bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oligonucleotides stimulate genomic alterations of Legionella pneumophila
Authors: Bryan Andrew , Swanson Michele S. 
Published: February 2011

SummaryGenetic variation generates diversity in all kingdoms of life. The corresponding mechanisms can also be harnessed for laboratory studies of fundamental cellular processes. Here we report that oligonucleotides (oligos) generate mutations on the Legionella pneumophila chromosome by a mechanism that requires homologous DNA, but not RecA, RadA or any known phage recombinase. Instead we propose that DNA replication contributes, as oligo‐induced mutagenesis required ≥ 21 nucleotides of homology, was strand‐dependent, and was most efficient in exponential phase. Mutagenesis did not require canonical 5′ phosphate or 3′ hydroxyl groups, but the primosomal protein PriA and DNA Pol I contributed. After electroporation, oligos stimulated excision of 2.1 kb of chromosomal DNA or insertion of 18 bp, and non‐homologous flanking sequences were also processed. We exploited this endogenous activity to generate chromosomal deletions and to insert an epitope into a chromosomal coding sequence. Compared with Escherichia coli, L. pneumophila encodes fewer canonical single‐stranded exonucleases, and the frequency of mutagenesis increased substantially when either its RecJ and ExoVII nucleases were inactivated or the oligos modified by nuclease‐resistant bases. In addition to genetic engineering, oligo‐induced mutagenesis may have evolutionary implications as a mechanism to incorporate divergent DNA sequences with only short regions of homology.
Cross‐national analysis of the risk factors of child malnutrition among children made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS in sub‐Saharan Africa: evidence from the DHS
Authors: Magadi Monica A. 
Published: February 2011

SummaryObjective  To examine the risk factors of malnutrition among children whose mothers are infected with HIV in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA).Methods  Multilevel logistic regression models applied to Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data collected during 2003–2008 from 18 countries in SSA, where the DHS included HIV test data for adults of reproductive age.Results  Across countries in SSA, the risk of malnutrition among children whose mothers are infected with HIV is particularly high among children aged one, boys, multiple/twin births, those who were smaller than average at birth, or whose mothers had no education, or in poorest or single parent households. Although these risk factors generally apply to all children from the same communities, the higher risk of child malnutrition among those in the poorest households is amplified among children whose mothers are infected with HIV. Also, while in general children who are breastfed for up to 6 months are significantly less likely to be malnourished than those who were never breastfed; the benefit of breastfeeding is not evident among children whose mothers are infected with HIV.Conclusion  Contextual community/country HIV prevalences show interesting patterns: the risk of malnutrition among children whose mothers are infected with HIV is lower in countries with higher HIV prevalence. These findings have important implications for interventions to address malnutrition among children made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS in the SSA region.
No evidence for general condition‐dependence of structural plumage colour in blue tits: an experiment
Authors: PETERS A. , KURVERS R. H. J. M. , ROBERTS M. L. , DELHEY K. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractCondition‐dependence is a central but contentious tenet of evolutionary theories on the maintenance of ornamental traits, and this is particularly true for structural plumage colour. By providing diets of different nutritional quality to moulting male and female blue tits, we experimentally manipulated general condition within the natural range, avoiding deprivation or stressful treatments. We measured reflectance of the structural‐coloured UV/blue crown, a sexually selected trait in males, and the white cheek, a nonpigmented structural colour, directly after moult and again during the following spring mating season. We employed a variety of colour indices, based on spectral shape and avian visual models but, despite significant variation in condition and coloration, found no evidence for condition‐dependence of UV/blue or white plumage colour during either season. These and previously published results suggest that structural colour might be sensitive to stress, rather than reduced body condition, during moult.
Knowing the occasion of a peaceful death in intensive care units in Thailand
Authors: Kongsuwan Waraporn , Locsin Rozzano C. , Schoenhofer Savina O. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to describe how nurses know the occasion of a peaceful death. The data were generated from individual in‐depth interviews with ten nurses who practised in adult intensive care units in the southern region of Thailand. Using a content analysis method, four processes of knowing the occasion of a peaceful death were isolated. They were visual knowing, technological knowing, intuitive knowing, and relational knowing. The clinical implications of these processes provide opportunities for nurses to practise the best end‐of‐life care during a critical time in a patient's life. This study also strengthens cross‐cultural nursing during end‐of‐life care in high‐technology settings, such as the intensive care unit.
Critical incidents and mortality reporting in pediatric anesthesia: the Australian experience
Authors: Ragg Philip 
Published: February 2011

Since 1960, the collection and analysis of mortality data for anesthesia in Australia has been of significant benefit to practising anesthetists. These figures include pediatric deaths which fortunately have been rare and often inevitable because of severe underlying disease and patient risk factors.The reporting of critical incidents and serious morbidity, on the other hand, has been far less impressive. Only one state in Australia, Victoria, currently has a committee that collects morbidity data and, as this reporting is voluntary, is likely to under‐represent the true numbers of critical events. There is no specific pediatric morbidity database in Australia so much of this discussion will be regarding overall anesthesia critical event reporting which includes pediatrics as a subset.
Spectacle prescribing II: practitioner experience is linked to the likelihood of suggesting a partial prescription
Authors: Howell‐Duffy Chris , Scally Andrew J , Elliott David B 
Published: February 2011

Citation information: Howell‐Duffy C, Scally AJ & Elliott DB. Spectacle Prescribing II: Practitioner experience is linked to the likelihood of suggesting a partial prescription. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2011, 31, 155–167. doi: 10.1111/j.1475‐1313.2010.00803.xAbstractPurpose:  A follow up study to investigate whether UK optometrists partially prescribe significant changes in refractive correction to assist patient adaption and whether various aspects of practitioner profiles are linked to the nature of these prescribing decisions.Method:  A case scenario type questionnaire was distributed by post and via the internet to UK optometrists. Five case scenarios were described that included information on patient age, symptoms, habitual refractive correction (if any), subjective refraction and any other relevant clinical information. In each case respondents were asked to indicate and justify what refractive correction they would prescribe.Results:  A total of 592 questionnaires were completed. Between 41% and 84% prescribed the subjective refraction result depending on the scenario. The likelihood of partial prescribing increased by 34% for every 10 years following qualification and thus after a typical 40 year career, respondents were now over three times more likely to partially prescribe. There were no other links with the propensity to partially prescribe.Conclusion:  The subjective refraction result exerted a strong hold on the reported prescribing outcome, particularly for newly qualified optometrists. Partial prescribing was increasingly proposed the greater the number of years the respondent had been qualified. This suggests that with increasing exposure to patients who return dissatisfied with their spectacles, a greater appreciation of partial prescribing is gained. This link seems to be an important finding that provides significant support for the prescribing rules suggested by textbooks, which are not yet supported by research evidence.
A novel instrument for logging nearwork distance
Authors: Leung Tsz‐wing , Flitcroft Daniel I , Wallman Josh , Lee Tat Hing , Zheng Yongping , Lam Carly Siu‐yin , Kee Chea‐su 
Published: February 2011

Citation information: Leung T‐W, Flitcroft DI, Wallman J, Lee TH, Zheng Y, Lam CS‐Y & Kee C‐S. A novel instrument for logging nearwork distance. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2011, 31, 137–144. doi: 10.1111/j.1475‐1313.2010.00814.xAbstractPurpose:  To validate a novel ultrasonic sensor for logging reading distances. In addition, this device was used to compare the habitual reading distances between low and high myopes.Methods:  First, the stability and sensitivity of the ultrasonic device were determined by repeated measures using artificial targets. Then, thirty Hong Kong Chinese (20–30 years) were recruited, of whom fifteen were considered to be high myopes (mean ± S.D. = −8.7 ± 0.5 D) and 15 to be low to non‐myopes (mean ± S.D. = −2.0 ± 0.2 D). Each subject read a newspaper with their habitual visual aid continuously for 10 min in two sessions at their preferred working distance(s). The reading distances were recorded continuously using a novel nearwork analyzer. The modal working distance was considered as the ‘habitual’ reading distance. In addition, habitual reading distance was reported orally by each subject.Results:  The nearwork analyzer gave accurate and repeatable measurements over a range of distances and angles. Using this instrument, high myopes were found to have a significantly shorter reading distance than low myopes or non‐myopes (mean ± S.D. = 35.9 ± 9.8 cm vs 50.9 ± 24.8 cm; two‐sample t‐test, p = 0.04, df = 18). The reading distances reported orally by the subjects were not correlated with those recorded by the nearwork analyzer.Conclusions:  The nearwork analyzer was found to be an effective tool for measuring nearwork reading distance in a small group of emmetropic and myopic adults over a 10 min interval. Differences between the reading distance between high myopes and low/non‐myopes was detected by the device. Further study is needed to determine if a closer working distance is a cause or effect of myopia development.
Effectiveness of vision therapy for convergence dysfunctions and long‐term stability after vision therapy
Authors: Shin Hoy Sun , Park Sang Chul , Maples Willis C 
Published: February 2011

Citation information: Shin HS, Park SC & Maples WC. Effectiveness of vision therapy for convergence dysfunctions and long‐term stability after vision therapy. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2011, 31, 180–189. doi: 10.1111/j.1475‐1313.2011.00821.xAbstractBackground:  Symptomatic convergence insufficiency (CI) is a common binocular dysfunction. It is often associated with accommodative insufficiency (AI). Optimum therapy for this condition was recently shown to be in‐clinic vision therapy (VT). More scientific studies are needed to assess the effectiveness of VT and verify these evidence‐based results.Methods:  Fifty‐seven children aged 9–13 years were diagnosed with symptomatic CI (n = 27) or combined symptomatic CI and AI (n = 30). They were independently divided into a treatment and a control group, matched by age and gender. The treatment group received 12 weeks of VT while the control group received no therapy. A quality of life instrument documented the symptomatic patients and charted improvement in symptoms after therapy. Clinical aspects were also assessed to determine the treatment effects on clinical findings. Twenty children in the treatment group completed a 1 year follow‐up examination.Results:  Symptom scores and clinical measures of the treatment and control groups were not significantly different at baseline (p > 0.05), but showed significant differences after completion of 12 weeks of treatment (p < 0.001). No significant changes of either symptoms or signs were evident for the control group. One year follow‐up examination revealed that most children maintained the improved symptom and clinical measures after VT.Conclusion:  This study supports the notion that VT is a successful method of treating CI and CI combined with AI.
Formoterol and salmeterol induce a similar degree of β2‐adrenoceptor tolerance in human small airways but via different mechanisms
Authors: Cooper PR , Kurten RC , Zhang J , Nicholls DJ , Dainty IA , Panettieri RA 
Published: February 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSESteroids prevent and reverse salbutamol‐induced β2‐adrenoceptor tolerance in human small airways. This study examines the effects of the long‐acting β2 agonists (LABAs) formoterol and salmeterol, and the ability of budesonide to prevent desensitization.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHLong‐acting β2 agonists in the presence and absence of budesonide were incubated with human precision‐cut lung slices containing small airways. Tolerance was deduced from measurements of reduced bronchodilator responses to isoprenaline and correlated with β2‐adrenoceptor trafficking using a virally transduced, fluorescent‐tagged receptor. The ability of the LABAs to protect airways against muscarinic‐induced contraction was also assessed.KEY RESULTSFollowing a 12 h incubation, both formoterol and salmeterol attenuated isoprenaline‐induced bronchodilatation to a similar degree and these effects were not reversible by washing. Pre‐incubation with budesonide prevented the desensitization induced by formoterol, but not that induced by salmeterol. Formoterol also protected the airways from carbachol‐induced bronchoconstriction to a greater extent than salmeterol. In the epithelial cells of small airways, incubation with formoterol promoted receptor internalization but this did not appear to occur following incubation with salmeterol. Budesonide inhibited the formoterol‐induced reduction in plasma membrane β2‐adrenoceptor fluorescence.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONSAlthough both formoterol and salmeterol attenuate isoprenaline‐induced bronchodilatation, they appear to induce β2‐adrenoceptor tolerance via different mechanisms; formoterol, but not salmeterol, enhances receptor internalization. Budesonide protection against β2‐adrenoceptor tolerance was correlated with the retention of receptor fluorescence on the plasma membrane, thereby suggesting a mechanism by which steroids alter β2‐adrenoceptor function.
Effect of verapamil on the action of methanethiosulfonate reagents on human voltage‐gated Kv1.3 channels: implications for the C‐type inactivated state
Authors: Schmid SI , Grissmer S 
Published: February 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Voltage‐gated Kv1.3 channels appear on T‐lymphocytes and are characterized by their typical C‐type inactivation. In order to develop drugs stabilizing the C‐type inactivated state and thus potentially useful in treatment of autoimmune diseases, it is important to know more about the three‐dimensional structure of this inactivated state of the channel.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The patch‐clamp technique was used to study effects of methanethiosulphonate (MTS) compounds on currents through wild‐type human Kv1.3 (hKv1.3) and two mutant channels, hKv1.3 V417C and hKv1.3 H399T‐V417C, in the closed, open and inactivated states.KEY RESULTS Extracellular application of 2‐aminoethyl methanethiosulphonate (MTSEA) irreversibly reduced currents through hKv1.3 V417C channels in the open and inactivated, but not in the closed state, indicating that a modification was possible. Co‐application of verapamil prevented this reduction. Intracellular application of MTSEA and [2‐(trimethylammonium)ethyl] methanethiosulphonate (MTSET) also modified the mutant channels, whereas extra‐ and intracellular application of sodium (2‐sulfonatoethyl)methanethiosulphonate (MTSES) and intracellular application of MTSET did not.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Our experiments showed that the binding site for MTS compounds was intracellular in the mutant channels and that the V417C mutant channels were modified in the open and the inactivated states, and this modification was prevented by verapamil. Therefore, the activation gate on the intracellular side of the selectivity filter must be open during inactivation. Furthermore, although the S6 segment is moving further apart during inactivation, this change does not include a movement of the side chain of the amino acid at position 417, away from lining the channel pore.
Signed but Not Ratified: Limits to U.S. Participation in International Environmental Agreements
Authors: Bang Guri 
Published: February 2011

AbstractWhy does the United States sign environmental treaties but not ratify them? U.S. presidents have negotiated and signed several environmental treaties that ultimately could not obtain Senate ratification. This article considers two alternative explanations. First, presidents may face divided government and upcoming elections; elections can increase uncertainty regarding ratification, because they upset majorities and change congressional preferences on issues. Such factors may have caused “involuntary” defection from international environmental cooperation. Second, compensation and compromise on enabling legislation could satisfy enough senators and their constituents to allow the legislation's passage. Failure to secure ratification may be a result of the president's overestimating the potential for negotiating a policy package capable of creating sufficient support to obtain Senate ratification. I compare domestic constraints on U.S. participation in three international environmental negotiations—climate change, biodiversity, and chemicals—to assess the alternative explanations. The cases exemplify how domestic institutions affect international environmental cooperation.
Newman and the Fathers of the Church
Authors: Lang Uwe Michael 
Published: February 2011

AbstractJohn Henry Newman's study of the Church Fathers began during his years as a fellow of Oriel College and continued through his Anglican and Catholic periods almost to the end of his life. Among the various motives that attracted Newman to patristic theology, there are two that I consider especially important: scriptural hermeneutics and ecclesiology. He saw in the Fathers authentic interpreters of scripture, who read the Bible in and with the church in an exemplary way; he also found in them witnesses to the church's understanding of herself and of her offices. Through his ever more extensive reading on the doctrinal controversies in the patristic period, Newman formulated his theory of the development of doctrine, which is one of his major contributions to modern Catholic theology. Newman read the Fathers as contemporaries, as participants in the theological conversations and controversies of his own day. In the writings of the early bishops and theologians, he found a theological method that was congenial to his own.
Newman and Victorian Doubt
Authors: Kenny Anthony 
Published: February 2011

AbstractOf the two sorts of doubt, interdenominational doubt and fundamental religious doubt, Newman does not seem to have suffered from the latter and did not write a great deal about it. What he did write, especially about conscience, is not convincing for a later secular age. What is more fruitful is how Newman related to other doubters of his age: his younger brother Francis who finished a Unitarian, and Matthew Arnold and his younger brother Tom who (twice) became a Catholic. John Newman first shunned his brother but in the end maintained friendly but distant relations with unbelievers. But Victorian doubt was inherited and the real threat to what Newman stood for came from a later generation.
The Wonder of Newman's Education
Authors: Loughlin Gerard 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThis article examines the place of wonder in Newman's account of university education. It pays particular attention to Newman's ‘Rise and Progress of Universities’ (1872) rather than to his better known The Idea of a University (1873). The article first introduces some ideas about wonders and wondering, as found in medieval thought and in Newman's writings, before proceeding to the wonder that was Newman's attempt to establish a university in Dublin, and that is his history (historia) of the university: a story (fabula) that is every bit as marvellous as any medieval tale. Newman's educational romance involves the islands of Britannia and Hibernia, and the cities of Athens, Rome and Dublin. The article also considers the place of personal encounter and the written word in Newman's idea and practice of education, before finally offering some brief reflections on the diversity of modern society and university education. The article closes by suggesting the necessity of wonder for the gaining of knowledge.
Newman the Pastor
Authors: Strange Roderick 
Published: February 2011

AbstractWhen people think about Newman, they usually think, first of all, about his ideas, doctrinal development, the relationship between faith and reason, the place of the laity in the Church, and much else besides. But however brilliant those ideas may have been, Newman was never simply a thinker, a man trapped in his brain. The key question for him was always how to make the ideas become real. He had no interest in moving minds without touching hearts. Newly ordained as an Anglican deacon, then as a tutor at Oriel, as a leader and preacher during the early years of the Oxford Movement, as a parish priest in Birmingham, as an educator, and as a champion of the via media, of moderation in dispute, his instinct was invariably pastoral.
Relationship between subjective assessment of oral health and medical expenses in community‐dwelling elderly persons
Authors: Harada Eriko , Moriya Shingo , Murata Ayumi , Muramatsu Masumi , Kashiwazaki Haruhiko , Kobayashi Kunihiko , Notani Kenji , Inoue Nobuo 
Published: February 2011

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00459.x

Relationship between subjective assessment of oral health and medical expenses in community‐dwelling elderly personsObjectives:  The increasing medical expenses of elderly persons in Japan’s rapidly ageing society have become a major concern. It is therefore important to elucidate the factors associated with such escalation. Here, we focused on the relationship between subjective self‐assessment of oral health, as an index of general health, and medical expenses (excluding dental repair) under the hypothesis that oral health contributes to general medical expenses. Several studies have shown that oral health status is correlated with general health status among elderly persons. We speculated that oral health status might show a relation with medical costs among elderly persons. However, few studies have investigated this relationship to date.Materials and Methods:  Participants were 259 elderly subjects (range: 65–84 years; 120 men, 139 women) residing independently. Subjective assessment of oral health was evaluated by their responses (‘Good’, ‘Not good’ and ‘Not at all good’) on a survey questionnaire. The correlation between subjective assessment of oral health and medical expenditure was analysed using Spearman’s rank method, the Mann–Whitney U‐test and the Kruskal–Wallis test. Medical expenses were used as the dependent variable in multinomial logistic regression analysis with background and intraoral factors as independent variables.Results:  A slight yet statistically significant correlation was observed between subjective assessment of oral health and outpatient treatment fees.Conclusion:  The findings revealed that subjective assessment of oral health is significantly and independently related to the medical expenses of community‐dwelling elderly persons after adjusting for social background, living environment and physical factors.