bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multidimensional evaluation of managed relocation
Authors: Richardson David M. , Hellmann Jessica J. , McLachlan Jason S. , Sax Dov F. , Schwartz Mark W. , Gonzalez Patrick , Brennan E. Jean , Camacho Alejandro , Root Terry L. , Sala Osvaldo E. , Schneider Stephen H. , Ashe Daniel M. , Clark Jamie Rappaport , Early Regan , Etterson Julie R. , Fielder E. Dwight , Gill Jacquelyn L. , Minteer Ben A. , Polasky Stephen , Safford Hugh D. , Thompson Andrew R. , Vellend Mark
Published: June 2009

Managed relocation (MR) has rapidly emerged as a potential intervention strategy in the toolbox of biodiversity management under climate change. Previous authors have suggested that MR (also referred to as assisted colonization, assisted migration, or assisted translocation) could be a last-alternative option after interrogating a linear decision tree. We argue that numerous interacting and value-laden considerations demand a more inclusive strategy for evaluating MR. The pace of modern climate change demands decision making with imperfect information, and tools that elucidate this uncertainty and integrate scientific information and social values are urgently needed. We present a heuristic tool that incorporates both ecological and social criteria in a multidimensional decision-making framework. For visualization purposes, we collapse these criteria into 4 classes that can be depicted in graphical 2-D space. This framework offers a pragmatic approach for summarizing key dimensions of MR: capturing uncertainty in the evaluation criteria, creating transparency in the evaluation process, and recognizing the inherent tradeoffs that different stakeholders bring to evaluation of MR and its alternatives.
Structure and topology of monomeric phospholamban in lipid membranes determined by a hybrid solution and solid-state NMR approach
Authors: Traaseth Nathaniel J. , Shi Lei , Verardi Raffaello , Mullen Daniel G. , Barany George , Veglia Gianluigi
Published: June 2009

Phospholamban (PLN) is an essential regulator of cardiac muscle contractility. The homopentameric assembly of PLN is the reservoir for active monomers that, upon deoligomerization form 1:1 complexes with the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca
2+
-ATPase (SERCA), thus modulating the rate of calcium uptake. In lipid bilayers and micelles, monomeric PLN exists in equilibrium between a bent (or resting) T state and a more dynamic (or active) R state. Here, we report the high-resolution structure and topology of the T state of a monomeric PLN mutant in lipid bilayers, using a hybrid of solution and solid-state NMR restraints together with molecular dynamics simulations in explicit lipid environments. Unlike the previous structural ensemble determined in micelles, this approach gives a complete picture of the PLN monomer structure in a lipid bilayer. This hybrid ensemble exemplifies the tilt, rotation, and depth of membrane insertion, revealing the interaction with the lipids for all protein domains. The N-terminal amphipathic helical domain Ia (residues 1–16) rests on the surface of the lipid membrane with the hydrophobic face of domain Ia embedded in the membrane bilayer interior. The helix comprised of domain Ib (residues 23–30) and transmembrane domain II (residues 31–52) traverses the bilayer with a tilt angle of ≈24°. The specific interactions between PLN and lipid membranes may represent an additional regulatory element of its inhibitory function. We propose this hybrid method for the simultaneous determination of structure and topology for membrane proteins with compact folds or proteins whose spatial arrangement is dictated by their specific interactions with lipid bilayers.
Maturity and growth population dynamics of Norway pout (Trisopterus esmarkii) in the North Sea, Skagerrak, and Kattegat
Authors: Lambert Gwladys , Nielsen J. Rasmus , Larsen Lena I. , Sparholt Henrik
Published: June 2009

Lambert, G., Nielsen, J. R., Larsen, L. I., and Sparholt, H. 2009. Maturity and growth population dynamics of Norway pout (Trisopterus esmarkii) in the North Sea, Skagerrak, and Kattegat. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 66: 1899–1914. The population dynamics of the Norway pout stock in the North Sea are investigated by statistical analyses, and GIS of ICES International Bottom Trawl Surveys (IBTS) and Danish commercial catch data from 1983 to 2006. The stock spawns mainly around mid-February along the northeastern English and Scottish coasts and between Shetland and Norway. Sex ratios indicate that males, which mature younger than females (age-at-50%-maturity, respectively, 1.2 and 1.5 years), migrate out of the Skagerrak–Kattegat to the spawning grounds before females. There is a decrease in the 2+-group maturity ratios as well as in weight and female length from before to after spawning. The results indicate spawning mortality. Only some 20% of the 1-group reaches maturity in the first quarter, which is higher than assumed in the stock assessment. Although the maturity ogives are variable over time, this difference should be taken into account when estimating spawning-stock biomass in routine assessments. Growth is also variable, with a tendency for male maximum length to be smaller than that of females, and immature fish to be smaller than mature ones in each age group. The juvenile growth rate is higher when the stock density is low and results in a reduced age-at-50%-maturity. Besides these intraspecific patterns, the growth rates show interspecific links to stock sizes of the important predators: cod, haddock, and whiting.
Connectivity effects on productivity, stability, and persistence in a herring metapopulation model
Authors: Secor David H. , Kerr Lisa A. , Cadrin Steven X.
Published: June 2009

Secor, D. H., Kerr, L. A., and Cadrin, S. X. 2009. Connectivity effects on productivity, stability, and persistence in a herring metapopulation model. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 66: 1726–1732. Diverse and interacting spawning groups of Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) have varying degrees of independence to environmental conditions. How these population components respond independently to the same set of environmental conditions, and are connected through straying or entrainment, will contribute to the aggregate metapopulation dynamics. The consequences of connectivity for productivity, stability, and persistence were evaluated in an age-structured model of a two-component metapopulation. Simulation scenarios of straying and entrainment were developed to examine the effects of component interchange and recruitment covariance on metapopulation attributes. Asynchronous component responses should result in reduced variance in metapopulation dynamics, which was measured as the portfolio effect (PE). Most types and magnitudes of connectivity reduced metapopulation productivity and stability. Increased connectivity tended to increase instability of a component by distributing the effect of strong year classes among components and disrupting the “storage effect” within components. Density-dependent straying and entrainment, respectively, showed stabilizing and destabilizing feedback cycles on metapopulation stability and persistence. Furthermore, high rates of connectivity tended to result in increased synchronous responses between components and depressed metapopulation productivity, stability, and PE. Exploitation on a metapopulation should similarly depress independence among components because high mortality will dampen component responses to environmental forcing.
Microsatellite analysis of red mullet Mullus barbatus (Perciformes, Mullidae) reveals the isolation of the Adriatic Basin in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Maggio Teresa , Lo Brutto Sabrina , Garoia Flavio , Tinti Fausto , Arculeo Marco
Published: June 2009

Maggio, T., Lo Brutto, S., Garoia, F., Tinti, F., and Arculeo, M. 2009. Microsatellite analysis of red mullet Mullus barbatus (Perciformes, Mullidae) reveals the isolation of the Adriatic Basin in the Mediterranean Sea. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 66: 1883–1891. The red mullet Mullus barbatus is commercially one of the most important demersal fish resources in the Mediterranean. Molecular data on its genetic population structure throughout the Mediterranean are reported. Six microsatellite loci displayed a high degree of expected heterozygosity and a high allele number per locus. The Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium test revealed an overall tendency towards heterozygote deficiency, probably caused by the admixture of various demes. Population differentiation was assessed by analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) and Bayesian analysis. AMOVA showed that most of the variation was within the population, but the mean value of FST was significant, indicating genetic differentiation among the samples analysed. This differentiation is primarily attributable to the isolation of the Adriatic samples and partly to a weaker substructuring of the populations in the Gulf of Lions, Tyrrhenian Sea, Strait of Sicily, and Ionian Sea. Bayesian analysis also revealed genetic differentiation among the samples analysed, identifying two genetic clusters. The restricted gene flow from and to the Adriatic, also recorded for other fish species, most likely reflects the environmental separation of the Adriatic and suggests that management protocols for the red mullet in the Mediterranean should be revisited.
Construction of microsatellite‐based linkage maps and identification of size‐related quantitative trait loci for Zhikong scallop (Chlamys farreri)
Authors: Zhan A. , Hu J. , Hu X. , Hui M. , Wang M. , Peng W. , Huang X. , Wang S. , Lu W. , Sun C. , Bao Z.
Published: June 2009

We constructed the microsatellite‐based linkage maps using 318 markers typed in two F1 outbred families of Zhikong scallop (Chlamys farreri). The results showed an extremely high proportion (56.2%) of non‐amplifying null alleles and a high ratio (30%) of segregation distortion. By aligning different individual‐based linkage maps, 19 linkage groups were identified, which are consistent with the haploid chromosome number of Zhikong scallop. The integrated linkage map contains 154 markers covering 1561.8 cM with an average intermarker spacing of 12.3 cM and 77.0% of genome coverage. We found that the heterogeneity in recombination rate was not determined by sexes but by different individuals on 18 linkage regions. The phenotypic marker of general shell colour was placed on LG4, which was flanked by microsatellite markers CFLD064 and CFBD055. Four size‐related traits including shell length (SL), shell width (SW), shell height (SH) and gross weight (GW) were analysed to identify the putative quantitative trait loci (QTL). Under the half‐sib model, using dam as common parent, three, two, two and one QTL affecting SL, SW, SH and GW exceeded the genome‐wide thresholds respectively. While using sir as common parent, a larger number of QTL were detected for these four traits: four, five, three and two for SL, SW, SH and GW respectively. The single QTL explained 3.7–19.2% of the phenotypic variation. The linkage map and the QTL associated with economic traits will provide useful information for marker‐assisted selection of Zhikong scallop.
Mixed ethnicity, identity and adoption: research, policy and practice
Authors: Wood Marsha
Published: June 2009

Mixed ethnicity children are over‐represented in the care system and constitute a significant group of those seeking adoption placements. Social workers are presented with a specific set of concerns in seeking to find adoption placements for mixed ethnicity children as they come from two or more cultural backgrounds. Practitioners face uncertain principles concerning how to respond to these issues, especially in light of social and political pressures, and within the realm of existing debates around ‘transracial’ adoption. There is a danger that among these uncertainties the individuality of the child will be lost as his or her identity needs become viewed narrowly. Social workers may seek to simplify and classify the identities of mixed ethnicity children in the adoption process through pressures that they feel to find ‘matched’ placements. This paper explores how theories concerning identity can provide some insight into the difficulties practitioners face and may help to inform social work practice in this area.
Performing child protection: home visiting, movement and the struggle to reach the abused child
Authors: Ferguson Harry
Published: June 2009

Social work and child protection literature, policy and practice discussions largely ignore the core experience of doing the work. Little attention is given to where it is performed, and in particular, the practice of home visiting and the emotions and challenges of accessing children it gives rise to. Although it is the methodology through which most child protection goes on, the home visit is virtually ignored, as the emphasis in policy and practice texts is increasingly on what happens in the office, at the computer and in inter‐agency collaboration. Examining scenes from home visiting practices and child death inquiry reports – Baby Peter, Victoria Climbié and Jasmine Beckford – the paper identifies the core problem of contemporary child protection as being social workers (and other professionals) not moving in rooms or around houses to meaningfully engage with, touch or examine children. Analysing practice through the sociology of ‘mobilities’ and psychodynamic social work theory, the paper provides new ways of understanding social work experience as forms of embodied movement. It uses the concept of ‘containment’ to suggest ways in which practitioners can be supported to use their bodies to move more and better in performing child protection to the benefit of children, other service users and themselves.
Flebogamma® 5% DIF development: rationale for a new option in intravenous immunoglobulin therapy
Authors: Jorquera J I
Published: June 2009

Flebogamma® 5% dual inactivation and filtration (DIF), a new 5% liquid intravenous immunoglobulin with a stability of 2 years when stored at temperatures between 2 and 30°C, has been developed. This new product is the result of the accumulated experience provided by Flebogamma®, with more than 30 million grams administered since 1992 in Europe and the United States, and the implementation of the latest technology to improve Flebogamma® even more by increasing its viral safety margin further. In addition to the specific inactivation stage for Flebogamma® 5% (pasteurization), the new process includes a solvent–detergent treatment and nanofiltration through a Planova filter down to 20 nm. The preparation presents a mean purity of 99·6 ± 0·2% with a correct chromatographic profile. Percentage values of immunoglobulin (Ig)G subclasses are equivalent to the physiological values of normal serum. The content in IgA as well as other possible impurities is very low, and the product presents a mean result of 109 ± 5% in the Fc fragment functionality assay, demonstrating the integrity of the IgG molecule. The functionality is also reflected in neutralization tests carried out against poliomyelitis, diphtheria, measles and vaccinia which, apart from the antibody titres determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, guarantees that antibodies are capable of reacting against these pathogens. Regarding safety, the combination of multiple methods with capacity to inactivate or remove biological agents which include chemical inactivation, heat inactivation, nanofiltration and precipitations, with very different mechanisms of action, provides Flebogamma® 5% DIF very wide margins of safety regarding to potential pathogens.
The European internet-based patient and research database for primary immunodeficiencies: results 2006–2008
Authors: Gathmann B , Grimbacher B , Beauté J , Dudoit Y , Mahlaoui N , Fischer A , Knerr V , Kindle G
Published: June 2009

Primary immunodeficiencies (PID) are rare diseases; therefore transnational studies are essential to maximize the scientific outcome and to improve diagnosis and therapy. In order to estimate the prevalence of PID in Europe as well as to establish and evaluate harmonized guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of PID, the European Society for Immunodeficiencies (ESID) has developed an internet-based database for clinical and research data on patients with PID. This database is a platform for epidemiological analyses as well as the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies and the identification of novel disease-associated genes. Within 4 years, 7430 patients from 39 countries have been documented in the ESID database. Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) represents the most common entity, with 1540 patients or 20·7% of all entries, followed by isolated immunoglobulin (Ig)G subclass deficiency (546 patients, 7·4%). Evaluations show that the average life expectancy for PID patients varies from 1 to 49 years (median), depending on the type of PID. The prevalence and incidence of PID remains a key question to be answered. As the registration progress is far from finished we can only calculate minimum values for PID, with e.g. France currently showing a minimum prevalence of 3·72 patients per 100 000 inhabitants. The most frequently documented permanent treatment is immunoglobulin replacement; 2819 patients (42% of all patients alive) currently receive this form of treatment.
Factors determining inadequate hypoglycaemia during insulin tolerance testing (ITT) after pituitary surgery
Authors: Lee Paul , Greenfield Jerry R. , Ho Ken K. Y.
Published: June 2009

Background  Some patients fail to achieve adequate hypoglycaemia following a standard dose of intravenous insulin during the insulin tolerance test (ITT). Persistent acromegaly or Cushing's disease may contribute to inadequate hypoglycaemia.

Aim  To identify factors that predict failure to achieve adequate hypoglycaemia during an ITT after pituitary surgery.

Methods  We reviewed consecutive ITTs performed over a 10‐year period in 76 patients following pituitary surgery. Analyses were performed to determine if body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose (FBG), cortisol, GH status or underlying diagnosis influenced the outcome.

Results  Adequate hypoglycaemia (blood glucose < 2·2 mmol/l) was not achieved in 33 patients (Group 1) following a standard dose of neutral insulin (0·1 units/kg); 43 patients (Group 2) achieved adequate hypoglycaemia. Group 1 had significantly higher BMI, FBG, baseline cortisol and peak cortisol concentrations than Group 2. Peak GH response was not different. Multiple regression analysis showed that FBG was the only independent predictor of adequate hypoglycaemia. An insulin dose of 0·2 units/kg achieved adequate hypoglycaemia in 80% of patients with FBG ≥ 5·5 mmol/l. In patients with acromegaly or Cushing's disease, failure to achieve adequate hypoglycaemia was associated with persistent disease.

Conclusion  FBG is an important determinant of the dose of insulin required to achieve adequate hypoglycaemia during an ITT in patients after pituitary surgery. A standard insulin dose of 0·1 U/kg is insufficient for adequate hypoglycaemia in patients with FBG > 5·5 mmol/l. Adequate response to a standard dose of insulin suggests a likelihood of cure of acromegaly or Cushing's disease after pituitary surgery.
Quantifying the relative importance of niches and neutrality for coexistence in a model microbial system
Authors: Zhang Quan‐Guo , Buckling Angus , Godfray H. Charles J.
Published: June 2009

1. Ecologists have identified two types of processes promoting species coexistence: stabilizing mechanisms (niche differentiation and related processes) that increase negative intraspecific interactions relative to negative interspecific interactions, and equalizing mechanisms (neutrality) that minimize the differences in species’ demographic parameters. It has been theoretically and empirically shown that the two types of mechanisms can operate simultaneously; however, their relative importance remains unstudied although this is a key question in the synthesis of niche and neutral theories.

2. We experimentally quantified the relative importance of niche and neutral mechanisms in promoting phenotypic diversity in a model microbial system involving different phenotypes of the bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens. Initially isogenic populations of the bacterium can diversify into a series of major and minor classes of phenotypes that can be treated as analogues of species. We estimated the relative population growth rate when rare of 32 phenotypes from six replicate microcosms. Each phenotype was assessed in a re‐assembled microcosm in which the relative densities of all phenotypes remained the same except for the focal one which was reduced in frequency. A growth rate advantage when rare was considered evidence of non‐neutral processes.

3. Approximately one‐third of the phenotypes had a growth rate advantage when rare while the remaining two‐thirds showed neutral or near‐neutral dynamics. Furthermore, there was overall little evidence that productivity increased with phenotypic diversity.

4. Our results suggest that niche and neutral processes may simultaneously contribute to the maintenance of biodiversity, with the latter playing a more important role in our system, and that the operation of niche mechanisms does not necessarily lead to a positive biodiversity effect on ecosystem properties.
Heat shock proteins and superantigenic properties of bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract of patients with Kawasaki disease
Authors: Nagata Satoru , Yamashiro Yuichiro , Ohtsuka Yoshikazu , Shimizu Toshiaki , Sakurai Yumiko , Misawa Shigeki , Ito Teruyo
Published: June 2009

We previously suggested that gut bacteria may be involved in the onset of Kawasaki disease (KD). In this study, we evaluated the production of heat shock proteins (hsps) and superantigens (sAgs) by microorganisms isolated from the jejunal mucosa of 19 children with KD in the acute phase and from 15 age‐matched control children. We identified 13 strains of Gram‐negative microbes from patients with KD; these microbes produced large amounts of hsp60 and induced pro‐inflammatory cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The Gram‐negative microbes also elicited endogenous hsp60 production, leading to the secretion of anti‐inflammatory intereukin‐10 (IL‐10). We also identified 18 strains of Gram‐positive cocci that had superantigenic properties and which induced the expansion of Vβ2 T cells in vitro. All bacteria identified in this study were antibiotic resistant. These data suggest that sAg and hsps produced by gut bacteria might be involved in KD.
The role of protein tyrosine phosphatases in the regulation of allergic asthma: implication of TC‐PTP and PTP‐1B in the modulation of disease development
Authors: Pouliot Philippe , Bergeron Sébastien , Marette André , Olivier Martin
Published: June 2009

Protein tyrosine phosphorylation is an important early event in the signal transduction of numerous cell receptors involved in the immune response. The implication of protein tyrosine kinases in allergic asthma is well recognized, but the role of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) remains poorly understood. However, we recently reported that global inhibition of PTPs during either the allergen‐sensitization phase or the allergen‐challenge phase reduced the development of asthma and that this correlated with an increased T helper 1 (Th1) response in both lung and spleen tissues. Therefore, in this study we investigated individual roles of PTPs involved in regulating the immune response. We observed that genetic deficiency for PTP‐1B resulted in increased recruitment of lung inflammatory cells, while protein tyrosine phosphatase‐phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted (PTP‐PEST)‐deficient mice exhibited a phenotype similar to that of wild‐type mice. Importantly, we found that a heterozygous mutation of T cell PTP (TC‐PTP) dramatically abrogates immunoglobulin E production and reduces the recruitment of inflammatory cells to the lung, conferring an important role for TC‐PTP in the development of allergic asthma. As opposed to other studies on Src homology phosphatase‐1 (SHP‐1) deficiency, specific acute SHP‐1 inhibition during allergen challenge did not affect disease outcome. Collectively, our results underscore the importance of PTPs in the development of allergic asthma.
Clinical diagnosis of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis, typical of experts
Authors: Steurer Johann , Held Ulrike , Bachmann Lucas M. , Holzmann David , Ott Peter , Miettinen Olli S.
Published: June 2009

Background  Clinical diagnosis of acute bacterial sinusitis (ABS) is a concern when a patient presents with nasal discharge of recent onset together with facial pain or pressure. Given this presentation, the doctor would benefit from having access to software that specifies, first, what diagnostic indicators experts typically use in that diagnosis and then, upon entry of those facts, what experts’ typical probability of ABS is in such a case.

Methods  We specified a set of 23 hypothetical presentations of this type by patients 20–75 years of age, involving a comprehensive set of clinical‐diagnostic indicators. Members of an international expert panel independently set the probability of ABS in each of these cases. A logistic function of the diagnostic indicators was fitted to the medians of the probabilities.

Results  The fitting led to an expression of the experts’ median probability of ABS as a joint function of the duration of the patient's facial pain/pressure, and indicators of the location(s) of this; indicators of exacerbation of the pain/pressure on bending forward, nasal obstruction, maxillary and/or frontal tenderness, pus from middle meatus, purulent postnasal drip, and fever; and indicators of recent upper respiratory tract infection, nasal polyposis and status post sinus surgery. This probability function is accessible at http://www.evimed.ch/ABS.

Interpretation  That probability function, made readily accessible, provides for expertly probability setting in clinical diagnosis of ABS, relevant for decisions about further diagnostics or treatment without further tests.
The impact of electronic medical records on patient–doctor communication during consultation: a narrative literature review
Authors: Shachak Aviv , Reis Shmuel
Published: June 2009

Rationale, aims and objective  The effect of Electronic Medical Record (EMR) use on Patient–Doctor Communication (PDC) has rarely been studied. As data accumulate, the purpose of this article is to review the literature on EMR effect on PDC, to identify recurring themes and to offer preliminary guidelines and future directions for medical education and research.

Method  A database search was conducted and 14 articles that met inclusion criteria (published in the past 10 years, empirical investigations, direct assessment of the EMR impact on patient–doctor communication) were selected for review. A qualitative, grounded theory‐like approach was employed to analyse the data.

Results  EMR use often has a positive impact on information exchange, but exerts a negative influence on patient centredness. Some physician characteristics such as their computer skills and behavioural style assist in overcoming this negative influence.

Conclusion  The use of EMR exerts both positive and negative impacts on physician–patient relationships. The negative impacts can be overcome by some simple means as well as better designs of EMR systems and medical education interventions. Physicians’ everyday practices of integrating EMR use into the clinical encounter as well as better design of EMR systems and EMR and communication training may facilitate PDC in computerized settings.
Francisella sp., an emerging pathogen of tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), in Costa Rica
Authors: Soto E , Hawke J P , Fernandez D , A Morales J
Published: June 2009

Francisella sp. is an emergent bacterial pathogen that causes acute to chronic disease in warm and cold water cultured and wild fish species. During the past 3 years, the bacterium has been detected in tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, cultured in Costa Rica. Infected fish presented non‐specific clinical signs, such as erratic swimming, anorexia, anaemia, exophthalmia and high mortality. Upon macroscopic and microscopic examination, several internal organs (mainly spleen and kidney) were enlarged and contained white nodules. Histological examination revealed the presence of multifocal granulomatous lesions, with the presence of numerous small, pleomorphic, cocco‐bacilli. The bacteria were isolated from infected tilapia on selective media and grown on several media with and without antibiotics. Specific PCR primers to the Francisella genus were used to confirm the preliminary diagnoses. In comparison with several bacterial 16S rRNA sequences, our isolate was found to share 99% identity with other Fransicella spp. isolated from fish, and more than 97% identity to the human pathogen Francisella tularensis. Koch’s postulates were fulfilled after experimental intraperitoneal and gill exposure challenges.
Craniofacial morphology in patients with hypophosphataemic vitamin‐D‐resistant rickets: a cephalometric study
Authors: AL‐JUNDI S. H. , DABOUS I. M. , AL‐JAMAL G. A.
Published: June 2009

Summary  Hypophosphataemic vitamin‐D‐resistant rickets (HVDRR) is a hereditary disease mainly transmitted as an X‐linked dominant trait and characterized by certain general clinical signs (Filho HM, de Castro LC, Damiani D. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2006;50:802). In literature, only one study had been published in 1965 on the cephalometric findings in patients with HVDRR (Marks SC, Lindahl RL, Bawden JW. J Dent Child. 1965;32:259). This is the first detailed study on craniofacial characteristics of patients with HVDRR in the dental literature. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of HVDRR on the parameters of the craniofacial skeleton of young Jordanian patients using cephalometric analysis. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were made for 22 Jordanian children (aged 2–16 years) diagnosed with HVDRR. The cephalometeric parameters of HVDRR group were compared with those of normal control group matched for gender and chronological age using paired t‐test. The HVDRR group had a significant increase in the SNBa angle (P < 0·01); as well as reduced anterior cranial base length (P = 0·01), reduced maxillary length, corpus mandibular length and mandibular height (P = 0·01, 0·04 and 0·008 respectively). The cranial base and gonial angles were significantly increased in diseased individual, but the SNA and ANB angles were significantly reduced (P = 0·018 and 0·000 respectively). The angulation of the lower incisor to mandibular plane was also significantly reduced in the diseased group compared with Jordanian norm (P = 0·004). Patients with HVDRR have deficiency in the anterior cranial base length, ramus height and cranial base angle. Patients with HVDRR also have class III skeletal relationship.
The involvement of aquaglyceroporins in transport of boron in barley roots
Authors: FITZPATRICK KATE L. , REID ROB J.
Published: June 2009

Boron (B) enters cells as the uncharged boric acid, a small neutral molecule with sufficient lipid solubility to cross cell membranes without the aid of transport proteins. The extent to which the observed uptake rates for B in plants can be explained by this simple physical process was examined by applying treatments expected to inhibit the membrane transporters most likely to be involved in B transport. These experiments established that at least 50% of B uptake could be facilitated by transporters. The B transport characteristics of two barley aquaglyceroporins, HvPIP1;3 and HvPIP1;4, were investigated using yeast complementation assays. Expression of both genes in yeast resulted in increased B sensitivity. Transport assays in yeast confirmed that HvPIP1;3 and HvPIP1;4 are both capable of transporting B. The physiological role of these HvPIP1 genes in B transport is uncertain since their expression was not responsive to B nutritional status, and they continued to be expressed under toxicity conditions.
Adaptation of plasma membrane H+‐ATPase of rice roots to low pH as related to ammonium nutrition
Authors: ZHU YIYONG , DI TINGJUN , XU GUOHUA , CHEN XI , ZENG HOUQING , YAN FENG , SHEN QIRONG
Published: June 2009

The preference of paddy rice for NH4+ rather than NO3‐ is associated with its tolerance to low pH since a rhizosphere acidification occurs during NH4+ absorption. However, the adaptation of rice root to low pH has not been fully elucidated. This study investigated the acclimation of plasma membrane H+‐ATPase of rice root to low pH. Rice seedlings were grown either with NH4+ or NO3‐. For both nitrogen forms, the pH value of nutrient solutions was gradually adjusted to pH 6.5 or 3.0. After 4 d cultivation, hydrolytic H+‐ATPase activity, Vmax, Km, H+‐pumping activity, H+ permeability and pH gradient across the plasma membrane were significantly higher in rice roots grown at pH 3.0 than at 6.5, irrespective of the nitrogen forms supplied. The higher activity of plasma membrane H+‐ATPase of adapted rice roots was attributed to the increase in expression of OSA1, OSA3, OSA7, OSA8 and OSA9 genes, which resulted in an increase of H+‐ATPase protein concentration. In conclusion, a high regulation of various plasma membrane H+‐ATPase genes is responsible for the adaptation of rice roots to low pH. This mechanism may be partly responsible for the preference of rice plants to NH4+ nutrition.
Physiological and isotopic (δ13C and δ18O) responses of three tropical tree species to water and nutrient availability
Authors: CERNUSAK LUCAS A. , WINTER KLAUS , TURNER BENJAMIN L.
Published: June 2009

Water‐use efficiency and stable isotope composition were studied in three tropical tree species. Seedlings of Tectona grandis, Swietenia macrophylla and Platymiscium pinnatum were grown at either high or low water supply, and with or without added fertilizer. These three species previously exhibited low, intermediate and high whole‐plant water‐use efficiency (TE) when grown at high water supply in unfertilized soil. Responses of TE to water and nutrient availability varied among species. The TE was calculated as experiment‐long dry matter production divided by cumulative water use. Species‐specific offsets were observed in relationships between TE and whole‐plant 13C discrimination (Δ13Cp). These offsets could be attributed to a breakdown in the relationship between Δ13Cp and the ratio of intercellular to ambient CO2 partial pressures (ci/ca) in P. pinnatum, and to variation among species in the leaf‐to‐air vapour pressure difference (v). Thus, a plot of v·TE against ci/ca showed a general relationship among species. Relationships between δ18O of stem dry matter and stomatal conductance ranged from strongly negative for S. macrophylla to no relationship for T. grandis. Results suggest inter‐specific variation among tropical tree species in relationships between stable isotope ratios (δ13C and δ18O) and the gas exchange processes thought to affect them.
Coronatine Enhances Chilling Tolerance in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Seedlings by Improving the Antioxidative Defence System
Authors: Wang L. , Chen W. J. , Wang Q. , Eneji A. E. , Li Z. H. , Duan L. S.
Published: June 2009

Coronatine (COR) is a new plant growth regulator that mimics the biological activities of methyl jasmonate. We determined whether COR enhanced chilling tolerance of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Jinchun 4) seedlings and if such tolerance was correlated with changes in the activity of antioxidant enzymes. COR was applied to seedlings at two‐leaf stage at 0 (Control), 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 nm. Seedlings were then subjected to chilling stress at 5 ± 1 °C for 4 days. Seedlings treated with COR showed significant higher tolerance to chilling stress and the optimal concentration was 1–10 nm. Compared with control, the chilling injury index (CII) of the seedlings treated with COR at 1 and 10 nm was decreased by 44.9 % and 24.5 %, respectively, while the membrane chilling stability (MCS) expressed as the change of relative conductance was increased by 37.2 % and 17.0 %, respectively. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content in leaves treated with COR at 1 nm was decreased by 39.7 %, and the O2− production rate and H2O2 content reduced by 28.6 % and 8.5 %, respectively. Treatment with COR at 1 nm increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in leaves by 34.4 %, catalase (CAT) by 58.7 % and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) by 23.0 % under low temperature. The 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities were also significantly improved by 28.9 % and 21.3 % following treatment with COR at 1 and 10 nm, respectively. The overall results suggest that COR enhanced chilling tolerance in cucumber seedlings by improving the antioxidative defence system.
Facilitating comfort for hospitalized patients using non‐pharmacological measures: Preliminary development of clinical practice guidelines
Authors: Williams Anne M , Davies Anne , Griffiths Gareth
Published: June 2009

Nurses often use non‐pharmacological measures to facilitate comfort for patients within the hospital setting. However, guidelines for use of these measures are commonly inadequate or absent. This paper presents 12 clinical practice guidelines that were developed from the findings of a literature review into non‐pharmacological measures that are thought to facilitate patient comfort. The non‐pharmacological measures addressed in these guidelines are: Aromotherapy, Distraction, Guided Imagery, Laughter, Massage, Music, Reiki, Heat or Cold, Meditation, Reflexology, Reposition and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. These are preliminary guidelines for the use of non‐pharmacological measures and further research and development of such guidelines is recommended.
Observations of health‐care professionals sharing and contributing responsibility in paediatric caring situations
Authors: Mårtenson Eva K , Fägerskiöld Astrid M , Berterö Carina M
Published: June 2009

This study aimed to identify, describe and generate concepts regarding health care professionals' information exchanges with minors and/or their parents/guardians in paediatric caring situations. The study took place at three paediatric outpatient units at a university hospital and there were 15 health care professionals involved. Using the grounded theory and the constant comparative analysis methods, the data collection and analysis was undertaken simultaneously, using participant observation, review of medical records and follow‐up interviews. The main concern of the health care professionals that emerged as the core category was: sharing and contributing responsibility, interrelated with the six categories; interchanging of knowledge, relationship‐creating chat, calculated confirming, encouraging, dichotomous talking and of situation related effects. This research has explored the elements of information exchange in caring situations and highlighted the interaction between the involved persons. These findings could be valuable to health care professionals in order to develop and improve their caring skills.
A survey of patient satisfaction in a metropolitan Emergency Department: Comparing nurse practitioners and emergency physicians
Authors: Jennings Natasha , Lee Geraldine , Chao Kylie , Keating Simon
Published: June 2009

The Emergency Nurse Practitioner role was introduced to an Emergency Department, Melbourne in 2004 as an alternative health‐care model to provide accessible and efficient patient care. The aim of the study was to explore patient satisfaction using a questionnaire from their emergency department experience comparing Emergency Nurse Practitioners and emergency department doctors. Patients who received care from either Emergency Nurse Practitioners or emergency department doctors were given a self‐administered questionnaire to complete. Descriptive statistics and non‐parametric tests were used for data analysis. A total of 202 patients completed the survey with 103 seen by the Emergency Nurse Practitioners and 99 seen by emergency department doctors. Significant differences were reported in 12 of the 16 questions comparing patient satisfaction with either Emergency Nurse Practitioners or emergency department doctors with greater patient satisfaction demonstrated with the Emergency Nurse Practitioners. The Emergency Nurse Practitioner model demonstrates consistent levels of patient satisfaction with patients reporting more favourable satisfaction with the Emergency Nurse Practitioners compared with emergency department doctors.
Iron deficiency anemia, cigarette smoking and risk of abruptio placentae
Authors: Arnold Dodie L. , Williams Michelle A. , Miller Raymond S. , Qiu Chunfang , Sorensen Tanya K.
Published: June 2009

Aim:  A higher frequency of abruptio placentae among anemic patients has been documented in some, but not all previously published studies. Altered feto‐placental angiogenesis during early pregnancy in anemic women may partially explain this increased risk. The present study assesses the iron deficiency anemia‐abruptio placentae association in pregnant women from the Pacific Northwest.

Methods:  A retrospective case‐control study of 145 abruptio placentae cases and 1710 control subjects was conducted. The diagnosis of abruptio placentae was based on routine clinical examination performed by attending physicians. Iron deficiency anemia was assessed in early pregnancy and defined as hemoglobin level <10 g/dL or by physician diagnosis. Information on maternal sociodemographic characteristics, cigarette smoking status during pregnancy and reproductive history was abstracted from medical records. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) after adjusting for confounders.

Results:  Eleven percent of abruptio placentae cases and 3.3% of controls were diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia. Maternal iron deficiency anemia in early pregnancy was associated with a 3.60‐fold increased risk of abruptio placentae (95% CI 2.01–6.04). After adjusting for maternal age, gravidity, smoking during pregnancy, Medicaid payment status, and pre‐gestational hypertension, the association was attenuated but remained statistically significant (adjusted OR = 2.40; 95% CI 1.22–4.73). Maternal smoking during pregnancy was associated with a 2.40‐fold increased risk of abruptio placentae (95% CI 1.19–3.52). The iron deficiency anemia–abruptio placentae association was not modified by maternal smoking.

Conclusion:  Our results support the hypothesis that maternal iron deficiency anemia is associated with an increased risk of abruptio placentae.
Trial of lycopene to prevent pre‐eclampsia in healthy primigravidas: Results show some adverse effects
Authors: Banerjee Sutopa , Jeyaseelan Shanti , Guleria Raka
Published: June 2009

Aim:  To evaluate the efficacy of antioxidant lycopene in preventing pre‐eclampsia in healthy primigravidas.

Methods:  A prospective randomized double blind placebo‐controlled study was undertaken with informed written consent. A total of 159 primigravidas at gestational ages between 12 and 20 weeks, with singleton pregnancy and without any medical disorders were enrolled. Seventy‐seven (subjects) of these women received 2 mg oral lycopene daily and 82 (controls) received a placebo daily until delivery. The women were followed up until delivery for the development of pre‐eclampsia and maternal, fetal and neonatal outcomes.

Results:  The two study groups of healthy primigravidas (one receiving lycopene and the other placebo) were of similar physical and social parameters. The investigation showed no significant difference between the two groups in developing pre‐eclampsia (18.18% with lycopene vs 18.29% with placebo, P value = 0.99). On the contrary, there was a significantly higher incidence of adverse effects like preterm labor (10.39% with lycopene vs 1.22% with placebo, P value = 0.02) and low birthweight (<2.5 kg) babies (22.08% with lycopene vs 9.76% with placebo, P value = 0.05).

Conclusion:  The results of the present study indicate that the antioxidant lycopene has no benefit in prevention of pre‐eclampsia in healthy primigravidas. Rather, there is an increased incidence of the adverse effects of preterm labor and low birthweight babies.
High uterosacral ligament vault suspension at vaginal hysterectomy: Objective and subjective outcomes of a modified technique
Authors: Jeffery Stephen T. , Doumouchtsis Stergios K. , Franco Anna V. M. , Fynes Michelle M.
Published: June 2009

Aims:  To evaluate the outcomes of a modified high uterosacral ligament suspension (HUSLS) performed at vaginal hysterectomy for uterine prolapse.

Methods:  Prolapse was assessed pre‐ and postoperatively in 53 consecutive women, using Baden–Walker Halfway and Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification systems. Sexually active women completed the Prolapse and Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire at follow up. The technique involves placement of one HUSLS suture on each side without a fascial reconstruction.

Results:  Preoperatively, 37 (66%) women had at least Grade 2 prolapse of the cervix. At mean follow–up of 15 months, 45 (85%) had no vault prolapse and 7 (13%) had Grade 1 prolapse. Nineteen (36%) women were sexually active at follow up and completed the Prolapse and Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire. Mean scores for pain, vaginal tightness, partner perception of tightness and vaginal length were 2.8, 3.2, 4.0, and 3.8 respectively, indicating excellent function.

Conclusions:  We report excellent objective, subjective and sexual function outcomes following this modified HUSLS.
Ovarian toxicity of paclitaxel and effect on fertility in the rat
Authors: Tarumi Wataru , Suzuki Nao , Takahashi Noriyuki , Kobayashi Yoichi , Kiguchi Kazushige , Sato Kahei , Ishizuka Bunpei
Published: June 2009

Aim:  Taxanes are regarded as key chemotherapy agents for breast cancer and gynecologic malignancies; therefore the ovarian toxicity of paclitaxel (PTX) is a matter of importance to younger women with malignancies. We examined the ovarian toxicity of PTX and its influence on fertility in rats.

Methods:  Female Wistar rats aged 6–8 weeks received five doses of PTX at 3‐day intervals. Ovarian toxicity was assessed by counting follicles, corpora lutea and atretic follicles, as well as by detecting apoptosis and measuring serum levels of estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4). Fertility was assessed by mating females immediately or 24 days after PTX treatment. The number of fetuses, implantations and resorption sites was counted in each group.

Results:  Exposure to PTX caused a decrease of antral follicles, but not primordial or pre‐antral follicles. The number of corpora lutea showed a significant decrease, while follicular atresia was increased significantly. Apoptosis was only detected in antral follicles. Serum E2 levels were lower than in control rats, but not significantly, while P4 levels did not differ from those in control rats. Rats mated immediately after PTX treatment showed a significant decrease of fetuses and implantations, but these effects were not detected in rats mated at 24 days after treatment.

Conclusion:  Our findings suggest that the ovarian toxicity of PTX is mild and transient. Use of PTX may help to maintain the fertility of younger women because the fertility of rats was not influenced at 24 days after exposure to this drug.