bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non-genomic progesterone signalling and its non-canonical receptor
Authors: Moussatche Patricia , Lyons Thomas J.
Published: January 2012

The steroid hormone progesterone regulates many critical aspects of vertebrate physiology. The nuclear receptor for progesterone functions as a ligand-activated transcription factor, directly regulating gene expression. This type of signalling is referred to as the ‘genomic’ pathway. Nevertheless, progesterone also stimulates rapid physiological effects that are independent of transcription. This pathway, termed ‘non-genomic’, is mediated by the mPRs (membrane progesterone receptors). These mPRs belong to a larger class of membrane receptors called PAQRs (progestin and adipoQ receptors), which include receptors for adiponectin in vertebrates and osmotin in fungi. mPRs have been shown to activate inhibitory G-proteins, suggesting that they act as GPCRs (G-protein-coupled receptors). However, PAQRs do not resemble GPCRs with respect to topology or conserved sequence motifs. Instead, they more closely resemble proteins in the alkaline ceramidase family and they may possess enzymatic activity. In the present paper, we highlight the evidence in support of each model and what is currently known for PAQR signal transduction of this non-canonical receptor.
Epac2: a sulfonylurea receptor?
Authors: Rehmann Holger
Published: January 2012

Sulfonylureas are widely used oral drugs in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. They function by the inhibition of ATP-sensitive K+ channels in pancreatic β-cells, which are thus considered the ‘classical’ sulfonylurea receptor. Next to the ATP-sensitive K+ channels, additional sulfonylurea-interacting proteins were identified, which might contribute to the physiological effects of this drug family. Most recently, Epac2 (exchange protein directly activated by cAMP 2) was added to the list of sulfonylurea receptors. However, this finding caused controversy in the literature. The critical discussion of the present paper comes to the conclusion that sulfonylureas are not able to activate Epac2 directly and are unlikely to bind to Epac2. Increased blood glucose levels after food intake result in the secretion of insulin from pancreatic β-cells. Glucose levels are detected ‘indirectly’ by β-cells: owing to increased glycolysis rates, the ratio of cellular ATP/ADP increases and causes the closure of ATP-sensitive K+ channels. In consequence, cells depolarize and voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels open to cause an increase in the cellular Ca2+ concentration. Finally, Ca2+ induces the fusion of insulin-containing granules with the plasma membrane. Sulfonylureas, such as tolbutamide, glibenclamide or acetohexamide, form a class of orally applicable drugs used in the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
Cell migration and invasion in human disease: the Tks adaptor proteins
Authors: Courtneidge Sara A.
Published: January 2012

Cell invasion plays a central role in a wide variety of biological phenomena and is the cause of tumour growth and metastasis. Understanding the biochemical mechanisms that control cell invasion is one of the major goals of our laboratory. Podosomes and invadopodia are specialized cellular structures present in cells with physiological or pathological invasive behaviours. These transient structures are localized at the ventral cell surface, contain an array of different proteins and facilitate cell–substrate adhesion, as well as the local proteolytic activity necessary for extracellular matrix remodelling and subsequent cellular invasion. We have shown previously that the adaptor proteins and Src substrates Tks4 and Tks5 are required for podosome and invadopodia formation, for cancer cell invasion in vitro, and for tumour growth in vivo. We have also defined a role for the Tks-mediated generation of ROS (reactive oxygen species) in both podosome and invadopodia formation, and invasive behaviour. Tks4 and Tks5 are also required for proper embryonic development, probably because of their roles in cell migration. Finally, we recently implicated podosome formation as part of the synthetic phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells. Inhibitors of podosome and invadopodia formation might have utility in the treatment of vascular diseases and cancer. We have therefore developed a high-content cell-based high-throughput screening assay that allows us to identify inhibitors and activators of podosome/invadopodia formation. We have used this assay to screen for small-molecule inhibitors and defined novel regulators of invadopodia formation. In the present paper, I review these recent findings.
Control of the optical and crystalline properties of TiO2 in visible-light active TiO2/TiN bi-layer thin-film stacks
Authors: Smith Wilson , Fakhouri Houssam , Pulpytel Jérôme , Arefi-Khonsari Farzaneh
Published: January 2012

Multi-layered thin films of TiO2 and TiN were created by rf reactive magnetron sputtering, and their crystalline, optical, and photoelectrochemical properties were measured. The overall composition of the films (TiO2-to-TiN ratio) was kept constant with the height of each film. The number of layers and thickness of each layer was controlled to create bi-layer thin films that were composed of: 9 bi-layers, 18 bi-layers, 27 bi-layers, 36 bi-layers, and 45 bi-layers. XRD patterns were observed for each film after annealing to measure the grain size and composition of anatase and rutile as a function of temperature. It was found that the phase-transition temperature is able to be substantially controlled (between 550 °C and 850 °C) for the anatase to rutile transition by varying the number of layers/thickness of each layer. In addition, bi-layer stacking significantly affected the film’s optical properties by lowering the bandgap into the visible-light region, and also showed up to three times the improvement in photoelectrochemical performance under uv and visible irradiation. Overall, bi-layer stacking of TiO2/TiN films has shown a unique and highly desirable control over several important physical characteristics that can be beneficial for many applications, such as high-temperature sensors and optoelectronic devices.
Intermolecular relaxation in glycerol as revealed by field cycling 1H NMR relaxometry dilution experiments
Authors: Meier R. , Kruk D. , Gmeiner J. , Rössler E. A.
Published: January 2012

1H spin-lattice relaxation rates R1 = 1/T1 have been measured for partly deuterated glycerol-h5 diluted in fully deuterated glycerol-h0 for progressively lower concentrations of glycerol-h5. By means of the field cycling (FC) technique relaxation dispersion data, R1(ω), have been collected for several temperatures in the frequency range of 10 kHz–20 MHz. In order to disclose the spectral shape of the intra- and intermolecular relaxation, extrapolation of the relaxation data to the zero concentration limit has been performed. The paper confirms that the low frequency excess contribution to the total relaxation rate R1(ω) previously reported for several liquids is of intermolecular origin and reflects translational motion, whereas the high-frequency part is attributed to molecular rotation. Thus, intra- and intermolecular relaxation contributions are spectrally separated. The intermolecular relaxation itself contains also a contribution from rotational motion, which is due to non-central positions of the interacting nuclei in the molecule. This eccentricity effect is quantitatively reproduced by treating the intermolecular spectral density as a sum of translational-like (described by the free diffusion model) and rotational-like contributions (described by a Cole-Davidson function). Applying frequency-temperature superposition master curves as well as individual relaxation dispersion data, R1(ω), are analyzed. It is demonstrated that, in spite of the rotational influence, the translational diffusion coefficients, D(T), can be extracted from the 1H relaxation dispersion which gives 1H NMR relaxometry the potential to become a routine technique determining the diffusion coefficient in liquids.
Surface acoustic wave solid-state rotational micromotor
Authors: Shilton Richie J. , Langelier Sean M. , Friend James R. , Yeo Leslie Y.
Published: January 2012

Surface acoustic waves (SAWs) are used to drive a 1 mm diameter rotor at speeds exceeding 9000 rpm and torque of nearly 5 nNm. Unlike recent high-speed SAW rotary motors, however, the present design does not require a fluid coupling layer but interestingly exploits adhesive stiction as an internal preload, a force usually undesirable at these scales; with additional preloads, smaller rotors can be propelled to 15 000 rpm. This solid-state motor has no moving parts except for the rotor and is sufficiently simple to allow integration into miniaturized drive systems for potential use in microfluidic diagnostics, optical switching and microrobotics.
Modeling crystal growth from solution with molecular dynamics simulations: Approaches to transition rate constants
Authors: Reilly Anthony M. , Briesen Heiko
Published: January 2012

The feasibility of using the molecular dynamics (MD) simulation technique to study crystal growth from solution quantitatively, as well as to obtain transition rate constants, has been studied. The dynamics of an interface between a solution of Lennard-Jones particles and the (100) face of an fcc lattice comprised of solute particles have been studied using MD simulations, showing that MD is, in principle, capable of following growth behavior over large supersaturation and temperature ranges. Using transition state theory, and a nearest-neighbor approximation growth and dissolution rate constants have been extracted from equilibrium MD simulations at a variety of temperatures. The temperature dependence of the rates agrees well with the expected transition state theory behavior.
Coherent in-plane tensile strain in perovskite Ba0.8Sr0.2TiO3 films on spinel MgAl2O4 substrates
Authors: Zhou Xiaolan , Stern Ilan , Silwal Punam , Miao Ludi , Ho Kim Dae
Published: January 2012

A coherent in-plain tensile strain was achieved in epitaxial films of perovskite Ba0.8Sr0.2TiO3 grown on spinel MgAl2O4 (001) substrates by inserting Ni0.6Al0.4O1 + δ buffer layers. The epitaxial buffer layer exhibits high crystalline quality with a tetragonal symmetry due to the pseudomorphic strain from the spinel substrate and allows coherent growth of the perovskite film. In contrast to the typical ferroelectric hysteresis loops measured along an in-plane direction from strain-relaxed Ba0.8Sr0.2TiO3 films grown directly on the spinel substrate, similar measurements from the buffered films show double hysteretic behavior, indicating the significant influence of isotropic tensile strain on the ferroelectricity.
Nanosized precipitates in half-Heusler TiNiSn alloy
Authors: Wang Chai Yaw , Kimura Yoshisato
Published: January 2012

The microstructure of half-Heusler TiNiSn alloy has been investigated in this study. A high density of coherent nanosized Heusler precipitates was found within the half-Heusler matrix. Formation of these Heusler precipitates occurs by a phase separation process, where a single phase solid solution (half-Heusler-Heusler) decomposes into an equilibrium two-phase mixture of half-Heusler and Heusler regions. These Heusler nanoprecipitates improve the thermoelectric properties of the alloy.
Investigating the Implications of Using Alternative GIS-Based Techniques to Measure Accessibility to Green Space
Authors: Higgs Gary , Fry Richard , Langford Mitchel
Published: January 2012

A large body of research has examined relationships between accessibility to green space and a variety of health outcomes with many researchers finding benefits in terms of levels of physical activity and relationships with levels of obesity, mental health, and other health conditions. Such studies often use spatial analytical techniques to examine relationships between distance to such spaces and health data collated at an individual survey respondent's home address or, more commonly, derived from area-based census measures summarised at a centroid. Generally, such measures are becoming more sophisticated and have moved on from the use of straightforward Euclidean-based measures to those based on network distance. However, few studies tend to use a combination of approaches or seek to establish the implications of incorporating alternative measures of accessibility on potential relationships. Using a database of green spaces (and associated attributes) and a detailed network dataset for the city of Cardiff, Wales, we examine the sensitivity of findings to the ways in which different metrics are calculated. This is illustrated by examining the variations in association between such metrics and a census-based deprivation index widely used in health studies to measure socioeconomic conditions. Our findings demonstrate that not only will the distances to green spaces vary according to the methodologies adopted but that any study that aims to investigate relationships with attributes of the nearest green space should acknowledge that matches may vary widely according to the techniques used. We conclude by warning against the use of inappropriate methodologies in examining access to green space which may directly influence directions (and levels) of association and hence may limit their relevance in wider geographical contexts.
Experimenting with Ontologies: Sets, Spaces, and Topoi with Badiou and Grothendieck
Authors: Plotnitsky Arkady
Published: January 2012

The paper explores the ontology and logic of the irreducibly multiple in set theory and in topos theory by considering the differences between Badiou's logical and Grothendieck's ontological approach to topos theory. It argues that Grothendieck's ontological program for topos theory leads to a more radical concept of the multiple than does the set-theoretical ontology, which defines Badiou's view of ontology even in his later, more topos theoretically oriented work. Extending Grothendieck's way of thinking to other fields enables one to give ontological multiplicities—no longer bound by the set-theoretical ontology or ultimately by any mathematical ontology, even in mathematics—a great diversity and richness. It follows that the set-theoretical ontology is not sufficiently rich to accomplish what Badiou thinks it could accomplish even in mathematics itself, let alone elsewhere; and Badiou wants it to work elsewhere—indeed, wherever it is possible to speak of ontology. I shall also consider, in closing, some implications of the arguments for the workings of the multiple in ethics, politics, and culture.
Filters and hubs: shortening the distance to palliative care evidence
Authors: Tieman J. J.
Published: January 2012

Palliative care is an integral part of the care provided by GPs and other primary health care providers, and as Australia’s population ages and the palliative care needs of patients with end stage organ failure are recognised, this area of care is likely to increase. Using a knowledge translation framework, two strategies have been used to develop resources to support those providing palliative care in the community. PubMed searches on a range of common palliative care topics and incorporating a palliative care filter provide an easy and validated mechanism to retrieve relevant literature. A ‘GP Hub’ offers knowledge, skills and practical advice for GPs who provide palliative care in the community. Both resources are freely available within the CareSearch website, ensuring immediate access to palliative care information and evidence when it is needed.
What Happened to the Company That Dix Made?
Authors: Mandell Nikki
Published: January 2012

In the early twentieth century, progressive employers tried to turn recalcitrant workers into cooperative partners with a menu of corporate welfare programs. One of those employers, Henry A. Dix, took a leap that few contemplated. In 1922 he announced a plan to give his profitable $1 million business to his employees. Dix became famous as “the man who gave his business to his employees.” His ownership transfer scheme sought to make the welfare of the workforce the raison d'etre of a modern shareholder-owned corporation. It raised the possibility of building a capitalist society quite different from the one that emerged in the twentieth century. This paper connects the Dix plan to an understudied employer-based movement for industrial democracy and examines cultural, gender, and class dimensions of the Dix transfer from conception through the company's demise decades later.
Conformational studies of hydantoin-5-acetic acid and orotic acid
Authors: Gerhardt Valeska , Tutughamiarso Maya , Bolte Michael
Published: January 2012

Hydantoin-5-acetic acid [2-(2,5-dioxoimidazolidin-4-yl)acetic acid] and orotic acid (2,6-dioxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyrimidine-4-carboxylic acid) each contain one rigid acceptor–donor–acceptor hydrogen-bonding site and a flexible side chain, which can adopt different conformations. Since both compounds may be used as coformers for supramolecular complexes, they have been crystallized in order to examine their conformational preferences, giving solvent-free hydantoin-5-acetic acid, C5H6N2O4, (I), and three crystals containing orotic acid, namely, orotic acid dimethyl sulfoxide monosolvate, C5H4N2O4·C2H6OS, (IIa), dimethylammonium orotate–orotic acid (1/1), C2H8N+·C5H3N2O4−·C5H4N2O4, (IIb), and dimethylammonium orotate–orotic acid (3/1), 3C2H8N+·3C5H3N2O4−·C5H4N2O4, (IIc). The crystal structure of (I) shows a three-dimensional network, with the acid function located perpendicular to the ring. Interestingly, the hydroxy O atom acts as an acceptor, even though the carbonyl O atom is not involved in any hydrogen bonds. However, in (IIa), (IIb) and (IIc), the acid functions are only slightly twisted out of the ring planes. All H atoms of the acidic functions are directed away from the rings and, with respect to the carbonyl O atoms, they show an antiperiplanar conformation in (I) and synperiplanar conformations in (IIa), (IIb) and (IIc). Furthermore, in (IIa), (IIb) and (IIc), different conformations of the acid O=C—C—N torsion angle are observed, leading to different hydrogen-bonding arrangements depending on their conformation and composition.
Implicit and explicit alcohol cognitions and observed alcohol consumption: three studies in (semi)naturalistic drinking settings
Authors: Larsen Helle , Engels Rutger C. M. E. , Wiers Reinout W. , Granic Isabela , Spijkerman Renske
Published: January 2012

Aims  Dual‐process models imply that alcohol use is related to implicit as well as explicit cognitive processes. Few studies have tested whether both types of processes are related to ad libitum drinking. In a series of three studies, we tested whether both implicit and explicit alcohol‐related cognitions predicted the amount of alcohol consumed in an ad libitum (semi)naturalistic drinking situation.

Design  Two experimental studies used trained confederates (same‐sex peers) who consumed either alcoholic or non‐alcoholic beverages, while observing participants' drinking behaviour in a 30‐minute session. The third study involved observations of participants' alcohol use during a 45‐minute session in which participants spent time with five to seven friends.

Setting  A (semi)naturalistic drinking setting, a laboratory bar.

Participants  Participants were undergraduates recruited at Radboud University (study 1: n = 115; study 2: n = 121; study 3: n = 200).

Measurements  We used coding of drinking behaviour from observations, questionnaire data on positive alcohol expectancies and alcohol use patterns and implicit association tests to assess alcohol associations.

Findings  Implicit associations were not related to observed alcohol use, whereas explicit positive expectancies were related positively to observed alcohol use in study 1 and study 2.

Conclusions  Among undergraduate students in (semi)naturalistic drinking settings with peers, implicit alcohol‐related cognitions do not predict the amount of alcohol consumed.
The ColRS system of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae is required for virulence and growth in iron‐limiting conditions
Authors: SUBRAMONI SUJATHA , PANDEY ALOK , VISHNU PRIYA M. R. , PATEL HITENDRA KUMAR , SONTI RAMESH V.
Published: January 2012

Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, the causal agent of bacterial blight of rice, produces siderophores only under iron‐limiting conditions. We screened 15 400 mTn5‐induced mutants of X. oryzae pv. oryzae and isolated 27 mutants that produced siderophores even under iron‐replete conditions. We found that the mTn5 insertions in 25 of these mutants were in or close to six genes. Mutants with insertions in five of these genes [colS, XOO1806 (a conserved hypothetical protein), acnB, prpR and prpB] exhibited a deficiency for growth on iron‐limiting medium and a decrease in virulence. Insertions in a sixth gene, XOO0007 (a conserved hypothetical protein), were found to affect the ability to grow on iron‐limiting medium, but did not affect the virulence. Targeted gene disruptants for colR (encoding the predicted cognate regulatory protein for ColS) also exhibited a deficiency for growth on iron‐limiting medium and a decrease in virulence. colR and colS mutants were defective in the elicitation of hypersensitive response symptoms on the nonhost tomato. In addition, colR and colS mutants induced a rice basal defence response, suggesting that they are compromised in the suppression of host innate immunity. Quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) analysis demonstrated that a functional ColRS system is required for the optimal expression of several genes encoding components of the type 3 secretion system (T3SS) of X. oryzae pv. oryzae. Our results demonstrate the role of several novel genes, including colR/colS, in the promotion of growth on iron‐limiting medium and the virulence of X. oryzae pv. oryzae.
Influence of urbanisation on the prevalence of protozoan parasites of bumblebees
Authors: GOULSON DAVE , WHITEHORN PENELOPE , FOWLEY MARC
Published: January 2012

1. Increasing urbanisation is often cited as a cause of declining biodiversity, but for bumblebees there is evidence that urban populations of some species such as Bombus terrestris L. may be more dense than those found in agricultural landscapes, perhaps because gardens provide plentiful floral resources and nesting opportunities.

2. Here we examine the influence of urbanisation on the prevalence of the main protozoan parasites of bumblebees in west central Scotland. We would expect transmission rates and prevalence of parasites to be higher in high density host populations, all else being equal.

3. Workers of two bee species, B. terrestris and B. pascuorum, were sampled over a 45‐day period in mid to late summer, and parasites were detected in faeces and via dissection. A comparison of the two methods suggests that faecal sampling is considerably less sensitive than dissection, failing to detect infection in 27.8%, 55.1%, and 80% of cases of infection with the parasites Crithidia bombi, Nosema bombi, and Apicystis bombi, respectively.

4. For all three parasites, broad patterns of prevalence were similar, with prevalence tending to increase with urbanisation in B. terrestris but not in B. pascuorum. The different patterns of seasonal prevalence in the two bee species suggest that intraspecific transmission is more important that interspecific transmission.

5. Our observation of greater parasite prevalence among B. terrestris in urban compared with rural areas suggests that urban habitats may present greater opportunities for parasite transmission. Greater bee densities in urban areas may be the driving factor; however, further study is still needed. For example, differences in disease prevalence between habitats could be driven by differences in the types and abundance of flowers that are available, or in exposure to environmental stressors.
Nutritional counselling and oral nutritional supplements in head and neck cancer patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Valentini V. , Marazzi F. , Bossola M. , Miccichè F. , Nardone L. , Balducci M. , Dinapoli N. , Bonomo P. , Autorino R. , Silipigni S. , Giuliani F. , Tamanti C. , Mele M. C. , Martorana G. E.
Published: January 2012

How to cite this article: Valentini V., Marazzi F., Bossola M., Miccichè F., Nardone L., Balducci M., Dinapoli N., Bonomo P., Autorino R., Silipigni S., Giuliani F., Tamanti C., Mele M.C. & Martorana G.E. (2012) Nutritional counselling and oral nutritional supplements in head and neck cancer patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy. J Hum Nutr Diet. 25, 201–208

Background:  The role of nutritional counselling (NC) with or without oral nutritional supplements (ONS) in patients receiving chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for head and neck cancer (HNC) still remains to be clearly defined, particularly with regard to CRT‐related toxicity.

Methods:  Patients undergoing CRT for HNC received NC by the dietitian within the first 4 days of radiotherapy and weekly for the course of radiotherapy (approximately 6 weeks). A weekly supply of oral nutrition supplements [1560 kJ (373 kcal) per 100 g] for up to 3 months was provided to all patients.

Results:  Twenty‐one patients completed CRT. Mucositis G3 developed in seven (33.3%) patients, whereas mucositis G4 was absent. Dysphagia was present before the start of treatment in four patients. In the remaining 17 patients, dysphagia G3 developed during/at the end of treatment in five cases. The percentage of patients interrupting anti‐neoplastic treatment for was 28% for ≥6 days, 28% for 3–5 days and 44% for 0–2 days. Mucositis G3 frequency was lower in patients with a baseline body mass index (BMI, kg m−2) ≥25 (two out of 12; 16.6%) than in patients with BMI <25 (five out of nine; 55.5%) (P = 0.161) and in patients with a baseline mid arm circumference >30 cm than in those with a mid arm circumference in the range 28.1–30 cm and <28 cm, and higher in patients with a greater weight loss and a greater reduction of serum albumin and mid arm circumference.

Conclusions:  Nutritional counselling and ONS are associated with relatively low CRT‐related toxicity and with mild deterioration of nutritional parameters.
Nematicidal activity of the leaf powder and extracts of Myrtus communis against the root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica
Authors: Oka Y. , Ben‐Daniel B. , Cohen Y.
Published: January 2012

Nematicidal activity of the leaf powder, leaf extracts and formulated leaf extracts of Myrtus communis, an evergreen shrub that is widely distributed in Israel and other Mediterranean countries, was evaluated using the root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica in in vitro and pot experiments. Leaf powder added to sand at 0·1% (w/w) reduced the number of juveniles recovered from the sand by more than 50%. Reduction in galling index and number of nematode eggs on tomato roots was also observed by incorporating the leaf powder at 0·1–0·4% (w/w) in the soil in pot experiments. Leaf powder extracts with methanol or ethanol showed the highest nematicidal activity among all extracts tested. Emulsifiable concentrates of leaf‐paste extract at a concentration as low as 0·005% (a.i., w/w) reduced the number of juveniles recovered from treated sand and the gall index of cucumber seedlings. The extract paste at 26 g m−2 was also effective in reducing the gall index of tomato plants in field‐plot experiments. The leaf powder at 0·2% and the formulated leaf‐paste extract at 0·02% were also nematicidal to Tylenchulus semipenetrans and Ditylenchus dipsaci, but not to Pratylenchus penetrans or Steinernema feltiae. At least three nematicidal compounds were found in the leaf extract upon fractionation by thin‐layer chromatography. The results suggest that the leaf powder and paste extract of M. communis are potential nematicides against root‐knot nematodes.
Inborn oxidative phosphorylation defect as risk factor for propofol infusion syndrome
Authors: VANLANDER A. V. , JORENS P. G. , SMET J. , DE PAEPE B. , VERBRUGGHE W. , VAN DEN EYNDEN G. G. , MEIRE F. , PAUWELS P. , VAN DER AA N. , SENECA S. , LISSENS W. , OKUN J. G. , VAN COSTER R.
Published: January 2012

Propofol is an anesthetic agent widely used for induction and maintenance of anesthesia, and sedation in children. Although generally considered as reliable and safe, administration of propofol can occasionally induce a potentially fatal complication known as propofol infusion syndrome (PRIS). Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in the pathogenesis of PRIS. We report on an adult patient with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) who developed PRIS. He was a carrier of the m.3460G>A mutation, one of the major three pathogenic point mutations associated with LHON. The propositus was blind and underwent propofol sedation after severe head injury. Five days after start of propofol infusion, the patient died. The activity of complex I of the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system was severely deficient in skeletal muscle. Our observation indicates that fulminate PRIS can occur in an adult patient with an inborn OXPHOS defect and corroborates the hypothesis that PRIS is caused by inhibition of the OXPHOS system.
Wound infiltration with local anesthetics for post‐operative pain relief in lumbar spine surgery: a systematic review
Authors: KJÆRGAARD M. , MØINICHE S. , OLSEN K. S.
Published: January 2012

Background

In this systematic review, we evaluated double‐blind, randomized and controlled trials on the effect of wound infiltration with local anesthetics compared with the effect of placebo on post‐operative pain after lumbar spine surgery.

Methods

Medline, the Cochrane Library and Google Scholar were searched for appropriate trials. Qualitative analysis of post‐operative effectiveness was evaluated by assessment of significant difference (P < 0.05) between study groups regarding pain relief using pain scores, supplemental analgesic consumption and time to first analgesic request as outcome measures. Data on adverse effects were extracted and evaluated.

Results

Nine trials including 12 comparisons and 529 patients met the inclusion criteria. Ten comparisons presented data on pain scores. In only three of these 10 comparisons (30%), a reduction in pain score using local anesthetic infiltration was observed averaging between 8 and 40 mm on a 100 mm visual analog scale. In six out of 12 comparisons, the local anesthetic infiltration significantly reduced the supplemental opioid consumption after surgery. Observed reductions in analgesic consumption over the first 24 h averaged between 2.5 mg and approximately 15 mg of morphine. Data on opioid‐related adverse effects were incomplete and difficult to interpret.

Conclusion

Interpretation of the results was difficult because of diversity of the studies. However, clinical significance was in general questionable, with only a few trials showing a small or a modest reduction in pain intensity, which was observed mainly immediately after the operation. Similarly, although more frequently observed, only a minor and probably not clinically relevant reduction in opioid consumption was shown.
Porokeratosis in Singapore: An Asian perspective
Authors: Tan Lucinda Siyun , Chong Wei‐Sheng
Published: January 2012

Porokeratosis is a rare disorder of skin keratinisation characterised by a cornoid lamella. We reviewed its associations with immunosuppression and phototherapy, as well as the risks of malignant progression. This is a retrospective review on all cases of porokeratosis seen at the National Skin Centre, Singapore, between 2000 and 2010. A total of 94 patients were reviewed. Clinical and histological diagnoses were confirmed in 63% patients. Most patients were Chinese (89%) with a mean age of 51.6 years. The male to female ratio was 1.4:1. The four main clinical variants were classical porokeratosis of Mibelli (56%), disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP) (18%), disseminated superficial porokeratosis (DSP) (11%), and linear porokeratosis (13%). Phototherapy‐induced porokeratosis, seen in three patients, is rare. Seven cases of porokeratosis occurred in patients who were immunosuppressed. Progression of porokeratosis to malignancy is uncommon and was observed in three patients. The most common treatments included cryotherapy (26.5%) as well as topical steroids or retinoids (38.1%). A good response, defined as clear or almost clear lesions, occurred in 16% patients. The most common presentation of porokeratosis in our review was a middle‐aged male patient with an asymptomatic lesion of porokeratosis of Mibelli over the extremities. No particular immunosuppressive drug was implicated. Porokeratosis associated with ultraviolet phototherapy or malignancy is rare. Progression of porokeratosis to malignancy arose in the disseminated variants, with a possible correlation with age. This is the largest institutional retrospective review of porokeratosis to date and highlights the major epidemiological characteristics of this condition.
Impacts of climate change on the future of biodiversity
Authors: Bellard Céline , Bertelsmeier Cleo , Leadley Paul , Thuiller Wilfried , Courchamp Franck
Published: January 2012

Ecology Letters (2012) 15: 365–377

Many studies in recent years have investigated the effects of climate change on the future of biodiversity. In this review, we first examine the different possible effects of climate change that can operate at individual, population, species, community, ecosystem and biome scales, notably showing that species can respond to climate change challenges by shifting their climatic niche along three non‐exclusive axes: time (e.g. phenology), space (e.g. range) and self (e.g. physiology). Then, we present the principal specificities and caveats of the most common approaches used to estimate future biodiversity at global and sub‐continental scales and we synthesise their results. Finally, we highlight several challenges for future research both in theoretical and applied realms. Overall, our review shows that current estimates are very variable, depending on the method, taxonomic group, biodiversity loss metrics, spatial scales and time periods considered. Yet, the majority of models indicate alarming consequences for biodiversity, with the worst‐case scenarios leading to extinction rates that would qualify as the sixth mass extinction in the history of the earth.
Anterior suspension combined with posterior reconstruction during robot‐assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy improves early return of urinary continence: a prospective randomized multicentre trial
Authors: Hurtes Xavier , Rouprêt Morgan , Vaessen Christophe , Pereira Helder , Faivre d'Arcier Benjamin , Cormier Luc , Bruyère Franck
Published: January 2012

Study Type – Therapy (RCT)

Level of Evidence 1b

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

Urinary incontinence is one of the major drawbacks of radical prostatectomy, regardless of the procedure used (i.e. open, laparoscopic or robotic‐assisted). Several technical modifications have been described to improve postoperative continence, highlighting the role of puboprostatic ligaments and posterior reconstruction of the rhabdomyosphincter. The results obtained are inconsistent when applied to robotic surgery.

The present multicentre randomized study shows that anterior suspension combined with posterior reconstruction is a safe and easy‐to‐perform technique for improving early continence after robotic‐assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the impact on urinary continence of anterior retropubic suspension with posterior reconstruction during robot‐assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In total, 72 patients who were due to undergo prostatectomy between July 2009 and July 2010 were prospectively randomized into two groups: group A underwent a standard RALP procedure and group B had anterior suspension and posterior reconstruction during RALP.

The primary outcome measure was urinary continence, assessed using the University of California Los Angeles Prostate Cancer Index questionnaire at 15 days, and at 1, 3 and 6 months, after surgery. Other data recorded were operation duration, blood loss, length of hospital stay, duration of bladder catheterization, complications and positive margin rate.

RESULTS

The continence rates at 15 days, and at 1, 3 and 6 months, after surgery were 3.6%, 7.1%, 15.4% and 57.9%, respectively, in group A, and 5.9%, 26.5%, 45.2% and 65.4%, respectively, in group B. The continence rates differed statistically between groups at 1 and 3 months (P = 0.047 and P = 0.016, respectively).

There was no significant difference between groups regarding complications (P = 0.8) or positive margin rate (P = 0.46).

CONCLUSION

Anterior suspension associated with posterior reconstruction during RALP improved the early return of continence, without increasing complications.
Municipal Auditing in Germany and Italy: Explosion, Change, or Recalcitrance?
Authors: Monfardini Patrizio , Maravic Patrick von
Published: January 2012

Abstract: By analysing two countries that have recently undergone NPM reform at the municipal level (Germany and Italy), our investigation challenges two popular notions: (1) that an audit explosion occurs as a result of reform, and (2) that reform causes change, i.e., that actors within a changing institutional context automatically adapt. Our empirically‐derived observations are of (1) an audit implosion, and (2) institutional, cultural, and political conditions that trump any automatic adaptation to change. Indeed, these conditions – not audit reform per se – can shape the process and determine the direction of change. Recalcitrance, the stubborn resistance to and defiance of authority or guidance, is an interesting characteristic of some institutions. German auditors illustrate this nicely; our Italian case study demonstrates a mandatory dismantling of institutional inertia. By analysing the causal relationship between public management reforms and auditing, our research highlights the factors that prevent auditors from adapting to contextual change and factors that render obedience. We test Power's audit explosion theory by operationalising it into five key components which are then evaluated within the landscapes of recent German and Italian municipal reform.
Physicochemical characterisation of calcium phosphates prepared from milk ultrafiltrates: Effect of the mineral composition
Authors: MEKMENE OMAR , LECONTE NADINE , ROUILLON THIERRY , QUILLARD SOPHIE , BOULER JEAN MICHEL , GAUCHERON FRÉDÉRIC
Published: January 2012

This study deals with the precipitation of calcium phosphate in permeates removed from milks at different pH (6.7, 5.2 and 4.6). An overall high yield of precipitation of calcium and phosphate (70–80%, respectively) was obtained for all precipitates with Ca/P molar ratios close to 1.5. The suspended milk‐derived calcium phosphate (MDCP) precipitates had 8–14 μm size and −14 to −28 mV zeta potential. The dried MDCP precipitates were identified as amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP), stable over 18 months of storage at room temperature.
Corticosteroid insensitivity is reversed by formoterol via phosphoinositide‐3‐kinase inhibition
Authors: Rossios C , To Y , Osoata G , Ito M , Barnes PJ , Ito K
Published: January 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) show a poor response to corticosteroids, which has been linked to oxidative stress. Here we show that the long‐acting β2‐agonist formoterol (FM) reversed corticosteroid insensitivity under oxidative stress via inhibition of phosphoinositide‐3‐kinase (PI3K) signalling.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Responsiveness to corticosteroids dexamethasone (Dex), budesonide (Bud) and fluticasone propionate (FP) was determined, as IC50 values on TNF‐α‐induced interleukin 8 release, in U937 monocytic cell line treated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with COPD or severe asthma.

KEY RESULTS PBMCs from severe asthma and COPD were less sensitive to Dex compared with those from healthy subjects. Both FM (10−9 M) and salmeterol (SM, 10−8 M) reversed Dex insensitivity in severe asthma, but only FM restored Dex sensitivity in COPD. Although H2O2 exposure decreased steroid sensitivity in U937 cells, FM restored responsiveness to Bud and FP while the effects of SM were weaker. Additionally, FM, but not SM, partially inhibited H2O2‐induced PI3Kδ‐dependent (PKB) phosphorylation. H2O2 decreased SM‐induced cAMP production in U937 cells, but did not significantly affect the response to FM. The reduction of SM effects by H2O2 was reversed by pretreatment with LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor, or IC87114, a PI3Kδ inhibitor.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS FM reversed oxidative stress‐induced corticosteroid insensitivity and decreased β2 adrenoceptor‐dependent cAMP production via inhibition of PI3Kδ signalling. FM will be more effective than SM, when combined with corticosteroids, for the treatment of respiratory diseases under conditions of high oxidative stress, such as in COPD.
Quaternary denudation of southern Fennoscandia – evidence from the marine realm
Authors: Hjelstuen Berit Oline , Nygård Atle , Sejrup Hans Petter , Haflidason Haflidi
Published: January 2012

Throughout the last 1.1 million years repeated glaciations have modified the southern Fennoscandian landscape and the neighbouring continental shelf into their present form. The glacigenic erosion products derived from the Fennoscandian landmasses were transported to the northern North Sea and the SE Nordic Seas continental margin. The prominent sub‐marine Norwegian Channel trough, along the south coast of Norway, was the main transport route for the erosion products between 1.1 and 0.0 Ma. Most of these erosion products were deposited in the North Sea Fan, which reaches a maximum thickness of 1500 m and has nearly 40 000 km3 of sediments. About 90% of the North Sea Fan sediments have been deposited during the last 500 000 years, in a time period when fast‐moving ice streams occupied the Norwegian Channel during each glacial stage. Back‐stripping the sediment volumes in the northern North Sea and SE Nordic Seas sink areas, including the North Sea Fan, to their assumed Fennoscandian source area gives an average vertical erosion of 164 m for the 1.1–0.0 Ma time period. The average 1.1–0.0 Ma erosion rate in the Fennoscandian source area is estimated to be 0.15 mm a−1. We suggest, however, that large variations in erosion rates have existed through time and that the most intense Fennoscandian landscape denudation occurred during the time period of repeated shelf edge ice advances, namely from Marine Isotope Stage 12 (c. 0.5 Ma) onwards.
Cognitive Biases and the Strength of Political Arguments
Authors: Arceneaux Kevin
Published: January 2012

Competition in political debate is not always sufficient to neutralize the effects of political rhetoric on public opinion. Yet little is known about the factors that shape the persuasiveness of political arguments. In this article, I consider whether cognitive biases influence the perceived strength of political arguments, making some arguments more persuasive than others. Lessons from neurobiology and recent political psychology research on emotion lead to the expectation that individuals are more likely to be persuaded by political arguments that evoke loss aversion via a fearful response—even in the face of a counterargument. Evidence from two experiments corroborates this expectation. I consider the normative implications of these empirical findings and potential avenues for future research.
Kynurenine pathway inhibition as a therapeutic strategy for neuroprotection
Authors: Stone Trevor W. , Forrest Caroline M. , Darlington L. Gail
Published: January 2012

The oxidative pathway for the metabolism of tryptophan along the kynurenine pathway generates quinolinic acid, an agonist at N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptors, as well as kynurenic acid which is an antagonist at glutamate and nicotinic receptors. The pathway has become recognized as a key player in the mechanisms of neuronal damage and neurodegenerative disorders. As a result, manipulation of the pathway, so that the balance between the levels of components of the pathway can be modified, has become an attractive target for the development of pharmacological agents with the potential to treat those disorders. This review summarizes some of the relevant background information on the pathway itself before identifying some of the chemical strategies for its modification, with examples of their successful application in animal models of infection, stroke, traumatic brain damage, cerebral malaria and cerebral trypanosomiasis.
Relationship between perceived time pressure during visits and burnout among home visiting nurses in Japan
Authors: NARUSE Takashi , TAGUCHI Atsuko , KUWAHARA Yuki , NAGATA Satoko , WATAI Izumi , MURASHIMA Sachiyo
Published: January 2012

Aim:  The rapidly rising number of older people has inevitably caused an increasing demand for home visiting nurses. Nursing managers must develop a healthy workplace to recruit and retain a workforce of nurses. This study focused on home visiting nurses’ perceptions of time pressure as a changeable work demand. The aim was to investigate perceptions of time pressure and reveal the relationship between perceived time pressure and burnout among home visiting nurses.

Methods:  From 32 agencies in three districts, 28 home visiting nurses agreed to participate in this study. Two hundred and eight home visiting nurses received an anonymous self‐administered questionnaire by mail, and 177 (85.1%) filled out and returned the questionnaire to the researchers. The Job Demands‐Resources model for burnout, which explains the relationship between a work environment and employee well‐being, was used as a conceptual guide. Three survey instruments were employed: questions on sociodemographic variables and worksite environments, including time pressure; the Japanese burnout inventory; and a Japanese version of the job content questionnaire. Multiple regression analyses were performed to examine the relationships between time pressure and burnout inventory scores.

Results:  About 30% of home visiting nurses perceived time pressure frequently. When home visiting nurses perceived time pressure more frequently, they experienced higher emotional exhaustion and depersonalization.

Conclusion:  Time pressure was often perceived as another job demand and had a significant relationship with burnout. This indicates the importance of lessening time pressure to develop healthy work places for community health nurses.
Understanding disgust
Authors: Chapman Hanah A. , Anderson Adam K.
Published: January 2012

Disgust is characterized by a remarkably diverse set of stimulus triggers, ranging from extremely concrete (bad tastes and disease vectors) to extremely abstract (moral transgressions and those who commit them). This diversity may reflect an expansion of the role of disgust over evolutionary time, from an origin in defending the body against toxicity and disease, through defense against other threats to biological fitness (e.g., incest), to involvement in the selection of suitable interaction partners, by motivating the rejection of individuals who violate social and moral norms. The anterior insula, and to a lesser extent the basal ganglia, are implicated in toxicity‐ and disease‐related forms of disgust, although we argue that insular activation is not exclusive to disgust. It remains unclear whether moral disgust is associated with insular activity. Disgust offers cognitive neuroscientists a unique opportunity to study how an evolutionarily ancient response rooted in the chemical senses has expanded into a uniquely human social cognitive domain; many interesting research avenues remain to be explored.