bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of parametric equations of motion to study the laser induced multiphoton dissociation of $H_{2}^{+}$H2+ in intense laser field
Authors: Kalita Dhruba J. , Rao Akshay , Rajvanshi Ishir , Gupta Ashish K.
Published: June 2011

We have applied parametric equations of motion (PEM) to study photodissociation dynamics of \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$H_{2}^{+}$\end{document}H2+. The resonances are extracted using smooth exterior scaling method. This is the first application of PEM to non-Hermitian Hamiltonian that includes resonances and the continuum. Here, we have studied how the different resonance states behave with respect to the change in field amplitude. The advantage of this method is that one can easily trace the different states that are changing as the field parameter changes.
Light-induced stochastic resonance in a nanoscale resonant-tunneling diode
Authors: Hartmann F. , Gammaitoni L. , Höfling S. , Forchel A. , Worschech L.
Published: June 2011

Resonant tunneling diodes (RTDs) have been often invoked as a primary nanoelectronic device candidate for cellular neural network physical implementation and for mimicking biological neuronlike behaviors. In this letter we report on the light-induced behavior of trench-etched RTDs capable of undergoing complex stochastic dynamics where electronic noise and light can cooperate for reproducing the stochastic resonance phenomenon previously observed in real biological neurons. The experimental measurements presented here add a missing piece to the quest for the optimal mimicking of bio-neural simulation by improving the functionality and thus the potential role of nanoscale RTDs.
Review of western Baltic cod (Gadus morhua) recruitment dynamics
Authors: Hüssy Karin
Published: June 2011

Hüssy, K. 2011. Review of western Baltic cod (Gadus morhua) recruitment dynamics. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 1459–1471. Important processes in the recruitment dynamics of western Baltic cod (Gadus morhua) are identified. Spawning areas are in the deep, saline waters below 20–40 m, depending on area topography. Spatial distribution remains relatively stable over time. Peak spawning shows an area-specific pattern, with progressively later spawning towards the east. Genetic stock structure and tagging indicate some degree of natal homing for spawning. The highly variable hydrodynamic conditions and the fact that cod eggs float in the water column cause their entrainment by currents, and their destination is determined by the prevailing winds and currents. Drift is almost exclusively to the east, but the magnitude and its impact on the structure of the affected stocks (Kattegat, western Baltic, and eastern Baltic) remains unresolved. Salinity limits the east–west exchange of eggs as a consequence of the stocks' differential requirement for neutral buoyancy. Superimposed on this, oxygen content and temperature have a significant effect on fertilization, egg/larva development, and survival. Within the Baltic Sea ecosystem, mixing of stocks may be anticipated and is particularly pronounced in the Arkona Basin because of its use for spawning by both western and eastern stocks, the advection of early life stages from the west and immigration/emigration from the east.
Gaining information from commercial catch for a Bayesian two-stage biomass dynamic model: application to Bay of Biscay anchovy
Authors: Ibaibarriaga Leire , Fernández Carmen , Uriarte Andrés
Published: June 2011

Ibaibarriaga, L., Fernández, C., and Uriarte, A. 2011. Gaining information from commercial catch for a Bayesian two-stage biomass dynamic model: application to Bay of Biscay anchovy. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 1435–1446. A two-stage biomass dynamic model for Bay of Biscay anchovy is presented. Compared with the model currently applied by ICES for the assessment of that stock, the new model separates the growth and natural mortality processes and allows them to differ by age class. Stochastic equations involving the observed weights by age class in surveys are incorporated to provide information on growth rates. The fishing process is modelled separating fishing mortality into year and age-class effects in each semester, and observation equations are introduced for total catch and catch proportion by age class (in biomass) by semester. The model is first tested on simulated data, then applied to real data for the years 1987–2008. Although the results are affected by survey catchability and natural mortality assumptions, estimates of population trends, when expressed in relation to the value in a given year, are robust. The new model has significantly more parameters, requiring longer computational time for its fitting, which is done in a Bayesian context. However, it does allow the testing of different assumptions on natural mortality, which is of special interest after the recent fishery closure, and estimating new parameters, which could provide further insight on stock and fleet dynamics.
Effects of process and observation errors on effective sample size of fishery and survey age and length composition using variance ratio and likelihood methods
Authors: Hulson Peter-John F. , Hanselman Dana H. , Quinn Terrance J.
Published: June 2011

Hulson, P-J. F., Hanselman, D. H., and Quinn, T. J. II. 2011. Effects of process and observation errors on effective sample size of fishery and survey age and length composition using variance ratio and likelihood methods. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 1548–1557. Observations of age or length composition from fisheries or research surveys are modelled frequently with the multinomial distribution. Violations of multinomial assumptions in data collection usually cause overdispersion of observations and consequent underestimation of uncertainty. This has led to the adoption of an effective sample size less than the actual sample size to approximate the likelihood function for age or length composition better in, for example, fishery stock assessment models. The behaviour of effective sample size is examined under different scenarios for population age distribution and sampling design. Effective sample size was approximated with three approaches: (i) the ratio of multinomial to empirical variance; (ii) sampling estimation; and (iii) the Dirichlet likelihood. The most significant changes in effective sample size were attributable to process error involving aggregation of ages within schools. In terms of observation error, effective sample size can be increased by increasing the number of tows from which samples are obtained for age or length composition, then, because of the reduced uncertainty in effective sample size, the Dirichlet likelihood can be integrated into the objective function of fishery stock assessment models to estimate the effective sample size in future assessments.
First Report of Septoria Spot of Clementine Caused by Septoria citri in Italy
Authors: Garibaldi A. , Bertetti D. , Amatulli M. T. , Gullino M. L.
Published: June 2011

In January 2010, a fruit spot of “Clementine” (Citrus clementina Hort. ex Tan.) was observed on Italian-grown fruit in a market in northern Italy. The surface of the peel of infected fruits had black, irregular, necrotic areas that were slightly depressed, 10 mm in diameter, and surrounded by chlorotic halos. No pycnidia were observed on the necrotic spots. Tissues beneath the necrotic spots, which included the albedo (white pith), appeared dark and a black rot affected the external part of the juice vesicles. Small sections (approximately 3 mm2) of infected internal tissues were cultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with 25 ppm of streptomycin and maintained at 22 to 24°C. A slow-growing fungus with dark colored mycelium that produced pycnidia was consistently isolated. Conidia were hyaline, elongate, straight or slightly curved, unicellular, but sometimes with one septum, and measured 9.0 to 25.4 × 1.0 to 2.7 (average 17.7 × 1.8) μm. Preliminary morphological identification of the fungal isolates resembling Septoria spp. was confirmed by PCR using genomic DNA extracted from the mycelia of pure cultures. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA was amplified using the primers ITS4/ITS6 and sequenced. BLAST analysis of the 508-bp segment showed a 99% homology with the sequence of Septoria citri (GenBank Accession No. DQ897650). The nucleotide sequence has been assigned the GenBank Accession No. HQ176410. Pathogenicity of one isolate was tested by inoculating 10 fruits. These were wounded at the equatorial level (three wounds per fruit, 5 mm depth) and dipped for 10 s in a conidial suspension (1.2 × 107 conidia/ml). Ten wounded noninoculated fruits were dipped in sterilized water and served as control. Fruits were kept at 10 ± 1°C. After 50 days, dark, sunken necrosis appeared around the wounds of inoculated fruits and the same symptoms first observed were present into the tissues beneath the wounds. S. citri was consistently reisolated from the inoculated fruits. Noninoculated fruits remained healthy. The pathogenicity test was carried out twice. The same disease was observed on other fruits belonging to the Rutaceae family, such as lemon in Greece (3) and on orange and lemon in Australia (1). In Italy, S. citri has been reported on lemon (2) fruit. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the presence of this pathogen on clementine in Italy as well in the world. The presence of Septoria spot on clementine fruits is currently sporadic in Italy; however it is necessary to monitor the incidence of this disease with field and postharvest surveys.

References: (1) T. G. B. Osborn and G. Samuel. Trans. R. Soc. Aust. 46:166, 1922. (2) P. Petri. Boll. Stn. Patol. Veg. Roma N.S. 16:1, 1936. (3) D. G. Zachos. FAO Plant Prot. Bull. 6:41, 1957.
Genetic Diversity of the Ordinary Strain of Potato virus Y (PVY) and Origin of Recombinant PVY Strains
Authors: Karasev Alexander V. , Hu Xiaojun , Brown Celeste J. , Kerlan Camille , Nikolaeva Olga V. , Crosslin James M. , Gray Stewart M.
Published: June 2011

The ordinary strain of Potato virus Y (PVY), PVYO, causes mild mosaic in tobacco and induces necrosis and severe stunting in potato cultivars carrying the Ny gene. A novel substrain of PVYO was recently reported, PVYO-O5, which is spreading in the United States and is distinguished from other PVYO isolates serologically (i.e., reacting to the otherwise PVYN-specific monoclonal antibody 1F5). To characterize this new PVYO-O5 subgroup and address possible reasons for its continued spread, we conducted a molecular study of PVYO and PVYO-O5 isolates from a North American collection of PVY through whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. In all, 44 PVYO isolates were sequenced, including 31 from the previously defined PVYO-O5 group, and subjected to whole-genome analysis. PVYO-O5 isolates formed a separate lineage within the PVYO genome cluster in the whole-genome phylogenetic tree and represented a novel evolutionary lineage of PVY from potato. On the other hand, the PVYO sequences separated into at least two distinct lineages on the whole-genome phylogenetic tree. To shed light on the origin of the three most common PVY recombinants, a more detailed phylogenetic analysis of a sequence fragment, nucleotides 2,406 to 5,821, that is present in all recombinant and nonrecombinant PVYO genomes was conducted. The analysis revealed that PVYN:O and PVYN-Wi recombinants acquired their PVYO segments from two separate PVYO lineages, whereas the PVYNTN recombinant acquired its PVYO segment from the same lineage as PVYN:O. These data suggest that PVYN:O and PVYN-Wi recombinants originated from two separate recombination events involving two different PVYO parental genomes, whereas the PVYNTN recombinants likely originated from the PVYN:O genome via additional recombination events.
In situ
chemichromic studies of interactions between a lutetium bis-octaalkyl-substituted phthalocyanine and selected biological cofactors
Authors: Pal C. , Cammidge A. N. , Cook M. J. , Sosa-Sanchez J. L. , Sharma A. K. , Ray A. K.
Published: June 2011

Spin-coated films, approximately 100 nm thick, of a newly synthesized bis[octakis(octyl)phthalocyaninato] lutetium(III) complex on ultrasonically cleaned glass substrates exhibit pronounced chemichromic behaviour with potential application in healthcare.
In situ
kinetic optical absorption spectroscopic measurements show that the phthalocyanine Q-band is red shifted by 60 nm upon oxidation arising from exposure to bromine vapour. Recovery to the original state is achieved by the treatment of the oxidized films with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and
l
-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in an aqueous solution containing 1.5 M lithium perchlorate. The neutralization process is found to be governed by first-order kinetics. The linear increase of the reduction rate with increasing concentration of cofactors provides a basis for calibration of analyte concentrations ranging from 3.5 mM down to 0.03 mM.
Decoding GnRH neurohormone pulse frequency by convergent signalling modules
Authors: Tsaneva-Atanasova Krasimira , Mina Petros , Caunt Christopher J. , Armstrong Stephen P. , McArdle Craig A.
Published: June 2011

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) mediates control of reproduction. It is secreted in pulses and acts via intracellular effectors to activate gonadotrophin secretion and gene expression. Sub-maximal GnRH pulse frequency can elicit maximal responses, yielding bell-shaped frequency–response curves characteristic of genuine frequency decoders. GnRH frequency decoding is therapeutically important (pulsatile GnRH can drive ovulation in assisted reproduction whereas sustained activation can treat breast and prostate cancers), but the mechanisms are unknown. Here, we consider the possibility that it is due to convergence of distinct pulsatile signals at the transcriptome. We develop a model that mirrors wet-laboratory data for activation and nuclear translocation of GnRH effectors (extracellular signal regulated kinase and nuclear factors of activated T-cells) and incorporates transcription. The model predicts genuine frequency decoding when two transcription factors (TFs) converge at a cooperative gate, and shows how optimal pulse frequency could reflect TF activation kinetics and affinities. Importantly, this behaviour is revealed as an emergent feature of the network, rather than an intrinsic feature of a given protein or pathway, and since such network topology is extremely common, may well be widespread in biological systems.
Did the Draupner wave occur in a crossing sea?
Authors: Adcock T. A. A. , Taylor P. H. , Yan S. , Ma Q. W. , Janssen P. A. E. M.
Published: June 2011

The ‘New Year Wave’ was recorded at the Draupner platform in the North Sea and is a rare high-quality measurement of a ‘freak’ or ‘rogue’ wave. The wave has been the subject of much interest and numerous studies. Despite this, the event has still not been satisfactorily explained. One piece of information that was not directly measured at the platform, but which is vital to understanding the nonlinear dynamics is the wave's directional spreading. This paper investigates the directionality of the Draupner wave and concludes it might have resulted from two wave-groups crossing, whose mean wave directions were separated by about 90
°
or more. This result has been deduced from a set-up of the low-frequency second-order difference waves under the giant wave, which can be explained only if two wave systems are propagating at such an angle. To check whether second-order theory is satisfactory for such a highly nonlinear event, we have run numerical simulations using a fully nonlinear potential flow solver, which confirm the conclusion deduced from the second-order theory. This is backed up by a hindcast from European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts that shows swell waves propagating at approximately 80
°
to the wind sea. Other evidence that supports our conclusion are the measured forces on the structure, the magnitude of the second-order sum waves and some other instances of freak waves occurring in crossing sea states.
Thermal stability of retained austenite in bainitic steel: an
in situ
study
Authors: Podder A. Saha , Lonardelli I. , Molinari A. , Bhadeshia H. K. D. H.
Published: June 2011

The tempering of two-phase mixtures of bainitic ferrite and carbon-enriched retained austenite has been investigated in an effort to separate the reactions that occur at elevated temperatures from any transformation during cooling to ambient conditions. It is demonstrated using synchrotron X-radiation measurements that the residue of austenite left at the tempering temperature partly decomposes by martensitic transformation when the sample is cooled. It is well established in the published literature that films of retained austenite are better able to resist stress or strain-induced martensitic transformation than any coarser particles of austenite. In contrast, the coarser austenite is more resistant to the precipitation of cementite during tempering than the film form because of its lower carbon concentration.
A combination of hydrodynamical and statistical modelling reveals non-stationary climate effects on fish larvae distributions
Authors: Hidalgo M. , Gusdal Y. , Dingsør G. E. , Hjermann D. , Ottersen G. , Stige L. C. , Melsom A. , Stenseth N. C.
Published: June 2011

Biological processes and physical oceanography are often integrated in numerical modelling of marine fish larvae, but rarely in statistical analyses of spatio-temporal observation data. Here, we examine the relative contribution of inter-annual variability in spawner distribution, advection by ocean currents, hydrography and climate in modifying observed distribution patterns of cod larvae in the Lofoten–Barents Sea. By integrating predictions from a particle-tracking model into a spatially explicit statistical analysis, the effects of advection and the timing and locations of spawning are accounted for. The analysis also includes other environmental factors: temperature, salinity, a convergence index and a climate threshold determined by the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). We found that the spatial pattern of larvae changed over the two climate periods, being more upstream in low NAO years. We also demonstrate that spawning distribution and ocean circulation are the main factors shaping this distribution, while temperature effects are different between climate periods, probably due to a different spatial overlap of the fish larvae and their prey, and the consequent effect on the spatial pattern of larval survival. Our new methodological approach combines numerical and statistical modelling to draw robust inferences from observed distributions and will be of general interest for studies of many marine fish species.
Structure of the footwall of a listric fault system revealed by 3D seismic data from the Niger Delta
Authors: Maloney Dominic , Davies Richard , Imber Jonathan , King Stephen
Published: June 2011

We use three‐dimensional (3D) seismic reflection data to analyse the architecture of the footwall of a listric fault, in a gravitationally driven extensional system, in the north‐western Niger Delta. In contrast to conventional listric normal fault models with a single master listric fault plane the level of detachment switches from a deeper to shallower level. The footwall evolves through the generation of new master detachment faults and detachments, which transfers hanging wall rocks into the footwall. New detachments form by branching off pre‐existing detachment levels, cutting‐up through stratigraphy to the next mechanical weakness, separating discrete sections of extended strata. As a consequence a deeper, older array of seaward‐dipping, tilted extensional fault blocks is now located in the footwall beneath the master listric detachment fault. The structural complexity located below the master detachment fault highlights extensional episodes on separate detachment faults that are not captured in conventional listric models. We speculate that changes in the level of the detachment are caused by mechanical weaknesses controlled by lithology, pore pressure and episodes of sediment loading related to deltaic progradation.
Site of venous thromboembolism and prothrombotic mutations according to body mass index. Results from the EDITH study
Authors: Delluc Aurélien , Le Moigne Emmanuelle , Tromeur Cécile , Noel‐Savina Elise , Couturaud Francis , Mottier Dominique , Le Gal Grégoire , Lacut Karine
Published: June 2011

This study evaluated the impact of body mass index (BMI) on venous thromboembolism (VTE) site and assessed a possible interaction between BMI and prothrombotic risk factors in patients included in the EDITH (Etude des Déterminants et Interactions de le THrombose veineuse) study. A cross‐sectional study was used to compare the site of unprovoked VTE according to BMI categories in 1077 patients and a matched case‐control study (732 pairs) assessed the joint effect of BMI and prothrombotic mutations on VTE risk. The cross sectional analysis showed that the proportion of patients with pulmonary embolism was higher in overweight (63%) and obese (63·5%) patients than among patients with a BMI < 25 kg/m2 (55%), P = 0·02 and P = 0·05 respectively. No interaction was found between F5 G1691A (factor V Leiden) and BMI for VTE risk (P = 0·90). There was a significant interaction between F2 G20210A and BMI (P = 0·02). The risk of VTE associated with BMI was 1·7 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0·8–3·7], 4·36 (95%CI: 1·49–12·78) and 12·03 (95%CI: 1·53–94·29) in patients with BMI < 25 kg/m2, 25 ≤ BMI < 30 and ≥30 kg/m2 respectively after adjustment for age and oestrogen use. This study showed that BMI may play a role in determining the site of VTE and may interact with F2 G20210A but not with F5 G1691A for the risk of VTE.
Improving quality of life of children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review of clinical trials
Authors: Tsoi W. S. E. , Zhang L. A. , Wang W. Y. , Tsang K. L. , Lo S. K.
Published: June 2011

Objective To systematically review the impact of different interventions on quality of life (QoL) for children with cerebral palsy.

Methods English articles were sought from five major English databases from inceptions until March 2010. Keywords used consisted of four components (and their variants): (i) clinical condition: cerebral palsy; (ii) outcome measures: quality of life, well‐being; (iii) study design: clinical trials; and (iv) target population: people aged 0–18.

Results Eight studies satisfied the inclusion criteria, all of which are of good to excellent quality (a Jadad score of 4 or above). The Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory, the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, the TNO‐AZL Children's Health‐Related Quality of Life and the Caregiver Priorities and Child Health Index of Life with Disabilities were used to measure QoL. Significant positive results were reported by two studies using medicinal interventions (diazepam and intrathecal baclofen therapy, effect sizes 5.9, 9.1 respectively) and two studies employing motor control approach training (strength training and exercise training, former effect size being 3.8).

Conclusion Current review suggests that positive effect was shown in medicinal and motor control interventions on QoL. However, no single interventional approach can demonstrate a consistent positive impact on QoL across different studies. Future studies are recommended to (i) provide a clear definition of QoL, and investigate the relationship between symptoms' severity and QoL; (ii) measure outcome at different time points to capture real effects of interventions; and (iii) make more use of valid outcome instruments, either self‐report or parent/caregiver proxy reports.
Chronic rhinosinusitis, nasal polyposis and asthma: the united airways concept reconsidered?
Authors: Braunstahl G.‐J.
Published: June 2011

Cite this as: G.‐J. Braunstahl, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2011 (41) 1341–1343.
Colitogenic role of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) receptors in trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid colitis: TNF-R1 ablation does not affect systemic inflammatory response
Authors: Yang Y , Wang H , Dou Y , Wang Y , Han G , Wang Renxi , Wang L , Guo R , Xiao H , Li X , Shen B , Shi Y , Chen G , Li Y
Published: June 2011

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of T helper type 1-mediated colitis such as Crohn's disease. However, the roles of its two receptors in mediating pathology remain largely unknown. In this study, trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS) was used to induce colitis in TNF-receptor single or double knock-out (DKO) BALB/c mice and in wild-type counterparts. TNF-R1−/− mice had significantly less weight loss, reduced mortality, colon shortening and oedema, colon histological damage and lower levels of colon myeloperoxidase compared with wild-type (WT) BALB/c mice. A similar manifestation was also observed in TNF-R2−/− and TNF-R1−/−TNF-R2−/− (TNF-R DKO) mice. Strikingly, systemic inflammatory response (including splenomegaly and monocyte expansion) was found in WT and TNF-R1−/− mice after TNBS, instead of TNF-R2−/− and TNF-R DKO mice. Attenuated pathology of colitis in TNF-R1−/− or TNF-R2−/−mice correlated with lower amounts of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, IL-12p70 and interferon (IFN)-γ production in the colons. Importantly, ablation of TNF-R1 or TNF-R2 reduced the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end-labelling (TUNEL)-positive apoptotic epithelial cells in the affected colons compared with WT TNBS-instilled controls, which might be due to the heightened ratio of Bcl-2/Bax and reduced activity of nuclear factor (NF)-κB. These findings suggest that either TNF-R1 or TNF-R2 plays a pathogenic role in the pathology of colitis and TNF signalling via TNF-R1 or TNF-R2 alone is not sufficient for inducing mucosal damage.
Impaired hapten sensitization in patients with autoimmune disease
Authors: Bangsgaard N , Engkilde K , Menné T , Løvendorf M , Jacobsen G K , Olsen J , Skov L
Published: June 2011

An inverse relation between contact allergy and autoimmune diseases is suggested from epidemiological studies. The aim of this study was to investigate susceptibility and reactivity in patients with psoriasis, patients with diabetes and healthy controls in an experimental sensitization study. We sensitized 68 adult individuals (23 patients with psoriasis, 22 patients with diabetes and 23 healthy controls) with diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) and assessed challenge responses with visual scoring and ultrasound. Skin biopsies from challenged skin were investigated for differences in down-regulatory mechanisms with immunohistochemistry and gene-expression profiles using microarray technology. The sensitization ratios were 26%, 36% and 65% for the psoriatic, diabetic and healthy groups, respectively. Logistic regression analysis gave an odds ratio (OR) for a patient with psoriasis or diabetes type I of being sensitized to 0·18 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0·039–0·85], P = 0·031 and 0·74 (95% CI: 0·548–1·008), P = 0·056, respectively. A high degree of forkhead box P3-positive (FoxP3+) cells were found in biopsies of positively challenged reactions, but only limited numbers in negatively challenged reactions, with no difference among the groups. No specific mRNA expression was found in the challenged skin of negative elicitation reactions, also indicating no sign of active down-regulation. The study contibutes strongly to the evidence of a decreased susceptibility to develop contact allergy in individuals with autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis.
Adoption of an Internet‐based patient education programme in psychiatric hospitals
Authors: ANTTILA M. , VÄLIMÄKI M. , KOIVUNEN M. , LUUKKAALA T. , KAILA M. , PITKÄNEN A. , KONTIO R.
Published: June 2011

Accessible summary

Major changes in the work of health‐care personnel stem from advanced adoption of technology.

Information technology programmes targeted for patients with psychiatric problems may fail because there is no caring and supportive staff to use them.

The Internet‐based programme was well adopted on acute psychiatric inpatient wards. However, organizational variables are important when new information technology programmes are introduced in clinical practice.

Internet‐based patient support systems are widely assumed to predict a future trend in patient education. Coherent information is still lacking on how patient education is adopted in psychiatric hospitals and how information technology is used in it. Our aim was to describe nurses' adoption of an Internet‐based patient education programme and the variables explaining it. The study was based on Rogers' model of the diffusion of innovation. The Internet‐based patient education sessions were carried out by nurses on nine acute psychiatric inpatient wards in two Finnish hospitals. They were evaluated with reports and analysed statistically. Out of 100 nurses, 83 adopted the programme during the study period. The nurses fell into Rogers' groups, late majority (72%), laggards (17%), early majority (7%), early adopters (3%) and innovators (1%). Three groups were formed according to their activity: laggards, late majority, adopters (including early majority, early adopters, innovators). There was a statistical difference between the nurses' programme adoption between the two hospitals (P= 0.045): more laggards (65% vs. 35%) and adopters (73% vs. 27%) in the same hospital. The findings help to provide insight into the contexts and settings when adopting information technology programmes in the area of mental health care.
Attitudes of relatives and staff towards family intervention in forensic services using Q methodology
Authors: ABSALOM‐HORNBY V. , HARE D. J. , GOODING P. , TARRIER N.
Published: June 2011

Accessible summary

Family interventions have a successful evidence base in the treatment of schizophrenia, yet they are not easily implemented within services.

There are various barriers to the successful implementation of family intervention services. Attitudes of relatives of service users and clinical staff can have an impact on successful delivery of family intervention services. Yet little work has focused on the attitudes in the forensic services.

This study describes an investigation of attitude towards family intervention in forensic services, with an aim to explore if family interventions are accepted by relatives and staff. A new technique to family intervention is presented.

The study found that both relatives and staff hold overall positive attitudes towards family intervention. The results revealed that the use of a novel technique, using a web camera to facilitate family intervention (e‐FFI) was not dismissed by relatives or staff. Instead neutral and open‐minded attitudes were produced towards e‐FFI from both relatives and staff.

The implications of these results may be encouraging for the future of telepsychology and specifically e‐FFI within forensic mental health services, in providing positive outcomes for families and staff via the modernization of services.

Attitudes about family interventions have been identified as a possible reason for the poor implementation of such treatments. The current study used Q methodology to investigate the attitudes of relatives of forensic service users and clinical staff towards family interventions in medium secure forensic units, particularly when facilitated by a web camera. Eighteen relatives and twenty‐nine staff completed a sixty‐one item Q sort to obtain their idiosyncratic views about family intervention. The results indicated that relatives and staff mostly held positive attitudes towards family intervention. Relatives showed some uncertainty towards family intervention that may reflect the lack of involvement they receive from the forensic service. Staff highlighted key barriers to successful implementation such as lack of dedicated staff time for family work and few staff adequately trained in family intervention. Despite agreement with the web‐based forensic family intervention technique and its benefits, both staff and relatives predicted problems in the technique.
Development of a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model to predict tulathromycin distribution in goats
Authors: LEAVENS T. L. , TELL L. A. , CLOTHIER K. A. , GRIFFITH R. W. , BAYNES R. E. , RIVIERE J. E.
Published: June 2011

Leavens, T. L., Tell, L. A., Clothier, K. A., Griffith, R. W., Baynes, R. E., Riviere, J. E. Development of a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model to predict tulathromycin distribution in goats. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. 35, 121–131.

Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models, which incorporate species‐ and chemical‐specific parameters, could be useful tools for extrapolating withdrawal times for drugs across species and doses. The objective of this research was to develop a PBPK model for goats to simulate the pharmacokinetics of tulathromycin, a macrolide antibiotic effective for treating respiratory infections. Model compartments included plasma, lung, liver, muscle, adipose tissue, kidney, and remaining poorly and richly perfused tissues. Tulathromycin was assumed to be 50% protein bound in plasma with first‐order clearance. Literature values were compiled for physiological parameters, partition coefficients were estimated from tissue:plasma ratios of AUC, and the remaining model parameters were estimated by comparison against the experimental data. Three separate model structures were compared with plasma and tissue concentrations of tulathromycin in market age goats administered 2.5 mg/kg tulathromycin subcutaneously. The best simulation was achieved with a diffusion‐limited PBPK model and absorption from a two‐compartment injection site, which allowed for low persistent concentrations at the injection site and slower depletion in the tissues than the plasma as observed with the experimental data. The model with age‐appropriate physiological parameters also predicted plasma concentrations in juvenile goats administered tulathromycin subcutaneously. The developed model and compilation of physiological parameters for goats provide initial tools that can be used as a basis for predicting withdrawal times of drugs in this minor species.
Mass mortality in Pacific oysters is associated with a specific gene expression signature
Authors: CHANEY MAXINE L. , GRACEY ANDREW Y.
Published: June 2011

Mass mortality events occur in natural and cultured communities of bivalve molluscs. The Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, is a dominant species in many intertidal locations as well as an important aquacultured bivalve species, and for the last 50 years, adult oysters have suffered frequent and extreme mass mortality events during summer months. To investigate the molecular changes that precede these mortality events, we employed a novel nonlethal sampling approach to collect haemolymph samples from individual oysters during the period that preceded a mortality event. Microarray‐based gene expression screening of the collected haemolymph was used to identify a mortality gene expression signature that distinguished oysters that survived the mortality event from those individuals that died during the event. The signature was cross‐validated by comparing two separate episodes of mortality. Here, we report that near‐mortality oysters can be distinguished from longer‐lived oysters by the elevated expression of genes associated with cell death, lysosomal proteolysis, and cellular assembly and organization. These results show the potential utility of nonlethal sampling approaches for investigating the environmental causes of mortality in natural populations in the field, and for predicting when such events could occur and which individuals will be affected.
Population differences in levels of linkage disequilibrium in the wild
Authors: LI M.‐H. , MERILÄ J.
Published: June 2011

Information about the levels of linkage disequilibrium (LD) in wild animal populations is still limited, and this is true particularly with respect to possible interpopulation variation in the levels of LD. We compared the levels and extent of LD at the genome‐wide scale in three Siberian jay (Perisoreus infaustus) populations, two of which (Kuusamo and Ylläs) represented outbred populations within the main distribution area of the species, whereas the third (Suupohja) was a semi‐isolated, partially inbred population at the margin of the species’ distribution area. Although extensive long‐range LD (>20 cM) was observed in all three populations, LD generally decayed to background levels at a distance of 1–5 cM or c. 200–600 kb. The degree and extent of LD differed markedly between populations but aligned closely with both observed levels of within‐population genetic variation and expectations based on population history. The levels of LD were highest in the most inbred population with strong population substructure (Suupohja), compared with the two outbred populations. Furthermore, the decay of LD with increasing distance was slower in Suupohja, compared with the other two populations. By demonstrating that levels of LD can vary greatly over relatively short geographical distances within a species, these results suggest that prospects for association mapping differ from population to population. In this example, the prospects are best in the Suupohja population, given that minimized marker genotyping and a minimum marker spacing of 1–5 cM (c. 200–600 kb) would be sufficient for a whole genome scan for detecting QTL.
Novel stain‐free lecithinized coal tar formulation for psoriasis
Authors: Bhatia Amit , Singh Bhupinder , Amarji Basant , Negi Poonam , Shukla Anshuman , Katare Om Prakash
Published: June 2011

Background  Coal tar has been a very popular traditional treatment for various types of psoriasis for over a century. It is the first‐line treatment for scalp, hand, and foot psoriasis. However, the application of coal tar on hair invariably causes staining, which results in a high degree of patient non‐compliance, especially in patients with non‐black hair. Thus, the treatment of scalp psoriasis with a topical coal tar formulation requires that special concern be paid to product esthetics.

Objective  This study aimed to evaluate the hair‐staining characteristics of a novel lecithinized coal tar (LCT) formulation on different types of mammalian hair.

Methods  Samples of hair from different mammals, including human, sheep, rabbit, and goat, were repeatedly exposed to the LCT formulation over 14 days. The color of hair samples treated with LCT was compared with that of untreated control hair samples.

Results  The study revealed the distinct non‐staining potential of the LCT formulation.

Conclusions  This LCT formulation lacks the propensity to stain hair and thus has excellent potential to be exploited in the treatment of scalp psoriasis.
HLA‐B*51:79 is a novel allele associated with a conserved haplotype
Authors: Perrier P. , Leisenbach R. , Tourne S. , Kennel A. , Proust B.
Published: June 2011

The B*51:79 allele displays a conserved haplotype association with HLA‐A*68:01, C*01:02, DRB1*14:01 and DQB1*05:03.
Improving anaphylaxis management in a pediatric emergency department
Authors: Arroabarren E. , Lasa E. M. , Olaciregui I. , Sarasqueta C. , Muñoz J. A. , Pérez‐Yarza E. G.
Published: June 2011

To cite this article: Arroabarren E, Lasa EM, Olaciregui I, Sarasqueta C, Muñoz JA, Pérez‐Yarza EG. Improving anaphylaxis management in a pediatric emergency department. Pediatric Allergy Immunology 2011; 22: 708–714.

Background:  The management of anaphylaxis in pediatric emergency units (PEU) is sometimes deficient in terms of diagnosis, treatment, and subsequent follow‐up. The aims of this study were to assess the efficiency of an updated protocol to improve medical performance, and to describe the incidence of anaphylaxis and the safety of epinephrine use in a PEU in a tertiary hospital.

Methods:  We performed a before–after comparative study with independent samples through review of the clinical histories of children aged <14 years old diagnosed with anaphylaxis in the PEU according to the criteria of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI). Two allergists and a pediatrician reviewed the discharge summaries codified according to the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition, Clinical Modification (ICD‐9‐CM) as urticaria, acute urticaria, angioedema, angioneurotic edema, unspecified allergy, and anaphylactic shock. Patients were divided into two groups according to the date of implantation of the protocol (2008): group A (2006–2007; the period before the introduction of the protocol) and group B (2008–2009; after the introduction of the protocol). We evaluated the incidence of anaphylaxis, epinephrine administration, prescription of self‐injecting epinephrine (SIE), other drugs administered, the percentage of admissions and length of stay in the pediatric emergency observation area (PEOA), referrals to the allergy department, and the safety of epinephrine use.

Results:  During the 4 years of the study, 133,591 children were attended in the PEU, 1673 discharge summaries were reviewed, and 64 cases of anaphylaxis were identified. The incidence of anaphylaxis was 4.8 per 10,000 cases/year. After the introduction of the protocol, significant increases were observed in epinephrine administration (27% in group A and 57.6% in group B) (p = 0.012), in prescription of SIE (6.7% in group A and 54.5% in group B) (p = 0.005) and in the number of admissions to the PEOA (p = 0.003) and their duration (p = 0.005). Reductions were observed in the use of corticosteroid monotherapy (29% in group A, 3% in group B) (p = 0.005), and in patients discharged without follow‐up instructions (69% in group A, 22% in group B) (p = 0.001). Thirty‐three epinephrine doses were administered. Precordial palpitations were observed in one patient.

Conclusion:  The application of the anaphylaxis protocol substantially improved the physicians’ skills to manage this emergency in the PEU. Epinephrine administration showed no significant adverse effects.
Age‐dependent changes of serum soluble CD30 concentration in children
Authors: Chrul Slawomir , Polakowska Ewa
Published: June 2011

Chrul S, Polakowska E. Age‐dependent changes of serum soluble CD30 concentration in children.  Pediatr Transplantation 2011: 15: 515–518. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  CD30 was originally described as a marker on Reed‐Sternberg cells in Hodgkin lymphoma. The extracellular portion of CD30 is proteolytically cleaved from CD30(+) cells, to produce a soluble form of the molecule (sCD30) detectable in serum. Measurement of sCD30 concentration in serum has been suggested to be a potential tool in monitoring of inflammatory status in variety of diseases. Several investigators reported the relevance for sCD30 as a predictive marker for allograft rejection following organ transplantation. The aim of the study was to verify whether sCD30 serum concentrations may be affected by an age in healthy children. Heparinized venous blood was taken from 78 healthy children. For the analysis of sCD30 levels, the commercially available sCD30 ELISA was used. The sCD30 was detected in all serum samples and concentrations ranged from 6.75 to 68.07 ng/mL. The statistical analysis of all individuals showed that sCD30 concentration was significantly age depended (r = −0.618, p < 0.0001). When sCD30 concentrations were analyzed in regard to gender, no significant differences were identified in age subgroups.
Rituximab treatment for recurrence of nephrotic syndrome in a pediatric patient after renal transplantation for congenital nephrotic syndrome of Finnish type
Authors: Chaudhuri Abanti , Kambham Neeraja , Sutherland Scott , Grimm Paul , Alexander Steven , Concepcion Waldo , Sarwal Minnie , Wong Cynthia
Published: June 2011

Chaudhuri A, Kambham N, Sutherland S, Grimm P, Alexander S, Concepcion W, Sarwal M, Wong C. Rituximab treatment for recurrence of nephrotic syndrome in a pediatric patient after renal transplantation for congenital nephrotic syndrome of Finnish type.

Abstract:  Congenital nephrotic syndrome (CNS) of the Finnish type due to mutation in the NPHS‐1 gene results in massive proteinuria due to structural abnormality in the glomerular slit diaphragm, and is usually refractory to immunosuppressive therapy. Patients eventually require bilateral nephrectomy and renal replacement therapy, with transplantation being the ultimate goal. Post‐transplant recurrence of nephrotic syndrome occurs in about 25% of children and is thought to be immune‐mediated secondary to antibodies formed against the nephrin protein in renal allograft. Conventional therapy with calcineurin inhibitors (CNI), cyclophosphamide and corticosteroids with or without plasmapheresis often fails to achieve remission resulting in graft loss in 12‐16%. There is limited experience with use of rituximab (RTX) in pediatric organ transplant recipients. We report the first case of post‐transplant recurrence of nephrotic syndrome in a 4‐yr‐old child with CNS due to NPHS‐1 mutation in whom CNI, corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide therapy was unsuccessful, but who achieved remission after depletion of B cells with RTX, associated with a decrease in the level of anti‐nephrin antibodies. The child remains in remission 5 yr following treatment. Our experience suggests that activated B cells may play a pivotal role in the recurrence of nephrosis after renal transplantation in children with CNS.
Effect of Cryopreservation on Apoptotic‐like Events and its Relationship with Cryocapacitation of Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Sperm
Authors: Kadirvel G , Periasamy S , Kumar S
Published: June 2011

Contents

This study investigated the apoptosis‐like events associated with cryopreservation process and their relationship with cryocapacitation in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) sperm. A total of 49 semen ejaculates from seven bulls were studied for structural changes in sperm following cryopreservation. Apoptotic changes were detected by assays specific for translocation of phosphatidylserine (PS) to the cell surface, alterations in membrane permeability and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and DNA integrity. A significant (p < 0.01) percentage of cryopreserved sperm showed externalization of PS and early apoptotic changes and lowered MMP when compared with the fresh sperm. Freezing and thawing of sperm increased permeability to YOPRO‐1, an impermeant fluorescent dye. However, on TUNEL staining, cryopreserved sperm showed no breach in DNA integrity. The sperm capacitation status was evaluated by chlortetracycline (CTC) fluorescence pattern, in which a significant (p < 0.01) percentage of cryopreserved sperm were found to be capacitated. The capacitated sperm (Pattern B) was positively correlated with the aforementioned apoptotic events. In conclusion, cryopreservation process induced early apoptosis‐like changes in buffalo sperm, and a close link exists between cryocapacitation and apoptosis during cryopreservation of sperm.
Learning from the genetics of enteric tuberculosis
Authors: Fox Gregory J , Britton Warwick J
Published: June 2011

See article in J. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. 2011; 26: 1145–1150.