bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TMS reveals a direct influence of spinal projections from human SMAp on precise force production
Authors: Entakli Jonathan , Bonnard Mireille , Chen Sophie , Berton Eric , De Graaf Jozina B.
Published: October 2013

The corticospinal (CS) system plays an important role in fine motor control, especially in precision grip tasks. Although the primary motor cortex (M1) is the main source of the CS projections, other projections have been found, especially from the supplementary motor area proper (SMAp). To study the characteristics of these CS projections from SMAp, we compared muscle responses of an intrinsic hand muscle (FDI) evoked by stimulation of human M1 and SMAp during an isometric static low‐force control task. Subjects were instructed to maintain a small cursor on a target force curve by applying a pressure with their right precision grip on a force sensor. Neuronavigated transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to stimulate either left M1 or left SMAp with equal induced electric field values at the defined cortical targets. The results show that the SMAp stimulation evokes reproducible muscle responses with similar latencies and amplitudes as M1 stimulation, and with a clear and significant shorter silent period. These results suggest that (i) CS projections from human SMAp are as rapid and efficient as those from M1, (ii) CS projections from SMAp are directly involved in control of the excitability of spinal motoneurons and (iii) SMAp has a different intracortical inhibitory circuitry. We conclude that human SMAp and M1 both have direct influence on force production during fine manual motor tasks.
Dual regulation of clock gene Per2 expression in discrete brain areas by the circadian pacemaker and methamphetamine‐induced oscillator in rats
Authors: Natsubori Akiyo , Honma Ken‐ichi , Honma Sato
Published: October 2013

Behavioral rhythms induced by methamphetamine (MAP) treatment in rats are independent of the circadian pacemaker in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). To know the site and mechanism of an underlying oscillation (MAP‐induced oscillator; MAO), extra‐SCN circadian rhythms in the discrete brain areas were examined in rats with and without the SCN. To fix the phase of MAO, MAP was supplied in drinking water at a restricted time of day for 14 days (R‐MAP) and subsequently given ad libitum (ad‐MAP). Plain water was given to the controls at the same restricted time (R‐Water). Clock gene Per2 expression was measured by a bioluminescence reporter in cultured brain tissues. In SCN‐intact rats, MAO was induced by R‐MAP and behavioral rhythms were phase‐delayed from the restricted time under ad‐MAP with relative coordination. Circadian Per2 rhythms in R‐MAP rats were not affected in the SCN but were slightly phase‐advanced in the olfactory bulb (OB), caudate–putamen (CPU) and substantia nigra (SN) as compared with R‐Water rats. Following SCN lesion, R‐MAP‐induced MAO phase‐shifted more slowly and did not show a sign of relative coordination. In these rats, circadian Per2 rhythms were significantly phase‐shifted in the OB and SN as compared with SCN‐intact rats. These findings indicate that MAO was induced by MAP given at a restricted time of day in association with phase‐shifts of the extra‐SCN circadian oscillators in the brain dopaminergic areas. The findings also suggest that these extra‐SCN oscillators are the components of MAO and receive dual regulation by MAO and the SCN circadian pacemaker.
Estrogen potentiates the behavioral and nucleus accumbens dopamine response to continuous haloperidol treatment in female rats
Authors: Madularu Dan , Shams Waqqas M. , Brake Wayne G.
Published: October 2013

Estrogen has been shown to enhance the effects of antipsychotics in humans. To investigate the mechanisms of how this may occur, the current study examined estradiol's effects on dopaminergic transmission and behavior in amphetamine‐sensitized and non‐sensitized female rats. Sixty‐four ovariectomized female Sprague–Dawley rats were used for this study. Half of the rats were sensitized to four once‐daily injections of 1 mg/kg amphetamine and the other half served as controls. Rats received chronic administration of either low‐dose haloperidol (0.25 mg/kg/day) or saline vehicle via osmotic minipumps implanted subcutaneously. The groups were further subdivided with respect to estradiol treatment: low chronic estrogen (subcutaneous estradiol implant, 0.36 mg/pellet: 90‐day release, plus an additional oil vehicle injection every second day) and high pulsatile estrogen (subcutaneous estradiol implant plus an additional 10 μg/kg estradiol injection every second day). Motor activity was assessed at day 2 and day 12 during haloperidol treatment, while nucleus accumbens dopamine availability was assessed via microdialysis 10 days into antipsychotic treatment. Haloperidol treatment along with high, but not low, estradiol replacement was effective in reducing amphetamine‐induced locomotor activity in sensitized rats. High estradiol treatment also augmented the effects of chronic haloperidol in reducing dopaminergic release in sensitized rats. These data suggest that estradiol levels affect both the behavioral and the dopamine responses to chronic antipsychotic treatment.
Choices of abundance currency, community definition and diversity metric control the predictive power of macroecological models of biodiversity
Authors: Certain Grégoire , Dormann Carsten F. , Planque Benjamin
Published: October 2013

Aim

This study focuses on the influence of methodological choices on the predictive performance of macroecological models (MEMs), i.e. statistical models designed to predict patterns of biodiversity using environmental predictors. We emphasize the influence of three methodological choices: (1) the choice of the currency in which the abundance of each species is measured, i.e. numbers of individuals or biomass; (2) the rules used to define the species assemblage under focus, i.e. broad communities or refined ecological guilds; and (3) the influence of rare over common species in the biodiversity measure.

Location

The effects of these choices are investigated using an exhaustive dataset on the fish fauna of the continental shelf of the Barents Sea.

Methods

We conducted an analysis of 220 models resulting from all possible combinations of the three methodological choices. For each, we evaluated the predictive performance through an iterative cross‐validation process.

Results

All methodological choices we investigated strongly affected the predictive performance of MEMs. High predictive performances were obtained when using biomass instead of numbers of individuals, when focusing on narrow ecological guilds composed of species sharing the same ecological traits and when using diversity measures that give high weight to rare species.

Main conclusions

We recommend that future projections of biodiversity pay more attention to abundance currency, ecological homogeneity of focal species assemblages and the diversity metric used, and systematically investigate these methodological choices prior to producing biodiversity forecasts. Splitting a whole set of species into ecological guilds appears to be a promising practice, leading to a selected set of MEMs with high predictive performances and more detailed forecasts on the fate of diversity.
A review of immune tolerance induction with Haemate® P in haemophilia A
Authors: Escuriola Ettingshausen C. , Kreuz W.
Published: October 2013

Immune tolerance induction (ITI) has been shown to successfully eliminate factor VIII (FVIII) inhibitors in haemophilia patients with inhibitors. We performed a literature search to identify reports from January 1980 to October 2012 on the use of the plasma‐derived, von Willebrand factor (VWF)‐containing FVIII concentrate Haemate® P/Humate‐P® in the setting of ITI. Six reports were identified that specifically evaluated the use of Haemate® P/Humate‐P® including 32 children and 9 adults. Dosing regimens ranged from 20 IU kg−1 every 2–3 days in patients with low‐responding (LR; n = 5) inhibitors to 300 IU kg−1 day−1 in patients with high‐responding (HR; n = 36) inhibitors. Complete success was achieved in all five LR patients, in all three HR patients with good prognostic factors (age ≤7 years, pre‐ITI inhibitor titre <10 BU, historical inhibitor titre <200 BU, time between inhibitor detection and ITI start <2 years), and in 24 of 33 (73%) HR patients with poor prognostic factors. The time to complete success was 0.5–4 months in good‐prognosis patients and 0.5–42 months in poor‐prognosis patients. Few adverse events were observed during ITI, and no cases of inhibitor relapse were reported with follow‐up periods of up to 12 years. On the basis of this retrospective review of a diverse range of studies and case reports, we conclude that Haemate® P/Humate‐P® for ITI in patients with inhibitors is effective and produces high rates of ITI success.
Vaccine‐Mediated Protection against Helicobacter pylori is not Associated with Increased Salivary Cytokine or Mucin Expression
Authors: Ng Garrett Z. , Chionh Yok‐Teng , Sutton Philip
Published: October 2013

Background

The development of an effective vaccine against Helicobacter pylori is impeded by the inability to reliably produce sterilizing immunity and our lack of knowledge regarding mechanisms of protective immunity against this pathogen. It has previously been described that salivary glands are essential for vaccine‐mediated protection against H. pylori, but the mechanism responsible for this effect has not been identified. In this study we tested the hypothesis that vaccines reduce H. pylori colonization by inducing an immune‐mediated change in salivary gland mucin secretion.

Materials and methods

Sublingual and submandibular salivary glands were removed from untreated mice, from mice infected with H. pylori and from mice vaccinated against H. pylori then challenged with live bacteria. Cytokine levels in these salivary glands were quantified by ELISA, and salivary mucins were quantified by real‐time PCR. Salivary antibody responses were determined by Western blot.

Results

Vaccine‐mediated protection against H. pylori did not produce any evidence of a positive increase in either salivary cytokine or mucin levels. In fact, many cytokines were significantly reduced in the vaccinated/challenged mice, including IL‐17A, IL‐10, IL‐1ß, as well as the mucin Muc10. These decreases were associated with an increase in total protein content within the salivary glands of vaccinated mice which appeared to be the result of increased IgA production. While this study showed that vaccination increased salivary IgA levels, previous studies have demonstrated that antibodies do not play a critical role in protection against H. pylori that is induced by current vaccine formulations and regimes.

Conclusions

The effector mechanism of protective immunity induced by vaccination of mice did not involve immune changes within the salivary glands, nor increased production of salivary mucins.
SOFT MONEY AND CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM
Authors: PASTINE IVAN , PASTINE TUVANA
Published: October 2013

We analyze special interest influence on policy when political contributions are capped but the regulation contains soft‐money loopholes. The politician chooses between two policy options. We define special interest influence as the probability the politician chooses the policy he would not have chosen in the absence of contributions. Any binding cap reduces special interest influence but the effect may be nonmonotonic. A ban on contributions can result in greater special interest influence than a binding but nonzero cap. The results may also have implications for the policy response to the 2010 Supreme Court ruling on Citizens United v. FEC.
RELATIVITY, INEQUALITY, AND OPTIMAL NONLINEAR INCOME TAXATION
Authors: KANBUR RAVI , TUOMALA MATTI
Published: October 2013

How does concern for consumption relative to others (“relativity”) affect the structure of optimal nonlinear income taxation? Our article provides three sets of answers to this general question. First, it supports the conclusion in the literature that relativity leads to higher marginal tax rates. In doing so, it both generalizes some of the conditions under which this result is obtained in the literature and fleshes out the detailed structure for optimal marginal tax rates for specific functional forms for distribution, utility function, and social welfare function. Second, the article goes beyond the literature and examines the impact of relativity on the progression of optimal marginal tax rates. By and large, we find support for greater progressivity, defined as the steepness of the rise of the marginal tax rate schedule, as relativity concern increases. Third, none of the papers in the literature, to our knowledge, examines the interplay of relativity and inequality in determining the optimal structure of income taxes. Our special analytical cases and more general numerical calculations support the conclusion that higher inequality dampens the positive impact of greater relativity on the level and the progression of marginal tax rates. More work is needed to further explore this interaction between relativity and inequality that our analysis has uncovered.
99Tc‐ and 239Pu‐Doped Glass Leaching Experiments: Residual Alteration Rate and Radionuclide Behavior
Authors: Rolland Séverine , Tribet Magaly , Jégou Christophe , Broudic Véronique , Magnin Magali , Peuget Sylvain , Wiss Thierry , Janssen Arne , Blondel Antoine , Toulhoat Pierre
Published: October 2013

The long‐term behavior of high‐level nuclear glass subjected to alpha/beta radiation by long‐life radionuclides must be investigated with respect to geological disposal. This study focuses on the effects of alpha and beta radiations on the chemical reactivity of R7T7 glass with pure water, mainly on the residual alteration rate regime. Glass specimens doped with 0.85 wt% 239PuO2 (α emitter) and 0.24 wt% 99TcO2 (β emitter) that simulate alpha and beta dose rate corresponding to long‐term disposal conditions are leached under static conditions in argon atmosphere at 90°C, in initially pure water and at a high surface‐area‐to‐volume ratio (S/V = 20/cm). The alteration rate is monitored by the release of glass alteration tracer elements (B, Na, and Li). Radiation effects on the leached glass and its gel network are characterized by SEM and TEM analyses. Plutonium and technetium releases are also measured by radiometry, and their chemical oxidation state is assessed by measuring the pH and reduction–oxidation potential of the leachates. The results do not highlight any significant effect of alpha/beta radiation on the residual alteration of these doped glasses. These observations are consistent with solid characterizations, which show that a protective layer can be formed under such irradiation fields. Under our experimental conditions (Eh~380 mV/SHE, pH90°C = 8–8.6), very low concentrations of soluble plutonium are measured in the leachate, indicating strong plutonium retention, whereas technetium performs as a soluble element and is not retained in the altered layer.
Psychosocial impact of onychomycosis: a review
Authors: Chacon Anna , Franca Katlein , Fernandez Alexandra , Nouri Keyvan
Published: October 2013

Onychomycosis (tinea unguium) is the most common nail disorder. Nonetheless, it requires lengthy, often ineffective treatments, and recurrence is frequent. Predominantly a disease of the elderly, onychomycosis is becoming more and more common. Besides interfering with normal nail function, fungal nail infections are relatively painful, unsightly in appearance, disrupt daily activities, and have a negative psychosocial connotation. Commonly reported psychosocial factors are embarrassment, low self‐esteem, and social withdrawal. Yet advances in therapy have been achieved since these reports were made, and many of these treatment options have proven to be more effective. Thus, the impact of these advances on psychosocial well‐being of patients with onychomycosis is worth analyzing. The objective of this paper is to review studies that investigated the psychosocial impact of onychomycosis on a variety of patient populations. An alternative, total patient approach that dermatologists and general practitioners alike could use to incorporate patients' psychosocial well‐being into the holistic management of onychomycosis will also be discussed.
Factors influencing quality of patient interaction at community pharmacy drive-through and walk-in counselling areas
Authors: Odukoya Olufunmilola K , Chui Michelle A , Pu Jia
Published: October 2013

Objective

To examine factors influencing the amount of time and information pharmacy personnel provide to patients at drive-through and walk-in counselling areas.

Methods

On-site observational data collection in 22 community pharmacies by pharmacy students. Information included observable patient characteristics such as gender, age range, English proficiency and mobility impairment; encounter characteristics included type of prescription and whether the patient was acknowledged; and counselling characteristics included types of counselling information conveyed and length of time for each encounter.

Key findings

Patient–pharmacist encounters were documented at the drive-through and walk-in counselling areas 961 and 1098 times respectively. Pharmacists spent less time, and technicians more time, with patients at the drive-through counselling area. The amount of information provided to patients was significantly affected by whether the patient was receiving new versus refill prescriptions. Patients with a new prescription were twice as likely to receive more information from pharmacy personnel. There was a significant difference between the amount of counselling provided to patients at the drive-through and walk-in counselling area (rate ratio (RR) 0.92, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.86–1.00). Patients at the drive-through received a lower amount of information relative to patients using the walk-in. Amount of information provided to patients was affected by the level of pharmacy busyness (RR 0.96, 95% CI: 0.95–0.99).

Conclusions

Providing patient care at the drive-through counselling area may negatively influence quality of patient care. To improve quality of pharmacy drive-through services, standardization of drive-through services in pharmacies may be needed.
Cardiac sarcoidosis: the Christchurch experience
Authors: Adamson P. , Melton I. , O'Donnell J. , MacDonald S. , Crozier I.
Published: October 2013

Background and aims

To present an overview of the diagnosis, treatment and outcomes of patients with cardiac sarcoidosis managed in Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand.

Methods

A retrospective review of patients with cardiac sarcoidosis at Christchurch Hospital from January 2005 to December 2012.

Results

Eighteen patients were identified with cardiac sarcoidosis. All the 12 patients that underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) had abnormal scans. Angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) levels were elevated in 4 of 16 patients and troponin (cTn) was elevated in 5 of 15 patients. Endomyocardial biopsies were diagnostic in two of six patients. The principal causes for presentation related to symptomatic high‐grade atrioventricular conduction block and congestive heart failure with six patients in each of these groups. In addition, three patients presented with ventricular tachycardia and the remaining three patients presented with atrial fibrillation, recurrent presyncope without proven heart block and an asymptomatic persistent elevation of cardiac troponin. Seven patients had pre‐existing, extra‐cardiac sarcoidosis and a concomitant diagnosis was made in a further eight cases. Three patients had isolated cardiac involvement at presentation. Sixteen patients received immunosuppressive therapy. Twelve patients had cardiac devices implanted; five pacemakers, five defibrillators and two resynchronising pacemaker defibrillators. During follow up for 0.1–30.8 years, median 4.8 years, two patients died.

Conclusions

In our patients CMR demonstrated high diagnostic sensitivity, while biomarkers (ACE and cTn) were frequently within the normal reference range. Cardiac sarcoidodis caused major arrhythmias or heart failure in the majority of patients. Most patients were treated with immunosuppression and cardiac device therapy. Long‐term mortality was lower than previously reported.
Lectotypification and characterization of Discoclaoxylon pubescens (Euphorbiaceae) from Annobón Island (Equatorial Guinea)
Authors: Barberá Patricia , Velayos Mauricio , Aedo Carlos
Published: October 2013

Discoclaoxylon pubescens (Pax & K. Hoffm.) Exell, endemic to Annobón Island (Equatorial Guinea), is here lectotypified from Mildbraed´s original material found in the Herbarium Biozentrum Klein‐Flottbek of Hamburg (HBG). A detailed morphological description of the female characters (flower and fruit), before unknown, is provided, completing the earlier recollections with fruit material. A comparison of the main characters of the other three species of the African genus, along with a key, is provided. A drawing of D. pubescens, never illustrated before, and photographs of flowers, fruit and seed, are provided.
Recent cooling and dynamic responses of alpine summit floras in the southern Swedish Scandes
Authors: Kullman Leif
Published: October 2013

Changes in plant species richness on alpine summits in the southern Swedish Scandes were analyzed between 2004/2006 and 2012. This period experienced consistent summer and winter cooling and finalized with a cold and snow rich summer 2012. Re‐surveys of these summits had previously documented substantial increases in species numbers in concordance with climate warming since the mid‐20th century. Over the present study period, species richness decreased by 25–46%. The majority of lost species were those that had advanced upslope during the previous warm episode. Cooling since the mid 2000s and particularly the unusually short and snow‐rich growth period in 2012 caused a floristic retrogression. Taken together with extensive upshifts of many species during previous relative warm decades, recent downshifts highlight the large capability of certain alpine species to track their ecological niches as climate changes. The pivotal importance of unusually late‐lying snow in 2012, suggests that snow cover phenology exerts a more direct effect on the composition of the alpine flora than ambient temperatures. Dynamic modeling of future ecological landscape evolution needs to consider episodes of the kind reported here.
The role of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve systems on the smooth muscle of rat seminal vesicles – experimental results and speculation for physiological implication on ejaculation
Authors: Hsieh J‐T. , Kuo Y‐C. , Chang H‐C. , Liu S‐P. , Chen J‐H. , Tsai V. F. S.
Published: October 2013

Ejaculation is a process involving sympathetic and parasympathetic effects during different stages – emission and ejection. Some conditions of ejaculation dysfunction are associated with autonomic nerves. However, the exact effects of autonomic nerves on ejaculation are not well defined. Autonomic agonists induce different recorded trace patterns of seminal vesicular contraction. The different traces contain different components of phasic and tonic contraction, which may have physiological implications. In this study, we examined isolated rat seminal vesicle (SV) contraction by phenylephrine (PE), acetylcholine, and their respective antagonists and then speculated upon physiological roles of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves on SV during ejaculation. We found that PE and Ach both achieved good contraction of rat SV. Compared to α1b for sympathetic and M1, M2 for parasympathetic receptors, α1a and M3 are the relatively dominant subtypes on rat SV. Adrenergic and cholinergic agonists cause different trace patterns of SV contraction. We speculated that the sympathetic effect is dominant during emission to squeeze seminal fluid out and that the parasympathetic effect is dominant during ejection to provide an anti‐reflux effect on the ejaculatory duct.
Effects of Summer Nocturnal Warming on Biomass Production of Leymus chinensis in the Songnen Grassland of China: From Bud Bank and Photosynthetic Compensation
Authors: Li Z. , Lin J. , Zhang T. , Zhang N. , Mu C. , Wang J.
Published: October 2013

Nocturnal warming has various effects on plant biomass production. To understand how biomass production of the dominant grassland species Leymus chinensis responds to summer nocturnal warming in the eastern temperate Eurasian steppes, we simulated summer nocturnal warming (+4 °C) using a phytotron system for 100 days operated based on the variation of diurnal temperatures over the past 12 years in the Songnen Grasslands. Our results show summer nocturnal warming significantly increased above‐ground biomass production of parent and daughter shoots as well as increased below‐ground root and rhizome biomass production; rhizome biomass increased faster than root biomass leading to an increase in the rhizome biomass to root biomass ratio. Nocturnal warming slightly increased the number of daughter shoots per plant, and significantly increased the number of buds in the below‐ground bud bank and the number and length of rhizomes per plant. Also, the dark respiratory and net photosynthetic rates, Jmax, the rate of triosephosphate utilization and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (ΦPSII and qP) were significantly higher under nocturnal warming conditions. These findings show that nocturnal warming in this ecosystem improves individual biomass accumulation due to photosynthetic compensation, and may enhance the population density and productivity of L. chinensis by increasing bud number in the below‐ground bud bank during the early stage of ecological succession for grasslands dominated by L. chinensis.
Integrative review: nurses' and physicians' experiences and attitudes towards inpatient‐witnessed resuscitation of an adult patient
Authors: Sak‐Dankosky Natalia , Andruszkiewicz Paweł , Sherwood Paula R. , Kvist Tarja
Published: October 2013

Aim

An integrative review of attitudes and experiences of healthcare professionals regarding family‐witnessed resuscitation.

Background

Allowing family members to be present during resuscitation has been a topic of debate in the last years. Increased focus on family centred care led to preparation of official statements concerning this phenomenon. While in some countries witnessed resuscitation is accepted and used, there are many places where it is not respected and remains controversial.

Design

Integrative literature review.

Data sources

Databases: CINAHL, PsycINFO and PubMed.

Review methods

Cooper's five‐stage integrative review method has been used. Results were limited to original publications in English, published between 2007–2012, describing nurses' and doctors' experiences and attitudes on inpatient family‐witnessed resuscitation of an adult patient.

Results

Fifteen articles were included. Healthcare professionals indicated different opinions on family‐witnessed resuscitation. Perceptions vary in different cultural settings. There are both positive and negative effects of this practice on the family members and the rescue team. There is a lack of local guidelines.

Conclusion

Further research with larger sample sizes and different cultural settings would help identify outcomes following the family presence during resuscitation practice. Qualitative research is needed to examine the impact of those outcomes and develop policies and guidelines on cultural variability.
Low‐pressure–high‐temperature metamorphism during extension in a Jurassic magmatic arc, Central Pontides, Turkey
Authors: Okay A. I. , Sunal G. , Tüysüz O. , Sherlock S. , Keskin M. , Kylander‐Clark A. R.C.
Published: October 2013

Magmatic arcs are zones of high heat flow; however, examples of metamorphic belts formed under magmatic arcs are rare. In the Pontides in northern Turkey, along the southern active margin of Eurasia, high temperature–low pressure metamorphic rocks and associated magmatic rocks are interpreted to have formed under a Jurassic continental magmatic arc, which extends for 2800 km through the Crimea and Caucasus to Iran. The metamorphism and magmatism occurred in an extensional tectonic environment as shown by the absence of a regional Jurassic contractional deformation, and the presence of Jurassic extensional volcaniclastic marine basin in the Pontides, over 2 km in thickness, where deposition was coeval with the high‐T metamorphism at depth. The heat flow was focused during the metamorphism, and unmetamorphosed Triassic sequences crop out within a few kilometres of the Jurassic metamorphic rocks. The heat for the high‐T metamorphism was brought up to crustal levels by mantle melts, relicts of which are found as ultramafic, gabbroic and dioritic enclaves in the Jurassic granitoids. The metamorphic rocks are predominantly gneiss and migmatite with the characteristic mineral assemblage quartz + K‐feldspar + plagioclase + biotite + cordierite ± sillimanite ± garnet. Mineral equilibria give peak metamorphic conditions of 4 ± 1 kbar and 720 ± 40 °C. Zircon U–Pb and biotite Ar–Ar ages show that the peak metamorphism took place during the Middle Jurassic at c. 172 Ma, and the rocks cooled to 300 °C at c. 162 Ma, when they were intruded by shallow‐level dacitic and andesitic porphyries and granitoids. The geochemistry of the Jurassic porphyries and volcanic rocks has a distinct arc signature with a crustal melt component. A crustal melt component is also suggested by cordierite and garnet in the magmatic assemblage and the abundance of inherited zircons in the porphyries.
Legitimacy‐as‐Feeling: How Affect Leads to Vertical Legitimacy Spillovers in Transnational Governance
Authors: Haack Patrick , Pfarrer Michael D. , Scherer Andreas Georg
Published: October 2013

Transnational governance schemes (TGSs) are interorganizational networks of public and/or private actors that jointly regulate global public policy issues, such as the prevention of human rights violations and the protection of ecosystems. Considering that TGSs mainly address issues of public concern, the general public represents a major source of legitimacy in transnational governance. We theorize how members of the general public, whom we conceptualize as intuiters, apply heuristics to bestow legitimacy on TGSs. Given the difficulty of assessing TGSs, we argue that intuiters draw on affect‐based responses towards a TGS's better‐known network affiliates, such as participating business firms, to judge the legitimacy of the TGS as a whole. This substitution produces a ‘vertical’ legitimacy spillover. More specifically, we examine the heuristic process of judgment underlying vertical spillovers in TGSs and derive implications for the legitimacy construct and the analysis of spillover phenomena.
The STAGE Technique (Superficial Tunica Albuginea Geometric-Based Excision) for the Correction of Biplanar Congenital Penile Curvature
Authors: Kuehhas Franklin Emmanuel , Egydio Paulo Henrique
Published: October 2013

Introduction

Congenital penile curvature can present with both uniplanar and biplanar defects, the latter of which entails more technically demanding surgery.

Aim

The study aims to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of our novel superficial tunica albuginea geometric-based excision (STAGE) technique based on multiple, small, superficial elliptical tunica albuginea excisions and geometrical principles for correcting biplanar congenital penile curvature.

Methods

The study represents a retrospective analysis of 145 patients with disabling congenital biplanar ventrolateral (n = 131; 90.3%) or dorsolateral (n = 14; 9.7%) curvature of the penis, which underwent stepwise STAGEs between June 2006 and March 2012. Multiple 3-mm elliptical excisions of the superficial tunica albuginea were performed without compromising the inner layer of the tunica albuginea, thus resulting in a stepwise correction of the curvature and improved distribution of the bending force of the curvature.

Main Outcome Measures

Functional outcome regarding penile straightening, erectile function, and patient satisfaction were evaluated. Furthermore, clinical data concerning the early postoperative outcome were analyzed retrospectively.

Results

The mean follow-up period was 21 months (range 6–62 months). Mean age at surgery was 23.8 years (range 15–47 years). Mean degree of curvature was 65° (range 45–90°). There was no recurrent curvature. Complete correction of the penile axis was obtained in 98.6% (n = 143). No change in erectile function according to International Index of Erectile Function-5 score was visible (P = 0.748). The mean loss of penile length was 0.7 cm (range 0.3–0.9 cm). The excellent functional outcomes resulted in a high level of patient satisfaction, including improved self-esteem, libido, sexual intercourse, and psychosexual relief. Two patients had a residual curvature of up to 30° requiring a reoperation. No intra- or postoperative complications were encountered.

Conclusions

We recommend the STAGE technique as the optimal surgical intervention for correcting both uniplanar and biplanar congenital deviations.
Evaluation of Sexual Functions of the Pregnant Women
Authors: Tosun Güleroğlu Funda , Gördeles Beşer Nalan
Published: October 2013

Introduction

Pregnant women may avoid sexual intercourse or may unavoidably undergo problems in their sexual lives because of various complaints they suffer from.

Aim

The study aims to evaluate sexual functions of the pregnant women and to determine the factors that negatively affect their sexual health.

Methods

This is a descriptive research study conducted to evaluate sexual functions of pregnant women. Three hundred six pregnant women admitted to the Women Birth Polyclinics within the Women Birth and Children's Hospital between October 1, 2010 and March 31, 2011 were included in the study. The data were gathered using a personal information form and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Kruskall–Wallis variance analysis and Mann–Whitney U-tests were used for the statistical analysis.

Main Outcomes Measures

The main outcome is an assessment of the FSFI domains in pregnancy and relationships between pregnancy complaints and sexual functions.

Results

The results indicated that the mean age of the pregnant women was 25.6 ± 5.4 and their length of marriage was 5.93 ± 5.4 years. The study revealed that 88.9% of the pregnant women had sexual desire disorders, 86.9% had sexual arousal disorder, 42.8% had lubrication disorders, 69.6% had orgasm disorders, and 48% had sexual satisfaction disorders.

Statistically significant differences were found in correlations between FSFI medians and the characteristics of the pregnant women in terms of age, educational level, length and type of marriage, and gestational week. There were also statistically significant differences in correlations between the pregnancy characteristics in terms of backache, constipation, respiratory difficulty, leg ache, and cramp problems (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

It was determined that the sexual lives of the pregnant women were negatively affected not only by factors such as old age, low educational status, arranged marriages lasting for more than 10 years, undesired pregnancy, and gestational week but also by health problems such as backache, constipation, respiratory difficulty, leg ache, and cramp problems.
History of Syphilis: Between Poetry and Medicine
Authors: Maatouk Ismael , Moutran Roy
Published: October 2013

Introduction

The origin of syphilis is a matter of debate and two “historical” hypotheses explain its emergence.

Aim

We present here a review about syphilis history.

Methods

A review of literature about syphilis history using the following keywords: “syphilis,” “history,” and “treponema.”

Results

The Columbian opinion is that syphilis came from the New World (America) with the crews of Christopher Columbus's fleet. As Naples fell before the invading army of Charles the VIII in 1495, a plague broke out among the French leader's troops. When the army disbanded shortly after the campaign, the troops, composed largely of mercenaries, returned to their homes and disseminated the disease across Europe. Indeed, there were reports that indigenous peoples of the New World suffered from a similar condition.

Conclusion

Regardless of the Columbian and the Pre-Columbian theories, syphilis remains an international disease, growing nowadays with HIV infection. Despite history, politics, paleopathology and molecular approaches, the origin of the disease remains an enigma.
Counseling Reduces HPV Persistence in Coinfected Couples
Authors: Garolla Andrea , Pizzol Damiano , Vasoin Francesca , Barzon Luisa , Bertoldo Alessandro , Foresta Carlo
Published: October 2013

Introduction

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a very common sexually transmitted disease. A variable concordance and clearance time between partners of infected heterosexual couples have been shown.

Aim

Aims of this study were evaluation of prevalent sites of HPV infection, frequency, genotype concordance, and course of viral infection in counseled and non-counseled infected heterosexual couples.

Methods

Prospective, controlled study among 74 consecutive HPV-infected heterosexual couples seeking their first medical intervention for sexually transmitted infections.

Main Outcome Measures

HPV detection and genotyping were performed at enrollment and during 24 months follow-up by polymerase chain reaction and INNO-LiPA assay in samples obtained from both partners. Samples were collected in males from coronal sulcus, urethra, semen, and oropharynx, and from cervix and oropharynx in females. Moreover, HPV fluorescence in situ hybridization was analyzed on semen samples.

Results

The study was completed by 49 couples. The specific HPV-type concordance among infected couples was 69.4%. Among couples who declared performing oral sex, oropharyngeal infection was 22.7% of couples, and was more prevalent in females than males (18.1% and 4.5%, respectively). Thereafter, couples were randomly divided in two groups: a control group of 24 couples followed up for HPV-related lesions, and an experimental group counseled of 25 couples followed up for HPV-related lesions and counseled to avoid known risk factors for HPV infection. In patients who received counseling, the number of infected sites diminished faster during the follow-up and a higher number of couples had clearance. Only in the counseled group were there no infected couples at the end of the 24-month follow-up period.

Conclusions

This study confirms that HPV infection affects many sites in both males and females and shows a significant prevalence of oropharyngeal infection in couples performing oral sex. Targeted counseling in heterosexual couples appears to reduce the number of infected sites and to speed up viral clearance.
Metformin inhibits hepatitis B virus protein production and replication in human hepatoma cells
Authors: Xun Y.‐H. , Zhang Y.‐J. , Pan Q.‐C. , Mao R.‐C. , Qin Y.‐L. , Liu H.‐Y. , Zhang Y.‐M. , Yu Y.‐S. , Tang Z.‐H. , Lu M.‐J. , Zang G.‐Q. , Zhang J.‐M.
Published: October 2013

Hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) plays an important role in maintaining the tolerance and may interfere with host innate and adaptive immune responses; therefore, novel therapeutic strategies to reduce HBsAg loads in patients infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) are emerging as an attractive but challenging issue. Metformin could regulate hepatic metabolism while the latter interacts with HBV infection. We hypothesized that metformin could affect HBsAg expression and HBV replication and may work synergistically when combined with current antivirals. In our study, a notably inhibitory effect on HBsAg production, as well as a moderate inhibition in HBV replication and HBeAg expression was observed following metformin treatment. The 50% effective concentration (EC50) for extracellular HBsAg and intracellular HBsAg in HBV‐producing HepG2.2.15 cells was 2.85 mm and 2.75 mm, respectively, with a similarly selective index of about 18. When administered in combination, metformin enhanced the inhibitory effects of interferon‐α2b on HBsAg expression and HBV replication and provided a complimentary role in HBsAg expression for lamivudine (LMV). This novel action of metformin derives partially from its inhibition on multiple HBV cis‐acting elements. By the virtues of preferably hepatocyte distribution and safety profile, collectively, our results suggest that metformin would be potentially clinically helpful as an HBsAg production inhibitor.
Botulinum Toxin A Intradetrusor Injection for Treating Neurogenic Detrusor Overactivity, A Single Centre Experience
Authors: MOSLI Hisham A. , AWAD Mohannad A. , REZK Mamdouh M. , ALSABBAN Abdulrahman E. , TAYIB Abdulmalik M. S. , ABDULWAHAB Mohammed H. , ASSIRI Moayad A.
Published: October 2013

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Botulinum Toxin A (BoNTA) intradetrusor injections in patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity.

Methods

All patients provided clinical history and voiding diary, submitted to clinical examination, urine culture; serum creatinine; imaging, including plain abdominal X‐rays, abdomino‐pelvic ultrasonography and voiding cystourethrogram; and urodynamic tests (CMG) . They were managed by intradetrusor injections of BoNTA. For the typical patient, 300 units of BoNTA were injected through 30 injections of 10 u/mL intradetrusally into equally spaced sites of the bladder wall, excluding the trigone, under cystoscopic guidance. Patients were commenced clean intermittent catheterizations (CICs) every 4–6 h post‐injection. Follow up included voiding diaries, abdomino‐pelvic ultrasonography, serum creatinine and CMG, were completed for all patients at 6 and 12 weeks. This study used IBM SPSS Version 20.0 for statistical analysis.

Results

Forty‐five patients (28 males and 17 females) with a mean age of 19.6 years were subjected to BoNTA intradetrusor injections. A good clinical response (dry patient either completely or more than 50% of the period between CICs) was observed in 68.9 and 66.7% of the patients after 6 and 12 weeks of follow up, respectively. In the group that responded well, the mean bladder volume increased post‐injection by 48.2% and the mean maximum intravesical pressure decreased to 35.3 cm H2O, a 33.4% improvement. No patients had side‐effects related to BoNTA or to the procedure, and no patients experienced a deterioration of their renal functions.

Conclusions

Intradetrusor BoNTA injections provide a good clinical response. The urodynamic parameters significantly improved in patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity.
Diagnostic performance of urinary kidney injury molecule‐1 and neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin for acute kidney injury in an obstructive nephropathy patient
Authors: Xue Wei , Xie Yuanyuan , Wang Qin , Xu Weijia , Mou Shan , Ni Zhaohui
Published: October 2013

Aim

We investigated the diagnostic performance of urinary kidney injury molecule‐1 (KIM‐1) and neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL) for acute kidney injury (AKI) in 90 obstructive nephropathy patients.

Methods

Urine samples were obtained preoperatively and 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h postoperatively, and urinary KIM‐1 and NGAL contents were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and corrected against urine creatinine content. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine the area under the curve (AUCs) of urinary KIM‐1 and NGAL for AKI.

Results

The baseline urinary KIM‐1 contents were higher in AKI patients than non‐AKI patients (P < 0.01). Urinary NGAL contents were also higher in AKI patients than non‐AKI patients (P < 0.001). The area under the curve (AUC) of urinary KIM‐1 was 0.900 (P = 0.004) and at a cutoff of 338.26 pg/mg Cr, the sensitivity was 90% and the specificity was 75%. The AUC of urinary NGAL was 0.900 (P = 0.004) and at a cutoff of 261.76 ng/mg Cr, the sensitivity was 90% and the specificity was 87.5%. The combined AUC of urinary KIM‐1 and NGAL was 0.938 (P = 0.002) with a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 100%. Cox regression analysis revealed that urinary KIM‐1content 72 h after operation correlated with the prognosis of AKI patients (P = 0.009). When kidney viability was stratified by urinary KIM‐1 content 72 h postoperatively, Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that patients with a urinary content of KIM‐1 < 138.20 pg/mg had a higher kidney viability rate than those with a urinary content of KIM‐1 > 138.20 pg/mg.

Conclusion

Urinary KIM‐1 and NGAL had a good accuracy for detecting AKI. KIM‐1 72 h postoperatively can predict the renal outcome of obstructive nephropathy.
Effects and mechanisms of gastric electrical stimulation on visceral pain in a rodent model of gastric hyperalgesia secondary to chemically induced mucosal ulceration
Authors: Sun Y. , Tan Y. , Song G. , Chen J. D. Z.
Published: October 2013

Background

Gastric electrical stimulation (GES) has been suggested as a potential treatment for patients with gastric motility disorders. The aim of this study was to examine the effects and mechanisms of GES on visceral pain in awaken rats.

Methods

Under anesthesia, acetic acid was injected into the submucosal layer of the stomach wall in Sprague–Dawley (SD) male rats. Each rat was chronically placed with an intragastric balloon and two pairs of electrodes on gastric serosa for GES and at the neck muscles for electromyography (EMG) recordings respectively. The study was composed of four experiments. Exp 1 was designed to determine optimal GES parameters in reducing EMG response to gastric distention (GD). Exp 2 was performed to investigate the effect of GES on gastric tone/accommodation. Exp 3 was to investigate if the opioid pathway was involved in the analgesic effects of GES. Exp 4 was to assess the effectiveness of GES on the spinal cord neurons (T9‐T10) responding to GD.

Key Results

(i) Gastric electrical stimulation with a train on of 0.1 s and off of 0.4 s, 0.25 ms, 100 Hz, and 6 mA significantly reduced GD‐induced EMG responses at GD 40, 60, and 80 mmHg. (ii) The inhibitory effects of GES on the GD‐induced EMG responses were blocked by Naloxone. (iii) GES inhibited 90% of high‐threshold (HT) spinal neurons in response to GD. However, GES with the same parameters only suppressed 36.3% low‐threshold (LT) neuronal response to GD.

Conclusions & Inferences

Gastric electrical stimulation with optimal parameters inhibits visceral pain; the analgesic effect of GES on visceral pain is mediated via the endogenous opioid system and the suppression of spinal afferent neuronal activities.
C3 photosynthesis in the desert plant Rhazya stricta is fully functional at high temperatures and light intensities
Authors: Lawson Tracy , Davey Phillip A. , Yates Steven A. , Bechtold Ulrike , Baeshen Mohammed , Baeshen Nabih , Mutwakil Mohammed Z. , Sabir Jamal , Baker Neil R. , Mullineaux Philip M.
Published: October 2013

The C3 plant Rhazya stricta is native to arid desert environment zones, where it experiences daily extremes of heat, light intensity (PAR) and high vapour pressure deficit (VPD). We measured the photosynthetic parameters in R. stricta in its native environment to assess the mechanisms that permit it to survive in these extreme conditions.

Infrared gas exchange analysis examined diel changes in assimilation (A), stomatal conductance (gs) and transpiration (E) on mature leaves of R. stricta. A/ci analysis was used to determine the effect of temperature on carboxylation capacity (Vc,max) and the light‐ and CO2‐saturated rate of photosynthesis (Amax). Combined chlorophyll fluorescence and gas exchange light response curve analysis at ambient and low oxygen showed that both carboxylation and oxygenation of Rubisco acted as the major sinks for the end products of electron transport.

Physiological analysis in conjunction with gene expression analysis suggested that there are two isoforms of Rubisco activase which may provide an explanation for the ability of R. stricta to maintain Rubisco function at high temperatures.

The potential to exploit this ability to cope with extreme temperatures is discussed in the context of future crop improvement.