bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
4-Allylmorpholin-4-ium bromide
Authors: Han Meng Ting
Published: March 2012

The title compound, C7H14NO+·Br−, was formed by reaction of 4-allylmorpholine and hydrogen bromide. In the crystal, molecules are connectedviaN—H...Br and C—H...Br hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional network.
1-Phenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbaldehyde
Authors: Asiri Abdullah M. , Faidallah Hassan M. , Sobahi Tariq R. , Ng Seik Weng , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: March 2012

In the title molecule, C10H8N2O, the five- and six-membered rings form a dihedral angle of 10.14 (9)°. The aldehyde group is almost coplanar with the pyrazole ring to which it is connected [O—C—C—C torsion angle = −179.35 (17)°]. In the crystal, inversion dimers are linked by four C—H...O interactions as the carbonyl O atom accepts two such bonds. The dimeric aggregates are linked into supramolecular layers in theacplane by C—H...π and π–π [ring centroid(pyrrole)...ring centroid(phenyl) = 3.8058 (10) Å] interactions.
cis-(Di-2-pyridylamine-κ2N2,N2′)bis(thiocyanato-κS)platinum(II)
Authors: Ha Kwang
Published: March 2012

In the title complex, [Pt(NCS)2(C10H9N3)], the PtIIion is four-coordinated in a distorted square-planar environment by the two pyridine N atoms of the chelating di-2-pyridylamine (dpa) ligand and two mutuallycisS atoms from two linear thiocyanate anions. The dpa ligand is not planar, the dihedral angle between the pyridine rings being 30.8 (4)°. In the crystal, the complex molecules are stacked in columns along theaaxis and are connected by intermolecular N—H...N hydrogen bonds, forming supramolecular chains along thebaxis.
9-(4-Bromobutyl)-9H-carbazole
Authors: Wang Qing-Peng , Chang Juan-Juan , Zhang Hui-Zhen , Lv Jing-Song , Zhou Cheng-He
Published: March 2012

In the title compound, C16H16BrN, the bromobutyl group lies on one side of the carbazole ring plane and has a zigzag shape. The dihedral angle between the two benzene rings is 0.55°. In the crystal, molecules are connected by van der Waals interactions.
Prostaglandin E2 maintains mouse ESC undifferentiated state through regulation of connexin31, connexin43 and connexin45 expression: Involvement of glycogen synthase kinase 3β/β‐catenin
Authors: Yun Seung Pil , Ryu Jung Min , Park Jae Hong , Kim Mi Ok , Lee Jang‐Hern , Han Ho Jae
Published: March 2012

Background information

Although previous reports have examined the function of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on gap junctions and undifferentiated stem cells, its effects on the reciprocal action of connexin (Cx) isoforms and undifferentiation in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are unclear. Therefore, we investigated the role of PGE2 on Cx isoforms and maintenance of mouse ESC undifferentiated state.

Results

We have analysed 10 Cx genes, but found nine of them. PGE2 (50 μM) stimulated Cx31, Cx32, Cx40, Cx43 and Cx45 mRNA expression. Amongst them, PGE2 maximally stimulated the Cx43 mRNA expression and gap junction inter‐cellular coupling. Therefore, we investigated the effect of PGE2 on Cx43 expression. PGE2 activated cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) and phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K)/Akt phosphorylation. In addition, treatments of adenylate cyclase activators increased Cx43 expression, but not PI3K/Akt phosphorylation. PGE2 also inactivated GSK‐3β and stimulated active‐β‐catenin. Furthermore, a ChiP assay demonstrated the association of β‐catenin with the Cx26 (as control) and Cx43 promoter. Finally, down‐regulation of PGE2‐induced Cx isoforms by AH 6809, Cx31‐, Cx43‐, Cx45 small interfering (si)RNA and 18α‐glycyrrhetinic acid decreased levels of undifferentiated markers of ESCs, including Oct4, FoxD3, Sox2 and SSEA‐1, but Nanog did not be down‐regulated by Cx43 siRNA.

Conclusions

PGE2 stimulates Cx isoforms via GSK‐3β/β‐catenin via EP2‐receptor‐dependent cAMP/PKA and PI3K/Akt in mouse ESCs, thereby partially contributing to the maintenance of their undifferentiated state.
How Children and Young People Influence Policy‐Makers: Lessons from Nicaragua
Authors: Shier Harry , Méndez Marisol Hernández , Centeno Meyslin , Arróliga Ingrid , González Meyling
Published: March 2012

This article describes a participatory research project, which explored four case studies of children and young people's successful political advocacy in Nicaragua. The analysis combined a human rights‐based approach and a human development approach, and included concepts of multiple settings and levels, interrelated participation spaces, children and young people's citizenship, inclusion and exclusion, democracy, advocacy and empowerment. The main problems faced by children and young people seeking to influence policy‐makers were identified as adultism, dependency and lack of accountability. The research identified pre‐conditions, participation spaces and ways of organising for effective advocacy, and facilitation methods that had proved effective. It concludes that children and young people who achieve effective advocacy are generally self‐empowered, but can count on effective adult support and facilitation. They work through coordination with the authorities and not by clashing with them, but need to ensure effective follow up if they want politicians to keep their promises.
Local formularies
Authors: Reynolds D. John M. , Fajemisin Olubunmi , Wilds Sara
Published: March 2012

The widespread availability of authoritative guidance on prescribing from a wide variety of international and national bodies calls into question the need for additional local formulary advice. This article describes contemporary local formulary management in the United Kingdom and discusses the areas where local decision making remains valuable. Local formularies can fulfil important roles which justify their continued existence, including ensuring local ownership and acceptance of advice, rapid dissemination of information, responsiveness to local circumstances and service design, sensitivity to local pricing arrangements and close professional links with commissioners, pharmacists and prescribers.
The impact of CpG island methylator phenotype and microsatellite instability on tumour budding in colorectal cancer
Authors: Zlobec Inti , Bihl Michel P , Foerster Anja , Rufle Alex , Lugli Alessandro
Published: March 2012

Zlobec I, Bihl M P, Foerster A, Rufle A & Lugli A  (2012) Histopathology 61, 777–787

The impact of CpG island methylator phenotype and microsatellite instability on tumour budding in colorectal cancer

Aims:  In colorectal cancer, tumour budding, a process likened to epithelial mesenchymal transition, is an adverse prognostic factor which is rarely found in tumours with high‐level microsatellite instability (MSI‐H). Cases with MSI‐H or high‐level CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP‐H) have similar histomorphological features, yet seemingly opposite prognosis. We hypothesized that tumour budding is related to CIMP, thus partially explaining this prognostic difference.

Methods and results:  MSI, KRAS, BRAF, CIMP and 06‐methylguanine‐DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) were investigated in tissues from 127 colorectal cancer patients. Tumour budding was scored using pan‐cytokeratin‐stained whole tissue sections within the densest area of buds (×40). Tumour budding was not associated with KRAS, BRAF, MGMT or CIMP, but was correlated inversely with MSI‐H (P = 0.0049). Multivariate survival time analysis revealed that tumour budding was independent of all five molecular features and was predicted by MSI status [odds ratio (OR): 4.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5–12.1; P = 0.006)], but not CIMP (OR: 0.81, 95% CI 0.3–2.5; P = 0.714).

Conclusions:  These findings underline that MSI, rather than CIMP, plays a role in conferring a tumour budding phenotype. Budding retains its unfavourable prognostic effect independently of these five molecular features. Continued efforts to standardize the assessment of tumour budding are necessary to integrate this feature into daily diagnostic routine.
How does organisational absorptive capacity matter in the assimilation of enterprise information systems?
Authors: Saraf Nilesh , Liang Huigang , Xue Yajiong , Hu Qing
Published: March 2012

Extant literature offers two mostly distinct perspectives on enterprise systems assimilation – driven either by internal expertise and learning capability or by external institutional pressures. This study combines the two perspectives and subscribes to the view that organisations’ learning capability moderates their acquiescence to institutional pressures. The study then anchors organisational learning capability to the concept of absorptive capacity and proposes that its two dimensions – potential absorptive capacity (PACAP) and realised absorptive capacity (RACAP) – affect enterprise systems assimilation through different pathways. Our survey‐based empirical study of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems in the post‐implementation stage reveals that while both PACAP and RACAP have a positive direct impact on assimilation, PACAP positively moderates the impact of mimetic (institutional) pressures, but not normative (institutional) pressures, on assimilation; whereas RACAP positively moderates the impact of normative pressures, but not mimetic pressures, on assimilation. Thus, our theoretical contribution lies in understanding the distinct ways in which PACAP and RACAP moderate the influence of external institutional pressures on enterprise systems assimilation.
Working with interpreters in cross‐cultural qualitative research in the context of a developing country: systematic literature review
Authors: Shimpuku Yoko , Norr Kathleen F.
Published: March 2012

shimpuku y. & norr k.f. (2012) Working with interpreters in cross‐cultural qualitative research in the context of a developing country: systematic literature review. Journal of Advanced Nursing68(6), 1692–1706.

Aims.  This article is a report of a systematic literature review describing how cross‐cultural researchers conducted qualitative studies with interpreters in Tanzania. The purpose was to draw methodological implications for working with interpreters within the context of developing countries.

Background.  In a growing number of cross‐cultural nursing studies in developing countries, interpreters play a crucial role for imparting verbal and cultural understanding. In many studies, however, the interpreters’ role and their influences on the findings are not adequately described, and therefore the study credibility is weakened.

Data Sources.  Cross‐cultural qualitative studies conducted with interpreters in Tanzania were searched in four databases. Meeting our inclusion criteria were 20 studies published from 1994–2009.

Review Methods.  We used Garrard’s Matrix Method following Wallin and Ahlström’s framework to analyse how cross‐cultural researchers described the role of interpreters.

Results.  We identified three major patterns of how researchers worked with interpreters: (i) invisible assistance, (ii) independent fieldwork and (iii) integrated collaboration. In many studies, interpreters’ information was limited. They were often asked to collect data in the field without the presence of the researcher. They were integrated into the research process beyond data collection, such as subject recruitment, review of interviews, transcription and translation and analysis.

Conclusion.  From planning of research to dissemination of the findings, nurse researchers should carefully consider interpreters’ influences on the findings. They may use a set of questions we developed for working with interpreters in developing countries to systematically describe the interpreter’s role and maximize their research credibility.
The nature of adolescent learner interaction in a virtual high school setting
Authors: Borup J. , Graham C.R. , Davies R.S.
Published: March 2012

This study used survey data to measure the effect of learners' reported interactions with content, peers, and instructors on several course outcomes in two virtual high school courses that emphasized interactive learning. Surveys found that the large majority of students viewed all investigated types of interaction as educational and motivational. Students perceived learner–instructor and learner–content interactions to have significantly higher educational value (α < 0.01) than learner–learner interactions, and viewed learner–instructor interaction to be significantly more motivational (α < 0.01) than learner–content interaction. Furthermore, nine significant correlations were found involving the time students reported spending on human interaction and course outcomes. Seven of the significant correlations were related to the time students reported spending in human interaction and the more affective outcomes, such as course satisfaction and disposition towards the subject area. Outcomes also indicate that learner–learner interaction had higher correlations with course outcomes than learners' interactions with the content or their instructor. Students' perceived learning was not significantly correlated with any type of interaction, and only students' total reported time spent on learner–learner interaction and students' social learner–learner interaction were significantly correlated with their grade.
Randomized clinical trial: efficacy and safety of telbivudine and lamivudine in treatment‐naïve patients with HBV‐related decompensated cirrhosis
Authors: Chan H. L.Y. , Chen Y. C. , Gane E. J. , Sarin S. K. , Suh D. J. , Piratvisuth T. , Prabhakar B. , Hwang S. G. , Choudhuri G. , Safadi R. , Tanwandee T. , Chutaputti A. , Yurdaydin C. , Bao W. , Avila C. , Trylesinski A.
Published: March 2012

Summary.  Patients with decompensated cirrhosis owing to chronic hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection have a high morbidity/mortality rate, and the treatment remains a challenge. We studied the safety and efficacy of telbivudine and lamivudine in such patients. This noninferiority, double‐blind trial randomized 232 treatment‐naive patients with decompensated HBV (1:1) in 80 academic hospitals to receive once‐daily telbivudine 600 mg or lamivudine 100 mg for 104 weeks. Primary composite endpoint was proportion of patients with HBV DNA <10 000 copies/mL, normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Child‐Turcotte‐Pugh score improvement/stabilization at week 52. Response rates using a post hoc modified endpoint (HBV DNA <300 copies/mL [57 IU/mL] and ALT normalization) in intent‐to‐treat analysis (missing = failure) were 56.3%vs 38.0% after 76 weeks (P = 0.018) and 45.6%vs 32.9% after 104 weeks (P = 0.093) for telbivudine vs lamivudine. Telbivudine treatment was an independent predictive factor for HBV DNA <300 copies/mL and ALT normalization (P = 0.037). Response rates with protocol‐defined composite endpoint in intent‐to‐treat analysis (M = F) were 56.2 vs 54.0% (noninferiority not achieved) and 39.1%vs 36.4% (noninferiority achieved) in telbivudine and lamivudine groups at 52 and 104 weeks. Telbivudine treatment was associated with a significant improvement in glomerular filtration rate compared to lamivudine treatment and was also associated with a trend for improvement in survival (87%vs 79%). No cases of lactic acidosis were reported. Telbivudine compared to lamivudine was associated with a higher rate of patients with both viral suppression and ALT normalization, a trend towards a higher rate of survival and significant improvement in glomerular filtration.
Five‐year on‐treatment efficacy of lamivudine‐, tenofovir‐ and tenofovir + emtricitabine‐based HAART in HBV–HIV‐coinfected patients
Authors: Kosi L. , Reiberger T. , Payer B. A. , Grabmeier‐Pfistershammer K. , Strassl R. , Rieger A. , Peck‐Radosavljevic M.
Published: March 2012

Summary.  Data on the efficacy of lamivudine (LAM)‐, tenofovir (TDF)‐ and emtricitabine (FTC)‐based antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in HBV–HIV coinfection are limited. We completed a retrospective analysis of HBV–HIV‐coinfected patients treated at the Medical University of Vienna. One‐hundred and ten coinfected patients were included, with 57% being initially HBV e‐Antigen (HBeAg) positive. Baseline HBV load was significantly higher in HBeAg+ than in HBeAg− patients (5962 ± 3663 vs 20 ± 19 × 106 IU/mL; P < 0.0001). Over a median observation period of 83 month (range: 26–183), 87% received HAART and 91% showed a suppression of HBV replication. After 5 years of continuous treatment, HBeAg seroconversion was achieved in 21% of LAM‐, 50% of TDF‐ (P = 0.042 vs LAM) and in 57% of TDF + FTC (P = 0.008 vs LAM)‐treated patients, respectively. HBsAg loss after 5 years was found in 8% (LAM), 25% (TDF; P = 0.085 vs LAM) and 29% (TDF + FTC; P = 0.037 vs LAM) of HBeAg+ patients. In HBeAg− patients, HBsAg loss was achieved in 11% (LAM), 27% (TDF; P = 0.263 vs LAM) and 36% (TDF + FTC; P = 0.05 vs LAM), respectively. Pretreatment CD4+ counts did not influence rates of HBeAg seroconversion and of HBsAg loss. Patients with HBsAg loss had lower baseline HBV‐DNA levels and higher AST/ALT levels than patients without HBsAg loss. Transient HAART‐related hepatotoxicity was found in 32% (Grade I: 21%; II:7%; III:2%; IV:0%). Most HBV–HIV‐coinfected patients achieve complete suppression of HBV replication despite high baseline viremia. TDF‐based HAART leads to high rates of HBeAg seroconversion and HBsAg loss after 5 years of continuous exposure. One‐third of HBV–HIV‐coinfected patients may experience transient HAART‐related hepatotoxicity.
Biomonitoring 2.0: a new paradigm in ecosystem assessment made possible by next‐generation DNA sequencing
Authors: BAIRD DONALD J. , HAJIBABAEI MEHRDAD
Published: March 2012

Biological monitoring has failed to develop from simple binary assessment outcomes of the impacted/unimpacted type, towards more diagnostic frameworks, despite significant scientific effort over the past fifty years. It is our assertion that this is largely because of the limited information content of biological samples processed by traditional morphology‐based taxonomy, which is a slow, imprecise process, focused on restricted groups of organisms. We envision a new paradigm in ecosystem assessment, which we refer to as ‘Biomonitoring 2.0’. This new schema employs DNA‐based identification of taxa, coupled with high‐throughput DNA sequencing on next‐generation sequencing platforms. We discuss the transformational nature of DNA‐based approaches in biodiversity discovery and ecosystem assessment and outline a path forward for their future widespread application.
Kinetics of regulatory dendritic cells in inflammatory responses during Trypanosoma evansi infection
Authors: MEKATA H. , KONNAI S. , MINGALA C. N. , ABES N. S. , GUTIERREZ C. A. , DARGANTES A. P. , WITOLA W. H. , INOUE N. , ONUMA M. , MURATA S. , OHASHI K.
Published: March 2012

Trypanosoma evansi (T. evansi) causes a wasting disease in almost all mammals. Trypanosoma evansi infection gives rise to the inflammatory responses that contribute to the development of inflammation‐associated tissue injury. To determine what kinds of inflammatory molecules play roles in the pathogenicity of T. evansi infection, polymerase chain reaction array analysis was performed on samples from the infected and uninfected mice. The inflammatory cytokine and chemokine storm, caused mainly by macrophages, was observed. On the other hand, the expression levels of Ccl8 and Il10 in splenocytes were also markedly increased. These results suggested an augmentation in the number and activity of regulatory dendritic cells (DCs). Therefore, the kinetics of regulatory DCs in T. evansi‐infected mice were investigated. During T. evansi infection, the regulatory DCs became prevalent, with reducing the amount of inflammatory DCs. Interestingly, when the regulatory DCs were implanted into T. evansi‐infected mice, the survival was prolonged, and the expression levels of inflammatory molecules were suppressed. Taken together, these results showed that a subset of regulatory DCs acted as a potential regulator of the inflammatory responses.
The natural compound trans‐chalcone induces programmed cell death in Arabidopsis thaliana roots
Authors: DÍAZ‐TIELAS CARLA , GRAÑA ELISA , SOTELO TAMARA , REIGOSA MANUEL J , SÁNCHEZ‐MOREIRAS ADELA M
Published: March 2012

Chalcone (1,3‐diphenyl‐2‐propen‐1‐one) is an aromatic ketone precursor of important molecules in plants such as flavonoids or anthocyanins. Its phytotoxicity has been demonstrated on different plant species, but to date little is known about the mechanisms of action of this secondary metabolite at plant cellular level. Detailed analysis by light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was conducted to examine the root meristems' ultrastructure of control and chalcone‐treated Arabidopsis seedlings. Mitochondrial dysfunction was analysed by measuring mitochondrial membrane potential with JC‐1 fluorochrome. Finally, acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining was used for the detection of programmed cell death. Microscopy revealed tissue alterations, inhibition of root hair formation and important changes after 7 and 14 d at the chalcone IC50 value. Chalcone‐treated cells showed signs of programmed cell death such as mitochondrial condensation, disruption of organelles and chromatin fragmentation. Acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining confirmed the programmed cell death, which could be induced by the reduction of mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm) that was detected after chalcone treatment. These results confirm the phytotoxic activity of chalcone on Arabidopsis seedlings, the alteration of mitochondrial membrane potential and the induction of programmed cell death.
IgE Sensitization to the Fish Parasite Anisakis simplex in a Norwegian Population: A Pilot Study
Authors: Lin A. H. , Florvaag E. , Van Do T. , Johansson S. G. O. , Levsen A. , Vaali K.
Published: March 2012

The reports on fish parasite Anisakis simplex allergy have increased in countries with high fish consumption in the last decade. In Norway, a high consumption country, the prevalence of immunoglobulin E (IgE) sensitization to A. simplex was still unknown. Thus, our objective was to investigate the sensitization prevalence in this country. At the Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway, two main groups of surplus serum samples were collected: one from newly recruited blood donors (BDO) and the other from the Allergy laboratory (ALL) after analysing IgE and IgE antibodies. The latter was divided into three series: one containing unsorted sera and two sorted by either Phadiatop®≥0.35 kUA/l or total IgE ≥1000 kU/l. The sera were analysed for total IgE and IgE antibodies against A. simplex, shrimp, house dust mite (HDM), cod and cross‐reactive carbohydrates (CCDs). The prevalence of IgE sensitization to A. simplex was 2.0%, 2.2% and 6.6% in BDO, the unsorted and Phadiatop® positive serum groups, respectively. A considerable degree of cross‐sensitization to shrimp and HDM is further suggested. Unspecific binding because of high total IgE or by binding to CCDs seemed to play a minor role. The prevalence of IgE sensitization to A. simplex appears to be lower in a Norwegian population than in other high fish‐consuming countries, but might still be overestimated owing to cross‐sensitization.
Paediatric Reference Values for the Peripheral T cell Compartment
Authors: Schatorjé E. J. H. , Gemen E. F. A. , Driessen G. J. A. , Leuvenink J. , van Hout R. W. N. M. , de Vries E.
Published: March 2012

Immunophenotyping of blood lymphocyte subpopulations is an important tool in the diagnosis of immunological and haematological diseases. Paediatric age‐matched reference values have been determined for the major lymphocyte populations, but reliable reference values for the more recently described T lymphocyte subpopulations, like different types of memory T lymphocytes, recent thymic emigrants, regulatory T cells and CXCR5+ helper T lymphocytes, are not sufficiently available yet. We determined reference values for the absolute and relative sizes of T lymphocyte subpopulations in healthy children using the lysed whole blood method, which is most often used in diagnostic procedures. When the absolute numbers of some or all T lymphocyte subpopulations fall outside these reference ranges, this may indicate disease. The reference values show the course of T lymphocyte development in healthy children. Absolute T lymphocyte numbers increase 1.4‐fold during the first months of life, and after 9–15 months, they decrease threefold to adult values; this is mainly caused by the expansion of recent thymic emigrants and naive cells. Helper and cytotoxic T lymphocytes show the same pattern. Regulatory T cells increase in the first 5 months of life and then gradually decrease to adult values, although the absolute numbers remain small. The relative number of CXCR5+ cells within the CD4+CD45RO+ T lymphocytes increases during the first 6 months of life and then remains more or less stable around 20%.
Disease control and health systems in low‐ and middle‐income countries: enhancing positive interrelation
Authors: Collins Charles , Gonzalez Block Miguel Angel , Tang Shenglan
Published: March 2012

There is a growing interest in improving the relationship between disease control programmes and the rest of the health system in low‐ and middle‐income countries. This short study seeks to contribute to this movement by providing a multi‐dimensional approach for policy‐makers and researchers. It recognizes the different and often conflicting perspectives in health systems held by stakeholders. Two such perspectives are those of disease control programmes and health systems. Both are based on perceived health needs and put forward requirements on each other through resource demands and organizational needs. Failure to reconcile these perspectives can lead to health system fragmentation. This study proposes a framework to address the importance of mutual support across stakeholder perspectives, striving to understand and analyse the consequences of their reciprocal views. In doing this, the study stresses the importance of common understanding around health system values, the political interplay between stakeholders, the contextual setting and the need to integrate research and capacity development in this area.
Animal livestock and the risk of hospitalized diarrhoea in children under 5 years in Vietnam
Authors: Thiem Vu Dinh , Schmidt Wolf‐Peter , Suzuki Motoi , Tho Le Huu , Yanai Hideki , Ariyoshi Koya , Anh Dang Duc , Yoshida Lay‐Myint
Published: March 2012

Objective  To investigate the association between environmental exposure to livestock and incidence of diarrhoea among Vietnamese children.

Methods  A population‐based cohort of 353 525 individuals, living in 75 828 households in Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam, with baseline data covering geo‐referenced information on demography, socio‐economic status and household animals was investigated. Geographic information system was applied to calculate the density of livestock. The data were linked to hospitalized diarrhoea cases of children under 5 years recorded at two hospitals treating patients from the area as inpatients in the study area.

Results  Overall, 3116 children with diarrhoea were hospitalized during the study period. The incidence of diarrhoea hospitalization was 60.8/1000 child‐years. Male gender, age <2 years, higher number of household members and lack of tap water were significantly associated with an increased risk of diarrhoea. There was no evidence that ownership of livestock increased the risk of diarrhoea. In spatial analysis, we found no evidence that a high density of any animals was associated with an increased risk of diarrhoea.

Conclusions Exposure to animals near or in households does not seem to constitute a major risk for diarrhoea in children under the age of 5 in Vietnam. Public health interventions to reduce childhood diarrhoea burden should focus on well‐recognized causes such as sanitation, personal hygiene, access to adequate clean water supply and vaccination.
The Gates Malaria Partnership: a consortium approach to malaria research and capacity development
Authors: Greenwood Brian , Bhasin Amit , Targett Geoffrey
Published: March 2012

Recently, there has been a major increase in financial support for malaria control. Most of these funds have, appropriately, been spent on the tools needed for effective prevention and treatment of malaria such as insecticide‐treated bed nets, indoor residual spraying and artemisinin combination therapy. There has been less investment in the training of the scientists from malaria‐endemic countries needed to support these large and increasingly complex malaria control programmes, especially in Africa. In 2000, with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Gates Malaria Partnership was established to support postgraduate training of African scientists wishing to pursue a career in malaria research. The programme had three research capacity development components: a PhD fellowship programme, a postdoctoral fellowship programme and a laboratory infrastructure programme. During an 8‐year period, 36 African PhD students and six postdoctoral fellows were supported, and two research laboratories were built in Tanzania. Some of the lessons learnt during this project – such as the need to improve PhD supervision in African universities and to provide better support for postdoctoral fellows – are now being applied to a successor malaria research capacity development programme, the Malaria Capacity Development Consortium, and may be of interest to other groups involved in improving postgraduate training in health sciences in African universities.
New Aspects of Boar Sperm Encapsulation
Authors: Faustini M
Published: March 2012

Contents

The study takes into account the main steps and techniques for boar semen encapsulation, to optimize the instrumental insemination interventions. The use of cheap, biocompatible polymers as alginate can assure a regular, constant release of spermatozoa in the sow reproductive system, avoiding the double/triple intervention of insemination and reducing the employ of disposable materials. The encapsulation/microencapsulation of semen can therefore be the starting point of new, innovative systems of pig reproduction management.
New graduate occupational therapists experience of showering assessments: A phenomological study
Authors: Glenn Emma K. , Gilbert‐Hunt Susan
Published: March 2012

Background

Shower assessments are complex and challenging tasks undertaken by many occupational therapists with little known about how they are conducted and how new graduates learn to carry these out. There are no published guidelines and limited opportunity for students to practise shower assessments during their training bringing into question how new graduates learn to do this assessment and judge their effectiveness.

Aim

To investigate the experience of new graduate occupational therapists undertaking their first shower assessments in South Australia.

Method

Six graduate occupational therapists participated in a phenomenological study. Data were gathered through semi‐structured interviews and analysed according to Giorgi's descriptive phenomenological method.

Findings

New graduates found the shower assessment process cognitively and emotionally demanding. Without prior experience, new graduates lacked confidence to perform the practical aspects of conducting a shower assessment. The sense of responsibility for getting it right and ensuring client safety was at times overwhelming. Social norms around nudity, age and gender impacted on the graduate's interaction with clients in the shower environment. However, graduates with previous care attendant work were better able to manage the social and practical challenges inherent in shower assessments.

Conclusion

The findings of this study suggest that additional experiential, ‘hands on', learning is needed in university curriculum for new graduates to develop practical clinical skills, particularly as practice placements have become more diverse. Similarly there is a need for organisations to provide orientation activities and mentoring for new graduates as they transition from student to therapist.
Establishment of a monoclonal anti‐pan HLA class I antibody suitable for immunostaining of formalin‐fixed tissue: Unusually high frequency of down‐regulation in breast cancer tissues
Authors: Torigoe Toshihiko , Asanuma Hiroko , Nakazawa Emiri , Tamura Yasuaki , Hirohashi Yoshihiko , Yamamoto Eri , Kanaseki Takayuki , Hasegawa Tadashi , Sato Noriyuki
Published: March 2012

A novel monoclonal anti‐pan human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I heavy chain antibody, EMR8‐5, was established. It could detect HLA‐A, ‐B, and ‐C antigens in formalin‐fixed paraffin embedded tissues. By immunohistochemical staining using the EMR8‐5 antibody, various cancer tissues from 246 cases were examined for HLA class I expression. It was found that HLA class I expression was decreased in 20% to 42% of the cases of lung cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, colon cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and urothelial carcinoma. In contrast, 85% of breast cancer cases had loss of or decreased HLA class I expression. Of the 35 breast cancer cases that had decreased HLA class I heavy chain expression, 33 (94%) also had decreased beta2‐microglobulin expression detected by immunohistochemical staining. It was suggested that HLA class I down‐regulation might be a common characteristic of breast cancer mostly caused by the down‐regulation of beta2‐microglobulin expression.
Ubiquitin‐related proteins in neuronal and glial intranuclear inclusions in intranuclear inclusion body disease
Authors: Mori Fumiaki , Tanji Kunikazu , Odagiri Saori , Hattori Manabu , Hoshikawa Yasuko , Kono Chikao , Yasui Keizo , Yokoi Satoshi , Hasegawa Yasuhiro , Kamitani Tetsu , Yoshida Mari , Wakabayashi Koichi
Published: March 2012

Recent studies have shown that eosinophilic intranuclear inclusions (INI) in the brain of patients with intranuclear inclusion body disease (INIBD) are immunopositive for ubiquitin and ubiquitin‐related proteins (URP). However, the extent and frequency of URP‐immunoreactive inclusions in INIBD are uncertain. We immunohistochemically examined the brain, spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia from five patients with INIBD, using a virtual slide system with sequential staining of the same sections with hematoxylin and eosin and by immunolabeling with antibodies against ubiquitin and URP (NEDD8, NUB1, SUMO‐1 and SUMO‐2). Intranuclear inclusions were widely distributed in neurons and glial cells in all the cases. Sequential staining revealed that 100% of INI in neurons and glial cells were positive for ubiquitin. Moreover, the majority or a significant proportion of INI were positive for NEDD8, NUB1, SUMO‐1 and SUMO‐2. However, the proportions of NEDD8‐, NUB1‐ and SUMO‐1‐positive inclusions were significantly higher in neurons than in glial cells (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that proteins related to ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation are involved in the formation of INI in INIBD.
Carbon dioxide supersaturation promotes primary production in lakes
Authors: Jansson Mats , Karlsson Jan , Jonsson Anders
Published: March 2012

Ecology Letters (2012)

A majority of the world’s lakes are supersaturated with respect to carbon dioxide (CO2). By experimental manipulation of the CO2 concentration in supersaturated boreal lakes, we demonstrate that phytoplankton primary production was up to 10 times higher in supersaturated lake water in comparison with water with CO2 at equilibrium concentrations and that CO2, together with nutrients, explained most of the variation in pelagic primary production and phytoplankton biomass over a wide variety of unproductive lakes. These results suggest that phytoplankton can be co‐limited by CO2 and nutrients in unproductive lakes. As import of terrestrial organic carbon and its subsequent microbial mineralisation in lakes is a driving force of CO2‐supersaturation our results suggest that lake productivity and carbon cycling may respond to variations in terrestrial organic carbon export, (e.g. caused by land use or climate change) in ways not described before.
Diabetes distress, but not depressive symptoms, is associated with glycaemic control among Japanese patients with Type 2 diabetes: Diabetes Distress and Care Registry at Tenri (DDCRT 1)
Authors: Tsujii S. , Hayashino Y. , Ishii H. ,   the Diabetes Distress and Care Registry at Tenri Study Group
Published: March 2012

Aims  To investigate the association between glycaemic control, diabetes distress and depressive symptoms among Japanese patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Methods  Cross‐sectional data from 3305 patients with Type 2 diabetes were obtained from a baseline assessment of a diabetes registry at a general hospital in Japan. The Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale and Problem Areas in Diabetes scale were used to measure depressive symptoms and diabetes‐related distress, respectively. Modified Poisson regression analysis was used to estimate the relative risks for poor glycaemic control across the quartiles of Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale and Problem Areas in Diabetes scale scores.

Results  The average age of the participants was 64.9 years and the average HbA1c level was 58.1 mmol/mol (7.5%). Clinically significant levels of depressive symptoms (Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale scores ≥ 16) were reported by 27.8% of participants. These scores significantly correlated with Problem Areas in Diabetes scale scores (r = 0.4354, P < 0.0001). Diabetes distress, but not depressive symptoms, was significantly associated with higher HbA1c levels. The relative risks for poor glycaemic control (HbA1c≥ 64 mmol/mol; 8.0%), when adjusted for age, sex, BMI, type of diabetes therapy and duration of diabetes, was 67% higher among patients with Problem Areas in Diabetes scale scores in the highest quartile (≥ 26.25) compared with those in the lowest quartile (0–3.75).

Conclusion  A significant association between glycaemic control and diabetes‐related distress, but not depressive symptoms, was observed in Japanese patients with Type 2 diabetes.
Impairments in daily functioning after heavy and extreme episodic drinking in university students
Authors: POLAK MARIA A. , CONNER TAMLIN S.
Published: March 2012

Introduction and Aim. Excessive consumption of alcohol is a major public health issue in university students. The dangers of heavy drinking are well known, with both acute and long‐term consequences; however, there is limited information on patterns of extreme drinking (twice over the recommended threshold for low‐risk drinking), and the differential effects of heavy versus extreme drinking on immediate consequent functioning in daily life. The current study investigated drinking patterns in a sample of university students and the association of different levels of alcohol consumption with self‐reported physical, cognitive and emotional function the day after the drinking episode.

Design and Methods. Data for this study were collected from a sample of 281 University of Otago students using a 21 day Internet‐based daily diary. Participants reported on their drinking the previous night and their physical, cognitive and emotional functioning on that day.

Results. Participants reported drinking on 26.8% days overall and consuming an average of 7.2 standard drinks per occasion. Only heavy drinking (7+standard drinks for men, 5+standard drinks for women) and particularly extreme drinking (14+for men, 10+for women) predicted significant decreases in physical and cognitive functioning the next day. However, low‐risk drinking (≤ 6 drinks for men,≤ 4 for women) was not associated with next‐day impairment.

Discussion and Conclusions. Findings suggest that there are adverse, intermediate consequences of excessive drinking on dimensions relevant to students' lives. Drinking within low‐risk guidelines is recommended.[Polak MA, Conner TS. Impairments in daily functioning after heavy and extreme episodic drinking in university students. Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:763–769]
A HISTORY OF THE PAN‐PACIFIC COAL TRADE FROM THE 1950S TO 2011: EXPLORING THE LONG‐TERM EFFECTS OF A BUYING CARTEL
Authors: BOWDEN BRADLEY
Published: March 2012

Since the early 1960s, the Pan‐Pacific coal trade has underpinned East Asia's industrial development. While the genesis of this trade lay in investment decisions by United States‐based companies that pioneered exports from Australian and western Canadian mines, its development was largely shaped by the strategies of the Japanese steel mills who acted as a buying cartel. By the early 1980s, this cartel had engineered an oversupplied market characterised by constantly falling prices. By 2001, however, this strategy proved counterproductive, as exports of coking coal in particular were concentrated in the hands of an oligopoly of super‐efficient producers that drove up prices.
A CLIOMETRIC REVOLUTION IN THE ECONOMIC HISTORY OF KOREA: A CRITICAL REVIEW
Authors: KIM DUOL , PARK KI‐JOO
Published: March 2012

Cliometric approaches to the economic history of Korea have emerged as a distinctive trend from the mid‐1990s. They have quickly made profound changes to our understanding of Korea's economic history from 1700 to 1945. The most remarkable include identifying the long‐term decline of agricultural productivity from around 1800, the subsequent upswing in economic development from the late nineteenth century, and the continuing growth during the Japanese colonial era, 1910–45. We survey primarily the Korean language literature that reports the achievements of this cliometric movement and speculate about the future research agenda.
STANDARD CIRCUMSTANCES AND VITAL GOALS: COMMENTS ON VENKATAPURAM'S CRITIQUE
Authors: NORDENFELT LENNART
Published: March 2012

This article is a reply to Venkatapuram's critique in his article Health, Vital Goals, Capabilities, this volume. I take issue mainly with three critical points put forward by Venkatapuram with regard to my theory of health. (1) I deny that the contents of my vital goals are relative to each community or context, as Venkatapuram claims. There is no conceptual connection at all between standard circumstances and vital goals, as I understand these concepts. (2) Venkatapuram notes that I stop short of filling the framework of vital goals with any content and thereby make my concept of health less concrete. I reply that some vital goals are indeed universal, viz. the ones which are necessary conditions for survival. Many other vital goals are individual and cannot therefore be included in a universal list. (3) Venkatapuram claims that my definition of vital goals is too broad, since it entails that some persons without any disease can be regarded as ill. However, in my understanding health is a relational concept from a state of complete health to a state of maximal illness. In this framework, a minor reduction of a state of complete health does not entail illness. This article also contains a comparison between my theory of health and Martha Nussbaum's theory of capabilities for dignity.
Speed bumps, roadblocks and tollbooths: how culturally and linguistically diverse parents navigate the highways and byways of giftedness in Ontario
Authors: Cobb Cam
Published: March 2012

In reviewing literature on culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) parental inclusion and disproportionality, Cam Cobb, assistant professor at the University of Windsor, Ontario, illustrates how CLD giftedness – and especially CLD giftedness in Canadian settings – represents an area in need of further research. In part, this article begins to address that need. Drawing from a larger critical qualitative inquiry, he details the stories of two CLD Canadian mothers as they sought to become involved in gifted identification and decision‐making processes. Knowledge and language arose in the data as two core themes of robust parental inclusion. These core themes, along with associated recommendations for policy, practice and research, are outlined in a discussion of the findings. While this article focuses on the gifted domain of special education in Ontario, the findings have wider implications for robust CLD parental inclusion in special education in general.
Challenges and management frameworks of residential schools for students with severe emotional and behavioural difficulties in Hong Kong
Authors: Chong Stella Suk‐ching , Leung Ka‐wai
Published: March 2012

This study by Stella Suk‐Ching Chong, an assistant professor, and Ka‐wai Leung, a teaching fellow, both at the Hong Kong Institute of Education, focuses on the perspectives of hostel staff from six residential schools for students with severe emotional and behavioural difficulties. Individual or focus group interviews were conducted to explore the range of challenges perceived by staff and the strategies they employed to address the needs of the students. The software N‐Vivo was used to analyse both qualitative and quantitative data. This study finds that staff met a multiplicity of challenges, of which 67.9% were management‐related rather than student‐related (32.1%). In relation to effective strategies for staff, co‐ordinated and concerted efforts are frequently used between different stakeholders, such as intra‐hostel‐staff‐student collaboration (84%), inter‐hostel‐community collaboration (8.6%), inter‐hostel‐home collaboration (5.1%), and finally inter‐hostel‐school collaboration (2.2). In summing up the findings of various approaches deemed favourable by different residential staff, a residential school management framework is conceptualised and presented in this article. Implications and future research directions are also highlighted.
Ideology, Prejudice, and Attitudes Toward Sexual Minority Social Policies and Organizations
Authors: Poteat V. Paul , Mereish Ethan H.
Published: March 2012

This study tested the effects of multiple ideologies on support for restrictive policies against gay and lesbian individuals and organizations and if these effects were mediated by sexual prejudice. Social dominance orientation (SDO), conservatism, and right‐wing authoritarianism (RWA) each had significant direct and indirect effects. SDO had the most consistent direct effects in addition to its effects through sexual prejudice. The direct effects of conservatism were smaller and similar in size to its indirect effects through prejudice. Although the direct effect of RWA was significant for policy attitudes, its effect was entirely mediated through sexual prejudice for organization opposition. Results suggest that high‐RWA individuals adopt their positions largely because of prejudice toward sexual minorities, while high‐SDO individuals adopt their positions partly out of prejudice and partly because these positions perpetuate hierarchies between heterosexuals and sexual minorities. Results also diminish the principled conservatism argument that conservative positions on these policies and organizations are absent of prejudice. As policies continue to be enacted that affect the sexual minority community, research is needed to identify the underlying motivations for individuals' positions toward these policies.
Local polynomial regression for symmetric positive definite matrices
Authors: Yuan Ying , Zhu Hongtu , Lin Weili , Marron J. S.
Published: March 2012

Local polynomial regression has received extensive attention for the non-parametric estimation of regression functions when both the response and the covariate are in Euclidean space. However, little has been done when the response is in a Riemannian manifold. We develop an intrinsic local polynomial regression estimate for the analysis of symmetric positive definite matrices as responses that lie in a Riemannian manifold with covariate in Euclidean space. The primary motivation and application of the methodology proposed is in computer vision and medical imaging. We examine two commonly used metrics, including the trace metric and the log-Euclidean metric on the space of symmetric positive definite matrices. For each metric, we develop a cross-validation bandwidth selection method, derive the asymptotic bias, variance and normality of the intrinsic local constant and local linear estimators, and compare their asymptotic mean-square errors. Simulation studies are further used to compare the estimators under the two metrics and to examine their finite sample performance. We use our method to detect diagnostic differences between diffusion tensors along fibre tracts in a study of human immunodeficiency virus.