bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exclusion Constraints Facilitate Statistical Word Learning
Authors: Yoshida Katherine , Rhemtulla Mijke , Vouloumanos Athena
Published: July 2012

The roles of linguistic, cognitive, and social‐pragmatic processes in word learning are well established. If statistical mechanisms also contribute to word learning, they must interact with these processes; however, there exists little evidence for such mechanistic synergy. Adults use co‐occurrence statistics to encode speech–object pairings with detailed sensitivity in stochastic learning environments (Vouloumanos, 2008). Here, we replicate this statistical work with nonspeech sounds and compare the results with the previous speech studies to examine whether exclusion constraints contribute equally to the statistical learning of speech–object and nonspeech–object associations. In environments in which performance could benefit from exclusion, we find a learning advantage for speech over nonspeech, revealing an interaction between statistical and exclusion processes in associative word learning.
Impact of increasing temperatures and exposure duration on egg hatch in the hemlock looper, Lambdina fiscellaria
Authors: Delisle Johanne , Royer Lucie , le Bernier‐Cardou Michè , Labrecque Alain
Published: July 2012

As the growing season is expected to begin earlier under climate change, insects should initiate reproduction several days or weeks earlier than they used to. In eastern Canada, hemlock looper (HL) Lambdina fiscellaria (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) females generally oviposit in September, with eggs entering an obligatory diapause quickly after their deposition. We therefore simulated an early start of the HL reproduction cycle of 2, 4, 6, or 8 weeks to examine the extent to which freshly laid eggs from two populations (island and mainland) can withstand exposure to four temperature conditions (15, 20, 25 °C, or fluctuating temperature in an outdoor insectary), with all treatments ending on 1 September 2007. On this date, half the eggs from each population were immediately incubated at 15 °C, while the rest were stored in an outdoor insectary until their incubation at 15 °C the following spring. In a separate experiment, the effect of temperature on pre‐diapause duration was determined from the number of days required for eggs to change colour after oviposition. The pre‐diapause phase was completed faster as temperature increased. Regardless of incubation date and population, percent hatch decreased significantly after 6‐8 weeks of exposure to 25 °C or in the outdoor insectary. Under most treatments, the odds of dying as pharate larvae increased with exposure duration. When eggs were incubated at 15 °C immediately after treatment, time to hatch and diapause duration remained constant over treatments, except at 25 °C when they both decreased. After 8 weeks of exposure to 15 or 20 °C, eggs transferred outdoors were more likely to hatch precociously than those exposed to 25 °C or insectary conditions. Globally, mortality seemed greater among eggs stored outdoors than among those kept indoors. Most eggs that survived the winter hatched synchronously after incubation in spring. Overall, larger eggs from the island population survived better than smaller eggs from the mainland population.
Effects of inbreeding on variation in diapause duration and early fecundity in the Kanzawa spider mite
Authors: Ito Katsura , Yokoyama Nanako , Kumekawa Yoshimasa , Hayakawa Hiroshi , Minamiya Yukio , Nakaishi Kazuhide , Fukuda Tatsuya , Arakawa Ryo , Saito Yutaka
Published: July 2012

In arthropods, both diapause duration and ability to produce eggs in early adult life (early fecundity) are important life‐history traits for successful settling in a new habitat. In herbivorous spider mites (Acari: Tetranychidae), inbreeding frequently occurs because new colonies are established by only one or a few females. In the present study, we investigated the impact of inbreeding on the phenotypic variance in diapause duration and early fecundity in the Kanzawa spider mite, Tetranychus kanzawai Kishida. Diapause duration was compared between the inbreeding treatment (strongly inbred strains) and the control (strains immediately taken from the stock culture) under winter‐mimicking laboratory conditions. The variance in diapause duration was smaller in the inbreeding treatment than in the control, though the magnitude of decrease of variance was less than expected. On the other hand, early fecundity did not show any reduction of variance. The present results revealed that inbreeding reduces phenotypic variation, as expected in theory.
The effects of adjunctive metronidazole plus amoxicillin in the treatment of generalized aggressive periodontitis: a 1‐year double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled, randomized clinical trial
Authors: Mestnik Maria J. , Feres Magda , Figueiredo Luciene C. , Soares Geisla , Teles Ricardo P. , Fermiano Daiane , Duarte Poliana M. , Faveri Marcelo
Published: July 2012

Aim

To evaluate the clinical effects of the adjunctive use of metronidazole (MTZ) and amoxicillin (AMX) in the treatment of generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP).

Methods

Thirty subjects were randomly assigned to receive scaling and root planing (SRP) alone or combined with MTZ (400 mg/TID) and AMX (500 mg/TID) for 14 days. Subjects were clinically monitored at baseline, 6 months and 1 year post‐therapies.

Results

Both therapies led to a statistically significant improvement in all clinical parameters at 1 year post‐therapy (p < 0.05). Subjects receiving MTZ plus AMX exhibited the deepest reductions in mean probing depth (PD) and gain in clinical attachment between baseline and 1 year post‐therapy in the full‐mouth analysis and in initially intermediate (PD 4–6 mm) and deep (PD≥7 mm) sites (p < 0.01). In addition, the antibiotic group presented lower mean number of residual sites with PD≥5 or 6 mm as well as fewer subjects still presenting nine or more sites with PD≥5 mm or three or more sites with PD≥6 mm at the end of the study period.

Conclusion

The non‐surgical treatment of GAgP is markedly improved by the adjunctive use of MTZ+AMX, up to 1 year post‐treatment.
Continuing professional development systems and requirements for graduate dentists in the EU: survey results from the DentCPD project
Authors: Bullock A. , Bailey S. , Cowpe J. , Barnes E. , Thomas H. , Thomas R. , Phillips S. , Kavadella A. , Kossioni A. , Tsiklakis K. , Karaharju‐Suvanto T. , Suomalainen K. , Kersten H. , Povel E. , Giles M. , Walmsley A. D. , Soboleva U. , Liepa A. , Akota I.
Published: July 2012

Introduction

By maintaining skills and keeping dentists up‐to‐date, continuing professional development (CPD) supports safe clinical practice. However, CPD for dentists across Europe is not harmonised.

Aim

One aim of the ‘DentCPD’ project (www.dentcpd.org) was to identify and agree essential CPD requirements for EU dentists. As part of the process, data were collected on existing approaches to CPD for EU dentists. This paper reports those findings.

Methods

Informed by a review of the literature and internet search, the
CPD for Graduate Dentists questionnaire gathered data from dental educators on CPD systems, requirements, provision and accreditation in Europe. It sought opinion on mandatory CPD and e‐learning.

Results

Responses were received from 143 individuals from 30 EU countries. About half the countries had a compulsory CPD system which typically included mandatory core topics. Elsewhere CPD was optional or based on recommended hours. University dental schools and professional dental associations were the most common CPD providers. National regulatory bodies were the most common accrediting body. Only 41% of respondents thought they knew the criteria for successful accreditation of CPD. Eighty‐one percent agreed that ‘CPD should be obligatory for all dentists’.

Conclusion

These results present an overview of the status of CPD for EU dentists. Despite a notable trend towards regulated CPD systems, current requirements for dentists to engage in CPD show variation. The harmonisation of requirements would enhance both dentist mobility and safe clinical practice.
Faculty staff and rural placement supervisors' pre‐ and post‐placement perceptions of a clinical rural placement programme in NSW Australia
Authors: Johnson G. , Blinkhorn A.
Published: July 2012

Introduction

Staff views on a rural clinical placement involving 4th year dental undergraduates from the University of Sydney (Australia) were collected in order to monitor whether the programme was feasible and acceptable to the academic Faculty Staff and the rural clinical supervisors.

Materials and methods

An evaluation of the rural placement programme was undertaken in 2009 at three rural sites in New South Wales (Australia). Semi‐structured pre‐ and post‐placement in person interviews recorded the views of three University Faculty Staff whilst similar data were collected by telephone interviews for three supervising clinicians at the rural clinical sites. Interviews gathered opinions on the organisation, implementation and outcomes of the rural placement programme.

Results

Eight qualitative analysis identified themes were specified and included communication, programme duration, effect on students and staff, benefits of the programme, rural intentions, programme sustainability and the success of the programme. Positive pre‐placement aspects were potentially good clinical experience, new environment, sharing of knowledge and interaction with a rural community. Negative issues were anxieties about students' clinical ability to offer a service, missing lectures and maintaining clinical training quotas. The post‐placement themes were generally positive; staff reported that the students enjoyed the rural community experience, their communication and clinical skills improved.

Conclusion

According to the staff, the placement programme was feasible and provided acceptable positive clinical and personal development for the students. This research will help educators planning to incorporate a rural clinical programme into a University curriculum.
Coexistence of sickle cell disease and severe congenital neutropenia: first impressions can be deceiving
Authors: Wali Yasser , Beshlawi Ismail , Fawaz Naglaa , Alkhayat Aisha , Zalabany Mahmoud , Elshinawy Mohamed , Al‐Kindi Salam , Al‐Rawas Abdul Hakim A. , Klein Christoph
Published: July 2012

We report an Omani family in whom the propositus had a rare coexistence of sickle cell disease and severe congenital neutropenia associated with a mutation in ELANE. In contrast to his siblings with sickle cell disease, the severity of HbSS‐associated complications such as painful crises and acute chest syndrome was significantly reduced. His course of the disease had markedly worsened after initiating G‐CSF therapy. These clinical observations suggest that neutropenia may ameliorate inflammatory responses and thus display a modulating factor with respect to the clinical course of sickle cell disease.
Role of TRPM in melanocytes and melanoma
Authors: Guo Huazhang , Carlson John Andrew , Slominski Andrzej
Published: July 2012

Transient receptor potential (TRP) cation channel superfamily plays important roles in variety cellular processes including polymodal cellular sensing, cell adhesion, cell polarity, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. One of its subfamilies are TRPM channels. mRNA expression of its founding member, TRPM1 (melastatin), correlates with terminal melanocytic differentiation and loss of its expression has been identified as an important diagnostic and prognostic marker for primary cutaneous melanoma. Because TRPM1 gene codes two transcripts: TRPM1 channel protein in its exons and miR‐211 in one of its introns, we propose a dual role for TRPM1 gene where the loss of TRPM1 channel protein is an excellent marker of melanoma aggressiveness, while the expression of miR‐211 is linked to the tumor suppressor function of TRPM1. In addition, three other members of this subfamily, TRPM 2, 7 and 8 are implicated in the regulation of melanocytic behaviour. TRPM2 is capable of inducing melanoma apoptosis and necrosis. TRPM7 can be a protector and detoxifier in both melanocytes and melanoma cells. TRPM8 can mediate agonist‐induced melanoma cell death. Therefore, we propose that TRPM1, TRPM2, TRPM7 and TRPM8 play crucial roles in melanocyte physiology and melanoma oncology and are excellent diagnostic markers and theraputic targets.
Linking frugivore behavior to plant population dynamics
Authors: Sasal Yamila , Morales Juan Manuel
Published: July 2012

Despite the acknowledged importance of frugivores as seed dispersal agents we still lack a general understanding of the mechanisms by which these animals could shape plant populations and communities. We used a spatially explicit stochastic simulation to explore how frugivore movement decisions interact with landscape properties, thus affecting plant population dynamics through dispersal. The model simulated bird movement, foraging, seed deposition and plant recruitment. We assumed that plants lived only for one season and that recruitment was a function of local seed density. We also considered the effect of perches as non‐food landscape features. Our simulation experiments consisted in varying the parameters governing bird foraging decisions in relation to 1) how fruit abundance biased their movement, and 2) how the willingness to visit a plant or perch decreased with distance to current location. Simulated plant population dynamics was strongly influenced by bird behavior. The scale of foraging decisions had a much stronger effect on plant dynamics than biases due to fruit abundance. Birds tended to concentrate their activities in the center of the landscape where plants became more abundant, increasing local competition. The presence of perches reduced this tendency resulting in larger population sizes. The importance of perches highlights the fact that behaviors other than foraging can have a strong impact on the patterns of seed deposition and hence on plant population dynamics. Several recent studies have combined animal movement data with seed retention time in order to predict seed dispersal kernels. These studies usually emphasize the ecological implications of the scale and shape of such kernels. However, our simulation results reveal that movement directionality and the fact that birds moved mostly among plants and perches can have a major impact on plant population dynamics.
Rat invasion of islands alters fungal community structure, but not wood decomposition rates
Authors: Peay Kabir G. , Dickie Ian A. , Wardle David A. , Bellingham Peter J. , Fukami Tadashi
Published: July 2012

Introduced animals can indirectly affect decomposers through trophic cascades and habitat modifications, but whether their effects are strong enough to influence both the structure and function of decomposer communities remains unclear. We conducted an experiment on rat‐invaded and rat‐free islands off the coast of New Zealand to determine whether introduced rats affected the structure and function of wood‐decomposing fungi. Gamma‐irradiated branch segments from a single tree were placed on the forest floor on nine rat‐invaded and nine rat‐free islands, and fungal community structure and wood decomposition rates measured after two years of in situ decomposition. We found significant differences in fungal community structure in the wood between rat‐invaded and rat‐free islands. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between fungal community structure and wood decomposition rate on rat‐free islands but not on rat‐invaded islands, because of decreased variability in decomposition rates on invaded islands. Despite these differences between rat‐free and rat‐invaded islands, mean decomposition rates were indistinguishable between the two sets of islands. These results suggest that there may be a great deal of functional redundancy in fungal communities and that removing rats from islands could reverse the rat‐induced changes that we observed in the relationship between the structure and function of decomposer communities.
An Inventory of Peroxisomal Proteins and Pathways in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Faust Joseph E. , Verma Avani , Peng Chengwei , McNew James A.
Published: July 2012

Peroxisomes are ubiquitous organelles housing a variety of essential biochemical pathways. Peroxisome dysfunction causes a spectrum of human diseases known as peroxisome biogenesis disorders (PBD). Although much is known regarding the mechanism of peroxisome biogenesis, it is still unclear how peroxisome dysfunction leads to the disease state. Several recent studies have shown that mutations in Drosophila peroxin genes cause phenotypes similar to those seen in humans with PBDs suggesting that Drosophila might be a useful system to model PBDs. We have analyzed the proteome of Drosophila to identify the proteins involved in peroxisomal biogenesis and homeostasis as well as metabolic enzymes that function within the organelle. The subcellular localization of five of these predicted peroxisomal proteins was confirmed. Similar to Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila appears to only utilize the peroxisome targeting signal type 1 system for matrix protein import. This work will further our understanding of peroxisomes in Drosophila and add to the usefulness of this emerging model system.
Membrane Trafficking in Osteoblasts and Osteoclasts: New Avenues for Understanding and Treating Skeletal Diseases
Authors: Zhao Haibo
Published: July 2012

The endocytic and exocytic/secretory pathways are two major intracellular membrane trafficking routes that regulate numerous cellular functions in a variety of cell types. Osteoblasts and osteoclasts, two major bone cells responsible for bone remodeling and homeostasis, are no exceptions. During the past few years, emerging evidence has pinpointed a critical role for endocytic and secretory pathways in osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation and function. The endosomal membrane provides a platform to integrate bone tropic signals of hormones and growth factors in osteoblasts. In osteoclasts, endocytosis, followed by transcytosis, of degraded bone matrix promotes bone resorption. Secretory pathways, especially lysosome secretion, not only participate in bone matrix deposition by osteoblasts and degradation of mineralized bone matrix by osteoclasts; they may also be involved in the coupling of bone resorption and bone formation during bone remodeling. More importantly, mutations in genes encoding regulatory factors within the endocytic and secretory pathways have been identified as causes for bone diseases. Identification of the molecular mechanisms of these genes in bone cells may provide new therapeutic targets for skeletal disorders.
Late better than early elective term Cesarean section
Authors: Nir Vered , Nadir Erez , Feldman Michael
Published: July 2012

Aim:  Caesarean section (CS) deliveries have increased, mostly because of patient/obstetrician preference. Although CS decreases the risk of delivery‐related injuries, it increases the risk for respiratory and neurological complications. Complication rates are reportedly higher for elective CSs for term infants performed at 37–38 gestational weeks than later. We investigated this difference in an Israeli cohort.

Methods:  Data on all births in our medical centre during 2007–2009 were reviewed. Those on elective CSs for term infants were retrieved and divided into ‘early’ (37–38 gestational weeks) or ‘late’ (week 39 or later) groups whose epidemiological and outcome characteristics were compared.

Result:  Of the 12 276 births, 596 were early and 454 were late elective CSs. There were no differences in gender, ethnicity, Apgar score or length of hospital stay. Twenty‐six infants from the early group and 11 infants from the late group were transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit. Within them, compared with all elective CSs, the morbidity rate was higher for the former infants than for the latter.

Conclusion:  Morbidity was higher among infants who were delivered at 37–38 gestational weeks by elective CS. We recommend postponing elective CSs to ≥39 weeks.
Flow regulation is associated with riverine soil seed bank composition within an agricultural landscape: potential implications for restoration
Authors: Greet Joe , Cousens Roger D. , Webb J. Angus
Published: July 2012

Questions

Does altered flow timing affect seed bank dynamics within river margins of agricultural areas? Are seed banks of degraded riparian zones important for contributing to native riverine plant diversity?

Location

Murray‐Darling Basin, SE Australia.

Methods

We surveyed the seed banks of five lowland rivers, three of which have large dams that alter the seasonal timing of flow peaks. Three sites on each river with a remnant native overstorey were selected and classified into three levels of regulation based on the extent to which their seasonal flow timing was altered. Soil samples were collected from each site, and seed bank composition determined using the seedling emergence method. We also experimentally tested the effect of seasonal timing of flow peaks on germination by wetting seed bank subsamples in both spring and autumn.

Results

More than 28 000 seedlings from 115 taxa germinated from the seed bank samples; 262 taxa had previously been recorded in the extant vegetation. In general, seed bank and extant vegetation compositions were dissimilar, and the seed banks surveyed were dominated by ruderal (and often exotic) species. More seedlings and taxa (both native and exotic) germinated from the seed banks of regulated sites than unregulated sites. Spring wetting favoured the germination of some native species, while exotic grass taxa germinated in greater numbers in autumn.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that flow regulation affects the composition of riverine seed banks. This is likely to be driven by changes in the extant vegetation, and altered patterns of germination and water‐borne seed dispersal (hydrochory). Regardless, the role of seed banks in degraded riverine systems in promoting native plant diversity may be limited. In particular, riparian woody species often do not develop persistent soil seed banks; rather, their recruitment may rely on newly released seeds being dispersed and deposited at appropriate times for germination. Our study corroborates previous research suggesting that flow regulation affects riverine seed bank dynamics, and that natural seasonal flow peaks are important for the persistence of some native riverine plant species.
The structure of Clostridium difficile toxin A glucosyltransferase domain bound to Mn2+ and UDP provides insights into glucosyltransferase activity and product release
Authors: D’Urzo Nunzia , Malito Enrico , Biancucci Marco , Bottomley Matthew J. , Maione Domenico , Scarselli Maria , Martinelli Manuele
Published: July 2012

Clostridium difficile toxin A (TcdA) is a member of the large clostridial toxin family, and is responsible, together with C. difficile toxin B (TcdB), for many clinical symptoms during human infections. Like other large clostridial toxins, TcdA catalyzes the glucosylation of GTPases, and is able to inactivate small GTPases within the host cell. Here, we report the crystal structures of the TcdA glucosyltransferase domain (TcdA‐GT) in the apo form and in the presence of Mn2+ and hydrolyzed UDP‐glucose. These structures, together with the recently reported crystal structure of TcdA‐GT bound to UDP‐glucose, provide a detailed understanding of the conformational changes of TcdA that occur during the catalytic cycle. Indeed, we present a new intermediate conformation of a so‐called ‘lid’ loop (residues 510–522 in TcdA), concomitant with the absence of glucose in the catalytic domain. The recombinant TcdA was expressed in Brevibacillus in the inactive apo form. High thermal stability of wild‐type TcdA was observed only after the addition of both Mn2+ and UDP‐glucose. The glucosylhydrolase activity, which is readily restored after reconstitution with both these cofactors, was similar to that reported for TcdB. Interestingly, we found that ammonium, like K+, is able to activate the UDP‐glucose hydrolase activities of TcdA. Consequently, the presence of ammonium in the crystallization buffer enabled us to obtain the first crystal structure of TcdA‐GT bound to the hydrolysis product UDP.

Database

• Coordinates of apo‐TcdA‐GT and Mn2+–UDP–TcdA‐GT are available in the Protein Data Bank under the accession numbers 4DMV and 4DMW, respectively
In vitro studies reveal that different modes of initiation on HIV‐1 mRNA have different levels of requirement for eukaryotic initiation factor 4F
Authors: de Breyne Sylvain , Chamond Nathalie , Décimo Didier , Trabaud Mary‐Anne , André Patrice , Sargueil Bruno , Ohlmann Théophile
Published: July 2012

Expression of the two isoforms p55 and p40 of HIV‐1 Gag proteins relies on distinct translation initiation mechanisms, a cap‐dependent initiation and two internal ribosome entry sites (IRESs). The regulation of these processes is complex and remains poorly understood. This study was focused on the influence of the 5′‐UTR and on the requirement for the eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF)4F complex components. By using an in vitro system, we showed substantial involvement of the 5′‐UTR in the control of p55 expression. This highly structured 5′‐UTR requires the eIF4F complex, especially RNA helicase eIF4A, which mediates initiation at the authentic AUG codon. In addition, the 5′‐UTR regulates expression in an RNA concentration‐dependent manner, with a high concentration of RNA triggering specific reduction of full‐length Gag p55 production. HIV‐1 genomic RNA also has the ability to use a strong IRES element located in the gag coding region. We show that this mechanism is particularly efficient, and that activity of this IRES is only poorly dependent on RNA helicase eIF4A when the viral 5′‐UTR is removed. HIV‐1 genomic mRNA exhibits in vitro translational features that allow the expression of Gag p55 protein by different mechanisms that involve different requirements for eIF4E, eIF4G, and eIF4A. This suggests that HIV‐1 could adapt to its mode of translation according to the availability of the initiation factors in the infected cell.
Health‐related quality of life and associated factors in patients with primary lymphedema
Authors: Okajima Shizuko , Hirota Akio , Kimura Emiko , Inagaki Misako , Tamai Nao , Iizaka Shinji , Nakagami Gojiro , Mori Taketoshi , Sugama Junko , Sanada Hiromi
Published: July 2012

Aim:  Primary lymphedema requires continuous conservative treatment during the patient's life, which may affect their health‐related quality of life (HRQOL). Physical and psychosocial characteristics related to lymphedema are associated with their HRQOL. This study aimed to assess HRQOL in those patients undergoing conservative treatment and to determine the factors associated with their HRQOL.

Methods:  This was a cross‐sectional, observational study that included 83 patients with primary lymphedema at an outpatient clinic for lymphedema. HRQOL was assessed with the Medical Outcomes Study 36‐Item Short Form Survey (SF‐36) and EuroQol 5‐Dimension (EQ‐5D). Lymphedema status/complications and psychosocial status were evaluated by medical records, physical assessment, and self‐administrative questionnaires.

Results:  The general health perception score in the SF‐36 was lower than the age‐ and sex‐stratified national norms (P = 0.001). In the EQ‐5D, the proportions of patients with some/moderate or severe problems were 42.2% for pain/discomfort, 21.7% for usual activities, and 20.5% for anxiety/depression. By multiple regression analyses, a lower physical component summary score in the SF‐36 was associated with a higher lymphedema stage (P = 0.021), cellulitis within 30 days (P = 0.003), exercise (P = 0.010), and more substance use coping (P = 0.012). A lower mental component summary score was associated with skin lesions over edematous limbs (P = 0.008), less humor coping (P = 0.005), and more self‐blame coping (P = 0.014).

Conclusion:  Patients with primary lymphedema have problems in health perception, discomfort, usual activities, and anxiety/depression. Preventing cellulitis and skin lesions and humor coping may be able to improve HRQOL.
Academic report on burnout among Japanese nurses
Authors: Kitaoka Kazuyo , Masuda Shinya
Published: July 2012

Aim:  Japanese nurses have increasingly experienced “burnout” in the past several years. Studies on Japanese nurses are required in order to explore how to prevent nursing burnout. The objectives of this report were to: (i) introduce the concept, definition, and measurement of burnout; (ii) look at an overview of the prevalence, possible causes, and consequences of burnout among Japanese nurses; and (iii) explore how to prevent burnout among nurses.

Methods:  The authors and co‐researchers have been studying burnout among Japanese workers for more than 15 years. Therefore, previously performed studies were reviewed and summarized.

Results:  In Japan, approximately 36% of human services professionals, such as nurses, were burned out compared to 18% of civil servants, and 12% of company employees. It was quite obvious that nurses are prone to burnout. The possible causes and consequences of burnout among Japanese nurses were reviewed. Excessive workloads and interpersonal conflict in the workplace were possible causes of burnout among Japanese nurses. The consequences of nurse burnout are potentially very serious, including medical accidents/errors. Issues to prevent nursing burnout were then reviewed. Enhancement of cognitive coping skills for female nurses and problem‐solving skills for male nurses could contribute to prevention of burnout in nurses.

Conclusion:  The authors' previous study revealed that the new model of the organizational context of burnout developed by Leiter and Maslach could be applied to Japanese. Further examination is needed. This report supports the call to scale up burnout prevention strategy for Japanese nurses.
Clinical Scoring System for Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus
Authors: Günthert Andreas R. , Duclos Kathleen , Jahns Boriana G. , Krause Elke , Amann Esther , Limacher Andreas , Mueller Michael D. , Jüni Peter
Published: July 2012

Introduction

Vulvar lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic inflammatory and mutilating disease, which goes often undetected for years. Advanced disease severely affects quality of life like sexual disorders and is also associated with an increased risk of vulvar cancer.

Aim

To develop and validate a patient-administered symptom score and a physician-administered clinical score for the diagnosis and evaluation of vulvar LS.

Methods

We included 24 patients with established LS diagnosis and 49 with other vulvar disease. The physician-administered score was based on six clinical features and the patient-administered score was a symptom-based four-item composite score. We determined inter-item correlations and internal consistency of both scores, and estimated sensitivities, specificities, likelihood ratios, and posttest probabilities for different cutoffs of the physician-administered score.

Main Outcome Measures

Characteristics of patients with and without LS were compared using χ2 and unpaired t-test as required. We then determined Cronbach’s alpha as a measure of the overall consistency of scores and calculated positive and negative likelihoods.

Results

Lack of redundancy of items (correlation coefficients < 0.90) and internal consistency (Cronbach’s α≥ 0.70) suggested that final composite scores were valid and yielded excellent power to rule in LS.

Conclusion

Scores may be useful for assessing symptoms of vulvar disorders, to ease diagnosis of LS and to evaluate treatment response over time.
Prospective Evaluation of Patient Satisfaction, and Surgeon and Patient Trainer Assessment of the Coloplast Titan One Touch Release Three-Piece Inflatable Penile Prosthesis
Authors: Ohl Dana A. , Brock Gerald , Ralph David , Bogache William , Jones LeRoy , Munarriz Ricardo , Levine Laurence , Ritenour Chad
Published: July 2012

Introduction

A single-armed, prospective, multicenter international study evaluated the redesigned Coloplast Titan One Touch Release (OTR) pump inflatable penile prosthesis. The OTR pump has a unique release valve that permits deflation of the implant with one squeeze of opposing touch pads.

Aims

To assess the impact of a new penile prosthesis design, the Titan OTR, on patient ease of operation. Furthermore, to assess patient satisfaction, surgeon acceptance, and the ease with which patients were trained in device operation in the clinic setting.

Methods

A total of 113 eligible patients from eight centers were recruited from men presenting with erectile dysfunction without prior prosthetic implantation. The subjects had a mean age of 61 years, and had a number of comorbidities, including diabetes (31.9%), hypertension (34.5%), and Peyronie’s disease (23.9%). All underwent implantation of the study device.

Main Outcome Measures

Questionnaires were used to capture patient satisfaction as well as physician feedback on ease of implantation and patient education. A paired analysis was completed for patient satisfaction at 6 (N = 96) and 12 (N = 90) months.

Results

Overall satisfaction with the device was 90.6% and 90.0% at 6 and 12 months, respectively. The primary end point, ease of deflation, was seen in 70.8% and 73.3% at these two time points, with the 12-month value statistically better than historical controls. Physicians overwhelmingly reported straightforward/simple intraoperative product preparation (97.3%) and equivalent or easier training compared with their previous pump of choice (96.4%). Adverse events for all subjects (N = 113) included removal of the device in four cases (3.5%) for infection and one case for chronic pain (0.8%).

Conclusions

The Titan OTR represents an advance in penile prosthetic technology that is well accepted by patients and physicians. The study design allowed for realistic evaluation of the new technology aimed at enhancing clinical outcomes.
Long-Term Revision Rate Due to Infection in Hydrophilic-Coated Inflatable Penile Prostheses: 11-Year Follow-up
Authors: Serefoglu Ege Can , Mandava Sree Harsha , Gokce Ahmet , Chouhan Jyoti D. , Wilson Steve K. , Hellstrom Wayne J.G.
Published: July 2012

Introduction

Penile implant surgery continues to be an important option for men with erectile dysfunction. Advancements in technology of implants have contributed to improved survival from mechanical breakdown. Prosthesis infection remains a serious adverse event. For the last 8 years, the Titan implant (Coloplast Corporation, Minneapolis, MN, USA) has been available with an infection-retardant polyvinylpyrrolidone coating.

Aim

To compare the infection rates between coated three-piece inflatable penile prostheses (IPPs) with the previous non-coated model.

Main Outcome Measures

Infection-related revisions reported in the physician-generated, manufacturer-tabulated patient information forms (PIFs).

Methods

PIFs reported into the voluntary, post-market registry of Coloplast Corporation from July 14, 2000 to September 30, 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Infection-related revisions entered into the product evaluation database for coated and non-coated IPPs were compared. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s chi-squared test.

Results

The database included 36,391 PIFs related to primary IPP implantation. At 11 years of follow-up, 4.6% (7,031) of non-coated IPPs were removed or replaced due to infections, whereas 1.4% (29,360) of hydrophilic-coated implants reported replacements due to device infections. The hydrophilic coating of the IPP components makes the device slippery and prevents bacterial attachment. The hydrophilic coating allows rapid absorption of antibiotics in an aqueous solution and allows these water-soluble antibiotics to elute off the device into the implant spaces. Unfortunately, information pertaining to what agents were used in the studies patients was not tabulated. The rate of revision due to device infection was reduced 69.56% in patients with hydrophilic-coated IPPs (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

To the best of our knowledge, this is the longest post-marketing registry report related to IPP infections. At 8 years of follow-up, the hydrophilic-coated IPPs demonstrated a significant reduction in revision rates due to infection when compared with the 11-year follow-up of non-coated implants. Since there was no information or uniformity of antibiotics used in the soaking solution, it is uncertain which antibiotic selection provided the best results. In vitro testing against known infectious agents may further benefit IPP patients by reducing the prosthesis infection rate.
Divergent Molecular Mechanisms Underlay CO- and CORM-2-Induced Relaxation of Corpora Cavernosa
Authors: Decaluwé Kelly , Pauwels Bart , Boydens Charlotte , Van de Voorde Johan
Published: July 2012

Introduction

Similar to nitric oxide (NO), the principal mediator of penile erection, carbon monoxide (CO) possesses vasodilator capacities. However, whether CO could be a therapeutic target for treating erectile dysfunction (ED) is unexplored. The danger associated with systemic administration of CO has led to the development of CO-releasing molecules (CORMs), releasing CO in a local, safe and controlled way. These CORMs have shown positive outcomes in cardiovascular studies. More knowledge on the (patho)physiological functions of CO in erectile function and the potential therapeutic role of CORMs is required.

Aim

The present study aims the assessment of the effect of CO and CO donor CORM-2 on the corporal tension and the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Methods

Organ bath studies were performed measuring isometric tension on isolated mice corpora cavernosa (CC) strips. Responses to CO (10–300 µmol/L) and CORM-2 (10–100 µmol/L) were measured in the presence/absence of activators/inhibitors of different molecular pathways.

Main Outcome Measures

CO and CORM-2 relax corporal strips concentration dependently, although the molecular mechanisms behind the corporal relaxation seem to differ completely.

Results

CO induces corporal relaxation by activating soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC), increasing cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) concentrations. The molecular mechanism involved in CORM-2-induced corporal relaxation is not related to sGC activation and remains obscure.

Conclusions

Both CO and CORM-2 induce corporal relaxation, although the underlying molecular mechanisms show no resemblance. That CO induces corporal relaxation through a mechanism similar to that of NO could be of importance as it indirectly offers the possibility that endogenous CO might serve as a backup system for insufficient NO availability in cases of ED. Whether CORM-2 possesses the same capacity remains questionable and requires further research.
Assessing the Educational Needs of Mental Health Nurses Working in an Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatric Ward in Japan
Authors: Inoue Masue , Del Fabbro Letitia , Mitchell Marion
Published: July 2012

PROBLEM:  In Japan, preregistration education is not sufficient to prepare nurses to work as child adolescent mental health nurses.

METHODS:  Nominal group technique (NGT) using focus group discussions, and Knowles' Adult Learning Theory, were used to examine the continuing educational needs of nurses in a Japanese adolescent mental health unit.

FINDINGS:  Nurses caring for adolescent patients with mental health issues need continuing education. This research demonstrates the utility of nominal group technique in needs analysis in this context.

CONCLUSIONS:  Educational priorities include instruction on patients' developmental stage, promoting patient self‐sufficiency, and strategies for meeting the needs of families. A family‐centered care approach is recommended.
Ambiguity and Violence in Adolescent Dating Relationships
Authors: Draucker Claire Burke , Martsolf Donna , Stephenson Pam Shockey
Published: July 2012

PROBLEM:  Little is known about dyadic processes that lead to adolescent dating violence. The purpose of this study was to examine the phenomenon of relationship ambiguity in adolescent dating relationships to better understand how ambiguity contributes to violence and aggression between dating partners.

METHODS:  Data were drawn from 88 narratives of young adults who had participated in a study on adolescent dating violence. Interpretive phenomenology was used to produce an in‐depth description of the phenomenon of relationship ambiguity.

FINDINGS:  Relationship ambiguity results in differing expectations between partners regarding closeness and intimacy, fidelity, and obligation. These differences lead to conflicts that set the stage for violence and aggression in adolescent dating relationships.

CONCLUSIONS:  A series of recommendations for clinicians working with adolescents are presented.
Sources of Stress and Coping in American College Students Who Have Been Diagnosed With Depression
Authors: Aselton Pamela
Published: July 2012

PURPOSE:  The study aims to explore the sources of stress in American college students who had been treated for depression and to discern their coping mechanisms.

ORGANIZING FRAMEWORK:  A phenomenological approach using Seidman's guide to in‐depth qualitative interviews using a three‐part approach was used in the study.

METHOD:  Online in‐depth interviews utilizing e‐mail with asynchronous communication were used.

FINDINGS:  Sources of stress included roommate issues, academic problems, financial and career concerns, and pressure from family. Exercise, talking to friends, self‐talk, deep breathing, journaling, marijuana use, and listening to music were common coping mechanisms.

CONCLUSIONS:  College students who have been treated for depression are under increasing stress today from a variety of sources. Nonmedical methods of coping were often cited as more effective than medication therapy.
Do Species Sorting and Mass Effects Drive Assembly in Tropical Agroecological Landscape Mosaics?
Authors: Livingston George , Philpott Stacy M. , de la Mora Rodriguez Aldo
Published: July 2012

Recent assessments of biodiversity in tropical agroecosystems have revealed surprisingly high functional and taxonomic diversity in systems with low management intensity. This biodiversity is the product of community assembly. Because agroecosystems are novel ecosystems and occur in landscape mosaics, the assembly processes generating communities in agroecosystems are poorly resolved. Broadly, two models have been proposed to explain landscape assembly: trade‐offs in species performance across habitats (species sorting) and source‐sink dynamics between habitats of differential quality (mass effects). These models are largely untested in tropical agroecosystems. We utilize an extensive data set on a tropical twig‐nesting ant community from five microhabitat types in a shaded coffee agroecosystem to test for species sorting, mass effects, or a mixed model. To test among these models, we used community similarity and a variance decomposition on a focal microhabitat (a moderate‐shade coffee farm) to partition community variance into spatial and environmental components. To identify the source habitat for mass effects and assess their strength, we measured dispersing alates (winged reproductives), artificial nests, and colony and nest size in shade trees and coffee. We found significant environmental and spatial signal and evidence for both species sorting and mass effects. We find sorting occurs among common species, but that mass effects are prevalent among rare species and likely originate in the shade trees. Our results indicate that both metacommunity models occur in tropical landscape mosaics, but they may not apply equally to all species in communities, habitat gradients, or timescales.
Invertébrés Sans Frontières: Large Scales of Connectivity of Selected Freshwater Species among Caribbean Islands
Authors: Page Timothy J. , Torati Lucas S. , Cook Benjamin D. , Binderup Andrew , Pringle Catherine M. , Reuschel Silke , Schubart Christoph D. , Hughes Jane M.
Published: July 2012

The freshwater fauna (crustaceans, molluscs, fish) of many tropical islands in the Caribbean and Pacific share an amphidromous life‐cycle, meaning their larvae need to develop in saline conditions before returning to freshwater as juveniles. This community dominates the freshwaters of much of the tropics, but is poorly known and at risk from development, in particular dam construction. Amphidromy can theoretically lead to dispersal between different freshwater areas, even to distant oceanic islands, via the sea. The extent and scale of this presumed dispersal, however, is largely unknown in the Caribbean. Recent genetic work in Puerto Rico has shown that many freshwater species have little or no population structure among different river catchments, implying high levels of connectivity within an island, whereas between‐island structure is unknown. We used genetic techniques to infer the geographic scales of population structure of amphidromous invertebrates (a gastropod and a number of crustacean species) between distant parts of the Caribbean, in particular Puerto Rico, Panama and Trinidad. We found virtually no geographic population structure across over 2000 km of open sea for these freshwater species. This implies that they are indeed moving between islands in sea currents as larvae, meaning that continued recruitment requires a continuum of healthy habitat from the freshwater to marine environment. We further discuss the role of amphidromy and suggest its ecological and biogeographic role may be more important than previously presumed.
The apical plasma membrane of chitin‐synthesizing epithelia
Authors: Moussian Bernard
Published: July 2012

Abstract  Chitin is the second most abundant polysaccharide on earth. It is produced at the apical side of epidermal, tracheal, fore‐, and hindgut epithelial cells in insects as a central component of the protective and supporting extracellular cuticle. Chitin is also an important constituent of the midgut peritrophic matrix that encases the food supporting its digestion and protects the epithelium against invasion by possibly ingested pathogens. The enzyme producing chitin is a glycosyltransferase that resides in the apical plasma membrane forming a pore to extrude the chains of chitin into the extracellular space. The apical plasma membrane is not only a platform for chitin synthases but, probably through its shape and equipment with distinct factors, also plays an important role in orienting and organizing chitin fibers. Here, I review findings on the cellular and molecular constitution of the apical plasma membrane of chitin‐producing epithelia mainly focusing on work done in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster.
The NGC 7771+NGC 7770 minor merger: harassing the little one?
Authors: Alonso-Herrero Almudena , Rosales-Ortega F. Fabián , Sánchez Sebastián F. , Kennicutt Robert C. , Pereira-Santaella Miguel , Díaz Ángeles I.
Published: July 2012

Numerical simulations of minor mergers, typically having mass ratios greater than 3:1, predict little enhancement in the global star formation activity. However, these models also predict that the satellite galaxy is more susceptible to the effects of the interaction than the primary. We use optical integral field spectroscopy and deep optical imaging to study the NGC 7771+NGC 7770 interacting system (∼10:1 stellar mass ratio) to test these predictions. We find that the satellite galaxy NGC 7770 is currently experiencing a galaxy-wide starburst with most of the optical light being from young and post-starburst stellar populations (<1 Gyr). This galaxy lies off the local star-forming sequence for composite galaxies with an enhanced integrated specific star formation rate. We also detect in the outskirts of NGC 7770 Hα emitting gas filaments. This gas appears to have been stripped from one of the two galaxies and is being excited by shocks. All these results are consistent with a minor-merger-induced episode(s) of star formation in NGC 7770 after the first close passage. Such effects are not observed on the primary galaxy NGC 7771.