bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quality of life in adults with chronic idiopathic urticaria receiving desloratadine: a randomized, double‐blind, multicentre, placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Grob JJ , Auquier P , Dreyfus I , Ortonne JP
Published: July 2007

Objective  To assess the effect of desloratadine on quality of life (QoL) in chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU).

Study population  Patients with a history of CIU (pruritus and weals lasting = 6 weeks) were included in this multicentre, randomized, double‐blind placebo‐controlled study that took place in dermatology centres throughout France. During the study, patients were randomized to receive desloratadine 5 mg daily or placebo for 42 days.

Main outcome measures  Variation of the scores of two QoL dermatology‐specific tools between baseline and day 42, the French translation version of the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the VQ‐Dermato (a French‐language scoring instrument).

Results  The intent‐to‐treat population comprised 137 patients [desloratadine (n = 65) or placebo (n = 72)]. Desloratadine treatment was associated with significantly greater improvements from baseline to day 42 compared with placebo in DLQI overall score (–6 vs. –2.2 points; P < 0.002) and VQ‐Dermato score (18.5 vs. 29.1 points; P = 0.009). Mean scores for sleep disruption and disruption of daily activities were significantly lower in the desloratadine group than in the placebo group from day 1 to the end of the study.

Conclusions  Desloratadine 5 mg/day was associated with significant improvements in two separate dermatology‐specific measures of QoL in patients with CIU. QoL proved to be a relevant primary outcome measure for therapeutic trials in CIU.
‘But Suppose Everyone Did the Same’1 — The Case of the Danish Utopian Micro‐Society of Christiania
Authors: MIDTGAARD SØREN FLINCH
Published: July 2007

abstract  The paper considers what (if anything) can justify that a utopian community or a micro‐society makes an exception to the general rules of society for itself. The discussion evolves around the Danish case of Christiania. Three moral theories, to wit Kantian constructivism, rule‐consequentialism and act‐consequentialism, are applied to the case at hand. The aim is to test whether the exceptions in question are unjust or in other ways morally problematic. The two former theories appear to deny the justice of Christiania. The relevant exceptions are unacceptable according to those two moral perspectives. Act‐consequentialism, however, seems to endorse the case of Christiania, including the exceptions pertaining to it. While the latter theory is often thought to conflict with widely shared reflective moral convictions, in this case it might square with at least an important pragmatic layer of Danish public culture.
The Individual or the Institution? Ethics and Behavioural Responses to Social Insurance
Authors: DUBOIS MIKAEL
Published: July 2007

abstract  Individuals tend to change their behaviour as a response to insurance. Such behavioural responses to insurance are commonly seen as ethically and morally problematic. This is especially true of effects on behaviour from social insurance. These effects have been seen as an ethical problem, associated with irresponsibility, fraud and an immoral character. This article discusses the relevance of four different types of reasons for claims that behavioural responses to social insurance are immoral. These reasons are (1) independent reasons (2) con‐tract related reasons (3) reasons related to fraud and (4) reasons related to justice. I argue that reasons related to justice are most relevant, but that this type of reason does not render the individual morally blameworthy. Hence, insofar as behavioural responses to social insurance are an ethical problem it is a problem that concerns the institution, i.e. what incentives social insurance exhibits, rather than the individual, i.e. the morality of the individual responding to it. Insofar as behavioural responses to social insurance are an ethical problem it is a problem for political philosophy rather than individual ethics.
David Miller on Immigration Policy and Nationality
Authors: LÆGAARD SUNE
Published: July 2007

abstract  David Miller's recent statement of the case for restrictive immigration policies can plausibly be construed as an application of a ‘liberal nationalist’ position. The paper first addresses Miller's critique of distributive justice arguments for open borders, which relies on nationality as determinative of the scope of distributive justice and as giving rise to national collective responsibility. Three interpretations of his main positive reason for restricting immigration, which concerns the importance of a shared public culture, are then discussed: culture as having valuable social functions, as a context of choice, and as an object of self‐determination. The paper assesses the plausibility of Miller's nationalist arguments, and concludes that they are either implausible or peculiarly weak compared to other considerations in favour of restrictions. Several of the arguments may alternatively be construed as non‐nationalist, and it is argued that Miller's arguments are more plausible when considered as such. The broader implication is that, even if the concern with nationality is relevant and legitimate in other areas of politics, it is, perhaps surprisingly, either inappropriate or insignificant in relation to immigration policy.
Utilitarianism, Vegetarianism, and Human Health: A Response to the Causal Impotence Objection
Authors: GARRETT JEREMY R.
Published: July 2007

abstract  It is generally assumed that the link between utilitarianism and vegetarianism is relatively straightforward. However, a familiar objection to utility‐based vegetarianism maintains that, given the massive scale of animal agribusiness, any given person is causally impotent in reducing the overall number of animals raised for food and, thus, in reducing the unfathomably high quantity of disutility engendered thereby. Utilitarians have frequently responded to this objection in two ways: first, by appealing to expected utility and economic thresholds, and, secondly, by appealing to publicity effects. In this paper, I will offer some reasons for thinking that, however far these responses go in the direction of ethical vegetarianism, both leave an important normative gap between the dietary prescription they are capable of underwriting and a ‘minimally‐genuine’ vegetarian obligation. What is needed to close this gap is a utility‐based reason that (1) generates an ethical prescription for minimally‐genuine vegetarianism and (2) circumvents the causal impotence objection.

As I see it, there is a straightforward and auspicious reason that can perform both of the required tasks — namely, an appeal to the well‐documented welfare‐reducing effects of eating animal products upon human health. For, if causal impotence is to work as a global objection to utility‐based vegetarianism (rather than as a more local objection to certain reasons supporting that position), then it must operate as a general thesis about the incapacity for any given individual to bring about more utility solely through her own abstention from consuming animal products. However, for almost any given individual, the decision to maintain a vegetarian diet is causally potent in at least diminishing the expected disutility for herself of poorer health and a shorter life span associated with the consumption of animal products. Thus, it follows that (1) there are plausible, if not conclusive, utilitarian grounds for minimally‐genuine vegetarianism and (2) the causal impotence objection fails as a general criticism of utility‐based vegetarianism.
Good Samaritans, Good Humanitarians
Authors: JAMES SCOTT M.
Published: July 2007

abstract  Duties of beneficence are not well understood. Peter Singer has argued that the scope of beneficence should not be restricted to those who are, in some sense, near us. According to Singer, refusing to contribute to humanitarian relief efforts is just as wrong as refusing to rescue a child drowning before you. Most people do not seem convinced by Singer's arguments, yet no one has offered a plausible justification for restricting the scope of beneficence that doesn't produce counterintuitive results elsewhere. I offer a defence of this restricted scope by introducing the notion of unique dependence, a notion that is both intuitively attractive and theoretically grounded. It explains why your reason to rescue the drowning child is more stringent than your reason to contribute to humanitarian relief, while blocking the conclusion that we have no reason at all to aid distant sufferers.
Should the State Fund Religious Schools?
Authors: MERRY MICHAEL S.
Published: July 2007

abstract  In this article, I make a philosophical case for the state to fund religious schools. Ultimately, I shall argue that the state has an obligation to fund and provide oversight of all schools irrespective of their religious or non‐religious character. The education of children is in the public interest and therefore the state must assume its responsibility to its future citizens to ensure that they receive a quality education. Still, while both religious schools and the polity have much to be gained from direct funding, I will show that parents and administrators of these schools may have reasons to be diffident toward the state and its hypothetical interference. While the focus of the paper is primarily on the American educational context, the philosophical questions related to state funding and oversight of religious schools transcend any one national context.
Is the prefrontal bone in Alpine newt (Triturus alpestris Laurenti, 1768) of dual origin?
Authors: Vater Miloš
Published: July 2007

According to current knowledge, only the prefrontal bone (os prefrontale) of the circumorbital series is preserved in the family Salamandridae. However, the exact origin and number of ossification centres creating this bone is unknown. Detailed examination of the prefrontal bone during ontogeny of juvenile and adult specimens of the Alpine Newt (Triturus alpestris) indicates its dual origin (prefrontal and lacrimal). We found that the prefrontal bone originates from four ossification centres, i.e. three prefrontal centres and one posterior lacrimal centre. The anterior lacrimal centre participates in the maxillar ossification. The development of these ossification centres occurs very late in ontogeny (at stage 54), and starts after differentiation of the nasal capsules. The total fusion of the lacrimal ossification centre with the prefrontal bone of T. alpestris is distinct from the fully differentiated lacrimal bone attached to the prefrontal bone of the fossil family Branchiosauridae (Temnospondyly). We propose that heterochrony, observed in the recent species, is a delayed development followed by accelerated ossification that resulted in the fusion of the anterior lacrimal centre with the maxilla and the posterior lacrimal centre with the prefrontal bone.
Volume rendering based on magnetic resonance imaging: advances in understanding the three‐dimensional anatomy of the human knee
Authors: Anastasi Giuseppe , Bramanti Placido , Di Bella Paolo , Favaloro Angelo , Trimarchi Fabio , Magaudda Ludovico , Gaeta Michele , Scribano Emanuele , Bruschetta Daniele , Milardi Demetrio
Published: July 2007

The choice of medical imaging techniques, for the purpose of the present work aimed at studying the anatomy of the knee, derives from the increasing use of images in diagnostics, research and teaching, and the subsequent importance that these methods are gaining within the scientific community. Medical systems using virtual reality techniques also offer a good alternative to traditional methods, and are considered among the most important tools in the areas of research and teaching. In our work we have shown some possible uses of three‐dimensional imaging for the study of the morphology of the normal human knee, and its clinical applications. We used the direct volume rendering technique, and created a data set of images and animations to allow us to visualize the single structures of the human knee in three dimensions. Direct volume rendering makes use of specific algorithms to transform conventional two‐dimensional magnetic resonance imaging sets of slices into see‐through volume data set images. It is a technique which does not require the construction of intermediate geometric representations, and has the advantage of allowing the visualization of a single image of the full data set, using semi‐transparent mapping. Digital images of human structures, and in particular of the knee, offer important information about anatomical structures and their relationships, and are of great value in the planning of surgical procedures. On this basis we studied seven volunteers with an average age of 25 years, who underwent magnetic resonance imaging. After elaboration of the data through post‐processing, we analysed the structure of the knee in detail. The aim of our investigation was the three‐dimensional image, in order to comprehend better the interactions between anatomical structures. We believe that these results, applied to living subjects, widen the frontiers in the areas of teaching, diagnostics, therapy and scientific research.
Morphometric and immunohistochemical study of the abomasum of red deer during prenatal development
Authors: Masot A. J. , Franco A. J. , Redondo E.
Published: July 2007

The red deer is well suited to scientific study, given its economic importance as an animal to be hunted, and because it has a rich genetic heritage. However, there has been little research into the prenatal development of the stomach of ruminants in general, and none for the red deer. For this reason, we undertook histological evaluation of the ontogenesis of the abomasum in red deer. Histomorphometric and immunohistochemical analyses were carried out on 50 embryos and fetuses from the initial stages of prenatal life until birth. The animals were divided for test purposes into five experimental groups: group I [1.4–3.6 cm crown–rump length (CRL); 30–60 days, 1–25% of gestation]; group II (4.5–7.2 cm CRL; 67–90 days, 25–35% of gestation); group III (8–19 cm CRL; 97–135 days, 35–50% of gestation); group IV (21–33 cm CRL; 142–191 days, 50–70% of gestation) group V (36–40 cm CRL; 205–235 days, 75–100% of gestation). In the organogenesis of the primitive gastric tube of red deer, differentiation of the abomasum took place at 67 days, forming a three‐layered structure: the epithelial layer (pseudostratified), pluripotential blastemic tissue and serosa. The abomasal wall displayed the primitive folds of the abomasum and by 97 days abomasal peak areas were observed on the fold surface. At 135 days the abomasal surface showed a single mucous cylindrical epithelium, and gastric pits were observed in the spaces between abomasal areas. At the bottom of these pits the first outlines of glands could be observed. The histodifferentiation of the lamina propria‐submucosa, tunica muscularis and serosa showed patterns similar to those described for the forestomach of red deer. The abomasum of red deer during prenatal life, especially from 67 days of gestation, was shown to be an active structure with full secretory capacity. Its histological development, its secretory capacity (as revealed by the presence of neutral mucopolysaccharides) and its neuroendocrine nature (as revealed by the presence of positive non‐neuronal enolase cells and the neuropeptides vasoactive intestinal peptide and neuropeptide Y) were in line with the development of the rumen, reticulum and omasum. Gastrin‐immunoreactive cells first appeared in the abomasum at 142 days, and the number of positive cells increased during development. As for the number of gastrin cells, plasma gastrin concentrations increased throughout prenatal life. However, its prenatal development was later than that of the abomasum in sheep, goat and cow.
Preimplantation embryonic development in a tropical vespertillionid bat
Authors: Pakrasi P. L. , Tiwari A.
Published: July 2007

Early embryonic development and implantation were studied in one of the Indian tropical bat Scotophilus heathi. This species is selected from its previous reports for an alternate animal model to study the reproduction in mammals. This bat is monoestrus. It also exhibits differential growth of embryos and generally one implantation per uterine horn. Embryo development was studied with dated pregnant females bred in captivity. Scotophilus heathi is an induced ovulator requiring several matings for ovulation to occur. In captivity, generally, it ovulates a single ovum after the third mating in captivity. The second ovulation occurs either at the fourth or fifth matings in the case when first ovulation occurs at the third mating. In our experiment, 70% of the bat ovulated both the ova simultaneously either at the fourth or fifth mating. The females that showed differential ovulation also showed differential embryonic development and differential implantation. The embryos could not begin compaction during cleavage and went to a state of block for about 8–10 days at the 6–8‐cell stage. This block was found to be related to the formation of corpora lutea. Culmination of block coincides with the presence of progesterone in serum. Then, the developmental block is removed and embryos resume development. The total preimplantation period of development takes 20–22 days including the block period. This study reports that bat embryonic development can be studied like in other laboratory animals. It may also provide another model to study developmental block.
Homogenisation, nationalism and war: should we still read Ernest Gellner?*
Authors: CONVERSI DANIELE
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT.Is homogenising nationalism a consequence of industrialisation? This view has been most forcefully and systematically advanced by Ernest Gellner. The article contests this approach by focusing instead on militarism and militarisation. It therefore identifies the key role of the mass army as presaging the era of mass nationalism and cultural homogenisation. Drawing on a range of authors from history, sociology and political science, the relationship is found to be reciprocal and symbiotic. A preliminary exploration on the possibility of early modern (or pre‐modern) forms of cultural homogenisation is preceded by a critical assessment of Gellner's interchangeable use of the terms culture, language and ethnicity.
Constitutional democracy and civic nationalism
Authors: IPPERCIEL DONALD
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT. This article seeks to bring to the fore the intrinsic link between constitutional democracy and the civic nation, relying on Jürgen Habermas's theory of democracy. This theoretical framework will serve as the basis for a communicative understanding of civic nationalism, underscoring the notable role played by language. Attention will be given to the normative dimension that allows for the legitimisation of national divisions of a civic space bound by universal rights. The prime motivation behind this article is thus political‐philosophical, although empirical examples, drawn particularly from the French revolutionary discourse, will be brought to bear. And since a civic nation construed in communicative terms has necessary linguistic implications, cases of multilingual and multinational states will be examined.
Imperial modernity, national identity and capital punishment in the Samarcand Arson Case, 1931
Authors: BICKFORD ANNETTE LOUISE
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT. This article draws upon the fascinating and little known 1931 Samarcand Arson Case involving the possible execution of adolescent white female inmates at a juvenile reformatory in North Carolina. Marked by nationalist discourses, the spectacle generated by this case indicates much about how white New South advocates construed national life and sought to construct a white ‘civilised’ collective identity, defending their region from Northern charges of Southern barbarism and asserting their place within the imperial politics of American nation building. The decision not to execute any of the sixteen defendants was informed by a series of interconnected ideas about sexuality, national danger, ‘civilisation’ and ‘race,’ suggesting that the presumed ‘legal chivalry’ extended to the young defendants was not a simple matter of gender bias, but involved a nuanced set of reasons related to negotiations of national belonging through racialised alliances.
Equality respecting nationalism and the relevance of culture
Authors: BARCLAY LINDA
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT. Both Will Kymlicka (1995) and David Miller (1995) have defended the value of national self‐determination and have argued that a properly organised self‐determining nation respects rather than undermines the equal treatment of all of its members, including ethnic, religious and cultural minorities. I argue that their respective attempts to defend national self‐determination and the equal treatment of all members of the nation are saddled with a serious tension. It is actually quite difficult to coherently argue both that (a) national self‐determination fulfils ethically valuable ends, and that (b) a self‐determining nation can treat all members equally. The equality‐respecting requirement is in tension with the claim that nations secure ethically valuable goods for their members.
Seeking labour's aristocracy? The ‘Westphalian incident’ and Polish nationality policy in the immediate aftermath of war*
Authors: FLEMING MICHAEL
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT. In the immediate aftermath of World War II the Polish state placed a high value on national homogeneity. The Polish Committee of National Liberation signed population exchange agreements with its socialist neighbours in September 1944 and expelled the German population who remained within the new Polish borders. Far less frequently discussed are the Polish state's efforts to persuade ‘Poles’ in Western Europe to move to Poland. This paper analyses how Polish policy towards ‘Westphalian Poles’ and the British reaction to Polish claims offer insight into both Polish and British nationality and citizenship policy in the immediate post‐war period. I argue that the quality of potential labour played an important role in both British and Polish thinking. The paper also contends that the ‘Westphalian incident’ gives useful insights into the emergence of the Cold War.
Warming and free‐air CO2 enrichment alter demographics in four co‐occurring grassland species
Authors: Williams Amity L. , Wills Karen E. , Janes Jasmine K. , Vander Schoor Jacqueline K. , Newton Paul C. D. , Hovenden Mark J.
Published: July 2007

DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2007.02224.xCommentary p 235
Evaluating food hygiene inspection schemes: ‘Scores on Doors’ in the UK
Authors: Worsfold Denise , Worsfold Philip M.
Published: July 2007

Food hygiene inspection results previously kept confidential from the public may now be released, and this gives food authorities the opportunity to publish these ratings, known as ‘Scores on Doors’, allowing consumers to make informed decisions when deciding where they will eat. The UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) is supporting trials of some of these schemes, which will involve more than 60 of the 400 local authorities, some of which have yet to launch their schemes. Other food authorities are running disclosure schemes independent of the FSA pilot scheme. The FSA has commissioned an evaluation of ‘Scores on Doors’ schemes to determine which is the most effective scheme with a view to launching a consistent nationwide scheme. A survey of ‘Scores on Doors’ schemes reveals many differences in the way they operate. This includes differences in the interpretation of scores, the extent of information that is disclosed, the communication channels used to disclose information, the amount of publicity provided for businesses and the public, the publicity given to the schemes by local media, and whether businesses are scored retrospectively or scored at inspection following the launch of the scheme. The implications of these variables for a comprehensive evaluation of the schemes are explored.
Co‐application of NMDA and dopamine‐induced rapid translation of RSK2 in the mature hippocampus
Authors: Kaphzan Hanoch , Doron Guy , Rosenblum Kobi
Published: July 2007

Ribosomal S6 kinase2 (RSK2) is known to take part in several signal transduction cascades including Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase/Extracellular Regulated Kinase (MAPK/ERK). Following our recent observation that ERK can serve as a coincidence detector for fast and slow neurotransmission in the hippocampus, we analyzed the status of RSK2 phosphorylation subsequent to application of NMDA, dopamine, or both to preparations of mature hippocampal slices in Sprague–Dawley rats. RSK2 was indeed phosphorylated; however, in addition, the amount of RSK2 protein (60%) was induced within 10 min following stimulation. Moreover, the induced expression of RSK2 could be detected in both the cell body layer and the dendrites of hippocampal CA1 cells. Pharmacological analysis showed that RSK2 induction was MAPK ERK Kinase (MEK)‐ERK independent, but mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) and translation dependent. We suggest that the fast kinetics of RSK2 translation that follows physiological stimulations, together with recent observations that its over‐expression is vital for the attenuation of major signal transduction cascades, indicate an expanded physiological function of RSK2 in neurons, and sheds new light on the role of RSK2 in the Coffin–Lowry syndrome.
Isolation and characterization of dinucleotide microsatellite loci in the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus)
Authors: KONGRIT C. , SIRIPUNKAW C. , BROCKELMAN W. Y. , AKKARAPATUMWONG V. , WRIGHT T. F. , EGGERT L. S.
Published: July 2007

The endangered Asian elephant is found today primarily in protected areas. We characterized 18 dinucleotide microsatellite loci in this species. Allelic diversity ranged from three to eight per locus, and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.200 to 0.842 in a wild population. All loci were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, but linkage disequilibrium was detected between two loci in the wild, but not in the zoo elephants. These loci will be useful for the population‐level studies of this species.
A set of novel DNA polymorphisms within candidate genes potentially involved in ecological divergence between Populus alba and P. tremula, two hybridizing European forest trees
Authors: JOSEPH JEFFREY A. , LEXER CHRISTIAN
Published: July 2007

We have identified 53 DNA (single nucleotide, microsatellite, and insertion‐deletion) polymorphisms within 12 candidate genes potentially involved in ecological differences between Populus alba and P. tremula, two hybridizing European forest trees. The genes represent candidates for functional roles associated with abiotic or biotic stress response, cross‐talk, phenology, and leaf development. Distributions within sequences, intraspecific levels of diversity, and genetic divergence (FST) between species are reported for each polymorphism, as are haplotype frequencies for each gene. The markers will be used for population genomic studies of the barrier to gene flow between these two ecologically divergent forest trees.
The novice, the native, and the nature of language teacher expertise
Authors: Shin Ji‐eun , Kellogg David
Published: July 2007

Previous studies of linguistic imperialism and native‐speakerism in EFL have focused on political or social issues rather than actual classroom discourse. In contrast, in this study a broadly socio‐cultural approach and transcript data are used to examine the teaching talk of one novice expatriate English teacher working in Korean primary‐level EFL. Compared with a native Korean teacher, her language is simpler, in both exchange and utterance length, with fewer new content words and, surprisingly, more grammatical errors. While the children use less Korean with her, they also use less English. The authors hold that English language expertise might usefully be reconceptualized as a form of teaching expertise, rather than vice versa, and thus primary‐level EFL may be considered a special case of primary teaching rather than EFL for young learners.

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Re‐reading Robert Lado, 1957, Linguistics across Cultures. Applied linguistics for language teachers
Authors: Kramsch Claire
Published: July 2007

This feature provides a critical reappraisal of a well‐known book that was published some time ago in order to assess how far it is still relevant to current thinking.
Dietary restriction alters demographic but not behavioral aging in Drosophila
Authors: Bhandari Poonam , Jones Melanie A. , Martin Ian , Grotewiel Michael S.
Published: July 2007

Dietary restriction extends lifespan substantially in numerous species including Drosophila. However, it is unclear whether dietary restriction in flies impacts age‐related functional declines in conjunction with its effects on lifespan. Here, we address this issue by assessing the effect of dietary restriction on lifespan and behavioral senescence in two wild‐type strains, in our standard white laboratory stock, and in short‐lived flies with reduced expression of superoxide dismutase 2. As expected, dietary restriction extended lifespan in all of these strains. The effect of dietary restriction on lifespan varied with genetic background, ranging from 40 to 90% extension of median lifespan in the seven strains tested. Interestingly, despite its robust positive effects on lifespan, dietary restriction had no substantive effects on senescence of behavior in any of the strains in our studies. Our results suggest that dietary restriction does not have a global impact on aging in Drosophila and support the hypothesis that lifespan and behavioral senescence are not driven by identical mechanisms.
Mating increases starvation resistance and decreases oxidative stress resistance in Drosophila melanogaster females
Authors: Rush Brandy , Sandver Sarah , Bruer Jessica , Roche Robin , Wells Michael , Giebultowicz Jadwiga
Published: July 2007

Mating stimulates complex physiological changes in females of Drosophila melanogaster. Long‐term effects of mating are manifested in increased fecundity and shortened lifespan. It is not clear how mating affects stress resistance in fly females. We addressed this question here and found that mated and highly fecund wild‐type D. melanogaster females have significantly higher resistance to starvation throughout their lifetime than age‐matched virgin females. Mean survival time under starvation was age dependent with maximum survival time observed in 15‐day‐old mated females. Mating‐induced increase in starvation resistance was associated with significantly higher fat reserves stored as triacylglycerols. While mated females had higher resistance to starvation, their resistance to oxidative stress was significantly lower than in age‐matched virgins. Our study revealed that mating leads to an opposing relationship between resistance to starvation and resistance to oxidative stress in Drosophila females. Thus, shortened lifespan of mated females is associated with their high‐fat content and greater susceptibility to oxidative stress.
Telomerase reverse transcriptase haploinsufficiency and telomere length in individuals with 5p– syndrome
Authors: Du Hong‐Yan , Idol Rachel , Robledo Sara , Ivanovich Jennifer , An Ping , Londono‐Vallejo Arturo , Wilson David B. , Mason Philip J. , Bessler Monica
Published: July 2007

Telomerase, which maintains the ends of chromosomes, consists of two core components, the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and the telomerase RNA (TERC). Haploinsufficiency for TERC or TERT leads to progressive telomere shortening and autosomal dominant dyskeratosis congenita (DC). The clinical manifestations of autosomal dominant DC are thought to occur when telomeres become critically short, but the rate of telomere shortening in this condition is unknown. Here, we investigated the consequences of de novo TERT gene deletions in a large cohort of individuals with 5p– syndrome. The study group included 41 individuals in which the chromosome deletion resulted in loss of one copy of the TERT gene at 5p15.33. Telomere length in peripheral blood cells from these individuals, although within the normal range, was on average shorter than in normal controls. The shortening was more significant in older individuals suggesting an accelerated age‐dependent shortening. In contrast, individuals with autosomal dominant DC due to an inherited TERC gene deletion had very short telomeres, and the telomeres were equally short regardless of the age. Although some individuals with 5p– syndrome showed clinical features that were reminiscent of autosomal dominant DC, these features did not correlate with telomere length, suggesting that these were not caused by critically short telomeres. We conclude that a TERT gene deletion leads to slightly shorter telomeres within one generation. However, our results suggest that several generations of TERT haploinsufficiency are needed to produce the very short telomeres seen in patients with DC.
Triglyceride and high‐density lipoprotein levels as the markers of disease activity and their association with TNF‐α and TNF receptor system in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: KARIMIFAR M. , GHARIBDOOST F. , AKBARIAN M. , MEYSAMIE A. P. , KHOSRAVI SH. , KARIMIFAR Mozh , SHAHRAM F. , NADJI A. , JAMSHIDI A. R. , AKHLAGHI M. , YAZDANI B. , DAVATCHI F.
Published: July 2007

Objective:  There are some clues that measurement of triglyceride (TG) and high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) and their correlation with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), soluble TNF‐α receptor type 1 and type 2 (sTNFR1, sTNFR2) in serum could be valuable in the assessment of disease activity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.

Methods:  In this cross‐sectional study, fasting blood samples were obtained from 86 SLE patients referred to the Rheumatology Research Center of Tehran University in Shariati Hospital, Iran. Disease activity was determined by using the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). TG and HDL obtained after overnight fasting were analysed by routine chemistry. Levels of circulating TNF‐α, sTNFR1, and sTNFR2 were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results:  Triglyceride levels were associated with SLEDAI (r = 0.59, P < 0.001), TNF‐α (r = 0.27, P < 0.01), and with sTNFR1 (r = 0.54, P < 0.001); on the contrary, HDL levels were negatively associated with SLEDAI (r = –0.29, P < 0.007), TNF‐α (r = –0.27, P < 0.01), and sTNFR1 (r = –0.35, P < 0.001). The correlation of TG and HDL with sTNFR2 were (r = 0.13, P > 0.23) and (r = –0.17, P > 0.1), respectively. In multiple logistic regression models, the levels of TNF‐α and HDL were omitted.

Conclusion:  Dyslipoproteinemia with high TG/low HDL levels correlates with disease activity in SLE, and enhanced activity in the TNF‐α/sTNFR system. With results of this study and the same studies, serum levels of TG, HDL, TNF‐α, sTNFR1, sTNFR2 are valuable markers for estimation of disease activity in SLE.
Responses of Tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) to Removal of Introduced Pacific Rats from Islands
Authors: TOWNS DAVID R. , PARRISH G. RICHARD , TYRRELL CLAUDINE L. , USSHER GRAHAM T. , CREE ALISON , NEWMAN DONALD G. , WHITAKER A. (TONY) H. , WESTBROOKE IAN
Published: July 2007

Abstract:  Invasive mammalian predators such as rats are now widespread on islands, but hypotheses about their effects have rarely been tested. Circumstantial evidence from New Zealand indicates that, when introduced to islands, Pacific rats (Rattus exulans) have negative effects on endemic plants, invertebrates, birds, and reptiles, including the tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus). We tested the effects of Pacific rats on tuatara by comparing the demographic structure and body condition of tuatara populations on three islands before and after removal of rats and on a fourth island where rats remained. In the presence of rats, juvenile tuatara constituted on average 0–5% of the sample tuatara populations. When Pacific rats were removed after at least 200 years' occupancy, the proportion of juvenile tuatara increased 3.5‐ to 17‐fold and body condition of adult males and females also improved (sometimes dramatically). We predict that, unless Pacific rats are removed from Taranga Island, the tuatara population will collapse because of low population density and the lack of juvenile recruitment. Our results demonstrate that when invasive species exert subtle effects on recruitment and body condition, the effects on populations of long‐lived endemic species may only become apparent long after the invasion.
Use of Integrated Modeling to Enhance Estimates of Population Dynamics Obtained from Limited Data
Authors: SCHAUB MICHAEL , GIMENEZ OLIVIER , SIERRO ANTOINE , ARLETTAZ RAPHAËL
Published: July 2007

Abstract: Demographic data of rare and endangered species are often too sparse to estimate vital rates and population size with sufficient precision for understanding population growth and decline. Yet, the combination of different sources of demographic data into one statistical model holds promise. We applied Bayesian integrated population modeling to demographic data from a colony of the endangered greater horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum). Available data were the number of subadults and adults emerging from the colony roost at dusk, the number of newborns from 1991 to 2005, and recapture data of subadults and adults from 2004 and 2005. Survival rates did not differ between sexes, and demographic rates remained constant across time. The greater horseshoe bat is a long‐lived species with high survival rates (first year: 0.49 [SD 0.06]; adults: 0.91 [SD 0.02]) and low fecundity (0.74 [SD 0.12]). The yearly average population growth was 4.4% (SD 0.1%) and there were 92 (SD 10) adults in the colony in year 2005. Had we analyzed each data set separately, we would not have been able to estimate fecundity, the estimates of survival would have been less precise, and the estimate of population growth biased. Our results demonstrate that integrated models are suitable for obtaining crucial demographic information from limited data.
Increased TGF‐β–producing CD4+ T lymphocytes in postburn patients and their potential interaction with dermal fibroblasts in hypertrophic scarring
Authors: Wang JianFei , Jiao Haiyan , Stewart Tara L. , Shankowsky Heather A. , Scott Paul G. , Tredget Edward E.
Published: July 2007

The development of hypertrophic scar involves a complex interplay between cells and cytokines. Although the mechanism underlying its pathogenesis is not well understood, a polarized T‐helper type 2 immune response has been reported, indicating a role for CD4+ T lymphocytes in hypertrophic scarring. Here, we report an increased frequency of CD4+/transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β)‐producing T cells in the peripheral blood and hypertrophic scar tissue of burn patients. These cells may play an indirect regulatory role in hypertrophic scar by affecting the functions of dermal fibroblasts. Our results show an increase in cell proliferation and collagen synthesis by dermal fibroblasts treated with medium derived from burn patient CD4+ T lymphocytes but not from the CD4+ T cells of normal subjects. Using confocal microscopy and immunoblotting, we found the level of α‐smooth muscle actin to be elevated in these treated dermal fibroblasts, which also showed an enhanced ability to contract collagen lattices. TGF‐β levels in medium conditioned by the culture of CD4+ T lymphocytes from burn patients were significantly higher than in the conditioned medium from CD4+ T lymphocytes of normal subjects. In addition, the application of a TGF‐β–neutralizing antibody significantly reduced the effect of burn patient CD4+ T lymphocyte medium on dermal fibroblast proliferation and collagen lattice contraction. Our study suggests that CD4+/TGF‐β–producing T lymphocytes may play an important role in postburn hypertrophic scarring.
Adipose tissue extract enhances skin wound healing
Authors: Fu Xiaobing , Fang Lijun , Li Haihong , Li Xiaokun , Cheng Biao , Sheng Zhiyong
Published: July 2007

The main function of adipose tissue has been considered as storage of triglycerides. Adipose tissue was considered harmful for healing extensive and deep burns because of poor circulation and easy liquefaction in wound beds, which offer an excellent culture medium for bacteria. However, these traditional concepts have been challenged with the discovery of the endocrine function of adipose tissue. To investigate the effects of adipose tissue extract on wound healing, we created four 3.0 × 2.5 cm full‐thickness wounds on each side of the back of male Wu Zhi Shan minipigs (n=6), for eight wounds in each animal. The wounds were randomly divided to receive normal saline (0.5 mL; controls), adipose tissue extract (1.5 g), basic fibroblast growth factor (50 U/cm2), and epidermal growth factor (50 U/cm2). Reduction in wound area and wound volume was accelerated with adipose tissue treatment as compared with growth factor or control treatment. The thickness of the regenerated epidermis and the number of new vascular nets were markedly increased in adipose tissue‐treated wounds. Biopsy of adipose tissue‐treated wounds showed enhanced expression of proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Factor VIII‐related antigen, which indicated active cell differentiation and proliferation. In vitro study in rat tissue showed adipose tissue extracts stimulating skin growth. Bacteriology results showed no significant differences in amount or type of bacteria, whatever the treatment. These results may challenge the traditional concept that adipose tissue plays a negative role in wound healing and may offer direct evidence for encouraging the retention of adipose tissue in autologous skin grafting for skin wounds.
In vitro binding of matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP‐2), MMP‐9, and bacterial collagenase on collagenous wound dressings
Authors: Metzmacher Iris , Ruth Peter , Abel Martin , Friess Wolfgang
Published: July 2007

Chronic wounds are characterized by failure in wound‐healing response and a delay in healing or nonclosure of the wounds. This results in a high effort in clinical treatment and/or home care. A major difference between acute wounds and chronic wounds is the imbalance of proteinase inhibitors and proteinase activity that regulates the degradation and regeneration of the extracellular matrix proteins. Collagen and collagen/oxidized regenerated cellulose dressings act as a competitive substrate for matrix metalloproteinase‐2, matrix metalloproteinase‐9, and bacterial collagenase and influence this imbalance positively. Both wound dressings, approved for chronic wound treatment, the bovine collagen type I sponge and the oxidized regenerated cellulose collagen sponge, did not differ significantly in their sorption profiles for all enzymes. In general, binding was enhanced with a longer incubation time. The density of the device and the accessible surface, which can be controlled by the manufacturing process, are the crucial factors for the efficiency of the wound dressing.
Modeling the effects of treating diabetic wounds with engineered skin substitutes
Authors: Waugh Helen V. , Sherratt Jonathan A.
Published: July 2007

In this paper, a novel mathematical model of wound healing in both normal and diabetic cases is presented, focusing upon the effects of adding two currently available commercial engineered skin substitute therapies to the wound (Apligraf™ and Dermagraft™). Our work extends a previously developed model, which considers inflammatory and repair macrophage dynamics in normal and diabetic wound healing. Here, we extend the model to include equations for platelet‐derived growth factor concentration, fibroblast density, collagen density, and hyaluronan concentration. This enables us to examine the variation of these components in both normal and diabetic wound healing cases, and to model the treatment protocols of these therapies. Within the context of our model, we find that the key component to successful healing in diabetic wounds is hyaluronan and that the therapies work by increasing the amount of hyaluronan available in the wound environment. The time‐to‐healing results correlate with those observed in clinical trials and the model goes some way to establishing an understanding of why diabetic wounds do not heal, and how these treatments affect the diabetic wound environment to promote wound closure.
A new thermodynamic model for clino‐ and orthoamphiboles in the system Na2O–CaO–FeO–MgO–Al2O3–SiO2–H2O–O
Authors: DIENER J. F. A. , POWELL R. , WHITE R. W. , HOLLAND T. J. B.
Published: July 2007

A recent thermodynamic model for the Na–Ca clinoamphiboles in the system Na2O–CaO–FeO–MgO–Al2O3–SiO2–H2O–O (NCFMASHO), is improved, and extended to include cummingtonite–grunerite and the orthoamphiboles, anthophyllite and gedrite. The clinoamphibole model in NCMASH is adopted, but the extension into the FeO‐ and Fe2O3‐bearing systems is revised to provide thermodynamic consistency and better agreement with natural assemblage data. The new model involves order–disorder of Fe–Mg between the M2, M13 and M4 sites in the amphibole structure, calibrated using the experimental data on site distributions in cummingtonite–grunerite. In the independent set of end‐members used to represent the thermodynamics, grunerite (rather than ferroactinolite) is used for FeO, with two ordered Fe–Mg end‐members, and magnesioriebeckite (rather than ferritschermakite) is used for Fe2O3. Natural assemblage data for coexisting clinoamphiboles are used to constrain the interaction energies between the various amphibole end‐members. For orthamphibole, the assumption is made that the site distributions and the non‐ideal formulation is the same as for clinoamphibole. The data set end‐members anthophyllite, ferroanthophyllite and gedrite, are used; for the others, they are based on the clinoamphibole end‐members, with the necessary adjustments to their enthalpies constrained by natural assemblage data for coexisting clino‐ and orthoamphiboles. The efficacy of the models is illustrated with P–T grids and various pseudosections, with a particular emphasis on the prediction of mineral assemblages in ferric‐bearing systems.
New, high‐precision P–T estimates for Oman blueschists: implications for obduction, nappe stacking and exhumation processes
Authors: YAMATO P. , AGARD P. , GOFFÉ B. , DE ANDRADE V. , VIDAL O. , JOLIVET L.
Published: July 2007

Oman blueschists and eclogites lie below the obduction nappe of the Semail ophiolite in one of the key areas on Earth for the study of plate convergence. Here new metamorphic and tectonic constraints are provided for the central, yet poorly constrained Hulw unit, sandwiched between the low‐grade units (∼10 kbar, <300 °C) and the As Sifah eclogites (Pmax ∼ 23 kbar; Tmax ∼ 600 °C).

TWEEQU multi‐equilibrium thermobarometry, using both compositional mapping and spot analyses, and Raman spectroscopy of carbonaceous material yield a high‐precision P–T path for the Hulw and As Sheikh units and reveal that they shared a common P–T history in four stages: (i) a pressure decrease from 10–12 kbar, 250–300 °C to 7–9 kbar, 300–350 °C; (ii) almost isobaric heating at ∼8–10 kbar from 300–350 °C to 450–500 °C; (iii) a pressure decrease at moderate temperatures (∼450–500 °C); and (iv) isobaric cooling at ∼5–6 kbar from 450–500 to 300 °C. No significant pressure or temperature gap is observed across the upper plate–lower plate discontinuity to the north and west of the Hulw unit.

The combination of tectonic and P–T data constrains the stacking chronology of the three main metamorphic units comprising the Saih Hatat window (i.e. the Ruwi‐Quryat, the Hulw‐As Sheikh and the Diqdah‐As Sifah units). These results strengthen the view that the tectonic and metamorphic data are conveniently accounted for by a simple, N‐vergent continental subduction of the passive Arabian margin below the obduction nappe along a cold P–T gradient.