bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Persistence of immune responses to the HPV‐16/18 AS04‐adjuvanted vaccine in women aged 15–55 years and first‐time modelling of antibody responses in mature women: results from an open‐label 6–year follow‐up study
Authors: Schwarz T , Spaczynski M , Kaufmann A , Wysocki J , Gałaj A , Schulze K , Suryakiran P , Thomas F , Descamps D
Published: September 2014

Objective

Evaluation of the long‐term HPV‐16/18 AS04‐adjuvanted vaccine immunogenicity persistence in women.

Design

Multicentre, open‐label, long‐term follow‐up (NCT00947115) of a primary phase–III study (NCT00196937).

Setting

Six centres in Germany and Poland.

Population

488 healthy women (aged 15–55 years, age‐stratified into groups: 15–25, 26–45, and 46–55 years) who received three vaccine doses in the primary study.

Methods

Immune responses were evaluated in serum and cervicovaginal secretion (CVS) samples 6 years after dose 1. Anti‐HPV‐16/18 geometric mean titres (GMTs) were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and were used to fit the modified power‐law and piecewise models, predicting long‐term immunogenicity. Serious adverse events (SAEs) were recorded.

Main outcome measures

Anti‐HPV‐16/18 seropositivity rates and GMTs 6 years after dose 1.

Results

At 6 years after dose 1, all women were seropositive for anti‐HPV–16 and ≥97% were seropositive for anti‐HPV–18 antibodies. GMTs ranged from 277.7 to 1344.6 EU/ml, and from 97.6 to 438.2 EU/ml, for anti‐HPV–16 and anti‐HPV–18, respectively. In all age groups, GMTs were higher (anti‐HPV–16, 9.3–45.1‐fold; anti‐HPV–18, 4.3–19.4‐fold) than levels associated with natural infection (29.8 EU/ml). A strong correlation between serum and CVS anti‐HPV‐16/18 levels was observed, with correlation coefficients of 0.81–0.96 (anti‐HPV–16) and 0.69–0.84 (anti‐HPV–18). Exploratory modelling based on the 6–year data predicted vaccine‐induced anti‐HPV‐16/18 levels above natural infection levels for at least 20 years, except for anti‐HPV–18 in the older age group (piecewise model). One vaccine‐related and two fatal SAEs were reported.

Conclusions

At 6 years after vaccination, immune responses induced by the HPV‐16/18 AS04‐adjuvanted vaccine were sustained in all age groups.
Limited knowledge about folic acid and iodine nutrition in pregnant women reflected in supplementation practices
Authors: El‐mani Souad , Charlton Karen E. , Flood Victoria M. , Mullan Judy
Published: September 2014

Aim

In order to reduce the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) and iodine deficiency in pregnancy, the National Health and Medical Research Council recommends that pregnant women supplement their diet with folic acid and iodine. This study aimed to identify the knowledge, attitudes and practices of pregnant women regarding intake of these nutrients in order to assess whether women are adequately exposed to this health message.

Methods

One hundred and fifty‐two conveniently sampled pregnant women residing in a regional area of New South Wales, Australia, completed a pretested questionnaire on knowledge and practices regarding nutritional supplement use during pregnancy and dietary sources of folic acid and iodine.

Results

Eighty‐two per cent of women reported using supplements during their pregnancy, with the majority (67.7%) taking supplement brands containing both folic acid and iodine. Supplement use was significantly higher among women in the highest household income category (30.8 vs 69.2%; P = 0.001). Seventy‐six per cent of the participants correctly identified NTDs to be associated with inadequate intake of folic acid, whereas only 40% correctly identified health problems associated with inadequate iodine intake. Women's knowledge of dietary sources of folic acid and iodine was limited.

Conclusions

A third of the pregnant women surveyed were not adhering to clinical recommendations for supplement use during pregnancy, and many had knowledge deficits with regard to the need for an adequate dietary intake of folic acid and iodine from both food and supplements during pregnancy.
Endogenous biotin‐binding proteins: an overlooked factor causing false positives in streptavidin‐based protein detection
Authors: Tytgat Hanne L. P. , Schoofs Geert , Driesen Michèle , Proost Paul , Van Damme Els J. M. , Vanderleyden Jos , Lebeer Sarah
Published: September 2014

Biotinylation is widely used in DNA, RNA and protein probing assays as this molecule has generally no impact on the biological activity of its substrate. During the streptavidin‐based detection of glycoproteins in Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG with biotinylated lectin probes, a strong positive band of approximately 125 kDa was observed, present in different cellular fractions. This potential glycoprotein reacted heavily with concanavalin A (ConA), a lectin that specifically binds glucose and mannose residues. Surprisingly, this protein of 125 kDa could not be purified using a ConA affinity column. Edman degradation of the protein, isolated via cation and anion exchange chromatography, lead to the identification of the band as pyruvate carboxylase, an enzyme of 125 kDa that binds biotin as a cofactor. Detection using only the streptavidin conjugate resulted in more false positive signals of proteins, also in extracellular fractions, indicating biotin‐associated proteins. Indeed, biotin is a known cofactor of numerous carboxylases. The potential occurence of false positive bands with biotinylated protein probes should thus be considered when using streptavidin‐based detection, e.g. by developing a blot using only the streptavidin conjugate. To circumvent these false positives, alternative approaches like detection based on digoxigenin labelling can also be used.
Inhibition of lung adenocarcinoma cells by insulin‐like growth factor‐I receptor and Kirsten rat sarcoma mutations: A mutation analysis with antisense oligodeoxynucleotide
Authors: Li Shaoming , Zhao Lei , Zhang Jiahui , Zou Zhiqiang , Du Peng
Published: September 2014

Background

Kirsten rat sarcoma (KRAS) mutations are widespread in lung adenocarcinoma patients. The combined utilization of KRAS antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ASODN) and insulin‐like growth factor‐I receptor (IGF‐IR) may inhibit the proliferation of A549 cell lines of lung adenocarcinoma.

Methods

Point mutations of the KRAS gene in A549 cells were detected by polymerase chain reaction with special sequence primers (PCR‐SSP) and gene sequence analysis; ASODN was designed and synthesized according to the mutation specialty of KRAS; and the correlation of gene mutations and clinicopathological features were analyzed. Inhibition on the proliferation and morphostructure change were measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium and colony‐forming unit assays. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate the expression of KRAS and IGF‐IR proteins and cell apoptosis and reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction were used to detect the expression of KRAS and IGF‐IR messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA). Male nude mice were used to form the mice‐human lung cancer model and show the inhibition of KRAS ASODN on A549 cells.

Results

PCR‐SSP and gene sequence analysis results showed that the codon 12 of KRAS had changed from GGT to GTT. KRAS ASODN or IGF‐IR ASODN could inhibit cell proliferation and promote apoptosis of A549 cells. However, the combined utilization of KRAS ASODN and IGF‐IR ASODN could inhibit cell proliferation and promote apoptosis more powerfully than exclusive use of KRAS ASODN or IGF‐IR ASODN.

Conclusion

The two ASODNs can inhibit the proliferation of lung adenocarcinoma cells through decreasing the expression of KRAS and IGF‐IR mRNA and protein.
Prevalence and clinical significance of BRAF V600E in Chinese patients with lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Li Zhenxiang , Jiang Leilei , Bai Hua , Wang Zhijie , Zhao Jun , Duan Jianchun , Yang Xiaodan , An Tongtong , Wang Jie
Published: September 2014

Background

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence, distribution, and prognostic role of v‐raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF) V600E mutations in Chinese patients with lung adenocarcinoma (ADC), and to explore the possibility of BRAF V600E mutation detection in plasma DNA.

Methods

Data from 190 patients with lung ADCs treated at the Peking University Cancer Hospital from July 2011 to March 2012 were collected. The amplification refractory mutation system was used for BRAF V600E testing and denaturing high‐performance liquid chromatography for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation detection. In BRAF V600E‐mutant cases, paired plasma DNA was tested for mutation status of BRAF V600E and EGFR. The distribution and prognostic role of BRAF V600E mutations were analyzed using SPSS 13.0.

Results

Among 190 patients with advanced lung ADC, eight (4.2%) cases carried BRAF V600E mutations. V600E mutations presented more frequently in women than in men (6 of 96, 6.3% vs. P = 0.1). BRAF and EGFR mutations were concomitantly presented in three patients. Five of the eight patients with BRAF V600E mutations had matched plasma DNA samples and V600E mutations were found in three plasma samples.

Conclusion

The prevalence of BRAF V600E mutations in Chinese patients with lung ADC is 4.2%. Circulating plasma DNA may be used for BRAF V600E mutation analysis in lung adenocarcinoma.
When Do the Rich Vote Less Than the Poor and Why? Explaining Turnout Inequality across the World
Authors: Kasara Kimuli , Suryanarayan Pavithra
Published: September 2014

The conventional wisdom that the poor are less likely to vote than the rich is based upon research on voting behavior in advanced industrialized countries. However, in some places, the relationship between turnout and socioeconomic status is reversed. We argue that the potential tax exposure of the rich explains the positive relationship between income and voting in some places and not others. Where the rich anticipate taxation, they have a greater incentive to participate in politics, and politicians are more likely to use fiscal policy to gain support. We explore two factors affecting the tax exposure of the rich—the political salience of redistribution in party politics and the state's extractive capacity. Using survey data from developed and developing countries, we demonstrate that the rich turn out to vote at higher rates when the political preferences of the rich and poor diverge and where bureaucratic capacity is high.
Are Chinese narcissists disagreeable? Evidence from self‐ and peer‐ratings of agreeableness
Authors: Zhou Hui , Zhang Bao , Yang Xiaoyang , Chen Xiao
Published: September 2014

Many studies have found that narcissism is negatively related to agreeableness in Western samples. Four experiments explored this relationship in a Chinese population. In Study 1, 228 junior high school students reported their narcissism and Five Factor Personality traits. In Study 2, participants recruited through the internet completed the measures of narcissism and agreeableness. In Study 3, 145 college students completed the measures of narcissism and agreeableness, as well as self‐esteem and social desirability. In Study 4, 204 senior high school adolescents reported their own narcissistic and agreeableness personality traits. They also received peer‐ratings of agreeableness. We found that narcissism was positively related with self‐reported agreeableness (Study 1, 2 and 4), but not with other ratings of agreeableness (Study 4). Chinese narcissists perceived themselves as agreeable, and their self‐perceptions of agreeableness were more positive than their peers rated them. We discuss the current findings in relation to the Chinese cultural context and underscore cultural roots of narcissism.
Exploring the roles of narcissism, uses of, and gratifications from microblogs on affinity‐seeking and social capital
Authors: Mo Ruo , Leung Louis
Published: September 2014

The purpose of this study is to examine how the uses and gratifications of microblogs (i.e. Sina Weibo) can influence interpersonal relationships, especially in affinity‐seeking and perceived social capital. Data were gathered through an online questionnaire with a sample of 431 Weibo users surveyed throughout mainland China. Results show that (i) narcissism, content‐, and social‐gratification were positively related to intensity of Weibo use, (ii) intensity of Weibo use and process‐gratification were positively related to strategic performance, whereas only content‐gratification positively predicted affinity competence. (iii) content‐ and social‐gratification positively predicted bridging social capital, whereas convenience‐gratification and affinity‐seeking predicted bonding social capital, and (iv) intensity of Weibo use was positively related to both types of social capital only when Weibo gratifications were not included in the regression equations. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.
A retrospective analysis of 509 consecutive interscalene catheter insertions for ambulatory surgery
Authors: Marhofer P. , Anderl W. , Heuberer P. , Fritz M. , Kimberger O. , Marhofer D. , Klug W. , Blasl J.
Published: September 2014

Effective pain therapy after shoulder surgery is the main prerequisite for safe management in an ambulatory setting. We evaluated adverse events and hospital re‐admission using a database of 509 interscalene catheters inserted during ambulatory shoulder surgery. Adverse events were recorded for 34 (6.7%) patients (9 (1.8%) catheter dislocations diagnosed in the recovery room, 9 (1.8%) catheter dislocations at home with pain, 2 (0.4%) pain without catheter dislocation, 1 (0.2%) ‘secondary’ pneumothorax without intervention and 13 (2.6%) other). Twelve (2.4%) patients were re‐admitted to hospital (8 (1.6%) for pain, 2 (0.4%) for dyspnoea and 2 (0.4%) for nausea and vomiting), 9 of whom had rotator cuff repair. A well‐organised infrastructure, optimally trained medical professionals and appropriate patient selection are the main prerequisites for the safe, effective implementation of ambulatory interscalene catheters in routine clinical practice.
ST‐Segment Elevation of Right Precordial Lead (V4R) Is Associated with Multivessel Disease and Increased In‐Hospital Mortality in Acute Anterior Myocardial Infarction Patients
Authors: Tusun Eyyup , Uluganyan Mahmut , Ugur Murat , Karaca Gurkan , Osman Faizel , Koroglu Bayram , Murat Ahmet , Ekmekci Ahmet , Uyarel Hüseyin , Sahin Osman , Eren Mehmet , Bolca Osman
Published: September 2014

Background

ST segment elevation of chest lead V4R is associated with worse prognosis in acute inferior ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). This study tried to determine the relationship between ST elevation in the right precordial lead V4R and acute anterior STEMI.

Methods

Prospective study of 144 consecutive anterior STEMI patients: all had 15‐lead ECG recordings (12 conventional leads and V3R‐V5R) obtained. Patients were classified into two groups on the basis of presence (Group I, 50 patients) or absence (Group II, 94 patients) of ST‐segment elevation ≥0.5 mm in lead V4R.

Results

Multivessel involvement was significantly higher in Group I compared with Group II (54% and 23% respectively, P < 0.001). Major adverse cardiac events and in‐hospital mortality was also significantly higher for those in Group I (P < 0.02 for both). A significant correlation was found between in‐hospital mortality and those in Group I (P = 0.03, OR: 6.27, CI: 1.22–32.3). There was an independent relationship between in‐hospital mortality and V4R‐ST elevation (P = 0.03, OR: 11.64, CI: 1.3–27.4).

Conclusion

ST segment elevation in chest lead V4R is associated with multivessel disease and increased in‐hospital mortality in patients with anterior STEMI that had undergone primary percutaneous coronary intervention to the left anterior descending artery.
The Sooner, the Better: Exercise Outcome Proximity and Intrinsic Motivation
Authors: Evans M. Blair , Cooke Lisa M. , Murray Robyn A. , Wilson Anne E.
Published: September 2014

Background: Despite evidence that outcomes are highly valued when they are expected sooner rather than further into the future (Ainslie, 1975), limited research effort has been devoted to understanding the role of exercise outcome proximity. The purpose of this study was to examine how temporal proximity to positive outcomes influences exercisers' intrinsic motivation. We expected that focusing people on temporally proximal exercise outcomes would increase intrinsic motivation, especially among low‐frequency exercisers. Methods: This online experimental study was completed by 135 community exercisers (Mage = 31.11, SD = 10.29; 62% female) who reported an average of 4.86 exercise bouts per week (SD = 2.12). Participants were randomly assigned to a condition that primed temporally proximal positive exercise outcomes (i.e. experienced during or directly following an exercise bout) or temporally distal outcomes (i.e. experienced after days, months, or years of regular exercise). Participants then reported perceptions of behavioral regulation in exercise. Results: As expected, the proximal exercise outcome condition elicited increased intrinsic regulation among those participants who exercised less frequently (i.e. 1 SD below the mean). Conclusions: This study reveals the importance of considering proximity as an important dimension of exercise outcomes—particularly when promoting intrinsic motivation among relatively infrequent exercisers.
Fibre types in primary ‘flight’ muscles of the African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus)
Authors: Schroeder Kristen L. , Sylvain Nicole J. , Kirkpatrick Lisa J. , Rosser Benjamin W. C.
Published: September 2014

The African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) is an endangered seabird that resides on the temperate southern coast of Africa. Like all penguins it is flightless, instead using its specialized wings for underwater locomotion termed ‘aquatic flight’. While musculature and locomotion of the large Antarctic penguins have been well studied, smaller penguins show different biochemical and behavioural adaptations to their habitats. We used histochemical and immunohistochemical methods to characterize fibre type composition of the African penguin primary flight muscles, the pectoralis and supracoracoideus. We hypothesized the pectoralis would contain predominantly fast oxidative–glycolytic (FOG) fibres, with mainly aerobic subtypes. As the supracoracoideus and pectoralis both power thrust, we further hypothesized these muscles would have a similar fibre type complement. Our results supported these hypotheses, also showing an unexpected slow fibre population in the deep parts of pectoralis and supracoracoideus. The latissimus dorsi was also examined as it may contribute to thrust generation during aquatic flight, and in other avian species typically contains definitive fibre types. Unique among birds studied to date, the African penguin anterior latissimus dorsi was found to consist mainly of fast fibres. This study shows the African penguin has specialized flight musculature distinct from other birds, including large Antarctic penguins.
Mechanisms of plasma non‐transferrin bound iron generation: insights from comparing transfused diamond blackfan anaemia with sickle cell and thalassaemia patients
Authors: Porter John B. , Walter Patrick B. , Neumayr Lynne D. , Evans Patricia , Bansal Sukhvinder , Garbowski Maciej , Weyhmiller Marcela G. , Harmatz Paul R. , Wood John C. , Miller Jeffery L. , Byrnes Colleen , Weiss Guenter , Seifert Markus , Grosse Regine , Grabowski Dagmar , Schmidt Angelica , Fischer Roland , Nielsen Peter , Niemeyer Charlotte , Vichinsky Elliott
Published: September 2014

In transfusional iron overload, extra‐hepatic iron distribution differs, depending on the underlying condition. Relative mechanisms of plasma non‐transferrin bound iron (NTBI) generation may account for these differences. Markers of iron metabolism (plasma NTBI, labile iron, hepcidin, transferrin, monocyte SLC40A1 [ferroportin]), erythropoiesis (growth differentiation factor 15, soluble transferrin receptor) and tissue hypoxia (erythropoietin) were compared in patients with Thalassaemia Major (TM), Sickle Cell Disease and Diamond‐Blackfan Anaemia (DBA), with matched transfusion histories. The most striking differences between these conditions were relationships of NTBI to erythropoietic markers, leading us to propose three mechanisms of NTBI generation: iron overload (all), ineffective erythropoiesis (predominantly TM) and low transferrin‐iron utilization (DBA).
Switching to recombinant factor IX Fc fusion protein prophylaxis results in fewer infusions, decreased factor IX consumption and lower bleeding rates
Authors: Powell Jerry , Shapiro Amy , Ragni Margaret , Negrier Claude , Windyga Jerzy , Ozelo Margareth , Pasi John , Baker Ross , Potts James , Li Shuanglian , Mei Baisong , Pierce Glenn F. , Robinson Brian
Published: September 2014

In the phase 3 B‐LONG [Recombinant Factor IX Fc Fusion Protein (rFIXFc) in Subjects with Haemophilia B] study, rFIXFc dosed every 1–2 weeks was safe and efficacious in previously treated subjects with haemophilia B. To date, there are no evaluations of transitioning from conventional to long‐acting factor IX (FIX) prophylaxis. This post‐hoc analysis of B‐LONG subjects compared prophylaxis with other FIX products and rFIXFc. Pre‐ and on‐study data were analysed to assess dosing regimen, weekly FIX consumption and annualized bleeding rates (ABRs). Population pharmacokinetics models were used to generate FIX activity profiles with rFIXFc and recombinant FIX prophylaxis. Thirty‐nine subjects, previously treated prophylactically, were evaluated. Prior to study, most subjects (69·2%) received twice‐weekly FIX infusions; on study, subjects infused rFIXFc once every 1–2 weeks with c. 30–50% reductions in weekly consumption. On‐study estimated mean ABRs were lower than pre‐study estimated mean ABRs. Models predicted that rFIXFc administered 50 iu/kg weekly and 100 iu/kg every 10 d would maintain steady‐state FIX trough levels ≥1 iu/dl in 95·4% and 89·2% of subjects, respectively. These results indicate that patients receiving rFIXFc prophylaxis can markedly reduce infusion frequency and FIX consumption, have a greater likelihood of maintaining FIX activity >1 iu/dl and experience fewer bleeding episodes compared with prior FIX prophylaxis.
Medication beliefs are associated with phosphate binder non‐adherence in hyperphosphatemic haemodialysis patients
Authors: Wileman Vari , Farrington Ken , Wellsted David , Almond Mike , Davenport Andrew , Chilcot Joseph
Published: September 2014

Objectives

Patients with end‐stage kidney disease receiving haemodialysis (HD) are at risk of cardiovascular disease and bone disorders related to high levels of serum phosphate. We studied the association between medication beliefs and depressive symptoms, with non‐adherence to phosphate binding medication in a group of HD patients at risk of complications due to hyperphosphatemia.

Design

Cross‐sectional design.

Methods

Baseline data from 112 patients participating in a randomized controlled trial, evaluating an adherence intervention, are presented. All patients had serum phosphate levels >1.6 mmol/l at baseline. Adherence was measured by (1) serum phosphate and (2) Medication Adherence Report Scales (MARS). Beliefs about Medicines (BMQ) and depressive symptoms (PHQ‐9) were also evaluated.

Results

Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire necessity, but not concerns, beliefs were found to correlate with serum phosphate (r = −.23, p < .05) and self‐reported adherence (r = .35, p < .01). In regression models, controlling for demographic, clinical and psychological variables, necessity beliefs explained the variance of serum phosphate (β = −.22, p = .01) and self‐reported adherence (β = .30, p ≤ .01). Both BMQ concerns and depressive symptoms were not related to non‐adherence.

Conclusion

Patients' beliefs about the necessity of their prescribed phosphate binding medications explain variation in non‐adherence levels, measured both subjective and objectively. Dialysis patient's medication beliefs are potentially modifiable targets for future interventions.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Haemodialysis patients are at risk of cardiovascular disease and bone disorders related to high levels of serum phosphate, yet adherence to phosphate binders remains suboptimal.

Treatment beliefs have been shown to predict adherence to phosphate binders.

What does this study add?

In patients who are at risk of complications due to high phosphate levels, beliefs regarding the necessity of phosphate binders are associated with treatment non‐adherence as measured by a physiological proxy (serum phosphate levels) and self‐report.

Depression does not appear to be related to phosphate binder non‐adherence.
Breaking good: Breaking ties with social groups may be good for recovery from substance misuse
Authors: Dingle Genevieve A. , Stark Claire , Cruwys Tegan , Best David
Published: September 2014

According to the Social Identity Model of Identity Change, maintaining social identities and support over time is good for health and well‐being, particularly during stressful transitions. However, in this study we explore the circumstances under which maintaining social identities – such as ‘substance user’ – may be harmful to health, and when a successful transition constitutes identity change, rather than maintenance. This prospective study examined social identities of 132 adults entering a drug and alcohol therapeutic community (TC) at admission, three fortnightly intervals and exit, as well as a representative subsample of 60 participants at follow‐up. Repeated measures ANOVA results showed that user identity decreased significantly over time, such that 76% of the sample decreased in user identity strength over the first month in the TC. At the same time, recovery identity ratings increased significantly over time, with 64% of the sample staying the same or increasing their recovery identity ratings over the first month. Identity change, indexed by the change in the difference score between user identity and recovery identity over the treatment period, accounted for 34% of the variance in drinking quantity, 41% of the variance in drinking frequency, 5% of the variance in other drug use frequency, and 49% of the variance in life satisfaction at follow‐up, after accounting for initial substance abuse severity and social identity ratings at entry to the TC. The findings indicate that moving from a substance using identity towards a recovery identity constitutes an important step in substance abuse treatment.
Access Online: Internet Governance and Image in Cuba
Authors: BARON GUY , HALL GARETH
Published: September 2014

This article examines the restrictions on internet access in Cuba and asks to what extent the lack of access to the World Wide Web has helped to maintain (with some evident changes), the socialist status quo on the island. The article will also examine how the internet is used to represent the nation externally and ultimately argues that the Cuban government is negotiating a fine line between taking full economic advantage of what the internet can offer and hampering its use as a mechanism for the subversion of the Revolution in the face of continued US aggression.
Geology and regional significance of the Sarnoo Hills, eastern rift margin of the Barmer Basin, NW India
Authors: Bladon Andrew J. , Burley Stuart D. , Clarke Stuart M. , Beaumont Hazel
Published: September 2014

The Barmer Basin is a poorly understood rift basin in Rajasthan, northwest India. Exposures in the Sarnoo Hills, situated along the central eastern rift margin of the Barmer Basin, reveal a sedimentary succession that accumulated prior to the main Barmer Basin rift event, and a rift‐oblique fault network that displays unusual geometries and characteristics. Here, we present a comprehensive study of Lower Cretaceous sedimentology on the basin margin, along with a detailed investigation of rift‐oblique faults that are exposed nowhere else in the region and provide critical insights into Barmer Basin evolution. Lower Cretaceous sediments were deposited within a rapidly subsiding alluvial plain fluvial system. Subsequent to deposition, the evolving Sarnoo Hills fault network was affected by structural inheritance during an early, previously unrecognised, rift‐oblique extensional event attributed to transtension between India and Madagascar, and formed a juvenile fault network within the immediate rift‐margin footwall. Ghaggar‐Hakra Formation deposition may have been triggered by early rifting which tectonically destabilised the Marwar Craton prior to the main northeast–southwest Barmer Basin rift event. The identification of early rifting in the Barmer Basin demonstrates that regional extension and the associated rift systems were established throughout northwest India prior to the main phase of Deccan eruptions. Inheritance of early oblique fault systems within the evolving Barmer Basin provides a robust explanation for poorly understood structural complications interpreted in the subsurface throughout the rift. Critically, the presence of syn‐rift sedimentary successions within older oblique rift systems obscured beneath the present‐day Barmer Basin has significant implications for hydrocarbon exploration.
Adoption disclosure: experiences of Indian domestic adoptive parents
Authors: Mohanty Jayashree , Ahn Jaejin , Chokkanathan Srinivasan
Published: September 2014

Adoption disclosure is an important indicator of the healthy development and psychological well‐being of adopted children. However, findings from studies conducted among Asian domestic adoptive parents have highlighted some concerns. Using Kirk's theoretical proposition, a study was conducted among 86 Indian domestic adoptive parents to determine the societal and familial factors related to adoption disclosure. The results showed that while many of the parents had talked openly about their adoption to their immediate families (95.3%) and others of their social network (88.4%), they were hesitant in telling the child. Only 12.8% of the Indian parents had told their child about adoption, and 31.4% were planning to tell. The results of the logistic regression analysis revealed that children who were above 6 months at adoption were more likely to have had disclosures from their parents about their adoption. Further, adoptive parents who had told or were planning to tell their child about adoption perceived less about the loss of the biological parenthood and were more likely to perceive the beneficial effects of adoption disclosure to the child. These findings have implications for the provision of appropriate strategies, resources and support to adoptive families seeking to deal with adoption disclosure.
The natural history of spinal neurofibromatosis: a critical review of clinical and genetic features
Authors: Ruggieri M. , Polizzi A. , Spalice A. , Salpietro V. , Caltabiano R. , D'Orazi V. , Pavone P. , Pirrone C. , Magro G. , Platania N. , Cavallaro S. , Muglia M. , Nicita F.
Published: September 2014

Spinal neurofibromatosis (SNF) is a related form of neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1), characterized by bilateral neurofibromas (histologically proven) of all spinal roots (and, eventually, of all the major peripheral nerve branches) with or without other manifestations of classical NF1. By rigorous application of these criteria to the 98 SNF cases published, we developed: (i) a cohort of 49 SNF patients (21 males and 28 females; aged 4–74 years]: 9 SNF families (21/49), 1 mixed SNF/NF1 family (1/49) and 27 of 49 sporadic SNF patients (including 5 unpublished patients in this report); and (ii) a group of 49 non‐SNF patients including: (a) 32 patients with neurofibromas of multiple but not all spinal roots (MNFSR): 4 mixed SNF/MNFSR families (6/32); (b) 14 patients with NF1 manifestations without spinal neurofibromas, belonging to SNF (8/49) or MNFSR families (6/32); (c) 3 patients with neurofibromas in one spinal root. In addition to reduced incidence of café‐au‐lait spots (67% in SNF vs 56% in MNFSR), other NF1 manifestations were less frequent in either cohort. Molecular testing showed common NF1 gene abnormalities in both groups. The risk of developing SNF vs NF1 was increased for missense mutations [p = 0.0001; odds ratio (OR) = 6.16; confidence interval (CI) = 3.14–13.11], which were more frequent in SNF vs MNFSR (p = 0.0271).
The influence of hydrogen peroxide on the permeability of protective gloves to resorcinol in hairdressing
Authors: Lind Marie‐Louise , Johnsson Stina , Lidén Carola , Meding Birgitta , Boman Anders
Published: September 2014

Background

Hairdressers are exposed to hair dye chemicals, for example resorcinol and hydrogen peroxide. Adequate skin protection is an important preventive measure against occupational skin disease.

Objectives

To examine whether hydrogen peroxide may cause deterioration of protective gloves.

Methods

Permeation of resorcinol through gloves of polyvinylchloride (PVC) (n = 8), natural rubber latex (NRL) (n = 5) and nitrile rubber (NR) (n = 5) was studied in a two‐compartment cell, with resorcinol as an indicator for hair dyes. The amount of resorcinol that had permeated was analysed with a high‐performance liquid chromatography instrument. Cumulative breakthrough time and permeation rate were compared for hydrogen peroxide‐pretreated and untreated gloves.

Results

The cumulative breakthrough time was > 1 hr but < 4 hr for all tested gloves. Pretreatment of PVC gloves resulted in a slightly decreased breakthrough time, and pretreatment of NRL gloves decreased the permeation rate. No change was recorded in NR gloves.

Conclusions

Treatment with hydrogen peroxide had a minor effect on permeation in the tested gloves. NR gloves provided the best protection. However, taking the allergy risk of rubber gloves into account, plastic gloves are recommended in hairdressing. PVC gloves may be used, but not for > 1 hr. Disposable gloves should never be reused, regardless of material.
Colonoscopy screening compliance and outcomes in patients with Lynch syndrome
Authors: Newton K. , Green K. , Lalloo F. , Evans D. G. , Hill J.
Published: September 2014

Aim

Colonic surveillance reduces the lifetime risk of colorectal cancer in patients with Lynch syndrome (hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer) from 60 to 80% to 10% and confers a 7‐year survival advantage. The British Society of Gastroenterologists recommends colonoscopy at least every 2 years from the age of 25. Currently in the UK, genetic diagnosis is made by a regional genetics service, and screening recommendations are made to the referring clinician. The aim of this study was to investigate compliance with and the effectiveness of large bowel surveillance in Lynch syndrome.

Method

A retrospective longitudinal study of Lynch syndrome mutation carriers on the Regional Familial Colorectal Cancer Registry under and not under screening was conducted. To investigate screening compliance, patients were included if they were alive at the start of the study. Data were gathered on timeliness, quality and outcome of screening. To examine the effectiveness of screening, the cumulative incidence of colorectal cancer was estimated using Kaplan–Meier curves and the screened population compared with patients not being screened.

Results

A total of 227 Lynch syndrome mutation carriers were under screening at 26 hospitals. We assessed 439 colonoscopies for timeliness, of which 68% were compliant (interval < 27 months). Compliance on the 1 November 2011 was 87%. The cumulative incidence of colorectal cancer to the age of 70 was 25% (95% CI 17–32%) in the surveillance population and 81% (95% CI 78–84%) in 689 mutation‐positive patients not being screened (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Overall, 68% of colonoscopies were on time. The incidence of colorectal cancer was greatly reduced by screening but remained significant. Patients with Lynch syndrome need proactive surveillance management.
Effect of N,N‐diethyl‐m‐toluamide on the structure and dyeing properties of meta‐aramid and para‐aramid fibre
Authors: Lei Le‐Yan , Mao Ya‐Hong , Xu Xiao‐Feng , Zheng Jin‐Qu , Zheng Qing‐Kang , Guan Yu , Fan Xiao‐Min
Published: September 2014

N,N‐Diethyl‐m‐toluamide has been widely used in the mosquito‐repellent finishing of textiles over the past few decades, but the use of N,N‐diethyl‐m‐toluamide as a dye carrier for aramid dyeing with disperse dye has been seldom reported. Meanwhile, the application of aramid fibre in clothing is limited because it is difficult to dye. In this work, the effect of N,N‐diethyl‐m‐toluamide on the dyeing properties of aramid fibre was examined by measuring the percentage disperse dye exhaustion under different conditions. In order to understand the mechanism by which N,N‐diethyl‐m‐toluamide promotes the exhaustion of disperse dye on aramid fibre, the ultraviolet‐visible spectrum of the dye and N,N‐diethyl‐m‐toluamide solution, the glass transition temperature, the crystalline structure, and the degree of orientation of aramid fibre treated with N,N‐diethyl‐m‐toluamide were measured by ultraviolet‐visible spectrophotometry, differential scanning calorimetry, X‐ray diffraction analysis, and velocity‐oriented tests respectively. The results indicated that N,N‐diethyl‐m‐toluamide not only could reduce the glass transition temperature and degree of orientation of aramid fibre but could also improve the solubility of disperse dye in aqueous solution, and therefore could enhance the percentage disperse dye uptake on aramid fibre, whereas treatment with N,N‐diethyl‐m‐toluamide showed little effect on the crystalline structure of aramid fibre. The results implied that N,N‐diethyl‐m‐toluamide was beneficial to the diffusion of disperse dye molecules into the amorphous region of aramid fibre under the dyeing conditions, but seldom affected the mechanical properties of aramid fibre.
Accounting for tree line shift, glacier retreat and primary succession in mountain plant distribution models
Authors: Carlson Bradley Z. , Georges Damien , Rabatel Antoine , Randin Christophe F. , Renaud Julien , Delestrade Anne , Zimmermann Niklaus E. , Choler Philippe , Thuiller Wilfried
Published: September 2014

Aim

To incorporate changes in alpine land cover (tree line shift, glacier retreat and primary succession) into species distribution model (SDM) predictions for a selection of 31 high‐elevation plants.

Location

Chamonix Valley, French Alps.

Methods

We fit linear mixed effects (LME) models to historical changes in forest and glacier cover and projected these trends forward to align with 21st century IPCC climate scenarios. We used a logistic function to model the probability of plant establishment in glacial forelands zones expected to become ice free between 2008 and 2051–2080. Habitat filtering consisted of intersecting land cover maps with climate‐driven SDMs to refine habitat suitability predictions. SDM outputs for tree, heath and alpine species were compared based on whether habitat filtering during the prediction period was carried out using present‐day (static) land cover, future (dynamic) land cover filters or no land cover filter (unfiltered). Species range change (SRC) was used to measure differences in habitat suitability predictions across methods.

Results

LME predictions for 2021–2080 showed continued glacier retreat, tree line rise and primary succession in glacier forelands. SRC was highest in the unfiltered scenario (−10%), intermediate in the dynamic scenario (−15%) and lowest in the static scenario (−31%). Tree species were the only group predicted to gain overall range by 2051–2080. Although alpine plants lost range in all three land cover scenarios, new habitat made available by glacier retreat in the dynamic land cover scenario buffered alpine plant range loss due to climate change.

Main conclusions

We provide a framework for combining trajectories of land cover change with SDM predictions. Our pilot study shows that incorporating shifts in land cover improves habitat suitability predictions and leads to contrasting outcomes of future mountain plant distribution. Alpine plants in particular may lose less suitable habitat than standard SDMs predict due to 21st century glacier retreat.
Deer density and plant palatability predict shrub cover, richness, diversity and aboriginal food value in a North American archipelago
Authors: Arcese P. , Schuster R. , Campbell L. , Barber A. , Martin T. G.
Published: September 2014

Aim

Trophic cascades are a common consequence of herbivore outbreak and in the absence of hunting can cause the local extinction of native plant species and communities. We compared plant communities at 66 island and mainland sites to test the hypothesis that deer (Cervidae) determine species cover, richness and diversity and that palatable species become rare at high deer density. We validate a region‐wide index of deer density and impact on plant communities in a region where culturally significant food plants maintained by aboriginal people prior to European contact helped to define baseline plant communities.

Location

Gulf and San Juan Island archipelagos and North American mainland.

Methods

We conducted surveys of 49 native, 10 exotic and 15 culturally significant plant species and deer sign at 66 sites on 35 islands and mainland to determine deer abundance and plant species cover, richness and diversity. We identified culturally significant food plants facilitated by aboriginal people using ethnobotanical knowledge, quantified plant palatability via cafeteria trials and characterized shrub architecture.

Results

Native and culturally significant shrub cover, richness and diversity were 52–85% lower at sites with abundant deer (0.9–2.8 ha−1) versus no deer. However, these values were also 38–82% lower at sites in the lowest deer density class (< 0.08 ha−1) versus sites with no deer present. Palatable cover was 92% lower where deer were abundant versus absent and 28% lower in low‐density versus deer‐free sites. Shrub architecture provided an easily applied index of native and culturally significant plant cover and deer density.

Main conclusions

We provide comparative examples of endangered plant communities to demonstrate that, contrary to the intermediate disturbance hypothesis, any positive effect of deer on plant diversity on islands in the Pacific north‐west of North America occurs at densities < 0.08 ha−1, if at all. This detailed example of trophic downgrading highlights the need and provides the methods to identify herbivore densities compatible with the persistence of all native species in conserved landscapes.
Mapping large‐scale bird distributions using occupancy models and citizen data with spatially biased sampling effort
Authors: Higa Motoki , Yamaura Yuichi , Koizumi Itsuro , Yabuhara Yuki , Senzaki Masayuki , Ono Satoru
Published: September 2014

Aim

Although data collected by citizen scientists have received a great deal of attention for assessing species distributions over large extents, their sampling efforts are usually spatially biased. We assessed whether the bias of spatially varied sampling effort for opportunistic citizen data can be corrected using occupancy models that incorporate observation processes.

Location

Hokkaido Island, northern Japan.

Methods

We applied occupancy models for citizen data with spatially biased sampling effort to model and map large‐scale distributions of 52 forest and 23 grassland/wetland bird species. We used estimated species richness (summed occupancy probabilities among the species) as the aggregated distributional patterns of each species group and compared them among two occupancy models (i.e. single‐species and multispecies occupancy models), two conventional logistic regression models and Maxlike, which do not explicitly deal with observation processes.

Results

Conventional logistic regression models and Maxlike predicted inappropriate patterns, such as forest species preferring lowland non‐forested areas where most of the data were collected. Occupancy models, however, showed more appropriate results, indicating that forest species preferred lowland forested areas. The prediction by logistic models was somewhat improved by the use of spatially biased non‐detection data as the absence data; however, estimates of species richness were still much lower than those of occupancy models. Differences in model outputs were evident for the forest species but not for grassland/wetland species because citizen data covered virtually all environmental niches for grassland/wetland species. Results of the single‐species and multispecies occupancy models were nearly identical, but in some cases, estimates from the single‐species models were not converged or deviated notably from those of other species compared with estimates by the multispecies model.

Main conclusions

We found that citizen data with spatially biased sampling effort can be appropriately utilized for large‐scale biodiversity distribution modelling with the use of occupancy models, which encourages data collection by citizen scientists.
Can Eltonian processes explain species distributions at large scale? A case study with Great Bustard (Otis tarda)
Authors: Alvarez‐Martínez Jose Manuel , Suárez‐Seoane Susana , Palacín Carlos , Sanz Julia , Alonso Juan C.
Published: September 2014

Aim

Species distribution modelling (SDM) allows identification of suitable areas where the species might occur. The Grinnellian approach relates species occurrence to abiotic limiting factors, such as topography and climate, measured at present or averaged over time at large spatial scales, whilst Eltonian approaches relate processes as reproductive rates or species abundance to factors as resource availability or functional traits described at a finer spatio‐temporal resolution. In this study, we aimed to compare the performance and reliability achieved by Eltonian and Grinnellian models developed at geographical scale when addressing two questions that may affect species distribution: breeding site selection and historical local extinctions.

Location

Spain.

Methods

We used a temporal series (1988–2010) of breeding success data of Great Bustards (Otis tarda) across Spain to create: (1) a yearly series of correlative Eltonian models based on satellite data (1‐km pixel Normalized Difference Vegetation Index derived fromNOAA‐AVHRR) as a proxy for resource availability and (2) a static topo‐climatic Grinnellian model. We applied two modelling algorithms (MaxEnt and Bootstrapped Generalized Mixed‐Effects Models) calibrated and validated across different distributional ranges to investigate breeding success in abiotically suitable areas and recent extinctions within the accessible range.

Results

Eltonian models showed higher performance and reliability than Grinnellian models at geographical scale and allowed for comparisons of breeding habitat suitability through the study period. Then, satellite data were a more successful predictor of the species breeding success than topography and climate. Breeding was possible out of the range currently occupied by the species, but habitat suitability was significantly lower in non‐occupied areas, on where local extinctions have occurred in recent historical times.

Main conclusions

This study highlights the advisability of using remote‐sensing explanatory variables at high temporal resolution matched with population fitness data in Eltonian approaches to improve the knowledge of the relationship between realized and potential distributions of the species at geographical scale. This is a fundamental question in biogeography and a key issue for designing comprehensive conservation strategies.