bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Homogeneous ideals associated to a smooth subvariety
Authors: Liu Yu-Han
Published: November 2011

In this paper we show that a smooth subvariety

Z
Z

on an odd-dimensional complex projective smooth variety

X
X

is determined by the sufficiently many Hodge conjectures it solves on hypersurfaces

Y
Y

on

X
X

of high degrees containing

Z
Z

.
Genetics of Resistance to Race TTKSK of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici in Triticum monococcum
Authors: Rouse M. N. , Jin Y.
Published: November 2011

Race TTKSK (or Ug99) of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici possesses virulence to several stem rust resistance genes commonly present in wheat cultivars grown worldwide. New variants detected in the race TTKSK lineage further broadened the virulence spectrum. The identification of sources of genetic resistance to race TTKSK and its relatives is necessary to enable the development and deployment of resistant varieties. Accessions of Triticum monococcum, an A-genome diploid wild and cultivated wheat, have previously been characterized as resistant to stem rust. Three resistance genes were identified and introgressed into hexaploid wheat: Sr21, Sr22, and Sr35. The objective of this study was to determine the genetic control and allelic relationships of resistance to race TTKSK in T. monococcum accessions identified through evaluations at the seedling stage. Generation F2 progeny of 8 crosses between resistant and susceptible accessions and 13 crosses between resistant accessions of T. monococcum were evaluated with race TTKSK and often with North American races, including races QFCSC, TTTTF, and MCCFC. For a selected population segregating for three genes conferring resistance to race TTKSK, F2:3 progeny were evaluated with races TTKSK, QFCSC, and TTTTF. In that population, we detected two genes conferring resistance to race TTKSK that are different from Sr21, Sr22, and Sr35. One of the new genes was effective to all races tested. The identification of these genes will facilitate the development of varieties with new resistance to race TTKSK.
Taylor's Law holds in experimental bacterial populations but competition does not influence the slope
Authors: Ramsayer Johan , Fellous Simon , Cohen Joel E. , Hochberg Michael E.
Published: November 2011

Populations vary in time and in space, and temporal variation may differ from spatial variation. Yet, in the past half century, field data have confirmed both the temporal and spatial forms of Taylor's power Law, a linear relationship between log(variance) and log(mean) of population size. Recent theory predicted that competitive species interactions should reduce the slope of the temporal version of Taylor's Law. We tested whether this prediction applied to the spatial version of Taylor's Law using simple, well-controlled laboratory populations of two species of bacteria that were cultured either separately or together for 24 h in media of widely varying nutrient richness. Experimentally, the spatial form of Taylor's Law with a slope of 2 held for these simple bacterial communities, but competitive interactions between the two species did not reduce the spatial Taylor's Law slope. These results contribute to the widespread usefulness of Taylor's Law in population ecology, epidemiology and pest control.
How to identify water from thickener aqueous solutions by touch
Authors: Nonomura Yoshimune , Miura Taku , Miyashita Takaaki , Asao Yuka , Shirado Hirokazu , Makino Yasutoshi , Maeno Takashi
Published: November 2011

Water detection is one of the most crucial psychological processes for many animals. However, nobody knows the perception mechanism of water through our tactile sense. In the present study, we found that a characteristic frictional stimulus with large acceleration is one of the cues to differentiate water from water contaminated with thickener. When subjects applied small amounts of water to a glass plate, strong stick-slip phenomena with a friction force of 0.46 ± 0.30 N and a vertical force of 0.57 ± 0.36 N were observed at the skin surface, as shown in previous studies. Surprisingly, periodic shears with acceleration seven times greater than gravitational acceleration occurred during the application process. Finite-element analyses predicted that these strong stimuli could activate tactile receptors: Meissner's corpuscle and Pacinians. When such stimuli were applied to the fingertips by an ultrasonic vibrator, a water-like tactile texture was perceived by some subjects, even though no liquid was present between the fingertip and the vibrator surface. These findings could potentially be applied in the following areas: materials science, information technology, medical treatment and entertainment.
Aerial shaking performance of wet Anna's hummingbirds
Authors: Ortega-Jimenez Victor Manuel , Dudley Robert
Published: November 2011

External wetting poses problems of immediate heat loss and long-term pathogen growth for vertebrates. Beyond these risks, the locomotor ability of smaller animals, and particularly of fliers, may be impaired by water adhering to the body. Here, we report on the remarkable ability of hummingbirds to perform rapid shakes in order to expel water from their plumage even while in flight. Kinematic performance of aerial versus non-aerial shakes (i.e. those performed while perching) was compared. Oscillation frequencies of the head, body and tail were lower in aerial shakes. Tangential speeds and accelerations of the trunk and tail were roughly similar in aerial and non-aerial shakes, but values for head motions in air were twice as high when compared with shakes while perching. Azimuthal angular amplitudes for both aerial and non-aerial shakes reached values greater than 180° for the head, greater than 45° for the body trunk and slightly greater than 90° for the tail and wings. Using a feather on an oscillating disc to mimic shaking motions, we found that bending increased average speeds by up to 36 per cent and accelerations of the feather tip up to fourfold relative to a hypothetical rigid feather. Feather flexibility may help to enhance shedding of water and reduce body oscillations during shaking.
The structure of cross-cultural musical diversity
Authors: Rzeszutek Tom , Savage Patrick E. , Brown Steven
Published: November 2011

Human cultural traits, such as languages, musics, rituals and material objects, vary widely across cultures. However, the majority of comparative analyses of human cultural diversity focus on between-culture variation without consideration for within-culture variation. In contrast, biological approaches to genetic diversity, such as the analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) framework, partition genetic diversity into both within- and between-population components. We attempt here for the first time to quantify both components of cultural diversity by applying the AMOVA model to music. By employing this approach with 421 traditional songs from 16 Austronesian-speaking populations, we show that the vast majority of musical variability is due to differences within populations rather than differences between. This demonstrates a striking parallel to the structure of genetic diversity in humans. A neighbour-net analysis of pairwise population musical divergence shows a large amount of reticulation, indicating the pervasive occurrence of borrowing and/or convergent evolution of musical features across populations.
Evolution of reproductive life histories in island birds worldwide
Authors: Covas Rita
Published: November 2011

Island environments typically share characteristics such as impoverished biotas and less-seasonal climates, which should be conducive to specific adaptations by organisms. However, with the exception of morphological studies, broad-scale tests of patterns of adaptation on islands are rare. Here, I examine reproductive patterns in island birds worldwide. Reproductive life histories are influenced by latitude, which could affect the response to insularity; therefore, I additionally test this hypothesis. Island colonizers showed mostly bi-parental care, but there was a significant increase in cooperative breeding on islands. Additionally, I found support for previous suggestions of reduced fecundity, longer developmental periods and increased investment in young on islands. However, clutch size increased with latitude at a rate nearly five times faster on the mainland than on the islands revealing a substantially stronger effect of insularity at higher latitudes. Latitude and insularity may also interact to determine egg volume and incubation periods, but these effects were less clear. Analyses of reproductive success did not support an effect of reduced nest predation as a driver of reproductive change, but this requires further study. The effect of latitude detected here suggests that the evolutionary changes associated with insularity relate to environmental stability and improved adult survival.
A predictive model for estimating river habitat area using GIS‐derived catchment and river variables
Authors: McGINNITY P. , DE EYTO E. , GILBEY J. , GARGAN P. , ROCHE W. , STAFFORD T. , McGARRIGLE M. , Ó′ MAOILÉIDIGH N. , MILLS P.
Published: November 2011

Abstract  The implementation of many fisheries management‐related activities in fresh water depends on habitat area inventories over extensive geographical scales. While river lengths are readily available, representative widths, necessary for area calculations, are difficult to obtain. As field surveys to collect this information are resource intensive, a predictive model was developed to enable the calculation of river wetted width using GIS‐derived values for catchment and river descriptors. A model containing upstream catchment area and the Shreve river drainage network index accounted for 88% of the variation in field measured river wetted width. Comparisons in Irish and Scottish rivers between modelled and measured widths were highly correlated and suggest that the model may be transferable to neighbouring geographic areas. As an example, the model is applied to provide an estimate of the usable fluvial habitat available to Atlantic salmon in Ireland.
CD47‐deficient mice have decreased production of intestinal IgA following oral immunization but a maintained capacity to induce oral tolerance
Authors: Westlund Jessica , Livingston Megan , Fahlén‐Yrlid Linda , Oldenborg Per‐Arne , Yrlid Ulf
Published: November 2011

Signal regulatory protein α (SIRPα/CD172a), expressed by myeloid cells including CD11b+ dendritic cells, interacts with ubiquitously expressed CD47 to mediate cell–cell signalling and therefore, may be pivotal in the development of tolerance or immunity. We show that in mice deficient in CD47 (CD47−/−) the cellularity in gut‐associated lymphoid tissues is reduced by 50%. In addition, the frequency of CD11b+ CD172a+ dendritic cells is significantly reduced in the gut and mesenteric lymph nodes, but not in Peyer’s patches. Activation of ovalbumin (OVA)‐specific CD4+ T cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes after feeding OVA is reduced in CD47−/− mice compared with wild‐type however, induction of oral tolerance is maintained. The addition of cholera toxin generated normal serum anti‐OVA IgG and IgA titres but resulted in reduced intestinal anti‐OVA IgA in CD47−/− mice. Replacing the haematopoietic compartment in CD47−/− mice with wild‐type cells restored neither the cellularity in gut‐associated lymphoid tissues nor the capacity to produce intestinal anti‐OVA IgA following immunization. This study demonstrates that CD47 signalling is dispensable for oral tolerance induction, whereas the expression of CD47 by non‐haematopoietic cells is required for intestinal IgA B‐cell responses. This suggests that differential CD4 T cell functions control tolerance and enterotoxin‐induced IgA immunity in the gut.
Effect of blending and lipase catalyzed interesterification reaction on the cholesterol lowering properties of palm oil with rice bran oil in rats
Authors: Reena Malongil B. , Lokesh Belur R.
Published: November 2011

The effect of feeding blended and interesterified oils containing palm oil (PO) and rice bran oil (RBO) on serum and liver lipids was evaluated in rats. The PO and RBO were blended to contain saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids in the proportion of 1:1.5:1. The blended oil was subjected to transesterification reaction using immobilized lipase, lipozyme IM‐RM. Rats were fed a diet containing blended or interesterified oils for 8 weeks. Rats fed PO showed significantly higher levels of cholesterol in serum and liver as compared to those given RBO, blended oil of PO with RBO or interesterified oil. Rats fed blended oils showed a significant decrease in serum cholesterol by 51% compared to rats fed PO. Feeding interesterified oil to rats resulted in decrease in serum cholesterol by 56% compared to rats fed PO, which was 10% lower compared to that observed in rats given blended oil. The present study indicated that a combination of PO with RBO can significantly lower serum lipids in rats as compared to those given diet containing PO alone.
Effects of wind farms and food scarcity on a large scavenging bird species following an epidemic of bovine spongiform encephalopathy
Authors: Martínez‐Abraín Alejandro , Tavecchia Giacomo , Regan Helen M. , Jiménez Juan , Surroca Martín , Oro Daniel
Published: November 2011

1. Wind farms are emerging as a major cause of mortality of large scavenging bird species, which may be catastrophic when they operate in concert with other threats. As a study model, we examine the impact of wind turbines on the population dynamics of a soaring bird species, when acting in conjunction with a sudden decrease in food availability following the European bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) epidemic.

2. In Spain, vultures have been provided with supplementary food at traditional vulture restaurants for centuries. In 2006/2007, these feeding stations were closed as part of disease control measures. At the same time, wind farms were deployed within the vulture foraging range. We used capture–recapture data and direct observation to monitor the impacts of these changes on the vulture population.

3. The number of breeding pairs decreased by c. 24%, adult survival by 30% and fecundity by 35%. However, the population recovered as soon as the perturbations ceased, the vulture restaurants were reopened, and the most problematic wind turbines were closed. Population recovery was faster than predicted by a retrospective stochastic population model.

4. Our analyses indicate that fecundity and survival were influenced predominantly by wind turbines. Food scarcity promoted a shift in foraging behaviour that drove vultures to fly into the path of wind turbines as they sought out new food sources in a landfill site. Elasticity and sensitivity analyses of the population model showed that mortality of adult birds had a much greater effect on population declines than mortality of immature birds, whereas reduction in fecundity had negligible effects.

5. The most likely explanation for the rapid recovery of the vulture population is that the observed decline in breeding pairs was not solely because of increased mortality. The decline probably included dispersal away from the area and a greater incidence of skipped breeding during the perturbation years. Subsequent immigration from large nearby populations was probably a factor in population recovery.

6. Synthesis and applications. Where specific wind turbines are causing substantial mortality, their closure is an effective management response. For vulture populations dependent on supplemental feeding stations, the feeding sites should be relocated away from the most problematic wind turbines, or other anthropogenic sources of mortality, to prevent negative impacts. We recommend the establishment of scattered, low‐value food sources to replicate historical conditions and to avoid the problems associated with high concentrations of individuals in one place.
Differential Hypothalamic Secretion of Neurocrines in Male Common Marmosets: Parental Experience Effects?
Authors: Woller M. J. , Sosa M. E. , Chiang Y. , Prudom S. L. , Keelty P. , Moore J. E. , Ziegler T. E.
Published: November 2011

Pregnancy and lactation produce a plethora of hormonal changes in females that promote maternal care of offspring. Males in the biparental marmoset species (Callithrix jacchus) demonstrate high levels of parenting behaviour and express enhanced circulating reproductive hormones. Furthermore, these hormonal changes are influenced by paternal experience. To determine whether the paternally experienced male marmoset has altered neurocrine hypothalamic release, as the maternal females does, we examined the release of several reproductive neurocrines, dopamine (DA), oxytocin (OT), vasopressin (AVP) and prolactin (PRL), in cultured explants of the hypothalamus of paternally experienced male marmosets compared to naïve, paternally inexperienced males. DA levels secreted from the isolated hypothalamus were significantly lower in the experienced males, whereas OT and PRL levels were significantly higher than levels found in inexperienced males. PRL levels decreased rapidly in the hypothalamic media, suggesting that PRL production occurs elsewhere. AVP levels did not change. Stimulation of the cultured explants with oestradiol significantly decreased DA levels in the inexperienced males but did not alter the other neurocrines, suggesting a direct effect of oestradiol on DA suppression in the hypothalamus. Although other factors such as age and rearing experience with siblings may play a role in hypothalamic neurocrine levels, these results demonstrate that paternal experience may impact upon the secretion of neurocrines in a male biparental primate.
Experimental Hypothyroidism Delays Field Excitatory Post‐Synaptic Potentials and Disrupts Hippocampal Long‐term Potentiation in the Dentate Gyrus of Hippocampal Formation and Y‐Maze Performance in Adult Rats
Authors: Artis A. S. , Bitiktas S. , Taşkın E. , Dolu N. , Liman N. , Suer C.
Published: November 2011

Manipulations of thyroid hormones have been shown to influence learning and memory. Although a large body of literature is available on the effect of thyroid hormone deficiency on learning and memory functions during the developmental stage, electrophysiological and behavioural findings, particularly on propylthiouracil administration to adult normothyroid animals, are not satisfactory. The experiments in the present study were carried out on 12 adult male Wistar rats aged 6–7 months. Hypothyroidism was induced by administering 6‐n‐propyl‐2‐thiouracil in their drinking water for 21 days at a concentration of 0.05%. The spatial learning performance of hypothyroid and control rats was studied on a Y‐maze. The rats were then placed in a stereotaxic frame under urethane anaesthesia. A bipolar tungsten electrode was used to stimulate the medial perforant path. A glass micropipette was inserted into the granule cell layer of the ipsilateral dentate gyrus to record field excitatory post‐synaptic potentials. After a 15‐min baseline recording of field potentials, long‐term potentiation was induced by four sets of tetanic trains. The propylthiouracil‐treated rats showed a significantly attenuated input–output (I/O) relationship when population spike (PS) amplitudes and field excitatory post‐synaptic potentials (fEPSP) were compared. fEPSP and PS latencies were found to be longer in the hypothyroid group than in the control group. The PS amplitude and fEPSP slope potentiations in the hypothyroid rats were not statistically different from those in the control rats, except for the field EPSP slope measured in the post‐tetanic and maintenance phases. The hypothyroid rats also showed lower thyroxine levels and poor performance in the spatial memory task. The present study provides in vivo evidence for the action of propylthiouracil leading to impaired synaptic plasticity, which might explain deficit in spatial memory tasks in adult hypothyroid rats.
Phylogeographic analyses of the southern leopard frog: the impact of geography and climate on the distribution of genetic lineages vs. subspecies
Authors: NEWMAN CATHERINE E. , RISSLER LESLIE J.
Published: November 2011

The southeastern United States is a major phylogeographic break hotspot for amphibians, but the processes underlying this hotspot remain to be explicitly tested. We test the correlation of genetic lineages with subspecies breaks in the southeastern United States and the association of such breaks with climate, using Rana sphenocephala as a case study, and place our results in the broader context of the Alabama‐Appalachian suture zone (AL‐Appalachian SZ). We use genetic and ecological methods to (i) determine whether genetic lineages are coincident with the AL‐Appalachian SZ or the subspecies and (ii) test the correlation of major climatic breaks with genetic structure and morphological variation in R. sphenocephala. Bayesian phylogenetic analyses of the ND1 mtDNA gene and microsatellite cluster analyses revealed two distinct lineages with over 4% sequence divergence. The geographic distributions of the two lineages are concordant with the AL‐Appalachian SZ but do not correspond to the ranges of the subspecies based on morphology. Mantel tests revealed that isolation by distance and historical barriers to gene flow, rather than climate, are the major drivers of genetic divergence at neutral loci. Examination of climate breaks across the Southeast revealed a pattern incongruent with suture zone hotspots, suggesting that phylogenetic structure has been driven primarily by historical factors, such as isolation, the Appalachian Mountains and the Apalachicola/Chattahoochee/Flint River Basin. However, climate breaks are consistent with the geographic distribution of the subspecies of R. sphenocephala, suggesting that environmental pressures may be driving divergence in morphological traits that outpaces molecular evolution.
Snapping magnetosome chains by asymmetric cell division in magnetotactic bacteria
Authors: Lin Wei , Pan Yongxin
Published: November 2011

The mechanism by which prokaryotic cells organize and segregate their intracellular organelles during cell division has recently been the subject of substantial interest. Unlike other microorganisms, magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) form internal magnets (known as magnetosome chain) for magnetic orientation, and thus face an additional challenge of dividing and equipartitioning this magnetic receptor to their daughter cells. Although MTB have been investigated more than four decades, it is only recently that the basic mechanism of how MTB divide and segregate their magnetic organelles has been addressed. In this issue of Molecular Microbiology, the cell cycle of the model magnetotactic bacterium, Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense is characterized by Katzmann and co‐workers. The authors have found that M. gryphiswaldense undergoes an asymmetric cell division along two planes. A novel wedge‐like type of cellular constriction is observed before separation of daughter cells and magnetosome chains, which is assumed to help cell cope with the magnetic force within the magnetosome chain. The data shows that the magnetosome chain becomes actively recruited to the cellular division site, in agreement with the previous suggestions described by Staniland et al. (2010), and the actin‐like protein MamK is likely involved in this fast polar‐to‐midcell translocalization. With the use of cryo‐electron tomography, an arc‐shaped Z ring is observed near the division site, which is assumed to trigger the asymmetric septation of cell and magnetosome chain.
Impact of post‐transplant anemia on patient and graft survival rates after kidney transplantation: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Kamar Nassim , Rostaing Lionel , Ignace Sophie , Villar Emmanuel
Published: November 2011

Kamar N, Rostaing L, Ignace S, Villar E. Impact of post‐transplant anemia on patient and graft survival rates after kidney transplantation: a meta‐analysis.  Clin Transplant 2011 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399‐0012.2011.01545.x.  © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  The impact of post‐kidney transplant anemia (PTA) on patient and graft survival rates remains controversial. We performed a meta‐analysis to evaluate its impact in causing death of a patient with a functioning graft (DPWFG) and death‐censored graft loss (DCGL). A systematic review of 11 observational studies (11 632 kidney transplant patients) that reported the impact of PTA or hemoglobin (Hb) level on these endpoints was performed. Using the World Health Organization (WHO) definition (Hb <12 g/dL in women and Hb <13 g/dL in men), PTA was not associated with DPWFG when results were expressed as an adjusted hazard ratio (aHR: 1.23 [0.97–1.57]), but was associated with higher DPWFG when results were expressed as unadjusted rates (aHR: 2.48 [1.36–4.52]) and when cut‐off level for anemia was lower than the WHO definition (aHR: 3.12 [1.92–5.07]). A −1 g/dL decrease in Hb level was associated with higher DPWFG rates (aHR: 1.19 [1.12–1.26]). Using WHO criteria, PTA was associated with higher DCGL rates when results were expressed as aHR (aHR: 1.53 [1.26–1.85]) or as unadjusted rates (aHR: 3.55 [2.36–5.33]); a −1 g/dL decrease in Hb level was associated with higher DCGL rates (aHR: 1.14 [1.11–1.16]). This meta‐analysis reveals that the association between PTA and DPWFG varies with PTA definition and adjustment for confounders. In all sub‐meta‐analyses, PTA was significantly associated with DCGL.
Genetic parameters for energy balance, fat /protein ratio, body condition score and disease traits in German Holstein cows
Authors: Buttchereit N. , Stamer E. , Junge W. , Thaller G.
Published: November 2011

Various health problems in dairy cows have been related to the magnitude and duration of the energy deficit post partum. Energy balance indicator traits like fat/protein ratio in milk and body condition score could be used in selection programmes to help predicting breeding values for health traits, but currently there is a lack of appropriate genetic parameters. Therefore, genetic correlations among energy balance, fat/protein ratio, and body condition score, and mastitis, claw and leg diseases, and metabolic disorders were estimated using linear and threshold models on data from 1693 primiparous cows recorded within the first 180 days in milk. Average daily energy balance, milk fat/protein ratio and body condition score were 8 MJ NEL, 1.13 and 2.94, respectively. Disease frequencies (% cows with at least one case) were 24.6% for mastitis, 9.7% for metabolic disorders and 28.2% for claw and leg diseases. Heritability estimates were 0.06, 0.30 and 0.34 for energy balance, fat/protein ratio and body condition score, respectively. For the disease traits, heritabilities ranged between 0.04 and 0.15. The genetic correlations were, in general, associated with large standard errors, but, although not significant, the results suggest that an improvement of overall health can be expected if energy balance traits are included into future breeding programmes. A low fat/protein ratio might serve as an indicator for metabolic stability and health of claw and legs. Between body condition and mastitis, a significant negative correlation of −0.40 was estimated. The study provides a new insight into the role energy balance traits can play as auxiliary traits for robustness of dairy cows. It was concluded that both, fat/protein ratio and body condition score, are potential variables to describe how well cows can adapt to the challenge of early lactation. However, the genetic parameters should be re‐estimated on a more comprehensive data set.
Factors influencing weaning from mechanical ventilation in elderly patients with severe pneumonia
Authors: Fujii Mitsuhiro , Iwakami Shin‐ichiro , Takagi Haruhi , Itoigawa Yukinari , Ichikawa Masako , Iwakami Naoko , Ishiwata Toshiji , Seyama Kuniaki , Takahashi Kazuhisa
Published: November 2011

Aims:  The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that adversely affect the weaning of elderly patients with community‐acquired pneumonia from mechanical ventilation.

Methods:  This study retrospectively investigated the medical records of 71 elderly patients (65 years or older) who were admitted to the hospital because of community‐acquired pneumonia and required mechanical ventilation between January 2003 and December 2007. The patients were divided into two groups: group A, which included 33 patients who were successfully weaned from mechanical ventilation, and group B, which included 38 patients who could not be weaned from mechanical ventilation. The study compared the patients' background, vital signs, and laboratory and bacteriological examinations at the beginning of mechanical ventilation. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with difficulties in weaning patients from mechanical ventilation.

Results:  In group B, there were significantly more smokers (P < 0.05) and more patients with emphysematous changes on thoracic CT (P < 0.05). In group A, the concentrations of total serum protein (P < 0.05) and albumin (P < 0.05) were significantly higher. A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that patients with community‐acquired pneumonia who showed emphysematous changes on thoracic CT (OR = 4.92, 95%CI 1.08–22.46) and/or a low concentration of serum albumin <3.0 g/dL (OR = 4.25, 95%CI 1.17–15.45) had difficulty being weaned from mechanical ventilation.

Conclusion:  Our study suggests that elderly patients with community‐acquired pneumonia with emphysematous changes on thoracic CT and/or a low concentration of serum albumin level have difficulty being weaned from mechanical ventilation. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2012; 12: 277–283.
ENFORCEMENT RIGHTS AGAINST NON‐CULPABLE NON‐JUST INTRUSION
Authors: Vallentyne Peter
Published: November 2011

I articulate and defend a principle governing enforcement rights in response to a non‐culpable non‐just rights‐intrusion (e.g., wrongful bodily attack by someone who falsely, but with full epistemic justification, believes that he is acting permissibly). The account requires that the use of force reduce the harm from such intrusions and is sensitive to the extent to which the intruder is agent‐responsible for imposing intrusion‐harm
An indirect method to compare the reference centres for corneal measurements
Authors: Xu Jingjing , Bao Jinhua , Lu Fan , He Ji C
Published: November 2011

Citation information: Xu J, Bao J, Lu F & He JC. An indirect method to compare the reference centres for corneal measurements. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2012, 32, 125–132. doi: 10.1111/j.1475‐1313.2011.00880.x

Purpose:  Corneal measurements are commonly presented with respect to a specific reference centre, but the location of the reference centre on the corneal surface could vary from one diagnostic modality to another. This study aimed to develop a method for comparing reference centres used by corneal measurement systems.

Methods:  An indirect method was developed to compare reference centres by making use of the pupil centre and its offset from the reference centre. Reference centres in a Scheimpflug imaging system, the Pentacam HR, and a Placido‐ring corneal topography system, the ATLAS Corneal Topography System, were compared for the right and left eyes of 30 subjects. The subjects all had similar pupil sizes when measured by the two systems. Differences and correlations of the pupil centre offsets between the two systems were statistically tested and compared by Bland–Altman analyses.

Results:  There were no significant differences in mean pupil offsets between the two systems for either the right or left eyes (p > 0.05). There were strong correlations of the pupil centre offsets between the two systems for each eye (right eye x‐axis: r = 0.95, p < 0.0001; right eye y‐axis: r = 0.98, p < 0.0001; left eye x‐axis: r = 0.96, p < 0.0001, left eye y‐axis: r = 0.93, p < 0.0001). Bland–Altman analyses revealed no significant differences in pupil centre offsets between the two systems.

Conclusions:  The Pentacam HR system and the ATLAS system have very similar reference centres. Thus it is possible to directly analyze data from the Pentacam HR and other instruments using the corneal vertex or the pupil centre as the reference centres due to the similarity in the reference centre settings between the two systems.
Demystifying Internet Neutrality in South Korea with Stakeholder Analysis
Authors: Shin Dong‐Hee , Choo Hyungseung
Published: November 2011

This study examines the Internet neutrality issue in Korea by analyzing the debates among the stakeholders. It addresses the dynamic discussions of the issues by identifying how diverse groups of stakeholders are affected by various actions taken by the emergence of Internet neutrality. It presents a statistical analysis that reveals the factors implicated in the Internet neutrality debate and significant differences among individuals on opposing sides in the debate. The findings reveal insights into the connection between specific factors and positions in the Internet neutrality debate. The findings show that the issue of Internet neutrality is complex and as multifaceted as the parties' diverse interests. It concludes by proposing an effective model to govern Internet neutrality in Korea, based on the typology proposed by Strover.
Benign apocrine papillary lesions of the breast lacking or virtually lacking myoepithelial cells—potential pitfalls in diagnosing malignancy
Authors: CSERNI GÁBOR
Published: November 2011

Cserni G. Benign apocrine papillary lesions of the breast lacking or virtually lacking myoepithelial cells – potential pitfalls in diagnosing malignancy. APMIS 2012; 120: 249–52.

Two cases of apocrine papillary lesions are presented, in which myoepithelial cells were not visualized on hematoxylin and eosin‐stained slides. A complex sclerosing papillary lesion did not exhibit myoepithelial cells on p63 and CD10 immunostaining, although a thin rim of myoepithelial cell cytoplasm was revealed by smooth muscle actin, calponin, and S100 immunostains. In the other lesion, without sclerosis, myoepithelium was not detected in the central papillary cores or at the periphery of the cystic wall on hematoxylin and eosin‐stained sections or with any of the myoepithelial markers tested, although two small wall areas did display the presence of myoepithelium. These two cases strengthen the view that the lack of myoepithelium alone in apocrine lesions cannot be equated with malignancy. As recent literature reports have demonstrated that myoepithelial cells may be missing from benign apocrine changes and proliferations of different types, a reconsideration of the diagnostic criteria of the malignancy of such lesions appears essential.
Oral status, oral hygiene habits and caries risk factors in home‐dwelling elderly dependent on moderate or substantial supportive care for daily living
Authors: Strömberg Ella , Hagman‐Gustafsson Marie‐Louise , Holmén Anette , Wårdh Inger , Gabre Pia
Published: November 2011

Strömberg E, Hagman‐Gustafsson M‐L, Holmén A, Wårdh I, Gabre P. Oral status, oral hygiene habits and caries risk factors in home‐dwelling elderly dependent on moderate or substantial supportive care for daily living. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2011;. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S

Abstract – Objectives:  Elderly people with disabilities have an increased risk of developing oral diseases as compared with the healthy elderly. The aim of this study was to investigate oral hygiene habits, clinical variables related to oral self‐care and caries risk in elderly individuals living at home with moderate and substantial needs of home care.

Methods:  A random sample of 151 elderly people with moderate needs and 151 with substantial needs of home care were examined. Data concerning general health, social conditions and oral hygiene habits were collected using a questionnaire. Data showing the prevalence of caries, plaque scores and gingival bleeding were obtained through clinical examinations.

Results:  Elderly subjects with substantial needs of home nursing had more active caries (P < 0.01) and more often gingival bleeding (P < 0.05), as compared with elderly people with moderate needs. Forty‐nine per cent of the elderly with moderate needs performed acceptable self‐care, as compared with 25% of the individuals with substantial needs. Good self‐care was associated with women, low plaque scores, less bleeding and less caries. Factors increasing the risk of having caries were low saliva secretion, high plaque scores and a large number of fillings, while having a dentist and good oral hygiene habits increased the chance of not developing caries.

Conclusions:  Good oral hygiene habits were associated with less prevalence of plaque and oral disease in the elderly irrespective of extent of needs of home nursing. However, the elderly with moderate needs more often performed good self‐care, indicating that the possibilities of strengthening self‐care and learning new routines are better when functions are less affected.
Management of complicated crown‐root fractures using intentional replantation: two case reports
Authors: Kim Duck‐Su , Shin Dong Ryul , Choi Gi‐Woon , Park Sang Hyuk , Lee Jin Woo , Kim Sun‐Young
Published: November 2011

Abstract –  The management of complicated crown‐root fractures is a challenge. Intentional replantation with 180° rotation may be a useful procedure to overcome this problem. In Case 1, a 23‐year‐old woman with complicated crown‐root fractured teeth #11, #21, and #22 was referred for treatment. All fractured teeth were extracted, rotated 180°, and replanted in a slightly extruded position. After 3 months, root canal treatment was completed and the final restorations fabricated. At the 18‐month follow up, the patient was asymptomatic, the tooth was functional, and no root resorption was observed radiographically. At the 90‐month follow up, slight cervical root resorption of tooth #11 was noted. In Case 2, a 27‐year‐old woman with a crown‐root fractured tooth #21 was referred for treatment. Despite immediate repositioning of the coronal fragment and a 2‐week stabilization with a wire splint, the coronal fragment remained separated from the apical tooth segment. The apical segment was extracted, rotated 180°, and replanted in a slightly extruded position. After 1 and 4 weeks, the root canal treatment was completed and the final restoration fabricated, respectively. At the 24‐month follow up, the patient was asymptomatic and apical healing was completed.
A prospective, multi‐centre, randomised, open label, parallel, comparative study to evaluate effects of AQUACEL® Ag and Urgotul® Silver dressing on healing of chronic venous leg ulcers
Authors: Harding Keith , Gottrup Finn , Jawień Arkadiusz , Mikosiński Jacek , Twardowska‐Saucha Krystyna , Kaczmarek Sławomir , Sopata Maciej , Shearman Cliff , Pieronne Alaine , Kommala Dheerendra
Published: November 2011

This study compared wound healing efficacy of two silver dressings, AQUACEL® Ag and Urgotul® Silver, against venous ulcers at risk of infection, over 8 weeks of treatment. The primary objective was to show non inferiority of AQUACEL® Ag to Urgotul® Silver. Patients (281) were randomised into two groups. The AQUACEL® Ag group had 145 patients treated with AQUACEL® Ag for 4 weeks followed by AQUACEL for another 4 weeks. TheUrgotul® Silver group had 136 patients treated with Urgotul® Silver for 4 weeks followed by Urgotul® for another 4 weeks. In both groups, ulcer size and depth, safety events and ulcer healing were compared. After 8 weeks of treatment, the AQUACEL® Ag group had a relative wound size reduction (49·65% ± 52·53%) compared with the Urgotul® Silver group (42·81% ± 60·0%). The non inferiority of the AQUACEL® Ag group to the Urgotul® Silver group was established based on the difference between them (6·84% ± 56·3%, 95% confidence interval −6·56 to 20·2) and the pre‐defined non inferiority margin (−15%). Composite wound healing analysis showed that the AQUACEL® Ag group had statistically higher percentage of subjects with better wound progression (66·9% versus 51·9%, P = 0·0108). In general, both dressings were effective at promoting healing of venous ulcers.
STATISTICAL VALIDATION OF THE TRACK‐DILUTION PLATING METHOD FROM GROUND BEEF AND CARCASS SURFACE SAMPLES1
Authors: SIRAGUSA GREGORY R.
Published: November 2011

Abstract  A rapid and easy method of obtaining a viable culture count, the Track‐Dilution method, was evaluated and compared to Spiral Plating to obtain viable culture counts from ground beef samples and beef carcass surface tissue samples inoculated with salmonellae or Escherichia coli O157:H7. Based on the statistical analysis of the dataset (n = 125 samples), the Track‐Dilution method results were not different (P > 0.1) than those obtained from Spiral Plating. Linear correlation of the scatterplot of Spiral Plating and Track‐Dilution indicated a high level of agreement between these two methods (r2 = 0.97). The Track‐Dilution method was a valid method for estimating viable culture counts for meat animal‐derived samples with bacterial counts of more than 100 cfu/mL.
A RAPID SCREENING METHOD FOR SALMONELLA TYPHIMURIUM DT 104 IN POULTRY BARN ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLES
Authors: SHAW STEPHEN J. , BLAIS BURTON W. , NUNDY DEV C. , POCOCK RICHARD L.
Published: November 2011

Abstract  A rapid screening method was developed to presumptively identify S. typhimurium DT 104 in naturally contaminated poultry barn environmental samples. This technique involves a semiselective preenrichment (chloramphenicol in buffered peptone water) procedure followed by screening with a Salmonella‐specific chemiluminescence‐based detection system (IsoSCREEN™, Stratecon Diagnostics International, USA), then plating on Modified Semi‐solid Rappaport‐Vassilliadis (MSRV) agar plates incorporating antibiotic disks (ampicillin, chloramphenicol and tetracycline). Environmental samples (183 total) from a poultry barn were analyzed for the suspected presence of Salmonella typhimurium DT 104. Of these, 141 samples were identified as containing Salmonella species, 9 of which were identified as Salmonella typhimurium DT 104 by both the standard culture methods and the combined IsoSCREEN™‐MSRV antibiotic susceptibility test (IsoSCREEN™‐MAST). In comparison with the standard culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing techniques, which require 7–9 days to complete, the IsoSCREEN™‐MAST required only 3–5 days to presumptively identify Salmonella typhimurium DT 104 in the samples.
A COMPARISON OF THE HEALTH PROTECTION BRANCH AND THE ENZYME LINKED FLUORESCENT ASSAY METHODS FOR THE ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF LISTERIA SPP. AND LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES FROM FOODS
Authors: DALEY E.F. , BOOTSVELD D. , WARBURTON D.W. , FARBER J.M.
Published: November 2011

Abstract  The conventional Health Protection Branch method (MFHPB‐30) for the detection of Listeria monocytogenes is labor intensive and may require seven days to complete, depending on the initial levels of the organism in the food sample. Thus, there is a definite need for a rapid isolation and detection method. There are two commercially available versions of the enzyme linked fluorescent assay (ELFA) method for identifying Listeria from foods. One identifies Listeria to the genus level and the other to the species (L. monocytogenes) level, with both giving results within 50 h. In the present study, the two ELFA methods were compared to the HPB method to determine their efficiency.

For the genus‐specific test, 326 uninoculated foods were compared by both the HPB and ELFA methods. When comparing the HPB method to the genus‐specific ELFA method, the latter had a false‐negative rate of 4.6%. There were no false positives. For the species‐specific ELFA assay, of the 186 foods compared by the two methods, a false‐negative rate of 8.1% and a false‐positive rate of 3.8% was observed in the ELFA method as compared to the HPB method.
USING NATURALLY BREWED SOY SAUCE TO REDUCE SALT IN SELECTED FOODS
Authors: GOH FIONA XIN WEI , ITOHIYA YOICHI , SHIMOJO RYO , SATO TSUNEO , HASEGAWA KOJI , LEONG LAI PENG
Published: November 2011

The aim of this study was to explore the use of soy sauce to reduce salt intake in daily food preparation by replacing all or some added salt with naturally brewed soy sauce without change in consumer acceptance. Three types of foods were investigated: salad dressing, tomato soup and stir‐fried pork. A two‐alternative forced choice test between a salt standard and a variety of soy sauce samples was used to establish the exchange rate, giving the amount of soy sauce needed to replace added salt with the same taste intensity. In a separate session, consumers were asked to evaluate the pleasantness and several sensory attributes of another five varieties of the food samples based on the proportion of salt and soy sauce added. The results showed that it is possible to reduce added salt by 33–50% in the foods studied when soy sauce is used to replace added salt during food preparation.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The relationship between the high salt consumption and hypertension has led to dietary recommendations to reduce salt in foods. However salt reduction is often difficult to achieve due to the reduction in acceptability of the reduced‐salt foods. This article shows that it is possible to reduce salt in foods without compromising the taste intensity and pleasantness of the food by replacing salt with naturally‐brewed soy sauce. Percentage of salt reduction achievable may be higher in a population with prior exposure to soy sauce in their diet. The method can be used by food industries to produce reduced salt products or by consumers at home.
Thrombolytic Therapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke after Recent Transient Ischemic Attack
Authors: de Leciñana María Alonso , Fuentes Blanca , Masjuan Jaime , Simal Patricia , Díaz-Otero Fernando , Reig Gemma , Díez-Tejedor Exuperio , Gil-Nuñez Antonio , Vivancos Jose , Egido Jose-Antonio
Published: November 2011

Background and aim

Safety and efficacy of intravenous thrombolysis in stroke patients with recent transient ischemic attack are hotly debated. Patients suffering transient ischemic attack may present with diffusion-weighted imaging lesions, and although normal computed tomography would not preclude thrombolysis, the concern is that they may be at higher risk for hemorrhage ***post-thrombolysis treatment. Prior ipsilateral transient ischemic attack might provide protection due to ischemic preconditioning. We assessed post-thrombolysis outcomes in stroke patients who had prior transient ischemic attack.

Methods

Multicentered prospective study of consecutive acute stroke patients treated with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Ipsilateral transient ischemic attack, baseline characteristics, risk factors, etiology, and time-lapse to treatment were recorded. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale at seven-days and modified Rankin Scale at three-months, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and mortality were compared in patients with and without transient ischemic attack.

Results

There were 877 patients included, 60 (6.84%) had previous ipsilateral transient ischemic attack within ***one-month prior to the current stroke (65% in the previous 24 h). Transient ischemic attack patients were more frequently men (70% vs. 53%; P = 0.011), younger (63 vs. 71 years of age; P = 0.011), smokers (37% vs. 25%; P = 0.043), and with large vessel disease (40% vs. 25%; P = 0.011). Severity of stroke at onset was similar to those with and without prior transient ischemic attack (median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score 12 vs. 14 P = 0.134). Those with previous transient ischemic attack were treated earlier (117 $pL 52 vs. 144 $pL 38 mins; P #< 0.005). After adjustment for confounding variables, regression analysis showed that previous transient ischemic attack was not associated with differences in stroke outcome such as independence (modified Rankin Scale 0–2) (odds ratios: 1.035 (0.57–1.93) P = 0.91), mortality (odds ratios: 0.99 (0.37–2.67) P = 0.99), or symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (odds ratios: 2.04 (0.45–9.32) P = 0.36).

Conclusions

Transient ischemic attack preceding ischemic stroke does not appear to have a major influence on outcomes following thrombolysis. Patients with prior ipsilateral transient ischemic attack appear not to be at higher risk of bleeding complications.