bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do South Australian pharmacy interns have the educational and behavioural precursors to meet the objectives of Australia's health care reform agenda?
Authors: Mak Vivienne S L , March Geoff , Clark Alice , Gilbert Andrew L
Published: January 2014

Objective

To explore South Australian (SA) pharmacy interns' values, beliefs and motivations to study pharmacy and their assessment of how well their pharmacy education has prepared them for activities required of all health professionals under Australia's health care reforms.

Methods

A postal questionnaire was sent to all 136 SA pharmacy interns enrolled in SA intern training programmes in February 2010 (second month of the intern training programme).

Key findings

Sixty (44%) of SA pharmacy interns responded; 75% selected pharmacy as a career because of an interest in health-related sciences and 65% valued working with patients. Respondents believed their pharmacy education prepared them for patient care (80%), providing medicine information (72%) and primary health care delivery (68%), but 51% indicated that they were not prepared for multidisciplinary team care.

Conclusions

The positive values, beliefs and motivations expressed by respondents are significant behavioural precursors to meet the requirements of health professionals in Australia's health care reforms. Respondents indicated that their pharmacy education provided appropriate training in a number of relevant professional areas.
Ineffably Effable: The Pinnacle of Mystical Ascent in Gregory of Nyssa's De vita Moysis
Authors: Eubank Nathan
Published: January 2014

In his commentary on the Song of Songs, Gregory of Nyssa describes a three‐step progression of the soul to God, an ascent which ends in the darkness of God's ineffability. Though some of Gregory's most prominent interpreters understand Moses' ascent into the darkness to be the definitive encounter with God in De vita Moysis as well, it is here argued that in De vita Moysis Gregory of Nyssa makes the culminating moment, not the apophatic experience of the darkness, but the encounter with the celestial tabernacle, Christ. Gregory thereby suggests that the mystical ascent to God ends in the encounter of God as both unknowable and known, transcendent but also incarnate.
Tryptase is a candidate autoantigen in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Guo Yanyan , Wu Qiao , Ni Bing , Mou Zhirong , Jiang Qiong , Cao Yi , Dong Hui , Wu Yuzhang
Published: January 2014

Autoimmune processes have been implicated in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA); however, specific autoantigens that play a role in the aetiology of RA have been lacking. In this study, we found that sera from RA patients were particularly immunoreactive against the protein tryptase. Compared with osteoarthritis (OA) patients and healthy controls, RA patients had relatively higher levels of tryptase and concomitant anti‐tryptase antibodies in their synovial tissues and sera. Similarly, synovial fluid from RA patients, but not from OA patients, contained antibodies that recognized tryptase in vitro. In addition, serum tryptase levels in both early and late RA patients significantly correlated with clinical indices usually used to diagnose RA, such as rheumatoid factor, Disease Activity Score using 28 joint counts and autoantibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptide. Our results identify tryptase as a candidate autoantigen involved in the pathogenesis of RA and monitoring its levels may have diagnostic and prognostic value.
Mutations in the substrate binding site of human heat‐shock protein 70 indicate specific interaction with HLA‐DR outside the peptide binding groove
Authors: Rohrer Karin M. , Haug Markus , Schwörer Daniela , Kalbacher Hubert , Holzer Ursula
Published: January 2014

Heat‐shock protein 70 (Hsp70)–peptide complexes are involved in MHC class I‐ and II‐restricted antigen presentation, enabling enhanced activation of T cells. As shown previously, mammalian cytosolic Hsp70 (Hsc70) molecules interact specifically with HLA‐DR molecules. This interaction might be of significance as Hsp70 molecules could transfer bound antigenic peptides in a ternary complex into the binding groove of HLA‐DR molecules. The present study provides new insights into the distinct interaction of Hsp70 with HLA‐DR molecules. Using a quantitative binding assay, it could be demonstrated that a point mutation of amino acids alanine 406 and valine 438 in the substrate binding pocket led to reduced peptide binding compared with the wild‐type Hsp70 whereas HLA‐DR binding remains unaffected. The removal of the C‐terminal lid neither altered the substrate binding capacity nor the Hsp70 binding characteristics to HLA‐DR. A truncated variant lacking the nucleotide binding domain showed no binding interactions with HLA‐DR. Furthermore, the truncated ATPase subunit of constitutively expressed Hsc70 revealed similar binding affinities to HLA‐DR compared with the complete Hsc70. Hence, it can be assumed that the Hsp70–HLA‐DR interaction takes place outside the peptide binding groove and is attributed to the ATPase domain of HSP70 molecules. The Hsp70‐chaperoned peptides might thereby be directly transferred into the binding groove of HLA‐DR, so enabling enhanced presentation of the peptide on antigen‐presenting cells and leading to an improved proliferation of responding T cells as shown previously.
A Comparison of Thoracolumbar Intervertebral Disc Extrusion in French Bulldogs and Dachshunds and Association With Congenital Vertebral Anomalies
Authors: Aikawa Takeshi , Shibata Mitsuhiro , Asano Moe , Hara Yasushi , Tagawa Masahiro , Orima Hiromitsu
Published: January 2014

Objectives

To compare data for French Bulldogs and Dachshunds that had hemilaminectomy for thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion (T‐L IVDE) by 1 surgeon and to evaluate the association between IVDE and congenital vertebral anomalies.

Design

Retrospective case series.

Animals

French Bulldogs (n = 47) and 671 Dachshunds.

Methods

Age, gender, vertebral anomaly, kyphosis/kyphoscoliosis, IVDE site, non‐recovery and progressive hemorrhagic myelomalacia development from grade 5 (paraplegia without deep nociception) were compared between the 2 breeds.

Results

French Bulldogs were significantly younger (P = .00001), more likely to be male (P = .023), and more likely to have a congenital vertebral anomaly and kyphosis/kyphoscoliosis (P < .00001) than Dachshunds. The frequencies of French Bulldogs with IVDE within typical sites (T11‐L3) were significantly lower (P = .0005) and within caudal sites (L3‐L7) significantly higher (P = .0001) compared with Dachshunds. None of the French Bulldogs had IVDE within the kyphotic/kyphoscoliotic segment. The frequency of lumbar IVDE (L1‐L5) in French Bulldogs with kyphosis/kyphoscoliosis was significantly higher (P = .003) compared with French Bulldogs without kyphosis/kyphoscoliosis. In grade 5 dogs, the risk of developing progressive hemorrhagic myelomalacia in French Bulldogs was significantly higher (P = .03) than in Dachshunds.

Conclusion

The distribution of IVDE site in French Bulldogs within the thoracolumbar and lumbar spine was different from Dachshunds. IVDE sites were not located at the sites of vertebral anomaly. French Bulldogs appeared to have T‐L IVDE at younger ages, with higher male predisposition and higher risk of developing progressive hemorrhagic myelomalacia from grade 5 compared with Dachshunds.
Long Term Outcome After Laser Assisted Modified Forssell's in Cribbing Horses
Authors: Baia Petrisor , Burba Daniel J. , Riggs Laura M. , Beaufrere Hugues
Published: January 2014

Objective

To (1) report long‐term outcome after laser assisted modified Forssell's procedure; (2) describe the prevalence of postoperative complications; and (3) identify risk factors associated with outcome.

Study design

Retrospective case series.

Animals

Horses (n = 119).

Methods

Medical records (1994–2012) of horses that had laser assisted modified Forssell's procedure were reviewed. Signalment, preoperative duration of cribbing, postoperative complications and outcome were recorded.

Results

Follow‐up was available for 90 horses; 76 had stopped cribbing for >1 year. Of 14 horses that resumed cribbing, median relapse time was 6 months. Preoperative cribbing duration was significantly associated with an increased probability of unsuccessful outcome when horses cribbed for >3 years before surgery (odds ratio of positive outcome: OR = 0.14, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.95). Overall, 22.2% horses had postoperative complications (hematoma, seroma, infection, and prolonged drainage).

Conclusions

Laser assisted modified Forssell's is a very effective (84.4%) surgical treatment of cribbing behavior in horses. Preoperative cribbing duration was identified as a significant risk factor associated with unsuccessful surgical outcome.
The research and development of a 5‐HT selective reuptake blocker. Preclinical aspects
Authors: Agurell S.
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACT— The preclinical development of zimeldine according to the 5‐HT (serotonin) hypothesis is briefly reviewed. Zimeldine is a selective 5‐HT reuptake inhibitor based on the “chemical lead” of brompheniramine – an antihistamine with some 5‐HT reuptake inhibitory properties. By chemical manipulation of the position of the pyridine ring in brompheniramine and the stereochemistry of the side chain, a selective 5‐HT reuptake inhibitor has been developed.
Strategies for the testing of antidepressants: trials and tribulations. An overview
Authors: Coppen A.
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACT— Short‐term, long‐term and prophylactic trials are all important for the thorough assessment of a new antidepressant. Patients are carefully selected for such trials according to rigidly applied selection criteria, and their depressive disorder should be rated using a standard classification system. Multicentre trials are often a useful means of obtaining sufficient numbers of patients for valid conclusions to be drawn, but different assessors obtain quite different results even on the same rating scales. Thus, ideally, the assessors should undergo centralized training in such rating. A useful method of circumventing these problems is to use a more objective test, such as the dexamethasone suppression test.

Trials should also compare the new drug with placebo and standard antidepressants (e.g. 150 mg/day amitriptyline). The safety profile should be carefully established by monitoring side‐effects and investigating interactions with commonly used drugs (including alcohol).

Most new antidepressants are found to be equally as effective as, but no better than, standard antidepressant therapy. However, many new antidepressants have the advantage of causing fewer side‐effects.
Population interaction structure and the coexistence of bacterial strains playing ‘rock–paper–scissors’
Authors: Laird Robert A.
Published: January 2014

The simplest example of non‐transitive competition is the game rock–paper–scissors (RPS), which exhibits characteristic cyclic strategy replacement: paper beats rock, which in turn beats scissors, which in turn beats paper. In addition to its familiar use in understanding human decision‐making, rock–paper–scissors is also played in many biological systems. Among other reasons, this is important because it potentially provides a mechanism whereby species‐ or strain coexistence can occur in the face of intense competition. Kerr et al. (2002, Nature 418: 171–174) use complementary experiments and simulations to show that RPS‐playing toxic, resistant, and susceptible E. coli bacteria can coexist when interactions between the strains are spatially explicit. This raises the question of whether limited interactions associated with space are sufficient to allow strain coexistence, or whether space per se is crucial. I approach this question by extending the Kerr et al. model to include different (aspatial) population network structures with the same degree distributions as corresponding spatial lattice models. I show that the coexistence that occurs for some parameter combinations when simulated bacterial strains compete on lattices is absent when they compete on random regular graphs. Further, considering small‐world networks of intermediate ‘quenched randomness’ between lattices and random regular graphs, I show that only small deviations from pure spatial interactions are sufficient to prevent strain coexistence. These results emphasize the explicit role of space, rather than merely limited interactions, as being decisive in allowing the coexistence of toxic, resistant, and susceptible strains in this model system.
Pathophysiological changes associated with dietary melamine and cyanuric acid toxicity in red tilapia
Authors: Phromkunthong W , Choochuay P , Kiron V , Nuntapong N , Boonyaratpalin M
Published: January 2014

This study examined the adverse effects of feed‐delivered melamine (MEL) and cyanuric acid (CYA) in red tilapia. Diet 1 (without MEL and CYA), diets 2–4 (with MEL and CYA at 2.5, 5 and 7.5 g kg−1 diet, respectively) and diets 5 and 6 (with either MEL or CYA at 10 g kg−1 diet) were examined. MEL alone lowered both growth and FCR (P < 0.05), and CYA alone reduced the FCR of tilapia. Protein efficiency ratio and apparent net utilization of fish on diets 2–6 were poor (P < 0.05). The renal tubules of fish ingested MEL‐CYA combination had melamine–cyanurate crystals. On the other hand, diets with only one chemical did not induce such crystals. MEL and CYA in whole body, fillet or viscera reflected their dietary inclusion levels. The levels of Hsp70 were increased in the liver of fish that ingested MEL and CYA, in combination or singly (P < 0.05). However, in the kidney, such an increase was visible only in the fish that received diet 4 (P < 0.05). Combination of MEL and CYA at inclusion levels > 5 g kg−1 diet induced the activity of catalase in liver and the activity of glutathione peroxidase in liver and kidneys. Therefore, these adulterants should not be included in fish feeds.
Assessing the Salinity Effects on Mineral Composition and Nutritional Quality of Green and Red “Baby” Lettuce
Authors: Neocleous D. , Koukounaras A. , Siomos A.S. , Vasilakakis M.
Published: January 2014

The work focuses on the responses of two baby lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cultivars (green “Paris Island” and red “Sanguine”) to different NaCl solutions (0, 5, 10 and 20 mM). Plant mineral composition (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B, Cl and Na) and nutritional quality (nitrates, ascorbic acid, phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant activity) were determined. Salinity was found to be able to reduce the concentration of K; while, it was able to enhance Zn and Cu concentrations in baby leaves of both cultivars. Salinity was even able to decrease Ca concentration in green lettuce, and to increase the concentrations of Fe, Mn and B in red lettuce. Moreover, salinity was connected to the accumulation of Cl and Na in baby leaves. However, the use of saline waters enhanced health‐beneficial phenolic compounds in baby leaves in some instances.

Practical Applications

In recent years, baby vegetables are becoming more and more popular as they are easy to prepare for the market (fast food, ready‐to‐eat salads), with a low degree of injury, as in the case of fresh‐cut vegetables. Salinity is one of the most important factors limiting yield of several horticultural crops worldwide. Although lettuce is considered moderately sensitive to salinity, literature reveals that salinity is connected with biosynthesis of nutritional compounds. The present study may serve as a tool to better understand baby lettuce mineral nutrition and the consequent management of fertilizers, which is of value in the baby vegetable production industry and is critical in improving yield and quality. In addition, enhancement of phenolic compounds, induced by salinity in some instances, may be of importance in a diet rich in antioxidants.
Physicochemical Properties of Blends of Palm Mid‐Fraction, Palm Stearin and Olive Oil
Authors: Ramli Nazaruddin , Said Mamot , Mizan Abu Bakar Aftar , Tan Yen‐Nee , Ayob Mohd Khan
Published: January 2014

With increasing consumer awareness of risks associated with a high‐fat‐intake diet, the market for reduced calorie fats has been expanding. Ten different ratios of ternary blends of palm mid‐fraction (PMF), palm stearin (POs) and olive oil (OO) were formulated. The solid fat content of all blends at 37C was in the range of 0.00–24.88%, slip melting points ranged from 0.3 to 53.4C, free fatty acid ranged from 0.14 to 0.34% and iodine value ranged from 35.15 to 87.69%. Fatty acid composition analysis demonstrated that all blends were high in palmitic (12.35–59.95%) and oleic (27.27–71.62%) acids. Higher melting enthalpy was shown by blends with higher degree of saturation. Ternary blends of OO with PMF and POs may be suitable for producing shortening and cocoa butter substitutes with better characteristics than individual oils and fats.

Practical Applications

To fulfill the increasing demand for low‐calorie and healthy foods, many studies have been done with a new oil or fat blend with better nutritional value and reduced calories. Oil blending is a common technique practiced and it is cheaper and involves minimum production of by‐products, which are potentially hazardous to health. Blending of palm mid‐fraction (PMF), palm stearin (POs) and olive oil was shown to produce an alternative oil source with better physicochemical properties and nutritional value. The ternary oil/fat blend was found to exhibit better oxidative stability and may be suitable as a cocoa butter substitute.
Microbial Reduction and Quality of Stored Date Fruits Treated by Electrolyzed Water
Authors: Bessi H. , Debbabi H. , Grissa K. , Bellagha S.
Published: January 2014

Anolyte is an environmentally safe oxidizing solution that can be used as a biocidal agent. In this work, anolyte water effect (pH 7–7.5; oxidation‐reduction potential 800–850 mV) was studied as an ecologically safe alternative for disinfecting dates. Dates were dipped in anolyte/water solutions at three concentrations (1, 3 and 5%) and for various exposure times (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 4 min). Total bacterial flora and yeast and molds counts reductions were determined after each treatment. Microbial analysis after treatment showed up to 99.5% reduction of the total count of mesophilic bacteria, and completely eliminated yeast and molds from dates. Tests of optimum condition showed no effect on acidity, sucrose, reducing sugars and moisture content. In addition, sensory evaluation based on a triangle test showed no significant difference (P > 0.05) between treated and fresh dates after 6 months of storage, for the following descriptors: taste, odor, texture and color.

Practical Applications

Deglet Nour date is well‐known for its unique taste, its particular aroma, its golden‐yellow color and its nutritional value. In Tunisia, this variety is of higher market value and is the highest‐valued variety on international markets. Tunisia is currently the 10th world producer and the lead exporter of Deglet Nour dates. However, handlers often encounter quality problems (microbiological and physicochemical) which are enhanced by the long‐storage period. Anolyte combines washing, disinfecting and sterilizing agent features and it degrades spontaneously. The aim of this study was to ensure a better conservation of dates using anolyte solution, to reduce initial bacterial populations and proliferation during storage and thus increase the shelf life of a better quality product.
Fundal pressure during the second stage of labor in a tertiary obstetric center: A prospective analysis
Authors: Moiety Fady M. Shawky , Azzam Amal Z.
Published: January 2014

Aim

To ascertain whether uterine fundal pressure should have a role in the management of the second stage of labor and to determine its prevalence, benefits and adverse maternal–fetal outcomes.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study set in a tertiary teaching and research obstetric hospital. A total of 8097 women in labor between 37 and 42 gestational weeks with a singleton cephalic presentation were enrolled. Subjects were subdivided into two groups: fundal pressure group (n = 1974 women) and control group (n = 6123 women). The primary outcome measure was the duration of the second stage. The secondary outcome measures were maternal outcomes (immediate or delayed) and neonatal outcomes.

Results

The prevalence of fundal pressure in our center was 24.38%. Fundal pressure maneuver significantly shortened the duration of the second stage among primiparous women, increased the risk of severe perineal laceration and admission to neonatal intensive care unit in comparison to the non‐fundal group. Delayed maternal outcomes showed significant increase in dyspareunia and de novo stress urinary incontinence in the fundal pressure group.

Conclusion

Although fundal pressure maneuver shortens the duration of the second stage of labor among primiparous women, it should not be used except when indicated, and under strict guidelines owing to its adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.
Attitudes toward cervical cancer screening among women receiving human papillomavirus vaccination in a university‐hospital‐based community: Interim 2‐year follow‐up results
Authors: Miyagi Etsuko , Sukegawa Akiko , Motoki Yoko , Kaneko Tetsuji , Maruyama Yasuyo , Asai‐Sato Mikiko , Numazaki Reiko , Mizushima Shunsaku , Hirahara Fumiki
Published: January 2014

Aim

This study investigated the status of cervical cancer screening among women in a university hospital‐based community who received catch‐up human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations as a basic element of our community‐based cervical cancer prevention advocacy.

Methods

Self‐administered questionnaires were distributed to 173 women working or studying in the community at their first HPV vaccination in 2010, at the third vaccination, and 2 years later. Their demographics and attitudes toward the Pap test were analyzed.

Results

The median age of the participants was 27.5 years and 88.2% were sexually active. Before the first vaccination, 38.5% (57/148) of the screening targets had never had a Pap test. Among the women who completed the third vaccination, Pap test experiences within the recent 2 years increased from 45.3% (63/139) at the first vaccination to 71.2% (99/137) at the third vaccination, and 67.5% (54/80) 2 years later. In 45.3% of the screening targets who had never had a Pap test at the time of their first HPV vaccination, their first Pap test was followed by their vaccination.

Conclusions

Having biennial Pap tests in accordance with the Japanese national cancer screening guideline was shown to be difficult even for the women in the medical community; however, education about the Pap test and the efficacy of HPV vaccination in providing opportunistic screening encouraged them to have their first or suspended Pap test. Our interim data suggest the need for urgently changing the cervical cancer prevention strategy for young adult women who are excluded from the national HPV vaccine program.
Lender Exposure and Effort in the Syndicated Loan Market
Authors: Mora Nada
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACT

This article tests for asymmetric information problems between the lead arranger and the participants in a lending syndicate. One problem comes from adverse selection, whereby the lead has a private informational advantage over participants. A second problem comes from moral hazard, whereby the lead puts less effort in monitoring when it retains a smaller loan share. Applying an instrumental variables strategy using lending limits, borrower performance is improved by increasing the lead's share. The focus is on separating moral hazard from adverse selection and the results are consistently indicative of monitoring. First, the lead's share is more important for revocable credit lines than for fully funded term facilities. Second, a lead with greater liquidity risk reduces its share resulting in worse borrower performance, but its liquidity risk does not affect the quality of credits it chooses to syndicate in the first place. Third, covenants are paired with a higher lead share, and the sensitivity between share and borrower ex post performance is greater on loans with more covenants.
The Value of Investing in Enterprise Risk Management
Authors: Grace Martin F. , Leverty J. Tyler , Phillips Richard D. , Shimpi Prakash
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACT

Prior studies show that enterprise risk management improves firm performance. This article investigates which aspects of enterprise risk management add value. We find that the use of economic capital models and dedicated risk managers improve operating performance. Requiring the dedicated risk manager report to the board of directors or to the chief executive officer (CEO) also increases value. The following combination of enterprise risk management initiatives yields the greatest increase in firm value: a simple economic capital model, a dedicated risk manager that is a cross‐functional committee, and requiring the risk manager report to the board or CEO.
Selective Intestinal Cobalamin Malabsorption with Proteinuria (Imerslund‐Gräsbeck Syndrome) in Juvenile Beagles
Authors: Fyfe J.C. , Hemker S.L. , Venta P.J. , Stebbing B. , Giger U.
Published: January 2014

Background

Selective intestinal cobalamin malabsorption with mild proteinuria (Imerslund‐Gräsbeck syndrome; I‐GS), is an autosomal recessive disorder of dogs caused by mutations in AMN or CUBN that disrupt cubam function and which can present as a medical emergency.

Objectives

To describe the clinical, metabolic, and genetic bases of I‐GS in Beagles.

Animals

Four cobalamin‐deficient and 43 clinically normal Beagles and 5 dogs of other breeds.

Methods

Clinical description and candidate gene genetic study. Urinary organic acid and protein excretion were determined by gas‐chromatography and SDS‐PAGE, respectively. Renal cubilin protein expression was assessed on immunoblots. Mutation discovery was carried out by PCR amplification and DNA sequencing of exons with flanking splice sites and cDNA of CUBN and AMN. Genotyping was performed by restriction enzyme digestion of PCR amplicons.

Results

Juvenile‐affected Beagles exhibited failure to thrive, dyshematopoiesis with neutropenia, serum cobalamin deficiency, methylmalonic aciduria, hyperammonemia, and proteinuria. Affected dogs' kidneys lacked detectable cubilin protein. All affected dogs were homozygous for a single‐base deletion in CUBN exon 8 (CUBN c.786delC), predicting a translational frameshift, and the 2 parents tested were heterozygous.

Conclusions

The CUBN mutation in juvenile I‐GS Beagles causes a more severe cobalamin malabsorption than in Border Collies with a different CUBN defect, but is similar to I‐GS caused by AMN mutations in Giant Schnauzers and Australian Shepherds. Awareness of the disorder and breed predispositions to I‐GS is crucial to precisely diagnose and promptly treat hereditary cobalamin malabsorption and to prevent disease in those dogs at risk in future generations.
Cats with Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Intestinal Small Cell Lymphoma Have Low Serum Concentrations of 25‐Hydroxyvitamin D
Authors: Lalor S. , Schwartz A.M. , Titmarsh H. , Reed N. , Tasker S. , Boland L. , Berry J. , Gunn‐Moore D. , Mellanby R.J.
Published: January 2014

Background

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and intestinal small cell lymphoma (ISCL) are common diseases in cats. The prevalence of alterations in the serum concentrations of fat soluble vitamins, such as vitamin D, in cats with IBD and ISCL is unknown.

Hypothesis/Objectives

The objective of this study was to measure serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentrations in cats with IBD or ISCL. Serum 25(OH)D also was measured in healthy cats, and in hospitalized ill cats with nongastrointestinal diseases.

Animals

Eighty‐four cats were included in the study: 23 in the healthy group, 41 in the hospitalized ill group, and 20 in the IBD/ISCL group.

Methods

Retrospective study. Serum samples for vitamin D analysis were frozen at −20°C until serum 25(OH)D was measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Results

Although there was overlap in serum 25(OH)D concentrations among the 3 groups, serum 25(OH)D concentrations were significantly lower in the cats with IBD or ISCL compared to healthy cats (P < .0001) and hospitalized ill cats (P = .014). In the IBD/ISCL group, there was a significant moderate positive correlation between serum albumin and 25(OH)D concentrations (r = 0.58, P = .018).

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

The median serum concentration of 25(OH)D was significantly lower in cats with IBD/ISCL than in healthy cats and in hospitalized ill cats. Additional studies are required to elucidate the mechanism of hypovitaminosis D in cats with gastrointestinal diseases, to define the best management strategy to treat this complication, and to investigate its potential prognostic implications.
Influence of light intensity, water volume and density in tadpoles raised in mesocosm experiments
Authors: Kehr A. I. , Schaefer E. F. , Duré M. I. , Gómez V. I.
Published: January 2014

The ability of an organism to produce different phenotypes under different environmental conditions is a common adaptation in nature. Biotic factors like competition, community structure and predation can influence the survival and time to metamorphosis in amphibians. However, abiotic factors such as the hydroperiod and light intensity can be as important as biotic ones. We examine the influence of abiotic (light, hydroperiod) and biotic (density) factors on the morphology, growth and development ofArgenteohyla siemersi pedersenitadpoles. Our main goal was to determine whether the morphology, growth and development vary in relation to changes in water volume, light intensity and number of conspecifics. The experiment was conducted under mesocosm conditions. We used a randomized block design with a factorial combination of two densities of tadpoles, two volumes of water and two light intensity conditions. The main findings were as follows: (1) Tadpole morphology was significantly affected by density and water volume but not by light intensity. Tadpoles maintained at low density increased their tail length and tail depth, tadpoles exposed to low volumes of water increased their tail length and tail muscle depth; (2) The growth rate and development rate of tadpoles were significantly affected by the effects of volume of water and density. Tadpoles maintained at low densities and low volume of water showed a significant increase in growth and development rate; (3) The growth and development rates of tadpoles were significantly affected by the effect of light intensity. Tadpoles exposed to lower light intensity showed an increase in their growth and development rates.
Evaluating combat in ornithischian dinosaurs
Authors: Farke A. A.
Published: January 2014

Ornithischia, a diverse clade of herbivorous dinosaurs, has numerous members with structures hypothesized to function in combat. These include the horned ceratopsids, dome‐headed pachycephalosaurs, spike‐thumbed iguanodonts, tail‐clubbed ankylosaurs and spiked stegosaurs, among others. Three main lines of evidence support such inferences: (1) analogy with modern animals; (2) biomechanical analysis and simulation; and (3) paleopathology. The most solid inferences utilize multiple pieces of evidence, although this is hampered by a limited understanding of combat in modern animals.
Localized Structural Damage Detection: A Change Point Analysis
Authors: Nigro M. B. , Pakzad S. N. , Dorvash S.
Published: January 2014

Many current damage detection techniques rely on the skill and experience of a trained inspector and also require a priori knowledge about the structure's properties. However, this study presents adaptation of several change point analysis techniques for their performance in civil engineering damage detection. Literature shows different statistical approaches which are developed for detection of changes in observations for different applications including structural damage detection. However, despite their importance in damage detection, control charts and statistical frameworks are not properly utilized in this area. On the other hand, most of the existing change point analysis techniques were originally developed for applications in the stock market or industrial engineering processes; utilizing them in structural damage detection needs adjustments and verification. Therefore, in this article several change point detection methods are evaluated and adjusted for a damage detection scheme. The effectiveness of features from a statistics based local damage detection algorithm called Influenced Coefficient Based Damage Detection Algorithm (IDDA) is expanded for a more complex structural system. The statistics used in this study include the univariate Cumulative Sum, Exponentially Weighted Moving Average (EWMA), Mean Square Error (MSE), and multivariate Mahalanobis distances, and Fisher Criterion. They are used to make control charts that detect and localize the damage by correlating locations of a sensor network with the damage features. A Modified MSE statistic, called ModMSE statistic, is introduced to remove the sensitivity of the MSE statistic to the variance of a data set. The effectiveness of each statistic is analyzed.
A poly‐γ‐d‐glutamic acid depolymerase that degrades the protective capsule of Bacillus anthracis
Authors: Negus David , Taylor Peter W.
Published: January 2014

A mixed culture of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Pusillimonas noertemanii, obtained by soil enrichment, elaborated an enzyme (EnvD) which rapidly hydrolysed poly‐γ‐d‐glutamic acid (PDGA), the constituent of the anti‐phagocytic capsule conferring virulence on Bacillus anthracis. The EnvD gene is carried on the P. noertemanii genome but co‐culture is required for the elaboration of PDGA depolymerase activity. EnvD showed strong sequence homology to dienelactone hydrolases from other Gram‐negative bacteria, possessed no general protease activity but cleaved γ‐links in both d‐ and l‐glutamic acid‐containing polymers. The stability at 37°C was markedly superior to that of CapD, a γ‐glutamyltranspeptidase with PDGA depolymerase activity. Recombinant EnvD was recovered from inclusion bodies in soluble form from an Escherichia coli expression vector and the enzyme stripped the PDGA capsule from the surface of B. anthracis Pasteur within 5 min. We conclude from this in vitro study that rEnvD shows promise as a potential therapeutic for the treatment of anthrax.
Children's lived experiences of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Manookian Arpi , Nasrabadi Alireza Nikbakht , Asadi Monireh
Published: January 2014

Although hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a valuable treatment in many life‐threatening pediatric disorders, a large number of children who receive hematopoietic stem cell transplantation are faced with a variety of physical and psychological problems throughout this process. In this study, we explored the lived experiences of these children during their treatment to provide a better understanding of their main concerns, emotions, and expectations. The participants were six children, aged between 6 and 17 years, who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Data were collected through individual, in‐depth, and semistructured interviews. Using interpretive phenomenological analysis, the findings revealed that the children experienced “transplantation rejoicing” in this “difficult passage”, which was associated with “deepening of family ties”. Awareness of these experiences, feelings, and concerns can help in the development of more professional interventions to provide children with holistic care during their hospitalization.
Herbivory eliminates fitness costs of mutualism exploiters
Authors: Simonsen Anna K. , Stinchcombe John R.
Published: January 2014

A common empirical observation in mutualistic interactions is the persistence of variation in partner quality and, in particular, the persistence of exploitative phenotypes. For mutualisms between hosts and symbionts, most mutualism theory assumes that exploiters always impose fitness costs on their host.

We exposed legume hosts to mutualistic (nitrogen‐fixing) and exploitative (non‐nitrogen‐fixing) symbiotic rhizobia in field conditions, and manipulated the presence or absence of insect herbivory to determine if the costly fitness effects of exploitative rhizobia are context‐dependent.

Exploitative rhizobia predictably reduced host fitness when herbivores were excluded. However, insects caused greater damage on hosts associating with mutualistic rhizobia, as a consequence of feeding preferences related to leaf nitrogen content, resulting in the elimination of fitness costs imposed on hosts by exploitative rhizobia.

Our experiment shows that herbivory is potentially an important factor in influencing the evolutionary dynamic between legumes and rhizobia. Partner choice and host sanctioning are theoretically predicted to stabilize mutualisms by reducing the frequency of exploitative symbionts. We argue that herbivore pressure may actually weaken selection on choice and sanction mechanisms, thus providing one explanation of why host‐based discrimination mechanisms may not be completely effective in eliminating nonbeneficial partners.
Effect of wild Helianthus cytoplasms on agronomic and oil characteristics of cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)
Authors: Jan Chao‐Chien , Seiler Gerald J. , Hammond Jim J.
Published: January 2014

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) productions reliance on a single source of cytoplasmic male sterility, PET1, derived from H. petiolaris Nutt., makes the crop genetically vulnerable. Twenty diverse cytoplasmic substitution lines from annual and perennial wild species were compared with the inbred line HA89 over four environments. Pairwise comparisons of alloplasmic male fertile (MF) with euplasmic MF lines suggested that cytoplasm of perennial H. angustifolius increased lodging while perennial cytoplasms of H. mollis, H. grosseserratus, and H. divaricatus reduced head size and consequently reduced yield and will need to be used with caution. Lines having annual species, cytoplasms had no effects on agronomic traits. Comparisons of CMS HA 89 with 10 CMS lines suggested yield‐reducing cytoplasmic effects of perennial H. maximiliani and annual H. annuus PI 413178 and PI 413024. Cytoplasmic effects on oil percentage and fatty acid composition were minimal and should not be of concern for sunflower breeders. In general, most cytoplasms of wild annual Helianthus species accommodate cultivated nuclear genes without drastic adverse interactions, and are potential sources of cytoplasmic diversity for sunflower breeding.
How does secondary neoplasm arise from mature teratomas in growing teratoma syndrome of the ovary? A report of two cases
Authors: Kato Noriko , Uchigasaki Shinya , Fukase Masayuki
Published: January 2014

Development of secondary neoplasm in mature teratomas is a long‐term potential risk in growing teratoma syndrome (GTS) of the ovary. The origin or histogenesis of the secondary neoplasm, however, is scarcely understood. We herein report two cases of GTS that began secondary neoplastic change 10 and 22 years after initial presentation. In one case, microscopic carcinoids were scattered over various mature elements derived from three germ cell layers: some were close to the intestinal‐type glands or adipose tissue and others lay in the glia. This implies that these carcinoids multicentrically originated from pluripotent stem cells that had been latent in various mature tissues. In contrast, the other case had only one focus of intestinal‐type tubular adenocarcinoma, measuring 5 mm in diameter, adjacent to the intestinal‐type glands. Malignant transformation of intestinal‐type glands is most likely to account for this adenocarcinoma. In both cases, peritoneal mature teratomas also contained foci of endometriosis, almost exclusively in their glial components. In conclusion, the present cases suggest two diverse histogenesis of secondary neoplasm in GTS and a specific role of glia in the development of endometriosis in peritoneal teratomas.
Personality Certainty and Politics: Increasing the Predictive Utility of Individual‐Difference Inventories
Authors: Shoots‐Reinhard Brittany L. , Petty Richard E. , DeMarree Kenneth G. , Rucker Derek D.
Published: January 2014

Research on political psychology has benefitted from using individual‐difference measures to predict political attitudes and behavior. And, previous research has further identified a number of specific variables that enhance the predictive utility of individual‐difference scales. However, a potentially important factor that has been overlooked is the certainty with which people make their responses. The present research establishes that the certainty with which people respond to scales is associated with stability of the scale responses over time and correspondence between the scale and related outcomes. In addition, the effects of certainty in political ideological identification in predicting politically relevant outcomes hold when controlling for a number of previously established moderators. This research suggests that measuring certainty in answers to individual‐difference scales can be a useful and efficient way to increase the predictive utility of those scales within the political domain and beyond. This benefit is demonstrated with need for cognition (Study 1), need to evaluate (Study 2), and ideological identification (Studies 2 and 3).
Can citrate efflux from roots improve phosphorus uptake by plants? Testing the hypothesis with near‐isogenic lines of wheat
Authors: Ryan Peter R. , James Richard A. , Weligama Chandrakumara , Delhaize Emmanuel , Rattey Allan , Lewis David C. , Bovill William D. , McDonald Glenn , Rathjen Tina M. , Wang Enli , Fettell Neil A. , Richardson Alan E.
Published: January 2014

Phosphorus (P) deficiency in some plant species triggers the release of organic anions such as citrate and malate from roots. These anions are widely suggested to enhance the availability of phosphate for plant uptake by mobilizing sparingly‐soluble forms in the soil. Carazinho is an old wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivar from Brazil, which secretes citrate constitutively from its root apices, and here we show that it also produces relatively more biomass on soils with low P availability than two recent Australian cultivars that lack citrate efflux. To test whether citrate efflux explains this phenotype, we generated two sets of near‐isogenic lines that differ in citrate efflux and compared their biomass production in different soil types and with different P treatments in glasshouse experiments and field trials. Citrate efflux improved relative biomass production in two of six glasshouse trials but only at the lowest P treatments where growth was most severely limited by P availability. Furthermore, citrate efflux provided no consistent advantage for biomass production or yield in multiple field trials. Theoretical modeling indicates that the effectiveness of citrate efflux in mobilizing soil P is greater as the volume of soil into which it diffuses increases. As efflux from these wheat plants is restricted to the root apices, the potential for citrate to mobilize sufficient P to increase shoot biomass may be limited. We conclude that Carazinho has other attributes that contribute to its comparatively good performance in low‐P soils.
Job Creation and Destruction inSouthAfrica
Authors: Kerr Andrew , Wittenberg Martin , Arrow Jairo
Published: January 2014

Analysts of theSouthAfrican labour market have mainly used household surveys to analyse the labour market. It has been more difficult to explore the labour demand of firms, as a result of limited data availability. We use theQuarterlyEmploymentStatistics survey, an enterprise survey conducted byStatisticsSouthAfrica, to explore howSouthAfrican firms create and destroy jobs, thereby shedding light on many of the policy questions that are relevant in a high unemployment society likeSouthAfrica. We find that job creation and destruction rates are similar to those found inOrganisation forEconomicCo‐operation andDevelopment countries. There is little evidence that labour legislation creates rigidities that prevent firms from hiring or firing workers. We also find that larger firms are better net creators of jobs than small firms and that net job creation rates are negative in manufacturing. Our research has important policy implications – particularly for theSouthAfricanNationalPlanningCommission's 2030 plan, in which new jobs are envisaged to come mainly from small‐ and medium‐sized firms. Our research suggests that this scenario is not likely without changes to policy or legislation.
Canine pancreatic islet cell tumours secreting insulin‐like growth factor type 2: a rare entity
Authors: Finotello R. , Ressel L. , Arvigo M. , Baroni G. , Marchetti V. , Romanelli G. , Burrow R. , Mignacca D. , Blackwood L.
Published: January 2014

Insulin‐like growth factor type II (IGF‐II) is the main cause of non‐islet cell tumour hypoglycaemia (NICTH) and insulin is thought to be the only factor causing hypoglycaemia in insulinomas. However, two case reports of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PNETs) producing IGF‐II have been previously published: a human and a canine patient. In this study, we investigated clinical, histopathological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural features, and biological behaviour of canine pancreatic IGF‐II‐omas, a subgroup of PNETs that has not been previously characterized. Case records of 58 dogs with confirmed PNETs and hypoglycaemia were reviewed: six patients were affected by IGF‐II‐omas. Surgery was performed in all cases and two dogs had metastases. Four patients remained alive and in remission at 370, 440, 560 and 890 days post‐diagnosis; two died of non‐tumour‐related causes. IGF‐II‐omas can be differentiated from insulinomas through hypoinsulinaemia, IGF‐II positive and insulin negative immunostaining. The prevalence of this neoplasia is low, accounting for just 6% of PNETs.
Mechanical and phase stability of TiBC coatings up to 1000 °C
Authors: Abad Manuel D. , Veldhuis Stephen C. , Endrino Jose L. , Beake Ben D. , García-Luis Alberto , Brizuela Marta , Sánchez-López Juan C.
Published: January 2014

TiBC coatings with different phase compositions (nanocrystalline TiBxCy or TiB2 phases mixed or not with amorphous carbon, a-C) were prepared by magnetron sputtering. These coatings were comparatively studied in terms of phase stability after thermal annealing at 250, 500, 750, and 1000 °C in argon using Raman and x-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy techniques. The main differences were observed at temperatures above 500 °C when oxidation processes occur and the mechanical properties deteriorate. At 1000 °C, the samples were fully oxidized forming a-C, TiO2, and B2O3 as final products. Higher hardness and reduced indentation modulus values and better tribological properties were observed at 750 °C for nanocomposite structures including amorphous carbon and ternary TiBxCy phases. This behavior is attributed to a protective effect associated with the a-C phase which is achieved by the encapsulation of the nanocrystals in the coating and the better hard/lubricant phase ratio associated with this type of coating.