bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The monkfish fishery and its management in the northeastern USA
Authors: Haring Phil , Maguire J-J.
Published: August 2008

Haring, P., and Maguire, J-J. 2008. The monkfish fishery and its management in the northeastern USA. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 1370–1379. The domestic monkfish (Lophius americanus) fishery off the northeastern USA is described, along with the management response to the expansion of the fishery and the challenges posed to the management and scientific processes. The US fishery was virtually non-existent in the early 1980s, but it expanded rapidly over the next decade to the point that a management plan became necessary to regulate harvesting. By law, US fishery management plans must include measurable biological reference points based on maximum sustainable yield or a proxy; management plans must stop overfishing and rebuild overfished stocks. For monkfish, the limited biological and historical fisheries information presented significant challenges to science and management and resulted in the adoption of innovative approaches to comply with the law.
A New Color Variant of the Dry Bean Bacterial Wilt Pathogen (Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens) Found in Western Nebraska
Authors: Harveson Robert M. , Vidaver Anne K.
Published: August 2008

Bacterial wilt of dry beans, caused by Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens (Cff), has long been a sporadic but often serious production problem throughout the irrigated High Plains. Because of the systemic nature of this disease, the pathogen will often color or stain seeds. This paper represents the first report of a new color variant for Cff and, combined with the occurrence of the other three pathogen variants for more than 50 years.

Accepted for publication 25 June 2008. Published 15 August 2008.
Reliable coding of small, behaviourally relevant interaural intensity differences in a pair of interneurons of an insect
Authors: Stradner Jürgen , Römer Heiner
Published: August 2008

Insects, as vertebrates and humans, use interaural intensity differences (IIDs) between the two ears for sound localization. They are remarkably sensitive for small IIDs of the order of 1–2 dB. Here, we investigated, using an independent ear stimulation paradigm, how such small IIDs are reliably encoded in the binaural discharge differences of a prominent pair of interneurons. Starting with an IID of 1 dB, these differences are large and significant, with the louder side being more strongly excited. In a comparison of simultaneous responses of left and right interneurons, more than 70 and 90 per cent correct responses occur at IIDs of 1 and 2.5 dB, respectively.
Estimates of the bistable region in metal cutting
Authors: Dombovari Zoltan , Wilson R. Eddie , Stepan Gabor
Published: August 2008

The classical model of regenerative vibration is investigated with new kinds of nonlinear cutting force characteristics. The standard nonlinear characteristics are subjected to a critical review from the nonlinear dynamics viewpoint based on the experimental results available in the literature. The proposed nonlinear model includes finite derivatives at zero chip thickness and has an essential inflexion point. In the case of the one degree-of-freedom model of orthogonal cutting, the existence of unstable self-excited vibrations is proven along the stability limits, which is strongly related to the force characteristic at its inflexion point. An analytical estimate is given for a certain area below the stability limit where stable stationary cutting and a chaotic attractor coexist. It is shown how this domain of bistability depends on the theoretical chip thickness. The comparison of these results with the experimental observations and also with the subcriticalHopf bifurcationresults obtained for standard nonlinear cutting force characteristics provides relevant information on the nature of the cutting force nonlinearity.
Competing phytoplankton undermines allelopathy of a bloom-forming dinoflagellate
Authors: Prince Emily K , Myers Tracey L , Naar Jerome , Kubanek Julia
Published: August 2008

Biotic interactions in the plankton can be both complex and dynamic. Competition among phytoplankton is often chemically mediated, but no studies have considered whether allelopathic compounds are modified by biotic interactions. Here, we show that compounds exuded duringKarenia brevisblooms were allelopathic to the cosmopolitan diatomSkeletonema costatum, but that bloom allelopathy varied dramatically among collections and years. We investigated several possible causes of this variability and found that neither bloom density nor concentrations of water-borne brevetoxins correlated with allelopathic potency. However, when we directly tested whether the presence of competing phytoplankton influenced bloom allelopathy, we found thatS. costatumreduced the growth-inhibiting effects of bloom exudates, suggesting thatS. costatumhas a mechanism for underminingK. brevisallelopathy. Additional laboratory experiments indicated that inducible changes toK. brevisallelopathy were restricted to two diatoms among five sensitive phytoplankton species, whereas five other species were constitutively resistant toK. brevisallelopathy. Our results suggest that competitors differ in their responses to phytoplankton allelopathy, withS. costatumexhibiting a previously undescribed method of resistance that may influence community structure and alter bloom dynamics.
Life in a temperate Polar sea: a unique taphonomic window on the structure of a Late Cretaceous Arctic marine ecosystem
Authors: Chin Karen , Bloch John , Sweet Arthur , Tweet Justin , Eberle Jaelyn , Cumbaa Stephen , Witkowski Jakub , Harwood David
Published: August 2008

As the earth faces a warming climate, the rock record reminds us that comparable climatic scenarios have occurred before. In the Late Cretaceous, Arctic marine organisms were not subject to frigid temperatures but still contended with seasonal extremes in photoperiod. Here, we describe an unusual fossil assemblage from Devon Island, Arctic Canada, that offers a snapshot of aca75 Myr ago marine palaeoecosystem adapted to such conditions. Thick siliceous biogenic sediments and glaucony sands reveal remarkably persistent high primary productivity along a high-latitude Late Cretaceous coastline. Abundant fossil faeces demonstrate that this planktonic bounty supported benthic invertebrates and large, possibly seasonal, vertebrates in short food chains. These ancient organisms filled trophic roles comparable to those of extant Arctic species, but there were fundamental differences in resource dynamics. Whereas most of the modern Arctic is oligotrophic and structured by resources from melting sea ice, we suggest that forested terrestrial landscapes helped support the ancient marine community through high levels of terrigenous organic input.
In your face: facial metrics predict aggressive behaviour in the laboratory and in varsity and professional hockey players
Authors: Carré Justin M , McCormick Cheryl M
Published: August 2008

Facial characteristics are an important basis for judgements about gender, emotion, personality, motivational states and behavioural dispositions. Based on a recent finding of a sexual dimorphism in facial metrics that is independent of body size, we conducted three studies to examine the extent to which individual differences in the facial width-to-height ratio were associated with trait dominance (using a questionnaire) and aggression during a behavioural task and in a naturalistic setting (varsity and professional ice hockey). In study 1, men had a larger facial width-to-height ratio, higher scores of trait dominance, and were more reactively aggressive compared with women. Individual differences in the facial width-to-height ratio predicted reactive aggression in men, but not in women (predicted 15% of variance). In studies 2 (male varsity hockey players) and 3 (male professional hockey players), individual differences in the facial width-to-height ratio were positively related to aggressive behaviour as measured by the number of penalty minutes per game obtained over a season (predicted 29 and 9% of the variance, respectively). Together, these findings suggest that the sexually dimorphic facial width-to-height ratio may be an ‘honest signal’ of propensity for aggressive behaviour.
Neighbourhood density and genetic relatedness interact to determine fruit set and abortion rates in a continuous tropical tree population
Authors: Jones F.A , Comita L.S
Published: August 2008

Tropical trees may show positive density dependence in fruit set and maturation due to pollen limitation in low-density populations. However, pollen from closely related individuals in the local neighbourhood might reduce fruit set or increase fruit abortion in self-incompatible tree species. We investigated the role of neighbourhood density and genetic relatedness on individual fruit set and abortion in the neotropical treeJacaranda copaiain a large forest plot in central Panama. Using nested neighbourhood models, we found a strong positive effect of increased conspecific density on fruit set and maturation. However, high neighbourhood genetic relatedness interacted with density to reduce total fruit set and increase the proportion of aborted fruit. Our results imply a fitness advantage for individuals growing in high densities as measured by fruit set, but realized fruit set is lowered by increased neighbourhood relatedness. We hypothesize that the mechanism involved is increased visitation by density-dependent invertebrate pollinators in high-density populations, which increases pollen quantity and carry-over and increases fruit set and maturation, coupled with self-incompatibility at early and late stages due to biparental inbreeding that lowers fruit set and increases fruit abortion. Implications for the reproductive ecology and conservation of tropical tree communities in continuous and fragmented habitats are discussed.
Mapping short DNA sequencing reads and calling variants using mapping quality scores
Authors: Li Heng , Ruan Jue , Durbin Richard
Published: August 2008

New sequencing technologies promise a new era in the use of DNA sequence. However, some of these technologies produce very short reads, typically of a few tens of base pairs, and to use these reads effectively requires new algorithms and software. In particular, there is a major issue in efficiently aligning short reads to a reference genome and handling ambiguity or lack of accuracy in this alignment. Here we introduce the concept of mapping quality, a measure of the confidence that a read actually comes from the position it is aligned to by the mapping algorithm. We describe the software MAQ that can build assemblies by mapping shotgun short reads to a reference genome, using quality scores to derive genotype calls of the consensus sequence of a diploid genome, e.g., from a human sample. MAQ makes full use of mate-pair information and estimates the error probability of each read alignment. Error probabilities are also derived for the final genotype calls, using a Bayesian statistical model that incorporates the mapping qualities, error probabilities from the raw sequence quality scores, sampling of the two haplotypes, and an empirical model for correlated errors at a site. Both read mapping and genotype calling are evaluated on simulated data and real data. MAQ is accurate, efficient, versatile, and user-friendly. It is freely available at http://maq.sourceforge.net.
The MADS Domain Protein DIANA Acts Together with AGAMOUS-LIKE80 to Specify the Central Cell inArabidopsisOvules
Authors: Bemer Marian , Wolters-Arts Mieke , Grossniklaus Ueli , Angenent Gerco C.
Published: August 2008

MADS box genes in plants consist of MIKC-type and type I genes. While MIKC-type genes have been studied extensively, the functions of type I genes are still poorly understood. Evidence suggests that type I MADS box genes are involved in embryo sac and seed development. We investigated two independent T-DNA insertion alleles of the Arabidopsis thaliana type I MADS box gene AGAMOUS-LIKE61 (AGL61) and showed that in agl61 mutant ovules, the polar nuclei do not fuse and central cell morphology is aberrant. Furthermore, the central cell begins to degenerate before fertilization takes place. Although pollen tubes are attracted and perceived by the mutant ovules, neither endosperm development nor zygote formation occurs. AGL61 is expressed in the central cell during the final stages of embryo sac development. An AGL61:green fluorescent protein–β-glucoronidase fusion protein localizes exclusively to the polar nuclei and the secondary nucleus of the central cell. Yeast two-hybrid analysis showed that AGL61 can form a heterodimer with AGL80 and that the nuclear localization of AGL61 is lost in the agl80 mutant. Thus, AGL61 and AGL80 appear to function together to differentiate the central cell in Arabidopsis. We renamed AGL61 DIANA, after the virginal Roman goddess of the hunt.
Phylogeny of scolopendromorph centipedes (Chilopoda): morphological analysis featuring characters from the peristomatic area
Authors: Edgecombe Gregory D. , Koch Markus
Published: August 2008

Alternative schemes for the higher‐level systematics of the centipede order Scolopendromorpha have been established from characters of trunk segmentation, including the segmental position of spiracles, and the presence or absence of eyes. A comparative survey of the preoral chamber by light and scanning electron microscopy contributes 16 new characters of the epipharynx and hypopharynx, sampled from 26 species that represent 20 genera. These new data together with 49 additional morphological characters permit cladistic analysis of the major scolopendromorph groups. The shortest cladograms resolve blind Scolopendromorpha as a basal grade within which a clade now classified as Plutoniuminae + Scolopocryptopidae (supported by unreversed characters from the preoral chamber) is sister to the remaining scolopendromorphs. A unique row of bullet‐shaped sensilla between the labral and clypeal parts of the epipharynx provides a new autapomorphy of the Scolopendromorpha. Either 21 or 23 trunk segments optimize at the base of the Scolopendromorpha but in either case homoplasy is forced on the cladogram. New characters from the epipharynx give additional support for the monophyly of several traditional groupings, including Cryptopinae, Scolopendridae, Otostigmini, and Scolopendrini, and a basal resolution of Asanadini within Scolopendridae. Of the two competing hypotheses for the position of the enigmatic Mediterranean Plutonium zwierleini—being either sister to the cryptopid Theatops or sister to all other Scolopendromorpha—the former hypothesis is strongly supported; spiracles on all trunk segments in Plutonium are homoplastic with the state in Geophilomorpha. Observations on feeding behaviour are needed to illuminate convergence in characters of the epipharynx and mandible in Edentistoma (Otostigminae) and Campylostigmus (Scolopendrini).

© The Willi Hennig Society 2008.
Elective intra‐aortic balloon counterpulsation during a high risk liver resection
Authors: Oliver J. C. , Welsh F. K. S. , Bell J. , Bishop A. J. , Glover J. , Rees M.
Published: August 2008

We present the case of a 65‐year‐old male with severe coronary artery disease and a single colorectal liver metastasis. An elective intra‐aortic balloon pump (IABP) was inserted following induction of anaesthesia to reduce left ventricular workload during his liver resection. After an uneventful recovery he was discharged on day 5. We review the literature on the elective use of these devices in cardiac surgery in which it is becoming routine practice in high risk patients. However in non‐cardiac surgery there have been only 15 published cases all in very high risk patients, with favourable outcomes. To our knowledge this is the first published case of the use of elective IABP during liver surgery.
Safety and complications of percutaneous tracheostomy in a cohort of 800 mixed ICU patients
Authors: Díaz‐Regañón G. , Miñambres E. , Ruiz A. , González‐Herrera S. , Holanda‐Peña M. , López‐Espadas F.
Published: August 2008

Percutaneous tracheostomy is used primarily to assist weaning from mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit. We report our experiences of 800 such procedures performed in the intensive care unit by a collaborative team (critical care and ENT specialists). Most procedures (85.6%) were performed by residents supervised by the intensive care unit staff. Complications occurred in 32 patients (4%). Intraprocedural complications occurred in 17 patients (2.1%), early postprocedural complications in six (0.75%), and late postprocedural complications in nine (1.1%). No deaths were directly related to percutaneous tracheostomy. The incidence of complications was greater in percutaneous tracheostomy performed by the residents during their initial five attempts compared to their later attempts (9.2% vs 2.6%, p < 0.05). The low incidence of complications indicates that bedside percutaneous tracheostomy can be performed safely as a routine procedure in daily care of intensive care unit patients.
Clinical heterogeneity in recessive epidermolysis bullosa due to mutations in the keratin 14 gene, KRT14
Authors: Yiasemides E. , Trisnowati N. , Su J. , Dang N. , Klingberg S. , Marr P. , Melbourne W. , Tran K. , Chow C. W. , Orchard D. , Varigos G. , Murrell D. F.
Published: August 2008

Background. Epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS), the most common subtype of EB, is usually inherited as an autosomal dominant trait caused by mutations in either the keratin 5 (KRT5) or keratin 14 (KRT14) genes. Recessive EBS (R-EBS) is extremely rare.

Methods. We present the first Australian patient diagnosed with R-EBS, to our knowledge, and a comprehensive review of genotypes and phenotypes of R-EBS reported cases.

Results. The female proband, of Turkish descent with consanguineous parentage, was referred to us at the age of 8 years. Clinically, she had a severe phenotype including generalized blisters, mucosal involvement and EB naevi. Immunofluorescence mapping and electron microscopy were consistent with a diagnosis of EBS. Staining for Keratin 14 (K14) was negative. The basal layer, however, reacted with monoclonal antibodies to keratins 6 (K6) and 16 (K16). Mutation screening from genomic DNA showed that the proband was homozygous for the truncation mutation Y204X in exon 3 of KRT14, and both unaffected parents were heterozygous for a single KRT14 Y204X mutation. The phenotype of our patient is reported in more detail and with longer follow-up than those of others published in the literature.

Discussion. The proband’s phenotype was severe as an infant but improved with age, suggesting that an alternative keratin is pairing with K5 in her skin to compensate for the loss of K14 – a novel biological compensatory mechanism. It is interesting that K6 and K16 were expressed, as these are normally positive in hyperproliferative skin disorders.
Metformin maintains the weight loss and metabolic benefits following rimonabant treatment in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Authors: Sathyapalan Thozhukat , Cho Li Wei , Kilpatrick Eric S. , Coady Anne‐Marie , Atkin Stephen L.
Published: August 2008

Objective  Rimonabant has been shown to reduce weight, free androgen index (FAI) and insulin resistance in obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) compared to metformin. Studies have shown that significant weight regain occurs following the cessation of rimonabant therapy. This study was undertaken to determine if subsequent metformin treatment after rimonabant would maintain the improvement in weight, insulin resistance and hyperandrogenaemia in PCOS.

Design  An extension study for 3 months with the addition of metformin to the randomised open labelled parallel study of metformin and rimonabant in 20 patients with PCOS with a body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2. Patients who were on 3 months of rimonabant were changed over to metformin for 3 months, whereas those on 3 months of metformin were continued on metformin for another 3 months.

Measurements  The primary end‐point was a change in weight; secondary end‐points were a change in FAI and insulin resistance.

Results  The mean weight loss of 6·2 kg associated with 3 months of rimonabant treatment was maintained by 3 months of metformin treatment (mean change +0·2 kg, P = 0·96). Therefore, the percentage reduction in weight remained significantly higher in the rimonabant/metformin group compared to metformin only subjects at 6 months compared to baseline (–6·0 ± 0·1%vs. –2·8 ± 0·1%, P = 0·04). The percentage change in testosterone and FAI from baseline to 6 months was also greater in the rimonabant/metformin group. [Testosterone (–45·0 ± 5·0%vs. –16 ± 2·0%, P = 0·02); FAI (–53·0 ± 5·0%vs. –17·0 ± 12·2%, P = 0·02)]. HOMA‐IR continued to fall significantly in the rimonabant/metformin group between 0, 3 and 6 months (4·4 ± 0·5 vs. 3·4 ± 0·4 vs. 2·7 ± 0·3, respectively, P < 0·01) but not at all in the metformin only group (3·4 ± 0·7 vs. 3·4 ± 0·8 vs. 3·7 ± 0·8, respectively, P = 0·80). Total cholesterol and LDL reduced significantly in both groups, but improvements in triglycerides and HDL were limited to the rimonabant/metformin group.

Conclusions  In these obese patients with PCOS, metformin maintained the weight loss and enhanced the metabolic and biochemical parameters achieved by treatment with rimonabant, compared to 6 months of metformin treatment alone.
Cervical smear adequacy: cellularity references were found to increase both interobserver agreement and unsatisfactory rate
Authors: Moore D. , Pugh‐Cain D. , Walker T.
Published: August 2008

Objectives:  To determine the degree of interobserver variation in the assessment of conventional cervical smear adequacy as defined by The Bethesda System (TBS) 2001, and to determine the effect of using reference images of known squamous cellularity when performing squamous adequacy assessments.

Methods:  Experimental pre‐test/post‐test design utilizing 70 conventionally prepared cervical smears. Sample smears containing scant squamous cellularity were independently rated on two occasions by six cytotechnologists. Time 1 was without the use of reference images, and Time 2 was aided by cellularity reference images. The κ statistic was used to compare rater agreement.

Results:  The level of agreement increased from an average κ of 0.26 (SD 0.10) for Time 1, to an average κ of 0.40 (SD 0.15) for Time 2. The difference in mean κ values at the two assessments was statistically significant (t = 3.71; P = 0.002). Unanimous agreement among the raters was observed for 15 samples (21.42%) at Time 1 (only one of which was classified as unsatisfactory) and 21 samples (30.00%) at Time 2 (12 of which were classified as unsatisfactory).

Conclusion:  Interobserver agreement increased after cellularity reference images were implemented. Using TBS 2001 squamous adequacy criteria and images of known squamous cellularity as references resulted in a decreased number of smears reported as satisfactory.
A novel antagonist of prostaglandin D2 blocks the locomotion of eosinophils and basophils
Authors: Royer J. F. , Schratl P. , Carrillo J. J. , Jupp R. , Barker J. , Weyman‐Jones C. , Beri R. , Sargent C. , Schmidt J. A. , Lang‐Loidolt D. , Heinemann A.
Published: August 2008

Background  Chemoattractant receptor homologous molecule of Th2 cells (CRTH2) has been shown to mediate the chemotaxis of eosinophils, basophils and Th2‐type T lymphocytes. The major mast cell product prostaglandin (PG) D2 is considered to be the principal ligand of CRTH2.

Materials and methods  We developed a novel CRTH2 antagonist, AZ11665362 [2,5‐dimethyl‐3‐(8‐methylquinolin‐4‐yl)‐1H‐indole‐1‐yl]acetic acid, and characterized its efficacy in binding assay in HEK293 cells, eosinophil and basophil shape change assay and migration assay, platelet aggregation and eosinophil release from guinea pig bone marrow. The effects were compared with ramatroban, the sole CRTH2 antagonist clinically available to date.

Results  AZ11665362 bound with high affinity to human and guinea pig CRTH2 expressed in HEK293 cells and antagonized eosinophil and basophil shape change responses to PGD2. AZ11665362 was without effect on the PGD2‐induced inhibition of platelet aggregation. In contrast, AZ11665362 effectively inhibited the in vitro migration of human eosinophils and basophils towards PGD2. The release of eosinophils from the isolated perfused hind limb of the guinea pig was potently stimulated by PGD2, and this effect was prevented by AZ11665362. In all assays tested, AZ11665362 was at least 10 times more potent than ramatroban.

Conclusions  AZ11665362 is a potent CRTH2 antagonist that is capable of blocking the migration of eosinophils and basophils, and the rapid mobilization of eosinophils from bone marrow. AZ11665362 might hence be useful for the treatment of allergic diseases.
MEK‐inhibitor U0126 in hyperglycaemic focal ischaemic brain injury in the rat
Authors: Farrokhnia N. , Ericsson A. , Terént A. , Lennmyr F.
Published: August 2008

Background  Hyperglycaemia aggravates ischaemic brain injury, possibly due to activation of signalling pathways involving mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPK). In this study, the activation of MAPK/ERK was inhibited using the upstream inhibitor of MAPK‐ERK‐kinase (MEK) U0126, and the effects on focal brain ischaemia were evaluated during normo‐ and hyperglycaemia.

Materials and methods  Temporary (90 min) middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was induced in five groups of rats. U0126 (400 µg kg−1) or vehicle was given as 60‐min intravenous infusions starting either 30 min prior to MCAO or 30 min prior to reperfusion. The infarct size was determined by perfusion with tetrazolium red after 24 h of survival, and the neurology was tested with the 4‐level scale of Bederson and performance on an inclined plane. The inhibitory effect on the targeted MEK enzyme was investigated by analysing the phosphorylation of the downstream target ERK with western immunoblotting. Two subgroups were investigated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including diffusion‐weighted (DWI) and perfusion‐weighted imaging (PWI).

Results  U0126 effectively reduced the infarct size and improved neurology in hyperglycaemic rats both when given before and after ischemic onset. This effect was not accompanied by any detectable changes in cerebral blood flow on MRI. Normoglycaemic rats had generally milder injuries compared with the hyperglycaemic and there was a nonsignificant trend for U0126 to reduce damage also in the nonhyperglycaemic groups.

Conclusions  In conclusion, U0126 appears to be neuroprotective in this model of hyperglycaemic ischaemic brain injury. The findings support the pathogenic importance of the MEK‐ERK pathway in hyperglycaemic‐ischaemic brain injury.
Mild portal endotoxaemia induces subacute hepatic inflammation and pancreatic β‐cell dysfunction in rats
Authors: Hsieh P‐S. , Chan J. Y‐H. , Shyu J‐F. , Chen Y‐T. , Loh C‐H.
Published: August 2008

Background  Portal endotoxaemia has been speculated to be crucially involved in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatic inflammation, which is highly associated with the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study tests whether portal endotoxaemia is a pathogenic link between chronic subacute hepatic inflammation and pancreatic β‐cell dysfunction.

Materials and methods  Rats were randomly assigned into two groups: rats with intraportal saline or low‐dose lipopolysaccharide (LPS) infusion for 4 weeks. Pathological changes in the liver were evaluated via histological and biochemical examination. Pancreatic insulin secretion was evaluated by in vivo hyperglycaemic clamp study.

Results  White blood cell count was significantly increased after intraportal LPS infusion for 4 weeks. Plasma amylase and chemoluminescence counts indicating superoxide levels were significantly increased after LPS treatments for 2 and 4 weeks. Intraportal low‐dose LPS infusion significantly increased tumour necrosis factor‐alpha and interleukin‐6 contents in liver and pancreas. Circulating C‐reactive protein, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and endotoxin levels were not different among groups. The first‐ and second‐phase insulin secretions in hyperglycaemic clamp were significantly decreased in LPS‐treated rats. The histopathological scores, de novo production of reactive oxygen substrate and TBARS contents in the liver and pancreas were significantly increased in LPS‐infused rats. Leucocyte infiltration was clearly visible in pancreatic islets of LPS‐treated rats.

Conclusions  The present study demonstrated that mild portal endotoxaemia caused subacute hepatic inflammation and impaired pancreatic insulin secretion, implicating that portal endotoxaemia is a potential risk factor to link chronic subacute hepatic inflammation and pancreatic β‐cell dysfunction.
Autonomic neuropathy precedes cardiovascular dysfunction in rats with diabetes
Authors: Lin Y‐D. , Hsu K‐L. , Wu E‐T. , Tsai M‐S. , Wang C‐H. , Chang C‐Y. , Chang K‐C.
Published: August 2008

Background  Our team previously demonstrated arterial stiffening and cardiac hypertrophy in type 2 diabetic rats at 8 but not 4 weeks after being administered streptozotocin (STZ) and nicotinamide (NA). The present study focused on investigating the effects of type 2 diabetes on cardiac autonomic nerve function in the STZ‐ and NA‐treated animals, using modern spectral estimation technique.

Design  An autoregressive process was performed to each detrended signal of heart rate and systolic blood pressure measured in the 4‐ and 8‐week STZ‐NA rats with anaesthesia. The power of low‐frequency and high‐frequency oscillations was automatically quantified with each spectral peak by computing the residuals. The closed‐loop baroreflex gain was estimated using the square root of the ratio between heart rate and systolic blood pressure powers in the low‐frequency band.

Results  Compared with the age‐matched controls, both the 4‐ and 8‐week STZ‐NA diabetic rats had significantly decreased low‐frequency oscillations of heart rate but not systolic blood pressure variability, showing a decline in baroreflex gain (0·451 ± 0·060 and 0·484 ± 0·056 vs. 1·196 ± 0·064 ms mmHg−1, P < 0·05). On the other hand, the low frequency–high frequency power ratio of the heart period was also diminished in the two diabetic groups, indicating a shift in sympatho‐vagal balance of the heart control (0·472 ± 0·109 and 0·504 ± 0·090 vs. 1·857 ± 0·336, P < 0·05).

Conclusions  The cardiac autonomic dysfunction in the absence of any significant changes in vascular dynamics, 4 but not 8 weeks after induction of type 2 diabetes, suggests that the diabetic autonomic neuropathy may precede arterial stiffening and cardiac hypertrophy in the STZ‐ and NA‐treated rats.
Clinical outcome of moderate haemophilia compared with severe and mild haemophilia
Authors: DEN UIJL I. E. M. , FISCHER K. , VAN DER BOM J. G. , GROBBEE D. E. , ROSENDAAL F. R. , PLUG I.
Published: August 2008

Summary.  Information on outcome and treatment of patients with moderate haemophilia is scarce. In this study, we compared self‐reported burden of disease in moderate haemophilia to severe and mild haemophilia. A nationwide questionnaire on bleeding pattern, treatment, impairment and quality of life was sent to 1567 Dutch patients with haemophilia. Out of 1066 respondents (response rate: 68%), 16% had moderate, 44% severe and 39% mild haemophilia. Median age was 36 years. Although overall outcome in moderate haemophilia was in between severe and mild haemophilia, moderate haemophilia patients did report a substantial burden of disease. The majority of patients with moderate haemophilia (73%) reported bleeds in the previous year; and a considerable proportion of moderate patients reported joint impairment (43%), chronic pain (15%), needed orthopaedic aids (24%) or were unemployed because of disability (27%). Within the group of moderate haemophilia patients, a large variation in bleeding pattern and outcome was observed. A quarter of patients with moderate haemophilia reported a more severe phenotype and intermittent use of prophylaxis. These patients reported frequent bleeding, with a median of eight bleeds per year, including two joint bleeds, and 68% reported joint impairment. In conclusion: Although outcome in moderate haemophilia is generally in between severe and mild haemophilia, moderate haemophilia patients reported a substantial burden of disease, and for more than 25% of patients with moderate haemophilia long term prophylaxis was implemented because of frequent bleeds.
Walking with worms: coral‐associated epifaunal nematodes
Authors: Raes M. , Decraemer W. , Vanreusel A.
Published: August 2008

Aims  To study the community structure and habitat preferences of the Epsilonematidae and Draconematidae in coral degradation zones. To assess the contribution of different localities and microhabitats to meiobenthic diversity in such ecosystems. To discuss dispersive capacities and the occurrence of cryptic species in meiobenthic organisms.

Location  Porcupine Seabight (north‐east Atlantic Ocean; continental slope) and a transect along the Kenyan coast (Indian Ocean; shallow lagoon).

Methods  In the north‐east Atlantic, dead coral fragments, sponge skeletons and sediment were collected with a boxcorer. Along the Kenyan coast, dead coral fragments and coral gravel were collected during snorkelling and skin diving. Only nematodes belonging to the families Epsilonematidae and Draconematidae were considered. Community structure was analysed using multivariate techniques. Biodiversity was represented via rarefaction curves. Additive partitioning of species diversity was conducted. Turnover between microhabitats within locations and between locations within microhabitats were compared in a ternary plot.

Results  Twelve epsilonematid and five draconematid species were found in the Porcupine Seabight. In Kenya, 39 epsilonematid and 20 draconematid species were distinguished. Three species were found at both sampling locations. A table with the known distribution of all currently described species encountered in our study area is provided. At both sampling locations, the communities on coral fragments were significantly different from those in the other microhabitats, and were most diverse. In Kenya, species richness was mainly determined by local diversity and by turnover between localities. The contribution of β‐diversity decreased when abundance data were analysed. Turnover between microhabitats and between coral samples from different localities was higher than turnover between locations for gravel samples.

Main conclusions  Coral fragments were recognized as favourable substrata for typically epifaunal nematodes. Species‐specific habitat preferences were explained by finely tuned morphological adaptations. Our results suggest that cosmopolitan species could well be cryptic species, and this explanation for the existence of morphologically identical nematodes in geographically distant areas is weighed up against other plausible explanations. Coral degradation zones are an important source for new species of Epsilonematidae and Draconematidae. The addition of sampling locations contributed to the total number of species, although the added species were generally rare.
Measurement of problem behaviour during medication evaluations
Authors: Zarcone J. , Napolitano D. , Valdovinos M.
Published: August 2008

Background The focus of this review is on methods that are currently being used to evaluate the behavioural effects of medication for individuals with intellectual disabilities. First we describe what has been identified as the ideal criteria for conducting clinical trials and how these criteria may be adapted to do less controlled evaluations. The central theme is a review of the biological measures (e.g. labs, drug levels), behavioural rating scales and direct observation measures that are often used to evaluate medication effects. Issues related to how the side effects of medication can affect behaviour will also be discussed.

Conclusion The importance of encouraging communication and collaboration across all systems of care and the use of socially valid measures are discussed.
Efficacy and safety of maropitant, a selective neurokinin1 receptor antagonist, in two randomized clinical trials for prevention of vomiting due to motion sickness in dogs
Authors: CONDER G. A. , SEDLACEK H. S. , BOUCHER J. F. , CLEMENCE R. G.
Published: August 2008

Maropitant (CereniaTM), a selective neurokinin1 receptor antagonist, was evaluated for efficacy and safety in prevention of vomiting due to motion sickness in dogs in two randomized clinical trials. One‐hundred eighty‐nine dogs with a history of motion sickness were enrolled at 26 veterinary clinics (across 12 US states) across the two trials; of these, 163 were fully evaluable, 19 were evaluable only for safety, and seven were not evaluable. Each trial used a two‐period crossover design. Each dog was treated orally with placebo or maropitant (minimum dose of 8 mg/kg body weight using unit dosing) tablets at approximately 2 h (Trial 1) or 10 h (Trial 2) before an automobile ride of approximately 60 min, during which dogs were observed for signs of motion sickness. Following a 10–14‐day washout period, each dog was administered the opposite treatment and taken for another journey (same route, driver and vehicle). Maropitant reduced the occurrence of vomiting compared to placebo by 86.1% or 76.5% when given approximately 2 or 10 h prior to travel, respectively. No significant clinical signs were observed after maropitant treatment. Maropitant was safe and effective in preventing vomiting due to motion sickness in dogs when administered at a minimum dose of 8 mg/kg body weight as oral tablets 2 or 10 h prior to travel.
Pharmacokinetics of an immediate and extended release oral morphine formulation utilizing the spheroidal oral drug absorption system in dogs
Authors: ARAGON C. L. , READ M. R. , GAYNOR J. S. , BARNHART M. D. , WILSON D. , PAPICH M. G.
Published: August 2008

This study investigated the pharmacokinetics of a human‐labeled oral morphine formulation consisting of both immediate and extended release components in dogs. In a randomized design, 14 dogs were administered either 1 or 2 mg/kg morphine orally. Blood samples were collected up to 24 h post drug administration. Plasma concentrations of morphine were measured using high‐pressure liquid chromatography with electrochemical coulometric detection. For both groups, maximal concentration occurred at 3 h post drug administration followed by a gradual decrease in morphine concentration over 24 h. There was substantial variability in morphine concentrations among dogs. The higher dose group produced a greater exposure (higher area‐under‐the‐curve), higher peak concentration, longer half‐life and a shorter time to peak concentration (tmax). The specific oral morphine formulation used in this study produced sustained plasma morphine concentrations over 24 h compared with previous intravenous dosing and immediate‐release oral morphine studies. However, the low morphine plasma concentrations and high variability produced from this formulation, suggest that the clinical application of this formulation at the doses evaluated in this study are limited.
Insecticide resistance in the horn fly: alternative control strategies
Authors: OYARZÚN M. P. , QUIROZ A. , BIRKETT M. A.
Published: August 2008

AbstractThe horn fly,Haematobia irritans(Linnaeus 1758) (Diptera: Muscidae) is one of the most widespread and economically important pests of cattle. Although insecticides have been used for fly control, success has been limited because of the development of insecticide resistance in all countries where the horn fly is found. This problem, along with public pressure for insecticide‐free food and the prohibitive cost of developing new classes of compounds, has driven the investigation of alternative control methods that minimize or avoid the use of insecticides. This review provides details of the economic impact of horn flies, existing insecticides used for horn fly control and resistance mechanisms. Current research on new methods of horn fly control based on resistant cattle selection, semiochemicals, biological control and vaccines is also discussed.
Trends in ixodid tick abundance and distribution in Great Britain
Authors: SCHARLEMANN J. P. W. , JOHNSON P. J. , SMITH A. A. , MACDONALD D. W. , RANDOLPH S. E.
Published: August 2008

Abstract The popular, but rarely documented, view in Britain is that ticks have increased in distribution and abundance over recent years. To assess this, we gathered evidence for changes in tick distribution and abundance by distributing a survey questionnaire throughout Britain and by analysing trends in the prevalence of tick infestation on red grouse chicks Lagopus lagopus scoticus Latham (Galliformes: Tetranoidae), gathered over 19 years at three Scottish sites, and on deer (Cetartiodactyla: Cervidae) culled over 11 years on 26 Ministry of Defence (MoD) estates. Based on the survey, the current known distribution of Ixodes ricinus Linnaeus (Acari: Ixodidae) has expanded by 17% in comparison with the previously known distribution. The survey indicated that people perceive there to be more ticks today than in the past at 73% of locations throughout Britain. Reported increases in tick numbers coincided spatially with perceived increases in deer numbers. At locations where both tick and deer numbers were reported to have increased, these perceived changes occurred at similar times, raising the possibility of a causal link. At other locations, tick numbers were perceived to have increased despite reported declines in deer numbers. The perceptions revealed by the survey were corroborated by quantitative data from red grouse chicks and culled deer. Tick infestation prevalence increased over time on all grouse moors and 77% of MoD estates and decreased at six locations.
Effect of dengue vector control interventions on entomological parameters in developing countries: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: ERLANGER T. E. , KEISER J. , UTZINGER J.
Published: August 2008

AbstractThe aim of this review was to compare the effects of different dengue vector control interventions (i.e. biological control, chemical control, environmental management and integrated vector management) with respect to the following entomological parameters: Breteau index (BI), container index (CI), and house index (HI). We systematically searched PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Science Direct, the Dengue Bulletin of the World Health Organization and reference lists of retrieved articles on dengue vector control interventions in developing countries. We extracted data on the effectiveness of different dengue vector control interventions (defined as the relative reduction of an entomological measure caused by the intervention compared with the control or pre‐intervention phase) and calculated a measure of combined relative effectiveness, with 95% confidence intervals (95% c.i.). We identified 56 publications covering 61 dengue vector control interventions. Integrated vector management was found to be the most effective method to reduce the CI, HI and BI, resulting in random combined relative effectiveness values of 0.12 (95% c.i. 0.02–0.62), 0.17 (95% c.i. 0.02–1.28) and 0.33 (95% c.i. 0.22–0.48), respectively. Environmental management showed a relatively low effectiveness of 0.71 (95% c.i. 0.55–0.90) for the BI, 0.49 (95% c.i. 0.30–0.79) for the CI and 0.43 (95% c.i. 0.31–0.59) for the HI. Biological control (relative effectiveness for the CI: 0.18) usually targeted a small number of people (median population size: 200; range 20–2500), whereas integrated vector management focused on larger populations (median: 12 450; range: 210–9 600 000). In conclusion, dengue vector control is effective in reducing vector populations, particularly when interventions use a community‐based, integrated approach, which is tailored to local eco‐epidemiological and sociocultural settings and combined with educational programmes to increase knowledge and understanding of best practice. New research should assess the density‐dependent effectiveness of each control measure in order to estimate whether reducing vector numbers has an impact on dengue transmission when populations are at a critical threshold.
Homoploid hybrid speciation in animals
Authors: MAVÁREZ JESÚS , LINARES MAURICIO
Published: August 2008

Among animals, evidence for homoploid hybrid speciation (HHS,i.e. the creation of a hybrid lineage without a change in chromosome number) was limited until recently to the virgin chub,Gila seminuda, and some controversial data in support of hybrid status for the red wolf,Canis rufus. This scarcity of evidence, together with pessimistic attitudes among zoologists about the evolutionary importance of hybridisation, prompted the view that HHS is extremely rare among animals, especially as compared with plants. However, in recent years, the literature on animal HHS has expanded to include several new putative examples in butterflies, ants, flies and fishes. We argue that this evidence suggests that HHS is far more common than previously thought and use it to provide insights into some of the genetic and ecological aspects associated with this type of speciation among animals.
Genetic differentiation, hybridization and adaptive divergence in two subspecies of the acorn barnacle Tetraclita japonica in the northwestern Pacific
Authors: TSANG LING MING , CHAN BENNY K. K. , MA KA YAN , CHU KA HOU
Published: August 2008

Two acorn barnacles, Tetraclita japonica japonica and Tetraclita japonica formosana, have been recently reclassified as two subspecies, because they are morphologically similar and genetically indistinguishable in mitochondrial DNA sequences. The two barnacles are distinguishable by parietes colour and exhibit parapatric distributions, coexisting in Japan, where T. j. formosana is very low in abundance. Here we investigated the genetic differentiation between the subspecies using 209 polymorphic amplified fragment length polymorphism markers and 341 individuals from 12 locations. The subspecies are genetically highly differentiated (ΦCT = 0.267). Bayesian analysis and principal component analysis indicate the presence of hybrids in T. j. formosana samples from Japan. Strong differentiation between the northern and southern populations of T. j. japonica was revealed, and a break between Taiwan and Okinawa was also found in T. j. formosana. The differentiation between the two taxa at individual loci does not deviate from neutral expectation, suggesting that the oceanographic pattern which restricts larval dispersal is a more important factor than divergent selection in maintaining genetic and phenotypic differentiation. The T. j. formosana in Japan are probably recent migrants from Okinawa, and their presence in Japan may represent a poleward range shift driven by global warming. This promotes hybridization and might lead to a breakdown of the boundary between the subspecies. However, both local adaptation and larval dispersal are crucial in determining the population structure within each subspecies. Our study provides new insights into the interplay of local adaptation and dispersal in determining the distribution and genetic structure of intertidal biota and the biogeography of the northwestern Pacific.