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Early Indicator (early + indicator)
Selected AbstractsInfant Symbolic Play as an Early Indicator of Fetal Alcohol-Related DeficitINFANCY, Issue 6 2010Christopher D. Molteno Infant symbolic play was examined in relation to prenatal alcohol exposure and socioenvironmental background and to predict which infants met criteria for fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) at 5 years. A total of 107 Cape-Colored, South African infants born to heavy drinking mothers and abstainers/light drinkers were recruited prenatally. Complexity of play, sociodemographic and psychological correlates of maternal alcohol use, and quality of parenting were assessed at 13 months, and intelligence quotient and FAS diagnosis at 5 years. The effect of drinking on spontaneous play was not significant after control for social environment. In contrast, prenatal alcohol and quality of parenting related independently to elicited play. Elicited play predicted 5-year Digit Span and was poorer in infants subsequently diagnosed with FAS/partial FAS and in nonsyndromal heavily exposed infants, compared with abstainers/light drinkers. Thus, symbolic play may provide an early indicator of risk for alcohol-related deficits. The independent effects of prenatal alcohol and quality of parenting suggest that infants whose symbolic play is adversely affected by alcohol exposure may benefit from stimulation from a responsive caregiver. [source] Retaining the mental health nursing workforce: Early indicators of retention and attritionINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 4 2005Sarah Robinson ABSTRACT:, In the UK, strategies to improve retention of the mental health workforce feature prominently in health policy. This paper reports on a longitudinal national study into the careers of mental health nurses in the UK. The findings reveal little attrition during the first 6 months after qualification. Investigation of career experiences showed that the main sources of job satisfaction were caregiving opportunities and supportive working relationships. The main sources of dissatisfaction were pay in relation to responsibility, paperwork, continuing education opportunities, and career guidance. Participants were asked whether they predicted being in nursing in the future. Gender and ethnicity were related to likelihood to remain in nursing in 5 years time. Age, having children, educational background, ethnic background, and time in first job were associated with likelihood of remaining in nursing at 10 years. Associations between elements of job satisfaction (quality of clinical supervision, ratio of qualified to unqualified staff, support from immediate line manager, and paperwork) and anticipated retention are complex and there are likely to be interaction effects because of the complexity of the issues. Sustaining positive experiences, remedying sources of dissatisfaction, and supporting diplomates from all backgrounds should be central to the development of retention strategies. [source] Early indicators of child abuse and neglect: a multi-professional Delphi studyCHILD ABUSE REVIEW, Issue 1 2003Catherine Powell Abstract Through the application of the Delphi technique, this study draws on the expertise of British child protection academics and practitioners from a wide range of disciplines in seeking to develop a consensus opinion on possible early indicators of child abuse and neglect. The search for early indicators is described in the context of a secondary preventative approach to the problem of child maltreatment. A very tentative conclusion arising from the study is that the early indicators of child abuse and neglect that achieved consensus of agreement may help in diagnosing child abuse and neglect at an earlier stage, although they are not necessarily diagnostic. Alternative explanations, differential diagnoses and information-gathering are paramount, as is a willingness and ability to act on concerns. Although great caution is urged, it is suggested that the findings from the study are credible and of interest to those who are working towards more timely recognition and referral of abused and neglected children. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Infant Symbolic Play as an Early Indicator of Fetal Alcohol-Related DeficitINFANCY, Issue 6 2010Christopher D. Molteno Infant symbolic play was examined in relation to prenatal alcohol exposure and socioenvironmental background and to predict which infants met criteria for fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) at 5 years. A total of 107 Cape-Colored, South African infants born to heavy drinking mothers and abstainers/light drinkers were recruited prenatally. Complexity of play, sociodemographic and psychological correlates of maternal alcohol use, and quality of parenting were assessed at 13 months, and intelligence quotient and FAS diagnosis at 5 years. The effect of drinking on spontaneous play was not significant after control for social environment. In contrast, prenatal alcohol and quality of parenting related independently to elicited play. Elicited play predicted 5-year Digit Span and was poorer in infants subsequently diagnosed with FAS/partial FAS and in nonsyndromal heavily exposed infants, compared with abstainers/light drinkers. Thus, symbolic play may provide an early indicator of risk for alcohol-related deficits. The independent effects of prenatal alcohol and quality of parenting suggest that infants whose symbolic play is adversely affected by alcohol exposure may benefit from stimulation from a responsive caregiver. [source] Enhanced expression of MMP-7 and MMP-13 in inflammatory bowel disease: A precancerous potential?INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 11 2006Dr. Timo Rath PhD Abstract Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are responsible for the turnover and degradation of extracellular matrix. They play a crucial role in the growth and migration of colorectal carcinoma cells. Colorectal carcinomas are characterized by enhanced expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-7, and MMP-13. The aim of this study was to determine the expression levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-7, MMP-13, and MMP-14 and their specific inhibitor TIMP-1 in inflammatory bowel diseases and precancerous lesions of the colon, i.e., Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and in adenomatous polyps (APs) for comparison. Biopsy samples of pathological and healthy tissue were obtained from 40 patients with inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis, n = 17; Crohn's disease, n = 23) and from 19 patients with APs. mRNA was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to study MMP and TIMP-1 gene expression in both pathological and normal mucosal specimens. For MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-1, protein expression also was quantified with sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In biopsy specimens of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, significantly increased levels of MMP-2, MMP-7, and MMP-13 mRNA were found. MMP-2 and MMP-9 showed enhanced secretion on the protein level. AP revealed an increased transcription of MMP-7 and MMP-13 genes. MMP-14 mRNA was decreased in APs. MMPs, especially MMP-7 and MMP-13, which are expressed primarily on the tumor cell surface, are elevated in inflammatory bowel disease, which may have more chance to evolve into malignancy than normal tissue. In APs, increased expression of MMP-7 and MMP-13 may serve as an early indicator for colorectal carcinogenesis. [source] Assessing mild cognitive impairment among older African AmericansINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 7 2010Alyssa A. Gamaldo Abstract Objectives To examine the frequency of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in African American older adults. The study also plans to explore the specific cognitive domains of impairment as well as whether there are differences in demographics, health, and cognitive performance between MCI and normal participants. Design Cross-sectional. Setting Independent-living sample of urban dwelling elders in Baltimore, Maryland. Participants The sample consisted of 554 subjects ranging in age from 50 to 95 (Mean,=,68.79,±,9.60). Measurements Socio-demographics and health were assessed. Several cognitive measures were administered to assess inductive reasoning, declarative memory, perceptual speed, working memory, executive functioning, language and global cognitive functioning. Results Approximately 22% of participants were considered MCI (i.e. 18% non-amnestic vs. 4% amnestic). A majority of the non-amnestic MCI participants had impairment in one cognitive domain, particularly language and executive function. Individuals classified as non-amnestic MCI were significantly older and had more years of education than normal individuals. The MCI groups were not significantly different than cognitively normal individuals on health factors. Individuals classified as MCI performed significantly worse on global cognitive measures as well as across specific cognitive domains than cognitively normal individuals. Conclusion This study demonstrates that impairment in a non-memory domain may be an early indicator of cognitive impairment, particularly among African Americans. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Pulse oximeter perfusion index as an early indicator of sympathectomy after epidural anesthesiaACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 8 2009Y. GINOSAR Background: The pulse oximeter perfusion index (PI) has been used to indicate sympathectomy-induced vasodilatation. We hypothesized that pulse oximeter PI provides an earlier and clearer indication of sympathectomy following epidural anesthesia than skin temperature and arterial pressure. Methods: Forty patients received lumbar epidural catheters. Patients were randomized to receive either 10 ml 0.5% bupivacaine or 10 ml 0.25% bupivacaine. PI in the toe, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and toe temperature were all assessed at baseline and at 5, 10 and 20 min following epidural anesthesia. The effect of epidural anesthesia over time was assessed by repeated measures analysis of variance. Additionally, we defined clinically evident sympathectomy criteria (a 100% increase in the PI, a 15% decrease in MAP and a 1 °C increase in toe temperature). The numbers of patients demonstrating these changes for each test were compared using the McNemar test for each time point. Results: Twenty-nine subjects had photoplethysmography signals that met a priori signal quality criteria for analysis. By 20 min, PI increased by 326%, compared with a 10% decrease and a 3% increase in MAP and toe temperature, respectively. For PI 15/29, 26/29 and 29/29 of the subjects met the sympathectomy criteria at 5, 10 and 20 min, respectively, compared with 4/29, 6/29 and 18/29 for MAP changes and 3/29, 8/29 and 14/29 for toe temperature changes. Conclusions: PI was an earlier, clearer and more sensitive indicator of the development of epidural-induced sympathectomy than either skin temperature or MAP. [source] Forecast accuracy and economic gains from Bayesian model averaging using time-varying weightsJOURNAL OF FORECASTING, Issue 1-2 2010Lennart Hoogerheide Abstract Several Bayesian model combination schemes, including some novel approaches that simultaneously allow for parameter uncertainty, model uncertainty and robust time-varying model weights, are compared in terms of forecast accuracy and economic gains using financial and macroeconomic time series. The results indicate that the proposed time-varying model weight schemes outperform other combination schemes in terms of predictive and economic gains. In an empirical application using returns on the S&P 500 index, time-varying model weights provide improved forecasts with substantial economic gains in an investment strategy including transaction costs. Another empirical example refers to forecasting US economic growth over the business cycle. It suggests that time-varying combination schemes may be very useful in business cycle analysis and forecasting, as these may provide an early indicator for recessions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Intrathecal inflammatory masses: is the yearly opioid dose increase an early indicator?NEUROMODULATION, Issue 2 2010Rui V. Duarte BSc Objectives:, The objective of this study is to investigate the association between intrathecal drug, flow rate, drug concentration, and drug dose with the formation of intrathecal inflammatory masses. Methods:, A retrospective longitudinal study of 56 consecutive patients receiving long-term intrathecal analgesic administration was undertaken through screening of medical records. Data regarding drug flow rate, dose per day, and concentration of drugs administered were recorded for morphine, diamorphine, bupivicaine, clonidine and baclofen and averages computed. Results:, The average follow-up time post-implant was 91 ± 55 months (range: 9,209). Four of the 56 patients were diagnosed with intrathecal granuloma indicating a rate of 7%, the equivalent to 0.009 events per patient year. Twenty-one of the patients had received morphine either alone or combined; 22 had received diamorphine either alone or mixed; and 13 crossed over from morphine to diamorphine or the inverse. None of the patients with granuloma crossed over before diagnosis. A significant correlation was found between opioid dose (r= 0.275, p < 0.05), yearly increase of the opioid dose (r= 0.433, p < 0.05), and granuloma formation. Clonidine appeared to have a protective effect for the non-granuloma patients. No association was found with flow rate (r= 0.056) or opioid concentration (r= 0.214). Conclusion:, This is the first detailed study showing an association of diamorphine with granulomas. This study supports the previous finding of intrathecal opioid dose being a risk factor for intrathecal granulomas and clonidine being protective. In addition we have found that the yearly increase in opioid dose is a risk factor for granulomas and could serve as an indicator for closer surveillance. [source] Mitochondrial morphology transition is an early indicator of subsequent cell death in ArabidopsisNEW PHYTOLOGIST, Issue 1 2008Iain Scott Summary ,,Mitochondrial morphology and dynamics were investigated during the onset of cell death in Arabidopsis thaliana. Cell death was induced by either chemical (reactive oxygen species (ROS)) or physical (heat) shock. ,,Changes in mitochondrial morphology in leaf tissue, or isolated protoplasts, each expressing mitochondrial-targeted green fluorescent protein (GFP), were observed by epifluorescence microscopy, and quantified. ,,Chemical induction of ROS production, or a mild heat shock, caused a rapid and consistent change in mitochondrial morphology (termed the mitochondrial morphology transition) that preceded cell death. Treatment of protoplasts with a cell-permeable superoxide dismutase analogue, TEMPOL, blocked this morphology change. Incubation of protoplasts in micromolar concentrations of the calcium channel-blocker lanthanum chloride, or the permeability transition pore inhibitor cyclosporin A, prevented both the mitochondrial morphology transition and subsequent cell death. ,,It is concluded that the observed mitochondrial morphology transition is an early and specific indicator of cell death and is a necessary component of the cell death process. [source] Early blood transfusions protect against microalbuminuria in children with sickle cell diseasePEDIATRIC BLOOD & CANCER, Issue 1 2006Ofelia Alvarez MD Abstract Background Microalbuminuria (MA) is an early indicator for glomerulopathy in sickle cell disease (SCD). Procedure We reviewed the medical records of asymptomatic patients ages 4,20 with sickle hemoglobinopathies, who were screened for MA in order to find out its prevalence and risk factors. Results Nineteen of 120 (15.8%) screened patients had MA detected by spot urine (mean albumin absolute value 6.95,±,0.56 mg/dl) and abnormal albumin to creatinine ratios (79.8,±,0.62 mg/g creatinine). Twenty four-hour urine collections confirmed 57% of MA cases by spot urine. There was no difference in hyperfiltration between positive and negative patients. From the MA-positive patients, 15 had SS (16.8% of SS group) and 4 had SC (18% of SC group). Nineteen percent of children 10 years of age or older had MA, as compared to 8% of the younger children (P,=,0.018), demonstrating that increasing age is a risk factor for MA. There was a positive correlation between MA and acute chest syndrome. Young age at start of chronic transfusions was inversely related to MA and therefore renoprotective (P,=,0.03). We did not see a protective effect in the group of patients taking hydroxyurea for a relatively short time, mean age at start of treatment 12,±,5 years; however the sample was small. Conclusions We conclude that: (1) children with sickle cell hemoglobinopathies 10 years or older should be screened for MA and (2) chronic transfusions starting at an early age may be renoprotective. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Expression of cytokeratin-18-related tissue polypeptide-specific (TPS) antigen in Wilms tumorPEDIATRIC BLOOD & CANCER, Issue 4 2001Winfried Rebhandl MD Abstract Background So far, there is no approved tumour marker for diagnosis or follow-up in Wilms tumour (WT). Tissue polypeptide-specific antigen (TPS), a cytokeratin 18 proteolytic fragment, has been suggested to be of value in the clinical management of WT patients. Cytokeratin 18 fragments are an early indicator of apoptosis and cytokeratin 18 might influence tumour cell behaviour. We investigated TPS expression in specimens of WT and other paediatric renal malignancies Procedure Immunoreactivity of WT sections (n,=,9), clear cell sarcomas (CCSK, n,=,3), and a renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and two pediatric kidney tumour cell lines (WT: SK-NEP-1 and rhabdoid tumour of the kidney: G-401) were investigated using the monoclonal antibody M3. Additionally, immunoblotting and RT-PCR analysis were performed. Cell culture supernatants were evaluated for TPS release. Serum TPS was measured in five patients at diagnosis, during chemotherapy and after surgical resection. Results Moderate to strong immunoreactivity for TPS was found in tubular and blastemal components of nearly all (8/9) WT specimens. This was confirmed by Western-blotting. Cystic and epithelial-like portions of CCSKs and RCC showed distinct reactivity (3/3). The supernatant of G-401 but not of SK-NEP-1 showed a time- and cell number-dependent increase of TPS release. Interestingly, TPS synthesis was demonstrated in SK-NEP-1 cells. Median preoperative serum TPS was elevated (293 U/l) compared to healthy children and lowest after surgical resection (49.5 U/l). Conclusions This is the first study demonstrating the synthesis and release of TPS by WTs and other paediatric renal malignancies. Considering the elevated levels of TPS in serum of these patients, a further investigation of this marker by larger clinical trials seems to be justified. Med Pediatr Oncol 2001;37:357,364. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Expression Pattern of Apoptotic Genes in Vitrified-Thawed Bovine OocytesREPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 5 2010VM Anchamparuthy Contents This study describes a method for quantification of transcripts from low numbers of bovine oocytes using real time RT-PCR. The objective was to evaluate the expression pattern of apoptotic genes (Fas, FasL, Bax and Bcl-2) in vitrified-thawed oocytes. Oocytes were evaluated at germinal vesicle stage; at 15 h of maturation; after vitrification and warming at 15 h of maturation and at 9 h of additional maturation. All transcripts showed an increase in at least 1.2-fold change post-vitrification warming, but the levels tended to decrease at 9 h of maturation post-vitrification warming. Transcript abundance for Fas mRNA was 1.4-fold for oocytes after vitrification and warming. The level of Fas mRNA upon maturation was 0.8-fold. The increase in the abundance of FasL mRNA was 2.1, while it was 0.5-fold relative to control. Vitrification resulted in 1.5-fold change in Bax mRNA expression in oocytes. After 9 h of maturation post-vitrification warming, the level for Bax mRNA was 0.6-fold. The mRNA for Bcl-2 was nearly the same after vitrification and warming. The abundance of mRNA for Bcl-2 was 1.2-fold in vitrified oocytes and fell (p = 0.05) to 0.5 at 9 h of maturation post-vitrification and warming. The up-regulation of apoptotic genes in vitrified oocytes may be an early indicator of reduced developmental competence following vitrification. Yet, results from terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling and caspase assays did not support the evidence of apoptosis in embryos derived from large numbers of vitrified oocytes. [source] Genetic and environmental influences on the transmission of parental depression to children's depression and conduct disturbance: an extended Children of Twins studyTHE JOURNAL OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY AND ALLIED DISCIPLINES, Issue 6 2010Judy L. Silberg Background:, Despite the increased risk of depression and conduct problems in children of depressed parents, the mechanism by which parental depression affects their children's behavioral and emotional functioning is not well understood. The present study was undertaken to determine whether parental depression represents a genuine environmental risk factor in children's psychopathology, or whether children's depression/conduct can be explained as a secondary consequence of the genetic liability transmitted from parents to their offspring. Methods:, Children of Twins (COT) data collected on 2,674 adult female and male twins, their spouses, and 2,940 of their children were used to address whether genetic and/or family environmental factors best account for the association between depression in parents and depression and conduct problems in their children. Data collected on juvenile twins from the Virginia Twin Study of Adolescent Behavioral Development (VTSABD) were also included to estimate child-specific genetic and environmental influences apart from those effects arising from the transmission of the parental depression itself. The fit of alternative Children of Twin models were evaluated using the statistical program Mx. Results:, The most compelling model for the association between parental and juvenile depression was a model of direct environmental risk. Both family environmental and genetic factors accounted for the association between parental depression and child conduct disturbance. Conclusions:, These findings illustrate how a genetically mediated behavior such as parental depression can have both an environmental and genetic impact on children's behavior. We find developmentally specific genetic factors underlying risk to juvenile and adult depression. A shared genetic liability influences both parental depression and juvenile conduct disturbance, implicating child conduct disturbance (CD) as an early indicator of genetic risk for depression in adulthood. In summary, our analyses demonstrate differences in the impact of parental depression on different forms of child psychopathology, and at various stages of development. [source] Dispersal abilities and spatial patterns in fragmented landscapesBIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY, Issue 4 2010CONCEPCIÓN L. ALADOS Recent theoretical studies suggest that the distribution of species in space has important implications for the conservation of communities in fragmented landscapes. Facilitation and dispersal are the primary mechanisms responsible for the formation of spatial patterns. Furthermore, disruptions in the formation of patterns arise after degradation, which can serve as an early indicator of stress in plant communities. Spatial dispersal ability and pattern formation were evaluated in 53 linear transects of 500 m in length within 14 fragments of natural vegetation within a matrix of abandoned crop fields in Cabo de Gata National Park, Almería, Spain. Fragments were classified into three size classes (< 300, 300,900, and > 900 ha). Fragment connectivity was quantified using the distances between fragments. Spatial dispersal ability was quantified for the 187 species recorded in the study. Species with restricted dispersal had the highest degree of long-range spatial autocorrelation and, species that disperse by biotic vectors (e.g. vertebrates), the lowest. In addition, species most susceptible to fragmentation are vertebrate-dispersed shrubs, which declined in abundance and was associated with loss of spatial organization in the smallest fragments. It is postulated that the positive feedback between abundance of recruitment and vertebrate visits influences the colonization and persistence of vertebrate-dispersed shrubs, explaining its abundance in large fragments. Indeed, fragments lower than a certain threshold reduced spatial organization not only in shrubs with biotic dispersal, but also in species with abiotic dispersal (mainly wind) and with restricted dispersal. Fragments lower than a certain threshold may be vulnerable to a cascade of species loss because of reduced recruitment, establishment and patch biomass as a result of natural senescence, finally breaking up facilitative plant interactions. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 100, 935,947. [source] Association between early systemic inflammatory response, severity of multiorgan dysfunction and death in acute pancreatitis,BRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY (NOW INCLUDES EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY), Issue 6 2006R. Mofidi Background: Mortality in patients with acute pancreatitis is associated with the number of failing organs and the severity and reversibility of organ dysfunction. The aim of this study was to assess the significance of early systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in the development of multiorgan dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and death from acute pancreatitis. Methods: Data for all patients with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis between January 2000 and December 2004 were reviewed. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP), Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores and presence of SIRS were recorded on admission and at 48 h. Marshall organ dysfunction scores were calculated during the first week of presentation. Presence of SIRS and raised serum CRP levels on admission and at 48 h were correlated with the cumulative organ dysfunction scores in the first week. Results: A total of 759 patients with acute pancreatitis were identified, of whom 45 (5·9 per cent) died during the index admission. SIRS was identified in 162 patients on admission and was persistent in 138 at 48 h. The median (range) cumulative Marshall score in patients with persistent SIRS was significantly higher than that in patients in whom SIRS resolved and in those with no SIRS (4 (0,12), 3 (0,7) and 0 (0,9) respectively; P < 0·001). Thirty-five patients (25·4 per cent) with persistent SIRS died from acute pancreatitis, compared with six patients (8 per cent) with transient SIRS and four (0·7 per cent) without SIRS (P < 0·001). No correlation was observed between CRP level on admission and Marshall score (P = 0·810); however, there was a close correlation between CRP level at 48 h and Marshall score (P < 0·001). Conclusion: Persistent SIRS is associated with MODS and death in patients with acute pancreatitis and is an early indicator of the likely severity of acute pancreatitis. Copyright © 2006 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] 2432: Histological characteristics of the posterior lid marginACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2010N KNOP Purpose The structure of the lid margin is insufficiently understood and defined although it is of obvious importance for ocular surface integrity. In particular the histological structure of the tissues of the normal lid margin and their zonal differentiation is partly unclear. Methods The structure and function of the different zones at the posterior lid margin are explained with a focus on dry eye disease, based on the available literature on the lid margin together with own findings on the histology of normal and pathological tissues from the human lid margin. Results The Meibomian glands (MG) that are of particular significance for the integrity of the ocular surface open still within the cornified epidermis. Their obstructive dysfunction (MGD) is a main cause for dry eye disease. The orifice is followed by the mucocutaneous junction (MCJ) that extends from the abrupt termination of the epidermis to the crest of the inner lid border. The physiological vital stainable line of Marx represents its surface and can be used as a diagnostic tool for the location and functionality of the MG orifices and lacrimal puncta. The marginal conjunctiva starts at the crest of the inner lid border and forms a thickened epithelial cushion. This is the point in closest apposition to the globe, represents the zone that wipes the bulbar surface and distributes the thin pre-ocular tear film. It is hence termed as the lid wiper and pathological alterations that result in a vital staining are a sensitive early indicator of dry eye disease. Conclusion The margin of the eyelid is an important but yet underestimated structure for the maintenance of the pre-ocular tear film and of utmost importance for the preservation of ocular surface integrity and for development of dry eye disease. Support DFG KN317/11 [source] Structure of the lid margin in laboratory animalsACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2008N KNOP Purpose The eye lid margin is of great importance for the spreading and the limitation of the tears. The so called lid wiper which is a specialized zone at the inner lid border directly apposed to the corneal surface for spreading the preocular tear film has, at present, only been described for the human conjunctiva. We have investigated common laboratory animals (rat and rabbit) for the presence of such a zone. Methods Conjunctival whole-mount specimens and total bulbi were investigated by serial section histology in ten rats (DA and Lewis) and in ten rabbits (NZW and Chinchilla). Results The stratified squamous keratinised epidermis of the free lid margin showed a sharp transition with loss of the keratin layer at the level of the meibomian glands. Close to the inner lid border it was replaced by a small zone of an optically denser epithelium covered by para-keratinised cells. This area represented the mucocutaneous junction (MCJ) equivalent to the line of Marx in the human. The MCJ rapidly transformed into a thickened 8-12 cell layered stratified epithelium of that formed a cushion-like epithelial elevation, reclined sharply towards the inner lid border and hence formed a typically relatively sharp lip-like edge. The lid-wiper epithelium showed species-specific differences in morphology (cuboidal with goblet cells in the rabbit versus squamous without goblet cells in the rat) but it extended all along the lid margin in both species. Conclusion At the inner border of the upper and lower lid of rat and rabbit, several zones of different morphology occur similar to the human including a lid-wiper structure. Since lid wiper epitheliopathy was shown as a sensitive early indicator for human dry eye syndrome its investigation may be useful for future research in dry eye models of laboratory animals. [source] Plant species response to land use change ,Campanula rotundifolia, Primula veris and Rhinanthus minorECOGRAPHY, Issue 1 2005Regina Lindborg Land use change is a crucial driver behind species loss at the landscape scale. Hence, from a conservation perspective, species response to habitat degradation or improvement of habitat quality, is important to examine. By using indicator species it may be possible to monitor long-term survival of local populations associated with land use change. In this study we examined three potential indicator (response) species for species richness and composition in Scandinavian semi-natural grassland communities: Campanula rotundifolia, Primula veris and Rhinanthus minor. With field inventories and experiments we examined their response to present land use, habitat degradation and improvement of local habitat quality. At the time scale examined, C. rotundifolia was the only species responding to both habitat degradation and improvement of habitat quality. Neither R. minor nor P. veris responded positively to habitat improvements although both responded rapidly to direct negative changes in habitat quality. Even though C. rotundifolia responded quickly to habitat degradation, it did not disappear completely from the sites. Instead, the population structure changed in terms of decreased population size and flowering frequency. It also showed an ability to form remnant populations which may increase resilience of local habitats. Although P. veris and especially R. minor responded rapidly to negative environmental changes and may be useful as early indicators of land use change, it is desirable that indicators respond to both degradation and improvement of habitat quality. Thus, C. rotundifolia is a better response species for monitoring effects of land use change and conservation measures, provided that both local and regional population dynamics are monitored over a long time period. [source] Nutrigenomics: a case study in the measurement of insect response to nutritional qualityENTOMOLOGIA EXPERIMENTALIS ET APPLICATA, Issue 1 2006Thomas A. Coudron Abstract Recent developments in the area of nutrigenomics hold the promise of providing valuable information about the impact of nutrition on a wide range of biochemical parameters by investigating how nutrition alters global gene expression patterns. Our goal is to use a nutrigenomics approach to identify insect molecular markers that could be used as early indicators of insect responses to different nutritional sources. Such molecular markers could be chosen for degree of expression and evaluated for suitability as nutritional biomarkers by examining developmental and generational expression. Ideal markers would be highly expressed, manifested in the first generation within one developmental stage, and consistent over many generations. Our objective for the current study was to illustrate the potential discovery of molecular markers using Perillus bioculatus (F.) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), when reared on an optimal vs. suboptimal diet, and analyze the presence of differentially expressed genes resulting from those treatments. In this paper we present preliminary results of microarray and subtractive hybridization experiments that represent the feasibility of using nutrigenomics to assist in analyzing insect responses to nutritional changes and dietary quality with the intent of stimulating further studies in this area. [source] Ion channels in toxicologyJOURNAL OF APPLIED TOXICOLOGY, Issue 6 2010Iván Restrepo-Angulo Abstract Ion channels play essential roles in human physiology and toxicology. Cardiac contraction, neural transmission, temperature sensing, insulin release, regulation of apoptosis, cellular pH and oxidative stress, as well as detection of active compounds from chilli, are some of the processes in which ion channels have an important role. Regulation of ion channels by several chemicals including those found in air, water and soil represents an interesting potential link between environmental pollution and human diseases; for instance, de novo expression of ion channels in response to exposure to carcinogens is being considered as a potential tool for cancer diagnosis and therapy. Non-specific binding of several drugs to ion channels is responsible for a huge number of undesirable side-effects, and testing guidelines for several drugs now require ion channel screening for pharmaceutical safety. Animal toxins targeting human ion channels have serious effects on the population and have also provided a remarkable tool to study the molecular structure and function of ion channels. In this review, we will summarize the participation of ion channels in biological processes extensively used in toxicological studies, including cardiac function, apoptosis and cell proliferation. Major findings on the adverse effects of drugs on ion channels as well as the regulation of these proteins by different chemicals, including some pesticides, are also reviewed. Association of ion channels and toxicology in several biological processes strongly suggests these proteins to be excellent candidates to follow the toxic effects of xenobiotics, and as potential early indicators of life-threatening situations including chronic degenerative diseases. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A novel approach to assessing percutaneous VX poisoning in the conscious guinea-pig,JOURNAL OF APPLIED TOXICOLOGY, Issue 5 2008Helen Mumford Abstract Nerve agents like VX (S-2-diisopropylaminoethyl-O-ethyl-methylphosphonothiolate) are potent irreversible acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors. Following percutaneous nerve agent exposure there is a slower rate of absorption, later onset and longer duration of signs of poisoning. Relatively little is known about the physiological effects of percutaneously applied nerve agent in unanaesthetised laboratory animals. Heart rate (ECG), brain electrical activity (EEG), body temperature, locomotor activity and clinical signs were monitored following percutaneous application of VX to conscious guinea-pigs. A fall in heart rate (bradycardia) preceded incapacitation following the highest VX dose, and occurred in the absence of incapacitation at the lower doses. Following the highest dose of VX (0.592 mg kg,1) three out of four animals died within 24 h. The lower two doses of VX (0.296 and 0.148 mg kg,1), produced extended periods of bradycardia in the absence of observable signs of poisoning. Bradycardia preceded, or occurred in the absence of, a temperature decrease; seizure-like EEG changes were not observed at any of the VX doses tested. Acetylcholinesterase activity was significantly inhibited in the blood and most brain areas at 48 h. There were significant dose-related decreases in body weight at 24 and 48 h following VX. This preliminary study suggests that decreased heart rate may be an early sign of the toxic effects of VX, whereas temperature and observable clinical signs are not good early indicators of percutaneous VX poisoning in this animal model. Future studies will use this model to assess the benefit of administering medical countermeasures in response to a defined decrease in heart rate. © Crown Copyright 2007. Reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. This article was published online on 5 December 2007. An error was subsequently identified. This notice is included in the online and print versions to indicate that both have been corrected [30 May 2008]. [source] Molecular and histological responses in rat skin exposed to m -xylene,JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMICAL AND MOLECULAR TOXICOLOGY, Issue 2 2003Palur G. Gunasekar Abstract Solvents, surfactants, cutting fluids, hydrocarbons, and oils cause skin irritation by incompletely understood mechanisms. This study examined histological and molecular changes in rodent skin caused by brief topical exposures to m -xylene. At 0, 1, 2, 4, and 6 h after 1-h exposure, skin samples were removed and analyzed for histopathological changes and interleukin-1, (IL-1,) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein levels. Histopathological changes (epidermal,dermal separation and granulocyte infiltration) and increases in IL-1, and iNOS protein expression occurred during our observation period. IL-1, levels increased by 80% immediately after exposure and iNOS levels increased about 60% 4 hours after exposure. Our study demonstrates that dermal exposure to m -xylene promotes IL-1, and iNOS production in skin and these proteins may serve as early indicators of skin irritation. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 17:92,94, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.10065 [source] Prevalence and associated factors of pneumonia in patients with vegetative state in TaiwanJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 7 2008Li-Chan Lin PhD Aims., The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence rate and influencing factors of pneumonia associated with long-term tube feeding in special care units for patients with persistent vegetative states (PVS) in Taiwan. Background., Pneumonia is a significant cause of morbidity, hospitalization and mortality in the nursing home population. Tube feeding has been found as a risk factor for the occurrence of pneumonia. Methods., Two hundred sixty subjects were chosen from three hospital-based special care units for patients with PVS and 10 nursing facilities for persons in PVS in Taiwan. All subjects, who were diagnosed with PVS, received either financial aid for institutional care or were means-tested from The Bureau of Social Welfare of cities and counties in Taiwan. Data were collected through chart review and observations. Results., The prevalence rate of pneumonia in nursing facilities for patients with PVS was 14·2%. The prevalence rate of tube-feeding in nursing facilities for PVS was 91·2%. The mean duration of tube-feeding was 73·21 SD 55·33 months. A total of 90·4% was fed with a nasogastric (NG) tube. Having a lower intake of food and fluids daily and having been institutionalized for a shorter period were three dominant factors associated with the occurrence of pneumonia. Conclusion., Research findings reveal that the incidence of pneumonia is higher in patients who do not receive adequate food and water. Continuing in-service training to improve caregivers' knowledge and skill in providing care to patients in PVS and monitoring their skills in feeding is needed to decrease the occurrence of pneumonia in this population. Relevance to clinical practice., Staff needs to be taught to monitor laboratory data and signs and symptoms of malnutrition and hydration deficit, and also be alert to early indicators of pneumonia in patients with PVS. [source] "Moral Panic" or Pejorative Labelling?JOURNAL OF RELIGIOUS HISTORY, Issue 4 2009Rethinking the Mazengarb Inquiry into Underage Sex in the Hutt Valley in 195 This article re-examines the interpretation of widespread concern over significant underage sex in the Hutt Valley, Wellington, which resulted in a government inquiry in 1954. It challenges the typical "moral panic" interpretive lens concerning the inquiry, arguing that the term obscures more than it reveals. The term focuses on reaction to the Hutt Valley affair but fails to address sufficiently the causative question of why such concern existed in the first place. The "moral panic" framing of the Hutt Valley incidents has failed to give adequate recognize that the developments were early indicators of increasing societal shifts that threatened long-held public views on sexuality; that manifest, societal, sexuality values changes in the next two decades showed that concerned people of 1954 were right within the framework of their worldview to have such concern; and that the so-called "moral panic" concern of 1954 already existed prior to the Hutt Valley disclosures. [source] Assessing the capability of internal metrics as early indicators of maintenance effort through experimentationJOURNAL OF SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE AND EVOLUTION: RESEARCH AND PRACTICE, Issue 3 2005Marcela Genero Bocco Abstract The complexity of software artifacts is widely believed to be an important determinant of maintenance effort. This paper conducts an experimental analysis of the impact of complexity on the maintenance of the Unified Modeling Language (UML) class diagrams. This represents an analysis of the effect of an internal quality attribute on an external quality attribute. A range of complexity metrics are proposed based on an ontological analysis of the UML language and previous research. The relative influence of these metrics on maintenance effort is then evaluated using a laboratory experiment. A within-subjects design was used, with subjects required to modify a range of UML class diagrams with different levels of complexity. Only two of the metrics emerged as significant determinants of maintenance effort: number of methods and number of associations. Together these explain around 28% of the variation in maintenance effort. While these findings are encouraging, further research is necessary to explore the ability of these metrics to predict maintenance effort. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Radial growth responses to drought of Pinus sylvestris and Quercus pubescens in an inner-Alpine dry valleyJOURNAL OF VEGETATION SCIENCE, Issue 6 2007Pascale Weber Abstract Question: Lower montane treeline ecotones such as the inner Alpine dry valleys are regarded as sensitive to climate change. In the dry Valais valley (Switzerland) the composition of the widespread, low altitude Pinus forests is shifting towards a mixed deciduous state. The sub-boreal P. sylvestris shows high mortality rates, whereas the deciduous sub-mediterranean Quercus pubescens is spreading. These species may act as early indicators of climate change. We evaluate this hypothesis by focusing on their differences in drought tolerance, which are hardly known, but are likely to be crucial in the current forest shift and also for future forest development. Methods: We used dendroecological methods to detect species-specific patterns in the growth response to drought. The relationship between radial growth of 401 trees from 15 mixed stands and drought was analysed by calculating response functions using yearly tree-ring indices and monthly drought indices. PCA was applied to the response ratios to discover spatial patterns of drought response. Results: A species-specific response to moisture as well as a sub-regional differentiation of the response patterns were found. While Quercus showed a response mainly to the conditions of the previous autumn and those of current spring, Pinus did not start responding before May, but showed responses throughout the whole summer. Quercus may restrict physiological activity to moist periods; growth of Pinus was much more dependent on prior growth. Conclusions: Given that the climate is changing towards (1) longer summer drought periods, (2) higher mean temperatures and (3) shifted seasonally of moisture availability, Quercus may benefit from adapting better to drier conditions. Pinus may increasingly face problems related to drought stress as it depends on summer moisture and has a smaller adaptive capacity due to its long-lived photosynthetic tissue. [source] The need for integration of drought monitoring tools for proactive food security management in sub-Saharan AfricaNATURAL RESOURCES FORUM, Issue 4 2008Tsegaye Tadesse Abstract Reducing the impact of drought and famine remains a challenge in sub-Saharan Africa despite ongoing drought relief assistance in recent decades. This is because drought and famine are primarily addressed through a crisis management approach when a disaster occurs, rather than stressing preparedness and risk management. Moreover, drought planning and food security efforts have been hampered by a lack of integrated drought monitoring tools, inadequate early warning systems (EWS), and insufficient information flow within and between levels of government in many sub-Saharan countries. The integration of existing drought monitoring tools for sub-Saharan Africa is essential for improving food security systems to reduce the impacts of drought and famine on society in this region. A proactive approach emphasizing integration requires the collective use of multiple tools, which can be used to detect trends in food availability and provide early indicators at local, national, and regional scales on the likely occurrence of food crises. In addition, improving the ability to monitor and disseminate critical drought-related information using available modern technologies (e.g., satellites, computers, and modern communication techniques) may help trigger timely and appropriate preventive responses and, ultimately, contribute to food security and sustainable development in sub-Saharan Africa. [source] On the Construction of the European Economic Sentiment Indicator,OXFORD BULLETIN OF ECONOMICS & STATISTICS, Issue 1 2010Sarah Gelper Abstract Economic sentiment surveys are carried out by all European Union member states and are often seen as early indicators for future economic developments. Based on these surveys, the European Commission constructs an aggregate European Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI). This paper compares the ESI with more sophisticated aggregation schemes based on statistical methods: dynamic factor analysis and partial least squares. The indicator based on partial least squares clearly outperforms the other two indicators in terms of comovement with economic activity. In terms of forecast ability, the ESI, constructed in a rather ad hoc way, can compete with the other indicators. [source] Evaluation of SPATA1 -associated markers for stallion fertilityANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 4 2009K. Giesecke Summary Stallion fertility is an economically important trait because the use of artificial insemination is increasing in the horse industry and superior sires are used more intensely. Molecular genetic markers may be useful as early indicators for a stallion's fertility and genetic improvement programmes. The testis-specific SPATA1 protein is involved in shaping the sperm head during spermatogenesis. Thus, the spermatogenesis associated 1 (SPATA1) gene was chosen as candidate for stallion fertility, and we analysed intragenic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as genetic markers for the least square means (LSM) of the pregnancy rate per oestrus of stallions and breeding values (BV) for the paternal and embryonic component of the pregnancy rate per oestrus. We sequenced the cDNA of SPATA1 to verify the annotated mRNA sequence. One SPATA1 -associated intronic SNP (BIEC2-968854) showed a significant association with the embryonic component of BVs of stallions for the pregnancy rate per oestrus. The embryonic component of BVs was positively associated with homozygous C/C stallions. Both the additive and dominance effects were significant with values of ,5.8% (P = 0.01) and ,6.4% (P = 0.02) for the embryonic component of BVs. For the same SNP, a suggestive association was found for the LSM of the pregnancy rate per oestrus of stallions. Heterozygous stallions had higher pregnancy rates per oestrus than homozygous stallions. The dominance effect was 4.1% with a nominal P -value of 0.02. The SNP BIEC2-968854 can change an SP1 binding site and thus we assume that gene regulation may be influenced through this intronic mutation. This is the first report on SPATA1 being associated with the pregnancy rate per oestrus for stallions. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||