bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identifying predictors of low health‐related quality of life among patients with inflammatory bowel disease: comparison between Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis with disease duration
Authors: Jäghult Susanna , Saboonchi Fredrik , Johansson Unn‐Britt , Wredling Regina , Kapraali Marjo
Published: March 2011

Aim.  To identify predictors of low health‐related quality of life among patients with inflammatory bowel disease and make a comparison between Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis with disease duration.

Background.  Studies have shown that patients with inflammatory bowel disease rate their health‐related quality of life lower, as compared with a general population.

Design.  Survey.

Methods.  In this study, 197 patients in remission were included and divided into a Crohn’s disease group and an ulcerative colitis group. Each group was also divided into separate groups whether the patients had short disease duration or long disease duration. Generic instruments, combined with disease‐specific questionnaires, were used for measuring health‐related quality of life.

Results.  The analysis showed a non‐significant effect for diagnosis, but a significant effect for disease duration showing that the patients with short disease duration had lower scores of health‐related quality of life compared with patients with long disease duration. A significant interaction between diagnosis and disease duration was also revealed.

Conclusion.  Patients with longer disease duration experienced a better health‐related quality of life than patients with short disease duration. Patients with Crohn’s disease and short disease duration have the lowest health‐related quality of life and are in greatest need of education and support.

Relevance to clinical practice.  It is important to identify which patients’ are in the greatest need of education and support.
Contemporary hybrid speciation in sculpins (Cottus spp.)
Authors: RENAUT SÉBASTIEN
Published: March 2011

Natural hybridization between closely related taxa is frequent in many organismal groups, yet it has long been perceived as a force preventing diversification and speciation, especially so in animals. In recent years, growing evidence in favour of hybridization facilitating adaptive divergence has accumulated (Mallet 2007; Mavárez & Linares 2008; Nolte & Tautz 2010). Homoploid hybrid speciation (the formation of hybrid lineages without changes in chromosome number) occurs when distinct species come into contact, hybridize, and at least in part of their range, produce hybrid swarms. If the hybrid genotypes can then colonize areas of the adaptive landscape inaccessible to ancestral species, they may eventually form new distinct lineages, reproductively isolated from their ancestors. Invasive sculpins (Cottus sp.) are one of a few good examples of homoploid hybrid speciation in animals. In this issue, Stemshorn et al. (2011) identified three distinct hybrid lineages, which have emerged out of a secondary contact situation of Cottus rhenanus and Cottus perifretum. Hybrids have recently invaded large river habitats unsuitable to ancestral species. Through the use of genetic mapping, the authors established that contrary to expectations, chromosomal rearrangements were not apparent in the hybrid lineages. In addition, different population genetic models were tested and the results suggest that contemporary gene flow from ancestral species represents an important component of the system. As such, recent and ongoing hybridization appears to be promoting the appearance of phenotypes adapted to novel environments. The examination of partially isolated lineages such as invasive hybrid sculpins should permit to identify early adaptive genetic changes before they become confounded by differences arising once speciation is complete.
Spatial vs. temporal effects on demographic and genetic structures: the roles of dispersal, masting and differential mortality on patterns of recruitment in Fagus sylvatica
Authors: ODDOU‐MURATORIO SYLVIE , KLEIN ETIENNE K. , VENDRAMIN GIOVANNI G. , FADY BRUNO
Published: March 2011

Trees’ long lifespan, long‐distance dispersal abilities and high year‐to‐year variability in fecundity are thought to have pervasive consequences for the demographic and genetic structure of recruited seedlings. However, we still lack experimental studies quantifying the respective roles of spatial processes such as restricted seed and pollen dispersal and temporal processes such as mast seeding on patterns of regeneration. Dynamics of European beech (Fagus sylvatica) seedling recruitment was monitored in three plots from 2004 to 2006. Six polymorphic microsatellite genetic markers were used to characterize seedlings and their potential parents in a 7.2‐ha stand. These seedlings were shown to result from 12 years of recruitment, with one predominant year of seedling recruitment in 2002 and several years without significant recruitment. Using a spatially explicit mating model based on parentage assignment, short average dispersal distances for seed (δs = 10.9 m) and pollen (43.7 m < δp < 57.3 m) were found, but there was also a non‐negligible immigration rate from outside the plot (ms = 20.5%; 71.6% < mp < 77.9%). Hierarchical analyses of seedling genetic structure showed that (i) most of the genetic variation was within plots; (ii) the genetic differentiation among seedling plots was significant (FST = 2.6%) while (iii) there was no effect of year‐to‐year seed rain variation on genetic structure. In addition, no significant effect of genetic structure on mortality was detected. The consequences of these results for the prediction of population dynamics at ecological timescales are discussed.
Detecting gene expression profiles associated with environmental stressors within an ecological context
Authors: VANDERSTEEN WENDY
Published: March 2011

Prior to the development of any conservation strategies to mitigate deleterious impacts of environmental change and contamination, there must be a method to make meaningful predictions of the effect of environmental change on organisms. Assessment of relative transcriptomic expression patterns can provide a link between the environment and the physiological response of the organism by identifying genes that respond to environmental stressors; this information could also assist in teasing apart the molecular basis of toxicological effects vs. physiological adaptation. Molecular responses to environmental stressors are probably not restricted to single or few genes, and therefore a more integrative approach is required to examine broad‐scale patterns of transcriptomic response. To address this objective, Chapman et al. (2011) used machine learning tools to link the mechanisms of physiological response to environmental stress; although widely used in clinical applications, such as finding the genetic basis of diseases (Dybowski & Vanya 2001), ecological genomics applications of artificial neural networks are just beginning to emerge. Analyses such as these are important to help identify limitations on the adaptive capacity of organisms and to predict impacts of climate change, ocean acidification and anthropogenic contaminants on aquatic organisms.
Psychosocial work stress during pregnancy and birthweight
Authors: Lee Bo‐Eun , Ha Mina , Park Hyesook , Hong Yun‐Chul , Kim Yangho , Kim Young Ju , Ha Eun‐Hee
Published: March 2011

Lee B‐E, Ha M, Park H, Kim Y, Hong Y‐C, Kim YJ, Ha E‐H. Psychosocial work stress during pregnancy and birthweight. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2011; 25: 246–254.

Although there is a growing interest in the health effects of psychosocial work stress, studies on the relationships between job stress and adverse reproductive outcome are limited. We, therefore, investigated the associations between prenatal maternal occupational stress and birthweight using 310 mother–infant pairs included in the Mothers and Children's Environmental Health (MOCEH) study. Information on job stress was collected by interviewing women at enrolment during the first trimester of pregnancy using standardised questionnaires, namely, the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) of job strain and effort–reward imbalance (ERI) questionnaires. Regression analyses were carried out.

Decision latitude scores of the JCQ were found to be positively related to birthweight, while ERI ratios determined using the ERI model were found to be inversely related to gestational age. In addition, a passive job as defined by the job strain model was found to be associated with a lower birthweight, compared with a relaxed job. These results suggest that work‐related psychosocial stress in pregnant women appears to affect birth outcomes, such as birthweight and gestational age.
Antepartum A1C, maternal diabetes outcomes, and selected offspring outcomes: an epidemiological review
Authors: Katon Jodie , Williams Michelle A. , Reiber Gayle , Miller Edith
Published: March 2011

Katon J, Williams MA, Reiber G, Miller E. Antepartum A1C, maternal diabetes outcomes, and selected offspring outcomes: an epidemiological review. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2011; 25: 265–276.

Between 1989 and 2004, the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in the United States increased by 122%. Glycated haemoglobin, as measured by haemoglobin A1C (A1C), can potentially identify pregnant women at high risk for adverse outcomes associated with GDM including macrosomia and post‐partum glucose intolerance. Our objective was to systematically review the literature with respect to A1C levels during pregnancy and associated maternal and offspring outcomes. We used MEDLINE to identify relevant publications from 1975 to 2009. We included articles if they met the following criteria: original full text articles in English; primary exposure of antepartum A1C; women with GDM at baseline or who developed GDM during the study; primary outcome of GDM, insulin use, post‐partum abnormal glucose or type 2 diabetes (T2DM), birthweight, macrosomia or large for gestational age. Case series and case reports were excluded. Twenty studies met our criteria. A1C at GDM diagnosis was positively associated with post‐partum abnormal glucose. Women with post‐partum T2DM or impaired glucose tolerance had mean A1C at GDM diagnosis higher than those with normal post‐partum glucose (P ≤ 0.002) and a 1% increase in A1C at GDM diagnosis was associated with 2.36 times higher odds of post‐partum abnormal glucose 6 weeks after delivery [95% confidence interval 1.19, 4.68]. The association of A1C and birthweight varied substantially between studies, with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.11 to 0.51. A1C, a less burdensome and costly measure than an oral glucose tolerance test, appears to be an attractive measure for identifying women at high risk of adverse outcomes associated with GDM.
Conserved differential expression of paralogous DEFICIENS‐ and GLOBOSA‐like MADS‐box genes in the flowers of Orchidaceae: refining the ‘orchid code’
Authors: Mondragón‐Palomino Mariana , Theißen Günter
Published: March 2011

In flowering plants, class‐B floral homeotic genes encode MADS‐domain transcription factors, which are key in the specification of petal and stamen identity, and have two ancient clades: DEF‐like and GLO‐like genes. Many species have one gene of each clade, but orchids have typically four DEF‐like genes, representing ancient gene clades 1, 2, 3 and 4. We tested the ‘orchid code’, a combinatorial genetic model suggesting that differences between the organs of the orchid perianth (outer tepals, inner lateral tepals and labellum) are generated by the combinatorial differential expression of four DEF‐like genes. Our experimental test involves highly sensitive and specific measurements, with qRT‐PCR of the expression of DEF‐ and GLO‐like genes from the distantly related Vanilla planifolia and Phragmipedium longifolium, as well as from wild‐type and peloric Phalaenopsis hybrid flowers. Our findings support the first ‘orchid code’ hypothesis, in that absence of clade‐3 and ‐4 gene expression distinguishes the outer tepals from the inner tepals. In contrast to the original hypothesis, however, mRNA of both clade‐3 and ‐4 genes accumulates in wild‐type inner lateral tepals and the labellum, and in labellum‐like inner lateral tepals of peloric flowers, albeit in different quantities. Our data suggest a revised hypothesis where high levels of clade‐1 and ‐2, and low levels of clade‐3 and ‐4, gene expression specify inner lateral tepals, whereas labellum development requires low levels of clade‐1 and ‐2 expression and high levels of clade‐3 and ‐4 expression.
Overlapping and antagonistic activities of BASIC PENTACYSTEINE genes affect a range of developmental processes in Arabidopsis
Authors: Monfared Mona M. , Simon Marissa K. , Meister Robert J. , Roig‐Villanova Irma , Kooiker Maarten , Colombo Lucia , Fletcher Jennifer C. , Gasser Charles S.
Published: March 2011

The BASIC PENTACYSTEINE (BPC) proteins are a plant‐specific transcription factor family that is present throughout land plants. The Arabidopsis BPC proteins have been categorized into three classes based on sequence similarity, and we demonstrate that there is functional overlap between classes. Single gene mutations produce no visible phenotypic effects, and severe morphological phenotypes occur only in higher order mutants between members of classes I and II, with the most severe phenotype observed in bpc1‐1 bpc2 bpc4 bpc6 plants. These quadruple mutants are dwarfed and display small curled leaves, aberrant ovules, altered epidermal cells and reduced numbers of lateral roots. Affected processes include coordinated growth of cell layers, cell shape determination and timing of senescence. Disruption of BPC3 function rescues some aspects of the bpc1‐1 bpc2 bpc4 bpc6 phenotype, indicating that BPC3 function may be antagonistic to other members of the family. Ethylene response is diminished in bpc1‐1 bpc2 bpc4 bpc6 plants, although not all aspects of the phenotype can be explained by reduced ethylene sensitivity. Our data indicate that the BPC transcription factor family is integral for a wide range of processes that support normal growth and development.
Proteasome‐mediated turnover of the transcriptional activator FIT is required for plant iron‐deficiency responses
Authors: Sivitz Alicia , Grinvalds Claudia , Barberon Marie , Curie Catherine , Vert Grégory
Published: March 2011

Plants display a number of responses to low iron availability in order to increase iron uptake from the soil. In the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, the ferric‐chelate reductase FRO2 and the ferrous iron transporter IRT1 control iron entry from the soil into the root epidermis. To maintain iron homeostasis, the expression of FRO2 and IRT1 is tightly controlled by iron deficiency at the transcriptional level. The basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) transcription factor FIT represents the most upstream actor known in the iron‐deficiency signaling pathway, and directly regulates the expression of the root iron uptake machinery genes FRO2 and IRT1. However, how FIT is controlled by iron and acts to activate transcription of its targets remains obscure. Here we show that FIT mRNA and endogenous FIT protein accumulate in Arabidopsis roots upon iron deficiency. However, using plants constitutively expressing FIT, we observed that FIT protein accumulation is reduced in iron‐limited conditions. This post‐transcriptional regulation of FIT is perfectly synchronized with the accumulation of endogenous FIT and IRT1 proteins, and therefore is part of the early responses to low iron. We demonstrated that such regulation affects FIT protein stability under iron deficiency as a result of 26S proteasome‐dependent degradation. In addition, we showed that FIT post‐translational regulation by iron is required for FRO2 and IRT1 gene expression. Taken together our results indicate that FIT transcriptional and post‐translational regulations are integrated in plant roots to ensure that the positive regulator FIT accumulates as a short‐lived protein following iron shortage, and to allow proper iron‐deficiency responses.
CCoAOMT suppression modifies lignin composition in Pinus radiata
Authors: Wagner Armin , Tobimatsu Yuki , Phillips Lorelle , Flint Heather , Torr Kirk , Donaldson Lloyd , Pears Lana , Ralph John
Published: March 2011

A cDNA clone encoding the lignin‐related enzyme caffeoyl CoA 3‐O‐methyltransferase (CCoAOMT) was isolated from a Pinus radiata cDNA library derived from differentiating xylem. Suppression of PrCCoAOMT expression in P. radiata tracheary element cultures affected lignin content and composition, resulting in a lignin polymer containing p‐hydroxyphenyl (H), catechyl (C) and guaiacyl (G) units. Acetyl bromide‐soluble lignin assays revealed reductions in lignin content of up to 20% in PrCCoAOMT‐deficient transgenic lines. Pyrolysis‐GC/MS and 2D‐NMR studies demonstrated that these reductions were due to depletion of G‐type lignin. Correspondingly, the proportion of H‐type lignin in PrCCoAOMT‐deficient transgenic lines increased, resulting in up to a 10‐fold increase in the H/G ratio relative to untransformed controls. 2D‐NMR spectra revealed that PrCCoAOMT suppression resulted in formation of benzodioxanes in the lignin polymer. This suggested that phenylpropanoids with an ortho‐diphenyl structure such as caffeyl alcohol are involved in lignin polymerization. To test this hypothesis, synthetic lignins containing methyl caffeate or caffeyl alcohol were generated and analyzed by 2D‐NMR. Comparison of the 2D‐NMR spectra from PrCCoAOMT‐RNAi lines and synthetic lignins identified caffeyl alcohol as the new lignin constituent in PrCCoAOMT‐deficient lines. The incorporation of caffeyl alcohol into lignin created a polymer containing catechyl units, a lignin type that has not been previously identified in recombinant lignin studies. This finding is consistent with the theory that lignin polymerization is based on a radical coupling process that is determined solely by chemical processes.
Vascular expression in Arabidopsis is predicted by the frequency of CT/GA‐rich repeats in gene promoters
Authors: Ruiz‐Medrano Roberto , Xoconostle‐Cázares Beatriz , Ham Byung‐Kook , Li Gang , Lucas William J.
Published: March 2011

Phloem‐transported signals play an important role in regulating plant development and in orchestrating responses to environmental stimuli. Among such signals, phloem‐mobile RNAs have been shown to play an important role as long‐distance signaling agents. At maturity, angiosperm sieve elements are enucleate, and thus transcripts in the phloem translocation stream probably originate from the nucleate companion cells. In the present study, a pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) phloem transcriptome was used to test for the presence of common motifs within the promoters of this unique set of genes, which may function to coordinate expression in cells of the vascular system. A bioinformatics analysis of the upstream sequences from 150 Arabidopsis genes homologous to members of the pumpkin phloem transcriptome identified degenerate sequences containing CT/GA‐ and GT/CA‐rich motifs that were common to many of these promoters. Parallel studies performed on genes shown previously to be expressed in phloem tissues identified similar motifs. An expanded analysis, based on homologs of the pumpkin phloem transcriptome from cucumber (Cucumis sativus), identified similar sets of common motifs within the promoters of these genes. Promoter analysis offered support for the hypothesis that these motifs regulate expression within the vascular system. Our findings are discussed in terms of a role for these motifs in coordinating gene expression within the companion cell/sieve element system. These motifs could provide a useful bioinformatics tool for genome‐wide screens on plants for which phloem tissues cannot readily be obtained.
iTRAQ‐based analysis of changes in the cassava root proteome reveals pathways associated with post‐harvest physiological deterioration
Authors: Owiti Judith , Grossmann Jonas , Gehrig Peter , Dessimoz Christophe , Laloi Christophe , Hansen Maria Benn , Gruissem Wilhelm , Vanderschuren Hervé
Published: March 2011

The short storage life of harvested cassava roots is an important constraint that limits the full potential of cassava as a commercial food crop in developing countries. We investigated the molecular changes during physiological deterioration of cassava root after harvesting using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) of proteins in soluble and non‐soluble fractions prepared during a 96 h post‐harvest time course. Combining bioinformatic approaches to reduce information redundancy for unsequenced or partially sequenced plant species, we established a comprehensive proteome map of the cassava root and identified quantitatively regulated proteins. Up‐regulation of several key proteins confirmed that physiological deterioration of cassava root after harvesting is an active process, with 67 and 170 proteins, respectively, being up‐regulated early and later after harvesting. This included regulated proteins that had not previously been associated with physiological deterioration after harvesting, such as linamarase, glutamic acid‐rich protein, hydroxycinnamoyl transferase, glycine‐rich RNA binding protein, β‐1,3‐glucanase, pectin methylesterase, maturase K, dehydroascorbate reductase, allene oxide cyclase, and proteins involved in signal pathways. To confirm the regulation of these proteins, activity assays were performed for selected enzymes. Together, our results show that physiological deterioration after harvesting is a highly regulated complex process involving proteins that are potential candidates for biotechnology approaches to reduce such deterioration.
A dominant negative mutant of protein kinase CK2 exhibits altered auxin responses in Arabidopsis
Authors: Marquès‐Bueno Maria Mar , Moreno‐Romero Jordi , Abas Lindy , De Michele Roberto , Martínez M. Carmen
Published: March 2011

Protein kinase CK2 is a pleiotropic Ser/Thr kinase, evolutionary conserved in eukaryotes. Studies performed in different organisms, from yeast to humans, have highlighted the importance of CK2 in cell growth and cell‐cycle control. However, the signalling pathways in which CK2 is involved have not been fully identified. In plants, the phytohormone auxin is a major regulator of cell growth. Recent discoveries have demonstrated that differential distribution of within auxin plant tissues is essential for developmental processes, and that this distribution is dependent on polar auxin transport. We report here that a dominant‐negative mutant of CK2 (CK2mut) in Arabidopsis thaliana shows phenotypic traits that are typically linked to alterations in auxin‐dependent processes. However, CK2mut plants exhibit normal responses to exogenous indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA) indicating that they are not affected in the perception of the hormone but upstream in the pathway. We demonstrate that mutant plants are not deficient in IAA but are impaired in its transport. Using genetic and pharmacological tools we show that CK2 activity depletion hinders correct formation of auxin gradients and leads to widespread changes in the expression of auxin‐related genes. In particular, members of the auxin efflux carrier family (PINs), and the protein kinase PINOID, both key regulators of auxin fluxes, were misexpressed. PIN4 and PIN7 were also found mislocalized, with accumulation in endosomal bodies. We propose that CK2 functions in the regulation of auxin‐signalling pathways, particularly in auxin transport.
Successful application of a simple specimen transport method for the conduct of respiratory virus surveillance in remote Indigenous communities in Australia
Authors: O’Grady Kerry‐Ann F. , Torzillo Paul J. , Rockett Rebecca J. , Whiley David M. , Nissen Michael D. , Sloots Theo P. , Lambert Stephen B.
Published: March 2011

Objective  Surveillance programs and research for acute respiratory infections in remote Aboriginal communities are complicated by difficulties in the storage and transport of frozen samples to urban laboratories for testing. This study assessed the sensitivity of a simple method for transporting respiratory samples from a remote setting for viral PCR compared with frozen specimens.

Methods  We sampled every individual who presented to a remote Aboriginal community clinic in a non‐epidemic respiratory season. Two anterior nasal swabs were collected from each participant. The left nare specimen was mailed to the laboratory via routine postal services. The right nare specimen was transported frozen. Testing for 16 viruses was undertaken using real‐time multiplex PCR.

Results  A total of 140 participants were enrolled who contributed 150 study visits. Respiratory illnesses accounted for 10% of the reasons for presentation. Sixty‐one viruses were identified in 50 (33.3%) presentations for 40 (28.6%) individuals; bocavirus and rhinovirus were the most common viruses identified (14.0% and 12.6% of episodes respectively). The sensitivity for any virus detected in mailed specimens was 67.2% (95%CI 55.4, 78.9) compared to 65.6% (95%CI 53.7, 77.5) for frozen specimens.

Conclusion  The mailing of unfrozen nasal specimens from remote communities does not compromise the viability of the specimen for viral studies.
Pilot randomized trial of nutritional supplementation in patients with tuberculosis and HIV–tuberculosis coinfection receiving directly observed short‐course chemotherapy for tuberculosis
Authors: Sudarsanam T. D. , John J. , Kang G. , Mahendri V. , Gerrior J. , Franciosa M. , Gopal S. , John K. R. , Wanke C. A. , Muliyil J.
Published: March 2011

Objective  To investigate the effects of nutritional supplementation on the outcome and nutritional status of south Indian patients with tuberculosis (TB) with and without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection on anti‐tuberculous therapy.

Method  Randomized controlled trial on the effect of a locally prepared cereal–lentil mixture providing 930 kcal and a multivitamin micronutrient supplement during anti‐tuberculous therapy in 81 newly diagnosed TB alone and 22 TB–HIV‐coinfected patients, among whom 51 received and 52 did not receive the supplement. The primary outcome evaluated at completion of TB therapy was outcome of TB treatment, as classified by the national programme. Secondary outcomes were body composition, compliance and condition on follow‐up 1 year after cessation of TB therapy and supplementation.

Results  There was no significant difference in TB outcomes at the end of treatment, but HIV–TB coinfected individuals had four times greater odds of poor outcome than those with TB alone. Among patients with TB, 1/35 (2.9%) supplemented and 5/42(12%) of those not supplemented had poor outcomes, while among TB–HIV‐coinfected individuals, 4/13 (31%) supplemented and 3/7 (42.8%) non‐supplemented patients had poor outcomes at the end of treatment, and the differences were more marked after 1 year of follow‐up. Although there was some trend of benefit for both TB alone and TB–HIV coinfection, the results were not statistically significant at the end of TB treatment, possibly because of limited sample size.

Conclusion  Nutritional supplements in patients are a potentially feasible, low‐cost intervention, which could impact patients with TB and TB–HIV. The public health importance of these diseases in resource‐limited settings suggests the need for large, multi‐centre randomized control trials on nutritional supplementation.
Responding to cultural diversity at two Sydney‐based children's hospitals
Authors: White Les , Chalmers Sharon
Published: March 2011

Aim:  To study and document the challenges of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) families in tertiary paediatric settings.

Methods:  Mixed methods, both qualitative and quantitative, were used at Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick and the Children's Hospital at Westmead, during 2006–2007. A telephone survey of 46 questions was implemented on 269 occasions in one of nine languages. In depth qualitative studies of seven families of various migration, settlement and health experiences were undertaken over a four month period, involving a total of 25 interviews in one of four languages. Members of the respective clinical teams were also engaged in 25 formal interviews and four focus groups. A further 25 combined meetings between the clinical teams and respective families were observed and documented. In addition, 16 senior managers were also interviewed.

Results:  Accessing hospital records for the study revealed that relevant demographic data were often incomplete. Quantitative analyses of the telephone survey demonstrated statistically significant differences between the CALD and Anglo‐Australian cohorts in: access to appropriate information (language specific, accessible, non‐technical and appropriately documented); as well as effective communication (with doctors, nurses, admission or clerical staff and other health staff). Comparisons contradicted assumptions of overuse of hospital resources by CALD clients. Interpreter services were moderately utilised but widely supplemented by informal and suboptimal channels. Qualitative exploration supported and further explained the findings.

Conclusions:  The findings of this research have demonstrated important differences, as well as gaps and shortcomings, in service provision for CALD families that lend themselves to both further study and to interventions aimed at continuing improvement.
Recurrent intussusception in infants
Authors: Justice Frances A , Nguyen Liem T , Tran Son N , Kirkwood Carl D , Thi Ngo Thi , Carlin John B , Bines Julie E
Published: March 2011

Aim:  Clinical features to identify infants at increased risk of recurrence after a primary episode of intussusception (IS) are poorly defined.

Methods:  Prospective study of the clinical presentation, treatment and outcome in infants <2 years presenting with acute IS to the National Hospital of Pediatrics, Hanoi, over a 14‐month period (1 November 2002 to 31 December 2003). A retrospective review of medical records was performed to verify complete patient ascertainment.

Results:  Five hundred ninety‐eight children were recruited, including 513 (86%) with a primary episode only and 53 (9%) with ≥1 recurrent episodes. Another 32 (5%) infants presented with recurrent IS, but the primary episode of IS occurred outside the study period. Estimated recurrence risk at 6 months following a primary episode was 14%. A pathological lead point was rare in primary (n= 1) and recurrent IS (n= 1). Most infants were successfully treated with enema reduction.

Conclusions:  This study describes the natural history of recurrent IS in infants and may assist in interpreting data from post‐marketing surveillance following introduction of rotavirus vaccines.
Addressing the well‐being of Aboriginal children in out‐of‐home care: Are we there yet?
Authors: Raman Shanti , Reynolds Sandra , Khan Rabia
Published: March 2011

Aim:  Children in out‐of‐home care (OOHC) have well‐documented health and developmental needs. In Australia, Aboriginal children have significantly worse health outcomes than non‐Aboriginal children. We wanted to identify the health and well‐being of Aboriginal children entering OOHC, placed with an Aboriginal organisation, who accessed a specialised multidisciplinary clinic in south‐western Sydney. We wanted to identify children entering care who were doing well and who improved in care. We also wanted to identify enablers and barriers to care.

Methods:  We analysed records of the first 100 children attending the OOHC clinic in south‐western Sydney. Measures included clinical outcomes and recommendations at first and subsequent visits. Descriptive statistics were calculated using SPSS 16.0 for Windows (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Key stakeholders from the relevant agencies were interviewed about enablers and barriers to care by independent evaluators.

Results:  A significant proportion of children had health needs identified including speech delay (54%), under‐immunisation (50%), behaviour problems (45%), hearing problems (44%), visual problems (35%) and dental problems (36%). Sixteen per cent of the children were doing well at first visit; a third improved in care, and a third remained stable. Significant differences were identified in health and educational needs between the under‐5 year olds and the 5–13 year olds. Key barriers identified were systemic issues and lack of resources for intervention.

Conclusions:  Children attending this clinic had similar rates of problems identified as other studies. School‐age children appear to have significant additional health needs. Targeted developmentally and culturally appropriate interventions need to be provided to address the identified barriers to care.
Retracted: 3D fracture mechanics investigation on surface fatigue crack propagation
Authors: SHEN H. , GUO W.
Published: March 2011

Retraction: 3D fracture mechanics investigation on surface fatigue crack propagation, H. Shen and W. Guo, Fatigue and Fracture of Engineering Materials and Structures, Volume 34, issue 9, pp. 682–688. The above article from Fatigue and Fracture of Engineering Materials and Structures, published online on 22 March 2011 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com) and in Volume 34, issue 9, pp. 682–688, has been retracted by agreement between the authors, the Editorial Team and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. The retraction has been agreed due to major overlap with a previously published article. Reference: Shen H, Guo W, Lu G. 3D fracture mechanics investigation on surface fatigue crack propagation. International Journal of Applied Mechanics and Engineering. 2009;14(4): 1127–1138.
On the mixed Mode II/III fatigue threshold behaviour for aluminium alloys 2014‐T6 and 7075‐T6
Authors: MERATI A. A. , HELLIER A. K. , ZARRABI K.
Published: March 2011

This paper describes an investigation into the fatigue threshold behaviour of two structural aluminium aerospace alloys, Al 2014‐T6 and Al 7075‐T6, when subjected to Mode II, Mode III and mixed Mode II/III loading. A unique four‐point shear loading test rig was employed to cyclically load sharply edge‐notched square bar specimens using an increasing load technique. The main aim of the work has been to generate Mode II–Mode III interaction diagrams for the fatigue threshold in each case, in order to facilitate improved design procedures for components fabricated from these alloys, which are susceptible to fatigue cracking under predominantly shear type loading. Aircraft are subjected to structural loads consisting of: pressurization, tension/compression, bending, shear and torsion, both on the ground and in flight. Representative fatigue fracture surfaces have been examined using scanning electron microscopy.
Mechanical and thermal behaviour of polyamide 6/silicon carbide nanocomposites toughened with maleated styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene elastomer
Authors: LIAO C. Z. , TJONG S. C.
Published: March 2011

Polyamide 6 (PA6) based nanocomposites reinforced with 1–7 wt% silicon carbide nanoparticles (SiCp) and toughened with 20 wt% maleated styrene–ethylene–butylene– stryrene (SEBS‐g‐MA) were fabricated by melt blending followed by injection moulding. The effects of SiCp addition on thermal and mechanical properties of such nanocomposites were investigated. Differential scanning calorimetry tests showed that SiCp act as effective nucleators for the crystallization of PA6 and enhance the degree of crystallinity. Mechanical measurements revealed that SiCp addition improves the Young's modulus and yield strength of PA6/SEBS‐g‐MA 80/20 blend at the expenses of tensile ductility and impact strength. The essential work of fracture (EWF) approach under tensile mode was employed to characterize the fracture toughness of PA6/SEBS‐g‐MA/SiCp nanocomposites. EWF results indicated that SiCp addition reduces both the specific EWF and specific non‐essential plastic work of fracture. Thus SiCp additions were detrimental to the fracture toughness of PA6/SEBS‐g‐MA 80/20 blends.
The interaction between corrosion management and structural integrity of aging aircraft
Authors: JAYA A. , TIONG U. H. , CLARK G.
Published: March 2011

Aircraft joints feature prominently in aircraft structural degradation; fatigue cracking and corrosion damage are major issues, which can reduce joint strength and degrade service life. Protecting the structure against corrosion usually involves use of highly developed protective coatings – paints and sealants – and, increasingly, the application of corrosion inhibiting compounds (CICs) which retard corrosion principally by penetrating into crevices and cracks, and displacing water. A combination of coatings and CIC use can provide effective corrosion protection, but both interact – in different ways – with joint structural performance and overall system durability. This paper discusses the interaction between these two corrosion protection measures and fatigue performance of joints. The first issue relates to the extent to which application of CICs (or other lubricants) can cause a reduction in the fatigue life of mechanically fastened joints. The CICs are lubricants which will reduce the friction at the faying surface of the joint, and change the load transfer characteristics of the joint. This paper discusses results from a test program assessing the fatigue life and failure mode of simple riveted lap joints; the results show a distinct reduction in fatigue life for joints containing CICs, and the paper discusses the changes thought to be responsible for the reduction. The second issue discussed is the degradation of protective coatings in service. Joints are key locations for coating cracking and failure, because areas such as sheet ends and fastener heads, where displacements are concentrated, may produce concentrated strain in coatings. So far, however, the potential influence of aircraft loading on coating degradation prognostics has received little attention. This paper discusses the role of joint displacement in service as a factor contributing to degradation in aircraft coatings at joints, and argues that this local strain effect, and indeed structural loading history, needs to be considered in predicting and assessing rates of coating degradation. It describes analyses of displacements in aircraft joints, to identify the levels of strain and to identify the roles and relative contributions of the various deflections in the joints. The results indicate the potential for very large strains in coatings.
Contribution of Crenarchaeota and Bacteria to autotrophy in the North Atlantic interior
Authors: Varela Marta M. , van Aken Hendrik M. , Sintes Eva , Reinthaler Thomas , Herndl Gerhard J.
Published: March 2011

Marine Crenarchaeota are among the most abundant groups of prokaryotes in the ocean and recent reports suggest that they oxidize ammonia as an energy source and inorganic carbon as carbon source, while other studies indicate that Crenarchaeota use organic carbon and hence, live heterotrophically. We used catalysed reporter deposition fluorescence in situ hybridization (CARD‐FISH) to determine the crenarchaeal and bacterial contribution to total prokaryotic abundance in the (sub)tropical Atlantic. Bacteria contributed ∼50% to total prokaryotes throughout the water column. Marine Crenarchaeota Group I (MCGI) accounted for ∼5% of the prokaryotes in subsurface waters (100 m depth) and between 10 and 20% in the oxygen minimum layer (250–500 m depth) and deep waters (North East Atlantic Deep Water). The fraction of both MCGI and Bacteria fixing inorganic carbon, determined by combining microautoradiography with CARD‐FISH (MICRO‐CARD‐FISH), decreased with depth, ranging from ∼30% in the oxygen minimum zone to < 10% in the intermediate waters (Mediterranean Sea Outflow Water, Antarctic Intermediate Water). In the deeper water masses, however, MCGI were not taking up inorganic carbon. Using quantitative MICRO‐CARD‐FISH to determine autotrophy activity on a single cell level revealed that MCGI are incorporating inorganic carbon (0.002–0.1 fmol C cell−1 day−1) at a significantly lower rate than Bacteria (0.01–0.6 fmol C cell−1 day−1). Hence, it appears that MCGI contribute substantially less to autotrophy than Bacteria. Taking the stoichiometry of nitrification together with our findings suggests that MCGI might not dominate the ammonia oxidation step in the mesopelagic waters of the ocean to that extent as the reported dominance of archaeal over bacterial amoA would suggest.
Genomic variations define divergence of water/wildlife‐associated Campylobacter jejuni niche specialists from common clonal complexes
Authors: Hepworth Philip J. , Ashelford Kevin E. , Hinds Jason , Gould Katherine A. , Witney Adam A. , Williams Nicola J. , Leatherbarrow Howard , French Nigel P. , Birtles Richard J. , Mendonca Chriselle , Dorrell Nick , Wren Brendan W. , Wigley Paul , Hall Neil , Winstanley Craig
Published: March 2011

Although the major food‐borne pathogen Campylobacter jejuni has been isolated from diverse animal, human and environmental sources, our knowledge of genomic diversity in C. jejuni is based exclusively on human or human food‐chain‐associated isolates. Studies employing multilocus sequence typing have indicated that some clonal complexes are more commonly associated with particular sources. Using comparative genomic hybridization on a collection of 80 isolates representing diverse sources and clonal complexes, we identified a separate clade comprising a group of water/wildlife isolates of C. jejuni with multilocus sequence types uncharacteristic of human food‐chain‐associated isolates. By genome sequencing one representative of this diverse group (C. jejuni 1336), and a representative of the bank‐vole niche specialist ST‐3704 (C. jejuni 414), we identified deletions of genomic regions normally carried by human food‐chain‐associated C. jejuni. Several of the deleted regions included genes implicated in chicken colonization or in virulence. Novel genomic insertions contributing to the accessory genomes of strains 1336 and 414 were identified. Comparative analysis using PCR assays indicated that novel regions were common but not ubiquitous among the water/wildlife group of isolates, indicating further genomic diversity among this group, whereas all ST‐3704 isolates carried the same novel accessory regions. While strain 1336 was able to colonize chicks, strain 414 was not, suggesting that regions specifically absent from the genome of strain 414 may play an important role in this common route of Campylobacter infection of humans. We suggest that the genomic divergence observed constitutes evidence of adaptation leading to niche specialization.
Microbial community structure of hydrothermal deposits from geochemically different vent fields along the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge
Authors: Flores Gilberto E. , Campbell James H. , Kirshtein Julie D. , Meneghin Jennifer , Podar Mircea , Steinberg Joshua I. , Seewald Jeffrey S. , Tivey Margaret Kingston , Voytek Mary A. , Yang Zamin K. , Reysenbach Anna‐Louise
Published: March 2011

To evaluate the effects of local fluid geochemistry on microbial communities associated with active hydrothermal vent deposits, we examined the archaeal and bacterial communities of 12 samples collected from two very different vent fields: the basalt‐hosted Lucky Strike (37°17′N, 32°16.3′W, depth 1600–1750 m) and the ultramafic‐hosted Rainbow (36°13′N, 33°54.1′W, depth 2270–2330 m) vent fields along the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge (MAR). Using multiplexed barcoded pyrosequencing of the variable region 4 (V4) of the 16S rRNA genes, we show statistically significant differences between the archaeal and bacterial communities associated with the different vent fields. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays of the functional gene diagnostic for methanogenesis (mcrA), as well as geochemical modelling to predict pore fluid chemistries within the deposits, support the pyrosequencing observations. Collectively, these results show that the less reduced, hydrogen‐poor fluids at Lucky Strike limit colonization by strict anaerobes such as methanogens, and allow for hyperthermophilic microaerophiles, like Aeropyrum. In contrast, the hydrogen‐rich reducing vent fluids at the ultramafic‐influenced Rainbow vent field support the prevalence of methanogens and other hydrogen‐oxidizing thermophiles at this site. These results demonstrate that biogeographical patterns of hydrothermal vent microorganisms are shaped in part by large scale geological and geochemical processes.
Prospective trial to identify optimal bladder cancer surveillance protocol: reducing costs while maximizing sensitivity
Authors: Kamat Ashish M. , Karam Jose A. , Grossman H. Barton , Kader A. Karim , Munsell Mark , Dinney Colin P.
Published: March 2011

Study Type – Diagnostic (exploratory cohort)

Level of Evidence 2b

What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?

A plethora of urinary markers are available with the purported benefit of identifying bladder tumours that evade detection with cystoscopy alone. Clinicians often infer that this translates into earlier detection of invasive disease and helps control costs.

This prospective trial suggests that in experienced hands, cystoscopy alone is the most cost‐effective strategy to detect recurrence of non‐invasive bladder cancer. Using urinary markers in all patients significantly adds to cost and hence must be individualized.

OBJECTIVE

• To assess the cost‐effectiveness of using cytological evaluation, NMP22 BladderChek®, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) UroVysion® in addition to cystoscopy in patients with a history of bladder cancer undergoing surveillance for recurrence.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• In all, 200 consecutive patients with a history of bladder cancer not invading the muscle were prospectively enrolled at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

• Five surveillance strategies were compared: (i) cystoscopy alone; (ii) cystoscopy and NMP22; (iii) cystoscopy and FISH; (iv) cystoscopy and cytology; and (v) cystoscopy and positive NMP22 confirmed by positive FISH.

• The cost per cancer detected was calculated.

• For patients with an initial positive test and negative cystoscopy, tumour detected at first follow‐up was assumed to be too small to be visualized at the initial assessment and the biomarker was credited with early detection.

RESULTS

• Cancer was detected in 13 patients at study entry.

• Detection rates for the five surveillance strategies were: (i) 52%, (ii) 56%, (iii) 72%, (iv) 60%, and (v) 56%.

• The costs per tumour detected (at the time of initial marker analysis) were (i) $7692; (ii) $12 000; (iii) $26 462; (iv) $11 846; and (v) $10 292.

• When early detection of biomarkers was factored in, the CPTD became: (i) $7692; (ii) $11 143; (iii) $19 111; (iv) $10 267; and (v) $9557.

• There were 12 new cancers detected at first follow‐up (median time, 4.1 months). None of the tumours detected by biomarkers but not by cystoscopy were invasive.

CONCLUSIONS

• Cystoscopy alone remains the most cost‐effective strategy to detect recurrence of bladder cancer not invading the muscle.

• The addition of urinary markers adds to cost, without improved detection of invasive disease.