bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Halogenated Terpenoids. XXVIII. The Conversion of Limonene Tetrabromide Into Carvone Derivatives With Retained C8 Stereochemistry
Authors: Carman RM , Smith AG , Venzke BN
Published: September 2010

Limonene tetrabromide has been converted into the corresponding carvone derivative with retention of the C8 stereochemistry, thus allowing the C8 stereochemistry of the limonene and carvone series to be chemically correlated.
Potential GABAB Receptor Antagonists. VII. The Synthesis of 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-3-nitropropan-1-amine and Related Analogs of Baclofen
Authors: Abbenante G , Hughes R , Prager RH
Published: September 2010

3-Nitro-2-phenylpropan-1-amine and 2-(4-chloropenyl)-3-nitropropan-1-amine have been synthesized by the addition of nitrous acid to the corresponding trifluoroacetylaminomethylstyrenes followed by reduction of the double bond with sodium borohydride. A more general and efficient route involves the Michael addition of nitroalkane anions to methyl cinnamates followed by Curtius degradation of the corresponding acids. 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-3-nitropropan-1-amine is a specific agonist of GABA and the GABAB receptor, with about half the activity of racemic baclofen at the isolated guinea pig ileum. Methylation or dimethylation at C3 decreases activity markedly.
Ambident Heterocyclic Reactivity: Alkylation of 4-Substituted and 2,4-Disubstituted Benzimidazoles
Authors: Haque MR , Rasmussen M
Published: September 2010

The N1/N3-alkylation patterns of 4-amino-, 4-methyl- and 4-nitro-benzimidazole anions, and their 2-methyl analogues, with a standard set of primary alkyl halides (in dimethylformamide, 30°) have been determined and compared. The observed regioselectivities are dominated by proximal effects-electrostatic field, non-bonded steric and in some cases specific association (hydrogen bonding)-the interplay of which is critically dependent on the (variable) geometries of the SN2 transition states involved, in particular on the N---C distance of the developing N-alkyl bonds. The presence of a symmetrically placed 2-methyl group produces an enhanced N1/N3 site selectivity, very sensitive to the loose-tight nature of the transition state. Halide leaving group effects on butylation regioselectivities of 2-unsubstituted, 2-ethoxy-, 2-methyl- and 2-chloro-4-methylbenzimidazole anions, whilst small, are consistent with a Bell-Evans-Polanyi analysis of SN2 transition state variations, with the earlier transition states of CH3(CH2)3I leading to reduced regioselectivities.
The Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Mesityldiphenylphosphine, Dimesitylphenylphosphine and Trimesitylphosphine
Authors: Blount JF , Camp D , Hart RD , Healy PC , Skelton BW , White AH
Published: September 2010

The synthesis and structural characterization of the tertiary phosphines mesityldiphenylphosphine [PPh2( mes )], dimesitylphenylphosphine [ PPh ( mes )2] and a new phase of trimesitylphosphine [P( mes )3] have been carried out. Crystals of PPh2( mes ) are monoclinic, space group P21/c, with a 10.252(10), b 9.847(11), c 17.444(7) Ǻ, β 99.78(6)°, Z 4; R 0.059 for 2102 'observed' reflections. Crystals of PPh ( mes )2 are also monoclinic, space group P 21/c, with a 8.964(9), b 22.99(1), c 10.228(4) Ǻ, β 107.98(5)°, Z 4; R 0.058 for 2350 'observed' reflections. The new phase of P( mes )3 is monoclinic, Cc, a 11.390(5), b 12.034(4), c 17.564(9) Ǻ, β 104.22(4)°, Z 4 (R 0.060 for 1046 'observed' reflections), in which the molecule is disordered. A full report is given for the phase previously studied (triclinic), Pī , a 8.191(3), b 16.447(5), c 18.667(6) Ǻ, α 104.82(3), β 97.74(3), γ 100.07(3)°, Z 4; R 0.065 for 4964 'observed' reflections. The P-C bond distances are similar for the whole series of compounds with an average value of 1.833(1)Ǻ. Introduction if the mesityl groups results in an increase of the C-P-C angles from c. 103 to c. 110° with a concomitant flattening of the PC3 pyramid.
Annulations of Podocarpic Acid Derivatives via an Aryne Intermediate
Authors: Cambie RC , Higgs PI , Rutledge PS , Woodgate PD
Published: September 2010

The cycloaddition of substituted furans to the diterpenoid aryne (39), generated by in situ diazotization of the anthranilic acid (1) followed by cleavage of the annulated 1,4- epoxydecahydrochrysenes, provides a convenient method for the preparation in high yield of the previously unknown 1-substituted octahydrochrysen-4-ols. Use of 1,3-dipoles under the same procedure, or under a modified procedure involving pre-isolation of the diazonium tetrafluoroborate salt (9), gave novel annulated heterocyclic products directly. Attempted [2+2] cycloadditions of electron-rich alkenes to the diterpenoid aryne (39) were largely unsuccessful but reaction with 1,1-dimethoxyethene by using in situ diazotization gave a product derived from an initial [2+2] cycloaddition.
Destructive Oxidation of Chlorophenols
Authors: Beattie JK , Demartin JA , Kennedy BJ
Published: September 2010

The destructive oxidation of pentachlorophenol in alkaline aqueous solution has been attempted with tetraoxoruthenium species as catalysts and hypochlorite as the terminal oxidant. The product solution contained no pentachlorophenol. Only traces of chlorinated compounds which could be extracted with dichloromethane were present. Measurements of the quantity of base and of hypochlorite added to the reaction mixture indicated that the oxidation did not proceed to completely to carbonate, but rather to unidentified compounds with an average carbon oxidation state of about three. Oxidation with peroxodisulfate indicated that only two-thirds of the chlorine was present as ionic chloride in the product solution. In contrast, oxidation with permanganate, in the absence of ruthenium, led to the complete oxidation of pentachlorophenol and to release of all of the chlorine as ionic chloride. Qualitative rate measurements were made with the pH-stat technique. Some experiments were also conducted with 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, p- chlorophenol and phenol. Attempts to oxidize both phenol and pentachlorophenol at various ruthenium-containing electrodes in either basic or acidic solutions were unsuccessful.
Dehydrohalogenation of the Bis-dihalocarbene Adducts of Some Methoxycyclohexa-1,4-dienes: Revision of Product Structures
Authors: Banwell MG , Gable RW , Halton B , Phyland JR
Published: September 2010

Reaction of the tricyclic compound (1a) with potassium t-butoxide has been shown to give the diene (5) and not the isomeric homotropilidene (2a) as previously reported. The structure of compound (5) was established by single-crystal X-ray analysis at 130 K.
Carduusynes (A-E): Acetylenic Acids From a Great Australian Bight Marine Sponge Phakellia carduus
Authors: Barrow RA , Capon RJ
Published: September 2010

The marine sponge Phakellia carduus obtained during commercial trawling operations in the Great Australian Bight yielded a series of new C23 acetylenic acids, carduusynes (A-E) [(3)-(7)], which were isolated, characterized and identified as their respective ethyl esters [(8)-(12)].
Use of Menthyl 2-Methoxynaphthalene-1-sulfinates in the Andersen Synthesis of Optically Active Sulfoxides. Facile Cleavage by Grignard Reagents of Some Aromatic Methyl Ethers
Authors: Bell KH , Mccaffery LF
Published: September 2010

The pure crystalline diastereomers (1R,2S,5R)-menthyl (R)- and (S)-2-methoxynaphthalene-1-sulfinate (1b) have been prepared and, by reaction with Grignard reagents (the Andersen procedure), converted into optically active alkyl and aryl 2-methoxynaphthyl sulfoxides in 67-77% yields. Use of an excess of Grignard reagent results in facile O-alkyl cleavage of the methoxy group to the corresponding naphthol or a competing loss of the alkyl- or aryl- sulfinyl group to form 2-methoxynaphthalene. Pure diastereomers of menthyl 2,7- dimethoxynaphthalene-1-sulfinate (2b) and menthyl 4-methoxynaphthalene-1-sulfinate (3b) have also been prepared and their reactions with Grignard reagents have been studied.
Photolysis of Vinylogous Chloroacetamides as a Route to Novel Bridged Heterocycles
Authors: Bremner JB , Eschler BM , Skelton BW , White AH
Published: September 2010

Photolysis of 1-( chloroacetyl )-8,9-dimethoxy-2,3,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[2,1-a] isoquinoline (4a) and 1-( chloroacetyl )-9,10-dimethoxy-3,4,6,7-tetrahydro-2H-benzo[a] quinolizine (4b) in acidified water/ acetonitrile each gave mixtures of two products: 10,11-dimethoxy-1,4,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-3,6-methano-2H-3-benzazecine-7,13-dione (5) plus crude 7,8-dimethoxy-1,2,4,5,9,10-hexahydrobenzo [de] pyrrolo [3,2,1-ij] isoquinoline-9,10-dione (6); and 12-hydroxy-11-methoxy- 1,2,4,5,6,7,8,9-octahydro-3,7-methano-3-benzazacycloundecine-8,14-dione (7) and 8,9-dimethoxy-2,3,5,6,10,11-hexahydro-1H-benzo[de] pyrido [3,2,1ij ]quinoline-10,11-dione (8), respectively. The structures of (5), (7) and (8) were confirmed by X-ray crystallographic studies.
Epitaxial few-layer graphene: towards single crystal growth
Authors: Hibino H , Kageshima H , Nagase M
Published: September 2010

We review our research towards single-crystal growth of epitaxial few-layer graphene (FLG) on SiC substrates. We have established a method for evaluating the number of graphene layers microscopically using low-energy electron microscopy. Scanning probe microscopy in air is also useful for estimating the number-of-layers distribution in epitaxial FLG. The number-of-layers dependence of the work function and C1s binding energy is determined using photoelectron emission microscopy. We investigate the growth processes of epitaxial FLG on the basis of the microscopic observations of surface morphology and graphene distribution. To gain insights into the growth mechanism, we calculate the SiC surface structures with various C coverages using a first-principles scheme. Uniform bilayer graphene a few micrometres in size is obtained by annealing in UHV.
Interface structure of graphene on SiC: an ab initio and STM approach
Authors: Veuillen J-Y , Hiebel F , Magaud L , Mallet P , Varchon F
Published: September 2010

High temperature treatment of SiC surfaces is a well-established technique for producing graphene directly on top of an insulating substrate. In this domain an important question is the influence of the substrate on the atomic and electronic structure of the graphene layers. This requires a detailed investigation of the interactions at the graphene–SiC interface. Surface science techniques and ab initio calculations are well suited for that purpose. In this paper, we present a brief review of the recent investigations performed in this domain by scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) and ab initio simulations. It is largely based on the work performed in our group, but it also provides a survey of the literature in these fields. Both the so-called Si and C face of the hexagonal 6H(4H)SiC{0 0 0 1} substrates will be considered, as they show markedly different types of behaviour.
Epitaxial graphene on silicon substrates
Authors: Suemitsu M , Fukidome H
Published: September 2010

By forming an ultrathin (∼100 nm) SiC film on Si substrates and by annealing it at ∼1500 K in vacuo, few-layer graphene is formed on Si substrates. Graphene grows on three major low-index surfaces: (1 1 1), (1 0 0) and (1 1 0), allowing us to tune its electronic properties by controlling the crystallographic orientation of the substrate. This graphene on silicon (GOS) technology thus paves the way to industrialization of this new material with inherent excellence. With its feasibility in Si technology, GOS is one of the most promising candidates as a material for Beyond CMOS technology.
Anodic bonded graphene
Authors: Balan Adrian , Kumar Rakesh , Boukhicha Mohamed , Beyssac Olivier , Bouillard Jean-Claude , Taverna Dario , Sacks William , Marangolo Massimiliano , Lacaze Emanuelle , Gohler Roger , Escoffier Walter , Poumirol Jean-Marie , Shukla Abhay
Published: September 2010

We show how to prepare graphene samples on a glass substrate with the anodic bonding method. In this method, a graphite precursor in flake form is bonded to a glass substrate with the help of an electrostatic field and then cleaved off to leave few layer graphene on the substrate. Now that several methods are available for producing graphene, the relevance of our method is in its simplicity and practicality for producing graphene samples of about 100 µm lateral dimensions. This method is also extensible to other layered materials. We discuss some detailed aspects of the fabrication and results from Raman spectroscopy, local probe microscopy and transport measurements on these samples.
‘Graphene-on-insulator’ fabricated on atomically controlled solid surfaces
Authors: Tsukamoto T , Ogino T
Published: September 2010

Graphene or few layer graphene (FLG) was attached on a single-crystalline sapphire surface on which a regularly ordered step/terrace structure was formed. The height of graphene from the substrate surface was observed to be about 0.35 nm, which is almost equal to the layer spacing of graphite. On the attached graphene or FLG surface, the step/terrace structure originating from the sapphire surface was clearly observed because the graphene flake tightly adhered to the sapphire surface. FLGs were etched by a reaction between carbon of the FLG and H2 gas at 900 °C using Fe nanoparticles as catalysts. When a FLG flake is thick, the etching direction is subject to the crystallographic directions of graphene. As the FLG is thinner than 6 nm, strain induced on the FLG surface by the step/terrace structure of the substrate surface influences the etching direction, and etching along a buried step occurs when the Fe nanoparticle size is small. The etching directions of FLG can be controlled by the ordered atomic step arrangement on sapphire surfaces owing to the surface flatness and tight adhesion of graphene to the surface.
Granular superconductivity in metallic and insulating nanocrystalline boron-doped diamond thin films
Authors: Willems B L , Zhang G , Vanacken J , Moshchalkov V V , Janssens S D , Haenen K , Wagner P
Published: September 2010

The low-temperature electrical transport properties of nanocrystalline boron-doped diamond (b-NCD) thin films have been found to be strongly affected by the system's granularity. The important differences between the high and low-temperature behaviour are caused by the inhomogeneous nucleation of superconductivity in the samples. In this paper we will discuss the experimental data obtained on several b-NCD thin films, which were studied by either varying their thickness or boron concentration. It will be shown that the low-temperature properties are influenced by the b-NCD grain boundaries as well as by the appearance of an intrinsic granularity inside these granules. Moreover, superconducting effects have been found to be present even in insulating b-NCD films and are responsible for the negative magnetoresistance regime observed at low temperatures. On the other hand, the low-temperature electrical transport properties of b-NCD films show important similarities with those observed for granular superconductors.
Nanodiamonds for optical bioimaging
Authors: Hui Yuen Yung , Cheng Chia-Liang , Chang Huan-Cheng
Published: September 2010

Diamond has received increasing attention for its promising biomedical applications. The material is highly biocompatible and can be easily conjugated with bioactive molecules. Recently, nanoscale diamond has been applied as light scattering labels and luminescent optical markers. The luminescence, arising from photoexcitation of colour centres, can be substantially enhanced when type Ib diamond nanocrystals are bombarded by a high-energy particle beam and then annealed to form negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy centres. The centre absorbs strongly at 560 nm, fluoresces efficiently in the far-red region and is exceptionally photostable (without photoblinking and photobleaching). It is an ideal candidate for long-term imaging and tracking in complex cellular environments. This review summarizes recent advances in the development of fluorescent nanodiamonds for optical bioimaging with single particle sensitivity and nanometric resolution.
Climate Change, Agriculture, and Poverty
Authors: Hertel Thomas W. , Rosch Stephanie D.
Published: September 2010

Even though much has been written about climate change and poverty as distinct and complex problems, the link between them has received little attention. Understanding this link is vital for the formulation of effective policy responses to climate change. In this article the authors focus on agriculture as a primary means by which the impacts of climate change are transmitted to the poor and as a sector at the forefront of climate change mitigation efforts in developing countries. In so doing, they offer some important insights that may help shape future policies as well as ongoing research in this area.
Polymicrobial necrotizing fasciitis involving enterobacteria producing CTX-M-15 extended-spectrum β-lactamases
Authors: Soleimanian S. , Gordon N. C. , Wareham D. W.
Published: September 2010

Necrotizing fasciitis due to multiple Gram-negative organisms in a Nigerian patient is described. Morganella morganii and Citrobacter freundii carrying the CTX-M-15 extended-spectrum β-lactamase gene were isolated, highlighting the emergence of this β-lactamase in Western Africa and its successful spread amongst a wider range of members of the Enterobacteriaceae.
Two Japanese Corynebacterium ulcerans isolates from the same hospital: ribotype, toxigenicity and serum antitoxin titre
Authors: Komiya Takako , Seto Yukiji , De Zoysa Aruni , Iwaki Masaaki , Hatanaka Akio , Tsunoda Atsunobu , Arakawa Yoshichika , Kozaki Shunji , Takahashi Motohide
Published: September 2010

Two toxigenic Corynebacterium ulcerans isolates recovered from pharyngeal swabs of two patients from the same hospital in Japan during 2001–2002 were characterized by PFGE and ribotyping. Toxin production in different culture media was examined and serological analysis of patient sera was performed. The two isolates could not be distinguished by PFGE; however, their ribotypes were distinguishable. One of the isolates could represent a novel ribotype. Analysis of toxin production in different culture media demonstrated that the two isolates produced varying amounts of the diphtheria toxin. Serological analysis showed a greater than sevenfold increase in the serum antitoxin titre during the course of infection in one patient.
54. On Additions to the Snake Fauna of Egypt
Authors: Flower S. S.
Published: September 2010

Summary.— Snakes of the genera Typhlops and Lycophidium are recorded for the first time from Egypt, remarks are made on the status of Lycophidium abyssinicus, and the Proteroglyph Snake Walterinnesia cegyptia is for the first time definitely proved to be an inhabitant of Egypt.
Sorafenib efficacy in ovarian clear cell carcinoma revealed by transcriptome profiling
Authors: Matsumura Noriomi , Mandai Masaki , Okamoto Takako , Yamaguchi Ken , Yamamura Shogo , Oura Tomonori , Baba Tsukasa , Hamanishi Junzo , Kang Hyun S. , Matsui Shigeyuki , Mori Seiichi , Murphy Susan K. , Konishi Ikuo
Published: September 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate a new modality of therapy against ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC), a chemoresistant subtype of ovarian cancer. Microarray datasets of ovarian cancer cell lines and cancer tissues were analyzed using bioinformatic tools. The gene expression profile of OCCC was similar to that of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). This similarity was at least partially due to hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 pathway activation common to both malignancies. In addition, oncogenic pathway alterations were characteristic of OCCC including hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha subunit and relatively high Ras activities. Therefore, we predicted that the multi‐kinase inhibitor sorafenib, which is approved for RCC and suppresses Ras activity, would also be effective against OCCC. Orally administered sorafenib (40 mg/kg per day) significantly inhibited tumor growth in nude mice when it was given after inoculation with the OCCC cell line RMG‐2 (P = 0.002). Furthermore, sorafenib significantly reduced tumor size when it was administered to established RMG‐2 tumors (P = 0.0002), while intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin (5 mg/kg per week) did not. In conclusion, the prominent anti‐tumor effect of sorafenib against OCCC indicates that sorafenib is a promising candidate drug and supports the need for clinical trials using sorafenib against OCCC. This report demonstrates a method to utilize genome‐wide information to facilitate translational research for treatments against less common subtypes of cancers. (Cancer Sci 2010; 101: 2658–2663)
Lyprinol reduces inflammation and improves lung function in a mouse model of allergic airways disease
Authors: Wood L. G. , Hazlewood L. C. , Foster P. S. , Hansbro P. M.
Published: September 2010

Background
Asthma is an inflammatory airway disease that is characterized by an influx of eosinophils to the lungs, mucus hypersecretion and T helper type 2 cytokine production. Recent dietary changes, including a decreased ω‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake, may have contributed to increased asthma rates and dietary supplementation with marine oil could have clinical benefits.

Objective
To assess the effects of dietary supplementation with ω‐3 PUFAs on allergic inflammation and lung function using a mouse model of ovalbumin (OVA)‐induced allergic airway disease (AAD).

Methods
BALB/c mice received a daily supplement of either fish oil (rich in ω‐3 PUFA) or lyprinol (a complex mixture of various marine lipids plus vitamin E and olive oil) before and during AAD. The effects of supplementation on AAD were assessed.

Results
Lyprinol but not fish oil treatment reduced eosinophil influx into the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, the lung tissue surrounding the airways and the blood, decreased mucus hypersecretion in the lung and reduced airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). The effects of lyprinol were not associated with changes in serum IgG1 or IgG2a, or the release of IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐13 and IFN‐γ.

Conclusions
Lyprinol suppresses the development of allergic inflammation and AHR in AAD. The therapeutic potential of dietary supplementation with lyprinol for asthma warrants further investigation.

Cite this as: L. G. Wood, L. C. Hazlewood, P. S. Foster and P. M. Hansbro, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2010 (40) 1785–1793.
Body mass index is associated with leukotriene inflammation in asthmatics
Authors: Giouleka Paschalina , Papatheodorou Georgios , Lyberopoulos Panagiotis , Karakatsani Anna , Alchanatis Manos , Roussos Charis , Papiris Spyros , Loukides Stelios
Published: September 2010

Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 41 (1): 30–38

Background  Obesity and asthma are characterized by the presence of inflammation. Leptin and adiponectin are circulating hormones produced by adipose tissue that regulate several metabolic and inflammatory functions. We aimed to determine whether obesity influences asthmatic inflammation as well as the contribution of leptin or/and adiponectin to a possible linkage between asthmatic and obesity‐related inflammation.

Materials and methods  One hundred patients with asthma and 60 healthy controls were studied. Subjects who had a comorbid illness that could interfere with the proposed tests were excluded. All subjects were divided into three groups (normal range, pre‐obese, obese) according to the criteria of the current WHO international classification for body mass index (BMI). Possible associations between variables expressing airway inflammation, bronchial hyper‐responsiveness, systemic inflammation and obesity, as assessed by BMI, were evaluated. Leptin and adiponectin were also measured and were associated with asthma airway and systemic inflammatory variables to elucidate possible associations.

Results  Obese patients had significant higher values of LTE4/creatinine in urine compared with pre‐obese and normal range ones. In a linear regression model, the only significant associations were those between BMI and LTE4/creatinine in urine. Using the same model, log leptin and log adiponectin presented positive and negative associations, respectively with LTE4/creatinine in urine. No other significant associations were observed in both patients and healthy subjects.

Conclusions  In a selected cohort of asthmatic patients, obesity is significantly associated with increased urinary leukotriene levels. Alterations of leptin/adiponectin balance may be related to the presence of leukotriene inflammation in obese asthmatic patients.
Perceived competence in children and adolescents with haemophilia: an explorative study
Authors: HEGEMAN A. K. , VAN GENDEREN F. R. , MEIJER S. , VAN DEN BRIEL M. M. , TAMMINGA R. Y. J. , VAN WEERT E.
Published: September 2010

Summary.  With the introduction of prophylaxis, restricting children with haemophilia to participate in physical activities was no longer necessary. Subsequently, many studies report on improved physical functioning in children and adolescents with haemophilia. However, little is known about psychological aspects such as perceived competence and impact of disease. Therefore, the aims of this study were to explore: (i) perceived competence, (ii) perceived impact of illness, and (iii) analyse associations between perceived competence and demographic factors, disease‐related factors and joint status in young haemophiliacs in the Netherlands. Fifty‐four children (age 8–12 years) and 72 adolescents (12–18 years) with haemophilia participated in this cross‐sectional, multi‐centre, explorative study. Measurements included perceived competence (Self Perception Profile for Children/Adolescents; range 6–24/5–20), impact of disease (Revised Perception Illness Experience; range 1–5), demographic factors, disease‐related factors, joint status and functional status. Mean (SD) scores for perceived competence in the children ranged from 17.3 (±4.0) to 19.6 (±4.0), and for adolescents from 13.3 (±2.4) to 15.7 (±2.8) points. In general, scores were comparable with those of healthy peers, but children with haemophilia had a lower global self‐worth score and competence in close friendship was lower for adolescents when compared with those of healthy peers. Mean (SD) scores for impact of disease ranged from 1.2 (±0.4) to 2.3 (±0.8) in children and from 1.3 (±0.4) to 2.0 (±0.8) in adolescents. Severe haemophilia, prophylactic medication, high impact of disease and a shorter walking distance showed a weak to moderate association with perceived competence. Children and adolescents with haemophilia in general have a perceived competence that is nearly comparable with that of healthy peers, with the exception of a lower global self‐worth in children and a lower competence for close friendship in adolescents. Haemophiliacs seem to perceive their disease as having relatively low impact on their life. Severe disease, prophylactic treatment and low functional status seemed to be associated with lower perceived competence.
Comparative study of dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry and quantitative ultrasonography with the use of biochemical markers of bone turnover in boys with haemophilia
Authors: CHRISTOFORIDIS A. , ECONOMOU M. , PAPADOPOULOU E. , KAZANTZIDOU E. , FARMAKI E. , TZIMOULI V. , TSATRA I. , GOMPAKIS N. , ATHANASSIOU‐METAXA M.
Published: September 2010

Summary.  Our aim was to evaluate bone status in boys with haemophilia using dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) and quantitative ultraSonography (QUS), and in addition, to compare these two methods with the use of biochemical markers of bone turnover. Twenty‐six boys with a mean decimal age of 12.08 ± 4.44 years were included in the study which included a DXA scan at lumbar spine and radial, as well as tibial QUS. Serum levels of soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (sRANK‐L), osteoprotegerin (OPG) and osteocalcin (OC) were measured and joint evaluation was performed using the Hemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS). With regard to the study results, only 2 of 26 patients (7.7%) had bone mineral density (BMD) Z‐scores <−2, and 4 patients (15.4%) had BMD Z‐scores between −1 and −2. Only one patient had radial and other two had tibial QUS Z‐scores <−2. No agreement was recorded between QUS and DXA in identifying patients at risk for osteoporosis (k = 0.275, P = 0.063). Haemophiliacs had significantly higher serum levels of sRANK‐L (21.04 ± 4.78 vs. 18.58 ± 2.28 ng mL−1, P = 0.038) and of OC (5.35 ± 2.29 vs. 3.09 ± 0.61 ng mL−1, P = 0.002) and significantly decreased levels of OPG (15.78 ± 2.53 vs. 23.79 ± 4.39 pg mL−1, P < 0.001) compared with controls. QUS Z‐scores at tibia significantly correlated with HJH Scores (r = −0.450, P = 0.040), whereas lumbar BMD Z‐scores significantly correlated with body mass index Z‐scores (r = 0.500, P = 0.009). More studies are warranted to identify the most accurate densitometric method for assessing bone status in haemophiliacs.
Inter‐observer reliability of three different radiographic scores for adult haemophilia
Authors: TAKEDANI H. , FUJII T. , KOBAYASHI Y. , HAGA N. , TATSUNAMI S. , FUJII T.
Published: September 2010

Summary. To evaluate the inter‐observer reliability of radiological assessment systems for haemophilic arthropathy, three senior orthopaedic surgeons with expertise in haemophilia independently evaluated a total of 527 joint radiographs of adult haemophilia patients, without any knowledge of the clinical data. This study was the largest study to evaluate the reliability of radiological assessment systems. As for the results, the Arnold‐Hilgartner staging system showed moderate reliability (kappa value: κ = 0.44,P = 0.000), and the De Palma grading system and the Pettersson scoring system showed fair reliability (κ = 0.40,P = 0.000) and slight reliability (κ = 0.12,P = 0.000) respectively. As for the reliability of the eight findings in the Pettersson scoring system, three findings, which were ‘narrowing of joint space’ (κ = 0.70P = 0.000), ‘irregular subchondral surface’ (κ = 0.58,P = 0.000) and ‘erosion of joint margins’ (κ = 0.56,P = 0.000), showed substantial or moderate reliability. Other findings showed fair or less reliability. The traditional radiological assessment systems showed poor inter‐observer reliability. Both progressive scales showed higher reliability than the additive scale, and the three findings in the Pettersson scoring system showed good reliability. These results suggested that the progressive scale, including the three reliable radiological findings, might be a more reliable radiological assessment system.
Staffing, skill mix and the model of care
Authors: Duffield Christine , Roche Michael , Diers Donna , Catling‐Paull Christine , Blay Nicole
Published: September 2010

Aims and objectives. The study aimed to explore whether nurse staffing, experience and skill mix influenced the model of nursing care in medical‐surgical wards.

Background. Methods of allocating nurses to patients are typically divided into four types: primary nursing, patient allocation, task assignment and team nursing. Research findings are varied in regard to the relationship between these models of care and outcomes such as satisfaction and quality. Skill mix has been associated with various models, with implications for collegial support, teamwork and patient outcomes.

Design. Secondary analysis of data collected on 80 randomly selected medical‐surgical wards in 19 public hospitals in New South Wales, Australia during 2004–2005.

Methods. Nurses (n = 2278, 80·9% response rate) were surveyed using The Nursing Care Delivery System and the Nursing Work Index‐Revised. Staffing and skill mix was obtained from the ward roster and other data from the patient record. Models of care were examined in relation to these practice environment and organisational variables.

Results. The models of nursing care most frequently reported by nurses in medical‐surgical wards in this study were patient allocation (91%) and team nursing (80%). Primary nursing and task based models were unlikely to be practised. Skill mix, nurse experience, nursing workload and factors in the ward environment significantly influenced the model of care in use. Wards with a higher ratio of degree qualified, experienced registered nurses, working on their ‘usual’ ward were more likely to practice patient allocation while wards with greater variability in staffing levels and skill mix were more likely to practice team nursing.

Conclusions. Models of care are not prescriptive but are varied according to ward circumstances and staffing levels based on complex clinical decision making skills.

Relevance to clinical practice. Variability in the models of care reported by ward nurses indicates that nurses adapt the model of nursing care on a daily or shift basis, according to patients’ needs, skill mix and individual ward environments.
The lived experience of persons with lower extremity amputation
Authors: Liu Fen , Williams Rhonda M , Liu Hsueh‐Erh , Chien Nai‐Hui
Published: September 2010

Aim.  The aim of this study was to describe and understand the lived experience of people with lower extremity amputation.

Background.  The loss of a body part can cause physical, psychological and social disturbances. The majority of previous studies in this area focus on the impact of amputation or the effectiveness of rehabilitation programmes. This is the first study in Taiwan exploring the holistic experiences of persons with amputation.

Design.  A phenomenological research design was used.

Methods.  Semi‐structured interviews were performed with 22 people with lower extremity amputation. Interviews were tape‐recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using Colaizzi’s phenomenological analysis method.

Results.  The lived experience of persons with lower extremity amputation could be categorised into the following four themes: ‘lost in the dark woods’, ‘emotional collapse’, ‘difficulty in passing through the shadow’ and ‘igniting a gleam of hope’.

Conclusions.  Participants described suffering in physical, psychological and sociocultural realms and the ways they strived to cope with these challenges. The findings of this study provide an enhanced understanding of the experiences of people with lower extremity amputation and underscore the importance of truly listening and responding to their concerns. The need to appreciate cultural context and to develop the peer‐based support programme was highlighted.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Health professionals need to acknowledge the real needs of people with lower extremity amputation and provide them a clear explanation regarding the short‐term and long‐term health issues associated with amputation during the pre‐ and post‐amputation phase. Health professionals also need to expand the scope of services beyond a physical and prosthetic focus. Supportive psychological and social interventions such as formal support groups and peer support programmes may provide a powerful and inexpensive addition to routine care. Currently, such programmes are unavailable in Taiwan.
Urinary retention in older patients in connection with hip fracture surgery
Authors: Johansson Rose‐Marie , Christensson Lennart
Published: September 2010

Aim and objective.  The aim of this study was to examine the presence of urinary retention in older patients with hip fracture and to describe what actions nurses performed to detect, prevent and treat urinary retention.

Background.  The incidence of urinary retention in patients with hip fracture is described as being as high as 82% before surgery and 56% after. Urinary retention is traditionally treated with an indwelling urethral catheter or intermittent catheterisation. Urinary retention and treatment with an indwelling urethral catheter are associated with high risks.

Design.  A prospective, descriptive study.

Methods.  The study included 48 patients, 65 years or older who were recovering from hip fracture and receiving hospital care at a geriatric rehabilitation clinic. Six months before the study, a programme for the early detection, prevention and treatment of urinary retention was implemented. The presence of urinary retention, bacteriuria, the patient’s cognitive function, use of ultra‐sound bladder scan and type of treatment whether the patient suffered from urinary retention were examined during the study period.

Results.  Urinary retention was found in 18 (38%) of the patients. No patients were examined using ultrasound bladder scan according to the programme, and the mean time of indwelling urethral catheter was three times longer than the programme suggested. The patients who were treated with intermittent catheterisation had had voiding satisfaction earlier and had not had repeated urinary retention compared to patients with indwelling urethral catheter.

Conclusion.  In most patients, the programme was not followed and urinary retention was commonly present.

Relevance to clinical practice.  There is knowledge on how to reduce the presence of urinary retention, but the great challenge is how to implement this knowledge.
A retrospective study of drug‐related problems in Australian aged care homes: medication reviews involving pharmacists and general practitioners
Authors: Nishtala Prasad S. , McLachlan Andrew J. , Bell J. Simon , Chen Timothy F.
Published: September 2010

Background  Drug‐related problems (DRPs) in Australian aged care homes have been studied previously. However, little is known about the acceptance and implementation of pharmacists' recommendations by general practitioners (GPs) to resolve DRPs.

Objectives  The primary objective of this study was to investigate the number and nature of DRPs identified by accredited clinical pharmacists. The secondary objective was to study the GP acceptance and implementation of pharmacist recommendations to resolve DRPs.

Methods  This was a retrospective study of 500 randomly selected, de‐identified medication reviews performed by 10 accredited clinical pharmacists over 6 months across 62 aged care homes. The DRPs identified by pharmacists were subsequently classified by the drugs involved, types of problem (indication, effectiveness and safety) and medical diagnoses of the patient. GP written feedback on the medication review reports determined implementation of pharmacists' recommendations to resolve the DRPs.

Results  A total of 1433 DRPs were identified in 480 of the 500 residents. Potential DRPs were frequently classified as risk of adverse drug reactions, need for additional monitoring and inappropriate choice of a drug. Alimentary, cardiovascular, central nervous system and respiratory drugs were most frequently implicated, accounting for more than 75% of the DRPs. GPs' acceptance and implementation of pharmacists recommendations were 72.5% (95% CI; 70.2, 74.8) and 58.1% (95% CI; 55.5, 60.6), respectively.

Conclusions  Over 96% of the residents had potential DRPs identified by pharmacists. GP acceptance of pharmacists' recommendations was independent of the drug category, but not independent of the disease category.
The P15 – a multinational assessment battery for collecting data on health indicators relevant to adults with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Perry J. , Linehan C. , Kerr M. , Salvador‐Carulla L. , Zeilinger E. , Weber G. , Walsh P. , Van Schrojenstein Lantman‐de‐Valk H. , Haveman M. , Azema B. , Buono S. , Câra A. Carmen , Germanavicius A. , Van Hove G. , Määttä T. , Berger D. Moravec , Tossebro J.
Published: September 2010

Background  Health disparities between adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) and the general population have been well documented but, to date, no dedicated assessment battery for measuring health disparity has been available. This paper reports on the development and testing of a multinational assessment battery for collecting data on a range of health indicators relevant to adults with ID.

Methods  An assessment battery (the P15) was developed following piloting, and administered to samples of adults with ID, in 14 EU countries. Samples were neither random, nor representative of the countries from which they were drawn. However, within the local health administration areas selected in each country, efforts were made to ensure samples were broadly representative of the typical living circumstances, ages and ability levels of the administrative population of adults with ID. The total sample comprised 1269 adults with ID, of whom 49% were female. The mean age was 41 years (range 19 to 90).

Results  Overall, feasibility, internal consistency and face validity of the P15 was acceptable.

Conclusions  With some refinement the P15 could be useful for collecting data on health indicators known to be particularly important for adults with ID. It is useable in a range of countries and has the potential to highlight health inequity for adults with ID at a national or local level. Larger scale epidemiological studies are needed to exploit the potential of the P15 to address health inequity in this group.
Increasing competence in the genus Streptococcus
Authors: Håvarstein Leiv Sigve
Published: September 2010

Streptococcus pneumoniae is one of the most important model organisms for studies on natural genetic transformation in bacteria. The prevalence of this gene exchange mechanism in the genus Streptococcus has not been subjected to systematic investigations, but it has been known for decades that only a few streptococcal species develop the competent state spontaneously when grown under laboratory conditions. The recent discovery of a new mechanism regulating natural transformation in Streptococcus thermophilus suggested that this property might be more widespread among streptococci than previously thought. This suspicion has been confirmed by Mashburn‐Warren and co‐workers, who in the current issue of Molecular Microbiology report the discovery of a novel competence‐inducing pheromone that is conserved in Streptococcus mutans and a number of pyogenic streptococci.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection of a native polycystic kidney following renal transplantation
Authors: Rabbani M.A. , Ahmed B. , Khan M.A.
Published: September 2010

M.A. Rabbani, B. Ahmed, M.A. Khan. Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection of a native polycystic kidney following renal transplantation. Transpl Infect Dis 2011: 13: 44–46. All rights reserved

Abstract: Tuberculosis is a recognized complication following renal transplantation. Patients with autosomal‐dominant polycystic kidney disease are increasingly being offered renal transplantation as an alternative to chronic hemodialysis. These patients are uniquely susceptible to serious upper urinary tract infections that are associated with significant morbidity and mortality.  While involvement with gram‐negative organisms is well described, mycobacterial infection of native polycystic kidneys after transplantation has not been addressed. We report a case of a renal transplant recipient who suffered an isolated Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection of a native polycystic kidney. With a 4‐drug anti‐tuberculosis therapy (ATT) regimen, the patient responded and became afebrile 8 weeks after initiation of drug therapy. ATT was continued for a total of 1 year. Two years after completion of ATT, the patient enjoys a normal life and has stable graft function. M. tuberculosis, though not common, must be recognized as a potential source of infection of native polycystic kidneys in immunocompromised transplant recipients. Similar to the pattern observed with more common pathogens, these infections may be difficult to eradicate with standard antimicrobial drug regimens.
Do invasive ants respond more strongly to carbohydrate availability than co‐occurring non‐invasive ants? A test along an activeAnoplolepis gracilipesinvasion front
Authors: SAVAGE AMY M. , JOHNSON SALLY D. , WHITNEY KENNETH D. , RUDGERS JENNIFER A.
Published: September 2010

Invasions by non‐native insects can have important ecological impacts, particularly on island ecosystems. However, the factors that promote the success of invaders relative to co‐occurring non‐invasive species remain unresolved. For invasive ants, access to carbohydrate resources via interactions with both extrafloral nectary‐bearing plants and honeydew‐excreting insects may accelerate the invasion process. A first step towards testing this hypothesis is to determine whether invasive ants respond to variation in the availability of carbohydrate resources, and whether this response differs from that of co‐occurring, non‐invasive ants. We investigated the effect of carbohydrate subsidies on the short‐term foraging and hemipteran‐tending behaviours of the invasive antAnoplolepis gracilipes(Formicidae) and co‐occurring ant species on an extrafloral nectary‐bearing plant by experimentally manipulating carbohydrate levels and tracking ant recruitment. We conducted experiments in 2 years at two sites: one site was invaded byA. gracilipesprior to 2007 and the other became invaded during the course of our study, allowing pre‐ (2007) and post‐invasion (2009) comparisons. Short‐term increases in carbohydrate availability increased the density ofA. gracilipesworkers on plants by as much as 400% and reduced tending of honeydew‐excreting insects by this species by up to 89%, with similar responses across years. In contrast, ants at the uninvaded site in 2007 showed a weak and non‐significant forager recruitment response. Across all sites,A. gracilipesworkers were the only ants that responded to carbohydrate manipulations in 2009. Furthermore, ant–carbohydrate dynamics at a site newly invaded byA. gracilipesquickly diverged from dynamics at uninvaded sites and converged on those of the site with an established invasion. These findings suggest that carbohydrate resources may be particularly important forA. gracilipesinvasions, and underscore the importance of species interactions, particularly putative mutualisms, in facilitating exotic species invasions.
Is N‐resorption efficiency related to secondary compounds and leaf longevity in coexisting plant species of the arid Patagonian Monte, Argentina?
Authors: CAMPANELLA MARÍA VICTORIA , BERTILLER MÓNICA B.
Published: September 2010

Leaf longevity and nutrient resorption efficiency are important strategies to conserve plant nutrients. Theory suggests a negative relationship between them and also proposes that high concentration of phenolics in long‐lived leaves may reduce nutrient resorption. In order to provide new evidence on these relationships, we explored whether N‐resorption efficiency is related to leaf longevity, secondary compounds and other leaf traits in coexisting plant species of different life forms in the arid Patagonian Monte, Argentina. We assessed N‐resorption efficiency, green leaf traits (leaf mass per area (LMA), leaf longevity and lignin, total soluble phenolics and N concentrations) and N concentration in senescent leaves of 12 species of different life forms (evergreen shrubs, deciduous shrubs and perennial grasses) with contrasting leaf traits. We found that leaf longevity was positively correlated to LMA and lignin, and negatively correlated to N concentration in green leaves. N concentrations both in green and senescent leaves were positively related. N‐resorption efficiency was not associated with the concentration of secondary compounds (total soluble phenolics and lignin) but it was negatively related to LMA and leaf longevity and positively related to N concentration in green leaves. Furthermore, leaf traits overlapped among life forms highlighting that life forms are not a good indicator of the functional properties (at least in relation to nutrient conservation) of species. In conclusion, our findings indicated that differences in N‐resorption efficiency among coexisting species were more related to N concentration in green leaves, leaf lifespan and LMA than to the presence of secondary compounds at least those assessed in our study (soluble phenolics and lignin). Accordingly, N‐resorption efficiency seems to be modulated, at least in part, by the productivity–persistence trade‐off.