bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Floral symmetry: pollinator-mediated stabilizing selection on flower size in bilateral species
Authors: Gong Yan-Bing , Huang Shuang-Quan
Published: August 2009

Pollinator-mediated stabilizing selection (PMSS) has been proposed as the driver of the evolutionary shift from radial to bilateral symmetry of flowers. Studies have shown that variation in flower size is lower in bilateral than in radial species, but whether bilateral flowers experience more stabilizing selection pressures by employing fewer, more specialized pollinators than radial flowers remains unclear. To test the PMSS hypothesis, we investigate plant–pollinator interactions from a whole community in an alpine meadow in Hengduan Mountains, China, to examine: (i) variance in flower size and level of ecological generalization (pollinator diversity calculated using functional groups) in 14 bilateral and 13 radial species and (ii) the role pollinator diversity played in explaining the difference of variance in flower size between bilateral and radial species. Our data showed that bilateral species had less variance in flower size and were visited by fewer pollinator groups. Pollinator diversity accounted for up to 40 per cent of the difference in variance in flower size between bilateral and radial species. The mediator effect of pollinator diversity on the relationship between floral symmetry and variance in flower size in the community is consistent with the PMSS hypothesis.
Nitric Reductase-Dependent Nitric Oxide Production Is Involved in Cold Acclimation and Freezing Tolerance in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zhao Min-Gui , Chen Lei , Zhang Li-Li , Zhang Wen-Hao
Published: August 2009

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important signaling molecule involved in many physiological processes in plants. We evaluated the role of NO in cold acclimation and freezing tolerance using Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) wild type and mutants nia1nia2 (for nitrate reductase [NR]-defective double mutant) and Atnoa1/rif1 (for nitric oxide associated1/resistant to inhibition by fosmidomycin1) that exhibit defects in NR and reduced NO production, respectively. Cold acclimation induced an increase in endogenous NO production in wild-type and Atnoa1/rif1 leaves, while endogenous NO level in nia1nia2 leaves was lower than in wild-type ones and was little changed during cold acclimation. Cold acclimation stimulated NR activity and induced up-regulation of NIA1 gene expression. In contrast, cold acclimation reduced the quantity of NOA1/RIF1 protein and inhibited NO synthase (NOS) activity. These results indicate that up-regulation of NR-dependent NO synthesis underpins cold acclimation-induced NO production. Seedlings of nia1nia2 were less tolerant to freezing than wild-type plants. Pharmacological studies using NR inhibitor, NO scavenger, and NO donor showed that NR-dependent NO level was positively correlated with freezing tolerance. Furthermore, cold acclimation up- and down-regulated expression of P5CS1 and ProDH genes, respectively, resulting in enhanced accumulation of proline (Pro) in wild-type plants. The stimulation of Pro accumulation by cold acclimation was reduced by NR inhibitor and NO scavenger, while Pro accumulation by cold acclimation was not affected by the NOS inhibitor. In contrast to wild-type plants, cold acclimation up-regulated ProDH gene expression in nia1nia2 plants, leading to less accumulation in nia1nia2 plants than in wild-type plants. These findings demonstrate that NR-dependent NO production plays an important role in cold acclimation-induced increase in freezing tolerance by modulating Pro accumulation in Arabidopsis.
Abnormal Physiological and Molecular Mutant Phenotypes Link Chloroplast Polynucleotide Phosphorylase to the Phosphorus Deprivation Response in Arabidopsis
Authors: Marchive Chloe , Yehudai-Resheff Shlomit , Germain Arnaud , Fei Zhangjun , Jiang Xingshan , Judkins Joshua , Wu Hong , Fernie Alisdair R. , Fait Aaron , Stern David B.
Published: August 2009

A prominent enzyme in organellar RNA metabolism is the exoribonuclease polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase), whose reversible activity is governed by the nucleotide diphosphate-inorganic phosphate ratio. In Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, PNPase regulates chloroplast transcript accumulation in response to phosphorus (P) starvation, and PNPase expression is repressed by the response regulator PSR1 (for PHOSPHORUS STARVATION RESPONSE1) under these conditions. Here, we investigated the role of PNPase in the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) P deprivation response by comparing wild-type and pnp mutant plants with respect to their morphology, metabolite profiles, and transcriptomes. We found that P-deprived pnp mutants develop aborted clusters of lateral roots, which are characterized by decreased auxin responsiveness and cell division, and exhibit cell death at the root tips. Electron microscopy revealed that the collapse of root organelles is enhanced in the pnp mutant under P deprivation and occurred with low frequency under P-replete conditions. Global analyses of metabolites and transcripts were carried out to understand the molecular bases of these altered P deprivation responses. We found that the pnp mutant expresses some elements of the deprivation response even when grown on a full nutrient medium, including altered transcript accumulation, although its total and inorganic P contents are not reduced. The pnp mutation also confers P status-independent responses, including but not limited to stress responses. Taken together, our data support the hypothesis that the activity of the chloroplast PNPase is involved in plant acclimation to P availability and that it may help maintain an appropriate balance of P metabolites even under normal growth conditions.
Topological properties of hydrogen bonds and covalent bonds from charge densities obtained by the maximum entropy method (MEM)
Authors: Netzel Jeanette , van Smaalen Sander
Published: August 2009

Charge densities have been determined by the Maximum Entropy Method (MEM) from the high-resolution, low-temperature (T ≃ 20 K) X-ray diffraction data of six different crystals of amino acids and peptides. A comparison of dynamic deformation densities of the MEM with static and dynamic deformation densities of multipole models shows that the MEM may lead to a better description of the electron density in hydrogen bonds in cases where the multipole model has been restricted to isotropic displacement parameters and low-order multipoles (l
max = 1) for the H atoms. Topological properties at bond critical points (BCPs) are found to depend systematically on the bond length, but with different functions for covalent C—C, C—N and C—O bonds, and for hydrogen bonds together with covalent C—H and N—H bonds. Similar dependencies are known for AIM properties derived from static multipole densities. The ratio of potential and kinetic energy densities |V(BCP)|/G(BCP) is successfully used for a classification of hydrogen bonds according to their distance d(H...O) between the H atom and the acceptor atom. The classification based on MEM densities coincides with the usual classification of hydrogen bonds as strong, intermediate and weak [Jeffrey (1997). An Introduction to Hydrogen Bonding. Oxford University Press]. MEM and procrystal densities lead to similar values of the densities at the BCPs of hydrogen bonds, but differences are shown to prevail, such that it is found that only the true charge density, represented by MEM densities, the multipole model or some other method can lead to the correct characterization of chemical bonding. Our results do not confirm suggestions in the literature that the promolecule density might be sufficient for a characterization of hydrogen bonds.
Modulated structure and phase transitions of Sr10Ga6O19
Authors: Krüger Hannes , Lazić Biljana , Arroyabe Erik , Kahlenberg Volker
Published: August 2009

The crystal structure of Sr10Ga6O19 was investigated by in situ single-crystal X-ray diffraction in the temperature range 298–673 K. At ambient conditions the compound shows a (3 + 1)-dimensional modulated structure in the superspace group C2/c(0β0)s0 [a = 34.9145 (13), b = 7.9369 (2), c = 15.9150 (7) Å and β = 103.551 (3)°] with a modulation wavevector of q = 0.4288 (2)b*. Whereas the presented structural model uses first-order harmonic modulation functions only, some features of the modulations are discussed utilizing an electron density derived by the maximum entropy method. Furthermore, two phase transitions were identified: between 453 and 503 K the incommensurate superstructure is replaced by a doubling of the a and b lattice constants, and between 503 and 673 K a phase with the basic cell is formed, identical to α-Sr10Ga6O19. Under some cooling conditions crystals showing a combined diffraction pattern of both superstructures can be obtained. The relation of these results to α-Sr10Ga6O19 [Kahlenberg (2001). J. Solid State Chem.
160, 421–429] is discussed.
6  VENTRICULAR INTER‐ AND LEFT VENTRICULAR INTRA VENTRICULAR SYSTOLIC ASYNCHRONY IN PATIENTS WITH DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY AND THE EFFECT OF CARDIAC RESYNCHRONIZATION THERAPY
Authors: Gessner M. , Gruska M. , Blazek G. , Dornaus C. , Kainz W. , Kunschitz E. , Gaul. G.
Published: August 2009

Aim: Data dealing with the effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) on myocardial or interventricular systolic asynchrony derived by pulsed Doppler tissue imaging (PDTI) and pulsed flow Doppler imaging are scare. The purpose of this study was to evaluate ventricular inter‐ and left ventricular intraventricular systolic asynchrony and to describe the effects of CRT on Doppler imaging in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Methods: 217 consecutive patients (96 patients with left bundle branch bloc[LBBB]) with DCM underwent a standard and PDTI echocardiography examination. We measured the interval between Q wave in the electrocardiogram and the beginning of the systolic velocity profile (Q ‐ Sb) recorded from the right and left ventricular outflow tract by pulsed Doppler imaging (PWD) and from 5 basal segments (right ventricle, septal‐, lateral‐, anterior‐, inferior left ventricle) by PDTI from an apical approach. In 18 patients a biventricular pacing system was implanted and the effect of the cardiac resynchronization therapy was evaluated 1 month after implantation by echo examination.

Results: A high‐grade interventricular systolic asynchrony (> 60 ms) was measured in 3 patients (2.5%) without LBBB versus 33 patients (16%) with LBBB. A severe left ventricular intraventricular systolic asynchrony (> 60 ms) was documented in 33 patients (27%) without LBBB versus 27 patients (28%) with LBBB. CRT in 18 patients reduced the interventricular systolic asynchrony from 52 ± 29 (20–116) ms to 14 ± 10 (0–32) ms (p < 0.01). Left ventricular intraventricular systolic asynchrony was reduced from 87 ± 35 (42–168) ms to 29 ± 14 (4–52) ms (p < 0.001). All patients with CRT showed an improvement in NYHA functional status.

Conclusions: Patients with LBBB and DCM showed a significant intense degree of interventricular systolic asynchrony compared with patients without LBBB. The incidence of high‐grade left ventricular intraventricular systolic asynchrony was not influenced by LBBB. CRT is able to reduce inter‐ and left ventricular intraventricular systolic asynchrony. We recommend the use of PWD and PDTI in all patients with DCM as an additional important selection criteria for CRT.
Case of schwannomatosis
Authors: MURAKAMI Yukako , WATAYA‐KANEDA Mari , TANAKA Mari , MYOUI Akira , SAKATA Yoshiharu , KATAYAMA Ichiro
Published: August 2009

A 40‐year‐old man presented to our hospital with painful tumors in his left carotid space and left knee. He had no family history of neurofibromatosis type II (NF II), no history of hearing loss or vestibular problems, and no symptoms of NF I. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head revealed no intracranial tumors including vestibular schwannoma (VS). MRI of the left carotid and left knee demonstrated T1‐weighted mass lesions. They were excised and all of them were pathologically diagnosed as schwannoma. Thus, this case was diagnosed as definite schwannomatosis in reference to the diagnostic criteria.
Dual antitumor mechanisms of Notch signaling inhibitor in a T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia xenograft model
Authors: Masuda Shigeo , Kumano Keiki , Suzuki Takahiro , Tomita Taisuke , Iwatsubo Takeshi , Natsugari Hideaki , Tojo Arinobu , Shibutani Makoto , Mitsumori Kunitoshi , Hanazono Yutaka , Ogawa Seishi , Kurokawa Mineo , Chiba Shigeru
Published: August 2009

Constitutive activation of Notch signaling is required for the proliferation of a subgroup of human T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias (T‐ALL). Previous in vitro studies have demonstrated the therapeutic potential of Notch signaling inhibitors for treating T‐ALL. To further examine this possibility, we applied a γ‐secretase inhibitor (GSI) to T‐ALL xenograft models. Treatment of established subcutaneous tumors with GSI resulted in partial or complete regression of tumors arising from four T‐ALL cell lines that were also sensitive to GSI in vitro. To elucidate the mechanism of action, we transduced DND‐41 cells with the active form of Notch1 (aN1), which conferred resistance to in vitro GSI treatment. Nevertheless, in vivo treatment with GSI induced a partial but significant regression of subcutaneous tumors that developed from aN1‐transduced DND‐41 cells, whereas it induced complete regression of tumors that developed from mock‐transduced DND‐41 cells. These findings indicate that the remarkable efficacy of GSI might be attributable to dual mechanisms, directly via apoptosis of DND‐41 cells through the inhibition of cell‐autonomous Notch signaling, and indirectly via disturbance of tumor angiogenesis through the inhibition of non‐cell‐autonomous Notch signaling. (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 2444–2450)
Human leukocyte antigen class I down‐regulation in muscle‐invasive bladder cancer: Its association with clinical characteristics and survival after cystectomy
Authors: Homma Ichiya , Kitamura Hiroshi , Torigoe Toshihiko , Tanaka Toshiaki , Sato Eiji , Hirohashi Yoshihiko , Masumori Naoya , Sato Noriyuki , Tsukamoto Taiji
Published: August 2009

Using a novel monoclonal anti‐pan human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I heavy chain antibody (EMR 8‐5) reacting with paraffin‐embedded sections, we examined the prognostic significance of HLA class I molecules in muscle‐invasive bladder cancer patients who underwent radical cystectomy. Immunohistochemical staining for HLA class I molecules with monoclonal antibody EMR 8‐5 was performed on specimens from 65 clinically muscle‐invasive bladder cancer patients who underwent radical cystectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection without neoadjuvant chemotherapy. We analyzed the clinicopathological and prognostic significance of HLA class I expression. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed HLA class I down‐regulation in 22 (33.8%) invasive bladder cancers. This down‐regulation had no correlation with clinicopathological parameters such as pathologic stage, nodal status, and grade. The recurrence‐free survival of patients with HLA class I–positive tumors was significantly better than that of those with down‐regulation (log rank, P = 0.0337). Multivariate analysis revealed that HLA class I expression was a significant factor influencing the recurrence‐free survival of bladder cancer patients after cystectomy (P = 0.0155). Our data demonstrate that HLA class I down‐regulation in tumor cells was clearly observed in about one‐third of the patients. HLA class I expression could be a prognostic marker for muscle‐invasive bladder cancer patients after cystectomy. (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 2331–2334)
Hepatitis C virus infection among drug injectors in St Petersburg, Russia: social and molecular epidemiology of an endemic infection
Authors: Paintsil Elijah , Verevochkin Sergei V. , Dukhovlinova Elena , Niccolai Linda , Barbour Russell , White Edward , Toussova Olga V. , Alexander Louis , Kozlov Andrei P. , Heimer Robert
Published: August 2009

Aims  To understand the epidemiology and transmission patterns of hepatitis C virus (HCV), the predominant blood borne‐pathogen infecting injection drug users (IDUs), in a part of the former Soviet Union.

Design  Cross‐sectional respondent‐driven sample of IDUs.

Setting  St Petersburg, Russia.

Participants  A total of 387 IDUs were recruited in late 2005 and throughout 2006.

Measurements  Participants were surveyed to collect demographic, medical and both general and dyad‐specific drug injection and sexual behaviors. A blood sample was collected to detect antibodies to hepatitis C and to amplify viral RNA for molecular analysis. The molecular data, including genotypes, were analyzed spatially and linkage patterns were compared to the social linkages obtained by respondent‐driven sampling (RDS) for chains of respondents and among the injection dyads.

Findings  HCV infection was all but ubiquitous: 94.6% of IDUs were HCV‐seropositive. Among the 209 viral sequences amplified, genotype 3a predominated (n = 119, 56.9%), followed by 1b (n = 61, 29.2%) and 1a (n = 25, 11.9%). There was no significant clustering of genotypes spatially. Neither genotypes nor closely related sequences were clustered within RDS chains. Analysis of HCV sequences from dyads failed to find associations of genotype or sequence homology within pairs.

Conclusions  Genotyping reveals that there have been at least five unique introductions of HCV genotypes into the IDU community in St Petersburg. Analysis of prevalent infections does not appear to correlate with the social networks of IDUs, suggesting that simple approaches to link these networks to prevalent infections, rather than incident transmission, will not prove meaningful. On a more positive note, the majority of IDUs are infected with 3a genotype that is associated with sustained virological response to antiviral therapy.
Psychometric validation of the Taiwan Chinese version of the 25‐Item National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire
Authors: Lin Jen‐Chieh , Chie Wei‐Chu
Published: August 2009

Objectives  To evaluate the reliability and construct validity of a Taiwan Chinese version of the 25‐Item National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire (NEI‐VFQ 25) in patients with visual impairment.

Methods  The NEI‐VFQ 25 was translated and adapted into the Taiwan Chinese version. In total, 222 patients responded to the questionnaire. To examine reliability, Cronbach's alpha for each subscale was used as an index of internal consistency. Test–retest reliability was evaluated with intraclass correlation coefficients. Regarding construct validity, both convergent and discriminant validities were calculated by means of multi‐trait analysis. Clinical validity was examined by correlation of clinical measurements and subscale scores and known‐groups comparison. Finally, correlation between different subscales was examined to evaluate hypothetical relationship between subscales.

Results  Five patient groups were studied, each including participants with a single cause of visual impairment. Group 1 consisted of 53 cataract patients; group 2 included 51 subjects with glaucoma; group 3 included 36 subjects with age‐related macular degeneration (ARMD); and group 4 included 48 subjects with diabetic retinopathy. Thirty‐four individuals with uncorrected refractive error comprised the control group. NEI‐VFQ scores (mean ± SD) for the cataract, glaucoma, ARMD, diabetic retinopathy and control groups were: 73.5 ± 17.1, 69.2 ± 20.4, 62.3 ± 23.7, 63.7 ± 20.8 and 80.7 ± 12.0, respectively. Item analysis revealed moderate data skewing. Cronbach's alpha coefficients of subscales ranged from 0.956 (mental health) to 0.964 (near activities). Intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.41 (driving) to 0.846 (distance activities). All items passed the convergent and discriminant validity tests. Moderate correlations were detected between visual acuity and the ‘general vision’, ‘distance activities’ and ‘near activities’ subscales. Significant correlations were detected between visual field deficits and the vision associated subscales.

Conclusion  This study revealed that the Taiwan Chinese version of the NEI‐VFQ 25 is a valid and reliable instrument to measure vision‐related quality of life in patients with visual impairment.
Menopause impacts the relation of plasma adiponectin levels with the metabolic syndrome
Authors: Henneman P. , Janssens A. C. J. W. , Zillikens M. C. , Frolich M. , Frants R. R. , Oostra B. A. , Van Duijn C. M. , Van Dijk K. Willems
Published: August 2009

Abstract.  Henneman P, Janssens ACJW, Carola Zillikens M, Frolich M, Frants RR, Oostra BA, van Duijn CM, van Dijk KW (Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden; Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands). Menopause impacts the relation of plasma adiponectin levels with the metabolic syndrome. J Intern Med 2010; 267: 402–409.

Objective.  Plasma adiponectin is negatively correlated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) components obesity and insulin sensitivity. Here, we set out to evaluate the effect of menopause on the association of plasma adiponectin with MetS.

Design.  Data on plasma adiponectin and MetS were available from 2256 individuals participating in the Erasmus Rucphen Family study. Odds ratios for MetS were calculated by logistic regression analysis using plasma adiponectin quartiles. The discriminative accuracy of plasma adiponectin for MetS was determined by calculating the area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operator. Analyses were performed in women and men, pre‐ and postmenopausal women and younger and older men.

Results.  Virtually all determinants of MetS differed significantly between groups. Low plasma adiponectin showed the highest risk for MetS in postmenopausal women (odds ratio = 18.6, 95% CI = 7.9–44.0). We observed a high discriminative accuracy of age and plasma adiponectin for MetS not only in postmenopausal women (AUC = 0.76) but also in other subgroups (AUC from 0.67 to 0.87). However, in all groups, the discriminative accuracy of age and body mass index (BMI) for MetS was similar to the discriminative accuracy of age and plasma adiponectin.

Conclusions.  Low plasma levels of adiponectin are associated with increased prevalence of MetS, especially in postmenopausal women. Age and BMI have similar discriminatory accuracies for presence of MetS when compared with age and plasma adiponectin. Thus, we conclude that the association of plasma adiponectin with MetS is significantly affected by menopause but challenge the additional value of adiponectin for the discriminatory accuracy for presence of MetS.
Osteoprotegerin concentrations and prognosis in acute ischaemic stroke
Authors: Jensen J. K. , Ueland T. , Atar D. , Gullestad L. , Mickley H. , Aukrust P. , Januzzi J. L.
Published: August 2009

Abstract.  Jensen JK, Ueland T, Atar D, Gullestad L, Mickley H, Aukrust P, Januzzi JL (Odense University Hospital, Denmark; Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway; Massachusetts General Hospital, USA). Osteoprotegerin concentrations and prognosis in acute ischaemic stroke. J Intern Med 2010; 267: 410–417.

Aim.  Concentrations of osteoprotegerin (OPG) have been associated with the presence of vascular and cardiovascular diseases, but the knowledge of this marker in the setting of ischaemic stroke is limited.

Methods and results.  In 244 patients with acute ischaemic stroke (age: 69 ± 13 years), samples of OPG were obtained serially from presentation to day 5. Patients with overt ischaemic heart disease and atrial fibrillation were excluded. The patients were followed for 47 months, with all‐cause mortality as the sole end‐point. Multivariable predictors of OPG values at presentation included haemoglobin (T = −2.82; P = 0.005), creatinine (T = 4.56; P < 0.001), age (T = 9.66; P < 0.001), active smoking (T = 2.25; P = 0.025) and pulse rate (T = 3.23; P = 0.001). At follow‐up 72 patients (29%) had died. Patients with OPG ≤2945 pg mL−1 at baseline had a significantly improved survival rate on univariate analysis (P < 0.0001); other time‐points did not add further prognostic information. In multivariate analysis, after adjustment for age, stroke severity, C‐reactive protein levels, troponin T levels, heart and renal failure concentrations of OPG independently predicted long‐term mortality after stroke (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1 to 4.9; P = 0.024).

Conclusion.  Osteoprotegerin concentrations measured at admission of acute ischaemic stroke are associated with long‐term mortality.
Evidence of a partial melt zone beneath Stromboli volcano (Italy) from inversion of teleseismic receiver functions
Authors: Martinez‐Arevalo Carmen , Musumeci Carla , Patanè Domenico
Published: August 2009

Teleseismic body waves from broadband seismic stations are used to investigate the crustal and uppermost mantle structure of Stromboli volcano through inversion of the receiver functions (RFs). First, we computed RFs in the frequency domain using a multiple‐taper spectral correlation technique. Then, the non‐linear neighbourhood algorithm was applied to estimate the seismic shear wave velocity of the crust and uppermost mantle and to define the main seismic velocity discontinuities. The stability of the inversion solution was tested using a range of initial random seeds and model parameterizations. A shallow Moho, present at depth of 14.8 km, is evidence of a thinned crust beneath Stromboli volcano. However, the most intriguing and innovative result is a low S velocity layer in the uppermost mantle, below 32 km. The low S velocity layer suggests a possible partial melt region associated with the volcanism, as also recently supported by tomographic studies and petrological estimations.
Reported symptoms to peanut between 4 and 8 years among children sensitized to peanut and birch pollen – results from the BAMSE birth cohort
Authors: Asarnoj A. , Östblom E. , Ahlstedt S. , Hedlin G. , Lilja G. , Van Hage M. , Wickman M.
Published: August 2009

To cite this article: Asarnoj A, Östblom E, Ahlstedt S, Hedlin G, Lilja G, van Hage M, Wickman M. Reported symptoms to peanut between 4 and 8 years among children sensitized to peanut and birch pollen – results from the BAMSE birth cohort. Allergy 2010; 65: 213–219.

Background:  Specific IgE tests are sometimes difficult to interpret due to structural similarities between certain food and pollen allergens. This may be the reason why concomitant sensitization to peanut and birch pollen is frequently seen. The aim of this study was to investigate reported symptoms to peanut‐ and birch pollen in relation to sensitization.

Methods:  The data originate from 1928 children in the BAMSE birth cohort. Background factors and clinical parameters were obtained and the levels of IgE antibodies to peanut and birch pollen measured at 4 and 8 years.

Results:  IgE antibodies to peanut were found in 5.5% and 7.4% of the children at 4 and 8 years, respectively. The IgE antibody levels to peanut were higher in children sensitized to peanut but not birch than in children sensitized to peanut and birch among both 4‐ and 8‐year‐olds (P = 0.093 and P = 0.003, respectively). Eight‐year‐olds sensitized to peanut but not birch, more often reported symptoms to peanut than children sensitized to both peanut and birch pollen (76%vs 46%, P = 0.002). The probability of reported symptoms to peanut increased significantly with increasing IgE levels to peanut, especially in 8‐year‐olds not sensitized to birch.

Conclusions:  Children sensitized to both peanut and birch pollen are less likely to report symptoms to peanut than children sensitized to peanut but not to birch pollen at 8 years. This is likely due to cross reactions between birch pollen and peanut and can explain the high sensitization rate to peanut in areas where birch trees are common.
Incidence and clinical predictors of primary opportunistic deep cutaneous mycoses in solid organ transplant recipients: a multicenter cohort study
Authors: Tessari Gianpaolo , Naldi Luigi , Piaserico Stefano , Boschiero Luigino , Nacchia Francesco , Forni Alberto , Rugiu Carlo , Faggian Giuseppe , Dall’Olio Elena , Fortina Anna Belloni , Alaibac Mauro , Sassi Fabrizia , Gotti Eliana , Fiocchi Roberto , Fagioli Stefano , Girolomoni Giampiero
Published: August 2009

Tessari G, Naldi L, Piaserico S, Boschiero L, Nacchia F, Forni A, Rugiu C, Faggian G, Dall’Olio E, Fortina AB, Alaibac M, Sassi F, Gotti E, Fiocchi R, Fagioli S, Girolomoni G. Incidence and clinical predictors of primary opportunistic deep cutaneous mycoses in solid organ transplant recipients: a multicenter cohort study. Clin Transplant 2010: 24: 328–333. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  Background:  Primary opportunistic deep cutaneous fungal  infections may cause significant morbidity and mortality in solid organ transplant recipients (OTR), but no data exist about their incidence, timing, and clinical predictors in a long‐term follow‐up.

Patients and methods:  A series of 3293 consecutive OTR including 1991 kidney, 929 heart, and 373 liver transplant recipients were enrolled. Patients were regularly followed up since time at transplantation (mean 5.5 yr ±5.9 SD) and primary opportunistic fungal infections registered. Persons‐year at risk (PYs), incidence rates (IR), incidence rate ratios (IRR), and 95% confidence intervals were computed.

Results:  Twenty‐two cases of deep cutaneous mycoses were detected, (IR 1.2 cases per 1000 PYs) after a mean follow‐up time since transplantation of 2.5 yr ± 2.0 SD (median 1.8 yr). Six patients had subsequent systemic involvement and three patients died of systemic dissemination. A higher risk for mycoses was observed in the first two yr after transplantation, (IRR 35.9, p < 0.0001), in renal transplant recipients (IRR 5.1 p = 0.030), and in patients transplanted after the age of 50 (IRR 11.5 p = 0.020).

Conclusions:  Primary deep cutaneous opportunistic mycoses in OTR occur mainly in the first two yr after transplantation, in renal transplant recipients, and in older patients.
Unilateral ischemic preconditioning and heterologous preconditioning in living donor liver transplantation
Authors: Testa Giuliano , Angelova Victoria , Laricchia‐Robbio Leopoldo , Rondelli Damiano , Chejfec Gregorio , Anthony Tiffany , Benedetti Enrico
Published: August 2009

Testa G, Angelova V, Laricchia‐Robbio L, Rondelli D, Chejfec G, Anthony T, Benedetti E. Unilateral ischemic preconditioning and heterologous preconditioning in living donor liver transplantation. Clin Transplant 2010: 24: 334–340. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  Ischemic preconditioning (IP) exerts a protective effect on tissues undergoing prolonged ischemia. No studies have been performed to assess the clinical impact of IP on normal human liver used for living donor transplantation (LDLT). Heterologous preconditioning (HP) protects liver tissue as demonstrated in a rat model. Our study investigates the impact that IP and HP have on the donor and recipient liver in LDLT. Twenty candidates for living donor right hepatectomy were divided in two groups. The study group underwent 10′ unilateral ischemia by clamping the right portal vein and hepatic artery at the end of the parenchymal transection. Demographics, laboratory values, biopsy studies, IL‐1Ra, Ki‐67, and CytoDEATH stains were compared. The results show that 10′ ischemia does not exert significant clinical and laboratory changes in living donor hepatectomy candidates.
Association mapping of cadmium, copper and hydrogen peroxide tolerance of roots and translocation capacities of cadmium and copper in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Tazib Tanveer , Kobayashi Yuriko , Ikka Takashi , Zhao Cheng‐Ri , Iuchi Satoshi , Kobayashi Masatomo , Kimura Kazuhiko , Koyama Hiroyuki
Published: August 2009

Association mapping analysis of Cd, Cu and H 2O 2 tolerance, judged by relative root length (RRL: % of root length in stress condition relative to that in control condition), and Cd and Cu translocation ratios (amount of metal in the shoot to the total) were performed using 90 accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana. Using 140 SNPs that were distributed across the genome, association mapping analysis was performed with a haploid setting by the Q + K method, which minimizes detection of false associations by combining the Q‐matrix of the structured association (Q) with kinship (K) to control for the population structure. Six, five and five significant (−log 10P‐value is 1.3 ≥) linkages were detected between the SNPs and Cd, Cu and H2O2 resistant RRLs, respectively. In addition, six significant linkages were identified with translocation capacities of Cd and Cu. Among those detected loci, two each of Cu and Cd tolerance RRLs were collocated with those of H2O2 tolerance RRL, while one locus each was detected by Cu and Cd tolerance RRLs that collocated with their translocation ratios. These results suggested that these factors might partly explain the phenotypic variation of tolerance RRLs to Cd and Cu of Arabidopsis thaliana. Finally, using a different approach to analyze interactions between individual phenotypes, namely clustering analysis, we found an expected segregation of resistant SNPs (single‐nucleotide polymorphisms) of the multiple RRLs in the typical accession groups carrying multiple traits. Almost none of the loci detected by association mapping analysis were linked to the loci of previously identified critical genes regulating the traits, suggesting that this could be useful to identify complex architecture of genetic factors determining variation among multiple accessions.
Quality of drug prescribing in older patients: is there a problem and can we improve it?
Authors: Scott I. , Jayathissa S.
Published: August 2009

Older patients are at high risk of suboptimal prescribing (overuse, underuse and misuse of drugs), which can lead to serious adverse drug reactions (ADR). About one in four patients admitted to hospital are prescribed at least one inappropriate medication and up to 20% of all inpatient deaths are attributed to potentially preventable ADR. Lists of drugs to avoid (unnecessary or where risks outweigh benefits) and drugs not to be omitted (strong indications if there are no contraindications) can assist in identifying suboptimal prescribing although, to date, no trials have established the ability of such screening, by itself, to improve prescribing quality. Remedial strategies proven to be effective in randomized trials include detailed appraisal of medication lists by multidisciplinary teams, which involve geriatricians and close liaison with specialist clinical pharmacists. A multifaceted quality improvement strategy is proposed that includes an aspirational target of no more than five different drugs be regularly prescribed to vulnerable older patients. Achieving this target involves prioritizing drug selection on the basis of strength of indication which may run counter to current disease‐specific clinical guideline recommendations based on trials that have excluded most older patients. Such a strategy is worthy of further evaluation in a multicentre randomized trial.
Change of insulin sensitivity in hepatitis C patients with normal insulin sensitivity; a 5‐year prospective follow‐up study variation of insulin sensitivity in HCV patients
Authors: Park S. K. , Cho Y. K. , Park J. H. , Kim H. J. , Park D. I. , Sohn C. I. , Jeon W. K. , Kim B. I.
Published: August 2009

Background:  Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with a high prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM). Insulin resistance (IR) is known to play a crucial role in the development of DM in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients. We prospectively investigated changes of insulin sensitivity in CHC patients during a 5‐year period and analysed the factors significantly associated with IR.

Methods:  Sixty‐two CHC patients with normal insulin sensitivity (CHC group), and a healthy control group of 172 subjects matched by age, gender, body mass index and lifestyles were studied. We compared the initial baseline insulin sensitivity, metabolic parameters and incidence of IR at the end of the follow‐up period between the two groups. The changes in insulin sensitivity, metabolic parameters and the development of IR were analysed as well as factors associated with the development of IR.

Results:  IR developed in 22.5% of 62 CHC patients and 5.2% of 172 normal individuals (P < 0.001). HCV infection per se and the genotype 1 were independent risk factors for the development of IR. The duration of infection ≥120 months, initial fasting glucose 90–100 mg/dL, fasting insulin ≥10 µIU/mL and the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA‐IR) 2.3–2.7 were significantly associated with the development of IR in the CHC group.

Conclusion:  HCV infection was an independent risk factor for the development of IR. All CHC patients, even those with normal insulin sensitivity, require careful monitoring for the development of IR.
Hepatic epithelioid haemangioendothelioma: challenges in diagnosis and management
Authors: Thin L. W. Y. , Wong D. D. , De Boer B. W. , Ferguson J. M. , Adams L. , MacQuillan G. , Delriviere L. , Mitchell A. , Jeffrey G. P.
Published: August 2009

Background:  Hepatic epithelioid haemangioendothelioma (HEH) is a rare, low grade malignant neoplasm of endothelial origin which is difficult to diagnose and has a variable outcome. We review five HEH cases from our centre with the aim of identifying clinical predictors of outcome and various therapeutic options.

Methods:  A search was made on the WA Liver Transplant registry for cases with histologically confirmed HEH. Their medical records were reviewed. A literature search was conducted through Medline using terms to compare the results from this series with those of other series.

Results:  Five patients were identified to have HEH. The mean age was 44.2 years (range 34–53 years). Four of five patients presented with dyspepsia and two patients had clinical evidence of portal hypertension with ascites. Two patients had radiologically diffuse disease and three patients had discrete nodular liver involvement. The mean duration from presentation of symptoms to diagnosis of HEH was 26.8 months. Liver transplantation was performed in one patient with diffuse HEH who is alive with no disease recurrence at 3 years. Three patients with radiologically stable disease followed with 6 monthly surveillance imaging are currently alive and well. The median survival of all five patients was 5 years (range 1.5–16 years) at the time of follow up.

Conclusions:  These results support the role of surveillance alone for patients with focal and radiologically stable disease. Patients with diffuse HEH with hepatic decompensation should be considered for transplantation. However, numbers are small and an international registry is required to make firm comparisons.
Basolateral amygdala involvement in memory reconsolidation processes that facilitate drug context‐induced cocaine seeking
Authors: Fuchs Rita A. , Bell Guinevere H. , Ramirez Donna R. , Eaddy Jessica L. , Su Zu‐In
Published: August 2009

Understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of putative memory stabilization processes that maintain context–response–cocaine associations in long‐term memory and underlie contextual control over addictive behavior is of great interest from an addiction treatment perspective. Using an instrumental animal model of contextual drug relapse we show that the protein synthesis inhibitor anisomycin, administered into the basolateral amygdala (BLA) immediately after limited (15‐ or 60‐min) re‐exposure to a previously cocaine‐paired context, subsequently disrupted the ability of the previously cocaine‐paired context to reinstate extinguished cocaine‐seeking behavior relative to vehicle. Consistent with a BLA‐mediated memory reconsolidation deficit, a similar impairment in cocaine‐seeking behavior was not observed in (i) ‘no‐reactivation’ control groups that received anisomycin into the BLA after (re)exposure to either a novel unpaired or an extinction‐paired context or in (ii) a neuroanatomical control group that received anisomycin into the posterior caudate–putamen, dorsally adjacent to the BLA, after re‐exposure to the cocaine‐paired context. Furthermore, anisomycin administered into the BLA after brief (5‐min) or extensive (120‐min) re‐exposure to the cocaine‐paired context (which was sufficient to extinguish cocaine‐seeking behavior in a vehicle control group) also failed to alter responding. Together, these findings suggest that re‐exposure to a cocaine‐paired context in the absence of cocaine reinforcement is sufficient to trigger memory reconsolidation processes that support future drug‐seeking behavior. The presence and duration of drug‐related memory reactivation critically influences, and anisomycin‐sensitive mechanisms in the BLA selectively control, this phenomenon. These findings support the feasibility of novel pharmacotherapeutic approaches that selectively inhibit the reconsolidation of cocaine‐related memories in order to prevent drug relapse.
Analysis of ureteric stent kinking forces: the role of curvature in stent failure
Authors: Christman Matthew S. , L’Esperance James O. , Choe Chong H. , Stroup Sean P. , Auge Brian K.
Published: August 2009

OBJECTIVE

To further characterize the kinking forces and degree of curvature that result in failure of various stents, as malignant obstruction of the ureter causes failure of about half of ureteric stents.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Several stents (Silhouette 4.6 F and 6 F, Applied Medical, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA; Sof‐CurlTM Tecoflex 6 F, Gyrus ACMI, Southborough, MA; PolarisTM Ultra 6 and 7 F, and Percuflex® 6, 7 and 8 F stents, Boston Scientific, Natick, MA, USA) were tested. The amount of force necessary to result in kinking of the stent was measured, and the degree of curvature at failure was calculated for each stent.

RESULTS

The Silhouette 4.6 and 6 F stents were the most resistant to failure by kinking and curvature. In general, smaller stents allowed more curvature before failing than their larger counterparts.

CONCLUSIONS

The greater allowable curvature and resistance to kinking achieved by the Silhouette ureteric stents might result in fewer stent failures in cases of malignant obstruction or other retroperitoneal processes.
PAYING FOR ATM USAGE: GOOD FOR CONSUMERS, BAD FOR BANKS?*
Authors: DONZE JOCELYN , DUBEC ISABELLE
Published: August 2009

We compare the effects on welfare of the three most common regimes for pricing shared ATM transactions: (i) free usage, (ii) foreign fees, and (iii) foreign fees and surcharges. Paradoxically, banks' profits decrease each time banks set an additional fee while consumers' welfare is higher when ATM usage is not free. Surcharging boosts ATM deployment and makes consumers better off if travel costs to reach cash are high. Our results are consistent with recent empirical works and also shed light on the Australian reform that consists in removing the interchange fee.
ATM SURCHARGES: EFFECTS ON DEPLOYMENT AND WELFARE*
Authors: CHIOVEANU IOANA , FAULI‐OLLER RAMON , SANDONIS JOEL , SANTAMARIA JUANA
Published: August 2009

This paper analyzes the effects of ATM surcharges on deployment and welfare, in a model where banks compete for ATM and banking services. Foreign fees, surcharges and the interchange fee are endogenously determined. We find situations in which surcharges are welfare enhancing. Under strategic fee setting, the increase in deployment caused by surcharging might compensate the surplus loss caused by the increase in prices.
STANDARD‐SETTING, INNOVATION SPECIALISTS AND COMPETITION POLICY*
Authors: SCHMALENSEE RICHARD
Published: August 2009

Using a simple model of patent licensing followed by product‐market competition, this paper investigates several competition policy questions related to standard‐setting organizations (SSO's). It concludes that competition policy should not favor patent‐holders who practice their patents against innovation specialists who do not, that SSO's should not be required to conduct auctions among patent‐holders before standards are set in order to determine post‐standard royalty rates (though less formalex antecompetition should be encouraged), and that antitrust policy should not allow or encourage collective negotiation of patent royalty rates. Some recent policy developments in this area are discussed.
ON OPTIMAL LEGAL STANDARDS FOR COMPETITION POLICY: A GENERAL WELFARE‐BASED ANALYSIS*
Authors: KATSOULACOS YANNIS , ULPH DAVID
Published: August 2009

We present a new welfare‐based framework for optimally choosing legal standards (decision rules). We formalise the decision‐theoretic considerations widely discussed in the existing literature by capturing the quality of the underlying analysis and information available to a regulatory authority, and we obtain a precise necessary and sufficient set of conditions for determining when an Economics or Effects‐Based approach would be able to discriminate effectively between benign and harmful actions and consequently dominate per se as a decision‐making procedure. We then show that in a full welfare‐based approach, the choice between legal standards must additionally take into account, (i) indirect (deterrence) effects of the choice of standard on the behaviour of all firms when deciding whether or not to adopt a particular practice; and (ii) procedural effects of certain features of the administrative process in particular delays in reaching decisions; and the investigation of only a fraction of the actions taking place. We therefore derive necessary and sufficient conditions for adopting Discriminating Rules, as advocated by the Effects‐Based approach. We also examine what type of Discriminating rule will be optimal under different conditions that characterise different business practices. We apply our framework to two recent landmark decisions – Microsoft vs. EU Commission (2007) and Leegin vs. PSKS (2007) – in which a change in legal standards has been proposed, and show that it can powerfully clarify and enhance the arguments deployed in these cases.
International Trade and Manufacturing Employment: Is India following the Footsteps of Asia or Africa?
Authors: Sen Kunal
Published: August 2009

The Indian manufacturing sector has rapidly increased its integration with the world economy since the 1991 trade reforms. We examine whether trade integration created or destroyed jobs in the Indian manufacturing sector, and compare India's employment outcomes with four other countries—Bangladesh, Kenya, South Africa, and Vietnam. We find that the impact of international trade on manufacturing employment seems to be similar to those found for the two African countries rather than the two Asian countries, a surprising result for a country with an apparent comparative advantage in labor‐intensive manufacturing goods, and a large excess supply of unskilled labor.
Intentions to Return of Clandestine Migrants: The Perverse Effect of Illegality on Skills
Authors: Coniglio Nicola D. , De Arcangelis Giuseppe , Serlenga Laura
Published: August 2009

In this paper we show that highly skilled clandestine migrants are more likely to return home than migrants with low or no skills when illegality causes “skill waste”, i.e. when illegality reduces the rate of return of individual capabilities (i.e. skills and human capital) in the country of destination. In a simple life‐cycle framework, illegality is modeled as a tax on skills that reduces the opportunity cost of returning home particularly for the highly skilled. This proposition is tested on a sample of apprehended immigrants that unlawfully crossed the Italian borders in 2003. The estimation confirms that the intention to return to the home country is more likely for highly skilled illegal immigrants. The empirical results of this paper attenuate the common wisdom on the return decisions of legal migrants, according to which low‐skill individuals are more likely to go back home (mainly because of negative self‐selection).