bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Principles and Practice of Disaster Relief: Lessons From Haiti
Authors: Benjamin Ernest , Bassily‐Marcus Adel M. , Babu Elizabeth , Silver Lester , Martin Michael L.
Published: May 2011

Disaster relief is an interdisciplinary field dealing with the organizational processes that help prepare for and carry out all emergency functions necessary to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters caused by all hazards, whether natural, technological, or human‐made. Although it is an important function of local and national governing in the developed countries, it is often wanting in resource‐poor, developing countries where, increasingly, catastrophic disasters tend to occur and have the greatest adverse consequences. The devastating January 12, 2010, Haiti earthquake is a case study of the impact of an extreme cataclysm in one of the poorest and most unprepared settings imaginable. As such, it offers useful lessons that are applicable elsewhere in the developing world.

Emergency preparedness includes 4 phases: mitigation or prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery. Periods of normalcy are the best times to develop disaster preparedness plans. In resource‐poor countries, where dealing with the expenses of daily living is already a burden, such planning is often neglected; and, when disasters strike, it is often with great delay that the assistance from international community can be deployed. In this increasingly interconnected world, the Haiti earthquake and the important international response to it make a strong case for a more proactive intervention of the international community in all phases of emergency management in developing countries, including in mitigation and preparedness, and not just in response and recovery.

Predisaster planning can maximize the results of the international assistance and decrease the human and material tolls of inevitable disasters. There should be a minimum standard of preparedness that every country has to maintain and the international assistance to achieve that. International academic medical centers interested in global health could strengthen their programs by prospectively including in them contingency planning for international relief operations. Healthcare professionals of these institutions who travel to disaster zones should rigorously prepare themselves and make provisions for collecting and reporting data, which will enrich the knowledge of this growing activity.Mt Sinai J Med 78:306–318, 2011.©2011 Mount Sinai School of Medicine
HIV Care for Geographically Mobile Populations
Authors: Taylor Barbara S. , Garduño L. Sergio , Reyes Emily V. , Valiño Raziel , Rojas Rita , Donastorg Yeycy , Brudney Karen , Hirsch Jennifer
Published: May 2011

The interaction between geographic mobility and risk for human immunodeficiency virus infection is well recognized, but what happens to those same individuals, once infected, as they transition to living with the infection? Does mobility affect their transition into medical care? If so, do mobile and nonmobile populations achieve similar success with antiretroviral treatment? The definition of mobility has changed over the centuries to encompass a complex phenotype including permanent migration, frequent travel, circular migration, and travel to and from treatment centers. The heterogeneity of these definitions leads to discordant findings. Investigations show that mobility has an impact on infection risk, but fewer data exist on the impact of geographic mobility on medical care and treatment outcomes. This review will examine existing data regarding the impact of geographic mobility on access to and maintenance in medical care and on adherence to antiretroviral therapy for those living with human immunodeficiency virus infection. It will also expand the concept of mobility to include data on the impact of the distance from residence to clinic on medical care and treatment adherence. Our conclusions are that the existing literature is limited by varying definitions of mobility and the inherent oversimplification necessary to apply a “mobility measure” in a statistical analysis. The impact of mobility on antiretroviral treatment outcomes deserves further exploration to both define the phenomenon and target interventions to these at‐risk populations. Mt Sinai J Med 78:342–351, 2011. © 2011 Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Linking Population, Health, and the Environment: An Overview of Integrated Programs and a Case Study in Nepal
Authors: Hahn Sigrid , Anandaraja Natasha , D'Agnes Leona
Published: May 2011

Population, health, and environment programs are cross‐sectoral development initiatives that link conservation, health, and family planning interventions. These programs are generally located in biodiversity hotspots, where population pressure is among the factors contributing to environmental degradation. This review describes the general structure of population, health, and environment programs and provides selected examples to highlight various aspects of this approach. We focus in depth on a case study from the Integrating Population and Health into Forestry Management Agendas program in Nepal that simultaneously addressed deforestation from fuel‐wood harvesting, indoor air pollution from wood fires, acute respiratory infections related to smoke inhalation, as well as family planning in communities in Nepal's densely populated forest corridors. Keys to the success of the Nepal project included empowerment of community forest user groups with population, health, and environment program know‐how and appropriate technology. Lessons learned in Nepal point to the critical role that nongovernmental organizations can play as catalysts of cross‐sectoral responses to complex development issues such as this one. The population, health, and environment approach can be an effective method for achieving sustainable development and meeting both conservation and health objectives. Mt Sinai J Med 78:394–405, 2011. © 2011 Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Post‐Soviet Transition: Improving Health Services Delivery and Management
Authors: Antoun Joseph , Phillips Frank , Johnson Tricia
Published: May 2011

During the post‐Soviet transition of the last 2 decades, ex‐Communist countries of the Eastern Bloc, including eastern and central Europe, the Soviet Union, and its satellite and aligned states, have undergone major health system reforms. Many health systems of those countries—previously adopting a Soviet‐type Semashko model—are currently called “in transition,” as reform agendas, such as shifting to a Bismarck, Beveridge, or mixed financing scheme or adopting new health delivery management policies, are still in development. In this article, we first review common characteristics of Semashko health systems (the predominant health system of Communist countries during the Soviet era) and then discuss the “new public management” principles that ex‐Communist countries have recently started to adopt with various degrees of success. We then illustrate experiences with these principles using 2 case studies, from Russia and Albania, and propose health policy options for both cases. Based on a review of the literature and on the our work experience in Russia and Albania, we found that the 2 ex‐Semashko systems have not fully capitalized on expected positive outcomes of new public management principles due to low local healthcare financing levels, depreciated healthcare infrastructure and operational capacities, overlapping and contradicting ideology and policies of the former and newer health systems, and finally, lack of leadership that has successful experience with these principles. In the case of pharmaceutical pricing, reimbursement, and access in Russia, we show how a well‐intentioned but suboptimally designed and managed pharmaceutical coverage scheme has suffered moral hazard and adverse selection and has adversely impacted the new public management promise of efficient medicine coverage. In the case of Albania, the delayed investment in human resource reform within a depreciated and underfinanced delivery system has adversely affected the implementation of new public management principles. Mt Sinai J Med 78:436–448, 2011 © 2011 Mount Sinai School of Medicine
American Indian Youth Substance Abuse: Community‐Driven Interventions
Authors: Lane Dakotah C. , Simmons John
Published: May 2011

Substance abuse among American Indians has a long history that dates back to the colonial era. American Indian youth today continue to have one of the highest substance abuse rates when compared with other groups. Researchers have implemented American Indian youth substance abuse interventions that previously have worked in the general population, but studies have found that they are generally unprepared and poorly designed for American Indian populations. The lack of inclusion of American Indian populations in the interventional studies, poor understanding of American Indian diversity and cultures, and lack of consideration for the unique historical and sociopolitical context of each tribe were cited as reasons the interventions failed. It has been suggested that historical trauma plays a considerable role in American Indian youth substance abuse; however, much of this theoretical framework has yet to be rigorously tested. Contemporary trauma appears to contribute significantly more to American Indian youth substance abuse. The data on American Indian substance abuse are limited, but what is currently available appears to show a vast heterogeneity in the level of substance abuse among American Indian youth that varies across different American Indian tribes and geographical distribution. In summary, this article seeks to describe the special relationship American Indian tribes have with the federal government, review historical and contemporary trauma, review American Indian youth substance abuse and interventions today, and finally describe a unique intervention strategy that tribes in the Pacific Northwest are implementing in order to combat American Indian youth substance abuse. Mt Sinai J Med 78:362–372, 2011 © 2011 Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Acrylic Acid Polymer Coatings on Silk Fibers by Room‐temperature APGD Plasma Jets
Authors: Chen Guangliang , Zhou Mingyan , Zhang Zhaoxia , Lv Guohua , Massey Sylvain , Smith Wilson , Tatoulian Michael
Published: May 2011

The aim of this work is to coat silk fibers (SF) with polymer of acrylic acid (PAA) using an atmospheric pressure glow discharge (APGD) plasma jet in order to immobilize antimicrobial peptide LL‐37. The polymer properties are characterized by contact angle goniometry (CAG), XPS, AFM and SEM. The CA of the SF film can be decreased to 34°, and the surface roughness of PAA in the center of plasma jet is larger than in other areas. Compared with the original SF, the concentration of carboxyl group increases greatly when the SF are modified by Ar plasma jet polymerization of AA. The augmentation of functional groups is very useful to immobilize larger concentrations of microbial peptide LL‐37 on the SF surface, and the satisfactory antimicrobial activity on inhibiting the Escherichia coli (E. coli) is thereby achieved.

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H2: The Critical Juncture between Polymerization and Dissociation of Hydrocarbons in a Low‐temperature Plasma
Authors: Hansen Terje A. R. , van de Sanden Richard , Engeln Richard
Published: May 2011

The chemistry in an argon plasma jet, admixed with a small percentage of CH4, C2H2, H2 and mixtures thereof, is investigated by means of residual gas a4lysis. Polymerization of such hydrocarbon precursors is known to occur when their densities exceed the Ar+ ion density. This paper shows that polymerization also occurs for precursor gas flows far below the initial Ar+ ion flow emanating from the plasma source. This is entirely due to the negative effect of H2 on the Ar+ ion density. Adding 1–2% of H2 to the total argon and hydrocarbon gas flow suffices to initiate polymerization. Although, H2 can be injected directly into the system, fragmentation of the hydrocarbon precursors themselves can likewise supply (part of) the required H2. Polymerization is furthermore enhanced when both precursors are used together. The contribution of C3Hy species to the plasma chemistry will likewise be substantiated.

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High‐fat diet activates pro‐inflammatory response in the prostate through association of Stat‐3 and NF‐κB
Authors: Shankar Eswar , Vykhovanets Eugene V , Vykhovanets Olena V , MacLennan Gregory T , Singh Rajesh , Bhaskaran Natarajan , Shukla Sanjeev , Gupta Sanjay
Published: May 2011

BACKGROUND

Signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat)‐3 and nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) are important signaling pathways constitutively activated during inflammation. We previously reported that high‐fat diet (HFD) intake induces oxidative stress in the prostate through elevated expression of NADPH oxidase subunits causing NF‐κB activation. We sought to determine whether Stat‐3 is involved in the activation of NF‐κB in the prostate as a result of HFD feeding, leading to inflammation.

METHODS

C57BL/6 mice were either fed with regular diet (RD) or HFD for 4 and 8 weeks. Plasma cytokine levels were determined by multiplex analysis. Western blotting was performed to determine the expression of NF‐κB, Stat‐3, Akt, PDK1, PKCε, and their phosphorylated forms along with pathologic evaluation of the prostate. Immunoprecipitation and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) were conducted to study the association between Stat‐3 and NF‐κB.

RESULTS

C57BL/6 mice fed with HFD showed a significant increase in the plasma levels of IL‐1ß, IL‐6, IL‐17, and TNFα after 4 and 8 weeks of feeding, compared with RD controls. HFD feeding elevated the intraprostatic expression of IL‐6 and caused activation of PKCε and Akt, the upstream kinase regulating Stat‐3 and NF‐κB. Nuclear extracts from the prostates of mice fed with HFD exhibited constitutively activated levels of Stat‐3 and NF‐κB/p65. Increased association between the activated forms of Stat‐3 and NF‐κB/p65 was observed in the nucleus as a result of HFD feeding, a finding that was accompanied by morphologic evidence of increased intraprostatic inflammation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that HFD activates Stat‐3 and NF‐κB/p65 in the prostate, and their interaction is associated with increased inflammation in the prostate. Prostate 72:233–243, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Factors determining electrostatic fields in molecular dynamics simulations of the ras/effector interface
Authors: Ensign Daniel L. , Webb Lauren J.
Published: May 2011

Using molecular dynamics simulations, we explore geometric and physical factors contributing to calculated electrostatic fields at the binding surface of the GTPase Ras with a spectroscopically labeled variant of a downstream effector, the Ras‐binding domain of Ral guanine nucleotide dissociation stimulator (RalGDS). A related system (differing by mutation of one amino acid) has been studied in our group using vibrational Stark effect spectroscopy, a technique sensitive to electrostatic fields. Electrostatic fields were computed using the AMBER 2003 force field and averaged over snapshots from molecular dynamics simulation. We investigate geometric factors by exploring how the orientation of the spectroscopic probe changes on Ras‐effector binding. In addition, we explore the physical origin of electrostatic fields at our spectroscopic probe by comparing contributions to the field from discrete components of the system, such as explicit solvent, residues on the Ras surface, and residues on the RalGDS surface. These models support our experimental hypothesis that vibrational Stark shifts are caused by Ras binding to its effector and not the structural rearrangements of the effector surface or probe reorientation on Ras‐effector binding, for at least some of our experimental probes. These calculations provide physical insight into the origin, magnitude, and importance of electrostatic fields in protein–protein interactions and suggest new experiments to probe the field's role in protein docking.Proteins 2011; . © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Biological activity of natural phytoecdysteroids from Ajuga iva against the sweetpotato whitefly Bemisia tabaci and the persea mite Oligonychus perseae
Authors: Aly Radi , Ravid Uzi , Abu‐Nassar Jackline , Botnick Ilan , Lebedev Galina , Gal Shira , Ziadna Hammam , Achdari Guy , Smirov Evgeny , Meir Ayala , Ghanim Murad
Published: May 2011

BACKGROUND: Ecdysteroids are steroid hormones that control moulting and govern several changes during metamorphoses in arthropods. The discovery of the same molecules (phytoecdysteroids) in several plant species displayed a wide array of rather beneficial agricultural impact. Many representatives of the genus Ajuga plants contain phytoecdysteroids with a 5β‐7‐ene‐6‐one system exhibiting physiological activities in insects.

RESULTS: By means of chromatographic (silica gel column, TLC) and LC‐MS, two major ecdysteroids (20‐hydroxyecdysone and cyasterone) have been isolated and identified from Israeli carpet bugle Ajuga iva (L.) Schreber (Lamiales: Lamiaceae) plants. Ajuga iva extract fractionated on the silica gel column yielded two fractions that showed high activity against the sweetpotato whitefly Bemisis tabaci and the persea mite Oligonychus perseae. A dose of 5 mg AI L−1 of the purely identified A. iva ecdysterone significantly reduced fecundity, fertility and survival of these pests, while commercial 20‐hydroxyecdysone at the same dose had lesser effects.

CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate considerable efficacy of natural phytoecdysteroids against major agricultural pests, and suggests that these materials should be considered for potential development of friendly control agents. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Lipid fingerprinting of Gram‐positive lactobacilli by intact cells – matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry using a proton sponge based matrix
Authors: Calvano Cosima D. , Zambonin Carlo G. , Palmisano Francesco
Published: May 2011

A method of direct lipid analysis by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) in intact membranes, without prior extraction/separation steps, is described. Here, we demonstrate the efficacy of a strong base, 1,8‐bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene (DMAN; proton sponge), as a novel matrix for MALDI‐time‐of‐flight (TOF) MS analysis of whole cell bacteria. Initially, individual acidic low‐molecular‐weight analytes such as standard free fatty acids and phospholipids were analyzed using DMAN as matrix. Clear negative‐mode MALDI‐TOF MS spectra of all analytes show only deprotonated analyte signals at a low picomole limit of detection with the complete absence of matrix‐related signals. These results indicate that DMAN represents a suitable matrix for MALDI‐TOF MS analysis of mixtures of complex lipids as the intact membranes of microorganisms. DMAN was successfully applied to the analysis of Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis and L. plantarum microorganisms. Different components were sensitively detected in a single spot, including 16:0, 18:2, 18:3, and 21:0 free acids, glycolipids, phosphatidylglycerols (PGs) and cardiolipins. This method might be of general application, offering the advantage of quickly gaining information about lipid components of other Gram‐positive bacterial membranes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Seasonal variations in metabolite profiling of the fruits of Ligustrum lucidum Ait
Authors: Guo Na , Yu Youhua , Ablajan Keyume , Li Li , Fan Bin , Peng Juan , Yan Han , Ma Fang , Nie Yinglan
Published: May 2011

The metabolite profiling of fruits of the herb Ligustrum lucidum Ait collected during different months has been performed using ultra‐performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/QTOFMS) and multivariate statistical analysis techniques. The markers such as oleuropein acid, neonuezhenide, specnuezhenide, oleuropein and ligustrosidic acid accountable for such variations were identified through the loadings plot of principal component analysis (PCA), and the tentative identification of the markers is completed by comparing the mass spectra and retention times with those of reference compounds and/or tentatively assigned by matching empirical molecular formulae and MS/MS data with those of the known compounds published. Furthermore, one of the chemical markers, such as specnuezhenide, which is water‐soluble, biologically active and also the predominant compound in this crude drug, was quantified by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with a tunable UV detector (UPLC‐TUV). The developed UPLC method provides good linearity (r2 = 0.9991), repeatability (RSD = 2.96%), intra‐ and inter‐day precisions (RSD = 0.21%, 0.96%), with accuracies of 99.18–100.26% and a recovery of specnuezhenide of 97.57%. The fruits of L. lucidum Ait collected from August to December were tested. The results clearly show that the fruits of L. lucidum Ait harvested in October have the highest yields of specnuezhenide. It is also noted that the variations of content of specnuezhenide obtained by both methods have a strong correlation. This suggests that the newly proposed strategy is a reliable and simple method for the rapid discrimination of subtle variations, within the same plant species or strains, due to different seasonal collection times. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
RELATIONS BETWEEN ALTERED STREAMFLOW VARIABILITY AND FISH ASSEMBLAGES IN EASTERN USA STREAMS
Authors: Meador M. R. , Carlisle D. M.
Published: May 2011

Although altered streamflow has been implicated as a major factor affecting fish assemblages, understanding the extent of streamflow alteration has required quantifying attributes of the natural flow regime. We used predictive models to quantify deviation from expected natural streamflow variability for streams in the eastern USA. Sites with >25% change in mean daily streamflow variability compared with what would be expected in a minimally disturbed environment were defined as having altered streamflow variability, based on the 10th and 90th percentiles of the distribution of streamflow variability at 1279 hydrological reference sites. We also used predictive models to assess fish assemblage condition and native species loss based on the proportion of expected native fish species that were observed. Of the 97 sites, 49 (50.5%) were classified as altered with reduced streamflow variability, whereas no sites had increased streamflow variability. Reduced streamflow variability was related to a 35% loss in native fish species, on average, and a >50% loss of species with a preference for riffle habitats. Conditional probability analysis indicated that the probability of fish assemblage impairment increased as the severity of altered streamflow variability increased. Reservoir storage capacity and wastewater discharges were important predictors of reduced streamflow variability as revealed by random forest analysis. Management and conservation of streams will require careful consideration of natural streamflow variation and potential factors contributing to altered streamflow within the entire watershed to limit the loss of critical stream habitats and fish species uniquely adapted to live in those habitats. Published in 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neue [{Cp(CO)2Mo}2ESbCl]‐Cluster mit tetraedrischem Mo2SbE‐Gerüst (E = S, Se)
Authors: Wagner Christoph , Merzweiler Kurt
Published: May 2011

Reaction of [{Cp(CO)3Mo}2SbCl] with S8 or Se8 leads to the formation of cluster compounds [{Cp(CO)2Mo}2ESbCl] (E = S, Se). [{Cp(CO)2Mo}2SSbCl] crystallizes monoclinic, space group P21/n with a = 812.28(3), b = 855.65(4), c = 2441.01(9) pm and β = 90.149(3)°; [{Cp(CO)2Mo}2SeSbCl]·CH2Cl2 crystallizes triclinic, space group P$\bar{1}$ with a = 828.82(9), b = 1002.8(1), c = 1340.0(2) and α = 109.24(1), β = 100.87(1), γ = 96.81(1)°. For both compounds X‐ray crystal structure analysis reveals tetrahedral Mo2SbE cluster cores with Sb–E bond lengths of 256.8(1) pm (E = S) and 265.3(1) (E = Se). According to the 18 electron rule the [{Cp(CO)2Mo}2ESbCl] clusters can be regarded as complexes of the 4 electron donator ESbCl that is coordinated “side‐on” to a {Cp(CO)2Mo}2 fragment.
Integrating microsatellite and pedigree analyses to facilitate the captive management of the endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla)
Authors: Henkel Jessica R. , Jones Kenneth L. , Hereford Scott G. , Savoie Megan L. , Leibo S.P. , Howard Jerome J.
Published: May 2011

The minimization of kinship in captive populations is usually achieved through the use of pedigree information. However, pedigree knowledge alone is not sufficient if pedigree information is missing, questionable, or when the founders of the captive population are related to one another. If this is the case, higher levels of inbreeding and lower levels of genetic diversity may be present in a captive population than those calculated by pedigree analyses alone. In this study, the genetic status of the critically endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (MSC) (Grus canadensis pulla) was analyzed using studbook data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service managed captive breeding program as well as microsatellite DNA data. These analyses provided information on shared founder genotypes, allowing for refined analysis of genetic variation in the population, and the development of a new DNA‐based studbook pedigree that will assist in the genetic management of the MSC population. Zoo Biol 31:322–335, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Swan‐Ganz Catheter Use in Trauma Patients Can Be Reduced Without Negatively Affecting Outcomes
Authors: Barmparas Galinos , Inaba Kenji , Georgiou Chrysanthos , Hadjizacharia Pantelis , Chan Linda S. , Demetriades Demetrios , Friese Randall , Rhee Peter
Published: May 2011

Objective

The use of pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) is controversial. The purpose of this study was to document the changing pattern of PAC use and to determine its effect on outcome.

Methods

The use of PAC was analyzed in patients ≥16 years old admitted to the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) over a 9‐year period starting in 2000. Patients with SICU length of stay exceeding 30 days were excluded. For the evaluation of PAC’s effect on outcome, PAC and no‐PAC patients were matched utilizing propensity scores.

Results

During the 9‐year study period, a total of 5,192 trauma patients were admitted to the SICU. Of these, 426 (8.2%) were <16 years old, and 174 (3.4%) had a SICU length of stay that exceeded 30 days. For the remaining 4,592 patients, the mean ± SD age was 39.5 ± 18.8 years, and the mean ISS was 19.9 ± 12.4. PAC was utilized in 19.5% (n = 896) of all the patients admitted to the SICU. The trend for PAC use decreased significantly over the years (P value for trend <0.001), from 38.6% in the year 2000 to 4.2% in the year 2008. This decrease was noted in all age and injury severity groups of patients. The overall mortality, however, remained at the same levels (P value for trend = 0.111). Patients managed with a PAC were significantly older, more severely injured, more frequently injured by a blunt mechanism, and were admitted more often in a hypotensive or comatose status. In the early part of the study, the PAC was utilized on the first day and for 4.1 days on average. In the later part of the study, however, the PAC was used on the second day and for a shorter period of time (3 days on average, P < 0.001). In the matched study population, patients in the PAC group had almost twofold higher odds for death, when compared to the no‐PAC group [34.2% vs. 22.5%, Odds Ratio (95% CI): 1.78 (1.42, 2.26), P < 0.001]. Patients younger than 50 years of age who had an ISS ≥16 had worse outcome when managed with a PAC, whereas patients aged 30–69 years with an ISS <16 had a higher survival. The overall complication rate was fivefold higher in patients receiving a PAC [46.3% vs. 14.2%, Odds Ratio (95% CI): 5.22 (4.04, 6.74), P < 0.001].

Conclusion

The use of PAC has decreased almost 10‐fold over the last decade at our institution. The PAC is being used later during the ICU course and for a shorter period of time. In a matched population, the use of PAC is associated with a significantly higher mortality and complication rate, but the reason for this association remains uncertain. The use of PAC is invasive and is associated with known complications and financial costs. While the use of PAC maybe useful in a select population, routine and widespread use of the PAC should be avoided.
Mating in the rain? Climatic variance for polyandry in the honeybee (Apis mellifera jemenitica)
Authors: El‐Niweiri Mogbel A. A. , Moritz Robin F. A.
Published: May 2011

We tested the impact of colony density and climatic conditions on the level of queen polyandry in different wild populations of the honeybee (Apis mellifera jemenitica). We identified the mating frequency of queens by genotyping worker offspring (n= 672) of 28 wild colonies with microsatellite DNA markers. The populations sampled in different climatic regions in Sudan showed a high variance for the queen mating frequency ranging from 9 to 23 estimated matings with an average of 14.00 ± 3.94 (13.16 ± 4.87 effective matings). The degree of polyandry was highly significantly correlated with the rainfall in the various regions. In general, more rainfall resulted in lower mating frequencies. Polyandry did not correlate with colony density or with genetic diversity of the local sample populations. This suggests that variation in polyandry in wild honeybee populations of Sudan is primarily driven by climatic differences among ecosystem variation rather than by the absolute or effective local honeybee population size.
Störungen der Bildung von Sexualsteroidhormonen und Hyperandrogenämie bei der Frau
Authors: Wieacker P. , Preisler-Adams S.
Published: May 2011

Defekte der Steroidhormonsynthese können mit einem Mangel oder Überschuss an Androgenen einhergehen, die zu Störungen der Geschlechtsentwicklung und im weiblichen Geschlecht zur Ovarialinsuffizienz führen.
Pictorial Essay: Early- and Late-term Effects of Radiotherapy in Head and Neck Imaging
Authors: Bharatha Aditya , Yu Eugene , Symons Sean P. , Bartlett Eric S.
Published: May 2011

The purpose of this article is to illustrate the cross-sectional imaging appearance of postradiation changes and complications of radiotherapy in the head and neck. Radiotherapy is an important treatment modality for head and neck cancer, and is often used in conjunction with chemotherapy. Recognition of the varied effects of radiotherapy to the head and neck region is essential to correctly interpret posttreatment imaging and may help prevent further complication.
Hand‐held Dynamometry Correlation With the Gold Standard Isokinetic Dynamometry: A Systematic Review
Authors: Stark Timothy , Walker Bruce , Phillips Jacqueline K. , Fejer René , Beck Randy
Published: May 2011

Objective

To examine the current evidence regarding the reliability and validity of hand‐held dynamometry for assessment of muscle strength in the clinical setting.

Data Sources

A search was conducted of the following databases: Cochrane, MEDLINE, PubMed, PEDro, OTseeker, Index to Chiropractic Literature (ICL), and MANTIS, from inception until January 29, 2010.

Study Selection

The MeSH subject heading “muscle strength dynamometer” was searched, in isolation and in combination with the text word phrases “hand‐held dynamometer” and “isokinetic.” Four hundred fifty‐four different studies met this search and were reviewed for possible inclusion.

Data Extraction

Two independent reviewers assessed the quality of the included manuscripts. The PEDro data collection system was used in conjunction with the Cochrane Diagnostic Test Accuracy Description. A third reviewer was used when there was disagreement between the primary reviewers.

Data Synthesis

Seventeen manuscripts met the inclusion criteria for this review, with a total of 19 studies (2 of the manuscripts involved 2 separate studies) that compared hand‐held dynamometry with an identified reference standard (isokinetic muscle strength testing). The results demonstrated minimal differences between hand‐held dynamometry and isokinetic testing.

Conclusions

Considering hand‐held dynamometry's ease of use, portability, cost, and compact size, compared with isokinetic devices this instrument can be regarded as a reliable and valid instrument for muscle strength assessment in a clinical setting.
Electrophysiological Dysfunction in the Peripheral Nervous System Following Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Riley Danny A. , Burns Anthony S. , Carrion‐Jones Monica , Dillingham Timothy R.
Published: May 2011

Objective

To evaluate peripheral nervous system function after chronic spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design

Case series.

Setting

Academic medical center.

Participants

Sixteen subjects (13 men, 3 women) with complete thoracic or cervical level SCI of 3‐32 years' duration since injury.

Methods

Clinical electrophysiology of the lower extremities.

Main Outcome Measurements

Compound motor action potentials (CMAP), sensory nerve action potentials, repetitive nerve stimulation, concentric needle electromyography (EMG), stimulated single‐fiber EMG.

Results

Subject ages ranged from 20 to 71 years with a mean (SD) of 42 ± 15 years. The average time since injury was 11 ± 8 years (range, 3‐32 years). Sural sensory nerve action potentials were elicited in only 4 of 16 subjects (25%), and peroneal CMAPs were elicited in 7 of 16 subjects (44%). All of the subjects had spontaneous activity (fibrillation and/or sharp potentials) in at least 1 of 4 tested muscles. Eighty‐one percent of subjects demonstrated spontaneous activity in 3 of the 4 tested muscles. Peroneal motor repetitive nerve stimulation was within normal limits for 7 subjects but could not be performed in the other 9 subjects because of the absence of CMAPs. Stimulated single‐fiber EMG was elicited in the tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum brevis, vastus lateralis, or vastus medialis muscles of 8 of 16 subjects.

Conclusions

The high prevalence of spontaneous activity demonstrates that denervation of the skeletal muscles served by motor neurons below the level of the lesion occurs in individuals with chronic complete SCI. The electrophysiological testing revealed the striking absence of sensory and motor nerve conduction and aberrant neuromuscular junction transmission. It is important to understand the mechanisms that underlie the profound reduction of the functional integrity of the peripheral nervous system to maximize the restoration of movement, particularly should descending neural control be reestablished by a future therapy.
The Female Athlete Triad and Endothelial Dysfunction
Authors: Lanser Erica M. , Zach Karie N. , Hoch Anne Z.
Published: May 2011

A tremendous increase in the number of female athletes of all ages and abilities has occurred in the past 35 years. In general, sports and athletic competition produce healthier and happier women. However, explosion in participation has revealed clear gender‐specific injuries and medical conditions unique to the female athlete. This article focuses on the latest advances in our knowledge of the female athlete triad and the relationship between athletic‐associated amenorrhea and endothelial dysfunction. Treatment of vascular dysfunction with folic acid is also discussed.
Immediate Changes in Spinal Height and Pain After Aquatic Vertical Traction in Patients With Persistent Low Back Symptoms: A Crossover Clinical Trial
Authors: Simmerman Susanne M. , Sizer Phillip S. , Dedrick Gregory S. , Apte Gail G. , Brismée Jean‐Michel
Published: May 2011

Objective

To investigate the effect of aquatic vertical traction on spinal height, pain intensity, and centralization response compared with a land‐based supine flexion position for patients with low back pain and signs of nerve root compression.

Design

Single‐blind, repeated‐measures crossover design.

Setting

Outpatient physical therapy clinic.

Subjects

Ninety‐eight subjects were recruited using consecutive sampling, with 28 men and 32 women of a mean ± standard deviation (SD) age of 59.6 ± 11.6 years completing testing.

Intervention

Each subject participated in 2 sessions that consisted of loaded walking for 15 minutes, followed by either 15 minutes of land‐based supine position or 15 minutes of aquatic vertical traction.

Measurements

Spinal height change, measured using a commercial stadiometer, was determined after completing loaded walking and after each intervention.

Results

The mean ± SD height change of 4.99 ± 2.88 mm after aquatic vertical traction was similar to that of 4.21 ± 2.53 mm after the land‐based supine flexion (P = .0969). Paired t‐test indicated that both interventions resulted in significant increased height (P < .0001). Decreases in pain after aquatic intervention (2.7 ± 2.1 cm) were significantly greater than decreases after land intervention (1.7 ± 1.7 cm; P = .0034), and centralization of symptoms was more pronounced after aquatic vertical suspension compared with the supine land‐based flexion condition (P < .0001). A significant correlation between height change and both pain reduction (r = 0.39; P = .001) and centralization (r = 0.29; P = .013) was observed for the aquatic intervention only.

Conclusion

Although both the aquatic and land interventions produced significant increases in overall spinal height, the aquatic intervention produced greater pain relief and centralization response in subjects with low back pain and signs of nerve root compression.
A developmental model for the evolution of language and intelligence in early hominids
Authors: Parker Sue Taylor , Gibson Kathleen Rita
Published: May 2011

This paper presents a model for the nature and adaptive significance of intelligence and language in early hominids based on comparative developmental, ecological, and neurological data. We propose that the common ancestor of the great apes and man displayed rudimentary forms of late sensorimotor and early preoperational intelligence similar to that of one- to four-year-old children. These abilities arose as adaptations for extractive foraging with tools, which requires a long postweaning apprenticeship. They were elaborated in the first hominids with the shift to primary dependence on this feeding strategy. These first hominids evolved a protolanguage, similar to that of two-year-old human children, with which they could describe the nature and location of food and request help in obtaining it. The descendents of the first hominids displayed intuitive intelligence, similar to that of four- to seven-year-old children, which arose as an adaptation for complex hunting involving aimed-missile throwing, stone-tool manufacture, animal butchery, food division, and shelter construction. The comparative developmental and paleontological data are consistent with the hypothesis that the stages of development of intelligence and language and their neural substrates in our species recapitulate the stages of their evolution.
Speaker reliability in preschoolers' inferences about the meanings of novel words
Authors: SOBEL DAVID M. , SEDIVY JULIE , BUCHANAN DAVID W. , HENNESSY RACHEL
Published: May 2011

Preschoolers participated in a modified version of the disambiguation task, designed to test whether the pragmatic environment generated by a reliable or unreliable speaker affected how children interpreted novel labels. Two objects were visible to children, while a third was only visible to the speaker (a fact known by the child). Manipulating whether a novel object was visible to both interlocutors or hidden from the child tested the child's understanding of pragmatic expectations of interlocutor competence. When interacting with a speaker with a history of accurately labeling familiar objects, children responded appropriately in both cases. Whn interacting with a speaker who previously generated inaccurate labels for familiar objects, children's behavior and eye-movements reflected their belief that the speaker was not a competent communicator. These data support the hypothesis that children consider the pragmatic environment constructed by an interlocutor when that speaker asks them to make a lexical inference.
In the Ruins of Babel: Pitfalls on the Way toward a Universal Language for Research Ethics and Benefit Sharing
Authors: SOLBAKK JAN HELGE
Published: May 2011

At the end of a paper on international research ethics published in the July-August 2010 issue of theHastings Center Report, London and Zollman argue the need for grounding our duties in international medical and health-related research within abroadernormative framework of social, distributive, and rectificatory justice. The same goes for Thomas Pogge, who, in a whole range of publications during the past years, has argued for a human-rights-based approach to international research. In a thought-provoking paper in the June 2010 issue of theAmerican Journal of Bioethics,Angela J. Ballantyne argues that “the global bioethics priority” in medical and health-related research ethics today is how to do researchfairlyin anunjustworld.
Implications of Recent Developments in Ireland for the Status of the Embryo
Authors: McGUINNESS SHEELAGH , UÍ CHONNACHTAIGH SORCHA
Published: May 2011

One of the most significant developments in the area of reproductive health in Ireland is theRoche v. Roche[2009] case. The case concerned a woman who wished to implant cryopreserved embryos made with a former partner, against the partner’s wishes. Of particular interest are questions about the status of the embryo: in Ireland the life of “the unborn” is constitutionally protected. Therefore the courts inRochehad to decide whether embryos were “unborn” within the meaning of the Irish Constitution.
Does the United States Do It Better? A Comparative Analysis of Liver Allocation Protocols in the United Kingdom and the United States
Authors: CHERKASSKY LISA
Published: May 2011

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is responsible for the procurement and allocation of human organs in the United Kingdom. Its main role is to “ensure that organs donated for transplant are matched and allocated to patients in a fair and unbiased way.” NHSBT’s liver allocation policies are underpinned by the National Liver Transplant Standards, a document published by the Department of Health in 2005 to oversee patient care, patient assessment, liver allocation and transplantation, education and training, and research and development. NHSBT has developed its own liver allocation protocols under the powers assigned to it by the Department of Health, which include a “super-urgent” liver allocation policy, a Liver Allocation Sequence, and pediatric candidate liver allocation protocols.
Nursery nutrition in Liverpool: an exploration of practice and nutritional analysis of food provided
Authors: Parker Mike , Lloyd-Williams Ffion , Weston Gemma , Macklin Julie , McFadden Kate
Published: May 2011

Objective

To explore nutrition and food provision in pre-school nurseries in order to develop interventions to promote healthy eating in pre-school settings.

Design

Quantitative data were gathered using questionnaires and professional menu analysis.

Setting

In the community, at pre-school nurseries.

Subjects

All 130 nurseries across Liverpool were a sent questionnaire (38 % response rate); thirty-four menus were returned for analysis (26 % response rate).

Results

Only 21 % of respondents stated they had adequate knowledge on nutrition for pre-school children. Sixty-one per cent of cooks reported having received only a ‘little’ advice on healthy eating and this was often not specific to under-5 s nutrition. Fifty-seven per cent of nurseries did not regularly assess their menus for nutritional quality. The menu analysis revealed that all menus were deficient in energy, carbohydrate, Fe and Zn. Eighty-five per cent of nurseries had Na/salt levels which exceed guidelines.

Conclusions

Nurseries require support on healthy eating at policy, knowledge and training levels. This support should address concerns relating to both menu planning and ingredients used in food provision and meet current guidelines on food provision for the under-5 s.
Cumulative versus transient shoreline change: Dependencies on temporal and spatial scale
Authors: Lazarus Eli , Ashton Andrew , Murray A. Brad , Tebbens Sarah , Burroughs Stephen
Published: May 2011

Using shoreline change measurements of two oceanside reaches of the North Carolina Outer Banks, USA, we explore an existing premise that shoreline change on a sandy coast is a self‐affine signal, wherein patterns of change are scale invariant. Wavelet analysis confirms that the mean variance (spectral power) of shoreline change can be approximated by a power law at alongshore scales from tens of meters up to ∼4–8 km. However, the possibility of a power law relationship does not necessarily reveal a unifying, scale‐free, dominant process, and deviations from power law scaling at scales of kilometers to tens of kilometers may suggest further insights into shoreline change processes. Specifically, the maximum of the variance in shoreline change and the scale at which that maximum occurs both increase when shoreline change is measured over longer time scales. This suggests a temporal control on the magnitude of change possible at a given spatial scale and, by extension, that aggregation of shoreline change over time is an important component of large‐scale shifts in shoreline position. We also find a consistent difference in variance magnitude between the two survey reaches at large spatial scales, which may be related to differences in oceanographic forcing conditions or may involve hydrodynamic interactions with nearshore geologic bathymetric structures. Overall, the findings suggest that shoreline change at small spatial scales (less than kilometers) does not represent a peak in the shoreline change signal and that change at larger spatial scales dominates the signal, emphasizing the need for studies that target long‐term, large‐scale shoreline change.
New age for ferromanganese crust 109D‐C and implications for isotopic records of lead, neodymium, hafnium, and thallium in the Pliocene Indian Ocean
Authors: Nielsen Sune G. , Gannoun Abdelmouhcine , Marnham Charles , Burton Kevin W. , Halliday Alex N. , Hein James R.
Published: May 2011

This study presents a high‐resolution record of osmium and thallium isotopes in a ferro‐manganese (Fe‐Mn) crust from the Indian Ocean, Antipode 109D‐C. These results, when combined with additional new Os isotope data from ODP Hole 756B in the southeast Indian Ocean, define a new best estimate for the age at the base of this crust of ∼6.5 Ma, which is significantly different from a previous estimate of ∼15 Ma based on Co‐flux modeling. The Tl isotope record obtained for the Indian Ocean resembles that for the Pacific Ocean with a small but well‐defined increase occurring over the last ∼5 Myr. This contrasts with two records from the Atlantic Ocean which do not have resolvable variations. Ocean basin–scale Tl isotope variation may be inconsistent with the inferred modern marine residence time for Tl of ∼20 kyr but could be explained by an increase in ocean crust production rates in the Pacific and Indian oceans since ∼10 Ma. The improved age model for 109D‐C reveals that the Hf isotope composition of Indian Ocean bottom waters has remained homogenous over the last ∼6 Myr. Thus, this isotope system does not bear any evidence that the influence of North Atlantic Deep Water in the formation of Indian Ocean bottom waters has changed during that time. However, because of the lack of knowledge about Hf isotopes as a tracer of ocean circulation, we cannot conclude that export of NADW decreased over the last 6 Myr.