bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Malformations of the hand and wrist
Authors: Giele Henk
Published: April 2012

♦ Malformations of the upper limb are amongst the most common anomalies seen in surgical practice

♦ Recognition and awareness of the varied diagnoses, their significance, and their impact on the child and family are vital to help these children and improve their function.
Management of the limb deficient child
Authors: Calder Peter , Hanspal Rajiv S.
Published: April 2012

♦ The majority of congenital limb defects are sporadic and unilateral

♦ The skeletal deficiency is described as transverse or longitudinal

♦ A multidisciplinary approach to management is required

♦ The balance between surgical reconstruction of the limb vs primary amputation is difficult to find.
The management of limb length inequality
Authors: Monsell Fergal
Published: April 2012

♦ Limb length inequality is common: prediction of the final discrepancy at skeletal maturity is important to allow appropriate management plans to be made

♦ Knowledge of the underlying cause helps with prognosis

♦ Management is influenced by various factors including age and height and often involves a combination of treatment methods.
Developmental deformities of the lower limbs
Authors: Wainwright Andrew
Published: April 2012

♦ Some rare angular deformities of the lower limbs must be recognized early

♦ Most deteriorate with time and cause significant functional problems

♦ With tibial bowing, description of the apex of the bow determines prognosis and management

♦ Surgical management of these conditions can be difficult: multiple procedures may be required during the growth period.
Developmental dysplasia of the hip
Authors: Sanghrajka Anish , Eastwood Deborah M
Published: April 2012

♦ Developmental dysplasia of the hip represents a spectrum of hip pathology with or without hip instability

♦ Controversy continues regarding the relative roles of clinical and ultrasound screening programmes

♦ Early diagnosis and prompt, appropriate treatment is important

♦ All treatment methods risk compromising the vascularity of the developing femoral head

♦ Residual dysplasia may require an aggressive surgical approach.
Legg–Calve–Perthes disease
Authors: Bruce Colin
Published: April 2012

♦ Avascular necrosis of the femoral head initiated by unknown factors is followed by gradual restoration of blood supply and regeneration

♦ Current treatment methods aim to prevent development of an aspherical and incongruent femoral head and acetabulum

♦ Treatment should be offered to the child with a poor prognosis so that the natural history of the condition can be improved: identification of such cases is difficult

♦ Early and late management strategies differ significantly.
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis
Authors: Clarke N.M.P.
Published: April 2012

♦ Slipped capital femoral epiphysis occurs during rapid growth periods of adolescence

♦ Delay in diagnosis remains a major problem

♦ Acute, severe, and unstable slips are an orthopaedic emergency: the preferred treatment option remains controversial.
Common knee conditions
Authors: Noordin Shahryar , Howard Andrew
Published: April 2012

♦ All children who complain of knee symptoms must be assessed for ipsilateral hip and spine pathology

♦ Congenital or persistent lateral dislocation of the patella and obligatory dislocation of the patella have two different clinical presentations: surgical treatment (if required) is often complex

♦ The natural history of stable osteochondritis dissecans lesions is generally favourable in a child with open physes.
Congenital talipes equinovarus
Authors: Uglow Michael
Published: April 2012

♦ Aetiology of idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus remains unknown

♦ Antenatal diagnosis is common with good differentiation of the idiopathic from the syndromic foot

♦ The Ponseti method is the treatment of choice: results are poorer in the atypical and syndromic feet

♦ Surgery is required in selected cases as the primary treatment and in others, as treatment for residual and/or recurrent deformity.
The foot in childhood
Authors: Ramachandran Manoj
Published: April 2012

♦ Congenital foot anomalies are common: most are minor and do not affect function

♦ Postural problems must be differentiated from structural anomalies

♦ An underlying neuromuscular aetiology should be considered

♦ A pain-free, functional foot is the goal of treatment.
Sports injuries and syndromes
Authors: Thomas Simon , Walton Michael
Published: April 2012

♦ Paediatric sports medicine is an evolving multidisciplinary specialty with increasing rates of injury in paediatric athletes:

• Injury prevention programmes are important

• Training regimes must be adapted to the age group and the sport

♦ Sports injuries to the immature skeleton require different treatment approaches to those in adults even when injury patterns appear similar

♦ The knee is the most commonly injured region—anterior cruciate ligament ruptures in children and adolescents are higher than previously appreciated

♦ Upper limb paediatric sports injuries are more commonly secondary to overuse than acute injury—physiotherapy and activity modification are the mainstays of treatment.
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis: surgical management
Authors: Riley Nicholas D. , Hashemi–Nejad A.
Published: April 2012

♦ Approximately 10% of juvenile idiopathic arthritis cases will require a surgical procedure

♦ Non-operative management aims to prevent deformity, promote normal growth, and maintain function

♦ Perioperative problems must be anticipated and managed appropriately

♦ Deformity may be treated by soft tissue release and/or osteotomy

♦ Synovectomy may be useful if the articular surface is well-preserved

♦ Arthrodesis is rarely indicated except in the wrist/hand

♦ Arthroplasty is successful in restoring function.
Musculoskeletal injuries in children
Authors: Theologis Tim
Published: April 2012

♦ In children, bone is more flexible and heals faster than in adults but is at risk of growth disturbance. It is also capable of remodelling

♦ The physis is weaker than the structures around it and therefore is liable to disruption in trauma

♦ The possibility of injuries as a result of abuse must be considered in children and have a characteristic pattern

♦ In poly trauma, children are more susceptible to hypothermia. Abdominal viscera and the cranium are more vulnerable. However, the central nervous system has more scope for recovery, and the cardiovascular system has an excellent capacity for coping with hypovolaemic shock

♦ A reliable specific paediatric score should be used to plan treatment

♦ The management of fractures is more likely to involve traction, plaster, and K-wires.
Physeal injuries
Authors: Spence G. , Eastwood Deborah M.
Published: April 2012

♦ Damage to the physis may lead to slowing or angulation of growth, especially if a bone bar forms

♦ Fractures involving the physis may be difficult to diagnose on x-ray

♦ The Salter–Harris classification is commonly used

♦ Fixation of fractures should not cross the physis if it can be avoided

♦ Partial growth arrest may be best treated with a complete epiphysiodesis followed by reconstruction.
Fractures of the spine in children
Authors: Wilson-MacDonald James , Nnadi Colin
Published: April 2012

♦ Spinal injuries in children are rare

♦ Pseudosubluxation above C4 is common in healthy children so the sign needs careful interpretation

♦ Epiphyseal plates and a high incidence of skeletal variability make the interpretation of spinal x-rays in children difficult. Anterior wedging is also normal as is interpedicular widening

♦ Spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality (SCIWORA) may occur for up to one-third of spinal injuries in children

♦ Deformity secondary to trauma tends to deteriorate with growth.
Injuries around the shoulder in children
Authors: Sarkhel Tanaya , Clasper Jonathan
Published: April 2012

♦ Dislocation of the shoulder is rare in children but may be mimicked by epiphyseal disruption

♦ Midshaft clavicle fractures are common and have great powers of remodelling

♦ Proximal humeral fractures commonly involve the physis and lead to shortening although this is rarely apparent to the patient.
Fractures about the elbow in children
Authors: Chell J.
Published: April 2012

♦ Fractures around the elbow are a common occurrence in childhood

♦ Closed fracture reduction is best supplemented with percutaneous wires

♦ Damage to nerves and vessels (less common) are associated with these fractures

♦ The index of suspicion for compartment syndrome should always be high

♦ The transcondylar fracture has a high association with non-accidental injury.
Fractures and dislocations about the paediatric forearm
Authors: Bass A.
Published: April 2012

♦ Growth plate fractures are common and of these the commonest is a Salter–Harris type II through the distal radial physis. There is considerable capacity for remodelling so reduction may not be needed. Remodelling capacity is inversely proportional to age

♦ Elastic intramedullary nails are valuable in the forearm

♦ Complications of fractures include malunion, refracture, and cross union.
Children’s hand trauma
Authors: Giele Henk
Published: April 2012

♦ This chapter reinforces that children are not small adults and the management of these injuries must consider the effect on growth and development

♦ Nail bed injuries require microsurgical repair if permanent deformity is to be avoided

♦ Every attempt should be made to replace amputated digits, whatever the level of amputation

♦ Good results are the common outcome in children’s fractures unless complicated by surgical intervention or infection. However, angulation, rotation, and intra-articular deformities should be corrected where possible

♦ All children with deep lacerations of the upper limb should have a general anaesthetic for adequate exploration and repair of the wound

♦ A high index of suspicion of nerve injury should exist when assessing hand lacerations, and the outcome of early surgical repair is good.
Injuries of the pelvis and hip in children
Authors: Hop Jon D. , Marsh J.L.
Published: April 2012

♦ Displaced cervical fractures must be reduced and then fixed with lag screws

♦ Avascular necrosis remains a significant problem

♦ Intertrochanteric fractures may be treated closed with traction if an adequate reduction can be obtained and held

♦ Dislocated hips should be reduced as soon as possible, open if necessary

♦ Pelvic fractures are associated with a high mortality not so much from bleeding from pelvic veins as from accompanying major trauma to the rest of the body

♦ The elasticity of children’s bones allows for single breaks in the pelvic ring.
Injuries of the femur and patella in children
Authors: Hollinghurst David
Published: April 2012

♦ There is considerable scope for remodelling in the child’s femur

♦ Significant overgrowth may correct shortening after a fracture

♦ Below the age of 5 years femoral fractures may be treated non-operatively in a spica or with traction; above the age of 11 years surgical stabilization of the fracture will normally be needed

♦ Flexible intramedullary nails have largely replaced external fixators

♦ Fractures involving the distal femoral physis need careful treatment and follow-up as they may lead to significant growth arrest

♦ Osteochondral fractures accompany a proportion of acute patella dislocations.
Tibial and ankle fractures in children
Authors: Scott B.W. , Templeton P.A.
Published: April 2012

♦ After
forearm and digital injuries, tibial and ankle fractures are the
commonest fractures in the immature skeleton and the majority of
these involve the diaphysis or ankle

♦
Compared to the morbidity seen in adults these are relatively
forgiving injuries in children as the healing rate of bone and soft
tissues is rapid and remodelling will occur

♦ It is
wise, however, to guard against overconfidence in the remodelling
potential of certain injuries; for example, angulated mid-diaphyseal
fractures, rotational malalignment, and metaphyseal fractures within
2 years of skeletal maturity

♦
Children will tolerate manipulative/cast treatment better than
adults as the duration of treatment is usually shorter and rapid
rehabilitation is almost the norm with or without physiotherapy

♦
Postfracture overgrowth does occur but is less than that following
femoral fractures and seldom clinically significant (over 10mm)

♦
Isolated fibular fractures are of minor importance but need to be
taken into account in managing complex injuries involving the distal
tibia

♦ It is
convenient to discuss injuries according to three anatomical
sections: proximal, diaphyseal, and distal.
Foot injuries in children
Authors: Oddy M.J. , Eastwood Deborah M.
Published: April 2012

♦ The child’s foot is very supple but when injuries do occur conventional imaging is not as valuable as it should be because of the late ossification. Accessory centres of ossification complicate matters

♦ Transchondral fractures are not easily seen on conventional x-rays

♦ Lawnmower injuries (shredding of the forefoot) should have a slightly more tissue-preserving approach than in adults

♦ Lacerated tendons in the hindfoot need repairing if foot growth is to be normal.
Clinical evaluation of elective problems in the adult elbow
Authors: Salama Amir , Ali Amjid
Published: April 2012

♦ History: presenting complaint; past medical history.

♦ Examination: inspection; palpation; movement; special tests.
Lateral and medial epicondylitis
Authors: Phillips Nick
Published: April 2012

♦ Most common in middle age.

♦ Classically ECRB affected laterally, Pronator teres and FCR medially.

♦ Histology is angiofibroblastic hyperplasia-tendinosis, not inflammation.

♦ Treatments include physical and injection therapy, as well as surgery.

♦ Concomitant ulna neuritis medially reduces success of surgery.
Chronic instability of the elbow
Authors: Salama Amir , Stanley David
Published: April 2012

♦ Posterolateral rotatory instability is the commonest following elbow dislocation

♦ Diagnosis is mainly clinical and by examination under anaesthesia

♦ Surgical treatment is the mainstay.
Rheumatoid arthritis of the elbow
Authors: Clark David
Published: April 2012

♦ 50% of RA patients have elbow involvement

♦ Females affected 3 times more than males

♦ Peak incidence 60-70 years of age

♦ Radiological severity assessed using the Larson radiological grading system

♦ No single test used to diagnose RA

♦ The management of RA requires a multidisciplinary approach

♦ Anti-TNF drugs are used when disease-modifying agent combinations have failed to control symptoms

♦ Intra-articular and intramuscular cortisone is an effective way of controlling fl are-ups

♦ Total elbow arthroplasty is indicated in severe RA where there is failure of medical management to control symptoms

♦ 10 year survival rates of total elbow replacement between 80 % (unlinked) and 92 % (linked).
Structural study of six cycloalkylammonium cinnamate salt structures featuring one-dimensional columns and two-dimensional hydrogen-bonded networks
Authors: Lemmerer Andreas , Fernandes Manuel A.
Published: April 2012

Six ammonium carboxylate salts, namely cyclopentylammonium cinnamate, C5H12N+·C9H7O2−, (I), cyclohexylammonium cinnamate, C6H14N+·C9H7O2−, (II), cycloheptylammonium cinnamate form I, C7H16N+·C9H7O2−, (IIIa), and form II, (IIIb), cyclooctylammonium cinnamate, C8H18N+·C9H7O2−, (IV), and cyclododecylammonium cinnamate, C12H26N+·C9H7O2−, (V), are reported. Salts (II)–(V) all have a 1:1 ratio of cation to anion and feature three N+—H...O−hydrogen bonds forming one-dimensional hydrogen-bonded columns consisting of repeatingR43(10) rings, while salt (I) has a two-dimensional network made up of alternatingR44(12) andR68(20) rings. Salt (III) consists of two polymorphic forms,viz.form I havingZ′ = 1 and form II withZ′ = 2. The latter polymorph has disorder of the cycloheptane rings in the two cations, as well as whole-molecule disorder of one of the cinnamate anions. A similar, but ordered,Z′ = 2 structure is seen in salt (IV).
Whole‐genome association study for energy balance and fat/protein ratio in German Holstein bull dams
Authors: Tetens J. , Seidenspinner T. , Buttchereit N. , Thaller G.
Published: April 2012

The metabolic status of cows is important to health and fertility, especially in early lactation, and energy balance (EB) and fat/protein ratio (FPR) are considered as appropriate indicators for metabolic disorders. The aim of this study was to detect SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) associated with EB and FPR in German Holstein bull dams belonging to the research herd Karkendamm. Bull dams were genotyped using the Illumina Bovine SNP 50K Bead chip® comprising 54 001 SNPs. A total of 43 593 SNPs and 586 (EB) and 668 (FPR) bull dams passed the quality control criteria. Phenotypes were deregressed breeding values estimated via random regression animal models for lactation days 11, 20, 30, and 42 for EB and FPR. Whole‐genome association analyses were carried out fitting principal components as covariates to adjust for genetic substructure. Permutation tests were applied to estimate genome‐wise significance. Across all observed lactation days, 19 SNPs located in four different intervals on chromosomes 1, 14, 16, and 27 were detected. For EB, seven markers across four chromosomes were identified. There was no overlap between markers associated with FPR and EB. SNPs associated with FPR were mostly located in QTL regions for milk production traits, especially in the region of
DGAT1, whereas SNPs associated with EB mainly showed positional relationships to previously described QTL regions affecting functional traits, especially fertility.
Contribution of human growth hormone‐releasing hormone receptor (GHRHR) gene sequence variation to isolated severe growth hormone deficiency (ISGHD) and normal adult height
Authors: Camats Núria , Fernández‐Cancio Mónica , Carrascosa Antonio , Andaluz Pilar , Albisu M. Ángeles , Clemente María , Gussinyé Miquel , Yeste Diego , Audí Laura
Published: April 2012

Objective

Molecular causes of isolated severe growth hormone deficiency (ISGHD) in several genes have been established. The aim of this study was to analyse the contribution of growth hormone‐releasing hormone receptor (GHRHR) gene sequence variation to GH deficiency in a series of prepubertal ISGHD patients and to normal adult height.

Design, subjects and measurements

A systematic GHRHR gene sequence analysis was performed in 69 ISGHD patients and 60 normal adult height controls (NAHC). Four GHRHR single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped in 248 additional NAHC. An analysis was performed on individual SNPs and combined genotype associations with diagnosis in ISGHD patients and with height‐SDS in NAHC.

Results

Twenty‐one SNPs were found. P3, P13, P15 and P20 had not been previously described. Patients and controls shared 12 SNPs (P1, P2, P4–P11, P16 and P21). Significantly different frequencies of the heterozygous genotype and alternate allele were detected in P9 (exon 4, rs4988498) and P12 (intron 6, rs35609199); P9 heterozygous genotype frequencies were similar in patients and the shortest control group (heights between −2 and −1 SDS) and significantly different in controls (heights between −1 and +2 SDS). GHRHR P9 together with 4 GH1 SNP genotypes contributed to 6·2% of height‐SDS variation in the entire 308 NAHC.

Conclusions

This study established the GHRHR gene sequence variation map in ISGHD patients and NAHC. No evidence of GHRHR mutation contribution to ISGHD was found in this population, although P9 and P12 SNP frequencies were significantly different between ISGHD and NAHC. Thus, the gene sequence may contribute to normal adult height, as demonstrated in NAHC.
Appearance and establishment of diazotrophic cyanobacteria in Lake Kinneret, Israel
Authors: HADAS O. , PINKAS R. , MALINSKY‐RUSHANSKY N. , NISHRI A. , KAPLAN A. , RIMMER A. , SUKENIK A.
Published: April 2012

1. We propose that the appearance and establishment of Nostocales (cyanobacteria) species of the genera Aphanizomenon and Cylindrospermopsis in the warm subtropical Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee, Israel) from 1994 was linked to changes in climate conditions and summer nitrogen (N) availability.

2. From 1994 to 2009, an increase in frequency of events of elevated water temperature (>29 °C) in summer, and to some extent a greater frequency of lower summer wind speed events, affected water turbulence and water column stratification, thus providing better physical conditions for the establishment of these populations.

3. In recent years, N‐depleted conditions in Lake Kinneret in early summer have promoted the development and domination of Nostocales that could gain an ecological advantage owing to their N2‐fixing capability.

4. Nitrogen fixation rates coincided both with heterocyst abundance and with Nostocales biomass. The N supplied to the lake via nitrogen fixation ranged from negligible quantities when Nostocales represented only a minor component of the phytoplankton community to 123 tonnes when Cylindrospermopsis bloomed in 2005. This high N2 fixation rate equals the average summer dissolved inorganic nitrogen load to the lake via the Jordan River.
Are apolipoprotein E alleles correlated with semen quality?
Authors: Paoli D. , Zedda S. , Grassetti D. , Gallo M. , Corbo R. M. , Lombardo F. , Lenzi A. , Gandini L.
Published: April 2012

Apolipoproteins have a unique role in lipoprotein metabolism regulation, aiding lipid transport and acting as a cofactor of the enzymes involved in metabolism. There are three co‐dominant alleles, APOE*2, APOE*3 and APOE*4, which encode three protein isoforms, apoE2, apoE3 and apoE4. APOE*3 is the most frequent in all populations thus far investigated, ranging from 50 to 90%. Some studies have tried to resolve a genetic ‘dilemma’ by evaluating the cause of the frequency and survival of the three alleles. Genetic drift, migration or natural selection could explain the current distribution of APOE gene frequencies worldwide. If APOE*4 is the ancestral allele, APOE*3 must have offered a considerable selective advantage, perhaps consisting of a positive effect during the reproductive period. Given this, there is a need to understand if APOE gene polymorphism might affect reproductive capacity. Few studies have been conducted in this area, and they generally correlate APOE polymorphism with reproductive efficiency in terms of number of children. The aim of our study was to look for correlations between APOE polymorphism in humans and semen quality, to establish if APOE genotypes have any demonstrable effect on spermatogenesis. In conclusion, our data show that APOE polymorphism is not associated with semen quality, as it is present to a similar extent in both normal and impaired or absent spermatogenesis. This demonstrates once again that the use of number of children as an index of fertility is not indicative of real male reproductive capacity.
Column solid‐phase extraction of sunset yellow and spectrophotometric determination of its use in powdered beverage and confectionery products
Authors: Unsal Yunus Emre , Soylak Mustafa , Tuzen Mustafa
Published: April 2012

A new and simple solid‐phase extraction method for the determination of trace levels of sunset yellow has been developed on Diaion HP 2MG column system. The adsorbed sunset yellow on the resin was eluted with 3 mL of methanol and determined by UV–Vis spectrophotometry at 484 nm. Various experimental parameters such as pH, amount of sunset yellow, flow rates of sample and eluent solutions, resin amount, sample volumes, etc. were investigated. The influences of some alkali, alkali earth and transition metals on the recoveries of sunset yellow were investigated. The recovery values for sunset yellow were higher than 95%. Preconcentration factor was found as 150. The detection limit (three sigma) of the reagent blank for sunset yellow was 5.2 μg L−1. The relative standard deviations (RSD) of the procedure were found as 3.9%. The validation of the presented procedure was performed by the method of standard addition. The procedure was successfully applied to the determination of trace levels of sunset yellow in powdered beverage and confectionery products.
Optimising separation process of protein and polysaccharide from spent brewer’s yeast by ultrafiltration
Authors: Huang Kai , Gao Jun‐yong , Ma Sen , Lu Jia‐jiong
Published: April 2012

The aim of this study was to optimise the ultrafiltration process for the separation of polysaccharide and protein from spent brewer’s yeast. Influence of concentration (1.5–4.5%), pH (4.0–8.0) and operating pressure (10–20 psi) on the yield of protein and polysaccharide was assessed using response surface methodology. The optimum separation conditions were found to be concentration 2.7%, pH 5.0 and operation pressure 14.0 psi. Under these conditions, the experimental yields of protein and polysaccharide were 95.03% and 94.65%, respectively, which were agreed closely to the predicted value. The polysaccharide was composed of glucose, sucrose and trehalose in a ratio of 1.12:0.83:2.36. The results indicated that ultrafiltration technology could be an effective and advisable technique for the separation of protein and polysaccharide.
Formulation optimisation of vegetable flour‐loaded functional bread Part I: screening of vegetable flours and structuring agents
Authors: Mastromatteo Marcella , Danza Alessandra , Guida Mariangela , Del Nobile Matteo A.
Published: April 2012

The aim of this work was to optimise durum wheat‐based functional bread loaded with vegetable flours. In particular, the screening of vegetable flours and structuring agents was performed. The per cent sensorial attributes change with respect to the durum wheat bread was calculated. Taste and appearance were the parameters that have most influenced the overall quality of the final product. In the Step 1, yellow pepper flour was chosen because of its taste highly pleasant. In fact, the per cent sensorial attributes change for this sample was about 6%. In the Step 2, different structuring agents were tested to improve the organoleptic properties of the investigated functional bread enriched with 25% of yellow pepper flour. The highest amount of vegetable flour added to the bread results in a low loaf volume, stickiness and compact crumb. A slight improvement compared with the bread sample without structuring agents was observed with 2% of guar seed flour from the appearance and crumb firmness point of view. Therefore, a further optimisation of the functional bread investigated in this work is necessary.
Development of a swallowing frequency meter using a laryngeal microphone
Authors: TANAKA N. , NOHARA K. , OKUNO K. , KOTANI Y. , OKAZAKI H. , MATSUMURA M. , SAKAI T.
Published: April 2012

Summary  Disuse atrophy of swallowing‐related organs is suspected when decreased swallowing frequency is seen in the elderly. However, swallowing frequency has not been examined in elderly people during daily life. We developed a swallowing frequency meter containing a laryngeal microphone that does not restrict the subject’s ability to perform daily activities. In this study, the utility of the meter was assessed. Experiment 1: The ability of the meter to detect swallowing was examined. The subject was instructed to swallow saliva or foods at a voluntarily pace. During these procedures, swallowing events were simultaneously recorded by the meter, self‐enumeration and videofluorography. As a result, all of the swallowing events identified by the meter coincided with the swallowing events identified by self‐enumeration and videofluorography. Experiment 2: Swallowing sounds display various patterns both between and within individuals. Therefore, we examined the concordance rate between the number of swallowing events counted by the meter and that counted by self‐enumeration in 15 subjects over a longer period than in experiment 1. The concordance rates calculated by two examiners between the meter and self‐enumeration were 96·8 ± 4·5% and 98·9 ± 3·3% at rest and 95·2 ± 4·5% and 96·1 ± 4·1% during meals, respectively. Our findings indicate that this meter is useful for measuring the frequency of swallowing during daily situations.
Towards next‐generation biodiversity assessment using DNA metabarcoding
Authors: TABERLET PIERRE , COISSAC ERIC , POMPANON FRANÇOIS , BROCHMANN CHRISTIAN , WILLERSLEV ESKE
Published: April 2012

Virtually all empirical ecological studies require species identification during data collection. DNA metabarcoding refers to the automated identification of multiple species from a single bulk sample containing entire organisms or from a single environmental sample containing degraded DNA (soil, water, faeces, etc.). It can be implemented for both modern and ancient environmental samples. The availability of next‐generation sequencing platforms and the ecologists’ need for high‐throughput taxon identification have facilitated the emergence of DNA metabarcoding. The potential power of DNA metabarcoding as it is implemented today is limited mainly by its dependency on PCR and by the considerable investment needed to build comprehensive taxonomic reference libraries. Further developments associated with the impressive progress in DNA sequencing will eliminate the currently required DNA amplification step, and comprehensive taxonomic reference libraries composed of whole organellar genomes and repetitive ribosomal nuclear DNA can be built based on the well‐curated DNA extract collections maintained by standardized barcoding initiatives. The near‐term future of DNA metabarcoding has an enormous potential to boost data acquisition in biodiversity research.
Decreased serum LL‐37 and vitamin D3 levels in atopic dermatitis: relationship between IL‐31 and oncostatin M
Authors: Kanda N. , Hau C. S. , Tada Y. , Sato S. , Watanabe S.
Published: April 2012

Background

Skin lesions with atopic dermatitis (AD) are associated with dysregulated expression of LL‐37 and enhanced expression of IL‐22, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), IL‐25, IL‐31, and oncostatin M. Vitamin D3 enhances LL‐37 production in keratinocytes. This study aimed to examine the serum levels of LL‐37 and vitamin D3 and their regulation of cytokine production in patients with AD.

Methods

Serum levels of LL‐37 and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3 were analyzed by ELISA. The effects of 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 or LL‐37 on cytokine production in T cells or keratinocytes were analyzed by ELISA and real‐time PCR.

Results

Serum levels of LL‐37 and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3 were decreased in patients with AD compared to normal donors and were correlated in both groups. Serum levels of LL‐37 correlated with those of oncostatin M and IL‐31 in normal donors and patients with AD, while 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3 levels did so only in normal donors. 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 increased LL‐37 production in human keratinocytes and neutrophils. 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 and LL‐37 enhanced the oncostatin M and IL‐31 production in CD3/28‐stimulated T cells, but did not alter IL‐25 and TSLP production in TNF‐α‐stimulated keratinocytes. In CD3/28‐stimulated T cells, 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 reduced the IL‐22 production, while LL‐37 enhanced it. These effects of 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 and LL‐37 were suppressed by vitamin D receptor antagonist and pertussis toxin, respectively.

Conclusions

Systemic vitamin D3 levels are reduced in patients with AD, which may contribute to decreased systemic LL‐37 levels. LL‐37 may systemically potentiate the oncostatin M and IL‐31 production in normal donors and patients with AD, while vitamin D3 may do so only in normal donors.
What is Wrong With the Sustainability of Quinoa Production in Southern Bolivia – A Reply to Winkel et al. (2012)
Authors: Jacobsen S.‐E.
Published: April 2012

Winkel et al. (2012) have written a note called ‘The sustainability of quinoa production in southern Bolivia: from misrepresentations to dubious solutions. A reply to S. Jacobsen’, which is arguing against my paper (J. Agron. Crop Sci. 197, 2011, 390). In the following, I will respond to their main points.
Phenotypic and molecular dissection of ICRISAT mini core collection of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) for high oleic acid
Authors: Mukri Ganapati , Nadaf Hajisaheb L. , Bhat Ramesh S. , Gowda M. V. C. , Upadhyaya Hari D. , Sujay V.
Published: April 2012

With 2 figures and 3 tables

High oleic acid (O) and low linoleic acid (L) make peanut oil ideal for longer storage and better human health. Among the ICRISAT mini core collection accessions, oleic acid ranged from 33.60% to 73.54%. Accessions belonging to ssp. hypogaea had higher oleic acid (54.16%) compared with those of ssp. fastigiata (45.70%). An O : L ratio up to 6.93 was found among ssp. hypogaea. Additional varieties, mutants, germplasm lines and breeding lines had oleic acid within the range of mini core accessions. Mutations in ahFAD2A, which along with its homologous gene, ahFAD2B code for delta‐12‐desaturase, resulted in higher oleic acid and O : L ratio. ahFAD2A mutant allele was found in 49.5% of the accessions, and its frequency was higher in ssp. hypogaea (84.52%) than in ssp. fastigiata (19.39%). ahFAD2A mutation had a maximum contribution of 18.82, 12.98 and 10.52 towards the phenotypic variance of O, L and O : L ratio, respectively. Genotypes with high oleic acid levels could not reveal ‘A’ insertion mutation in ahFAD2B. Accessions with high oleic acid could be employed for improving peanut oil quality.
Does phylogeny matter? Assessing the impact of phylogenetic information in ecological meta‐analysis
Authors: Chamberlain Scott A. , Hovick Stephen M. , Dibble Christopher J. , Rasmussen Nick L. , Van Allen Benjamin G. , Maitner Brian S. , Ahern Jeffrey R. , Bell‐Dereske Lukas P. , Roy Christopher L. , Meza‐Lopez Maria , Carrillo Juli , Siemann Evan , Lajeunesse Marc J. , Whitney Kenneth D.
Published: April 2012

Meta‐analysis is increasingly used in ecology and evolutionary biology. Yet, in these fields this technique has an important limitation: phylogenetic non‐independence exists among taxa, violating the statistical assumptions underlying traditional meta‐analytic models. Recently, meta‐analytical techniques incorporating phylogenetic information have been developed to address this issue. However, no syntheses have evaluated how often including phylogenetic information changes meta‐analytic results. To address this gap, we built phylogenies for and re‐analysed 30 published meta‐analyses, comparing results for traditional vs. phylogenetic approaches and assessing which characteristics of phylogenies best explained changes in meta‐analytic results and relative model fit. Accounting for phylogeny significantly changed estimates of the overall pooled effect size in 47% of datasets for fixed‐effects analyses and 7% of datasets for random‐effects analyses. Accounting for phylogeny also changed whether those effect sizes were significantly different from zero in 23 and 40% of our datasets (for fixed‐ and random‐effects models, respectively). Across datasets, decreases in pooled effect size magnitudes after incorporating phylogenetic information were associated with larger phylogenies and those with stronger phylogenetic signal. We conclude that incorporating phylogenetic information in ecological meta‐analyses is important, and we provide practical recommendations for doing so.
Diversity‐dependent stability under mowing and nutrient addition: evidence from a 7‐year grassland experiment
Authors: Yang Haijun , Jiang Lin , Li Linghao , Li Ang , Wu Mingyu , Wan Shiqiang
Published: April 2012

Ecology Letters (2012)

Anthropogenic perturbations may affect biodiversity and ecological stability as well as their relationships. However, diversity–stability patterns and associated mechanisms under human disturbances have rarely been explored. We conducted a 7‐year field experiment examining the effects of mowing and nutrient addition on the diversity and temporal stability of herbaceous plant communities in a temperate steppe in northern China. Mowing increased population and community stability, whereas nutrient addition had the opposite effects. Stability exhibited positive relationships with species richness at population, functional group and community levels. Treatments did not alter these positive diversity–stability relationships, which were associated with the stabilising effect of species richness on component populations, species asynchrony and portfolio effects. Despite the difficulty of pinpointing causal mechanisms of diversity–stability patterns observed in nature, our results suggest that diversity may still be a useful predictor of the stability of ecosystems confronted with anthropogenic disturbances.
UNDERSTANDING THE MIXTURE OF GOVERNANCE MODES IN KOREAN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS: AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS
Authors: YOO JAE WON , KIM SEOK EUN
Published: April 2012

Governance research in Korea has been limited to literature reviews or case studies, and little quantitative analysis has been performed to examine varying patterns of governance mixture and their underlying variation. This article provides an important addition to governance research by mapping the terrain of governance mixture using quantitative data. The data were drawn from 96 departments in eight comparable district governments in Seoul, Korea. The results showed: first, all three governance modes – hierarchy, market, and network – existed in a combined form across all 96 departments; second, although all three governance modes were present, hierarchy remained the dominant governance mode across all 96 departments; and finally, the three governance modes were situationally mixed contingent upon the distinct departmental tasks. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Loneliness and Peer Relations in Adolescence
Authors: Woodhouse Susan S. , Dykas Matthew J. , Cassidy Jude
Published: April 2012

The present study examined whether adolescent loneliness would be lower within the context of positive relationships with peers. The core conceptual model predicted that hypothesized links between peer‐rated social behaviors or victimization and loneliness would be mediated by social acceptance. Relationship experiences (i.e., social acceptance, reciprocal liking, and romantic relationship history), also were hypothesized to serve as protective factors in the links between social behaviors/victimization and loneliness. Finally, we examined sociometric status group differences in loneliness. Participants were 2091 11th grade students (61 percent girls). As expected, adolescent loneliness was positively associated with shyness, even when social acceptance was controlled. Additionally, loneliness was positively correlated with victimization and inversely related to prosocial and disruptive behavior. The link between victimization and loneliness was fully mediated by social acceptance; no other mediational models were supported. Also, the three relationship experience variables were unique predictors of loneliness (with social acceptance explaining the bulk of the variance in loneliness). There was no evidence, however, that social acceptance moderated the links between social behavior or victimization and loneliness. Sociometric analyses revealed that neglected and shy‐rejected, but not aggressive‐rejected adolescents, were lonelier than average peers.
Explicatio and Complicatio: On the Understanding of the Relationship between God and the World in the Work of Nicholas Cusanus
Authors: ALFSVÅG KNUT
Published: April 2012

Cusanus understands the relationship between God and the world through the concept of participation, which he explores through the twin concepts of explicatio (unfolding) and complicatio (enfolding). In Cusanus' view, the dialectics of explicatio and complicatio even apply concerning the relationship between God and humanity. This is explored concerning the relation between divine providence and human freedom, concerning the problem of worship and idolatry, and concerning the understanding of Christ as unfolded divinity and enfolded humanity. It is argued that this allows for an understanding of salvation through grace without reducing the importance of human involvement.
Globalisation and the decline of national identity? An exploration across sixty‐three countries
Authors: Ariely Gal
Published: April 2012

The relationship between globalisation and national identity is puzzling. While some observers have found that globalisation reduces people's identification with their nation, others have reached the opposite conclusion. This article explores this conundrum by examining the relationship between globalisation and people's feelings towards national identity. Using data from the International Social Survey Program National Identity II () and the World Values Survey (), it analyses these relations across sixty‐three countries. Employing a multilevel approach, it investigates how a country's level of globalisation is related to its public perceptions towards different dimensions of national identity. The results suggest that a country's level of globalisation is not related to national identification or nationalism but it is related negatively to patriotism, the willingness to fight for the country and ethnic conceptions of membership in the nation. An examination of alternative explanations indicates that globalisation has a distinct impact on national identity.
Treatments for precursors of cervical cancer and preterm labour
Authors: Stock SJ , Norman JE
Published: April 2012

Please cite this paper as: Stock S, Norman J. Treatments for precursors of cervical cancer and preterm labour. BJOG 2012;119:647–649.
Invasion by a non‐native ecosystem engineer alters distribution of a native predator
Authors: Cameron Erin K. , Bayne Erin M.
Published: April 2012

Aim

Shifts in diet composition, abundance or distribution of native predators can occur as a result of exotic prey introductions. We examined effects of non‐native earthworms and anthropogenic landscape disturbance on habitat selection by the American robin (Turdus migratorius), a generalist predator, at landscape and local levels. We also investigated whether robins could act as vectors of spread for earthworm cocoons (egg cases).

Location

Boreal forest of Alberta, Canada.

Methods

We conducted robin and earthworm surveys at campgrounds, well pads, roads, pipelines, seismic lines and forest interiors across northern Alberta. At a subset of paired locations that had similar habitats and anthropogenic disturbance levels, we sampled both robins and earthworms.

Results

Both groups were most likely to occur at campgrounds, well pads and roads. Furthermore, robins were more likely to occur at locations where earthworms were present in our paired local‐level surveys. This correlation between robin and earthworm distributions could be due to robins acting as a vector for earthworm spread, rather than robins’ use of earthworms as prey. However, in tests using captive robins, earthworm cocoons did not survive digestion.

Main conclusions

Robin and earthworm distributions were correlated, likely due to robins’ use of earthworms as prey. These results suggest exotic prey can strongly influence native predators at both landscape and local levels, with shifts in native predator distributions occurring as a result of spatial variability in exotic prey distributions. Although the impacts of ecosystem engineering by earthworms have been previously demonstrated, our study provides evidence that effects of earthworms can also cascade upwards via trophic interactions.
Long‐term effects of a universal prevention program for depression in children: a 3‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Sato Shoji , Ishikawa Shin‐ichi , Togasaki Yasuko , Ogata Akiko , Sato Yoko
Published: April 2012

Background

The present study evaluates the long‐term effects of a universal prevention approach for depression in children. It looks into the 2‐ and 3‐year follow‐ups of previously reported postintervention and 1‐year outcomes.

Method

One hundred and eighty‐nine 3rd grade (8–9 years old) children participated in a five‐session, school‐based, universal prevention program designed to encourage social skills and peer support. The study was conducted from 2006 to 2009 in two public schools in Miyazaki, the south main island of Japan.

Results

Depressive symptoms decreased significantly from the pre to the postintervention periods, and this effect was maintained. Furthermore, children in the prevention group showed significantly lower depression than the normative sample.

Conclusions

This study reveals the beneficial long‐term effects of a universal approach.
Combining sustainable agricultural production with economic and environmental benefits
Authors: Kassam Amir , Brammer Hugh
Published: April 2012

Two paradigm shifts in agriculture are taking place that provide important benefits to farmers and to the environment. Conservation Agriculture involves minimising soil disturbance by avoiding tillage operations; maintaining a continuous soil cover of plants and mulch; and cultivating diverse plant species. Together, these practices protect soils against erosion and desiccation; increase soil organic matter contents that in turn increase soil moisture and nutrient supplying capacities; reduce farmers’ costs of cultivation; reduce chemical pollution of rivers and groundwater from run‐off and leaching of fertilisers; and increase carbon sequestration. The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) involves growing rice in an aerated soil instead of in flooded paddies. Single young seedlings are planted at regular wide spacing, and the soils kept moist but not wet throughout the growing period. Combined with placement of plant nutrients, this practice increases crop yields; reduces costs of land preparation and seed, fertiliser and water use; and reduces methane emissions.
ASSESSING THE WELFARE IMPACT OF TAX REFORM: A CASE STUDY OF THE 2001 U.S. TAX CUT
Authors: HOTCHKISS JULIE L. , MOORE ROBERT E. , RIOS‐AVILA FERNANDO
Published: April 2012

This paper implements a relatively simple methodological approach to estimate the impact on family welfare of a specific tax reform. The measured impact can differ greatly from simple marginal tax rate comparisons, and conclusions about the distribution of the welfare impact can vary depending on the basis of comparison. For example, absolute welfare gains from the 2001 U.S. tax reform were concentrated among the highest and lowest income families, whereas welfare gains measured as a share of pre‐tax income are found to be nearly monotonically declining in income.
A Risk Assessment of Campylobacteriosis and Salmonellosis Linked to Chicken Meals Prepared in Households in Dakar, Senegal
Authors: Pouillot Régis , Garin Benoit , Ravaonindrina Noro , Diop Kane , Ratsitorahina Mahery , Ramanantsoa Domoina , Rocourt Jocelyne
Published: April 2012

We used a quantitative microbiological risk assessment model to describe the risk of Campylobacter and Salmonella infection linked to chicken meals prepared in households in Dakar, Senegal. The model uses data collected specifically for this study, such as the prevalence and level of bacteria on the neck skin of chickens bought in Dakar markets, time‐temperature profiles recorded from purchase to consumption, an observational survey of meal preparation in private kitchens, and detection and enumeration of pathogens on kitchenware and cooks’ hands. Thorough heating kills all bacteria present on chicken during cooking, but cross‐contamination of cooked chicken or ready‐to‐eat food prepared for the meal via kitchenware and cooks’ hands leads to a high expected frequency of pathogen ingestion. Additionally, significant growth of Salmonella is predicted during food storage at ambient temperature before and after meal preparation. These high exposures lead to a high estimated risk of campylobacteriosis and/or salmonellosis in Dakar households. The public health consequences could be amplified by the high level of antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella and Campylobacter observed in this setting. A significant decrease in the number of ingested bacteria and in the risk could be achieved through a reduction of the prevalence of chicken contamination at slaughter, and by the use of simple hygienic measures in the kitchen. There is an urgent need to reinforce the hygiene education of food handlers in Senegal.