bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors that influence physical activity for pregnant and postpartum women and implications for primary care
Authors: Doran Frances , Davis Kierrynn
Published: March 2011

Many pregnant women and women of child-bearing age do not engage in the recommended levels of physical activity despite the well known benefits. Pregnancy and the postpartum period can be a time when inactivity actually increases. Women who experience gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during their pregnancy are often advised to become more active in order to ameliorate their increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Health professionals have an influential role in promoting physical activity, which would be enhanced with an understanding of the factors that positively and negatively influence women’s participation in physical activity during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. This research sought to explore these factors with pregnant and postpartum women including those who had experienced GDM and the attention given to physical activity during pregnancy. A survey was developed after a critical review of factors identified from previous studies. Women were recruited from the antenatal clinic, community health centres and the local media. Results from 72 women are reported from a predominately well educated, Caucasian population. Overall, the results were confirmatory of factors previously identified. Lack of child care, time constraints, no time and feeling unwell during pregnancy hindered activity and factors that facilitated activity included family support, enjoyment of activity and to prevent later health problems. It was also found that non-GDM women are given minimal advice about exercise during pregnancy. A checklist has been developed for health professionals, in partnership with women, to direct attention to the factors that enable and hinder participation in physical activity during and after pregnancy.
Women's experience of becoming caregivers to their ill partners: Gadamerian hermeneutics
Authors: Frankowska Dorota , Wiechula Rick
Published: March 2011

The recent morbidity trends in Australia indicate a steep rise in the number of individuals living with chronic illness who rely on the assistance of mostly women carers. Consequently, supporting and promoting carers’ health should be a priority to sustain their health, and ensure their ability to provide care to a significant other. This interpretive hermeneutic study explored the lived experience of women during the transition of becoming carers to their male partners with various health conditions. Gadamerian hermeneutics were used to research participants’ experiences allowing for interpretations that incorporated understandings of both worlds, those of the researcher and the participants. This negotiation of understandings made it possible to create mutual and new knowledge. The phenomenon ‘entering transition’ revealed itself as a precarious balance between a sense of loss and coping with the life changing situation. Yearning to preserve that equilibrium, the women did not wish to be considered as carers to their partners but expressed a need for maintaining the cohesiveness of their identity as part of a couple. One of the recommendations arising out of this study is that a different approach is needed to assist nurses and other health professionals to support this specific population of women carers in the community and in hospital settings.
A review of pharmacist recommendations in an aged care facility
Authors: Khalil Hanan
Published: March 2011

The aim of this study was to analyse the types of and rationale for the clinical recommendations made by the pharmacist in a rural aged care facility to improve patient safety. The classes of drugs associated with the pharmacist’s recommendations were also identified. A related aim was to determine their degree of acceptance by medical practitioners. A retrospective, cross-sectional study design was used to review 56 aged care residents’ case notes over a 12-month period. The main outcome measures included: the types of and reasons for recommendations made by the pharmacist; classes of drugs associated with the pharmacist’s recommendations; and the implementation rate of the pharmacist’s recommendations by the medical practitioner. A total of 196 recommendations were made by the pharmacist to the residents’ existing medications. The main types of recommendations were alteration to residents’ monitoring (49%), discontinuation of drug treatment (19%) followed by initiation of drug treatment (17%). The main reasons for the recommendations were to reduce potential side-effects (45%), symptom control (32%) and to increase drug efficacy (19%). Analysis of medical practitioners’ case notes estimated that 70% of the pharmacist’s recommendations were being implemented by the residents’ medical practitioner. This case notes analysis reinforces the importance of doctor–pharmacist collaboration in the management of residents’ medications in aged care facilities.
Transgenerational learning: maximising resources, minimising teaching gaps and fostering progressive learning
Authors: Clearihan Lyn , Vogel Silvia , Piterman Leon , Spike Neil
Published: March 2011

The need to rationalise teaching resources underpinned a project at Monash University that used a Delphi technique to re-examine the teaching curriculum of two key topic areas in the medical curriculum – ophthalmology and dermatology – from an undergraduate, graduate and vocational perspective. Using Bloom’s taxonomy the learning objectives from these topic areas were collated and analysed. This process allowed the revising and redistributing of learning objectives of the curricula to reduce the likelihood of duplication of teaching or more importantly gaps in teaching occurring. This process highlighted the potential utility of using a transgenerational approach to curriculum planning but the outcomes are limited due to the small number of participating educators and the lack of formal evaluation of the method.
Development of a nurse-led primary healthcare service for injecting drug users in inner-city Sydney
Authors: Day Carolyn A. , Islam M. Mofizul , White Ann , Reid Sharon E. , Hayes Stephen , Haber Paul S.
Published: March 2011

Injecting drug users (IDUs) experience numerous health problems, but report barriers to utilising general practitioners (GPs). A nurse-led Harm Minimisation-based Primary Healthcare (HMPH) service for IDUs was established within a needle and syringe program in inner-city Sydney with Area Health Service medical support and clinical governance. This paper aimed to describe the HMPH service, review service utilisation and assess nurses’ perceptions of their work with IDUs. A review of the most recent 200 clinic files was undertaken. Service utilisation, GP and other health service use and access were extracted and analysed using SPSS. A semi-structured qualitative interview with clinic nurses regarding their experience working with IDUs and local GPs was conducted and analysed. Since its inception in mid-2006, the service has been utilised by 417 clients. Of the most recent 200 files, blood-borne virus and sexually transmitted infection screening were the primary reason for presentation (64.5%). At least one follow-up visit was attended by 90% of clients. A total of 62% of clients reported consulting a GP in the last 12 months. The service provided 102 referrals. Nurses believed that IDUs tend to utilise GPs ineffectively and that self-care is a low priority, but that they can support IDUs to overcome some barriers to GPs and facilitate access. Targeted primary health care services led by nurses with focussed medical support and co-located with needle and syringe programs can fill an important gap in delivering and facilitating health care to IDUs.
Cellular copper levels determine the phenotype of the Arg
875
variant of ATP7B/Wilson disease protein
Authors: Gupta Arnab , Bhattacharjee Ashima , Dmitriev Oleg Y. , Nokhrin Sergiy , Braiterman Lelita , Hubbard Ann L. , Lutsenko Svetlana
Published: March 2011

In human disorders, the genotype-phenotype relationships are often complex and influenced by genetic and/or environmental factors. Wilson disease (WD) is a monogenic disorder caused by mutations in the copper-transporting P-type ATPase ATP7B. WD shows significant phenotypic diversity even in patients carrying identical mutations; the basis for such diverse manifestations is unknown. We demonstrate that the 2623A/G polymorphism (producing the Gly
875
→Arg substitution in the A-domain of ATP7B) drastically alters the intracellular properties of ATP7B, whereas copper reverses the effects. Under basal conditions, the common Gly
875
variant of ATP7B is targeted to the
trans
-Golgi network (TGN) and transports copper into the TGN lumen. In contrast, the Arg
875
variant is located in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and does not deliver copper to the TGN. Elevated copper corrects the ATP7B-Arg
875
phenotype. Addition of only 0.5–5 μM copper triggers the exit of ATP7B-Arg
875
from the ER and restores copper delivery to the TGN. Analysis of the recombinant A-domains by NMR suggests that the ER retention of ATP7B-Arg
875
is attributable to increased unfolding of the Arg
875
-containing A-domain. Copper is not required for the folding of ATP7B-Arg
875
during biosynthesis, but it stabilizes protein and stimulates its activity. A chemotherapeutical drug, cisplatin, that mimics a copper-bound state of ATP7B also corrects the “disease-like” phenotype of ATP7B-Arg
875
and promotes its TGN targeting and transport function. We conclude that in populations harboring the Arg
875
polymorphism, the levels of bioavailable copper may play a vital role in the manifestations of WD.
Predicting the effects of climate change on bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) spawning habitat in the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Muhling Barbara A. , Lee Sang-Ki , Lamkin John T. , Liu Yanyun
Published: March 2011

Muhling, B. A., Lee, S-K., Lamkin, J. T., and Liu, Y. 2011. Predicting the effects of climate change on bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) spawning habitat in the Gulf of Mexico. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 1051–1062. Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) is a highly migratory species that feeds in cold waters in the North Atlantic, but migrates to tropical seas to spawn. Global climate-model simulations forced by future greenhouse warming project that upper-ocean temperatures in the main western Atlantic spawning ground, the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), will increase substantially, potentially altering the temporal and spatial extent of BFT spawning activity. In this study, an ensemble of 20 climate model simulations used in the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change fourth Assessment Report (IPCC-AR4) predicted mean temperature changes within the GOM under scenario A1B through to 2100. Associations between adult and larval BFT in the GOM and sea temperatures were defined using 20th century observations, and potential effects of warming on the suitability of the GOM as a spawning ground were quantified. Areas in the GOM with high probabilities of larval occurrence decreased in late spring by 39–61% by 2050 and 93–96% by the end of the 21st century. Conversely, early spring may become more suitable for spawning. BFT are therefore likely to be vulnerable to climate change, and there is potential for significant impacts on spawning and migration behaviours.
Advergence in Müllerian mimicry: the case of the poison dart frogs of Northern Peru revisited
Authors: Chouteau Mathieu , Summers Kyle , Morales Victor , Angers Bernard
Published: March 2011

Whether the evolution of similar aposematic signals in different unpalatable species (i.e. Müllerian mimicry) is because of phenotypic convergence or advergence continues to puzzle scientists. The poison dart frogRanitomeya imitatorprovides a rare example in support of the hypothesis of advergence: this species was believed to mimic numerous distinct model species because of high phenotypic variability and low genetic divergence among populations. In this study, we test the evidence in support of advergence using a population genetic framework in two localities whereR. imitatoris sympatric with different model species,Ranitomeya ventrimaculataandRanitomeya variabilis. Genetic analyses revealed incomplete sorting of mitochondrial haplotypes between the two model species. These two species are also less genetically differentiated thanR. imitatorpopulations on the basis of both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA comparisons. The genetic similarity between the model species suggests that they have either diverged more recently thanR. imitatorpopulations or that they are still connected by gene flow and were misidentified as different species. An analysis of phenotypic variability indicates that the model species are as variable asR. imitator. These results do not support the hypothesis of advergence byR. imitator. Although we cannot rule out phenotypic advergence in the evolution of Müllerian mimicry, this study reopens the discussion regarding the direction of the evolution of mimicry in theR. imitatorsystem.
Transgenerational effects of food availability on age at maturity and reproductive output in an asexual collembolan species
Authors: Hafer Nina , Ebil Syazana , Uller Tobias , Pike Nathan
Published: March 2011

Transgenerational effects of environmental conditions can have several important ecological and evolutionary implications. We conducted a fully factorial experiment manipulating food availability across three generations in the collembolanFolsomia candida, a springtail species that inhabits soil and leaf litter environments which vary in resource availability. Maternal and grandmaternal food availability influenced age at maturity and reproductive output. These effects appear to be cumulative rather than adaptive transgenerational life-history adjustments. Such cumulative effects can profoundly influence eco-evolutionary dynamics in both stable and fluctuating environments.
Variation of osteocyte lacunae size within the tetrapod skeleton: implications for palaeogenomics
Authors: Montanari Shaena , Brusatte Stephen L. , De Wolf Wendy , Norell Mark A.
Published: March 2011

Recent studies have emphasized the ability to reconstruct genome sizes (C-values) of extinct organisms such as dinosaurs, using correlations between known genome sizes and bone cell (osteocyte lacunae) volumes. Because of the established positive relationship between cell size and genome size in extant vertebrates, osteocyte lacunae volume is a viable proxy for reconstructing C-values in the absence of any viable genetic material. However, intra-skeletal osteocyte lacunae size variation, which could cause error in genome size estimation, has remained unexplored. Here, 11 skeletal elements of one individual from each of four major clades (Mammalia, Amphibia, Aves, Reptilia) were examined histologically. Skeletal elements in all four clades exhibit significant differences in the average sizes of their lacunae. This variation, however, generally does not cause a significant difference in the estimated genome size when common phylogenetic estimation methods are employed. On the other hand, the spread of the estimations illustrates that this method may not be precise. High variance in genome size estimations remains an outstanding problem. Additionally, a suite of new methods is introduced to further automate the measurement of bone cells and other microstructural features on histological thin sections.
The uneasy correspondence between T. H. Huxley and E. P. Wright on fossil vertebrates found in Jarrow, Co. Kilkenny (1865–67)
Authors: DeArce Miguel , Monaghan Nigel T. , Wyse Jackson Patrick N.
Published: March 2011

The collection of Carboniferous fish and amphibian fossils found in Jarrow in 1864 has been the object of several studies, and has resided successively in at least three Irish museums. This paper draws from the Huxley archives in Imperial College London and from other archives to trace the history of its finding and earliest description. The story was marked by naivety, ambition, abuse, deception and delays, but eventually some of the fossils were salvaged by the expertise and determined action of Thomas Henry Huxley, not usually known for his patience, who stepped into a minefield of conflicting interests but managed to publish and illustrate seven new genera and species from among the specimens. In so doing he trampled, perhaps by relying too much on Wright's assurances, on the sensitivities and possible claims to priority of other local experts.
Host-finding behaviour in the nematodePristionchus pacificus
Authors: Brown Federico D. , D'Anna Isabella , Sommer Ralf J.
Published: March 2011

Costs and benefits of foraging have been studied in predatory animals. In nematodes, ambushing or cruising behaviours represent adaptations that optimize foraging strategies for survival and host finding. A behaviour associated with host finding of ambushing nematode dauer juveniles is a sit-and-wait behaviour, otherwise known as nictation. Here, we test the function of nictation by relating occurrence of nictation inPristionchus pacificusdauer juveniles to the ability to attach to laboratory hostGalleria mellonella. We used populations of recently isolated and mutagenized laboratory strains. We found that nictation can be disrupted using a classical forward genetic approach and characterized two novel nictation-defective mutant strains. We identified two recently isolated strains from la Réunion island, one with a higher proportion of nictating individuals than the laboratory strainP. pacificusPS312. We found a positive correlation between nictation frequencies and host attachment in these strains. Taken together, our combination of genetic analyses with natural variation studies presents a new approach to the investigation of behavioural and ecological functionality. We show that nictation behaviour inP. pacificusnematodes serves as a host-finding behaviour. Our results suggest that nictation plays a role in the evolution of new life-history strategies, such as the evolution of parasitism.
Modes of response to environmental change and the elusive empirical evidence for bet hedging
Authors: Simons Andrew M.
Published: March 2011

Uncertainty is a problem not only in human decision-making, but is a prevalent quality of natural environments and thus requires evolutionary response. Unpredictable natural selection is expected to result in the evolution of bet-hedging strategies, which are adaptations to long-term fluctuating selection. Despite a recent surge of interest in bet hedging, its study remains mired in conceptual and practical difficulties, compounded by confusion over what constitutes evidence for its existence. Here, I attempt to resolve misunderstandings about bet hedging and its relationship with other modes of response to environmental change, identify the challenges inherent to its study and assess the state of existing empirical evidence. The variety and distribution of plausible bet-hedging traits found across 16 phyla in over 100 studies suggest their ubiquity. Thus, bet hedging should be considered a specific mode of response to environmental change. However, the distribution of bet-hedging studies across evidence categories—defined according to potential strength—is heavily skewed towards weaker categories, underscoring the need for direct appraisals of the adaptive significance of putative bet-hedging traits in nature.
Pancreatic cancers require autophagy for tumor growth
Authors: Yang Shenghong , Wang Xiaoxu , Contino Gianmarco , Liesa Marc , Sahin Ergun , Ying Haoqiang , Bause Alexandra , Li Yinghua , Stommel Jayne M. , Dell'Antonio Giacomo , Mautner Josef , Tonon Giovanni , Haigis Marcia , Shirihai Orian S. , Doglioni Claudio , Bardeesy Nabeel , Kimmelman Alec C.
Published: March 2011

Macroautophagy (autophagy) is a regulated catabolic pathway to degrade cellular organelles and macromolecules. The role of autophagy in cancer is complex and may differ depending on tumor type or context. Here we show that pancreatic cancers have a distinct dependence on autophagy. Pancreatic cancer primary tumors and cell lines show elevated autophagy under basal conditions. Genetic or pharmacologic inhibition of autophagy leads to increased reactive oxygen species, elevated DNA damage, and a metabolic defect leading to decreased mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Together, these ultimately result in significant growth suppression of pancreatic cancer cells in vitro. Most importantly, inhibition of autophagy by genetic means or chloroquine treatment leads to robust tumor regression and prolonged survival in pancreatic cancer xenografts and genetic mouse models. These results suggest that, unlike in other cancers where autophagy inhibition may synergize with chemotherapy or targeted agents by preventing the up-regulation of autophagy as a reactive survival mechanism, autophagy is actually required for tumorigenic growth of pancreatic cancers de novo, and drugs that inactivate this process may have a unique clinical utility in treating pancreatic cancers and other malignancies with a similar dependence on autophagy. As chloroquine and its derivatives are potent inhibitors of autophagy and have been used safely in human patients for decades for a variety of purposes, these results are immediately translatable to the treatment of pancreatic cancer patients, and provide a much needed, novel vantage point of attack.
Multiple Facets ofArabidopsisSeedling Development Require  Indole-3-Butyric Acid–Derived Auxin
Authors: Strader Lucia C. , Wheeler Dorthea L. , Christensen Sarah E. , Berens John C. , Cohen Jerry D. , Rampey Rebekah A. , Bartel Bonnie
Published: March 2011

Levels of auxin, which regulates both cell division and cell elongation in plant development, are controlled by synthesis, inactivation, transport, and the use of storage forms. However, the specific contributions of various inputs to the active auxin pool are not well understood. One auxin precursor is indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), which undergoes peroxisomal β-oxidation to release free indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). We identified ENOYL-COA HYDRATASE2 (ECH2) as an enzyme required for IBA response. Combining the ech2 mutant with previously identified iba response mutants resulted in enhanced IBA resistance, diverse auxin-related developmental defects, decreased auxin-responsive reporter activity in both untreated and auxin-treated seedlings, and decreased free IAA levels. The decreased auxin levels and responsiveness, along with the associated developmental defects, uncover previously unappreciated roles for IBA-derived IAA during seedling development, establish IBA as an important auxin precursor, and suggest that IBA-to-IAA conversion contributes to the positive feedback that maintains root auxin levels.
Family caregiver distress with children having rare genetic disorders: a qualitative study involving Russell–Silver Syndrome in Taiwan
Authors: Weng Hsin‐Ju , Niu Dau‐Ming , Turale Sue , Tsao Lee‐Ing , Shih Fu‐Jong , Yamamoto‐Mitani Noriko , Chang Chun‐Chi , Shih Fu‐Jin
Published: March 2011

Aim.  To extend nursing knowledge of distress experienced by family caregivers of children with rare genetic disorders, by exploring the perspectives of caregivers of children with Russell–Silver Syndrome in Taiwan.

Background.  Caring for a child with a rare genetic disorder often has profound effects on families, especially when diagnosis and treatment is complex or not yet well developed, such as that in Russell–Silver Syndrome (or Silver–Russell syndrome). This disorder causes dwarfism and developmental difficulties, requiring long‐term care planning. Previous research has focused mostly on medical care, but little is known about families’ perspectives of caring difficulties, the help they need and nursing care required.

Design.  An exploratory qualitative approach was used to inform this study.

Methods.  Family caregivers, whose children were undergoing medical care in a leading Taiwan medical centre, were invited to participate in face‐to‐face, in‐depth interviews. Data were analysed by content analysis.

Results.  Fifteen caregivers including 11 mothers, two fathers and two grandmothers participated. Five major themes and 13 sub‐themes of care‐giving distress were identified: endless psychological worries; the lengthy process to confirm a medical diagnosis; adjustment efforts in modifying family roles; dilemmas in deciding between Western or Chinese traditional medicine; and negative responses to society’s concerns. Their primary sources of support were spouses, parents and health professionals, accordingly.

Conclusion.  Complex physio‐psycho‐social and decision‐making distress in caring for children with a rare genetic disorder were systematically revealed from the perspectives of ethnic‐Chinese family caregivers.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Long‐term care plans for children with a rare genetic disorder such as Russell–Silver Syndrome need to focus on positive dynamic family interactions, life‐stage development and family caregiver support. Research on care‐giving in rare genetic disorders is also warranted across cultures and countries to develop a substantial knowledge basis for nursing practice.
Severity of hyperacusis predicts individual differences in speech perception in Williams Syndrome
Authors: Elsabbagh M. , Cohen H. , Cohen M. , Rosen S. , Karmiloff‐Smith A.
Published: March 2011

Background  Williams Syndrome (WS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder of genetic origin, characterised by relative proficiency in language in the face of serious impairment in several other domains. Individuals with WS display an unusual sensitivity to noise, known as hyperacusis.

Methods  In this study, we examined the extent to which hyperacusis interferes with the perception of speech in children and adults with WS. Participants were required to discriminate words which differed in one consonant of a cluster when these contrasts were embedded in a background of noise.

Results  Although the introduction of noise interfered with performance on a consonant cluster discrimination task equally in the WS and control groups, the severity of hyperacusis significantly predicted individual variability in speech perception within the WS group.

Conclusions  These results suggest that alterations in sensitivity to input mediate atypical pathways for language development in WS, where hyperacusis exerts an important influence together with other non‐auditory factors.
If FST does not measure neutral genetic differentiation, then comparing it with QST is misleading. Or is it?
Authors: EDELAAR PIM , BJÖRKLUND MATS
Published: March 2011

The comparison between neutral genetic differentiation (FST) and quantitative genetic differentiation (QST) is commonly used to test for signatures of selection in population divergence. However, there is an ongoing discussion about what FST actually measures, even resulting in some alternative metrics to express neutral genetic differentiation. If there is a problem with FST, this could have repercussions for its comparison with QST as well. We show that as the mutation rate of the neutral marker increases, FST decreases: a higher within‐population heterozygosity (He) yields a lower FST value. However, the same is true for QST: a higher mutation rate for the underlying QTL also results in a lower QST estimate. The effect of mutation rate is equivalent in QST and FST. Hence, the comparison between QST and FST remains valid, if one uses neutral markers whose mutation rates are not too high compared to those of quantitative traits. Usage of highly variable neutral markers such as hypervariable microsatellites can lead to serious biases and the incorrect inference that divergent selection has acted on populations. Much of the discussion on FST seems to stem from the misunderstanding that it measures the differentiation of populations, whereas it actually measures the fixation of alleles. In their capacity as measures of population differentiation, Hedrick’s G′ST and Jost’s D reach their maximum value of 1 when populations do not share alleles even when there remains variation within populations, which invalidates them for comparisons with QST.
Cysteine proteinase type I, encapsulated in solid lipid nanoparticles induces substantial protection against Leishmania major infection in C57BL/6 mice
Authors: DOROUD D. , ZAHEDIFARD F. , VATANARA A. , NAJAFABADI A. R. , RAFATI S.
Published: March 2011

Appropriate adjuvant, proper antigen(s) and a suitable formulation are required to develop stable, safe and immunogenic vaccines. Leishmanial cysteine proteinase type I (CPB) is a promising vaccine candidate; nevertheless, it requires a delivery system to induce a potent immune response. Herein, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) have been applied for CPB [with and without C‐terminal extension (CTE)] formulation to utilize as a vaccine against Leishmania major infection in C57BL/6 mice. Therefore, SLN‐CPB and SLN‐CPB−CTE formulations were prepared from cetyl palmitate and cholesterol, using melt emulsification method. After intraperitoneal vaccination and subsequent L. major challenge, a strong antigen‐specific T‐helper type 1 (Th1) immune response was induced compared to control groups. Lymph node cells from immunized mice displayed lower parasite burden, higher IFN‐γ, IgG2a and lower IL‐4 production, indicating that robust Th1 immune response had been induced. Our results revealed that CTE is not necessary for inducing protective responses against L. major infection as the IFN‐γ/IL‐4 ratio was significantly higher, whereas IgG1 responses were lower in the SLN‐CPB−CTE vaccinated group, post‐challenge. Thus, SLN‐CPB−CTE was shown to induce specific Th1 immune responses to control L. major infection, through effective antigen delivery to the peritoneal antigen presenting cells.
Tracking Phytophthora infestans with SSR markers within and between seasons – a field study in Sweden
Authors: Widmark A.‐K. , Andersson B. , Sandström M. , Yuen J. E.
Published: March 2011

The dynamics of a late blight epidemic and sexual reproduction in Phytophthora infestans were studied in an experimental field in mid‐Sweden. The field was inoculated with six isolates of P. infestans taken from another potato field where sexual reproduction of the pathogen was suspected. Three weeks after inoculation single‐lesion leaflets were sampled and the resulting isolates characterized using microsatellites (SSRs) and mating type as markers. Among the 151 isolates analysed, the inoculum genotypes constituted more than 80% of the genotypes found, with three other genotypes making up the remainder. The following year, P. infestans obtained from soil samples taken from this field were analysed, and six novel genotypes were identified. Genotypes from the previous summer’s population were not detected. Analysis of the genotypes recovered was consistent with them being recombinants, with the previous summer’s population acting as parents. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that oospores produced during a summer epidemic in Sweden can overwinter and cause infection the next year.
Alkali treatment for rapid preparation of plant material for reliable PCR analysis
Authors: Klimyuk Victor I. , Carroll Bernard J. , Thomas Colwyn M. , Jones Jonathan D.G.
Published: March 2011

For plant genetics, it would be useful to monitor easily the segregation of different alleles using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Preparation of DNA templates from individual plants needs to be rapid and reliable. A one tube protocol is described that involves subjecting plant tissue pieces to alkali, neutralization and heat denaturation prior to PCR analysis, and that proved to be much faster and more reliable than published protocols.
Need for improved antimicrobial and infection control stewardship in Vietnamese intensive care units
Authors: Johansson M. , Phuong D. M. , Walther S. M. , Hanberger H.
Published: March 2011

Objective  Survey of antibiotic consumption, microbial resistance and hygiene precautions in the intensive care units of three hospitals in northern Vietnam.

Methods  Observational study. Data were collected from the microbiological laboratories. Antibiotic consumption was determined based on quantities of drugs delivered from the pharmacy. A protocol to observe the application of hygiene precautions was developed and used. Bacteria were typed and tested for drug susceptibility using the disc‐diffusion method.

Results  The mean antibiotic consumption was 811 defined daily doses per 1000 occupied bed days. The most commonly used antibiotics were third‐generation cephalosporins, followed by carbapenems, amoxicillin and ampicillin. Eighty per cent of bacterial isolates were Gram‐negative. The most common pathogens found in blood cultures were Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas spp., Acinetobacter spp., Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis. Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas spp. were the two most frequently isolated bacteria from the respiratory tract and all other sources together. Seventy per cent of Acinetobacter species showed reduced susceptibility to imipenem, 80% to ciprofloxacin and 89% to ceftazidime. Forty‐four per cent of Pseudomonas spp. showed reduced susceptibility to imipenem, 49% to ciprofloxacin and 49% to ceftazidime. Escherichia coli was fully susceptible to imipenem, but 57% of samples were resistant to both ciprofloxacin and cefotaxime. Hygiene precautions were poor, and fewer than 50% of patient contacts incorporated appropriate hand hygiene.

Conclusion  Low antibiotic consumption, poor hygiene precautions and the high level of antibiotic resistance indicate that there is room for improvement regarding antibiotic use and infection control.
Association analysis of vegetable soybean quality traits with SSR markers
Authors: Hou Jinfeng , Wang Chuanlin , Hong Xuejuan , Zhao Jinming , Xue Chenchen , Guo Na , Gai Junyi , Xing Han
Published: March 2011

With 2 figures and 4 tables

Association mapping is a useful alternative to linkage mapping for the detection of marker–phenotype associations. The main objective of this study is to identify simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers associated with the vegetable soybean quality traits of 100‐pod weight, 100‐seed weight, sucrose content and free amino acid content. The four quality traits were evaluated in 323 soybean cultivar accessions from China, and the 323 accessions were genotyped with 101 SSR markers. Analysis of population structure revealed two subgroups in the population. The mean linkage disequilibrium (LD) value (D′) for all statistically significant loci pairs was 0.258. The decay of the LD based on the D′ value showed little change with the increasing genetic distance between pairs. A total of 79 marker–trait associations related to the four traits were identified, involving 44 different SSR markers. According to the results, the association analysis approach in this study can be an effective method for quantitative trait loci mapping and can help breeders to develop new strategies for improving vegetable soybean quality.
Histone Deacetylase 1 Down‐Regulation on Developmental Capability and Histone Acetylation in Bovine Oocytes and Parthenogenetic Embryos
Authors: Wang Z , Zhao T , Zhang P , Zhang S , Guan J , Ma X , Yin Y , Zhang J , Tang B , Li Z
Published: March 2011

Contents

Histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) is one of the most conserved enzymes present in the nuclei of cells, including bovine oocytes and pre‐implantation embryos. However, the biological functions of HDAC1 in supporting the growth and development of bovine oocytes and embryos are still not fully elucidates. In this study, three siRNAs (si299, si672, and si1272) targeting to HDAC1 mRNA sequence were designed. After transfection into bovine fibroblast cells, si299, the most effective one in HDAC1 knock‐down, was selected. The selected siRNA was microinjected into bovine germinal vesicle (GV) stage oocytes to determine the functions of HDAC1 in the maturation of bovine oocytes. Finally, the siRNA was microinjected into mature oocytes, which were then parthenogenetically activated and cultured in vitro until the blastocyst stage. The rates of cleavage, blastocyst development and acetylation of lysine 14 of H3 (H3K14) state were checked. The results suggest that HDAC1 knock‐down in oocytes did not influence the rates of maturation or cleavage of parthenogenetic embryos. However, the rates of blastocyst decreased after siRNA microinjection. Furthermore, histone H3K14 acetylation level increased after siRNA microinjection into parthenogenetic embryos.
Cysteine‐rich secretory protein 3 and β‐microseminoprotein on prostate cancer needle biopsies do not have predictive value for subsequent prostatectomy outcome
Authors: Hoogland Agnes Marije , Dahlman Anna , Vissers Kees J. , Wolters Tineke , Schröder Fritz H. , Roobol Monique J. , Bjartell Anders S. , van Leenders Geert J.L.H.
Published: March 2011

What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Cysteine‐rich secretory protein 3 (CRISP‐3) and β‐microseminoprotein (β‐MSP) both have independent prognostic value for biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy.

The study investigates whether CRISP‐3 and β‐MSP have prognostic value on diagnostic prostate needle‐biopsies, which are more relevant for therapeutic decision‐making. On needle‐biopsies CRISP‐3 and β‐MSP do not have significant prognostic value.

OBJECTIVES

• To investigate whether cysteine‐rich secretory protein 3 (CRISP‐3) and/or β‐microseminoprotein (β‐MSP) expression in diagnostic prostate needle biopsies have predictive value for prostate cancer (PC) on radical prostatecomy (RP).

• To evaluate their potential clinical implementation in a preoperative setting.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• In total, 174 participants from the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer, Rotterdam section, treated by RP for PC were included in the present study.

• CRISP‐3 and β‐MSP immunohistochemistry was performed on corresponding diagnostic needle

biopsies.

• Outcome was correlated with clinicopathological parameters (prostate‐specific‐antigen, PSA; number of positive biopsies; Gleason score, GS; pT‐stage; surgical margins at RP) and significant PC at RP (pT3/4, or GS > 6, or tumour volume ≥0.5 mL) in the total cohort (n= 174) and in a subgroup with low‐risk features at biopsy (PSA ≤ 10 ng/ml, cT ≤ 2, PSA density <0.20 ng/mL/g, GS < 7 and ≤2 positive biopsy cores; n= 87).

RESULTS

• β‐MSP and CRISP‐3 expression in PC tissue was heterogeneous, with variable staining intensities occurring in the same tissue specimen.

• High expression of β‐MSP significantly correlated with GS < 7 at RP; it was not a predictor for significant PC at RP neither in the total group (n= 174; odds ratio, OR, 0.319; 95% confidence interval, CI, 0.060–1.695; P= 0.180), nor in the low‐risk group (n= 87; OR, 0.227; 95% CI, 0.040–1.274; P= 0.092).

• CRISP‐3 expression was not related to clinicopathological parameters, and did not predict significant PC at RP in the total group (n= 174; OR, 1.056; 95% CI, 0.438–2.545; P= 0.904) or the low‐risk group (n= 87; OR, 1.856; 95% CI, 0.626–5.506; P= 0.265).

CONCLUSIONS

• High β‐MSP expression correlated with low GS in subsequent RP specimens, supporting the view that β‐MSP exerts a tumour‐suppressive effect.

• No significant prognostic value of β‐MSP or CRISP‐3 in prostate needle biopsies for significant PC at RP was found.

• β‐MSP or CRISP‐3 do not have additional value in the therapeutic stratification of patients with PC.
The Eschatical Perfection of the World in God
Authors: MÜHLING MARKUS
Published: March 2011

This article introduces the distinction between pre‐eschatical and eschatical horizons as the basis for the criteria of Christian ‘future‐talk’. Whereas pre‐eschatic horizons are constituted by everyday experience on the logic of extrapolation, eschatical horizons are constituted by the experience of the self‐disclosure of the triune God as the ultimate, as the eschatoi. Different types of concepts in the tradition to grasp the future have to be valued as pre‐eschatical. However, eternity has to be identified eschatically with the inner‐trinitarian relationships of the love and life of the triune God. The ultimate future of human beings consists in becoming included in the inner‐trinitarian relationships in a direct manner. The natural world will also partake, but to an unknown extent.
Beach lifeguards: visual search patterns, detection rates and the influence of experience
Authors: Page Jenny , Bates Victoria , Long Geoff , Dawes Peter , Tipton Mike
Published: March 2011

Citation information: Page J, Bates V, Long G, Dawes P & Tipton M. Beach lifeguards: visual search patterns, detection rates and the influence of experience. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2011, 31, 216–224. doi: 10.1111/j.1475‐1313.2011.00824.x

Purpose:  Lifeguard surveillance is critical to any water safety program. This study determined the rates of detection of a ‘drowning’ individual by beach lifeguards, and whether scanning patterns differed between groups of lifeguards (experienced/less experienced, male/females, surf/non‐surf). It was hypothesized that (1) Experienced lifeguards would perform better and produce less fixations of longer duration than inexperienced; (2) A greater detection rate would be seen in a ‘biased’ compared to a ‘non‐biased’ condition; (3) There would be no differences between the surf compared to non‐surf lifeguards, and male compared to female lifeguards with regard to scanning patterns or detection rates.

Method:  A mobile eye tracker was worn by each lifeguard (n = 69, 52 males, 17 females) as they watched 12 min of animated beach footage projected onto a screen in two conditions: a. ‘Non‐biased’ (uniform scene). b. ‘Biased’ (uniform scene with presumed ‘rip’ on right side of screen). The lifeguards were informed that at any point during the 12 min a person may or may not disappear and to highlight if and where, a person disappeared. Unknown to the participants, a person always disappeared after 10 min at the same position within, but not between, conditions. Data were analysed using anova, t‐tests and binary logistic regression.

Results:  Experienced lifeguards were five times (p < 0.05) more likely to detect the drowning individual than inexperienced lifeguards. There were no significant differences between the visual search patterns of the groups between 2 and 10 min. The detection rates averaged 16% in the non‐biased condition and 29% in biased conditions (p < 0.1), probably because lifeguards searched more on the right of the water. Furthermore, 40% (biased) and 42% (non‐biased) did not detect the person disappearing, even though they fixated in the correct location in the 3.5 s before the person completely disappeared. This suggests that some lifeguards may have fixated on, but not processed, relevant visual data (‘looked at but not seen’). 25% (biased) and 36% (non‐biased) of the lifeguards did not fixate in the location of the person disappearing, but were able to identify their disappearance.

Conclusions:  Visual search patterns used by lifeguards can be altered by instruction and detection rates improve as a consequence. Peripheral vision is used effectively by some lifeguards, but cue extraction may be problematic for others.
Vergence dysfunction in mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI): a review
Authors: Thiagarajan Preethi , Ciuffreda Kenneth J , Ludlam Diana P
Published: March 2011

Citation information:Thiagarajan P, Ciuffreda KJ & Ludlam DP. Vergence dysfunction in mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI): a review.Ophthalmic Physiol Opt2011,31, 456–468. doi: 10.1111/j.1475‐1313.2011.00831.x

Vergence eye movements are used to track objects that move in depth in one’s binocular visual field to attain and maintain a fused and single percept. The mechanism and control of vergence eye movements involves complex neurological processes that may be compromised in individuals with traumatic brain injury, thus frequently resulting in a wide range of vergence dysfunctions and related near‐work symptoms, such as oculomotor‐based reading problems. This paper presents a review of the vergence system and its anomalies in mild traumatic brain injury, as well as their diagnostic and therapeutic clinical ramifications. Implications related to brain imaging and human neuroplasticity are also considered.
PORTFOLIO ALLOCATION IN THE FACE OF A MEANS‐TESTED PUBLIC PENSION
Authors: COBB‐CLARK DEBORAH A. , HILDEBRAND VINCENT A.
Published: March 2011

We investigate whether households adjust their asset portfolios just prior to retirement in ways that are consistent with maximizing eligibility for a means‐tested public pension. We utilize detailed micro data for a nationally‐representative sample of Australian households to estimate a system of asset equations which are constrained to add up to net worth. Our results provide little evidence that healthy households or couples are responding to the incentives embedded in the means tests determining pension eligibility by reallocating assets. While there are some differences in asset portfolios associated with having an income near the income threshold, being of pensionable age, and being in poor health, these differences are often only marginally significant and are not clearly consistent with the incentives inherent in the Australian age pension eligibility rules. Any behavioral response to the incentives inherent in the age‐pension means test appears to be predominately concentrated among single pensioners who are in poor health.
Proteomannans in Biofilm of Helicobacter pylori ATCC 43504
Authors: Yang Feng‐Ling , Hassanbhai Ammar Mansoor , Chen Hong‐Yu , Huang Zih‐You , Lin Tzu‐Lung , Wu Shih‐Hsiung , Ho Bow
Published: March 2011

Background:  The human bacterial pathogen Helicobacter pylori forms biofilms. However, the constituents of the biofilm have not been extensively investigated. In this study, we analyzed the carbohydrate and protein components of biofilm formed by H. pylori strain ATCC 43504 (NCTC 11637).

Materials and Methods:  Development of H. pylori biofilm was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and quantified using crystal violet staining. The extracted extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) matrix was analyzed using GC‐MS and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses. Proteomic profiles of biofilms were examined by SDS–PAGE while deletion mutants of upregulated biofilm proteins were constructed and characterized.

Results:  Formation of H. pylori biofilm is time dependent as shown by crystal violet staining assay and SEM. NMR reveals the prevalence of 1,4‐mannosyl linkages in both developing and mature biofilms. Proteomic analysis of the biofilm indicates the upregulation of neutrophil‐activating protein A (NapA) and several stress‐induced proteins. Interestingly, the isogenic mutant napA revealed a different biofilm phenotype that showed reduced aggregated colonial structure when compared to the wild type.

Conclusions:  This in vitro study shows that mannose‐related proteoglycans (proteomannans) are involved in the process of H. pylori biofilm formation while the presence of upregulated NapA in the biofilm implies the potency to increase adhesiveness of H. pylori biofilm. Being a complex matrix of proteins and carbohydrates, which are probably interdependent, the H. pylori biofilm could possibly offer a protective haven for the survival of this gastric bacterial pathogen in the extragastric environments.