bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Catalases play differentiated roles in the adaptation of a fungal entomopathogen to environmental stresses
Authors: Wang Zheng‐Liang , Zhang Long‐Bin , Ying Sheng‐Hua , Feng Ming‐Guang
Published: July 2012

The catalase family of Beauveria bassiana (fungal entomopathogen) consists of catA (spore‐specific), catB (secreted), catP (peroxisomal), catC (cytoplasmic) and catD (secreted peroxidase/catalase), which were distinguished in phylogeny and structure and functionally characterized by constructing single‐gene disrupted and rescued mutants for enzymatic and multi‐phenotypic analyses. Total catalase activity decreased 89% and 56% in ΔcatB and ΔcatP, corresponding to the losses of upper and lower active bands gel‐profiled for all catalases respectively, but only 9−12% in other knockout mutants. Compared with wild type and complement mutants sharing similar enzymatic and phenotypic parameters, all knockout mutants showed significant (9−56%) decreases in the antioxidant capability of their conidia (active ingredients of mycoinsecticides), followed by remarkable phenotypic defects associated with the fungal biocontrol potential. These defects included mainly the losses of 40% thermotolerance (45°C) in ΔcatA, 46−48% UV‐B resistance in ΔcatA and ΔcatD, and 33−47% virulence to Spodoptera litura larvae in ΔcatA, ΔcatP and ΔcatD respectively. Moreover, the drastic transcript upregulation of some other catalase genes observed in the normal culture of each knockout mutant revealed functionally complimentary effects among some of the catalase genes, particularly between catB and catC whose knockout mutants displayed little or minor phenotypic changes. However, the five catalase genes functioned redundantly in mediating the fungal tolerance to either hyperosmotic or fungicidal stress. The differentiated roles of five catalases in regulating the B. bassiana virulence and tolerances to oxidative stress, high temperature and UV‐B irradiation provide new insights into fungal adaptation to stressful environment and host invasion.
The safety and efficacy of adding once‐daily insulin detemir to oral hypoglycaemic agents in patients with type 2 diabetes in a clinical practice setting in 10 countries
Authors: Khunti K. , Caputo S. , Damci T. , Dzida G. J. , Ji Q. , Kaiser M. , Karnieli E. , Liebl A. , Ligthelm R. J. , Nazeri A. , Orozco‐Beltran D. , Pan C. , Ross S. A. , Svendsen A. L. , Vora J. , Yale J.‐F. , Meneghini L. F. ,   on behalf of the SOLVE Study Group
Published: July 2012

Aims

Evaluate the safety and efficacy of once‐daily insulin detemir initiated in routine clinical practice in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled with oral hypoglycaemic agents (OHAs).

Methods

This large observational study was conducted in 10 countries. Adverse event data (including hypoglycaemia) and glycaemic control were recorded before and 24 weeks following insulin initiation while patients continued routine clinical management.

Results

In this study, 17 374 patients (53% male) were included. Mean pre‐insulin values (±s.d.) were: age 62 ± 12 years; body mass index (BMI) 29.3 ± 5.4 kg/m2; diabetes duration 10 ± 7 years; haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) 8.9 ± 1.6%. During the study, 27 patients experienced serious adverse drug reaction, severe hypoglycaemic events or both; and there were 31 episodes of severe hypoglycaemia in 21 patients. After 24 weeks, HbA1c was 7.5 ± 1.2% (change of −1.3%; p < 0.001) and mean weight change was −0.6 kg (confidence interval −0.7, −0.5 kg, p < 0.001). Daily insulin dose increased from 13 ± 6 U (0.16 ± 0.09 U/kg) to 22 ± 16 U (0.27 ± 0.17U/kg) by 24 weeks. Multivariate regression analysis identified several independent demographic and treatment predictors of end of study HbA1c.

Conclusions

Addition of once‐daily insulin detemir to patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus on OHA therapy resulted in few adverse events, significant improvements in glycaemic control, small reductions in weight and low rates of hypoglycaemia. On the basis of this study, concerns about hypoglycaemia or weight gain should not preclude initiation of basal insulin analogues in patients with poor glycaemic control on OHAs.
Recording of the full‐field electroretinogram in minipigs
Authors: Augsburger Anne‐Sandrine , Haag Valérie , Leuillet Sébastien , Legrand Jean‐Jacques , Forster Roy
Published: July 2012

Purpose  To test a simple electroretinographic protocol on a representative sample of minipigs.

Animal studied  Minipig.

Procedures  Electroretinogram recordings were conducted on 162 healthy minipigs (81 males and 81 females) aged 4–6 months. After a 1.5‐h light‐adaptation period, the animals were anesthetized with general anesthesia. First, binocular full‐field photopic electroretinogram recordings were conducted under photopic conditions. Subsequently, scotopic electroretinogram recordings were conducted during dark‐adaptation periods every 4 min for a 20‐min period. At the end of this period, the maximal combined rod‐cone response was recorded by measuring the retinal response to a single high‐intensity flash. We used sclerocorneal clip electrodes as active electrodes and needle electrodes as reference and ground electrodes.

Results  The a‐wave and b‐wave peak times and amplitudes have been measured and statistically analyzed. For each of the statistical comparisons, normality and homogeneity of variances were evaluated. No significant gender differences were observed, with the exception of a higher b‐wave amplitude for the photopic ERG recordings observed in females when compared to males (48.14 ± 12.909 μV vs. 42.88 ± 10.666 μV; P = 0.005). The process of dark adaptation was evaluated, and the maximal combined rod‐cone response was measured (a‐ and b‐waves amplitude and peak time).

Conclusions  We conducted photopic and scotopic electroretinogram recordings from a protocol based on light adaptation followed by dark adaptation using sclerocorneal clip electrodes, which allows quick assembly and examination.
Impact of elevated UVB radiation on marine biota: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Llabrés Moira , Agustí Susana , Fernández Miriam , Canepa Antonio , Maurin Felipe , Vidal Francisco , Duarte Carlos M.
Published: July 2012

Aim

The emission of chlorofluorocarbon compounds eroded the ozone layer, raising incident ultraviolet B radiation to levels that affect biota. However, the role of UVB radiation (280–315 nm), which remains elevated to date, as a possible driver of the widespread global deterioration of marine ecosystems has not yet been fully quantified. In this paper we assess the magnitude of the impacts of elevated UVB radiation and evaluate the relative sensitivity to UVB across marine taxa and processes.

Location

The analyses presented are based on 1784 experimental assessments of the impacts of UVB performed with natural radiation and organisms from different geographical areas, as well as with artificial radiation and cultured organisms at many laboratories around the world.

Methods

First we compiled the published literature concerning experimental evaluation of the impacts of UVB on marine biota. Then a meta‐analysis was conducted with the data set obtained to evaluate the responses of marine organisms and processes to enhanced and reduced UVB levels.

Results

Increased UVB radiation leads to a sharp increase in mortality rates across marine taxa, with protists, corals, crustaceans and fish eggs and larvae being most sensitive. A general relationship between relative changes in UVB doses and mortality rates was developed. This relationship can help assess the effects of changes in incident UVB radiation (past, present or future) on marine organisms.

Main conclusions

This meta‐analysis demonstrates that mortality rates of marine biota increase rapidly in response to elevated UVB radiation. The enhanced mortality rates associated with currently elevated UVB levels may represent a major threat to marine biota, possibly underlying recent widespread declines in the abundance of marine organisms ranging from corals to fish and krill.
The Politics of the Evicted: Redevelopment, Subjectivity, and Difference in Mumbai's Slum Frontier
Authors: Doshi Sapana
Published: July 2012

In recent years cities around the world have undergone mass slum clearances for redevelopment. This study of Mumbai offers an alternative interpretation of urban capital accumulation by investigating the differentiated political subjectivities of displaced slum residents. I argue that Mumbai's redevelopment entails not uniform class‐based dispossessions but a process of accumulation by differentiated displacement whereby uneven displacement politics are central to the social production of land markets. Two ethnographic cases reveal that groups negotiate redevelopment in contradictory ways, supporting or contesting projects in varying moments. Redevelopmental subjectivities are influenced at key conjunctures by market‐oriented resettlement, ideologies of belonging, desires for improved housing, and participation in non‐governmental groups. This articulated assemblage of power‐laden practices reflects and reworks class, gender, and ethno‐religious relations, profoundly shaping evictees' experience and political engagement. The paper concludes that focusing on differentiated subjectivities may usefully guide both analysis and social justice practice aimed at countering dispossession.
THE 2011 ANTIPODE AAG LECTURE Whose Responsibility Is It? Obligation, Citizenship and Social Welfare
Authors: Staeheli Lynn A.
Published: July 2012

Abstract:  This article explores the ways that responsibility for social welfare and wellbeing is framed by service providers, activists and the state in two moments of welfare restructuring in the United States. Many service providers and activists rework notions of obligation and responsibility to challenge the state to meet its obligations to its citizens. They enact an oppositional politics of obligation and care that is rooted in normative values rooted in family and faith. The article concludes with a consideration of the potential for an oppositional politics of obligation.
Facilitation prompts and rubrics on higher‐order thinking skill performance found in undergraduate asynchronous discussion boards
Authors: Giacumo Lisa A. , Savenye Wilhelmina , Smith Nichole
Published: July 2012

Over the past 20 years, researchers have begun to examine data from asynchronous computer‐mediated student discussions in courses. Some results have shown students to demonstrate lower or mid‐level thinking skills, while others suggest students routinely demonstrate higher‐order thinking skills. The authors investigated the relationship between scaffold types and the level of students' thinking skill performance, learning achievement and attitudes, in a two‐by‐two factorial, quasi‐experimental study. Participants included 216 undergraduate preservice K‐12 teachers who were presented with one of four versions of an asynchronous discussion board assignment. Resulting discussion interactions were evaluated for demonstration of low‐, mid‐ and higher‐order thinking skills. Findings revealed students who were given a scaffold demonstrated higher‐level thinking skills more frequently than did students who received no scaffold. No significant differences in learning achievement associated with test performance were found in test results. The treatment variables did significantly affect effect survey ratings associated with students' attitudes.
A framework for sustainable mobile learning in schools
Authors: Ng Wan , Nicholas Howard
Published: July 2012

While there are studies that have looked at the implementation of mobile learning in educational institutions, particularly the identification of issues encountered, few studies have explored holistically the elements that sustain mobile learning. This study dissects the findings of a longitudinal study of a secondary school adopting a personal digital assistant programme and proposes a person‐centred sustainable model for mobile learning.
On Tight‐Binding Approximations in Optical Lattices
Authors: Ablowitz Mark J. , Curtis Christopher W. , Zhu Yi
Published: July 2012

The validity of using the tight‐binding approximation for the nonlinear Schrödinger equations with a two‐dimensional optical lattice is considered. This work provides a rigorous foundation for a technique based on “orbital” functions that is central to solid‐state physics and nonlinear optics. Simple and honeycomb lattices are addressed, and it is therefore shown that the use of tight‐binding approximations is justified in complicated situations.
Recursive adjustment, unit root tests and structural breaks
Authors: Rodrigues Paulo M. M.
Published: July 2012

In this paper, we introduce unit root tests for time series with a potential structural break computed from test regressions in which the deterministic components have been recursively adjusted. We present finite sample critical values as well as Monte Carlo results on the size and power performance of the new procedures, and compare these with other available tests in the literature, such as OLS and quasi‐differenced based tests (see, for instance, Perron, (1997)Perron and Rodriguez, (2003) and Carrion‐i‐Silvestre et al. (2009)). The small sample behaviour of the tests is evaluated in a known and an unknown break date context allowing for negligible and non‐negligible initial conditions. In the unknown break date case, two break date estimation procedures are considered, one based on the minimum unit root t‐statistic and the other based on the minimum sum of squared residuals obtained from a regression on a set of deterministic variables. The size and power performance of the recursive adjustment based procedure in the unknown break date case is encouraging. A further result of this paper relates to the aditional finite sample evidence on the performance of quasi‐differenced unit root tests, complementing the results in Perron and Rodriguez (2003).
Law and order in the age of Theoderic the Great (c.493–526)
Authors: LAFFERTY SEAN
Published: July 2012

Theoderic the Great has long been considered a supremely able ruler whose reign ushered in a period of unprecedented peace and prosperity to the Italian peninsula. A common explanation for this was his ability to provide justice swiftly and equitably by means of a highly Romanized judiciary. But as in the later empire, corruption and venality posed serious challenges, as did problems associated with the limitations of a pre‐modern government. While Theoderic attempted to remedy these structural weaknesses through the creation of new offices, the available evidence challenges long‐held assumptions as to just how successful he was in this regard.
Can silence speak volumes? Widukind's Res Gestae Saxonicae and the coronation of Otto I reconsidered
Authors: ROBBIE STEVEN
Published: July 2012

The Res Gestae Saxonicae, Widukind of Corvey's chronicle of the rise of the Ottonian kings, waxes lyrical about Otto I's coronation as king at Aachen in 936 but passes in silence over his coronation as emperor at Rome in 962. This causes difficulties of interpretation, because the text is generally considered to constitute a unified narrative up to the end of its shortest surviving recension, dated to 967 or 968; scholars have previously dealt with these difficulties by claiming that Widukind's work was a ‘subtle polemic’ against the role of the pope in the making of an emperor. This article suggests instead that only the sections documenting events up to c.961 constitute a unified text, subsequent chapters being no more than hastily compiled addenda. Widukind's notorious omission of the imperial coronation was thus an accidental feature of the text, not the cornerstone of an ideological claim about the emperor's direct connection to God. His portrayal of the Aachen coronation establishes Otto's multiple claims to be the rightful king without differentiating qualitatively between them.
Exploring the relationship between system development life cycle and knowledge accumulation in Taiwan's IT industry
Authors: Lai Wen‐Hsiang , Tsen Hsin‐Cheng
Published: July 2012

Many projects fail because the knowledge learned from them is obtained too late or insufficient (Koenig & Srikantaiah, 2004); ‘knowledge in projects', ‘knowledge about projects', and ‘knowledge from projects' are three types of knowledge that result from project‐based work (Love et al., 2005). This study explores the relationships between the system development life cycle (SDLC) of project management, firm‐level explicit knowledge of organizational knowledge accumulation (OKA), and implicit knowledge of employee knowledge accumulation (EKA) with respect to knowledge accumulation (KA) and knowledge integration (KI). First, it analyzes the competence of SDLC in Taiwan's IT enterprises by adapting expert interviews, analytic hierarchy process (AHP), and fuzzy rule‐based theory. This reveals that system planning (SP) and system analysis (SA) are the most important SDLC phases. Second, based on the above result, this study investigates how the effectiveness of SDLC (ESDLC) correlates with KI, OKA, and EKA. Results indicate that EKA and OKA have obvious mutual influences, and that both show significant impact on ESDLC. Furthermore, KI has positive influence on EKA, but negative influence on OKA.
Impaired verbal fluency under topiramate – evidence for synergistic negative effects of epilepsy, topiramate, and polytherapy
Authors: Witt J.‐A. , Elger C. E. , Helmstaedter C.
Published: July 2012

Background and purpose

Treatment with topiramate (TPM) is known to negatively affect executive functions and verbal fluency in particular. However, judgments of cognitive side effects under TPM rarely consider clinical conditions and possible effects of epilepsy, treatment, and drug load.

Methods

This retrospective cross‐sectional study in large cohorts of patients with epilepsy evaluated the impact of TPM mono‐ and polytherapy on verbal fluency. To isolate TPM‐induced effects from those of epilepsy and antiepileptic medication in general, verbal fluency under TPM (N = 421) was compared to the performance of a matched sample of patients with an antiepileptic medication other than TPM (N = 351), untreated patients (N = 108), and healthy controls (N = 100).

Results

Impaired verbal fluency performance was seen in 77% of the patients treated with TPM. Compared to healthy controls, verbal fluency in untreated patients was reduced by 22%, under monotherapy without TPM by 31% and under TPM monotherapy by 45%. With and without TPM, verbal fluency performance linearly decreased with each additional drug in polytherapy. On each level, performance under TPM was 21–28% worse than in the respective condition without TPM. Unimpaired performance under TPM was primarily associated with lower dose, higher education, and a later onset of epilepsy.

Conclusions

The majority of patients under TPM shows reduced verbal fluency. However, when taking the cumulative negative effects of epilepsy, and the concomitant drug regimen into account, TPM is associated with a 21–28% poorer performance as compared with other drugs. Additionally, the data indicate an impact of dose and reserve capacity on the occurrence of impairments.
Systemic steroids in the treatment of psoriasis: what is fact, what is fiction?
Authors: Mrowietz U. , Domm S.
Published: July 2012

Background  The use of systemic steroids in the treatment of psoriasis is not recommended by dermatological textbooks and guidelines because of the risk of disease deterioration after dose reduction or withdrawal. In contrast to these recommendations, a recent analysis using data from a German nationwide healthcare insurance revealed that systemic steroids were the most frequently prescribed drugs for psoriasis by general practitioners, internal medicine physicians and dermatologists.

Objective  As there is an obvious discrepancy between the use of systemic steroids for psoriasis and the reported adverse effects, a non‐systematic literature search starting 1950 until today was performed to address beneficial and adverse effect of systemic steroids in psoriasis.

Methods  Non‐systematic literature search.

Results  Regarding the widespread use of systemic steroids in psoriasis and other medical conditions taking the high prevalence of psoriasis of 2–3% at least in Caucasians into consideration, there is a remarkable lack of literature addressing adverse effects such as rebound, pustular or erythrodermic flares or even new occurrence of psoriasis in patients with a negative disease history.

Conclusion  A re‐evaluation of the treatment of psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis with systemic steroids is necessary.
Effect of skin pH for wrinkle formation on Asian: Korean, Vietnamese and Singaporean
Authors: Jung Y.C. , Kim E.J. , Cho J.C. , Suh K.D. , Nam G.W.
Published: July 2012

Background  Skin pH may be influenced by various factors, such as hydration of stratum corneum, rate of sebum excretion rate, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and sweating in relation to skin ageing.

Objective  The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between skin pH and wrinkle formation that is directly related to ageing. In addition, we investigated the factors related to skin ageing by comparing the association between skin pH and other skin properties.

Methods  Three hundred volunteers were selected from three countries: Korea, Vietnam and Singapore. Hydration on the stratum corneum, the rate of sebum excretion rate, melanin index, TEWL and skin temperature on the cheek were measured in a controlled room, and wrinkle length and depth using replicas were compared with skin pH variation.

Results  The mean and standard deviation of skin surface pH among the three countries were 5.510 ± 0.625. The greatest gap of skin pH that revealed significant differences for skin properties was represented between the Koreans and the Vietnamese. For all three countries, skin hydration, melanin contents, wrinkle length, wrinkle depth and skin temperature were significantly correlated with skin pH. Factors related to skin moisturizing, such as skin hydration, sebum excretion rate and skin temperature, were negatively correlated with skin pH. Wrinkle length and depth decreased as skin pH became more acidic.

Conclusions  Skin properties displayed various values depending on skin pH. In particular, wrinkle formation significantly decreased as skin pH becomes more acidic. We conclude that skin pH is determined by skin properties, such as skin hydration, sebum excretion rate, melanin concentration, TEWL and skin temperature that affects wrinkle formation.
A qualitative exploration of the views and experiences of family court magistrates making decisions in care proceedings involving parents with learning disabilities
Authors: Kollinsky Laura , Simonds Laura M. , Nixon Julie
Published: July 2012

Accessible summary

Some research shows that parents with learning disabilities often have their children removed from their care. When someone is worried about a person with learning disabilities caring for a child, magistrates in family courts sometimes decide who will look after the child.

Researchers interviewed four family court magistrates. They were interested in what it has been like for the magistrates making decisions in court when the parent had a learning disability.

This article talks about three parts of their stories:

○their knowledge about learning disabilities and what they think others know,

○important things when deciding whether a parent can look after their child, and

○whether knowing a person with a learning disability changes what they do as a magistrate.

The findings could be used to help people with learning disabilities think about what things might be important if someone is worried about them looking after their children.

A small evidence base suggests that parents with learning disabilities are likely to have their children permanently removed from their care. There is no known research involving magistrates in England, despite their role in care proceedings. This study aimed to explore the experience of magistrates making decisions in care proceedings involving parents with learning disabilities. Four family court magistrates took part in a semi‐structured interview. The findings suggest that the magistrates in this sample perceive a distinction between themselves and others in terms of their ability to accommodate complexity in conceptualising learning disabilities. The ability to appreciate such complexity was considered important by magistrates in them adopting a more proactive role when presented with expert opinion. Four main influences were spoken of when determining the best interests of the child: timescale and age of the child, expert opinion, parenting abilities and support. Participants indicated how their experiences with people with learning disabilities outside of the court system have impacted on their role within care proceedings and have shaped their awareness of the limits of their own knowledge. Magistrates indicated a general need for more training about learning disabilities. Limitations and implications for practice are discussed.
Professional Discretion and Accountability in the Welfare State
Authors: Molander Anders , Grimen Harald , Eriksen Erik Oddvar
Published: July 2012

abstract

The discretionary powers of welfare state professionals are in tension with the requirements of the democratic Rechtsstaat. Extensive use of discretion can threaten the principles of the rule of law and relinquish democratic control over the implementation of laws and policies. These two tensions are in principle ineradicable. But does this also mean that they are impossible to come to grips with? Are there measures that may ease these tensions? We introduce an understanding of discretion that adds an epistemic dimension (discretion as a mode of reasoning) to the common structural understanding of discretion (an area of judgment and decision). Accordingly we distinguish between structural and epistemic measures of accountability. The aim of the former is to constrain discretionary spaces or the behaviour within them while the aim of the latter is to improve the quality of discretionary reasoning. The focus in this article is on epistemic measures that are internally related to the main characteristic of accountability, namely justified use of discretionary power.
The prevalence of urinary incontinence in pregnancy among a multi‐ethnic population resident in Norway
Authors: Bø K , Pauck Øglund G , Sletner L , Mørkrid K , Jenum AK
Published: July 2012

Please cite this paper as: Bø K, Pauck Øglund G, Sletner L, Mørkrid K, Jenum A. The prevalence of urinary incontinence in pregnancy among a multi‐ethnic population resident in Norway. BJOG 2012;119:1354–1360.

Objectives  To investigate prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) in a multi‐ethnic population of pregnant women, and to analyse for possible associations of the known risk factors for UI in such a population.

Design  Population‐based cross‐sectional study.

Setting  All pregnant women in three administrative city districts attending the Child Health Clinics.

Population and sample  Out of 823 women identified in first trimester, 722 (74%) agreed to participate in the study at 28 weeks of gestation. Inclusion criteria were: healthy women at 20 weeks of gestation or less and able to communicate in Norwegian, Arabic, English, Sorani, Somali, Tamil, Turkish, Urdu or Vietnamese.

Methods  Differences between ethnic groups were tested by simple descriptive statistics. Associations were estimated by logistic regression analysis and presented as crude (cOR) and adjusted (aOR) odds ratios.

Main outcome measures  Prevalence of UI as ascertained using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire—urinary incontinence—short form.

Results  Prevalence rates of UI at 28 weeks of gestation were 26% for women of African origin, 36% for women of Middle Eastern origin, 40% for women of East Asian origin, 43% for women of South Asian origin and 45% for women of European/North American origin. The difference was significant between women of African and European/North American origins (P = 0.011) and between women of African and South Asian origins (P = 0.035). Age (aOR 1.05; 95% CI 1.01–1.09) and parity (aOR 2.34; 95% CI 1.66–3.28) were positively associated with the prevalence of UI in pregnancy. Women of African origin had significantly reduced odds for UI (aOR 0.42; 95% CI 0.20–0.87). East Asian and African women reported the highest perceived impact of UI in pregnancy.

Conclusions  A high prevalence of UI was found in a multi‐ethnic pregnant population.
Transforming growth factor beta1 gene expression during vaginal wound healing in a rabbit menopause model
Authors: Abramov Y , Hirsch E , Ilievski V , Goldberg RP , Sand PK
Published: July 2012

Objective  Surgical outcome following reconstructive pelvic surgery is largely dependent on the vaginal wound healing process. As peri‐ and post‐menopausal women are the most likely candidates to undergo these surgeries, it is important to understand the effect of estrogen deficiency on this process. Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) is an important mediator of wound healing. We sought to assess TGFβ1 gene expression during the vaginal incisional wound healing process in a rabbit menopause model.

Design  Animal study.

Setting  Animal laboratory.

Sample  Sixty‐three rabbits were used for this study.

Methods  Twenty‐one underwent bilateral oophorectomy, 21 underwent a sham surgery, and 21 served as controls. Eight weeks later, standardised full‐thickness 6‐mm diameter circular segments were excised from the vagina of all rabbits. Animals were killed sequentially, before wounding, and at 0, 4, 7, 14, 21 and 35 days after wounding, and the wounds were harvested.

Main outcome measures  Wound closure and TGFβ1 gene transcription, as measured by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results  Wound closure was significantly protracted (P < 0.02), whereas TGFβ1 gene expression was significantly increased (P < 0.0001) during the wound healing process in oophorectomised rabbits, as compared with both control and sham groups.

Conclusion  Oophorectomised rabbits show protracted incisional vaginal wound healing associated with increased TGFβ1 gene transcription.
Fatally flawed? A review and ethical analysis of lethal congenital malformations
Authors: Wilkinson DJC , Thiele P , Watkins A , De Crespigny L
Published: July 2012

Please cite this paper as: Wilkinson D, Thiele P, Watkins A, De Crespigny L. Fatally flawed? A review and ethical analysis of lethal congenital malformations. BJOG 2012;119:1302–1308.

Prenatally diagnosed abnormalities that are associated with death in the newborn period are often referred to as ‘lethal malformations’. Yet, for many of the commonly described lethal malformations long‐term survival is possible if supportive interventions are provided. In this paper we analyse and review fetal or congenital lethal abnormalities. The designation ‘lethal’ overlaps with the concept of ‘medical futility’. The term is used for a heterogenous group of conditions, and hinders clear communication and counselling. We argue that the term should be avoided, and propose in its place a set of key questions that should be addressed by counselling.
Temperature does not dictate the wintering distributions of European dabbling duck species
Authors: Dalby Lars , Fox Anthony D. , Petersen Ib K. , Delany Simon , Svenning Jens‐Christian
Published: July 2012

To predict future changes in wintering dabbling duck (Anas sp.) distributions in response to climate change, it is necessary to understand their response to temperature at a continental scale. Food accessibility, competition and thermoregulatory costs are likely to play a major role in determining the wintering distribution of short‐ to medium‐distance migratory bird species and in determining how this distribution varies between years. As avian thermoregulatory costs scale allometrically with body size, it would be expected that the mean mid‐winter temperature experienced by six species of dabbling ducks wintering in Western Europe would be negatively correlated with body mass. We found no clear evidence for such a relationship in a large‐scale analysis, nor were there relationships between weighted mean latitude and longitude and mean January temperature experienced by each species. These results suggest that temperature is less important in shaping mid‐winter duck distributions than factors such as feeding ecology.
Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating of sand‐filled wedge structures and their fine‐grained host sediment from Jonzac, SW France
Authors: Guhl Anja , Bertran Pascal , Zielhofer Christoph , Fitzsimmons Kathryn E.
Published: July 2012

Two sand wedge structures and their host sediments, from Jonzac in SW France, were successfully dated using Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) measurements on both small aliquots and single grains of quartz from the 180–212 μm size fraction. One of the sand wedges clearly contains primary infilling. However, grain‐size analysis and field observations do not clearly indicate whether the other feature represents a primary sand wedge or a composite sand wedge with primary and secondary infilling. OSL results and the geological setting justify using the Central Age Model (CAM) for the calculation of age estimates. Grain‐size analysis and detailed investigations of OSL results revealed the contamination of one sand wedge sample with host sediment. However, age calculation using the Finite Mixture Model (FMM) provided what is considered to be a reliable age estimate for the contaminated sample. The age estimates for all samples correspond to Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3. While fine‐grained sediments were deposited in the middle of MIS 3 (c. 43–55 ka), the sand wedges unexpectedly correspond to the end of this period (c. 33 ka) or the onset of MIS 2 (c. 27 ka). The sand wedges were probably formed during intense but short cold periods, possibly correlated with a Heinrich event (H2 and/or H3). The results help us to assess how effective luminescence dating is on sand wedges and the limitations involved in correlating sand wedge ages with Heinrich events, and contribute to the debate on the timing of cryogenic formation processes and the permafrost distribution in SW France.
Entrainment and emplacement of englacial debris bands near the margin of Storglaciären, Sweden
Authors: Moore Peter L. , Iverson Neal R. , Uno Kevin T. , Dettinger Matthew P. , Brugger Keith A. , Jansson Peter
Published: July 2012

Internal structure, stable isotope composition and tritium concentration were measured in and around debris‐bearing ice at the margin of Storglaciären, where englacial debris bands have previously been inferred to form by thrusting. Two types of debris bands were distinguished: (i) an unsorted diamicton band that is laterally continuous for more than 200 m, and (ii) well‐sorted sand and gravel bands that are lenticular and discontinuous. Above‐background tritium levels and enrichment of δ18
O and δD in ice from the diamicton band indicate entrainment by basal freeze‐on since 1952. Isotopic enrichment and tritium‐free ice in the sandy debris bands also indicate entrainment in freezing water, but prior to 1952. The lenticular cross‐section, sorting and stratification of the sandy bands suggest that they were deposited englacially. The basally accreted diamicton band has been elevated tens of metres above the bed and presently overlies the englacially deposited sandy bands, suggesting that the stratigraphy has been disrupted. Three interpretations could account for these observations: (i) thrusting of fast‐moving ice over slow, marginal ice uplifting recently accreted basal ice along the fault; (ii) folding near the margin, elevating young basal ice over older basal and englacial ice; and (iii) debris‐band formation by an unknown mechanism and subsequent contamination of ice geochemical properties by meltwater flow through debris bands. Although none of these interpretations is consistent with all measurements, folding is most compatible with observations and local ice‐flow kinematics.
Migraine, Headaches, and Cognition
Authors: Martins Isabel Pavão , Gil‐Gouveia Raquel , Silva Claudia , Maruta Carolina , Oliveira Antonio Gouveia
Published: July 2012

Objectives and Background.— The possible effects of migraine on executive abilities remain controversial; hence, we studied inter‐ictal cognitive performance of individuals with migraine and non migraine headaches (NMH) compared with headache free controls.

Design and Method.— In a cross‐sectional observational study, taking place in primary care, adults aged 50 or above were evaluated by a neurobehavioral battery including several executive measures. Present history of headache was sought, and migraine was diagnosed by the ID‐Migraine questionnaire. The effect of headache type on cognitive measures was analyzed with multiple regression with adjustment by diagnosis, age, gender, education, and depressive symptoms.

Results.— Among 478 participants, 23.2% reported current headache, of whom 50 were NMH, and 61 were migraine headaches. No group differences were found in the majority of cognitive measures. Compared with controls, migraine subjects performed worse on a test of attention, while NMH participants presented more intrusions and worse discriminability in memory recognition plus a lower performance on semantic memory tests.

Conclusion.— The presence of headaches in late adulthood was related to a worse performance on few measures of executive functioning, suggesting that cognitive impact is not specific to migraine but might be associated to headache.
Tension‐Type Headache or Migraine? Adolescents' Pain Descriptions Are of Little Help
Authors: Wager Julia , Hirschfeld Gerrit , Zernikow Boris
Published: July 2012

Objective.— The aim of this study was to investigate the utility of pain descriptors (pain quality, pain intensity) assessed in a questionnaire to discriminate tension‐type headache (TTH) from TTH plus migraine in a sample of adolescents.

Background.— Epidemiological studies assess pain characteristics via questionnaire and estimate prevalence rates based on these pain descriptions. According to International Headache Society criteria, the subjective pain quality and intensity for TTH and migraine differs and therefore should be able to discriminate the 2 diagnoses. The discriminative ability between TTH and TTH plus migraine may be a special challenge.

Design and methods.— One hundred twenty‐two adolescents with pure TTH and 110 adolescents with TTH plus migraine aged 11‐18 years presenting to a tertiary pediatric pain clinic were included in the study. Questionnaire reports of pain intensity and quality were compared with physician's diagnosis as the gold standard. Mean differences as well as receiver operating characteristics were analyzed.

Results.— Adolescents with TTH plus migraine reported more pulsating and less intense pain compared with pure TTH. Receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated that pain descriptors did not discriminate between groups. Diagnostic utility of descriptors was similarly low for older adolescents and parental proxy reports.

Conclusions.— Pain intensity and quality assessed by questionnaires are not suitable to discriminate TTH from TTH plus migraine. This may lead to inaccurate prevalence estimates in epidemiological studies and may mislead practitioners in forming diagnostic hypotheses. The exclusion of these pain descriptors in questionnaires should be considered. More research systematically assessing the diagnostic utility of verbal pain descriptors in primary care and epidemiological samples is needed.
Spontaneous Behavioral Responses in the Orofacial Region: A Model of Trigeminal Pain in Mouse
Authors: Romero‐Reyes Marcela , Akerman Simon , Nguyen Elaine , Vijjeswarapu Alice , Hom Betty , Dong Hong‐Wei , Charles Andrew C.
Published: July 2012

Objectives.— To develop a translational mouse model for the study and measurement of non‐evoked pain in the orofacial region by establishing markers of nociceptive‐specific grooming behaviors in the mouse.

Background.— Some of the most prevalent and debilitating conditions involve pain in the trigeminal distribution. Although there are current therapies for these pain conditions, for many patients, they are far from optimal. Understanding the pathophysiology of pain disorders arising from structures innervated by the trigeminal nerve is still limited, and most animal behavioral models focus on the measurement of evoked pain. In patients, spontaneous (non‐evoked) pain responses provide a more accurate representation of the pain experience than do responses that are evoked by an artificial stimulus. Therefore, the development of animal models that measure spontaneous nociceptive behaviors may provide a significant translational tool for a better understanding of pain neurobiology.

Methods.— C57BL/6 mice received either an injection of 0.9% saline solution or complete Freund's adjuvant into the right masseter muscle. Animals were video‐recorded and then analyzed by an observer blind to the experiment group. The duration of different facial grooming patterns performed in the area of injection were measured. After 2 hours, mice were euthanized and perfused, and the brainstem was removed. Fos protein expression in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis was quantified using immunohistochemistry to investigate nociceptive‐specific neuronal activation. A separate group of animals was treated with morphine sulfate to determine the nociceptive‐specific nature of their behaviors.

Results.— We characterized and quantified 3 distinct patterns of acute grooming behaviors: forepaw rubbing, lower lip skin/cheek rubbing against enclosure floor, and hindpaw scratching. These behaviors occurred with a reproducible frequency and time course, and were inhibited by the analgesic morphine. Complete Freund's adjuvant‐injected animals also showed Fos labeling consistent with neuronal activation in nociceptive‐specific pathways of the trigeminal nucleus after 2 hours.

Conclusions.— These behaviors and their correlated cellular responses represent a model of trigeminal pain that can be used to better understand basic mechanisms of orofacial pain and identify new therapeutic approaches to this common and challenging condition.
Probability and Possibility‐Based Representations of Uncertainty in Fault Tree Analysis
Authors: Flage Roger , Baraldi Piero , Zio Enrico , Aven Terje
Published: July 2012

Expert knowledge is an important source of input to risk analysis. In practice, experts might be reluctant to characterize their knowledge and the related (epistemic) uncertainty using precise probabilities. The theory of possibility allows for imprecision in probability assignments. The associated possibilistic representation of epistemic uncertainty can be combined with, and transformed into, a probabilistic representation; in this article, we show this with reference to a simple fault tree analysis. We apply an integrated (hybrid) probabilistic‐possibilistic computational framework for the joint propagation of the epistemic uncertainty on the values of the (limiting relative frequency) probabilities of the basic events of the fault tree, and we use possibility‐probability (probability‐possibility) transformations for propagating the epistemic uncertainty within purely probabilistic and possibilistic settings. The results of the different approaches (hybrid, probabilistic, and possibilistic) are compared with respect to the representation of uncertainty about the top event (limiting relative frequency) probability. Both the rationale underpinning the approaches and the computational efforts they require are critically examined. We conclude that the approaches relevant in a given setting depend on the purpose of the risk analysis, and that further research is required to make the possibilistic approaches operational in a risk analysis context.
3 Tesla MRI‐Detected Brain Lesions after Pulmonary Vein Isolation for Atrial Fibrillation: Results of the MACPAF Study
Authors: HAEUSLER KARL GEORG , KOCH LYDIA , HERM JULIANE , KOPP UTE A. , HEUSCHMANN PETER U. , ENDRES MATTHIAS , SCHULTHEISS HEINZ‐PETER , SCHIRDEWAN ALEXANDER , FIEBACH JOCHEN B.
Published: July 2012

MRI Results of the MACPAF Study. Background: Left atrial catheter ablation (LACA) is an established therapeutic approach to abolish symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF).

Objective:
Based on the prospective MACPAF study (clinicaltrials.gov NCT01061931) we report the rate of ischemic brain lesions postablation and their impact on cognitive function.

Methods:
Patients with symptomatic paroxysmal AF were randomized to LACA using the Arctic Front® or the HD Mesh Ablator® catheter. All patients underwent brain MRI at 3 Tesla, neurological, and neuropsychological examinations within 48 hours prior and after the ablation procedure.

Results:
There was no clinically evident stroke in 37 patients (mean age 62.4 ± 8.4 years; 41% female; median CHADS2 score 1 [IQR 0–2]) after LACA but high‐resolution diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) detected new ischemic lesions in 15 (41%) patients after LACA. Four (27%) of the HD Mesh Ablator® patients and 11 (50%) of the Arctic Front® patients suffered a silent ischemic lesion (P = 0.19). In these 15 patients, there was a nonsignificant trend toward lower cardiac ejection fraction (P = 0.07) and AF episodes during LACA (P = 0.09), while activated clotting time levels, number of energy applications, periprocedural electrocardioversion or CHADS2 score had no impact. Lesion volumes varied from 5 to 150 mm3 and 1 to 5 lesions were detected per patient. However, acute brain lesions had no effect on cognitive performance immediately after LACA. Of the DWI lesions postablation 82% were not detectable on FLAIR images 6–9 months postablation.

Conclusions:
According to 3 Tesla high‐resolution DWI, ischemic brain lesions after LACA were common but not associated with impaired cognitive function after the ablation procedure. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 24, pp. 14‐21, January 2013)
Outcomes of Ablation of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation in Patients on Chronic Hemodialysis
Authors: SAIRAKU AKINORI , YOSHIDA YUKIHIKO , KAMIYA HIROKI , TATEMATSU YASUSHI , NANASATO MAMORU , HIRAYAMA HARUO , NAKANO YUKIKO , KIHARA YASUKI
Published: July 2012

AF Ablation in HD Patients. Introduction: It is not common for patients on chronic hemodialysis (HD) to undergo catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to show the outcomes of AF ablation in the HD patients.

Methods and Results:
Thirty HD patients who underwent pulmonary vein (PV) isolation for drug refractory paroxysmal AF were retrospectively studied, and their AF recurrence free rate and frequency of periprocedural complications were compared to 60 age‐ and gender‐matched control patients not requiring HD. A nonirrigated ablation catheter was used in both patient groups. During a mean follow‐up period of 821 ± 218 days, 16 (54%) of the HD patients remained free from AF recurrence without any antiarrhythmic agents versus 47 (78%) of the control patients with an initial ablation (P = 0.013). A second ablation procedure was performed in 12 patients with an AF recurrence, and consequently 20 (67%) of the HD patients were in sinus rhythm compared to 53 (88%) of the controls during a follow‐up duration of 747 ± 221 after the last ablation (P = 0.012). Bleeding from the venipuncture site requiring a prolonged hospital stay was identified in 2 HD patients and 1 control subject, while no life‐threatening complications were observed in either patient group.

Conclusion:
Although the success rate of the PV isolation in HD patients was far from satisfactory, it may be considered as one of the therapeutic options for them. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23, pp. 1289‐1294, December 2012)