bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The structural relationships between organizational commitment, global job satisfaction, developmental experiences, work values, organizational support, and person‐organization fit among nursing faculty
Authors: Gutierrez Antonio P. , Candela Lori L. , Carver Lara
Published: March 2012

gutierrez a.p., candela l.l. & carver l. (2012) The structural relationships between organizational commitment, global job satisfaction, developmental experiences, work values, organizational support, and person‐organization fit among nursing faculty. Journal of Advanced Nursing68(7), 1601–1614.

Aim.  The aim of this correlational study was to examine the relations between organizational commitment, perceived organizational support, work values, person‐organization fit, developmental experiences, and global job satisfaction among nursing faculty.

Background.  The global nursing shortage is well documented. At least 57 countries have reported critical shortages. The lack of faculty is finally being recognized as a major issue directly influencing the ability to admit and graduate adequate numbers of nurses. As efforts increase to both recruit and retain faculty, the concept of organizational commitment and what it means to them is important to consider.

Design.  A cross‐sectional correlational design was used.

Methods.  The present study investigated the underlying structure of various organizational factors using structural equation modelling. Data were collected from a stratified random sample of nurse faculty during the academic year 2006–2007.

Results.  The final model demonstrated that perceived organizational support, developmental experiences, person‐organization fit, and global job satisfaction positively predicted nurse faculty’s organizational commitment to the academic organization. Cross‐validation results indicated that the final full SEM is valid and reliable.

Conclusions.  Nursing faculty administrators able to use mentoring skills are well equipped to build positive relationships with nursing faculty, which in turn, can lead to increased organizational commitment, productivity, job satisfaction, and perceived organizational support, among others.
Quality nursing care in Australian paediatric hospitals: a Delphi approach to identifying indicators
Authors: Wilson Sally , Hauck Yvonne , Bremner Alexandra , Finn Judith
Published: March 2012

Aim.  To identify indicators of quality nursing care by identifying structures, processes and outcomes perceived as valid, feasible, reliable and suitable for Australian paediatric hospitals by nursing experts.

Background.  Although measuring the quality of nursing care in acute care settings is being practised, there are few indicators validated for use in paediatric nursing. Using adult indicators for quality care measures in children’s nursing has inherent problems. To contribute to quality improvement and safety in the paediatric population, it is essential to identify and validate indicators that will be useful in this context.

Design.  A modified Delphi technique.

Method.  Fifty‐seven indicators that potentially measure the quality of nursing care in paediatrics were identified following a review of the literature. Three online surveys where panellists rated these indicators for perceived validity in paediatric nursing, feasibility of data collection, reliability based on existing documentation and suitability in the paediatric context were completed between March–May 2010.

Results.  Fifty‐two nurses contributed to the expert panel. Consensus of 75% for validity in paediatric nursing was reached on 42 indicators, which were then ranked for suitability of use. Nineteen indicators were deemed inappropriate, which included indicators commonly used in adult settings.

Conclusion.  Face and content validity were reached for 42 indicators identified as potential valid measures of quality care in paediatric nursing. Further work is required to solve issues of reliability and feasibility of data collection and to ascertain whether the indicators occur frequently enough within Australian hospitals to be clinically useful.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Identification of nursing‐sensitive indicators that are valid in the paediatric setting is the first step in measuring the quality of care provided to children. Once established, measurement of the indicators may lead to improved patient safety and care in hospitals.
Innovations aimed at improving the physical health of the seriously mentally ill: an integrative review
Authors: Tranter Siobhan , Irvine Fiona , Collins Eve
Published: March 2012

Aims and objectives.  The aim of this paper is to report an integrative review of the literature that focused on innovations aimed at enhancing the physical health of people with serious mental illness.

Background.  Despite the abundance of literature that highlights the relationship between serious mental illness and physical ill health, the provision of physical health care for the seriously mental ill remains a challenge. Many different strategies have been developed, which endeavour to address the poor physical health of people with serious mental illness. However, there is inadequate evidence to establish the success of these strategies.

Design.  Integrative literature review.

Method.  The review was conducted using an adapted version of Whittemore and Knafl’s review method to critically appraise and evaluate the literature.

Results.  Three main themes derived for the types of intervention in the studies emerged from the review. These included assessment, health education/health promotion and multimodal interventions.

Conclusion.  Although there is some evidence to demonstrate that health assessments are effective in highlighting physical health problems, the evidence to support health education and multimodal interventions is far from conclusive. Further research is needed, in particular larger intervention and longitudinal studies, to help nurses decide on the best possible interventions that will improve the physical health of the seriously mentally ill.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Whilst nurses’ continued attempts to develop health‐enhancing interventions are commendable, there needs to be a greater focus on conducting research to develop the evidence base to guide and support nurses in this area of their practice. Until robust and convincing evidence is available, policy relating to the advancement of the physical health of people with serious mental illness should be developed cautiously.
First case of Aeromonas schubertii infection in the freshwater cultured snakehead fish, Ophiocephalus argus (Cantor), in China
Authors: Liu J Y , Li A H
Published: March 2012

An epizootic in snakehead fish, Ophiocephalus argus, in earthen ponds in Xianning, Hubei Province, central China, from June to August 2009 was found to be caused by Aeromonas schubertii. The cumulative mortality within 40 days was 45%, and the diseased fish were 18 months old and 35–45 cm in length. Multiple, ivory‐white, firm nodules, 0.5–1 mm in diameter, were scattered throughout the kidney. Blood clots, 3–5 mm in diameter, were found in the liver. This is a disease frequently found in cultured snakehead throughout China. Isolated bacteria were Gram negative, facultatively anaerobic, motile, short rod‐shaped, with a length of 0.3–1.0 μm. Morphological and biochemical tests, as well as phylogenetic analysis derived from 16S rRNA, gyrB, rpoD and dnaJ gene sequencing all strongly indicated that these snakehead isolates are identical to A. schubertii. In addition, the isolates possessed two plasmids: 5.0 kb and 10.0 kb. Antibiotic sensitivity testing of the isolates was carried out by the standard Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method. Experimental infection assays were conducted, and pathogenicity (by intraperitoneal injection) was demonstrated in snakehead fingerlings and zebrafish, Brachydanio rerio (Hamilton).
Effect of poly‐β‐hydroxybutyrate on Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis, larvae challenged with pathogenic Vibrio anguillarum
Authors: Sui L , Cai J , Sun H , Wille M , Bossier P
Published: March 2012

This study investigated the protective effect of poly‐β‐hydroxybutyrate (PHB) on Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis, zoea larvae challenged with pathogenic Vibrio anguillarum. PHB was delivered to the crab larvae through rotifer and Artemia bioencapsulation. Zoea 3 larvae were challenged with V. anguillarum at a final concentration of 105 CFU mL−1. PHB‐enriched rotifers and Artemia nauplii were added to the culture water 24 h prior to, upon and 24 h after challenge. The results confirmed that PHB could enhance the survival and growth of unexposed E. sinensis larvae. Moreover, PHB protected larvae from the pathogen as the larvae fed PHB‐enriched live food showed the highest survival and development rate in all challenged groups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, larval performance was the best when PHB was delivered to the larvae 24 h before challenge (P < 0.05). In conclusion, our results indicate that PHB can be used as part of an effective strategy to protect E. sinensis larvae from V. anguillarum resulting in higher survival and better growth, especially when applied before the challenge.
Molecular characterization and increased expression of the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), T‐cell receptor beta chain in response to Streptococcus agalactiae infection
Authors: Nithikulworawong N , Yakupitiyage A , Rakshit SK , Srisapoome P
Published: March 2012

The complete cDNA sequence of the Nile tilapia T‐cell receptor (TCR) β chain was cloned using 5′ RACE. The full‐length, 1263‐bp cDNA contained a 942‐bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a 314‐amino‐acid protein. Sequence analyses revealed that the Nile tilapia TCR β chain contains four conserved cysteine residues involved in the formation of disulphide bridges and a conserved amino acid motif believed to be important for assembly and signalling of the TCR αβ/CD3 complex, both of which are normally found in the TCR β chain of other vertebrates. As detected using semi‐quantitative and quantitative RT‐PCR, the highest expression level of TCR β was detected in the thymus. Interestingly, Streptococcus agalactiae significantly induced the up‐regulation of the TCR β chain, and the strongest up‐regulation was detected in the brain and peripheral blood leucocytes (PBLs). In in vitro experiments, concanavalin A and Aeromonas hydrophila were found to significantly increase the expression of the TCR β chain in PBLs after 48 h (P < 0.01) and 72 h (P < 0.05), respectively. Furthermore, real‐time PCR analysis showed that intraperitoneal injection (IP) of 107 cfu mL−1 of S. agalactiae could induce TCR β expression that was greater than the expression observed following administration of 109 cfu mL−1. The presence of the TCR β chain in fish detected in this study suggests the presence of T‐cell populations that have been found in higher vertebrates, which may play a crucial functional role in the response to fish pathogens.
The Nonpeptide Oxytocin Receptor Agonist WAY 267,464: Receptor‐Binding Profile, Prosocial Effects and Distribution of c‐Fos Expression in Adolescent Rats
Authors: Hicks C. , Jorgensen W. , Brown C. , Fardell J. , Koehbach J. , Gruber C. W. , Kassiou M. , Hunt G. E. , McGregor I. S.
Published: March 2012

Previous research suggests that the nonpeptide oxytocin receptor (OTR) agonist WAY 267,464 may only partly mimic the effects of oxytocin in rodents. The present study further explored these differences and related them to OTR and vasopressin 1a receptor (V1aR) pharmacology and regional patterns of c‐Fos expression. Binding data for WAY 267,464 and oxytocin were obtained by displacement binding assays on cellular membranes, while functional receptor data were generated by luciferase reporter assays. For behavioural testing, adolescent rats were tested in a social preference paradigm, the elevated plus‐maze (EPM) and for locomotor activity changes following WAY 267,464 (10 and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) or oxytocin (0.1 and 1 mg/kg, i.p.). The higher doses were also examined for their effects on regional c‐Fos expression. Results showed that WAY 267,464 had higher affinity (Ki) at the V1aR than the OTR (113 versus 978 nm). However, it had no functional response at the V1aR and only a weak functional effect (EC50) at the OTR (881 nm). This suggests WAY 267,464 is an OTR agonist with weak affinity and a possible V1aR antagonist. Oxytocin showed high binding at the OTR (1.0 nm) and V1aR (503 nm), with a functional EC50 of 9.0 and 59.7 nm, respectively, indicating it is a potent OTR agonist and full V1aR agonist. WAY 267,464 (100 mg/kg), but not oxytocin, significantly increased the proportion of time spent with a live rat, over a dummy rat, in the social preference test. Neither compound affected EPM behaviour, whereas the higher doses of WAY 267,464 and oxytocin suppressed locomotor activity. WAY 267,464 and oxytocin produced similar c‐Fos expression in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus, central amygdala, lateral parabrachial nucleus and nucleus of the solitary tract, suggesting a commonality of action at the OTR with the differential doses employed. However, WAY 267,464 caused greater c‐Fos expression in the medial amygdala and the supraoptic nucleus than oxytocin, and lesser effects in the locus coeruleus. Overall, our results confirm the differential effects of WAY 267,464 and oxytocin and suggest that this may reflect contrasting actions of WAY 267,464 and oxytocin at the V1aR. Antagonism of the V1aR by WAY 267,464 could underlie some of the prosocial effects of this drug either through a direct action or through disinhibition of oxytocin circuitry that is subject to vasopressin inhibitory influences.
Multiple biogeographical barriers identified across the monsoon tropics of northern Australia: phylogeographic analysis of the brachyotis group of rock‐wallabies
Authors: POTTER SALLY , ELDRIDGE MARK D.B. , TAGGART DAVID A. , COOPER STEVEN J.B.
Published: March 2012

The monsoon tropics of northern Australia are a globally significant biodiversity hotspot, but its phylogeography is poorly known. A major challenge for this region is to understand the biogeographical processes that have shaped the distribution and diversity of taxa, without detailed knowledge of past climatic and environmental fluctuations. Although molecular data have great potential to address these questions, only a few species have been examined phylogeographically. Here, we use the widely distributed and abundant short‐eared rock‐wallaby (Petrogale brachyotis; n = 101), together with the sympatric monjon (P. burbidgei; n = 11) and nabarlek (P. concinna; n = 1), to assess historical evolutionary and biogeographical processes in northern Australia. We sequenced ∼1000 bp of mitochondrial DNA (control region, ND2) and ∼3000 bp of nDNA (BRCA1, ω‐globin and two anonymous loci) to investigate phylogeographic structuring and delineate the time‐scale of diversification within the region. Our results indicate multiple barriers between the Top End (Northern Territory) and Kimberley (Western Australia), which have caused divergence throughout the Plio‐Pleistocene. Eight geographically discrete and genetically distinct lineages within the brachyotis group were identified, five of which are separated by major river valleys (Ord, Victoria, Daly), arid lowlands and discontinuous sandstone ranges. It is likely that these barriers have similarly influenced genetic structure in other monsoonal biota.
Pantothenate kinase‐associated neurodegeneration is not a synucleinopathy
Authors: Li A. , Paudel R. , Johnson R. , Courtney R. , Lees A. J. , Holton J. L. , Hardy J. , Revesz T. , Houlden H.
Published: March 2012

A. Li, R. Paudel, R. Johnson, R. Courtney, A. J. Lees, J. L. Holton, J. Hardy, T. Revesz and H. Houlden (2013) Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology39, 121–131

Pantothenate kinase‐associated neurodegeneration is not a synucleinopathy

Aims: Mutations in the pantothenate kinase 2 gene (PANK2) are responsible for the most common type of neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA), known as pantothenate kinase‐associated neurodegeneration (PKAN). Historically, NBIA is considered a synucleinopathy with numerous reports of NBIA cases with Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites and some cases reporting additional abnormal tau accumulation. However, clinicopathological correlations in genetically proven PKAN cases are rare. We describe the clinical, genetic and neuropathological features of three unrelated PKAN cases. Methods: All three cases were genetically screened for the PANK2 gene mutations using standard Sanger polymerase chain reaction sequencing. A detailed neuropathological assessment of the three cases was performed using histochemical and immunohistochemical preparations. Results: All cases had classical axonal swellings and Perls' positive iron deposition in the basal ganglia. In contrast to neuroaxonal dystrophies due to mutation of the phospholipase A2, group VI (PLA2G6) gene, in which Lewy body pathology is widespread, no α‐synuclein accumulation was detected in any of our PKAN cases. In one case (20‐year‐old male) there was significant tau pathology comprising neurofibrillary tangles and neuropil threads, with very subtle tau pathology in another case. Conclusions: These findings indicate that PKAN is not a synucleinopathy and, hence the cellular pathways implicated in this disease are unlikely to be relevant for the pathomechanism of Lewy body disorders.
Phytophthora infestans populations in central, eastern and southern African countries consist of two major clonal lineages
Authors: Pule B. B. , Meitz J. C. , Thompson A. H. , Linde C. C. , Fry W. E. , Langenhoven S. D. , Meyers K. L. , Kandolo D. S. , van Rij N. C. , McLeod A.
Published: March 2012

Limited knowledge is available on Phytophthora infestans populations in Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). Therefore, and in response to recent severe late blight epidemics, P. infestans isolates from potato, tomato and Petunia × hybrida from eight SSA countries were characterized. Isolates were characterized with ‘old’ markers, including mating type (176 isolates), mitochondrial DNA haplotype (mtDNA) (281 isolates), glucose‐6‐phosphate isomerase (Gpi) (70 isolates), restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis with probe RG‐57 (49 isolates), and by metalaxyl sensitivity (64 isolates). Most isolates belonged to the US‐1 genotype or its variants (US‐1.10 and US‐1.11). The exceptions were genotype KE‐1 isolates (A1 mating type, mtDNA haplotype Ia, Gpi 90/100 and unique RG‐57 genotype), identified in two fields in Kenya, which are related to genotypes previously identified in Rwanda (RW‐1 and RW‐2), Ecuador and Europe. Metalaxyl‐resistant P. infestans isolates from potato were present in all the countries except Malawi, whereas all the isolates from tomato were sensitive. Genotyping of 176 isolates with seven simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, including locus D13 that was difficult to score, revealed 79 multilocus genotypes (MLGs) in SSA. When this locus was excluded, 35 MLGs were identified. Genetic differentiation estimates between regional populations from SAA were significant when locus D13 was either excluded (P = 0·05) or included (P = 0·007), but population differentiation was only low to moderate (FST = 0·044 and 0·053, respectively).
Disease development and genotypic diversity of Puccinia graminis f. sp. avenae in Swedish oat fields
Authors: Berlin A. , Samils B. , Djurle A. , Wirsén H. , Szabo L. , Yuen J.
Published: March 2012

The disease development and population structure of Puccinia graminis f. sp. avenae, which causes stem rust on oats, were studied to investigate if sexual reproduction plays an important role in the epidemiology of the disease. The genetic population structure of P. graminis f. sp. avenae in Sweden was investigated by sampling 10 oat fields in July and August 2008 and seven fields during the same period in 2009. Nine single‐pustule isolates were first used to test simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers developed for P. graminis f. sp. tritici. Eleven of the 68 tested SSR markers were useful for genotyping P. graminis f. sp. avenae. For the main study, DNA from single uredinia was extracted and the SSR markers were used to genotype 472 samples. Both allelic and genotypic diversity were high in all fields, indicating that P. graminis f. sp. avenae undergoes regular sexual reproduction in Sweden. No significant relationship between genetic and geographic distances was found. Disease development was studied on two farms during 2008 and 2009. The apparent infection rates ranged between 0·17 and 0·55, indicating the potential for rapid disease development within fields. The incidence of oat stem rust has increased recently in Sweden. One possible explanation is a resurgence of its alternate host, barberry (Berberis spp.), after the repeal of the barberry eradication law in 1994. Barberry is present in several grain‐producing areas in Sweden, which supports the conclusion that P. graminis f. sp. avenae undergoes regular sexual reproduction there.
UVR defense mechanisms in eurytopic and invasive Gracilaria vermiculophylla (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta)
Authors: Roleda Michael Y. , Nyberg Cecilia D. , Wulff Angela
Published: March 2012

The invasive success of Gracilaria vermiculophylla has been attributed to its wide tolerance range to different abiotic factors, but its response to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is yet to be investigated. In the laboratory, carpospores and vegetative thalli of an Atlantic population were exposed to different radiation treatments consisting of high PAR (photosynthetically active radiation) only (P), PAR+UV‐A (PA) and PAR+UV‐A+UV‐B (PAB). Photosynthesis of carpospores was photoinhibited under different radiation treatments but photosystem II (PSII) function was restored after 12 h under dim white light. Growth of vegetative thalli was significantly higher under radiation supplemented with UVR. Decrease in chlorophyll a (Chl a) under daily continuous 16‐h exposure to 300 µmol photons m−2 s−1 of PAR suggests preventive accumulation of excited chlorophyll molecules within the antennae to minimize the generation of dangerous reactive oxygen species. Moreover, an increase in total carotenoids and xanthophyll cycle pigments (i.e. violaxanthin, antheraxanthin and zeaxanthin) further suggests effective photoprotection under UVR. The presence of the ketocarotenoid β‐cryptoxanthin also indicates protection against UVR and oxidative stress. The initial concentration of total mycosporine‐like amino acids (MAAs) in freshly‐released spores increased approximately four times after 8‐h laboratory radiation treatments. On the other hand, initial specific MAAs in vegetative thalli changed in composition after 7‐day exposure to laboratory radiation conditions without affecting the total concentration. The above responses suggest that G. vermiculophylla have multiple UVR defense mechanisms to cope with the dynamic variation in light quantity and quality encountered in its habitat. Beside being eurytopic, the UVR photoprotective mechanisms likely contribute to the current invasive success of the species in shallow lagoons and estuaries exposed to high solar radiation.
Misuse of the Mood Disorders Questionnaire as a case‐finding measure and a critique of the concept of using a screening scale for bipolar disorder in psychiatric practice
Authors: Zimmerman Mark
Published: March 2012

Zimmerman M. Misuse of the Mood Disorders Questionnaire as a case‐finding measure and a critique of the concept of using a screening scale for bipolar disorder in psychiatric practice. Bipolar Disord 2012: 14: 127–134. © 2012 The Author. Journal compilation © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Objectives:  Under‐recognition of bipolar disorder (BD) is common and incurs significant costs for individuals and society. Clinicians are often encouraged to use screening instruments to help them identify patients with the disorder. The Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) is the most widely studied measure for this purpose. Some studies, however, have used the MDQ as a case‐finding instrument rather than a screening scale. Such inappropriate use of screening scales risks distorting perceptions about many facets of BD, from its prevalence to its consequences.

Methods:  Studies using the MDQ were reviewed to identify those reports that have used the scale as a case‐finding measure rather than a screening scale.

Results:  Multiple studies were identified in the BD literature that used the MDQ as a diagnostic proxy. The findings of these studies were misinterpreted because of the failure to make the distinction between screening and case‐finding.

Conclusions:  Inappropriate conclusions have been drawn regarding the prevalence, morbidity, and diagnostic under‐recognition of BD in studies that rely on the MDQ as a diagnostic proxy. A conceptual critique is offered against the use of self‐administered screening questionnaires for the detection of BD in psychiatric settings.
Amygdala activity and prefrontal cortex–amygdala effective connectivity to emerging emotional faces distinguish remitted and depressed mood states in bipolar disorder
Authors: Perlman Susan B , Almeida Jorge RC , Kronhaus Dina M , Versace Amelia , LaBarbara Edmund J , Klein Crystal R , Phillips Mary L
Published: March 2012

Perlman SB, Almeida JRC, Kronhaus DM, Versace A, LaBarbara EJ, Klein CR, Phillips ML. Amygdala activity and prefrontal cortex–amygdala effective connectivity to emerging emotional faces distinguish remitted and depressed mood states in bipolar disorder. Bipolar Disord 2012: 14: 162–174. © 2012 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Objectives:  Few studies have employed effective connectivity (EC) to examine the functional integrity of neural circuitry supporting abnormal emotion processing in bipolar disorder (BD), a key feature of the illness. We used Granger Causality Mapping (GCM) to map EC between the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and bilateral amygdala and a novel paradigm to assess emotion processing in adults with BD.

Methods:  Thirty‐one remitted adults with BD [(remitted BD), mean age = 32 years], 21 adults with BD in a depressed episode [(depressed BD), mean age = 33 years], and 25 healthy control participants [(HC), mean age = 31 years] performed a block‐design emotion processing task requiring color‐labeling of a color flash superimposed on a task‐irrelevant face morphing from neutral to emotional (happy, sad, angry, or fearful). GCM measured EC preceding (top‐down) and following (bottom‐up) activity between the PFC and the left and right amygdalae.

Results:  Our findings indicated patterns of abnormally elevated bilateral amygdala activity in response to emerging fearful, sad, and angry facial expressions in remitted‐BD subjects versus HC, and abnormally elevated right amygdala activity to emerging fearful faces in depressed‐BD subjects versus HC. We also showed distinguishable patterns of abnormal EC between the amygdala and dorsomedial and ventrolateral PFC, especially to emerging happy and sad facial expressions in remitted‐BD and depressed‐BD subjects.

Discussion:  EC measures of neural system level functioning can further understanding of neural mechanisms associated with abnormal emotion processing and regulation in BD. Our findings suggest major differences in recruitment of amygdala–PFC circuitry, supporting implicit emotion processing between remitted‐BD and depressed‐BD subjects, which may underlie changes from remission to depression in BD.
Allopurinol augmentation in the outpatient treatment of bipolar mania: a pilot study
Authors: Fan Alexander , Berg Andrew , Bresee Catherine , Glassman Lisa Hayley , Rapaport Mark Hyman
Published: March 2012

Fan A, Berg A, Bresee C, Glassman LH, Rapaport MH. Allopurinol augmentation in the outpatient treatment of bipolar mania: a pilot study. Bipolar Disord 2012: 14: 206–210. © 2012 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Background:  Allopurinol promotes the salvage of purines, possibly increasing endogenous adenosine levels. Recent studies suggest that adenosine has neuroprotective and inhibitory effects. Two previous inpatient trials demonstrated that allopurinol has anti‐manic activity. Our objective was to test allopurinol as an adjunct to standard medications in bipolar disorder manic outpatients.

Methods:  In this double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial, 27 subjects who met DSM‐IV criteria for bipolar disorder and scored ≥ 14 on the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) were randomized to augmentation with allopurinol or placebo for six weeks. The primary efficacy measure was the YMRS. The primary safety measure was the Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale.

Results:  The effect of allopurinol augmentation in decreasing mean YMRS scores was modest, with an overall effect size of −0.25 (Cohen’s d). Allopurinol‐treated individuals who abstained from caffeine (n = 4) had a greater decrease in YMRS scores (−15.3 ± 1.8) than subjects using caffeine (n = 5) (−9.6 ± 3.4, p = 0.219), with an effect size of −0.86.

Conclusion:  In this small outpatient pilot study, allopurinol augmentation did not show a statistically significant improvement over placebo in attenuating manic symptoms. Subjects with restricted caffeine use showed a greater effect size compared to caffeine users. This finding may be interpreted as corroborating the hypothesized mechanism of action of allopurinol’s anti‐manic effect in previous studies.
A longitudinal functional connectivity analysis of the amygdala in bipolar I disorder across mood states
Authors: Cerullo Michael A , Fleck David E , Eliassen James C , Smith Matt S , DelBello Melissa P , Adler Caleb M , Strakowski Stephen M
Published: March 2012

Cerullo MA, Fleck DE, Eliassen JC, Smith MS, DelBello MP, Adler CM, Strakowski SM. A longitudinal functional connectivity analysis of the amygdala in bipolar I disorder across mood states. Bipolar Disord 2012: 14: 175–184. © 2012 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Objective:  Bipolar I disorder is characterized by affective symptoms varying between depression and mania. The specific neurophysiology responsible for depression in bipolar I disorder is unknown but previous neuroimaging studies suggest impairments in corticolimbic regions that are responsible for regulating emotion. The amygdala seems to play a central role in this network and is responsible for appraisal of emotional stimuli. To further understand the role of the amygdala in the generation of mood symptoms, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine a group of patients with bipolar I disorder longitudinally.

Methods:  fMRI was used to study regional brain activation in 15 bipolar I disorder patients followed for up to one year. Patients received an fMRI scan during an initial manic episode and a subsequent depressive episode. During the scans, patients performed an attentional task that incorporated emotional pictures. Fifteen healthy comparison subjects were also scanned at baseline and then at four months. Whole‐brain functional connectivity analysis was performed using the left and right amygdala as seed regions.

Results:  Significant changes in amygdala functional connectivity were found between the manic and depressed phases of illness. The right amygdala was significantly more positively correlated with the left inferior frontal gyrus during mania and with the right insula during depression. There were no significant differences in left amygdala correlations across mood states in the bipolar I disorder group.

Conclusions:  In the transition from a manic/mixed episode to a depressive episode, subjects with bipolar I disorder showed unique changes in cortical–amygdala functional connectivity. Increased connectivity between the insula and right amygdala may generate excessive positive feedback, in that both of these regions are involved in the appraisal of emotional stimuli. Increased correlation between the right amygdala and the inferior frontal gyrus in mania is consistent with previous findings of decreased prefrontal modulation of limbic regions in mania. These differences in connectivity may represent neurofunctional markers of mood state as they occurred in the same individuals across manic and depressive episodes.
Accuracy of weight perception, life‐style behaviours and psychological distress among overweight and obese adolescents
Authors: Khambalia Amina , Hardy Louise L , Bauman Adrian
Published: March 2012

Aim:  To compare overweight and obese adolescents with accurate and inaccurate self‐reported weight perception across a range of behaviours and measures of psychological well‐being.

Methods:  This study uses a cross‐sectional survey of grade 7–12 high school students in New South Wales, Australia, conducted in 2008 (n= 7553). Overweight and obese students based on body mass index were classified as accurate perceivers (weight perception was ‘too fat’) or inaccurate perceivers (weight perception was ‘about right’).

Results:  Nearly a third of adolescents had incongruity between self‐perceived body weight status and body mass index‐determined weight category. Compared with boys, girls were less likely to underestimate their body weight (odds ratio: 0.26; 95% confidence interval: 0.25, 0.27) and more likely to overestimate their body weight (odds ratio: 3.4; 95% confidence interval: 3.3, 3.5). Accurate body weight perception was higher in obese adolescents compared with overweight adolescents (69.5% vs. 44.0%). Compared with mis‐perceivers, accurate overweight and obese perceivers had significantly higher odds of trying to lose weight and being more physically active; however, they showed a combination of unhealthy and healthy behaviours (i.e. dietary patterns and sedentary activities). Accurate weight perception among overweight and obese adolescents was associated with increased odds of feeling sad or depressed in the past 6 months.

Conclusions:  Further research on social, familial and psychological factors that predict or mediate healthy and unhealthy weight‐related behaviours among adolescents by accuracy of weight perception is needed. Accurate weight perception should be considered in counselling and behavioural interventions.
Overproduction of the multidrug efflux pump MexEF‐OprN does not impair Pseudomonas aeruginosa fitness in competition tests, but produces specific changes in bacterial regulatory networks
Authors: Olivares Jorge , Alvarez‐Ortega Carolina , Linares Juan F. , Rojo Fernando , Köhler Thilo , Martínez José Luis
Published: March 2012

It is generally assumed that acquisition of antibiotic resistance leads to non‐specific fitness costs. We have tested the alternative hypothesis that acquisition of antibiotic resistance may not always produce a general burden to the microorganisms, as measured in competition tests, but rather lead to specific changes in bacterial physiology. To this end we studied the effect of overproducing the multidrug efflux pump MexEF‐OprN on Pseudomonas aeruginosa due to a constitutive activation of MexT, the transcriptional activator of the mexEF‐oprN genes. We found that overexpression of MexEF‐OprN does not cause a significant decrease in P. aeruginosa fitness in classical competition tests, indicating the absence of a large metabolic burden and that any possible negative effects might be observed only under specific conditions. Transcriptomic analyses revealed that overexpression of MexEF‐OprN results in reduced expression of several quorum‐sensing regulated genes. We traced back this phenotype to a delay in PQS production due to extrusion of kynurenine, a PQS precursor, through the efflux pump. Type VI secretion was also impaired. A Caenorhabditis elegans model demonstrated that overproduction of MexEF‐OprN impairs virulence in P. aeruginosa. This effect was mainly due to the activity of the efflux pump, and not to MexT, despite the fact that the latter regulates Type III and Type VI secretion. Altogether, these data indicate that antibiotic resistance can produce modifications in the bacterial regulatory networks with relevant consequences for the bacterial behaviour in specific ecosystems, including the infected host.
Patient‐reported outcomes in trials of incretin‐based therapies in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Davies M. , Speight J.
Published: March 2012

Incretin‐based therapies have a glucose‐dependent mode of action that results in excellent glucose‐lowering efficacy with very low risk of hypoglycaemia, and weight neutrality [dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) inhibitors] or weight loss [glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) receptor agonists], in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) complement physician evaluations of efficacy and tolerability and offer insights into the subjective experience of using modern diabetes treatments. We conducted a systematic search of clinical trials of the GLP‐1 receptor agonists liraglutide, exenatide and long‐acting exenatide, one of which included the oral DPP‐4 inhibitor sitagliptin as a comparator. No other PRO data for DPP‐4 inhibitors were identified. This review summarizes PRO data from eight clinical trials, the majority of which used the Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (DTSQ) and/or Impact of Weight on Quality of Life‐Lite (IWQOL‐Lite) to evaluate patient experience. People with T2DM were highly satisfied with modern incretin‐based therapies compared with traditional therapies. Treatment satisfaction (including perceptions of convenience and flexibility) was high and generally higher with GLP‐1 agonists in association with their greater glucose‐lowering efficacy and tendency to facilitate weight loss. Weight‐related quality of life (QoL) also improved in people using incretin therapies. The glycaemic improvements achieved with GLP‐1 receptor agonists, coupled with the low incidence of hypoglycaemia and ability to cause weight loss, seemed to offset potential concern about injections. It is plausible that superior patient‐reported benefits found in clinical trials may translate into improved, clinically meaningful, long‐term outcomes through increased treatment acceptability. Long‐term, prospective data are needed to ascertain whether this is the case in practice.
Urethral pressure reflectometry; a novel technique for simultaneous recording of pressure and cross‐sectional area: a study of feasibility in the prostatic urethra
Authors: Aagaard Mikael , Klarskov Niels , Sønksen Jens , Bagi Per , Colstrup Hans , Lose Gunnar
Published: March 2012

Study Type – Diagnostic (case series)

Level of Evidence 4

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

In the 1980s and 1990s, a method for direct measurement of pressure and cross‐sectional area in women and men was developed. It was successful in terms of obtaining meaningful results in several studies. But the technique, which was based on the field gradient principle, was never implemented in the clinical setting because of technical limitations. In 2005, urethral pressure reflectometry was introduced as a new technique in female urodynamics. The technique has been shown to be more reproducible than conventional urethral pressure profilometry, when measuring incontinence in women. In 2010 it was also introduced as a new measuring technique in the anal canal.

This study, adds a new and interesting technique to the field of male urodynamics. For the first time, sound waves have been used to measure pressure and cross‐sectional area simultaneously, directly in the prostatic urethra. The results from this first trial with urethral pressure reflectometry are promising, in terms of obtaining meaningful physiological parameters. Our hope is that, future trials will help us to be able to identify specific areas of obstruction or rigidity in the prostatic urethra, making treatment more direct and side effects from surgery less severe. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the technique with regards to clinical usefulness in men with benign prostatic obstruction.

OBJECTIVE

Urethral Pressure Reflectometry (UPR) was introduced in 2005, and it has since been used in the female urethra for simultaneous measurement of pressure (P) and cross‐sectional area (CA). It has shown to be more reproducible than conventional pressure measurement and reintroduced direct measurement of pressure and elastance in the urethra as important parameters when assessing incontinent women.

To test the feasibility of UPR in the prostatic urethra.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We tested the technique in ten male patients, median age 73 and range 51–91.

Measurements were performed in the supine position, with less than 50 ml of urine in the bladder.

The UPR valuables measured were opening and closing pressure, opening and closing elastance and hysteresis.

RESULTS

The PVC tube was easy to insert to the same degree as a normal KAD.

Opening pressure and opening elastance were measured on all patients.

The sphincter area was easily identified during measurements.

UPR provides results compatible with previous techniques.

A standardized method for measurements was developed.

CONCLUSION

UPR has been shown feasible in the prostatic urethra.

Further studies on healthy volunteers and patients with lower urinary tract symptoms and benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) are needed, to determine if UPR has a future role in urodynamic diagnostics of male patients with BPO.
Parents, adolescents, children and the human papillomavirus vaccine: a review
Authors: Walhart T.
Published: March 2012

WALHART T. (2012) Parents, adolescents, children, and the human papillomavirus vaccine: a review. International Nursing Review59, 305–311

Background:  Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide. It is also the most common STI in adolescents. This highlights a great clinical and public health concern that must be addressed. Parents are typically involved in the clinical decision‐making process of vaccine administration to children and adolescents. Therefore, understanding the acceptability of the HPV vaccination as a method to prevent STIs and certain cancers is critical.

Purpose:  To present the three primary themes that emerged from the literature: parental attitudes, parental beliefs and parental barrier towards vaccinating children and adolescents with the HPV vaccine.

Method:  A literature search using Scopus to determine parents' attitudes and beliefs towards vaccinating children and adolescents with the HPV vaccine. The initial search included the key search terms of ‘children’ and ‘HPV vaccine’. The publication year was limited from 2006 to present.

Findings:  The three themes greatly influence parents' decisions to vaccinate their children.

In the future, more attention needs to be paid to specific subgroups. Future research should include groups that are currently under‐represented: fathers, urban populations, low socio‐economic status and ethnic minorities.

Conclusion:  Since nurses worldwide are often sought as healthcare resources by parents in the clinical decision‐making process, their understanding of the attitude, beliefs and barriers parents have towards the HPV vaccine is paramount.
Class, Citizenship and Regeneration: Glasgow and the Commonwealth Games 2014
Authors: Paton Kirsteen , Mooney Gerry , McKee Kim
Published: March 2012

Abstract:  Through a focus on “consumer‐citizenship” this paper foregrounds the class practices inherent in urban regeneration. Using Glasgow's 2014 Commonwealth Games (CWGs) as an illustrative example of regeneration, it seeks to highlight the market‐led processes that underpin state interventions. The paper demonstrates how these processes are implemented to transform “problem people, and problem places” (Damer 1989, From Moorepark to “Wine Alley”) into sites of “active” consumption and “responsible” citizenship. Yet, access to this “consumer citizenship” is stratified. In doing so, we synthesise conceptual insights from the Marxist‐influenced gentrification literature and the Foucauldian‐inspired housing renewal literature. We forward this to initiate further academic debate and empirical enquiry on the specific issue of mega sporting events.
“The Dirty Scruff”: Relief and the Production of the Unemployed in Depression‐era British Columbia
Authors: Ekers Michael
Published: March 2012

Abstract: In this article, I examine this nexus between the social and political meaning of unemployment and the political responses that follow. I focus on Depression‐era Vancouver and investigate the broad ideologies, representations and practices that contributed to the derision of the unemployed, which in turn, informed the establishment of rural relief camps that aimed to address the unemployment crisis of the 1930s. The social and political meaning of unemployment shaped the contours of the Federal Unemployment Relief Scheme, which housed men in work camps and aimed to both discipline and rehabilitate the unemployed. However, the relief camps were plagued by several contradictions exploited by the Relief Camp Workers Union, which constructed oppositional understandings of unemployment. In discussing the relationship between unemployment and relief I attend to questions of space, highlighting the urbanisation of unemployment and the ideological distinctions between the city and the country.
Recognition bias and the physical attractiveness stereotype
Authors: ROHNER JEAN‐CHRISTOPHE , RASMUSSEN ANDERS
Published: March 2012

Rohner, J.‐C. and Rasmussen, A. (2012). Recognition bias and the physical attractiveness stereotype.Scandinavian Journal of Psychology53, 239–246.

Previous studies have found a recognition bias for information consistent with the physical attractiveness stereotype (PAS), in which participants believe that they remember that attractive individuals have positive qualities and that unattractive individuals have negative qualities, regardless of what information actually occurred. The purpose of this research was to examine whether recognition bias for PAS congruent information is replicable and invariant across a variety of conditions (i.e. generalizable). The effects of nine different moderator variables were examined in two experiments. With a few exceptions, the effect of PAS congruence on recognition bias was independent of the moderator variables. The results suggest that the tendency to believe that one remembers information consistent with the physical attractiveness stereotype is a robust phenomenon.
The Evolving Society: United We Stand
Authors: Isham Valerie
Published: March 2012

In recent years, the breadth of the Royal Statistical Society’s activities has increased very dramatically. Considerable time and energy have been devoted to ‘outreach’ to the lay public and the media, to decision makers in government and industry and to those involved in all levels in education. The Society is both a Professional Society, developing and expanding services to members, and a Learned Society nurturing the discipline. There is much more to do but it is appropriate now to reflect on current challenges, to consolidate the progress that has been made and to consider future strategies to support the discipline. Statistics is a discipline whose time has come—there is great strength in its diversity as long as statisticians are united.