bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘You Just Get Blocked’. Teenage Drinkers: Reckless Rebellion or Responsible Reproduction?
Authors: Johnson Peter
Published: January 2010

The purpose of this study is to challenge the discourse that underage drinking is inevitably ‘deviant’. Rather than imposing an adultist lens, the article draws upon focus‐group interviews with 14–15 year olds. The meaningful role of drinking is explored, along with the capability of peer cultures to manage some alcohol‐related ‘risks’. The data suggest that the prioritisation of adultist constructs over teenage subject experiences appears somewhat misplaced since teenage norms are not complete subversions of the adult world. Apparent transgression is better understood as alternative socialisation, since teenage peer groups creatively reproduce the wider culture.
Matrix metalloproteinase‐7 as a marker of metastasis and predictor of poor survival in bladder cancer
Authors: Szarvas Tibor , Becker Markus , Vom Dorp Frank , Gethmann Carolin , Tötsch Martin , Bánkfalvi Ágnes , Schmid Kurt W. , Romics Imre , Rübben Herbert , Ergün Süleyman
Published: January 2010

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in tumor progression and metastasis. Here, we investigated the prognostic relevance of MMP‐7 in urinary bladder cancer. MMP‐7 gene expression was measured in tissue samples of 101 patients using quantitative real‐time PCR. Circulating MMP‐7 serum levels of 98 individuals (79 patients and 19 controls) were analyzed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The results were compared with the clinical follow‐up data, performing Kaplan–Meier log‐rank test as well as univariate and multivariate Cox analysis. In representative cases, immunohistochemical analysis for MMP‐7 was performed. We detected significantly elevated MMP‐7 levels both in tissue and serum samples of patients with metastatic disease (P = 0.001 and P = 0.002). Multivariate analysis revealed that high MMP‐7 tissue expression and serum concentration are stage‐ and grade‐independent predictors of both metastasis‐free (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.80, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29–11.23, P = 0.016, and HR = 2.53, 95% CI, 1.01–6.37, P = 0.048) and disease‐specific survival (HR = 1.89, 95% CI, 1.00–3.55, P = 0.050 and HR = 1.95, 95% CI, 1.03–3.71, P = 0.041). Based on these findings, we conclude that MMP‐7 is a promising marker to detect present and to predict future metastasis. Serum MMP‐7 analysis provides information about the risk of metastasis before surgery which could help to optimize therapeutic procedures. Furthermore, high MMP‐7 tissue and/or serum levels could identify patients most likely to benefit from early adjuvant chemotherapy.

(Cancer Sci 2010; 101: 1300–1308)
Mapping QTL for growth and shank traits in chickens divergently selected for high or low body weight
Authors: Ankra‐Badu G. A. , Bihan‐Duval E. Le , Mignon‐Grasteau S. , Pitel F. , Beaumont C. , Duclos M. J. , Simon J. , Carré W. , Porter T. E. , Vignal A. , Cogburn L. A. , Aggrey S. E.
Published: January 2010

An F2population (695 individuals) was established from broiler chickens divergently selected for either high (HG) or low (LG) growth, and used to localize QTL for developmental changes in body weight (BW), shank length (SL9) and shank diameter (SD9) at 9 weeks. QTL mapping revealed three genome‐wide QTL on chromosomes (GGA) 2, 4 and 26 and three suggestive QTL on GGA 1, 3 and 5. Most of the BW QTL individually explained 2–5% of the phenotypic variance. The BW QTL on GGA2 explained about 7% of BW from 3 to 7 weeks of age, while that on GGA4 explained 15% of BW from 5 to 9 weeks. The BW QTL on GGA2 and GGA4 could be associated with early and late growth respectively. The GGA4 QTL also had the largest effect on SL9 and SD9 and explained 7% and 10% of their phenotypic variances respectively. However, when SL9 and SD9 were corrected with BW9, a shank length percent QTL was identified on GGA2. We identified novel QTL and also confirmed previously identified loci in other chicken populations. As the foundation population was established from commercial broiler strains, it is possible that QTL identified in this study could still be segregating in commercial strains.
Epidemiology of paediatric invasive fungal infections and a case‐control study of risk factors in acute leukaemia or post stem cell transplant
Authors: Hale Katherine A. , Shaw Peter J. , Dalla‐Pozza Luciano , MacIntyre Chandini Raina , Isaacs David , Sorrell Tania C.
Published: January 2010

Patients aged 0–18 years with confirmed or possible invasive fungal infection were identified by medical record and database searches. Cases with an underlying diagnosis of acute leukaemia or following stem cell transplantation were included in a case control study. Controls included all other children with acute leukaemia or stem cell transplant in the corresponding time period. Variables collected included demographics, underlying disease risk and status, organ impairment, admission to intensive care unit, fungal infection details and certain transplant variables. Risk factors for development of invasive fungal infection were examined using logistic regression. There were 106 cases of invasive fungal infection during the study. The incidence of invasive fungal infection was 21% in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, 15% in acute myeloid leukaemia and 25% following stem cell transplantation. Sixty per cent were neutropenic at diagnosis and 39% had concomitant bacteremia. High risk acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, relapsed disease, intensive care admission and graft‐versus‐host disease were significantly associated with development of invasive fungal infection on multivariate analysis. These associations provide new information on paediatric invasive fungal infections and warrant further study; caution should be encouraged when extrapolating from adult studies.
Strong seasonal disequilibrium measured between the oxygen isotope signals of leaf and soil CO2 exchange
Authors: WINGATE LISA , OGÉE JÉRÔME , BURLETT RÉGIS , BOSC ALEXANDRE
Published: January 2010

The oxygen isotope composition (δ18O) of atmospheric CO2 is among a very limited number of tools available to constrain estimates of the biospheric gross CO2 fluxes, photosynthesis and respiration at large scales. However, the accuracy of the partitioning strongly depends on the extent of isotopic disequilibrium between the signals carried by these two gross fluxes. Chamber‐based field measurements of total CO2 and CO18O fluxes from foliage and soil can help evaluate and refine our models of isotopic fractionation by plants and soils and validate the extent and pattern of isotopic disequilibrium within terrestrial ecosystems. Owing to sampling limitations in the past, such measurements have been very rare and covered only a few days. In this study, we coupled automated branch and soil chambers with tuneable diode laser absorption spectroscopy techniques to continuously capture the δ18O signals of foliage and soil CO2 exchange in a Pinus pinaster Aït forest in France. Over the growing season, we observed a seasonally persistent isotopic disequilibrium between the δ18O signatures of net CO2 fluxes from leaves and soils, except during rain events when the isotopic imbalance became temporarily weaker. Variations in the δ18O of CO2 exchanged between leaves, soil and the atmosphere were well explained by theory describing changes in the oxygen isotope composition of ecosystem water pools in response to changes in leaf transpiration and soil evaporation.
Evaluation of enteric methane prediction equations for dairy cows used in whole farm models
Authors: ELLIS J. L. , BANNINK A. , FRANCE J. , KEBREAB E. , DIJKSTRA J.
Published: January 2010

The importance of evaluating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from dairy cows within the whole farm setting is being realized as more important than evaluating these emissions in isolation. Current whole farm models aimed at evaluating GHG emissions make use of simple regression equations to predict enteric methane (CH4) production. The objective of the current paper is to evaluate the performance of nine CH4 prediction equations that are currently being used in whole farm GHG models. Data used to evaluate the prediction equations came from a collection of individual (IND) and treatment averaged (TRT) data. Equations were compared based on mean square prediction error (MSPE) and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) analysis. In general, predictions were poor, with root MSPE (as a percentage of observed mean) values ranging from 20.2 to 52.5 for the IND database and from 24.0 to 38.2 for the TRT database and CCC values ranging from 0.009 to 0.493 for the IND database and from 0.000 to 0.271 for the TRT database. Overall, the equations of Moe & Tyrrell and IPCC Tier II performed best on the IND dataset, and the equations of Moe & Tyrrell and Kirchgeßner et al., performed best on the TRT dataset. Results show that the simple more generalized equations performed worse than those that attempted to represent important aspects of diet composition, but in general significant amounts of bias and deviation of the regression slope from unity existed for all equations. The low prediction accuracy of CH4 equations in whole farm models may introduce substantial error into inventories of GHG emissions and lead to incorrect mitigation recommendations.
Embedded academic writing support for nursing students with English as a second language
Authors: Salamonson Yenna , Koch Jane , Weaver Roslyn , Everett Bronwyn , Jackson Debra
Published: January 2010

salamonson y., koch j., weaver r., everett b. & jackson d. (2010) Embedded academic writing support for nursing students with English as a second language. Journal of Advanced Nursing66(2), 413–421.

Title.  Embedded academic writing support for nursing students with English as a second language

Aim.  This paper reports a study which evaluated a brief, embedded academic support workshop as a strategy for improving academic writing skills in first‐year nursing students with low‐to‐medium English language proficiency.

Background.  Nursing students who speak English as a second language have lower academic success compared with their native English‐speaking counterparts. The development of academic writing skills is known to be most effective when embedded into discipline‐specific curricula.

Methods.  Using a randomized controlled design, in 2008 106 students pre‐enrolled in an introductory bioscience subject were randomized to receive either the intervention, a 4‐day embedded academic learning support workshop facilitated by two bioscience (content) nursing academics and a writing and editing professional, or to act as the control group. The primary focus of the workshop was to support students to work through a mock assignment by providing progressive feedback and written suggestions on how to improve their answers.

Results.  Of the 59 students randomized to the intervention, only 28 attended the workshop. Bioscience assignment results were analysed for those who attended (attendees), those randomized to the intervention but who did not attend (non‐attendees), and the control group. Using anova, the results indicated that attendees achieved statistically significantly higher mean scores (70·8, sd: 6·1) compared to both control group (58·4, sd: 3·4, P = 0·002) and non‐attendees (48·5, sd: 5·5, P = 0·001).

Conclusion.  A brief, intensive, embedded academic support workshop was effective in improving the academic writing ability of nursing students with low‐to‐medium English language proficiency, although reaching all students who are likely to benefit from this intervention remains a challenge.
Optimizing HIV care by expanding the nursing role: patient and provider perspectives
Authors: Chen Wei‐Ti , Shiu Cheng‐Shi , Simoni Jane , Fredriksen‐Goldsen Karen , Zhang Fujie , Zhao Hongxin
Published: January 2010

chen w.‐t., shiu c.‐s., simoni j., fredriksen‐goldsen k., zhang f. & zhao h. (2010) Optimizing HIV care by expanding the nursing role: patient and provider perspectives. Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(2), 260–268.

Title.  Optimizing HIV care by expanding the nursing role: patient and provider perspectives.

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study conducted to explore HIV healthcare services from the perspectives of both healthcare providers and patients in order to understand how to optimize HIV nursing care.

Background.  In China, healthcare providers usually first diagnose HIV in a general hospital. Then, HIV‐positive individuals are transferred to a specialist hospital. Between healthcare providers and healthcare institutions, there are many gaps in the process from diagnosis to treatment.

Methods.  One focus group with six healthcare providers and 29 in‐depth interviews with people living with HIV/AIDS were conducted during 2005.

Findings.  Patients who were diagnosed with HIV in a general hospital often did not discuss their condition with a healthcare provider before being sent to a specialist hospital. Furthermore, since the patients had already been diagnosed, healthcare providers in the specialist hospital did not deal adequately with the disclosure process and emotional reactions to the diagnosis. They reported feeling overwhelmed in their role in providing healthcare services. Nurses reported that they were responsible for many ‘non‐nursing’ tasks and did not have the opportunity to give the type of care they were trained to offer.

Conclusion.  Optimizing HIV care in China will involve establishing clear boundaries between general and specialist hospitals and a division of labour among healthcare providers that eases the burden of care and takes advantage of the full scope of practice that nurses are trained to provide.
Experiences of postpartum depression among first‐time mothers in mainland China
Authors: Gao Ling‐ling , Chan Sally Wai‐chi , You Liming , Li Xiaomao
Published: January 2010

gao l.‐l., chan s.w.‐c., you l. & li x. (2010) Experiences of postpartum depression among first‐time mothers in mainland China. Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(2), 303–312.

Title.  Experiences of postpartum depression among first‐time mothers in mainland China.

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study conducted to describe the experience of postpartum depression among first‐time mothers in mainland China.

Background.  Postpartum depression affects approximately 10–20% of women across many different cultural settings; however, most theories of this condition have been developed in Western societies. Transcultural studies may enhance the understanding of the sociocultural factors associated with postpartum depression.

Method.  A phenomenological approach was used. Data were collected through in‐depth interviews from January to June 2008. A purposive sample was recruited from a postnatal clinic at a regional hospital in mainland China. Fifteen first‐time mothers who scored 13 or above on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale at 6 weeks after childbirth were interviewed.

Findings.  Three themes were identified: feeling drained, perceiving oneself to be a failure and dissonance. Women felt physically and emotionally exhausted. They perceived themselves to be incompetent and imperfect mothers, and thus, failures. They experienced dissonance between tradition and modernity and between expectations and reality. The practice of ‘doing the month’, daughter‐in‐law/mother‐in‐law relationship, gender of the baby and one‐child policy contributed to their depression.

Conclusion.  Cultural values need to be taken into account in order better to understand the causes, prevention, and diagnosis of postpartum depression, and care provision for women with this condition. Perinatal education could aim at improving a woman’s resilience by enhancing her problem‐solving ability and cognitive restructuring skills. Further studies could be carried out in other parts of China or other Asian countries to determine the transferability of the findings.
Critical thinking as an outcome of a Master’s degree in Nursing programme
Authors: Drennan Jonathan
Published: January 2010

drennan j. (2010) Critical thinking as an outcome of a Master’s degree in Nursing programme. Journal of Advanced Nursing66(2), 422–431.

Title.  Critical thinking as an outcome of a Master’s degree in Nursing programme

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study measuring critical thinking ability in graduates on completion of a Master’s degree in Nursing.

Background.  Nurse education programmes identify the development of critical thinking capabilities as a central outcome for graduates at Master’s level. However, despite the centrality of critical thinking to educational curricula, achievement of this outcome has not been evaluated.

Method.  A cross‐sectional cohort study was conducted in Ireland between 2006 and 2007. Critical thinking was measured using the Watson–Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal tool. The sample consisted of two cohorts: a control cohort (110 students commencing Master’s in Nursing programmes) and an outcome cohort (222 students who had a Master’s degree in Nursing). The Watson–Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal scores of the graduate cohort were also compared to previously published norm reference scores in the area of nursing and other higher education professional groups.

Results.  Graduates had statistically significantly higher critical thinking scores than commencing graduates. Graduates from Master’s in Nursing programmes also had similar critical thinking scores to nurses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in the United States of America. However, scores were lower than those of occupational and academic groups in education and medicine.

Conclusion.  Graduates from a Master’s degree in Nursing make statistically significant gains in critical thinking scores when compared to students commencing the programme. However, the gains were relatively modest and call into question the effectiveness of pedagogical methods used to facilitate the development of critical thinking at Master’s level.
Establishing contact and gaining trust: an exploratory study of care avoidance
Authors: Schout Gert , De Jong Gideon , Zeelen Jacques
Published: January 2010

schout g., de jong g. & zeelen j. (2010) Establishing contact and gaining trust: an exploratory study of care avoidance. Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(2), 324–333.

Title.  Establishing contact and gaining trust: an exploratory study of care avoidance.

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study conducted to explore the competencies – especially deep‐rooted personal qualities – of care providers who succeed in making contact and gaining trust with clients who are inclined to avoid the care they need.

Background.  Demands, thresholds and fragmentation of services hinder the accessibility of health care, such that some severe mentally ill people do not receive the treatment they need or avoid healthcare services. Methods of establishing contact and gaining trust in mental health care include practical assistance, realistic expectations, establishing long‐term goals, empathy and a client‐centred and flexible approach.

Method.  A public mental healthcare practice in The Netherlands with outstanding performance was studied from 2002–2007 using participant observation, interviews with experienced care providers and interviews with clients with a long history of avoiding care facilities, conflicts and troubled relationships with care providers.

Findings.  A number of personal qualities are vital for establishing contact and gaining trust with these clients: altruism, a degree of compassion, loyalty, involvement, tenacity, a critical attitude to the mainstream, flexibility, optimism, diplomacy, patience, creativity, and a certain degree of immunity to stress.

Conclusion.  Care providers who establish contact and win trust employ ‘non‐judgemental appreciation’. They start from the acceptance of what is and try to connect with the client and their world. These professionals use their initial actions to identify and praise qualities and achievements of clients. This style of work is supported by a set of deep‐rooted personal qualities we can summarize as ‘empathy’.
Evaluation of dental hygiene education for nursing home staff
Authors: Sjögren Petteri , Kullberg Erika , Hoogstraate Janet , Johansson Olle , Herbst Bertil , Forsell Marianne
Published: January 2010

sjögren p., kullberg e., hoogstraate j., johansson o., herbst b. & forsell m. (2010) Evaluation of dental hygiene education for nursing home staff. Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(2), 345–349.

Title.  Evaluation of dental hygiene education for nursing home staff.

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study evaluating the long‐term effects on the oral hygiene status of older nursing home residents one and a half years after dental hygiene education was given to the staff.

Background.  A strong relationship exists between oral infections and general health complications (especially aspiration pneumonia) among nursing home residents and hospitalized older people. It is therefore important to educate nursing home staff in oral hygiene measures and to follow up the effects of the education over time.

Methods.  Dental plaque measurements were conducted at a Swedish nursing home in 2006–2008. Forty‐one residents (12 men, 31 women, aged 69–99 years) fulfilled the inclusion criteria and participated in a dental hygiene evaluation 1·5 years after dental hygiene education was given to the staff at the nursing home. Plaque index scores (year 2008) were compared to those soon after the education (year 2006).

Findings.  After the dental hygiene education in 2006, 60 nursing home residents (14 men, 46 women) were available for plaque index measurements, whereas 41 residents (12 men, 29 women) were available 1·5 years later. The median plaque index scores were 17·0 (n = 60) in 2006, and 18·0 (n = 41) in 2008 (Mann–Whitney U‐test, P > 0·05).

Conclusion.  Dental hygiene education for nursing home staff is important to maintain an adequate level of oral hygiene among older nursing home residents over time. Follow‐up of dental hygiene education for nursing home staff is recommended to maintain a sufficient level of oral hygiene among the residents.
Helping parents cope with crying babies: decision‐making and interaction at NHS Direct
Authors: Smith Suzanne
Published: January 2010

smith s. (2010) Helping parents cope with crying babies: decision‐making and interaction at NHS Direct. Journal of Advanced Nursing66(2), 381–391.

Title.  Helping parents cope with crying babies: decision‐making and interaction at NHS Direct.

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study of how nurses at a national telephone triage centre in England (NHS Direct) make different use of the algorithms and organizational protocols to make decisions and give advice to parents with crying babies, how their clinical knowledge and experience influences these decisions, and the techniques used to enhance parental coping ability.

Background.  Parents of persistently crying babies state that they need to be listened to, understood, believed and reassured to help them cope. Nurses at NHS Direct use their clinical judgement in decision‐making, and see the software as a guide that can be both valuable and problematic.

Method.  The study design was influenced by grounded theory and incorporated discourse and thematic analysis. It had two phases involving data collection and analysis over the period 2002–2006. A theoretical sample of 11 calls was analysed and later a focus group of six nurses at the same site.

Findings.  NHS Direct nurses used the ‘crying baby’ algorithm in various ways, influenced by their experience and confidence to use the algorithm to support their clinical knowledge. Its medical elements were regarded as safe but its non‐medical elements, including questions about the likelihood of shaking a child, were treated differently.

Conclusion.  Nurses were reluctant to deviate from the algorithm when dealing with child‐focused calls. However, this reluctance did not apply when they were prompted to ask the caller if they felt that they were reaching a point where they might shake their baby, or when prompted to give related advice.
Improving health‐related quality of life of patients with chronic heart failure: effects of relaxation therapy
Authors: Yu Doris S. F. , Lee Diana T. F. , Woo Jean
Published: January 2010

yu d.s.f., lee d.t.f. & woo j. (2010) Improving health‐related quality of life of patients with chronic heart failure: effects of relaxation therapy. Journal of Advanced Nursing66(2), 392–403.

Title.  Improving health‐related quality of life of patients with chronic heart failure: effects of relaxation therapy.

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study conducted to examine the effects of a relaxation training programme on the health‐related quality of life of Chinese patients with chronic heart failure.

Background.  Despite the substantial evidence indicating the beneficial effects of relaxation therapy on the health‐related quality of life of various cardiac populations, the value of this intervention in patients with chronic heart failure remains uncertain. Even less is known about its therapeutic effects in Chinese culture.

Method.  A total of 121 Chinese patients with chronic heart failure and over 60 years of age were recruited in 2002–2003 and randomly allocated to a relaxation training programme (n = 59) or an attention‐control intervention (n = 62). The training included two relaxation training sessions, one skill revision workshop, twice daily relaxation self‐practice and biweekly telephone follow‐up. The World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire was completed at hospital discharge and at the 8th and 14th weeks after discharge.

Results.  Repeated measures analysis of covariance indicated that those who attended the relaxation training programme reported statistically significantly greater improvement in psychological (P = 0·007, η2 = 0·043) and social (P = 0·016, η2 = 0·035) health‐related quality of life than those who received the attention‐control intervention over the evaluative period. Comparing outcomes at timepoints showed that the statistically significant group differences in the improvement of psychological and social health‐related quality of life occurred mainly during the first evaluative endpoints.

Conclusion.  Relaxation techniques are beneficial to the emotional and social health‐related quality of life of Chinese patients with chronic heart failure. Combining this intervention with other treatment modalities may produce a more substantial improvement in their health‐related quality of life.
Dynamic heterogeneity and life history variability in the kittiwake
Authors: Steiner Ulrich K. , Tuljapurkar Shripad , Orzack Steven Hecht
Published: January 2010

1. Understanding the evolution of life histories requires an assessment of the process that generates variation in life histories. Within‐population heterogeneity of life histories can be dynamically generated by stochastic variation of reproduction and survival or be generated by individual differences that are fixed at birth.

2. We show for the kittiwake that dynamic heterogeneity is a sufficient explanation of observed variation of life histories.

3. The total heterogeneity in life histories has a small contribution from reproductive stage dynamics and a large contribution from survival differences. We quantify the diversity in life histories by metrics computed from the generating stochastic process.

4. We show how dynamic heterogeneity can be used as a null model and also how it can lead to positive associations between reproduction and survival across the life span.

5. We believe our approach to identifying the nature of among‐individual heterogeneity yields important insights into the forces that generate within‐population variation of life‐history traits. It provides an alternative to claims that fixed individual differences are a major determinant of heterogeneity in life histories.
The modality effect tested in children in a user‐paced multimedia environment
Authors: Witteman M.J. , Segers E.
Published: January 2010

The modality learning effect proposes that learning is enhanced when information is presented in both the visual and the auditory domains (e.g. pictures and spoken information) compared with presenting information solely in the visual channel (e.g. pictures and written text). Most of the evidence for this effect comes from adults in a laboratory setting. Therefore, we tested the modality effect with 80 children in the highest grade of elementary school in a naturalistic setting. In a between‐subjects design, the children either saw representational pictures with speech or representational pictures with text. Retention and transfer knowledge was tested at three moments: immediately after the intervention, one day after and after one week. The present study did not find any evidence for a modality effect in children when the lesson was learner‐paced. Instead, we found a reversed modality effect directly after the intervention for retention. A reversed modality effect was also found for the transfer questions one day later. This effect was robust, even when controlling for individual differences.
Selective sweeps in the homoploid hybrid species Helianthus deserticola: evolution in concert across populations and across origins
Authors: GROSS BRIANA L. , TURNER KATHRYN G. , RIESEBERG LOREN H.
Published: January 2010

The evolution of different populations within a species in response to selective pressures can potentially happen in three different ways. It can occur in parallel, where similar changes occur independently in each population in response to selection; in concert, where the spread of an adaptive mutation across a species’ range results in a single allele fixing in each population; or populations can diverge in response to local selective pressures. We explored these possibilities in populations of the homoploid hybrid species Helianthus deserticola relative to its parental species Helianthus annuus and Helianthus petiolaris using an analysis of variation in 96 expressed sequence tag‐based microsatellites. A total of nine loci showed evidence consistent with recent selection at either the species or population level, although two of these genes were discarded because the apparent sweep did not occur relative to the parent from which the locus was derived. Between one and five loci showed a putative sweep across the entire species range with the same microsatellite allele fixed in each population. This pattern is consistent with evolution in concert despite geographical isolation and potential independent origins of the populations. Only one population of H. deserticola showed candidate sweeps that were unique compared to the rest of the species, and this population has also potentially experienced recent admixture with the parental species.
Interaction between hydrogen peroxide and plant hormones during germination and the early growth of pea seedlings
Authors: BARBA‐ESPIN G. , DIAZ‐VIVANCOS P. , CLEMENTE‐MORENO M. J. , ALBACETE A. , FAIZE L. , FAIZE M. , PÉREZ‐ALFOCEA F. , HERNÁNDEZ J. A.
Published: January 2010

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) increased the germination percentage of pea seeds, as well as the growth of seedlings in a concentration‐dependent manner. The effect of H2O2 on seedling growth was removed by incubation with 10 µm ABA. The H2O2‐pretreatment produced an increase in ascorbate peroxidase (APX), peroxidase (POX) and ascorbate oxidase (AAO). The increases in these ascorbate‐oxidizing enzymes correlated with the increase in the growth of the pea seedlings as well as with the decrease in the redox state of ascorbate. Moreover, the increase in APX activity was due to increases in the transcript levels of cytosolic and stromal APX (cytAPX, stAPX).

The proteomic analysis showed that H2O2 induced proteins related to plant signalling and development, cell elongation and division, and cell cycle control.

A strong correlation between the effect of H2O2 on plant growth and the decreases in ABA and zeatin riboside (ZR) was observed.

The results suggest an interaction among the redox state and plant hormones, orchestrated by H2O2, in the induction of proteins related to plant signalling and development during the early growth of pea seedlings.
Transplantation for Chagas’ disease: an overview of immunosuppression and reactivation in the last two decades
Authors: Bacal Fernando , Silva Christiano Pereira , Pires Philippe Vieira , Mangini Sandrigo , Fiorelli Alfredo Inacio , Stolf Noedir Groppo , Bocchi Edimar Alcides
Published: January 2010

Bacal F, Silva CP, Pires PV, Mangini S, Fiorelli AI, Stolf NG, Bocchi EA. Transplantation for Chagas’ disease: an overview of immunosuppression and reactivation in the last two decades. Clin Transplant 2010 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399‐0012.2009.01202.x. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  Over the last 20 yr, the immunosuppression protocols in chagasic heart‐transplanted patients have gone through three phases, and we have identified several changes and discoveries about Chagas’ disease reactivation, mortality, and neoplasia development. The first phase was especially important because until that time, Chagas’ disease was an absolute contraindication for transplantation. The second phase started when an adjustment was made to the immunosuppression protocol, a lower dosage being adopted to avoid adverse effects, especially neoplasias and reactivation episodes. Currently, strategies to change the immunosuppression, especially replacement of mycophenolate mofetil by azathioprine or low doses of mycophenolate in this special situation, have been shown to be effective in reducing Chagas’ disease reactivation. Cardiac transplantation for Chagas’ disease is a reality. Although patients with Chagas’ disease may experience particular complications when undergoing transplantation compared with transplantation for other etiologies, these difficulties are well known, and treatment and preventive strategies are also better established. In other organs and tissues, transplantation in patients with Chagas’ disease also has good outcomes. Blood monitoring for parasitemias is mandatory as is the institution of therapy in the case of a reactivation diagnosis. Acute Chagas’ disease may occur in patients who received organs from donors with Chagas’ disease.
Habitat heterogeneity and its influence on benthic biodiversity in oxygen minimum zones
Authors: Gooday Andrew J. , Bett Brian J. , Escobar Elva , Ingole Baban , Levin Lisa A. , Neira Carlos , Raman Akkur V. , Sellanes Javier
Published: January 2010

Oxygen minimum zones (OMZs; midwater regions with O2 concentrations <0.5 ml l−1) are mid‐water features that intercept continental margins at bathyal depths (100–1000 m). They are particularly well developed in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Based on analyses of data from these regions, we consider (i) how benthic habitat heterogeneity is manifested within OMZs, (ii) which aspects of this heterogeneity exert the greatest influence on alpha and beta diversity within particular OMZs and (iii) how heterogeneity associated with OMZs influences regional (gamma) diversity on continental margins. Sources of sea‐floor habitat heterogeneity within OMZs include bottom‐water oxygen and sulphide gradients, substratum characteristics, bacterial mats, and variations in the organic matter content of the sediment and pH. On some margins, hard grounds, formed of phosphorites, carbonates or biotic substrata, represent distinct subhabitats colonized by encrusting faunas. Most of the heterogeneity associated with OMZs, however, is created by strong sea‐floor oxygen gradients, reinforced by changes in sediment characteristics and organic matter content. For the Pakistan margin, combining these parameters revealed clear environmental and faunal differences between the OMZ core and the upper and lower boundary regions. In all Pacific and Arabian Sea OMZs examined, oxygen appears to be the master driver of alpha and beta diversity in all benthic faunal groups for which data exist, as well as macrofaunal assemblage composition, particularly in the OMZ core. However, other factors, notably organic matter quantity and quality and sediment characteristics, come into play as oxygen concentrations begin to rise. The influence of OMZs on meiofaunal, macrofaunal and megafaunal regional (gamma) diversity is difficult to assess. Hypoxia is associated with a reduction in species richness in all benthic faunal groups, but there is also evidence for endemism in OMZ settings. We conclude that, on balance, OMZs probably enhance regional diversity, particularly in taxa such as Foraminifera, which are more tolerant of hypoxia than others. Over evolutionary timescales, they may promote speciation by creating strong gradients in selective pressures and barriers to gene flow.
Disparity in management of diabetes and coronary heart disease risk factors by sex in DCCT/EDIC
Authors: Larkin M. E. , Backlund J.‐Y. , Cleary P. , Bayless M. , Schaefer B. , Canady J. , Nathan D. M. ,   the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (DCCT/EDIC) Research Group
Published: January 2010

Diabet. Med. 27, 451–458 (2010)

Aims  Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes. Sex disparity in the treatment of modifiable CHD risk factors in patients with Type 2 diabetes has been reported previously; however, there is little comparable information in Type 1 diabetes.

Methods  We performed a cross‐sectional analysis of 1153 subjects with Type 1 diabetes in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (DCCT/EDIC) cohort to compare achievement of metabolic and CHD risk factor goals and use of recommended risk factor interventions between the sexes.

Results  Women were less likely than men to achieve glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) < 7.0% [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.76, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.57–0.995] or < 8.0% (AOR 0.74, 95% CI 0.58–0.95). Achievement of target lipid levels was not significantly different between the sexes. As in the non‐diabetic population, men had higher blood pressure. Women were significantly less likely than men to report using aspirin (AOR 0.77, 0.60–0.99) and angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) (AOR 0.62, 0.49–0.80) and statins (AOR 0.56, 0.43–0.73), even after adjusting for blood pressure and lipid levels, respectively. Reported use of statins was also lower in women than men in the subset that developed a low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level > 3.4 mmol/l (39% vs. 60%, P < 0.05).

Conclusions  In Type 1 diabetes, women report lower frequency than men in the use of interventions that decrease CHD risk. These findings are consistent with reports in the Type 2 diabetic population, showing that risk‐reducing measures are underused in women with diabetes.
A Dark Age Peter Principle: Beowulf's incompetence threshold
Authors: Falk Oren
Published: January 2010

Many readers, recognizing the incompatibility of heroism with the duties of kingship, have argued that Beowulf tells a story of colossal failure. Drawing on anthropological theory, I propose that the protagonist is more Big‐Man than king and that his heroism, far from a socially dysfunctional flaw, is in fact the leash by which society yanks him back from establishing himself as king. Beowulf thus speaks to an aristocracy disinclined to submit to royalty. The poem shines a light on Anglo‐Saxons' aversion to despotic rule: to protect its own decentralized political structure, society against the state foredooms King Beowulf to death.
Editorial practice in Smaragdus of St Mihiel's commentary on the Rule of St Benedict
Authors: Ponesse Matthew D.
Published: January 2010

This paper examines the editorial principles that guided Smaragdus of St Mihiel (fl. 809–26) in the composition of his commentary on the Rule of St Benedict. Scholars in the late eighth and early ninth centuries actively engaged in an official programme of educational reform that called for the production of accurate texts. Smaragdus' commentary provides a valuable witness to this movement, revealing how scholars applied grammatical and doctrinal criteria to root out errors in the manuscript tradition. Smaragdus' concern with the monastic life also draws attention to the importance of considerations of practice and observance in the pursuit of textual authority.
Deep geothermal groundwater flow in the Seferihisar–Balçova area, Turkey: results from transient numerical simulations of coupled fluid flow and heat transport processes
Authors: MAGRI F. , AKAR T. , GEMICI U. , PEKDEGER A.
Published: January 2010

The Seferihisar–Balçova Geothermal system (SBG) is characterized by complex temperature and hydrochemical anomalies. Previous geophysical and hydrochemical investigations suggest that hydrothermal convection in the faulted areas of the SBG and recharge flow from the Horst may be responsible for the observed patterns. A numerical model of coupled fluid flow and heat transport processes has been built in order to study the possible fluid dynamics of deep geothermal groundwater flow in the SBG. The results support the hypothesis derived from interpreted data. The simulated scenarios provide a better understanding of the geophysical conditions under which the different fluid dynamics develop. When recharge processes are weak, the convective patterns in the faults can expand to surrounding reservoir units or below the seafloor. These fault‐induced drag forces can cause natural seawater intrusion. In the Melange of the Seferihisar Horst, the regional flow is modified by buoyant‐driven flow focused in the series of vertical faults. As a result, the main groundwater divide can shift. Sealing caprocks prevent fault‐induced cells from being overwhelmed by vigorous regional flow. In this case, over‐pressured, blind geothermal reservoirs form below the caprocks. Transient results showed that the front of rising hot waters in faults is unstable: the tip of the hydrothermal plumes can split and lead to periodical temperature oscillations. This phenomenon known as Taylor–Saffman fingering has been described in mid‐ocean ridge hydrothermal systems. Our findings suggest that this type of thermal pulsing can also develop in active, faulted geothermal systems. To some extent, the role of an impervious fault core on the flow patterns has been investigated. Although it is not possible to reproduce basin‐scale transport processes, this first attempt to model deep groundwater geothermal flow in the SBG qualitatively supported the interpreted data and described the different fluid dynamics of the basin.

Geofluids (2010) 10, 388–405
Hyperglycaemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome (HAPO) Study: associations with maternal body mass index
Authors:   HAPO Study Cooperative Research Group
Published: January 2010

Please cite this paper as: HAPO Study Cooperative Research Group. Hyperglycaemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome (HAPO) Study: associations with maternal body mass index. BJOG 2010;117:575–584.

Objective  To determine whether higher maternal body mass index (BMI), independent of maternal glycaemia, is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Design  Observational cohort study.

Setting  Fifteen centres in nine countries.

Population  Eligible pregnant women.

Methods  A 75‐g 2‐hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed between 24 and 32 weeks of gestation in all participants. Maternal BMI was calculated from height and weight measured at the OGTT. Fetal adiposity was assessed using skinfold measurements and percentage of body fat was calculated. Associations between maternal BMI and pregnancy outcomes were assessed using multiple logistic regression analyses, with adjustment for potential confounders.

Main outcome measures  Predefined primary outcomes were birthweight >90th percentile, primary caesarean section, clinical neonatal hypoglycaemia and cord serum C‐peptide >90th percentile. Secondary outcomes included pre‐eclampsia, preterm delivery (before 37 weeks) and percentage of body fat >90th percentile.

Results  Among 23 316 blinded participants, with control for maternal glycaemia and other potential confounders, higher maternal BMI was associated (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] for highest {≥42.0 kg/m2} versus lowest {<22.6 kg/m2} BMI categories) with increased frequency of birthweight >90th percentile (3.52 [2.48–5.00]) and percentage of body fat >90th percentile (3.28 [2.28–4.71]), caesarean section (2.23 [1.66–2.99]), cord C‐peptide >90th percentile (2.33 [1.58–3.43]) and pre‐eclampsia (14.14 [9.44–21.17]). Preterm delivery was less frequent with higher BMI (0.48 [0.31–0.74]). Associations with fetal size tended to plateau in the highest maternal BMI categories.

Conclusion  Higher maternal BMI, independent of maternal glycaemia, is strongly associated with increased frequency of pregnancy complications, in particular those related to excess fetal growth and adiposity and to pre‐eclampsia.
Na+/K+‐ATPase inhibitor palytoxin enhances vulnerability of cultured cerebellar neurons to domoic acid via sodium‐dependent mechanisms
Authors: Pérez‐Gómez Anabel , Novelli Antonello , Fernández‐Sánchez M. Teresa
Published: January 2010

J. Neurochem.(2010)114, 28–38.

Dysfunction or deficiency of the Na+/K+‐ATPase appears to be a common event in a variety of pathological conditions in the central nervous system. Studies on neurotoxicity associated to impaired Na+/K+‐ATPase activity have focused on NMDA receptors, while the involvement of non‐NMDA receptors has been much less explored. We show that mild, non‐toxic, exposures to the Na+/K+‐ATPase inhibitor palytoxin (PTX) synergistically sensitized the vulnerability of neurons to normally non‐toxic concentrations of domoic acid, leaving NMDA receptor‐mediated excitotoxic response unaltered. Enhancement of excitotoxicity required at least 1 h pre‐exposure to PTX, was not observed after longer exposures to PTX, and did not require RNA synthesis. PTX caused a voltage‐sensitive Na+channel‐independent increase in intracellular Na+. Both intracellular Na+increase and potentiation of excitotoxicity depended upon the external concentrations of Na+and Cl−, and were suppressed by the anion exchanger blocker 4,4′‐diisothiocyanatostilbene‐2, 2′‐disulfonic acid in a dose‐dependent manner. Other stilbene derivatives, chloride channel antagonists or Na+cotransporter inhibitors proved ineffective. Our results demonstrate a crucial role for Na+/K+‐ATPase activity in determining neuronal vulnerability to domoic acid‐mediated excitotoxicity. They also raise reasonable concern about possible risks for human health associated to the ingestion of low amounts of phycotoxins PTX and domoic acid in food.
Parkin regulates metal transport via proteasomal degradation of the 1B isoforms of divalent metal transporter 1
Authors: Roth Jerome A. , Singleton Steven , Feng Jian , Garrick Michael , Paradkar Prasad N.
Published: January 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 113, 454–464.

Abnormal iron accumulation is linked to a variety of neurological disorders and may contribute to the progressive damage seen in these diseases. The biochemical processes responsible for iron accumulation are not known but are likely to entail alteration in transport into injured brain areas. The major transport protein responsible for uptake of iron is divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) and recent studies demonstrate that the 1B species is regulated post‐translationally by degradation via the proteasomal pathway. As reported in this paper, the E3 ligase, parkin, when over‐expressed in SH‐SY5Y cells, results in a decrease in 1B‐DMT1 isoforms and also a significant reduction in manganese transport and toxicity. Incubating cells over‐expressing parkin with the proteasomal inhibitor, MG‐132, restores 1B‐DMT1 levels emphasizing that the observed changes are caused by degradation via the proteasomal pathway. Expression of the 1B species of DMT1 was also shown to be elevated in human lymphocytes containing a homozygous deletion of exon 4 of parkin and in brains of parkin knockout animals. Immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescent studies confirm that parkin co‐localizes with DMT1 in SH‐SY5Y cells transfected with wild‐type parkin. These results demonstrate that parkin is the E3 ligase responsible for ubiquitination of the 1B species of DMT1.