bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Screening sticky traps under low magnification for adult Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) and Aleyrodes spp. (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Aleyrodidae)
Authors: Malumphy C. , Delaney M. A. , Pye D. , Quill J.
Published: March 2010

Whiteflies are commonly transported in international plant trade, accounting for 25% of arthropods found in association with imported plant material in England and Wales between 1996 and 2006. Several species are of quarantine significance and rapid, accurate identifications are essential in order for phytosanitary services to decide upon appropriate action. Whitefly taxonomy is based on the puparium, but these are often difficult to detect when present at low densities. Adults are more conspicuous and are readily caught on yellow sticky traps. Screening traps under low magnification for adult Bemisia tabaci, Trialeurodes vaporariorum and Aleyrodes spp. using pigmentation characters was evaluated; 5151 adults were examined on 238 traps and their identity predicted. Twenty‐one percent of the adults were slide mounted and examined under high magnification to check their identity. The overall accuracy of the initial whitefly species prediction under low magnification was 98%. The speed and reliability of detecting adult B. tabaci on sticky traps was greatly improved and the number of adults requiring slide preparation reduced (by an average of 46% per trap) resulting in significant financial savings, compared to randomly selecting adults for slide mounting. Protocols are presented for removing adults from traps and making microscope‐slide preparations.
Le puceron de la vigne Aphis illinoisensis arrive en Algérie
Authors: Laamari M. , Cœur d’Acier A.
Published: March 2010

Le puceron de la vigne ou encore le puceron américain Aphis illinoisensis vient d’être signalé sur vigne dans plusieurs régions de l’Algérie. Après la Turquie en 2002 et la Grèce en 2005, ce puceron vient de gagner la rive sud de la méditerranée et le continent Africain. Il est probable qu’il a déjà atteint les autres pays du Maghreb et de l’Afrique du nord.
CREB expression in the brains of two closely related parasitic wasp species that differ in long‐term memory formation
Authors: Van Den Berg M. , Verbaarschot P. , Hontelez S. , Vet L. E. M. , Dicke M. , Smid H. M.
Published: March 2010

The cAMP/PKA signalling pathway and transcription factor cAMP response element‐binding protein (CREB) play key roles in long‐term memory (LTM) formation. We used two closely related parasitic wasp species, Cotesia glomerata and Cotesia rubecula, which were previously shown to be different in LTM formation, and sequenced at least nine different CREB transcripts in both wasp species. The splicing patterns, functional domains and amino acid sequences were similar to those found in the CREB genes of other organisms. The predicted amino acid sequences of the CREB isoforms were identical in both wasp species. Using real‐time quantitative PCR we found that two low abundant CREB transcripts are differentially expressed in the two wasps, whereas the expression levels of high abundant transcripts are similar.
Symptom clusters and experiences of patients with cancer
Authors: Karabulu Neziha , Erci Behice , Özer Nadiye , Özdemir Süreyya
Published: March 2010

karabulu n., erci b., özer n. & özdemir s. (2010) Symptom clusters and experiences of patients with cancer. Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(5), 1011–1021.

Title.  Symptom clusters and experiences of patients with cancer.

Aim.  This study is a report of a study to characterize the prevalence and severity of symptoms in patients with cancer and describing the clustering of symptoms.

Background.  Patients with cancer experience multiple symptoms caused by multiple factors, including progression of the cancer, acute physiological changes associated with treatment, delayed side effects of treatment and long‐term consequences of the disease.

Methods.  A convenience sample of 287 patients with cancer at a Turkish university hospital completed a structured questionnaire on demographical characteristics and a symptom inventory for patients with cancer. Cluster analysis, principal components and internal consistency reliability analyses were used to analyse the data. The study was conducted in 2007.

Findings.  The most common symptoms experienced were fatigue, difficulty remembering, sadness, loss of appetite, lack of enjoyment of life, pain, distress, difficulty walking and dry mouth. The least experienced symptoms were shortness of breath and vomiting. Overall, 37·5% of the patients experienced moderate symptoms and 12·5% experienced severe symptoms. Among the severe symptoms were loss of appetite, fatigue, sadness, dry mouth and distress; however, 48% rated these as moderate or severe.

Conclusions.  Symptom cluster research is still in its early years. Further work is needed to reach a standard definition of a symptom cluster and a consensus of its criteria. Additional studies are needed to examine symptom clusters in cancer survivors. As individuals are living longer with the disease, comprehensive understanding of the symptom clusters that may be unique to cancer survivors is critical.
Insecurity and shiftwork as characteristics of negative work environment: psychosocial and behavioural mediators
Authors: Elovainio Marko , Kuusio Hannamaria , Aalto Anna‐Mari , Sinervo Timo , Heponiemi Tarja
Published: March 2010

elovainio m., kuusio h., aalto a.‐m., sinervo t. & heponiemi t. (2010) Insecurity and shiftwork as characteristics of negative work environment: psychosocial and behavioural mediators.Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(5), 1080–1091.

Title. Insecurity and shiftwork as characteristics of negative work environment: psychosocial and behavioural mediators.

Aim. This paper is a report of an investigation into whether insecure work contract and shiftwork are associated with reduced wellbeing indicators, such as psychological distress, low job involvement and low work ability.

Background. Insecure work contracts and shiftwork have repeatedly been found to contribute to the development and continuation of negative outcomes among healthcare professionals. In particular, nurses are generally considered as being at high risk of work‐related stress and reduced wellbeing.

Methods. Cross‐sectional survey data from the Finnish Health Care Professional Study collected in 2006 were used. The random sample of Finnish Registered Nurses comprised 2100 women and men aged 22–65 years. Information on the work contract and shiftwork were self‐reported. The wellbeing indicators used were psychological distress (GHQ‐12), work ability and job involvement. Psychosocial work characteristics were measured using the Job Content Questionnaire and an organizational justice scale.

Results. Variance and linear regression analyses showed that insecure work contract was associated with lower work ability and job involvement. Shiftwork was related to psychological distress, low job involvement and low work ability. Support for a mediating role of job demands and job control and a moderating role of relational justice was obtained.

Conclusion. To reduce the negative effects of environmental stressors, such as insecure work contract and shiftwork, it may be better to focus on improving psychosocial work characteristics than on nurses’ health‐related behaviour.
Treatment development for systemicTetrahymenasp. infection in guppies,Poecilia reticulataPeters
Authors: Leibowitz M Pimenta , Chettri J Kumar , Ofir R , Zilberg D
Published: March 2010

Antibacterial and antiparasitic agents and a cysteine protease inhibitor (E‐64) were tested againstTetrahymenainfection, a serious problem in guppy production worldwide. Chemicals were testedin vitroby a colorimetric assay forTetrahymenasurvival. The most effective were niclosamide, albendazole and chloroquine, with 23%, 35% and 60% survival, respectively, following 2‐h exposure to 100 ppm. Longer incubation periods resulted in greater reductions in survival. Niclosamide was further studiedin vivoat different dosages, administered orally toTetrahymena‐infected guppies. Mortality rates were significantly lower in all treatment groups; in trial I, 30% and 33% mortality in 5 and 40 mg kg−1niclosamide‐fed fishvs.59% mortality in controls; in trial II, 35%, 13% and 10% in 50, 100 and 200 mg kg−1niclosamide‐fed fishvs.64% in controls. The effect of the cysteine protease inhibitor E64 was tested in tissue culture, by measuring histolytic activity of the parasite (Tet‐NI) on a guppy‐fin cell line, based on cell depletion. Tet‐NI feeding activity was significantly reduced following pretreatment with E‐64 relative to non‐treated Tet‐NI. E‐64‐pretreated Tet‐NI was injected i.p. into guppies: recorded mortality rates were significantly lower (35%) than that in non‐treated Tet‐NI (60%), suggesting inhibition of the parasite’s cysteine protease as a possible therapeutic approach.
Total and cause‐specific mortality rates in a prospective study of community‐acquired hepatitis C virus infection in northern Norway
Authors: Kristiansen M. G. , Løchen M. ‐L. , Gutteberg T. J. , Mortensen L. , Eriksen B. O. , Florholmen J.
Published: March 2010

Summary.  Knowledge of the natural course and especially the total and cause‐specific mortality of community‐acquired chronic HCV infection is limited. The aims of our study were to determine the total and cause‐specific mortality in patients infected with chronic hepatitis C in a community‐based setting in northern Norway. This prospective cohort study included 1010 HCV‐positive patients diagnosed with recombinant immunoblot assay between 1 January 1990 and 1 January 2000, with a median observation time from diagnosis to follow‐up of 7 years. Data were collected from medical records in the period between 1 January 2004 and 30 June 2006. Time and cause of death were ascertained from the Norwegian Causes of Death Register. Age‐adjusted death rates and standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) were compared with those of the general Norwegian population. In total, 122 deaths were recorded. The Kaplan–Meier estimate of survival was 88% at 14 years. The SMR in the cohort relative to the general population was 6.66. Most of the excess deaths in both genders were because of liver‐related causes, those associated with a drug‐using lifestyle and suicide. The statistically significant increase in SMRs ranged from 4.2 for death by cancer in women to 64.6 for liver disease in women. There was no statistically significant increase in SMRs from cardiovascular disease in either gender or from cancer in men. In conclusion, our study shows that the death rate in patients infected with hepatitis C is 6.66 times higher than in the general Norwegian population.
Quality of life in patients with various liver diseases
Authors: Tillmann H. L. , Wiese M. , Braun Y. , Wiegand J. , Tenckhoff S. , Mössner J. , Manns M. P. , Weissenborn K.
Published: March 2010

Summary.  Little is known comparing and contrasting quality of life (QoL) in patients with hepatitis C, compared to patients with other liver diseases. We performed two independent prospective cross‐sectional studies including 511 and 284 patients with different forms of liver diseases. SF‐36 was used in both studies. Fatigue Impact Score, WHO‐BREF and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were used in either study only. In both studies, HCV‐positive patients scored worse in the mental aspects of health‐related QoL compared to other liver diseases, except for HBV in one study. Surprisingly, in both studies, quality of life was also significantly impaired in patients with viral clearance after interferon therapy but not after spontaneous clearance. Furthermore, patients with primary biliary cirrhosis showed significantly better mental health but significantly worse physical well‐being. Liver diseases differ in their form of impaired QoL. In HCV, this impairment might not always return to normal after treatment‐induced viral clearance. This may suggest that HCV either may not be involved in QoL impairment or may induce a process which persists after viral clearance in some patients.
Primates in traditional folk medicine: a world overview
Authors: ALVES Rômulo R. N. , SOUTO Wedson M. S. , BARBOZA Raynner R. D.
Published: March 2010

Almost 50% of primate species are in danger of becoming extinct, according to the criteria of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. This is partly because of their consumption by humans. The reasons for hunting vary by region. One pretext is the medicinal or magical value of products derived from these animals.

In this paper, we provide an overview of the global use of primates in traditional folk medicines as well as identifying the species used as remedies associated with folk beliefs. Some important questions relating to the conservation of primates are addressed.

Our results revealed that at least 101 species of primates, which belong to 38 genera and 10 families, were used in traditional folk practices and in magic–religious rituals throughout the world.

Of the 101 species of primates recorded in our review, 12 species were classified as Critically Endangered, 23 as Endangered, 22 as Vulnerable, seven as Near Threatened, 36 as Least Concern and one as Data Deficient in the IUCN Red List. All species were also included in The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Appendices I or II, although the reasons for their inclusion were not necessarily related to their medicinal use.

The widespread utilization of primates in traditional medicine is evidence of the importance of understanding such uses in the context of primate conservation as well as the need for considering socio‐cultural factors when establishing management plans concerning the sustainable use of these mammals.
Choice of calcineurin inhibitor may influence the development of de novo immune hepatitis associated with anti‐GSTT1 antibodies after liver transplantation
Authors: Aguilera Isabel , Sousa Jose M. , Praena Juan M. , Gómez‐Bravo Miguel A. , Núñez‐Roldan Antonio
Published: March 2010

Aguilera I, Sousa JM, Praena JM, Gómez‐Bravo MA, Núñez‐Roldan A. Choice of calcineurin inhibitor may influence the development of de novo immune hepatitis associated with anti‐GSTT1 antibodies after liver transplantation.  Clin Transplant 2011: 25: 207–212. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  In 2004, we defined the genetic mismatch in the glutathione S‐transferase T1 (GSTT1) gene positive donor/null recipient as a risk factor to develop de novo immune hepatitis (IH) after liver transplant (LT), which is always associated with production of donor‐specific anti‐GSTT1 antibodies. However, there are several unresolved questions, such as why some of these patients produce antibodies, why others do not and why not all of the patients with antibodies develop the disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of several variables in the production of anti‐GSTT1 antibodies and/or de novo IH. The study group included 35 liver‐transplanted patients. The number of patients not producing antibodies was significantly higher in the group treated with Tac‐based immunosuppression compared with the CsA‐based group (94.1% vs. 5.9%, p = 0.001). Additionally, a protective effect of the Tac‐based therapy vs. the CsA‐based therapy was observed with regard to development of de novo IH (80.8% vs. 19.2%, p = 0.003). In conclusion, the choice of calcineurin inhibitor may influence the development of de novo IH mediated by anti‐GSTT1 antibodies.
Osteoporosis is a prevalent finding in patients with solid organ failure awaiting transplantation – a population based study
Authors: Dolgos Szilveszter , Hartmann Anders , Isaksen Gunnhild Aker , Simonsen Svein , Bjørtuft Øystein , Boberg Kirsten M. , Bollerslev Jens
Published: March 2010

Dolgos S, Hartmann A, Isaksen GA, Simonsen S, Bjørtuft Ø, Boberg KM, Bollerslev J. Osteoporosis is a prevalent finding in patients with solid organ failure awaiting transplantation – a population based study Clin Transplant 2010 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399‐0012.2010.01231.x. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  Post‐transplant bone disease is common in solid organ recipients; however, there is limited information on their pre‐transplant bone status. We aimed to compare bone mineral density (BMD) in different categories of patients with end‐stage organ failure awaiting transplantation (Tx) in Norway. Overall 291 adult patients were enrolled, including 60, 84, 81 and 66 patients with end‐stage lung, liver, kidney and heart failure, respectively. Mean age was 51 ± 12 yr with no significant differences between the groups. We measured BMD in lumbar spine, femur, proximal one third and ultra‐distal radius by dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Differences in T‐ and Z‐scores between the groups were compared by ANOVA. Low bone mass was found in all four groups of patients. Both T‐ and Z‐scores differed (p < 0.05) at all measured sites between the groups. Patients with lung failure had the highest prevalence of osteoporosis (67%) and lowest Z‐scores, followed by patients with liver (31%), kidney (24%), and heart (23%) failure. Osteoporosis is prevalent in all groups of organ transplant candidates, and poor bone health is remarkably pronounced in patients with chronic lung disease. General practitioners and specialists who care for these patients before they are referred for transplantation should consider measures to prevent osteoporosis at an earlier stage.
Human herpes virus type 8‐associated Kaposi sarcoma in a pediatric liver transplant recipient
Authors: Çeltik Coşkun , Ünüvar Ayşegül , Aydoğan Ayşen , Gökçe Selim , Öztürk Gülyüz , Güllüoğlu Mine , Yılmaz Gülden , Türkoğlu Salih , Anak Sema , Sökücü Semra , Durmaz Özlem
Published: March 2010

Çeltik C, Ünüvar A, Aydoğan A, Gökçe S, Öztürk G, Güllüoğlu M, Yılmaz G, Türkoğlu S, Anak S, Sökücü S, Durmaz Ö. Human herpes virus type 8‐associated Kaposi sarcoma in a pediatric liver transplant recipient. Pediatr Transplantation 2011: 15: E100–E104. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract: Development of KS in pediatric liver transplant recipients is a rare entity and has dismal prognosis. Latent HHV‐8 infection, immunosuppression, and genetic predisposition are possible etiological factors. Decreasing the dose or cessation of immunosuppressive drugs, switching to sirolimus with antiproliferative and antitumor properties, and different chemotherapeutic regimens are the current therapeutic strategies. We herein report a pediatric liver transplant recipient who developed generalized KS at post‐transplant fifth month. The disease had an aggressive course despite the highly toxic chemotherapy. On the other hand, a prompt and durable response was provided by paclitaxel with tolerable side effects. The patient is now free of disease for at least 24 months and healthy with good graft function under sirolimus therapy as maintenance immunosuppression. Instead of highly toxic chemotherapy, paclitaxel can be used as therapeutic option in cases with generalized disease and in those who are unresponsive to conventional chemotherapy. However, new studies are needed to assess the efficacy of the paclitaxel therapy in KS in the liver transplant recipients.
The Function of Male Agonistic Displays in Ursine Colobus Monkeys (Colobus vellerosus): Male Competition, Female Mate Choice or Sexual Coercion?
Authors: Teichroeb Julie A. , Sicotte Pascale
Published: March 2010

Male agonistic displays may allow males to assess competitors, females to assess mates, or could be directed at cycling females to sexually coerce them. We analysed the display output of 26 male ursine colobus monkeys (Colobus vellerosus) in four groups over 13‐mo at the Boabeng‐Fiema Monkey Sanctuary, Ghana. Display indices (including three behaviours, loud calls, stiff‐legs, and jump‐displays) were calculated for males in each group. Males vary in their expression of these behaviours suggesting they are sexually selected signals. We investigated the target of displays and whether display indices varied in relation to male dominance rank, eviction of other males, copulation rate, and proceptive behaviours received from females, to assess the primary function of these behaviours. Male displays decreased in vigour over time and were targeted to other groups and males. High‐ranking males displayed more than low‐ranking males. Alpha male display indices correlated with the number of other males evicted from the group. Display rates were generally higher when cycling females were present in the group. However, neither male display index nor rank correlated with copulation rates. Alpha and non‐alpha males gave cycling females equal rates of sexual solicitations; likewise cycling females showed no difference in the rates of proceptive behaviours directed towards alpha and non‐alpha males. Females mated promiscuously and did not seem to base mating decisions on male display output, although data on female hormones is needed to determine if they mate with strongly displaying males more in the periovulatory period. The male–male competition hypothesis received the greatest support, with some support for the female mate choice hypothesis. Although behaviours that appeared sexually coercive were observed, the function of male displays did not seem to be sexual coercion. Displays were rarely directed at females and males that displayed more did not have greater mating success.
A Eucalyptus bacterial wilt isolate from South Africa is pathogenic on Arabidopsis and manipulates host defences
Authors: Naidoo S. , Fouché‐Weich J. , Law P. , Denby K. J. , Marco Y. , Berger D. K.
Published: March 2010

Ralstonia solanacearum, the causal agent of bacterial wilt, has been reported from Eucalyptus plantations in at least three countries in Africa. The lack of genomics resources in Eucalyptus species led us to develop and study a pathosystem between a previously characterized South African isolate and the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Ralstonia solanacearum BCCF401 isolated from a Eucalyptus grandis × Eucalyptus camaldulensis hybrid was shown to cause disease on A. thaliana ecotype Col‐5. Arabidopsis genomics tools were exploited to investigate gene expression changes during wilt disease development, and thereby develop hypotheses that can be tested in Eucalyptus once genomics resources are available. Transcriptome analysis using 5000 A. thaliana ESTs was performed and revealed 141 genes that were differentially regulated by R. solanacearum infection (at a significance threshold of p < 0.03; Bonferroni corrected). A software tool ‘Rank Correlation Comparer’ was developed to compare expression profiles with Arabidopsis Affymetrix NASCArray data. High correlations were observed between the response of Arabidopsis plants to both Eucalyptus (BCCF401) and tomato (GMI1000) isolates of R. solanacearum, as well as to Pseudomonas syringae, Botrytis cinerea and treatment with abscisic acid. Basal defence responses in Col‐5 in response to R. solanacearum were investigated by comparing the expression data following R. solanacearum infection to data after treatment with the Pathogen Associated Molecular Patterns (PAMP) flg22 and lipopolysaccharide, and the Type Three Secretion System deficient Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato hrp− mutant. A subset of the genes which were induced by PAMPs were repressed by R. solanacearum infection, and vice versa, suggesting that these genes may be repressed or induced, respectively, by specific R. solanacearum effectors. We hypothesize that these genes represent targets of R. solanacearum effectors. The pending release of the Eucalyptus genome sequence will enable orthologues to be identified and these hypotheses to be tested in Eucalyptus trees.
Variation of gynogenic ability in passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims.) accessions
Authors: Rêgo M. M. , Rêgo E. R. , Bruckner C. H. , Otoni W. C. , Pedroza C. M.
Published: March 2010

With 3 figures and 3 tables

Haploid induction in passion fruit via gynogenesis provides inbred lines that can be used in production of hybrid cultivars. In the present study, gynogenesis was induced in 11 hybrid lines of passion fruit from Southern Brazil. The overall goal of this experiment was to characterize the gynogenic responsiveness of 10 hybrids and a particular accession (II‐10), derived from line CI‐6, a highly responsive accession. The results from the gynogenic induction of 3226 ovules cultured showed significant differences among genotypes. The accession II‐10 was highly responsive, showing a mean yield of 21 haploid embryos per 274 cultured ovules (7.67%). The high embryo yield of this genotype was determined by its parental particular genotype. However, the induction rate of gynogenic embryos obtained from the hybrid plant (I‐20), which is derived from the responsive plant (CI‐6) also produced gynogenic embryos (5.02%) and several calli lines. The choice of genotypes as donor plants and inheritance for successful gynogenesis are discussed. The haploidy (2n = 1x = 9) of gynogenic plants was confirmed by cytological analysis.
Minimal hepatic encephalopathy: Consensus statement of a working party of the Indian National Association for Study of the Liver
Authors: Dhiman Radha K , Saraswat Vivek A , Sharma Barjesh K , Sarin Shiv K , Chawla Yogesh K , Butterworth Roger , Duseja Ajay , Aggarwal Rakesh , Amarapurkar Deepak , Sharma Praveen , Madan Kaushal , Shah Samir , Seth Avnish K , Gupta Rakesh K , Koshy Abraham , Rai Ramesh R , Dilawari Jang B. , Mishra Sri Prakash , Acharya Subrat K
Published: March 2010

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a major complication that develops in some form and at some stage in a majority of patients with liver cirrhosis. Overt HE occurs in approximately 30–45% of cirrhotic patients. Minimal HE (MHE), the mildest form of HE, is characterized by subtle motor and cognitive deficits and impairs health‐related quality of life. The Indian National Association for Study of the Liver (INASL) set up a Working Party on MHE in 2008 with a mandate to develop consensus guidelines on various aspects of MHE relevant to clinical practice. Questions related to the definition of MHE, its prevalence, diagnosis, clinical characteristics, pathogenesis, natural history and treatment were addressed by the members of the Working Party.
Influence of clinical information on the interpretation of urinary cytology in bladder cancer: how suggestible is a cytologist?
Authors: Tritschler Stefan , Karl Alexander , Sommer Maria‐Luisa , Straub Julia , Strittmatter Frank , Tilki Derya , Hocaoglu Yasmin , Stief Christian , Zaak Dirk
Published: March 2010

Study Type – Diagnosis (exploratory cohort) Level of Evidence 2b

OBJECTIVE

To determine the influence of the knowledge of the endoscopic findings and the influence of the patient’s history on the cytologist’s judgement, as urinary cytology is known to be subjective and has several limitations, in particular a high inter‐ and intra‐observer variability.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We analysed the cytological and histological findings of patients who underwent transurethral resection of a bladder tumour, and determined whether the cytologist was aware of the endoscopic findings or not. The sensitivity and specificity of cytology were calculated with or without this knowledge, and that of the patients’ bladder cancer history.

RESULTS

The findings of 1705 patients were reviewed; in 641 the histological examination confirmed a malignant tumour and 1046 were classified as benign. The sensitivity of cytology was 66.0% and the specificity was 78.4%. The cytologist was aware of the endoscopic finding and patient history in 742 cases, and unaware of the endoscopic findings in 963. The specificity was higher in the latter group (80.2% vs 73.0%; P= 0.006). The specificity in patients with the endoscopic findings described as ‘negative’, ‘inflammation’, ‘scar tissue’, ‘flat lesion’, ‘suspicious for tumour’, and ‘exophytic tumour’ was 89.8%, 89.9%, 85.0%, 77.1%, 63.2% and 48.6%, respectively (P < 0.001). In 898 patients the history was negative for bladder tumours. Among these patients the sensitivity and specificity of cytology was 67.3% and 79.7%; the sensitivity and specificity was 65.4% and 74.8% for the 807 patients with a positive history of bladder cancer (P= 0.054).

CONCLUSION

Both being aware of the endoscopic findings and a positive patient history for bladder cancer lowers the specificity of cytology. Consequently, the cytologist should be unaware of the endoscopic findings.
Rural Poverty Dynamics and Impact of Intervention Programs upon Chronic and Transitory Poverty in Northern Ethiopia*
Authors: Nega Fredu , Mathijs Erik , Deckers Jozef , Haile Mitiku , Nyssen Jan , Tollens Eric
Published: March 2010

Abstract:  Using a three‐year panel data set of rural households in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia, we examine the dynamics of poverty and the impact of two intervention measures—the food for work (FFW) and the food security package (FSP) programs—upon poverty by disaggregating total poverty into its transient and chronic components. Poverty in the region is predominantly chronic. Results of matching estimators indicate that the FSP program has a significant negative effect on total and chronic poverty, but not on transient poverty. Households involved in the program have on average lower levels of total and chronic poverty than households not involved in the program. The FFW on the other hand does not significantly influence any of the three forms of poverty. Tertile regressions, however, reveal that the FFW benefits households in the richest and the middle tertiles.
African Education Challenges and Policy Responses: Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the African Development Bank's Assistance*
Authors: Gakusi Albert‐Enéas
Published: March 2010

Abstract:  From marginal access to school before 1960, African modern education systems expanded steadily during the 1960s and 1970s, prompted by high priority given to education. The 1980s experienced stagnation and decline due to a drastic decrease in education financing further to the balance of payment and budget deficits, and the ensuing structural adjustment programmes. Since 1990, there have been intensified efforts to reverse the trend through national and international efforts. The African education sector continues to face serious challenges of low and inequitable access to education, irrelevant curriculum and poor learning outcomes, inadequate political commitment and financing, weak education system capacity, and weak link with the world of work. Drawing on relevant documents and data, the paper discusses briefly those challenges and the education policy measures taken to address them. It also assesses to what extent the Bank response was relevant and effective in addressing the African education challenges. While progress has been made in bringing more children to schools, the results in terms of quantity and quality have been far from the targets, particularly in sub‐Saharan Africa. The paper concludes with a call for a greater effort to keep the promise for education for all and for quality education. This may require an invitation for a new forum on education to take stock and try again more realistic policies and better defined means to effectively implement them. The forum's resolutions should not be limited to the primary education but consider the education sector as a whole in the context of a globalized economy and labor market.
Citizen Deliberation on Nuclear Power: A Comparison of Two Decision-Making Methods
Authors: Setälä Maija , Grönlund Kimmo , Herne Kaisa
Published: March 2010

This article analyses the impact of decision-making methods on democratic deliberation. An experiment was designed to study the effects of two distinct decision-making methods. This citizen deliberation experiment took place in November 2006. The topic was: ‘Should a sixth nuclear power plant be built in Finland?’ A random sample of 2,500 people was first polled and invited to take part in the deliberation experiment. Eventually, 135 people took part in the event where they read written information, heard an expert panel and deliberated in small groups. The participants were randomly divided into two treatments. In the first treatment, the small group decisions were made through a secret ballot. In the second treatment, each group was asked to formulate a common statement reflecting the group's opinion. The present article analyses changes in the participants' opinions and knowledge, as well as indicators of social pressures. There were no systematic differences between the treatments in terms of opinion changes but the participants' knowledge increased more in the common statement groups. When it comes to social pressures, the results show no systematic differences between the treatments.
Does Political Competition Matter for Economic Performance? Evidence from Sub-National Data
Authors: Ghosh Saibal
Published: March 2010

The study utilises data on major Indian states for the period 1980–2004 to explore the impact of political competition on state-level income and fiscal variables. The findings suggest that an increase in political competition leads to an increase in state per capita income and growth. In terms of magnitude, a proportionate increase in political competition, measured in terms of vote margin, raises per capita income by roughly 0.001. Focusing on fiscal variables, the analysis indicates that tighter political competition increases economic expenditure. The evidence also appears consistent with the career concern hypothesis, which suggests that politicians increase developmental spending in order to improve their re-election prospects.
Exploring the Latent Structures of Psychological Constructs in Social Development Using the Dimensional–Categorical Spectrum
Authors: Masyn Katherine E. , Henderson Craig E. , Greenbaum Paul E.
Published: March 2010

This paper provides an introduction to a recently developed conceptual framework—the dimensional–categorical spectrum—for utilizing general factor mixture models to explore the latent structures of psychological constructs. This framework offers advantages over traditional latent variable models that usually employ either continuous latent factors or categorical latent class variables to characterize the latent structure and require an a priori assumption about the underlying nature of the construct as either purely dimension or purely categorical. The modeling process is discussed in detail and then illustrated with data on the delinquency items of Achenbach's child behavior checklist from a sample of children in the National Adolescent and Child Treatment Study.
Defending Germany in the Hindukush: The ‘Out‐of‐Area’ Deployments of the Bundeswehr in Somalia, Kosovo and Afghanistan in Literature and Film1
Authors: Plowman Andrew
Published: March 2010

The essay explores how the transformation of the Bundeswehr into a global intervention force since the 1990s has been refracted in the cultural sphere. It places two written texts (Bodo Kirchhoff's Herrenmenschlichkeit, Udo Röbel and Christoph Scheuring's Tod eines Engels) and two films (Rudolf Schweiger's Mörderischer Frieden and Brigitte Bertele's Nacht vor Augen) in the context of debates about the ‘out‐of‐area’ interventions of the Bundeswehr and shows how popular forms especially have become preeminent in articulating the moral issues at stake. Particularly striking in the case of Schweiger's and Bertele's films about the Kosovo and Afghanistan deployments respectively is the turn to Hollywood models not just to articulate the experience of just and uncertain engagements but also to reframe the singular German cultural experience of conflict.

Der Beitrag untersucht den Einfluss der globalen Ausweitung von Einsätzen der Bundeswehr auf die deutsche Kultur seit den 1990er Jahren. Vor dem Hintergrund der Diskussionen über die Auslandseinsätze der Bundeswehr wird am Beispiel von zwei Texten (Bodo Kirchhoffs Herrenmenschlichkeit, Udo Röbels und Christoph Scheurings Tod eines Engels) sowie zwei Filmen (Rudolf Schweigers Mörderischer Frieden und Brigitte Berteles Nacht vor Augen) gezeigt, inwiefern gerade im Bereich der Unterhaltungs‐ und Populärkultur damit verbundene moralische Fragen aufgeworfen und verhandelt werden. Dabei fällt insbesondere an den Filmen von Schweiger und Bertele über die Einsätze im Kosovo bzw. in Afghanistan auf, dass deren Anlehnung an Muster typischer Hollywoodfilme nicht nur dazu dient, Angemessenheit und Ungewissheit der Kriegseinsätze zu thematisieren. Darüber hinaus werden so gerade die für Deutschland spezifischen Erfahrungen mit kriegerischen Konflikten in einen neuen Bezugsrahmen gestellt.
Corticolimbic gray matter loss in Parkinson’s disease without dementia
Authors: Nishio Y. , Hirayama K. , Takeda A. , Hosokai Y. , Ishioka T. , Suzuki K. , Itoyama Y. , Takahashi S. , Mori E.
Published: March 2010

Background:  The relationship between corticolimbic involvement and cognitive dysfunction in non‐demented Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients has not yet been elucidated.

Objectives:  To delineate involvement of the cerebral cortex and limbic structures in non‐demented PD and to clarify distributional differences of gray matter loss between non‐demented PD with impaired cognition (PD‐CI) and without cognitive impairment (PD‐NC).

Methods:  Operational criteria based on the Clinical Dementia Rating were used to identify PD‐CI. Of 40 consecutive non‐demented patients with PD, 13 were classified as PD‐CI and 27 as PD‐NC. Comparisons of regional gray matter volume (rGMV) were made amongst the PD‐CI, PD‐NC, and control groups using voxel‐based morphometry.

Results:  Gray matter loss was found extensively in the frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital cortices in the present non‐demented patients with PD. rGMV in the medial frontal and medial occipital cortices was reduced comparably in the PD‐NC and PD‐CI groups. The severity of gray matter loss in the perisylvian cortices increased in order from the control, to the PD‐NC, to the PD‐CI groups. rGMV reduction in the lateral and orbital frontal, medial and lateral temporal, medial and lateral parietal, and lateral occipital cortices and cerebellum was found specifically in PD‐CI.

Conclusions:  Our results suggest that corticolimbic degeneration occurs in non‐demented patients with PD, and extensive involvement of the limbic and posterior cortical regions as well as the frontal cortices is associated with cognitive impairment in PD.
EFNS guidelines on the molecular diagnosis of channelopathies, epilepsies, migraine, stroke, and dementias
Authors: Burgunder J‐M. , Finsterer J. , Szolnoki Z. , Fontaine B. , Baets J. , Van Broeckhoven C. , Di Donato S. , De Jonghe P. , Lynch T. , Mariotti C. , Schöls L. , Spinazzola A. , Tabrizi S. J. , Tallaksen C. , Zeviani M. , Harbo H. F. , Gasser T.
Published: March 2010

Objectives:  These EFNS guidelines on the molecular diagnosis of channelopathies, including epilepsy and migraine, as well as stroke, and dementia are designed to summarize the possibilities and limitations of molecular genetic techniques and to provide diagnostic criteria for deciding when a molecular diagnostic work‐up is indicated.

Search strategy:  To collect data about planning, conditions, and performance of molecular diagnosis of these disorders, a literature search in various electronic databases was carried out and original papers, meta‐analyses, review papers, and guideline recommendations were reviewed.

Results:  The best level of evidence for genetic testing recommendation (B) can be found for a small number of syndromes, cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy, severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy, familial recurrent hemorrhages, familial Alzheimer’s disease, and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Good practice points can be formulated for a number of other disorders.

Conclusion:  These guidelines are provisional, and the future availability of molecular genetic epidemiological data about the neurogenetic disorders under discussion in our article will allow improved recommendation with an increased level of evidence.
Health‐related quality of life among Danish patients 3 and 12 months after TIA or mild stroke
Authors: Muus Ingrid , Petzold Max , Ringsberg Karin C.
Published: March 2010

Scand J Caring Sci; 2010; 24; 211–218
 
Health‐related quality of life among Danish patients 3 and 12 months after TIA or mild stroke

Aim:  This paper aimed to describe health related quality of life three and 12 months after mild stroke or transient ischemic attack, TIA, to describe the perceived changes from pre to post stroke status and to examine sociodemographic determinants for health related quality of life.

Methods:  105 patients with mild stroke or TIA delivered self reported data on health related quality of life using the Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale Danish Version, SSQOL‐DK. The main outcome was perceived change in over all quality of life from pre to post stroke status. Non‐parametric tests were used to examine change over time and differences between groupings of gender, age and life conditions. Logistic regression was used to model the change of all over quality of life changed at 12 months compared to pre stroke status.

Results:  Fifty seven percent (57%) of the patients felt that their pre stroke status concerning quality of life was regained. Those that rated all over quality of life deteriorated 12 months post stroke were more often working (48.9% vs. 31.7%), fewer had a diagnosis of TIA (13.3% vs. 30%), functional level was lower and the consumption of antidepressive medication was more frequent. In the regression model male sex (OR 3.77), working outside home (OR 2.84) and less than 5.00 (maximum score) on the domains Mood and Work/productivity at three months were significant predictors for rating health related quality of life deteriorated after stroke.

Conclusion:  Rehabilitation efforts should include employment alternatives of a less demanding nature for male patients.
Patent Licensing from a High‐Cost Firm to a Low‐Cost Firm*
Authors: PODDAR SOUGATA , SINHA UDAY BHANU
Published: March 2010

We depart from the standard framework and study optimal patent licensing under Cournot duopoly where the technology transfer takes place from an innovative firm, which is relatively inefficient in terms of cost of production, to its cost‐efficient rival. Interestingly, we find even a drastic technology is licensed and the optimal licensing arrangement always involves a two‐part tariff (i.e. a fixed‐fee plus a linear per unit output royalty). Under non‐drastic innovation, the two‐part tariff is optimal when the cost difference between the firms is moderate. Our framework also helps to bridge the gap between optimal licensing schemes for ‘insider’ and ‘outsider’ patentees.
Rho kinase and protein kinase C involvement in vascular smooth muscle myofilament calcium sensitization in arteries from diabetic rats
Authors: Kizub IV , Pavlova OO , Johnson CD , Soloviev AI , Zholos AV
Published: March 2010

Background and purpose:  Diabetes mellitus (DM) causes multiple dysfunctions including circulatory disorders such as cardiomyopathy, angiopathy, atherosclerosis and arterial hypertension. Rho kinase (ROCK) and protein kinase C (PKC) regulate vascular smooth muscle (VSM) Ca2+ sensitivity, thus enhancing VSM contraction, and up‐regulation of both enzymes in DM is well known. We postulated that in DM, Ca2+ sensitization occurs in diabetic arteries due to increased ROCK and/or PKC activity.

Experimental approach:  Rats were rendered hyperglycaemic by i.p. injection of streptozotocin. Age‐matched control tissues were used for comparison. Contractile responses to phenylephrine (Phe) and different Ca2+ concentrations were recorded, respectively, from intact and chemically permeabilized vascular rings from aorta, tail and mesenteric arteries.

Key results:  Diabetic tail and mesenteric arteries demonstrated markedly enhanced sensitivity to Phe while these changes were not observed in aorta. The ROCK inhibitor HA1077, but not the PKC inhibitor chelerythrine, caused significant reduction in sensitivity to agonist in diabetic vessels. Similar changes were observed for myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity, which was again enhanced in DM in tail and mesenteric arteries, but not in aorta, and could be reduced by both the ROCK and PKC blockers.

Conclusions and implications:  We conclude that in DM enhanced myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity is mainly manifested in muscular‐type blood vessels and thus likely to contribute to the development of hypertension. Both PKC and, in particular, ROCK are involved in this phenomenon. This highlights their potential usefulness as drug targets in the pharmacological management of DM‐associated vascular dysfunction.
Soluble βamyloid1‐42: a critical player in producing behavioural and biochemical changes evoking depressive‐related state?
Authors: Colaianna M , Tucci P , Zotti M , Morgese MG , Schiavone S , Govoni S , Cuomo V , Trabace L
Published: March 2010

Background and purpose:  Depression is common in early phases of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and may represent prodromal symptoms of dementia. Recent reports suggest that early memory deficits and neuropsychiatric symptoms are caused by soluble rather than aggregated βamyloid (Aβ). Thus, we investigated the effects of soluble Aβ1‐42 on working memory and depressive/anxiety‐related behaviour in rats and on 5‐hydroxytryptaminergic neurotransmission and neurotrophin content in various brain regions.

Experimental approach:  Behavioural reactivity to novel object recognition, open field, elevated plus maze and forced swimming test were assessed 7 days after i.c.v. injection of Aβ1‐42 or its vehicle. BDNF (brain‐derived neurotrophic factor) and NGF (nerve growth factor) mRNA and protein levels and 5‐hydroxytriptamine (5‐HT) content were measured in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), striatum (STR) and nucleus accumbens (NAc).

Key results:  Aβ1‐42 did not affect the ability to distinguish between familiar and novel objects, but Aβ‐treated rats exhibited an increase in forced swimming immobility. No differences were revealed between experimental groups in the elevated plus maze test or in self‐grooming (evaluated in the open field). In the PFC, but not STR or NAc, Aβ‐injected rats exhibited a selective reduction in 5‐HT content, BDNF and NGF expression.

Conclusions and implications:  Our data suggest that soluble Aβ‐treated rats have a depressive, but not anxiogenic‐like, profile, accompanied by brain region‐dependent alterations in the expression of neurotrophins and 5‐hydroxytryptaminergic neurotransmission. Hence, these alterations induced by soluble Aβ might be sensitive indicators of early phases of AD and possible risk factors for the expression of neuropsychiatric symptoms in AD.
Serum amyloid β protein in young and elderly depression: a pilot study
Authors: KITA Yohei , BABA Hajime , MAESHIMA Hitoshi , NAKANO Yoshiyuki , SUZUKI Toshihito , ARAI Heii
Published: March 2010

Background:  Depression may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent large cohort studies have also shown that a low plasma amyloid β (Aβ)‐42 level combined with a high Aβ40 level increases the risk of developing AD, suggesting plasma Aβ42/40 ratio as useful for identifying risk of developing mild cognitive impairment and AD. Although several studies have examined Aβ levels in the peripheral blood of elderly individuals with depression, results have been inconsistent. Furthermore, no results have been described for younger depression.

Methods:  Serum Aβ40, Aβ42 level and Aβ40/42 ratio were evaluated using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in 60 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and 60 healthy controls. The results were analyzed in two age groups (young, <60 years; elderly, ≥60 years).

Results:  Serum Aβ40 level was significantly higher in young MDD patients compared to young controls (P < 0.001), but it was not significantly deferent in the elderly group. Serum Aβ42 level did not differ significantly in both young and elderly groups. Aβ40/42 ratio was significantly higher in both young (P < 0.001) and elderly (P < 0.001) patients with MDD compared to controls.

Conclusions:  Serum Aβ40/42 ratio was significantly higher in MDD patients than in controls, and this difference was seen for both elderly and young subjects. This may suggest that even young subjects with MDD undergo pathological changes in the very early stage of amyloid deposition.