bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resistance and resilience: can the abrupt end of extreme drought reverse avifaunal collapse?
Authors: Bennett Joanne M. , Nimmo Dale G. , Clarke Rohan H. , Thomson James R. , Cheers Garry , Horrocks Gregory F. B. , Hall Mark , Radford James Q. , Bennett Andrew F. , Mac Nally Ralph
Published: July 2014

Aim

Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme climatic events, such as severe droughts and intense rainfall periods. We explored how the avifauna of a highly modified region responded to a 13‐year drought (the ‘Big Dry’), followed by a two‐year period of substantially higher than average rainfall (the ‘Big Wet’).

Location

Temperate woodlands in north central Victoria, Australia.

Methods

We used two spatially extensive, long‐term survey programmes, each of which was repeated three times: early and late in the Big Dry, and in the Big Wet. We compared species‐specific changes in reporting rates between periods in both programmes to explore the resistance (the ability to persist during drought) and resilience (extent of recovery post‐drought) of species to climate extremes.

Results

There was a substantial decline in the reporting rates of 42–62% (depending on programme) of species between surveys conducted early and late in the Big Dry. In the Big Wet, there was some recovery, with 21–29% of species increasing substantially. However, more than half of species did not recover and 14–27% of species continued to decline in reporting rate compared with early on in the Big Dry. Species' responses were not strongly related to ecological traits. Species resistance to the drought was inversely related to resilience in the Big Wet for 20–35% of the species, while 76–78% of species with low resistance showed an overall decline across the study period.

Conclusions

As declines occurred largely irrespective of ecological traits, this suggests a widespread mechanism is responsible. Species that declined the most during the Big Dry did not necessarily show the greatest recoveries. In already much modified regions, climate extremes such as extended drought will induce on‐going changes in the biota.
Early identification and intervention in cerebral palsy
Authors: Herskind Anna , Greisen Gorm , Nielsen Jens Bo
Published: July 2014

Infants with possible cerebral palsy (CP) are commonly assumed to benefit from early diagnosis and early intervention, but substantial evidence for this is lacking. There is no consensus in the literature on a definition of ‘early’, but this review focuses on interventions initiated within the first 6 months after term age. We cover basic neuroscience, arguing for a beneficial effect of early intervention, and discuss why clinical research to support this convincingly is lacking. We argue that infants offered early intervention in future clinical studies must be identified carefully, and that the intervention should be focused on infants showing early signs of CP to determine an effect of treatment. Such signs may be efficiently detected by a combination of neuroimaging and the General Movements Assessment. We propose a research agenda directed at large‐scale identification of infants showing early signs of CP and testing of high‐intensity, early interventions.
Stereotypic movement disorder: a case for Procrustes?
Authors: Freeman Roger
Published: July 2014

This commentary is on the original article by Robinson et al. on pages 1212–1218 of this issue.
Sevelamer in a diabetologist's perspective: a phosphate‐binding resin with glucose‐lowering potential
Authors: Brønden A. , Hansen M. , Sonne D. P. , Rohde U. , Vilsbøll T. , Knop F. K.
Published: July 2014

Sevelamer is a calcium‐free and metal‐free phosphate‐binding oral drug used in the management of hyperphosphataemia in chronic kidney disease. Preclinical and clinical trials have shown glucose and lipid‐lowering effects of sevelamer, thereby giving rise to a potential role of the drug in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes. These ‘novel’ effects are most probably derived from the bile acid‐binding properties of sevelamer. The proposed potential is supported by the approval of the bile acid sequestrant colesevelam in the United States for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and hypercholesterolaemia. This article offers a brief review on the effects of sevelamer and a perspective on the potential mechanisms behind the glucose‐lowering effect of the drug.
Yield of epileptiform electroencephalogram abnormalities in incident unprovoked seizures: A population‐based study
Authors: Baldin Elisa , Hauser W. Allen , Buchhalter Jeffrey R. , Hesdorffer Dale C. , Ottman Ruth
Published: July 2014

Objective

The yield of epileptiform abnormalities in serial electroencephalography (EEG) studies has not been addressed in a population‐based setting for subjects with incident epilepsy or a single unprovoked seizure, raising the possibility of methodologic limitations such as selection bias. Our aim was to address these limitations by assessing the yield and predictors of epileptiform abnormalities for the first and subsequent EEG recording in a study of incident epilepsy or single unprovoked seizure in Rochester, Minnesota.

Methods

We used the resources of the Rochester Epidemiology Project to identify all 619 residents of Rochester, Minnesota, born in 1920 or later with a diagnosis of incident epilepsy (n = 478) or single unprovoked seizure (n = 141) between 1960 and 1994, who had at least one EEG study. Information on all EEG studies and their results was obtained by comprehensive review of medical records.

Results

Among subjects with epilepsy, the cumulative yield of epileptiform abnormalities was 53% after the first EEG study and 72% after the third. Among subjects with a single unprovoked seizure, the cumulative yield was 39% after the first EEG study and 68% after the third. Young age at diagnosis and idiopathic etiology were risk factors for finding epileptiform abnormalities across all EEG recordings.

Significance

Although the cumulative yield of epileptiform abnormalities increases over successive EEG recordings, there is a decrease in the increment for each additional EEG study after the first EEG study. This is most evident in incident epilepsy and in younger subjects. Clinically it may be worthwhile to consider that the probability of finding an epileptiform abnormality after the third nonepileptiform EEG recording is low.
Hypericum perforatum hydroxyalkylpyrone synthase involved in sporopollenin biosynthesis – phylogeny, site‐directed mutagenesis, and expression in nonanther tissues
Authors: Jepson Christina , Karppinen Katja , Daku Rhys M. , Sterenberg Brian T. , Suh Dae‐Yeon
Published: July 2014

Anther‐specific chalcone synthase‐like enzyme (ASCL), an ancient plant type III polyketide synthase, is involved in the biosynthesis of sporopollenin, the stable biopolymer found in the exine layer of the wall of a spore or pollen grain. The gene encoding polyketide synthase 1 from Hypericum perforatum (HpPKS1) was previously shown to be expressed mainly in young flower buds, but also in leaves and other tissues at lower levels. Angiosperm ASCLs, identified by sequence and phylogenetic analyses, are divided into two sister clades, the Ala‐clade and the Val‐clade, and HpPKS1 belongs to the Ala‐clade. Recombinant HpPKS1 produced triketide and, to a lesser extent, tetraketide alkylpyrones from medium‐chain (C6) to very long‐chain (C24) fatty acyl‐CoA substrates. Like other ASCLs, HpPKS1 also preferred hydroxyl fatty acyl‐CoA esters over the analogous unsubstituted fatty acyl‐CoA esters. To study the structural basis of the substrate preference, mutants of Ala200 and Ala215 at the putative active site and Arg202 and Asp211 at the modeled acyl‐binding tunnel were constructed. The A200T/A215Q mutant accepted decanoyl‐CoA, a poor substrate for the wild‐type enzyme, possibly because of active site constriction by bulkier substitutions. The substrate preference of the A215V and A200T/A215Q mutants shifted toward nonhydroxylated, medium‐chain to long‐chain fatty acyl‐CoA substrates. The R202L/D211V double mutant was selective for acyl‐CoA with chain lengths of C16–C18, and showed a diminished preference for the hydroxylated acyl‐CoA substrates. Transient upregulation by abscisic acid and downregulation by jasmonic acid and wounding suggested that HpPKS1, and possibly other Ala‐clade ASCLs, may be involved in the biosynthesis of minor cell wall components in nonanther tissues.
The R‐factor gap in macromolecular crystallography: an untapped potential for insights on accurate structures
Authors: Holton James M. , Classen Scott , Frankel Kenneth A. , Tainer John A.
Published: July 2014

In macromolecular crystallography, the agreement between observed and predicted structure factors (Rcryst and Rfree) is seldom better than 20%. This is much larger than the estimate of experimental error (Rmerge). The difference between Rcryst and Rmerge is the R‐factor gap. There is no such gap in small‐molecule crystallography, for which calculated structure factors are generally considered more accurate than the experimental measurements. Perhaps the true noise level of macromolecular data is higher than expected? Or is the gap caused by inaccurate phases that trap refined models in local minima? By generating simulated diffraction patterns using the program MLFSOM, and including every conceivable source of experimental error, we show that neither is the case. Processing our simulated data yielded values that were indistinguishable from those of real data for all crystallographic statistics except the final Rcryst and Rfree. These values decreased to 3.8% and 5.5% for simulated data, suggesting that the reason for high R‐factors in macromolecular crystallography is neither experimental error nor phase bias, but rather an underlying inadequacy in the models used to explain our observations. The present inability to accurately represent the entire macromolecule with both its flexibility and its protein‐solvent interface may be improved by synergies between small‐angle X‐ray scattering, computational chemistry and crystallography. The exciting implication of our finding is that macromolecular data contain substantial hidden and untapped potential to resolve ambiguities in the true nature of the nanoscale, a task that the second century of crystallography promises to fulfill.

Database

Coordinates and structure factors for the real data have been submitted to the Protein Data Bank under accession 4tws.
Suppression of vascular endothelial growth factor abrogates the immunosuppressive capability of murine gastric cancer cells and elicits antitumor immunity
Authors: Shi Yan , Yu Peiwu , Zeng Dongzhu , Qian Feng , Lei Xiao , Zhao Yongliang , Tang Bo , Hao Yingxue , Luo Huaxing , Chen Jun , Tan Yongjia
Published: July 2014

The mechanisms underlying immune evasion by gastric cancer have not been well described due to a lack of gastric tumor models in immunocompetent mice. In the current study, we found that supernatants from MFC cells, a murine gastric cancer line, inhibited the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced maturation and cross‐presentation of bone‐marrow‐derived dendritic cells (BMDCs). Moreover, MFC tumor‐derived factors markedly altered the cytokine profiles of BMDCs, leading to a trend of increased levels of interleukin 4 (IL4), IL6, IL23 and transforming growth factor β, as well as decreased levels of tumor necrosis factor α. qPCR and ELISA revealed that MFC cells expressed a high level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Downregulating VEGF expression abrogated the inhibitory effect of MFC‐derived factors on the maturation and cross‐presentation of BMDCs. In addition, VEGF knockdown greatly impaired the tumorigenicity of MFC cells in immunocompetent mice. Compared with parental MFC tumors, VEGF‐low MFC tumors grew much more slowly and the survival of tumor‐inoculated mice was significantly improved. More importantly, mice rejecting inoculated VEGF‐low MFC tumor cells gained resistance to re‐challenged parental tumors, which was attributed to an antitumor immunity response against parental MFC tumors. These results reveal an immunosuppressive role for VEGF in murine gastric cancer.
Anaerobic oxidation of methane by sulfate in hypersaline groundwater of the Dead Sea aquifer
Authors: Avrahamov N. , Antler G. , Yechieli Y. , Gavrieli I. , Joye S. B. , Saxton M. , Turchyn A. V. , Sivan O.
Published: July 2014

Geochemical and microbial evidence points to anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) likely coupled with bacterial sulfate reduction in the hypersaline groundwater of the Dead Sea (DS) alluvial aquifer. Groundwater was sampled from nine boreholes drilled along the Arugot alluvial fan next to the DS. The groundwater samples were highly saline (up to 6300 mm chlorine), anoxic, and contained methane. A mass balance calculation demonstrates that the very low δ13CDIC in this groundwater is due to anaerobic methane oxidation. Sulfate depletion coincident with isotope enrichment of sulfur and oxygen isotopes in the sulfate suggests that sulfate reduction is associated with this AOM. DNA extraction and 16S amplicon sequencing were used to explore the microbial community present and were found to be microbial composition indicative of bacterial sulfate reducers associated with anaerobic methanotrophic archaea (ANME) driving AOM. The net sulfate reduction seems to be primarily controlled by the salinity and the available methane and is substantially lower as salinity increases (2.5 mm sulfate removal at 3000 mm chlorine but only 0.5 mm sulfate removal at 6300 mm chlorine). Low overall sulfur isotope fractionation observed (34ε = 17 ± 3.5‰) hints at high rates of sulfate reduction, as has been previously suggested for sulfate reduction coupled with methane oxidation. The new results demonstrate the presence of sulfate‐driven AOM in terrestrial hypersaline systems and expand our understanding of how microbial life is sustained under the challenging conditions of an extremely hypersaline environment.
The cumulative impact of annual coral bleaching can turn some coral species winners into losers
Authors: Grottoli Andréa G. , Warner Mark E. , Levas Stephen J. , Aschaffenburg Matthew D. , Schoepf Verena , McGinley Michael , Baumann Justin , Matsui Yohei
Published: July 2014

Mass coral bleaching events caused by elevated seawater temperatures result in extensive coral loss throughout the tropics, and are projected to increase in frequency and severity. If bleaching becomes an annual event later in this century, more than 90% of coral reefs worldwide may be at risk of long‐term degradation. While corals can recover from single isolated bleaching and can acclimate to recurring bleaching events that are separated by multiple years, it is currently unknown if and how they will survive and possibly acclimatize to annual coral bleaching. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that annual coral bleaching can dramatically alter thermal tolerance in Caribbean corals. We found that high coral energy reserves and changes in the dominant algal endosymbiont type (Symbiodinium spp.) facilitated rapid acclimation in Porites divaricata, whereas low energy reserves and a lack of algal phenotypic plasticity significantly increased susceptibility in Porites astreoides to bleaching the following year. Phenotypic plasticity in the dominant endosymbiont type of Orbicella faveolata did not prevent repeat bleaching, but may have facilitated rapid recovery. Thus, coral holobiont response to an isolated single bleaching event is not an accurate predictor of its response to bleaching the following year. Rather, the cumulative impact of annual coral bleaching can turn some coral species ‘winners’ into ‘losers’, and can also facilitate acclimation and turn some coral species ‘losers’ into ‘winners’. Overall, these findings indicate that cumulative impact of annual coral bleaching could result in some species becoming increasingly susceptible to bleaching and face a long‐term decline, while phenotypically plastic coral species will acclimatize and persist. Thus, annual coral bleaching and recovery could contribute to the selective loss of coral diversity as well as the overall decline of coral reefs in the Caribbean.
Scaling up experimental ocean acidification and warming research: from individuals to the ecosystem
Authors: Queirós Ana M. , Fernandes José A. , Faulwetter Sarah , Nunes Joana , Rastrick Samuel P. S. , Mieszkowska Nova , Artioli Yuri , Yool Andrew , Calosi Piero , Arvanitidis Christos , Findlay Helen S. , Barange Manuel , Cheung William W. L. , Widdicombe Stephen
Published: July 2014

Understanding long‐term, ecosystem‐level impacts of climate change is challenging because experimental research frequently focuses on short‐term, individual‐level impacts in isolation. We address this shortcoming first through an interdisciplinary ensemble of novel experimental techniques to investigate the impacts of 14‐month exposure to ocean acidification and warming (OAW) on the physiology, activity, predatory behaviour and susceptibility to predation of an important marine gastropod (Nucella lapillus). We simultaneously estimated the potential impacts of these global drivers on N. lapillus population dynamics and dispersal parameters. We then used these data to parameterize a dynamic bioclimatic envelope model, to investigate the consequences of OAW on the distribution of the species in the wider NE Atlantic region by 2100. The model accounts also for changes in the distribution of resources, suitable habitat and environment simulated by finely resolved biogeochemical models, under three IPCC global emissions scenarios. The experiments showed that temperature had the greatest impact on individual‐level responses, while acidification had a similarly important role in the mediation of predatory behaviour and susceptibility to predators. Changes in Nucella predatory behaviour appeared to serve as a strategy to mitigate individual‐level impacts of acidification, but the development of this response may be limited in the presence of predators. The model projected significant large‐scale changes in the distribution of Nucella by the year 2100 that were exacerbated by rising greenhouse gas emissions. These changes were spatially heterogeneous, as the degree of impact of OAW on the combination of responses considered by the model varied depending on local‐environmental conditions and resource availability. Such changes in macro‐scale distributions cannot be predicted by investigating individual‐level impacts in isolation, or by considering climate stressors separately. Scaling up the results of experimental climate change research requires approaches that account for long‐term, multiscale responses to multiple stressors, in an ecosystem context.
The British Nursing Index and CINAHL: a comparison of journal title coverage and the implications for information professionals
Authors: Briscoe Simon , Cooper Chris
Published: July 2014

Objectives

This paper compares the journal coverage of the British Nursing Index (BNI) and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL). The main objectives are to assess whether BNI is a useful source of UK publications and to consider the implications for information professionals.

Methods

Lists of the journals indexed in BNI and CINAHL, CINAHL Plus and CINAHL Complete were compared. The date coverage and article entry date of a selection of UK nursing journals were also compared.

Results

One hundred and fifty‐nine journals are uniquely indexed in BNI compared with the basic version of CINAHL. Eighty‐one journals are uniquely indexed in BNI compared with all versions of CINAHL. Fifty‐one of these journals are UK publications. Most of the selected UK nursing journals have earlier start and entry dates in CINAHL than BNI.

Conclusion

BNI is smaller than CINAHL, and BNI indexes a relatively small number of unique journals. An information professional with access to CINAHL Plus or CINAHL Complete could reasonably not search BNI for a nursing topic, particularly if the topic is not UK specific. UK nursing research is more likely to benefit from using BNI, although the acquisition of BNI by ProQuest could impact this finding.
First report of the spectrum of δ‐globin gene mutations in Omani subjects – identification of novel mutations
Authors: Alkindi S. , AlZadjali S. , Daar S. , Ambusaidi R. , Gravell D. , Al Haddabi H. , Krishnamoorthy R. , Pathare A.
Published: July 2014

Introduction

Both coinheritance of thalassemic δ‐globin mutation and coexistence of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) tend to decrease HbA2 (α2δ2) level and thereby poses a diagnostic conundrum in β‐thalassemia trait.

Methods

We retrospectively studied 78 Omani subjects, presenting with low HbA2 level by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and their DNA was sequenced for the presence of mutations in the δ‐globin gene (HBD). In these subjects, their serum ferritin levels allowed evaluation of the degree of iron deficiency.

Results

Overall, six different δ‐globin gene mutations were observed in 40 study subjects (51.3%) and IDA in 33 subjects, with the remaining five subjects showing normal HBD sequence and serum ferritin level. Among the subjects with δ‐globin gene mutations, seven had an associated IDA confirmed by significantly low serum ferritin levels. Heterozygosity for the delta (+) cd27G‐‐>T mutation (HbA2‐Yialousa; HBD: c.82G>T) was the most common abnormality observed (n = 26, 66.6%) followed by heterozygosity for HBD c.‐118C‐>T (d ‐68 C‐>T) (n = 6, 15.4%), for cd16G‐‐>C (n = 4, 10.3%), for cd98G‐‐>A (n = 2, 5.1%), for cd142G‐‐>C (n = 1, 2.6%), and for cd147G‐‐>T (n = 1, 2.6%).

Conclusions

These delta mutations exhibit low HbA2 either due to a shift in the HPLC position or due to their bona fide thalassemic feature. Two mutations, namely cd142 G‐‐>C (GCC to CCC, Ala to Pro) and stop codon cd147 G‐‐>T (stop to Leu with elongation of 15 amino acids), herein first reported are novel. Coexistence of IDA could lead to erroneous diagnostic interpretation unless it is specifically looked for.
Social Trinitarianism: A Discussion of Some Recent Theological Criticisms
Authors: van den Brink Gijsbert
Published: July 2014

In this article I briefly summarize the development of social trinitarianism in order to arrive at a description of its most important defining coordinates. Next, leaving aside the philosophical debate, I discuss some of the theological criticisms that have recently been leveled against it. It will turn out that social trinitarianism can be redefined in such a way that these objections are taken into account insofar as they are justified, but without losing the momentum social trinitarianism gave to the recent renewal of trinitarian thinking. Finally, having proceeded thus far in a defensive way, I will briefly explore two more constructive arguments in favour of social (or relational) trinitarianism.
Beyond Existentialism: Kierkegaard on the Human Relationship with the God Who is Wholly Other
Authors: Torrance Andrew B.
Published: July 2014

Recent scholarship argues that, for Kierkegaard, God's absolute alterity is a consequence of sin that is overcome by the redemptive activity of Jesus Christ. On such a reading, the work of Christ delivers individuals to lives of faith that are not infinitely qualitatively different from God. This fails to recognize that the absolute otherness of God is overcome not simply by the redemptive work of Christ but in and through the person of Christ. The failure to grasp this has tied Kierkegaard to an anthropocentric theology that prioritizes Christ's contribution to existential human development. This article challenges this perception by establishing Kierkegaard's emphasis that God would remain infinitely removed from humanity were it not for the continuing mediation of Jesus Christ.
Merit and the Finnish Luther
Authors: Wahlberg Mats
Published: July 2014

The concept of merit, according to a Catholic understanding, is dictated by the nature of the divine grace that moves Christians to good works without violating their freedom. The Lutheran tradition, however, rejects the meritorious character of good works, at least in the context of salvation. In this article, it is argued that the new, Finnish Luther interpretation undermines the basis for Lutheranism's traditional resistance to the notion of merit. A tentative conclusion is that a Lutheranism that appropriates the Finnish interpretation has reason to embrace the applicability of merit‐language in soteriological contexts.
The dental development in patients with Aperts syndrome
Authors: Woods Eva , Parekh Susan , Evans Robert , Moles David R. , Gill Daljit
Published: July 2014

Objectives

The aim of this retrospective study was to quantify the level of dental developmental delay in a group of patients with Aperts syndrome when compared to matched controls.

Methods

Twenty‐six Dental Panoramic Tomographic (DPT) radiographs of patients with Apert syndrome attending Great Ormond Street Hospital were compared to controls (n = 29) from the Eastman Dental Hospital, UK. Dental development was assessed using the staging systems of Demirjian and Haavikko, and dental age (DA) was estimated using the weighted averages method.

Results

Dental age, as estimated using the 12 stages of Haavikko and eight stages of Demirjian, suggested no statistical evidence of developmental delay between the Aperts and control group.

Conclusions

The hypothesis ‘that there is no difference in the dental development of subjects with Apert syndrome, when compared to a group of matched controls’, was accepted.
Lead Isotopic Composition in Biogenic Certified Reference Materials Determined by Different ICP‐based Mass Spectrometric Techniques
Authors: Ďurišová Jana , Ackerman Lukáš , Strnad Ladislav , Chrastný Vladislav , Borovička Jan
Published: July 2014

This work presents data for the radiogenic Pb isotopic ratios (206Pb/207Pb and 208Pb/206Pb) in nine biogenic certified reference materials (NIST SRM 1515, 1566b, 1570a, 1573a, 1575a; BCR 100, BCR 101, BCR 670 and IAEA 359), which are suitable for analytical quality control in environmental research. The results were obtained using three different types of ICP‐based mass spectrometer (quadrupole‐based/magnetic sector field single‐collector ICP‐MS instruments and a multi‐collector ICP‐MS) and applying different mass bias correction procedures (calibrator‐sample bracketing and external Tl normalisation) with and without Pb separation from the matrix using ion exchange chromatography. In the majority of the samples, the measurements from all three of the ICP‐MS instruments were in agreement within ± 0.1%, despite the lower analytical precision of the single‐collector ICP‐MS instruments. We demonstrate that the presence of the sample matrix did not significantly influence the Pb isotopic ratios measured by magnetic sector field ICP‐MS, whereas the use of the two different mass bias corrections resulted in a systematic difference of 0.09% for the 208Pb/206Pb ratio.
Home nurses and patient depression. Attitudes, competences and the effects of a minimal intervention
Authors: Van Daele Tom , Vansteenwegen Debora , Hermans Dirk , Van den Bergh Omer , Van Audenhove Chantal
Published: July 2014

Aim

To explore attitudes and confidence in professional competence of home nurses concerning depression and to evaluate the capacity of a minimal intervention in helping home nurses to detect depression in patients and their family caregivers.

Background

Long‐term ill patients have an elevated risk to develop comorbid depression, as do their family caregivers. However, most primary care providers have little training to detect patients at risk. A minimal intervention to help home nurses detect symptoms of depression was therefore evaluated.

Design

Quasi‐experimental field study with pre‐measures, postmeasures and follow‐up measures.

Methods

From the Fall of 2012–Spring of 2013, home nurses (N = 92) in three regions in Antwerp (Belgium) were assigned to a 1‐hour intervention (consisting of information, skill training and discussion; N = 63) or to a control condition (N = 29). The Depression Attitude Questionnaire and the Morris Confidence Scale were completed before the intervention and 3 and 7 months afterwards. For 3 months, the number of detections of depression in patients in each region was monitored.

Findings

No significant changes were found in attitude or confidence in professional competences, except for a decline in the role attitude for home nurses in the intervention group. Home nurses who followed the intervention did detect significantly more depressed patients compared with controls.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that a minimal intervention can allow home nurses to be more responsive to symptoms of depression in patients and their family caregivers. The implications of these findings are discussed and suggestions for future research are made.
Comparative reproductive biology of sympatric species: nest and chick survival of American avocets and black‐necked stilts
Authors: Ackerman Joshua T. , Herzog Mark P. , Takekawa John Y. , Hartman C. Alex
Published: July 2014

Identifying differences in reproductive success rates of closely related and sympatrically breeding species can be useful for understanding limitations to population growth. We simultaneously examined the reproductive ecology of American avocets Recurvirostra americana and black‐necked stilts Himantopus mexicanus using 1274 monitored nests and 240 radio‐marked chicks in San Francisco Bay, California. Although there were 1.8 times more avocet nests than stilt nests, stilts nonetheless fledged 3.3 times more chicks. Greater production by stilts than avocets was the result of greater chick survival from hatching to fledging (avocet: 6%; stilt: 40%), and not because of differences in clutch size (avocet: 3.84; stilt: 3.77), nest survival (avocet: 44%; stilt: 35%), or egg hatching success (avocet: 90%; stilt: 92%). We reviewed the literature and confirmed that nest survival and hatching success are generally similar when avocets and stilts breed sympatrically. In addition to species, chick survival was strongly influenced by age, site, and year. In particular, daily survival rates increased rapidly with chick age, with 70% of mortalities occurring ≤ 1 week after hatch. California gulls Larus californicus caused 55% of avocet, but only 15% of stilt, chick deaths. Differential use of micro‐habitats likely reduced stilt chick's vulnerability to gull predation, particularly during the first week after hatch, because stilts nested in vegetation 2.7 times more often than avocets and vegetation height was 65% taller at stilt nests compared with avocet nests. Our results demonstrate that two co‐occurring and closely related species with similar life history strategies can differ markedly in reproductive success, and simultaneous studies of such species can identify differences that limit productivity.
Effects of doxycycline on clinical, microbiological and immunological parameters in well‐controlled diabetes type‐2 patients with periodontal disease: a randomized, controlled clinical trial
Authors: Tsalikis Lazaros , Sakellari Dimitra , Dagalis Panagiotis , Boura Panagiota , Konstantinidis Antonios
Published: July 2014

Aim

To evaluate the clinical, microbiological and immunological effects of systemic doxycycline as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) in chronic periodontitis patients with well‐controlled type 2 diabetes.

Materials and Methods

Sixty‐six patients compliant to oral hygiene (Hygiene Index <20%) allocated to either a test (systemic doxycycline for 21 days) or a control (placebo) group participated in the present randomized controlled trial (RCT). Clinical assessments were recorded at baseline, 3 and 6 months after therapy and included clinical attachment level (CAL), set as the primary outcome of the study, probing pocket depth (PPD), recession (RE) and bleeding on probing (BOP). At the same time points, counts of 15 subgingival species were evaluated by “checkerboard” DNA‐DNA hybridization, gingival crevicular fluid samples were analysed for matrix metalloproteinase‐8 (MMP‐8) by ELISA and HbA1c levels were determined. Comparisons between and within groups were performed by non‐parametric tests (Mann–Whitney, Wilcoxon signed‐ranks and z‐test for proportions with Bonferroni corrections) at the 0.05 level.

Results

No major differences were noticed in clinical and microbiological parameters of periodontal disease or levels of MMP‐8 between the two groups.

Conclusions

Adjunctive systemic doxycycline does not seem to significantly enhance the effects of SRP in well‐controlled diabetes type 2 patients.
Subgingival air‐polishing with erythritol during periodontal maintenance
Authors: Müller Nada , Moëne Raphaël , Cancela José A. , Mombelli Andrea
Published: July 2014

Objectives

To evaluate repeated subgingival air‐polishing in residual pockets with a new erythritol powder containing 0.3% chlorhexidine.

Material and Methods

Single‐centre, examiner masked, randomized clinical trial of 12 months with a two‐arm, within‐subject parallel design. Fifty patients in periodontal maintenance were monitored in 3‐month intervals. At months 0, 3, 6 and 9, all sites presenting with a probing depth (PD) >4 mm were subject to subgingival air‐polishing (test side) or ultrasonic debridement (control side). The primary endpoint was presence/absence of PD >4 mm after 12 months.

Results

Totally 6918 sites were monitored at baseline, 457 of them had a PD >4 mm (range 5–9 mm). The number of pockets >4 mm per subject, PD and bleeding on probing were significantly lower at month 12. Differences between test and control were not significant. There was a significant difference in favour of air‐polishing for the perception of pain/discomfort. Differences of frequencies at >1000 and >100,000 cells/ml of six microorganisms between baseline and month 12 were not significant. At month 12, test sites were less frequently positive for Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans at >1000 cells/ml than controls, and counts never exceeded 100,000 cells/ml.

Conclusions

Repeated subgingival air‐polishing reduced the number of pockets >4 mm similar to ultrasonic debridement. It was safe and induced less pain.
Social networks of people with mild intellectual disabilities: characteristics, satisfaction, wishes and quality of life
Authors: van Asselt‐Goverts A. E. , Embregts P. J. C. M. , Hendriks A. H. C.
Published: July 2014

Background

A supportive social network is crucial for facilitating social inclusion, which can, in turn, contribute to the quality of life (QOL) for people with intellectual disabilities (ID). In this study, we investigate how people with mild ID perceive their social networks and which network characteristics relate to satisfaction with the network and perceived QOL.

Method

Data were gathered from 33 young adults with a mild to borderline ID using structured questionnaires: the MSNA to map the social network, the IDQOL‐16 to assess QOL, and a questionnaire to determine satisfaction and wishes with regard to the social network.

Results

The majority of the participants (73.1%) were satisfied with their social networks. Improvement in the area of strengthening existing ties (e.g. more frequent contact, better contact) was desired as opposed to expansion of the network. Affection – especially towards family and professionals – was most strongly related to perceived QOL. It appears to be essential that relatives live in the same town, can frequently meet up and provide both emotional and practical support.

Conclusions

The significance of family and the importance of high‐quality interpersonal relationships between professional and client in the lives of young adults with ID cannot be overestimated. Although measures of satisfaction and wishes can have limitations, in actual practice it is considered useful to assess the opinions of clients with respect to their social networks. Interventions can then be tailored to the needs and wishes of the persons themselves.
Addressing the Texting and Driving Epidemic: Mortality Salience Priming Effects on Attitudes and Behavioral Intentions
Authors: KAREKLAS IOANNIS , MUEHLING DARREL D.
Published: July 2014

Texting while driving is becoming a problem of epidemic proportion, causing thousands of fatalities each year. However, surprisingly few academic studies to date have examined this issue in a social marketing context. We address this research void by reporting the findings of two empirical studies—the first, an exploratory study of drivers' perceptions of texting while driving; the second, an experimental examination of the relative effectiveness of mortality salience (MS) primes in public service announcements (PSAs). Employing theory derived from the MS literature, we find that when verbal and/or visual cues to death/dying were used, participants' attitudes and behavioral intentions were altered in a positive direction. As compared to a control group, the primed PSAs produced less favorable attitudes and reduced intentions to text while driving in the future. Implications of these findings for consumers, social marketers, and policymakers are discussed, and future research directions are provided.
Relation between blood pressure and mortality risk in an older population: role of chronological and biological age
Authors: Post Hospers G. , Smulders Y. M. , Maier A. B. , Deeg D. J. , Muller M.
Published: July 2014

Background

The relation between high blood pressure (BP) and mortality risk in older individuals (above 65 years of age) is still debated. Some data suggest that this relation is inverted in certain subgroups of (biologically) older individuals. We therefore investigated whether the association between BP and mortality is dependent on chronological age and on physical and cognitive function as indicators of biological age.

Methods

The relationship between BP and all‐cause mortality was investigated in 1466 older participants (aged 65 years and older; mean age 75.8 years) of the Longitudinal Ageing Study Amsterdam using multiple adjusted Cox proportional hazard models. Analyses were stratified for age, gait speed and mini mental state examination score.

Results

A total of 1008 participants died after a median (range) follow‐up of 10.6 (0.2; 15.9) years. Low diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was associated with an increased all‐cause mortality risk: hazard ratio (HR) of low DBP (≤70 mmHg) compared to normal DBP (71–90 mmHg) was 1.36 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15; 1.61]. This relation was particularly strong in the oldest old (individuals aged >80 years) and in those who had lower levels of both physical and cognitive functioning: HRs (95% CIs) of low versus normal DBP were 1.58 (1.26; 1.98) and 1.45 (1.18; 1.77), respectively.

Conclusion

In a large population‐based cohort of older adults, low DBP was associated with an increased all‐cause mortality risk, especially in the oldest old and in biologically old individuals.
Self‐Adhesive Resin Cements: A Clinical Review
Authors: Weiser Felix , Behr Michael
Published: July 2014

Purpose

To review the performance of self‐adhesive luting agents to determine their clinical evidence.

Materials and Methods

In March 2013, we conducted a literature search by means of PubMed and manually searched German and English medical journals using general search terms (e.g., “self‐adhesive resin cements”), detailed search terms (e.g., clinical study “self‐adhesive resin cement”), and brand name search terms (clinical study AND “brand name of the cement”). The resulting lists of articles were manually searched for clinical studies. Because of the low number of relevant articles, we decided to broaden our search by including in vitro studies based on a thermal cycling and mechanical loading (TCML) design.

Results

The search using the six general search terms yielded a list with over 100 studies with only 13 in vivo studies and 6 in vitro studies based on a TCML design. The other studies either did not comply with the requirements or were not in vitro studies based on a TCML design. Two more in vivo studies could be added after the brand name search. Altogether, 15 in vivo studies and 6 in vitro studies were included in our analysis.

Conclusion

Because of the low number of studies available, the clinical evidence of self‐adhesive luting agents cannot be assessed in a sufficient manner.
A Note on Family Influence and the Adoption of Discontinuous Technologies in Family Firms
Authors: Chrisman James J. , Fang Hanqing , Kotlar Josip , De Massis Alfredo
Published: July 2014

The 4Cs model of command, continuity, community, and connections is useful for examining the effect of family influence on the adoption of discontinuous technologies. However, assuming that family influence differs only in degree rather than kind is naive because such an assumption ignores the likelihood of heterogeneous behaviors among family firms. In this conceptual note, we extend prior work and explain how heterogeneity in the family's relative emphasis on command, continuity, community, and connections requires that the multifaceted and potentially nonlinear nature of family influence be considered when analyzing strategic decisions concerning family firm innovation.
Measurement of the S‐adenosyl methionine (SAMe) content in a range of commercial veterinary SAMe supplements
Authors: Sturgess C. P.
Published: July 2014

OBJECTIVES

To measure the percentage of the stated amount of S‐adenosyl methionine present in a range of commercially available S‐adenosyl methionine supplements for veterinary use.

METHOD

Sixty‐four samples of products containing S‐adenosyl methionine marketed to support liver function were obtained from five manufacturers via three commercial wholesalers. The amount of S‐adenosyl methionine in each product was measured using high‐pressure liquid chromatography.

RESULTS

There were greater than threefold variation in the percentage of measured S‐adenosyl methionine compared to the stated amount on the packaging which was significantly (P < 0 · 001) related to the product group being measured.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Differences in received dose of S‐adenosyl methionine between different products were marked and this could have a profound influence on studies that evaluate any variation in absorption of S‐adenosyl methionine between different product formulations, the effectiveness of S‐adenosyl methionine‐based products in clinical cases or when translating the results of studies that have used a specific S‐adenosyl methionine product to those produced by a different manufacturer.
Regulatory gene networks that shape the development of adaptive phenotypic plasticity in a cichlid fish
Authors: Schneider Ralf F. , Li Yuanhao , Meyer Axel , Gunter Helen M.
Published: July 2014

Phenotypic plasticity is the ability of organisms with a given genotype to develop different phenotypes according to environmental stimuli, resulting in individuals that are better adapted to local conditions. In spite of their ecological importance, the developmental regulatory networks underlying plastic phenotypes often remain uncharacterized. We examined the regulatory basis of diet‐induced plasticity in the lower pharyngeal jaw (LPJ) of the cichlid fish Astatoreochromis alluaudi, a model species in the study of adaptive plasticity. Through raising juvenile A. alluaudi on either a hard or soft diet (hard‐shelled or pulverized snails) for between 1 and 8 months, we gained insight into the temporal regulation of 19 previously identified candidate genes during the early stages of plasticity development. Plasticity in LPJ morphology was first detected between 3 and 5 months of diet treatment. The candidate genes, belonging to various functional categories, displayed dynamic expression patterns that consistently preceded the onset of morphological divergence and putatively contribute to the initiation of the plastic phenotypes. Within functional categories, we observed striking co‐expression, and transcription factor binding site analysis was used to examine the prospective basis of their coregulation. We propose a regulatory network of LPJ plasticity in cichlids, presenting evidence for regulatory crosstalk between bone and muscle tissues, which putatively facilitates the development of this highly integrated trait. Through incorporating a developmental time‐course into a phenotypic plasticity study, we have identified an interconnected, environmentally responsive regulatory network that shapes the development of plasticity in a key innovation of East African cichlids.
Cytosolic iron‐sulphur protein assembly is functionally conserved and essential in procyclic and bloodstream Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: Basu Somsuvro , Netz Daili J. , Haindrich Alexander C. , Herlerth Nils , Lagny Thibaut J. , Pierik Antonio J. , Lill Roland , Lukeš Julius
Published: July 2014

Cytosolic and nuclear iron‐sulphur (Fe/S) proteins include essential components involved in protein translation, DNA synthesis and DNA repair. In yeast and human cells, assembly of their Fe/S cofactor is accomplished by the CIA (cytosolic iron‐sulphur protein assembly) machinery comprised of some 10 proteins. To investigate the extent of conservation of the CIA pathway, we examined its importance in the early‐branching eukaryote Trypanosoma brucei that encodes all known CIA factors. Upon RNAi‐mediated ablation of individual, early‐acting CIA proteins, no major defects were observed in both procyclic and bloodstream stages. In contrast, parallel depletion of two CIA components was lethal, and severely diminished cytosolic aconitase activity lending support for a direct role of the CIA proteins in cytosolic Fe/S protein biogenesis. In support of this conclusion, the T. brucei CIA proteins complemented the growth defects of their respective yeast CIA depletion mutants. Finally, the T. brucei CIA factor Tah18 was characterized as a flavoprotein, while its binding partner Dre2 functions as a Fe/S protein. Together, our results demonstrate the essential and conserved function of the CIA pathway in cytosolic Fe/S protein assembly in both developmental stages of this representative of supergroup Excavata.
Do the same traffic rules apply? Directional chromosome segregation by SpoIIIE and FtsK
Authors: Besprozvannaya Marina , Burton Briana M.
Published: July 2014

Over a decade of studies have tackled the question of how FtsK/SpoIIIE translocases establish and maintain directional DNA translocation during chromosome segregation in bacteria. FtsK/SpoIIIE translocases move DNA in a highly processive, directional manner, where directionality is facilitated by sequences on the substrate DNA molecules that are being transported. In recent years, structural, biochemical, single‐molecule and high‐resolution microscopic studies have provided new insight into the mechanistic details of directional DNA segregation. Out of this body of work, a series of models have emerged and, ultimately, yielded two seemingly opposing models: the loading model and the target search model. We review these recent mechanistic insights into directional DNA movement and discuss the data that may serve to unite these suggested models, as well as propose future directions that may ultimately solve the debate.
Thomas Aquinas and Hans Urs von Balthasar: A Dialogue on Love and
Charity
Authors: Miner Robert
Published: July 2014

In Love Alone is Credible (1963), Hans Urs
von Balthasar discusses love in a way that “seeks to be faithful to the
theological tradition of the great saints.” Conspicuously missing from the
set of “great saints” whom Balthasar praises is Thomas Aquinas. Does
Balthasar imply a negative judgment about Thomas's thought on love? If so,
what is the judgment? On what grounds is it made? How might Thomas answer?
To address these questions, I construct a dialogue between the two,
privileging Love Alone and the Questions on
charity from the Summa Theologiae. The dialogue
begins with a survey of ground common to Balthasar and Thomas. A second step
shows how three salient aspects of Thomas's treatment of charity appear from
Balthasar's perspective. A third section deepens the critique, showing that
for Balthasar, both divine and human love must be conceived as utterly
gratuitous in ways that Thomas downplays or denies. A fourth section asks
how the account of love given by Balthasar appears from Thomas's viewpoint.
A final section asks what to make of these partly overlapping, partly
clashing perspectives, and suggests why both are necessary.