bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HLA‐Cw*1214 allele arisen via recombination between HLA‐Cw*070201 and HLA‐Cw*120201
Authors: Lebedeva T.V. , Ohashi M. , Huang A. , Vasconcellos S. , Alosco S.M. , Kempenich J. , Yu N.
Published: November 2004

Abstract:  Allelic polymorphism of the major histocompatibility complex arises mostly from gene conversion. Intralocus gene conversion usually involves limited fragments of DNA, whereas recombination involving large fragments of DNA is considered to be a rare event. During routine sequencing‐based typing of donors for the National Marrow Donor Program®, a new HLA‐C allele was identified in a Caucasian donor. The allele, HLA‐Cw*1214, proved to be the product of recombination between HLA‐Cw*070201 and HLA‐Cw*120201. Exons 1, 2, the 3′ end of exon 3 and exon 4 (with one mismatch) belong to HLA‐Cw*120201, whereas part of exon 3 belongs to HLA‐Cw*070201. Sequencing with primers based in exon 2 and exon 3 showed that intron 2 of the new allele also belonged completely to HLA‐Cw*1202. The recombination event apparently occurred within exon 3 with the first point of recombination somewhere between codons 92 and 134 and the second one between codons 157 and 181.
Lysine conjugate of acrylonitrile as antigenic sites in hemoglobin adducts
Authors: Wong J.L. , Liu D.Z. , Zheng Y.T.
Published: November 2004

Abstract:  For biomonitoring environmental exposure to acrylonitrile (AN), a monoclonal antibody (mAb) A2D1, was developed to recognize specifically the hemoglobin (Hb) adduct, Hb‐AN, but not Hb itself. This appears to be the first example that a small molecule‐like AN may introduce new antigenicity into hemoglobin, which already exhibits multiple antigenic determinants. This report addresses the localization of the newly formed antigenic sites in human Hb‐AN. As antigenic probes, the AN conjugates of 10 amino acids, six dipeptides, and four tripeptides were prepared as monitored by 1H NMR, and their antigenicity was evaluated by competitive inhibition immunoassay. A Lys‐ɛNH‐AN was found essential to inhibiting activity. The potent peptide‐AN inhibitors, containing a sequence of His and Lys, showed IC50 at the micromolar concentration, thus implicating human Hbα‐89,90 and Hbβ‐143,144 in the distal heme pocket region as the new antigenic sites.
The current status of psychological treatments in bipolar disorders: a systematic review of relapse prevention
Authors: Scott Jan , Gutierrez Maria Jose
Published: November 2004

Objective:  This paper reviews published randomized‐controlled treatment trials of psychological therapies added to standard psychiatric treatment versus medication and standard psychiatric treatment alone to explore whether adjunctive psychotherapy reduces relapse rates in individuals with bipolar disorders (BDs).

Method:  Relapse rates were calculated for individual trials that met inclusion criteria and then pooled odds ratios were calculated using meta‐analytic techniques.

Results:  The majority of studies quoted demonstrate that individuals receiving psychological treatments had significantly fewer relapses. The length of therapy required was between 10 and 20 h over 6–9 months and the models of effective therapies had many shared characteristics in terms of style and content.

Conclusions:  Adjunctive psychological treatments for individuals with BDs are acceptable and feasible and reduce relapse risk. There are relatively few differences in the benefits that accrue from the different therapy models. It is now important to explore whether they have added value in terms of additional health gains and social functioning compared with standard treatment approaches.
Demographic and diagnostic characteristics of the first 1000 patients enrolled in the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder (STEP‐BD)
Authors: Kogan Jane N , Otto Michael W , Bauer Mark S , Dennehy Ellen B , Miklowitz David J , Zhang Hong‐Wei , Ketter Terence , Rudorfer Matthew V , Wisniewski Stephen R , Thase Michael E , Calabrese Joseph , Sachs Gary S ,   the STEP‐BD Investigators
Published: November 2004

Objectives:  Bipolar disorder is a severe, recurrent, and often highly impairing psychiatric disorder. The Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder (STEP‐BD) is a large‐scale multicenter study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to examine the longitudinal course of the disorder and the effectiveness of current treatments. The current report provides a context for interpreting studies resulting from STEP‐BD by summarizing the baseline demographic and diagnostic characteristics of the first 1000 enrolled.

Methods:  The majority of the sample met DSM‐IV criteria for bipolar I disorder (71%). Mean age of patients was 40.6 (±12.7) years and mean duration of bipolar illness was 23.1 (±12.9) years. Among the first 1000 subjects enrolled, 58.6% are females and 92.6% Caucasian. This report compares the STEP‐BD sample with other large cohorts of bipolar patients (treatment and community samples).

Results:  Compared with US population and community studies, the first 1000 STEP‐BD patients were less racially diverse, more educated, had lower income, and a higher unemployment rate. Results are discussed in terms of the contributions of STEP‐BD (and other large‐scale treatment studies) in understanding the nature, treatments, and outcomes of bipolar disorder for patients seeking care at academic treatment centers.

Conclusions:  The current report provides a context for interpreting future studies resulting from STEP‐BD. The comparison of demographic and clinical characteristics between the samples across clinic‐based studies suggests broad similarities despite the substantial differences in geography, payer mix, and clinical entry point.
Origin and Chemical Coding of Primary Afferent Neurones Supplying the Prostate of the Dog
Authors: Arciszewski M. B. , Zacharko A.
Published: November 2004

Retrograde tracing technique combined with the double‐fluorescent immunohistochemistry were used to investigate the distribution and chemical coding of primary afferent neurones supplying the canine prostate. After the injection of Fast Blue (FB) into the prostatic tissue retrogradely‐labelled (FB+) primary afferent neurones were localized in bilateral L1–Ca1 dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Statistical analysis using anova test showed that there are two major sources of afferent prostate innervation. The vast majority of prostate‐supplying primary afferent neurones were located in bilateral L2–L4 DRG (56.9 ± 0.6%). The second source of the afferent innervation of canine prostate were bilateral S1–Ca1 DRG (40.6 ± 1.0%). No statistically significant differences were found between average number of FB+ neurones localized in the left and right DRG (49.5 ± 1.7 and 50.5 ± 1.7%, respectively). Immunohistochemistry revealed that FB+ primary afferent neurones contain several neuropeptides in various combinations. In the prostate‐supplying neurones of lumbar and sacro‐caudal DRG the immunoreactivity to substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) was found most frequently (50 ± 3.7 and 37.3 ± 1.9%, respectively). Both in the lumbar and sacro‐caudal DRG, considerable population of FB+ neurones immunoreactive neither to SP nor CGRP were also found (23 ± 2.6 and 32.8 ± 2.3%, respectively). In the lumbar DRG 10.7 ± 1.1% of SP‐immunoreactive FB+ neurones also contained galanin (GAL). In 9.2 ± 2.2% of the prostate‐supplying primary afferent neurones located in the sacro‐caudal DRG the co‐localization of SP and GAL was also reported. Results of the retrograde tracing experiment demonstrated for the first time sources of afferent innervation of the canine prostate. Double immunohistochemistry revealed that many of the prostate‐supplying primary afferent neurones express some of sensory neuropeptides which presumably may be involved in nociception and some pathological processes like inflammation or nerve injury.
Selective Defecation and Selective Foraging: Antiparasite Behavior in Wild Ungulates?
Authors: Ezenwa Vanessa O.
Published: November 2004

Selective defecation and selective foraging are two potential antiparasite behaviors used by grazing ungulates to reduce infection by fecal–oral transmitted parasites. While there is some evidence that domestic species use these strategies, less is known about the occurrence and efficacy of these behaviors in wild ungulates. In this study, I examined whether wild antelope use selective defecation and selective foraging strategies to reduce exposure to gastrointestinal nematode parasites. By quantifying parasite levels in the environment in relation to the defecation patterns of three species, dik‐dik (Madoqua kirkii), Grant's gazelle (Gazella granti), and impala (Aepyceros melampus), I found that nematode larval concentrations in pasture were higher in the vicinity of clusters of feces (dung middens) compared to single fecal pellet groups or dung‐free areas. In addition, experimental feeding trials in free‐ranging dik‐dik showed that individuals selectively avoided feeding near concentrations of feces. Given that increased parasite contamination was found in the immediate vicinity of fecal clusters, fecal avoidance could help reduce host consumption of parasites and may therefore be an effective antiparasite behavior for certain species. On the other hand, while the concentration of parasite larvae in the vicinity of middens coupled with host avoidance of these areas during grazing could reduce host contact with parasites, results showing a positive correlation between the number of middens in a habitat and larval abundance at control sites suggest that dung middens might increase and not decrease overall host exposure to parasites. If this is the case, dung midden formation may not be a viable antiparasite strategy.
Cultural Evolution of Puget Sound White‐Crowned Sparrow Song Dialects
Authors: Nelson Douglas A. , Hallberg Karen I. , Soha Jill A.
Published: November 2004

The songs of male Puget Sound white‐crowned sparrows currently form about 12 dialects along the Pacific Northwest coast. In his survey of 1970, Baptista (Condor1977; 79: 356–370) defined six of the dialects based on the song's terminal trill because most males at each locality shared the simple syllables (SSs) in this trill. The complex syllables (CSs) in the song's introduction varied among males at a locality, and were often shared among localities. From 1997 to 2004 we revisited nine of the sites Baptista studied to determine whether the SSs and CSs had changed over the 30‐yr interval. Using Baptista's catalogs of SS and CS types as bases for comparison, we found that the relative proportions of CS types changed significantly more over time than did the proportions of SS types. These results suggest that SSs and CSs evolve independently. Observations were also made on the developmental mechanisms that either produce diversity or maintain uniformity in song phrases. In a survey of 670 field‐recorded songs, unique improvizations occurred significantly more often in CSs than in SSs. In a laboratory experiment using hand‐reared males and multiple song tutors, males were significantly more accurate in imitating SSs than CSs. In choosing their final song to keep from their overproduced repertoire, yearling males tended to retain the song type that matched the SSs in the song played back to them. We conclude by discussing how differences in the functions served by these two song phrases may have led to their different rates of cultural evolution.
Indices of Drought Tolerance in Wheat Genotypes at Early Stages of Plant Growth
Authors: Dhanda S. S. , Sethi G. S. , Behl R. K.
Published: November 2004

Thirty diverse genotypes of bread wheat were evaluated for seed vigour index, germination percentage, root length, shoot length, root‐to‐shoot length ratio, coleoptile length and osmotic membrane stability under laboratory conditions. Considerable variation was observed for all the characters. Discrimination among the genotypes on the basis of mean values was better under normal than under moisture stress conditions, indicating suppression of variability under moisture stress conditions. Comparison of mean performance under normal and osmotic stress conditions indicated that the seed vigour index was the most sensitive trait, followed by shoot length, germination percentage and root length. The root‐to‐shoot length ratio, however, increased under osmotic stress. The magnitude of genetic components of variance and heritability were, in general, lower under osmotic stress than under normal conditions. All the characters except germination percentage, shoot length and coleoptile length showed considerable genetic variability. Heritability in the broad sense was also moderate to high for all the characters under both environments. Due to high heritability and genetic advance great benefit from selection can be expected for the osmotic membrane stability of leaf segments and root‐to‐shoot length ratio. Moderate progress can be expected from root length and seed vigour index. Correlation studies indicated that the osmotic membrane stability of the leaf segment was the most important trait, followed by root‐to‐shoot ratio and root length on the basis of their relationships with other traits.
Influence of dietary lipid source and strain on fatty acid composition of Muscovy duck meat
Authors: Schiavone A. , Romboli I. , Chiarini R. , Marzoni M.
Published: November 2004

A trial was conducted to study the effect of dietary 2% soya bean oil and dietary 2% fish oil (FO) on fatty acid composition of breast meat of two different Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata domestica L.) strains. The two strains were a broiler strain selected for meat production and an unselected rural strain. Fatty acid composition of breast muscle was deeply influenced by lipid source. Dietary FO improved the long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC‐PUFAs) of omega 3 series content, while the content of LC‐PUFAs of omega 6 series was reduced. Differences in susceptibility in lipid manipulation were found between the two groups of animals suggesting the highest capability of animals belonging to the rural strain in stocking arachidonic acid in breast muscle. As the fatty acid profile of Muscovy duck meat can be considerably modified by changing the fatty acid composition of the diet, and dietary FO represents an easy way to reach this goal, human intake of healthy n‐3 LC‐PUFAs could be enhanced using this enriched poultry meat, even if the influence of FO on organoleptic characteristics (i.e. off‐flavours) must be evaluated.
Major flowering time gene and polygene effects on chickpea seed weight
Authors: Hovav R. , Upadhyaya K. C. , Beharav A. , Abbo S.
Published: November 2004

The effect of the major flowering gene (PPD) on seed weight of chickpea was studied on 450 F3 families from reciprocal crosses between a small‐seeded, early‐flowering (PPD/PPD) type and a large‐seeded, late flowering (PPD/PPD) cultivar. F4 progeny tests were carried out to determine the PPD genotypes of each individual F3. The effects of the PPD gene and the polygenes on mean seed weight were both significant. Genetic correlations between time to flowering and seed weight were positive and relatively high, suggesting that in certain genetic backgrounds it might be difficult to breed early‐flowering cultivars without compromising seed weight.
Analysis of Vietnamese rice germplasm provides an insight into Japonica rice differentiation
Authors: Fukuoka S. , Alpatyeva N. V. , Ebana K. , Luu N. T. , Nagamine T.
Published: November 2004

Genetic differentiation among landraces of rice in northern Vietnam that lie in the centre of genetic diversity of Asian cultivated rice was analysed using DNA markers, and morphological and physiological traits to obtain an insight into the genetic differentiation of Asian rice. Principle coordinate analysis, based on nuclear RFLP data, divided Vietnamese rice varieties into three groups, designated A, B and C. Chloroplast DNA variation discriminated group A, which corresponded to the Indica rice varieties, from both groups B and C, which corresponded to the Japonica rice varieties. Physiological characteristics for Indica‐Japonica and tropical‐temperate Japonica discrimination suggested groups A and B consisted of typical Indica and Japonica varieties, respectively, while the characteristics of group C were distinct from those of the other two groups. This suggests that the genetic differences between groups B and C represent a new aspect of genetic variation that has not been previously reported in Japonica rice. Groups C and B corresponded with upland and lowland rice, respectively. Eight marker loci were associated with upland‐lowland differentiation in Japonica rice. Highlighted chromosomal regions might have been selected during the history of cultivation under different cultural conditions, and thus contain genes related to adaptation.
Hepatocellular carcinoma with an unusual neuroendocrine component
Authors: Yamaguchi Rin , Nakashima Osamu , Ogata Toshiro , Hanada Keiichiro , Kumabe Tsutomu , Kojiro Masamichi
Published: November 2004

We report a rare case of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with an unusual neuroendocrine component. During a follow‐up study for chronic hepatitis C in a 71‐year‐old man, a nodular lesion showed rapid growth from 1 cm to 4 cm in diameter within 3 months. Histologically, the tumor was consistent with moderately differentiated HCC, but was intermingled with nests of small round cells with scarce cytoplasm, which resembled those found in small cell carcinoma. This population formed small solid nests among the trabecular structures. Immunohistochemically the small round cell component of the tumor was strongly positive for neuron‐specific enolase (NSE), chromogranin A and synaptophysin, but hepatocyte paraffin‐1 (HP‐1) and α‐fetoprotein (AFP) were negative. In contast, HP‐1 and AFP were positive, and NSE, chromogranin A and synaptophysin were negative in moderately differentiated HCC tissues. Electron microscopy revealed many intracytoplasmic neurosecretory granules in the small round cells. The labeling indexes of p53 and Ki‐67 were significantly higher in the small round cell component than in the moderately differentiated HCC component. Overall, we conclude that this nodule was HCC with neuroendocrine differentiation.
Pleomorphic adenomas of the lacrimal gland: a clinicopathological analysis
Authors: Sen Seema , Mahindrakar Avinash , Betharia Subhash M , Bajaj Mandeep S , Kashyap Seema , Ghose Supriyo
Published: November 2004

Purpose: To analyse retrospectively 32 cases of pleomorphic adenoma of the lacrimal gland diagnosed over a 10‐year period in a tertiary referral eye centre from North India.

Methods: The clinical features of 32 cases of pleomorphic adenomas diagnosed between 1991 and 2000 were analysed and the histopathological features reviewed light microscopically.

Results: Among the clinical features, a marked male predominance with younger age of presentation and left‐sided dominance was noted. The duration of symptoms was less than 10 months in 28% cases. Histopathologically, the features included presence of cystic degeneration (15.6%) and squamous metaplasia (18.7%). Calcification, osteoid formation and malignant transformation (3.1% each) were occasionally observed.

Conclusions: Pleomorphic adenomas of the lacrimal gland may present with duration of symptoms of less than 10 months. Cystic degeneration, squamous metaplasia, calcification or ossification may be observed in lacrimal gland pleomorphic adenomas, as has been described in pleomorphic adenomas of salivary glands. However, the presence of calcification and bone erosion radiologically in a lacrimal gland tumour does not necessarily indicate malignancy.
Direct visual and circadian pathways target neuroendocrine cells in primates
Authors: Abizaid Alfonso , Horvath Balazs , Keefe David L. , Leranth Csaba , Horvath Tamas L.
Published: November 2004

The effect of light on neuroendocrine functions is thought to be mediated through retinal inputs to the circadian pacemaker, the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). The present studies were conducted to provide experimental evidence for this signaling modality in non‐human primates. In the St. Kitts vervet monkey, anterograde tracing of SCN efferents revealed a monosynaptic pathway between the circadian clock and hypothalamic neurons producing luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone (LHRH). Using a variety of tracing techniques, direct retinal input was found to be abundant in the SCN and in other hypothalamic sites. Strikingly, in hypothalamic areas other than the SCN, primary visual afferents established direct contacts with neuroendocrine cells including those producing LHRH and dopamine, neurons that are the hypothalamic regulators of pituitary gonadotrops and prolactin. Thus, our data reveal for the first time in primates that light stimuli can reach the hypothalamo–pituitary–gonadal axis, directly providing a pathway independent of but parallel to that of the circadian clock for the photic modulation of hormone release.
Inducible defences prevent strong population fluctuations in bi‐ and tritrophic food chains
Authors: Verschoor Antonie M. , Vos Matthijs , Van Der Stap Irene
Published: November 2004

Recent theoretical work (Vos et al. 2004) predicts that inducible defences prevent strong population fluctuations under high levels of nutrient enrichment. Here we evaluate this model prediction and show that inducible defences in algae stabilize the dynamics of experimentally assembled bi‐ and tritrophic planktonic food chains. At high phosphorus levels, we observed strong population fluctuations in all food chains with undefended algae. These fluctuations did not occur when algae had inducible defences. At low phosphorus levels, we observed deterministic consumer extinctions, as predicted by stoichiometric theory. Our study thus shows that both biotically and abiotically induced changes in algal food quality affect the stability and persistence of planktonic food chains.
Effectiveness of sexual selection in removing mutations induced with ionizing radiation
Authors: Radwan Jacek
Published: November 2004

Because of the production of males, sexual populations are expected to incur a 50% cost in potential growth rate. However, theory predicts that sexual competition between males can compensate for this cost by decreasing the mutation load of sexual populations. To test this hypothesis, I induced mutations in male bulb mites with ionizing radiation and subjected their progeny (F1) to two selective regimes differing in opportunity for sexual selection. Mutations which were not removed by selection acting on the F1 decreased embryonic viability in the F2. Viability was significantly higher in the treatment in which there was an opportunity for sexual selection than in the treatment in which sexual selection was experimentally eliminated. The results indicate that sexual selection can increase population fitness and, at least partly, compensate for the cost of sex.
Threshold volumes for urological cancer surgery: a survey of UK urologists
Authors: Nuttall Martin C. , Van Der Meulen Jan , McIntosh Gregor , Gillatt David , Emberton Mark
Published: November 2004

OBJECTIVE

To determine minimum threshold levels of activity set by surgeons for urological cancer surgery, and to relate threshold levels to stated current procedural volume.

METHODS

In all, 307 consultant urological surgeons were sent a questionnaire asking them to state for four urological cancer operations of different complexity their current procedural volume; whether minimum volume thresholds per surgeon should be implemented; and if so, the level of such thresholds; 212 (69%) replied.

RESULTS

For all four procedures ≥ 75% of surgeons advocated the setting of a minimum volume threshold. Overall, surgeons set the highest thresholds for radical prostatectomy and the lowest for radical cystectomy with continent diversion. There was no significant association between either the principle of supporting minimum volume thresholds or the level of such a threshold and the number of years worked as a consultant surgeon. The level of surgeon‐derived minimum thresholds increased with increasing surgeon procedural volume.

CONCLUSION

Most surgeons supported the principle of setting minimum volume thresholds. These thresholds appear to be influenced by current procedural volume and by procedural complexity. By setting thresholds greater than their current volume, some surgeons implicitly indicate that their current volume is insufficient to maintain their surgical competency.
Enhanced objective quantitative cystometric analysis of compliance and contractility
Authors: Wahl Edward F. , Lahdes‐Vasama Tuija T. , Churchill Bernard M.
Published: November 2004

OBJECTIVE

To show, for pressure‐time data from cystometrography (CMG), the potential practical clinical application of automatically identified, displayed, analysed and quantified compliance and contractility, as undesirable high‐pressure detrusor storage may be caused by inefficient compliance or uninhibited contractions (UNC).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Bladder contractility was measured by UNC and compliance by relaxed‐state detrusor pressure (RSDP), i.e. the detrusor (bladder‐abdominal) pressure with all UNC removed. Forty‐one CMG examinations were used retrospectively to: (i) validate the separation and identification, by comparing the resulting separate graphs (data) of UNC and RSDP with an expanded time scale for raw vesical and rectal data; (ii) show that the separation is correct by examples; and (iii) show the potential practical utility by results for typical cases.

RESULTS

Separation into RSDP and UNC was correctly identified and plotted. The examples showed the utility and four types of UNC (‘high’, contractions of >25 cmH2O of long duration; ‘medium’, >25 cmH2O of short duration; ‘low’, 4–25 cmH2O of short duration; and ‘frequent’, of 2–6 cmH2O).

CONCLUSIONS

UNCs as small as 2 cmH2O can be detected and measured. The explicit enhanced estimate of compliance and contractility will be useful in the follow‐up when comparing different patients and studies, and assist in more appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Because the treatment for bladders with poor contractility differs greatly from those with detrusor instability, the ability to reliably and accurately differentiate between these causes is important.
The prevalence of coronary heart disease in Type 2 diabetic patients in Italy: the DAI study
Authors:   The DAI Study Group
Published: November 2004

Aims  Type 2 diabetes is associated with at least a twofold increase in risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). We aimed to estimate the prevalence of CHD in the population of Type 2 diabetics cared for by the Italian network of outpatient diabetic units.

Methods  The DAI (Diabetes and Informatics study group, Italian Association of Diabetologists, and Italian National Institute of Health) study is a multicentre cohort study of patients with Type 2 diabetes. Patients were classified as having CHD if they had: (i) a history for hospital admission for either an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or angina; (ii) a positive ECG for prior AMI or angina; (iii) a positive history for coronary artery bypass graft; or (iv) a positive history for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

Results  A cohort of 19 468 patients was analysed: 3157 patients had CHD. The majority of events (80%) had occurred after the diagnosis of diabetes and were considered in the CHD prevalence estimate. The prevalence of CHD, adjusted by age and sex, was 9.9%: 11.0% male and 9.0% female. Angina without AMI occurred in 1306 patients; this condition was more frequent in females while a documented AMI was more frequent in males. Therapeutic procedures were performed more frequently in males. A positive association with CHD was found for gender, age at visit, duration of diabetes, hypertension, relatives with CHD, tryglicerides and microvascular complications.

Conclusions  The prevalence of CHD in this cohort is lower than previously reported; nevertheless, patients attending the diabetic care units may not be fully representative of the general diabetic population in Italy. Revascularization is less frequent in females than in males; microvascular complications and a worse metabolic control are significantly associated with CHD.
Successful ways to modify food choice: lessons from the literature
Authors: Buttriss J. , Stanner S. , McKevith B. , Nugent A. P , Kelly C. , Phillips F. , Theobald H. E.
Published: November 2004

Summary  Effecting positive dietary change is one of the major health challenges facing the government and health professionals and is likely to be influenced by an understanding of the factors that shape food choice. On behalf of the Food Standards Agency, the British Nutrition Foundation recently completed an in‐depth, critical review of the factors that influence food choice, attempting to identify effective mechanisms and highlight existing gaps in the evidence base. This article provides a summary of the findings and recommendations of that review.
The Dead, the Law, and the Politics of the Past
Authors: McEvoy Kieron , Conway Heather
Published: November 2004

This article explores the role of law in cultural and political disputes concerning dead bodies. It uses three interconnecting legal frameworks: cultural and moral ownership, commemoration, and closure. It begins with a critique of the limitations of the private law notion of ‘ownership’ in such contexts, setting out a broader notion of cultural and moral ownership as more appropriate for analysing legal disputes between states and indigenous tribes. It then examines how legal discourses concerning freedom of expression, religious and political traditions, and human rights and equality are utilized to regulate the public memory of the dead. Finally, it looks at the relationship between law and notions of closure in contexts where the dead have either died in battle or have been ‘disappeared’ during a conflict, arguing that law in such contexts goes beyond the traditional retributive focus of investigation and punishment of wrongdoers and instead centres on broader concerns of societal and personal healing.
“A World where Action is the Sister of Dream”: Surrealism and Anti‐capitalism in Contemporary Paris
Authors: Fenton Jill
Published: November 2004

In discussing the lifestyle and practices of the Paris group of the contemporary surrealist movement, this paper contributes to debates within economic and political geography that seek to develop the imagining of alternatives to neoliberal globalisation through practices of resistance, and spaces of political and policy engagement. The everyday life of the surrealist movement, in combining creativity with progressive choices and radical economic practices that oppose capitalism, while intellectually investigating ideas of revolution, a different society and utopia, suggests a perspective that contributes to the imagining of such alternatives. This paper outlines the deeply embedded nature of surrealist activity in opposing capitalism and illustrates, as one member of the surrealist group suggests, in quoting Baudelaire, surrealism's insistence for a world in which “action is the sister of dream”. The paper further contributes to discussion on the role of academics in facilitating spaces of political engagement.
Tradition and interaction: research trends in modern Japanese industrial history
Authors: Hashino Tomoko , Saito Osamu
Published: November 2004

This paper surveys research findings since the early 1970s, focusing on the growth processes of both traditional and modern industries and their relations with government activity in the period between the 1870s and 1940. Most of the surveyed research can be seen as a response to two theses: first, that pre‐1940 Japan was essentially a market‐led economy; and second, that the traditional sector did not decline in the industrialisation process, but in fact prospered. The survey argues that there were a good deal of interactions between the modern and traditional sectors at regional levels and that the regional economy occupied a significant place in the ways in which government business relations were structured.
Recurrent Events Analysis in the Presence of Time-Dependent Covariates and Dependent Censoring
Authors: Miloslavsky Maja , Keleş Sündüz , Laan Mark J. , Butler Steve
Published: November 2004

Recurrent events models have had considerable attention recently. The majority of approaches show the consistency of parameter estimates under the assumption that censoring is independent of the recurrent events process of interest conditional on the covariates that are included in the model. We provide an overview of available recurrent events analysis methods and present an inverse probability of censoring weighted estimator for the regression parameters in the Andersen–Gill model that is commonly used for recurrent event analysis. This estimator remains consistent under informative censoring if the censoring mechanism is estimated consistently, and it generally improves on the naïve estimator for the Andersen–Gill model in the case of independent censoring. We illustrate the bias of ad hoc estimators in the presence of informative censoring with a simulation study and provide a data analysis of recurrent lung exacerbations in cystic fibrosis patients when some patients are lost to follow-up.
An exploratory study using cameras and Talking Mats to access the views of young people with learning disabilities on their out‐of‐school activities
Authors: Germain Ruth
Published: November 2004

This paper explores the use of disposable cameras and Talking Mats as research tools to access the views of young people with learning disabilities about their social activities. A pilot study was carried out with nine 16‐year‐old young people in a special school. They were given a single‐use motorized camera. This was used to record the out‐of‐school activities they participated in, both in the home and community, for 1 week. The young people were asked to sort their photographs using Talking Mats symbols. This was followed by parental interviews to check for validity and reliability. The paper reports on the potential use of photography and Talking Mats as research tools with young people with learning disabilities, and how their use may break down some of the language barriers inherent in traditional interview methods. The author discusses some of the practical and methodological issues arising from the study.
Randomised controlled trial of total compared with subtotal hysterectomy with one‐year follow up results
Authors: Gimbel Helga , Zobbe Vibeke , Andersen Birthe Margrethe , Filtenborg Thomas , Gluud Christian , Tabor Ann ,   The Danish Hysterectomy Group
Published: November 2004

Objective
To compare total abdominal hysterectomy and subtotal abdominal hysterectomy performed for benign uterine diseases.

Design
Randomised, controlled, unblinded trial with central, computer‐generated randomisation.

Setting
Danish trial performed in 11 departments of gynaecology.

Population
Women referred for benign uterine diseases were randomised to total abdominal hysterectomy (n= 158) or subtotal abdominal hysterectomy (n= 161). One‐year follow up questionnaires had a response rate of 87%.

Methods
Patients were followed by strict data collection procedures, including postal questionnaires. The results after one year of follow up were analysed by intention‐to‐treat analyses.

Main outcome measures
(1) Primary: urinary incontinence and (2) secondary: post‐operative complications, quality of life (SF‐36), constipation, prolapse of the vaginal vault/cervical stump, satisfaction with sexual life, pelvic pain and vaginal bleeding.

Results
A significantly (P= 0.043) smaller proportion of women had urinary incontinence one year after total abdominal hysterectomy compared with subtotal abdominal hysterectomy [9%vs 18% (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.01–4.29)]. The lower proportion of incontinent women in the total abdominal hysterectomy group was a result of a higher proportion of symptom relief (total abdominal hysterectomy: 20/140, subtotal abdominal hysterectomy: 14/136) as well as a lower proportion of women with new symptoms (total abdominal hysterectomy: 3/140, subtotal abdominal hysterectomy: 10/137). Twenty‐seven women (20%) from the subtotal abdominal hysterectomy group had vaginal bleeding and two of them had to have their cervix removed. No other clinically important differences were found between the two hysterectomy methods.

Conclusions
A smaller proportion of women suffered from urinary incontinence after total abdominal hysterectomy than after subtotal abdominal hysterectomy one year post‐operatively.
Effectiveness of nifedipine versus atosiban for tocolysis in preterm labour: a meta‐analysis with an indirect comparison of randomised trials
Authors: Coomarasamy Aravinthan , Knox Ellen M. , Gee Harry , Song Fujian , Khan Khalid S.
Published: November 2004

Objective
To explore the effectiveness of nifedipine compared with atosiban for tocolysis in preterm labour.

Design
A systematic review of randomised controlled trials with meta‐analysis using adjusted indirect comparison.

Population
Six hundred and seventy‐nine women recruited in nine randomised trials evaluating the effectiveness of nifedipine versusβ‐agonists, and 852 women recruited in four trials of atosiban versusβ‐agonists. There were no trials comparing nifedipine directly with atosiban.

Methods
We performed meta‐analysis with a technique involving an adjusted indirect comparison between nifedipine and atosiban using β‐agonists as the common comparator. This approach preserves the benefit accrued by randomisation in the original comparisons.

Main outcome measures
Reduction in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and delay in delivery by 48 hours.

Results
Nifedipine tocolysis was associated with a significant reduction in respiratory distress syndrome compared with atosiban (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.32–0.97). It also increased the number of women whose delivery was delayed by 48 hours (OR 1.20, 95% CI 0.73–1.95), although this result was not statistically significant.

Conclusions
When indirectly compared with atosiban, nifedipine tocolysis is more effective. In the absence of a direct comparison, our analysis provides a way to explore the potential benefits of nifedipine versus atosiban.
The effects of metabolic inhibition on intracellular calcium and contractility of human myometrium
Authors: Monir‐Bishty E. , Pierce S.J. , Kupittayanant S. , Shmygol A. , Wray Susan
Published: November 2004

Objective
Hypoxia occurs in the uterus during labour and may contribute to dysfunctional labours. We wanted to establish its effects on pregnant human myometrium and elucidate the mechanisms involved.

Design
Scientific study.

Setting
University Hospital and laboratories.

Population or Sample
Term pregnant women.

Methods
We measured contractions and intracellular [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]i), in biopsies from term pregnant women undergoing elective caesarean section, and used cyanide to block oxidative phosphorylation.

Main outcome measures
Changes in contractility and calcium.

Results
Although basal levels of [Ca2+]i and tone rose, spontaneous and agonist‐induced Ca2+ transients and phasic contractions were rapidly reduced and abolished by cyanide. Neither stimulation of the uterus with oxytocin nor the Ca channel agonist, Bay K8644, prevented the changes produced by cyanide. The tonic force produced by depolarising the myometrium was also decreased by cyanide, but slowly recovered towards control levels, whereas [Ca2+]i was maintained throughout. Similar data were obtained when nitrogen, rather than cyanide, was applied to the depolarised uterus.

Conclusions
Impairment of oxidative phosphorylation is a potent depressor of phasic activity in human myometrium, irrespective of how it is produced, and our data suggest its effects lie at and beyond the surface membrane. Stimulation of the hypoxic uterus was not effective, which may explain the unpredictability of oxytocin application in some dysfunctional labours.
Central Coherence Theory and the interpretation of picture materials: toward an assessment of autistic spectrum disorder
Authors: Worth Sarah
Published: November 2004

Central Coherence Theory (Frith, 1989; Happe, 1994a) may account for the piecemeal style of information processing characteristic of people with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). This style of processing was observed during language and communication assessments of pupils with ASD. A consistent pattern in the types of these responses emerged, such that it was possible to devise a framework to categorise them.

This article investigates the responses of two groups of eight pupils matched on the basis of gender and verbal ability: i) pupils with a diagnosis of ASD, and ii) pupils without identified difficulties. They were presented with a range of picture materials and their responses were placed within a framework of seven response categories. It was felt that the types of errors made by the two groups differed both quantitatively and qualitatively, and that the type and extent of the errors made by the pupils with ASD were largely attributable to the presence of weak central coherence.

Despite the presence of some limitations in the way the investigation was conducted, it was concluded that these methods might contribute toward the assessment and differential diagnosis of ASD.
Isolation and characterization of 12 microsatellite loci from Golden‐winged Warblers (Vermivora chrysoptera) with broad cross‐taxon utility in emberizine songbirds
Authors: STENZLER L. M. , FRASER R. , LOVETTE I. J.
Published: November 2004

We describe 12 microsatellite loci from the Golden‐winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera), a bird species of conservation concern owing to competition and hybridization with the Blue‐winged Warbler (V. pinus). Directional mitochondral DNA introgression from V. pinus into V. chrysoptera has been reported within the hybrid zone. Frequent hybrid phenotypes suggest that nuclear introgression is also prevalent, although this has not been demonstrated conclusively with molecular markers. These microsatellites will foster explorations of the genetic interactions between these avian congeners, and amplification tests suggest that they have high cross‐species utility for closely allied bird genera and families.
Eight polymorphic microsatellite loci for the critically endangered crested ibis, Nipponia nippon (Ciconiiformes: Threskiornithidae)
Authors: JI YA‐JIE , LIU YU‐DI , DING CHANG‐QING , ZHANG DE‐XING
Published: November 2004

The Chinese crested ibis, Nipponia nippon, is a critically endangered bird. The current population of this species has developed from four wild individuals rediscovered in 1981. Given its conservation status, there is considerable interest in assessing the genetic diversity and individual relatedness in this species. For this purpose, a set of eight polymorphic di‐ or trinucleotide microsatellite loci was developed for the crested ibis. The expected heterozygosity at these loci ranges from 0.01 to 0.50, with less than four alleles being observed at individual loci, a reflection of the serious population bottleneck experienced by this species.
Isolation and identification of 21 microsatellite loci in the Copper redhorse (Moxostoma hubbsi; Catostomidae) and their variability in other catostomids
Authors: LIPPÉ CATHERINE , DUMONT PIERRE , BERNATCHEZ LOUIS
Published: November 2004

Catostomidae represent an important family of freshwater fishes mainly distributed in North America, but also found in Eurasia. This paper describes the development of microsatellite DNA markers for a highly threatened member of this family, the Copper redhorse (Moxostoma hubbsi), as well as cross‐catostomids amplifications. 168 tetra‐nucleotide loci were screened to develop 21 polymorphic markers, with an average number of 8.5 alleles per locus and observed heterozygosity ranging between 0.52 and 1.00. Successful amplification was obtained for 12 other members of the family at between seven to 19 loci, with between two to 18 loci being polymorphic per species.
purpl: program for marker correction on multicross designs made of Pure Lines
Authors: JOFFRE M. , CREPIEUX S.
Published: November 2004

In plants, molecular analyses carried out on breeding populations are becoming increasingly popular. Here we introduce a new software tool, purpl, which was designed to follow and correct the inheritance of codominant molecular markers in such populations in which the level of difficulties in marker notation and the uncertainty of pedigrees are generally high. Based on a five‐step algorithm and on the computation of intuitive probability scores, purpl corrects many different possible sources of bias by extracting the more likely information in the parent and progeny files (initially linked by putative pedigrees), and rebuilds possible missing information. PurPL and the user's guide are available at http://www.clermont.inra.fr/umr‐asp/purpl/
Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in Acanthoscelides obtectus Say (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)
Authors: ALVAREZ N. , BORN C. , RISTERUCCI A.‐M. , SOURROUILLE P. , BENREY B. , HOSSAERT‐MCKEY M.
Published: November 2004

Six microsatellite loci were isolated from the bruchid Acanthoscelides obtectus Say (Coleoptera: Bruchidae). Each locus was polymorphic, with the number of alleles ranging from 3 to 18. We found high levels of within‐population variation at most loci, with heterozygosities ranging from 0 to 0.75. Cross‐species amplification of these loci was tested in two other species of the genus Acanthoscelides, A. obvelatus Bridwell and A. argillaceus Sharp.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite DNA loci in Aquilegia sp.
Authors: GALLAGHER KELLY G. , MILLIGAN BROOK G. , WHITE P. SCOTT
Published: November 2004

We obtained a microsatellite‐enriched genomic library isolated from the tissue of a single columbine (Aquilegia sp.) plant taken from a southwestern USA natural population. The primers developed for these microsatellite loci performed consistently in polymerase chain reactions and yielded multiallelic genotypes with relatively high observed heterozygosities. We describe polymerase chain reaction primers and conditions to amplify 16 unique, codominant di‐, tri‐ and tetra‐nucleotide microsatellite DNA loci so that other population biology researchers using columbine natural populations as a model system may benefit.
Microsatellite DNA markers for the intertidal copepod Tigriopus californicus
Authors: HARRISON J. S. , PETERSON D. L. , SWAIN J. R. , EDMANDS S.
Published: November 2004

Eleven microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized for the intertidal copepod Tigriopus californicus. Primers reliably amplify alleles in inbred lines derived from two divergent populations previously shown to have genetic distances of 18% for the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene. The 11 loci provided markers for eight of the species’ 12 chromosomes.
Characterization of dinucleotide microsatellite loci in the living fossil tadpole shrimp Triops cancriformis (Crustacea Branchiopoda Notostrace)
Authors: CESARI MICHELE , MULARONI LORIS , SCANABISSI FRANCA , MANTOVANI BARBARA
Published: November 2004

Five dinucleotide markers were obtained from a microsatellite genomic library of the tadpole shrimp Triops cancriformis. The number of alleles at each locus was low (maximum three alleles) but all loci were polymorphic. The presence of null alleles could not be disregarded. Heterozygosity levels were indicative of selfing in the studied populations whose real sexuality will be further tested using these markers.