bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exposure of black‐legged kittiwakes to Lyme disease spirochetes: dynamics of the immune status of adult hosts and effects on their survival
Authors: Chambert Thierry , Staszewski Vincent , Lobato Elisa , Choquet Rémi , Carrie Cécile , McCoy Karen D. , Tveraa Torkild , Boulinier Thierry
Published: March 2012

1. Despite a growing interest in wildlife disease ecology, there is a surprising lack of knowledge about the exposure dynamics of individual animals to naturally circulating infectious agents and the impact of such agents on host life‐history traits.

2. The exploration of these questions requires detailed longitudinal data on individual animals that can be captured multiple times during their life but also requires being able to account for several sources of uncertainty, notably the partial observation or recapture of individuals at each sampling occasion.

3. We use a multi‐year dataset to (i) assess the potential effect of exposure to the tick‐borne agent of Lyme disease,Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato(Bbsl), on adult apparent survival for one of its natural long‐lived hosts, the Black‐legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla), and (ii) investigate the temporal dynamics of individual immunological status in kittiwakes to infer the rate of new exposure and the persistence of the immune response. Using a multi‐event modelling approach, potential uncertainties arising from partial observations were explicitly taken into account.

4. The potential impact ofBbslon kittiwake survival was also evaluated via an experimental approach: the apparent survival of a group of breeding birds treated with an antibiotic was compared with that of a control group.

5. No impact of exposure toBbslwas detected on adult survival in kittiwakes, in either observational or experimental data.

6. An annual seroconversion rate (from negative to positive) of 1·5% was estimated, but once an individual became seropositive, it remained so with a probability of 1, suggesting that detectable levels of anti‐Bbslantibodies persist for multiple years.

7. These results, in combination with knowledge on patterns of exposure to the tick vector ofBbsl, provide important information for understanding the spatio‐temporal nature of the interaction between this host and several of its parasites. Furthermore, our analyses highlight the utility of capture–mark–recapture approaches handling state uncertainty for disease ecology studies.
Evidence of multiple vicariance in a marine suture‐zone in the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Portnoy David S. , Gold John R.
Published: March 2012

Aim  Our aim was to assess whether single or multiple vicariance event(s) have occurred in a marine suture‐zone in the northern Gulf of Mexico. We estimated the divergence time of two genetically distinct groups of lane snapper (Lutjanus synagris), distributed on either side of this zone, and compared it to the timing of other vicariance events described previously in the area.

Location  The northern Gulf of Mexico from the Texas coastline to the Atlantic coast of South Florida, USA. The marine suture‐zone is proximal to Mobile Bay in Alabama.

Methods  A Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) approach was used to estimate mutation‐corrected divergence and genetic migration between eastern and western groups of lane snapper, based on genotypic differences at 13 nuclear‐encoded microsatellites obtained previously from 77 and 171 individual samples, respectively. A second estimate of divergence time for eastern and western groups of lane snapper was generated, based on 590 base pairs of DNA sequence from the mitochondrially encoded NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 (ND4) obtained previously from 45 and 93 individual samples, respectively.

Results  Both classes of genetic markers (microsatellites and mtDNA) indicated a fairly recent divergence. Confidence intervals for microsatellite‐based estimates suggested that divergence began less than 21 thousand years ago (ka), while confidence intervals for mitochondrial DNA‐based estimates suggested divergence began less than 130 ka. These estimates were not consistent with vicariance events in the literature, which are hypothesized to have occurred well before 135 ka.

Main conclusions  These results indicate that the marine suture‐zone in the northern Gulf of Mexico features multiple vicariance events and may be characterized by a complex geological/environmental history. We suggest that processes during or after the Wisconsin glaciation (c. 110–18 ka) may have created a previously unrecognized barrier for lane snapper and possibly other species as well.
The effect of P‐Glycoprotein on methadone hydrochloride flux in equine intestinal mucosa
Authors: LINARDI R. L. , STOKES A. M. , ANDREWS F. M.
Published: March 2012

Linardi, R. L., Stokes, A. M., Andrews, F. M. The effect of P‐Glycoprotein on methadone hydrochloride flux in equine intestinal mucosa. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. 36, 43–50.

Methadone is an effective analgesic opioid that may have a place for the treatment of pain in horses. However, its absorption seems to be impaired by the presence of a transmembrane protein, P‐glycoprotein, present in different tissues including the small intestine in other species. This study aims to determine the effect of the P‐glycoprotein on methadone flux in the equine intestinal mucosa, as an indicator of in vivo drug absorption. Jejunum tissues from five horses were placed into the Ussing chambers and exposed to methadone solution in the presence or absence of Rhodamine 123 or verapamil. Electrical measurements demonstrated tissue viability for 120 min, and the flux of methadone across the jejunal membrane (mucosal to submucosal direction) was calculated based on the relative drug concentration measured by ELISA. The flux of methadone was significantly higher only in the presence of verapamil. P‐glycoprotein was immunolocalized in the apical membrane of the jejunal epithelial cells (enterocytes), mainly located in the tip of the villi compared to cells of the crypts. P‐glycoprotein is present in the equine jejunum and may possibly mediate the intestinal transport of methadone. This study suggests that P‐glycoprotein may play a role in the poor intestinal absorption of methadone in vivo.
Cytokine Reporter Mice: The Special Case of IL‐10
Authors: Bouabe H.
Published: March 2012

IL‐10 is one of the key cytokines preventing inflammation‐mediated tissue damage. In an attempt to identify IL‐10‐producing cells in vivo, several groups have recently developed IL‐10 reporter mouse strains. Up until now, in total, eight IL‐10 reporter strains have been published. This incomparable interest in IL‐10 reporter mice emphasizes the importance and difficulties in tracking and subsequently investigating the role of IL‐10‐producing cells in infectious, inflammatory, autoimmune and cancer diseases. In this review, I summarize and compare the properties of those published IL‐10 reporter mouse models. I also discuss the necessity to develop new strategies to generate ‘multi‐cytokine’ reporter mouse models enabling highly sensitive in/ex vivo detection of many cytokines in the same single cell. Such ‘multi‐cytokine’ reporter mice will enable to reconsider the dichotomy ‘T‐effector versus T‐regulatory’ paradigm and to provide an accurate revised model for cellular sources of cytokines. Finally, I propose to launch cooperative, international initiatives to promote and coordinate the generation of accurate, combinatorial, reporter mice for every individual murine cytokine.
The Palaeocene/Eocene boundary section at Zumaia (Basque‐Cantabric Basin) revisited: new insights from high‐resolution magnetic susceptibility and carbon isotope chemostratigraphy on organic matter (δ13Corg)
Authors: Storme Jean‐Yves , Devleeschouwer Xavier , Schnyder Johann , Cambier Geoffrey , Baceta Juan Ignacio , Pujalte Victoriano , Di Matteo Antonietta , Iacumin Paola , Yans Johan
Published: March 2012

Terra Nova, 24, 310–317, 2012

The Zumaia section, the most complete and representative section of the early Palaeogene (hemi)‐pelagic succession of the Pyrenees, is widely acknowledged as a key reference for the Palaeocene–Eocene boundary. New high‐resolution δ13Corg of the Zumaia section (−23.8 to −28.8‰) confirms the position of the Carbon Isotope Excursion and enhances the distinction between the different steps of the CIE/PETM event. According to new magnetic susceptibility data and detailed cycle counting, the entire duration of the CIE/PETM in Zumaia is estimated in ∼168 ± 16 ka. Moreover, the investigation of palynofacies and low‐field magnetic susceptibility reveal significant detrital influx during the interval. Several magnetic susceptibility phases and trends are recognised and are interpreted in terms of sea‐level fluctuations before, during and after the PETM. Coupled with results from other sections, our data reveal the presence of an unconformity followed by an eustatic sea‐level rise (TST) in the latest Palaeocene.
Results of Duchenne muscular dystrophy family screening in practice: leaks rather than cascades?
Authors: McGowan Ruth , Challoner Benjamin R. , Ross Sarah , Holloway Susan , Joss Shelagh , Wilcox Douglas , Holden Simon T. , Tolmie John , Longman Cheryl
Published: March 2012

McGowan R, Challoner BR, Ross S, Holloway S, Joss S, Wilcox D, Holden ST, Tolmie J, Longman C. Results of Duchenne muscular dystrophy family screening in practice: leaks rather than cascades?

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive neuromuscular disease caused by mutations in the gene that encodes the protein dystrophin. Approximately 2 of 3 affected boys inherit their mutation from their carrier mother whereupon other female relatives are at risk of carrying the mutation. Female carriers are also at risk of developing cardiomyopathy and regular cardiac screening is recommended. Clinical genetics services offer genetic counselling and carrier tests for consenting relatives of DMD patients known as ‘cascade screening’. We retrospectively analysed data from two genetics centres, West of Scotland and South East Thames where the latter centre operated a computer‐held DMD register. Over the period, 1971–2008, a total of 843 potential carriers, in 195 West of Scotland families, were tested: 16% of 1st degree relatives and 48% of 2nd degree and more distant relatives were not tested. In South East Thames, a total of 1223 potential carriers in 349 families were tested: 49% of 1st degree and 65% of 2nd degree and more distant relatives were not tested. These data are similar to Becker muscular dystrophy/DMD carrier screening results recently reported from the Netherlands. Retrospective results from three countries indicate that despite efforts to offer extended cascade screening, significant numbers of potential carriers of DMD remain unaware of their reproductive and health risks.
Modification of risk for cancer as a coincidental finding in DNA array investigation
Authors: Rostasy K , Fauth C , Gautsch K , Laimer I , Krabichler B , Wimmer K , Frühmesser A , Kotzot D , Moshir S
Published: March 2012

Rostasy K, Fauth C, Gautsch K, Laimer I, Krabichler B, Wimmer K, Frühmesser A, Kotzot D, Moshir S. Modification of risk for cancer as a coincidental finding in DNA array investigation.

The high resolution of modern DNA arrays has the implification of unintended coincidental detection of gene deletions predisposing to late‐onset neurological and oncological disorders. Here, we report the case of an 18‐year‐old girl with mild intellectual disability, facial dysmorphisms, and a microdeletion of approximately 6.3 Mb on 22q12.1q12.3 including NF2, the gene for neurofibromatosis type 2, and CHEK2, a modifier gene for breast cancer. Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed she had already developed bilateral vestibular schwannomas. The challenge of DNA arrays and the consequences for genetic counselling and informed consent will be discussed in the light of this unique case with a microdeletion including both a high risk and a moderate risk cancer predisposition gene.
NTproBNP as a marker of rejection in pediatric heart transplant recipients
Authors: Knecht Kenneth R. , Alexander Molly L. , Swearingen Christopher J. , Frazier Elizabeth A.
Published: March 2012

Knecht KR, Alexander ML, Swearingen CJ, Frazier EA. NTproBNP as a marker of rejection in pediatric heart transplant recipients.

Abstract:  Acute rejection is a major morbidity in heart transplant recipients; diagnosis is difficult, and rejection must often be treated reactively. Various serum biomarkers have been investigated for non‐invasive monitoring of the cardiac allograft. NTproBNP is produced by the ventricular myocardium and may increase with evolving rejection allowing earlier diagnosis. Retrospective review of serum NTproBNP levels in pediatric heart transplant recipients has been carried out to evaluate the association with episodes of acute rejection. Repeated measures logistic regression was used to model associations for variables with first rejection and within an individual for change in NTproBNP and first rejection. Odds ratios for rejection risk given an increase in serum NTproBNP were calculated. Correlation of NTproBNP levels with renal function as estimated by modified Schwartz equation was performed to look for confounding. Higher serum NTproBNP level was associated with increased risk of rejection, but intersubject variability was wide. However, increase in an individual subject’s serum level showed increased risk of rejection, greater with greater rise. Serum NTproBNP levels appear not greatly affected by renal function. NTproBNP shows promise in surveillance for pediatric heart transplant recipients. The greatest use appears to be in following trends for an individual instead of using an absolute value.
Discoloration and associated fungi in stems of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) following logging damage
Authors: Vasaitis R. , Bakys R. , Vasiliauskas A.
Published: March 2012

Study aim was to investigate discoloration and associated fungi in 50‐ to 70‐year‐old stems of Betula pendula damaged by logging. Investigated wounds (on 70 stems) were inflicted 4–18 years previously, and all of them had discoloration with mean radial spread (±SD) 2.9 ± 2.9 cm and longitudinal spread 50.3 ± 24.0 cm. Both wound area and length had a strong impact on a total length of discoloration (r = 0.665 and r = 0.745, respectively; p < 0.001), but had no influence on its spread beyond wound margins (r = −0.035 and r = −0.079). There was no correlation between the age of an injury and spread of the discoloration neither in vertical (r = −0.110) nor in radial (r = −0.280) direction. Average wound closure rate was 1.2 ± 0.5 cm year −1. The difference between discoloration length in stems with open and occluded injuries was insignificant (t‐test, p = 0.769). The principal fungi isolated from the wounds were ascomycetes (Epicoccum, Cadophora, Neonectria, Alternaria spp.) that were able to cause discoloration of wood with little effect on its mechanical properties and capable only for limited spread inside a stem of a living tree. In conclusion, results of the present study demonstrate that the amount of discoloured wood beyond logging wounds in B. pendula is mainly restricted to the damaged portion of a stem and that the associated loss of wood production remains low during about 10 years since the damage.
Monitoring codling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in orchards treated with pear ester and sex pheromone combo dispensers
Authors: Knight A. , Light D. , Chebny V.
Published: March 2012

Monitoring codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), with its sex pheromone (E,E)‐8,10‐dodecadien‐1‐ol (codlemone) alone or in combination with plant volatiles (PH‐plant volatile lures) with and without the addition of an acetic acid (AA) lure was compared in apple and walnut orchards treated with PVC Cidetrak® dispensers (CM‐DA Combo) loaded with 60 mg pear ester, ethyl (E, Z)‐2,4‐decadienoate (PE) and 185 mg codlemone. Lures were also evaluated in untreated apple and walnut orchards and apple orchards treated with Cidetrak® dispensers (CM) loaded with 120 mg codlemone. Traps with codlemone lures caught more moths than PE plus AA but similar numbers as traps with the PH‐PE lure in untreated apple and walnut orchards. The PH‐PE outperformed codlemone lures in apple orchards treated with CM dispensers. Codlemone outperformed PH‐PE lures in apple but not in walnut orchards treated mid‐season with CM‐DA Combo dispensers. Combining AA with PE significantly increased moth catch and together they performed similarly to the PH‐PE lure in all dispenser treatments in apple orchards. However, adding AA with the PH‐PE lure did not increase moth catches. The addition of AA to any of the lures tested except codlemone alone significantly increased the catch of females. Adding AA to either PE or the PH‐PE lure created a similarly attractive lure in orchards treated with CM‐DA Combo dispensers. Combining (E)‐4,8‐dimethyl‐1,3,7‐nonatriene (DMNT) with codlemone in a combinational lure plus AA performed as well as any lure tested in apple orchards treated with CM‐DA Combo dispensers. Combinational lures loaded with either (E,E)‐farnesol, (E)‐β‐farnesene or DMNT performed significantly better than the PH‐PE lure in apple orchards treated with CM‐DA Combo dispensers only in the first generation. Both PH‐DMNT and PH‐farnesol lures were comparable to PH‐PE, except that the PH‐farnesol lure was less attractive to female moths.
The photokinetics of thermo‐tolerance in Symbiodinium
Authors: Jones Alison , Berkelmans Ray
Published: March 2012

There is currently much debate about the ecological advantages for reef corals of hosting multiple types of the symbiotic dinoflagellate Symbiodinium. Amongst these is their apparent capacity to tolerate higher than normal water temperatures. There is strong photokinetic evidence that the trait of heat‐tolerance in plants is accompanied by energetic tradeoffs but little such evidence yet exists for corals. We use rapid light curves (RLCs) to investigate the photokinetic basis for thermo‐tolerance in the reef coral Acropora millepora with symbionts of contrasting thermal tolerance for which there are measured differences in energetics. Our results show that under non‐stressful temperatures, corals with heat‐tolerant type D Symbiodinium had a 41% lower maximum relative electron transport rate (rETRmax) and lower light absorption efficiency (α) due to lower cell Chl a content compared with corals with heat‐sensitive type C2 symbionts. Our results provide support for a photokinetic link between heat tolerance and deficits in holobiont (coral + symbiont) growth, lipid stores and reproduction. Reduced electron transport rate and light absorption capacity may be genotype‐specific attributes that enable clade D symbionts and their cnidarian hosts to cope with temperature stress but they inherently influence the photosynthetic function of the symbionts and thus have negative downstream effects on the coral.
Lobomycosis: an emerging disease in humans and delphinidae
Authors: Paniz‐Mondolfi A. , Talhari C. , Sander Hoffmann L. , Connor D. L. , Talhari S. , Bermudez‐Villapol L. , Hernandez‐Perez M. , Van Bressem M. F.
Published: March 2012

Lobomycosis, a disease caused by the uncultivable dimorphic onygenale fungi Lacazia loboi, remains to date as an enigmatic illness, both due to the impossibility of its aetiological agent to be cultured and grown in vitro, as well as because of its unresponsiveness to specific antifungal treatments. It was first described in the 1930s by Brazilian dermatologist Jorge Lobo and is known to cause cutaneous and subcutaneous localised and widespread infections in humans and dolphins. Soil and vegetation are believed to be the chief habitat of the fungus, however, increasing reports in marine mammals has shifted the attention to the aquatic environment. Infection in humans has also been associated with proximity to water, raising the hypothesis that L. loboi may be a hydrophilic microorganism that penetrates the skin by trauma. Although its occurrence was once thought to be restricted to New World tropical countries, its recent description in African patients has wrecked this belief. Antifungals noted to be effective in the empirical management of other cutaneous/subcutaneous mycoses have proven unsuccessful and unfortunately, no satisfactory therapeutic approach for this cutaneous infection currently exists.
Monitoring trough voriconazole plasma concentrations in haematological patients: real life multicentre experience
Authors: Racil Zdenek , Winterova Jana , Kouba Michal , Zak Pavel , Malaskova Ludmila , Buresova Lucie , Toskova Martina , Lengerova Martina , Kocmanova Iva , Weinbergerova Barbora , Timilsina Shira , Rolencova Monika , Cetkovsky Petr , Mayer Jiri
Published: March 2012

The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate results from voriconazole therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in haematological patients in routine clinical practice. Between 2005 and 2010, 1228 blood samples were obtained from 264 haematological patients (median 3 samples/patient; range 1–27) receiving voriconazole for targeted/preemptive treatment of invasive aspergillosis (IA) (46.3% of samples), empirical therapy (12.9%) or prophylaxis (40.8%). A high‐pressure liquid chromatography assay was used to analyse voriconazole concentrations. Clinical and laboratory data were analysed retrospectively. The median of the detected voriconazole plasma concentration was 1.00 μg ml−1 (range <0.20–13.47 μg ml−1). Significant inter‐ and intra‐patients variability of measured concentrations (81.9% and 50.5%) were identified. With the exception of omeprazole administration, there was no relevant relationship between measured voriconazole concentrations and drug dose, route administration, age, gender, CYP2C19*2 genotype, gastrointestinal tract abnormality, administration via nasogastric tube, serum creatinine, and liver enzymes. However, per patient analysis identified significant role of individual voriconazole dose and drug form change on measured plasma concentration. Measured voriconazole concentrations did not correlate with the treatment outcome of patients with IA. We only identified a limited number of adverse events related to voriconazole therapy; however, the median plasma concentration was not different from concentrations measured in samples without reported toxicity. Our retrospective study has suggested that routine monitoring of voriconazole plasma concentrations has probably only a limited role in daily haematological practice.
Factors associated with cerebral white matter hyperintensities in haemodialysis patients
Authors: NAGANUMA TOSHIHIDE , TAKEMOTO YOSHIAKI , SHOJI TETSUO , SHIMA HIDEAKI , ISHIMURA EIJI , OKAMURA MIKIO , NAKATANI TATSUYA
Published: March 2012

Aim:  Cerebral white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), comprising periventricular hyperintensity (PVH) and deep and subcortical white matter hyperintensity (DSWMH) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have been reported to be markers of ischaemic cerebral small‐vessel disease and risk factors for future stroke, cognitive impairment and dementia in the general population. However, there have been only a few reports describing WMHs in haemodialysis (HD) patients and these previous studies have been relatively small population studies with little investigation on prevalence and risk factors according to the regional subtypes of WMHs.

Methods:  Cranial MRI was performed on 179 HD patients and 58 healthy control subjects and we investigated the prevalence of WMHs (PVH and/or DSWMH) and the clinical factors associated with the presence of WMHs.

Results:  The prevalence of WMHs was significantly higher in the HD patients than in the healthy subjects. In the HD patients, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that independent and significant factors associated with the presence of PVH were age, female gender and systolic blood pressure and those associated with the presence of DSWMH were age, female gender, systolic blood pressure and body mass index.

Conclusions:  These findings indicated a high prevalence of WMHs in HD patients. Older age, female gender and high blood pressure were strong factors associated with the presence of both PVH and DSWMH. Moreover, excess body weight was a significant factor associated with the presence of DSWMH only, indicating that there may be differences in risk factors according to the subtype of WMHs.
Rates of visual field progression in distinct optic disc phenotypes
Authors: Schor Kenneth S , De Moraes Carlos G , Teng Christopher C , Tello Celso , Liebmann Jeffrey M , Ritch Robert
Published: March 2012

Abstract

Background:  To determine if optic disc phenotype is correlated with the rate of glaucomatous visual field progression.

Design:  Retrospective cohort.

Participants or Samples:  Treated glaucoma patients.

Methods:  The optic disc stereophotographs of glaucoma patients were reviewed by two investigators masked to all clinical and perimetric data. Each disc was classified as focal ischaemic, myopic, senile sclerotic and generalized enlargement. Visual field progression (defined as at least two adjacent test points in the same hemifield progressing by more than 1.0 dB/year at P < 0.01) was evaluated using automated pointwise linear regression.

Main Outcome Measures:  Association between optic disc phenotypes and other clinical variables and rates of visual field progression.

Results:  264 optic disc stereophotographs (127 generalized enlargement, 41 focal ischaemic, 54 myopic and 42 senile sclerotic) were evaluated. In the univariate analyses, it was found that patients with senile sclerotic discs were older (p = 0.002) and those with generalized enlargement had better baseline visual field mean deviation (p < 0.001) and higher intraocular pressure (p = 0.006) compared with the other groups. More disc haemorrhages were detected in the focal ischaemic and senile sclerotic groups (p = 0.010). After adjusting for other risk factors (intraocular pressure, age, central corneal thickness, disc haemorrhage), there were no differences among groups regarding the risk (p = 0.58) and velocity (p = 0.21) of visual field progression.

Conclusions:  Visual field progression was similar among the four optic disc phenotypes in treated glaucoma after adjusting for other known risk factors. The division of disc appearance into clinical phenotypes does not appear to provide independent information regarding the risk of progression in clinical practice.
Long‐term risk of intraocular pressure elevation and glaucoma escalation after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty
Authors: Musa Fayyaz U , Patil Savita , Rafiq Omar , Galloway Peter , Ball James , Morrell Andrew
Published: March 2012

Abstract

Background:  To determine the prevalence and severity of intraocular pressure changes after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty and its effect on visual function.

Design:  Retrospective cohort study.

Participants:  All patients undergoing deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty procedures at a tertiary referral centre (Leeds University Hospitals, UK) using a manual dissection technique.

Methods:  Case note review of all cases between the 1st of January 2000 and the 31st of December 2005.

Main Outcome Measures:  Raised intraocular pressure, glaucoma incidence or escalation.

Results:  Data were collected for 69 of eyes of 58 patients. The mean period of follow‐up was 54.9 months (median 60, range 6–95 months). The initial diagnosis was keratoconus in 56 cases (81%), corneal scarring in four cases (5.8%), herpes simplex keratitis in four cases (5.8%), lattice dystrophy in four cases (5.8%) and one case of corneal dermoid. Temporarily intraocular pressure was thought to be related to topical steroid use occurred in 12 (17%) cases. Ocular hypertension requiring treatment occurred in three eyes. None of these eyes had progressive disc changes or visual field defects suggestive of glaucoma, and all had well‐controlled intraocular pressure on topical, single‐drug therapy. Overall, there was a small insignificant rise in intraocular pressure after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (P = 0.11).

Conclusions:  The long‐term risk of glaucoma following deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty using the manual dissection technique appears to be low. Ocular hypertension after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty is infrequent and can be controlled on topical medication alone.
Population‐based study of presbyopia in Shahroud, Iran
Authors: Hashemi Hassan , Khabazkhoob Mehdi , Jafarzadehpur Ebrahim , Mehravaran Shiva , Emamian Mohammad Hassan , Yekta AbbasAli , Shariati Mohammad , Fotouhi Akbar
Published: March 2012

Abstract

Background:  There is limited information regarding the prevalence of presbyopia in different parts of the world. The add power and the prevalence of presbyopia by age and gender in general population of Shahroud, north of Iran, were studied.

Design:  Population‐based cross‐sectional study.

Participants:  Using random cluster sampling, 6311 people from the 40‐ to 64‐year‐old population of Shahroud were invited. Of the invited population, 5190 individuals (82.2%) participated in the study.

Methods:  Presbyopia was defined as the correction of near vision to logMAR 1 (N8 point) with at least 1 D of add power.

Main Outcome Measures:  Near visual acuity of participants was evaluated with a logMAR chart at a distance of 40 cm.

Results:  Mean add power in the age groups of 40–44, 45–49, 50–54, 55–59 and 60–64 years was 0.65, 1.30, 1.70, 1.87 and 2.08 D, respectively. For each 5‐year increase in age, a 0.35 D increase in add power was noted. The prevalence of presbyopia was 58.15% (95% confidence interval: 56.46–59.84). Presbyopia was more prevalent in women (P < 0.001) and increased with ageing more in women than in men (P < 0.001). Furthermore, in the 60–64‐year‐old age group, 11% of men and 23% of women were not presbyopic.

Conclusions:  Compared with other reports, the add power in different age groups was 0.5 D less, and presbyopia was less prevalent. More than 50% of the over 45‐year‐old individuals were presbyopic and 17% of the over 60 individuals were free of this condition.
Pitting binding against selection – electrophysiological measures of feature‐based attention are attenuated by Gestalt object grouping
Authors: Snyder Adam C. , Fiebelkorn Ian C. , Foxe John J.
Published: March 2012

Humans have limited cognitive resources to process the nearly limitless information available in the environment. Endogenous, or ‘top‐down’, selective attention to basic visual features such as color or motion is a common strategy for biasing resources in favor of the most relevant information sources in a given context. Opposing this top‐down separation of features is a ‘bottom‐up’ tendency to integrate, or bind, the various features that constitute objects. We pitted these two processes against each other in an electrophysiological experiment to test if top‐down selective attention can overcome constitutive binding processes. Our results demonstrate that bottom‐up binding processes can dominate top‐down feature‐based attention even when explicitly detrimental to task performance.
Plasticity of cortical inhibition in dystonia is impaired after motor learning and paired‐associative stimulation
Authors: Meunier Sabine , Russmann Heike , Shamim Ejaz , Lamy Jean‐Charles , Hallett Mark
Published: March 2012

Artificial induction of plasticity by paired associative stimulation (PAS) in healthy volunteers (HV) demonstrates Hebbian‐like plasticity in selected inhibitory networks as well as excitatory networks. In a group of 17 patients with focal hand dystonia and a group of 19 HV, we evaluated how PAS and the learning of a simple motor task influence the circuits supporting long‐interval intracortical inhibition (LICI, reflecting activity of GABAB interneurons) and long‐latency afferent inhibition (LAI, reflecting activity of somatosensory inputs to the motor cortex). In HV, PAS and motor learning induced long‐term potentiation (LTP)‐like plasticity of excitatory networks and a lasting decrease of LAI and LICI in the motor representation of the targeted or trained muscle. The better the motor performance, the larger was the decrease of LAI. Although motor performance in the patient group was similar to that of the control group, LAI did not decrease during the motor learning as it did in the control group. In contrast, LICI was normally modulated. In patients the results after PAS did not match those obtained after motor learning: LAI was paradoxically increased and LICI did not exhibit any change. In the normal situation, decreased excitability in inhibitory circuits after induction of LTP‐like plasticity may help to shape the cortical maps according to the new sensorimotor task. In patients, the abnormal or absent modulation of afferent and intracortical long‐interval inhibition might indicate maladaptive plasticity that possibly contributes to the difficulty that they have to learn a new sensorimotor task.
Exploration and modulation of brain network interactions with noninvasive brain stimulation in combination with neuroimaging
Authors: Shafi Mouhsin M. , Westover M. Brandon , Fox Michael D. , Pascual‐Leone Alvaro
Published: March 2012

Much recent work in systems neuroscience has focused on how dynamic interactions between different cortical regions underlie complex brain functions such as motor coordination, language and emotional regulation. Various studies using neuroimaging and neurophysiologic techniques have suggested that in many neuropsychiatric disorders, these dynamic brain networks are dysregulated. Here we review the utility of combined noninvasive brain stimulation and neuroimaging approaches towards greater understanding of dynamic brain networks in health and disease. Brain stimulation techniques, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation, use electromagnetic principles to alter brain activity noninvasively, and induce focal but also network effects beyond the stimulation site. When combined with brain imaging techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography and electroencephalography, these brain stimulation techniques enable a causal assessment of the interaction between different network components, and their respective functional roles. The same techniques can also be applied to explore hypotheses regarding the changes in functional connectivity that occur during task performance and in various disease states such as stroke, depression and schizophrenia. Finally, in diseases characterized by pathologic alterations in either the excitability within a single region or in the activity of distributed networks, such techniques provide a potential mechanism to alter cortical network function and architectures in a beneficial manner.
Effect of vaginal delivery and ageing on the anatomy of the female anal canal assessed by three‐dimensional anorectal ultrasound
Authors: Murad‐Regadas S. M. , Regadas F. S. P. , Rodrigues L. V. , Kenmoti V. T. , Fernandes G. O. da S. , Buchen G. , Regadas Filho F. S. P.
Published: March 2012

Aim  The effect of vaginal delivery and ageing on the anatomy of the anal canal was assessed using three‐dimensional anorectal ultrasound to determine the interobserver reliability.

Method  One‐hundred and eighteen asymptomatic women without sphincter damage were grouped according to parity and mode of delivery. They were then stratified by age (≤50 years vs >50 years). Group I consisted of 35 nulliparous women, of mean ages 36 years (n = 20) and 62 years (n = 15), Group II consisted of multiparous women, having one or more vaginal deliveries (n = 43), of mean ages 43 years (n = 20) and 60 years (n = 23) and Group III consisted of women who had a Caesarean section (n = 40) of mean ages 41 years (n = 20) and 56 years (n = 20). The groups were compared with regard to the length and the thickness of the external anal sphincter, the internal anal sphincter, the posterior external sphincter and the puborectalis in all quadrants and the anterior gap. Interobserver variability was assessed.

Results  In women having vaginal delivery the length of the anterior external sphincter was shorter (P = 0.0004) and the gap was longer (P = 0.0306). The external sphincter tended to be thinner in individuals having vaginal delivery (P = 0.0677) and in those subjects over 50 years of age having had a vaginal delivery (P = 0.0164). In nulliparous women, the internal sphincter was thicker in subjects over 50 years of age (P = 0.0229). The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.755–0.916 for sphincter muscle and gap length and 0.446–0.769 for muscle thickness.

Conclusion  Vaginal delivery was associated with a shorter anterior external sphincter, a longer gap and a thinner anterior external sphincter in asymptomatic women. Age was correlated with sphincter thickness, and nulliparous women >50 years of age had a thicker internal sphincter. Three‐dimensional ultrasound was found to be a reliable method for measuring anal structures.
Microvascular blood flow responses to muscle contraction are not altered by high‐fat feeding in rats
Authors: St‐Pierre P. , Keith L. J. , Richards S. M. , Rattigan S. , Keske M. A.
Published: March 2012

Aim: Exercise and insulin each increase microvascular blood flow and enhance glucose disposal in skeletal muscle. We have reported that insulin‐mediated microvascular recruitment in a diet‐induced model of insulin resistance (high‐fat feeding for 4 weeks) is markedly impaired; however, the effect of muscle contraction in this model has not been previously explored.

Methods: We fed rats either normal (ND, 10% calories from fat) or high‐fat (HFD, 60% calories from fat) diets ad libitum for 4–8 weeks. Animals were then anaesthetized and one hindlimb electrically stimulated to contract at 0.05, 0.1 and 2 Hz (field stimulation, 30 V, 0.1 ms duration) in 15 min stepwise increments. Femoral artery blood flow (Transonic flow probe), muscle microvascular blood flow (hindleg metabolism of 1‐methylxanthine and contrast‐enhanced ultrasound) and muscle glucose disposal (uptake of radiolabelled 2‐deoxy‐d‐glucose and hindleg glucose disappearance) were measured.

Results: Both ND and HFD rats received the same voltage across the leg and consequently developed the same muscle tension. Femoral artery blood flow in the contracting leg increased during 2 Hz contraction, but not during the lower frequencies and these effects were similar between ND and HFD rats. Muscle microvascular blood flow significantly increased in a contraction frequency‐dependent manner, and preceded increases in total limb blood flow and these effects were similar between ND and HFD rats. Muscle glucose disposal was markedly elevated during 2 Hz contraction and was comparable between ND and HFD rats.

Conclusion: Contraction‐mediated muscle microvascular recruitment and glucose uptake are not impaired in the HFD insulin resistant rat.
Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug use and the risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia‐related outcomes and nocturia in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial
Authors: Sutcliffe Siobhan , Grubb III Robert L. , Platz Elizabeth A. , Ragard Lawrence R. , Riley Thomas L. , Kazin Sally S. , Hayes Richard B. , Hsing Ann W. , Andriole Gerald L. ,   on behalf of the Urologic Diseases in America Project
Published: March 2012

Study Type – Therapy (cohort)

Level of Evidence 4

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

Accumulating evidence suggests that inflammation may contribute to the development of BPH and LUTS. Therefore, it is plausible that anti‐inflammatory agents, such as aspirin and other NSAIDs, may reduce the risk of BPH/LUTS, as was observed in a recent analysis of daily aspirin use and BPH/LUTS risk in the Olmsted County Study of Urinary Symptoms and Health Status in Men.

The present study, conducted in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial, found no association for recent aspirin or ibuprofen use with the risk of BPH/LUTS.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) use and the incidence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)‐related outcomes and nocturia, a lower urinary tract symptom (LUTS) of BPH, in light of accumulating evidence suggesting a role for inflammation in BPH/LUTS development.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

At baseline, participants in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial completed questions on recent, regular aspirin and ibuprofen use, BPH surgery, diagnosis of an enlarged prostate/BPH, and nocturia. Participants in the intervention arm also underwent a digital rectal examination (DRE), from which prostate dimensions were estimated, as well as a prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) test. Only participants in the intervention arm without BPH/LUTS at baseline were included in the analysis (n= 4771).

During follow‐up, participants underwent annual DREs and PSA tests, provided annual information on finasteride use, and completed a supplemental questionnaire in 2006–2008 that included additional questions on diagnosis of an enlarged prostate/BPH and nocturia.

Information collected was used to investigate regular aspirin or ibuprofen use in relation to the incidence of six BPH/LUTS definitions: diagnosis of an enlarged prostate/BPH, nocturia (waking two or more times per night to urinate), finasteride use, any self‐reported BPH/LUTS, prostate enlargement (estimated prostate volume ≥30 mL on any follow‐up DRE) and elevation in PSA level (>1.4 ng/mL on any follow‐up PSA test).

RESULTS

Generally, null results were observed for any recent, regular aspirin or ibuprofen use (risk ratio = 0.92–1.21, P= 0.043–0.91) and frequency of use (risk ratios for one category increase in NSAID use = 0.98–1.11, P‐trends = 0.10–0.99) with incident BPH/LUTS.

CONCLUSION

The findings obtained in the present study do not support a protective role for recent NSAID use in BPH/LUTS development.
Comparison of health‐related quality‐of‐life outcomes for African‐American and Caucasian‐American men after radical prostatectomy
Authors: Lee Eugene W. , Marien Tracy , Laze Juliana , Agalliu Ilir , Lepor Herbert
Published: March 2012

Study Type – Therapy (outcomes)

Level of Evidence 2c

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

In addition to a higher prevalence and biological aggressiveness of prostate cancer, African‐Americans tend towards narrower pelvises than Caucasians resulting in a potentially more difficult surgical dissection doing radical prostatectomy and increased positive surgical margins. In this study, there was no difference in urinary or sexual HRQL or overall satisfaction between African‐Americans and Caucasians 2 years after radical prostatectomy, suggesting that the potential technical challenges of a narrower pelvis do not translate into poorer outcomes for African‐Americans.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if any differences exist in postoperative health‐related quality‐of‐life (HRQL) outcomes, e.g. erectile function and continence, after radical prostatectomy (RP) in African‐American (AA) vs Caucasian‐American (CA) men.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between October 2000 and July 2008, 1338 CA and 56 AA men underwent open RP by a single surgeon and signed informed consent to participate in a prospective longitudinal outcomes study.

The American Urological Association Symptom Score (AUA‐SS) and University of California, Los Angeles, Prostate Cancer Index (UCLA‐PCI) and a global assessment of satisfaction were self‐administered at baseline and after RP 24 months.

Urinary, sexual, and satisfaction outcomes were compared at 24 months.

RESULTS

AA men had significantly higher rates of hypertension and diabetes.

There were no other significant baseline differences in age, co‐morbidities, body mass index, phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor use, preoperative prostate‐specific antigen level, AUA‐SS, and UCLA‐PCI scores.

There were no differences in the percentage of men undergoing nerve‐sparing procedures, estimated blood loss, transfusion rates, or complication rates between the groups.

At 24 months after RP the mean UCLA‐PCI urinary and sexual function and bother scores and global satisfaction scores were similar between the groups.

CONCLUSION

AA and CA men experience no significant differences in urinary and sexual HRQL or overall satisfaction after open RP when performed by a single experienced surgeon.
The role of virtual learning environments in a primary school context: An analysis of inscription of assessment practices
Authors: Johannesen Monica
Published: March 2012

Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) appear to be one of the most widely used computer‐based technologies for teaching and learning, and may emerge as a potential tool for e‐assessment. However, little is known about how VLE tools are used in various forms of assessment and what kinds of teaching practice the use of such technologies brings about. Based on interviews and personal diaries, actor‐network theory is applied to describe and understand emerging teaching practices with VLE tools, such as multiple‐choice tests, portfolios and collaborative writing tools. A tight relationship is found between the documentation of student attainment, the teacher‐student‐parent conference and the use of VLE tools, all constituting a network of aligned interests in assessment.

Practitioner Notes

What is already known about this topic

The use of educational technology (e‐assessment) brings about new assessment practices such as peer‐ and self‐assessment.

Most studies in e‐assessment are related to higher education and further education.

There is a growing interest in how e‐assessment can foster new educational goals, such as metacognition, creativity, project work and communication skills.

What this paper adds

A primary school perspective on e‐assessment, in particular the implementation of e‐assessment in a school system where traditional grading is not applied.

An insight into how the virtual learning environment plays a part in establishing a new assessment practice.

Deeper knowledge about the usefulness of actor‐network theory in empirical educational research.

Implications for practice and/or policy

There is a need for a critical perspective on virtual learning environments as tools for assessment and what kinds of pedagogical philosophies they can support.

The use of a virtual learning environment can foster certain assessment practices, and has the potential to influence assessment policies at all levels of education.
Evaluation of an adaptive online learning system
Authors: Griff Edwin R. , Matter Stephen F.
Published: March 2012

We assessed the effectiveness of an adaptive online learning system for student learning and outcomes in undergraduate anatomy and physiology courses. Across six institutions of higher education, we compared improvement on posttests relative to pretests, grade distributions and retention between treatment sections using LearnSmart, an adaptive learning system developed by McGraw Hill Higher Education (MHHE), and control sections given questions online from an MHHE test bank. Overall, we found no significant improvement in any metric between sections using LearnSmart and those given online questions. There were significant differences among schools, with two of the six schools showing consistently better results in the treatment sections relative to the controls. We could not identify any particular differences between these schools and those not showing improvement. We speculate that this adaptive learning system may perform best when course goals are closely aligned with texts and the adaptive learning system.

Practitioner Notes

What is already known about this topic

Computer‐assisted learning has been successful in many fields.

Computer‐assisted leaning has been generally successful in anatomy and physiology.

We are the first to test the effects of adaptive learning in anatomy and physiology.

What this paper adds

We find no general improvement of adaptive learning versus extra quiz questions.

Any improvement appears to be institution/course specific.

Implications for practice and/or policy

We found no specific factors related to improvement or not when using an adaptive learning system.

We speculate that benefits of the system tested only accrue when the course learning objectives closely match those of the textbook and adaptive learning system.