bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kin recognition is density‐dependent and uncommon among temperate grassland plants
Authors: Lepik Anu , Abakumova Maria , Zobel Kristjan , Semchenko Marina
Published: July 2012

Some plant species may frequently encounter neighbourhoods composed of genetically closely related individuals. Such species should benefit from an ability to recognize kin and to display cooperative behaviour towards closely related neighbours.

While kin recognition has been demonstrated in plants, previous studies have only examined single species in single environmental settings, making it impossible to draw conclusions about the prevalence of this behaviour in plants and its consequences in different competitive environments.

We investigated the ability of eight co‐occurring plant species to distinguish between sibling and nonsibling neighbours and to avoid competition with close relatives at different neighbour densities.

Apparent sibling recognition and cooperative behaviour towards siblings were only observed in Trifolium repens: with increasing neighbour density, plants grown among siblings significantly increased investment to seed production at the expense of allocation to competitive organs, while plants grown among unrelated individuals did not display such a response. One more species (Lychnis flos‐cuculi) exhibited differences in specific leaf area in sibling and nonsibling groups, but other traits remained unchanged. The effect of genetic relatedness on plant traits always depended on neighbour density.

Our results suggest that kin recognition may not be a common phenomenon in temperate grasslands and that it is more likely to occur in species experiencing frequent sibling interactions because of localized seed dispersal and/or clonal propagation.
Application of orthodontic forces prior to autotransplantation – case reports
Authors: Cho J.‐H. , Hwang H.‐S. , Chang H.‐S. , Hwang Y.‐C.
Published: July 2012

Aim

This case report describes the successful autotransplantation of mandibular molars after application of orthodontic forces and discusses the advantages of this technique, that is, pre‐application of an orthodontic force for autotransplantation.

After clinical and radiographic examination, autotransplantation was planned with the patient's written informed consent. An orthodontic force was applied, and the surgical procedure was performed after tooth mobility had increased. Root canal treatment was performed within 2 weeks of autotransplantation. At the 1‐year follow‐up, the transplanted teeth revealed asymptomatic and healthy periodontal conditions.

Key learning points

Autotransplantation is the surgical movement of a tooth from its original location to another site.

The pre‐application of orthodontic force technique was recently introduced for autogenous tooth transplantation.

Pre‐application of an orthodontic force may be a useful treatment option for autotransplantation.
Time course of inflammation, oxidative stress and tissue damage induced by hyperoxia in mouse lungs
Authors: Nagato Akinori C. , Bezerra Frank S. , Lanzetti Manuella , Lopes Alan A. , Silva Marco Aurélio S. , Porto Luís Cristóvão , Valença Samuel S.
Published: July 2012

In this study our aim was to investigate the time courses of inflammation, oxidative stress and tissue damage after hyperoxia in the mouse lung. Groups of BALB/c mice were exposed to 100% oxygen in a chamber for 12, 24 or 48 h. The controls were subjected to normoxia. The results showed that IL‐6 increased progressively after 12 (P < 0.001) and 24 h (P < 0.001) of hyperoxia with a reduction at 48 h (P < 0.01), whereas TNF‐α increased after 24 (P < 0.001) and 48 h (P < 0.001). The number of macrophages increased after 24 h (P < 0.001), whereas the number of neutrophils increased after 24 h (P < 0.01) and 48 h (P < 0.001). Superoxide dismutase activity decreased in all groups exposed to hyperoxia (P < 0.01). Catalase activity increased only at 48 h (P < 0.001). The reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione ratio decreased after 12 h (P < 0.01) and 24 h (P < 0.05). Histological evidence of lung injury was observed at 24 and 48 h. This study shows that hyperoxia initially causes an inflammatory response at 12 h, resulting in inflammation associated with the oxidative response at 24 h and culminating in histological damage at 48 h. Knowledge of the time course of inflammation and oxidative stress prior to histological evidence of acute lung injury can improve the safety of oxygen therapy in patients.
Atlas versus range maps: robustness of chorological relationships to distribution data types in European mammals
Authors: Márcia Barbosa A. , Estrada Alba , Márquez Ana L. , Purvis Andy , Orme C. David L.
Published: July 2012

Aim  Chorological relationships describe the patterns of distributional overlap among species. In addition to revealing biogeographical structure, the resulting clusters of species with similar geographical distributions can serve as natural units in conservation planning. Here, we assess the extent to which temporal, methodological and taxonomical differences in the source of species’ distribution data can affect the relationships that are found.

Location  Western Europe.

Methods  We used two data sets – the Atlas of European mammals and polygon range maps from the IUCN Global Mammal Assessment – both as presence–absence data for UTM 50 km × 50 km squares. We performed pairwise comparisons among 156 species for each data set to build matrices of the similarity in distribution across species, using both Jaccard’s and Baroni‐Urbani & Buser’s indices. We then compared these similarity matrices (chorological relationships), as well as the species richness and occurrence patterns from the two data sets.

Results  As expected, range maps increased both the mean prevalence per species and mean species richness per grid cell in comparison to atlas data, reflecting the general view that these data types respectively over‐ and underestimate species occurrence. However, species richness and occurrence patterns in atlas and range map data were positively associated and, most importantly, the chorological relationships underlying the two data sets were highly similar.

Main conclusions  Despite many methodological, temporal and taxonomical differences between atlas data and range maps, the chorological relationships encountered between species were similar for both data sets. Chorological analyses can thus be robust to the data source used and provide a solid basis for analytical biogeographical studies, even over broad spatial scales.
The identification of multiple symptom clusters and their effects on functional performance in cancer patients
Authors: Oh HyunSoo , Seo YoungMin , Jeong HyeSun , Seo WhaSook
Published: July 2012

Aims and objectives.  To identify cancer‐related symptom clusters, to explore their inter‐relationships and to examine the effects of single symptoms and the synergistic effects of symptom clusters on functional performance using path analysis by structural equation modelling in patients with various types of cancer.

Background.  Recent studies suggest that cancer patients frequently experience three or more concurrent related symptoms and that this clustering of symptoms is likely to have negative synergistic impacts on outcomes, because of the complicated dynamics of clusters.

Design.  A cross‐sectional design.

Methods.  One hundred and ten patients with various types of cancer were recruited as in‐ and out‐patients at a University Hospital in Incheon, South Korea. Data collection was performed using a questionnaire and by direct interview. Pain, insomnia, fatigue, depression and functional performance were measured.

Results.  The developed model was composed of antecedents, symptom clusters and outcomes. Of the symptoms often encountered as clusters in cancer patients, insomnia, depression and fatigue were found to have significant single (direct) effects on functional performance. Seven symptom clusters were identified between pain and functional performance, three between insomnia and functional performance and one between depression and functional performance. These single symptoms and symptom clusters were found to have significant synergistic effects on functional performance and to explain 24% of functional performance variance.

Conclusions.  Multiple cancer‐related symptom clusters may occur and the dynamics within symptom clusters is complicated. Our findings provide sound evidence regarding the importance of assessing and managing clusters of symptoms simultaneously rather than focusing on single symptoms.

Relevance to clinical practice.  A comprehensive understanding of symptom clusters in cancer patients would help establish valid diagnostic symptom cluster entities and aid the development of subjective/objective phenotypic criteria for symptom cluster based diagnoses and of nursing care protocols for managing symptom clusters.
Counterfeit medicines in Poland: opinions of primary healthcare physicians, nurses and lay persons
Authors: Binkowska‐Bury Monika , Januszewicz Pawel , Wolan Maja , Sobolewski Marek , Krauze Martin , Fijalek Zbigniew E
Published: July 2012

Aims and objectives.  To gain information concerning disparities in the understanding of the counterfeit medicines phenomenon between healthcare workers and lay persons.

Background.  Central‐eastern Europe is facing significant challenges in combating a multi‐billion euro, and often lethal, trade in counterfeit medicines. It is a major challenge especially for primary healthcare workers to expand the understanding of counterfeit medicines to the benefit of patients.

Design.  Use of questionnaires. Two separate questionnaires were distributed, one for healthcare professionals and the other for lay persons.

Methods.  Conducted between September 2009–May 2010. One thousand and seventy‐eight primary healthcare professionals and 377 lay persons were surveyed.

Results.  Findings revealed less awareness among healthcare professionals than lay persons about the danger of purchasing illegal medicines or dietary supplements outside pharmacies. Healthcare professionals have lower levels of awareness about the scale of counterfeit medicines as well as threats of counterfeit medicines to health than lay persons. The majority of medical workers do not know the procedure for reporting suspicious medicine and do not warn their patients against purchasing medicine from unknown sources.

Conclusions.  Primary healthcare workers have less awareness of the scale of the counterfeit medicines phenomenon than lay persons.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Nurses and physician need to become aware of the counterfeit medicines phenomenon. Nurses are well positioned to assume the active role in educating patients about the threat of the presence of counterfeit medicines so as to enhance safety for their patients. However, to accomplish that aim, these findings suggest that healthcare professionals need to become better educated about counterfeit medicines and need to be trained in skills to identify counterfeit medicines.
Cyclosporine level: difference between blood samples collected through peripheral and central venous access
Authors: Garbin Livia M , Tonani Marcela , Salvador Michelle , de Campos Pereira Silveira Renata C , Voltarelli Júlio C , dos Santos Claudia B , Carvalho Emília C
Published: July 2012

Aims and objectives.  To identify differences in cyclosporine levels between blood samples collected from a peripheral venous access, catheter line used for drug infusion and catheter line not used for drug infusion in adult patients receiving allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Background.  Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressant that prevents graft‐versus‐host disease, has a narrow therapeutic window and causes nephrotoxicity. For cyclosporine infusion, a tunnelled central venous access device is used; however, because of the lipophilic properties of the drug, it can adsorb to the catheter surface and falsely raise cyclosporine concentrations in blood specimens.

Design.  Prospective observational study.

Methods.  The study collected 135 blood samples from 16 patients. In 13 subjects, samples were obtained from the three lines at three time points (1, 7 and 14 days after the start of cyclosporine infusion), and for three subjects, samples were only obtained at 1 and 7 days after the start of infusion. The 5‐ml blood discard method was used for samples collected from the catheter. Using this procedure, the catheter line was washed with saline solution, 5 ml of blood and saline solution were aspirated from the catheter line and discarded, and then sample blood used for the test was collected. The paired t‐test with the Bonferroni correction was used to analyse the differences in cyclosporine serum levels.

Results.  Significant differences were observed when the drug serum levels obtained in the line used for drug infusion were compared with the levels obtained in the line not used for infusion or the peripheral venous line. No differences in drug levels were identified in blood collected from the peripheral venous line and the line not used for drug infusion.

Conclusion.  Drug adsorption occurs in the line used for infusion. Therefore, the blood sample collected from the line not used for cyclosporine infusion can be considered reliable for drug concentration determination.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Nurses should standardise one line of the tunnelled central venous access device for cyclosporine infusion, which avoids the need for evasive procedures and provides patients with more comfort.
Causal diagrams, gastroesophageal reflux and erosive oesophagitis
Authors: Shahar Eyal
Published: July 2012

Gastroesophageal reflux and its consequences have inspired numerous research questions in recent years: are non‐erosive reflux disease (NERD) and erosive oesophagitis phenotypic expressions of gastroesophageal reflux disease? Why do patients with NERD not respond to treatment as well as patients with erosive oesophagitis? What is the natural history of NERD? Causal diagrams, coupled with conditional probabilities, offer clear and surprising answers.
Intraspecific diversity of Edwardsiella ictaluri isolates from diseased freshwater catfish, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (Sauvage), cultured in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam
Authors: Bartie K L , Austin F W , Diab A , Dickson C , Dung T T , Giacomini M , Crumlish M
Published: July 2012

A molecular epidemiology study was conducted on 90 Edwardsiella ictaluri isolates recovered from diseased farmed freshwater catfish, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus, cultured in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Thirteen isolates of E. ictaluri derived from diseased channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, cultured in the USA were included for comparison. All the E.  ictaluri isolates tested were found to be biochemically indistinguishable. A repetitive (rep)‐PCR using the single (GTG)5 primer was shown to possess limited discriminatory power, yielding two similar DNA profiles categorized as (GTG)5‐PCR group 1 or 2 among the Vietnam isolates and (GTG)5‐PCR group 1 within the USA isolates. Macrorestriction analysis identified 14 and 22 unique pulsotypes by XbaI and SpeI, respectively, among a subset of 59 E. ictaluri isolates. Numerical analysis of the combined macrorestriction profiles revealed three main groups: a distinct cluster formed exclusively of the USA isolates, and a major and minor cluster with outliers contained the Vietnam isolates. Antibiotic susceptibility and plasmid profiling supported the existence of the three groups. The results indicate that macrorestriction analysis may be regarded as a suitable typing method among the E. ictaluri species of limited intraspecific diversity. Furthermore, the findings suggest that E. ictaluri originating from Vietnam may constitute a distinct genetic group.
Immunophysiology of Atlantic sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus (Mitchill), and the relationship to parasitic copepod, Dichelesthium oblongum (Abilgaard) infection
Authors: Sokolowski M S , Allam B A , Dunton K J , Clark M A , Kurtz E B , Fast M D
Published: July 2012

The copepod parasite, Dichelesthium oblongum, is known to infect the Atlantic sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus, within the area near New York city, USA, known as the NY Bight. The gross pathology associated with the juvenile and adult copepod stages along with the parasite’s link in causing changes in sturgeon osmoregulatory capabilities has led us to investigate the host immunophysiology in relation to this host–parasite system. All the host variables, which included gill Na+‐K+‐ATPase activity, serum alkaline phosphatase (AP) and white blood cell differential counts, were affected in a non‐linear manner by the copepod parasite. The parasites increased the host gill Na+‐K+‐ATPase activity and serum AP along with the percentage granulocytes while decreasing the percentage lymphocytes. A new method, developed to sample and preserve white blood cells in the field for future flow cytometry analysis, proved adequate. The effects of fish size, location and time of sampling were accounted for by the use of generalized linear models, and their effects on the host variables are discussed.
Multiple passage of infectious salmon anaemia virus in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), did not induce increased virus load
Authors: Olsen C M , Braaen S , Falk K , Rimstad E
Published: July 2012

The infectious salmon anaemia virus (ISAV) has not been observed to cause natural disease in farmed rainbow trout, Onchorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), but may cause high mortality in farmed Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. In this study, ISAV was passaged 10 times in succession by intraperitoneal injections of serum from previous passage into naïve rainbow trout. The serum viraemia was monitored by real‐time qPCR. The rainbow trout in this study became infected but did not develop ISA. No clinical signs were observed in the rainbow trout in any passage, but replication of ISAV was detected from Day 4 post‐infection (p.i.). Neither increased relative virus loads nor histopathological and immunohistochemical findings consistent with ISA were observed. However, the expression of interferon type I and Mx genes were slightly up‐regulated in the hearts of some individual fish at day 17 p.i. Sequencing of all open reading frames in the ISAV genome of the 10th passage revealed two nucleotide mutations, one in segment 6 coding for the haemagglutinin–esterase (HE) and one in segment 1 coding for the basic polymerase 2 (PB2). The mutation in HE resulted in an amino acid substitution T/K312.
Efficacy of stabilisation splint treatment on temporomandibular disorders
Authors: NIEMELÄ K. , KORPELA M. , RAUSTIA A. , YLÖSTALO P. , SIPILÄ K.
Published: July 2012

Summary  The evidence supporting the use of stabilisation splints in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is scarce and a need for well‐controlled studies exists. The aim of this randomised, controlled trial study was to assess the efficacy of stabilisation splint treatment on TMD. The sample consisted of 80 consecutive referred patients who were randomly assigned to the splint group (n = 39) and the control group (n = 41). Subjects in the splint group were treated with a stabilisation splint, whereas subjects in the control group did not receive any treatment except counselling and instructions for masticatory muscle exercises which were given also to the subjects in the splint group. Outcomes were visual analogue scale (VAS) on facial pain intensity and clinical findings for TMD which were measured at baseline and after 1‐month follow‐up. The differences in change between the groups were analysed using regression models. Facial pain decreased and most of the clinical TMD findings resolved in both of the groups. The differences in changes in VAS or clinical TMD findings between the groups were not statistically significant. The findings of this study did not show that stabilisation splint treatment in combination with counselling and masticatory muscle exercises has additional benefit in relieving facial pain and increasing the mobility of the mandible than counselling and masticatory muscle exercises alone in a short time‐interval.
Dermal Melanocortin Receptor Rebound in Diffuse Systemic Sclerosis after Anti‐TGFβ1 Antibody Therapy
Authors: Neumann Andersen G. , Andersen M. , Nagaeva O. , Wikberg J. E. S. , Mincheva‐Nilsson L.
Published: July 2012

Disturbed transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) signalling leads to enhanced synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM), which is manifested as systemic sclerosis (SSc), but this may be attenuated by the melanocortin system. Here, we report of rebound reaction in the gene expression of melanocortin receptor (MCR) subtypes and of the precursor of these receptors’ ligands, the pro‐opio‐melanocortin protein (POMC), in the acute skin lesion of diffuse systemic sclerosis (dSSc) after treatment with a recombinant human anti‐TGFβ1 antibody. Biopsies, taken from the leading edge of the skin lesion, before and after treatment of a patient with recent onset dSSc, were examined. Before treatment, increased levels of TGFβ mRNA and suppressed levels of POMC mRNA and MCR subtypes MC1‐3, 5R mRNAs were seen in the lesion, compared with healthy controls. After treatment, there was a rebound expression of POMC, MC2, 3, 5R mRNAs. As the melanocortin system regulates collagen and melanin production, our findings add a new understanding to the pathogenetic mechanisms involved in the acute skin lesion of dSSc, which is characterized by enhanced ECM formation and changes in skin pigmentation.
Arms race co‐evolution ofMagnaporthe oryzae AVR‐Pikand ricePikgenes driven by their physical interactions
Authors: Kanzaki Hiroyuki , Yoshida Kentaro , Saitoh Hiromasa , Fujisaki Koki , Hirabuchi Akiko , Alaux Ludovic , Fournier Elisabeth , Tharreau Didier , Terauchi Ryohei
Published: July 2012

Attack and counter‐attack impose strong reciprocal selection on pathogens and hosts, leading to development of arms race evolutionary dynamics. Here we show thatMagnaporthe oryzaeavirulence geneAVR‐Pikand the cognate rice resistance (R) genePikare highly variable, with multiple alleles in which DNA replacements cause amino acid changes. There is tight recognition specificity of theAVR‐Pikalleles by the variousPikalleles. We found that AVR‐Pik physically binds the N‐terminal coiled‐coil domain of Pik in a yeast two‐hybrid assay as well as in anin plantaco‐immunoprecipitation assay. This binding specificity correlates with the recognition specificity betweenAVRandRgenes. We propose thatAVR‐PikandPikare locked into arms race co‐evolution driven by their direct physical interactions.
Treatment outcomes for human African Trypanosomiasis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: analysis of routine program data from the world’s largest sleeping sickness control program
Authors: Hasker E. , Mpanya A. , Makabuza J. , Mbo F. , Lumbala C. , Kumpel J. , Claeys Y. , Kande V. , Ravinetto R. , Menten J. , Lutumba P. , Boelaert M.
Published: July 2012

Objective  To enable the human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) control program of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to generate data on treatment outcomes, an electronic database was developed. The database was piloted in two provinces, Bandundu and Kasai Oriental. In this study, we analysed routine data from the two provinces for the period 2006–2008.

Methods  Data were extracted from case declaration cards and monthly reports available at national and provincial HAT coordination units and entered into the database.

Results  Data were retrieved for 15 086 of 15 741 cases reported in the two provinces for the period (96%). Compliance with post‐treatment follow‐up was very poor in both provinces; only 25% had undergone at least one post‐treatment follow‐up examination, <1% had undergone the required four follow‐up examinations. Relapse rates among those presenting for follow‐up were high in Kasai (18%) but low in Bandundu (0.3%).

Conclusions  High relapse rates in Kasai and poor compliance with post‐treatment follow‐up in both provinces are important problems that the HAT control program urgently needs to address. Moreover, in analogy to tuberculosis control programs, HAT control programs need to adopt a recording and reporting routine that includes reporting on treatment outcomes.
Quality and use of consumer information provided with home test kits: room for improvement
Authors: Grispen Janaica E. J. , Ickenroth Martine H. P. , de Vries Nanne K. , van der Weijden Trudy , Ronda Gaby
Published: July 2012

Background

Diagnostic self‐tests (tests on body materials that are initiated by consumers with the aim of diagnosing a disorder or risk factor) are becoming increasingly available. Although the pros and cons of self‐testing are currently not clear, it is an existing phenomenon that is likely to gain further popularity.

Objective

To examine consumers' use of and needs for information about self‐testing, and to assess the quality of consumer information provided with home test kits, as perceived by consumers and as assessed using a checklist of quality criteria.

Methods

A cross‐sectional Internet survey among 305 self‐testers assessed their use of and needs for information and their perception of the quality of consumer information provided with self‐test kits. A meta‐search engine was used to identify Dutch and English consumer information for home diagnostic tests available online at the time of the study. The quality of this consumer information was evaluated using a checklist of quality criteria.

Results

The consumers' information needs were in line with the most frequently used information, and the information was perceived as being of moderate to good quality. The information was mostly in agreement with clinical practice guidelines, although information on reliability and follow‐up behaviour was limited. Approximately half of the instruction leaflets did not include information on the target group of the test.

Conclusions

Although generally of moderate to good quality, some aspects of the information provided were in many cases insufficient. European legislation concerning self‐tests and accompanying information needs to be adapted and adhered to more closely.
Does the presence of mediastinal adenopathy confer a risk for disseminated infection in immunocompetent persons with pulmonary coccidioidomycosis?
Authors: Mayer Anita P. , Morris Michael F. , Panse Prasad M. , Ko Marcia G. , Files Julia A. , Ruddy Barbara E. , Blair Janis E.
Published: July 2012

Pulmonary coccidioidomycosis is caused by inhaling airborne arthroconidia of Coccidioides, a soil‐dwelling fungus endemic to the desert southwestern United States. Although uncommon, disseminated coccidioidal infection can be associated with well‐defined risk factors, such as cell‐mediated immunodeficiency, certain racial heritages (e.g. African or Filipino), male sex, or pregnancy. Before widespread use of computed tomography (CT), the presence or persistence of mediastinal lymphadenopathy was postulated to be a risk factor for disseminated coccidioidal infection. To investigate the use of CT scanning to identify the presence of mediastinal lymphadenopathy in patients with pulmonary coccidioidomycosis, and to correlate such lymphadenopathy with disseminated coccidioidal infection, we performed a retrospective review of patients with pulmonary coccidioidomycosis who were evaluated by chest CT. Two radiologists independently interpreted 150 CT scans from patients with pulmonary coccidioidomycosis. Forty‐nine patients met CT criteria for mediastinal lymphadenopathy, whereas 101 patients did not. Disseminated coccidioidal infection was observed in 5 (10%) of the 49 patients with mediastinal lymphadenopathy and in 6 of the 101 (6%; P = .34) without such adenopathy. Among patients with coccidioidomycosis, patients with mediastinal lymphadenopathy, as assessed by CT, had a higher rate of disseminated infection, but the difference was not statistically significant.
The 2010 Royal Australasian College of Physicians' policy statement ‘Circumcision of infant males’ is not evidence based
Authors: Morris B. J. , Wodak A. D. , Mindel A. , Schrieber L. , Duggan K. A. , Dilley A. , Willcourt R. J. , Lowy M. , Cooper D. A.
Published: July 2012

Infant male circumcision (MC) is an important issue guided by Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) policy. Here we analytically review the RACP's 2010 policy statement ‘Circumcision of infant males’. Comprehensive evaluation in the context of published research was used. We find that the Statement is not a fair and balanced representation of the literature on MC. It ignores, downplays, obfuscates or misrepresents the considerable evidence attesting to the strong protection MC affords against childhood urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections (human immunodeficiency virus, human papilloma virus, herpes simplex virus type 2, trichomonas and genital ulcer disease), thrush, inferior penile hygiene, phimosis, balanoposthitis and penile cancer, and in women protection against human papilloma virus, herpes simplex virus type 2, bacterial vaginosis and cervical cancer. The Statement exaggerates the complication rate. Assertions that ‘the foreskin has a functional role’ and ‘is a primary sensory part of the penis’ are not supported by research, including randomised controlled trials. Instead of citing these and meta‐analyses, the Statement selectively cites poor quality studies. Its claim, without support from a literature‐based risk‐benefit analysis, that the currently available evidence does ‘not warrant routine infant circumcision in Australia and New Zealand’ is misleading. The Statement fails to explain that performing MC in the neonatal period using local anaesthesia maximises benefits, safety, convenience and cost savings. Because the RACP's policy statement is not a fair and balanced representation of the current literature, it should not be used to guide policy. In the interests of public health and individual well‐being, an extensive, comprehensive, balanced review of the scientific literature and a risk‐benefit analysis should be conducted to formulate policy.
Diagnostic value of 18F‐FDG PET/CT in patients with fever of unknown origin
Authors: Kim Y. J. , Kim S. I. , Hong K‐W. , Kang M. W.
Published: July 2012

This study investigates the diagnostic value of 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F‐FDG PET/CT) in patients with 109 classical fever of unknown origin (FUO). Of the 48 18F‐FDG PET/CT scans, 41 (85.4%) were interpreted as abnormal, and 25 (52.1% of all scans) were considered clinically helpful. The final cause of fever was determined in 41 patients (85.4%); infection (25%), malignancy (12.5%), non‐infectious inflammatory disease (16.7%) and miscellaneous causes (31.3%). 18F‐FDG PET/CT contributed to the final diagnosis of FUO in 65.8%.
Hospital treatment in residential care facilities is a viable alternative to hospital admission for selected patients
Authors: Lau Liza , Chong Carol P , Lim Wen Kwang
Published: July 2012

Aim:  To determine if hospital treatment in residential care facilities, led by a geriatric team, might be a viable alternative to inpatient admission for selected patients.

Methods:  Case series with a new intervention were compared with historical controls receiving the conventional treatment. Treatment in residential care facilities (TRC) by the Residential Care Intervention Program in The Elderly (RECIPE) service was compared against the conventional treatment group, aged care unit (ACU) inpatients.

Results:  A total of 95 patients in TRC and 167 patients in ACU were included. The mean Charlson Comorbidity Index score was 7 in both groups and demographics were similar, except more patients in the TRC group had dementia. Palliative care support was provided to 35.8% in the TRC group, compared with 7.8% in ACU, P < 0.001. Six‐month mortality rates were similar at 30% for both groups. Rehospitalization rates at 6 months were similar at 41% for both groups. Length of care was significantly shorter for TRC (mean 2 days) compared with ACU (mean 11 days), P < 0.001.

Conclusions:  Hospital treatment in residential care is viable for most patients, including those with dementia and those who need palliative care support. This model of care offers a valuable geriatric service to residents who would prefer to avoid hospital transfers, with no difference in mortality or rehospitalization rates for those treated in residential care, but a significant reduction in length of care. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 378–383.
Dopamine and gamma band synchrony in schizophrenia – insights from computational and empirical studies
Authors: Kömek Kübra , Bard Ermentrout G. , Walker Christopher P. , Cho Raymond Y.
Published: July 2012

Dopamine modulates cortical circuit activity in part through its actions on GABAergic interneurons, including increasing the excitability of fast‐spiking interneurons. Though such effects have been demonstrated in single cells, there are no studies that examine how such mechanisms may lead to the effects of dopamine at a neural network level. With this motivation, we investigated the effects of dopamine on synchronization in a simulated neural network composed of excitatory and fast‐spiking inhibitory Wang–Buzsaki neurons. The effects of dopamine were implemented through varying leak K+ conductance of the fast‐spiking interneurons and the network synchronization within the gamma band (∼40 Hz) was analyzed. Parametrically varying the leak K+ conductance revealed an inverted‐U shaped relationship, with low gamma band power at both low and high conductance levels and optimal synchronization at intermediate conductance levels. We also examined the effects of modulating excitability of the inhibitory neurons more generically using an idealized model with theta neurons, with similar findings. Moreover, such a relationship holds when the external input is both tonic and periodic. Our computational results mirror our empirical study of dopamine modulation in schizophrenia and healthy controls, which showed that amphetamine administration increased gamma power in patients but decreased it in controls. Together, our computational and empirical investigations indicate that dopamine can modulate cortical gamma band synchrony in an inverted‐U fashion and that the physiologic effects of dopamine on single fast‐spiking interneurons can give rise to such non‐monotonic effects at the network level.
Plasma C‐peptide concentration in women with Type 1 diabetes during early and late pregnancy
Authors: Murphy H. R. , Elleri D. , Allen J. M. , Simmons D. , Nodale M. , Hovorka R.
Published: July 2012

Diabet. Med. 29, e361–e364 (2012)

Aims  There are previous suggestions of increased C‐peptide concentration in women with Type 1 diabetes during pregnancy. Our aim was to re‐evaluate the hypothesis of a pregnancy‐induced increase by measuring plasma C‐peptide concentration in women with stable blood glucose control under standardized fasting and meal‐stimulated conditions.

Methods  Ten women with Type 1 diabetes; median age 31.1 years, median diabetes duration 19 years, median HbA1c 52 mmol/mol (6.9%) were admitted to a clinical research facility for two 24‐h visits in early (12–16 weeks) and late (28–32 weeks) pregnancy. Women They ate standardized study meals ‐ 80‐g carbohydrate dinner, 60‐g carbohydrate breakfast, and fasted between meals and overnight. Closed‐loop insulin delivery maintained stable and comparable glycaemic conditions. Paired samples for plasma glucose and C‐peptide were obtained.

Results  Plasma glucose levels were comparable in early (median 6.5 mmol/l; interquartile range 5.6–8.6) and late pregnancy (median 7.0 mmol/l; interquartile range 6.1–7.8; P = 0.72). There was no change in fasting or meal‐stimulated plasma C‐peptide concentration from early to late pregnancy; mean difference 4.0 pmol/l (95% CI −6.0 to 7.0; P = 0.9). Four women had detectable C‐peptide; peak (range) early vs. late pregnancy 48.5 (10–115) vs. 40.0 pmol/l (80–105); P = 0.5, which was weakly associated with plasma glucose; R2 = 0.15, P < 0.0001.

Conclusions  We found no gestational changes in plasma C‐peptide concentration. Previously reported increases may reflect differences in glucose control and/or exogenous insulin doses. This study highlights the importance and challenges of standardizing experimental conditions for accurate plasma C‐peptide measurement during Type 1 diabetes pregnancy.
Mobilizing Protest: Insights from Two Factory Closures
Authors: Blyton Paul , Jenkins Jean
Published: July 2012

This article draws on investigations of worker response to two factory closures to develop recent discussions around mobilization theory. With many shared characteristics between the factories, both located in the garment manufacturing sector, and with similar workforces and union organization, certain key distinguishing features between the two provide insights into why worker protest became effectively mobilized and sustained in one case but failed to materialize in the other. The findings point to the value of assigning greater weight in studies of worker mobilization to the impact of prior existing social structures within a population, and the interaction between that population, its leaders and wider society.
International Adjudication – Standard of Review and Burden of Proof: Australia‐Apples and Whaling in the Antarctic
Authors: Foster Caroline E.
Published: July 2012

New cases dealing with complex matters of conservation and biodiversity continue to push forward the boundaries of international adjudicatory processes in various bodies, including the International Court of Justice and the World Trade Organization Appellate Body. Successfully addressing matters such as burden of proof and ‘standard of review’ is pivotal to maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of international adjudication. Advances in such areas should be appropriate for application in all fora and all disputes. While the rules on burden of proof need to undergo further development, contrastingly, caution is needed in relation to ‘standard of review’.
Effects of Monetary Policy on the US Dollar/UK Pound Exchange Rate. Is There a “Delayed Overshooting Puzzle”?
Authors: Heinlein Reinhold , Krolzig Hans‐Martin
Published: July 2012

The determination of the US dollar/UK pound sterling exchange rate is studied in a small symmetric macroeconometric model including UK–US differentials in inflation, output gap, and short‐ and long‐term interest rates for the four decades since the breakdown of Bretton Woods. The key question addressed is the possible presence of a “delayed overshooting puzzle” in the dynamic reaction of the exchange rate to monetary policy shocks. In contrast to the existing literature, we follow a data‐driven modeling approach combining (i) a vector autoregression (VAR)‐based cointegration analysis with (ii) a graph‐theoretic search for instantaneous causal relations and (iii) an automatic general‐to‐specific approach for the selection of a congruent parsimonious structural vector equilibrium correction model. We find that the long‐run properties of the system are characterized by four cointegration relations and one stochastic trend, which is identified as the long‐term interest rate differential and that appears to be driven by long‐term inflation expectations as in the Fisher hypothesis. It cointegrates with the inflation differential to a stationary “real” long‐term rate differential and also drives the exchange rate. The short‐run dynamics are characterized by a direct link from the short‐term to the long‐term interest rate differential. Jumps in the exchange rate after short‐term interest rate variations are only significant at 10%. Overall, we find strong evidence for delayed overshooting and violations of uncovered interest rate parity (UIP) in response to monetary policy shocks.
Balance‐of‐Payments Crises During the Great Recession: Is This Time Different?
Authors: Arduini Tiziano , De Arcangelis Giuseppe , Del Bello Carlo L.
Published: July 2012

During the 2007–09 financial crisis large volatility and wide currency swings characterized the foreign exchange market. This paper utilizes the early‐warning framework to evaluate whether during the period of the Great Recession there has been a structural break in the relationship between fundamentals and exchange rates. This is done by extending an original data set from 1999 and including not only the most recent period, but also 17 new countries. The analysis considers two variations of the original early‐warning system. First, two new methods are proposed to obtain the probability distribution of the early‐warning indicator (conditional on the occurrence of a crisis)—one fully parametric and one based on a novel distribution‐free semi‐parametric approach. Second, the original early‐warning indicator is compared with a core indicator that includes only “pseudo‐financial variables” (domestic credit/GDP, the real exchange rate, international reserves and the real interest‐rate differential) and their performance is evaluated not only for currency crises during the Great Recession, but also for the Asian Crisis. The conclusion from all tests is that “this time is different”, i.e. early‐warning systems based on traditional macroeconomic variables have not only failed to forecast currency crises during the Great Recession, but have also significantly worsened with respect to the period of the Asian crisis.
Offshoring to High and Low Income Countries and the Labor Demand. Evidence from Italian Firms
Authors: Lo Turco Alessia , Maggioni Daniela
Published: July 2012

Making use of an original data set the effects of imports of intermediates from high and low income countries on the conditional labor demand of a panel of Italian manufacturing firms are investigated. A dynamic panel data model is estimated by means of system GMM allowing for the endogeneity of the right‐hand side regressors, especially the offshoring measures. The results bear a negative offshoring effect which is attributable exclusively to imports of intermediates from low income trading partners and mainly concerns firms operating in traditional sectors. No statistically significant effect is estimated for imports from high income countries. These findings are robust to the different measures of offshoring and to the inclusion of further controls.
High‐performance liquid chromatographic determination of triclosan and triclocarban in cosmetic products
Authors: Liu T. , Wu D.
Published: July 2012

Synopsis

A high–performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for the determination of triclosan and triclocarban in cosmetic products was developed. Triclosan and triclocarban quantities in 168 of cosmetics were investigated and statistical analyzed with this method. The optimal condition are as follows: An Agilent SB‐C8 analytical column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5μm) was utilized, and mixed buffer solution of methanol and 0.01 mol L−1 phosphate (pH 3.0) (72 : 28, V/V) were used for isocratic elution at a total flow rate of 1.0 mL min−1. It is found the calibration curves had a good linear regression with UV detection (280 nm) within test range of 0–110 μg mL−1 with the correlation coefficients of 0.999 in all cases. This method is simple, selective, convenient, and reproducible for the determination of triclosan and triclocarban in commercial cosmetic products.
Edge effects and large mammal distributions in a national park
Authors: Kiffner C. , Stoner C. , Caro T.
Published: July 2012

While protected areas are a centrepiece of conservation, populations of animals in protected areas can still be subject to considerable human influence. Conservation theory suggests that many species should live at lower densities at the periphery of protected areas compared with the core area. Similarly, but more specifically, species subject to exploitation are expected to have lower densities in areas close to human settlements compared with more remote areas. Drawing upon distributional data of eight large African herbivore species (buffalo Syncerus caffer, elephant Loxodonta africana, giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis, impala Aepyceros melampus, topi Damaliscus lunatus, warthog Phacochoerus africanus, waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus and zebra Equus quagga) sampled using ground surveys in 1995 and 1996, and seven large herbivore species (the same species without impala) sampled using aerial surveys from 1987 to 2009, we fitted logistic regression models and used an information theoretic model selection approach to test these two hypotheses in an East African savannah national park subject to illegal hunting from outside. In the vast majority of herbivore species, occupancy was not substantially affected by being close to the edge of the park or in close proximity to human villages. Furthermore, population declines witnessed in this protected area were not reflected in reduced occupancy near park boundaries. We conclude that assumed distributional differences between peripheral and core parts of reserves are not necessarily supported by empirical evidence, and that population declines within reserves do not inevitably proceed from boundaries inwards.
The state‐of‐the‐art is healthy; time to take the next step with developmental coordination disorder
Authors: WILSON ANDREW D
Published: July 2012

This commentary is on the original article by King et al. on pages 932‐937 of this issue.
Developmental delay of finger torque control in children with developmental coordination disorder
Authors: KING BRADLEY R , CLARK JANE E , OLIVEIRA MARCIO A
Published: July 2012

Aim  We examined whether the behavioral impairments in finger torque control evident in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) follow a delayed or different developmental trajectory compared with their typically developing peers.

Method  Children with DCD (n=36; 18 males, 18 females; mean age 9y 7mo, SD 1y 8mo) and 36 typically developing children (15 males, 21 females; mean age 9y 7mo, SD 2y), between 6 years 10 months and 12 years 7 months of age were recruited from schools in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Particpants completed finger torque control and maximum finger torque production tasks. The inclusion criterion for children with DCD was a Movement Assessment Battery for Children score below the fifth centile. Group means and cross‐sectional age‐related landscapes of the two groups were compared.

Results  Children with DCD were more variable (p<0.001), less accurate (p=0.007), and less irregular (p<0.001), on average, in their finger torque control than their typically developing peers, despite producing nearly equivalent levels of maximum torque (p=0.49). Despite these mean differences, the cross‐sectional age‐related changes in torque control were similar in the two groups (all p>0.05).

Interpretation  The developmental trajectory of finger torque control in children with DCD, compared with typically developing children, is delayed. This suggests the behavioral deficits in finger torque control in children with DCD persist as a function of age, rather than progressing or resolving.