bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exception point applications for 15 points: An unintended consequence of the Share 15 policy
Authors: Bittermann Therese , Makar George , Goldberg David
Published: August 2012

In 2005, the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) adopted the Share 15 policy to improve organ allocation by facilitating transplantation for local and regional patients with Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores of 15 or higher. There has been concern that the lack of standardization in the use of exception points is potentially diminishing the benefits of this policy. We reviewed all applications for 15 exception points submitted through UNOS from January 1, 2005 through March 14, 2011 (notably, there were only 5 applications for 15 MELD exception points submitted before the initiation of the Share 15 policy). Four hundred fifty-two applications were submitted for 301 patients. There was significant regional variability, with regions 3 and 10 submitting 72.1% of all applications. More than one-quarter of the applications (32.7%) specifically requested exception points to make a patient eligible for a local, regional, or higher risk organ. All applications were accepted for 74.1% of the patients, and 72.2% of these patients ultimately underwent transplantation; however, when all applications were denied, only 54.0% underwent transplantation (P = 0.006). Overall, 197 applicants (65.4%) underwent transplantation with a deceased donor organ, and 80.2% of these patients had a native MELD score at transplantation less than 15. In conclusion, these analyses demonstrate several important changes in practice that have occurred as a result of the implementation of the Share 15 policy. Since 2005, there has been a marked increase in the number of applications for 15 exception points, with significant regional variability in their use and a lack of standardization in their approval. Liver Transpl, 2012. © 2012 AASLD.
European approach to increasing organ donation: European Union donor card, presumed consent, and other innovations
Authors: Garcia-Valdecasas Juan C.
Published: August 2012

Key Points

1. Liver transplantation has become the standard of care for terminal liver disease.

2. Unfortunately, liver transplantation has become the victim of its own success because the number of available donors is not meeting the growing demand for organs. Liver Transpl, 2012. © 2012 AASLD.
Motion corrected compressed sensing for free‐breathing dynamic cardiac MRI
Authors: Usman Muhammad , Atkinson David , Odille Freddy , Kolbitsch Christoph , Vaillant Ghislain , Schaeffter Tobias , Batchelor Philip G. , Prieto Claudia
Published: August 2012

Compressed sensing (CS) has been demonstrated to accelerate MRI acquisitions by reconstructing sparse images of good quality from highly undersampled data. Motion during MR scans can cause inconsistencies in k‐space data, resulting in strong motion artifacts in the reconstructed images. For CS to be useful in these applications, motion correction techniques need to be combined with the undersampled reconstruction. Recently, joint motion correction and CS approaches have been proposed to partially correct for effects of motion. However, the main limitation of these approaches is that they can only correct for affine deformations. In this work, we propose a novel motion corrected CS framework for free‐breathing dynamic cardiac MRI that incorporates a general motion correction formulation directly into the CS reconstruction. This framework can correct for arbitrary affine or nonrigid motion in the CS reconstructed cardiac images, while simultaneously benefiting from highly accelerated MR acquisition. The application of this approach is demonstrated both in simulations and in vivo data for 2D respiratory self‐gated free‐breathing cardiac CINE MRI, using a golden angle radial acquisition. Results show that this approach allows for the reconstruction of respiratory motion corrected cardiac CINE images with similar quality to breath‐held acquisitions. Magn Reson Med 70:504–516, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Low‐frequency component of rectified EMG is temporally correlated with force and instantaneous rate of force fluctuations during steady contractions
Authors: Yoshitake Yasuhide , Shinohara Minoru
Published: August 2012

Introduction: The usefulness of surface EMG for assessing motor output variability during steady contraction is unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the temporal correlation in signal characteristics between low‐frequency components of full‐wave rectified EMG (with or without high‐pass filtering before rectification) and force fluctuations or the instantaneous rate of force fluctuations (dF/dt) during steady contractions. Methods: Fourteen young adults produced steady force with the first dorsal interosseus muscle at various intensities. Cross‐correlation functions were calculated between the following signals: <5 Hz: force, dF/dt, and rectified EMG with or without high‐pass filtering at 300 Hz before rectification. Results: Rectified EMG correlated better with dF/dt compared with force itself, and high‐pass filtering of interference EMG before rectification improved the temporal correlation. Conclusions: The low‐frequency component of rectified EMG following high‐pass filtering may provide temporal information on the instantaneous rate of force fluctuations during steady contractions. Muscle Nerve 47: [?show $1534v]–[?show $1535v], 2013
Distal acquired demyelinating symmetric polyneuropathy progressing to classic chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy and response to fludarabine and cyclophosphamide
Authors: Leitch Megan M. , Sherman William H. , Brannagan Thomas H.
Published: August 2012

Introduction: Distal acquired demyelinating symmetric polyneuropathy (DADS) is proposed as a distinct entity from classic chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). Methods: We report a 58‐year‐old woman with DADS that progressed to a severe case of classic CIDP. Results: She had distal numbness and paresthesias, minimal distal weakness and impaired vibratory sensation. She had anti‐MAG antibodies, negative Western blot, and lacked a monoclonal gammopathy. There were prolonged distal motor latencies. She remained stable for 6 years until developing proximal and distal weakness. Nerve conduction studies showed multiple conduction blocks. She developed quadriparesis despite first‐line treatment for CIDP. She was started on cyclophosphamide and fludarabine. Twenty‐five months after receiving chemotherapy, she had only mild signs of neuropathy off all immunotherapy. Conclusions: DADS may progress to classic CIDP and is unlikely to be a separate disorder. Fludarabine and cyclophosphamide may be effective for refractory CIDP. Muscle Nerve, 2013
MLH1‐silenced and non‐silenced subgroups of hypermutated colorectal carcinomas have distinct mutational landscapes
Authors: Donehower Lawrence A , Creighton Chad J , Schultz Nikolaus , Shinbrot Eve , Chang Kyle , Gunaratne Preethi H , Muzny Donna , Sander Chris , Hamilton Stanley R , Gibbs Richard A , Wheeler David
Published: August 2012

Approximately 15% of colorectal carcinomas (CRCs) exhibit a hypermutated genotype accompanied by high levels of microsatellite instability (MSI‐H) and defects in DNA mismatch repair. These tumours, unlike the majority of colorectal carcinomas, are often diploid, exhibit frequent epigenetic silencing of the MLH1 DNA mismatch repair gene, and have a better clinical prognosis. As an adjunct study to The Cancer Genome Atlas consortium that recently analysed 224 colorectal cancers by whole exome sequencing, we compared the 35 CRCs (15.6%) with a hypermutated genotype to those with a non‐hypermutated genotype. We found that 22 (63%) of the hypermutated CRCs exhibited transcriptional silencing of the MLH1 gene, a high frequency of BRAF V600E gene mutations, and infrequent APC and KRAS mutations, a mutational pattern significantly different from their non‐hypermutated counterparts. However, the remaining 13 (37%) hypermutated CRCs lacked MLH1 silencing, contained tumours with the highest mutation rates (‘ultramutated’ CRCs), and exhibited higher incidences of APC and KRAS mutations, but infrequent BRAF mutations. These patterns were confirmed in an independent validation set of 250 exome‐sequenced CRCs. Analysis of mRNA and microRNA expression signatures revealed that hypermutated CRCs with MLH1 silencing had greatly reduced levels of WNT signalling and increased BRAF signalling relative to non‐hypermutated CRCs. Our findings suggest that hypermutated CRCs include one subgroup with fundamentally different pathways to malignancy than the majority of CRCs. Examination of MLH1 expression status and frequencies of APC, KRAS, and BRAF mutation in CRC may provide a useful diagnostic tool that could supplement the standard microsatellite instability assays and influence therapeutic decisions.
Micromechanics of semicrystalline polymers: Yield kinetics and long‐term failure
Authors: Sedighiamiri Amin , Govaert Leon E. , Kanters Marc J.W. , van Dommelen Johannes A.W.
Published: August 2012

The process of plastic deformation in semicrystalline polymers is complicated due to the operation of a variety of mechanisms at different levels and is strongly dependent on their underlying microstructure. The objective of this work is to establish a quantitative relation between the microstructure and the mechanical performance of semicrystalline polymers, as characterized by elasto‐viscoplastic deformation. To do that, a micromechanically based constitutive model is used. The model describes the material as an aggregate of two‐phase layered composite inclusions, consisting of crystalline lamellae and amorphous layers. The starting point for adding quantitative abilities to the model, in particular for the yield kinetics, is formed by experimental observations on both the yield kinetics and the time‐to‐failure of polyethylene at different temperatures, which reveal the contribution of two relaxation processes. To predict the thermo‐rheologically complex short‐term and long‐term failure behavior, the crystallographic slip kinetics and the amorphous yield kinetics are re‐evaluated, and the Eyring flow rule is modified by adding a temperature shift function. To enable the prediction of both tension and compression, a non‐Schmid effect is added to the constitutive relation of each slip system. The creep behavior of polyethylene is then simulated directly using the multiscale, micromechanical model, predicting the time‐to‐failure, controlled by plastic deformation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012
Alkaline stability of poly(phenylene)‐based anion exchange membranes with various cations
Authors: Hibbs Michael R.
Published: August 2012

Anion exchange membranes comprised of a poly(phenylene) backbone and one of five different cationic head‐groups are prepared, briefly characterized, and tested for stability in 4 M KOH at 90 °C. The two membranes with resonance‐stabilized cations (benzyl pentamethylguanidinium and benzyl N‐methylimidazolium) show large (>25%) decreases in both conductivity and ion exchange capacity (IEC) after just one day of testing. The membrane with benzyl trimethylammonium cations shows a 33% loss of conductivity (14% decrease in IEC) after 14 days while the membrane with trimethylammonium cations attached by a hexamethylene spacer shows the least degradation: a 5% loss of conductivity over 14 days with no accompanying loss in IEC. A similar membrane which has a six‐carbon spacer and a ketone adjacent to the phenyl ring shows much lower stability, suggesting that the ketone takes part in degradation reactions. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2013, 51, 1736–1742, 2013
Phytochemicals Isolated from Leaves of Chromolaena odorata: Impact on Viability and Clonogenicity of Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Kouamé Prevost Bi‐Koffi , Jacques Camille , Bedi Gustave , Silvestre Virginie , Loquet Denis , Barillé‐Nion Sophie , Robins Richard J , Tea Illa
Published: August 2012

The leaves of Chromolaena odorata (Asteraceae) are exploited extensively in West and Central African ethnopharmacy for the treatment of a wide range of conditions, despite this being a non‐native species established in the last 50 years. With the objective of seeking bioactive principles, the nonvolatile compounds, an ethanolic (80% v/v) extract was made and fractionated. From the hexane‐soluble fraction, three compounds were isolated. Two of these, 5‐hydroxy‐7,4′‐dimethoxyflavanone and 2′‐hydroxy‐4,4′,5′,6′‐tetramethoxychalcone, have previously been identified in C. odorata leaves. The third was fully characterised spectroscopically and found to be 1,6‐dimethyl‐4‐(1‐methylethyl)naphthalene (cadalene), not previously isolated from the Asteraceae. All three compounds were tested for their cytotoxicity and anticancer properties. 2′‐Hydroxy‐4,4′,5′,6′‐tetramethoxychalcone was found to be both cytotoxic and anticlonogenic at 20 µm in cell lines Cal51, MCF7 and MDAMB‐468, and to act synergistically with the Bcl2 inhibitor ABT737 to enhance apoptosis in Cal51 breast cancer cells. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Anti‐Angiogenic Activities of Glycyrrhizic Acid in Tumor Progression
Authors: Kim Kil‐Jung , Choi Jae‐Sun , Kim Kyu‐Won , Jeong Joo‐Won
Published: August 2012

Glycyrrhizic acid (GA) is the bioactive compound of licorice and has been used as a herbal medicine because of its anti‐viral, anti‐cancer, and anti‐inflammatory properties. This study was designed to investigate the effects of GA on tumor growth, angiogenesis, and the mechanisms underlying the anti‐angiogenic activities of GA. We observed that GA inhibited tumor growth and angiogenesis in mice. GA decreased angiogenic activities, such as the migration, invasion, and tube formation of endothelial cells. We also demonstrated that GA reduced the production of reactive oxygen species and activation of ERK in endothelial cells. Our findings suggest that GA is a promising anti‐angiogenic therapeutic agent that targets the ERK pathway. Considering that angiogenesis is highly stimulated in the majority of cancers, GA could offer a potent therapeutic agent for cancer. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vitro Anti‐diabetic Activity and Chemical Characterization of an Apolar Fraction of Morus alba Leaf Water Extract
Authors: Hunyadi Attila , Veres Katalin , Danko Balazs , Kele Zoltan , Weber Edit , Hetenyi Anasztazia , Zupko Istvan , Hsieh Tusty‐Jiuan
Published: August 2012

The tea from the white mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaf is a worldwide known traditional medicine of type II diabetes. Here, we report the investigation of the dichloromethane‐soluble fraction obtained in a 0.24% m/m yield from the hot water extract of mulberry leaves. A significant, dose‐dependent activity was found by means of the 24‐h glucose consumption of fully differentiated adipocytes both in the absence and presence of insulin. The fraction was characterized by HPLC‐DAD, GC‐MS and GC‐FID. The main constituent (40.3% by means of GC‐FID) was isolated and identified as loliolide by EIMS, HRESIMS and NMR spectroscopy. In the active fraction benzyl alcohol, ethyl benzoate, t‐cinnamic acid, p‐hydroxyacetophenone, t‐coniferyl alcohol and synapil alcohol were also identified by GC‐MS and quantified by GC‐FID (0.7, 1.3, 1.5, 2.9, 7.5 and 2.6%, respectively). Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chamomile and Marigold Tea: Chemical Characterization and Evaluation of Anticancer Activity
Authors: Matić Ivana Z. , Juranić Zorica , Šavikin Katarina , Zdunić Gordana , Nađvinski Neva , Gođevac Dejan
Published: August 2012

With the aim to evaluate the selectivity in the antitumor action, the cytotoxic activity of chamomile and marigold tea was tested against various malignant cell lines and against healthy immunocompetent peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Chemical profiles of chamomile and marigold infusions and decoctions were analyzed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry; their total phenolic content and radical scavenging activity were determined, too. Results from present research demonstrate that chamomile and marigold tea exert selective dose‐dependent cytotoxic action against target cancer cells. It is noteworthy that cytotoxicity of tea prepared from Calendula officinalis is remarkably higher in comparison to that from Matricaria recutita tea. The cytotoxic effect of chamomile tea is very weak to healthy PBMC, while the effect of marigold tea on PBMC is more pronounced. Marigold tea exerts highly selective antitumor effect especially to melanoma Fem‐x cells in comparison to the action to normal healthy PBMC. Chemical analyses show that dominant phenolic compounds in examined infusions and decoctions are flavonoid glycosides and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives. There are no considerable differences in total phenolic content and antioxidant activity between examined infusions. Antitumor potential of chamomile and marigold tea should be further investigated. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Methylalpinumisoflavone Inhibits Lipopolysaccharide‐Induced Inflammation in Microglial Cells by the NF‐kappaB and MAPK Signaling Pathway
Authors: Lim Ji‐Youn , Hwang Bang Yeon , Hwang Kwang‐Woo , Park So‐Young
Published: August 2012

Neuroinflammation is chronic inflammation within the brain that is attributed to prolonged activation of microglial cells and results in neurodegenerative events, such as neuronal dysfunction and neuronal loss. Therefore, suppression of neuroinflammation would theoretically slow progression of neurodegenerative disease. In this study, we investigated the anti‐inflammatory effects of 4′‐O‐methylalpinumisoflavone (methylalpinumisoflavone), isolated from Cudrania tricuspidata, against LPS‐induced microglial activation in BV2 cells. Exposure of BV2 cells to LPS (0.5 µg/mL) significantly increased production of pro‐inflammatory mediators, including NO, PGE2, and pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Conversely, pre‐treatment with methylalpinumisoflavone (10 and 20 µg/mL) prior to treatment with LPS resulted in a significant decrease of LPS‐induced production of pro‐inflammatory mediators in a dose‐dependent manner. In addition, reduction of pro‐inflammatory mediators by treatment with methylalpinumisoflavone prior to treatment with LPS was accompanied by a decrease in translocation of NF‐κB p50 and p65 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus and by a decrease in activation of mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs), such as ERK1/2 and JNK. Taken together, these results suggest that methylalpinumisoflavone suppressed LPS‐induced microglial activation and production of pro‐inflammatory mediators by decreasing NF‐κB signaling and by phosphorylation of MAPKs. These results suggest the potential of methylalpinumisoflavone as an anti‐inflammatory drug candidate. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Study of Heavy Metal Poisoning in Frequent Users of Chinese Medicines in Hong Kong and Macau
Authors: Chui S.H. , Wong Y.H. , Chio H.I. , Fong M.Y. , Chiu Y.M. , Szeto Y.T. , Vong W.T. , Lam C.W.K
Published: August 2012

This study is a direct assessment of blood heavy metal concentrations of frequent users of Chinese medicines (CM), who had been taking prescribed CM at least 6 days per week for not less than 3 months, to determine whether their intake of CM could cause an increased load of toxic heavy metals in the body. From November 2009 to June 2010, 85 subjects were recruited with informed consent, and their blood samples were collected for measurement of arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury concentrations. Results showed that blood concentrations of four heavy metals of nearly all 85 subjects were within reference ranges. Only one subject who had consumed plentiful seafood was found to have transiently increased blood arsenic concentration (29% higher than the upper limit of the reference range). However, after refraining from eating seafood for 1 month, his blood arsenic concentration returned to normal. Eighty commonly prescribed CM in both raw medicine and powder concentrate supplied by local distributors were also tested for the four heavy metals. Twelve out of the 80 raw medicines were found to contain one or more of the heavy metals that exceeded the respective maximum permitted content. Cadmium was most frequently found in the contaminated samples. None of the powder concentrates had heavy metal content exceeding their respective maximum permitted level. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antimycobacterials from Lovage Root (Ligusticum officinale Koch)
Authors: Guzman Juan David , Evangelopoulos Dimitrios , Gupta Antima , Prieto Jose M. , Gibbons Simon , Bhakta Sanjib
Published: August 2012

The n‐hexane extract of Lovage root was found to significantly inhibit the growth of both Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2155 and Mycobacterium bovis BCG, and therefore a bioassay‐guided isolation strategy was undertaken. (Z)‐Ligustilide, (Z)‐3‐butylidenephthalide, (E)‐3‐butylidenephthalide, 3‐butylphthalide, α‐prethapsenol, falcarindiol, levistolide A, psoralen and bergapten were isolated by chromatographic techniques, characterized by NMR spectroscopy and MS, and evaluated for their growth inhibition activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv using the whole‐cell phenotypic spot culture growth inhibition assay (SPOTi). Cytotoxicity against RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells was employed for assessing their degree of selectivity. Falcarindiol was the most potent compound with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 20 mg/L against the virulent H37Rv strain; however, it was found to be cytotoxic with a half‐growth inhibitory concentration (GIC50) in the same order of magnitude (SI < 1). Interestingly the sesquiterpene alcohol α‐prethapsenol was found to inhibit the growth of the pathogenic mycobacteria with an MIC value of 60 mg/L, being more specific towards mycobacteria than mammalian cells (SI ~ 2). Colony forming unit analysis at different concentrations of this phytochemical showed mycobacteriostatic mode of action. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Leadership succession and firm performance in an emerging economy: Successor origin, relational embeddedness, and legitimacy
Authors: Chung Chi‐Nien , Luo Xiaowei Rose
Published: August 2012

We examine how leadership transition affects firm performance in emerging economies. Building upon the social embeddedness and neo‐institutional perspectives, we argue for the importance of alignment between successor origin and social context for firm performance. We suggest that as a baseline outside successors enhance firm profitability because of the large‐scale and rapid changes in emerging markets. However, this outsider premium is reduced in firms embedded in family and business group relationships, where family and inside successors can better access network resources. But the outsider premium is amplified in firms embedded in a mature market‐based logic, such as high tech or foreign invested firms, because the perceived legitimacy of outsiders facilitates resource acquisition. Our arguments are supported through the analysis of Taiwanese listed firms between 1996 and 2005. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Remodeling of Endogenous Mammary Epithelium by Breast Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Parashurama Natesh , Lobo Neethan A. , Ito Ken , Mosley Adriane R. , Habte Frezghi G. , Zabala Maider , Smith Bryan R. , Lam Jessica , Weissman Irving L. , Clarke Michael F. , Gambhir Sanjiv S.
Published: August 2012

Poorly regulated tissue remodeling results in increased breast cancer risk, yet how breast cancer stem cells (CSC) participate in remodeling is unknown. We performed in vivo imaging of changes in fluorescent, endogenous duct architecture as a metric for remodeling. First, we quantitatively imaged physiologic remodeling of primary branches of the developing and regenerating mammary tree. To assess CSC-specific remodeling events, we isolated CSC from MMTV-Wnt1 (mouse mammary tumor virus long-term repeat enhancer driving Wnt1 oncogene) breast tumors, a well studied model in which tissue remodeling affects tumorigenesis. We confirm that CSC drive tumorigenesis, suggesting a link between CSC and remodeling. We find that normal, regenerating, and developing gland maintain a specific branching pattern. In contrast, transplantation of CSC results in changes in the branching patterns of endogenous ducts while non-CSC do not. Specifically, in the presence of CSC, we identified an increased number of branches, branch points, ducts which have greater than 40 branches (5/33 for CSC and 0/39 for non-CSC), and histological evidence of increased branching. Moreover, we demonstrate that only CSC implants invade into surrounding stroma with structures similar to developing mammary ducts (nine for CSC and one for non-CSC). Overall, we demonstrate a novel approach for imaging physiologic and pathological remodeling. Furthermore, we identify unique, CSC-specific, remodeling events. Our data suggest that CSC interact with the microenvironment differently than non-CSC, and that this could eventually be a therapeutic approach for targeting CSC.
Bombus cullumanus—an extinct European bumblebee species?
Authors: Williams Paul H. , Byvaltsev Alexandr , Sheffield Cory , Rasmont Pierre
Published: August 2012

Bombus cullumanus s. str. has attracted some of the greatest conservation concerns among bumblebees in Europe because it might now be extinct. However, there has been long-standing disagreement about whether it is conspecific with other eastern pale-banded bumblebees. We investigate these relationships using new data from DNA (COI) barcodes. The results support a Nearcticrufocinctus-group (Bombus rufocinctus) and a Palaearcticcullumanus-group, the latter with just three species:Bombus semenoviellus, Bombus unicusandB. cullumanus s. l. (including several differently coloured taxa). We conclude that, although any persistingB. cullumanus cullumanus s. str. might be a regional conservation priority within Europe, nevertheless, because the species remains common elsewhere within its range in Asia, globally a higher conservation priority should be given toB. unicus, which is genetically more distinct and appears to have a much smaller population in the Russian Far East.
Clinical characteristics and outcomes of obstetric patients admitted to the intensive care unit
Authors: Rios Fernando G. , Risso‐Vázquez Alejandro , Alvarez Javier , Vinzio Mauricio , Falbo Pablo , Rondinelli Natalia , Bienzobas Dario H.
Published: August 2012

Objective

To identify the reasons for admitting pregnant women to intensive care units (ICUs) in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Methods

The admission diagnoses of pregnant women hospitalized over 2 years at 4 ICUs were retrospectively studied.

Results

During the studied period, 242 (3.9%) of the 6271 ICU patients were pregnant women, for an incidence of 8.1 per 1000 deliveries. The main reasons for admitting them at ICUs were hypertensive disorders, followed by postpartum hemorrhage and sepsis. More than a third (39.7%) was in a first pregnancy. The main nonobstetric reason for admission was pneumonia. The median pregnancy duration on admission was 36 weeks (range, 33–38 weeks) but it was less than 34 weeks for 66 (27.2%) of the women, 12.4% on whom required ventilation. Mortality was highest among those admitted for nonobstetric reasons (13.3% vs 0.5%; P < 0.05). The median stay for obstetric or nonobstetric conditions was 2 versus 5 days (range, 2–3 days vs 2–8 days) (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Postpartum hemorrhage and hypertensive disorders were the most common reasons for admitting pregnant women to an ICU, followed by sepsis. Nonobstetric causes of admission were associated with higher morbidity and mortality rates.
Mediterranean diet and CHD: the Greek European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort
Authors: Dilis Vardis , Katsoulis Michail , Lagiou Pagona , Trichopoulos Dimitrios , Naska Androniki , Trichopoulou Antonia
Published: August 2012

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) has been reported to improve CHD prognosis and to be inversely associated with CHD mortality. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of adherence to the MD with CHD incidence and mortality in the Greek European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort, a population with traditional Mediterranean roots. In a general population sample of 23 929 adult men and women with no CVD or cancer at enrolment, a validated FFQ was interviewer-administered, sociodemographic, physical activity and other characteristics were recorded, and arterial blood pressure and anthropometric characteristics were measured. In a median period of 10 years, 636 incident CHD cases and 240 CHD deaths were recorded. Associations of adherence to the MD, operationalised through a nine-component score (0, poor; 9, excellent), with CHD incidence and mortality were evaluated through Cox regression controlling for potentially confounding variables. A two-point increase in the MD score was associated with lower CHD mortality by 25 % (95 % CI 0·57, 0·98) among women and 19 % (95 % CI 0·67, 0·99) among men. The association of adherence to the MD with CHD incidence was again inverse, but weaker (hazard ratios 0·85 (95 % CI 0·71, 1·02) among women and 0·98 (95 % CI 0·87, 1·10) among men). With respect to score components, only meat among men (positively) and fruits and nuts among women (inversely) were associated with both the incidence of and mortality from CHD. The MD, as an integral entity, is inversely associated with CHD incidence and, particularly, mortality.
Effects of a rapeseed oil-enriched hypoenergetic diet with a high content of α-linolenic acid on body weight and cardiovascular risk profile in patients with the metabolic syndrome
Authors: Baxheinrich Andrea , Stratmann Bernd , Lee-Barkey Young Hee , Tschoepe Diethelm , Wahrburg Ursel
Published: August 2012

In therapy of the metabolic syndrome, the optimal dietary approach with regard to its macronutrient composition and metabolically favourable food components, such as the plant-derivedn-3 fatty acid α-linolenic acid (ALA), is still a matter of debate. We investigated the effects of a hypoenergetic diet with low energy density (ED) enriched in rapeseed oil, resulting in high MUFA content and an ALA intake of 3·5 g/d on body weight and cardiovascular risk profile in eighty-one patients with the metabolic syndrome in comparison with an olive oil diet rich in MUFA, but with a low ALA content. After a 6-month dietary intervention, body weight was significantly reduced in the rapeseed oil and olive oil groups ( − 7·8v.− 6·0 kg;P < 0·05). There were significant decreases in systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, and insulin levels in both groups (P < 0·05). For all of these changes, no inter-group differences were observed. After the rapeseed oil diet, diastolic blood pressure declined more than after the olive oil diet (P < 0·05 for time × group interaction). Furthermore, concentrations of serum TAG were significantly reduced after the high ALA intake, but not in the low ALA group (P < 0·05 for time × group interaction). In conclusion, our dietary food pattern with a low ED and high intakes of MUFA and ALA may be a practical approach for long-term dietary treatment in patients with the metabolic syndrome, leading to weight reduction and an improvement in the overall cardiovascular risk profile.
New technologies for reporting real-time emergent infections
Authors: CHUNARA RUMI , FREIFELD CLARK C. , BROWNSTEIN JOHN S.
Published: August 2012

Novel technologies have prompted a new paradigm in disease surveillance. Advances in computation, communications and materials enable new technologies such as mobile phones and microfluidic chips. In this paper we illustrate examples of new technologies that can augment disease detection. We describe technologies harnessing the internet, mobile phones, point of care diagnostic tools and methods that facilitate detection from passively collected unstructured data. We demonstrate how these can all assist in quicker detection, investigation and response to emerging infectious events. Novel technologies enable collection and dissemination of epidemic intelligence data to both public health practitioners and the general public, enabling finer temporal and spatial resolution of disease monitoring than through traditional public health processes.
One Perkinsus species may hide another: characterization of Perkinsus species present in clam production areas of France
Authors: ARZUL I. , CHOLLET B. , MICHEL J. , ROBERT M. , GARCIA C. , JOLY J.-P. , FRANÇOIS C. , MIOSSEC L.
Published: August 2012

Although clam populations in France are known to be infected with protozoans of the genus Perkinsus, no molecular characterization was previously performed on these parasites. Considering that several members of this genus have been associated with mortalities of molluscs worldwide, a study was undertaken in order to characterize these parasites in France. For that purpose, clams, Ruditapes philippinarum and R. decussatus, collected from different production areas and found to be infected with Perkinsus sp. in thioglycolate culture medium, were selected for PCR-RFLP tests and sequencing. Perkinsus olseni was detected in all the investigated areas and results also suggested the presence of P. chesapeaki in Leucate, a lagoon on the Mediterranean coast and in Bonne Anse in Charente Maritime, on the Atlantic coast. Clonal cultures from both detected species were produced in order to describe and compare in vitro stages. Differences in size between both Perkinsus spp. were noticed especially for schizonts and zoosporangia. Lastly, in situ hybridization tests allowed confirmation of the presence of both species in the same R. decussatus population and even in same clams. This is the first detection of P. chesapeaki in Ruditapes species and outside North America, which questions its introduction into Europe.
Genetic and environmental influences on adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms: a large Swedish population-based study of twins
Authors: Larsson H. , Asherson P. , Chang Z. , Ljung T. , Friedrichs B. , Larsson J.-O. , Lichtenstein P.
Published: August 2012

Background

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) frequently persists into adulthood. Family and twin studies delineate a disorder with strong genetic influences among children and adolescents based on parent- and teacher-reported data but little is known about the genetic and environmental contribution to DSM-IV ADHD symptoms in adulthood. We therefore aimed to investigate the impact of genetic and environmental influences on the inattentive and hyperactive–impulsive symptoms of ADHD in adults.

Method

Twin methods were applied to self-reported assessments of ADHD symptoms from a large population-based Swedish twin study that included data from 15 198 Swedish male and female twins aged 20 to 46 years.

Results

The broad heritability [i.e. A + D, where A is an additive genetic factor and D (dominance) a non-additive genetic factor] was 37% (A = 11%, D = 26%) for inattention and 38% (A = 18%, D = 20%) for hyperactivity–impulsivity. The results also indicate that 52% of the phenotypic correlation between inattention and hyperactivity–impulsivity (r = 0.43) was explained by genetic influences whereas the remaining part of the covariance was explained by non-shared environmental influences. These results were replicated across age strata.

Conclusions

Our findings of moderate broad heritability estimates are consistent with previous literature on self-rated ADHD symptoms in older children, adolescents and adults and retrospective reports of self-rated childhood ADHD by adults but differ from studies of younger children with informant ratings. Future research needs to clarify whether our data indicate a true decrease in the heritability of ADHD in adults compared to children, or whether this relates to the use of self-ratings in contrast to informant data.
REGRESSOR DIMENSION REDUCTION WITH ECONOMIC CONSTRAINTS: THE EXAMPLE OF DEMAND SYSTEMS WITH MANY GOODS
Authors: Hoderlein Stefan , Lewbel Arthur
Published: August 2012

Microeconomic theory often yields models with multiple nonlinear equations, nonseparable unobservables, nonlinear cross equation restrictions, and many potentially multicolinear covariates. We show how statistical dimension reduction techniques can be applied in models with these features. In particular, we consider estimation of derivatives of average structural functions in large consumer demand systems, which depend nonlinearly on the prices of many goods. Utility maximization imposes nonlinear cross equation constraints including Slutsky symmetry, and preference heterogeneity yields demand functions that are nonseparable in unobservables. The standard method of achieving dimension reduction in demand systems is to impose strong, empirically questionable economic restrictions such as separability. In contrast, the validity of statistical methods of dimension-reduction such as principal components has not hitherto been studied in contexts like these. We derive the restrictions implied by utility maximization on dimension-reduced demand systems and characterize the implications for identification and estimation of structural marginal effects. We illustrate the results by reporting estimates of the effects of gasoline prices on the demands for many goods, without imposing any economic separability assumptions.
Perfect powers with few binary digits and related Diophantine problems, II
Authors: BENNETT MICHAEL A. , BUGEAUD YANN , MIGNOTTE MAURICE
Published: August 2012

We prove that if q ≥ 5 is an integer, then every qth power of an integer contains at least 5 nonzero digits in its binary expansion. This is a particular instance of one of a collection of rather more general results, whose proofs follow from a combination of refined lower bounds for linear forms in Archimedean and non-Archimedean logarithms with various local arguments.
Adaptive management: where are we now?
Authors: RIST LUCY , CAMPBELL BRUCE M. , FROST PETER
Published: August 2012

Adaptive management (AM) emerged in the literature in the mid-1970s in response both to a realization of the extent of uncertainty involved in management, and a frustration with attempts to use modelling to integrate knowledge and make predictions. The term has since become increasingly widely used in scientific articles, policy documents and management plans, but both understanding and application of the concept is mixed. This paper reviews recent literature from conservation and natural resource management journals to assess diversity in how the term is used, highlight ambiguities and consider how the concept might be further assessed. AM is currently being used to describe many different management contexts, scales and locations. Few authors define the term explicitly or describe how it offers a means to improve management outcomes in their specific management context. Many do not adhere to the idea as it was originally conceived, despite citing seminal work. Significant confusion exists over the distinction between active and passive approaches. Over half of the studies reporting to implement AM claimed to have done so successfully, yet none quantified specific benefits, or costs, in relation to possible alternatives. Similarly those studies reporting to assess the approach did so only in relation to specific models and their parameterizations; none assessed the benefits or costs of AM in the field. AM is regarded by some as an effective and well-established framework to support the management of natural resources, yet by others as a concept difficult to realize and fraught with implementation challenges; neither of these observations is wholly accurate. From a scientific and technical perspective many practical questions remain; in particular real-world assessments of the value of experimentation within a management framework, as well as of identified challenges and pathologies, are needed. Further discussion and systematic assessment of the approach is required, together with greater attention to its definition and description, enabling the assessment of new approaches to managing uncertainty, and AM itself.
Agricultural subsidies and forest clearing in Malawi
Authors: CHIBWANA CHRISTOPHER , JUMBE CHARLES B.L. , SHIVELY GERALD
Published: August 2012

Forests are an important source of environmental services and livelihoods in Africa, thus it is important to determine potential drivers of forest loss. Over recent decades, forest cover has been declining steadily in Malawi. This paper attempts to evaluate the influence of agricultural input subsidies on forest conversion in Malawi. A two-stage regression model analysis of 2009 farm survey data from Chimaliro and Liwonde Forest reserves in Kasungu and Machinga districts, respectively, did not reveal direct evidence of policy-induced forest clearing for agricultural expansion. Instead, subsidy-induced agricultural intensification of food crops, especially maize, appeared to have reduced the rate and extent of forest clearing among households in Malawi compared with households not benefiting from subsidies. However, indirect negative impacts on forests arose due to offtake of trees to construct drying sheds for tobacco, a local cash crop. These findings have implications for designing strategies for simultaneously conserving forests while promoting food security in rural areas, and shed light on the direct and indirect effects of input subsidies.
Equity between with-profits policyholders and shareholders ‐ Abstract of the Edinburgh discussion
Authors: O'Brien Chris
Published: August 2012

This abstract relates to the following paper:

O'BrienC.D.Equity between with-profits policyholders and shareholders. British Actuarial Journal, doi: 10.1017/S1357321712000074
Individual differences reveal stages of L2 grammatical acquisition: ERP evidence
Authors: TANNER DARREN , MCLAUGHLIN JUDITH , HERSCHENSOHN JULIA , OSTERHOUT LEE
Published: August 2012

Here we report findings from a cross-sectional study of morphosyntactic processing in native German speakers and native English speakers enrolled in college-level German courses. Event-related brain potentials were recorded while participants read sentences that were either well-formed or violated German subject–verb agreement. Results showed that grammatical violations elicited large P600 effects in the native Germans and learners enrolled in third-year courses. Grand mean waveforms for learners enrolled in first-year courses showed a biphasic N400–P600 response. However, subsequent correlation analyses revealed that most individuals showed either an N400 or a P600, but not both, and that brain response type was associated with behavioral measures of grammatical sensitivity. These results support models of second language acquisition which implicate qualitative changes in the neural substrates of second language grammar processing associated with learning. Importantly, we show that new insights into L2 learning result when the cross-subject variability is treated as a source of evidence rather than a source of noise.
Memory for emotional words in the first and the second language: Effects of the encoding task
Authors: FERRÉ PILAR , SÁNCHEZ-CASAS ROSA , FRAGA ISABEL
Published: August 2012

Emotional words are better remembered than neutral words in the first language. Ferré, García, Fraga, Sánchez-Casas and Molero (2010) found this emotional effect also for second language words by using an encoding task focused on emotionality. The aim of the present study was to test whether the same effect can also be observed with encoding tasks not related to emotionality, as has been reported in monolinguals. We tested highly proficient bilinguals of Catalan and Spanish that were dominant in one of these two languages. At the encoding phase, we directed their attention to words’ features other than emotionality (participants had to either rate words’ concreteness or count the number of vowels they had). In both cases, we obtained an advantage for emotional words independently of the language in which they appeared. These results suggest that the emotional effect on memory has the same characteristics in the two languages of a bilingual.
Examining the relationship between completeness of teachers’ implementation of the Krachtvoer healthy diet programme and changes in students’ dietary intakes
Authors: Bessems Kathelijne MHH , van Assema Patricia , Crutzen Rik , Paulussen Theo GWM , de Vries Nanne K
Published: August 2012

Objective

The goal of the current study was to examine if the completeness of programme implementation and the completeness of implementation of specific programme elements of the Dutch school-based healthy diet promotion programme Krachtvoer are related to short- and longer-term changes in students’ fruit, sweets and breakfast intakes.

Design

Data on students’ dietary intakes were collected 1–4 weeks and 6 months after programme implementation. Teachers filled in a logbook on programme implementation after each lesson. The relationships between changes in students’ dietary intakes and completeness of implementation of the programme and of specific programme elements were tested using mixed linear regression analyses.

Setting

Thirteen Dutch prevocational schools.

Subjects

Eight hundred and seventy-six of the 1117 participating students and eighteen of the twenty-two participating teachers.

Results

Completeness of programme implementation was positively related to an increase in fruit consumption in the short term. Completeness of implementation of food exposure activities and a practical lesson on advertisements were related to an increase in fruit consumption in the short as well as the longer term. No such relationships were found for sweets and breakfast consumption.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that efforts should be made to help teachers implement the programme as fully as possible.
A cluster analysis of patterns of objectively measured physical activity in Hong Kong
Authors: Lee Paul H , Yu Ying-Ying , McDowell Ian , Leung Gabriel M , Lam TH
Published: August 2012

Objective

The health benefits of exercise are clear. In targeting interventions it would be valuable to know whether characteristic patterns of physical activity (PA) are associated with particular population subgroups. The present study used cluster analysis to identify characteristic hourly PA patterns measured by accelerometer.

Design

Cross-sectional design.

Setting

Objectively measured PA in Hong Kong adults.

Subjects

Four-day accelerometer data were collected during 2009 to 2011 for 1714 participants in Hong Kong (mean age 44·2 years, 45·9 % male).

Results

Two clusters were identified, one more active than the other. The ‘active cluster’ (n 480) was characterized by a routine PA pattern on weekdays and a more active and varied pattern on weekends; the other, the ‘less active cluster’ (n 1234), by a consistently low PA pattern on both weekdays and weekends with little variation from day to day. Demographic, lifestyle, PA level and health characteristics of the two clusters were compared. They differed in age, sex, smoking, income and level of PA required at work. The odds of having any chronic health conditions was lower for the active group (adjusted OR = 0·62, 95 % CI 0·46, 0·84) but the two groups did not differ in terms of specific chronic health conditions or obesity.

Conclusions

Implications are drawn for targeting exercise promotion programmes at the population level.