bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geographical variations in the prevalence of atopic sensitization in six study sites across Canada
Authors: Chan‐Yeung M. , Anthonisen N. R. , Becklake M. R. , Bowie D. , Sonia Buist A. , Dimich‐Ward H. , Ernst P. , Sears M. R. , Siersted H. C. , Sweet L. , Van Til L. , Manfreda J.
Published: June 2010

To cite this article: Chan‐Yeung M, Anthonisen NR, Becklake MR, Bowie D, Sonia Buist A, Dimich‐Ward H, Ernst P, Sears MR, Siersted HC, Sweet L, Van Til L, Manfreda J. Geographical variations in the prevalence of atopic sensitization in six study sites across Canada. Allergy 2010; 65: 1404–1413.

Background:  Geographical variations in atopic sensitization in Canada have not been described previously. This study used the standardized protocol of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey‐1 (ECRHS‐1) to investigate the distribution and predictors of atopic sensitization in six sites across Canada and to compare the results with some ECRHS‐1 centers.

Methods:  Adults aged 20–44 years in six study sites across Canada underwent allergy skin testing using 14 allergens (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae) cat, cockroach, grasses (Timothy grass, Kentucky grass), molds (Cladosporium herbarium, Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium), trees (tree mix, birch, Olea europea), and common ragweed.

Results:  The overall prevalence of atopy (skin test over 0 mm to any allergen) was 62.7%. There was significant geographical variation in the prevalence of atopy in the six study sites (lowest 55.6% [95% C.I.51.3–59.9] in Prince Edward Island, highest 66.0 [61.7–70.3] in Montreal) and of sensitization to each of the allergens tested even after adjustment for confounders. When the first eight of the nine allergens in the ECRHS were used to estimate the prevalence of atopic sensitization, the prevalence of atopy in Canada was 57% compared with 35.2% overall for centers in the ECRHS. The prevalence of atopy in Vancouver (57% [52.3–61.8]) was close to that of Portland, Oregon (52.1% [46.2–58.0]).

Conclusion:  There was a significant variation in atopic sensitization among different study sites across Canada. The prevalence of atopic sensitization is relatively high in Canada compared with sites in the ECRHS and this may, in part, account for the high prevalence of asthma and asthma symptoms in Canada.
Male Post‐Ejaculatory Mounting in the Ring‐Tailed Lemur (Lemur catta): A Behavior Solicited by Females?
Authors: Parga Joyce A.
Published: June 2010

Male mate guarding can take many forms but often involves aggression toward male conspecifics and continued proximity with a female. This study describes a previously undocumented behavior in a promiscuous primate, the ring‐tailed lemur: post‐ejaculatory (PE) mounting. PE mounting was documented across eight mating seasons in a ring‐tailed lemur colony on St. Catherines Island (SCI), USA. During PE mounting, a male remounts a female following ejaculation and clasps her midsection as if to mate again, but copulation does not occur; males showing this behavior typically lack erections, and their mounts show an absence of penile intromission and rhythmic thrusting. Male PE mounting was more common among males mating earlier in the queue, and when PE mounting occurred, it accompanied mate guarding. Four non‐mutually exclusive hypotheses to explain PE mounting were evaluated as follows: (1) gaining additional copulations, (2) prevention of re‐mating, (3) lengthening sperm residence time, and (4) re‐mounting as a function of female proceptivity. Male PE mounting did not aid males in gaining additional copulations nor did PE mounting prevent females from mating with new males. Equivocal support was found for Hypothesis 3: although there was much overlap in copulatory plug residence times for males who did and did not show PE mounting, one‐third of males who practiced PE mounting had plug residence times of 2 h or more, much longer than that of males who did not show PE mounting. PE mounting may therefore be related to increased plug residence time, which may provide an advantage to males in sperm competition. Strong evidence was found in support of Hypothesis 4: males overwhelmingly performed PE mounts in response to continued female sexual presentations, suggesting that females can solicit this male behavior. Females consequently exercise an even greater degree of control over males than was previously realized in this ‘female dominant’ primate.
Photochemical Efficiency and SPAD Value as Indirect Selection Criteria for Combined Selection of Spot Blotch and Terminal Heat Stress in Wheat
Authors: Rosyara Umesh R. , Subedi Sushil , Duveiller Etienne , Sharma Ram C.
Published: June 2010

Terminal heat and spot blotch caused by Cochliobolus sativus are important stresses causing significant wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield losses in the south Asian plains. Recent studies have shown that chlorophyll‐related traits are correlated with heat stress and spot blotch resistance in wheat. This study was conducted to evaluate leaf photochemical efficiency and leaf greenness (measured as SPAD value) for combined selection of spot blotch and terminal heat stress. The efficiency of photosystem II was measured as ratio of variable to maximal chlorophyll fluorescence, Fv/Fm, using chlorophyll fluorometer build on pulse modulation principle. The study was conducted in three spring wheat populations derived by crossing spot blotch–resistant wheat genotypes ‘Milan/Shanghai#7’, ‘Chirya.3’ and ‘NL971’ with a susceptible cultivar ‘BL 1473’. The F3 and F4 generations were grown under natural epiphytotics of spot blotch either in optimal or in terminal heat stress conditions at Rampur, Nepal. The heritability (h2) of Fv/Fm, SPAD measurements and their genetic correlation with 1000‐kernel weight (TKW) and area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) were estimated. The h2 estimates for Fv/Fm and SPAD measurements were moderate to high. In addition, AUDPC and TKW showed low to high genetic correlation with these traits. These findings suggest that Fv/Fm and SPAD measurements could be used as complementary traits in selecting for spot blotch resistance and heat tolerance in wheat.
Leptin protects cardiomyocytes from serum‐deprivation‐induced apoptosis by increasing anti‐oxidant defence
Authors: Zheng Juan , Fang Ji , Yin Yuan‐Jun , Wang Xiao‐Chen , Ren An‐Jing , Bai Jie , Sun Xue‐Jun , Yuan Wen‐Jun , Lin Li
Published: June 2010

1. Leptin, an important adipose‐derived hormone, can be associated with cardiac pathophysiology; however, the role of leptin in cardiomyocyte apoptosis is poorly understood. The present study examines serum‐deprivation‐induced apoptosis in primary cultured cardiomyocytes treated with leptin.

2. Cardiomyocytes were subjected to serum deprivation in the presence or absence of leptin (5 or 50 nmol/L) for 48 h. Apoptosis was determined by Hoechst 33258 and Annexin V‐FITC/propidium iodide dual staining. Cell viability, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, caspase 3 activation, and the expression and enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured. Small interference RNA (siRNA) targeting SOD1 and SOD2 were used to knockdown their expression and measure apoptosis.

3. Serum deprivation caused nearly 30% of apoptosis in cardiomyocytes, and an approximately 60% decrease in cell viability. The mRNA levels and the activated form of caspase 3 were greatly increased. In the presence of leptin, the apoptotic rate was reduced to approximately 15%, cell viability was increased and the activation of caspase 3 was partially inhibited. Additionally, the augmented lipid peroxidation (MDA formation) was abolished, and the impaired activities of SOD1 and SOD2 were restored by leptin. The mRNA expression of SOD2, but not SOD1, was stimulated by leptin. Transfection with siRNA that cause deficiency of either SOD1 or SOD2 attenuated the anti‐apoptotic effects of leptin.

4. The results suggest that leptin inhibits serum‐deprivation‐induced apoptosis in cardiomyocytes by activating SOD. The present study outlines the direct actions of leptin in cardiac disorders that are related to elevated leptin levels.
N‐methyl d‐aspartate receptors are involved in the induction, but not expression stage of amphetamine sensitization in schedule‐induced polydipsia in rats
Authors: Liu Yia‐Ping , Tung Che‐Se , Lin Pai‐Jone , Wan Fang‐Jung
Published: June 2010

1. The aim of the present study was to examine the role of dopaminergic and glutamatergic receptors on different stages of the amphetamine (AMPH) sensitized effect in schedule‐induced polydipsia (SIP) in rats.

2. Three experiments were designed to evaluate the roles of DAD2 receptor antagonist haloperidol (HAL) and glutamatergic N‐methyl d‐aspartate receptor antagonist MK‐801 on both the induction and the expression stage of AMPH sensitization in SIP rats. First, the induction of AMPH sensitization in the SIP model was tested again to confirm previous findings. Second, HAL or MK‐801 was co‐administered with AMPH on five consecutive days and their effect on induction was examined 14 days after withdrawal. Finally, HAL or MK‐801 was co‐administered with AMPH on the final day of testing in SIP rats in which AMPH sensitization had been established previously.

3. The present results shoed that HAL and MK‐801 affected the effect of AMPH differently during the process of sensitization. Whereas HAL influenced the sensitization during both the induction and the expression phases, MK‐801 affected only the induction phase; thus, once the sensitization had been established, MK‐801 had no further influence.

4. These results suggest that the SIP model could be considered useful for the study of sensitization. In addition, the induction and expression of AMPH sensitization is influenced differently by the dopaminergic and glutamatergic systems.
Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis before 3 weeks of age in infants and preterm babies
Authors: Huang I‐Fei , Tiao Mao‐Meng , Chiou Christine C. , Shih Hsiang‐Hung , Hu Hong‐Hsiang , Ruiz Javier Perez
Published: June 2010

Background:  Most infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) cases are diagnosed between 3 and 12 weeks after birth. Few data exist regarding Asian infants with IHPS who are younger than 3 weeks or are preterm. The goal of this study is to identify unusual clinical manifestations, clinical course, duration of hospital stay, and complications of Asian infants with IHPS who are preterm or younger than 3 weeks of age.

Methbods:  From 1991 to 2004, all IHPS patients admitted to three tertiary centers in southern Taiwan were enrolled. The clinical manifestations, duration of hospital stay and complications were further compared between the IHPS patients diagnosed before and after 3 weeks; preterm and term infants.

Results:  A total of 214 patients were enrolled into the study; the mean age of diagnosis was 40 days of age; the average duration of hospital stay was 6.27 days. Eighteen (8.41%) patients were diagnosed before 3 weeks of age. A significantly shorter timeframe of diagnosis, a higher rate of jaundice, a lower daily body weight gain and longer duration of hospital stay were noted in the IHPS group prior to 3 weeks compared with those in IHPS group after 3 weeks. Eighteen were preterm infants. A significantly older age of symptom onset, a lower body weight at admission, more cases diagnosed by barium meal study and higher postoperative complication rates were noted in the preterm group versus full‐term infants with IHPS.

Conclusions:  The IHPS cases diagnosed before 3 weeks of age had longer duration of hospital stay. Preterm infants with IHPS had more postoperative complications.
Leaf trait variation onErythroxylum tortuosum(Erythroxylaceae) and its relationship with oviposition preference and stress by a host‐specific leaf miner
Authors: ISHINO MARCOS N. , DE SIBIO PAULA R. , ROSSI MARCELO N.
Published: June 2010

It has been suggested that plant physical and chemical traits vary considerably in space and time. Hence, leaf‐mining insects may adjust their oviposition in response to leaf attributes representing high quality. Moreover, herbivorous insects can modify leaf morphology by acting as stressors, increasing, for example, fluctuating asymmetry (FA) levels. Here, we investigate oviposition preference inAgnippesp.2, a leaf‐mining moth ofErythroxylum tortuosum, in relation to differences in leaf nutritional quality (i.e. levels of water, nitrogen and tannin content), leaf area (i.e. quantity of resource hypothesis) and FA. We also verify whether temporal variation in plant nutritional quality emerges as an alternative hypothesis to explain oviposition distribution in time, and whether this leaf miner is a stress‐causing agent, increasing FA during larval development. Mined leaves and leaves with and without eggs were periodically collected from plants located in a Cerrado fragment in Brazil. In the laboratory, leaf traits were assessed (using image analysis software) and quantified (biochemical analysis) according to the aims previously determined. Oviposition probability did not change in relation to variations in nitrogen, tannins and FA of leaves. However, leaf‐miner females preferred to oviposit on leaves having large areas and low water contents. It was also verified that new leaves ofE. tortuosum, which carried most leaf‐miner eggs, presented significantly lower tannins and greater levels of nitrogen and water than old leaves. The oviposition choice exhibited by leaf miners was found to be non‐random because they appear to use resource quantity and water content as cues as where to lay their eggs. The temporal variation of plant nutritional quality is likely to influence the time of leaf‐miner oviposition; and leaf FA was not increased during larval feeding, suggesting that these herbivores do not cause variations in FA levels.
Coexistence theory in the Cape Floristic Region: revisiting an example of leaf niches in the Proteaceae
Authors: POTTS ALASTAIR J. , MIDGLEY JEREMY J. , CHILD MATTHEW F. , LARSEN CIARA , HEMPSON TESSA
Published: June 2010

Competition in plant communities is often a contentious issue because the mechanisms of competitive interactions are not obvious. We sought evidence that Proteaceae communities are competing along two leaf niche axes as observed in a previous study. Two functional characters, leaf size and leaf shape were measured on numerous individuals per species per plot of six communities from two different regions. Patterns of overdispersion along these leaf trait axes between species were observed, similar to the earlier study. The observed results were compared with the patterns expected under a null model using standard and novel indices to test the significance of trait dispersion between species within a plot. Competition and niche differentiation in the observed plots were not supported as the observed trait overlaps were not significantly different from the null expectation. Our results do not support the theory that Proteaceae communities compete along the two proposed functional leaf traits.
Comparative behavioural responses of silvereyes (Zosterops lateralis) and European blackbirds (Turdus merula) to secondary metabolites in grapes
Authors: SAXTON VALERIE P. , MULDER IVO , CREASY GLEN L. , PATERSON ADRIAN M. , ROSS JAMES G. , TROUGHT MICHAEL C. T.
Published: June 2010

Secondary metabolites in fruit are compounds that are not directly associated with plant growth; some are directly related to plant reproductive processes, specifically seed protection and dispersion. There is a complex and species‐specific interaction between these plant compounds and their avian seed dispersers. To determine whether two important secondary metabolites in wine grapes – tannins and colour pigments – might be important cues to two of the avian species that forage on wine grapes, and how species‐specific this interaction might be, comparative field experiments were run with Australasian silvereyes (Zosterops lateralis) and European blackbirds (Turdus merula). Both species were offered a glucose/fructose artificial nectar with increasing concentrations of grape tannins. In a second experiment, they were offered both green and purple artificial grapes where only the colour differed. Both species showed aversion to tannins; silvereyes appeared to have greater tolerance than blackbirds of tannin concentrations above 5%. In summer no preference was shown between green and purple coloured artificial grapes, but in late autumn blackbirds took only purple grapes whereas silvereyes pecked mostly at green. Links between tannin for seed protection and colour signals to birds are discussed. Colour may cue the two species to different species‐specific aspects of fruit nutritive value.
Does the medial orbitofrontal cortex have a role in social valuation?
Authors: Noonan M. P. , Sallet J. , Rudebeck P. H. , Buckley M. J. , Rushworth M. F.
Published: June 2010

It has been claimed that social behaviour changes after lesions of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC). However, lesions in humans are rarely restricted to a well defined cortical area. Although vmPFC lesions usually include medial orbitofrontal cortex (mOFC), they typically also affect subgenual and/or perigenual anterior cingulate cortex. The purpose of the current study is to investigate the role of mOFC in social valuation and decision‐making. We tested four macaque monkeys prior to and after focal lesions of mOFC. Comparison of the animals’ pre‐ and postoperative performance revealed that, unlike lesions of anterior cingulate gyrus (ACCg), lesions of mOFC did not induce alterations in social valuation. MOFC lesions did, however, induce mild impairments in a probabilistic two‐choice decision task, which were not seen after ACCg lesions. In summary, the double dissociation between the patterns of impairment suggest that vmPFC involvement in both decision‐making and social valuation may be mediated by distinct subregions centred on mOFC and ACCg respectively.
PAYING MORE TO HIRE THE BEST? FOREIGN FIRMS, WAGES, AND WORKER MOBILITY
Authors: MARTINS PEDRO S.
Published: June 2010

In the context of the debate on the labor‐market consequences of globalization, we adopt an original approach toward the identification of the wage differences between foreign and domestic firms: worker mobility. Using matched employer‐employee panel data for Portugal, we consider virtually all spells of interfirm mobility over a period of 10 yr. We find that foreign firms offer significantly more generous wage policies, although there is also a (smaller) selection effect. The results are robust to the consideration of displaced workers, wage growth differences in the new firms, and different subsets of workers. (JEL J31, J63, F23)
Environmental correlates of body size distributions of European springtails (Hexapoda: Collembola)
Authors: Ulrich Werner , Fiera Cristina
Published: June 2010

Aim Species–body size distributions (SBDs) are plots of species richness across body size classes. They have been linked to energetic constraints, speciation–extinction dynamics and to evolutionary trends. However, little is known about the spatial variation of size distributions. Here we study SBDs of European springtails (Collembola) at a continental scale and test whether minimum, average and maximum body size and the shapes of size distributions change across latitudinal and longitudinal gradients and whether SBDs of islands and mainlands differ. We also test whether the island rule and the positive body size–range size relationship of vertebrates also holds for Collembola.

Location Europe.

Methods We use a unique data set on the spatial distributions of 2102 species of European springtails across 52 countries and larger islands together with associated data on body size, area, climate variables, longitude and latitude. Differences in the central moments of SBDs are inferred from simultaneous spatial autoregression models.

Results The SBD of the European Collembola and its largest suborder Entomobryomorpha is unimodal and symmetrical. Average, minimum and maximum body weight and the skewness of the mainland/island SBDs peaked at intermediate latitudes. We could not find simple latitudinal gradients in minimum and maximum body weight. Average and maximum body size increased with country/island area in accordance with the island rule in vertebrates, while minimum body size did not significantly differ between islands and mainlands. Finally, we found a weak but statistically significant positive correlation of range size and body size.

Main conclusions We provide evidence for differences in body size distributions between islands and mainlands that are in part in line with the island rule in invertebrates. We also find evidence for an interspecific body size–range size relationship similar to that of vertebrates although the vertebrate pattern is much stronger than the springtail pattern. Our results on latitudinal gradients of maximum and average body size imply the need to account for species richness and area effects in the study of latitudinal gradients in body size. We recommend implementing sample size and area effects in the study of body size distributions on islands and mainlands.
Capability building in educational technology for teachers in China
Authors: Han Jun , Wang Zhuzhu
Published: June 2010

This paper gives a brief introduction to the project called Education Technology Capacity Building Plan for All Primary and Secondary Teachers now being implemented in China. Because information and communication technology skills training cannot match the demand of teachers' professional development, the Chinese Ministry of Education established the education technology standard for teachers and launched the project. This paper introduced the features of standard training and testing, and discusses the output and influence of the project.
Research on distance education development in China
Authors: Ding Xin , Niu Jian , Han Yanhui
Published: June 2010

Distance education is among the significant fields for the application of educational technology. Distance education in China has gone through three phases, namely: correspondence‐based education, radio and TV‐based education and online education. This paper was based on educational technology application, and the historical, dialectic and developmental perspectives. It analyses the social and technical background, the history of development, pilot practice of e‐learning (task, policy, administration, funding, scale, structure, resource construction, teaching modes and services, etc.) and the current impact of scientific research on distance education in China. Finally, it discusses the achievements, issues and trends of distance education through literature analysis, comparative study, deduction and induction.
A Smoke Visualization Model for Capturing Surface‐Like Features
Authors: Park Jinho , Seol Yeongho , Cordier Frederic , Noh Junyong
Published: June 2010

Incense, candle smoke and cigarette smoke often exhibit smoke flows with a surface‐like appearance. Although delving into well‐known computational fluid dynamics may provide a solution to create such an appearance, we propose a much efficient alternative that combines a low‐resolution fluid simulation with explicit geometry provided by NURBS surfaces. Among a wide spectrum of fluid simulation, our algorithm specifically tailors to reproduce the semi‐transparent surface look and motion of the smoke. The main idea is that we follow the traces called streaklines created by the advected particles from a simulation and reconstruct NURBS surfaces passing through them. Then, we render the surfaces by applying an opacity map to each surface, where the opacity map is created by utilizing the smoke density and the characteristics of the surface contour. Augmenting the results from low‐resolution simulations such a way requires a low computational cost and memory usage by design.
Patient choice and equity in the British National Health Service: towards developing an alternative framework
Authors: Fotaki Marianna
Published: June 2010

Choice and competition have been phased into many public health systems with the aim of achieving various and potentially exclusive goals such as improving efficiency, quality and responsiveness to users’ needs. Yet their use to promote equity of access as evidenced recently in the British National Health Service (the NHS) is unprecedented. Giving users the power of exit over unresponsive providers is meant to address the failures of previous policies. This paper shows that there is a potential conflict between choice and equity, in terms of both the values and the outcomes each policy is likely to produce. Using a multidisciplinary and multidimensional framework, drawn from Bourdieusian sociology, feminist theory and economics, the study highlights the implications of the simplistic and one‐sided conception of individual patient choice in relation to equity. It also uses the existing evidence on the impact of market competition and choice, in the UK and elsewhere, to emphasise the importance of socio‐economic and psycho‐social factors, which are left out of current policy considerations.
Power variation for Itô integrals with respect to α‐stable processes
Authors: Corcuera José Manuel , Farkas Gergely
Published: June 2010

In this article we consider the asymptotic behavior of the power variation of processes of the form , where Sα is an α‐stable process with index of stability 0<α<2 and the integral is an Itô integral. We establish stable convergence of corresponding fluctuations. These results provide statistical tools to infer the process u from discrete observations.
Mock crime application of the Complex Trial Protocol (CTP) P300‐based concealed information test
Authors: Winograd Michael R. , Rosenfeld J. Peter
Published: June 2010

The Complex Trial Protocol (CTP), was shown to be an improvement over the previous “three stimulus” P300‐based concealed information tests (CITs). Not only was it highly accurate with autobiographical information but was also resistant to the use of countermeasures (CMs). The current study applied the CTP to the detection of incidentally acquired information in a mock crime scenario. In previous “three stimulus” mock crime studies utilizing P300‐based CITs, participants memorized a guilty knowledge item(s). Special care was taken in the current study to ensure that participants' knowledge of the guilty item in the mock crime was obtained only during the commission of the act in order to bolster ecological validity. Overall, 92% of all participants in guilty, innocent, and countermeasure conditions were correctly classified. CM use was again indexed by reaction times (RTs).
An event‐related source localization study of response monitoring and social impairments in autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Santesso Diane L. , Drmic Irene E. , Jetha Michelle K. , Bryson Susan E. , Goldberg Joel O. , Hall Geoffrey B. , Mathewson Karen J. , Segalowitz Sidney J. , Schmidt Louis A.
Published: June 2010

A number of studies suggest anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) abnormalities in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which might underlie response monitoring and social impairments exhibited by children and adolescents with ASD. The goal of the present study was to extend this work by examining error and correct response monitoring using event‐related potentials (ERN, Pe, CRN) and LORETA source localization in high functioning adults with ASD and controls. Adults with ASD showed reduced ERN and Pe amplitudes and reduced rostral ACC activation compared with controls. Adults with ASD also showed less differentiation between error and correct ERP components. Social impairments and higher overall autism symptoms were related to reduced rostral ACC activity at the time of the ERN, particularly in adults with ASD. These findings suggest that reduced ACC activity may reflect a putative brain mechanism involved in the origins and maintenance of social impairments and raise the possibility of the presence of stable brain‐behavior relation impairment across development in some individuals with ASD.
Endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ signaling and mitochondrial Cyt c release in astrocytes following oxygen and glucose deprivation
Authors: Liu Yan , Kintner Douglas B. , Begum Gulnaz , Algharabli Jehad , Cengiz Pelin , Shull Gary E. , Liu Xiang‐Jun , Sun Dandan
Published: June 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 114, 1436–1446.

In the present study, we investigated changes of cytosolic Ca2+([Ca2+]cyt), endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+([Ca2+]ER) and mitochondrial Ca2+(Ca2+m) in astrocytes following oxygen/glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/REOX). Two hours OGD did not cause changes in [Ca2+]cyt, but led to a significant increase in [Ca2+]ER. The elevation in [Ca2+]ER continued and reached a peak level (130 ± 2 μM) by 90 min REOX. An abrupt release of Ca2+ER occurred during 1.5–2.5 h REOX, which was accompanied with a delayed and sustained rise in [Ca2+]cyt. Moreover, Ca2+m content was increased significantly within 15 min REOX followed by a secondary rise (∼4.5‐fold) and a release of mitochondrial cytochrome c (Cyt c). Astrocytes exhibited translocation of Cyt c from mitochondria to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and up regulation of ER stress protein p‐eIF2α. Blocking Na+‐K+‐Cl− cotransporter isoform 1 activity, either by its potent inhibitor bumetanide or genetic ablation, abolished release of ER Ca2+, delayed rise in [Ca2+]cyt and Ca2+m. Inhibition of the reverse mode operation of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger significantly attenuated OGD/REOX‐mediated Cyt c release. In summary, this study illustrates that OGD/REOX triggers a time‐dependent loss of Ca2+ homeostasis in cytosol and organelles (ER and mitochondria) in astrocytes. Collective stimulation of Na+‐K+‐Cl− cotransporter isoform 1 and reverse mode function of Na+/Ca2+ exchanger contributes to these changes.
Factors Influencing Self‐Efficacy Judgments of University Students in Foreign Language Tutoring
Authors: MATTHEWS PAUL HARVEY
Published: June 2010

What factors in individualized tutoring sessions impact university students' self‐efficacy for mastering a foreign language (FL)? For 29 initial sessions (Italian, Spanish, French, or Portuguese) at a university tutoring program, tutees completed pretutoring and posttutoring questionnaires indicating their self‐efficacy for learning the FL. Transcripts of the 4 sessions with the greatest increases and the 4 with greatest decreases in self‐efficacy were analyzed and compared for features, including session length, amount of overlapped speech, ratio of tutor/tutee talk, language choice, questioning, rules, examples, statements about the FL, admissions of error and of lack of knowledge by the tutor, and attributional statements. Motivationally effective tutoring sessions tended to be shorter, to focus on deeper understanding of the FL structure through explanation of rules and deep‐level questioning, and to characterize and model the FL as learnable and regular.
Receptions of Israelite Nation‐building: Modern Protestant Natalism and Martin Luther
Authors: McKeown John
Published: June 2010

Abstract:  Ancient nation‐building demanded fecundity, and traces of this demand lie dormant in Old Testament scriptures. In the U.S. today some Protestants preach natalism (an ideology promoting high fecundity), often with the objective shifted from national preservation to denominational aggrandizement. Some present Martin Luther as a forerunner of natalism. This article evaluates that claim, looking at his references to reproduction in a historical and theological context.
Education for Vocation in Public Life USA1
Authors: Simmons Ernest
Published: June 2010

Abstract:  The Lutheran sensibility is that life is a paradox, a dialectical tension, in the midst of which one must act and live. This sensibility informs an open and dialectical educational model for liberal arts education, which encourages a dynamic interaction of faith and learning. It supports a vocational understanding of public life that cultivates critical analysis while seeking to encourage citizenship for the common good.
What Do People Live On? Living Wages in India
Authors: Channa Subhadra Mitra
Published: June 2010

The question of what people are expected to live on raises many issues, foregrounding the rather metaphysical question of how people are viewed as people. To argue for the implementation of a really viable living wage one would have to argue against the dehumanization of bodies, of construction of personhoods that demean humans, and to visualize a change in worldview and perceptual categories. Living wage discussions on India must go beyond economies to address the cultural/cosmological factors that mark power relations and shape social categories, and this must be done against the backdrop of overpopulation and abject poverty.
Living Wage Considerations in the Right‐to‐Work State of South Carolina
Authors: Kingsolver Ann
Published: June 2010

In a time of economic crisis, when unemployment and food insecurity have increased dramatically in South Carolina, is a living wage movement more or less likely? This article does not investigate this question ethnographically, but discusses the conditions for a living wage movement in this southern U.S. state, including the right‐to‐work legislation and logics that frame understandings and policies regarding employment and economic well‐being in the state. Interpretive and political economic anthropological perspectives are employed in this analysis.
A One‐to‐One Bias and Fast Mapping Support Preschoolers’ Learning About Faces and Voices
Authors: Moher Mariko , Feigenson Lisa , Halberda Justin
Published: June 2010

A multimodal person representation contains information about what a person looks like and what a person sounds like. However, little is known about how children form these face‐voice mappings. Here, we explored the possibility that two cognitive tools that guide word learning, a one‐to‐one mapping bias and fast mapping, also guide children’s learning about faces and voices. We taught 4‐ and 5‐year‐olds mappings between three individual faces and voices, then presented them with new faces and voices. In Experiment 1, we found that children rapidly learned face‐voice mappings from just a few exposures, and furthermore spontaneously mapped novel faces to novel voices using a one‐to‐one mapping bias (that each face can produce only one voice). In Experiment 2, we found that children’s face‐voice representations are abstract, generalizing to novel tokens of a person. In Experiment 3, we found that children retained in memory the face‐voice mappings that they had generated via inference (i.e., they showed evidence of fast mapping), and used these newly formed representations to generate further mappings between new faces and voices. These findings suggest that preschoolers’ rapid learning about faces and voices may be aided by biases that are similar to those that support word learning.
Praziquantel efficacy in mice infected with PZQ non‐susceptible S. mansoni isolate treated with artemether: parasitological, biochemical and immunohistochemical assessment
Authors: Botros Sanaa S. , Hammam Olfat , Mahmoud Madiha , Bergquist Robert
Published: June 2010

Botros SS, Hammam O, Mahmoud M, Bergquist R. Praziquantel efficacy in mice infected with PZQ non‐susceptible S. mansoni isolate treated with artemether: parasitological, biochemical and immunohistochemical assessment. APMIS 2010; 118: 692–702.

Based on the fact that artemether (ART) affects immature schistosomes and that the effect of praziquantel (PZQ) mainly targets mature schistosomes, this work investigates the possible enhanced efficacy of PZQ in combination with ART in mice harboring a PZQ non‐susceptible Schistosoma mansoni isolate. Associated schistosomal, inflammatory, hepatic histopathological changes have been investigated by examining the tissue markers expressing apoptosis using FAS (CD95), anti‐apoptosis (Bcl2) and angiogenesis [vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)]. A batch of Swiss albino mice infected with a PZQ non‐susceptible (EE10) S. mansoni isolate was divided into 12 groups. Animals of the first group were left without treatment as infected controls, while groups 2–6 received PZQ in increasing doses. The animals of group 7 received ART in double doses. Those comprising groups 8–12 received combined therapy of PZQ and ART in the same doses and at the same timings postinfection (PI) as those belonging to groups 2–6. Parasitological parameters, liver function, and histopathological and immunohistochemical studies of FAS, Bcl2 and VEGF antibodies were assessed. Combined administration of ART and PZQ reduced the ED50 (the dose at which the worm burden was decreased by 50%) of PZQ. Typical granulomas were not seen in animals treated with ART alone and combined with PZQ, with least expression of FAS and VEGF and increased expression of Bcl2. The minimal histopathological changes recorded in mice treated with both ART and PZQ could be related to a synergistic/additive effect of ART, markedly reducing the intensity of infection. Improved liver function tests support the less severe histopathological changes under the influence of this treatment protocol. This study encourages human trials especially in areas where malaria is not endemic, and differing combination doses should be investigated in view of the antagonistic effect noticed with some dose regimens.
Cell‐specific elevation of NRF2 and sulfiredoxin‐1 as markers of oxidative stress in the lungs of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and non‐specific interstitial pneumonia
Authors: MAZUR WITOLD , LINDHOLM PAMELA , VUORINEN KIRSI , MYLLÄRNIEMI MARJUKKA , SALMENKIVI KAISA , KINNULA VUOKKO L.
Published: June 2010

Mazur W, Lindholm P, Vuorinen K, Myllärniemi M, Salmenkivi K, Kinnula VL. Cell‐specific elevation of NRF2 and sulfiredoxin‐1 as markers of oxidative stress in the lungs of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and non‐specific interstitial pneumonia. APMIS 2010; 118: 703–12.

Human idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and non‐specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) have been proposed to be attributable to oxidative stress. The nuclear factor, erythroid derived 2, like protein (NRF2)–sulfiredoxin‐1 (SRX1) pathway was hypothesized to be associated with the pathogenesis of human pulmonary fibrosis. Several methods including digital morphometry were used in the assessment of the cell‐specific localization and expression of NRF2 and SRX1 and selected proteins linked to their activation/stability in human IPF/usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) and NSIP lung. The proteins of the NRF2 pathway were localized in the hyperplastic alveolar epithelium and inflammatory cells in IPF and NSIP, but were absent in the fibroblastic foci characteristic of IPF. Morphometric evaluation revealed NRF2 and KEAP1 to be significantly elevated in the hyperplastic alveolar epithelium compared with the normal alveolar epithelium, and NRF2 was remarkably expressed in the nuclear compartment of the hyperplastic cells. SRX1 was expressed mainly in alveolar macrophages, and the number of SRX1‐positive macrophages/surface area was elevated in NSIP, a disease which contains more marked inflammatory reaction compared with the IPF/UIP lung. The expression of the NRF2 pathway in human IPF and NSIP is further evidence that the pathogenesis of human fibrotic lung diseases is oxidant‐mediated and originates from the alveolar epithelium.
Changing delayed‐type sensitizations to the baseline series allergens over a decade at the Zurich University Hospital
Authors: Janach Manon , Kühne Andreas , Seifert Burkhardt , French Lars E. , Ballmer‐Weber Barbara , Hofbauer Günther F. L.
Published: June 2010

Background: Patch testing detects delayed‐type sensitizations and may show changes in prevalence over time.

Objectives: To compare sensitization prevalence to our baseline series allergens during the years 2000–2004 to results from 1990 to 1994.

Methods: We analysed baseline patch test series allergens from 2000 through 2004.

Results: 4094 individuals were patch tested to the baseline series (mean age 45.4 years, males 41.7%). The highest sensitization rates were found for nickel sulfate (19.3%), fragrance mix (10.4%) and Myroxylon pereirae (7.8%). Compared to 1990–1994, methylchloroisothiazolinone (and) methylisothiazoline (MCI/MI) and neomycin sulfate sensitization decreased and lanolin alcohol, thiuram mix and ammoniated mercury sensitization increased.

Conclusions: Current sensitization rates are similar to those across Europe. Reduced sensitizations to MCI/MI and neomycin sulfate and increased sensitizations to thiuram mix and ammoniated mercury chloride may well be because of changes in exposure. The current group comprises a higher proportion affected by leg dermatitis and may thus explain the higher sensitization to lanolin alcohol. Comparing patch results over time shows important changes in sensitization prevalence.
Susceptibility and reactivity in polysensitized individuals following controlled induction
Authors: Bangsgaard Nannie , Carlsen Berit C. , Johansen Jeanne Duus , Menné Torkil , Skov Lone
Published: June 2010

Background: It is uncertain whether polysensitized patients acquire multiple allergies only because of a high degree of exposure to environmental allergens, or because of being highly susceptible to developing contact allergy.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate and compare susceptibility and reactivity in polysensitized and monosensitized individuals, and in healthy controls.

Patients/methods: We sensitized 66 adult individuals (21 polysensitized, 22 monosensitized, and 23 healthy controls) with diphenylcyclopropenone and assessed challenge responses with visual scoring and ultrasound. We compared sensitization rates using a chi‐square test and logistic regression analyses, and calculated linear regression lines of the elicitation responses for each individual. The mean values of the slopes and the intercepts for each group were used to measure the strength of the elicitation response, and were compared using the Mann–Whitney test.

Results: Sensitization ratio was equal in the three groups: 57% for the polysensitized, 59% for the monosensitized, and 65% for the healthy control group. There was a lowered elicitation threshold in the polysensitized group compared with that in the monosensitized and healthy control groups and, although not statistically significant, a stronger elicitation response was observed in the polysensitized group.

Conclusion: Increased reactivity was found in the polysensitized group, demonstrated by a lowered elicitation threshold, compared with that in the monosensitized and healthy control groups.
Identification of IgE‐reactive proteins in patients with wheat protein contact dermatitis
Authors: Matsuo Hiroaki , Uemura Masako , Yorozuya Miyuki , Adachi Atsuko , Morita Eishin
Published: June 2010

Background: Wheat protein and its derivatives can cause protein contact dermatitis (PCD), which mainly occurs in bakers. Few studies have attempted to identify the allergens responsible for wheat PCD.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify allergenic wheat proteins in patients with wheat PCD.

Methods: Water‐soluble and water‐insoluble wheat flour proteins were separated by 1‐ or 2‐dimensional gel electrophoresis. IgE‐binding proteins were detected by immunoblotting with sera from 3 wheat PCD patients and identified by N‐terminal amino acid sequence analysis. The IgE‐binding proteins were recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli and tested against patients' sera.

Results: IgE antibodies from the patients' sera reacted with water‐soluble proteins rather than water‐insoluble proteins, and the 2‐dimensional electrophoresis and immunoblotting produced individual IgE‐binding patterns. Analysis of the N‐terminal amino acid sequence of the IgE‐binding proteins from the 2‐dimensional gel led to the identification of three glycoproteins, wheat 27‐kDa allergen, peroxidase, and purple acid phosphatase. No specific IgE antibodies to their non‐glycosylated recombinant proteins were observed.

Conclusions: We identified wheat 27‐kDa allergen, peroxidase and purple acid phosphatase as candidate allergens for wheat PCD. Our results suggest that glycan moieties in these proteins are involved in IgE binding.
Eradication of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans from the oral cavity in adult periodontitis
Authors: Müller H.‐P. , Heinecke A. , Borneff M. , Kiencke C. , Knopf A. , Pohl S.
Published: June 2010

Eradication of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans from the oral cavity seems to be a prerequisite for successful therapeutic outcome in patients periodontally infected with the organism. In view of the limited number of subgingival samples obtained in recent studies one cannot conclude, however, whether eradication has actually been achieved. In the present study clinical and microbiological parameters were monitored in 10 adult patients with A. actinomycetemcomitans‐associated periodontitis during successive non‐surgical and adjunctive metronidazole plus amoxicillin (or ciprofloxacin) (AB) therapy. In every patient, 13 extracrevicular samples and subgingival samples from the deepest site of every tooth present were selectively cultivated for A. actinomycetemcomitans. The organism was isolated in 47 ± 29% subgingival and 64 ± 31% extracrevicular samples. Six weeks following subgingival scaling, A. actinomyceterncomitans was detected in 37 ± 30% subgingival and 55 ± 38% extracrevicular samples (n.s.). Three months after antibiotic therapy, the organism was recovered from only 1 patient. At baseline, 7.5 ± 4.2% sites had a probing pocket depth (PPD) ≥7 mm. This proportion dropped to 2.3 ± 2.4% after scaling (p<0.05) and to 0.3 ± 0.4% after AB (p<0.05). The proportion of sites with clinical attachment loss (CAL) ≥6 mm dropped from 23.3 ± 13.3% to 17.7 ± 13.4% (p<0.05) and to 16.8 ± 14.6%. Statistical analysis revealed that the organism was strongly related, at baseline, to PPD ≥7 mm (odds ratio 9.8, p<0.001). Six weeks after scaling, the organism was associated with CAL ≥6mm (odds ratio 1.8, p = 0.02). After scaling, high counts of A. actinomycetemcomitans in excess of 104 CFU/ml significantly interfered with attachment gain of ≥2 mm (odds ratio 0.24, p = 0.001). Based on the present findings, eradication of A. actinomycetemcomitans seems to be possible with adjunctive antibiotic treatment. Elimination of the organism after scaling was only weakly associated with clinical improvement.
A digital subtraction radiography investigation of upper first molar proximal bone density changes in adolescents
Authors: Ellwood Roger , Horner Keith , Alexander Shirley , Davies Robin
Published: June 2010

The aim of this in vivo study was to investigate the ability of digital subtraction radiography to monitor changes in proximal bone density, adjacent to the upper first molars, in a group of adolescents using the Digora direct digital radiographic system to acquire images. For 57 adolescents, assessments of changes in probing attachment level at the mesio‐ and disto‐buccal surfaces of both upper first molars and proximal crestal bone density using digital subtraction radiography were made. At the conclusion of this 21‐month study attachment loss was identified in 34 (17%) of the 204 sites analysed. For sites with attachment loss a mean decrease in bone density equivalent to 5.51 mm3 aluminium (Al) was found compared to 2.96 mm3 Al for those without (p<0.001). For the 17 subjects with attachment loss a mean equivalent to 4.66 mm3 Al was lost from the crestal bone compared with 2.56 mm3 Al for the 40 subjects without attachment loss (p < 0.01). The correlation between attachment loss and bone density changes was poor for both sites (r = 0.13, p = 0.067) and mean scores for subjects (r=0.24, p = 0.069). A visual qualitative assessment of bone density change found that 70.6% of sites with attachment loss compared to 62.4% of those without had a decrease in crestal bone density. This study suggests that it is possible to monitor bone density changes in adolescents, with a developing dentition, using digital subtraction radiography. Further, it is suggested that conventional probing assessments of attachment level may underestimate the level of destructive periodontal disease in this age group.