bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel splicing mutation and haplotype analysis of the FECH gene in a Chinese family with erythropoietic protoporphyria
Authors: Ma J , Xiao S , An J , Wang X , Xu Q , Dong Y , Feng Y , Wang J
Published: November 2009

Background  Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder of haeme biosynthesis resulting from a partial decrease in ferrochelatase (FECH) activity leading to excessive accumulation of protoporphyrin. Clinical manifestation normally requires coinheritance of a common hypomorphic FECH allele and a deleterious FECH mutation.

Objective  The aim of this study was to characterize the inheritance of a Chinese family with EPP at molecular level, by identification and analysis of FECH sequence variation, including the IVS3‐48C polymorphisms.

Methods  Polymerase chain reaction amplification was employed to identify the FECH sequence variation, including the IVS3‐48C polymorphism, in a Chinese EPP family and a matched control cohort.

Results  A splicing mutation in IVS3 + 1G→A was identified in the proband as well as his symptomatic sister, cousin, his grandfather and his asymptomatic mother, but was absent in his father and grandmother. All the family members with overt photosensitivity carried the low‐expressed allele IVS3‐48C, which were absent in the asymptomatic EPP patients of this family.

Conclusion  We described a novel splicing FECH mutation in a Chinese EPP family and analysed the hypomorphic IVS3‐48C allele, which were believed to be responsible for generating the phenotypic symptoms in this family.
Nail changes in patients with liver disease
Authors: Salem A , Gamil H , Hamed M , Galal S
Published: November 2009

Background Liver cirrhosis, hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B (HBV) virus infections are known to be associated with different skin disorders. Nail changes are additional important criteria, which would help in identification of these systemic diseases.

Objective To record the nail abnormalities in patients with liver disease which were not reported before, especially those with HCV and HBV infection.

Patients and methods The study comprised 100 patients with HCV, HBV and liver cell failure, and 100 normal healthy controls. Both groups underwent full history taking and thorough general examination, complete blood picture, hepatitis B antigen, hepatitis C antibody, liver function tests, abdominal ultrasonography and PCR were performed in patients with liver disease. Full nail examination was performed.

Results Nail changes were more prevalent in patient group (68%) than in the control group (35%). The nail infection, onychomycosis, was the most common finding in 18% of patients and that in controls was 10% followed by in a descending order, longitudinal striations, brittle nails, onychorrhexis, clubbing of fingers, dystrophic nails, leukonychia and longitudinal melanonychia.

Conclusion Nail changes are observed with not only liver cirrhosis but also with HCV and HBV infection, and this will add additional clinical criteria for general practitioners and dermatologists to help them with diagnosis of these common systemic infections.
Subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with chronic psoriasis: a potential association
Authors: El‐Mongy S , Fathy H , Abdelaziz A , Omran E , George S , Neseem N , El‐Nour N
Published: November 2009

Background  The immunological abnormalities that lead to the development of psoriasis suggest that these patients may be at increased risk for other inflammatory state which may enhance atherosclerosis.

Objective  To assess the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis in psoriatic patients who haven't associated traditional cardiovascular risk factors, and to correlate these findings with colour Doppler echocardiographic parameters.

Methods  The study included 80 patients with chronic psoriasis together with 50 age and sex matched healthy volunteers served as control group. Patients who had classic cardiovascular risk factors or had cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events were excluded. Carotid artery intima‐media thickness (IMT) and carotid plaques were measured in the carotid arteries by using high‐resolution B‐mode ultrasound. Also, echocardiographic study was performed using ultrasound imaging system in all cases and controls.

Results  Patients with psoriasis had increased carotid artery IMT compared with controls (means 0.9 ± 0.2 mm vs. 0.7 ± 0.1 mm; P < 0.001). Carotid IMT positively correlated with patients age, duration of the disease and severity of psoriasis. There was no significant difference in echocardiographic parameters in psoriatic patients compared with controls, also no significant correlation between carotid IMT and echocardiographic parameters were observed in psoriatic patients.

Conclusion  The increased carotid artery IMT in patients with chronic psoriasis suggesting that chronic psoriasis is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. So, dermatologists should advice their patients to avoid traditional cardiovascular risk factors and to routinely checkup to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Haematological deficiencies in patients with recurrent aphthosis
Authors: Compilato D , Carroccio A , Calvino F , Di Fede G , Campisi G
Published: November 2009

Background  Recurrent aphthosis is a common oral ulcerative condition consisting also of a subset of similar ulcers, properly named ‘aphthous‐like’ ulcers (ALU), linked to systemic diseases and among these, to iron, folic acid and vitamin B12 deficiencies.

Objectives  The main objectives of this study were: (i) to evaluate the association between recurrent aphthosis and the most common predisposing factors; (ii) to assess the frequency of ALU in recurrent aphthosis; (iii) to verify the efficacy of a replacement therapy in all ALU patients.

Methods  Thirty‐two adults with recurrent aphthosis and 29 otherwise healthy controls were consecutively recruited, interviewed and subjected to haematological investigations.

Results  Family history of recurrent aphthosis was significantly associated (P < 0.01). The overall frequency of haematinic deficiencies was 56.2% in recurrent aphthosis patients vs. 7% in controls (P < 0.0001). All ALU patients with a negative family history showed a complete remission of the ulcerative episodes after replacement therapy, while those with a positive family history only had a reduction in frequency and severity. In the logistic regression model, only family history was associated with recurrent aphthosis (P = 0.0137).

Conclusion  The strong association with familiarity, the unexpected higher frequency of ALU (compared with the idiopathic variant) and the good response to replacement therapy means that familiarity should always be investigated. Furthermore, routine haematological screening and tests for serum iron, folic acid and vitamin B12 deficiencies should be assessed in all patients with recurrent aphthosis to treat any nutritional deficiency and to prevent more important related systemic manifestations.
Sources and composition of fluids associated with fluorite deposits of Asturias (N Spain)
Authors: SÁNCHEZ V. , VINDEL E. , MARTÍN‐CRESPO T. , CORBELLA M. , CARDELLACH E. , BANKS D.
Published: November 2009

The fluorite deposits of Asturias (northern Iberian Peninsula) are hosted by rocks of Permo‐Triassic and Palaeozoic age. Fluid inclusions in ore and gangue minerals show homogenization temperatures from 80 to 170°C and the presence of two types of fluids: an H2O–NaCl low‐salinity fluid (<8 eq. wt% NaCl) and an H2O–NaCl–CaCl2 fluid (7–13 wt% NaCl and 11–14 wt% CaCl2). The low salinity and the Cl/Br and Na/Br ratios (Cl/Brmolar 100–700 and Na/Brmolar 20–700) are consistent with an evaporated sea water origin of this fluid. The other end‐member of the mixture was highly saline brine with high Cl/Br and Na/Br ratios (Cl/Brmolar 700–13 000 and Na/Brmolar 700–11 000) generated after dissolution of Triassic age evaporites. LA‐ICP‐MS analyses of fluid inclusions in fluorite reveal higher Zn, Pb and Ba contents in the high‐salinity fluids (160–500, 90–170, 320–480 p.p.m. respectively) than in the low‐salinity fluid (75–230, 25–150 and 100–300 p.p.m. respectively). The metal content of the fluids appears to decrease from E to W, from Berbes to La Collada and to Villabona. The source of F is probably related to leaching of volcanic rocks of Permian age. Brines circulated along faults into the Palaeozoic basement. Evaporated sea water was present in permeable rocks and faults along or above the unconformity between the Permo‐Triassic sediments and the Palaeozoic basement. Mineralization formed when the deep brines mixed with the surficial fluids in carbonates, breccias and fractures resulting in the formation of veins and stratabound bodies of fluorite, barite, calcite, dolomite and quartz and minor amounts of sulphides. Fluid movement and mineralization occurred between Late Triassic and Late Jurassic times, probably associated with rifting events related to the opening of the Atlantic Ocean. This model is also consistent with the geodynamic setting of other fluorite‐rich districts in Europe.
Pattern formation during healing of fluid‐filled cracks: an analog experiment
Authors: RENARD F. , DYSTHE D. K. , FEDER J. G. , MEAKIN P. , MORRIS S. J. S. , JAMTVEIT B.
Published: November 2009

The formation and subsequent healing of cracks and crack networks may control such diverse phenomena as the strengthening of fault zones between earthquakes, fluid migrations in the Earth’s crust, or the transport of radioactive materials in nuclear waste disposal. An intriguing pattern‐forming process can develop during healing of fluid‐filled cracks, where pockets of fluid remain permanently trapped in the solid as the crack tip is displaced driven by surface energy. Here, we present the results of analog experiments in which a liquid was injected into a colloidal inorganic gel to obtain penny‐shaped cracks that were subsequently allowed to close and heal under the driving effect of interfacial tension. Depending on the properties of the gel and the injected liquid, two modes of healing were obtained. In the first mode, the crack healed completely through a continuous process. The second mode of healing was discontinuous and was characterized by a ‘zipper‐like’ closure of a front that moved along the crack perimeter, trapping fluid that may eventually form inclusions trapped in the solid. This instability occurred only when the velocity of the crack tip decreased to zero. Our experiments provide a cheap and simple analog to reveal how aligned arrays of fluid inclusions may be captured along preexisting fracture planes and how small amounts of fluids can be permanently trapped in solids, modifying irreversibly their material properties.
Heterogeneity effects on possible salinity‐driven free convection in low‐permeability strata
Authors: SHARP J. M. , SHI M.
Published: November 2009

Although studies of free convection commonly focus on highly permeable strata, but numerical analyses indicate that density‐driven free convection may also occur in heterogeneous low‐permeability strata. Traditional Rayleigh number criteria are overly conservative in predicting thermohaline convection in these systems; so, numerical models are used to make inferences on the process. Simulations with stochastic realizations of permeability fields show that dense plumes can take preferential pathways to sink through generally low‐permeability strata; patch analysis using percolation theory shows that the threshold permeability for the onset of free convection can be as low as 10−16 m2 even with a mean permeability of 10−18 m2. Threshold permeability for the percolation pathways decreases with increasing concentration gradient, vertical correlation length and the mean and variance of the permeability. The connectedness of relatively high‐permeability zones is important in initiating and controlling plume fingers of free convection in both single‐layer and sand‐shale sequence models. Permeable units above and below are conducive to free convection through intervening low‐permeability strata if buoyancy gradients exist. This heterogeneity is on scales that are difficult to sample by drilling and too localized to be simulated in regional models but may be significant in solute transport in these systems.
Generation and accumulation of oil and condensates in the Wenchang A Sag, western Pearl River Mouth Basin, South China Sea
Authors: GAN H. J. , TIAN H. , HUANG B. J. , WILKINS R. W. T. , TANG Y. C. , XIAO X. M.
Published: November 2009

The Pearl River Mouth (PRM) Basin is one of four Cenozoic basins in the South China Sea, and the Wenchang A Sag is a secondary depression in the western part of the basin. Both the Wenchang and Enping formations contain good source rocks in the western PRM Basin; however, only the latter has been considered a likely source of the discovered oil and gas. New data from fluid inclusions and the analysis of oil–source rock correlations for the WC10‐3 oil and gas pools indicate two stages of petroleum charging, the earlier originating from the Wenchang Formation and the later from the Enping Formation. Kinetics of petroleum generation and structural evolution modeling were employed to further investigate the mechanism of formation of the WC10‐3 oil and gas pools. It was shown that the crucial condition for the formation of pools is the time of development of the structural trap. The Wenchang Formation source rocks generated oil from 25 to 14 Ma in the possible source area of the WC10‐3 oil and gas pools in the Wenchang A Sag, so that only traps formed earlier than this period could capture oil sourced by the Wenchang Formation. The Enping Formation source rock experienced its oil window from 18 Ma to the present with the main stage of oil generation from 15 to 5 Ma. During this period structural traps in the sag continued to form until movements became weak, so that most pools in the Wenchang A Sag originated from the Enping Formation source rock. The likely dissipation of oil and gas from the earlier stage of charging should be taken into account in assessing the oil potential of the Wenchang A Sag.
Application of fluorescence lifetime measurements on single petroleum‐bearing fluid inclusions to demonstrate multicharge history in petroleum reservoirs
Authors: BLAMEY N. J. F. , CONLIFFE J. , PARNELL J. , RYDER A. G. , FEELY M.
Published: November 2009

Petroleum‐bearing fluid inclusions emit fluorescent light when excited with UV or visible light. The fluorescence decay time of the emission is dependent upon the wavelengths of the excitation and emission light, and the chemical composition of the petroleum oil. In general heavy oils have short lifetimes, whereas the emission from light oils is much longer lived. One can thus use plots of the fluorescence lifetime versus emission wavelength (τ–λ plots), to show even subtle changes in the chemical composition of the entrapped oil. As a consequence, these τ–λ plots can be used for fluid inclusion research to discriminate different oil populations in situ. In particular, it is demonstrated that τ–λ plots discriminate two sets of inclusion oils in each of four North Atlantic basins [Jeanne d’Arc Basin (Newfoundland), Porcupine Basin (Ireland), Clair field West of Shetland (UK) and Kangerlussuaq Basin (East Greenland)] where multistage oil charge is inferred from other geological evidence.
Somatosensory mismatch negativity in healthy children
Authors: RESTUCCIA DOMENICO , ZANINI SERGIO , CAZZAGON MONICA , DEL PIERO IVANA , MARTUCCI LUCIA , DELLA MARCA GIACOMO
Published: November 2009

Aim  Event‐related potentials (ERPs) obtained when focused attention is kept away from the stimulus (unnoticed stimulation) are possibly linked to automatic mismatch‐detection mechanisms, and could be a useful tool to investigate sensory discrimination ability. By considering the high impact of impaired somatosensory integration on many neurological disturbances in children, we aimed to verify whether mismatch‐related responses to somatosensory stimulation could be obtained in healthy children.

Method  Eleven healthy participants (age range 6–11y, mean 8y 2mo, SD 1y 7mo; seven males, four females) underwent ‘oddball’ electrical stimulation of the right hand (80% frequent stimuli delivered to the thumb, 20% deviant stimuli delivered to the fifth finger). Data were compared with those obtained when the frequent stimuli to the thumb were omitted (‘standard‐omitted’ protocol). ERPs were recorded at frontal, central, and parietal scalp locations. Children’s overt attention was engaged by a demanding video game.

Results  In the oddball protocol, deviant stimulation elicited a left central negativity at about 160ms latency, followed by a left frontal negative response at about 220ms latency. Standard‐omitted traces showed only a left parietal negative response spreading to right parietal regions.

Interpretation  Mismatch‐related somatosensory responses can be reliably obtained in children, providing that appropriate technical contrivances are used. In clinical use, the frontal components, which are present only during the oddball protocol, could be a reliable and unequivocal neurophysiological marker of the automatic mismatch‐detection mechanism.
Utilization of surface electromyography during the feeding of term and preterm infants: a literature review
Authors: GOMES CRISTIANE F , THOMSON ZULEIKA , CARDOSO JEFFERSON R
Published: November 2009

Aim To evaluate studies that have used surface electromyography (sEMG) during feeding for term and preterm infants.

Method Studies published between 1996 and 2009 were identified through databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, LILACS, and SciELO) and divided into groups: term infants, preterm infants, and other situations with infants aged from 0 to 12 months.

Results Five studies were found for suckling in term infants, two evaluating muscular activity during feeding in preterm infants, and one dealing with other situations. Some studies revealed striking differences in activity of the masseter muscle between breastfed and bottle‐fed term infants (action diminished in bottle‐fed infants). For preterm infants, authors evaluated sucking and sucking bursts and pointed out an effective means of evaluating muscle behaviour during feeding. There is evidence of a similarity in activity between cup feeding and breastfeeding.

Interpretation Studies found in this literature review show the importance of using sEMG as a method of feeding assessment for term and preterm infants. For term infants, the masseter muscle presented greater muscular activity during breastfeeding and reduced activity during bottle‐feeding. It was not possible to make comparisons between studies of preterm infants because of differences in methodological design.
Metabotropic glutamate receptor 3 activation prevents nitric oxide‐induced death in cultured rat astrocytes
Authors: Durand Daniela , Caruso Carla , Carniglia Lila , Lasaga Mercedes
Published: November 2009

Altered glial function may contribute to the initiation or progression of neuronal death in neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, modulation of astrocyte death may be essential for preventing pathological processes in the CNS. In recent years, metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) activation has emerged as a key target for neuroprotection. We investigated the effect of subtype 3 mGluR (mGluR3) activation on nitric oxide (NO)‐induced astroglial death. A mGluR3 selective agonist, LY379268, reduced inducible NO synthase expression and NO release induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharide and interferon‐γ in cultured rat astrocytes. In turn, a NO donor (diethylenetriamine/NO) induced apoptotic‐like death in cultured astrocytes, which showed apoptotic morphology and DNA fragmentation, but no caspase 3 activation. LY379268 prevented astrocyte death induced by NO exposure, which correlates with a reduction in: phosphatidylserine externalization, p53 and Bax activation and mitochondrial permeability. The reported effects of LY379268 were prevented by the mGluR3 antagonist (s)‐α‐ethylglutamic acid. All together, these findings show the protective effect of mGluR3 activation on astroglial death and provide further evidence of a role of these receptors in preventing CNS injury triggered by several inflammatory processes associated with dysregulated NO production.
Iron elevations in the aging Parkinsonian brain: a consequence of impaired iron homeostasis?
Authors: Lee Donna W. , Andersen Julie K.
Published: November 2009

The contribution of iron dysregulation to the etiology of a variety of neuronal diseases comes as no surprise given its necessity in numerous general cellular and neuron‐specific functions, its abundance, and its highly reactive nature. Homeostatic mechanisms such as the iron regulatory protein and hypoxia‐inducible factor pathways are firmly evolutionarily set in place to prevent ‘free’ iron from participating in chemical Fenton and Haber‐Weiss reactions which can result in subsequent generation of toxic hydroxyl radicals. However, given the multiple layers of complexity in cellular iron regulation, disruption of any number of genetic and environmental components can disturb the delicate balance between the various molecular players involved in maintaining an appropriate metabolic iron homeostasis. In this review, we will primarily focus on: (i) the impact of aging and gender on iron dysfunction as these are important criteria in the determination of iron‐related disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), (ii) how iron mismanagement via disruption of cellular entry and exit pathways may contribute to these disorders, and (iii) how the availability of non‐invasive measurement of brain iron may aid in PD diagnosis.
Assessment of left ventricular systolic function using tissue Doppler imaging in children after successful repair of aortic coarctation
Authors: Florianczyk Tomasz , Werner Bozena
Published: November 2009

Aim:  Assessment of left ventricular systolic function in children after the successful repair of aortic coarctation using tissue Doppler imaging (TDI).

Methods:  The study group consisted of 32 patients (mean age 12·0 ± 4·2 years) after the aortic coarctation repair. The TDI parameters and the conventional echocardiographic endocardial and midwall indices of the left ventricular systolic function were analysed and compared with the results obtained from 34 healthy children.

Results:  The systolic mitral annulus motion velocity, systolic myocardial velocity of the medial segment of the left ventricular septal wall, left ventricular strain and Strain Rate (SR) in the study group were significantly higher than in the control group, respectively: 6·92 ± 0·75 cm s−1 versus 6·45 ± 0·83 cm s−1; 5·82 ± 1·03 cm s−1 versus 5·08 ± 1·11 cm s−1; −28·67 ± 6·04% versus −22·53 ± 6·44% and −3·20 ± 0·76 s−1 versus −2·39 ± 0·49 s−1. Except midwall shortening fraction the conventional endocardial and midwall echocardiographic indices in the study group were significantly higher in comparison to the healthy controls. The left ventricular systolic meridional fibre stress and end‐systolic circumferential wall stress did not differ between the examined groups. There were no differences of the TDI or conventional parameters between hypertensive and normotensive patients.

Conclusions:  Left ventricular systolic performance in children after the surgical repair of aortic coarctation reveals tendency to rise in late follow‐up despite a satisfactory result after surgery. Higher systolic strain and SR in children treated due to coarctation of the aorta may suggest the increased preserved left ventricular performance despite normalization of afterload.
The formation of foliated (garnet‐bearing) granites in the Tongbai‐Dabie orogenic belt: partial melting of subducted continental crust during exhumation
Authors: ZHANG L. , ZHONG Z. , ZHANG H. , SUN W. , XIANG H.
Published: November 2009

Foliated (garnet‐bearing) (FGB) granites are associated closely with and are usually the major wall rocks of the high‐pressure (HP) and ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) metamorphic rocks in the Tongbai‐Dabie region, the mid segment of the Qinling‐Dabie‐Sulu orogenic belt in central China. These granites appear either as small plutons or as veins, which commonly intrude into or surround the HP and UHP metamorphic eclogites or gneisses. The veins of FGB granites usually penetrate into the retrograded eclogites or gneisses along the foliations. Condensation rims can occasionally be found along the margins of granite veins. These granites are rich in Si and alkali with high Ga/Al ratios, and depleted in Ca, Mg, Al, Ti, Sc, V, Ni, Co, Cr and Sr, which are similar to A‐type granites. In a chondrite normalized diagram, the samples are light rare earth elements enriched with different extent of negative Eu anomaly. Moreover, Rb, Nb, Ta, Sr, P and Ti show different degrees of negative anomalies, whereas Ba, K, La, Zr and Hf show positive anomalies in the primitive mantle normalized diagram. Negative anomalies of Eu and Sr indicate strong influence of plagioclase. In conventional discrimination diagrams, these FGB granites belong to the A‐type granite, with geochemical characteristics affinitive to post‐collisional granites. The εNd (230 Ma) values (−15.80 to −2.52) andTDMvalues (1.02–2.07 Ga) suggest that magma for the FGB granites were derived from a heterogeneous crustal source. Therefore, the FGB granites may provide clues for deciphering the formation of post‐collisional granites. It is proposed that the magma of the FGB granites both in the HP and UHP units was formed in an extensional tectonic setting slightly post‐dating the HP and UHP metamorphism, most likely as a result of decompressional partial melting of UHP retrograded eclogites during exhumation.
Introduction to the Social and Psychological Dynamics of Collective Action
Authors: Van Zomeren Martijn , Iyer Aarti
Published: November 2009

Collective action is one of the core mechanisms of social change, and thus of major importance to social scientists, practitioners, and policy‐makers. Our goal in editing this issue is to bring together recent advances on the social and psychological dynamics of collective action among members of disadvantaged as well as advantaged groups. This article introduces the contributions to this issue after a brief review of the major psychological perspectives on collective action (social identity, relative deprivation, and resource mobilization theories), and a discussion of the considerable diversity in collective action research in terms of contexts, populations, and measures. We hope that this issue contributes to a more multi‐faceted and integrative understanding of the social and psychological dynamics of collective action in terms of theory, research, policy, and practice.
Pathways to Collective Protest: Calculation, Identification, or Emotion? A Critical Analysis of the Role of Group‐Based Anger in Social Movement Participation
Authors: Stürmer Stefan , Simon Bernd
Published: November 2009

The dual‐pathway model of collective action proposes two motivational pathways to collective protest, one is based on cost–benefit calculations and another is based on collective identification. The present research examined the role of feelings of group‐based anger as an additional path. Study 1, a field study in the context of students’ protest in Germany (N= 201), provided evidence for a unique effect of anger. Study 2, a laboratory experiment (N= 182), examined the desire to release aggressive tension as a psychological process underlying this effect. As hypothesized, analyses confirmed that anger affected participants’ willingness to protest only to the extent that this behavior provided the opportunity of cathartic reduction in aggressive tensions. Moreover, an experimental manipulation providing an alternative means to release tension reduced the relationship between anger and willingness to protest to nonsignificance. The implications of these findings for reconceptualizing the role of anger in collective protest are discussed.
Collective Action in Modern Times: How Modern Expressions of Prejudice Prevent Collective Action
Authors: Ellemers Naomi , Barreto Manuela
Published: November 2009

This contribution addresses modern forms of group‐based discrimination, and examines how these impact upon the likelihood that people engage in collective action. Based on a review of the relevant literature, we predict that modern expressions of prejudice are less likely to be perceived as indicating group‐based disadvantage and hence elicit less anger, protest, and collective action than old‐fashioned prejudice. We present three studies to offer empirical support for this prediction. In Study 1 (N= 116), female participants were led to believe that the general public endorses either old‐fashioned or modern sexist views. In Study 2 (N= 44) and 3 (N= 37) female participants were exposed to a student supervisor who allegedly held either old‐fashioned or modern sexist views. Results of all three studies indicate that modern sexism is less likely to be perceived as a form of discrimination, and as a result elicits less anger at the source and less support for collective action (Study 1), intentions to protest (Study 2), and collective protest behavior (Study 3) than old‐fashioned sexism. In discussing the results of this research, we connect to current insights on antecedents of collective action, and identify conclusions from our analysis that are relevant for societal and organizational policy making.
Collective Psychological Empowerment as a Model of Social Change: Researching Crowds and Power
Authors: Drury John , Reicher Steve
Published: November 2009

The issue of psychological empowerment in crowd events has important implications for both theory and practice. Theoretically, the issue throws light on both intergroup conflict and the nature and functions of social identity. Practically, empowerment in collective events can feed into societal change. The study of empowerment therefore tells us something about how the forces pressing for such change might succeed or fail. The present article first outlines some limitations in the conceptualization of both identity and empowerment in previous research on crowd events, before delineating the elaborated social identity model of crowds and power. We then describe recent empirical contributions to the field. These divide into two areas of research: (1) empowerment variables and (2) the dynamics of such empowerment. We finally suggest how psychological empowerment and social change are connected through crowd action. We conclude with some recommendations for practice following from the research described.
Collective Action—and Then What?
Authors: Louis Winnifred R.
Published: November 2009

Two aspects of the social psychology of collective action are of particular interest to social movement organizers and activists: how to motivate people to engage in collective action, and how to use collective action to create social change. The second question remains almost untouched within social psychology. The present article delineates research from political science and sociology concerning variables that moderate the effectiveness of collective action and maps these variables against intergroup research. Within intergroup social psychology, there is a theoretical literature on what needs to be done to achieve change (e.g., changing identification, social norms, or perceptions of legitimacy, stability, permeability). The article considers possible testable hypotheses concerning the outcomes of collective action which can be derived from intergroup research and from the synthesis of the three disciplines. For theoreticians and practitioners alike, a program of research which addresses the social‐psychological outcomes of collective action and links these to identities, norms, intentions, and support for social change in bystanders, protagonists, and opponents has a great deal of interest.
Why Do Men and Women Challenge Gender Discrimination in the Workplace? The Role of Group Status and In‐group Identification in Predicting Pathways to Collective Action
Authors: Iyer Aarti , Ryan Michelle K.
Published: November 2009

Group status and group identification were hypothesized to moderate the predictors of collective action to challenge gender discrimination against women. Higher identifiers were expected to respond to the inequality through the lens of their in‐group's interests. Among highly identified women, collective action was predicted by appraisals of illegitimacy and feelings of anger, suggesting that they felt a sense of solidarity with the victims and experienced the justice violation as personally relevant. In contrast, higher identification with the high‐status group should reflect more investment in the advantaged in‐group, relative to the interests of the victimized out‐group members. Thus, among highly identified men, collective action intentions were predicted by perceiving the inequality as pervasive (i.e., not limited to a few cases) and feelings of sympathy for victims. This suggests that highly identified men did not experience the inequality as self‐relevant until they saw it as too widespread to be ignored. In contrast, men and women with lower gender group identification demonstrated more similar pathways to collective action, where sympathy was the main predictor. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Context Matters: Explaining How and Why Mobilizing Context Influences Motivational Dynamics
Authors: Van Stekelenburg Jacquelien , Klandermans Bert , Van Dijk Wilco W.
Published: November 2009

The emphasis in the social‐psychological collective action literature is on why individuals take part in collective action; however, it does not elaborate on how different mobilizing contexts may appeal to distinct motivational dynamics to participate. The present study connects the microlevel of motivational dynamics of individual protesters with the mesolevel of social movement characteristics. To do so a field study was conducted. Protesters were surveyed in the act of protesting in two different demonstrations in two different town squares simultaneously organized by two social movements at exactly the same time against the same budget cuts proposed by the same government. But with one fundamental difference, the movements emphasized different aspects of the policies proposed by the government. This most similar systems design created a unique natural experiment, which enabled the authors to examine whether the motivational dynamics of individual protesters are moderated by the social movement context. Previous research suggested an instrumental path to collective action, and the authors added an ideology path. The authors expected and found that power‐oriented collective action appeals to instrumental motives and efficacy and that value‐oriented collective action appeals to ideological motives, and, finally, that efficacy mediates on instrumental motives and motivational strength, but only so in power‐oriented action.
The Next Generation of Collective Action Research
Authors: Wright Stephen C.
Published: November 2009

The articles presented in this volume describe part of a new generation of interest and vigor in the social psychological study of collective action. This new wave builds nicely on the foundation set by social identity, self‐categorization, and relative deprivation theories but also introduces a number of important innovative perspectives and variables. In this commentary, I review some of these expansions and additions, raise a number of conceptual concerns that arise out of these new directions, and discuss more generally some novel and important directions that emerge from the work presented in the volume and in other recent work on collective action.
A laboratory technique to speed processing of samples with large numbers of invertebrates
Authors: Doğramaci Mahmut , DeBano Sandra J. , Wooster David E. , Kimoto Chiho
Published: November 2009

The amount of time needed to process samples with large numbers of terrestrial invertebrates in the laboratory has been a long‐standing obstacle impeding progress in invertebrate conservation biology and applied ecology. Laboratory subsampling of samples with large numbers of invertebrates is one method that saves time and reduces processing cost. In this study, a laboratory vacuum processing technique, consisting of a vacuum pump, aspirator and voice recognition software, was compared with a subsampling technique, and a conventional whole sample counting method. Vacuum processing was the most efficient technique; on average, more than five times more insects were processed per minute compared with whole sample counting and subsampling techniques. Differences in efficiencies among techniques were affected by trap type and invertebrate abundance. The vacuum technique was most efficient when processing high abundance pitfall trap samples, and was less efficient in processing pan trap samples that had invertebrates entangled by algae and other materials. Caution should be exercised when using the technique on soft‐bodied or poorly preserved specimens; a subsampling technique may be more appropriate in these cases, especially if specimens must be identified to genus or species level at a later time. The efficiency of the vacuum technique is reduced relative to the amount of time it takes to locate invertebrates in a sample; therefore, the technique does not save substantial time when processing samples with large amounts of substrate or debris, such as is the case with some aquatic invertebrate samples. However, if flotation or another method that separates invertebrates from other materials is used first, then the vacuum method would be useful for these types of samples as well.
Enantiomeric conservation of the male‐produced sex pheromone facilitates monitoring of threatened European hermit beetles (Osmoderma spp.)
Authors: Svensson Glenn P. , Oleksa Andrzej , Gawroński Robert , Lassance Jean‐Marc , Larsson Mattias C.
Published: November 2009

Hermit beetles of the genus Osmoderma (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae) are known for their fruity odour, which is released in large amounts by males. Two species of the genus occur in Europe, the eastern Osmoderma barnabita (Motschulsky) and the western Osmoderma eremita (Scopoli). Previous studies on Swedish populations of O. eremita showed that the compound responsible for the characteristic scent, γ‐decalactone, functions as a sex pheromone for the attraction of conspecific females. Male O. eremita only release the (R)‐enantiomer of the lactone, and both sexes are anosmic to the opposite enantiomer. As the distribution areas of the two hermit beetle species partly overlap, it may be expected that they use different enantiomeric compositions of γ‐decalactone as pheromones to promote species discrimination. This paper reports on the identification of the sex pheromone of O. barnabita. Surprisingly, males from a Polish population produce only the (R)‐enantiomer of γ‐decalactone, and conspecific females show equal attraction to the (R)‐enantiomer and a racemic mixture of the compound, indicating that O. barnabita is anosmic to the (S)‐enantiomer, similarly to what was observed for O. eremita. A mtDNA sequence analysis of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene of Polish and Swedish beetles confirmed their taxonomical status as O. barnabita and O. eremita, respectively, with an average sequence divergence of 10.5% between beetles from the two studied areas. Although genetic data suggest that these species diverged several million years ago, they still rely on the same enantiomer of γ‐decalactone for mate finding. Thus, the male‐produced pheromone in Osmoderma spp. may be regarded as a territorial signal being exploited by females, rather than a cue for determining species identity. Our data show that the same compound can be used to facilitate monitoring of both beetle species, which are considered indicator species of the species‐rich fauna of saproxylic insects in Europe.
Monitoring Amyelois transitella males and females with phenyl propionate traps in almonds and pistachios
Authors: Burks Charles S. , Higbee Bradley S. , Kuenen L. P. S. , Brandl David G.
Published: November 2009

We examined phenyl propionate as an attractant for trapping navel orangeworm, Amyelois transitella (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) adults, with the objective of developing a method of trapping both sexes more effectively than with almond meal. Two initial experiments maximized the total number of adults captured using phenyl propionate released from glass vials with cotton wicks. A third experiment compared the numbers of males and females captured using these glass dispensers in either bucket or sticky traps. The glass vial dispensers captured more adults than 0.1% phenyl propionate in water (as both attractant and killing agent), and far more adults were captured with glass vial phenyl propionate dispensers than with almond meal. On rare occasion, the glass vial dispensers captured as many adults as traps baited with virgin females, but usually phenyl propionate in glass vials captured fewer adults than virgin‐baited traps. Glass vial phenyl propionate dispensers were equally effective in sticky traps or bucket traps. The majority of females captured were mated, and the proportion of males captured increased over time within flights (generations). We conclude that phenyl propionate released from glass vials captured A. transitella adults more effectively than currently available options, and will be useful in research projects where capturing intact adults and comparing mating status are important. Developing a cost‐effective phenyl propionate‐based alternative to the egg traps currently used for commercial monitoring will be more difficult.
Increased mast cell expression of PAR‐2 in skin inflammatory diseases and release of IL‐8 upon PAR‐2 activation
Authors: Carvalho Ricardo Filipe da Silva , Nilsson Gunnar , Harvima Ilkka Tapani
Published: November 2009

Please cite this paper as: Increased mast cell expression of PAR‐2 in skin inflammatory diseases and release of IL‐8 upon PAR‐2 activation. Experimental Dermatology 2010; 19: 117–122.

Abstract:  Mast cells are increasingly present in the lesional skin of chronic skin inflammatory diseases including psoriasis and basal cell carcinoma (BCC). It has previously been shown that proteinase‐activated receptor (PAR)‐2 is expressed by mast cells, and tryptase is a potent activator of this receptor. In this study, skin biopsies from both healthy‐looking and lesional skin of patients with psoriasis and superficial spreading BCC were collected and the expression of PAR‐2 immunoreactivity in tryptase‐positive mast cells was analysed. PAR‐2 expression was confirmed in vitro in different mast cell populations. Cord‐blood derived mast cells (CBMC) were stimulated with a PAR‐2 activating peptide, 2‐furoyl‐LIGRLO‐NH2. Consequently, IL‐8 and histamine production was analysed in the supernatants. We observed a significant increase in the percentage of mast cells expressing PAR‐2 in the lesional skin of psoriasis and BCC patients compared with the healthy‐looking skin. HMC‐1.2, LAD‐2 and CBMC mast cells all expressed PAR‐2 both intracellularly and on the cell surface. CBMC activation with the PAR‐2 activating peptide resulted in an increased secretion of IL‐8, but no histamine release was observed. Furthermore, both PAR‐2 and IL‐8 were co‐localized to the same tryptase‐positive mast cells in the lesional BCC skin. These results show that mast cells express increased levels of PAR‐2 in chronic skin inflammation. Also, mast cells can be activated by a PAR‐2 agonist to secrete IL‐8, a chemokine which can contribute to the progress of inflammation.
Trophic structure of a landlocked Arctic char Salvelinus alpinus population from southern Baffin Island, Canada
Authors: Gallagher C. P. , Dick T. A.
Published: November 2009

Gallagher CP, Dick TA. Trophic structure of a landlocked Arctic char Salvelinus alpinus population from southern Baffin Island, Canada. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 2010: 19: 39–50. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S

Abstract –  Stable isotopes, diet and parasites were used to investigate the trophic structure of landlocked Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) from a small Canadian Arctic lake. Two trophic levels of char were identified. The lower trophic level comprised smaller char that consumed mainly invertebrates and harboured low numbers of the cestode plerocercoid Diphyllobothrium spp. while the higher trophic level char were larger, mainly piscivorous and had high numbers of plerocercoids. Procercoids of Diphyllobothrium spp. in copepods are eaten by char where the parasite then differentiates into a plerocercoid. Plerocercoids from smaller fish are transmitted to larger fish by piscivory where they encyst again as plerocercoids until the fish is eaten by a gull. These plerocercoids are a good indicator of trophic level as their numbers accumulate over time in larger fish. The three variables together provided a better resolution of trophic structure than applied separately. For example, plerocercoid numbers plus diet were better predictors of trophic status than stable isotopes in 4–7 year olds, but for char ≥8 years all three variables were complementary. Some char (≥10 years old) were placed in the lower trophic level based on their stable isotope values and had low Diphyllobothrium spp. abundance but were piscivorous and/or cannibalistic. The absence of sexually mature char in the higher trophic group was associated with high numbers of Diphyllobothrium spp. plerocercoids.
Prefrontal morphology, 5‐HTTLPR polymorphism and biased attention for emotional stimuli
Authors: Beevers C. G. , Pacheco J. , Clasen P. , McGeary J. E. , Schnyer D.
Published: November 2009

Biased attention for emotional stimuli has been associated with vulnerability to psychopathology. This study examines the neural substrates of biased attention. Twenty‐three adult women completed high‐resolution structural imaging followed by a standard behavioral measure of biased attention (i.e. spatial cueing task). Participants were also genotyped for the serotonin transporter‐linked promoter region (5‐HTTLPR) gene. Results indicated that lateral prefrontal cortex (lPFC) morphology was inversely associated with maintained attention for positive and negative stimuli, but only among short 5‐HTTLPR allele carriers. No such associations were observed for the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) or the amygdala. Results from this study suggest that brain regions involved in cognitive control of emotion are also associated with attentional biases for emotion stimuli among short 5‐HTTLPR allele carriers.
Parotid gland swelling following mouthrinse use
Authors: Van der Weijden GA , Ten Heggeler JMAG , Slot DE , Rosema NAM , Van der Velden U
Published: November 2009

To cite this article:
 
Int J Dent Hygiene 8, 2010; 276–279 DOI: 10.1111/j.1601‐5037.2008.00419.x Van der Weijden GA, ten Heggeler JMAG, Slot DE, Rosema NAM, Van der Velden U. Parotid gland swelling following mouthrinse use.

Abstract:  Background:  Unilateral or bilateral swelling of the parotid gland is a reported side effect of rinsing the mouth with chlorhexidine. Although the incidence rate is extremely low, there have been several case reports on this topic and the authors of these reports have suggested several explanations for the mechanism of this complication.

Methods:  In this report, two cases of parotid gland swelling are discussed. Both patients developed unilateral parotid swelling following the use of a mouthwash, case 1 after using a chlorhexidine mouthwash following flap surgery and case 2 after using a hexetidine mouthwash in an approved clinical trial that was testing different mouthwashes.

Results:  In both of the cases, differential diagnoses were made to explain the cause of the parotid swelling. However, discontinuing use of the product resulted in an eventual complete resolution of symptoms in both patients.

Conclusions:  Swelling of the parotid gland following use of a mouthwash has previously been reported, although previous reports found this side effect only in patients who used chlorhexidine mouthwashes. This complication has therefore been informally linked to chlorhexidine. The present case report questions this hypothesis and suggests that parotid gland swelling may not be related to the type of mouthwash used, but may instead be a consequence of the rinsing action itself.