bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Student midwives’ views on maternity care just before their graduation
Authors: Van kelst Liesbeth , Spitz Bernard , Sermeus Walter , Thomson Ann M.
Published: May 2012

van kelst l., spitz b., sermeus w. & thomson a.m. (2013) Student midwives’ views on maternity care just before their graduation. Journal of Advanced Nursing69(3), 600–609. doi: 10.1111/j.1365‐2648.2012.06042.x

Aim.  To report a hermeneutic study of student midwives’ views on maternity care just before their graduation.

Background.  Woman‐centred care, which is the hallmark of midwifery, is taught to midwifery students around the globe. Woman‐centred care is advantageous for women at low obstetric risk. However, adopting this ideology might be a problem for student midwives whose clinical placements are mainly in a medicalized obstetric‐led hospital setting.

Design.  A hermeneutic phenomenological study was conducted.

Methods.  In 2010, three focus groups were held where 19 student midwives participated. Data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using van Manen’s approach.

Findings.  The choice for midwifery was a ‘positive’ choice and not the result of an elimination process. Students’ description of a midwife as a coach was in line with the international definition of a midwife. With regard to maternity care, midwifery students identified two types of care, factory‐style care and tailored care, both of which were ascribed to caregivers and hospital culture. Furthermore, student midwives made the distinction between hierarchy and teamwork, referring to the professional relations in maternity care. Hierarchy was driven by tradition, it implied that decisions were made top‐down, and it resulted in impersonal relations. Midwifery students felt it was unjust that midwives were not allowed to perform deliveries while having the legal autonomy to do so.

Conclusion.  In spite of the medicalized context, midwifery education succeeded in educating midwives who hold a woman‐centred ideology. Midwifery students linked style of care to a person rather than to a profession.
Biases in comparative analyses of extinction risk: mind the gap
Authors: González‐Suárez Manuela , Lucas Pablo M. , Revilla Eloy
Published: May 2012

1. Comparative analyses are used to address the key question of what makes a species more prone to extinction by exploring the links between vulnerability and intrinsic species’ traits and/or extrinsic factors. This approach requires comprehensive species data but information is rarely available for all species of interest. As a result comparative analyses often rely on subsets of relatively few species that are assumed to be representative samples of the overall studied group.

2. Our study challenges this assumption and quantifies the taxonomic, spatial, and data type biases associated with the quantity of data available for 5415 mammalian species using the freely available life‐history database PanTHERIA.

3. Moreover, we explore how existing biases influence results of comparative analyses of extinction risk by using subsets of data that attempt to correct for detected biases. In particular, we focus on links between four species’ traits commonly linked to vulnerability (distribution range area, adult body mass, population density and gestation length) and conduct univariate and multivariate analyses to understand how biases affect model predictions.

4. Our results show important biases in data availability with c.22% of mammals completely lacking data. Missing data, which appear to be not missing at random, occur frequently in all traits (14–99% of cases missing). Data availability is explained by intrinsic traits, with larger mammals occupying bigger range areas being the best studied. Importantly, we find that existing biases affect the results of comparative analyses by overestimating the risk of extinction and changing which traits are identified as important predictors.

5. Our results raise concerns over our ability to draw general conclusions regarding what makes a species more prone to extinction. Missing data represent a prevalent problem in comparative analyses, and unfortunately, because data are not missing at random, conventional approaches to fill data gaps, are not valid or present important challenges. These results show the importance of making appropriate inferences from comparative analyses by focusing on the subset of species for which data are available. Ultimately, addressing the data bias problem requires greater investment in data collection and dissemination, as well as the development of methodological approaches to effectively correct existing biases.
The distribution of large herbivore hotspots in relation to environmental and anthropogenic correlates in the Mara region of Kenya
Authors: Bhola Nina , Ogutu Joseph O. , Said Mohamed Y. , Piepho Hans‐Peter , Olff Han
Published: May 2012

1. The distributions of large herbivores in protected areas and their surroundings are becoming increasingly restricted by changing land use, with adverse consequences for wildlife populations.

2. We analyse changes in distributions of herbivore hotspots to understand their environmental and anthropogenic correlates using 50 aerial surveys conducted at a spatial resolution of 5 × 5 km2 (n = 289 cells) in the Mara region of Kenya during 1977–2010. We compare the distributions across seasons, land use types (protection, pastoralism and agro‐pastoralism) and 10 species with different body sizes and feeding styles.

3. Small herbivores that are the most susceptible to predation and dependent on high‐quality forage concentrate in the greenest and wet areas and close to rivers in Masai pastoral ranches in both seasons. Livestock grazing creates conditions favouring small herbivores in these ranches, including high‐quality short grasses and better visibility, implying facilitation. But in the reserve, they concentrate in browner, drier and flatter areas and farther from rivers, suggesting facilitation by large grazers in the wet season, or little competition with migratory herbivores occupying the reserve in the dry season.

4. In the wet season, medium herbivores concentrate in similar areas to small herbivores in the ranches and reserve. However, in the dry season, they stay in the reserve, and also concentrate in green and wet areas close to rivers when migrants occur in the reserve. As such areas typically have higher predation risk, this suggests facilitation by the migrants by absorbing most predation pressure or, alternatively, competitive displacement by the migrants from preferred habitats.

5. Large herbivores, which suffer the least predation, depend on bulk forage and are the most likely to engender conflicts with people, concentrate in the reserve all year. This suggests attraction to the taller and denser grass and perceived greater safety in the reserve in both seasons.

6. These results reveal how predation risk, forage quantity and quality, water, competition with and facilitation by livestock interact with individual life‐history traits, seasons and land use in shaping the dynamics of herbivore hotspots in protected and human‐dominated savannas.
Quality of life in colorectal cancer patients with diarrhoea after surgery: a longitudinal study
Authors: Pan Li‐Hui , Tsai Yun‐Fang
Published: May 2012

Aims and objectives.  The purposes of this study were to examine how quality of life in colorectal cancer patients with diarrhoea changes with time after surgery and to identify variables influencing patients’ quality of life three months following surgery.

Backgrounds.  Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Literature that focuses on the impact of the basic attributes, disease characteristics and diarrhoea distress on the quality of life in diarrhoea patients is quite rare.

Design.  Survey.

Methods.  A longitudinal study design was employed with a three‐month tracking period. Data were collected in structured, one‐on‐one interviews at one week and one, two and three months after surgery. Variance and effects of quality of life were analysed by repeated‐measures analysis of variance and generalised estimating equation.

Results.  Results showed that colorectal cancer patients (n = 35) with diarrhoea after surgery will over time be gradually satisfied with their overall quality of life. Physical health satisfaction is lowest at 1 week after surgery, and it will over time gradually increase. Satisfaction with mental health has the lowest score and does not improve with time. Satisfaction with social relationships is highest between one week and two months after surgery. Satisfaction of environmental relationship will improve with time after surgery. The study results also indicate that patients with lower quality of life satisfaction are younger, women, have had R hemicolectomy and experience higher diarrhoea distress.

Conclusions.  Colorectal cancer patients with diarrhoea after surgery will become more satisfied with their overall quality of life with time. Physical and environmental satisfaction will all improve with time. Younger patients will be more dissatisfied with their social and environmental health. More severe diarrhoea distress will impact patients’ quality of life the most.

Relevance to clinical practice.  These results can serve as reference for clinical care providers to patients with colorectal cancer after surgery.
Corrupted cultures in mental health inpatient settings. Is restraint reduction the answer?
Authors: PATERSON B. , MCINTOSH I. , WILKINSON D. , MCCOMISH S. , SMITH I.
Published: May 2012

Accessible summary

Restraint in mental health is a sensitive area of practice.

If permitted, restraint in mental health seems to have a tendency to be used excessively.

We need to understand better why this tends to happen in order to prevent it.

The early years of the 21st century have seen successful efforts in a number of countries to reduce the use of restraint in services for people with mental health problems. An underlying emphasis on ‘cultural change’ is characteristic of such initiatives reflecting, it appears, the re‐emergence of interest in the therapeutic milieu. Such efforts have though lacked a comprehensive explanation of how organizational culture plays a role in the development of the excessive use of restraint, which seems to respond to such initiatives. This paper seeks to address that deficit and draws in particular on the concepts of corrupted culture, institutional violence, trauma, parallel processing and contemporary research on restraint and seclusion reduction. In doing so it examines whether restraint reduction initiatives represent part of the solution to the problem of corruption, which is intrinsically associated with the legitimatization of coercion.
Supporting children whose parent has a mental health problem: an assessment of the education, knowledge, confidence and practices of registered psychiatric nurses in Ireland
Authors: HOULIHAN D. , SHAREK D. , HIGGINS A.
Published: May 2012

Accessible summary

Although it is recognized that mental health practitioners should support the children of parents who have a mental health problem, these children are often forgotten or ignored in practice. This study examined nurses' knowledge, confidence and practice in relation to these children.

The findings showed that the nurses had relatively low levels of education, knowledge, confidence and supportive clinical practices when it came to children whose parent has a mental health problem.

There is an urgent need for education on family‐focused care, and the development of guidelines and child focused services if the needs of parents and children are to be met.

Health professionals, including nurses, stand accused of ignorance or oversight of children whose parent experience a mental health problem. Psychiatric nurses are in an ideal position to respond to children's needs and support their parents in a proactive and sensitive manner. The aim of this study was to explore psychiatric nurses' education, knowledge, confidence and practice with regard to the support needs of children whose parent has a mental health problem. This study employed a self‐completion anonymous survey design with a sample of registered psychiatric nurses from one integrated mental health service in Ireland. The sample reported relatively low levels of education, knowledge, confidence and supportive clinical practice when it came to children whose parent has a mental health problem. There is an urgent need for education on family‐focused care, and the development of guidelines and child focused services if the needs of parents and children are to be met.
Empathic curiosity: resolving goal conflicts that generate emotional distress
Authors: MCEVOY P. , BAKER D. , PLANT R. , HYLTON K. , MANSELL W.
Published: May 2012

Accessible Summary

Empathic curiosity is underpinned by the core skills of empathetic listening.

The value of this type of listening may be reinforced when speak to people about their salient concerns, as they perceive them in the current flow of their conscious thoughts.

This can be facilitated by linking curious questions to the non‐verbal disruptions in their body posture and conversational flow.

Adopting this type of approach may help people to reflect upon and re‐organize conflicting goals that can be a source of significant emotional distress.

The quality of the therapeutic alliance between therapist and client is consistently identified as a key component of cognitive behavioural interventions. However, relatively little is known about the causal mechanisms that generate the effects that are ascribed to the therapeutic alliance. This paper outlines how one such causal mechanism, empathic curiosity, may operate. The explanation is rooted in control theory, a theory that explains the link between our experiences and our goal‐directed behaviour. Empathic curiosity is underpinned by the core skills of empathic listening and maintaining a curious attitude. From a control theory perspective, the value of this type of listening may be reinforced when speak to people about their salient concerns, as they perceive them in the current flow of their conscious thoughts. This can be facilitated by linking curious questions to the non‐verbal disruptions in their body posture and conversational flow. The approach is illustrated using three case examples. In all three examples, the clients involved were able to reflect upon and re‐organize conflicting goals that had been a source of significant emotional distress.
The influence of staff training on the violence prevention and management climate in psychiatric inpatient units
Authors: BJÖRKDAHL A. , HANSEBO G. , PALMSTIERNA T.
Published: May 2012

Accessible summary

Violence prevention and management is an important part of inpatient psychiatric nursing because both patients and staff need to feel safe and secure.

The Bergen model is a violence prevention and management staff‐training programme that is based on the three essential staff factors of the City model: positive appreciation of patients, emotional regulation and effective structure.

Based on the City model, we developed a 13‐item questionnaire in order to find out how patients and staff rated the violence prevention and management climate on psychiatric wards where the staff was trained according to the Bergen model compared with wards where the staff was not trained.

The result showed that the staff on trained wards had a more positive perception of the violence prevention and management climate on four of the items and the patients on one item.

Violence prevention and management is an important part of inpatient psychiatric nursing and specific staff training is regarded essential. The training should be based on primary, secondary and tertiary prevention. In Stockholm, Sweden, the Bergen model is a staff‐training programme that combines this preventive approach with the theoretical nursing framework of the City model that includes three staff factors: positive appreciation of patients, emotional regulation and effective structure. We evaluated this combination of the Bergen and City models on the violence prevention and management climate in psychiatric inpatient wards. A 13‐item questionnaire was developed and distributed to patients and staff in 41 wards before the staff was trained and subsequently to 19 of these wards after training. Data analyses included factor analysis, Fisher's exact test and Mann–Whitney U‐test. The result showed that the staff on trained wards had a more positive perception of four of the items and the patients of one item. These items reflected causes of patient aggression, ward rules, the staff's emotional regulation and early interventions. The findings suggest that a focus on three levels of prevention within a theoretical nursing framework may promote a more positive violence prevention and management climate on wards.
Pharmacokinetics of dexamethasone following intra‐articular, intravenous, intramuscular, and oral administration in horses and its effects on endogenous hydrocortisone
Authors: SOMA L. R. , UBOH C. E. , LIU Y. , LI X. , ROBINSON M. A. , BOSTON R. C. , COLAHAN P. T.
Published: May 2012

Soma, L. R., Uboh, C. E., Liu, Y., Li, X., Robinson, M .A., Boston, R. C., Colahan, P. T. Pharmacokinetics of dexamethasone following intra‐articular, intravenous, intramuscular, and oral administration in horses and its effects on endogenous hydrocortisone.J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. 36, 181–191.

This study investigated and compared the pharmacokinetics of intra‐articular (IA) administration of dexamethasone sodium phosphate (DSP) into three equine joints, femoropatellar (IAS), radiocarpal (IAC), and metacarpophalangeal (IAF), and the intramuscular (IM), oral (PO) and intravenous (IV) administrations. No significant differences in the pharmacokinetic estimates between the three joints were observed with the exception of maximum concentration (Cmax) and time to maximum concentration (Tmax). Median (range)Cmaxfor the IAC, IAF, and IAS were 16.9 (14.6–35.4), 23.4 (13.5–73.0), and 46.9 (24.0–72.1) ng/mL, respectively. TheTmaxfor IAC, IAF, and IAS were 1.0 (0.75–4.0), 0.62 (0.5–1.0), and 0.25 (0.08–0.25) h, respectively. Median (range) elimination half‐lives for IA and IM administrations were 3.6 (3.0–4.6) h and 3.4 (2.9–3.7) h, respectively. A 3‐compartment model was fitted to the plasma dexamethasone concentration–time curve following the IV administration of DSP; alpha, beta, and gamma half‐lives were 0.03 (0.01–0.05), 1.8 (0.34–2.3), and 5.1 (3.3–5.6) h, respectively. Following the PO administration, the median absorption and elimination half‐lives were 0.34 (0.29–1.6) and 3.4 (3.1–4.7) h, respectively. Endogenous hydrocortisone plasma concentrations declined from a baseline of 103.8 ± 29.1–3.1 ± 1.3 ng/mL at 20.0 ± 2.7 h following the administration of DSP and recovered to baseline values between 96 and 120 h for IV, IA, and IM administrations and at 72 h for the PO.
An acute reversible experimental model of pneumonia in pigs: time‐related histological and clinical signs changes
Authors: VILLARINO N. , GARCIA‐TAPIA D. , LESMAN S. , LUCAS M. , ROBINSON J. , BROWN S. A. , MARTIN‐JIMENEZ T.
Published: May 2012

The objective of this study was to evaluate the long‐term survival rates, clinical response, and lung gross and microscopic changes in pigs treated intratracheally with lipopolysaccharide of Escherichia coli 0111:B4 (LPS‐Ec). Healthy pigs were randomly allocated to three groups: (i) no‐LPS‐Ec (n = 1), (ii) LPS‐Ec‐T1 (1 mg/mL, 10 mL/pig) (n = 7), and (iii) LPS‐Ec‐T2 (0.5 mg/mL, 10 mL/pig) (n = 6). Two pigs from each dose group were euthanized at 24 (n = 3 for T1), 48 and 144 h post‐LPS‐Ec challenge. LPS‐Ec‐treated animals showed macroscopic lesions in middle lobes of the lung. A reversible recruitment of macrophages and neutrophils was observed at 24, 48, and 144 h post‐LPS‐Ec challenge. The highest cellular infiltration level was observed at 24 h after challenge. The highest clinical scores were evident in both experimental dose levels within 3 and 5 h after LPS‐Ec administration. Administration of LPS‐Ec, under the conditions evaluated, can be used to induce a reproducible model of acute pulmonary inflammation in pigs.
Distinct and overlapping genomic profiles and antiviral effects of Interferon‐λ and ‐α on HCV‐infected and noninfected hepatoma cells
Authors: Kohli A. , Zhang X. , Yang J. , Russell R. S. , Donnelly R. P. , Sheikh F. , Sherman A. , Young H. , Imamichi T. , Lempicki R. A. , Masur H. , Kottilil S.
Published: May 2012

Summary.  Recently, several SNPs in the region of the IL28B (IFN‐λ) gene have been associated with spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and enhanced cure rates for IFN‐alfa‐based therapies, suggesting a potential correlation between IFN‐λ and the ability to clear HCV. To understand the mechanism of IFN‐λ’s as compared to IFN‐α’s antiviral activity, we performed a comprehensive analysis of their anti‐HCV effects, whole genome transcriptome profiling with validation, and signalling of IFN‐α and IFN‐λ using J6/JFH‐1 and Huh7.5 cells in vitro. IFN‐λ and IFN‐α exhibited comparable anti‐HCV activity and gene expression profiles in Huh7.5 cells. While the majority of genes induced by IFN‐α and IFN‐λ were similar, IFN‐λ exhibits profound, but delayed kinetics of IFN‐stimulated genes (ISG) induction, while IFN‐α induced more rapid induction of ISGs. Furthermore, the increased induction of ISG expression by IFN‐λ correlated with up‐regulation of IFN‐λ receptor (IL‐28RA) expression and more prolonged activation of the Jak‐STAT signalling pathway. The findings from our comparative analysis of IFN‐α and IFN‐λ in HCV‐infected and noninfected cells support the clinical use of IFN‐λ as a potential alternative to IFN‐α in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C.
DNA packaging bias and differential expression of gene transfer agent genes within a population during production and release of the Rhodobacter capsulatus gene transfer agent, RcGTA
Authors: Hynes Alexander P. , Mercer Ryan G. , Watton David E. , Buckley Colleen B. , Lang Andrew S.
Published: May 2012

Rhodobacter capsulatus produces a gene transfer agent (GTA) called RcGTA. RcGTA is a phage‐like particle that packages R. capsulatus DNA and transfers it to other R. capsulatus cells. We quantified the relative frequency of packaging for each gene in the genome by hybridization of DNA from RcGTA particles to an R. capsulatus microarray. All genes were found within the RcGTA particles. However, the genes encoding the RcGTA particle were under‐packaged compared with other regions. Gene transfer bioassays confirmed that the transfer of genes within the RcGTA structural cluster is reduced relative to those of other genes. Single‐cell expression analysis, by flow cytometry analysis of cells containing RcGTA‐reporter gene fusion constructs, demonstrated that RcGTA gene expression is not uniform within a culture. This phenomenon was accentuated when the constructs were placed in a strain lacking a putative lysis gene involved in RcGTA release; a small subpopulation was found to be responsible for ∼ 95% of RcGTA activity. We propose a mechanism whereby high levels of RcGTA gene transcription in the most active RcGTA‐producing cells cause a reduction in their packaging frequency. This subpopulation's role in producing and releasing the RcGTA particles explains the lack of observed cell lysis in cultures.
Ca2+ transients in submucous neurons during the colonic migrating motor complex in the isolated murine large intestine
Authors: Okamoto T. , Bayguinov P. O. , Broadhead M. J. , Smith T. K.
Published: May 2012

Background  The colonic migrating motor complex (CMMC) is a spontaneous, rhythmic, and neurally mediated motor pattern generated by myenteric neurons, which can propel fecal pellets in mice. Our aim was to determine whether submucous neurons were also activated during the CMMC.

Methods  The isolated murine colon was opened and sections of mucosa were removed to expose the submucous ganglia, which were then loaded with Fluo‐4.

Key Results  Colonic migrating motor complexes, which occurred spontaneously or by mechanically stimulating the mucosa, were identified by displacement of the tissue (duration = 23.3 s). Between CMMCs, spontaneous Ca2+ transients (frequency = 0.9 Hz) were observed in 55% (n = 8) of submucous neurons. During the CMMC, 98% (seven ganglia, n = 7) of submucous neurons within the same ganglion exhibited rapid Ca2+ transients (1.6 Hz) superimposed on a sustained rise in Ca2+ (duration ∼23 s) that occurred 1.7 s following the mucosal stimulus; whereas other neurons exhibited a similar, but delayed response that occurred either at 7 or 13 s following the stimulus. The activity in submucous neurons was correlated with activity in adjacent nerve varicosities. Ondansetron (1 mm; 5‐HT3 antagonist) significantly reduced the frequency and duration of the Ca2+ transient responses.

Conclusions & Inferences  Activity in the submucous neurons appears to be secondary to that in the myenteric plexus and appears to be generated largely by activity in myenteric descending (serotonergic) interneurons. During the CMMC, there is likely to be an increase in secretion to lubricate and facilitate fecal pellet propulsion.
Origin and modulation of circular smooth muscle layer contractions in the porcine esophagus
Authors: Lecea B. , Gallego D. , Farré R. , Clavé P.
Published: May 2012

Background  The origin and modulation mechanisms controlling timing and amplitude of esophageal body peristalsis are not fully understood. We aimed to characterize the neurotransmitters involved in the origin and modulation of circular smooth muscle esophageal body (EB) contractions.

Methods  Responses of porcine EB strips to electrical stimulation of motor neurons (MNs) were assessed in organ baths and with microelectrodes. The effect of antagonists of inhibitory (L‐NAME 1 mmol L−1, MRS2179 10 μmol L−1) and excitatory neurotransmitters (atropine 1 μmol L−1; SR140333 1 μmol L−1‐NK1ra‐, GR94800 1 μmol L−1‐NK2ra‐) and of ganglionic neurotransmitters (hexamethonium 100 μmol L−1, ondansetron 1 μmol L−1, NF279 10 μmol L−1) were characterized.

Key Results  Electrical field stimulation (EFS) induced a frequency‐dependent off‐contraction (16.8 ± 0.8 g) following a latency period. Latency was significantly reduced by L‐NAME (−66.1 ± 4.1%) and MRS2179 (−25.9 ± 5.6%), and strongly increased by atropine (+36.8 ± 5.8%). Amplitude was reduced by L‐NAME (−69.9 ± 10.4%), MRS2179 (−34.1 ± 6.0%), atropine (−42.3 ± 4.7%), hexamethonium (−18.9 ± 3.3%), NF279 (−20.7 ± 3.5%), ondansetron (−16.3 ± 3.2%), GR94800 (−28.0 ± 4.8%) SR140333 (−20.9 ± 7.1%), and α‐chymotrypsin (−31.3 ± 7.0%). The EFS induced a monophasic nitrergic inhibitory junction potential.

Conclusions & Inferences  Our results suggest that timing (latency) and amplitude of esophageal contractions are determined by a balance of complex interactions between excitatory and inhibitory MNs. Latency depends on the activation of inhibitory MNs releasing NO and a minor purinergic contribution through P2Y1 receptors, and excitatory MNs releasing ACh. Amplitude depends on a major contribution of excitatory MNs releasing ACh and tachykinins, and also on inhibitory MNs releasing NO, ATP or related purines, and peptidergic neurotransmitters acting as strong modulators of the excitatory neuroeffector transmission.
Systematic review of diagnostic criteria for IBS demonstrates poor validity and utilization of Rome III
Authors: Dang J. , Ardila‐Hani A. , Amichai M. M. , Chua K. , Pimentel M.
Published: May 2012

Background  In the absence of a clear biomarker for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), clinical criteria are used. In this study, we conduct a systematic review to examine the validation and utilization of IBS criteria.

Methods  A systematic review was performed in two stages. The first was a review of literature from 1978 validating IBS diagnostic criteria. The second stage of review was to select studies published in IBS between 1992 and 2011. This time period was divided into three segments (Rome I era from 1992 to 1999, Rome II era from 2000 to 2006, and Rome III era from 2007 to 2011). The number and type of study (RCT or other) and criteria used were evaluated for each era.

Key Results  The first stage of the systematic review identified only 14 published studies validating diagnostic tests for IBS (with three studies evaluating more than one criterion). There were eight validations for Manning, three validations for Kruis, four validations for Rome I, three validations for Rome II, and no validation for Rome III. In the second review of utilization of Rome criteria, only 25.7% of published IBS papers used Rome III criteria during the Rome III era (Rome II was used most in 64.8% of studies).

Conclusions & Inferences  This review identified that comparator groups varied widely between studies making comparison of criteria impossible. Manning criteria are the most valid and accurate criteria. More importantly, Rome III is not validated and is poorly adopted in clinical research trial enrollment.
Rat astrocytic tumour cells are associated with an anti‐inflammatory microglial phenotype in an organotypic model
Authors: Billingham C. , Powell M. R. , Jenner K. A. , Johnston D. A. , Gatherer M. , Nicoll J. A. R. , Boche D.
Published: May 2012

C. Billingham, M. R. Powell, K. A. Jenner, D. A. Johnston, M. Gatherer, J. A. R. Nicoll and D. Boche (2013) Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology39, 243–255

Rat astrocytic tumour cells are associated with an anti‐inflammatory microglial phenotype in an organotypic model

Aim: Microglia form a high proportion of cells in glial tumours but their role in supporting or inhibiting tumour growth is unclear. Here we describe the establishment of an in vitro model to investigate their role in astrocytomas. Methods: Rat hippocampal slices were prepared and, after 7 days to allow microglia to become quiescent, rat C6 astrocytic tumour cells were added. Over the following 7 days, infiltration and cell death were studied using fluorescent C6 tumour cells and confocal microscopy; immunophenotyping of microglia was performed using CD68 (phagocytosis), MHCII (antigen‐presentation) and Iba1 (microglial marker regardless of functional state). Cell proliferation was assessed using Ki67 and qPCR to detect cytokine expression. Sham and control groups were included. Results: Microscopy showed proliferation of C6 tumour cells with both infiltration of tumour cells into the hippocampal tissue and of microglia among the tumour cells. Confocal experiments confirmed increasing tumour cell infiltration into the hippocampal slice with time (P < 0.001), associated with cell death (σ = 0.313, P = 0.022). Ki67 showed increased proliferation (P < 0.001), of both tumour cells and Iba1+ microglia and increased microglial phagocytosis (CD68: P < 0.001). Expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines IL1, IL6 and TNFα were downregulated with expression of the anti‐inflammatory cytokine TGFβ1 maintained. Conclusion: This model allows study of the proliferation and infiltration of astrocytic tumour cells in central nervous system tissue and their interaction with microglia. Our data suggest that microglial function is altered in the presence of tumour cells, putatively facilitating tumour progression. Manipulation of the microglial functional state may have therapeutic value for astrocytic tumours.
The Quality of Vital Statistics for Studying Perinatal Health: the Spanish Case
Authors: Juárez Sol , Alonso Ortíz Tomás , Ramiro‐Fariñas Diego , Bolúmar Francisco
Published: May 2012

Juárez S, Alonso Ortíz T, Ramiro‐Fariñas D, Bolúmar F. The quality of Vital Statistics for studying perinatal health: the Spanish case. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2012; ••: ••–••.

Background:  Birthweight and gestational age are key indicators for perinatal health obtained through the birth certificate. Knowing the validity of birth certificate data is crucial when identifying needs and evaluating birth outcomes. In Spain, vital information is reported by parents and is not checked for consistency with any hospital document. Therefore, to perform a validation study and describe the variables associated with misreporting is essential to improve the quality of birth certificates.

Methods:  A database was created using birth information from hospital medical records that were individually linked with the Spanish National Institute of Statistics (INE) birth certificate files. Measures of reliability and validity were used to compare the data from the two sources. Logistic regression models were adjusted to model the odds of being misreported in birthweight and gestational age, controlling for relevant variables.

Results:  INE overestimated the prevalence of birthweight and gestational age. The degree of agreement between the two sources was good for most gestational age groups (Kappa = 0.74), very good for the very preterm (Kappa = 0.85) and very good also for all categories of birthweight (Kappa = 0.88). Misreporting was significantly higher among immigrants, unmarried mothers and girls. Being a preterm birth increased the odds of being declared with errors in gestational age; having low birthweight and missing information on gestational age were associated with misreporting birthweight.

Conclusions:  The reliability of INE information could be greatly improved if hospitals included birthweight and gestational age on the document provided to parents for registering the birth.
Using Maternally Reported Data to Investigate the Association between Early Childhood Infection and Autism Spectrum Disorder: the Importance of Data Source
Authors: Atladóttir Hjördís Ó. , Henriksen Tine B. , Schendel Diana E. , Parner Erik T.
Published: May 2012

Background:

Childhood infections have been found to be associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in previous studies using hospital data or medical records to identify infections. We aimed to replicate these findings using maternal reports of childhood infection.

Methods:

We used the Danish National Birth Cohort consisting of 92 583 live singletons born from 1997 to 2003 in Denmark. ASD diagnoses were retrieved from the Danish Psychiatric Central Register, and a total of 945 children from the cohort were diagnosed with ASD. Data were analysed using Cox proportional hazards regression. We studied the association between ASD and maternal reports of infectious disease in the child from birth to 19 months. Furthermore, we performed secondary analyses using hospital registers to investigate the association between ASD and hospital contact in general as well as hospital contact for various infections.

Results:

We did not find a general association between maternal reports of infectious illness and ASD. However, hospital contact for all causes was associated with an increased risk for an ASD diagnosis. Danish children with ASD do not appear to have a general pattern of illness from infection in early life, but do have more contact with medical specialists for infections and other indications compared with the general population.

Conculsion:

Hospital data should be used cautiously when studying the co‐morbidity of ASD; if the increased rate of hospital contact overall for children with ASD is not considered, then misleading interpretations might be made of observed associations between specific diseases and ASD.
Risk Models for Benchmarking Severe Perineal Tears during Vaginal Childbirth: a Cross‐sectional Study of Public Hospitals in South Australia, 2002–08
Authors: Baghurst Peter A. , Antoniou Georgia
Published: May 2012

Background:

The incidence of third‐ and fourth‐degree perineal tears during vaginal childbirth is being increasingly used as an indicator of the safety and quality of maternity health care services. In order to make fair comparisons across hospitals it may be necessary to estimate a probability of severe perineal tears for every woman, taking into account her risk profile.

Methods:

Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the probabilities of third‐ and fourth‐degree tears (n = 1582; 2.4%) in 65 598 vaginal births in publicly funded hospitals in South Australia, 2002–08.

Results:

Maternal age ≥25 years, primiparity, instrument assistance, Asian or African ethnicity, shoulder dystocia and increasing birthweight were all identified as factors that are associated with an increased risk of perineal tears. In parous women, episiotomy, with or without instrument assistance, was associated with more tears; but among nulliparous women, episiotomy was associated with significantly fewer tears when forceps assistance was required, and showed little or no association with tearing in vacuum‐assisted or unassisted (spontaneous) births.

Conclusion:

The probabilities of severe perineal tears in first‐time mothers giving birth to a term singleton with cephalic presentation, may range from under 1% to over 40%, according to a minimalist model containing only predictors unrelated to clinical management. If instrument assistance and episiotomy are also incorporated into the modelling, the estimated probability of tearing may exceed 50% in high risk individuals. Such variation highlights the need for risk adjustment when comparing hospitals with respect to their incidence of third or fourth degree perineal tears.
Natural variation in the temperature range permissive for vernalization in accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: WOLLENBERG AMANDA C. , AMASINO RICHARD M.
Published: May 2012

Vernalization is an acceleration of flowering in response to chilling, and is normally studied in the laboratory at near‐freezing (2–4 °C) temperatures. Many vernalization‐requiring species, such as Arabidopsis thaliana, are found in a range of habitats with varying winter temperatures. Natural variation in the temperature range that elicits a vernalization response in Arabidopsis has not been fully explored. We characterized the effect of intermediate temperatures (7–19 °C) on 15 accessions and the well‐studied reference line Col‐FRI. Although progressively warmer temperatures are gradually less effective at activating expression of the vernalization‐specific gene VERNALIZATION‐INSENSITIVE 3 (VIN3) and in accelerating flowering, there is substantial natural variation in the upper threshold (Tmax) of the flowering‐time response. VIN3 is required for the Tmax (13 °C) response of Col‐FRI. Surprisingly, even 16 °C treatment caused induction of VIN3 in six tested lines, despite the ineffectiveness of this temperature in accelerating flowering for two of them. Finally, we present evidence that mild acceleration of flowering by 19 °C exposure may counterbalance the flowering time delay caused by non‐inductive photoperiods in at least one accession, creating an appearance of photoperiod insensitivity.
Investigation on Cacao swollen shoot virus (CSSV) pollen transmission through cross‐pollination
Authors: Ameyaw G. A. , Wetten A. , Dzahini‐Obiatey H. , Domfeh O. , Allainguillaume J.
Published: May 2012

DNA‐ and RNA‐based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) systems were used with Cacao swollen shoot virus (CSSV) primers designed from conserved regions of the six published genomic sequences of CSSV to investigate whether the virus is transmissible from infected trees through cross‐pollination to seeds and seedlings. Pollen was harvested from CSSV infected cocoa trees and used to cross‐pollinate flowers of healthy cocoa trees (recipient parents) to generate enough cocoa seeds for the PCR screening. Adequate precautions were taken to avoid cross‐contamination during duplicated DNA extractions and only PCR results accompanied by effective positive and negative controls were scored. Results from the PCR analyses showed that samples of cocoa pod husk, mesocarp and seed tissues (testa, cotyledon and embryo) from the cross‐pollinations were PCR negative for CSSV DNA. Sequential DNA samples from new leaves of seedlings resulting from the cross‐pollinated trees were consistently PCR negative for presence of portions of CSSV DNA for over 36 months after germination. A reverse transcription‐PCR analysis performed on the seedlings showed negative results, indicating absence of functional CSSV RNA transcripts in the seedlings. None of the seedlings exhibited symptoms characteristic of the CSSV disease, and all infectivity tests on the seedlings were also negative. Following these results, the study concluded that although CSSV DNA was detected in pollen from CSSV infected trees, there was no evidence of pollen transmission of the virus through cross‐pollination from infected cocoa parents to healthy cocoa trees.
Occurrence of aphidborne viruses in southernmost South American populations of Fragaria chiloensis ssp. chiloensis
Authors: Rojas P. , Almada R. D. , Sandoval C. , Keller K. E. , Martin R. R. , Caligari P. D. S.
Published: May 2012

Wild and cultivated Fragaria chiloensis ssp. chiloensis (Fcc) plants were collected at different locations in southern Chile in order to determine the current viral status of this native strawberry. The following aphidborne viruses (ABVs): Strawberry mild yellow edge virus (SMYEV), Strawberry mottle virus (SMoV), Strawberry crinkle virus (SCV) and Strawberry vein banding virus (SVBV), were found in wild and cultivated Fcc plants, but severe symptoms were not associated with viral infection. Furthermore, partial gene sequences of these ABV isolates were determined and displayed a high degree of conservation with virus isolates reported previously. In addition, partial gene sequences of SCV and SVBV from southernmost South American populations of Fcc are described for the first time. High‐throughput parallel sequencing (Illumina) of double‐stranded RNA was used to provide viral profiles of Fcc from different locations. Although strong evidence of novel viruses affecting Fcc was not found, it was confirmed that ABVs are the most frequent viruses affecting this subspecies. The information provided will help in the development of high‐quality molecular tools for virus detection and control in Fcc.
A comparative study of the Barley yellow dwarf virus species PAV and PAS: distribution, accumulation and host resistance
Authors: Jarošová J. , Chrpová J. , Šíp V. , Kundu J. K.
Published: May 2012

This study investigated the distribution and characteristics of the Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) species BYDV‐PAS, which was recently separated from BYDV‐PAV, the most commonly studied BYDV species. Throughout 3 years of experimental monitoring of BYDV incidence, PAS was the most frequently occurring species infecting cereals and grasses in the Czech Republic. Furthermore, Rhopalosiphum maidis and Metopolophium dirhodum were recorded as BYDV‐PAS vectors, even though M. dirhodum does not usually transmit BYDV‐PAV. In field experiments with barley and wheat, where virus accumulation, symptoms and effect on the yield were tested, BYDV‐PAV was more severe than PAS. Infection with the BYDV‐PAV isolate resulted in greater expression of symptoms and also in a greater reduction in plant height and grain weight per spike than BYDV‐PAS. In a sensitive cultivar of barley (Graciosa), the amount of viral RNA of BYDV‐PAV was also significantly higher than that of BYDV‐PAS. In a tolerant line (Wbon‐123), however, no such differences were found. In conclusion, although BYDV‐PAS seems to be dominant in the Czech Republic, BYDV‐PAV has the potential to cause more significant crop losses in barley and wheat.
Collision and rotation of the South China block and their role in the formation and exhumation of ultrahigh pressure rocks in the Dabie Shan orogen
Authors: Guo Xiaoyu , Encarnacion John , Xu Xiao , Deino Alan , Li Zhiwu , Tian Xiaobo
Published: May 2012

Terra Nova, 24, 339–350, 2012

Studies of regional plate‐scale processes that may influence the exhumation of ultra‐high pressure (UHP) metamorphic rocks are few despite their potential importance. Here, we review and summarize available age constraints along with the Qinling‐Dabie Shan orogen, which separates the North China Block (NCB) from the South China Block (SCB). We find that collision‐related events in the west and extension‐related events in the east, where the large Dabie Shan UHP terrane is located, were contemporaneous. Available palaeomagnetic data indicate clockwise rotation of the SCB relative to the NCB during this time. Previous work indicated that the collision propagated from east to west where indentation of the SCB into the Qinling‐Dabie Shan orogen was active in the Hannan Dome area at 165 ± 3 Ma as constrained by new 40Ar/39Ar dates on synkinematic sericite in an indentation‐related mylonitic shear zone. While this contraction was occurring in the west, exhumation of the UHP terrane was occurring in the Dabie Shan in the east. We propose that the collision of the SCB with the NCB occurred not only in a scissor‐like fashion, as previously suggested, but also involved a later rotation about a pole west of the Dabie Shan during the closure of the Mianlue Ocean. As a consequence of this rotation, extension occurred between the South China Block and North China Block east of the pole of rotation leading to extensional exhumation of the Dabie Shan orogen. This microcontinent‐scale rotation of the SCB may have provided an important component in the exhumation of the largest UHP terrane in the world.
CCS52 and DEL1 genes are key components of the endocycle in nematode‐induced feeding sites
Authors: de Almeida Engler Janice , Kyndt Tina , Vieira Paulo , Van Cappelle Elke , Boudolf Veronique , Sanchez Vanesa , Escobar Carolina , De Veylder Lieven , Engler Gilbert , Abad Pierre , Gheysen Godelieve
Published: May 2012

The establishment of galls and syncytia as feeding sites induced by root‐knot and cyst nematodes, respectively, involves a progressive increase in nuclear and cellular size. Here we describe the functional characterization of endocycle activators CCS52A, CCS52B and a repressor of the endocycle, DEL1, during two types of nematode feeding site development in Arabidopsis thaliana. In situ hybridization analysis showed that expression of CCS52A1 and CCS52B was strongly induced in galls and syncytia and DEL1 was stably but weakly expressed throughout feeding site development. Down‐regulation and over‐expression of CCS52 and DEL1 in Arabidopsis drastically affected giant cell and syncytium growth, resulting in restrained nematode development, illustrating the need for mitotic activity and endo‐reduplication for feeding site maturation. Exploiting the mechanism of endo‐reduplication may be envisaged as a strategy to control plant‐parasitic nematodes.
The role of cytokinin during Arabidopsis gynoecia and fruit morphogenesis and patterning
Authors: Marsch‐Martínez Nayelli , Ramos‐Cruz Daniela , Irepan Reyes‐Olalde J. , Lozano‐Sotomayor Paulina , Zúñiga‐Mayo Victor M. , de Folter Stefan
Published: May 2012

Cytokinins have many essential roles in embryonic and post‐embryonic growth and development, but their role in fruit morphogenesis is currently not really known. Moreover, information about the spatio‐temporal localization pattern of cytokinin signaling in gynoecia and fruits is lacking. Therefore, the synthetic reporter line TCS::GFP was used to visualize cytokinin signaling during gynoecium and fruit development. Fluorescence was detected at medial regions of developing gynoecia, and, unexpectedly, at the valve margin in developing fruits, and was severely altered in mutants that lack or ectopically acquire valve margin identity. Comparison to developing gynoecia and fruits in a DR5rev::GFP line showed that the transcriptional responses to cytokinin and auxin are frequently present in complementary patterns. Moreover, cytokinin treatments in early gynoecia produced conspicuous changes, and treatment of valve margin mutant fruits restored this tissue. The results suggest that the phytohormone cytokinin is important in gynoecium and fruit patterning and morphogenesis, playing at least two roles: an early proliferation‐inducing role at the medial tissues of the developing gynoecia, and a late role in fruit patterning and morphogenesis at the valve margin of developing fruits.