bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human Keratinocyte Growth and Differentiation on Acellular Porcine Dermal Matrix in relation to Wound Healing Potential
Authors: Zajicek Robert , Mandys Vaclav , Mestak Ondrej , Sevcik Jan , Königova Radana , Matouskova Eva
Published: May 2012

A number of implantable biomaterials derived from animal tissues are now used in modern surgery. Xe-Derma is a dry, sterile, acellular porcine dermis. It has a remarkable healing effect on burns and other wounds. Our hypothesis was that the natural biological structure of Xe-Derma plays an important role in keratinocyte proliferation and formation of epidermal architecturein vitroas well asin vivo. The bioactivity of Xe-Derma was studied by a cell culture assay. We analyzed growth and differentiation of human keratinocytes culturedin vitroon Xe-Derma, and we compared the results with formation of neoepidermis in the deep dermal wounds treated with Xe-Derma. Keratinocytes cultured on Xe-Derma submerged in the culture medium achieved confluence in 7–10 days. After lifting the cultures to the air-liquid interface, the keratinocytes were stratified and differentiated within one week, forming an epidermis with basal, spinous, granular, and stratum corneum layers. Immunohistochemical detection of high-molecular weight cytokeratins (HMW CKs), CD29, p63, and involucrin confirmed the similarity of organization and differentiation of the cultured epidermal cells to the normal epidermis. The results suggest that the firm natural structure of Xe-Derma stimulates proliferation and differentiation of human primary keratinocytes and by this way improves wound healing.
Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors SuppressLactobacillus caseiCell-Wall-Induced NF-κB and MAPK Activations and Cell Proliferation through Protein Kinase A—or Exchange Protein Activated by cAMP-Dependent Signal Pathway
Authors: Saito Takekatsu , Sugimoto Naotoshi , Ohta Kunio , Shimizu Tohru , Ohtani Kaori , Nakayama Yuko , Nakamura Taichi , Hitomi Yashiaki , Nakamura Hiroyuki , Koizumi Shoichi , Yachie Akihiro
Published: May 2012

Specific strains ofLactobacillushave been found to be beneficial in treating some types of diarrhea and vaginosis. However, a high mortality rate results from underlying immunosuppressive conditions in patients withLactobacillus caseibacteremia. Cyclic AMP (cAMP) is a small second messenger molecule that mediates signal transduction. The onset and progression of inflammatory responses are sensitive to changes in steady-state cAMP levels.L. caseicell wall extract (LCWE) develops arteritis in mice through Toll-like receptor-2 signaling. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether intracellular cAMP affects LCWE-induced pathological signaling. LCWE was shown to induce phosphorylation of the nuclear factorκB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways and cell proliferation in mice fibroblast cells. Theophylline and phosphodiesterase inhibitor increased intracellular cAMP and inhibited LCWE-induced cell proliferation as well as phosphorylation of NF-κB and MAPK. Protein kinase A inhibitor H89 prevented cAMP-induced MAPK inhibition, but not cAMP-induced NF-κB inhibition. An exchange protein activated by cAMP (Epac) agonist inhibited NF-κB activation but not MAPK activation. These results indicate that an increase in intracellular cAMP prevents LCWE induction of pathological signaling pathways dependent on PKA and Epac signaling.
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of the Breast at 3T: Pre- and Post-Contrast Evaluation for Breast Lesion Characterization
Authors: Kousi E. , Tsougos I. , Vasiou K. , Theodorou K. , Poultsidi A. , Fezoulidis I. , Kappas C.
Published: May 2012

Purpose. To determine whether in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 3T can provide accurate breast lesion characterization, and to determine the effect of gadolinium on the resonance of tCho.Methods. Twenty-four positive-mammogram patients were examined on a 3T MR scanner. 1H-MRS was performed before and after gadolinium administration. tCho peak was qualitatively evaluated before and after contrast injection.Results. Fourteen out of 27 lesions proved to be malignant after histopathological diagnosis. Using 1H-MRS, before contrast injection, 6/14 confirmed malignancies and 11/13 benign lesions were correctly classified; while, after contrast injection, 11/14 confirmed malignancies and 12/13 benign processes were correctly classified. Post gadolinium 1H-MRS proved useful in picking up tCho signal, improving the overall accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity by 35%, 83%, and 9%, respectively.Conclusion. 1H-MRS overall accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity in detecting breast lesion’s malignancy were increased after gadolinium administration. It is prudent to perform 1H-MRS before contrast injection in large breast lesions to avoid choline underestimation. In cases of small or non-mass lesions, it is recommended to perform 1H-MRS after contrast injection for better voxel prescription to enable a reliable preoperative diagnosis.
GP's Adherence to Guidelines for Cardiovascular Disease among Elderly: A Quality Development Study
Authors: Modig Sara , Höglund Peter , Troein Margareta , Midlöv Patrik
Published: May 2012

Background. Evidence-based guidelines should in most cases be followed also in the treatment of elderly. Older people are often suboptimally treated with the recommended drugs.Objectives. To describe how well general practitioners adhere to current guidelines in the treatment of elderly with cardiovascular disease and evaluate local education as a tool for improvement.Method. Data was collected from the medical records of patients aged ≥65, who visited a primary health care center in Sweden 2006 and had one or more of the following diagnoses: hypertension, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, chronic atrial fibrillation, or prior stroke. Local education was organized and included feed-back to the patient’s doctor and discussion about regional guidelines. Repeated measurements were performed in 2008.Results and Conclusion. The adherence to guidelines was low. Approximately one-third of the patients with hypertension reached target blood pressure, stroke patients more often. More patients with heart failure were treated with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor than in other European countries, but still only 60%. Half of the patients with chronic atrial fibrillation were treated with Warfarin, although more than two-thirds had a CHADS2score indicating the need. Educational efforts appeared to increase the adherence and hence should be encouraged.
Assessment of the Prevalence of Pulp Stones in a Sample of Turkish Central Anatolian Population
Authors: Çolak Hakan , Çelebi Ahmet Arif , Hamidi M. Mustafa , Bayraktar Yusuf , Çolak Tuğba , Uzgur Recep
Published: May 2012

Objective. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of pulp stones (PS) in a Turkish dental patient population with respect to sexes and dental localization in relation between sex and this anomaly.Materials Methods. A retrospective study was performed using bitewing radiographs of 814 patients ranging in age from 15 to 65. All data (age, sex, and location) was obtained from the files. These patients were analyzed for pulp stones. Descriptive characteristics of sexes, jaws, and dental localization were recorded. The Pearson chi-squared test was used.Results. Of the patients, 462 (56.8%) were female and 352 (43.2%) were male. Sixty (12%) had one or more teeth that contained pulp stones. Pulp stones were identified in 518 (63.6%) of the subjects and in 2391 (27.8%) of the teeth examined. Pulp stone occurrence was significantly more common in the females than in males. With the increasing of age, the prevalence of pulp stones increased. Molars had statistically more pulp stones than premolars. Pulp stones were significantly more common in the maxilla compared with mandible.Conclusion. Prevalence of pulp stones in Turkish population was 27.8% but further larger-scale studies are required to assess its prevalence in the general population to compare it with other ethnic groups.
Cardiac Output and Performance during a Marathon Race in Middle-Aged Recreational Runners
Authors: Billat Véronique L. , Petot Hélène , Landrain Morgan , Meilland Renaud , Koralsztein Jean Pierre , Mille-Hamard Laurence
Published: May 2012

Purpose. Despite the increasing popularity of marathon running, there are no data on the responses of stroke volume (SV) and cardiac output (CO) to exercise in this context. We sought to establish whether marathon performance is associated with the ability to sustain high fractional use of maximal SV and CO (i.e, cardiac endurance) and/or CO, per meter (i.e., cardiac cost).Methods. We measured the SV, heart rate (HR), CO, and running speed of 14 recreational runners in an incremental, maximal laboratory test and then during a real marathon race (mean performance: 3 hr 30 min±45 min).Results. Our data revealed that HR, SV and CO were all in a high but submaximal steady state during the marathon (87.0±1.6%, 77.2±2.6%, and 68.7±2.8% of maximal values, respectively). Marathon performance was inversely correlated with an upward drift in the CO/speed ratio (mL ofCO×m−1) (r=−0.65,P<0.01) and positively correlated with the runner’s ability to complete the race at a high percentage of the speed at maximal SV (r=0.83,P<0.0002).Conclusion. Our results showed that marathon performance is inversely correlated with cardiac cost and positively correlated with cardiac endurance. The CO response could be a benchmark for race performance in recreational marathon runners.
Spectroscopic and Thermooxidative Analysis of Organic Okra Oil and Seeds fromAbelmoschus esculentus
Authors: de Sousa Ferreira Soares Geórgia , Gomes Vinicius de Morais , dos Reis Albuquerque Anderson , Barbosa Dantas Manoel , Rosenhain Raul , Souza Antônio Gouveia de , Persunh Darlene Camati , Gadelha Carlos Alberto de Almeida , Costa Maria José de Carvalho , Gadelha Tatiane Santi
Published: May 2012

With changes in human consumption from animal fats to vegetable oils, the search for seed types, often from unconventional vegetable sources has grown. Research on the chemical composition of both seed and oil for Brazilian Okra in South America is still incipient. In this study, flour and oil from organic Okra seeds (Abelmoschus esculentus LMoench), grown in northeastern Brazil were analyzed. Similar to Okra varieties from the Middle East and Central America, Brazilian Okra has significant amounts of protein (22.14%), lipids (14.01%), and high amounts of unsaturated lipids (66.32%), especially the oleic (20.38%) and linoleic acids (44.48%). Oil analysis through PDSC revealed an oxidation temperature of 175.2°C, which in combination with low amounts of peroxide, demonstrates its resistance to oxidation and favors its use for human consumption.
Animal Bones Char Solubilization by Gel-EntrappedYarrowia lipolyticaon Glycerol-Based Media
Authors: Vassileva Maria , Eichler-Lobermann Bettina , Reyes Antonia , Vassilev Nikolay
Published: May 2012

Citric acid was produced with free and k-carrageenan-entrapped cells of the yeastYarrowia lipolyticain single and repeated batch-shake-flask fermentations on glycerol-based media. Simultaneous solubilization of hydroxyapatite of animal bone origin (HABO) was tested in all experiments. The highest citric acid production by free yeast cells of 20.4 g/L and 18.7 g/L was reached after 96 h of fermentation in the absence and presence of 3 g/L HABO, respectively. The maximum values for the same parameter achieved by gel-entrapped cells in conditions of single batch and repeated-batch fermentation processes were 18.7 g/L and 28.1 g/L registered after 96 h and the 3d batch cycle, respectively. The highest citric acid productivity of 0.58 g L−1h−1was obtained with immobilized cells in repeated batch mode of fermentation when the added hydroxyapatite of 3 g/L was solubilized to 399 mg/L whereas the maximum efficiency of 89.0% was obtained with 1 g/L of HABO.
Motion Streaks Do Not Influence the Perceived Position of Stationary Flashed Objects
Authors: Pavan Andrea , Bellacosa Marotti Rosilari
Published: May 2012

In the present study, we investigated whether motion streaks, produced by fast moving dots Geisler 1999, distort the positional map of stationary flashed objects producing the well-known motion-induced position shift illusion (MIPS). The illusion relies on motion-processing mechanisms that induce local distortions in the positional map of the stimulus which is derived by shape-processing mechanisms. To measure the MIPS, two horizontally offset Gaussian blobs, placed above and below a central fixation point, were flashed over two fields of dots moving in opposite directions. Subjects judged the position of the top Gaussian blob relative to the bottom one. The results showed that neither fast (motion streaks) nor slow moving dots influenced the perceived spatial position of the stationary flashed objects, suggesting that background motion does not interact with the shape-processing mechanisms involved in MIPS.
Different Cardiovascular Responses to a Resistance Training Session in Hypertensive Women Receiving Propanolol Compared with Normotensive Controls
Authors: Moraes Miguel Fabiano , Alexandre Grings Luis , Borges Pereira Guilherme , Diego Leite Richard , Vieira Amilton , Frade de Sousa Nuno Manuel , Simão Roberto , Prestes Jonato
Published: May 2012

The aim of the present study was to compare the responses of blood pressure, heart rate, and rate-pressure product of hypertensive women using beta-blockers with healthy controls during resistance exercise (by the end of the concentric phase of the contractions) and in the postexercise period (5 and 30 minutes after). Ten untrained normotensive women (N) and 10 mildly hypertensive females receiving 40 mg/day of propanolol (H) were selected. Three sets of 10 repetitions at 80% of 10 repetitions maximum with 30 s rest interval were performed on the leg press exercise. The H group exhibited lower systolic blood pressure after the second set compared with N. Heart rate and rate-pressure product were lower in H in all analyzed periods compared with N. Propanolol attenuates the cardiovascular response to a leg press resistance exercise in mildly hypertensive women.
Mutation at the Human D1S80 Minisatellite Locus
Authors: Balamurugan Kuppareddi , Tracey Martin L. , Heine Uwe , Maha George C. , Duncan George T.
Published: May 2012

Little is known about the general biology of minisatellites. The purpose of this study is to examine repeat mutations from the D1S80 minisatellite locus by sequence analysis to elucidate the mutational process at this locus. This is a highly polymorphic minisatellite locus, located in the subtelomeric region of chromosome 1. We have analyzed 90,000 human germline transmission events and found seven (7) mutations at this locus. The D1S80 alleles of the parentage trio, the child, mother, and the alleged father were sequenced and the origin of the mutation was determined. Using American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) guidelines, we found a male mutation rate of1.04×10-4and a female mutation rate of5.18×10-5with an overall mutation rate of approximately7.77×10-5. Also, in this study, we found that the identified mutations are in close proximity to the center of the repeat array rather than at the ends of the repeat array. Several studies have examined the mutational mechanisms of the minisatellites according to infinite allele model (IAM) and the one-step stepwise mutation model (SMM). In this study, we found that this locus fits into the one-step mutation model (SMM) mechanism in six out of seven instances similar to STR loci.
Prostatic Relaxation Induced by Loperamide Is Reduced in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Lee Liang-Ming , Lu Chih-Cheng , Chung Hsien-Hui , Cheng Juei-Tang
Published: May 2012

This paper shows a new finding about the decrease of relaxative response to loperamide in prostate of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) as compare to normal rats (WKY). Authors demonstrated the reduction of ATP-sensitive potassium channels is resposible for this change using immunoblotting analysis and the decrease of action induced by diazoxide. This view is not mentioned before and is the first one reporting this result.
Two Rare NorthernEntolomaSpecies Observed in Sicily under Exceptionally Cold Weather Conditions
Authors: Venturella Giuseppe , Saitta Alessandro , Mandracchia Gerlando , Gargano Maria Letizia
Published: May 2012

The biology and ecology of manyEntolomaspecies is still poorly known as well as their geographical distribution. In Italy, there are no studies on the influence of weather on fungal abundance and richness and our knowledge on the ecology and distribution ofEntolomaspecies needs to be improved. The discovery of twoEntolomaspecies in Sicily (southern Italy), reported in the literature as belonging to the habitat of north European countries, was the basis leading to the assumption that anomalous climatic conditions could stimulate the growth of northern entolomas in the southernmost Mediterranean regions. The results of this study show that the presence of northernEntolomaspecies in Sicily is not influenced by the Mediterranean type of vegetation, by edaphic or altitudinal factors but by anomalous climatic trends of precipitations and temperatures which stimulate the fructification of basidiomata in correspondence with a thermal shock during autumn.
Ephedra alte(Joint Pine): An Invasive, Problematic Weedy Species in Forestry and Fruit Tree Orchards in Jordan
Authors: Qasem Jamal R.
Published: May 2012

A field survey was carried out to record plant species climbed byEphedra altein certain parts of Jordan during 2008–2010. Forty species of shrubs, ornamental, fruit, and forest trees belonging to 24 plant families suffered from the climbing habit ofE. alte. Growth of host plants was adversely affected byE. altegrowth that extended over their vegetation. In addition to its possible competition for water and nutrients, the extensive growth it forms over host species prevents photosynthesis, smothers growth and makes plants die underneath the extensive cover. However,E. altedid not climb all plant species, indicating a host preference range. Damaged fruit trees includedAmygdalus communis, Citrus aurantifolia, Ficus carica, Olea europaea, Opuntia ficus-indica, and Punica granatum. Forestry species that were adversely affected includedAcacia cyanophylla, Ceratonia siliqua, Crataegus azarolus, Cupressus sempervirens, Pinus halepensis, Pistacia atlantica, Pistacia palaestina, Quercus coccifera, Quercus infectoria, Retama raetam, Rhamnus palaestina, Rhus tripartita, andZizyphus spina-christi. Woody ornamentals attacked wereAilanthus altissima, Hedera helix, Jasminum fruticans, Jasminum grandiflorum, Nerium oleander, andPyracantha coccinea. Results indicated thatE. alteis a strong competitive for light and can completely smother plants supporting its growth.A. communis, F. carica, R. palaestina, andC. azaroluswere most frequently attacked.
Concomitant Administration of Different Doses of Simvastatin with Ivabradine Influence on PAI-1 and Heart Rate in Normo- and Hypercholesterolaemic Rats
Authors: Owczarek Jacek , Jasińska-Stroschein Magdalena , Orszulak-Michalak Daria
Published: May 2012

Ivabradine is a novel heart rate lowering agent that inhibits Ifionic current in the sinus node and demonstrates antiischaemic and antianginal activity. The aim of the paper was to investigate the effect its dose-dependent drug-drug interaction with simvastatin inhibitor HMGCo-A has on PAI-1 blood level, heart rate and blood pressure. The experiments were performed in hyper- and normocholesterolemic Wistar rats receiving simvastatin (1 and20 mg×kg−1 bw) with ivabradine (10 mg×kg−1 bw) during a 4-week period. Ivabradine exacerbated the decrease of PAI-1 in normocholesterolemic animals receiving simvastatin at a dose of 1 mg/kg bw and was not observed to have any significant influence on the PAI-1 values in rats receiving20 mg×kg−1 bw simvastatin. Ivabradine, coadministered with simvastatin given at a dose of20 mg×kg−1 bw, significantly slowed the heart rate in normocholesterolaemic and hypercholesterolaemic groups as compared to the group receiving ivabradine alone.Conclusion.The administration of ivabradine to normocholesterolaemic and hypercholesterolaemic rats receiving simvastatin significantly exacerbated the slowing of heart rate with no effect on blood pressure. The administration of ivabradine has been shown to demonstrate different effects on PAI-1 values depending on lipid disorders.
Experimental Infection and Detection of Necrotizing Hepatopancreatitis Bacterium in the American LobsterHomarus americanus
Authors: Avila-Villa Luz A. , Gollas-Galván Teresa , Martínez-Porchas Marcel , Mendoza-Cano Fernando , Hernández-López Jorge
Published: May 2012

Necrotizing hepatopancreatitis bacterium (NHPB) is an obligated intracellular bacteria causing severe hepatopancreatic damages and mass mortalities in penaeid shrimp. The worldwide distribution of penaeid shrimp as alien species threatens the life cycle of other crustacean species. The aim of the experiment was to evaluate the possibility of experimentally infecting the American lobster (Homarus americanus) with NHPB extracted from shrimp hepatopancreas. Homogenates from infected shrimp were fed by force to lobsters. Other group of lobsters was fed with homogenates of NHPB-free hepatopancreas. After the 15th day from initial inoculation, the presence of NHPB was detected by polymerase chain reaction in feces and hepatopancreas from lobsters inoculated with infected homogenates. Necrotized spots were observed in the surface of lobster hepatopancreas. In contrast, lobsters fed on NHPB-free homogenates resulted negative for NHPB. Evidence suggests the plasticity of NHPB which can infect crustacean from different species and inhabiting diverse latitudes. Considering the results, the American lobster could be a good candidate to maintain available NHPBin vivo.
Alveolar Overdistension as a Cause of Lung Injury: Differences among Three Animal Species
Authors: García-Delgado Manuel , Navarrete-Sánchez Inés , Chamorro-Marín Virginia , Díaz-Monrové Juan Carlos , Esquivias Javier , Fernández-Mondéjar Enrique
Published: May 2012

This study analyses characteristics of lung injuries produced by alveolar overdistension in three animal species. Mechanical ventilation at normal tidal volume (10 mL/Kg) and high tidal volume (50 mL/Kg) was applied for 30 min in each species. Data were gathered on wet/dry weight ratio, histological score, and area of alveolar collapse. Five out of six rabbits with high tidal volume developed tension pneumothorax, and the rabbit results were therefore not included in the histological analysis. Lungs from the pigs and rats showed minimal histological lesions. Pigs ventilated with high tidal volume had significantly greater oedema, higher neutrophil infiltration, and higher percentage area of alveolar collapse than rats ventilated with high tidal volume. We conclude that rabbits are not an appropriate species for in vivo studies of alveolar overdistension due to their fragility. Although some histological lesions are observed in pigs and rats, the lesions do not appear to be relevant.
Structure-factor statistics and crystal symmetry
Authors: Shmueli U.
Published: May 2012

This article briefly summarizes the ideal structure-factor statistics, which are usually the only ones that are applied at the stage of resolution of space-group ambiguities, and points out their disadvantages. Next, the non-ideal structure-factor statistics,i.e.those taking any atomic composition into account, are summarized and applied to several examples, based on real intensity data. The superiority of the non-ideal statistics, when applied to the problematic space group P\overline{1}, is obvious. It is also shown that statistics for some orthorhombic space groups are rather insensitive to atomic heterogeneity. A table of coefficients is presented from which non-ideal statistics can be computed for all the space groups of the triclinic, monoclinic and orthorhombic systems.
X-ray diffuse scattering in SrTiO3and model of atomic displacements
Authors: Kopecký Miloš , Fábry Jan , Kub Jiří
Published: May 2012

The scattering intensity of synchrotron radiation in a compact three-dimensional volume of the reciprocal space (sinθmax/λ = 0.6283 Å−1) of an SrTiO3single crystal has been measured at temperatures of 115, 130 and 293 K. The curvilinear features of the diffuse pattern were modelled according to the displacements of both cations correlated along the axis [001]cub(where the subscript cub denotes the cubic structure). The results show that Sr2+is displaced from the ideal positions along the crystallographic axis [001]cub, forming a short chain composed of about three Sr2+ions along [001]cub, while the Ti4+ions are moved in the directions [111]cub, or alternatively [101]cubor [011]cub. The Ti4+displacements are also correlated along [001]cub, forming a similarly short chain.
Instrumental setup for high-throughput small- and wide-angle solution scattering at the X33 beamline of EMBL Hamburg
Authors: Blanchet Clement E. , Zozulya Alexey V. , Kikhney Alexey G. , Franke Daniel , Konarev Peter V. , Shang Weifeng , Klaering Robbert , Robrahn Bernd , Hermes Christoph , Cipriani Florent , Svergun Dmitri I. , Roessle Manfred
Published: May 2012

A setup is presented for automated high-throughput measurements of small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) from macromolecular solutions on the bending-magnet beamline X33 of EMBL at the storage ring DORIS-III (DESY, Hamburg). A new multi-cell compartment allows for rapid switching between in-vacuum and in-air operation, for digital camera assisted control of cell filling and for colour sample illumination. The beamline is equipped with a Pilatus 1 M-W pixel detector for SAXS and a Pilatus 300 k-W for wide-angle scattering (WAXS), and results from the use of the Pilatus detectors for scattering studies are reported. The setup provides a broad resolution range from 100 to 0.36 nm without the necessity of changing the sample-to-detector distance. A new optimized robotic sample changer is installed, permitting rapid and reliable automated sample loading and cell cleaning with a required sample volume of 40 µl. All the devices are fully integrated into the beamline control software system, ensuring fully automated and user-friendly operation (attended, unattended and remote) with a throughput of up to 15 measurements per hour.
Prescribing errors in hospital practice
Authors: Tully Mary P.
Published: May 2012

Prescribing errors that occur in hospitals have been a source of concern for decades. This narrative review describes some of the recent work in this field. There is considerable heterogeneity in definitions and methods used in research on prescribing errors. There are three definitions that are used most frequently (one for prescribing errors specifically and two for the broader arena of medication errors), although many others have also been used. Research methods used focus primarily on investigating either the prescribing process (such as errors in the dose prescribed) or the outcomes for the patient (such as preventable adverse drug events). This complicates attempts to calculate the overall prevalence or incidence of errors. Errors have been reported in handwritten descriptions of almost 15% and with electronic prescribing of up to 8% of orders. Errors are more likely to be identified on admission to hospital than at any other time (usually failure to continue ongoing medication) and errors of dose occur most commonly throughout the patients' stay. Although there is evidence that electronic prescribing reduces the number of errors, new types of errors also occur. The literature on causes of error shows some commonality with both handwritten and electronic prescribing but there are also causes that are unique to each. A greater understanding of the prevalence of the complex causal pathways found and the differences between the pathways of minor and severe errors is necessary. Such an understanding would underpin theoretically‐based interventions to reduce the occurrence of prescribing errors.
Diagnosis and management of maternal thrombocytopenia in pregnancy
Authors: Myers Bethan
Published: May 2012

Thrombocytopenia is a common finding in pregnancy, occurring in approximately 7–10% of pregnancies. It may be a diagnostic and management problem, and has many causes, some of which are specific to pregnancy. Although most cases of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy are mild, and have no adverse outcome for either mother or baby, occasionally a low platelet count may be part of a more complex disorder with significant morbidity and may be life‐threatening. Overall, about 75% of cases are due to gestational thrombocytopenia, 15–20% secondary to hypertensive disorders; 3–4% due to an immune process, and the remaining 1–2% made up of rare constitutional thrombocytopenias, infections and malignancies. In this review, a diagnostic approach to investigating thrombocytopenia in pregnancy is presented, together with antenatal, anaesthetic and peri‐natal management issues for mother and baby, followed by a detailed discussion on the specific causes of thrombocytopenia and the management options in each case.
Calcium alginate‐resistant starch mixed gel improved the survival of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bb12 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus LBRE‐LSAS in yogurt and simulated gastrointestinal conditions
Authors: Ziar Hasnia , Gérard Philippe , Riazi Ali
Published: May 2012

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of microencapsulation in calcium alginate‐resistant starch mixed gel of a new human isolated strain of Lactobacillus rhamnosus LBRE‐LSAS compared with the probiotic strain of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bb12. Influence of microencapsulation was tested under deleterious digestive environment, when challenged to salivary α‐amylase, to simulated gastric fluid and to simulated intestinal fluid. Bacterial survival, post‐acidifying activity and exopolysaccharides (EPS) content in stored mix yogurt were assessed. Integrity of the beads was acceptable under α‐amylase levels largely higher than those found in human saliva. Under simulated gastrointestinal model, viable cell counts of encapsulated cells were significantly higher than those observed with free cells and remained at the recommended levels. Additionally, microencapsulation allowed an improved viability of bacteria and generated higher EPS amounts in mix yogurt stored at 4 °C. Our results indicate that calcium alginate‐resistant starch beads extend survival under digestive conditions and in yogurt and could be used as an efficient delivery system for probiotics.
Facilitation of tiger moths by outbreaking tussock moths that share the same host plants
Authors: Karban Richard , Grof‐Tisza Patrick , Holyoak Marcel
Published: May 2012

1. Ecologists have argued about the commonness and strength of interspecific competition between insect herbivores, but facilitation between herbivores has received much less consideration. We previously found that when two species of folivorous caterpillars co‐occurred on a shared host plant, feeding by early season tiger moth caterpillars reduced the growth and reproduction of later season tussock caterpillars. However, densities of tussock caterpillars in summer were positively correlated with densities of tiger moth caterpillars the following spring.

2. In this study, we experimentally manipulated numbers of feeding tussock caterpillars and found that they facilitated tiger moth caterpillars.

3. The depth of the litter layer beneath host lupine bushes was positively correlated with the number of tussock caterpillars feeding on each bush. Experimental additions of litter beneath lupine canopies during summer resulted in increased numbers of tiger moth caterpillars in the following spring, indicating a causal role of litter. Litter potentially provides food, habitat and protection from desiccation and predation. We failed to find evidence that tussock caterpillars facilitated tiger moth caterpillars by mechanisms independent of litter.

4. Our study demonstrates that facilitation may operate between insect herbivores, across life‐stages through indirect interactions that are non‐trophic. Facilitation operated by a novel mechanism, the accumulation of litter which was a by‐product of feeding by one species was valuable to a second species. Facilitation persisted in time and space far beyond the creation of litter by tussock caterpillars which should be considered important ecosystem engineers from the point of view of tiger moths. Facilitations that involve habitat modification may generally connect species that do not interact directly or trophically, and have not previously been considered to affect one another.
The putative protein methyltransferase LAE1 controls cellulase gene expression in Trichoderma reesei
Authors: Seiboth Bernhard , Karimi Razieh Aghcheh , Phatale Pallavi A. , Linke Rita , Hartl Lukas , Sauer Dominik G. , Smith Kristina M. , Baker Scott E. , Freitag Michael , Kubicek Christian P.
Published: May 2012

Trichoderma reesei is an industrial producer of enzymes that degrade lignocellulosic polysaccharides to soluble monomers, which can be fermented to biofuels. Here we show that the expression of genes for lignocellulose degradation are controlled by the orthologous T. reesei protein methyltransferase LAE1. In a lae1 deletion mutant we observed a complete loss of expression of all seven cellulases, auxiliary factors for cellulose degradation, β‐glucosidases and xylanases were no longer expressed. Conversely, enhanced expression of lae1 resulted in significantly increased cellulase gene transcription. Lae1‐modulated cellulase gene expression was dependent on the function of the general cellulase regulator XYR1, but also xyr1 expression was LAE1‐dependent. LAE1 was also essential for conidiation of T. reesei. Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by high‐throughput sequencing (‘ChIP‐seq’) showed that lae1 expression was not obviously correlated with H3K4 di‐ or trimethylation (indicative of active transcription) or H3K9 trimethylation (typical for heterochromatin regions) in CAZyme coding regions, suggesting that LAE1 does not affect CAZyme gene expression by directly modulating H3K4 or H3K9 methylation. Our data demonstrate that the putative protein methyltransferase LAE1 is essential for cellulase gene expression in T. reesei through mechanisms that remain to be identified.
Efficient control of Plasmodium yoelii infection in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice with pre‐existing Strongyloides ratti infection
Authors: KOLBAUM J. , ESCHBACH M.‐L. , STEEG C. , JACOBS T. , FLEISCHER B. , BRELOER M.
Published: May 2012

About 225 million malaria cases have been reported worldwide in 2009, and one‐third of the world’s population is infected with parasitic helminths. As helminths and Plasmodium are co‐endemic, concurrent infections frequently occur. Helminths have been shown to modulate the host’s immune response; therefore, pre‐existing helminth infections may interfere with the efficient immune response to Plasmodium. To study the interaction between helminths and Plasmodium, we established a murine model of co‐infection using the gastrointestinal nematode Strongyloides ratti and Plasmodium yoelii. We show that a pre‐existing Strongyloides infection slightly enhanced peak parasitemia and weight loss in P. yoelii‐infected BALB/c mice, while disease progression was not altered in co‐infected C57BL/6 mice. The Plasmodium‐induced IFN‐γ production and final clearance of Plasmodium infection were not affected by S. ratti co‐infection in both C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice. Interestingly, the T helper cell (Th) 2 response induced by S. ratti was significantly suppressed upon P. yoelii co‐infection. This suppressed Th2 response, however, was still sufficient to allow expulsion of S. ratti parasitic adults. Taken together, we provide evidence that simultaneous presence of helminth and protist parasites does not interfere with efficient host defence in our co‐infection model although changes in Th responses were observed.
Phytochrome B increases drought tolerance by enhancing ABA sensitivity in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: GONZÁLEZ CARINA VERÓNICA , IBARRA SILVIA ELIZABETH , PICCOLI PATRICIA NOEMÍ , BOTTO JAVIER FRANCISCO , BOCCALANDRO HERNÁN ESTEBAN
Published: May 2012

Phytochrome B (phyB) can adjust morphological and physiological responses according to changes in the red : far‐red (R:FR) ratio. phyB‐driven acclimation of plants to open environments (high R:FR ratio) increases carbon gain at the expense of increased water loss. This behaviour alleviates stressful conditions generated by an excess of light, but increases the chances of desiccation. Here we evaluated how phyB modulates this drought‐tolerance response by comparing wild‐type Arabidopsis thaliana adult plants to the null phyB in response to water shortage. phyB wilted before the wild type, and this was due to phyB maintaining open stomata under a reduction in soil water availability. Although phyB presented enhanced ABA levels under well‐watered conditions, this mutant was less sensitive than the wild type in diminishing stomatal conductance in response to exogenous ABA application. Reduced sensitivity to ABA in phyB correlated with a lower expression of ABCG22, which encodes a putative ABA influx transporter, and PYL5, which encodes a soluble ABA receptor. Furthermore, the expression of RAB18 and RD29A, both typical ABA‐induced genes, was lower in phyB than the wild type after ABA treatment. We propose that phyB contributes to the acclimation of plants to open environments by enhancing ABA sensitivity when soil water becomes limiting.
Whole exome sequencing identifies a novel mutation in the transglutaminase 6 gene for spinocerebellar ataxia in a Chinese family
Authors: Li M , Pang SYY , Song Y , Kung MHW , Ho S‐L , Sham P‐C
Published: May 2012

Li M, Pang SYY, Song Y, Kung MHW, Ho S‐L, Sham P‐C. Whole exome sequencing identifies a novel mutation in the transglutaminase 6 gene for spinocerebellar ataxia in a Chinese family.

Autosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA) constitute a heterogeneous group of inherited disorders. The transglutaminase 6 (TGM6) gene was recently suggested as a SCA causative gene in Chinese SCA families. In this study, two affected members of a three‐generation Chinese family with SCA characterized by progressive cerebellar ataxia and lower limb pyramidal signs were subjected to whole exome sequencing. Through bioinformatics analysis of the sequence variants in these two individuals, we identified a novel mutation in the TGM6 gene (c.1528G>C) which showed perfect co‐segregation with disease phenotype in all nine members of this family. This finding confirms that mutations in TGM6 gene represent an important cause of SCA in Chinese. This study also shows that whole exome sequencing of a small number of affected individuals, leveraged on bioinformatics analysis, can be an efficient strategy for identifying causative mutations in rare Mendelian disorders.
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia 13 years post renal transplant following a recurrent cytomegalovirus infection
Authors: Muhammad Iqbal A.H. , Lim S.K. , Ng K.P. , Tan L.P. , Chong Y.B. , Keng T.C.
Published: May 2012

Pneumocystis jirovecii (formerly Pneumocystis carinii) pneumonia (PCP) is a rare but serious infection that usually occurs within a year after solid organ transplantation. PCP may occur after 1 year post transplantation, but the rate is reported to be very low. Studies have shown an association between cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in solid organ transplant patients and an increased risk of opportunistic infection. This increased risk is thought to be a result of the immunomodulatory effects of the CMV infection. We present a case of PCP infection occurring 13 years after a renal transplantation. This occurred following a recurrent CMV infection while the patient was on low‐dose immunosuppressants.
Intermittent ischemia enhances the uptake of indocyanine green to livers subject to ischemia and reperfusion
Authors: Steenks Mathilde , Peters Jeroen , Rademacher Willem , Nieuwenhuijs Vincent B , Padbury Robert T A , Barritt Greg J
Published: May 2012

Background and Aim

Intermittent ischemia is known to promote post perfusion bile flow, and hence recovery of liver function following ischemia reperfusion of the liver. However, the mechanisms involved are not well understood. The aim of this study was to identify the step(s) in the bile acid transport pathway altered by intermittent ischemia.

Methods

Arat model of segmental hepatic ischemia in which the bilateral median and left lateral lobes were made ischemic by clamping the blood vessels was used. Indocyanine green (ICG), infrared spectroscopy, and compartmental kinetic analysis, were used to indirectly monitor the movement of bile acids across hepatocytes in situ. Rates of bile flow were measured gravimetrically.

Results

In control livers (not subjected to ischemia), the movement of ICG from the blood to bile fluid could be described by a three compartment model comprising the blood, a rapidly‐exchangeable compartment, and the hepatocyte cytoplasmic space. In livers subjected to continuous clamping, the rates of ICG uptake to the liver, and outflow from the liver, were greatly reduced compared with those in control livers. Intermittent clamping (three episodes of 15 min clamping) compared with continuous clamping substantially increased the rate of ICG uptake from the blood but had less effect on the rate of ICG outflow from hepatocytes.

Conclusions

It is concluded that intermittent ischemia promotes post reperfusion bile flow in the early phase of ischemia reperfusion injury principally by enhancing the movement of bile acids from the blood to hepatocytes.
Lower gastrointestinal symptoms are prevalent among individuals colonoscoped within the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme
Authors: Rajasekhar P. T. , Ritchie M. , Rutter M. D. , Clifford G. , Waddup G. , Dempsey N. , Rubin G. P. , Rees C. J.
Published: May 2012

Aim  The National Health Service Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (BCSP) aims to detect earlier stage cancer in asymptomatic individuals. Early experience suggested that many participants had lower gastrointestinal symptoms before screening. The study evaluated the prevalence of lower gastrointestinal symptoms and consultation behaviour among individuals undergoing colonoscopy at the South of Tyne BCSP Centre.

Method  Data were collected on all undergoing clinic assessment and colonoscopy. Symptoms were categorized as altered bowel habit (ABH), rectal bleeding (RB), abdominal pain (AP) and unexplained weight loss (UWL).

Results  Symptoms were present in 65.1% (492/756) of subjects, 64.4% (431/669) of those with a non‐cancer diagnosis and 70.1% (61/87) of those with cancer. Among those with a non‐cancer diagnosis, symptoms were ABH in 52% (224/431), RB in 81.4% (351/431), AP in 15.3% (66/431) and UWL in 3.0% (13/431). In those with cancer symptoms they were ABH in 33.3% (29/87), RB in 55.2% (48/87) and AP in 11.5% (10/87). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of symptoms in those with a cancer or non‐cancer diagnosis. A total of 34.2% (157/459) of individuals with symptoms had consulted their general practitioner, 28.1% (16/57) of those with cancer and 35.1% (141/402) without.

Conclusion  A large proportion of individuals colonoscoped in the BCSP reported symptoms predating screening. Their prevalence did not differ significantly between cancer and non‐cancer diagnoses. The majority had not consulted their general practitioner. Health promotion regarding the importance of lower gastrointestinal symptoms and a risk assessment tool to help select those needing urgent specialist assessment are required.
Group Heterogeneity and Homogeneity in Personal Content Goals for a Group Learning Activity: Impact on Individual Appraisals
Authors: Wosnitza Marold , Volet Simone
Published: May 2012

This article examines the extent to which group heterogeneity and homogeneity in personal goals for a collaborative learning activity influences individuals' appraisals of that activity. This research addresses the lack of empirical work on the significance of personal content goals in collaborative learning contexts. A framework that takes into account the social dimension of such settings formed the conceptual basis of an empirical study carried out with 313 university students. The results show that while group homogeneity in high‐ and low‐level goals led to expected appraisals and reflections, group heterogeneity led to appraisals that were as positive as those found in groups dominated by members with high‐level goals. Implications for educational practice are discussed.
CONTEXTUAL LANGUAGE MODELS FOR RANKING ANSWERS TO NATURAL LANGUAGE DEFINITION QUESTIONS
Authors: Figueroa Alejandro , Atkinson John
Published: May 2012

Question–answering systems make good use of knowledge bases (KBs, e.g.,Wikipedia) for responding to definition queries. Typically, systems extract relevant facts from articles regarding the question across KBs, and then they are projected into the candidate answers. However, studies have shown that the performance of this kind of method suddenly drops, whenever KBs supply narrow coverage. This work describes a new approach to deal with this problem by constructingcontext modelsfor scoring candidate answers, which are, more precisely, statisticaln‐gram language models inferred fromlexicalized dependency pathsextracted fromWikipediaabstracts. Unlike state‐of‐the‐art approaches,context modelsare created by capturing the semantics of candidate answers (e.g., “novel,”“singer,”“coach,” and “city”). This work is extended by investigating the impact oncontext modelsof extra linguistic knowledge such as part‐of‐speech tagging and named‐entity recognition. Results showed the effectiveness ofcontext modelsasn‐gram lexicalized dependency paths and promising context indicators for the presence of definitions in natural language texts.
From Brochureware to ‘MyBo’: An Overview of Online Elections and Campaigning
Authors: Gibson Rachel
Published: May 2012

Online campaigning raises provocative questions about whether modern-day electioneering is becoming a more participatory and grass-roots affair, and whether use of digital tools can actually affect the outcome of a race? This article provides an overview of some of the key debates and findings that have emerged in relation to these and other questions posed in the literature. Specifically, we review studies of the supply side of online campaigns – who is adopting the new digital tools and how are they being used? We also look at the demand side of the process and profile arguments made for voter impact.
Collective Responsibility for Unjust Wars
Authors: Begby Endre
Published: May 2012

This article argues against Anna Stilz's recent attempt to solve the problem of citizens' collective responsibility in democratic states. I show that her solution could only apply to state actions that are (in legal terminology) unjustified but excusable. Stilz's marquee case – the 2003 invasion of Iraq – does not, I will argue, fit this bill; nor, in all likelihood, does any other case in recorded history. Thus, this article concludes, we may allow that Stilz's argument offers a theoretically cogent case for citizens' task-responsibility in democratic states (given the right conditions); it just so happens that few if any cases satisfy these conditions.
Public Opinion in Britain towards Military Action in Libya: A Micro-Level Analysis
Authors: Clements Ben
Published: May 2012

This article undertakes a micro-level analysis of public opinion towards military action in Libya. It examines the effect of sociological factors and political attitudes. It finds evidence of a ‘gender gap’ in support for military action. The effects of partisanship are mediated by attention to politics. Politically attentive Conservative and Liberal Democrat partisans are more supportive of military action. Public opinion is also affected by ideological beliefs, economic perceptions and pre-existing foreign policy attitudes. The findings contribute to research on public opinion and military intervention and to scholarly understanding of foreign policy attitudes in Britain.