bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Under the big eye (extract)
Authors: Altan Çetin
Published: September 2011

Çetin Altan, one of Turkey's best-known journalists, established his reputation during the sixties as an outspoken and radical newspaper columnist with the widest readership ever achieved by a political commentator in Turkey. As a result of his great popularity, he was elected to parliament in 1965 as a deputy for the left-wing Turkish Labour Party, but after the military takeover in March 1971, the Labour Party was proscribed and parliament suspended.

In 1972 Altan was sentenced to one and a half years' imprisonment on a charge of making ‘communist propaganda’ - in an article written six years earlier in 1966 for the Istanbul daily newspaper, Akşam. In December the same year the editor of Akşam, Dogan Kologlu, was sentenced to seven and a half years' imprisonment for publishing the article, and in January 1973 Altan was again tried for a 1971 article in Akşam called ‘Criticism directed to the President’. At that time he was acquitted (see INDEX 1 and 2/1973), but at some unknown later date he was again tried on the same charge and sentenced to a further two years' imprisonment.

Meanwhile Altan was confined in Saĝmalcilar Prison in Istanbul and during his sentence began to go blind. As a result of this infirmity he was granted a state pardon by President Koroturk in December 1973 and allowed to go free, but it was made clear that the pardon applied only to the first prison sentence and that the second one, of two years, might still have to be served.

While held in Saĝmalcilar Prison, Altan completed his first novel, Under the Big Eye, and began a second. Based on his own experiences but not narrowly autobiographical, Under the Big Eye is set in a prison cell in Istanbul where the hero has been brought for an unspecified reason. During his stay there, the hero's thoughts constantly return to his childhood experiences, which are interspersed, in dreamlike fashion, with episodes in the cell. He lives in constant fear of being tortured, and the guards do everything in their power to convince him that he is a murderer. At one point he is given a paper saying that no legal proceedings are to be brought against him and believes that this means his release, but at the end of the novel he is still in jail.

Yaşar Kemal, Turkey's leading novelist, has called Altan's work ‘a real step forward for the Turkish novel, a masterpiece' and, ironically in view of the author's situation, it has even won literary prizes and topped the best seller lists there. The following extract shows the laconic economy with which Altan writes and renders the nightmare atmosphere of life in jail.
I am a realist
Authors: Voinovich Vladimir
Published: September 2011

Vladimir Voinovich is a young Russian prose writer who first made a name for himself in 1963 with his long story ‘We live here’, published in the Soviet literary magazine, Novy Mir. Since then he has published sparingly (notably the stories ‘1 want to be honest’ and ‘Two friends’), but has added considerably to his reputation with each new work. Since 1966, however, when he protested against the trial of Sinyavsky and Daniel, he has been in increasing difficulties with the authorities, and in February 1974 he was expelled from the Writers’ Union and deprived of all literary work.

In this interview, given in Moscow, he describes his career and the way in which he made the transition from a loyal and innocent writer to ‘dissident’. We also print his letter to Boris Pankin, the head of the Soviet Copyright Agency, in October 1973, and his letter to the Writers’ Union on learning of his impending expulsion. (N.B. A part of this interview was published in German in Die Zeit, 17 January 1975.)
Lee Kuan Yew & the Singapore media: Purging the press
Authors: Casady Simon
Published: September 2011

Today we publish two articles on the pressures under which newspaper publishers, editors, journalists and other media employees are working in Singapore as the government of Lee Kuan Yew increasingly subscribes to the ‘guided press’ concept common to an increasing number of emergent nations.

One of these articles, by an experienced American journalist, Simon Casady, who spent three years in Singapore as a consultant until his expulsion in 1971, concentrates on the press purge carried out that year, giving a detailed account of the authorities' action against Lee Eu Seng, managing director of Nanyang Siang Pau, and his brother, Lee Mau Seng, as well as against other leading Singapore papers such as Sin Chew Jit Po, the Eastern Sun, the Singapore Herald and the Straits Times.

In the second article, a regular contributor, Dr John A. Lent, takes a wider look at the whole question of mass media ‘guidance’ by Lee Kuan Yew's government over recent years and provides a well-researched record of official harassment and sanctions ranging from the withdrawal of advertising to long-term imprisonment for some of the more recalcitrant newspapermen.
Fifteen sonnets on Prague
Authors: Seifert Jaroslav
Published: September 2011

You fools, to hunt through all my luggage!

There's nothing there to find!

The contraband that travels with me

Is packed within my mind.
South Africa Cultural boycott-yes or no?
Authors: Pargeter Edith , Royston Robert
Published: September 2011

Below we print a few more contributions on the cultural boycott question which was discussed in the last two issues of Index: two from professional writers and two from readers of our magazine. We also include a letter on the subject from Yehudi Menuhin, which appeared in the New York Times.
Impermissible thoughts
Authors: Vaculík Ludvík
Published: September 2011

The following is the text of a letter by a leading Czech writer to UN Secretary General, Dr. Kurt Waldheim. It was sent after the police had raided the homes of writers, historians and philosophers, confiscating books, notes and manuscripts of work in progress. (See also pp.50–8.)
South African boycott: Helping to enforce apartheid?
Authors: Slater Jack
Published: September 2011

By a strange coincidence, soon after the spring number of Index appeared with the answers of our boycott questionnaire, the Arts and Review Section of the New York Sunday Times published an article on the same subject by their staff writer. Jack Slater (29 June 1975). Mr Slater's article was based on an interview with the black South African director of the African Music and Drama Association in Johannesburg, whose views are so relevant to the boycott theme that we here reprint the article in full.
Freedom of the press
Authors: Birley Robert
Published: September 2011

The following is the text of a talk given at the Foreign Office Conference Centre at Wilton Park on 25 July 1975.
Personal view: Writing for the future
Authors: Popescu Petru
Published: September 2011

Until 1974 Petru Popescu was a successful young writer living in Bucharest, where his novels, short stories and books of poems continued to be published, despite the never-ending wrangles with the censor. That year he was allowed to go abroad and, after a spell as Writer in Residence at Iowa University and travels in the United States and Europe, made his home in England. With his American wife he now lives in London, where he teaches comparative literature and pursues his writing career.

In an interview for Index on Censorship he discusses with George Theiner the reasons that led him to emigrate and a variety of other topics ranging from the different roles assigned to the writer in Eastern and Western Europe to the problems of writers in exile.
A writer's freedom
Authors: Gordimer Nadine
Published: September 2011

This is the text of a paper delivered at the Conference on ‘Writings from Africa: Concern and Evocation', held by the South African Indian Teachers' Association in Durban in September 1975.
Tortured in Chile
Authors: Cassidy Sheila
Published: September 2011

After her release on 29 December 1975, Dr Sheila Cassidy accused the Chilean authorities of torturing political suspects and other detainees undergoing interrogation by the Secret Police. This was vigorously denied by Chilean spokesmen. On 19 January this year Dr Cassidy gave evidence before the United Nations Ad Hoc Working Group of the Commission on Human Rights in Geneva, describing in detail how she was arrested, detained for four days in a ‘house of interrogation’ where she was ill-treated and humiliated by police officials, threatened with rape and on three occasions tortured by the administration of electric shocks. Three weeks in solitary confinement in another detention centre and five more weeks in the Tres Alamos camp for women political prisoners followed before she was finally released as a result of British diplomatic representations to the Chilean government.

In her statement to the UN Commission, Sheila Cassidy also recounted many stories of torture and brutality inflicted on other women prisoners which she learned about during her internment at Tres Alamos, making it clear that this was hearsay evidence she had no reason to disbelieve but could not herself corroborate.

What follows is the main part of her testimony dealing with her own case from the day she was asked to give medical aid to Nelson Gutierrez (a leftist revolutionary who later spent three months in asylum at the Papal Nunciature and on 21 February left for Sweden) to her release from custody and expulsion from Chile.
Abcg2 labels multiple cell types in skeletal muscle and participates in muscle regeneration
Authors: Doyle Michelle J. , Zhou Sheng , Tanaka Kathleen Kelly , Pisconti Addolorata , Farina Nicholas H. , Sorrentino Brian P. , Olwin Bradley B.
Published: September 2011

Skeletal muscle contains progenitor cells (satellite cells) that maintain and repair muscle. It also contains muscle side population (SP) cells, which express Abcg2 and may participate in muscle regeneration or may represent a source of satellite cell replenishment. In Abcg2-null mice, the SP fraction is lost in skeletal muscle, although the significance of this loss was previously unknown. We show that cells expressing Abcg2 increased upon injury and that muscle regeneration was impaired in Abcg2-null mice, resulting in fewer centrally nucleated myofibers, reduced myofiber size, and fewer satellite cells. Additionally, using genetic lineage tracing, we demonstrate that the progeny of Abcg2-expressing cells contributed to multiple cell types within the muscle interstitium, primarily endothelial cells. After injury, Abcg2 progeny made a minor contribution to regenerated myofibers. Furthermore, Abcg2-labeled cells increased significantly upon injury and appeared to traffic to muscle from peripheral blood. Together, these data suggest an important role for Abcg2 in positively regulating skeletal muscle regeneration.
Stress-responsive maturation of Clk1/4 pre-mRNAs promotes phosphorylation of SR splicing factor
Authors: Ninomiya Kensuke , Kataoka Naoyuki , Hagiwara Masatoshi
Published: September 2011

It has been assumed that premessenger ribonucleic acids (RNAs; pre-mRNAs) are spliced cotranscriptionally in the process of gene expression. However, in this paper, we report that splicing of Clk1/4 mRNAs is suspended in tissues and cultured cells and that intermediate forms retaining specific introns are abundantly pooled in the nucleus. Administration of the Cdc2-like kinase–specific inhibitor TG003 increased the level of Clk1/4 mature mRNAs by promoting splicing of the intron-retaining RNAs. Under stress conditions, splicing of general pre-mRNAs was inhibited by dephosphorylation of SR splicing factors, but exposure to stresses, such as heat shock and osmotic stress, promoted the maturation of Clk1/4 mRNAs. Clk1/4 proteins translated after heat shock catalyzed rephosphorylation of SR proteins, especially SRSF4 and SRSF10. These findings suggest that Clk1/4 expression induced by stress-responsive splicing serves to maintain the phosphorylation state of SR proteins.
The requirements for natural Th17 cell development are distinct from those of conventional Th17 cells
Authors: Kim Jiyeon S. , Smith-Garvin Jennifer E. , Koretzky Gary A. , Jordan Martha S.
Published: September 2011

CD4+ T helper 17 (Th17) cells play a critical role in the adaptive immune response against extracellular pathogens. Most studies to date have focused on understanding the differentiation of Th17 cells from naive CD4+ T cells in peripheral effector sites. However, Th17 cells are present in the thymus. In this study, we demonstrate that a population of Th17 cells, natural Th17 cells (nTh17 cells), which acquire effector function during development in the thymus before peripheral antigen exposure, shows preferential usage of T cell receptor Vβ3. nTh17 cells are dependent on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II for thymic selection, yet unlike conventional CD4+ T cells, MHC class II expression on thymic cortical epithelium is not sufficient for their development, rather expression on medullary epithelium is necessary. Differential signaling requirements for IL-17 priming further distinguish nTh17 from conventional Th17 cells. Collectively, our findings define a Th17 population, poised to rapidly produce cytokines, that is developmentally distinct from conventional Th17 cells and that potentially functions at the interface of innate and adaptive immunity.
Induced magnetic Cu moments and magnetic ordering in Cu2MnAl thin films on MgO(0 0 1) observed by XMCD
Authors: Krumme B , Herper H C , Erb D , Weis C , Antoniak C , Warland A , Westerholt K , Entel P , Wende H
Published: September 2011

The disorder–order transition of a highly defective A2-ordered Cu2MnAl film on MgO(0 0 1) upon annealing at 600 K was monitored by means of x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) at the Cu and Mn L2,3 edges. Additionally, x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) was employed to determine element-specific orbital and spin resolved magnetic moments of the Cu and Mn atoms. A small induced total magnetic moment of ≈0.04 ± 0.01μB per atom was detected at the Cu sites, whereas a total magnetic moment of 3.57 ± 0.52μB is carried by the Mn atoms. The experimental XAS and XMCD spectra of Cu agree reasonably with the results from ab initio calculations, magnetic moments derived by the sum rules are in accordance with the calculations.
Effect of oxygen pressure on the grain and domain structure of polycrystalline 0.85PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3–0.15PbTiO3 thin films studied by scanning probe microscopy
Authors: John Neena S , Saranya D , Parui Jayanta , Krupanidhi S B
Published: September 2011

0.85PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3–0.15PbTiO3 ferroelectric–relaxor thin films have been deposited on La0.5Sr0.5CoO3/(1 1 1) Pt/TiO2/SiO2/Si by pulsed laser ablation at various oxygen partial pressures in the range 0.05 to 0.4 Torr. All the films have a rhombohedral perovskite structure. The grain morphology and orientation are drastically affected by the oxygen pressure, studied by x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The domain structure investigations by dynamic contact electrostatic force microscopy have revealed that the distribution of polar nanoregions and their dynamics is influenced by the grain morphology, orientation and more importantly, oxygen vacancies. The correlation length extracted from autocorrelation function images has shown that the polarization disorder decreases with oxygen pressure up to 0.3 Torr. The presence of polarized domains and their electric field induced switching is discussed in terms of internal bias field and domain wall pinning. Film deposited at 0.4 Torr presents a curious case with unique triangular grain morphology and large polarization disorder.
Enhanced electromechanical performance of cellular polypropylene electrets charged at a high temperature
Authors: Zhang J-W , Lebrun L , Guiffard B , Belouadah R , Guyomar D , Garbuio L , Cottinet P-J , Liu Q
Published: September 2011

In order to enhance the electromechanical performance of polypropylene (PP) electrets, cellular PP electrets were heated during corona poling at a high temperature in order to accelerate its chemical structure change and increase the quantity of formed dipole within the electrets. We investigated the behaviour of surface potential decay after corona poling, and the results showed that corona poling at a high temperature can improve the charge retention of commercially used cellular PP. The results of thermally stimulated depolarization current indicated the different localized states of the electric charges in cellular PP electrets after corona poling. Then, enhanced electromechanical ability was measured by a deformation measurement system and large strain (about 5%) under a moderate applied electric field intensity (30 MV m−1) was obtained.
Disruption of barrier function in dermatophytosis and pityriasis versicolor
Authors: LEE Weon Ju , KIM Jun Young , SONG Chang Hyun , JUNG Hong Dae , LEE Seok‐Jong , KIM Do Won
Published: September 2011

Dermatophytes have the ability to form molecular attachments to keratin and use it as a source of nutrients, colonizing keratinized tissues, including the stratum corneum of the skin. Malassezia species also affect the stratum corneum of the skin. Therefore, dermatophytosis and pityriasis versicolor of the skin are thought to be important factors of profound changes in skin barrier structure and function. We aimed to describe the changes in transepidermal water loss (TEWL), stratum corneum hydration, and skin pH in the lesions of the dermatophytosis and pityriasis versicolor. Thirty‐six patients with dermatophytosis (14 with tinea cruris, 13 with tinea corporis and nine with tinea pedis or tinea manus) and 11 patients with pityriasis versicolor were included in this study. TEWL, stratum corneum conductance and skin pH were determined by biophysical methods to examine whether our patients exhibited changes in barrier function. Dermatophytosis and pityriasis versicolor except tinea pedis and tinea manus showed highly significant increase in TEWL compared with adjacent infection‐free skin. Hydration was significantly reduced in lesional skin compared with adjacent infection‐free skin. From this study, infections with dermatophytes and Malassezia species on the body can alter biophysical properties of the skin, especially the function of stratum corneum as a barrier to water loss. On the contrary, infections with dermatophytes on the palms and soles little affect the barrier function of the skin.
Heat shock protein 90 regulates phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase‐related protein kinase family proteins together with the RUVBL1/2 and Tel2‐containing co‐factor complex
Authors: Izumi Natsuko , Yamashita Akio , Hirano Hisashi , Ohno Shigeo
Published: September 2011

Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), a conserved molecular chaperone for a specific set of proteins critical for signal transduction including several oncogenic proteins, has been recognized as a promising target for anticancer therapy. Hsp90 inhibition also sensitizes cancer cells to DNA damage. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Here, we provide evidence that Hsp90 is a general regulator of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase‐related protein kinase (PIKK) family proteins, central regulators of stress responses including DNA damage. Inhibition of Hsp90 causes a reduction of all PIKK and suppresses PIKK‐mediated signaling. In addition, Hsp90 forms complexes with RUVBL1/2 complex and Tel2 complex, both of which have been shown to interact with all PIKK and control their abundance and functions. These results suggest that Hsp90 can form multiple complexes with the RUVBL1/2 complex and Tel2 complex and function in the regulation of PIKK, providing additional rationale for the effectiveness of Hsp90 inhibition for anticancer therapy, including sensitization to DNA damage. (Cancer Sci 2012; 103: 50–57)
Molecular and clinical rationale for therapeutic targeting of interleukin‐5 and its receptor
Authors: Molfino N. A. , Gossage D. , Kolbeck R. , Parker J. M. , Geba G. P.
Published: September 2011

Interleukin‐5 is a Th2 homodimeric cytokine involved in the differentiation, maturation, migration, development, survival, trafficking and effector function of blood and local tissue eosinophils, in addition to basophils and mast cells.

The IL‐5 receptor (IL‐5R) consists of an IL‐5‐specific α subunit that interacts in conformationally dynamic ways with the receptor's βc subunit, an aggregate of domains it shares with binding sites of IL‐3 and granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor. IL‐5 and IL‐5R drive allergic and inflammatory immune responses characterizing numerous diseases, such as asthma, atopic dermatitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases, hyper‐eosinophilic syndrome, Churg‐Strauss syndrome and eosinophilic nasal polyposis. Although corticosteroid therapy is the primary treatment for these diseases, a substantial number of patients exhibit incomplete responses and suffer side‐effects.

Two monoclonal antibodies have been designed to neutralize IL‐5 (mepolizumab and reslizumab). Both antibodies have demonstrated the ability to reduce blood and tissue eosinophil counts. One additional monoclonal antibody, benralizumab (MEDI‐563), has been developed to target IL‐5R and attenuate eosinophilia through antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity. All three monoclonal antobodies are being clinically evaluated. Antisense oligonucleotide technology targeting the common βc IL‐5R subunit is also being used therapeutically to inhibit IL‐5‐mediated effects (TPI ASM8). Small interfering RNA technology has also been used therapeutically to inhibit the expression of IL‐5 in animal models.

This review summarizes the structural interactions between IL‐5 and IL‐5R and the functional consequences of such interactions, and describes the pre‐clinical and clinical evidence supporting IL‐5R as a therapeutic target.
Investigating the relationships between environmental stressors and stream condition using Bayesian belief networks
Authors: ALLAN J. David , YUAN LESTER L. , BLACK PAUL , STOCKTON TOM , DAVIES PETER E. , MAGIEROWSKI REGINA H. , READ STEVE M.
Published: September 2011

1. Stream reaches found to be impaired by physical, chemical or biological assessment generally are associated with greater extent of urban and agricultural land uses, and lesser amount of undeveloped lands. However, because stream condition commonly is influenced by multiple stressors as well as underlying natural gradients, it can be difficult to establish mechanistic relationships between altered land use and impaired stream condition.

2. This study explores the use of Bayesian belief networks (BBNs) to model presumed causal relationships between stressors and response variables. A BBN depicts the chain of causal relationships resulting in some outcome such as environmental impairment and can make use of evidence from expert judgment as well as observational and experimental data.

3. Three case studies illustrate the flexibility of BBN models. Expert elicitation in a workshop setting was employed to model the effects of sedimentation on benthic invertebrates. A second example used empirical data to explore the influence of natural and anthropogenic gradients on stream habitat in a highly agricultural watershed. The third application drew on several forms of evidence to develop a decision support tool linking grazing and forestry practices to stream reach condition.

4. Although data limitations challenge model development and our ability to narrow the range of possible outcomes, model formulation forces participants to conceptualise causal mechanisms and consider how to resolve data shortfalls. With sufficient effort and resources, models with greater evidentiary strength from observational and experimental data may become practical tools to guide management decisions.

5. Such models may be used to explore possible outcomes associated with a range of scenarios, thus benefiting management decision‐making, and to improve insight into likely causal relationships.
The fate of European breeding birds under climate, land‐use and dispersal scenarios
Authors: Barbet‐Massin Morgane , Thuiller Wilfried , Jiguet Frédéric
Published: September 2011

Many species have already shifted their distributions in response to recent climate change. Here, we aimed at predicting the future breeding distributions of European birds under climate, land‐use, and dispersal scenarios. We predicted current and future distributions of 409 species within an ensemble forecast framework using seven species distribution models (SDMs), five climate scenarios and three emission and land‐use scenarios. We then compared results from SDMs using climate‐only variables, habitat‐only variables or both climate and habitat variables. In order to account for a species’ dispersal abilities, we used natal dispersal estimates and developed a probabilistic method that produced a dispersal scenario intermediate between the null and full dispersal scenarios generally considered in such studies. We then compared results from all scenarios in terms of future predicted range changes, range shifts, and variations in species richness. Modeling accuracy was better with climate‐only variables than with habitat‐only variables, and better with both climate and habitat variables. Habitat models predicted smaller range shifts and smaller variations in range size and species richness than climate models. Using both climate and habitat variables, it was predicted that the range of 71% of the species would decrease by 2050, with a 335 km median shift. Predicted variations in species richness showed large decreases in the southern regions of Europe, as well as increases, mainly in Scandinavia and northern Russia. The partial dispersal scenario was significantly different from the full dispersal scenario for 25% of the species, resulting in the local reduction of the future predicted species richness of up to 10%. We concluded that the breeding range of most European birds will decrease in spite of dispersal abilities close to a full dispersal hypothesis, and that given the contrasted predictions obtained when modeling climate change only and land‐use change only, both scenarios must be taken into consideration.
Complex terrain leads to bidirectional responses of soil respiration to inter‐annual water availability
Authors: Riveros‐Iregui Diego A. , McGlynn Brian L. , Emanuel Ryan E. , Epstein Howard E.
Published: September 2011

Research on the terrestrial C balance focuses largely on measuring and predicting responses of ecosystem‐scale production and respiration to changing temperatures and hydrologic regimes. However, landscape morphology can modify the availability of resources from year to year by imposing physical gradients that redistribute soil water and other biophysical variables within ecosystems. This article demonstrates that the well‐established biophysical relationship between soil respiration and soil moisture interacts with topographic structure to create bidirectional (i.e., opposite) responses of soil respiration to inter‐annual soil water availability within the landscape. Based on soil respiration measurements taken at a subalpine forest in central Montana, we found that locations with high drainage areas (i.e., lowlands and wet areas of the forest) had higher cumulative soil respiration in dry years, whereas locations with low drainage areas (i.e., uplands and dry areas of the forest) had higher cumulative soil respiration in wet years. Our results indicate that for 80.9% of the forest soil respiration is likely to increase during wet years, whereas for 19.1% of the forest soil respiration is likely to decrease under the same hydrologic conditions. This emergent, bidirectional behavior is generated from the interaction of three relatively simple elements (parabolic soil biophysics, the relative distribution of landscape positions, and inter‐annual climate variability), indicating that terrain complexity is an important mediator of the landscape‐scale soil C response to climate. These results highlight that evaluating and predicting ecosystem‐scale soil C response to climate fluctuation requires detailed characterization of biophysical‐topographic interactions in addition to biophysical‐climate interactions.
Is the use of cholesterol in mortality risk algorithms in clinical guidelines valid? Ten years prospective data from the Norwegian HUNT 2 study
Authors: Petursson Halfdan , Sigurdsson Johann A. , Bengtsson Calle , Nilsen Tom I. L. , Getz Linn
Published: September 2011

Rationale, aims and objectives  Many clinical guidelines for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention contain risk estimation charts/calculators. These have shown a tendency to overestimate risk, which indicates that there might be theoretical flaws in the algorithms. Total cholesterol is a frequently used variable in the risk estimates. Some studies indicate that the predictive properties of cholesterol might not be as straightforward as widely assumed. Our aim was to document the strength and validity of total cholesterol as a risk factor for mortality in a well‐defined, general Norwegian population without known CVD at baseline.

Methods  We assessed the association of total serum cholesterol with total mortality, as well as mortality from CVD and ischaemic heart disease (IHD), using Cox proportional hazard models. The study population comprises 52 087 Norwegians, aged 20–74, who participated in the Nord‐Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT 2, 1995–1997) and were followed‐up on cause‐specific mortality for 10 years (510 297 person‐years in total).

Results  Among women, cholesterol had an inverse association with all‐cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR): 0.94; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.89–0.99 per 1.0 mmol L−1 increase] as well as CVD mortality (HR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.88–1.07). The association with IHD mortality (HR: 1.07; 95% CI: 0.92–1.24) was not linear but seemed to follow a ‘U‐shaped’ curve, with the highest mortality <5.0 and ≥7.0 mmol L−1. Among men, the association of cholesterol with mortality from CVD (HR: 1.06; 95% CI: 0.98–1.15) and in total (HR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.93–1.03) followed a ‘U‐shaped’ pattern.

Conclusion  Our study provides an updated epidemiological indication of possible errors in the CVD risk algorithms of many clinical guidelines. If our findings are generalizable, clinical and public health recommendations regarding the ‘dangers’ of cholesterol should be revised. This is especially true for women, for whom moderately elevated cholesterol (by current standards) may prove to be not only harmless but even beneficial.
Use of the Internet by parents of middle school students: Internet rules, risky behaviours and online concerns
Authors: DOWDELL E. B.
Published: September 2011

Accessible summary

Parents and children use the Internet differently with the majority of parents reporting that they have rules at home for Internet use and routinely check the computer histories so they can know where online their child has been.

Both parents and children are reporting that they are participating in risky online behaviours such as talking to strangers and using the Internet to harass someone intentionally.

Parents are concerned about the child's exposure to sexually explicit materials and online strangers, but the majority of parents do not know where to report negative or unsafe Internet experiences.

Using the Internet is a daily occurrence for parents and children in today's world. Although they use the Internet differently, many individuals may face online hazards that they may be ill equipped to deal with. To better understand Internet use and online behaviours, a study was conducted with 227 parents of early adolescent (ages 11 to 14 years) middle school students (grades 6, 7 and 8). Four important findings emerged: (1) parents are using the Internet like their children but have different online behaviours; (2) parents have Internet use rules at home; (3) parents are participating in risky Internet behaviours (electronic aggression, intentional online harassment and communication with online strangers); and (4) parents are concerned about their child's online safety, specifically about the exposure to sexually explicit materials and online strangers, but the majority of parents do not know where to report negative or unsafe Internet experiences. Nurses, clinicians, healthcare providers and other professionals can and do provide comprehensive care to families by identifying needs and areas of knowledge deficit. By asking Internet use questions, nurses and other professionals are able to develop plans of care for all family members that will promote Internet safety and healthy lifestyle choices.
The application of a violence risk assessment tool among Chinese psychiatric service users: a preliminary study
Authors: YAO X. , LI Z. , ARTHUR D. , HU L. , CHENG G.
Published: September 2011

Accessible summary

The lack of standardized violence risk assessment instruments has disadvantaged Chinese nurses in clinical practice.

The Violence Risk Screening‐10 (V‐RISK‐10), a 10‐item scale with strongly sound face and content validity and evidence of reliability, is worth to be tested in Chinese culture.

This study, conducted in eight closed wards in a psychiatric hospital in China, revealed that the instrument has acceptable reliability and validity and can be readily used by psychiatric nurses in China.

Such an instrument provides nurses with a quick and easily administered method of determining if a psychiatric service user is potentially violent, thus allowing for early intervention and avoiding unnecessary, disruptive conflict. Only minor modifications were necessary to make the instrument more useful and appropriate for nurses and potentially violent consumers.

The Violence Risk Screening‐10 (V‐RISK‐10) is one of the few instruments available for evaluating violence risk among general psychiatric service users. This naturalistic prospective study involved 376 inpatients in a general psychiatric hospital in Beijing and intended to determine whether this brief instrument could be applied to a sample of Chinese consumers and whether its predictive properties could be retained. Risk assessment at admission was compared to the record of aggression and violence during the first month of hospitalization. During the research period, 108 of the 376 consumers caused 265 incidences of aggression. Receiver operating characteristics for the V‐RISK‐10 Chinese version yielded an area under the curve of 0.63. Its sensitivity/specificity was 0.80/0.38 and the corresponding positive/negative predictive value was 0.34/0.82. Intraclass correlation coefficient for the whole instrument was 0.89. Compared to the results of the original V‐RISK‐10, its predictive accuracy was lower. However, with some modification, the V‐RISK‐10 still shows promise as an instrument for use in daily practice in Chinese clinical settings.
The secret food diary of a person diagnosed with schizophrenia
Authors: HARDY S. , GRAY R.
Published: September 2011

Accessible summary

We wanted to find out whether looking at the food diaries filled in by people with schizophrenia would help us find out when they eat, what they eat and why they eat those foods. We looked at the food diaries filled in by eight people with schizophrenia during 1 week.

All the people managed to fill in their diaries. The food diaries showed that most of the people:

The people with schizophrenia in our study do not have a very healthy diet. This could be because they:

The people with schizophrenia all managed to fill in their diaries. This shows that:

The objective was to consider the feasibility of food diaries as a method of understanding the dietary behaviour of people with schizophrenia. Examination of the food diaries completed in 1 week by eight patients with schizophrenia. All the patients were successful in completing the task. Examination of the food diaries revealed that: eating fruit and vegetables was largely absent; there was very little variety in most of the patients' diets; patients relied heavily on convenience food and ready meals for their main meal; as a rule patients followed an ordered mealtime routine; generally patients did not drink enough fluid; they were not big treat eaters; only one patient recorded drinking any alcohol; overall there appeared to be poor diet literacy in our small sample. The results show that on the whole, people with schizophrenia have a poor diet. This could be due to a combination of financial difficulty, lack of skills in food preparation, lack of motivation to prepare food or ignorance of what constitutes a healthy diet. The fact that they all managed to complete the task is perhaps evidence of motivation to improve their health and demonstrates the utility of food diaries in educating this population.
Islands in the ice: detecting past vegetation on Greenlandic nunataks using historical records and sedimentary ancient DNA Meta‐barcoding
Authors: JØRGENSEN TINA , KJÆR KURT H. , HAILE JAMES , RASMUSSEN MORTEN , BOESSENKOOL SANNE , ANDERSEN KENNETH , COISSAC ERIC , TABERLET PIERRE , BROCHMANN CHRISTIAN , ORLANDO LUDOVIC , GILBERT M. THOMAS P. , WILLERSLEV ESKE
Published: September 2011

Nunataks are isolated bedrocks protruding through ice sheets. They vary in age, but represent island environments in ‘oceans’ of ice through which organism dispersals and replacements can be studied over time. The J.A.D. Jensen’s Nunataks at the southern Greenland ice sheet are the most isolated nunataks on the northern hemisphere – some 30 km from the nearest biological source. They constitute around 2 km2 of ice‐free land that was established in the early Holocene. We have investigated the changes in plant composition at these nunataks using both the results of surveys of the flora over the last 130 years and through reconstruction of the vegetation from the end of the Holocene Thermal Maximum (5528 ± 75 cal year BP) using meta‐barcoding of plant DNA recovered from the nunatak sediments (sedaDNA). Our results show that several of the plant species detected with sedaDNA are described from earlier vegetation surveys on the nunataks (in 1878, 1967 and 2009). In 1967, a much higher biodiversity was detected than from any other of the studied periods. While this may be related to differences in sampling efforts for the oldest period, it is not the case when comparing the 1967 and 2009 levels where the botanical survey was exhaustive. As no animals and humans are found on the nunataks, this change in diversity over a period of just 42 years must relate to environmental changes probably being climate‐driven. This suggests that even the flora of fairly small and isolated ice‐free areas reacts quickly to a changing climate.
The efficiency of the CO2‐concentrating mechanism during single‐cell C4 photosynthesis
Authors: KING JENNY L. , EDWARDS GERALD E. , COUSINS ASAPH B.
Published: September 2011

The photosynthetic efficiency of the CO2‐concentrating mechanism in two forms of single‐cell C4 photosynthesis in the family Chenopodiaceae was characterized. The Bienertioid‐type single‐cell C4 uses peripheral and central cytoplasmic compartments (Bienertia sinuspersici), while the Borszczowioid single‐cell C4 uses distal and proximal compartments of the cell (Suaeda aralocaspica). C4 photosynthesis within a single‐cell raises questions about the efficiency of this type of CO2‐concentrating mechanism compared with the Kranz‐type. We used measurements of leaf CO2 isotope exchange (Δ13C) to compare the efficiency of the single‐cell and Kranz‐type forms of C4 photosynthesis under various temperature and light conditions. Comparisons were made between the single‐cell C4 and a sister Kranz form, S. eltonica[NAD malic enzyme (NAD ME) type], and with Flaveria bidentis[NADP malic enzyme (NADP‐ME) type with Kranz Atriplicoid anatomy]. There were similar levels of Δ13C discrimination and CO2 leakiness (ϕ) in the single‐cell species compared with the Kranz‐type. Increasing leaf temperature (25 to 30 °C) and light intensity caused a decrease in Δ13C and ϕ across all C4 types. Notably, B. sinuspersici had higher Δ13C and ϕ than S. aralocaspica under lower light. These results demonstrate that rates of photosynthesis and efficiency of the CO2‐concentrating mechanisms in single‐cell C4 plants are similar to those in Kranz‐type.
Postharvest temperature influences volatile lactone production via regulation of acyl‐CoA oxidases in peach fruit
Authors: XI WAN‐PENG , ZHANG BO , LIANG LI , SHEN JI‐YUAN , WEI WEN‐WEN , XU CHANG‐JIE , ALLAN ANDREW C. , FERGUSON IAN B. , CHEN KUN‐SONG
Published: September 2011

The biosynthesis of volatile compounds in plants is affected by environmental conditions. Lactones are considered to be peach‐like aroma volatiles; however, no enzymes or genes associated with their biosynthesis have been characterized. White‐fleshed (cv. Hujingmilu) and yellow‐fleshed (cv. Jinxiu) melting peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) fruit were used as materials in two successive seasons and responses measured to four different temperature treatments. Five major lactones accumulated during postharvest peach fruit ripening at 20 °C. Peach fruit at 5 °C, which induces chilling injury (CI), had the lowest lactone content during subsequent shelf life after removal, while 0 °C and a low‐temperature conditioning (LTC) treatment alleviated development of CI and maintained significantly higher lactone contents. Expression of PpACX1 and activity of acyl‐CoA oxidase (ACX) with C16‐CoA tended to increase during postharvest ripening both at 20 °C and during shelf life after removal from cold storage when no CI was developed. There was a positive correlation between ACX and lactones in peach fruit postharvest. Changes in lactone production in response to temperatures are suggested to be a consequence of altered expression of PpACX1 and long‐chain ACX activity.
Publishing operational research from ‘real life’ programme data: a better form of accountability
Authors: Rujumba Joseph , Byamugisha Robert
Published: September 2011

Publishing in peer‐reviewed journals especially from programme work remains very limited in low‐income countries, and several arguments have been advanced to change this situation. In this viewpoint, we propose an additional argument for publishing operational research from programmes as a better form of accountability. We urge in this article that for those involved in programme design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation including donors, if you do not publish articles from your programme or research project, you have not accounted well enough.
Adaptation of a Runyankore version of Skindex‐16 for oral administration in Mbarara, Uganda
Authors: Chua Ser Ling , Maurer Toby , Chren Mary‐Margaret
Published: September 2011

Background  Health‐related quality of life instruments are typically developed and validated for use in developed countries by patients who can read and write. Little is known about the feasibility of using adaptations of validated instruments in situations where literacy rates are low.

Objective  We aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and test an oral version of Skindex‐16 in Runyankore, the predominant language in Mbarara, Uganda, for use in dermatologic research.

Methods  Skindex‐16 was forward‐ and back‐translated to Runyankore. The Runyankore version was administered orally to 47 dermatology patients and 47 random hospital visitors. Additional questions regarding duration, dyspigmentation, concealment status of the skin problem, and overall quality of life effect were also asked.

Results  Oral delivery was feasible; ≤10 minutes per subject. High Cronbach α values (0.86, 0.88, and 0.85 for symptoms, emotions, and functioning subscales, respectively) demonstrated internal consistency reliability. As hypothesized, subjects with reported skin problems, dyspigmentation, and difficulty in concealment had higher mean Skindex scores. A total of 72.4% of responses to the open‐ended question were addressed in Skindex‐16, indicating content validity.

Conclusion  The orally delivered Runyankore version of Skindex‐16 is reliable, with construct and content validity, and feasible for use in dermatology research in Mbarara, Uganda. Orally administered quality of life instruments have potential for use in low literacy groups worldwide.
Weekly vs. daily administration of oral methotrexate (MTX) for generalized plaque psoriasis: a randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Radmanesh Mohammad , Rafiei Behnam , Moosavi Zahra‐Beigum , Sina Niloofar
Published: September 2011

Methotrexate (MTX) treatment for psoriasis is most often administered weekly, because the drug has been considered more hepatotoxic when taken daily. However, some patients may tolerate smaller, more frequent doses better.

Objective  To study the efficacy and toxicity of daily vs. weekly MTX.

Patients and methods  In a randomized controlled trial, 101 patients with generalized plaque psoriasis received oral MTX 2.5 mg daily for 6 days (Group 1), and another 101 patients received oral MTX 15 mg weekly (Group 2) in three divided doses (every 8 hours during a 24‐hour period). Patients were followed monthly for 4 months as research participants, then for 1 year as part of their routine care. Complete blood counts, liver function tests, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, urinalysis, and psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) scores were determined pre‐treatment and at the following intervals after starting treatment: 2 weeks, 4 weeks and monthly for a total of 4 months. Changes in PASI scores were classified into three categories: >75% improvement was considered significant; 25–75% moderate; and <25% poor.

Results  Sixty Group 1 patients and 81 Group 2 patients showed a significant response (P‐value 0.001); 19 patients in Group 1 and 14 in Group 2 responded moderately; 22 patients in Group 1 and six patients from Group 2 responded poorly. Forty‐five patients in Group 1 and 33 in Group 2 developed transient increases in liver enzymes (P‐value 0.11). Nausea, headache, fatigue, and gastrointestinal upset were noted in four Group 1 patients and 30 Group 2 patients (P‐value 0.0001).

Conclusion  Nausea, vomiting, headache, and fatigue were significantly less common side effects in our patients who received MTX daily, but liver enzyme abnormalities were less common, and clinical efficacy was greater in the patients who received MTX weekly.
Hypomelanosis of Ito: pigmentary mosaicism with immature melanosome in keratinocytes
Authors: Devillers Céline , Quatresooz Pascale , Hermanns‐Lê Trinh , Szepetiuk Gregory , Lemaire Roland , Piérard‐Franchimont Claudine , Piérard Gérald E.
Published: September 2011

Background  Hypomelanosis of Ito is a rare genetic disorder characterized by whorled areas of hypomelanosis. The purpose of the present study was to revisit some aspects of Ito’s hypomelanosis.

Methods  Clinical observations included ultraviolet‐light‐enhanced visualization (ULEV) method. Histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy were performed on biopsy samples from the hypopigmented areas and the surrounding skin.

Results  Both the ULEV and microscopic examinations revealed the heterogeneity of the pigmentation. Hypomelanosis was characterized by a reduction in melanosomes, both in melanocytes and keratinocytes. These organelles were immature and atypical, showing a weak tyrosinase immunoreactivity. Melanosome macroautophagy was prominent in keratinocytes. Some clusters of the same cells exhibited strong immunoreactivity for the Mac 387 antibody (Ca2+‐dependent calprotectin). Ulex europaeus agglutinin‐1 (UEA‐1) decorated the superficial layers of the epidermis. Such features are typically found in functionally altered keratinocytes. A number of dermal cells exhibited intense phagocytic activity linked to lysozyme immunoreactivity.

Conclusions  Both the melanosome depletion and macroautophagy of immature melanosomes in keratinocytes appeared to represent prominent aspects of hypomelanosis of Ito. In sum, Ito’s hypomelanosis combines structural and functional changes affecting both the melanocytes and keratinocytes in the skin.