bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of pre‐operative use of serotonergic antidepressants (SADs) on the risk of bleeding in patients undergoing different surgical interventions: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Singh Inderjeet , Achuthan Shyambalaji , Chakrabarti Amitava , Rajagopalan Sujit , Srinivasan Anand , Hota Debasish
Published: April 2014

Purpose

Serotonergic antidepressants (SADs) are one of the most widely prescribed group of drugs. Of late, the use of SADs is being associated with an increased risk of perioperative bleeding. However, the results are inconsistent. The present analysis was planned to evaluate the association between preoperative SADs use and the risk of bleeding/mortality in patients undergoing surgery.

Methods

Studies that had reported the effects of preoperative SADs use on the perioperative bleeding outcomes and/or mortality in adult patients undergoing surgical interventions were identified and evaluated for inclusion in the analysis. Outcomes evaluated were reoperation for bleeding event, requirement of blood/RBC transfusion and mortality. A meta‐analysis was conducted, and a pooled estimate of odds ratio (OR) was calculated using the inverse variance method.

Results

Eight cohort studies, comprising a total of 79 976 SADs users and 485 336 non‐antidepressant users were included in the final analysis. SADs use was not associated with increased risk of requirement of reoperation for bleeding event [OR = 1.48 (0.84−2.62)]. However, there was an increased requirement of transfusion [OR = 1.19(1.09−1.30)], which was not observed in the subgroup of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) [OR = 1.06(0.90−1.24)]. SADs use was associated with a substantial increase in mortality [OR = 1.53 (1.15−2.04)] in patients undergoing CABG but not in the overall population [OR = 1.1 (0.99−1.22)].

Conclusions

Preoperative SADs use is associated with increased bleeding risk with respect to requirement of transfusion; nevertheless, the results should not be generalized to all surgical groups. The divergence between bleeding risk and mortality in CABG surgery patients needs further evaluation.
Water‐soluble dual responsive polythiophene‐g‐poly(methoxyethoxy ethyl methacrylate)‐co‐poly(N,N‐diethylamino ethyl methacrylate) for different applications
Authors: Das Sandip , Chatterjee Dhruba P. , Nandi Arun K.
Published: April 2014

Polythiophene (PT) based dual responsive water‐soluble graft copolymer (PT‐g‐[poly(methoxyethoxy ethyl methacrylate)‐co‐poly(N,N‐diethylamino ethyl methacrylate)]) (PT‐g‐P(MeO2MA‐co‐DEAEMA)) (PTDE) has been synthesized by random copolymerization of methoxyethoxy ethyl methacrylate (MeO2MA) and N,N‐diethylamino ethyl methacrylate (DEAEMA) at 30 °C on the 2,5‐poly(3‐[1‐ethyl‐2‐(2‐ bromoisobutyrate)] thiophene) (PTI) macroinitiator using the Cu based atom transfer radical polymerization technique. The PTDE graft copolymer was characterized by gel permeation chromatography and 1H NMR techniques and it exhibits thermo‐reversible solubility in water showing a lower critical solution temperature of ca 42 °C in neutral aqueous solution. The PTDE graft copolymer contains a fluorescent PT backbone, and interestingly the system exhibits doubling of fluorescence intensity with rising temperature over the temperature range 41–45 °C at pH 7. The PTDE system therefore acts following the principle of the polymeric AND logic gate and it is also found to be effective in sensing of nitroaromatics, particularly picric acid. The influence of chain hydrophobicity on the logic operation and on the sensing of nitroaromatics is discussed. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Nanoparticle Triaminotrinitrobenzene Fabricated by Carbon Dioxide Assisted Nebulization with a Bubble Dryer
Authors: Hotchkiss Peter J. , Wixom Ryan R. , Tappan Alexander S. , Rosenberg David M. , Zelenok Matthew D.
Published: April 2014

Carbon dioxide assisted nebulization with a bubble dryer (CAN‐BD) was used to reformulate TATB, a notoriously insoluble material, into nanoparticles. The method is reproducible and produces particles consistently in the range of 100–400 nm with a mean of approx. 228 nm. Chemical analyses of the material do not indicate any decomposition or degradation of the TATB resulting from the process, and there does not appear to be any measurable amount of residual solvent or other impurities in the particles.
Gauge fields on non‐commutative spaces and renormalization
Authors: Blaschke D.N.
Published: May 2014

Constructing renormalizable models on non‐commutative spaces constitutes a big challenge. Only few examples of renormalizable theories are known, such as the scalar Grosse‐Wulkenhaar model. Gauge fields are even more difficult, since new renormalization techniques are required which are compatible with the inherently non‐local setting on the one hand, and also allow to properly treat the gauge symmetry on the other hand. In this proceeding (which is based on my talk given at the “Workshop on Noncommutative Field Theory and Gravity” in Corfu/Greece, September 8–15, 2013), I focus on this last point and present new extensions to existing renormalization schemes (which are known to work for gauge field theories in commutative space) adapted to non‐commutative Moyal space.
Electrical characterization of organic (amorphous) electronic materials
Authors: Stallinga Peter
Published: May 2014

Organic electronic materials, or amorphous electronic materials in general, have relatively low conductivity and this limits their application to the low‐frequency electronics market. To describe electronic conduction in these materials it is common to use percolation [1] or (variable range) hopping theory [2] (the two being equivalent). This is an inheritance from the earlier research in organic materials that were invariably insulators, where conduction was a perturbation – movement of charge was a rare event.

Summarizing in this paper our work on organic electronic materials, it is shown that for electronic materials, instead, it is better to revert to classical semiconductor theories, like band theory [3]. If we include a large density of traps in the energy system, all observed phenomena are easily explained. This includes 1. strong temperature dependent charge‐carrier mobility, 2. field‐dependent mobility, 3. anomalous transient behavior. Moreover, it is consistent with observations in many types of devices, ranging from two‐terminal devices such as diodes to three‐terminal devices such as thin‐film transistors [4].

(© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Swift Xe ion irradiation effect on structure and vibrational properties of undoped and Cd‐doped ZnO films
Authors: Myroniuk Denys , Shtepliuk Ivan , Lashkarev George , Lazorenko Vasyl , Skuratov Vladimir , Timofeeva Izabella , Romaniuk Artem , Strelchuk Viktor , Kolomys Oleksandr
Published: May 2014

The undoped and Cd‐doped (0.4, 0.5 at.%) ZnO films deposited by radiofrequency magnetron sputtering have been irradiated by 167 MeV Xe26+ ions with energy to a fluence 3×1012 ions/cm2. The structure and vibrational properties of as‐grown and irradiated samples were studied using X‐ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy techniques. It was found that Cd‐doped ZnO films in comparison with undoped films demonstrate an improvement of crystal structure due to increased size of X‐ray coherent scattering regions, relaxation of strain between grains in the films and reduction of modes which relates to defects in ZnO crystal lattice. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
UV/ozone‐treated WS2 hole‐extraction layer in organic photovoltaic cells
Authors: Le Quyet Van , Nguyen Thang Phan , Kim Soo Young
Published: May 2014

WS2 nanosheets obtained through a simple sonication exfoliation method are employed as a hole‐extraction layer to improve the efficiency of organic photovoltaic cells (OPVs). A reduction in the wavenumber difference in the Raman spectra, the appearance of a UV absorption peak, and atomic force microscopy images indicate that WS2 nanosheets are formed through the sonication method. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) values of OPVs with and without untreated WS2 layers are both 1.84%. After performing a UV‐ozone (UVO) treatment on the WS2 surface for 15 min, the PCE increases to 2.4%. Synchrotron radiation photoelectron spectroscopy data show that the work function of WS2 increases from 4.9 eV to 5.1 eV upon UVO treat‐ ment, suggesting that the increase in the PCE value is caused by the band alignment. Upon inserting poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene‐sulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS) between the WS2 and the active layer, the PCE value of the OPV increases to 3.07%, which is superior to that of the device employing only PEDOT:PSS (2.87%). Therefore, it is considered that the use of UVO‐treated WS2 is able to improve the performance of OPV cells. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Ab initio investigation of ground‐state properties of group‐12 fluorides
Authors: Torabi Susan , Hammerschmidt Lukas , Voloshina Elena , Paulus Beate
Published: April 2014

The performance of wavefunction‐based correlation methods in theoretical solid‐state chemistry depends on reliable Hartree–Fock (HF) results for infinitly extended systems. Therefore, we optimized basis sets of valence‐triple‐ζ quality based on HF calculations for the periodic system of group‐12‐metal difluorides. Scalar‐relativistic effects were included in the case of the metal‐ions by applying small‐core pseudopotentials. To assess the quality of the proposed basis sets, the structural parameters, bulk moduli as well as cohesive and lattice energies of the systems were evaluated at the HF and the density functional theory levels. In addition to these two mean‐field approaches and to assess further employment of our basis sets to wavefunction‐based correlation methods we performed periodic local MP2 computations. Finally, the possibilities of pressure induced structural phase transitions occurring in the ZnF2, CdF2, and HgF2 were investigated. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dynamic average consensus under limited control authority and privacy requirements
Authors: Kia S. S. , Cortés J. , Martínez S.
Published: April 2014

This paper introduces a novel continuous‐time dynamic average consensus algorithm for networks whose interaction is described by a strongly connected and weight‐balanced directed graph. The proposed distributed algorithm allows agents to track the average of their dynamic inputs with some steady‐state error whose size can be controlled using a design parameter. This steady‐state error vanishes for special classes of input signals. We analyze the asymptotic correctness of the algorithm under time‐varying interaction topologies and characterize the requirements on the stepsize for discrete‐time implementations. We show that our algorithm naturally preserves the privacy of the local input of each agent. Building on this analysis, we synthesize an extension of the algorithm that allows individual agents to control their own rate of convergence towards agreement and handle saturation bounds on the driving command. Finally, we show that the proposed extension additionally preserves the privacy of the transient response of the agreement states and the final agreement value from internal and external adversaries. Numerical examples illustrate the results. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fast and accurate detection of changes in data streams
Authors: Badarna Murad , Wolff Ran
Published: April 2014

Change detection is one of the most important tasks in time series analysis. When the series is very long, or when it is rapidly updated, it has to be treated as a stream. This means that the change detection algorithm must process each sample in O (1) time and memory. A good algorithm must be generic in terms of the type of changes it can detect. Beyond all, a good algorithm must present a favorable and controlled ratio of the number of samples needed to detect a change to the rate of false positives. We present a change‐point detection algorithm called ProTO which dynamically manages a set of candidate change‐points whose expected size is a controllable constant. In terms of sample processing, ProTO is comparable with the fastest known algorithm—the Page‐Hinkley Test (PHT). Yet, because PHT is limited to just one candidate, ProTO outperforms it in terms of the ratio of the delay to the false positive rate, as well as in terms of robustness. We provide variants of ProTO for detecting changes in the mean or the variance of the stream, and experiment with two realistic applications, as well as with synthetic data. On real problems, ProTO compares favorably with state‐of‐the‐art algorithms implemented in the R‐package, which require more than O (1) time per sample.
Electropolymerized coatings of polyaniline on copper by using the galvanostatic method and their corrosion protection performance in HCl medium
Authors: Shabani‐Nooshabadi Mehdi , Mollahoseiny Maryam , Jafari Yaser
Published: April 2014

The synthesis of polyaniline coatings on the copper (Cu) surface has been investigated by using the galvanostatic method. The synthesized coatings were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV–visible absorption spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy. The anticorrosion performances of polyaniline coatings were investigated in 0.5 M HCl medium by the potentiodynamic polarization technique and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The corrosion rate of polyaniline‐coated Cu was found to be ∼27 times lower than bare Cu, and potential corrosion increased from −0.21 V versus Ag/AgCl for uncoated Cu to −0.19 V versus Ag/AgCl for polyaniline‐coated Cu electrodes. Electrochemical measurements indicate that polyaniline coating has good inhibiting properties with a mean efficiency of ~96% at 10 mAcm−2 current density applied on Cu corrosion in acid media. The results of this study clearly ascertain that the polyaniline has an outstanding potential to protect Cu against corrosion in an acidic environment. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fetal hemivertebra: associations and perinatal outcome
Authors: Basude S. , McDermott L. , Newell S. , Wreyford B. , Denbow M. , Hutchinson J. , Abdel‐Fattah S.
Published: April 2014

Objectives

To assess the accuracy of antenatal diagnosis of hemivertebra, to quantify the association with coexisting anomalies and to determine the perinatal outcome.

Method

This was a retrospective observational study of all cases of suspected fetal or neonatal hemivertebra identified via the UK Southwest Congenital Anomaly Register (SWCAR) between 2002 and 2012.

Results

From a total of 88 cases of hemivertebra identified during the study period, data were obtained for 67 of them: 45 (10 isolated and 35 with coexisting anomalies) cases were suspected antenatally and 22 (10 isolated and 12 with coexisting anomalies) were diagnosed postnatally. Of the cases detected postnatally, five (four with coexisting anomalies) were unsuspected and diagnosed at postmortem examination. The most commonly associated anomalies included additional skeletal abnormalities (n = 16), genitourinary abnormalities (n = 10), VATER/VACTERL association (n = 5), cardiac abnormalities (n = 4) and central nervous system abnormalities (n = 4). In cases with coexisting anomalies there was a 48% fetal/neonatal loss, compared to 19% in cases with isolated hemivertebra.

Conclusions

Although antenatal diagnosis of hemivertebra was accurate, a third of the cases were diagnosed only postnatally. These data suggest a difficulty in antenatal diagnosis of the condition. The majority of cases of hemivertebra had coexisting anomalies, and in these cases the rate of perinatal loss was high. These data should be useful in providing additional information for counseling when a diagnosis of hemivertebra is made. Copyright © 2014 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Climate change and poverty: vulnerability, impacts, and alleviation strategies
Authors: Leichenko Robin , Silva Julie A.
Published: May 2014

Poverty is widely understood to be a key factor that increases the propensity for individuals and households to be harmed by climatic shocks and stresses. This review explores recent literature at the nexus of climate change impacts, vulnerability, and poverty. Within this literature, poverty is increasingly recognized as a dynamic and multidimensional condition that is shaped by the interplay of social, economic, political, and environmental processes, individual and community characteristics, and historical circumstances. While climate change is never seen as a sole cause of poverty, research has identified numerous direct and indirect channels through which climatic variability and change may exacerbate poverty, particularly in less developed countries and regions. Recent studies have also investigated the effects of climate change on economic growth and poverty levels, formation of poverty traps, and poverty alleviation efforts. These studies demonstrate that climate change‐poverty linkages are complex, multifaceted, and context‐specific. Priority issues for future work include greater attention to factors that promote resilience of poor populations, a stronger focus on nonmonetary dimensions of poverty, investigation of the impacts of climate change on relative poverty and inequality, and exploration of the poverty impacts of extreme climate change.

This article is categorized under:

Climate Economics > Economics and Climate Change

Climate and Development > Social Justice and the Politics of Development
The role of SON in splicing, development, and disease
Authors: Lu Xinyi , Ng Huck‐Hui , Bubulya Paula A.
Published: April 2014

SON is a nuclear protein involved in multiple cellular processes including transcription, pre‐messenger RNA (mRNA) splicing, and cell cycle regulation. Although SON was discovered 25 years ago, the importance of SON's function was only realized recently when its roles in nuclear organization and pre‐mRNA splicing as well as the influence of these activities in maintaining cellular health were unveiled. Furthermore, SON was implicated to have a key role in stem cells as well as during the onset of various diseases such as cancer, influenza, and hepatitis. Here we review the progress that has been made in studying this multifunctional protein and discuss questions that remain to be answered about SON. WIREs RNA 2014, 5:637–646. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1235

This article is categorized under:

RNA Processing > Splicing Mechanisms
Cross talk between spliceosome and microprocessor defines the fate of pre‐mRNA
Authors: Mattioli Chiara , Pianigiani Giulia , Pagani Franco
Published: April 2014

The spliceosome and the microprocessor complex (MPC) are two important processing machineries that act on precursor (pre)‐mRNA. Both cleave the pre‐mRNA to generate spliced mature transcripts and microRNAs (miRNAs), respectively. While spliceosomes identify in a complex manner correct splice sites, MPCs typically target RNA hairpins (pri‐miRNA hairpins). In addition, pre‐mRNA transcripts can contain pri‐miRNA‐like hairpins that are cleaved by the MPC without generating miRNAs. Recent evidence indicates that the position of hairpins on pre‐mRNA, their distance from splice sites, and the relative efficiency of cropping and splicing contribute to determine the fate of a pre‐mRNA. Depending on these factors, a pre‐mRNA can be preferentially used to generate a miRNA, a constitutively or even an alternative spliced transcript. For example, competition between splicing and cropping on splice‐site‐overlapping miRNAs (SO miRNAs) results in alternative spliced isoforms and influences miRNA biogenesis. In several cases, the outcome of a pre‐mRNA transcript and its final handling as miRNA or mRNA substrate can be frequently closely connected to the functional relationships between diverse pre‐mRNA processing events. These events are influenced by both gene context and physiopathological conditions. WIREs RNA 2014, 5:647–658. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1236

This article is categorized under:

RNA Processing > 3' End Processing

RNA Processing > Processing of Small RNAs

RNA Processing > Splicing Regulation/Alternative Splicing
Synthesis and Characterization of Copper(I) Halide Complexes with N‐(2, 6‐Diisopropylphenyl)‐N′‐benzoylthiourea: Monomeric, Dimeric, and Cage Structures
Authors: Zhao Xiao‐Ya , Zhu Cheng‐Ben , Li Hai‐Pu , Yang Ying , Roesky Herbert W.
Published: May 2014

The N‐(2, 6‐diisopropylphenyl)‐N′‐benzoylthiourea ligand (shown as L) (1) was synthesized and characterized. Reactions of 1 with CuCl2 and CuBr2 afforded the monomeric L2CuCl (2) and dimeric [LBrCu(μ‐L)]2 (3), respectively, due to the reduction of CuII. The reaction of 1 and CuCl gave the same product L2CuCl (2), while the treatment of 1 with CuBr led to the formation of a rare example of adamantanoid cage (LCu)2(μ‐L)2Cu2(μ‐Br)4 (4) containing enantiomeric couple. The product of 1 and CuI was found to be dimeric [LICu(μ‐L)]2 (5), which is isomorphous to 3. All compounds obtained were fully characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction.
Uncharged Selenium Rings as Terminal and Bridging Ligands in Selenium‐Rich Iridium Clusters
Authors: Stolze Karoline , Ruck Michael
Published: May 2014

Purple air‐stable crystals of Ir8Se40Br10 were obtained by reacting Ir in an excess of Se and SeBr4 at 300 °C for two weeks. The monoclinic crystal structure [space group P21/c, a = 1371.9(1) pm, b = 1108.1(1) pm, c = 2058.2(1) pm, β = 106.897(2)° at 296(1) K] consists of uncharged clusters Ir8Se40Br10 = (Ir3+)8(Se22–)(Se42–)6(Se7)2(Br–)10. The iridium(III) cations are coordinated octahedrally by selenium and bromide ions. While the oligoselenide anions provide high intra‐cluster connectivity, μ6‐η2 in the case of Se22– and μ4‐η3 for Se42–, the terminal uncharged Se7 rings have boat conformation and are η1‐coordinating. About 10 % of the Se7 rings are substituted by Se6 rings with chair conformation. A similar reaction using SeCl4 yielded vermillion air‐stable crystals of Ir2Se9Cl6. X‐ray diffraction on a single‐crystal revealed a tetragonal lattice (space group I41/a) with a = 1229.8(1) pm and c = 2365.5(2) pm at 296(1) K. In the Se9(IrCl3)2 cluster, a crown‐shaped uncharged Se9 ring coordinates two iridium(III) cations as a bridging bis‐tridentate ligand. Three terminal chloride ions complete the distorted octahedral coordination of each transition metal atom.
Improved FK506 production by the precursors and product-tolerant mutant of Streptomyces tsukubaensis based on genome shuffling and dynamic fed-batch strategies
Authors: Du Wenjie , Huang Di , Xia Menglei , Wen Jianping , Huang Ming
Published: April 2014

FK506, a secondary metabolite produced by Streptomyces tsukubaensis, is well known for its immunosuppressant properties to prevent rejection of transplanted organs and treat autoimmune diseases. However, the low titer of FK506 in the original producer strain limits the further industrialization efforts and restricts its clinical applications. To address this issue, a highly efficient method combined genome shuffling and dynamic fed-batch strategies was systematically performed in this work. Firstly, after five rounds of genome shuffling based on precursors and product resistances, a higher yielding strain TJ-P325 was successfully acquired, whose production reached 365.6 mg/L, 11-fold increase compared with the original strain. Then, the possible mechanism of different production capabilities between TJ-P325 and the wild type was explored through comparative gene expression analysis of key genes. Results showed that the transcription level of key genes was altered significantly in the mutant. Moreover, precursors addition enhanced the FK506 production by 28 %, as well as reduced the by-products biosynthesis. Finally, the disodium malonate and disodium methylmalonate dynamic fed-batch strategies dramatically led to the production of 514.5 mg/L in a 7.5-L bioreactor. These results demonstrated that genome shuffling and dynamic fed-batch strategies could be successfully applied to generate high-yield strains with value-added natural products during industrial microbial fermentation.
Who is at Risk for Compassion Fatigue? An Investigation of Genetic Counselor Demographics, Anxiety, Compassion Satisfaction, and Burnout
Authors: Lee Whiwon , Veach Patricia McCarthy , MacFarlane Ian M. , LeRoy Bonnie S.
Published: April 2014

Compassion fatigue is a state of detachment and isolation experienced when healthcare providers repeatedly engage with patients in distress. Compassion fatigue can hinder empathy and cause extreme tension. Prior research suggests 73.8 % of genetic counselors are at moderate to high risk for compassion fatigue and approximately 1 in 4 have considered leaving the field as a result Injeyan et al. (Journal of Genetic Counseling, 20, 526–540, 2011). Empirical data to establish a reliable profile of genetic counselors at risk for compassion fatigue are limited. Thus the purpose of this study was to establish a profile by assessing relationships between state and trait anxiety, burnout, compassion satisfaction, selected demographics and compassion fatigue risk in practicing genetic counselors. Practicing genetic counselors (n = 402) completed an anonymous, online survey containing demographic questions, the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Professional Quality of Life scale. Multiple regression analysis yielded four significant predictors which increase compassion fatigue risk (accounting for 48 % of the variance): higher levels of trait anxiety, burnout, and compassion satisfaction, and ethnicity other than Caucasian. Additional findings, study limitations, practice implications, and research recommendations are provided.
Functional trait scaling relationships across 13 temperate mosses growing in wintertime
Authors: Wang Zhe , Bao Weikai , Feng Defeng , Lin Honghui
Published: May 2014

Mosses growing in wintertime exert important ecosystem function, but we know little about their fundamental functional trait levels and scaling relationships across species. Thus the present study chose 13 common mosses growing under a temperate deciduous forest in wintertime to measure their light‐saturated assimilation rate (Amass), dark respiration rate (Rdmass), major element concentrations and stoichiometric ratios (Cmass, Nmass, Pmass, C:P, C:P and N:P) and the shoot mass per area (SMA). Their bivariate log–log scaling relationships were determined by standardized major axes approach. We confirmed that except Cmass, the nutrient concentrations and metabolic rates of our mosses were higher than that of mosses growing at warmer sites but the SMA was lower than for Sphagnum species. Furthermore, the functional trait levels were totally lower than those of vascular plant leaves except Pmass. Besides, we found the Nmass and Pmass were significantly positively related to Amass and Rdmass but negatively associated with SMA. The C:P and N:P were also closely linked with Amass, Rdmass and SMA. The SMA was significantly related to Rdmass but not to Amass. Functional trait relationships across the current species deviated from previous studies of mosses but were generally analogous to those of vascular plant leaves only with different scaling. The findings suggest that mosses allocated a greater proportion of nutrients to metabolic components rather than to the non‐photosynthetic tissues. In addition, phosphorus was associated more closely with other functional traits than was nitrogen and might play a greater role to withstand the cold temperatures in wintertime for mosses.
Leaf‐trait responses to environmental gradients in moorland communities: contribution of intraspecific variation, species replacement and functional group replacement
Authors: Kamiyama Chiho , Katabuchi Masatoshi , Sasaki Takehiro , Shimazaki Masaya , Nakashizuka Tohru , Hikosaka Kouki
Published: April 2014

The values of many important traits of plants in a community change along environmental gradients. Such changes may involve intraspecific variation and replacement by species that have different trait values. We hypothesized that they also involve the variation within and among functional groups (FGs) to the environmental dependence of trait values at the community level. We studied environmental dependence of trait values in 27 moorlands at various scales and analyzed to what extent intraspecific variation, species replacement within FGs and FG replacement contribute to the gradient of community trait values. The community structure in moorlands was influenced mainly by two environmental factors: temperature and water condition. Plants inhabiting sites with low temperature and low‐pH generally tended to have lower maximum leaf height, greater leaf mass per area, and smaller leaf size. At the community level, site‐mean of maximum leaf height and leaf size generally increased with increasing temperature and water pH. Our analysis demonstrated that the relative contributions of intraspecific variation, species replacement within FGs and FG replacement differed depending on combinations of the traits and environments. The contribution of FG replacement varied considerably among cases (0.6–34.5 %). Species replacement within FGs, which has received little attention in previous studies, was most responsible for the community‐level changes (31.6–65.3 %) and intraspecific variation also made a large contribution (22.9–57.9 %). Understanding such various mechanisms involving intraspecific variation and species replacement should help us better predict how the structure and functioning of moorland plant communities will respond to climate change.
Bullying, Mentoring, and Patient Care
Authors: Frederick Dorothea
Published: May 2014

The literature suggests that acts of bullying are a root cause of new nurses leaving their units or the profession entirely and have the potential to worsen the nursing shortage. As an effective way to address bullying in the perioperative setting, mentoring benefits the nursing profession. Mentoring can have a direct influence on nurses’ longevity in a health care organization, thereby strengthening the nursing workforce. Magnet‐designated hospitals support the importance of mentor‐mentee relationships for positive employee retention and positive recruitment outcomes. One of the most important tasks that a mentor should undertake is that of a role model. Establishing a culture of mentoring requires authentic leadership, genuine caring and respect for employees, and open communication. The entire nursing profession benefits from a culture of mentoring, as do the patients and families who receive care.
Nox1 activation by βPix and the role of Ser‐340 phosphorylation
Authors: Kaito Yuuki , Kataoka Ryosuke , Takechi Kento , Mihara Tatsuya , Tamura Minoru
Published: April 2014

Rac is an activating factor for Nox1, an O2
−‐generating NADPH oxidase, expressed in the colon and other tissues. Rac requires a GDP‐GTP exchange factor for activation. Nox1 activation by βPix has been demonstrated in cell lines. We examined the effects of βPix and its phosphomimetic mutant on endogenous Nox1 in Caco‐2 cells transfected with Noxo1 and Noxa1. βPix expression enhanced O2
− production in resting cells and cells stimulated with EGF or phorbol ester. βPix(S340E) further enhanced O2
− production, while βPix(S340A) eliminated the βPix effect. βPix(S340E), but not βPix(S340A), had higher affinity and GEF activity for Rac than wild‐type βPix. These results suggest that βPix phosphorylation at Ser‐340 upregulates Nox1 through Rac activation, confirming Rac as a trigger for acute Nox1‐dependent ROS production.
MicroRNA‐9 regulates neural apoptosis in methylmalonic acidemia via targeting BCL2L11
Authors: Li Yanfei , Peng Tao , Li Lin , Wang Xiaohan , Duan Ranran , Gao Huili , Guan Wenjuan , Lu Jingjing , Teng Junfang , Jia Yanjie
Published: May 2014

Methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) is an autosomal‐recessive inborn metabolic disorder that results from a deficiency in methylmalonyl‐coenzyme A mutase or its cofactor, adenosylcobalamin. Currently, neurological manifestations in MMA are thought to be associated with neural apoptosis. BCL2L11, which is a proapoptotic Bcl‐2 family member, is resident in the outer mitochondrial membrane, where this protein acts as a central regulator of the intrinsic apoptotic cascade and mediates excitotoxic apoptosis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non‐coding RNAs that function as endogenous triggers of the RNA interference pathway. Currently, little is known regarding the role of miRNA in MMA. In our previous study, we preliminarily found that the expression of miR‐9 was significantly down‐regulated in MMA patient plasma and sensitively changed after VitB12 treatment, which may act as a potential “competitor” of gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry for the diagnosis of MMA. In the present study, we first confirmed that miR‐9 inhibited BCL2L11 expression by directly targeting its 3′‐untranslated region, and the up‐regulation of miR‐9 reduced neural apoptosis induced by methylmalonate via targeting BCL2L11. Taken together, our results suggested that miR‐9 might act as a monitor of changes in MMA and might provide new insights into a therapeutic entry point for treating MMA.
Measles in pregnancy in Lyon France, 2011
Authors: Casalegno Jean‐Sebastien , Huissoud Cyril , Rudigoz Rene , Massardier Jerome , Gaucherand Pascal , Mekki Yahia
Published: May 2014

Objective

To identify women who had measles while being pregnant during the 2011 epidemic peak in Lyon, France, and to document maternal characteristics and fetal outcomes.

Methods

In a retrospective survey, women who had measles while being pregnant between January and December 2011 were identified from the records of the Laboratory of Virology, Hospices Civils de Lyon. Epidemiologic data, clinical characteristics, and measles outcomes were assessed.

Results

In total, 11 pregnant women and 2 women who had just delivered were hospitalized with measles infection in Lyon. The most severe maternal complication was pneumonia, which occurred in 4 women (30.8%). Other maternal complications included fever (11 women; 84.6%) and elevated liver enzymes (2/6 women; 33.3%). All women delivered healthy newborns. Post‐exposure prophylaxis using human polyvalent immunoglobulin was initiated for three newborns whose mothers acquired measles in the immediate postpartum period. None of these newborns subsequently acquired measles, although breastfeeding was maintained.

Conclusion

Although measles infections during pregnancy can have a deleterious effect on both mother and child, in many cases hospitalization is not required. Unnecessary admission should be avoided given the high risk of transmission of measles in an obstetrics ward.
Use of Botulinum Toxin Type A in the Management of Neonatal Brachial Plexus Palsy
Authors: Michaud Linda J. , Louden Emily J. , Lippert William C. , Allgier Allison J. , Foad Susan L. , Mehlman Charles T.
Published: May 2014

Objective

To evaluate functional outcomes and the impact on surgical interventions after the use of botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT‐A) for muscle imbalance, cocontractions, or contractures with neonatal brachial plexus palsy.

Design

A retrospective cohort study.

Setting

A brachial plexus center in a tertiary children's hospital.

Participants

Fifty‐nine patients with neonatal brachial plexus palsy (75 injection procedures, 91 muscles and/or muscle groups) received BoNT‐A injections (mean age at injection, 36.2 months; range, 6‐123 months; 31 boys; 30 right‐sided injuries, 28 left‐sided injuries, 1 bilateral injury).

Methods

Data collected retrospectively from medical records, from procedure notes and clinic visits before BoNT‐A use, at ≤6 months follow‐up (BoNT‐A active [BA]) and at ≥7 months follow‐up (BoNT‐A not active [BNA]) included demographics, injection indication, side, and site(s), previous surgical history, occupational therapy and/or physical therapy plan, and outcome measurements.

Main Outcome Measurements

Outcomes assessed before and after injections included active and passive range of motion, Mallet and Toronto scores, parent comments about arm function, preinjection surgical considerations, and postinjection surgical history.

Results

Injection procedures included 51 to shoulder internal rotators, 15 triceps, 15 pronator teres, 9 biceps, and 1 flexor carpi ulnaris. Active and passive shoulder external rotation (SER) range of motion improved after shoulder internal rotator injections (P = .0003 and P = .002, respectively), as did Mallet scores with BA; the latter were sustained with BNA. Surgical intervention was averted, modified, or deferred after BoNT‐A in 45% (n = 20) under surgical consideration before BoNT‐A. Active elbow flexion improved in 67% (P = .005), sustained BNA (P = .004) after triceps injections; 2 of 7 patients averted surgery. Active supination improved with BA (P = .002), with gains sustained BNA (P = .016). Passive elbow extension improved after biceps injections by an average 17° (P = .004) BA, although not sustained BNA.

Conclusions

BoNT‐A is an effective adjunct to therapy and surgery in managing muscle imbalance, cocontractions, and contractures in neonatal brachial plexus palsy. Use of BoNT‐A can result in averting, modifying, or deferring surgical interventions in a number of affected children.
Paleolithic vs. Epipaleolithic fisheries in northern Iberia
Authors: Turrero Pablo , Ardura Alba , García-Vázquez Eva
Published: April 2014

A comparison of Paleolithic and Epipaleolithic fisheries in NW Iberia shows an overall high trophic level of catch. Freshwater fisheries (and thus their impacts) are ca. 8000 yr older than marine fisheries and have suffered virtually no changes in the region except for the increase in numbers, being focused on two families (Salmonidae, and Anguillidae to a very minor extent). Marine fisheries in the Paleolithic likely had a low impact but rapidly increased in importance, raising the average trophic level of the catch, the number of affected taxa and the proportion of marine to freshwater fisheries with time.
Splicing technology of Ti:sapphire crystals for a high-energy chirped pulse amplifier laser system
Authors: Liu Yanqi , Leng Yuxin , Lu Xiaoming , Xu Yi , Wang Cheng
Published: May 2014

We develop a splicing technology of Ti:sapphire crystals for a high-energy chirped pulse amplifier laser system that can suppress the parasitic lasing to improve the amplification efficiency compared to a large-size single Ti:sapphire crystal amplifier. Theoretical investigations on the characteristics of the amplifier with four splicing Ti:sapphire crystals, such as parasitic-lasing suppression and amplification efficiencies, are carried out. Some possible issues resulting from this splicing technology, including spectral modulation, stretching or splitting of the temporal profile, and the sidelobe generation in the spatial domain (near field and far field), are also investigated. Moreover, the feasibility of the splicing technology is preliminarily demonstrated in an experiment with a small splicing Ti:sapphire crystals amplifier. The temporal profile and spatial distribution of the output pulse from the splicing Ti:sapphire crystal amplifier are discussed in relation to the output pulse from a single Ti:sapphire crystal amplifier.
Protocol to evaluate the impact of yoga supplementation on cognitive function in schizophrenia: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Bhatia Triptish , Mazumdar Sati , Mishra Nagendra Narayan , Gur Raquel E. , Gur Ruben C. , Nimgaonkar Vishwajit Laxmikant , Deshpande Smita Neelkanth
Published: April 2014

Background

Schizophrenia (SZ) is a chronic illness that is treated symptomatically. Cognitive dysfunction is a core feature of SZ that is relatively intractable to pharmacotherapy. Yoga can improve cognitive function among healthy individuals. A recent open trial indicated significant benefits of yoga training (YT) in conjunction with conventional pharmacotherapy among patients with SZ.

Aims

To describe the protocol for an ongoing randomised controlled trial designed to test whether the reported beneficial effects of YT on cognitive function among SZ patients can be replicated. Secondarily, the effects of YT on daily functioning living skills are evaluated.

Methods

Consenting patients with SZ receive routine clinical treatment and are randomised to adjunctive YT, adjunctive physical exercise (PE) or treatment as usual (proposed N = 234 total, N = 78 in each group). The trial involves YT or PE 5 days a week and lasts 3 weeks. Participants are evaluated thrice over 6 months. Cognitive functions measured by Trail Making Test, University of Pennsylvania Neurocognitive Computerised Battery were primary outcome measures while clinical severity and daily functioning measured by Independent Living Skills Survey were secondary outcome measures.

Results

A total of 309 participants have been randomised as of 31 August 2013, which exceeded beyond 294 proposed after attrition. Once participants begin YT or PE they generally complete the protocol. No injuries have been reported.

Conclusions

Short term YT is feasible and acceptable to Indian SZ patients. If beneficial effects of YT are detected, it will provide a novel adjunctive cognitive remediation strategy for SZ patients.
Effect of dietary α-lipoic acid on the mRNA expression of genes involved in drug metabolism and antioxidation system in rat liver
Authors: Ide Takashi
Published: April 2014

In the present study, the mRNA levels of hepatic proteins involved in the drug metabolism of rats fed α-lipoic acid were evaluated by DNA microarray and real-time PCR analyses. Experimental diets containing 0, 0·1, 0·25 and 0·5 % (w/w) α-lipoic acid were fed to four groups of rats consisting of seven animals each for 21 d. DNA microarray analysis revealed that the diet containing 0·5 % α-lipoic acid significantly (P< 0·05) increased the mRNA levels of various phase I drug-metabolising enzymes up to 15-fold and phase II enzymes up to 52-fold in an isoenzyme-specific manner. α-Lipoic acid also up-regulated the mRNA levels of some members of the ATP-binding cassette transporter superfamily, presumed to be involved in the exportation of xenobiotics, up to 6·6-fold. In addition, we observed that α-lipoic acid increased the mRNA levels of many proteins involved in antioxidation, such as members of the thiol redox system (up to 5·5-fold), metallothioneins (up to 12-fold) and haeme oxygenase 1 (1·5-fold). These results were confirmed using real-time PCR analysis, and α-lipoic acid dose dependently increased the mRNA levels of various proteins involved in drug metabolism and antioxidation. Consistent with these observations, α-lipoic acid dose dependently increased the hepatic concentration of glutathione and the activities of glutathione reductase and glutathione transferase measured using 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene as substrates, but decreased the hepatic and serum concentrations of malondialdehyde. In conclusion, the present study unequivocally demonstrated that α-lipoic acid increases the mRNA expression of proteins involved in drug metabolism and antioxidation in the liver.
Effect of oat intake on glycaemic control and insulin sensitivity: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Bao Lei , Cai Xiaxia , Xu Meihong , Li Yong
Published: April 2014

The present meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCT) aimed to investigate the effect of oat intake on glycaemic control and insulin sensitivity. A literature search was carried out in PubMed, ScienceDirect Online and The Cochrane Library (up to October 2013) for RCT that assessed the effect of oat intake on glucose control and insulin sensitivity. A total of fifteen articles with 673 subjects met the inclusion criteria. A random-effects model was used when the overall pooled studies exhibited significant heterogeneity. Otherwise, a fixed-effects model was used. Compared with controls, oat intake significantly reduced the concentrations of fasting insulin by − 6·29 (95 % CI − 12·32, − 0·27) pmol/l (P= 0·04) and the values of glucose AUC (GAUC; 0–120 min) by − 30·23 (95 % CI − 43·65, − 16·81) min × mmol/l (P< 0·0001). There was a slight decrease in fasting glucose concentrations, glycated Hb concentrations and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance values in subjects who consumed oats, but the difference was not significant. In conclusion, oat intake significantly lowers fasting insulin concentrations and GAUC values. To further investigate the effect of oat intake on fasting glucose concentrations, additional long-term and high-quality RCT with a parallel design are required.
Larval intraspecific competition for food in the European grapevine moth Lobesia botrana
Authors: Thiéry D. , Monceau K. , Moreau J.
Published: April 2014

Effective pest management with lower amounts of pesticides relies on accurate prediction of insect pest growth rates. Knowledge of the factors governing this trait and the resulting fitness of individuals is thus necessary to refine predictions and make suitable decisions in crop protection. The European grapevine moth, Lobesia botrana, the major pest of grapes in Europe, is responsible for huge economic losses. Larvae very rarely leave the grape bunch on which they were oviposited and thus cannot avoid intraspecific competition. In this study, we determined the impact of intraspecific competition during the larval stage on development and adult fitness in this species. This was tested by rearing different numbers of larvae on an artificial diet and measuring developmental and reproductive life history traits. We found that intraspecific competition during larval development has a slight impact on the fitness of L. botrana. The principal finding of this work is that larval density has little effect on the life history traits of survivors. Thus, the timing of eclosion, duration of subsequent oviposition, fecundity appears to be more uniform in L. botrana than in other species. The main effect of larval crowding was a strong increase of larval mortality at high densities whereas the probability of emergence, sex ratio, pupal mass, fecundity and longevity of mated females were not affected by larval crowding. Owing to increased larval mortality at high larval densities, we hypothesized that mortality of larvae at high densities provided better access to food for the survivors with the result that more food was available per capita and there were no effect on fitness of survivors. From our results, larval crowding alters the reproductive capacity of this pest less than expected but this single factor should now be tested in interaction with limited resources in the wild.
Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma classification correlations
Authors: Baran H , Ozcan K M , Selcuk A , Cetin M A , Cayir S , Ozcan M , Dere H
Published: April 2014

Objective:

Allergic rhinitis is inflammation of the nasal mucosa following exposure to allergens. A few studies have investigated how the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma classification correlates with symptom severity and skin prick test results in allergic rhinitis patients. Our objective was to evaluate such a correlation.

Materials and methods:

The study population consisted of 268 patients who had allergic symptoms and were diagnosed with allergic rhinitis.

Results:

Analysis of the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma classification with regard to symptom severity revealed that there were statistically significant differences between the groups for nasal symptoms, wheezing, eye itching/watering and eye redness. Symptom frequency and severity increased gradually towards the moderate to severe persistent allergic group. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups for grass pollen and house dust mite allergy.

Conclusion:

The Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma classification, which takes symptoms and quality of life into consideration in addition to allergen exposure, is a useful classification system for allergic rhinitis.