bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Statistical learning of social signals and its implications for the social brain hypothesis
Authors: Turesson Hjalmar K. , Ghazanfar Asif A.
Published: December 2011

The social brain hypothesis implies that humans and other primates evolved “modules” for representing social knowledge. Alternatively, no such cognitive specializations are needed because social knowledge is already present in the world — we can simply monitor the dynamics of social interactions. Given the latter idea, what mechanism could account for coalition formation? We propose that statistical learning can provide a mechanism for fast and implicit learning of social signals. Using human participants, we compared learning of social signals with arbitrary signals. We found that learning of social signals was no better than learning of arbitrary signals. While coupling faces and voices led to parallel learning, the same was true for arbitrary shapes and sounds. However, coupling versus uncoupling social signals with arbitrary signals revealed that faces and voices are treated with perceptual priority. Overall, our data suggest that statistical learning is a viable domain-general mechanism for learning social group structure. Keywords: social brain; embodied cognition; distributed cognition; situated cognition; multisensory; audiovisual speech; crossmodal; multimodal
Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) show more understanding of human attentional states when they request food in the experimenter’s hand than on the table
Authors: Hattori Yuko , Tomonaga Masaki , Fujita Kazuo
Published: December 2011

Although chimpanzees have been reported to understand to some extent others’ visual perception, previous studies using food requesting tasks are divided on whether or not chimpanzees understand the role of eye gaze. One plausible reason for this discrepancy may be the familiarity of the testing situation. Previous food requesting tasks with negative results used an unfamiliar situation that may be difficult for some chimpanzees to recognize as a requesting situation, whereas those with positive results used a familiar situation. The present study tested chimpanzees’ understanding of others’ attentional states by comparing two requesting situations: an unfamiliar situation in which food was put on a table, and a familiar situation in which chimpanzees requested food held by an experimenter. Chimpanzees showed evidence of understanding the experimenter’s attentional variations and the role of eye gaze only in the latter task. This suggests that an unfamiliar requesting situation may keep subjects from expressing their understanding of others’ attentional states even though they are sensitive to them. Keywords: Understanding attention; Social cognition; Chimpanzees
Dominance hierarchy and spatial distribution in captive red-capped mangabeys (Cercocebus torquatus torquatus)
Authors: Dolado Ruth , Beltran Francesc S.
Published: December 2011

We empirically tested Hemelrijk’s agent-based model (Hemelrijk 1998), in which dyadic agonistic interaction between primate-group subjects determines their spatial distribution and whether or not the dominant subject has a central position with respect to the other subjects. We studied a group of captive red-capped mangabeys (Cercocebus torquatus torquatus) that met the optimal conditions for testing this model (e.g. a linear dominance hierarchy). We analyzed the spatial distribution of the subjects in relation to their rank in the dominance hierarchy and the results confirmed the validity of this model. In accordance with Hemelrijk’s model (Hemelrijk 1998), the group studied showed an ambiguity-reducing strategy that led to non-central spatial positioning on the part of the dominant subject, thus confirming the model indirectly. Nevertheless, for the model to be confirmed directly, the group has to adopt a risk-sensitive strategy so that observers can study whether dominant subjects develop spatial centrality. Our study also demonstrated that agent-based models are a good tool for the study of certain complex behaviors observed in primates because these explanatory models can help formulate suggestive hypotheses for exploring new lines of research in primatology. Keywords: Dominance-hierarchy rank; spatial distribution; Cercocebus torquatus; agent-based models
The development of intentions for adapted teaching and inclusive education seen in light of curriculum potential. A content analysis of Norwegian national curricula post 1980
Authors: Bj⊘rnsrud Halvor , Nilsen Sven
Published: December 2011

This article analyses and discusses the development of the principles of adapted teaching and inclusive education in the three most recent Norwegian national curricula, seen in light of curriculum potential as an overarching perspective. This potential highlights teachers' opportunities for choosing and adapting their teaching content. The area of problems is first related to relevant curriculum theory and choice of method. Our qualitative text analyses and then examines the relevant curricula and other national documents which provide guides and intentions for schooling in Norway. The analysis will also be viewed in an international perspective in relation to OECD evaluations of Norwegian schooling. The discussion highlights the fact that the Norwegian curriculum reforms are affected by these international evaluations. This particularly applies to the relationship between the central governing of the school%s content and the individual school%s curriculum potential.
What have diatoms revealed about the ecological history of Lake Superior?
Authors: Reavie Euan D. , Allinger Lisa E.
Published: December 2011

Prior to 1970, little was known of Lake Superior's primary producers. Since then phytoplankton have been studied to track anthropogenic influences that have clearly impacted the other Great Lakes. Most of this work has focused on assessments of diatom assemblages because of their well-known relationships to environmental conditions and because they leave diagnostic fossils in sedimentary records. Some problems with these assessments have included temporally sporadic collections and poor diatom preservation in areas with low sediment accumulation rates, but diatom indicators have nevertheless revealed a long-term record of human influences on Lake Superior's pelagic condition. Trends in diatom assemblages indicate nutrient enrichment, especially during the 20th century, but these impacts appear to be less significant than those observed in the lower lakes. Shifts in the phytoplanktonic species assemblages in recent decades suggest that nutrient reductions have resulted in water quality and biological improvements. However, as has been observed in the adjacent Lake Huron and Lake Michigan, algal abundance has dropped to very low levels, possibly in response to climate influences. It is clear that ongoing monitoring and new paleoecological investigations of diatoms in Lake Superior are needed to provide the necessary detail to explain long-term trends and put recent, rapid changes in a context of natural variability for the lake.
Denitrification rates in a Lake Superior coastal wetland
Authors: Knuth Michael L. , Kelly John R.
Published: December 2011

The amount of excess fixed nitrogen removed from the freshwater aquatic nitrogen cycle, particularly by freshwater wetlands, through denitrification (DNF) is largely unknown. Typically, DNF rates increase within sediments that have higher organic content and a source of sufficient NO3−, in this context we measured DNF in organic-rich sediments of Lost Creek wetland on the south shore of Lake Superior, where NO3− concentrations have increased dramatically over the last century. The concentrations of N2, O2, and Ar were determined on intact water-sediment cores. Denitrification and respiration rates were determined using membrane inlet mass spectrometry and N2:Ar and O2:Ar ratios. Nitrogen flux rates measured in August 2000 and 2001 using overlying ambient wetland water, Lake Superior water, and nitrate augmented wetland water ranged from <10 to 78 μmol N m−2 h−1. These rates are low compared to those published for a variety of wetland and aquatic ecosystems. Nonetheless these are the first DNF measurements we know of to assess natural rates in the Lake Superior Basin and they help quantify a missing piece of wetland and lake nitrogen transformations.
High-resolution assessment and visualization of environmental stressors in the Lake Superior basin
Authors: Host George E. , Brown Terry N. , Hollenhorst Tom P. , Johnson Lucinda B. , Ciborowski Jan J. H.
Published: December 2011

Quantifying gradients of anthropogenic stress can inform the development of sample designs, provide an important covariate in modeling relationships of response variables, identify reference and highly-disturbed sites, and provide a baseline and guidance to restoration and remediation efforts. We describe development of SumRel, a composite index of anthropogenic stress, for the U.S. and Canadian Lake Superior basin. Key elements of the project include development of high-resolution watersheds throughout the basin, summarization of the major point and non-point stressors within these watersheds, and creation of tools for scaling the watersheds and stressor summaries. SumRel was calculated at two spatial scales: for high resolution subcatchments within the Lake Superior basin (mean watershed area = 93 ha) and for coastal watersheds of Lake Superior. An assessment of subcatchments within Minnesota's St. Louis River watershed showed a correlation between the degree of disturbance, as indicated by SumRel, and impaired water quality, as evidenced by in-stream conductivity. These data and tools allow identification and visualization of reference and highly-disturbed sites at multiple spatial scales, providing decision support for individual agency and binational monitoring, assessment and restoration initiatives across the Lake Superior basin.
Unfavourable plasma and erythrocyte phospholipid fatty acid profile in elite amateur boxers
Authors: Tepsic Jasna , Vucic Vesna , Arsic Aleksandra , Mazic Sanja , Djelic Marina , Glibetic Marija
Published: December 2011

Research on possible physiological changes as a consequence of a specific lifestyle and long‐term strenuous exercise in boxing has been sparse. We determined plasma and erythrocyte phospholipid (PL) fatty acids (FA) profile of 16 elite amateur male boxers (22.4±3.3 years of age), and compared them with a control group composed of 19 sedentary (24.4±3.4) year‐old men. The percentages of total saturated fatty acids (SFA) and monosaturated FA in plasma phospholipids were significantly higher (P <0.001) in boxers compared to the control group. On the other hand, all studied polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in plasma PL with the exception of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5, n–3) and docosatetraenoic acid (DTA, 22:4, n–6) were significantly lower in boxers than in sedentary men. Total PUFA, n–6 PUFA and n–3 PUFA were also significantly lower in boxers (P <0.001), whereas the n–6/n–3 ratio was higher in boxers than in control group (P <0.01). Boxers had significantly higher proportion of all SFA in erythrocyte PL compared to the control group (P <0.05). In addition, the percentage of linoleic acid was lower in boxers' erythrocyte PL than in the control group (P <0.05). The results show two potentially unfavourable main features of the FA profile of boxers, that is, a higher n–6/n–3 ratio in plasma PL and a higher percentage of SFA in both plasma and erythrocyte phospholipids compared to controls. As SFA correlates directly with the incidence of cardiovascular disease and high n–6/n–3 ratio has been shown to stimulate carcinogenesis and modulate inflammation and autoimmunity, this profile could be detrimental to the health of boxers. The mechanism underlying these differences requires further investigation; however the results suggest benefits of nutritional intervention.
Effects of load on the time course of attentional engagement, disengagement, and orienting in reading
Authors: Ghahghaei Saeideh , Linnell Karina J. , Fischer Martin H. , Dubey Amit , Davis Robert
Published: December 2011

We examined how the frequency of the fixated word influences the spatiotemporal distribution of covert attention during reading. Participants discriminated gaze-contingent probes that occurred with different spatial and temporal offsets from randomly chosen fixation points during reading. We found that attention was initially focused at fixation and that subsequent defocusing was slower when the fixated word was lower in frequency. Later in a fixation, attention oriented more towards the next saccadic target for high- than for low-frequency words. These results constitute the first report of the time course of the effect of load on attentional engagement and orienting in reading. They are discussed in the context of serial and parallel models of reading.
Sexual dimorphism in longnose gar Lepisosteus osseus
Authors: McGrath P. E. , Hilton E. J.
Published: December 2011

The present study of Lepisosteus osseus dimorphism expands upon previous work by examining a broader array of morphometric characters while removing the bias associated with overall body length. A stepwise discriminant function analyses (swDFA) found that five characters best distinguish the sexes: head width, mid‐snout width, anal‐fin height, anal‐fin width and prepectoral‐fin length. Discriminant function analyses (DFA) with the five characters yields misclassification rates of 23·5% for females and 9·7% for males. Subsequent DFA using these five characters plus standard length yields misclassification rates of only 8·8% for females and 6·2% for males. The data presented here reveal differences in head and anal‐fin shape between male and female L. osseus that may have evolved to enhance predatory abilities or competitive abilities during reproduction. This study is the first to find that L. osseus exhibits sexual dimorphism in characters without the biases of overall size.
Interactions between tumor cells and microenvironment in breast cancer: A new opportunity for targeted therapy
Authors: Mitra Shreya , Stemke‐Hale Katherine , Mills Gordon B. , Claerhout Sofie
Published: December 2011

Breast cancer remains the leading cause of morbidity and second‐leading cause of death in women. Despite efforts to uncover new targeted therapies, a vast number of women die due to refractory or recurrent breast tumors. Most breast cancer studies have focused on the intrinsic characteristics of breast tumor cells, including altered growth, proliferation, and metabolism. However, emerging research suggests that the tumor microenvironment can substantially affect relapse rates and therapeutic responses. In this review, we discuss the interactions between the tumor and microenvironment in breast cancer, with regard to mutational profiles and altered metabolism that could serve as potential therapeutic targets. We also describe current technologies available to study these interactions. (Cancer Sci 2012; 103: 400–407)
Reprogramming of gastrointestinal cancer cells
Authors: Dewi DyahLaksmi , Ishii Hideshi , Haraguchi Naotsugu , Nishikawa Shimpei , Kano Yoshihiro , Fukusumi Takahito , Ohta Katsuya , Miyazaki Susumu , Ozaki Miyuki , Sakai Daisuke , Satoh Taroh , Nagano Hiroaki , Doki Yuichiro , Mori Masaki
Published: December 2011

Cell reprogramming reverts cells to multipotent, preprogrammed states by re‐establishing epigenetic markers. It can also induce considerable malignant phenotype modification. Because key events in cancer relapse and metastasis, including epithelial–mesenchymal transition phenotypes, are regulated primarily by reversible and transient epigenetic modifications rather than the accumulation of irreversible and stable genetic abnormalities, studying dynamic mechanisms regulating these biological processes is important. Transcription factors for induced pluripotent stem cells and non‐coding microRNAs allow pluripotent phenotype induction. We present the current knowledge of the possible applications of cell reprogramming in reducing aggressive phenotype expression, which can induce tumor cell hibernation and maintain appropriate phenotypes, thereby minimizing relapse and metastasis after surgical resection of gastrointestinal cancer. (Cancer Sci 2012; 103: 393–399)
Complement takes its Toll: an inflammatory crosstalk between Toll‐like receptors and the receptors for the complement anaphylatoxin C5a
Authors: Holst B. , Raby A.‐C. , Hall J. E. , Labéta M. O.
Published: December 2011

The innate immune system is responsible for a rapid inflammatory response to pathogens that is essential for the clearance of infections. Although this response is vital, it is nonetheless potentially harmful, and dysregulated inflammation is a feature of many disease states. Thus, the mechanisms that regulate the release of soluble mediators of inflammation are an active focus of investigation. The activation by infections of two key components of the innate immune system, the Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) and complement, leading to the release of soluble mediators of inflammation, is critical to microbial killing and clearance. Both TLRs and complement are independently capable of triggering pro‐inflammatory responses, but their synergistic interaction resulting from a substantial crosstalk markedly amplifies those responses and may contribute to the pathophysiology of diseases such as sepsis.
Management of muscle haematomas in patients with severe haemophilia in an evidence‐poor world
Authors: SØRENSEN B. , BENSON G. M. , BLADEN M. , CLASSEY S. , KEELING D. M. , MCLAUGHLIN P. , YEE T. T. , MAKRIS M.
Published: December 2011

Summary.  Treatment studies in haemophilia focus on joint bleeds; however, some 10–25% of bleeds occur in muscles. This review addresses management of muscle haematoma in severe haemophilia, defines gaps in the published evidence, and presents a combined clinician and physiotherapist perspective of treatment modalities. The following grade 2C recommendations were synthesized: (i) Sport and activity should be based on individual factor levels, bleeding history and physical characteristics, (ii) Musculoskeletal review aids the management of children and adults, (iii) ‘Time to full recovery’ should be realistic and based on known timelines from the healthy population, (iv) Diagnosis should be carried out by both a clinician and physiotherapist, (v) Severe muscle bleeds should be treated similarly to surgical patients: a 50% trough for 10–14 days followed by high‐level prophylaxis, (vi) Protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation should be implemented in the acute stage, and (vii) Physiotherapy and rehabilitation should be divided into: control of haemorrhage (phase 1); restoration of Range of Movement (ROM) and strength (phase 2); functional rehabilitation and return to normal living (phase 3). Recommendations specifically for inhibitor patients include: (i) Minor to moderate bleeds should be managed by home‐treatment within 1 h of bleed onset using either one injection of rFVIIa 270 μg kg−1, or two to three injections of rFVIIa 90 μg kg−1 (2–3 h intervals), or FEIBA 50–100 U kg−1 (repeated at 12‐hourly intervals, if necessary) and (ii) Severe muscle bleeds should be supervised by the treatment centre and include bypassing agents until clinical improvement is observed.
Electrodermal lability as an indicator for subjective sleepiness during total sleep deprivation
Authors: MICHAEL LARS , PASSMANN SVEN , BECKER RUTH
Published: December 2011

The present study addresses the suitability of electrodermal lability as an indicator of individual vulnerability to the effects of total sleep deprivation. During two complete circadian cycles, the effects of 48 h of total sleep deprivation on physiological measures (electrodermal activity and body temperature), subjective sleepiness (measured by visual analogue scale and tiredness symptom scale) and task performance (reaction time and errors in a go/no go task) were investigated. Analyses of variance with repeated measures revealed substantial decreases of the number of skin conductance responses, body temperature, and increases for subjective sleepiness, reaction time and error rates. For all changes, strong circadian oscillations could be observed as well. The electrodermal more labile subgroup reported higher subjective sleepiness compared with electrodermal more stable participants, but showed no differences in the time courses of body temperature and task performance. Therefore, electrodermal lability seems to be a specific indicator for the changes in subjective sleepiness due to total sleep deprivation and circadian oscillations, but not a suitable indicator for vulnerability to the effects of sleep deprivation per se.
Evaluating the influence of different aspects of habitat fragmentation on mating patterns and pollen dispersal in the bird‐pollinated Banksia sphaerocarpa var. caesia
Authors: LLORENS T. M. , BYRNE M. , YATES C. J. , NISTELBERGER H. M. , COATES D. J.
Published: December 2011

Habitat fragmentation can significantly affect mating and pollen dispersal patterns in plant populations, although the differential effects of the various aspects of fragmentation are poorly understood. In this study, we used eight microsatellite loci to investigate the effect of fragmentation on the mating system and pollen dispersal within one large and eight small population remnants of Banksia sphaerocarpa var. caesia, a bird‐pollinated shrub in the southern agricultural region of Western Australia. The large population had a much larger neighbourhood size and lower selfing rate, maternal pollen pool differentiation and within‐plot mean pollen dispersal distance than the small populations. Outcrossing was consistently high and ranged from 85.7% ± 2.6 to 98.5% ± 0.9, and mating patterns suggested nearest‐neighbour pollination. Pollen immigration into small populations ranged from 2.8% ± 1.8 to 16.5% ± 3.2. Using the small populations, we tested for correlations between various fragmentation variables and mating system and pollen dispersal parameters. We found significant negative linear relationships between population isolation and outcrossing rate; population shape and neighbourhood size; and conspecific density and mean pollen dispersal distance. There were significant positive linear relationships between population shape and pollen pool differentiation and between population size and number of different fathers per seed crop. Our results suggest that birds may use a series of fragmented populations as a vegetation corridor while foraging across the landscape and that population connectivity is a critical determinant of pollinator visitation. Our results also suggest that the effect of a linear population shape on the mating system and pollen dispersal is routinely underestimated.
Protease activated receptor 4 status of mast cells in post infectious irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Han W. , Wang Z. , Lu X. , Guo C.
Published: December 2011

Background  Growing evidence suggests that protease activated receptors (PARs) are mediators of persistent neuropathic pain, but their possible function as mediators in patients with post infectious irritable bowel syndrome (PI‐IBS) remains to be further explored. This article aims to investigate the expression of PAR2 and PAR4 in the colonic mucosa of patients with PI‐IBS, focusing on correlation with mast cell activation status.

Methods  A total of 17 normal controls and 23 patients with PI‐IBS volunteered the study. The expression and localization of PAR2 and PAR4 were investigated by RT‐PCR and immunohistochemistry, and the expression of PAR2 and PAR4 in the mast cells was examined using double‐immunofluorescence staining.

Key Results  The immunohistochemical study revealed that epithelial and submucosal cells showed immunoreactivity for both PAR2 and PAR4. Protease activated receptor 4 mRNA expression and immunoreactivity were down‐regulated in PI‐IBS compared with the control group. Specifically, a reduced immunoreactivity for PAR4 was observed in mast cells of PI‐IBS compared with normal controls, whereas there are no significant differences shown in PAR2 between the PI‐IBS and the control group. It is also found that the PAR4 immunoreactivity decreases, while the activity of mast cells increases in PI‐IBS rather than normal controls.

Conclusions & Inferences  This study outlines the down‐regulation of PAR4 in the mast cells of PI‐IBS. It could be of considerable interests in understanding the mechanisms involved in the persistent colonic hypersensitivity and their potential role as therapeutic targets for PI‐IBS.
Translating policy into practice: a case study in the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease
Authors: Prior Lindsay , Wilson Joanne , Donnelly Michael , Murphy Andrew W. , Smith Susan M. , Byrne Mary , Byrne Molly , Cupples Margaret E.
Published: December 2011

Background  This paper focuses on the relationships between health ‘policy’ as it is embodied in official documentation, and health ‘practice’ as reported and reflected on in the talk of policy‐makers, health professionals and patients. The specific context for the study involves a comparison of policies relating to the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD) in the two jurisdictions of Ireland – involving as they do a predominantly state funded (National Health Service) system in the north and a mixed health‐care economy in the south. The key question is to determine how the detail of health policy as contained in policy documents connects to and gets translated into practice and action.

Methods  The data sources for the study include relevant health‐care policy documents (N = 5) and progress reports (N = 6) in the two Irish jurisdictions, and semi‐structured interviews with a range of policy‐makers (N = 28), practice nurses (14), general practitioners (12) and patients (13) to explore their awareness of the documents’ contents and how they saw the impact of ‘policy’ on primary care practice.

Results  The findings suggest that although strategic policy documents can be useful for highlighting and channelling attention to health issues that require concerted action, they have little impact on what either professionals or lay people do.

Conclusion  To influence the latter and to encourage a systematic approach to the delivery of health care it seems likely that contractual arrangements – specifying tasks to be undertaken and methods for monitoring and reporting on activity – are required.
Genetic engineering of T cells for the immunotherapy of haematological malignancies
Authors: Casucci M. , Bondanza A. , Falcone L. , Provasi E. , Magnani Z. , Bonini C.
Published: December 2011

Accumulating experimental and clinical evidence has been obtained over recent years in support of the notion that the immune system has the potential to cure cancer. The most convincing example is the graft versus leukaemia effect observed after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In the autologous setting, however, the isolation and expansion of naturally occurring tumour‐specific T cells is a challenging task. Cancer antigens are often self‐antigens and cancer‐specific T cells are thus subject to selective mechanisms of central and peripheral tolerance. The significant advances in gene‐transfer technologies developed over the last decade have offered new tools to overcome these limitations. Natural T cells can be genetically modified to generate high numbers of ‘supernatural’ tumour‐reactive T cells from virtually every cancer patient. Supernatural T cells may express clonal receptors providing new specificities, factors increasing T‐cell performance or safety factors enabling their elimination in case of toxicity. Technological improvements applied to novel concepts of T‐cell biology and oncogenesis will allow to simultaneously equip T cells with different transgenes and expand a real ‘army’ of lymphocytes trained to selectively eradicate cancer cells.
Impact of carbon dioxide enrichment on the responses of maize leaf transcripts and metabolites to water stress
Authors: Sicher Richard C. , Barnaby Jinyoung Y.
Published: December 2011

Maize (Zea mays) was grown in indoor chambers with ambient (38 Pa) and elevated (70 Pa) CO2. Drought treatments were imposed 17 days after sowing by withholding nutrient solution. Decreases of soil water content, leaf water potential, net CO2 assimilation and stomatal conductance as a result of drought were delayed approximately 2 days by CO2 enrichment. Concentrations of 28 of 33 leaf metabolites were altered by drought. Soluble carbohydrates, aconitate, shikimate, serine, glycine, proline and eight other amino acids increased, and leaf starch, malate, fumarate, 2‐oxoglutarate and seven amino acids decreased with drought. Drought‐dependent decreases of nitrate, alanine and aspartate were impacted by limiting nitrogen. Transcript levels of 14 stress‐related maize genes responded to drought but this was delayed or modified by CO2 enrichment. Overall, CO2 enrichment eliminated many early responses of maize metabolites and transcripts to water stress but was less effective when drought was severe. Four metabolite groupings were identified by clustering analysis. These groupings included compounds that decreased with water stress, compounds involved in osmotic adjustment and aromatic compounds that alleviate oxidative stress. Metabolite changes also supported the suggestion that water stress inhibited C4 photosynthesis and induced photorespiration.
Systematic review of the efficacy and safety of fibrinogen concentrate substitution in adults
Authors: WARMUTH M. , MAD P. , WILD C.
Published: December 2011

Background

A sufficient plasma level of fibrinogen is critical for the formation of a fibrin clot and haemostasis in both the perioperative setting and in massive haemorrhage. We assessed the efficacy and safety of fibrinogen concentrate substitution in the perioperative setting and in massive haemorrhage.

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature search for studies conducted on humans and published in either English or German in several databases from 1985 to 2010. In addition, we screened several web sites for assessments on fibrinogen concentrate substitution and conducted a hand search using Scopus. In terms of efficacy, we included all prospective, controlled studies. Concerning safety, we included all prospective studies.

Results

We identified two randomised controlled trials and two non‐randomised controlled studies, which included a total of 74 patients. The studies indicate that the administration of fibrinogen concentrate is associated with improved clot firmness and reduction in the substitution of other blood products such as red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma and platelet concentrates, as well as decreased post‐operative bleeding and drainage volume. In addition, fibrinogen concentrate administration has been reported to be safe with regard to thrombosis and thromboembolic complications, as well as mortality. However, the studies identified were of poor quality.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the results of the available controlled trials suggest that the administration of fibrinogen concentrate was effective and safe. However, because all studies identified were of inadequate quality, these findings need to be confirmed by randomised controlled trials of sufficient size and long‐term follow‐up.
Clinical sedation and bispectral index in burn children receiving gamma‐hydroxybutyrate
Authors: Rousseau Anne‐Françoise , Ledoux Didier , Sabourdin Nada , Richard Patrick , Damas Pierre , Constant Isabelle
Published: December 2011

Background:  Gamma‐hydroxybutyrate (GHB) may be an interesting hypnotic agent in burn patients because of its good respiratory or hemodynamic tolerance. However, its clinical and electroencephalographic (EEG) sedative effects are not yet described in children. The aim of this prospective and randomized study was to assess clinical and EEG effects of increasing intravenous (IV) doses of GHB in burn children requiring sedation for burn wound cares.

Methods:  Thirty six children hospitalized in a burn care unit were included and randomly assigned into three groups (G) according to the single IV dose of GHB they received before burn wound care: 10 mg·kg−1 in G10, 25 mg·kg−1 in G25, or 50 mg·kg−1 in G50. All patients received oral premedication (morphine and hydroxyzine) 30 min before GHB injection. Respiratory rate, heart rate, pulse oximetry, and bispectral index (BIS) were continuously monitored. Depth of sedation was clinically assessed using Observer’s Assessment of Alertness and Sedation (OAAS) Score, every 2 min until recovery (i.e., OAAS = 4).

Results:  Median age was 17.5 [12–34] months. Whatever the dose, BIS decreased after IV GHB. Nadir value of BIS was significantly lower in G25 and G50 than in G10, as was for OAAS score. Nadir values were reached after same delays in G25 and G50. Duration of sedation was dose‐dependant.

Conclusion:  Bispectral index decreased after GHB injection and was correlated with OAAS score. Deep sedation can be safely achieved with IV doses of 25 or 50 mg·kg−1, but the last dose was associated with prolonged duration of clinical sedation.
HdfR is a regulator in Photorhabdus luminescens that modulates metabolism and symbiosis with the nematode Heterorhabditis
Authors: Easom Catherine A. , Clarke David J.
Published: December 2011

The bacterium, Photorhabdus luminescens, is an insect pathogen that also maintains a mutualistic interaction with nematodes from the family Heterorhabditis. Photorhabdus luminescens is carried in the gut of the infective juvenile (IJ), a nematode stage that infects soft‐cuticled insect larvae in the soil. Photorhabdus luminescens is released into the insect blood to convert the insect into a biomass that is able to support nematode growth and development. Nematode reproduction continues for 2–3 generations before the nematodes enter an alternative developmental pathway leading to a new generation of IJs that are efficiently colonized by P. luminescens in a process called transmission. Transmission begins with the adherence of P. luminescens to the rectal gland cells (RGC) located in the gut of the hermaphrodite. The bacteria enter, and replicate within, the RGC resulting in vacuolization, and ultimately lysis, of the RGC. In this way P. luminescens are released throughout the body cavity of the hermaphrodite to encounter, and colonize, the developing IJs. In this study we show that the LysR‐type regulator, HdfR, is required for normal transmission in P. luminescens TTO1. Transcriptome analysis revealed that HdfR regulates the expression of 124 genes, including genes involved in arginine metabolism, hydroxyphenylacetate catabolism and pigment production. Using fluorescence microscopy we show that the ΔhdfR mutant is able to attach to, and grow within, the hermaphrodite as well as wild‐type bacteria but subsequent steps in transmission are delayed. Therefore, HdfR plays an important role in coordinating the interaction between P. luminescens and its nematode partner during transmission.
Rectal washout and local recurrence in rectal resection for cancer: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Rondelli F. , Trastulli S. , Cirocchi R. , Avenia N. , Mariani E. , Sciannameo F. , Noya G.
Published: December 2011

Aim  The effectiveness of rectal washout was compared with no washout for the prevention of local recurrence after anterior rectal resection for rectal cancer.

Method  The following electronic databases were searched: PubMed, OVID Medline, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, EBM Reviews, CINAHL and EMBASE.

Results  Five nonrandomized studies including a total of 5012 patients were identified. Meta‐analysis suggested that rectal washout significantly reduced the local recurrence rate (P < 0.0001; OR 0.57; 95% CI 0.43–0.74). It was also significantly lower after washout in patients having radical resection only (P = 0.0004; OR 0.54; 95% CI 0.39–0.76), patients treated by a curative resection (P < 0.0001; OR 0.55; 95% CI 0.42–0.72) and those undergoing preoperative radiotherapy (P = 0.04; OR 0.62; 95% CI 0.39–0.98).

Conclusion  Taking into account the limitations of the design of the included studies the meta‐analysis showed that rectal washout is associated with reduced local recurrence and therefore should be routine during anterior resection for rectal cancer.
Transitions in care: support group for young adults with Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Markowitz J. T. , Laffel L. M. B.
Published: December 2011

Diabet. Med. 29, 522–525 (2012)

Aims  Young adulthood is a challenging period for patients with Type 1 diabetes as developmental changes complicate Type 1 diabetes management and gaps in care may arise as patients transition from paediatric to adult providers. This period has been associated with worsening diabetes outcomes. One approach to aid young adults during this transition period could entail professionally led support groups to enhance self‐motivation and facilitate peer‐to‐peer interactions. We implemented and evaluated a support group for young adults with Type 1 diabetes as a pilot project.

Methods  Young adults with Type 1 diabetes (18–30 years) participated in monthly, professionally led support groups for 5 months. Questionnaires were completed pre‐ and post‐group and chart review data were collected regarding glycaemic control and visit frequency in the year before and after group participation.

Results  Participation in the group was associated with improvement in HbA1c and decreased self‐reported diabetes burden, along with a trend for an increase in diabetes‐related self‐care behaviours. Frequency of visits did not vary from pre‐ to post‐group. Discussion topics identified by participants included managing diabetes in day‐to‐day life, experiences and interactions with others who do not have diabetes and emotions related to diabetes. Participants identified that they sought a diabetes care team that offers knowledge, support and a multidisciplinary team.

Conclusions  Professionally led support groups may have utility for increasing social support and optimizing diabetes outcomes in young adults with Type 1 diabetes.
Global variability in diabetes mellitus and its association with body weight and primary healthcare support in 49 low‐ and middle‐income developing countries
Authors: Liu L. , Yin X. , Morrissey S.
Published: December 2011

Diabet. Med. 29, 995–1002 (2012)

Aims  In the absence of any previous global comparison, we examined the variability in prevalence of diabetes mellitus across 49 developing countries, and the associations of diabetes with body weight and primary healthcare support using data from the World Health Survey.

Methods  Diabetes mellitus was defined by individuals’ self‐report of a physician diagnosis of diabetes. BMI is the weight (kg)/the square of the height (m). Healthcare support was assessed using clinical treatment status and whether patients with diabetes followed prescribed behaviour changes to control diabetes. Associations of diabetes with BMI and diabetes treatment status were analysed cross‐sectionally.

Results  A total of 215 898 participants were included in the analysis. Age‐adjusted prevalence of diabetes ranged from 0.27% (Mali) to 15.54% (Mauritius). Participants who were underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2), overweight (BMI 25–29.9 kg/m2) and obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) were significantly associated with odds of having diabetes as compared with those who were of normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9 k/m2), with corresponding values of multivariate adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) of 1.15 (1.07–1.24), 1.56 (1.44–1.68) and 2.35 (2.17–2.61), respectively. The overall untreated rate of those with diabetes mellitus was 9.6% in the total sample. Patients with underweight had the highest diabetes untreated rate, followed by those with normal weight, overweight and obesity.

Conclusion  There are significant variations in prevalence of diabetes and primary healthcare support for diabetes across low‐ and middle‐income countries. Aggressively preventing abnormal body weight and improving healthcare support may play a pivotal role in ameliorating the unfavourable epidemic of diabetes in developing countries.
Effects of rosuvastatin and atorvastatin on glycaemic control in Type 2 diabetes—the CORALL study
Authors: Simsek S. , Schalkwijk C. G. , Wolffenbuttel B. H. R.
Published: December 2011

Diabet. Med. 29, 628–631 (2012)

Aims  To examine whether high‐dose statin therapy in Dutch European patients with Type 2 diabetes and dyslipidaemia influenced variables of glycaemic control.

Methods  The CORALL study, which was a 24‐week, open‐label, randomized, parallel‐group, phase IIIb, multi‐centre study, was designed to compare the cholesterol‐lowering effects of rosuvastatin compared with atorvastatin in patients with Type 2 diabetes. Fasting plasma glucose levels and HbA1c levels were collected at baseline and at 6 and 18 weeks.

Results  Treatment with the highest dose of statins, i.e. atorvastatin 80 mg and rosuvastatin 40 mg at 18 weeks from baseline, was associated with increase in HbA1c levels; baseline 57 ± 11 mmol/l (7.4 ± 1.0%) to 61 ± 14 mmol/mol (7.7 ± 1.3%) (range 5.0–11.9) for atorvastatin (P = 0.003) and from baseline 60 ± 11 mmol/mol (7.6 ± 1.0%) to 63 ± 13 mmol/mol (7.9 ± 1.2%) (range 5.7–12.3) for rosuvastatin (P < 0.001). Mean fasting plasma glucose increased from baseline 8.7 ± 2.4 mmol/l to 9.5 ± 3.0 mmol/l upon treatment with atorvastatin 20 mg (P = 0.002) and 9.0 ± 3.0 mmol/l after treatment with 80 mg (not significant compared with baseline). The mean fasting plasma glucose did not change after treatment with rosuvastatin (9.1 ± 2.7 mmol/l at baseline, 8.9 ± 2.7 mmol/l with 10 mg, 9.4 ± 2.9 mmol/l with 40 mg).

Conclusions  Glycaemic control deteriorated in patients with diabetes following high‐dose statin therapy. Future controlled studies are needed to verify these findings and, if confirmed, determine whether such changes represent a true decline in glycaemic control. Presently, it appears that, based on the overwhelming prospective trial data available, the preventive effect of statin therapy supersedes that of the slight increase in HbA1c.
Post‐glacial migration lag restricts range filling of plants in the European Alps
Authors: Dullinger S. , Willner W. , Plutzar C. , Englisch T. , Schratt‐Ehrendorfer L. , Moser D. , Ertl S. , Essl F. , Niklfeld H.
Published: December 2011

Aim  To evaluate the effect of post‐glacial migration lags on the current distribution of Alpine plants and the factors responsible for possible range‐filling differences among species.

Location  Austrian Alps.

Methods  We used species distribution models to predict environmentally suitable sites for 183 Alpine plants at a fine spatial resolution (100 × 100 m2). We overlaid these predictions with independent mapping data (3′× 5′) and calculated the extent to which species fill their potential ranges at this coarser grain based on several different approaches. Moreover, we correlated range‐filling estimates with the magnitude of improvement of distribution models when using the distance to putative glacial refugia as an additional independent variable. Finally, we compared species‐specific range‐filling estimates with traits related to dispersal capacity and competitive ability of these species as well as with characteristics of their habitats.

Results  Even under a conservative approach, incomplete range filling appears common, with 46% and 31% of the species studied occurring in less than 75% and 50% of their predicted suitable ranges, respectively. Proximity to glacial refugia generally accounts for a lower percentage of the deviance in species distribution data (0–20%, mean 4%) than environmental variables (9–57%, mean 27%). However, its importance correlates closely and negatively with the calculated range‐filling estimates. Range filling significantly increases with the dispersal capacity of a species' propagules and the breadth of its altitudinal niche. Calcicolous species have lower range filling than silicicolous plants and substrate generalists.

Conclusions  Our results suggest that the current ranges of many Alpine plants are still shaped by delayed Holocene recolonization of suitable sites. Hence, long‐term migration lags also affect plant distribution in mountainous areas, at least on regional scales. These findings question whether high mountain floras will be able to track the expected rapid, climate change driven shifts in habitat.
Description and Solution of an Unreported Intrinsic Bias in Photon Mapping Density Estimation with Constant Kernel
Authors: García R. , Ureña C. , Sbert M.
Published: December 2011

This paper presents an analysis of the irradiance estimator often used in photon mapping algorithms and concludes that the classical approach with a constant kernel overestimates the correct value. We propose a new estimator that solves this problem and provide both theoretical and empirical studies to verify it.
Risk Aversion, Collective Bargaining, and Wages in Germany
Authors: Goerke Laszlo , Pannenberg Markus
Published: December 2011

We develop an open‐shop model of trade union membership in which workers differ in their risk attitudes, and derive conditions under which the bargained wage will fall and union membership will increase with a general rise in risk aversion. Using data from the German Socio‐Economic Panel we define broad bargaining units and show that wages decline as average risk aversion of union members in these units rises, controlling for individual effects of risk aversion. Given a negative relationship between wages and employment, this suggests that secular changes in risk attitudes, because of an aging workforce or greater female labour force participation, can help to explain variations in the employment performance of unionized economies.
How the Risk of Displacement for Older Workers Has Changed
Authors: Zhivan Natalia A. , Soto Mauricio , Sass Steven A. , Munnell Alicia H.
Published: December 2011

Using Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition and relying on the consistent design of the Displaced Worker Survey since 1996, this study analyses various factors contributing to the rising dislocation of older workers, such as changes in tenure, industry mix, educational attainment, and labor force participation. Although in the past older workers were less prone to displacement compared with prime‐age workers, this paper finds that older workers are now more likely to be displaced, conditional on education, manufacturing industry, and tenure. Declining tenure, a higher incidence of displacement in manufacturing, and a higher labor force participation among older workers largely explain the convergence of displacement rates among older and prime‐age workers.
Cosmopolitan communication online: YouTube responses to the anti‐Islam film Fitna1
Authors: Mihelj Sabina , van Zoonen Liesbet , Vis Farida
Published: December 2011

In 2008, a Dutch member of parliament released a short anti‐Islamic film entitled Fitna, which stirred a huge public controversy and provoked public condemnations around the world. In response to the film, hundreds of videos were uploaded on YouTube, mostly with the aim to provide a more positive representation of Islam, express support for the author and his views, or defend his freedom of speech. Drawing on interviews with YouTube users who posted the videos, this paper reflects on the capacity of the Internet to sustain cosmopolitan communication and examines how cosmopolitan attitudes and practices on‐line differ depending on the participants' cultural and social background, especially their religious affiliations. Particular attention is paid to how the opportunities for cosmopolitan communication are shaped by the unequal distribution of cosmopolitan attitudes and practices among groups, and by global inequalities of power. In addressing these issues, the paper also engages with broader debates about cosmopolitanism, and argues for an understanding of cosmopolitanism as a quest for universalism, which remains anchored in the particular, but involves communication across difference, and requires openness to the possibility that the other is right.