolated patients' care.

Conclusion

The study comes to the conclusion that we need to focus on specific considerations to provide integrated care for the burned patients as it is a decisive component of care that is missed.

Relevance to clinical practice

Although self‐immolation requires long‐term treatment and social, emotional rehabilitation, such a rehabilitation care process is not clear.
Differential Expression of Potato Defence Genes Associated with the Salicylic Acid Defence Signalling Pathway in Response to Weakly and Highly Aggressive Isolates of Verticillium dahliae
Authors: Derksen Holly , Badawi Mohamed , Henriquez Maria Antonia , Yao Zhen , El‐Bebany Ahmed Farag , Daayf Fouad
Published: November 2012

Verticillium wilt is a vascular disease affecting hundreds of important dicotyledonous crops worldwide. Its main causal agent in potato is Verticillium dahliae Kleb. A differential potato‐V. dahliae system consisting of two cultivars of potato (susceptible; S and moderately resistant; MR) and two V. dahliae isolates (weakly, WA and highly aggressive, HA), was used to evaluate the expression of five defence‐related genes, PAL1, PAL2, PR‐1, PR‐2 and PR‐5. These genes were selected because they are in general associated with the salicylic acid defence signalling pathway. Expression levels of these genes were assessed in potato roots and leaves at 0, 4 and 21 h (hpi), and 3, 7 and 14 days postinoculation (dpi). In the roots, the expression of PAL1, PR‐1 and PR‐2 in the MR was higher than in the susceptible cultivar in response to inoculation with either one of the tested V. dahliae isolates. PAL2 gene expression increased gradually starting at 21 hpi in the MR cultivar as opposed to the susceptible one. Higher expression of PR‐1 was detected at 7 dpi in roots. In the leaves, both PAL1 and PAL2 genes showed higher expression in the MR cultivar relative to the susceptible one. Interestingly, the expression of PR‐2 was slightly higher in the susceptible cultivar. Combined data analyses revealed that PAL1, PAL2, PR‐1 and PR‐2 genes are regulated at the transcriptional level in response to infection by V. dahliae. These results indicate that the salicylic acid pathway is also involved in potato defence against V. dahliae and add to the data gathered to elucidate the signalling mechanisms in this host–pathogen interaction.
The uncertainties involved in extracting amplitude and frequency of orbitally driven sea‐level fluctuations from shallow‐water carbonate cycles
Authors: Eberli Gregor P.
Published: November 2012

In outcrops, shallow‐water carbonates often form thick, vertically stacked, metre‐scale, exposure‐bounded depositional packages, here called carbonate cycles. Because the facies within carbonate cycles can be tied precisely to water depths, they are considered ideal for reconstructing past sea‐level changes. There is, however, increasing evidence that these depositional cycles are unreliable recorders of both the frequency and the amplitude of orbitally driven sea‐level fluctuations. Carbonate cycles record only a fraction of the amplitude of a sea‐level cycle: a portion of the rise and nothing of the fall. Cores through the Pleistocene cycles on Great Bahama Bank illustrate this shortcoming. Although the amplitudes of the last nine sea‐level changes are each a hundred metres or more, the thickness of the cycles varies from a few metres to ca 15 m. The lack of correlation between sea‐level amplitude and cycle thickness is not eliminated for cycles deposited during times of lower sea‐level amplitudes, for example, the Cretaceous. Upper Cretaceous cycles on the Maiella platform margin document the irregularly filled accommodation space and the resultant variability in cycle thickness and frequency. Uncertainties in assessing the frequencies of sea‐level changes from shallow‐water carbonate cycles are caused by ‘missed beats’ and metre‐scale oscillations of sea‐level within highstands that potentially produce cycles of very short duration. The random amplitude variability during the last 57 glacio‐eustatic sea‐level changes illustrates the difficulty of assessing ‘missed beats’, where a sea‐level fluctuation is not recorded because the sea‐level rise does not reach the platform top. ‘Missed beats’ are also produced by the depositional topography that is created by irregularly filled accommodation space. As a result, variable numbers of cycles are deposited across the platform. Further complicating orbital frequency analyses are decametre‐scale oscillations of the sea‐level during highstands. The amplitude of these sub‐orbital sea‐level oscillations (up to 17 m within the last interglacial, Marine Isotope Stage 5e) are sufficient to expose shallow platforms like Great Bahama Bank and subsequently produce an additional depositional cycle with similar facies successions. The combined effects of missed beats and oscillations within highstands are likely to produce cycles and hiatuses of variable duration that are difficult to extract from the rock record. Consequently, estimates of the orbital forcing mechanisms and frequencies from ancient shallow‐water carbonate cycles carry large uncertainties.
Ectopic tubal choriocarcinoma: a rarity
Authors: Mehrotra Seema , Singh Urmila , Goel Madhumati , Chauhan Shilpi
Published: November 2012

Herein, we present a case of tubal choriocarcinoma which was diagnosed initially as chronic ectopic pregnancy. During laparotomy we noticed a haemorrhagic friable mass in the left flank, adherent to the bowel. Left-sided salpingoopherectomy was performed. Serum β HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) levels performed in the postoperative period were elevated. Histopathology demonstrated choriocarcinoma. She was given six cycles of chemotherapy (etoposide, methotrexate, actinomycin D-cyclophosphamide, vincristine/oncovine (EMA-CO) regime) and monitored by serial β HCG estimation. This case highlights the importance of undertaking histopathological examination of the tubal tissue in every patient who presents with ectopic pregnancy. This important diagnostic test prevents the potential of missing this rare and highly malignant disease which is otherwise curable in most instances.
Perthes’ disease and femoroacetabular impingement in a child with proximal femoral focal deficiency
Authors: Pun Terence , Stokes Oliver M , Chow Wang , To Michael
Published: November 2012

A girl with known proximal femoral focal deficiency presented with Perthes’ disease at 5 years of age. Her treatment involved a Salter osteotomy. This in conjunction with articular incongruence, due to deformity of the femoral head, resulted in mixed type femoroacetabular impingement when she was 10 years old. Surgical hip dislocation and femoral neck osteochondroplasty successfully relieved her symptoms of impingement. This is the first reported case of Perthes’ disease in a patient with proximal femoral focal deficiency. The case highlights the importance of thoroughly investigating pain in patients with proximal femoral focal deficiency, a condition which is normally painless. Timely diagnosis of Perthes’ disease and containment procedures can prevent collapse of the femoral head and the resultant sequelae. Acetabular over-coverage should be avoided in pelvic osteotomy to prevent the development of femoroacetabular impingement.
Delayed presentation of scorpion sting with cardiogenic shock
Authors: Dias Lorraine Simone , Vivek G , Manthappa M , Acharya Raviraja
Published: November 2012

A young farmer presented with cardiogenic shock 5 days after a scorpion sting. He was managed with norepinephrine, atropine and supportive measures and made a complete recovery. The role of atropine in treating scorpion sting has to be defined better.
A sticky situation: methaemaglobinaemia in a hand trauma patient
Authors: Sheena Yezen , Baston Emma Louise , Downs Andrew , Chester Darren L
Published: November 2012

We describe a case of methaemoglobinaemia (MtHb) in a previously healthy 39-year-old gentleman who presented with a traumatic glass laceration to his right wrist that required emergency surgery to control bleeding and repair his ulnar artery. The MtHb was noted on blood gas analysis by the anaesthetist after the patient had a drop in arterial oxygen saturation under general anaesthetic. We initially suspected the lidocaine local anaesthetic injected proximal to his wound for pain control in the emergency department an hour preoperatively, but then discovered that the patient was a recreational user of ‘poppers’ and had in fact been using these drugs just before his injury and hospitalisation. The patient's condition stabilised overnight with conservative management. Given how commonly hand surgeons and other clinical staff use local anaesthetics, we reviewed the literature on this uncommon, but potentially fatal, complication, its causes and evidence-based management.
Influence of body mass loss and myoglobinuria on the development of muscle fatigue after a marathon in a warm environment
Authors: Del Coso Juan , Salinero Juan José , Abián-Vicen Javier , González-Millán Cristina , Garde Sergio , Vega Pablo , Pérez-González Benito
Published: November 2012

The aim of this study was to determine the changes in body mass and myoglobinuria concentration in recreational runners during a marathon in a warm environment, and the relation of these changes to muscle fatigue. We recruited 138 amateur runners (114 men and 24 women) for the study. Before the race, leg muscle power output was measured during a countermovement jump on a force platform, body weight was measured, and a urine sample was obtained. Within 3 min of race completion (28 °C; 46% relative humidity), the runners repeated the countermovement jump, body weight was measured again, and a second urine sample was obtained. Myoglobin concentration was determined in the urine samples. After the race, mean body mass reduction was 2.2% ± 1.2%. Fifty-five runners (40% of the total) reduced their body mass by less than 2%, and 10 runners (7.2%) reduced their body mass by more than 4%. Only 3 runners increased their body mass after the marathon. Mean leg muscle power reduction was 16% ± 10%. Twenty-four runners reduced their muscle power by over 30%. No myoglobin was detected in the prerace urine specimens, whereas postrace urinary myoglobin concentration increased to 3.5 ± 9.5 μg·mL–1 (p < 0.05). Muscle power change after the marathon significantly correlated with postrace urine myoglobin concentration (r = –0.55; p < 0.001), but not with body mass change (r = –0.08; p = 0.35). After a marathon in a warm environment, interindividual variability in body mass change was high, but only 7% of the runners reduced their body mass by more than 4%. The correlation between myoglobinuria and muscle power change suggests that muscle fatigue is associated with muscle breakdown.
17β-Estradiol suppresses MHC class I chain-related B gene expression via an intact GC box
Authors: Sroijak Niramai , Ponglikitmongkol Mathurose
Published: November 2012

Major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related B (MICB) is a membrane-bound glycoprotein involved in both innate and adaptive immunity through its interaction with NKG2D receptors present on γδ T, αβ CD8+ T, and natural killer cells. Factors known to upregulate MICB expression include heat shock, viral or bacterial infection, and tumorigenesis, and here, we explored the effect of 17β-estradiol (E2) on MICB regulation. Physiological concentrations of E2 were found to suppress MICB mRNA and surface protein levels and this effect was antagonized by the antiestrogen ICI 182780. The inhibitory effect of E2 was also observed for other NKG2D ligands, MICA and ULBPs. Evaluation of promoter fragments from the common MICB*00502 allele revealed that inhibition of transcription by E2 required the GC box at −87. The electrophoretic mobility shift assay and supershift analysis established the presence of SP1, SP3, or estrogen receptor α recognition sites within the MICB promoter sequence and interaction of these factors in situ was confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation. We conclude that E2 upon forming a complex with its cognate receptor suppresses MICB expression through binding with SP1/SP3 sites within the MICB promoter GC box. These results suggest that the partial benefit of 17β-estradiol on autoimmune diseases may be mediated by reducing the immune NKG2D ligands like MICB.
Identification of cystathionine γ-synthase and threonine synthase from Cicer arietinum and Lens culinaris
Authors: Morneau Dominique J.K. , Jaworski Allison F. , Aitken Susan M.
Published: November 2012

In plants, cystathionine γ-synthase (CGS) and threonine synthase (TS) compete for the branch-point metabolite O-phospho-l-homoserine. These enzymes are potential targets for metabolic engineering studies, aiming to alter the flux through the competing methionine and threonine biosynthetic pathways, with the goal of increasing methionine production. Although CGS and TS have been characterized in the model organisms Escherichia coli and Arabidopsis thaliana, little information is available on these enzymes in other, particularly plant, species. The functional CGS and TS coding sequences from the grain legumes Cicer arietinum (chickpea) and Lens culinaris (lentil) identified in this study share approximately 80% amino acid sequence identity with the corresponding sequences from Glycine max. At least 7 active-site residues of grain legume CGS and TS are conserved in the model bacterial enzymes, including the catalytic base. Putative processing sites that remove the targeting sequence and result in functional TS were identified in the target species.
A NOVEL FRACTIONAL-N PLL BASED ON A SIMPLE REFERENCE MULTIPLIER
Authors: PU XIAO , NAGARAJ KRISHNASWAMY , ABRAHAM JACOB , THOMSEN AXEL
Published: November 2012

A wide loop bandwidth in fractional-N PLL is desirable for good jitter performance. However, a wider bandwidth reduces the effective oversampling ratio between update rate and loop bandwidth, making quantization error a much bigger noise contributor. A successful implementation of a wideband frequency synthesizer is in managing jitter and spurious performance. In this paper we present a new PLL architecture for bandwidth extension. By using clock squaring buffers with built-in offsets, multiple clock edges are extracted from a single reference cycle and utilized for phase update, thereby effectively forming a reference multiplier. This enables a higher oversampling ratio for better quantization noise shaping and makes a wideband fractional-N PLL possible.
IMPACTS OF AMBIENT TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE ON PM2.5 EMISSION PROFILES OF LIGHT-DUTY DIESEL VEHICLES
Authors: WANG CHENYU , WU YE , LI ZHENHUA , HAO JIMING
Published: November 2012

The impact of the environmental factors on the emissions of particulate matter (PM) number, size distribution and mass size distribution from diesel passenger cars was evaluated. Particle measurements from five modern light-duty diesel vehicles (LDDV) were performed in June and November 2011. Commercial low sulfur diesel fuel (less than 50 ppm) was used during the testing of these vehicles which were not equipped with after-treatment devices. The dynamometer test was based on the Economic Commission of Europe (ECE) 15 cycles. The results indicate that PM2.5 emissions from LDDV are significantly affected by ambient temperature and pressure. A comparison of the emissions concentration of PM2.5 in these two different months showed that the number concentration in June was (3.8 ± 0.69) × 107 cm-3 and (2.5 ± 0.66) × 107 cm-3 in November. The PM concentration of about 30 nm diameter was 25 ± 6% of the total emissions in November while only 14 ± 3% of total emissions in June. In the 60 nm to 2.5 μm test range, November data shows less of a contribution for number than data from June testing. The concentration of mass emissions in June was (325 ± 44) mg/m3 and (92 ± 30) mg/m3 in November. The contribution of the number of PM particles in November testing is lower than testing in June by 34% and the mass concentration in November is 70% lower than that in June. With the decrease of ambient temperature and the increase of ambient pressure, both the oxygen concentration in cylinder and air–fuel ratio are increased, which caused lower particle number and mass emissions during November testing. The size distribution is also altered by these changes: the more efficient in-cylinder combustion resulted in a higher proportion of particles in the 30 nm and smaller range than for other particle sizes.
Composite Vertical Structure of Vertical Velocity in Nonprecipitating Cumulus Clouds
Authors: Wang Yonggang , Geerts Bart
Published: November 2012

Vertical transects of Doppler vertical velocity data, obtained from an airborne profiling millimeter-wave cloud radar, are composited for a large number of cumulus clouds (Cu) at various stages of their life cycle, to examine typical circulations patterns. The Cu clouds range in depth between ~500 and 6000 m and are generally nonprecipitating. They were sampled on board the University of Wyoming King Air over a mountain in southern Arizona during the summer monsoon, and over the high plains of southeastern Wyoming. The composite analysis shows clear evidence of an updraft/downdraft dipole in the upper cloud half, consistent with a horizontal vortex ring. A single cloud-scale toroidal circulation emerges notwithstanding the complex finescale structure with multiple vortices, commonly evident in individual transects of Cu clouds. The stratification of all Cu samples as a function of their buoyancy and mean vertical velocity shows that the vortex ring pattern tends to be more pronounced in positively buoyant Cu with rising motion (presumably young clouds) than in negatively buoyant and/or sinking Cu near the end of their life cycle. Yet no reverse vortex ring is observed in the latter Cu, suggesting that the decaying phase is short lived in these dry environments. The vortex-ring circulation pattern is more intense in the shallower Cu, which are also more buoyant and have a liquid water content closer to adiabatic values. Wind shear tends to tilt Cu clouds and their vortex ring, resulting in a broadening of the upshear updraft and downshear downdraft.
How Did Public Services Fare? A Review of Australian State Public Service Labour Markets During the Global Financial Crisis
Authors: Colley Linda
Published: November 2012

Public employment was traditionally seen as a ‘good job’, and governments were seen as ‘model’ employers. That reputation has faded in recent years due to factors including public management reforms that changed traditional public service employment. This research considers how the Australian public service labour market fared compared to the private sector during the global financial crisis. The research compares public and private sector outcomes in Australian states, focusing on two indicators of the size of the public service and wage outcomes. It finds that the global financial crisis did not enhance job prospects or conditions in Australian state public services, and potentially further detracted from public perceptions of governments as ‘model’ employers and the desirability of public service jobs. The crisis also highlighted the institutional tensions and complexities of the contemporary public employment environment.
Trade Union Members’ Participation at Branch and Regional Levels: A Comparison of Women and Men in UNISON
Authors: Heyes Jason
Published: November 2012

Based on a questionnaire survey of members of the UK public sector trade union UNISON, this article examines factors that influence the ability and willingness of trade union members to take on unpaid roles at the level of the branch and region. The article compares the experiences and views of men and women in relation to potential barriers to union participation. Participation at both branch and regional levels is found to be associated with collective orientations and the extent to which members feel encouraged by UNISON to become active within the union. The findings point to the importance of union efforts to encourage members to take on lay representative roles and participate in union governance.
Communicating and compromising on disciplinary expertise in the peer review of research proposals
Authors: Huutoniemi Katri
Published: November 2012

This paper analyses peer review deliberations in four evaluation panels that differ in terms of scope and disciplinary heterogeneity. Based on evaluation reports and discussions with panel members, it illustrates a variety of ways in which reviewers bridge their epistemological differences and achieve consensus on the quality of research proposals. The analysis demonstrates that peer review panels are forums in which communication across disciplinary boundaries occurs and interdisciplinary judgments arise. At the same time, disciplinary gate-keeping and incommensurabilities may set limits on such communication. The comparison of deliberative processes sheds light on how collective judgments are shaped and constrained by the disciplinary set-up of the panels in which the reviewers operate and in which the intersubjective dynamics of the deliberations unfold. Based on these findings, the paper considers conditions that may enhance disciplinary interaction and complementary judgments in the peer review of proposals, and thereby expands the prospects for interdisciplinary research.
The 2.5- and 6-hydrates of dipotassium hydrogen arsenate, K2HAsO4: complex hydrogen bonding networks, one with an “ambiguous” order-disorder structure
Authors: Stöger Berthold , Weil Matthias , Zobetz Erich
Published: November 2012

Crystals of the 2.5- and 6-hydrates of K2HAsO4 were grown from H3AsO4 solutions which were neutralized with two equivalents of aqueous KOH. The crystal structures were determined by X-ray diffraction at 100 K. K2HAsO4 · 2.5H2O [P21, Z = 8, a = 7.1607(3) Å, b = 18.1352(8) Å, c = 13.8156(5) Å, β = 125.153(3)°, R[F
2 > 3σ(F
2)] = 0.040, 10500 F data, 226 parameters] is a polytypic structure. The major polytype is of a maximum degree of order (MDO) and makes up ≈87% of the investigated crystals. Reflections pertaining to the second MDO polytype and disordered domains resulting in diffuse scattering were also observed. Two equivalent descriptions according to order/disorder (OD) theory are given in terms of layers of two kinds and of layers of one kind. Whereas the former emphasizes a local symmetry increase compared to the symmetry of the polytypes, the latter is useful for the straightforward determination of the MDO polytypes. The layer choice is ambiguous because parts of the structure belong to more than two maximum equivalence regions (MERs). The 2.5-hydrate as well as the higher hydrated K2HAsO4 · 6 H2O [Cc, Z = 4, a = 9.1788(2) Å, b = 9.4179(3) Å, c = 12.5935(5) Å, β = 93.7840(10)°, R[F
2 > 3σ(F
2)] = 0.013, 4812 F data, 169 parameters] are composed of K+ cations with highly irregular coordination environments defined by O atoms from [AsO3(OH)]2– anions and water molecules. A complex hydrogen-bonded network between the constituents is observed for both structures.
Generalized Routes to Mesostructured Silicates with High Metal Content
Authors: Warren Scott C. , Perkins Matthew R. , Werner-Zwanziger Ulrike , Zwanziger Josef W. , DiSalvo Franics J. , Wiesner Ulrich
Published: November 2012

Nanostructured materials with high metal content are interesting for a number of applications, including catalysis as well as energy conversion and storage. Here we elaborate an approach that combines the advantages of simple silica sol-gel chemistry with the ability to tailor metal composition and structure by introducing a ligand that connects a silane with an amino acid or hydroxy acid. Reacting this ligand with a metal acetate generates a precursor for a range of metal-silica nanocomposites. Comparing this chemistry with conventional organic ligand-metal complexes that can be physically mixed into sol-gel derived silicates elucidates advantages, e.g. of going to high metal loadings. Resulting nanomaterials are characterized by a combination of small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to reveal structural characteristics on multiple lengths scales, i.e. from the microscopic (molecular) level (NMR) all the way to the mesoscale (SAXS) and macroscale (TEM).