bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Family life cycle transitions and the onset of eating disorders: a retrospective grounded theory approach
Authors: Berge Jerica M , Loth Katie , Hanson Carrie , Croll‐Lampert Jillian , Neumark‐Sztainer Dianne 
Published: July 2011

Aims and objective.  The aim of this retrospective qualitative study is to understand how transitions in the family life cycle and responses to these events may relate to the onset of eating disorders in an attempt to generate new theoretical insights and inform future research in the area of eating disorder prevention.Background.  Little is known about the contextual factors that occur throughout the family life cycle that may be risk factors for the development of eating disorders.Design and methods.  Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 27 individuals of varied ages (age range = 17–64; median = 27; SD 13·7) currently receiving treatment for eating disorders in an outpatient clinic specialising in eating disorder treatment. Data were analysed using grounded theory methods.Results.  Six themes were identified as family life cycle transitional events that preceded the onset of participants’ eating disorders: (1) school transitions, (2) death of a family member, (3) relationship changes, (4) home and job transitions (5) illness/hospitalisation and (6) abuse, sexual assault, or incest.Conclusions.  Results indicated that transitional events in the family life cycle followed by a lack of needed support during these transitions may precipitate the onset of eating disorders. Thus, future research should use these findings to inform the creation of interventions that reduce the intensity of the stress brought about by these transitional periods and increase the adaptability and coping skills of individuals and family members to prevent eating disorders.Relevance to clinical practice.  Nurses and other healthcare professionals should be aware of the importance of transitional events occurring in the family life cycle of adolescents and young adults. Helping parents to be aware and supportive of difficult transitional events may be more important than trying to solve or fix the problem.
Validation of the Brazilian version of the Nursing Work Index‐Revised (B‐NWI‐R)
Authors: Gasparino Renata C , de Brito Guirardello Edinêis , Aiken Linda H 
Published: July 2011

Aims and objective.  The goal of this paper was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Nursing Work Index‐Revised – Brazilian version (B‐NWI‐R).Background.  Some instruments evaluate the presence of certain characteristics in the professional practice environment of nurses. Among them, the B‐NWI‐R, often cited in the literature and which is examined in the present study. This instrument is composed of 57 items and four subscales: autonomy, control over the work environment, nurse–physician relationships and organisational support.Design.  A cross‐sectional research design was carried out in three public university hospitals in the State of São Paulo, Brazil.Methods.  The sample was composed of 278 nurses. The reliability of the instrument was evaluated through its homogeneity, using the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. The validity of the subscales of the B‐NWI‐R was evaluated through divergent construct validity and criterion‐related validity. For the divergent construct validity, the Brazilian version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was employed, while for the criterion‐related validity, variables such as ‘satisfaction at work’, ‘perception of quality of care’ and ‘nurses’ intention to leave work in the following year’ were considered.Results.  The results showed satisfactory consistency for the total of the items (α = 0·95) and for the subscales of the B‐NWI‐R: ‘control over practice settings’ (α = 0·75); ‘nurse–physician relationships’ (α = 0·75); ‘organisational support’ (α = 0·75) and ‘autonomy’ (α = 0·63). The divergent validity resulted in significant correlation between the adapted instrument subscales and those of the MBI. In addition, a significant correlation was obtained between the subscales of the B‐NWI‐R and the variables ‘perception of quality of care’, ‘satisfaction at work’ and ‘intention to leave work in the following year’.Conclusion.  The reliability and validity of the B‐NWI‐R have been established.Relevance to clinical practice.  The B‐NWI‐R subscales can be used to assess the nurses’ perceptions of the work environment.
AtHaspin phosphorylates histone H3 at threonine 3 during mitosis and contributes to embryonic patterning in Arabidopsis
Authors: Ashtiyani Raheleh Karimi , Moghaddam Ali Mohammad Banaei , Schubert Veit , Rutten Twan , Fuchs Jörg , Demidov Dmitri , Blattner Frank R. , Houben Andreas 
Published: July 2011

SummaryPost‐translational histone modifications regulate many aspects of chromosome activity. Threonine 3 of histone H3 is highly conserved, but the significance of its phosphorylation is unclear, and the identity of the corresponding kinase in plants is unknown. Therefore, we characterized the candidate kinase in Arabidopsis thaliana, called AtHaspin. Recombinant AtHaspin in vitro phosphorylates histone H3 at threonine 3. Reduction of H3 threonine 3 phosphorylation level and reduced chromatin condensation in interphase nuclei by AtHaspin RNAi supports the proposition that this kinase is involved in histone H3 phosphorylation in vivo in mitotic cells. In addition, we provide a developmental function for a Haspin kinase. At the whole plant level, altered expression of the kinase induced pleiotropic phenotypes with defects in floral organs and vascular tissue. It reduced fertility and modified adventitious shoot apical meristems that then gave rise to plants with multi‐rosettes and multi‐shoots. Haspin mutant embryos frequently showed alteration in division plane orientation that could be traced back to the earliest divisions of embryo development, thus Haspin contributes to embryonic patterning.
Arabidopsis Lateral Root Development 3 is essential for early phloem development and function, and hence for normal root system development
Authors: Ingram Paul , Dettmer Jan , Helariutta Yrjo , Malamy Jocelyn E. 
Published: July 2011

SummaryWe have identified a gene, Lateral Root Development 3 (LRD3), that is important for maintaining a balance between primary and lateral root growth. The lrd3 mutant has decreased primary root growth and increased lateral root growth. We determined that the LRD3 gene encodes a LIM‐domain protein of unknown function. LRD3 is expressed only in the phloem companion cells, which suggested a role in phloem function. Indeed, while phloem loading and export from the shoot appear to be normal, delivery of phloem to the primary root tip is limited severely in young seedlings. Abnormalities in phloem morphology in these seedlings indicate that LRD3 is essential for correct early phloem development. There is a subsequent spontaneous recovery of normal phloem morphology, which is correlated tightly with increased phloem delivery and growth of the primary root. The LRD3 gene is one of very few genes described to affect phloem development, and the only one that is specific to early phloem development. Continuous growth on auxin also leads to recovery of phloem development and function in lrd3, which demonstrates that auxin plays a key role in early phloem development. The root system architecture and the pattern of phloem allocation in the lrd3 root system suggested that there may be regulated mechanisms for selectively supporting certain lateral roots when the primary root is compromised. Therefore, this study provides new insights into phloem‐mediated resource allocation and its effects on plant root system architecture.
Matrix solubilization and cell wall weakening by β‐expansin (group‐1 allergen) from maize pollen
Authors: Tabuchi Akira , Li Lian‐Chao , Cosgrove Daniel J. 
Published: July 2011

SummaryBeta‐expansins accumulate to high levels in grass pollen, a feature apparently unique to grasses. These proteins, which are major human allergens, facilitate pollen tube penetration of the maize stigma and style (the silk). Here we report that treatment of maize silk cell walls with purified β‐expansin from maize pollen led to solubilization of wall matrix polysaccharides, dominated by feruloyated highly substituted glucuronoarabinoxylan (60%) and homogalacturonan (35%). Such action was selective for cell walls of grasses, and indicated a target preferentially found in grass cell walls, probably the highly substituted glucuronoarabinoxylan. Several tests for lytic activities by β‐expansin were negative and polysaccharide solubilization had weak temperature dependence, which indicated a non‐enzymatic process. Concomitant with matrix solubilization, β‐expansin treatment induced creep, reduced the breaking force and increased the plastic compliance of wall specimens. From comparisons of the pH dependencies of these processes, we conclude that matrix solubilization was linked closely to changes in wall plasticity and breaking force, but not so closely coupled to cell wall creep. Because matrix solubilization and increased wall plasticity have not been found with other expansins, we infer that these novel activities are linked to the specialized role of grass pollen β‐expansins in promotion of penetration of the pollen tube through the stigma and style, most likely by weakening the middle lamella.
Late onset of hepatitis B virus reactivation following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: successful treatment with combined entecavir plus tenofovir therapy
Authors: Milazzo L. , Corbellino M. , Foschi A. , Micheli V. , Dodero A. , Mazzocchi A. , Montefusco V. , Zehender G. , Antinori S. 
Published: July 2011

L. Milazzo, M. Corbellino, A. Foschi, V. Micheli, A. Dodero, A. Mazzocchi, V. Montefusco, G. Zehender, S. Antinori. Late onset of hepatitis B virus reactivation following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: successful treatment with combined entecavir plus tenofovir therapy. Transpl Infect Dis 2011. All rights reserved
Abstract: Prophylaxis with lamivudine (LAM) is recommended for hepatitis B core antibody‐positive allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients, but the optimal timing for the institution and duration of the prophylaxis is still unknown. Furthermore, considering the high rate of mortality associated with hepatitis B virus reactivation (HBV‐R), the most potent and long‐term effective antiviral regimen should be considered. We report here a case of late onset of HBV‐R after a long‐term prophylaxis with LAM in a patient who underwent HSCT for non‐Hodgkin lymphoma and who was successfully treated with a combination antiviral regimen including entecavir and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate.
Changing the way we diagnose tuberculids with interferon gamma release assays
Authors: Koh Hong Yi , Tay Liang Kiat , Pang Shiu Ming , Ong Beng Hock 
Published: July 2011

ABSTRACTDiagnosing tuberculids traditionally requires clinicopathological correlation together with positive tuberculin skin tests (TST) or demonstration of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Interferon gamma release assays (IGRA) are new laboratory tests approved for the diagnosis of MTB infection. We describe three patients with tuberculids who had no other clinical feature of tuberculosis (TB) infection and negative PCR of skin biopsies. Their diagnoses were aided by positive IGRA.
Fatigue resistance potential for hot mix asphalt using viscoelastic continuum damage analysis
Authors: MUN S. , LEE S. 
Published: July 2011

ABSTRACTThis paper describes testing and evaluation of the fatigue resistance potential of hot‐mix asphalt mixtures using viscoelastic continuum damage analysis, which is based on dynamic modulus determination, a state‐variable approach and damage calculation. The dynamic modulus test for stiffness characterization and the direct tension test for fatigue resistance characterization were used in the testing procedure. The state‐variable approach can be used for numerical computation of a viscoelastic convolution integral. A Nelder–Mead simplex search was used in this study to determine the damage parameter of a stiffness reduction function. The fatigue resistance was evaluated as a function of loading rate, asphalt binder content, modifier (e.g. usage of hydrated lime), and temperature, and was found experimentally to have a strong dependence on these factors.
Role of P2X4 receptors in synaptic strengthening in mouse CA1 hippocampal neurons
Authors: Baxter Andrew W. , Choi Se Joon , Sim Joan A. , North R. Alan 
Published: July 2011

AbstractP2X4 receptors are calcium‐permeable cation channels gated by extracellular ATP. They are found close to subsynaptic sites on hippocampal CA1 neurons. We compared features of synaptic strengthening between wild‐type and P2X4 knockout mice (21–26 days old). Potentiation evoked by a tetanic presynaptic stimulus (100 Hz, 1 s) paired with postsynaptic depolarization was less in P2X4−/− mice than in wild‐type mice (230 vs. 50% potentiation). Paired‐pulse ratios and the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) were not different between wild‐type and knockout mice. Prior hyperpolarization (ten 3 s pulses to −120 mV at 0.17 Hz) potentiated the amplitude of spontaneous EPSCs in wild‐type mice, but not in P2X4−/− mice; this potentiation was not affected by nifedipine, but was abolished by 10 mm 1,2‐bis(o‐aminophenoxy)ethane‐N,N,N′,N′‐tetra‐acetic acid (BAPTA) in the recording pipette. The amplitude of N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate EPSCs (in 6‐cyano‐7‐nitroquinoxaline‐2,3‐dione, 10 or 30 μm, at −100 mV) facilitated during 20 min recording in magnesium‐free solution. In wild‐type mice, this facilitation of the N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate EPSC was reduced by about 50% by intracellular BAPTA (10 mm), ifenprodil (3 μm) or 4‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐2‐(4‐methylsulphinylphenyl)‐5‐(4‐pyridyl)1H‐imidazole (5 μm). In P2X4−/− mice, the facilitation was much less, and was unaffected by intracellular BAPTA, ifenprodil (3 μm) or mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinase inhibitor 4‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐2‐(4‐methylsulphinylphenyl)‐5‐(4‐pyridyl)1H‐imidazole (5 μm). This suggests that the absence of P2X4 receptors limits the incorporation of NR2B subunits into synaptic N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptors.
Cocaine withdrawal reduces group I mGluR‐mediated long‐term potentiation via decreased GABAergic transmission in the amygdala
Authors: Schmidt Kady , Krishnan Balaji , Xia Yan , Sun Anyang , Orozco‐Cabal Luis , Pollandt Sebastian , Centeno Marjorie , Genzer Kathy , Gallagher Joel P. , Shinnick‐Gallagher Patricia , Liu Jie 
Published: July 2011

AbstractCocaine relapse can occur when cocaine‐associated environmental cues induce craving. Conditioned place preference (CPP) is a behavioral paradigm modeling the association between cocaine exposure and environmental cues. The amygdala is involved in cocaine cue associations with the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and central amygdala (CeA) acting differentially in cue‐induced relapse. Activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors induces synaptic plasticity, the mechanism of which is thought to underlie learning, memory and drug–cue associations. The goal of this study was to examine the neural alterations in responses to group I metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) agonists in the BLA to lateral capsula of CeA (BLA–CeLc) pathway in slices from rats exposed to cocaine‐CPP conditioning and withdrawn for 14 days. mGluR1, but not mGluR5, agonist‐induced long‐term potentiation (mGluR1‐LTP) in the BLA–CeLc pathway was reduced in rats withdrawal from cocaine for 2 and 14 days, and exhibited an altered concentration response to picrotoxin. Cocaine withdrawal also reduced γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic synaptic inhibition in CeLc neurons. Blocking cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) reduced mGluR1‐LTP in the saline‐treated but not cocaine‐withdrawn group. Response to CB1 but not CB2 agonist was altered after cocaine. Additionally, increasing endocannabinoid (eCB) levels abolished mGluR1‐LTP in the saline but not cocaine‐withdrawn group. However, CB1 and CB2 protein levels were increased in the amygdala of cocaine‐withdrawn rats while mGluR1 and mGluR5 remained unchanged. These data suggested that the mechanisms underlying the diminished mGluR1‐LTP in cocaine‐withdrawn rats involve an altered GABAergic synaptic inhibition mediated by modulation of downstream eCB signaling. These changes may ultimately result in potentiated responses to environmental cues that would bias behavior toward drug‐seeking.
Evolutionary trade‐offs among decomposers determine responses to nitrogen enrichment
Authors: Treseder Kathleen K. , Kivlin Stephanie N. , Hawkes Christine V. 
Published: July 2011

Ecology Letters (2011) 14: 933–938AbstractEvolutionary trade‐offs among ecological traits are one mechanism that could determine the responses of functional groups of decomposers to global changes such as nitrogen (N) enrichment. We hypothesised that bacteria targeting recalcitrant carbon compounds require relatively high levels of N availability to support the construction costs of requisite extracellular and transport enzymes. Indeed, we found that taxa that used more recalcitrant (i.e. larger and cyclic) carbon compounds were more prevalent in ocean waters with higher nitrate concentrations. Compared to recalcitrant carbon users, labile carbon users targeted more organic N compounds, were found in relatively nitrate‐poor waters, and were more common in higher latitude soils, which is consistent with the paradigm that N‐limitation is stronger at higher latitudes. Altogether, evolutionary trade‐offs may limit recalcitrant carbon users to habitats with higher N availability.
Effects of vitamin E and beta‐carotene on sperm competitiveness
Authors: Almbro Maria , Dowling Damian K. , Simmons Leigh W. 
Published: July 2011

Ecology letters (2011) 14: 891–895AbstractSperm are particularly prone to oxidative damage because they generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), have a high polyunsaturated fat content and a reduced capacity to repair DNA damage. The dietary compounds vitamin E and beta‐carotene are argued to have antioxidant properties that help to counter the damaging effects of excess ROS. Here in, we tested the post‐copulatory consequences for male crickets (Teleogryllus oceanicus) of dietary intake of these two candidate antioxidants. During competitive fertilisation trials, vitamin E, but not beta‐carotene, singularly enhanced sperm competitiveness. However, the diet combining a high vitamin E dose and beta‐carotene produced males with the most competitive ejaculates, possibly due to the known ability of beta‐carotene to recycle vitamin E. Our results provide support for the idea that these two common dietary compounds have interactive antioxidant properties in vivo, by affecting the outcomes of male reproductive success under competitive conditions.
Field estimates of reproductive success in a model insect: behavioural surrogates are poor predictors of fitness
Authors: Thompson David J. , Hassall Christopher , Lowe Chris D. , Watts Phillip C. 
Published: July 2011

Ecology Letters (2011) 14: 905–913AbstractUnderstanding, and therefore measuring, factors that determine fitness is a central problem in evolutionary biology. We studied a natural population of Coenagrion puella (Odonata: Zygoptera) over two entire breeding seasons, with over a thousand individuals uniquely marked and genotyped, and all mating events at the rendezvous site recorded. Using a parentage analysis, fitness of individuals in the first generation was quantified as the numbers of offspring that survived to maturity. Although mating behaviour can be predicted by environmental and demographical variables, the numbers of mature offspring produced (fitness) cannot, and crucially, are poorly correlated with behavioural observations of mating. While fitness of both sexes was positively related to mating behaviour and to female’s ectoparasite burden, these behavioural observations explained little more variance in offspring production than environmental and demographical variables. Thus, we demonstrate that behavioural measures of reproductive success are not necessarily reliable estimates of fitness in natural populations.
Smoking is a major risk factor for anastomotic leak in patients undergoing low anterior resection
Authors: Richards C. H. , Campbell V. , Ho C. , Hayes J. , Elliott T. , Thompson‐Fawcett M. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractAim  To examine modifiable risk factors for anastomotic leak in patients undergoing low anterior resection.Method  In total 233 patients undergoing low anterior resection for benign and malignant disease over a 10‐year period at a single surgical unit were identified from a prospective database. The relationships between anastomotic leak and 17 variables were examined, including patient demographics, operative technique, tumour pathology, preoperative physiological function and smoking status.Results  The majority (91%) of operations were carried out for rectal cancers, and 24 procedures (10%) were performed with laparoscopic assistance. The overall anastomotic leak rate was 14% (33/233). Patients with anastomotic leak had higher 30‐day mortality (6%vs 1%, P < 0.05) and stayed significantly longer in hospital (median 23 vs 10 days, P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, current smokers (OR 3.68, 95% CI 1.38–9.82, P = 0.009) and patients with evidence of metastatic malignant disease (OR 3.43, 95% CI 1.29–9.13, P =0.013) were at increased risk of anastomotic leak.Conclusion  Smoking and the presence of metastatic disease are major risk factors for the development of anastomotic leak following low anterior resection.
Ultrastructure features of camel cornea – collagen fibril and proteoglycans
Authors: Almubrad Turki , Akhtar Saeed 
Published: July 2011

AbstractIntroduction  The uniform distribution of collagen fibrils and proteoglycans maintain the transparency of normal cornea. We describe the ultrastructural features of camel cornea including collagen fibrils and proteoglycans (PGs).Methods  Camel corneas (of 6‐, 8‐, and 10‐month‐old animals) were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde containing cuprolinic blue in sodium acetate buffer and processed for electron microscopy. The ‘AnalySIS LS Professional’ program was used to analyze the collagen fibril diameter.Results  The camel cornea consists of four layers: the epithelium (227 μm), stroma (388 μm), Descemet’s membrane (DM), and endothelium. The epithelium constituted 36% of the camel cornea, whereas corneal stroma constituted 62% of the corneal thickness (629 μm). The PGs in the posterior stroma were significantly larger in number and size compared with the anterior and middle stroma. The collagen fibril diameter was 25 nm and interfibrillar spacing 40 nm. Fibrillar structures are present throughout the DM.Conclusion  The structure of the camel cornea is very different from human and other animals. The unique structure of the cornea might be an adaptation to help the camel to survive in a hot and dry climate. The camel cornea may also be a good model to study the effect of hot and dry climates on the cornea.