bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incidence of skin tears in the extremities among elderly patients at a long‐term medical facility in Japan: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Sanada Hiromi , Nakagami Gojiro , Koyano Yuiko , Iizaka Shinji , Sugama Junko
Published: November 2014

Aim

There is a lack of data from cohort studies for the incidence of skin tears among an elderly population in an Asian country. We estimated the cumulative incidence of skin tear, and identify its risk factor.

Methods

The present prospective cohort study was carried out at a long‐term medical facility in Japan. Participants included patients (n = 368) aged 65 years or older receiving hospital care. The 3‐month cumulative incidence of skin tears was estimated by identifying them using direct inspection of the extremities. In order to find the risk factors for the skin tear incidence, odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals of skin tear development in association with the factors were estimated using logistic regression analyses.

Results

A total of 14 patients developed skin tears, and their cumulative incidence was 3.8%. No patients with skin tears developed multiple wounds on their extremities. Half of the skin tears occurred on the outside of the right forearm, and just three skin tears were found in the lower legs. Multiple logistic analyses showed that pre‐existing skin tears (odds ratio 15.42, 95% confidence interval 3.53–67.43, P < 0.001) and a 6‐point decrease in the total score of the Braden Scale (odds ratio 0.10, 95% confidence interval 0.01–0.83, P < 0.033) were significantly associated with skin tear development.

Conclusions

Patients with pre‐existing skin tears and a low score of the Braden Scale have a higher risk of skin tear development during 3 months. These factors could be used to identify patients requiring prevention care for skin tears. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 1058–1063.
Ascorbic acid: New role of an age‐old micronutrient in the management of periodontal disease in older adults
Authors: Alagl Adel S , Bhat Subraya Giliyar
Published: November 2014

To review the new role of an age‐old micronutrient – ascorbic acid – in the management of periodontal disease. Articles pertaining to the topic were searched in PubMed and other search engines from year 1974 to April 2014 with the following key words: “ascorbic acid,” “ascorbate,” “vitamin C,” “periodontal disease,” “gingivitis,” “periodontitis,” “anti‐oxidants” and “elderly.” Balanced nutrition is an essential factor in the elderly. Modification of nutritional requirement is important to overcome the effect of an unbalanced diet in older individuals as a result of several external and internal host‐associated factors. Micronutrient requirements as aging advances could change, and require due attention. Ascorbic acid and its relationship with periodontal disease are very well known. However, recent changes in the concept of understanding the pathogenicity has led to a new path of therapeutic intervention with ascorbic acid in many chronic diseases. Oxidative stress with its associated burden might alter the disease process. In the era of “periodontal medicine,” the impact of remote tissue changes on systemic disease has to be taken into serious consideration. Deficiency of nutritional impact on the host, with micronutrient vitamin C detailed in this review with sources, absorption, interaction and its relationship with systemic disease, and thereby the impact on periodontal disease. Ascorbic acid plays an important role in the aging process, and in the maintenance of periodontal health in the elderly. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 241–254.
Home, please: A conjoint analysis of patient preferences after a bad hip fracture
Authors: Robinson Stephanie M , Ní Bhuachalla Bláthin , Ní Mhaille Bairbre , Cotter Paul E , O'Connor Michael , O'Keeffe Shaun T
Published: November 2014

Aim

An Australian study of older, community‐dwelling women found that 80% would rather be dead than experience loss of independence and nursing home admission after a bad hip fracture. We re‐examined this issue using a conjoint analysis approach.

Methods

We asked older hospital patients with a history of falls, fracture or osteoporosis to imagine they had a hip fracture resulting in significant residual disability. Subjects were asked to rank in order of preference an orthogonal array of nine out of 36 potential outcome scenarios reporting risk of falls, life expectancy, discharge home with support or to a nursing home and family agreement or disagreement with discharge location.

Results

Of 192 patients satisfying inclusion criteria, 183 agreed to participate and 97 completed the study. Those who failed to complete the study were older and had lower Mini‐Mental State Examination scores than those who completed the study. For the group as a whole, averaged importance scores were: discharge residence 31.3%, length of life 27%, fall risk 26.4% and family preference 15.5%. On average, subjects would be willing to sacrifice approximately 9 months of life in order to return home rather than go to a nursing home.

Conclusions

In the present study, older people at high risk for fracture judged that after a bad hip fracture their main priority would be to remain at home. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 1165–1170.
Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour of the urinary bladder: the role of immunoglobulin G4 and the comparison of two immunohistochemical antibodies and fluorescence in‐situ hybridization for the detection of anaplastic lymphoma kinase alterations
Authors: Choi Euna , Williamson Sean R , Montironi Rodolfo , Zhang Shaobo , Wang Mingsheng , Eble John N , Grignon David J , Lopez‐Beltran Antonio , Idrees Muhammad T , Baldridge Lee Ann , Scarpelli Marina , Jones Carol L , Wang Lisha , MacLennan Gregory T , Osunkoya Adeboye O , Cheng Liang
Published: November 2014

Aims

We examined gene rearrangement and the expression of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) in urinary bladder inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour (IMT) using fluorescence in‐situ hybridization (FISH) and two immunohistochemical antibodies to ALK. We also investigated whether IMT represents an immunoglobulin (Ig)G4‐related disease.

Methods and results

The performance of the Dako FLEX ALK monoclonal antibody (CD246) and the Cell Signaling Technology ALK (D5F3) XP monoclonal antibody were compared. Overall, 11 of 16 tumours showed ALK expression by immunohistochemistry (69%). Ten demonstrated ALK expression with both stains and one was positive with D5F3 but not CD246 (91% correlation). The D5F3 antibody yielded a stronger staining intensity and a higher sensitivity. Nine tumours demonstrated ALK rearrangements (56%) by FISH. Three were ALK+ by immunohistochemistry but negative for rearrangement by FISH, whereas one showed rearrangement by FISH but was negative by immunohistochemistry. In total, 12 tumours were positive for ALK abnormalities (75%). Using current criteria, no cases were classified as an IgG4‐related disease.

Conclusions

The ALK D5F3 immunohistochemical stain showed superior staining characteristics compared with ALK CD246. Discrepancies in the results between FISH and immunohistochemistry for ALK abnormalities may have causes that are multifactorial. By current criteria, IMT does not represent an IgG4‐related disease.
Introduction: InterpretingBritishEuropean Policy
Authors: Bevir Mark , Daddow Oliver , Schnapper Pauline
Published: November 2014

Britain has had particular problems reconciling itself to the idea of being a ‘European’ actor and a wholehearted member of theEEC/EUsince 1973. Now, potentially, the ‘awkward partner’ is edging towards the exit door of theEUbecause a membership a referendum gauging the opinion of a sullenly Eurosceptical UK public is a likely prospect in the coming years. The aim of this special issue ofJCMSis to consider how one can account for the present state of affairs by adopting an interpretivist perspective onBritishEuropean policy over the past four decades. The article begins with a comprehensive review of the extant literature onBritain andEurope and an elaboration of the ‘traditions and dilemmas’ framework within which the contributors have studied the empirical material in their articles. It then explains the major themes that connect the articles and suggests how future research might build on the agenda proposed in this special issue.
The Return of ‘Englishness’ inBritish Political Culture – The End of the Unions?
Authors: Kenny Michael
Published: November 2014

This article approaches the interpretation of elite and popular attitudes towards theUnitedKingdom's membership of theEuropeanUnion through analysis of some of the rival perspectives on the national identity of theEnglish that have become increasingly salient during the last two decades. It highlights their role as sources of some of the most influential ideas about nationhood, governance and state now shaping public discourse on theUK's membership of theEU. These include radical‐democratic, restorationist andAnglo‐British forms of patriotic discourse, which have prompted and responded to the growing prevalence of England as ‘an imagined community’ – a trend which has rendered other circles of attachment to theUKand Europe more tenuous and distant. A central conclusion of the article is that these emerging perspectives have spawned webs of belief that connect new and old ideas of nationhood to the political judgements that different actors are making about theEU.
Interpreting the Outsider Tradition inBritishEuropean Policy Speeches fromThatcher toCameron
Authors: Daddow Oliver
Published: November 2014

This article investigates howBritishEuropean policy thinking has been informed by what it identifies as an ‘outsider’ tradition of thinking about ‘Europe’ inBritish foreign policy dating from imperial times to the present. The article begins by delineating five phases in the evolution of the outsider tradition back to 1815 through a survey of the relevant historiography. The article then examines how prime ministers fromMargaretThatcher toDavidCameron have looked to various inflections of the outsider tradition to inform theirEuropean discourses. The focus in the speech data sections is onBritish identity, history and the realist appreciation of international politics that informed the leaders' suggestions forEEC/EUreform. The central argument is that historically informed narratives such as those making up the outsider tradition do not determine opinion‐formers' outlooks, but that they can be deeply impervious to rapid change. We can therefore understand why Britain has come to hover near the EU exit door because British leaders have consistently drawn upon ‘outsider’ narratives as the organizing frame for their European policy discourses.
Molecular characterization, virulence and horizontal transmission of Beauveria pseudobassiana from Dendroctonus micans (Kug.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Authors: Kocacevik S. , Sevim A. , Eroglu M. , Demirbag Z. , Demir I.
Published: November 2014

The great spruce bark beetle, Dendroctonus micans (Kugelann) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), has been a potential threat for Turkey and the entire Eurasian spruce forests for many years. Control strategies which have been applied so far are still insufficient to prevent its damage. A previous study has shown that a Beauveria isolate (ARSEF 9271) proved to be an efficient microbial control agent against the great spruce bark beetle. In this study, this isolate was identified as B. pseudobassiana based on the partial sequence of EF1‐α and ITS sequence. A conidial suspension (1 × 108/ml) of this fungus caused 100% mortality on both larvae and adults of D. micans within 5 and 6 days, respectively. Also, it caused 100% mycosis value on both larvae and adults. Mortality values of horizontal transmission experiments between larvae and adults which were contaminated with 1 × 106/ml spore suspension at 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% rates were determined as 100% after 15 days at 20°C under the laboratory conditions. We also determined the decrease of the damage in spruce wood block (15 × 25 cm) when the contamination rate of the larvae was increased. Our results indicate that B. pseudobassiana ARSEF 9271 seems to be a very promising biocontrol agent against D. micans.
Particularism in health care: challenging the authority of the aggregate
Authors: Tanenbaum Sandra J.
Published: November 2014

In health care, particularism asserts the primacy of the individual case. Moral particularists, such asJonsen andToulmin, reject deduction from universal moral principles and instead seek warrants for action from the multiple sources unique to a given patient. Another kind of health care particularism, here referred to as the knowledge of particulars, is offered as a corrective to evidence‐based medicine (EBM), its influence on health care practice and policy, and specifically toEBM's reliance on the aggregate. This paper describes the knowledge of particulars and identifies strategies for its legitimation in health care policy and practice. First, the paper documents the ascendancy of the aggregate throughEBM's definition of ‘what works’ in health care. Second, it delineates the limits of health care knowledge based on the analysis of aggregates, not only for the care of individual patients but for the formulation of policies about patient care. Third, the paper analyses prominent rejections of the particular in contemporary health policy discourse and relates them to larger political purposes. Finally, it depicts the knowledge of particulars as the basis for clinical prudence and offers three potential strategies for promoting particularism as essential to high‐quality care.
Underdetermination in evidence‐based medicine
Authors: Chin‐Yee Benjamin H.
Published: November 2014

This article explores the philosophical implications of evidence‐based medicine's (EBM's) epistemology in terms of the problem of underdetermination of theory by evidence as expounded by the Duhem–Quine thesis. EBM hierarchies of evidence privilege clinical research over basic science, exacerbating the problem of underdetermination. Because of severe underdetermination, EBM is unable to meaningfully test core medical beliefs that form the basis of our understanding of disease and therapeutics. As a result, EBM adopts an epistemic attitude that is sceptical of explanations from the basic biological sciences, and is relegated to a view of disease at a population level. EBM's epistemic attitude provides a limited research heuristic by preventing the development of a theoretical framework required for understanding disease mechanism and integrating knowledge to develop new therapies. Medical epistemology should remain pluralistic and include complementary approaches of basic science and clinical research, thus avoiding the limited epistemic attitude entailed by EBM hierarchies.
Preliminary investigation on prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia: Should we tune our focus on healthy adults?
Authors: Lee Cathy Nga Yan , Lam Simon Ching , Tsang Alan Yat Kwan , Ng Bernadette Ting Yan , Leung Joyce Chung Yin , Chong Andy Chun Yin
Published: November 2014

Aim

Osteoporosis and osteopenia are global health problems with increasing trend, particularly in developed regions. Apart from traditional well‐recognized high‐risk groups (i.e. postmenopausal women and elders), prevalence of such problems among adults should not be ignored because of the advantages of early detection and health promotion. Therefore, this preliminary study aims to investigate the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia among adult office workers, which represented a relatively large proportion of the population in urbanized cities.

Methods

An GE‐Lunar Achilles ultrasonometer was used to screen the bone mineral density (BMD) of 80 participants.

Results

The BMD T‐score ranged from −3 to 3.5. The majority of the participants had normal BMD result (T‐score, ≥ −1), whereas 35% was classified as abnormal (T‐score, < −1) including 31.3% osteopenia and 3.8% osteoporosis.

Conclusion

High prevalence rate of abnormal BMD among healthy adults should be further studied in this population. The findings also suggest that the current ignorance in adulthood may increase the prevalence of osteoporotic fractures in the future.
Evaluation of morphological changes in the adult skull with age and sex
Authors: Urban Jillian E. , Weaver Ashley A. , Lillie Elizabeth M. , Maldjian Joseph A. , Whitlow Christopher T. , Stitzel Joel D.
Published: November 2014

The morphology of the brain and skull are important in the evaluation of the aging human; however, little is known about how the skull may change with age. The objective of this study was to evaluate the morphological changes of the adult skull using three‐dimensional geometric morphometric analysis of thousands of landmarks with the focus on anatomic regions that may be correlated with brain atrophy and head injury. Computed tomography data were collected between ages 20 and 100. Each scan was segmented using thresholding techniques. An atlas image of a 50th percentile skull was registered to each subject scan by computing a series of rigid, affine, and non‐linear transformations between atlas space and subject space. Landmarks on the atlas skull were transformed to each subject and partitioned into the inner and outer cranial vault and the cranial fossae. A generalized Procrustes analysis was completed for the landmark sets. The coordinate locations describing the shape of each region were regressed with age to generate a model predicting the landmark location with age. Permutation testing was performed to assess significant changes with age. For the males, all anatomic regions reveal significant changes in shape with age except for the posterior cranial fossa. For the females, only the middle cranial fossa and anterior cranial fossa were found to change significantly in shape. Results of this study are important for understanding the adult skull and how shape changes may pertain to brain atrophy, aging, and injury.
Effect of Lipid Content on Saltiness Perception: A Psychophysical Study
Authors: Suzuki A.H. , Zhong H. , Lee J. , Martini S.
Published: November 2014

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of oil addition (10, 20 and 40% of oil in water) on saltiness perception as a function of NaCl concentration. A sensory panel (n = 20) was selected from the local community and trained to taste saltiness intensity using magnitude estimation. Data obtained were fitted to the Stevens’ power law. As expected, saltiness intensity increased as [NaCl] in the aqueous phase ([NaCl]aq) increased, for a constant type of sample. All types of samples (0, 10, 20 and 40% oil‐in‐water emulsions) were well fitted to the Stevens’ power law with exponent values of 0.87, 0.76, 0.66 and 0.47 for the 0, 10, 20 and 40% oil‐in‐water emulsions, respectively. This is the first research that reports exponential values for saltiness perception in the presence of an oil phase. This research also shows that saltiness perception is driven by a combination of processes that include [NaCl]em and the presence of an oil phase.

Practical Applications

This research contributes to the understanding of the effect of oil addition on saltiness perception for a range of NaCl concentration. This knowledge will help food scientist in the development of foods with reduced amount of sodium while maintaining the sensory properties of their product.
Networks as Public Infrastructure: Externalities, Efficiency, and Implementation
Authors: HALLER HANS
Published: November 2014

First, a noncooperative model of network formation is investigated where link formation is one‐sided and information flow is two‐way. For that model, the relationship between different notions of efficient networks is studied: Pareto‐optimal networks on the one hand and welfare‐maximizing networks on the other hand. Strategic network formation is compared with funding schemes for public goods. Second, we extend the model and review earlier findings how a preexisting network affects existence of Nash equilibria and efficiency of Nash equilibrium outcomes of the strategic network formation game. It can foster or prohibit existence of Nash equilibria. It can improve or worsen equilibrium welfare. Finally, we treat the preexisting network as public infrastructure and design and analyze a subscription game for the public provision of that infrastructure.
Pathogenic and Genetic Variation among the Isolates of Rhizoctonia solani (AG 1‐IA), the Rice Sheath Blight Pathogen
Authors: Yugander Arra , Ladhalakshmi Duraisamy , Prakasham Vellaichamy , Mangrauthia Satendra K. , Prasad Madamsetty S. , Krishnaveni Donempudi , Madhav Maganti Sheshu , Sundaram Raman M. , Laha Gouri Sankar
Published: November 2014

Sheath blight disease of rice caused by Rhizoctonia solani is one of the most dreaded plant diseases faced by the rice farmers all over the world. None of the commercially cultivated rice varieties have sufficient level of field resistance, and the disease is presently being managed by chemical pesticides. In this study, 40 isolates of rice sheath blight pathogen, collected from diverse rice ecosystems from 12 different states of India, were characterized for their morphological, pathological and genetic variation. The isolates showed wide morphological variation in terms of size of sclerotia and abundance of sclerotia production. The virulence of each pathogen isolate was studied on four rice varieties, that is TN1, IR 64, Tetep and Swarnadhan in glasshouse, and observations were taken by measuring the relative lesion height. The relative lesion heights produced by these isolates on four different rice varieties varied widely. Genetic variation of the isolates was analysed using ISSR markers. The primers based on AG, GA, AC and CA repeats were informative and revealed polymorphism among the isolates. The polymorphism information content (PIC) of the primers ranged from 0.80 to 0.96, while the resolving power (Rp) ranged from 3.7 to 15.35. Largely, grouping of the isolates happened based on their geographical origin. One isolate from Titabar, Assam, and another from Adialabad, Telangana, were quite distinct from rest of the isolates.
Leaf Spot on Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) Caused by Stemphylium solani, a New Disease in China
Authors: Chai A‐Li , Du Gong‐Fu , Shi Yan‐Xia , Xie Xue‐Wen , Li Bao‐Ju
Published: November 2014

During 2010–2011, a severe leaf spot disease of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) was found in Haikou City, Hainan province of China. The disease is characterized with large, irregular, brown, necrotic lesions on the margin or in the centre of leaves. A species of Stemphylium was consistently recovered from pieces of symptomatic tissues on PDA. Based on morphological characteristics and molecular identification by rDNA‐ITS gene analysis, the fungal species was identified as Stemphylium solani Weber, and its pathogenicity was confirmed by Koch's postulates. This is the first report of leaf spot on sweet potato caused by S. solani in China.
Red Blood Cell Phosphate Concentration and Osmotic Resistance During Dietary Phosphate Depletion in Dairy Cows
Authors: Grünberg W. , Mol J.A. , Teske E.
Published: November 2014

Background

Hypophosphatemia in early lactating dairy cows has been implicated as primary cause for postparturient hemoglobinuria in cattle. Decreased availability of phosphorus has been proposed to reduce adenosine triphosphate synthesis of erythrocytes and thereby reduce osmotic resistance of these cells.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To study the effect of phosphorus depletion on the phosphate concentration ([Pi]) in plasma and erythrocytes and the osmotic resistance of erythrocytes and to determine the association between plasma [Pi] and erythrocyte [Pi].

Animals

Ten healthy midlactating dairy cows in their 3rd to 5th lactation.

Methods

Prospective study. Dietary phosphorus depletion for 5 weeks followed by phosphorus supplementation. Plasma and erythrocyte [Pi] and erythrocyte osmotic resistance were measured. Four cows underwent continuous dextrose infusion at the end of phosphate depletion to exacerbate hypophosphatemia.

Results

Dietary P depletion resulted in a marked decline of the plasma [Pi] from 4.1 ± 1.0 mg/dL to a nadir of 1.7 ± 0,5 mg/dL, but did not alter erythrocyte [Pi] or osmotic resistance. Similarly, dextrose infusion induced a decline of the plasma [Pi] from 2.4 ± 0.5 mg/dL to 1.5 ± 0.5 mg/dL, but had no effect on erythrocyte [Pi] or osmotic resistance.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

In cattle, marked hypophosphatemia induced by dietary P depletion was neither associated with a decline in erythrocyte [Pi] nor with decreased osmotic resistance of erythrocytes. Phosphorus depletion alone is therefore unlikely to cause intravascular hemolysis and the plasma [Pi] is an unreliable index for the intracellular [Pi] of erythrocytes.
Determination of Extracellular Fluid Volume in Healthy and Azotemic Cats
Authors: Finch N.C. , Heiene R. , Elliott J. , Syme H.M. , Peters A.M.
Published: November 2014

Background

Methods for determining extracellular fluid volume (ECFV) are important clinically for cats. Bromide dilution has been studied in cats to estimate ECFV. Markers of GFR also distribute in ECFV and can be used for its measurement.

Hypothesis/Objectives

The primary objective was to develop a method of determining ECFV from iohexol clearance in cats and evaluate agreement with that determined using bromide dilution. Additional objectives were to compare ECFV between azotemic and nonazotemic cats and evaluate appropriate methods of standardizing ECFV.

Animals

Client‐owned cats with varying renal function.

Methods

Validation of ECFV determined from slope‐intercept iohexol clearance was performed in 18 healthy nonazotemic cats. ECFV was then determined using the validated method and bromide dilution and agreement assessed. Appropriateness of standardization to body weight (BW) and body surface area (BSA) was evaluated.

Results

Extracellular fluid volume determined from slope‐intercept iohexol clearance and bromide dilution was 0.84 ± 0.32 L and 0.85 ± 0.19 L (mean ± SD), respectively. There were wide limits of agreement between the methods (−0.58 to 0.54 L) and therefore, agreement was considered to be poor. ECFV did not differ significantly between azotemic and nonazotemic cats (P = .177). BSA was found to be the best method for standardizing ECFV measurement in cats.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

This study developed a method for determining ECFV from slope‐intercept iohexol clearance which provides simultaneous assessment of renal function and an estimate of ECFV. ECFV does not differ between azotemic and nonazotemic cats, which suggests fluid volume loss or overload is not an important clinical feature in cats with mild chronic kidney disease.
Shock metamorphism and impact melting in small impact craters on Earth: Evidence from Kamil crater, Egypt
Authors: Fazio Agnese , Folco Luigi , D'Orazio Massimo , Frezzotti Maria Luce , Cordier Carole
Published: November 2014

Kamil is a 45 m diameter impact crater identified in 2008 in southern Egypt. It was generated by the hypervelocity impact of the Gebel Kamil iron meteorite on a sedimentary target, namely layered sandstones with subhorizontal bedding. We have carried out a petrographic study of samples from the crater wall and ejecta deposits collected during our first geophysical campaign (February 2010) in order to investigate shock effects recorded in these rocks. Ejecta samples reveal a wide range of shock features common in quartz‐rich target rocks. They have been divided into two categories, as a function of their abundance at thin section scale: (1) pervasive shock features (the most abundant), including fracturing, planar deformation features, and impact melt lapilli and bombs, and (2) localized shock features (the least abundant) including high‐pressure phases and localized impact melting in the form of intergranular melt, melt veins, and melt films in shatter cones. In particular, Kamil crater is the smallest impact crater where shatter cones, coesite, stishovite, diamond, and melt veins have been reported. Based on experimental calibrations reported in the literature, pervasive shock features suggest that the maximum shock pressure was between 30 and 60 GPa. Using the planar impact approximation, we calculate a vertical component of the impact velocity of at least 3.5 km s−1. The wide range of shock features and their freshness make Kamil a natural laboratory for studying impact cratering and shock deformation processes in small impact structures.
EH3 matrix mineralogy with major and trace element composition compared to chondrules
Authors: Lehner S. W. , McDonough W. F. , Németh P.
Published: November 2014

We investigated the matrix mineralogy in primitive EH3 chondrites Sahara 97072, ALH 84170, and LAR 06252 with transmission electron microscopy; measured the trace and major element compositions of Sahara 97072 matrix and ferromagnesian chondrules with laser‐ablation, inductively coupled, plasma mass spectrometry (LA‐ICPMS); and analyzed the bulk composition of Sahara 97072 with LA‐ICPMS, solution ICPMS, and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. The fine‐grained matrix of EH3 chondrites is unlike that in other chondrite groups, consisting primarily of enstatite, cristobalite, troilite, and kamacite with a notable absence of olivine. Matrix and pyroxene‐rich chondrule compositions differ from one another and are distinct from the bulk meteorite. Refractory lithophile elements are enriched by a factor of 1.5–3 in chondrules relative to matrix, whereas the matrix is enriched in moderately volatile elements. The compositional relation between the chondrules and matrix is reminiscent of the difference between EH3 pyroxene‐rich chondrules and EH3 Si‐rich, highly sulfidized chondrules. Similar refractory element ratios between the matrix and the pyroxene‐rich chondrules suggest the fine‐grained material primarily consists of the shattered, sulfidized remains of the formerly pyroxene‐rich chondrules with the minor addition of metal clasts. The matrix, chondrule, and metal‐sulfide nodule compositions are probably complementary, suggesting all the components of the EH3 chondrites came from the same nebular reservoir.
Exploring the role of Micronesian islands in the maintenance of coral genetic diversity in the Pacific Ocean
Authors: Davies S. W. , Treml E. A. , Kenkel C. D. , Matz M. V.
Published: November 2014

Understanding how genetic diversity is maintained across patchy marine environments remains a fundamental problem in marine biology. The Coral Triangle, located in the Indo‐West Pacific, is the centre of marine biodiversity and has been proposed as an important source of genetic diversity for remote Pacific reefs. Several studies highlight Micronesia, a scattering of hundreds of small islands situated within the North Equatorial Counter Current, as a potentially important migration corridor. To test this hypothesis, we characterized the population genetic structure of two ecologically important congeneric species of reef‐building corals across greater Micronesia, from Palau to the Marshall Islands. Genetic divergences between islands followed an isolation‐by‐distance pattern, with Acropora hyacinthus exhibiting greater genetic divergences than A. digitifera, suggesting different migration capabilities or different effective population sizes for these closely related species. We inferred dispersal distance using a biophysical larval transport model, which explained an additional 15–21% of the observed genetic variation compared to between‐island geographical distance alone. For both species, genetic divergence accumulates and genetic diversity diminishes with distance from the Coral Triangle, supporting the hypothesis that Micronesian islands act as important stepping stones connecting the central Pacific with the species‐rich Coral Triangle. However, for A. hyacinthus, the species with lower genetic connectivity, immigration from the subequatorial Pacific begins to play a larger role in shaping diversity than input from the Coral Triangle. This work highlights the enormous dispersal potential of broadcast‐spawning corals and identifies the biological and physical drivers that influence coral genetic diversity on a regional scale.
The evolutionary history of Afrocanarian blue tits inferred from genomewide SNPs
Authors: Gohli Jostein , Leder Erica H. , Garcia‐del‐Rey Eduardo , Johannessen Lars Erik , Johnsen Arild , Laskemoen Terje , Popp Magnus , Lifjeld Jan T.
Published: November 2014

A common challenge in phylogenetic reconstruction is to find enough suitable genomic markers to reliably trace splitting events with short internodes. Here, we present phylogenetic analyses based on genomewide single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of an enigmatic avian radiation, the subspecies complex of Afrocanarian blue tits (Cyanistes teneriffae). The two sister species, the Eurasian blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) and the azure tit (Cyanistes cyanus), constituted the out‐group. We generated a large data set of SNPs for analysis of population structure and phylogeny. We also adapted our protocol to utilize degraded DNA from old museum skins from Libya. We found strong population structuring that largely confirmed subspecies monophyly and constructed a coalescent‐based phylogeny with full support at all major nodes. The results are consistent with a recent hypothesis that La Palma and Libya are relic populations of an ancient Afrocanarian blue tit, although a small data set for Libya could not resolve its position relative to La Palma. The birds on the eastern islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are similar to those in Morocco. Together they constitute the sister group to the clade containing the other Canary Islands (except La Palma), in which El Hierro is sister to the three central islands. Hence, extant Canary Islands populations seem to originate from multiple independent colonization events. We also found population divergences in a key reproductive trait, viz. sperm length, which may constitute reproductive barriers between certain populations. We recommend a taxonomic revision of this polytypic species, where several subspecies should qualify for species rank.
Comprehensive mapping of national school food policies across the European Union plus Norway and Switzerland
Authors: Storcksdieck genannt Bonsmann S.
Published: November 2014

Childhood obesity is a major public health challenge in Europe. Schools are seen as an important setting to promote healthy diet and lifestyle in a protected environment and school food‐related practices are essential in this regard. To understand what policy frameworks European countries have created to govern these practices, a systematic assessment of national school food policies across the European Union plus Norway and Switzerland (n = 30 countries) was carried out. The survey revealed that all 30 countries currently have a school food policy in place; a total of 34 relevant policies were identified, 18 of which were mandatory and the remaining 16 voluntary. Major policy objectives specified were those to improve child nutrition (97% of policies), to help children learn and adopt healthy diet and lifestyle habits (94%) and to reduce or prevent childhood obesity (88%). Most commonly (>90%), the policies offered food‐based standards for menu composition, and portion sizes were guided by age‐appropriate energy requirements. Lunch and snacks were the most widely addressed mealtimes for almost 90% of all policies examined. Other important areas covered included food marketing to children; the availability of vending services; training requirements for catering staff; and whether nutrition education is a mandatory part of the national curriculum. Evaluation was mentioned in 59% of the school food policies reviewed. Future analyses should focus on evaluating the implementation of these policies and more importantly, their effectiveness in meeting the objectives defined therein. Comparable and up‐to‐date information along with data on education, attainment and public health indicators will enable a comprehensive impact assessment of school food policies and help facilitate optimal school food provision for all.
Infant nutrition – diet between 6 and 24 months, implications for paediatric growth, overweight and obesity
Authors: Hardwick J. , Sidnell A.
Published: November 2014

Infants are growing rapidly from 6–24 months and have high nutrient needs in proportion to their body size. This sub‐group of the population are prone to dietary imbalances and inadequacies. It is of vital importance to get nutrition right during this time period to support appropriate growth and development.

Overweight and obesity rates are increasing in pre‐school children, and maternal nutritional status and early life feeding have been identified as ‘critical windows’ for obesity risk. After the recommended period of exclusive breastfeeding, an increasingly diversified selection of foods are offered to infants and young children, and milk becomes less dominant in the diet.

Rapid weight gain during infancy is the strongest risk factor for childhood overweight and obesity, and this may be modifiable with early intervention. During the complementary feeding period, there is an increase in protein intake, which is in excess of requirements, and may be associated with adverse outcomes regarding later body mass index and body fatness. Guidelines for healthcare professionals have been developed to raise the issue of overfeeding during infancy, and to manage overweight if it arises.

Dietary intake measures show a deteriorating quality of diet as infants move from the first 12 months of life into the second year, with potential excesses of protein, energy, saturated fatty acids, salt and non‐milk extrinsic sugars. Formula manufacturers can reduce the protein content of formulas for infants and young children in order to support appropriate growth, whilst supplements, fortified foods and milks can supply ‘at risk’ micronutrients.
Four years of experience with the Australian kidney paired donation programme
Authors: Cantwell Linda , Woodroffe Claudia , Holdsworth Rhonda , Ferrari Paolo
Published: November 2014

New approaches to increase kidney transplantation rates through expansion of live donor kidney transplantation have become necessary due to ongoing shortage of deceased donor organs. These strategies include desensitization in antibody‐incompatible transplants to overcome the barrier of blood group incompatibility or human leucocyte antigen antibodies between recipient and donor and kidney paired donation (KPD) programmes. In KPD, a kidney transplant candidate with an incompatible live donor joins a registry of other incompatible pairs in order to find potentially compatible transplant solutions. To match the largest possible number of donor–recipient pairs while minimizing immunologic risk, KPD programmes use sophisticated algorithms to identify suitable matches with simultaneous two‐way or more complex multi‐way exchanges as well as including non‐directed anonymous donors to start a chain of compatible transplantations. Because of the significant immunologic barriers when fewer donor options are available, the optimal solution for difficult‐to‐match, highly sensitized patients is access to more potential donors using large multi‐centre or national KPD registries. This review focuses on the first 4 years of experience with the Australian multi‐centre KPD programme that was established in October 2010.
Ilex jingxiensis sp. nov. (Aquifoliaceae) from a limestone area along the Sino‐Vietnamese border region of China
Authors: Huang Yun‐Feng , Zhuang Qi‐Wei , Lai Mao‐Xiang
Published: November 2014

Ilex jingxiensis Y. F. Huang & M. X. Lai, a new species from southwestern Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated. It is similar to I. kaushue S. Y. Hu and I. latifolia Thunb., but can be distinguished by the indumentum of current year's branchlets, fruits and terminal buds, as well as by fruit‐ and pyrene size, and the color of ripe fruits.
Recent advances in epidemiology and prevention of atopic eczema
Authors: Cipriani Francesca , Dondi Arianna , Ricci Giampaolo
Published: November 2014

Atopic dermatitis (AD), named also atopic eczema, is a chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disease with a considerable social and economic burden. The primum movens of AD is in most cases a genetic and/or immune‐supported defect of the skin barrier, facilitating penetration and sensitization to food or airborne allergens, as well as infections by Staphylococcus aureus, herpes simplex virus, or other microbes. New pathogenetic concepts have generated new approaches to prevention and therapy of AD. In particular, the daily use of emollients in newborns at high risk of AD has shown interesting results, with a reduction in the cumulative incidence of AD ranging from 32% to 50% of the treated infants. On the other hand, the AD preventive efficacy of food and/or inhalant allergen avoidance has been questioned, and supplementation strategies (vitamin D, probiotics, or other compounds) need to be further investigated.
Preventive sublingual immunotherapy in preschool children: First evidence for safety and pro‐tolerogenic effects
Authors: Szépfalusi Zsolt , Bannert Christina , Ronceray Leila , Mayer Elisabeth , Hassler Michaela , Wissmann Eva , Dehlink Eleonora , Gruber Saskia , Graf Alexandra , Lupinek Christian , Valenta Rudolf , Eiwegger Thomas , Urbanek Radvan
Published: November 2014

Background

Prevention of new IgE sensitizations has been described during allergen‐specific immunotherapy. However, prospective data using a preventive approach in very young children who would benefit most are missing. We initiated a prospective pilot study investigating the safety, immunomodulatory, and sensitization‐preventive effect of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in mono/oligoclonally sensitized, clinically asymptomatic children 2–5 yr of age.

Methods

In this double‐blinded, randomized, placebo‐controlled pilot study, 31 mono‐/oligosensitized children to house‐dust mite or grass pollen were included. SLIT with the respective source (n = 15) or placebo (n = 16) was applied. After dose‐up‐phase therapy was continued for 2 yr. Parents recorded clinical events, vaccinations, and drug intake in a diary. Skin prick testing and specific IgE and IgG measurements were recorded at baseline, 12 and 24 months. At the same time, allergen‐specific proliferation and IL10‐ and TGFβ‐dependent Treg function were measured.

Results

Preventive application of SLIT in young children was safe (no relevant side effects in 21,170 single applications). After 12 and 24 months of treatment, the rate of allergen‐specific sensitization (specific IgE and SPT reactivity) was comparable in the treatment and the placebo group. However, verum‐treated patients displayed a significant up‐regulation of allergen‐specific IgG (p < 0.05). Furthermore, IL10‐dependent inhibition (p < 0.05) was observed in vitro in the treatment group but not in the placebo group.

Conclusion

Preventive SLIT is safe in children 2–5 yr of age and induces regulatory mechanisms involving allergen‐specific IgG and IL10. Based on this pilot study, large‐scale trials will need to investigate the modulation of sensitization and clinically relevant allergy.
Dynamic two‐photon imaging of the immune response to Toxoplasma gondii infection
Authors: Luu L. , Coombes J. L.
Published: November 2014

Toxoplasma gondii is a highly successful parasite that can manipulate host immune responses to optimize its persistence and spread. As a result, a highly complex relationship exists between T. gondii and the immune system of the host. Advances in imaging techniques, and in particular, the application of two‐photon microscopy to mouse infection models, have made it possible to directly visualize interactions between parasites and the host immune system as they occur in living tissues. Here, we will discuss how dynamic imaging techniques have provided unexpected new insight into (i) how immune responses are dynamically regulated by cells and structures in the local tissue environment, (ii) how protective responses to T. gondii are generated and (iii) how the parasite exploits the immune system for its own benefit.
Toxoplasma gondii dissemination: a parasite's journey through the infected host
Authors: Harker K. S. , Ueno N. , Lodoen M. B.
Published: November 2014

Toxoplasma gondii is a highly successful global pathogen that is remarkable in its ability to infect nearly any nucleated cell in any warm‐blooded animal. Infection with T. gondii typically occurs through the ingestion of contaminated food or water, but the parasite then breaches the intestinal epithelial barrier and spreads from the lamina propria to a large variety of other organs in the body. A key feature of T. gondii pathogenesis is the parasite's ability to cross formidable biological barriers in the infected host and enter tissues such as the brain, eye and placenta. The dissemination of T. gondii into these organs underlies the severe disease that accompanies human toxoplasmosis. In this review, we will focus on seminal studies as well as exciting recent findings that have shaped our current understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which T. gondii journeys throughout the host and enters organs to cause disease.
Tools for Language: Patterned Iconicity in Sign Language Nouns and Verbs
Authors: Padden Carol , Hwang So‐One , Lepic Ryan , Seegers Sharon
Published: November 2014

When naming certain hand‐held, man‐made tools, American Sign Language (ASL) signers exhibit either of two iconic strategies: a handling strategy, where the hands show holding or grasping an imagined object in action, or an instrument strategy, where the hands represent the shape or a dimension of the object in a typical action. The same strategies are also observed in the gestures of hearing nonsigners identifying pictures of the same set of tools. In this paper, we compare spontaneously created gestures from hearing nonsigning participants to commonly used lexical signs in ASL. Signers and gesturers were asked to respond to pictures of tools and to video vignettes of actions involving the same tools. Nonsigning gesturers overwhelmingly prefer the handling strategy for both the Picture and Video conditions. Nevertheless, they use more instrument forms when identifying tools in pictures, and more handling forms when identifying actions with tools. We found that ASL signers generally favor the instrument strategy when naming tools, but when describing tools being used by an actor, they are significantly more likely to use more handling forms. The finding that both gesturers and signers are more likely to alternate strategies when the stimuli are pictures or video suggests a common cognitive basis for differentiating objects from actions. Furthermore, the presence of a systematic handling/instrument iconic pattern in a sign language demonstrates that a conventionalized sign language exploits the distinction for grammatical purpose, to distinguish nouns and verbs related to tool use.