bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The microbiota on different oral surfaces in healthy children
Authors: Papaioannou W. , Gizani S. , Haffajee A. D. , Quirynen M. , Mamai‐Homata E. , Papagiannoulis L.
Published: April 2009

Introduction:  Knowledge of the early oral colonization patterns could provide a better understanding of oral biofilm development and disease initiation that in turn could be the basis for early preventive programmes.

Methods:  Microbial samples were collected from five different oral habitats from a total of 93 children (age 3–12 years), attending the Dental School of the University of Athens, who were split into three age groups. A total of 38 microbial species were sought out by the checkerboard DNA–DNA hybridization technique.

Results:  All of the test species, except Parvimonas micra and Porphyromonas gingivalis, differed significantly among sample locations providing quite distinct microbial profiles for the different oral surfaces. Supragingival and subgingival plaque had similar profiles and exhibited higher proportions of Actinomyces species and Green complex while soft tissue samples were dominated by streptococci of the Yellow complex. The profiles of the tongue dorsum and saliva were also similar. Many of the species were in similar proportions in all three age groups for a given location. Periodontal pathogens showed increases in proportions with increasing age. Specifically, the Red complex species (Tannerella forsythia, P. gingivalis, Treponema denticola) showed a significant increase in proportion with age (P < 0.05) in all sample locations.

Conclusions:  The results showed a pattern of colonization in children similar to that previously found in adults. Differences in the profile between age groups suggest a gradual maturation of the oral microbiota, with it being made up of an increasing number of Orange and Red complex species.
Molecular and biological characterization of gtf regulation‐associated genes in Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Terao Y. , Isoda R. , Murakami J. , Hamada S. , Kawabata S.
Published: April 2009

Introduction:  Surface protein antigen (PAc) and glucosyltransferases (GTF) are major adhesive molecules of Streptococcus mutans, though the mechanism of their regulation has not been fully elucidated.

Methods:  To investigate the regulation mechanism, we determined a nucleotide sequence in the upstream region of the pac locus in S. mutans and identified two open reading frames (ORF), designated as orf1 and orf2. Each ORF was inactivated and functional analyses were performed.

Results:  Western blot analyses revealed that the expression level of PAc was unaffected, while that of cell‐associated GTF was diminished in both mutant strains. Furthermore, they showed higher hydrophobicity levels and an impaired sucrose‐dependent adherence to smooth surfaces. RNA dot blot analysis demonstrated that transcriptions of the gtfB and the gtfC genes, which encode GTF‐I and GTF‐SI, respectively, were downregulated, while that of pac was comparable to the wild‐type strain. In addition, the GTF activities of the mutant strains were significantly lower than those of the wild‐type, though a greater amount of total glucan produced by the mutants was noted in culture supernatants.

Conclusion:  These findings suggest that orf1 and orf2 are associated with positive regulation of the gtfB and gtfC genes.
Role of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in glutathione catabolism
Authors: Chu L. , Xu X. , Su J. , Song L. , Lai Y. , Dong Z. , Cappelli D.
Published: April 2009

Introduction:  Our previous studies demonstrated that three enzymes, γ‐glutamyltransferase (GGT), cysteinylglycinase (CGase) and cystalysin, are required for the catabolism of glutathione to produce hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in Treponema denticola. In this study, we examined glutathione catabolism in Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans.

Methods:  The GGT and CGase of A. actinomycetemcomitans were determined by biological methods and GGT was characterized using a molecular biological approach.

Results:  A. actinomycetemcomitans showed GGT and CGase activity, but could not produce H2S from glutathione. The addition of recombinant T. denticola cystalysin, an l‐cysteine desulfhydrase, to whole cells of A. actinomycetemcomitans resulted in the production of H2S from glutathione. Subsequently, we cloned A. actinomycetemcomitans GGT gene (ggt) and overexpressed the 63 kDa GGT protein. The recombinant A. actinomycetemcomitans GGT was purified and identified. The Kcat/Km of the recombinant GGT from N‐γ‐l‐glutamyl‐4‐nitroaniline as substrate was 31/μm/min. The activity of GGT was optimum at pH 6.9–7.1 and enhanced by thiol‐containing compounds.

Conclusion:  The results demonstrated that A. actinomycetemcomitans had GGT and CGase activities and that the GGT was characterized. The possible role of A. actinomycetemcomitans in glutathione metabolism and H2S production from oral bacteria was discussed.
Validation of SAPS 3 Admission Score and comparison with SAPS II
Authors: CAPUZZO M. , SCARAMUZZA A. , VACCARINI B. , GILLI G. , ZANNOLI S. , FARABEGOLI L. , FELISATTI G. , DAVANZO E. , ALVISI R.
Published: April 2009

Background: The objective of this study was to validate the Simplified Acute Physiology Score SAPS 3 Admission Score (SAPS 3) and to compare its fit with that of SAPS II in an independent sample of patients admitted to a single‐centre intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods: The data for all adult patients consecutively admitted to an eight‐bed ICU of a 700‐bed university hospital between 1 January 2006 and 2 September 2007 were collected. SAPS II and SAPS 3 were computed, as well as the predicted hospital mortality. The calibration of SAPS II and SAPS 3, according to the general equation (GE), and equations for Southern Europe and Mediterranean countries (SE&MC), and Central and Western Europe (C&WE), were assessed by the goodness‐of‐fit Hosmer–Lemeshow ? and Ĉ statistics. Standardized mortality ratios (SMR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were computed for SAPS II and SAPS 3 equations.

Results: Six hundred and eighty‐four patients were studied (males 63%). The median age was 73 (quartiles 65–80) years. The fit of SAPS 3 using the C&WE equation (? 13.49, P=0.095; Ĉ 12.73, P=0.121) as well as that of SAPS II was acceptable (? 6.02, P=0.644; Ĉ12.08, P=0.147), while SAPS 3 GE (? 23.36, P=0.002; Ĉ 22.37, P=0.004) and S&MC (? 25.73, P=0.001; Ĉ 26.19, P=0.001) did not fit well. SAPS 3 GE, SAPS 3 SE&M Countries and the SAPS II significantly over estimated the mortality. Only 95% CI of SMR for SAPS 3 C&WE included 1 (SMR 0.97; 95% CI 0.89–1.05).

Conclusion: Each ICU should identify the SAPS 3 equation most suitable for its case mix. The SAPS II model tended to overestimate the mortality.
Unilateral spinal anaesthesia for outpatient surgery: a comparison between hyperbaric bupivacaine and bupivacaine–clonidine combination
Authors: MERIVIRTA R. , KUUSNIEMI K. , JAAKKOLA P. , PIHLAJAMÄKI K. , PITKÄNEN M.
Published: April 2009

Backround: Low‐dose hyperbaric bupivacaine has been used to produce unilateral spinal anaesthesia for outpatient surgery. Unilateral spinal anaesthesia is associated with reduction of hypotension, faster recovery and increased patient satisfaction. Small doses of clonidine have shown effectiveness in intensifying spinal anaesthesia. We investigated the effect of adding 15 μg of clonidine to 5 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine on unilaterality.

Methods: Sixty patients undergoing outpatient knee arthroscopy were randomly allocated to receive either 1.2 ml (6 mg) of hyperbaric bupivacaine or a 1.2 ml solution containing 1.0 ml (5 mg) hyperbaric bupivacaine, 0.1 ml (75 μg) clonidine and 0.1 ml sterile water. The motor block was assessed by a modified Bromage scale and the sensory block by a pinprick.

Results: There was a significant difference in the spread of anaesthesia between the operated and contralateral sides in both groups. Seventy‐seven per cent of the blocks were unilateral in group B and 73% in group B‐C. There was no significant difference between the groups, in unilaterality. The motor block was prolonged in group B‐C but it did not affect home‐readiness. Patients receiving clonidine needed more vasopressors. There was a significant difference in blood pressures between the groups, being lower in group B‐C after 1 h 45 min.

Conclusion: Using 5 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine with 15 μg of clonidine, the unilaterality can be achieved and spinal anaesthesia intensified without affecting home‐readiness. More vasopressors are needed in the beginning, but after the surgery patients experienced less pain.
The Danish version of the questionnaire on pain communication: preliminary validation in cancer patients
Authors: JACOBSEN R. , MØLDRUP C. , CHRISTRUP L. , SJØGREN P. , HANSEN O. B.
Published: April 2009

Background: The modified version of the patients' Perceived Involvement in Care Scale (M‐PICS) is a tool designed to assess cancer patients' perceptions of patient–health care provider pain communication process. The objective of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the shortened Danish version of the M‐PICS (SDM‐PICS).

Methods: The validated English version of the M‐PICS was translated into Danish following the repeated back‐translation procedure. Cancer patients were recruited for the study from specialized pain management facilities.

Results: Thirty‐three patients responded to the SDM‐PICS, Danish Barriers Questionnaire II, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Brief Pain Inventory Pain Severity Scale. A factor analysis of the SDM‐PICS resulted in two factors: Factor one, patient information, consisted of four items assessing the extent to which the patient shared information with his/her health care provider, and Factor two, health care provider information, consisted of four items measuring the degree to which a health care provider was perceived as the one who shares information. Two separate items addressed the perceived level of information exchange between the patient and the health care provider. The SDM‐PICS total had an internal consistency of 0.88. The SDM‐PICS scores were positively related to pain relief and inversely related to the measures of cognitive pain management barriers, anxiety, and reported pain levels.

Conclusion: The SDM‐PICS seems to be a reliable and valid measure of perceived patient–health care provider communication in the context of cancer pain.
Relaxing music as pre‐medication before surgery: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: BRINGMAN H. , GIESECKE K. , THÖRNE A. , BRINGMAN S.
Published: April 2009

Introduction: Patients who await surgery often suffer from fear and anxiety, which can be prevented by anxiolytic drugs. Relaxing music may be an alternative treatment with fewer adverse effects. This randomised clinical trial compared pre‐operative midazolam with relaxing music.

Method: Three hundred and seventy‐two patients scheduled for elective surgery were randomised to receive pre‐operative prevention of anxiety by 0.05–0.1 mg/kg of midazolam orally or by relaxing music. The main outcome measure was the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI X‐1), which was completed by the patients just before and after the intervention.

Results: Of the 177 patients who completed the music protocol, the mean and (standard deviation) STAI‐state anxiety scores were 34 (8) before and 30 (7) after the intervention. The corresponding scores for the 150 patients in the midazolam group were 36 (8) before and 34 (7) after the intervention. The decline in the STAI‐state anxiety score was significantly greater in the music group compared with the midazolam group (P<0.001, 95% confidence interval range −3.8 to −1.8).

Conclusion: Relaxing music decreases the level of anxiety in a pre‐operative setting to a greater extent than orally administrated midazolam. Higher effectiveness and absence of apparent adverse effects makes pre‐operative relaxing music a useful alternative to midazolam for pre‐medication.
Effects of muscarinic receptor stimulation and nitric oxide synthase inhibition on gastric tone and gastric myoelectrical activity in canines
Authors: Chen Jihong , Xing Jinhong , Chen Jiande DZ
Published: April 2009

Aims:  This study was designed to assess whether the muscarinic receptor stimulation and nitric oxide synthase inhibition were equally effective on gastric fundic tone or gastric myoelectrical activity (GMA) in canines, and the correlation between gastric fundic tone and GMA.

Methods:  Gastric fundic tone and GMA were recorded on seven dogs implanted with serosal electrodes and a gastric cannula.

Results:  Bethanechol and L‐nitro‐N‐arginine (L‐NNA) significantly increased gastric fundic tone; gastric volume was decreased with bethanechol or L‐NNA (P < 0.05). Increased spike activities were observed after both bethanechol and L‐NNA. The percentage of slow waves superimposed with spikes was increased with bethanechol (P < 0.001) and L‐NNA (P < 0.05). There was a significant reduction in dominant frequency (DF) (P < 0.05), dominant power (DP) (P < 0.05) and percentage of normal slow waves (%N) (P < 0.05) with bethanechol, while no significant change was observed with L‐NNA. The variation of gastric tone was not correlated with parameters of GMA.

Conclusions:  Muscarinic receptor stimulation and nitric oxide synthase inhibition have similar effects on gastric tone and gastric spike activities, but different effects on gastric slow waves. Gastric fundic tone does not correlate with gastric slow waves.
Performance of acidified 14C‐urea capsule breath test during pantoprazole and ranitidine treatment
Authors: Öztürk Emel , Yeşilova Zeki , Ilgan Seyfettin , Özgüven Mehmet , Dağalp Kemal
Published: April 2009

Background and Aim:  Urea breath test (UBT) results could be false negative in patients taking antisecretory drugs. This effect would be prevented by citric acid administration during UBT. We prospectively investigated whether acidified 14C‐urea capsule prevents false negative UBT results in patients taking antisecretory drugs and show interference with the duration of medications.

Methods:  Sixty Helicobacter pylori positive patients were included. Pantoprazole (40 mg/day) was given to 27 patients for 28 days and ranitidine (300 mg. o.d.) to 33 patients for 60 days. Urea breath tests were repeated on days 14 and 28 in both groups and on day 60 in the ranitidine group.

Results:  The baseline mean breath counts of two groups did not show any significant difference. Pantoprazole led to a significant decrease in mean breath counts on day 14 (P < 0.005). Six of 27 and 3 of 25 patients taking pantoprazole developed negative or equivocal UBT results on days 14 and 28, respectively. Two of 32, 2 of 32 and 3 of 21 patients taking ranitidine developed negative or equivocal UBT results on days 14, 28 and 60, respectively.

Conclusions:  The use of acidified 14C‐urea capsule did not prevent false negative UBT results in patients taking pantoprazole and ranitidine, and the duration of medication does not affect the test results.
Identification of a novel protein binding to hepatitis C virus core protein
Authors: Chen Yun‐ru , Chen Tian‐yan , Zhang Shu‐lin , Lin Shu‐mei , Zhao Ying‐ren , Ye Feng , Zhang Xi , Shi Lei , Dang Shuang‐suo , Liu Min
Published: April 2009

Background:  Hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein is a multi‐functional viral protein that interacts with several target proteins of both viral and cellular origin.

Aim and Methods:  To gain insight into the mechanism of action of HCV core protein, we used a yeast two‐hybrid system to identify the core protein‐interacting cellular targets.

Results:  A cDNA clone encoding an aspartoacylase was obtained, termed aspartoacylase 3 (ACY3). Interaction between ACY3 and HCV core protein was verified using a co‐immunoprecipitation assay in vitro, and a mammalian two‐hybrid system in vivo. Fluorescence microscopy showed green fluorescence protein‐fused ACY3 localized in the cytoplasm.

Conclusion:  Our data suggest that ACY3 is an HCV core binding protein, which may play a role in the development of HCV‐associated diseases.
Cytokines and schizophrenia: Microglia hypothesis of schizophrenia
Authors: Monji Akira , Kato Takahiro , Kanba Shigenobu
Published: April 2009

The etiology of schizophrenia remains unclear, while there has been a growing amount of evidence for the neuroinflammation and immunogenetics, which are characterized by an increased serum concentration of several pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Despite the fact that microglia comprise only <10% of the total brain cells, microglia respond rapidly to even minor pathological changes in the brain and may contribute directly to the neuronal degeneration by producing various pro‐inflammatory cytokines and free radicals. In many aspects, the neuropathology of schizophrenia has recently been reported to be closely associatedwith microglial activation. Previous studies have shown the inhibitory effects of some typical/atypical antipsychotics on the release of inflammatory cytokines and free radicals from activated microglia, both of which have recently been known to cause a decrease in neurogenesis as well as white matter abnormalities in the brains of patients with schizophrenia. The microglia hypothesis of schizophrenia may shed new light on the therapeutic strategy for schizophrenia.
Comparison of vildagliptin and pioglitazone in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with metformin
Authors: Bolli G. , Dotta F. , Colin L. , Minic B. , Goodman M.
Published: April 2009

Aim:  To compare the tolerability and efficacy of vildagliptin to pioglitazone as add‐on therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with metformin monotherapy over 1‐year duration.

Methods:  This 52‐week, multicentre, randomized, active‐controlled study compared vildagliptin (50 mg b.i.d., n = 295) and pioglitazone (30 mg daily, n = 281) in patients with inadequate glycaemic control [haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) 7.5–11%] receiving a stable dose of metformin (≥1500 mg). The primary objective was to demonstrate non‐inferiority of vildagliptin at 24 weeks in the change in HbA1c from baseline. The objective of the additional 28 weeks of the study was to assess long‐term safety, while also assessing mean change from baseline to study end in HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose and body weight.

Results:  When added to a stable dose of metformin (mean baseline dose approximately 2 g/day), the non‐inferiority of HbA1c lowering of vildagliptin to pioglitazone over 24 weeks was established at the non‐inferiority margin of 0.3% (between‐group difference = 0.1%). During the remaining 28 weeks, comparable HbA1c decreases were recorded in both groups. Overall adverse event (AE) rates were similar in both groups, as was the occurrence of peripheral oedema. Hypoglycaemia occurred rarely in both groups. Serious AEs occurred more frequently with pioglitazone group. While mean body weight increased significantly in the pioglitazone group (+2.6 kg) from baseline, there was no significant weight gain with vildagliptin (+0.2 kg).

Conclusions:  When added to metformin, vildagliptin demonstrates favourable safety and tolerability over 1 year. Vildagliptin provided additional HbA1c lowering to that achieved with metformin alone and comparable to that achieved with pioglitazone, with only pioglitazone causing weight gain.
Metformin – the gold standard in type 2 diabetes: what does the evidence tell us?
Authors: Bosi E.
Published: April 2009

Metformin is a cornerstone of oral antidiabetic treatment. Recent joint American and European guidelines recommend instituting metformin therapy along with lifestyle modification at the time type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is diagnosed. Metformin acts to reduce hepatic gluconeogenesis and improve glucose uptake, and it may exert protective effects on pancreatic islet cells. Although metformin therapy produces substantial reductions in HbA1c, it does not produce body weight gain, is not associated with substantial risk for hypoglycaemia and has neutral to positive effects on lipids and blood pressure. The major adverse events associated with metformin are gastrointestinal. T2DM progresses even with initially effective monotherapy, and most patients will therefore receive combination therapy. When selecting agents to coadminister with metformin, a physician must consider efficacy in glycaemic control, safety, tolerability and any effects that may compromise overall efficacy (e.g. effects on body weight, lipids or blood pressure). In this regard, incretin‐based therapies have characteristics that make them particularly suitable for add‐on therapy with metformin.
Metabolic effects of sustained activation of the GLP‐1 receptor alone and in combination with background GIP receptor antagonism in high fat–fed mice
Authors: Irwin N. , McClean P. L. , Hunter K. , Flatt P. R.
Published: April 2009

Aim:  Enzyme‐resistant glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) receptor agonists and GIP receptor antagonists have been proposed to have therapeutic potential for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Such benefits are based on actions mediated primarily through stimulation of insulin secretion or alleviation of insulin resistance respectively. This study examined the long‐term actions of the stable GLP‐1 receptor agonist (d‐Ala8)GLP‐1 and the GIP receptor antagonist (Pro3)GIP alone and in combination in high fat–fed mice.

Methods:  Mice on high‐fat diet for 155 days were injected once daily with (d‐Ala8)GLP‐1 or (Pro3)GIP (25 nmol/kg body weight) for 24 days. In the following 24‐day period, half of the (Pro3)GIP‐treated mice were administered an additional dose of (d‐Ala8)GLP‐1 (25 nmol/kg body weight), while the remaining mice continued their original treatment regimes.

Results:  Daily intraperitoneal injections of (d‐Ala8)GLP‐1 or (Pro3)GIP restored glycaemic control to normal levels and significantly (p < 0.05) improved glucose tolerance compared with high‐fat controls by day 24. Food intake and body weights were not affected. On day 48, all treatment groups displayed significantly improved glucose tolerance (p < 0.05) and insulin sensitivity (p < 0.001) compared with high‐fat controls on day 48. HDL cholesterol levels were significantly increased in mice treated with (d‐Ala8)GLP‐1 alone (p < 0.05) or in combination with (Pro3)GIP (p < 0.01) compared with normal chow‐fed controls.

Conclusions:  These results illustrate efficacy of (Pro3)GIP and (d‐Ala8)GLP‐1 for treatment of glucose intolerance and insulin resistance caused by high‐fat feeding. Combination therapy appeared to have little benefit over either treatment alone.
Adiponectin decreases pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 gene expression in obese‐ and diabetic‐derived myotubes
Authors: McAinch A. J. , Cameron‐Smith D.
Published: April 2009

Aim:  To investigate the effects of globular adiponectin (gAd) on gene expression and whether these effects are mediated through 3′,5′‐cyclic monophosphate‐activated protein kinase in skeletal muscle myotubes obtained from lean, obese and obese diabetic individuals.

Methods:  Rectus abdominus muscle biopsies were obtained from surgical patients to establish primary skeletal muscle cell cultures. Three distinct primary cell culture groups were established (lean, obese and obese diabetic; n = 7 in each group). Once differentiated, these cultures were then exposed to gAd or 5‐aminoimidazole‐4‐carboxamide‐1‐β‐d‐ribofuranoside (AICAR) for 6 h.

Results:  Stimulation with gAd decreased pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4) gene expression in the obese and diabetic samples (p ≤ 0.05) and increased cytochrome c oxidase (COX) subunit 4 (COXIV) gene expression in the myotubes derived from lean individuals only (p < 0.05). AICAR treatment also decreased PDK4 gene expression in the obese‐ and diabetic‐derived myotubes (p ≤ 0.05) and increased the gene expression of the mitochondrial gene, COXIII, in the lean‐derived samples only (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:  This study demonstrated distinct disparity between myotubes derived from lean compared with obese and obese diabetic individuals following gAd and AICAR treatment. Further understanding of the regulation of PDK4 in obese and diabetic skeletal muscle and its interaction with adiponectin signalling is required as this appears to be an important early molecular event in these disease states that may improve blood glucose control and metabolic flux.
Quality of life after islet transplantation: data from the GRAGIL 1 and 2 trials
Authors: Benhamou P. Y. , Milliat‐Guittard L. , Wojtusciszyn A. , Kessler L. , Toso C. , Baertschiger R. , Debaty I. , Badet L. , Penfornis A. , Thivolet C. , Renard E. , Bayle F. , Morel P. , Morelon E. , Colin C. , Berney T. ,   on behalf of the GRAGIL group
Published: April 2009

Background Rigorous assessment of health‐related quality of life (HRQL) is mandatory to establish the benefits of islet transplantation.

Methods The 36‐Item Short Form Health Survey (SF‐36) and the Diabetes Quality of Life (DQOL) scales were completed by patients included in an Islet Transplantation Alone (ITA) trial (n = 10) and an Islet After Kidney (IAK) trial (n = 10).

Results The two populations differed by HRQL scores at baseline, with poorer scores in ITA patients. SF‐36 scores for physical limitations, bodily pain, general health perception, social functioning, and health transition improved significantly in ITA patients 6 and 12 months post transplantation. The DQOL global score was significantly improved at 6 months and remained so at 12 months, because of a significant improvement in the dimensions of satisfaction and impact of diabetes. No improvement was observed in the IAK patients.

Conclusion HRQL assessment may help in the selection of candidates with brittle diabetes for islet transplantation.
Lady and the Trump: Status and Wealth in the Marriage Market
Authors: Almenberg Johan , Dreber Anna
Published: April 2009

Indicators of past wealth –‘old money’– typically bestow prestige and contribute to high status. Nobility, a culturally determined, hereditary status marker, might act as such an indicator, and thereby serve as a vehicle for the cultural transmission of economic standing. As an institution, nobility is an anachronism. Status, however, plays an important role in most societies, making individuals allocate valuable resources to status‐enhancing activities. This suggests that even though nobility no longer entails formal privileges, it may continue to be coveted as a status marker. We examine the relative performance of nobility in the marriage market. Data on Swedish marriages provide an opportunity to test the hypothesis that the probability of hypergamy (marrying ‘up’) in terms of wealth increases when an individual belongs to the nobility. Our main finding is a significantly higher probability of hypergamy for members of the nobility, controlling for own wealth and other covariates. This ‘nobility premium’ is sizeable. The effect is statistically significant and robust to a number of different measures of hypergamy. This finding has implications for the intergenerational transmission of inequality, and for the longevity of the institution of nobility itself.
Is There an Openness Kuznets Curve?
Authors: Dobson Stephen , Ramlogan Carlyn
Published: April 2009

One of the key features of research on income inequality is the search for a Kuznets curve. Two curvilinear relationships in particular have been documented in the literature: one between inequality and income and the other between inequality and environmental factors. More recently, inequality and its link to trade liberalisation has received a good deal of attention, not least because it is among the major controversies provoked by the globalisation process. The outcomes for developing countries of greater openness do not fit neatly with the predictions of standard trade theory. Given this, it is natural to ask whether the relationship between trade openness and inequality may be better understood in terms of the Kuznets hypothesis. To this end, the study tests the Kuznets hypothesis in the context of trade liberalisation using data for Latin America. The evidence is new and is consistent with the Kuznets hypothesis: inequality increases with trade openness until a critical level of openness is reached after which inequality begins to fall. The curvilinear relationship between openness and inequality suggests that Latin American countries should continue with trade liberalisation measures but also introduce redistribution policies to ease the (initial) adverse consequences of liberalisation.
Ruling by Record: The Meaning of Rights, Rules and Registration in an AndeanComunidad
Authors: Nuijten Monique , Lorenzo David
Published: April 2009

This contribution looks at land property relations in a peasant community in the central highlands of Peru. Rather than using a rights‐based approach, the authors propose a ‘practice force field approach’ for their analysis of property relations under communal land tenure regimes. Their study combines qualitative ethnographic case studies with quantitative analysis of data on land distribution. In contrast to rights‐based approaches, this perspective understands the legal discourses that people draw upon to explain property relations as ‘justifying rule talk’ rather than the reflection of a system of property rights. It is shown how property relations are shaped in mediated interactive processes, where official rules, moral principles, shared histories and strategic games come together. The authors use this practice force field approach to study Usibamba, an Andean community that has developed a true disciplinary regime of communal governance based on control over land. The role of ‘rule talk’ and the function of elaborate local systems of land registration are examined in the context of the annual reallocation of communal land. Particular attention is paid to the performance of the president of thecomunidadduring this delicate process and his reflections on the course of events.
Children's and adults' judgments of equitable resource distributions
Authors: McCrink Koleen , Bloom Paul , Santos Laurie R.
Published: April 2009

This study explored the criteria that children and adults use when evaluating the niceness of a character who is distributing resources. Four‐ and five‐year‐olds played the ‘Giving Game’, in which two puppets with different amounts of chips each gave some portion of these chips to the children. Adults played an analogous task that mimicked the situations presented to children in the Giving Game. For all groups of participants, we manipulated the absolute amount and proportion of chips given away. We found that children and adults used different cues to establish which puppet was nicer: 4‐year‐olds focused exclusively on absolute amount, 5‐year‐olds showed some sensitivity to proportion, and adults focused exclusively on proportion. These results are discussed in light of their implications for equity theory and for theories of the development of social evaluation.
Forgetting the Unforgettable Through Conversation
Authors: Coman Alin , Manier David , Hirst William
Published: April 2009

A speaker's selective recounting of memories shared with a listener will induce both the speaker and the listener to forget unmentioned, related material more than unmentioned, unrelated material. We extended this finding of within-individual and socially shared retrieval-induced forgetting to well-rehearsed, emotionally intense memories that are similar for the speaker and listener, but differ in specifics. A questionnaire probed participants' memory of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Questions and responses were grouped into category-exemplar structures. Then, participants selectively rehearsed their answers (using a structured interview in Experiment 1 and a joint recounting between pairs in Experiment 2 ). In subsequent recognition tests, response times yielded evidence of within-individual retrieval-induced forgetting and socially shared retrieval-induced forgetting. This result indicates that conversations can alter memories of speakers and listeners in similar ways, even when the memories differ. We discuss socially shared retrieval-induced forgetting as a mechanism for the formation of collective memories.
Foreign Aid in the Presence of Corruption: Differential Games among Donors
Authors: Kemp Murray C. , Long Ngo Van
Published: April 2009

We consider two dynamic games of foreign aid. Model 1 deals with the case where donor countries continually feel the warm glow from the act of giving. Model 2 postulates that donors will stop giving aid when a target level of development is reached. In Model 1, there are multiple equilibria that can be Pareto ranked. In Model 2, the equilibrium strategies are nonlinear functions of the level of development. The flow of aid falls at a faster and faster rate as the target is approached. An increase in corruption will increase the flow of aid.
A longitudinal study of Taiwanese Sialidosis type 1: an insight into the concept of cherry‐red spot myoclonus syndrome
Authors: Lai S.‐C. , Chen R.‐S. , Wu Chou Y.‐H. , Chang H.‐C. , Kao L.‐Y. , Huang Y.‐Z. , Weng Y.‐H. , Chen J.‐K. , Hwu W.‐L. , Lu C.‐S.
Published: April 2009

Background and purpose:  Sialidosis type 1 (ST‐1) is a neurodegenerative disorder with limited long‐term follow‐up report. This study is to document the chronological profile of ST‐1.

Methods:  We perform serial analysis of 17 Taiwanese patients with ST‐1 focusing on evolution of clinical features, electrophysiological findings, genetic studies, and neuroimage examinations.

Results:  All patients had a mutation at 554A→G in exon 3 of the NEU1 gene causing Ser182Gly substitution. Fifteen patients were homozygous. Two patients were heterozygous with novel mutations, 956C→T causing Ala319Val in one and 163C→T causing Gln55stop codon in the other. The neuraminidase activity was markedly decreased in all 11 available patients. Only three patients (17.6%) manifested the macular cherry‐red spot. The majority of patients (82.3%) developed full‐blown manifestation of myoclonus, ataxia, and seizures within 5 years. Abnormal somatosensory evoked potentials with giant cortical waves were found in all patients. Prolonged P100 peak latency of the visual evoked potentials (VEPs) were found in 16 patients (94.1%) in the early stage even without visual symptoms.

Conclusion:  ST‐1 in Taiwanese population illustrates distinct characteristics of phenotype with infrequent cherry‐red spot. We suggest to screen the NEU1 mutations in patients presenting action myoclonus with abnormal VEPs, even without macular cherry‐red spots.
Health‐related quality of life measures and psychiatric comorbidity in patients with migraine
Authors: Mula M. , Viana M. , Jauch R. , Schmitz B. , Bettucci D. , Cavanna A. E. , Strigaro G. , Tota M. G. , Israel H. , Reuter U. , Monaco F.
Published: April 2009

Background and purpose:  The identification of factors associated to health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) measures in patients with migraine has major implications in terms of prognosis and treatment. This study aimed at investigating associations between HRQoL and comorbid mood and anxiety disorders.

Methods:  Consecutive adult outpatients with a diagnosis of migraine with or without aura were assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.) Plus version 5.0.0 and the Migraine‐Specific Quality‐of‐Life Questionnaire (MSQ).

Results:  Data of 112 patients (82 females), 69 without aura, mean age 41.2 ± 13.3 years were analyzed. According to the M.I.N.I., 50% patients had a lifetime or current DSM‐IV diagnosis of mood or anxiety disorder. There was no between‐groups difference in MSQ total and subscale scores in relation to the presence/absence of psychiatric comorbidity, independently whether that was current or lifetime. In the group of subjects with psychiatric disorders, age at onset of migraine correlated with MSQ‐total (rho = −0.407 P = 0.002), and subscale scores (Role Function‐Restrictive, rho = −0.397, P = 0.002; Emotional Function, rho = −0.487, P < 0.001).

Conclusions:  Our findings suggest that current and/or lifetime psychiatric comorbidities are not associated with HRQoL measures in patients with migraine. However, patients with migraine and psychiatric comorbidities may represent a specific subgroup deserving particular attention for targeted interventions.
Emotions, Retribution, and Punishment
Authors: CIOCCHETTI CHRISTOPHER
Published: April 2009

abstract

I examine emotional reactions to wrongdoing to determine whether they offer support for retributivism. It is often thought that victims desire to see their victimizer suffer and that this reaction offers support for retributivism. After rejecting several attempts to use different theories of emotion and different approaches to using emotions to justify retributivism, I find that, assuming a cognitive theory of emotion is correct, emotions can be used as heuristic guides much as suggested by Michael Moore. Applying this method to the actual emotional reactions of victims’ relatives, however, does not find support for retributivism. Instead, it suggests punishment should be understood as part of a process of recovery with a complex set of demands. Retributive concerns can play a role in the process, but they don't have the priority that retributivism requires.
The Metaphysical Foundations of Reproductive Ethics
Authors: MANNINEN BERTHA ALVAREZ
Published: April 2009

abstract

Many bioethicists working in reproductive ethics tacitly assume some theory of diachronic personal identity. For example, Peter Singer argues that there is no identity relation between a foetus and a future individual because the former shares no robust mental connections with the latter. Consequently, abortion prevents the existence of an individual; it does not destroy an already existing individual.

Singer's argument implicitly appeals to the psychological account of personal identity, which, although endorsed by many philosophers such as Derek Parfit, is contentious. Singer does not attempt to defend the psychological account before applying it to the moral permissibility of abortion. Indeed, with some notable exceptions, very few bioethicists attempt antecedently to defend their chosen theory of personal identity before applying it to their ethical arguments. In this paper, I look at the issues of abortion, embryonic stem cell research, and human reproductive cloning in order to illustrate how many of the arguments made by bioethicists on these topics are, at least partly, based upon veiled metaphysical assumptions. My objective is to illustrate that progress can be made on these topics by attending to their fundamental metaphysical claims.
Amygdala, hippocampal and corpus callosum size following severe early institutional deprivation: The English and Romanian Adoptees Study Pilot
Authors: Mehta Mitul A. , Golembo Nicole I. , Nosarti Chiara , Colvert Emma , Mota Ashley , Williams Steven C. R. , Rutter Michael , Sonuga‐Barke Edmund J. S.
Published: April 2009

The adoption into the UK of children who have been reared in severely deprived conditions provides an opportunity to study possible association between very early negative experiences and subsequent brain development. This cross‐sectional study was a pilot for a planned larger study quantifying the effects of early deprivation on later brain structure. We used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure the sizes of three key brain regions hypothesized to be sensitive to early adverse experiences. Our sample was a group of adoptee adolescents (N = 14) who had experienced severe early institutional deprivation in Romania and a group of non‐institutionalised controls (N = 11). The total grey and white matter volumes were significantly smaller in the institutionalised group compared with a group of non‐deprived, non‐adopted UK controls. After correcting for difference in brain volume, the institutionalised group had greater amygdala volumes, especially on the right, but no differences were observed in hippocampal volume or corpus callosum mid‐sagittal area. The left amygdala volume was also related to the time spent in institutions, with those experiencing longer periods of deprivation having a smallerleftamygdala volume. These pilot findings highlight the need for future studies to confirm the sensitivity of the amygdala to early deprivation.
Biodiversity Conservation, Ecosystem Functioning, and Economic Incentives under Cocoa Agroforestry Intensification
Authors: BISSELEUA D.H.B. , MISSOUP A.D. , VIDAL S.
Published: April 2009

Abstract:  World chocolate demand is expected to more than double by 2050. Decisions about how to meet this challenge will have profound effects on tropical rainforests and wild species in cocoa‐producing countries. Cocoa, “the chocolate tree,” is traditionally produced under a diverse and dense canopy of shade trees that provide habitat for a high diversity of organisms. The current trend to reduce or eliminate shade cover raises concerns about the potential loss of biodiversity. Nevertheless, few studies have assessed the ecological consequences and economic trade‐offs under different management options in cocoa plantations. Here we describe the relationships between ant ecology (species richness, community composition, and abundance) and vegetation structure, ecosystem functions, and economic profitability under different land‐use management systems in 17 traditional cocoa forest gardens in southern Cameroon. We calculated an index of profitability, based on the net annual income per hectare. We found significant differences associated with the different land‐use management systems for species richness and abundance of ants and species richness and density of trees. Ant species richness was significantly higher in floristically and structurally diverse, low‐intensity, old cocoa systems than in intensive young systems. Ant species richness was significantly related to tree species richness and density. We found no clear relationship between profitability and biodiversity. Nevertheless, we suggest that improving the income and livelihood of smallholder cocoa farmers will require economic incentives to discourage further intensification and ecologically detrimental loss of shade cover. Certification programs for shade‐grown cocoa may provide socioeconomic incentives to slow intensification.
Source of coesite inclusions within inherited magmatic zircon from Sulu UHP rocks, eastern China, and their bearing for fluid–rock interaction and SHRIMP dating
Authors: ZHANG Z. M. , SCHERTL H.‐P. , WANG J. L. , SHEN K. , LIOU J. G.
Published: April 2009

The 5‐km deep Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling Main Hole penetrated a sequence of ultrahigh pressure (UHP)‐metamorphic rocks consisting mainly of eclogite, gneiss and garnet‐peridotite with minor schist and quartzite. Zircon separates taken from thin layers of schist and gneiss within eclogite were investigated. Cathodoluminescence images of zircon grains show that they have oscillatory zoned magmatic cores and unzoned to patchy zoned metamorphic rims. Zircon rims contain rare coesite and calcite inclusions whereas cores contain inclusions of both low‐P minerals (e.g. feldspar, biotite and quartz) and coesite and other eclogite‐facies minerals such as phengite and jadeite. The zircon cores give highly variable 206Pb/238U ages ranging from 760 to 431 Ma for schist and from 698 to 285 Ma for gneiss, and relatively high but variable Th/U ratios (0.16–1.91). We suggest that the coesite and other eclogite facies mineral inclusions in zircon cores were not magmatic but formed through metasomatic processes caused by fluids during UHP metamorphism, and that the fluids contain components of SiO2, Al2O3, K2O, FeO, MgO, Na2O and H2O. Metasomatism of the Sulu UHP rocks during continental subduction to mantle depths has partly altered magmatic zircon cores and reset isotopic systems. This study provides key evidence that mineral inclusions within magmatic zircon domains are not unequivocal indicators of the formation conditions of the respective domain. This finding leads us to conclude that the routine procedure for dating of metamorphic events solely based on the occurrence of mineral inclusions in zoned zircon could be misleading and the data should be treated with caution.
Symmetrical Drug‐Related Intertriginous and Flexural Exanthem due to Oral Risperidone
Authors: AKAY BENGU NISA , SANLI HATICE
Published: April 2009

Abstract:  We report the case of an 8‐year‐old boy who developed a distinctive skin eruption after oral treatment with risperidone for the syndrome of attention deficiency with hyperactivity. The clinical findings were compatible with so‐called symmetrical drug related intertriginous and flexural exanthema, also known as Baboon syndrome. Although epicutaneous patch testing with the offending drug was negative, drug rechallenge produced a recurrence of the skin findings. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of symmetrical drug related intertriginous and flexural exanthema reported due to risperidone.
Drug‐Induced Hypersensivity Syndrome Associated with Epstein‐Barr Virus Infection: A Pediatric Case Report
Authors: SCAGNI PAOLA , MORELLO MAURA , RAMUS MARISA VIETTI , AGOSTINI MANUELA , PAGLIERO ROSAURA
Published: April 2009

Abstract:  Drug hypersensitivity syndrome is an acute, severe, multi‐organ systemic reaction, usually developing with aromatic antiepileptic drugs. Interaction between drug‐induced hypersensivity syndrome and viral infections is debated. We report the first case of severe carbamazepine‐induced hypersensivity syndrome associated with Epstein‐Barr virus infection in a child.
Erythrodermic Juvenile Dermatomyositis
Authors: CHANDER RAM , GUPTA TANVI , RANI SEEMA , NAGIA ANITA
Published: April 2009

Abstract:  Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDMS) is an inflammatory myopathy with various cutaneous manifestations, usually affecting children between 2 and 15 years of age. We describe a 9‐year‐old female diagnosed with Juvenile dermatomyositis presenting with generalized erythroderma, Gottron papules, inflammatory myopathy associated with systemic hypertension confirmed on histopathogical examination of skin and muscle biopsy. Since erythroderma, though rare, is an early manifestation of dermatomyositis (adult onset), presence in a pediatric case should prompt early investigations and effective management by a multispeciality team.
Multiple Lichenoid Juvenile Xanthogranuloma
Authors: TORRELO ANTONIO , JUAREZ AFRICA , HERNÁNDEZ ANGELA , COLMENERO ISABEL
Published: April 2009

Abstract:  A 2‐year‐old boy had hundreds of discrete, small, flat yellow to brown colored papules distributed over the face, neck, and trunk. Biopsy revealed a well‐demarcated infiltrate within the papillary dermis composed of histiocytes and some Touton giant cells and eosinophils. The cells were negative for protein S‐100 and CD1a but positive for CD68 staining. No systemic lesions of juvenile xanthogranuloma were identified. Lichenoid juvenile xanthogranuloma is a very infrequent variant of juvenile xanthogranuloma.
Complexity and Transition Management
Authors: Rotmans Jan , Loorbach Derk
Published: April 2009

This article presents a framework, transition management, for managing complex societal systems. The principal contribution of this article is to articulate the relationship between transition management and complex systems theory. A better understanding of the dynamics of complex, adaptive systems provides insight into the opportunities, limitations, and conditions under which it is possible to influence such systems. Transition management is based on key notions of complex systems theory, such as variation and selection, emergence, coevolution, and self‐organization. It involves a cyclical process of phases at various scale levels: stimulating niche development at the micro level, finding new attractors at the macro level by developing a sustainability vision, creating diversity by setting out experiments, and selecting successful experiments that can be scaled up.