bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patients with penile cancer and the risk of (pre)malignant cervical lesions in female partners: a retrospective cohort analysis
Authors: de Bruijn Roderick E. , Heideman Danielle A.M. , Kenter Gemma G. , van Beurden Marc , van Tinteren Harm , Horenblas Simon
Published: May 2013

Objective

To determine if female partners of patients with penile cancer have more cervical lesions and neoplasia than would be expected from population‐based data.

Patients and Methods

We included all consecutive patients with primary penile carcinoma in the period 2004–2010.

Results of Dutch cervical cancer screening were used to consider (pre)malignant cervical lesions in female partners of patients with penile cancer.

Results

In all, 206 women were included.

Gynaecological information was available in 195 women: Papanicolaou test (PAP) smears were normal were in 129 partners, 10 smears were abnormal (5.1%, 95% confidence interval 2.5–9.2).

PAP2 was found in five, PAP3a in two, PAP3b in two women and PAP4 in one woman.

Colposcopy in two women with PAP3b showed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 in both.

This prevalence was not different from baseline results in the general Dutch population.

Conclusion

Female partners of patients with penile cancer did not show more premalignant cervical lesions than in the general population.
Bacille Calmette–Guérin/DNAhsp65 prime-boost is protective against diabetes in non-obese diabetic mice but not in the streptozotocin model of type 1 diabetes
Authors: da Rosa L C , Chiuso-Minicucci F , Zorzella-Pezavento S F G , França T G D , Ishikawa L L W , Colavite P M , Balbino B , Tavares L C B , Silva C L , Marques C , Ikoma M R V , Sartori A
Published: May 2013

Type I diabetes is a disease caused by autoimmune destruction of the beta cells in the pancreas that leads to a deficiency in insulin production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prophylactic potential of a prime-boost strategy involving bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) and the pVAXhsp65 vaccine (BCG/DNAhsp65) in diabetes induced by streptozotocin (STZ) in C57BL/6 mice and also in spontaneous type 1 diabetes in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. BCG/DNAhsp65 vaccination in NOD mice determined weight gain, protection against hyperglycaemia, decreased islet inflammation, higher levels of cytokine production by the spleen and a reduced number of regulatory T cells in the spleen compared with non-immunized NOD mice. In the STZ model, however, there was no significant difference in the clinical parameters. Although this vaccination strategy did not protect mice in the STZ model, it was very effective in NOD mice. This is the first report demonstrating that a prime-boost strategy could be explored as an immunomodulatory procedure in autoimmune diseases.
Organizational factors and child participation in decision‐making: differences between two child welfare organizations
Authors: Vis Svein Arild , Fossum Sturla
Published: May 2013

Children in residential care tend to be less content with the quality of care arrangements and participation opportunities compared to children in foster care. This study explored possible differences in social workers' views about child participation and service quality. Hierarchical regression analyses were used to test if any differences may be explained by collaboration between professionals' and social workers' work engagement. We found that social workers from residential care services seem more prudent in letting children participate in case planning compared to social workers planning for foster care. Social workers' judgements of service quality were also highly affected by their organizational affiliation, but personal factors such as work engagement may also play a part. The differences we found regarding social workers' attitudes towards participation and their rating of service quality are associated with organizational culture. Understanding how organizations shape social workers' decisions to include or exclude children in care planning may help gain a more comprehensive understanding of what is needed to take the participation agenda forward.
Mesoaxial polydactyly is a major feature in Bardet–Biedl syndrome patients with LZTFL1 (BBS17) mutations
Authors: Schaefer E. , Lauer J. , Durand M. , Pelletier V. , Obringer C. , Claussmann A. , Braun J.‐J. , Redin C. , Mathis C. , Muller J. , Schmidt‐Mutter C. , Flori E. , Marion V. , Stoetzel C. , Dollfus H.
Published: May 2013

Ciliopathies are heterogeneous disorders sharing different clinical signs due to a defect at the level of the primary cilia/centrosome complex. Postaxial polydactyly is frequently reported in ciliopathies, especially in Bardet–Biedl syndrome (BBS). Clinical features and genetic results observed in a pair of dizygotic twins with BBS are reported. The following manifestations were present: retinitis pigmentosa, bilateral insertional polydactyly, cognitive impairment and renal dysfunction. X‐rays of the hands confirmed the presence of a 4th mesoaxial extra‐digit with Y‐shaped metacarpal bones. The sequencing of LZTFL1 identified a missense mutation (NM_020347.2: p.Leu87Pro; c.260T>C) and a nonsense mutation (p.Glu260*; c.778G>T), establishing a compound heterozygous status for the twins. A major decrease of LZTFL1 transcript and protein was observed in the patient's fibroblasts. This is the second report of LZTFL1 mutations in BBS patients confirming LZTFL1 as a BBS gene. Interestingly, the only two families reported in literature thus far with LZTFL1 mutations have in common mesoaxial polydactyly, a very uncommon feature for BBS. This special subtype of polydactyly in BBS patients is easily identified on clinical examination and prompts for priority sequencing of LZTFL1 (BBS17).
Phantoms of Gondwana?—phylogeny of the spider subfamily Mynogleninae (Araneae: Linyphiidae)
Authors: Frick Holger , Scharff Nikolaj
Published: May 2013

This is the first genus‐level phylogeny of the subfamily Mynogleninae. It is based on 190 morphological characters scored for 44 taxa: 37 mynoglenine taxa (ingroup) representing 15 of the 17 known genera and seven outgroup taxa representing the subfamilies Stemonyphantinae, Linyphiinae (Linyphiini and Micronetini), and Erigoninae, and a representative of the family Pimoidae, the sister‐group to Linyphiidae. No fewer than 147 of the morphological characters used in this study are new and defined for this study, and come mainly from male and female genitalia. Parsimony analysis with equal weights resulted in three most parsimonious trees of length 871. The monophyly of the subfamily Mynogleninae and the genera Novafroneta, Parafroneta, Laminafroneta, Afroneta, Promynoglenes, Metamynoglenes, and Haplinis are supported, whereas Pseudafroneta is paraphyletic. The remaining seven mynoglenine genera are either monotypic or represented by only one taxon. Diagnoses are given for all genera included in the analysis. The evolution of morphological traits is discussed and we summarize the diversity and distribution patterns of the 124 known species of mynoglenines. The preferred topology suggests a single origin of mynoglenines in New Zealand with two dispersal events to Africa, and does not support Gondwana origin.
Use of Large‐Scale Acoustic Monitoring to Assess Anthropogenic Pressures on Orthoptera Communities
Authors: PENONE CATERINA , LE VIOL ISABELLE , PELLISSIER VINCENT , JULIEN JEAN‐FRANÇOIS , BAS YVES , KERBIRIOU CHRISTIAN
Published: May 2013

Biodiversity monitoring at large spatial and temporal scales is greatly needed in the context of global changes. Although insects are a species‐rich group and are important for ecosystem functioning, they have been largely neglected in conservation studies and policies, mainly due to technical and methodological constraints. Sound detection, a nondestructive method, is easily applied within a citizen‐science framework and could be an interesting solution for insect monitoring. However, it has not yet been tested at a large scale. We assessed the value of a citizen‐science program in which Orthoptera species (Tettigoniidae) were monitored acoustically along roads. We used Bayesian model‐averaging analyses to test whether we could detect widely known patterns of anthropogenic effects on insects, such as the negative effects of urbanization or intensive agriculture on Orthoptera populations and communities. We also examined site‐abundance correlations between years and estimated the biases in species detection to evaluate and improve the protocol. Urbanization and intensive agricultural landscapes negatively affected Orthoptera species richness, diversity, and abundance. This finding is consistent with results of previous studies of Orthoptera, vertebrates, carabids, and butterflies. The average mass of communities decreased as urbanization increased. The dispersal ability of communities increased as the percentage of agricultural land and, to a lesser extent, urban area increased. Despite changes in abundances over time, we found significant correlations between yearly abundances. We identified biases linked to the protocol (e.g., car speed or temperature) that can be accounted for ease in analyses. We argue that acoustic monitoring of Orthoptera along roads offers several advantages for assessing Orthoptera biodiversity at large spatial and temporal extents, particularly in a citizen science framework.

El Uso de Monitoreos Acústicos a Gran Escala para Estudiar las Presiones Antropogénicas sobre Comunidades de Orthoptera
High larval density does not induce a prophylactic immune response in a butterfly
Authors: PIESK MATTHIAS , KARL ISABELL , FRANKE KRISTIN , FISCHER KLAUS
Published: May 2013

Immune function is greatly affected by biotic and abiotic factors, arguably owing to resource allocation trade‐offs. While starvation typically exerts negative effects on immune function, there are two competing hypotheses regarding the impact of population density: a high population density may decrease or increase immune competence, either as a result of reduced energy stores or of augmented resource allocation to minimise infection risk (density‐dependent prophylaxis).

Against this background, the effects of population (= larval rearing) density and transient food stress on adult immune function and life‐history traits in the temperate‐zone butterflyPieris napi(Linnaeus) have been examined.

Both a period of larval starvation and high larval rearing density prolonged the development time and reduced the body mass. All immune parameters measured (pro‐phenoloxidase and phenoloxidase activity, haemocyte number, encapsulation rate) were also negatively affected by high density, whereas starvation had no effect.

We thus found no evidence for density‐dependent prophylaxis, but a diminished performance at a high density probably caused by reduced energy stores. The present study reinforces that the maintenance and deployment of an efficient immune system is costly, which may prohibit prophylactic responses to high population densities.
Effects of ventral striatal lesions on first‐ and second‐order appetitive conditioning
Authors: McDannald Michael A. , Setlow Barry , Holland Peter C.
Published: May 2013

Rats with bilateral lesions of the ventral striatal nucleus accumbens failed to acquire Pavlovian second‐order conditioning to auditory stimuli paired with visual stimuli that had previously received first‐order pairings with food. This deficit in second‐order conditioning was specific to learning driven by incentive properties of the first‐order cues, and was observed whether the first‐order training had occurred prior to or after lesion surgery. Lesions also produced deficits in the display of conditioned responses to the first‐order conditioned stimulus, but only when they were made after first‐order training. These results suggest a specific role for the ventral striatum in acquiring and expressing incentive properties of conditioned stimuli through second‐order conditioning, as well as a more general role in expressing previously acquired Pavlovian conditioned responses.
Effects of acid sulphate on DOC release in mineral soils: the influence of SO42− retention and Al release
Authors: Palmer S. M. , Clark J. M. , Chapman P. J. , van der Heijden G. M. F. , Bottrell S. H.
Published: May 2013

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in acid‐sensitive upland waters is dominated by allochthonous inputs from organic‐rich soils, yet inter‐site variability in soil DOC release to changes in acidity has received scant attention in spite of the reported differences between locations in surface water DOC trends over the last few decades. In a previous paper, we demonstrated that pH‐related retention of DOC in O horizon soils was influenced by acid‐base status, particularly the exchangeable Al content. In the present paper, we investigate the effect of sulphate additions (0–437 µeq l−1) on DOC release in the mineral B horizon soils from the same locations. Dissolved organic carbon release decreased with declining pH in all soils, although the shape of the pH‐DOC relationships differed between locations, reflecting the multiple factors controlling DOC mobility. The release of DOC decreased by 32–91% in the treatment with the largest acid input (437 µeq l−1), with the greatest decreases occurring in soils with very small % base saturation (BS, < 3%) and/or large capacity for sulphate (SO42−) retention (up to 35% of added SO42−). The greatest DOC release occurred in the soil with the largest initial base status (12% BS). These results support our earlier conclusions that differences in acid‐base status between soils alter the sensitivity of DOC release to similar sulphur deposition declines. However, superimposed on this is the capacity of mineral soils to sorb DOC and SO42−, and more work is needed to determine the fate of sorbed DOC under conditions of increasing pH and decreasing SO42−.
Factors associated with post‐stroke anger proneness in ischaemic stroke patients
Authors: Choi‐Kwon S. , Han K. , Cho K.‐H. , Choi S. , Suh M. , Nah H.‐W. , Kim J. S.
Published: May 2013

Background and purpose

Factors related to post‐ stroke anger proneness (PSAP) are poorly studied. The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of, and the factors related to, PSAP in the acute stage of stroke. Serotonin transporter protein genes and monoamine oxidase A (MAO‐A) gene polymorphisms were also examined.

Methods

A total of 508 patients with acute IS were screened for PSAP at admission after stroke, using the modified Spielberger Trait Anger Scale. Blood samples were collected from each participant for DNA extraction and genotyping. The promoter of serotonin transporter protein (5‐HTTLPR), the variable number of tandem repeat polymorphisms within intron 2 (VNTR STin2), and the 30‐bp functional VNTR polymorphism in the promoter region of the MAO‐A gene (MAOA‐uVNTR) were genotyped.

Results

Post‐ stroke anger proneness was present in 15.1% of patients at admission. The factors related to PSAP were diabetes mellitus (P < 0.05), previous stroke (P < 0.01), motor and sensory dysfunction (P < 0.01), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at admission (P < 0.01), and MAO‐A gene polymorphism (P < 0.05). Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that previous stroke (95% CI: 1.33–4.25, P < 0.01), NIHSS at admission (95% CI: 1.09–1.26, P < 0.01), and low MAO‐A activity (95% CI: 1.19–3.47, P = 0.01) were the factors related to PSAP.

Conclusions

Our results show that PSAP is relatively prevalent and that previous stroke, neurological dysfunction and the MAO‐A gene are involved in the development of PSAP.
Laplacian normalization for deriving thematic fuzzy clusters with an additive spectral approach
Authors: Nascimento Susana , Felizardo Rui , Mirkin Boris
Published: May 2013

This paper presents a further investigation into computational properties of a novel fuzzy additive spectral clustering method, Fuzzy Additive Spectral clustering (FADDIS), recently introduced by authors. Specifically, we extend our analysis to ‘difficult’ data structures from the recent literature and develop two synthetic data generators simulating affinity data of Gaussian clusters and genuine additive similarity data, with a controlled level of noise. The FADDIS is experimentally verified on these data in comparison with two state‐of‐the‐art fuzzy clustering methods. The claimed ability of FADDIS to help in determining the right number of clusters is experimentally tested, and the role of the pseudo‐inverse Laplacian data transformation in this is highlighted. A potentially useful extension of the method to biclustering is introduced.
An evaluation on the effectiveness of Web 2.0 Startpages (Netvibes & Pageflakes) within NHS libraries
Authors: McCormick Carol , Pickard Alison Jane
Published: May 2013

Carol McCormick was Learning Resources Advisor in the library at James Cook University Hospital, South Teesside when she completed her BSc (Hons) Librarianship (Work Based Learning) degree at Northumbria University. She gained a 1st Class Honours and is now Learning Resources Librarian. Carol's dissertation formed part of a wider action research project into the provision of current awareness services at James Cook University Hospital. This article reports on the evaluation which was conducted after a Web 2.0 Startpage, or portal, had been introduced to improve access to current awareness information for all staff within the Trust. It is the second article in the Dissertations into practice series to examine the use of web‐based tools to improve access to information for NHS staff.

AM
Release kinetics of antioxidant compounds fromHibiscus sabdariffaL. encapsulated in gelatin beads and coated with sodium alginate
Authors: Díaz‐Bandera Daniel , Villanueva‐Carvajal Adriana , Dublán‐García Octavio , Quintero‐Salazar Baciliza , Dominguez‐Lopez Aurelio
Published: May 2013

Gelatin beads containing a concentrated extract ofRoselle (Hibiscus sabdariffaL.) calyx rich in polyphenolic compounds were coated with sodium alginate and ionotropically gelled using CaCl2. Single‐coated beads and double‐coated beads were obtained by this technique, and the release pattern of the loaded extract was evaluated. As a result, release pattern of these compounds fits properly to a first–orderWeibull distribution equation. The release rate constant decreased linearly with the number of alginate coats and with the increase in immersion time in CaCl2and theLagperiod increased significantly with the number of alginate coats. The release ofH. sabdariffa'spolyphenols can be well controlled manipulating the number of alginate coats and the immersion time in a CaCl2solution, allowing not only to control the gastrointestinal segment where they could be released but also to control the release rate with the certainty that the initial concentration will be completely released showing a highly significant antioxidant activity as well.
The Iberoamerican Cerebrovascular Diseases Society: 15 Years Moving Forward
Authors: Brutto Oscar H. Del , Diez-Tejedor Exuperio , Sacks Claudio , Ameriso Sebastián F. , Náder Juan , de Leciñana María Alonso , Massaro Ayrton
Published: May 2013

The Iberoamerican Cerebrovascular Diseases Society was founded 15 years ago. Being aware of the increased burden of stroke in Latin America, its members have been working to enhance the knowledge on stroke among physicians in the region, to increase public awareness on stroke warning signs, and to motivate public health authorities to implement programs that speed the access of stroke patients to specialized units. Besides organizing annual meetings that have convened an increasing number of attendees, the Society has been actively involved in the elaboration of guidelines for stroke classification and therapy that will be practical for use at a regional level, as well as in the consolidation of links with other stroke societies to increase the diffusion of local stroke issues to the medical community at large. The Society is also involved in the Safe Implementation of Treatment in Stroke trial as well as in other studies that will increase the knowledge on stroke management and prognosis in the region.
Anaemia in chronic heart failure: more awareness is required
Authors: Pisaniello A. D. , Wong D. T. L. , Kajani I. , Robinson K. , Shakib S.
Published: May 2013

Aims

To determine the characteristics of anaemic patients, how well anaemia is investigated and its contributing factors in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).

Methods

Retrospective analysis of longitudinal data collected during routine management of patients admitted with CHF at an Australian tertiary hospital. One thousand and twenty‐one patients admitted with CHF between 1997 and 2005 were included. Anaemia was defined as a haemoglobin concentration <110 g/L. Data were compared between anaemic and non‐anaemic patients.

Results

The prevalence of anaemia among patients with CHF was 20.3% in our study. These patients were more likely to be older, female, and have a higher prevalence of chronic renal failure and peripheral vascular disease. Despite previous studies reporting a higher mortality rate among CHF patients with anaemia, only 60% of patients had basic investigations for anaemia (i.e. iron studies, vitamin B12, folate and thyroid function testing). The cause of anaemia is usually multifactorial with 63.8% of patients having at least two factors contributing to their anaemia. Chronic renal failure, iron deficiency and anaemia of chronic disease were the most common contributors. These factors were not predicted based on abnormalities in mean corpuscular volume. Patients with anaemia had a longer length of stay in hospital.

Conclusions

Anaemia in patients with CHF is common but not well investigated. The aetiology of anaemia is usually multifactorial and not easily predicted. Patients with anaemia and CHF have poorer outcomes. There needs to be more awareness among clinicians about the importance of investigating and treating anaemia in patients with CHF.
Systemic factors and mortality in elderly patients with pressure ulcers
Authors: Jaul Efraim , Calderon‐Margalit Ronit
Published: May 2013

The aim of this article was to identify specific systemic factors associated with existence of pressure ulcers (PUs) and the effect on survival from the time of admission. Patients admitted to the Skilled Nursing Department of the Herzog Hospital, Jerusalem, between 1 July 2008 and 31 December 2011. Of the 174 admitted patients (mean age: 77·4 ± 13·2 years), 107 (61·5%) had pre‐existing PUs and 67 (38·5%) did not have PUs. Major systemic factors were assessed for each patient at the time of admission: sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, use of urinary catheter, tube feeding and tracheostomy; nutritional state; Global Deterioration Scale, Glasgow Coma Scale and Norton Scale. Complications such as the number of provided antibiotic courses, and length and outcomes of hospitalisation were identified at the end of the study. In the univariate analysis, patients in the PU group had significantly prevalent characteristics including advanced age, low cognitive and consciousness function, low Norton scale, Parkinson's disease and anaemia due to chronic diseases, low nutritional parameters and higher number of antibiotics provided. Conditions that were associated with PUs in multiple regression analyses included advanced dementia (OR = 3·0, 95% CI: 1·4–6·3; P = 0·002), urinary catheter usage (OR = 2·25, 95% CI: 1·06–4·7; P = 0·03), low body mass index, BMI (OR = 0·92, 95% CI: 0·86–0·99; P = 0·02) and anaemia level (OR = 0·7, 95% CI: 0·58–0·9; P = 0·004). The median survival time of patients with PUs was significantly lower than the non PUs group (94 versus 414 days, respectively) (P = 0·005, log rank test). Length of stay was also significantly lower in the PU group (166 versus 270 days, P = 0·02). The existence of PUs may indicate a final common pathway of various systemic factors (geriatric conditions, diseases and frailty dysfunction).
Platelet‐rich plasma inside the sternotomy wound reduces the incidence of sternal wound infections
Authors: Serraino Giuseppe F , Dominijanni Andrea , Jiritano Federica , Rossi Michele , Cuda Aldo , Caroleo Santo , Brescia Adalgisa , Renzulli Attilio
Published: May 2013

Despite the large choice of wide‐spectrum antibiotic therapy, deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) following cardiac surgery is a life‐threatening complication worldwide. This study evaluated that the use of platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) applied inside the sternotomy wound would reduce the effect of sternal wound infections, both superficial and deep. Between January 2007 and January 2012, 1093 consecutive patients underwent cardiac surgery through median sternotomy. Patients were divided into two groups. Group B, the study group, included those who received the PRP applied inside the sternotomy wound before closure. Group A, the control group, included patients who received a median sternotomy but without the application of PRP. Antibiotic prophylaxis remained unchanged across the study and between the two groups. Occurrence of DSWI was significantly higher in group A than in group B [10 of 671 (1·5%) versus 1 of 422 (0·20%), P = 0·043]. Also, superficial sternal wound infections (SSWIs) were significantly higher in group A than in group B [19 of 671 (2·8%) versus 2 of 422 (0·5%), P = 0·006]. The use of PRP can significantly reduce the occurrence of DSWI and SSWI in cardiac surgery.
Determining risk factors for surgical wound dehiscence: a literature review
Authors: Sandy‐Hodgetts Kylie , Carville Keryln , Leslie Gavin D
Published: May 2013

Postoperative wound healing plays a significant role in facilitating a patient's recovery and rehabilitation. Surgical wound dehiscence (SWD) impacts on mortality and morbidity rates and significantly contributes to prolonged hospital stays and associated psychosocial stressors on individuals and their families. A narrative review of SWD was undertaken on English‐only studies between 1945 and 2012 using three electronic databases Ovid CINHAL, Ovid Medline and Pubmed. The aim of this review was to identify predisposing factors for SWD and assessment tools to assist in the identification of at‐risk patients. Key findings from the included 15 papers out of a search of 1045 revealed the most common risk factors associated with SWD including obesity and wound infection, particularly in the case of abdominal surgery. There is limited reporting of variables associated with SWD across other surgical domains and a lack of risk assessment tools. Furthermore, there was a lack of clarity in the definition of SWD in the literature. This review provides an overview of the available research and provides a basis for more rigorous analysis of factors that contribute to SWD.
Colloidal Processing of Zirconium Diboride Ultra‐High Temperature Ceramics
Authors: Tallon Carolina , Chavara Dorji , Gillen Andrew , Riley Daniel , Edwards Lyndon , Moricca Sam , Franks George V.
Published: May 2013

Colloidal processing of the Ultra‐High Temperature Ceramic (UHTC) zirconium diboride (ZrB2) to develop near−net‐shaping techniques has been investigated. The use of the colloidal processing technique produces higher particle packing that ultimately enables achieving greater densification at lower temperatures and pressures, even pressureless sintering. ZrB2 suspension formulations have been optimized in terms of rheological behavior. Suspensions were shaped into green bodies (63% relative density) using slip casting. The densification was carried out at 1900°C, 2000°C, and 2100°C, using both hot pressing at 40 MPa and pressureless sintering. The colloidally processed materials were compared with materials prepared by a conventional dry processing route (cold pressed at 50 MPa) and subjected to the same densification procedures. Sintered densities for samples produced by the colloidal route are higher than produced by the dry route (up to 99.5% relative density by hot pressing), even when pressureless sintering is performed (more than 90% relative density). The promising results are considered as a starting point for the fabrication of complex‐shaped components that can be densified at lower sintering temperatures without pressure.
Structural and Mössbauer Investigation of Nanocrystalline SrFe1−xTixO3−δ
Authors: Sendilkumar Arunachalam , Babu Peram Delli , Manivel Raja Muthuvel , Reddy Varimalla Raghavendra , Gupta Ajay , Srinath Sanyadanam
Published: May 2013

Crystal structure and cation distribution of nanocrystalline SrFe1−xTixO3−δ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) synthesized by combined high‐energy ball milling and solid‐state reactions are investigated using Neutron powder diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Ti doping stabilizes the single phase tetragonal structure with I4/mmm space group up to x = 0.3. The neutron and Mössbauer data confirm that Fe exists in three different sites both crystallographically as well as magnetically in all the four compositions. The cation distribution at various sites is established through Rietveld refinement.
Contact between Catholic and Protestant schoolchildren in Northern Ireland
Authors: Turner Rhiannon N. , Tam Tania , Hewstone Miles , Kenworthy Jared , Cairns Ed
Published: May 2013

This study explored segregation and sectarianism among children in integrated and non‐integrated Northern Irish schools. Results revealed a substantial relationship between 2 types of intergroup contact—cross‐group friendship and extended contact—and lower levels of prejudice. While cross‐group friendships were associated with more positive intergroup relations via the mediating mechanisms of self‐disclosure and empathy with the out‐group, extended contact worked by eliciting positive perceived peer norms toward the out‐group. The findings are discussed in terms of their implications for intergroup relations among children in conflict societies.
Cost‐effectiveness of personalized plaque control for managing the gingival manifestations of oral lichen planus: a randomized controlled study
Authors: Stone Simon J. , McCracken Giles I. , Heasman Peter A. , Staines Konrad S. , Pennington Mark
Published: May 2013

Aim

To undertake cost‐effectiveness and cost–benefit analyses of an intervention to improve oral health in patients presenting with the gingival manifestations of oral lichen planus (OLP).

Materials & Methods

Eighty‐two patients were recruited to a 20‐week randomized controlled trial. The intervention was personalized plaque control comprising powered tooth brushing and inter‐dental cleaning advice. The primary outcome measure was the oral health impact profile (OHIP) with secondary outcomes of pain, plaque index, mucosal disease score and cost‐effectiveness. Private cost data and stated willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) values for treatment were obtained from intervention patients at 20 weeks.

Results

Overall, 81% of intervention patients showed improvement in both plaque index and mucosal disease score at 20 weeks compared to 30% of controls that continued with their usual plaque control regimen. All intervention group patients stated a positive WTP value. The mean net value of the treatment was £172 compared to the incremental cost of the treatment estimated at £122.75. The cost‐effectiveness analysis resulted in an incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio of £13 per OHIP point.

Conclusions

The tailored plaque control programme was more effective than control in treating the gingival manifestations of oral lichen planus. The programme is cost effective for modest values placed on a point on the OHIP scale and patients generally valued the treatment in excess of the cost.
Functional stoichiometry underlying KChIP regulation of Kv4.2 functional expression
Authors: Kunjilwar Kumud , Qian Yan , Pfaffinger Paul J.
Published: May 2013

K channel‐interacting proteins (KChIPs) enhance functional expression of Kv4 channels by binding to an N‐terminal regulatory region located in the first 40 amino acids of Kv4.2 that we call the functional expression regulating N‐terminal (FERN) domain. Mutating two residues in the FERN domain to alanines, W8A and F11A, disrupts KChIP binding and regulation of Kv4.2 without eliminating the FERN domain's control of basal expression level or regulation by DPP6. When Kv4.2(W8A,F11A) is co‐expressed with wild type Kv4.2 and KChIP3 subunits, a dominant negative effect is seen where the current expression is reduced to levels normally seen without KChIP addition. The dominant negative effect correlates with heteromultimeric channels remaining on intracellular membranes despite KChIP binding to non‐mutant Kv4.2 subunits. In contrast, the deletion mutant Kv4.2(Δ1‐40), eliminating both KChIP binding and the FERN domain, has no dominant negative effect even though the maximal conductance level is 5x lower than seen with KChIP3. The 5x increased expression seen with KChIP integration into the channel is fully apparent even when a reduced number of KChIP subunits are incorporated as long as all FERN domains are bound. Our results support the hypothesis that KChIPs enhances Kv4.2 functional expression by a 1 : 1 suppression of the N‐terminal FERN domain and by producing additional positive regulatory effects on functional channel expression.
The morphology of the mouse masticatory musculature
Authors: Baverstock Hester , Jeffery Nathan S. , Cobb Samuel N.
Published: May 2013

The mouse has been the dominant model organism in studies on the development, genetics and evolution of the mammalian skull and associated soft‐tissue for decades. There is the potential to take advantage of this well studied model and the range of mutant, knockin and knockout organisms with diverse craniofacial phenotypes to investigate the functional significance of variation and the role of mechanical forces on the development of the integrated craniofacial skeleton and musculature by using computational mechanical modelling methods (e.g. finite element and multibody dynamic modelling). Currently, there are no detailed published data of the mouse masticatory musculature available. Here, using a combination of micro‐dissection and non‐invasive segmentation of iodine‐enhanced micro‐computed tomography, we document the anatomy, architecture and proportions of the mouse masticatory muscles. We report on the superficial masseter (muscle, tendon and pars reflecta), deep masseter, zygomaticomandibularis (anterior, posterior, infraorbital and tendinous parts), temporalis (lateral and medial parts), external and internal pterygoid muscles. Additionally, we report a lateral expansion of the attachment of the temporalis onto the zygomatic arch, which may play a role in stabilising this bone during downwards loading. The data presented in this paper now provide a detailed reference for phenotypic comparison in mouse models and allow the mouse to be used as a model organism in biomechanical and functional modelling and simulation studies of the craniofacial skeleton and particularly the masticatory system.
Hybrid Contests
Authors: MELKONYAN TIGRAN
Published: May 2013

This paper examines hybrid contests where participants commit two types of resources to improve their probability of winning the prize. The first type is forfeited ex ante, before the prize is allocated, by winners and losers alike, while the second is committed ex ante by all contenders but expended ex post, after the prize is allocated, and only by the contestant that wins the prize. The model yields a number of interesting results. Among them is the finding that, as the number of contestants increases, the ex ante
expenditures of individual contestants decrease while the ex post
expenditure increases. Even more interesting, the total of the ex ante and ex post expenditures by the contenders in a hybrid contest may decrease with the number of competitors. The study also finds that there is no rent overdissipation, and compares the total expenditures in the contest and “all‐pay” allocation mechanisms.
The “Dark Side” of Deregulation: How Competition Affects the Size of the Shadow Economy
Authors: KARLINGER LILIANE
Published: May 2013

This paper builds a theory that explains the dramatic expansion of the underground economy in the late 1990s by the sharp increase in market competition worldwide. I model an oligopoly game where firms first decide on entry and sector, and then compete in price. Operating in the underground sector reduces variable costs, but comes at the risk of being detected and fined. As competition intensifies (i.e., as consumers become more and more price‐sensitive), underground firms attract more demand, thus stealing business and profits from official firms. As a consequence, more firms enter the underground economy. A lenient policy toward the underground economy may increase welfare when markups are high, but will be welfare‐detrimental when markups are low.
Voluntary Participation and Provision of Public Goods in Large Finite Economies
Authors: KONISHI HIDEO , SHINOHARA RYUSUKE
Published: May 2013

We consider a public good provision game with voluntary participation. Agents participating in the game provide a public good and pay the fees according to a mechanism (allocation rule), while nonparticipants can free‐ride on the participants. We examine how the equilibrium public good provision level is affected by enlarging the population of an economy. We introduce a condition for an allocation rule, the asymptotic uniform continuity in replication (AUCR), which requires that small changes in the population must yield only small changes in the public good provision and which is satisfied by many mechanisms. We show that under AUCR, the equilibrium level of the public good converges to zero as the economy is replicated in the sense of Milleron.
Race Differentiation in Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. chrysanthemi
Authors: Troisi Marco , Bertetti Domenico , Gullino Maria Lodovica , Garibaldi Angelo
Published: May 2013

The pathogenicity of different isolates of Fusarium oxysporum obtained from plants of Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii), Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium), Paris daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens) and African daisy (Osteospermum sp.), all in the family Asteraceae, was tested on different cultivars of these hosts, to assess their pathogenicity. The reactions were compared with those of isolates of F. oxysporum f. sp. chrysanthemi and of f.sp. tracheiphilum obtained from the American Type Culture Collection. We found that isolates of F. oxysporum f. sp. chrysanthemi can be distinguished as three physiological races on the basis of their pathogenicity to the panel of differential cultivars. Sequencing of the intergenic spacer (IGS) region of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and phylogenetic analysis showed that the Fusarium races fell into three phylogenetic groups, which coincided with those observed in pathogenicity tests. Analysis of the IGS sequences revealed a high degree of similarity among strains from Italy and Spain from different host species, suggesting that recent outbreaks in these ornamentals were probably caused by introduction of infected nursery material from a common origin.
European Stone Fruit Yellows: A Mark, Release and Recapture Experiment Tracking the Dispersal of its Vector Cacopsylla pruni (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) in a Model Apricot Orchard and Epidemiological Studies in Lower Austria
Authors: Maier Caroline , Bachinger Karl , Mörtel Judith , Engel Christian , Czipin Leonhard , Riedle‐Bauer Monika
Published: May 2013

During the last 15 years, European stone fruit yellows (ESFY) has become a major concern in Austrian fruit production. Therefore, presence and temporal dynamics of its vector Cacopsylla pruni were investigated using a beating tray method and yellow sticky traps on Prunus armeniaca, Prunus domestica, Prunus spinosa and P. cerasifera nigra. Infection rates of C. pruni and Prunus spp. trees were assessed by direct, nested and real‐time PCR. Movement of remigrants in a model apricot orchard was tracked by aid of a mark, release and recapture study. Insects were marked by fluorescent dyes. Movement of the marked insects and presence of naturally occurring insects were monitored by yellow sticky traps. In 2011, remigration of C. pruni to Prunus spp. started in calendar week 10 (8th of March) and in 2012, in calendar week 12 (18th of March). Remigrants were observed until calendar week 20 (middle of May), significant numbers of the springtime generation adults were present until week 26 (end of June). The phytoplasma was ascertained in 0–11.5% of the remigrants and in 0–3.44% of the springtime generation insects. About 9.8–63.3% of the apricot samples, 20–40% of the plum samples and single blackthorn samples were infected. The mark, release and recapture study proved a fast and frequent tree‐to‐tree movement of remigrated C. pruni adults. Insects easily covered distances from row to row or even farther (ca. 13 m) within 24 h after release and were present in a large part of the model orchard after 8 days (up to 24 m from release point).
Melatonin promotes the in vitro development of pronuclear embryos and increases the efficiency of blastocyst implantation in murine
Authors: Wang Feng , Tian XiuZhi , Zhang Lu , Tan DunXian , Reiter Russel J. , Liu GuoShi
Published: May 2013

When a defect occurs in the in vitro development of a pronuclear embryo, the interruption of the subsequent implantation limits the success of assisted conception. This common problem remains to be solved. In this study, we observed that melatonin at its physiological concentration (10−7 m) significantly promoted the in vitro development of murine pronuclear embryos. This was indicated by the increased blastocyst rate, hatching blastocyst rate, and blastocyst cell number with melatonin treatment. In addition, when these blastocysts were implanted into female recipient mice, the pregnancy rates (95.0% versus control 67.8%), litter sizes (4.1 pups/litter versus control 2.7 pups/litter), and postnatal survival rates of offspring (96.84% versus control 81.24%) were significantly improved compared with their non‐melatonin‐treated counterparts. Mechanistic studies revealed that melatonin treatment upregulates gene expression of the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and the anti‐apoptotic factor bcl‐2 while downregulating the expression of pro‐apoptotic genes p53 and caspase‐3. Due to these changes, melatonin treatment reduces ROS production and cellular apoptosis during in vitro embryo development and improves the quality of blastocysts. The implantation of blastocysts with higher quality leads to more healthy offspring and increased pup survival.
Ontogeny expression of ghrelin, neuropeptide Y and cholecystokinin in blunt snout bream, Megalobrama amblycephala
Authors: Ping H.‐C. , Feng K. , Zhang G.‐R. , Wei K.‐J. , Zou G.‐W. , Wang W.‐M.
Published: May 2013

Ghrelin, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and cholecystokinin (CCK) all have important roles in the regulation of feeding in fish and mammals. To better understand the role of the three peptides in appetite regulation in the early developmental stages of blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala), partial cDNA sequences of ghrelin, NPY and CCK genes were cloned. And then, real‐time quantitative PCR and RT‐PCR were used to detect and quantify the mRNA expressions of these genes from zygotes to larvae of 50 days after hatching (DAH). Ghrelin, NPY and CCK were all expressed throughout the embryonic and larval development stages, and the expression levels were higher in larval stages than in embryonic stages. Ghrelin and NPY mRNA expressions were upregulated at 1, 3, 5 DAH, while CCK mRNA expression was reduced significantly at 3 DAH. The mRNA expression levels of three genes in larvae varied significantly until 30 DAH. In adult fish, all three peptides were detected to be expressed in brain and several peripheral tissues. Ghrelin mRNA was mainly expressed in the intestine, whereas NPY and CCK mRNAs were mainly expressed in the brain. Taken together, these results indicate that ghrelin, NPY and CCK may have roles in early development and participate in the regulation of feeding of larvae in blunt snout bream and will be helpful for further investigation into feed intake regulation in adults of this species.
Hyaluronidase for treatment of intravenous extravasations: Implementation of an evidence‐based guideline in a pediatric population
Authors: Hanrahan Kirsten
Published: May 2013

Purpose

To describe the implementation and evaluation of an evidence‐based guideline, Hyaluronidase for Treatment of IV Extravasations, in a pediatric population.

Conclusions

Evidence of hyaluronidase efficacy suggests that timely administration will decrease the severity of tissue damage caused by extravasations, and result in cost savings. Implementation of this guideline increased user knowledge, incident reporting, and initiation of treatment, and decreased the average time to treatment administration.

Practice Implications

Implementation strategies facilitate integration and sustained use of evidence‐based treatments in clinical practice. Processes that promote evidence‐based treatment are expected to improve outcomes and are therefore an important component of evaluation.
Wavelet PSO‐Based LQR Algorithm for Optimal Structural Control Using Active Tuned Mass Dampers
Authors: Amini Fereidoun , Hazaveh N. Khanmohammadi , Rad A. Abdolahi
Published: May 2013

This study presents a new method to find the optimal control forces for active tuned mass damper. The method uses three algorithms: discrete wavelet transform (DWT), particle swarm optimization (PSO), and linear quadratic regulator (LQR). DWT is used to obtain the local energy distribution of the motivation over the frequency bands. PSO is used to determine the gain matrices through the online update of the weighting matrices used in the LQR controller while eliminating the trial and error. The method is tested on a 10‐story structure subject to several historical pulse‐like near‐fault ground motions. The results indicate that the proposed method is more effective at reducing the displacement response of the structure in real time than conventional LQR controllers.
X‐ray structure of a superinfection exclusion lipoprotein from phage TP‐J34 and identification of the tape measure protein as its target
Authors: Bebeacua Cecilia , Lorenzo Fajardo Juan Carlos , Blangy Stéphanie , Spinelli Silvia , Bollmann Stefanie , Neve Horst , Cambillau Christian , Heller Knut J.
Published: May 2013

Lipoproteins of temperate phage are a broad family of membrane proteins encoded in the lysogeny module of temperate phages. Expression of the ltpTP‐J34 gene of temperate Streptococcus thermophilus phage TP‐J34 interferes with phage infection at the stage of triggering DNA release and injection into the cell. Here, we report the first structure of a superinfection exclusion protein. We have expressed and determined the X‐ray structure of LtpTP‐J34. The soluble domain of LtpTP‐J34 is composed of a tandem of three‐helix helix–turn–helix (HTH) domains exhibiting a highly negatively charged surface. By isolating mutants of lactococcal phage P008wt with reduced sensitivities to LtpTP‐J34 and by genome sequencing of such mutants we obtained evidence supporting the notion that LtpTP‐J34 targets the phage's tape measure protein (TMP) and blocks its insertion into the cytoplasmic membrane.