bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health workers' attitudes toward sexual and reproductive health services for unmarried adolescents in Ethiopia
Authors: Tilahun Mesfin , Mengistie Bezatu , Egata Gudina , Reda Ayalu A
Published: September 2012

Background

Adolescents in developing countries face a range of sexual and reproductive health problems. Lack of health care service for reproductive health or difficulty in accessing them are among them. In this study we aimed to examine health care workers' attitudes toward sexual and reproductive health services to unmarried adolescents in Ethiopia.

Methods

We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional survey among 423 health care service providers working in eastern Ethiopia in 2010. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and logistic regression were performed to drive proportions and associations.

Results

The majority of health workers had positive attitudes. However, nearly one third (30%) of health care workers had negative attitudes toward providing RH services to unmarried adolescents. Close to half (46.5%) of the respondents had unfavorable responses toward providing family planning to unmarried adolescents. About 13% of health workers agreed to setting up penal rules and regulations against adolescents that practice pre-marital sexual intercourse. The multivariate analysis indicated that being married (OR 2.15; 95% CI 1.44 - 3.06), lower education level (OR 1.45; 95% CI 1.04 - 1.99), being a health extension worker (OR 2.49; 95% CI 1.43 - 4.35), lack of training on reproductive health services (OR 5.27; 95% CI 1.51 - 5.89) to be significantly associated with negative attitudes toward provision of sexual and reproductive services to adolescents.

Conclusions

The majority of the health workers had generally positive attitudes toward sexual and reproductive health to adolescents. However, a minority has displayed negatives attitudes. Such negative attitudes will be barriers to service utilization by adolescents and hampers the efforts to reduce sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies among unmarried adolescents. We therefore call for a targeted effort toward alleviating negative attitudes toward adolescent-friendly reproductive health service and re-enforcing the positive ones.
Secretory pathway antagonism by calicivirus homologues of Norwalk virus nonstructural protein p22 is restricted to noroviruses
Authors: Sharp Tyler M , Crawford Sue E , Ajami Nadim J , Neill Frederick H , Atmar Robert L , Katayama Kazuhiko , Utama Budi , Estes Mary K
Published: September 2012

Background

Our previous report that the Norwalk virus nonstructural protein p22 is an antagonist of the cellular secretory pathway suggests a new aspect of norovirus/host interaction. To explore conservation of function of this highly divergent calicivirus protein, we examined the effects of p22 homologues from four human and two murine noroviruses, and feline calicivirus on the secretory pathway.

Findings

All human noroviruses examined induced Golgi disruption and inhibited protein secretion, with the genogroup II.4 Houston virus being the most potent antagonist. Genogroup II.6 viruses have a conserved mutation in the mimic of an Endoplasmic Reticulum export signal (MERES) motif that is highly conserved in human norovirus homologues of p22 and is critical for secretory pathway antagonism, and these viruses had reduced levels of Golgi disruption and inhibition of protein secretion. p22 homologues from both persistent and nonpersistent strains of murine norovirus induced Golgi disruption, but only mildly inhibited cellular protein secretion. Feline calicivirus p30 did not induce Golgi disruption or inhibit cellular protein secretion.

Conclusions

These differences confirm a norovirus-specific effect on host cell secretory pathway antagonism by homologues of p22, which may affect viral replication and/or cellular pathogenesis.
A sensitive and specific blocking ELISA for the detection of rabbit calicivirus RCV-A1 antibodies
Authors: Liu June , Kerr Peter J , Strive Tanja
Published: September 2012

Background

Antibodies to non-pathogenic rabbit caliciviruses (RCVs) cross-react in serological tests for rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) and vice versa, making epidemiological studies very difficult where both viruses occur. It is important to understand the distribution and interaction of the two viruses because the highly pathogenic RHDV has been used as a biocontrol agent for wild rabbits in Australia and New Zealand for the past 17 years. The presence of the benign RCV Australia 1 (RCV-A1) is considered a key factor for the failure of RHDV mediated rabbit control in cooler, wetter areas of Australia.

Results

A highly sensitive and specific blocking ELISA was developed for the detection of RCV-A1 antibodies. When sera from rabbits with a known infection history for either RCV-A1 or RHDV were tested, this assay showed 100% sensitivity and no cross-reactivity with RHDV sera (100% specificity).

Conclusions

This new ELISA not only allows the detection of RCV-A1 at a population level, but also permits the serological status of individual rabbits to be determined more reliably than previously described methods. This robust and simple to perform assay is therefore the tool of choice for studying RCV-A1 epidemiology in Australian wild rabbit populations.
Intestinal toxicity evaluation of TiO2 degraded surface-treated nanoparticles: a combined physico-chemical and toxicogenomics approach in caco-2 cells
Authors: Fisichella Matthieu , Berenguer Frederic , Steinmetz Gerard , Auffan Melanie , Rose Jerome , Prat Odette
Published: September 2012

Background

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) are widely used due to their specific properties, like UV filters in sunscreen. In that particular case TiO2 NPs are surface modified to avoid photocatalytic effects. These surface-treated nanoparticles (STNPs) spread in the environment and might release NPs as degradation residues. Indeed, degradation by the environment (exposure to UV, water and air contact …) will occur and could profoundly alter the physicochemical properties of STNPs such as chemistry, size, shape, surface structure and dispersion that are important parameters for toxicity. Although the toxicity of surface unmodified TiO2 NPs has been documented, nothing was done about degraded TiO2 STNPs which are the most likely to be encountered in environment. The superoxide production by aged STNPs suspensions was tested and compared to surface unmodified TiO2 NPs. We investigated the possible toxicity of commercialized STNPs, degraded by environmental conditions, on human intestinal epithelial cells. STNPs sizes and shape were characterized and viability tests were performed on Caco-2 cells exposed to STNPs. The exposed cells were imaged with SEM and STNPs internalization was researched by TEM. Gene expression microarray analyses were performed to look for potential changes in cellular functions.

Results

The production of reactive oxygen species was detected with surface unmodified TiO2 NPs but not with STNPs or their residues. Through three different toxicity assays, the STNPs tested, which have a strong tendency to aggregate in complex media, showed no toxic effect in Caco-2 cells after exposures to STNPs up to 100 μg/mL over 4 h, 24 h and 72 h. The cell morphology remained intact, attested by SEM, and internalization of STNPs was not seen by TEM. Moreover gene expression analysis using pangenomic oligomicroarrays (4x 44000 genes) did not show any change versus unexposed cells after exposure to 10 μg/ mL, which is much higher than potential environmental concentrations.

Conclusions

TiO2 STNPs, degraded or not, are not harmful to Caco-2 cells and are unlikely to penetrate the body via oral route. It is likely that the strong persistence of the aluminium hydroxide layer surrounding these nanoparticles protects the cells from a direct contact with the potentially phototoxic TiO2 core.
Herbal medicine use in the districts of Nakapiripirit, Pallisa, Kanungu, and Mukono in Uganda
Authors: Tabuti John RS , Kukunda Collins B , Kaweesi Daniel , Kasilo Ossy MJ
Published: September 2012

Background

Traditional medicine (TM) occupies a special place in the management of diseases in Uganda. Not with standing the many people relying on TM, indigenous knowledge (IK) related to TM is getting steadily eroded. To slow down this loss it is necessary to document and conserve as much of the knowledge as possible. This study was conducted to document the IK relevant to traditional medicine in the districts of Mukono, Nakapiripirit, Kanungu and Pallisa, in Uganda.

Methods

An ethnobotanical survey was conducted between October 2008 and February 2009 using techniques of key informant interviews and household interviews.

Results

The common diseases and conditions in the four districts include malaria, cough, headache, diarrhea, abdominal pain, flu, backache and eye diseases. Respondents stated that when they fall sick they self medicate using plant medicines or consult western-trained medicine practitioners. Self medication using herbal medicines was reported mostly by respondents of Nakapiripirit and Mukono. Respondents have knowledge to treat 78 ailments using herbal medicines. 44 species, mentioned by three or more respondents have been prioritized. The most frequently used part in herbal medicines is the leaf, followed by the stem and root. People sometime use animal parts, soil, salt and water from a grass roof, in traditional medicines. Herbal medicines are stored for short periods of time in bottles. The knowledge to treat ailments is acquired from parents and grandparents. Respondents’ age and tribe appears to have a significant influence on knowledge of herbal medicine, while gender does not.

Conclusion

This survey has indicated that IK associated with TM stills exists and that TM is still important in Uganda because many people use it as a first line of health care when they fall sick. Age and tribe influence the level of IK associated with herbal medicine, but gender does not.
Targeted massive parallel sequencing: the effective detection of novel causative mutations associated with hearing loss in small families
Authors: Baek Jeong-In , Oh Se-Kyung , Kim Dong-Bin , Choi Soo-Young , Kim Un-Kyung , Lee Kyu-Yup , Lee Sang-Heun
Published: September 2012

Background

Hereditary hearing loss is one of the most common heterogeneous disorders, and genetic variants that can cause hearing loss have been identified in over sixty genes. Most of these hearing loss genes have been detected using classical genetic methods, typically starting with linkage analysis in large families with hereditary hearing loss. However, these classical strategies are not well suited for mutation analysis in smaller families who have insufficient genetic information.

Methods

Eighty known hearing loss genes were selected and simultaneously sequenced by targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) in 8 Korean families with autosomal dominant non-syndromic sensorineural hearing loss.

Results

Five mutations in known hearing loss genes, including 1 nonsense and 4 missense mutations, were identified in 5 different genes (ACTG1, MYO1F, DIAPH1, POU4F3 and EYA4), and the genotypes for these mutations were consistent with the autosomal dominant inheritance pattern of hearing loss in each family. No mutational hot-spots were revealed in these Korean families.

Conclusion

Targeted NGS allowed for the detection of pathogenic mutations in affected individuals who were not candidates for classical genetic studies. This report is the first documenting the effective use of an NGS technique to detect pathogenic mutations that underlie hearing loss in an East Asian population. Using this NGS technique to establish a database of common mutations in Korean patients with hearing loss and further data accumulation will contribute to the early diagnosis and fundamental therapies for hereditary hearing loss.
Cardiac fibroblasts, fibrosis and extracellular matrix remodeling in heart disease
Authors: Fan Dong , Takawale Abhijit , Lee Jiwon , Kassiri Zamaneh
Published: September 2012

Fibroblasts comprise the largest cell population in the myocardium. In heart disease, the number of fibroblasts is increased either by replication of the resident myocardial fibroblasts, migration and transformation of circulating bone marrow cells, or by transformation of endothelial/epithelial cells into fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. The primary function of fibroblasts is to produce structural proteins that comprise the extracellular matrix (ECM). This can be a constructive process; however, hyperactivity of cardiac fibroblasts can result in excess production and deposition of ECM proteins in the myocardium, known as fibrosis, with adverse effects on cardiac structure and function. In addition to being the primary source of ECM proteins, fibroblasts produce a number of cytokines, peptides, and enzymes among which matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), directly impact the ECM turnover and homeostasis. Function of fibroblasts can also in turn be regulated by MMPs and TIMPs. In this review article, we will focus on the function of cardiac fibroblasts in the context of ECM formation, homeostasis and remodeling in the heart. We will discuss the origins and multiple roles of cardiac fibroblasts in myocardial remodeling in different types of heart disease in patients and in animal models. We will further provide an overview of what we have learned from experimental animal models and genetically modified mice with altered expression of ECM regulatory proteins, MMPs and TIMPs.
Microsatellite markers for identification and parentage analysis in the European wild boar (Sus scrofa)
Authors: Costa Vânia , Pérez-González Javier , Santos Pedro , Fernández-Llario Pedro , Carranza Juan , Zsolnai Attila , Anton István , Buzgó József , Varga Gyula , Monteiro Nuno , Beja-Pereira Albano
Published: September 2012

Background

The wild boar (Sus scrofa) is among the most widespread mammal species throughout the old world. Presently, studies concerning microsatellites in domestic pigs and wild boars have been carried out in order to investigate domestication, social behavior and general diversity patterns among either populations or breeds. The purpose of the current study is to develop a robust set of microsatellites markers for parentage analyses and individual identification.

Findings

A set of 14 previously reported microsatellites markers have been optimized and tested in three populations from Hungary, Portugal and Spain, in a total of 167 samples. The results indicate high probabilities of exclusion (0.99999), low probability of identity (2.0E-13 – 2.5E-9) and a parentage assignment of 100%.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that this set of markers is a useful and efficient tool for the individual identification and parentage assignment in wild boars.
Intestinal malrotation with suspected cow’s milk allergy: a case report
Authors: Matsuki Takuma , Kaga Akimune , Kanda Susumu , Suzuki Yutaka , Tanabu Muneyuki , Sawa Naoya
Published: September 2012

Background

Intestinal malrotation is an incomplete rotation of the intestine. Failure to rotate leads to abnormalities in intestinal positioning and attachment that leave obstructing bands across the duodenum and a narrow pedicle for the midgut loop, thus making it susceptible to volvulus. One of the important differential diagnoses for malrotation is an allergy to cow’s milk. Several studies have described infants with surgical gastrointestinal diseases and cow’s milk allergy. However, to our knowledge, no study has reported infants with intestinal malrotation who have been symptomatic before surgery was performed and have been examined by allergen-specific lymphocyte stimulation test and food challenge tests with long-term follow-up.

Case presentation

The patient was a Japanese male born at 39 weeks of gestation. He was breast-fed and received commercial cow’s milk supplementation starting the day of birth and was admitted to our hospital at 6 days of age due to bilious vomiting. Plain abdominal radiography showed a paucity of gas in the distal bowel. Because we demonstrated malpositioning of the intestine by barium enema, we repositioned the bowel in a normal position by laparotomy. The patient was re-started on only breast milk 2 days post surgery because we suspected the presence of a cow’s milk allergy, and the results of an allergen-specific lymphocyte stimulation test showed a marked increase in lymphocyte response to kappa-casein. At 5 months of age, the patient was subjected to a cow’s milk challenge test. After the patient began feeding on cow’s milk, he had no symptoms and his laboratory investigations showed no abnormality. In addition, because the patient showed good weight gain and no symptoms with increased cow’s milk intake after discharge, we concluded that the present case was not the result of a cow’s milk allergy. At 1 year, the patient showed favorable growth and development, and serum allergy investigations revealed no reaction to cow’s milk.

Conclusion

When physicians encounter infants with surgical gastrointestinal disease, including intestinal malrotation, they should consider cow’s milk allergy as a differential diagnosis or complication and should utilize food challenge tests for a definitive diagnosis.
Enhanced efficacy and specificity of epithelial ovarian carcinogenesis by embedding a DMBA-coated cloth strip in the ovary of rat
Authors: Huang Yiping , Jiang Wei , Wang Yisheng , Zheng Yufang , Cong Qing , Xu Congjian
Published: September 2012

Background

Ovarian cancer is predominant of epithelial cell origin and often present at an advanced stage with poor prognosis. Most animal models of ovarian carcinoma yield thecal/granulose cell tumors, rather than adenocarcinomas. The best reported induction rate of adenocarcinoma in rats is 10-45% by an ovarian implantation of 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) coated silk suture. We provided an improved procedure to construct the model by the ovarian implantation of DMBA-coated cloth strip.

Methods

A sterile suture (as S group) or a piece of cloth strip (as CS group) was soaked in DMBA before ovarian implantation in Wistar rats. Tumor size, incidence rate and pathological type were analyzed.

Results

Ovarian tumors in rats of CS group were first noted at 16 wk post implantation and reached a cumulative incidence of 75% (96/128) at 32 wk, while the tumor incidence rate in S group at 32 wk was only 46.25% (37/80). The tumor size in CS group (3.63 ± 0.89 cm) was larger than that of S group (2.44 ± 1.89 cm) (P < 0.05). In CS group, there were only two types of tumor formed: adenocarcinoma (90/96) and sarcoma (6/96). While in S group, there were different types, including adenocarcinoma (21/37), squamous carcinoma (3/37), granulosa cell tumor (3/37), sarcoma (4/37), undifferentiated carcinoma with no adeno character (2/37), benign ovarian tumor (2/37), and malignant teratoma (1/37).

Conclusion

The model in our study yields much higher incidence and specificity of epithelial derived tumors and showed histological similarities to human ovarian cancers, which would be more suitable for therapeutic research.
Drying of a plasmid containing formulation: chitosan as a protecting agent
Authors: Mohajel Nasir , Najafabadi Abdolhossein R , Azadmanesh Kayhan , Amini Mohsen , Vatanara Alireza , Moazeni Esmail , Rahimi Amirabbas , Gilani Kambiz
Published: September 2012

Background

Along with research on development of more efficient gene delivery systems, it is necessary to search on stabilization processes to extend their active life span. Chitosan is a nontoxic, biocompatible and available gene delivery carrier. The aim of this study was to assess the ability of this polymer to preserve transfection efficiency during spray-drying and a modified freeze-drying process in the presence of commonly used excipients.

Methods

Molecular weight of chitosan was reduced by a chemical reaction and achieved low molecular weight chitosan (LMWC) was complexed with pDNA. Obtained nanocomplex suspensions were diluted by solutions of lactose and leucine, and these formulations were spray dried or freeze dried using a modified technique. Size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, intensity of supercoiled DNA band on gel electrophoresis, and transfection efficiency of reconstituted nanocomplexes were compared with freshly prepared ones.

Results and conclusion

Size distribution profiles of both freeze dried, and 13 out of 16 spray-dried nanocomplexes remained identical to freshly prepared ones. LMWC protected up to 100% of supercoiled structure of pDNA in both processes, although DNA degradation was higher in spray-drying of the nanocomplexes prepared with low N/P ratios. Both techniques preserved transfection efficiency similarly even in lower N/P ratios, where supercoiled DNA content of spray dried formulations was lower than freeze-dried ones. Leucine did not show a significant effect on properties of the processed nanocomplexes. It can be concluded that LMWC can protect DNA structure and transfection efficiency in both processes even in the presence of leucine.
Structural relationships and vasorelaxant activity of monoterpenes
Authors: Cardoso Lima Tamires , Mota Marcelo Mendonça , Barbosa-Filho José Maria , Viana Dos Santos Márcio Roberto , De Sousa Damião Pergentino
Published: September 2012

Background and purpose of the study

The hypotensive activity of the essential oil of Mentha x villosa and its main constituent, the monoterpene rotundifolone, have been reported. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate the vasorelaxant effect of monoterpenes found in medicinal plants and establish the structure-activity relationship of rotundifolone and its structural analogues on the rat superior mesenteric artery.

Methods

Contractions of the vessels were induced with 10 μM of phenylephine (Phe) in rings with endothelium. During the tonic phase of the contraction, the monoterpenes (10-8 - 10-3, cumulatively) were added to the organ bath. The extent of relaxation was expressed as the percentage of Phe-induced contraction.

Results

The results from the present study showed that both oxygenated terpenes (rotundifolone, (+)-limonene epoxide, pulegone epoxide, carvone epoxide, and (+)-pulegone) and non-oxygenated terpene ((+)-limonene) exhibit relaxation activity. The absence of an oxygenated molecular structure was not a critical requirement for the molecule to be bioactive. Also it was found that the position of ketone and epoxide groups in the monoterpene structures influence the vasorelaxant potency and efficacy.

Major conclusion

The results suggest that the presence of functional groups in the chemical structure of rotundifolone is not essential for its vasorelaxant activity.
Formulation and evaluation of microsphere based oro dispersible tablets of itopride hcl
Authors: Shah Sanjay , Madan Sarika , Agrawal SS
Published: September 2012

Background

The purpose of the present work is to mask the intensely bitter taste of Itopride HCl and to formulate an Oro dispersible tablet (ODT) of the taste-masked drug by incorporation of microspheres in the tablets for use in specific populations viz. pediatrics, geriatrics and patients experiencing difficulty in swallowing.

Methods

With this objective in mind, microspheres loaded with Itopride HCl were prepared by solvent evaporation method using acetone as solvent for pH-sensitive polymer, Eudragit EPO and light liquid paraffin as the encapsulating medium. The prepared microspheres were characterized with regard to yield, drug content, flow properties, particle size and size distribution, surface features, in vitro drug release and taste. The ODTs so prepared from these microspheres were evaluated for hardness, thickness, weight variation, friability, disintegration time, drug content, wetting time, water absorption ratio, moisture uptake, in vitro dispersion, in vitro disintegration, in vitro drug release and stability.

Results

The average size of microspheres was found to be satisfactory in terms of the size and size distribution. Microspheres prepared were of a regular spherical shape. Comparison of the dissolution profiles of microspheres in different pH media showed that microspheres having drug: polymer ratio of 1:2 produced a retarding effect in simulated salivary fluid (pH 6.8) and were further used for formulation into ODTs after addition of suitable amounts of excipients such as superdisintegrant, diluent, sweetener and flavor of directly compressible grade.

Conclusions

Effective taste-masking was achieved for Itopride HCl by way of preparation of microspheres and ODTs of acceptable characteristics.
Sequencing and analysis of the gastrula transcriptome of the brittle star Ophiocoma wendtii
Authors: Vaughn Roy , Garnhart Nancy , Garey James R , Thomas W Kelley , Livingston Brian T
Published: September 2012

Background

The gastrula stage represents the point in development at which the three primary germ layers diverge. At this point the gene regulatory networks that specify the germ layers are established and the genes that define the differentiated states of the tissues have begun to be activated. These networks have been well-characterized in sea urchins, but not in other echinoderms. Embryos of the brittle star Ophiocoma wendtii share a number of developmental features with sea urchin embryos, including the ingression of mesenchyme cells that give rise to an embryonic skeleton. Notable differences are that no micromeres are formed during cleavage divisions and no pigment cells are formed during development to the pluteus larval stage. More subtle changes in timing of developmental events also occur. To explore the molecular basis for the similarities and differences between these two echinoderms, we have sequenced and characterized the gastrula transcriptome of O. wendtii.

Methods

Development of Ophiocoma wendtii embryos was characterized and RNA was isolated from the gastrula stage. A transcriptome data base was generated from this RNA and was analyzed using a variety of methods to identify transcripts expressed and to compare those transcripts to those expressed at the gastrula stage in other organisms.

Results

Using existing databases, we identified brittle star transcripts that correspond to 3,385 genes, including 1,863 genes shared with the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus gastrula transcriptome. We characterized the functional classes of genes present in the transcriptome and compared them to those found in this sea urchin. We then examined those members of the germ-layer specific gene regulatory networks (GRNs) of S. purpuratus that are expressed in the O. wendtii gastrula. Our results indicate that there is a shared ‘genetic toolkit’ central to the echinoderm gastrula, a key stage in embryonic development, though there are also differences that reflect changes in developmental processes.

Conclusions

The brittle star expresses genes representing all functional classes at the gastrula stage. Brittle stars and sea urchins have comparable numbers of each class of genes and share many of the genes expressed at gastrulation. Examination of the brittle star genes in which sea urchin orthologs are utilized in germ layer specification reveals a relatively higher level of conservation of key regulatory components compared to the overall transcriptome. We also identify genes that were either lost or whose temporal expression has diverged from that of sea urchins.
Understanding the basis of a novel fruit type in Brassicaceae: conservation and deviation in expression patterns of six genes
Authors: Avino Mariano , Kramer Elena M , Donohue Kathleen , Hammel Alexander J , Hall Jocelyn C
Published: September 2012

Background

Variation in fruit morphology is important for plant fitness because it influences dispersal capabilities. Approximately half the members of tribe Brassiceae (Brassicaceae) exhibit fruits with segmentation and variable dehiscence, called heteroarthrocarpy. The knowledge of the genetics of fruit patterning in Arabidopsis offers the opportunity to ask: (1) whether this genetic pathway is conserved in taxa with different fruit morphologies; (2) how the pathway may be modified to produce indehiscence; and (3) whether the pathway has been recruited for a novel abscission zone.

Methods

We identified homologs ofALCATRAZ,FRUITFULL,INDEHISCENT,SHATTERPROOF, andREPLUMLESSfrom two taxa, representing different types of heteroarthrocarpy. ComParative gene expression of twelve loci was assessed to address how their expression may have been modified to produce heteroarthrocarpy.

Results

Studies demonstrated overall conservation in gene expression patterns between dehiscent segments ofErucaria erucarioidesand Arabidopsis, with some difference in expression of genes that position the valve margin. In contrast, indehiscence in heteroarthrocarpic fruit segments was correlated with the elimination of the entire valve margin pathway inErucariaandCakile lanceolataas well as its absence from a novel lateral abscission zone.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that modifications in the valve margin positioning genes are responsible for differences between heteroarthrocarpic and Arabidopsis-like fruits and support the hypothesis that heteroarthrocarpy evolved via repositioning the valve margin. They also highlight conservation in the dehiscence pathway across Brassicaceae.
Male mice retain a metabolic memory of improved glucose tolerance induced during adult onset, short-term dietary restriction
Authors: Cameron Kerry M , Miwa Satomi , Walker Cornelia , von Zglinicki Thomas
Published: September 2012

Background

Chronic dietary restriction (DR) has been shown to have beneficial effects on glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity. These factors show rapid and robust improvements when rodents were crossed over from an ad libitum (AL) diet to DR in mid life. We aimed to determine whether the beneficial effects induced by short-term exposure to DR can be retained as a ‘metabolic memory’ when AL feeding is resumed (AL-DR-AL) and vice versa: whether the effects of long-term DR can be reversed by a period of AL feeding (DR-AL-DR). C57BL/6 male and female mice were used to examine sex differences (N = 10/sex/group). Mice were fed AL or DR from 3 until 15 months (baseline) and each dietary crossover lasted approximately 5 months.

Results

In females, body and fat mass were proportional to the changes in feeding regime and plasma insulin and glucose tolerance were unaffected by the crossovers. However, in male mice, glucose tolerance and plasma insulin levels were reversed within 6 to 12 weeks. When males returned to AL intake following 5 months DR (AL-DR-AL), body mass was maintained below baseline, proportional to changes in fat mass. Glucose tolerance was also significantly better compared to baseline.

Conclusions

Male mice retained a metabolic memory of 5 months of DR feeding in terms of reduced body mass and improved glucose tolerance. This implies that some of the beneficial effects induced by a period of DR in adult life may be beneficial, even when free feeding is resumed at least in males. However, under continuous DR, lifespan extension was more prominent in females than in males.
Vitamin D status and associated factors in recent-onset type 1 diabetic children in Iran
Authors: Ataie-Jafari Asal , Rahmat Asmah Bt , Abbasi Farzaneh , Cheong Loke Seng , Qorbani Mostafa , Larijani Bagher
Published: September 2012

Background

In this study, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was assessed in a group of children and adolescent patients with recent-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

Methods

Fifty-three patients with age 8–18 years and duration of T1DM less than 8 weeks were recruited. A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to assess dietary vitamin D and calcium intake. Sunshine exposure was measured using a questionnaire to quantify the amount of time children spent in the sun and other sun-related habits, and a sun index score was generated. Serum 25(OH)D < 20 ng/ml was considered as vitamin D deficiency. Logistic regression was used to assess predictors of vitamin D deficiency.

Results

All patients were vitamin D deficient (77%) or insufficient (23%). In a logistic regression model, it was shown that the risk of being vitamin D deficient was significantly decreased by sunlight exposure ≥ 15 minutes during the weekends versus < 15 minutes (OR: 0.06, 95% CI: 0.01–0.75; P=0.029). In addition, vitamin D deficiency in boys was lower than girls in this model (OR: 0.164 [95% CI: 0.02–1.11]; P = 0.063).

Conclusion

Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent among children and adolescents with T1DM in Iran. Boys and children with ≥ 15 minutes sunlight exposure in weekends were less likely to be vitamin D deficient than girls and those with < 15 minutes sunlight exposure.
How mentalisation changes the mind
Authors: Fonagy Peter , Adshead Gwen
Published: September 2012

In this article, we offer an account of how various psychological therapies address dysfunctional mentalisation and identify pitfalls of therapy that could lead to an impasse or even to negative consequences associated with psychological treatment. Some practical recommendations follow from our model, particularly in relation to the careful monitoring of the intensity of the patient's attachment and the use of interventions aimed at promoting mentalising.
Supported accommodation for people with severe mental illness: an update
Authors: Macpherson Rob , Shepherd Geoff , Thyarappa Praveen
Published: September 2012

Appropriate housing and support are essential elements in the care of many people with mental health problems, and housing has a major impact on the quality of their lives. In the post-deinstitutionalised services of most high-income countries, a complex range of supported accommodation is available, mostly in the private (for-profit and not-for-profit) sector. We describe the different forms of accommodation and consider recent trends in policy and practice and the evidence base in this area. We also discuss quality issues and the potential impact of the recovery movement.
Vascular dementia: a pragmatic review
Authors: Series Hugh , Esiri Margaret
Published: September 2012

Vascular dementia is associated with a group of diverse pathologies affecting the cerebrovascular circulation and with other dementia pathologies, particularly Alzheimer's disease. It is rather rare on its own. There is a spectrum of severity of cerebrovascular disease ranging from pathology but no cognitive impairment, to mild cognitive impairment to a dementia syndrome (vascular dementia). Where present, cerebrovascular disease can magnify the impact of other pathologies such as Alzheimer's disease. Current criteria for diagnosing vascular dementia are inadequate. Neuroimaging can be very helpful in defining the extent of pathology. Assessment needs to take into account a wide range of issues. Specific evidence-based treatments are limited, but attention should be given to managing risk factors and associated psychiatric problems such as depression.
Paying attention: Hippocratic and Asklepian approaches
Authors: Downie Robin
Published: September 2012

Psychiatry predominantly uses an evidence-based way of understanding patients. Over the past two decades, however, the idea has become acceptable that something can also be learned from the arts. This article suggests a precise role for ‘narrative understanding’, but argues that something further can be learned by examining a particular mode of attention – that which an experienced viewer might give to a painting or listener to a piece of serious music. The article articulates the contrast between the detached attention of the scientist and the engaged attention of the artist in terms of two traditions of medicine: Hippocratic and Asklepian. It argues that it is possible to combine these and that the ways in which an informed viewer looks at paintings or listener listens to music can be models for this sort of attention.
Searching for real holism
Authors: Hughes Julian C.
Published: September 2012

Robin Downie provides useful reminders of the broad basis of medical practice. This should encourage the sort of ‘engaged attention’ that he describes – the sort of attention needed to appreciate works of art. But what else is going on in a clinical encounter (as in a work of art)? This commentary suggests that real communication is to be understood in dramaturgical terms as occurring between actors in real time and space. It involves shared understandings, which require empathy but which depend on something ineffable to do with our standing as human beings in the world.
Antipsychotics: psychiatry's biggest idea
Authors: Cookson John
Published: September 2012

Clinical psychiatrists working today owe a great deal to the discoveries of the pharmaceutical industry since 1953, especially in relation to antipsychotic drugs. Yet patients need still better antipsychotics with greater efficacy and fewer side-effects. We should not let nostalgia cloud our judgement.
Health inequalities and mental life
Authors: Marmot Michael
Published: September 2012

The evidence, which is summarised in this editorial, shows that the circumstances in which people are born, grow, live, work and age are powerful determinants of health and of the unfair distribution of health – health inequity. Discrimination against people with mental illness shows how the relation can go the other way: for example, when people with mental ill health cannot get back into work.
Effect of exercise on depression severity in older people:
systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled
trials
Authors: Bridle Christopher , Spanjers Kathleen , Patel Shilpa , Atherton Nicola M. , Lamb Sarah E.
Published: September 2012

Background

The prevelance of depression in older people is high, treatment is
inadequate, it creates a substantial burden and is a public health
priority for which exercise has been proposed as a therapeutic
strategy.

Aims

To estimate the effect of exercise on depressive symptoms among older
people, and assess whether treatment effect varies depending on the
depression criteria used to determine participant eligibility.

Method

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials of
exercise for depression in older people.

Results

Nine trials met the inclusion criteria and seven were meta-analysed.
Exercise was associated with significantly lower depression severity
(standardised mean difference (SMD) =–0.34, 95% CI –0.52 to –0.17),
irrespective of whether participant eligibility was determined by
clinical diagnosis (SMD =–0.38, 95% CI –0.67 to –0.10) or symptom
checklist (SMD =–0.34, 95% CI –0.62 to –0.06). Results remained
significant in sensitivity analyses.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that, for older people who present with clinically
meaningful symptoms of depression, prescribing structured exercise
tailored to individual ability will reduce depression severity.
Where are the hypotheses when you need them?
Authors: Burns Tom
Published: September 2012

Poor staff morale is a pressing problem in UK mental health services,
especially for acute in-patient wards, community mental health teams and
social workers. Instead of interpreting low morale using a
demand–control–support model, it is suggested here that simply being honest
about what should be expected of staff and stopping constant criticism and
reorganisation might be more fruitful.
The role of the high-risk approach in suicide
prevention
Authors: Pitman Alexandra , Caine Eric
Published: September 2012

Evidence favours the population approach over high-risk approaches to
suicide prevention, but methodological problems may have obscured the
contribution of the latter. This editorial uses the findings of a recent
evaluation of a high-risk approach used in England to consider the role of
high-risk interventions in national suicide prevention strategies.
Long-term consequences of mild traumatic brain
injury
Authors: Rona Roberto J.
Published: September 2012

A debate has ensued about the long-term consequences of mild traumatic brain
injury, the ‘signature injury’ of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. Most
epidemiological studies have found that mild traumatic brain injury is
unrelated to unspecific post-concussion symptoms based on self-reported
symptoms. A longitudinal study, in this issue of the
Journal, using objective tests has demonstrated that
mild traumatic brain injury has limited lasting neuropsychological
consequences.
Metabolic syndrome in patients attending psychiatric day centres: prevalence and associations
Authors: Gubbins Anna , Lally John , McDonald Colm
Published: September 2012

Aims and method

To ascertain the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in individuals with chronic enduring mental illness attending community psychiatric day centres, and to identify the prevalence of individual cardiometabolic risk factors and the rate of screening for these abnormalities. One hundred participants with chronic enduring mental illness were recruited and investigated using physical assessments and comprehensive laboratory testing.

Results

Of the 100 participants recruited, 55% met the criteria for metabolic syndrome. There were similar prevalence rates between those with psychotic and non-psychotic disorders. Forty-four per cent of the patients had not been screened for metabolic parameters in the previous 12 months, and 43% of these met criteria for metabolic syndrome.

Clinical implications

Chronic enduring mental illness is associated with high prevalence rates of metabolic syndrome regardless of diagnosis or use of antipsychotic medication. A substantial proportion of this standard cohort of patients attending day centres carry cardiovascular risk factors that remain unidentified, but should be screened for and intensively managed.
The seven habits of recovery-oriented psychiatrists: a non-clinical guide for personal growth and development
Authors: Jha Arun , Jha Mithilesh
Published: September 2012

British mental health trusts are trying to organise and deliver services based on recovery principles. Psychiatrists are perceived to be either reluctant or opposed to adopting these principles, although there is some support for recovery-oriented practice. In this paper we highlight the recovery needs of psychiatrists and propose a framework of internalising recovery principles in order to develop recovery-conducive habits based on Stephen Covey's popular book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
Quality and Environmental Regulation: Verifying Compliance along the Supply Chain
Authors: Tzavara Dionisia , Heritier Adrienne
Published: September 2012

Among the factors providing incentives to monitor the behaviour of input suppliers are the regulatory requirements to which downstream firms are subject. We develop a formal economic model to examine the relationship between the strictness of the regulatory environment and downstream firms' incentives to act as inspectors of their sub-contractors. We consider the interaction between a downstream producer and an upstream input supplier. The downstream chooses the probability with which to monitor the upstream's compliance and the upstream chooses a compliance level which determines compliance of the end product with quality or environmental regulation. We find that the strictness of regulation affects the downstream's monitoring strategy in combination with the level of quality or environmental standards. If the standards are sufficiently low then the strictness of regulation increases incentives to monitor the upstream. Contrary, if the standards are sufficiently high then the pressure on the downstream to monitor the upstream is relaxed and the strictness of regulation decreases incentives to monitor. We argue that the strictness of regulation should not be treated in isolation as a factor determining the choice of downstream firms to monitor their input suppliers.
Contested Contestability: Competition Policy and the Development of Communications Satellite Broadcasting in Japan
Authors: Johns Adam
Published: September 2012

This paper analyses the application of competition policy regulation and its effect on market conduct and performance through the case study of communication satellite broadcasting in Japan. Focusing on structural regulations such as vertical separation and conduct regulations such as open access, this paper questions whether regulations have effectively led to contestable markets by examining the shareholding relationships of major player SKY PerfecTV. Findings presented here suggest that regulation designed in principle to achieve performance-oriented goals of contestability and diversity actually impaired the functioning of the market and the ability of industry players to obtain an adequate return on investment.
Novel Real-Time Stability Assessment Algorithm Based on Synchro-Phasors Measurement and Parallel Algorithms for Multi-Machine Networks.
Authors: Ali Mohamed Abdelwahhab , Mansour Wagdy Mohamed , Anis Wael Refaat , Bendary Fahmy Metwally
Published: September 2012

The introduction of wide area measurements has brought a need for real time assessment methods of power systems, which are accurate and fast. The time varying coefficients in synchronous machine equations make it difficult to find solutions to obtain machine voltages, currents and flux linkages when expressed in phase quantities under transient conditions. The paper presents an approach to design power system transient stability assessment using direct methods for a multi-machine network based on multiple synchronized phasors, measured from Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) and generator parameters. The generator rotor angle was derived from phasor measurements of voltage and current, and generator parameters using direct algorithm . The method assumes that a temporary fault is applied to the system therefore the pre-fault and post-fault conditions are similar. The multi-machine system was reduced to groups denoted Single Machine to Equivalent Bus (SMEB) models and another groups denoted Load Equivalent Bus (LEB) using Parallel Algorithms (PAs) [1]. The use of these PAs eliminates the SPMUs at each bus in the system, and it is required number of SPMUs only equals the number of generator buses. So that, the Equal Area Criterion in both rotor angle domain and time domain can be applicable for the SMEBs groups to assess the system stability in real-time through the Synchro-Phasors Measurements Units (SPMUs). A temporary three phase fault was simulated at test system comprises 2-machine, 8-bus network for validating the novel algorithm.
Integrated Kalman-Independent Component Analysis Method for Harmonic Current Estimation on an Interconnected Four Bus Simulated and Laboratory Model
Authors: Supriya P. , Nambiar P.
Published: September 2012

Wide use of non-linear loads results in harmonic propagation throughout the entire power system. The harmonics generated in the power system by the harmonic injection buses need to be properly measured and quantified using minimal information about the power system network. Independent Component Analysis (ICA) provides several algorithms for harmonic state estimation, some of which are more accurate at specific harmonic frequencies. In this paper, the best ICA algorithm for steady state performance (i.e. the algorithm with the least error) is chosen and the resulting mixing matrix is processed by a Kalman Filter which functions as an optimal estimator. The harmonic state estimation is implemented on a simulated four bus system and a laboratory four bus model is also wired and the results of the work are presented.