bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Auxin Signaling and Transport Promote Susceptibility to the Root-Infecting Fungal Pathogen Fusarium oxysporum in Arabidopsis
Authors: Kidd Brendan N. , Kadoo Narendra Y. , Dombrecht Bruno , Tekeoglu Mücella , Gardiner Donald M. , Thatcher Louise F. , Aitken Elizabeth A. B. , Schenk Peer M. , Manners John M. , Kazan Kemal
Published: January 2011

Fusarium oxysporum is a root-infecting fungal pathogen that causes wilt disease on a broad range of plant species, including the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Currently, very little is known about the molecular or physiological processes that are activated in the host during infection and the roles these processes play in resistance and susceptibility to F. oxysporum. In this study, we analyzed global gene expression profiles of F. oxysporum-infected Arabidopsis plants. Genes involved in jasmonate biosynthesis as well as jasmonate-dependent defense were coordinately induced by F. oxysporum. Similarly, tryptophan pathway genes, including those involved in both indole-glucosinolate and auxin biosynthesis, were upregulated in both the leaves and the roots of inoculated plants. Analysis of plants expressing the DR5:GUS construct suggested that root auxin homeostasis was altered during F. oxysporum infection. However, Arabidopsis mutants with altered auxin and tryptophan-derived metabolites such as indole-glucosinolates and camalexin did not show an altered resistance to this pathogen. In contrast, several auxin-signaling mutants were more resistant to F. oxysporum. Chemical or genetic alteration of polar auxin transport also conferred increased pathogen resistance. Our results suggest that, similarly to many other pathogenic and nonpathogenic or beneficial soil organisms, F. oxysporum requires components of auxin signaling and transport to colonize the plant more effectively. Potential mechanisms of auxin signaling and transport-mediated F. oxysporum susceptibility are discussed.
Biocontrol Activity and Primed Systemic Resistance by Compost Water Extracts Against Anthracnoses of Pepper and Cucumber
Authors: Sang Mee Kyung , Kim Ki Deok
Published: January 2011

We investigated direct and indirect effects of compost water extracts (CWEs) from Iljuk-3, Iljuk-7, Shinong-8, and Shinong-9 for the control of anthracnoses caused by Colletotrichum coccodes on pepper and C. orbiculare on cucumber. All tested CWEs significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited in vitro conidial germination and appressorium formation of the fungal pathogens; however, DL-β-amino-n-butyric acid (BABA) failed to inhibit the conidial development of the pathogens. Direct treatments of the CWEs and BABA on pepper and cucumber leaves at 1 and 3 days before or after inoculation significantly (P < 0.05) reduced anthracnose severities; Iljuk-3, Shinong-9, and BABA for pepper and Iljuk-7 for cucumber had more protective activities than curative activities. In addition, root treatment of CWEs suppressed anthracnoses on the plants by the pathogens; however, CWE treatment on lower leaves failed to reduce the diseases on the upper leaves of the plants. The CWE root treatments enhanced not only the expression of the pathogenesis-related (PR) genes CABPR1, CABGLU, CAChi2, CaPR-4, CAPO1, and CaPR-10 in pepper and PR1-1a, PR-2, PR-3, and APOX in cucumber but also the activity of β-1,3-glucanase, chitinase, and peroxidase and the generation of hydrogen peroxide in pepper and cucumber under pathogen-inoculated conditions. However, the CWE treatments failed to induce the plant responses under pathogen-free conditions. These results indicated that the CWEs had direct effects, reducing anthracnoses by C. coccodes on pepper leaves and C. orbiculare on cucumber leaves through protective and curative effects. In addition, CWE root treatments could induce systemic resistance in the primed state against pathogens on plant leaves that enhanced PR gene expression, defense-related enzyme production, and hydrogen peroxide generation rapidly and effectively immediately after pathogen infection. Thus, the CWEs might suppress anthracnoses on leaves of both pepper and cucumber through primed (priming-mediated) systemic resistance.
Cerebral lateralization determines hand preferences in Australian parrots
Authors: Brown Culum , Magat Maria
Published: February 2011

Individual preference for the use of one limb over the other to explore the environment or manipulate objects is common trait among vertebrates. Here, we explore the hypothesis that limb preference is determined by the engagement of a particular cerebral hemisphere to analyse certain stimuli. We recorded the eye and foot preferences of 322 individuals from 16 species of Australian parrots while investigating potential food items. Across all species, eye preferences explained 99 per cent of the variation in foot use in Australian parrots. The vast majority of species showed significant relationships between eye and foot preferences at the population level.
The evolutionary biology of child health
Authors: Crespi Bernard
Published: February 2011

I apply evolutionary perspectives and conceptual tools to analyse central issues underlying child health, with emphases on the roles of human-specific adaptations and genomic conflicts in physical growth and development. Evidence from comparative primatology, anthropology, physiology and human disorders indicates that child health risks have evolved in the context of evolutionary changes, along the human lineage, affecting the timing, growth-differentiation phenotypes and adaptive significance of prenatal stages, infancy, childhood, juvenility and adolescence. The most striking evolutionary changes in humans are earlier weaning and prolonged subsequent pre-adult stages, which have structured and potentiated maladaptations related to growth and development. Data from human genetic and epigenetic studies, and mouse models, indicate that growth, development and behaviour during pre-adult stages are mediated to a notable degree by effects from genomic conflicts and imprinted genes. The incidence of cancer, the primary cause of non-infectious childhood mortality, mirrors child growth rates from birth to adolescence, with paediatric cancer development impacted by imprinted genes that control aspects of growth. Understanding the adaptive significance of child growth and development phenotypes, in the context of human-evolutionary changes and genomic conflicts, provides novel insights into the causes of disease in childhood.
Brood parasitism selects for no defence in a cuckoo host
Authors: Krüger Oliver
Published: February 2011

In coevolutionary arms races, like between cuckoos and their hosts, it is easy to understand why the host is under selection favouring anti-parasitism behaviour, such as egg rejection, which can lead to parasites evolving remarkable adaptations to ‘trick’ their host, such as mimetic eggs. But what about cases where the cuckoo egg is not mimetic and where the host does not act against it? Classically, such apparently non-adaptive behaviour is put down to evolutionary lag: given enough time, egg mimicry and parasite avoidance strategies will evolve. An alternative is that absence of egg mimicry and of anti-parasite behaviour is stable. Such stability is at first sight highly paradoxical. I show, using both field and experimental data to parametrize a simulation model, that the absence of defence behaviour by Cape bulbuls (Pycnonotus capensis) against parasitic eggs of the Jacobin cuckoo (Clamator jacobinus) is optimal behaviour. The cuckoo has evolved massive eggs (double the size of bulbul eggs) with thick shells, making it very hard or impossible for the host to eject the cuckoo egg. The host could still avoid brood parasitism by nest desertion. However, higher predation and parasitism risks later in the season makes desertion more costly than accepting the cuckoo egg, a strategy aided by the fact that many cuckoo eggs are incorrectly timed, so do not hatch in time and hence do not reduce host fitness to zero. Selection will therefore prevent the continuation of any coevolutionary arms race. Non-mimetic eggs and absence of defence strategies against cuckoo eggs will be the stable, if at first sight paradoxical, result.
Polyandrous females benefit by producing sons that achieve high reproductive success in a competitive environment
Authors: Firman Renée C.
Published: February 2011

Females of many taxa often copulate with multiple males and incite sperm competition. On the premise that males of high genetic quality are more successful in sperm competition, it has been suggested that females may benefit from polyandry by accruing ‘good genes’ for their offspring. Laboratory studies have shown that multiple mating can increase female fitness through enhanced embryo viability, and have exposed how polyandry influences the evolution of the ejaculate. However, such studies often do not allow for both female mate choice and male–male competition to operate simultaneously. Here, I took house mice
(Mus domesticus
) from selection lines that had been evolving with (polygamous) and without (monogamous) sperm competition for 16 generations and, by placing them in free-ranging enclosures for 11 weeks, forced them to compete for access to resources and mates. Parentage analyses revealed that female reproductive success was not influenced by selection history, but there was a significant paternity bias towards males from the polygamous selection lines. Therefore, I show that female house mice benefit from polyandry by producing sons that achieve increased fitness in a semi-natural environment.
Stratigraphy of the Anthropocene
Authors: Zalasiewicz Jan , Williams Mark , Fortey Richard , Smith Alan , Barry Tiffany L. , Coe Angela L. , Bown Paul R. , Rawson Peter F. , Gale Andrew , Gibbard Philip , Gregory F. John , Hounslow Mark W. , Kerr Andrew C. , Pearson Paul , Knox Robert , Powell John , Waters Colin , Marshall John , Oates Michael , Stone Philip
Published: January 2011

The Anthropocene, an informal term used to signal the impact of collective human activity on biological, physical and chemical processes on the Earth system, is assessed using stratigraphic criteria. It is complex in time, space and process, and may be considered in terms of the scale, relative timing, duration and novelty of its various phenomena. The lithostratigraphic signal includes both direct components, such as urban constructions and man-made deposits, and indirect ones, such as sediment flux changes. Already widespread, these are producing a significant ‘event layer’, locally with considerable long-term preservation potential. Chemostratigraphic signals include new organic compounds, but are likely to be dominated by the effects of CO2release, particularly via acidification in the marine realm, and man-made radionuclides. The sequence stratigraphic signal is negligible to date, but may become geologically significant over centennial/millennial time scales. The rapidly growing biostratigraphic signal includes geologically novel aspects (the scale of globally transferred species) and geologically will have permanent effects.
The Anthropocene: conceptual and historical perspectives
Authors: Steffen Will , Grinevald Jacques , Crutzen Paul , McNeill  John
Published: January 2011

The human imprint on the global environment has now become so large and active that it rivals some of the great forces of Nature in its impact on the functioning of the Earth system. Although global-scale human influence on the environment has been recognized since the 1800s, the termAnthropocene, introduced about a decade ago, has only recently become widely, but informally, used in the global change research community. However, the term has yet to be accepted formally as a new geological epoch or era in Earth history. In this paper, we put forward the case for formally recognizing the Anthropocene as a new epoch in Earth history, arguing that the advent of the Industrial Revolution around 1800 provides a logical start date for the new epoch. We then explore recent trends in the evolution of the Anthropocene as humanity proceeds into the twenty-first century, focusing on the profound changes to our relationship with the rest of the living world and on early attempts and proposals for managing our relationship with the large geophysical cycles that drive the Earth’s climate system.
Navigation by light polarization in clear and turbid waters
Authors: Lerner Amit , Sabbah Shai , Erlick Carynelisa , Shashar Nadav
Published: January 2011

Certain terrestrial animals use sky polarization for navigation. Certain aquatic species have also been shown to orient according to a polarization stimulus, but the correlation between underwater polarization and Sun position and hence the ability to use underwater polarization as a compass for navigation is still under debate. To examine this issue, we use theoretical equations for per cent polarization and electric vector (e-vector) orientation that account for the position of the Sun, refraction at the air–water interface and Rayleigh single scattering. The polarization patterns predicted by these theoretical equations are compared with measurements conducted in clear and semi-turbid coastal sea waters at 2 m and 5 m depth over sea floors of 6 m and 28 m depth. We find that the per cent polarization is correlated with the Sun's elevation only in clear waters. We furthermore find that the maximum value of the e-vector orientation angle equals the angle of refraction only in clear waters, in the horizontal viewing direction, over the deeper sea floor. We conclude that navigation by use of underwater polarization is possible under restricted conditions, i.e. in clear waters, primarily near the horizontal viewing direction, and in locations where the sea floor has limited effects on the light's polarization.
How dim is dim? Precision of the celestial compass in moonlight and sunlight
Authors: Dacke M. , Byrne M. J. , Baird E. , Scholtz C. H. , Warrant E. J.
Published: January 2011

Prominent in the sky, but not visible to humans, is a pattern of polarized skylight formed around both the Sun and the Moon. Dung beetles are, at present, the only animal group known to use the much dimmer polarization pattern formed around the Moon as a compass cue for maintaining travel direction. However, the Moon is not visible every night and the intensity of the celestial polarization pattern gradually declines as the Moon wanes. Therefore, for nocturnal orientation on all moonlit nights, the absolute sensitivity of the dung beetle's polarization detector may limit the precision of this behaviour. To test this, we studied the straight-line foraging behaviour of the nocturnal ball-rolling dung beetle
Scarabaeus satyrus
to establish when the Moon is too dim—and the polarization pattern too weak—to provide a reliable cue for orientation. Our results show that celestial orientation is as accurate during crescent Moon as it is during full Moon. Moreover, this orientation accuracy is equal to that measured for diurnal species that orient under the 100 million times brighter polarization pattern formed around the Sun. This indicates that, in nocturnal species, the sensitivity of the optical polarization compass can be greatly increased without any loss of precision.
Patterns and properties of polarized light in air and water
Authors: Cronin Thomas W. , Marshall Justin
Published: January 2011

Natural sources of light are at best weakly polarized, but polarization of light is common in natural scenes in the atmosphere, on the surface of the Earth, and underwater. We review the current state of knowledge concerning how polarization and polarization patterns are formed in nature, emphasizing linearly polarized light. Scattering of sunlight or moonlight in the sky often forms a strongly polarized, stable and predictable pattern used by many animals for orientation and navigation throughout the day, at twilight, and on moonlit nights. By contrast, polarization of light in water, while visible in most directions of view, is generally much weaker. In air, the surfaces of natural objects often reflect partially polarized light, but such reflections are rarer underwater, and multiple-path scattering degrades such polarization within metres. Because polarization in both air and water is produced by scattering, visibility through such media can be enhanced using straightforward polarization-based methods of image recovery, and some living visual systems may use similar methods to improve vision in haze or underwater. Although circularly polarized light is rare in nature, it is produced by the surfaces of some animals, where it may be used in specialized systems of communication.
Sequence-based physical mapping of complex genomes by whole genome profiling
Authors: van Oeveren Jan , de Ruiter Marjo , Jesse Taco , van der Poel Hein , Tang Jifeng , Yalcin Feyruz , Janssen Antoine , Volpin Hanne , Stormo Keith E. , Bogden Robert , van Eijk Michiel J.T. , Prins Marcel
Published: February 2011

We present whole genome profiling (WGP), a novel next-generation sequencing-based physical mapping technology for construction of bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) contigs of complex genomes, using Arabidopsis thaliana as an example. WGP leverages short read sequences derived from restriction fragments of two-dimensionally pooled BAC clones to generate sequence tags. These sequence tags are assigned to individual BAC clones, followed by assembly of BAC contigs based on shared regions containing identical sequence tags. Following in silico analysis of WGP sequence tags and simulation of a map of Arabidopsis chromosome 4 and maize, a WGP map of Arabidopsis thaliana ecotype Columbia was constructed de novo using a six-genome equivalent BAC library. Validation of the WGP map using the Columbia reference sequence confirmed that 350 BAC contigs (98%) were assembled correctly, spanning 97% of the 102-Mb calculated genome coverage. We demonstrate that WGP maps can also be generated for more complex plant genomes and will serve as excellent scaffolds to anchor genetic linkage maps and integrate whole genome sequence data.
Female Maylandia zebra prefer victorious males
Authors: Mellor D. T. , Tarsiewicz C. M. , Jordan R. C.
Published: February 2011

Females of a widespread species of the rock‐dwelling haplochromine cichlids of Lake Malawi, Maylandia zebra, show preference for males that successfully evict intruding males from their territory. This behaviour, experimentally induced by the investigators in a laboratory setting, was also preferred over males that were not permitted to interact with any other individual.
Expectations of and reactions to disability and normality experienced by parents of children with intellectual disability in Sweden
Authors: Broberg M.
Published: January 2011

Background  Much research has been devoted to the emotional burdens of having a child with intellectual disability (ID), but very little of this has focused on the burdens imposed by negative public attitudes towards disability. Adjustment has primarily been thought of as adjustment to the actual disability rather than adjustment to attitudes or prejudices towards disability.

Aim  The aim of the present study was to study expectations of and reactions to disability and normality experienced by parents of children with ID in their everyday life in Sweden.

Research questions  Do the parents relate to the tragedy discourse and, if so, how? Do parents relate to other expectations and disability discourses and, if so, how? What subject positions do the discourses offer?

Method  The analysis was based on 17 semi‐structured interviews with nine fathers and eight mothers of nine children with different IDs. The children were newly diagnosed and were from 6 months to 5 years of age.

Results  Four discourses (tragedy and the lived experience, tragedy and the outsider perspective, the clinical gaze and the super‐parent ideal) and subject positions relating to these discourses are discussed.

Discussion  The results of this study show that parents of young children with disabilities relate to a wide range of social processes and practices, which could be thought to affect their emotional well‐being and parental identity negatively.
Utilization of mental health services by survivors of severe paediatric traumatic brain injury: a population‐based study
Authors: Dasarathi M. , Grace J. , Kelly T. , Forsyth R.
Published: January 2011

A study of general and specialist mental health and psychology service provider records confirms very high rates of utilization by a population of survivors of severe paediatric traumatic brain injury.
The impact of school‐day variation in weight and height on National Child Measurement Programme body mass index‐determined weight category in Year 6 children
Authors: Routen A. C. , Edwards M. G. , Upton D. , Peters D. M.
Published: January 2011

Background  In England, the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) annually measures the weight and height of Year 6 schoolchildren (age 10–11 years). While measurement protocols are defined, the time of measurement within the school day is not. This study examined the impact of school‐day variation in weight and height on NCMP body mass index (BMI)‐determined weight category in Year 6 children.

Methods  Standing height and weight were measured in morning and afternoon sessions in 74 children, boys (n= 34; height: 141.16 ± 7.45 cm; weight: 36.48 ± 9.46 kg, BMI: 18.19 ± 3.98 kg/m2) and girls (n= 40; height: 144.58 ± 7.66 cm; weight: 42.25 ± 11.29 kg; BMI: 19.97 ± 3.98 kg/m2) aged 11 ± 0.3 years.

Results  In the whole sample, height decreased (Mean =−0.51 cm, 95% CI: −0.39 to −0.64 cm, P= 0.01), weight did not change (Mdn = 36.40 to 36.35, P= 0.09) and BMI increased (Mdn = 18.04 to 18.13, P= 0.01). In girls weight increased (Mdn = 41.40 to 41.60, P= 0.01). BMI percentile increased (Mdn = 57th to 59.5th centile, P= 0.01). One girl increased in BMI category from morning to afternoon according to the clinical cut‐offs (≤2nd, >91st and >98th) and three girls increased BMI category according to the population monitoring cut‐offs (≤2nd, ≥85th, ≥95th).

Conclusions  School‐day variation in height (and in girls alone, weight) impact upon increased BMI and BMI percentile in afternoon versus morning measurements in Year 6 children. Although not reaching statistical significance, resultant variation in categorization at the individual level may lead to unwarranted follow‐up procedures being initiated. Further research with larger samples is required to further explore the impact of daily variability in height and weight upon both clinical and population monitoring BMI‐determined weight status categorization in the NCMP.
Glucose homeostasis in patients with acromegaly treated with surgery or somatostatin analogues
Authors: Tzanela Marinella , Vassiliadi Dimitra A. , Gavalas Nikolaos , Szabo Andrea , Margelou Eleni , Valatsou Athina , Vassilopoulos Charalambos
Published: February 2011

Objective  Long‐acting somatostatin analogues (SSA) are widely used for the treatment of acromegaly; however, they also alter β‐cell function by inhibiting insulin secretion. In this study, we assess the effect of SSA on glucose homeostasis in patients with acromegaly treated with SSAs, compared to patients treated with surgery.

Design  We studied four groups of patients with acromegaly: at the time of diagnosis (group I, n = 53), after successful transsphenoidal surgery (TSS, group II, n = 30) and under successful SSA treatment (group III, n = 20); 22 patients were studied only before treatment, 19 only post‐treatment, while 31 patients (group IV) were studied before and after the treatment.

Measurements  Patients underwent an oral glucose tolerance test. Insulin sensitivity and β‐cell insulin secretion were estimated using appropriate mathematical models.

Results  Control of acromegaly with either TSS or SSA improved insulin sensitivity as evident by significantly lower fasting and postglucose insulin levels and HOMA‐IR. In addition, patients of group III compared to patients of group II demonstrated significantly lower HOMA‐β% (52·5 ± 10·9 vs 189·6 ± 86·7, P < 0·05) and lower first and second phase insulin release (443 ± 83·5 vs 1077 ± 140·8, P < 0·05 and 150 ± 18·2 vs 285 ± 33·3, P < 0·05), respectively. Also, lower fasting glucose levels and a lower prevalence of diabetes were noted in group II compared to group III (5·1 ± 0·2 vs 6·2 ± 0·2 mm, P < 0·05, and 13·3%vs 40%, P < 0·0031, respectively).

Conclusions  Control of acromegaly with SSA seems to exhibit a negative effect on pancreatic β‐cell function. Whether this has long‐term clinical implications remains to be established. Nevertheless, careful monitoring of glucose metabolism in patients under SSA is beneficial for their optimal management.
Salt in food processing; usage and reduction: a review
Authors: Albarracín William , Sánchez Iván C. , Grau Raúl , Barat José M.
Published: February 2011

Salt is one of the most widely used additives in food industries because of its low cost and varied properties. It has a preservative and antimicrobial effect as a direct consequence of the capacity of sodium chloride to reduce water activity values. In addition, sodium chloride is a flavour enhancer as a consequence of its effect on different biochemical mechanisms. It also has flavour enhancing effects from reducing or enhancing the enzymatic activity of some enzymes responsible for the development of different organoleptic parameters. Trends in sodium chloride use in food industries point to salt replacement or reduction by means of the use of sodium chloride substitutes such as KCl or phosphates; flavour enhancers and the optimisation of the physical form of salt. This trend has arisen as a result of the greater awareness of the negative effects of excess dietary intake of sodium, which has been linked to hypertension and consequently an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The average total daily sodium intake per individual in developed countries is 4–5 g of Na, which is up to 25 times greater than the minimum adult requirement.
Manometric evaluation of oral function with a hand‐held balloon probe
Authors: TSUGA K. , MARUYAMA M. , YOSHIKAWA M. , YOSHIDA M. , AKAGAWA Y.
Published: February 2011

Summary  Tongue pressure measured with a disposable hand‐held balloon probe has been used for assessing tongue function; however, no diagnostic standard for assessing other oral functions exists currently. In this study, to develop a method for multifactorial manometric evaluation of oral functions, 20 men and 20 women (21–32 years of age) were instructed to apply 7‐s maximal voluntary muscular effort on a hand‐held balloon probe placed against the anterior and lateral parts of the palate, buccal surface of the molars on the habitual chewing side and labial surface of the anterior teeth for measuring anterior and posterior tongue, cheek and lip pressures (LPs), respectively. Intra‐session reproducibility was determined by three repeated measurements, and associations between the obtained and the conventional data on oral diadochokinesis were tested. The men exhibited higher values of all the pressure types. Further, both genders showed a positive correlation between anterior and posterior tongue pressures (PTPs) (P < 0·05), but only the women exhibited positive correlations between anterior tongue and cheek pressures, cheek and PTPs, anterior tongue and LPs, and cheek and LPs (P < 0·05). No statistically significant correlation was found between the pressures and the number of syllabic articulations, except between LP and the number of /pa/ articulations in the women (r = 0·524, P < 0·05). In conclusion, the balloon probe method enables objective manometric evaluation of oral functions and could be an effective tool for clinical epidemiological studies and evidence‐based decision‐making in nursing care.
Dyskeratosis congenita: a combined immunodeficiency with broad clinical spectrum – a single‐center pediatric experience
Authors: Jyonouchi S. , Forbes L. , Ruchelli E. , Sullivan K. E.
Published: February 2011

To cite this article: Jyonouchi S, Forbes L, Ruchelli E, Sullivan KE. Dyskeratosis congenita: a combined immunodeficiency with broad clinical spectrum – a single‐center pediatric experience. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2011; 22: 313–319.

Background:  Dyskeratosis Congenita (DKC) is a syndrome characterized by immunodeficiency, bone marrow failure, somatic abnormalities, and cancer predisposition resulting from defective telomere maintenance. The immunologic features of DKC remain under diagnosed and under treated despite the fact that immunodeficiency is a major cause of premature mortality in DKC.

Methods:  This study undertook a retrospective review of 7 DKC patients diagnosed at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. In parallel, we reviewed previously reported immunologic findings in DKC patients.

Results:  Immunologic abnormalities (lymphopenia, low B‐cell numbers, hypogammaglobulinemia, and decreased T‐cell function) were the most frequent laboratory findings at initial presentation, preceding the development of significant anemia or thrombocytopenia. Recurrent sinopulmonary or opportunistic infections were present in 6/7 patients. Infant‐onset patients had more severe immunologic and somatic features (particularly severe enteropathy).

Conclusion:  In DKC, development of immunologic abnormalities can precede bone marrow failure, highlighting the importance of proper immunodeficiency management to minimize morbidity and premature mortality in this disease.
Real‐life epidemiology of food allergy testing in Finnish children
Authors: Pyrhönen Kaisa , Hiltunen Liisa , Näyhä Simo , Läärä Esa , Kaila Minna
Published: February 2011

To cite this article: Pyrhönen K, Hiltunen L, Näyhä S, Läärä E, Kaila M. Real‐life epidemiology of food allergy testing in Finnish children. Pediatric Allergy Immunology 2011; 22: 361–368.

Background:  The cumulative incidence of parental‐reported symptoms of food allergy (FA) during the first years of life is estimated to exceed 30%. However, the occurrence and determinants of FA testing in a general child population have remained unknown.

Methods:  The study population comprised all 5920 children aged 0–4 yr in the province of South Karelia, Finland, identified from the nationwide population register. The study included a questionnaire survey and a retrospective collection of FA test results (skin prick tests, IgE antibodies, or open food challenges) from the patient records of the entire study population. The questionnaire and patient record data were linked together on an individual basis with the parents’ permission.

Results:  A total of 5849 FA tests had been performed on 961 children. By the age of 4 yr, the cumulative incidence of FA testing was 18% for any food item; 17% for essential items (milk, egg, cereals) and 9% for other food items. Essential food items had been tested in 90% of children who reportedly had a physician‐diagnosed FA for these. The incidence of testing was 30% higher in boys than in girls and twofold higher among the offspring whose either or both parents reportedly had some allergic manifestation.

Conclusions:  A large proportion of children are subjected to FA testing in their early years. This result shows the need to evaluate the financial burden of FA testing and to improve current testing practices.
Human sleep/wake regulation
Authors: Gillberg Mats
Published: February 2011

The present paper gives a short overview on what is known about human sleep/wake regulation and focuses on two main component, the homeostatic component and the circadian. The homeostatic components increases sleep need exponentially as a function of prior wakefulness whereas the circadian component is a consequence of the 24‐hour physiological rhythm facilitating sleep during the night and counteracting sleep during the day. Normally, these components interact, in an additive way. This interaction has been described in mathematical models that can be used to predict sleep duration, depth of sleep and the level of alertness given the knowledge of circadian phase and prior time awake.
On a novel MRI technique (OMRI) for the determination of tissue parameters
Authors: Leunbach Ib
Published: February 2011

In clinical diagnostic medicine the assessment of key physiological tissue parameters is important.

OMRI is a novel ultra‐low field MR‐technology taking advantage of the Overhauser effect in order to enhance the signal.

However, the technology further enables the visualization of tissue oxygen due to its interaction with an administrated CM.

Experimental results from rats show morphological images of high resolution and further the alternation of tissue oxygen as a function of various external physiological conditions.

It is believed that the novel technique enables and expands bed‐side diagnosis.
Preparation of different types of miso with mixture of starters and their effects on endogenous antioxidant of liver and kidney of mice
Authors: El‐Shenawy N. S. , Abu Zaid A. , Amin G. A.
Published: February 2011

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of feeding the male mice with miso that was prepared with a mixture of microbial starters on the level of lipid peroxidation as a marker of oxidative stress, antioxidant power of hepatocytes, the enzymatic and non‐enzymatic antioxidant. The starters that were used in the preparation of miso were Aspergillus oryzae and Pleurotus ostreaus or A. oryzae and Bacillus subtilis. The miso that was prepared with A. oryzae and Bacillus subtilis has more effect on suppressing the oxidative stress and enhancement of endogenous antioxidant of hepatocytes and renal tissue of mice.
From small beginnings: The euthanasia of children with disabilities in Nazi Germany
Authors: Hudson Lee
Published: January 2011

Although they are the lesser known Nazi atrocities, it is estimated that some 5000–8000 children with physical and intellectual disabilities were killed in Nazi Germany under a programme of euthanasia. Chronologically, they were a precedent, being the Nazis' first organised and systematic killing programme that would later enlarge to include adults with disabilities and ultimately, to the broader programme of racially motivated ‘euthanasia’ of the holocaust. The programme intimately involved medical staff, including a number of paediatricians, many of whom would go unpunished and continue to practice for many years after the war. This paper outlines the origins and development of the programme, examines how families were involved and affected and looks at what motivated the medical staff involved with the killing. The history of the Nazi child euthanasia programme has a number of important lessons for practicing doctors and health policy‐makers in the 21st century.
Perioperative management of transurethral surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia: A nationwide survey in Japan
Authors: Okamura Kikuo , Nojiri Yoshikatsu , Seki Narihito , Arai Yoichi , Matsuda Tadashi , Hattori Ryohei , Hasegawa Tomonori , Naito Seiji
Published: January 2011

Objectives:  Various types of minimally invasive surgical treatments, including transurethral resection of prostate (TURP), are being carried out in Japan for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The aim of the present study was to elucidate the current status of perioperative care for these treatments by carrying out a nationwide survey.

Methods:  Assisted by the Japanese Endourology and ESWL Association, perioperative data from 157 institutions participating in this survey were collected and analyzed.

Results:  This survey included 3918 patients undergoing TURP, 242 TUR in saline (TURis), 638 holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP), 90 holmium laser ablation (HoLAP) and 241 photoselective vaporization (PVP). Mean operative time was shorter in TURP (71 min) and longer in HoLEP (127). Although no transfusions were required in cases undergoing HoLAP or PVP, blood was frequently transfused in those undergoing TURis (25.6%), TURP (10.2%) and HoLEP (7.8%), and the difference was significant. During the hospital stay, the incidence of TUR‐syndrome, postoperative bleeding requiring bladder irrigation, acute urinary retention/difficulty on micturition and pad use at discharge was highest in TURP (2.3%), TURis (7.9%), HoLAP (16.7%) and HoLEP (15.1%), respectively. Two patients undergoing TURP died (0.05%). The shortest mean postoperative hospital stay was for PVP (1.6 days, even if the readmission rate within 90 days was the highest in this same group; 6.2%). Perioperative care during hospital stay varied among the five types of procedures.

Conclusions:  This survey provides useful documentation on the current status of minimally invasive treatments for BPH in Japan. Complication rates for TURP are not significantly higher as compared with other procedures. Thus, TURP can still be considered as the gold standard for BPH treatment.
The association of physical inactivity with Type 2 diabetes among different ethnic groups
Authors: Admiraal W. M. , van Valkengoed I. G. M. , L de Munter J. S. , Stronks K. , Hoekstra J. B. L. , Holleman F.
Published: January 2011

Diabet. Med. 28, 668–672 (2011)

Aims  To study differences in the association between physical inactivity and Type 2 diabetes among subjects from different ethnic groups.

Methods  We analysed data on 508 Caucasian, 596 African‐Surinamese and 339 Hindustani‐Surinamese participants, aged 35–60 years, in the population‐based, cross‐sectional Surinamese in the Netherlands Study on Health and Ethnicity (SUNSET) study. Physical inactivity was defined as the lowest quartile of reported activity, measured with the validated Short Questionnaire to Assess Health‐Enhancing Physical Activity. Type 2 diabetes was defined as fasting plasma glucose levels ≥ 7.0 mmol/l or self‐reported diagnosis.

Results  Physical inactivity was associated with Type 2 diabetes (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.12–2.38) in the total group after adjustment for sex, age, BMI, ethnicity, resting heart rate, hypertension, smoking, history of cardiovascular disease, having a first‐degree relative with Type 2 diabetes and educational level. However, this association was only significant in Caucasians (OR 3.17, 95% CI 1.37–7.30). Moreover, it appeared stronger in Caucasians than in Hindustani‐Surinamese (OR 1.43, 95% CI 0.78–2.63) and African‐Surinamese (OR 1.13, 95% CI 0.58–2.19), although the P‐value for interaction was not significant.

Conclusions  Physical inactivity was associated with Type 2 diabetes in the total group after adjustment for multiple risk factors, but this association was only significant in Caucasians. Also, it appeared stronger in Caucasians than in Hindustani and African‐Surinamese, but formal testing for interaction provided no further evidence. These findings confirm the importance of exercise, but suggest that potential health gain may differ between ethnic groups. However, it should be noted that, in general, promotion of physical activity in populations with an increased a priori risk of Type 2 diabetes, remains of the utmost importance.
State Fragility and Governance: Conflict Mitigation and Subnational Perspectives
Authors: Brinkerhoff Derick W.
Published: February 2011

Many drivers of intrastate conflict concern the relationship between the state and society, and thus are influenced by the quality of governance. Efforts to restore or create good governance, however, have adopted a relatively standardised democratising template. This article argues that conflict mitigation is a useful mechanism for adapting this template to conditions in fragile states. Furthermore, subnational reforms have important potential to mitigate the drivers identified in quantitative studies of conflict, as illustrated by selected experiences with decentralisation, citizen participation and local service delivery. The analysis confirms the important contributions both of quantitative research that has identified causal factors driving conflict and of qualitative study that has explored governance reforms that can address those factors.
Processing Advantages of Lexical Bundles: Evidence From Self‐Paced Reading and Sentence Recall Tasks
Authors: Tremblay Antoine , Derwing Bruce , Libben Gary , Westbury Chris
Published: January 2011

This article examines the extent to which lexical bundles (LBs; i.e., frequently recurring strings of words that often span traditional syntactic boundaries) are stored and processed holistically. Three self‐paced reading experiments compared sentences containing LBs (e.g.,in the middle of the) and matched control sentence fragments (e.g.,in the front of the). LBs and sentences containing LBs were read faster than the control sentence fragments in all three experiments. Two follow‐up word and sentence recall experiments demonstrated that more sentences containing LBs were correctly remembered. Consistent with construction‐type models of language, these results suggest that regular multiword sequences leave memory traces in the brain.
Semantic Categories and Context in L2 Vocabulary Learning
Authors: Bolger Patrick , Zapata Gabriela
Published: January 2011

This article extends recent findings that presenting semantically related vocabulary simultaneously inhibits learning. It does so by adding story contexts. Participants learned 32 new labels for known concepts from four different semantic categories in stories that were either semantically related (one category per story) or semantically unrelated (four categories per story). They then completed a semantic‐categorization task, followed by a stimulus‐match verification task in an eye‐tracker. Results suggest that there may be a slight learning advantage in the semantically unrelated condition. However, our findings are better interpreted in terms of how learning occurred and how vocabulary was processed afterward. Additionally, our results suggest that contextual support from the stories may have surmounted much of the disadvantage attributed to semantic relatedness.
Pharmacokinetics and ‘bioactivation’ of MPA
Authors: Täuber U.
Published: February 2011

In order to display its pharmacological and therapeutic effects, a local corticosteroid has to be bioavailable at its target site in the skin. The intensity and duration of its activity depend on the time course of its concentration in the target tissue, the number of receptors within this, tissue and on the intrinsic pharmacological activity of the molecule respectively of its active metabolite(s). It is commonly accepted that the desired and the adverse corticosteroid effects are mediated by receptor mechanisms. Since all nucleated cells contain corticosteroid receptors with the same specifity yet in different numbers, a dissociation between wanted anti‐inflammatory and unwanted local and systemic effects is not achievable at the receptor level. A certain dissociation seems to be possible pharmacokinetically: structural modification of the corticosteroid molecule, especially introduction of suitable side chains, can lead to high concentrations of the active principal at the site of the desired effect and to low levels at the site of undesired effects. In the following, the most important pharmacokinetic properties of methylprednisolonaceponate (MPA), the active ingredient of Advantan® are presented: MPA is a di‐ester of the non‐halogenated methylprednisolone with a propionate group at C‐atom 17 and an acetate group at C‐atom 21. The introduction of both ester groups increase markedly the lipophilicity of the molecule and thus penetration into the skin. In addition the acetate side chain at C21 prevents a so‐called acyl‐migration of the propionic acid from C17 to C21 and thus stabilizes the molecule. After penetration out of the formulation into the living skin, MPA is hydrolized by the esterases in the epidermis and dermis at position 21, leading to the formation of methylprednisolone‐17‐propionate (MP‐17‐Prop). MP‐17‐Prop binds more strongly to the corticosteroid receptor than the parent substance MPA and represents the active principle in the skin. This so‐called ‘bioactivation’ proceeds distinctly faster in damaged and inflamed skin compared to healthy skin. After percutaneous absorption MP‐17‐Prop is inactivated by conjugation with glucuronic acid and is excreted mainly in the urine.
Pulmonary Vein Isolation Guided by Real‐Time Three‐Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography
Authors: REGOLI FRANÇOIS , FALETRA FRANCESCO F. , SCAGLIONE MARCO , NUCIFORA GAETANO , MOCCETTI TIZIANO , AURICCHIO ANGELO
Published: January 2011

The present case illustrates pulmonary vein isolation guided by real‐time three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography. This imaging modality allowed to navigate in a point‐by‐point fashion around pulmonary veins to assess both catheter location in relation to pulmonary vein ostia and stability of catheter tip. Also, it offered high‐resolution visualization of a thickened, prominent tissue that surrounded the left upper pulmonary vein (the ligament of Marshall). The ability to visualize this anatomical structure along with intracardiac recording of electrical signals allowed to safely modulate in loco radiofrequency energy delivery, thus achieving electrical isolation of the pulmonary vein. (PACE 2011; 1–4)
Magnetic Resonance Angiography of the Circle of Willis in Patients with Symptomatic Intracranial Neuropathology: Medicare LCD L25367(R4)
Authors: Gilbert John W. , Wheeler G. R. , Mick G. E. , Herder S. L. , Richardson G. B. , Storey B. B. , Broughton P. G. ,   MS Nursing, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Kenney III C. M.
Published: January 2011

Patients with symptomatic intracranial neuropathology such as atherosclerotic occlusive disease or unruptured aneurysms face high risks for morbidity and mortality. Magnetic resonance angiography of the circle of Willis is an important tool used to detect and diagnose intracranial neuropathology; however, recent changes to the Medicare local coverage determinations for this procedure threaten to compromise the physician's ability to deliver this current standard of care. Physicians can assume an important role in advocating for this lifesaving procedure on behalf of this vulnerable patient population. J Neuroimaging 2012;22:118‐121.
Will variation among genetic individuals influence species responses to global climate change?
Authors: Pistevos Jennifer C. A. , Calosi Piero , Widdicombe Steve , Bishop John D. D.
Published: January 2011

Increased anthropogenic CO2 emissions in the last two centuries have lead to rising sea surface temperature and falling ocean pH, and it is predicted that current global trends will worsen over the next few decades. There is limited understanding of how genetic variation among individuals will influence the responses of populations and species to these changes. A microcosm system was set up to study the effects of predicted temperature and CO2 levels on the bryozoan Celleporella hyalina. In this marine species, colonies grow by the addition of male, female and feeding modular individuals (zooids) and can be physically subdivided to produce a clone of genetically identical colonies. We studied colony growth rate (the addition of zooids), reproductive investment (the ratio of sexual to feeding zooids) and sex ratio (male to female zooids) in four genetically distinct clonal lines. There was a significant effect of clone on growth rate, reproductive investment and sex ratio, with clones showing contrasting responses to the various temperature and pH combinations. Overall, decreasing pH and increasing temperature caused reduction of growth, and eventual cessation of growth was often observed at the highest temperature, especially during the latter half of the 15‐day trials. Reproductive investment increased with increasing temperature and decreasing pH, varying more widely with temperature at the lowest pH. The increased production of males, a general stress response of the bryozoan, was seen upon exposure to reduced pH, but was not expressed at the highest temperature tested, presumably due to the frequent cessation of growth. Further to the significant effect of pH on the measured whole‐colony parameters, observation by scanning electron microscopy revealed surface pitting of the calcified exoskeleton in colonies that were exposed to increased acidity. Studying ecologically relevant processes of growth and reproduction, we demonstrate the existence of relevant levels of variation among genetic individuals which may enable future adaptation via non‐mutational natural selection to falling pH and rising temperature.