bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A molecular dynamics study of densification mechanisms in calcium silicate glasses CaSi2O5 and CaSiO3 at pressures of 5 and 10GPa
Authors: Mead R. N. , Mountjoy G.
Published: October 2006

Molecular dynamics is used to obtain models of (CaO)x(SiO2)1−x glasses, with compositions CaSi2O5 (x=0.33) and CaSiO3 (x=0.50), at pressures of 5 and 10GPa. At 5GPa there are increases in Ca and Si coordinations for x=0.33, whereas for x=0.50 there is distortion of CaON polyhedra but no substantial change in coordination. At 10GPa the Ca coordination increases by ∼20% for x=0.33 and by ∼10% for x=0.50. This increase is due to increased Ca bonds to bridging oxygens (Ob), since nonbridging oxygens (Onb) are already highly bonded to Ca, and the proportion of Onb is decreasing due to changes in the silica network. At 10GPa there are ∼20% of fivefold and a few percent of sixfold coordinated Si. Since the new Si–O bonds involve the conversion of Onb to Ob, there is a corresponding increase in the network connectivity. The x=0.50 glass is more resistant to deformation because there is less possibility to convert Onb to Ob due to lower Si content. The changes in Ca–O, Si–Ca, and Ca–Ca correlations are predicted to produce changes in the x-ray diffraction structure factor S(Q), including a shift of the first sharp diffraction peak to higher Q values.
Enhanced low-temperature protonic conductivity in fully dense nanometric cubic zirconia
Authors: Anselmi-Tamburini Umberto , Maglia Filippo , Chiodelli Gaetano , Riello Pietro , Bucella Stefania , Munir Zuhair A.
Published: October 2006

The authors report on the consolidation of nanostructured bulk cubic zirconia with a grain size of about 15nm and a relative density greater than 98%. This material exhibits a change in the conduction mechanism with considerable protonic conductivity when exposed to moisture. The marked reduction of the resistivity of zirconia at low temperatures brings it to a level comparable to that typical of other protonic conductors, but with the advantage of superior mechanical and chemical stabilities.
Evidences of an intermediate rodlike defect during the transformation of {113} defects into dislocation loops
Authors: Boninelli S. , Cherkashin N. , Claverie A. , Cristiano F.
Published: October 2006

A detailed study of the transformation of the {113} defects into dislocation loops has been carried out in Ge preamorphized silicon (30keV, 1×1015Ge+∕cm2) and annealed at 800°C for time ranging from 15to2700s. The presence of a stable defect, along the ⟨110⟩ directions, formed during the transformation from {113}’s into Frank dislocation loops (FDLs), has been revealed and studied. Performing a detailed transmission electron microscopy analysis in nonconventional zone axes, a 1∕3 [111]-type Burgers vector has been found. These defects are shown to be more stable than {113}’s but less than FDLs.
Tunable room temperature low-field spin polarized tunneling magnetoresistance of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 nanoparticles
Authors: Dey P. , Nath T. K.
Published: October 2006

The authors have studied low-field spin polarized tunneling magnetoresistance (LFMR) at room temperature of a series of nanocrystalline La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 samples having average crystallite size (ϕ) from 14to150nm. Interestingly with decrease in ϕ, LFMR enhances up to a critical ϕ of 28nm, beyond which LFMR starts decreasing, indicating a pronounced crossover of LFMR value (LFMRmax∼1.67%) with decrease in ϕ. Magnetization versus magnetic field study at room temperature reveals that with decrease in ϕ LFMR increases untill the nanoparticles remain magnetically multidomain (MD), but as soon as it falls in the single domain (SD) regime, LFMR immediately starts diminishing. Their study explores the fact that for MD nanoparticles room temperature LFMR is decided only by surface spin susceptibility (χb), whereas for SD nanoparticles LFMR arises as a result of a sensitive balance between χb and thermal effect.
Phase transition and high dielectric constant of bulk dense nanograin barium titanate ceramics
Authors: Wang Xiaohui , Deng Xiangyun , Wen Hai , Li Longtu
Published: October 2006

Barium titanate (BTO) ceramics with an average grain size of 8nm were fabricated and studied. The temperature dependent Raman spectra revealed successive transitions from rhombohedral to orthorhombic, tetragonal, and cubic as the temperature increased from 87to673K. Local piezoresponse force measurements indicated that the ceramics had switchable polarization at room temperature. Dielectric measurements showed a broad ferroelectric-to-paraelectric phase transition with a maximum permittivity of 1800 at 390K. All these results suggest that ferroelectricity could remain in BTO ceramics with grain size as small as 8nm in diameter.
Thermal conductivity contrast measurement of fused silica exposed to low-energy femtosecond laser pulses
Authors: Bellouard Yves , Dugan Mark , Said Ali A. , Bado Philippe
Published: October 2006

Femtosecond laser irradiation has various noticeable effects on fused silica. Of particular interest, pulses with energy levels below the ablation threshold can locally increase the refractive index and the material etching selectivity to hydrofluoric acid. The mechanism responsible for these effects is not yet fully understood. In this letter, the authors report on local thermal conductivity mapping of laser-affected zones. It is found that these zones exhibit a lower thermal conductivity at room temperature.
Highly sensitive organic ultraviolet optical sensor based on phosphorescent Cu (I) complex
Authors: Kong Zhiguo , Li Wenlian , Che Guangbo , Chu Bei , Bi Defeng , Han Liangliang , Chen Lili , Hu Zhizhi , Zhang Zhiqiang
Published: October 2006

Ultraviolet light-sensitive organic optical sensor based on photovoltaic diode was demonstrated by using a phosphorescent Cu complex and a diamine derivative as electroacceptor and electrodonor, respectively. The Cu complex is Cu(DPEphos)((Bphen))BF4, in which DPEphos and Bphen denote 6,7-dicyanodipyrido [2,2-d:2′,3′-f] quinoxaline and bathophenanthroline. And the diamine derivative, m-MTDATA, is 4, 4′,4″-tris-(2-methylphenyl phenylamino) triphenylamine. The sensor is highly sensitive to UV light band from 300to420nm while it has almost no response to the visible light, and under illumination of 365nm light with power of 1.7mW∕cm2, the sensor exhibits an open circuit voltage of 1.86V, a short circuit current of 105.3μA∕cm2, a fill factor of 0.246, and a power conversion efficiency of 2.83%. The dependences of ultraviolet responsive sensitivity on illumination intensity and working temperature were also discussed.
Probing dynamics at surfaces with X-rays and neutrons
Authors: Sinha Sunil K.
Published: October 2006

We discuss some of the interesting problems associated with dynamical phenomena at surfaces and in thin films and methods to probe such dynamics, using neutron or X-ray scattering and related spectroscopic methods.
Probing dynamics at interfaces: options for neutron and X-ray spectroscopy
Authors: Rheinstädter Maikel C. , Seydel Tilo , Farago Bela , Salditt Tim
Published: October 2006

Inelastic neutron and X-ray scattering experiments on surfaces and interfaces are a challenging topic in modern physics. Particular interest arises regarding the surfaces and interfaces of soft matter and biological systems. We review both neutron and X-ray spectroscopic techniques with a view to their applicability to these samples. We discuss the different methods, namely neutron three-axis, backscattering and spin-echo spectroscopy as well as X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS), in the context of planar lipid membrane models as an example. By a combination of the different methods, a large range in momentum and energy transfer is accessible.
Surface and thin film studies with polarized low energy muons
Authors: Morenzoni E. , Khasanov R. , Luetkens H. , Prokscha T. , Suter A.
Published: October 2006

Muons with 100% spin polarization and whose energy can be continuously varied in the keV range provide a novel extension of the muon spin rotation/relaxation technique and can be used for surface and thin film studies. They allow depth dependent studies on a nm scale of the magnetic properties of thin films and multilayered structures in the range from about 1 nm to a few 100 nm. After a short introduction about the use of muons as thin film microprobes we summarize some representative examples of applications such as the measurement of magnetic field profiles near the surface of superconductors, the absolute determination of the magnetic penetration depth, and the detection of the oscillating conduction electron spin polarization in multilayered structures.
Response Patterns of Single Neurons in the Tortoise Olfactory Epithelium and Olfactory Bulb
Authors: Mathews Donald F.
Published: October 2006

The responses to odor stimulation of 40 single units in the olfactory mucosa and of 18 units in the olfactory bulb of the tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) were recorded with indium-filled, Pt-black-tipped microelectrodes. The test battery consisted of 27 odorants which were proved effective by recording from small bundles of olfactory nerve. Two concentrations of each odorant were employed. These values were adjusted for response magnitudes equal to those for amyl acetate at –2.5 and –3.5 log concentration in olfactory twig recording. Varying concentrations were generated by an injection-type olfactometer. The mucosal responses were exclusively facilitory with a peak frequency of 16 impulses/sec. 19 mucosal units responded to at least one odorant and each unit was sensitive to a limited number of odorants (1–15). The sensitivity pattern of each unit was highly individual, with no clear-cut types, either chemical or qualitative, emerging. Of the 18 olfactory bulb units sampled, all responded to at least one odorant. The maximum frequency observed during a response was 39 impulses/sec. The bulbar neurons can be classified into two types. There are neurons that respond exclusively with facilitation and others that respond with facilitation to some odorants and with inhibition to others. Qualitatively or chemically similar odorants did not generate similar patterns across bulbar units.
Reverse sural artery flap for distal lower extremity defects
Authors: ŞAVK Öner , ŞAVK Ekin
Published: October 2006

Traumatic and various dermatological conditions resulting in skin and subcutaneous tissue loss on the lower limb cause a therapeutic challenge for the dermatological surgeon, because this anatomical location lacks adequate skin laxity and has limited local soft tissue, especially around the heel. In this report, we present our experience with the reverse sural artery flap on seven patients. The soft tissue defect was traumatic in two patients. We also treated three diabetic patients. There were no immediate or late surgical complications in four cases; flap and donor site healing was uneventful. The remaining three cases were diabetic, and all presented with the following complications: rejection of split skin graft at donor site, infection at the flap border and superficial flap necrosis. The flap necrosis was concluded to be at least in part due to the patient's noncompliance with postoperative measures. We conclude that the reverse sural artery flap is a satisfactory alternative in the reconstruction of lower limb defects, but we also feel that the importance of proper evaluation prior to surgery in terms of vascular impairment and patient compliance should be emphasized to ensure a successful surgical outcome.
Effectiveness of an ‘half elemental diet’ as maintenance therapy for Crohn's disease: a randomized‐controlled trial
Authors: TAKAGI S. , UTSUNOMIYA K. , KURIYAMA S. , YOKOYAMA H. , TAKAHASHI S. , IWABUCHI M. , TAKAHASHI H. , TAKAHASHI S. , KINOUCHI Y. , HIWATASHI N. , FUNAYAMA Y. , SASAKI I. , TSUJI I. , SHIMOSEGAWA T.
Published: October 2006

Background

Although thiopurines have a proven role in maintenance therapy for Crohn's disease, an alternative therapy is needed for patients intolerant or resistant to thiopurines.

Aim

To evaluate the effectiveness of home enteral nutrition as a maintenance therapy regimen in which half of the daily calorie requirement is provided by an elemental diet and the remaining half by a free diet. We refer to this home enteral nutrition therapy as ‘half elemental diet’.

Methods

Between 2002 and 2005, 51 patients in remission from two hospitals were randomly assigned to a half elemental diet group (n = 26) or a free diet group (n = 25). The primary outcome measure of this study was the occurrence of relapse over the 2‐year period.

Results

The relapse rate in the half elemental diet group was significantly lower [34.6% vs. 64.0%; multivariate hazard ratio 0.40 (95% CI: 0.16–0.98)] than that in the free diet group after a mean follow‐up of 11.9 months. Compliance was similar in the two groups. No adverse event occurred in any of the patients throughout the study.

Conclusion

This randomized‐controlled trial shows the effectiveness of an half elemental diet, which is a promising maintenance therapy for Crohn's disease patients.
Increased risk of fundic gland polyps during long‐term proton pump inhibitor therapy
Authors: JALVING M. , KOORNSTRA J. J. , WESSELING J. , BOEZEN H. M. , DE JONG S. , KLEIBEUKER J. H.
Published: October 2006

Background

It is controversial whether proton pump inhibitor use leads to fundic gland polyp development.

Aim

To determine whether fundic gland polyp development is due to proton pump inhibitor use and to investigate mechanisms involved.

Methods

Proton pump inhibitor use and the presence of fundic gland polyps were assessed in consecutive patients undergoing oesophagogastroduodenoscopy. Biopsies from fundic gland polyps and gastric mucosa were taken. Dysplasia was graded as negative, low or high grade. Prevalence of parietal cell hyperplasia and parietal cell protrusions and the proportional cystic area were assessed.

Results

599 patients participated, 322 used proton pump inhibitors, 107 had fundic gland polyps. Long‐term proton pump inhibitor use was associated with an increased risk of fundic gland polyps (1–4.9 years use: OR 2.2, 95% CI: 1.3–3.8; ≥5 years: OR 3.8, 95% CI: 2.2–6.7) while short‐term therapy (<1 year) was not (OR 1.0, 95% CI: 0.5–1.8). Low‐grade dysplasia was found in one fundic gland polyp. Fundic gland polyps associated with long‐term proton pump inhibitor use had a larger proportional cystic area and higher frequency of parietal cell hyperplasia and parietal cell protrusion.

Conclusions

Long‐term proton pump inhibitor use is associated with an up to fourfold increase in the risk of fundic gland polyps. Risk of dysplasia is negligible. Aetiologically, these polyps seem to arise because of parietal cell hyperplasia and parietal cell protrusions resulting from acid suppression.
A comparison of an anterior jaw lift manoeuvre with the Berman airway for assisting fibreoptic orotracheal intubation*
Authors: Iqbal R. , Gardner‐Thorpe C. , Thompson J. , Popat M. T. , Yentis S. M. , Pandit J. J.
Published: October 2006

This study compared the efficacy of an anterior jaw lift manoeuvre with that of the Berman airway in clearing the upper airway during oral fibreoptic tracheal intubation in anaesthetised, paralysed patients. Fifty patients were randomly assigned to undergo fibreoptic‐assisted intubation with one method, followed by crossover to the alternative method. The time taken to view the vocal cords was the primary endpoint, and we also noted the rate of failure to view the cords, i.e. cords not seen after 120 s of endoscopy. Anterior jaw lift yielded significantly shorter times to view the vocal cords (median [interquartile range; range]: 22 [17–46; 7–120] s vs 40 [29–67; 21–120] s, p = 0.001) and a higher success rate (49/50 vs 42/50, p = 0.014). We conclude that the anterior jaw lift is more effective than the Berman device for achieving airway clearance in this setting.
Brain stem death testing after thiopental use: a survey of UK neuro critical care practice*
Authors: Pratt O. W. , Bowles B. , Protheroe R. T.
Published: October 2006

A postal survey was conducted to determine how thiopental is used in UK neurosurgery critical care units. Thirty units were contacted and 26 replied. Thiopental is used in 23 units. The majority (60%) of these units govern the use of thiopental with protocols or guidelines and 74% use cerebral monitoring to guide dosage. When patients have had thiopental, 20 units delay brain stem testing, two will not perform tests and one unit incorporates cerebral angiography into their protocol. Twelve units use serum thiopental assays in their brain stem testing procedures, but there is wide variation in the interpretation of the results. We found inconsistency and confusion surrounding brain stem testing in this patient group, raising the possibility of misdiagnosis of brain stem death.
Combinations of common chronic paediatric diseases deviate the immune response in diverging directions
Authors: Nilsson L , Kivling A , Jalmelid M , Magnusson K Fälth , Faresjö M
Published: October 2006

The cytokine pattern of T lymphocytes has not been characterized in children with combinations of paediatric immunological disorders. We describe cytokine secretion in children with type 1 diabetes, coeliac disease and allergy and combinations of two of these diseases after stimulation with ‘disease-specific’ antigens. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were collected from 68 children with type 1 diabetes, allergy or coeliac disease, two of these diseases in combination or none of these diseases. Using the enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) technique, interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-4 were analysed from fresh PBMC spontaneously and after in vitro stimulation with antigens associated with one or more of these diseases (insulin, gluten, birch and cat extract, β-lactoglobulin, ovalbumin and phytohaemagglutinin) in order to divide T helper (Th)1- from Th2-like lymphocytes. Stimulation with birch and cat extract caused increased IL-4 secretion in allergic children. A low IFN-γ response to insulin was found in type 1 diabetic children, whereas allergic children responded to insulin by increased IL-4 secretion. Children suffering from both type 1 diabetes (Th1-prone) and allergy (Th2-prone) reacted distinctly to general mitogen stimulation. Children suffering from two Th1-dominated diseases (type 1 diabetes and coeliac disease) showed hardly any response to either food or inhalation allergens. Our results indicate an important interplay between common immunological diseases in children. The combination of two Th1-deviated diseases is associated with a suppressed immune response, whereas a combination of Th1- and Th2-dominated diseases appears to increase the general immune response.
Fetal gonadotrope cell origin of FSH‐secreting pituitary adenoma – insight into human pituitary tumour pathogenesis
Authors: Davis J. R. E. , McNeilly J. R. , Norris A. J. , Pope C. , Wilding M. , McDowell G. , Holland J. P. , McNeilly A. S.
Published: October 2006

Objective  The pathogenesis of human pituitary adenomas remains unclear, but we report a case of FSH‐secreting pituitary adenoma whose monohormonal phenotype suggests it was of fetal origin.

Patients  A 28‐year‐old woman presented with abdominal discomfort and irregular menses, enlarged multicystic ovaries and elevated serum oestradiol, with sustained high‐normal FSH and low LH levels.

Measurements  Endocrine studies were performed before and after curative surgery, with assessment of tumour hormone secretion in vitro, and immunostaining of tumour tissue for a series of gonadotrope proteins.

Results  Immunocytochemistry showed that tumour cells were monohormonal for FSH. Normal components of gonadotrope signalling pathways were expressed, including oestrogen receptor‐α, activin receptors, secretogranin‐II and chromogranin‐A. β‐glycan, the putative inhibin coreceptor, was absent. Tumour culture in vitro confirmed secretion of FSH with minimal LH, that was unsuppressed by oestradiol or inhibin‐A. Human fetal pituitary tissue contained FSH‐only cells at 18 weeks gestation, whereas normal adult pituitary tissue contained only bihormonal gonadotropes.

Conclusions  We propose that this pituitary adenoma represents an indolent tumour of monohormonal fetal gonadotrope cells that originated early in gestation. Pituitary tumours may therefore arise from abnormal persistence of fetal cell types, with extremely slow growth over many years until reaching a size threshold to generate an endocrine syndrome. Understanding fetal pituitary architecture and function may be more informative for new insights into pituitary tumour pathogenesis than classical theories of cancer biology that invoke unrestrained cell proliferation.
Heterotropic bone formation as a complication of elective joint replacement in haemophilic patients – a case report and literature review
Authors: MANN H. A. , CHOUDHURY M. Z. B. , LEE C. A. , GODDARD N. J.
Published: October 2006

Summary.  We report two cases of this rare postoperative condition. Both patients having undergone extensive surgery to their hips, developed increased bone growth in the soft tissue of the hip, accounting for the reduced range of movement, pain and stiffness. Plain x‐rays taken confirmed the presence of heterotopic ossification, also known as a variant of myositis ossificans. We review the literature and discuss treatment options of this rare condition in patients with end‐stage haemophilic arthropathy.
A revision of a job evaluation system
Authors: Kahya Emin
Published: October 2006

Aims.  This paper reports a revision of the United Kingdom's National Health Service Job Evaluation System and tests the revised system in eight clinical nursing management jobs in four Turkish hospitals.

Background.  A job evaluation system was developed in the United Kingdom in 2003–2004. Most studies have focused on how the whole system will be implemented in a health organization. No study investigating proficiency of the system in terms of factors and their level definitions was found.

Methods.  The factors Knowledge, Training and experience and Working conditions were divided into five factors: Knowledge, Experience, Education, Environmental conditions and Hazards. To test the revised system, all the nursing management jobs in four hospitals were evaluated using a factor‐based questionnaire including nurses’ demographic information and 19 variables. The questionnaire was distributed to 57 supervisor nurses in 31 clinics at four hospitals in one Turkish city in 2005. All the questionnaires were analysed to evaluate the jobs.

Results.  The job scores change depending on clinical conditions. Although the score range in the National Health Service Job Evaluation system has been determined as 405–465 points (band VI) for Nurse team leader and 469–536 points (band VII) for Nurse team manager jobs, the job scores in the present study were 363 (band V) – 557 points (band VIIIa) and 379 (band V) – 586 points (band VIIIa) respectively.

Conclusion.  Although this exploratory study was limited to four hospitals in one city in Turkey, the results indicated that two new jobs would be identified in the National Health Service system to match the jobs in the intensive care and emergency units.
Validation of the Chinese version of the Satisfaction with the Nursing Home Instrument
Authors: Lee Linda YK , Lee Diana TF , Woo Jean , Wong Eric MC
Published: October 2006

Aim.  To assess the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Satisfaction with the Nursing Home Instrument.

Background.  Resident's satisfaction has been regarded by the literature as a gold standard for quality of nursing home care. Accurate assessment of resident's satisfaction can provide valuable information for implementation of quality nursing home care. However, there is not a validated Chinese tool to serve the purpose.

Design.  A cross‐sectional descriptive survey design.

Methods.  Content validity of the Chinese version of the Satisfaction with the Nursing Home Instrument was assessed by the use of expert panel. Construct validity of the Chinese version of the Satisfaction with the Nursing Home Instrument was determined by assessing the correlation between satisfaction with other theoretically related constructs. Internal consistency and stability of the Chinese version of the Satisfaction with the Nursing Home Instrument were determined by Cronbach's method and two‐week test–retest reliability. The six‐factor structure of the Chinese version of the Satisfaction with the Nursing Home Instrument was assessed by confirmatory factor analysis. Testing was performed on a cluster sample of 330 residents from 16 nursing homes in Hong Kong.

Results.  The Chinese version of the Satisfaction with the Nursing Home Instrument demonstrated good content validity by having content validity index of 0·93. High construct validity of the Chinese version of the Satisfaction with the Nursing Home Instrument was supported by its significant correlation with depression (r = −0·42, P = 0·000), health‐related quality of life (physical component) (r = 0·16, P = 0·042), health‐related quality of life (mental component) (r = 0·41, P = 0·000) and global quality of care (r = 0·49, P = 0·000). The Chinese version of the Satisfaction with the Nursing Home Instrument demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency and good stability by having Cronbach's alpha of 0·79 and intra‐class correlation coefficient of 0·94, respectively. The six‐factor structure of the Chinese version of the Satisfaction with the Nursing Home Instrument was not fully supported by confirmatory factor analysis.

Conclusions.  The Chinese version of the Satisfaction with the Nursing Home Instrument is a useful instrument for assessing satisfaction of cognitively intact Chinese nursing home residents. Findings provided initial evidence on its validity and reliability. Further empirical testing is recommended to explore its factor structure.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The Chinese version of the Satisfaction with the Nursing Home Instrument can provide guidance to enhance delivery of high‐quality nursing home care for the Chinese population.
Caring for patients of Islamic denomination: critical care nurses’ experiences in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Halligan Phil
Published: October 2006

Aim.  To describe the critical care nurses’ experiences in caring for patients of Muslim denomination in Saudi Arabia.

Background.  Caring is known to be the essence of nursing but many health‐care settings have become more culturally diverse. Caring has been examined mainly in the context of Western cultures. Muslims form one of the largest ethnic minority communities in Britain but to date, empirical studies relating to caring from an Islamic perspective is not well documented. Research conducted within the home of Islam would provide essential truths about the reality of caring for Muslim patients.

Design.  Phenomenological descriptive.

Methods.  Six critical care nurses were interviewed from a hospital in Saudi Arabia. The narratives were analysed using Colaizzi's framework.

Results.  The meaning of the nurses’ experiences emerged as three themes: family and kinship ties, cultural and religious influences and nurse–patient relationship. The results indicated the importance of the role of the family and religion in providing care. In the process of caring, the participants felt stressed and frustrated and they all experienced emotional labour. Communicating with the patients and the families was a constant battle and this acted as a further stressor in meeting the needs of their patients.

Conclusions.  The concept of the family and the importance and meaning of religion and culture were central in the provision of caring. The beliefs and practices of patients who follow Islam, as perceived by expatriate nurses, may have an effect on the patient's health care in ways that are not apparent to many health‐care professionals and policy makers internationally.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Readers should be prompted to reflect on their clinical practice and to understand the impact of religious and cultural differences in their encounters with patients of Islam denomination. Policy and all actions, decisions and judgments should be culturally derived.
Supported employment improves cognitive performance in adults with Autism
Authors: García‐Villamisar D. , Hughes C.
Published: October 2006

Background  The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a supported employment programme on measures of executive functions for 44 adults with autism, assessed at the beginning and the end of the programme period. The average length of time of the community employment was 30 months.

Methods  Based on their predominant work activity over the study period, participants were classified into two groups: supported employment and unemployed. At the start of the programme, the groups did not differ on any of the cognitive measures.

Results  Repeated measures analysis of variance (anova) demonstrated that by the end of the programme, the supported employment group showed higher scores for executive functions on variables of CANTAB (Spatial Span Task – span length recalled; Spatial Working Memory Task – strategy; Planning task ‘Stockings of Cambridge’– problems solved in minimum moves; Planning task ‘Stockings of Cambridge’– mean planning time) and other tasks such as Trail Making Test – part B, time; Matching Familiar Figures (first answer and errors). In contrast, the unemployed group showed no change over time in their cognitive performance.

Conclusion  Results of this study suggested that vocational rehabilitation programmes have a beneficial impact upon cognitive performance in people with autism.
A chloroplast genealogy of myrmecophyticMacarangaspecies (Euphorbiaceae) in Southeast Asia reveals hybridization, vicariance and long‐distance dispersals
Authors: BÄNFER GUDRUN , MOOG UTE , FIALA BRIGITTE , MOHAMED MARYATI , WEISING KURT , BLATTNER FRANK R.
Published: October 2006

Macaranga(Euphorbiaceae) includes about 280 species with a palaeotropic distribution. The genus not only comprises some of the most prominent pioneer tree species in Southeast Asian lowland dipterocarp forests, it also exhibits a substantial radiation of ant‐plants (myrmecophytes). Obligate ant‐plant mutualisms are formed by about 30Macarangaspecies and 13 ant species of the generaCrematogasterorCamponotus. To improve our understanding of the co‐evolution of the ants and their host plants, we aim at reconstructing comparative organellar phylogeographies of both partners across their distributional range. Preliminary evidence indicated that chloroplast DNA introgression among closely relatedMacarangaspecies might occur. We therefore constructed a comprehensive chloroplast genealogy based on DNA sequence data from the noncoding ccmp2, ccmp6, andatpB‐rbcL regions for 144 individuals from 41Macarangaspecies, covering all major evolutionary lineages within the three sections that contain myrmecophytes. A total of 88 chloroplast haplotypes were identified, and grouped into a statistical parsimony network that clearly distinguished sections and well‐defined subsectional groups. Within these groups, the arrangement of haplotypes followed geographical rather than taxonomical criteria. Thus, up to six chloroplast haplotypes were found within single species, and up to seven species shared a single haplotype. The spatial distribution of the chloroplast types revealed several dispersals between the Malay Peninsula and Borneo, and a deep split between Sabah and the remainder of Borneo. Our large‐scale chloroplast genealogy highlights the complex history of migration, hybridization, and speciation in the myrmecophytes of the genusMacaranga. It will serve as a guideline for adequate sampling and data interpretation in phylogeographic studies of individualMacarangaspecies and species groups.
Genetic polyandry and sexual conflict in the sandbar shark,Carcharhinus plumbeus, in the western North Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico
Authors: PORTNOY DAVID S. , PIERCY ANDREW N. , MUSICK JOHN A. , BURGESS GEORGE H. , GRAVES JOHN E.
Published: October 2006

To investigate patterns of polyandry in the sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus), 20 pregnant females were sampled from the western North Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. Five species‐specific microsatellite markers were used to genotype each shark and its litter. Of 20 litters, 17 (85%) were shown to have multiple sires. In multiply sired litters, the estimated minimum number of sires ranged from two to five with an average of 2.3 males per litter. Regression analysis did not demonstrate a significant relationship between female reproductive success and female body size or sire number and female body size. There was a high incidence of reproductive skew noted in litters, and two groups of males with significantly different mean reproductive success were observed. Analyses using Bateman's principles suggest that there is less direct benefit for females that acquire multiple mates than for males who bias paternity within litters. In light of past morphological and behavioural studies, these data suggest that patterns of polyandry in elasmobranchs may be determined by coercive mating, and that breeding behaviour has likely evolved in the context of sexual conflict.
Local‐scale genetic structure in the peatmoss Sphagnum fuscum
Authors: GUNNARSSON U. , SHAW A. J. , LÖNN M.
Published: October 2006

Sphagnum (peatmoss) dominates huge areas of the Northern Hemisphere and acts as a significant carbon sink on a global scale, yet little is known about the genetic structure of Sphagnum populations. We investigated genetic structure within a population of the common peatmoss Sphagnum fuscum, to assess local patterns of genetic diversity and the spatial extent of clones. One hundred seventeen shoots were sampled from five transects in Fuglmyra, central Norway, and sequenced for three anonymous DNA regions. Five neighbourhood patches were marked along each transect, and from each patch, five stems were sampled for molecular analyses. Seventeen haplotypes could be distinguished and two major groups of haplotypes differed by 12 mutational steps. The two major haplotype groups differed significantly in microhabitat association along the distance to groundwater table and the pH gradients, indicating microhabitat differentiation. The haplotypes within these groups were all genetically similar, differing by one or two mutations. The most common haplotype occurred in four transects separated by 250‐m distance. Most of the molecular variation in the population was found among transects, and within patches. Large dominating clones within each transect resulted in low variation explained by the among‐patch‐within‐transect component of spatial structure. Mutation appears to account for a larger proportion of the population variation than recombination. Within the population, vegetative growth and asexual reproduction from gametophyte fragments dominate as the main reproductive mode.
The exceptionally tight affinity of DnaA for ATP/ADP requires a unique aspartic acid residue in the AAA+ sensor 1 motif
Authors: Kawakami Hironori , Ozaki Shogo , Suzuki Shigeo , Nakamura Kenta , Senriuchi Takayuki , Su'etsugu Masayuki , Fujimitsu Kazuyuki , Katayama Tsutomu
Published: October 2006

Escherichia coli DnaA, an AAA+ superfamily protein, initiates chromosomal replication in an ATP‐binding‐dependent manner. Although DnaA has conserved Walker A/B motifs, it binds adenine nucleotides 10‐ to 100‐fold more tightly than do many other AAA+ proteins. This study shows that the DnaA Asp‐269 residue, located in the sensor 1 motif, plays a specific role in supporting high‐affinity ATP/ADP binding. The affinity of the DnaA D269A mutant for ATP/ADP is at least 10‐ to 100‐fold reduced compared with that of the wild‐type and DnaA R270A proteins. In contrast, the abilities of DnaA D269A to bind a typical DnaA box, unwind oriC duplex in the presence of elevated concentrations of ATP, load DnaB onto DNA and support minichromosomal replication in a reconstituted system are retained. Whereas the acidic Asp residue is highly conserved among eubacterial DnaA homologues, the corresponding residue in many other AAA+ proteins is Asn/Thr and in some AAA+ proteins these neutral residues are essential for ATP hydrolysis but not ATP binding. As the intrinsic ATPase activity of DnaA is extremely weak, this study reveals a novel and specific function for the sensor 1 motif in tight ATP/ADP binding, one that depends on the alternate key residue Asp.
Low birthweight and mortality: the tendency to repeat low birthweight and its association with early neonatal and infant morbidity and mortality
Authors: Bakketeig Leiv S. , Jacobsen Geir , Skjærven Rolv , Carneiro Isabella G. , Knudsen Lisbeth B.
Published: October 2006

Previous studies have demonstrated the tendency to repeat gestational age and birthweight in successive pregnancies and that this tendency is associated with infant survival. Thus, newborn outcome and survival is less favourable if the gestational age and size departs from this maternal tendency. This paper aims to study diseases or conditions that might be associated with this effect. Data were provided through a linkage between three Danish health registries: the Danish Fertility Database, the National Hospital Registry, and the Registry for Preventive Medicine. Such linkage was possible due to the use of unique ID‐person numbers. The study included all 8219 second‐order low‐birthweight (LBW) singleton Danish births, 1980–94, of whom 7811 were liveborn. It was also required that the mother's first delivery took place during that period. The analysis considered 7803 of these births; eight were excluded due to insufficient information. Of the second‐order LBW children, 26% had an elder sibling who was also LBW.

Early neonatal mortality of a ‘non‐repeat’ LBW birth was 1.3 times higher than ‘repeat’ LBW births [53.8 vs. 41.2 per 1000; RR 1.31; 95% CI 1.03, 1.65], as was infant mortality [78.4 vs. 60.8 per 1000; RR 1.30; 95% CI 1.06, 1.56]. Also, proportionately more LBW repeat births had Apgar scores of ≥7 after 1 and 5 min. Overall, repeat second‐order LBW babies weighed 68 g more than non‐repeat LBW babies (P < 0.001). At term, the weight difference was 160 g higher among repeat LBW births (P < 0.001). The mean number of hospitalisations during the first year of life was lower among repeat than non‐repeat LBW babies (2.30 vs. 2.46, P < 0.001), while the mean duration of stay was 23.71 vs. 23.97 days (P > 0.05). Newborn immaturity was the most common diagnosis for hospitalisation, and infections the second most common. There were no differences between repeat and non‐repeat LBW births in the proportion with each diagnosis. Apart from the differences in birthweight, we were unable to explain the improved survival for repeat compared with non‐repeat LBW babies. Except for differences in Apgar scores, we observed no differences in morbidity based on registered hospitalisations during infancy.
Immunological exposures in Norwegian agriculture and pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Nordby Karl‐Christian , Irgens Lorentz M. , Kristensen Petter
Published: October 2006

Immune system perturbations are involved in pre‐eclampsia pathophysiology. We hypothesised that immunomodulating substances, such as mycotoxins, endotoxins or pesticides, affect pre‐eclampsia risk. Associations between indicators of immunomodulating exposures in agriculture and pre‐eclampsia are reported.

In a Norwegian family cohort based on participants in agricultural censuses conducted by Statistics Norway 1969–89, 183 313 pregnancies to farmers were identified in the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. Cases notified as pre‐eclampsia as well as pregnancies indicated by hypertension in combination with proteinuria were included. Data on farm production and meteorologically based fungal forecasts 1973–90 (a marker of temperate and humid climatic conditions known to favour fungal growth and mycotoxin formation in grain) were obtained and allocated to each farm. Pre‐eclampsia prevalence rates were studied in strata of exposure indicators using Poisson regression models. Adjusted rate ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals [CI] were computed.

We identified 4912 cases, equivalent to 26.8 pre‐eclampsia cases per 1000 pregnancies [95% CI 26.1, 27.6]. Pre‐eclampsia showed moderate associations with animal farming, RR 1.14, [95% CI 1.07, 1.22] and moderate negative associations with grain production, RR 0.93, [95% CI 0.86, 1.01], and two or more fungal forecasts appearing in any year 1973–90, RR 0.90 [95% CI 0.84, 0.97], using no years with two or more forecasts as reference.

Exposure to immunomodulating substances as indicated by grain farming, animal farming and fungal warnings could possibly have moderate effects on pre‐eclampsia risk, thus supporting the study hypothesis. The use of exposure indicators as surrogates for real exposures may introduce a non‐differential misclassification of the exposure that would attenuate any true exposure–outcome association. The use of exposure proxies warrants that inferences from the study should be made with caution.
Long‐term evaluation of cyclosporine and tacrolimus based immunosuppression in pediatric liver transplantation
Authors: Hasenbein Wibke , Albani Johannes , Englert Cornelia , Spehr Aranke , Grabhorn Enke , Kemper Markus J. , Burdelski Martin , Ganschow Rainer
Published: October 2006

Abstract:  Both calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs), cyclosporine and tacrolimus, are widely used in pediatric liver transplant recipients and currently data are limited with regards to long‐term results using the one drug or the other in comparable low doses. We conducted the present study to assess the advantages and disadvantages of both drugs in children at least five yr post‐liver transplantation. A total of 129 children were enrolled in the study. Thirty‐eight of the children were switched to tacrolimus monotherapy for different reasons [steroid resistant graft rejection (n = 15), chronic rejection (n = 5), severe acute rejection (n = 4), repetitive acute graft rejection (n = 5), dysfunction of the transplant (n = 3), insufficient CsA metabolism (n = 3), hypertrichosis (n = 2), and CsA toxicity (n = 1)], four patients had primary tacrolimus therapy, and 87 patients are receiving cyclosporine. Mean trough levels were 5.3 ± 2.3 ng/mL (tacrolimus) and 73.6 ± 44.5 μ/L (cyclosporine), respectively at least five yr post‐orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). There was no significant difference in the calculated glomerular filtration rate between children on cyclosporine and tacrolimus (142.7 + 39.5 mL/min/1.73 m2 vs. 151.1 ± 44.1 mL/min/1.73 m2). The incidence of arterial hypertension was 7.1% vs. 9.2%, that of hepatotoxicity was 0% vs. 2.3%. Cosmetic changes were found in more than one‐third of the patients on cyclosporine and in 4.8% of the patients receiving tacrolimus. Quality of life was excellent in both groups (self assessment). The impact of CNIs on chronic graft dysfunction cannot be assessed by our present study. We conclude from the results that cyclosporine and tacrolimus are both excellent drugs for maintenance immunosuppression in the long‐term course following pediatric liver transplantation. However, this retrospective analysis is limited by the bias between children on CsA as compared with patients receiving tacrolimus. A prospective randomized controlled trial is needed in order to assess which CNI is the best for children following OLT.
Favorable response of pediatric stem cell recipients to human protein C concentrate substitution for veno‐occlusive disease
Authors: Eber S. W. , Gungor T. , Veldman A. , Sykora K. , Scherer F. , Fischer D. , Grigull L.
Published: October 2006

Abstract:  Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 is known to be elevated in patients with hepatic VOD after intensive chemotherapy. To re‐establish endogenous fibrinolysis and to inhibit thrombin formation, we used non‐APC (zymogen) to normalize PAI‐1 levels. As a consequence of thrombin formation inhibition and the consecutive inhibition of the coagulation cascade, this treatment is expected to reduce the elevated D‐dimer level. Six pediatric stem cell recipients with moderate or severe VOD after busulfan or total body irradiation conditioning regimen are reported here who were therapy‐refractory to defibrotide or rt‐PA therapy. All patients had low levels of PC activity (16–39%). The administration of PC (60–240 IU/kg) led to a rapid and sustained rise in PC activity (target level >80%) with near normalization of prothrombin and partial thromboplastin time in all patients. Elevated PAI‐1 levels declined. Five of the six patients showed a good clinical response with prompt resolution of clinical, sonographic, and laboratory signs of hepatic blood flow obstruction, while one patient with severe VOD, as well as concomitant liver GVHD and CMV disease, had a slow but detectable response to PC therapy. All patients survived.
Impact of high ozone on isoprene emission, photosynthesis and histology of developing Populus alba leaves directly or indirectly exposed to the pollutant
Authors: Fares Silvano , Barta Csengele , Brilli Federico , Centritto Mauro , Ederli Luisa , Ferranti Francesco , Pasqualini Stefania , Reale Lara , Tricoli Domenico , Loreto Francesco
Published: October 2006

The direct and indirect impact of ozone on Populus alba was studied by exposing leaves enclosed in specially designed cuvettes for 30 days to high ozone (150 ppb, 11 h per day), while leaves developing above the cuvettes were exposed to ambient ozone. Gas exchanges and histo‐anatomical parameters were measured to specifically understand whether ozone indirectly affects the anatomy and physiology of leaves. Three leaf classes were investigated: (1) those expanding above the cuvettes (A leaves); (2) those already developed inside the cuvettes (B leaves) and (3) those developing inside the cuvettes, since the beginning of the ozone treatment (C leaves). The anatomy and morphology of the first leaf developing outside the cuvette (A1) were strongly affected by ozone, whereas photosynthesis was not perturbed. However, in leaves of ozone‐treated plants developing after A1, a large reduction of starch accumulation was observed, which suggests a delayed biosynthesis, or a very rapid export of starch toward other sinks. Isoprene emission was higher and isoprene synthase messenger RNA was more expressed in ozone‐treated A1 leaves than in control leaves with similar ontogeny. This indicates that isoprene synthesis is stimulated by ozone, and reveals that isoprene emission is controlled at a transcriptional level. Leaves already developed inside the cuvette (B leaves) rapidly sensed ozone stress, which inhibited photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and isoprene emission. The observation that new leaves were developing inside the cuvettes during the treatment (C leaves) suggests that resistance to ozone may be acquired by plants. Leaves C showed a more packed and thinner mesophyll than controls of similar development, which may help reduce ozone penetration inside cells. They also showed a lower photosynthesis in comparison to controls and to other leaf classes, probably because of ribulose 1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase activity limitation, as inferred from photosynthesis response to intercellular CO2. However, isoprene emission was slightly stimulated also in C leaves, confirming that a large fraction of carbon is invested into isoprene formation under ozone stress.