bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patient outcomes according to COPD action plan adherence
Authors: Choi Ja Yun , Chung Hyang‐In Cho , Han Geunhye
Published: July 2013

Aims and objectives

To identify the level of pulmonary function, number of unplanned hospital visits, knowledge level of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), level of anxiety and depression, and level of health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) according to COPD action plan (AP) adherence in Korean patients with COPD.

Background

Previous studies reported conflicting results about the effect of COPD AP on patient outcomes, with little descriptive information.

Design

A cross‐sectional descriptive study design was used.

Methods

A total of 126 patients with COPD were recruited from Chonnam National University Hospital in Gwangju city from September 2009 to March 2010. COPD action plan adherence and the levels of knowledge of COPD, anxiety and depression, and HRQoL were measured using a short COPD AP developed by the Family Physician Airway Group of Canada executive members, Bristol COPD Knowledge Questionnaire (BCKQ), the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) and the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), respectively.

Results

The score of COPD AP adherence was positively associated with the level of knowledge of COPD and negatively associated with the number of unplanned hospital visits and the level of anxiety and depression.

Conclusion

Good adherence to COPD AP is likely related to better health outcomes in COPD. Healthcare providers may need to enhance COPD AP aspect in various COPD self‐management programmes to improve the health status of patients with COPD.

Relevance to clinical practice

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease AP aspect targeting frequent individual education with a written guideline would be helpful to enhance self‐management in patients with COPD.
Knowledge and use of pressure ulcer preventive measures in nursing homes: a comparison of Dutch and German nursing staff
Authors: Meesterberends Esther , Wilborn Doris , Lohrmann Christa , Schols Jos MGA , Halfens Ruud JG
Published: July 2013

Aims and objectives

To examine the knowledge and use of pressure ulcer preventive measures among nursing staff in Dutch and German nursing homes.

Background

Studies in the Netherlands and Germany have shown a large discrepancy in pressure ulcer prevalence rates among nursing homes in both countries and concluded that some of this variance could be explained by differences in pressure ulcer prevention.

Design

A cross‐sectional questionnaire survey nested in a prospective multicenter cohort study.

Methods

A questionnaire was distributed to nursing staff employed in 10 Dutch nursing homes (n = 600) and 11 German nursing homes (n = 578). Data were collected in January 2009.

Results

The response rate was 75·7% in the Netherlands (n = 454) and 48·4% in Germany (n = 283). Knowledge about useful pressure ulcer preventive measures was moderate in both countries, while nonuseful preventive measures were poorly known. On average, only 19·2% (the Netherlands) and 24·6% (Germany) of preventive measures were judged correctly as nonuseful. The same pattern could be seen with regard to the use of preventive measures, because nonuseful preventive measures were still commonly used according to the respondents.

Conclusions

The results indicate that the respondents' knowledge and use of pressure ulcer preventive measures could be improved in both countries, especially for nonuseful measures. Changes and improvements can be achieved by providing sufficient education and refresher courses for nurses and nursing assistants employed within Dutch and German nursing homes.

Relevance to clinical practice

Recurring education about pressure ulcer prevention is required among nursing staff employed in Dutch and German nursing homes, particularly in relation to the use of ineffective and outdated preventive measures. Obstacles regarding the implementation of preventive measures should be addressed to achieve a change in practice.
Carotid Revascularization: A Systematic Review of the Evidence
Authors: AL‐DAMLUJI MOHAMMED SALIM , NAGPAL SAMEER , STILP ERIK , REMETZ MICHAEL , MENA CARLOS
Published: July 2013

Objective and Background

The aim of this study is to provide an evidence‐based review of the periprocedural safety and long‐term effectiveness of carotid artery stenting (CAS) compared to carotid endarterectomy (CEA), with particular attention paid to the use of embolic protection devices and patients at high risk for CEA.

Methods

Electronic databases (Ovid Medline, Cochrane central register of controlled trials, Pubmed, and Embase) were searched to identify: (1) randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing outcomes of CEA and CAS, and (2) prospective clinical trials assessing the safety of CAS in patients at high surgical risk. Pooled incidence rates and one‐sided 95% confidence interval for the periprocedural and long‐term composite end‐point of stroke, myocardial infarction, or death among high surgical risk patients were generated and compared to objective performance criteria (OPC) reported by previous trials.

Results

Six RCTs and 14 prospective clinical trials met our search criteria. Selected RCTs showed inconsistency in reported periprocedural and long‐term outcome rates. Pooled incidence rates of the periprocedural and long‐term composite end‐point of stroke, myocardial infarction or death in high surgical risk candidates were 5.59% and 7.92%, respectively. These results were noninferior to selected OPCs (P‐value <0.001).

Conclusions

CAS represents a safe and effective stroke prevention strategy in high surgical risk patients when compared with CEA. The inconsistent results from the RCTs and the improved outcomes in the prospective clinical trials are likely related to variability in operator experience, use of embolic protection devices, and patient selection strategies.
Transcatheter Closure of Coronary Artery Fistulae: Initial Human Experience With the Amplatzer Duct Occluder II
Authors: ZHAO TAO , LU MINJIE , SO AARON , WU WENHUI , WANG CHENG , XU ZHONGYING , JIANG SHILIANG , TIAN LIANGXIN , LIU SHENG , ZHAO SHIHUA
Published: July 2013

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the new device Amplatzer Duct Occluder II (ADO II) for the closure of coronary artery fistulae (CAF) with coronary anomaly.

Background

Transcatheter device closure is an alternative treatment for selective patients with CAF. The currently available reports regarding the closure of CAF with the ADO II are limited.

Methods

From April 1, 2011 to July 15, 2012, 5 patients (3 males and 2 females) aged from 3 years to 27 years old (median age 5 years old) underwent CAF closure with the ADO II. The immediate and short‐term outcomes were evaluated.

Results

ADO II was deployed via the femoral vein (2 cases), femoral artery (1 case), brachial artery (1 case), and radial artery (1 case). There were no complications during all the procedures. The median fluoroscopy and procedural times were 20 and 39 minutes, respectively. Immediate trivial and mild residual shunt was present in one patient, respectively, but disappeared 24 hours after the procedure, and there was no recanalization at a median follow‐up of 6 months.

Conclusions

The new device ADO II was safely deployed with complete resolution of CAF shunt with tortuous coronary artery to the drainage. The reduced sheath sizes and softer shape of this device allow for venous or arterial approach. The ADO II might be a preferable alternative device for closure of small‐tortuous CAFs.
Endocrine therapy: is the first generation of targeted drugs the last?
Authors: Pritchard K. I.
Published: July 2013

Hormonal therapy for breast cancer is the first targeted therapy used in any type of cancer. It was used successfully without a known target for more than 50 years before Jensen described the oestrogen receptor (ER) in the 1960s. Subsequently, it was found that endocrine therapy was effective only in those patients whose tumours expressed the ER; more recently, it has been recognized that this therapy can also be effective in some patients whose tumours are ERα‐negative but ERβ‐positive. However, in spite of the ER being present, many tumours develop either primary or secondary resistance to various endocrine approaches. ER‐containing tumours may also be classified by molecular markers as luminal A (highly hormone responsive) or luminal B (high degree of proliferation and less hormone responsiveness). Furthermore, the expression of ER, progesterone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) may change over time as tumours metastasize and progress. The addition of anti‐HER2 agents such as trastuzumab and lapatinib to hormonal therapies has improved outcomes but it is unclear whether these approaches are additive or synergistic. Now, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors are being successfully used in similar scenarios but once again it is unclear whether the effect of this combination therapy is synergistic; however, mTOR inhibitors produce little response as single agents. In particular, the addition of the mTOR inhibitor everolimus has improved disease‐free and overall survival in randomized studies in metastatic disease when added either to an aromatase inhibitor or to tamoxifen. To date, however, no specific biomarkers for the use of everolimus have been reported. Further studies are needed to identify and validate targets of therapy in endocrine‐responsive breast cancer.
Tumour oxygenation: implications for breast cancer prognosis
Authors: Rundqvist H. , Johnson R. S.
Published: July 2013

There are areas of limited oxygen availability in most solid tumours, including breast cancer. Hypoxia in solid tumours is mainly a consequence of poor perfusion. Structural and functional abnormalities of newly formed tumour vessels cause spatial and temporal heterogeneity of tissue perfusion. The two principal mediators of hypoxia response, HIF‐1 and HIF‐2, are known to be stabilized at different oxygen levels and to have different temporal responses to hypoxia. Recently, stromal HIF‐1 and HIF‐2 have been suggested to have opposing roles in breast cancer progression. There is an established link between intralesional, severe hypoxia near areas of necrosis with high levels of HIF‐1 and poor prognosis in breast cancer. However, the biological effects of moderate hypoxia and the hypoxic response of stromal cells are currently topics of intense investigation.
Immigration and Political Instability
Authors: Gebremedhin Tesfaye A. , Mavisakalyan Astghik
Published: July 2013

Immigration may adversely affect political stability if immigrants are perceived unfavourably by host country populations. Using a large sample of countries this study confirms that a higher immigrant share of a population is associated with decrease in the level of political stability. We further demonstrate that a higher immigrant share leads to increased military spending through the channel of political stability. The negative effect of immigration on political stability appears to be stronger in countries with assimilative citizenship laws. We account for the endogeneity of immigrant share by using an instrument constructed from gravity model estimates.
No Youth Left behind? The Long‐Term Impact of Displacement on Young Workers
Authors: Hardoy Inés , Schøne Pål
Published: July 2013

We investigate short‐ and long‐term impacts on labour market outcomes of experiencing a displacement for young workers. The period under study is 2000–2009. The end of the observation period is characterised by a shrinking labour market, coinciding with the start of the financial crisis. The main merit of the study is the inclusion of a wide battery of dependent variables. In general we find sizeable short‐term effect on both unemployment and wage‐employment. Furthermore, the results indicate that displacement has a long‐term negative effect on wage employment. Part of this pattern seems to be masked by an increased likelihood of self‐employment. A positive effect on self‐employment is desirable from a policy perspective. Finally, among those who are employed in the final observation year, we find a small negative effect of displacement on hourly wages. This is solely explained by the foregone work experience of the displaced workers in the years after displacement.
The Dictatorship of the Popes
Authors: Padovano Fabio , Wintrobe Ronald
Published: July 2013

This paper takes the view that theocracies are essentially a form of dictatorship and verifies whether this interpretation is empirically supported when applied to the longest lasting example of theocracy, the temporal power of the Popes. The length of its record and the many historical shocks it had to face reveal information about the incentives and constraints that characterize it. We use this information to test some of the predictions of a theory of dictatorship about the durability of, and the source of opposition to the various regimes on data about the Papacy. The results appear to support the theory.
Mind Matters
Authors: Tasic Slavisa
Published: July 2013

This paper argues that two different worldviews may be identified in economics and hypothesizes about the origins of this differentiation.Iargue that the differences in economic worldviews go beyond technical academic, methodological or ideological distinctions; instead, they may be related to both old conceptions of the two types of mind and some newer findings in cognitive neuroscience. In particular,Ianalyze the recent developments in economics from the brain lateralization point of view and argue that some salient trends in economic thought are largely compatible with the hypothesis of the increased left brain hemisphere dominance.
The Effect of Immigration on Entrepreneurship
Authors: Zelekha Yaron
Published: July 2013

This research focuses on the impact of immigration on entrepreneurship. I find clear evidence that immigration has a significant impact on entrepreneurship. The paper makes three important contributions to the research of both immigration and entrepreneurship. First, it proposes unique empirical evidence using a cross‐section analysis in which the country's level of immigrants has a significantly positive affect on its level of entrepreneurship. Second, it adds to the theoretical understanding of the mechanisms and environments that characterize positive immigration effects on entrepreneurship. I suggest that country‐specific characteristics – in particular urban, open, competitive and culturally diversified (including open minded for ethnic and gender diversity) – influence significantly the positive effect of immigrants on the country's level of entrepreneurship. Furthermore, these positive effects are magnified as the flow of immigrants grows. Third, it uses for the first time in the literature a cross‐section data set of 176 countries of immigrants and entrepreneurial activity.
Analysis of a fungus‐specific transcription factor family, the Candida albicans zinc cluster proteins, by artificial activation
Authors: Schillig Rebecca , Morschhäuser Joachim
Published: July 2013

The zinc cluster proteins are a family of transcription factors that are unique to the fungal kingdom. In the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans, zinc cluster transcription factors control the expression of virulence‐associated traits and play key roles in the development of antifungal drug resistance. Gain‐of‐function mutations in several zinc cluster transcription factors, which result in constitutive overexpression of their target genes, are a frequent cause of azole resistance in clinical C. albicans isolates. We found that zinc cluster proteins can also be artificially activated by C‐terminal fusion with the heterologous Gal4 activation domain. We used this strategy to create a comprehensive library of C. albicans strains expressing all 82 zinc cluster transcription factors of this fungus in a potentially hyperactive form. Screening of this library identified regulators of invasive filamentous growth and other phenotypes that are important during an infection. In addition, the approach uncovered several novel mediators of fluconazole resistance, including the multidrug resistance regulator Mrr2, which controls the expression of the major C. albicans multidrug efflux pump CDR1. Artificial activation therefore is a highly useful method to study the role of zinc cluster transcription factors in C. albicans and other fungi of medical, agricultural and biotechnological importance.
Mean corpuscular volume is associated with endothelial dysfunction and predicts composite cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Solak Yalcin , Yilmaz Mahmut Ilker , Saglam Mutlu , Demirbas Seref , Verim Samet , Unal Hilmi Umut , Gaipov Abduzhappar , Oguz Yusuf , Kayrak Mehmet , Caglar Kayser , Vural Abdulgaffar , Turk Suleyman , Covic Adrian , Kanbay Mehmet
Published: July 2013

Aim

Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) is a measure of size of red blood cells. Recently a few studies showed an association of macrocytosis with all‐cause mortality. We aimed to assess the relationship of MCV with cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and the effect of MCV on endothelial function.

Methods

This is an observational cohort study with a prospectively maintained cohort of patients with stage 1–5 CKD. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), flow mediated dilatation (FMD) and laboratory values were measured at baseline. Multivariate linear and Cox regression analyses were used to predict independent associations of FMD and composite CV events, respectively.

Results

A total of 309 patients were included in the study. In contrast to anaemia MCV did not show a significant change among CKD groups. MCV was an independent predictor of FMD in addition to serum haemoglobin, CRP, diabetes, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and eGFR. Median MCV value was 85 fl. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that at 38 months the survival rate was 97.6% in the group with MCV < 85 compared to 81.6% in the arm with MCV ≥ 85 (P < 0.001, log‐rank test). Cox regression analysis showed MCV as a predictor of composite CV events independent of major confounding factors.

Conclusion

This is the first study in the literature showing an independent association of MCV and FMD. Our results also determined MCV as an independent predictor of composite CV events independent of anaemia, inflammation, diabetes and eGFR in patients with CKD.
Identifying spinal sensory pathways activated by noxious esophageal acid
Authors: Harrington A. M. , Brierley S. M. , Isaacs N. J. , Young R. L. , Ashley Blackshaw L.
Published: July 2013

Background

The transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channel is critical for spinal afferent signaling of burning pain throughout the body. Such pain frequently originates from the esophagus, following acid reflux. The contribution of TRPV1 to spinal nociceptor signaling from the esophagus remains unclear. We aimed to identify the spinal afferent pathways that convey nociceptive signaling from the esophagus, specifically those sensitive to acid, and the extent to which TRPV1 contributes.

Methods

Acid/pepsin (150 mM HCl/1 mg mL−1 pepsin) or saline/pepsin was perfused into the esophageal lumen of anesthetized wild‐type and TRPV1 null mice over 20 min, followed by atraumatic perfuse fixation and removal of the cervical and thoracic spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia (DRG). To identify neurons responsive to esophageal perfusate, immunolabeling for neuronal activation marker phosphorylated extracellular receptor‐regulated kinase (pERK) was used. Labeling for calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) and isolectin B4 (IB4) was then used to characterize responsive neurons.

Key Results

Esophageal acid/pepsin perfusion significantly increased the number of pERK‐immunoreactive (IR) neurons in the DRG and the cervical and thoracic spinal cord dorsal horn (DH) relative to saline/pepsin (DRG P < 0.01; cervical DH P < 0.05 and thoracic DH P < 0.005). The number of pERK‐IR neurons following acid perfusion was significantly attenuated in TRPV1 −/− mice (DH P < 0.05 and DRG P < 0.05).

Conclusions & Inferences

This study has identified populations of spinal afferent DRG neurons and DH neurons involved in signaling of noxious acid from the esophagus. There is a major contribution of TRPV1 to signaling within these pathways.
Confronting model predictions of carbon fluxes with measurements of Amazon forests subjected to experimental drought
Authors: Powell Thomas L. , Galbraith David R. , Christoffersen Bradley O. , Harper Anna , Imbuzeiro Hewlley M. A. , Rowland Lucy , Almeida Samuel , Brando Paulo M. , da Costa Antonio Carlos Lola , Costa Marcos Heil , Levine Naomi M. , Malhi Yadvinder , Saleska Scott R. , Sotta Eleneide , Williams Mathew , Meir Patrick , Moorcroft Paul R.
Published: July 2013

Considerable uncertainty surrounds the fate of Amazon rainforests in response to climate change.

Here, carbon (C) flux predictions of five terrestrial biosphere models (Community Land Model version 3.5 (CLM3.5), Ecosystem Demography model version 2.1 (ED2), Integrated BIosphere Simulator version 2.6.4 (IBIS), Joint UK Land Environment Simulator version 2.1 (JULES) and Simple Biosphere model version 3 (SiB3)) and a hydrodynamic terrestrial ecosystem model (the Soil–Plant–Atmosphere (SPA) model) were evaluated against measurements from two large‐scale Amazon drought experiments.

Model predictions agreed with the observed C fluxes in the control plots of both experiments, but poorly replicated the responses to the drought treatments. Most notably, with the exception of ED2, the models predicted negligible reductions in aboveground biomass in response to the drought treatments, which was in contrast to an observed c. 20% reduction at both sites. For ED2, the timing of the decline in aboveground biomass was accurate, but the magnitude was too high for one site and too low for the other.

Three key findings indicate critical areas for future research and model development. First, the models predicted declines in autotrophic respiration under prolonged drought in contrast to measured increases at one of the sites. Secondly, models lacking a phenological response to drought introduced bias in the sensitivity of canopy productivity and respiration to drought. Thirdly, the phenomenological water‐stress functions used by the terrestrial biosphere models to represent the effects of soil moisture on stomatal conductance yielded unrealistic diurnal and seasonal responses to drought.
On the cellular site of two‐pore channel TPC1 action in the Poaceae
Authors: Dadacz‐Narloch Beata , Kimura Sachie , Kurusu Takamitsu , Farmer Edward E. , Becker Dirk , Kuchitsu Kazuyuki , Hedrich Rainer
Published: July 2013

The slow vacuolar (SV) channel has been characterized in different dicots by patch‐clamp recordings. This channel represents the major cation conductance of the largest organelle in most plant cells. Studies with the tpc1‐2 mutant of the model dicot plant Arabidopsis thaliana identified the SV channel as the product of the TPC1 gene. By contrast, research on rice and wheat TPC1 suggested that the monocot gene encodes a plasma membrane calcium‐permeable channel.

To explore the site of action of grass TPC1 channels, we expressed OsTPC1 from rice (Oryza sativa) and TaTPC1 from wheat (Triticum aestivum) in the background of the Arabidopsis tpc1‐2 mutant. Cross‐species tpc1 complementation and patch‐clamping of vacuoles using Arabidopsis and rice tpc1 null mutants documented that both monocot TPC1 genes were capable of rescuing the SV channel deficit.

Vacuoles from wild‐type rice but not the tpc1 loss‐of‐function mutant harbor SV channels exhibiting the hallmark properties of dicot TPC1/SV channels. When expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells OsTPC1 was targeted to Lysotracker‐Red‐positive organelles.

The finding that the rice TPC1, just like those from the model plant Arabidopsis and even animal cells, is localized and active in lyso‐vacuolar membranes associates this cation channel species with endomembrane function.
Canopy light cues affect emission of constitutive and methyl jasmonate‐induced volatile organic compounds inArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Kegge Wouter , Weldegergis Berhane T. , Soler Roxina , Eijk Marleen Vergeer‐Van , Dicke Marcel , Voesenek Laurentius A. C. J. , Pierik Ronald
Published: July 2013

The effects of plant competition for light on the emission of plant volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were studied by investigating how different light qualities that occur in dense vegetation affect the emission of constitutive and methyl‐jasmonate‐inducedVOCs.

Arabidopsis thalianaColumbia (Col‐0) plants andPieris brassicaecaterpillars were used as a biological system to study the effects of light quality manipulations onVOCemissions and attraction of herbivores.VOCs were analysed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and the effects of light quality, notably the red : far red light ratio (R : FR), on expression of genes associated withVOCproduction were studied using reverse transcriptase–quantitativePCR.

The emissions of both constitutive and methyl‐jasmonate‐induced green leaf volatiles and terpenoids were partially suppressed under lowR : FRand severe shading conditions. Accordingly, theVOC‐based preference of neonates of the specialist lepidopteran herbivoreP. brassicaewas significantly affected by theR : FRratio.

We conclude thatVOC‐mediated interactions among plants and between plants and organisms at higher trophic levels probably depend on light alterations caused by nearby vegetation. Studies on plant–plant and plant–insect interactions throughVOCs should take into account the light quality within dense stands when extrapolating to natural and agricultural field conditions.
Potential health concerns of dietary phosphorus: cancer, obesity, and hypertension
Authors: Anderson John J.B.
Published: July 2013

Adult Americans typically consume on average 1400 mg, or more, of phosphorus (P) daily in meals, which almost doubles the recommended dietary allowance. After a meal phosphorus is rapidly absorbed at a high efficiency and hormonal mechanisms act swiftly to maintain the serum inorganic phosphate (Pi) concentration within fairly narrow limits. Both parathyroid hormone (PTH) and fibroblast growth factor‐23 (FGF‐23) reduce serum phosphate during postprandial periods through homeostatic actions on the kidney. However, it is speculated that exposure of cells to a brief high‐serum Pi concentration may signal alterations in cell functions that lead to deleterious effects. Elevation of serum FGF‐23 or PTH may also be harmful to specific cell types. Examples of possible adverse health effects include cancer, obesity, and hypertension. Here I review potential mechanisms through which high‐P intake may contribute to cell metabolic abnormalities and the development of chronic disease; high‐dietary phosphorus, especially from foods processed with phosphate salts, may be associated with these chronic diseases. Further investigation is needed to establish the significance of high‐phosphate diets within a large segment of the U.S. population with normal renal function.
Perturbation of the indigenous rat oral microbiome by ciprofloxacin dosing
Authors: Manrique P. , Freire M.O. , Chen C. , Zadeh H.H. , Young M. , Suci P.
Published: July 2013

Mucosal surfaces such as the gut, vagina and oral cavity are colonized by microbiota that are an integral component of the healthy ecosystem. Recent molecular techniques make it feasible to correlate antimicrobial dosing levels with changes in microbiome composition. The objective of this study was to characterize the rat oral plaque microbiome composition at doses of ciprofloxacin that were considerably above and below nominal in vitro minimal inhibitory concentrations of a variety of gram‐positive oral commensal bacteria. We exposed the oral cavities of rats to relatively low (0.1 μg ml−1) and high (20 μg ml−1) doses of ciprofloxacin in the drinking water over a 3‐day period. Plaque microbiota were characterized using 454 pyrosequencing. The rat indigenous community was dominated by the genera Rothia (74.4%) and Streptococcus (4.7%). Dosing at 0.1 μg ml−1 was associated with changes in Rothia and Streptococcus species that were not significant, whereas dosing at 20 μg ml−1 caused a pronounced (significant) reduction in the relative abundance of the Streptococcus genus. Taxonomic independent analysis indicated that the perturbation in the overall community structure attributed to dosing with ciprofloxacin at either the low or high dose was relatively low. The results suggest that it is feasible to use an antimicrobial dosing regimen to selectively target a specific subset of a mucosal microbiome for elimination with minimal perturbation of the entire community.
Radical Protection by Differently Composed Creams in the UV/VIS and IR Spectral Ranges
Authors: Meinke Martina C. , Syring Felicia , Schanzer Sabine , Haag Stefan F. , Graf Rüdiger , Loch Manuela , Gersonde Ingo , Groth Norbert , Pflücker Frank , Lademann Jürgen
Published: July 2013

Modern sunscreens are well suited to provide sufficient protection in the UV range because the filter substances absorb or scatter UV radiation. Although up to 50% of radicals are formed in the visible and infrared spectral range during solar radiation protection strategies are not provided in this range. Previous investigations of commercially available products have shown that in addition to physical filters, antioxidants (AO) are necessary to provide protective effects in the infrared range by neutralizing already formed radicals. In this study, the efficacy of filter substances and AO to reduce radical formation in both spectral ranges was investigated after UV/VIS or IR irradiation. Optical properties and radical protection were determined for the investigated creams. It was found that organic UV filters lower radical formation in the UV/VIS range to 35% compared to untreated skin, independent of the presence of AO. Further reduction to 14% was reached by addition of 2% physical filters, whereas physical filters alone were ineffective in the UV/VIS range due to the low concentration. In contrast, this filter type reduced radical formation in the IR range significantly to 65%; similar effects were aroused after application of AO. Sunscreens which contain organic UV filters, physical filters and AO ensure protection in the complete solar spectrum.
Heritability ofUlmus minorresistance toDutch elm disease and its relationship to vessel size, but not to xylem vulnerability to drought
Authors: Venturas M. , López R. , Martín J. A. , Gascó A. , Gil L.
Published: July 2013

Dutch elm disease (DED) is a vascular wilt disease that causes the occlusion and cavitation of xylem vessels. Therefore, it is hypothesized that those elms that are less vulnerable to cavitation by drought might be more resistant toDED. To test this hypothesis, the relationship between xylem vulnerability to cavitation and susceptibility toDEDwas examined in progenies of crosses between susceptible and resistant individuals ofUlmus minor. Hydraulic conductivity and xylem vulnerability curves were evaluated and anatomical features such as vessel size, length and grouping were measured. Next, elms were inoculated withOphiostoma novo‐ulmi, the cause ofDED, and pre‐dawn and midday water potentials, stomatal conductance and wilting percentages were assessed. Progenies ofR × Rcrosses showed significantly lower mean wilting percentages (30–50%) than the progeny ofS × Scrosses (75%). Fifty percent conductivity loss was reached atc. −1 MPa, pointing out a high vulnerability of this species to drought‐induced cavitation. Crown wilting percentage as a result of inoculation and xylem vulnerability to cavitation by water stress did not show any significant correlation. Nevertheless, significant differences in theoretical hydraulic conductivity and vessel size parameters (diameter, length and size distributions) were found among the tested progenies. Susceptible trees had significantly wider and longer vessels. Xylem structure of resistant elms seems to restrict pathogen spread rather than prevent cavitation.
Hodograph Transformations and Cauchy Problem to Systems of Nonlinear Parabolic Equations
Authors: Qu Changzheng , Kang Jing
Published: July 2013

In this paper, we provide a method to solve the Cauchy problem of systems of quasi‐linear parabolic equations, such systems can be transformed to the systems of linear parabolic equations with variable coefficients via the hodograph transformations. Our approach to solve the linear systems with variable coefficients is to use their fundamental solutions, which are constructed by using the Lie's symmetry method. In consequence, we can derive explicit solutions to the Cauchy problem of the quasi‐linear systems in terms of the solutions of the linear systems and the hodograph transformations relating to the quasi‐linear and the linear systems.
Detection of the new HLA‐B*08:57 allele in a voluntary platelet donor
Authors: Zhang X. , Li X.‐F. , Lin F.‐Q. , Zhang K.‐L. , Li J.‐P.
Published: July 2013

HLA-B*08:57 has 1 nt change from HLA-B*08:01:01 at nt 108 where G→C (codon 36 ATG→ATC).
Characterization of the novel HLA‐DRB1*13:26:02 allele
Authors: Zheng J. W. , Yang J. H. , Xie J. H. , Liu Y. , Sun Y. , Jiang Y. Q. , Tang Q. J. , Du K. M.
Published: July 2013

A novel HLA‐DRB1 allele, DRB1*13:26:02, has been identified by sequence‐based typing in a Chinese individual.
HLA‐B*40:06:06, a novel allele, which has arisen by silent mutation in codon 45
Authors: Zou H.‐Y. , Jin S.‐Z. , Li Z.
Published: July 2013

Exons 2, 3 and 4 of HLA‐B*40:06:06 allele are identical to those of HLA‐B*40:06:01:01, except for one nucleotide change.
Identification of three novel human leukocyte antigen alleles, HLA‐B*58:43, HLA‐C*03:190, and HLA‐DPA1*01:12, in an East African cohort
Authors: Nykoluk M. , Bailey R. C. , Moses S. , Plummer F. A. , Luo M.
Published: July 2013

Three novel human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles were identified using a sequence‐based typing of HLA class I and class II alleles of 1867 participants from a male circumcision cohort in Kenya. The new alleles were first identified by sequencing and then confirmed by cloning the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products and sequencing multiple clones. HLA‐B*58:43 was identical to HLA‐B*58:02 with the exception of a nucleotide change at codon 125 in exon 3 (GCC→ACC), and resulted in the amino acid change from Alanine to Threonine. HLA‐C*03:190 was identical to HLA‐C*03:02:01 with the exception of a nucleotide change at codon 131 in exon 3 (CGC→TGC), and resulted in the amino acid change from Arginine to Cysteine. HLA‐DPA1*01:12 was identical to HLA‐DPA1*01:03:01:01 with the exception of a nucleotide change at codon 66 in exon 2 (TTG→TCG), and resulted in the amino acid change from Leucine to Serine.
Comparative validation of computer programs for haplotype frequency estimation from donor registry data
Authors: Eberhard H.‐P. , Madbouly A. S. , Gourraud P. A. , Balère M. L. , Feldmann U. , Gragert L. , Maldonado Torres H. , Pingel J. , Schmidt A. H. , Steiner D. , van der Zanden H. G. M. , Oudshoorn M. , Marsh S. G. E. , Maiers M. , Müller C. R.
Published: July 2013

Estimation of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) haplotype frequencies from unrelated stem cell donor registries presents a challenge because of large sample sizes and heterogeneity ofHLAtyping data. For the 14th InternationalHLAand Immunogenetics Workshop, five bioinformatics groups initiated the ‘Registry Diversity Component’ aiming to cross‐validate and improve current haplotype estimation tools. Five datasets were derived from different donor registries and then used as input for five different computer programs for haplotype frequency estimation. Because of issues related to heterogeneity and complexity ofHLAtyping data identified in the initial phase, the same five implementations, and two new ones, were used on simulated datasets in a controlled experiment where the correct results were knowna priori. These datasets contained various fractions of missingHLA‐DRmodeled after European haplotype frequencies. We measured the contribution of sampling fluctuation and estimation error to the deviation of the frequencies from their true values, finding equivalent contributions of each for the chosen samples. Because of patient‐directed activities, selective prospective typing strategies and the variety and evolution of typing technology, some donors have more complete and betterHLAdata. In this setting, we show that restricting estimation to fully typed individuals introduces biases that could be overcome by including all donors in frequency estimation. Our study underlines the importance of critical review and validation of tools in registry‐related activity and provides a sustainable framework for validating the computational tools used. Accurate frequencies are essential for match prediction to improve registry operations and to help more patients identify suitably matched donors.
Identification of a novel HLA‐A*02 allele, HLA‐A*02:425, by sequence‐based typing
Authors: Huo M.‐R. , Yu Y. , Xi B. , Li D.
Published: July 2013

The novel HLA‐A*02:425 allele differs from A*02:121 by a single nucleotide substitution at position 601 of exon 3.
Ambulatory hysteroscopy
Authors: Cooper Natalie AM , Clark T Justin
Published: July 2013

Key content

Routine diagnostic hysteroscopy under general anaesthesia is an anachronism.

Evidence‐based RCOG guidance should be followed to ensure best practice in outpatient hysteroscopy.

The role of hysteroscopy in the diagnostic work‐up of abnormal bleeding and reproduction remains unclear and further research is required to elucidate where it can be used most cost‐effectively.

Learning objectives

A ‘no touch’ vaginoscopic technique should be employed routinely as this approach reduces pain during diagnostic rigid outpatient hysteroscopy and facilitates operative procedures by improving manipulation of miniature endoscopic equipment.

A contemporary outpatient hysteroscopy service should be able to provide surgical treatments for uterine polyps, small fibroids, lost coils, minor uterine anomalies, menstrual disorders and permanent contraception.

Ethical issues

Can we justify subjecting women, especially those with significant medical co‐morbidities, to the risks and inconvenience of general anaesthesia for hysteroscopic procedures?
Masitinib mesylate for metastatic and non‐resectable canine cutaneous mast cell tumours
Authors: Smrkovski O. A. , Essick L. , Rohrbach B. W. , Legendre A. M.
Published: July 2013

Masitinib mesylate is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for the treatment of gross, non‐metastatic grade II and III canine mast cell tumours (MCTs). This study evaluated the use of masitinib as a frontline and rescue agent for metastatic and non‐metastatic canine MCTs. Identification of toxicities and prognostic factors in these dogs was of secondary interest. Twenty‐six dogs were included in this study. The overall response rate to masitinib was 50%. The median survival time for dogs that responded to masitinib was 630 days versus 137 days for dogs that did not respond (P = 0.0033). Toxicity was recorded in 61.5% of treated dogs, but the majority of adverse events were mild and self‐limiting. Response to masitinib, not tumour grade, stage or location, was the most significant prognostic factor for survival in dogs with MCTs.
Control by glyphosate and its alternatives of glyphosate‐susceptible and glyphosate‐resistant Echinochloa colona in the fallow phase of crop rotations in subtropical Australia
Authors: Widderick Michael J. , Bell Kerry L. , Boucher Luke R. , Walker Steven R.
Published: July 2013

Echinochloa colona is the most common grass weed of summer fallows in the grain‐cropping systems of the subtropical region of Australia. Glyphosate is the most commonly used herbicide for summer grass control in fallows in this region. The world's first population of glyphosate‐resistant E. colona was confirmed in Australia in 2007 and, since then, >70 populations have been confirmed to be resistant in the subtropical region. The efficacy of alternative herbicides on glyphosate‐susceptible populations was evaluated in three field experiments and on both glyphosate‐susceptible and glyphosate‐resistant populations in two pot experiments. The treatments were knockdown and pre‐emergence herbicides that were applied as a single application (alone or in a mixture) or as part of a sequential application to weeds at different growth stages. Glyphosate at 720 g ai ha−1 provided good control of small glyphosate‐susceptible plants (pre‐ to early tillering), but was not always effective on larger susceptible plants. Paraquat was effective and the most reliable when applied at 500 g ai ha−1 on small plants, irrespective of the glyphosate resistance status. The sequential application of glyphosate followed by paraquat provided 96–100% control across all experiments, irrespective of the growth stage, and the addition of metolachlor and metolachlor + atrazine to glyphosate or paraquat significantly reduced subsequent emergence. Herbicide treatments have been identified that provide excellent control of small E. colona plants, irrespective of their glyphosate resistance status. These tactics of knockdown herbicides, sequential applications and pre‐emergence herbicides should be incorporated into an integrated weed management strategy in order to greatly improve E. colona control, reduce seed production by the sprayed survivors and to minimize the risk of the further development of glyphosate resistance.
Time of emergence impacts the growth and reproduction of silverleaf nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav.)
Authors: Zhu Xiaocheng , Wu Hanwen , Stanton Rex , Burrows Geoffrey E. , Lemerle Deirdre , Raman Harsh
Published: July 2013

Silverleaf nightshade is one of the worst agricultural weeds on a worldwide basis. Improved understanding of its life cycle will be useful for weed management. This research showed that the growth and reproduction of silverleaf nightshade were affected significantly by the time of emergence. Plants (both root‐ and seed‐generated) that emerged early in the growing season, such as in September or November (spring), were significantly taller and produced more biomass and fruit than plants that emerged in January (summer) and March (autumn). Delayed emergence resulted in a shorter vegetative phase and less fruit production. As a result, the silverleaf nightshade plants that emerged in September produced a large amount of seeds, while the plants that emerged later in the season did not flower. Thus, control of early‐emerging plants is important. The dynamics of fruit production indicated that silverleaf nightshade fruit formed in December and peaked in March, which suggests that a control action is required before December to control the soil seed bank.
A Time-Parallel CFD Approach for Unsteady Combustor Flow Analysis and Design Optimization
Authors: Wankhede Moresh J. , Bressloff Neil W. , Keane Andy J.
Published: July 2013

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to predict and visualize the reacting flow dynamics inside a combustor require fine resolution over the spatial and temporal domain, making them computationally very expensive. The traditional time-serial approach for setting up a parallel combustor CFD simulation is to divide the spatial domain between computing nodes and treat the temporal domain sequentially. However, it is well known that spatial domain decomposition techniques are not very efficient especially when the spatial dimension (or mesh count) of the problem is small and a large number of nodes are used, as the communication costs due to data parallelism becomes significant per iteration. Hence, temporal domain decomposition has some attraction for unsteady simulations, particularly on relatively coarse spatial meshes. The purpose of this study is two-fold: (i), to develop a time-parallel CFD simulation method and apply it to solve the transient reactive flow-field in a combustor using an unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier Stokes (URANS) formulation in the commercial CFD code FLUENT™ and (ii) to investigate its benefits relative to a time-serial approach and its potential use for combustor design optimization. The results show that the time-parallel simulation method correctly captures the unsteady combustor flow evolution but, with the applied time-parallel formulation, a clear speed-up advantage, in terms of wall-clock time, is not obtained relative to the time-serial approach. However, it is clear that the time-parallel simulation method provides multiple stages of transient combustor flow-field solution data whilst converging towards a final converged state. The availability of this resulting data could be used to seed multiple levels of fidelity within the framework of a multi-fidelity co-Kriging based design optimization strategy. Also, only a single simulation would need to be setup from which multiple fidelities are available.
Flashback, Blow Out, Emissions, and Turbulent Displacement Flame Speed Measurements in a Hydrogen and Methane Fired Low-Swirl Injector at Elevated Pressures and Temperatures
Authors: Beerer David , McDonell Vincent , Therkelsen Peter , Cheng Robert K.
Published: July 2013

This paper reports on a work in progress study measuring flashback, blow out, emissions and turbulent displacement flame speeds in a low swirl injector operated at elevated pressures and inlet temperatures with hydrogen and methane based fuels in an optically accessible combustor rig. The goal is to extend the knowledge of low-swirl flames at conditions relevant to gas turbine engines. Testing was conducted at pressures ranging from 3 to 6 atm, inlet temperatures from 290 to 600K, and inlet bulk velocities from 20 to 60 m/s for natural gas and a 90%/10% by volume hydrogen/methane blend. Blow out limits for natural gas were found to be independent of pressure and inlet temperature but weakly dependent on velocity. Flashback limits for hydrogen were found to be independent of inlet temperature but strongly dependent on velocity and pressure. Local displacement turbulent flame speeds for methane were measured and appear to coincide with atmospheric pressure data in the literature. NOx emissions for both fuels were found to be exponentially dependent upon firing temperature, but emissions for the high hydrogen content flames were consistently higher than natural gas flames.
Parametric Study of Low-Swirl Injector Geometry on its Operability
Authors: Therkelsen Peter L. , Littlejohn David , Cheng Robert K.
Published: July 2013

The low swirl injector (LSI) is a combustion technology being developed for low-emissions fuel-flexible gas turbines. The basic LSI configuration consists of an annulus of swirl vanes centered on a non-swirled channel, both of which allow for the passage of premixed reactants. LSIs are typically designed by following a general guidance of achieving a swirl number between 0.4 and 0.55. This paper aims to develop a more specific guideline by investigating the effects of varying geometry, i.e. vane angle, vane shape, and center channel size, on the LSI performance. A well-studied LSI provides a baseline for this investigation. Nine LSI variations from this baseline design have been evaluated. All LSI are tested with CH4 fuel at bulk flow velocity of 8 to 20 m/s firing into the open atmosphere. Performance metrics are the lean blowoff limit, the pressure drop, flowfield characteristics and emissions. Results show that the lean blow-off limit and NOx and CO emissions are insensitive to LSI geometric variations. The flowfields of seven LSIs exhibit self-similarity implying their turndown ranges are similar. Reducing the center channel size and/or the use of thin vanes instead of thickened vanes can reduce pressure drop across the LSI. Additionally, all ten LSI share a common feature in that 70% to 80% the premixture flows through the vane annulus. These findings are used to develop a more specific engineering guidelines for designing the LSI for gas turbines.