bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Medical students and sun prevention: knowledge and behaviours in France
Authors: Isvy A. , Beauchet A. , Saiag P. , Mahé E.
Published: July 2012

Background  High sun exposure is a major risk factor of skin cancer, and physicians are first‐line players in a sun‐risk prevention campaign.

Objectives  To survey medical students at the end of their general medical education about their knowledge and behaviours concerning natural and artificial sun risk and its prevention.

Methods  A 32‐question survey was e‐mailed to fifth or sixth year medical school students or first‐year resident, attending residency‐exam preparatory courses in Paris.

Results  Among 1,374 students, 570 (41.7%) completed the questionnaires. General aspects of sun‐protection measures were known to >75% but responses to specific questions, mainly the impact of environmental conditions on sun risk, were frequently erroneous. Although most students declared using sunscreen and avoiding peak hours, 39% never or exceptionally (<1/year) performed skin self‐examination. Fewer than one‐third wore long sleeves or cap/hat in the sun, and tanning beds were used by 13.5%, but their regulations remained unknown by 30–68%.

Conclusion  The sixth year of medical school signals the end of non‐specialized training. Students’ results and practices were almost comparable to those of the French general population. Medical schools might not be providing adequate sun‐protection education programmes, perhaps diminishing the ability of future doctors to educate patients.
Methotrexate for treatment of lichen planus: old drug, new indication
Authors: Kanwar A.J. , De D.
Published: July 2012

Treatment of generalized lichen planus is often disappointing and is associated with relapses. Though reports have suggested a beneficial role of various immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory agents, most of these reports are retrospective series or anecdotes. Oral methotrexate has been found to be useful in recent studies. In this study, we prospectively evaluated the role of low‐dose oral methotrexate (15 mg/week in adults or 0.25 mg/kg/week for children) in generalized lichen planus. Mean improvement in 24 evaluated patients (two of them were of paediatric age group) at the end of 14 weeks of treatment was 79%. By the end of 24 weeks treatment, 14 of 24 (58%) patients had complete remission of their disease. Side effects were observed in 12 of 24 (50%) patients. Most of these adverse effects were mild; only one requiring treatment discontinuation due to significantly deranged liver function test. During post‐treatment follow‐up of 3 months, none had relapse of lichen planus. Overall, low‐ dose methotrexate is effective and reasonably safe option in treatment of eruptive lichen planus, provided haematological and biochemical parameters are regularly monitored.
Effects of Multisensory Environments on Stereotyped Behaviours Assessed as Maintained by Automatic Reinforcement
Authors: Hill Lindsay , Trusler Karen , Furniss Frederick , Lancioni Giulio
Published: July 2012

Background  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the sensory equipment provided in a multi‐sensory environment (MSE) and the level of social contact provided on levels of stereotyped behaviours assessed as being maintained by automatic reinforcement.

Method  Stereotyped and engaged behaviours of two young people with severe intellectual disabilities were observed while the participants were either in a living room or in a MSE and receiving either high or low levels of interaction from carers.

Results  For both participants, levels of stereotyped behaviour were lower in the MSE irrespective of the level of carer attention received, while levels of engagement were higher under conditions of high carer attention in both environments.

Conclusions  The results are consistent with the hypothesis that reductions in stereotyped behaviour observed in MSEs are due to the increased levels of specific sensory stimulation provided by such environments.
Explicit and implicit stigma towards peers with mental health problems in childhood and adolescence
Authors: O’Driscoll Claire , Heary Caroline , Hennessy Eilis , McKeague Lynn
Published: July 2012

Background:  Children and adolescents with mental health problems are widely reported to have problems with peer relationships; however, few studies have explored the way in which these children are regarded by their peers. For example, little is known about the nature of peer stigmatisation, and no published research has investigated implicit attitudes thus ensuring that stigma is not well understood. To address this issue, the current study explored patterns of explicit and implicit stigmatisation of peers with depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Methods:  The sample was 385 children (M = 10.21 years) and adolescents (M = 15.36 years). Participants completed a questionnaire assessing explicit stigma towards an age‐ and gender‐matched peer with ADHD or depression and another peer with ‘normal issues’ who were described in vignettes. They also completed a modified version of the Implicit Association Test (IAT) that explored implicit attitudes towards the target peers.

Results:  Questionnaire data indicated that the peer with ADHD was perceived more negatively than the peer with depression on all dimensions of stigma, except perceived dangerousness and fear. In contrast, the IAT findings suggest that some participants had more negative views of the peer with depression than the peer with ADHD. Specifically, the findings demonstrate that adolescent males demonstrated significantly stronger negative implicit evaluations of depression compared with younger males and adolescent females.

Conclusions:  Children and adolescents demonstrate stigmatising responses to peers with common mental health problems. The nature and extent of these responses depends on the type of problem and the type of measurement used. The findings highlight the importance of using both explicit and implicit measures of stigma.
Factors influencing scores on the social responsiveness scale
Authors: Hus Vanessa , Bishop Somer , Gotham Katherine , Huerta Marisela , Lord Catherine
Published: July 2012

Background:  The Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) is a parent‐completed screening questionnaire often used to measure autism spectrum disorders (ASD) severity. Although child characteristics are known to influence scores from other ASD‐symptom measures, as well as parent‐questionnaires more broadly, there has been limited consideration of how non‐ASD‐specific factors may affect interpretation of SRS scores. Previous studies have explored effects of behavior problems on SRS specificity, but have not addressed influences on the use of the SRS as a quantitative measure of ASD‐symptoms.

Method:  Raw scores (SRS‐Raw) from parent‐completed SRS were analyzed for 2,368 probands with ASD and 1,913 unaffected siblings. Regression analyses were used to assess associations between SRS scores and demographic, language, cognitive, and behavior measures.

Results:  For probands, higher SRS‐Raw were associated with greater non‐ASD behavior problems, higher age, and more impaired language and cognitive skills, as well as scores from other parent report measures of social development and ASD‐symptoms. For unaffected siblings, having more behavior problems predicted higher SRS‐Raw; male gender, younger age, and poorer adaptive social and expressive communication skills also showed small, but significant effects.

Conclusions:  When using the SRS as a quantitative phenotype measure, the influence of behavior problems, age, and expressive language or cognitive level on scores must be considered. If effects of non‐ASD‐specific factors are not addressed, SRS scores are more appropriately interpreted as indicating general levels of impairment, than as severity of ASD‐specific symptoms or social impairment. Additional research is needed to consider how these factors influence the SRS’ sensitivity and specificity in large, clinical samples including individuals with disorders other than ASD.
The effect of maternal fasting during Ramadan on preterm delivery: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Awwad J , Usta IM , Succar J , Musallam KM , Ghazeeri G , Nassar AH
Published: July 2012

Please cite this paper as: Awwad J, Usta I, Succar J, Musallam K, Ghazeeri G, Nassar A. The effect of maternal fasting during Ramadan on preterm delivery: a prospective cohort study. BJOG 2012;119:1379–1386.

Objective  To determine the effect of fasting during the month of Ramadan on the rate of preterm delivery (PTD).

Design  A prospective cohort study of women with singleton pregnancies who elected to fast and matched controls.

Setting  Four medical centres in Beirut, Lebanon.

Population  Women presenting for prenatal care (20–34 weeks of gestation) during the month of Ramadan, September 2008.

Methods  Data were collected prospectively. The frequency of PTD was evaluated in relation to the duration of fasting and the stage of gestation at the time of fasting.

Main outcome measures  The primary endpoint was the percentage of pregnant women who had PTD, defined as delivery before 37 completed weeks of gestation.

Results  A total of 468 women were approached, of whom 402 were included in the study. There were no differences in smoking history and employment. There was no difference in the proportion of women who had PTD at <37 weeks (10.4% versus 10.4%) or PTD at <32 weeks (1.5% versus 0.5%) in the Ramadan‐fasted group and the controls, respectively. The PTD rate was also similar in those who fasted before or during the third trimester. The mean birthweight was lower (3094 ± 467 g versus 3202 ± 473 g, P = 0.024) and the rate of ketosis and ketonuria was higher in the Ramadan‐fasted women. On multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis, fasting was not associated with an increased risk of PTD (odds ratio 0.72; 95% confidence interval 0.34–1.54; P = 0.397). The only factor that had a significant effect on the PTD rate was body mass index (odds ratio 0.43; 95% confidence interval 0.20–0.93; P = 0.033).

Conclusions  Fasting during the month of Ramadan does not seem to increase the baseline risk of preterm delivery in pregnant women regardless of the gestational age during which this practice is observed.
Inclusion in Israel: coping resources and job satisfaction as explanatory factors of stress in two cultural groups
Authors: Braun‐Lewensohn Orna
Published: July 2012

The aim of this study was to explore the differences between the two cultural groups of Jewish and Arab teachers on several variables and to analyse their link to stress. Specifically, I examined sense of coherence (SOC), sense of school community and job satisfaction among regular Jewish and Arab teachers in regular schools and classes who have special education students in their classes. Furthermore, I investigated how the different coping resources – SOC and sense of school community – explain the stress reactions of state anxiety and state anger directly and indirectly via job satisfaction and also the direct prediction of stress by job satisfaction.

Data were gathered from 634 Jewish and Arab teachers (80% Jews) who completed self‐report questionnaires that measured SOC, sense of community, employee satisfaction inventory, state anxiety and state anger.

Differences in SOC and sense of school community were found between the two groups such that Jews reported stronger SOC, and Arabs reported stronger sense of school community. Further differences were revealed in the links of the different coping resources to stress reactions. The results are discussed against the backdrop of cultural background and the salutogenic model.
Distribution of unionid freshwater mussels depends on the distribution of host fishes on a regional scale
Authors: Schwalb Astrid N. , Morris Todd J. , Mandrak Nicholas E. , Cottenie Karl
Published: July 2012

Aim

The successful conservation of endangered mussel communities requires, in part, a thorough understanding of the processes that shape their distribution. Therefore, we tested the prediction that (1) the distribution of host fishes explains a significant amount of variation in mussel community composition. In addition, because mussel distribution also depends on spatial processes and environmental variables, we predicted that (2) the distribution and community composition of mussels in Ontario varies across eight contiguous watersheds, flowing into three different basins of the Great Lakes (Huron, St. Clair and Erie); and (3) environmental variables also explain part of the mussel distribution.

Location

Watersheds in south‐western Ontario, North America, Great Lakes Region.

Methods

Existing data on the distribution of mussels and fishes, and environmental and spatial information were compiled. Variation partitioning with redundancy analysis was used to examine what proportion of the variation in mussels' community composition was explained by watershed (as a spatial component), environmental differences and host fish presence. Redundancy analysis for mussel abundances was used to illustrate the similarities in the distributions of mussels and fishes, and the association of differences in community composition of mussels among watersheds with certain mussel species and environmental variables.

Results

Host fish presence explained 44%, watershed identity 28% and environmental factors 23% of the variation in mussel species composition. However, much of the explained variation was shared among these components, and all three components together explained 55% of the total variation in species composition. Even after statistically eliminating the other explanatory variables, host fish distribution was the most important group of predictor variables, although we used a subset of relevant environmental variables because of the scale of the study.

Main conclusions

Our results highlight the important role played by host fishes in shaping current distributions of freshwater mussels and underscore the necessity of incorporating these relationships in conservation efforts and management actions.
The mitochondrial fluorescent dye rhodamine 123 is a high‐affinity substrate for organic cation transporters (OCTs) 1 and 2
Authors: Jouan Elodie , Le Vee Marc , Denizot Claire , Da Violante Georges , Fardel Olivier
Published: July 2012

Rhodamine 123 is a fluorescent cationic dye commonly used as a mitochondrial probe and known or suspected to be transported by certain drug membrane transporters. The present study was designed to characterize the putative interactions of rhodamine 123 with human organic cation transporter (OCT) 1 and OCT2. Intracellular uptake of the dye was demonstrated to be enhanced in both hOCT1‐ and hOCT2‐overexpressing HEK293 cells when compared with control HEK293 cells. This increase of rhodamine 123 influxes was found to be a saturable carrier‐mediated process, with low Km values (Km = 0.54 μm and Km = 0.61 μm for transport of the dye in hOCT1‐ and hOCT2‐positive HEK293 cells, respectively). Known inhibitors of hOCT1 and hOCT2 activities such as verapamil, amitriptyline, prazosin, and quinine were next demonstrated to decrease rhodamine 123 accumulation in hOCT1‐ and hOCT2‐overexpressing HEK293 cells. In addition, the dye was found to inhibit hOCT1‐ and hOCT2‐mediated uptake of tetraethylammonium (TEA), a model substrate for both hOCT1 and hOCT2; rhodamine 123 appeared nevertheless to be a more potent inhibitor of hOCT1‐mediated TEA transport (IC50 = 0.37 μm) than of that mediated by hOCT2 (IC50 = 61.5 μm). Taken together, these data demonstrate that rhodamine 123 is a high‐affinity substrate for both hOCT1 and hOCT2. This dye may be therefore useful for fluorimetrically investigating cellular hOCT1 or hOCT2 activity, knowing, however, that other factors potentially contributing to cellular accumulation of rhodamine 123, including mitochondrial membrane potential or expression of the efflux transporter P‐glycoprotein, have also to be considered.
The Information Content of Central Bank Interest Rate Projections: Evidence from New Zealand*
Authors: DETMERS GUNDA‐ALEXANDRA , NAUTZ DIETER
Published: July 2012

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) was the first central bank to publish interest rate projections as a tool for forward guidance of monetary policy. This paper provides new evidence on the information content of interest rate projections for market expectations about future short‐term rates before and during the financial crisis. While the information content of interest rate projections decreases with the forecast horizon in both periods, we find that their impact on market expectations has declined significantly since the outbreak of the crisis.
Curcumin promotes cardiac repair and ameliorates cardiac dysfunction following myocardial infarction
Authors: Wang Ning‐Ping , Wang Zhang‐Feng , Tootle Stephanie , Philip Tiji , Zhao Zhi‐Qing
Published: July 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Curcumin, the natural yellow pigment extracted from the rhizomes of the plant curcuma longa, has been demonstrated to exhibit a variety of potent beneficial effects, acting as an antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory and anti‐fibrotic. In this study we tested the hypothesis that curcumin attenuates maladaptive cardiac repair and improves cardiac function after ischaemia and reperfusion by reducing degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and inhibiting synthesis of collagens via TGFβ/Smad‐mediated signalling pathway.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Sprague‐Dawley rats were subjected to 45 min of ischaemia followed by 7, 21 and 42 days of reperfusion respectively. Curcumin was fed orally at a dose of 150 mg·kg−1·day−1 only during reperfusion.

KEY RESULTS Curcumin reduced the level of malondialdehyde, inhibited activity of MMPs, preserved ECM from degradation and attenuated collagen deposition, as it reduced the extent of collagen‐rich scar and increased mass of viable myocardium. In addition to reducing collagen synthesis and fibrosis in the ischaemic/reperfused myocardium, curcumin significantly down‐regulated the expression of TGFβ1 and phospho‐Smad2/3, and up‐regulated Smad7 and also increased the population of α‐smooth muscle actin expressing myofibroblasts within the infarcted myocardium relative to the control. Echocardiography showed it significantly improved left ventricular end‐diastolic volume, stroke volume and ejection fraction. The wall thickness of the infarcted middle anterior septum in the curcumin group was also greater than that in the control group.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Dietary curcumin is effective at inhibiting maladaptive cardiac repair and preserving cardiac function after ischaemia and reperfusion. Curcumin has potential as a treatment for patients who have had a heart attack.
redox status evaluation in dogs affected by mast cell tumour
Authors: Finotello R. , Pasquini A. , Meucci V. , Lippi I. , Rota A. , Guidi G. , Marchetti V.
Published: July 2012

Oxidative stress status has been evaluated in depth in human medicine and its role in carcinogenesis has been clearly established. The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate antioxidant concentrations and oxidative stress in dogs with mast cell tumours (MCTs) that had received no previous treatments, and to compare them to healthy controls. In 23 dogs with mast cell tumour and 10 healthy controls, oxidative status was assessed using the Reactive Oxygen Metabolites‐derived compounds (d‐ROMs) test, antioxidant activity was measured by the Biological Antioxidant Potential (BAP) test, and α‐tocopherol levels were evaluated using high‐performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet analysis. At baseline, dogs withMCThad significantly higher d‐ROMs(P < 0.00001) and lowerBAP(P < 0.0002) compared with healthy controls. However, no significant difference was observed for α‐tocopherol (P = 0.95). Results suggest that oxidative stress pattern and oxidative defence barrier are altered in dogs with newly diagnosedMCTcompared with control dogs. Future studies are needed in order to assess the prognostic role of oxidative stress and to evaluate the impact of different therapeutic approaches.
Chronologies of sedimentary changes in the southBohaiSea,China: constraints from luminescence and radiocarbon dating
Authors: Yi Liang , Lai Zhongping , Yu Hongjun , Xu Xingyong , Su Qiao , Yao Jing , Wang Xulong , Shi Xuefa
Published: July 2012

The alternation of terrestrial and marine deposits is an indicator of past environmental and sea‐level changes. The age of deposition is usually dated by means of radiocarbon. However, radiocarbon dates of molluscan shells from coastal areas may be complicated by various sources of carbon, and problematic for deposits of 40–50 ka or older. Herein, we apply the Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating method to date samples from terrestrial and marine/coastal sediments extracted from three cores in the southBohaiSea,China. Multiple‐ and single‐aliquot regenerative‐dose procedures usingOSLsignals from fine‐silt (4–11 μm), coarse‐silt (38–63 μm) and fine‐sand (63–90 or 90–125 μm) quartz were employed to determine the equivalent dose (De). The results showed that: (i)OSLages from quartz of different grain sizes and different protocols are consistent with each other; (ii) forHolocene samples, most of the radiocarbon dates agree well withOSLages; (iii) for pre‐Holocene samples, radiocarbon dates cluster at 40–5014CkaBP, whereasOSLages are in stratigraphic order from 11 ka to 176 ka. Because of the self‐consistency of the quartzOSLages, the stratigraphic agreement in the three cores, and the clustering of the radiocarbon dates, we suggest that the quartzOSLages are more reliable with respect to dating the samples from the southBohaiSea. Finally, the four marine strata identified in the southBohaiSea are likely to have formed during theHolocene, Marine Isotopic Stage (MIS) 3–5,MIS6 and probablyMIS7, respectively.
Ready Access to Illicit Drugs among Youth and Adult Users
Authors: Hadland Scott E. , Marshall Brandon D. L. , Kerr Thomas , Lai Calvin , Montaner Julio S. , Wood Evan
Published: July 2012

Background: Current drug‐control strategies in Canada focus funding and resources predominantly on drug law enforcement, often at the expense of preventive, treatment, and harm reduction efforts. This study aimed to examine the availability of the most commonly used substances in Vancouver, Canada after the implementation of such strategies. Methods: Using data from two large cohorts of drug‐using youth and adults in Vancouver from the calendar year 2007, we assessed perceived availability of heroin, crack, cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, and marijuana. Results: Compared to youth (n= 330), a greater proportion of adults (n= 1,160) reported immediate access (ie, within 10 minutes) to heroin (81.0% vs. 55.9%, p < .001), crack (90.4% vs. 69.3%, p < .001), and cocaine (83.7% vs. 61.1%, p < .001). Conversely, larger proportions of youth reported immediate access to crystal methamphetamine (62.8% vs. 39.4%, p < .001) and marijuana (88.4% vs. 73.2%, p < .001) compared to adult users. Conclusions: Regardless of differences in illicit drug availability by age, all drugs are readily accessed in Vancouver despite drug law enforcement efforts. This includes drugs that are frequently injected and place users at risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and transmission of other blood‐borne disease. (Am J Addict 2012;00: 1–3)
Changes in Size of Deforested Patches in the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: ROSA ISABEL M. D. , SOUZA CARLOS , EWERS ROBERT M.
Published: July 2012

Abstract:  Different deforestation agents, such as small farmers and large agricultural businesses, create different spatial patterns of deforestation. We analyzed the proportion of deforestation associated with different‐sized clearings in the Brazilian Amazon from 2002 through 2009. We used annual deforestation maps to determine total area deforested and the size distribution of deforested patches per year. The size distribution of deforested areas changed over time in a consistent, directional manner. Large clearings (>1000 ha) comprised progressively smaller amounts of total annual deforestation. The number of smaller clearings (6.25–50.00 ha) remained unchanged over time. Small clearings accounted for 73% of all deforestation in 2009, up from 30% in 2002, whereas the proportion of deforestation attributable to large clearings decreased from 13% to 3% between 2002 and 2009. Large clearings were concentrated in Mato Grosso, but also occurred in eastern Pará and in Rondônia. In 2002 large clearings accounted for 17%, 15%, and 10% of all deforestation in Mato Grosso, Pará, and Rondônia, respectively. Even in these states, where there is a highly developed agricultural business dominated by soybean production and cattle ranching, the proportional contribution of large clearings to total deforestation declined. By 2009 large clearings accounted for 2.5%, 3.5%, and 1% of all deforestation in Mato Grosso, Pará, and Rondônia, respectively. These changes in deforestation patch size are coincident with the implementation of new conservation policies by the Brazilian government, which suggests that these policies are not effectively reducing the number of small clearings in primary forest, whether these are caused by large landholders or smallholders, but have been more effective at reducing the frequency of larger clearings.
Invasive Lymphatic Malformation (Gorham‐Stout) of the Pelvis with Prominent Skin Involvement
Authors: Leite Inês , Hernández‐Martín Angela , Colmenero Isabel , López‐Gutiérrez Juan C. , Torrelo Antonio
Published: July 2012

Abstract:  Gorham‐Stout syndrome is a rare disease characterized by progressive osteolysis leading to disappearance of the bone. Vascular proliferations have been implicated in the pathogenesis of this syndrome. The case of a 7‐year‐old girl with a prominent invasive lymphatic malformation on the lumbosacral area and massive osteolysis of the pelvic girdle is reported.
The Management of Infantile Extravasation Injury Using Maternal Platelet‐Rich Plasma
Authors: Lee Hyun‐Ju , Kwon Soon‐Hyo , Choi Jae‐Woo , Park Kyoung‐Chan , Youn Sang‐Woong , Huh Chang‐Hun , Na Jung‐Im
Published: July 2012

Abstract:  Accidental leakage of infusions into surrounding tissue is an adverse event that commonly occurs in preterm infants in the intensive care unit. Although most of these extravasations do not cause severe damage, a small number progress to tissue necrosis, and extensive tissue loss can sometimes occur. Platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) consists of a high concentration of platelets in a small volume of plasma and can be prepared easily from peripheral blood. Its wound healing effect is well known. We report the successful healing of extensive tissue necrosis with maternal PRP and suggest that the application of maternal PRP may be an easy and effective treatment option for infant wound management in selected cases that merits further investigation.
Vegetation and Soil Development in Compost‐Amended Iron Oxide Precipitates at a 50‐Year‐Old Acid Mine Drainage Barrens
Authors: Lupton Mary Kay , Rojas Claudia , Drohan Patrick , Bruns Mary Ann
Published: July 2012

Acid mine drainage (AMD) barrens result from destruction of vegetation within AMD flow paths. When exposed to air, soluble iron in AMD undergoes oxidation and hydrolysis to form ferric iron (oxyhydr)oxides which accumulate on soil surfaces. A restoration experiment was conducted at a 50‐year‐old AMD barrens created by discharge from an abandoned underground coal mine. The objective was to determine whether vegetation could be established by altering rather than removing surface layers of acidic precipitates at a site representative of other mining‐degraded areas. Three zones in the barrens were identified based on moisture content, pH (2.7–3.3), and thickness of precipitates (0–35 cm). Our hypothesis was that application of the same reclamation method to all zones would fail to sustain >70% vegetative cover in each zone after four growing seasons. The method consisted of applying 11 t/ha lime and 27 or 54 t/ha compost before rototilling (top 15 cm) and mulching with oat straw containing viable seeds for a nurse crop. Lime‐only plots were included for comparison, and all amended plots were sown with a mine reclamation seed mix. Oats, sown species, and indigenous species dominated cover in the first, second, and fourth growing seasons, respectively. In the fourth year following reclamation, compost‐amended plots had >70% cover and improved soil properties in all three zones, providing evidence to reject our hypothesis. Vegetative restoration of AMD barrens did not require removal of highly acidic precipitates, since they could be transformed at low‐cost into a medium that supports indigenous plants.
Rewilding the Scottish Highlands: Do Wild Boar, Sus scrofa, Use a Suitable Foraging Strategy to be Effective Ecosystem Engineers?
Authors: Sandom Christopher J. , Hughes Joelene , Macdonald David W.
Published: July 2012

Ecosystem engineers are increasingly being reintroduced to restore ecological processes in restoration and rewilding projects. To predict and adaptively manage the impact of such species their behavioral ecology must be understood and quantified. Rooting behavior by wild boar qualifies them as ecosystem engineers due to their impact on vegetation disturbance regimes. The behavioral foraging ecology of wild boar was quantified in a fenced area in the Scottish Highlands in order to provide some of the understanding necessary to predict their ability to affect ecosystem restoration. Five wild boar were monitored within a 125 ha fenced area using Global Positioning System (GPS) collars and behavioral monitoring over a 12‐month period. Their activity budget, the relationship between foraging behavior and vegetation communities, and how these relationships vary between seasons was investigated. The results indicate that wild boar invested approximately four more hours daily to rooting during the autumn and winter than the spring and summer. During the spring and summer, grazing was the dominant foraging behavior (approximately 28% of foraging period) while rooting dominated in autumn and winter (approximately 76% of foraging period). Deep rooting behavior is particularly associated with bracken‐dominated communities. Associations between rooting, vegetation community, and season will have a strong influence on the spatial and temporal distribution of rooting behavior. This variation could have important implications for the impacts of boar on vegetation community dynamics. These results detail some of wild boar's ecosystem engineering behaviors; however, further research is required to consider the wider impacts of a full reintroduction.
Planting Design Effects on Avian Seed Dispersers in a Tropical Forest Restoration Experiment
Authors: Lindell Catherine A. , Reid John Leighton , Cole Rebecca J.
Published: July 2012

Seed dispersal often limits tropical forest regeneration and animals disperse most rainforest tree seeds. This presents two important questions for restoration ecologists: (1) which animals are common seed dispersers? and (2) which restoration techniques attract them? Fourteen restoration sites were planted with four tree species in three designs, (1) controls (no planting, natural regeneration) (2) islands (trees planted in small patches), and (3) plantations (trees planted continuously over a large patch). We sampled birds in November, February, and April 2007–2008 with mist nets, in February and July 2009 with observations, and in July 2008 with both techniques. We documented 30 seed species from fecal samples of captured birds. All identified seed species were early‐successional forms. Four tanager species, three thrushes, two saltators, two flycatchers, and one finch were categorized as common seed dispersers, based on their high likelihood of dispersing seeds. Common dispersers were generalist species with small gape widths (<15 mm). Common dispersers were captured significantly more often in plantations than controls in most seasons and more often in plantations than islands during one season. Common disperser observations were significantly greater in plantations than controls during two periods and in plantations compared with islands in one period. Results indicate that plantation‐style planting is the conservative strategy to maximize attractiveness to common dispersers in tropical restoration sites. Island planting is an alternative when resources are limited although disperser activity may be lower in some seasons than in plantations. Additional research should investigate how to attract large, forest‐associated dispersers.
Cigarette Smoke Exposure Greatly Increases Alcohol Consumption in Adolescent C57BL/6 Mice
Authors: Burns Benjamin E. , Proctor William R.
Published: July 2012

Background

Alcohol and tobacco are often used together, and alcoholism is much more common among smokers compared with nonsmokers. Studies in humans suggest that nicotine (an active ingredient in cigarette smoke) can increase the consumption of alcohol. Research on rats and mice demonstrated mixed results; some studies report that nicotine increases alcohol consumption, while others show a decrease in drinking. Because cigarette smoke includes many other chemicals, these also may play a significant role in alcohol consumption. For example, 2 of these other constituents, monoamine oxidase inhibitors and acetaldehyde, increase alcohol tolerance and/or alcohol consumption in rodents. This study was designed to investigate how cigarette smoke from tobacco may modify self‐administration of alcohol in adolescent C57BL/6 mice, a critical time when adolescent humans begin abusing drugs.

Methods

C57BL/6 male mice (4 to 5 weeks old) were acclimated for 3 weeks to consume a 10% (w/v) alcohol solution during a 2‐hour daily access in the dark. Subsequently, half the animals were exposed to cigarette smoke for 6 h/d for 16 days. The remaining animals (control) were placed in a smoke‐free adjacent chamber. Immediately following the 6‐hour period in the chambers, the control and smoke‐exposed mice were given access to the 10% alcohol solution for 2 hours.

Results

Animals exposed to cigarette smoke for 6 h/d consumed approximately 3‐ to 5‐fold more alcohol than the mice in the control group throughout the 16‐day study. The mice in the smoke group had a blood alcohol concentration that was nearly 4‐fold that of the control mice.

Conclusions

Cigarette smoke increases alcohol consumption several fold higher than reported studies using nicotine treatment alone in adolescent rodents. Thus, this model should be useful to determine the roles of other bioactive components in cigarette smoke that may be important in the high co‐abuse of smoking and alcohol consumption.
Electrocardiographic Diagnosis of Biventricular Pacing in Patients with Nonapical Right Ventricular Leads
Authors: JASTRZEBSKI MAREK , KUKLA PIOTR , FIJOREK KAMIL , SONDEJ TOMASZ , CZARNECKA DANUTA
Published: July 2012

Background:
 Assessment of left ventricular (LV) capture is of paramount importance in patients with biventricular (BiV) pacing. Our goal was to identify electrocardiographic features that differentiate between BiV and right ventricular (RV)‐only pacing in patients with nonapical RV leads.

Methods:
 The study enrolled 300 consecutive patients with BiV devices and nonapical RV leads, and obtained from them 558 electrocardiograms with either BiV pacing (n = 300) or RV‐only pacing (n = 258). RV pacing served as a surrogate for loss of LV capture. Electrocardiograms from the first 150 patients were used to identify BiV‐specific features, and to construct an algorithm to differentiate between BiV and RV‐only pacing. Electrocardiograms from the second 150 patients were used to validate the algorithm.

Results:
 The following electrocardiographic features typical of BiV pacing were identified: QS in lead V6 (specificity = 98.7%, sensitivity = 54.7%), dominant R in lead V1 (specificity = 100%, sensitivity = 23.3%), q in lead V6 (specificity = 96%, sensitivity = 22.7%), and a QRS < 160 ms (specificity = 100%, sensitivity = 66.0%). The algorithm based on those features was found to have an overall diagnostic accuracy of 95.0%, a specificity of 96.0%, and a sensitivity of 93.5%.

Conclusions:
 The study identified QRS features that were very specific for BiV pacing in patients with nonapical RV leads. Sequential arrangement of those features resulted in an algorithm that was very accurate for differentiating between BiV pacing and loss of LV capture. (PACE 2012; 35:1199–1208)
Safety and Long‐Term Outcome of Modified Intracardiac Echocardiography‐Assisted “No‐Balloon” Sizing Technique for Transcatheter Closure of Ostium Secundum Atrial Septal Defect
Authors: RIGATELLI GIANLUCA , DELL'AVVOCATA FABIO , CARDAIOLI PAOLO , GIORDAN MASSIMO , DUNG HO THUONG , NGHIA NGUYEN THUONG , DAGGUBATI RAMESH , NANJIUNDAPPA ARAVINDA
Published: July 2012

Background:
 The need for sizing the secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) with the balloon sizing technique is still debated at least in adult patients. We sought to prospectively evaluate the effectiveness of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE)‐aided sizing technique for transcatheter closure of secundum ASD, without using a balloon sizing.

Methods:
 In a prospective 5‐year registry, we enrolled 81 patients (mean age 48 ± 13.7 years, 54 females) who had been referred to three different centers for catheter‐based closure of secundum ASD. Eligible patients underwent ICE study and closure attempt. In a preliminary group of 21 patients, sizing balloon was performed under ICE guidance to assess the value of rim thickness necessary for device anchorage. In the remaining 60 patients, the retrieved value of the rim thickness was measured on ICE and used as key points to measure the defect and select the device.

Results:
 In the preliminary group of patients, the value of thickness at point of initial deflection by the balloon was 1.23 ± 0.1 mm. ASD diameter in the study group was measured at the point of rim with at least 1.2 mm and the mean ASD diameter was 26.2 ± 10.1 mm. Rates of procedural success, predischarge occlusion, and major complications rate were 100%, 93.3%, and 0%, respectively. On mean follow‐up of 5.4 ± 1.8 years, the occlusion rate was 98.7% with no long‐term complications.

Conclusions:
 Our novel ICE‐sizing technique appears to be safe and effective in adult patients, thus eventually minimizing overestimation, costs, and potential complications of balloon sizing. (J Interven Cardiol 2012;25:628–634)
Interventional Catheterization after Total Cavopulmonary Connection: Experience in 68 Patients
Authors: AGNOLETTI GABRIELLA , BORDESE ROBERTO , CORLETO ANTONELLA , GABBARINI FULVIO , MARINI DAVIDE
Published: July 2012

Background:
 Total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) is performed in patients having a single ventricle to allow the passive flow of systemic venous blood to the lungs. Interventional catheterization is needed to treat residual defects or complications.

Aims:
 We discuss our results concerning 68 patients who had had TCPC from January 1995 to December 2010.

Methods:
 Initial and follow‐up catheterization data were reviewed retrospectively. Mid‐term results were evaluated by means of angiography and/or CT scan.

Results:
 Mean age at TCPC was 5 years (2.5–18); mean interval between TCPC and catheterization was 5.6 years (1.5–15). Sixty‐nine catheterizations were performed in 53 patients. Eleven patients (21%) had low venous pressure, did not display a right‐to‐left shunt, and did not need any intervention. Fifteen patients (28%) had low venous pressure and only needed the closure of the fenestration. The remaining 27 patients (51%) needed the following interventions: embolization of venous vessels prompting right‐to‐left shunt (n = 15), stenting or reconnection of pulmonary arteries (n = 5), stenting or recanalization of systemic veins (n = 11), other procedures (n = 5). In 3 patients the fenestration could not be closed due to high venous pressure. After the interventions oxygen saturation increased from 90.5%± 4.8% to 94.7%± 3.6% (P = 0.002).

Conclusions:
 Our data show that 49% of patients with TCPC are in good condition late after surgery. However, half of these patients continue to need interventions generally aimed at suppressing stenoses at various levels of TCPC or at occluding vessels prompting right‐to‐left shunt. This population should enter a multicenter program aimed at identifying patients at risk. (J Interven Cardiol 2012;25:622–627)
Chile's Criminal Law Reform: Enhancing Defendants' Rights and Citizen Security
Authors: Tiede Lydia Brashear
Published: July 2012

Many democratic governments in Latin America have implemented broad judicial reforms, some of which are aimed at making criminal law and legal institutions more transparent and modern. Although such reforms are important for democratic development, scholars debate whether the reforms result in more rights for defendants and whether they jeopardize citizens' perceptions about security. Using two original datasets and a fixed-effects model, this study shows that groundbreaking criminal law reforms in Chile have improved certain aspects of defendants' rights by decreasing the number of individuals in pretrial detention. Chileans' perceptions about crime and violence in regions where the reforms were implemented also have improved. Chile's success appears to be due to the government's commitment to the reforms, as well as to concerted and consistent efforts by the police to fight crime. These results have implications for other countries implementing similar significant reforms.
Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Paramecium (Viridoparamecium nov. subgen.) chlorelligerum Kahl (Ciliophora)
Authors: Kreutz Martin , Stoeck Thorsten , Foissner Wilhelm
Published: July 2012

We redescribe Paramecium chlorelligerum, a forgotten species, which Kahl (Tierwelt Dtl., 1935, 30:651) briefly but precisely described in the addendum to his ciliate monographs as a Paramecium with symbiotic green algae. The redescription is based on classical morphological methods and the analysis of the small subunit (SSU) rDNA. Morphologically, P. chlorelligerum differs from P. (C.) bursaria, the second green species in the genus, by having a special swimming shape, the length of the caudal cilia, the size of the micronucleus, the size of the symbiotic algae, the contractile vacuoles (with collecting vesicles vs. collecting canals), and the number of excretory pores/contractile vacuole (1 vs. 2–3). The molecular investigations show that P. chlorelligerum forms a distinct branch distant from the P. (Chloroparamecium) bursaria clade. Thus, we classify P. chlorelligerum in a new subgenus: Paramecium (Viridoparamecium) chlorelligerum. The symbiotic alga belongs to the little‐known genus Meyerella, as yet recorded only from the plankton of a North American lake.
A highly sensitive and specific qPCR assay for quantification of the biomarker SOX11 in mantle cell lymphoma
Authors: Hamborg Kristiane Hornung , Bentzen Hans Herluf Nørregaard , Grubach Lykke , Hokland Peter , Nyvold Charlotte Guldborg
Published: July 2012

Objectives

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is one of the most heterogeneous lymphoid neoplasms with a variable course of disease. Although t(11;14)(q13;q32) is the hallmark of MCL resulting in cyclin D1 (CCND1) overexpression in 90% of patients, this is difficult to validate by immunohistochemistry. We hypothesised that SOX11 could be a robust molecular biomarker for MCL.

Methods

We have developed very sensitive and specific RT‐qPCR assay employing a poly‐A specific RT primer to circumvent contamination from gDNA caused by the intron‐less nature of SOX11.

Results

We found a significant difference between the expression levels of SOX11 in patients with MCL at diagnosis (n = 21) and in healthy donors (n = 18) (blood: P < 0.0001; marrow: P = 0.0001). SOX11 expression of very low levels close to the assay sensitivity was detected in only 2 of 18 healthy donors, while low levels of CCND1 expression was observed in all blood and 12 of 13 marrow samples within the defined detection limit of Cq = 40. In spiking experiments of the GRANTA‐519 MCL cell line into mononuclear cells from normal donor, the sensitivity of the SOX11 assay was found to be 2 × 10−4, while the sensitivity of the CCND1 assay was estimated to 2 × 10−3 because of the normal background expression. In longitudinal sampling from patients with MCL the minimal residual disease (MRD) values based on the SOX11 expression mirrored the clinical disease development.

Conclusion

This SOX11 RT‐qPCR assay could be a useful tool for MRD monitoring in patients with MCL.
Acute behavioral effects of nicotine in male and female HINT1 knockout mice
Authors: Jackson K. J. , Wang J. B. , Barbier E. , Chen X. , Damaj M. I.
Published: July 2012

Human genetic association and brain expression studies, and mouse behavioral and molecular studies implicate a role for the histidine triad nucleotide‐binding protein 1 (HINT1) in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety. The high comorbidity between smoking and psychiatric disorders, schizophrenia in particular, is well established. Associations with schizophrenia and HINT1 are also sex specific, with effects more predominant in males; however, it is unknown if sex differences associated with the gene extend to other phenotypes. Thus, in this study, using a battery of behavioral tests, we elucidated the role of HINT1 in acute nicotine‐mediated behaviors using male and female HINT1 wild‐type (+/+) and knockout (−/−) mice. The results show that male HINT1 −/− mice were less sensitive to acute nicotine‐induced antinociception in the tail‐flick, but not hot‐plate test. At low nicotine doses, male and female HINT1 −/− mice were less sensitive to nicotine‐induced hypomotility, although the effect was more pronounced in females. Baseline differences in locomotor activity observed in male HINT1 +/+ and −/− mice were absent in females. Nicotine did not produce an anxiolytic effect in male HINT1 −/− mice, but rather an anxiogenic response. Diazepam also failed to induce an anxiolytic response in these mice, suggesting a general anxiety phenotype not specific to nicotine. Differences in anxiety‐like behavior were not observed in female mice. These results further support a role for HINT1 in nicotine‐mediated behaviors and suggest that alterations in the gene may have differential effects on phenotype in males and females.
Predicting Securities Fraud Settlements and Amounts: A Hierarchical Bayesian Model of Federal Securities Class Action Lawsuits
Authors: McShane Blakeley B. , Watson Oliver P. , Baker Tom , Griffith Sean J.
Published: July 2012

This article develops models that predict the incidence and amount of settlements for federal class action securities fraud litigation in the post‐PLSRA period. We build hierarchical Bayesian models using data that come principally from Riskmetrics and identify several important predictors of settlement incidence (e.g., the number of different types of securities associated with a case, the company return during the class period) and settlement amount (e.g., market capitalization, measures of newsworthiness). Our models also allow us to estimate how the circuit court a case is filed in as well as the industry of the plaintiff firm associate with settlement outcomes. Finally, they allow us to accurately assess the variance of individual case outcomes revealing substantial amounts of heterogeneity in variance across cases.