bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Baylor SBIRT Medical Residency Training Program: Model Description and Initial Evaluation
Authors: Bray James H. , Kowalchuk Alicia , Waters Vicki , Laufman Larry , Shilling Elizabeth H.
Published: June 2012

The Baylor College of Medicine SBIRT Medical Residency Training Program is a multilevel project that trains residents and faculty in evidenced-based screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) methods for alcohol and substance use problems. This paper describes the training program and provides initial evaluation after the first year of the project. The program was successfully incorporated into the residency curricula in family medicine, internal medicine, and psychiatry. Initial evaluations indicate a high degree of satisfaction with the program and, despite a slight decrease in satisfaction scores, participants remained satisfied with the program after 30 days. Implementation barriers, solutions, and future directions of the program are discussed.
Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) for Alcohol and Other Drug Use among Adolescents: Evaluation of a Pediatric Residency Curriculum
Authors: Ryan Sheryl A. , Martel Shara , Pantalon Michael , Martino Steve , Tetrault Jeanette , Thung Stephen F. , Bernstein Steven L. , Auinger Peggy , Green Michael L. , Fiellin David A. , O'Connor Patrick G. , D'Onofrio Gail
Published: June 2012

The objective of this study was to evaluate the integration of a screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) curriculum for alcohol and other drug use into a pediatric residency program. Pediatric and medicine/pediatric residents in an adolescent medicine rotation located in an urban teaching hospital participated in the study. Main outcome measures were pre- and post-training knowledge scores, performance of the Brief Negotiation Interview (BNI), training satisfaction, and adoption of the BNI into clinical practice. Thirty-four residents were trained. Significant pre- to post-training improvements were seen in knowledge scores ( P < .001) and performance as measured by the BNI Adherence Scale ( P < .001). Residents reported high satisfaction immediately post-training and at 30 days on a 1–5 Likert scale: mean 1.41 to 1.59 (1 = very satisfied) ( P = 0.23). Over a 9-month period, 53% of residents documented performing at least 1 BNI, of which 2/3 reported ≥2 BNIs in a subsequent clinical setting. The results show that integrating a SBIRT curriculum into a pediatric residency program increases residents’ knowledge and skills.
Partial Replacement of Fishmeal with Soybean Meal and Soy Protein Concentrate in Diets of Atlantic Cod
Authors: Colburn Heidi R , Walker Abigail B , Breton Timothy S , Stilwell Justin M , Sidor Inga F , Gannam Ann L , Berlinsky David L
Published: June 2012

Juvenile Atlantic cod Gadus morhua (initial weight = 24.1 ± 1.4 g [mean ± SE) were fed diets in which fish meal (FM) was replaced with soy protein concentrate (SPC) and soybean meal (SBM) in isonitrogenous, isocaloric diets for 84 d. A standard marine finfish diet (3 mm, 54% protein, 14% fat) was modified to produce four experimental diets in which 50% of FM was replaced with soy at 0:1, 1:1, or 1:2 ratios of SPC:SBM and 100% FM replacement with a 1:1 ratio of SPC:SBM. No differences in mortality or feed intake were detected among treatments, and fish fed the 50% FM replacement diets, in any combination, grew as well or better than the control for all variables investigated. Cod fed the 100% FM replacement diet exhibited the lowest growth and differed from the control with respect to final body weight, growth, specific growth rate, and thermal-unit growth coefficient. No enteritis was observed in histological sections. These results indicate that 100% fish meal replacement is not recommended, but 50% replacement can be used without significant reductions in growth or condition indices.
A Submersible Magnetic Stirrer for Use in Measuring Photosynthesis in a Biofloc Technology Production System
Authors: Green Bartholomew W , O’Neal E Gregory
Published: June 2012

Measuring photosynthesis or primary productivity in biofloc technology production systems is challenging because the biofloc must be maintained in suspension constantly. Photosynthesis can be measured in external incubators designed to keep the biofloc suspended in the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) bottle, but primary productivity must be measured in the biofloc technology production system culture unit. Therefore, a submersible device is required to keep the biofloc suspended in the BOD bottle. This report details a submersible, air-powered magnetic stirrer that we designed, fabricated from off-the-shelf materials, and tested in biofloc technology production system tanks.
Book Reviews
Authors: HIRSCHY Norm
Published: June 2012

The Essential Journal of Scholarly Publishing: Critical Insights Into the World of Scholarly Publishing, Vol. 1: University Presses Edited by Albert N. Greco Toronto, University of Toronto Press, 2011, 230pp. ISBN: 978‐1‐4426‐1243‐3, Can$35.00 (pbk); 978‐1‐4426‐6092‐2, Can$30.00 (online)
Leptin, a tool of parasites?
Authors: Lõhmus Mare , Moalem Sharon , Björklund Mats
Published: June 2012

One common physiological phenomenon that is involved both in infectious and in malignant processes is the reduction in appetite: disease anorexia. An increase in plasma levels of leptin with inflammation is thought to be involved in this process. However, from an evolutionary perspective, in certain cases, it would be more adaptive for an internal parasite to stimulate the appetite of the host instead of causing its suppression. We tested whether a parasitic infection with the larvae of the helminth parasite
Taenia taeniaformis
affects the levels of appetite-regulating proteins, such as leptin, ghrelin and neuropeptide-Y (NPY) in wild yellow-necked mouse (
Apodemus flavicollis
). We found that infected mice had lower plasma levels of leptin and increased levels of NPY than the uninfected subjects. Ghrelin levels were not associated with the occurrence of the parasites; however, these levels strongly correlated with the levels of NPY. This study suggests a possible manipulation by parasitic larvae of appetite regulation in infected subjects.
Existence of affine realizations for Lévy term structure models
Authors: Tappe Stefan
Published: June 2012

We investigate the existence of affine realizations for term structure models driven by Lévy processes. It turns out that we obtain more severe restrictions on the volatility than in the classical diffusion case without jumps. As special cases, we study constant direction volatilities and the existence of short-rate realizations.
Frequency response of ice streams
Authors: Williams C. Rosie , Hindmarsh Richard C. A. , Arthern Robert J.
Published: June 2012

Changes at the grounding line of ice streams have consequences for inland ice dynamics and hence sea level. Despite substantial evidence documenting upstream propagation of frontal change, the mechanisms by which these changes are transmitted inland are not well understood. In this vein, the frequency response of an idealized ice stream to periodic forcing in the downstream strain rate is examined for basally and laterally resisted ice streams using a one-dimensional, linearized membrane stress approximation. This reveals two distinct behavioural branches, which we find to correspond to different mechanisms of upstream velocity and thickness propagation, depending on the forcing frequency. At low frequencies (centennial to millennial periods), slope and thickness covary hundreds of kilometres inland, and the shallow-ice approximation is sufficient to explain upstream propagation, which occurs through changes in grounding-line flow and geometry. At high frequencies (decadal to sub-decadal periods), penetration distances are tens of kilometres; while velocity adjusts rapidly to such forcing, thickness varies little and upstream propagation occurs through the direct transmission of membrane stresses. Propagation properties vary significantly between 29 Antarctic ice streams considered. A square-wave function in frontal stress is explored by summing frequency solutions, simulating some aspects of the dynamical response to sudden ice-shelf change.
Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of the GhKCH2 motor domain: alteration of pH significantly improved the quality of the crystals
Authors: Qin Xinghua , Chen Ziwei , Xu Tao , Li Ping , Liu Guoqin
Published: June 2012

GhKCH2, a member of the kinesin superfamily, is a plant-specific microtubule-dependent motor protein from cotton with the ability to bind to both microtubules and microfilaments. Here, the motor domain of GhKCH2 (GhKCH2MD; amino acids 371–748) was overexpressed inEscherichia coli, purified and crystallized using the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method. The pH of the crystallization buffer was shown to have a significant effect on the crystal morphology and diffraction quality. The crystals belonged to space groupP212121, with unit-cell parametersa= 60.7,b= 78.6,c= 162.8 Å, α = β = γ = 90°. The Matthews coefficient and solvent content were calculated as 2.27 Å3 Da−1and 45.87%, respectively. X-ray diffraction data for GhKCH2MD were collected on beamline BL17U1 at Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility and processed to 2.8 Å resolution.
Cloning, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction crystallographic study of acyl-protein thioesterase 1 fromSaccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Yuan Ye , Wang Xiao , Li Xu , Teng Maikun , Niu Liwen , Gao Yongxiang
Published: June 2012

Palmitoylation/depalmitoylation plays an important role in protein modification. yApt1 is the only enzyme inSaccharomyces cerevisiaethat catalyses depalmitoylation. In the present study, recombinant full-length yApt1 was cloned, expressed, purified and crystallized. The crystals diffracted to 2.40 Å resolution and belonged to space groupP42212, with unit-cell parametersa = b = 146.43,c = 93.29 Å. A preliminary model of the three-dimensional structure has been built and further refinement is ongoing.
Purification, crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of the adhesion domain of Epf fromStreptococcus pyogenes
Authors: Linke Christian , Siemens Nikolai , Middleditch Martin J. , Kreikemeyer Bernd , Baker Edward N.
Published: June 2012

The extracellular protein Epf fromStreptococcus pyogenesis important for streptococcal adhesion to human epithelial cells. However, Epf has no sequence identity to any protein of known structure or function. Thus, several predicted domains of the 205 kDa protein Epf were cloned separately and expressed inEscherichia coli. The N-terminal domain of Epf was crystallized in space groupsP21andP212121in the presence of the protease chymotrypsin. Mass spectrometry showed that the species crystallized corresponded to a fragment comprising residues 52–357 of Epf. Complete data sets were collected to 2.0 and 1.6 Å resolution, respectively, at the Australian Synchrotron.
Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of an ice-binding protein (FfIBP) fromFlavobacterium frigorisPS1
Authors: Do Hackwon , Lee Jun Hyuck , Lee Sung Gu , Kim Hak Jun
Published: June 2012

Ice growth in a cold environment is fatal for polar organisms, not only because of the physical destruction of inner cell organelles but also because of the resulting chemical damage owing to processes such as osmotic shock. The properties of ice-binding proteins (IBPs), which include antifreeze proteins (AFPs), have been characterized and IBPs exhibit the ability to inhibit ice growth by binding to specific ice planes and lowering the freezing point. An ice-binding protein (FfIBP) from the Gram-negative bacteriumFlavobacterium frigorisPS1, which was isolated from the Antarctic, has recently been overexpressed. Interestingly, the thermal hysteresis activity of FfIBP was approximately 2.5 K at 50 µM, which is ten times higher than that of the moderately active IBP from Arctic yeast (LeIBP). Although FfIBP closely resembles LeIBP in its amino-acid sequence, the antifreeze activity of FfIBP appears to be much greater than that of LeIBP. In an effort to understand the reason for this difference, an attempt was made to solve the crystal structure of FfIBP. Here, the crystallization and X-ray diffraction data of FfIBP are reported. FfIBP was crystallized using the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method with 0.1 Msodium acetate pH 4.4 and 3 Msodium chloride as precipitant. A complete diffraction data set was collected to a resolution of 2.9 Å. The crystal belonged to space groupP4122, with unit-cell parametersa=b= 69.4,c= 178.2 Å. The asymmetric unit contained one monomer.
Influence of loxP insertion upstream of the cis‐acting packaging domain on adenovirus packaging efficiency
Authors: Kanegae Yumi , Ishimura Masakazu , Kondo Saki , Saito Izumu
Published: June 2012

First‐generation AdV enables efficient gene transduction, although its immunogenicity is an important problem in vivo. Helper‐dependent AdV (HD‐AdV) is one possible solution to this problem. The construction of HD‐AdV requires a helper virus, in which the viral packaging domain is flanked by two inserted loxP to hamper its packaging in Cre‐expressing 293 cells. Here, we constructed 19L viruses containing loxP at 191 nt from the left end of the genome upstream of the packaging domain, 15L viruses bearing loxP at 143 nt, and a control ΔL virus lacking loxP at these positions. The 19L position is used worldwide, and the 15L position has been reported to result in a lower titer than that of 19L. When the titers were compared for six pairs of 19L and 15L AdV, the 19L AdV produced titers similar to, or sometimes lower than, the 15L and ΔL AdV, unlike the results of previous reports. We next chose one pair of 15L and 19L AdV that produced titers similar to that of ΔL and a competitor AdV lacking loxP for use in a competition assay. When a small amount of the competitor AdV was co‐infected, both the 15L and the 19L AdV, but not ΔL, gradually became minority components during subsequent viral passages. Therefore, the loxP insertions at 143 nt and 191 nt decreased the viral packaging efficiency.
Expression of 11β‐Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 and Glucocorticoid Receptors in Reproductive Tissue of Male Horses at Different Stages of Sexual Maturity
Authors: Herrera‐Luna CV , Budik S , Helmreich M , Walter I , Aurich C
Published: June 2012

Contents

Glucocorticoids (GCs) as mediators of the stress response may affect Leydig cell function by inhibiting either luteinizing hormone receptor expression or testosterone biosynthesis. The isozymes 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11βHSD) 1 and 11βHSD2 control the intracellular cortisol levels. Little is known about the effects of stress on fertility in the equine. The objective of the present study was to determine the presence and cellular localization of glucocorticoid receptors (GCR) and glucocorticoid‐metabolizing enzymes (11βHSD1 and 11βHSD2) in equine epididymal and testicular tissue with special regard to sexual maturation. Testicular and epididymal tissue was collected from 21 healthy stallions, and four age groups were designed: pre‐pubertal, young, mature and older horses. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis and quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR) were used. Pre‐pubertal horses showed higher testicular gene expression of 11βHSD1, 11βHSD2 and GCR than horses of all other groups (p < 0.05). A positive intranuclear immunoreaction for GCR was seen in epithelial cells of caput, corpus and cauda epididymidis and in Leydig cells. Significant differences (p < 0.05) between age groups occurred. The number of Leydig cells staining positive for GCR was highest in immature stallions (p < 0.05). The enzyme 11βHSD1 was localized in epithelial cells of the caput and corpus epididymidis and in Leydig cells. As determined by enzyme assay, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)‐dependant dehydrogenase (oxidation) activity was not detected in testicular tissue from immature stallions but in all other age groups (n = 3 per group). Results of this study suggest a contribution of GCs to maturation of male reproductive tissue in horses. In mature stallions, expression of 11βHSD enzymes and the oxidative 11βHSD activity in Leydig cells and epididymal basal and principal cells suggest a protective role on these tissues contributing to physiological intracellular glucocorticoid concentrations.
Tiron protects against UVB‐induced senescence‐like characteristics in human dermal fibroblasts by the inhibition of superoxide anion production and glutathione depletion
Authors: Fang Yong , Hu Xiao‐Hui , Jia Zhi‐Gang , Xu Mang‐Hua , Guo Zhu‐Ying , Gao Feng‐Hou
Published: June 2012

Background/Objectives:  Free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are generated by UV irradiation, may induce an irreversible growth arrest similar to senescence. Tiron, 4,5‐dihydroxy‐1,3‐benzene disulfonic acid, is a widely used antioxidant to rescue ROS‐evoked cell death. The aim of the article was to explore the effects of tiron on skin photoaging and associated mechanisms.

Methods:  The effects of tiron on cell proliferation were determined using 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐Yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide. Senescent cells were determined by morphology and senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase activity analysis. Intracellular hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion and glutathione concentration were analysed by a fluorescent probe. The concomitant changes of protein expression were analysed with Western blot.

Results:  Human dermal fibroblasts were induced to premature senescence by sub‐cytotoxic doses of irradiated UVB. Strong senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase activity and increased intracellular superoxide anion were observed in human dermal fibroblasts irradiated by UVB. Tiron blocks UVB‐induced glutathione depletion and increase of superoxide anion and protects against UVB‐induced senescence‐like characteristics in human dermal fibroblasts. Compared with normal fibroblasts, UVB‐irradiated human dermal fibroblasts showed a higher ratio of active (hypophosphorylated) to inactive (phosphorylated) forms of Rb and p38, upregulation of p53 or p16 and c‐Myc and insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) downregulation. After treatment with tiron, p53, p16 c‐Myc and IGF‐1 as well as phosphorylation Rb and p38 could partially recover.

Conclusion:  These results indicate that tiron protects against UVB‐induced senescence‐like characteristics in human dermal fibroblasts via the inhibition of production of superoxide anion and glutathione depletion, and modulation of related senescence proteins.
A superposition approach to the stress fields for various blunt V‐notches
Authors: KIM J. K. , CHO S. B.
Published: June 2012

This paper deals with the problems of blunt V‐notch with various notch shapes. The purpose is to develop a new method capable of obtaining more accurate solutions for the stress fields around a blunt V‐notch tip under opening and sliding modes. The key method is to use the principle of superposition for linear elastic materials. On the basis of the superposition method and the conventional stress fields for a sharp V‐notch, the stress fields useful for any shapes of blunt V‐notch is proposed. The notch stress intensity factors are estimated by the numerical analysis with finite element analysis, and then the effectiveness and validation of the proposed superposition approach are discussed by comparison with the results from the literature.
Pediatric patients with disabilities – assessment of satisfaction with anesthesia
Authors: Schiff Jan‐H. , Russ Nicolai , Ihringer Katja , Heal Clare , Martin Eike , Walther Andreas
Published: June 2012

Background:  Opinions about satisfaction with care are rarely obtained from disabled children and their carers, and few studies of this type exist in the area of pediatric anesthesia. We specifically aimed to assess groups of children with disabilities and Down syndrome and aimed to identify factors influencing satisfaction in these groups.

Methods:  We assessed two groups of children using the Paediatric Perianesthesia Questionnaire (PPQ). Families with Down syndrome children (Down syndrome group, DSG) were approached via a Down syndrome family support magazine, and families with disabled children were enrolled in hospitals. Two hundred and fifteen disabled children (125 from the journal, 90 from the hospitals) were compared to matching controls without disabilities. Controls were drawn randomly using computer‐generated tables of random numbers using data from the PPQ validation, to match cases for confounding variables.

Results:  Satisfaction was lower in both groups with disabilities (P < 0.05) (lowest in the DSG), fewer would choose the hospital or anesthetic department again. In both of the disabled groups, negative comments were related to the anesthetists’ behavior during the consultation, the content of the consultation, and how anxiety was dealt with. Ninety five percent in the DSG reported that the anesthetist had not mentioned or enquired about atlantoaxial instability. Satisfaction was lower than the rest of the respective group if memories of the disclosure of the disabling condition were negative (P = 0.006) or if potential offensive terms had been used during the consultation (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:  This is the first study to assess families with disabled children for satisfaction with anesthesia. Our findings suggest that parents of children with disabilities are less satisfied with their anesthetic care than parents of children without disabilities. Potential bias comes from the self‐selection of the DSG and the recall period in this group.
Second Life in education: A review of publications from its launch to 2011
Authors: Wang Feihong , Burton John K.
Published: June 2012

The purpose of this review was to explore how Second Life (SL) has been discussed, investigated and applied in education from its launch to present. Two research questions guided the review: (1) what are the annual publication number and its percentage of empirical studies?; (2) what are the characteristics of the empirical studies regarding the academic levels, subject areas, pedagogical frameworks, evolution of research foci, research methods and sample sizes? A total of 107 papers from 68 refereed journals were reviewed. The findings of the review indicated that SL research has outgrown merely envisioning SL for educational purposes and switched to empirical explorations. Most of the empirical studies were conducted in college settings. The research had been most frequently carried out in teacher education, language education, business, hospitality and tourism and computer disciplines. The most recent research focus was to find out issues, problems and factors that might affect SL‐based learning as well as the relevant solutions. This study can contribute to the discussion on the instructional use of SL by providing researchers with a summary of previous attempted studies. Several recommendations for future research are provided based on the findings.

Practitioner Notes

What is already known about this topic

Second Life (SL) is currently the most mature and popular virtual world being used in education.

SL has been used by educators to teach and supplement classes.

There are rich anecdotal stories, conference presentations and scholarly publications concerning what educators have been doing in SL.

What this paper adds

An overview of the development and evolution of SL‐related research in education from its launch to present.

Answers to questions, such as “is the educational implementation of SL still in its infancy?,” “what were the subject areas and academic levels that have been explored by researchers?” and “has the research foci evolved throughout the years?”

Assistance to researchers for identifying and locating areas for future explorations.

Implications for practice and/or policy

There are studies, reports and stories that exemplify how SL can be used for language teaching, business, hospitality and tourism, computer studies and so on.

Educators and researchers in K‐12 and adult education can pay more attention to using SL as an instructional tool.

Educators and researchers in the fields such as chemistry and mathematic can explore more about the instructional use of SL.
Spector, J Michael (2012) Foundations of educational technologyRoutledge (London & New York) isbn978‐0‐415‐87471‐7 189 pp £29.99http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415874717/
Authors: Deeson Eric
Published: June 2012

This post‐graduate educational technology textbook from an American guru of the subject claims to match the demands of all relevant US courses and programmes; it surely does so effectively. On the other hand, the definition of educational technology it depends on and teaches does not match the more integrative approach found widely outside the US, making the book less useful elsewhere than it could be.

If the content of this book is likely to be relevant to you and your base is the US, I advise that you will probably find parts of the text of interest or use. Otherwise, I would not advise you to buy or borrow a copy (except perhaps for research into the US view of educational technology).

Eric Deeson
Carr‐Chellman, Alison A (2011) Instructional design for teachersRoutledge (London & New York) isbn978‐0‐415‐80324‐0 151 pp £23.99http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415803243/Richey, Rita C et al (2011) The instructional design knowledge baseRoutledge (London & New York) isbn 978‐0‐415‐80201‐7 219 pp £27.99http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415802017/
Authors: Alghazo Iman M
Published: June 2012

Carr‐Chelman's book is very practical, so is useful for teachers at all levels, and is written in very nice simple language that makes it easy for them to understand the main ideas the author is trying to convey. There are many examples in the different chapters that will help the teachers to be able to develop good lessons and other learning packages.

On the other hand, Richey et al provide professionals and students at all levels with the foundation for current and emerging id practice. The book is well written and organised. It is very helpful for specialists to gain knowledge about the field of id and to become familiar with the different terms used in the field.

If the content of either book is likely to be relevant to you, I recommend that you borrow a copy of it for a while.

Iman M Alghazo
Hattie, John (2012) Visible learning for teachersRoutledge (New York & London) isbn978‐0‐415‐69015‐7 269 pp £22.99www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415690157/
Authors: Hartley James
Published: June 2012

Visible learning for teachers, written for both new and experienced teachers, discusses data derived from 1000 meta‐analyses of the effectiveness of over 150 different procedures used in teaching. Most of the findings are considered under six main headings: Preparing the classroom; Starting the lesson; The flow of the lesson—learning; The flow of the lesson—feedback; and The end of the lesson.

If the content of this book is likely to be relevant to you, I recommend you arrange to borrow a copy.

James Hartley
The role of environmental knowledge in young female consumers' evaluation and selection of apparel in South Africa
Authors: Momberg Dinele , Jacobs Bertha , Sonnenberg Nadine
Published: June 2012

The harmful impact of the apparel supply chain on the environment is becoming a global reality. However, consumer awareness of the environmental problems caused by this industry is not always obvious in their apparel buying decisions. A qualitative approach was used to explore young female consumers' existing levels of environmental knowledge, and whether that environmental knowledge is reflected in the evaluation and selection of apparel. Non‐probability purposive sampling was used to ensure the inclusion of young female students (19–22 years old, n = 29). Participants first had to write an essay on the subject of pertinent environmental issues and then participated in a focus group discussion on the evaluation and selection of a t‐shirt. Results suggest that the participants have general environmental knowledge. They have the ability to identify environmental problems as well as the causes and consequences of these environmental problems. However, participants' environmental awareness and their knowledge pertaining to the actual production and supply of environment‐friendly apparel in the South African context were very limited. The results also highlight the product attributes important to the participants when evaluating and selecting apparel such as price, aesthetics and functionality of the garment, but environmental attributes such as organic cotton, locally produced, reduced waste techniques and not using harmful chemicals did not feature high under the attributes participants considered. They prioritized price, aesthetics and fit above other attributes (including environmental attributes). Environmental knowledge was not consciously considered in their general apparel decision making, even though participants indicated that they do care about the environment.
ABO and RhD blood groups and gestational hypertensive disorders: a population‐based cohort study
Authors: Lee BK , Zhang Z , Wikman A , Lindqvist PG , Reilly M
Published: June 2012

Please cite this paper as: Lee B, Zhang Z, Wikman A, Lindqvist P, Reilly M. ABO and RhD blood groups and gestational hypertensive disorders: a population‐based cohort study. BJOG 2012;119:1232–1237.

Objective  To examine the association between ABO and RhD blood groups and gestational hypertensive disorders in a large population‐based cohort.

Design  Cohort study. Risks of gestational hypertensive disorders, pre‐eclampsia, and severe pre‐eclampsia, estimated by odds ratios for maternal ABO blood group and RhD status.

Setting  National health registers of Sweden.

Population  All singleton deliveries in Sweden born to first‐time mothers during the period 1987–2002 [total n = 641 926; any gestational hypertensive disorders, n = 39 011 (6.1%); pre‐eclampsia cases, n = 29 337 (4.6%); severe pre‐eclampsia cases, n = 8477 (1.3%)].

Methods  Using blood group O as a reference, odds ratios of gestational hypertensive disorders, pre‐eclampsia, and severe pre‐eclampsia were obtained from logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounding factors.

Main outcome measures  Gestational hypertensive disorders, pre‐eclampsia, and severe pre‐eclampsia.

Results  Compared with blood group O, all non‐O blood groups had modest but statistically significantly higher odds of pre‐eclampsia. Blood group AB had the highest risk for pre‐eclampsia (OR = 1.10, 95% CI 1.04–1.16) and severe pre‐eclampsia (OR = 1.18, 95% CI 1.07–1.30). RhD‐positive mothers had a small increased risk for pre‐eclampsia (OR = 1.07, 95% CI 1.03–1.10).

Conclusions  In the largest study on this topic to date, women with AB blood group have the highest risks of gestational hypertensive disorders, pre‐eclampsia, and severe pre‐eclampsia, whereas women with O blood group have the lowest risks of developing these disorders. Although the magnitude of increased risk is small, this finding may help improve our understanding of the etiology of pre‐eclampsia.
Regional expression and subcellular localization of the voltage‐gated calcium channel β subunits in the developing mouse brain
Authors: Ferrándiz‐Huertas Clotilde , Gil‐Mínguez Mercedes , Luján Rafael
Published: June 2012

J. Neurochem.(2012)122, 1095–1107.

Ca2+channel β subunits determine the maturation, biophysical properties and cell surface expression of high voltage‐activated channels. Thus, we have analysed the expression, regional distribution and subcellular localization of the Cavβ subunit family in mice from birth to adulthood. In the hippocampus and cerebellum, Cavβ1, Cavβ3and Cavβ4protein levels increased with age, although there were marked region‐ and developmental stage‐specific differences in their expression. Cavβ1was predominantly expressed in thestrata oriensandradiatumof the hippocampus, and only weakly in the cerebellum. The Cavβ3subunit was mainly expressed in thestrata radiatumandlucidumof the hippocampus and in the molecular layer of the cerebellum. During development, Cavβ3protein expression in the cerebellum peaked at postnatal days (P) 15 and 21, and had diminished drastically by P60, and in the hippocampus increased with age throughout all subfields. Cavβ4protein was detected throughout the cerebellum, particularly in the molecular layer, and in contrast to the other subunits, Cavβ4was mainly detected in the molecular layer and the hilus of the hippocampus. At the subcellular level, Cavβ1and Cavβ3were predominantly located post‐synaptically in hippocampal pyramidal cells and cerebellar Purkinje cells. Cavβ4subunits were detected in the pre‐synaptic and post‐synaptic compartments of both regions, albeit more strongly at post‐synaptic sites. These results shed new light on the developmental regulation and subcellular localization of Cavβ subunits, and their possible role in pre‐ and post‐synaptic transmission.
Expression of p16INK4a as a biomarker of T‐cell aging in HIV‐infected patients prior to and during antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Nelson Julie A. E. , Krishnamurthy Janakiraman , Menezes Prema , Liu Yan , Hudgens Michael G. , Sharpless Norman E. , Eron Joseph J.
Published: June 2012

The p16INK4a tumor suppressor gene is a mediator of cellular senescence and has been suggested to be a biomarker of ‘molecular’ age in several tissues including T cells. To determine the association of both active and suppressed HIV infection with T‐cell aging, T‐cell p16INK4a expression was compared between 60 HIV+ suppressed subjects, 23 HIV+ untreated subjects, and 18 contemporaneously collected HIV‐negative controls, as well as 148 HIV‐negative historical samples. Expression did not correlate with chronologic age in untreated HIV+ patients, consistent with an effect of active HIV replication on p16INK4a expression. In patients on cART with suppressed viral loads, however, p16INK4a levels were similar to uninfected controls and correlated with chronologic age, with a trend toward an inverse correlation with CD4 count. These data show that p16INK4a is a reliable biomarker of T‐cell aging in HIV+ patients with suppressed viral loads and suggest that poor CD4 cell recovery on cART may be associated with increased T‐cell expression of p16INK4a, a marker of cellular senescence.
Self and Neighbours*
Authors: MENZIES GORDON , HAY DONALD
Published: June 2012

The paper notes the findings of a panel survey in the USA to motivate a framework to model altruistic behaviour by members of faith communities. We posit an internal tension within agents to be oriented to self or to neighbours. We model this by a mixed motive valuation function which values both classic utility (based on own consumption), and generosity to neighbours. In the short run, the value assigned to generosity by an agent is fixed; in the long run, it is determined by the agent’s understanding and practice of ‘love for neighbour’ (as discussed in McCloskey, 2006), which, according to the Christian world view, is influenced by the agent’s spiritual state.
Transjugular Approach for Radiofrequency Ablation of Premature Ventricular Contractions Originating from the Superior Tricuspid Annulus
Authors: BIAN CHANG , MA JI , YAO SHUYUAN , LV XINGGUANG , WANG JIE
Published: June 2012

We report a 33‐year‐old man with idiopathic frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) originating from the superior tricuspid annulus. The PVCs were successfully abolished via a transjugular approach because of poor contact of the ablation catheter via a femoral vein approach. (PACE 2012;35:e358–e360)
Intravenous Adenosine to Predict Conduction Recurrence in Cavotricuspid Isthmus Early After Ablation of Typical Atrial Flutter: Myth or Reality?
Authors: MARCHANDISE SÉBASTIEN , SCAVÉE CHRISTOPHE , BADOT DAMIEN , DECEUNINCK OLIVIER , XHAËT OLIVIER , HAUSMAN PIERRE , MEESTER CHRISTOPHE DE , LE POLAIN DE WAROUX JEAN‐BENOÎT
Published: June 2012

Adenosine and Ablation of Typical Atrial Flutter. Introduction: Early recovery of conduction (ER) after cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation for typical atrial flutter (AFl) occurs in approximately 10% of the patients. If not recognized, ER might lead to AFl recurrences. In this study, we hypothesized that intravenous adenosine (iADO) can be used to predict ER in the CTI immediately after RF ablation and distinguish functional block from the complete destruction of the CTI myocardium.

Methods: We prospectively included 68 consecutive patients (age: 65 ± 14 years; male: 78%) referred in our centers for AFl ablation. Immediately after bidirectional isthmus block validation, a bolus of iADO was given during continuous pacing from the proximal coronary sinus. Patients with functional block revealed under iADO (iADO+) and those without (iADO−) were subsequently observed for a 30‐minute waiting period (ER−) or until sustained recovery of the conduction through the CTI (ER+).

Results: Seven patients presented a persistent recovery (ER+, 10.3%, mean time to recovery: 14 ± 9 minutes). None of them presented even a transient resumption of conduction under iADO (iADO+: 0). With univariate analysis, we identified a heavy patient weight (>95 kg) as a predictor of ER (sensitivity: 71%).

Conclusions: Adenosine does not predict early recovery in the CTI after linear ablation for atrial flutter. We found that a patient weight over 95 kg predicted early recovery of conduction through the CTI with a sensitivity of 71%. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23, pp. 1201–1206, November 2012)
Postoperative Heart Block in Children with Common Forms of Congenital Heart Disease: Results from the KID Database
Authors: ANDERSON JEFFREY B. , CZOSEK RICHARD J. , KNILANS TIMOTHY K. , MEGANATHAN KARTHIKEYAN , HEATON PAMELA
Published: June 2012

Postoperative Heart Block in Congenital Heart Disease.

Introduction: Cardiac conduction system injury is a cause of postoperative cardiac morbidity following repair of congenital heart disease (CHD). The national occurrence of postoperative complete heart block (CHB) following surgical repair of CHD is unknown. We sought to describe the occurrence of and costs related to postoperative CHB following surgical repair of common forms of CHD using a large national database.

Methods and Results: Retrospective, observational analysis performed over a 10‐year period (2000–2009) using the Kids’ Inpatient Database (KID). Visits for patients ≤24 months of age were identified who underwent surgical repair of ventricular septal defects (VSD), atrioventricular canal defects (AVC), and tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). Patients were identified who were diagnosed with postoperative CHB, further identifying those requiring a new pacemaker placement during the same hospitalization. Costs associated with visits were calculated. There were 16,105 surgical visits: 7,146 VSD, 3,480 AVC, and 5,480 TOF. There was a decrease in postoperative mortality (P = 0.0001) with no significant change in postoperative CHB. Hospital stay and cost were higher with CHB and placement of a permanent pacemaker. Repair of AVC (OR 1.77; [1.32–2.38]) was associated with a higher rate of postoperative CHB. Length of hospital stay and total cost were significantly increased with the development of postoperative CHB and increased further with placement of a permanent pacemaker.

Conclusion: There has been little change over time in the frequency of postoperative CHB in patients undergoing repair of VSD, AVC, and TOF. Postoperative CHB results in major added cost to the healthcare system. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23, pp. 1349‐1354, December 2012)
Atrial Support Pacing in Heart Failure: Results from the Multicenter PEGASUS CRT Trial
Authors: MARTIN DAVID O , DAY JOHN D , LAI PETER Y , MURPHY ALLAN L , NAYAK HEMAL M , VILLAREAL ROLLO P , WEINER STANISLAV , KRAUS STACIA M , STOLEN KIRA Q , GOLD MICHAEL R
Published: June 2012

Atrial Pacing in Heart Failure.

Introduction:
Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) efficacy trials to date used atrial‐synchronous biventricular pacing wherein there is no or minimal atrial pacing. However, bradycardia and chronotropic incompetence are common in this patient population. This trial was designed to evaluate the effect of atrial support pacing among heart failure patients receiving a CRT defibrillator.

Methods and Results:
PEGASUS CRT was a multicenter, 3‐arm, randomized study. At 6 weeks, patients were randomized to DDD mode at a lower rate of 40 bpm (DDD‐40; control arm), or one of the following 2 treatment arms: DDD‐70, or DDDR‐40. The primary endpoint was a clinical composite endpoint that included all‐cause mortality, heart failure events, NYHA functional class, and patient global self‐assessment. Subjects were classified as improved, unchanged, or worsened at 12 months. There were 1,433 patients randomized, of whom 66% were male, mean age was 67 ± 11 years, and mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 23 ± 7%. The average follow‐up time was 10.5 ± 3.5 months and 1,309 patients contributed to the primary endpoint. No significant differences were observed in the composite endpoint between either of the 2 treatment arms compared to the control arm (P>0.05 for both comparisons). Additionally, there were no differences among the groups in mortality or heart failure events.

Conclusion:
In advanced heart failure patients treated with CRT, atrial support pacing did not improve clinical outcomes compared to atrial tracking. However, atrial pacing did not adversely affect mortality or heart failure events. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23, pp. 1317‐1325, December 2012)
Livestock and land share contracts in a Hindu society
Authors: Aryal Jeetendra P. , Holden Stein T.
Published: June 2012

This article examines factors related to a livestock rental market in western Nepal and assesses whether this market is associated with caste differentiation and land rental market participation. Theoretical models for asset‐rich (i.e., high‐caste) households, rich in land and livestock, and asset‐poor (i.e., low‐caste families) households are presented to provide logical explanations for the existence of a livestock rental market and the synergy between livestock and land rental markets participation. A combination of double hurdle models and bivariate‐ordered probit models were used to test the implications of the models. Consistent with the theoretical models, land‐ and livestock‐rich high‐caste households were more likely to rent out land and/or livestock, whereas land‐ and livestock‐poor and credit constrained low‐caste households were more likely to rent livestock and land from others. Participation in the two markets was positively correlated, indicating a synergistic relationship that may be due to production and transaction costs reducing benefits. Policies that can enhance the allocative efficiency of livestock and land rental markets can improve equity as well as efficiency of land use in Nepal. Provision of livestock credit to land‐poor low‐caste households is also crucially dependent on their access to more long‐term contracts for land.
Genome‐wide profiling in melatonin‐exposed human breast cancer cell lines identifies differentially methylated genes involved in the anticancer effect of melatonin
Authors: Lee Seung Eun , Kim Seung Jun , Yoon Hyo‐Jeong , Yu So Yeon , Yang Hana , Jeong Seong Il , Hwang Seung Yong , Park Cheung‐Seog , Park Yong Seek
Published: June 2012

Epigenetic alterations have emerged as an important mechanism involved in tumorigenesis. The epigenetic impact of DNA methylation in various types of human cancer is not completely understood. Previously, we observed melatonin‐induced differential expression of miRNA and miRNA‐related genes in human breast cancer cell lines that indicated an anticancer effect of melatonin. In this report, we further characterized epigenetic changes in melatonin‐exposed MCF‐7 cells through the analysis of DNA methylation profiles in breast cancer cells to provide new insights into the potential mechanisms of the anticancer effect of melatonin. Microarray‐based DNA methylation and gene expression profiling were carried out using human breast cancer cell lines. We further identified a number of mRNAs whose expression levels show an inverse correlation with DNA methylation levels. The mRNA expression levels and methylation status of candidate genes in melatonin‐exposed cells were confirmed by real‐time quantitative PCR and bisulfite PCR. This approach led to the detection of cancer‐related genes, which were oncogenic genes, including EGR3 and POU4F2/Brn‐3b were down‐regulated, while the tumor suppressor gene, GPC3, was up‐regulated by 1 nm melatonin‐treated MCF‐7 cells. Our results provide detailed insights into the DNA methylation patterns induced by melatonin and suggest a potential mechanism of the anticancer effect of aberrant DNA methylation in melatonin‐treated breast cancer cells.
Working memory subsystems are impaired in chronic drug dependents
Authors: Soliman Abdrabo Moghazy , Gadelrab Hesham Fathy , Elfar Rania Mohamed
Published: June 2012

Background

A large body of research that has investigated substance dependence and working memory (WM) resources, yet no prior study has used a comprehensive test battery to examine the impact of chronic drug dependence on WM as a multi‐component system.

Objectives

This study examined the efficiency of several WM components in participants who were chronic drug dependents. In addition, the functioning of the four WM components was compared among dependents of various types of drugs.

Method

In total, 128 chronic drug dependents participated in this study. Their average age was 38.48 years, and they were classified into four drug‐dependence groups. Chronic drug dependents were compared with a 36‐participant control group that had a mean age of 37.6 years. A WM test battery that comprised eight tests and that assessed each of four WM components was administered to each participant.

Results

Compared with the control group, all four groups of drug dependents had significantly poorer test performance on all of the WM tasks. Among the four groups of drug users, the polydrug group had the poorest performance scores on each of the eight tasks, and the performance scores of the marijuana group were the least affected. Finally, the forward digit span task and the logical memory tasks were less sensitive than other tasks when differentiating between marijuana users and the normal participants.

Conclusion

The four components of WM are impaired among chronic drug dependents. These results have implications for the development of tools, classification methods and therapeutic strategies for drug dependents.
Trends and periodicities in observed temperature, precipitation and runoff in a desert catchment: case study for the Shiyang River Basin in Northwestern China
Authors: Ma Jinzhu , Chen Lihua , He Jianhua , Zhang Yurui , Li Xianghu , Edmunds W. Mike
Published: June 2012

The Mann–Kendall test, wavelet analysis was used to analyse the long‐term trends and periodicities in temperature, precipitation and streamflow in China's Shiyang River Basin since 1950. The Principal components analysis (PCA) was used to quantify the impacts of climate change and human activities on water resources. The annual mean air temperature has increased, consistent with increasing global temperatures. The annual precipitation fluctuated but has generally increased since the 1990s. The air temperature and precipitation showed changes on periods ranging from 2 to 28 years. The correlation between annual runoff and precipitation variation was 0.61 (P < 0.05), indicating precipitation is the main source of the runoff. Human activities played the dominant role in the lower reaches, accounting for 58.5% of the total effect. The results have important implications for water resources management to support harmonisation of the relationship between humans and nature to combat the effect of climate.