bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Ethical Framework for the Responsible Leadership of Accountable Care Organizations
Authors: McCullough Laurence B.
Published: November 2011

Using the ethical concepts of co-fiduciary responsibility in patient care and of preventive ethics, this article provides an ethical framework to guide physician and lay leaders of accountable care organizations. The concept of co-fiduciary responsibility is based on the ethical concept of medicine as a profession, which was introduced into the history of medical ethics in the 18th century. Co-fiduciary responsibility applies to everyone who influences the processes of patient care: physicians, organizational leaders, patients, and patients’ surrogates. A preventive ethics approach to co-fiduciary responsibility requires leaders of accountable care organizations to create organizational cultures of fiduciary professionalism that implement and support the following: improving quality based on candor and accountability, reasserting the physician’s professional role in the informed consent process, and constraining patients’ and surrogates’ autonomy. Sustainable organizational cultures of fiduciary professionalism will require commitment of organizational resources and constant vigilance over the intellectual and moral integrity of organizational culture.
Sequence of the hyperplastic genome of the naturally competent Thermus scotoductus SA-01
Authors: Gounder Kamini , Brzuszkiewicz Elzbieta , Liesegang Heiko , Wollherr Antje , Daniel Rolf , Gottschalk Gerhard , Reva Oleg , Kumwenda Benjamin , Srivastava Malay , Bricio Carlos , Berenguer José , van Heerden Esta , Litthauer Derek
Published: November 2011

Background

Many strains of Thermus have been isolated from hot environments around the world. Thermus scotoductus SA-01 was isolated from fissure water collected 3.2 km below surface in a South African gold mine. The isolate is capable of dissimilatory iron reduction, growth with oxygen and nitrate as terminal electron acceptors and the ability to reduce a variety of metal ions, including gold, chromate and uranium, was demonstrated. The genomes from two different Thermus thermophilus strains have been completed. This paper represents the completed genome from a second Thermus species - T. scotoductus.

Results

The genome of Thermus scotoductus SA-01 consists of a chromosome of 2,346,803 bp and a small plasmid which, together are about 11% larger than the Thermus thermophilus genomes. The T. thermophilus megaplasmid genes are part of the T. scotoductus chromosome and extensive rearrangement, deletion of nonessential genes and acquisition of gene islands have occurred, leading to a loss of synteny between the chromosomes of T. scotoductus and T. thermophilus. At least nine large inserts of which seven were identified as alien, were found, the most remarkable being a denitrification cluster and two operons relating to the metabolism of phenolics which appear to have been acquired from Meiothermus ruber. The majority of acquired genes are from closely related species of the Deinococcus-Thermus group, and many of the remaining genes are from microorganisms with a thermophilic or hyperthermophilic lifestyle. The natural competence of Thermus scotoductus was confirmed experimentally as expected as most of the proteins of the natural transformation system of Thermus thermophilus are present. Analysis of the metabolic capabilities revealed an extensive energy metabolism with many aerobic and anaerobic respiratory options. An abundance of sensor histidine kinases, response regulators and transporters for a wide variety of compounds are indicative of an oligotrophic lifestyle.

Conclusions

The genome of Thermus scotoductus SA-01 shows remarkable plasticity with the loss, acquisition and rearrangement of large portions of its genome compared to Thermus thermophilus. Its ability to naturally take up foreign DNA has helped it adapt rapidly to a subsurface lifestyle in the presence of a dense and diverse population which acted as source of nutrients. The genome of Thermus scotoductus illustrates how rapid adaptation can be achieved by a highly dynamic and plastic genome.
Small- bowel mucosal changes and antibody responses after low- and moderate-dose gluten challenge in celiac disease
Authors: Lähdeaho Marja-Leena , Mäki Markku , Laurila Kaija , Huhtala Heini , Kaukinen Katri
Published: November 2011

Background

Due to the restrictive nature of a gluten-free diet, celiac patients are looking for alternative therapies. While drug-development programs include gluten challenges, knowledge regarding the duration of gluten challenge and gluten dosage is insufficient.

We challenged adult celiac patients with gluten with a view to assessing the amount needed to cause some small-bowel mucosal deterioration.

Methods

Twenty-five celiac disease adults were challenged with low (1-3 g) or moderate (3-5g) doses of gluten daily for 12 weeks. Symptoms, small-bowel morphology, densities of CD3+ intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) and celiac serology were determined.

Results

Both moderate and low amounts of gluten induced small-bowel morphological damage in 67% of celiac patients. Moderate gluten doses also triggered mucosal inflammation and more gastrointestinal symptoms leading to premature withdrawals in seven cases. In 22% of those who developed significant small- intestinal damage, symptoms remained absent. Celiac antibodies seroconverted in 43% of the patients.

Conclusions

Low amounts of gluten can also cause significant mucosal deterioration in the majority of the patients. As there are always some celiac disease patients who will not respond within these conditions, sample sizes must be sufficiently large to attain to statistical power in analysis.
What do parents think about parental participation in school-based interventions on energy balance-related behaviours? a qualitative study in 4 countries
Authors: Van Lippevelde Wendy , Verloigne Maïté , De Bourdeaudhuij Ilse , Bjelland Mona , Lien Nanna , Fernández-Alvira Juan M , Moreno Luis A , Kovacs Eva , Brug Johannes , Maes Lea
Published: November 2011

Background

Overweight and obesity in youth has increased dramatically. Therefore, overweight prevention initiatives should start early in life and target modifiable energy balance-related behaviours. Parental participation is often advocated as important for school-based interventions, however, getting parents involved in school-based interventions appears to be challenging based on earlier intervention experiences. The purpose of this study was to get insight into the determinants of and perspectives on parental participation in school-interventions on energy balance-related behaviours (physical activity, healthy eating, sedentary behaviours) in parents of ten- to twelve-year olds in order to develop an effective parental module for school-based interventions concerning energy balance-related behaviours.

Methods

Four countries (Belgium, Hungary, Norway and Spain) conducted the focus group research based on a standardised protocol and a semi-structured questioning route. A variation in parental socio-economic status (SES) and parental school involvement was taken into account when recruiting the parents. The audio taped interviews were transcribed, and a qualitative content analysis of the transcripts was conducted in each country.

Results

Seventeen focus group interviews were conducted with a total of 92 parents (12 men, 80 women). Physical activity was considered to be a joint responsibility of school and parents, nutrition as parent's responsibility but supported by the school, and prevention of sedentary behaviours as parent's sole responsibility. Parents proposed interactive and practical activities together with their child as the best way to involve them such as cooking, food tasting, nutrition workshops, walking or cycling tours, sport initiations together with their child. Activities should be cheap, on a convenient moment, focused on their children and not on themselves, not tutoring, not theoretical, and school-or home-based.

Conclusions

Parents want to be involved in activities related to energy balance-related behaviours if this implies 'doing things together' with their child at school or at home.
Maternal educational level, parental preventive behavior, risk behavior, social support and medical care consumption in 8-month-old children in Malmö, Sweden
Authors: Mangrio Elisabeth , Hansen Kristina , Lindström Martin , Köhler Marie , Rosvall Maria
Published: November 2011

Background

The social environment in which children grow up is closely associated with their health. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between maternal educational level, parental preventive behavior, parental risk behavior, social support, and use of medical care in small children in Malmö, Sweden. We also wanted to investigate whether potential differences in child medical care consumption could be explained by differences in parental behavior and social support.

Methods

This study was population-based and cross-sectional. The study population was 8 month-old children in Malmö, visiting the Child Health Care centers during 2003-2007 for their 8-months check-up, and whose parents answered a self-administered questionnaire (n = 9,289 children).

Results

Exclusive breast feeding ≥4 months was more common among mothers with higher educational level. Smoking during pregnancy was five times more common among less-educated mothers. Presence of secondhand tobacco smoke during the first four weeks of life was also much more common among children with less-educated mothers. Less-educated mothers more often experienced low emotional support and low practical support than mothers with higher levels of education (>12 years of education). Increased exposure to unfavorable parental behavioral factors (maternal smoking during pregnancy, secondhand tobacco smoke and exclusive breastfeeding <4 months) was associated with increased odds of in-hospital care and having sought care from a doctor during the last 8 months. The odds were doubled when exposed to all three risk factors. Furthermore, children of less-educated mothers had increased odds of in-hospital care (OR = 1.34 (95% CI: 1.08, 1.66)) and having sought care from a doctor during the last 8 months (OR = 1.28 (95% CI: 1.09, 1.50)), which were reduced and turned statistically non-significant after adjustment for unfavorable parental behavioral factors.

Conclusion

Children of less-educated mothers were exposed to more health risks, fewer health-promoting factors, worse social support, and had higher medical care consumption than children with higher educated mothers. After adjustment for parental behavioral factors the excess odds of doctor's visits and in-hospital care among children with less-educated mothers were reduced. Improving children's health calls for policies targeting parents' health-related behaviors and social support.
Necessary conditions for thermal rectification and negative differential thermal conductance in graphene nanoribbons
Authors: Wang Yan , Ruan Xiulin
Published: November 2011

We have studied negative differential thermal conductance (NDTC) and thermal rectification (TR) in graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) using nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations. Strong ballistic transport regime and sufficient temperature gradient are found to be necessary conditions for the onset of both NDTC and TR in GNRs, while the latter also requires asymmetry in structure. Preferred direction of heat transport is also discussed for TR.
Clinical Application of Screening for GJB2 Mutations before Cochlear Implantation in a Heterogeneous Population with High Rate of Autosomal Recessive Nonsyndromic Hearing Loss
Authors: Motasaddi Zarandy Masoud , Rohanizadegan Mersedeh , Salmasian Hojjat , Nikzad Nooshin , Bazazzadegan Niloofar , Malekpour Mahdi
Published: November 2011

Clinical application of mutation screening and
its effect on the outcome of cochlear implantation
is widely debated. We investigated the effect of
mutations in GJB2 gene on the
outcome of cochlear implantation in a population
with a high rate of consanguineous marriage and
autosomal recessive nonsyndromic hearing loss.
Two hundred and one children with profound
prelingual sensorineural hearing loss were
included. Forty-six patients had 35delG in
GJB2. Speech awareness thresholds
(SATs) and speech recognition thresholds (SRTs)
improved following implantation, but there was no
difference in performance between patients with
GJB2-related deafness versus
control (all ). Both groups had produced their first comprehensible words within the same period of time following implantation (2.27 months in GJB2-related deaf versus 2.62 months in controls, ). Although our findings demonstrate the need to uncover unidentified genetic causes of hereditary deafness, they do not support the current policy for genetic screening before cochlear implantation, nor prove a prognostic value.
African Development and the Globalization Imperative: New Directions, Familiar Crises
Authors: David Wasike
Published: November 2011

Globalisation has emerged as the defining conceptual and contextual socioeconomic framework of analysis for the early 21st century. Throughout Africa particularly, globalisation has become a political-economic buzzword for profound structural change, as well as the focus of vociferous and rigorous criticism by those sectors of society disadvantaged, damaged, orbypassed by the forces of global restructuring. Moreover, globalisation often is discussed from an absolutist perspective and framed almost exclusively within the context of the political state. As a result, regions, places, and people frequently are reduced to insignificant actors or are omitted from the analysis altogether. This paper examines the theoretical and practicalimplications of globalisation for development in Africa and argues for an analytical approach that encompasses key regional and local conditions. With Africa as the framework of reference, six critical elements of development under globalisation are examined: social polarisation, migration, democratisation, cultural identity, transportation, and environmental change. The paper concludes by discussing the concept of ‘globalisation’ and arguing for a policy approach that rethinks the extant framework and restructures the analytical construct in a more proactive manner
Julius Nyerere: The Intellectual Pan-Africanist and the Question of African Unity
Authors: David Mathew Chacha
Published: November 2011

The question of African unity has dominated political and intellectual discourse for quite a while, yet the approach, mechanism and substance seem to be ever elusive. The rhetoric has raised so much dust it has blinded political leaders as to the concrete measures that need to be undertaken. To Julius Nyerere, the quest for unity, both nationally and continentally, was a lifetime undertaking and commitment, the lifeline for the emancipation and development of African people. Nyerere will forever be remembered for pushing and spearheading the growth of Kiswahili in East and Central Africa, which epitomized his belief that Kiswahili could promote African unity, just as it had done in Tanzania. He gave content and meaning to Tanzania`s independence by recognising the role of an indigenous language in the development of cultural authenticity and national unity. To him, pan-Africanism meant self-determination in political, economic, ideological, social and cultural spheres. As globalisation witnesses growing nationalism in other continents of the world (such as pan-Europeanism in Europe), and as Africa faces the prospect of increased marginalisation, African thinkers, intellectuals and literary icons such as Ali Mazrui, Chinua Achebe, Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Okot P’Bitek and Wole Soyinka have made passionate pleas for a cultural re-awakening, which they see as a first step towards social, political and economic growth. It is the thesis of this paper that by drawing from Nyerere’s example, African renaissance and the dream of pan-Africanism shall be realised and that Africans shall not only discover themselves and uphold their identity but also appreciate the inherent power enshrined in their cultural heritage. It is argued that over-reliance on imperialist colonial languages—which by and large are emblazoned with Western world views, cultural values and ideals
Exiting the Whirlpool? Pan-Africanism Caught in the Crossfire of Identity and Globalization
Authors: Tatah Mentan
Published: November 2011

Africa’s peoples and cultures have been subject to dramatic external interventions and influences enmeshing them firmly within the world capitalist system. The successive population decapitalizations, conquests, colonizations, and associated cultural imperialisms of Arab and European, Islam and Christianity, the slave trade, and more recently the rapid ‘modernization’ and spread of capitalist consumerism have all transformed and internationalized cultures, conceptualizations, and commodities. This increasingly powerful process of convergence has captured the African popular imagination to the extent that ‘globalization’ is as much a subject of media interest as of academic enquiry.Yet convergence and globalization are not all-embracing, unidirectional, and homogenizing processes. Rather, their impact varies greatly in extent and intensity over time, across space, and within and between cultures and social classes. Moreover, counter-movements, both conscious and unpremeditated, are occurring simultaneously. Pan-Africanism has been one such counter-movement. How can a renascent Pan-Africanism assert its identity within these global networks of interconnections?The overall aim of this study is therefore to examine the ways global forces impact upon African societies; the ways in which African societies have an impact upon the globalization process; and the comparative, cross national and cross cultural comparison of global processes as they relate to Africa. Will the Pan-African ideal help the continent to exit the whirlpool of decapitalization and deterritorialization by the ravaging forces of globalization? If so, how? These are the challenging questions facing Pan-African intellectuals and which this paper attempts to grapple with.
Self-Determination, Nationalism, Development and Pan-Africanism Stuck on the Runway: Are Intellectuals to be Blamed?
Authors: John W. Forje
Published: November 2011

Almost fifty years after independence that aspiration of regaining lost human dignity seems stuck on the runway – warranting ‘the people‘s distress call’ for a genuine take-off. The questions that come to mind given the plethora of problems plaguing the continent are many and varied. First, does Africa want to develop? Second, what kind of independence did Africa get? Third, through which means must Africa address its problems? What has been the role of its intellectuals? What are the responses of the international community, particularly the former colonial masters in structuring and influencing the destiny of the continent for good or bad? In short, what is the trouble with Africa?This paper looks at the litany of national deficiencies that give the continent a bad image, leaving it unable to address the plethora of problems confronting the region. Why Africans have resigned themselves to their existing peril and why African governments must give content and meaning to the aspirations of the people under the canopy of the rising tide of globalization and the information communication technology age. This essay considers the dialectic of micro-nationalism, nationalism, development and globalization— which define the place of Africa within the world system—besides forcing a serious reflection on ways in which citizenship and development can be reconceptualised beyond the mere confines of the existing nation-state order.This discussion addresses issues underpinning the struggles for self-determination, African renaissance and the unity of
ChemInform Abstract: Ordered Large‐Pore Mesoporous Li4Ti5O12 Spinel Thin Film Electrodes with Nanocrystalline Framework for High Rate Rechargeable Lithium Batteries: Relationships Among Charge Storage, Electrical Conductivity, and Nanoscale Structure.
Authors: Haetge Jan , Hartmann Pascal , Brezesinski Kirstin , Janek Juergen , Brezesinski Torsten
Published: November 2011

The title thin film electrodes with both a well‐defined mesoporous morphology and a nanocrystalline framework are synthesized by a polymer‐directed sol—gel route from a mixture of Ti(OBu)4, EtOH, AcOH, LiOAc, 2‐methoxyethanol, and a poly(ethylene‐co‐butylene)‐block‐poly(ethylene oxide) diblock copolymer as the structure‐directing agent (dip‐coating on polar substrates, 300 °C, 12 h).
Influence of weft‐knitted tubular fabric on radial mechanical property of coaxial three‐layer small‐diameter vascular graft
Authors: Yang Hongjun , Zhu Guocheng , Zhang Zhen , Wang Zhenzhen , Fang Jian , Xu Weilin
Published: November 2011

The goal of this study was to evaluate the radial mechanical property of the small‐diameter polyurethane vascular grafts reinforced by weft‐knitted tubular polyester/spandex fabrics. The polyester/spandex tubular fabrics with different blend ratios were prepared on a weft‐knitting machine to reinforce small‐diameter polyurethane vascular grafts. Phase separation technique was employed to produce coaxial three‐layer small‐diameter polyurethane vascular grafts at room temperature. Morphology of the polyurethane vascular grafts was examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM), and micropores were observed on both inner and cross section surfaces. Radial tensile property and compliance of small‐diameter polyurethane vascular grafts with and without reinforcement by polyester/spandex tubular fabrics were characterized. The effect of polyester/spandex tubular fabric on the mechanical property of polyurethane vascular grafts was studied. The results indicated that the radial tensile strength of the vascular graft was improved by the tubular fabric, and that the influence of tubular fabric on compliance was small compared to that of wall thickness. It was notable that the wall thickness of the vascular grafts was a major factor in controlling the compliance in the radial direction. Therefore, a coaxial three‐layer small‐diameter polyurethane vascular graft with excellent compliance and tensile strength could be obtained by controlling the wall thickness and using polyester/spandex fabric as reinforcement. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 100B: 342–349, 2012.
Simple models for InGaN alloys
Authors: Elfituri Fathi , Hourahine Ben
Published: November 2011

The properties of InGaN alloys are important for many applications in optoelectronics, since their fundamental gap spans the visible range. Calculating properties, particularly for InN, is theoretically challenging, especially to obtain accurate values for the band gap. We have developed a semi‐empirical parametrisation of (In,Ga) N using the density functional based tight binding method (DFTB), where the band gaps of InN and GaN have been empirically corrected to experiment. We demonstrate the performance of this method by calculating a range of properties for the two materials, including elastic constants and carrier effective masses. There are several methods to model alloys of these material, one of the simplest being the virtual crystal approximation, which we apply to derive electronic properties over the whole composition range for InGaN.
Estimating surface long‐wave radiative fluxes at global scale
Authors: Nussbaumer Eric A. , Pinker Rachel T.
Published: November 2011

A new approach for calculating downwelling surface long‐wave radiation (DSLW) under all sky conditions is presented. The DSLW model (DSLW/UMD) is driven with a synthesis of the latest 1° resolution Moderate‐resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) level‐3 cloud parameters and information from the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) ERA‐Interim model. The DSLW/UMD's clear‐sky contribution is based on the Rapid Radiative Transfer Model (RRTM) and is globally applicable, while a statistical cloud structure model and parametrization determine the cloud contribution to DSLW. Daily averaged estimates of DSLW for 2003–2007 along with four commonly used methods based on radiative transfer (RT) theory are compared against ground measurements from the Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN). It is shown that for all four years, the proposed approach performs as well as or better than the available RT‐based models when evaluated against BSRN measurements. Correlation coefficients, absolute value of bias (W m−2), and RMSE (W m−2) are 0.973 to 0.974, −0.07 to 1.9, and 16.82 to 17.35, respectively. When stratified into Tropical, Midlatitude, and Polar latitudinal belts, largest discrepancies against ground observations are found at high latitudes. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Robotic‐assisted laparoscopic stage II restorative proctectomy for toxic ulcerative colitis
Authors: McLemore Elisabeth C. , Cullen John , Horgan Santiago , Talamini Mark A. , Ramamoorthy Sonia
Published: November 2011

Background

There is a paucity of literature reporting minimally invasive proctectomy for ulcerative colitis (UC). We report a novel application of a robotic system to perform restorative proctectomy in patients with toxic UC.

Methods

Retrospective review, case series report.

Results

Robotic‐assisted laparoscopic proctectomy with ileal J‐pouch anal anastomosis was performed in three patients with toxic UC. All patients previously underwent urgent laparoscopic total abdominal colectomy. One female and two male patients were aged 39, 24 and 43, respectively. The procedures were performed safely with minimal complications. The robotic proctectomy operative time was reduced from 134 to 106 min. None of the patients have experienced fecal incontinence, nocturnal seepage or sexual dysfunction.

Conclusions

This is a case series report of a robotic‐assisted laparoscopic proctectomy with restorative ileal J‐pouch in patients with toxic UC. This technique has been previously described for use in patients with medically refractory UC and neoplasia associated with chronic UC. This series exemplifies an ideal application of a robotic system with improved visibility, rotation and ergonomics. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
What Will the Neighbors Think? The Effect of Moral Communities on Cohabitation
Authors: Gault-Sherman Martha , Draper Scott
Published: November 2011

In this study, we analyze the relationship between county-level religious adherence rates and county-level cohabitation rates in the year 2000. Based on the concept of moral communities, we test hypotheses that higher rates of affiliation with certain religious traditions and lower levels of religious heterogeneity will correlate with lower rates of cohabitation. The analysis consists of data from two sources: the 2000 U.S. Census and the 2000 Religious Congregations and Membership Study. In well-controlled models, spatial regression analysis indicates significant negative relationships between evangelical adherence rates and percent cohabiting. Our results also show that, although rates of adherence and heterogeneity also matter outside the South, the effects are consistently stronger in the South and among Christian denominations. This study advances research on cohabitation by conducting a county-level examination of the impact of religion and moral communities on the increasingly high levels of cohabitation that we are seeing in the United States.
New oscillatory instability of a confined cylinder in a flow below the vortex shedding threshold
Authors: Semin B. , Decoene A. , Hulin J.-P. , François M. L. M. , Auradou H.
Published: November 2011

A new type of flow-induced oscillation is reported for a tethered cylinder confined inside a Hele-Shaw cell (ratio of cylinder diameter to cell aperture, $D/ h= 0. 66$) with its main axis perpendicular to the flow. This instability is studied numerically and experimentally as a function of the Reynolds number $\mathit{Re}$ and of the density ${\rho }_{s} $ of the cylinder. This confinement-induced vibration (CIV) occurs above a critical Reynolds number ${\mathit{Re}}_{c} \ensuremath{\sim} 20$ much lower than for Bénard–Von Kármán vortex shedding behind a fixed cylinder in the same configuration (${\mathit{Re}}_{\mathit{BV K}} = 111$). For low ${\rho }_{s} $ values, CIV persists up to the highest $\mathit{Re}$ value investigated ($\mathit{Re}= 130$). For denser cylinders, these oscillations end abruptly above a second value of $\mathit{Re}$ larger than ${\mathit{Re}}_{c} $ and vortex-induced vibrations (VIV) of lower amplitude appear for $\mathit{Re}\ensuremath{\sim} {\mathit{Re}}_{\mathit{BV K}} $. Close to the first threshold ${\mathit{Re}}_{c} $, the oscillation amplitude variation as $ \mathop{ (\mathit{Re}\ensuremath{-} {\mathit{Re}}_{c} )}\nolimits ^{1/ 2} $ and the lack of hysteresis demonstrate that the process is a supercritical Hopf bifurcation. Using forced oscillations, the transverse position of the cylinder is shown to satisfy a Van der Pol equation. The physical meaning of the stiffness, amplification and total mass coefficients of this equation are discussed from the variations of the pressure field.
A point prevalence survey of antibiotic use in four acute-care teaching hospitals utilizing the European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Consumption (ESAC) audit tool
Authors: ALDEYAB M. A. , KEARNEY M. P. , McELNAY J. C. , MAGEE F. A. , CONLON G. , MacINTYRE J. , McCULLAGH B. , FERGUSON C. , FRIEL A. , GORMLEY C. , McELROY S. , BOYCE T. , McCORRY A. , MULLER A. , GOOSSENS H. , SCOTT M. G.
Published: November 2011

The objective of this research was to assess current patterns of hospital antibiotic prescribing in Northern Ireland and to determine targets for improving the quality of antibiotic prescribing. A point prevalence survey was conducted in four acute teaching hospitals. The most commonly used antibiotics were combinations of penicillins including β-lactamase inhibitors (33·6%), metronidazole (9·1%), and macrolides (8·1%). The indication for treatment was recorded in 84·3% of the prescribing episodes. A small fraction (3·9%) of the surgical prophylactic antibiotic prescriptions was for >24 h. The results showed that overall 52·4% of the prescribed antibiotics were in compliance with the hospital antibiotic guidelines. The findings identified the following indicators as targets for quality improvement: indication recorded in patient notes, the duration of surgical prophylaxis and compliance with hospital antibiotic guidelines. The results strongly suggest that antibiotic use could be improved by taking steps to address the identified targets for quality improvement.
Diversity and dynamics of bacterial communities in early life stages of the Caribbean coral Porites astreoides
Authors: Sharp Koty H , Distel Dan , Paul Valerie J
Published: November 2011

In this study, we examine microbial communities of early developmental stages of the coral Porites astreoides by sequence analysis of cloned 16S rRNA genes, terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (TRFLP), and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) imaging. Bacteria are associated with the ectoderm layer in newly released planula larvae, in 4-day-old planulae, and on the newly forming mesenteries surrounding developing septa in juvenile polyps after settlement. Roseobacter clade-associated (RCA) bacteria and Marinobacter sp. are consistently detected in specimens of P. astreoides spanning three early developmental stages, two locations in the Caribbean and 3 years of collection. Multi-response permutation procedures analysis on the TRFLP results do not support significant variation in the bacterial communities associated with P. astreoides larvae across collection location, collection year or developmental stage. The results are the first evidence of vertical transmission (from parent to offspring) of bacteria in corals. The results also show that at least two groups of bacterial taxa, the RCA bacteria and Marinobacter, are consistently associated with juvenile P. astreoides against a complex background of microbial associations, indicating that some components of the microbial community are long-term associates of the corals and may impact host health and survival.
Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with low bone mineral density in obese children
Authors: Pardee P. E. , Dunn W. , Schwimmer J. B.
Published: November 2011

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2012; 35: 248–254

Background  Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in children. Liver disease can be a cause of low bone mineral density. Whether or not NAFLD influences bone health is not known.

Aim  To evaluate bone mineral density in obese children with and without NAFLD.

Methods  Thirty‐eight children with biopsy‐proven NAFLD were matched for age, gender, race, ethnicity, height and weight to children without evidence of liver disease from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Bone mineral density was measured by dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Age and gender‐specific bone mineral density Z‐scores were calculated and compared between children with and without NAFLD. After controlling for age, gender, race, ethnicity and total per cent body fat, the relationship between bone mineral density and the severity of histology was analysed in children with NAFLD.

Results  Obese children with NAFLD had significantly (P < 0.0001) lower bone mineral density Z‐scores (−1.98) than obese children without NAFLD (0.48). Forty‐five per cent of children with NAFLD had low‐bone mineral density for age, compared to none of the children without NAFLD (P < 0.0001). Among those children with NAFLD, children with NASH had a significantly (P < 0.05) lower bone mineral density Z‐score (−2.37) than children with NAFLD who did not have NASH (−1.58).

Conclusions  The NAFLD was associated with poor bone health in obese children. More severe disease was associated with lower bone mineralisation. Further studies are needed to evaluate the underlying mechanisms and consequences of poor bone mineralisation in children with NAFLD.
Thin-layer chromatography immunostaining in detecting anti-phospholipid antibodies in seronegative anti-phospholipid syndrome
Authors: Conti F , Alessandri C , Sorice M , Capozzi A , Longo A , Garofalo T , Misasi R , Bompane D , Hughes G R V , Khamashta M A , Valesini G
Published: November 2011

In clinical practice it is possible to find patients with clinical signs suggestive of anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS) who are persistently negative for the routinely used anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPL). Therefore, the term proposed for these cases was seronegative APS (SN-APS). We investigated the clinical usefulness of thin-layer chromatography (TLC) immunostaining in detecting serum aPL in patients presenting clinical features of SN-APS. Sera from 36 patients with SN-APS, 19 patients with APS, 18 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 20 anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive subjects and 32 healthy controls were examined for aPL using TLC immunostaining. Anti-β2-glycoprotein-I, anti-annexin II, anti-annexin V and anti-prothrombin antibodies were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Eahy926, a human-derived endothelial cell line, was incubated with immunoglobulin (Ig)G fraction from SN-APS patients and analysis of phospho-interleukin (IL)-1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK) and phospho-nuclear factor (NF)-κB was performed by Western blot, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) expression by cytofluorimetric analysis and supernatants tissue factor (TF) levels by ELISA. TLC immunostaining showed aPL in 58·3% of SN-APS patients: anti-cardiolipin in 47·2%, anti-lyso(bis)phosphatidic acid in 41·7% and anti-phosphatidylethanolamine in 30·5%. Six of 36 patients showed anti-annexin II. Incubation of Eahy926 cells with IgG from SN-APS induced IRAK phosphorylation, NF-κB activation, VCAM-1 surface expression and TF cell release. TLC immunostaining could identify the presence of aPL in patients with SN-APS. Moreover, the results suggest the proinflammatory and procoagulant effects in vitro of these antibodies.
Lipidomics in tissues, cells and subcellular compartments
Authors: Horn Patrick J. , Chapman Kent D.
Published: November 2011

Mass spectrometry (MS) advances in recent years have revolutionized the biochemical analysis of lipids in plants, and made possible new theories about the structural diversity and functional complexity of lipids in plant cells. Approaches have been developed to profile the lipidome of plants with increasing chemical and spatial resolution. Here we highlight a variety of methods for lipidomics analysis at the tissue, cellular and subcellular levels. These procedures allow the simultaneous identification and quantification of hundreds of lipids species in tissue extracts by direct‐infusion MS, localization of lipids in tissues and cells by laser desorption/ionization MS, and even profiling of lipids in individual subcellular compartments by direct‐organelle MS. Applications of these approaches to achieve improved understanding of plant lipid metabolism, compartmentation and function are discussed.
Identification of a novel allele MICA*010:02
Authors: Zhang S. , Wang J. , Luo M. , Li X. , Chen Q.
Published: November 2011

The MICA*010:02 allele differs from MICA*010:01 allele by a synonymous mutation in exon 5 at position 933(T > C).
Use of cone‐beam tomography and digital subtraction radiography for diagnosis and evaluation of traumatized teeth treated with endodontic surgery and MTA. A case report
Authors: Carvalho Fabíola Bastos de , Gonçalves Paloma Souza , Lima Regina Karla de Pontes , Guerreiro‐Tanomaru Juliane Maria , Rasquin Luis Cardoso , Tanomaru‐Filho Mário
Published: November 2011

Abstract –  The aim of this paper was to report the diagnosis and evaluation of periradicular bone repair by using computed tomography and digital subtraction radiography in an endodontic surgery case treated with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). The patient had local swelling and fistula 7 years after trauma in the upper jaw. Periapical lesion on tooth #12 and root resorption of tooth #11 were detected radiographically. Endodontic therapy and placement of intracanal medication were carried out. After 3 months, with no improvement in the clinical signs and symptoms, computed tomography was performed, showing extensive apical bone resorption on tooth #12 and dental resorption promoting communication of the root canal with the periodontium of tooth #11. The patient was referred to endodontic surgery. After surgery and postoperative periods of 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 days, standardized radiographs were taken, digitized, and subjected to digital subtraction of the images using Adobe Photoshop CS software. Four years later, a cone‐beam computed tomography was performed, showing bone repair and absence of root resorption at tooth #11. In this clinical case, digital subtraction radiography was effective for early detection of new bone formation and evolution of repair.
Physical Fitness Training after Stroke, Time to Implement what we Know: More Research is Needed
Authors: Mead Gillian , Bernhardt Julie
Published: November 2011

Stroke survivors experience marked reduction in physical activity and fitness. Regular physical fitness training, started early poststroke, could help recovery in the long term and is recommended in many clinical guidelines. However, implementation of programs is hampered by our current lack of knowledge about what interventions are most effective and how best to support stroke survivors to exercise. In the United Kingdom and Australia, there are educational programs for exercise professionals to enable them to safely and effectively deliver exercise to stroke survivors; and in the United Kingdom, community exercise training programs are being developed to follow-on from usual rehabilitation. As with many areas of life after stroke, further research is still needed. We need to know more about the effect of exercise training on common poststroke problems such as fatigue, depression and falls. Importantly, we need to understand the perceived barriers and motivators to exercise after stroke, and how to enhance adherence to the exercise programs that are in current development. However, these knowledge gaps should not prevent us from implementing what we know; and we would urge health professionals to work with exercise professionals to develop pathways into exercise for stroke survivors.
Brain Aging, Cognition in Youth and Old Age and Vascular Disease in the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936: Rationale, Design and Methodology of the Imaging Protocol
Authors: Wardlaw Joanna M. , Bastin Mark E. , Valdés Hernández Maria C. , Maniega Susana Muñoz , Royle Natalie A. , Morris Zoe , Clayden Jonathan D. , Sandeman Elaine M. , Eadie Elizabeth , Murray Catherine , Starr John M. , Deary Ian J.
Published: November 2011

Rationale

As the population of the world ages, age-related cognitive decline is becoming an ever-increasing problem. However, the changes in brain structure that accompany normal aging, and the role they play in cognitive decline, remain to be fully elucidated.

Aims

This study aims to characterize changes in brain structure in old age, and to investigate relationships between brain aging and cognitive decline using the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936. Here, we report the rationale, design and methodology of the brain and neurovascular imaging protocol developed to study this cohort.

Design

An observational, longitudinal study of the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936, which comprises 1091 relatively healthy individuals now in their 70s and living in the Edinburgh area. They are surviving participants of the Scottish Mental Survey 1947, which involved a test of general intelligence taken at age 11 years. At age 70 years, the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 undertook detailed cognitive, medical and genetic testing, and provided social, family, nutritional, quality of life and physical activity information. At mean age 73 years they underwent detailed brain MRI and neurovascular ultrasound imaging, repeat cognitive and other testing. The MRI protocol is designed to provide qualitative and quantitative measures of gray and white matter atrophy, severity and location of white matter lesions, enlarged perivascular spaces, brain mineral deposits, microbleeds and integrity of major white matter tracts. The neurovascular ultrasound imaging provides velocity, stenosis and intima–media thickness measurements of the carotid and vertebral arteries.

Study

This valuable imaging dataset will be used to determine which changes in brain structural parameters have the largest effects on cognitive aging. Analysis will include multimodal image analysis and multivariate techniques, such as factor analysis and structural equation modelling. Especially valuable is the ability within this sample to examine the influence that early life intelligence has on brain structural parameters in old age, and the role of genetic, vascular, educational and lifestyle factors.

Outcomes

Final outcomes include associations between early and late life cognition and integrity of key white matter tracts, volume of gray and white matter, myelination, brain water content, and visible abnormalities such as white matter lesions and mineral deposits; and influences of vascular risk factors, diet, environment, social metrics, education and genetics on healthy brain aging. It is intended that this information will help to inform and develop strategies for successful cognitive aging.
Sober on Intelligent Design
Authors: SARKAR SAHOTRA
Published: November 2011

This response to Sober's (2008) Evidence and Evolution draws out and criticizes some consequences of his analysis because of its reliance on a likelihood framework for adjucating the dispute between (Intelligent Design) creationism and evolution. In particular, Sober's analysis does not allow it to be formally claimed that evolutionary theory better explains living phenomena than Intelligent Design and makes irrelevant the contribution of the theory of evolution by natural selection to assessments of the status of the argument from design. Finally, a rudimentary alternative framework for theory confirmation is presented here which avoids these conclusions by rejecting likelihoodism and deploying multiple criteria to the problem of scientific theory choice.
First Spending Bill Giveth—And Taketh Away
Authors: Mervis Jeffrey
Published: November 2011

Last week, some parts of the U.S. scientific community received good news from Congress about the budgets of a few research agencies for the current fiscal year.
LIFE SCIENCE TECHNOLOGIES: As Science Accelerates, Researchers Hire Help
Authors: Dove Alan
Published: November 2011

For the general public, the word "outsourcing" conjures images of layoffs, overseas call centers, and politicians railing against the loss of local jobs. In biomedical research labs, though, outsourcing has become one of the hottest new trends. Both corporate and academic scientists have realized that hiring a contract research organization can help speed up routine tasks and give them easy access to techniques that are too expensive or complex to do in-house.
THE MEASUREMENTS OF THE ANOMALOUS LIKE-SIGN DIMUON CHARGE ASYMMETRY IN $p\bar{p}$ COLLISIONS BY THE DØ COLLABORATION
Authors: HOENEISEN B.
Published: November 2011

In this short review we present the history, an overview of the analysis, and some personal comments on the anomalous like-sign dimuon charge asymmetry measurements by the DØ collaboration.
Distinct effects on long-term function of injured and contralateral kidneys following unilateral renal ischemia-reperfusion
Authors: Basile David P. , Leonard Ellen C. , Tonade Deoye , Friedrich Jessica L. , Goenka Shreevrat
Published: November 2011

Salt-sensitive hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD) following recovery from acute kidney injury (AKI) may occur secondary to incomplete repair, or by activation of circulating factors stimulated by injury. We created two types of renal injury induced by unilateral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R); in a direct/ipsilateral AKI group, rats were subjected to unilateral I/R and the untouched contralateral kidney was removed by unilateral nephrectomy after 5 wk to isolate effects on the injured kidney. In the remote/contralateral AKI group, the injured kidney was removed after 5 wk to isolate effects on the untouched kidney. When these animals were subsequently challenged with elevated dietary sodium for an additional 4 wk (0.4 to 4%), both remote/contralateral and direct/ipsilateral AKI rats manifested a significant increase in blood pressure relative to sham-operated controls. Similarly, in acute studies, both ipsilateral and contralateral kidneys had impaired pressure natriuresis and hemodynamic responses. Reductions in vascular density were observed following direct/ipsilateral injury, but were not observed in the remote/contralateral kidney. However, both remote/contralateral and direct/ipsilateral kidneys contained interstitial cells, some of which were identified as activated (low CD62L/CD4+) T lymphocytes. In contrast, only the direct/ipsilateral AKI group demonstrated significant CKD following exposure to elevated salt. This was characterized by a significant reduction in creatinine clearance, an increase in albuminuria, and a dramatic expansion of interstitial inflammation. Taken together, these data suggest that the salt-sensitive features of AKI on hypertension and CKD are segregable such that effects on hemodynamics and hypertension occur independent of direct renal damage. However, prior direct injury to the kidney is required to elicit the full manifestation of CKD induced by elevated sodium intake.