bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differentiating word learning processes may yield new insights – a commentary on Stoel-Gammon's ‘Relationships between lexical and phonological development in young children’
Authors: STORKEL HOLLY L.
Published: October 2010

Stoel-Gammon (this issue) states that ‘from birth to age 2 ; 6, the developing phonological system affects lexical acquisition to a greater degree than lexical factors affect phonological development’ (this issue). This conclusion is based on a wealth of data; however, the available data are somewhat limited in scope, focusing on rather holistic measures of the phonological and lexical systems (e.g. production accuracy, number of words known). Stoel-Gammon suggests a number of important avenues to pursue, but does not discuss a critical one that is emerging in the broader literature on word learning. Specifically, recent connectionist models and adult word learning research provide evidence that greater differentiation of the cognitive processes that underlie word learning yields new insights (Leach & Samuel, 2007). This approach may be fruitful for future investigations of the relationship between phonological and lexical development in young children.
Lexical and phonological development in children with childhood apraxia of speech – a commentary on Stoel-Gammon's ‘Relationships between lexical and phonological development in young children’*
Authors: VELLEMAN SHELLEY L.
Published: October 2010

Although not the focus of her article, phonological development in young children with speech sound disorders of various types is highly germane to Stoel-Gammon's discussion (this issue) for at least two primary reasons. Most obvious is that typical processes and milestones of phonological development are the standards and benchmarks against which we measure disorder and delay. Factors that impact children without disorders may suggest underlying causes or co-occurring symptoms of speech sound deficits, prognostic indicators of improvement, appropriate remediation strategies or some combination of these. Equally important is the fact that studying children with disorders can help us to verify and, in some cases, even unpack relationships among factors that are so closely interwoven in children who develop their phonologies at the typically very rapid rate that their individual influences cannot be discerned. Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) is a particularly interesting case in point because, while it is universally accepted to be a motor speech disorder, symptoms include deficits in speech perception and often in literacy-related skills as well.
The role of production practice in lexical and phonological development – a commentary on Stoel-Gammon's ‘Relationships between lexical and phonological development in young children’*
Authors: VIHMAN MARILYN , KEREN-PORTNOY TAMAR
Published: October 2010

Carol Stoel-Gammon has made a real contribution in bringing together two fields that are not generally jointly addressed. Like Stoel-Gammon, we have long focused on individual differences in phonological development (e.g. Vihman, Ferguson & Elbert, 1986; Vihman, Boysson-Bardies, Durand & Sundberg, 1994; Keren-Portnoy, Majorano & Vihman, 2008). And like her, we have been closely concerned with the relationship between lexical and phonological learning. Accordingly, we will focus our discussion on two areas covered by Stoel-Gammon (this issue) on which our current work may shed some additional light.
Spatial clustering of TB-infected cattle herds prior to and following proactive badger removal
Authors: KELLY G. E. , MORE S. J.
Published: October 2010

Bovine tuberculosis (TB) is primarily a disease of cattle. In both Ireland and the UK, badgers (Meles meles) are an important wildlife reservoir of infection. This paper examined the hypothesis that TB is spatially correlated in cattle herds, established the range of correlation and the effect, if any, of proactive badger removal on this. We also re-analysed data from the Four Area Project in Ireland, a large-scale intervention study aimed at assessing the effect of proactive badger culling on bovine TB incidence in cattle herds, taking possible spatial correlation into account. We established that infected herds are spatially correlated (the scale of spatial correlation is presented), but at a scale that varies with time and in different areas. Spatial correlation persists following proactive badger removal.
Salmonella enterica serovar Agona European outbreak associated with a food company
Authors: NICOLAY N. , THORNTON L. , COTTER S. , GARVEY P. , BANNON O. , McKEOWN P. , CORMICAN M. , FISHER I. , LITTLE C. , BOXALL N. , DE PINNA E. , PETERS T. M. , COWDEN J. , SALMON R. , MASON B. , IRVINE N. , ROONEY P. , O'FLANAGAN D.
Published: October 2010

We investigated an international outbreak of Salmonella Agona with a distinct PFGE pattern associated with an Irish Food company (company X) producing pre-cooked meat products sold in various food outlet chains in Europe. The outbreak was first detected in Ireland. We undertook national and international case-finding, food traceback and microbiological investigation of human, food and environmental samples. We undertook a matched case-control study on Irish cases. In total, 163 cases in seven European countries were laboratory-confirmed. Consumption of food from food outlet chains supplied by company X was significantly associated with being a confirmed case (mOR 18·3, 95% CI 2·2–149·2) in the case-control study. The outbreak strain was isolated from the company's pre-cooked meat products and production premises. Sufficient evidence was gathered to infer the vehicles of infection and sources of the outbreak and to justify the control measures taken, which were plant closure and food recall.
Phylogenetic analysis of H and N2 genes of avian influenza viruses detected in Ireland between 2003 and 2007
Authors: RALEIGH P. J. , FLYNN O. , O'CONNOR M. , MINIHAN D. , CONNELL J. , SAMMIN D. J. , MARKEY B. K.
Published: October 2010

Phylogenetic analysis was performed on the haemagglutinin and neuraminidase subtype N2 genes of low-pathogenic avian influenza viruses (LPAIVs) detected in Ireland between 2003 and 2007. Nucleotide sequences were compared to previously published sequences from the National Centre for Biotechnology Information. Sequences from viruses of the same subtype isolated in different years were compared to examine the possibility that LPAIVs may have been maintained in Ireland from year to year. All viruses had closest identity with published sequences of European lineage, supporting the conclusion that LPAIVs had been introduced to Ireland by dabbling ducks that had migrated from Europe. The data suggested that different subtypes of virus had been introduced each year. However, there was evidence that some LPAIVs may have been maintained in the sedentary waterfowl population for consecutive seasons. Furthermore, almost identical H6 and H10 sequences with different N types were found in isolates from the same season, suggesting that reassortment had occurred.
Stroke as a medical emergency in older people
Authors: Ryan Davinia , Harbison Joseph
Published: October 2010

In the last 20 years a realization has developed that acute stroke is a condition that benefits from early intensive investigation and treatment. Older people are historically less likely to receive such active management through a combination of limited evidence due to their exclusion from clinical trials and a level of ‘therapeutic nihilism’ regarding older subjects with severe, acute illness.

There is increasing evidence that many acute therapies, including thrombolysis, benefit older stroke patients. Older subjects may not achieve as good results as younger groups but differential benefits are often comparable when expected outcomes are considered. Risk of haemorrhagic complications with thrombolysis is not substantially increased and older subjects are now receiving this therapy despite a dearth of relevant trial data.

Intensive physiological monitoring and stroke unit care has been found to be of benefit to patients of all ages. Surgical options for intracerebral haemorrhage are limited, but there is little difference in the management of intracranial haemorrhage in older people. There is unlikely to be a benefit to surgical hemicraniectomy for cerebral infarction in those >60 years. In conclusion, active management for acute stroke in older people is frequently beneficial and age should not be a barrier to such care.
THEMIS observations of electron cyclotron harmonic emissions, ULF waves, and pulsating auroras
Authors: Liang Jun , Uritsky V. , Donovan E. , Ni B. , Spanswick E. , Trondsen T. , Bonnell J. , Roux A. , Auster U. , Larson D.
Published: October 2010

We present multiprobe, multi‐instrument observations of the electron cyclotron harmonic (ECH) emissions and ultralow‐frequency (ULF) waves from Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) and explore their potential linkage to the concurrent ground‐observed pulsating auroras (PsA) on 4 January 2009. The ECH emissions were observed as discrete packets modulated by the ULF flapping motion of the neutral sheet around the probes. Combining different data sets of the ECH observations, we infer that the ECH emission intensities were strongly fluctuating and contained multi‐time scale fine structures. The distribution of PsA patches featured longitudinal “wavelength” in concert with the in situ ULF wave characteristics inferred from a cross‐phase analysis. The overall activeness of the PsA correlated with the in situ‐measured energetic electron fluxes and ECH wave intensities. We suggest that ECH waves played the key role in the pitch angle diffusion of the plasma sheet electrons that led to the PsA, while the ULF waves structured the plasma sheet and imposed a macroscopic effect over the spatial distribution of the PsA.
High‐resolution tropospheric ozone fields for INTEX and ARCTAS from IONS ozonesondes
Authors: Tarasick D. W. , Jin J. J. , Fioletov V. E. , Liu G. , Thompson A. M. , Oltmans S. J. , Liu J. , Sioris C. E. , Liu X. , Cooper O. R. , Dann T. , Thouret V.
Published: October 2010

The IONS‐04, IONS‐06, and ARC‐IONS ozone sounding campaigns over North America in 2004, 2006, and 2008 obtained approximately 1400 profiles, in five series of coordinated and closely spaced (typically daily) launches. Although this coverage is unprecedented, it is still somewhat sparse in its geographical spacing. Here we use forward and back trajectory calculations for each sounding to map ozone measurements to a number of other locations and so to fill in the spatial domain. This is possible because the lifetime of ozone in the troposphere is of the order of weeks. The trajectory‐mapped ozone values show reasonable agreement, where they overlap, to the actual soundings, and the patterns produced separately by forward and backward trajectory calculations are similar. Comparisons with MOZAIC profiles and surface station data show generally good agreement. A variable‐length smoothing algorithm is used to fill data gaps: for each point on the map, the smoothing radius is such that a minimum of 10 data points are included in the average. The total tropospheric ozone column maps calculated by integrating the smoothed fields agree well with similar maps derived from TOMS and OMI/MLS measurements. The resulting three‐dimensional picture of the tropospheric ozone field for the INTEX and ARCTAS periods facilitates visualization and comparison of different years and seasons and will be useful to other researchers.
Modeling the effects of Southeast Asian monsoon outflow on subtropical anticyclones and midlatitude ozone over the Southern Indian Ocean
Authors: Rogal Marek , Hitchman Matthew H. , Buker Marcus L. , Tripoli Gregory J. , Stajner Ivanka , Hayashi Hiroo
Published: October 2010

This observational and modeling study explores how the Southeast Asian summer monsoon outflow into the Southern Indian Ocean influences the life cycle of local anticyclones and leads to changes in the distribution of column ozone in the Southern Hemisphere (SH). A case study of the evolution of synoptic fields during August 1998 was performed to characterize the circulation leading to the average column ozone distribution known as the “ozone croissant,” with a characteristic ozone maximum south of Australia and a minimum near South America. During this month, five phases of SH circulation were found to lead to distinctive ozone patterns, explaining the monthly location and extent of the SH column ozone maximum. An isentropic trajectory model was used to show the cross‐equatorial flow from the Tibetan High into the SH at the near‐tropopause level of 360 K. Outflow pulses are shown to be responsible for the amplification of observed anticyclones over the SH Indian Ocean and intensification of troughs south of Australia. This couplet establishes an ozone transport pathway from tropical lower stratospheric regions around the edges of anticyclones into the ozone maximum in the amplified troughs. An idealized modeling experiment using the University of Wisconsin‐Madison Nonhydrostatic Modeling System was performed to model strong outflow pulse from tropical convection. Together with model trajectory computations, the modeling study showed a strong anticyclonic response over the Indian Ocean and increased ozone transport into the amplified troughs in a perturbed wave pattern.
Saharan dust and heterogeneous ice formation: Eleven years of cloud observations at a central European EARLINET site
Authors: Seifert P. , Ansmann A. , Mattis I. , Wandinger U. , Tesche M. , Engelmann R. , Müller D. , Pérez C. , Haustein K.
Published: October 2010

More than 2300 observed cloud layers were analyzed to investigate the impact of aged Saharan dust on heterogeneous ice formation. The observations were performed with a polarization/Raman lidar at the European Aerosol Research Lidar Network site of Leipzig, Germany (51.3°N, 12.4°E) from February 1997 to June 2008. The statistical analysis is based on lidar‐derived information on cloud phase (liquid water, mixed phase, ice cloud) and cloud top height, cloud top temperature, and vertical profiles of dust mass concentration calculated with the Dust Regional Atmospheric Modeling system. Compared to dust‐free air masses, a significantly higher amount of ice‐containing clouds (25%–30% more) was observed for cloud top temperatures from −10°C to −20°C in air masses that contained mineral dust. The midlatitude lidar study is compared with our SAMUM lidar study of tropical stratiform clouds at Cape Verde in the winter of 2008. The comparison reveals that heterogeneous ice formation is much stronger over central Europe and starts at higher temperatures than over the tropical station. Possible reasons for the large difference are discussed.
Evidence of reactive iodine chemistry in the Arctic boundary layer
Authors: Mahajan Anoop S. , Shaw Marvin , Oetjen Hilke , Hornsby Karen E. , Carpenter Lucy J. , Kaleschke Lars , Tian‐Kunze Xiangshan , Lee James D. , Moller Sarah J. , Edwards Peter , Commane Roisin , Ingham Trevor , Heard Dwayne E. , Plane John M. C.
Published: October 2010

Although it has recently been established that iodine plays an important role in the atmospheric chemistry of coastal Antarctica, where it occurs at levels which cause significant ozone (O3) depletion and changes in the atmospheric oxidising capacity, iodine oxides have not previously been observed conclusively in the Arctic boundary layer (BL). This paper describes differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) observations of iodine monoxide (IO), along with gas chromatographic measurements of iodocarbons, in the sub‐Arctic environment at Kuujjuarapik, Hudson Bay, Canada. Episodes of elevated levels of IO (up to 3.4 ± 1.2 ppt) accompanied by a variety of iodocarbons were observed. Air mass back trajectories show that the observed iodine compounds originate from open water polynyas that form in the sea ice on Hudson Bay. A combination of long‐path DOAS and multiaxis DOAS observations suggested that the IO is limited to about 100 m in height. The observations are interpreted using a one‐dimensional model, which indicates that the iodocarbon sources from these exposed waters can account for the observed concentrations of IO. These levels of IO deplete O3 at rates comparable to bromine oxide (BrO) and, more importantly, strongly enhance the effect of bromine‐catalyzed O3 depletion in the Arctic BL, an effect which has not been quantitatively considered hitherto. However, the measurements and modeling results indicate that the effects of iodine chemistry are on a much more localized scale than bromine chemistry in the Arctic environment.
Effects of multiphase methane supply on hydrate accumulation and fracture generation
Authors: Daigle Hugh , Dugan Brandon
Published: October 2010

We simulate methane hydrate formation with multiphase flow and free gas within the regional hydrate stability zone (RHSZ). We find that hydrate distribution and fracture behavior are largely determined by the phase of the methane supply. We allow free gas to enter the RHSZ when porewater salinity increases to the value required for three‐phase equilibrium. Fractures nucleate when the excess pore pressure exceeds the vertical hydrostatic effective stress. At Hydrate Ridge, where methane supply is dominantly free gas, hydrate saturation increases upwards and fractures nucleate high within the RHSZ, eventually allowing gas to vent to the seafloor. At Blake Ridge, where methane supply is dominantly in the dissolved phase, hydrate saturation is greatest at the base of the RHSZ; fractures nucleate here and in some cases could propagate through the RHSZ, allowing methane‐charged water to vent to the seafloor.
Ontology-driven International Maize Information System (IMIS) for Phenotypic and Genotypic Data Exchange
Authors: Shrestha Rosemary , Sanchez Hector , Ayala Claudio , Wenzl Peter , Arnaud Elizabeth
Published: October 2010

The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR; http://www.cgiar.org/) centres have developed the International Crop Information System (ICIS; http://www.icis.cgiar.org) for the management and integration of global information on genetic resources, and germplasm improvement for any crop. The Maize breeding programs at CIMMYT (http://beta.cimmyt.org/) have different software tools to manage phenotypic, genotypic, and environmental information for their experiments generated worldwide. These tools have the capacity of collecting information in the field, wet lab, and store it into different relational databases. The IMIS (http://imis.cimmyt.org/confluence/display/IMIS/Crop+Finder) is an implementation of the ICIS, which is a computerized database system for general, integrated management and utilization of genealogy, nomenclature, genetic, phenotypic and characterization data for maize. Data exchange within and between databases as well as retrieving information are often hampered by the variability of terms used to describe comparable objects. To overcome this problem, the Crop Ontology (CO) database (http://cropontology.org/) is developed. It provides controlled vocabulary sets for several economically important plant species and facilitates biocurators working in genebanks of plant genetic resources (PGR) and crop breeding data curation and annotation. The maize trait ontology is developed as one of subclasses of CO trait ontology providing standardized trait descriptions, scales and scale values implemented into the IMIS. This ontology-driven IMIS will allow researchers who wish to exploit comparative phenotypic and genotypic information of maize to elucidate functional aspects of each trait.
The structure of CYP101D2 unveils a potential path for substrate entry into the active site
Authors: Yang Wen , Bell Stephen G. , Wang Hui , Zhou Weihong , Bartlam Mark , Wong Luet-Lok , Rao Zihe
Published: October 2010

The cytochrome P450 CYP101D2 from Novosphingobium aromaticivorans DSM12444 is closely related to CYP101D1 from the same bacterium and to P450cam (CYP101A1) from Pseudomonas putida. All three are capable of oxidizing camphor stereoselectively to 5-exo-hydroxycamphor. The crystal structure of CYP101D2 revealed that the likely ferredoxin-binding site on the proximal face is largely positively charged, similar to that of CYP101D1. However, both the native and camphor-soaked forms of CYP101D2 had open conformations with an access channel. In the active site of the camphor-soaked form, the camphor carbonyl interacted with the haem-iron-bound water. Two other potential camphor-binding sites were also identified from electron densities in the camphor-soaked structure: one located in the access channel, flanked by the B/C and F/G loops and the I helix, and the other in a cavity on the surface of the enzyme near the F helix side of the F/G loop. The observed open structures may be conformers of the CYP101D2 enzyme that enable the substrate to enter the buried active site via a conformational selection mechanism. The second and third binding sites may be intermediate locations of substrate entry and translocation into the active site, and provide insight into a multi-step substrate-binding mechanism.
Spermine synthase activity affects the content of decarboxylated S-adenosylmethionine
Authors: Pegg Anthony E. , Wang Xiaojing , Schwartz Charles E. , McCloskey Diane E.
Published: October 2010

dcAdoMet (decarboxylated S-adenosylmethionine) is an essential intermediate in the synthesis of polyamines. Its content is normally very low, amounting to less than 5% of that of S-adenosylmethionine itself. It was found that in mice lacking spermine synthase there was a large increase in dcAdoMet and that overexpression of spermine synthase reduced the amount of this nucleoside. There was also an increase in dcAdoMet in cells derived from patients with Snyder–Robinson syndrome, a rare X-linked recessive human disease caused by SMS gene mutations that greatly reduce the content of spermine synthase. These results suggest that there is an inverse relationship between the amount of spermine synthase protein and the content of dcAdoMet and raise the possibility that some of the abnormalities seen in mammals deficient in spermine synthase might be due to changes in dcAdoMet pools.
Phosphorylation of bacterial-type phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase at Ser425 provides a further tier of enzyme control in developing castor oil seeds
Authors: O'Leary Brendan , Rao Srinath K. , Plaxton William C.
Published: October 2010

PEPC [PEP (phosphoenolpyruvate) carboxylase] is a tightly controlled anaplerotic enzyme situated at a pivotal branch point of plant carbohydrate metabolism. Two distinct oligomeric PEPC classes were discovered in developing COS (castor oil seeds). Class-1 PEPC is a typical homotetramer of 107 kDa PTPC (plant-type PEPC) subunits, whereas the novel 910-kDa Class-2 PEPC hetero-octamer arises from a tight interaction between Class-1 PEPC and 118 kDa BTPC (bacterial-type PEPC) subunits. Mass spectrometric analysis of immunopurified COS BTPC indicated that it is subject to in vivo proline-directed phosphorylation at Ser425. We show that immunoblots probed with phosphorylation site-specific antibodies demonstrated that Ser425 phosphorylation is promoted during COS development, becoming maximal at stage IX (maturation phase) or in response to depodding. Kinetic analyses of a recombinant, chimaeric Class-2 PEPC containing phosphomimetic BTPC mutant subunits (S425D) indicated that Ser425 phosphorylation results in significant BTPC inhibition by: (i) increasing its Km(PEP) 3-fold, (ii) reducing its I50 (L-malate and L-aspartate) values by 4.5- and 2.5-fold respectively, while (iii) decreasing its activity within the physiological pH range. The developmental pattern and kinetic influence of Ser425 BTPC phosphorylation is very distinct from the in vivo phosphorylation/activation of COS Class-1 PEPC's PTPC subunits at Ser11. Collectively, the results establish that BTPC's phospho-Ser425 content depends upon COS developmental and physiological status and that Ser425 phosphorylation attenuates the catalytic activity of BTPC subunits within a Class-2 PEPC complex. To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the first evidence for protein phosphorylation as a mechanism for the in vivo control of vascular plant BTPC activity.
Complement 1q-binding protein inhibits the mitochondrial permeability transition pore and protects against oxidative stress-induced death
Authors: McGee Allison M. , Baines Christopher P.
Published: October 2010

Opening of the MPT (mitochondrial permeability transition) pore is a critical event in mitochondrial-mediated cell death. However, with the exception of CypD (cyclophilin D), the exact molecular composition of the MPT pore remains uncertain. C1qbp (complement 1q-binding protein) has recently been hypothesized to be an essential component of the MPT pore complex. To investigate whether C1qbp indeed plays a critical role in MPT and cell death, we conducted both gain-of-function and loss-of-function experiments in MEFs (mouse embryonic fibroblasts). We first confirmed that C1qbp is a soluble protein that localizes to the mitochondrial matrix in mouse cells and tissues. Similarly, overexpression of C1qbp in MEFs using an adenovirus resulted in its exclusive localization to mitochondria. To our surprise, increased C1qbp protein levels actually suppressed H2O2-induced MPT and cell death. Antithetically, knockdown of endogenous C1qbp with siRNA (small interfering RNA) sensitized the MEFs to H2O2-induced MPT and cell death. Moreover, we found that C1qbp could directly bind to CypD. Therefore C1qbp appears to act as an endogenous inhibitor of the MPT pore, most likely through binding to CypD, and thus protects cells against oxidative stress.
Role of Development in Infant and Toddler Food Refusal
Authors: Hyman Paul
Published: October 2010

The purpose of this manuscript is to inform clinicians working with infants who are tube fed about the brain-gut connections that may influence adaptation to oral feedings. Developmental changes in motility and sensory innervation are constant as brain and gut mature in the first several years. We hypothesized that chronically ill neonates are exposed to multiple pain stimuli during hospitalization, leaving them susceptible to hyperalgesia and chronic pain. Hyperalgesia in the abdomen, chest, pharynx, or face may be cause for food refusal. In patients who are tube fed who failed behavioral modification to teach eating, treatment of peripheral nerve and central nervous system hyperalgesia may be required before behavioral modification will work. We designed a 14 week outpatient protocol for moving infants and toddlers who are tube fed from tube to oral feeding using pain rehabilitation strategies. We used 8 weeks of post-pyloric feeding, eliminating stimuli to the oropharynx, esophagus, or stomach. We treated with amitriptyline and/or gabapentin to desensitize sensory receptors and central nervous system arousal. After 8 weeks, we gave the appetite stimulant megesterol for another 6 weeks. Five days after initiation of megesterol, we initiated a 1-hour/night schedule to withdraw tube feedings. In a small, uncontrolled study, all 9 children moved from tube to oral feedings.
Improving Feeding Outcomes in the NICU: Moving From Volume-Driven to Infant-Driven Feeding
Authors: Shaker Catherine S.
Published: October 2010

Current research on feeding outcomes after discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) suggests a need to critically look at the early underpinnings of persistent feeding problems in extremely preterm infants. Concepts of dynamic systems theory and sensitive care-giving are used to describe the specialized needs of this fragile population related to the emergence of safe and successful feeding and swallowing. Focusing on the infant as a co-regulatory partner and embracing a framework of an infant-driven, versus volume-driven, feeding approach are highlighted as best supporting the preterm infant's developmental strivings and long-term well-being.
Three-Ounce Water Swallow Challenge as a Screening Tool for Children With Suspected Oropharyngeal Dysphagia
Authors: Suiter Debra M. , Leder Steven B.
Published: October 2010

Accurate assessment of children who are risk for oropharyngeal dysphagia is vitally important because unrecognized prandial aspiration can lead to a number of serious medical complications, including failure to thrive, dehydration, oral aversion, and pneumonia (Martin et al., 1994; Langmore et al., 1998). Videofluoroscopy and endoscopy are the two most widely used instrumental tools to assess swallow function. However, videofluoroscopy exposes children to radiation, is expensive, and involves swallowing substances different from those a child might typically ingest. Endoscopy can be frightening and potentially uncomfortable for some children. Additionally, clinicians may not always have access to these instrumental evaluations.
Food for Thought: Creating Mealtimes for Children Who Receive Tube Feedings
Authors: Morris Suzanne Evans
Published: October 2010

As speech-language pathologists have broadened their clinical practice to include infants and children who rely on a feeding tube for nutrition, they have emphasized predominantly the mechanics of eating and drinking. The development and expansion of these skills in the typically developing child is immersed in a foundation and context of mealtimes. Mealtimes provide the physical and emotional connection with others. They create a multiplicity of opportunities to provide a solid foundation upon which the expansion and mastery of feeding skills is based. This article focuses on deepening the understanding and contrast between the meals of children who are orally fed and children who are tube fed It takes the position that children who are tube fed and their families benefit when feeding therapists give priority to building the mealtime skills that emphasize comfort, confidence, and competence.
Shearing microscopy using polarized optical microscope with shear stage and spectral analyser to study liquid crystalline polymers
Authors: Tanaka K. , Yonetake K. , Masuko T. , Akiyama R.
Published: October 2010

In‐situpolarized optical microscopy using a shear stage and a spectral analyser as well as a CCD camera were applied to study the phase transition under shear flow for a thermotropic and side‐chain‐type liquid crystalline polysiloxane. The onset of the appearance of anisotropic texture of the polysiloxane was observed under shear flow using the CCD camera at temperatures much higher than the isotropic‐liquid crystalline phase transition temperature if the polysiloxane was cooled from the isotropic phase in the quiescent state. Both the onset temperature and the temperature for full development of the anisotropic texture across the field of view became higher as the shear rate increased. The transmitted light intensity was also measured using a spectral analyser with crossed polarisers at wavelengths from 300 nm to 800 nm, and the integrated intensity of the spectrum was calculated. Changes in the spectrum and the integrated intensity against temperature in the cooling process were compared with observation using the CCD camera. Temperature dependence of the integrated intensity showed that the onset of the appearance of the anisotropic texture under high shear rates was detected at temperatures slightly higher than that observed using the CCD camera.
Contact metamorphic P–T–t paths from Sm–Nd garnet ages, phase equilibria modelling and thermobarometry: Garnet Ledge, south‐eastern Alaska, USA
Authors: Stowell H. H. , Taylor D. L. , Tinkham D. L. , Goldberg S. A. , Ouderkirk K. A.
Published: October 2010

Sm–Nd garnet‐whole rock geochronology, phase equilibria, and thermobarometry results from Garnet Ledge, south‐eastern Alaska, provide the first precisely constrained P–T–t path for garnet zone contact metamorphism. Garnet cores from two crystals and associated whole rocks yield a four point isochron age for initial garnet growth of 89.9 ± 3.6 Ma. Garnet rims and matrix minerals from the same samples yield a five point isochron age for final garnet growth of 89 ± 1 Ma. Six size fractions of zircon from the adjacent pluton yield a concordant U–Pb age of 91.6 ± 0.5 Ma. The garnet core and rim, and zircon ages are compatible with single‐stage garnet growth during and/or after pluton emplacement. All garnet core–whole rock and garnet rim‐matrix data from the two samples constrain garnet growth duration to ≤5.5 my. A garnet mid‐point and the associated matrix from one of the two garnet crystals yield an age of 90.0 ± 1.0 Ma. This mid‐point result is logically younger than the 90.7 ± 5.6 Ma core–whole rock age and older than the 88.4 ± 2.5 Ma rim‐matrix age for this sample. A MnNaCaKFMASH phase diagram (P–T pseudosection) and the garnet core composition are used to predict that cores of garnet crystals grew at 610 ± 20 °C and 5 ± 1 kbar. This exceeds the temperature of the garnet‐in reaction by c. 50 °C and is compatible with overstepping of the garnet growth reaction during contact metamorphism. Intersection of three reactions involving garnet‐biotite‐sillimanite‐plagioclase‐quartz calculated by THERMOCALC in average P–T mode, and exchange thermobarometry were used to estimate peak metamorphic conditions of 678 ± 58 °C at 6.1 ± 0.9 kbar and 685 ± 50 °C at 6.3 ± 1 kbar, respectively. Integration of pressure, temperature, and age estimates yields a pressure‐temperature‐time path compatible with near isobaric garnet growth over an interval of c. 70 °C and c. 2.3 my.
Brooke–Spiegler syndrome
Authors: Szepietowski JC , Wa̧sik F , Szybejko‐Machaj G , Bieniek A , Schwartz RA
Published: October 2010

The Brooke–Spiegler syndrome is an autosomal dominant one characterized by cylindromas, trichoepitheliomas and occasionally spiradenomas. Within a given family, some members may have cylindromas whereas others may have trichoepitheliomas or both. We describe the coexistence of trichoepithelioma papulosum multiplex (also known as epithelioma adenoides cysticum of Brooke) and cylindromas in a 30‐year‐old man, and discuss the relationship between these two autosomal dominant syndromes.
The cost of hospital‐related care of patients with psoriasis in Italy based on the AISP study
Authors: Finzi AF , Mantovani LG , Belisari A ,   Italian Association for Studies on Psoriasis
Published: October 2010

The objective of this study was to assess the cost of caring for patients with psoriasis in Italy according to the AISP study (Associazione Italiana Studi Psoriasi or Italian Association for Studies on Psoriasis), involving 104 university and hospital centres and 7992 patients in 1994. The mean yearly cost of care for a single patient was calculated at 905 Euros. Hospitalization accounted for more than four‐fifths of the costs, therapy for about one‐eighth (systemic therapies were the most expensive) and office visits and day hospitals for the remainder. In our study series less than 20% of patients accounted for more than 90% of the total costs.
Crohn’s disease presenting as a breast abscess: A case report
Authors: Ladefoged K , Balslev E , Jemec GBE
Published: October 2010

A case of cutaneous Crohn’s disease (CD) involving the areola‐nipple region of both breasts in a 45‐year‐old woman is reported. The lesion had initially been diagnosed and treated as a simple abscess. Histopathological examination, however, showed granulomatous inflammation with eosinophils suggesting extraintestinal CD. The patient also had a minor area of cutaneous CD localized at the umbilicus and severe anogenital lesions. Twenty‐six years previously the woman had undergone a course of sulphasalazine treatment together with steroid enema for chronic inflammatory colitis, but the colitis had been inactive for 25 years. Treatment with sulphasalazine, metronidazole, prednisolone and azothioprine had only minor effect on the skin lesions. CD is a systemic disorder and the most prominent manifestations may be extraintestinal.
Bullous pemphigoid in Liguria: A 2‐year survey
Authors: Cozzani E , Parodi A , Rebora A ,   for the Gruppo Ligure di Studi in Dermatologia (GLISID),   Contributors (in order of contribution): S. Delmonte (Clinica Dermatologica, Università di Genova), M. Barile (Divisione di Dermatologia, Ospedale S. Paolo, Savona), A Nigro (Divisione di Dermatologia, Ospedale S. Martino), L. Priano (Divisione di Dermatologia, Ospedale Galliera), G. Troiano (Divisione di Dermatologia, Ospedale di Imperia), PL Patri (Divisione di Dermatologia, Ospedale S. Andrea, La Spezia).
Published: October 2010

Background

The epidemiology of bullous pemphigoid (BP) is not clear because of the heterogeneity of the disease, and its possible association with internal malignancies has been under debate for many years. We report the findings of a 2‐year study on incident BP cases in the Liguria region of Italy.

Subjects and methods

Thirty‐two patients with BP were collected over the 2‐year period. Diagnosis was made based on clinical findings and confirmed by histology, direct immunofluorescence (DIF) and indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) with salt‐split skin and monkey oesophagus, and immunoblotting (IB). All patients were thoroughly investigated for possible malignancies and all were followed up for 6 months to monitor the response to treatment.

Results

DIF showed linear deposits at the dermoepidermal junction in all but one patient. IIF gave positive findings for 15 sera tested with monkey oesophagus and 20 tested with salt‐split skin. IB gave positive findings in 19 cases. There was a malignancy in six cases, but no clinical or immunological features that could be considered to predict this occurrence.

Conclusions

The findings of this study are in accordance with most of the data found in the literature, including the fact that IgG serum levels did not predict the course of the disease. Contrary to previous indications, IgE levels were not indicative of disease course either. Mucosal lesions, erythema multiform‐like lesions, negative IIF findings and antibodies to AgPB2 were not a prediction for the development of malignancy.
Juvenile papular–purpuric gloves and socks syndrome
Authors: Petter G , Rytter M , Haustein U‐F
Published: October 2010

Papular–purpuric gloves and socks syndrome (PPGSS) occurs mainly in young adults, but it should also be considered in the differential diagnosis of childhood exanthems. The case presented here is the youngest patient hitherto reported with PPGSS and supports the concept of a viral genesis.
Waardenburg syndrome
Authors: Konno P , Silm H
Published: October 2010

Waardenburg syndrome (WS) is caused by autosomal dominant mutations, and is characterized by pigmentary anomalies and various defects of neural crest derived tissues. We report a very interesting case of type 1 WS (WS 1) in an adult who presented all the symptoms characteristic of this syndrome. One particularly important clinical feature of WS is congenital hearing loss, which may severely handicap a child. A careful clinical description is useful to differentiate between various types of WS and other associated auditory–pigmentary syndromes. Type WS 1, characterized by dystopia canthorum, is caused by loss of function mutations in the PAX3 gene.
Prevalence of superficial fungal infections among sports‐active individuals: results from the Achilles survey, a review of the literature
Authors: Caputo R , De Boulle K , Del Rosso J , Nowicki R
Published: October 2010

Objective

To examine the effect of sport activities on the prevalence of foot disease in the Achilles survey, conducted during the spring of 1997 and 1998 in several European countries.

Subject

Foot diseases, especially fungal infections (tinea pedis and onychomycosis).

Methods

A questionnaire and a clinical examination regarding individuals presenting to a general practitioner for disorders irrespective of possible foot problems.

Results

More than 50% of subjects visiting a general practitioner had clinical evidence of foot disease, and approximately two‐thirds of these had clinical evidence of a superficial fungal infection. The survey evidenced a significant age‐dependent association between sporting activities and the prevalence of foot diseases and superficial fungal infection, especially in children.

Conclusions

The results of this pan‐European survey indicate that sporting activities can have an unfavourable effect on the individual regarding the occurrence of foot disease and superficial fungal infection. The results indicate a need to pay more attention to foot disease, to predict and prevent future diseases and further complications.
Determination of the minimal clinically significant difference on a patient visual analog sleep quality scale
Authors: Zisapel Nava , Nir Tali
Published: October 2010

The amount of change in quality of sleep (QOS), as measured by a 100‐mm visual analog scale (VAS), that constitutes a minimum clinically significant difference was determined. A total of 428 patients with insomnia aged 55 years and older received placebo (2 weeks), prolonged release melatonin 2 mg (3 weeks) and then placebo (2 weeks). Sleep quality was assessed by the end of each period using the Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire (LSEQ) QOS variable and a five‐point severity‐rating scale. The mean difference between current and preceding VAS scores in patients improving or worsening by 1 point was 13 mm (95% CI 11–16). Correlation analysis indicated that a change of 1 point was associated with a mean change of 10.3 mm on the VAS. In conclusion, a change of 10 mm change in the 100‐mm VAS QOS variable of the LSEQ, signifies an important change in patients’ sleep quality.
Nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBMPR) binding and nucleoside transporter ENT1 mRNA expression after prolonged wakefulness and recovery sleep in the cortex and basal forebrain of rat
Authors: Alanko Lauri , Stenberg Dag , Porkka‐Heiskanen Tarja
Published: October 2010

We have previously shown that extracellular adenosine levels increase locally in the basal forebrain (BF) during prolonged wakefulness, yet the cellular mechanisms of this local accumulation have remained unknown. The extracellular adenosine levels are strictly regulated by adenosine metabolism and its transport through cell membrane by the nucleoside transporters. As we previously showed that the key adenosine metabolizing enzymes were not affected by prolonged wakefulness, we now focussed on potential changes in the nucleoside transporters. In the present study, we measured the binding of nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBMPR), an ENT1 transporter inhibitor, and the ENT1 transporter mRNA after prolonged wakefulness and recovery sleep. Rats were sleep‐deprived for 3 or 6 h using gentle handling. After 6 h one group was allowed to sleep for 2 h. NBMPR binding was determined from BF and cortex by incubating tissue extracts with [3H] NBMPR. Thein situhybridization was carried out on 20 μm cryosections using [35S]dATP‐labelled oligonucleotide probe for ENT1 mRNA. The NBMPR binding was significantly decreased in the BF, but not in the cortex, after 6 h sleep deprivation when compared with the time‐matched controls, suggesting a decline in adenosine transport. The expression of ENT1 mRNA did not change during prolonged wakefulness or recovery sleep in either cortex or the BF, although circadian variations were measured in both areas. We conclude that the regional decrease in adenosine transport could contribute to the gradual accumulation of extracellular adenosine in the basal forebrain during prolonged wakefulness.
Pregnancy associated aplastic anemia: Maternal and fetal outcome
Authors: Deka Deepika , Malhotra Neena , Sinha Alka , Banerjee Neelam , Kashyap Rajesh , Roy Kallol K.
Published: October 2010

Aim:  To study the maternal and fetal outcome in cases of aplastic anemia associated with pregnancy.

Methods:  Retrospective analysis of seven cases of aplastic anemia diagnosed during pregnancy.

Result:  Four patients had an overall successful pregnancy outcome. These were all cases of non‐severe aplastic anemia. There was one case each of intrauterine and neonatal death in the severe aplastic anemia group. There was one maternal mortality.

Conclusion:  Maternal and fetal outcome is poor in severe aplastic anemia.
Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the uterus associated with uterine inversion in an adolescent: A case report and published work review
Authors: Da Silva Benedito Borges , Dos Santos Alesse Ribeiro , Bosco Parentes‐Vieira João , Lopes‐Costa Pedro Vitor , Pires Cleicilene Gomes
Published: October 2010

Embryonal rhabdomyosarcomas of the uterus are extremely rare malignant tumors and their association with uterine inversion is even rarer. The present case report refers to a 15‐year‐old Brazilian girl admitted to hospital with a 3‐month history of transvaginal bleeding and a mass protruding from the vaginal introitus. Following biopsy of the lesion and confirmation of the diagnosis of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, the patient was submitted to total abdominal hysterectomy followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The patient died 9 months after surgery. Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the uterus is very rare and extremely aggressive. According to a published work review, there has been only one report to date on the association of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the uterus and uterine inversion.
Bilateral seminomas in a 45X/46XY mosaic with Turner's phenotype: An unusual case of mixed gonadal dysgenesis
Authors: Kriplani Alka , Agarwal Nutan , Parul  , Sharma Meharchand C. , Manchanda Ranjit
Published: October 2010

A wide spectrum of phenotypic manifestations are seen in cases with 45X/46XY mosaicism. We present a case with 45X/46XY having female phenotype with Turner's stigmata. Prophylactic laparoscopic gonadectomy was performed and the patient was found to have mixed gonadal dysgenesis with bilateral gonadoblastomas. Microinvasive seminomas were also detected in both gonadoblastomas. The presence of Y cell line in karyotype prompted early and prophylactic gonadectomy, a procedure which is life‐saving for these individuals.
Effect of dietary habits on prevalence of anemia in pregnant women of Delhi
Authors: Sharma Jai Bhagwan , Soni Dimple , Murthy Nandagudi Srinivasa , Malhotra Monika
Published: October 2010

Aim:  To see the effect of various dietary habits, such as a vegetarian diet or various types of meat, on the prevalence of anemia in pregnant women.

Methods:  A study was carried out in Delhi to determine the effect of different dietary habits on prevalence of anemia during pregnancy by questioning the women during pregnancy regarding their dietary habits (vegetarian diet, jhatka or halal meat) and assessing their hemoglobin levels. The data was compiled and χ2 test was employed for understanding the associations between the effect of food habits on prevalence of anemia.

Results:  Mean age was 26.5 years. Most women were in the second (26%) or third trimester (63.2%) of pregnancy. Prevalence of anemia was found to be very high. Of 1150 women, 96% were anemic (89.8% mildly anemic, 5.3% severely anemic). Anemia was seen in 96.18% cases in vegetarian women, 95.3% in halal meat eaters, and 96.2% in jhatka meat eaters (not significant). Although the percentage of women with < 11 g/dL Hb was less in the jhatka group eating meat more than 5 times per month, than in halal meat eaters and vegetarians, the difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusions:  There is very high prevalence of anemia during pregnancy in Delhi, probably due to very low frequency of meat eating in India. Different types of dietary habits had no effect on the prevalence of anemia in pregnant Indian women.