bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Postpartum depression: the (in) experience of Brazilian primary healthcare professionals
Authors: Santos Junior Hudson Pires Oliveira , Rosa Gualda Dulce Maria , de Fátima Araújo Silveira Maria , Hall Wendy Anne
Published: August 2012

Aim

This article reports experiences of Brazilian physicians and nurses caring for women with postpartum depression in primary healthcare settings.

Background

Prevalence of postpartum depression in Brazil ranges from 12–37%, which fits with international claims about differences in the magnitude of the problem and consistency of screening.

Design

Qualitative descriptive.

Method

This study was situated in health units of the Family Health Strategy in Campina Grande, Brazil. Data were collected from September 2010–January 2011 through open‐ended interviews with ten nurses and seven physicians, observations, and field diary records. Inductive content analysis was used to develop categories.

Findings

Three categories: (1) Limited professional exposure to postpartum depression; (2) Postpartum depression as the domain of psychiatry; and (3) Challenges dealing with postpartum depression demonstrated that few professionals felt postpartum depression merited their attention. Women, with signs of postpartum depression, were usually identified by family members who noticed behaviours that seemed abnormal. Care providers indicated they had inadequate time and access to screening techniques to identify women with depression attending unit‐based pregnancy and postpartum groups. When identified, women were referred directly to psychiatric care.

Conclusion

Without consistent screening and diagnostic techniques, Brazilian health professionals are insecure about identifying and treating cases of postpartum depression. Referring women to psychiatric units entail more time for women to be diagnosed and treated and increased costs for health services. Primary healthcare professionals require training to screen, identify, and treat postpartum depression in primary healthcare settings.
Fault displacement profiles in multilayer systems: from fault restriction to fault propagation
Authors: Roche Vincent , Homberg Catherine , Rocher Muriel
Published: August 2012

Terra Nova, 24, 499–504, 2012

The distribution of displacement along faults is a key parameter in various areas of geology such as earthquake studies, three‐dimensional strain restoration, fault growth, and reservoir and seal strata relations in hydrocarbon systems. It is essential therefore to understand how local conditions govern displacement distribution. We analyse dip‐parallel displacement profiles of normal faults cutting five alternating limestone and shale layers and we discuss their evolution, from their nucleation to their restriction by lithological interfaces or bed‐parallel faults in clays, or to their further propagation through several layers. Local displacement gradients control the shape of displacement profiles and are highly variable over the course of fault history. Accordingly, the Dmax‐L relation is nonlinear. Bed‐parallel faults prove stronger restrictors than lithological interfaces and the correlation of the local gradient with lithology during restriction and propagation indicates that knowledge of these gradients is required if we are to understand how faults develop in multilayer systems.
Divergence on floral traits and vertebrate pollinators of two endemicEncholiriumbromeliads
Authors: Christianini A. V. , Forzza R. C. , Buzato S.
Published: August 2012

Shifts in pollen vectors favour diversification of floral traits, and differences in pollination strategies between congeneric sympatric species can contribute to reproductive isolation. Divergence in flowering phenology and selfing could also reduce interspecific crossing between self‐compatible species. We investigated floral traits and visitation rates of pollinators of two sympatricEncholiriumspecies on rocky outcrops to evaluate whether prior knowledge of floral characters could indicate actual pollinators. Data on flowering phenology, visitation rates and breeding system were used to evaluate reproductive isolation. Flowering phenology overlapped between species, but there were differences in floral characters, nectar volume and concentration. Several hummingbird species visited flowers of bothEncholiriumspp., but the endemic batLonchophylla bokermanniand an unidentified sphingid only visitedE. vogelii. Pollination treatments demonstrated thatE. heloisaeandE. vogeliiwere partially self‐compatible, with weak pollen limitation to seed set. Herbivores feeding on inflorescences decreased reproductive output of both species, but forE. vogeliithe damage was higher. Our results indicate that actual pollinators can be known beforehand through floral traits, in agreement with pollination syndromes stating that a set of floral traits can be associated with the attraction of specific groups of pollinators. Divergence on floral traits and pollinator assemblage indicate that shifts in pollination strategies contribute to reproductive isolation between theseEncholiriumspecies, not divergence on flowering phenology or selfing. We suggest that hummingbird pollination might be the ancestral condition inEncholiriumand that evolution of bat pollination made a substantial contribution to the diversification of this clade.
White opaque substance represents an intracytoplasmic accumulation of lipid droplets: Immunohistochemical and immunoelectron microscopic investigation of 26 cases
Authors: Ueo Tetsuya , Yonemasu Hirotoshi , Yada Naomi , Yano Shinji , Ishida Tetsuya , Urabe Masaki , Takahashi Ken , Nagamatsu Hideyasu , Narita Ryoichi , Yao Kenshi , Daa Tsutomu , Yokoyama Shigeo
Published: August 2012

Background and Aim

White opaque substance (WOS) in gastric neoplasias is a unique finding visualized in magnifying endoscopy (ME) with narrow band imaging (NBI) and it represents intramucosal accumulation of lipid droplets using oil red O staining.

Methods

Subjects were 26 WOS‐positive (13 adenomas and 13 well‐differentiated adenocarcinomas) and 27 WOS‐negative gastric epithelial neoplasias. We carried out immunohistochemical staining using a monoclonal antibody specific for adipophilin as a marker of lipids. Immunoelectron microscopy was used to evaluate morphology of the lipid droplets.

Results

Adipophilin was detected in 24 of 25 (96.0%) WOS‐positive neoplasias, but it was detected in only two of 27 (7.4%) WOS‐negative neoplasias. Lipid droplets were only seen in the surface epithelium in 10 of 11 (91.1%) adenomas, whereas the lipid droplets also existed in the cryptal epithelium in seven of 13 (53.8%) adenocarcinomas. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed numerous lipid droplets mainly existing in the subnuclear cytoplasm of the epithelium. The shape of the lipid droplets in adenomas was round and uniform, whereas that in adenocarcinomas was irregular.

Conclusions

The present study confirmed that the presence of WOS in gastric neoplasias was dependent upon intramucosal accumulation of lipid droplets using anti‐adipophilin staining. Intraepithelial distribution and morphology of the lipid droplets differed between adenoma and adenocarcinoma.
Impact of a simulated oil spill on benthic phototrophs and nitrogen‐fixing bacteria in mudflat mesocosms
Authors: Chronopoulou Panagiota‐Myrsini , Fahy Anne , Coulon Frédéric , Païssé Sandrine , Goñi‐Urriza Marisol , Peperzak Louis , Acuña Alvarez Laura , McKew Boyd A. , Lawson Tracy , Timmis Kenneth N. , Duran Robert , Underwood Graham J. C. , McGenity Terry J.
Published: August 2012

Coastal and estuarine ecosystems are highly susceptible to crude oil pollution. Therefore, in order to examine the resilience of benthic phototrophs that are pivotal to coastal ecosystem functioning, we simulated an oil spill in tidal mesocosms consisting of intact sediment cores from a mudflat at the mouth of the Colne Estuary, UK. At day 21, fluorescence imaging revealed a bloom of cyanobacteria on the surface of oiled sediment cores, and the upper 1.5 cm thick sediment had 7.2 times more cyanobacterial and 1.7 times more diatom rRNA sequences when treated with oil. Photosystem II operating efficiency (Fq′/Fm′) was significantly reduced in oiled sediments at day 7, implying that the initial diatom‐dominated community was negatively affected by oil, but this was no longer apparent by day 21. Oil addition significantly reduced numbers of the key deposit feeders, and the decreased grazing pressure is likely to be a major factor in the increased abundance of both diatoms and cyanobacteria. By day 5 concentrations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen were significantly lower in oiled mesocosms, likely resulting in the observed increase in nifH‐containing, and therefore potentially dinitrogen‐fixing, cyanobacteria. Thus, indirect effects of oil, rather than direct inhibition, are primarily responsible for altering the microphytobenthos.
Considering a complemental model of health and fitness
Authors: Neville Ross D.
Published: August 2012

This article examines the concept of fitness, which, in spite of its much avowed cultural significance, has become the subject of much critical attention. In particular, it considers the now contested relation of fitness to health; the fact that, although there appears to be a clear consensus on a simple causal relation between the two, this has been deemed illusory outside the medico‐scientific context of its production. In response to the problems with both of these positions, this article examines the potential for reconfiguring the relation between fitness and health on new terms. A complemental model of health and fitness is proposed; one that strives to account for the body’s objective and subjective dimensions and for those intermediary varieties of experience that lie in between.
Books on International Economic Affairs: THEORY AND POLICY IN FOREIGN‐EXCHANGE MARKETS
Authors: Wood Geoffrey
Published: August 2012

EXCHANGE RISK AND CORPORATE INTERNATIONAL FINANCE, by Robert Z. Aliber

THE FOREIGN EXCHANGES: THEORY, AND POLICY, by Michael Beenstock

MONEY HARD AND SOFT: ON THE INTERNATIONAL CURRENCY MARKETS, by Brendan Brown
Books on International Economic Affairs: THE POLITICS OF AGRICULTURAL TRADE
Authors: Ashton John
Published: August 2012

DECISION‐MAKING AND AGRICULTURE, Papers and Reports on the Sixteenth International Conference of Agricultural Economists, edited by Theodor Dams and Kenneth E. Hunt

DISTORTIONS OF AGRICULTURAL INCENTIVES, edited by Theodore W. Schultz

THE CHICKEN WAR, by Ross B. Talbot

TO FEED THIS WORLD, by Sterling Wortman and Ralph W. Cummings, Jr
Book of Intdernational Economics Affairs: MULTINATIONAL ENTERPRISES — A CONTINUING SAGA
Authors: Balasubramanyam V. N.
Published: August 2012

AMERICAN MULTINATIONALS AND AMERICAN INTERESTS, by C. Fred Bergsten, Thomas Horst and Theodore H. Moran

ALTERNATIVES TO THE MULTINATIONAL ENTERPRISE, by Mark Casson

THE ECONOMICS OF MULTINATIONAL ENTERPRISE, by Neil Hood and Stephen Young
Trojan Horse of ‘Temporary’ Protection
Authors: Lal Deepak
Published: August 2012

H. Peter Gray, Free Trade or Protection? A Pragmatic Analysis
Exports and International Logistics*
Authors: Behar Alberto , Manners Philip , Nelson Benjamin D.
Published: August 2012

Better international logistics raise a developing country's exports, but the magnitude of the effect depends on the country's size. We apply a gravity model that accounts for firm heterogeneity and multilateral resistance to an international logistics index. A one standard deviation improvement in logistics is equivalent to a 14% reduction in distance. An average‐sized developing country would raise exports by approximately 36%. Most of the countries are much smaller than average, so the typical effect is 8%. This difference is chiefly due to the dampening effect of multilateral resistance, which is more important for small countries.
Productivity and Growth in UK Industries: An Intangible Investment Approach*
Authors: Borgo Mariela Dal , Goodridge Peter , Haskel Jonathan , Pesole Annarosa
Published: August 2012

This article calculates some facts for the ‘knowledge economy’. Using new data, first we document UK intangible investment and find that (i) this is greater than tangible investment by £37bn in 2008; (ii) R&D is 11% of total intangible investment, software 15%, and training and organizational capital 22% each; (iii) the most intangible‐intensive industries are manufacturing and financial services. Next, we measure the contribution of intangible capital to growth for 2000–08. We find that intangible capital accounts for 23% of labour productivity growth and treating intangibles as investment lowers total factor productivity growth in the 2000s by 24% (R&D lowers it by 3%).
Risk Management for Italian Non‐Financial Firms: Currency and Interest Rate Exposure
Authors: Bodnar Gordon M. , Consolandi Costanza , Gabbi Giampaolo , Jaiswal‐Dale Ameeta
Published: August 2012

This paper surveys risk management practices among Italian non‐financial firms. This paper's contribution lies in investigating derivative usage particular to Italian businesses, a group whose public disclosure of derivative instruments is not routine. Italy is characterised by a high percentage of small and medium sized family run firms. The survey examines determinants of currency and interest rate derivative use with respect currency and to firm size, geographical location, rating, industry, access to capital markets and educated management. The results from the logistic regressions suggest that Italian non‐financial firms’ use of derivative contracts is strongly influenced by these characteristics.
Bequest Motives and the Demand for Life Insurance in East Germany
Authors: Sauter Nicolas
Published: August 2012

Empirical studies of household saving remain inconclusive about the role of bequest motives. This may be due to the diluting effect of different tax regimes across countries and time on estimates of bequest motives. Relative to market-based economies, the former German Democratic Republic can be viewed as an experimental institutional setting where life-insurance demand was not influenced by tax considerations. This allows isolating bequest motives from other life-cycle and precautionary savings motives. Analyzing the demand for life insurance, we find a significantly higher ownership probability among households with children and a high regard for the family, confirming bequest motives in life-insurance demand.
The prevalence of chronic and episodic migraine in children and adolescents
Authors: Özge A. , Şaşmaz T. , Buğdaycı R. , Çakmak S. E. , Kurt A. Ö. , Kaleağası S. H. , Siva A.
Published: August 2012

Background and purpose

Migraine is the most important cause of headache leading to a decrease in the quality of life in children and adolescents. The prevalence of episodic (EM) and chronic migraine (CM) increases with increasing age, which especially focused in recent years.

Methods

To evaluate the prevalence and determinants of migraine in children and adolescents, we performed this school‐based epidemiological study. First part of the study was performed in 2001 that included 5562 children. Second part of the study was performed in 2007 in adolescents including 1155 young. After the main reports published, we made a new analysis in the database that focused on migraine.

Results

Totally, 10.4% of the children, predominantly the girls, received the diagnosis of migraine when they grew older (1.7% CM, 8.6% EM). CM frequency increased with increasing ages (doubled at 12 years, P = 0.035). The significant risk factors for having CM were found to be age, gender, and father and sibling headache histories. Most of the clinical characteristics of migraine are far from classical knowledge in children with CM.

In adolescents, 18.6% were diagnosed as migraine (1.5%CM, 17.1%EM) with a predominance of girls without age difference. When they reached puberty after 6 years, double the number of cases with CM was headache free. Most of the young changed their headache characteristics during the follow‐up period independent from management strategies.

Conclusions

Our results showed that CM is an important cause of headache in both children and adolescents with some defining headache characteristics and risk factors concentrated in different age‐groups.
Floating Provisos and Sinking Islands
Authors: Kolers Avery
Published: August 2012

abstract

Rising sea levels may sink entire countries. Individualistic solutions to this climate catastrophe, such as those proposed by Meisels and Risse, are inadequate on both Kantian and Lockean criteria. This article concurs with Cara Nine's recent argument that such ‘ecological refugee states’ are entitled to territorial remedies. But Nine's proposal, founded on Locke's ‘sufficiency’ proviso and Nozick's famous application of it to waterholes in the desert, is instructively incorrect. Careful consideration of the distinction between land and territory, and of the structure of Proviso arguments, supports a new theory of how territorial claims can be positive‐sum — how the amount of territory can increase even as the land base remains constant or decreases. This normative conception of territory as the ratio of justice to land use provides a better foundation for a political solution to the problem of ecological refugee states and also generates deeper insight into the nature of territory itself. The article thus contributes not only to our thinking about redress for ecological refugees, but also to the burgeoning literatures on territory and on the Lockean Provisos.
Embryonic development of the skull of the Andean lizard Ptychoglossus bicolor (Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae)
Authors: Hernández‐Jaimes Carlos , Jerez Adriana , Ramírez‐Pinilla Martha Patricia
Published: August 2012

The study of cranial design and development in Gymnophthalmidae is important to understand the ontogenetic processes behind the morphological diversity of the group and to examine the possible effects of microhabitat use and other ecological parameters, as well as phylogenetic constraints, on skull anatomy. Complete morphological descriptions of embryonic skull development within Gymnophthalmidae are non‐existent. Likewise, very little is known about the complete chondrocranium of the family. Herein, the development of the skull of the semi‐fossorial lizard Ptychoglossus bicolor is described along with an examination of the chondrocranium of other gymnophthalmid taxa and the teiid Cnemidophorus lemniscatus. Cranial chondrification begins with early condensations in the ethmoid, orbitotemporal and occipital regions of the chondrocranium as well as the viscerocranium. Ossification of the skull starts with elements of the dermatocranium (pterygoid, prefrontal, maxilla and jugal). The orbitosphenoid is the last chondral bone to appear. At birth, the skull is almost completely ossified and exhibits a large frontoparietal fontanelle. In general terms, the chondrocranium of the gymnophthalmids studied is characteristic of lacertiform terrestrial lizards, in spite of their life habits, and resembles the chondrocranium of C. lemniscatus in many aspects. However, the gymnophthalmids show great variation in the orbitosphenoid and a complex nasal capsule. The latter exhibits greater development of some nasal cartilages, which make it more complex than in C. lemniscatus. These characteristics might be related to microhabitat use and the well‐developed olfactory and vomeronasal systems observed within this clade.
Cross‐sectional data on soft tissue morphometry of the growing hand and fingers of dextral individuals 5–65 years old
Authors: Mayhew T. M.
Published: August 2012

This study examines both hands of right‐handed (dextral) subjects 5–65 years old in order to define the separate growth trajectories of digit lengths (2D–5D) and hand widths; to assess how 2D : 4D and other digit ratios also vary with age; and to test whether lengths are influenced by gender dimorphism and lateral (right/left) asymmetry. Calliper measurements were made from hand photocopies. Growth patterns were analysed by linear regression and correlation, main and interaction effects of age and gender were resolved by analysis of variance, and lateral asymmetries were identified by paired tests. All digits, and hand width, grew in a biphasic pattern in both hands, and inflection points between phases showed gender dimorphism. In the early fast‐growing phase, male digits grew over a longer period than those in females, before switching to a slower growth phase during which gender dimorphism became more exaggerated. In right hands, age differences in digit ratios were confined to 2D : 4D and, except for 4D : 5D, females tended to show larger ratios than males. In left hands, all ratios (except 3D : 5D) varied with age and gender influenced only 2D : 4D, 2D : 5D and 3D : 5D. Again, ratios were greater in females. In females, 2D was longer in the right hand of older subjects, whilst 3D, 4D and 5D tended to be shorter in the right hand of younger subjects. No asymmetries were seen in 2D, 3D or 4D in males, but 5D tended to be shorter on the right in the group 9–12 years old. Finally, hand width tended to be greater in females on the right at 9–65 years old, and in males on the right at 18–23 years old. A further novel finding was that certain relationships (inflection points, correlation coefficients and gender differences in digit lengths) seemed to follow gradients running from 2D to 5D. It is tempting to speculate that these are manifestations of the antero‐posterior gradients established by signalling events that control digit development and patterning in utero.
APPRAISAL OF DIFFERENT METHODS OF ESTIMATING EQUIVALENCE SCALES AND THEIR RESULTS
Authors: NICHOLSON J. L.
Published: August 2012

This paper discusses the problems encountered in constructing equivalence scales of the relative incomes required to enable families of different sizes or in different circumstances to enjoy the same standard of living. Theoretical problems and limitations of various methods are discussed, and examples of empirical results are presented.
SOME ASPECTS OF THE REVISION OF THE SYSTEM OF NATIONAL ACCOUNTS IN VENEZUELA
Authors: URDANETA LOURDES
Published: August 2012

Venezuela was one of the first of the developing countries to adopt the new United Nations System of National Accounts. The article describes the reasons for its adoption, the procedures used, methods and sources, and the administrative problems encountered.
THE PRESENT STATE OF NATIONAL ACCOUNTS IN LATIN AMERICA
Authors: NORIEGA CARLOS
Published: August 2012

This document attempts to give an overall review of the present situation of national accounts in Latin America, and deals essentially with the statistical basis and procedures used in their preparation.

The purpose of these comments is to place the main problems common to all countries in order of priority and, in view of the need to advance and in the face of the task of establishing the present SNA, to discuss briefly the main lines which future work might follow.

The stage of development so far reached by national accounts in Latin America is unsatisfactory if compared with the former system recommended by the United Nations two decades ago, and their recent evolution indicates that the rate of progress has fallen behind the advances made in the theoretical field in this connexion, and in relation to the increasing requirements of macroeconomic information for economic planning and policy. This whole picture becomes more meaningful if the objectives, structure and content of the present SNA, that has already been in force for five years, are compared with the present state of national accounts estimates in the region, which reveals the long road that lies ahead and the magnitude of the effort required if the present situation is to show a change for the better. Clearly, little progress can be made unless the basic statistics are expanded in scope and improved. This is the crux of the problem, towards which the greatest efforts and resources should primarily be channeled.

It is necessary to adopt a critical approach and concerted action with respect to four aspects which characterize the national statistical systems in Latin America:

organizational problems and the shortage of human and financial resources;

the lack of co‐ordinated programmes of basic statistics;

the limited use of efficient methods of collecting data; and

the insufficient recourse to administrative records.
OCCUPATIONAL EARNINGS BEHAVIOR AND THE INEQUALITY OF EARNINGS BY SEX AND RACE IN THE UNITED STATES*
Authors: WOLFF EDWARD N.
Published: August 2012

This paper examines differences in earnings by occupations, and within occupations by sex and by race, on the basis of the 1/100 Public Use Samples of the 1960 and 1970 U.S. Population Censuses. It employs interval analysis to establish 32 categories of occupations with similar characteristics. Little relation was found between mean earnings of occupational groups and the degree of earnings inequality within them. When the figures are examined by sex, it was found that men, on average, earned over twice as much as women in both years, but women's earnings were more unequally distributed (as measured by the Gini coefficient). Women are concentrated in the traditional “female” occupations, which tend to be those at the bottom of the earnings scale, and men have a monopoly of the higher paid occupations. But mean earnings for men exceeded those for women in all occupational groups except one, even in the primarily female occupations. Standardizing first for occupational distribution and then for earnings by occupation, it was found that earnings differences between males and females within occupation had a greater impact on the overall male‐female earnings ratio than did differences in occupational distribution by sex. In contrast, when the figures are examined by race, the change in occupational distribution (primarily the movement of blacks out of farming and of blacks and Spanish speakers out of personal services) was the major factor. There was also a considerable degree of earnings inequality within demographic groups. The degree of inequality was in the main reduced when the demographic groups were subdivided into occupations, but it was still substantial. Additional factors like time worked, schooling, and experience must be taken into consideration in understanding this phenomenon.
INTERNATIONAL TRANSFERS AND ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS
Authors: LEVY EMANUEL
Published: August 2012

This paper examines the appropriate treatment of international transfers in the national accounts. It argues that the appropriate treatment differs, depending upon the use to be made of the accounts. The treatment recommended in the SNA is appropriate for expenditure behavior analysis, with its emphasis on total disposable income on the one hand, and its allocation between consumption and saving on the other. For economic performance analysis, however, the primary focus of interest is the excess, if any, of aggregate resource use over the GNP, i.e., the extent to which the combined level of consumption and investment is sustained out of own production or is dependent on unrequited capital inflow. It is essential for this purpose that the measure of capital inflow include all international transfers regardless of their economic destination.
One man's side effect is another man's therapeutic opportunity: targeting Kv7 channels in smooth muscle disorders
Authors: Jepps TA , Olesen SP , Greenwood IA
Published: August 2012

Retigabine is a first in class anticonvulsant that has recently undergone clinical trials to test its efficacy in epileptic patients. Retigabine's novel mechanism of action – activating Kv7 channels – suppresses neuronal activity to prevent seizure generation by hyperpolarizing the membrane potential and suppressing depolarizing surges. However, Kv7 channels are not expressed exclusively in neurones and data generated over the last decade have shown that Kv7 channels play a key role in various smooth muscle systems of the body. This review discusses the potential of targeting Kv7 channels in the smooth muscle to treat diseases such as hypertension, bladder instability, constipation and preterm labour.
Synthesis of branched azo dyes based on benzene sulphonamide intermediates and their spectral properties
Authors: Wang Feng , Wang Limin , Cai Xiaofei , Sun Yinglei , Su Lan , Zhang Liang , Han Zhaogang , Zhang Guanjun , Wang Guifeng
Published: August 2012

Benzene sulphonamide intermediates and two series of branched azo dyes (one series with H‐Acid as the coupling component, and the other, with a pyrazolone derivative as the coupling component) derived from them were synthesised. The molecular structures, spectroscopic properties and dyeing properties of the dyes obtained have been investigated. The results indicated that these dyes showed one dominant hue, despite each separate branch of chromophore, and, in the first series, four chromophoric groups led to only a threefold increase in the extinction coefficient, while the same comparison in the second series produced a fully additive effect, i.e. a fourfold increase. Compared with the mono‐branch dye of each series, the dyeing properties of the H‐Acid series were improved, whereas the pyrazolone series that were run diversely for the two series were synthesised from different coupling components. In addition, the crystallographic structure of the tri‐branch intermediate showed a non‐coplanar structure, which indicated that the derived dye would perform as the sum of three similar chromophoric units.
Are They Terrorist Sympathizers or do They Just Disagree with the War on Terror? A Comment on Testing Theories of Radicalization in Polls of U.S. Muslims
Authors: McGarty Craig , Thomas Emma F. , Louis Winnifred R.
Published: August 2012

McCauley (this issue) develops an analysis of the predictors of sympathetic, incipient support for terrorism. While we endorse the conceptual focus on terrorism as a process, our concern is that the data reported by McCauley do not address predictors of sympathy for terrorism. Rather, aspects of that contribution conflate opposition to the War on Terror with incipient support for terrorism. This is intensely problematic not least because the data reported actually suggest that opposition to the War on Terror and sympathy for terrorism are distinct.
The Bayesian Microbial Subtyping Attribution Model: Robustness to Prior Information and a Proposition
Authors: David J. M. , Guillemot D. , Bemrah N. , Thébault A. , Brisabois A. , Chemaly M. , Weill FX. , Sanders P. , Watier L.
Published: August 2012

Attributing foodborne illnesses to food sources is essential to conceive, prioritize, and assess the impact of public health policy measures. The Bayesian microbial subtyping attribution model by Hald et al. is one of the most advanced approaches to attribute sporadic cases; it namely allows taking into account the level of exposure to the sources and the differences between bacterial types and between sources. This step forward requires introducing type and source‐dependent parameters, and generates overparameterization, which was addressed in Hald's paper by setting some parameters to constant values. We question the impact of the choices made for the parameterization (parameters set and values used) on model robustness and propose an alternative parameterization for the Hald model. We illustrate this analysis with the 2005 French data set of non‐typhi Salmonella. Mullner's modified Hald model and a simple deterministic model were used to compare the results and assess the accuracy of the estimates. Setting the parameters for bacterial types specific to a unique source instead of the most frequent one and using data‐based values instead of arbitrary values enhanced the convergence and adequacy of the estimates and led to attribution estimates consistent with the other models’ results. The type and source parameters estimates were also coherent with Mullner's model estimates. The model appeared to be highly sensitive to parameterization. The proposed solution based on specific types and data‐based values improved the robustness of estimates and enabled the use of this highly valuable tool successfully with the French data set.
Helping Individuals to Understand Synergistic Risks: An Assessment of Message Contents Depicting Mechanistic and Probabilistic Concepts
Authors: Dawson Ian G. J. , Johnson Johnnie E. V. , Luke Michelle A.
Published: August 2012

Accumulating evidence shows that certain hazard combinations interact to present synergistic risks. However, little is known about the most effective ways of helping individuals to understand this complex risk concept. More specifically, there is an absence of empirical research that has assessed the relative efficacy of messages that explain either the causal mechanism and/or the probabilistic components of synergistic risks. In an experiment designed to address this issue, we presented participants with messages concerning the synergistic risk of developing esophageal cancer for individuals who consume both tobacco and alcohol. Relative to a control group, we compared the extent to which messages featuring content detailing the underlying biological mechanism, the probabilistic risk, or both improved understanding of the synergistic risk. Our results showed that messages containing details of both the mechanism and probabilistic information were most effective at enabling individuals to understand that the alcohol‐tobacco combination presents a synergistic risk. In addition, large improvements in the accuracy of cancer frequency estimates were observed amongst individuals who received probabilistic information, and the highest relative increase in professed willingness to adopt precautionary behaviors was observed amongst individuals who received the mechanism information only. Importantly, these findings could be utilized in the development of a general model for the communication of synergistic risks. Furthermore, in contrast to previous findings, our study demonstrates that risk messages can be both effective and efficient in helping individuals to acquire a greater understanding of synergistic risks. Acquiring such knowledge could lead to significant improvements in risk‐related decisions concerning combined hazards.
Testicular angina during hemodialysis: An unusual complication of ultrafiltration
Authors: Sequeira Adrian , Buffington Mary , Gu Xin , Abreo Kenneth
Published: August 2012

During hemodialysis, the development of hypotension or symptoms suggestive of ischemia is used as a surrogate marker for the establishment of dry weight. These symptoms manifest commonly as muscle cramps, chest pain or abdominal pain. Hemodialysis patients are also prone to vascular calcification which may be medial or intimal. We report the case of a 68‐year‐old male who developed testicular pain while attempting to establish dry weight. Computerized tomography scan of his abdomen showed extensive vascular calcification. The end result in this case was bilateral orchiectomy. Histopathology revealed hyperplastic arteriolosclerosis with intimal calcification contributing to ischemia.
Occurrence of class 1 integrons in uropathogenic fluoroquinolone‐resistant clinical Escherichia coli isolates from Jamaica
Authors: Stephenson Stacy A.M. , Brown Paul D.
Published: August 2012

Quinolone resistance is generally caused by chromosomal mutations, but has been more recently found associated with the plasmid‐mediated qnr genes. The objective of this study was to screen and analyse polymorphisms of integrons in clinical isolates of Escherichia coli in Jamaica. Previous studies in Jamaica identified fluoroquinolone resistance in predominantly uropathogenic E. coli clinical isolates: 45% harbouring qnrA, qnrB and/or qnrS, and 17% were (Extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamase) ESBL‐producers. These isolates were analysed for the presence and variation of class 1 and 2 integrase genes, 5′‐ and 3′‐ conserved segments and the Orf513 recombinase gene by primer‐specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment‐length polymorphism (RFLP). Results indicated integron‐encoded integrases in 93% of isolates primarily harbouring class 1 integrase genes; four of 58 isolates carried both classes. The Orf513 and 5′‐ and 3′‐conserved segment (CS) regions were identified in 83% and 55% of the isolates respectively. RFLP evaluation of the 5′‐ and 3′‐CS regions in int1‐positive strains yielded two main types. The reduced diversity, but wide dispersion of class 1 integrons harbouring qnr genes may give rise to the conservation of the mobile genetic elements in which they are carried.
High incidence of rhesus enteric calicivirus infections and diarrhea in captive juvenile macaques: a likely association
Authors: Farkas Tibor , Falkenstein Kathrine P. , Bohm Rudolf P. , Pecotte Jerilyn , Sestak Karol
Published: August 2012

Background

The rhesus enteric caliciviruses (ReCVs) were recently described.

Methods

Prevalence of ReCV antibodies was tested in six species of captive non‐human primates.

Results

High ReCV seroprevalence was revealed in rhesus and cynomolgus macaques.

Conclusions

High rates of ReCV seroprevalence and diarrhea in juvenile macaques suggest that ReCVs may play a role in morbidity.
Clinical manifestations and treatment for keratocystic odontogenic tumors associated with nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome: a study in 25 Japanese patients
Authors: Shimada Yasuyuki , Morita Kei‐ichi , Kabasawa Yuji , Taguchi Takahide , Omura Ken
Published: August 2012

Background

Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS) is an autosomal dominant disorder and is characterized by tumorigenesis and physical deformity. Keratocystic odontogenic tumors (KCOTs) of the jaws are a common manifestation of this syndrome. This study involved a pooled analysis of Japanese individuals with NBCCS and was performed with the aim of analyzing the clinical features of NBCCS and the patterns of occurrence and recurrence of KCOTs in Japanese individuals.

Methods

This study included 25 patients. The relative frequencies of the major symptoms in these patients were compared with those reported in the literature. We also investigated 11 patients with KCOTs (40 lesions) initially treated at Tokyo Medical and Dental University.

Results

KCOTs (100%) and palmar and/or plantar pits (n = 19; 76.0%) were the most frequently observed manifestations. Eleven patients (44.0%) had a radiologically confirmed rib anomaly. Nineteen patients (76.0%) had a family history of the syndrome within first‐degree relatives. Japanese patients had a relatively low frequency of basal cell carcinoma (n = 7; 28.0%) and falx calcification (n = 7; 28.0%) compared with that reported in other populations.

Twelve of the total 40 KCOTs (30.0%) that were followed up for 6 months or more recurred. All recurrent cases had undergone conservative treatment, whereas no recurrences occurred in cases that had undergone radical treatment.

Conclusions

Recurrence of KCOTs associated with NBCCS is frequently encountered, and further investigations are required to confirm the optimal treatment that will ensure a complete cure improving the patient's quality of life.
Proposal of screening method for intestinal mucus adhesive lactobacilli using the enzymatic activity of glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH)
Authors: KINOSHITA Hideki , IMOTO Shun , SUDA Yoshihito , ISHIDA Mitsuharu , WATANABE Masamichi , KAWAI Yasushi , KITAZAWA Haruki , MIURA Koh , HORII Akira , SAITO Tadao
Published: August 2012

Adhesion tests are complex, time‐consuming and expensive, while the most important criterion for a probiotic lactobacilli is the ability to adhere to the human intestine. Thirty lactobacilli isolates from human intestinal tissues were measured for cell surface glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) activity using a microtiter plate screening method. GAPDH activities were detected in 21 out of 30 samples from 12 h cultures and in all samples from 18 h cultures. This suggests GAPDH is universally expressed on the bacterial cell surfaces from many lactobacilli. A statistically significant positive correlation was shown between GAPDH activity and adhesion using the BIACORE adhesion assay (P < 0.01). The new screening method using GAPDH enzymatic activity without an adhesion test may be possible due to the significant positive correlation of GAPDH activity with adhesion of lactobacilli derived from the human intestine.
Effects of single caging and cage size on behavior and stress level of domestic neutered cats housed in an animal shelter
Authors: Uetake Katsuji , Goto Akihiro , Koyama Rumi , Kikuchi Rieko , Tanaka Toshio
Published: August 2012

Cats need a minimum amount of space even in animal shelters. In this study the effects of single caging and cage size on the behavior and stress level of domestic cats were investigated. Six neutered cats (2–15 years old) that had been housed in a group for at least 7 months were moved to three kinds of single cages (small, medium and large) by rotation on a Latin square design. They experienced each cage size for 6 days. Cats could use vertical dimensions when housed in a group room and the large cage. Behavioral observation was conducted for 3 h in the evening, and stress levels were assessed by urine cortisol‐to‐creatinine ratios. The amounts (estimated proportions) of time spent in locomotion and social/solitary play were lower even in large cages than in group housing (both P < 0.05). Conversely, the amount of time spent resting tended to increase when housed singly (P = 0.104). The urine cortisol‐to‐creatinine ratios of singly housed cats tended to be higher than that of group‐housed cats (P = 0.086). The results indicate that cats become less active when they are housed singly in cages regardless of the cage size. Cats seem to feel no undue stress even in small cages if the stay is short.
Scarless needlescopic transabdominal preperiotneal inguinal hernia repair: An alternative to single‐incision repair
Authors: Yang George P.C. , Tung Karen L.M. , Lai Eric C.H. , Chan Oliver C.Y. , Tang Chung‐Ngai , Li Michael K.W.
Published: August 2012

Introduction

The two current standard laparoscopic approaches for inguinal hernia repair are transabdominal preperiotneal and totally extraperitoneal. Single‐incision repairs have been explored in an effort to further reduce the invasiveness of the surgery. However, with single incision, surgeons need to possess special skills and require special instruments. Needlescopic inguinal hernia repair could represent a more attractive alternative. Using a transumbilical incision, an almost scarless transabdominal preperiotneal can be achieved. In the present study, we report our experience of scarless needlescopic transabdominal preperiotneal inguinal hernia repair.

Patients and Methods

This is a prospective analysis of a cohort of patients with inguinal hernia who underwent elective scarless needlescopic transabdominal preperiotneal repair. Patient demographic data, type of hernia, operative time, perioperative and postoperative course, pain score and final patient satisfaction score were all recorded for analysis.

Results

In March 2011, four patients received scarless needlescopic transabdominal preperiotneal for inguinal hernia repair. Their average age was 57.25 years. The mean operative time was 79.5 min. The patients were discharged on the same day. There were no postoperative complications.

Conclusion

Scarless needlescopic transabdominal preperiotneal inguinal hernia repair is feasible and safe, and is well accepted by patients. Further studies will be conducted to evaluate its full potential.
Rectal lymphoma in 11 dogs – a retrospective study
Authors: Van den Steen N. , Berlato D. , Polton G. , Dobson J. , Stewart J. , Maglennon G. , Hayes A. M. , Murphy S.
Published: August 2012

Objectives

To retrospectively evaluate the clinical behaviour and immunophenotype of lymphoma of the rectum in dogs.

Methods

Eleven dogs diagnosed with lymphoma of the rectum on histopathology were retrospectively reviewed. Immunohistochemistry with CD3 and CD79a antibodies was performed at diagnosis or retrospectively.

Results

Treatment protocol varied with six dogs undergoing surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy, two received chemotherapy after only incisional biopsy, one had surgical resection only, one was treated symptomatically and one dog was not treated. Chemotherapy treatment consisted of either a ‐low‐dose COP (cyclophosphamide ‐ prednisolone ‐ vincristine) protocol (four dogs) or a six‐week CHOP‐based (cyclophosphamide ‐ vincristine ‐ ‐prednisolone ‐ anthracycline) protocol (four dogs). Dogs that received chemotherapy lived significantly longer than dogs that did not receive chemotherapy (2352 versus 70 days). Median survival time was not reached, and there was an overall mean survival time of 1697 days. Immunohistochemistry was performed in 10 of 11 samples, and was consistent with B‐cell ‐lymphoma in all cases.

Clinical Significance

Canine lymphoma of the rectum is associated with a favourable prognosis. Immunohistochemical evaluation of these lesions was consistent with B‐cell lymphoma in all cases in which it was examined.
Suspected primary glioblastoma multiforme in the canine spinal cord
Authors: Röthlisberger A. , Lehmbecker A. , Beineke A. , Mischke R. , Dziallas P. , Meyer‐Lindenberg A. , Tipold A.
Published: August 2012

An eight‐year‐old mixed‐breed dog was presented with progressive paraparesis. Neurological examination revealed a painful diffuse lesion between spinal cord segmentsT3andL3. Magnetic resonance images displayed multi‐focal contrast enhancing spinal cord and meningeal lesions. Cytology of these lesions revealed a malignant tumour prompting euthanasia of the dog. Histopathology confirmed the cytological diagnosis and a final diagnosis of a glioblastoma multiforme was made based on immunohistochemistry.
Frugivory and seed dispersal by tapirs: an insight on their ecological role
Authors: O'FARRILL Georgina , GALETTI Mauro , CAMPOS‐ARCEIZ Ahimsa
Published: August 2012

Tapirs are one of the last extant megafauna species that survived the Pleistocene extinctions. Given their size and digestive system characteristics, tapirs might be the last potential seed disperser of plant species that were previously dispersed by other large mammal species that are now extinct. We compiled evidence from 39 published scientific studies showing that tapirs have a key role as seed dispersers and seed predators. Tapirs play an important role either through seed predation or by facilitating the recruitment of seeds over long distances, therefore influencing the diversity of plant species in the ecosystem. Neotropical tapirs might have a unique role as long‐distance seed dispersers of large seeds (<20 mm) because they are capable of depositing viable large seeds in favorable places for germination that even large‐bodied primates cannot disperse. Given the high diversity of seed species found in tapir diet, more information is needed on the identification of seed traits that allow the survival of seeds in the tapir's gut. Moreover, further studies are necessary on the role of tapirs as seed dispersers and predators; in particular considering spatial patterns of dispersed seeds, seed viability, effect of dung, and seed density in tapir latrines, and the effect of deposition sites on germination and seedling survival. Because all tapir species are highly threatened, it is paramount to identify gaps in our knowledge on the ecological role of tapirs and, in particular, on critical and endangered plant‐tapir interactions to avoid possible trophic cascading effects on ecosystem function.