bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tobacco and the invention of quitting: a history of gender, excess and will‐power
Authors: White Cameron , Oliffe John L. , Bottorff Joan L.
Published: April 2013

Since the rise of concern about the relationship between smoking and health in the 1950s and 1960s, the tobacco industry has emphasised notions of individual choice to negate the arguments of the public health sector and legitimatise the industry’s presence in the marketplace. Central to this notion of individual choice has been the idea that the control of tobacco consumption (including quitting) is a function of will‐power and that smokers can quit if they really want to. This article examines the way will‐power developed as the centrepiece of debates about smoking consumption and cessation in the 1950s and 1960s.
Sensitivity and Specificity of 3D Models of the Radioulnar Joint Cup in Combination With a Sphere Fitted to the Ulnar Trochlear Notch for Estimation of Radioulnar Incongruence In Vitro
Authors: Eljack Hamdi , Werner Hinnerk , Böttcher Peter
Published: April 2013

Objective

To determine the sensitivity and specificity of estimation of radioulnar incongruence (RUI) by use of 3‐dimensional (3D) image renderings in combination with a sphere fitted to the ulnar trochlear notch.

Study Design

In vitro study.

Sample Population

Right forelimbs (n = 8) of canine cadavers weighing >20 kg.

Methods

CT‐based 3D models (n = 63) of the radioulnar joint cup with different states of RUI were used. A sphere was fitted to the trochlear notch of each of the models and 2 independent observers estimated RUI based on the relation of the sphere and the radial joint surface blinded to the true state of RUI at 1 mm precisely (−2 mm to +2 mm).

Results

Mean sensitivity and specificity for detecting any form of incongruent joint was 0.94 and 0.89, respectively. Evaluating a positive step (short radius) versus a congruent joint resulted in a mean sensitivity and specificity of 0.89 and 0.96, respectively. A negative RUI (short ulna) was diagnosed with a mean sensitivity and specificity of 1.00 and 0.92, respectively. Intra‐class‐correlation coefficient for inter‐observer agreement was 0.99.

Conclusions

Fitting a sphere to the ulnar trochlea notch significantly improves diagnostic accuracy of 3D models of the radioulnar joint cup when diagnosing RUI.
Single Incision Laparoscopic‐Assisted Intestinal Surgery (SILAIS) in 7 Dogs and 1 Cat
Authors: Case J. Brad , Ellison Gary
Published: April 2013

Objectives

To describe the clinical findings and short‐term outcome in 7 dogs and 1 cat undergoing single‐incision laparoscopic‐assisted intestinal surgery (SILAIS) using an SILS™ or EndoCone™ port.

Study Design

Prospective case series.

Animals

Dogs (n = 7) and cat (n = 1).

Methods

An SILS™ port using three 5‐mm instrument cannulas or EndoCone™ port was used to perform an initial limited laparoscopic abdominal exploration. The stomach and descending duodenum were explored intracorporeally and the jejunum through orad descending colon was explored extracorporeally. All intestinal procedures (enterotomy, biopsy, resection, and anastomosis) were performed extracorporeally. Omentalization of affected bowel was accomplished either intracorporeally or extracorporeally. Short‐term outcome was determined.

Results

SILAIS was completed successfully in all but 1 dog and all animals had a good short‐term outcome. Most (n = 5) animals were discharged the day after surgery. SILAIS was performed in a median of 120 minutes (interquartile range; 82–148 minutes) and was associated with a moderate level of difficulty. No major complications occurred but conversion to celiotomy (n = 1) and enlargement of the incision (n = 3) was required because of inability to exteriorize the affected bowel.

Conclusions

SILAIS using an SILS™ or EndoCone™ port in dogs and cats is feasible and appears effective in selected cases. Single portal laparoscopic‐assisted intestinal surgery might be an effective method of minimizing morbidity in dogs and cats with uncomplicated intestinal disease.
Is Drug Utilization in Greece Sex dependent? A Population‐based Study
Authors: Athanasopoulos Charalampos , Pitychoutis Pothitos M. , Messari Ioanna , Lionis Christos , Papadopoulou‐Daifoti Zeta
Published: April 2013

Despite scarce data pertaining to prescription drug sales in Greece, the lack of large‐scale epidemiological studies has made it difficult to elaborate on putative differences regarding drug consumption patterns between the two sexes. Herein, we sought to investigate whether sex may have an impact on medication trends of the Greek population. The data reported are part of a survey conducted under the auspices of the National Center for Social Research. Information was collected from 2499 Athenian citizens. Probability of drug use was assessed through Pearson chi‐square (χ2) test and logistic regression was implemented to clarify whether sex or other socio‐economic and morbidity factors may influence drug utilization. Women consumed more drugs as compared to men. Sex proved to be a differentiating factor influencing the use of analgesic/non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, cardiovascular, anxiolytic and antidepressant drugs, as well as drugs for the treatment of thyroid diseases and osteoporosis. Present results further implicate other socio‐economic factors (e.g. education, employment and financial status) in the harnessing of drug use in Greece. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest pharmacoepidemiological study to report that Greek women consume more drugs and present different medication patterns, as compared to men. Further research is considered imperative in order for the awareness of prescribers, policy‐makers and the general public on this sensitive matter to be increased.
A MiniReview of the Use of Hospital‐based Databases in Observational Inpatient Studies of Drugs
Authors: Larsen Michael D. , Cars Thomas , Hallas Jesper
Published: April 2013

The majority of pharmacoepidemiological data resources are based on data generated in primary health care. Although inpatient data resources have existed since the 1960s, inpatient pharmacoepidemiological studies are relatively scarce. The objectives of this MiniReview were to describe pharmacoepidemiological studies in hospital settings and the underlying databases to provide an overview of research questions addressed by such databases. The studies were retrieved by chain searching. We included pharmacoepidemiological studies in hospital settings containing data on inpatient drug use. Twelve inpatient databases in Asia, the United States and Europe were found. Most databases were automatically collected from claims data or generated from electronic medical records. The contents of the databases varied as well as the potential for linkage with other data sources such as laboratory and outpatient data. Twenty studies were selected and discussed to illustrate the diversity of inpatient pharmacoepidemiological studies. Hospital‐based databases had mainly been used for drug utilization studies and research in adverse drug reactions. Five studies within comparative effectiveness were found. The number of pharmacoepidemiological studies in inpatient settings was low compared with studies from primary healthcare settings. These resources may be under‐utilized.
Focal myopathy in the neck extensor muscles in Japanese Parkinson's disease patients with dropped head syndrome
Authors: Kurokawa Katsumi , Sonoo Masahiro , Hemmi Shoji , Izawa Nana , Nagai Taiji , Sunada Yoshihide
Published: April 2013

Aim

The underlying etiology of dropped head syndrome (DHS) in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients seems to be heterogeneous, that is neck dystonia, a drug‐induced etiology or focal myopathy of the neck extensor muscles. Focal myopathy might be primary myositis or a stretched muscle injury. In Japan, several reports have argued that neck dystonia is the cause of DHS. There have been no reports to date that documented a focal myopathy of the neck extensor muscles. The aim of the present study was to investigate myopathic changes in the neck extensor muscles of PD patients with DHS by needle electromyography (EMG), and to evaluate the effect of steroid therapy.

Methods

We carried out needle EMG on 15 consecutive PD patients with DHS who visited our hospital between July 2009 and November 2011. The effects of prednisolone for the treatment of DHS were evaluated clinically and electrophysiologically.

Results

Needle EMG of the neck extensor muscles in 15 PD patients with DHS revealed fibrillation potentials, positive sharp waves and small amplitude, short duration motor unit potentials in 14 patients. EMG findings were indicative of focal myopathy in five patients, and were compatible with focal myopathy in nine patients. DHS improved in eight out of 11 patients given prednisolone 20 mg/day. Follow‐up needle EMG after steroid therapy in four patients showed improvements in the myopathic changes.

Conclusion

We report that focal myopathy of the neck extensor muscles is common in Japanese PD patients with DHS. Our findings suggest that steroid therapy might improve DHS in some PD patients.
Temperature Dependence of Electrical Resistivity (4–300 K) in Aluminum‐ and Boron‐Doped SiC Ceramics
Authors: Kim Kwang Joo , Lim Kwang‐Young , Kim Young‐Wook , Kim Hyoung Chan
Published: April 2013

Al‐ and B‐doped 3C–SiC ceramics were prepared by hot‐pressing powder compacts containing submicrometer‐sized β‐SiC, precursors of 5 wt% nanosized β‐SiC, and an optional additive (Al or B) in an Ar atmosphere. Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) investigation on the obtained specimens revealed that a portion of the doped Al and B atoms substituted the zinc blende lattice sites. The temperature‐dependent electrical resistivity data of the Al‐ and B‐doped SiC specimens were measured in the 4–300 K range and compared with those of an undoped specimen. The Al‐ and B‐doped SiC specimens exhibited resistivities that were as high as ~103 Ω cm at room temperature and ~105 and ~104 Ω cm, respectively, below 100 K. These values are larger than those of the undoped SiC specimen by a factor of ~104. Such high resistivities of the impurity‐doped specimens are attributable to the carrier compensation by the Al‐ and B‐derived acceptors located well above the valence‐band edge of 3C–SiC. Photoluminescence investigation revealed that the Al‐ and B‐doped specimens exhibited emission profile below 2 eV, implying the existence of the acceptors.
Yellow‐Emitting Y3Si6N11: Ce3+ Phosphors for White Light–Emitting Diodes (LEDs)
Authors: Liu Lihong , Xie Rong‐Jun , Li Wanyuan , Hirosaki Naoto , Yamamoto Yoshinobu , Sun Xudong
Published: April 2013

A novel Y3−xSi6N11: xCe3+ yellow phosphor was synthesized using the carbothermal reduction and nitridition method at 1550°C for 16 h in this letter. Photoluminescence spectra indicated that the phosphor showed broad excitation spectrum and had strong absorption in range of 350–450 nm. It also gave a broad emission band (Full width at half maximum = 153 nm) centered at 575 nm under 425‐nm excitation. With increasing Ce3+ concentration, the strongest emission intensity was obtained at 5 mol% Ce3+ doping amount and a systematic redshift was observed as the Ce3+ concentration increased. The results indicate that this novel yellow phosphor is a promising candidate for using in blue‐chip‐excited white light–emitting diodes (LEDs).
Acquired pharmaco‐dynamic opioid tolerance: a concept analysis
Authors: Middleton Carolyn , Harden Jane
Published: April 2013

Aim

To report an analysis of the concept of acquired pharmaco‐dynamic opioid tolerance.

Background

Acquired pharmaco‐dynamic opioid tolerance is a complex and poorly understood phenomenon associated with strong opioid therapy for managing pain. Critical review of the concept provides greater clarification of the attributes, assisting healthcare professionals in addressing pain and functional management of patients, particularly those with non‐malignant pain.

Design

Concept analysis.

Data sources

A systematic literature search was undertaken using electronic data bases: CINAHL, British Nursing Index, EMBase, Medline, Pubmed and AMED. All literature reviewed was in English and published between 1976 and 2012. The key search terms were ‘chronic non‐malignant pain’, ‘strong opioid therapy’ and ‘development of acquired pharmaco‐dynamic opioid tolerance’; all possible variant terms were also searched.

Method

The Walker and Avant approach was used to guide the concept analysis.

Results

The concept analysis revealed four empirical referents: plasticity, drug administration, reduced analgesic efficacy and increased drug dosing. Tachyphylexia was identified as a borderline case, opioid induced hyperalgesia as a related case and pseudo‐tolerance as a contrary case. The antecedent is administration of an opioid analgesic drug and the consequences, increasing opioid drug dose to maintain analgesic effect.

Conclusion

Untangling the antecedents, empirical referents and consequences of tolerance help healthcare professionals understand its complexities. Improved knowledge may ultimately influence patient outcomes through the construction of better monitoring systems. This concept analysis may also provide insights for policy change and give empirical direction for future research.
Assessment of Executive Functions in Prader–Willi Syndrome and Relationship with Intellectual Level
Authors: Chevalère J. , Postal V. , Jauregui J. , Copet P. , Laurier V. , Thuilleaux D.
Published: April 2013

Introduction

The aim of the present study was to determine whether individuals with Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) have impaired global executive functioning and whether this deficit is linked with intellectual disability. Another objective focussed on the variability in performance of intellectual quotient (IQ) and executive functions (EF) depending on the genotypic subtype. A final objective investigated whether the relationships between IQ and EF are different according to the genotypic subtype.

Method

Twenty individuals with PWS and mild‐to‐moderate IQ (standard scores between 55 and 90, age range 19 and 49 years old, SD = 28.1) were administered an ecological battery of executive functioning (behavioural assessment of dysexecutive syndrome, BADS, adapted from Wilson et al. (1996) Behavioural Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome. Thames Valley Test Company: Bury St Edmunds, UK.). The BADS contains six tests evaluating EF. The sample comprised 14 deletion subtype and six maternal uniparental disomy (m‐UPD) subtype.

Results

Behavioural assessment of dysexecutive syndrome scores were below the level of the standardized healthy populations of the battery and equivalent to those of the neuropathological standardized population. Most scores on EF tasks were relatively highly correlated with Full Scale and Verbal IQs but were not significant or moderately correlated with Performance IQ. Lastly, underlying differences were found in scores on two EF tasks (the Rule Shift Card and the Zoo Map subtests) between the deletion and m‐UPD subtypes.

Discussion

These data suggest a deficit of executive functioning in PWS that is linked more with verbal skills than performance skills. They also suggest that the impact on executive functioning may differ according to the genotype.
Rapid lizard radiation lacking niche conservatism: ecological diversification within a complex landscape
Authors: Ahmadzadeh Faraham , Flecks Morris , Carretero Miguel A. , Böhme Wolfgang , Ilgaz Cetin , Engler Jan O. , James Harris D. , Üzüm Nazan , Rödder Dennis
Published: April 2013

Aim

Diversification and rapid radiation are well documented in lacertid lizards. Niche conservation is frequently observed among related taxa, whereby niches will not change much during speciation events. Here, we investigate the relationship between environmental niche divergence and phylogenetic relatedness in a widespread group of green lizards, theLacerta trilineatagroup.

Location

Eastern Mediterranean, Anatolia and adjacent regions.

Methods

A dated phylogeny based on three mitochondrial genes was contextualized using species distribution models of all genetically identified lineages in theLacerta trilineatagroup. Based on this analysis, ancestral climatic niche occupancy was reconstructed using niche occupancy profiles. Niche divergence among lineages was quantified by computing multivariate niche overlaps.

Results

All taxa are associated with humid areas, but there is extensive variation in their climatic niche breadths and positions, which accord with the main phylogenetic split in the group. Our results suggest divergent niche evolution within subclades and convergent evolution among clades, which implies only a limited degree of niche conservatism regarding annual variations in temperature and precipitation. In contrast, niche axes – mainly reflecting precipitation patterns of the coldest quarter – show a greater difference among clades than within clades, and therefore a higher degree of niche conservatism.

Main conclusions

Based on estimated divergence times between taxa and geological events in Anatolia, our results can be explained by fragmentation of the range of a hypothetical ancestral species, resulting in different adaptations of subclades either to humid continental climates or to more Mediterranean climates. Our study highlights deviations from classical niche conservatism theory due to significant niche shifts among sister taxa.
Disparity in embrasure fill and papilla height between tooth‐ and implant‐borne fixed restorations in the anterior maxilla: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Cosyn Jan , Raes Magalie , Packet Mathieu , Cleymaet Roberto , De Bruyn Hugo
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The objective of the present study was to compare inter‐proximal fill and papilla height between different embrasures.

Material & Methods

One hundred and fifty non‐smoking consecutive patients (mean age 54, range 32–73; 63 males and 87 females) without periodontal disease were selected in a multidisciplinary practice during regular supportive care. All had been treated for multiple tooth loss in the anterior maxilla at least 1 year earlier by means of a fixed restoration on teeth (n = 50) or implants (n = 100) using straightforward procedures (without hard and/or soft tissue augmentation). Embrasure fill was assessed by means of Jemt's papilla index and papilla height was registered following local anaesthesia by means of bone sounding by one clinician.

Results

Tooth‐pontic and tooth‐implant embrasures demonstrated comparable inter‐proximal fill and papilla height (≥58% Jemt's score 3; mean papilla height ≥4.1 mm). Between missing teeth, embrasure fill and papilla height were lower regardless of the embrasure type. The implant‐implant and implant‐pontic embrasure demonstrated comparable outcome (≤42% Jemt's score 3; mean papilla height ≤ 3.3 mm; p ≥ 0.416), which was significantly poorer when compared to the pontic‐pontic embrasure (82% Jemt's score 3; mean papilla height 3.7 mm; p ≤ 0.019). Overall, papilla index and papilla height demonstrated a weak correlation (Spearman's correlation coefficient: 0.198; p = 0.002).

Conclusions

The re‐establishment of a papilla is difficult when there is no tooth involved. In that scenario a short papilla should be expected and implant‐borne restorations demonstrate the poorest outcome. Moreover, an implant with a pontic may not perform better than adjacent implants.
Serum arylhydrocarbon receptor transactivating activity is elevated in type 2 diabetic patients with diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Kim Jin Taek , Kim Sang Soo , Jun Dae Won , Hwang Young Hwan , Park Wook‐Ha , Pak Youngmi Kim , Lee Hong Kyu
Published: April 2013

Aims/Introduction

Evidence is emerging that exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) is a risk factor for obesity‐related diseases and for diabetes mellitus (DM). We found that POPs could be measured by a cell‐based arylhydrocarbon receptor (AhR)‐dependent reporter assay. We tested if serum AhR transactivating (AHRT) activities are a risk factor for diabetic nephropathy in people with type 2 diabetes.

Materials and Methods

We enrolled diabetic patients with normoalbuminuria (n = 36), microalbuminuria (n = 29), macroalbuminuria (n = 8) and end‐stage renal disease (n = 31). Sera were tested for their AHRT activities, which were standardized by an AhR ligand, 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin (TCDD) and expressed as TCDD equivalents (TCDDeq pmol/L).

Results

Mean serum AHRT activities were higher in patients with microalbuminuria (40.1 ± 7.1 pmol/L), macroalbuminuria (37.4 ± 5.5 pmol/L) and end‐stage renal disease (59.1 ± 20.0 pmol/L) than in subjects with normoalbuminuria (12.7 ± 5.4 pmol/L; P < 0.05 for all comparisons). Serum AhR ligands showed a correlation with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; r = −0.663, P < 0.001), serum creatinine level (r = 0.635, P < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (r = 0.223, P = 0.026), glycated hemoglobim (r = 0.339, P < 0.001) and diabetic duration (r = 0.394, P < 0.001). In a multiple regression analysis, diabetic nephropathy was found to be an independent risk factor for higher AHRT activity after controlling for the confounding factors.

Conclusions

The present findings suggest serum AHRT activity, thus serum AhR ligands, is a risk factor for diabetic nephropathy. Further studies are required to clarify if an accumulation of POPs in the body is causally related to diabetic nephropathy.
Novel systemically active galanin receptor 2 ligands in depression‐like behavior
Authors: Saar Indrek , Lahe Jaanus , Langel Kent , Runesson Johan , Webling Kristin , Järv Jaak , Rytkönen Jussi , Närvänen Ale , Bartfai Tamas , Kurrikoff Kaido , Langel Ülo
Published: April 2013

Neuropeptide galanin and its three G‐protein coupled receptors, galanin receptor type 1–galanin receptor type 3 (GalR1–GalR3), are involved in the regulation of numerous physiological and disease processes, and thus represent tremendous potential in neuroscience research and novel drug lead development. One of the areas where galanin is involved is depression. Previous studies have suggested that activation of GalR2 leads to attenuation of depression‐like behavior. Unfortunately, lack of in vivo usable subtype specific ligands hinders testing the role of galanin in depression mechanisms. In this article, we utilize an approach of increasing in vivo usability of peptide‐based ligands, acting upon CNS. Thus, we have synthesized a series of novel systemically active galanin analogs, with modest preferential binding toward GalR2. We have shown that specific chemical modifications to the galanin backbone increase brain levels upon i.v. injection of the peptides. Several of the new peptides, similar to a common clinically used antidepressant medication imipramine, exerted antidepressant‐like effect in forced swim test, a mouse model of depression, at a surprisingly low dose range (< 0.5 mg/kg). We chose one of the peptides, J18, for more thorough study, and showed its efficacy also in another mouse depression model (tail suspension test), and demonstrated that its antidepressant‐like effect upon i.v. administration can be blocked by i.c.v. galanin receptor antagonist M35. The effect of the J18 was also abolished in GalR2KO animals. All this suggests that systemically administered peptide analog J18 exerts its biological effect through activation of GalR2 in the brain. The novel galanin analogs represent potential drug leads and a novel pharmaceutical intervention for depression.

image

We utilize several chemical modifications to increase in vivo usability of peptide‐based ligands, acting upon CNS. Accordingly, we introduce a series of novel systemically active galanin analogues, with modest preferential binding towards GalR2, and demonstrate their ability to attenuate depression‐like behavior via brain GalR2 in different mouse models of depression.
Environmental stress, ageing and glial cell senescence: a novel mechanistic link to Parkinson's disease?
Authors: Chinta S. J. , Lieu C. A. , DeMaria M. , Laberge R.‐M. , Campisi J. , Andersen J. K.
Published: April 2013

Exposure to environmental toxins is associated with a variety of age‐related diseases including cancer and neurodegeneration. For example, in Parkinson's disease (PD), chronic environmental exposure to certain toxins has been linked to the age‐related development of neuropathology. Neuronal damage is believed to involve the induction of neuroinflammatory events as a consequence of glial cell activation. Cellular senescence is a potent anti‐cancer mechanism that occurs in a number of proliferative cell types and causes the arrest of proliferation of cells at risk of malignant transformation following exposure to potentially oncogenic stimuli. With age, senescent cells accumulate and express a senescence‐associated secretory phenotype (SASP; that is the robust secretion of many inflammatory cytokines, growth factors and proteases). Whereas cell senescence in peripheral tissues has been causally linked to a number of age‐related pathologies, little is known about the induction of cellular senescence and the SASP in the brain. On the basis of recently reported findings, we propose that environmental stressors associated with PD may act in part by eliciting senescence and the SASP within non neuronal glial cells in the ageing brain, thus contributing to the characteristic decline in neuronal integrity that occurs in this disorder.
Reliability, Asymmetry, and Age Influence on Dynamic Cerebral Autoregulation Measured by Spontaneous Fluctuations of Blood Pressure and Cerebral Blood Flow Velocities in Healthy Individuals
Authors: Ortega‐Gutierrez Santiago , Petersen Nils , Masurkar Arjun , Reccius Andres , Huang Amy , Li Min , Choi Jae H. , Marshall Randolph S.
Published: April 2013

BACKGROUND

Cerebral autoregulation (CA) enables the brain to maintain stable cerebral blood flow (CBF). CA can be assessed noninvasively by determining correlations between CBF velocity (CBFV) and spontaneous changes in blood pressure. Postrecording signal analysis methods have included both frequency‐ and time‐domain methods. However, the test‐retest reliability, cross‐validation, and determination of normal values have not been adequately established.

METHODS

In 53 healthy volunteers, a transfer function analysis was applied to calculate phase shift (PS) and gain in the low frequency range (.06‐.12 Hz) where CA is most apparent. Correlation analysis was used to derive mean velocity index (Mx). Intraclass correlation and bivariate correlation coefficients were applied to assess asymmetry, cross‐validity, and test‐retest results: The bihemispheric average PS, gain, and Mx means were 45.99+/−14.24°, .62+/−.38 cm/second/mmHg, and .41+/−.13, respectively. Gain exhibited a difference by age (P = .03). PS, gain, and Mx values showed excellent interhemispheric correlation (r > .8; P < .001). PS and gain showed good reliability (R ICC = .632, L ICC = .576; P < .001). PS and Mx showed fair correlation (r = −.37; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

CA parameters obtained by time‐ and frequency‐domain methods correlate well, and show good interhemispheric and test‐retest reliability. Group means from healthy controls may provide adequate norms for determining abnormal CA in cerebrovascular patients.
Unusual phenolic compounds contribute to ecophysiological performance in the purple‐colored green alga Zygogonium ericetorum (Zygnematophyceae, Streptophyta) from a high‐alpine habitat
Authors: Aigner Siegfried , Remias Daniel , Karsten Ulf , Holzinger Andreas
Published: April 2013

The filamentous green alga Zygogonium ericetorum (Zygnematophyceae, Streptophyta) was collected in a high‐alpine rivulet in Tyrol, Austria. Two different morphotypes of this alga were found: a purple morph with a visible purple vacuolar content and a green morph lacking this coloration. These morphotypes were compared with respect to their secondary metabolites, ultrastructure, and ecophysiological properties. Colorimetric tests with aqueous extracts of the purple morph indicated the presence of soluble compounds such as phenolics and hydrolyzable tannins. High‐performance liquid chromatography‐screening showed that Z. ericetorum contained several large phenolic peaks with absorption maxima at ~280 nm and sometimes with minor maxima at ~380 nm. Such compounds are uncommon for freshwater green microalgae, and could contribute to protect the organism against increased UV and visible (VIS) irradiation. The purple Z. ericetorum contained larger amounts (per dry weight) of the putative phenolic substances than the green morph; exposure to irradiation may be a key factor for accumulation of these phenolic compounds. Transmission electron microscopy of the purple morph showed massive vacuolization with homogenous medium electron‐dense content in the cell periphery, which possibly contains the secondary compounds. In contrast, the green morph had smaller, electron‐translucent vacuoles. The ecophysiological data on photosynthesis and desiccation tolerance indicated that increasing photon fluence densities led to much higher relative electron transport rates (rETR) in the purple than in the green morph. These data suggest that the secondary metabolites in the purple morph are important for light acclimation in high‐alpine habitats. However, the green morph recovered better after 4 d of rehydration following desiccation stress.
Phylogenetics and biogeography of Theaceae based on sequences of plastid genes
Authors: LI Mi‐Mi , LI Jian‐Hua , DEL TREDICI Peter , CORAJOD Jeffrey , FU Cheng‐Xin
Published: April 2013

Despite several morphological and molecular analyses of Theaceae, several outstanding issues remain in the phylogenetics and biogeography of the family including the disputed relationships among the tribes Gordonieae, Stewartieae, and Theeae, the controversial taxonomic status of Hartia and Stewartia, and the unclear biogeographic history of Gordonieae and Stewartieae. In this study we gathered DNA sequences of multiple plastid genes from 27 species of Theaceae representing all genera except Laplacea, conducted phylogenetic analyses using parsimony, likelihood, and Bayesian methods, and estimated divergence times within a Bayesian framework with fossil calibrations and molecular data. Our data provided further support for the three tribes in the family and for the sister‐group relationship of Theeae to Stewartieae plus Gordonieae. Within Gordonieae, our study for the first time offered strong molecular support for the sister relationship of Franklinia and Schima. Within Stewartieae, our data supported the paraphyly of Stewartia including Hartia. Within Stewartia, our data for the first time suggested that North American (NA) species Stewartia ovata was more closely related to eastern Asian (EA) species than to the other NA species Stewartia malacodendron. Biogeographic analyses indicated that disjunct endemic species of Gordonieae might have originated from NA and those of Stewartieae from EA. Divergence times of the EA‐NA disjunct pairs identified in this study (Franklinia and Schima in Gordonieae and S. ovata (NA) and Asian species of Stewartia) were estimated to be in the Mid‐Miocene. Population exchanges in Gordonieae and Stewartieae may have occurred over the Bering land bridge prior to the Mid‐Miocene.
Codon usage and coevolution of the large and small subunits of ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase
Authors: PEI Zhi‐Yong , MU Guang‐Li , PAN Jin , ZHANG Da‐Ming
Published: April 2013

As the most abundant protein on Earth, ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) is the key enzyme in carbon fixation of photosynthesis in all green plants. It is hexadecimal polymer, consisting of two kinds of subunits, large and small ones, which are encoded by different genomes. The large subunit (LSU) is encoded by the chloroplast genome; the small one by the nuclear genome. The function of RuBisCO relies on the two subunits, and only when they are combined to be hexadecimal, can it carry out its whole function. However, how the LSU and small subunits evolved, and if they coevolved, has remained mysterious. In this study, based on data in 21 species, phylogenies were analyzed on two subunits, respectively, and a mirror tree was reconstructed to reveal phylogenetic similarity. Furthermore, a comparative analysis method, using the codon usage bias and correlation calculation for RuBisCO subunits, was carried out. The relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU) values of LSU and small subunits were calculated. Finally, a novel parameter, RSCU distances‐based correlation (RDC), for evaluating molecular coevolution was proposed based on Pearson's correlation coefficient between RSCU value matrices of two subunits. The results show that the topological similarity of the mirror tree gave positive evidence of coevolution between subunits. Similarly, the RDC was high, at 0.558, revealing that the RuBisCO subunits coevolved to an extent. The results confirmed that coevolution happened between the two subunits of RuBisCO, although they were encoded by different genomes. This study added new evidence that functional constraint plays an important role in the evolution of the two subunits.
The antimicrobial effects of helium and helium–air plasma on Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium difficile
Authors: Galvin S. , Cahill O. , O'Connor N. , Cafolla A.A. , Daniels S. , Humphreys H.
Published: April 2013

Healthcare-associated infections (HCAI) affect 5–10% of acute hospital admissions. Environmental decontamination is an important component of all strategies to prevent HCAI as many bacterial causes survive and persist in the environment, which serve as ongoing reservoirs of infection. Current approaches such as cleaning with detergents and the use of chemical disinfectant are suboptimal. We assessed the efficacy of helium and helium–air plasma in killing Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium difficile on a glass surface and studied the impact on bacterial cells using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Both plasma types exhibited bactericidal effects on Staph. aureus (log3·6 – >log7), with increased activity against methicillin-resistant strains, but had a negligible effect on Cl. difficile spores (<1log). AFM demonstrated cell surface disruption. The addition of air increased the microbicidal activity of the plasma and decreased the exposure time required for an equivalent log reduction. Further evaluation of cold plasma systems is warranted with, for example, different bacteria and on surfaces more reminiscent of the health care environment as this approach has potential as an effective decontaminant.

Significance and Impact of the Study

Many bacterial causes of healthcare infection can survive in the inanimate environment for lengthy periods and be transmitted to patients. Furthermore, current methods of environmental decontamination such as detergents, chemical disinfectants or gaseous fumigation are suboptimal for a variety of reasons. We assessed the efficacy of helium and helium–air plasma as a decontaminant and demonstrated a significant reduction in bacterial counts of Staphylococcus aureus on a glass surface. Atomic force microscopy morphologically confirmed the impact on bacterial cells. This approach warrants further study as an alternative to current options for hospital hygiene.
Where have All the Educated Workers Gone? Services and Wage Inequality in Three Asian Economies
Authors: Mehta Aashish , Felipe Jesus , Quising Pilipinas , Camingue Shiela
Published: April 2013

The wage returns to college have risen relative to those to secondary education in many developing economies. In India, the Philippines and Thailand, this is related to the expansion of services employment. We show this using decompositions connecting shifts in the returns to education to changing job opportunities. High‐skill services employment grew slowly while relative demand in the sector shifted from secondary to college graduates, pushing workers with secondary education into low‐skill intensive services. These polarizing trends in services employment account for the growing convexity of the Mincerian wage profile, and may constrain governments seeking to use educational expansion to alter the wage distribution.
Major QTLs for critical photoperiod and vernalization underlie extensive variation in flowering in the Mimulus guttatus species complex
Authors: Friedman Jannice , Willis John H.
Published: April 2013

Species with extensive ranges experience highly variable environments with respect to temperature, light and soil moisture. Synchronizing the transition from vegetative to floral growth is important to employ favorable conditions for reproduction. Optimal timing of this transition might be different for semelparous annual plants and iteroparous perennial plants.

We studied variation in the critical photoperiod necessary for floral induction and the requirement for a period of cold‐chilling (vernalization) in 46 populations of annuals and perennials in the Mimulus guttatus species complex. We then examined critical photoperiod and vernalization QTLs in growth chambers using F2 progeny from annual and perennial parents that differed in their requirements for flowering.

We identify extensive variation in critical photoperiod, with most annual populations requiring substantially shorter day lengths to initiate flowering than perennial populations. We discover a novel type of vernalization requirement in perennial populations that is contingent on plants experiencing short days first. QTL analyses identify two large‐effect QTLs which influence critical photoperiod. In two separate vernalization experiments we discover each set of crosses contain different large‐effect QTLs for vernalization.

Mimulus guttatus harbors extensive variation in critical photoperiod and vernalization that may be a consequence of local adaptation.
Comparison of the Effect of Human Milk and Topical Hydrocortisone 1% on Diaper Dermatitis
Authors: Farahani Leila Amiri , Ghobadzadeh Maryam , Yousefi Parsa
Published: April 2013

Diaper dermatitis is one of the most common skin problems in infants and children, affecting between 7% and 35% of infants. This randomized clinical trial compared the efficacy of hydrocortisone 1% ointment with that of human breast milk in treating acute diaper dermatitis in infants ages 0 to 24 months. Infants with diaper rash were treated with either hydrocortisone 1% ointment (n = 70) or human breast milk (n = 71) for 7 days. Improvement in the rash from baseline was seen in both treatment groups on days 3 and 7; there was no significant difference in total rash scores on days 3 and 7. Treatment with human breast milk was as effective as hydrocortisone 1% ointment alone. Human breast milk is an effective and safe treatment for diaper dermatitis in infants.
Ambient Air Pollution and Traffic Exposures and Congenital Heart Defects in the San Joaquin Valley of California
Authors: Padula Amy M. , Tager Ira B. , Carmichael Suzan L. , Hammond S. Katharine , Yang Wei , Lurmann Frederick , Shaw Gary M.
Published: April 2013

Background

Congenital anomalies are a leading cause of infant morbidity and mortality. Studies suggest associations between environmental contaminants and some anomalies, although evidence is limited.

Methods

We used data from the California Center of the National Birth Defects Prevention Study and the Children's Health and Air Pollution Study to estimate the odds of 27 congenital heart defects with respect to quartiles of seven ambient air pollutant and traffic exposures in California during the first 2 months of pregnancy, 1997–2006 (n = 822 cases and n = 849 controls).

Results

Particulate matter < 10 microns (PM10) was associated with pulmonary valve stenosis [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)Fourth Quartile = 2.6] [95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.2, 5.7] and perimembranous ventricular septal defects (aORThird Quartile = 2.1) [95% CI 1.1, 3.9] after adjusting for maternal race/ethnicity, education and multivitamin use. PM2.5 was associated with transposition of the great arteries (aORThird Quartile = 2.6) [95% CI 1.1, 6.5] and inversely associated with perimembranous ventricular septal defects (aORFourth Quartile = 0.5) [95% CI 0.2, 0.9]. Secundum atrial septal defects were inversely associated with carbon monoxide (aORFourth Quartile = 0.4) [95% CI 0.2, 0.8] and PM2.5 (aORFourth Quartile = 0.5) [95% CI 0.3, 0.8]. Traffic density was associated with muscular ventricular septal defects (aORFourth Quartile = 3.0) [95% CI 1.2, 7.8] and perimembranous ventricular septal defects (aORThird Quartile = 2.4) [95% CI 1.3, 4.6], and inversely associated with transposition of the great arteries (aORFourth Quartile = 0.3) [95% CI 0.1, 0.8].

Conclusions

PM10 and traffic density may contribute to the occurrence of pulmonary valve stenosis and ventricular septal defects, respectively. The results were mixed for other pollutants and had little consistency with previous studies.
Viral and bacterial infection in acute asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease increases the risk of readmission
Authors: Wark Peter A.B. , Tooze Melinda , Powell Heather , Parsons Kristy
Published: April 2013

Background and objective

Infection is as an important trigger for acute asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of this article was to determine the prevalence and impact of virus and bacterial infections in acute asthma and COPD.

Methods

Subjects were recruited, within 24 h of hospital admission for acute exacerbations of asthma and COPD. Nose/throat swabs and sputum samples were collected and examined by multiplex polymerase chain reaction for respiratory viruses and cultured for bacteria. The primary outcomes were length of stay (LOS) and readmission to hospital within 60 days.

Results

A total of 199 subjects were recruited (96 had asthma and 103 COPD) for 235 events (36 re‐presented). A virus was detected in 79 subjects (40%), bacteria in 41 (21%), and of these, 18 had both. Rhinovirus A was the most frequently isolated virus. A multivariate analysis was performed to control for confounders. It found that detection of a virus, a virus and bacteria, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and a diagnosis of COPD were all independent predictors of prolonged LOS, while risk of readmission within 60 days was increased with virus infection alone, virus and bacterial infection, lower FEV1 and current smoking.

Conclusions

Virus infection, especially in the presence of chronic bacterial infection, is an important determinant of more severe acute exacerbations in both asthma and COPD, and patients with co‐infections are more likely to be readmitted to hospital following their exacerbation.
Relations among Behavioral and Questionnaire Measures of Impulsivity in a Sample of Suicide Attempters
Authors: Bagge Courtney L. , Littlefield Andrew K. , Rosellini Anthony J. , Coffey Scott F.
Published: April 2013

Despite the focus on impulsivity within suicide research, it remains unclear the extent to which impulsivity assessments, that purportedly tap similar constructs, show significant overlap in samples of individuals with suicidal behaviors. In a sample of 69 suicide attempters, we took a multitrait, multimethod approach to examine the relation among various questionnaire and behavioral assessments of impulsivity facets. With the exception of urgency and go–stop performance, there was little evidence of concordance between questionnaire and behavioral measures. These findings suggest researchers cannot presume that measures of “impulsivity” assess similar psychological processes and that more nuanced terminology is needed.
Sorption and desorption of phosphate on biochar and biochar–soil mixtures
Authors: Morales M. M. , Comerford N. , Guerrini I. A. , Falcão N. P. S. , Reeves J. B.
Published: April 2013

The term biochar refers to materials with diverse chemical, physical and physicochemical characteristics that have potential as a soil amendment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the P sorption/desorption properties of various slow biochars and one fast pyrolysis biochar and to determine how a fast pyrolysis biochar influences these properties in a degraded tropical soil. The fast pyrolysis biochar was a mixture of three separate biochars: sawdust, elephant grass and sugar cane leaves. Three other biochars were made by slow pyrolysis from three Amazonian tree species (Lacre, Ingá and Embaúba) at three temperatures of formation (400 °C, 500 °C, 600 °C). Inorganic P was added to develop sorption curves and then desorbed to develop desorption curves for all biochar situations. For the slow pyrolysis, the 600 ºC biochar had a reduced capacity to sorb P (4–10 times less) relative to those biochars formed at 400 °C and 500 °C. Conversely, biochar from Ingá desorbed the most P. The fast pyrolysis biochar, when mixed with degraded tropical mineral soil, decreased the soil's P sorption capacity by 55% presumably because of the high soluble, inorganic P prevalent in this biochar (909 mg P/kg of biochar). Phosphorus desorption from the fast pyrolysis biochar/soil mixture not only exhibited a common desorption curve but also buffered the soil solution at a value of ca. 0.2 mg/L. This study shows the diversity in P chemistry that can be expected when biochar is a soil amendment and suggests the potential to develop biochars with properties to meet specific objectives.
Task shifting an inpatient triage, assessment and treatment programme improves the quality of care for hospitalised Malawian children
Authors: Olson Daniel , Preidis Geoffrey A. , Milazi Robert , Spinler Jennifer K. , Lufesi Norman , Mwansambo Charles , Hosseinipour Mina C. , McCollum Eric D.
Published: April 2013

Objective

We aimed to improve paediatric inpatient surveillance at a busy referral hospital in Malawi with two new programmes: (i) the provision of vital sign equipment and implementation of an inpatient triage programme (ITAT) that includes a simplified paediatric severity‐of‐illness score, and (ii) task shifting ITAT to a new cadre of healthcare workers called ‘vital sign assistants’ (VSAs).

Methods

This study, conducted on the paediatric inpatient ward of a large referral hospital in Malawi, was divided into three phases, each lasting 4 weeks. In Phase A, we collected baseline data. In Phase B, we provided three new automated vital sign poles and implemented ITAT with current hospital staff. In Phase C, VSAs were introduced and performed ITAT. Our primary outcome measures were the number of vital sign assessments performed and clinician notifications to reassess patients with high ITAT scores.

Results

We enrolled 3994 patients who received 5155 vital sign assessments. Assessment frequency was equal between Phases A (0.67 assessments/patient) and B (0.61 assessments/patient), but increased 3.6‐fold in Phase C (2.44 assessments/patient, P < 0.001). Clinician notifications increased from Phases A (84) and B (113) to Phase C (161, P = 0.002). Inpatient mortality fell from Phase A (9.3%) to Phases B (5.7) and C (6.9%).

Conclusion

ITAT with VSAs improved vital sign assessments and nearly doubled clinician notifications of patients needing further assessment due to high ITAT scores, while equipment alone made no difference. Task shifting ITAT to VSAs may improve outcomes in paediatric hospitals in the developing world.