bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial structure leads to ecological breakdown and loss of diversity
Authors: Saxer Gerda , Doebeli Michael , Travisano Michael
Published: April 2009

Spatial structure has been identified as a major contributor to the maintenance of diversity. Here, we show that the impact of spatial structure on diversity is strongly affected by the ecological mechanisms maintaining diversity. In well-mixed, unstructured environments, microbial populations can diversify by production of metabolites during growth, providing additional resources for novel specialists. By contrast, spatially structured environments potentially limit such facilitation due to reduced metabolite diffusion. Using replicate microcosms containing the bacteriumEscherichia coli, we predicted the loss of diversity during an environmental shift from a spatially unstructured environment to spatially structured conditions. Although spatial structure is frequently observed to be a major promoter of diversity, our results indicate that it can also have negative impacts on diversity.
Cryptic diversity in vertebrates: molecular data double estimates of species diversity in a radiation of Australian lizards (Diplodactylus, Gekkota)
Authors: Oliver Paul M. , Adams Mark , Lee Michael S.Y. , Hutchinson Mark N. , Doughty Paul
Published: April 2009

A major problem for biodiversity conservation and management is that a significant portion of species diversity remains undocumented (the ‘taxonomic impediment’). This problem is widely acknowledged to be dire among invertebrates and in developing countries; here, we demonstrate that it can be acute even in conspicuous animals (reptiles) and in developed nations (Australia). A survey of mtDNA, allozyme and chromosomal variation in the Australian gecko, genusDiplodactylus, increases overall species diversity estimates from 13 to 29. Four nominal species each actually represent multi-species complexes; three of these species complexes are not even monophyletic. The high proportion of cryptic species discovered emphasizes the importance of continuing detailed assessments of species diversity, even in apparently well-known taxa from industrialized countries.
Temperature, but not pH, compromises sea urchin fertilization and early development under near-future climate change scenarios
Authors: Byrne Maria , Ho Melanie , Selvakumaraswamy Paulina , Nguyen Hong D. , Dworjanyn Symon A. , Davis Andy R.
Published: April 2009

Global warming is causing ocean warming and acidification. The distribution ofHeliocidaris erythrogrammacoincides with the eastern Australia climate change hot spot, where disproportionate warming makes marine biota particularly vulnerable to climate change. In keeping with near-future climate change scenarios, we determined the interactive effects of warming and acidification on fertilization and development of this echinoid. Experimental treatments (20–26°C, pH 7.6–8.2) were tested in all combinations for the ‘business-as-usual’ scenario, with 20°C/pH 8.2 being ambient. Percentage of fertilization was high (>89%) across all treatments. There was no difference in percentage of normal development in any pH treatment. In elevated temperature conditions, +4°C reduced cleavage by 40 per cent and +6°C by a further 20 per cent. Normal gastrulation fell below 4 per cent at +6°C. At 26°C, development was impaired. As the first study of interactive effects of temperature and pH on sea urchin development, we confirm the thermotolerance and pH resilience of fertilization and embryogenesis within predicted climate change scenarios, with negative effects at upper limits of ocean warming. Our findings place single stressor studies in context and emphasize the need for experiments that address ocean warming and acidification concurrently. Although ocean acidification research has focused on impaired calcification, embryos may not reach the skeletogenic stage in a warm ocean.
Foam nest components of the túngara frog: a cocktail of proteins conferring physical and biological resilience
Authors: Fleming Rachel I. , Mackenzie Cameron D. , Cooper Alan , Kennedy Malcolm W.
Published: April 2009

The foam nests of the túngara frog (
Engystomops pustulosus
) form a biocompatible incubation medium for eggs and sperm while resisting considerable environmental and microbiological assault. We have shown that much of this behaviour can be attributed to a cocktail of six proteins, designated ranaspumins (Rsn-1 to Rsn-6), which predominate in the foam. These fall into two discernable classes based on sequence analysis and biophysical properties. Rsn-2, with an amphiphilic amino acid sequence unlike any hitherto reported, exhibits substantial detergent-like surfactant activity necessary for production of foam, yet is harmless to the membranes of eggs and spermatozoa. A further four (Rsn-3 to Rsn-6) are lectins, three of which are similar to fucolectins found in teleosts but not previously identified in a land vertebrate, though with a carbohydrate binding specificity different from previously described fucolectins. The sixth, Rsn-1, is structurally similar to proteinase inhibitors of the cystatin class, but does not itself appear to exhibit any such activity. The nest foam itself, however, does exhibit potent cystatin activity. Rsn-encoding genes are transcribed in many tissues of the adult frogs, but the full cocktail is present only in oviduct glands. Combinations of lectins and cystatins have known roles in plants and animals for defence against microbial colonization and insect attack. Túngara nest foam displays a novel synergy of selected elements of innate defence plus a specialized surfactant protein, comprising a previously unreported strategy for protection of unattended reproductive stages of animals.
Bystanders affect the outcome of mother–infant interactions in rhesus macaques
Authors: Semple Stuart , Gerald Melissa S. , Suggs Dianne N.
Published: April 2009

Animal communication involves the transfer of information between a sender and one or more receivers. However, such interactions do not happen in a social vacuum; third parties are typically present, who can potentially eavesdrop upon or intervene in the interaction. The importance of such bystanders in shaping the outcome of communicative interactions has been widely studied in humans, but has only recently received attention in other animal species. Here, we studied bouts of infant crying among rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) in order to investigate how the presence of bystanders may affect the outcome of this signalling interaction between infants and mothers. It was hypothesized that, as crying is acoustically aversive, bystanders may be aggressive to the mother or the infant in order to bring the crying bout to a close. Consequently, it was predicted that mothers should acquiesce more often to crying if in the presence of potentially aggressive animals. In line with this prediction, it was found that mothers gave infants access to the nipple significantly more often when crying occurred in the presence of animals that posed a high risk of aggression towards them. Both mothers and infants tended to receive more aggression from bystanders during crying bouts than outside of this time, although such aggression was extremely rare and was received by less than half of the mothers and infants in the study. Mothers were also found to be significantly more aggressive to their infants while the latter were crying than outside of crying bouts. These results provide new insight into the complex dynamics of mother–offspring conflict, and indicate that bystanders may play an important role in shaping the outcome of signalling interactions between infants and their mothers.
Lattice parameter determination using a curved position-sensitive detector in reflection geometry and application to Smx/2Ndx/2Ce1–xO2–δceramics
Authors: Pramanick A. , Omar S. , Nino J. C. , Jones J. L.
Published: April 2009

X-ray diffractometers with curved position-sensitive (CPS) detectors have become popular for their ability to perform fast data collection over a wide 2θ range, enabling kinetics studies of chemical reactions and measurement of other time-resolved solid-state phenomena. While the effect of sample displacement onhkl-specific apparent lattice parameters has been explored for a transmission-mode Debye–Scherrer geometry, such effects for a reflection-mode Debye–Scherrer geometry are not yet well understood. The reflection-mode Debye–Scherrer geometry for CPS detectors is unique in the sense that the angle for the incident X-ray beam is kept fixed with respect to the normal of a flat diffracting sample, while the diffracted beams are measured at multiple angles with respect to the sample normal. An efficient method for precise lattice parameter determination using linear extrapolation of apparent lattice parameters calculated from differenthkldiffraction peaks is proposed for such geometries. The accuracy involved with this method is investigated for an Si powder standard. The extrapolation method is then applied to develop an empirical relationship between composition (x) and the lattice parameter (ao) of Smx/2Ndx/2Ce1−xO2−δceramics for solid oxide fuel cell electrolytes. In this system, the empirical relationship betweenxandaois compared with a previous theoretical prediction.
Nasal mucosal expression of the leukotriene and prostanoid pathways in seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis
Authors: Westergren V. S. , Wilson S. J. , Penrose J. F. , Howarth P. H. , Sampson A. P.
Published: April 2009

BackgroundLeukotrienes (LTs) and prostanoids are potent pro‐inflammatory and vasoactive lipid mediators implicated in airway disease, but their cellular sources in the nasal airway in naturally occurring allergic rhinitis (AR) are unclear.

ObjectiveTo quantify cellular expression of enzymes of the 5‐lipoxygenase (5‐LO) and cyclooxygenase (COX) pathways by immunohistochemistry in nasal biopsies from patients with symptomatic perennial AR (PAR,n=13) and seasonal AR (SAR,n=14) and from normal subjects (n=12).

MethodsEnzymes of the 5‐LO pathway (5‐LO, FLAP, LT A4hydrolase, LTC4synthase) and the COX pathway (COX‐1, COX‐2, prostaglandin D2synthase) were immunostained in glycol methacrylate resin‐embedded inferior turbinate biopsy specimens, quantified in the lamina propria and epithelium, and co‐localized to leucocyte markers bycamera lucida.

ResultsIn the lamina propria of PAR biopsies, median counts of cells expressing FLAP were fourfold higher than in normal biopsies (Mann–Whitney,P=0.014), and also tended to be higher than in SAR biopsies (P=0.06), which were not different from normal. PAR biopsies showed threefold more cells immunostaining for LTC4synthase compared with SAR biopsies (P=0.011) but this was not significant compared with normal biopsies (P=0.2). These changes were associated with ninefold more eosinophils (P=0.0005) with no differences in other leucocytes. There were no significant differences in the lamina propria in immunostaining for 5‐LO, LTA4hydrolase, COX‐1, COX‐2 or PGD2synthase. Within the epithelium, increased expression of COX‐1 was evident in PAR biopsies (P=0.014) and SAR biopsies (P=0.037), associated with more intra‐epithelial mast cells in both rhinitic groups (P<0.02).

ConclusionsIn the nasal biopsies of PAR subjects, increased expression of regulatory enzymes of the cysteinyl‐LT biosynthetic pathway was associated with lamina propria infiltration by eosinophils. Seasonal rhinitis biopsies shared only some of these changes, consistent with transient disease. Increased intra‐epithelial mast cells and epithelial COX‐1 expression in both rhinitic groups may generate modulatory prostanoids.
Aquaporin and aquaglyceroporin in silkworms, differently expressed in the hindgut and midgut of Bombyx mori
Authors: Kataoka N. , Miyake S. , Azuma M.
Published: April 2009

Two cDNAs similar to aquaporins (AQPs) from other insect species were identified and characterized from the silkworm larva, Bombyx mori. The first cDNA (AQP‐Bom1) cloned from the anterior silk gland encodes a 25 900 Da protein similar to insect AQPs isolated from several liquid‐feeding insects. The second cDNA (AQP‐Bom2) cloned from the posterior midgut encodes a 27 694 Da protein. Northern blot analysis has revealed that the AQP‐Bom1 mRNA (2.3 kb) is expressed predominantly in the hindgut (colon and rectum), and moderately or minimally in the silk gland, midgut and Malpighian tubules, while the AQP‐Bom2 mRNA (1.3 kb) is mainly expressed in the posterior midgut and Malpighian tubules. Functional analysis in Xenopus oocytes microinjected with the cRNA of these AQPs revealed that the AQP‐Bom1 mRNA encodes a water‐specific aquaporin, likely involved in the water retrieval function of the hindgut, while the AQP‐Bom2 mRNA encodes an aquaglyceroporin, increasing glycerol and urea uptake.
Changing perspectives on the biogeography of the tropical South Pacific: influences of dispersal, vicariance and extinction
Authors: Keppel Gunnar , Lowe Andrew J. , Possingham Hugh P.
Published: April 2009

Aim  The biogeographical patterns and drivers of diversity on oceanic islands in the tropical South Pacific (TSP) are synthesized. We use published studies to determine present patterns of diversity on TSP islands, the likely sources of the biota on these islands and how the islands were colonized. We also investigate the effect of extinctions.

Location  We focus on oceanic islands in the TSP.

Methods  We review available literature and published molecular studies.

Results  Examples of typical island features (e.g. gigantism, flightlessness, gender dimorphism) are common, as are adaptive radiations. Diversity decreases with increasing isolation from mainland sources and with decreasing size and age of archipelagos, corresponding well with island biogeographical expectations. Molecular studies support New Guinea/Malesia, New Caledonia and Australia as major source areas for the Pacific biota. Numerous studies support dispersal‐based scenarios, either over several 100 km (long‐distance dispersal) or over shorter distances by island‐hopping (stepping stones) and transport by human means (hitch‐hiking). Only one vicariance explanation, the eastward drift of continental fragments (shuttles) that may have contributed biota to Fiji from New Caledonia, is supported by some geological evidence, although there is no evidence for the transport of taxa on shuttle fragments. Another vicariance explanation, the existence of a major continental landmass in the Pacific within the last 100 Myr (Atlantis theory), receives little support and appears unlikely. Extinction of lineages in source areas and persistence in the TSP has probably occurred many times and has resulted in misinterpretation of biogeographical data.

Main conclusions  Malesia has long been considered the major source region for the biota of oceanic islands in the TSP because of shared taxa and high species diversity. However, recent molecular studies have produced compelling support for New Caledonia and Australia as alternative important source areas. They also show dispersal events, and not vicariance, to have been the major contributors to the current biota of the TSP. Past extinction events can obscure interpretations of diversity patterns.
Origin and status of the Great Lakes wolf
Authors: KOBLMÜLLER STEPHAN , NORD MARIA , WAYNE ROBERT K. , LEONARD JENNIFER A.
Published: April 2009

An extensive debate concerning the origin and taxonomic status of wolf‐like canids in the North American Great Lakes region and the consequences for conservation politics regarding these enigmatic predators is ongoing. Using maternally, paternally and biparentally inherited molecular markers, we demonstrate that the Great Lakes wolves are a unique population or ecotype of gray wolves. Furthermore, we show that the Great Lakes wolves experienced high degrees of ancient and recent introgression of coyote and western gray wolf mtDNA and Y‐chromosome haplotypes, and that the recent demographic bottleneck caused by persecution and habitat depletion in the early 1900s is not reflected in the genetic data.
Kinetics of the local cellular response in the gastric lymph of immune and susceptible sheep to infection with Teladorsagia circumcincta
Authors: HALLIDAY A. M. , MORRISON W. I. , SMITH W. D.
Published: April 2009

Groups of yearling sheep were trickle infected with Teladorsagia circumcincta for 8 weeks, then the infection cleared with anthelmintic and both these animals and a group of parasite naïve sheep were challenged with 50 000 infective T. circumcincta larvae. The previously infected sheep demonstrated acquired immunity to the parasite, manifested by reduced worm burdens which were evident as early as 2 days after challenge. Cannulation of the common efferent gastric lymph duct allowed the kinetics of their local cell traffic to be monitored, and the phenotype of these lymphocytes was analysed. A blast cell response, consisting of both T and B lymphocytes, was observed in both groups of sheep, however this occurred more rapidly in the previously infected, immune animals. CD4+, CD8+ and CD25+ blast cell output peaked at day 3 in the previously infected animals, whereas CD21+ blast cell output peaked slightly later at day 5. In the control group the peak output of all phenotypes of blast cells occurred more slowly, peaking 10 days after infection.
Control of the release of digestive enzymes in the caeca of the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus
Authors: WOODRING JOSEPH , DIERSCH SANDRA , LWALABA DIGALI , HOFFMANN KLAUS H. , MEYERING‐VOS MARTINA
Published: April 2009

Abstract In Gryllus bimaculatus, more digestive enzymes (amylase, trypsin, aminopeptidase) are secreted in the caecum of fed crickets than in unfed crickets, but the enzymes are released continuously at a basal rate in unfed animals. The rate of synthesis of the enzymes appears to parallel their rate of release. Digestive enzymes are released in response to a specific ratio of nutrients, although a high nutrient component in the food does not necessarily induce a high digestive enzyme release for that component. Rinsed flat‐sheet preparations of the caecum are incubated with specific nutrients (carbohydrates and proteins) and various concentrations of a neuropeptide (type‐A allatostatin), which affects generally the basal rates of secretion. Both maltose and glucose increase the release of amylase in vitro, but starch produces an inhibition of amylase release at lower concentrations. Bovine serum albumin (BSA), peptone and a mixture of amino acids have almost no effect on the release of aminopeptidase or carboxypeptidase, and only low concentrations of peptone increase trypsin release. High concentrations of both BSA and peptone strongly inhibit trypsin activity, perhaps by excess substrate binding to the trypsin active site. The allatostatin Grybi‐AST 5 elevates the release of amylase in vitro, but not of trypsin or aminopeptidase, in 2‐day‐old fed females. In the caeca from 1‐day‐old unfed crickets, both amylase and the trypsin release are stimulated in the presence of AST 5. The paracrine AST 5 is probably released from the gut endocrine cells and binds to the enzyme‐producing caecal cells.
Host Specificity and Genetic Diversity of Didymella bryoniae from Cucurbitaceae in Brazil
Authors: Santos Gil Rodrigues dos , Ferreira MarisaÁlvares da Silva Velloso , Pessoa‐Filho Marco Aurélio Caldas de Pinho , Ferreira Márcio Elias , Café‐Filho Adalberto Corréa
Published: April 2009

Thirty‐seven isolates of Didymella bryoniae from three Cucurbitaceae species were collected in Brazil and tested for pathogenicity to watermelon. All isolates were pathogenic but differed in aggressiveness levels. Seven representative isolates were used in cross‐pathogenicity tests against 10 cucurbitaceous hosts. Most isolates were pathogenic to most host species tested, except to Sechium edule. Among the susceptible species, Citrullus and Cucumis species were the most susceptible hosts, while pumpkin and Luffa purgans were the most resistant. Host of origin affected the pattern of aggressiveness on each host. Isolates from watermelon were very aggressive to their original host, but much less aggressive or not pathogenic at all to some Cucurbita. Two previously described random‐amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)‐specific primers indicated that 81% of the isolates could be classified into the so‐called RG I group, while the remaining isolates could not be classified into any of the described RG groups. All 37 isolates were further characterized by RAPD fingerprinting and compared with three US isolates representative of RG I and RG II groups. The Brazilian D. bryoniae isolates could be separated into genetically similar clusters. The majority of the isolates were grouped in cluster DB Ia, which contained only isolates of Citrullus lanatus and Cucumis melo. Two of the American isolates used as controls clustered with this group at 68% similarity level. The DB Ib cluster included three Brazilian isolates obtained from melon and watermelon and the American representative for RG II, at a lower similarity level (43%). Two isolates from watermelon clustered with one isolate from melon in a separate group (DB II), while one single isolate from pumpkin (DB III) showed the lowest genetic similarity to all other isolates. Didymella bryoniae isolates from Brazil showed, therefore, a level of genetic diversity higher than previously reported for the species. RAPD fingerprinting allowed for geographical distinction of D. bryoniae isolates but no correlation between genetic distance, aggressiveness or origin of the isolate was found.
Distribution and activity of diazotrophs in the Eastern Equatorial Atlantic
Authors: Foster Rachel A. , Subramaniam Ajit , Zehr Jonathan P.
Published: April 2009

The gene abundance and gene expression of six diazotroph populations from the Eastern Equatorial Atlantic in June 2007 were examined using nifH gene quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q PCR) methods. Of all the diazotrophs, Trichodesmium spp. was the most abundant with the highest number of gene copies in the Gulf of Guinea. Trichodesmium also had the highest nitrogenase gene transcript abundance overall with the maximum in samples collected at the equator and in waters influenced by the Congo River plume (> 105 cDNA nifH copies l−1). Both cyanobacterial unicellular groups (A and B) were detected, where group A was the second most abundant in surface samples, in particular at the stations along the equator. Transcript abundance for group A, however, was at the detection limit and suggests that it was not actively fixing N2. Trichodesmium and group B nifH gene abundances co‐varied (P < 0.0001). Richelia associated with Hemiaulus hauckii diatoms were detected in 9 of 10 surface samples and the highest abundances (> 104nifH copies l−1) were found north‐west of the Congo River plume. In contrast, the Calothrix symbionts (het‐3) of Chaetoceros had low abundances at the surface, but were present at 3.7 × 104nifH copies l−1 at 40 m depth in the equatorial upwelling. This is the first report of the Calothrix symbiont in the Atlantic Ocean. This is also the first report of nifH gene copy and transcript abundance in an Equatorial upwelling zone. Although the number of gene copies for Richelia associated with Rhizosolenia were the lowest, the transcript abundance were high (9.4 × 101−1.8 × 104 cDNA nifH copies l−1) and similar to that of Trichodesmium. The distribution of the diazotroph groups, especially the three strains of symbiotic cyanobacteria, was different, and appeared largely controlled by riverine inputs and upwelling.
Does the location of screen‐detected cancers differ from that seen in the unscreened population?
Authors: Harmston C. , Hunter J. , Wong L.
Published: April 2009

Objective  It is important that screening detects cancers regardless of their location within the colon. The aim of this study was to see if the location of cancers detected by the pilot screening programme differs from that of unscreened cancers.

Method  The colorectal cancer dataset of University Hospital Coventry was analysed retrospectively. A 7‐year period was used to include all three rounds of the pilot screening. Two groups of patients were selected, those with colorectal cancers detected by the screening programme and those detected outside of screening. The tumour location was compared in the two groups statistically (chi‐squared test).

Results  One thousand four hundred‐ninety patients were included, 100 of whom were in the screened population and 1390 were in the unscreened population. There was no significant difference in tumour location between the two groups (P = 0.49).

Conclusion  This study showed that screen‐detected cancers do not differ in their location from unscreened cancers and suggests that faecal occult blood testscreening detects cancer irrespective of location within the colon.
Group Milleri Streptococci in perianal infections
Authors: Stelzmueller I. , Aigner F. , Albright J. , Margreiter R. , Fille M. , Swenson B. R. , Dossett L. , Bonatti H.
Published: April 2009

Background  Anal abscesses are commonly associated with fistulas‐in‐ano and are usually polymicrobial in nature, with gram‐negative rods and anaerobes being the most prevalent isolates. Group Milleri Streptococci (GMS) comprise a heterogeneous group of cocci, which are capable of causing severe purulent infection with a high recurrence rate.

Method  All anorectal infections caused by GMS, which were identified at our centre during a 4‐year period were retrospectively analysed. The 18 patients with GMS‐positive anorectal abscesses were matched with 36 GMS‐negative anorectal abscesses to identify outcome characteristics of this clinical entity.

Results  During the study period, 358 patients underwent surgical treatment for anal infections; GMS were isolated in 46 individuals (13%) including 18 perianal abscesses, 11 pilonidal sinuses, eight fistulae in and nine miscellaneous infections. Seventy‐two per cent of perianal GMS infections were polymicrobial with E. coli and Bacteroides fragilis being the predominant second bacteria. Nine patients (20%) developed recurrent abscesses and fistulae‐in‐ano and underwent additional surgical interventions with resolution at follow‐up. Additional antibiotic treatment was administered in 10 patients with complex anal infections. Matched pair analysis revealed that GMS‐positive perianal abscesses were more commonly polymicrobial, and that the recurrence rate was higher (55.6% GMS‐positive and 22.2% GMS‐negative patients, P = 0.017).

Conclusions  Our data confirm the propensity of GMS to form deep and recurrent abscesses with a higher recurrence rate than non‐GMS infections. First‐line treatment includes surgical drainage, and antibiotic treatment may be useful in selected patients.
The Totalisation of Human Social Practice: Open Marxists and Capitalist Social Relations, Foucauldians and Power Relations
Authors: Bruff Ian
Published: April 2009

This article critiques Open Marxism for an ontology which totalises human social practice—for Open Marxists, capitalist social relations are the singular constitutive source of human activity. Such a stance is superficially attractive yet ultimately inadequate, and I reinforce my case by demonstrating how other critical approaches—in this article, Foucauldian perspectives on power—suffer from similar deficiencies. Thus there is a need to resist the temptation of claiming to know how human social practice can be understood with recourse to a singular aspect (no matter how important) of such practice. I conclude that an excellent example of how to avoid such pitfalls is provided by Antonio Gramsci's writings, for they acknowledge the multifaceted yet nevertheless anchored existence lived by humans in capitalist societies.
Development of Phonological Constancy
Authors: Best Catherine T. , Tyler Michael D. , Gooding Tiffany N. , Orlando Corey B. , Quann Chelsea A.
Published: April 2009

Efficient word recognition depends on detecting critical phonetic differences among similar-sounding words, or sensitivity to phonological distinctiveness, an ability evident at 19 months of age but unreliable at 14 to 15 months of age. However, little is known about phonological constancy, the equally crucial ability to recognize a word's identity across natural phonetic variations, such as those in cross-dialect pronunciation differences. We show that 15- and 19-month-old children recognize familiar words spoken in their native dialect, but that only the older children recognize familiar words in a dissimilar nonnative dialect, providing evidence for emergence of phonological constancy by 19 months. These results are compatible with a perceptual-attunement account of developmental change in early word recognition, but not with statistical-learning or phonological accounts. Thus, the complementary skills of phonological constancy and distinctiveness both appear at around 19 months of age, together providing the child with a fundamental insight that permits rapid vocabulary growth and later reading acquisition.
Illness perceptions and quality of life amongst women with pseudotumor cerebri
Authors: Kesler A. , Kliper E. , Goner‐Shilo D. , Benyamini Y.
Published: April 2009

Background and purpose:  Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) is a disorder of increased intracranial pressure without evidence of a space occupying lesion. The purpose of this study was to assess the subjective perception of PTC and its association with stress, anxiety and global quality of life (QOL).

Methods:  Fifty‐eight women diagnosed with PTC completed questionnaires measuring their subjective appraisal of PTC and specific perceptions of the symptoms, causes, consequences, timeline, controllability and their anxiety, perceived stress, and QOL.

Results:  Appraisals of the condition were mostly of loss or threat and those were related to greater anxiety, stress and poorer QOL. Negative perceptions of PTC were related to greater anxiety, stress and poorer QOL. Most of the women attributed their condition to their weight, but adjustment for body mass index ruled out weight as accounting for the findings. Women attributed to the condition symptoms likely to be related to PTC as well as others that seem unrelated.

Conclusions:  Our findings underscore the importance of assessing women’s subjective perceptions of their condition as a factor related to their levels of anxiety and stress as well as to their QOL. Accurate symptom diagnosis and treatment as well as psychosocial support could assist women who are coping with the burden of this condition and possibly improve their QOL.
Efalizumab for severe refractory atopic eczema: retrospective study on 11 cases
Authors: Ibler K , Dam TN , Gniadecki R , Kragballe K , Jemec GBE , Agner T
Published: April 2009

Background  Efalizumab is a recombinant humanized murine monoclonal antibody against CD11a, approved for the treatment of plaque psoriasis. However, recent reports suggest that it also may be effective in the treatment of severe atopic dermatitis (AD).

Objective  To evaluate the clinical effect of efalizumab in AD.

Methods  A systematic retrospective study of the medical files of patients treated with efalizumab for AD in Danish dermatology departments. Positive outcome was defined as improvement of the disease registered in the patient's file over a period exceeding 6 months.

Results  Two of eleven patients had a positive outcome. Nine patients stopped treatment due to progression of AD or lack of effect.

Limitations  Retrospective study.

Conclusions  Only a minority of patients with severe AD responded to efalizumab treatment in a standard dose.
A preliminary investigation into the effect of coffee on hypolagesia associated with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
Authors: Dickie Allen , Tabasam Ghazala , Tashani Osama , Marchant Paul , Johnson Mark I.
Published: April 2009

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a non‐invasive, inexpensive analgesic technique used to relieve pain. It has been suggested that caffeine, an adenosine antagonist, may interfere with TENS action. This double‐blind controlled pilot study investigated the effect of coffee on response to TENS in healthy human participants experiencing experimentally induced pain. Twelve participants (7 female, age range = 20–41 years) took part in two experiments separated by 24 h. Each experiment lasted 80 min and consisted of 3 × 15 min cycles: pre‐TENS, during TENS predrink and during TENS postdrink [coffee (100 mg caffeine) or decaffeinated coffee randomized across experiments]. During each cycle, thresholds for electrical (EPT), mechanical (MPT) and cold pressor (CPT) pain were recorded. The statistical analysis modelled the responses for the coffee and decaffeinated coffee conditions during TENS (i.e. as a standard crossover) and detected no statistically significant effects between coffee and decaffeinated drinks for the natural logarithm (ln) transformed values of electrical pain threshold [ln EPT Coffee−ln EPT Decaffeinated coffee mean (standard error) = 0·0147 (0·2159)], mechanical pain threshold [ln MPT Coffee−ln MPT Decaffeinated coffee mean (standard error) = 0·1296 (0·0816)] and cold pain threshold [ln CPT Coffee−ln CPT Decaffeinated coffee mean (standard error) = 0·0793 (0·1139)]. We conclude that a single cup of coffee (100 mg caffeine) had no detectable effect on TENS outcome. Reasons why coffee did not produce a detectable effect on pain threshold are discussed.
Nanotechnologies and controlled release systems for the delivery of antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNA
Authors: Fattal Elias , Barratt Gillian
Published: April 2009

Antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNA have enormous potential for the treatment of a number of diseases, including cancer. However, several impediments to their widespread use as drugs still have to be overcome: in particular their lack of stability in physiological fluids and their poor penetration into cells. Association with or encapsulation within nano‐ and microsized drug delivery systems could help to solve these problems. In this review, we describe the progress that has been made using delivery systems composed of natural or synthetic polymers in the form of complexes, nanoparticles or microparticles.

This article is part of a themed section on Vector Design and Drug Delivery. For a list of all articles in this section see the end of this paper, or visit:http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/121548564/issueyear?year=200
Gastrointestinal safety and therapeutic efficacy of parenterally administered phosphatidylcholine‐associated indomethacin in rodent model systems
Authors: Lichtenberger LM , Romero JJ , Dial EJ
Published: April 2009

Background and purpose: Indomethacin is a non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is limited in its enteral or parenteral use by side effects of gastroduodenal bleeding and ulceration. We have investigated the ability of phosphatidylcholine associated with indomethacin to form a therapeutically effective drug (INDO‐PC) with reduced gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity for parenteral use.

Experimental approach: Rats were treated acutely by intravenous or chronically with subcutaneous injection of vehicle, indomethacin or INDO‐PC using three related protocols. We then evaluated the following properties of these parenterally administered test drugs: (i) GI toxicity (luminal and faecal haemoglobin; intestinal perforations and adhesions; and haematocrit); (ii) bioavailability (plasma indomethacin); and (iii) therapeutic efficacy (analgesia from sensitivity to pressure; anti‐inflammatory from ankle thickness; cyclo‐oxygenase (COX) inhibition from synovial fluid prostaglandin E2concentration) in rats with adjuvant‐induced joint inflammation.

Key results: Acute and chronic dosing with INDO‐PC produced less GI bleeding and intestinal injury than indomethacin alone, whereas the bioavailability, analgesic, anti‐inflammatory and COX inhibitory activity of INDO‐PC were comparable to indomethacin.

Conclusions and implications: The chemical association of phosphatidylcholine with indomethacin appears to markedly reduce the GI toxicity of the NSAID while providing equivalent therapeutic efficacy in a parenteral INDO‐PC formulation.
AN ALGORITHM TO DETERMINE THE VOLUME OF A BODY FROM IRREGULARLY PLACED SPOT HEIGHTS
Authors: Dowman I. J.
Published: April 2009

The paper describes how a computer can be programmed to form triangles from points, having x, y and z co‐ordinates and selected in an arbitrary manner, to calculate the area of each triangle and to determine the volume of the prism above or below the triangle. The sum of these volumes gives the total volume of a body.
A Phase II, Open‐Label Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Imiquimod in the Treatment of Superficial and Mixed Infantile Hemangioma
Authors: McCuaig Catherine C. , Dubois Josée , Powell Julie , Belleville Claude , David Michèle , Rousseau Élisabeth , Gendron Roxanne , Jafarian Fatemeh , Auger Isabelle
Published: April 2009

Abstract:  Objectives:  To explore the efficacy and safety of imiquimod 5% cream as a treatment for infantile hemangioma.

Design:  Phase II, open‐label, noncomparative study of imiquimod applied during 16 weeks, with posttherapy follow‐up 16 weeks later (8 months total).

Setting:  Outpatient pediatric tertiary care referral center in Quebec, Canada.

Participants:  Healthy infants up to 8.8 months of age with previously untreated, nonulcerated, proliferative superficial or mixed infantile hemangioma, excluding periorbital, or perineal localization, ≥100 cm2 in size.

Intervention:  Topical imiquimod applied three to seven times per week for 16 weeks to infantile hemangioma.

Main Outcome Measures:  Lesion area, volume, depth (Doppler ultrasound), and color (erythema), serum drug, and interferon‐alpha levels.

Results:  Sixteen infants (11 girls, 5 boys) with a mean age at entry of 4.1 months and mean lesion area of 32.89 cm2, and volume of 39.98 cm3 were enrolled. Two participants discontinued treatment early, one for an adverse event (crying upon application), the other because of the lack of compliance. Local skin reactions were consistent with those reported in adults. Two cases had a decrease and three had an increase in lesion parameters; otherwise no meaningful changes in lesion area, volume, or depth were observed. At the 4‐month posttreatment visit, 11 of 14 subjects had improvement in erythema (marginal homogeneity test = 2.668, p = 0.008). Measured serum drug and interferon‐alpha levels were low or undetectable.

Conclusions:  Treatment of infants with infantile hemangioma with imiquimod up to seven times per week for 16 weeks was generally well tolerated with low systemic exposure. Improvement was observed in hemangioma coloration, but not lesion size, suggesting effects were limited to the superficial component.
Congenital Disseminated Pyogenic Granuloma
Authors: Browning John C. , Eldin Karen W. , Kozakewich Harry P. W. , Mulliken John B. , Bree Alanna F.
Published: April 2009

Abstract:  In the past pyogenic granuloma (PG) in infancy has been easily confused clinically and histopathologically with infantile hemangioma (IH). In 2000 North and colleagues discovered that IH is immunopositive for GLUT‐1, a glucose transporter which is also expressed in placental capillaries (1). GLUT‐1 staining is negative in pyogenic granuloma. We report two newborns with congenital disseminated PG who were otherwise healthy. In both of these cases, negative GLUT‐1 staining supported the proper diagnosis.
Perspective on Bifurcation PCI
Authors: CHEN SHAO‐LIANG , LOUVARD YVES , RUNLIN GAO
Published: April 2009

Coronary bifurcation lesion is a complex lesion with suboptimal angiographic and clinical results. There has been no satisfactory classification of the lesion that can guide selection of strategies and predict short‐ and long‐term outcomes. The difference between left main (LM) bifurcation lesions and non‐LM bifurcation is striking. So many stenting strategies have been proposed and tried in trials. They include the V, T, Y, one‐stent, two‐stent, crush, mini‐crush, DK, and SKS techniques. However, because these techniques are time and labor intensive, dedicated bifurcated stents have been invented and trialed in humans. This review presents a historical perspective of interventions in bifurcated lesions, with the strengths and weaknesses of the major strategies and of the new dedicated stents.
Targeting of cancer stem cell marker EpCAM by bispecific antibody EpCAMxCD3 inhibits pancreatic carcinoma
Authors: Salnikov Alexei V. , Groth Ariane , Apel Anja , Kallifatidis Georgios , Beckermann Benjamin M. , Khamidjanov Akmal , Ryschich Eduard , Büchler Markus W. , Herr Ingrid , Moldenhauer Gerhard
Published: April 2009

Patients with pancreatic cancer have a poor survival rate, and new therapeutic strategies are needed. Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), suggested as a marker for cancer stem cells, is over‐expressed on most pancreatic tumour cells but not on normal cells and may be an ideal therapeutic target. We evaluated the anti‐tumour efficiency of bispecific EpCAMxCD3 antibody linking tumour cells and T lymphocytes. In NOD SCID mice, EpCAMxCD3 had a long serum half‐life (t1/2∼ 7 days). EpCAMxCD3 significantly retarded growth of BxPC‐3 pancreatic carcinoma xenografts. For mimicking a pancreatic cancer microenvironment in vitro, we used a three‐dimensional tumour reconstruct system, in which lymphocytes were co‐cultured with tumour cells and fibroblasts in a collagen matrix. In this in vivo–like system, EpCAMxCD3 potently stimulated production of the effector cytokines IFN‐γ and TNF‐α by extracorporally pre‐activated lymphocytes. Moreover, compared with a bivalent anti‐CD3 antibody, EpCAMxCD3 more efficiently activated the production of TNF‐α and IFN‐γ by non‐stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Most excitingly, we demonstrate for the first time that EpCAMxCD3 induces prolonged contacts between lymphocytes and tumour cells, which may be the main reason for the observed anti‐tumour effects. As an important prerequisite for future use in patients, EpCAMxCD3 did not alter lymphocyte migration as measured by time‐lapse video microscopy. Our data may open a way to improve the immune response and treatment outcome in patients with pancreatic cancer.
Does universal temperature dependence apply to communities? An experimental test using natural marine plankton assemblages
Authors: Brauer Verena S. , De Jonge Victor N. , Buma Anita G. J. , Weissing Franz J.
Published: April 2009

The metabolic theory of ecology (MTE) is an intriguing but controversial theory that tries to explain ecological patterns at all scales on the basis of first principles. Temperature plays a pivotal role in this theory. According to MTE, the Arrhenius relationship that describes the effect of temperature on biochemical reactions extends to a ‘universal temperature dependence’ that encompasses all kinds of processes and scales up to the cellular, the organismal, and the community level. In this study we test the prediction that community growth rate is temperature dependent in an Arrhenius‐like way. First, we performed a literature review of the scanty data on the temperature dependence of the rates of metabolism, photosynthesis and growth of communities. In contrast to the predictions of MTE, the community activation energies did not cluster around 0.32 eV, the activation energy of photosynthesis and primary production or around 0.65 eV, the activation energy of metabolism. However, in none of the published studies the conditions were sufficiently controlled to allow firm conclusions. We therefore also performed replicated and controlled experiments using natural assemblages of marine plankton. As predicted by MTE, the maximal growth rates of community biomass increased linearly in an Arrhenius plot, with a slope close to 0.32 eV. However, a diversity of other models for the temperature dependence of community growth rates fit our data equally well. Hence, our results are at best a weak confirmation of MTE.
SHELF‐LIFE SIMULATION OF PACKAGED RICE CRACKERS
Authors: SIRPATRAWAN UBONRAT
Published: April 2009

Two varieties of rice crackers (RC‐1 and RC‐2) were packaged in two types of packaging materials, polyethylene and polypropylene pouches, and stored at 30C/75% RH and 30C/85% RH to simulate actual storage conditions and determine shelf‐life. The main composition differences in the samples were in their fat content (1.87% for RC‐1 and 21.09% for RC‐2) and initial moisture content (4.12% for RC‐1 and 2.28% for RC‐2). The shelf‐life of this product is mainly affected by moisture adsorption as evidenced by sensory evaluation. Guggenheim‐Anderson‐de Boer (GAB) model was used to fit the moisture sorption isotherm. Good precision of fit was found as measured by a determination coefficient (R2) close to 1. The shelf‐life was then predicted based on the relationship between permeability coefficient of the packaging materials and moisture adsorbed by the rice crackers determined by the GAB equation. The validation of the simulations against the experimental shelf‐life gave R2 of 0.90 and 0.51, and root mean square error of 2.93 and 5.20 for RC‐1 and RC‐2, respectively. The simulation model was found to be applicable for a rapid and accurate shelf‐life prediction of RC‐1. However, a large difference between experimental and simulated shelf‐life of RC‐2 was probably because the moisture content may not be the only parameter influencing the shelf‐life of the RC‐2 samples. Other factors may also significantly affect the shelf‐life characteristics of the packaged rice crackers.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

For a low‐moisture food product, actual storage testing by a long‐term stability study involves storing a packaged product under typical storage conditions and examining the product at regular time intervals. The testing is costly and time consuming, since most low‐moisture food products have a shelf‐life of several weeks or even months. This paper describes the shelf‐life prediction of two varieties of rice crackers having different compositions using a simulation model based on the relationship between barrier property of the packaging materials and moisture adsorbed by the rice crackers determined by the Guggenheim‐Anderson‐de Boer (GAB) model. The shelf‐life simulation provides a powerful support tool for shelf‐life estimation and packaging development.
Aristotelian Homonymy
Authors: Ward Julie
Published: April 2009

The notion of homonymy has been of perennial philosophical interest to scholars of Aristotle from ancient Greek commentators to modern thinkers. Across historical periods, certain issues have remained central, such as the nature of Aristotelian homonymy, its relation to synonymy and analogy, and whether the concept undergoes change throughout the corpus. In addition, fundamental questions concerning the use of homonymy in regard to dialectical practice and scientific inquiry are raised and discussed. It is argued that there are two aspects to Aristotelian homonymy, negative and positive in function, which provide complementary roles in regard to dialectic and science.
Dynamic Biculturalism: Socially Connected and Individuated Unique Selves in a Globalized World
Authors: Bender Michael , Ng Sik Hung
Published: April 2009

In an increasingly connected world brought about by globalization, opportunities abound for countries and individuals to become bicultural or multicultural. This paper reviewed experimental studies that were designed to test bicultural Chinese individuals’ responsiveness to Chinese and Western culture primes with regard to autobiographical memory, the inclusion of significant others in the self‐concept, and how such self‐inclusiveness can be revealed by functional magnetic resonance imaging of the bicultural brain. Results showed that across all three areas, bicultural individuals resonated to the specific cultural context by displaying their socially connected or individuated unique self in support the ‘alternation’ model of biculturalism (LaFromboise, Coleman, & Gerton, 1993) and its underlying dynamism.