bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantifying the risk of hypoglycaemia in children undergoing the glucagon stimulation test
Authors: Lim Song Hai , Vasanwala Rashida , Lek Ngee , Yap Fabian
Published: May 2011

Objective  The low‐dose (15–30 μg/kg) glucagon stimulation test (GST) is assumed to be associated with fewer episodes of low blood glucose (BG). We aimed to quantify the risk of hypoglycaemia in children undergoing the low‐dose GST to evaluate their growth hormone status.

Design and patients  Blood glucose fluctuations during the GST in 80 children (median age 8·7 years, 45 boys, 66 prepubertal) who received a median 20·5 μg/kg of intramuscular glucagon were reviewed.

Measurements  The rate of (i) hypoglycaemia (BG < 3·3 mm), (ii) falling BG trend at the end of the GST (lower BG at 180 min than at 120 min), (iii) hypoglycaemia and falling BG trend at the end of the GST, and (iv) at‐risk patients (those with at least one of the three risks measures).

Results  Twenty‐seven of the 80 children had hypoglycaemia during the GST. Twenty‐six children showed a falling BG trend at the end of the GST and were significantly younger than the other 54 children with a rising BG trend [5·1 (3·1–10·4) years vs 9·6 (5·4–11·8) years, P = 0·02]. Eight children had both a falling BG trend and hypoglycaemia at end of the test. Forty‐four children were at‐risk patients, and the odds ratio of being an at‐risk patient in those <8 years old was 2·63 (95% CI 1·06–6·57, P = 0·04).

Conclusions  Hypoglycaemia is not uncommon during the low‐dose GST. Young children, especially those <8 years old, are particularly at risk. BG monitoring should be considered essential from a safety perspective.
Limited availability and higher cost of gluten‐free foods
Authors: Singh J. , Whelan K.
Published: May 2011

Background:  A gluten‐free diet is the only treatment for patients with coeliac disease, although it can be burdensome to follow and result in inadequate nutrient intake. The cost and availability of a gluten‐free diet has been cited as a cause of incomplete dietary compliance; however, this has not been extensively investigated. The aim was to investigate the availability and cost of gluten‐free foods across a wide range of stores.

Methods:  The availability and cost of 20 foods (both wheat‐based and everyday foods) was surveyed at 30 different stores across five different store categories. For each of the 20 foods, four products were selected (branded gluten‐free, cheapest gluten‐free, branded standard, cheapest standard) resulting in sampling of up to 80 products in each of the 30 stores.

Results:  In general, there was limited availability of gluten‐free foods, with an average of 8.2 of the 20 (41%) foods being available in a gluten‐free version per store. Regular supermarkets had a greater availability (18.0/20, 90%), whereas budget supermarkets (1.8/20, 9%) and corner shops (1.8/20, 9%) had almost no gluten‐free versions (P < 0.001). All 10 gluten‐free versions of wheat‐based foods were more costly than their standard counterparts (76–518% more expensive; P < 0.001). Some gluten‐free versions of everyday foods were also more costly than standard counterparts (2–124%).

Conclusions:  There is limited availability of gluten‐free foods and they are generally more expensive than their standard counterparts. This may impact on compliance to a gluten‐free diet, with potential nutritional and clinical consequences, together with an increased risk of complications.
Quality assessment of capture–recapture studies in resource‐limited countries
Authors: van Hest Rob , Grant Andrew , Abubakar Ibrahim
Published: May 2011

Objectives  Resource‐limited countries often lack robust routine surveillance systems to accurately assess the burden of human attributes and diseases. In these settings capture‐recapture analysis can be an alternative tool to obtain prevalence and incidence rates. Performance of capture‐recapture analyses in resource‐limited countries has not been systematically reviewed.

Methods  Systematic review of the performance of capture–recapture analyses in the categories of human attributes, non‐infectious and infectious diseases in resource‐limited countries, assessing individual study quality criteria and a minimum quality criterion per category, using PRISMA methodology.

Results  A total of 1671 potentially relevant PubMed citations were screened, resulting in 52 eligible publications: 36% in human attributes, i.e. hidden populations, injuries and mortality; 48% in non‐infectious and 15% in infectious disease categories. Twenty‐one per cent of selected studies were from low income countries, 40% from lower‐middle‐income countries and 38% from upper‐middle‐income countries. Thirteen per cent achieved good individual study quality criteria, 25% were intermediate and 19% were poor. Of the good studies, six were performed on human attributes and one on a non‐infectious disease. The proportions of publications meeting the minimum quality criterion per category were 42%, 20% and 37%, respectively.

Conclusions  Few capture–recapture studies in resource‐limited countries achieved good individual quality criteria and a minority met the minimum quality criterion per category. Capture–recapture techniques in these settings should be carefully considered and implemented rigorously and are not a panacea for strengthening of routine surveillance systems.
Effects of dietary supplementation of synbiotic on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters and carcass composition in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fingerlings
Authors: Mehrabi Z. , Firouzbakhsh F. , Jafarpour A.
Published: May 2011

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of a synbiotic (Biomin IMBO) on serum parameters and feeding efficiency in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fingerlings. The fish with initial average weight of 4.59 ± 0.2 g were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments for two months. The dietary treatment (0.5, 1 and 1.5 g/kg of diet) was supplemented with basal diet and non‐supplemented basal diet was used as control. After two months, all treatments supplemented with synbiotic showed significant (p < 0.05) increase in final mean weight, weight gain percentage, specific growth rate, condition factor, food conversion efficiency and survival rate, compared to the control group. Among all supplemented treatments, the best result in terms of growth factors and survival was observed in the treatment supplemented with 1 g synbiotic per kilogram of diet. Furthermore, supplementation with symbiotic, specifically 1 and 1.5 g/kg, significantly (p < 0.05) increased the total serum protein, but there was no significant (p > 0.05) difference in globulin content, albumin/globulin ratio, and triglyceride content among experimental treatments. In terms of body composition, carcass protein content of fish fed with synbiotic significantly (p < 0.05) increased compared to the control. These results revealed that a feeding regime with synbiotic for two months led to a significant increase in growth performance, survival rate and feeding efficiency in rainbow trout fingerlings.
Bacterial symbiosis forming laminated iron‐rich deposits in Okuoku‐hachikurou hot spring, Akita Prefecture, Japan
Authors: TAKASHIMA CHIZURU , OKUMURA TOMOYO , NISHIDA SHIN , KOIKE HIROKO , KANO AKIHIRO
Published: May 2011

Banded iron formations are the most characteristic of Archean–Paleoproterozoic sediment records. Laminated textures resembling banded iron formations can be observed in modern hot‐spring environments. Using sedimentological and microbiological techniques, we investigated the processes of laminar formation and considered the origin of lamination textures. An iron‐rich deposit at the Okuoku‐hachikurou hot spring in Japan exhibits sub‐millimeter laminations consisting of bacteria‐induced ferrihydrite and aragonite. The ferrihydrite particles are spherical and exhibit fine lamination, up to 100 µm thick in ferrihydrite‐rich parts. In aragonite‐rich parts, ferrihydrite particles form filamentous textures with diameters of 10–30 µm, but not laminations. Textural analysis using scanning electron microscopy and phylotype analysis using 16S rRNA indicated the bacterial contribution to ferrihydrite precipitation. A sheath‐like fabric showing a meshwork of nanometer‐order organic filaments, and sheath‐forming bacteria were observed in the deposit specimen etched by citric acid. Phylotype analysis detected in the iron‐rich deposits some bacterial types related to cyanobacteria, purple bacteria, and iron‐oxidizing bacteria. Iron‐oxidizing bacteria probably were responsible for precipitation of the ferrihydrite. Chemolithoautotrophic iron‐oxidizing bacteria are microaerophilic and thrive on Fe(II) in a redox gradient, but dissolved oxygen was not detected in the Okuoku‐hachikurou hot spring. Thus, a certain supply of oxygen is needed for metabolism of the microaerophilic iron‐oxidizing bacteria. The distribution of photosynthetic pigments in the iron‐rich parts indicates that the most likely source of oxygen is photosynthesis by cyanobacteria. This symbiotic relationship between cyanobacteria and iron‐oxidizing bacteria can explain the laminated texture of iron‐rich deposits in the Okuoku‐hachikurou hot spring. These laminations may reflect changes in photosynthetic intensity. There is presently some debate about the bacterial groups that may have played roles in precipitation of banded iron formations. This study presents a new bacterial model for iron precipitation and may provide a mechanism for sub‐millimeter laminations in banded iron formations deposited in shallow water.
Petrogenetic modeling of rock variety in the Khalkhab–Neshveh pluton, NW of Saveh, Iran
Authors: REZAEI‐KAHKHAEI MEHDI , ESMAEILY DARIUSH , CORFU FERNANDO
Published: May 2011

The Khalkhab–Neshveh (KN) pluton is a part of Urumieh–Dokhtar Magmatic Arc and was intruded into a covering of basalt and andesite of Eocene to early Miocene age. It is a medium to high‐K, metaluminous and I‐type pluton ranging in composition from quartz monzogabbro, through quartz monzodiorite, granodiorite, and granite. The KN rocks show subtle differentiation trends strongly controlled by clinopyroxene, plagioclase, hornblende, apatite, and titanite, where most major elements (except K2O) are negatively correlated with SiO2; and Al2O3, Na2O, Sr, Eu, and Y define curvilinear trends. Considering three processes of magmatic differentiation including mixing and/or mingling between basaltic and dacitic magmas, gravitational fractional crystallization and in situ crystallization revealed that the latter is the most likely process for the evolution of KN magma. This is supported by the occurrence of all rock types at the same level, the lack of mafic enclaves in the granitoid rocks, the curvilinear trends of Na2O, Sr, and Eu, and the constant ratios of (87Sr/86Sr)i from quartz monzodiorite to granite (0.70475 and 0.70471, respectively). In situ crystallization took place via accumulation of plagioclase and clinopyroxene phenocrysts and concentration of these phases in the quartz monzogabbro and quartz monzodiorite at the margins of the intrusion at T ≥ 1050°C, and by filter pressing and fractionation of hornblende, plagioclase, and later biotite in the granitoids at T = ∼880°C.
Patterns of leaf asymmetry changes inPlantago majorL. (ssp.major) natural populations exposed to different environmental conditions
Authors: VELIČKOVIĆ MIROSLAVA , SAVIĆ TATJANA
Published: May 2011

In the present study, developmental stability of leaf traits was examined in three natural populations ofPlantago majorL. (ssp.major), representing two polluted environments (Karaburma and Zemun) and an unpolluted area (Crni Lug). Developmental stability was assessed as fluctuating asymmetry (FA). The magnitude of FA is believed to reflect differences in the ability of individuals to buffer their development in natural populations. We hypothesized that there are differences within characters and among characters in response to environmental conditions. Significant patterns of asymmetry correlations and asymmetry changes were detected both within characters and between characters. Themanovaresults revealed a significant effect of individual and a significant individual × environment interaction on actual asymmetry (logLi − logRi) and on the amount of asymmetry |(logLi − logRi)| for leaf width and vein distances within a leaf. Over time, statistically significant and positive correlations of the FA values were detected for each trait separately per sample (population). For both leaf traits, there were differences for (logLi − logRi) and |(logLi − logRi)| asymmetry values among individuals within samples in response to yearly variations. Statistically significant and negative correlations for (logLi − logRi) versus |(logLi − logRi)| asymmetries were detected for both leaf traits. In summary, our results highlight the importance of differences in the ability of individuals to buffer their development under different environmental conditions and point to the concept that developmental stability is character specific.
Biotic versus abiotic pollination in Oeceoclades maculata (Lindl.) Lindl. (Orchidaceae)
Authors: AGUIAR JOÃO M.R.B.V. , PANSARIN LUDMILA M. , ACKERMAN JAMES D. , PANSARIN EMERSON R.
Published: May 2011

Geographical variation in the reproductive biology of widespread species often occurs at their distributional boundaries. We sought to determine whether such variation has occurred in an invasive orchid, Oeceoclades maculata, across its naturalized range. We compared its reproductive biology in a Brazilian population with that published for a population on the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico. In the state of São Paulo, O. maculata flowers between December and February, at the height of the rainy season. Similar fruit sets were observed in manual self (76%) and cross (70.4%) pollination treatments. The fruit set of plants protected from both pollinators and rainfall was 6.1%, whereas plants exposed only to rainfall had a fruit set of 41.4%, slightly less than the controls (48.3%). Like the Puerto Rico population, reproduction is primarily through rain‐assisted autogamy, but unlike observations made on the island, outcrossing can eventually occur. We observed two butterfly species (Heliconius ethilla narcaea and Heliconius erato phyllis) pollinating O. maculata. Secretory epidermal cells and trichomes of the spur lumen produced 0.7 µL of 25% (sucrose equivalents) nectar per flower each morning, which was stored in a dilated basal portion of the spur and reabsorbed by the afternoon. Thus, geographical variation in reproductive biology exists across the broad invasive range of O. maculata.
Clinical course of vesicoureteral reflux in patients with hypospadias
Authors: Kim Kwang Hyun , Lee Hye Young , Im Young Jae , Jung Hyun Jin , Hong Chang Hee , Han Sang Won
Published: May 2011

Objectives:  The prevalence of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in hypospadic patients is reportedly higher than in healthy children. We investigated the prevalence and the clinical course of VUR in hypospadic patients.

Methods:  We carried out intraoperative cystography to detect VUR in 338 patients who underwent hypospadias repair. Age, severity of hypospadias and the presence of VUR were investigated. A dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scan and follow‐up voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) were carried out if VUR was detected.

Results:  VUR was detected in 41 patients (12.1%). Of 156 patients who were younger than 1 year‐of‐age, 34 (21.8%) were found to have VUR. The prevalence of VUR was significantly higher in patients younger than 1 year (P < 0.001), but was not associated with hypospadias type (P = 0.212). The reflux grades were I, II and III in 6, 52 and 1 renal units, respectively. Renal scarring was shown in one of 36 patients. Follow‐up VCUG was carried out in 30 patients at a mean of 14.28 ± 3.89 months, and reflux resolved in 27 and improved from grade II to grade I in three patients.

Conclusions:  Although its prevalence is higher in hypospadic children than in healthy children, it is not necessary to screen for VUR in hypospadic patients, because it is likely to be low‐grade and to resolve in most cases.
Effect of hyaluronic acid on urine nerve growth factor in cyclophosphamide‐induced cystitis
Authors: Ho Dong‐Ru , Chen Chih‐Shou , Lin Wei‐Yu , Chang Pey‐Jium , Huang Yun‐Chin
Published: May 2011

Objectives:  To investigate how hyaluronic acid (HA) affects nerve growth factor (NGF) production and bladder overactivity in a cyclophosphamide (CYP)‐induced cystitis rat model.

Methods:  Female Sprague–Dawley rats received three intermittent intraperitoneal injections of CYP (75 mg/kg) or saline. Before or after CYP injection, HA was given intravesically and urine NGF was checked with creatinine correction. Bladder function was evaluated by cystometrograms under Zoletil anesthesia. Furthermore, the effect of HA was counteracted with hyaluronidase (HYAL). Bladder structural change was compared among groups with trichrome stain.

Results:  The intercontraction interval (ICI) significantly decreased in CYP‐injected rats in comparison to the saline‐injected controls. In the CYP‐injected groups, bladder HA instillation significantly increased the ICI, but did not change the maximum voiding pressure in comparison to the saline instillation. NGF production significantly increased in CYP‐injected rats, but decreased significantly with HA treatment. Treatment with HA had a more significant effect on urine NGF and the use of HYAL would eliminate this effect. Specific staining showed mucosa swelling after CYP treatment. Little HA coating on bladder mucosa could be found in HA‐treated rats.

Conclusions:  Present findings raise the possibility that HA could be an effective treatment for CYP‐related bladder overactivity through the involvement of NGF signaling.
Analysis and evaluation of geriatricians' working routines in German hospitals
Authors: Mache Stefanie , Kusma Bianca , Vitzthum Karin , Nienhaus Albert , Klapp Burghard F , Groneberg David A
Published: May 2011

Background:  Geriatricians are physicians who work primarily with the elderly and deal with diseases that often accompany old age, such as Alzheimer's disease. In the last few years, data from questionnaires have demonstrated increasing criticism of geriatricians regarding their working conditions in geriatric medicine. Ideally, such rather subjective statements should be compared to data about work strain that is not merely accurate but also evaluated on an objective real‐time basis. Therefore, the aim of the current study is to deliver exact data about geriatricians' work in different geriatric departments to evaluate their working routines and afterwards to optimize their working conditions.

Methods:  An observational real‐time study was conducted by shadowing 15 physicians in geriatric medicine individually during weekday shifts at four hospitals in urban German settings. A total of 368 h of observations were recorded by using an ultra‐mobile computer.

Results:  The average workday lasted 9 h 36 min 14 s (95% CI = 9.07:35–10.01:23 h) with a high amount of elderly patients to deal with (M = 18) every day. Overall, they spent 14.75% of each workday on indirect patient care, 7.29% on direct patient care and 13.19% on administrative work. Communication took up 4.68% of geriatricians' time, breaks and disruptions 7.5%.

Conclusion:  To our knowledge, this is the first real‐time analysis on how geriatricians deal with their working demands and how working routines are organized in geriatric hospital departments. Geriatricians' subjective statements on their working conditions have been partially confirmed. Improving geriatricians work flow could increase work efficiency, job satisfaction and quality of care. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2012; 12: 108–115.
Distinct roles of extracellular polymeric substances in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm development
Authors: Yang Liang , Hu Yifan , Liu Yang , Zhang Jingdong , Ulstrup Jens , Molin Søren
Published: May 2011

Bacteria form surface attached biofilm communities as one of the most important survival strategies in nature. Biofilms consist of water, bacterial cells and a wide range of self‐generated extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Biofilm formation is a dynamic self‐assembly process and several distinguishable stages are observed during bacterial biofilm development. Biofilm formation is shown to be coordinated by EPS production, cell migration, subpopulation differentiation and interactions. However, the ways these different factors affect each other and contribute to community structural differentiation remain largely unknown. The distinct roles of different EPS have been addressed in the present report. Both Pel and Psl polysaccharides are required for type IV pilus‐independent microcolony formation in the initial stages of biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. Both Pel and Psl polysaccharides are also essential for subpopulation interactions and macrocolony formation in the later stages of P. aeruginosa PAO1 biofilm formation. Pel and Psl polysaccharides have different impacts on Pseudomonas quinolone signal‐mediated extracellular DNA release in P. aeruginosa PAO1 biofilms. Psl polysaccharide is more important than Pel polysaccharide in P. aeruginosa PAO1 biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance. Our study thus suggests that different EPS materials play distinct roles during bacterial biofilm formation.
Photosynthetic performance of phototrophic biofilms in extreme acidic environments
Authors: Souza‐Egipsy Virginia , Altamirano María , Amils Ricardo , Aguilera Angeles
Published: May 2011

Photosynthesis versus irradiance curves and their associated photosynthetic parameters from different phototrophic biofilms isolated from an extreme acidic environment (Río Tinto, SW, Spain) were studied in order to relate them to their species composition and the physicochemical characteristics of their respective sampling locations. The results indicated that the biofilms are low light acclimated showing a photoinhibition model; only floating communities of filamentous algae showed a light saturation model. Thus, all the biofilms analysed showed photoinhibition over 60 µmol photon m−2 s−1 except in the case of Zygnemopsis sp. sample, which showed a light‐saturated photosynthesis model under irradiations higher that 200 µmol photon m−2 s−1. The highest values of compensation light intensity (Ic) were showed also by Zygnemosis sp. biofilm (c. 40 µmol photon m−2 s−1), followed by Euglena mutabilis and Chlorella sp. samples (c. 20 µmol photon m−2 s−1). The diatom sample showed the lowest Ic values (c. 5 µmol photon m−2 s−1). As far as we know this is the first attempt to determine the photosynthetic activity of low pH and heavy metal tolerant phototrophic biofilms, which may give light in the understanding of the ecological importance of these biofilms for the maintenance of the primary production of these extreme and unique ecosystems.
Molecular evidence that deep‐branching fungi are major fungal components in deep‐sea methane cold‐seep sediments
Authors: Nagahama Takahiko , Takahashi Eriko , Nagano Yuriko , Abdel‐Wahab Mohamed A. , Miyazaki Masayuki
Published: May 2011

The motile cells of chytrids were once believed to be relics from the time before the colonization of land by fungi. However, the majority of chytrids had not been found in marine but freshwater environments. We investigated fungal diversity by a fungal‐specific PCR‐based analysis of environmental DNA in deep‐sea methane cold‐seep sediments, identifying a total of 35 phylotypes, 12 of which were early diverging fungi (basal fungi, ex ‘lower fungi’). The basal fungi occupied a major portion of fungal clones. These were phylogenetically placed into a deep‐branching clade of fungi and the LKM11 clade that was a divergent group comprised of only environmental clones from aquatic environments. As suggested by Lara and colleagues, species of the endoparasitic genus Rozella, being recently considered of the earliest branching taxa of fungi, were nested within the LKM11 clade. In the remaining 23 phylotypes identified as the Dikarya, the majority of which were similar to those which appeared in previously deep‐sea studies, but also highly novel lineages associated with Soil Clone Group I (SCGI), Entorrhiza sp. and the agaricomycetous fungi were recorded. The fungi of the Dikarya may play a role in the biodegradation of lignin and lignin‐derived materials in deep‐sea, because the characterized fungal species related to the frequent phylotypes within the Dikarya have been reported to possess an ability to degrade lignin.
A postal intervention for dependent cannabis users
Authors: NORBERG MELISSA M. , WRIGHT TRACEY , HICKEY KARINA , COPELAND JAN
Published: May 2011

Introduction and Aims. In Australia, many would‐be treatment seekers for problematic cannabis use live in rural and remote areas, thereby limiting their access to face‐to‐face treatments. In order to address this gap in treatment availability, the present study aimed to assess the feasibility of a mail‐based intervention for regular cannabis users.

Design and Methods. Treatment was based upon cognitive‐behavioural and motivational interviewing principles, and consisted of six treatment modules posted fortnightly to participants. In addition to the standardised modules, participants received personalised feedback at four points, based upon their mailed‐in responses to the modules. Participants were recruited via advertisements in rural newspapers and a Google advertisement.

Results. A total of 268 people expressed interest in this study and 36 participants went on to complete treatment. Treatment completers demonstrated a significant reduction in cannabis use at the 1 month follow‐up.

Discussion and Conclusions. Transposing face‐to‐face treatments into a mailed format has shown some promise and future research is warranted to determine the efficacy of such treatments in a controlled study.[Norberg MM, Wright T, Hickey K, Copeland J. A postal intervention for dependent cannabis users. Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:320–326]
Why (not) alcohol energy drinks? A qualitative study with Australian university students
Authors: JONES SANDRA C. , BARRIE LANCE , BERRY NINA
Published: May 2011

Introduction and Aims. Alcohol energy drinks (AEDs) are a recent entry to the ready‐to‐drink market, but there is an absence of research into the reasons young people consume these products and their consumption‐related experiences. The aim of the current study was to investigate university students' perceptions of, and experiences with, pre‐mixed AEDs.

Design and Methods. Four focus groups with undergraduate university students in a large regional city in New South Wales; with transcripts coded for key themes.

Results. Participants reported a number of benefits of AED consumption, many of which were similar to other ready‐to‐drinks, such as taste and image. However, the primary benefits of AEDs related to their capacity to wake the drinker up at the beginning of the evening and facilitate partying and drinking over a longer period. Many of the participants reported experiencing or observing negative effects from drinking AEDs, some quite severe, but this did not appear to act as a deterrent to their consumption.

Discussion and Conclusions. Given the popularity and perceived benefits of AEDs—and evidence from previous research that their consumption is associated with increases in intoxication levels, risky behaviours and harmful alcohol‐related consequences—there is a need to consider a range of strategies to reduce harmful consumption of AEDs. While educational interventions may be of benefit, there is also a role for regulation of the packaging and marketing of a product that is associated with substantial harms.[Jones SC, Barrie L, Berry N. Why (not) alcohol energy drinks? A qualitative study with Australian university students. Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:281–287]
A Search for the Body: Is there Space for Christ's Body in Pannenberg's Eschatology?
Authors: McCLEAN JOHN
Published: May 2011

Pannenberg's thought makes a constant appeal to ‘anticipation’, and this concept depends on a metaphysical proposal, temporalized essentialism, which includes an account of eternity as simultaneity of all history in God. This view of eternity has been both applauded and criticized. This article considers Pannenberg's account of the body of the exalted Christ who is in eternity. Pannenberg affirms the resurrection of Jesus, but has no account of the nature of Jesus’ resurrected body. He emphasizes the church as the body of the exalted Christ, but describes this body as lacking particularity. His account of the Eucharist does not have any place for Christ's corporeal presence or for participation in Christ's exalted body. His account of the return of Christ is oriented to the revelation of the glorified unity of all reality in Christ. The reason that Pannenberg has no account of the body of Christ is due to his conception of eternity, a conception which differs markedly from that of Paul. The Pauline heavenly realm is part of the creation, and thus has a spatio‐temporal relationship to the earthly realm as well as having a spatio‐temporal dimension in itself. Pannenberg's conception of eternity is that it is outside of the created realm and has no spatial dimension. Douglas Farrow argues that a theology that lacks an account of the exalted body of Christ fails to have a proper account of the redemption of humanity and creation, and it seems Pannenberg's view is open to this criticism.
Reflectance confocal microscopy criteria of lichen planus‐like keratosis
Authors: Bassoli S. , Rabinovitz H.S. , Pellacani G. , Porges L. , Oliviero M.C. , Braun R.P. , Marghoob A.A. , Seidenari S. , Scope A.
Published: May 2011

Background  Lichen planus‐like keratosis (LPLK) may be difficult to differentiate from melanoma and other skin cancers on sun‐damaged skin based on clinical and dermoscopic examination. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) allows evaluation of skin lesions at high resolution.

Objectives  The aim of this study was to identify criteria for specific diagnosis of LPLK using in vivo RCM.

Methods  Lesions included in the study were derived from patients presenting for skin examination at a private dermatology practice specializing in skin cancer. We retrospectively analysed RCM features of 28 biopsy‐proven LPLK and compared them to RCM findings in skin cancers on sun‐damaged skin, including five in situ squamous cell carcinomas, six actinic keratoses, seven superficial basal cell carcinomas and eight melanomas.

Results  The main RCM features of LPLK and their relative frequencies were: (i) typical honeycomb pattern of the spinous layer (78.6%); (ii) elongated cords and/or bulbous projections at the dermal‐epidermal junction (75%); and (iii) numerous plump‐bright cells and/or bright stellate spots in the superficial dermis (92.9%). These RCM features correlated with the following histopathological findings respectively: (i) spinous‐granular layers without significant atypia of keratinocytes; (ii) elongated, bulbous rete ridges; and (iii) dense infiltration of melanophages and lymphocytes in superficial dermis. We propose diagnostic criteria that classify correctly 71.4% of LPLK, while avoiding misclassification of any of the skin cancers in the present series as LPLK.

Conclusions  We identified RCM criteria for diagnosis of LPLK that correlate well with histopathological findings and that allow differentiation of LPLK from skin cancer.
Experience with ustekinumab for the treatment of moderate to severe Hidradenitis suppurativa
Authors: Gulliver W.P. , Jemec G.B.E. , Baker K.A.
Published: May 2011

Background  Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a severe chronic inflammatory follicular disease characterized by nodules and abscesses affecting apocrine gland‐bearing regions. HS is not well‐controlled with conventional medical therapies such as topical therapy, oral antibiotics and retinoids, however, abrogation of tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) function has proven effective in some patients.

Objective  To assess the safety and efficacy of the interleukin‐12/23 inhibitor, ustekinumab for treatment of HS in three patients with moderate‐severe disease.

Methods  The subjects received 3–45 mg subcutaneous injections of ustekinumab at 0, 1 and 4 months. Improvement was assessed by the dermatology life quality index (DLQI), visual analogue scale of pain (VAS) and physician’s global assessment (PGA) at each monthly visit.

Results  Prior to treatment, subjects had moderate‐severe HS (Hurley stage II‐III) with a DLQI score between 8 and 12. At 6 months, one patient showed complete disease remission, while a 25–49% improvement was seen in a second patient and no change in a third. A moderate but statistically significant relationship was observed between VAS and DLQI scores (r = 0.75; P < 0.01).

Conclusion  Ustekinumab may provide a safe and effective new treatment strategy for HS in some patients. Interleukin 12/23 inhibition is a potential therapeutic option for patients in which other therapies prove ineffective.
Researching the outdoors: exploring the unsettled frontier between science and adventure
Authors: Couper Pauline , Ansell Louise
Published: May 2011

Outdoor practitioners and academic geographers arguably share a common origin in the explorers of the seventeenth to nineteenth centuries. The two interests diverged during the twentieth century, as academic geography became less dependent on travel, and the pursuit of knowledge no longer provided the sole justification for exploration and adventure, but some synergies remain, at least in experiencing and making sense of the natural environment. This paper reflects on some pilot fieldwork for an on‐going research project that combines fluvial geomorphology and outdoor education practice, in order to explore the parallels and differences between physical geography and outdoor education. A key area of divergence is identified in the degree of attention paid to the ‘self’, and particularly the body, in our interactions with the environment. We highlight the role of embodied experience both in our approach to the field site and in the subsequent framing and re‐framing of the research project, joining calls for greater attention to be paid to the corporeal practice of fieldwork. We conclude by arguing that Driver's notion of an ‘unsettled frontier’ (2001, Geography militant: cultures of exploration and empire Blackwell, Oxford) between science and adventure is as relevant for contemporary discourse as he suggests it is for historical geography.
The Failure of Democracy in Turkey: A Comparative Analysis
Authors: McLaren Lauren , Cop Burak
Published: May 2011

Although Turkey took its initial steps toward establishing democracy in 1950, it has thus far failed to become a fully functioning democracy. Using the comparison cases of Spain and Greece, this article discusses two related variables that are likely to have thwarted the development of full democracy in Turkey: the country's experience with authoritarian rule, and the lack of elite settlement or convergence towards acceptance of the democratic rules of the game. The article ultimately contends that despite the EU's attempt to push Turkey towards full democracy in the modern day it is unlikely that it will become a fully functioning democracy unless it manages to achieve civilian elite agreement regarding the rules of the Turkish democratic game, and that Turkey's experience with authoritarian rule may, in turn, have hindered the development of such rules.
The Role of Affect in the Creation and Intentional Pursuit of Entrepreneurial Ideas
Authors: Hayton James C. , Cholakova Magdalena
Published: May 2011

The creation and intentional pursuit of entrepreneurial ideas lies at the core of the domain of entrepreneurship. Recent empirical work in a number of diverse fields such as cognitive psychology, social cognition, neuroscience, and neurophysiology all suggest that dual processes involving affect and cognition have a significant impact on judgment and decision making. Existing cognitive models ignore this significant role. In this article we develop a framework for understanding the role of affect on idea perception and the intention to develop the entrepreneurial idea. We present a set of testable propositions that link affect to entrepreneurial idea perception through its influence on attention, memory, and creativity. A second set of propositions links affect to the intention to pursue these ideas further. We explore the boundary conditions and moderators of the proposed relationships, and discuss the implications of this framework for existing cognitive and psychological perspectives on entrepreneurship.
Snappy Auctions
Authors: Schenkel Mark T. , Cornwall Jeffrey R. , Finley Jane
Published: May 2011

Snappy Auctions presents the story of an online auction business founded from the personal aspirations and efforts of Debbie Gordon who sought to bring together sellers lacking technological expertise and potential buyers. Having rapidly expanded Snappy Auctions to 100 franchise agreements since its launch in 2003, Gordon confronted the challenge in 2006 of evaluating the sustainability of her drop–off store business model and of deciding whether to seek external financing to support further rapid venture growth.
Preparation and Properties of Porous Alumina with Highly Ordered and Unidirectional Oriented Pores by a Self‐Organization Process
Authors: Xue Weijiang , Sun Yang , Huang Yong , Xie Zhipeng , Sun Jialin
Published: May 2011

By a self‐organization process of alginate sol, alumina ceramic bodies with high porosity characterized by highly ordered and unidirectional oriented pores in the micrometer range were successfully fabricated with a 5–15 wt% solid loading range. The obtained porous Al2O3 ceramics had a high total porosity over 70%, most (>88%) of which were open pores, as well as an excellent permeability (K > 2.16 × 10−11 m2) and high compressive strength (>15 MPa). The pore size, porosity, and thus the permeability and mechanical properties of the sintered ceramics can be effectively controlled by choosing different initial solid loadings.
Effect of Ferroelectric Long‐Range Order on the Unipolar and Bipolar Electric Fatigue in Bi1/2Na1/2TiO3‐Based Lead‐Free Piezoceramics
Authors: Luo Zhenhua , Granzow Torsten , Glaum Julia , Jo Wook , Rödel Jürgen , Hoffman Mark
Published: May 2011

The fatigue behavior of the lead‐free piezoelectric Bi1/2Na1/2TiO3–BaTiO3−K0.5Na0.5NbO3 (BNT‐BT‐KNN) under bipolar and unipolar electrical loading is investigated. Special attention is paid to the effect of a decreasing ferroelectric order which was affected by an increase in KNN‐content. It is found that, in mainly ferroelectric systems with low KNN‐content, bipolar cycling leads to domain wall pinning and formation of microcracks, while in mainly non‐ferroelectric systems with high KNN‐content fatigue can be rationalized by the repeated field‐induced phase transition occurring during each field cycle. Under unipolar load, fatigue in low‐KNN systems is dominated by domain wall pinning and the formation of a space charge field. Only the latter effect is present in non‐ferroelectric high‐KNN systems, which fatigue to a smaller degree.
Category Transfer in Sequential Causal Learning: The Unbroken Mechanism Hypothesis
Authors: Hagmayer York , Meder Björn , von Sydow Momme , Waldmann Michael R.
Published: May 2011

The goal of the present set of studies is to explore the boundary conditions of category transfer in causal learning. Previous research has shown that people are capable of inducing categories based on causal learning input, and they often transfer these categories to new causal learning tasks. However, occasionally learners abandon the learned categories and induce new ones. Whereas previously it has been argued that transfer is only observed with essentialist categories in which the hidden properties are causally relevant for the target effect in the transfer relation, we here propose an alternative explanation, theunbroken mechanism hypothesis.This hypothesis claims that categories are transferred from a previously learned causal relation to a new causal relation when learners assume a causal mechanism linking the two relations that is continuous and unbroken. The findings of two causal learning experiments support the unbroken mechanism hypothesis.
New lake district in Europe: origin and hydrochemical characteristics
Authors: Rzętała Mariusz , Jaguś Andrzej
Published: May 2011

This article presents a new lake district in Southern Poland created as a result of human activity in the Upper Silesian region. The area has been named the Upper Silesian Anthropogenic Lake District. The lake density of the Lake District as delineated by the authors (with an area of 6766 km2) is 2.74%. It includes 4773 water bodies of various origins – reservoirs retained by dams, flooded mineral workings, water bodies formed in subsidence basins and hollows, levee ponds, residual water bodies following river regulation and other water bodies. These are located in urban‐industrial, rural‐agricultural or quasi‐natural areas. The hydrochemical diversity of water bodies is conditioned by their origin, location in the catchment and function. Studies have shown the widespread occurrence of eutrophication processes in limnic waters within the Lake District. The diverse origin and hydrochemical properties of water bodies within the Upper Silesian Anthropogenic Lake District make it special among other anthropogenic lake districts.
Increased numbers of circulating ECs are associated with systemic GVHD
Authors: YAN Z. , ZENG L. , JIA L. , XU S. , DING S.
Published: May 2011

Introduction:  Circulating endothelial cells (ECs) are known to reflect endothelial injury, and endothelial injury is associated with graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD). We hypothesised that circulating ECs might be associated with systemic acute graft‐versus‐host disease (aGVHD).

Methods:  BALB/c (H‐2kd) mice were treated with total body irradiation and then infused with C57B/6‐derived T‐cell‐depleted bone marrow (TCD‐BM) cells or TCD‐BM cells and splenocytes. Cyclosporine was used to prevent aGVHD. Circulating ECs and allogeneic lymphocytes were analysed by flow cytometry at multiple time points. The morphology and ultrastructure of the endothelium were examined by light microscopy or transmission electron microscopy.

Results:  The results indicated that the number of circulating ECs peaked at day 5 after lethal irradiation in all mice; allogenic transplanted mice (TCD‐BM cells and splenocytes) developed typical aGVHD beginning at day 7, exhibiting both histological and clinical symptoms of disease. Circulating ECs peaked a second time at day 9 with aGVHD progression. However, following the administration of CSA, an absence of or a reduction in the amount of subsequent endothelial injury was observed.

Conclusion:  Circulating ECs might be associated with systemic aGVHD.
Winning the invasion roulette: escapes from fish farms increase admixture and facilitate establishment of non‐native rainbow trout
Authors: Consuegra Sofia , Phillips Nia , Gajardo Gonzalo , de Leaniz Carlos Garcia
Published: May 2011

Aquaculture is a major source of invasive aquatic species, despite the fact that cultured organisms often have low genetic diversity and tend to be maladapted to survive in the wild. Yet, to what extent aquaculture escapees become established by means of high propagule pressure and multiple origins is not clear. We analysed the genetic diversity of 15 established populations and four farmed stocks of non‐native rainbow trout in Chile, a species first introduced for recreational fishing around 1900, but which has in recent decades escaped in large numbers from fish farms and become widespread. Aquaculture propagule pressure was a good predictor of the incidence of farm escapees, which represented 16% of all free‐ranging rainbow trout and were present in 80% of the study rivers. Hybrids between farm escapes and established trout were present in all rivers at frequencies ranging between 7 and 69%, and population admixture was positively correlated with genetic diversity. We suggest that non‐native salmonids introduced into the Southern Hemisphere could benefit from admixture because local adaptations may not have yet developed, and there may be initially little fitness loss resulting from outbreeding depression.
Transgenes for insect resistance reduce herbivory and enhance fecundity in advanced generations of crop–weed hybrids of rice
Authors: Yang Xiao , Xia Hui , Wang Wei , Wang Feng , Su Jun , Snow Allison A. , Lu Bao‐Rong
Published: May 2011

Gene flow from transgenic crops allows novel traits to spread to sexually compatible weeds. Traits such as resistance to insects may enhance the fitness of weeds, but few studies have tested for these effects under natural field conditions. We created F2 and F3 crop–weed hybrid lineages of genetically engineered rice (Oryza sativa) using lines with two transgene constructs, cowpea trypsin inhibitor (CpTI) and a Bt transgene linked to CpTI (Bt/CpTI). Experiments conducted in Fuzhou, China, demonstrated that CpTI alone did not significantly affect fecundity, although it reduced herbivory. In contrast, under certain conditions, Bt/CpTI conferred up to 79% less insect damage and 47% greater fecundity relative to nontransgenic controls, and a 44% increase in fecundity relative to the weedy parent. A small fitness cost was detected in F3 progeny with Bt/CpTI when grown under low insect pressure and direct competition with transgene‐negative controls. We conclude that Bt/CpTI transgenes may introgress into co‐occurring weedy rice populations and contribute to greater seed production when target insects are abundant. However, the net fitness benefits that are associated with Bt/CpTI could be ephemeral if insect pressure is lacking, for example, because of widespread planting of Bt cultivars that suppress target insect populations.
Live/dead real‐time polymerase chain reaction to assess new therapies against dental plaque‐related pathologies
Authors: Loozen G. , Boon N. , Pauwels M. , Quirynen M. , Teughels W.
Published: May 2011

DNA‐based methodology for the identification and detection of specific bacteria in dental plaque offers advantages over culturing techniques. One drawback of current molecular techniques like real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐QPCR) is that they are not able to distinguish between live or dead bacteria. To overcome this problem an assay was assessed to discriminate between viable or dead bacteria using DNA intercalating substances, propidium monoazide (PMA) and ethidium monoazide (EMA) in combination with RT‐QPCR. The assay was tested on oral pathogens: Streptococcus mutans, Prevotella intermedia and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. To determine the effectiveness of EMA and PMA, different concentrations (from 5 to 100 μg ml−1) of the substances were added to viable or heat‐killed suspensions of both organisms (ranging from 108 to 104 colony‐forming units ml−1). Afterwards, PMA was tested on mixtures of varying ratios of viable and dead cells. After DNA extraction, RT‐QPCR was performed using species‐specific primers. Both compounds inhibited PCR amplification from dead cells. The EMA treatment resulted in the largest signal decrease but EMA also inhibited DNA amplification from viable cells. For this reason, PMA was selected for use in further experiments. It was shown to be efficient in allowing selective PCR detection of only viable cells in mixtures containing both viable and dead cells. The amount of amplified DNA corresponded to the percentage of viable cells in the sample. The developed assay will potentially be useful for assessing bacterial loads remaining after disinfection protocols without interference by non‐viable bacteria.