bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemical composition of Ocimum basilicum L. essential oil and its efficacy as a preservative against fungal and aflatoxin contamination of dry fruits
Authors: Kumar Ashok , Shukla Ravindra , Singh Priyanka , Prakash Bhanu , Dubey Nawal K.
Published: June 2011

The study presents fungal and aflatoxin contamination of some dry fruits and Ocimum basilicum essential oil (EO) as a plant‐based preservative. During mycoflora analysis, 2045 fungal isolates were recorded from dry fruits and 40% isolates of Aspergillus flavus were toxigenic in nature. The EO of O. basilicum exhibited strong fungitoxicity against toxigenic strain of A. flavus. Its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was recorded at 1.0 μL ml−1, and it completely inhibited aflatoxin B1 production at 0.5 μL ml−1. The oil exhibited broad fungitoxic spectrum and considerably reduced A. flavus isolates from dry fruits when used as fumigant in closed storage containers at 1.0 μL ml−1. The chemical profile of the EO was standardised through GC–MS analysis. Based on antifungal potency, antiaflatoxigenicity and efficacy as fumigant during storage conditions, O. basilicum EO may be recommended as a botanical preservative for enhancing the shelf life of dry fruits and edible products during storage.
Contrasting sensitivity to extreme winter warming events of dominant sub‐Arctic heathland bryophyte and lichen species
Authors: Bjerke Jarle W. , Bokhorst Stef , Zielke Matthias , Callaghan Terry V. , Bowles Francis W. , Phoenix Gareth K.
Published: June 2011

1.  Climate change in northern high latitudes is predicted to be greater in winter rather than summer, yet little is known about the effects of winter climate change on northern ecosystems. Among the unknowns are the effects of an increasing frequency of acute, short‐lasting winter warming events. Such events can damage higher plants exposed to warm, then returning cold, temperatures after snow melt, and it is not known how bryophytes and lichens, which are of considerable ecological importance in high‐latitude ecosystems, are affected by such warming events. However, even physiological adaptations of these cryptogams to winter environments in general are poorly understood.

2.  Here we describe findings from a novel field experiment that uses heating from infrared lamps and soil warming cables to simulate acute mid‐winter warming events in a sub‐Arctic heath. In particular, we report the growing season responses of the dominant lichen, Peltigera aphthosa, and bryophyte, Hylocomium splendens, to warming events in three consecutive winters.

3.  While summertime photosynthetic performance of P. aphthosa was unaffected by the winter warming treatments, H. splendens showed significant reductions in net photosynthetic rates and growth rates (of up to 48% and 52%, respectively). Negative effects were evident already during the summer following the first winter warming event.

4.  While the lichen develops without going through critical phenological stages during which vulnerable organs are produced, the moss has a seasonal rhythm, which includes initiation of growth of young, freeze‐susceptible shoot apices in the early growing season; these might be damaged by breaking of dormancy during warm winter events.

5. Synthesis. Different sensitivities of the bryophyte and lichen species were unexpected, and illustrate that very little is known about the winter ecology of bryophytes and lichens from cold biomes in general. In sharp contrast to summer warming experiments that show increased vascular plant biomass and reduced lichen biomass, these results demonstrate that acute climate events in mid‐winter may be readily tolerated by lichens, in contrast to previously observed sensitivity of co‐occurring dwarf shrubs, suggesting winter climate change may compensate for (or even reverse) predicted lichen declines resulting from summer warming.
Novel Substrates for, and Sources of, Progestogens for Reproduction
Authors: Frye Cheryl Anne
Published: June 2011

Steroid hormones, such as progesterone., are typically considered to be primarily secreted by the gonads (albeit adrenals can also be a source) and to exert their actions through cognate intracellular progestin receptors (PRs). Through its actions in the midbrain ventral tegmental Area (VTA), progesterone mediates appetitive (exploratory, anxiety, social approach) and consummatory (social, sexual) aspects of rodents’ mating behaviour. However, progesterone and its natural metabolites (‘progestogens’) are produced in the midbrain VTA independent of peripheral sources and midbrain VTA of adult rodents is devoid of intracellular PRs. One approach that we have used to understand the effects of progesterone and mechanisms in the VTA for mating is to manipulate the actions of progesterone in the VTA and to examine effects on lordosis (the posture female rodents assume for mating to occur). This review focuses on the effects and mechanisms of progestogens to influence reproduction and related processes. The actions of progesterone and its 5α‐reduced metabolite and neurosteroid, 5α‐pregnan‐3α‐ol‐20‐one (3α,5α‐THP; allopregnanolone) in the midbrain VTA to facilitate mating are described. The findings that 3α,5α‐THP biosynthesis in the midbrain occurs with mating are discussed. Evidence for the actions of 3α,5α‐THP in the midbrain VTA via nontraditional steroid targets is summarised. The broader relevance of these actions of 3α,5α‐THP for aspects of reproduction, beyond lordosis, is summarised. Finally, the potential role of the pregnane xenobiotic receptor in mediating 3α,5α‐THP biosynthesis in the midbrain is introduced.
Fatal powdering of bees in flight with particulates of neonicotinoids seed coating and humidity implication
Authors: Girolami V. , Marzaro M. , Vivan L. , Mazzon L. , Greatti M. , Giorio C. , Marton D. , Tapparo A.
Published: June 2011

Losses of honeybees have been reported in Italy concurrent with the sowing of corn coated with neonicotinoids using a pneumatic drilling machine. Being unconvinced that solid particles containing systemic insecticide, falling on the vegetation surrounding the sown area, could poison bees foraging on contaminated nectar and pollen, the effect of direct aerial powdering was tested on foragers in free flight near the drilling machine. Bees were conditioned to visit a dispenser of sugar solution whilst a drilling machine was sowing corn along the flight path. Samples of bees were captured on the dispenser, caged and held in the laboratory. Chemical analysis showed some hundred nanograms of insecticide per bee. Nevertheless, caged bees, previously contaminated in flight, died only if kept in conditions of high humidity. After the sowing, an increase in bee mortality in front of the hives was also observed. Spring bee losses, which corresponded with the sowing of corn‐coated seed, seemed to be related to the casual encountering of drilling machine during foraging flight across the ploughed fields.
Arterial remodelling following pressure overload by aortic constriction: an overlooked and potentially fertile research area
Authors: Du Xiao‐Jun , Kiriazis Helen , Dart Anthony M
Published: June 2011

[See original article on page 570]
Coexistence of adamantinomatous and squamous‐papillary type craniopharyngioma: Case report and discussion of etiology and pathology
Authors: Okada Tomu , Fujitsu Kazuhiko , Ichikawa Teruo , Mukaihara Shigeo , Miyahara Kousuke , Kaku Syougo , Uryuu Yasuhiro , Niino Hitoshi , Yagishita Saburou , Shiina Takeki
Published: June 2011

Craniopharyngiomas are histopathologically classified as adamantinomatous type (AD) and squamous‐papillary type (SP). However coexistence of a mixed type seen on histopathologic specimens has not been reported. In this report, a patient diagnosed with mixed type craniopharyngioma is presented and the etiology and pathologic features are discussed.
Glucosensing in parvocellular neurons of the rat hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus
Authors: Melnick Igor V. , Price Christopher J. , Colmers William F.
Published: June 2011

Specialized hypothalamic neurons responding to rising extracellular glucose via increases or decreases in their electrical activity [glucose‐excited (GE) and glucose‐inhibited (GI) cells, respectively] have been reported in the hypothalamic arcuate, ventromedial and lateral nuclei. The hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is an important neurosecretory and preautonomic output nucleus. We tested whether parvocellular PVN neurons also possess glucosensing properties, using patch‐clamp recording and immunocytochemistry. Putative neurosecretory (p‐NS) and preautonomic (p‐PA) cells were identified electrophysiologically. Although parvocellular neurons were insensitive to transitions from 10 to 2.5 mm glucose, approximately 68% of p‐PA cells responded directly to glucopenia (mimicked by a step to 0.2 mm glucose) with an increased membrane conductance. Of these, approximately 24% hyperpolarized (accompanied by an outward current) and thus were GE, approximately 26% depolarized (with an inward current, thus GI) and approximately 18% did not change membrane potential. The concentration dependence of the glucose response was similar for both GE and GI cells (EC50 of 0.67–0.7 mm), but was steep, with Hill slopes of 3–4. The KATP channel blockers glibenclamide and tolbutamide did not prevent, while the KATP channel opener diazoxide did not mimic, the effects of low glucose on GE neurons. Moreover, the KATP sulfonylurea receptor SUR1 was not detected in glucosensitive neurons. We conclude that the PVN contains previously unknown GE and GI cells that could participate in regulation of autonomic functions. GE neurons in the PVN sense ambient glucose via a unique mechanism, probably independent of KATP channels, in contrast to neurons in other hypothalamic nuclei.
Balanced Scorecard Implementation in a Local Government Authority: Issues and Challenges
Authors: Sharma Bishnu , Gadenne David
Published: June 2011

Over the last decade the balanced scorecard (BSC) has emerged as a popular strategic performance measurement and control system within various public sector organisations as it assists in effectively implementing strategy and in measuring performance. This article investigates whether the implementation of a BSC has been of value to a large Local Government Authority (LGA) within Australia. The research takes a thematic approach to identify the issues, challenges and lessons learnt in relation to the design and implementation of the BSC, which is accomplished through a review of annual reports, published relevant documents and semi‐structured interviews with 13 senior managers of various programs and divisions within the LGA. Future research opportunities are also identified in this area.
Love Thy Neighbour: A Social Capital Approach to Local Government Partnerships
Authors: Dollery Brian , Grant Bligh , Crase Lin
Published: June 2011

While controversy surrounds compulsory consolidation as a means of improving the operational efficiency of local government, the literature suggests that gains can accrue to groups of local councils which form voluntary alliances as platforms for shared service delivery. However, real‐world experience has demonstrated that voluntary alliances in local government are difficult to establish and do not always endure in the longer term. After reviewing the limited extant scholarly literature on shared services and local council voluntary alliances, as well as applications of the social capital approach to inter‐organisational endeavour, such as theWeber and Weber (2010)venture capital model, this article argues that the social capital approach can offer insights into local council cooperative alliance and shared service models.
Accounting for Future Generations: Intergenerational Equity in Australia1
Authors: Bessant Judith C. , Emslie Michael , Watts Rob
Published: June 2011

Australian governments have published three intergenerational reports since 2002. In line with a general international trend these reports pointed to a problem said to arise from an ageing population which exposes Australia to the risk of a future major fiscal crisis. In this article we argue that by failing to use a generational accounting framework, the reports privilege the elderly at the expense of young people. Added to this, they fail to engage any discussion of intergenerational equity defined as distributive fairness and justice. In this article we explore the value of various approaches to intergenerational justice, focusing on the Principle of Intergenerational Neutrality derived from Rawls' theory of justice. We argue that this does not work as well from a policy point of view as Sen's freedom‐as‐capabilities approach. We conclude that linking Sen's approach to justice to a generational accounting will enable governments to address future issues of equity.
Enriching Absorptive Capacity through Social Interaction
Authors: Hotho Jasper J. , Becker‐Ritterspach Florian , Saka‐Helmhout Ayse
Published: June 2011

Absorptive capacity is frequently highlighted as a key determinant of knowledge transfer within multinational enterprises. But how individual behaviour translates into absorptive capacity at the subsidiary level, and how this is contingent on subsidiaries' social context, remains under‐addressed. This not only limits our understanding of the relationship between individual‐ and organizational‐level absorptive capacity, but also hampers further research on potentially relevant managerial and organizational antecedents, and limits the implications we can draw for practitioners who seek to increase their organization's capacity to put new knowledge to use. To address this shortcoming we conduct an in‐depth comparative case study of a headquarters‐initiated knowledge transfer at two subsidiaries of the same multinational enterprise. The findings demonstrate that social interaction is a prerequisite for subsidiary absorptive capacity as it enables employees to participate in the transformation of new knowledge to the local context and the development of local applications. The findings also illustrate how organizational conditions at the subsidiary level can impact subsidiary absorptive capacity by enabling or constraining local interaction patterns. These insights contribute to the absorptive capacity literature by demonstrating the scale and scope of social interaction as a key link between individual‐ and organizational‐level absorptive capacity.
Social Representations: A Normative and Dynamic Intergroup Approach
Authors: Staerklé Christian , Clémence Alain , Spini Dario
Published: June 2011

This commentary outlines an approach to social representations which emphasizes the normative and dynamic nature of shared knowledge. Social representations both connect and divide people, for example through shared ingroup and outgroup stereotypes derived from antagonistic social representations. Through asymmetrical intergroup communication and influence, in turn, social representations are formed, maintained, and contested. In this dynamic process, powerful majorities attempt to define the meaning of new or otherwise important information as a function of their group norms, while subordinate minorities employ propaganda techniques of social influence to resist majority influence and propose alternative positions.
Tax‐adjusted Discount Rates: a General Formula under Constant Leverage Ratios
Authors: Molnár Peter , Nyborg Kjell G.
Published: June 2011

Cooper and Nyborg (2008) derive a tax‐adjusted discount rate formula under a constant proportion leverage policy, investor taxes and risky debt. However, their analysis assumes zero recovery in default. We extend their framework to allow for positive recovery rates. We also allow for differences in bankruptcy codes with respect to the order of priority of interest payments versus repayment of principal in default, which may have tax consequences. The general formula we derive differs from that of Cooper and Nyborg when recovery rates in default are anticipated to be positive. However, under continuous rebalancing, the formula collapses to that of Cooper and Nyborg. We provide an explanation for why the effect of the anticipated recovery rate is not directly visible in the general continuous rebalancing formula, even though this formula is derived under the assumption of partial default. The errors from using the continuous approximation formula are sensitive to the anticipated recovery in default, yet small. The ‘cost of debt’ in the tax adjusted discount rate formula is the debt's yield rather than its expected rate of return.
Feature selection for classification of oscillating time series
Authors: Tsimpiris Alkiviadis , Kugiumtzis Dimitris
Published: June 2011

We propose a forward sequential feature selection scheme based on k‐means clustering algorithm to derive the feature subset that classifies best the time series data base, according to the criterion of the corrected Rand index. Moreover, we investigate the effect of the standardization scheme on the feature selection and propose a standardization given by the transform to standard Gaussian distribution. Our interest in this work is in classification of oscillating dynamical systems on the basis of measures computed on time series from these systems. The features to be selected are measures of linear and non‐linear analysis of time series, such as auto‐correlation and Lyapunov exponents, as well as oscillation characteristics, such as the mean magnitude of peaks. Simulations on known oscillating deterministic and stochastic systems showed that, for repeated realizations of the same classification task, the proposed feature selection scheme selected very often the same best feature subset, giving high classification accuracy for any standardization. We found that, regardless of the standardization, the highest classification accuracy could be obtained with a small feature subset, containing most frequently an oscillating‐related feature. The same setting was applied to records of epileptic electroencephalogram signals, giving varying results and dependent on the standardization.
Information provision and problem‐solving processes in Japanese breast cancer survivors with lymphoedema symptoms
Authors: Tsuchiya Miyako , Horn Sandra , Ingham Roger
Published: June 2011

Scand J Caring Sci; 2012; 26; 53–60

Information provision and problem‐solving processes in Japanese breast cancer survivors with lymphoedema symptoms

Background:  In Japan, a high proportion of breast cancer (BC) survivors develop lymphoedema as a consequence of the treatment received. Japanese BC survivors are generally not provided with standardised information about risks, early signs and symptom management. The effects of (in)adequate information on the problem‐solving processes among Japanese BC survivors with lymphoedema symptoms have not been investigated.

Purpose:  The aim of this study was to explore how the provision of medical information by doctors affected the problem‐solving processes of Japanese BC survivors with lymphoedema symptoms.

Method:  Ten Japanese BC survivors participated in audio‐taped focus group discussions. Transcripts were analysed using an inductive thematic analysis.

Results:  Analysis identified two phases during which participants attempted to address problems with managing their lymphoedema symptoms – a help‐seeking phase and an evaluation phase. Perceptions of information provision affected emotional responses to the onset and cognitive appraisals of lymphoedema symptoms (seen as accepted or burden). However, perceptions of information provision did not affect help‐seeking behaviours from surgeons or adherence behaviours. Participants often perceived compression sleeves as inefficient and not worth continuing.

Conclusion:  This study suggests that information provision is a key process in helping BC patients to adjust to symptoms of lymphoedema. In order to promote effective symptom management, doctors and nurses should provide support not only during the help‐seeking phase but also the evaluation phase. Further research on the most effective ways to change negative treatment beliefs should be conducted.
Effect of an anesthesia with propofol compared with desflurane on free radical production and liver function after partial hepatectomy
Authors: Laviolle Bruno , Basquin Cédric , Aguillon David , Compagnon Philippe , Morel Isabelle , Turmel Valérie , Seguin Philippe , Boudjema Karim , Bellissant Eric , Mallédant Yannick
Published: June 2011

Propofol has shown antioxidant properties, but no study has focused on liver resection surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an anesthesia with propofol compared with desflurane on oxidative stress and hepatic function during and after partial hepatectomy. This was a prospective randomized study performed on two parallel groups. The primary endpoint was malondialdehyde (MDA) plasma concentration 30 min after hepatic vascular unclamping. Hepatic damages were evaluated by plasma levels of alpha‐glutathione S‐transferase (α‐GST) 120 min after hepatic vascular unclamping and of aminotransferases at 120 min and on days 1, 2, 5, and 10. Liver function recovery was assessed by monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX) formation 15 min after lidocaine injection on day 2 and by prothrombin time and plasma factor V at 120 min and on days 1, 2, 5, and 10. Thirty patients were analyzed (propofol group: 17; desflurane group: 13). There was no significant difference between groups for MDA plasma concentration 30 min after hepatic vascular unclamping (mean ± standard‐deviation: 1.28 ± 0.40 and 1.21 ± 0.29 in propofol and desflurane groups, respectively, P = 0.608). Plasma levels of α‐GST at 120 min were lower in propofol than in desflurane group (142.2 ± 75.4 vs. 205.7 ± 66.5, P = 0.023), and MEGX on day 2 was higher (0.092 ± 0.096 vs. 0.036 ± 0.020, P = 0.007). No differences between groups were observed with regard to plasma levels of aminotransferases, prothrombin time, and plasma factor V. Our study showed that in patients undergoing partial hepatectomy, propofol did not reduce MDA formation but seemed to display a protective effect on hepatic damages and liver function when compared to desflurane.
Lessons from the history of technological change for clean energy scenarios and policies
Authors: Wilson Charlie , Grubler Arnulf
Published: June 2011

This paper provides a synthesis of current knowledge on the patterns, drivers, and characteristics of historical energy technology transitions. This historical evidence is then compared to the treatment of energy system dynamics in the scenario analysis on climate mitigation. The paper concludes with a discussion of generic implications for clean energy and technology innovation policy.
The Burden of Childhood Psoriasis
Authors: De JAGER MICHELLE E.A. , De JONG ELKE M.G.J. , EVERS ANDREA W.M. , Van De KERKHOF PETER C.M. , SEYGER MARIEKE M.B.
Published: June 2011

Abstract:  A pilot study of the effect on quality of life of childhood psoriasis is presented. Of the children interviewed, 65% experienced stigmatization to a certain extent, 71% reported itching, and 43% complained about fatigue. Clinicians should pay attention to these items to initiate patient‐tailored treatment.
Ectodermal Abnormalities in Patients with Kabuki Syndrome
Authors: Abdel‐Salam Ghada M.H. , Afifi Hanan H. , Eid Maha M. , El‐Badry Tarek H. , Kholoussi Naglaa
Published: June 2011

Abstract:  Kabuki syndrome (KS) is extensively described in the literature and characterized by a typical facial gestalt in combination with postnatal short stature, hypotonia, joint laxity, developmental delay, persistent fetal fingertip pads, and an ever‐growing group of congenital abnormalities. In this study, we focus on some ectodermal manifestations that we have observed. We studied seven patients who fulfilled the clinical criteria for KS and undertook a detailed clinical, dental, cytogenetic, and immunoglobulin assessments. In addition, microscopic hair examinations were performed on all patients and compared with matched control patients. All patients had receding of the anterior hair line, but five had evident sparse frontal scalp hair. They all showed peculiar similar microscopic hair abnormalities in the form of twisting of the hair shafts, irregularity of the diameter of the hair, and trichorrhexis nodosa. In addition, hypoplastic nails, café‐au‐lait patches, and missing upper lateral incisors were observed in 57.1%, 28.6%, and 14.3% of the patients, respectively. Variable orodental anomalies were seen in all the patients with an everted lower lip found in four patients (57.1%). This report provides further evidence that some cases of KS have ectodermal involvement.
Testing for anti‐glycolipid IgM antibodies in chronic immune‐mediated demyelinating neuropathies
Authors: Nobile‐Orazio Eduardo , Giannotta Claudia
Published: June 2011

Antibodies to several nerve antigens have been reported in patients with chronic immune‐mediated demyelinating neuropathies including chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, multifocal motor neuropathy, and IgM paraproteinemic demyelinating polyneuropathy. The association of some reactivities with specific neuropathies, such as IgM antibodies to the myelin‐associated glycoprotein in neuropathy associated with IgM monoclonal gammopathy, permitted to cast some light in their pathogenetic mechanisms and introduced new useful tools in their diagnosis. Other antibodies have been variably associated with other forms of neuropathy or with neuropathy itself, casting some doubts on their diagnostic relevance in the workout of these neuropathies. This is particularly true for IgM antibodies to glycolipids, including ganglioside and sulfatides, whose possible role in immune‐mediated neuropathies is still debated and will be here reviewed.
Differential gene expression in nerve biopsies of inflammatory neuropathies
Authors: Steck Andreas J. , Kinter Jochen , Renaud Susanne
Published: June 2011

DNA microarray analysis is a powerful tool for simultaneous analysis and comparison of gene products expressed in normal and diseased tissues. We used this technique to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in nerve biopsy samples of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and vasculitic neuropathy (VAS) patients. We found novel previously uncharacterized genes of relevance to CIDP or VAS pathogenesis. Of particular interest in CIDP were tachykinin precursor 1, which may be involved in pain mediation, stearoyl‐co‐enzyme A (CoA) desaturase, which may be a marker for remyelination, HLA‐DQB1, CD69, an early T‐cell activation gene, MSR1, a macrophage scavenger receptor, and PDZ and LIM domain 5 (PDLIM5), a factor regulating nuclear factor (NF)‐kappa B activity. Genes upregulated in VAS included IGLJ3, IGHG3, IGKC, and IGL, which all function in B‐cell selection or antigen recognition of B cells. Other upregulated genes included chemokines, such as CXCL9 and CCR2, as well as CPA3, a mast cell carboxypeptidase. Allograft inflammatory factor‐1 (AIF‐1), a modulator of immune response was upregulated both in CIDP and VAS. Microarray‐based analysis of human sural nerve biopsies showed distinct gene expression patterns in CIDP and VAS. DEGs might provide clues to the pathogenesis of the diseases and be potential targets for therapeutics.
Immune mechanisms in spontaneously occurring CIDP in NOD mice
Authors: Soliven Betty
Published: June 2011

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is an autoimmune disease affecting the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and is thought to involve both cellular and humoral immunity. Although its etiology remains to be fully elucidated, the use of animal models has provided some important information regarding its pathogenetic mechanisms. The development of a spontaneous autoimmune polyneuropathy (SAP) in B7‐2 knockout non‐obese diabetic (NOD) mice underscores the importance of co‐stimulatory pathways such as B7‐1/B7‐2:CD28/CTLA‐4 molecules in inflammatory neuropathies. These co‐stimulatory molecules regulate the balance between pathogenic and regulatory T cells (Tregs). In SAP, pathogenic T cells are directed against myelin protein zero (P0), the most prominent PNS myelin protein that is a member of immunoglobulin gene superfamily.
Potential biomarkers for monitoring therapeutic response in patients with CIDP
Authors: Dalakas Marinos C.
Published: June 2011

Although the majority of patients with CIDP variably respond to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), steroids, or plasmapheresis, 30% of them are unresponsive or insufficiently responsive to these therapies. The heterogeneity in therapeutic responses necessitates the need to search for biomarkers to determine the most suitable therapy from the outset and explore the best means for monitoring disease activity. The ICE study, which led to the first FDA‐approved indication for IVIg in CIDP, has shown that maintenance therapy prevents relapses and axonal loss. In this paper, the multiple actions exerted by IVIg on the immunoregulatory network of CIDP are discussed as potential predictors of response to therapies. Emerging molecular markers, promising in identifying responders to IVIg from non‐responders, include modulation of FcγRIIB receptors on monocytes and genome‐wide transcription studies related to inflammatory mediators, demyelination, or axonal degeneration. Skin biopsies, Peripheral Blood Lymhocytes, CSF, and sera are accessible surrogate tissues for further exploring these molecules during therapies.
Inhibitory effects of visible 650‐nm and infrared 808‐nm laser irradiation on somatosensory and compound muscle action potentials in rat sciatic nerve: implications for laser‐induced analgesia
Authors: Yan Weixing , Chow Roberta , Armati Patricia J.
Published: June 2011

Low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) has been shown in clinical trials to relieve chronic pain and the World Health Organization has added LLLT to their guidelines for treatment of chronic neck pain. The mechanisms for the pain‐relieving effects of LLLT are however poorly understood. We therefore assessed the effects of laser irradiation (LI) on somatosensory‐evoked potentials (SSEPs) and compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) in a series of experiments using visible (λ = 650 nm) or infrared (λ = 808 nm) LI applied transcutaneously to points on the hind limbs of rats overlying the course of the sciatic nerve. This approximates the clinical application of LLLT. The 650‐nm LI decreased SSEP amplitudes and increased latency after 20 min. CMAP proximal amplitudes and hip/ankle (H/A) ratios decreased at 10 and 20 min with increases in proximal latencies approaching significance. The 808‐nm LI decreased SSEP amplitudes and increased latencies at 10 and 20 min. CMAP proximal amplitudes and H/A ratios decreased at 10 and 20 min. Latencies were not significantly increased. All LI changes for both wavelengths returned to baseline by 48 h. These results strengthen the hypothesis that a neural mechanism underlies the clinical effectiveness of LLLT for painful conditions.
Vaginal prolapse – perceptions and healthcare‐seeking behavior among women prior to gynecological surgery
Authors: PAKBAZ MOJGAN , ROLFSMAN EWA , MOGREN INGRID , LÖFGREN MATS
Published: June 2011

Objective. To investigate perceptions of vaginal prolapse and healthcare‐seeking behavior in women prior to gynecological surgery. Design. Prospective, cross‐sectional study using a web‐based questionnaire. Setting. Clinics including patients in the Swedish National Register for Gynecological Surgery (Gynop‐register). Population. 214 women with vaginal prolapse and 347 women without prolapse as reference patients. Methods. A questionnaire was developed for assessment of women's perception of prolapse and their healthcare‐seeking behavior. Data were collected through the Gynop‐register. For comparisons between the study groups, Student's t‐test and the chi‐squared test were used. Main outcome measures. Perceptions of prolapse, healthcare‐seeking behavior, and source of information. Results. The most common definition of prolapse reported by the women was presence of a vaginal bulge. Reasons for seeking healthcare were interference with physical activity and increasing symptoms. One in five women with prolapse could not relate the symptoms to prolapse. Participants in the prolapse group gained less information on their own condition from brochures and public media compared to participants in the reference group (p<0.001). Conclusion. There appeared to be a lack of information on pelvic organ prolapse in the public domain. Healthcare professionals have a significant role to play in informing women about symptoms related to the condition and the available treatment options.
Leaf nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations of woody plants differ in responses to climate, soil and plant growth form
Authors: Chen Yahan , Han Wenxuan , Tang Luying , Tang Zhiyao , Fang Jingyun
Published: June 2011

Leaf chemistry is important in predicting the functioning and dynamics of ecosystems. As two key traits, leaf nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations set the limits for plant growth, and leaf N:P ratios indicate the shift between N‐ and P‐limitation. To understand the responses of leaf chemistry to their potential drivers, we measured leaf N and P concentrations of 386 woody species at 14 forest sites across eastern China, and explored the effects of climate, soil, and plant growth form on leaf N, P and N:P ratios. In general, leaf N and P were both negatively related to mean annual temperature and precipitation, and positively related to soil N and P concentrations. Leaf N:P ratios showed opposite trends. General linear models showed that variation in leaf N was mainly determined by a shift in plant growth form (from evergreen broadleaved to deciduous broadleaved to conifer species) along the latitudinal gradient, while variations in leaf P and N:P were driven by climate, plant growth form, and their interaction. These differences may reflect differences in nutrient cycling and physiological regulations of P and N. Our results should help understand the ecological patterns of leaf chemical traits and modeling ecosystem nutrient cycling.
A tale of two plaques: convergent mechanisms of T‐cell‐mediated inflammation in psoriasis and atherosclerosis
Authors: Armstrong April W. , Voyles Stephanie V. , Armstrong Ehrin J. , Fuller Erin N. , Rutledge John C.
Published: June 2011

Abstract:  Psoriasis and atherosclerosis are diseases in which effector T lymphocytes such as Helper T cells type 1 (Th1) and 17 (Th17) play integral roles in disease pathogenesis and progression. Regulatory T cells (Treg) also exert clinically important anti‐inflammatory effects that are pathologically altered in psoriasis and atherosclerosis. We review the immunological pathways involving Th1, Th17 and Treg cells that are common to psoriasis and atherosclerosis. These shared pathways provide the basis for mechanisms that may explain the epidemiologic observation that patients with psoriasis have an increased risk of heart disease. Improved understanding of these pathways will guide future experiments and may lead to the development of therapeutics that prevent or treat cardiovascular complications in patients with psoriasis.
Toward a Comprehensive Demography: Rethinking the Research Agenda on Change and Response
Authors: Charbit Yves , Petit Véronique
Published: June 2011

This essay drafts a new interdisciplinary agenda for research on population and development. Starting from Kingsley Davis's 1963 formulation of change and response, Davis's analytical categories are broadened to include inertia as well as change and to encompass both demographic and non‐demographic responses at the micro, meso, and macro levels. On that basis the essay proposes what can be called a comprehensive demography, an approach drawing principally on micro‐level methodologies like those employed in anthropological demography. Like anthropological demography, comprehensive demography questions the rationality of actors, emphasizes cultural infuences, and stops short of the postmodernist extremes of anthropology. But it also takes explicit account of higher‐level social, economic, and political factors bearing on demographic behavior and outcomes. The conclusion raises some epistemological issues. Illustrative examples are offered throughout to demonstrate the feasibility of the approach, mainly referring to sub‐Saharan africa and the Caribbean and often drawn from the authors' own fieldwork.
The Education Effect on Population Health: A Reassessment
Authors: Baker David P. , Leon Juan , Smith Greenaway Emily G. , Collins John , Movit Marcela
Published: June 2011

Demographic research frequently reports consistent and signifcant associations between formal educational attainment and a range of health risks such as smoking, drug abuse, and accidents, as well as the contraction of many diseases, and health outcomes such as mortality—almost all indicating the same conclusion: better‐educated individuals are healthier and live longer. Despite the substantial reporting of a robust education effect, there is inadequate appreciation of its independent influence and role as a causal agent. To address the effect of education on health in general, three contributions are provided: 1) a macro‐level summary of the dimensions of the worldwide educational revolution and a reassessment of its causal role in the health of individuals and in the demographic health transition are carried out; 2) a meta‐analysis of methodologically sophisticated studies of the effect of educational attainment on all‐cause mortality is conducted to establish the independence and robustness of the education effect on health; and 3) a schooling‐cognition hypothesis about the influence of education as a powerful determinant of health is developed in light of new multidis‐ciplinary cognitive research.
Understanding Global Demographic Convergence since 1950
Authors: Wilson Chris
Published: June 2011

Is the world converging to a single demographic regime? Or are groups of countries following distinct paths through the process of demographic transition? The answers to these questions are pivotal to our understanding of the nature and mechanisms of population change. They are also key elements for deriving the assumptions that should underlie population projections. There has been considerable interest in global demographic convergence during the last decade, with most work drawing on statistical methods that are widely used in economics. This article takes a different approach to most of the existing literature, examining the fertility and mortality trajectories over time that various appropriately defned world regions have followed. The data suggest that five distinct regional histories can be traced in mortality, and three in fertility, and that global convergence has moved more rapidly and unambiguously in fertility than in mortality.
Spousal Communication and Contraceptive Use in Rural Nepal: An Event History Analysis
Authors: Link Cynthia F.
Published: June 2011

This study analyzes longitudinal data from couples in rural Nepal to investigate the influence of spousal communication about family planning on their subsequent contraceptive use. The study expands current understanding of the communication–contraception link by (a) exploiting monthly panel data to conduct an event history analysis, (b) incorporating both wives' and husbands' perceptions of communication, and (c) distinguishing effects of spousal communication on the use of four contraceptive methods. The findings provide new evidence of a strong positive impact of spousal communication on contraceptive use, even when controlling for confounding variables. Wives' reports of communication are substantial explanatory factors in couples' initiation of all contraceptive methods examined. Husbands' reports of communication predict couples' subsequent use of male‐controlled methods. This analysis advances our understanding of how marital dynamics—as well as husbands' perceptions of these dynamics—influence fertility behavior, and should encourage policies to promote greater integration of men into family planning programs.
The evaluation of oral health in stroke patients
Authors: Yoshida Mitsuyoshi , Murakami Tsuneji , Yoshimura Osamu , Akagawa Yasumasa
Published: June 2011

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00505.x

The evaluation of oral health in stroke patients

Objective:  As tooth loss has been suggested as a potential risk factor for stroke, oral examinations were carried out on stroke patients to review the oral condition of those patients.

Method:  The subjects were patients consecutively discharged from the recovery rehabilitation unit of Hiroshima City General Rehabilitation Center between April 2008 and December 2009. All patients were offered oral examination and 358 of 443 patients accepted. Patients receiving dental examination were divided into two groups: one group comprising stroke patients and the second, patients with other disorders. These two groups were then compared for the number of remaining teeth by age group.

Results:  Among the examined patients, the number of remaining teeth in stroke patients in their 50s and 60s was significantly lower than for patients in corresponding age groups (18.4 ± 9.4 vs. 24.5 ± 5.4 and 18.3 ± 9.2 vs. 22.2 ± 7.2, respectively, with p < 0.05 for both age groups) who were hospitalised for other conditions. In addition, the number of remaining teeth in stroke patients in their 50s was also significantly lower than the number reported in the Survey of Dental Diseases (24.1 ± 6.1; p < 0.05).

Conclusion:  The results of this study suggest an association between tooth loss and early occurrence of stroke.
Revealing the Drug‐Resistant Mechanism for Diarylpyrimidine Analogue Inhibitors of HIV‐1 Reverse Transcriptase
Authors: Zhang Hao , Qin Fang , Ye Wei , Li Zeng , Ma Songyao , Xia Yan , Jiang Yi , Zhu Jiayi , Li Yixue , Zhang Jian , Chen Hai‐Feng
Published: June 2011

Diaryltriazine (DATA) and diarylpyrimidine (DAPY) were two category inhibitors with highly potent activity for wild type (wt) and four principal mutant types (L100I, K103N, Y181C and Y188L) of HIV‐1 reverse transcriptase (RT). We had revealed the drug‐resistant mechanism of DATA analogue inhibitors with molecular dynamics simulation and three‐dimensional quantitative structure–activity relationship (3D‐QSAR) methods. In this work, we investigated the drug‐resistant mechanism of DAPY analogue inhibitors. It was found that DAPY analogue inhibitors form more hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic contacts with wild type and mutants of HIV‐1 RT than DATA inhibitors. This could explain that DAPY analogue inhibitors are more potent than DATA for the wild type and mutants of HIV‐1 RT. Then, 3D‐QSAR models were constructed for these inhibitors of wild type and four principal mutant types HIV‐1 RT and evaluated by test set compounds. These combined models can be used to design new chemical entities and make quantitative prediction of the bioactivities for HIV‐1 RT inhibitors before resorting to in vitro and in vivo experiment.
Culture, Peer Interaction, and Socioemotional Development
Authors: Chen Xinyin
Published: June 2011

Abstract— This article discusses a contextual‐developmental perspective that focuses on peer interaction as an important context that mediates the links between culture and socioemotional development. According to this perspective, cultural norms and values provide a basis for social evaluation processes in peer interaction, which, in turn, serve to regulate individual socioemotional functioning. Children play an active role in their development through their response to peer influence and through their participation in adopting existing cultures and constructing new cultures for social evaluation and other peer activities. Culture may also guide the social processes by specifying the functional and structural characteristics of children’s peer relationships such as friendships and group networks in which interaction occurs.
Hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombosis: Improved treatment outcomes with external beam radiation therapy
Authors: Kim Ji‐Yoon , Chung Su‐Mi , Choi Byung‐Ock , Kay Chul‐Seung
Published: June 2011

The treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) is very challenging because of HCC's grave prognosis. Despite many efforts to improve the treatment results, patient survival has been limited to several months. In this situation, radiotherapy has been considered as an alternative treatment modality because of the growth of knowledge about the radiotolerance of normal tissue and the advances of radiotherapy techniques such as three dimensional conformal radiotherapy, intensity modulated radiotherapy, stereotactic body radiotherapy and proton therapy. More restoration of the liver function and longer survival of the patients can be achieved by the better response after radiotherapy. However, considering the high risk of intrahepatic advanced tumor or extrahepatic dissemination by PVTT at disease presentation, a combination of radiation therapy and systemic agents will be desirable. Therefore, performing prospective randomized clinical trials is important to assess the benefits of radiotherapy and to develop combination treatment strategies.
Domain‐specific and domain‐general precursors of mathematical achievement: A longitudinal study from kindergarten to first grade
Authors: Passolunghi Maria Chiara , Lanfranchi Silvia
Published: June 2011

Background. Many contributing factors, both domain specific and domain general, influence children's performance in school achievement.

Aims. This research aims to verify the importance of kindergarten measures of cognitive abilities and numerical competence in the role of predicting mathematical school achievement at the end of first grade.

Sample and Methods. A total of 70 children (38 females and 32 males) took part in the study. We tested the children at the beginning of their last year of kindergarten (time 1) on the following cognitive abilities: IQ, phonology, counting skills, verbal short‐term memory, visuo‐spatial short‐term memory, working memory, and processing speed. Then, we tested the same children at end of their last year of kindergarten (time 2) on a measure of numerical competence and at the end of their first year of primary school (time 3) on a test of math achievement.

Results. Path analysis models revealed the direct influence of working memory and processing speed on predicting numerical competence in pre‐schoolers and the influence of processing speed and verbal IQ on predicting math achievement in first graders. Moreover, this study found a direct link between numerical competence and math achievement.

Conclusions. Both domain‐specific and domain‐general factors contribute to determining math achievement at the end of first grade.
The Impact of Real Geometries on Three-Dimensional Separations in Compressors
Authors: Goodhand Martin N. , Miller Robert J.
Published: June 2011

This paper considers the effect of small variations in leading edge geometry, leading edge roughness, leading edge fillet, and blade fillet geometry on the three-dimensional separations found in compressor blade rows. The detrimental effects of these separations have historically been predicted by correlations based on global flow parameters, such as blade loading, inlet boundary layer skew, etc., and thus ignoring small deviations such as those highlighted above. In this paper it is shown that this may not be the case and that certain, engine representative geometry deviations can have an effect equivalent to an increase in blade loading of 10%. Experiments were performed at the stator hub of a low-speed, single-stage compressor. The results show that any deviation which causes suction surface transition to move to the leading edge over the first 30% of span will cause a large growth in the size of the hub separation, doubling its impact on loss. The geometry deviations that caused this, and are thus of greatest concern to a designer, are changes in leading edge quality and roughness around the leading edge, which are characteristic of an eroded blade.