bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expert Consensus Statement on achieving self‐sufficiency in safe blood and blood products, based on voluntary non‐remunerated blood donation (VNRBD)*
Authors:   WHO Expert Group
Published: June 2012

All countries face challenges in making sufficient supplies of blood and blood products available and sustainable, while also ensuring the quality and safety of these products in the face of known and emerging threats to public health. Since 1975, the World Health Assembly (WHA) has highlighted the global need for blood safety and availability. WHA resolutions 63·12, 58·13 and 28·72, The Melbourne Declaration on 100% Voluntary Non‐Remunerated Donation of Blood and Blood Components and WHO Global Blood Safety Network recommendations have reaffirmed the achievement of ‘Self‐sufficiency in blood and blood products based on voluntary non‐remunerated blood donation (VNRBD)’ as the important national policy direction for ensuring a safe, secure and sufficient supply of blood and blood products, including labile blood components and plasma‐derived medicinal products. Despite some successes, self‐sufficiency is not yet a reality in many countries. A consultation of experts, convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) in September 2011 in Geneva, Switzerland, addressed the urgent need to establish strategies and mechanisms for achieving self‐sufficiency. Information on the current situation, and country perspectives and experiences were shared. Factors influencing the global implementation of self‐sufficiency, including safety, ethics, security and sustainability of supply, trade and its potential impact on public health, availability and access for patients, were analysed to define strategies and mechanisms and provide practical guidance on achieving self‐sufficiency. Experts developed a consensus statement outlining the rationale and definition of self‐sufficiency in safe blood and blood products based on VNRBD and made recommendations to national health authorities and WHO.
Comparing Sex Steroid Levels During the Annual Cycles of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Diploid Female (XX) and Triploid Female (XXX) Genotypic Sex
Authors: Espinosa E , Josa A , Gil L , Malo C , Mitjana O
Published: June 2012

Contents

In this study, the annual cycle of the gonadal steroids testosterone (T), 11‐ketotestosterone (11‐KT), 17β‐estradiol (E2) and 17α, 20β‐dihydroxy‐4‐pregnen‐3‐one (DHP) was determined using radioimmunoassay and then compared for two populations of rainbow trout, XX diploid females (n = 40) and XXX triploid females (n = 15). In females, E2 and DHP levels were found to be significantly related to body weight (r = 0.22513; p < 0.0001 and r = 0.15831; p >  0.001, respectively). In this group, E2 concentrations peaked in November (25.05 ng /ml), while maximum DHP levels, only measurable from October to April, were attained in February (64.14 ng /ml). No significant differences in hormone ranges related to egg output ability were observed. Finally, sex steroid concentrations were low in the triploid female XXX fish compared to the female XX population. Nevertheless, maximum T (33.85 ng /ml) and 11‐KT (32.35 ng /ml) levels were recorded in January, for XXX. The levels for these two hormones are relatively high and are also significantly associated (r = 0.8430; p < 0.0001). Diploid females showed significantly higher levels of E2 than triploids over the 12‐month study period. The female triploid fish produced the lowest steroid hormone levels, such that these would be the most suitable for human consumption.
Surgical risk in patients with cirrhosis
Authors: Nicoll Amanda
Published: June 2012

Surgery in the patient with cirrhosis is problematic, as encephalopathy, ascites, sepsis and bleeding are common in the postoperative period. Accurate preoperative assessment and planning, and careful postoperative management have the potential to reduce the frequency and severity of such complications, and reduce the length of hospital stay, but there is little literature evidence to prove this. Operative mortality and other risks correlate with the severity of the liver disease, co‐morbidities and the type of surgery. The Child‐Turcott‐Pugh (CTP) score or model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD) score may be used to determine the severity of the liver disease, but must also take into account recent changes in the patient's condition. Surgery that does not involve opening the peritoneum may have slightly better outcomes, as the risk of ascitic leak, sepsis and difficult fluid management are reduced. Mortality rates range from 10% in CTP‐A patients to 82% in CTP‐C patients. The presence of portal hypertension is an important negative predictor, especially in abdominal surgery, as refractory ascites may occur. Careful monitoring in the postoperative period and early intervention of complications are essential. Hepatic resections in cirrhosis are associated with other considerations such as leaving sufficient liver tissue to prevent liver failure, and are beyond the scope of this review.
Study of amino acids as nitrogen source in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Zuo Zhaojiang , Rong Qingqing , Chen Kai , Yang Lin , Chen Zhengzhen , Peng Keli , Zhu Yerong , Bai Yanling , Wang Yong
Published: June 2012

All five L‐amino acids tested (L‐serine, L‐lysine, L‐leucine, L‐cysteine and L‐arginine) were used by Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as sole nitrogen source. Among these, L‐Cys was special as it has not been reported before. While these amino acids could be used in the dark only in the presence of acetic acid, in conditions of light they could support the growth of C. reinhardtii without the supplementation of acetic acid. When cultured in the TAP‐N medium, the chlorophyll content was found to be lower in the dark, but higher in the light for the cells grown with L‐Arg than with other four amino acids. Exogenously supplied L‐Ser and L‐Lys did not accumulate in the cells, demonstrating that they were used by supplying ammonium to the cells from the activity of an extracellular deaminase. Further results showed that the induction of the extracellular deaminase activity required a period of nitrogen starvation, regardless of the medium containing acetic acid or not. Results also showed that the uptake of L‐Cys was similar to L‐Leu, most likely via passive diffusion. When L‐Cys and L‐Leu were supplied together to the nitrogen‐starved cells, the absorption of L‐Cys did not affect the uptake of L‐Leu.
How to manage unresponsiveness to misoprostol in failed second trimester pregnancy termination
Authors: Pongsatha Saipin , Tongsong Theera
Published: June 2012

Aim:  To present the experience of management of second trimester pregnancy termination by misoprostol after failure to abort within 48 h of its use.

Material and Methods:  A retrospective, cohort descriptive study was carried out in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University Thailand between 1998 and 2010. All women at 14–28 weeks of gestation who failed to abort using misoprostol within 48 h were included. Management of failed pregnancy termination among these women is described here.

Results:  Of a total of 680 women undergoing termination of pregnancy, 68 (10%) failed to abort. Mean maternal age was 28.71 years and mean gestational age was 19.91 weeks. Further management after failure included additional administration of misoprostol only (19.1%), modified condom balloon technique only (17.7%), modified condom balloon technique plus other methods (16.1%), while 47.1% needed only oxytocin as necessary. The mean interval between initiation of termination and delivery was 96.97 h.

Conclusion:  Failure of pregnancy termination using misoprostol can be successfully managed by introducing additional misoprostol, modified condom balloon technique and oxytocin infusion. These methods should be considered before proceeding to hysterotomy.
Preventing maternal deaths due to acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
Authors: Hunt Beverley J. , Thomas‐Dewing Rowena R. , Bramham Kate , Lucas Sebastian B.
Published: June 2012

In order to identify the cause of maternal deaths due to thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and identify future preventative measures we retrospectively reviewed all maternal deaths due to TTP in London from 2003 to 2008 that were confirmed on post‐mortem examination. There were three maternal deaths due to sudden cardiac arrest within 1, 5 and 2 days of presentation, respectively. Post‐mortem findings revealed they all died with intramyocardial microvascular thrombosis, the thrombi being characteristically platelet rich (CD61+, fibrin−). Platelet thrombi in the coronary microvasculature are the cause of early sudden death in TTP in pregnancy. If TTP cannot be excluded in the differential diagnosis of thrombotic microangiopathies of pregnancy, then plasmapheresis should be instituted as a medical emergency. ADAMTS‐13 levels are helpful in making the diagnosis, but results should not be awaited before instituting plasmapheresis.
Thrombophilia investigation in Pakistani women with recurrent pregnancy loss
Authors: Hossain Nazli , Shamsi Tahir , Khan Nazeer , Naz Arshi
Published: June 2012

Aim:  The aim of the study was to identify thrombophilic defects in women with a history of recurrent miscarriage.

Methods:  This was a case‐control study in which the cases were women who had undergone spontaneous recurrent pregnancy losses and the controls were women in matched reproductive age groups without any history of miscarriage or pregnancy loss. Both groups of women were identified from our department's high‐risk and gynecological outpatient clinics. A total of 52 women with recurrent pregnancy losses and 268 controls were tested for protein C, protein S, factor V Leiden (FVL), antithrombin and anticardiolipin (immunoglobulin M and G) antibodies, and the odds ratio and P‐values were calculated.

Results:  The mean age was 28.0 ± 4.4 years in the cases and 32.0 ± 8.0 years in the controls. The mean number of abortions among women with recurrent losses was 3.40 ± 1.23. The mean parity was 1.04 ± 1.23 (range 1–6), and 3.27 ± 2.51 among controls. Among women with recurrent pregnancy loss, 22 (42%) had first trimester losses, 19 (36%) had second trimester losses, and 11 (21%) women had both first and second trimester losses. Protein C deficiency was identified in three out of 52 cases and 18 out of 268 controls (P‐value 0.49), protein S deficiency in two cases and 12 controls (P‐value 0.35), factor V Leiden mutation in 10 cases and 27 controls (P = 0.059), antithrombin in one case and 41 controls (P = 0.009), and anticardiolipin antibodies in one case and nine controls (P = 0.49).

Conclusion:  No significant association between inherited thrombophilia and recurrent pregnancy loss in Pakistani women was found.
Upstream demand for water use by new tree plantations imposes externalities on downstream irrigated agriculture and wetlands*
Authors: Nordblom Thomas L. , Finlayson John D. , Hume Iain H.
Published: June 2012

Large‐scale tree plantations in high rainfall upstream areas can reduce fresh water inflows to river systems, thereby imposing external costs on downstream irrigation, stock and domestic water users and wetland interests. We take the novel approach of expressing all benefits and costs of establishing plantations in terms of $ per gigalitre (GL) of water removed annually from river flows, setting upstream demands on the same basis as downstream demands. For the Macquarie Valley, a New South Wales sub‐catchment of Australia’s Murray‐Darling Basin, we project changes in land and water use and changes in economic surpluses under two policy settings: without and with a policy requiring permanent water entitlements to be purchased from downstream parties, before plantation establishment. Without the policy, and given a high stumpage value for trees ($70/m3), upstream gains in economic surplus projected from expanding plantations are $639 million; balanced against $233 million in economic losses by downstream irrigators and stock and domestic water users for a net gain of $406 million, but 345 GL lower mean annual environmental flows. With the policy, smaller gains in upstream economic surplus from trees ($192 million), added to net downstream gains ($138 million) from sale of water, result in gains of $330 million with no reduction in environmental flows. Sustaining the 345 GL flow for a $76 million (406–330) reduction in gains to economic surplus may be seen to cost only $0.22 million/GL; but this is much lower than the market value of the first units of that water to agriculture and forestry.
THE (GOLDEN) AGE OF THE WELFARE STATE: INTERROGATING A CONVENTIONAL WISDOM
Authors: WINCOTT DANIEL
Published: June 2012

The idea of a (golden) age pervades most academic analysis and debate about the welfare state. This article interrogates this largely unquestionedepochalimage of welfare history which is, in effect, a shared conventional wisdom. That vast and often disputatious scholarly literatures should share a conventional epochal axiom is remarkable. So is the absence of academic debate focused on this idea, which is both pervasive and vague. Perhaps paradoxically, our easy recognition of the (golden) age of the welfare state may contribute to the lack of precision in its use: taken‐for‐granted concepts are often sloppily deployed.
Hand hygiene compliance and irritant dermatitis: a juxtaposition of healthcare issues
Authors: Visscher M. O. , Randall Wickett R.
Published: June 2012

Synopsis

Reduction and prevention of health care‐associated infections is a worldwide priority with emphasis on increasing hand hygiene compliance. Repetitive exposure to hand hygiene products and procedures is a significant factor in the development of occupational irritant hand dermatitis. Compliance has been difficult to achieve often due to skin irritation. The introduction of alcohol hand rubs has positively influenced compliance but rates remain lower than required. Genetic and environmental factors to the frequency and severity of irritant contact dermatitis have been identified. Because of the skin's role in innate immunity, maintenance of epidermal integrity is a key strategy for reducing health care‐associated infections. In this review, we examine the interdependence of the two issues and the challenges of simultaneously accomplishing both goals. We emphasize research conducted among healthcare workers in their clinical settings. The factors that influence skin integrity and the challenges in meeting both goals simultaneously are explored. Cosmetic scientists have played key roles in the development of improved skin care products, and the issues present an excellent opportunity for them to provide potentially life‐saving contributions to health care.
7,8‐dihydroxyflavone rescues spatial memory and synaptic plasticity in cognitively impaired aged rats
Authors: Zeng Yan , Lv Feng , Li Long , Yu Hui , Dong Min , Fu Qinghai
Published: June 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 122, 800–811.

7,8‐dihydroxyflavone (7,8‐DHF) has recently been identified as a potential TrkB agonist that crosses the blood–brain barrier after i.p. administration. We previously demonstrated that 7,8‐DHF in vitro rescues long‐term synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus of aged rats. This study assessed the rescue effect of 7,8‐DHF in vivo on aging‐related cognitive impairment in rats, and further determined whether the effect of 7,8‐DHF is age dependent. Aged rats at 22 and 30 months of age were pretested for spatial memory in Morris water maze. The aged‐impaired rats were retested twice during 7,8‐DHF or vehicle treatment, which started 3 weeks after the completion of the pretest. In the 22‐month‐old rats, daily i.p. administration of 7,8‐DHF for 2 weeks improved spatial memory. The improvement in behavioral tests was associated with increases in synapse formation and facilitation of synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus, as well as the activation of several proteins crucial to synaptic plasticity and memory. A more extended treatment paradigm with 7,8‐DHF was required to achieve a significant memory improvement in the severely impaired 30‐month‐old rats. Moreover, 7,8‐DHF moderately facilitated the synaptic plasticity, modified the density but not number of spines in the hippocampus of the oldest rats. Taken together, our results suggest that 7,8‐DHF can act in vivo to counteract aging‐induced declines in spatial memory and synaptic plasticity and morphological changes of hippocampal neurons. The effect of 7,8‐DHF is more pronounced in relatively younger impaired rats than in those of more advanced age. These findings demonstrate the reversal of age‐dependent memory impairment by in vivo 7,8‐DHF application and support the benefit of early treatment for cognitive aging.
Adsorption and fixation behaviour of CI Reactive Red 195 on cotton woven fabric in a nonionic surfactant Triton X‐100 reverse micelle
Authors: Yi Shixiong , Dong Yongchun , Li Bing , Ding Zhizhong , Huang Xiangbo , Xue Lexing
Published: June 2012

To achieve the goals of saving water and being salt‐free in the coloration of cotton fabric with reactive dye, nonionic reverse micelles were prepared and optimised with a surfactant, Triton X‐100, n‐octanol and isooctane by injecting a small amount of CI Reactive Red 195 aqueous solution. The adsorption, diffusion and fixation of this dye on cotton fabric in Triton X‐100 reverse micelle and bulk water were then investigated. The equilibrium and kinetic data of the dye adsorption process were evaluated. The colour strength and fixation rate of cotton fabrics dyed in the micelle and in bulk water were also examined and compared. The results indicated that the amount of dye adsorbed increased with the increasing temperature and the initial dye concentration. The dye adsorption process could be described using the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo‐second‐order kinetic equations. It was found that CI Reactive Red 195 showed a stronger adsorption property on cotton fabric in Triton X‐100 reverse micelle than in bulk water without the addition of sodium chloride. Using Triton X‐100 reverse micelle as the dyeing medium offered the reactive dye better diffusion performance within the cotton fibre as compared with bulk water. Moreover, higher fixation of the dyes absorbed on the cotton fibre was achieved when the optimum concentration of sodium carbonate was used as the alkali agent in Triton X‐100 reverse micelle.
The Unintended Effects of Risk‐Refuting Information on Anxiety
Authors: Nakayachi Kazuya
Published: June 2012

Researchers in the field of risk perception have been asking why people are more worried about risk today than in years past. This article explores one possible answer to this question, associative anxiety. The affect heuristic and the mental network models suggest that anxiety triggered by information regarding a particular risk can spread to other risks of the same category. Research to date, however, has not examined how information refuting the particular risk can also be generalized across other risks. The article presents two experimental studies addressing this issue. Study 1 showed that when participants were presented with information based on a real train collision, they experienced increased anxiety not only about train collisions but also about public transportation in general. In contrast, those who were informed about the train collision case as well as the preventative measures implemented after the accident experienced decreased anxiety about train collisions but not about public transportation more generally. Study 2 measured the changes in participant anxiety about a genetically modified organism (GMO) and compared the influence of information about either the existence or nonexistence of its risk. Similar to Study 1, associative anxiety rippled through the risk category. The results also suggest that the follow‐up information refuting the GMO risk reduced the anxiety toward the hazard drastically, but did not fully alleviate the anxiety toward other hazards in the category. The implications and the limitations of these studies are also discussed.
Domino Effect Analysis Using Bayesian Networks
Authors: Khakzad Nima , Khan Faisal , Amyotte Paul , Cozzani Valerio
Published: June 2012

A new methodology is introduced based on Bayesian network both to model domino effect propagation patterns and to estimate the domino effect probability at different levels. The flexible structure and the unique modeling techniques offered by Bayesian network make it possible to analyze domino effects through a probabilistic framework, considering synergistic effects, noisy probabilities, and common cause failures. Further, the uncertainties and the complex interactions among the domino effect components are captured using Bayesian network. The probabilities of events are updated in the light of new information, and the most probable path of the domino effect is determined on the basis of the new data gathered. This study shows how probability updating helps to update the domino effect model either qualitatively or quantitatively. The methodology is applied to a hypothetical example and also to an earlier‐studied case study. These examples accentuate the effectiveness of Bayesian network in modeling domino effects in processing facility.
Technological and Design Innovation Effects in Regional New Product Rollouts: A European Illustration
Authors: Rubera Gaia , Griffith David A. , Yalcinkaya Goksel
Published: June 2012

Firms are increasingly recognizing the importance of understanding regional dynamics and their effects on competitiveness. One such area that is gaining increased importance due to intra‐regional trade is the factors contributing to the successful rollouts of new products within a region. New product rollouts are complicated by nature but are further compounded by intricacies in the type of innovation (i.e., technological or design) being introduced into a region. Unfortunately, limited research has investigated this area. This study works to address this limitation by examining the per country performance effects of regional new product rollouts of technological and design innovations. The study examines the introduction of 14 technological innovations and 12 design innovations across 17 unique firms operating in eight European countries from 2000 to 2007. Specifically, this study attempts to show (1) an important role of the type of innovation on a firm's regional new product rollout strategy; (2) a relationship between national culture and the effectiveness of regional rollout strategies; and (3) an influence of economic openness on the type of innovation for regional new product rollout strategies. The results indicate that a longer regional new product rollout strategy is a more effective strategy for technological innovations, while a shorter regional new product rollout strategy is a more effective strategy for design innovations. The study also presents significant interaction effects in relation to the cultural dimensions of uncertainty avoidance and power distance as well as a significant effect of economic openness. Implications for practitioners and academics are presented.
Market Vision and the Front End ofNPDfor Radical Innovation: The Impact of Moderating Effects
Authors: Reid Susan E. , de Brentani Ulrike
Published: June 2012

“Market vision” is a mental model that helps focus the organization on a new market application for an advanced technology during the fuzzy front end of the new product development process. Previous research demonstrates that firms involved in the development of radically new, high‐tech products need to develop a market visioning competence (MVC) in order to develop an effective market vision (MV), and these capabilities, in turn, have been found to have a positive effect on key aspects of the early performance (EP) of these firms—specifically, the ability to attract capital and early success with customers. Based on a major empirical study of the nanotechnology sector, the research described in this paper takes an important step forward by focusing on factors in both the external and internal environment of the firm, and their moderating impact on the paths that linkMVC,MV, andEP. External structural factors relevant to the firm's competitive environment as well as internal factors, including firm resources, size, incumbency, and technology, are shown to have significant moderating effects both on the way in whichMVunfolds and on its capacity for affecting positive returns for the firm when undertaking radical innovation. Five of seven hypotheses were supported by the research. Both level of incumbency (the extent to which the firm has taken part in previous generations of a given technology) and resource availability are shown to positively impact the link betweenMVCandMV. Also, appropriability (i.e., protection for innovations) and reputation of the firm were found to positively impact the path toEP. Finally, a low level of industry concentration—that is, a large number of small firms—were found to have a positive effect on the path toEP. In sum, the findings support the structure of the model and the majority of the hypothesized moderating relationships, suggesting important implications for management.
Back‐loading: A Potential Side Effect of Employing Digital Design Tools in New Product Development
Authors: Fixson Sebastian K. , Marion Tucker J.
Published: June 2012

Over the past 20 years, the use of digital design tools such as Computer‐Aided‐Design (CAD) has increased dramatically. Today, almost no product development project is conducted without the use of CAD models. Major advantages typically ascribed to using CAD include better solutions through broader exploration of the solution space as well as faster and less expensive projects through faster and earlier iterations. This latter effect, the shifting of simulation and testing traditionally accomplished with the help of physical prototypes late in the process—a slow and expensive activity—to doing similar activities with virtual prototypes faster and earlier in the process, has been identified as a key aspect of front‐loading, an activity shift promising to enable superior product development (PD) performance.

Given CAD's recent pervasive use, the research questions for this paper became “how has CAD use actually changed the way in which product development is conducted, and through which mechanisms and pathways can CAD impact PD performance, especially with respect to the idea of front‐loading?” This paper addresses these questions by studying in a longitudinal comparison in detail two similar product development projects, one conducted in 2001, the other in 2009. The projects were carefully selected to isolate the substantially higher levels of CAD use of the second project while controlling for most other input factors that influence project performance.

The project with substantially higher use of CAD exhibited significant improvements in prototyping costs but only marginal changes in project time and project engineering labor cost relative to the project with lower CAD use. In‐depth intra‐project analysis on the phase level reveals that the use of CAD affected how the product development was executed, with both positive and negative consequences. In addition to, and separate from positive aspects of front‐loading, unintended consequences in the form of back‐loading work are also observed. Back‐loading can occur in two places in the product development process: First, the availability of CAD systems can cause an early jump into detail design, effectively shortcutting concept development. Second, the ability to relatively quickly conduct small changes virtually to the design can erode process discipline; late changes are made simply because they are possible. Both of these effects back‐load work in the opposite direction of the positive front‐loading. The theoretical implications of our observations are discussed, and a simple framework to convert our findings into managerial advice is proposed.
Strategic Value Assessment and Explorative Learning Opportunities with Customers
Authors: Nijssen Edwin J. , Hillebrand Bas , de Jong Jeroen P. J. , Kemp Ron G. M.
Published: June 2012

This study recognizes that collaboration with customers for new product development may bring important financial benefits to firms, but at the same time may seriously hamper explorative learning. Many firms are approached by customers with requests to develop new products for them. While such requests may strengthen customer relationships and result in short‐term financial gains, it may force a firm in technologically undesirable directions. As a result, many firms struggle with the dilemma of, on the one hand, responding to customer requests, and on the other hand, safeguarding the long‐term competitive position of the firm. Firms with strong customer ties are particularly prone to this dilemma. Drawing on opportunity recognition literature, capability monitoring literature as well as goal setting theory, the authors have developed a framework arguing that Strategic Value Assessment (SVA) can help resolve this. SVA is defined as an a priori business evaluation of the value of a particular innovation collaboration, based on anticipated long‐term strategic benefits. It helps innovative firms to focus on collaboration with customers with lead user status and to develop intense relationships, allowing for more effective knowledge transfer and learning. The framework is tested using data collected from a sample of 136 business‐to‐business firms in the Netherlands. The sampling frame was a panel of small and medium‐sized high‐tech enterprises. The study finds positive direct and indirect effects of SVA on explorative learning. In addition, the findings show that the intense collaboration/learning relationship is positively moderated by customer lead user status, and negatively moderated by customer dependence. The findings suggest that SVA is a useful heuristic for managers to utilize opportunities for innovation involving collaboration with customers.
Multiferroic Properties of Self‐Aligned BiMnO3 Nanosquares
Authors: Son Jong Yeog , Shin Yun‐Sok , Shin Young‐Han
Published: June 2012

We investigate the ferroelectric properties of epitaxial BiMnO3 (BMO) nanosquares and thin films deposited by pulsed laser deposition techniques. The size of the BMO nanosquares is found to increase as the deposition time increases. The multiferroic BMO nanosquares exhibit ferroelectric and ferromagnetic characteristics. The BMO nanosquares with upward and downward ferroelectric polarizations exhibit low and high resistance states, respectively.
Influence of Magnetic Field Annealing on Magnetic Behaviors of La0.6Sr0.4MnO3 Particles
Authors: Zi Zhenfa , Liu Qiangchun , Cheng Yulan , Dai Jianming , Sun Yuping
Published: June 2012

La0.6Sr0.4MnO3 particles were prepared using the sol‐gel method with an external magnetic field (Hext = 4 kOe) and without an external magnetic field. Structural and magnetic properties were systematically investigated. X‐ray powder diffraction results show that both samples are single‐phase. The results of field‐emission scanning electronic microscopy show that the mean particle size of the sample synthesized under Hext = 4 kOe are slightly larger than that of the sample without an external magnetic field. The enhanced magnetic properties are attributed to the less disordered defects induced by an external magnetic field.
Overexpression of melatonin membrane receptors increases calcium‐binding proteins and protects VSC4.1 motoneurons from glutamate toxicity through multiple mechanisms
Authors: Das Arabinda , Wallace Gerald , Reiter Russel J. , Varma Abhay K. , Ray Swapan K. , Banik Naren L.
Published: June 2012

Abstract:  Melatonin has shown particular promise as a neuroprotective agent to prevent motoneuron death in animal models of both amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal cord injuries (SCI). However, an understanding of the roles of endogenous melatonin receptors including MT1, MT2, and orphan G‐protein receptor 50 (GPR50) in neuroprotection is lacking. To address this deficiency, we utilized plasmids for transfection and overexpression of individual melatonin receptors in the ventral spinal cord 4.1 (VSC4.1) motoneuron cell line. Receptor‐mediated cytoprotection following exposure to glutamate at a toxic level (25 μm) was determined by assessing cell viability, apoptosis, and intracellular free Ca2+ levels. Our findings indicate a novel role for MT1 and MT2 for increasing expression of the calcium‐binding proteins calbindin D28K and parvalbumin. Increased levels of calbindin D28K and parvalbumin in VSC4.1 cells overexpressing MT1 and MT2 were associated with cytoprotective effects including inhibition of proapoptotic signaling, downregulation of inflammatory factors, and expression of prosurvival markers. Interestingly, the neuroprotective effects conferred by overexpression of MT1 and/or MT2 were also associated with increases in the estrogen receptor β (ERβ): estrogen receptor α (ERα) ratio and upregulation of angiogenic factors. GPR50 did not exhibit cytoprotective effects. To further confirm the involvement of the melatonin receptors, we silenced both MT1 and MT2 in VSC4.1 cells using RNA interference technology. Knockdown of MT1 and MT2 led to an increase in glutamate toxicity, which was only partially reversed by melatonin treatment. Taken together, our findings suggest that the neuroprotection against glutamate toxicity exhibited by melatonin may depend on MT1 and MT2 but not GPR50.
Intra‐specific spatial aggregation in acidic grasslands: effects of acidification and nitrogen deposition on spatial patterns of plant communities
Authors: Damgaard Christian , Ejrnæs Rasmus , Stevens Carly J.
Published: June 2012

Question

It is an old notion that pattern and process are linked in plant communities. Spatial pattern may, therefore, be a valuable indicator of community processes in space and time. Obviously, spatial aggregation may arise as the result of clonal propagation and short‐distance dispersal of seeds, but it is less well known how variation in the spatial aggregation links to plant community processes and to community responses to environmental stresses, such as eutrophication and acidification. We hypothesize that intra‐specific spatial aggregation may prove a useful indicator of structure and function in plant communities and, more specifically, that spatial aggregation in semi‐natural grasslands will increase with increasing eutrophication and acidification.

Methods

The intra‐specific spatial aggregation at the level of the community was estimated using pin‐point data for all observed species at a site with a single parameter using the PÓlya–Eggenberger distribution.

Results

Intra‐specific spatial aggregation correlates with biotic and abiotic gradients in the form of pH, vegetation height, species richness and species composition. The results support the hypothesis that eutrophication and acidification not only cause loss of species, but also lead to increasing intra‐specific aggregation of the component species. However, there was no significant effect of N deposition, which suggests that residual nutrients from former cultivation as well as sulphur deposition override the effect of N deposition on pH and productivity in Danish acidic grasslands.

Conclusion

We suggest that intra‐specific spatial aggregation may be used as an indicator of structure and function in plant communities and as a possible early warning indicator of future species loss.
Sequence characterization of river buffalo Toll‐like receptor genes 1–10 reveals distinct relationship with cattle and sheep
Authors: Dubey P. K. , Goyal S. , Kathiravan P. , Mishra B. P. , Gahlawat S. K. , Kataria R. S.
Published: June 2012

The present study was undertaken to characterize the full‐length transcripts of Toll‐like receptor (TLR) genes 1–10 of river buffalo. The conceptualized amino acid identity of bubaline TLRs ranged between 86% to 100% with ruminants, while it ranged between 45% to 91% with other vertebrate species. Simple modular architecture tool (SMART) analysis revealed the presence of TIR domains and varying numbers of leucine‐rich repeat motifs in all the buffalo TLRs. With respect to TIR domains, TLRs 1, 2 and 3 of river buffalo were found to have 99.3% identity with cattle and 100% identity of TLRs 4, 6 and 10 with sheep. Phylogenetic analysis of TLRs of buffalo and different vertebrate species revealed the clustering of major TLR gene subfamilies with high bootstrap values. The evolutionary relationship between buffalo and other ruminant species was found to vary among different TLRs. In order to understand the relationship between TLRs of different ruminant species, multidimensional scaling (MDS) analysis of pairwise amino acid differences between different species within each TLR was performed. Buffalo and cattle were found to be closely related only with respect to TLRs 1, 2 and 7, while buffalo and sheep were found to be clustering together with respect to TLRs 3, 6, 8 and 10. The distinct relationship of bubaline TLRs with cattle and sheep revealed the possible differences in the pathogen recognition receptor systems in these animals and consequently the differences in their susceptibility/resistance to various invading organisms.
Enhanced alveolar fluid clearance following 72 h of continuous isoproterenol infusion in rats
Authors: Pedersen L. R. E. , Müllertz K. M. , Amtorp O. , Christensen S. , Jonassen T. E. N.
Published: June 2012

Aim

We wished to determine the effect of continuous β‐receptor stimulation on alveolar fluid clearance and to elucidate the mechanisms behind this effect.

Methods

Alveolar fluid clearance was measured in anaesthetized rats pretreated for 72 h with the β‐agonist isoproterenol (200 μg kg−1h−1 sc) or vehicle. Alveolar fluid clearance in artificially ventilated rats was determined over 1 h by infusion of isotonic Ringer solution containing 125I‐albumin into the lungs. Additionally, alveolar fluid clearance was determined when amiloride or l‐cis‐diltiazem was added to the solution to block ENaC and cyclic nucleotide‐gated (CNG) channels respectively.

Results

Isoproterenol treatment induced a 42% increase in alveolar fluid clearance (18.9 ± 1.4%) vs. vehicle (13.3 ± 3.3%). Addition of amiloride resulted in a net decrease of 8% in both groups, while l‐cis‐diltiazem caused a net decrease of 12% in isoproterenol‐treated animals, but only 5% in vehicle‐treated animals. Western blotting showed that isoproterenol treatment increased the abundance of the α‐ENaC and β‐ENaC subunits (223 ± 51% and 274 ± 55% of vehicle, respectively) but we saw no changes in protein level of the γ‐EnaC subunit.

Conclusion

Continuous β‐adrenoceptor stimulation with isoproterenol enhances alveolar fluid clearance through alternative pathways involving l‐cis‐diltiazem‐sensitive channels.
Global climate change is confounding species conservation strategies
Authors: KOOPOWITZ Harold , HAWKINS Bradford A.
Published: June 2012

Most organisms face similar problems with respect to their conservation in the face of global climate change. Here, we examine probable effects of climate change on the hyperdiverse plant family Orchidaceae. In the 20th century, the major concerns for orchid conservation revolved around unsustainable harvest for the orchid trade and, more importantly, land conversion from natural ecosystems to those unable to support wild orchid populations. Land conversion included logging, fire regimes and forest conversions to agricultural systems. Although those forms of degradation continue, an additional suite of threats has emerged, fueled by global climate change. Global climate change involves more than responses of orchid populations to increases in ambient temperature. Increasing temperature induces secondary effects that can be more significant than simple changes in temperature. Among these new threats are extended and prolonged fire seasons, rising sea levels, increases in cyclonic storms, seasonal climate shifts, changes in orthographic wind dew point and increased drought. The long‐term outlook for orchid biodiversity in the wild is dismal, as it is for many animal groups, and we need to start rethinking strategies for conservation in a rapidly changing world.
U.S. utilization patterns of influenza antiviral medications during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic
Authors: Borders‐Hemphill Vicky , Mosholder Andrew
Published: June 2012

Please cite this paper as: Borders‐Hemphill and Mosholder (2012) U.S. utilization patterns of influenza antiviral medications during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 6(601), e129–e133.

Background  The 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic in the United States occurred from April 2009 to April 2010. The 2009 H1N1 influenza virus was susceptible to neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir and zanamivir).

Objectives  To characterize the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic in the United States from April 2009 to April 2010 using weekly influenza antiviral prescription utilization data and the CDC’s weekly reports of the number of visits for influenza‐like‐illnesses by the Influenza Sentinel Provider Surveillance Network.

Methods  A proprietary outpatient data source used by the FDA, which captures adjudicated U.S. prescription claims for select influenza antiviral drugs, was used to conduct this analysis. Data were extracted weekly and analyzed for surveillance during the pandemic. Results were compiled at the end of the pandemic.

Results  Oseltamivir has dominated the U.S. influenza antiviral market share of dispensed prescriptions since approval in October 1999 and was the primary influenza antiviral drug used during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic. However, commercial availability of the suspension formulation of oseltamivir was reduced by high demand during the pandemic. Dispensed prescription trends of other influenza antiviral medications studied followed that those of oseltamivir, even antivirals for which the 2009 H1N1 strains showed resistance.

Conclusion  Weekly prescription utilization of all influenza antivirals used to treat influenza during the seasonal influenza outbreak followed the same trend of weekly reports of the number of visits for influenza‐like‐illnesses (ILI) by the Influenza Sentinel Provider Surveillance Network. The ILI epidemic curve resembled dispensed antiviral prescription trends (both overall and stratified by age), providing some corroboration for the surveillance data.
Introduction of a program for voluntary blood donations in Iran (blood transfusion status in Iran)
Authors: Gharehbaghian A.
Published: June 2012

Background  A national and well‐coordinated system is very effective for blood self sufficiency of a country; this system might be committed to follow all requirements and standards. It should manifest itself strong and well‐established in reality and practice so that all potential donors trust it and contribute. Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization (IBTO) is an example of a centralized network with 200 centers in 31 provinces which could only be decentralized in some aspects of blood donor recruitment based on the cultural and regional attributes of the people there.

Methods  The mission of IBTO is to provide and ensure a safe and adequate blood supply in Iran. Selection of low risk donors in pre‐donation consultation and interview sessions based on behavioral, medical and demographic factors has improved the transfusion safety even before specific lab screening tests have been conducted; Standardization of criteria for donor eligibility and exclusion, and donor screening procedures are all priorities and most importantly the collection of all blood donations just from voluntary nonremunerated (VNR) blood donors. In fact, a lot of efforts concentrated on recruitment of VNR donors and to this end the Blood Donor Recruitment and Retention Office was established. A variety of measures were made to increase the number of voluntary regular donors including technical efforts, information dissemination activities, demographic studies, campaigns, awareness raising programs, publicity, publications, commemorative ceremonies and the like.

Results  The annual donation index in Iran has greatly increased from 0.39 in 1974 to 25.3 in 2010–2011. Accordingly we have been witness to increasing trend of blood donation reaching about 2 million blood units in 2011, all of which obtained from voluntary non‐remunerated blood donors with the annual index of 26 per 1000 population.

Conclusions  It shows that every country based on its needs should establish a very effective and safe program to raise the number of its voluntary blood donors and to this end centralization of activities monitored by a headquarters and implementation of an efficient recruitment plan by which all aspects are covered and monitored: ranging from stages prior to donor selection including campaigns and activities to motivate populations to embark on donation, donor selection, screening, retention, statistical audit, continuous evaluation of donation sites, ease of access to donation centers, demographic attributes, donor reactions, to post donation era to ensure high return rate and so on so forth. All in all, availability and affordability are the issues which should be always guaranteed.
The Oslo massacre 2011
Authors: Akkök C. A.
Published: June 2012

Background  In terrorist attacks on July 22, 2011, seventy‐seven people were killed; 8 in and around the goverment buildings in downtown Oslo due to a huge bomb explosion, and 69 mostly young people due to shootings at Utøya; an island outside Oslo where there was an ongoing political youth camp. Thirthy‐one heavily injured patients were admitted to the Oslo University Hospital, Ullevaal that houses the trauma referral centre, and all except for one patient survived.

Aims  This report presents how we handled the disaster at the Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine that hosts the Blood Bank of Oslo.

Methods  Being the largest blood bank in Norway, we are supposed to have a stock of approximately 1750 units of packed red blood cells (PRBC) of all blood types at any time including a stock of minimum 80, and rather 130 units of blood type O RhD negative PRBC. But instead we had only 55 O RhD negative units when the terrorist attacks started. Since this was too low, we had to collect blood from already registered blood donors at our blood bank, and at the same time purchase units from the other blood banks. We had yet called a couple of donors, then an enormous flow of people who wanted to donate blood started. There were hundreds of people, a lot of them not registered from before. Chaos lasted several hours until the security guards gained control over the situation.

Results  The Blood Bank was well‐staffed with 28 biomedical laboratory technicians, nurses and doctors both on July 22 and 23, and collected blood from 220 donors. We bought also 80 units of PRBC from the other blood banks. Sixty units of PRBC, 14 platelet concentrates and 51 units of plasma were issued on 22 and 23 July, and during the first five days 84, 14 and 61 units, respectively. One of the major challenges was, already in the beginning, to estimate the blood requirements to come without knowing the dimensions of the disaster. This was necessary in order to decide how many blood units to purchase from the other blood banks and to collect from registered donors. Over‐collection could lead to massive discards of non‐used units, waste of money/resources, harm blood donor recruitment later, and cause loss of trust in the transfusion service. Discards stayed at a very low level. However, we may have hindered chaos due to hundreds of people who wanted to donate blood if we, in a much earlier phase, had communicated with media and announced at the social platforms that only our registered donors with blood type O RhD negative were needed.

Conclusion  In a real emergency, only units that are ready to transfuse can be used in life‐saving treatment, because it takes several hours from the collection of blood until the unit is ready for transfusion. Therefore blood banks need a stable supply of donors to maintain an adequate stock of blood at any time.