bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Women living in a remote Australian mining community: Exploring their psychological well‐being
Authors: Lovell Jane , Critchley Jennifer
Published: June 2010

Objective:  To explore the factors believed to influence the psychological well‐being of women living in a modern remote Australian mining community.

Design:  A qualitative phenomenological study conducted through focus group discussions.

Setting:  Remote Australian mining town.

Participants:  Sixteen women living in a remote Australian mining town with a partner undertaking shiftwork at one of the local mines.

Main outcome measures:  Women in a remote Australian mining community revealed, through focus group discussion, the factors influencing their psychological well‐being.

Results:  Four themes were identified to be of importance for the women. These were the impacts of mining work, isolation, culture and the social environment on their happiness and well‐being, and that of their families and the broader community.

Conclusions:  Psychological well‐being of women in a remote mining community might be improved through better local medical services, increased efforts at social inclusion and community connectedness, greater access to child care and better community infrastructure and pleasant surrounds. The findings also question the stereotypes of strong masculinist cultures and limited activities and services in such communities. Further research is highly recommended.
Perceptions towards rural and remote practice: A study of final year occupational therapy students studying in a regional university in Australia
Authors: McAuliffe Tomomi , Barnett Fiona
Published: June 2010

Background/aim:  Rural and remote health education during undergraduate training is a strategy to alleviate the shortage of rural health professionals. Undergraduate rural exposure can be beneficial in improving students’ perceptions towards rural and remote practice as well as their decision to work rurally. This study examined James Cook University (JCU) final year occupational therapy students’ perceptions towards rural and remote practice and if their perceptions had changed over the course of their study.

Methods:  Questionnaires were administered to 58 final year occupational therapy students at JCU during a block class. Quantitative data analysis was performed on responses.

Results:  The change in the students’ career intentions from not considering to considering rural and remote practice over the duration of their study was found to be significant (exact P = 0.003). The influential factors identified in students considering rural employment included the rural location of their close family and friends (exact P = 0.006), the overall occupational therapy programme (U = 171.5, P = 0.045), good fieldwork experience (U = 144, P = 0.039) and inspiring fieldwork supervisors (U = 135.5, P = 0.01). The course curriculum was not found to influence the students’ perceptual change.

Conclusion:  This study has found that students’ perceptions towards rural and remote practice changed over the course of their university programme. A greater focus on the academic staff and fieldwork supervisors’ perceptions towards rural and remote practice may be required in the development of rural undergraduate programmes. Identification of students who have family/close friends living in rural and remote areas may encourage occupational therapists to work in rural areas.
Benign and malignant tumors in Down syndrome: Analysis of the 1514 autopsied cases in Japan
Authors: Ehara Hiroaki , Ohno Kousaku , Ito Hisao
Published: June 2010

Background:  Down syndrome is known for its association with neoplasms. The aim of this study was to examine this association.

Methods:  We surveyed the association with benign and malignant neoplasms in Down syndrome patients registered in the Annual of Pathological Autopsy Cases of Japan (1974–2000), a database of autopsied cases operated by the Japanese Society of Pathology.

Results:  In a total of 1514 cases with Down syndrome, there were eight cases with 10 benign tumors (four male and four female) and 104 cases with malignant disorders (61 male, 42 female and one case with unrecorded sex), in which 87 cases with hematopoietic malignancies (83.7%) and 17 cases with solid tumors (16.3%), were identified. The association of gallbladder adenocarcinoma with a benign tumor of the colon was noted in one case, while a further two cases with double benign tumors were confirmed as well. No case with a double malignancy was found. Hematopoietic malignancies (87 cases) included 31 cases (35.6%) with acute myelocytic leukemia, 10 (11.4%) with acute lymphocytic leukemia and two (2.3%) with chronic myelocytic leukemia. The ratio of acute myelocytic leukemia to acute lymphocytic leukemia was 3.1 in the present study. A peak in the age distribution was at 0 years in our data in contrast to the previous data (at 1 year) for myelocytic leukemia. The 17 solid tumors identified included three hepatocellular carcinomas, three extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas, two gallbladder adenocarcinomas, three brain tumors, and three seminomas.

Conclusion:  We present new associations of benign and malignant tumors with Down syndrome.
Molecular pathology of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma: A review
Authors: Yusenko Maria V
Published: June 2010

The recognition of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (RCC) among other distinct types of renal cell tumors (RCT) based on light‐microscopic features, such as cytoplasmic and nuclear characteristics, might pose a dilemma in some cases because of morphological pattern overlapping with renal oncocytoma or conventional RCC. The present article reviews chromophobe RCC with focus on aspects of its molecular pathology, which was shown using ancillary modern microarray‐based technology that can distinguish it from its mimics and therefore be helpful for its correct diagnosis. Although the high resolution DNA‐microarray analyses excluded with all certainty the occurrence of small specific alterations, the loss of entire chromosomes 2, 10, 13, 17 and 21 occurs exclusively in chromophobe RCC and therefore probes localized at these chromosomes might be used to establish the diagnosis of chromophobe RCC in cases with uncertain histology. The usefulness of proposed candidate genes selected by the global gene expression analyses in the diagnostic pathology is far below expectations. The conflicting staining patterns, together with the poor specificity of used antibodies, leads us to believe that these candidate immunomarkers might not help in the separation of chromophobe RCC, with the exception of CD82, which has recently been suggested to be used for routine histological diagnosis.
Correcting post‐keratoplasty anisometropia with the implantable collamer phakic intraocular lens
Authors: Mehta Jodhbir S , Yuen Leonard H , Mengher Lakhbir S , Papathanassiou Miltos , Allan Bruce DS
Published: June 2010

Abstract

Background:  We evaluate the Visian Implantable Collamer Lens (Staar, Monrovia, CA, USA) phakic intraocular lens for treating post‐keratoplasty anisometropia.

Methods:  Case series of three eyes (2 phakic and 1 pseudophakic).

Results:  The mean age was 47.3 years (range 30–73 years), with a minimum of 3‐month follow up. The mean preoperative spherical equivalent was −8.75 ± 5.17 D (−4.00 to −14.25 D) improving to −0.29 ± 1.21 D postoperatively (range 0.75 to −1.625 D). Mean logMAR uncorrected visual acuity improved from 1.66 ± 0.60 (6/240) preoperatively to 0.41 ± 0.52 (6/152). Mean logMAR best spectacle‐corrected visual acuity improved from 0.32 ± 0.15 (6/12) preoperatively to 0.10 ± 0.11 (6/7.5). Anisometropia improved from a difference of 6.37 ± 2.59 D preoperatively to 2.09 ± 1.37 D postoperatively, and there were no complications.

Conclusion:  Our technique for this clinical indication shows that the Visian Implantable Collamer Lens is a safe and effective alternative for treating post‐keratoplasty anisometropia.
Phacoemulsification in posterior polar cataract: does size of lens opacity affect surgical outcome?
Authors: Kumar Sunil , Ram Jagat , Sukhija Jaspreet , Severia Saurabh
Published: June 2010

Abstract

Background:  To study the effect of size of the posterior polar opacity on surgical and visual outcome of phacoemulsification in posterior polar cataract.

Setting:  Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.

Methods:  Consecutive patients with posterior polar cataract who underwent phacoemulsification were analysed for intraoperative complications and postoperative outcome. The continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis size was kept approximately 5.5 mm, and hydrodelineation was done instead of hydrodissection.

Results:  There were 58 eyes of 51 patients who underwent phacoemulsification for posterior polar cataract. The mean follow‐up time was 15.4 months (range 12–40 months). Twenty‐three eyes had size of polar opacities 4 mm or more in diameter whereas 35 eyes had less than 4 mm. Posterior capsule rupture occurred in nine eyes (15.51%). In eyes with polar opacities 4 mm or more, seven (30.43%) had posterior capsule rupture whereas in eyes with less than 4 mm size, only two (5.71%) had posterior capsule rupture. Capsular bag placement of intraocular lens (IOL) was achieved in 50 eyes and sulcus‐sulcus in eight eyes. Three‐piece hydrophobic acrylic IOL was implanted in 47 eyes and all polymethylmethacrylate IOL in 11 eyes. Postoperatively best‐corrected visual acuity of 6/12 or better was achieved in 55 eyes (94.8%) and three eyes achieved 6/24 or less.

Conclusion:  Phacoemulsification in eyes with larger size of polar opacity has significant risk of posterior capsule rupture.
Differences in contrast sensitivity between monofocal, multifocal and accommodating intraocular lenses: long‐term results
Authors: Mesci Cem , Erbil Hasan H , Olgun Ali , Aydin Nihat , Candemir Bahadir , Akçakaya Aylin A
Published: June 2010

Abstract

Background:  To evaluate long‐term contrast sensitivity (CS) and visual acuity following implantation of monofocal, accommodating, refractive and diffractive multifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) in patients with unilateral cataract

Methods:  In this prospective non‐randomized clinical trial, 87 patients with unilateral cataract were enrolled in four groups for phacoemulsification and IOL implantation in Ophthalmology Department of Goztepe Training and Research Hospital. Twenty‐four patients had monofocal (Alcon Acrysof; group 1), 21 patients accommodating (Human Optics 1CU; group 2), 22 patients diffractive multifocal (Tecnis ZM900; group 3) and 20 patients refractive multifocal (AMO Rezoom; group 4) IOL implantations. Ages of patients were between 40 and 70. Parameters analysed at the 18th postoperative month were subjective refractions, monocular and binocular distance and near photopic CSs, visual acuities.

Results:  Near visual acuities were statistically better in group 3 than the other groups (P < 0.05). At low spatial frequencies, mean monocular distance CSs of group 1 and mean monocular near CSs of groups 1 and 2 were statistically higher than those of group 4 (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between binocular CSs of group 4 and the other groups at low spatial frequencies. At high spatial frequencies, monocular and binocular CSs of groups 1 and 2 were statistically higher than those of groups 3 and 4 (P < 0.05). Near CSs was better in group 3 than group 4.

Conclusions:  In patients with unilateral cataract, monofocal, accommodating and partially diffractive multifocal IOL provided higher CS scores when compared with refractive multifocal IOL and in multifocal IOL groups binocular CSs were better than monocular CSs when compared with other groups.
Diabetic eye disease among adults in Fiji with self‐reported diabetes
Authors: Brian Garry , Fischer‐Harder Konstanze , Sikivou Biu , Qoqonokana Mundi Qalo , Szetu John , Ramke Jacqueline
Published: June 2010

Abstract

Background:  To characterize diabetic eye disease and its management among adults aged ≥40 years with self‐reported diabetes in Fiji.

Methods:  During a population‐based cross‐sectional survey using multistage cluster random sampling, participants reported health information, including whether a doctor had diagnosed diabetes. HbA1c and visual acuity were measured. Diabetic eye disease was assessed using 90‐dioptre lens dilated funduscopy.

Results:  Of those enumerated, 1381 (73.0%) participated, with 222 reporting diabetes. Twenty fundi were not examined (19 due to cataract). Of the remaining 424 eyes, 75.5% had no diabetic disease, 1.2% had proliferative retinopathy, 7.5% had active significant maculopathy and 0.7% had burnt‐out/treated disease. By person, 27.2% had retinopathy and/or maculopathy in at least one eye. Mean HbA1c (9.9 ± 2.3%) for this group was significantly higher (P = 0.004) than for those without eye disease. Vision‐threat occurred in at least one eye of 11.5%. Diabetes (predominantly maculopathy) caused pinhole acuity <6/18, <6/60 and <3/60 for 3.8%, 1.1% and 0.7% of eyes, respectively. No person was bilaterally blind (<6/60) due to diabetes, but 2.3% (all on oral antiglycaemics alone) were 6/60 bilaterally. Compared with recent diabetes diagnosis, diagnosis >10 years ago was predictive of any (odds ratio [OR] 8.13; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.28–20.21; P < 0.001) and vision‐threatening (OR 5.25; 95% CI 1.71–16.12; P = 0.004) eye disease. Although 80.6% claimed regular general diabetes checkups, only 36.5% recalled previous dilated ocular examination. Four eyes had received laser treatment.

Conclusion:  There was evidence of failure of management of diabetes and its eye complications. Both need to be improved if increasing diabetes‐related visual disability is to be avoided.
ENDOSCOPIC REMOVAL OF AN ENTEROLITH CAUSING AFFERENT LOOP SYNDROME USING ELECTROHYDRAULIC LITHOTRIPSY
Authors: Kim Hwa Jong , Moon Jong Ho , Choi Hyun Jong , Koo Hyun Cheol , Park Sung Jin , Cheon Young Koog , Cho Young Deok , Lee Moon Sung , Shim Chan Sup
Published: June 2010

Electrohydraulic lithotripsy is a very useful method for fragmenting biliary stones and it can be used for endoscopic removal of difficult biliary stones. Acute afferent loop syndrome induced by enterolith is very rare, and surgical treatment is the usual choice for this condition. We describe a patient with acute afferent loop syndrome, which was induced by an enterolith after a Billroth II gastrectomy. We used electrohydraulic lithotripsy to endoscopically remove the enterolith.
EARLY GASTRIC CANCER WITH WIDESPREAD DUODENAL INVASION WITHIN THE MUCOSA
Authors: Namikawa Tsutomu , Kobayashi Michiya , Kitagawa Hiroyuki , Okabayashi Takehiro , Dabanaka Ken , Okamoto Ken , Sugimoto Takeki , Toi Makoto , Hanazaki Kazuhiro
Published: June 2010

We report a rare case of early gastric cancer confined to the mucosal layer with extensive duodenal invasion, curatively removed with distal gastrectomy. An 84‐year‐old Japanese woman was referred to our hospital with gastric cancer. A barium meal examination and esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed an irregular nodulated lesion measuring 6.5 x 5.5 cm in the gastric antrum and an aggregation of small nodules in the duodenal bulb. A biopsy specimen showed well‐differentiated adenocarcinoma. The patient underwent distal gastrectomy with partial resection of the duodenal region containing the tumor and regional lymph node dissection, with no complication. Histological examination of the resected tissue confirmed well‐differentiated adenocarcinoma limited to the mucosal layer and without lymph node metastasis. The cancer extended into the duodenum as far as 38 mm distant from the pyloric ring, and the resected margins were free of cancer cells. Gastric cancer located adjacent to the pyloric ring thus has the potential for duodenal invasion, even when tumor invasion is confined to the mucosal layer. In such cases, care should be taken during examinations to detect duodenal invasion, and the distal surgical margin must be negative given sufficient duodenal resection.
VIRTUAL ENTEROSCOPY USING AIR AS THE CONTRAST MATERIAL: A PRELIMINARY FEASIBILITY STUDY
Authors: Endo Kazuhiro , Utano Kenichi , Togashi Kazutomo , Yano Tomonori , Lefor Alan T , Yamamoto Hironori , Yasuda Yoshikazu , Sugimoto Hideharu
Published: June 2010

Background:  There are no studies to date using air as an enteral contrast medium for small bowel expansion in virtual enteroscopy. We examine the feasibility of air as an enteral contrast medium for virtual enteroscopy to achieve small bowel expansion.

Patients and Methods:  Two volunteers and six patients were examined. The six patients included three with small bowel tumors, one with small bowel hemorrhage and two with suspected cases of post‐operative small bowel stenosis. A duodenal tube was inserted under fluoroscopy and approximately 2000 ml air was administered prior to scanning. A 16‐detector row computed tomography apparatus was used with 2‐mm thick slices. Intravenous contrast material was administered to the patients, but not to the volunteers. Computed tomography scanning was performed two to three times until the air reached the colon. Two examiners reconstructed multi‐planar reformation, volume rendering and virtual endoscopy. These images were compared with double balloon enteroscopic findings and/or resected specimens.

Results:  There were no complications associated with this examination. In the volunteers the difference between the circular folds of the jejunum and those of the ileum was clearly visualized on virtual endoscopy. Angiodysplasia (9 mm), gastrointestinal stromal tumor (15 mm) and arteriovenous malformation were clearly detected by virtual endoscopy. In contrast, one tumor could not be detected because of inadequate intestinal distension. In the two suspected cases of the stenosis, the lesion was not identified because stenotic lesions were not differentiated from normal peristalsis of the small bowel.

Conclusions:  Air is a feasible enteral contrast material for virtual enteroscopy.
SELF‐LIMITING RISK OF METACHRONOUS GASTRIC CANCERS AFTER ENDOSCOPIC RESECTION
Authors: Kobayashi Masaaki , Narisawa Rintaro , Sato Yuichi , Takeuchi Manabu , Aoyagi Yutaka
Published: June 2010

Background:  Since endoscopic resection (ER) has been established as a treatment for early gastric cancer, metachronous multiple cancers have become a problem. It is unclear whether the risk of metachronous cancer is self‐limiting or permanent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of multiple cancers after ER during a long‐term follow‐up study.

Patients and Methods:  A total of 234 patients who received initial ER for early gastric cancers were evaluated retrospectively. ER included endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection. Patients were followed up with endoscopy for 3.0–19.6 years (median, 5.0 years), including 40 patients surveyed for more than 10 years. Accessory cancers detected after ER, but which could be retrospectively viewed in pre‐ER pictures, were evaluated in the metachronous group.

Results:  Thirty patients (12.8%) developed 36 metachronous multiple cancers. The median interval between the discovery of metachronous cancer and the initial ER was 3.2 years; the longest interval was 9.7 years. Eight (22.2%) of the 36 metachronous cancers could be detected retrospectively in the picture record from pre‐ER. The Kaplan–Meier curve of cumulative incidence of metachronous cancers stopped increasing after 10 years of follow up.

Conclusions:  Although the residual gastric mucosa after ER is thought to be a high‐risk environment, the high risk may only be the result of occult synchronous cancers. It is probable that the high risk of metachronous cancers is not continuous after 10 years.
PERCUTANEOUS PANCREATIC‐DUCT PUNCTURE WITH RENDEZVOUS TECHNIQUE CAN TREAT STENOTIC PANCREATICOJEJUNOSTOMY
Authors: Ota Yuji , Kikuyama Masataka , Suzuki Satsuki , Nakahodo Jun , Koide Shigeki
Published: June 2010

Stenotic pancreatico‐enteric anastomosis is one of the serious late complications after a pancreaticoduodenectomy. We report a case of stenotic pancreaticojejunostomy with a pancreatic juice fistula drained externally, which was treated using percutaneous procedures combined with a rendezvous method. A 77‐year‐old woman was referred to our hospital for an endoscopic treatment to remove a percutaneous drainage tube from a fluid collection due to pancreatic juice fistula. She had undergone pylorus‐preserving pancreatoduodenectomy with Roux‐en‐Y reconstruction due to duodenal carcinoma of Vater's papilla 1 year before the referral to our hospital. Soon after the operation, she had developed a fluid collection adjacent to the anastomosis due to pancreatic juice fistulas and subsequently had undergone its percutaneous drainage. After admission, we tried to dilate the stenotic anastomosis with an endoscopic procedure from the anastomosed jejunal lumen, using an oblique‐viewing endoscope. The endoscope reached a portion of the anastomosis, but did not allow us to visualize the entire anastomosis. We punctured the main pancreatic duct under ultrasonography and fluoroscopy, and advanced the needle into the anastomosed jejunum through the stenotic anastomosis. After putting a guidewire into the anastomosed jejunum through the needle, we introduced an oblique‐viewing endoscope into the anastomosed jejunum and caught hold of the guidewire using grasping forceps. Maintaining tension on the guidewire with a slight pulling force, with some effort we were able to place a 5‐Fr drainage catheter into the jejunum percutaneously and through the anastomosis via the main pancreatic duct. Three weeks after these procedures, we performed balloon dilation of the anastomosis. One week after balloon dilation, removed the percutaneous catheter.
KAPOSI'S SARCOMA OF THE STOMACH AND DUODENUM IN HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS INFECTION
Authors: Kibria Rizwan , Siraj Urmee , Barde Christopher
Published: June 2010

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) of the upper gastrointestinal tract without extensive cutaneous disease is uncommon and usually asymptomatic. Herein, the case of a 37‐year‐old man who presented with iron deficiency anemia is reported. A colonoscopy was unremarkable and upper endoscopy revealed multiple raised, hemorrhagic, plaque‐like lesions throughout the stomach and the small intestine. Histopathology confirmed KS; further testing revealed the patient to be HIV‐positive and a diagnosis of AIDS‐related KS was made. Although a rare entity, physicians should be aware of this condition in order to facilitate a prompt diagnosis and necessary intervention.
COMBINED DUODENAL STENT PLACEMENT AND ENDOSCOPIC ULTRASONOGRAPHY‐GUIDED BILIARY DRAINAGE FOR MALIGNANT DUODENAL OBSTRUCTION WITH BILIARY STRICTURE
Authors: Iwamuro Masaya , Kawamoto Hirofumi , Harada Ryo , Kato Hironari , Hirao Ken , Mizuno Osamu , Ishida Etsuji , Ogawa Tsuneyoshi , Okada Hiroyuki , Yamamoto Kazuhide
Published: June 2010

Patients with malignant pancreatobiliary neoplasm sometimes manifest duodenal obstruction and biliary stricture synchronously or metachronously. In this paper, we reviewed our experience with and technique for combined endoscopic duodenal stent placement and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)‐guided biliary drainage. Between May 2007 and September 2009, this combined technique was performed on seven patients with distal biliary strictures and duodenal obstructions. The clinical success rate of the procedure, complications, patency periods of duodenal stents and patency periods of biliary stents were retrospectively evaluated. Clinical success was achieved in all seven cases for both procedures. Complications related to EUS‐biliary drainage, namely localized peritonitis due to bile leakage, occurred in two cases. Both patients recovered without additional interventions. Occlusion of a duodenal stent was observed in one patient, but additional intervention could not be performed due to sepsis. Occlusion of both a duodenal stent and a biliary stent was also observed in one patient, and this was resolved with the insertion of an additional duodenal stent and a biliary stent exchange. In conclusion, combined duodenal stent placement and EUS‐guided biliary drainage is a therapeutic option in case of failed endoscopic retrograde cannulation of malignant strictures with a malignant duodenal obstruction.
Caring for older adults with diabetes mellitus: characteristics of carers and their prime roles and responsibilities
Authors: Sinclair A. J. , Armes D. G. , Randhawa G. , Bayer A. J.
Published: June 2010

Diabet. Med. 27, 1055–1059 (2010)

Aims  Expanding prevalence of diabetes has a major health impact on older people and the burden experienced by their informal carers. We report research which aimed to examine the burden on carers and highlight their input into diabetes care.

Methods  Of 98 diabetes patients aged over 59 years, 89 regularly received help with day‐to‐day activities or looking after from someone else and, of these, 83 carers consented to interview. Patients and carers were administered questionnaires related to the management of diabetes and personal strain (including Diabetes Knowledge Questionnaire, EuroQol, Caregiver Strain Scale and General Health Questionnaire).

Results  A substantial unmet need of older people with diabetes mellitus, in relation to domestic activities and diabetes care, was highlighted. Patient and carer diabetes knowledge was low. Primary carers were generally female relatives from the same household, not in paid employment. Twenty‐seven carers (33%) provided ≥ 35 h of care work each week. Most carers experienced a moderate level of stress, but 11 (14%) regularly felt overwhelmed. Thirty‐three carers (40%) said they had never received any information on diabetes from professionals. Help most frequently wanted was advice and support in relation to accessing community services and about finances, benefits and/or allowances.

Conclusions  Both patient and carer diabetes education strategies are required. Instruction for carers in the basic care of patients with diabetes is also needed and should be targeted. As many as one in seven carers felt regularly overwhelmed and lacked adequate support. Finally, 26 carers (31%) were entitled to benefits which they did not claim.
A review of Quaternary range shifts in European aquatic Coleoptera
Authors: Abellán Pedro , Benetti Cesar J. , Angus Robert B. , Ribera Ignacio
Published: June 2010

Aim To undertake a quantitative review of the Quaternary fossil record of European water beetles to evaluate their geographical and temporal coverage, and to characterize the extent and typology of the shifts in their geographical ranges.

Location Europe.

Methods We compiled Quaternary water beetle records from public databases and published references. We included in the analyses species of 10 families of aquatic Coleoptera, and recorded range shifts through the comparison of the location of fossil remains with the current distribution of the species. We explored the ecological representativeness of the fossil record, as well as the relationship between range shifts and the habitat type of the species.

Results Our final data set included over 9000 records for 259 water beetle species. Fossil remains of aquatic beetles have been documented exclusively north of 42° N, with most of the records from the British Isles and virtually none from southern Europe or the Mediterranean Basin. Over 80% of the records were from the Late Glacial and the Holocene periods (the last 15 kyr), and overall approximately 20% of the species have been recorded outside their present range (23% excluding Holocene records). Most range shifts were southern or western extensions of currently widespread, northern species, with 10 species displaying major range shifts through the Palaearctic. Lentic species were significantly more likely to have experienced major range shifts, even accounting for the general ecological bias of the fossil record towards lentic habitats.

Main conclusions Our results show that the Quaternary record of aquatic Coleoptera is geographically, temporally and ecologically skewed, necessitating caution when extrapolating general conclusions about range changes and ecological stability to other areas or periods on the basis of such scattered evidence. Most central and northern European species for which there are fossil records seem to have conserved their ranges through the Late Pleistocene, with geographical shifts mostly restricted to species with current widespread north Palaearctic or Holarctic distributions. Major range shifts through the Palaearctic are taxonomically uneven, suggesting either an idiosyncratic behaviour of taxa depending on ecological or phylogenetic factors, or a sampling artefact produced by the limited availability of taxonomic expertise.
Dominant climate influences on North American bird distributions
Authors: Jiménez‐Valverde Alberto , Barve Narayani , Lira‐Noriega Andrés , Maher Sean P. , Nakazawa Yoshinori , Papeş Monica , Soberón Jorge , Sukumaran Jeet , Peterson A. Townsend
Published: June 2010

Aim Geographic distributions of species are constrained by several factors acting at different scales, with climate assumed to be a major determinant at broad extents. Recent studies, however, have challenged this statement and indicated that climate may not dominate among the factors governing geographic distributions of species. Here, we argue that these results are misleading due to the lack of consideration of the geographic area that has been accessible to the species.

Location North America.

Methods We generated null distributions for 75 North American endemic and 19 non‐endemic bird species. For each species, climatic envelopes of observed and null distributions were modelled using neural networks and generalized linear models, and seven climatic predictors. Values of the area under the receiver–operating characteristic curve (AUC) based on models of observed distributions were compared with corresponding AUC values for the null distributions.

Results More than 82% of the endemic species showed AUC higher for the observed than for the null distributions, while 63% of the non‐endemic species showed such a pattern.

Main conclusions We demonstrate a dominant climatic signal in shaping North American bird distributions. Our results attest to the importance of climate in determining species distributions and support the use of climate‐envelope models for estimating potential distributional areas at the appropriate spatial scales.
Epidermal and dermal changes in response to various skin rejuvenation methods
Authors: Helbig D. , Simon J. C. , Paasch U.
Published: June 2010

During the last years, a number of new devices have been developed to improve the dermal and epidermal signs of photo‐ and chronological skin ageing. There are well‐established ablative and non‐ablative skin resurfacing options using different lasers and light sources, but side effects have been observed frequently. A recently developed photorejuvenation method using non‐thermal stimulation of skin cells with low energy and narrow band light has been termed photomodulation. Light emitting diodes are the ideal source of this kind of light that stimulate mitochondrial cell organelles leading to up‐regulation of cytochrome electron transport pathway leading to mitochondrial DNA gene modulation. This paper reviews the most current knowledge of intrinsic and extrinsic changes of ageing and summarizes different systems for skin rejuvenation with focus on non‐thermal non‐ablative skin rejuvenation modalities.
Bioengineering and subjective approaches to the clinical evaluation of dry skin
Authors: Byrne A. J.
Published: June 2010

Synopsis

Dry skin (also known as xerosis) is a cutaneous reaction pattern indicative of abnormal desquamation, which has not only cosmetic considerations, but can also lead to the penetration of irritants and allergens through the stratum corneum (SC). Over the last few decades, our understanding of the structure, composition, formation and function of the SC has advanced tremendously; however, despite these advancements, the occurrence of dry skin remains prevalent in the adult population. The clinical evaluation of dry skin is therefore of significant importance to the cosmetic industry not only for understanding the condition but also for measuring the effects of treatment. Traditionally, dry skin has been evaluated by visual inspection, however, recently a variety of bioengineering techniques have emerged enabling the investigator to objectively assess the extent of xerotic conditions. The most frequently employed methods for the evaluation of dry skin are discussed in this review, including regression testing, squametry, measurement of transepidermal water loss, epidermal hydration, profilometry, confocal Raman spectroscopy, optical coherence tomography, in vivo confocal microscopy and magnetic resonance imaging.
Review Article: Oral malodour and active ingredients for treatment
Authors: Lourith N. , Kanlayavattanakul M.
Published: June 2010

Synopsis

Oral care preparations are widely used for the treatment of oral malodour as over‐the‐counter products. Bad breath is highly distressing to an individual’s confidence during social interaction, which is a large concern nowadays as the consumption of these products is increasing worldwide. However, oral deodorant ingredients are rarely studied compared with other cosmetic ingredients, and the only preparations which are well known are those contained in dentifrices and mouthrinses. This review briefly summarizes the compounds which cause oral malodour and the treatments available. The active ingredients in various preparations are emphasized and novel products are presented.
Clinical manifestations and outcome of skin infections caused by the community‐acquired methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus clone ST80‐IV
Authors: Del Giudice P , Bes M , Hubiche T , Roudière L , Blanc V , Lina G , Vandenesch F , Etienne J
Published: June 2010

Background  Several Panton‐Valentin leukocidin‐positive clones of community‐acquired methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA‐MRSA) are spreading worldwide. The European clone ST80‐IV is the main CA‐MRSA clone in Europe. There is no reported study of the specific clinical manifestations and outcome of skin infections caused by the clone ST80‐IV, using strict definitions of skin diseases.

Methods  Single‐centre observational prospective cohort of S. aureus skin infections caused by the clone ST80‐IV.

Results  From November 1999 to October 2009, we diagnosed skin infections due to the clone ST80‐IV in 20 patients (median age 28 years, median 27; range 1–66). All the isolates had all the following characteristics: lukPV, etd and edin gene‐positive, agr 3 allele, spa‐type t044 and ST80. All the isolates were resistant to beta‐lactam agents, kanamycin, tetracycline and fusidic acid. During the study period, the 20 patients had the following manifestations: 19 primary abscesses (18 single abscess and one patient with two), eight furuncles, four folliculitis, one case of cellulitis, one wound infection and one felon. Surgical treatment and drainage was required for all the primary abscesses. The infections occurred mainly in the perineal area (50%). No secondary infections occurred in family members. Despite strict hygiene measures, systemic antibiotics and nasal mupirocine, four patients (20%) had recurrent skin infections over a period of a few months to 6 years.

Conclusions  The CA‐MRSA clone ST80‐IV is responsible for suppurative skin infections such as furuncles and abscesses, which can recur over a period of several years.
High dose oral prednisone vs. prednisone plus azathioprine for the treatment of oral pemphigus: a retrospective, bi‐centre, comparative study
Authors: Chaidemenos G , Apalla Z , Koussidou T , Papagarifallou I , Ioannides D
Published: June 2010

Background  Steroids are considered the cornerstone in the treatment of pemphigus vulgaris. However, subsequent morbidity of their use has led to the development of combined therapeutic protocols, using steroid sparing agents.

Objectives  The aim of this study was to compare tolerability and efficacy of high dose oral prednisone daily, vs. low dose oral prednisone on alternate days plus azathioprine every day (Lever’s mini treatment: LMT) in oral pemphigus.

Patients and methods  Data of 36 patients with oral pemphigus vulgaris, treated with either 1.5 mg/kg/day of oral prednisone daily, or LMT were re‐evaluated and statistically analysed. Primary endpoints were time required to control disease activity, prednisone dose required until the end of consolidation phase, cumulative prednisone dose and rates of remission. Secondary endpoints were time to complete (CR) or partial remission (PR) on/off therapy, treatment‐associated morbidity and days of hospitalization.

Results  Both treatments resulted in high rates of clinical response. The mean prednisone dose required until the end of consolidation phase, and until CR or PR, on/off minimal therapy, was significantly lower in LMT group. However, the mean time required until the control of disease activity and CR or PR, for the same group, was significantly higher. Adverse events were more frequent among patients under daily prednisone. Mean time of hospitalization was also longer in the latter group.

Conclusions  Both treatments seem efficacious. Rapidly progressive lesions necessitate high prednisone dose for early and adequate control of the disease. Patients with impaired physical status, especially those with relatively stable lesions, at baseline might safely and effectively be treated with LMT.
5 mg/day finasteride treatment for normoandrogenic Asian women with female pattern hair loss
Authors: Yeon JH , Jung JY , Choi JW , Kim BJ , Youn SW , Park KC , Huh CH
Published: June 2010

Background  Various treatments have been attempted for female pattern hair loss (FPHL), including topical minoxidil, oral antiandrogen and finasteride. But, there is no consensus on the standard treatment options. Clinical efficacy of finasteride in treating FPHL is still in controversy, but there is a tendency to high dose finasteride, which is more effective than lower dose.

Objectives  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of high dose (5 mg/day) oral finasteride in normoandrogenic Asian women with FPHL.

Methods  Total of 87 normoandrogenic, pre and post‐menopausal women with FPHL were enrolled in this study. They were treated with oral finasteride (Proscar®), 5 mg daily for 12 months.

Efficacy was evaluated with hair density and thickness changes assessed by phototrichogram and global photographs using 7‐point scale.

Results  Eighty‐six patients completed 12 months of finasteride treatment schedule. One patient (1.1%) withdrew due to headache. At initial visits, mean hair density was 90 ± 22/cm2 and mean hair thickness was 64 ± 11 μm. After 12 months of finasteride treatment, hair density was significantly increased to 107 ± 23/cm2 (P < 0.001), and hair thickness was also significantly increased to 70 ± 9 μm (P = 0.02). In global photographs, 70 (81.4%) of the 86 patients were improved (57 were slightly, 10 were moderately and four were greatly improved). Patients without any changes were 13 (15.1%) and 3 (3.5%) patients reported slightly aggravated. Four patients (4.6%) reported adverse events (headache, menstrual irregularity, dizziness and increased body hair growth). However, these adverse events were mild and disappeared soon.

Conclusions  Oral finasteride, 5 mg/day, may be an effective and safe treatment for normoandrogenic women with FPHL.
Operationalizing proneness to externalizing psychopathology as a multivariate psychophysiological phenotype
Authors: Nelson Lindsay D. , Patrick Christopher J. , Bernat Edward M.
Published: June 2010

The externalizing dimension is viewed as a broad dispositional factor underlying risk for numerous disinhibitory disorders. Prior work has documented deficits in event‐related brain potential (ERP) responses in individuals prone to externalizing problems. Here, we constructed a direct physiological index of externalizing vulnerability from three ERP indicators and evaluated its validity in relation to criterion measures in two distinct domains: psychometric and physiological. The index was derived from three ERP measures that covaried in their relations with externalizing proneness—the error‐related negativity and two variants of the P3. Scores on this ERP composite predicted psychometric criterion variables and accounted for externalizing‐related variance in P3 response from a separate task. These findings illustrate how a diagnostic construct can be operationalized as a composite (multivariate) psychophysiological variable (phenotype).
Issues in the Political Economy of Agricultural Biotechnology
Authors: WIELD DAVID , CHATAWAY JOANNA , BOLO MAURICE
Published: June 2010

Agricultural biotechnology is typically analyzed critically by means of a political ecological focus on the science and its ecological implications – agbio science as a radical, and ‘non‐natural’, break with ‘normal’ trajectories for ‘new plant science’. Surprisingly, less attention has been paid to a range of key political economic issues, many of which were important in the last big food production technology ‘revolution’, the Green Revolution. This paper will focus on three areas of political economy. First, we discuss the corporate drivers of agricultural biotechnology, and examine whether these drivers have already set the technology so that it cannot be changed. Second, we investigate the present economics and technology of genetic modification in plants, and its possible future. Third, we examine empirical evidence for alternative visions of the technology.
Cystamine metabolism and brain transport properties: clinical implications for neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Bousquet Mélanie , Gibrat Claire , Ouellet Mélissa , Rouillard Claude , Calon Frédéric , Cicchetti Francesca
Published: June 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 114, 1651–1658.

Cystamine has shown significant neuroprotective properties in preclinical studies of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Huntington’s disease (HD). Cysteamine, its FDA‐approved reduced form, is scheduled to be tested for clinical efficacy in HD patients. Here, we studied the key cystamine metabolites, namely cysteamine, hypotaurine and taurine, as well as cysteine, in order to identify which one is more distinctively responsible for the neuroprotective action of cystamine. After a single administration of cystamine (10, 50 or 200 mg/kg), naïve mice were perfused with phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) at 1, 3, 12, 24 or 48 h post‐injection and brain and plasma samples were analyzed by two distinct HPLC methods. Although plasma levels remained under the detection threshold, significant increases in cysteamine brain levels were detected with the 50 and 200 mg/kg doses in mice perfused 1 and 3 h following cystamine injection. To further assess cysteamine as the candidate molecule for pre‐clinical and clinical trials in PD, we evaluated its capacity to cross the blood brain barrier. Using an in situ cerebral perfusion technique, we determined that the brain transport coefficient (Clup) of cysteamine (259 μM) was 0.15 ± 0.02 μL/g/s and was increased up to 0.34 ± 0.07 μL/g/s when co‐perfused in the presence of cysteine. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that cysteamine is the neuroactive metabolite of cystamine and may further support its therapeutic use in neurodegenerative diseases, particularly in HD and PD.
Role of shelterin in cancer and aging
Authors: Martínez Paula , Blasco Maria A.
Published: June 2010

Mammalian telomeres are formed by tandem repeats of the TTAGGG sequence bound by a specialized six‐protein complex known as shelterin, which has fundamental roles in the regulation of telomere length and telomere capping. In the past, the study of mice genetically modified for telomerase components has been instrumental to demonstrate the role of telomere length in cancer and aging. Recent studies using genetically modified mice for shelterin proteins have highlighted an equally important role of telomere‐bound proteins in cancer and aging, even in the presence of proficient telomerase activity and normal telomere length. In this review, we will focus on recent findings, suggesting a role of shelterin components in cancer and aging.
p16INK4a‐mediated suppression of telomerase in normal and malignant human breast cells
Authors: Bazarov Alexey V. , Van Sluis Marjolein , Hines William C. , Bassett Ekaterina , Beliveau Alain , Campeau Eric , Mukhopadhyay Rituparna , Lee Won Jae , Melodyev Sonya , Zaslavsky Yuri , Lee Leonard , Rodier Francis , Chicas Agustin , Lowe Scott W. , Benhattar Jean , Ren Bing , Campisi Judith , Yaswen Paul
Published: June 2010

The cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor p16INK4a (CDKN2A) is an important tumor suppressor gene frequently inactivated in human tumors. p16 suppresses the development of cancer by triggering an irreversible arrest of cell proliferation termed cellular senescence. Here, we describe another anti‐oncogenic function of p16 in addition to its ability to halt cell cycle progression. We show that transient expression of p16 stably represses the hTERT gene, encoding the catalytic subunit of telomerase, in both normal and malignant breast epithelial cells. Short‐term p16 expression increases the amount of histone H3 trimethylated on lysine 27 (H3K27) bound to the hTERT promoter, resulting in transcriptional silencing, likely mediated by polycomb complexes. Our results indicate that transient p16 exposure may prevent malignant progression in dividing cells by irreversible repression of genes, such as hTERT, whose activity is necessary for extensive self‐renewal.
BTG2 antagonizes Pin1 in response to mitogens and telomere disruption during replicative senescence
Authors: Wheaton Keith , Muir Jennifer , Ma Weili , Benchimol Samuel
Published: June 2010

Cellular senescence limits the replicative capacity of normal cells and acts as an intrinsic barrier that protects against the development of cancer. Telomere shortening–induced replicative senescence is dependent on the ATM‐p53‐p21 pathway but additional genes likely contribute to senescence. Here, we show that the p53‐responsive gene BTG2 plays an essential role in replicative senescence. Similar to p53 and p21 depletion, BTG2 depletion in human fibroblasts leads to an extension of cellular lifespan, and ectopic BTG2 induces senescence independently of p53. The anti‐proliferative function of BTG2 during senescence involves its stabilization in response to telomere dysfunction followed by serum‐dependent binding and relocalization of the cell cycle regulator prolyl isomerase Pin1. Pin1 inhibition leads to senescence in late‐passage cells, and ectopic Pin1 expression rescues cells from BTG2‐induced senescence. The neutralization of Pin1 by BTG2 provides a critical mechanism to maintain senescent arrest in the presence of mitogenic signals in normal primary fibroblasts.
Dietary restriction enhances germline stem cell maintenance
Authors: Mair William , McLeod Catherine J. , Wang Lei , Jones D. Leanne
Published: June 2010

Dietary restriction (DR) increases lifespan in species ranging from yeast to primates, maintaining tissues in a youthful state and delaying reproductive senescence. However, little is known about the mechanisms by which this occurs. Here we demonstrate that, concurrent with extending lifespan, DR attenuates the age‐related decline in male germline stem cell (GSC) number in Drosophila. These data support a model whereby DR enhances maintenance of GSCs to extend the reproductive period of animals subjected to adverse nutritional conditions. This represents the first example of DR maintaining an adult stem cell pool and suggests a potential mechanism by which DR might delay aging in the tissues of higher organisms.