bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
National Valuation of Monarch Butterflies Indicates an Untapped Potential for Incentive‐Based Conservation
Authors: Diffendorfer Jay E. , Loomis John B. , Ries Leslie , Oberhauser Karen , Lopez‐Hoffman Laura , Semmens Darius , Semmens Brice , Butterfield Bruce , Bagstad Ken , Goldstein Josh , Wiederholt Ruscena , Mattsson Brady , Thogmartin Wayne E.
Published: October 2013

The annual migration of monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) has high cultural value and recent surveys indicate monarch populations are declining. Protecting migratory species is complex because they cross international borders and depend on multiple regions. Understanding how much, and where, humans place value on migratory species can facilitate market‐based conservation approaches. We performed a contingent valuation study of monarchs to understand the potential for such approaches to fund monarch conservation. The survey asked U.S. respondents about the money they would spend, or have spent, growing monarch‐friendly plants, and the amount they would donate to monarch conservation organizations. Combining planting payments and donations, the survey indicated U.S. households valued monarchs as a total one‐time payment of $4.78–$6.64 billion, levels similar to many endangered vertebrate species. The financial contribution of even a small percentage of households through purchases or donations could generate new funding for monarch conservation through market‐based approaches.
Reduction of oviposition time and enhanced larval feeding: two potential benefits of aggregative oviposition for the viburnum leaf beetle
Authors: DESURMONT GAYLORD A. , WESTON PAUL A. , AGRAWAL ANURAG A.
Published: October 2013

Although aggregation in non‐social arthropods is common, its adaptive value is not always clear. Oviposition behaviour of the viburnum leaf beetle (Pyrrhalta viburni) is aggregative, with females preferring to lay eggs on twigs already infested by conspecifics. We previously showed that aggregative oviposition aided in overcoming host plant defences. Here we explore two additional benefits of this behaviour: reduction of time investment in oviposition; and improvement of host use by larval group feeding.

In video‐recorded trials, the presence of conspecific egg masses did not have an impact on the time associated with oviposition, but it did affect females' pre‐oviposition behaviour: the length of foraging movements was 21% shorter on infested than on non‐infested twigs, and was concentrated near the infested area.

In two separate studies of insect performance, larvae were reared to maturity in groups of different densities (five or 10, and five or 20, respectively) on several hosts (four and 17 Viburnum spp., respectively). Independent of host species, adults were > 13% heavier (groups of 10 vs. five), and pupation success was 27% higher (groups of 20 vs. five) at higher larval density.

Two additional effects were dependent on host species: larval survivorship (groups of 10 vs. five), and adult mass (groups of 20 vs. five). These effects were not associated with plant defensive traits (i.e. trichomes or leaf toughness), but adult mass was associated with host nutritional quality (i.e. foliar nitrogen content).

These results show that several traits of P. viburni larval performance are positively density‐dependent, and suggest that benefits of group feeding could have played a role in the evolution of oviposition behaviour in P. viburni. Our results also demonstrate that plant quality can mediate benefits of aggregation, underscoring the importance of ecological context in understanding the feeding strategies of insects.
Water retention characteristics of soils over the whole moisture range: a comparison of laboratory methods
Authors: Schelle H. , Heise L. , Jänicke K. , Durner W.
Published: October 2013

The exact characterization of soil hydraulic properties is essential for various purposes, such as agricultural and groundwater management. Various laboratory methods for the determination of soil water retention characteristics are frequently applied. Standard methods comprise: (i) the hanging‐water column and (ii) the simplified evaporation method (HYPROP©) for wet to moderate moisture ranges; and (iii) the pressure plate and (iv) the dew point method (WP4C PotentiaMeter®) for moderate to dry moisture ranges. These four methods were evaluated and compared, with the aim of demonstrating their compatibility. The hanging‐water column method and the evaporation method provided comparable retention data in the wet to moderate moisture range. The dew point method provided corresponding results over the dry range, while retention data obtained from the pressure plate method sometimes had a tendency to over‐estimate water contents. Hysteresis was observed for retention data in the dry range when applying the dew point method to previously wetted or dried samples.
Volatile communication between plants that affects herbivory: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Karban Richard , Yang Louie H. , Edwards Kyle F.
Published: October 2013

Volatile communication between plants causing enhanced defence has been controversial. Early studies were not replicated, and influential reviews questioned the validity of the phenomenon. We collected 48 well‐replicated studies and found overall support for the hypothesis that resistance increased for individuals with damaged neighbours. Laboratory or greenhouse studies and those conducted on agricultural crops showed stronger induced resistance than field studies on undomesticated species, presumably because other variation had been reduced. A cumulative analysis revealed that early, non‐replicated studies were more variable and showed less evidence for communication. Effects of habitat and plant growth form were undetectable. In most cases, the mechanisms of resistance and alternative hypotheses were not considered. There was no indication that some response variables were more likely to produce large effects. These results indicate that plants of diverse taxonomic affinities and ecological conditions become more resistant to herbivores when exposed to volatiles from damaged neighbours.
Positron emission tomography with α‐[11C]methyl‐l‐tryptophan in tuberous sclerosis complex–related epilepsy
Authors: Rubí Sebastià , Costes Nicolas , Heckemann Rolf A. , Bouvard Sandrine , Hammers Alexander , Martí Fuster Berta , Ostrowsky Karine , Montavont Alexandra , Jung Julien , Setoain Xavier , Catenoix Hélène , Hino Keiko , Liger François , Bars Didier Le , Ryvlin Philippe
Published: October 2013

Objective

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is often associated with cerebral tubers and medically intractable epilepsy. We reevaluated whether increased uptake of α‐[11C]methyl‐l‐tryptophan (AMT) in cerebral tubers is associated with tuber epileptogenicity.

Methods

We included 12 patients (six male, 4–53 years old) withTSCand refractory seizures who were evaluated for epilepsy surgery in our center, including video‐electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring, fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging (FLAIR MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) with α‐[11C]methyl‐l‐tryptophan (AMT‐PET). Nine of these 12 patients also underwent intracerebralEEGrecording.AMTuptake in each tuber was visually evaluated onPETcoregistered withMRI. AnAMTuptake index based on lesional/healthy cortex ratio was also calculated. Sensitivity and specificity values ofAMT‐PETin the detection of epileptogenic lesions were obtained, using the available electroclinical and neuroimaging evidence as the gold standard for epileptogenicity.

Results

A total of 126 tubers were identified. Two of 12 patients demonstrated a tuber with clearly increasedAMTuptake, one of whom also showed a subtle increasedAMTuptake in another contralateral tuber. Four other patients showed only subtle increasedAMTuptake. The only two tubers with clearly increasedAMTuptake proved to be epileptogenic based on intracerebralEEGdata, whereas none of the tubers associated with subtle increasedAMTuptake were involved at ictal onset. In a per‐patient approach, this yielded a sensitivity of clearly increasedAMTuptake in detecting tuber epileptogenicity of 17% (2/12 patients), whereas the per‐lesion sensitivity and specificity were 12% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3–34%) and 100% (95%CI: 97–100%), respectively.

Significance

AMT‐PETis a specific neuroimaging technique in the identification of epileptogenic tubers inTSC. Despite its low sensitivity, the clinical usefulness ofAMT‐PETstill deserves to be considered according to the challenging complexity of epilepsy surgery in tuberous sclerosis.
The Role of Agonistic Sounds in Male Nest Defence in the Painted Goby Pomatoschistus pictus
Authors: Pereira Ricardo , Rismondo Stefania , Caiano Manuel , Pedroso Silvia S. , Fonseca Paulo J. , Amorim Maria Clara P.
Published: October 2013

Animals often vocalize during territorial challenges as acoustic signals may indicate motivation and fighting ability and contribute to reduce aggressive escalation. Here, we tested the function of agonistic sounds in territorial defence in the painted goby. Pomatoschistus pictus, a small vocal marine fish that defends nests during the breeding season. We first measured the number of times a male approached, avoided, explored, entered and exited two unattended nests associated with either conspecific agonistic sounds or a control: silence or white noise. Acoustic stimuli were played back when the male approached a nest. In a second experimental set, we added visual stimuli, consisting of a conspecific male in a small confinement aquarium near each nest. Even though we found no effect of the visual stimuli, the sound playbacks induced similar effects in both experimental conditions. In the sound vs. silence treatment, we found that when males approached a nest, the playback of conspecific sounds usually triggered avoidance. However, this behaviour did not last as in longer periods males visited nests associated with agonistic sounds more often than silent ones. When the control was white noise, we found no significant effect of the playback treatment in male behaviour. Although we cannot exclude the possibility that other sounds may dissuade nest occupation, our results suggest that agonistic sounds act as territorial intrusion deterrents but are insufficient to prevent nest intrusion on their own. Further studies are needed to test the significance of sound production rate, spectral content and temporal patterns to deter territorial intrusion in fish.
Impact of TRPV3 on the development of allergic dermatitis as a dendritic cell modulator
Authors: Yamamoto‐Kasai Erika , Yasui Kiyoshi , Shichijo Michitaka , Sakata Tsuneaki , Yoshioka Takeshi
Published: October 2013

The transient receptor potential channel vanilloid subfamily V member 3 (TRPV3), which functions as a thermosensor in keratinocytes, plays an important role in the development of allergic and itchy dermatitis in rodents. Although real‐time PCR analysis using lesional and non‐lesional skin samples from patients with atopic dermatitis showed that TRPV3 was expressed in lesional skin, the role that TRPV3 plays in patients with dermatitis is still relatively obscure. Here, we determined whether TRPV3 was a dendritic cell (DC) modulator using DS‐Nh mice with a gain‐of‐function mutation in TRPV3 (TRPV3Gly573Ser), because increasing skin temperature is associated with the modulation of dermal dendritic cells (DCs). Interestingly, increased responses to haptens by skin and DCs were observed in DS‐Nh mice compared with those from DS mice with wild‐type TRPV3. Increased thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) responses were also observed in keratinocytes from DS‐Nh mice compared with those from DS mice. Taken together, we propose that the DS‐Nh mouse is a good model to use in order to better understand the role of this orphan channel and that TRPV3 may represent a new therapeutic target in certain types of dermatitis through the control of DCs.
Variations on the theme: allosteric control in hemoglobin
Authors: Brunori Maurizio
Published: October 2013

Conformational selection between pre‐existing structural states of an oligomeric protein was the conceptual step behind the formulation of Monod–Wyman–Changeux (MWC) allosteric theory. Variations on the basic theme of allosteric control are briefly illustrated in this paper by reference to some hemoglobins from different species whose functional properties were found to respond to specific physiological requirements. In my opinion the enormous success of the allosteric theory may be attributed not only to its efficiency in accounting for data and its formal mathematical elegance, but also because the selective mechanism conforms to the founding concept of Darwinian evolution.
Examining bilingual and bicultural identity in young students
Authors: Fielding Ruth , Harbon Lesley
Published: October 2013

This article examines young students' bilingual and bicultural identity. Observational, survey, and interview data as well as data from primary school students' journals indicated that that students found it more challenging to identify as bilingual than as bicultural. Both individual and social factors contributed to students' bilingual and bicultural identity development, and three interrelated elements (connection, interaction, and investment) influenced the ways in which students experienced connection to their languages and cultures. As expressed by these students, feeling bilingual and feeling bicultural are quite distinct notions. This presents some challenges to prior beliefs about the interrelatedness of bilingual and bicultural identities.
Improving arteriovenous fistula rate: Effect on hemodialysis quality
Authors: Karkar Ayman , Chaballout Ahmed , Ibrahim Maher Haj , Abdelrahman Mohammed , Al Shubaili Mona
Published: October 2013

Vascular access (VA) is the lifeline for patients with end‐stage renal disease on regular hemodialysis (HD). Tunneled catheters have been associated with increased risk of luminal thrombosis, infection, hospitalization, and high cost. Our aims were to follow the “Fistula First Initiative,” avoid or reduce the rate of catheter insertion, improve the rate of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) use, and study the effect of increased AVF use on quality of dialysis and patient's outcome. A VA program has been established in collaboration with an enthusiastic and professional vascular surgery team to manage 358 patients who have been on regular HD treatment for a period ranging from 1 to 252 months. The mean ± standard deviation age of patients was 52 ± 15 years with 62% male patients. Over a period of 2 years, 408 procedures were performed. These include 293 AVFs and 56 arteriovenous grafts (AVGs). Other procedures include 39 permanent catheter insertions, 8 AVF aneurysmectomy, removal of 6 AVGs, embolectomy of 4 AVGs, excision of 1 AVG lymphocele, and ligation of 1 AVF. This program resulted in significant increase in AVF rate from 35% to 82%; reduction in catheter rate from 62% to 10.9%; infection rate down from 6.6% to 0.6%; VA clotting down from 5.1% to 1.0%; and increase in average blood flow rate from 214 ± 32 to 298 ± 37 mL/min (P < 0.01). These results have been associated with improved average single pool Kt/V from 0.88 ± 0.19 to 1.28 ± 0.2 (P < 0.01); increased hemoglobin from 9.2 ± 1.2 to 10.9 ± 0.9 g/dL (P < 0.01); improved serum albumin from 3.2 ± 0.5 to 3.7 ± 0.4 g/dL (P < 0.05); reduction in administered erythropoietin dose by 19%; and significant drop in hospitalization rate from 6.1% to 3.8%. These results confirm the great benefits of AVF on quality of HD and patient outcome, and clearly affirm that AVF should always be considered first.
Immunogenicity of recombinant human bocavirus‐1,2 VP2 gene virus‐like particles in mice
Authors: Deng Zhong‐Hua , Hao Ye‐Xia , Yao Li‐Hong , Xie Zhi‐Ping , Gao Han‐Chun , Xie Le‐Yun , Zhong Li‐li , Zhang Bing , Cao You‐De , Duan Zhao‐Jun
Published: October 2013

Human bocavirus (HBoV), a recently identified pathogen with a worldwide distribution is closely related to paediatric acute respiratory infection and gastroenteritis. The present study was performed to evaluate the immunogenicity of HBoV1 and HBoV2 virus‐like particles (VLPs) as vaccine candidates in mice. Both HBoV1 and HBoV2 VLPs were expressed in the bacmid virus–SF9 cell system. Mice were inoculated three times at 3‐week intervals with HBoV VLPs at one dose intramuscular (i.m.) or intradermal (i.d.) with or without the addition of the alum adjuvant. ELISA was used to detected antibody, and ELISPOT was used to test cellular immune responses. HBoV‐specific IgG antibodies were induced and alum adjuvant improved the antibody titres and avidity, while the inoculation pathway had no influence. T helper type 1/ type 2 immune responses were balanced induced by HBoV1 VLPs but not HBoV2 VLPs. Serum IgG antibody cross‐reactivity rates of the two subtypes were similar, but cross‐reactions of HBoV1 immunization groups were higher. The single i.m. group had more interferon‐γ‐secreting splenocytes. These data indicate that HBoV VP2 VLPs have good immunogenicity with induction of strong humoral and cellular immune responses, and they may be potential candidate vaccines for HBoV infection.
Hospital lighting and its association with sleep, mood and pain in medical inpatients
Authors: Bernhofer Esther I. , Higgins Patricia A. , Daly Barbara J. , Burant Christopher J. , Hornick Thomas R.
Published: October 2013

Aims

To describe light exposure, sleep–wake patterns, mood, pain and their relationships in adult medical inpatients.

Background

The hospital environment may contribute to patient discomfort by providing a lighting structure that interferes with circadian rhythmicity, sleep, mood and pain.

Design

A descriptive correlational design was used in this preliminary study.

Methods

Between May 2011–April 2012, data were collected from a convenience sample of 23 women and 17 men admitted to a large academically affiliated hospital in the United States. Over 72 hours, light exposure and sleep–wake patterns were continuously measured with wrist actigraph/light meters for each participant. Mood was measured daily using the Profile Of Mood States Brief™ Form. Subjective pain scores were abstracted from medical records.

Results

Light exposure levels were low: mean daytime light intensity was 104·80 lux. Sleep time was fragmented and low: mean 236·35 minutes of sleep/night. Intra‐daily stability scores indicated little sleep–wake synchronization with light. Fatigue and total mood disturbance scores were high and inversely associated with light. Pain levels were also high and positively associated with fatigue, but not directly with light exposure. Low light exposure significantly predicted fatigue and total mood disturbance.

Conclusion

Medical inpatients were exposed to light levels insufficient for circadian entrainment. Nevertheless, higher light exposure was associated with less fatigue and lower total mood disturbance in participants with pain, suggesting the need for further investigation to determine if manipulating light exposure for medical inpatients would be beneficial in affecting sleep–wake disturbances, mood and pain.
Work of the Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Review Group: making sense of complexity
Authors: Handoll Helen
Published: October 2013

This article examines the ways in which members of the Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Review Group have tackled the intrinsic complexity of a large clinical area. This features a diversity of injuries in people of all ages, predominantly physical and surgical interventions that are inherently complex interventions, and a huge array of outcome measures. The methods described include a purposeful focus on common injuries, such as fragility fractures in older people; and the generation of groups of “all intervention” reviews whose structure is informed by a systematic approach, incorporating knowledge of clinical pathways and categorization of interventions. The article concludes with some thoughts about the challenges ahead, particularly in terms of selecting the scopes of future reviews.
Effects of Ultrasound Processing on the Thermal and Retrogradation Properties of Nonwaxy Rice Starch
Authors: Yu Shifeng , Zhang Yongchun , Ge Yin , Zhang Ying , Sun Tianying , Jiao Yan , Zheng Xi‐Qun
Published: October 2013

In the present research, nonwaxy rice starch suspension (5%, dry basis) was processed by ultrasound. The relationship between temperature and ultrasonication time of rice starch suspension was investigated, and the effects of ultrasound power and time, intensity on the thermal and retrogradation properties of rice starch were evaluated. Thermal and retrogradation properties of rice starch were determined by a differential scanning calorimetry. The results of temperature values showed that temperature increased with ultrasonication time and power and ultrasound intensity; the higher the ultrasound power and intensity, the higher the temperature of rice suspension. The ultrasound thermal effects cause temperature increase and partly starch gelation during ultrasound processing. High ultrasound power and strong intensity can effectively change the onset temperature and enthalpy of rice starch, and change the retrogradation properties of rice starch; however, the low ultrasound power and intensity have less effects on the granule and properties of rice starch.

Practical Applications

Ultrasound technology is widely used in starch processing. This article shows the effects of ultrasound time, power and intensity on the thermal and retrogradation properties of nonwaxy rice starch suspensions. Ultrasound processing can significantly change the properties of nonwaxy rice starch, and the ultrasound thermal effects cause the temperature increase and partly starch gelation in nonwaxy rice starch suspension during ultrasound processing. The method of high ultrasound power with strong intensity is potentially very useful to produce high‐quality modification starch for the starch industry if the thermal effects of ultrasound are avoided.
Interaction Between Cognitive Impairment and Discharge Destination and Its Effect on Rehospitalization
Authors: Nazir Arif , LaMantia Michael , Chodosh Joshua , Khan Babar , Campbell Noll , Hui Siu , Boustani Malaz
Published: October 2013

Objectives

To evaluate the effect of cognitive impairment on rehospitalization in older adults.

Design

One‐year longitudinal study.

Setting

Medical service of an urban, 340‐bed public hospital in Indianapolis between July 2006 and March 2008.

Participants

Individuals aged 65 and older admitted to the medical service (N = 976).

Measurements

Rehospitalization was defined as any hospital admission after the index admission. Participant demographics, discharge destination, Charlson Comorbidity Index, Acute Physiology Score, and prior hospitalizations were measured as the confounders. Participants were considered to have cognitive impairment if they had two or more errors on the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire.

Results

After adjusting for confounders, a significant interaction between cognitive impairment and discharge location was found to predict rehospitalization rate (P = .008) and time to 1‐year rehospitalization (P = .03). Participants with cognitive impairment discharged to a facility had a longer time to rehospitalization (median 142 days) than participants with no cognitive impairment (median 98 days) (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.58–1.02, P = .07), whereas participants with cognitive impairment discharged to home had a slightly shorter time to rehospitalization (median 182 days) than those without cognitive impairment (median 224 days) (HR = 1.15, 95% CI = 0.92–1.43, P = .23). These two nonsignificant HRs in opposite directions were significantly different from each other (P = .03).

Conclusion

Discharge destination modifies the association between cognitive impairment and rehospitalization. Of participants discharged to a facility, those without cognitive impairment had higher rehospitalization rates, whereas the rates were similar between cognitively impaired and intact participants discharged to the community.
Biomarker‐Calibrated Protein Intake and Physical Function in the Women's Health Initiative
Authors: Beasley Jeannette M. , Wertheim Betsy C. , LaCroix Andrea Z. , Prentice Ross L. , Neuhouser Marian L. , Tinker Lesley F. , Kritchevsky Stephen , Shikany James M. , Eaton Charles , Chen Zhao , Thomson Cynthia A.
Published: October 2013

Objectives

To determine whether preservation of physical function with aging may be partially met through modification in dietary protein intake.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Clinical Trials (CT) and Observational Study (OS) conducted at 40 clinical centers.

Participants

Women aged 50 to 79 (N = 134,961) with dietary data and one or more physical function measures.

Measurements

Physical function was assessed using the short‐form RAND‐36 at baseline and annually beginning in 2005 for all WHI participants and at closeout for CT participants (average ~7 years after baseline). In a subset of 5,346 participants, physical performance measures (grip strength, number of chair stands in 15 seconds, and timed 6‐m walk) were assessed at baseline and Years 1, 3, and 6. Calibrated energy and protein intake were derived from regression equations using baseline food frequency questionnaire data collected on the entire cohort and doubly labeled water and 24‐hour urinary nitrogen collected from a representative sample as reference measures. Associations between calibrated protein intake and each of the physical function measures were assessed using generalized estimating equations.

Results

Calibrated protein intake ranged from 6.6% to 22.3% energy. Higher calibrated protein intake at baseline was associated with higher self‐reported physical function (quintile (Q)5, 85.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 81.9–87.5; Q1, 75.4, 95% CI = 73.2–78.5, Ptrend = .002) and a slower rate of functional decline (annualized change: Q5, −0.47, 95% CI = −0.63 to −0.39; Q1, −0.98, 95% CI = −1.18 to −0.75, Ptrend = .02). Women with higher calibrated protein intake also had greater grip strength at baseline (Q5, 24.7 kg, 95% CI = 24.3–25.2 kg; Q1, 24.1 kg, 95% CI = 23.6–24.5 kg, Ptrend = .04) and slower declines in grip strength (annualized change: Q5, −0.45 kg, 95% CI = −0.39 to −0.63 kg; Q1, −0.59 kg, 95% CI = −0.50 to −0.66 kg, Ptrend = .03). Women with higher calibrated protein intake also completed more chair stands at baseline (Q5, 7.11, 95% CI = 6.91–7.26; Q1, 6.61, 95% CI = 6.46–6.76, Ptrend = .002).

Conclusion

Higher calibrated protein intake is associated with better physical function and performance and slower rates of decline in postmenopausal women.
Quality of Osteoporosis Care of Older Medicare Recipients with Fragility Fractures: 2006 to 2010
Authors: Liu Stephen K. , Munson Jeffrey C. , Bell John‐Erik , Zaha Rebecca L. , Mecchella John N. , Tosteson Anna N. A. , Morden Nancy E.
Published: October 2013

Objectives

To assess uptake of postfracture care guidelines in community‐dwelling Medicare recipients with fractures.

Design

Retrospective observational cohort study.

Setting

Claims‐based study using U.S. Medicare administrative inpatient, outpatient (2003–2010), and prescription (2006–2010) data.

Participants

Individuals aged 68 and older who survived at least 12 months after a fracture of the hip, radius, or humerus.

Measurements

Poisson regression modeled factors, including participant characteristics, comorbidities and hospital referral region (HRR), associated with bone density testing or osteoporosis pharmacotherapy in the 6 months after fracture. Models were repeated for participants with no osteoporosis care observed before fracture (attention naïve).

Results

In 61,832 individuals with fractures, mean age was 80.6, 87.0% were female, 88.5% were white, 2.6% were black, and 62.1% were attention naïve at the time of fracture; 21.8% received testing, pharmacotherapy, or both in the 6 months after fracture. In adjusted models, factors associated with significantly lower likelihood of receiving this care were black race, male sex, and an upper extremity fracture (vs hip). In models restricted to attention‐naïve participants, the same factors were associated with lower relative risk of receiving care. Adjusted HRR‐level care rates ranged from 14.7% to 22.9% (10th to 90th percentile). The proportion receiving care increased from 2006 to 2009.

Conclusion

Postfracture osteoporosis care was uncommon, particularly in black and male participants. Care increased over time, but for most, a fracture was insufficient to trigger effective secondary prevention, especially for participants who were not receiving prefracture osteoporosis attention. Clinicians and policy‐makers must consider effective remedies to this persistent care gap.
Activity of Daily Living Trajectories Surrounding Acute Hospitalization of Long‐Stay Nursing Home Residents
Authors: Kruse Robin L. , Petroski Gregory F. , Mehr David R. , Banaszak‐Holl Jane , Intrator Orna
Published: October 2013

Objectives

To explore patterns of change in nursing home (NH) residents’ activities of daily living (ADLs), particularly surrounding acute hospital stays.

Design

Longitudinal study using Medicare and Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments.

Setting

National sample of long‐stay NH residents.

Participants

NH residents who were hospitalized for the seven most‐common inpatient diagnoses (N = 40,128). Each hospital admission was at least 90 days after any prior hospitalization and had at least two preceding MDS assessments.

Measurements

The MDS ADL long‐form score, a simple sum of seven self‐care variables coded from 0 (independent) to 4 (totally dependent) was used to indicate resident ADL function. Scores ranged from 0 to 28, with higher scores indicating greater impairment. A linear mixed model describing ADL trajectories was jointly estimated with time‐to‐event models for mortality and hospital readmission.

Results

Before hospitalization, the most common trajectory was stable (53.7%), with 27.5% of residents worsening and 18.8% improving. ADL function after hospital discharge was most often characterized as stable (43.1%) or worsening (39.2%). Mortality (20.3%) was higher for those with worsening prehospital ADL function (28.9%) than for those with stable (19.1%) or improving (11.3%) trajectories. Hospital diagnosis was associated with amount of ADL worsening and rate of subsequent ADL change. Most residents with the best initial function continued to worsen after hospital discharge. Cognitive impairment was associated with poorer ADL function and accelerated worsening of ADLs.

Conclusion

For many long‐stay NH residents, substantial and sustained ADL worsening accompanies acute hospitalization, so acute hospitalization presents an opportunity to revisit care goals; the results of the current study can help inform decision‐making.
Educational Interventions to Improve Recognition of Delirium: A Systematic Review
Authors: Yanamadala Mamata , Wieland Darryl , Heflin Mitchell T.
Published: October 2013

Delirium is a common and serious condition that is underrecognized in older adults in a variety of healthcare settings. It is poorly recognized because of deficiencies in provider knowledge and its atypical presentation. Early recognition of delirium is warranted to better manage the disease and prevent the adverse outcomes associated with it. The purpose of this article is to review the literature concerning educational interventions focusing on recognition of delirium. The Medline and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINHAL) databases were searched for studies with specific educational focus in the recognition of delirium, and 26 studies with various designs were identified. The types of interventions used were classified according to the Predisposing, Reinforcing and Enabling Constructs in Educational Diagnosis and Evaluation (PRECEDE) model, and outcomes were sorted according to Kirkpatrick's hierarchy. Educational strategies combining predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors achieved better results than strategies that included one or two of these components. Studies using predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing strategies together were more often effective in producing changes in staff behavior and participant outcomes. Based on this review, improvements in knowledge and skill alone seem insufficient to favorably influence recognition of delirium. Educational interventions to recognize delirium are most effective when formal teaching is interactive and is combined with strategies including engaging leadership and using clinical pathways and assessment tools. The goal of the current study was to systematically review the published literature to determine the effect of educational interventions on recognition of delirium.
CaMKII activity is essential for improvement of memory‐related behaviors by chronic rivastigmine treatment
Authors: Moriguchi Shigeki , Tagashira Hideaki , Sasaki Yuzuru , Yeh Jay Z. , Sakagami Hiroyuki , Narahashi Toshio , Fukunaga Kohji
Published: October 2013

Because the cholinergic system is down‐regulated in the brain of Alzheimer's disease patients, cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease patients are significantly improved by rivastigmine treatment. To address the mechanism underlying rivastigmine‐induced memory improvements, we chronically treated olfactory bulbectomized (OBX) mice with rivastigmine. The chronic rivastigmine treatments for 12–13 days starting at 10 days after OBX operation significantly improved memory‐related behaviors assessed by Y‐maze task, novel object recognition task, passive avoidance task, and Barnes maze task, whereas the single rivastigmine treatment failed to improve the memory. Consistent with the improved memory‐related behaviors, long‐term potentiation in the hippocampal CA1 region was markedly restored by rivastigmine treatments. In immunoblotting analyses, the reductions of calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) autophosphorylation and calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase IV (CaMKIV) phosphorylation in the CA1 region in OBX mice were significantly restored by rivastigmine treatments. In addition, phosphorylation of AMPAR subunit glutamate receptor 1 (GluA1) (Ser‐831) and cAMP‐responsive element‐binding protein (Ser‐133) as downstream targets of CaMKII and CaMKIV, respectively, in the CA1 region was also significantly restored by chronic rivastigmine treatments. Finally, we confirmed that rivastigmine‐induced improvements of memory‐related behaviors and long‐term potentiation were not obtained in CaMKIIα+/− mice. On the other hand, CaMKIV−/− mice did not exhibit the cognitive impairments. Taken together, the stimulation of CaMKII activity in the hippocampus is essential for rivastigmine‐induced memory improvement in OBX mice.

image

We performed that whether chronic rivastigmine treatments improve hippocampal LTP in CA1 from CaMKIIα+/− mice. Rivastigmine treatments failed to improve LTP in CA1. In immunoblotting analysis, rivastigmine did not affect autophosphorylation of CaMKIIα (Thr‐286) in CA1. Lack of rivastigmine effects in CaMKIIα+/− mice confirms that stimulation of CaMKII activity was critical for the rivastigmine‐induced memory improvement.
Job scope, affective commitment, and turnover: The moderating role of growth need strength
Authors: Zargar Mahmood Shafeie , Vandenberghe Christian , Marchand Catherine , Ayed Ahmed Khalil Ben
Published: October 2013

Using a sample of business alumni from multiple organizations (N = 230), we examined the relationships of job scope to actual turnover, measured 15 months later, as mediated by affective commitment and moderated by growth need strength (which was operationalized through learning goal orientation, need for achievement, and proactive personality as first‐order factors). Moderated mediation analyses (Edwards & Lambert, 2007, Psychol. Methods, 12, 1–22) revealed that: (1) job scope's relationship to commitment was stronger at high levels of growth need strength; (2) the indirect effect of job scope on turnover was stronger at high levels of growth need strength; and (3) growth need strength had a residual, positive relationship to turnover. We discuss the implications of these findings for our understanding of how motivation‐related individual difference variables combine with job characteristics and commitment in explaining turnover decisions.

Practitioner points

Organizations should provide challenging job characteristics to employees with high growth need as this may lead to increased affective commitment and lower turnover rates.

For employees with weak growth needs, organizations may build climates for learning, achievement, and self‐initiative as this may create the conditions for the emergence of commitment and reduce turnover.
Screening diagnostics to identify triggers in 21 cases of steroid‐responsive meningitis‐arteritis
Authors: Rose J. H. , Harcourt‐Brown T. R.
Published: October 2013

Objectives

To evaluate whether screening tests used to identify infectious and neoplastic triggers for immune‐mediated haemolytic anaemia, in particular a complete blood count and differential, serum biochemistry profile, urine analysis (including culture), abdominal ultrasound and thoracic radiographs, can identify triggers for steroid‐responsive meningitis‐arteritis.

Methods

Retrospective descriptive review.

Results

Twenty‐one steroid‐responsive meningitis‐arteritis cases were identified in which all screening tests had been performed. All cases had changes in complete blood count (including neutrophilia, monocytosis, lymphocytosis, eosinopenia or anaemia); 19 had changes in biochemistry (including hypoalbuminaemia, hyperglobulinaemia, increased alkaline phosphatase activity, hyperphosphataemia, increased total calcium concentration, hypercholesterolaemia, hyperkalaemia, increased urea concentration and increased alanine aminotransferase activity); two cases had an elevated urine protein to creatinine ratio but none had positive urine culture results; no cases had abnormalities on orthogonal radiographs of the thorax; four cases had abnormalities identified on abdominal ultrasound, which following cytological examination suggested inflammation in the absence of pathological organisms.

Clinical Significance

Screening tests used to identify infectious and neoplastic triggers in immune‐mediated haemolytic anaemia did not isolate triggers for steroid‐responsive meningitis‐arteritis in the population of dogs under investigation.
Comparison of surgical duration of canine ovariectomy and ovariohysterectomy in a veterinary teaching hospital
Authors: Harris K. P. , Adams V. J. , Fordyce P. , Ladlow J.
Published: October 2013

Objective

To prospectively evaluate ovariectomy and ovariohysterectomy via midline coeliotomy when being employed by supervised final year veterinary students for the purpose of routine canine neutering.

Methods

One hundred and eight female dogs of various breeds, presented to a veterinary teaching hospital for neutering, were randomly allocated to one of two surgery groups, ovariectomy or ovariohysterectomy. The specified procedure was performed by a supervised final year veterinary student. If the duration of surgery exceeded 2 hours or if major surgical or anaesthetic complications occurred, the supervising surgeon intervened to complete the procedure.

Results

Data analysed included age, weight, time from first incision to start of closure, duration of closure, total surgical time and length of incision. Fifty‐four dogs underwent each procedure. There was no significant difference between the two surgery groups for any of the measured variables.

Clinical Significance

Ovariectomy is not associated with shorter surgical times or smaller abdominal incisions than ovariohysterectomy when employed by inexperienced surgeons. As no major complications novel to ovariectomy occurred in this cohort of dogs, this study adds support to the existing literature indicating that ovariectomy is an acceptable alternative to ovariohysterectomy for canine neutering.
The Prevalence of Sexual Dysfunction among Male Patients on Methadone and Buprenorphine Treatments: A Meta-Analysis Study
Authors: Yee Anne , Loh Huai Seng , Hisham Hashim Helenna Maria bt , Ng Chong Guan
Published: October 2013

Introduction

For many years, methadone has been recognized as an effective maintenance treatment for opioid dependence. However, of the many adverse events reported, sexual dysfunction is one of the most common side effects.

Aim

We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the prevalence of sexual dysfunction among male patients on methadone and buprenorphine treatments.

Methods

Relevant studies published from inception until December 2012 were identified by searching PubMed, OVID, and Embase. Studies were selected using prior defined criteria. Heterogeneity, publication bias, and odds ratio were assessed thoroughly.

Main Outcome Measures

To examine the prevalence and odds ratio of sexual dysfunctions among the methadone and buprenorphine groups.

Results

A total of 1,570 participants from 16 eligible studies were identified in this meta-analysis. The studies provided prevalence estimates for sexual dysfunction among methadone users with a meta-analytical pooled prevalence of 52% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.39–0.65). Only four studies compared sexual dysfunction between the two groups, with a significantly higher combined odds ratio in the methadone group (OR = 4.01, 95% CI, 1.52–10.55, P = 0.0049).

Conclusions

Evidence showed that the prevalence of sexual dysfunction was higher among the users of methadone compared with buprenorphine. Patients with sexual difficulty while on methadone treatment were advised to switch to buprenorphine.
The Influence of Administrative Law Judge and Political Appointee Decisions on Appellate Courts in National Labor Relations Board Cases
Authors: Taratoot Cole D.
Published: October 2013

Scholars have long been simultaneously concerned with the factors that influence appellate court decision making and the level of deference that the courts allow for agencies. However, scholars have treated administrative agencies as unitary actors with a single level of decision making, but in reality agency decisions involve input from multiple actors within the agency. I argue that appellate courts rely more heavily on decisions made by actors in the bureaucracy with greater levels of expertise and who are less politically motivated as cues in their decision making. This theory is bolstered by legal precedent in the area of administrative law that suggests courts should more heavily rely on the expert judgment of administrative judges. Thus, as a result of their increased expertise, appearance of political neutrality, and institutional support, courts will be more reliant on decisions issued by administrative law judges (ALJs) than those issued by the political appointees as cues in their decision making. Using over 300 unfair labor practice decisions issued by the federal appeals courts on review of cases from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB or Board), I develop a model of appeals court decision making in unfair labor practice cases as a function of the initial decision of the ALJ, the final order of the political appointees of the NLRB, case characteristics, the ideology of the deciding appeals court panel, Supreme Court influence, and economic factors. Though the ideology of the court plays a role in its decision making, cues from ALJ decision making and that of the Board weigh more heavily in appellate court outcomes. However, cues from ALJ decisions play the most consistent role in appellate court decision making, even in more difficult cases. This has important implications for agency strategy in courts and suggests that future research should consider the influence of lower‐level decision making over appellate court decision making in the area of administrative law.
Replication of the Escherichia coli chromosome in RNase HI‐deficient cells: multiple initiation regions and fork dynamics
Authors: Maduike Nkabuije Z. , Tehranchi Ashley K. , Wang Jue D. , Kreuzer Kenneth N.
Published: October 2013

DNA replication in Escherichia coli is normally initiated at a single origin, oriC, dependent on initiation protein DnaA. However, replication can be initiated elsewhere on the chromosome at multiple ectopic oriK sites. Genetic evidence indicates that initiation from oriK depends on RNA‐DNA hybrids (R‐loops), which are normally removed by enzymes such as RNase HI to prevent oriK from misfiring during normal growth. Initiation from oriK sites occurs in RNase HI‐deficient mutants, and possibly in wild‐type cells under certain unusual conditions. Despite previous work, the locations of oriK and their impact on genome stability remain unclear. We combined 2D gel electrophoresis and whole genome approaches to map genome‐wide oriK locations. The DNA copy number profiles of various RNase HI‐deficient strains contained multiple peaks, often in consistent locations, identifying candidate oriK sites. Removal of RNase HI protein also leads to global alterations of replication fork migration patterns, often opposite to normal replication directions, and presumably eukaryote‐like replication fork merging. Our results have implications for genome stability, offering a new understanding of how RNase HI deficiency results in R‐loop‐mediated transcription‐replication conflict, as well as inappropriate replication stalling or blockage at Ter sites outside of the terminus trap region and at ribosomal operons.
Evolution of a symbiotic receptor through gene duplications in the legume–rhizobium mutualism
Authors: De Mita Stéphane , Streng Arend , Bisseling Ton , Geurts René
Published: October 2013

The symbiosis between legumes and nitrogen‐fixing rhizobia co‐opted pre‐existing endomycorrhizal features. In particular, both symbionts release lipo‐chitooligosaccharides (LCOs) that are recognized by LysM‐type receptor kinases. We investigated the evolutionary history of rhizobial LCO receptor genes MtLYK3‐LjNFR1 to gain insight into the evolutionary origin of the rhizobial symbiosis.

We performed a phylogenetic analysis integrating gene copies from nonlegumes and legumes, including the non‐nodulating, phylogenetically basal legume Cercis chinensis. Signatures of differentiation between copies were investigated through patterns of molecular evolution.

We show that two rounds of duplication preceded the evolution of the rhizobial symbiosis in legumes. Molecular evolution patterns indicate that the resulting three paralogous gene copies experienced different selective constraints. In particular, one copy maintained the ancestral function, and another specialized into perception of rhizobial LCOs. It has been suggested that legume LCO receptors evolved from a putative ancestral defense‐related chitin receptor through the acquisition of two kinase motifs. However, the phylogenetic analysis shows that these domains are actually ancestral, suggesting that this scenario is unlikely.

Our study underlines the evolutionary significance of gene duplication and subsequent neofunctionalization in MtLYK3‐LjNFR1 genes. We hypothesize that their ancestor was more likely a mycorrhizal LCO receptor, than a defense‐related receptor kinase.