bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Task Shifting in Community-Based DOTS Program as an Effective Control Strategy for Tuberculosis
Authors: Gabriel André P. , Mercado Charles P.
Published: November 2011

Tuberculosis (TB) remains to be the most prevalent and debilitating pulmonary (PTB) infection in the world today, affecting about one-third of the world's population. TB is an endemic disease in many developing countries, and efforts at eliminating the disease remain futile. While the course of the disease is indolent with years of latency, the reactivation of the disease can pose serious pulmonary and systemic infections that compromise multiple organ functions which lead to respiratory failure or end-organ damage. Despite attempts to control and eradicate the mycobacterium, the prevalence of the disease remains high due to increasing population rate, persistence of poverty and poor health care, treatment failure, increasing multidrug resistance as a consequence of treatment failure and poor compliance, and existence of comorbid conditions that compromise immune response. Limited government resources to screen and monitor disease progression of TB in third world countries hamper the eradication of the disease. In response, we have evaluated the efficiency and effectivity of a Community-Based Directly Observed Treatment, Short-Course (CB-DOTS), which is an equally effective alternative strategy to health center DOTS.
Randomised clinical trial: the efficacy of treatment, guided by a shorter duration of response, using peginterferon alfa‐2a plus ribavirin for hepatitis C virus other than genotypes 2 or 3
Authors: Lee S. S. , Sherman M. , Ramji A. , Greenbloom S. , Elkashab M. , Pluta H. , Hilzenrat N. , Balshaw R. , Usaty C. , Myers R. P.
Published: November 2011

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2012; 35: 37–47

Background  The efficacy of individualised antiviral treatment durations for chronic hepatitis C remains unclear.

Aim  To evaluate treatment durations based on virological responses at week 4, 8 and 12 of peginterferon alfa‐2a plus ribavirin therapy.

Methods  Previously untreated patients with HCV genotypes, other than 2 or 3, initiated therapy with peginterferon alfa‐2a 180 μg/week plus ribavirin 1000–1400 mg/day. HCV‐RNA‐negative patients at week 4 rapid virological response (RVR) were randomised to 24 or 48 weeks of treatment; those negative at week 8 were randomised to 36 or 48 weeks; and those who were negative or had a ≥2‐log drop at week 12 were randomised to 72 or 48 weeks. Sustained virological response (SVR) was defined as undetectable HCV‐RNA after 24 weeks of follow‐up.

Results  The study was terminated prematurely due to lagging enrolment. Of 236 patients who started treatment, 195 were randomised at week 4 (n = 50), 8 (n = 61) or 12 (n = 84). Ninety‐five per cent of patients had genotype 1. SVR rates were not significantly different between patients randomised to 24 (84%) or 48 weeks (84%) at week 4, to 36 (73%) or 48 weeks (74%) at week 8, or to 48 (49%) or 72 weeks (40%) at week 12.

Conclusions  In this predominantly genotype 1 cohort, shortening therapy to 24 weeks in patients with a week‐4 response and 36 weeks in those with a week‐8 response produced SVR rates that were similar to a 48‐week regimen. Lengthening treatment to 72 weeks did not improve SVR rates. Genotype 1 patients with RVR can be treated for 24 weeks (clinicaltrials.gov NCT00483938).
Patterns of Cenozoic sediment flux from western Scandinavia
Authors: Gołędowski Bartosz , Nielsen Søren B. , Clausen Ole R.
Published: November 2011

The significance of variations in the sediment flux from western Scandinavia during the Cenozoic has been a matter of debate for decades. Here we compile the sediment flux using seismic data, boreholes and results from other publications and discuss the relative importance of causal agents such as tectonism, climate and climate change. Western Scandinavia, the northern British Isles and the Faeroe‐Shetland Platform were significant sediment sources during the Paleocene, which is well founded in tectonic causes related to the opening of the North Atlantic. From the Eocene and onward, variations in the sediment flux from western Scandinavia correlate better with climate and climate change. During the Eocene, sediment production was low. From the late Eocene onward, increased seasonality may have contributed to stimulating the sediment flux. Significant climatic cooling episodes correlate with Oligocene deposits in the North Sea, the post‐mid‐Miocene Molo and Kai Formations of the Norwegian Shelf, the southern North Sea delta system and large volumes of the Late Pliocene‐Holocene Naust Formation. The sediment flux from Scandinavia during the Cenozoic is in general agreement with the detrital flux to the world's oceans. Furthermore, the large variations in the size of sediment catchment areas as well as the possibility of submarine and glacial erosion must be incorporated to understand regional variations in climate driven sediment flux.
Not so benign haematology: anaemia of the elderly
Authors: Merchant Akil A. , Roy Cindy N.
Published: November 2011

Developed countries, such as the United Kingdom, are experiencing a change in demographics resulting in the largest proportion of adults over 65 years of age that our health systems have ever experienced. As such, haematologists must be prepared to evaluate and treat anaemia in a more complicated patient population, but sufficient evidence‐based guidelines are lacking. Critical next steps that must be taken to ensure the best care of this population include the determination of appropriate haemoglobin concentrations for older adults in light of age, gender, race, and comorbidities; the development of interventional trials that address physical performance outcomes in addition to haemoglobin targets; and translational studies which address the molecular pathogenesis of anaemia in older adults with the most advanced scientific approaches.
Regrowth dynamics and grazing decision rules: further analysis for dairy production systems based on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) pastures
Authors: Chapman D. F. , Tharmaraj J. , Agnusdei M. , Hill J.
Published: November 2011

To support the further development of grazing practices for dairy production systems based on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), allometric relationships among leaf‐stage categories and pseudostem were derived for perennial ryegrass tillers sampled from swards each month, from July 2008 to January 2010, within a dairy grazing‐system experiment in south‐west Victoria, Australia. The relative lamina mass of the first leaf that emerged on tillers following grazing (denoted L3) and the subsequent leaf to emerge (L2) was used as an indicator of the trajectory of regrowth. L2 was consistently 30–40% heavier than L3 during the period July–September (mid‐winter to early spring), but thereafter the difference between leaf stages lessened, and disappeared altogether in late spring. No substantial lag was observed in the rate of herbage accumulation during the early stages of regrowth of perennial ryegrass swards from 1500 kg DM ha−1 post‐grazing. Therefore, grazing at any time in the period between emergence of the second and third leaves after the previous defoliation event should lead to high efficiency of pasture harvest under most conditions. The dry‐matter digestibility (DMD) and crude protein (CP) content of the most recently emerged leaf (denoted L1) declined sharply during spring, whereas the DMD and CP content of older leaves were more consistent. Decision rules for grazing management should include sufficient flexibility to account for interactions between leaf stage and time of year in relative lamina mass and nutritive value.
Developing a critical nitrogen dilution curve for forage brassicas
Authors: Fletcher A.L. , Chakwizira E.
Published: November 2011

Defining the critical nitrogen concentration (Nc; g N kg−1) for maximum growth of forage brassicas will aid in the fertilizer management of these crops. Typically, the Nc value decreases with increasing crop biomass. In this paper, we used a nitrogen (N) response experiment with kale (Brassica oleracea) to define a critical N dilution (Nc = 55·3 × biomass−0·47). However, at biomass <3·4 t ha−1, a constant NC of 31·2 g N kg−1 was found. This N dilution curve compared favourably with published data sets for a range of forage brassicas but was substantially different from the established N dilution curve for oilseed rape (Brassica napus). This study also found a strong relationship (R2 = 0·81) between the nitrogen nutrition index (NNI) and the NO3 content of forage brassicas from a range of data sets. The NNI is the actual N concentration of the shoot as a ratio of the Nc from the established curve. The relationship between NNI and NO3 contents was significantly different between leafy forage brassica crops and root forage brassicas. For each 0·1 increase in NNI, the proportion of total N that was in the form of NO3 increased by 2·7% for leaf/stem brassicas and 0·60% for root crop brassicas. The critical dilution curve defined in this study can be used to manage fertilizer N in forage brassica crops, so that growth can be maximized but the risk of high NO3 concentrations in the forage can be minimized.
Inverted patterns of genetic diversity in continental and island populations of the heather Erica scoparia s.l.
Authors: Désamoré A. , Laenen B. , González‐Mancebo J.M. , Jaén Molina R. , Bystriakova N. , Martinez‐Klimova E. , Carine M. A. , Vanderpoorten A.
Published: November 2011

Aim  Using the heather Erica scoparia s.l. as a model, this paper aims to test theoretical predictions that island populations are genetically less diverse than continental ones and to determine the extent to which island and continental populations are connected by pollen‐ and seed‐mediated gene flow.

Location  Macaronesia, Mediterranean, Atlantic fringe of Europe.

Methods  Patterns of genetic diversity are described based on variation at two chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) loci and one nuclear DNA (nDNA) locus for 109 accessions across the entire distribution range of the species. Global patterns of genetic differentiation were investigated using principal coordinates analysis. Genetic differentiation between island and continental areas, estimations of pollen‐ and seed‐mediated gene flow, and the presence of phylogeographical signal were assessed by means of Fst/NST (continental scale) and Fij/Nij (local scale). Extant and past distribution ranges of the species were inferred from niche modelling using layers describing present and Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) macroclimatic conditions.

Results  The Azores exhibited a significantly higher genetic diversity than the continent. The lowest levels of genetic differentiation were observed between the Azores and the western Mediterranean, and the diversity observed in the Azores resulted from at least two colonization waves. Within the Azores, kinship coefficients showed a significant and much steeper decrease with geographical distance in the cpDNA than in the nDNA. The distribution predicted by LGM models was markedly different from the current potential distribution, particularly in western Europe, where no suitable areas were predicted by LGM models, and along the Atlantic coast of the African continent, where LGM models predicted highly suitable climatic conditions.

Main conclusions  The higher diversity observed in Azorean than in continental populations is inconsistent with MacArthur and Wilson’s equilibrium model and derived theoretical population genetic expectations. This inverted pattern may be the result of extinction on the continent coupled with multiple island colonization events and subsequent allopatric diversification and lineage hybridization in the Azores. The results highlight the role of allopatric diversification in explaining diversification on islands and suggest that this process has played a much more significant role in shaping Azorean biodiversity than previously thought.
Family quality of life in Nigeria
Authors: Ajuwon P. M. , Brown I.
Published: November 2011

Background  The limited literature that exists about intellectual disabilities (ID) in Nigeria suggests that perceptions of ID may be shaped by social and cultural beliefs, and that socio‐economic factors have prevented the development of policy and services. The present study sought to explore these suggestions in more detail by administering the Family Quality of Life Survey, an instrument used extensively throughout the world to collect comprehensive data on family quality of life. Its specific purposes were: (1) to describe the family quality of life of Nigerian families that have a son or daughter with ID and (2) to provide some initial ideas about the relationship between the families' life experiences and government policy and provision of services.

Method  Eighty main caregivers from 80 families that received services for their sons and daughters with ID from two community agencies volunteered to participate. Two trained assistants administered the Family Quality of Life Survey in accordance with the administration methods set out by the Survey authors. Quantitative data and explanatory comments were also collected.

Results  Regarding the first study purpose, all nine life domains of the Family Quality of Life Survey were rated as important. The two main outcome measures, Attainment and Satisfaction, showed that three domains (Family relationships, Influence of values and Health) were sources of quality for families, but that three domains (Support from services, Support from others and Leisure) detracted from family quality of life. Measures of Opportunities, Initiative and Stability were somewhat related to one another, and with the two main outcome measures. Participants' explanatory comments suggested that the main caregivers perceived some domains to make their lives better and others did not. Regarding the second study purpose, it was only possible with the data available to make suggestions, but it seemed that there is a strong need for the development of government policy and services, and for education and training.

Conclusions  The results of this study suggest that some areas of family life contribute to quality of life for Nigerian families and other areas of life are problematic for families. Although this study is not representative of all Nigerian families that have a son or daughter with ID, it provides important initial information on the family experience with disability in Nigeria.
Does meal ingestion enhance sensitivity of visceroperception assessment in irritable bowel syndrome?
Authors: Ludidi S. , Conchillo J. M. , Keszthelyi D. , Koning C. J. , Vanhoutvin S. A. , Lindsey P. J. , Leufkens A. M. , Kruimel J. W. , Jonkers D. M. , Masclee A. A.
Published: November 2011

Background  Visceral hypersensitivity is frequently observed in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Previous studies have shown that administration of a meal can aggravate symptoms or increase visceroperception in IBS patients. We investigated whether meal ingestion could increase the sensitivity of the barostat procedure for the detection of visceral hypersensitivity in IBS patients.

Methods  Seventy‐one IBS patients and 30 healthy controls (HC) were included in the study. All subjects underwent a barostat procedure under fasted and postprandial conditions to measure visceroperception. Urge, discomfort, and pain were scored on a visual analog scale. Furthermore, percentages of hypersensitive IBS patients and HC were calculated and dynamic rectal compliance was assessed.

Key Results  In IBS patients, urge, discomfort, and pain scores were significantly increased postprandially vs the fasted state. The HC showed increased scores for urge and pain only. Rectal dynamic compliance remained unaltered in both groups. Postprandial hypersensitivity percentages did not significantly differ vs the fasted state in IBS patients, nor in HC.

Conclusions & Inferences  Postprandial barostat measurement enhances visceroperception in IBS but has no added value to detect visceral hypersensitivity in individual IBS patients.
CD36 c.1264 T>G Null Mutation Impairs Acquisition of IgG Antibodies to Plasmodium falciparum MSP1‐19 Antigen and is Associated with Higher Malaria Incidences in Tanzanian Children
Authors: Kajeguka D. , Mwanziva C. , Daou M. , Ndaro A. , Matondo S. , Mbugi E. , Dolmans W. , Chilongola J.
Published: November 2011

Polymorphisms in genes that encode crucial signalling molecules have been proposed as factors that influence susceptibility to, and outcome of malaria. We studied the role of a mutation, c.1264 T>G, that causes CD36 deficiency on IgG responses to MSP‐119 antigen and malaria incidence. Children were genotyped for the c.1264 T>G mutation at the beginning of the study using PCR‐RFLP. IgG levels [optical density (OD) readings] and per cent seropositivity to MSP‐119 were determined at baseline by ELISA. Children were followed for 12 months for acquisition of anti‐MSP‐119 IgG antibody and malaria incidence. We observed a significant increase in the production of anti‐MSP‐119 IgG antibody in normal and heterozygous children during the 12 months of follow‐up, but not in homozygous mutants. Normal children had a significantly lower malaria incidence rate compared to other genotypes (χ2 = 115.59; P < 0.01). We conclude that the presence of the c.1264 T>G mutation that leads to CD36 deficiency is closely associated with reduced IgG production and higher malaria incidence. It is most likely that deficiency of CD36 which is known to modulate dendritic cell function suppresses the production of protective IgG antibodies directed to Plasmodium falciparum MSP‐119 antigen, which predisposes to the acquisition of clinical malaria in children.
IL‐10 Contributes to the Suppressive Function of Tumour‐Associated Myeloid Cells and Enhances Myeloid Cell Accumulation in Tumours
Authors: Wang L.‐X. , Talebian F. , Liu J.‐Q. , Khattabi M. , Yu L. , Bai X.‐F.
Published: November 2011

Studies have revealed that tumour‐associated myeloid cells (TAMC) are one of the major sources of IL‐10 in tumour‐bearing mice. However, the significance of TAMC‐derived IL‐10 in tumour immunity is poorly understood. Here, we show that IL‐10 blockade or IL‐10 deficiency reduces the capacity of TAMC in suppressing the proliferation of P1A‐specific CD8 T cells. In the spleen, IL‐10‐deficient and wild‐type (WT) mice bearing large tumour burdens have similar TAMC populations. The tumours from IL‐10‐deficient mice, however, have reduced numbers of TAMC compared with tumours from their WT counterparts. IL‐10−/−RAG‐2−/− mice also had reduced numbers of TAMC compared with tumours from IL‐10+/+RAG‐2−/− mice; therefore, the reduction in TAMC in IL‐10‐deficient tumours was not because of adaptive immune response in tumours. Adoptively transferred tumour antigen–specific CD8 T cells expanded more efficiently within tumours in IL‐10−/−RAG‐2−/− mice than in tumours from IL‐10+/+RAG‐2−/− mice. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte adoptive transfer therapy prevented tumour evasion in IL‐10−/−RAG‐2−/− mice more efficiently than in IL‐10+/+RAG‐2−/− mice. Thus, IL‐10 enhances the accumulation of myeloid cells in tumours, and TAMC‐derived IL‐10 suppresses the activation and expansion of tumour antigen–specific T cells.
LEAFY controls Arabidopsis pedicel length and orientation by affecting adaxial–abaxial cell fate
Authors: Yamaguchi Nobutoshi , Yamaguchi Ayako , Abe Mitsutomo , Wagner Doris , Komeda Yoshibumi
Published: November 2011

Pedicel length and orientation (angle) contribute to the diversity of inflorescence architecture, and are important for optimal positioning of the flowers. However, relatively little is known about pedicel development. We previously described the Arabidopsis CORYMBOSA1 (CRM1)/BIG gene, which affects inflorescence architecture by controlling pedicel elongation and orientation. Here, we performed a suppressor screen using the partial loss‐of‐function allele crm1‐13 to identify genes and pathways that affect pedicel development. We identified a hypomorph allele of the meristem identity regulator LEAFY (LFY) as the suppressor. Consistent with this, crm1 pedicels had elevated LFY levels and conditional gain of LFY function produced downward‐bending pedicels. Steroid activation of 35S:LFY‐GR plants caused a reduction in the cortical cell length in the abaxial domain and additional defects associated with adaxialization. Further analyses of loss of LFY function revealed that LFY is required for reduced cortical cell elongation at the adaxial side of the pedicel base. Defects in conditional LFY gain‐of‐function pedicels were correlated with decreased BREVIPEDICELLUS (BP) expression, while ASYMMETRIC LEAVES2 (AS2), a transcriptional repressor of BP, and REVOLUTA, a promoter of adaxial cell fate, were highly and ectopically expressed in LFY gain‐of‐function pedicels. LFY bound to cis‐regulatory regions upstream of AS2, and as2 mutations partially suppressed the pedicel length and orientation defects caused by increased LFY activity. These data suggest that LFY activity promotes adaxial cell fate and hence the proper orientation and length of the pedicel partly by directly activating AS2 expression, which suppresses BP expression.
Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching reveals high cycling dynamics of plasma membrane aquaporins in Arabidopsis roots under salt stress
Authors: Luu Doan‐Trung , Martinière Alexandre , Sorieul Mathias , Runions John , Maurel Christophe
Published: November 2011

The constitutive cycling of plant plasma membrane (PM) proteins is an essential component of their function and regulation under resting or stress conditions. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants that express GFP fusions with AtPIP1;2 and AtPIP2;1, two prototypic PM aquaporins, were used to develop a fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) approach. This technique was used to discriminate between PM and endosomal pools of the aquaporin constructs, and to estimate their cycling between intracellular compartments and the cell surface. The membrane trafficking inhibitors tyrphostin A23, naphthalene‐1‐acetic acid and brefeldin A blocked the latter process. By contrast, a salt treatment (100 mm NaCl for 30 min) markedly enhanced the cycling of the aquaporin constructs and modified their pharmacological inhibition profile. Two distinct models for PM aquaporin cycling in resting or salt‐stressed root cells are discussed.
A case of an apparent infestation by Proisotoma spp. springtails (Collembola: Isotomidae) in a cat
Authors: Beccati Massimo , Gallo Maria G. , Chiavassa Elisa , Peano Andrea
Published: November 2011

This case report is presumed to be the first case of infestation of a cat by springtails which are small arthropods closely related to insects. The organisms, found by skin scrapings, were identified as Proisotoma spp. (Collembola: Isotomidae). The cat presented with dermatological lesions (itchy, furfuraceous dermatitis), and we speculate that they were due to this infestation. The pathogenic role of the Collembola was hypothesized because of the large number of organisms, the presence of eggs indicating an active reproduction cycle, the lack of other pathogens (fleas, mites or lice) and the clinical recovery accompanied by the disappearance of Collembola following treatment. The owner seemed to be affected by the infestation, because a few days after having purchased the cat, she developed a pruriginous papular dermatitis on the neck and the arms, which disappeared shortly after treatment of the kitten and a careful washing of all of its toys and other accoutrements.
Biological efficacy and stability of diluted ticarcillin–clavulanic acid in the topical treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections
Authors: Bateman Fiona L. , Moss Susan M. , Trott Darren J. , Shipstone Michael A.
Published: November 2011

Topical compounded Timentin® diluted with an inactive vehicle has been reported to be effective in the treatment of otitis externa caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The aims of this study were to determine the biological efficacy of Timentin® (ticarcillin and clavulanic acid) when diluted in the carrier vehicle Methopt® against P. aeruginosa and to determine the efficacy and stability of Timentin® aqueous stock concentrate solution. Timentin® stock concentrate was tested against four P. aeruginosa isolates on days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28; then after 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 and 12 months of storage at 4 or −20°C. The diluted Timentin®–Methopt® solutions were tested against all isolates after 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 17, 21, 24 and 28 days of storage at 24 or 4°C. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) levels for all strains were determined using the broth microdilution method. The MIC of the stock solution remained relatively constant and acceptable throughout the study when stored at −20°C and was also acceptable for shorter time periods (6–9 months) when stored at 4°C. The MIC for the diluted Timentin®–Methopt® solution remained relatively constant and acceptable throughout the study for all four bacterial strains, with no difference between the solutions stored at 4 or 24°C. The results of this study indicate that storage of the Timentin® stock solution at −20°C does not compromise efficacy for at least 12 months and that Timentin® diluted in Methopt® was stable for 28 days when stored at either 4 or 24°C.
Assessing the conceptual clarity and evidence base of quality criteria/standards developed for evaluating decision aids
Authors: McDonald Heather , Charles Cathy , Gafni Amiram
Published: November 2011

Context  Promoting patient participation in treatment decision making is of increasing interest to researchers, clinicians and policy makers. Decision aids (DAs) are advocated as one way to help achieve this goal. Despite their proliferation, there has been little agreement on criteria or standards for evaluating these tools. To fill this gap, an international collaboration of researchers and others interested in the development, content and quality of DAs have worked over the past several years to develop a checklist and, based on this checklist, an instrument for determining whether any given DA meets a defined set of quality criteria.

Objective/Methods  In this paper, we offer a framework for assessing the conceptual clarity and evidence base used to support the development of quality criteria/standards for evaluating DAs. We then apply this framework to assess the conceptual clarity and evidence base underlying the International Patient Decision Aids Standards (IPDAS) checklist criteria for one of the checklist domains: how best to present in DAs probability information to patients on treatment benefits and risks.

Conclusion  We found that some of the central concepts underlying the presenting probabilities domain were not defined. We also found gaps in the empirical evidence and theoretical support for this domain and criteria within this domain. Finally, we offer suggestions for steps that should be undertaken for further development and refinement of quality standards for DAs in the future.
Assessing quality of a worksite health promotion programme from participants’ views: findings from a qualitative study in Malaysia
Authors: Liau Siow‐Yen , Hassali Mohamed‐Azmi A. , Shafie Asrul A. , Ibrahim Mohamed‐Izham M.
Published: November 2011

Background  An assessment of the process and outcomes of a health promotion programme is necessary for the continuous improvement of a programme.

Objective  To explore the participants’ perceptions of the quality and effectiveness of the ‘Love Your Heart Programme’.

Design  A qualitative study using semi‐structured interviews with a purposive sample of participants of the ‘Love Your Heart’ programme. Interviews were based on an interview guide that grouped questions into four main subgroups: structure, process, immediate outcomes and impact. The interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using the principles of grounded theory.

Results  A total of 17 interviews were conducted. The participants were satisfied with the structural aspects of the programme. Different opinions arose regarding the ideal frequency and duration of the programme. The content of the seminars was thought to be too general. There was also a lack of interest in the ‘Road to a Healthy Heart’ booklet. All of the respondents had positive opinions about the communication skills and attitude of the health educator. The potential advantages and disadvantages of participating in the programme were discussed. Finally, the respondents expressed their satisfaction with the programme and the impact it had on them.

Discussion and conclusions  In general, the participants who were interviewed held the programme, and the health educator conducted the programme in high regard. The suggestions that were received can be used to further improve the acceptability and feasibility of the programme.
Two novel alleles, HLA‐B*40:125 and B*40:129, in the Brazilian population
Authors: Wowk P. F. , Mattar S. B. , Poerner F. , Tomaz de Rezende G. Y. , da Graça Bicalho M.
Published: November 2011

The new alleles, HLA‐B*40:125 and HLA‐B*40:129, present a mismatch at codon 103.1 (G → C) and three mismatches at codons 9.1 (C → T), 11.1 (T → G) and 12.1 (G → A).
Non‐classicalHLA‐Egene variability in Brazilians: a nearly invariable locus surrounded by the most variable genes in the human genome
Authors: Veiga‐Castelli L. C. , Castelli E. C. , Mendes C. T. , da Silva W. A. , Faucher M.‐C. , Beauchemin K. , Roger M. , Moreau P. , Donadi E. A.
Published: November 2011

The non‐classical human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I genes present a very low rate of variation. So far, only 10HLA‐Ealleles encoding three proteins have been described, but only two are frequently found in worldwide populations. Because of its historical background, Brazilians are very suitable for population genetic studies. Therefore, 104 bone marrow donors from Brazil were evaluated forHLA‐Eexons 1–4. Seven variation sites were found, including two known single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at positions +424 and +756 and five new SNPs at positions +170 (intron 1), +1294 (intron 3), +1625, +1645 and +1857 (exon 4). Haplotyping analysis did show eight haplotypes, three of them known asE*01:01:01,E*01:03:01andE*01:03:02:01and fiveHLA‐Enew alleles that carry the new variation sites. TheHLA‐E*01:01:01allele was the predominant haplotype (62.50%), followed byE*01:03:02:01(24.52%). Selective neutrality tests have disclosed an interesting pattern of selective pressures in which balancing selection is probably shaping allele frequency distributions at an SNP at exon 3 (codon 107), sequence diversity at exon 4 and the non‐coding regions is facing significant purifying pressure. Even in an admixed population such as the Brazilian one, theHLA‐Elocus is very conserved, presenting few polymorphic SNPs in the coding region.
Effects of the ruminal comminution rate and microbial contamination of particles on accuracy of in situ estimates of ruminal degradability and intestinal digestibility of feedstuffs
Authors: Arroyo J. M. , González J.
Published: November 2011

Effects of considering the comminution rate (kc) and the correction of microbial contamination (using 15N techniques) of particles in the rumen on estimates of ruminally undegraded fractions and their intestinal digestibility were examined generating composite samples (from rumen‐incubated residues) representative of the undegraded feed rumen outflow. The study used sunflower meal (SFM) and Italian ryegrass hay (RGH) and three rumen and duodenum cannulated wethers fed with a 40:60 RGH to concentrate diet (75 g DM/kgBW0.75). Transit studies up to the duodenum with Yb‐SFM and Eu‐RGH marked samples showed higher kc values (/h) in SFM than in RGH (0.577 vs. 0.0892, p = 0.034), whereas similar values occurred for the rumen passage rate (kp). Estimates of ruminally undegraded and intestinal digestibility of all tested fractions decreased when kc was considered and also applying microbial correction. Thus, microbial uncorrected kp‐based proportions of intestinal digested undegraded crude protein overestimated those corrected and kc−kp‐based by 39% in SFM (0.146 vs. 0.105) and 761% in RGH (0.373 vs. 0.0433). Results show that both kc and microbial contamination correction should be considered to obtain accurate in situ estimates in grasses, whereas in protein concentrates not considering kc is an important source of error.
Temporal changes in the structure of the crustacean decapod assemblages associated with Cymodocea nodosa meadows from the Alboran Sea (Western Mediterranean Sea)
Authors: Mateo Ramírez Ángel , García Raso José E.
Published: November 2011

The decapod assemblages associated with two shallow meadows of Cymodocea nodosa, located in the same geographical area (Southern Spain) but on different substrates and with different patch size, have been analyzed. They display similar structure (diversity indices not significantly different), without a clear relation of richness and abundances to patch size, and with the same dominant species (the family Hippolytidae and, in particular, Hippolyte leptocerus are characteristic of this habitat). The composition of both crustacean assemblages is influenced by species that are common in neighbouring habitats. Therefore the connectivity among them is an important factor in the qualitative and quantitative structure of these decapod communities. Species richness appears to be higher than in Cymodocea meadows elsewhere in the Mediterranean and Atlantic at a similar depth, perhaps as a consequence of the biogeographical location and the high diversity and connectivity with surrounding biotopes. High evenness values are the result of the structure and location of these meadows, which are fragmented and interspersed with other biotopes (sandy and rocky bottoms), resulting in an ‘ecotone effect’. On the other hand, the structures of the decapod assemblages differ significantly according to sampling period. The abundance and species richness are both related to plant phenology and the dominant species present a positive correlation with the number of leaves per shoot. The maximum abundance of many species is coincident with the greatest seagrass development (spring – summer), which provides more resources (surface, biomass, protection, food). Therefore, seasonality is linked to plant life cycle, but also to the interrelationships and biology of the species, which are adapted and specialized to the environmental features of these shallow habitats.
Polarizing animal cells via mRNA localization in oogenesis and early development
Authors: Kumano Gaku
Published: November 2011

The localization of mRNAs in developing animal cells is essential for establishing cellular polarity and setting up the body plan for subsequent development. Cellular and molecular mechanisms by which maternal mRNAs are localized during oogenesis have been extensively studied in Drosophila and Xenopus. In contrast, evidence for mechanisms used in the localization of mRNAs encoded by developmentally important genes has also been accumulating in several other organisms. This offers the opportunity to unravel the fundamental mechanisms of mRNA localization shared among many species, as well as unique mechanisms specifically acquired or retained by animals based on their developmental needs. In addition to maternal mRNAs, the localization of zygotically expressed mRNAs in the cells of cleaving embryos is also important for early development. In this review, mRNA localization dynamics in the oocytes/eggs of Drosophila and Xenopus are first summarized, and evidence for localized mRNAs in the oocytes/eggs and cleaving embryos of other organisms is then presented.
Systematic review and meta‐analysis of the value of clinical features to exclude radiographic pneumonia in febrile neutropenic episodes in children and young people
Authors: Phillips Bob , Wade Ros , Westwood Marie , Riley Richard , Sutton Alex J
Published: November 2011

Introduction:  Children and young people who present with febrile neutropenia (FNP) secondary to malignancies or their treatment frequently do not undergo routine chest radiography. With shorter courses of antibiotic therapy, failure to recognise pneumonia and consequent under‐treatment could produce significant problems.

Methods:  The review was conducted determine the value of the absence of clinical features of lower respiratory tract infection in excluding radiographic pneumonia at presentation of FNP using Centre for Reviews and Dissemination methods. It was registered with the HTA Registry of systematic reviews, CRD32009100453. Ten bibliographic databases, conference proceedings, reference lists and citations were searched. Cohort studies which compared clinical examination to radiographic findings were included. Results were summarised by random‐effects meta‐analysis.

Results:  Four studies were included. Synthesis of the three higher‐quality studies gave imprecise estimates of the average sensitivity (75%; 95% CI 52% to 89%) and average specificity (69%; 95% CI 57% to 78%) for clinical examination in the detection of radiographic pneumonia. If the prevalence of pneumonia is 5%, these estimates produce a negative predictive value of 98% (95% CI 96% to 99%). Alternatively, there remains a 1.9% probability of pneumonia (95% CI 0.7% to 4.2%).

Conclusion:  Signs and symptoms of lower respiratory infection have only moderate sensitivity and specificity for pneumonia; the low prevalence of the condition justifies the routine withholding of chest radiographs. However, for those with a predisposition to pneumonia, or re‐presenting after a short course of antibiotic therapy, a chest X‐ray should be performed despite an absence of signs.
World Health Organization growth charts for monitoring the growth of Australian children: Time to begin the debate
Authors: Rao Shripada , Simmer Karen
Published: November 2011

The recently released World Health Organization growth charts are methodologically robust, as well as clinically useful tools for monitoring the growth of children. They have been endorsed by premier organisations such as the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (UK), Canadian Pediatric Society, Australian Breastfeeding Association, United Nations Standing Committee on Nutrition, International Union of Nutrition Sciences, International Pediatric Association and the European Childhood Obesity Group. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as the American Academy of Pediatrics have also recently endorsed these charts for the 0‐ to 24‐month age group in USA. These growth charts have been adopted by many countries including Canada, UK and New Zealand. Nearly 140 countries are at various stages of implementing them. They offer significant advantages over the currently used CDC 2000 growth charts. They have the potential to contribute in reducing the worldwide incidence of obesity as well as under nutrition in children. Except Northern Territory, Australia continues to use the CDC 2000 growth charts. Paediatricians need to initiate and lead robust debate involving key stakeholders about the implementation of World Health Organization growth charts for monitoring the growth of Australian infants and children.
Quantifying the relationships of blood pressure with weight, height and body mass index in Chinese children and adolescents
Authors: Ma Jun , Wang Zhiqiang , Dong Bin , Song Yi , Hu Peijin , Zhang Bing
Published: November 2011

Aim:  The aim of this study was to quantify the relationships of height, weight and body mass index (BMI) with blood pressure (BP) levels in Chinese children and adolescents.

Methods:  Height, weight, BMI and BP measurements were obtained from a nationally representative sample of 231 227 children aged 7–18 years. Body size measurements were converted to age‐ and sex‐specific standard deviation (SD) scores. The relationships between body size and BP measurements were assessed using linear regression analysis.

Results:  All body size measurements were significantly associated with BP levels. Systolic BP increased 4.14, 3.70 and 2.88 mmHg in boys and 2.98, 2.63 and 1.87 mmHg in girls, corresponding to 1 SD increase in weight, BMI and height, respectively. A similar pattern was also observed for diastolic BP. After adjustment for height, systolic BP increased substantially with increasing weight (3.96 mmHg/SD increase for boys and 2.92 mmHg for girls). With adjustment for weight, systolic BP increased slightly with 1 SD increase in height (0.27 mmHg for boys and 0.10 mmHg for girls). The strength of the association between a body size measurement and BP varied among different ages, peaked at 10–11 years in girls and around 12–14 years in boys.

Conclusions:  Weight is the most powerful driving force of BP in children and adolescents, followed by BMI and height. Height has little impact on BP in children with a given weight, while weight has considerable impact on BP in children with a given height.
Infant gender, shared sleeping and sudden death
Authors: Byard Roger W , Elliott Jane , Vink Robert
Published: November 2011

Aim:  To determine whether there is a gender imbalance in infant deaths in shared sleeping compared to solitary sleeping situations.

Methods:  Examination of autopsy reports of 133 infants aged between 7 and 364 days autopsied over a 19‐year period from January 1991 to December 2009 was undertaken where death had either been attributed to SIDS, or had been classified as undetermined or unascertained. Cases were divided into two groups of solitary sleepers and shared sleepers, and the ratio of male to female cases was compared.

Results:  Ninety‐five solitary sleepers were aged from 1 to 11 months (average 4.1 months) and consisted of 63 males (age range 1 to 11 months) and 32 females (age range 1 to 10 months). The 38 shared sleepers were aged from 1 week to 12 months (average 2.6 months) and consisted of 17 males (age range 2 weeks to 5 months) and 21 females (age range 1 week to 10 months). The male to female ratio in the solitary sleepers was approximately 2:1 and in the shared sleepers was 0.8:1, a statistically significant difference (p = 0.02).

Conclusion:  The lack of a male predominance typical of SIDS cases in infants who were sleeping with others, compared to those who were sleeping alone, suggests that these situations may be different. It is possible, therefore, that different lethal mechanisms may be involved in some shared sleeping situations.
PLAG1 expression in mesenchymal tumors: An immunohistochemical study with special emphasis on the pathogenetical distinction between soft tissue myoepithelioma and pleomorphic adenoma of the salivary gland
Authors: Matsuyama Atsuji , Hisaoka Masanori , Hashimoto Hiroshi
Published: November 2011

PLAG1, a proto‐oncogene activated in several types of tumors including pleomorphic adenoma of the salivary gland and lipoblastoma, is usually overexpressed because of chromosomal aberrations resulting in fusion genes. Myoepithelial tumors in soft tissue are morphologically similar to pleomorphic adenoma, but the genetic profiles of these tumors have not been fully examined. In the present study, we immunohistochemically evaluated the expression of PLAG1 in a series of 243 mesenchymal tumors. We determined that 14 tumors, including eight of 10 lipoblastomas, two of seven gastrointestinal stromal tumors, one of two angiomyofibroblastomas, one of five synovial sarcomas, one of seven leiomyomas and one of 12 myxofibrosarcomas were positive for PLAG1, whereas all seven soft tissue myoepitheliomas were PLAG1 negative. We examined two soft tissue myoepitheliomas, whose paraffin blocks were available, for fusion gene transcripts involving PLAG1 or HMGA2 specific for pleomorphic adenoma by a reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction assay, and no fusion transcripts were detected. Our results suggest that soft tissue myoepithelioma may be a pathogenetically distinct tumor entity from pleomorphic adenoma based on the absence of PLAG1 overexpression and characteristic fusion genes. On the other hand, PLAG1 immunohistochemistry is useful for distinguishing lipoblastoma from other lipomatous tumors including liposarcoma.
Overexpression of peptidyl‐prolyl isomerase Pin1 attenuates hepatocytes apoptosis and secondary necrosis following carbon tetrachloride‐induced acute liver injury in mice
Authors: Risal Prabodh , Park Byung‐Hyun , Cho Baik Hwan , Kim Jae‐Chun , Jeong Yeon Jun
Published: November 2011

Pin1, a member of the parvulin family of PPIase enzymes, plays a crucial role in the post phosphorylation regulation that governs important roles in the cell signaling mechanism and regulates a variety of cellular events. In this study, we investigated the role of Pin1 in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‐induced apoptosis and necrosis of hepatocytes during acute liver injury of mice. An in vivo study was done with the overexpression of Pin1 in the mouse liver; using Pin1‐adenoviruse (ad‐Pin1) followed by CCl4 injection to induce acute liver injury. Pin1 overexpression in the liver of the experimental mice attenuated acute liver injury induced by CCl4. Serum aminotransferases and the number of apoptotic cells were decreased compared to those of control virus injected mice. In addition, Pin1 overexpression increased NF‐kB activity, as evidenced by increased DNA binding. In conclusion, Pin1 reduces acute liver injury of mice due to CCl4 by modulating apoptotic signals and by increasing NF‐kB activity.
Managing acute respiratory decompensation in the morbidly obese
Authors: BAHAMMAM AHMED S. , AL‐JAWDER SUHAILA E.
Published: November 2011

Morbid obesity adversely affects respiratory physiology, leading to reduced lung volumes, decreased lung compliance, ventilation perfusion mismatch, sleep‐disordered breathing and the impairment of ventilatory control, and neurohormonal and neuromodulators of breathing. Therefore, morbidly obese subjects are at increased risk of various pulmonary complications that can present either acutely or chronically. Respiratory failure is one of the most common pulmonary complications related to morbid obesity. Both acute hypoxaemic and hypercapnic respiratory failure are more common among obese patients. The management pathway of respiratory failure depends, to a large extent, on the underlying cause, primarily due to the diversity of the underlying triggering diseases, the pathophysiology and the prognosis associated with each disease. Morbidly obese patients with hypoventilation have an increased risk of acute hypercapnic respiratory failure. Early diagnosis of this disorder and the application of non‐invasive ventilation in this group of patients have been shown to improve respiratory parameters, decrease the need for invasive mechanical ventilation and improve survival. Invasive ventilation remains the last life‐saving procedure in patients with respiratory failure who do not respond to non‐invasive measures. However, due to the abnormal respiratory physiology in obese patients, special precautions are required during intubation, mechanical ventilation and weaning.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Australian beginnings
Authors: Hardy Kenneth John
Published: November 2011

Chance meetings in the USA and in France lead to the realization of the potential for cholecystectomy to be performed laparoscopically. Outlined are the steps taken to learn the technique and perform the first such operation in Australia (with unusual circumstances), immediately followed by the introduction of audit and training courses. Historical narrative.